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Learn more English in a Minute
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(Clips: Getty)
Introduction
You might already know one meaning of 'tank' – a container for water or another liquid. But do you know these four other meanings? Get to know the word 'tank' with Phil!
4 meanings of 'tank'
amount of fuel a car can hold
A tank of fuel is the maximum amount your car can hold, so can be used to measure what volume of fuel you will need for a journey.
- It's a long drive – it'll take two tanks.
- We used nearly a full tank of petrol getting to Cornwall.
sleeveless top
A tank top is a piece of clothing that covers your upper body but has no sleeves.
- Are you trying to show off your muscles with that ridiculous tank top?
- It's really hot today, so I'm going to wear a tank top.
perform very badly
If something tanks, it performs very badly or loses a lot of value.
- That wasn't the right product. Our profits have tanked since we launched it.
- The movie tanked after it received so many bad reviews.
deliberately lose a game
If a team tanks a game or match, it deliberately loses.
- What are you doing? Are you trying to tank the match?
- She scored an own goal – if that's not tanking the game, then I don't know what is!
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Download a free transcript!
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TRANSCRIPT
Note: This is not a word-for-word transcript.
Phil
What do you know about the word 'tank'? This is one of the uses that we all know, but I don't think you'll know these ones. If you're talking about fuel, we can use 'tank' to talk about the amount of petrol you can fit inside your car, or how much you need for a trip.
Example
It's a long drive – it'll take two tanks.
Phil
You can also wear a tanktop. It's just a top with no sleeves.
Example
Are you trying to show off your muscles with that ridiculous tanktop?
Phil
'Tank' is also a verb. When something tanks, it performs really badly.
Example
That wasn't the right product. Our profits have tanked since we launched it.
Phil
If a sports team deliberately loses a game, they tank it.
Example
What are you doing? Are you trying to tank the match?
Phil
Don't let your English tank – learn these meanings of 'tank' today!
Next
Learn more idiomatic language in The English We Speak.
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