climb
climb — verb
1. to move upward through air or along a surface toward a higher point, often witho
to move upward through air or along a surface toward a higher point, often without the direct use of hands
The hot air balloon climbed slowly above the village.
climb + adverb: slow upward movement
A thin trail of smoke climbed from the chimney into the morning sky.
The hiking trail climbs steeply for the first two kilometres.
Aiko watched the kite climb higher as the wind grew stronger.
- descend
to move downward
文法句型
climb + adverb/preposition (upward direction)
常見錯誤
2. to move upward over a steep surface such as a tree, rock face, or set of stairs
to move upward over a steep surface such as a tree, rock face, or set of stairs by pulling with your arms and pushing with your legs
Nadia climbed the old oak tree to reach the rope swing hanging from a branch.
transitive: climb + noun (tree)
Yusuf climbed over the garden wall after he dropped his keys on the other side.
climb + over: crossing an obstacle
The children climbed the stairs two at a time on their way up to bed.
Beatriz has been climbing since she was seven and now competes in national tournaments.
- descend
to go down from something
文法句型
climb + noun phrase (tree/wall/mountain)
climb + adverb/preposition (up/over/onto)
用法筆記
The object of this sense is always a physical thing you go up using effort: stairs, a hill, a ladder, a tree, a mountain. In sports contexts, 'climb' alone can mean the sport of rock climbing.
常見錯誤
3. to become greater in amount, value, or level, especially in a gradual way over t
to become greater in amount, value, or level, especially in a gradual way over time
The company's profits climbed by fifteen percent during the last quarter.
climb + by + percentage
Temperatures in Tokyo climbed above forty degrees for three days in a row.
climb + above + number
As demand for electric cars grew, the price of lithium climbed steadily.
Unemployment climbed to six percent after the factory closed down.
文法句型
climb + adverb (steadily/sharply/gradually)
climb + preposition + noun (to/by)
用法筆記
Used for gradual upward movement in numbers, prices, rates, or temperatures. For sudden or large increases, use 'soar', 'surge', or 'jump'.
常見錯誤
4. to reach a more important or powerful position in a profession, organisation, or
to reach a more important or powerful position in a profession, organisation, or society
Hana climbed from receptionist to regional manager in just seven years.
climb + from + to: career trajectory
Ravi hoped to climb the corporate ladder by taking on difficult projects.
idiom: climb the corporate ladder
Many young lawyers dream of climbing to a partner position at a top firm.
Noa climbed to the top of her field through years of careful research.
- decline
to move to a lower position or status
文法句型
climb + preposition + noun (to/into/up)
climb + adverb (higher)
用法筆記
Often used with 'the corporate ladder' or 'the ranks'. The upward direction is metaphorical — the person's actual body is not moving.
常見錯誤
5. to get into, out of, or through a narrow or awkward space by using your hands, a
to get into, out of, or through a narrow or awkward space by using your hands, arms, and legs with some effort
Wen climbed out of the broken window after the front door jammed shut.
climb + out of: escaping a space
Tomás climbed through the narrow gap in the fence to reach the garden.
climb + through: passing a tight opening
The firefighter climbed into the smashed car to help the injured driver.
The cat climbed onto the roof of the shed and refused to come back down.
文法句型
climb + into/out of/through/over + noun phrase
用法筆記
Always followed by an adverb or preposition showing direction (into, out of, through, over, onto). This sense contrasts with sense 2 because here the movement may be horizontal or even downward through a tight space.
常見錯誤
6. to grow upward while attaching to a surface or support, as creeping plants and v
to grow upward while attaching to a surface or support, as creeping plants and vines do
The ivy climbed all the way up the side of the old stone cottage.
plant subject + climb + up
Climbing roses climbed over the garden wall and covered it in pink flowers.
The wisteria vine climbed along the wooden beams of the veranda.
Morning glory plants climbed up the trellis and created a shady spot on the patio.
文法句型
climb + adverb/preposition (up/over/along)
用法筆記
Used only for plants that naturally grow upward by clinging to or wrapping around something. Common subjects: ivy, roses, vines, wisteria, morning glory, clematis.
常見錯誤
7. to slope or slant upward from a lower point to a higher point, describing the sh
to slope or slant upward from a lower point to a higher point, describing the shape of land or a surface
The road climbs gently from the valley floor up to the mountain pass.
road/path + climb + adverb
The garden path climbs gradually toward the back of the property through tall grass.
The trail climbs steeply for about a mile before it reaches the ridge.
The driveway climbs at a sharp angle from the main road up to the garage.
- rise
more general; can describe any upward direction
- slope upward
more technical; describes gradient specifically
文法句型
climb + adverb (gently/steeply)
subject: road/path/trail + climb
用法筆記
The subject is a path, road, trail, or section of land — not a person or animal. This sense simply describes the gradient.
climb — noun
1. an act or journey of moving upward to a higher place, especially one that requir
an act or journey of moving upward to a higher place, especially one that requires physical effort
The climb up the hill took the Okonkwo family forty minutes with their bags.
the climb + up + noun phrase
Amara felt proud after completing her first climb to the top of a mountain.
The long climb left the hikers exhausted but happy when they reached the summit.
The hikers' climb through the forest was slow because the ground was wet and slippery.
- descent
the act of going down
文法句型
a/the climb + preposition + noun (of/up/to)
用法筆記
Often used with adjectives like 'long', 'steep', 'difficult', 'hard', 'easy'. The object of the climb follows 'of' or 'up': 'the climb of the mountain', 'the climb up the hill'.
2. a steep surface, route, or section of ground that is suitable for being climbed,
a steep surface, route, or section of ground that is suitable for being climbed, often in a sporting or hiking context
The cliff at the forest edge is a popular climb for experienced mountaineers.
popular climb: a place people go to climb
This trail section is a steep climb that requires good boots and careful footing.
The guidebook describes five new climbs in the national park that opened this season.
The final climb before the campsite is a steep section of loose rocks.
文法句型
a + adjective + climb
用法筆記
In rock climbing, 'a climb' means a specific route up a rock face, graded by difficulty. In hiking, it means a steep section of a trail.