bridle
gb/bɹˈaɪdəl/ us/bɹˈaɪdəl/
B2
English
~ 6900
kantár, megsértődik, felháborodik, felkantároz, visszafog, korlát, béklyó
NOUN
B2
1
kantár
B2
Usage pattern:
a bridle on [a horse]
She tightened the bridle before mounting the horse.
Meghúzta a kantárt, mielőtt felült a lóra.
The old leather bridle hung on a hook in the stable.
A régi bőrkantár egy kampón lógott az istállóban.
Make sure the bridle fits properly so the horse is comfortable.
He bought a new bit and bridle for the competition.
The trainer showed her how to put the bridle on safely.
Learner examples
The horse wears a bridle on its head.
A ló fején kantár van.
He puts a bridle on the horse before he rides it.
Lovaglás előtt kantárt tesz a lóra.
This bridle is too small for the big horse.
She takes off the bridle after the ride.
They clean the saddle and the bridle every day.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "bridle" with "bridal" (related to weddings) because they sound similar. "Bridle" is for horses; "bridal" is for brides and weddings.
Meaning
headgear for controlling a horse
Collocations
bridle and bit
|saddle and bridle
|put a bridle on
|remove the bridle
|bridle and reins
|leather bridle
Synonyms
headstall (A more technical word in horse-riding contexts; less common in general use.)
|
tack (A broader term meaning all the equipment used on a horse, not just the bridle.)
Antonyms
bareback (Riding without saddle or bridle; describes the absence of such equipment.)
Themes
animals
|sports
|transport
Definition
Straps and metal parts on a horse’s head that help a rider control it.
A set of straps and metal pieces fitted around a horse’s head and mouth, used to control and guide the animal.
VERB
C1
2
megsértődik
B1
felháborodik
B2
Usage pattern:
to bridle at [something]
She bridled at his rude comment.
Megsértődött a férfi durva megjegyzésén.
He visibly bridled at the accusation.
Láthatóan felháborodott a vád miatt.
The director bridled at the suggestion that he was being unfair.
They bridled at the idea of cutting staff benefits.
He bridled at her tone, even though her words were polite.
Learner examples
She bridled at his joke about her work.
Megsértődött, amikor a férfi a munkájával viccelődött.
He bridled at the question from the reporter.
Megsértődött az újságíró kérdésén.
The teacher bridled at the parents’ criticism.
My boss bridled at my request for more time.
They bridled at the plan to close the library.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes think "bridle" here means to control yourself, but this sense usually means the opposite: you show your anger or offense, often clearly. It is also often followed by "at" ("bridle at the remark").
Meaning
show sudden anger or offense
Collocations
bridle at the suggestion
|bridle at the remark
|bridle visibly
|bridle with anger
|made her bridle
|caused him to bridle
Synonyms
bristle (Very close in meaning; often suggests becoming stiff or tense with anger.)
|
take offense (More general and slightly more formal; does not specifically suggest a visible reaction.)
Antonyms
shrug off (To ignore something that might cause offense instead of reacting angrily.)
Themes
emotions
|communication
Definition
To suddenly show that you are angry or feel hurt by what someone says or does.
To react with sudden, often visible anger or offense to a remark or situation.
VERB
B2
3
felkantároz
C1
Usage pattern:
to bridle [a horse]
She went to the stable to bridle the horse before the lesson.
Kiment az istállóba, hogy felkantározza a lovat az óra előtt.
The groom quickly bridled and saddled the mare.
A lovász gyorsan felkantározta és felnyergelte a kancát.
Make sure you bridle the pony gently so it doesn’t get scared.
He bridled the horse and led it out into the yard.
They taught the children how to bridle a horse safely.
Learner examples
He bridles the horse before he rides it.
Lovaglás előtt felkantározza a lovat.
The girl learns how to bridle a pony.
A lány megtanulja, hogyan kell felkantározni egy pónit.
Please help me bridle this big horse.
They bridle the horses early in the morning.
First we brush the horse, then we bridle it.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this with the noun and say "I put a bridle the horse" instead of "I bridle the horse" or "I put a bridle on the horse."
Meaning
put a bridle on a horse
Collocations
bridle the horse
|catch and bridle
|saddle and bridle
|feed and bridle
|bridle a pony
|bridle the mare
Synonyms
tack up (Horse-riding jargon meaning to put on all equipment; broader than just the bridle.)
|
harness (Usually refers to attaching an animal to a vehicle; not limited to the headgear.)
Antonyms
unbridle (To remove the bridle; the direct opposite action, though relatively rare.)
Themes
animals
|sports
|daily life
Definition
To put the straps and metal parts (bridle) on a horse’s head so you can control it.
To put a bridle onto a horse or similar animal in order to control or ride it.
VERB
C1
FORMAL
4
visszafog
B2
Usage pattern:
to bridle [emotion/impulse]
He tried to bridle his anger during the meeting.
Próbálta visszafogni a dühét a megbeszélés alatt.
She bridled her impatience and listened quietly.
Visszafogta a türelmetlenségét, és csendben hallgatott.
The government must bridle its urge to overspend.
I struggled to bridle my excitement until the surprise was announced.
They urged him to bridle his temper in front of the children.
Learner examples
He tries to bridle his anger at work.
Megpróbálja visszafogni a dühét a munkahelyén.
She bridles her temper when she talks to her boss.
Visszafogja az indulatait, amikor a főnökével beszél.
I could not bridle my fear during the flight.
They bridle their excitement until the guests arrive.
You should bridle your anger before you speak.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes mix this sense with "bridle at" and think it means to show anger. In this sense, "to bridle" means to control or hold back the feeling, not to show it.
Meaning
control or hold back emotion
Collocations
bridle your anger
|bridle his temper
|bridle her excitement
|bridle one’s tongue
|bridle one’s passion
|struggle to bridle
Synonyms
restrain (Very close in meaning; more general and common in many contexts.)
|
curb (Often used for limiting something harmful or excessive, such as anger or spending.)
Antonyms
indulge (To allow an emotion or desire to be fully expressed instead of controlled.)
Themes
emotions
|self-development
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To stop yourself from showing or acting on a strong feeling, such as anger.
To control or restrain an emotion, desire, or impulse, especially when it might lead to unwise behavior.
NOUN
C2
LITERARY
5
Usage pattern:
a bridle on [something]
They argued that the law would place a tight bridle on free speech.
Azzal érveltek, hogy a törvény szigorú korlátok közé szorítaná a szólásszabadságot.
He longed to throw off the bridle of convention.
Arra vágyott, hogy lerázza a konvenciók béklyóját.
Some see regulation as a necessary bridle on corporate power.
The constitution was designed as a bridle on government authority.
Artists often resist any bridle on their creativity.
Learner examples
The new rules put a bridle on the company’s power.
Az új szabályok korlátok közé szorítják a vállalat hatalmát.
He wants to take off the bridle of strict tradition.
Le akarja rázni a szigorú hagyományok béklyóját.
Many people do not like a strong bridle on free speech.
The law acts as a bridle on corruption.
Some students feel a bridle on their freedom at school.
Common mistake:
Learners may take this figurative sense too literally and imagine an actual horse bridle. In modern English it is relatively rare and usually appears in formal or literary writing.
Meaning
means of control or restraint
Collocations
a bridle on power
|a bridle on freedom
|cast off the bridle
|throw off the bridle
|under the bridle of
|a moral bridle
Synonyms
restraint (Very close in meaning and more common in modern English; can be physical or social.)
|
check (Often suggests a limit or control that stops something from going too far.)
Antonyms
license (Suggests complete freedom to act without control or restraint.)
Themes
society
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A thing, rule, or system that controls or limits people or actions.
Something that controls or limits a person, group, or activity, often used figuratively by comparison with a horse’s bridle.
Grammar
Dictionary form
bridle
IPA
GB/bɹˈaɪdəl/
US/bɹˈaɪdəl/
Syllables & stress
bridle (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (bridle)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: bridle
- Plural: bridles
Verb
- Base: bridle
- 3rd Person Singular: bridles
- Present Participle: bridling
- Past: bridled
Word family
Forms
bridles
noun
bridling
verb
bridled
verb
Related words
bridleway
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unbridled
adjective
Expressions
bit and bridle
1/bˈɪt ˈænd bɹˈaɪdəl/
fixed phrase
horse’s bit and headgear
The metal piece in a horse’s mouth (bit) and the straps on its head (bridle), used together to control the horse.
Examples
- He checked the bit and bridle before leading the horse out.
- The stable keeps extra bits and bridles hanging on the wall.
- Without bit and bridle, the horse would be hard to control in traffic.
bridle at
1/bɹˈaɪdəl ˈæt/
idiom
react angrily or take offense
To suddenly show that you are angry or upset because of something someone says or does.
Examples
- She bridled at the suggestion that she was lazy.
- Many voters bridled at the new tax proposal.
- He bridled at her sharp tone, even though her words were polite.