jostling
jostling — noun
1. the experience of being bumped, pushed, or squeezed by other people moving aroun
the experience of being bumped, pushed, or squeezed by other people moving around you, especially when many people are gathered in one place
Fatima lost her phone during the jostling at the concert gate.
collocation: jostling at [event or location]
The jostling on the packed train made standing still almost impossible.
A sudden wave of jostling near the stage knocked over several children.
Elena gripped her bag tighter as the jostling grew worse outside the stadium.
There was so much jostling in the queue that Minh decided to leave.
用法筆記
Often used to describe unpleasant crowd situations at concerts, sports events, or on busy public transport.
2. a situation where many people are all trying hard to get the same limited thing
a situation where many people are all trying hard to get the same limited thing — a job, a position, attention — often in a way that feels pushy or aggressive
The jostling for the manager's job created tension among the staff.
pattern: jostling for [something desired]
Political jostling between the two parties dominated the news all week.
Amara grew tired of the constant jostling for influence inside the committee.
The jostling among film studios to sign the young director was intense.
Behind the scenes, fierce jostling for funding shaped the final proposal.
用法筆記
Usually followed by 'for' and the thing being competed over. Common in business, politics, and media contexts.
jostling — verb
1. to push, bump, or knock against someone or something, usually by accident when m
to push, bump, or knock against someone or something, usually by accident when moving through a space shared with others
A tall man jostled Fatima's elbow just as she lifted her coffee cup.
Passengers jostled each other as the train lurched around a sharp bend.
Rosa felt someone jostle her shoulder while she waited at the busy crossing.
The shelves are so narrow that shoppers keep jostling one another.
A cyclist jostled the stroller, frightening the baby and her father.
文法句型
jostle + someone/something
用法筆記
Object is almost always a person or a body part. The contact is usually accidental rather than deliberate. Distinguish from sense 2 (PUSH THROUGH CROWD), where the movement is intentional.
2. to move forward by pushing people aside with your body, typically in a dense cro
to move forward by pushing people aside with your body, typically in a dense crowd where there is hardly any room
Oluwaseun jostled his way through the festival crowd to reach the front.
pattern: jostle + one's way through [place]
The photographer jostled past security guards to snap a clear picture.
We had to jostle through hundreds of fans to find our seats.
Hassan jostled forward inch by inch on the packed subway platform.
Children jostled and shoved to get the best view of the parade floats.
文法句型
jostle + through/past/forward
用法筆記
Frequently followed by a directional word (through, past, forward). The subject is typically a person deliberately forcing their way. Distinguish from sense 1 (BUMP OR KNOCK), where the contact is accidental.
3. (of multiple things or people) to be positioned very close to one another, almos
(of multiple things or people) to be positioned very close to one another, almost touching or pressing together
Dozens of market stalls jostled along the narrow alleyway in the old city.
High-rise flats jostle for space beside ancient temples in the district.
Colourful boats jostled against the dock after the morning storm.
Wildflowers and thick weeds jostled together at the edge of the field.
The books on Wen's shelf jostled against one another with no room left.
文法句型
jostle + together
jostle + against + something
用法筆記
Often used in literary or descriptive writing. The subject can be inanimate objects (buildings, boats, books) as well as people. Distinct from sense 1 and 2, which involve active movement or contact.
4. to struggle or compete against others who want the same thing, using whatever in
to struggle or compete against others who want the same thing, using whatever influence or force you have
Three junior ministers are jostling to take over the vacant leadership post.
pattern: jostle + to-infinitive for competing
Start-up companies jostled for the same small pool of skilled engineers.
Chitra had to jostle with older colleagues for a place on the project.
The two streaming platforms jostle constantly for exclusive content.
Local charities jostle for attention during the busy holiday season.
文法句型
jostle + for + noun
jostle + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Common in political and business journalism. The competition it describes is often behind the scenes rather than open. Usually followed by 'for' and the thing being competed over.
常見錯誤
5. to shake or move something around roughly inside a container, or to emotionally
to shake or move something around roughly inside a container, or to emotionally disturb a person or group
Lucia jostled the jar of salad dressing before pouring it over the greens.
The bumpy road jostled the eggs and cracked two of them inside the carton.
A rough landing jostled the passengers and rattled the overhead bins.
The unexpected news jostled the team out of their comfortable routine.
Strong winds jostled the hanging lanterns and knocked two to the ground.
文法句型
jostle + something
用法筆記
The physical sense usually involves a container or its contents being shaken. The figurative sense (disturbing someone's state of mind) is less common but appears in descriptive journalism. Distinguish from sense 1: here the movement is repetitive shaking, not a single accidental bump.