shoulder1 nounshoulder2 verb
shouldershoul‧der1 /ˈʃəʊldə $ ˈʃoʊldər/ ●●● S2 W2 noun 
WORD ORIGINshoulder1
Origin:
Old English sculdorEXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- a pork shoulder roast
- Ben put his arm around Kari's shoulders.
- Several cars with their hoods up were on the shoulder.
- Corbett just grinned over his shoulder and led them out on to the beaten track down to the village of Woodstock.
- Fredrickson dislocated his right shoulder early in the second quarter and did not return to the game.
- He looked as though he'd lost twenty years, as though a ten-ton weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
- He pulled the chain that hung above his right shoulder.
- I drop her across my shoulder and walk away.
- Its dripping wets the front of her dress, its rigid head glares over her shoulder.
- Lorton was carrying a bag over his shoulder and humming under his breath.
- Our shoulders, arms and legs ache, but we hardly notice.
Longman Language Activatorkind to people who have problems or difficulties
if someone is sympathetic when you are having problems, they say kind things to you and show that they feel sad about your situation: · Why don't you talk to Elizabeth? She's always sympathetic.· My friends were extremely sympathetic when they heard I'd lost my job.· Noticing my embarrassment, the teacher gave me a sympathetic smile.
an understanding person is kind and patient when someone has a problem, and does not get angry with them or criticize them: · I'm sorry I've been so bad-tempered lately. Anyway, thank you for being so understanding.· Irene often has to take time off work. Fortunately she has a very understanding boss.
someone who is compassionate wants to help people who are suffering or having problems: · Alice was a compassionate woman who wanted to save children from violence and poverty.· We must try to create a more caring, more compassionate society.
loving and sympathetic, especially so that you want to help people close to you when they are in trouble: · Sharon was lucky to have such caring parents at a time when she needed help.· It is possible for men to be tough and, at the same time, caring and sensitive.
someone who is kind-hearted has a kind and sympathetic character: · Being a kind-hearted woman, she felt sorry for the poor child.· I wouldn't have helped him at all, but then I'm not as kind-hearted as you.
informal someone who will listen sympathetically when you tell them about your problems: · Remember, I'm always here if you need a shoulder to cry on.
not friendly · It's very difficult to work with Lindsay - she's so unfriendly.· I'm sorry if I sounded unfriendly on the phone - I was just tired.· The service at the hotel was bad and the staff weren't very friendly.unfriendly/not friendly to/towards · The other girls weren't openly unfriendly towards her, but they never invited her along with them.
behaving towards other people as if you do not like them or care about them: · His manner all evening was cold and unfriendly.· Next time she saw Harry he wasn't rude to her, just very cold.cold to: · She was oddly cold to him, and I wondered what had happened.
unfriendly to people who are visiting your home or country by not doing anything to make them feel welcome: · Generally, the people I met in the city were rude and inhospitable.· So many tourists had visited the monastery that the monks had grown somewhat inhospitable.
very unfriendly, and ready to argue with someone, criticize them, or fight with them: · There was a crowd of hostile demonstrators waiting outside her door.hostile to/towards: · He was hostile towards me when I arrived, and the situation did not improve over the next few days.openly hostile: · Several of the neighbors had become openly hostile to one another.
unfriendly and trying to cause arguments with someone: · I can't understand why he's being so antagonistic.antagonistic towards/to: · Why are Kate and John so antagonistic towards each other?
informal to ignore someone and be unfriendly to them, especially because they have upset or offended you: · After I got the promotion, a few of my co-workers started giving me the cold shoulder.
a group of people who are cliquey or cliquish are friendly to the other people within that group but not to the people outside it: · Everyone at the school was so cliquey, it was hard for me to make new friends.· It was a cliquish group, with the older members staying aloof from the younger ones.
doing something with another person/group etc · My family and I went camping in the mountains with some old friends of ours. · I'd like you to work with the person sitting beside you and see if we can come up with some new ideas,
· There's no point in taking two cars - let's go together.· The police and army worked together to track down the terrorists.
if two groups work or fight side by side , they work closely together to achieve something, even though there may be big differences between them: · It was a strange situation with Washington, Pretoria and Peking fighting side by side.side by side with: · Soldiers worked side by side with civilians to rebuild the city.
if people do something collectively , they do it by working together as equal members of an organized group: · The team collectively must decide what resources they need and how they are to be used.· Individually, people have little power, but collectively they can be more influential.
: jointly managed/owned/published/funded etc by somebody managed, owned etc by two or more people or organizations working together equally: · The business is jointly owned and run by six TV companies.· It was a major research project, jointly funded by the university and the Health Department.
if something is done by one organization or group of people in conjunction with another organization or group, it is done by both of them working together: · The exhibition is sponsored by the Arts Council in conjunction with British Airways.· Stenmann is working in conjunction with leading scientists and has invested $5 million in the scheme.
if people, organizations, or countries work in partnership with each other, they work together to do something important or useful: · The city council is working in partnership with local businesses to build new sports facilities in the area.
if you work on a plan or do something in collaboration with another person or organization, you work very closely with them in order to achieve it: · I wrote the article in collaboration with a number of my colleagues.· This course has been developed in collaboration with major professional bodies involved in the financial services sector.
if one group of people stands or fights shoulder to shoulder with another group of people, they support them or fight together with them against an enemy: · British soldiers fought shoulder to shoulder with American and French troops.· Mitterrand, although a socialist, stood shoulder to shoulder with the NATO allies during the challenges of the early 1980s.
WORD SETSanorak, nounarm, nounascot, nounBabygro, nounbalaclava, nounbandanna, nounbaseball cap, nounbasque, nounbathing cap, nounbathing costume, nounbathing suit, nounbathing trunks, nounbathrobe, nounbath towel, nounbeachwear, nounbeading, nounbeanie, nounbearskin, nounbell-bottoms, nounbelt, nounbelted, adjectiveberet, nounbespoke, adjectivebib, nounbikini, nounblack-tie, adjectiveblazer, nounblouse, nounblue jeans, nounboa, nounbobble, nounbobble hat, nounbobby socks, nounbodice, nounbody, nounbody stocking, nounbody suit, nounboiler suit, nounbolero, nounbolo tie, nounbomber jacket, nounbonnet, nounboob tube, nounboot, nounbootee, nounbootlace, nounbottom, nounboxer shorts, nounbra, nounbraid, nounbrassiere, nounbreeches, nounbritches, nounbrogue, nounBurberry, business suit, nounbustle, nouncaftan, nouncagoule, nouncamiknickers, nouncamisole, nouncap, nouncape, nouncardigan, nouncare label, nouncarpet slipper, nouncassock, nouncast-offs, nouncasual, adjectivecat suit, nounchemise, nounchinos, nounchinstrap, nouncloak, nouncloche, nounclog, nouncloth cap, nouncoat, nouncoattails, nouncocked hat, nouncony, nouncoonskin, adjectivecope, nouncorset, nouncourt shoe, nouncouture, nouncowboy hat, nouncowl, nouncowl neck, nouncrew neck, nouncrinoline, nouncuff, nounculottes, nouncummerbund, nouncut, noundeck shoe, noundeerstalker, noundelicates, nounderby, noundicky, noundinner jacket, noundog collar, noundonkey jacket, noundouble-breasted, adjectivedoublet, noundrainpipe trousers, noundrawstring, noundress, noundressing gown, noundress shirt, noundress uniform, noundrip-dry, adjectivedry-clean, verbdry cleaner's, nounduffel coat, noundungarees, nounduster, nounearmuffs, nounelbow, nounensemble, nounespadrille, nounevening dress, nounfalsies, nounfashion, nounfashion show, nounfastener, nounfeather boa, nounfeathered, adjectivefez, nounfishnet stockings, nounfitting, nounfitting room, nounflannel, nounflannelette, nounflat, adjectiveflat cap, nounfleece, nounflip-flops, nounflipper, nounfloor-length, adjectiveflounce, nounflounced, adjectivefly, nounfootwear, nounformal, nounfox, nounfray, verbfrilly, adjectivefrock, nounfrock coat, nounfull, adjectivefull dress, nounfur, nounfuzz, noungabardine, noungaiter, noungaloshes, noungarment, noungarter, noungarter belt, noungather, verbgather, noungathering, noungauntlet, noungear, noungetup, noungirdle, nounglove, noungloved, adjectivegown, noungreatcoat, nounG-string, noungumboot, noungusset, noungym shoe, noungymslip, nounhaberdasher, nounhaberdashery, nounhalter, nounhand-me-down, nounhanger, nounhankie, nounhard-wearing, adjectivehat, nounhatpin, nounhatter, nounheadband, nounheaddress, nounheadscarf, nounhem, nounhem, verbhemline, nounhip pocket, nounhobnailed, adjectivehomburg, nounhooded, adjectivehook and eye, nounhose, nounhosiery, nounhot pants, nounhousecoat, nouninformal, adjectiveinsole, nouninstep, nouniron, nouniron, verbironing, nounjackboot, nounjacket, nounjammies, nounjeans, nounjerkin, nounjersey, nounJockey shorts, nounjockstrap, nounjodhpurs, nounjogging suit, nounjumper, nounjumpsuit, nounkaftan, nounkerchief, nounkhakis, nounkilt, nounkimono, nounknee breeches, nounknickerbockers, nounknickers, nounlace, nounlace-up, nounlapel, nounleg, nounleggings, nounleotard, nounlinen, nounloafer, nounloincloth, nounlong, adjectivelong johns, nounlounge suit, nounlow, adjectivelow-cut, adjectiveLycra, nounmac, nounmackintosh, nounmantle, nounmasquerade, nounmatinée jacket, nounmenswear, nounmilliner, nounmillinery, nounmini, nounminiskirt, nounmink, nounmitt, nounmitten, nounmob cap, nounmoccasin, nounmoleskin, nounmonogram, nounmoon boot, nounmorning coat, nounmorning dress, nounmorning suit, nounmourning, nounmuff, nounmuffler, nounmukluks, nounmule, nounmuu-muu, nounname-tape, nounnational costume, nounnational dress, nounneck, nounneckerchief, nounnecktie, nounnegligee, nounnightcap, nounnightclothes, nounnightdress, nounnightgown, nounnightie, nounnightshirt, nounnightwear, nounnon-iron, adjectiveoff-the-peg, adjectiveoilskin, nounone-piece, adjectiveopen, adjectiveopen-necked, adjectiveouterwear, nounoutfitter, nounoutsize, adjectiveoverall, nounovercoat, nounoverdressed, adjectiveovershoe, nounoxford, nounpadded, adjectivepanama hat, nounpanel, nounpantaloons, nounpanties, nounpants, nounpantyhose, nounparka, nounpatch, nounpatch, verbpatent leather, nounpeak, nounpencil skirt, nounpetticoat, nounpillbox, nounpinafore, nounpinny, nounpith helmet, nounpj's, nounplimsoll, nounplus fours, nounpolo neck, nounpolo shirt, nounponcho, nounpre-shrunk, adjectivepull-on, adjectivepullover, nounputtee, nounpyjamas, nounraglan, adjectiveraincoat, nounrainproof, adjectiveready-to-wear, adjectiveregalia, nounrevealing, adjectiverobe, nounrobed, adjectiverubber boot, nounruff, nounruffle, nounrun, verbrun, nounsable, nounsaddle shoe, nounsailor suit, nounsandal, nounsari, nounsarong, nounsartorial, adjectivesash, nounsatchel, nounscarf, nounschool tie, nounscoop neck, nounseamed, adjectiveseamless, adjectiveseparates, nounshawl, nounshell suit, nounshirt, nounshirtfront, nounshirt tail, nounshoe, nounshoehorn, nounshoelace, nounshoemaker, nounshoestring, nounshoulder, nounshoulder strap, nounshowerproof, adjectivesinglet, nounskin-tight, adjectiveskirt, nounskull cap, nounslicker, nounslingback, nounslip, nounslip-ons, nounslipper, nounsmock, nounsmoking jacket, nounsmuggling, nounsnap, nounsnappy, adjectivesneaker, nounsnowshoe, nounsnug, adjectivesock, nounsole, nounsole, verbsombrero, nounsou'wester, nounsox, nounsporran, nounsport coat, nounsport jacket, nounsports coat, nounsport shirt, nounsports jacket, nounsports shirt, nounsporty, adjectivestay, nounStetson, nounstiletto, nounstocking, nounstole, nounstone-washed, adjectivestraitjacket, nounstrip, nounstud, nounsuit, nounsundress, nounsun hat, nounsurplice, nounsuspender belt, nounsweatband, nounsweater, nounsweatpants, nounsweatshirt, nounsweat suit, nounswimming costume, nounswimming trunks, nounswimsuit, nounswimwear, nountailcoat, nountank top, nountee shirt, nounten-gallon hat, nounTerylene, nounthermal, adjectivethong, nounthree-piece suit, nountights, nountoga, nountop, nountopcoat, nountopee, nountop hat, nountopi, nountopper, nountracksuit, nountrain, nountrench coat, nountrilby, nountrousers, nountrouser suit, nounT-shirt, nountube top, nountuck, verbtuck, nountunic, nounturban, nounturtleneck, nountutu, nountuxedo, nountweed, nountwinset, nountwo-piece, adjectiveunderclothes, noununderdressed, adjectiveundergarment, noununderpants, nounundershirt, noununderwear, nounundies, noununiform, noununiformed, adjectiveunion suit, nounupper, nounveil, nounvelour, nounvelvet, nounvisor, nounvoluminous, adjectivewaist, nounwaistband, nounwaistcoat, nounwaistline, nounwardrobe, nounwashing, nounwaterproof, nounwear, nounwedding dress, nounwellie, nounwellington, nounwelly, nounwet-look, adjectivewet suit, nounwimple, nounwind breaker, nounwing collar, nounwingtip, nounwool, nounwoollen, adjectivewoollens, nounwoolly, adjectivewoolly, nounworsted, nounwrap, nounwrap-around, adjectivewrinkle, nounwristband, nounY-fronts, nounyoke, nounzoot suit, noun
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYverbs
Ben grinned and clapped me amiably on the shoulder. A full-body massage lasts around one hour. I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored him. Pete slung his bag over his shoulder. He turned as someone tapped him on the shoulder. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
(=raise them to show that you do not know or care about something)· Susan just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing.
(=raise your shoulders and bend them forwards slightly)· He hunched his shoulders against the rain.
(=look behind you)· He glanced over his shoulder and grinned at me.
(=because they are crying or laughing)· His shoulders were shaking and tears of laughter were running down his face.
(=move downwards because they are sad or tired)· ‘You 're right,’ he sighed, his shoulders drooping.
(=move up and down because they are crying or breathing deeply)· She turned her back again, her shoulders heaving, her eyes blind with tears.
(=stand with your shoulders straight, in a determined way)· She squared her shoulders and knocked on the door.
adjectives· He was of medium height, with broad shoulders.
· He had powerful shoulders and a thick neck.
· Dean shrugged his massive shoulders.
· Her dark hair spilled over her narrow shoulders.
· She put her arm around the girl’s thin shoulders.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=one that is carried over your shoulder)· Big shoulder bags are fashionable this year.
(=say that something is your fault)· No one was prepared to take the blame for the disaster.· Parents must shoulder the blame if their kids behave badly.
(=be responsible for something)· At the age of 16, Suzy bore the burden of providing for her family.
· If I deal with the all the practical problems, that will lift the burden from your shoulders.
Ben grinned and clapped me amiably on the shoulder.· He had shoulder-length reddish hair.
· He suffered a shoulder injury while playing rugby.
A full-body massage lasts around one hour. (=a pad that you wear to protect a part of your body when you are playing a sport)
(=agree to start having a difficult or unpleasant duty)· The city, she said, would shoulder responsibility for caring for the children.
I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored him. Pete slung his bag over his shoulder. He turned as someone tapped him on the shoulder. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.· The wrist of the tail was thicker, the belly fatter and it was broader across the shoulders.
· Giving the cold shoulder to his usual tipple, Ian Knight raises his coffee cup to Drinkwise Day.· Banishment was better than this cold shoulder.· A declaration of love, or the cold shoulder.· Then from then on, we were treated with an absolute cold shoulder, and no one would speak to us.· So they have given girlfriends the cold shoulder.· Rachaela had turned on Ruth, not just the habitual cold shoulder, but with a firework of dislike and alienation.· She was sure that at some point she'd given some one the cold shoulder and hurt them badly without noticing.
· She wanted to give in, weaken, her eyes closing and her fingers curling on his hard shoulders.· He left her on the hard shoulder, near Epping, Essex, saying she would only have to wait 15 minutes.· The two children, Mark in Georgina's arms, were spotted along the hard shoulder.· I pictured a man taking leave of his motor; wobbling from the fast lane towards the hard shoulder.· He pulled up on the hard shoulder, switched off and got out.· The body of the pregnant housewife was found near the M-50 motorway after her car broke down on the hard shoulder.
· She felt a tap on her left shoulder.· Allen slipped and fell and was stabbed three times in his left shoulder and once on top of his head.· The soul followed when fly-half Michael Lynagh dislocated his left shoulder during the recent destruction of Ireland in Dublin.· He aggravated a nagging left shoulder injury and left the ice during the third period.· His left leg was cut off above the knee and he walked with a crutch under his left shoulder.· Hearst sustained a stinger on his left shoulder.· The man was standing by his left shoulder, waiting for the train to stop.· Safety Tim McDonald had bruised a left shoulder in the Rams game, which flared up again Sunday.
· Place your right hand on your partner's right shoulder and slide your hand firmly all the way up to the neck.· He bruised his right shoulder the week before in the win over the Rams.· Gobbets of pinkish-grey matter exploded from the exit wound below the right shoulder blade.· She survived with muscles in her abdomen, back, right shoulder, and right leg paralyzed.· She went to hospital where she complained of pain in her right shoulder and in the right side of her chest.· Wide receiver J. J. Stokes incurred a right shoulder stinger.· He, poor fellow, was being driven to distraction by the pain in his right shoulder.· The second person stood with his right foot and right shoulder against the wall.
NOUN· Tied loosely around the strap of her shoulder bag was a navy and yellow scarf.· No longer will simply-serviceable shoulder bags suffice.· The collection includes two shoulder bags, two duffle bags, a board case, backpacks and briefcases.· Luna almost always carried a flat black shoulder bag.· Claire jams the black box into her shoulder bag.· A fringed cotton shoulder bag hung over one shoulder and he was the very image of a hippy or New-Age traveler.· But the indefatigable Swans, yellow labels flapping from their shoulder bags, would never dream of sitting anything out.· Rain left him supporting himself against a table as she fetched her shoulder bag.
· Do not press on the spine or the shoulder blade itself.· When a player took a shot, I felt it through my shoulder blades.· Gobbets of pinkish-grey matter exploded from the exit wound below the right shoulder blade.· With wet clothes clinging to her back, she looked skeletal, her shoulder blades poking up like sharp crags.· Rotating skin on the shoulder blade 6.· Narrow shoulders, indeed the shoulder blades were pronounced and his chest was rectangular.· Place only the fingertips on the shoulder blade.
· He suffered head and shoulder injuries and was treated at Newcastle General Hospital.· He aggravated a nagging left shoulder injury and left the ice during the third period.· The heroic all-rounder visited a specialist in London yesterday about a shoulder injury that has dogged him for some weeks.· He suffered a shoulder injury and missed the next eight games.· He left the ice with a shoulder injury during the final period and did not return.· One other remained in hospital for an exploratory operation on a shoulder injury.· Monica Seles has struggled with a shoulder injury.
· Cut two little strips to decorate the front of the shoulder pads and press on.· Among the items scientists have unearthed are four-inch clay figurines depicting men wearing hip and shoulder pads.
· Forward seat belts each comprised a two-piece lap strap, fastened by a buckle, and an inertial reel diagonal shoulder strap.· Reacher stood outside next to me and handed me the shoulder straps and radio cord from behind the high-backed seat.· Such models also have shoulder straps shaped to fit around the bust.· I clicked the lever over to anchor the shoulder straps to the wide lap belt.· D-ring positioned on each shoulder strap; elasticated chest strap.· The jersey, which was extra small, had shoulder straps that were hanging on by surface tension and willpower.· Shiny plastic and vivid purple padding on the waist and shoulder straps make the sack stand out and guarantee a closer look.· New hand-held bags are introduced this season, double handled or single, with or without shoulder straps.
VERB· I clapped Jamie on the shoulder a couple of times and we made for the street.· Jack clapped him on the shoulder.· All around the smoking room, gentlemen seemed to be standing in clusters laughing and clapping each other on the shoulder.· He clapped me on the shoulder.· He clapped me on the shoulder, proclaiming I was a great fellow, before sweeping away to join the dancers.
· She needed a real shoulder to cry on.· To offer another shoulder to cry on.· The researcher could share enthusiasms, be a shoulder to cry on and help brainstorm alternatives.· In past years, Diana knew that Earl Spencer would be a shoulder to cry on and a loving counsellor.· She did not seem to realize what she had done, and laid her head on his shoulder, crying with happiness.· When Sam flopped as she hosted the 1989 Brit pop awards Pat was her shoulder to cry on.
· I had paid for but not sipped my drink when a heavy hand fell on my shoulder.· Her black hair fell to her shoulders.· For the daily chores fell mainly on the shoulders of the women: shopping, running around to find particular things.· My tank top kept falling off my shoulders as we flew down the stairs.· A heavy weight fell on his shoulders, bearing him down, stunning him with the blow.· The program of abolishing tax support therefore fell on younger shoulders.· Some of the reasons for the caring so often falling on the shoulders of a woman may be unavoidable.· It was long-sleeved and fell loose from the shoulders.
· He glanced over his shoulder, the man was coming towards him, pushing through the crowd.· They glance over their shoulders a few times and move closer to each other.· Meh'Lindi glanced once over her shoulder then ran on, taking huge strides.· The physician warily glanced over the shoulder of the chief and recognized Tomahas, a man neighbors called the Murderer.· He never left a low gear yet when I glanced over my shoulder he was miles clear.· Clarisa, flanked and supported by the two older women, glanced back over her shoulder.· It is through being able to see simultaneously both backwards as well as forwards, without the need to glance over his shoulder.· I glanced back over my shoulder, at the same time looking for an escape route.
· Raise the arms towards the toes, lifting the head and shoulders off the floor as far as possible without straining.· At these words, immense relief flooded me as the burden of lies I had helped create lifted off my shoulders.· Later she phoned to tell me how much lighter she felt, as if a burden had somehow been lifted from her shoulders.· With Francie Huber and Patrick Corbin, it is an invitation to romance and he succumbs by lifting her across his shoulders.· I bundled up Janir, took him outside and lifted him on to my shoulders.· He looked as though he'd lost twenty years, as though a ten-ton weight had been lifted from his shoulders.· It was like a huge weight was lifted off my shoulders.
· Rachel looked over her shoulder and saw a tall, white-haired man in a crumpled dark suit.· She became secretive, wary, looking over her shoulder at the slightest noise.· He put his case on the sidewalk and paid the driver, then he looked over his shoulder.· With wet clothes clinging to her back, she looked skeletal, her shoulder blades poking up like sharp crags.· Ahead, Ember turned into the tunnel-mouth, not even looking over his shoulder.· And how many despatch riders ever look over their shoulders?· Then the Texas native looked over his shoulder.
· She hands Gary a mug, and pats his shoulder affectionately, and smiles at me.· Strangers patted their shoulders and offered words of support.· His big hulking frame-leaned over me as he patted my shoulder.· She strokes her arm, pats her shoulder, smiles up at her.· Jen patted my shoulder and said she was going to look at her e-mail.· When I do not answer, Miss Buechler reaches over and reassuringly pats my shoulder.· They tried to soothe him, pat him on his shoulder.
· Richards will have to rest the shoulder for at least four months following the operation to tighten up ligaments.· Her arm tightened around him, her other hand resting loosely on the shoulders of another singer.· Suddenly, the barrel shook as a heavy man sat down and rested his shoulders against it.· Solveig slept softly, her legs drawn up in front of her body, her face resting against his shoulder.· They walked slowly and clumsily, her head resting on his shoulder.· He fastened the beads round his neck, arranging the knife so that it rested hidden between his shoulder blades.· His chin was resting on his shoulder and his face was in profile to her.
· The think-tank will have florists rubbing shoulders with the chief of Apple Computers.· The daughter of an itinerant farm worker, Ward now rubs shoulders with the rich, famous and glamorous.· But yesterday, possums, Dame Edna Everage revealed that she was fed up with rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.· He shows no urge to rub shoulders with the lower orders but, if anything, a tendency to keep his distance.· Claudel strolled into the market, rubbing shoulders, ignoring and being ignored.· Samurai warriors of the Shoguns rubbed shoulders with Eskimos and headhunters.· He sat down on the bed near her and rubbed her shoulders but her body stayed tense.
· Even so people seem to shrug their shoulders.· She looked at her sister, who shrugged her shoulders noncommittally.· I shrugged my shoulders, turned, and walked away.· I shrugged my shoulders and he nodded.· She didn't feel at all able just to shrug her shoulders philosophically and go upstairs again into the sitting-room.· She could see shrugging impatience in his shoulders.· Myra shrugged her shoulders and found something to do that would keep her busy and well out of Claudia's way.· He undid the buttons of his shirt and shrugged it from his shoulders, letting it fall unheeded to the floor.
· Some were running: some were striding purposefully; some had rifles slung across their shoulders on rope straps.· A trash bag slung over the shoulder, Santa-style.· Tucking it into one of the saddlebags, he looked up to see Mariana with one Greener slung over her shoulders.· Hicks put the pistols inside it and slung it around his shoulder by one strap.· The lesser bag she slung on to her shoulder.· His Leica was always around his neck, his camera bag slung from his shoulder.· Sweating, he took off his anorak and carried it slung over his shoulder.· He dashed back, picked up Granny Weatherwax, slung her over his shoulder and ran on, downhill.
· I squared my shoulders, returned to the flat and cleaned the kitchen.· She threw her head back, squared her shoulders and walked briskly toward the elevator.· Then she squared her shoulders and headed indoors.· She hesitated on the back steps a minute, then squared her shoulders and went inside.· She got back on Midnight, in order to look down on Sebastian and Antony, and squared her shoulders.· Pulling himself upright, he squared his shoulders.· Sometimes there was a new seriousness, the supple posture of childhood exchanged for squared shoulders and a stiff spine.
· Though short, he stands head and shoulders above most.· We stood on the shoulder and peered down through the thick forest of old fir and knew he was there somewhere.· Susan had entered quietly, and stood looking over his shoulder, watching him work.· Jackson stood head and shoulders above his confreres, and...· He never let Karelin use his size advantage for leverage, standing shoulder to shoulder and chest to chest instead.· The man was standing by his left shoulder, waiting for the train to stop.· So did he, standing behind my shoulder.
· He tapped her on the shoulder.· It was 5.06 when he was tapped on the shoulder and told that he was urgently needed on the phone.· When the old man returned from the toilet, he tapped Bedford on the shoulder and gestured for him to stand.· Then Fenella tapped me on the shoulder and I almost had a heart attack.· Still, you never know when the moving finger might tap you on the shoulder.· The friar turned as some one tapped him on the shoulder.· Both were waiting for stardom to tap them on the shoulder.
· They catch them with one front paw and throw them over their shoulders on to the bank.· Coats were thrown over the shoulders of some stones.· She threw back her shoulders and swallowed the hard, hot lump in her throat.· Always ready to knock on wood, throw salt over my shoulder, bite my tongue, cross my fingers.· Her figure even looked good; he wanted to weep, or throw her over his shoulder and just run.· They were worn with one end thrown across the shoulder high under the chin, giving the wearer a conspiratorial air.· Katherine threw her shoulders back and walked slowly down the stairs.· Keith throws his right shoulder backwards and forwards, hoping the pads will somehow slide into place.
· Another step back, and the back of Ace's head touched Daak's shoulder.· Evening came and the man touched her shoulder.· He read her expression - enquiring - and touched her on both shoulders.· Ruth touched his shoulder and turned back to the stove.· He touched his shoulder, then laid his hand on his head.· Phagu chuckled at me through the window and touched me on the shoulder.· When supper had finished, Fritz touched me on the shoulder.· He touched her shoulder, and her upper arm, and the inside of her elbow.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► put your shoulder to the wheelPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► shoulder-length/knee-length etc► an old head on young shoulders► a trick knee/ankle/shoulder etc
1body part [countable] one of the two parts of the body at each side of the neck where the arm is connected: - Almost shoulder to shoulder they were lined along the road, hurling gravel non-stop under the wheels of the passing trucks.
- Before long I had rejoined the tribe, swaying shoulder to shoulder with them as I thumped on a cast-iron pan.
- Four old panel trucks sit shoulder to shoulder, looking like an art installation.
- In church they kept to their own groups, but here they jostled shoulder to shoulder, watchful and sulky.
- The milkweed and monarch, shoulder to shoulder, lock into a single system, an evolution toward and with each other.
- They stood shoulder to shoulder by the developing trays.
- They trod carefully away, shoulder to shoulder, hip to hip.
- Uncle and nephew knelt shoulder to shoulder, hands cupped, heads bowed in the simple position of submission.
- The blame rests squarely on Jim's shoulders.
- I am looking over my shoulder.
- So, reading through this book, you feel as thought Alwyn is looking over your shoulder, egging you on.
- Two snub-nosed bristle-headed boys were looking over my shoulder in bright-eyed interest.
- You were looking over your shoulder waiting for the knock on the door.
- If you ever need a shoulder to cry on, just call me.
- Remember, I'm always here if you need a shoulder to cry on.
- In past years, Diana knew that Earl Spencer would be a shoulder to cry on and a loving counsellor.
- The researcher could share enthusiasms, be a shoulder to cry on and help brainstorm alternatives.
- At least she hadn't cried on his shoulder again.
- The Doyle kid has had a chip on his shoulder ever since his mom and dad divorced.
- In some cases folks are just mad and have a chip on their shoulder.
- After I got the promotion, a few of my co-workers started giving me the cold shoulder.
- She was sure that at some point she'd given some one the cold shoulder and hurt them badly without noticing.
- So they have given girlfriends the cold shoulder.
- Vernon regretted giving Harcourt the cold shoulder; he would have been some one to laugh with.
- A declaration of love, or the cold shoulder.
- Giving the cold shoulder to his usual tipple, Ian Knight raises his coffee cup to Drinkwise Day.
- She was sure that at some point she'd given some one the cold shoulder and hurt them badly without noticing.
- So they have given girlfriends the cold shoulder.
- But the surgery has given him confidence to stand head and shoulders above the rest.
- Jackson stood head and shoulders above his confreres, and..
- The fourth, who stood head and shoulders above them, was older.
- Though short, he stands head and shoulders above most.
- Ballesteros hunched his shoulders, put his palms up in the air, and raised his dark, thick eyebrows.
- He hunched his shoulders and stamped his way defiantly down the rest of the stairs and out into the cobbled street.
- He put them on, and peered round the room, hunching his shoulders, shamming the old scholar.
- Lean away from the flexed knee and keep your guard close to your body, but avoid hunching your shoulders.
- Schmidt hunched his shoulders and gobbled like a turkey.
- Then, hunching his shoulders against the pounding rain, he lurched towards the barn.
- Better than that was riding on his back while he went down on hands and knees and neighed like a horse.
- Dostoevsky wanted to stifle the thought that he was riding on the back of Nechacv's perverse glamour.
- Just by riding on your shoulders, Newt.
- Oblivious to the emotion riding on their backs, Aureole and Pinza came to Epsom with excellent credentials.
- Or you can ride on my back, if you prefer.
- People on welfare are not taking a ride on the backs of other people.
- Power can not ride on an upright back.
- As a reporter he gets to rub shoulders with all the big names in politics and the media.
- But yesterday, possums, Dame Edna Everage revealed that she was fed up with rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.
- He shows no urge to rub shoulders with the lower orders but, if anything, a tendency to keep his distance.
- Samurai warriors of the Shoguns rubbed shoulders with Eskimos and headhunters.
- The daughter of an itinerant farm worker, Ward now rubs shoulders with the rich, famous and glamorous.
- The great Council House of 1879 and the neo-Classical Town Hall rub shoulders with the bold and modern.
- The think-tank will have florists rubbing shoulders with the chief of Apple Computers.
- Voice over Here the stars for the day rub shoulders with the stars of the show.
- He hated the set of different faces glaring up at him night after night.
- Her husband's brow furrowed as he noted the set of her face.
- Something in the set of his shoulders suggested that his pursuers were not far behind.
- I squared my shoulders, returned to the flat and cleaned the kitchen.
- Pulling himself upright, he squared his shoulders.
- She got back on Midnight, in order to look down on Sebastian and Antony, and squared her shoulders.
- She hesitated on the back steps a minute, then squared her shoulders and went inside.
- She threw her head back, squared her shoulders and walked briskly toward the elevator.
- Then she squared her shoulders and headed indoors.
- Sometimes he spoke straight from the shoulder and sometimes in puzzles and parables.
- The jab snaps out straight from the shoulder and bounces back immediately into high guard.
She tapped the driver on the shoulder. He put his arm around her shoulders. His shoulders were broad and powerful.2clothes [countable] the part of a piece of clothing that covers your shoulders: a jacket with padded shoulders3meat [countable, uncountable] the upper part of the front leg of an animal that is used for meatshoulder of a shoulder of pork4be looking over your shoulder to feel worried that something unpleasant is going to happen to you5a)a shoulder to cry on someone who gives you sympathy: Ben is always there when I need a shoulder to cry on. b)cry on somebody’s shoulder to get sympathy from someone when you tell them your problems6shoulder to shoulder a)having the same aims and wanting to achieve the same thing SYN side by sideshoulder with We are working shoulder to shoulder with local residents. b)physically close together SYN side by side: Blacks and whites stood shoulder to shoulder in the stands to applaud.7on somebody’s shoulders if blame or a difficult job falls on someone’s shoulders, they have to take responsibility for it: The blame rests squarely on Jim’s shoulders.8put your shoulder to the wheel to start to work with great effort and determination9road-side [countable] American English an area of ground beside a road, where drivers can stop their cars if they are having trouble → hard shoulder, soft shoulder10curved shape [countable] a rounded part just below the top of something → give somebody the cold shoulder at cold1(7), → have a chip on your shoulder at chip1(5), → be/stand head and shoulders above the rest at head1(29), → rub shoulders with at rub1(5), → straight from the shoulder at straight1(10)COLLOCATIONSverbsshrug your shoulders (=raise them to show that you do not know or care about something)· Susan just shrugged her shoulders and said nothing.hunch your shoulders (=raise your shoulders and bend them forwards slightly)· He hunched his shoulders against the rain.look/glance over your shoulder (=look behind you)· He glanced over his shoulder and grinned at me.somebody’s shoulders shake (=because they are crying or laughing)· His shoulders were shaking and tears of laughter were running down his face.somebody’s shoulders slump/droop/sag (=move downwards because they are sad or tired)· ‘You 're right,’ he sighed, his shoulders drooping.somebody’s shoulders heave (=move up and down because they are crying or breathing deeply)· She turned her back again, her shoulders heaving, her eyes blind with tears.straighten/square your shoulders (=stand with your shoulders straight, in a determined way)· She squared her shoulders and knocked on the door.adjectivesbroad/wide· He was of medium height, with broad shoulders.strong/powerful· He had powerful shoulders and a thick neck.massive/huge· Dean shrugged his massive shoulders.narrow/slim· Her dark hair spilled over her narrow shoulders.thin/bony shoulders· She put her arm around the girl’s thin shoulders.shoulder1 nounshoulder2 verb
shouldershoulder2 verb VERB TABLE
shoulder
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | shoulder |
| he, she, it | shoulders | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | shouldered |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have shouldered |
| he, she, it | has shouldered | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had shouldered |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will shoulder |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have shouldered |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am shouldering |
| he, she, it | is shouldering | |
| you, we, they | are shouldering | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was shouldering |
| you, we, they | were shouldering | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been shouldering |
| he, she, it | has been shouldering | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been shouldering |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be shouldering |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been shouldering |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- He shouldered his ax and began walking into the woods.
- The burden of supporting the poor is shouldered mainly by charities.
- The company is unwilling to shoulder the cost of installing a daycare center.
- After the publicists, casting directors began to shoulder the burden.
- Dorfman plays keyboards -- an injury preventing him from shouldering his usual accordion.
- Family graves may occasionally receive a visit by a lone person shouldering a glum aura.
- The capacity of the fourteen divisions to shoulder this responsibility, and the load placed on each division both varied enormously.
Longman Language Activatorto agree to be responsible for something
to agree to be responsible for something, especially something that will make you have a lot of work or pressure: take something on: · I'm very busy. I'm afraid I can't take anything else on at the moment.take on something: · Alice always seems willing to take on extra work without complaining.
formal to take responsibility for something that must be done: · The ship's owner has assumed responsibility for cleaning up the oil spill.· It was natural for Richard, as elder son, to assume responsibility for the family.
to agree to take responsibility for something that will be difficult to deal with: shoulder responsibility/debts/the cost/burdens: · The burden of supporting the poor is shouldered mainly by charities.· The company is unwilling to shoulder the cost of installing a daycare center.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYnouns Ben grinned and clapped me amiably on the shoulder. A full-body massage lasts around one hour. I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored him. Pete slung his bag over his shoulder. He turned as someone tapped him on the shoulder. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSNOUN
· The coach shoulders the responsibility for winning and losing.
· Many women do paid work and also shoulder the burden of childcare.
· Parents are being made to shoulder the blame.
· The government has decided to shoulder the extra cost itself.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES (=one that is carried over your shoulder)· Big shoulder bags are fashionable this year.
(=say that something is your fault)· No one was prepared to take the blame for the disaster.· Parents must shoulder the blame if their kids behave badly.
(=be responsible for something)· At the age of 16, Suzy bore the burden of providing for her family.
· If I deal with the all the practical problems, that will lift the burden from your shoulders.
Ben grinned and clapped me amiably on the shoulder.· He had shoulder-length reddish hair.
· He suffered a shoulder injury while playing rugby.
A full-body massage lasts around one hour. (=a pad that you wear to protect a part of your body when you are playing a sport)
(=agree to start having a difficult or unpleasant duty)· The city, she said, would shoulder responsibility for caring for the children.
I just shrugged my shoulders and ignored him. Pete slung his bag over his shoulder. He turned as someone tapped him on the shoulder. The burden of responsibility weighed heavily on his shoulders.· Mr Taylor must shoulder much of the blame.· The Republican Party must shoulder some of the blame for the networks' disinterest.· If Labour is being forced to fight old battles, it must shoulder part of the blame.
· Coupled with the financial implications if carers decided they could no longer shoulder this burden the case for supporting respite care becomes overwhelming.· Why, he asked, should the taxpayer shoulder the burden of expropriation?· After the publicists, casting directors began to shoulder the burden.· They reflect a tough tradition among rural women of shouldering a heavy economic burden and speaking their mind.· Voice over Swindon is one of the eighties boom towns which has had to shoulder the burden of recession.· Why don't we shoulder all the burdens of this wretched country?
· She shouldered her way between Anne and Derek.· Nicolo shouldered his way through the crowd towards the Princess.· Erlich shouldered his way through the crowd and went after her.· Or sometimes Andrew had been so drunk that Iain shouldered him all the way home.· He was curious and, shouldering his way through the crowd, made his way to St Mary Le Bow.· Henry gave a short run and shouldered his way past the door.· She then attempted a drowsy recap on the Royal Family but I shouldered my way out of there as soon as I could.· Bringing up the rear, Duke shouldered his way into the kitchen.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► shoulder armsPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► shoulder-length/knee-length etc► an old head on young shoulders► a trick knee/ankle/shoulder etc
1shoulder the responsibility/duty/cost/burden etc to accept a difficult or unpleasant responsibility, duty etc: - After the publicists, casting directors began to shoulder the burden.
- He failed to shoulder the responsibility, which Government should shoulder, for imposing the tax in the first place.
- I think everyone has got to shoulder the responsibility for defeat, not just Graham.
- It does indeed make those who require nursing care through no fault of their own shoulder the cost.
- Voice over Swindon is one of the eighties boom towns which has had to shoulder the burden of recession.
- Why, he asked, should the taxpayer shoulder the burden of expropriation?
- Bringing up the rear, Duke shouldered his way into the kitchen.
- But wait, some one is shouldering their way through the crowd.
- Erlich shouldered his way through the crowd and went after her.
- He was curious and, shouldering his way through the crowd, made his way to St Mary Le Bow.
- I went in there, shouldered my way through the crowd.
- Nicolo shouldered his way through the crowd towards the Princess.
- Some surprise managed to shoulder its way into Jenner's turgid writing.
- They looked as though they could shoulder their way through solid rock and beat up a regiment of trolls into the bargain.
- The Doyle kid has had a chip on his shoulder ever since his mom and dad divorced.
- In some cases folks are just mad and have a chip on their shoulder.
- After I got the promotion, a few of my co-workers started giving me the cold shoulder.
- She was sure that at some point she'd given some one the cold shoulder and hurt them badly without noticing.
- So they have given girlfriends the cold shoulder.
- Vernon regretted giving Harcourt the cold shoulder; he would have been some one to laugh with.
- A declaration of love, or the cold shoulder.
- Giving the cold shoulder to his usual tipple, Ian Knight raises his coffee cup to Drinkwise Day.
- She was sure that at some point she'd given some one the cold shoulder and hurt them badly without noticing.
- So they have given girlfriends the cold shoulder.
- But the surgery has given him confidence to stand head and shoulders above the rest.
- Jackson stood head and shoulders above his confreres, and..
- The fourth, who stood head and shoulders above them, was older.
- Though short, he stands head and shoulders above most.
- Ballesteros hunched his shoulders, put his palms up in the air, and raised his dark, thick eyebrows.
- He hunched his shoulders and stamped his way defiantly down the rest of the stairs and out into the cobbled street.
- He put them on, and peered round the room, hunching his shoulders, shamming the old scholar.
- Lean away from the flexed knee and keep your guard close to your body, but avoid hunching your shoulders.
- Schmidt hunched his shoulders and gobbled like a turkey.
- Then, hunching his shoulders against the pounding rain, he lurched towards the barn.
- Better than that was riding on his back while he went down on hands and knees and neighed like a horse.
- Dostoevsky wanted to stifle the thought that he was riding on the back of Nechacv's perverse glamour.
- Just by riding on your shoulders, Newt.
- Oblivious to the emotion riding on their backs, Aureole and Pinza came to Epsom with excellent credentials.
- Or you can ride on my back, if you prefer.
- People on welfare are not taking a ride on the backs of other people.
- Power can not ride on an upright back.
- As a reporter he gets to rub shoulders with all the big names in politics and the media.
- But yesterday, possums, Dame Edna Everage revealed that she was fed up with rubbing shoulders with the rich and famous.
- He shows no urge to rub shoulders with the lower orders but, if anything, a tendency to keep his distance.
- Samurai warriors of the Shoguns rubbed shoulders with Eskimos and headhunters.
- The daughter of an itinerant farm worker, Ward now rubs shoulders with the rich, famous and glamorous.
- The great Council House of 1879 and the neo-Classical Town Hall rub shoulders with the bold and modern.
- The think-tank will have florists rubbing shoulders with the chief of Apple Computers.
- Voice over Here the stars for the day rub shoulders with the stars of the show.
- He hated the set of different faces glaring up at him night after night.
- Her husband's brow furrowed as he noted the set of her face.
- Something in the set of his shoulders suggested that his pursuers were not far behind.
- I squared my shoulders, returned to the flat and cleaned the kitchen.
- Pulling himself upright, he squared his shoulders.
- She got back on Midnight, in order to look down on Sebastian and Antony, and squared her shoulders.
- She hesitated on the back steps a minute, then squared her shoulders and went inside.
- She threw her head back, squared her shoulders and walked briskly toward the elevator.
- Then she squared her shoulders and headed indoors.
- Sometimes he spoke straight from the shoulder and sometimes in puzzles and parables.
- The jab snaps out straight from the shoulder and bounces back immediately into high guard.
The residents are being asked to shoulder the costs of the repairs.2[transitive] to lift something onto your shoulder to carry it: They shouldered the boat and took it down to the river.3shoulder your way through/into etc to move through a large crowd of people by pushing with your shoulder: He ran after her, shouldering his way through the crowd.4shoulder arms an order given to soldiers telling them to hold their weapon against their shoulderCOLLOCATIONSnounsshoulder a responsibility· The coach shoulders the responsibility for winning and losing.shoulder a burden· Many women do paid work and also shoulder the burden of childcare.shoulder the blame· Parents are being made to shoulder the blame.shoulder the cost· The government has decided to shoulder the extra cost itself.