maul
/mɔːl/ (bre, ipa) · /mɔːl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmȯl/ (ame, mw) · /mɑːl/ (ame, ipa)
maul — verb
- maulpresent simple I / you / we / they
- maulshe / she / it
- mauledpast simple
- mauling-ing form
1. to injure a person or animal very badly by biting, tearing, or using violent for
to injure a person or animal very badly by biting, tearing, or using violent force on them.
A tiger mauled the farmer near the edge of the tea field.
animal attack: maul + person
Rescuers found the backpack after the bear mauled Kemi's camp guide.
The crowd saw security guards maul a protester beside the stadium gate.
During the riot, three officers were accused of mauling a teenager.
文法句型
maul + person or animal
be mauled by + animal or attacker
用法筆記
Most often used for severe animal attacks, especially when teeth or claws cause visible injuries. With human attackers, it suggests brutal rough treatment rather than a simple hit or push.
常見錯誤
2. to attack a person or thing with very strong, often public criticism.
to attack a person or thing with very strong, often public criticism.
Reviewers mauled the new sequel in almost every national newspaper.
public criticism in reviews
After the debate, Roya watched commentators maul the mayor's answer online.
Fans mauled the singer's weak live performance on social media.
The professor mauled Christopher's draft but explained every problem clearly.
- slam
common in journalism for sharp public criticism
- attack
broader and can include personal or political attacks, not only reviews
- tear apart
informal and vivid, often used for strong negative reviews
- praise
to speak positively about someone or something
文法句型
maul + review, speech, or performance
maul + person or thing + in public
用法筆記
Usually used for reviews, speeches, plans, or performances that receive forceful criticism in public. It is much stronger and more hostile than simply saying someone criticized something.
常見錯誤
maul — noun
- maulsingular
- maulsplural
1. a very heavy hammer with a long handle, used to split wood or drive in wedges an
a very heavy hammer with a long handle, used to split wood or drive in wedges and stakes.
Dewi lifted the maul and split the wet log in two.
use a maul to split wood
The worker used a maul to drive the fence post deeper.
Rohan kept a maul beside the woodshed for stubborn pieces of wood.
When the wedge stuck, Naoko struck it again with the maul.
- sledgehammer
also very heavy, but not mainly associated with splitting wood
- axe
has a sharper blade and is more general for chopping
- mallet
usually lighter and used for softer, more controlled strikes
文法句型
use a maul to split wood
strike a wedge with a maul
用法筆記
Unlike an axe, a maul has a broad, heavy head for forceful splitting rather than a sharp blade for cleaner cutting. It is common in wood-splitting or fence-building contexts.
常見錯誤
2. in rugby, a move where players bind around the ball carrier and push forward whi
in rugby, a move where players bind around the ball carrier and push forward while the ball stays off the ground.
The forwards formed a maul just five metres from the try line.
rugby pattern: form a maul
The referee stopped the maul when the ball stopped moving forward.
Our school team drove the maul closer to the posts after the throw.
Once the maul collapsed, the other side received a penalty.
文法句型
form a maul
drive a maul forward
stop a maul
用法筆記
This is a technical rugby term. It differs from a scrum because the ball is with a standing player and the group keeps moving while players stay bound together around that carrier.