rubberneck
rubberneck — noun
- rubbernecksingular
- rubbernecksplural
1. someone who keeps staring at something out of plain nosiness — typically a motor
someone who keeps staring at something out of plain nosiness — typically a motorist braking beside a crash just to get a look
A line of rubbernecks formed along the highway, all staring at the burning truck.
plural countable noun for a group of starers
Christopher hated being a rubberneck, but the police lights pulled his eyes off the road.
Traffic crawled past the accident because every rubberneck wanted a closer look.
The reporter described the crowd of rubbernecks gathered outside the bank after the robbery.
用法筆記
Often plural and slightly disapproving — it labels people who slow others down by staring instead of moving on.
常見錯誤
2. a visitor who travels around looking at famous places and unusual sights
a visitor who travels around looking at famous places and unusual sights
Bus tours through the old city are packed with cheerful rubbernecks every summer.
plural noun for tourists who go to see sights
Sofie joined the rubbernecks craning to see the famous bridge from the boat.
The guide led a group of rubbernecks past the palace and the old harbour.
Souvenir shops near the tower depend on rubbernecks who buy postcards and snacks.
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this is a sightseeing traveller, not someone gawking at trouble. Mainly American and now dated.
rubberneck — verb
- rubberneckpresent simple I / you / we / they
- rubberneckshe / she / it
- rubberneckedpast simple
- rubbernecking-ing form
1. to twist round and keep looking at something as you drive past it, usually slowi
to twist round and keep looking at something as you drive past it, usually slowing down to do so
Drivers rubbernecked at the overturned car and the whole motorway slowed to a crawl.
rubberneck at + noun; cause of a traffic slowdown
Please don't rubberneck when we pass the fire engines on the bridge.
imperative warning use
Hui slowed the van and rubbernecked at the film crew setting up by the beach.
Commuters rubbernecked at the broken-down bus blocking two lanes near the station.
文法句型
rubberneck at + noun
用法筆記
Almost always intransitive and tied to driving; the thing looked at is introduced with 'at'. Frequently blamed for traffic jams.
常見錯誤
2. to look around or keep staring at someone or something with obvious, exaggerated
to look around or keep staring at someone or something with obvious, exaggerated curiosity
Tourists rubbernecked at the street performer balancing on a tall unicycle.
rubberneck at + noun for open staring
Lakshmi caught herself rubbernecking at the celebrity's table across the restaurant.
reflexive: catch oneself rubbernecking
The new students rubbernecked around the huge library on their first morning.
Shoppers stopped to rubberneck at the argument between the two market sellers.
文法句型
rubberneck at + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: no driving involved here — it covers any wide-eyed, nosy staring on foot or in a crowd.