disturb
disturb — verb
1. to stop someone's current activity by making a noise, entering their space, or a
to stop someone's current activity by making a noise, entering their space, or asking them a question
A loud signal from a passing train disturbed everyone in the meeting room.
passive: be disturbed by [noise source]
Tariro did not want to disturb the class, so she entered very quietly.
disturb + group + negative intention
The night-shift nurse tried not to disturb the sleeping patients.
Nora's younger brother disturbed her by playing drums at full volume.
Lower the volume so the music does not disturb the neighbours.
- leave alone
casual — not interfering with someone
- keep quiet
idiomatic — remaining silent so as not to disturb
文法句型
disturb + person/activity
disturb + person + by + gerund
do not disturb
用法筆記
Commonly used in polite formulas: 'Sorry to disturb you' is a standard opener before interrupting someone's work. The phrase 'do not disturb' commonly appears on signs hung on doors. This sense is broader than 'interrupt' — it applies to any activity, not just speech.
常見錯誤
2. to behave in a noisy, violent, or offensive way in a public place, creating a si
to behave in a noisy, violent, or offensive way in a public place, creating a situation that breaks laws about public order
Fans disturbed the peace by shouting and letting off fireworks after the match.
disturb + the peace + by + noisy behaviour
The police arrested Walid for disturbing the peace during the street festival.
legal: arrest for disturbing the peace
Residents complained that the night club was disturbing public order every weekend.
It is against the law to disturb the peace by fighting in a public park.
- disrupt public order
more formal, official phrasing
- cause a disturbance
used in police reports and complaints
- keep the peace
opposite action — maintaining quiet and good order
文法句型
disturb + the peace
disturb + public order
用法筆記
The legal term 'disturb the peace' has a specific meaning in many jurisdictions, covering noise, fighting, threats, or other disorderly behaviour in public. The object is almost always 'the peace' or 'public order'. This sense is not used for quiet, private interruptions.
常見錯誤
3. to make someone feel anxious, upset, or emotionally unsettled, especially about
to make someone feel anxious, upset, or emotionally unsettled, especially about something unexpected or unpleasant — for example, news of an accident, a frightening image, or a worrying change
The news about the earthquake disturbed Ava deeply, and she could not sleep.
deeply disturbed + by [event]
It disturbed Rafael to see his grandmother looking so weak after the operation.
it disturbs + person + to see/hear
The teacher was disturbed by how quiet the classroom had become.
Hui found nothing in the medical report that would disturb her family.
文法句型
disturb + person
it disturbs + person + that-clause
disturb + person + to see/hear/learn
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive voice ('I was disturbed by...'). This sense is stronger than 'worry' — it suggests deeper emotional distress or unease. The subject is usually an event, news, image, or sight, not a person deliberately causing upset.
常見錯誤
4. to change the position of something so that it is no longer in its proper place,
to change the position of something so that it is no longer in its proper place, often leaving things untidy or disorganised
Someone had disturbed the papers on the desk while Tyler was away from his office.
passive: had been disturbed
The wind disturbed the pile of leaves that Indra had just swept together.
Do not disturb the crime scene until the police have finished their investigation.
The cat disturbed the cushions on the sofa while the owners were out.
- disarrange
more formal; specifically about orderliness
- displace
suggests moving something to a different location
- mess up
informal; makes things untidy
- leave in place
not altering something's position
- keep tidy
maintaining order
文法句型
disturb + object
passive: had been disturbed
用法筆記
Often used in passive voice or in warnings/instructions. The object is typically a physical arrangement of items — papers, furniture, bedding, evidence. It is not used for large objects that stay in place.