poise
/pɔɪz/ (bre, ipa) · /pɔɪz/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈpȯiz/ (ame, mw)
poise — noun
1. the quality of staying calm and sure of yourself when dealing with difficult sit
the quality of staying calm and sure of yourself when dealing with difficult situations, combined with a graceful way of standing or moving
The young pianist faced the noisy hall with remarkable poise and began to play.
poise in difficult situation; collocation: with poise
Even during the emergency, the ward nurse never lost her poise.
Soo-jin answered every question from the reporters with poise and honesty.
The yoga teacher moved across the room with the natural poise of a cat.
A politician needs great poise to handle a live interview without losing confidence.
- composure
emphasises calm control under stress; more common in crisis contexts
- grace
focuses on elegance of movement rather than mental calm
- self-assurance
highlights inner confidence; does not include physical bearing
- awkwardness
lack of grace in movement or social behaviour
- agitation
visible nervousness; opposite of calm self-control
文法句型
poise to V
with poise
V + poise
用法筆記
Uncountable noun — do not use with an article ('a poise'). Frequently found in the phrase 'with poise' describing how someone handles a situation.
常見錯誤
2. a condition in which something is perfectly balanced and steady, so that it does
a condition in which something is perfectly balanced and steady, so that it does not tip, fall, or move unexpectedly
The sculpture rests in a state of perfect poise on its narrow metal base.
collocation: in a state of poise
A tightrope walker must maintain constant poise while moving across the rope.
The cat sat on the garden wall with the easy poise of a wild animal.
The bridge was designed to keep its poise even during strong winds.
- balance
more common and informal; used in everyday contexts
- equilibrium
more scientific; suggests forces in balance
- stability
broader; describes resistance to change, not just physical balance
- imbalance
lack of balance
- instability
tendency to fall or change position
文法句型
in poise
V + poise
用法筆記
More formal than 'balance'. Often used in technical or descriptive contexts involving physical equilibrium. Can appear as 'in poise' or 'in a state of poise'.
常見錯誤
poise — verb
- poisepresent simple I / you / we / they
- poises3rd person singular
- poising-ing form
- poisedpast simple
1. to carefully balance or hold something in a steady position, especially when get
to carefully balance or hold something in a steady position, especially when getting ready to do something with it
The waiter poised the heavy tray on one hand while opening the kitchen door.
poise + object + prepositional phrase
Tariq poised the camera on the edge of the rock to take a night shot.
Elena poised her brush above the canvas, ready to add the final stroke.
The gymnast poised herself on the balance beam before beginning her routine.
文法句型
poise + object + prepositional phrase
poise + reflexive pronoun + prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Nearly always used with a prepositional phrase ('on', 'above', 'over') that specifies where or how the object is held. The object is typically physical; this sense is not used for abstract ideas.
常見錯誤
2. to prepare yourself mentally and physically for something difficult, unpleasant,
to prepare yourself mentally and physically for something difficult, unpleasant, or challenging that is about to happen
The firefighters poised themselves for the order to enter the burning building.
poise + reflexive pronoun + for + noun phrase
Residents along the coast poised themselves for the approaching typhoon.
Fatima took a deep breath and poised herself to deliver the bad news.
The company poised itself for a major change in leadership.
文法句型
poise + reflexive pronoun + for + noun phrase
poise + reflexive pronoun + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Always used reflexively — the object must be a reflexive pronoun ('herself', 'himself', 'themselves', 'itself'). Not followed by a direct object other than the reflexive. Common with 'for' or a 'to'-infinitive clause.
常見錯誤
3. to remain suspended in a fixed position in the air without moving, or to stay in
to remain suspended in a fixed position in the air without moving, or to stay in one place without falling
The helicopter poised above the rescue site, waiting for the signal to land.
poise + above + location
A dragonfly poised in the warm air for a moment before darting away.
The hawk poised motionless against the wind above the open field.
Dust particles poised in the beam of light that crossed the old room.
The hummingbird poised in front of the red flower for several seconds.
文法句型
poise + prepositional phrase
poise + adverb
用法筆記
Describes a motionless suspended state — different from 'hover', which can involve active fluttering. Often used to create a vivid, still image in descriptive writing.