bent
bent — adjective
1. having a curved or angled shape, instead of being even and flat or pointing in a
having a curved or angled shape, instead of being even and flat or pointing in a single line.
Rashida picked up the bent nail and tried to hammer it back into shape.
bent + concrete object
Grandma walks slowly with her back slightly bent after years of farm work.
bent describing a body part
Otto found her glasses bent at one corner after sitting on them.
Keep your knees bent while you lift the heavy box from the floor.
The old fence post was bent so far over that it almost touched the grass.
文法句型
bent + body part / object
bent out of [shape]
用法筆記
Often describes a thing or body part that has been forced out of its normal straight shape. Frequently follows verbs like 'be', 'get', and 'keep'.
常見錯誤
2. willing to break the law or accept bribes, especially when the person is a polic
willing to break the law or accept bribes, especially when the person is a police officer, judge, or other official.
The journalist exposed a group of bent officers who were taking money from drug dealers.
a bent + [official]
Everyone in the small town suspected that the mayor was bent.
predicate use: be + bent
Detective Hayes refused to work with a bent lawyer, no matter how much money was offered.
Rumours of bent referees almost destroyed the league last season.
文法句型
a bent + [official / professional]
用法筆記
Informal British usage and almost always applied to people in positions of trust or power, such as police, politicians, or judges. Distinguish from sense 1 (NOT STRAIGHT): this sense describes character, not physical shape.
常見錯誤
3. fixed on doing or getting something, usually something harmful or troublesome, a
fixed on doing or getting something, usually something harmful or troublesome, and refusing to be turned aside.
Tariq was bent on revenge after his brother was cheated out of the family land.
bent on + abstract noun
The new manager seems bent on cutting every job she can find.
bent on + -ing clause
Hiro's little brother was bent on climbing the tallest tree in the park.
Some politicians appear bent on starting a fight with anyone who disagrees with them.
- determined
neutral; can describe good or bad goals
- intent
more formal; followed by 'on' with similar meaning
- set
informal; 'set on' means firmly decided, less negative than 'bent on'
- uninterested
having no strong wish to pursue something
- indifferent
not caring whether the goal is reached
文法句型
bent on + -ing
bent on + noun
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'on' plus an -ing form or noun. The goal is usually one the speaker disapproves of, so the word carries a mildly negative tone.
常見錯誤
bent — noun
1. a strong personal liking or natural ability for a certain kind of activity, whic
a strong personal liking or natural ability for a certain kind of activity, which often shapes the work or hobbies a person chooses.
From early childhood, Hiro showed a clear bent for solving puzzles and number games.
a bent for + -ing
The young engineer had a practical bent and preferred building things to drawing them.
a + adjective + bent
Mr. Pia encouraged the students whose bent was clearly toward music rather than sport.
Although Otto trained as a lawyer, her real bent was for writing short stories.
- inclination
more formal; emphasises preference rather than talent
- aptitude
stresses ability; less about personal taste
- flair
stresses an attractive, stylish skill, often noticed by others
- aversion
a strong dislike for something, the opposite kind of pull
文法句型
a bent for + noun / -ing
a [adjective] bent
用法筆記
Usually a singular noun preceded by 'a' or a possessive (her bent, his bent). Most often followed by 'for' plus a noun or -ing form, or 'toward(s)' a field. Frequently paired with adjectives like 'natural', 'practical', 'artistic', or 'religious' to describe the kind of inclination.