crocodile
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a large, dangerous reptile with a long body, short legs, and very sharp teeth that lives in rivers.
n.a large, predatory amphibious reptile of the family Crocodylidae, characterized by a long snout and powerful jaws.
Simple“The crocodile waited quietly in the river for a fish to swim past.”
In context“Wildlife experts warn that the saltwater crocodile is an apex predator capable of striking with incredible speed from beneath the water's surface.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a long line of people, usually school children, walking two by two.
n.a procession of people, typically schoolchildren, walking in pairs in a supervised line.
Simple“The teacher led a long crocodile of children across the park to the museum.”
In context“A tidy crocodile of primary school students, all dressed in matching yellow raincoats, wound its way through the busy city centre.”
Synonyms - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a person who is very greedy or dishonest, especially a politician.
n.a figurative term for a greedy or corrupt individual, specifically applied to public officials.
Simple“The protesters called the local politician a crocodile because he took money from the city.”
In context“Local journalists often use the term crocodile to describe officials who siphon public funds into their private accounts.”
UsageCommonly used in Philippine English to describe political corruption.
Teacher's tipThis sense is specific to the Philippines; using it elsewhere might cause confusion as it is not a standard global metaphor.
Synonymscorruptorprofiteer - 04 C2 Proficiency
n.a tricky argument where every choice leads to a bad result.
n.a fallacious dilemma or paradox, historically associated with a story about a crocodile and a stolen child.
Simple“The philosopher explained the crocodile argument to show how logic can be confusing.”
In context“The 'crocodile' serves as a classic example of a self-referential paradox in ancient logic, challenging the consistency of truth-telling.”
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to speak a different language instead of Esperanto at an Esperanto meeting.
v.to use a national language instead of Esperanto during an Esperanto-focused event.
Simple“The group leader told the students not to crocodile during the dinner party.”
In context“At the international congress, participants are encouraged to stay in the target language and avoid the temptation to crocodile with their compatriots.”
UsageIntransitive verb used exclusively within the Esperanto community.
Teacher's tipThis is a very niche term used only by Esperanto speakers; it is not used in general English conversation.
From Middle English cocodrill, cokadrill, cokedril, from Old French cocodril (modern French crocodile), from Medieval Latin cocodrillus, from Latin crocodilus, from Ancient Greek κροκόδειλος (krokódeilos). The word was later refashioned after the Latin and Greek forms. Doublet of krokodil.
Derived from the noun as a calque of Esperanto krokodili.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.