What does "bolts" mean?

1. (metal fasteners) metal pins used with a nut to fasten things together. 2. (lightning) flashes of lightning that look like bright lines in the sky. 3. (runs away suddenly) when someone or an animal suddenly runs away because they are scared. 4. (eats quickly) to eat food very quickly without chewing it much. 5. (rolls of fabric) large rolls of cloth or fabric.

bolts

n. · v.

US //ˈboʊɫts// UK //bˈəʊlts// bolts

1 metal fasteners (n.)
B1 Intermediate

metal pins used with a nut to fasten things together.

threaded metal pins or rods, typically used in conjunction with a nut to secure two or more components together.

Example

He tightened the bolts on the car wheel to make sure it was safe.

Example

The structural integrity of the bridge depends on thousands of high-tensile bolts that must be inspected for corrosion every five years.
2 lightning (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

flashes of lightning that look like bright lines in the sky.

sudden discharges of lightning, often appearing as jagged lines of light during a storm.

Example

Several bolts of lightning lit up the dark sky during the storm.

Example

The hikers sought shelter as massive bolts of lightning began to strike the exposed ridge with terrifying frequency.

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3 runs away suddenly (v.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

when someone or an animal suddenly runs away because they are scared.

the action of a person or animal suddenly and unexpectedly running away, often due to alarm or fright.

Example

The horse often bolts if it hears a loud noise like a car horn.

Example

The stray dog usually bolts at the slightest sound of approaching footsteps, making it difficult for the rescue team to get close.
- stays
- remains
4 eats quickly (v.)
C1 Advanced Informal

to eat food very quickly without chewing it much.

to swallow food hurriedly or without proper mastication.

Example

He always bolts his breakfast because he is late for the bus.

Example

The teenager habitually bolts his dinner in under five minutes so he can return to his video games as quickly as possible.
- gulps
- devours
- wolfs
- savours
- nibbles
5 rolls of fabric (n.)
C2 Proficiency Technical

large rolls of cloth or fabric.

large rolls of woven fabric of a specific length, typically as stored or sold in a shop.

Example

The tailor kept several bolts of silk in the back of the shop.

Example

The textile warehouse was filled with hundreds of bolts of heavy denim, stacked floor to ceiling and ready for shipment to the garment factory.
- rolls
- reels

Idioms2 entries