huddle
huddle — noun
- huddlesingular
- huddlesplural
1. a small, tight cluster of people or objects positioned very near to one another
a small, tight cluster of people or objects positioned very near to one another
A small huddle of students gathered around the notice board.
collocation: a huddle of [people]
The sheep stood in a tight huddle against the cold wind.
collocation: tight huddle
A huddle of umbrellas filled the entrance during the rainstorm.
The young birds formed a warm huddle in their nest at night.
The librarian noticed a huddle of chairs pushed together in the corner.
- scattering
people or objects spread far apart from each other
文法句型
a huddle of + noun
用法筆記
Often used with 'a huddle of' to describe the things or people in the group. Singular is more common than the plural form.
常見錯誤
2. a private and often brief conversation or discussion among a small group of peop
a private and often brief conversation or discussion among a small group of people, usually held away from others
The managers went into a quick huddle to discuss the budget cuts.
collocation: go into a huddle
After class, the three friends had a huddle about the surprise test.
The team leaders called a huddle to share the latest sales figures.
A brief huddle between the coaches changed the game plan entirely.
The journalists formed a huddle to compare notes on the press conference.
- conference
more formal and often longer than a huddle
- consultation
suggests seeking advice, more serious in tone
- powwow
informal, sometimes humorous; may be considered outdated or culturally insensitive
文法句型
go into a huddle
call a huddle
用法筆記
Common in workplace and school settings. 'Go into a huddle' implies temporarily stepping aside from a larger activity.
3. in sports such as American football and basketball, a short gathering of team me
in sports such as American football and basketball, a short gathering of team members where the next play or strategy is decided before they separate
The quarterback called a huddle before the final play of the game.
sports term: call a huddle
The team broke from their huddle and ran to their positions on the field.
sports term: break the huddle
During the huddle, the captain told everyone to watch for the pass.
The coach watched the huddle from the sideline, waiting for the play call.
After a short huddle, the players spread out across the basketball court.
- team meeting
more general, not specific to sports
- strategy session
broader term used in business and sports
- conference on the field
descriptive phrase for a sports huddle
文法句型
call a huddle
break the huddle
用法筆記
Most strongly associated with American football, but used in other team sports such as basketball and volleyball. 'Break the huddle' means to end the gathering and move to playing positions.
常見錯誤
huddle — verb
- huddlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- huddleshe / she / it
- huddledpast simple
- huddling-ing form
1. to move close to other people, forming a tight group, usually to stay warm or fe
to move close to other people, forming a tight group, usually to stay warm or feel safe
The campers huddled around the fire to keep warm at night.
pattern: huddle around [fire/place]
Passengers huddled under the shelter while the rain poured down.
The kittens huddled together in a cardboard box for warmth.
Cold and tired, the hikers huddled close inside the mountain hut.
The three children huddled on the sofa, sharing a blanket.
- crowd together
less intimate; can be neutral or negative
- cluster
suggests a looser grouping, not necessarily for warmth or safety
- gather closely
more formal, less emotional
- scatter
to move apart in different directions
- spread out
to increase the distance between people
文法句型
huddle + adverb/preposition
huddle together
huddle around + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used with 'together', 'around', or 'close' to describe the arrangement. The reason for huddling (cold, fear, protection) is often mentioned nearby but does not need to be in the same clause.
常見錯誤
2. to bend forward and draw your limbs in close to the body, often because you feel
to bend forward and draw your limbs in close to the body, often because you feel cold, frightened, or want to avoid attention
Sumin huddled in the corner of the waiting room, nervous and alone.
pattern: huddle in [place/location]
The cat huddled on the windowsill, its fur puffed against the draft.
Vivek huddled over his desk, trying not to be seen by the teacher.
The night-shift nurse found him huddled on the floor with his arms around his knees.
The old man huddled deeper into his coat as the wind picked up.
- stretch out
to extend limbs away from the body
- sprawl
to lie or sit with arms and legs spread loosely
文法句型
huddle + adverb/preposition
huddle in + place
huddle over + object
用法筆記
This sense describes the posture itself (bent, limbs drawn in) rather than the social grouping of sense verb/1. Often used with 'over' to mean bending forward toward something.
常見錯誤
3. to gather privately with a small group of people in order to talk about somethin
to gather privately with a small group of people in order to talk about something that is not meant to be heard by others
The staff huddled in the break room to discuss the new policy.
pattern: huddle to discuss [topic]
The two detectives huddled together, whispering about the latest clue.
Board members huddled after the meeting to talk about the CEO's decision.
The students huddled in the hallway, planning their science project.
Jabari and Elena huddled around the table to figure out the next step.
- announce publicly
opposite in terms of privacy and audience
文法句型
huddle + adverb/preposition
huddle to discuss + noun
huddle around + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from verb/1: this sense emphasizes private discussion rather than physical closeness. The group may or may not be physically close, but the conversation is deliberately kept from others.