shirk

IPA/ʃɜːk/
KK[ʃˈɚk]IPA/ʃɜːrk/

shirk — verb

  • shirkpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • shirkshe / she / it
  • shirkedpast simple
  • shirking-ing form

1. to deliberately avoid doing a task or duty that you are expected to do, especial

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to deliberately avoid doing a task or duty that you are expected to do, especially because it is difficult or unpleasant — for example, shirking household chores, or avoiding hard questions in a meeting.

例句

Tanvi never shirks when there is difficult work to be done on the family farm.

intransitive: shirk + when-clause for context

Ryan shirked his weekend chores and went to the park with his cousin Mateo.

同義詞
  • dodge

    more informal; suggests quick or clever avoidance

  • evade

    implies intentional deception or cunning

  • avoid

    more general and neutral; weaker moral judgment

反義詞
  • face

    deal directly with a difficult situation

  • shoulder

    accept a responsibility willingly

文法句型

shirk + noun phrase (duty / responsibility / work)

shirk from + noun phrase

用法筆記

The object of shirk is almost always an abstract duty or obligation (responsibility, work, chores) — never a physical object or a person.

常見錯誤

❌He shirked the ball during the game.
✅He shirked his duty during the game.
💡shirk is used for responsibilities, not physical objects.
❌I shirked from going to the party.
✅I shirked my responsibility to attend the meeting.
💡shirk is too strong for casual social choices; use 'avoid' instead.