Definition of wag

wagverb

hay bông lơn

/wæɡ//wæɡ/

The word "wag" in the English language has multiple meanings, but its origin is related to the Old Norse word "vuegg" or "veggja," meaning "to move" or "shake." This Old Norse word came to England with the Vikings during the Viking Age (8th-11th centuries). In early Middle English, the Old Norse "vuegg" evolved into the Old English "weagan," which meant "to shake" or "move." Over time, the meaning shifted, and by the 16th century, "wag" was used to describe a cart in motion or someone who moved briskly. By the 17th century, "wag" had acquired the additional meaning of a person who pretended to be working but was actually wasting time. This usage is more common today and is the main meaning of "wag" in modern English. The phrase "wag one's tail," which means to show enthusiasm or pleasure, likely derives from the way dogs move their tails when they are happy or excited. The word "wag" in this context is a figurative usage that has evolved over time. Overall, the word "wag" has evolved from its Norse roots to denote a variety of meanings in the English language, from movement and transportation to social behavior and canine enthusiasm.

Summary
type danh từ
meaningngười hay nói đùa, người tinh nghịch
examplethe dog wags its tail: chó vẫy đuôi
exampleto wag one's head: lắc đầu
exampleto wag one's tongue: ba hoa, khua môi múa mép
meaningtrốn học
type danh từ ((cũng) waggle)
meaningsự lắc, sự lúc lắc, sự vẫy, sự ve vẩy
examplethe dog wags its tail: chó vẫy đuôi
exampleto wag one's head: lắc đầu
exampleto wag one's tongue: ba hoa, khua môi múa mép
namespace

if a dog wags its tail, or its tail wags, its tail moves from side to side several times

nếu một con chó vẫy đuôi hoặc vẫy đuôi thì đuôi của nó sẽ di chuyển từ bên này sang bên kia nhiều lần

Example:
  • The dog raced ahead, its tail wagging furiously.

    Con chó lao về phía trước, vẫy đuôi dữ dội.

to shake your finger or your head from side to side or up and down, often because you do not approve of something

lắc ngón tay hoặc đầu của bạn từ bên này sang bên kia hoặc lên xuống, thường là vì bạn không chấp nhận điều gì đó

Example:
  • ‘Just remember what I said,’ she repeated, wagging her finger at him.

    “Hãy nhớ những gì tôi đã nói,” cô lặp lại, vẫy tay với anh.

  • He wagged his head from side to side.

    Anh ta lắc đầu từ bên này sang bên kia.

to stay away from school without permission

tránh xa trường học mà không được phép

Example:
  • to wag school

    đến trường

Related words and phrases

All matches

Idioms

set tongues wagging | tongues are wagging
(informal)to cause people to start talking/people are talking about somebody’s private affairs
  • His sudden resignation set tongues wagging.
  • This is a small island and tongues are beginning to wag.
    • the tail (is) wagging the dog
    used to describe a situation in which the most important aspect is being influenced and controlled by somebody/something that is not as important