napping
napping — noun
1. the activity of sleeping for a brief time, usually during daytime hours
the activity of sleeping for a brief time, usually during daytime hours
Sayaka swears that afternoon napping makes her work better in the evening.
collocation: afternoon napping
Daily napping is part of the schedule at Jabari's nursery school.
pattern: napping as routine activity
Christopher finds that napping for twenty minutes helps him study at night.
Doctors often recommend napping for older patients who feel tired during the day.
Minh enjoys quiet napping on the sofa after a long Sunday lunch.
文法句型
go napping
afternoon napping
用法筆記
Used as the gerund form of the verb 'nap'. Often appears with time markers like 'afternoon', 'daily', or a duration. Distinguish from sense 2 — this sense names the act of sleeping, not a fabric texture.
常見錯誤
2. the soft, hairy outer layer on certain cloths like velvet, made by brushing the
the soft, hairy outer layer on certain cloths like velvet, made by brushing the threads in one direction
Élise admired the rich green napping on the antique velvet curtains.
collocation: napping on velvet
The napping on Romi's wool coat had worn flat at the elbows.
Ramón ran his finger across the napping of the suede armchair.
Always brush the napping in one direction to keep the colour even.
文法句型
the napping on / of [fabric]
用法筆記
Mostly used in textile, sewing, or upholstery contexts. Different lemma origin from sense 1 — this comes from a Middle English word for a raised fabric surface, not from sleep.
napping — verb
1. having a brief rest with eyes closed, usually in the middle of the day
having a brief rest with eyes closed, usually in the middle of the day
Yael was napping on the porch when the postman rang the bell.
pattern: was napping when [event]
Don't wake the baby — he has been napping for only ten minutes.
pattern: has been napping for [duration]
Lakshmi found the cat napping in the warm patch of sunlight.
Felipe likes napping on the train ride home from his factory shift.
While Iris was napping, her sister cleaned up the kitchen.
- waking
the opposite state — being alert rather than asleep
文法句型
be napping
find someone napping
while napping
用法筆記
Most common in the progressive form ('was/were napping', 'is napping') and after 'find', 'catch', or 'while'. Subject is usually a person or animal at rest.
常見錯誤
2. not ready or paying attention at the moment when you need to act, so that someth
not ready or paying attention at the moment when you need to act, so that something happens that surprises you
The defenders were caught napping when Obi scored a goal in the first minute.
passive: be caught napping in sports context
Chiara warned her team not to be found napping during the surprise inspection.
passive: be found napping
The security guards were caught napping when thieves entered through the side door.
Big banks were caught napping by the sudden change in interest rates last month.
- unprepared
general adjective for not being ready; less vivid than 'caught napping'
- off guard
very close in meaning; often appears as 'caught off guard'
文法句型
be caught napping
be found napping
用法筆記
Almost always passive ('be caught/found napping'). Different from sense 1 — the person is not actually asleep, just unprepared. Distinguish from sense 1 by context: a sports team or business being 'caught napping' is mid-action, not in bed.