rest
rest — noun
1. what is left of something after a portion has been removed, consumed, or otherwi
what is left of something after a portion has been removed, consumed, or otherwise handled — for instance, eating half your lunch and saving what remains for later, or asking five people and waiting for the others to answer.
Cole ate half the pizza and put the rest in the fridge.
the rest of + noun phrase carrying over
Only three guests have arrived; the rest are stuck in traffic.
the rest as pronoun for people
Yael finished the first chapter and plans to read the rest tonight.
Most students passed, but the rest will need to retake the exam next month.
The rest of the cake was left on the kitchen counter overnight.
文法句型
the rest of + [noun phrase]
the rest + [verb]
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the' when referring to what remains. Can be followed by 'of + noun phrase' (the rest of the team) or used alone as a pronoun (the rest are coming).
常見錯誤
2. a time when you stop doing an activity so that your body or mind can recover ene
a time when you stop doing an activity so that your body or mind can recover energy — for example, lying down for a few minutes after a long walk, or taking a short break from studying.
After hiking for six hours, Eleni sat on a rock to take a rest.
take a rest — common collocation
The doctor told Mert he needed a few days of bed rest after the surgery.
Nellie could not get a good night's rest because of the noisy construction outside.
A short rest between study sessions helps you remember what you have learned.
Samir put down his tools and told the crew it was time for a rest.
文法句型
have/take/get a rest
need a rest
用法筆記
Frequently paired with 'have', 'take', or 'get'. The phrase 'bed rest' is a fixed medical term meaning staying in bed to recover from illness or injury.
常見錯誤
3. a measured gap of silence in a piece of music, shown by a specific written symbo
a measured gap of silence in a piece of music, shown by a specific written symbol that tells performers how long to stay quiet before playing again.
The sheet music showed a quarter rest after the first three notes.
quarter rest — specific duration of silence
During the final rest, the entire orchestra fell silent for two full beats.
Amihan counted carefully to make sure she held the rest for exactly one measure.
The conductor reminded the cellists not to skip the eighth rest before the next note.
文法句型
a + [number] + rest
play a rest
用法筆記
Rests have standard durations matching note values: whole rest, half rest, quarter rest, eighth rest, etc. The term is used only in musical contexts.
常見錯誤
4. a condition in which something is not moving or not engaged in any activity — fo
a condition in which something is not moving or not engaged in any activity — for example, a ball lying still on the ground, or a machine that has been turned off.
The ball rolled across the grass and finally came to rest against a tree.
come to rest — stop moving
An object at rest will stay still unless a force pushes it.
at rest — physics sense of stillness
The old train carriage has sat at rest on the same track for over twenty years.
Ramón watched the pendulum swing less and then come to rest at the centre.
- stillness
almost identical; slightly more poetic/literary
- immobility
more formal; not moving at all, often due to an inability to move
文法句型
at rest
come to rest
用法筆記
Used in physics and general description. 'Come to rest' describes the moment when a moving object stops. 'At rest' describes an object that is already not moving.
5. a polite or gentle way of saying that someone has died, avoiding the directness
a polite or gentle way of saying that someone has died, avoiding the directness of the word 'dead' — for example, saying 'Grandmother is now at rest' instead of 'Grandmother is dead'.
The priest said that Grandfather was finally at rest after his long illness.
at rest — euphemism for being dead
The family gathered at the cemetery to lay their beloved aunt to rest.
lay someone to rest — bury someone
On the gravestone, the family had carved the words 'At rest with the Lord.'
The community held a quiet ceremony to lay the victims of the fire to rest.
文法句型
at rest
lay someone to rest
put someone to rest
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrases 'at rest' or 'lay [someone] to rest'. Marked as formal or respectful; not used in casual conversation about death. The phrase 'put something to rest' has a different meaning (to end a rumour or concern).
常見錯誤
6. an object or part of an object that holds something else in position or carries
an object or part of an object that holds something else in position or carries its weight — for example, an armrest on a chair, a chin rest on a violin, or a footrest under a desk.
The armchair had a padded rest for each arm, making it very comfortable.
a rest for [body part] — support structure
The violinist adjusted the chin rest on her instrument before starting to play.
Sari pulled the footrest out from under her desk to prop up her tired feet.
The mechanic placed the engine block on a sturdy metal rest before working underneath it.
文法句型
a rest for + [body part / object]
用法筆記
Often appears as part of a compound noun: armrest, footrest, headrest, chin rest. The type of rest is usually clear from what part of the body or object it supports.
7. a short stop or break in movement, especially when something that was moving slo
a short stop or break in movement, especially when something that was moving slows down and stops — for example, a car that comes to a rest at a red light, or a bird that pauses on a branch before flying again.
The elevator shuddered and then came to a rest between the second and third floors.
come to a rest — stop moving
A butterfly fluttered from flower to flower without a moment's rest.
The water in the pond was completely at rest, reflecting the clouds above.
The spinning top wobbled and then came to rest on the wooden floor.
- halt
more sudden or deliberate; implies an intended stop
- standstill
complete stop with no movement at all
文法句型
come to a rest
without rest
用法筆記
Overlaps with sense 4 (STATE OF STILLNESS), but this sense focuses on the event of stopping rather than the ongoing state. Often used after motion verbs like 'come', 'bring', 'roll'.
rest — verb
1. to take a deliberate pause from work, motion, or any tiring activity so that you
to take a deliberate pause from work, motion, or any tiring activity so that your body or mind can regain its energy — for example, lying on the sofa after a long workday, or sitting down to catch your breath while running.
After carrying boxes all morning, Élise sat down to rest for a few minutes.
rest + for + [time period]
The runners rested by the river before continuing the race through the hills.
Samir rested his eyes for a moment after staring at the computer screen all day.
Rest that injured ankle for a week before walking on it.
The hikers stopped to rest when they reached the mountain hut.
文法句型
rest + [alone]
rest + [body part]
rest + from + [activity]
用法筆記
Can be used transitively (rest your legs) or intransitively (rest for a while). The transitive sense means 'to allow a body part to recover by not using it'.
常見錯誤
2. to place an object onto a surface or lean it against something sturdy so it stay
to place an object onto a surface or lean it against something sturdy so it stays where it is, or for an object to be held in position — for example, leaning a broom against a wall, or propping your chin on your hand while you think.
Yael rested her chin on her hand and stared out the window during the lecture.
rest + [body part] + on + [surface]
The ladder was resting against the side of the house while the painter climbed up.
Ramón carefully rested the guitar case against the wall before sitting down.
The old wooden beam rests on a stone foundation built over a hundred years ago.
- lift
to raise something, removing weight from its support
文法句型
rest + on/against + [noun phrase]
rest + [object] + on/against + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'on' or 'against'. 'Rest on' suggests top-to-bottom weight support. 'Rest against' suggests leaning at an angle.
常見錯誤
3. to be based on or depend on something — for example, a legal argument that rests
to be based on or depend on something — for example, a legal argument that rests on one key piece of evidence, or a reputation that rests on years of good work.
The prosecution's entire case rests on the testimony of a single witness.
rest on — depend on for validity
Her reputation as a fair judge rests upon decades of honest decisions.
The company's future rests on whether the new product sells well in the first year.
Success in this project rests on the whole team working together, not on one person.
- depend on
more common in everyday speech; implies a conditional relationship
- hinge on
suggests a critical, make-or-break dependence
- be founded on
formal; suggests a solid basis or foundation
- stand alone
to not be dependent on anything else
文法句型
rest on + [noun phrase]
rest upon + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Always followed by 'on' or 'upon' (more formal). The pattern is [subject] rests on [foundation/cause]. Often used in formal, academic, or legal contexts.
常見錯誤
4. to stay in a particular condition or place without changing — for example, a que
to stay in a particular condition or place without changing — for example, a question that remains unanswered, or a secret that is kept safely unknown.
The matter cannot rest here; we need to find a proper solution by Friday.
rest + [adverb of place] — remain unresolved
The final decision rests with the board of directors, not with the manager.
The question of who broke the window will not rest until someone admits it.
Let the matter rest for now — we can discuss it again at next week's meeting.
文法句型
rest + [adjective/adverb]
rest + [prepositional phrase]
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed expression 'let the matter rest' meaning 'stop discussing it for now'. The phrase 'rest assured' (be confident that) is a related idiomatic use: 'Rest assured that we will inform you immediately.'
常見錯誤
5. said by a lawyer in court to formally announce that they have finished presentin
said by a lawyer in court to formally announce that they have finished presenting all their evidence and arguments, meaning no further witnesses or documents will be offered to support their side.
The prosecutor stood up and told the judge, 'The State rests its case, Your Honor.'
rest one's case — formal legal statement
After the defence lawyer rested her case, the jury began to discuss the verdict.
Nellie, frustrated with the argument, said, 'Well, I rest my case,' and walked away.
The defence attorney announced, 'The defence rests, Your Honor,' and returned to her seat.
文法句型
rest one's case
用法筆記
The literal meaning is used only in courtrooms. Outside of law, 'I rest my case' is used humorously or sarcastically to mean 'my point has been proven by what just happened'.
常見錯誤
6. to be a professional actor who is currently not employed in any production — a t
to be a professional actor who is currently not employed in any production — a temporary condition between acting jobs, not a permanent career change.
After the musical closed, Mert spent six months resting before his next role came along.
theatrical use — UK informal
Most actors in London rest for several weeks between theatre contracts.
The flyer said the lead actress was resting and not giving interviews.
Samir told his agent he did not mind resting until a better role came up.
- unemployed
general term; 'resting' is the specific theatre-industry euphemism
- working
having an acting job
- performing
actively on stage or on set
文法句型
rest + [alone]
用法筆記
Primarily British theatre jargon. Not used in American English in this sense. Avoid using this in general conversation as most English speakers will not understand it.