side-swipes

Meanings

1. 1verbtransitive

   Hits the side of a vehicle or object while passing it, usually causing minor damage.

   Grammar: Takes an object: 'The bus side-swipes the parked car.' Often used in the passive: 'The car is side-swiped.'

   Patterns

   • side-swipe something
   • be side-swiped by something

   The truck side-swipes anything parked too close to the road.

   He side-swipes the curb every time he parks.

2. 2nouncountable

   An instance of hitting the side of a vehicle or object while passing it.

   Grammar: Countable: 'a side-swipe', 'two side-swipes'.

   Patterns

   • a side-swipe
   • side-swipes on something

   The car had a long side-swipe along the passenger door.

   There were several side-swipes reported on that narrow bridge last month.

Word forms

Common combinations

side-swipes a car

The bus side-swipes a car almost every week on this tight corner.

a side-swipe on the door

There's a side-swipe on the driver's door that needs repairing.

get a side-swipe

I got a side-swipe from a taxi while cycling home.

Synonyms and how they differ

clips

This means hits something lightly while passing; it is less specific about the side.

grazes

This means touches lightly while moving past, often causing only a scratch; it is less forceful.

Word family

side-swipe noun

An instance of hitting the side of a vehicle: 'The car had a side-swipe on the driver's door.'

Commonly confused: side-swipes or side-swiped?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “side-swipes”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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