flake
flake — noun
- flakesingular
- flakesplural
1. a tiny, flat fragment that separates from a larger object or surface, such as pa
a tiny, flat fragment that separates from a larger object or surface, such as paint, snow, or dry skin
Snow was falling in large, soft flakes that covered the garden by morning.
collocation: snow flakes / soft flakes
Constanza brushed the paint flakes off her shoulder after scraping the old window frame.
The baker sprinkled oat flakes over each muffin before putting them in the oven.
Small flakes of dry skin fell from the dog's coat during the winter months.
Lotte added a few flakes of sea salt to the boiling water for the pasta.
文法句型
a flake of [material]
[material] flakes
用法筆記
Often used with 'of' to show what the flake is made from, for example 'flakes of paint', 'flakes of snow', or 'flakes of chocolate'.
常見錯誤
2. someone who regularly forgets commitments or fails to follow through on promises
someone who regularly forgets commitments or fails to follow through on promises
Iris said she would help with the fundraiser, but she is a flake who never shows up.
informal: describes an unreliable person
Samir stopped inviting Luca to group projects because Luca is a complete flake who always cancels at the last minute.
collocation: complete flake
Do not be such a flake — if you said you would drive, then drive.
Tamar used to be reliable, but now she is a complete flake who forgets every appointment.
- flaky person
slightly less strong than 'flake' alone, suggests someone who tends to cancel plans
- no-show
someone who does not arrive at a scheduled event, often used in appointments or bookings
- reliable person
someone who always does what they promise
文法句型
a flake
such a flake
total/complete flake
用法筆記
This sense is very informal and is common in US English conversation. 'Flake' as a noun for a person can be seen as insulting; use it carefully in professional or polite settings.
常見錯誤
flake — verb
- flakepresent simple I / you / we / they
- flakes3rd person singular
- flaking-ing form
- flakedpast simple
1. to come off in tiny flat layers, typically because the surface coating is old, d
to come off in tiny flat layers, typically because the surface coating is old, dry, or damaged
The paint on the bathroom wall is starting to flake because of all the moisture.
After years in the sun, the red paint on the old barn door had completely flaked off.
phrasal: flake off
Obi's sunburned shoulders began to flake badly after his trip to the beach.
Plaster from the ceiling flaked down onto the dining table during the night.
Niran used a special cream to stop his dry skin from flaking in the cold air.
- adhere
to stick firmly to a surface, the opposite of flaking away
文法句型
[intransitive] to flake (off/away)
[noun] flakes off [surface]
用法筆記
Frequently used with particles 'off' or 'away' to describe the direction of the falling material. Subject is usually a coating, layer, or surface such as 'paint', 'plaster', 'skin', or 'varnish'.
常見錯誤
2. to fail to do something you had agreed to do, especially by not showing up when
to fail to do something you had agreed to do, especially by not showing up when expected
Our team had five people, but two flaked on the day of the presentation.
collocation: flake on [event]
Omar was supposed to get the tickets, but he flaked and ignored his phone.
Eri promised to come to dinner, but flaked at the last minute because she felt tired.
If you flake on this interview, the company probably will not give you another chance.
- bail (out)
informal, means to leave or withdraw from a situation at the last moment
- back out
to decide not to do something you had promised, often causing disappointment
- show up
to arrive as promised; to do what you said you would do
文法句型
[intransitive] to flake (on [someone/something])
to flake out
用法筆記
Distinguish from noun sense 2 (a 'flake' as a person): the verb describes the action of failing to follow through. Common in American teenage and young-adult conversation.
常見錯誤
3. to separate or break into thin layers or small pieces, either naturally or by pr
to separate or break into thin layers or small pieces, either naturally or by pressing with a tool
The pastry flakes beautifully when you press it lightly with a fork.
Mayumi carefully flaked the cooked salmon with a fork before adding it to the salad.
transitive: flake [food] with a fork
As the rock dried out, it began to flake into thin layers that crumbled easily.
The baker showed the students how to flake the dough by folding it over and over again.
文法句型
[transitive] to flake [food/rock] into [pieces]
[intransitive] to flake into [layers]
用法筆記
In cooking, 'flake' is used for food that naturally separates into thin pieces when cooked, such as fish or pastry. As a transitive verb, it often takes 'with a fork' as the instrument.