hitches
hitches — noun
- hitchessingular
- hitchesesplural
1. a small unexpected problem that stops a process or event from moving forward smo
a small unexpected problem that stops a process or event from moving forward smoothly for a short time
The wedding reception went without a hitch, despite the rain earlier in the day.
collocation: without a hitch
There was a last-minute hitch in the contract negotiations when the other side changed their demands.
pattern: hitch in [something]
The software update caused a technical hitch that delayed the project launch by two days.
Nia's travel plans hit a hitch when her passport did not arrive in time.
Minor hitches are common when moving to a new house, so try not to worry.
- smooth sailing
informal idiom for a process that goes without difficulty
文法句型
hitch in [something]
without a hitch
用法筆記
Commonly used in the fixed phrase 'without a hitch' to mean something happened smoothly and successfully. The plural form 'hitches' is frequent when listing general obstacles.
常見錯誤
2. a type of knot that holds a rope firmly to something such as a post, ring, or an
a type of knot that holds a rope firmly to something such as a post, ring, or another rope but can be released quickly when pulled a certain way
The sailor tied a clove hitch around the metal dock cleat to secure the boat.
common type: clove hitch
Gabriel learned how to make a trucker's hitch to fasten the camping gear onto the roof of the car.
A half hitch is one of the simplest knots and can be tied with a single hand.
Before the climbing session began, each person checked that their rope hitch was correctly tied.
- knot
general term; a hitch is a specific kind of knot that grips an object
文法句型
hitch + [rope] + to + [object]
用法筆記
Unlike a permanent knot, a hitch is designed to be easy to untie. Different types — such as clove hitch, half hitch, or rolling hitch — are used for different purposes in sailing, climbing, and outdoor activities.
常見錯誤
3. a piece of equipment, usually made of metal, that connects a vehicle to a traile
a piece of equipment, usually made of metal, that connects a vehicle to a trailer, caravan, or farm tool so the second object can be pulled along
João attached the small boat trailer to the hitch at the back of his pickup truck.
collocation: trailer hitch
The tractor's hitch broke while pulling the heavy plough across the muddy field.
Before driving away, make sure the caravan hitch is locked properly onto the ball mount.
Reema borrowed her neighbour's trailer but did not have the right size hitch for her car.
文法句型
[vehicle] hitch
hitch + [noun]
用法筆記
This sense refers to the physical device itself, not the action of connecting. Common types include trailer hitches, ball hitches, and tow hitches. The vehicle part is typically installed permanently or semi-permanently.
常見錯誤
4. a way of walking that is irregular and unsteady because one leg is hurt or stiff
a way of walking that is irregular and unsteady because one leg is hurt or stiff, causing the body to dip and rise with each step
After twisting his ankle on the hiking trail, Dewi walked with a noticeable hitch for several days.
pattern: walk with a hitch
The old dog had a hitch in her back leg, but she still ran happily after the ball.
The doctor noticed the hitch in the patient's step and asked about recent injuries.
Mizuki's hitch became less noticeable after two weeks of physical therapy.
文法句型
walk with a hitch
用法筆記
This sense is less common in everyday speech; 'limp' is the more frequent word for the same meaning. 'Hitch' in this sense often suggests a slight, rhythmic unevenness rather than a severe inability to walk.
常見錯誤
5. the length of time someone serves in the armed forces, usually referring to a si
the length of time someone serves in the armed forces, usually referring to a single period of enlistment
David did a four-year hitch in the navy before returning to college to study engineering.
pattern: do a hitch in the [branch]
After his first hitch in the army ended, Tuan decided to sign up for another two years.
My grandfather often told stories from his hitch in the Marines during the 1960s.
Kim completed her hitch and received an honorable discharge, then became a firefighter.
- tour of duty
more formal, often specifies a deployment to a particular location
- stint
general term for any period of service in a job, not just military
文法句型
do a hitch
hitch in the [military branch]
用法筆記
This usage is informal and somewhat dated in modern American English. 'Tour of duty' or simply 'service' are now more common. It is rarely used in British English for military service.
常見錯誤
hitches — verb
- hitchespresent simple I / you / we / they
- hitcheses3rd person singular
- hitchesing-ing form
- hitchesedpast simple
1. to travel by standing at the side of a road and asking drivers of passing cars t
to travel by standing at the side of a road and asking drivers of passing cars to give you a free ride to where you want to go
Jude decided to hitch a ride from Taipei to Hualien after missing the last train.
pattern: hitch a ride to [place]
In many countries, it is not safe for a lone traveller to hitch alone at night.
Élise and her friend hitched across Europe during their summer break after university.
The driver stopped to let the young soldier hitch a ride back to the base.
Rania had never hitched before, but she was determined to reach the music festival on time.
- hitchhike
the full form of the same meaning; slightly more formal
- thumb a lift
British English idiom referring to the hand signal used
文法句型
hitch + a ride
hitch + to [place]
hitch + across/around [area]
用法筆記
The phrasal verb 'hitchhike' is also common and means the same thing. 'Hitch a ride' is the most frequent transitive pattern. Safety warnings often accompany this word in travel contexts.
常見錯誤
2. to attach one object to another by using a rope, chain, hook, or similar fitting
to attach one object to another by using a rope, chain, hook, or similar fitting so that it is held firmly in place or can be pulled
Matthew hitched the horse to the wooden cart before setting off to the market.
pattern: hitch [animal/object] to [vehicle]
The farmer hitched the plough to the tractor and drove out to the field.
Gabriel hitched the trailer to the back of his jeep using a strong metal chain.
Make sure the rope is hitched securely to the post before you let go of the boat.
Nia hitched her horse to the fence outside the general store and went inside to buy supplies.
- unhitch
the exact opposite: to release something that was hitched
文法句型
hitch + [something] + to + [something]
hitch + up
用法筆記
The phrasal verb 'hitch up' is common and means the same thing. 'Hitch' contrasts with 'tie' in that hitching often involves a hook or a hitch knot that can be released quickly. Also used figuratively ('hitch your wagon to someone' = associate yourself with someone successful).
常見錯誤
3. to walk with an irregular, jerky motion because one leg is injured or painful, c
to walk with an irregular, jerky motion because one leg is injured or painful, causing the body to rise and fall unevenly with each step
The injured runner hitched along the side of the road, unable to put weight on his right foot.
pattern: hitch along
After the long hike, Dewi hitched slowly down the stairs, gripping the handrail with both hands.
The dog had been hitched on three legs since it stepped on a piece of broken glass.
The old man hitched across the room to answer the telephone before it stopped ringing.
- stride
to walk with long, confident steps
文法句型
hitch + along/down/up [path]
hitch + preposition
用法筆記
This verb sense is less common than the noun sense (sense 4 of noun) for describing a limp. 'Hobble', 'limp', and 'hitch' are near-synonyms, but 'hitch' emphasises the jerky, stop-start quality of the movement more than the others.