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Definition of lid noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

lid

noun
 
/lɪd/
 
/lɪd/
Idioms
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  1. a cover over a container that can be removed or opened by turning it or lifting it
    • They use old dustbin lids as drums.
    • I can't get the lid off this jar.
    Synonyms lidlidtop ▪ cork ▪ cap ▪ plugThese are all words for a cover for a container.lid a cover over a container that can be removed or opened by turning or lifting it:
    • a jar with a tight-fitting lid
    top a thing that you put over the end of something such as a pen or bottle in order to close itcork a small, round object made of cork or plastic that is used for closing bottles, especially wine bottlescap (often in compounds) a top for a pen or a cover for protecting something such as the lens of a cameraplug a round piece of material that you put into a hole in order to block it; a flat, round rubber or plastic thing that you put into the hole of a sink in order to stop the water from flowing out:
    • a bath plug
    Patterns
    • a tight-fitting lid/​top/​cap
    • a screw top/​cap
    • a pen lid/​top
    • to put on/​screw on/​take off/​unscrew the lid/​top/​cap
    • to pull out the cork/​plug
    Extra Examples
    • I poured some water and screwed the lid back on the bottle.
    • Keep the lid on the pan until the liquid comes to the boil.
    • She lifted the lid of the box.
    • The coffin lid had been screwed down.
    • We managed to prise off the lid with a tyre lever.
    • Flowers were strewn over the lid of the coffin.
    • Replace the saucepan lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
    • She closed the piano lid.
    • You'll need a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • airtight
    • close-fitting
    • tight
    • …
    verb + lid
    • lift
    • open
    • raise
    • …
    preposition
    • on the lid
    See full entry
  2. (also eyelid)
     either of the pieces of skin above and below the eye that cover it when you blink or close the eye
    • He was watching her through half-closed lids.
    Extra Examples
    • Heavy lids drooped over his eyes.
    • She felt the tears burning against her closed lids.
    • He could still see the light flickering from behind his closed lids.
    • She glanced at him occasionally from beneath lowered lids.
    • He lifted his lids and found her looking at him.
    • She saw James walk in and hastily lowered her lids.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
    • eye
    • closed
    • drooping
    • …
    verb + lids
    • close
    • lower
    • lift
    • …
    lids + verb
    • droop
    preposition
    • behind… lid
    • beneath… lid
    • through… lid
    • …
    See full entry
    3. see also skid lid
    Word OriginOld English hlid, of Germanic origin, from a base meaning ‘cover’; related to Dutch lid.
Idioms
flip your lid
  1. (informal) to become very angry and lose control of what you are saying or doing
    • She’ll flip her lid when she finds out.
    Topics Feelingsc2
keep a/the lid on something
  1. to keep something secret or hidden
  2. to keep something under control
    • The government is keeping the lid on inflation.
    • He struggled to keep the lid on his anger.
lift the lid on something | take/blow the lid off something
  1. to tell people unpleasant facts about something
    • Her article lifts the lid on bullying in the workplace.
put the (tin) lid on something/things
  1. (British English, informal) to be the final act or event that causes your plans or hopes to fail
See lid in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee lid in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
Check pronunciation: lid

Nearby words

alloy
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Physics and chemistry
C2
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