breathalyser
To perform a chemical test on a person's breath to determine the concentration of alcohol in their blood. This procedure is primarily used by law enforcement to ensure road safety and identify impaired drivers.
Examples
3 of 5The police officer decided to breathalyse the motorist after noticing his erratic driving behavior.
The police officer decided to test the driver's breath for alcohol after noticing his erratic driving behavior.
Pursuant to the Road Traffic Act, officers are authorized to breathalyse any individual involved in a collision.
According to the Road Traffic Act, officers have the power to test the breath of any person involved in a crash.
I couldn't believe they actually chose to breathalyse me just because one of my taillights was out.
I couldn't believe they actually chose to check my alcohol level just because one of my taillights was out.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of 'Breath + Analyse'. You are analyzing the chemicals in someone's breath.
Quick Quiz
The highway patrol decided to _______ every driver passing through the checkpoint to ensure road safety.
Correct!
The correct answer is: breathalyse
Examples
The police officer decided to breathalyse the motorist after noticing his erratic driving behavior.
everydayThe police officer decided to test the driver's breath for alcohol after noticing his erratic driving behavior.
Pursuant to the Road Traffic Act, officers are authorized to breathalyse any individual involved in a collision.
formalAccording to the Road Traffic Act, officers have the power to test the breath of any person involved in a crash.
I couldn't believe they actually chose to breathalyse me just because one of my taillights was out.
informalI couldn't believe they actually chose to check my alcohol level just because one of my taillights was out.
The study evaluates the frequency with which highway patrols breathalyse drivers during holiday weekends.
academicThe study examines how often highway patrols test drivers for alcohol during holiday weekends.
Our corporate policy allows the safety officer to breathalyse staff operating heavy machinery if there is reasonable suspicion of intoxication.
businessOur company policy lets the safety officer test employees on heavy machines if they are suspected of being drunk.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
fail the breathalyser
to show a result above the legal alcohol limit on the test
pass the breathalyser
to show a result below the legal alcohol limit
request to breathalyse
the act of asking someone to take the breath test
Often Confused With
Breathe is the general verb for inhaling and exhaling, while breathalyse is specifically testing the breath for alcohol.
Breathalyzer (with a 'z') is the American spelling or the specific brand name of the device.
Usage Notes
The verb is most commonly used in the passive voice (e.g., 'he was breathalysed') when describing the experience of a driver.
Common Mistakes
Learners often forget the 'e' in 'breath' (writing 'breathalyse' correctly but confusing it with the noun 'breath'). Note that 'breathalyse' is the verb and 'breathalyser' is the device.
Memory Tip
Think of 'Breath + Analyse'. You are analyzing the chemicals in someone's breath.
Word Origin
A portmanteau of the words 'breath' and 'analyze', originally a brand name for the device created in the 1950s.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
In many countries like the UK and Australia, roadside breathalysing is a standard deterrent against drunk driving.
Quick Quiz
The highway patrol decided to _______ every driver passing through the checkpoint to ensure road safety.
Correct!
The correct answer is: breathalyse
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