tow

/tou/

Thân thiện

The tow truck pulls the car to the repair shop.

Definition

1. Verb:

   • To pull or haul (a vehicle, boat, or other object) behind another vehicle, vessel, or person using a rope, chain, or other form of attachment.
   • To move something by towing it.

2. Noun:

   • The act or an instance of towing something.
   • The state of being towed.
   • A rope, chain, or other line used for towing.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • The breakdown truck will tow your car to the nearest garage.
  • A powerful tugboat was hired to tow the damaged ship back to port.
  • You should not tow a trailer that is heavier than your vehicle's capacity.

• Noun:

  • My car broke down, and I had to call for a tow.
  • The disabled vessel was taken in tow by the coast guard cutter.
  • The tow rope snapped under the strain.

Advanced Usage

• "in tow": Accompanying or following closely behind someone, often implying a sense of being under their guidance or responsibility.
  • She arrived at the party with three friends in tow.
• "on tow" / "under tow": Being pulled by another vehicle or vessel.
  • The yacht was taken under tow after its engine failed.

Variants and Related Words

• Tow truck (n): A truck equipped to lift and tow disabled vehicles. (Also called a breakdown truck or wrecker).
• Tow bar (n): A rigid metal bar used to connect a vehicle to a trailer or another vehicle for towing.
• Tow rope / towline (n): A strong rope or cable specifically designed for towing.
• Towable (adj): Capable of being towed.
  • A towable caravan.

Synonyms

• Verb: Haul, pull, drag, draw.
• Noun: Haul.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Tow away: To remove a vehicle by towing it, often because it is illegally parked.
  • If you park here, your car will be towed away.

Related Idioms

• Take someone/something in tow: To assume responsibility for guiding, helping, or controlling someone or something.
  • The experienced manager took the new project in tow and ensured its success.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the act of hauling something (as a vehicle) by means of a hitch or rope
   • the truck gave him a tow to the garage

Verb

1. drag behind
   • Horses used to tow barges along the canal

Từ đồng nghĩa

• towage