rush
rush
Pronunciation
/ɹʌʃ/
ɹ - This is the voiced alveolar approximant, similar to the 'r' in 'red', but the tongue doesn't touch the roof of the mouth.
ʌ - This is the 'uh' sound as in 'cup' or 'sun'.
ʃ - This is the 'sh' sound as in 'ship' or 'wish'.
Word Form Variations
Since "rush" can function as both a noun and a verb, it has a few variations:
Noun
rush (singular) - "I felt a rush of adrenaline."
rushes (plural) - "The rushes by the river swayed in the wind."
Verb
rush (base form) - "Don't rush me!"
rushes (third person singular present) - "He rushes to finish his work."
rushed (past tense) - "They rushed to the hospital."
rushing (present participle) - "She is rushing to catch the train."
rushed (past participle) - "I have rushed this project."
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
Definition: A sudden, swift movement or action; a surge of intense feeling or activity.
Synonyms: hurry, dash, sprint, surge, burst, flurry, haste, impulsiveness
Antonyms: leisure, calmness, slowness, delay, tranquility
Example: "There was a rush to get tickets before they sold out."
Definition: A dense growth of plants, typically with long, slender stems, often found in wet areas.
Synonyms: reeds, canes, sedges
Antonyms: (No direct antonyms for this sense, but you could consider "forest" or "trees" as contrasting terms)
Example: "The cat hid in the rushes by the pond."
Verb
Definition: To move or act with great speed or urgency; to hurry.
Synonyms: hurry, hasten, dash, speed, accelerate, bolt, hurtle
Antonyms: dawdle, linger, delay, procrastinate, saunter
Example: "We rushed to the airport to catch our flight."
Definition: To overwhelm with a sudden strong feeling or sensation.
Synonyms: overwhelm, flood, engulf, sweep over
Antonyms: calm, soothe, subdue
Example: "Memories rushed back as she looked at the old photos."
Definition: (In American football) To advance the ball by running with it, typically with several players blocking.
Synonyms: charge, storm
Antonyms: retreat, withdraw
Example: "The quarterback rushed for a touchdown."
Adjective
Definition: Done with great haste; hurried.
Synonyms: hasty, hurried, quick, rapid, swift, urgent
Antonyms: slow, leisurely, deliberate, unhurried
Example: "I had to make a rush decision."
Examples of Use
Books:
Noun: "He felt a rush of excitement as he opened the letter." (Example from countless novels, this specific phrasing appears in "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" by J.K. Rowling)
Verb: "The soldiers rushed the enemy trenches." (Historical accounts like "The Guns of August" by Barbara W. Tuchman frequently use this verb)
Newspapers:
Noun: "There was a rush on gasoline after the hurricane warning." (Common phrasing in news reports on shortages or panic buying, e.g., The New York Times or BBC News)
Verb: "Lawmakers rushed to pass the bill before the end of the session." (Frequently used in political reporting, such as articles in The Washington Post or Reuters)
Online Publications:
Noun: "The website experienced a rush of traffic after the celebrity endorsement." (Common in articles about internet trends, e.g., TechCrunch or Wired)
Verb: "Don't rush to judgment on the new technology." (Often used in opinion pieces or analyses, e.g., articles on Medium or Slate)
Entertainment:
Noun: "The rush of a roller coaster is exhilarating." (Common in reviews or descriptions of amusement park rides, e.g., theme park websites or travel blogs)
Verb: "In the movie, the hero rushes to save the day." (Frequently used in plot summaries or reviews, e.g., IMDB or Rotten Tomatoes)
Public Discourse:
Noun: "The holiday rush is stressful for many people." (Common in everyday conversations and social media posts)
Verb: "We need to rush to address climate change." (Used in speeches, debates, and discussions on urgent issues)
10 Famous Quotes Using Rush
"Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Don’t rush life." — Lao Tzu
"Don’t rush through life, or you’ll miss the beauty in the small moments." — Unknown (popular mindfulness quote)
"Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. There is no rush." — Ralph Waldo Emerson
"If you rush in and out of love, you’ll miss the point entirely." — Maya Angelou (paraphrased from her reflections on relationships)
"Rush slowly. Progress is made best when you are deliberate." — Unknown (common business wisdom)
"There is no advantage in hurrying through life. The rush will be there when you stop to breathe." — Thich Nhat Hanh
"Rush not into fights you cannot win." — Sun Tzu, The Art of War (paraphrased)
"Do not rush. Time will bring the right things to you." — Buddha (paraphrased from teachings on patience and detachment)
"Never rush an apology or forgiveness. These are sacred acts." — Unknown (common relationship and counseling quote)
"Most people rush after pleasure so fast that they rush past it." — Søren Kierkegaard
Etymology
The word "rush" has a bit of a split personality, actually coming from two different origins!
Origin 1: The Speedy "Rush"
This version of "rush" meaning to hurry or move quickly came into English in the 14th century from the Old French word ruser, which meant "to drive back" or "put to flight". Imagine knights charging into battle, that's the kind of forceful movement this original word described. Over time, the meaning shifted to encompass any kind of hurried action.
Origin 2: The Plant "Rush"
This "rush" refers to those tall, grass-like plants you often see near water. This meaning is much older, coming from the Old English word risc before the 12th century. It's related to words in other languages that all have to do with weaving or plaiting, probably because rushes were often used to make baskets and mats.
So, how do we have one word with two such different meanings?
Well, language is full of these little quirks! Sometimes words with different origins sound the same and eventually merge into a single word with multiple meanings.
First Known Use:
Plant meaning: Before the 12th century, as seen in Old English texts.
Hurry meaning: Around the 14th century, appearing in Middle English writings.
It's fascinating how "rush" can refer to both a speedy action and a still, waterside plant. This duality makes it a more versatile and interesting word!
Phrases + Idioms Containing Rush
Commonly Used:
Rush hour: The peak periods of traffic congestion in the morning and evening.
Rush to judgment: To form an opinion or make a decision hastily, without full consideration.
Gold rush: A period of frenzied migration of people to a region where gold has been discovered. (Historically significant, less used figuratively now)
Lesser-Known:
(Be in) a tearing hurry/rush: To be in an extreme hurry, rushing about frantically.
Give someone the bum's rush: To eject someone forcibly and unceremoniously.
With Synonyms (for similar effect):
Jump the gun: To start something prematurely.
Make a hasty retreat: To leave quickly and suddenly.
A whirlwind of activity: A period of intense activity and movement.
In a mad dash: Rushing in a frantic and chaotic manner.
At breakneck speed: Moving incredibly fast and recklessly.
Original Phrases:
Rush of inspiration: A sudden surge of creative ideas or motivation.
Rush to the finish line: To make a final effort to complete something quickly.
Rush of emotions: A sudden overwhelming wave of feelings.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of rush from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
