bulge
To swell or protrude outward beyond the normal surface, typically due to internal pressure or being overfilled. In a broader sense, it can describe a sudden, temporary increase in volume, quantity, or statistical data within a specific segment.
Exemples
3 sur 5The backpack began to bulge as he stuffed the last of his heavy textbooks inside.
The backpack began to bulge as he stuffed the last of his heavy textbooks inside.
Structural engineers noted that the retaining wall had begun to bulge outward, indicating a potential for collapse.
Structural engineers noted that the retaining wall had begun to bulge outward, indicating a potential for collapse.
Look at his arms! His muscles are bulging after just a month at the gym.
Look at his arms! His muscles are bulging after just a month at the gym.
Famille de mots
Astuce mémo
Think of a 'Bull' (Bul-) hitting a wall so hard that the wall 'bulges' out on the other side.
Quiz rapide
The suitcase began to ___ because she had packed too many clothes for the trip.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : bulge
Exemples
The backpack began to bulge as he stuffed the last of his heavy textbooks inside.
everydayThe backpack began to bulge as he stuffed the last of his heavy textbooks inside.
Structural engineers noted that the retaining wall had begun to bulge outward, indicating a potential for collapse.
formalStructural engineers noted that the retaining wall had begun to bulge outward, indicating a potential for collapse.
Look at his arms! His muscles are bulging after just a month at the gym.
informalLook at his arms! His muscles are bulging after just a month at the gym.
The demographic data shows a specific bulge in the population graph representing the post-war generation.
academicThe demographic data shows a specific bulge in the population graph representing the post-war generation.
Warehouse costs rose significantly as inventory levels started to bulge during the off-season.
businessWarehouse costs rose significantly as inventory levels started to bulge during the off-season.
Famille de mots
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
bulging at the seams
extremely full to the point of breaking
eyes bulging out of one's head
a look of extreme surprise or anger
the middle-age bulge
weight gain around the waist during middle age
Souvent confondu avec
Billow refers to moving or swelling out like a wave or a sail in the wind, whereas bulge refers to a static physical protrusion.
Bloat usually refers to swelling caused by fluid or gas and often carries a negative, unhealthy connotation.
Notes d'usage
While often used to describe physical objects, 'bulge' is highly effective in academic writing to describe anomalies or spikes in statistical charts, particularly in demographics and economics.
Erreurs courantes
Learners sometimes use 'bulge' to describe any kind of increase, but it must involve a physical or metaphorical 'swelling' or 'protrusion' from a normal line or surface.
Astuce mémo
Think of a 'Bull' (Bul-) hitting a wall so hard that the wall 'bulges' out on the other side.
Origine du mot
Derived from the Old French 'bouge' meaning 'leather bag', which originally comes from the Latin 'bulga'.
Modèles grammaticaux
Contexte culturel
In English-speaking countries, 'the bulge' is often used in social commentary to refer to the 'Baby Boomer' generation's impact on social services as they age.
Quiz rapide
The suitcase began to ___ because she had packed too many clothes for the trip.
Correct !
La bonne réponse est : bulge
Mots lis
to
A1Used to indicate the place, person, or thing that someone or something moves toward. It can also mark the recipient of an action or the limit of a range.
and
A1A primary conjunction used to connect words, phrases, or clauses that are grammatically equal. It indicates addition, a sequence of events, or a relationship between two things.
a
A1A word used before a singular noun that is not specific or is being mentioned for the first time. It is used only before words that begin with a consonant sound to indicate one of something.
that
A1This word is a demonstrative pronoun used to indicate a specific person, object, or idea that is further away in space or time from the speaker. It is also used to refer back to something that has already been mentioned or to introduce a clause that identifies something.
I
A1The pronoun 'I' is used by a speaker or writer to refer to themselves as the subject of a verb. It is the first-person singular subject pronoun in English and is always capitalized regardless of its position in a sentence.
for
A1Used to show who is intended to have or use something, or to explain the purpose or reason for an action. It is also frequently used to indicate a specific duration of time.
not
A1A function word used to express negation or denial. It is primarily used to make a sentence or phrase negative, often following an auxiliary verb or the verb 'to be'.
with
A1A preposition used to indicate that people or things are together, in the same place, or performing an action together. It can also describe the instrument used to perform an action or a characteristic that someone or something has.
he
A1A pronoun used to refer to a male person or animal that has already been mentioned or is easily identified. It functions as the subject of a sentence.
you
A1Used to refer to the person or people that the speaker is addressing. It is the second-person pronoun used for both singular and plural subjects and objects.
Commentaires (0)
Connectez-vous pour CommenterCommencez à apprendre les langues gratuitement
Commence Gratuitement