flank

IPA/flæŋk/
KK[flˈæŋk]IPA/flæŋk/

flank — noun

  • flanksingular
  • flanksplural

1. the area on a person's or creature's body running from the lowest rib down to th

1.名詞B1
釋義

the area on a person's or creature's body running from the lowest rib down to the hip bone; also, meat cut from that section of the animal

例句

The doctor pressed gently on Reema's left flank to check for pain.

physical examination: press on patient's flank

Hugo felt a sharp pain in his flank after running the ten-kilometre race.

同義詞
  • side

    more general; any lateral surface of the body

  • loin

    refers to the lower back area rather than the side; more common for meat cuts

文法句型

the + flank + of + noun

flank + noun (compound)

用法筆記

Frequently paired with a possessive or direction word (left/right flank). When referring to meat, flank is a lean cut often used in Asian and Latin American cuisines.

常見錯誤

❌He injured his hip during the match.' (when meaning the side between ribs and hip).
✅He injured his flank during the match.
💡the hip is the joint where the leg meets the body; the flank is the soft area just above it.

2. either of the two long sides of a large object, especially a mountain, a hillsid

2.名詞B2
釋義

either of the two long sides of a large object, especially a mountain, a hillside, or a large building

例句

The western flank of the volcano is much steeper than the eastern side.

compass direction + flank + of + geographical feature

Marco's house sits on the southern flank of the hill overlooking the bay.

同義詞
  • side

    more general and informal; side works for any object size

  • face

    specifically of a mountain or cliff; suggests a vertical surface

文法句型

the + direction + flank + of + noun

用法筆記

Common with compass directions (northern/southern/eastern/western flank). Used for natural features and large human-made structures, not small objects.

常見錯誤

❌The book is on the flank of the shelf.' (bookshelf is too small).
✅The library occupies the northern flank of the square.
💡use flank only for large objects or areas.

3. either outermost edge of an army or naval fleet drawn up for combat; also, the t

3.名詞B2
釋義

either outermost edge of an army or naval fleet drawn up for combat; also, the two ends of a sports team's line-up on the pitch

例句

The general ordered the cavalry to circle around and strike the enemy's left flank.

military tactic: attack/protect the flank

A small group of soldiers managed to approach the flank from behind the ridge.

同義詞
  • wing

    common in both military and sports for the outer section of a formation

反義詞
  • centre

    the middle of a formation, opposite of the flank

文法句型

the + direction + flank

flank + of + noun

用法筆記

Often used in military and sports contexts with verbs like attack, protect, guard, cover, and strike. A force attacking the flank can gain a positional advantage.

常見錯誤

❌The goalkeeper stood at the flank.' (in football, the goalkeeper is in the centre).
✅The winger ran up the right flank.
💡flank describes the outer edges of the field, not the goal area.

4. in ball games such as football and hockey, one of the two outer areas of the pit

4.名詞B2
釋義

in ball games such as football and hockey, one of the two outer areas of the pitch near the touchline, or the players who operate in that part of the field

例句

Andrés passed the ball to the right flank for the winger to chase.

pass out to the flank (football)

Real Madrid focused their attacks down the right flank, Vinícius stretching the defence.

attack down the flank (football tactic)

同義詞
  • wing

    interchangeable in most sports contexts; 'wing' can also refer to a player position

反義詞
  • centre

    the middle area of the field

文法句型

down the + direction + flank

on the + direction + flank

用法筆記

Common in football (soccer), rugby, and hockey commentary. The flank is contrasted with the centre — attacks down the flank are wider but less direct.

常見錯誤

❌The flank scored a goal from outside the box.' — a player position, not a person.
✅The winger on the right flank scored from outside the box.
💡flank describes the area, not the player.

5. a rugby position on the outer edge of a scrum formation, whose main job is to ta

5.名詞C1
釋義

a rugby position on the outer edge of a scrum formation, whose main job is to tackle opponents and win back the ball

例句

Kenji plays as a flank in his school's under-eighteen rugby team.

plays as a flank (rugby position)

The flank must break away from the scrum quickly to tackle the opposing halfback.

同義詞
  • flanker

    the more common name for this position in modern rugby

文法句型

play as a flank

the flank + verb

用法筆記

There are two flank positions in rugby union: open-side flank and blind-side flank. In informal contexts, players are often just called 'flanks.'

flank — verb