wag

Word family

Related topics: Animals

wag1 /wæɡ/ verb (wagged, wagging)

1. [intransitiveI, transitiveT]HBASHAKE if a dog wags its tail, or if its tail wags, the dog moves its tail many times from one side to the other 〔狗〕摇(尾巴)

2 SHAKE[transitiveT] to move your finger or head from side to side, especially to show disapproval 摇，摆动〔手指或头，尤指表示不赞同〕

‘You naughty girl!’ Mom said, wagging her finger at me.

“你这个调皮的丫头！”妈妈对我摇了摇手指说道。

→ it’s (a case of) the tail wagging the dog at tail1(11), → set tongues wagging at tongue1(14)

Examples from the Corpus

wag• Beards wagged, and noodles dangled over them.• When I said something to him he would look, wag, and put his snout back to the window.• She wagged dutifully but I could sense she was somewhat overwhelmed - and that was only the staff!• Every time they got near him, he backed off, ecstatic with excitement, tail wagging furiously.• "You shouldn't have done that!'' Mum said, wagging her finger at me.• The old man wobbled and stumbled backwards, wagging his head as if he were trying to shake something out of it.• Toto only wagged his tail; for, strange to say, he could not speak.• Tail wagging his thanks, he took the handle of the basket in his mouth and padded happily along beside Angela.• A dog wags its tail in order to show friendliness and pleasure.• They took a peek, and then did everything but lay down and wag their tails.

wagging ... finger• In recent years, most notably on the album New York, Reed has swapped the hypodermic needle for the wagging finger.• Walking sticks and umbrellas menace me, wagging fingers harass my sleep.

wag2 noun

1 TALK TO somebody[countableC] old-fashioned someone who says or does something clever and amusing 爱搞笑的人

Some wag had drawn a face on the wall.

某个爱搞笑的家伙在墙上画了张人脸。

2. [countableC usually singular]SHAKE a wagging movement 摇动，摆动

Examples from the Corpus

wag• As one wag put it, as it was the opening of the toilets, perhaps they should have invited Lou Macari.• All drawn by the wag Willie Rushton, they are each priced at £75.• Washington wags suggest the Clintons may add a sound-proofed music room where Bill can relax with his saxophone.