totter
/ˈtɒtə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [tˈɑtɚ] /ˈtɑːtər/ (ame, ipa) · [tˈɑtɚ] /ˈtä-tər How to pronounce totter (audio)/ (ame, mw)
totter — verb
- totterpresent simple I / you / we / they
- tottershe / she / it
- totteredpast simple
- tottering-ing form
1. to walk in a weak or unsteady way, moving your body from side to side as if you
to walk in a weak or unsteady way, moving your body from side to side as if you might fall over — for example, a very old person making their way slowly across a room, or someone who is injured or ill trying to stand up and move.
After the long surgery, Mrs. Chen tottered slowly down the hospital hallway holding onto the rail.
totter + adverb phrase describing manner and location
Daichi tottered across the deck of the fishing boat as a large wave hit the side.
A small child in oversized boots tottered after her mother through the muddy garden.
Shirin took two tottering steps forward and then gripped the edge of the desk to steady herself.
- stride
long confident steps; opposite of weak uncertain movement
文法句型
totter + adverb/preposition phrase
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person (elderly, ill, injured, drunk, or very young) or occasionally an inanimate object with legs or a narrow base. Frequently appears with a direction phrase (totter across / down / towards / along).
常見錯誤
2. to rock or swing unsteadily, threatening to tip over — typically said of tall or
to rock or swing unsteadily, threatening to tip over — typically said of tall or narrow objects such as stacks, pieces of furniture, towers, or other things that have lost their balance.
The stack of plates on the counter tottered dangerously when the truck drove past.
inanimate subject + adverb of manner
For a second the tall lamp tottered and then fell onto the carpet with a soft thud.
During the earthquake, every shelf in the library tottered and books came crashing down.
The tower of cardboard boxes tottered every time someone opened the front door.
Rafael watched the pile of firewood totter and then carefully rearranged the logs.
The old wooden chair tottered for a moment before it finally broke under his weight.
- stand firm
to remain steady and not shake
文法句型
totter + (preposition phrase)
用法筆記
Inanimate objects are the most common subject for this sense. Distinguish from sense 1: here the focus is on sideways shaking or instability, not on walking movement. The thing may not move from its place at all.
3. to become very weak and close to failing or ending — used of organisations such
to become very weak and close to failing or ending — used of organisations such as companies, banks, governments, or political systems that are losing power, money, or public support and may soon collapse or be unable to continue.
The old bank tottered on the edge of bankruptcy before the government stepped in to help.
totter on the edge of + [abstract noun]
As more members left the party, the coalition government began to totter and finally fell apart.
The construction company tottered through three difficult years before it was bought by a larger firm.
Without new investors, the tech startup was tottering and had to let half its staff go.
Analysts warned that the tottering economy could sink into a deep recession by the end of the year.
- thrive
to grow and succeed; the opposite of tottering towards failure
文法句型
totter + (preposition: on the verge/edge of)
用法筆記
Frequently in financial or political journalism. Passive is rare; the intransitive active voice (the company tottered) is standard. Often modified with phrases like on the brink of, on the verge of, or through [a period].
常見錯誤
totter — noun
1. a weak, unsteady way of walking or moving, during which your body moves from sid
a weak, unsteady way of walking or moving, during which your body moves from side to side and you seem about to fall.
The old man crossed the street with a cautious totter, stopping twice to catch his breath.
with a + adjective + totter
After twelve hours on her feet, Jenna's walk had turned into a tired totter across the warehouse floor.
The toddler's first attempts at walking were more of a happy totter than a true stride.
Felix managed only a few steps before his totter became so bad that he had to sit down again.
- stride
a long, confident step
文法句型
a totter
with a totter
用法筆記
Usually countable in the singular (a totter). Less common than the verb form. Often found with an adjective (slight totter, tired totter, cautious totter).