splutter
splutter — verb
- splutterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- spluttershe / she / it
- splutteredpast simple
- spluttering-ing form
1. to talk fast and in broken bits, often spitting slightly, because strong feeling
to talk fast and in broken bits, often spitting slightly, because strong feelings like shock or anger stop you forming clear words.
Minho spluttered an apology when the teacher caught him copying answers.
splutter + an apology (object the rushed words)
Red with rage, the old farmer spluttered that nobody would steal his land.
splutter + that-clause for furious broken speech
"How dare you!" Folake spluttered, too angry to finish her sentence.
The witness began to splutter and stammer when the lawyer raised her voice.
Diego spluttered with surprise as the coach read out his name first.
- articulate
to speak clearly and smoothly
文法句型
splutter + direct speech
splutter + with anger
用法筆記
Subject is a person overwhelmed by emotion; the speech itself is the object or quoted. Distinguish from sense 2, where the noises are caused by a physical problem with breathing, not by feelings.
常見錯誤
2. to make short choking or coughing sounds from your mouth, usually because food,
to make short choking or coughing sounds from your mouth, usually because food, water, or smoke has stopped you breathing easily.
Tamás spluttered and coughed after a fish bone caught in his throat.
collocation: splutter and cough
The diver came up spluttering, water still running from her nose.
splutter after near-drowning
Reema spluttered on her tea when the joke caught her by surprise.
Thick smoke filled the kitchen, and the children spluttered near the door.
The baby spluttered for a moment, then settled back to feeding quietly.
文法句型
splutter + on something
用法筆記
Frequently follows a swallowing or breathing problem and often pairs with 'cough'. Object, if any, comes after 'on' (the liquid or food). Unlike sense 1, no emotion or speech is involved.
常見錯誤
3. if a motor or machine splutters, it runs unevenly and makes a string of weak pop
if a motor or machine splutters, it runs unevenly and makes a string of weak popping sounds, usually as it starts to fail.
The old tractor spluttered twice, then died halfway up the muddy hill.
splutter then stop
Bilal turned the key, but the cold engine only spluttered and would not start.
splutter on a failed start
The little motorboat spluttered across the lake on its last drops of fuel.
The lawnmower spluttered loudly before the blades finally began to spin.
Her motorbike spluttered to a stop just outside the village shop.
- purr
to run smoothly and quietly
文法句型
splutter + to a stop
用法筆記
Subject is a motor, engine, or fuel-powered machine. Often signals the machine is starting badly or running out of power; commonly 'splutter to a stop'. The figurative sense (a plan or career that splutters) grows from this image.
splutter — noun
- spluttersingular
- spluttersplural
1. a short burst of fast, broken talk that someone makes when shock or anger stops
a short burst of fast, broken talk that someone makes when shock or anger stops them speaking clearly.
With a splutter of protest, Christopher dropped the bill and stormed out.
a splutter of + protest
Her only reply was a splutter, half anger and half pure shock.
splutter as a single reply
A splutter of half-words escaped Mayumi before she found her real answer.
The accused man gave a splutter of denial that nobody in court believed.
文法句型
a splutter of + noun
用法筆記
Usually singular and often followed by 'of' plus the feeling or speech act (protest, denial, rage). Distinguish from sense 2, which is a physical choking noise rather than attempted speech.
2. a short coughing or choking noise that comes from your mouth when you cannot bre
a short coughing or choking noise that comes from your mouth when you cannot breathe smoothly.
Yael surfaced from the pool with a loud splutter and a gasp for air.
with a splutter (choking noise)
A sudden splutter from the baby made both parents jump from their chairs.
a splutter from a choking child
The swimmer's splutter told the lifeguard that water had gone down wrong.
Élise gave a quick splutter as the spicy smoke reached the back of her throat.
文法句型
with a splutter
用法筆記
Refers to the physical noise of choking, not to speech. Often paired with 'gasp' or 'cough'. Contrast with sense 1, where the noises are an attempt to talk.
3. a string of weak popping sounds made by a motor or machine that is running badly
a string of weak popping sounds made by a motor or machine that is running badly or starting to fail.
The splutter of the old engine warned Ramón that the fuel was nearly gone.
the splutter of + engine
We heard a splutter from the boat motor, then complete silence on the water.
a splutter then silence
The lawnmower started with a rough splutter before settling into a steady hum.
Jude noticed a worrying splutter from the car each time the road climbed.
- hum
the smooth steady sound of a healthy motor
文法句型
the splutter of + machine
用法筆記
Subject of the 'of' phrase is a motor, engine, or machine. Signals rough running or fuel trouble. Distinguish from sense 2 (a human choking noise) by the source being a machine.