stumped
stumped — noun
1. the short piece of something that is still attached once most of it has been cut
the short piece of something that is still attached once most of it has been cut away or broken off — used especially for a tree left in the ground, a tooth in the gum, or a limb on the body.
After the storm, only a short stump remained where the old oak tree had stood.
tree stump — most common use
The dentist removed the broken tooth and then took the stump from the gum.
stump of a tooth
Taro sat on a stump at the forest edge to tie his shoelaces.
The dog had only a small stump of a tail after the accident.
The workers used a special machine to grind each stump down below ground level.
用法筆記
When used for a limb, 'stump' can sound insensitive — 'residual limb' is more respectful in medical contexts.
常見錯誤
2. one of the three upright sticks that are pushed into the ground to form the wick
one of the three upright sticks that are pushed into the ground to form the wicket in the sport of cricket.
The fast bowler's delivery sent the middle stump flying out of the ground.
middle stump — the central post in a cricket wicket
Each stump in a cricket wicket is about seventy-one centimetres tall.
The umpire checked whether the ball had hit the off stump before the batsman moved.
用法筆記
The three stumps are named off stump, middle stump, and leg stump depending on their position relative to the batter. A wicket is complete when two small pieces of wood (the bails) sit on top of the stumps.
3. a raised platform used for outdoor public speaking, or the activity of travellin
a raised platform used for outdoor public speaking, or the activity of travelling to different places to make political speeches — especially during an election campaign.
The candidate took to the stump every evening, speaking at county fairs and street corners.
take to the stump — start campaigning
Senator Vasquez was a natural on the stump, winning over doubtful audiences with her warmth.
on the stump — actively campaigning
The mayor's speech from the stump reached voters through local radio stations across the region.
用法筆記
Common in fixed phrases like 'take to the stump' and 'on the stump'. The expression comes from early American politics, where a tree stump was often used as a natural speaking platform.
stumped — verb
- stumpedpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stumpeds3rd person singular
- stumpeding-ing form
- stumpededpast simple
1. to make someone so confused that they cannot think of an answer or find a way to
to make someone so confused that they cannot think of an answer or find a way to solve a problem, since the question or puzzle is simply too hard for them.
The last question on the maths test stumped Mei-Lin completely.
stump + someone + adverb
Kwame was stumped by the crossword clue about ancient Egyptian rulers.
passive: be stumped by + noun phrase
The detective had been stumped for weeks until a neighbour came forward with fresh information.
Even the professor admitted that the student's question had stumped them completely.
When the kids asked where the universe ends, their father was stumped and searched online.
文法句型
stump + someone
be stumped by + noun phrase
用法筆記
The active form (X stumps Y) and passive (Y is stumped by X) are both common. The passive is more frequent in everyday speech, especially 'I'm stumped' as a standalone phrase meaning 'I have no idea'.
常見錯誤
2. to walk with heavy, noisy steps, often because you are wearing heavy shoes, carr
to walk with heavy, noisy steps, often because you are wearing heavy shoes, carrying something heavy, or feeling tired or angry.
Dad stumped across the wooden floor in his work boots, still covered in mud.
stump + across + place (direction)
After the argument, Fatima stumped off to her room and slammed the door.
stump + off (direction away)
The old man stumped slowly down the hallway, leaning on his wooden cane.
Minh stumped up the stairs, exhausted after a twelve-hour shift at the hospital.
- tiptoe
to walk quietly and lightly on the toes
文法句型
stump + adverb (off, away, down, across, up)
用法筆記
Almost always followed by a direction word (off, away, down, up, across, through). Without a direction, the meaning changes to 'walk heavily in place', which is very rare.
常見錯誤
3. to travel to various towns, cities, and community events in order to make speech
to travel to various towns, cities, and community events in order to make speeches and try to win support for a political candidate or for a particular cause.
The senator stumped across three states in one weekend, speaking at gymnasiums and town squares.
stump + across + region (campaign touring)
Omar stumped for the climate bill at colleges and community centres throughout the autumn.
stump for + cause
During the election, both candidates stumped through the Midwest, hoping to win over undecided voters.
文法句型
stump + for + candidate/cause
stump + across/through + region
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in American political contexts. The noun form 'the stump' (sense noun/3) is equally common in phrases like 'on the stump' and 'stump speech'.
4. In a cricket match, a wicketkeeper can dismiss a batter by dislodging the two sm
In a cricket match, a wicketkeeper can dismiss a batter by dislodging the two small pieces of wood called bails from the top of three upright stumps — using the ball in hand — but this counts as out only when the batter has stepped forward beyond the crease line while playing a shot.
The wicketkeeper stumped the batsman brilliantly, moving faster than anyone had expected.
Rohit was stumped on the last ball before lunch, and the stadium fell silent.
passive: be stumped (cricket)
The wicketkeeper stumped Patel when he stepped out of the crease to drive the ball.
文法句型
stump + someone
be stumped
用法筆記
This is a specific cricket law — the batter is 'stumped' only when they leave their crease (the safe zone) to hit the ball and miss it. It is different from 'run out' because the wicketkeeper, not another fielder, removes the bails.
5. to dig or pull out the stumps of trees from a piece of land in order to make the
to dig or pull out the stumps of trees from a piece of land in order to make the ground ready for farming, building, or other uses.
The farmers spent the dry season stumping the field to make room for new crops.
Six workers needed three weeks to stump the lot before construction began.
Grandfather remembered stumping the land by hand with only an axe and a rope.
文法句型
stump + noun phrase (land, field, area)
用法筆記
Often used in farming and forestry contexts. Modern stumping is usually done by machines called stump grinders, but the verb is still used for the general activity.