limp
/lɪmp/ (bre, ipa) · /lɪmp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈlimp/ (ame, mw)
limp — verb
- limppresent simple I / you / we / they
- limps3rd person singular
- limping-ing form
- limpedpast simple
1. to walk unevenly because one leg or foot hurts or does not work properly.
to walk unevenly because one leg or foot hurts or does not work properly.
Renata limped off the football field after landing badly on her ankle.
limp off + [place] after an injury
The old dog limped across the yard with a bandage on one paw.
After the hike, Paul limped up the station steps and grabbed the rail.
Wei limped into the clinic, and the nurse called for a wheelchair.
Sana limped home from the bus stop after new shoes cut her heel.
文法句型
limp + adverb/prepositional phrase
limp into/out of/across + place
用法筆記
Usually used when the leg, foot, or ankle is hurt. It often appears with a phrase showing direction or place, such as 'into the clinic' or 'across the yard'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense describes a person or animal walking, not a plan or process struggling onward.
2. to keep moving ahead only little by little because progress is difficult.
to keep moving ahead only little by little because progress is difficult.
Talks limped forward after both sides rejected the first plan.
limp forward in difficult negotiations
The small shop limped through winter with only a few weekend customers.
After the power cut, the website limped back online around midnight.
The class project limped on while two team members were sick.
- struggle on
more direct about difficulty and effort
- drag on
focuses on being slow and tiring, often for time
- creep forward
suggests very slow movement, often by stages
- surge ahead
move forward quickly and strongly
- race ahead
make very fast progress
文法句型
limp along/on
limp + adverb
用法筆記
The subject is usually a business, process, conversation, or plan rather than a person. It often appears with 'along', 'on', or another adverb that shows weak progress. Distinguish from sense 1: the idea is metaphorical progress, not actual walking.
limp — adjective
- limppositive
- limpercomparative
- limpestsuperlative
1. bending or hanging loosely instead of holding a firm shape.
bending or hanging loosely instead of holding a firm shape.
The lettuce looked limp after two days in the office fridge.
look limp after losing freshness
By noon, the tulips were limp and leaning over the edge of the vase.
Marta pulled a limp towel from the dryer before the cycle had finished.
The rope went limp when Obi untied it from the heavy box.
文法句型
be/go/look limp
a limp + noun
用法筆記
Often used for plants, cloth, hair, or body parts that lose firmness and start to hang. It commonly follows verbs such as 'look', 'feel', or 'go'. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is about physical shape or tension, not low energy or weak spirit.
2. too tired or discouraged to show normal force, energy, or spirit.
too tired or discouraged to show normal force, energy, or spirit.
After the night shift, Christopher gave a limp wave and went straight to bed.
a limp wave showing tiredness
The crowd answered the joke with a limp clap and awkward smiles.
Renata's handshake felt limp after three hours in the emergency room.
The team made a limp response after losing two goals in ten minutes.
- feeble
stronger and often more negative about weakness
- half-hearted
focuses on low enthusiasm rather than physical weakness
- listless
describes a general lack of energy or interest
文法句型
a limp + noun
be/seem limp
用法筆記
Usually used for actions, gestures, or responses that seem weak because the person has little strength or spirit left. Common nouns after it include 'wave', 'handshake', and 'response'. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 judges energy or spirit, not physical firmness.
limp — noun
1. an uneven way of walking in which one leg is used less than the other.
an uneven way of walking in which one leg is used less than the other.
The doctor noticed a slight limp as Talia crossed the waiting room.
notice a slight limp
After the race, Putri still had a limp from the fall on Saturday.
have a limp from + injury
The old horse walked with a limp but still pulled the cart.
Rania's limp became worse after carrying groceries up four flights of stairs.
- stride
a strong, even step
文法句型
have a limp
walk with a limp
用法筆記
Usually used with verbs such as 'have', 'develop', or 'walk with'. It can describe a person or an animal. Distinguish from verb sense 1: this sense names the gait itself, not the action of walking that way.