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Glite Dictionary
🔩 A metal fastener 🏃 To run away ⚡ A flash of lightning 🔒 To lock 🚪 A lock bar 🔫 Gun mechanism 🧵 A fabric roll 🧵 To roll fabric 📏 Very straight 💨 A quick movement 🍽️ To eat quickly 🚪 Sudden leaving
to bolt

to bolt

41 2.8
To fasten a door or gate with a sliding metal bar
  • verb
  • /boʊlt/
: echar el cerrojo
  • At least, now we can lock and bolt the door.
  • bolt the door
  • bolted to the floor
  • a bolted joint

It was dead bolted and the chain was across like windows.

Examples

Synonyms

to lock up
vsto bolt
157 2.6

Close a house or safe with a key to keep people out

is a more specific action focusing on sliding a bar to fasten
to latch
vsto bolt
20 2.5

To fasten a door or gate with a small metal part

uses a sliding bar method rather than a simple catch
to padlock
vsto bolt
10 3.4

To fasten something using a small metal lock with a U-shaped bar

uses a built-in sliding bar rather than an external lock
to bolt the door
vsto bolt
6 2.7

To slide a metal bar across a door to keep it closed

means the same action expressed as a single verb form

Antonyms

to unlock
165 1.0

To open a lock using a key or code

to unfasten
5 3.4

To open something by undoing a button or zipper

to unbolt
3 3.7

To move a metal bar or lock that keeps a door closed

Idioms

bolt from the blue
  • Informal
3 6.5

A sudden event that shocks people and is not expected

as a lightning bolt
  • Informal
1 6.3

Very suddenly and without warning

to hit like a lightning bolt
1 8.2

To feel sudden shock or surprise

to make a bolt
1 6.8

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

to shoot your bolt
  • Informal
1 8.6

To use up all your energy or chances so none remain

to shoot one's bolt
  • Informal
8.8

To use up all your energy or chances

Phrasal Verbs

to bolt out
  • Informal
7 4.9

Leave a place suddenly and quickly because you feel scared

to bolt from
  • Informal
7 5.8

To leave a place suddenly and unexpectedly

to bolt the door
6 2.7

To slide a metal bar across a door to keep it closed

to bolt down
  • Informal
1 6.1

To run away quickly, usually because you are afraid

to bolt down
  • Informal
1 3.7

To eat or drink very quickly, often without chewing

Compounds

bolt cutter
15 3.9

A strong tool with long handles and heavy jaws for cutting metal, like locks or chains

bolt of lightning
12 2.1

A sudden bright flash in the sky during a storm that often comes before thunder

nut and bolt
5 2.0

Two metal pieces, a bolt and a matching nut, that hold parts together by screwing

carriage bolt
  • Specialized
1 6.7

A metal rod with a round head and partial threads used to join wood through a hole

toggle bolt
  • Specialized
1 6.9

A metal screw with a spring part that opens inside a hollow wall to hold heavy items

bolt-hole
1 8.6

A hole an animal runs into to hide from danger

lag bolt
  • US
1 6.7

A heavy screw with a large head that joins wood pieces when you turn it with a wrench

sliding bolt
1 4.2

A metal bar you slide to lock and unlock a door or gate

bolt thrower
1 9.9

A large ancient weapon that shoots heavy arrows or stones during war

stove bolt
  • Specialized
1 6.8

A small metal piece with a round or flat head that holds metal parts together

bolt-on solution
  • Jargon
1 4.8

An extra product you add to an existing system to give it new features

safety bolt
1 4.5

A metal bar on a door that you lock from inside to stop people entering

machine bolt
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A metal rod with a square or six-sided head and threads that you turn with a wrench

expansion bolt
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A metal part that spreads inside a hole to hold heavy things to concrete or brick

slide bolt
1 5.1

A metal bar you move to lock a door or gate

bolt-on improvement
  • Jargon
6.3

An extra feature you add to a product or system to make it work better

How Secure

to bar
12 2.8
to bolt
41 2.8
to latch
20 2.5
to close
∞ 1.0

Surface Forms

bolt infinitive
bolted past
bolted past participle
bolting present participle
bolts third person singular

Etymology

To bolt a door comes from an old word for a metal bar or beam that slides into place to hold something closed. So to 'bolt' a door is to slide that bar in and lock it.