stumping
stumping — verb
1. making someone stop short because they cannot figure out the answer to a hard qu
making someone stop short because they cannot figure out the answer to a hard question or problem.
The final riddle is still stumping Quan after dinner.
stumping + person with a hard question
A missing receipt kept stumping Nila during the tax workshop.
The science clue was stumping Brandon and Eli on the bus.
Even two hints were not enough, and the puzzle kept stumping Maeve.
- clarifying
makes the answer easier to understand instead of blocking it
文法句型
stumping + person
stumping + group
用法筆記
Usually takes a person or group as the object. Most often used for questions, clues, puzzles, or problems that leave people unable to answer or explain something.
常見錯誤
2. travelling around an area to give political speeches and try to win support for
travelling around an area to give political speeches and try to win support for a candidate or cause.
The senator was stumping across Iowa before the primary vote.
stumping across [region]
Volunteers spent July stumping for better bus service in Bristol.
stumping for [cause]
Christopher has been stumping around the state since sunrise.
After breakfast, Chiara started stumping for the school bond measure.
- campaigning
broader and more neutral; not limited to speechmaking tours
- canvassing
often focuses on visiting voters directly rather than public speeches
- barnstorming
more informal and energetic; often used for fast-paced campaign travel
文法句型
stumping across [region]
stumping around [region]
stumping for [candidate or cause]
用法筆記
Used in political contexts, especially in American English. It often appears with for plus a candidate or cause, or with route phrases such as across or around a state.
常見錯誤
stumping — noun
1. the activity of going from place to place to make political speeches and ask peo
the activity of going from place to place to make political speeches and ask people to support a candidate or cause.
Weekend stumping helped the mayor reconnect with rural voters.
Three weeks of stumping left Quan hoarse before election day.
weeks of stumping
The party planned a final burst of stumping in smaller towns.
Good stumping needs short stories, clear promises, and steady timing.
- campaigning
broader; includes many kinds of election work besides speeches
- canvassing
often means door-to-door contact rather than public speechmaking
- speechmaking
emphasizes the speaking itself but not necessarily the campaign trail
文法句型
weeks of stumping
a burst of stumping
用法筆記
Usually uncountable when it means campaign speechmaking. It names the activity itself, not a single speech or event.