bulldozer
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a powerful tractor with a large metal blade at the front used for moving dirt or destroying old buildings.
n.a heavy-duty tracked vehicle featuring a front-mounted blade for grading soil, clearing debris, or performing demolition.
Simple“The construction crew used a bulldozer to clear the trees and prepare the ground for the new house.”
In context“The site manager ordered a bulldozer to level the uneven terrain before the foundation could be poured for the industrial complex.”
Synonymsearthmovergrader - 02 C1 Advanced
n.a person who uses their power or a loud personality to force others to agree with them.
n.an individual who behaves in an overbearing or coercive manner to overcome opposition.
Simple“My boss is a bit of a bulldozer and never listens to anyone else's ideas during meetings.”
In context“Known as a political bulldozer, the senator frequently ignored committee protocols to push his agenda through the legislature.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to use a heavy machine to flatten the ground or knock something down.
v.to level ground or demolish structures using a bulldozer; often used figuratively to describe clearing obstacles.
Simple“They plan to bulldoze the old factory to make room for a park.”
In context“The city council voted to bulldoze the derelict housing block, citing safety concerns and the need for urban renewal.”
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to force a plan or an idea through even if other people disagree.
v.to use forceful or insensitive methods to achieve an objective or bypass opposition.
Simple“The manager tried to bulldoze the new rules through without asking the staff what they thought.”
In context“The administration was accused of trying to bulldoze the controversial legislation through parliament before the public had time to react.”
“Israeli soldiers have stood guard as bulldozers demolished a Palestinian building in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.”
“Aircraft dropped water and flame retardant from above, while ground crews built firebreaks with equipment ranging from bulldozers to hand tools.”
Originally bull-dozer (1875, Louisiana, US), in the bullier and terrorizer sense; bulldoze + -er. The name for the earthmoving machine came later, figuratively, from that sense.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.