Basic Details
Word: Mutilate
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To seriously damage or harm something by cutting or altering it in a way that makes it less whole or perfect.
Synonyms: Scar, disfigure, damage, maim
Antonyms: Heal, repair, restore
Idioms and Phrases
- Mutilate a masterpiece: To ruin something that is considered to be excellent or beautiful. Example: "Using bright stickers all over the painting would mutilate a masterpiece."
- Mutilated beyond repair: Something that has been damaged so much that it cannot be fixed. Example: "The old book was mutilated beyond repair after years of neglect."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The artist felt that the critics had tried to mutilate her work with harsh comments.
Example 2: After the storm, the trees in the park were mutilated, with branches scattered everywhere.
Example 3: It was sad to see the once beautiful statue being mutilated by vandals.
Fun Fact
The word 'mutilate' comes from the Latin word 'mutilare', which means 'to cut off', linking back to the physical act of severe damage or loss of part of an object or being.
Famous Quote
"The most important thing we learn at school is the fact that the most important things can't be learned at school." - Haruki Murakami. This relates to the idea that education and growth should not be mutilated by restrictive thinking.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "mutilate" mean?
a) To make something better
b) To seriously damage something
c) To completely rewrite something
d) To paint something beautifully
Answer: b) To seriously damage something
2. Which of these is a synonym of "mutilate"?
a) Heal
b) Repair
c) Disfigure
d) Restore
Answer: c) Disfigure
3. What is the opposite of "mutilate"?
a) Maim
b) Restore
c) Scar
d) Damage
Answer: b) Restore
4. Which sentence uses "mutilate" correctly?
a) She decided to mutilate her essay to make it more interesting.
b) The wind could mutilate the small branches off the tree.
c) They were happy to mutilate the garden with flowers.
d) The children wanted to mutilate the cake before eating it.
Answer: b) The wind could mutilate the small branches off the tree.
5. Which idiom means to ruin something valuable?
a) Mutilate a masterpiece
b) Go the extra mile
c) Kill two birds with one stone
d) Ring a bell
Answer: a) Mutilate a masterpiece
