packs
packs — verb
- packspresent simple I / you / we / they
- packses3rd person singular
- packsing-ing form
- packsedpast simple
1. to travel from place to place carrying all your belongings in a backpack, stayin
to travel from place to place carrying all your belongings in a backpack, staying in cheap places rather than expensive hotels
After college, Tendai spent six months packing through Southeast Asia on a tight budget.
pack + through + region for budget travel
The hostel was full of young travellers packing around Europe by train.
Instead of booking hotels, Minh decided to pack through the countryside and sleep in guesthouses.
Baraka spent three months packing through Guatemala and Honduras after finishing university.
文法句型
pack + (adverb of place)
用法筆記
This sense is intransitive only — you do not pack something; you simply pack through a region. Frequently used with a geographical area (through Asia, around Europe).
常見錯誤
2. to spend several days walking in natural landscapes with a backpack that holds a
to spend several days walking in natural landscapes with a backpack that holds all your supplies, including a tent and food for overnight stops
Stefan packed into the national park with a tent and enough food for three days.
pack + into + location for hiking trip
Jin and his cousin packed up the mountain trail and set up camp near the lake.
Last summer, Ingrid packed across the Welsh hills with two friends from university.
The group packed for six days through the desert, carrying water and food supplies.
文法句型
pack + (into/to + location)
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense involves camping and outdoor hiking rather than moving between towns and staying in hostels. Often used with into or up for destination.
3. to put clothes, items, or goods into a bag, suitcase, box, or other container, e
to put clothes, items, or goods into a bag, suitcase, box, or other container, especially in an organised way for travel or moving
Samir packed his books into three cardboard boxes before the movers arrived.
pack + object + into + container
Theo packed a small bag with just a change of clothes and a toothbrush.
Madison carefully packed the glasses by wrapping each one in newspaper.
Anya still had not packed her suitcase, even though her flight to Osaka was leaving at six in the morning.
The factory workers packed the fruit into wooden crates for export.
- unpack
To remove items from a bag or container
文法句型
pack + object + in/into + container
用法筆記
The most frequent sense of pack. The object is what goes into the container. For the opposite action, use 'unpack'.
常見錯誤
4. to fill a room, vehicle, or space with a large number of people or things so tha
to fill a room, vehicle, or space with a large number of people or things so that little or no room is left
Fans packed the concert hall to see the band's final performance.
pack + venue + with people
Commuters packed into the train carriage during the morning rush hour.
pack + into + space (intransitive pattern)
The market was packed with shoppers looking for weekend bargains.
Noa packed too many clothes into the suitcase and could not close the zip.
- empty
To remove the contents so the space is no longer full
文法句型
pack + place/space with + people/things
people pack + into + place
用法筆記
Common in the passive form 'be packed with' to describe a place that is extremely full. The transitive pattern emphasises the person filling the space; the intransitive pattern ('people packed into') emphasises the movement of the crowd.
常見錯誤
5. to press a substance such as snow, soil, or sand into a firm, dense mass by push
to press a substance such as snow, soil, or sand into a firm, dense mass by pushing down or applying weight
The children packed the snow into a hard ball before throwing it.
pack + material + into + shape
After the storm, the wind packed the sand tightly against the beach wall.
Wet soil packs down easily, so gardeners often wait for dry weather to dig.
Zayd packed the earth around the fence post to make sure it stood straight.
The truck drove over the gravel and packed it flat against the driveway.
- loosen
To make something less dense or firm
文法句型
pack + material + down/tight
material + packs + adverb
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (someone packs a material) or intransitively (a material packs easily/well). The intransitive use describes the material's natural property of becoming compact.
常見錯誤
6. to fold, compress, or fit into a smaller shape for convenient storage or travel,
to fold, compress, or fit into a smaller shape for convenient storage or travel, describing an object's inherent property rather than a person's action
This lightweight tent packs into a small bag that fits inside a backpack.
object + packs + into + container size
The new camping stove packs small and weighs less than a kilogram.
Dry snow does not pack well, so it is no good for building a snowman.
The chairs pack flat for storage and are easy to carry between rooms.
文法句型
material/object + packs + adverb/adjective
用法筆記
The subject is the object or material being packed, not the person doing the packing. Common with adverbs like 'well', 'easily', 'small', or 'flat'.
7. to carry a gun, knife, or other weapon on your body, often hidden under clothing
to carry a gun, knife, or other weapon on your body, often hidden under clothing, for protection or as part of your job
Kenji always packs a small pistol when he works the late shift at the convenience store.
pack + weapon for protection on the job
Jisoo packs pepper spray in her bag whenever she walks home alone after dark.
The security guard at the bank packs a revolver under his jacket during working hours.
Under the new state law, Dahlia cannot pack a concealed weapon without taking a safety course first.
Wei's uncle packs a hunting rifle in his truck when he drives through bear country.
文法句型
pack + weapon
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person who routinely carries a weapon. The object is the weapon itself (gun, pistol, knife, pepper spray). Frequent in informal American English; British English prefers 'carry a gun'.
常見錯誤
8. to place supplies or belongings on the back of a person or an animal for transpo
to place supplies or belongings on the back of a person or an animal for transport, rather than putting them inside a bag or container
The mountain guide packed food and water on a sturdy mule for the three-day trip.
pack + supplies + on + animal for transport
Tomás helped his grandmother pack firewood onto the donkey before they headed home.
Each porter packed nearly thirty kilos of rice on his back for the journey up the hill.
The expedition packed their scientific equipment on yaks to cross the high mountain pass.
Farmers in the region pack fresh vegetables on their mules and walk to the weekly market.
文法句型
pack + goods + on/onto + animal/person
用法筆記
Object is typically the goods being transported, and the recipient is introduced by 'on' or 'onto' (e.g. 'pack supplies on a horse'). The person or animal doing the carrying is the direct object only when the meaning is 'load' ('pack the mule').
常見錯誤
9. to stop doing an activity or quit a job or task, especially because you are tire
to stop doing an activity or quit a job or task, especially because you are tired, bored, or frustrated
After losing three matches in a row, the team decided to pack it in for the season.
phrasal: pack it in — stop an activity
Gabriel was too tired to finish his history essay, so he decided to pack it in and go to bed.
The street musicians packed up their instruments and left when the police arrived.
Pim told his sister she should pack it in if her factory job made her unhappy and find something better.
The rain got heavier, so the organisers packed in the outdoor concert after only two songs.
- quit
neutral register; 'pack it in' is more informal and conversational
- give up
broader meaning; 'pack it in' specifically implies stopping because of frustration or tiredness
- call it a day
idiom; 'pack it in' is slightly blunter
文法句型
pack it in
pack up
pack in + noun
用法筆記
Frequently used with the phrasal adverb 'in' or 'up'. 'Pack it in' is fixed and informal — do not replace 'it' with a noun (cannot say 'pack the job in'). 'Pack in' (without 'it') takes a direct object, as in 'pack in the concert'. British and American English both use this sense, though the phrasal forms differ slightly in frequency.
常見錯誤
10. to move or gather people or animals closely together into a tight cluster, for p
to move or gather people or animals closely together into a tight cluster, for protection, warmth, or organised activity, rather than filling a container or venue
The hunter carefully packed his hounds together before setting off through the woods.
transitive: pack + animals + together
When the wolves approached, the sheep packed together tightly for safety.
intransitive: the animals pack together by themselves
The children packed together on the small sofa to watch their favourite cartoon.
The coach packed his players into a tight huddle before the final play of the game.
The penguins packed together on the ice to keep warm during the storm.
文法句型
pack + animals/people + together
pack together
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (the hunter packs the hounds) or intransitively (the sheep pack together). The intransitive use is closer to 'crowd together' or 'huddle'. Distinguish from sense 4 (verb_b1) 'FILL SPACE' which is about filling a container or area; this sense is specifically about forming a cohesive group.
11. to deliberately fill a committee, jury, board, or other decision-making group wi
to deliberately fill a committee, jury, board, or other decision-making group with people who support a particular person, party, or agenda in order to influence its decisions
The opposition accused the mayor of packing the planning committee with his business allies.
pack + committee + with + supporters — political context
Lawyers for the defendant argued that the jury had been packed against their client.
The new director packed the board with friends who would vote for every proposal he made.
Critics say the president tried to pack the Supreme Court with judges who shared his personal views.
The senator was criticised for packing the subcommittee with allies from her own party.
文法句型
pack + committee/jury/board + with + supporters
用法筆記
Almost always used with the preposition 'with' introducing the supporters. The object is a collective body (jury, committee, board, court). This sense carries a strong negative connotation — it implies unfair manipulation of a group that is supposed to be balanced or impartial.
常見錯誤
packs — noun
- packssingular
- packsesplural
1. a strong bag with shoulder straps, worn on the back and used by people who walk
a strong bag with shoulder straps, worn on the back and used by people who walk long distances, travel, or camp outdoors.
Ryan threw his pack into the back of the car before the trip to the lake.
The hiking trail was steep, so Tunde tightened the straps on his pack and kept walking.
countable noun with possessive determiner
Evelyn carried a raincoat and enough food for two days inside her pack.
Hao adjusted the straps on his pack before starting the long hike up the mountain trail.
文法句型
a pack [for + activity]
pack + of + [contents]
用法筆記
In American English, 'backpack' is more common for this sense in everyday use; 'pack' is slightly more specific to hiking and camping gear.
常見錯誤
2. a number of wild animals that live and move together as one group, especially to
a number of wild animals that live and move together as one group, especially to hunt for food or defend themselves from danger.
A pack of wolves was seen crossing the frozen river near the village.
pack of + animals: collective noun
The park ranger warned visitors that a pack of wild dogs had been spotted nearby.
Beatriz watched a pack of coyotes move silently through the dry grass at dusk.
The pack of hyenas worked together to chase a zebra away from the herd and bring it down.
文法句型
a pack of + [plural animal]
用法筆記
Typically used for predators such as wolves, dogs, coyotes, and hyenas. Not used for herd animals like cows or sheep ('herd' is used instead).
常見錯誤
3. a group of similar items kept together, for example a complete deck of playing c
a group of similar items kept together, for example a complete deck of playing cards, or any collection of related objects.
Dario shuffled the pack of cards and dealt seven cards to each player.
a pack of cards: the most common collocation for playing cards
The photographer carried a pack of spare batteries in her camera bag at all times.
Salma bought a pack of coloured pencils for her art class at the local school.
A whole pack of old letters tied with ribbon was found in the attic.
文法句型
a pack of + [plural noun]
pack + of + [things]
用法筆記
For playing cards, 'pack' is common in British English; 'deck' is more common in American English.
常見錯誤
4. a container such as a box or wrapper that holds several identical products sold
a container such as a box or wrapper that holds several identical products sold together as one retail unit, rather than a set of related but separate items
Nia opened a pack of chewing gum and offered one piece to her friend.
a pack of + product: typical shopping collocation
The supermarket sells a six-pack of yoghurt pots with different fruit flavours.
Tunde picked up a pack of biscuits from the shelf and checked the price.
Kemi bought three packs of noodles because they were on special offer.
文法句型
a pack of + [product]
pack + container description
用法筆記
Six-pack (or 6-pack) specifically refers to a set of six cans or bottles sold together, most commonly for drinks or yoghurt.
常見錯誤
5. a number of people who do things together, especially a group whose shared activ
a number of people who do things together, especially a group whose shared activities are disapproved of by others, or an organized group such as Cub Scouts.
A pack of reporters waited outside the courthouse all morning for news of the trial.
pack of + people: can suggest disapproval or crowding
The Cub Scout pack went camping in the mountains under the supervision of three leaders.
Élise tried to avoid the pack of teenagers who were shouting near the shop entrance.
A pack of tourists gathered around the guide as she explained the history of the temple.
文法句型
a pack of + [plural people]
pack + of + [group]
用法筆記
When used for people, 'pack' often carries a slightly negative tone — suggesting disorder, noise, or pushiness. The Cub Scout 'pack' is a neutral exception.
常見錯誤
6. a thick substance spread on the face or skin to clean or improve its appearance,
a thick substance spread on the face or skin to clean or improve its appearance, or a cloth pad containing medicine or moisture that is placed on an injury
Mira applied a cool pack to her swollen ankle after twisting it during the run.
medical compress usage: cool/hot pack for injuries
Sayaka left the clay face pack on her skin for fifteen minutes to clean her pores.
The nurse placed an ice pack on the patient's knee to reduce the swelling after the operation.
Indra bought a charcoal peel-off pack at the beauty store to clean the pores on her nose.
文法句型
a pack [for body part]
face pack
cold pack
hot pack
用法筆記
In medical contexts, 'pack' often combines with a temperature word — 'ice pack' (cold), 'hot pack' (warm). In beauty contexts, 'face pack' or 'face mask' are interchangeable.
常見錯誤
packs — adjective
- packspositive
- packsercomparative
- packsestsuperlative
1. used especially in Scottish English to describe two people whose friendship is v
used especially in Scottish English to describe two people whose friendship is very close and familiar, like family members who share a deep, long-standing bond.
Angus and his cousin Morag have been packs friends since they were children playing on the same street.
collocation: packs friends
The elderly fisherman and the village doctor were packs, sharing secret jokes whenever they met at the market.
pattern: be + packs (after linking verb)
In the small Highland town of Ballater, many of the older families are packs with one another going back generations.
Fiona told her mother that she and Isla have become packs friends during their classes at the university in Edinburgh.
Hamish and Callum have stayed packs friends since they were children.
- intimate
Standard English equivalent, but can also refer to romantic closeness; 'packs' is specific to close friendship
- close
More general and widely understood; 'packs' carries a distinctly Scottish, colloquial flavour
- thick
Informal British English term for close friends; 'packs' is more regionally specific to Scotland
- familiar
Suggests ease and informality, but less intense than the deep bond implied by 'packs'
文法句型
packs + noun (especially 'friends')
be + packs + with + person
用法筆記
Almost exclusively used in Scottish English or by Scots speakers. Rarely appears in formal writing. The adjective does not have comparative or superlative forms ('packs-er', 'packs-est' are non-standard).