oath
/əʊθ/ (bre, ipa) · /əʊθ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈōth/ (ame, mw)
oath — noun
- oathsingular
- oathsplural
1. a serious commitment a person makes, often in a courtroom or at the start of an
a serious commitment a person makes, often in a courtroom or at the start of an official job, stating they will do something or speak honestly
The witness placed her hand on the Bible and swore an oath before the judge questioned her.
collocation: swear an oath
All newly elected members of parliament must take an oath of allegiance to the constitution.
collocation: take an oath of [allegiance]
Noam broke his oath by telling a newspaper reporter about the confidential meeting.
Dr. Amara recited the Hippocratic oath at her graduation, promising to care for the sick.
The soldiers swore an oath to defend their nation against any enemy, foreign or domestic.
文法句型
swear/take + an oath
oath of + noun phrase (oath of office)
oath to + infinitive (oath to tell the truth)
用法筆記
Frequently used with the verbs 'swear,' 'take,' or 'administer.' An oath may be religious (sworn on a sacred text) or secular (a simple verbal promise). Distinguish from Sense 2 (UNDER OATH): this sense refers to the promise itself as a countable object you can take or break, while Sense 2 describes the legal status of a person who has already sworn.
常見錯誤
2. the binding situation a person is in after making a formal commitment to be hone
the binding situation a person is in after making a formal commitment to be honest, so that any false statement in a courtroom becomes a crime
Santi answered every question truthfully while under oath in the federal courtroom.
fixed phrase: under oath
The former employee admitted under oath that she had taken confidential files home without permission.
Layla was placed under oath by the judge before the trial could officially begin.
The senator's statements under oath directly contradicted what she had told the press the week before.
A witness who lies while under oath can be charged with perjury and sent to prison.
- on the record
less formal; refers to any official statement, not necessarily with legal consequences for lying
- under penalty of perjury
more formal and technical; explicitly states the punishment for dishonesty
文法句型
under oath
on oath
while under oath
place someone under oath
用法筆記
Nearly always appears in the fixed phrases 'under oath' or 'on oath' with no article — never 'under the oath.' To say a person 'is under oath' means they are legally bound to tell the truth and can face prosecution for perjury if caught in a lie. Distinguish from Sense 1 (FORMAL PROMISE): Sense 1 is the promise itself as a countable thing; this sense is the legal status created by having made that promise.
常見錯誤
3. a word that people consider rude or blasphemous, typically using a sacred name,
a word that people consider rude or blasphemous, typically using a sacred name, and said when someone is angry, shocked, or hurt
Takuya let out a loud oath when the ladder slipped and his knee hit the wall.
collocation: let out an oath
Valentina muttered a quiet oath after spilling coffee all over her new white shirt.
collocation: mutter an oath
The film was given an adult rating because of several strong oaths and violent scenes.
Mei-Lin's grandfather always frowned whenever anyone shouted an oath within his hearing.
- swear word
more common in modern usage; covers all offensive language, not only religious references
- curse
overlaps in meaning; often implies a wish for harm on someone, but also used for any swear word
- profanity
more formal; specifically refers to language that shows disrespect for religion or sacred things
文法句型
utter/mutter/shout + an oath
a string/stream of oaths
用法筆記
This sense originally referred specifically to offensive uses of God's or Jesus Christ's name, but in modern English it covers swear words of any kind. 'Oath' in this meaning is less common in everyday speech than 'swear word' or 'curse.' Such language is considered rude in most social settings and may be bleeped on television.