to bolt
1
4.4
- verb
- /boʊlt/
- Informal
- In a hurry, he had to bolt his dinner before leaving for the meeting.
- bolt food
- bolt down lunch
Examples
-
Obviously in a hurry, he shouted, "Hello, Peg," quickly poured himself a cup of coffee, and bolted it, standing stiff and upright before the urn, taking it black.
Fiction book (1994) -
With a hand gnarled as linden root, Old Milija took the glass, lifted it reverently, and bolted the fiery liquid down his throat.
Fiction book (1997) -
Just had to bolt lunch, that's all it is.
-
Ofra would bolt hers quietly, secretively, like a fox.
Fiction book (1993) -
"That's what you get for bolting pizza," stated Meggie.
Fiction book (2001) -
Fronto munched away, bolting down his share, then helping Lucian to finish his own.
Fiction book (1995) -
Mrs. Luckschein had chosen to do without, and now she was forced to watch Lotte bolt the steaming brew too quickly while her husband performed a pantomime of leisure, arranging his mustache over the cup with each sip.
Fiction book (1999) -
After finishing her exam, she quickly bolted some snacks during the break.
-
The children bolted their breakfast so they wouldn't be late for school.
Synonyms
54
2.6
To eat food quickly and noisily without chewing properly
15
2.9
To eat food quickly because you are very hungry
8
5.8
Eat food very quickly when you are very hungry
1
3.7
To eat or drink very quickly, often without chewing
Antonyms
Idioms
Phrasal Verbs
Compounds
15
3.9
A strong tool with long handles and heavy jaws for cutting metal, like locks or chains
12
2.1
A sudden bright flash in the sky during a storm that often comes before thunder
5
2.0
Two metal pieces, a bolt and a matching nut, that hold parts together by screwing
- Specialized
1
6.7
A metal rod with a round head and partial threads used to join wood through a hole
- Specialized
1
6.9
A metal screw with a spring part that opens inside a hollow wall to hold heavy items
- US
1
6.7
A heavy screw with a large head that joins wood pieces when you turn it with a wrench
- Specialized
1
6.8
A small metal piece with a round or flat head that holds metal parts together
- Jargon
1
4.8
An extra product you add to an existing system to give it new features
- Specialized
1
4.1
A metal rod with a square or six-sided head and threads that you turn with a wrench
- Specialized
1
5.3
A metal part that spreads inside a hole to hold heavy things to concrete or brick
- Jargon
An extra feature you add to a product or system to make it work better
How Fast
Surface Forms
Etymology
To bolt your food (eat quickly) uses the image of swallowing fast, as if sending food down like an arrow. A helpful way to remember it is to think you 'shoot' the food down, which is why to bolt food is to eat it very quickly.