Meaning & use
bolt on
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Meanings
verbtransitive
to fasten something onto a surface or object using bolts or screws.
Grammar: Takes an object, and the object can go after 'on' or between 'bolt' and 'on': bolt on a shelf / bolt a shelf on.
Patterns
- bolt something on
- bolt something on to something
- bolt on something
We bolted a rack on to the back of the truck.
He bolted on a new handle and the door worked perfectly.
The workers bolted the sign on above the entrance.
verbtransitivefigurative
to add something extra to an existing plan, system, or product.
Grammar: Often used in business and computing; the extra part is usually separate and not fully integrated.
Patterns
- bolt something on
- bolt something on to something
They bolted a payment option on to the original app.
Instead of redesigning the course, the school bolted on a few online lessons.
Critics say the new rules were bolted on rather than properly planned.
adjectivebefore a nounfigurative
added to something else as an extra part, often not essential or not well integrated.
Grammar: Comes before a noun, usually written with a hyphen: a bolt-on feature.
Patterns
- a bolt-on part
- a bolt-on extra
- bolt-on services
The software comes with several bolt-on tools.
Many customers ignore the bolt-on insurance.
It feels like a bolt-on idea rather than part of the main design.
Word forms
| third person singular | bolts on |
|---|---|
| past tense | bolted on |
| past participle | bolted on |
| -ing form | bolting on |
Common combinations
- bolt on a part
- You can bolt on a part to extend the frame.
- bolt on an extra
- The company bolted on an extra service for a small fee.
- a bolt-on unit
- The bolt-on unit fits most standard machines.
- bolt something on to something
- They bolted a lamp on to the handlebars.
- bolt-on feature
- A bolt-on feature was added after the launch.
Synonyms and how they differ
- attach
- More general and used for anything joined to something else, while 'bolt on' specifically suggests bolts or screws.
- add
- Used for extra things in general, especially abstract ones; 'bolt on' suggests a physical or clumsy addition.
- fix on
- Means fasten in place, but does not say how; 'bolt on' names the method.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: bolt on or build on?
bolt on vs build on
'Build on' means to use something as a base for further development, while 'bolt on' means to add something separate, often awkwardly.
Practice
The engineers decided to ___ a small motor ___ the frame.
Choose one answer.
'Bolt something on to something' is the standard pattern for fastening one thing onto another. The other prepositions do not fit the structure of attachment here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “bolt on”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.