duty-bound

/ˌdjuːti ˈbaʊnd/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌduːti ˈbaʊnd/ (ame, ipa)

duty-bound — adjective

1. feeling that you must do something because your role, promise, or conscience lea

1.形容詞C1
釋義

feeling that you must do something because your role, promise, or conscience leaves little choice.

例句

Isabela felt duty-bound to tell the coach about the scoring mistake.

feel duty-bound to + verb

After the flood, Ravindra was duty-bound to check on every neighbor.

同義詞
  • obligated

    more neutral and often used for rules, agreements, or formal requirements

  • bound

    broader and often used for legal or strongly fixed duties

  • honour-bound

    very close, but it puts extra stress on personal honor

反義詞
  • free

    not required or morally expected to do it

  • excused

    officially allowed not to perform the duty

文法句型

be duty-bound to + verb

feel duty-bound to + verb

用法筆記

Usually follows be or feel and is most often followed by to + verb. It stresses a strong pull from conscience, loyalty, or professional role more than from a written rule alone.

常見錯誤

❌I felt duty-bound helping her after the crash.
✅I felt duty-bound to help her after the crash.
💡this adjective is usually followed by 'to' + base verb.