noose

noose — 名詞

1. a length of rope whose end is shaped into a sliding loop by a slipknot so that i

1.名詞C1
釋義

絞索

一端有滑結的繩圈，用於絞刑

a length of rope whose end is shaped into a sliding loop by a slipknot so that it tightens when the loose end is pulled, used in former times to put prisoners to death by suspension

例句

The sailor showed William how to tie a noose that could hold the cargo's weight.

老水手向 William 示範如何打一條能承受貨物重量的絞索。

a noose + that-clause for specifying purpose

A frayed noose hung from the barn beam, left by a farmer many years ago.

一條磨損的絞索仍掛在穀倉橫樑上，是多年前農夫留下來的。

同義詞
  • loop

    a general curved shape in a rope; does not tighten by itself

  • snare

    a trap that uses a noose-like mechanism to catch animals

  • lasso

    a long rope with a noose at one end, used by cowboys to catch cattle

文法句型

a noose

the noose

noose + around + noun

用法筆記

When used literally, this word carries strong associations with execution and death. It is not a neutral term for a simple loop of rope.

常見錯誤

❌He tied a noose in the rope for the climbing harness.
✅He tied a figure-eight knot in the rope for the climbing harness.
💡A noose is a specific sliding loop used for hanging or trapping; climbers use different fixed knots for safety.

2. a restriction or difficult situation that gradually becomes more severe, making

2.名詞C1
釋義

束縛

逐漸收緊的困境或限制

a restriction or difficult situation that gradually becomes more severe, making it increasingly hard for a person or group to act freely or escape

例句

The noose of debt was tightening around the family's finances after the hospital bills.

醫藥費帳單過後，債務的束縛讓這個家庭的財務越收越緊。

the noose of [problem] + tighten

Devika felt the noose of government regulations closing in on her small café.

Devika 感覺政府法規的束縛正緊緊套住她的小咖啡館。

feel the noose of [restriction] closing in

同義詞
  • trap

    focuses on the idea of being caught rather than gradual tightening

  • restriction

    more neutral and formal; does not imply increasing severity

  • stranglehold

    stronger than noose, implies complete control with no room to move

反義詞
  • freedom

    the opposite condition of being unconstrained

文法句型

the noose of [noun]

tighten the noose

the noose tightens

用法筆記

Common in set phrases such as 'tighten the noose' and 'the noose is tightening/closing'. The subject is typically an abstract problem (debt, rules, pressure) rather than a physical object. Distinguish from sense 1 (ROPE LOOP), which refers to an actual rope.

常見錯誤

❌The deadline is a noose that I cannot escape.
✅The deadline feels like a noose tightening around me.
💡The figurative use typically involves a process of tightening, not a static state.

noose — 動詞