paddling
paddling — verb
1. to make a canoe, kayak, or other small boat go forward by working a paddle in th
to make a canoe, kayak, or other small boat go forward by working a paddle in the water.
Sven was paddling the red canoe across the lake before sunset.
paddling + canoe across the lake
Two campers kept paddling upstream even after the rain began.
Aylin learned paddling on calm water near the summer camp dock.
The guide stopped paddling when the narrow river curved around the rocks.
文法句型
paddle + canoe / kayak / boat
paddle + across / along / upstream
用法筆記
This sense can be transitive when you name the boat, or intransitive when the water route matters more than the craft.
2. to walk or play in very shallow water, usually near the edge of a beach, river,
to walk or play in very shallow water, usually near the edge of a beach, river, or lake.
Lakan was paddling at the beach while both parents sat on the sand.
paddling at the beach in shallow water
Three children spent the morning paddling in the cool stream behind the cabins.
Visitors were paddling beside the pier when the tide started to rise.
After lunch, Aylin went paddling in the shallow water by the bay.
文法句型
go paddling
paddle in + shallow water
用法筆記
Commonly used in British English for light play in shallow water, not for full swimming.
3. to swim by moving your hands and feet in short up-and-down strokes.
to swim by moving your hands and feet in short up-and-down strokes.
The puppy was paddling toward the steps after falling into the pool.
paddling toward safety in water
Ryan kept paddling with both hands until the lifeguard reached him.
In the first lesson, the children practised paddling across the shallow lane.
Selim started paddling wildly when a cold wave splashed over his shoulders.
文法句型
paddle toward + place
paddle with + hands / feet
用法筆記
This sense describes a simple swimming motion, often used for beginners, children, or animals.
4. to hit someone with a flat wooden paddle as a form of punishment.
to hit someone with a flat wooden paddle as a form of punishment.
The old school once punished boys by paddling them after fights.
paddling someone as punishment
Parents in the novel argued about whether paddling children was cruel.
The coach was fired for paddling a student in the locker room.
Many districts banned paddling decades ago and replaced it with other discipline.
文法句型
paddle + child / student / person
用法筆記
This sense is mainly associated with older or American school-discipline contexts and often appears in discussions of corporal punishment.
5. to stir or beat a liquid or soft material with a paddle-shaped tool.
to stir or beat a liquid or soft material with a paddle-shaped tool.
Workers were paddling the dye vat to keep the colour even.
paddling the vat to mix contents
The baker kept paddling the thick batter until the sugar dissolved.
At the mill, two men took turns paddling the pulp all morning.
The soap maker stopped paddling once the mixture began to cool.
文法句型
paddle + vat / mixture / batter
用法筆記
Usually used for manual mixing in older, industrial, or craft settings rather than ordinary kitchen stirring.
6. to move forward in short, shaky steps, especially like a very young child.
to move forward in short, shaky steps, especially like a very young child.
The toddler came paddling across the kitchen in oversized slippers.
came paddling in short, shaky steps
After the nap, the baby kept paddling toward the toy basket.
An old duck came paddling over the wet grass beside the pond.
Lakshmi laughed as the puppy went paddling after the rolling orange ball.
文法句型
come / go paddling
paddle toward + person / thing
用法筆記
This is an uncommon, image-rich sense that focuses on the short, unsteady movement rather than water.