Leaning Tower of Pisa
1
3.4
- proper noun
:
Torre Inclinada de Pisa
- The Leaning Tower of Pisa is a must-visit landmark due to its remarkable historical significance.
Examples
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Will we go and see the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
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Well, are we going to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa?
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You want to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa, we'll see the bloody thing.
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Tourists from around the world flock to see the Leaning Tower of Pisa for its unique architectural tilt.
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Many artists have painted the Leaning Tower of Pisa, showcasing its unusual slant against the skyline.
Synonyms
8
3.3
A tall structure, often part of a church or public building, that holds bells
2
4.0
A round marble bell tower in Pisa that tilts because the ground under it is soft
1
9.9
A tall bell tower near a church or standing alone
Surface Forms
Morphology
The figurative sense 'unstable, precarious' is directly motivated by the literal image of a tower that is leaning, so the combination of 'leaning' + 'tower' gives a clear semantic cue. However, because this is a culturally specific reference to a named landmark (Pisa) and relies on familiarity with that monument to trigger the idiomatic comparison, it is not fully predictable for a B1 learner who only knows the constituent words.
Etymology
Leaning Tower of Pisa is a bell tower in Pisa, Italy, named because the building began to lean after it was built on soft ground. Because it visibly 'leans' to one side, it became a famous landmark that visitors go to see.