tank
/tæŋk/ (bre, ipa) · /tæŋk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈtaŋk/ (ame, mw)
tank — noun
- tanksingular
- tanksplural
1. a large container, usually made of metal or strong plastic, used for keeping or
a large container, usually made of metal or strong plastic, used for keeping or moving liquids or gases such as water, fuel, or chemicals.
The mechanic drained the oil from the tank before replacing the filter.
noun modifier: oil tank / fuel tank
Water tanks on the roof collect rainwater for the garden during the dry season.
Liam cleaned the fish tank every two weeks to keep the water clear for his pet fish.
Gas tanks must be checked regularly for leaks to prevent accidents in the building.
The factory installed a new storage tank to hold the chemicals used in production.
文法句型
a tank of [liquid/gas]
[noun] tank (e.g. fish tank, petrol tank)
用法筆記
Frequently combines with a noun that tells you what the tank contains: petrol tank, fish tank, water tank, gas tank, fuel tank.
常見錯誤
2. a heavily armoured military fighting vehicle with large guns that runs on contin
a heavily armoured military fighting vehicle with large guns that runs on continuous metal belts looped around wheels, allowing it to move across rough ground.
The army sent six tanks to guard the border crossing near the village.
Jiwoo watched a documentary about how tanks changed the way wars were fought in the twentieth century.
historical usage context
A tank's thick armour can stop most bullets and small bombs from reaching the crew inside.
The old tank sat in the museum courtyard with its guns removed for public safety.
- armoured vehicle
broader category; includes tanks and other protected military vehicles
- armoured car
a lighter, wheeled vehicle with armour, not a tank
- battle tank
a full-size combat tank, as opposed to lighter armoured vehicles
文法句型
[number] + tank(s)
tank + [noun] (e.g. tank commander, tank battalion)
用法筆記
Often used attributively before another noun: tank commander, tank battalion, tank battle, tank engine. The plural is irregular only in that military contexts often use 'tank' as an uncountable modifier ('tank division').
3. a situation where a person or organization starts competing directly in another'
a situation where a person or organization starts competing directly in another's established area of business or activity, often threatening their position.
The new streaming service is now competing in the tank of the traditional TV networks.
figurative: in the tank of [competitor]
Hassan worried that the large supermarket chain was operating in the tank of his small grocery store.
Local bookshops feel the online retailer has moved into their tank with discounted prices and fast delivery.
The startup is already operating in the tank of established car makers with its electric vans.
文法句型
in someone's tank
on someone's tank
用法筆記
A figurative and informal use, most common in business and competitive contexts. The phrase 'in someone's tank' suggests territory that someone previously controlled alone.
4. a man-made pool or lake, often built to store water for a town, farm, factory, o
a man-made pool or lake, often built to store water for a town, farm, factory, or for swimming.
The village built a large tank to store water for the rice fields during the dry months.
Swimming in the old quarry tank was forbidden after two accidents last summer.
collocation: quarry tank
Eshe watched the swans glide across the ornamental tank in the city park.
The tank behind the factory supplies water to cool the machines during production.
文法句型
a tank of [water]
storage tank
用法筆記
This sense is more common in British and Australian English than in American English, where 'reservoir' or 'pond' is preferred for artificial bodies of water.
常見錯誤
5. a piece of clothing without sleeves that covers the upper part of the body, typi
a piece of clothing without sleeves that covers the upper part of the body, typically worn in warm weather or during exercise.
Christopher wore a white tank top and shorts to the beach on Saturday.
Tank tops are popular in summer because they let your arms move freely and keep you cool.
reason clause
The gym rules say you must wear a tank top or a T-shirt while using the equipment.
Lotte bought three tank tops on sale — one blue, one green, and one with stripes.
文法句型
wear a tank top
a tank top
用法筆記
Called a 'singlet' or 'vest' in British English. The name comes from the early 20th-century 'tank suit' — a one-piece bathing suit worn in swimming tanks (artificial pools).
常見錯誤
6. the quantity of liquid, gas, or other material that a tank holds when it is full
the quantity of liquid, gas, or other material that a tank holds when it is full.
The car can drive about five hundred kilometres on a full tank of petrol.
collocation: a full tank of
Nikhil used an entire tank of paint to cover the walls of the living room.
A single tank of water lasts the family about three days during the hot summer months.
The truck driver checked how far he could go on half a tank before deciding to stop.
文法句型
a tank of [substance]
a full tank
half a tank
用法筆記
Often follows 'full' or 'half' — 'a full tank,' 'half a tank.' 'A tank of gas/petrol' is extremely common in driving contexts.
常見錯誤
tank — verb
- tankpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tanks3rd person singular
- tanking-ing form
- tankedpast simple
1. to fall quickly and dramatically in price, value, or level of success.
to fall quickly and dramatically in price, value, or level of success.
The company's shares tanked after the CEO announced lower profits than expected.
intransitive: shares tanked
Noa's confidence tanked when she saw how difficult the final exam questions were.
metaphorical: confidence tanked
The value of the local currency tanked overnight after the government's surprise announcement.
Sven sold his shares quickly before the price could tank any further.
Tourism in the region tanked after the hurricane destroyed most of the hotels.
文法句型
prices/shares/values + tank
something + tanks + [object] (less common)
用法筆記
Informal, common in financial journalism and everyday speech. Can be used transitively ('The bad news tanked the stock price') but most often intransitive ('Sales tanked').
常見錯誤
2. to deliberately or accidentally cause something to fail or become much less succ
to deliberately or accidentally cause something to fail or become much less successful.
A series of poor decisions by the new manager tanked the department's productivity.
transitive: bad decisions tanked productivity
The negative reviews tanked the restaurant's reputation almost as soon as it opened.
Théo's mistake during the presentation tanked the team's chances of winning the contract.
The scandal tanked any hope she had of being re-elected for a second term.
文法句型
[subject] + tank + [object]
用法筆記
Always transitive — you tank something (a plan, a project, a reputation, a chance). The object is something that had potential for success.
常見錯誤
3. to deliberately play below your ability in a sporting contest, ensuring you lose
to deliberately play below your ability in a sporting contest, ensuring you lose, often to gain a future benefit.
The player was accused of tanking the match to help a friend win a large bet.
transitive: tank the match
Some basketball teams tank at the end of a weak season to get a better draft pick.
Nicholas knew the other boxer was tanking when he stopped throwing punches in the third round.
Fans were angry when they discovered the club had been tanking games for money.
- throw (a game)
to deliberately lose; often implies the player is paid or forced
- fix (a match)
to arrange a result dishonestly, usually for betting profits
文法句型
[team/player] + tanks
[team/player] + tanks + [match/season]
用法筆記
Widely used in North American professional sports discussions. The noun form 'tanking' ('The team was accused of tanking') is very common. This is considered unethical and is often against league rules.
常見錯誤
4. to apply a thick layer of plaster or a waterproof substance to a wall, ceiling,
to apply a thick layer of plaster or a waterproof substance to a wall, ceiling, or floor so that moisture cannot get through.
Caio spent the weekend tanking the basement walls to stop water from seeping through.
gerund: tanking the walls
The builders tanked the bathroom floor with a waterproof layer before laying the tiles.
passive: tanked the floor with [substance]
Before painting the kitchen, you should tank any cracks in the ceiling with sealant.
The old stone wall was tanked with a special coating that keeps dampness out.
- seal
more general; to close a surface so that nothing passes through
- waterproof
to make something resistant to water
- plaster
to cover a wall with plaster — not necessarily for waterproofing
文法句型
tank + [wall/surface] + with + [substance]
用法筆記
Technical term in British construction. The past participle 'tanked' is common ('a tanked wall,' 'tanked bathroom'). In American English, 'waterproof' or 'seal' is more common for this action.