lace

Everyday

1. A lace (or shoelace) is a thin string used to tie a shoe or boot. tree →
2. Lace is a fine, delicate cloth with patterns of holes, used on dresses, curtains and tablecloths. tree →
3. To lace (up) means to tie shoes or boots with laces. tree →
4. To lace food or drink with something means to add a small amount of something to it, often secretly. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and safety children learn to tie their laces, and untied laces can trip you on stairs or get caught in bike chains. In history and stories lace appears on old-fashioned dresses, collars and wedding veils. Phrases: «tie your laces», «lace up», «undone laces», «lace curtains».

Examples

• Tie your laces before you run. tree →
• My laces came undone and I tripped. tree →
• Can you lace up my football boots? tree →
• Grandma's tablecloth is made of white lace. tree →
• The bride wore a veil of lace. tree →
• She bought new pink laces for her trainers. tree →
• The pie was laced with cinnamon. tree →
• Tuck your laces in so they do not catch in the bike chain. tree →
• In white crape and lace she was like a floating swan. tree →

Note

As cloth, «lace» is uncountable («a piece of lace»); as strings, «a lace», «laces». Related: «shoelace», «laced». Safety trap in stories: «laced with poison» means poison was secretly added. Do not confuse with «lays» or «lacy» (made of lace, delicate).