caboose
/kə'bu:s/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A car on a freight train for the use of the train crew; usually the last car on the train: A "caboose" is a specialized railroad car attached to the end of a freight train. It historically served as an office, living quarters, and observation post for the train's conductor and brakemen.
- The area for food preparation on a ship: In maritime contexts, a "caboose" refers to the galley or kitchen area on a ship's deck, especially on smaller vessels or historical sailing ships.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Railroad):
- The conductor watched the train from the cupola of the caboose.
- Modern freight trains often operate without a traditional caboose.
- Noun (Maritime):
- The sailor prepared the meal in the ship's caboose.
- Smoke rose from the chimney of the wooden caboose on the deck.
Advanced Usage
- "to bring up the caboose": To be last in a sequence or line.
- In the race, the injured runner had to bring up the caboose.
- Used metaphorically to describe the very last part of something.
- His name was at the caboose of the long list of applicants.
Variants and Related Words
- Guard's van (British English): The equivalent railroad car in British terminology.
- Brake van: Another term, emphasizing its function in housing braking systems.
- Galley: The more common modern term for a ship's kitchen, making "caboose" in this sense somewhat archaic.
Synonyms
- Railroad: Crew car, way car (regional US).
- Maritime: Galley, ship's kitchen.
Related Phrases
- Caboose of the train: Literally the last car; figuratively, the last in any procession.
- The parade's float for the local school was the caboose of the train.
Related Idioms
- To be the caboose: To be in last place or to be the final element.
- Don't worry about finishing last; someone has to be the caboose.
Noun
- a car on a freight train for use of the train crew; usually the last car on the train
- the area for food preparation on a ship