Crutch
/krʌtʃ/
nounverbB1
Definition
A crutch is a long stick with a padded top that people hold under their arms to help them walk if their leg or foot is hurt. As a verb, "to crutch" means to rely on something for support, often more than necessary.
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See It in Action
Physical support tool for walking
- •After his leg surgery, he used crutches for six weeks.
- •She leaned on her crutch to move around the house.
- •The doctor showed him how to use crutches safely.
To rely on something or someone too much (verb)
- •He tends to crutch on his friends when he faces problems.
- •Don’t crutch on excuses; try to solve the problem yourself.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "crutch" like "help" (A1 word), but a special tool that supports you physically or emotionally
- ✓Picture someone with a broken leg walking with two sticks under their arms to keep balance
- ✓It's the feeling when you need extra help because you cannot do something alone
- ✓Sounds like "crutch" → imagine a small bridge (crutch) helping you cross a river when you can't walk on your own
- ✓In stories, characters use crutches when recovering from injury, showing they are healing but still need support
- ✓NOT like "cane" (one stick for balance), a crutch is longer and supports more weight under the arms
- ✓NOT like "help" (general aid), a crutch is physical support or sometimes an emotional or mental support you depend on too much
Try Other Words
- •Brace: a device that supports part of the body (Use when the support is fixed or worn on the body)
- •Aid: general help or assistance (Use when talking about help in many forms, not just physical)
- •Prop: something that holds up or supports (Use when the support is simple or temporary)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: (no prefix or suffix, root word "crutch")
- •Etymology: From Old English "cruc" or "crutch," meaning a staff or support
- •Historical development: Used since Middle Ages to mean a staff for support, later extended to emotional or figurative support
- •Modern usage: Commonly used for walking aids and figuratively for something people rely on too much
Reflect & Connect
•Can depending on a crutch sometimes stop people from becoming stronger? How?
•What kinds of "crutches" do people use in daily life besides physical ones?
Fill in the blanks
1.After breaking his leg, he had to use crutches ___ his injury healed.
2.People sometimes crutch ___ bad habits instead of trying to change.
3.A crutch provides ___ support when walking is difficult.
4.She didn’t want to crutch ___ others for help all the time.
5.Unlike a cane, a crutch supports ___ weight under the arms.
6.When someone crutches on excuses, they avoid ___ responsibility.
7.Using crutches can help a person recover, but relying on them too much can ___ independence.