C217 words · Proficient

Common Actions vocabulary — C2

Common Actions vocabulary for physical verbs that carry a whole attitude, including lug, heave, manhandle and upend — words for handling something roughly, carefully or with real effort.

17 questions

Words in this set

lug
/lʌɡ/
To carry something heavy and awkward with a lot of effort.
Example: I had to lug the suitcase up four flights of stairs.
prise
To force something open or apart by levering it, usually with a tool or your fingers.
Example: He had to prise the lid off the paint tin.
heave
/hiv/
To lift or pull something heavy with great effort.
Example: They heaved the wardrobe up the stairs.
wrest
/rɛst/
To forcefully pull something away from someone's grip (formal).
Example: She wrested the remote control from his hand.
cram
/kræm/
To force too many things into a small space.
Example: He crammed the clothes into an overflowing bag.
ram
/ræm/
To push something forcefully into place or against something else.
Example: She rammed the last box into the boot of the car.
grapple
/ˈɡræpəl/
To struggle with someone or something, often while holding on tightly.
Example: The two men grappled for the fallen bag.
hoick
To lift or pull something up quickly and awkwardly (informal, British).
Example: He hoicked his bag onto his shoulder and left.
barge
/bɑrdʒ/
To push roughly past people or through a space.
Example: She barged through the crowd to reach the exit.
douse
/daʊs/
To pour a lot of liquid over something.
Example: One bucket was enough to douse the whole fire.
manhandle
/ˈmænˌhændəl/
To move something heavy roughly using force.
Example: Two of them had to manhandle the piano round the corner.
winkle out
To remove something from a tight place with difficulty.
Example: It took a hairpin to winkle out the broken key.
trundle
/ˈtrʌndəl/
To move something heavy along on wheels.
Example: He would trundle the bins out every Sunday night.
proffer
/ˈprɑfər/
To hold something out for someone to take.
Example: She would proffer the plate without saying anything.
secrete
/sɪˈkrit/
To hide something carefully.
Example: He managed to secrete the letter behind the clock.
upend
To turn something upside down.
Example: You have to upend the box to get the last of it out.
jettison
/ˈdʒɛtɪsən/
To throw something away because it is no longer wanted.
Example: They chose to jettison half the furniture before moving.