hatching

hatching — verb

1. When a young bird, reptile, or insect comes out of its egg by breaking the shell

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B1
釋義

When a young bird, reptile, or insect comes out of its egg by breaking the shell; or when an adult animal keeps eggs warm so that the young come out.

例句

After three weeks, Hiro watched the baby turtles hatch and crawl toward the sea.

intransitive — young animal + hatch

The biologist kept the lizard eggs in a warm box until they hatched.

同義詞
  • emerge

    broader — any kind of coming out, not just from an egg

  • come out

    more general and less precise; usable in everyday speech

文法句型

animal + hatch

hatch (from/out of something)

hatch + egg(s)

newly hatched

用法筆記

Can be used transitively (the hen hatches her eggs) or intransitively (the eggs hatch). Subject is usually an animal, egg, or a speaker describing animal development. Common in nature writing and biology contexts.

常見錯誤

The chick hatched the egg and came out.
The chick hatched from the egg and came out.
💡The young animal is the intransitive subject; it does not act on the egg.

2. To think of and develop a plan, especially one that is intended to be kept secre

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

To think of and develop a plan, especially one that is intended to be kept secret from other people.

例句

The prisoners hatched a daring plan to escape through a secret tunnel.

collocation: hatch a plan

Valentina and her cousin hatched a scheme to surprise their grandmother for her eightieth birthday.

collocation: hatch a scheme — can be friendly or sly

同義詞
  • devise

    more formal; does not always imply secrecy

  • concoct

    suggests clever or slightly dishonest invention

  • plot

    stronger negative connotation; implies harmful intent

文法句型

hatch + a plan/plot/scheme/deal

用法筆記

Frequently paired with nouns like plan, plot, scheme, or deal that imply secrecy or deception. More common in narrative writing, news, and storytelling than in casual conversation.

常見錯誤

We hatched a plan to go to the beach.' (no secrecy)
We made a plan to go to the beach.
💡Hatch suggests secrecy or cleverness; for everyday plans use make or come up with.

hatching — noun