dribble
/ˈdrɪbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdrɪbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdri-bəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈdrɪb.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdrɪb.əl/ (ame, ipa)
dribble — verb
- dribblepresent simple I / you / we / they
- dribbleshe / she / it
- dribbledpast simple
- dribbling-ing form
1. to flow or fall as separate tiny droplets or a fine, irregular stream; or to mak
to flow or fall as separate tiny droplets or a fine, irregular stream; or to make a liquid do this
Water from the burst pipe dribbled slowly down the kitchen wall.
intransitive: liquid flows slowly in drops
Pim dribbled a few drops of lemon juice onto the grilled fish.
dribble + noun + onto — drip liquid on purpose
A thin stream of oil dribbled from the bottom of the engine.
The chef dribbled chocolate sauce over the cake before serving it.
文法句型
dribble + adverb/prepositional phrase
dribble + noun + adverb/prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Often takes an adverb or preposition phrase telling where the liquid goes (down, onto, into, through). The transitive form (dribble + object) is used when a person intentionally lets liquid fall in drops.
常見錯誤
2. when saliva slowly leaks from a person's or animal's mouth, often while sleeping
when saliva slowly leaks from a person's or animal's mouth, often while sleeping or when unable to swallow properly
The baby dribbled milk down the front of her mother's shirt.
dribble + liquid + down [surface]
Christopher dribbled onto his pillow after a long, tiring day.
The old dog dribbled constantly because of its bad teeth.
Yael tried not to dribble while the dentist worked on her teeth.
文法句型
dribble + adverb/prepositional phrase
用法筆記
In everyday conversation, drool is more frequent than dribble for saliva. Dribble sounds slightly more neutral and is often used with babies or people who cannot control their mouth muscles.
常見錯誤
3. in sports, to keep a ball close to you as you move forward by giving it short, r
in sports, to keep a ball close to you as you move forward by giving it short, repeated touches with your foot, hand, or stick
Lakshmi dribbled the ball past two defenders and scored the winning goal.
dribble + ball + past [opponent] + and + [action]
In football, players dribble the ball with the side of their foot.
The basketball player dribbled down the court and passed to a teammate.
Valentina worked hard to dribble the ball with both hands equally well.
Nora dribbled around three players before shooting the winning basket.
- run with the ball
more general; does not specify the short repeated touches
文法句型
dribble + noun (ball/puck) + adverb/prepositional phrase
dribble + adverb/prepositional phrase
用法筆記
The body part used depends on the sport: the hand in basketball, the foot in football (soccer), and the stick in hockey. Often used without an object in commands and instructions.
常見錯誤
dribble — noun
- dribblesingular
- dribblesplural
1. liquid, especially saliva, that slowly leaks from a person's or animal's mouth
liquid, especially saliva, that slowly leaks from a person's or animal's mouth
There was a small spot of dribble on the baby's shirt.
uncountable noun: saliva on the chin or clothes
Adaeze wiped the dribble from her sleeping grandfather's chin.
The toddler's dribble soaked the front of his bib completely.
Kasia wiped the dribble off her puppy's face after it drank water.
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when referring to saliva. Can be countable when talking about a single visible trail or spot (e.g. 'There was a dribble on his chin.').
常見錯誤
2. a small amount of liquid that flows very slowly, often in drops
a small amount of liquid that flows very slowly, often in drops
A thin dribble of water ran from the garden tap all morning.
a dribble of [liquid] — describes a very slow flow
Kemi watched a dribble of paint run slowly down the wall.
The old faucet produced only a slow dribble of brown water.
A constant dribble of sweat ran down the runner's forehead.
文法句型
a dribble of + noun
用法筆記
Often followed by of and a noun: a dribble of water, a dribble of paint, a dribble of syrup. Common in descriptions of leaks or small spills.
常見錯誤
3. in sports, the skill or action of moving forward with a ball by giving it short,
in sports, the skill or action of moving forward with a ball by giving it short, repeated touches with the foot, hand, or stick
Layla's dribble in the final match was fast and well controlled.
countable: a specific instance or style of dribbling in a game
Good dribble requires keeping your head up and the ball low.
The player's dribble took him past three defenders with ease.
Élise improved her dribble by practising with cones every evening.
- ball control
broader term that includes receiving and holding the ball
用法筆記
Primarily uncountable when referring to the skill in general (e.g., 'dribble is an important basketball skill'). Can be countable for a specific run during a game (e.g., 'a beautiful dribble down the court').