posthole digger
1
4.8
- noun
- /ˈpoʊstˌhoʊl ˈdɪɡər/
:
ahoyador de postes
- He carefully operated the posthole digger to ensure the holes were the right depth for the new fence.
- use a posthole digger
- clamshell posthole digger
Examples
-
Looks like someone used a posthole digger.
-
I laid the posthole digger on the ground and followed into the pine shadows.
Fiction book (1998) -
When he tossed the posthole digger into the shed, Milton felt light and strong, as if instead of sinking fence posts he'd spent the afternoon in a deep, satisfying nap.
Fiction book (1990) -
To install the fence, use a posthole digger to create deep holes for the wooden posts.
-
A posthole digger is necessary for digging holes that are deep and narrow for setting fence posts.
Synonyms
1
6.7
A tool with two blades for digging deep narrow holes to put posts in
1
7.7
A machine that drills holes in rock or the ground
How Deep
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a tool for digging holes for posts' is directly derivable from combining 'posthole' (a hole for securing a post) with 'digger' (a tool or machine that digs). This noun–noun compounding pattern (target/purpose + agent/tool) is common and cross-linguistically transparent, so a B1 learner who knows the constituents will readily understand the MWE.
Etymology
Posthole digger is a very literal name: post + hole + digger shows what the tool does. It has two long blades that close like big scissors to pull out dirt and make a narrow, deep hole for a fence post, so the name means 'a tool for digging holes for posts'.