Оригинал на английском:
Focus on Word-Building
A number of verbs in English are formed from nouns naming animals. These verbs reflect some features of animals' behaviour and are usually informal in style:
a ferret — to ferret = to look for sth, to search
an ape — to ape = to copy a person or a person’s behaviour in a stupid or unsuccessful way
a monkey — to monkey (about with sth) = to handle sth carelessly
a dog — to dog = to follow closely like a dog
a rat — to rat (on sb) = to act in a disloyal way, to break promises.
a duck — to duck = 1) to lower the head or bend down quickly, 2) to avoid sth
a wolf — to wolf (down) = to eat quickly and hungrily
a rabbit — to rabbit (on) = to talk continuously in a boring way
28 A Complete the sentences with the suitable verbs from the box.
1. We were by bad luck throughout the journey. 2. The train its way through the mountains. 3. My cousin likes to _ famous) politicians. 4. The boy to keep from being hit by the ball. 5. The children) down their lunch so they could get outside to play. 6. You’ll break the TV if you don’t stop about with it. 7. I embarrassing question by bringing up another subject. 8. He keeps) on about his health. 9. I) through my drawers looking for the missing sock. 10. They said they’d help but they’ve on us.
B Use some of the verbs in sentences of your own.
A number of verbs in English are formed from nouns naming animals. These verbs reflect some features of animals' behaviour and are usually informal in style:
a ferret — to ferret = to look for sth, to search
an ape — to ape = to copy a person or a person’s behaviour in a stupid or unsuccessful way
a monkey — to monkey (about with sth) = to handle sth carelessly
a dog — to dog = to follow closely like a dog
a rat — to rat (on sb) = to act in a disloyal way, to break promises.
a duck — to duck = 1) to lower the head or bend down quickly, 2) to avoid sth
a wolf — to wolf (down) = to eat quickly and hungrily
a rabbit — to rabbit (on) = to talk continuously in a boring way
28 A Complete the sentences with the suitable verbs from the box.
1. We were by bad luck throughout the journey. 2. The train its way through the mountains. 3. My cousin likes to _ famous) politicians. 4. The boy to keep from being hit by the ball. 5. The children) down their lunch so they could get outside to play. 6. You’ll break the TV if you don’t stop about with it. 7. I embarrassing question by bringing up another subject. 8. He keeps) on about his health. 9. I) through my drawers looking for the missing sock. 10. They said they’d help but they’ve on us.
B Use some of the verbs in sentences of your own.
