bolt

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. a metal bar that you slide across a door or window to lock it.

n. a sliding bar or mechanism used to secure a door or window in a closed position.

“She slid the bolt into place before going to bed for the night.”

“The heavy iron bolt had rusted into the staple, making it nearly impossible to open the garden gate without a hammer.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a sudden flash of lightning that looks like a white line in the sky.

n. a sudden, distinct discharge of lightning, often referred to as a 'bolt of lightning'.

“A bolt of lightning hit the old oak tree during the storm.”

“A jagged bolt of lightning illuminated the valley for a split second, followed immediately by a deafening crack of thunder.”

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Technical

n. a large roll of cloth or fabric.

n. a standard commercial unit of length for finished fabric, typically wound around a central core.

Español:rollo

“The tailor bought a whole bolt of silk to make the wedding dresses.”

“The warehouse stored hundreds of bolts of denim, organized by weight and dye lot for the garment factory.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to run away suddenly, often because you are frightened.

v. to move or run away suddenly and rapidly, typically in response to fear or a sudden impulse.

“The horse bolted when it heard the loud car engine.”

“As soon as the back door was left slightly ajar, the frightened stray dog bolted into the woods.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to lock a door or window by sliding a metal bar across it.

v. to secure a door or window by means of a sliding bolt or similar mechanism.

Español:trancar

“Don't forget to bolt the door when you leave the house.”

“The shopkeeper carefully bolted the shutters every evening to protect the storefront from potential vandalism.”

C1 · Advanced Informal

v. to eat your food very fast, often swallowing it without chewing much.

v. to swallow food or drink hurriedly or without adequate mastication.

“He bolted his breakfast because he was late for the bus.”

“The hikers were so hungry that they bolted their rations in silence before collapsing into their sleeping bags.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

v. to join two things together using metal bolts.

v. to fasten or attach components together using threaded bolts.

Español:trancar

“The seats are bolted to the floor of the stadium.”

“The heavy machinery must be bolted to a concrete foundation to prevent vibration during high-speed operation.”

C2 · Proficiency Botany Technical

v. when a plant grows flowers and seeds too quickly, making it taste bad.

v. to produce flowers and seeds prematurely, often rendering the edible parts of the plant bitter or tough.

“The lettuce started to bolt because the weather became too hot.”

“Gardeners often struggle to prevent spinach from bolting during unseasonably warm spring spells, which ruins the leaf quality.”

B2 · Upper Intermediate

adv. used with 'upright' to mean sitting or standing very straight.

adv. in a rigid or sudden manner; almost exclusively used in the collocation 'bolt upright'.

“She sat bolt upright in bed when she heard a strange noise.”

“The news caused him to sit bolt upright, his previous lethargy replaced by a sudden, sharp focus.”