gorilla
gorilla — noun
1. the largest type of ape, with a heavy body and thick black or brown fur, that li
the largest type of ape, with a heavy body and thick black or brown fur, that lives in the tropical forests of Africa and feeds mainly on plants, fruits, and leaves.
The zoo's new baby gorilla, Kian, quickly became a favourite with local families.
noun as subject describing animal behaviour
Amani spent a quiet hour watching a family of gorillas in the rainforest.
Gorillas live in troops, each led by an older male called a silverback.
Andrés wrote his biology report on how gorillas communicate using sounds and gestures.
Although gorillas look fierce, they are generally gentle and shy animals.
- ape
a broader category that includes gorillas, chimpanzees, orangutans, and gibbons
- primate
the scientific order that includes gorillas, monkeys, apes, and humans; more general and academic
- silverback
specifically an adult male gorilla, not the species as a whole
文法句型
a [adjective] gorilla
gorilla + verb
用法筆記
Often used with 'mountain', 'lowland', or 'western' to specify the subspecies (e.g., 'mountain gorilla', 'western lowland gorilla'). The term 'silverback' refers to an adult male gorilla with a grey patch of fur on its back.
常見錯誤
2. a man who is very large, physically strong, and has a rough or frightening appea
a man who is very large, physically strong, and has a rough or frightening appearance, often used to describe someone who uses their size to intimidate others.
The nightclub hired a 140-kilogram gorilla as a bouncer to keep order.
figurative use: 'hired a gorilla' for someone hired for physical presence
Ezra felt nervous when a gorilla of a man sat next to him on the subway.
pattern: 'a gorilla of a [noun]'
Jason's bodyguard looked like a gorilla, but he was actually very kind and patient.
Two gorillas in leather jackets stood outside the warehouse, blocking the entrance.
- weakling
a person lacking physical strength, the opposite of a 'gorilla'
文法句型
a gorilla of a [noun]
[number] gorilla(s)
用法筆記
Always used informally and often carries a negative or threatening tone. Unlike sense 1 (the animal), this sense is metaphorical and applies only to men. The phrase 'a gorilla of a man' is a common fixed structure.
常見錯誤
3. a person, typically working for a powerful group or organisation, who uses threa
a person, typically working for a powerful group or organisation, who uses threats, violence, or intimidation to achieve their employer's goals — for example, breaking strikes, silencing opponents, or collecting debts.
The company sent gorillas to threaten striking workers into returning to their jobs.
collocation: 'send gorillas' for hired intimidators
Sahil refused to be silenced when the politician's gorillas showed up at his office.
Local shopkeepers were too afraid to report the gorillas who collected 'protection money' each month.
The candidate accused her opponent of keeping gorillas on the payroll to intimidate voters.
- thug
broader term for a violent criminal; does not necessarily imply being hired by an organisation
- goon
very similar to 'gorilla' in meaning; also informal and derogatory
- enforcer
emphasises the role of maintaining discipline or carrying out punishment within an organisation
- strongman
can be used politically (a leader who rules by force) but is broader in meaning
文法句型
[number] gorilla(s)
send / bring in the gorillas
用法筆記
Strongly derogatory and informal. This sense differs from sense 2 in that it emphasises the person's ROLE as a hired intimidator rather than just their physical size or appearance. Common in political and crime reporting, especially in older American English.