sidelong
sidelong — adjective
- sidelongpositive
- more sidelongcomparative
- most sidelongsuperlative
1. describing a quick look made by turning only the eyes sideways, often when someo
describing a quick look made by turning only the eyes sideways, often when someone feels doubtful or suspicious, or wants to watch without being noticed
Minho gave his sister a sidelong glance when she claimed she had finished her homework.
sidelong + glance for a doubtful look
During the meeting, Defne shot a sidelong look at the new manager and said nothing.
before noun: sidelong look
The two waiters exchanged sidelong glances whenever the rude customer raised his voice.
Esme noticed the sidelong stares of the other students as she walked into the new classroom.
- direct
looking straight at someone, openly
文法句型
sidelong + glance/look/glances
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun about looking — typically 'glance', 'look', 'stare', or 'glances'. The look carries a hidden feeling such as doubt, blame, or interest the person prefers not to show.
常見錯誤
2. leaning, pointing, or placed toward one side rather than straight ahead
leaning, pointing, or placed toward one side rather than straight ahead
The old fence had taken on a sidelong angle after years of strong winter winds.
sidelong angle: leaning to one side
Niran straightened the bookshelf, which had settled into a sidelong tilt against the bedroom wall.
before noun: sidelong tilt
A thick sidelong branch leaned out over the river and dropped its apples into the water.
After the earthquake, the church tower kept a sidelong lean that worried the whole town.
- upright
standing straight, not leaning to one side
文法句型
sidelong + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about physical position or angle (a leaning fence, a tilted branch), never about a look. It is formal and uncommon in everyday speech.
sidelong — adverb
1. in a direction that points or moves toward one side instead of straight forward
in a direction that points or moves toward one side instead of straight forward
The crab scuttled sidelong across the wet sand toward a gap in the rocks.
verb + sidelong: moving to one side
Tunde glanced sidelong at the clock, hoping the long lecture would soon end.
glanced sidelong: looking to the side
The runner dodged sidelong to avoid the puddle and kept pace with the leaders.
Élise stepped sidelong through the narrow gap between the parked cars.
- forward
moving straight ahead, not to the side
文法句型
verb + sidelong
用法筆記
Follows the verb to show that movement or attention is aimed to the side, not forward. Formal and far less common than the everyday 'sideways'.
2. with the side, rather than the front, turned toward someone or something
with the side, rather than the front, turned toward someone or something
Lucía turned the long sofa sidelong so it would fit through the doorway.
turned sidelong: side facing forward
The workers laid the heavy pipes sidelong on the truck to save space.
laid sidelong: side turned down
Shanti carried the wide mirror sidelong so it would pass between the shelves.
Jiwoo parked the bike sidelong against the wall to leave room on the path.
- frontward
with the front, not the side, turned toward something
文法句型
verb + sidelong
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about which face is turned toward something (the side rather than the front), not the direction of movement. Formal and rare.