Definition of rattle in English:

rattle

verb ˈrat(ə)lˈrædl

1Make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds.
no object the roof rattled with little gusts of wind
with object he rattled some change in his pocket
Example sentencesExamples
- The window pane began to rattle as the rain began to pound from the heavens.
- Then, there was this scratching metallic sound and… the whole elevator shook and rattled.
- Hanmari gave a roar of outrage and then proceeded to pound on the door down, or at least knock hard enough to rattle the hinges.
- I hope it's not something that would break if you rattled it too hard.
- I sat motionless, gripping my fork so hard that it rattled against my plate.
- Myri was yelling, waving her arms around and slamming her hands on the table so hard that the cutlery rattled.
- Some rapid catching up followed to the accompaniment of the roof still rattling in the wind and off we all set again.
- There are shingle beaches where grayling spawn, rattling rapids and wooded islands that spread wide the flow.
- An earthquake rattled the area knocking the teen hero to the ground.
- Robyn was about to protest when the door rattled again.
- She turned the handle again, pulling at it harder, rattling the door in its frame but not opening it.
- The tin is being rattled hard again this week for more corporate support.
- Thunder rattled the windows and lightning gave an eerie and unworldly light to halls.
- He roughly shook Cloud again, so hard that his teeth rattled again.
- We're even looking at video right now at how that earthquake rattled the same region then.
- Low hanging twigs swept across the roof, rattling above our heads like hailstones.
- A low rumble of thunder rattles the window, shakes a vase on the end table.
- An explosion blasted from the direction of the lobby, rattling the shelves and shaking the floor under them.
- Gavin Peers had Rovers' best chance when he rattled the crossbar from a corner.
- He produced a small, but bulging, orange change purse and shook it, rattling the coins inside.
- With thirteen minutes to go Murray let fly from twenty yards and rattled the crossbar.
- When the houseboat's roof started rattling, they knew it was time to get off.
- To sit in it on a windy day was an experience in itself as you listened to the wind whistling through and rattling the galvanised roof.
- The plan was to build a wall that shook and rattled, simulating an earthquake, complete with sound effects.
- So a few days ago my son was out playing and decided to give away the five coins that were rattling around in his pocket.
- Lizzy demanded offensively, her voice sounding like wind chimes rattling relentlessly in a strong winter wind.
- What I heard as raindrops are the leaves of the giant oak above me, rattling in the wind.
- A tin can slammed against a wall suddenly then rattled in the wind.
- Across the room, a cap rattled around inside an empty shot glass.
- As the sound increases in volume, it rattles glass bottles that line the interiors of the hollow metal walls.
- The wind howled, the roof rattled, the whole cabin creaked and moaned.
- To her distress, the person persisted, the door shaking and rattling with his knocks.
- But it's a touch cramped in there if you're any way tall, the seats need more lumbar support and the roof can rattle when it's stowed.
- We should stop and think about why he noisily rattled a big tin cup midway through the week.
- Every now and then they hit a hard lump of water which shook Angus and rattled his teeth.
- A sharp series of knocks rattled the door in its frame.
- A half-hour or so later the key rattled in the lock.
- But this one made his jaw clench tight and his teeth rattle a bit.
- The Flea rattles its ghostly chains in glee at a visitor from San Marino.
Synonyms
clatter, bang, clang, clank, clink, clunk
jingle, jangle, clink, tinkle
1. 1.1no object, with adverbial of direction (of a vehicle or its occupants) move or travel with a knocking sound.
  trains rattled past at frequent intervals
  Example sentencesExamples
  Streetlamps cast a cold, pale glow on the pavement; an occasional trolley rattles by below.
  The cart rattled, and she had been jostled unmercifully.
  As my bus slowly rattled and groaned its way out of La Paz for the long journey south, I shuddered at what I'd let myself in for.
  Attack helicopters rattling low over the desert were especially terrifying, criss-crossing over the city and firing rockets into the centre.
  Drags of empty coal cars rattle past on their westward run.
  The carriage rattled along the narrow, winding streets to Montemarte, where the Basilica of the Sacre Couer lay.
  I looked across my neighbourhood, women in saris in their front gardens, kids on bikes, trains rattling past in the distance.
  Soon, dozens of guests began pouring in, their carriages rattling past the front door and around to the back.
  I don't want to see empty cars rattling by the Strib building.
  Grit braced himself as the carriage rattled along the old road, heading towards the town.
  When he heard the truck rattling down the driveway, he let the stallion out, and waited.
  Sure enough, a large grey lorry was rattling down the cobble road.
  And as the carriage rattled off into the city, I looked down at the gloves on my hand.
  The vehicle rattled over a bridge, and Brian caught a glimpse of dark trees hunched protectively over black water.
  A few aid agencies, charter airlines and the national carrier rattled around the dimly lit concourse.
  There were no windows inside the carriage, so Primrose's leader had to sit in silence as the carriage rattled towards Graveyard.
  A car comes rattling down the street, thick smoke pouring out the back, every door a different colour of blistered paint.
  ‘The old line runs right past my back door and I would not like trains rattling past every hour,’ he said.
  I had to wait until Hernandez and I were in the van rattling back to the hotel.
  You see, those wide-open spaces streaking past when you're rattling about on the train are ramshackle urban Edens.
  Synonyms
  jolt, bump, bounce, shake, vibrate, jar
  British judder
  rare jounce
2. 1.2rattle about/around inno object Be in or occupy (an unnecessarily spacious room or building)
  the house was too big—we just rattled around in it
  Example sentencesExamples
  Opening night saw a desultory 20 people rattling around in a big, airy room ready for 70 diners.
  One example of an on-demand product delivery system would be a software product downloaded from the Internet, and free of the boxboard packages CDs and manuals usually rattle around in.
  As the law stands it is perfectly legal for a baby, toddler or older child to rattle around in the back seat of a car with absolutely no seatbelt restraint of any kind.
  It was one of those nights when everything went right for United, from the saturated pitch that suited them down to the ground, to the crowd of just 41,000 rattling around in a stadium that could hold more than twice that.
  To boost morale for the remaining employees - still rattling around in the nearly empty space - Comiso and his two partners abandoned their window offices for desks on the main floor.
  This also means there aren't even more large vans driving around with three or four boxes rattling around in the back, which can only be a good thing.
  He said: ‘I drove my van to work, and thought I could hear things rattling about in the back a little bit.’
  The maintenance backlog alone was more than 100 million and there were too few pupils rattling around in too many schools.
  Well, no need to rattle around in a double room or cabin while being penalised with a single person supplement.
  You are far too pretty and sweet to be rattling around in here.
  Many are rattling around in larger-than-necessary homes now the children have grown up and found nests of their own - and it can be a boon to first-time buyers.
  As usual we'd left it so late that booking was a waste of time, as we found we'd been shuffled into one of the smaller screens, and the few of us in there were left to rattle around in the middle of a dozen-dozen empty seats.
  The times spent rattling around in hotel rooms isn't so bad as rattling around in my own home.
  Where are the shows about gadfly millionaires who rattle about in drafty mansions, and the mundane decisions we must make ev'ry day?
  The rich and famous can rattle around in sumptuous Grand Duplex Apartments, Royal Suites or Penthouses.
  She said that he had an entire subaquatic palace to rattle around in.
  I am rattling around in the old place and I never really liked it in the first instance.
  The owners don't feel like they're rattling around in this big house.
  He supposed thoughts, like shoes, were something you either rattled about in, or grew out of.
  But with the boys at boarding school, she and her husband were rattling about in their grand Grade II-listed house, designed by renowned Victorian architect S.S. Teulon.
2informal with object Make (someone) nervous, worried, or irritated.
she turned quickly, rattled by his presence
Example sentencesExamples
- They're so good at rattling me, at making me feel like I'm the one at fault, like we're causing trouble.
- Maybe he was rattled by Lorelai's sudden possible job offer?
- This sudden turn-around rattled the visitors.
- People being loud on public transport really rattles me for some reason.
- Ahern's response was to speed to the defence of a clearly rattled Bush.
- But the ambush, and the enemy flares and gunfire that followed, rattled the men of Bravo Company more than any event.
- Clearly rattled, Brash tried to straddle both sides of the argument at once.
- Clearly rattled by the booze suspension, Homme berated the owners of the building.
- Jack's presence rattled Wilson, reminding him of Henry as a little boy showing Jack how to work the old cash register.
- Zimbabwe is rattling investor confidence in Africa, the only region of the world to show an overall decline in per capita savings and investments since 1970.
- James Hickey is also capable of rattling opponents.
- This is the language of seriously rattled people.
- He looked at the capable assistant with sincere eyes knowing that this would rattle him into some flustered explanation of his whereabouts.
- ‘Just before half-time things were not going too bad and then the goal that they got rattled us before we went in,’ he said.
- Walking around the city last night, several hours after the morning's atrocities, many people were visibly rattled by what had happened.
- The first is a significant emotional experience, which refers to an event or happening that literally rattles the person to change.
- So the president decided to call a news conference, and he rattled some reporters by giving them just 45 minutes notice this time.
- Perhaps those comments will help steady the nerves of many Americans apparently rattled by an e-mail that is circulating nationwide.
- The sight of Anna, not the slightest bit ruffled, rattled him severely.
- The opposition may make negative personal comments to rattle you.
Synonyms
unnerve, disconcert, disturb, fluster, shake, perturb, discompose, discomfit, discountenance, make nervous, put off, throw off balance, ruffle, agitate, put off one's stroke, upset, frighten, scare
informal faze, throw, get to

noun ˈrat(ə)lˈrædl

1A rapid succession of short, sharp, sounds.
the rattle of teacups on the tray
Example sentencesExamples
- The air seemed to beat against my ear drums, vibrating with the piercing rattle of insects… cicada's, grasshoppers and huge black beetles.
- But when no further sounds or rattles came up through the hull, I realized that we had landed.
- From the brittle rattle of applause that staggered around the room, it was obvious that not too many of the audience were from the North Island.
- As they walked the halls, a rattle of gunfire intruded from across the filtration ponds.
- There was more of a rattle in it this morning, and less of a hum, if that makes any sense.
- There's the rattle and clang of the air lock opening and closing, and it seems she has worn her lead-weighted diving boots home.
- In the distance there is the rapid rattle of a Kalashnikov.
- They have a variety of calls usually described as whistles, rattles, trills, squeaks or screams.
- A rattle of a chain in the distance caught Tonya's attention.
- There was a rattle of wheels in the distance.
- Then in the distance I heard the rattle of a harness.
- First the stupid heater developed a rattle at about 4am and woke me up.
- The new cabs are 75 percent stiffer in construction to ward off squeaks and rattles.
- Most of us neglect minor rattles because they don't directly affect the running of the car.
- The sound of the sea hitting the ship made it difficult to sleep and the rattle of tin dishes sounded over the groans of passengers being sick.
- Somewhere around Parliament House, the rattle turned to a clunk.
- There is an occasional cough, the shuffle of a footstep, the jingle of some coins, and the rattle of newspapers.
- Immediately there was an explosion, then the loud rattle of wheels on wood, and a cheer.
- Spasms of alto sax meet the outer edge of the record, accompanied by the jingle of a music box and the rattle of metal shards dropping to the floor.
- A distinct rattle of chains caught my attention, emitted from the shadows.
Synonyms
clatter, clattering, clank, clanking, clink, clinking, clanging
jingle, jingling, jangle, jangling
1. 1.1 A gurgling sound in the throat of a dying person.
  there was a choking rattle and his eyes turned upwards
  Example sentencesExamples
  He laughed and I noticed there was a wheezy rattle in his throat.
  After their night's respite, my congested bronchial tubes once more begin their noisy rattle.
  People take a long time to die, accompanied by the cracking of bone, the resistance of gristle, dire last-gasp gurgles and rattles.
  Her body went rigid, and the moan became a rattle deep in her throat.
  Synonyms
  death rattle
  technical rale
2A thing used to make a rattling sound.
Example sentencesExamples
- Other instruments used included rattles, whistles, flutes, mouth harps, and stringed-instruments constructed with a bow and resonator.
- Then you can experiment with journeying using other sounds, such as rattles, etc.
- One man demonstrates the use of the rattle by loudly singing a Seneca song in the theater after the show, while hammering the rattle against his palm.
- They could shake a rattle or something, they're no trouble at all.
- It includes ten leg rattles worn by dancers as both a composite musical instrument and a protective device.
- More commonly, cowhorn rattles with wooden handles and water drums were used.
- They shook rattles fashioned of skulls on long bones as they chanted the cadences of the spell.
- Traditional musical instruments included rattles, which were prominent in ceremonies.
- Another service, more tapers and hymns, more speeches and, in front of the coffin, white-robbed choristers chant and rhythmically shake silver rattles.
- As I left the ground I placed the rattle under my coat.
- The singing begins and your attention is on the beat of the drum, the sound of the rattle, and the men's voices captured in song.
- The second movement opens with timpani and rattles, followed by almost electronic sounding little looped musical figures that litter all of Glass's compositions.
- In the past, the women performed the rhythms by sitting on tiny stools, singing and beating little rattles or bamboos cut lengthwise.
- Ethnic colour came to this week's CNA conference in the form of six Squamish nation aboriginals with a drum and two rattles.
- Many handmade instruments include whistles, drums, rattles, and stringed instruments.
- The English under King Harold make a brave stand, but their pointed sticks and voodoo rattles are as nothing against the Normans' tanks, airplanes, and modern artillery.
- Knowles initiated a process of discovery in which these extraordinary wall sculptures were revealed to double as bean rattles and paper saws with a spectrum of sonic properties.
- In the other he held a rawhide rattle with a beaded strap, which he wrapped around his wrist.
- Pierced and strung together by youths, shells also served as ankle rattles for use in masquerades.
- The primary traditional instruments were Shaman's rattles and sticks beaten during hand games.
1. 2.1 A baby's toy consisting of a container filled with small pellets, which makes a noise when shaken.
  Example sentencesExamples
  Distractions such as rattles, music, or even running a vacuum, washing machine, or blow-dryer may be amusing or comforting to your baby.
  Take charge of baths, or walk baby around in a soft carrier, or be the one to introduce squeaky toys and rattles.
  America reminds me in some ways of a kid with a baby rattle.
  Golota kept his lips pursed together like a baby refusing its rattle, the mouthpiece stayed out and the fight was over.
  Keep soft toys, rattles, or pacifiers on hand in case your baby gets fussy.
  The most entertainment he could expect was his mother's occasional rattle waving.
  I bought giant stuffed frogs that squeak, plush lambies to cuddle, felt baby rattles to entertain.
  The usual teddies, rattles and baby outfits just weren't good enough for five-week-old Ikra Yaseen.
  I had to meet Derek at three and Mama, Jenny and I were still at Harrods looking at cribs and baby rattles.
  Long live hand-blown crystal champagne flutes and sterling silver baby rattles!
  Women screamed and jumped on chairs, men spilled their pints and babies dropped their rattles with each twist and turn of a nail-biting game.
  The noise started Jordan and made her take a step backward onto a rattle of the baby's which made her fall backwards onto the foot of the bed.
  My baby woke us up every morning with the precious jingle from his silver rattle and I will always cherish that sound.
  Allow your baby time to recognize that the rattle is producing the sound.
  Use things that he can grab with his fists such as soft washable toys or rattles with no sharp edges.
  Ethan the baby gets a noisy rattle and a soft activity book.
  He made a lot of noise by banging his rattle against his little table, and generally had a good time pretending to be all grown up.
  Shake their imagination like a baby's rattle.
  Thousands of baby rattles will also be delivered to US senators.
  These ideas are alluded to in this affable portrait by the angelic baby grasping a toy rattle while being tenderly held by its mother.
2. 2.2British A wooden device that makes a loud noise when whirled around, formerly used by spectators at football matches.
  Example sentencesExamples
  In 50 years the mouse has replaced the rattle as the football fans' accessory of choice.
  Many were in fancy dress and most of them were swinging rattles and shouting.
  For some, it should have long since gone the way of fans with rattles and balls with laces into a museum.
  The children dressed in soccer gear whistled, shook rattles and cheered as the orchestra gave a rousing rendition of this well known football anthem.
  Prayer wheels are the spiritual equivalent of football rattles, though the motivation is not quite the same.
  His routine is very different as he stands on a stool and uses a football rattle.
  Heck, there were even folk with good old-fashioned wooden rattles among the 5,449 crowd.
3. 2.3 The set of horny rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail, shaken as a warning.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The forked tongue darted from his lips, and the tip of his tail began the familiar sound of a rattle.
  Rattlesnakes shake their tail rattles as aposematic warnings.
3archaic A person who talks incessantly in a lively or inane way.
he is such a rattle!

Phrases

rattle someone's cage (or chain)

informal Anger or irritate someone.
put the pressure on him—rattle his cage
Example sentencesExamples
- It appears to have rattled my cage significantly.
- I should like to ask Tom Lubbock: who rattled your cage?
- It's almost like you're getting some sort of cheap thrill by rattling my cage.
- They will have to work harder to rattle his cage.
- If I'm missing the point - please rattle my cage.
- As The Jackhammer rattled my cage with uppercuts and hooks to the temple, I defended myself, but only made a nominal effort to punch back.
- If you don't want my opinion, don't rattle my cage.
- What's the matter, atheist, is my religion rattling your cage?
- The Democrats lost the mid-term elections because the Greens did not rattle their cage.
- That boy just seems to love rattling your cage.
Synonyms
anger, annoy, antagonize, provoke, vex, irritate, offend

rattle sabres

Threaten to take aggressive action.
we've got the miners rattling sabres again
See also sabre-rattling
Example sentencesExamples
- The Russians had rattled sabers throughout 1983, trying to stop NATO's theater missile deployment.
- We do know that they like to bluster and rattle sabres and all sorts of things.
- His best divisions were bogged down in Yemen, so he was in a weak position, and he rattled sabers hard as a bluff.
- That could be changing, as China continues to rattle sabers and pose increasing strategic instability.
- It talks tough, talks big, and rattles sabres but never puts its money where its mouth is.
- But if it was so successful, why are we rattling sabers now?
- The current fear-mongering over Social Security springs from the same totalitarian impulse as motivated those who rattled sabers in the past.
- Ministers are also not required to become emotionally involved, or to throw down ultimatums, or to rattle sabers and make dire threats.
- She is in no position to rattle sabers at this point.
- Why are India and Pakistan still rattling sabres and missiles at one another over Kashmir?

Phrasal Verbs

rattle something off

Say, perform, or produce something quickly and effortlessly.
he rattled off some instructions
Example sentencesExamples
- He rattled something off in his native language that had everyone but Miliar confused.
- I wanted details and I rattled questions off as they came to mind.
- This weekend, I started reading it again, and rattled it off in a couple of sessions, mainly on the train on the way to Cork and back.
- She rattled it off quickly and Zenn put his gun away.
- She nodded at the door as she rattled this list off to her brother, and grinning he slipped out.
- And there you were thinking that I just plonked myself down in front of my computer for a couple of hours to rattle this stuff off.
- These commands were rattled off at a frantic speed, then a few seconds silence ensued, until Telli's weapons were lying on the ground a few feet away from him.
- Two by two the names were rattled off until only a handful were left.
- Wellman's actors rattled their dialogue off like machine gun fire while Del Ruth's players took their time to enunciate clearly.
- The phone rang again this time her mother answered, she laughed and rattled something off in Spanish.
Synonyms
reel off, recite, list rapidly, fire off, run through, enumerate

rattle on/away

Talk rapidly and at length, especially in an inane way.
she found herself rattling on about unhappiness and happiness
Example sentencesExamples
- Ask him about the weather or the federal budget or the price of kumquats, and 15 minutes later he'll still be rattling on and on and on.
- Mark and Scott had hit it off spectacularly, rattling on about soccer, airplanes, their favorite movies and t.v. shows, and the like.
- Kay was rattling on about some television show but Miki wasn't paying attention.
- ‘I love your look today Lori,’ Tiffany by now was clenching her fists as Dale began rattling on.
- Here I am rattling on about how I want to go and ‘relieve’ my tension with some buff guy, and you're having a crisis.
- Worse still, I trapped myself in introducing them by rattling on without actually thinking of what to say.
- Devon couldn't resist rattling on about how good Jessica had been.
- She sighed and looked up at her teacher, now rattling on about an assignment on local history.
- Bland interrupts his thoughts momentarily, but while she rattles on boringly, his mind again drifts back to memories of Caddy.
- While Pataki rattled on endlessly about his shampoo, Whitman became very vocal about missing The Weekly Standard.
Synonyms
prattle, babble, chatter, gabble, prate, go on, run on, jabber, jibber-jabber, gibber, blether, blather, blither, ramble, maunder, drivel, twitter

Derivatives

rattly

adjectiverattliest, rattlier

The 80s model was a rattly, angular, unreliable thing.
Example sentencesExamples
- Imagine my surprise and chagrin when I realised that I could not hear any music above the din of the rattly old Northern Line train.
- I looked around and found an old amplifier with a rattly speaker.
- It looks exactly like that, although the fridge is no longer a rattly aquamarine-coloured thing from the early 70s.
- I am on a rattly bus heading past a huge ancient pyramid.

Origin

Middle English: related to Middle Dutch and Low German ratelen, of imitative origin.

Rhymes

battle, cattle, chattel, embattle, prattle, Seattle, tattle

Definition of rattle in US English:

rattle

verbˈradlˈrædl

1Make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds, typically as a result of shaking and striking repeatedly against a hard surface or object.
with object he rattled some change in his pocket
no object there was a sound of bottles rattling as he stacked the crates
Example sentencesExamples
- Thunder rattled the windows and lightning gave an eerie and unworldly light to halls.
- Lizzy demanded offensively, her voice sounding like wind chimes rattling relentlessly in a strong winter wind.
- An explosion blasted from the direction of the lobby, rattling the shelves and shaking the floor under them.
- When the houseboat's roof started rattling, they knew it was time to get off.
- The wind howled, the roof rattled, the whole cabin creaked and moaned.
- He produced a small, but bulging, orange change purse and shook it, rattling the coins inside.
- A low rumble of thunder rattles the window, shakes a vase on the end table.
- An earthquake rattled the area knocking the teen hero to the ground.
- A tin can slammed against a wall suddenly then rattled in the wind.
- Some rapid catching up followed to the accompaniment of the roof still rattling in the wind and off we all set again.
- Low hanging twigs swept across the roof, rattling above our heads like hailstones.
- The Flea rattles its ghostly chains in glee at a visitor from San Marino.
- The window pane began to rattle as the rain began to pound from the heavens.
- What I heard as raindrops are the leaves of the giant oak above me, rattling in the wind.
- With thirteen minutes to go Murray let fly from twenty yards and rattled the crossbar.
- Hanmari gave a roar of outrage and then proceeded to pound on the door down, or at least knock hard enough to rattle the hinges.
- To sit in it on a windy day was an experience in itself as you listened to the wind whistling through and rattling the galvanised roof.
- Robyn was about to protest when the door rattled again.
- Myri was yelling, waving her arms around and slamming her hands on the table so hard that the cutlery rattled.
- He roughly shook Cloud again, so hard that his teeth rattled again.
- The tin is being rattled hard again this week for more corporate support.
- As the sound increases in volume, it rattles glass bottles that line the interiors of the hollow metal walls.
- I sat motionless, gripping my fork so hard that it rattled against my plate.
- So a few days ago my son was out playing and decided to give away the five coins that were rattling around in his pocket.
- But this one made his jaw clench tight and his teeth rattle a bit.
- We should stop and think about why he noisily rattled a big tin cup midway through the week.
- Every now and then they hit a hard lump of water which shook Angus and rattled his teeth.
- There are shingle beaches where grayling spawn, rattling rapids and wooded islands that spread wide the flow.
- A half-hour or so later the key rattled in the lock.
- We're even looking at video right now at how that earthquake rattled the same region then.
- Then, there was this scratching metallic sound and… the whole elevator shook and rattled.
- Across the room, a cap rattled around inside an empty shot glass.
- I hope it's not something that would break if you rattled it too hard.
- The plan was to build a wall that shook and rattled, simulating an earthquake, complete with sound effects.
- To her distress, the person persisted, the door shaking and rattling with his knocks.
- Gavin Peers had Rovers' best chance when he rattled the crossbar from a corner.
- A sharp series of knocks rattled the door in its frame.
- She turned the handle again, pulling at it harder, rattling the door in its frame but not opening it.
- But it's a touch cramped in there if you're any way tall, the seats need more lumbar support and the roof can rattle when it's stowed.
Synonyms
clatter, bang, clang, clank, clink, clunk
jingle, jangle, clink, tinkle
1. 1.1no object, with adverbial of direction (of a vehicle or its driver or passengers) move or travel somewhere while making a rattle.
  trains rattled past at frequent intervals
  Example sentencesExamples
  A car comes rattling down the street, thick smoke pouring out the back, every door a different colour of blistered paint.
  A few aid agencies, charter airlines and the national carrier rattled around the dimly lit concourse.
  When he heard the truck rattling down the driveway, he let the stallion out, and waited.
  The carriage rattled along the narrow, winding streets to Montemarte, where the Basilica of the Sacre Couer lay.
  As my bus slowly rattled and groaned its way out of La Paz for the long journey south, I shuddered at what I'd let myself in for.
  I don't want to see empty cars rattling by the Strib building.
  The vehicle rattled over a bridge, and Brian caught a glimpse of dark trees hunched protectively over black water.
  And as the carriage rattled off into the city, I looked down at the gloves on my hand.
  Sure enough, a large grey lorry was rattling down the cobble road.
  ‘The old line runs right past my back door and I would not like trains rattling past every hour,’ he said.
  Streetlamps cast a cold, pale glow on the pavement; an occasional trolley rattles by below.
  The cart rattled, and she had been jostled unmercifully.
  Soon, dozens of guests began pouring in, their carriages rattling past the front door and around to the back.
  Grit braced himself as the carriage rattled along the old road, heading towards the town.
  I looked across my neighbourhood, women in saris in their front gardens, kids on bikes, trains rattling past in the distance.
  You see, those wide-open spaces streaking past when you're rattling about on the train are ramshackle urban Edens.
  Attack helicopters rattling low over the desert were especially terrifying, criss-crossing over the city and firing rockets into the centre.
  There were no windows inside the carriage, so Primrose's leader had to sit in silence as the carriage rattled towards Graveyard.
  I had to wait until Hernandez and I were in the van rattling back to the hotel.
  Drags of empty coal cars rattle past on their westward run.
  Synonyms
  jolt, bump, bounce, shake, vibrate, jar
2. 1.2rattle around inno object Be in or occupy (an unnecessarily or undesirably spacious room or building).
  Example sentencesExamples
  I am rattling around in the old place and I never really liked it in the first instance.
  The times spent rattling around in hotel rooms isn't so bad as rattling around in my own home.
  But with the boys at boarding school, she and her husband were rattling about in their grand Grade II-listed house, designed by renowned Victorian architect S.S. Teulon.
  The owners don't feel like they're rattling around in this big house.
  The maintenance backlog alone was more than 100 million and there were too few pupils rattling around in too many schools.
  It was one of those nights when everything went right for United, from the saturated pitch that suited them down to the ground, to the crowd of just 41,000 rattling around in a stadium that could hold more than twice that.
  He supposed thoughts, like shoes, were something you either rattled about in, or grew out of.
  Opening night saw a desultory 20 people rattling around in a big, airy room ready for 70 diners.
  One example of an on-demand product delivery system would be a software product downloaded from the Internet, and free of the boxboard packages CDs and manuals usually rattle around in.
  Many are rattling around in larger-than-necessary homes now the children have grown up and found nests of their own - and it can be a boon to first-time buyers.
  Where are the shows about gadfly millionaires who rattle about in drafty mansions, and the mundane decisions we must make ev'ry day?
  The rich and famous can rattle around in sumptuous Grand Duplex Apartments, Royal Suites or Penthouses.
  As usual we'd left it so late that booking was a waste of time, as we found we'd been shuffled into one of the smaller screens, and the few of us in there were left to rattle around in the middle of a dozen-dozen empty seats.
  To boost morale for the remaining employees - still rattling around in the nearly empty space - Comiso and his two partners abandoned their window offices for desks on the main floor.
  She said that he had an entire subaquatic palace to rattle around in.
  As the law stands it is perfectly legal for a baby, toddler or older child to rattle around in the back seat of a car with absolutely no seatbelt restraint of any kind.
  He said: ‘I drove my van to work, and thought I could hear things rattling about in the back a little bit.’
  This also means there aren't even more large vans driving around with three or four boxes rattling around in the back, which can only be a good thing.
  You are far too pretty and sweet to be rattling around in here.
  Well, no need to rattle around in a double room or cabin while being penalised with a single person supplement.
2informal with object Cause (someone) to feel nervous, worried, or irritated.
she turned quickly, rattled by his presence
Example sentencesExamples
- The first is a significant emotional experience, which refers to an event or happening that literally rattles the person to change.
- Jack's presence rattled Wilson, reminding him of Henry as a little boy showing Jack how to work the old cash register.
- Perhaps those comments will help steady the nerves of many Americans apparently rattled by an e-mail that is circulating nationwide.
- But the ambush, and the enemy flares and gunfire that followed, rattled the men of Bravo Company more than any event.
- ‘Just before half-time things were not going too bad and then the goal that they got rattled us before we went in,’ he said.
- The opposition may make negative personal comments to rattle you.
- People being loud on public transport really rattles me for some reason.
- Walking around the city last night, several hours after the morning's atrocities, many people were visibly rattled by what had happened.
- James Hickey is also capable of rattling opponents.
- Clearly rattled, Brash tried to straddle both sides of the argument at once.
- So the president decided to call a news conference, and he rattled some reporters by giving them just 45 minutes notice this time.
- The sight of Anna, not the slightest bit ruffled, rattled him severely.
- This sudden turn-around rattled the visitors.
- Maybe he was rattled by Lorelai's sudden possible job offer?
- This is the language of seriously rattled people.
- He looked at the capable assistant with sincere eyes knowing that this would rattle him into some flustered explanation of his whereabouts.
- Ahern's response was to speed to the defence of a clearly rattled Bush.
- Zimbabwe is rattling investor confidence in Africa, the only region of the world to show an overall decline in per capita savings and investments since 1970.
- Clearly rattled by the booze suspension, Homme berated the owners of the building.
- They're so good at rattling me, at making me feel like I'm the one at fault, like we're causing trouble.
Synonyms
unnerve, disconcert, disturb, fluster, shake, perturb, discompose, discomfit, discountenance, make nervous, put off, throw off balance, ruffle, agitate, put off one's stroke, upset, frighten, scare

nounˈradlˈrædl

1A rapid succession of short, sharp, hard sounds.
the rattle of teacups on the tray
Example sentencesExamples
- A distinct rattle of chains caught my attention, emitted from the shadows.
- Somewhere around Parliament House, the rattle turned to a clunk.
- The air seemed to beat against my ear drums, vibrating with the piercing rattle of insects… cicada's, grasshoppers and huge black beetles.
- There was more of a rattle in it this morning, and less of a hum, if that makes any sense.
- The new cabs are 75 percent stiffer in construction to ward off squeaks and rattles.
- Spasms of alto sax meet the outer edge of the record, accompanied by the jingle of a music box and the rattle of metal shards dropping to the floor.
- The sound of the sea hitting the ship made it difficult to sleep and the rattle of tin dishes sounded over the groans of passengers being sick.
- But when no further sounds or rattles came up through the hull, I realized that we had landed.
- Immediately there was an explosion, then the loud rattle of wheels on wood, and a cheer.
- First the stupid heater developed a rattle at about 4am and woke me up.
- They have a variety of calls usually described as whistles, rattles, trills, squeaks or screams.
- In the distance there is the rapid rattle of a Kalashnikov.
- There's the rattle and clang of the air lock opening and closing, and it seems she has worn her lead-weighted diving boots home.
- Then in the distance I heard the rattle of a harness.
- A rattle of a chain in the distance caught Tonya's attention.
- There is an occasional cough, the shuffle of a footstep, the jingle of some coins, and the rattle of newspapers.
- Most of us neglect minor rattles because they don't directly affect the running of the car.
- There was a rattle of wheels in the distance.
- As they walked the halls, a rattle of gunfire intruded from across the filtration ponds.
- From the brittle rattle of applause that staggered around the room, it was obvious that not too many of the audience were from the North Island.
Synonyms
clatter, clattering, clank, clanking, clink, clinking, clanging
1. 1.1 A gurgling sound in the throat of a dying person.
  Example sentencesExamples
  After their night's respite, my congested bronchial tubes once more begin their noisy rattle.
  He laughed and I noticed there was a wheezy rattle in his throat.
  People take a long time to die, accompanied by the cracking of bone, the resistance of gristle, dire last-gasp gurgles and rattles.
  Her body went rigid, and the moan became a rattle deep in her throat.
  Synonyms
  death rattle
2A thing used to make a rattling sound.
Example sentencesExamples
- They shook rattles fashioned of skulls on long bones as they chanted the cadences of the spell.
- In the past, the women performed the rhythms by sitting on tiny stools, singing and beating little rattles or bamboos cut lengthwise.
- Pierced and strung together by youths, shells also served as ankle rattles for use in masquerades.
- The primary traditional instruments were Shaman's rattles and sticks beaten during hand games.
- The English under King Harold make a brave stand, but their pointed sticks and voodoo rattles are as nothing against the Normans' tanks, airplanes, and modern artillery.
- Then you can experiment with journeying using other sounds, such as rattles, etc.
- Knowles initiated a process of discovery in which these extraordinary wall sculptures were revealed to double as bean rattles and paper saws with a spectrum of sonic properties.
- Many handmade instruments include whistles, drums, rattles, and stringed instruments.
- Ethnic colour came to this week's CNA conference in the form of six Squamish nation aboriginals with a drum and two rattles.
- The singing begins and your attention is on the beat of the drum, the sound of the rattle, and the men's voices captured in song.
- The second movement opens with timpani and rattles, followed by almost electronic sounding little looped musical figures that litter all of Glass's compositions.
- Another service, more tapers and hymns, more speeches and, in front of the coffin, white-robbed choristers chant and rhythmically shake silver rattles.
- They could shake a rattle or something, they're no trouble at all.
- More commonly, cowhorn rattles with wooden handles and water drums were used.
- One man demonstrates the use of the rattle by loudly singing a Seneca song in the theater after the show, while hammering the rattle against his palm.
- As I left the ground I placed the rattle under my coat.
- It includes ten leg rattles worn by dancers as both a composite musical instrument and a protective device.
- Traditional musical instruments included rattles, which were prominent in ceremonies.
- In the other he held a rawhide rattle with a beaded strap, which he wrapped around his wrist.
- Other instruments used included rattles, whistles, flutes, mouth harps, and stringed-instruments constructed with a bow and resonator.
1. 2.1 A baby's toy consisting of a container filled with small pellets, which makes a noise when shaken.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The usual teddies, rattles and baby outfits just weren't good enough for five-week-old Ikra Yaseen.
  Keep soft toys, rattles, or pacifiers on hand in case your baby gets fussy.
  Ethan the baby gets a noisy rattle and a soft activity book.
  He made a lot of noise by banging his rattle against his little table, and generally had a good time pretending to be all grown up.
  America reminds me in some ways of a kid with a baby rattle.
  The noise started Jordan and made her take a step backward onto a rattle of the baby's which made her fall backwards onto the foot of the bed.
  I bought giant stuffed frogs that squeak, plush lambies to cuddle, felt baby rattles to entertain.
  Thousands of baby rattles will also be delivered to US senators.
  These ideas are alluded to in this affable portrait by the angelic baby grasping a toy rattle while being tenderly held by its mother.
  Allow your baby time to recognize that the rattle is producing the sound.
  My baby woke us up every morning with the precious jingle from his silver rattle and I will always cherish that sound.
  Long live hand-blown crystal champagne flutes and sterling silver baby rattles!
  Use things that he can grab with his fists such as soft washable toys or rattles with no sharp edges.
  Women screamed and jumped on chairs, men spilled their pints and babies dropped their rattles with each twist and turn of a nail-biting game.
  Golota kept his lips pursed together like a baby refusing its rattle, the mouthpiece stayed out and the fight was over.
  The most entertainment he could expect was his mother's occasional rattle waving.
  Distractions such as rattles, music, or even running a vacuum, washing machine, or blow-dryer may be amusing or comforting to your baby.
  Take charge of baths, or walk baby around in a soft carrier, or be the one to introduce squeaky toys and rattles.
  I had to meet Derek at three and Mama, Jenny and I were still at Harrods looking at cribs and baby rattles.
  Shake their imagination like a baby's rattle.
2. 2.2 The set of horny rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail, shaken with a dry buzzing sound as a warning.
  Example sentencesExamples
  The forked tongue darted from his lips, and the tip of his tail began the familiar sound of a rattle.
  Rattlesnakes shake their tail rattles as aposematic warnings.

Phrases

rattle someone's cage (or chain)

informal Make someone feel angry or annoyed.
Example sentencesExamples
- As The Jackhammer rattled my cage with uppercuts and hooks to the temple, I defended myself, but only made a nominal effort to punch back.
- What's the matter, atheist, is my religion rattling your cage?
- If you don't want my opinion, don't rattle my cage.
- They will have to work harder to rattle his cage.
- It appears to have rattled my cage significantly.
- The Democrats lost the mid-term elections because the Greens did not rattle their cage.
- If I'm missing the point - please rattle my cage.
- That boy just seems to love rattling your cage.
- It's almost like you're getting some sort of cheap thrill by rattling my cage.
- I should like to ask Tom Lubbock: who rattled your cage?
Synonyms
anger, annoy, antagonize, provoke, vex, irritate, offend

rattle sabers

Threaten to take aggressive action.
See also saber-rattling
Example sentencesExamples
- It talks tough, talks big, and rattles sabres but never puts its money where its mouth is.
- Why are India and Pakistan still rattling sabres and missiles at one another over Kashmir?
- Ministers are also not required to become emotionally involved, or to throw down ultimatums, or to rattle sabers and make dire threats.
- The Russians had rattled sabers throughout 1983, trying to stop NATO's theater missile deployment.
- But if it was so successful, why are we rattling sabers now?
- We do know that they like to bluster and rattle sabres and all sorts of things.
- His best divisions were bogged down in Yemen, so he was in a weak position, and he rattled sabers hard as a bluff.
- She is in no position to rattle sabers at this point.
- The current fear-mongering over Social Security springs from the same totalitarian impulse as motivated those who rattled sabers in the past.
- That could be changing, as China continues to rattle sabers and pose increasing strategic instability.

Phrasal Verbs

rattle something off

Say, perform, or produce something quickly and effortlessly.
he rattled off some instructions
Example sentencesExamples
- She rattled it off quickly and Zenn put his gun away.
- The phone rang again this time her mother answered, she laughed and rattled something off in Spanish.
- And there you were thinking that I just plonked myself down in front of my computer for a couple of hours to rattle this stuff off.
- I wanted details and I rattled questions off as they came to mind.
- This weekend, I started reading it again, and rattled it off in a couple of sessions, mainly on the train on the way to Cork and back.
- He rattled something off in his native language that had everyone but Miliar confused.
- Wellman's actors rattled their dialogue off like machine gun fire while Del Ruth's players took their time to enunciate clearly.
- She nodded at the door as she rattled this list off to her brother, and grinning he slipped out.
- These commands were rattled off at a frantic speed, then a few seconds silence ensued, until Telli's weapons were lying on the ground a few feet away from him.
- Two by two the names were rattled off until only a handful were left.
Synonyms
reel off, recite, list rapidly, fire off, run through, enumerate

rattle on/away

Talk rapidly and at length, especially in an inane or boring way.
Example sentencesExamples
- While Pataki rattled on endlessly about his shampoo, Whitman became very vocal about missing The Weekly Standard.
- Mark and Scott had hit it off spectacularly, rattling on about soccer, airplanes, their favorite movies and t.v. shows, and the like.
- Here I am rattling on about how I want to go and ‘relieve’ my tension with some buff guy, and you're having a crisis.
- Ask him about the weather or the federal budget or the price of kumquats, and 15 minutes later he'll still be rattling on and on and on.
- Kay was rattling on about some television show but Miki wasn't paying attention.
- ‘I love your look today Lori,’ Tiffany by now was clenching her fists as Dale began rattling on.
- Devon couldn't resist rattling on about how good Jessica had been.
- Worse still, I trapped myself in introducing them by rattling on without actually thinking of what to say.
- She sighed and looked up at her teacher, now rattling on about an assignment on local history.
- Bland interrupts his thoughts momentarily, but while she rattles on boringly, his mind again drifts back to memories of Caddy.
Synonyms
prattle, babble, chatter, gabble, prate, go on, run on, jabber, jibber-jabber, gibber, blether, blather, blither, ramble, maunder, drivel, twitter

Origin

Middle English: related to Middle Dutch and Low German ratelen, of imitative origin.

单词	rattle
释义	Definition of rattle in English: rattle verb ˈrat(ə)lˈrædl 1Make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds. no object the roof rattled with little gusts of wind with object he rattled some change in his pocket Example sentencesExamples The window pane began to rattle as the rain began to pound from the heavens. Then, there was this scratching metallic sound and… the whole elevator shook and rattled. Hanmari gave a roar of outrage and then proceeded to pound on the door down, or at least knock hard enough to rattle the hinges. I hope it's not something that would break if you rattled it too hard. I sat motionless, gripping my fork so hard that it rattled against my plate. Myri was yelling, waving her arms around and slamming her hands on the table so hard that the cutlery rattled. Some rapid catching up followed to the accompaniment of the roof still rattling in the wind and off we all set again. There are shingle beaches where grayling spawn, rattling rapids and wooded islands that spread wide the flow. An earthquake rattled the area knocking the teen hero to the ground. Robyn was about to protest when the door rattled again. She turned the handle again, pulling at it harder, rattling the door in its frame but not opening it. The tin is being rattled hard again this week for more corporate support. Thunder rattled the windows and lightning gave an eerie and unworldly light to halls. He roughly shook Cloud again, so hard that his teeth rattled again. We're even looking at video right now at how that earthquake rattled the same region then. Low hanging twigs swept across the roof, rattling above our heads like hailstones. A low rumble of thunder rattles the window, shakes a vase on the end table. An explosion blasted from the direction of the lobby, rattling the shelves and shaking the floor under them. Gavin Peers had Rovers' best chance when he rattled the crossbar from a corner. He produced a small, but bulging, orange change purse and shook it, rattling the coins inside. With thirteen minutes to go Murray let fly from twenty yards and rattled the crossbar. When the houseboat's roof started rattling, they knew it was time to get off. To sit in it on a windy day was an experience in itself as you listened to the wind whistling through and rattling the galvanised roof. The plan was to build a wall that shook and rattled, simulating an earthquake, complete with sound effects. So a few days ago my son was out playing and decided to give away the five coins that were rattling around in his pocket. Lizzy demanded offensively, her voice sounding like wind chimes rattling relentlessly in a strong winter wind. What I heard as raindrops are the leaves of the giant oak above me, rattling in the wind. A tin can slammed against a wall suddenly then rattled in the wind. Across the room, a cap rattled around inside an empty shot glass. As the sound increases in volume, it rattles glass bottles that line the interiors of the hollow metal walls. The wind howled, the roof rattled, the whole cabin creaked and moaned. To her distress, the person persisted, the door shaking and rattling with his knocks. But it's a touch cramped in there if you're any way tall, the seats need more lumbar support and the roof can rattle when it's stowed. We should stop and think about why he noisily rattled a big tin cup midway through the week. Every now and then they hit a hard lump of water which shook Angus and rattled his teeth. A sharp series of knocks rattled the door in its frame. A half-hour or so later the key rattled in the lock. But this one made his jaw clench tight and his teeth rattle a bit. The Flea rattles its ghostly chains in glee at a visitor from San Marino. Synonyms clatter, bang, clang, clank, clink, clunk jingle, jangle, clink, tinkle 1.1no object, with adverbial of direction (of a vehicle or its occupants) move or travel with a knocking sound. trains rattled past at frequent intervals Example sentencesExamples Streetlamps cast a cold, pale glow on the pavement; an occasional trolley rattles by below. The cart rattled, and she had been jostled unmercifully. As my bus slowly rattled and groaned its way out of La Paz for the long journey south, I shuddered at what I'd let myself in for. Attack helicopters rattling low over the desert were especially terrifying, criss-crossing over the city and firing rockets into the centre. Drags of empty coal cars rattle past on their westward run. The carriage rattled along the narrow, winding streets to Montemarte, where the Basilica of the Sacre Couer lay. I looked across my neighbourhood, women in saris in their front gardens, kids on bikes, trains rattling past in the distance. Soon, dozens of guests began pouring in, their carriages rattling past the front door and around to the back. I don't want to see empty cars rattling by the Strib building. Grit braced himself as the carriage rattled along the old road, heading towards the town. When he heard the truck rattling down the driveway, he let the stallion out, and waited. Sure enough, a large grey lorry was rattling down the cobble road. And as the carriage rattled off into the city, I looked down at the gloves on my hand. The vehicle rattled over a bridge, and Brian caught a glimpse of dark trees hunched protectively over black water. A few aid agencies, charter airlines and the national carrier rattled around the dimly lit concourse. There were no windows inside the carriage, so Primrose's leader had to sit in silence as the carriage rattled towards Graveyard. A car comes rattling down the street, thick smoke pouring out the back, every door a different colour of blistered paint. ‘The old line runs right past my back door and I would not like trains rattling past every hour,’ he said. I had to wait until Hernandez and I were in the van rattling back to the hotel. You see, those wide-open spaces streaking past when you're rattling about on the train are ramshackle urban Edens. Synonyms jolt, bump, bounce, shake, vibrate, jar British judder rare jounce 1.2rattle about/around inno object Be in or occupy (an unnecessarily spacious room or building) the house was too big—we just rattled around in it Example sentencesExamples Opening night saw a desultory 20 people rattling around in a big, airy room ready for 70 diners. One example of an on-demand product delivery system would be a software product downloaded from the Internet, and free of the boxboard packages CDs and manuals usually rattle around in. As the law stands it is perfectly legal for a baby, toddler or older child to rattle around in the back seat of a car with absolutely no seatbelt restraint of any kind. It was one of those nights when everything went right for United, from the saturated pitch that suited them down to the ground, to the crowd of just 41,000 rattling around in a stadium that could hold more than twice that. To boost morale for the remaining employees - still rattling around in the nearly empty space - Comiso and his two partners abandoned their window offices for desks on the main floor. This also means there aren't even more large vans driving around with three or four boxes rattling around in the back, which can only be a good thing. He said: ‘I drove my van to work, and thought I could hear things rattling about in the back a little bit.’ The maintenance backlog alone was more than 100 million and there were too few pupils rattling around in too many schools. Well, no need to rattle around in a double room or cabin while being penalised with a single person supplement. You are far too pretty and sweet to be rattling around in here. Many are rattling around in larger-than-necessary homes now the children have grown up and found nests of their own - and it can be a boon to first-time buyers. As usual we'd left it so late that booking was a waste of time, as we found we'd been shuffled into one of the smaller screens, and the few of us in there were left to rattle around in the middle of a dozen-dozen empty seats. The times spent rattling around in hotel rooms isn't so bad as rattling around in my own home. Where are the shows about gadfly millionaires who rattle about in drafty mansions, and the mundane decisions we must make ev'ry day? The rich and famous can rattle around in sumptuous Grand Duplex Apartments, Royal Suites or Penthouses. She said that he had an entire subaquatic palace to rattle around in. I am rattling around in the old place and I never really liked it in the first instance. The owners don't feel like they're rattling around in this big house. He supposed thoughts, like shoes, were something you either rattled about in, or grew out of. But with the boys at boarding school, she and her husband were rattling about in their grand Grade II-listed house, designed by renowned Victorian architect S.S. Teulon. 2informal with object Make (someone) nervous, worried, or irritated. she turned quickly, rattled by his presence Example sentencesExamples They're so good at rattling me, at making me feel like I'm the one at fault, like we're causing trouble. Maybe he was rattled by Lorelai's sudden possible job offer? This sudden turn-around rattled the visitors. People being loud on public transport really rattles me for some reason. Ahern's response was to speed to the defence of a clearly rattled Bush. But the ambush, and the enemy flares and gunfire that followed, rattled the men of Bravo Company more than any event. Clearly rattled, Brash tried to straddle both sides of the argument at once. Clearly rattled by the booze suspension, Homme berated the owners of the building. Jack's presence rattled Wilson, reminding him of Henry as a little boy showing Jack how to work the old cash register. Zimbabwe is rattling investor confidence in Africa, the only region of the world to show an overall decline in per capita savings and investments since 1970. James Hickey is also capable of rattling opponents. This is the language of seriously rattled people. He looked at the capable assistant with sincere eyes knowing that this would rattle him into some flustered explanation of his whereabouts. ‘Just before half-time things were not going too bad and then the goal that they got rattled us before we went in,’ he said. Walking around the city last night, several hours after the morning's atrocities, many people were visibly rattled by what had happened. The first is a significant emotional experience, which refers to an event or happening that literally rattles the person to change. So the president decided to call a news conference, and he rattled some reporters by giving them just 45 minutes notice this time. Perhaps those comments will help steady the nerves of many Americans apparently rattled by an e-mail that is circulating nationwide. The sight of Anna, not the slightest bit ruffled, rattled him severely. The opposition may make negative personal comments to rattle you. Synonyms unnerve, disconcert, disturb, fluster, shake, perturb, discompose, discomfit, discountenance, make nervous, put off, throw off balance, ruffle, agitate, put off one's stroke, upset, frighten, scare informal faze, throw, get to noun ˈrat(ə)lˈrædl 1A rapid succession of short, sharp, sounds. the rattle of teacups on the tray Example sentencesExamples The air seemed to beat against my ear drums, vibrating with the piercing rattle of insects… cicada's, grasshoppers and huge black beetles. But when no further sounds or rattles came up through the hull, I realized that we had landed. From the brittle rattle of applause that staggered around the room, it was obvious that not too many of the audience were from the North Island. As they walked the halls, a rattle of gunfire intruded from across the filtration ponds. There was more of a rattle in it this morning, and less of a hum, if that makes any sense. There's the rattle and clang of the air lock opening and closing, and it seems she has worn her lead-weighted diving boots home. In the distance there is the rapid rattle of a Kalashnikov. They have a variety of calls usually described as whistles, rattles, trills, squeaks or screams. A rattle of a chain in the distance caught Tonya's attention. There was a rattle of wheels in the distance. Then in the distance I heard the rattle of a harness. First the stupid heater developed a rattle at about 4am and woke me up. The new cabs are 75 percent stiffer in construction to ward off squeaks and rattles. Most of us neglect minor rattles because they don't directly affect the running of the car. The sound of the sea hitting the ship made it difficult to sleep and the rattle of tin dishes sounded over the groans of passengers being sick. Somewhere around Parliament House, the rattle turned to a clunk. There is an occasional cough, the shuffle of a footstep, the jingle of some coins, and the rattle of newspapers. Immediately there was an explosion, then the loud rattle of wheels on wood, and a cheer. Spasms of alto sax meet the outer edge of the record, accompanied by the jingle of a music box and the rattle of metal shards dropping to the floor. A distinct rattle of chains caught my attention, emitted from the shadows. Synonyms clatter, clattering, clank, clanking, clink, clinking, clanging jingle, jingling, jangle, jangling 1.1 A gurgling sound in the throat of a dying person. there was a choking rattle and his eyes turned upwards Example sentencesExamples He laughed and I noticed there was a wheezy rattle in his throat. After their night's respite, my congested bronchial tubes once more begin their noisy rattle. People take a long time to die, accompanied by the cracking of bone, the resistance of gristle, dire last-gasp gurgles and rattles. Her body went rigid, and the moan became a rattle deep in her throat. Synonyms death rattle technical rale 2A thing used to make a rattling sound. Example sentencesExamples Other instruments used included rattles, whistles, flutes, mouth harps, and stringed-instruments constructed with a bow and resonator. Then you can experiment with journeying using other sounds, such as rattles, etc. One man demonstrates the use of the rattle by loudly singing a Seneca song in the theater after the show, while hammering the rattle against his palm. They could shake a rattle or something, they're no trouble at all. It includes ten leg rattles worn by dancers as both a composite musical instrument and a protective device. More commonly, cowhorn rattles with wooden handles and water drums were used. They shook rattles fashioned of skulls on long bones as they chanted the cadences of the spell. Traditional musical instruments included rattles, which were prominent in ceremonies. Another service, more tapers and hymns, more speeches and, in front of the coffin, white-robbed choristers chant and rhythmically shake silver rattles. As I left the ground I placed the rattle under my coat. The singing begins and your attention is on the beat of the drum, the sound of the rattle, and the men's voices captured in song. The second movement opens with timpani and rattles, followed by almost electronic sounding little looped musical figures that litter all of Glass's compositions. In the past, the women performed the rhythms by sitting on tiny stools, singing and beating little rattles or bamboos cut lengthwise. Ethnic colour came to this week's CNA conference in the form of six Squamish nation aboriginals with a drum and two rattles. Many handmade instruments include whistles, drums, rattles, and stringed instruments. The English under King Harold make a brave stand, but their pointed sticks and voodoo rattles are as nothing against the Normans' tanks, airplanes, and modern artillery. Knowles initiated a process of discovery in which these extraordinary wall sculptures were revealed to double as bean rattles and paper saws with a spectrum of sonic properties. In the other he held a rawhide rattle with a beaded strap, which he wrapped around his wrist. Pierced and strung together by youths, shells also served as ankle rattles for use in masquerades. The primary traditional instruments were Shaman's rattles and sticks beaten during hand games. 2.1 A baby's toy consisting of a container filled with small pellets, which makes a noise when shaken. Example sentencesExamples Distractions such as rattles, music, or even running a vacuum, washing machine, or blow-dryer may be amusing or comforting to your baby. Take charge of baths, or walk baby around in a soft carrier, or be the one to introduce squeaky toys and rattles. America reminds me in some ways of a kid with a baby rattle. Golota kept his lips pursed together like a baby refusing its rattle, the mouthpiece stayed out and the fight was over. Keep soft toys, rattles, or pacifiers on hand in case your baby gets fussy. The most entertainment he could expect was his mother's occasional rattle waving. I bought giant stuffed frogs that squeak, plush lambies to cuddle, felt baby rattles to entertain. The usual teddies, rattles and baby outfits just weren't good enough for five-week-old Ikra Yaseen. I had to meet Derek at three and Mama, Jenny and I were still at Harrods looking at cribs and baby rattles. Long live hand-blown crystal champagne flutes and sterling silver baby rattles! Women screamed and jumped on chairs, men spilled their pints and babies dropped their rattles with each twist and turn of a nail-biting game. The noise started Jordan and made her take a step backward onto a rattle of the baby's which made her fall backwards onto the foot of the bed. My baby woke us up every morning with the precious jingle from his silver rattle and I will always cherish that sound. Allow your baby time to recognize that the rattle is producing the sound. Use things that he can grab with his fists such as soft washable toys or rattles with no sharp edges. Ethan the baby gets a noisy rattle and a soft activity book. He made a lot of noise by banging his rattle against his little table, and generally had a good time pretending to be all grown up. Shake their imagination like a baby's rattle. Thousands of baby rattles will also be delivered to US senators. These ideas are alluded to in this affable portrait by the angelic baby grasping a toy rattle while being tenderly held by its mother. 2.2British A wooden device that makes a loud noise when whirled around, formerly used by spectators at football matches. Example sentencesExamples In 50 years the mouse has replaced the rattle as the football fans' accessory of choice. Many were in fancy dress and most of them were swinging rattles and shouting. For some, it should have long since gone the way of fans with rattles and balls with laces into a museum. The children dressed in soccer gear whistled, shook rattles and cheered as the orchestra gave a rousing rendition of this well known football anthem. Prayer wheels are the spiritual equivalent of football rattles, though the motivation is not quite the same. His routine is very different as he stands on a stool and uses a football rattle. Heck, there were even folk with good old-fashioned wooden rattles among the 5,449 crowd. 2.3 The set of horny rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail, shaken as a warning. Example sentencesExamples The forked tongue darted from his lips, and the tip of his tail began the familiar sound of a rattle. Rattlesnakes shake their tail rattles as aposematic warnings. 3archaic A person who talks incessantly in a lively or inane way. he is such a rattle! Phrases rattle someone's cage (or chain) informal Anger or irritate someone. put the pressure on him—rattle his cage Example sentencesExamples It appears to have rattled my cage significantly. I should like to ask Tom Lubbock: who rattled your cage? It's almost like you're getting some sort of cheap thrill by rattling my cage. They will have to work harder to rattle his cage. If I'm missing the point - please rattle my cage. As The Jackhammer rattled my cage with uppercuts and hooks to the temple, I defended myself, but only made a nominal effort to punch back. If you don't want my opinion, don't rattle my cage. What's the matter, atheist, is my religion rattling your cage? The Democrats lost the mid-term elections because the Greens did not rattle their cage. That boy just seems to love rattling your cage. Synonyms anger, annoy, antagonize, provoke, vex, irritate, offend rattle sabres Threaten to take aggressive action. we've got the miners rattling sabres again See also sabre-rattling Example sentencesExamples The Russians had rattled sabers throughout 1983, trying to stop NATO's theater missile deployment. We do know that they like to bluster and rattle sabres and all sorts of things. His best divisions were bogged down in Yemen, so he was in a weak position, and he rattled sabers hard as a bluff. That could be changing, as China continues to rattle sabers and pose increasing strategic instability. It talks tough, talks big, and rattles sabres but never puts its money where its mouth is. But if it was so successful, why are we rattling sabers now? The current fear-mongering over Social Security springs from the same totalitarian impulse as motivated those who rattled sabers in the past. Ministers are also not required to become emotionally involved, or to throw down ultimatums, or to rattle sabers and make dire threats. She is in no position to rattle sabers at this point. Why are India and Pakistan still rattling sabres and missiles at one another over Kashmir? Phrasal Verbs rattle something off Say, perform, or produce something quickly and effortlessly. he rattled off some instructions Example sentencesExamples He rattled something off in his native language that had everyone but Miliar confused. I wanted details and I rattled questions off as they came to mind. This weekend, I started reading it again, and rattled it off in a couple of sessions, mainly on the train on the way to Cork and back. She rattled it off quickly and Zenn put his gun away. She nodded at the door as she rattled this list off to her brother, and grinning he slipped out. And there you were thinking that I just plonked myself down in front of my computer for a couple of hours to rattle this stuff off. These commands were rattled off at a frantic speed, then a few seconds silence ensued, until Telli's weapons were lying on the ground a few feet away from him. Two by two the names were rattled off until only a handful were left. Wellman's actors rattled their dialogue off like machine gun fire while Del Ruth's players took their time to enunciate clearly. The phone rang again this time her mother answered, she laughed and rattled something off in Spanish. Synonyms reel off, recite, list rapidly, fire off, run through, enumerate rattle on/away Talk rapidly and at length, especially in an inane way. she found herself rattling on about unhappiness and happiness Example sentencesExamples Ask him about the weather or the federal budget or the price of kumquats, and 15 minutes later he'll still be rattling on and on and on. Mark and Scott had hit it off spectacularly, rattling on about soccer, airplanes, their favorite movies and t.v. shows, and the like. Kay was rattling on about some television show but Miki wasn't paying attention. ‘I love your look today Lori,’ Tiffany by now was clenching her fists as Dale began rattling on. Here I am rattling on about how I want to go and ‘relieve’ my tension with some buff guy, and you're having a crisis. Worse still, I trapped myself in introducing them by rattling on without actually thinking of what to say. Devon couldn't resist rattling on about how good Jessica had been. She sighed and looked up at her teacher, now rattling on about an assignment on local history. Bland interrupts his thoughts momentarily, but while she rattles on boringly, his mind again drifts back to memories of Caddy. While Pataki rattled on endlessly about his shampoo, Whitman became very vocal about missing The Weekly Standard. Synonyms prattle, babble, chatter, gabble, prate, go on, run on, jabber, jibber-jabber, gibber, blether, blather, blither, ramble, maunder, drivel, twitter Derivatives rattly adjectiverattliest, rattlier The 80s model was a rattly, angular, unreliable thing. Example sentencesExamples Imagine my surprise and chagrin when I realised that I could not hear any music above the din of the rattly old Northern Line train. I looked around and found an old amplifier with a rattly speaker. It looks exactly like that, although the fridge is no longer a rattly aquamarine-coloured thing from the early 70s. I am on a rattly bus heading past a huge ancient pyramid. Origin Middle English: related to Middle Dutch and Low German ratelen, of imitative origin. Rhymes battle, cattle, chattel, embattle, prattle, Seattle, tattle verb.1 phr. phr.v. Definition of rattle in US English: rattle verbˈradlˈrædl 1Make or cause to make a rapid succession of short, sharp knocking sounds, typically as a result of shaking and striking repeatedly against a hard surface or object. with object he rattled some change in his pocket no object there was a sound of bottles rattling as he stacked the crates Example sentencesExamples Thunder rattled the windows and lightning gave an eerie and unworldly light to halls. Lizzy demanded offensively, her voice sounding like wind chimes rattling relentlessly in a strong winter wind. An explosion blasted from the direction of the lobby, rattling the shelves and shaking the floor under them. When the houseboat's roof started rattling, they knew it was time to get off. The wind howled, the roof rattled, the whole cabin creaked and moaned. He produced a small, but bulging, orange change purse and shook it, rattling the coins inside. A low rumble of thunder rattles the window, shakes a vase on the end table. An earthquake rattled the area knocking the teen hero to the ground. A tin can slammed against a wall suddenly then rattled in the wind. Some rapid catching up followed to the accompaniment of the roof still rattling in the wind and off we all set again. Low hanging twigs swept across the roof, rattling above our heads like hailstones. The Flea rattles its ghostly chains in glee at a visitor from San Marino. The window pane began to rattle as the rain began to pound from the heavens. What I heard as raindrops are the leaves of the giant oak above me, rattling in the wind. With thirteen minutes to go Murray let fly from twenty yards and rattled the crossbar. Hanmari gave a roar of outrage and then proceeded to pound on the door down, or at least knock hard enough to rattle the hinges. To sit in it on a windy day was an experience in itself as you listened to the wind whistling through and rattling the galvanised roof. Robyn was about to protest when the door rattled again. Myri was yelling, waving her arms around and slamming her hands on the table so hard that the cutlery rattled. He roughly shook Cloud again, so hard that his teeth rattled again. The tin is being rattled hard again this week for more corporate support. As the sound increases in volume, it rattles glass bottles that line the interiors of the hollow metal walls. I sat motionless, gripping my fork so hard that it rattled against my plate. So a few days ago my son was out playing and decided to give away the five coins that were rattling around in his pocket. But this one made his jaw clench tight and his teeth rattle a bit. We should stop and think about why he noisily rattled a big tin cup midway through the week. Every now and then they hit a hard lump of water which shook Angus and rattled his teeth. There are shingle beaches where grayling spawn, rattling rapids and wooded islands that spread wide the flow. A half-hour or so later the key rattled in the lock. We're even looking at video right now at how that earthquake rattled the same region then. Then, there was this scratching metallic sound and… the whole elevator shook and rattled. Across the room, a cap rattled around inside an empty shot glass. I hope it's not something that would break if you rattled it too hard. The plan was to build a wall that shook and rattled, simulating an earthquake, complete with sound effects. To her distress, the person persisted, the door shaking and rattling with his knocks. Gavin Peers had Rovers' best chance when he rattled the crossbar from a corner. A sharp series of knocks rattled the door in its frame. She turned the handle again, pulling at it harder, rattling the door in its frame but not opening it. But it's a touch cramped in there if you're any way tall, the seats need more lumbar support and the roof can rattle when it's stowed. Synonyms clatter, bang, clang, clank, clink, clunk jingle, jangle, clink, tinkle 1.1no object, with adverbial of direction (of a vehicle or its driver or passengers) move or travel somewhere while making a rattle. trains rattled past at frequent intervals Example sentencesExamples A car comes rattling down the street, thick smoke pouring out the back, every door a different colour of blistered paint. A few aid agencies, charter airlines and the national carrier rattled around the dimly lit concourse. When he heard the truck rattling down the driveway, he let the stallion out, and waited. The carriage rattled along the narrow, winding streets to Montemarte, where the Basilica of the Sacre Couer lay. As my bus slowly rattled and groaned its way out of La Paz for the long journey south, I shuddered at what I'd let myself in for. I don't want to see empty cars rattling by the Strib building. The vehicle rattled over a bridge, and Brian caught a glimpse of dark trees hunched protectively over black water. And as the carriage rattled off into the city, I looked down at the gloves on my hand. Sure enough, a large grey lorry was rattling down the cobble road. ‘The old line runs right past my back door and I would not like trains rattling past every hour,’ he said. Streetlamps cast a cold, pale glow on the pavement; an occasional trolley rattles by below. The cart rattled, and she had been jostled unmercifully. Soon, dozens of guests began pouring in, their carriages rattling past the front door and around to the back. Grit braced himself as the carriage rattled along the old road, heading towards the town. I looked across my neighbourhood, women in saris in their front gardens, kids on bikes, trains rattling past in the distance. You see, those wide-open spaces streaking past when you're rattling about on the train are ramshackle urban Edens. Attack helicopters rattling low over the desert were especially terrifying, criss-crossing over the city and firing rockets into the centre. There were no windows inside the carriage, so Primrose's leader had to sit in silence as the carriage rattled towards Graveyard. I had to wait until Hernandez and I were in the van rattling back to the hotel. Drags of empty coal cars rattle past on their westward run. Synonyms jolt, bump, bounce, shake, vibrate, jar 1.2rattle around inno object Be in or occupy (an unnecessarily or undesirably spacious room or building). Example sentencesExamples I am rattling around in the old place and I never really liked it in the first instance. The times spent rattling around in hotel rooms isn't so bad as rattling around in my own home. But with the boys at boarding school, she and her husband were rattling about in their grand Grade II-listed house, designed by renowned Victorian architect S.S. Teulon. The owners don't feel like they're rattling around in this big house. The maintenance backlog alone was more than 100 million and there were too few pupils rattling around in too many schools. It was one of those nights when everything went right for United, from the saturated pitch that suited them down to the ground, to the crowd of just 41,000 rattling around in a stadium that could hold more than twice that. He supposed thoughts, like shoes, were something you either rattled about in, or grew out of. Opening night saw a desultory 20 people rattling around in a big, airy room ready for 70 diners. One example of an on-demand product delivery system would be a software product downloaded from the Internet, and free of the boxboard packages CDs and manuals usually rattle around in. Many are rattling around in larger-than-necessary homes now the children have grown up and found nests of their own - and it can be a boon to first-time buyers. Where are the shows about gadfly millionaires who rattle about in drafty mansions, and the mundane decisions we must make ev'ry day? The rich and famous can rattle around in sumptuous Grand Duplex Apartments, Royal Suites or Penthouses. As usual we'd left it so late that booking was a waste of time, as we found we'd been shuffled into one of the smaller screens, and the few of us in there were left to rattle around in the middle of a dozen-dozen empty seats. To boost morale for the remaining employees - still rattling around in the nearly empty space - Comiso and his two partners abandoned their window offices for desks on the main floor. She said that he had an entire subaquatic palace to rattle around in. As the law stands it is perfectly legal for a baby, toddler or older child to rattle around in the back seat of a car with absolutely no seatbelt restraint of any kind. He said: ‘I drove my van to work, and thought I could hear things rattling about in the back a little bit.’ This also means there aren't even more large vans driving around with three or four boxes rattling around in the back, which can only be a good thing. You are far too pretty and sweet to be rattling around in here. Well, no need to rattle around in a double room or cabin while being penalised with a single person supplement. 2informal with object Cause (someone) to feel nervous, worried, or irritated. she turned quickly, rattled by his presence Example sentencesExamples The first is a significant emotional experience, which refers to an event or happening that literally rattles the person to change. Jack's presence rattled Wilson, reminding him of Henry as a little boy showing Jack how to work the old cash register. Perhaps those comments will help steady the nerves of many Americans apparently rattled by an e-mail that is circulating nationwide. But the ambush, and the enemy flares and gunfire that followed, rattled the men of Bravo Company more than any event. ‘Just before half-time things were not going too bad and then the goal that they got rattled us before we went in,’ he said. The opposition may make negative personal comments to rattle you. People being loud on public transport really rattles me for some reason. Walking around the city last night, several hours after the morning's atrocities, many people were visibly rattled by what had happened. James Hickey is also capable of rattling opponents. Clearly rattled, Brash tried to straddle both sides of the argument at once. So the president decided to call a news conference, and he rattled some reporters by giving them just 45 minutes notice this time. The sight of Anna, not the slightest bit ruffled, rattled him severely. This sudden turn-around rattled the visitors. Maybe he was rattled by Lorelai's sudden possible job offer? This is the language of seriously rattled people. He looked at the capable assistant with sincere eyes knowing that this would rattle him into some flustered explanation of his whereabouts. Ahern's response was to speed to the defence of a clearly rattled Bush. Zimbabwe is rattling investor confidence in Africa, the only region of the world to show an overall decline in per capita savings and investments since 1970. Clearly rattled by the booze suspension, Homme berated the owners of the building. They're so good at rattling me, at making me feel like I'm the one at fault, like we're causing trouble. Synonyms unnerve, disconcert, disturb, fluster, shake, perturb, discompose, discomfit, discountenance, make nervous, put off, throw off balance, ruffle, agitate, put off one's stroke, upset, frighten, scare nounˈradlˈrædl 1A rapid succession of short, sharp, hard sounds. the rattle of teacups on the tray Example sentencesExamples A distinct rattle of chains caught my attention, emitted from the shadows. Somewhere around Parliament House, the rattle turned to a clunk. The air seemed to beat against my ear drums, vibrating with the piercing rattle of insects… cicada's, grasshoppers and huge black beetles. There was more of a rattle in it this morning, and less of a hum, if that makes any sense. The new cabs are 75 percent stiffer in construction to ward off squeaks and rattles. Spasms of alto sax meet the outer edge of the record, accompanied by the jingle of a music box and the rattle of metal shards dropping to the floor. The sound of the sea hitting the ship made it difficult to sleep and the rattle of tin dishes sounded over the groans of passengers being sick. But when no further sounds or rattles came up through the hull, I realized that we had landed. Immediately there was an explosion, then the loud rattle of wheels on wood, and a cheer. First the stupid heater developed a rattle at about 4am and woke me up. They have a variety of calls usually described as whistles, rattles, trills, squeaks or screams. In the distance there is the rapid rattle of a Kalashnikov. There's the rattle and clang of the air lock opening and closing, and it seems she has worn her lead-weighted diving boots home. Then in the distance I heard the rattle of a harness. A rattle of a chain in the distance caught Tonya's attention. There is an occasional cough, the shuffle of a footstep, the jingle of some coins, and the rattle of newspapers. Most of us neglect minor rattles because they don't directly affect the running of the car. There was a rattle of wheels in the distance. As they walked the halls, a rattle of gunfire intruded from across the filtration ponds. From the brittle rattle of applause that staggered around the room, it was obvious that not too many of the audience were from the North Island. Synonyms clatter, clattering, clank, clanking, clink, clinking, clanging 1.1 A gurgling sound in the throat of a dying person. Example sentencesExamples After their night's respite, my congested bronchial tubes once more begin their noisy rattle. He laughed and I noticed there was a wheezy rattle in his throat. People take a long time to die, accompanied by the cracking of bone, the resistance of gristle, dire last-gasp gurgles and rattles. Her body went rigid, and the moan became a rattle deep in her throat. Synonyms death rattle 2A thing used to make a rattling sound. Example sentencesExamples They shook rattles fashioned of skulls on long bones as they chanted the cadences of the spell. In the past, the women performed the rhythms by sitting on tiny stools, singing and beating little rattles or bamboos cut lengthwise. Pierced and strung together by youths, shells also served as ankle rattles for use in masquerades. The primary traditional instruments were Shaman's rattles and sticks beaten during hand games. The English under King Harold make a brave stand, but their pointed sticks and voodoo rattles are as nothing against the Normans' tanks, airplanes, and modern artillery. Then you can experiment with journeying using other sounds, such as rattles, etc. Knowles initiated a process of discovery in which these extraordinary wall sculptures were revealed to double as bean rattles and paper saws with a spectrum of sonic properties. Many handmade instruments include whistles, drums, rattles, and stringed instruments. Ethnic colour came to this week's CNA conference in the form of six Squamish nation aboriginals with a drum and two rattles. The singing begins and your attention is on the beat of the drum, the sound of the rattle, and the men's voices captured in song. The second movement opens with timpani and rattles, followed by almost electronic sounding little looped musical figures that litter all of Glass's compositions. Another service, more tapers and hymns, more speeches and, in front of the coffin, white-robbed choristers chant and rhythmically shake silver rattles. They could shake a rattle or something, they're no trouble at all. More commonly, cowhorn rattles with wooden handles and water drums were used. One man demonstrates the use of the rattle by loudly singing a Seneca song in the theater after the show, while hammering the rattle against his palm. As I left the ground I placed the rattle under my coat. It includes ten leg rattles worn by dancers as both a composite musical instrument and a protective device. Traditional musical instruments included rattles, which were prominent in ceremonies. In the other he held a rawhide rattle with a beaded strap, which he wrapped around his wrist. Other instruments used included rattles, whistles, flutes, mouth harps, and stringed-instruments constructed with a bow and resonator. 2.1 A baby's toy consisting of a container filled with small pellets, which makes a noise when shaken. Example sentencesExamples The usual teddies, rattles and baby outfits just weren't good enough for five-week-old Ikra Yaseen. Keep soft toys, rattles, or pacifiers on hand in case your baby gets fussy. Ethan the baby gets a noisy rattle and a soft activity book. He made a lot of noise by banging his rattle against his little table, and generally had a good time pretending to be all grown up. America reminds me in some ways of a kid with a baby rattle. The noise started Jordan and made her take a step backward onto a rattle of the baby's which made her fall backwards onto the foot of the bed. I bought giant stuffed frogs that squeak, plush lambies to cuddle, felt baby rattles to entertain. Thousands of baby rattles will also be delivered to US senators. These ideas are alluded to in this affable portrait by the angelic baby grasping a toy rattle while being tenderly held by its mother. Allow your baby time to recognize that the rattle is producing the sound. My baby woke us up every morning with the precious jingle from his silver rattle and I will always cherish that sound. Long live hand-blown crystal champagne flutes and sterling silver baby rattles! Use things that he can grab with his fists such as soft washable toys or rattles with no sharp edges. Women screamed and jumped on chairs, men spilled their pints and babies dropped their rattles with each twist and turn of a nail-biting game. Golota kept his lips pursed together like a baby refusing its rattle, the mouthpiece stayed out and the fight was over. The most entertainment he could expect was his mother's occasional rattle waving. Distractions such as rattles, music, or even running a vacuum, washing machine, or blow-dryer may be amusing or comforting to your baby. Take charge of baths, or walk baby around in a soft carrier, or be the one to introduce squeaky toys and rattles. I had to meet Derek at three and Mama, Jenny and I were still at Harrods looking at cribs and baby rattles. Shake their imagination like a baby's rattle. 2.2 The set of horny rings at the end of a rattlesnake's tail, shaken with a dry buzzing sound as a warning. Example sentencesExamples The forked tongue darted from his lips, and the tip of his tail began the familiar sound of a rattle. Rattlesnakes shake their tail rattles as aposematic warnings. Phrases rattle someone's cage (or chain) informal Make someone feel angry or annoyed. Example sentencesExamples As The Jackhammer rattled my cage with uppercuts and hooks to the temple, I defended myself, but only made a nominal effort to punch back. What's the matter, atheist, is my religion rattling your cage? If you don't want my opinion, don't rattle my cage. They will have to work harder to rattle his cage. It appears to have rattled my cage significantly. The Democrats lost the mid-term elections because the Greens did not rattle their cage. If I'm missing the point - please rattle my cage. That boy just seems to love rattling your cage. It's almost like you're getting some sort of cheap thrill by rattling my cage. I should like to ask Tom Lubbock: who rattled your cage? Synonyms anger, annoy, antagonize, provoke, vex, irritate, offend rattle sabers Threaten to take aggressive action. See also saber-rattling Example sentencesExamples It talks tough, talks big, and rattles sabres but never puts its money where its mouth is. Why are India and Pakistan still rattling sabres and missiles at one another over Kashmir? Ministers are also not required to become emotionally involved, or to throw down ultimatums, or to rattle sabers and make dire threats. The Russians had rattled sabers throughout 1983, trying to stop NATO's theater missile deployment. But if it was so successful, why are we rattling sabers now? We do know that they like to bluster and rattle sabres and all sorts of things. His best divisions were bogged down in Yemen, so he was in a weak position, and he rattled sabers hard as a bluff. She is in no position to rattle sabers at this point. The current fear-mongering over Social Security springs from the same totalitarian impulse as motivated those who rattled sabers in the past. That could be changing, as China continues to rattle sabers and pose increasing strategic instability. Phrasal Verbs rattle something off Say, perform, or produce something quickly and effortlessly. he rattled off some instructions Example sentencesExamples She rattled it off quickly and Zenn put his gun away. The phone rang again this time her mother answered, she laughed and rattled something off in Spanish. And there you were thinking that I just plonked myself down in front of my computer for a couple of hours to rattle this stuff off. I wanted details and I rattled questions off as they came to mind. This weekend, I started reading it again, and rattled it off in a couple of sessions, mainly on the train on the way to Cork and back. He rattled something off in his native language that had everyone but Miliar confused. Wellman's actors rattled their dialogue off like machine gun fire while Del Ruth's players took their time to enunciate clearly. She nodded at the door as she rattled this list off to her brother, and grinning he slipped out. These commands were rattled off at a frantic speed, then a few seconds silence ensued, until Telli's weapons were lying on the ground a few feet away from him. Two by two the names were rattled off until only a handful were left. Synonyms reel off, recite, list rapidly, fire off, run through, enumerate rattle on/away Talk rapidly and at length, especially in an inane or boring way. Example sentencesExamples While Pataki rattled on endlessly about his shampoo, Whitman became very vocal about missing The Weekly Standard. Mark and Scott had hit it off spectacularly, rattling on about soccer, airplanes, their favorite movies and t.v. shows, and the like. Here I am rattling on about how I want to go and ‘relieve’ my tension with some buff guy, and you're having a crisis. Ask him about the weather or the federal budget or the price of kumquats, and 15 minutes later he'll still be rattling on and on and on. Kay was rattling on about some television show but Miki wasn't paying attention. ‘I love your look today Lori,’ Tiffany by now was clenching her fists as Dale began rattling on. Devon couldn't resist rattling on about how good Jessica had been. Worse still, I trapped myself in introducing them by rattling on without actually thinking of what to say. She sighed and looked up at her teacher, now rattling on about an assignment on local history. Bland interrupts his thoughts momentarily, but while she rattles on boringly, his mind again drifts back to memories of Caddy. Synonyms prattle, babble, chatter, gabble, prate, go on, run on, jabber, jibber-jabber, gibber, blether, blather, blither, ramble, maunder, drivel, twitter Origin Middle English: related to Middle Dutch and Low German ratelen, of imitative origin. verb.1 phr. phr.v.
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