swing
swing — verb
1. to move through the air in a smooth curve while fixed at the top, and when you m
to move through the air in a smooth curve while fixed at the top, and when you make something move this way
The old wooden gate swung open in the wind.
intransitive: swing + adjective (open/shut)
Lauren swung her backpack onto her shoulder before leaving the classroom.
transitive: swing + object + prepositional phrase
Yael sat on the playground swing and pumped her legs to go higher.
A large chandelier swung gently above the dinner table.
Obi swung the car into the parking lot just as the rain started.
- stay still
not moving at all
- fix
to secure something so it cannot move
文法句型
swing + adverb/preposition (intransitive)
swing + object + adverb/preposition (transitive)
用法筆記
Common with adverbs of direction such as open, shut, back, forth, around; often describes hanging objects or movable parts.
常見錯誤
2. to move your arm or a held object in a wide arc with the aim of striking someone
to move your arm or a held object in a wide arc with the aim of striking someone or something
Emre swung at the ball but missed it completely.
swing at + object
The batter swung hard and hit the baseball over the fence.
Kabir lost his temper and swung wildly at the other man.
Beatrix took a deep breath and swung the hammer at the nail.
A child swung a plastic sword at his friend during the game.
- hold back
to stop yourself from hitting
文法句型
swing at + object (person/thing)
swing for + object
用法筆記
Often used with at to indicate the target. The noun form swing (have a swing, take a swing at) is also common.
常見錯誤
3. to shift between different states, opinions, or moods, especially in a noticeabl
to shift between different states, opinions, or moods, especially in a noticeable or sudden way
Public opinion swung sharply after the new evidence was released.
swing (of opinion/mood) without direct object
The election result could swing either way depending on voter turnout.
swing either way / swing both ways
Her mood swung from excitement to disappointment within minutes.
Caio's vote swung the committee's decision in favour of the new policy.
The wind swung around to the north, bringing colder weather.
- hold steady
remain unchanged in opinion or direction
- stick to
to not change one's position
文法句型
swing from + noun + to + noun
swing between + noun + and + noun
用法筆記
Commonly used with from...to to show contrasting extremes, and with either way or both ways to express uncertainty about the outcome.
常見錯誤
4. if a social event or place is swinging, it is full of energy and people having f
if a social event or place is swinging, it is full of energy and people having fun
The party was really swinging by the time Yumi arrived with the music.
swinging (of a party/event) — informal
The night market swings every weekend with live bands and food stalls.
Wei's birthday celebration swung late into the night.
The café on Main Street never swings on weekday afternoons.
New Year's Eve in the town square swung until dawn.
- come alive
describes a place becoming active and exciting
- rock
even more informal; 'the party rocked' means it was great
- die down
to become less lively and quiet
文法句型
swing (party/event)
用法筆記
Nearly always used in informal contexts to describe social events. Not used with a direct object.
5. to perform music with a strong, lively beat of the kind used in jazz, or for mus
to perform music with a strong, lively beat of the kind used in jazz, or for music to have that driving rhythm
The jazz band really swung during the second set.
intransitive: music/band swings
Noa played the piano and swung every tune the audience requested.
transitive: swing + object (a tune/song)
Even the slow ballads swung when the drummer picked up the tempo.
Tunde taught his students how to make the music swing by shifting the beat.
Without the bass player the song just did not swing the way it should.
文法句型
swing (intransitive - music)
swing + object (transitive - play music with swing)
用法筆記
Associated with jazz and big-band music from the 1930s–40s. Can be used figuratively about any music with a strong, compelling rhythm.
6. to succeed in arranging or obtaining something, often by using persuasion or sli
to succeed in arranging or obtaining something, often by using persuasion or slightly unfair methods
Dewi managed to swing a last-minute deal with the supplier.
swing + a deal/agreement
Christopher swung an invitation to the exclusive event through his contacts.
The lobbyists swung the vote by offering favours to key politicians.
My uncle swung us a discount on the hotel rooms for the whole week.
Isabela wondered how her colleague had swung such a generous promotion package.
- fail to get
not succeeding in arranging something
文法句型
swing + noun phrase (deal/agreement/visit)
swing + it + that-clause
用法筆記
Often implies that the achievement required effort, personal connections, or bending the rules. Cannot be used for routine or straightforward achievements.
常見錯誤
7. a practice in which couples who are in a relationship together each have sex wit
a practice in which couples who are in a relationship together each have sex with someone from another couple, typically by mutual agreement at a party or social gathering.
Mert and Adina met a couple who wanted to swing with them at a party.
swing with [someone] — partner-swapping sense
Beatriz told friends that she and Faisal wanted to try swinging with another couple.
Lotte asked whether the other couple would want to swing with them that evening.
There are clubs where couples go to swing with people who share the same interests.
The group of six adults all agreed to swing together after discussing it openly.
- swap partners
more transparent in meaning, used as a verb phrase rather than a single verb
- partner exchange
more formal and clinical, often used in sociological or descriptive contexts
文法句型
swing with someone
swing together
swing as a couple
用法筆記
Frequently found in discussions of alternative lifestyles or relationship arrangements. The subject is typically a couple or group, and the verb is always intransitive, usually followed by 'with'.
常見錯誤
swing — noun
1. the smooth back-and-forth or side-to-side motion of an object that hangs from or
the smooth back-and-forth or side-to-side motion of an object that hangs from or is fixed at one point, like a pendulum, door, or gate.
The slow swing of the church bell marked the start of the evening service.
the swing of [something] — back-and-forth motion of a hanging object
Putri measured the swing of the door so it would not hit the wall.
With a gentle swing, the child pushed the heavy gate shut behind her.
Ziad watched the swing of the boat as waves pushed it from side to side.
The swing of the tree branch in the wind made a soft creaking sound.
- sweep
often describes a wider, more continuous arc, such as a searchlight or a scythe
- motion
more general term for any movement, not specifically back-and-forth
- oscillation
more technical or scientific, used for regular back-and-forth movement like a pendulum
文法句型
the swing of [something]
用法筆記
Often used with 'the' and 'of' to describe the motion of a specific object: 'the swing of the pendulum', 'the swing of the door', 'the swing of the rope'.
常見錯誤
2. the particular arc and body motion a person uses to strike a ball with a bat, cl
the particular arc and body motion a person uses to strike a ball with a bat, club, or racket, especially in golf or baseball.
Christopher adjusted his swing before taking another shot at the golf ball.
golf swing — the way a golfer moves the club to hit the ball
The coach studied each player's swing to find small mistakes in their form.
Élise's swing improved dramatically after she changed the way she held the bat.
A smooth swing is more important than hitting the ball with all your strength.
Kevin watched videos of professional golfers to perfect his own swing.
文法句型
[possessive] swing
常見錯誤
3. a sweeping punch or blow delivered by moving the arm in a wide arc toward someon
a sweeping punch or blow delivered by moving the arm in a wide arc toward someone, especially one that misses or is avoided.
The man took a wild swing at Theo, but Theo stepped back just in time.
take a swing at [someone] — try to hit someone with a punch
Lucía's first swing missed completely, and she nearly lost her balance.
Witnesses said the driver took a swing at the cyclist during the argument.
A single swing from the taller fighter sent his opponent to the floor.
Sana ducked under his swing and pushed him away from her.
文法句型
take a swing at [someone]
用法筆記
Commonly appears in the phrase 'take a swing at someone'. The focus is often on the action itself rather than whether it lands successfully.
常見錯誤
4. a noticeable and often rapid move from one state, opinion, or feeling to a very
a noticeable and often rapid move from one state, opinion, or feeling to a very different one, especially in politics, finance, or emotions.
There was a sudden swing in public opinion after the new policy was announced.
swing in public opinion — sudden change in what people think
The stock market experienced a dramatic swing from gains to losses in one day.
Tariro noticed a swing in her mother's mood after the phone call ended.
Polls showed a six-point swing toward the challenger in the final week.
A sharp swing in temperature caught everyone by surprise that spring morning.
- shift
more neutral; implies movement without suggesting it will reverse
- change
the most general word; less specific about direction or pattern
- fluctuation
implies repeated changes up and down over time
- stability
the state of staying the same without sudden changes
文法句型
a swing in [something]
a swing toward [something]
a swing of [number]
用法筆記
Frequently used in politics (swing in opinion / swing voters), finance (market swing), and emotion (mood swing). Often paired with an adjective describing the size or speed: 'dramatic swing', 'sharp swing', 'sudden swing'.
常見錯誤
5. a piece of playground equipment made of a flat seat hanging from chains or ropes
a piece of playground equipment made of a flat seat hanging from chains or ropes that supports a person moving back and forth through the air for fun.
Yuki pushed her little brother on the swing until he asked to stop.
push someone on the swing — helping someone swing higher
The old swing in the park had chains that were rusted and loose.
Children lined up to take turns on the big yellow swing at the fair.
Asher sat on the swing and watched the sunset over the quiet playground.
A wooden swing hung from a thick branch of the oak tree in the yard.
文法句型
on a swing
push someone on the swing
常見錯誤
6. a performer in a large-scale musical or dance production who is trained to repla
a performer in a large-scale musical or dance production who is trained to replace any of several ensemble members or supporting roles when needed, rather than covering just one role.
Mira worked as a swing for the Broadway show, covering five different roles.
work as a swing — performer trained to cover multiple roles in a show
The production hired three swings to make sure every performance could go on.
As a swing, Putri had to learn the choreography for every dancer in the chorus.
When the lead singer fell ill, the swing stepped in and saved the show.
Being a swing requires quick thinking and the ability to adapt to last-minute changes.
- understudy
covers one specific principal role, whereas a swing covers multiple ensemble roles
- cover
informal term in theater; a cover can be either an understudy or a swing
- alternate
a performer who regularly plays the same role on different days, not an emergency replacement
文法句型
swing + noun
work as a swing
swing for [production]
用法筆記
Used mainly in large-scale theater productions such as Broadway musicals. A swing differs from an understudy: understudies cover one specific principal role, while swings cover multiple roles in the ensemble.
常見錯誤
7. the exciting and successful atmosphere that a party, celebration, or other socia
the exciting and successful atmosphere that a party, celebration, or other social event has when all the guests are enjoying themselves and having a wonderful time together.
Manuela's wedding reception went with a swing, with guests dancing until three in the morning.
fixed phrase: go(es) + with a swing
The school fête went with a swing this year, thanks to the volunteers.
With good food and lively music, the party went with a swing.
The New Year's Eve party went with a swing, and nobody noticed when midnight passed.
- lively
simpler word describing an energetic event, though not a fixed phrase like 'go with a swing'
- a rip-roaring success
more informal and emphatic; similar meaning but much stronger
- a blast
informal American English equivalent; 'we had a blast at the party'
文法句型
event/party + go(es) + with a swing
用法筆記
Always appears in the fixed phrase 'go with a swing'. The subject is always a social event or gathering — never a person or object. This phrase is common in British English but rarely used in American English.
常見錯誤
8. A lively big band style with a strong, steady rhythm that grew popular in the mi
A lively big band style with a strong, steady rhythm that grew popular in the mid-twentieth century and got people onto the dance floor.
Shanti spent every weekend at the dance hall, listening to live swing music.
collocation: listen to live swing music
Gabriel's grandfather played swing music in a big band during the 1940s.
The dance teacher played swing music while the students practised their steps.
Swing music filled the ballroom as couples moved gracefully across the floor.
- big band jazz
emphasises the large orchestra format that played swing music
- swing jazz
a slightly more formal alternative term for the same genre
- hot jazz
a related style from the same era, known for its fast tempo and improvisation
- classical music
a contrasting genre that follows written scores rather than improvisation
- modern jazz
later jazz styles such as bebop and free jazz that moved away from danceable big band music
文法句型
swing + noun (swing music, swing band, swing dance)
用法筆記
As an uncountable noun, 'swing' does not have a plural form when referring to the music genre. The term can also be used attributively before other nouns, such as 'swing band', 'swing dancer', or 'swing era'.
常見錯誤
swing — adjective
1. relating to a style of jazz from the 1930s and 40s that has a strong, steady bea
relating to a style of jazz from the 1930s and 40s that has a strong, steady beat and a lively, bouncy feel that encourages dancing.
The dance hall played swing music all night, and couples filled the floor until midnight.
attributive use: swing music
Yuki learned swing dance steps from her grandmother, who competed in the 1940s.
attributive use: swing dance steps
A live swing band performed at the festival, with trumpets and saxophones leading the rhythm.
Old swing records from the Benny Goodman era still sound fresh and exciting today.
The nightclub had a special swing night every Thursday with a live jazz trio.
文法句型
swing + noun (music, band, dance, rhythm)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun to describe a specific type of music, dance, or event.
2. used to describe a voter, region, or group whose support cannot be predicted and
used to describe a voter, region, or group whose support cannot be predicted and whose choice can decide the outcome of an election.
Candidates spend most of their advertising money in swing states like Ohio and Florida.
attributive use: swing states
Wei visited fifty swing voters in the district and asked what mattered most to them.
attributive use: swing voters
The election came down to three swing counties where neither party had a clear lead.
Both parties held rallies in the same swing district on the weekend before the vote.
A small group of swing voters in the suburbs decided the close election result.
- undecided
used for people (undecided voter); less common for regions
- battleground
used for states/districts (battleground state); more dramatic in tone
- safe
a safe seat/state always goes to one party
文法句型
swing + noun (voter, state, district, county)
用法筆記
Primarily used in US political contexts. The noun that follows (voter, state, district) identifies what is undecided.