bolt

A thick metal screw, usually held in place by a small metal ring called a nut.

• Tighten the bolt with a wrench.
• One of the bolts has come loose.
• Put a washer under the bolt before attaching the nut.

Common phrases: nut and bolt, tighten a bolt, loose bolt, steel bolt

A strong bar placed across a door to stop it from opening.

• A heavy bolt held the door shut.
• He lifted the wooden bolt from its hooks.
• The gate's bolt prevented anyone from forcing it open.

Similar words: bar

Common phrases: door bolt, wooden bolt, heavy bolt

A short, heavy arrow fired from a crossbow.

• The bolt struck the target.
• She loaded another bolt into the crossbow.
• A crossbow bolt pierced his shield.

Similar words: quarrel

Common phrases: crossbow bolt, fire a bolt, steel bolt

To suddenly run away, often because you are frightened.

• The horse bolted at the loud noise.
• She bolted out of the house.
• When the alarm sounded, everyone bolted for the exit.

How to use it: bolt out of something (The dog bolted out of the room.); bolt for something (The rabbit bolted for cover.)

Similar words: dash, flee, run away

Common phrases: bolt away, bolt outside, bolt for cover

To join parts together using thick metal screws and nuts.

• Bolt the legs to the table.
• The workers bolted the frame together.
• Have you bolted the bracket firmly to the wall?

How to use it: bolt something to something (They bolted the safe to the floor.); bolt something together (We bolted the metal sections together.)

Similar words: fasten, secure

Opposites: unbolt

Common phrases: bolt something together, bolt something down, bolt something on

To lock a door or gate by putting a bar across it or sliding a metal bar into place.

• Please bolt the door.
• She bolted the gate before going to bed.
• They had bolted all the windows from inside.

Similar words: lock, bar

Opposites: unbolt, unlock

Common phrases: bolt the door, bolt the gate, bolt something shut

Completely straight and upright, sometimes after a sudden movement.

• He sat bolt upright in bed.
• The guard stood bolt upright beside the door.
• A sudden shout made her spring bolt upright.

Similar words: completely, rigidly

Common phrases: bolt upright, sit bolt upright, stand bolt upright