thresh

/θreʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [θrˈɛʃ] /θreʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [θrˈɛʃ] /ˈthresh How to pronounce thresh (audio) ˈthrash How to pronounce thresh (audio)/ (ame, mw)

thresh — verb

  • threshpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • thresheshe / she / it
  • threshedpast simple
  • threshing-ing form

1. to knock a grain crop so the edible seeds come free from the stalks or husks

1.動詞及物C2
釋義

to knock a grain crop so the edible seeds come free from the stalks or husks

例句

Tuan threshed the rice with a wooden flail behind the barn.

thresh + crop + with tool

After the harvest, workers threshed wheat beside the village storehouse.

同義詞
  • winnow

    describes removing chaff after threshing, not the earlier beating stage

  • shell

    usually means taking peas, beans, or nuts out of an outer covering

  • separate

    much broader and does not specifically suggest farm work or striking

文法句型

thresh + rice/wheat/barley

thresh + crop + with + tool/machine

用法筆記

Usually takes a grain crop as its object, especially rice, wheat, barley, or millet. Distinguish from winnow, which describes blowing away the chaff after the seeds have already been loosened.

常見錯誤

❌The farmers threshed the grain to remove the dust.
✅The farmers threshed the grain to loosen the seeds from the stalks.
💡Threshing separates grain from the plant, not dust from the grain.

2. to hit someone or something again and again with strong force

2.動詞及物C2
釋義

to hit someone or something again and again with strong force

例句

The angry drummer threshed the practice pad until the stick snapped.

thresh + object with repeated blows

Asher threshed the dusty rug with a broom to shake out sand.

同義詞
  • thrash

    the common modern verb for beating hard; thresh is rarer in this sense

  • batter

    suggests heavy repeated blows that damage the object

  • pound

    focuses on forceful repeated hitting, often with a fist or tool

文法句型

thresh + object

thresh + object + with + instrument

用法筆記

This sense usually takes a direct object that receives repeated blows. Distinguish from sense 3, where the subject itself moves wildly rather than striking a target.

常見錯誤

❌The trapped fish threshed the net for a minute.
✅The trapped fish threshed in the net for a minute.
💡When the body moves wildly without attacking a target, use the movement sense instead.

3. to swing, kick, or twist around in a wild and uncontrolled way

3.動詞不及物C2
釋義

to swing, kick, or twist around in a wild and uncontrolled way

例句

The hooked fish threshed in the net and sprayed water everywhere.

thresh in + place

João threshed his arms in the river after the canoe tipped.

同義詞
  • flail

    the closest neutral verb for wild, uncontrolled swinging of arms or body

  • writhe

    suggests twisting because of pain, while thresh is rougher and more violent

  • lash

    often describes striking back and forth against something

文法句型

thresh about

thresh + against + surface

thresh + in + place

用法筆記

Often appears without a direct object and commonly combines with about or against + noun. Distinguish from sense 2, where the force is directed at a person or object being struck.

常見錯誤

❌The branch threshed the glass in the wind.
✅The branch threshed against the glass in the wind.
💡This sense describes violent movement, usually with a phrase showing where the movement hits.