tool
tool — noun
1. A handheld object like a hammer, screwdriver, or saw that people use to build, f
A handheld object like a hammer, screwdriver, or saw that people use to build, fix, or reshape materials.
Owen picked up a heavy tool and began breaking the old concrete wall.
pick up + tool; tool + for physical work
The simplest tool in a carpenter's kit is a tape measure.
Stefan put his tools away after fixing the bathroom pipe.
Bilal asked the shop assistant which tool works best for cutting metal sheets.
Liang sharpened the blade of his carving tool before starting the wooden figure.
- implement
more formal; often used for farming or specialized manual work
- instrument
suggests precision or scientific use rather than general handwork
- utensil
mainly for kitchen or eating items, not general hand tools
文法句型
a/an + tool
possessive + tool(s)
tool + for + noun/gerund
用法筆記
Countable noun. Frequently used with a possessive or a descriptive noun (gardening tool, kitchen tool).
常見錯誤
2. Any method, system, or piece of software that helps you achieve a specific resul
Any method, system, or piece of software that helps you achieve a specific result or do a type of work more easily.
Valentina uses the dictionary as a tool for learning new languages.
tool + for + gerund
The internet is a powerful tool for finding information quickly.
Imran said that meditation is the best tool he has for managing stress.
Lien found that colour-coding her notes was a useful study tool for exams.
Sora considers budgeting apps an essential tool for saving money each month.
文法句型
tool + for + noun/gerund
tool + to + infinitive
用法筆記
Subject is often abstract (the internet, language, data). Preposition 'for' introduces the purpose.
常見錯誤
3. The specific equipment, instruments, or skills that a person needs to do their j
The specific equipment, instruments, or skills that a person needs to do their job properly.
A good camera and editing software are the basic tools of a photographer's trade.
set phrase: tools of the trade
Yael keeps all her sculpting tools in a leather roll for the studio.
Nala bought new ceramic tools before starting her pottery apprenticeship.
Élise explained that patience and steady hands are the key tools for a surgeon.
文法句型
tools of the trade
用法筆記
The set phrase 'tools of the trade' can refer to both physical items and abstract skills. The singular form is rare in this sense.
常見錯誤
❌ 'A hammer is a tool of the trade for construction workers.' (correct but too obvious) — This phrase is most natural when listing things that define a profession, especially non-obvious items.
4. A person whose actions are directed by someone else, often used to carry out dis
A person whose actions are directed by someone else, often used to carry out dishonest or unpleasant tasks on behalf of that person.
The politician used his assistant as a tool to spread false rumours about the opponent.
passive: used as a tool
Rania felt like a tool after doing all the dirty work without getting any credit.
The gang leader treated the younger members as disposable tools for his illegal business.
Christopher was just a tool for the corporation that made him take the blame.
- mastermind
the person who does the controlling, not the one being controlled
文法句型
a tool + of + person/group
be + (just) + a tool
用法筆記
Always pejorative. The person being called a tool is seen as weak or foolish for letting themselves be controlled. Stronger than 'follower' or 'assistant'.
常見錯誤
5. A coarse, vulgar word for the male sexual organ.
A coarse, vulgar word for the male sexual organ.
The crude comedian made too many jokes about his tool on stage last night.
vulgar slang register; third-person reference
Some immature teenagers giggle whenever anyone says the word tool in a biology class.
The locker room was full of young athletes shouting rude jokes about their tools.
In the rapper's lyrics he kept referring to his tool in a crudely boastful way.
文法句型
the/one's + tool
用法筆記
Highly offensive in most contexts. Avoid in formal, academic, or polite conversation. The slang term 'dick' is more common; 'tool' sounds somewhat dated.
常見錯誤
6. A rude word for someone you strongly dislike or think is very stupid.
A rude word for someone you strongly dislike or think is very stupid.
After he accidentally broke the window, the other kids called him a tool.
pattern: call + someone + a tool
Online commenters called the referee a tool for making that bad call.
Stop acting like a total tool and listen to what the teacher is saying.
The officer dismissed the complaint, deciding the man was just a tool seeking attention.
文法句型
be + a + tool
call + someone + a + tool
用法筆記
Mildly offensive but common in casual speech among young people. 'Tool' here implies the person is not only stupid but also annoying or socially awkward. Less harsh than 'idiot' but more dismissive than 'fool'.
常見錯誤
tool — verb
1. To drive or ride in a vehicle, especially without a particular purpose or destin
To drive or ride in a vehicle, especially without a particular purpose or destination, just for pleasure.
On Saturday afternoons the teenagers love tooling around town in their old cars.
pattern: tooling around + [place]
Owen and his brother were tooling down the highway with the music turned up loud.
The group tooled along the coastal road, stopping whenever they saw a nice beach.
Christopher tooled his motorcycle into the parking lot and cut the engine.
文法句型
tool + around
be + tooling + around + [place]
用法筆記
Almost always used with a directional adverb (around, down, along, into). The continuous form (tooling) is far more common than the simple past. British English speakers rarely use this sense.
常見錯誤
2. To provide a manufacturing plant or workplace with the machines, devices, and ge
To provide a manufacturing plant or workplace with the machines, devices, and gear required for making products.
The company spent millions tooling the new plant with robotic assembly lines.
pattern: tool + [place] + with + [equipment]
The factory was tooled for mass production of electric vehicle batteries.
passive: was tooled for
Engineers are retooling the workshop so it can handle smaller custom orders.
Kabir's job involves tooling the assembly line whenever a new product model launches.
- strip
to remove equipment from a factory or workshop
文法句型
tool + [factory/industry] + with + [equipment]
be + tooled + with + [machinery]
用法筆記
Often in the passive voice ('the plant is tooled for…'). The prefixed form 'retool' is more common in business contexts, meaning to equip again or modernise.
常見錯誤
3. To cut, shape, or decorate a material such as leather, metal, wood, or clay usin
To cut, shape, or decorate a material such as leather, metal, wood, or clay using a hand tool, often to produce a pattern or finished surface.
The artisan tooled a beautiful floral pattern into the leather belt by hand.
pattern: tool + [design] + into + [material]
Mizuki carefully tooled the silver bracelet with small bird shapes around the edge.
The old book cover was tooled in gold with the title and author's name.
Tariro spent the afternoon tooling leather coasters to sell at the weekend market.
文法句型
tool + [material] + into + [shape]
tool + [design] + onto + [surface]
用法筆記
Passive forms ('was tooled in gold', 'is tooled with patterns') appear more in descriptive texts about craftsmanship than in active speech. The past participle 'tooled' is used adjectivally: 'a tooled leather belt.'