wobble
wobble — verb
- wobblepresent simple I / you / we / they
- wobbleshe / she / it
- wobbledpast simple
- wobbling-ing form
1. to rock or sway unsteadily left and right, often because something is loose or p
to rock or sway unsteadily left and right, often because something is loose or poorly supported — you can also wobble an object, making it rock in the same manner
The old wooden chair wobbled every time Imran sat down on it.
intransitive: subject + wobble
Sayaka wobbled the table by accident and spilled her cup of tea.
transitive: wobble + object
After the earthquake, the bookshelf wobbled but did not fall over.
The toddler stood up and wobbled towards his mother with a big smile.
Emma felt the ladder wobble beneath her as she reached for the top shelf.
- steady
to make or become firm and unmoving
文法句型
wobble + adverb/direction
wobble + object
用法筆記
Frequently used with direction words (towards, into, along) to describe unsteady forward movement. The transitive use (wobble something) is less common than the intransitive.
2. to keep changing your mind between two choices, or to lose confidence in a decis
to keep changing your mind between two choices, or to lose confidence in a decision you had already made
Nkechi wobbled between accepting the job in Lagos and staying at her current company.
wobble between + two options
The senator wobbled on the issue after public opinion shifted against the bill.
wobble on + topic
Mira wobbled for weeks before finally telling her boss she was leaving.
After hearing the counter-argument, Eitan wobbled and asked for more time to think.
The board of directors wobbled on their promise to cut emissions.
- commit
to make a firm decision and stick to it
文法句型
wobble + between + two options
wobble + on/about + topic
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (MOVE UNSTEADILY): this sense is about mental hesitation, not physical movement. Common in news reporting about politicians or institutions changing position.
常見錯誤
wobble — noun
- wobblesingular
- wobblesplural
1. an unsteady rocking or swaying motion, usually small, that happens when somethin
an unsteady rocking or swaying motion, usually small, that happens when something is loose or off-balance
Marta noticed a slight wobble in her bicycle wheel at high speed.
collocation: a slight wobble
The waiter put a napkin under the table leg to stop the wobble.
There was a tiny wobble in the video where the tripod had slipped.
The drone corrected its wobble and hovered steadily above the field.
With one last wobble, the tower of wooden blocks collapsed onto the floor.
- stability
the state of being steady and not likely to move
用法筆記
Often used with adjectives like 'slight', 'little', or 'tiny' to describe a small unsteady motion.
2. a short period of uncertainty or loss of confidence, especially about a choice t
a short period of uncertainty or loss of confidence, especially about a choice that had seemed settled
Mizuki had a last-minute wobble about moving abroad the night before her flight.
have a wobble about + decision
The team's recent wobble in confidence showed in their poor second-half performance.
a wobble in + abstract noun
After months of certainty, Elena felt a wobble of doubt about her career path.
Every investor has the occasional wobble when markets start to fall.
Mathieu's brief wobble passed, and he signed the contract with a steady hand.
- hesitation
a pause before acting; wobble implies more emotional turmoil
- doubt
broader; doubt can last a long time, while a wobble is usually brief
- conviction
a strong, steady belief with no uncertainty
用法筆記
Typically singular. Patterns: 'have a wobble', 'a wobble of doubt', 'a wobble in confidence'. Distinguish from noun sense 1 (UNSTEADY MOVEMENT): this is always about feelings, not physical motion.