rests
rests — noun
- restssingular
- restsesplural
1. The part of something that is left after some of it has been used, dealt with, o
The part of something that is left after some of it has been used, dealt with, or mentioned.
Aarav ate half the pizza and left the rest in the fridge for later.
the rest of [noun] — remaining portion
Iris packed her winter clothes in one suitcase and put the rest in a box.
The first chapter was quite easy, but the rest of the book was much harder to follow.
Charlotte invited ten friends to the party, and the rest of the class came too.
Mateo finished his homework early, so he spent the rest of the evening reading a comic.
文法句型
the rest (of something)
the rest (of them/us)
用法筆記
Usually used with the definite article 'the'. When followed by a plural noun, the verb is also plural: 'The rest of the students are waiting outside.'
常見錯誤
2. An interval during which you stop what you are doing so that your body or mind c
An interval during which you stop what you are doing so that your body or mind can recover and feel stronger.
After walking for three hours, the tired hikers stopped for a short rest beside the river.
stop for a rest
The doctor told Noa to get plenty of rest after the operation.
get plenty of rest (uncountable)
Femi lay down on the sofa and took a well-deserved rest after cleaning the garage.
The hotel garden was a peaceful spot where guests could enjoy some quiet rest.
Camila woke up feeling much better after a good night's rest.
- work
the opposite of rest
文法句型
have/take a rest
get some rest
a good night's rest
用法筆記
Uncountable when referring to rest in general ('get some rest'). Countable when referring to one specific period ('take a short rest').
常見錯誤
3. A pause of a specific length in a piece of music, usually shown by a written sym
A pause of a specific length in a piece of music, usually shown by a written symbol that tells musicians how long to stay silent.
The choir conductor taught the children how to count a quarter rest.
count a [duration] rest
Stefan practised the sonata slowly, paying careful attention to every rest in the score.
The drummer stayed completely silent during the two-bar rest written into the sheet music.
Leo learned to recognise different rests by clapping along with the rhythm his teacher played.
- note
a note indicates sound, while a rest indicates silence
文法句型
a [duration] rest
play a rest
用法筆記
Rests are named by duration: quarter rest, half rest, whole rest, eighth rest. The same duration names used for notes apply to rests.
4. A state in which something is not moving or is no longer in motion.
A state in which something is not moving or is no longer in motion.
The football rolled across the grass and came to rest against a tree.
come to rest — stop moving
Ari watched the old pendulum swing back and forth before finally coming to rest.
The car sat at rest at the traffic lights, waiting for the signal to turn green.
Dust particles floated in the beam of sunlight and slowly settled to rest on the wooden floor.
- stillness
emphasises the absence of movement
- immobility
more formal or technical; the condition of not moving
文法句型
at rest
come to rest
lay to rest
用法筆記
Often used in fixed phrases: 'at rest' (not moving) and 'come to rest' (stop moving). In physics, 'at rest' means velocity is zero.
常見錯誤
5. A gentle and respectful way of referring to the state of being dead, often used
A gentle and respectful way of referring to the state of being dead, often used in formal or religious contexts.
Kofi visited the cemetery where his grandmother now lies at rest beside her husband.
lies at rest — euphemism for buried/dead
The priest asked everyone to pray for the souls who have gone to their eternal rest.
gone to (their) eternal rest
The old photograph brought news of a great-uncle who had passed to his rest the previous winter.
The memorial stone was built to honour those who now rest in peace after the war.
文法句型
at rest
go to (one's) rest
lay to rest
用法筆記
This is a euphemism. The most common fixed expressions are 'rest in peace' (often seen on gravestones as R.I.P.) and 'lay someone to rest' (to bury someone).
常見錯誤
6. A place where people stop briefly during a journey to rest, eat, or use the toil
A place where people stop briefly during a journey to rest, eat, or use the toilet, or a small flat section between flights of stairs.
William pulled the car into a rest stop to stretch his legs and buy a coffee.
rest stop — roadside facility
Aylin sat down on the landing rest halfway up the stairs to catch her breath.
landing rest — flat part of stairs
There is a rest area with tables and toilets every fifty kilometres along this highway.
The mountain trail had a welcome rest with a wooden bench and a cold water fountain.
文法句型
a rest area/stop
landing rest
用法筆記
On highways, 'rest stop' and 'rest area' are common in American English. In British English, 'service station' is more common. For stairs, the flat part is called a 'landing' or 'stair rest'.
7. An object designed to hold or support something else, stopping it from moving or
An object designed to hold or support something else, stopping it from moving or falling.
Femi placed his guitar carefully on a padded neck rest beside the amplifier.
neck rest — support for guitar neck
The dentist asked the patient to lean back and relax against the head rest.
head rest
Charlotte put the hot spoon on a ceramic rest next to the stove.
The old man used a wooden walking stick with a curved arm rest at the top.
文法句型
[noun] rest
a rest for [something]
用法筆記
Common in compound nouns: 'headrest', 'armrest', 'footrest', 'neck rest', 'chin rest'. The object named before 'rest' tells you which body part or object is being supported.
rests — verb
- restspresent simple I / you / we / they
- restses3rd person singular
- restsing-ing form
- restsedpast simple
1. To take a break from work, exercise, or any activity so that your body and mind
To take a break from work, exercise, or any activity so that your body and mind can regain their energy.
After carrying boxes all morning, the team sat under a tree to rest for a while.
intransitive: rest [adverb phrase]
The doctor told William to rest his injured ankle for at least a full week.
transitive: rest [body part]
Camila rested her eyes for ten minutes before she continued reading the long report.
The runners rested at the top of the hill before starting the steep downhill lap.
Leo rested the horse in the shade after a long ride through the dusty valley.
- relax
suggests doing something enjoyable rather than just stopping; slightly different emphasis
- take a break
informal; a short pause from a specific activity
文法句型
rest (for a while)
rest [body part]
rest yourself
用法筆記
Transitive use ('rest your legs') is common with body parts or animals. Intransitive use ('We rested for an hour') is the more basic pattern.
常見錯誤
2. Describes an actor with no current role in a play, film, or television programme
Describes an actor with no current role in a play, film, or television programme.
After her last musical closed, the actress rested for nearly six months before finding a new role.
British theatre expression
The film project was cancelled, so the entire cast has been resting since early spring.
Aoi rested between theatre jobs and took part-time work at a bookstore to pay the rent.
Many talented actors in London rest for long periods between productions.
- between jobs
more general; can apply to any profession, not just acting
- unemployed
direct and neutral; not specific to acting
- working
currently employed
- performing
currently acting on stage or screen
文法句型
rest between [jobs/shows]
be resting
用法筆記
This is a British English theatre term. In American English, actors are more likely to say they are 'between jobs' or 'not working' rather than 'resting'.
3. To finish presenting all the evidence and arguments in a court case, stating tha
To finish presenting all the evidence and arguments in a court case, stating that no further information will be offered.
The prosecutor rested her case after calling the final witness to the stand.
rest one's case — legal phrase
Mr. Kamara's lawyer rested, feeling confident that the evidence already shown was strong enough.
The defence rested without calling the defendant to give evidence.
After the medical reports were read aloud, both sides rested their cases and waited for the verdict.
文法句型
rest (one's) case
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'rest one's case' or 'the prosecution/defence rests'. Outside law, 'I rest my case' is used informally and humorously to mean 'I have proved my point.'
4. To position something so that a shelf, wall, or other surface holds it up and ke
To position something so that a shelf, wall, or other surface holds it up and keeps it steady, or to be held in such a position yourself.
Mateo rested his elbows on the wooden table while he waited for dinner to be served.
rest [body part] on [surface]
The long ladder rested against the wall while Kabir carefully painted the ceiling.
rest against [surface]
Aylin rested her chin on her hands and stared thoughtfully out of the rainy window.
The old wooden plank rested on two bricks, forming a simple but useful shelf for flower pots.
Stefan rested the heavy box on a chair before carrying it up the stairs to the attic.
- lift
to move something upward, removing its support
文法句型
rest [something] on/against [something]
rest on/against [something]
用法筆記
The pattern 'rest on' suggests the surface below supports the weight from underneath. 'Rest against' suggests the surface is vertical and the item leans on it for support.
常見錯誤
5. To stay in a particular condition, position, or state without changing, or to de
To stay in a particular condition, position, or state without changing, or to depend on someone or something for a decision.
The final decision about who gets the job rests with the head of the department.
rest with [person] — depend on
Eleni told her worried mother that the matter would rest until the morning when they could talk properly.
The responsibility for keeping the school safe rests on the shoulders of the teachers and staff.
The question of who will lead the team rests unanswered until the manager returns from leave.
文法句型
rest with [someone]
rest on [someone/something]
rest [adjective]
用法筆記
The meaning changes depending on the preposition: 'rest with' means 'be decided by', 'rest on' means 'be based on or be the responsibility of', and 'rest' + adjective means 'stay in that condition'.