crutch
B1Neutral; everyday, medical, and figurative use.
Definition
Meaning
A walking aid, typically a staff with a crosspiece at the top that fits under the armpit, used by someone with an injured leg or foot.
A person or thing that provides essential, often temporary, support, especially a psychological or emotional dependency. In textile manufacturing, the crotch of a pair of trousers.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The literal meaning (medical device) is primary. The figurative meaning ('psychological dependency') is very common and often carries a mild to moderate negative connotation of weakness or lack of independence.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In US legal slang, a 'crutch' can refer to a forged medical note. No such specific slang meaning is prevalent in UK English.
Connotations
The negative connotation in the figurative sense is slightly stronger in American English. The literal sense is neutral in both.
Frequency
Both literal and figurative uses are equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
She uses a crutch (to walk).He leans on his phone as a crutch (for his anxiety).After the surgery, she was on crutches (for six weeks).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a crutch for the lame”
- “to be (or go) on crutches”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Used metaphorically: 'The government subsidy became a crutch for the inefficient industry.'
Academic
Used in psychology/sociology: 'The substance served as a crutch to cope with trauma.'
Everyday
Very common for both physical injury and figurative dependency: 'I sprained my ankle and need crutches.' / 'He uses humour as a crutch in social situations.'
Technical
In medicine/physiotherapy: 'Ensure the crutch is adjusted to the correct height.' In textiles: 'Reinforce the crutch of the work trousers.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The physio taught him how to crutch his way down the stairs.
- He crutched carefully across the icy pavement.
American English
- She crutched her way to the mailbox.
- The hiker crutched slowly back to the trailhead.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He broke his leg and now he uses a crutch.
- She walked slowly with her crutches.
- After the accident, I was on crutches for a month.
- He uses his phone as a crutch when he feels bored.
- The company's over-reliance on a single client has become a dangerous crutch.
- She realised her constant excuses were just a psychological crutch.
- Critics argue that the welfare programme, while necessary, has become a permanent crutch, stifling initiative.
- The novelist used irony not as a mere stylistic crutch but as a fundamental lens for examining society.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine CRUTCH RUSH: you need to rush but can only do it with a crutch—it's an essential support for the task.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONAL/PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT IS A PHYSICAL SUPPORT; WEAKNESS/DEPENDENCY IS AN INJURY REQUIRING AID.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'костыль' only in the literal sense. The figurative negative connotation ('something you lean on because you are weak') is identical, but Russians might underuse the figurative sense.
- Do not confuse with 'clutch' (сцепление, захват).
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect plural: 'crutches' (not 'crutchs').
- Confusing spelling with 'clutch'.
- Using the verb form incorrectly: 'to crutch someone' is non-standard. The verb is rare and means 'to support with a crutch'.
Practice
Quiz
In a figurative sense, calling something 'a crutch' usually implies:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A cane is a single stick held in the hand for balance, typically for mild mobility issues. A crutch is specifically designed to transfer weight from the leg to the upper body, usually fitting under the armpit or supporting the forearm, and is used for more serious leg injuries.
Mostly, but not always. It carries a connotation of dependency or weakness. Calling something 'a crutch' suggests it prevents someone from standing on their own. In therapeutic contexts, a temporary 'crutch' might be seen as a positive, necessary step in recovery.
Yes, but it is rare and specialised. It means 'to move using crutches' (e.g., 'She crutched across the room'). It is not commonly used in everyday language compared to phrases like 'walk on crutches'.
Because a person typically uses two crutches (one for each side). Therefore, 'a pair of crutches' is common. However, you can say 'a crutch' to refer to one single device.
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