rush
rush — verb
1. To go somewhere or send someone or something somewhere very quickly, especially
To go somewhere or send someone or something somewhere very quickly, especially when time is short and you cannot wait.
Tamar rushed to the train station, hoping she would not miss the last train.
intransitive: rush + to + place for urgent movement
Paramedics rushed the injured driver to the city hospital after the accident.
transitive: rush + object + to + place
Jin tried to rush through his breakfast, but his little sister kept talking.
Water rushed down the street after the pipe burst during the night.
Don't rush into buying a house before you have seen enough properties.
文法句型
rush + to/toward/into + place
rush + object + to + place
rush + through + task
rush + into + -ing form
rush + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Can describe both people moving and things flowing (water, air). The pattern 'rush + into + verb-ing' warns against acting without enough thought.
常見錯誤
2. To charge quickly and forcefully toward a person, group, or place in order to at
To charge quickly and forcefully toward a person, group, or place in order to attack, capture, or overwhelm them.
Stefan's unit received orders to rush the fortified hill before sunrise.
transitive with military target
Demonstrators rushed the front of the city hall, demanding new elections.
Excited fans rushed the basketball court after the team won the final game.
Paloma warned the children not to rush the stage during the school concert.
- retreat
to move away from danger or an enemy
文法句型
rush + object (enemy/target/location)
用法筆記
Describes a group suddenly charging a target — can be military (attack enemy) or non-military (fans storming a field). Not used for single, planned attacks.
常見錯誤
3. A term used in American football for running forward with the ball to gain groun
A term used in American football for running forward with the ball to gain ground, or for charging the ball carrier to stop a play.
The running back rushed for over one hundred yards in the big game last Sunday.
rush for + distance (offensive)
Two defenders rushed the quarterback before he could throw the ball downfield.
rush the + player (defensive)
Dario practiced every day to improve his ability to rush for short gains.
The coach told the line to block harder so the runner could rush freely.
- run the ball
general term for carrying the ball on the ground
- carry the ball
describes the physical action specifically
- pass the ball
to throw the ball instead of running with it
文法句型
rush for + distance (yards)
rush the + player (quarterback/passer/kicker)
rush + the ball
用法筆記
In American football, 'rush' covers both offensive plays (carrying the ball forward) and defensive plays (charging at the quarterback or kicker to stop a pass or kick).
常見錯誤
4. A tradition at certain US universities where students visit fraternities and sor
A tradition at certain US universities where students visit fraternities and sororities to find one to join, while the groups try to attract and recruit those students.
Lucía decided to rush three different sororities during her first semester at college.
rush + sorority (student seeking membership)
The fraternity actively rushed new members by hosting parties and study sessions on campus.
transitive: rush + new members (group recruiting)
Wren was nervous about rush week, not knowing what to expect from the process.
Christopher chose not to rush any fraternity because he preferred to focus on his studies.
文法句型
rush + fraternity/sorority
get + rushed
用法筆記
This sense is specific to the US college Greek system (fraternities for men, sororities for women). 'Rush week' is the period when recruitment events happen. Can describe the student's action (joining) or the group's action (recruiting).
常見錯誤
rush — noun
1. a situation where you need to act or move quickly, often because time is short
a situation where you need to act or move quickly, often because time is short
Tariq was in such a rush to catch the bus that he left his lunch on the kitchen counter.
in a rush to do something
Why was everyone in such a rush to leave the party before midnight?
The rush to finish the project before the deadline led to several small but costly errors.
Sirin told her son there was no rush to choose a university — he could decide next year.
文法句型
in a rush
a rush to do something
there is no rush
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed phrase 'in a rush' to describe a hurried state, or in 'there is no rush' to reassure someone. The sentence follows 'a rush to + infinitive' to state the purpose of the hurry.
常見錯誤
2. a period marked by high activity or demand, when many people are doing or seekin
a period marked by high activity or demand, when many people are doing or seeking the same thing at once
The Christmas rush at the shopping centre means long queues at every checkout counter.
the [event] rush — specific busy period
Soraya always avoids the lunch rush by eating her meal before eleven in the morning.
The recent rush for concert tickets crashed the booking website within minutes of the sale.
During the morning rush on the subway, passengers often wait for two or three trains before they can board.
A rush on face masks and hand sanitiser emptied pharmacy shelves within just a few days.
文法句型
the [time/event] rush
a rush on [product/service]
rush for [something]
用法筆記
Typically appears with a preceding noun that identifies the type of busy period (e.g., 'Christmas rush', 'lunch rush', 'morning rush'). 'Rush hour' is a distinct fixed compound for the busiest commuting times.
常見錯誤
3. a fast, often unexpected movement from one place toward another
a fast, often unexpected movement from one place toward another
The children made a rush for the door when the school bell rang at the end of class.
make a rush for [place]
A sudden rush of cold water poured out when Dahlia turned on the old garden tap.
Samir felt a rush of wind as the express train sped past him on the platform.
There was a mad rush towards the exits when the fire alarm went off in the theatre.
文法句型
a rush of [air/water]
make a rush for [place/person]
用法筆記
Often followed by 'of' and a noun describing what is moving (air, water, people). 'Make a rush for' is a common verb–noun collocation.
4. a large number of people moving to a place at the same time, usually for economi
a large number of people moving to a place at the same time, usually for economic reasons or opportunity
The California gold rush of 1849 brought thousands of miners to the western United States.
[place] rush — a historical mass migration
The technology boom created a rush of young engineers moving to the city for new jobs.
Madison's small hometown saw a rush of new residents after the car factory announced it was hiring.
The rush to buy land in the area pushed property prices far higher than anyone had expected.
文法句型
[place/commodity] rush
a rush of [people]
a rush to [location]
用法筆記
Often seen in historical compounds like 'gold rush' or 'land rush'. The pattern 'a rush to [location]' emphasises the destination people are heading to.
5. a running play in the sport of American football in which the ball carrier advan
a running play in the sport of American football in which the ball carrier advances upfield, or a defensive charge where players sprint toward the quarterback to stop the pass
The running back gained fourteen yards on that rush and set up the team for a touchdown.
Élise's quick rush on the quarterback forced him to throw the ball early and miss the receiver.
a rush on the quarterback — defensive play
The coach called a rush up the middle, hoping to gain at least three yards before fourth down.
His powerful rush past the offensive line gave the defence the sack they needed to stop the drive.
- running play
a broader term that covers any offensive play where the ball is carried rather than thrown
- charge
used in other sports for a forceful forward movement; less specific to American football
文法句型
[player] makes a rush
a rush on the quarterback
用法筆記
This sense is specifically American and relates strictly to gridiron football. In the noun form, 'rush' can refer to either an offensive running play or a defensive charge at the passer.
常見錯誤
6. an intense feeling, either emotional or physical, that arrives without warning a
an intense feeling, either emotional or physical, that arrives without warning and passes quickly
Adina felt a rush of excitement when she heard her name announced as the winner of the prize.
a rush of [emotion] — sudden emotional experience
A rush of anger swept through Yuki when she discovered that someone had stolen her bicycle.
The roller coaster gave Marta a rush of adrenaline that stayed with her for the rest of the day.
Mert felt a sudden rush of dizziness and had to sit down on the nearest bench to recover.
Some people enjoy the rush they get from extreme sports such as skydiving or rock climbing.
- surge
very similar in meaning; 'surge' often implies a slower build-up, while 'rush' is more instantaneous
- thrill
focuses on the pleasurable aspect of the feeling; 'thrill' is usually positive
- adrenaline rush
a fixed compound for the physical sensation of excitement in high-energy situations
文法句型
a rush of [emotion/sensation]
feel a rush of [something]
用法筆記
Frequently followed by 'of' and a noun naming the specific emotion or sensation (excitement, anger, adrenaline, dizziness). Can also be used alone ('the rush of skydiving') as a shorthand for the pleasurable thrill.
常見錯誤
7. a type of tall, thin plant that grows in wet ground near ponds, streams, and mar
a type of tall, thin plant that grows in wet ground near ponds, streams, and marshes, with long hollow stems that are dried and used for weaving mats, baskets, and furniture seats.
Hui wove a mat from rushes that she found near the lake.
The chair seat was made of dried rushes twisted tightly together.
dried rushes used for furniture
Ryo showed the class how to weave a basket from fresh rush stems.
Rushes grow along the edge of the stream behind the old barn.
Otis cut some rushes from the marsh to make a new basket.
用法筆記
This meaning of rush is a different word from the one meaning 'hurry' — they are homonyms with separate origins. The plural form 'rushes' is common when referring to the plant material itself.
8. the first printed copies of a film or video that are watched right after filming
the first printed copies of a film or video that are watched right after filming, before any editing is done, so that the director and editor can check the quality of each scene.
The director watched the morning rushes with the editor to check each shot.
rushes reviewed after filming
Ayana looked at the rushes to see if the lighting was good in every scene.
Noor asked the assistant to bring the rushes from yesterday's beach scene.
The producer sat behind the editor while they watched the day's rushes.
Samir marked the best takes while looking at the rushes on the big screen.
- dailies
a more common term in the US film industry; 'rushes' is used more in British and international production
- final cut
the finished, edited version of the film
用法筆記
Almost always used in the plural form 'rushes' rather than 'rush.' This term is specific to film, television, and video production contexts.
9. a period of social events at some US universities during which students visit di
a period of social events at some US universities during which students visit different fraternity or sorority houses to meet members and decide which group to join.
Min signed up for rush during her first week at the university.
sign up for rush
During rush week, each fraternity holds parties to meet new students.
Niran decided not to join rush because he preferred to focus on his classes.
The sorority prepared a welcome dinner for the women going through rush.
Stephanie asked her roommate about rush before deciding to take part.
用法筆記
This use of rush is specific to US college culture involving fraternities and sororities. The term often appears in capitalized phrases such as 'Rush Week' and is not used in the same way outside of North America.
rush — adjective
1. needing to be done or delivered very quickly because time is limited
needing to be done or delivered very quickly because time is limited
After the team outgrew their uniforms, Rodrigo placed a rush order for new ones.
collocation: rush order (attributive adjective)
The print shop charged extra for a rush job that had to be ready by Friday.
collocation: rush job
Traffic is heaviest during rush hour, so Allison leaves for work before dawn.
Paying a higher fee for rush delivery, Vivek got the parts the next morning.
A rush fee is charged when clients want their documents done faster than normal.
- standard
describes the usual speed with no special urgency or extra fee involved
文法句型
rush + noun
用法筆記
Primarily used before a noun (attributive). Common in business contexts for jobs, orders, or deliveries that need a fast turnaround. Does not normally appear after a linking verb.
常見錯誤
rush — idiom
1. the surname of Benjamin Rush (1745–1813), an American doctor, writer, and politi
the surname of Benjamin Rush (1745–1813), an American doctor, writer, and political leader who signed the Declaration of Independence and worked to improve public health and education in the early United States.
Professor Selim's students read a letter written by Benjamin Rush about smallpox prevention.
Benjamin Rush stayed in Philadelphia to treat the sick during the yellow fever outbreak of 1793.
historical setting — yellow fever outbreak
The library has a collection of Benjamin Rush's writings on mental health and medical reform.
Historians credit Benjamin Rush with helping to found the first American medical school.
Minho's essay compared Benjamin Rush's views on education with those of Thomas Jefferson.
文法句型
Rush (referring to Benjamin Rush)
用法筆記
This is not a figurative idiom but a proper-noun reference to a specific historical figure. The name 'Rush' appears in historical texts, biographies, and discussions of early American medicine and politics. Learners will most often encounter it in passages about the founding of the United States.