patronize
gb/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/ us/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/
B2
Inglese
Accezioni
0 accezioni
Verbo
C1
action
1
Talk down to someone
To treat someone as if they are less intelligent or less important than you.
Schema d'uso:
patronize [someone]
Errore comune:
Learners may confuse this with the meaning “to be a customer of a business.” Context usually makes it clear (people vs. shops).
Sinonimi
condescend to (Often implies showing superiority openly or indirectly.)
|
talk down to (More informal; focuses on the way someone speaks.)
|
treat like a child (Emphasizes being overly simple or overhelpful.)
Contrari
respect (Treat someone as an equal with proper regard.)
|
defer to (Show respect by letting the other person lead or decide.)
Collocazioni
patronize someone
|feel patronized
|stop patronizing me
|a patronizing tone
|patronizing attitude
|sound patronizing
|come across as patronizing
|talk to someone in a patronizing way
|patronize your staff
|patronize the way someone speaks
Temi
communication
|emotions
|relationships
|conflict
Esempi
- Please don’t patronize me—I understand what you’re saying.
- He apologized for his patronizing tone during the meeting.
- The instructions were so basic that many users felt patronized.
Esempi per chi studia
- Don’t patronize me.
- She felt patronized by his comments.
Verbo
formal
B2
action
2
Be a customer of a business
To buy things from a shop or use a business, often regularly.
Schema d'uso:
patronize [business/place]
Errore comune:
This meaning is more formal than “go to” or “shop at.” Avoid using it when talking about people (that usually means “talk down to”).
Sinonimi
shop at (More common and neutral in everyday speech.)
|
go to (Broader; does not necessarily imply spending money.)
|
frequent (More formal; emphasizes regular visits.)
Contrari
boycott (Deliberately refuse to buy from a business.)
|
avoid (Choose not to go to or use a place.)
Collocazioni
patronize a restaurant
|patronize a shop
|patronize a bar
|patronize local businesses
|patronize small businesses
|customers who patronize
|encourage people to patronize
|regularly patronize
|patronize an establishment
|patronize a café
Temi
business
|shopping
|daily_life
|food_and_drink
Esempi
- We try to patronize local businesses whenever we can.
- The café depends on students who patronize it after class.
- If the service is bad, customers won’t patronize the store again.
Esempi per chi studia
- I like to patronize small businesses.
- Many people patronize this restaurant on weekends.
Verbo
formal
C1
action
3
Support an artist or project
To support someone (especially in the arts) by giving money or help.
Schema d'uso:
patronize [artist/organization/cause]
Errore comune:
In modern everyday English, people more often say “support,” “fund,” or “sponsor.”
Sinonimi
support (More general and common.)
|
sponsor (Often linked to funding in exchange for publicity or benefits.)
|
fund (Focuses specifically on providing money.)
Contrari
defund (Remove financial support.)
|
undermine (Actively damage efforts rather than support them.)
Collocazioni
patronize the arts
|patronize an artist
|patronize a theatre company
|patronize a charity
|patronize a project
|wealthy patrons who patronize
|patronize a gallery
|patronize cultural institutions
Temi
arts
|money
|culture
|business
Esempi
- For years, she patronized young musicians by paying for their training.
- The foundation patronizes several cultural projects in the city.
- In the past, wealthy families often patronized painters and composers.
Esempi per chi studia
- The company patronized a local art program.
- He patronized the theatre with donations.
Grammatica
Forma base
patronize
IPA
GB/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/
US/pˈætɹənˌaɪz/
Sillabe e accento
pat - ron - ize (3 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (pat)
Forme flesse
Verb
- Base: patronize
- 3rd Person Singular: patronizes
- Present Participle: patronizing
- Past: patronized
Famiglia di parole
Espressioni
don’t patronize me.
1/dˈoʊnt pˈætɹənˌaɪz mˈi ‖/
fixed phrase
Stop talking down to me
Stop treating me like I’m stupid.
Esempi
- Don’t patronize me—I’ve done this job for years.
- She snapped, “Don’t patronize me,” when he tried to explain the obvious.
- “Don’t patronize me,” he said, “just answer the question.”
patronize the arts
1/pˈætɹənˌaɪz ðə ˈɑɹts/
fixed phrase
formal
Support arts with money
To support art and artists with money or help.
Esempi
- The family has long patronized the arts in the region.
- Many businesses patronize the arts through donations and grants.
- She believes governments should patronize the arts more actively.