totter
gb/tˈɑtɚ/ us/tˈɑtɚ/
B2
Engleză
tántorog, botorkál, inog, meginog
VERB
B2
1
Tipar de utilizare:
[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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
My grandfather tottered to the door.
A nagyapám tántorogva ment az ajtóhoz.
She tottered in her new shoes.
Az új cipőjében tántorgott.
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners may confuse totter (small unsteady steps) with stagger (bigger, wider, often from drink or shock).
Sens
walk unsteadily, nearly falling
Colocații
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
Sinonime
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.)
Antonime
stride (walk confidently with long, steady steps.)
|
walk steadily (move without losing balance.)
Teme
daily_life
|health
|movement
Definiție
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.
VERB
C1
2
Tipar de utilizare:
[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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
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.
Greșeală frecventă:
Learners may overuse it for small problems; totter usually suggests a serious risk of collapse or failure.
Sens
be unstable and near failure
Colocații
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
Sinonime
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.)
Antonime
stabilize (become steady or secure again.)
|
hold firm (remain stable despite pressure.)
Teme
business
|society
|politics
Definiție
to be very close to failing or ending
To be in a weak or unstable condition and close to failing, collapsing, or ending.
Gramatică
Forma de dicționar
totter
IPA
GB/tˈɑtɚ/
US/tˈɑtɚ/
Silabe și accent
tot - ter (2 silabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (tot)
Forme ale cuvântului
Verb
- Base: totter
- 3rd Person Singular: totters
- Present Participle: tottering
- Past: tottered
Expresii
totter around
1/tˈɑtɚ ɚˈaʊnd/
phrasal verb
move about unsteadily
to walk around unsteadily
Exemple
- 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- The baby tottered around the room.
totter off
1/tˈɑtɚ ˈɔf/
phrasal verb
leave while walking unsteadily
to walk away unsteadily
Exemple
- 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- 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
Exemple
- 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.
Exemple pentru cursanți
- The company is tottering on the brink of collapse.