lurch

Everyday

1. (verb) To move suddenly and unsteadily, like a bus that jolts or a person who nearly falls. tree →
2. (noun) A sudden jerky movement. tree →
3. (leave someone in the lurch) To leave someone alone when they need help. tree →

In the lessons

In stories: the ship lurched in the storm, the zombie lurched forward — the word tells the reader the movement was sudden and clumsy. In everyday life «My stomach lurched» means a sudden scary feeling. Phrases: «lurch forward», «with a lurch», «leave someone in the lurch».

Examples

• The bus lurched forward and I grabbed the rail. tree →
• The ship lurched in the huge waves. tree →
• My stomach lurched when I saw how high we were. tree →
• The car stopped with a lurch. tree →
• He lurched across the room half asleep. tree →
• Don't leave your partner in the lurch — finish your part of the project. tree →
• At that moment the ship gave a great lurch forward into the waves. tree →

Note

Verb: lurched, lurching; plural noun: lurches. Similar: jolt, jerk, stagger. «Leave in the lurch» is an idiom; it has nothing to do with movement.