stiff

Everyday

1. Stiff means hard and not easy to bend or move. tree →
2. If your body is stiff, your muscles or joints hurt and are hard to move. tree →
3. Stiff means difficult or strong, like a stiff test or a stiff wind. tree →
4. Stiff behaviour is too formal and not friendly or relaxed. tree →
5. Bored stiff or scared stiff means very bored or very scared. tree →
6. Stiff can also mean stubborn and refusing to give way. tree →

In the lessons

In science, stiff materials like card or metal do not bend easily; they are useful for supports and frames. In health, muscles are stiff after hard exercise, so stretch and warm up. A stiff neck with a fever and rash can be a sign of serious illness and needs a doctor. In cooking, beat egg whites until stiff. Phrases: a stiff neck, stiff as a board, bored stiff, a stiff breeze, stiff competition.

Examples

• The new shoes are stiff and hurt my feet. tree →
• My legs were stiff after the long walk. tree →
• Cardboard is stiffer than paper. tree →
• I woke up with a stiff neck. tree →
• A stiff wind blew across the field. tree →
• The test was stiff, but I passed. tree →
• I was scared stiff during the film. tree →
• Who's a gwine fer ter stan' stiff-kneed en bol'. tree →

Note

Adverb: stiffly. Noun: stiffness. Opposite: flexible or soft. Do not confuse stiff with "staff" (people who work somewhere).

In Jewish tradition

"Stiff neck" is a figure of speech for stubbornness, like an animal that will not bend its neck to the yoke.

Interpretation. Tradition reads "stiff-necked" as Israel's famous stubbornness, which Moses warns about before his death. Some teachers say the same stubbornness can also be a strength, because it helps the people hold on to their faith.

Examples

• For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death? (Torah DEU.31.27, JPS 1917) tree →
• He runneth upon him with a stiff neck, with the thick bosses of his bucklers. (Writings JOB.15.26, JPS 1917) tree →
• He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and all his bones grow stiff; (Writings JOB.33.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• yet they hearkened not unto Me, nor inclined their ear, but made their neck stiff; they did worse than their fathers. (Prophets JER.7.26, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Adverb: stiffly. Noun: stiffness. Opposite: flexible or soft. Do not confuse stiff with "staff" (people who work somewhere).