sticking place: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowLiterary/Figurative
Quick answer
What does “sticking place” mean?
A metaphorical point or limit beyond which one cannot or will not proceed.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A metaphorical point or limit beyond which one cannot or will not proceed; a decisive moment requiring firm resolution.
A fixed position or principle from which one will not be moved; the critical juncture at which one's resolve is fully committed.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is nearly identical, but it is slightly more common in UK English due to greater familiarity with the Shakespearean source.
Connotations
Both varieties carry literary, somewhat archaic connotations. It implies gravitas and decisiveness.
Frequency
Very low frequency in both dialects; almost exclusively used in writing or formal speech.
Grammar
How to Use “sticking place” in a Sentence
[Subject] + reach/come to + the sticking place[Subject] + screw + [Possessive] courage + to the sticking placeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sticking place” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He finally screwed his courage to the sticking place and confessed.
American English
- She screwed her courage to the sticking place and demanded a raise.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used metaphorically in negotiations to describe a final, non-negotiable term. 'On the issue of intellectual property, this is our sticking place.'
Academic
Used in literary analysis of 'Macbeth' or in historical/political discourse about decisive moments. 'The debate reached its sticking place over the proposed amendment.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used humorously or emphatically. 'I'll lend you the car, but bringing it back with a full tank is my sticking place.'
Technical
Not used in technical contexts. The literal, mechanical meaning is archaic.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sticking place”
Strong
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sticking place”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sticking place”
- Using it to mean 'a problem' (that's 'sticking point').
- Using it in a literal, physical sense.
- Misspelling as 'sticking *point* place'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A 'sticking point' is an obstacle that causes delay or difficulty. A 'sticking place' is a point of final resolution or an unyielding position one adopts.
It originates from William Shakespeare's tragedy 'Macbeth' (c. 1606), spoken by Lady Macbeth in Act I, Scene 7: 'But screw your courage to the sticking-place, / And we'll not fail.'
Not in modern English. Its original literal meaning referred to the notch on a crossbow or a winding mechanism where a screw is tightened and stops. Today, it is exclusively figurative.
It is quite rare and has a distinctly literary or formal tone. Most native speakers would recognise it from Shakespeare but might not use it spontaneously in casual conversation.
A metaphorical point or limit beyond which one cannot or will not proceed.
Sticking place is usually literary/figurative in register.
Sticking place: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstɪkɪŋ ˌpleɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstɪkɪŋ ˌpleɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Screw one's courage to the sticking place”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a stuck screw that won't turn further. That's its 'sticking place.' Think: 'My decision is STUCK in this PLACE; I won't move from it.'
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOLUTION/DETERMINATION IS A FIXED PHYSICAL POINT (e.g., a notch for a screw).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary modern meaning of 'sticking place'?