bottle-jack: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical
Quick answer
What does “bottle-jack” mean?
A hydraulic lifting device, typically cylindrical and portable, used for raising heavy objects (especially vehicles).
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A hydraulic lifting device, typically cylindrical and portable, used for raising heavy objects (especially vehicles).
A specific type of jack, often filled with oil, that uses a pumping mechanism to extend a ram and provide a lifting force.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The term is understood in both varieties, but may be less common in modern US auto repair shops where 'floor jack' or 'hydraulic jack' is preferred.
Connotations
Connotes a specific, somewhat old-fashioned, robust tool.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; confined to technical manuals and specific trades.
Grammar
How to Use “bottle-jack” in a Sentence
[use] + bottle-jack + [to-infinitival] (We used a bottle-jack to lift the car.)[lift] + NP + [with] + bottle-jackVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “bottle-jack” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb use]
American English
- [No standard verb use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb use]
American English
- [No standard adverb use]
adjective
British English
- [No standard adjective use]
American English
- [No standard adjective use]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Almost never used.
Academic
Rare, found only in engineering or automotive history texts.
Everyday
Virtually unknown outside of specific practical tasks.
Technical
Used in automotive repair, construction, and machinery maintenance manuals.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “bottle-jack”
- Spelling: 'bottle jack' (without hyphen) is also accepted. Mistaking it for a 'scissor jack' or 'trolley jack'. Using it as a verb ('I'll bottle-jack the car' is non-standard).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A bottle-jack is hydraulic and cylindrical. A scissor jack is mechanical and uses a screw thread, often supplied with cars.
It is highly unsafe. Bottle-jacks require a firm, level base to prevent tipping or sinking.
It indicates the maximum weight (in tons) the jack is designed to lift safely.
No, it is a technical term with very low frequency in general English. Most people would simply say 'car jack' or 'hydraulic jack'.
A hydraulic lifting device, typically cylindrical and portable, used for raising heavy objects (especially vehicles).
Bottle-jack is usually technical in register.
Bottle-jack: in British English it is pronounced /ˈbɒt.əl ˌdʒæk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈbɑː.t̬əl ˌdʒæk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a Jack lifting a heavy BOTTLE of wine; a 'bottle-jack' lifts heavy objects and is shaped like a bottle.
Conceptual Metaphor
STRENGTH IS A CONTAINED FLUID (The hydraulic oil, contained in the 'bottle', creates great lifting force).
Practice
Quiz
What is a 'bottle-jack' primarily used for?