trotting
[trˈɑtɪŋ] /ˈträt How to pronounce trot (audio)/ (ame, mw)
trotting — verb
- trottingpresent simple I / you / we / they
- trottings3rd person singular
- trottinging-ing form
- trottingedpast simple
1. A horse trots when it moves at a speed between walking and cantering, lifting di
A horse trots when it moves at a speed between walking and cantering, lifting diagonal pairs of legs — the left front with the right back, then the right front with the left back — in a steady rhythm.
On the racetrack, Brooke's horse trotted past the other riders during the warm-up.
past tense: horse + trotted + location phrase
The old pony trotted slowly along the country path while Rin held the reins gently.
Caleb watched the foal trot across the field after its mother.
A group of horses trotted in a circle around the riding instructor.
- walk
slower four-beat gait with no moment of suspension
文法句型
horse + trot
用法筆記
The verb describes the horse's natural gait, not a command — it is what horses do, not what riders tell them to do.
常見錯誤
2. When a person trots, they walk with quick, short steps, often because they are i
When a person trots, they walk with quick, short steps, often because they are in a hurry or need to get somewhere fast.
Lakshmi trotted down the stairs when she heard the doorbell ring.
person + trotted + direction phrase
The office assistant trotted between desks, delivering messages all morning.
Pedro trotted to the bus stop, hoping he would not miss the seven o'clock bus.
Nia trotted across the square to catch up with her friends.
- stroll
walk slowly and relaxed, without hurry
文法句型
person + trot + direction phrase
用法筆記
Unlike 'run,' trotting suggests shorter, lighter steps and usually covers a short distance. Frequently used with prepositions of direction (down, across, along, to).
常見錯誤
3. To say or produce something too quickly or without much thought, especially an e
To say or produce something too quickly or without much thought, especially an excuse, reason, or opinion that has been used before.
During the meeting, the manager trotted out the same old excuses for the delay.
phrasal use: trot out + noun phrase
Rin trotted out a series of facts without checking if any were correct.
At the debate, Caleb trotted out statistics that his opponent quickly proved wrong.
The politician trotted out the same promises she had made five years earlier.
- recite
neutral, no implication of speed or carelessness
- rattle off
similar informality, emphasizes speed over thoughtfulness
文法句型
trot out + noun phrase
用法筆記
Almost always used with the particle 'out' (trot out). The tone is critical — it suggests the information is tired, unoriginal, or not carefully considered.
常見錯誤
4. When a person trots, they move forward at a speed that is faster than walking bu
When a person trots, they move forward at a speed that is faster than walking but slower than sprinting, often as part of a fitness routine or to cover a short distance.
Every morning, Adina trots along the riverside path for thirty minutes.
habitual present: trots + along + path + duration
Dewi trotted around the park three times before stopping to stretch.
The group of joggers trotted at an easy pace through the neighborhood.
Brooke trots two miles every day to stay in shape for the basketball season.
- sprint
run at top speed over a short distance
文法句型
person + trot + distance/time phrase
用法筆記
Overlaps with 'jog' in meaning, but 'trot' often suggests a slightly slower or more casual pace. Common with distance phrases (trot two miles) and time phrases (trot for twenty minutes).
常見錯誤
5. To cause a horse to move at a trot by using reins, legs, or voice commands.
To cause a horse to move at a trot by using reins, legs, or voice commands.
The rider trotted her horse along the edge of the forest.
transitive: rider + trot + horse + direction
Ignacio gently trotted his pony to the front of the line.
Reuben learned how to trot his horse in a straight line during the lesson.
Layla trotted the borrowed mare around the paddock to test her temperament.
文法句型
rider + trot + horse
用法筆記
This is the transitive, causative sense — the rider is the subject doing the action, and the horse is the object. Distinguish from sense 1, where the horse itself is the subject.
常見錯誤
trotting — noun
1. The way of moving that a horse uses when it trots — a speed between walking and
The way of moving that a horse uses when it trots — a speed between walking and cantering where diagonal legs move together.
The horse broke into a steady trot as they left the stable yard.
collocation: break into a trot
Aoi could feel the smooth rhythm of the pony's trot beneath the saddle.
The carriage moved forward at a quick trot over the cobblestone road.
Riding at a trot was bumpier than Layla had expected from watching other riders.
文法句型
at a trot
break into a trot
用法筆記
Often used with the preposition 'at' (at a trot). Common modifiers include 'slow,' 'steady,' 'quick,' and 'gentle.'
常見錯誤
2. A slow, steady run by a person, at a speed between walking and running.
A slow, steady run by a person, at a speed between walking and running.
After missing the bus, Rin broke into a trot to reach the office on time.
collocation: break into a trot (person)
Lakshmi set off at a light trot through the morning fog.
The children moved at a playful trot as they followed their teacher through the museum.
Brooke kept up a gentle trot for the entire length of the wooden bridge.
文法句型
at a trot
set off at a trot
用法筆記
For humans, 'trot' is less common than 'jog' for exercise, but it appears naturally when describing a quick, light run over a short distance. Often describes easy, unhurried movement.
常見錯誤
3. An informal way of referring to diarrhea — a medical condition where solid waste
An informal way of referring to diarrhea — a medical condition where solid waste from the body is passed too often and in liquid form.
The spicy food gave Adina a bad case of the trots that lasted all night.
collocation: have/get/give + the trots
Caleb joked that the street food had given him the trots.
Tourists often get the trots when they are not used to the local drinking water.
Roya stayed home from school because she had a bad case of the trots.
- diarrhea
the standard medical term; formal register
- runny tummy
child-friendly informal term, less common
文法句型
have/get the trots
用法筆記
Always used with the definite article 'the' in the plural form 'the trots.' This is informal — use 'diarrhea' in formal or medical writing. Frequency: less common than 'diarrhea' in most contexts.
常見錯誤
4. A word-for-word rendering of a text from one language into another, sometimes us
A word-for-word rendering of a text from one language into another, sometimes used by students who want a shortcut instead of learning the language properly.
The teacher caught Dewi using a trot to translate the Latin passage.
collocation: use a trot
Pedro bought a trot of the French novel to help with his homework.
Some students rely on trots instead of actually learning the grammar rules.
Selim hid his trot inside the textbook during the Japanese reading quiz.
文法句型
use a trot
trot of + text
用法筆記
This sense is most common among students of classical languages (Latin, Ancient Greek). The term carries a slightly negative tone because using a trot is often seen as cheating or taking a shortcut.