heap
/hiːp/ (bre, ipa) · /hiːp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhēp/ (ame, mw)
heap — noun
- heapsingular
- heapsplural
1. a messy collection of items that have been thrown or placed together without car
a messy collection of items that have been thrown or placed together without care or order.
Dario found a heap of old newspapers in the corner of the garage.
a heap of + noun (pile of things)
The children's dirty clothes lay in a heap on the bedroom floor.
lie in a heap (describing position)
After the storm, the gardener collected fallen leaves into a heap by the fence.
A large heap of stones blocked the path up the mountain.
The movers left a heap of boxes and furniture in the middle of the room.
- order
heap emphasizes disorder; order is the absence of mess
文法句型
a heap of + noun (plural or uncountable)
2. a very large quantity or number of something; used informally to mean a lot.
a very large quantity or number of something; used informally to mean a lot.
The school received a heap of donations after the fire destroyed the gym.
a heap of + donations/money (informal quantity)
Vivek has heaps of experience teaching English to beginners.
heaps of + uncountable noun
There is still a heap of paperwork to finish before we can leave.
The charity collected heaps of warm clothes for the winter drive.
Tariro has a heap of friends from all over the country.
- a little
opposite in quantity
- hardly any
opposite extreme of amount
文法句型
a heap of + noun
heaps of + noun
用法筆記
Often used in the plural form 'heaps' even when referring to a single large quantity. In British English, 'heaps' can also be used as an adverb before comparatives: 'heaps better', 'heaps older'.
常見錯誤
3. the position or level someone occupies within the ranking structure of a society
the position or level someone occupies within the ranking structure of a society, organization, or profession.
The team worked hard to climb to the top of the heap in their industry.
top of the heap (idiom: highest position)
In the old system, women were often at the bottom of the social heap.
bottom of the heap (idiom: lowest position)
Élise started her career at the bottom of the heap and worked her way up.
The new program was designed to help students at the lower end of the heap.
- ranks
more formal; refers to levels within an organization
- pecking order
more informal; emphasizes competition and hierarchy
文法句型
the top/bottom of the heap
用法筆記
This sense is almost always used in fixed phrases like 'top of the heap' or 'bottom of the heap'. It describes relative success or failure in a competitive environment.
4. a worn-out motor vehicle, especially one in very poor condition that frequently
a worn-out motor vehicle, especially one in very poor condition that frequently breaks down or is unsafe to drive.
Cyrus drives an old heap that breaks down every time it rains.
old heap (informal: broken-down car)
My first car was a rusty heap with a broken heater and no radio.
The mechanic told Jenna that her old heap was not worth repairing.
Beatrix refused to ride in her brother's heap because the doors did not lock.
用法筆記
Used mainly in British English conversation, often with 'old' ('old heap'). Carries a tone of affectionate humor or mild complaint about the vehicle's poor state.
heap — verb
- heappresent simple I / you / we / they
- heaps3rd person singular
- heaping-ing form
- heapedpast simple
1. to place items roughly on top of one another or gather them together in a disorg
to place items roughly on top of one another or gather them together in a disorganized pile.
The movers heaped boxes and furniture into the back of the truck.
heap + noun + into [place]
Romi heaped the dirty dishes on the kitchen counter before washing them.
heap + noun + on [surface]
The volunteers heaped sandbags along the riverbank to hold back the water.
Camila heaped all the clean laundry onto the bed to fold it later.
The children heaped their toys into a corner of the playroom.
- spread out
to arrange items flat and separate rather than gathered
- scatter
to throw items in different directions
文法句型
heap + noun + into/on/onto + place
heap + noun + adverb (together/up)
用法筆記
Unlike 'pile', which can imply careful arrangement, 'heap' as a verb always suggests rough, careless placing.
常見錯誤
2. to fill or cover a surface with a generous amount of something, especially food,
to fill or cover a surface with a generous amount of something, especially food, so that it is piled high.
The waiter heaped the plate with noodles and fresh vegetables.
heap + noun + with + food (fill generously)
The ice cream was heaped so high on the cone that it began to fall.
passive: be heaped high
The baker heaped fresh berries onto each slice of cheesecake.
Hui heaped her plate with rice and curry at the buffet.
The market stalls were heaped with colorful fruit and vegetables.
- empty
opposite in terms of filling
- leave bare
to not put anything on
文法句型
be heaped with + noun
heap + noun + on/onto + place
用法筆記
Commonly used with food on plates or displays of goods. The passive form ('be heaped with') is frequent and describes the state of being heavily loaded.
3. to give or direct a large amount of something — such as praise, blame, criticism
to give or direct a large amount of something — such as praise, blame, criticism, or gifts — to someone in an abundant or excessive way.
The teacher heaped praise on Beatrix for her excellent science project.
heap praise/criticism/blame on + person
Critics heaped blame on the director after the film failed at the box office.
heap blame on (negative connotation pattern)
The royal family heaped honors upon the soldier for his bravery.
The neighbors heaped food and gifts on the family who lost their home.
The manager heaped criticism on the team for missing the deadline.
- shower with
similar structure ('shower someone with gifts'); slightly warmer in tone
- lavish upon
more formal; emphasizes generosity or excess
- withhold
to refuse to give
- dole out sparingly
to give small amounts at a time
文法句型
heap + noun + on/upon + person
用法筆記
The noun that follows 'heap' in this sense is usually abstract (praise, blame, criticism, honors) rather than physical objects. The phrase pattern is 'heap [abstract noun] on/upon [person]'.