flank
gb/flˈæŋk/ us/flˈæŋk/
B2
English
~ 6200
szegélyez, közrefog, oldal, horpasz, szárny, oldalról megkerül, átkarol, hasaalja, flank steak, hasaalja steak, szél
VERB
B2
1
Usage pattern:
to flank [something]
Tall pine trees flank the narrow mountain road.
Magas fenyőfák szegélyezik a keskeny hegyi utat.
Two stone lions flank the entrance to the museum.
Két kőoroszlán fogja közre a múzeum bejáratát.
Shops flank both sides of the busy street.
Security guards flanked the stage as the singer came out.
Low hills flank the river for several miles.
Learner examples
Trees flank the road to the village.
Fák szegélyezik a faluba vezető utat.
Two big lights flank the main door.
Két nagy lámpa áll a főajtó két oldalán.
Small houses flank the river on each side.
Tall buildings flank the city square.
Police officers flank the stairs during the event.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'flank' only for military situations. In modern English it is also common in everyday descriptions of places, especially in writing, when something is directly on the side or both sides of something else.
Meaning
be on one or both sides
Collocations
trees flank the road
|buildings flank the square
|columns flank the entrance
|hills flank the valley
|guards flank the door
Synonyms
border (often used for lines or edges, while flank suggests things placed along the side)
|
line (can describe being along the side, but does not strongly suggest being on both sides)
Antonyms
center (refers to the middle, the opposite of being at the sides)
Themes
space
|description
|travel
|core_vocabulary
Definition
to be on the side or sides of something
To be located on one or both sides of something, especially closely alongside it.
NOUN
B2
2
Usage pattern:
the flank of [a person/animal]
The horse had a long scar along its left flank.
A ló bal horpaszán hosszú heg húzódott.
He felt a sharp pain in his right flank and went to the doctor.
Éles fájdalmat érzett a jobb oldalában, ezért orvoshoz ment.
The lion bit the zebra on the flank.
The bullet grazed his flank but missed vital organs.
The vet examined the cow’s flank for signs of injury.
Learner examples
The doctor touched his left flank.
Az orvos megtapogatta a bal oldalát.
The dog was hurt on its right flank.
A kutya a jobb oldalán sérült meg.
She had a small cut on her flank.
The horse was kicked on the flank.
He felt a sudden pain in his flank.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flank' with 'hip' or 'waist'. The flank is the area on the side of the body, roughly between the ribs and the hip bone, not the joint or the belt line itself.
Meaning
side of body between ribs and hip
Collocations
pain in his flank
|kick in the flank
|wound to the flank
|right flank
|left flank
Synonyms
side (more general; does not specifically refer to the ribs–hip area)
Antonyms
front (the front of the body, opposite to the side)
|
back (the rear of the body, also contrasting with the side)
Themes
body
|health
|animals
Definition
the side of a body between the ribs and the hip
The side of a person or animal’s body between the ribs and the hip.
NOUN
C1
3
oldal
A2
Usage pattern:
the flank of [a place/structure]
Villages dot the eastern flank of the mountain range.
Falvak tarkítják a hegység keleti oldalát.
The hotel sits on the southern flank of the hill, overlooking the bay.
A szálloda a domb déli oldalán áll, és az öbölre néz.
Heavy rain triggered landslides on the northern flank of the volcano.
They built new apartments along the western flank of the old factory.
Troops moved quietly up the forested flank of the ridge.
Learner examples
There are farms on the eastern flank of the hill.
Gazdaságok vannak a domb keleti oldalán.
The town is on the southern flank of the mountain.
A város a hegy déli oldalán van.
Houses cover the western flank of the valley.
The road runs along the flank of the hill.
We camped on the lower flank of the mountain.
Common mistake:
Learners often use only 'side' in these contexts. 'Flank' is more common in written or formal descriptions (news, reports) when speaking about the side part of large areas or structures, especially mountains and hills.
Meaning
side part of area or structure
Collocations
eastern flank
|western flank
|flank of the mountain
|flank of the hill
|flank of the building
Synonyms
side (general word for any side; 'flank' often sounds more formal or technical)
|
slope (used for slanting ground; a mountain flank may include slopes)
Antonyms
center (the middle area, opposite of the side part)
Themes
geography
|architecture
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
the side of a large thing like a hill, building, or area
The side part of a long area, structure, or natural feature such as a hill, building, or region.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
4
szárny
B2
Usage pattern:
the [left/right] flank of [a force/group]
The general ordered more troops to guard the left flank.
A tábornok további csapatokat rendelt a balszárny védelmére.
Their right flank collapsed under the surprise attack.
A jobbszárnyuk összeomlott a váratlan támadás következtében.
Cavalry moved around to threaten the enemy’s rear and flanks.
Infantry units advanced while tanks protected their flanks.
The division’s northern flank remained exposed for several hours.
Learner examples
They sent more soldiers to the left flank.
Több katonát küldtek a balszárnyra.
The army’s right flank was weak.
A hadsereg jobbszárnya gyenge volt.
Enemy forces hit their flank in the night.
Soldiers tried to protect the flanks of the main group.
The general worried that the flank was open.
Common mistake:
Learners may not realize that 'flank' in military news or history usually means the side of a group of soldiers, not a body part.
Meaning
side of a military force
Collocations
left flank
|right flank
|protect the flank
|attack the flank
|exposed flank
Synonyms
wing (often used in military writing for the side parts of a force)
Antonyms
center (the middle of a formation, contrasted with the sides)
Themes
military
|conflict
|law
|politics
Definition
the side part of an army or group of soldiers
The side of a military force or formation, especially one that is vulnerable to attack.
VERB
C1
TECHNICAL
5
átkarol
C1
Usage pattern:
to flank [someone/something]
The troops tried to flank the enemy position under cover of darkness.
A csapatok a sötétség leple alatt próbálták oldalról megkerülni az ellenséges állást.
Light infantry moved quickly to flank the armored column.
A könnyűgyalogság gyorsan előrenyomult, hogy oldalról megkerülje a páncélos oszlopot.
Rebel forces flanked the convoy and opened fire.
The team flanked their opponents, attacking from the wide areas.
Commanders feared their units could be flanked if they advanced too far.
Learner examples
The soldiers tried to flank the enemy.
A katonák megpróbálták oldalról megkerülni az ellenséget.
Our team flanked the other side and scored.
A csapatunk oldalról megkerülte az ellenfelet, és gólt szerzett.
The army wanted to flank the city from the north.
They moved fast to flank the enemy camp.
If we move too far, they can flank us.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this with the more general verb 'attack'. 'Flank' always includes the idea of coming from the side, not from the front.
Meaning
attack or move from the side
Collocations
flank the enemy
|flank their position
|attempt to flank
|successfully flanked
|troops flanked the village
Synonyms
outflank (more clearly suggests gaining an advantage by attacking from the side)
|
surround (means to be all around; flanking focuses on the sides)
Antonyms
confront head-on (to attack directly from the front, opposite of from the side)
Themes
military
|conflict
|sports
|law
|politics
Definition
to go around the side of an enemy or group to attack from the side
To move around the side of an enemy, group, or position in order to attack or threaten it from the side.
NOUN
B2
6
Usage pattern:
a flank of [meat] / flank steak
She bought a flank of beef to make fajitas.
Vett egy darab marhahasaalját, hogy fajitát készítsen.
Flank steak is best when it’s marinated and grilled quickly.
A hasaalja steak akkor a legjobb, ha bepácolják és gyorsan grillezik.
The recipe calls for one kilogram of beef flank, sliced thinly.
They served grilled flank with a spicy sauce.
This cut comes from the animal’s lower flank, near the belly.
Learner examples
He cooked a flank of beef for dinner.
Vacsorára marhahasaalját sütött.
Flank steak is cheap but tasty.
A hasaalja steak olcsó, de ízletes.
We grilled a flank and cut it into thin pieces.
You should marinate flank steak before you cook it.
The meat comes from the cow’s flank.
Common mistake:
Some learners think 'flank steak' is a cooking style, not a specific cut of meat. It names the part of the animal, not the way it is cooked.
Meaning
cut of meat from the flank
Collocations
flank steak
|marinated flank steak
|grilled flank steak
|beef flank
|slice the flank thinly
Synonyms
flank steak (the most common name for this specific cut of beef)
Antonyms
tenderloin (a very different, much more tender cut from the back, contrasting with the tougher flank)
Themes
food
|cooking
|food_drink
Definition
a long, flat piece of meat from the side of a cow or other animal
A long, relatively thin cut of meat from the side of an animal’s body near the ribs and belly, especially used in the term 'flank steak'.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
7
Usage pattern:
on the flank / the flank of [the team/field]
The winger made a fast run down the left flank.
A szélső gyorsan végigfutott a bal szélen.
They focused their attacks on the right flank, where the defense was weak.
A támadásaikat a jobb oldalra összpontosították, ahol gyenge volt a védelem.
The coach asked him to stay wide on the flank to stretch the play.
The team switched the ball quickly from one flank to the other.
She controlled the flank well, stopping most wide attacks.
Learner examples
He ran down the right flank and crossed the ball.
Végigfutott a jobb szélen, és beadta a labdát.
The team attacked on the left flank.
A csapat a bal szélen támadott.
She plays on the flank and stays near the line.
They changed the ball from one flank to the other.
Our defense is weak on the left flank.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'flank' with 'winger'. 'Flank' usually refers to the area of the field, while 'winger' is the player. However, in commentary they are often used close together in meaning.
Meaning
side position or area in sports
Collocations
run down the flank
|attack down the flank
|wide on the flank
|defend the flank
|overlap on the flank
Synonyms
wing (common in soccer and rugby; often used like 'flank' for wide positions)
Antonyms
center (the middle of the field or formation, opposite of the wide side area)
Themes
sports
Definition
the side area or a wide position on a sports field
In sports, the side area of the field or a playing position on or near the side, especially in games like soccer or rugby.
Grammar
Dictionary form
flank
IPA
GB/flˈæŋk/
US/flˈæŋk/
Syllables & stress
flank (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (flank)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: flank
- Plural: flanks
Verb
- Base: flank
- 3rd Person Singular: flanks
- Present Participle: flanking
- Past: flanked
Word family
Forms
flanks
noun
flanking
verb
flanked
verb
Related words
outflank
verb
Advanced or less common
flanker
noun
Expressions
be flanked by
1/bˈi flˈæŋkt bˈaɪ/
fixed phrase
have things on each side
to have people or things standing or placed on your side or on both sides
Examples
- The president was flanked by security guards as she entered the hall.
- The old church is flanked by two modern office buildings.
- The wide avenue is flanked by tall trees on both sides.
flank speed
1/flˈæŋk spˈid/
fixed phrase
technical
maximum speed of a warship
the highest speed that a warship can safely go
Examples
- The captain ordered flank speed to escape the storm.
- At flank speed, the destroyer closed the distance quickly.
- The ship can only maintain flank speed for a short time.
flank steak
1/flˈæŋk stˈeɪk/
fixed phrase
long flat beef cut from flank
a long, flat piece of beef that comes from the side of the cow
Examples
- We marinated a flank steak overnight and grilled it for dinner.
- Flank steak is cheap but can be very tasty if cooked correctly.
- The recipe suggests slicing the flank steak thinly against the grain.
flanking maneuver
1/flˈæŋkɪŋ mənˈuvɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
planned side attack movement
a planned move by soldiers or forces to go to the side of the enemy and attack from there
Examples
- The commander ordered a flanking maneuver to catch the enemy by surprise.
- The flanking maneuver failed when the troops were spotted too early.
- They used a quick flanking maneuver to take the village without heavy losses.
left flank
1/lˈɛft flˈæŋk/
fixed phrase
left side of body or group
the left side of a body, team, or group, especially in military or sports talk
Examples
- Troops were sent to strengthen the left flank.
- Most of their attacks came from the left flank of the field.
- He felt a sudden pain in his left flank.
on the flank
1/ˈɔn ðə flˈæŋk/
fixed phrase
positioned on the side
in a position on the side of something, especially a sports field or a group of players or soldiers
Examples
- She plays on the flank, providing width to the attack.
- Two units waited quietly on the flank, ready to move.
- A fast runner stayed on the flank to stretch the defense.
right flank
1/ɹˈaɪt flˈæŋk/
fixed phrase
right side of body or group
the right side of a body, team, or group, especially in military or sports talk
Examples
- Their right flank was exposed and quickly overrun.
- The team’s strongest players are on the right flank.
- He had an injury on his right flank after the fall.