panhandling

/ˈpænˌhæn.dəl/ (bre, ipa) · [pˈænhˌændlɪŋ] /ˈpænˌhæn.dəl/ (ame, ipa)

panhandling — verb

  • panhandlingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • panhandlings3rd person singular
  • panhandlinging-ing form
  • panhandlingedpast simple

1. to stand or sit on a street or sidewalk asking passers-by for small amounts of m

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

to stand or sit on a street or sidewalk asking passers-by for small amounts of money, usually because you cannot afford food, rent, or other basic needs.

例句

Hugo began panhandling near the station after he lost his job and could not pay the rent.

panhandle + near [location] for reason

The city council banned panhandling within fifteen metres of any public school.

passive construction: panhandling banned

同義詞
  • beg

    broader — can include asking for food, help, or work; 'panhandle' is specifically asking strangers for money on the street.

  • ask for spare change

    a longer, more neutral phrase that describes the action without the negative tone of 'panhandle'.

  • bum

    informal British English; closer to borrowing or cadging than formal panhandling.

反義詞
  • give

    opposite direction of exchange — the panhandler receives, the giver donates.

文法句型

panhandle + on/at/near [location]

panhandle + [person] + for [thing]

用法筆記

Only sense that takes a direct object when referring to the person being asked, e.g. 'He panhandled the tourists for change.' The transitive form is less common than the intransitive pattern.

常見錯誤

She was panhandling food on the street.
She was panhandling on the street.
💡'panhandle' usually does not take an object for the thing asked; you can say 'panhandle for money' or 'ask for money.'
He panhandled to the passengers on the train.
He panhandled passengers on the train.
💡When transitive, 'panhandle' does not take 'to'; the person asked is the direct object.

panhandling — noun