upend

IPA/ʌpˈend/
IPA/ʌpˈend/

upend — verb

  • upendpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • upends3rd person singular
  • upending-ing form
  • upendedpast simple

1. to lift, push, or turn something so that its bottom moves to the top or it tips

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

to lift, push, or turn something so that its bottom moves to the top or it tips over sideways — for example, upending a suitcase to reach items at the bottom, or upending a chair while cleaning the floor beneath it.

例句

Caio accidentally upended the breakfast tray, sending cups and plates crashing onto the kitchen floor.

accidental result: upend + object with consequence clause

The gardener upended the clay flowerpot and gently tapped the soil away from the roots.

purposeful compound action: upend + object + then-VP

同義詞
  • overturn

    more formal; often used for vehicles, boats, or large objects

  • tip over

    more common in everyday speech; suggests a gentler or accidental motion

  • flip

    implies a faster, more complete rotation, often in the air

反義詞
  • right

    to return an object to its normal upright position

文法句型

upend + noun phrase

用法筆記

Commonly used with physical objects that have a clear top and bottom — chairs, tables, buckets, suitcases, boats. The focus is on the change in position rather than on damaging the object.

常見錯誤

❌She upended the problem and looked at it from a new angle.
✅She upended the box and shook the contents onto the floor.
💡in this sense, 'upend' describes a physical movement, not an abstract change of perspective.