pelt

/pelt/ (bre, ipa) · /pelt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpelt/ (ame, mw)

pelt — verb

  • peltpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • peltshe / she / it
  • peltedpast simple
  • pelting-ing form

1. to repeatedly throw objects such as stones, eggs, or fruit at a person or thing,

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to repeatedly throw objects such as stones, eggs, or fruit at a person or thing, especially to show anger, as a protest, or for play

例句

The children pelted the old wooden shed with snowballs until it was completely white.

pelt + [target] + with + [objects]

Angry customers pelted the shopkeeper with rotten eggs after he refused to give refunds.

used for protest or anger

同義詞
  • bombard

    stronger force, often with explosives or many items, and can be metaphorical

  • shower

    gentler, suggests objects falling like rain rather than being thrown hard

  • throw at

    general verb, does not imply repeated or rapid action

文法句型

pelt [target] with [objects]

用法筆記

The direct object of this verb is the person or thing being hit — not the object being thrown. So you say 'they pelted him with stones', not 'they pelted stones at him' (though the latter is occasionally heard in informal speech).

常見錯誤

❌He pelted a stone at the window.
✅He pelted the window with stones.' or 'He threw a stone at the window.
💡'pelt' implies many objects thrown repeatedly, not a single throw.
❌She pelted tomatoes to the actor.
✅She pelted the actor with tomatoes.
💡The target comes right after 'pelt'; the things thrown follow 'with'.

2. to run very fast, especially in a particular direction, often because you are in

2.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to run very fast, especially in a particular direction, often because you are in a hurry or trying to escape something

例句

The neighbor's dog pelted across the garden and disappeared into the bushes.

pelt + across + [place]

As soon as the bell rang, the students pelted down the hallway toward the playground.

同義詞
  • dash

    very similar, but 'pelt' suggests more urgent or frantic speed

  • sprint

    more formal, often used in sports contexts

  • tear

    informal, suggests reckless speed

反義詞
  • creep

    moving slowly and quietly

文法句型

pelt + direction/preposition (across, down, through, along)

用法筆記

This sense is always used with a direction word or phrase (across, down, through, toward, along). It is common in informal stories and descriptions of exciting or urgent movement.

常見錯誤

❌He pelted to the bus stop.
✅He pelted down the street to the bus stop.
💡A direction phrase is needed, not just a destination.
❌She pelted slowly through the park.
✅She pelted through the park.
💡'pelt' always implies speed; do not combine with 'slowly'.

3. to fall with great force and in large amounts, used about rain, hail, or sleet b

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

to fall with great force and in large amounts, used about rain, hail, or sleet beating against a surface

例句

The rain pelted against the bedroom window so hard that the baby could not fall asleep.

pelt + against + [surface]

Hailstones pelted the car roof, producing a loud noise that lasted for almost ten minutes.

subject: hailstones / hail

同義詞
  • beat down

    slightly less intense, can also be used for sun or wind

  • lash

    more poetic or dramatic, suggests wind-driven rain

  • pour

    general word for heavy rain, less forceful than 'pelt'

反義詞

文法句型

pelt + down / against / on + [surface]

用法筆記

Only used for precipitation (rain, hail, sleet). Not used for snow, wind, or fog. 'Pelt down' is a common phrasal verb form meaning the rain is falling very heavily.

常見錯誤

❌Snow pelted against the window.
✅Snow fell against the window.' or 'Snowflakes drifted against the window.
💡'pelt' is not used for snow, which falls softly.
❌The wind pelted the house all night.
✅The wind battered the house all night.
💡'pelt' is for rain/hail, not wind.

pelt — noun