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borrow

Definition

  • verb: to take and use (something that belongs to someone else) for a period of time before returning it
  • verb: to receive with the implied or expressed intention of returning the same or an equivalent
  • synonyms: adopt, receive, take

Examples

  • The company is 'borrowing a page from' [=using a technique or idea first used by] its largest competitor.

  • After his heart attack, my grandfather always felt that he was 'living on borrowed time'.

  • You may want to 'borrow/take a page from his book' and study harder for your finals.

Movie clips

Movie quotes

  • (..) Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,Follow me. Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,You wait here. Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,Professor Quirrell, excuse me.\NCould l borrow Wood for a moment please? Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,Oh, yes, of course. (..)
    2001 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
  • (..) Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,What's Seamus trying to do\Nto that glass of water? Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,Mail's here. Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,Can l borrow this? Thanks. Dialogue: Marked=..,Default,NTP,!Effect,Hey, look! Neville's got a Remembrall. (..)
    2001 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone