parry
parry — verb
1. to stop a hit, kick, or weapon from reaching you by quickly turning it aside, of
to stop a hit, kick, or weapon from reaching you by quickly turning it aside, often using your arm or a held object as a shield.
Marcus parried the wooden sword with his shield just before it hit his shoulder.
parry + noun + with + noun (instrument)
The fencer parried every thrust during the match in Taipei.
parry + thrust (typical fencing object)
Lina raised her forearm and parried the punch aimed at her face.
The young knight had been trained to parry blows from a heavy axe.
With one quick move, the goalkeeper parried the ball over the crossbar.
文法句型
parry + noun (blow / sword / punch)
parry + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
Object is usually a weapon, blow, or fast-moving object (sword, punch, ball). Often paired with 'with' + the tool used to deflect (shield, racket, forearm). Distinguish from sense 2, which has an abstract object such as a question.
常見錯誤
2. to skilfully avoid answering an awkward question or responding to criticism, oft
to skilfully avoid answering an awkward question or responding to criticism, often by replying with a joke, a counter-question, or a vague comment.
The minister parried questions about her salary with a polite smile.
parry + question + with + noun
Carlos parried every accusation by pointing out his rival's own mistakes.
parry + accusation (typical abstract object)
The actress parried the reporter's questions about her divorce throughout the interview.
Whenever critics attacked the new policy, the mayor parried their comments with a quick joke.
Dr. Tanaka neatly parried the difficult question by asking one of his own.
文法句型
parry + noun (question / criticism / accusation)
parry + noun + with + noun
用法筆記
Object is abstract — typically 'question', 'criticism', 'accusation', or 'comment'. Often modified by adverbs like 'neatly', 'skilfully', or 'deftly' to highlight cleverness. Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a physical strike.
常見錯誤
parry — noun
1. a sudden defensive move in which you push or knock an attacker's weapon, fist, o
a sudden defensive move in which you push or knock an attacker's weapon, fist, or strike to the side so that it misses your body.
A quick parry with her sword saved Sarah from the first strike.
a parry + with + weapon
The fencing coach in Kyoto demonstrated three different parries on the practice mat.
Marcus's parry came a second too late, and the wooden stick struck his ribs.
The boxer practised parries against a heavy bag every morning before breakfast.
- block
more general; covers absorbing as well as deflecting
- deflection
describes the action of turning aside; slightly more formal
- guard
broader; can mean a defensive position rather than a single move
文法句型
a + parry
a parry + with + noun
用法筆記
Common in fencing, boxing, and martial arts contexts. Often qualified by adjectives describing speed or skill ('quick parry', 'clean parry') and paired with 'with' + the weapon or limb used. Distinguish from noun sense 2, which is verbal rather than physical.
常見錯誤
2. a clever, often witty reply that turns aside a difficult question, joke, or piec
a clever, often witty reply that turns aside a difficult question, joke, or piece of criticism without directly answering it.
Lina's witty parry to the journalist's tough question made everyone in the room laugh.
a parry + to + question
The senator's witty parry quickly ended the awkward debate on television.
witty parry (typical adjective)
Maya's quick parry turned the harsh comment into a friendly joke at dinner.
The author offered a polite parry whenever readers asked about her private life.
- concession
an admission instead of a deflecting reply
- answer
a direct response rather than a sidestep
文法句型
a + parry
a parry + to + noun
用法筆記
Used in formal or literary contexts to describe a verbal counter-move. Frequently modified by 'witty', 'clever', 'neat', or 'quick'. Distinguish from noun sense 1, where the move is physical rather than spoken.