Sap
ˈsæp
Definitions
3 meaningsThe fluid that circulates through a plant, carrying water and nutrients.
ˈsæp
The fluid in plants
The gardener noticed the sap rising in the trees as spring arrived.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tree's drink! It's like the juice that helps trees grow. Maple syrup comes from tree sap.
👶 For kids: The juice inside plants that helps them grow.
More Examples
He collected the sap from the maple trees to make syrup.
How It's Used
"Maple syrup is made by boiling down the sap from maple trees."
"The rising of sap in the spring signals the start of the growing season."
A person easily tricked or exploited; a fool.
ˈsæp
A foolish or gullible person
Don't be a sap and fall for that scam!
💡 Simply: Someone who's easily tricked, like a character in a cartoon who always falls for a silly prank.
👶 For kids: A person who is easy to fool.
More Examples
The con artist preyed on saps who would believe anything.
How It's Used
"The con artist easily swindled the sap out of his money."
"He was considered a sap for always trusting people."
To gradually weaken or deplete someone or something.
ˈsæp
To drain or weaken
The long hours of work sapped his energy.
💡 Simply: To slowly take away someone's energy or strength, like a long day at school that 'saps' your energy.
👶 For kids: To take away someone's energy or strength slowly.
More Examples
The illness gradually sapped her strength.
How It's Used
"The constant criticism sapped her confidence."
"Soldiers used tunneling to sap the enemy's fortifications."
Synonyms
Idioms & expressions
sap someone's strength
To weaken someone's physical or mental resources.
"The grueling training schedule sapped his strength."
a sappy movie
A movie that is excessively sentimental.
"They went to a sappy movie for their date."
From Old English *sæp* 'juice, sap', related to Old High German *saf*. The verb meaning 'to weaken or drain' developed later.
Historically, 'sap' in its noun form referred primarily to plant fluids. The verb form developed later, reflecting the action of gradually removing strength or vitality.
Memory tip
Think of "sap" as the lifeblood of a plant, like blood for us.