Clout - English meaning

noun

A condition or circumstance that puts one in a favourable or superior position.

Usage examples:

Companies with a computerized database are at an advantage

verb

Put in a favourable or superior position.

Usage examples:

Are we simply caught in a spiral here that will be destructive of our interests while, obviously, s…

noun

A condition that helps you or gives you a greater chance of success

Usage examples:

[ c ] his long arms give him a big advantage over other boxers., [ u ] test scores show no advantag…

noun

The power or right to give orders, make decisions, and enforce obedience.

Usage examples:

He had absolute authority over his subordinates

noun

The power to control or demand obedience from others

Usage examples:

[ u ] the police have no legal authority in these disputes., [ u ] we have to find someone in autho…

noun

The official power to make decisions for other people or to tell them what they must do

Usage examples:

The executive committee can delegate authority to the chairperson., he did not have enough authorit…

noun

A sudden loud, sharp noise.

Usage examples:

The door slammed with a bang

verb

Strike or put down (something) forcefully and noisily.

Usage examples:

He began to bang the table with his fist

adverb

Exactly.

Usage examples:

The train arrived bang on time

verb

Strike repeatedly with hard blows.

Usage examples:

A prisoner was battered to death with a table leg

noun

A semi-liquid mixture of flour, egg, and milk or water, used for making pancakes or for coating food before frying.

Usage examples:

Pancake batter

noun

(in various sports, especially baseball) a player who is batting.

verb

Strike (a person or an animal) repeatedly and violently so as to hurt or injure them, typically with an implement such as a club or whip.

Usage examples:

If we were caught we were beaten

noun

A main accent or rhythmic unit in music or poetry.

Usage examples:

The glissando begins on the second beat

adjective

Short for beatnik.

noun

The flesh of a cow, bull, or ox, used as food.

Usage examples:

There was the smell of roast beef

verb

Complain.

Usage examples:

He was beefing about how the recession was killing the business

noun

The flesh of cattle eaten as meat

Usage examples:

A roast beef sandwich, my beef is, how come i’m not making as much as you?, stop beefing about havi…

noun

A strip of leather or other material worn, typically round the waist, to support or hold in clothes or to carry weapons.

Usage examples:

He tightened his leather belt an extra notch

verb

Fasten with a belt.

Usage examples:

She belted her raincoat firmly

noun

A strip of leather or other material worn around the waist

Usage examples:

A black leather belt, the corn belt (= area known for growing corn), he belted the ball out of the …

verb

Strike (someone) roughly or sharply with the fist.

Usage examples:

He biffed me on the nose

noun

A sharp blow with the fist.

Usage examples:

Even without an accident, standing passengers who lose their balance can and do unintentionally inf…

verb

To hit someone, especially with the fist (= closed hand)

Usage examples:

I biffed him on the jaw., a biff on the nose

verb

(of wind) move creating an air current.

Usage examples:

A cold breeze was blowing in off the sea

noun

A strong wind.

Usage examples:

We're in for a bit of a blow

noun

A powerful stroke with a hand, weapon, or hard object.

Usage examples:

He received a blow to the skull

noun

A dance to pop music.

Usage examples:

Nightlife is good, whether you're looking for a drink or a bop in the disco

verb

Short for bebop.

noun

A quick blow or punch.

Usage examples:

A sudden harsh wind blowing off the moor, an inattentive owner — no worries there — and off she'd b…

noun

A container with a flat base and sides, typically square or rectangular and having a lid.

Usage examples:

A cigarette box

verb

Put in or provide with a box.

Usage examples:

Each piece is boxed with a certificate of authenticity

noun

A slap with the hand on the side of a person's head.

Usage examples:

She gave him a box on the ear

noun

A meal consisting of several dishes from which guests serve themselves.

Usage examples:

A cold buffet lunch

verb

(especially of wind or waves) strike repeatedly and violently; batter.

Usage examples:

Rough seas buffeted the coast

noun

A blow or punch.

Usage examples:

Soothly, as he followed after me, i had a mind to turn about and deal him a buffet on the face, to …

noun

A flexible or spring-loaded device for holding an object or objects together or in place.

Usage examples:

He undid two clips and lifted the lid

verb

Fasten or be fastened with a clip or clips.

Usage examples:

She clipped on a pair of diamond earrings

noun

An act of clipping or trimming something.

Usage examples:

I gave him a full clip

verb

Hit (someone) hard.

Usage examples:

If he does that i'll clobber him!

noun

Clothing, personal belongings, or equipment.

Usage examples:

I found all his clobber in the locker

verb

Add enamelled decoration to (porcelain).

Usage examples:

The hateful practice of clobbering oriental porcelain, already begun, pointed a cheap and easy way …

verb

Hit (someone) hard.

Usage examples:

If he does that i'll clobber him!

verb

Add enamelled decoration to (porcelain).

Usage examples:

The hateful practice of clobbering oriental porcelain, already begun, pointed a cheap and easy way …

noun

Clothing, personal belongings, or equipment.

Usage examples:

I found all his clobber in the locker

noun

The power to influence or direct people's behaviour or the course of events.

Usage examples:

The whole operation is under the control of a production manager

verb

Determine the behaviour or supervise the running of.

Usage examples:

He was appointed to control the company's marketing strategy

verb

Power to direct or determine

noun

The end part of a sleeve, where the material of the sleeve is turned back or a separate band is sewn on.

Usage examples:

A red dress with a white lace collar and cuffs

verb

Secure with handcuffs.

Usage examples:

The man's hands were cuffed behind his back

noun

A blow given with an open hand.

Usage examples:

Luke gave flora a mild cuff

noun

Power and influence over others.

Usage examples:

The worldwide dominance of hollywood

noun

The quality of being more important, strong, or successful than anything else of the same type

Usage examples:

The party's dominance in scotland was being challenged for the first time., the dominance of the ca…

noun

The action of taking control of other people or animals in a forceful way, or the quality of liking to do this

Usage examples:

The new chairman appears to be trying to assert his dominance with a set of personnel changes., the…

noun

The exercise of power or influence over someone or something, or the state of being so controlled.

Usage examples:

The imperial domination of india

noun

The state of having control over people or a situation

Usage examples:

Her domination of the tennis world is undisputed.

noun

Power or control over other people or things

Usage examples:

The movie was about a group of robots set on world domination (= control of all countries).

noun

A tool with a heavy metal head mounted at right angles at the end of a handle, used for jobs such as breaking things and driving in nails.

Usage examples:

Grip pressure should be firm but not tight - about the way you would grip a hammer's handle while d…

verb

Another term for malleus.

proper noun

A british film company (full name hammer film productions) founded in 1948, known especially for its horror films.

Usage examples:

A hammer horror movie

verb

Bring one's hand or a tool or weapon into contact with (someone or something) quickly and forcefully.

Usage examples:

The woman hit the mugger with her umbrella

noun

An instance of striking or being struck.

Usage examples:

Few structures can withstand a hit from a speeding car

verb

Deal a blow to, either with the hand or with an instrument

noun

The capacity to have an effect on the character, development, or behaviour of someone or something, or the effect itself.

Usage examples:

The influence of television violence

verb

Have an influence on.

Usage examples:

Government regulations can influence behaviour, but often without changing underlying values and mo…

verb

A power to affect persons or events

verb

Strike a surface noisily to attract attention, especially when waiting to be let in through a door.

Usage examples:

He strolled over and knocked on a door marked enquiries

noun

A sudden short sound caused by a blow, especially on a door to attract attention or gain entry.

Usage examples:

There was a sudden knock at the door, the noise seemingly unnatural and loud in the silence that i …

verb

To repeatedly hit something, producing a noise

Usage examples:

Someone is knocking at the door., jane knocked on the window to attract his attention., alice accid…

idiom

To see someone or something for the first time

Usage examples:

Everyone keeps talking about patrick, but i've never clapped eyes on the man.

noun

The exertion of force by means of a lever.

Usage examples:

My spade hit something solid that wouldn't respond to leverage

verb

Use borrowed capital for (an investment), expecting the profits made to be greater than the interest payable.

Usage examples:

Without clear legal title to their assets, they own property that cannot be leveraged as collateral…

noun

The power to influence results

Usage examples:

Financial/political leverage, the us has very little leverage in that part of the world., they can …

noun

Comprehensive knowledge or skill in a particular subject or activity.

Usage examples:

She played with some mastery

noun

Great skill in a particular job or activity

Usage examples:

Louis armstrong’s mastery of the trumpet is legendary., only a singer of fitzgerald's mastery could…

noun

Complete control of something

Usage examples:

Her mastery of the situation

noun

A band or bundle of fibrous tissue in a human or animal body that has the ability to contract, producing movement in or maintaining the position of parts of the body.

Usage examples:

The calf muscle

verb

Move (an object) in a particular direction by using one's physical strength.

Usage examples:

They were muscling baggage into the hold of the plane

noun

A mass of tissue in the body, often attached to bones, that can tighten and relax to produce movement

Usage examples:

[ u ] republicans are flexing some political muscle., [ t ] starks muscled his way to the basket., …

noun

A unit of weight equal to 16 oz. avoirdupois (0.4536 kg), or 12 oz. troy (0.3732 kg).

Usage examples:

A short ton is the standard u.s. ton of 2,000 pounds and measures weight.

verb

Strike or hit heavily and repeatedly.

Usage examples:

Patrick pounded the couch with his fists

verb

Shut (an animal) in a pound.

noun

The ability or capacity to do something or act in a particular way.

Usage examples:

The power of speech

verb

Supply (a device) with mechanical or electrical energy.

Usage examples:

The car is powered by a fuel-injected 3.0-litre engine

noun

The ability or right to control people and events, or to influence the way people act or think in important ways

Usage examples:

The election results showed that the democrats had lost power, with republicans taking over five mo…

noun

Widespread respect and admiration felt for someone or something on the basis of a perception of their achievements or quality.

Usage examples:

The firm has recently gained considerable prestige

noun

Respect and admiration given to someone or something, usually because of a reputation for high quality, success, or social influence

Usage examples:

No one would go into this sort of work for the prestige., a prestigious school

noun

Respect or admiration that is given to someone or something, usually because of the reputation that they have for high quality, success, or social influence

Usage examples:

The company has gained international prestige in recent years., the prestige of working for a top w…

verb

Exert force on (someone or something) so as to cause movement towards oneself.

Usage examples:

He pulled them down on to the couch

noun

An act of pulling something.

Usage examples:

Give the hair a quick pull and it comes out by the roots

verb

Apply force so as to cause motion towards the source of the motion

verb

Strike repeatedly with the fists.

Usage examples:

He felt like a boxer who had been pummelled mercilessly against the ropes

verb

Strike, usually with the fist

verb

Strike with the fist.

Usage examples:

He punched her in the face and ran off

noun

A blow with the fist.

Usage examples:

He reeled under the well-aimed punch

verb

A device or machine for making holes in materials such as paper, leather, or metal.

noun

A position in the hierarchy of the armed forces.

Usage examples:

An army officer of high rank

verb

Give (someone or something) a rank or place within a grading system.

Usage examples:

Students ranked the samples in order of preference

adjective

(of vegetation) growing too thickly and coarsely.

Usage examples:

Clumps of rank grass

verb

Strike (a hard surface) with a series of rapid audible blows, especially in order to attract attention.

Usage examples:

He stood up and rapped the table

noun

A quick, sharp knock or blow.

Usage examples:

There was a confident rap at the door

noun

The smallest amount (used for emphasis).

Usage examples:

He doesn't care a rap whether it's true or not

verb

Utter words so as to convey information, an opinion, a feeling or intention, or an instruction.

Usage examples:

‘thank you,’ he said

exclamation

Used to express surprise or to draw attention to a remark or question.

Usage examples:

Say, did you notice any blood?

noun

An opportunity for stating one's opinion or feelings.

Usage examples:

She let him have his say

verb

Hit or strike with the palm of the hand or a flat object.

Usage examples:

My sister slapped my face

noun

A blow with the palm of the hand or a flat object.

Usage examples:

He gave her a slap across her cheek

adverb

Suddenly and directly, especially with great force.

Usage examples:

Storming out of her room, she went slap into luke

noun

A sharp slap or blow, typically one given with the palm of the hand.

Usage examples:

She gave mark a smack across the face

verb

Strike (someone or something), typically with the palm of the hand and as a punishment.

Usage examples:

Jessica smacked his face, quite hard

adverb

In a sudden and violent way.

Usage examples:

I ran smack into the back of a parked truck

noun

A garment for the foot and lower part of the leg, typically knitted from wool, cotton, or nylon.

Usage examples:

In more formal settings, black over-the-calf stretch nylon cotton or wool socks are fitting.

verb

Hit forcefully.

Usage examples:

Jess socked his father across the face

verb

Hosiery consisting of a cloth covering for the foot

verb

Slap with one's open hand or a flat object, especially on the buttocks as a punishment.

Usage examples:

She was spanked for spilling ink on the carpet

noun

A slap or series of slaps with one's open hand or a flat object.

Usage examples:

When his father caught him he got a spank

verb

To hit someone, esp. a child, with the hand on the buttocks, usually as a punishment

Usage examples:

[ u ] my parents didn’t believe in spanking.

adjective

(especially of a horse or its gait) lively; brisk.

Usage examples:

A spanking trot

noun

An act of slapping, especially on the buttocks as a punishment for children.

Usage examples:

You deserve a good spanking like any spoiled child

verb

Slap with one's open hand or a flat object, especially on the buttocks as a punishment.

Usage examples:

She was spanked for spilling ink on the carpet

noun

Position, status, or reputation.

Usage examples:

Their standing in the community

adjective

(of a jump or a start in a running race) performed from rest or an upright position, without a run-up or the use of starting blocks.

Usage examples:

I took a standing jump

verb

Have or maintain an upright position, supported by one's feet.

Usage examples:

Lionel stood in the doorway

noun

A person's natural height.

Usage examples:

A man of short stature

verb

Hit forcibly and deliberately with one's hand or a weapon or other implement.

Usage examples:

He raised his hand, as if to strike me

noun

A refusal to work organized by a body of employees as a form of protest, typically in an attempt to gain a concession or concessions from their employer.

Usage examples:

Dockers voted for an all-out strike

verb

Deliver a sharp blow, as with the hand, fist, or weapon

verb

Move or cause to move slowly or rhythmically backwards and forwards or from side to side.

Usage examples:

He swayed slightly on his feet

noun

A rhythmical movement from side to side.

Usage examples:

The easy sway of her hips

verb

Move back and forth

verb

Hit or try to hit with a swinging blow.

Usage examples:

She swiped me right across the nose

noun

A sweeping blow.

Usage examples:

He missed the ball with his first swipe

verb

A sweeping stroke or blow

noun

A yellowish-brown colour.

Usage examples:

The overall colour scheme of tan and cream

verb

(of a person or their skin) become brown or darkened after exposure to the sun.

Usage examples:

You'll tan very quickly in the pure air

adjective

Of a yellowish-brown colour.

Usage examples:

A tan baseball cap with orange piping

noun

A device by which a flow of liquid or gas from a pipe or container can be controlled.

Usage examples:

She turned the cold tap on

verb

Draw liquid through the tap or spout of (a cask, barrel, or other container).

Usage examples:

Several barrels had been tapped to celebrate old victories

noun

A quick light blow, or the sound of such a blow.

Usage examples:

There was a sharp tap at the door

noun

Each of a set of hard, bony enamel-coated structures in the jaws of most vertebrates, used for biting and chewing.

Usage examples:

He clenched his teeth

plural noun

Pl of tooth

Usage examples:

This committee can make recommendations but it has no real teeth to enforce them.

verb

Beat (a person or animal) repeatedly and violently with a stick or whip.

Usage examples:

She thrashed him across the head and shoulders

noun

A violent or noisy movement of beating or thrashing.

Usage examples:

The thrash of the waves

verb

Give a beating to

verb

Hit or strike heavily, especially with the fist or a blunt implement.

Usage examples:

Holman thumped the desk with his hand

noun

A dull, heavy blow with a person's fist or a blunt implement.

Usage examples:

I felt a thump on my back

verb

To hit something, making a soft, heavy noise

Usage examples:

[ t ] he thumped his chest., i heard a thump upstairs.

verb

Strike or hit very hard.

Usage examples:

They walloped the back of his head with a stick

noun

A heavy blow or punch.

Usage examples:

I gave it a wallop with my boot

noun

A body's relative mass or the quantity of matter contained by it, giving rise to a downward force; the heaviness of a person or thing.

Usage examples:

He was at least fifteen stone in weight

verb

Hold (something) down by placing a heavy object on top of it.

Usage examples:

A mug half filled with coffee weighted down a stack of papers

verb

Strike forcefully with a sharp blow.

Usage examples:

His attacker whacked him on the head

noun

A sharp or resounding blow.

Usage examples:

With a few whacks and some loud whistles, they drove the animals away

verb

The act of hitting vigorously