straggle
straggle — verb
- stragglepresent simple I / you / we / they
- straggleshe / she / it
- straggledpast simple
- straggling-ing form
1. to be spread out over a space in a messy or irregular arrangement — for example,
to be spread out over a space in a messy or irregular arrangement — for example, houses built along a road with no clear plan, or plants growing in different directions rather than in neat rows.
The small fishing village straggled along the coast for nearly two miles.
straggle along + location (spatial spread)
Apinya's damp hair straggled across her face after the sudden rainstorm.
Ivy straggled over the old stone wall, covering most of it by late summer.
A few late shoppers still straggled through the market after most stalls had closed.
The houses straggled up the hillside with no clear street or numbering plan.
文法句型
straggle + adverb (along, across, over, down)
用法筆記
Often combined with an adverb of direction (along, across, over, down, up). The subject is usually something that can be spread over an area — buildings, plants, hair, or scattered people.
常見錯誤
2. to lose ground compared to other members of a moving group, falling gradually be
to lose ground compared to other members of a moving group, falling gradually behind as they move ahead.
The three youngest children straggled behind their parents on the long forest walk.
straggle behind + group (lagging motion)
Evelyn straggled far behind the other runners during the final kilometre of the race.
A few tired tourists straggled after the guide, stopping to take photos every few minutes.
Ishaan straggled behind the group, his backpack far too heavy for the steep mountain trail.
By the third hour of the march, several soldiers had begun to straggle badly.
- lag
suggests falling behind due to lack of speed or energy
- trail
suggests following at a distance, often deliberately
- fall behind
more common in everyday speech and less literary
文法句型
straggle + behind/after + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always intransitive — you cannot 'straggle someone'. The preposition behind is the most common complement; after is also used.
常見錯誤
3. to move away from a direct path, route, or expected direction, often without a c
to move away from a direct path, route, or expected direction, often without a clear purpose or plan.
The narrow path straggled away from the river and disappeared into a thick bamboo grove.
straggle away from + path (literal direction change)
Camille straggled off the main road and found herself in an unfamiliar neighbourhood.
Niran glanced at his phone and straggled off the hiking trail, ending up near a small waterfall.
The narrow track straggled away from the coastal road and wound through the dunes.
- stay on course
remain on the intended path or plan
文法句型
straggle + off/from/away
用法筆記
Can be used literally (of people or paths leaving a course) or figuratively (of thoughts or attention wandering). The figurative use is less common.
常見錯誤
straggle — noun
1. a small, scattered group of people or things that are spread out unevenly rather
a small, scattered group of people or things that are spread out unevenly rather than gathered closely together.
A straggle of reporters waited outside the courthouse, hoping for a statement.
a straggle of + plural noun (countable noun pattern)
A straggle of small fishing boats dotted the harbour in the early morning light.
A straggle of tired passengers stumbled off the overnight train onto the cold platform.
Walkers formed a straggle along the ridge, spread out over nearly half a kilometre.
- scattering
more neutral; implies things spread over an area without the untidy connotation
- handful
emphasises small number rather than disorderly arrangement
- sprawl
suggests a wider, more uncontrolled spread
文法句型
a straggle of + plural noun
用法筆記
Almost always used in the pattern 'a straggle of + plural noun'. The singular 'straggle' by itself (without 'of') is very rare. Usually refers to an untidy-looking group that lacks order.