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bolt upright

/boʊlt ˈʌpˌraɪt/

Meanings
adjective
Vertical, with the back held stiffly

Examples :

"The tired student sat bolt upright in his chair, trying to stay awake during the long lecture. "
body position appearance

Related Words

Illustration chair

chair noun

/t͡ʃɛə(ɹ)/ /t͡ʃɛəɹ/

An item of furniture used to sit on or in, comprising a seat, legs, back, and sometimes arm rests, for use by one person. Compare stool, couch, sofa, settee, loveseat and bench.

"All I need to weather a snowstorm is hot coffee, a warm fire, a good book and a comfortable chair."

Illustration lecture

lecture noun

/ˈlɛk.t͡ʃə/ /ˈlɛk.t͡ʃɚ/

A spoken lesson or exposition, usually delivered to a group.

"During class today the professor delivered an interesting lecture."

Illustration tired

tired verb

/taɪəd/ /taɪɚd/

To become sleepy or weary.

"After a long day at school, I tired easily and went straight to bed. "

Illustration with

with adverb

/wɪθ/ /wɪð/

Along, together with others, in a group, etc.

"Do you want to come with?"

Illustration student

student noun

/ˈstjuː.dənt/ /ˈstu.dn̩t/

A person who studies or learns about a particular subject.

"He is a student of life."

Illustration vertical

vertical noun

/ˈvɜːtɪkəl/ /ˈvɝtɪkəl/

A vertex or zenith.

"The vertical of the mountain range was a breathtaking sight. "

Illustration stiffly

stiffly adverb

/ˈstɪfli/

In a stiff manner.

"Here are a few options, ordered from simplest to slightly more complex: * He bowed stiffly to the queen. * She sat stiffly in the chair, trying not to wrinkle her new dress. * Because he was nervous, he greeted his boss stiffly. "

Illustration back

back noun

/bæk/

The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.

"Could you please scratch my back?"

Illustration trying

trying verb

/ˈtɹaɪ.ɪŋ/

To attempt; to endeavour. Followed by infinitive.

"I tried to rollerblade, but I couldn’t."

Illustration awake

awake adjective

/əˈweɪk/

Not asleep; conscious.

"My sister was awake early this morning to get ready for school. "

Illustration upright

upright noun

/ˈʌpɹaɪt/

Any vertical part of a structure, especially one of the goal posts in sports.

"The soccer ball sailed between the goalkeeper and bounced off the left upright. "

Illustration during

during verb

/ˈdjɔː.ɹɪŋ/ /ˈdʒɔːɹɪŋ/ /ˈd(j)ʊɚ.ɪŋ/

To last, continue, endure.

"The storm during all night. "