bolt
To lock a door, window, or gate by moving a metal bar across it.
To lock or secure a door, window, or gate by sliding a metal bar (a bolt) into position.
To suddenly start running very fast, usually to get away from something.
To suddenly run or move very quickly, especially in order to escape or because of fear.
To eat food so fast that you do not chew it well or enjoy it.
To eat food very quickly, often without chewing properly or taking time to taste it.
A thick metal pin with a head that goes through things and is held in place with a metal ring called a nut.
A strong metal fastener with a head and a usually threaded shaft, designed to pass through holes in objects and be secured with a nut.
A metal bar on a door or gate that you slide to lock it.
A sliding metal bar on a door, window, or gate that is moved into place to lock or secure it.
A bright line of lightning that you can see in the sky.
A single flash or streak of lightning, often imagined as a narrow, bright line in the sky.
A sudden quick run, usually to get away or to reach a place fast.
A sudden, fast movement, especially a quick run towards a place, often in an attempt to escape.
A long roll of cloth or paper that is sold in one piece.
A long, tightly rolled length of cloth, wallpaper, or similar material that is stored or sold as a single unit.
To attach something strongly using metal bolts.
To fix or attach something firmly in place by using metal bolts as fasteners.
- Base: bolt
- Plural: bolts
- Base: bolt
- 3rd Person Singular: bolts
- Present Participle: bolting
- Past: bolted
bolt down
1eat something very quickly
To eat food very quickly, often because you are in a hurry, without chewing it well.
- He bolted down his sandwich and rushed back to the office.
- Don't just bolt your food down; you'll get a stomach ache.
- We had ten minutes to eat, so we bolted our lunch down.
bolt on
1attach as an extra part
To add or attach something extra to something that already exists, especially so it can be removed again easily.
- You can bolt on extra storage to the basic package for a small fee.
- The company plans to bolt on a new online service to its existing platform.
- They bolted on an extra unit to increase the machine’s capacity.
like a bolt from the blue
1sudden and completely unexpected event
If something happens "like a bolt from the blue", it happens very suddenly and surprises everyone.
- The news of his resignation came like a bolt from the blue.
- Her decision to move abroad was a bolt from the blue for her family.
- The company’s sudden collapse hit investors like a bolt from the blue.
make a bolt for
1suddenly run towards escape
To suddenly start running quickly towards a place, usually to escape or to reach safety.
- When the guard turned away, the prisoners made a bolt for the gate.
- As soon as the door opened, the dog made a bolt for the street.
- Seeing the rain ease, we made a bolt for the car.
bolt upright
1sitting or standing very straight
To sit or stand "bolt upright" means to be very straight, with your back vertical, often suddenly.
- He sat bolt upright when he heard the noise.
- She sat bolt upright in bed when she heard the scream.
- She woke up bolt upright after the nightmare.
- The children were sitting bolt upright in their chairs, afraid to move.
- He woke up and stood bolt upright, confused and breathing hard.
nuts and bolts
1basic practical details
The "nuts and bolts" of something are its basic, practical details, especially how it really works or is done.
- Let’s get down to the nuts and bolts of the project.
- The first part of the course covers the nuts and bolts of project management.
- The course covers the nuts and bolts of web design.
- We need to talk about the nuts and bolts of the plan before we present it.
- She understands the theory, but he knows the nuts and bolts of running the business.