揽
embrace; gather; take on; monopolize
Meanings
4 senses · 20 examplesverb
to embrace; to hold in one's arms
Used to describe affectionate physical holding, especially between family members.
The mother held her child in her arms to lull him to sleep.
Grandma tightly held her lost grandson and began to cry.
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The owner held the kitten on their shoulder and let it nuzzle their face.
She put her arm around her friend's shoulder to comfort the upset person.
My father put his arm around my waist and led me across the narrow bridge.
verb
to gather; to tie up; to bundle
Used for securing loose items like firewood, luggage, or packaging materials with rope, twine, or straps.
Please help me tie the firewood on the truck tightly so it doesn't fall off.
He bundled the scattered haystack with a hemp rope.
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Remember to secure the straps of your suitcase before leaving home.
The fishermen gathered their fishing nets and prepared to return to port.
She tied up the falling-apart old books with a cloth strap.
verb
to take on; to undertake; to claim
Used for taking responsibility, jobs, or credit for something, often with a connotation of initiative or overreach.
This company took on all the municipal greening projects in the city.
He always likes to take on work that doesn't belong to him.
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Don't take on so many troubles, you can't handle them all.
He voluntarily took on the task of caring for the injured colleague.
Xiao Ming took all the blame to keep his friend from being criticized.
verb
to monopolize; to control single-handedly
formalUsed for seizing exclusive control of power, resources, or opportunities, often with a negative connotation.
That dictator monopolized state power for as long as thirty years.
This established enterprise monopolized the local mineral mining rights.
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A small number of families monopolized the economic lifeline of this region.
He did not want a single interest group to monopolize the right to speak.
Throughout history, many eunuchs who monopolized state affairs led to the decline of dynasties.