jaw
/dʒɔː/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒɔː/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjȯ/ (ame, mw) · /dʒɑː/ (ame, ipa)
jaw — noun
- jawsingular
- jawsplural
1. the bottom part of a person's or animal's face, below the mouth, that contains t
the bottom part of a person's or animal's face, below the mouth, that contains the lower teeth and moves up and down when speaking or eating
Pim clenched his jaw tightly when the doctor gave him the injection.
collocation: clench your jaw (showing tension)
The boxer's jaw was swollen after receiving a punch in the final round.
Resting her chin on her hand, Sumin felt her jaw relax to the music.
His jaw went stiff from tension during the long job interview.
用法筆記
The jaw moves when you talk, eat, or show emotion. Expressions like 'clench one's jaw' or 'set one's jaw' indicate anger, tension, or determination.
常見錯誤
2. one of a pair of curved bones inside the mouth that support the teeth and shape
one of a pair of curved bones inside the mouth that support the teeth and shape the mouth opening
The dentist examined Gita's upper jaw and found a small cavity near her back tooth.
collocation: upper jaw / lower jaw
Adina's lower jaw was wired shut for six weeks after the surgery.
In mammals the lower jaw contains a single bone called the mandible.
Christopher needed surgery to fix a problem in his upper jaw bone.
用法筆記
Often preceded by 'upper' or 'lower' to specify which of the two bones. In anatomy, the lower jaw bone is called the mandible and the upper jaw bone is the maxilla.
常見錯誤
3. the mouth of an animal, especially one that is large or frightening, thought of
the mouth of an animal, especially one that is large or frightening, thought of as an opening that can bite or grab
The crocodile's powerful jaws snapped shut as it caught the fish.
usually plural for animal mouth
The lioness carried her cub gently in her jaws to a safer spot.
The dog's jaw trembled as it carried the stick back for its owner.
The tiger held the meat tight in its jaws and walked away slowly.
用法筆記
For large or frightening animals, 'jaws' (plural) is more common than 'jaw'. The singular form can be used when referring to one side of the mouth.
常見錯誤
4. a part on a device that presses against another part to grip, cut, or hold items
a part on a device that presses against another part to grip, cut, or hold items firmly
The mechanic adjusted the vice jaws so they held the metal pipe without crushing it.
mechanical context: tool parts that grip
Nia carefully placed the wooden block between the clamp jaws and tightened the screw.
The wrench has adjustable jaws that can fit different sizes of nut.
Pim set the drill bit tightly between the chuck jaws before starting the motor.
用法筆記
Typically used in the plural ('jaws') when referring to the pair of gripping parts. Common in descriptions of workshop tools (vice, clamp, pliers, wrench) and industrial machinery.
5. a dangerous or unpleasant situation from which someone or something is barely ab
a dangerous or unpleasant situation from which someone or something is barely able to escape, as if caught in the mouth of a predator
The rescue team pulled the climbers from the jaws of death before the avalanche hit.
idiomatic phrase: the jaws of death
The team snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a last-minute goal.
idiomatic phrase: snatch victory from the jaws of defeat
Beatrix found herself in the jaws of a financial crisis that nearly destroyed her business.
The small bank was pulled from the jaws of collapse by a government loan.
用法筆記
Almost always appears in fixed figurative phrases: 'the jaws of death', 'the jaws of defeat', 'the jaws of a crisis'. The image is of being caught in a predator's mouth and barely escaping.
常見錯誤
6. a long, friendly conversation, especially one about everyday matters that is not
a long, friendly conversation, especially one about everyday matters that is not very serious
Christopher had a good jaw with his neighbour about the local election results.
informal use: have a jaw
The two friends sat on the porch and enjoyed a long jaw about old times.
The old men met for a jaw at the cafe every Saturday morning.
Ife and Vivek had a quick jaw between classes about their weekend plans.
用法筆記
Chiefly British informal use. Often appears in the phrase 'have a jaw' meaning 'have a chat'. Less common in American English, where 'chat' or 'talk' is preferred.
7. the narrow opening or entrance to a cave, tunnel, valley, or other enclosed spac
the narrow opening or entrance to a cave, tunnel, valley, or other enclosed space, especially one that seems dangerous or threatening
The explorers stepped into the jaws of the cave, torches cutting through the dark.
the jaws of [a cave/tunnel/valley]
The narrow road passed through the jaws of the mountain pass with steep cliffs.
The train disappeared into the jaws of the tunnel and the noise faded away.
The hikers camped just outside the jaws of the canyon, sheltered from the wind.
用法筆記
Always uses the plural form 'jaws' in the structure 'the jaws of + [geographical feature]'. Literary or dramatic in tone; not used in everyday conversation.
jaw — verb
- jawpresent simple I / you / we / they
- jaws3rd person singular
- jawing-ing form
- jawedpast simple
1. to speak at great length, usually in a relaxed manner about everyday subjects
to speak at great length, usually in a relaxed manner about everyday subjects
The neighbours jawed about the weather and local gossip for an hour.
jaw + about [topic]
Élise and her cousin jawed on the phone until late into the night.
The old men jawed away the afternoon on the park bench, watching people go by.
Hamza and Ife jawed about football for hours after the match ended.
文法句型
jaw + (about something)
jaw + on
用法筆記
Always intransitive — you 'jaw about' something, or 'jaw with' someone. You cannot 'jaw something' (no direct object). More common in British and Australian English than American.
常見錯誤
2. to speak to someone in an angry or annoyed way, usually to criticise or complain
to speak to someone in an angry or annoyed way, usually to criticise or complain about their behaviour
The manager jawed at the staff for arriving late to the meeting.
jaw + at + someone (angry talk)
Gita's grandmother jawed her for not calling home while she was travelling.
The coach jawed the players in the locker room after their poor game.
Adina's dad jawed at her for leaving the front door unlocked all night.
- praise
to express approval, the opposite of criticising
文法句型
jaw + at + someone
用法筆記
Can be used transitively ('jaw someone' = scold someone) or with 'at' ('jaw at someone'). The 'at' version emphasises the direction of the anger rather than the effect on the person.