tools
/tuːl/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈulz] /tuːl/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈulz] /ˈtül How to pronounce tool (audio)/ (ame, mw)
tools — noun
1. a physical object that you hold in your hands and use for making, fixing, or wor
a physical object that you hold in your hands and use for making, fixing, or working on other things — for example, a hammer, screwdriver, or saw
Faisal keeps all his gardening tools in a metal shed behind the house.
collocation: gardening tools
You will need a few basic tools like a measuring tape and a level to hang the shelves.
pattern: need a tool to [verb]
The carpenter reached for his chisel, the one tool he could not work without.
Lauren borrowed a set of kitchen tools from her neighbour to prepare the birthday cake.
Every tool in the workshop had been cleaned and put back in its place on the wall rack.
- implement
more formal; often used for farming or larger equipment
- instrument
used for precision or scientific work, or musical devices
- utensil
specifically for kitchen or eating items
- device
usually electronic or mechanical with a specific function
文法句型
a tool for [verb]-ing
use a tool to [verb]
用法筆記
Countable; commonly appears in the plural (tools) when referring to a set or collection. The singular (a tool) is used for one specific item.
常見錯誤
2. anything — such as a computer program, a method, a skill, or a piece of informat
anything — such as a computer program, a method, a skill, or a piece of information — that makes it easier for you to achieve a goal or perform a task
Spelling checkers are a useful tool for anyone who writes emails in English at work.
pattern: a useful tool for [noun/-ing]
Min used the search tool on the website to find old photographs of her hometown.
collocation: search tool
The lecture gave us a new tool for thinking about climate change and its effects on farming.
Indra found that keeping a daily diary was the best tool for managing her stress during exams.
The company developed an online tool that helps small businesses create their own websites.
- obstacle
something that blocks progress instead of helping it
文法句型
a tool for [verb]-ing
a tool to help [verb]
用法筆記
Often used with adjectives describing effectiveness: powerful tool, useful tool, effective tool, valuable tool. Common with for + gerund: a tool for managing / tracking / analysing.
常見錯誤
3. the particular equipment, knowledge, or skills that are considered necessary for
the particular equipment, knowledge, or skills that are considered necessary for a specific type of work or activity
A good camera and editing software are the basic tools of the trade for a modern photographer.
idiom: tools of the trade
Patience and a calm voice are essential tools for any primary school teacher.
collocation: essential tools for
When Tamás started his plumbing apprenticeship, he spent his first month learning the tools of the trade.
For a journalist, a notebook and a reliable internet connection are the most basic tools.
文法句型
tools of the trade
用法筆記
The phrase tools of the trade can be used literally (physical equipment) or figuratively (skills and knowledge). The singular a tool of the trade is also possible.
常見錯誤
4. someone whose choices and actions are secretly directed by another person, usual
someone whose choices and actions are secretly directed by another person, usually for dishonest or unpleasant ends, without fully understanding their own role in the situation
The general used the young soldiers as mere tools to carry out his cruel orders without question.
pattern: used [someone] as a tool
Iris felt like a tool in the hands of the marketing team, repeating slogans she did not believe in.
collocation: a tool in the hands of
The security guard later discovered that he had been a tool for the criminals who robbed the museum.
In many historical accounts, ordinary citizens are portrayed as helpless tools of the ruling class.
- pawn
common metaphor from chess; suggests someone expendable in a larger scheme
- puppet
suggests being controlled from behind the scenes, with no free will
- instrument
more formal, less emotional; a person used as a means to an end
- mastermind
the person who plans and controls things, opposite of being controlled
文法句型
a tool of [someone]
用法筆記
Strongly negative. Often used in political writing or serious discussions of power dynamics. Not commonly used in everyday conversation about minor situations.
常見錯誤
5. a very informal and offensive word for a man's sexual organ; considered extremel
a very informal and offensive word for a man's sexual organ; considered extremely rude in most settings
The comedian was criticised for using vulgar slang like the word tool during the family show.
register: vulgar slang
The novel had so much crude language that the critic counted tool used as a vulgar term thirteen times.
English teachers sometimes warn students that tool can be a crude word for the male sex organ.
The movie was rated for adults because characters often used the word tool as a vulgar term.
用法筆記
Strongly offensive. Do not use in any formal, professional, or polite context. Learners should recognise this meaning when reading or listening but avoid using it.
6. a rude and offensive way to describe someone you think is stupid, annoying, or b
a rude and offensive way to describe someone you think is stupid, annoying, or behaves in a very unpleasant way
After Greta's brother spilled juice on the laptop for the third time, she called him a complete tool.
collocation: complete tool
Stop acting like such a tool and help us clean up the mess you made in the kitchen.
pattern: acting like a tool
The football fans got into a fight after one player shouted tool at the referee during the match.
The man kept interrupting our conversation, so my friend whispered, what a tool, under his breath.
文法句型
be a tool
call someone a tool
用法筆記
Strongly insulting and impolite. Learners should understand this meaning when watching movies or TV shows but avoid using it themselves, as it is likely to cause offence.
常見錯誤
tools — verb
- toolspresent simple I / you / we / they
- toolses3rd person singular
- toolsing-ing form
- toolsedpast simple
1. to drive or ride in a vehicle, especially for pleasure and without a particular
to drive or ride in a vehicle, especially for pleasure and without a particular purpose or destination
On Sunday mornings, Valentina likes to tool along the coast road with the windows down.
pattern: tool along [road]
The teenagers were tooling around the neighbourhood on their scooters after school ended.
pattern: tooling around [place]
We tooled down the highway in an old convertible, stopping at every small town diner we passed.
Sophia tooled around the lake on her motorcycle every evening after work to relax.
文法句型
tool along [road]
tool around [place]
用法筆記
Always informal. Typically used with around or along followed by a location. Most common in American English. Not suitable for formal writing.
常見錯誤
2. to provide a factory, workshop, or workplace with the machines and equipment nee
to provide a factory, workshop, or workplace with the machines and equipment needed for a particular type of production
The old textile factory has been tooled up to produce high-end furniture rather than clothing.
passive: tooled up to produce [product]
The company spent over two million dollars tooling its new plant for electric car battery production.
pattern: tooling [place] for [purpose]
Before the team could begin making parts, the workshop had to be properly tooled with the right lathes and presses.
The factory was tooled for assembling computer chips rather than simple household appliances.
文法句型
tool [factory/plant] for [production]
tool up [place]
用法筆記
Technical. The phrasal form tool up is common in manufacturing contexts. The past participle tooled often acts as an adjective: a well-tooled factory.
常見錯誤
3. to cut, press, or shape a material — usually leather, metal, or wood — using a h
to cut, press, or shape a material — usually leather, metal, or wood — using a hand tool, often for decoration
The artisan tooled a delicate flower pattern into the leather belt using a small hammer and stamp.
pattern: tool [pattern] into [material]
The cover of the old book was made of beautifully tooled leather with gold lettering on the front.
common collocation: beautifully tooled leather
Each saddle in the shop is hand-tooled by a craftsman who has been working with leather for forty years.
文法句型
tool [material] with [tool]
beautifully tooled [material]
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the past participle form (tooled leather, hand-tooled). Almost always describes decorative work on natural materials. Not used for machine-based manufacturing.