scuttle
scuttle — verb
- scuttlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- scuttleshe / she / it
- scuttledpast simple
- scuttling-ing form
1. to move with short, quick steps, especially when a person or small animal is try
to move with short, quick steps, especially when a person or small animal is trying to get away from danger or to reach shelter.
A small crab scuttled across the sand and disappeared into a hole near the rocks.
scuttle across [surface]
Theo scuttled up the stairs the moment he heard his mother call his full name.
Shoppers scuttled out of the rain and into the warm café on the corner.
Maja watched a mouse scuttle behind the refrigerator and vanish from sight.
When the thunder started, the dog scuttled under the bed and stayed there all night.
文法句型
scuttle + adverb / prepositional phrase
用法筆記
The subject is typically a small animal or a person moving stealthily or nervously. The verb is almost always followed by a direction adverb or a prepositional phrase (across, along, into, out of, under, up).
常見錯誤
2. to deliberately sink a vessel by opening its hull to the water, typically to pre
to deliberately sink a vessel by opening its hull to the water, typically to prevent an enemy from seizing it or to get rid of a ship that is no longer wanted.
The captain ordered the crew to scuttle the ship before the enemy could capture it.
scuttle the [ship / vessel]
Naval records show that three old submarines were scuttled off the coast after the war.
passive: be scuttled
The crew scuttled the damaged freighter by opening the sea valves in the engine room.
Kwame refused to scuttle the yacht even though the insurance payment would have been generous.
文法句型
scuttle + noun phrase (ship / vessel / boat)
用法筆記
The object is always a vessel (ship, submarine, boat, yacht, freighter). The passive form (be scuttled) is common in historical or military writing.
常見錯誤
3. to make something such as an agreement, a project, or an ambition come to nothin
to make something such as an agreement, a project, or an ambition come to nothing, either by a deliberate act or as the result of events that cannot be avoided.
A lack of funding finally scuttled the research project after three years of work.
scuttle + plan / project / deal
Political disagreements scuttled the peace agreement that both sides had signed.
Imani's injury scuttled her dream of running in the national championship race.
A series of errors scuttled the merger deal between the two large banks.
The scandal scuttled the politician's hopes of being re-elected next spring.
- promote
to actively support and help something succeed
- facilitate
to make a process easier or more likely to succeed
文法句型
scuttle + noun phrase (plan / deal / project / hopes)
用法筆記
The object is always an abstract noun — a plan, deal, project, agreement, hope, or chance. Not used with concrete objects.
常見錯誤
scuttle — noun
- scuttlesingular
- scuttlesplural
1. a metal or wooden container with a handle, used for holding and carrying coal fo
a metal or wooden container with a handle, used for holding and carrying coal for a fire in a house.
Grandmother kept a brass scuttle full of coal next to the fireplace.
coal scuttle
The iron scuttle was empty, so Vivek carried it to the shed to refill.
Stephanie polished the metal scuttle until it shone like a mirror.
A heavy black scuttle sat beside the wood stove in the farmhouse kitchen.
- coal bucket
more transparent and common in everyday speech
- coal pail
another term for the same object, especially in British English
文法句型
a / the + scuttle
scuttle + of + noun
用法筆記
Now somewhat old-fashioned, as most homes no longer use coal for heating. Often found in historical novels or descriptions of older houses.
2. a small covered opening in the deck or side of a ship, used for access, ventilat
a small covered opening in the deck or side of a ship, used for access, ventilation, or light.
The sailor climbed through the scuttle onto the lower deck.
Water leaked through a cracked scuttle in the side of the hull.
scuttle in the [part of ship]
Eitan closed the iron scuttle cover just before the waves crashed over the deck.
A small scuttle near the bow let fresh air into the crew's sleeping quarters.
文法句型
a / the + scuttle
scuttle + in / on + noun phrase
用法筆記
A technical term used mainly in shipping and naval contexts. More common in historical writing than in conversation about modern ships.