pedestal
pedestal — noun
- pedestalsingular
- pedestalsplural
1. a tall base, often shaped like a narrow column, that holds up a statue, a large
a tall base, often shaped like a narrow column, that holds up a statue, a large vase, or part of a building such as a pillar or column.
The bronze statue of the general stood on a marble pedestal in the town square.
collocation: stand on a pedestal
Curators placed the ancient Greek vase on a stone pedestal in the gallery.
Each pillar in the palace entryway rests on a wide pedestal carved with flowers.
A small brass plaque on the pedestal gives the name of the sculptor.
After the earthquake, the museum staff checked that no pedestal had shifted.
2. a position of very high respect or admiration, often so strong that a person's f
a position of very high respect or admiration, often so strong that a person's faults or weaknesses are ignored or not seen — used in phrases like 'put somebody on a pedestal' (admire them too much) or 'knock somebody off their pedestal' (destroy their admired position).
After winning the award, Sophia was put on a pedestal by her younger colleagues.
fixed phrase: put [someone] on a pedestal
Emre used to put his sister on a pedestal, but now he sees her faults.
The media built the young singer up on a pedestal, then knocked her down again.
Kabir warned his friend not to put any celebrity on a pedestal.
The respected teacher was knocked off her pedestal when parents learned she had lied.
- hero worship
refers to the act rather than the position; suggests excessive admiration
- disgrace
the state of having lost respect or honor, opposite of the pedestal position
文法句型
put + [someone] + on a pedestal
knock + [someone] + off + [someone's] + pedestal
用法筆記
Almost always appears in fixed expressions such as 'put someone on a pedestal' (to admire someone excessively) or 'knock someone off their pedestal' (to end someone's admired position). The figurative meaning rarely occurs outside these or similar phrasal patterns.