hook-up
hook-up — noun
1. an informal, brief meeting between two people who have sex but are not in a roma
an informal, brief meeting between two people who have sex but are not in a romantic relationship
Amara mentioned she had a hook-up with a guy she met at the party on Saturday.
collocation: have a hook-up
An app like the one Pablo uses connects people looking for a casual hook-up in their local area.
collocation: casual hook-up
Lucia told her friends it was just a hook-up, not the start of a real relationship.
After her divorce, Sofia saw a hook-up as a way to have fun without any serious commitment.
- one-night stand
refers specifically to sex that happens only once, whereas a hook-up can happen more than once with the same person
- fling
slightly longer-lasting than a hook-up; implies some emotional involvement over weeks or months
文法句型
have a hook-up
a hook-up with [someone]
用法筆記
Common in spoken English and informal writing. The sexual meaning is the most frequent use of the word among younger speakers.
常見錯誤
2. a physical connection that allows a building, vehicle, or device to receive elec
a physical connection that allows a building, vehicle, or device to receive electricity, water, telephone service, or internet access
The mountain cabin has running water but no electricity hook-up yet.
collocation: electricity hook-up
Dan called the phone company to arrange a broadband hook-up for his new flat.
collocation: broadband hook-up
Campers can park their RVs at sites with full water and power hook-ups.
The internet hook-up in Rosa's hotel room was fast enough for video calls.
- connection
broader term; a connection can be wireless, whereas a hook-up is always physical
- installation
focuses on the process of setting up, not the physical link itself
文法句型
a/the [utility] hook-up
hook-up to [network]
用法筆記
Often used with a modifier naming the type of service: 'gas hook-up,' 'cable hook-up,' 'sewer hook-up.' Can be uncountable when referring to the process ('the cost includes hook-up').
常見錯誤
3. a set of electronic or mechanical parts put together and arranged to perform a s
a set of electronic or mechanical parts put together and arranged to perform a specific function, such as sending or receiving a signal
Xin checked the microphone hook-up for loose cables before the band started playing.
specific domain: microphone hook-up
A loose wire in the control panel's hook-up caused the factory robot to stop working.
The sound engineer tested every hook-up between the mixing desk and the speakers before the concert.
Vikram designed a custom stereo hook-up with dual amplifiers for his home recording studio.
文法句型
a [type] hook-up
hook-up of [components]
用法筆記
Mostly used in technical contexts such as audio engineering, electronics, or mechanical systems. Not common in everyday conversation.
hook-up — verb
1. to meet or become connected with someone, especially to do a shared activity, wo
to meet or become connected with someone, especially to do a shared activity, work on a project together, or start a social relationship
Rosa hooked up with a local charity team to organize the fundraising run.
pattern: hook up with + [person/group] for purpose
The two car companies hooked up to develop a new electric engine.
Hassan hooked up with an old classmate who helped him find a part-time job.
Wen's band hooked up with a record label after their first big show.
- team up with
implies a more equal partnership in a task; slightly more formal
- get together with
can be social or romantic; less specific about purpose
- part ways with
emphasises ending the connection rather than starting one
文法句型
hook up with [someone/something]
用法筆記
The particle 'with' is almost always required. The subject can be one person (X hooked up with Y) or a group (The two teams hooked up). Distinguish from sense 2 (sexual) — sense 1 signals a non-sexual social or professional connection.
常見錯誤
2. to have a brief, casual sexual experience with someone, usually without being in
to have a brief, casual sexual experience with someone, usually without being in a romantic relationship
Emeka and Mei-Lin hooked up at the wedding after dancing together all night.
intransitive: [person] + [person] hooked up
Boris admitted he hooked up with someone he met at the bar the previous evening.
My roommate warned me not to hook up with anyone at the office party.
Pablo told his friends he hooked up with someone he met through a dating app.
- sleep with
more direct and less slangy; can refer to any sexual encounter, not just casual ones
- get together with
vague euphemism; might mean just spending time together romantically
文法句型
hook up with [someone]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (JOIN FOR ACTIVITY) — this sense is specifically sexual. Context usually makes the meaning clear: 'hooked up with a colleague to discuss the report' vs 'hooked up with a colleague after the party.'
常見錯誤
3. to physically join one piece of equipment or a device to another, or to a supply
to physically join one piece of equipment or a device to another, or to a supply system, so that it works
Emeka hooked up the new printer to the office network in less than ten minutes.
pattern: hook [object] up to [place]
Can you hook up the speakers to the amplifier before the guests arrive?
The technician hooked up our washing machine to the water supply this morning.
Once you hook the console up to the television, the setup menu will appear.
- disconnect
the general opposite; unhook and unplug are more specific
文法句型
hook [something] up to [something]
hook up [something]
用法筆記
The object can come between 'hook' and 'up' ('hook the computer up') or after 'hook up' ('hook up the computer'). Both orders are correct. Object pronouns must go between: 'hook it up' (not 'hook up it').