quibble
quibble — noun
- quibblesingular
- quibblesplural
1. an expression of dissatisfaction with a small detail that has little real import
an expression of dissatisfaction with a small detail that has little real importance
The reviewer's only quibble about the novel was the length of one chapter.
only quibble about [noun phrase] — single minor criticism
My biggest quibble with the hotel is that breakfast ended at 8:30.
Apart from a few small quibbles, the report was well received by the committee.
The laptop is excellent; any quibble you hear is about the fan noise, not performance.
Kenji had only one quibble with the contract: the payment terms seemed unfair.
文法句型
quibble + about + noun phrase
quibble + with + noun phrase
2. a clever but unfair objection that turns attention away from the real issue bein
a clever but unfair objection that turns attention away from the real issue being debated
The lawyer's quibble about the wording of the question did not fool the judge.
quibble about wording — focusing on language to avoid the issue
Raising a quibble about grammar is just a way to avoid answering the hard question.
His argument was full of legal quibbles that had nothing to do with the main issue.
When pressed for an answer, Walid fell back on a quibble about definitions.
文法句型
quibble + about + noun phrase
用法筆記
This sense is more negative than noun sense 1 (TRIVIAL COMPLAINT): a quibble here suggests a deliberate attempt to dodge the real topic rather than an honest minor criticism.
quibble — verb
- quibblepresent simple I / you / we / they
- quibbleshe / she / it
- quibbledpast simple
- quibbling-ing form
1. to complain or argue about unimportant details instead of dealing with the main
to complain or argue about unimportant details instead of dealing with the main subject
The committee spent an hour quibbling over the color of the logo instead of discussing the budget.
quibble over [small detail] — typical pattern
Instead of quibbling about who was late, let us focus on how to finish the project on time.
quibble about [topic] — another common preposition
Miran and Luca quibbled endlessly about whose turn it was to clean the kitchen.
The two professors quibble over minor historical dates while ignoring the larger pattern.
Customers who quibble about every small fee often miss the overall value of the service.
- concentrate
quibbling distracts; concentrating means staying on the main point
文法句型
quibble + about/over + noun phrase
用法筆記
Intransitive only — a direct object is never used. The topic of the argument is introduced by the prepositions about or over.