totter
gb/tˈɑtɚ/ us/tˈɑtɚ/
B2
Inglês
tántorog, botorkál, inog, meginog
VERBO
B2
1
Padrão de uso:
[someone] totters (along/down/into/out of) [place]
She tottered across the kitchen, holding on to the counter.
A konyhán tántorgott át, közben a konyhapultba kapaszkodott.
After the long hike, he tottered down the steps on shaky legs.
A hosszú túra után remegő lábakkal tántorgott le a lépcsőn.
The toddler tottered toward his mother and then sat down with a laugh.
Exemplos para estudantes
My grandfather tottered to the door.
A nagyapám tántorogva ment az ajtóhoz.
She tottered in her new shoes.
Az új cipőjében tántorgott.
Erro comum:
Learners may confuse totter (small unsteady steps) with stagger (bigger, wider, often from drink or shock).
Significado
walk unsteadily, nearly falling
Colocações
totter along
|totter down the street
|totter into the room
|totter out of the bar
|totter over to
|totter across the floor
|totter on high heels
|totter backwards
|totter unsteadily
|totter away
Sinônimos
stumble (often suggests tripping on something.)
|
stagger (usually heavier, wider steps and stronger loss of balance.)
|
wobble (emphasizes side-to-side movement; may be less about walking.)
Antônimos
stride (walk confidently with long, steady steps.)
|
walk steadily (move without losing balance.)
Temas
daily_life
|health
|movement
Definição
to walk in an unsteady way, almost falling
To walk with weak, unsteady steps, as if you might fall, especially because of age, tiredness, illness, injury, alcohol, or awkward shoes.
VERBO
C1
2
Padrão de uso:
[system/plan/company/relationship] totters (on the brink/edge of) [failure/collapse]
The company tottered under huge debts after sales collapsed.
Miután az eladások összeomlottak, a vállalat a hatalmas adósságok súlya alatt inogni kezdett.
The peace agreement tottered as violence spread to the capital.
A békemegállapodás megingott, ahogy az erőszak átterjedt a fővárosra.
Public confidence was low, and the government began to totter.
Exemplos para estudantes
The plan tottered after the first problem.
A terv már az első probléma után megingott.
The business is tottering because it has no money.
A vállalkozás inog, mert nincs pénze.
Erro comum:
Learners may overuse it for small problems; totter usually suggests a serious risk of collapse or failure.
Significado
be unstable and near failure
Colocações
totter on the brink of collapse
|totter on the edge of bankruptcy
|totter on the verge of failure
|a tottering economy
|a tottering government
|totter under the weight of debt
|totter after the scandal
|totter toward collapse
Sinônimos
teeter (very close to an extreme change or collapse; common with 'on the brink'.)
|
falter (begin to lose strength or effectiveness, not always near collapse.)
|
crumble (suggests an actual breaking down, often already happening.)
Antônimos
stabilize (become steady or secure again.)
|
hold firm (remain stable despite pressure.)
Temas
business
|society
|politics
Definição
to be very close to failing or ending
To be in a weak or unstable condition and close to failing, collapsing, or ending.
Gramática
Forma no dicionário
totter
AFI
GB/tˈɑtɚ/
US/tˈɑtɚ/
Sílabas e tonicidade
tot - ter (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (tot)
Formas da palavra
Verb
- Base: totter
- 3rd Person Singular: totters
- Present Participle: tottering
- Past: tottered
Expressões
totter around
1/tˈɑtɚ ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
move about unsteadily
to walk around unsteadily
Exemplos
- She tottered around the house looking for her glasses.
- He was still tottering around the office despite being ill.
- The toddler tottered around the living room, grabbing the furniture for balance.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The baby tottered around the room.
totter off
1/tˈɑtɚ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
leave while walking unsteadily
to walk away unsteadily
Exemplos
- He tottered off to bed without saying goodnight.
- The old man tottered off down the path with his cane.
- She tottered off in her heels, laughing at herself.
Exemplos para estudantes
- He tottered off to his room.
totter on the brink/edge of [something]
1/tˈɑtɚ ˈɔn ðə bɹˈɪŋkˈɛd͡ʒ əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
idiom
be very close to failure
to be very close to something bad happening
Exemplos
- The deal tottered on the brink of collapse until the last minute.
- After the data breach, the firm was tottering on the edge of bankruptcy.
- The ceasefire tottered on the brink as shelling resumed.
Exemplos para estudantes
- The company is tottering on the brink of collapse.