flagging
flagging — adjective
- flaggingpositive
- more flaggingcomparative
- most flaggingsuperlative
1. Something that is flagging is becoming weaker, less active, or less effective ov
Something that is flagging is becoming weaker, less active, or less effective over time — for example, a person’s interest in a hobby, a country’s economy, or a team’s performance.
A cup of hot tea revived Ishaan's flagging energy after the long walk home.
collocation: flagging energy
After months of flagging interest, the library attracted more visitors with free children's events.
collocation: flagging interest
Femi played his classmates' favourite songs to lift their flagging spirits before the exam.
The government introduced tax cuts to support the flagging economy during the recession.
文法句型
flagging + noun (interest, spirits, economy, energy, sales)
用法筆記
Commonly used before nouns that describe something which naturally loses strength over time, such as interest, spirits, energy, economy, sales, and morale.
2. A person who is flagging is physically very weak or exhausted, especially after
A person who is flagging is physically very weak or exhausted, especially after a long period of hard work or physical activity.
The flagging runners could barely lift their legs as they crossed the finish line.
attributive use: flagging + person
After a long shift, the flagging nurses rested in turns on a bench outside.
Otis's flagging body gave way, and he sank into the armchair with relief.
Even the strongest climbers looked flagging by the time they reached the shelter.
文法句型
flagging + person/body (runners, workers, body)
look/feel/be + flagging
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (LOSING STRENGTH): sense 1 describes a process affecting things like interest or energy, while this sense describes the person themselves as being in a weakened physical state. Often used in formal or literary writing rather than everyday conversation.