fumble

/ˈfʌmbl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfʌmbl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈfəm-bəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈfʌm.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈfʌm.bəl/ (ame, ipa)

fumble — verb

  • fumblepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • fumbleshe / she / it
  • fumbledpast simple
  • fumbling-ing form

1. to handle or manipulate something awkwardly with your hands, especially when you

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to handle or manipulate something awkwardly with your hands, especially when you are nervous, in a hurry, or lack the skill to do it smoothly

例句

Nila fumbled in her bag for the car keys, her fingers stiff from the cold.

fumble + in [container] + for [object]

The old man fumbled with the tiny buttons on his shirt after the stroke.

fumble + with + noun phrase (task requiring dexterity)

同義詞
  • grope

    emphasizes searching by touch, often blindly or in the dark

  • mishandle

    focuses on poor or incorrect handling of an object

  • bungle

    emphasizes messing up a task, with a focus on the failed result

反義詞
  • handle

    to manage or deal with something skilfully and smoothly

  • grasp

    to take and hold something firmly and confidently

文法句型

fumble + noun phrase

fumble + for/with/in/through + noun phrase

fumble (no object)

用法筆記

Frequently combined with prepositions — 'fumble for' suggests searching blindly, 'fumble with' suggests struggling to manipulate something, and 'fumble through' suggests a messy or hurried search across a space.

常見錯誤

❌I fumbled to open the door with my keys.
✅I fumbled with my keys at the door.
💡'fumble' is not followed by a to-infinitive; use a preposition instead.
❌She fumbled the key in the lock.' (meaning she struggled with it).
✅She fumbled with the key in the lock.
💡with a specific tool or object, 'fumble with' is more natural than 'fumble' + direct object.

2. in ball sports such as American football, rugby, or basketball, to accidentally

2.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

in ball sports such as American football, rugby, or basketball, to accidentally drop or lose control of the ball while you are carrying, catching, or advancing with it during play

例句

The quarterback fumbled the ball when the linebacker tackled him from behind.

fumble + noun phrase (ball)

Sayaka watched her teammate fumble a perfect pass during the rugby final.

同義詞
  • drop

    more general; does not imply contact from an opponent, just losing hold of something

  • muff

    informal, used especially in baseball for failing to catch a ball cleanly

反義詞
  • catch

    to take and hold a ball that has been thrown or hit

  • secure

    in sports, to gain and keep firm control of the ball

文法句型

fumble + noun phrase (the ball / a catch)

fumble (no object)

用法筆記

Most common in American football, where a fumble is a specific game event recorded in statistics. In rugby, the term is also used. In basketball, 'fumble' is less formal and often refers to losing control of the ball while dribbling or passing.

常見錯誤

❌He fumbled and lost the ball.' (acceptable but vague).
✅He fumbled the ball on the twenty-yard line.
💡specifying where and what was fumbled gives clearer context for sports usage.

3. to speak in a hesitant, uncertain way because you are struggling to find the rig

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to speak in a hesitant, uncertain way because you are struggling to find the right words or to express an idea smoothly

例句

Shirin fumbled for an answer when the teacher called on her unexpectedly.

fumble + for + noun phrase (searching for words/reply)

The nervous student fumbled through his presentation and forgot his main point.

fumble + through + noun phrase (a speech/presentation)

同義詞
  • stammer

    to speak with involuntary pauses and repeated sounds, often due to nervousness or a speech disorder

  • stutter

    to have difficulty saying the first sound of a word, often repeating it

  • flounder

    to struggle in a confused way, not just in speech but in action or thought

反義詞
  • articulate

    to express ideas clearly and fluently

  • rattle off

    to say something quickly and easily without hesitation

文法句型

fumble + for + noun phrase (words / a reply)

fumble + through + noun phrase (a speech / an explanation)

fumble + over + noun phrase (a name / a phrase)

用法筆記

Commonly paired with 'for' when searching for a specific word or response, 'through' when struggling through a longer stretch of speech, and 'over' when tripping on a particular word or phrase.

常見錯誤

❌He fumbled to say something.
✅He fumbled for something to say.
💡'fumble' is not followed by a to-infinitive in the speech sense.
❌She fumbled her words.' (accepted informally but not standard).
✅She fumbled for words.
💡in formal usage, the speech sense of 'fumble' takes a preposition.

fumble — noun