heave
/hiːv/ (bre, ipa) · /hiːv/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈhēv/ (ame, mw)
heave — verb
- heavepresent simple I / you / we / they
- heaveshe / she / it
- heavedpast simple
- heaving-ing form
- hovepast participle
1. to pull, lift, or push something heavy using great physical effort, often with a
to pull, lift, or push something heavy using great physical effort, often with a slow, straining motion
Talia heaved the sack of rice onto her shoulder and carried it to the kitchen.
heave + object + onto [surface]
The crew heaved on the rope with all their strength to raise the sail.
heave + on [rope/cable] (pull)
Christopher heaved the heavy wooden crate across the floor.
Rachid and Mert heaved the sofa up the narrow staircase together.
- lower
to let something down gently
文法句型
heave + object + adverb/preposition
heave + object + up/onto/into
用法筆記
Often used with a direction word (up, onto, into, across) to show where the heavy object ends up. The subject typically applies sustained physical force.
常見錯誤
2. to throw a large, heavy object with force, often after lifting it with effort fi
to throw a large, heavy object with force, often after lifting it with effort first
The angry fisherman heaved the broken net into the sea.
heave + object + into [place]
Iris heaved the old mattress out of the second-storey window.
Construction workers heaved chunks of broken concrete into the dump truck.
The children heaved snowballs at each other across the frozen yard.
- catch
to receive something thrown
文法句型
heave + object + at/into/towards
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb sense 1 (LIFT OR PULL HEAVY): sense 1 moves the object to a new position; sense 2 launches the object through the air. If the object leaves the thrower's hands, it is sense 2.
常見錯誤
3. to move up and down in large, slow, regular movements, like the chest when breat
to move up and down in large, slow, regular movements, like the chest when breathing hard or the sea during a storm
After the race, Naoko's chest heaved as she gasped for air.
body part + heaves (breathing hard)
The deck of the ship heaved under the passengers' feet as the waves grew higher.
The ground heaved during the earthquake, cracking roads and knocking down walls.
Indra's shoulders heaved with silent sobs as she sat alone in the dark room.
文法句型
subject + heaves (with no object)
subject + heave with [emotion/movement]
用法筆記
The subject is usually a large surface (chest, ground, sea, deck) that moves as a whole. The motion is slow and broad — not quick or small. Do not confuse with 'shiver' (small, fast movements) or 'shake' (uncontrolled, often side-to-side).
常見錯誤
4. when your stomach muscles tighten and your body tries to get rid of its contents
when your stomach muscles tighten and your body tries to get rid of its contents through the mouth, whether or not anything actually comes up
The rough boat ride left Élise feeling sick, and her stomach heaved.
stomach + heaves (nausea)
Jason's stomach heaved when he smelled the spoiled fish in the kitchen.
The sick dog heaved and then brought up everything it had eaten.
After the surgery, the patient's stomach kept heaving, and the nurse brought a basin.
文法句型
subject + is heaving
subject + heave + up [something]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the progressive form ('My stomach is heaving'). When followed by 'up', it refers to actually vomiting (heave up dinner, heave up bile). The subject is usually 'stomach' or the person feeling sick.
常見錯誤
5. to let out a long, loud breath or sound that shows a strong feeling such as sadn
to let out a long, loud breath or sound that shows a strong feeling such as sadness, tiredness, relief, or effort
Constanza heaved a sigh of relief when she saw the train was still at the platform.
heave a sigh of [emotion]
After carrying the boxes up six flights of stairs, the movers heaved and panted.
The old man heaved a deep sigh and shook his head before answering the question.
The librarian heaved a quiet sigh at the pile of unsorted books.
文法句型
heave + a sigh/groan/pant
heave + a + [sound noun]
用法筆記
The object of this sense is almost always a noun that names a sound (sigh, groan, pant). 'Heave a sigh' is by far the most common phrase. This sense does not take a physical object — only a sound or breath.
常見錯誤
heave — noun
- heavesingular
- heavesplural
1. a strong, effortful action in which you pull, lift, or throw something heavy
a strong, effortful action in which you pull, lift, or throw something heavy
With one final heave, the rescuers pulled the trapped driver out of the wrecked car.
with one final heave (common phrase)
Faisal gave the stuck door a mighty heave, and it finally opened.
give [something] a heave
A strong heave from the crew sent the anchor splashing into the water.
Indra took a deep breath and gave the rusty gate another heave.
文法句型
a heave + [preposition]
give something a heave
用法筆記
Often appears in the phrase 'give [something] a heave' or 'with one heave'. Unlike the verb, the noun focuses on a single discrete action rather than a continuing effort.
2. a slow, steady rising motion, especially one that repeats in a regular pattern l
a slow, steady rising motion, especially one that repeats in a regular pattern like the movement of the sea or the chest
The gentle heave of the boat made Imani feel sleepy and relaxed.
heave of [boat/sea/chest]
The doctor watched the heave of the patient's chest to check whether his breathing was normal.
Standing on the cliff, Talia watched the steady heave of the waves below.
The rhythmic heave of the dancer's shoulders matched the drumbeat.
文法句型
the heave of [something]
用法筆記
More formal than the verb sense (RISE AND FALL). Often used in descriptive or literary writing to evoke a slow, rhythmic motion. Not common in everyday conversation.