swipe
/swaɪp/ (bre, ipa) · /swaɪp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈswīp/ (ame, mw)
swipe — verb
- swipepresent simple I / you / we / they
- swipeshe / she / it
- swipedpast simple
- swiping-ing form
1. to swing your hand or another object across quickly in order to hit something or
to swing your hand or another object across quickly in order to hit something or someone, or to try to hit them with a broad sideways movement
Owen swiped at the mosquito above his plate with a napkin.
swipe at + target
The angry cat swiped at the child's hand near the toy mouse.
Beatriz swiped the wet leaves off the table with her sleeve.
A low branch swiped across the car window as we drove past.
文法句型
swipe at + target
swipe + object + off + surface
swipe + across + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by 'at' when the blow misses. With a direct object, it can also describe knocking or brushing something aside in one quick sideways movement.
2. to take something, especially something small, quickly and without permission, u
to take something, especially something small, quickly and without permission, usually when nobody is paying attention
Someone swiped the umbrella Nila left by the cafe counter.
swipe + object
A boy swiped two chocolates from the bowl by the hotel desk.
The cleaner noticed that somebody had swiped his phone charger from the office kitchen.
Ziad swore he had not swiped any cash from his sister's purse.
文法句型
swipe + noun phrase
swipe + noun phrase + from + place/person
用法筆記
Informal and often used for small things that are easy to grab. It suggests quick, slightly casual theft rather than a planned or violent crime.
常見錯誤
3. to move a payment card, key card, or similar card through a reader so the machin
to move a payment card, key card, or similar card through a reader so the machine can read it and complete a payment or allow entry
Henrik swiped his hotel key card through the slot and the door clicked open.
swipe + card + through + reader
The cashier asked Jessica to swipe her card again because the first read failed.
Each nurse swipes an ID badge at the ward entrance before the shift starts.
Christopher swiped his student card to pay for lunch in the cafeteria.
文法句型
swipe + card + through + reader
swipe + badge + at + scanner
用法筆記
This sense is used when the card moves through or along a reader. When you simply touch the card to the machine without sliding it, English more often uses 'tap'.
常見錯誤
4. to slide a finger across a phone or tablet screen so that the page, picture, or
to slide a finger across a phone or tablet screen so that the page, picture, or menu shifts, or so that the device carries out a command
Jisoo swiped left on the photo to see the next one.
swipe + direction
Quan swiped up to unlock the phone after the screen lit up.
swipe + direction + to + result
Sofie swiped across the map until the station name appeared.
The children swiped down to refresh the bus times on the app.
文法句型
swipe left/right/up/down
swipe across + screen
swipe through + photos/pages
用法筆記
This sense usually names a direction or result: swipe left, swipe up, swipe through photos. Unlike sense 3, the thing moving is your finger, not a card.
常見錯誤
swipe — noun
- swipesingular
- swipesplural
1. a sharp remark or hostile gesture meant to criticize, mock, or weaken someone or
a sharp remark or hostile gesture meant to criticize, mock, or weaken someone or something
The columnist took a swipe at the mayor in yesterday's article.
take a swipe at + person/thing
Beatriz heard the joke as a swipe at her new haircut.
During the debate, one candidate made a swipe at private schools.
Fans read the meme as a swipe at the singer after the breakup news.
- compliment
a positive remark instead of a hostile one
- praise
open approval rather than criticism
文法句型
take a swipe at + person/thing
make a swipe at + person/thing
用法筆記
Most often appears in the pattern 'take a swipe at' or 'make a swipe at'. It is common in journalism, commentary, and casual speech about public criticism.
常見錯誤
2. a quick broad movement of the hand or another object made to hit something or pu
a quick broad movement of the hand or another object made to hit something or push it aside
The goalie blocked the ball with one desperate swipe of the glove.
with a swipe of + tool/body part
With a swipe of the broom, the caretaker pushed the broken glass aside.
The toddler knocked the card tower down with a playful swipe of one arm.
One swipe at the weeds cleared a narrow path beside the shed.
- caress
a gentle touch, not a forceful movement
文法句型
a swipe at + target
with a swipe of + tool/body part
用法筆記
Often followed by 'at' when the target is named. In the pattern 'with a swipe of ...', the noun after 'of' is usually the tool, arm, paw, or similar thing making the movement.