英语词汇“bull”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

bull

(bʊl )

Word forms: bulls

1. countable noun B1

A bull is a male animal of the cow family.

2. countable noun

Some other male animals, including elephants and whales, are called bulls.

...a massive bull elephant with huge tusks.

3. countable noun

On the stock market, bulls are people who buy shares in expectation of a price rise, in order to make a profit by selling the shares again after a short time. Compare bear2. [business]

4. countable noun

In the Roman Catholic church, a papal bull is an official statement on a particular subject that is issued by the Pope.

5. uncountable noun

If you say that something is bull or a load of bull, you mean that it is complete nonsense or absolutely untrue. [informal]

I think it's a load of bull.

The press couldn't deal with that so they made up all this bull.

6. See also cock-and-bull story, pit bull terrier

7. bull in a china shop phrase [usu like PHR]

If you say that someone rushes into a situation like a bull in a china shop, you are critical of them because they do not stop to think, and are insensitive to other people's feelings. [informal, disapproval]

Still, it'll stop him rampaging all over the place like a bull in a china shop.

8. a bull in a china shop phrase [usu like PHR]

You say that someone is like a bull in a china shop when they are very clumsy.

9. to take the bull by the horns phrase

If you take the bull by the horns, you do something that you feel you ought to do even though it is difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant.

Now is the time for the Chancellor to take the bull by the horns and announce a two per cent cut in interest rates.

10. like a red rag to a bull phrase

If you describe something as a red rag to a bull, you mean that it is certain to make a particular person or group very angry. [mainly British]

This sort of information is like a red rag to a bull for the tobacco companies.

Image of bull

Idioms:

a cock and bull story

a story that you do not believe

They'll be believed, no matter what kind of a cock and bull story they tell.

take the bull by the horns

to take definite and determined action in order to deal with a difficult situation

This is the time to take the bull by the horns and tackle the complex issues of finance.

a red rag to a bull [mainly British] or a red flag before a bull

something which always makes a particular person very angry

This sort of information is like a red rag to a bull for the tobacco companies but it really needs to be exposed.

a bull in a china shop

someone who says or does things which offend or upset people in situations where they should be more careful

In confrontational situations I am like a bull in a china shop.

Collocations:

angry bull

Push it hard and the exhaust begins to bellow like an angry bull.

Times, Sunday Times

It steamed and snorted like an angry bull and when it roared ...

Times, Sunday Times

It's poised on its tip-toes, eager to pounce at apexes, hungry for any switchbacks and ready to charge at the lights like an angry bull.

The Sun

In one scene, our heroes are chased by an angry bull.

Times, Sunday Times

The angry bull became tasty soup.