stonewall
stonewall — verb
- stonewallpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stonewallshe / she / it
- stonewalledpast simple
- stonewalling-ing form
1. to use evasive or unhelpful behaviour so that a discussion, investigation, or of
to use evasive or unhelpful behaviour so that a discussion, investigation, or official process cannot move forward or reach a conclusion.
Roya, a veteran politician, stonewalled whenever reporters asked about the missing funds.
stonewall + on/about [topic]
The senator accused her opponents of stonewalling the climate bill to protect oil companies.
stonewall + [bill/investigation/effort]
During the investigation, the company's lawyers stonewalled every request for documents.
Ignacio stonewalled the interviewer's questions about his past for over an hour.
When pressed on the budget cuts, the minister simply stonewalled and changed the subject.
- obstruct
broader term; can refer to physical or procedural blocking
- block
more direct and definitive; a block stops something completely
- stall
suggests temporary delay rather than outright refusal
- filibuster
specific to parliamentary procedure; uses extended speech to delay
文法句型
stonewall + on/about + topic
stonewall + noun phrase (investigation, inquiry, effort)
用法筆記
Frequently used in politics, law, and journalism. The object is typically the process being delayed (investigation, inquiry, bill, talks) rather than a person.
常見錯誤
2. in the sport of cricket, to play in a purely defensive way by blocking the ball
in the sport of cricket, to play in a purely defensive way by blocking the ball without trying to score runs.
The opening batter stonewalled for three hours, scoring only twelve runs against Australia.
stonewall for [duration]
With five wickets down, Hoa stonewalled each delivery to save the match from defeat.
The team captain ordered him to stonewall until the rain stopped play for the day.
Young cricket players are taught to attack, not to stonewall from the first over.
- attack
to play aggressively and try to score runs
文法句型
stonewall + for [duration]
stonewall + to [purpose]
用法筆記
Restricted to the sport of cricket. Outside cricket, using 'stonewall' as a verb has a different meaning (DELAY TACTICS sense).
常見錯誤
stonewall — noun
1. a low fence or boundary made by stacking stones on top of each other, often foun
a low fence or boundary made by stacking stones on top of each other, often found around fields, gardens, or along country roads.
A low stone wall runs along the edge of the farmer's wheat field.
stone wall along/around [place]
The cottage garden was enclosed by a moss-covered stone wall from the eighteenth century.
Sumin sat on the stone wall and watched the sheep graze in the valley below.
Farmers in this region have built dry stone walls to divide their land for centuries.
- fence
a general term for any structure dividing land; stone walls are a type of fence
- boundary wall
emphasises the wall's function of marking the edge of an area
文法句型
stone wall + along/around + place
dry stone wall
用法筆記
Often written as two separate words (stone wall). When written as one word (stonewall), the noun sense refers to a physical wall, but the verb sense (DELAY TACTICS) is far more common.
常見錯誤
2. a barrier or obstacle that seems impossible to get past, especially in discussio
a barrier or obstacle that seems impossible to get past, especially in discussions, negotiations, or public affairs.
Every attempt to reform the tax system hit a stone wall of political opposition.
hit a stone wall of [opposition/resistance]
The peace talks ran into a stone wall when neither side would compromise.
run into a stone wall
For years, efforts to close the old factory met a stone wall of resistance from workers.
The plan faced a solid stone wall of criticism from community leaders and residents.
- obstacle
a general term; 'stone wall' emphasises that the obstacle is solid and unmoving
- barrier
suggests something that blocks progress or access
- impediment
more formal; something that makes progress more difficult
文法句型
hit a stone wall
run into a stone wall
meet a stone wall of + noun
用法筆記
Usually appears in fixed expressions like 'hit a stone wall', 'run into a stone wall', or 'meet a stone wall of [something]'. Typically written as two words (stone wall).