mot

Everyday

1. (UK) An MOT is a yearly test that cars more than a few years old must pass to show they are safe to drive on the road. tree →
2. (rare, from French) A mot or «bon mot» is a clever, witty remark. tree →

In the lessons

In British and Irish everyday life (where Ireland calls it the NCT), parents take the car for its MOT; if it fails, it must be repaired. The letters come from the old Ministry of Transport. In books for adults, «a bon mot» is a clever saying. Phrases: «take the car for its MOT», «pass the MOT», «fail the MOT», «MOT certificate».

Examples

• Dad's car failed its MOT because of a broken light. tree →
• The car is due for its MOT next month. tree →
• The garage does MOTs on Saturdays. tree →
• You cannot legally drive an old car without a valid MOT. tree →
• Mum was pleased the car passed its MOT. tree →
• The writer was famous for his witty bons mots. tree →
• The MOT checks the brakes, tyres and lights. tree →

Note

In the car sense it is written in capitals, «MOT», and each letter is said: an M-O-T (so «an», because M is said «em»). Plural: MOTs. Used in the UK; other countries have their own car safety tests. In «bon mot», the t is silent: bon MOH.