hawks
C1Neutral in ornithological contexts; often informal or journalistic in political contexts.
Definition
Meaning
Birds of prey belonging to the family Accipitridae, characterised by sharp talons, keen eyesight, and hooked beaks, often hunting small animals.
In politics or business: people who advocate aggressive, hardline, or militaristic policies; to sell goods aggressively; the action of clearing one's throat noisily.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The noun form (birds) is concrete and literal. The political sense (people) is a metaphorical extension based on the bird's aggressive hunting nature. The verb 'to hawk' (sell) is etymologically distinct, deriving from 'hawker' (peddler).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major semantic differences. The political 'hawk vs. dove' metaphor is equally prevalent. In UK English, the verb 'hawk' (to sell) might be slightly more archaic than in US English.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties: birds of prey → aggression, sharp vision, power. Political hawks → aggression, militarism.
Frequency
Similar frequency. The political term is heavily used in international news media in both regions.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The hawks (subject) prevailed (verb) in the debate (object).She hawked (verb) her wares (direct object) in the market (prepositional phrase).Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Watch someone like a hawk (observe closely).”
- “Hawks will not pick out hawks' eyes (similar people won't harm each other).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly in metaphorical sense: 'The sales hawks exceeded their quarterly targets.'
Academic
Common in political science/ornithology: 'The debate between hawks and doves shaped foreign policy.'
Everyday
Literal: 'Look, there are hawks nesting in those cliffs.' Political: 'The hawks in parliament want to increase defence spending.'
Technical
Ornithology: precise classification (e.g., 'Accipiter hawks'). Military/Political Science: a defined policy stance.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He stood on the street corner, hawking copies of the evening paper.
- The speaker hawked to clear his throat before beginning.
American English
- Vendors were hawking T-shirts and souvenirs outside the stadium.
- She hawked up some phlegm, which was rather unpleasant.
adverb
British English
- He watched hawk-like from the upstairs window.
- N/A
American English
- She observed the competition hawkishly, noting every move.
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The committee had a hawkish majority favouring intervention.
- He took a hawk-eyed view of the financial report.
American English
- Her hawkish stance on trade tariffs was well known.
- The editor's hawk-eyed attention caught every minor error.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I saw two big hawks in the sky today.
- The hawk has very sharp claws.
- Hawks can see small animals from very far away.
- In the news, they talk about political hawks who want more soldiers.
- The budget debate was dominated by the hawks, who argued for a massive increase in military funding.
- Red-tailed hawks are a common sight circling above the motorway verges, hunting for rodents.
- Despite the dovish rhetoric of the Prime Minister, the hawks within his own cabinet continued to push for a pre-emptive strike.
- The vendor hawked his imitation watches with a practiced, rapid-fire patter to the crowd of tourists.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a HAWK with a KEY in its talons. HAWK-KEY sounds like 'hawk' and reminds you of its sharp, key-like beak and talons.
Conceptual Metaphor
AGGRESSION/PREDATION IS HAWK-LIKE BEHAVIOUR. (e.g., 'He hawked over the contract, looking for weaknesses.')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'сокол' (falcon) — a different bird family, though both are raptors.
- The political term 'hawk' is often translated as 'ястреб', which is the direct equivalent.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'hawks' to refer to all large birds (eagles, vultures are not hawks).
- Confusing 'hawk' (verb, to sell) with 'hock' (to pawn).
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'watch like a hawk', what does 'hawk' symbolise?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily. While it denotes aggression, it can be positive from the perspective of those who believe in strong defence or decisive action. It contrasts with 'dove' (advocate of peace).
They are different types of birds of prey (raptors). Hawks generally have shorter, rounded wings and hunt in wooded areas. Falcons have long, pointed wings and are fast flyers. Eagles are much larger and more powerful than typical hawks.
Yes, it can also mean to clear the throat noisily (e.g., 'He hawked and spat into the gutter'), though this is less common. The selling sense is more frequent.
It originates from the late 18th century, but became widely popular during the Cold War, contrasting with 'dove'. The metaphor draws on the hawk's nature as a fierce predator.