English Reference

Word

sherman

Phoneticssher·man

/ˈʃɝmən/

Definitions

01World War II tank

C1

n. a famous American tank used by the Allies during World War II.

n. The M4 medium tank, which served as the primary battle tank for the United States and other Allied forces during World War II.

“The museum has a restored Sherman tank that still runs perfectly.”

“The Sherman was prized by Allied commanders for its mechanical reliability and ease of transport, despite being outgunned by heavier German armor.”

Technical

Synonyms

M4medium tank

02a firm refusal

C2

n. a clear and final statement that you will not run for a political office.

n. A definitive refusal to accept a political nomination or run for office, often called a 'Shermanesque statement'.

“The governor gave a Sherman to the press, ending all talk of him running for president.”

“Faced with relentless speculation about his national ambitions, the senator issued a classic Sherman, stating he would not run if nominated and would not serve if elected.”

American English · Formal

Usage

Often used in the phrase 'Shermanesque statement' or 'to give a Sherman'.

Synonyms

Etymology

Sense 1: From Middle English schereman, scherman; equivalent to shear + -man.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry

Level
C2 · Proficiency
Frequency
Frequent
Updated

Scan code

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English Reference