hedge
hedge — noun
1. a living fence created by planting shrubs or small trees in a continuous line, c
a living fence created by planting shrubs or small trees in a continuous line, commonly used to mark the boundary of a yard, farmland, or other outdoor area
The gardener trimmed the tall hedge that separated the two gardens.
collocation: trim a hedge
Birds often build their nests inside thick hedges during spring.
collocation: thick hedge
A low hedge of lavender lined the front path of the cottage.
The old stone wall was replaced by a hedge of hawthorn and blackthorn.
Rabbits can hide easily in the hedge along the farmer's field.
- hedgerow
a line of wild shrubs and trees, usually in the countryside; more natural and less maintained than a hedge
- shrub border
a garden planting of bushes used as decoration rather than a boundary
常見錯誤
2. something that you do or arrange to protect yourself against possible loss or da
something that you do or arrange to protect yourself against possible loss or damage, especially financial loss from changes in prices, interest rates, or exchange rates
Buying gold can be a good hedge against inflation during uncertain times.
hedge against [risk]
The investor used currency futures as a hedge against the falling dollar.
hedge against [financial risk]
After losing money in tech stocks, Mei-Lin used bond ETFs as a hedge against further losses.
Farmers often buy crop insurance as a hedge against a poor harvest.
The company set aside emergency funds as a hedge against unexpected costs.
- risk
a hedge reduces risk; risk is what the hedge protects against
用法筆記
Often followed by 'against' to specify the risk or loss being protected from. Common in financial and business contexts.
常見錯誤
3. language used deliberately to avoid stating something directly or honestly, so t
language used deliberately to avoid stating something directly or honestly, so that what you say sounds less definite than your true opinion
The politician's speech was full of hedges like 'possibly' and 'it depends on the circumstances.'
noun: hedges = evasive words or phrases
When asked about the budget cut, the manager offered only hedges and vague promises.
Skilled negotiators use verbal hedges to keep their options open during talks.
The lawyer spotted every hedge in the witness's testimony and pressed for clearer answers.
- equivocation
more formal than hedge; implies deliberate misleading through ambiguity rather than just cautious wording
- evasion
a broader term for any act of avoiding a direct answer; hedge specifically refers to the linguistic tool used
- straight talk
direct and honest communication without attempted avoidance
用法筆記
Usually appears in formal or professional contexts such as politics, law, or business negotiations. Often plural (hedges) when referring to the specific words or phrases used.
hedge — verb
1. to tightly restrict someone's freedom to move or act by putting limits, rules, o
to tightly restrict someone's freedom to move or act by putting limits, rules, or obstacles around them
Hiro felt hedged in by all the rules his new landlord had imposed.
passive: be hedged in by [restrictions]
The school's curriculum was hedged about with strict government regulations.
passive: be hedged about with [limits]
A series of legal constraints hedged the small business in at every turn.
The research team felt their creativity was hedged by tight deadlines and budget limits.
Élise refused to let fear hedge her choices when she started her own business.
- free
to release from restrictions
文法句型
be hedged in by [restrictions]
be hedged about with [rules]
用法筆記
Frequently used in the passive voice ('be hedged in by' or 'be hedged about/around with'). The active form usually takes an abstract subject (rules, regulations, fear) rather than a person.
常見錯誤
2. to avoid making a definite statement or decision, often by using unclear languag
to avoid making a definite statement or decision, often by using unclear language or changing the subject when pressed for an answer
When the reporter asked about the scandal, the minister hedged and changed the topic.
hedge = avoid answering directly
Jude hedged at every question about his plans for the company's future.
hedge at [question]
Stop hedging and tell us whether you support the new policy or not.
Manuela hedged when her boss asked whether she would accept the overseas posting.
The candidate hedged so often that voters could not tell where he stood.
- dodge
more informal and implies a quick, clever avoidance; hedge suggests cautious, reluctant delaying
- equivocate
more formal than hedge; means to use deliberately ambiguous language
- prevaricate
formal; implies lying or stretching the truth to avoid commitment
- commit
to give a clear, definite answer or position
文法句型
hedge at [question/issue]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'at' when referring to a specific question or issue: 'hedge at the question'. Can also be used intransitively without a preposition: 'Stop hedging!'
常見錯誤
3. to take action to reduce the risk of losing money by making investments or arran
to take action to reduce the risk of losing money by making investments or arrangements that protect against price, interest rate, or currency changes
The grain trader hedged his position by selling futures contracts early.
hedge + [financial position] + by [action]
Many companies hedge their currency exposure when trading with foreign partners.
hedge + [currency/financial] exposure
Reuben hedged his bets by investing in both technology stocks and government bonds.
The airline company hedged against rising fuel costs by locking in current prices.
Small investors can hedge their savings by holding a mix of assets across different markets.
- insure
implies paying a premium for protection; hedge involves counterbalancing actions rather than buying insurance
- offset
means to balance one risk against another, without the protective connotation of hedge
- diversify
a broader strategy of spreading investments; hedging is one specific way to diversify
- gamble
to take a risk for possible gain, the opposite of protecting against loss
文法句型
hedge [investment] against [risk]
用法筆記
Common in finance and business contexts. The object is usually the investment or asset at risk, and 'against' introduces the specific risk being protected from. The idiom 'hedge your bets' extends this idea to any situation where keeping multiple options reduces risk.
常見錯誤
4. to physically enclose an area with a hedge of planted bushes or small trees — an
to physically enclose an area with a hedge of planted bushes or small trees — an action (creating a boundary), as opposed to the hedge itself (noun sense 1)
The vegetable patch was hedged with rosemary and thyme to keep animals out.
passive: be hedged with [plants]
The original owners hedged the entire property with tall laurel bushes.
active: hedge [area] with [plant]
Christopher hedged off a corner of the garden to create a quiet reading spot.
The lane was hedged on both sides by blackberry bushes that formed a green tunnel.
- open
to remove barriers or create an open space
文法句型
be hedged with [plants]
hedge [area] off
用法筆記
This sense refers to the physical action of planting a hedge as a boundary. The phrasal form 'hedge off' means to separate or partition an area using a hedge.
hedge — adjective
1. related to making or taking care of garden hedges, including the tools used for
related to making or taking care of garden hedges, including the tools used for cutting, trimming, or planting them
The garden centre has a special section for hedge plants like boxwood and privet.
collocation: hedge plants
Hedge trimmers are dangerous tools that should be handled with care.
collocation: hedge trimmer
The landscaper recommended a hedge species that would grow well in partial shade.
Shirin bought a new pair of hedge shears to replace the rusty old ones.
用法筆記
This adjective is almost always used before a noun. Common in gardening and landscaping contexts. The most frequent compounds are 'hedge plant', 'hedge trimmer', and 'hedge species'.
2. designating wild plants or small animals that grow or live in hedges at the side
designating wild plants or small animals that grow or live in hedges at the side of roads or fields, rather than tools or products for hedge care
Hedge garlic is a common wild plant that grows along country lanes in spring.
compound: hedge garlic
The children collected hedge berries to make jam, as their grandmother had taught them.
Hedge parsley can be found along footpaths and field edges throughout the summer.
Hedge woundwort is a wildflower that thrives in the shady edges of country lanes.
- hedgerow
used as a modifier in similar compounds (e.g. 'hedgerow plants'), but describes the whole row rather than plants growing alongside
用法筆記
Primarily used in British English in compound names of wild plants and occasionally small animals found in hedgerows. Rare in American English.
3. of lower than average quality or value; not as good as the usual standard
of lower than average quality or value; not as good as the usual standard
The pub served a hedge wine that tasted more like vinegar than actual wine.
compound: hedge wine = low-quality wine
The travellers had to make do with hedge accommodation that was damp and poorly heated.
compound: hedge accommodation
A hedge priest travelled from village to village, holding Mass in secret barns and farmhouses.
In the nineteenth century, hedge schools in Ireland offered basic lessons to poor children.
- superior
of higher quality
用法筆記
This sense is now rare and mostly found in older British texts or used humorously. It appears in set compounds like 'hedge wine' (poor-quality wine) or 'hedge school' (a makeshift school in rural Ireland, historically).