tut
/tʌt/ Cách viết khác : (tut-tut) /tʌt'tʌt/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Interjection:
- An exclamation expressing mild disapproval, annoyance, or impatience, often used to reprimand or scold gently. It is the sound of a sharp click or sucking of the tongue against the teeth.
Verb:
- To make such a clicking sound with the tongue as an expression of disapproval, annoyance, or sympathy.
Usage Examples
Interjection:
- "Tut! You shouldn't speak with your mouth full." (Expressing mild disapproval.)
- "Tut, tut, that's not the way to do it." (Expressing annoyance or correction.)
Verb:
- She tutted at the sight of the messy room. (She made a disapproving sound.)
- The old man tutted quietly throughout the entire lecture. (He expressed annoyance repeatedly.)
Advanced Usage
"to tut-tut": A reduplicated form, often used as a verb or interjection for stronger or repeated disapproval.
- The committee tut-tutted over the breach of protocol. (The committee expressed collective disapproval.)
As a noun (rare): The act or sound of tutting.
- A loud tut came from the back of the audience. (A sound of disapproval was heard.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tut-tut (interj., v.): A variant, often implying a more pronounced or repeated expression of disapproval.
- Tsk (interj., v.): A near-identical onomatopoeic word expressing the same sentiment.
Synonyms
- Tsk: An onomatopoeic synonym.
- Cluck one's tongue: A descriptive phrase for the same action.
Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)
- Tut over/at something: To express disapproval about something by tutting.
- She spent the evening tutting over the newspaper headlines. (She spent the evening expressing disapproval about the news.)
Related Idioms
- Tut-tut in disapproval: A standard collocation describing the action.
- He could only tut-tut in disapproval at their reckless plan. (He could only express disapproval at their plan.)
Verb
- utter `tsk,' `tut,' or `tut-tut,' as in disapproval