sabotage

/ˈsæb.ə.tɑːʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsæb.ə.tɑːʒ/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈsa-bə-ˌtäzh/ (ame, mw) · /ˈsæbətɑːʒ/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈsæbətɑːʒ/ (ame, ipa)

sabotage — verb

  • sabotagepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • sabotages3rd person singular
  • sabotaging-ing form
  • sabotagedpast simple

1. to secretly damage, disable, or destroy the machines, equipment, or property tha

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to secretly damage, disable, or destroy the machines, equipment, or property that an organization or enemy relies on, so that operations fail or an opponent gains an advantage

例句

Truck drivers found that someone had sabotaged the brakes on three company vehicles overnight.

transitive + physical equipment as object

Security cameras caught Ziad cutting the main water pipe to sabotage the factory's cooling system.

transitive + method clause

同義詞
  • vandalize

    more about random destruction rather than strategic, goal-oriented damage

  • disable

    focuses on making something unusable rather than destroying it entirely

  • wreck

    less specific about intent; can be accidental or careless damage

反義詞
  • repair

    opposite action — fixing what was broken

  • maintain

    keeping equipment in working order rather than damaging it

文法句型

sabotage + something

用法筆記

Object is typically a physical system, piece of equipment, or infrastructure (e.g. a machine, pipeline, network, vehicle). Frequently used in passive voice or as a gerund (sabotaging).

常見錯誤

❌The workers sabotaged.' (missing object)
✅The workers sabotaged the power supply.
💡'sabotage' is always transitive; you must state what was damaged.
❌He sabotaged some pencils.' (trivial object)
✅He sabotaged the assembly line.
💡'sabotage' implies significant or strategic damage, not minor vandalism.

2. to deliberately and often secretly cause a plan, process, relationship, or effor

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to deliberately and often secretly cause a plan, process, relationship, or effort to fail, especially by taking actions that seem helpful but are actually harmful

例句

Antonia discovered someone sabotaged her job interview by sending fake documents.

transitive + plan/event object

By arriving late each morning, Ryan sabotaged his team's bid for the sales contract.

cause-effect pattern

同義詞
  • undermine

    more gradual process of weakening; less direct than sabotage

  • disrupt

    focuses on causing a temporary interruption rather than permanent failure

  • thwart

    emphasizes actively preventing someone from succeeding, often openly

反義詞
  • support

    helping a plan succeed rather than causing its failure

  • facilitate

    making a process easier or smoother

文法句型

sabotage + something

用法筆記

Object is an intangible concept — a plan, deal, relationship, negotiation, process, or effort. Unlike sense 1, nothing physical is damaged. Common with 'try to sabotage', 'accused of sabotaging', and 'deliberately sabotaging'.

常見錯誤

❌She sabotaged the meeting.' (too vague)
✅She sabotaged the meeting by hiding the agenda and unplugging the projector.
💡When used figuratively, include the method or context to make the meaning clear.
❌He sabotaged my idea.
✅He sabotaged my proposal by spreading false rumors about its cost.
💡'Sabotage' implies active, often secretive interference, not simple disagreement.

sabotage — noun