(~es, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
To ~ means to make a sudden movement, especially forwards, in an uncontrolled way.
As the car sped over a pothole she ~ed forward...
Henry looked, stared, and ~ed to his feet...
VERB: V adv/prep, V adv/prep, also V
•
Lurch is also a noun.
The car took a ~ forward but grounded in a deep rut.
N-COUNT
2.
If you say that a person or organization ~es from one thing to another, you mean they move suddenly from one course of action or attitude to another in an uncontrolled way.
The state government has ~ed from one budget crisis to another...
The first round of multilateral trade talks has ~ed between hope and despair.
VERB: V from n to n, V prep/adv disapproval
•
Lurch is also a noun.
The property sector was another casualty of the ~ towards higher interest rates.
N-COUNT: usu N prep
3.
If someone leaves you in the ~, they go away or stop helping you at a very difficult time. (INFORMAL)
You wouldn’t leave an old friend in the ~, surely?
PHRASE: V inflects