thump

/θʌmp/ (bre, ipa) · /θʌmp/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈthəmp/ (ame, mw)

thump — verb

1. To strike something hard so that it produces a low, dull sound — for example, hi

1.動詞及物B1
釋義

To strike something hard so that it produces a low, dull sound — for example, hitting a table with your fist, or a heavy object falling onto a floor.

例句

Hao thumped the table with his open hand to get everyone's attention.

thump + object + with + body part

The old man's heavy bag thumped against his leg as he walked down the street.

thump + against + surface (intransitive use)

同義詞
  • bang

    more explosive sound; also implies closing or hitting with a flat surface

  • pound

    more repetitive and forceful; suggests a series of hits

  • thud

    softer sound; often describes things falling rather than being struck

反義詞
  • tap

    very light, quiet hit

  • pat

    gentle touch with open hand

文法句型

thump + object (surface/container)

thump + object + with + body part/object

thump + against/onto + surface

用法筆記

The object is typically a broad, hard surface (table, door, wall) or a container that resonates when struck. In the intransitive use the subject is a heavy object falling or moving against a surface.

常見錯誤

She thumped the door gently before entering.
She tapped the door gently before entering.
💡'thump' describes a heavy, noisy hit, not a light touch.
He thumped the glass of water softly.
He set the glass of water down carefully.
💡Glass is too fragile to be 'thumped'; use this verb for sturdy surfaces.

2. To strike someone using a clenched fist, often because you are angry or want to

2.動詞及物B1
釋義

To strike someone using a clenched fist, often because you are angry or want to cause them pain.

例句

The bully threatened to thump Aarav if he told the teacher what had happened.

threaten to thump + person

In the old film, the hero thumped the villain on the jaw and knocked him down.

同義詞
  • punch

    more specific — always uses a fist, often in a fighting motion

  • wallop

    informal, British; stronger impact

  • beat

    more general; suggests repeated hits over time

反義詞
  • caress

    gentle, loving touch

  • stroke

    soft, tender movement of the hand

文法句型

thump + person

thump + person + on + body part

get thumped (passive)

用法筆記

Very common in British English as an informal threat ('I'll thump you!'). The passive form ('get thumped') is frequently used to describe the result of a fight. Less common in formal or academic writing.

常見錯誤

He thumped his friend playfully on the arm.
He gave his friend a playful punch on the arm.
💡'thump' implies a hard, potentially painful hit, not playful contact.

3. A head that thumps hurts with a steady, pounding pain that matches the rhythm of

3.動詞不及物B2
釋義

A head that thumps hurts with a steady, pounding pain that matches the rhythm of your pulse — common when you are sick, exhausted, or recovering from a very noisy environment.

例句

After two hours in the noisy factory, Élise's head began to thump.

head + begin to thump (after noise)

After pulling an all-nighter to finish his project, Kenji's head thumped with every beat of his pulse.

head + thumps with + rhythm (cause clause fronted)

同義詞
  • pound

    interchangeable in most contexts; equally common

  • throb

    more medical/neutral; can describe pain in any body part

  • ache

    more general; does not carry the sense of rhythmic beating

文法句型

head + thumps

head + begins to thump

thumping + headache

用法筆記

Only used with 'head' as the subject or in the compound 'thumping headache'. Not used for other body parts (a tooth, a knee, etc.). For other body parts, use 'throb' instead.

常見錯誤

My tooth has been thumping all day.
My tooth has been throbbing all day.
💡'thump' for pain only describes the head; other body parts use 'throb'.

4. A heart that thumps beats with unusual force and speed — far above its normal re

4.動詞不及物B1
釋義

A heart that thumps beats with unusual force and speed — far above its normal resting rhythm — due to fear, excitement, nervousness, or physical exertion.

例句

Antonia's heart thumped with excitement as she waited for the exam results to be announced.

heart + thumps with + emotion

Nala's heart was thumping so loudly she thought everyone in the room could hear it.

同義詞
  • pound

    interchangeable; equally common in heart-beating contexts

  • race

    emphasizes speed more than force

  • hammer

    emphasizes the forcefulness; informal and vivid

反義詞
  • slow

    opposite of the fast pace that thumping describes

  • calm

    opposite of the agitation that causes thumping

文法句型

heart + thumps

heart + thumps + with + emotion

heart + begins to thump

feel + heart + thump

用法筆記

Common in narrative descriptions of fear, excitement, or romantic moments ('Her heart thumped as he walked towards her'). Also used to describe the effect of strenuous exercise. The adverb 'wildly' is a frequent collocate.

常見錯誤

My heart thumped slowly and peacefully as I read my book.
My heart beat slowly and peacefully as I read my book.
💡'thump' for the heart means fast and forceful, not slow and calm.

5. To beat an opponent in a sports match by such a wide margin that the other side

5.動詞及物B2
釋義

To beat an opponent in a sports match by such a wide margin that the other side has little chance of catching up — for example, winning by many goals or points.

例句

The visiting team thumped the local champions forty-two to fifteen in front of a stunned home crowd.

thump + opponent + score to score

The national rugby team thumped their rivals five tries to one in front of a big crowd.

同義詞
  • trounce

    slightly more formal; used in both British and American English

  • thrash

    similar register and meaning; very common in British sports contexts

  • crush

    emphasizes total dominance; common in both British and American English

反義詞

文法句型

thump + opponent

thump + opponent + by + score

thump + opponent + score + to + score

get thumped (passive)

用法筆記

Especially common in British sports commentary and newspaper headlines. The passive form 'get thumped' is very frequent for describing a one-sided loss. Not used in American English — 'trounce' or 'crush' would be used instead.

常見錯誤

They thumped the other team by just one point.
They beat the other team by just one point.
💡'thump' implies a large margin of victory, not a close game.

thump — noun