hose
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a long, flexible tube used to carry water from a tap to a garden or a fire.
n.a flexible pipe for conveying water or other liquids, typically used in gardening, firefighting, or industrial applications.
Simple“He used the garden hose to water the flowers during the dry summer.”
In context“The firefighters quickly unrolled the heavy-duty hose and connected it to the hydrant as smoke began to billow from the warehouse roof.”
UsageThe noun is countable when referring to the tool itself.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an older word for tight clothing that covers the legs, like tights.
n.a garment for the legs and feet; in modern contexts, refers to hosiery or tights, while historically referring to men's close-fitting breeches.
Simple“In the museum, we saw a pair of silk hose worn by a king hundreds of years ago.”
In context“The costume designer insisted on authentic woollen hose to ensure the Shakespearean production maintained its historical integrity.”
UsageOften functions as an uncountable collective noun in modern retail contexts.
- 03 B1 Intermediate
v.to wash or water something using a hose.
v.to direct a stream of water or other liquid onto a surface using a flexible tube.
Simple“I need to hose the mud off my car before we go to the party.”
In context“After the festival ended, the maintenance crew had to hose down the entire plaza to remove the accumulated debris.”
UsageOften used with the particle 'down' as in 'hose down'.
- 04 C1 Advanced
v.to completely break a computer system or ruin someone's chances.
v.to cause a total failure of a system, or to disadvantage someone significantly through error or unfairness.
Simple“The new software update completely hosed my laptop and I lost all my files.”
In context“The team felt they were hosed by the referee's controversial decision in the final minutes of the championship game.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is common in tech circles and sports; it implies a sense of being 'cheated' or 'broken' beyond easy repair.