jaws
B1Neutral to formal in anatomical/technical use; often dramatic/figurative in extended use.
Definition
Meaning
The two bony structures that frame the mouth and hold the teeth in vertebrates; the biting/chewing apparatus.
Metaphorically, any hinged, gripping, or clamping device that resembles the action of a jaw; or a narrow, threatening passage (e.g., jaws of death). Also refers to the powerful, controlling part of a tool or machine.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily plural noun ('jaws'), though singular 'jaw' exists for referring to one side. Figurative use often implies danger, capture, or crushing force.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. 'Jaw' (singular) can be used informally in both varieties to mean 'chat' (e.g., 'have a jaw'), but this is dated.
Connotations
Figurative use ('jaws of defeat/death') is equally common and dramatic in both. 'Jaws' as a standalone reference to the 1975 film is universally understood.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in British media in compound terms like 'jaw-jaw' (meaning prolonged talk, from Churchill's 'Jaw-jaw is better than war-war').
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [animal]'s jaws closed around [object].[Subject] was snatched from the jaws of [danger].The [tool]'s jaws gripped the [material].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Jaws of death”
- “Jaws of defeat”
- “Jaws of life”
- “Snatch victory from the jaws of defeat”
- “One's jaw drops”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in metaphors like 'the jaws of bankruptcy'.
Academic
Common in biology, anatomy, zoology, and engineering (mechanical jaws).
Everyday
Common for describing animals, expressions of surprise ('my jaw dropped'), and tools.
Technical
Specific in anatomy (maxilla and mandible), dentistry, and mechanical engineering (vice jaws, clamp jaws).
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The crocodile's formidable jaws can crush bone.
- He found himself in the jaws of a bureaucratic nightmare.
- Use the jaws of the vice to hold the pipe steady.
American English
- The alligator's jaws snapped shut with incredible force.
- She narrowly escaped the jaws of defeat in the final round.
- The mechanic adjusted the clamp's jaws.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The dog has big jaws.
- My jaw hurts when I eat.
- The shark opened its jaws wide.
- He tightened the jaws of the clamp.
- They managed to pull the victim from the jaws of death.
- The press's jaws are tightly controlled by the new legislation.
- The novel's protagonist is constantly escaping the metaphorical jaws of societal expectation.
- The engineering design features interlocking jaws for precision gripping.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a JAW-Saw: a saw with teeth that opens and closes like a jaw.
Conceptual Metaphor
DANGER IS A PREDATOR'S MOUTH / CONTROL IS GRIPPING WITH JAWS.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'челюсть' (chelyust') – which is correct for the anatomical term, but the figurative uses ('jaws of death') are not directly translated; use 'пасть' (past') or 'объятия' (ob'yatiya) metaphorically.
- Avoid using 'jaw' as a verb for talking (to jaw) as it is archaic.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'jaws' as a singular noun (e.g., 'a jaws') – it is inherently plural.
- Overusing the figurative sense in inappropriate contexts.
- Misspelling as 'jaws' vs. 'jaw' for singular.
Practice
Quiz
In the idiom 'snatch victory from the jaws of defeat', what do 'jaws' metaphorically represent?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
When referring to the structure containing teeth, yes, 'jaws' is typically plural. The singular 'jaw' refers to one of the two bones (e.g., upper/lower jaw) or is used in compounds (jawbone).
It is a trademarked brand of hydraulic rescue tools (spreaders and cutters) used by emergency services to extricate people from vehicles. The name is a metaphor, contrasting the tool's lifesaving power with the 'jaws of death'.
Yes, commonly. Any device with two hinged or opposing parts that grip or crush can be described as having jaws (e.g., a vice, wrench, trap, or mechanical grabber).
In anatomy, 'jaws' is the general term for the structures forming the framework of the mouth. 'Mandibles' specifically refer to the lower jaw in vertebrates or, in insects/arthropods, to the paired mouthparts used for biting and cutting.