grumble
grumble — verb
1. to express annoyance or unhappiness in a low or repeated voice, often about mino
to express annoyance or unhappiness in a low or repeated voice, often about minor matters that do not justify such a strong reaction
Selim grumbled about the cold coffee in the staff kitchen every morning.
grumble + about + noun phrase
Eleni's grandfather often grumbled that nobody wrote letters anymore.
grumble + that-clause
The hikers grumbled under their breath as rain soaked through their backpacks.
Stop grumbling at your brother and tell me what happened calmly.
Dario grumbled all through the meeting about having to stay late.
文法句型
grumble + about + noun phrase / gerund
grumble + that-clause
grumble + at + person
用法筆記
Subject is typically a person expressing annoyance. Frequently used with 'about' to specify the cause, or with a that-clause for the content of the grievance. Common in informal contexts — stronger than 'mention' and weaker than 'rage'.
常見錯誤
2. to make a low, continuous rumbling noise, describing the sound of a hungry stoma
to make a low, continuous rumbling noise, describing the sound of a hungry stomach, distant thunder, or an old machine struggling to work
Nia's stomach grumbled loudly during the silent exam, and everyone turned to look.
stomach + grumble + during
Thunder grumbled in the distance as Rafael closed the windows before the storm hit.
thunder + grumbles
Caleb could hear his own stomach grumbling halfway through the three-hour lecture.
The old washing machine grumbled and shook every time it entered the spin cycle.
The volcano grumbled ominously for hours before the first plume of ash appeared.
文法句型
stomach + grumble(s)
thunder / pipes / engine + grumble(s)
用法筆記
Most common with stomach as the subject, especially about hunger. For machines and natural phenomena, the sound is deeper and more continuous than a 'growl'. Usually not used for intentional sounds produced by people — use 'growl' for a threatening human sound.
常見錯誤
grumble — noun
1. something that you say or think when you are not fully satisfied, showing mild u
something that you say or think when you are not fully satisfied, showing mild unhappiness about a situation
Otis's main grumble was that the hotel bed was too soft for his back.
main grumble + was + that-clause
Lisa listened to her colleagues' grumbles about the new software without joining in.
listen to + grumbles about
The only grumble from the guests was that the air conditioning was too loud.
Despite a few grumbles, the whole team accepted the earlier shift without protest.
Vikram had a quiet grumble about the traffic as he walked through the door.
- praise
positive approval rather than criticism
- compliment
an expression of admiration
文法句型
have a grumble
my / main / only grumble
grumble about
用法筆記
More common in British English than American. 'Have a grumble' is a fixed British collocation meaning to complain briefly. Often appears with 'main', 'only', or 'few' to indicate the scale of dissatisfaction.