crank
crank — noun
- cranksingular
- cranksplural
1. A person whose ideas or behavior seem so odd or unusual that other people do not
A person whose ideas or behavior seem so odd or unusual that other people do not take them seriously.
The old man who writes to the newspaper about alien invasions is dismissed as a harmless crank.
dismissed as a harmless crank
Some people called the inventor a crank, but his designs later proved to be ahead of their time.
The local library gets at least one crank call a week from someone reporting a conspiracy.
The city council learned to ignore the cranks who showed up to every meeting with wild accusations.
- eccentric
more neutral, less dismissive
- oddball
informal, often affectionate
- conspiracy theorist
more specific — someone who believes in hidden plots
文法句型
a + crank
the + crank + of + place
用法筆記
Often carries a dismissive tone — calling someone a crank implies their views lack credibility. The compound 'crank call' (a prank or nuisance phone call) derives from this sense.
常見錯誤
2. Someone who is habitually irritable and easily annoyed, often complaining about
Someone who is habitually irritable and easily annoyed, often complaining about small things.
The old ticket collector was a bit of a crank and would scold passengers who asked questions.
a bit of a crank
Aunt Rosa turns into a real crank whenever she misses her afternoon cup of tea.
turns into a real crank
Nobody wanted to share a taxi with the crank who complained all the way to the airport.
The night-shift nurse was known as a crank until she had her first coffee break.
- grouch
more informal, often light-hearted
- grump
similar meaning, slightly milder
- curmudgeon
more formal, describes an older irritable person
文法句型
a + crank
turn into a crank
用法筆記
Can be used affectionately ('the old crank next door') when the irritability is seen as a familiar quirk rather than a serious flaw.
常見錯誤
3. A bent metal arm or handle that you rotate to operate a machine, converting push
A bent metal arm or handle that you rotate to operate a machine, converting push-pull motion into spinning motion and back again.
The mechanic turned the crank to lift the heavy engine out of the car body.
turned the crank
On old steam trains, the driver had to pull a long crank to open the boiler door.
The bicycle pedals are attached to a crank that transfers power to the rear wheel.
A hand crank on the side of the emergency radio generates electricity when you turn it.
文法句型
a + crank
turn + a + crank
用法筆記
The crank is a fundamental mechanical component found in engines, bicycles, pumps, and hand-operated devices. A 'crankshaft' is the larger shaft that multiple cranks attach to in an engine.
4. A crystallized, highly addictive form of the illegal stimulant methamphetamine,
A crystallized, highly addictive form of the illegal stimulant methamphetamine, typically smoked or injected.
Police shut down three houses where crank was being made and sold in the neighborhood.
crank was being made and sold
The documentary followed the stories of families destroyed by crank addiction in rural towns.
crank addiction
Doctors warned that crank users face a high risk of overdose because the drug is very strong.
Undercover officers bought a bag of crank from a dealer at a gas station parking lot.
- meth
shorter, more common term
- crystal meth
less informal, clearer for non-native speakers
- speed
broader — can refer to various amphetamines
文法句型
use + crank
be addicted to + crank
sell + crank
用法筆記
Regional slang term, most common in American English. 'Crystal meth' or simply 'meth' are more widely understood alternatives.
crank — verb
- crankpresent simple I / you / we / they
- cranks3rd person singular
- cranking-ing form
- crankedpast simple
1. To operate a device by rotating its crank or handle, or to move something by wor
To operate a device by rotating its crank or handle, or to move something by working its crank mechanism.
The firefighter cranked the valve to release water from the hydrant onto the street.
cranked the valve
The bus driver cranked the side window open to let in fresh air.
cranked the side window open
The groundskeeper cranked at the old iron gate until the rusted lock finally gave way.
The soldier cranked the field radio handle to generate enough power for a signal.
文法句型
crank + object
crank at/on something
用法筆記
Often followed by 'up' (crank up the window) or 'down' (crank down the screen). In informal American English, 'crank up' also means to increase volume or intensity — but that is a different sense.
常見錯誤
2. To make an engine begin running by rotating a crank or activating the starter me
To make an engine begin running by rotating a crank or activating the starter mechanism, particularly with older vehicles or machinery.
The driver cranked the old truck's engine three times before it finally roared to life.
cranked the old truck's engine
Before electric starters were invented, drivers had to crank their cars by hand just to get going.
The pilot cranked the propeller of the small aircraft to start the motor for takeoff.
The farmer cranked the tractor engine on a freezing morning and waited for the diesel to warm up.
文法句型
crank + engine
crank + motor
用法筆記
Has become less common with modern vehicles that use electric starters. Now most often used about vintage cars, boats, aircraft, or farm machinery.
常見錯誤
3. To move, extend, or travel in a winding, twisting, or zigzag manner rather than
To move, extend, or travel in a winding, twisting, or zigzag manner rather than a straight line.
The narrow hiking trail cranked up the mountainside through a thick pine forest.
trail cranked up the mountainside
The river cranked back and forth across the valley floor through several small villages.
river cranked back and forth
The country road cranks sharply to the left just before the old stone bridge.
文法句型
path/road + cranks + direction
crank + through/across
用法筆記
Uncommon in everyday speech. Most speakers use 'wind', 'twist', or 'zigzag' instead. Typically describes roads, rivers, paths, or something moving irregularly.
crank — adjective
- crankpositive
- crankercomparative
- crankestsuperlative
1. Describes a boat that tilts or tips over very easily, especially in windy condit
Describes a boat that tilts or tips over very easily, especially in windy conditions or when weight shifts on board.
The small sailing dinghy felt very crank in the afternoon gusts, so the captain ordered everyone to sit low.
felt very crank in the afternoon gusts
These racing yachts are designed to be deliberately crank so they can turn fast in light wind.
deliberately crank
The old sailor warned the children that the wooden rowboat was too crank to take out in rough weather.
文法句型
boat + is + crank
feel + crank
用法筆記
A specialist term used among sailors and boat designers. In general English, 'unstable' or 'tippy' would be more widely understood.