urge

Everyday

1. To urge someone to do something is to try hard to persuade them, or to tell them strongly that they should. tree →
2. An urge is a strong wish or need to do something, often suddenly. tree →
3. To urge an animal on is to make it move faster. tree →

In the lessons

In stories, characters urge each other on ("Run!") or feel a sudden urge to laugh or explore. In health and safety, adults urge children to wear helmets; news says "Police urge drivers to slow down". In everyday life, you may have the urge to go to the toilet. Phrases: "urge someone to", "have an urge to", "a sudden urge", "resist the urge", "urge on".

Examples

• The teacher urged us to check our answers. tree →
• I had a sudden urge to sing. tree →
• The police urge drivers to take care on icy roads. tree →
• The crowd urged the runners on to the finish. tree →
• I resisted the urge to eat the last cookie. tree →
• Mum urged me to wear a coat. tree →
• The rider urged her horse forward. tree →
• "Don't let that keep you at home," urged the Brass Pot. tree →

Note

Regular verb: urged. Pattern: "urge someone to do something". Adjective: urgent (needing action quickly); noun: urgency. "Urge" is stronger than "ask" or "advise".

In Jewish tradition

In the Torah, to urge means to press someone kindly to accept hospitality or a gift, as Lot did with the angels.

Interpretation. The tradition admires Abraham and Lot for welcoming guests, a duty called hachnasat orchim.

Examples

• And he urged them greatly; and they turned in unto him, and entered into his house; and he made them a feast, and did bake unleavened bread, and they did eat. (Torah GEN.19.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• Take, I pray thee, my gift that is brought to thee; because God hath dealt graciously with me, and because I have enough.' And he urged him, and he took it. (Torah GEN.33.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• The Sefer Yetzirah urges us to investigate and examine the letters, that we may have a clear insight into the subject. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →
• And the man rose up to depart; but his father-in-law urged him, and he lodged there again. (Prophets JDG.19.7, JPS 1917) tree →
• And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, that his soul was vexed unto death. (Prophets JDG.16.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• But he refused, and said: 'I will not eat.' But his servants, together with the woman, urged him; and he hearkened unto their voice. (Prophets 1SA.28.23, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Regular verb: urged. Pattern: "urge someone to do something". Adjective: urgent (needing action quickly); noun: urgency. "Urge" is stronger than "ask" or "advise".