pigeon
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.a common bird with a fat body and short legs, often seen in cities.
n.any bird of the family Columbidae, characterized by a stout body, short neck, and fleshy cere.
Simple“A large group of pigeons gathered in the square to eat bread crumbs.”
In context“Urban pigeons have adapted remarkably well to city life, nesting on window ledges that mimic the rocky cliffs of their ancestors.”
Synonyms - 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the meat of a pigeon used as food.
n.the flesh of the pigeon consumed as food, often referred to as squab when the bird is young.
Simple“The restaurant served roasted pigeon with a side of seasonal vegetables.”
In context“The chef prepared a traditional salmi of pigeon, emphasizing the rich, gamey flavour of the breast meat.”
Synonymssquab - 03 C1 Advanced
n.a person who is easily tricked or cheated, especially in a scam.
n.a person who is easily swindled or targeted as the victim of a confidence game.
Simple“The scammers were looking for a pigeon who would believe their story about the prize money.”
In context“The professional gamblers viewed the wealthy newcomer as a perfect pigeon, ripe for exploitation in their high-stakes game.”
- 04 C2 Proficiency
n.someone's business or responsibility.
n.an idiomatic reference to a person's particular concern, duty, or area of responsibility.
Simple“If he wants to waste his money, that is his pigeon, not mine.”
In context“The colonel made it clear that while the logistics were his pigeon, the tactical execution remained entirely with the captain.”
Teacher's tipThis sense is mostly found in mid-20th-century British literature; modern speakers would say 'that's his lookout' or 'that's his business'.
- 05 C2 Proficiency
v.to cheat or trick someone.
v.to deceive or swindle someone, typically through a confidence trick.
Simple“He was worried that the street performers were trying to pigeon him out of his cash.”
In context“The plot involved a sophisticated attempt to pigeon the investors by presenting fraudulent geological reports.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object.