prod
/prɒd/ (bre, ipa) · [prˈɑd] /prɑːd/ (ame, ipa) · [prˈɑd] /ˈpräd/ (ame, mw)
prod — verb
- prodpresent simple I / you / we / they
- prodshe / she / it
- proddedpast simple
- prodding-ing form
1. to push your finger or a pointed object into someone or something, often in a qu
to push your finger or a pointed object into someone or something, often in a quick or repeated motion.
Tyler prodded the cat gently with his toe to see if it would wake up.
transitive: prod + object + with + instrument
The doctor prodded at Joon's swollen ankle and asked if it hurt.
intransitive: prod at + object
Salma prodded the dumpling with a chopstick to check if it was cooked.
Cyrus prodded the soft ground with a stick before stepping forward.
文法句型
prod + at + noun phrase
prod + noun phrase
用法筆記
The intransitive form always takes 'at' ('prod at something'). The transitive form can be used with or without an instrument phrase: 'prodded the meat' or 'prodded the meat with a fork.'
常見錯誤
2. to push someone gently but firmly to do something they are hesitating to do or t
to push someone gently but firmly to do something they are hesitating to do or taking too long over.
Rafael's coach prodded him into signing up for the marathon despite his nerves.
prod + person + into + gerund
Tara kept prodding Dewi to hand in the application before the deadline.
prod + person + to + infinitive
The manager prodded the team to finish the report by asking about progress.
Sahil's parents kept prodding him to call the landlord about the broken pipe.
- urge
less physical metaphor; usually verbal encouragement
- discourage
to make someone less willing to act
文法句型
prod + person + to do
prod + person + into + doing
用法筆記
Not as strong or urgent as 'push' or 'force.' Prodding is gentle but persistent, often with reminders or gentle questioning. The 'into + gerund' pattern is slightly more formal than 'to + infinitive.'
常見錯誤
prod — noun
- prodsingular
- prodsplural
1. a short push with a finger or a pointed object, usually quick and light.
a short push with a finger or a pointed object, usually quick and light.
Cyrus gave the potato a quick prod with his fork to test its softness.
give + noun + a prod
Adina felt a sharp prod in her back and turned to see who was there.
A gentle prod from Kemi's elbow reminded Salma to pass the salt.
The chef gave the dough a firm prod with his finger to check its texture.
用法筆記
Common in the phrase 'give something/someone a prod,' which follows the same pattern as 'give something a poke.'
2. a gentle push in the form of words or actions meant to make someone start or spe
a gentle push in the form of words or actions meant to make someone start or speed up doing something.
Maeve needed a prod from her sister to book the flight tickets.
needs a prod from + person
The boss's email was the prod the team needed to finish early.
Tyler's friend gave him a prod to ask the professor a question in class.
Without a regular prod from his parents, Dewi often forgot his chores.
用法筆記
Usually appears in singular form ('a prod') and often in the pattern 'a prod from [someone] to [do something].'
3. a tool or object with a sharp tip, used for poking or stirring things such as a
a tool or object with a sharp tip, used for poking or stirring things such as a fire or soil.
Kemi used an iron prod to push the logs closer in the fireplace.
The farmer guided the cattle into the barn using a long metal prod.
cattle prod — specific compound noun
A blacksmith shaped a metal rod into a narrow prod for the fireplace.
The gardener pushed a wooden prod into the soil to check moisture.
用法筆記
Often appears in compound nouns such as 'cattle prod' (a device used to make livestock move) and 'fireplace prod' (a poker).