bend1 verbbend2 noun
bendbend1 /bend/ ●●● S3 W3 verb (past tense and past participle bent /bent/) 
WORD ORIGINbend1
Origin:
Old English bendanVERB TABLE
bend
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | bend |
| he, she, it | bends | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | bent |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have bent |
| he, she, it | has bent | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had bent |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will bend |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have bent |
| Continuous Form | ||
| Present | I | am bending |
| he, she, it | is bending | |
| you, we, they | are bending | |
| Past | I, he, she, it | was bending |
| you, we, they | were bending | |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have been bending |
| he, she, it | has been bending | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had been bending |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will be bending |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have been bending |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- At the top of the hill, the path bends sharply left and enters a small woodland.
- He bent and kissed the child on the head.
- He bent the wire into an 'S' shape.
- I tried opening it with the knife but the blade bent.
- If the Christmas tree is fresh, the needles will bend without breaking.
- Relax your arms and bend your elbows slightly.
- She bent towards me and whispered in my ear.
- Someone had bent the aerial.
- The branches of the tree bent over into the water.
- The doctor says no bending or lifting for at least six weeks.
- The metal bar bends in the middle.
- The road bends right then left, before passing a petrol station.
- We had to bend the branches back so we could get through the bushes and back onto the path.
- You can't bend the steel without some kind of tool.
- He never woke to see the shining silvery form bending over him.
- Lie on your side and bend the lower leg.
- They ordered the young women to remove their upper garments and then to bend forward until their foreheads touched the cold sand.
Longman Language Activatorto bend something
to make something have a curved shape, or to fold something at an angle, by pushing or pressing it: · Someone had bent the aerial.· He bent the wire into an 'S' shape.bend something back/down etc: · We had to bend the branches back so we could get through the bushes and back onto the path.
to bend and turn something several times, such as a piece of wire, cloth, or rope, especially in order to tie it to something or make something with it: · Laura twisted the handkerchief in her hands nervously.· We twisted a wire coathanger and used it to open the car door.twist something into/around/through etc: · Her long blonde hair was twisted into a knot on the back of her head.
to wind or twist into a round shape, or to wind or twist something in this way: · The snake had coiled itself in a corner of the cage.coil up something/coil something up: · They coiled up the rope and put it away.
to bend your body or part of your body to move your body forwards or move it downwards, so that you can lift something, touch something etc: · He bent and kissed the child on the head.· The doctor says no bending or lifting for at least six weeks.bend across/towards: · She bent towards me and whispered in my ear.bend your arm/knee/finger etc: · "Bend your knees!'' shouted the ski instructor.
to bend your body from the waist, usually in order to pick something up: · Lenny bent over to pick up the coins.bend over something: · My earliest memories are of my mother bending over my cot to kiss me goodnight.
to bend your body low enough to pick something up, touch the floor etc: · Sheila bent down to pick up the cat.· He was bending down tying his shoelaces.
to bend your head and upper body slightly, as a formal greeting or as a sign of respect or obedience: · Archer bowed and left the stage.· All the men turned and bowed as the Emperor passed.
to bend your legs under you, in a sitting position, and lean forwards, especially in order to hide from someone: · I crouched behind a bush as the soldiers marched by.· There were six people in the clearing, crouching around the campfire.crouch down: · The plumber crouched down and looked under the sink.
to bend down low, especially to pick something up and then stand up again: · There were two letters by the door. He stooped and picked them up.· She stooped and hugged the little dog.
to lie down and bend your legs, arms, back, and neck into a circular position, so that you feel warm and comfortable: · She curled up in her bed that night, thinking of Michel.· The two cats curled up together in the armchair.· I was so tired all I wanted to do was curl up and watch TV.
to suddenly bend your body at the waist, especially because you are laughing or in pain: · We doubled over, laughing so hard it hurt.be doubled up/over with: · He was doubled up with cramps from the greasy stew.
when something bends · The branches of the tree bent over into the water.· I tried opening it with the knife but the blade bent.
if a leaf or piece of cloth curls , it gradually bends, starting at its edges, especially as a result of heat or dryness: · I threw the letter into the fire. It curled, darkened, and then burst into flames.curl inward: · The document was yellow and its edges had curled inward.
if something strong and hard buckles , it bends in the middle, usually because of very strong pressure or great heat: · The aluminium chair buckled under Charles's weight.· Windows shattered with the heat from the blaze and metal doors buckled like cardboard.
if something made of wood warps , it bends and twists slightly as a result of too much heat, dryness, age etc, so that it is no longer flat or straight: · The wooden fence had warped in the hot sun.· To prevent the violin body from warping, there is a strong wooden brace along its whole length.
easy to bend something that is flexible is able to bend easily or can be bent easily, especially because it has been made like this to do a particular job: · The better tennis racquets are made out of tough but extremely flexible graphite.· Designers have come up with a technique for making skis more flexible.
able to bend without breaking or cracking: · High quality leather is firm yet pliable.
not easy to bend a substance such as cloth or paper that is stiff is hard and is difficult to bend: · The leaves of the plant are very stiff.· a stiff piece of cardboardfrozen stiff: · In the extreme cold my wet shoes became frozen stiff.
an object or structure that is rigid is strong and will not bend or change its shape: · The framework of the aircraft must be rigid yet light.· About a dozen large rigid plates make up the Earth's crust.
when something is not straight something that is bent has lost its original shape and is not flat or straight: · The nail was bent.· How did this spoon get bent?· The hinge was bent and the lid wouldn't shut properly.· Stand with your legs slightly bent.
something that is twisted has been bent in many directions so that it has lost its original shape and may be impossible to recognize: · Pieces of twisted metal and rusted pipe lay scattered around the yard.· Investigators sifted through the twisted wreckage of the plane.
a wooden object that is warped has bent and twisted because of heat or dryness, so that it is no longer flat or straight: · The window frames on the front of the house were badly warped.· An old man was sweeping the warped boards of the front porch.
something that is curved has a long, smooth bend in it, usually because it has been made that way: · The knife had a heavy curved blade.· The temple's roof is curved, in the Thai style.· An airplane wing is curved on top and flat on the bottom.
something such as a line, row, pipe, or tree that is crooked is not straight but bends sharply in one or more places: · Smoke rose out of the crooked chimney.· They moved down the narrow crooked streets of the old town.
a line or edge that is wavy has smooth bends in it in a regular pattern: · A series of wavy lines appeared on the video monitor.· The flag's stripes are wavy and alternate in color.
a wiggly line is one that has a lot of small curves in it: · She wrote with large wiggly letters.
when a road, path, river etc bends · The road bends right then left, before passing a petrol station. · At the top of the hill, the path bends sharply left and enters a small woodland.
if a road, track, coast etc curves , it has a long smooth bend in it: curve away/round/towards etc: · The dusty white road curved away towards the mountains.· a sandy beach curving gently around the bay
if a road, track, or river winds , it has many smooth bends and is usually very long: wind through/along/around etc: · The trail winds through the hills and then down towards Ironhorse Falls.· Route 101 winds along the coastline for several hundred miles.wind its way: · We decided to take the Blueridge Parkway, which winds its way through the Smoky Mountains.
if a track, road, or stream twists it has many sharp bends and changes direction many times: twist around/along/through etc: · The path twisted back and forth up the side of the mountain.twist and turn: · The streets are narrow and twist and turn and it is not advisable to take a car up them.
if a road, track, or path zigzags it has many sharp bends going in opposite directions: · The path zigzagged from side to side through the steep gully.· ski routes zigzagging down the mountainside
a winding road, river etc is long and has a lot of bends in it: · The car climbed the winding road up into the hills.· a quiet little town on the banks of a peaceful, winding river
a tortuous path, stream, road etc has a lot of bends in so that it is very difficult to travel along: · Most of the villages are accessible only by boat or along tortuous jungle trails.· a twisting, tortuous track through the Snake Mountains
the place where something bends the place where something bends, especially a road or river: · The plane flew low, following the bends of the river.· You go around a bend and the farm is on the right.sharp bend (=a sudden extreme bend): · He rounded a sharp bend, and suddenly the deep blue Mediterranean lay before him.hairpin bend (=an extremely sharp bend): · The bus creaked slowly round the hairpin bend.
a long smooth bend in a surface, line, or object: · From the balcony, you could see the long curve of the shoreline.· Morgan was killed when he lost control of his car in a curve.
a sudden sharp bend in something: · The path has a lot of twists and turns.
a small sharp bend in something, especially something that is straight for the rest of its length: · If there's a kink in the hose, you won't get any water.· There was a kink in the path just before the bridge.
the place where two parts of someone's body or two parts of a machine are joined, so that they can bend at this place: · I've had a lot of pain in my joints recently, especially in my wrists and shoulders.· The balljoint connects the driveshaft to the gearbox.
to let someone do something that is not usually allowed to let someone do something that is slightly different from what the rules allow, especially when you do not officially tell anyone about it: · The state government was willing to bend the rules where necessary in order to create more jobs.· I'll try and get the housing department to bend the rules for us.
to allow someone to do something that is not usually allowed: · I'll make an exception this time, but next time you hand in an essay late I won't accept it.
British a special right that a particular group of people are allowed to have, for example, by the government or by their employer: · Under the previous administration, rich landowners were given generous tax concessions.· Pensioners and disabled people get special concessions on buses and trains.
to allow someone not to have to go to school, work etc, for example because they are ill: be excused from something: · Can I be excused from swimming today? I've got a cold.· Kinney asked to be excused from his duties on the board.excuse somebody from something: · I'll try to get them to excuse me from the meeting.
if you exempt someone, you give them special permission not to have to do something that they and other people are normally expected to do: exempt somebody from something: · The new law exempts people who earn less than $8000 a year from paying any taxes.· My father was exempted from military service on the grounds of ill health.
to officially say that a rule or a legal punishment can be ignored, especially because in this particular situation it is not important or useful to keep to it: · The court decided to waive her fine as it was her first offence.· The industry asked the Federal Communications Commission to waive a rule that limits the amount of power used to send a data transmission over a telephone line.
to try very hard to help someone to make every possible effort to be helpful or to please someone, even when this causes you difficulty or inconvenience: · I bend over backwards to help him, but I never get any thanks for it.· The school have bent over backwards to accommodate Jan's mobility difficulties.
to make a special effort to help someone, especially someone who needs help and support: · When Annie arrived, Harriman went out of his way to make life pleasant for her.· Jennifer knew what a difficult time I was having, and went out of her way to be friendly.
to make a special effort to do something you think will be useful or helpful: · Take the trouble to learn all of your students' names. They will appreciate it.· My bank manager took the trouble to write a very detailed letter answering my inquiry.· The head of department has been very helpful - he even took the trouble to show me round the premises during his lunch hour.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES
As they rounded the bend and came in sight of the river, Philip took her hand.
spoken informal (=make someone feel very annoyed)· That voice of hers drives me up the wall.
(=look down)· He bowed his head and tried not not to look at her.
· He rounded a bend in the river and saw Flora sitting there.
As they rounded the bend and came in sight of the river, Philip took her hand. (=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed)· They bend the rules to suit themselves.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Leave to dry overnight before gently bending back the waxed paper and lifting off the piped outlines with a palette knife.· I pulled at chunks of the glass, the stuff bending back and forth, fighting back.
· They ordered the young women to remove their upper garments and then to bend forward until their foreheads touched the cold sand.
· The photograph on the facing page shows a pair of pictures, illustrating two curved designs bending round towards each other.· Then came the corner, the road bending round the walled compound of a Sheikh's racing stables.· To the Hawaiian eye, waves are light rays bending round the planet from distant lands.· It goes straight for a few yards and then bends round the corner into blackness.
· Seated there, she would bend slightly over the typewriter, spreading her full muscular jean-clad thighs.
NOUN· Christine had to bend her arm down by her side to get her fingers to connect with the keys.· After a few days, Neil would bend his arms when pinched, though his legs were still rigid.· Place the fingertips of both hands on your shoulders, bending your arms at the elbow.· You may bend the lower arm a little if you wish.
· The horse should bend throughout his whole body and not just through his head and neck.· Now keep it there and bend your body gradually sideways to the right, keeping your right arm pointing straight down.
· When the ball is below my feet, I bend over a little more.· Maurice sprang to his feet, slightly bending his head, soas to avoid stunning himself on the roof.· As you step-tap on to alternate feet, straighten and bend the left elbow to work the front of the arm.
· Shape a green arm with a pink hand which will bend around the door, and a green pointed foot.· Alternatively, hold a heavy medicine ball in both hands, bend your elbows and thrust it from you.
· The back of the leg has large muscles known as the leg biceps which bend the leg.
· Only a zombie would risk a child's health by refusing to bend a rule.· The state government was willing to bend the rules where necessary to stop penalizing employers for creating jobs.· The willingness to bend the rules to authorize a major invasion of civil liberties contrasts sharply with the Spycatcher case.· These are urgent issues because the few charities that bend or break the rules put the law-abiding majority at a disadvantage.· However, it may yet be tempted to bend the rules to admit the two newcomers.· This bending of the rules was typical of Rabari thrift and good sense.· The advice on bending the rules came from the then Defence Minister, Alan Clark.· It can be done, if you, or your travel agent, are willing to bend airline rules.
· Unless very few ladies account for most male conquests, that suggests we all bend the truth.· They don't just bend the truth, they simply reverse it.· More serious still is her unfortunate tendency to bend the truth.
· He pulled, and managed to bend forwards at the waist like an oarsman.· Then I bend at the waist, and with a strike of a match, I set the last prairie on fire.· Slowly bend from the waist, lowering the bar towards the floor and keeping the legs straight.· She bends forward from the waist.· Instead, stiff legged, he merely bends at the waist like a man twice his 37 years.
· If she thought by this means she might bend me to her will, she was as mistaken as you are now.· The flowing lava of need spread throughout her loins, making her a strong forceful Amazon, bending the girl at will.· All my life I have tried to manipulate people - bend them to my will.· The world was bending to my will at last.· The application of shock tactics to bend the will of the unwilling.· Most of us can think more or less unemotionally when we bend our wills to that.· None of all this will bend my will.
VERB· At the point where the air and water meet, the straw appears to bend.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY► bend somebody’s earPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1[intransitive, transitive] to move part of your body so that it is not straight or so that you are not upright: - George asked her to marry him on bended knee.
- The TV network begged her on bended knee to return to the program.
- But Mrs Totteridge was clearly bending her mind to other things.
- The world was bending to my will at last.
- More serious still is her unfortunate tendency to bend the truth.
- They don't just bend the truth, they simply reverse it.
- Unless very few ladies account for most male conquests, that suggests we all bend the truth.
- Outside the trees are bending over backwards to please the wind: the shining sword grass flattens on its belly.
- The authors, however, bend over backwards to avoid consideration of that particular class scenario.
- The Gallery is also bending over backwards to boost attendance, and in doing so is rather alarmingly bowing to populist pressures.
- They also needed to stop rationalizing the problem to themselves and bending over backwards to be fair.
- You should bend over backwards to avoid bitter personal rows and the holding of grudges.
- Outside the trees are bending over backwards to please the wind: the shining sword grass flattens on its belly.
- Stuart was leaning over backwards to see Oliver's point of view.
- The authors, however, bend over backwards to avoid consideration of that particular class scenario.
- The Gallery is also bending over backwards to boost attendance, and in doing so is rather alarmingly bowing to populist pressures.
- They also needed to stop rationalizing the problem to themselves and bending over backwards to be fair.
- You should bend over backwards to avoid bitter personal rows and the holding of grudges.
- A combination of blind bends, and high speed frustrations has created a string of accident black spots.
- Miss Defy screeched around a blind bend into the path of an oncoming sedan.
- The lanes twisted across the spine of land in a series of blind corners and Miranda took each one without changing down.
- The old man was bent double under his load.
- But Jack managed to have Bailey taking a corner - and then Bailey heading the flag-kick into the net.
- He was also taking fencing, just because it was new and different.
- Lucker has not been taking corners well.
- Next time she came ... He began fantasising and had to take avoiding action 81 when he took a corner too wide.
- Riding to hounds, taking fences and obstacles along a route dictated by the fox is a very skilled activity.
- They take corners to the far post and have a direct shot at goal from a free kick.
- Vi took a corner seat farthest away from the door.
- We took a corner table and sat down.
Lee bent and kissed her. She bent her head. Bend your knees, but keep your back straight.bend over Emma bent over to pick up the coins.bend down I bent down to lift the box off the floor.bend towards/across etc He bent towards me and whispered in my ear.2[transitive] to push or press something so that it is no longer flat or straight: You need a special tool to bend the steel.3[intransitive] to become curved and no longer flat or straight: Several branches started bending towards the ground.4[intransitive] when a road bends, it changes direction to form a curve: The road bends sharply to the left.5bend the truth to say something that is not completely true6bend over backwards (to do something) to try very hard to be helpful: We bent over backwards to finish it on time.7bend somebody’s ear spoken to talk to someone, especially for a long time, about something that is worrying you8on bended knee a)trying very hard to persuade someone to do something: He begged on bended knee for another chance. b)in a kneeling position: He went down on bended knee and asked her to marry him.9bend your mind/efforts to something formal to give all your energy or attention to one activity, plan etc10bend to somebody’s will formal to do what someone else wants, especially when you do not want to → bend the rules at rule1(1)bend1 verbbend2 noun
bendbend2 noun [countable] EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- As we rounded the bend, I could see the town up ahead.
- He rounded a sharp bend, and suddenly the deep blue Mediterranean lay before him.
- Start with a few knee bends.
- The balcony overlooked a wide bend in the river.
- The bus creaked slowly round the hairpin bend.
- The creek goes around a bend by the farm.
- The plane flew low, following the bends of the river.
- The taxi went around the bend at an alarming speed.
- You go around a bend and the farm is on the right.
- If you are known to be seeing a shrink you are deemed to be going round the bend.
- Let's start with the one just posed: Why are all the best views on the worst bends?
- Nobody was in sight when he looked back from the bend in the path.
- There was a private balcony that overlooked a wide bend in the river that runs through Minsk.
Longman Language Activatorto bend something
to make something have a curved shape, or to fold something at an angle, by pushing or pressing it: · Someone had bent the aerial.· He bent the wire into an 'S' shape.bend something back/down etc: · We had to bend the branches back so we could get through the bushes and back onto the path.
to bend and turn something several times, such as a piece of wire, cloth, or rope, especially in order to tie it to something or make something with it: · Laura twisted the handkerchief in her hands nervously.· We twisted a wire coathanger and used it to open the car door.twist something into/around/through etc: · Her long blonde hair was twisted into a knot on the back of her head.
to wind or twist into a round shape, or to wind or twist something in this way: · The snake had coiled itself in a corner of the cage.coil up something/coil something up: · They coiled up the rope and put it away.
to bend your body or part of your body to move your body forwards or move it downwards, so that you can lift something, touch something etc: · He bent and kissed the child on the head.· The doctor says no bending or lifting for at least six weeks.bend across/towards: · She bent towards me and whispered in my ear.bend your arm/knee/finger etc: · "Bend your knees!'' shouted the ski instructor.
to bend your body from the waist, usually in order to pick something up: · Lenny bent over to pick up the coins.bend over something: · My earliest memories are of my mother bending over my cot to kiss me goodnight.
to bend your body low enough to pick something up, touch the floor etc: · Sheila bent down to pick up the cat.· He was bending down tying his shoelaces.
to bend your head and upper body slightly, as a formal greeting or as a sign of respect or obedience: · Archer bowed and left the stage.· All the men turned and bowed as the Emperor passed.
to bend your legs under you, in a sitting position, and lean forwards, especially in order to hide from someone: · I crouched behind a bush as the soldiers marched by.· There were six people in the clearing, crouching around the campfire.crouch down: · The plumber crouched down and looked under the sink.
to bend down low, especially to pick something up and then stand up again: · There were two letters by the door. He stooped and picked them up.· She stooped and hugged the little dog.
to lie down and bend your legs, arms, back, and neck into a circular position, so that you feel warm and comfortable: · She curled up in her bed that night, thinking of Michel.· The two cats curled up together in the armchair.· I was so tired all I wanted to do was curl up and watch TV.
to suddenly bend your body at the waist, especially because you are laughing or in pain: · We doubled over, laughing so hard it hurt.be doubled up/over with: · He was doubled up with cramps from the greasy stew.
when something bends · The branches of the tree bent over into the water.· I tried opening it with the knife but the blade bent.
if a leaf or piece of cloth curls , it gradually bends, starting at its edges, especially as a result of heat or dryness: · I threw the letter into the fire. It curled, darkened, and then burst into flames.curl inward: · The document was yellow and its edges had curled inward.
if something strong and hard buckles , it bends in the middle, usually because of very strong pressure or great heat: · The aluminium chair buckled under Charles's weight.· Windows shattered with the heat from the blaze and metal doors buckled like cardboard.
if something made of wood warps , it bends and twists slightly as a result of too much heat, dryness, age etc, so that it is no longer flat or straight: · The wooden fence had warped in the hot sun.· To prevent the violin body from warping, there is a strong wooden brace along its whole length.
easy to bend something that is flexible is able to bend easily or can be bent easily, especially because it has been made like this to do a particular job: · The better tennis racquets are made out of tough but extremely flexible graphite.· Designers have come up with a technique for making skis more flexible.
able to bend without breaking or cracking: · High quality leather is firm yet pliable.
not easy to bend a substance such as cloth or paper that is stiff is hard and is difficult to bend: · The leaves of the plant are very stiff.· a stiff piece of cardboardfrozen stiff: · In the extreme cold my wet shoes became frozen stiff.
an object or structure that is rigid is strong and will not bend or change its shape: · The framework of the aircraft must be rigid yet light.· About a dozen large rigid plates make up the Earth's crust.
when something is not straight something that is bent has lost its original shape and is not flat or straight: · The nail was bent.· How did this spoon get bent?· The hinge was bent and the lid wouldn't shut properly.· Stand with your legs slightly bent.
something that is twisted has been bent in many directions so that it has lost its original shape and may be impossible to recognize: · Pieces of twisted metal and rusted pipe lay scattered around the yard.· Investigators sifted through the twisted wreckage of the plane.
a wooden object that is warped has bent and twisted because of heat or dryness, so that it is no longer flat or straight: · The window frames on the front of the house were badly warped.· An old man was sweeping the warped boards of the front porch.
something that is curved has a long, smooth bend in it, usually because it has been made that way: · The knife had a heavy curved blade.· The temple's roof is curved, in the Thai style.· An airplane wing is curved on top and flat on the bottom.
something such as a line, row, pipe, or tree that is crooked is not straight but bends sharply in one or more places: · Smoke rose out of the crooked chimney.· They moved down the narrow crooked streets of the old town.
a line or edge that is wavy has smooth bends in it in a regular pattern: · A series of wavy lines appeared on the video monitor.· The flag's stripes are wavy and alternate in color.
a wiggly line is one that has a lot of small curves in it: · She wrote with large wiggly letters.
when a road, path, river etc bends · The road bends right then left, before passing a petrol station. · At the top of the hill, the path bends sharply left and enters a small woodland.
if a road, track, coast etc curves , it has a long smooth bend in it: curve away/round/towards etc: · The dusty white road curved away towards the mountains.· a sandy beach curving gently around the bay
if a road, track, or river winds , it has many smooth bends and is usually very long: wind through/along/around etc: · The trail winds through the hills and then down towards Ironhorse Falls.· Route 101 winds along the coastline for several hundred miles.wind its way: · We decided to take the Blueridge Parkway, which winds its way through the Smoky Mountains.
if a track, road, or stream twists it has many sharp bends and changes direction many times: twist around/along/through etc: · The path twisted back and forth up the side of the mountain.twist and turn: · The streets are narrow and twist and turn and it is not advisable to take a car up them.
if a road, track, or path zigzags it has many sharp bends going in opposite directions: · The path zigzagged from side to side through the steep gully.· ski routes zigzagging down the mountainside
a winding road, river etc is long and has a lot of bends in it: · The car climbed the winding road up into the hills.· a quiet little town on the banks of a peaceful, winding river
a tortuous path, stream, road etc has a lot of bends in so that it is very difficult to travel along: · Most of the villages are accessible only by boat or along tortuous jungle trails.· a twisting, tortuous track through the Snake Mountains
the place where something bends the place where something bends, especially a road or river: · The plane flew low, following the bends of the river.· You go around a bend and the farm is on the right.sharp bend (=a sudden extreme bend): · He rounded a sharp bend, and suddenly the deep blue Mediterranean lay before him.hairpin bend (=an extremely sharp bend): · The bus creaked slowly round the hairpin bend.
a long smooth bend in a surface, line, or object: · From the balcony, you could see the long curve of the shoreline.· Morgan was killed when he lost control of his car in a curve.
a sudden sharp bend in something: · The path has a lot of twists and turns.
a small sharp bend in something, especially something that is straight for the rest of its length: · If there's a kink in the hose, you won't get any water.· There was a kink in the path just before the bridge.
the place where two parts of someone's body or two parts of a machine are joined, so that they can bend at this place: · I've had a lot of pain in my joints recently, especially in my wrists and shoulders.· The balljoint connects the driveshaft to the gearbox.
to make someone feel crazy to make someone feel crazy or behave in a crazy way: · I've just got to get another job -- this one's driving me nuts.· I can't wait to get my exam results. All this waiting is driving me insane.· I hate doing crossword puzzles -- they drive me mad.· Those kids are enough to drive anyone crazy. I'll be glad when they go back to school.
especially British, informal if something such as a lot of work, worry, or doing something you hate drives you round the bend or drives you round the twist , it makes you feel completely crazy: · I have so much to do at the moment. It's driving me round the twist.· She was really glad when she gave up teaching. It was driving her right round the bend.
to make someone feel crazy, especially by repeatedly doing something annoying: · Can you turn down that TV? It's driving me up the wall!· I love my husband, but he's driving me up the wall.
to start to feel crazy because you are extremely bored, worried, etc also go mad British informal to start feeling as if you are crazy, especially when you are in a very unpleasant or very boring situation: · I wouldn't last a month in a desk job. I'd just go crazy.· I'd go nuts if I had to get up that early every morning.· If the neighbors don't turn down that music, I'm going to go mad.
to become unable to think clearly or sensibly, especially because you are extremely bored or worried: · If I have to wait in one more line, I'm going to go out of my mind.· I'm with the kids all day, and I feel like I'm losing my mind.
British /go around the bend American informal to start feeling as if you are crazy, for example because you have so much work to do, you are extremely worried about something, or you hate the situation you are in so much: · I had such a heavy workload last semester that I almost went round the bend.· We hadn't heard from our daughter in days, and we were practically going round the bend.
when a road or river changes direction the place where a road or river turns: · The taxi went around the bend at an alarming speed.bend in: · The balcony overlooked a wide bend in the river.round a bend: · As we rounded the bend, I could see the town up ahead.
a place where there is a bend in the road: · He lost control of the car on a sharp curve.round a curve: · I rounded the curve looking for a place to pull over.
also turning British a place where you can turn and go into another road: · Take the first turning after the traffic lights.· We were supposed to take Highway 12, but I think we missed the turn.
if a road, path, or river winds , it frequently turns and changes direction, in smooth curves: wind between/through/up etc: · A narrow road wound up the hillside towards the little house.· The path wound through the orchard and between small beds of flowers.wind its way: · The staircase appears almost to be floating on air, as it winds its way up three stories.
to frequently turn and change direction, especially in small but sharp turns: twist up/through/towards etc: · A dry stream bed twisted through thick tree roots.twist its way: · We approached Assisi via the dusty road that twists its way up Monte Subasio.
to turn and change direction, especially around things, in smooth curves: weave through/up/across etc: · The river weaved across the plain, towards the sea.weave its way: · The old highway weaved its way through Tucson.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYadjectives As they rounded the bend and came in sight of the river, Philip took her hand.
(=a curve that changes direction suddenly)· That road sign means you are approaching a sharp bend.
(=a very sharp bend in which a road changes direction, usually on a mountain)· The road wound up the mountain in a series of hairpin bends.
(=that changes direction slightly or gradually)· Ahead of us there was a wide bend in the river.
(=that you cannot see around when you are driving)· Never overtake another car on a blind bend.
(=going towards the left or the right)· Take the turning just after the left-hand bend in the road.
verbs· Suddenly a motorbike came around the bend at top speed.
· He rounded the bend much too fast.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES spoken informal (=make someone feel very annoyed)· That voice of hers drives me up the wall.
(=look down)· He bowed his head and tried not not to look at her.
· He rounded a bend in the river and saw Flora sitting there.
As they rounded the bend and came in sight of the river, Philip took her hand. (=allow someone to do something that is not normally allowed)· They bend the rules to suit themselves.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE· A combination of blind bends, and high speed frustrations has created a string of accident black spots.· Miss Defy screeched around a blind bend into the path of an oncoming sedan.
· Coming round the final bend he had opened up a substantial lead and seemed to be coasting home.· As I rounded the final bend I came face to face with the water jump.· St Jovite was in a winning position on the final bend, but the race soon developed into its final desperate duel.· It was beginning to look ominous for the Light Blues, as the final bend favoured Oxford.· Breaking into a run she rounded the final bend and the chapel appeared before her.
· This required 18 traverses, short stretches of road linked by sharp bends, with beyond it a ravine.· Soon the whole bunch was swallowed up in the little road, which made a sharp bend at that eastern point.· These tubes should be of adequate bore, without sharp bends, and as short as practicable.· Now there are only seconds between the sharp bends.· The voices grew louder, and presently I caught sight of the men as they rounded a sharp bend ....· Surely they can't begrudge us for being a tad sharper round the bends?· I looked out of the window and saw we were negotiating one of the sharp bends not far from the Villa des Lilas.· He knows how to corner without disaster and is quite a rally driver on the sharp bends.
NOUN· There are terrifying hairpin bends, sharp dips and sudden ascents.· When not thinking about puking your guts up round every hairpin bend, scenery magnificent.· She floated above and ahead of them, and her eyes narrowed on to a shimmer of water at a hairpin bend.· No one tackles its succession of hairpin bends unless they have to: it is a particularly dangerous stretch of road.· It should be noted that hairpin bends are often necessary geographical features in high and exciting terrain.· Some of the hairpin bends had Ruth clinging to her seat and holding her breath.· When the road turns sharply left in a hairpin bend, take the footpath ahead into the woodland.· Climbing the steep mountain roads round hairpin bends was quite dramatic and more than once I had glimpses of distant eagles.
VERB· Then he came around the bend and saw the bicycle.· We came around a bend, and soon found out why the oncoming traffic had stopped.· We lined up in the final and I came off the bend well in the lead.· That smell was just terrible: We used to cover Our faces when we came near the bend with bandannas.· As they came round a bend they met a lorry overtaking a tractor.· She came to the bend of the track, where the clump of twisted trees hid the view beyond.· The next day he starts at one car coming around a bend a little fast.· While she was trying to restart her Mini Metro car another came round the bend from Darlington.
· Then, as they turned a bend, Silas unexpectedly stepped closer to her side.· One at a time as they turned the bend, Ezra watched their faces stretch.· We turn a bend in the road and there in front of us is an entrance to a town.· He turned the third bend and found that the green path petered out in undergrowth.· He turned the slight bend in the road.· Before the first shots rang out, Adam had turned the shallow bend and was shielded by the safety of the trees.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES
1a curved part of something, especially a road or river: - Anyway, he drives Kate round the bend.
- But if you are going round the bend and resist seeking any help you are deemed to be perfectly okay.
- I go round the bend just looking after kids all day.
- If you are known to be seeing a shrink you are deemed to be going round the bend.
- A diver is reputedly more susceptible to the bends the colder the water is.
- As an added precaution against the bends, some whales have very large windpipes.
- Couldn't you place the bends on mundane stretches of the road and leave the spectacular views cleared for observation and enjoyment?
- He kept to the inside of the bends where the current was fastest and more powerful than the onshore wind.
- If it happens too quickly, the gas forms bubbles in the blood that can block small arteries and cause the bends.
- The ability to collapse their lung air-sacs with increasing depth is probably the dolphin's major protection against the bends.
- The connection between dehydration and the bends is now quite clear.
- Then they took the last of the bends and approached the magnificent view of St Michael's Mount.
- Outside the trees are bending over backwards to please the wind: the shining sword grass flattens on its belly.
- Stuart was leaning over backwards to see Oliver's point of view.
- The authors, however, bend over backwards to avoid consideration of that particular class scenario.
- The Gallery is also bending over backwards to boost attendance, and in doing so is rather alarmingly bowing to populist pressures.
- They also needed to stop rationalizing the problem to themselves and bending over backwards to be fair.
- You should bend over backwards to avoid bitter personal rows and the holding of grudges.
- A combination of blind bends, and high speed frustrations has created a string of accident black spots.
- Miss Defy screeched around a blind bend into the path of an oncoming sedan.
- The lanes twisted across the spine of land in a series of blind corners and Miranda took each one without changing down.
- The old man was bent double under his load.
- But Jack managed to have Bailey taking a corner - and then Bailey heading the flag-kick into the net.
- He was also taking fencing, just because it was new and different.
- Lucker has not been taking corners well.
- Next time she came ... He began fantasising and had to take avoiding action 81 when he took a corner too wide.
- Riding to hounds, taking fences and obstacles along a route dictated by the fox is a very skilled activity.
- They take corners to the far post and have a direct shot at goal from a free kick.
- Vi took a corner seat farthest away from the door.
- We took a corner table and sat down.
The car came round the bend at a terrifying speed.bend in a sharp bend in the road2an action in which you bend a part of your body: We started the session with a few knee bends to warm up.3drive somebody round the bend British English spoken to annoy someone: His attitude drives me round the bend.4be/go round the bend British English spoken to be or become crazy: I sometimes feel I’m going round the bend looking after young children all day.5the bends a painful and serious condition that divers get if they come up from deep water too quicklyCOLLOCATIONSadjectivesa sharp/tight bend (=a curve that changes direction suddenly)· That road sign means you are approaching a sharp bend.a hairpin bend (=a very sharp bend in which a road changes direction, usually on a mountain)· The road wound up the mountain in a series of hairpin bends.a slight/gentle/wide bend (=that changes direction slightly or gradually)· Ahead of us there was a wide bend in the river.a blind bend (=that you cannot see around when you are driving)· Never overtake another car on a blind bend.a left-hand/right-hand bend (=going towards the left or the right)· Take the turning just after the left-hand bend in the road.verbscome around/round the bend· Suddenly a motorbike came around the bend at top speed.round the bend· He rounded the bend much too fast.