misunderstanding
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++mis·un·der·stand·ing /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/ ●●○ noun 1 [countable, uncountable]UNDERSTAND# a problem caused by someone not understanding a question, situation, or instruction correctly 误解，误会 There must have been some misunderstanding. I didn’t order all these books. 一定是弄错了，这些书不全是我订的。2 [countable]UNDERSTAND# an argument or disagreement that is not very serious – often used humorously 小争执，不和〔常为幽默用法〕 Terry had a little misunderstanding with the police last night. 昨晚特里和警察有个小小的误会。► see thesaurus at argumentn COLLOCATIONSverbsavoid a misunderstandingState clearly what you expect, to avoid misunderstandings later on.cause/lead to a misunderstandingHearing loss can cause misunderstandings, when what you say is not correctly heard.Don’t just assume that you know what he means; that can lead to misunderstandings.a misunderstanding arises (=a misunderstanding starts)Misunderstandings can easily arise when people from different cultures meet.clear up/correct a misunderstanding (=get rid of a misunderstanding)I want to talk to you, to try and clear up any misunderstandings.be based on a misunderstanding (=happen or be done as a result of a misunderstanding)The whole argument was based on a misunderstanding.phrasesthere has been a misunderstandingThere’s been a misunderstanding about what I meant.there must be some misunderstanding (=used when you think someone has not understood something correctly)I think there must be some misunderstanding - I don’t know anyone called Barry.there is no misunderstandingI am writing to make sure there is no misunderstanding between us.something is all a misunderstanding (=used when saying that a situation happened because of a mistake)Why don’t you call him and tell him it was all a misunderstanding?a bit of a misunderstanding British EnglishI’m afraid it’s all a bit of a misunderstanding.adjectivesa serious/terrible misunderstandingThere have been some serious misunderstandings which have led to conflict.a little misunderstanding (=one that is not serious)We need to clear up this little misunderstanding.a simple misunderstanding (=one that is not serious and is easy to correct)It was a simple misunderstanding: I thought the meeting was on Wednesday, not Thursday.a complete/total misunderstandingThere seems to be a complete misunderstanding of how the changes will affect us.a fundamental misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding of the main point of something)a fundamental misunderstanding of Freud’s theoriesa widespread misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding that many people share)There is a widespread misunderstanding of the purpose of the law.a cultural misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding caused by different cultures doing things in a different way)Cultural misunderstandings have led to fights between students.Examples from the Corpus
misunderstanding• Misunderstandings can be caused by cultural differences between workers.• There has been a misunderstanding of the Government's plans from the point of view of social security benefits.• There seems to have been a misunderstanding. I didn't order steak.• On another front, Farrakhan met last week with 10 Phoenix area business and community leaders to try to erase misunderstandings.• He even met with the Anti-Defamation League to try and clear the air of misunderstandings.• This helps avoid a lot of misunderstandings down the shared road of life.• Listening carefully reduces misunderstandings.• It is no wonder that misunderstandings arose, but they should not have affected our professional relationship.• Cultural differences between people from different countries can sometimes lead to misunderstandings.mis·un·der·stand·ing noun →n COLLOCATIONS1LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
question, problem by someone Corpus understanding a not caused situation, a
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misunderstanding
mis‧un‧der‧stand‧ing /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/
noun
There must have been some misunderstanding. I didn’t order all these books.
2. [countable] an argument or disagreement that is not very serious – often used humorously:
Terry had a little misunderstanding with the police last night.
■ verbs
▪avoid a misunderstanding State clearly what you expect, to avoid misunderstandings later on.
▪cause/lead to a misunderstanding Hearing loss can cause misunderstandings, when what you say is not correctly heard. | Don’t just assume that you know what he means; that can lead to misunderstandings.
▪a misunderstanding arises (=a misunderstanding starts) Misunderstandings can easily arise when people from different cultures meet.
▪clear up/correct a misunderstanding (=get rid of a misunderstanding) I want to talk to you, to try and clear up any misunderstandings.
▪be based on a misunderstanding (=happen or be done as a result of a misunderstanding) The whole argument was based on a misunderstanding.
■ phrases
▪there has been a misunderstanding There’s been a misunderstanding about what I meant.
▪there must be some misunderstanding (=used when you think someone has not understood something correctly) I think there must be some misunderstanding - I don’t know anyone called Barry.
▪there is no misunderstanding I am writing to make sure there is no misunderstanding between us.
▪something is all a misunderstanding (=used when saying that a situation happened because of a mistake) Why don’t you call him and tell him it was all a misunderstanding?
▪a bit of a misunderstanding British English I’m afraid it’s all a bit of a misunderstanding.
■ adjectives
▪a serious/terrible misunderstanding There have been some serious misunderstandings which have led to conflict.
▪a little misunderstanding (=one that is not serious) We need to clear up this little misunderstanding.
▪a simple misunderstanding (=one that is not serious and is easy to correct) It was a simple misunderstanding: I thought the meeting was on Wednesday, not Thursday.
▪a complete/total misunderstanding There seems to be a complete misunderstanding of how the changes will affect us.
▪a fundamental misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding of the main point of something) a fundamental misunderstanding of Freud’s theories
▪a widespread misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding that many people share) There is a widespread misunderstanding of the purpose of the law.
▪a cultural misunderstanding (=a misunderstanding caused by different cultures doing things in a different way) Cultural misunderstandings have led to fights between students.
■ an argument that is not very serious
▪squabble /ˈskwɒbəl $ ˈskwɑː-/ an argument about something that is not important: There were the usual squabbles between brothers and sisters. | Voters are tired of petty squabbles between party leaders.
▪tiff informal an argument that is not very serious, between people who are in love: Gary had a bit of a tiff with his girlfriend.
▪misunderstanding a slight argument – a rather formal word which is often used humorously: There was a slight misunderstanding over the bill, but everything’s been sorted out now.
▪skirmish a short argument, especially between politicians or sports opponents: Evans and O'Brien had several political skirmishes.
mis‧un‧der‧stand‧ing /ˌmɪsʌndəˈstændɪŋ $ -ər-/
noun Word Family: adjective: understandable, understanding, misunderstood; verb: understand ≠ misunderstand; noun: understanding ≠ misunderstanding; adverb: understandably
1. [uncountable and countable] a problem caused by someone not understanding a question, situation, or instruction correctly: 2. [countable] an argument or disagreement that is not very serious – often used humorously:
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