sue
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to start a legal case against a person or company because they did something wrong or caused you harm.
v.to institute legal proceedings against a person or institution, typically in a civil court, to seek a remedy or compensation.
Simple“The customer decided to sue the company after their product caused a fire.”
In context“The environmental group threatened to sue the local government if the proposed construction project proceeded without a proper impact study.”
UsageThe verb is transitive and requires a direct object representing the party being sued.
Synonymslitigatetake to court - 02 C1 Advanced
v.to ask for something very strongly or formally, like asking for peace.
v.to make an earnest petition or application; most common in the fixed phrase 'to sue for peace'.
Simple“After months of fighting, the small nation was forced to sue for peace.”
In context“Defeated on all fronts, the general sent an envoy to the enemy camp to sue for a temporary ceasefire.”
UsageUsually followed by the preposition 'for'.
- 03 C2 Proficiency
v.to leave a boat stuck on the shore when the tide goes out.
v.to leave a vessel high and dry on the shore, especially during a falling tide.
Simple“The sailors had to sue the boat on the beach to repair the hull.”
In context“The captain was forced to sue the vessel on a sandy bank to prevent it from sinking after the collision.”
Teacher's tipThis is a highly specialized nautical term; learners will rarely encounter it outside of sailing manuals or maritime history.
- 04 A1 Beginner
n.a short form of the female name Susan.
n.a diminutive form of the female given name Susan.
Simple“My aunt's name is Susan, but everyone calls her Sue.”
In context“Sue was appointed as the lead researcher due to her extensive experience in molecular biology.”
“Hollywood actress and singer Selena Gomez is being sued by five investors who backed Wondermind Global, a mental health business she founded with her mother.”
“But Joyce Beatty , a Democratic US representative of Ohio who sits on the board, sued over the decision.”
Clipping.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.