Stump with him
/stʌmp wɪð hɪm/
verb phraseB2phrase; base form of "stump"
Definition
To "stump" someone means to confuse or puzzle them so much that they do not know how to respond. When you "stump with him," it means you or he is confused or stuck during a conversation or situation. This phrase often shows a moment when someone cannot find the right words or solution.
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See It in Action
To confuse or puzzle someone so they cannot answer or respond
- •The tricky question stumped him during the interview.
- •She was stumped with him when he asked about her plans.
- •I was stumped with him because I didn’t know how to explain.
To be stuck or unable to decide what to do or say in a conversation
- •When he asked about the problem, I was stumped with him.
- •They were stumped with him about where to go next.
Make It Stick
- ✓Think of "stump" like "confuse" (A2 word), but stronger—like being stopped completely, not just a little unsure
- ✓Picture a person standing in front of a tree stump, unable to move forward because the stump blocks the way
- ✓It's the feeling when you want to answer a question but your mind goes blank, and you don’t know what to say
- ✓Sounds like "stump" → imagine someone hitting a tree stump and stopping suddenly, unable to go further
- ✓Think of a quiz show where the contestant is "stumped" by a very hard question and stays silent
- ✓NOT like "forget" (which means losing memory), but "stump" means being confused or stuck trying to find an answer
- ✓NOT like "ignore" (choosing not to respond), but "stump" means you want to respond but cannot find the right words
Try Other Words
- •Puzzle: to make someone think hard because they don’t understand (Use when the problem is difficult but not completely stopping someone)
- •Baffle: to confuse someone very much (Use when someone is very surprised and cannot understand)
- •Confuse: to make unclear or mixed up (Use in general situations of unclear understanding)
Unboxing
- •Word parts: "stump" (a tree base left after cutting) used as a verb meaning "to block or confuse"; "with him" shows the person involved
- •Etymology: From Old English "stump" meaning tree base; used figuratively from the 1800s to mean stopping or confusing someone like a tree stump blocks a path
- •Historical development: "Stump" as a verb meaning to puzzle someone appeared in the 19th century, often used in games or questions
- •Modern usage: Common in informal speech to describe being confused or stuck, especially in conversations or problem-solving
Reflect & Connect
•When was a time you felt stumped during a conversation? How did you handle it?
•Can being stumped with someone lead to better understanding or cause frustration? Why?
Fill in the blanks
1.The difficult question stumped with him because he ___ the right answer.
2.When she asked about the plan, I was stumped with him and could not ___ what to say.
3.Being stumped with him means feeling ___ or unsure in the conversation.
4.Unlike forgetting, being stumped with him means you want to answer but your mind is ___.
5.They were stumped with him about the problem, so they decided to ___ for help.
6.If you are stumped with him, you might stay ___ or silent during the talk.
7.When someone stumps with him, it shows they are ___ to find a solution or response.