misfire; fall silent; clam up
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to fail to explode or fire; to misfire; to be a dud
Refers to ammunition, explosives, or firearms failing to discharge as intended. Commonly used in military, engineering, or shooting contexts.
Zhè这
kē颗
zǐ子
dàn弹
yǎ哑
huǒ火
le了
。
This bullet misfired.
Pào炮
dàn弹
yīn因
wéi为
yǐn引
xìn信
gù故
zhàng障
ér而
yǎ哑
huǒ火
。
The shell misfired due to a fuse malfunction.
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Qiāng枪
tū突
rán然
yǎ哑
huǒ火
，
tā他
gǎn赶
jǐn紧
wò卧
dǎo倒
jiǎn检
chá查
。
The gun suddenly misfired, and he quickly lay down to inspect it.
verb
to stop talking; to clam up; to fall silent
informalFigurative use describing someone, especially a usually talkative person, suddenly becoming silent or refusing to speak. Often implies an unexpected or noticeable cessation of speech.
Nà那
me么
ài爱
shuō说
huà话
de的
rén人
，
jīn今
tiān天
zěn怎
me么
yǎ哑
huǒ火
le了
？
You're usually such a chatterbox—why have you gone silent today?
Bèi被
fǎ法
guān官
yī一
wèn问
，
bèi被
gào告
dùn顿
shí时
yǎ哑
huǒ火
le了
。
When questioned by the judge, the defendant immediately clammed up.
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Gāng刚
cái才
hái还
zhèn振
zhèn振
yǒu有
cí词
，
xiàn现
zài在
zěn怎
me么
yǎ哑
huǒ火
le了
？
You were speaking so forcefully just now—why have you suddenly fallen silent?