tethered
/ˈteð.əd/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɛðɚd] /ˈteð.ɚd/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɛðɚd] /ˈte-t͟hər How to pronounce tether (audio)/ (ame, mw)
tethered — adjective
- tetheredpositive
- more tetheredcomparative
- most tetheredsuperlative
1. secured to a fixed spot by a cord or strap so that the animal or person can move
secured to a fixed spot by a cord or strap so that the animal or person can move only within a small area
Two horses stood tethered to a fence near the old barn, waiting for their owner.
tethered to [place] — common pattern
The children tethered their dog to a post outside the café while they ordered drinks.
A tethered goat grazed in a small circle around the stake in the field.
The hot-air balloon was securely tethered to the ground before passengers climbed aboard.
- loose
free to move without restriction
- untethered
not attached by a rope or chain
用法筆記
Commonly describes farm animals or pets restricted by a rope or chain attached to a collar or harness.
常見錯誤
2. describing a mobile phone that is sharing its mobile data connection with other
describing a mobile phone that is sharing its mobile data connection with other devices through a wireless or cable link
When the library internet went down, Xiu used a tethered phone to finish her online assignment.
tethered phone — technology context
Vikram kept his tablet tethered to his phone during the long bus ride through the countryside.
Wei's battery drained completely in two hours during a video call on a tethered connection.
Rania racked up a high bill by using her tethered phone as a hotspot in Brazil.
用法筆記
Commonly used in computing contexts. The verb form 'tethering' is also frequent ('phone tethering', 'USB tethering').
tethered — noun
1. a rope or chain that attaches an animal to a fixed object, limiting how far it c
a rope or chain that attaches an animal to a fixed object, limiting how far it can wander
The farmer checked the tether on the young goat each morning before breakfast.
check + the tether — common collocation
Dewi bought a nylon tether for her horse after the old rope frayed in the rain.
The dog chewed through its tether and ran off into the woods.
The goat pulled against its tether, trying to reach the fresh grass on the other side of the fence.
用法筆記
Often used with possessive determiners ('its tether', 'a horse's tether') and verbs of checking or breaking.
常見錯誤
2. a rope, cable, or strap that keeps a person or object attached to something stab
a rope, cable, or strap that keeps a person or object attached to something stable for safety
Each climber attached a tether to the safety rail before stepping onto the narrow ledge.
attach + a tether — safety equipment
The astronaut's tether kept her connected to the spacecraft during the spacewalk.
Nora used a short tether to secure her camera bag to the boat deck.
The window cleaner wore a safety tether around his waist when working on the top floor.
- safety line
more specific term for fall protection
- lanyard
a short strap or cord for attaching equipment
- strap
a flat strip of flexible material, often with a buckle
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 1 (ANIMAL RESTRAINT): this sense applies to people (climbers, astronauts) and valuable objects, focusing on safety rather than restriction.
3. the point at which a person can no longer tolerate a difficult situation, appear
the point at which a person can no longer tolerate a difficult situation, appearing almost exclusively in the phrase 'at the end of one's tether'
After three months of noisy construction next door, Selim was at the end of his tether.
at the end of one's tether — idiomatic phrase for having no patience left
After months of dealing with a broken heating system, Eliska was at the end of her tether.
Evelyn was at the end of her tether trying to manage both work and her mother's hospital care.
Tomás had been looking after his sick father for months and was at the end of his tether.
- limit
a general term without the idiom constraint
- breaking point
emphasises the moment when control is lost
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed expression 'at the end of one's tether'. Do not modify the phrase structure (e.g. ❌ 'at the tether's end'). American English prefers 'at the end of one's rope'.
常見錯誤
tethered — verb
- tetheredpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tethereds3rd person singular
- tethereding-ing form
- tetherededpast simple
1. to attach an animal or object to a fixed point with a rope or chain so that it c
to attach an animal or object to a fixed point with a rope or chain so that it cannot move freely
Pedro tethered his bicycle to the lamppost with a heavy chain and lock.
tether + object + to + place
The farmer tethered the donkey to a post near the water trough.
During the storm, Tariro tethered the small boat to the dock with two strong ropes.
Ignacio tethered his horse to the rail outside the general store before heading in.
文法句型
tether + object + to + place
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'tether + object + to + location'. The object is typically an animal or a portable object (boat, bicycle, balloon).