clap
clap — verb
1. to bring your palms together sharply so that they produce a short, loud sound, o
to bring your palms together sharply so that they produce a short, loud sound, often as a signal or to get someone's attention.
Leila clapped her hands twice, and the waiter came over with the menu.
clap + possessive + hands to signal
The teacher clapped once, and the noisy students stopped talking.
intransitive: single sharp clap for attention
Ravi clapped the chalk dust from his palms before picking up the ruler.
Aiko clapped her hands to call the dogs back inside the house.
The drummers clapped their sticks together to mark the start of the parade.
文法句型
clap + hands
clap (no object)
用法筆記
This sense describes a single sharp clap or a short series of claps made to produce a sound, not the sustained applause of an audience. When used transitively, the object is usually 'hands' or 'palms.'
常見錯誤
2. to repeatedly bring your palms together to make a sound, showing that you liked
to repeatedly bring your palms together to make a sound, showing that you liked a show, support an idea, or think well of someone.
The whole audience clapped for nearly five minutes after the final song.
intransitive: clap for duration
Everyone clapped when the head teacher finished her speech about the new library.
clap + when-clause for timing
The children clapped with joy as the magician pulled a white rabbit from his hat.
Priya's classmates clapped loudly when her name was called for the top prize.
The crowd stood up and clapped for the firefighters who had saved the school.
- applaud
more formal; can take a direct object ('applaud the decision')
- cheer
involves shouting, not just hand-clapping
- give someone a hand
informal phrase meaning to clap for someone
文法句型
clap + for + noun
clap (no object)
用法筆記
Unlike 'applaud,' which can take a direct object ('applaud the singer'), this sense of 'clap' is rarely used transitively with a person as object. Use 'clap for someone' instead of 'clap someone.'
常見錯誤
3. to place someone or something in a position with a swift, abrupt motion, often t
to place someone or something in a position with a swift, abrupt motion, often to cover, shut, or hold still.
Diego clapped a hand over his mouth to stop himself from laughing out loud.
clap + hand over + body part (covering motion)
Hana clapped the book shut and ran to answer the ringing phone.
clap + object + shut (closing motion)
Tomás clapped his hat onto his head and dashed out into the rain.
The police officer clapped the thief in handcuffs before he could run away.
Yara clapped a bandage over the cut on her brother's finger.
文法句型
clap + object + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
Always transitive and almost always followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase that indicates the destination, covering, or closing motion. Common patterns include clap a hand over, clap shut, and clap in/on/onto.
4. to hit someone gently on the shoulder, arm, or back with an open hand as a way o
to hit someone gently on the shoulder, arm, or back with an open hand as a way of showing friendliness, praise, or encouragement.
Kofi clapped his teammate on the back after they won the final match.
clap + on the back — congratulatory gesture
The coach clapped Yara on the shoulder and told her she had played well.
clap + on the shoulder — encouragement
Nadia clapped her son gently on the arm to wake him for school.
Rohan clapped Theo on the back and congratulated him on the promotion.
The old man clapped the boy on the shoulder and smiled warmly.
文法句型
clap + person + on + body part
用法筆記
The object is always a person, and the body part that receives the clap is introduced by the preposition 'on.' The direct object of the verb is the person, not the body part.
常見錯誤
clap — noun
1. a sudden burst of sound produced by people striking their hands together to show
a sudden burst of sound produced by people striking their hands together to show enjoyment, approval, or admiration.
A loud clap broke out from the audience as the band left the stage.
a + adjective + clap + from + noun
The speaker received a warm clap at the end of her inspiring talk.
receive + a + adjective + clap
There was a brief clap, and then the hall fell completely silent.
A huge clap went through the crowd when the winning goal was scored.
Applause ended the show, then a single loud clap from the back row.
文法句型
a + clap + of + noun
clap + from + noun
用法筆記
Usually singular and refers to the collective sound of multiple people clapping. 'A clap' contrasts with 'a round of applause,' which suggests sustained clapping.
2. a single, sudden, very loud noise that comes from thunder during a storm.
a single, sudden, very loud noise that comes from thunder during a storm.
A loud clap of thunder shook the windows and woke the baby.
a + adjective + clap of thunder
A sharp clap of thunder made the dog hide under the bed.
a + adjective + clap of thunder
We heard a distant clap of thunder as the storm moved toward the village.
Hana jumped at the sudden clap of thunder that followed a bright flash of lightning.
Another clap of thunder rolled across the sky, louder than the first one.
- thunderclap
means exactly the same but is a compound noun; slightly more formal
文法句型
clap + of + thunder
用法筆記
Almost always used in the fixed phrase 'a clap of thunder.' Does not apply to other types of loud noise such as explosions or doors slamming.
常見錯誤
3. a light, friendly hit with an open hand, usually on someone's back, shoulder, or
a light, friendly hit with an open hand, usually on someone's back, shoulder, or arm, meant to show encouragement or friendliness.
He gave Yusuf a warm clap on the shoulder as they said goodbye.
give + person + a + adjective + clap + on + body part
A friendly clap on the back from the coach lifted Rohan's spirits.
a + adjective + clap + on the back
She received a gentle clap on the arm from her grandfather.
The boys exchanged a quick clap on the back before the race began.
A quiet clap on the knee told Leila that her father was proud of her.
文法句型
clap + on + body part
用法筆記
The body part receiving the clap is introduced by 'on.' The phrase 'a clap on the back' is the most common pattern; 'a clap on the shoulder' and 'a clap on the arm' also occur.
常見錯誤
4. an informal and potentially offensive slang term for gonorrhoea, a sexually tran
an informal and potentially offensive slang term for gonorrhoea, a sexually transmitted infection.
The nurse explained that 'the clap' is an old-fashioned name for a bacterial infection.
the clap + is a name for — neutral factual framing
The health pamphlet said the clap can be treated with antibiotics if caught early.
In some old movies, characters mention the clap as a shameful secret.
The doctor used the medical term rather than the slang term the clap.
- gonorrhoea
the formal medical term; neutral and appropriate in all contexts
文法句型
the + clap
用法筆記
This term is dated, slang, and can be offensive or considered crude in polite conversation. It is almost always used with the definite article ('the clap'). Health professionals generally use 'gonorrhoea' instead.