foot pedal

IPA/ˈfʊt ˌped.əl/
IPA/ˈfʊt ˌped.əl/

foot pedal — noun

1. a flat bar or small platform that you push with your foot to control a vehicle,

1.名詞B1
釋義

a flat bar or small platform that you push with your foot to control a vehicle, machine, or piece of equipment

例句

Eli pressed the foot pedal gently, and the sewing machine began to move smoothly.

collocation: press the foot pedal

The instructor told Hui to keep her foot off the foot pedal between gear changes.

同義詞
  • pedal

    shorter, everyday form; used when the meaning is clear from context (e.g. in 'brake pedal', 'clutch pedal')

  • treadle

    old-fashioned term for a foot pedal on a spinning wheel, sewing machine, or lathe; rarely used for modern vehicles

文法句型

foot pedal + for + [function]

press/push + a/the foot pedal

用法筆記

Often shortened to just 'pedal' when the context makes the meaning clear — for example, 'the accelerator pedal' in a car is always a foot pedal.

常見錯誤

❌Step on the foot pedal to start the car.
✅Press the foot pedal to start the car.
💡'step on' is acceptable informally, but 'press' or 'push' are the standard verbs for operating a foot pedal.

2. a metal or wooden bar located near the floor of a keyboard instrument, such as a

2.名詞B2
釋義

a metal or wooden bar located near the floor of a keyboard instrument, such as a piano or organ, that the player presses with the foot to alter the sound's duration, volume, or tone

例句

Heloísa pressed the right foot pedal to make piano notes ring longer onstage.

the right foot pedal sustains notes

The organist pressed different foot pedals to produce deep, low notes for the church music.

同義詞
  • piano pedal

    more specific; used when the instrument is already identified as a piano

  • sustain pedal

    refers specifically to the rightmost foot pedal that holds notes after the keys are released

文法句型

the + [left/right] + foot pedal

use + a/the foot pedal

用法筆記

On a modern piano there are typically two or three foot pedals: the right (sustain) pedal, the left (soft) pedal, and a middle (sostenute or practice) pedal. Each produces a different effect on the sound.