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whistle
[ wis-uhl, hwis- ]
verb (used without object)
- to make a clear musical sound, a series of such sounds, or a high-pitched, warbling sound by the forcible expulsion of the breath through a small opening formed by contracting the lips, or through the teeth, with the aid of the tongue.
- to make such a sound or series of sounds otherwise, as by blowing on some device.
- to emit similar sounds from the mouth, as birds do.
- (of a device) to produce a similar sound when actuated by steam or the like:
This teakettle whistles when it boils.
- to move, go, pass, etc., with a whistling or whizzing sound, as a bullet or the wind.
verb (used with object)
- to produce by whistling:
to whistle a tune.
- to call, direct, or signal by or as by whistling:
He whistled his dog over.
- to send with a whistling or whizzing sound.
noun
- an instrument for producing whistling sounds by means of the breath, steam, etc., as a small wooden or tin tube, a pipe, or a similar device with an air chamber containing a small ball that oscillates when air is forced through an opening, producing a high-pitched, warbling tone.
- a sound produced by whistling:
a prolonged whistle of astonishment.
- a simple fipple flute.
verb phrase
- to demand or expect without success:
After promising to pay, he told us we could whistle for our money.
whistle
/ ˈɪə /
verb
- to produce (shrill or flutelike musical sounds), as by passing breath through a narrow constriction most easily formed by the pursed lips
he whistled a melody
- tr to signal, summon, or command by whistling or blowing a whistle
the referee whistled the end of the game
- (of a kettle, train, etc) to produce (a shrill sound) caused by the emission of steam through a small aperture
- intr to move with a whistling sound caused by rapid passage through the air
- (of animals, esp birds) to emit (a shrill sound) resembling human whistling
- whistle in the darkto try to keep up one's confidence in spite of fear
noun
- a device for making a shrill high-pitched sound by means of air or steam under pressure
- a shrill sound effected by whistling
- a whistling sound, as of a bird, bullet, the wind, etc
- a signal, warning, command, etc, transmitted by or as if by a whistle
- the act of whistling
- music any pipe that is blown down its end and produces sounds on the principle of a flue pipe, usually having as a mouthpiece a fipple cut in the side
- wet one's whistle informal.to take an alcoholic drink
- blow the whistle informal.usually foll by on
- to inform (on)
- to bring a stop (to)
Other 51Թ Forms
- ɳ·ٱ·· adjective
- ·ٱ·ɳ·ٱ verb (used with object) interwhistled interwhistling
- ܲ·ɳ·ٱ adjective
51Թ History and Origins
51Թ History and Origins
Origin of whistle1
Idioms and Phrases
- blow the whistle on,
- to bring a stop to; halt:
Congress has blown the whistle on all unnecessary expenditures for the program.
- to expose (wrongdoing or wrongdoers):
to blow the whistle on corruption in high places.
- blow the whistle, to expose the existence of mischief or wrongdoing:
The agent was taking bribes until someone finally blew the whistle.
- wet one's whistle, Informal. to take a drink.
- whistle in the dark, to attempt to summon up one's courage or optimism in a difficult situation:
He says his business will improve next year, but he's probably just whistling in the dark.
- whistle past the graveyard. whistle past the graveyard.
More idioms and phrases containing whistle
- blow the whistle on
- clean as a whistle
- slick as a whistle
- wet one's whistle
Example Sentences
Populism has been a stratagem of the wealthy, using cultural dog whistles to keep large numbers of non-wealthy people from thinking about who makes the big money, and who pays.
Tarkowski was seen speaking to Mac Allister on the pitch at the final whistle and said the Argentina international had accepted his apology.
The incident occurred after the final whistle at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, when both managers were interacting with the match officials in the centre circle.
AFP, citing Mr Dhaliwal, said Mr Polyakov blew a whistle off the shore of the island in a bid to attract the attention of the tribe for about an hour.
It was only after the final whistle he revealed the poignant family anniversary he was marking.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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