railroad
- 01 A2 Elementary
n.the whole system of trains, tracks, and the companies that manage them.
n.the entire infrastructure, rolling stock, and organizational system of rail transport.
Simple“The railroad was the main way people traveled across the country in the 1800s.”
In context“The expansion of the transcontinental railroad fundamentally altered the economic landscape of the nineteenth-century United States.”
Synonymsrail systemrail network - 02 C1 Advanced
v.to force someone to do something or accept a decision without giving them enough time to think.
v.to push a person or a process through with undue haste, often bypassing fair procedures or deliberation.
Simple“I felt like the salesman was trying to railroad me into buying the car today.”
In context“The committee was accused of trying to railroad the new legislation through before the public had a chance to voice their concerns.”
UsageThis verb is transitive and requires a direct object.
Teacher's tipOften used in political or legal contexts to describe unfair treatment.
Antonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to send someone to prison for a crime they did not commit by using unfair methods.
v.to convict a person of a crime through the circumvention of due process or the use of false evidence.
Simple“The prisoner claimed he had been railroaded by a corrupt police department.”
In context“Defense attorneys argued that their client had been railroaded by a system more interested in a quick conviction than in finding the truth.”
UsageUsually used in the passive voice.
Teacher's tipThis is a very strong accusation of legal corruption.
Synonymsframeconvict unfairly
From rail + road.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.