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Glite Dictionary
to cant over

to cant over

8.8
To tilt to one side so it is off balance
  • phrasal verb
translation icon : inclinarse
  • If you overload one side, the table will cant over and perhaps collapse.

Examples

  • The bookshelf wasn't fixed to the wall and started to cant over during the earthquake.

  • Don't cant over too much while painting!

  • The old ship began to cant over as water filled the lower hull.

  • The picture cants over slightly on the wall.

  • The boat canted over as it caught the strong wind, making it difficult for the sailor to keep her balance.

  • He canted over to one side to get a better view of the parade passing by.

  • During the storm, the ship canted over so much that the crew feared it might capsize.

Synonyms

to lean
vsto cant over
418 1.5

To bend or rest at an angle against something

involves shifting to one side so balance is lost rather than supported
to tip
vsto cant over
148 1.8

To move something so it leans or falls to one side

is a shift toward one side that causes instability rather than full overturn
to tilt
vsto cant over
147 2.0

To move into a sloping or leaning position

happens as a shift toward one side that creates instability
to pitch
vsto cant over
53 5.1

To tilt or fall suddenly, often in a vehicle

is a lean toward one side producing loss of balance without sudden force
to list
vsto cant over
32 8.8

To tilt to one side, often describing a ship

can be an involuntary move causing loss of balance
to slant
vsto cant over
25 3.7

To lean or tilt in one direction

is a movement toward one side that makes balance unsafe
to cant
vsto cant over
3 8.0

To tilt something so it leans at an angle

moves to one side so it becomes off balance

Antonyms

to balance
285 2.0

To keep something steady so it does not fall

upright
44 2.7

Standing straight up and not leaning

How Tilted

to cant over
8.8
to lean
418 1.5
to incline
1 3.9

Surface Forms

cant over infinitive
canted over past
canted over past participle
canting over present participle
cants over third person singular

Morphology

cant + over

The meaning 'to tilt or lean to one side' is directly derivable from combining 'cant' (to incline or tilt) with 'over' (indicating movement/position to the other side or completion). This verb + particle composition follows a standard English pattern and is therefore predictable for a B1 learner who knows both constituents.

Etymology

Cant over may come from an old word meaning 'tilt' and gives a clear picture: imagine a table that leans to one side until it falls. Because cant means 'tilt' and over shows movement to the side, the phrase means 'to tilt or lean off balance'.