jolt
/dʒəʊlt/ (bre, ipa) · /dʒəʊlt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈjōlt/ (ame, mw) · /dʒoʊlt/ (ame, ipa)
jolt — verb
- joltpresent simple I / you / we / they
- joltshe / she / it
- joltedpast simple
- jolting-ing form
1. to make a person or thing jerk abruptly, or to jerk that way after a hit or sudd
to make a person or thing jerk abruptly, or to jerk that way after a hit or sudden force
The bus hit a deep hole and jolted every passenger in the back row.
jolt somebody — impact causes a sudden shake
A hard wave jolted the fishing boat and sent the cups sliding.
Mina jolted the stuck window open with both hands before the rain came in.
The train jolted forward as the driver released the brake at the station.
- steady
focuses on keeping movement smooth and controlled
文法句型
jolt somebody/something
jolt forward
用法筆記
Often used for a brief rough movement caused by impact, machinery, or a sudden pull. When a person is the object, the focus is on the shake itself, not on a later emotional reaction.
常見錯誤
2. to hit someone with such sudden surprise, bad news, or change that they lose the
to hit someone with such sudden surprise, bad news, or change that they lose their calm for a moment
The hospital call jolted Farah, who had expected her father home by noon.
news jolts somebody — sudden emotional blow
Seeing the empty crib jolted the new parents back into their worst fear.
The harsh comment jolted me, and I forgot what I planned to say.
News of the layoffs jolted staff across the factory floor before the meeting began.
文法句型
jolt somebody
be jolted by [news/event]
用法筆記
This sense centers on the emotional shock itself. Distinguish it from sense 3, which usually highlights the action that follows the shock.
3. to make someone act quickly by giving a sharp warning, surprise, or reminder
to make someone act quickly by giving a sharp warning, surprise, or reminder
The second fire alarm jolted the manager into checking every exit door.
jolt somebody into + -ing
A rise in food prices jolted the government into releasing emergency rice stocks.
The failed exam jolted Kenji into taking his study schedule seriously.
Public anger finally jolted the company into answering residents' questions.
- lull
makes someone feel safe or inactive instead of alert
文法句型
jolt somebody into + -ing
jolt somebody into action
用法筆記
Most often followed by 'into + -ing' or the fixed phrase 'into action'. Distinguish it from sense 2: here the important idea is the response that the shock produces.
常見錯誤
jolt — noun
- joltsingular
- joltsplural
1. a brief, forceful movement that throws a person or thing out of its normal posit
a brief, forceful movement that throws a person or thing out of its normal position
A sharp jolt from the elevator made the light above us flicker.
a jolt from [impact] — source of movement
The horse gave a sideways jolt when a plastic bag blew across the path.
One jolt of the ladder sent the paint tray onto the grass below.
The car stopped with a jolt, and Noor's coffee splashed onto the seat.
- glide
suggests smooth movement with no sudden shake
文法句型
a jolt
with a jolt
a jolt from [impact]
用法筆記
Usually names one sudden movement rather than a long rough journey. Common patterns include 'with a jolt' and 'a jolt from' something that hits, stops, or starts abruptly.
常見錯誤
2. an alarming or disappointing emotional hit that comes when something unexpected
an alarming or disappointing emotional hit that comes when something unexpected happens
The letter from the tax office gave Lucía a real jolt at breakfast.
give somebody a jolt — emotional reaction pattern
Hearing his name over the airport speaker sent Omar a jolt through his chest.
The sudden quiet after the explosion was its own jolt for everyone outside.
There was a jolt of disappointment when the singer canceled the final show.
- reassurance
reduces worry instead of causing it
- relief
suggests tension or worry has gone away
文法句型
give somebody a jolt
a jolt of [emotion]
come as a jolt
用法筆記
Shorter and sharper than 'shock', often for the first emotional hit of unexpected news. Distinguish it from noun sense 1, which refers to a physical movement.