heaps
heaps — noun
1. a very big quantity of things, people, or time — used in casual speech, usually
a very big quantity of things, people, or time — used in casual speech, usually before 'of' plus a noun, or before a comparative like 'better' to mean 'much'.
Reema brought heaps of snacks to the picnic for everyone to share.
heaps of + plural noun
There's still heaps of time before the train leaves Edinburgh.
heaps of + uncountable noun
Christopher said he felt heaps better after one night of proper sleep.
Thanks heaps for helping me move the boxes upstairs.
Yara has heaps of friends in Melbourne but barely sees them on weekdays.
- a little
neutral, for uncountable nouns
- hardly any
stresses scarcity
文法句型
heaps of + noun
heaps + comparative adjective
用法筆記
Informal — common in British and Australian English; American speakers more often use 'lots' or 'tons'. Takes a singular verb when the of-phrase is uncountable ('heaps of work is left') and a plural verb when countable ('heaps of fans were waiting').
常見錯誤
heaps — verb
1. to put a lot of things on top of each other in one place so they form a rough pi
to put a lot of things on top of each other in one place so they form a rough pile or mound.
Amira heaped the wet leaves into a tall mound at the corner of the garden.
heap + object + into + container/shape
The kitchen staff heaped roast potatoes onto every plate before serving.
heap + object + onto + surface
Dario heaped the dirty laundry beside the washing machine and forgot about it.
Snow had been heaped along both sides of the road by the plough.
Élise heaped the schoolbooks on the desk until the stack started to tip over.
- scatter
spread loosely rather than gather together
- distribute
spread evenly across multiple places
文法句型
heap + noun (+ on/into/onto + place)
用法筆記
Object is usually a mass of small or loose items (leaves, food, clothes, snow). Distinguish from sense 2: here the object is the THING being stacked; in sense 2 the object is the CONTAINER or surface that gets covered.
常見錯誤
2. to fill or cover a plate, basket, or similar container with a large quantity of
to fill or cover a plate, basket, or similar container with a large quantity of something — the object is the container, and 'with' introduces what fills it.
Adina heaped her plate with rice, beans, and grilled vegetables.
heap + container + with + food items
Liam heaped the wooden cart with firewood for the long winter ahead.
heap + vehicle/cart + with + cargo
The market stalls were heaped with ripe mangoes and yellow papayas.
Maja heaped her sister's bowl with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
- empty
remove all contents
文法句型
heap + container/surface + with + noun
用法筆記
Subject is the agent doing the loading; object is the container or surface (plate, cart, stall, table); 'with' introduces the substance. Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is what gets stacked rather than what receives it.
常見錯誤
3. to give someone a very large amount of praise, criticism, abuse, or attention, o
to give someone a very large amount of praise, criticism, abuse, or attention, often more than expected — frequently used with strong emotional nouns followed by 'on' or 'upon'.
Reporters heaped praise on Eitan after his record-breaking performance at the Olympics.
heap + praise + on + person (positive)
The coach heaped criticism on the defenders after the loss in São Paulo.
heap + criticism + on + person (negative)
Newspapers heaped scorn upon the minister for the broken promise.
Yara's grandparents heaped affection on her every time she visited the village.
The professor heaped blame on the entire research team for the missing data.
- withhold
deliberately keep back from someone
文法句型
heap + praise/criticism/abuse + on/upon + person
用法筆記
Object is usually an abstract noun about feelings or judgement (praise, criticism, scorn, abuse, affection, blame); 'on' or 'upon' introduces the receiver. 'Upon' sounds more literary. Distinguish from senses 1 and 2: those refer to physical piling, this one is metaphorical.