gouge
gouge — noun
- gougesingular
- gougesplural
1. a long, narrow channel or hollow cut into a hard surface, such as wood, stone, o
a long, narrow channel or hollow cut into a hard surface, such as wood, stone, or metal, typically by a sharp tool or by force
Bilal used a chisel to cut a deep gouge into the block of oak for a carving class.
The falling rock left a wide gouge along the side of the old stone wall.
collocation: leave a gouge in [surface]
A large gouge on the floorboards showed where the heavy cabinet had been dragged across the room.
The carpenter filled the small gouge in the tabletop with wood putty before sanding it smooth.
用法筆記
Often used with prepositions such as 'in' or 'into' to specify the surface that has been damaged.
常見錯誤
2. a carving tool whose curved, scoop-shaped blade cuts rounded grooves into hard m
a carving tool whose curved, scoop-shaped blade cuts rounded grooves into hard materials, such as wood, stone, or bone, and is also used in some surgical operations
The woodcarver dipped the gouge into a pot of oil before cutting into the walnut panel.
An experienced surgeon uses a fine gouge to remove small pieces of bone during a delicate operation.
domain: surgery
In art class, Nia used a medium-sized gouge to carve her name into a soft pine board.
The stone carver's gouge had a handle worn smooth by years of gripping it tightly while he worked.
- chisel
a broader category of cutting tools; a gouge is a specific type of chisel with a curved blade
用法筆記
When referring to the surgical instrument, the term is typically preceded by an adjective such as 'bone gouge' or 'corneal gouge'.
gouge — verb
- gougepresent simple I / you / we / they
- gougeshe / she / it
- gougedpast simple
- gouging-ing form
1. to cut roughly into a hard surface using a sharp tool, making a hole, groove, or
to cut roughly into a hard surface using a sharp tool, making a hole, groove, or deep scratch
Andrés accidentally gouged the new kitchen table with the corner of a metal toolbox.
The movers gouged the wooden floor when they pushed the piano across the living room.
passive: be gouged [by agent]
Felix used a sharp stone to gouge a straight line down the centre of the bamboo stick.
The cat's claws gouged deep scratches into the leather armchair while the family was on holiday.
Tamar gouged a small hole in the plaster wall with a screwdriver to hang a picture frame.
文法句型
gouge + noun (object surface)
gouge + adverb of manner
用法筆記
The object surface is often hard: wood, metal, stone, bone, plaster. Frequently used with 'into' or 'out of' to describe the direction of the cut.
常見錯誤
2. to demand an unreasonably high payment for a product or service, often by taking
to demand an unreasonably high payment for a product or service, often by taking advantage of a shortage or emergency situation
Some hotels in the tourist district gouged their guests by charging double the normal price during the festival.
pattern: gouge + person + by + [method]
The landlord was accused of gouging tenants by raising rent by forty percent without making any repairs.
collocation: accused of gouging
After the hurricane, the state passed a law to stop stores from gouging customers on bottled water and batteries.
The taxi driver tried to gouge Yumi for the airport ride, demanding triple the usual fare.
- overcharge
neutral term for charging too much; gouging strongly implies dishonesty and exploitation of a crisis
- rip off
informal, similar strength; 'rip off' can apply to any overpricing, while 'gouge' often suggests a scarcity situation
- undercharge
the opposite of overcharging; implies charging less than the fair price
文法句型
gouge + person or organisation for + amount of money
用法筆記
Most commonly used in the phrase 'price gouging'. The verb is often followed by a person or organisation as the direct object, optionally followed by 'for' to state the inflated price.
常見錯誤
3. to force a thumb or fingers into someone's eye socket, or to push an eyeball out
to force a thumb or fingers into someone's eye socket, or to push an eyeball out of its socket with the thumb — a violent act that can happen during a fight
In self-defence class, the instructor showed the students how to block an attacker who tries to gouge their eyes.
pattern: gouge + possessive + eye
The victim told the jury that the man had tried to gouge his eyes out during the street robbery.
Police warned the public about a mugger known to gouge victims in the eye when they resisted.
Sana read an article about ancient warriors who would gouge out the eyes of their enemies after battle.
- poke out
less violent and less specific about using the thumb; 'gouge' implies a twisting or pressing motion
文法句型
gouge + person's eye
gouge out + eye
gouge + person + in the eye
用法筆記
This sense describes an extremely violent act and is most commonly encountered in news reports of assault, self-defence instructions, or historical accounts of combat. The phrasal form 'gouge out' is more frequent than bare 'gouge'.