wheezing

[wˈizɪŋ] /ˈ(h)wēz How to pronounce wheeze (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /wiːz/ (bre, ipa) · [wˈizɪŋ] /wiːz/ (ame, ipa)

wheezing — noun

1. the high, rough sound that comes from someone's chest or throat when their airwa

1.名詞B2
釋義

the high, rough sound that comes from someone's chest or throat when their airway is partly blocked and they have trouble breathing, often caused by asthma, a cold, or an allergic reaction

例句

The nurse noticed the wheezing in the old man's chest and called the doctor immediately.

collocation: wheezing in [body part]

Haruto's wheezing got worse every time he played with the dusty old curtains.

同義詞
  • rasp

    a harsher, more grating breathing sound

  • whistle

    a higher-pitched sound, often used for mild wheezing

  • crepitus

    a medical term for crackling sounds in the lungs, different from the whistling quality of wheezing

文法句型

the wheezing

wheezing + of [person/animal]

用法筆記

This sense is uncountable and typically used with 'the' (the wheezing) or as a mass noun. Common before nouns like 'sound', 'noise', or 'cough'.

常見錯誤

He has wheezing in his ears.
He has wheezing in his chest/lungs.
💡wheezing comes from the respiratory system, not the ears.

2. a joke or funny story that has been told so many times that almost everyone has

2.名詞C1
釋義

a joke or funny story that has been told so many times that almost everyone has heard it before, especially one used by comedians or performers in a show

例句

The comedian's opening wheeze about airline food got a weak laugh from the crowd.

collocation: opening wheeze about [topic]

Andrés rolled his eyes at his uncle's old wheeze about the missing suitcase.

informal register: old wheeze about

同義詞
  • chestnut

    an even more informal, slightly old-fashioned word for a familiar joke or story

  • oldie

    a casual term for any old joke, song, or story

文法句型

a/the wheeze

old wheeze about [topic]

用法筆記

Chiefly British in current use. This sense has an old-fashioned, slightly affectionate tone when referring to a joke — it is not as negative as 'cliché' (sense 3 below). Often modified by 'old' or 'familiar'.

常見錯誤

He told a new wheeze at the party.
He told an old wheeze at the party.
💡a wheeze is by definition an old, familiar joke, not a new one.

3. an overused remark, opinion, or proverb that has lost its impact and sounds bori

3.名詞C1
釋義

an overused remark, opinion, or proverb that has lost its impact and sounds boring because people say it far too often

例句

Dewi was tired of the wheeze that what does not kill you makes you stronger.

collocation: the same old wheeze that [proverb]

The article was full of tired wheezes about teamwork and pulling together.

同義詞
  • cliché

    the standard term for an overused expression; more common and less informal than 'wheeze'

  • platitude

    a boring statement about a moral or emotional topic that sounds important but is not helpful

文法句型

the same old wheezes

wheeze about [topic]

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 2 (OLD JOKE), which refers to a specific joke or funny story. This sense refers to general sayings, proverbs, and conventional wisdom. More negative in tone than sense 2.

常見錯誤

That new movie quote is a wheeze.
That old saying about time healing everything is a wheeze.
💡wheezes are overused phrases, not new quotes.

wheezing — verb