expectorate

/ɪkˈspektəreɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪkˈspektəreɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ik-ˈspek-tə-ˌrāt/ (ame, mw)

expectorate — verb

  • expectoratepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • expectorateshe / she / it
  • expectoratedpast simple
  • expectorating-ing form

1. to cough mucus or other fluid out after it rises from your chest or throat.

1.動詞及物 / 不及物C2
釋義

to cough mucus or other fluid out after it rises from your chest or throat.

例句

After the breathing test, Emre expectorated mucus into a paper cup.

expectorate + mucus into [container]

The nurse asked Yael to expectorate so the lab could test the sample.

formal medical request: ask [person] to expectorate

同義詞
  • cough up

    the usual everyday phrase for bringing mucus or blood out of the chest

  • spit out

    broader and less medical; can refer to food or liquid from the mouth

  • hawk

    informal and noisier, often suggesting throat-clearing before spitting

反義詞
  • swallow

    to move liquid or other material down the throat instead of expelling it

文法句型

expectorate + [mucus/phlegm/blood]

expectorate into + [container]

用法筆記

Usually used in medical or formal contexts. Common objects are mucus, phlegm, blood, or sputum, while everyday English often uses cough up or spit instead.

常見錯誤

❌The doctor told him to expectorate in the cup.
✅The doctor told him to expectorate into the cup.
💡This verb usually takes 'into' before the container receiving the material.