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MrPernickety Posted 17 years ago
Vocabulary
Meaning of "brace against"
Hi,
Could you tell me the meaning of "brace oneself against some object"? Here is an example I've been fruitlessly grappling with:
He braced himself against the sewing machine and cried out
What is his position in relation to the sewing machine? Is he facing away from the machine, or is he facing it ?
Thanks !
Could you tell me the meaning of "brace oneself against some object"? Here is an example I've been fruitlessly grappling with:
He braced himself against the sewing machine and cried out
What is his position in relation to the sewing machine? Is he facing away from the machine, or is he facing it ?
Thanks !
Top answer
The expression is generally used to mean to hold oneself against something for support (strength) preparing for an impact. However, I more often hear it used in a figurative sense: She braced herself for/against the bad news that she knew the doctor was going to tell her.
- The expression is generally used to mean to hold oneself against something for support (strength) preparing for an impact.
- However, I more often hear it used in a figurative sense: She braced herself for/against the bad news that she knew the doctor was going to tell her.
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3 Answers
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The expression is generally used to mean to hold oneself against something for support (strength) preparing for an impact. However, I more often hear it used in a figurative sense: She braced herself for/against the bad news that she knew the doctor was going to tell her.
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MrPernicketyHe braced himself against the sewing machineA sewing machine doesn't seem stable enough for the purpose unless it is an industrial sized one, but to brace against something is to lean on it, hold on to it tightly, and practically fasten yourself to it, with the intent of stabilizing your body in anticipati
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