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C1 noun #6,500 最常用 13分钟阅读

boycott

前6,500

开始练习例句笔记与提示 boycott 30秒了解

解析 boycott in your Level:

At the A1 level, think of a boycott as a way of saying 'no' to a shop or a product because you are unhappy. Imagine you and your friends decide not to buy a certain candy because the company is mean. That is a boycott. It is a group of people deciding together to stop buying something. You use this word when you want to talk about people being angry at a business and choosing to spend their money somewhere else. It is like a big 'no' from many people at once. Even at this basic level, you can understand it as a choice made by a group to show they do not like what a company is doing.

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At the A2 level, a boycott is defined as an organized protest where people refuse to buy or use something. It is more than just one person being unhappy; it is a group effort. People use boycotts to try and change how a company acts. For example, if a store treats its workers badly, people might start a boycott. They tell their friends and neighbors, 'Don't shop there!' The goal is to make the company lose money so they will fix the problem. You will often see this word in simple news stories about people who want to protect the environment or help workers. It is a way for regular people to have power.

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At the B1 level, a boycott is a strategic act of protest. It involves a collective refusal to purchase goods or participate in activities as a way to express disapproval. This word is often used in the context of social and political issues. For instance, you might hear about a boycott of a brand that uses too much plastic. The key idea here is 'collective action'—it only works if many people do it together. You can 'join a boycott,' 'organize a boycott,' or 'end a boycott.' It is a tool for change that relies on economic pressure. When a company sees that its sales are going down because of a boycott, it is forced to listen to the protesters.

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At the B2 level, a boycott is understood as a sophisticated form of consumer activism. It is a concerted effort to exert economic and social pressure on an organization or government. Boycotts are often part of larger campaigns for social justice, environmental sustainability, or political reform. You will encounter this word in more complex discussions about ethics and corporate responsibility. A boycott can be 'effective,' 'widespread,' or 'controversial.' It is important to distinguish a boycott from other forms of protest, like strikes or marches. While a march shows how many people care, a boycott hits a company where it hurts most: their profits. It is a powerful way for consumers to hold large entities accountable for their actions.

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At the C1 level, the term boycott refers to a principled and organized refusal to engage in commercial or social relations with a particular entity. It is a primary instrument of non-violent resistance and political pressure. In C1 contexts, you will analyze the sociological and economic implications of boycotts. You might discuss 'secondary boycotts,' where a third party is targeted to influence the primary target, or 'cultural boycotts' that target artists and athletes. The word implies a high degree of organization and a clear set of demands. It is frequently used in academic papers, legal documents, and high-level political reporting. Understanding the nuances of 'boycott' at this level means recognizing its historical significance and its role in shaping international policy and corporate ethics.

At the C2 level, a boycott is viewed as a multifaceted phenomenon that intersects with international law, market dynamics, and ethical philosophy. It is a collective withdrawal of support—economic, social, or political—designed to delegitimize and destabilize a target entity. C2 usage often involves exploring the ethical dilemmas of boycotts, such as their impact on innocent employees or the broader economy. You might encounter the term in discussions about 'divestment campaigns,' 'economic statecraft,' or 'transnational activism.' At this level, 'boycott' is not just a protest; it is a strategic deployment of collective agency. It requires an understanding of the historical evolution of the term, from its 19th-century Irish origins to its modern application in globalized digital markets, where a boycott can be launched and scaled across borders in an instant.

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开始练习例句笔记与提示

boycott 30秒了解

A boycott is a collective refusal to buy or use products as a form of protest.
It aims to exert economic or social pressure to force a change in behavior.
The term originates from Captain Charles Boycott, an ostracized Irish land agent.
Boycotts are powerful tools for non-violent resistance and consumer activism.

The term boycott represents one of the most powerful non-violent tools in the arsenal of social and political activism. At its core, a boycott is a collective and organized refusal to engage with a specific entity—be it a company, a country, or even an individual—as a means of protest. It is not merely a personal choice to avoid a product; rather, it is a strategic, public-facing movement designed to inflict economic or reputational damage on the target until specific demands are met or a perceived injustice is rectified. Historically and sociologically, the boycott serves as a voice for those who may lack direct political power but possess collective economic influence. When people feel that a corporation's ethics are misaligned with their own, or when a government's policies are seen as oppressive, a boycott becomes a way to 'vote with your wallet.' It is a manifestation of consumer sovereignty, where the power of the market is harnessed to drive social change.

Economic Pressure: The primary mechanism of a boycott is to reduce the revenue of a target, forcing them to reconsider their actions due to financial loss.
Social Solidarity: Boycotts often succeed because they build a sense of community among protesters, uniting them under a single moral or political banner.

The international community called for a total boycott of products from the regime to protest its human rights violations.

The usage of 'boycott' is prevalent in discussions regarding civil rights, environmental protection, and international relations. It is a word that carries significant historical weight, often associated with transformative movements like the Montgomery Bus Boycott in the United States, which was a pivotal event in the Civil Rights Movement. In modern contexts, boycotts are frequently organized via social media, targeting fast-fashion brands for poor labor conditions or tech giants for data privacy concerns. Because it is a noun that describes an action, it often appears with verbs like 'launch,' 'organize,' 'join,' or 'break.' Understanding the nuances of a boycott requires recognizing that it is a public act; a secret refusal to buy something is simply a personal preference, but a boycott is a declaration of intent meant to inspire others to follow suit.

Consumers organized a boycott of the plastic toy manufacturer to demand more sustainable packaging.

Furthermore, the word is used in diplomatic circles to describe the refusal of countries to participate in international events. For instance, a 'sporting boycott' might involve nations refusing to send athletes to the Olympic Games hosted by a country with a controversial political record. This expands the definition from purely economic refusal to a broader social and symbolic refusal. In academic and legal discourse, the legality of boycotts is often debated, particularly regarding 'secondary boycotts,' where protesters target a third party to pressure the primary target. This complexity makes 'boycott' a rich term for students of law, history, and political science, representing the intersection of ethics, economics, and collective action.

Symbolic Refusal: Sometimes the financial impact is secondary to the message of moral disapproval conveyed by the act of boycotting.

The film's premiere was met with a boycott by local actors who disagreed with the director's casting choices.

Environmentalists threatened a boycott of the airline if it did not commit to carbon neutrality.

Using the word boycott correctly involves understanding its role as both a noun and a verb, though here we focus on its noun form. As a noun, it often functions as the direct object of a verb or the subject of a sentence describing a social movement. Common verbs that precede 'boycott' include 'organize,' 'launch,' 'call for,' 'sustain,' and 'lift.' For example, a group might 'call for a boycott' to start the protest, and later, if the target company changes its behavior, the group might 'lift the boycott.' This lifecycle of the word allows it to be used in various tenses and contexts, from the initial planning stages to the eventual resolution of the conflict.

Prepositional Usage: The noun is frequently followed by the preposition 'of' (e.g., a boycott of the company) or 'against' (e.g., a boycott against the new law).

The student union voted to maintain their boycott of the cafeteria until healthier options were provided.

In formal writing, 'boycott' is often modified by adjectives that describe its scale or nature. You might read about a 'nationwide boycott,' a 'consumer boycott,' an 'international boycott,' or a 'cultural boycott.' These modifiers provide essential context about who is participating and what the scope of the action is. For instance, a 'cultural boycott' might involve artists refusing to perform in a certain country, while a 'consumer boycott' focuses on everyday shoppers avoiding certain retail products. When constructing sentences, it is also important to mention the reason for the boycott to provide a complete picture of the situation, often using phrases like 'in response to,' 'due to,' or 'to protest.'

The effectiveness of the boycott was evident when the company's stock price plummeted by twenty percent.

In complex sentences, 'boycott' can be part of a larger discussion on strategy. For example: 'While some argued for a total boycott, others suggested a more targeted approach, focusing only on the company's most profitable subsidiaries.' Here, 'boycott' is used to weigh different tactical options. It can also be used in the passive voice, such as 'A boycott was organized by the local community,' though active constructions are generally more common in news reporting. Pay attention to the distinction between a 'boycott' (refusing to buy/use) and a 'strike' (refusing to work), as they are often used in similar contexts but have distinct meanings.

Collocation with Verbs: Common verbs: launch, join, support, ignore, break, end, lift, organize.

Despite the pressure, many residents chose to ignore the boycott and continued to shop at the local supermarket.

The government's decision to support the boycott of foreign luxury goods was seen as a move to bolster domestic industry.

The word boycott is a staple of news media, particularly in reporting on political activism, international diplomacy, and corporate ethics. If you watch a news broadcast on CNN, the BBC, or Al Jazeera, you are likely to hear it in the context of trade disputes or human rights protests. For example, news anchors might discuss a 'consumer boycott' of a brand that has been accused of using sweatshop labor. In these contexts, the word is used to signal a serious, organized conflict between a group of people and a powerful institution. It is also frequently found in the headlines of newspapers like The New York Times or The Guardian, where space is at a premium and 'boycott' serves as a concise way to describe a complex social phenomenon.

Political News: Used when countries refuse to attend summits or when opposition parties refuse to participate in elections.

The opposition party announced a boycott of the upcoming parliamentary elections, claiming they would not be fair.

In the digital age, 'boycott' is a ubiquitous term on social media platforms like Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. Hashtags like #Boycott[BrandName] frequently trend when a company becomes embroiled in controversy. In this environment, the word is used both as a call to action and as a badge of identity for activists. You will hear influencers and everyday users explaining why they are 'joining the boycott' and encouraging their followers to do the same. This 'digital boycott' often moves much faster than traditional ones, with thousands of people committing to the cause within hours. Consequently, the word has become associated with 'cancel culture,' though a boycott is generally more focused on economic and institutional change than on individual social ostracization.

Social media users called for a boycott of the streaming service after it raised its prices for the third time in a year.

Finally, you will hear 'boycott' in educational settings, especially in history and social studies classes. Students learn about the 'Salt Boycott' led by Mahatma Gandhi in India or the 'Montgomery Bus Boycott' in the United States. In these academic settings, the word is analyzed as a strategic tool of non-violent resistance. It is also discussed in business schools, where students examine the impact of boycotts on brand equity and corporate social responsibility. Whether it's a high-level diplomatic meeting or a casual conversation about which coffee shop to avoid, 'boycott' is the go-to word for expressing a principled refusal to participate in a system or support a business.

Academic Context: Studied as a key tactic in social movement theory and the history of non-violent protest.

In our history lecture, we discussed how the boycott of British tea was a catalyst for the American Revolution.

The university's boycott of fossil fuel companies was a major victory for the student environmental group.

One of the most frequent mistakes learners make with the word boycott is confusing it with other forms of protest, specifically a 'strike.' While both involve a refusal to participate, a strike is conducted by workers who refuse to perform their duties (labor-side), whereas a boycott is conducted by consumers or participants who refuse to buy or use something (demand-side). For example, if employees stop working at a factory, it's a strike; if the public stops buying the factory's products, it's a boycott. Using 'strike' when you mean 'boycott' can lead to significant confusion about the nature of the protest and who is involved. Another common error is spelling the word with only one 't' at the end; remember that it is named after Captain Boycott, so the double 't' is essential.

Boycott vs. Strike: A boycott is a consumer's tool; a strike is a worker's tool. Don't mix them up!

Incorrect: The workers started a boycott and refused to enter the factory. (Should be 'strike')

Another mistake involves the scale and intent of the action. People sometimes use 'boycott' to describe a personal decision, such as 'I am boycotting that restaurant because they served me cold soup.' While technically understandable, 'boycott' usually implies a collective, organized, and politically or ethically motivated action. Using it for minor personal grievances can sound overly dramatic or slightly misuse the term's standard sociopolitical weight. In such cases, 'avoiding' or 'refusing to go' is more appropriate. Additionally, learners often struggle with the difference between a boycott and an 'embargo' or 'sanction.' An embargo is usually a government-mandated ban on trade, whereas a boycott is typically a voluntary action by individuals or groups.

Correct: The community organized a boycott to protest the store's discriminatory policies.

Grammatically, some users forget that as a noun, 'boycott' requires an article or a possessive adjective (e.g., 'the boycott,' 'their boycott'). It is also important not to confuse the noun and verb forms in sentence structure. While you can say 'They decided to boycott the brand' (verb), you must say 'They joined the boycott of the brand' (noun). Misusing the preposition after the noun is another pitfall; 'boycott of' or 'boycott against' are standard, whereas 'boycott to' or 'boycott for' (in the sense of the target) are generally incorrect. For example, you don't 'start a boycott for a company' if you are protesting them; you start a 'boycott of the company' for the sake of a cause.

Preposition Errors: Avoid 'boycott to' or 'boycott for [target]'. Use 'of' or 'against'.

Incorrect: The group announced a boycott to the oil company. (Should be 'of' or 'against')

The boycott was so successful that the store had to close its doors within a month.

While boycott is a very specific term, there are several related words that describe different forms of protest or economic pressure. Understanding these alternatives will help you choose the most precise word for your context. A 'blacklist,' for example, is a list of people or organizations that are being boycotted or excluded from certain activities. While a boycott is the act of refusal, the blacklist is the document or formal record of those being targeted. Another similar term is 'embargo,' which is a government-imposed ban on trade with a particular country. Embargoes are legal and mandatory, whereas boycotts are usually voluntary and grassroots. 'Sanctions' are also similar, but they are typically official penalties imposed by one country on another, often involving economic, trade, or diplomatic restrictions.

Boycott vs. Embargo: A boycott is usually a bottom-up movement by people; an embargo is a top-down order by a government.
Boycott vs. Blacklist: A boycott is the action of avoiding; a blacklist is the list of those to be avoided.

The activists placed the company on a blacklist and organized a global boycott of its products.

In a broader sense, 'protest' is a general term that encompasses boycotts, marches, and demonstrations. If you are unsure if 'boycott' is the right word, 'protest' is a safe, though less specific, alternative. 'Ostracism' is another related concept, though it usually refers to social exclusion rather than economic refusal. In the business world, you might hear the term 'divestment,' which is the opposite of investment. Divestment is a specific type of boycott where individuals or organizations sell their shares in a company to protest its actions. For example, a university might 'divest' from fossil fuel companies as a form of boycott. 'Non-participation' and 'avoidance' are simpler, more neutral alternatives that can be used in less formal or less politically charged situations.

The UN voted to impose economic sanctions, while citizens around the world launched a voluntary boycott.

When comparing these terms, it's helpful to look at the 'register' or formality. 'Boycott' is a standard, formal term. 'Shunning' is more informal and often used in religious or small-community contexts. 'Banning' implies an official rule, while 'boycotting' implies a choice. If a store 'bans' a customer, the customer is not allowed in. If a customer 'boycotts' a store, they choose not to go. Understanding these subtle differences allows you to describe social and economic conflicts with much greater accuracy. Whether you are writing an essay on historical protests or discussing current events, choosing the right synonym will clarify your meaning and demonstrate a high level of English proficiency.

Synonym Comparison: Protest (General) > Boycott (Economic refusal) > Divestment (Selling stocks) > Sanction (Government penalty).

Rather than a full boycott, the group opted for a 'buycott,' where they actively supported the company's ethical competitors.

The boycott of the film was so widespread that it failed to recoup its production costs at the box office.

How Formal Is It?

趣味小知识

Captain Boycott was so effectively ignored that he had to have his crops harvested by volunteers brought in under military escort.

发音指南

UK /ˈbɔɪ.kɒt/

US /ˈbɔɪ.kɑːt/

The stress is on the first syllable: BOY-cott.

押韵词

apricot polyglot forgot allot knot plot shot tot

常见错误

Pronouncing the 'y' as a separate vowel.
Using a long 'o' sound in the second syllable.
Forgetting the 't' sound at the end.
Stress on the second syllable.
Mixing it up with 'boy-coat'.

难度评级

阅读 3/5

Common in news and history texts, usually easy to understand from context.

写作 4/5

Requires correct spelling (double 't') and proper preposition usage ('of'/'against').

口语 3/5

The pronunciation is straightforward but stress must be on the first syllable.

听力 3/5

Distinctive sound, though can be confused with 'buy-coat' if not careful.

接下来学什么

前置知识

protest refuse group buy change

接下来学习

sanction embargo divestment activism sovereignty

高级

non-kinetic warfare economic statecraft secondary boycott civil disobedience

需要掌握的语法

Nouns used as objects

They launched a boycott.

Prepositional phrases with 'of'

A boycott of the store.

Passive voice in news reporting

A boycott was announced yesterday.

Gerunds as subjects

Boycotting is a form of protest.

Compound nouns

The consumer boycott was successful.

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按水平分级的例句

The children had a boycott of the bad food.

Los niños hicieron un boicot a la comida mala.

Noun used with 'of'.

We started a boycott of the toy shop.

Empezamos un boicot a la juguetería.

Subject-verb-object structure.

Is the boycott working?

¿Está funcionando el boicot?

Present continuous question.

They joined the boycott today.

Ellos se unieron al boicot hoy.

Past simple tense.

The boycott is very big.

El boicot es muy grande.

Adjective 'big' modifying the noun.

No one wants a boycott.

Nadie quiere un boicot.

Negative sentence structure.

Please stop the boycott.

Por favor, detengan el boicot.

Imperative sentence.

The boycott was on TV.

El boicot salió en la televisión.

Past simple with 'to be'.

The community organized a boycott of the local market.

La comunidad organizó un boicot al mercado local.

Using 'organized' as a transitive verb.

Many people support the boycott against the factory.

Mucha gente apoya el boicot contra la fábrica.

Using 'against' to indicate the target.

The boycott started because of high prices.

El boicot empezó por los precios altos.

Using 'because of' to show reason.

He refuses to join the boycott.

Él se niega a unirse al boicot.

Infinitive 'to join' after 'refuses'.

The boycott lasted for three weeks.

El boicot duró tres semanas.

Using 'lasted for' to show duration.

They announced a boycott of all plastic bags.

Anunciaron un boicot a todas las bolsas de plástico.

Using 'announced' to show public intent.

Will the boycott change anything?

¿Cambiará algo el boicot?

Future simple question.

The boycott made the company lose money.

El boicot hizo que la empresa perdiera dinero.

Causative structure with 'made'.

Environmentalists called for a boycott of the airline's flights.

Los ambientalistas pidieron un boicot a los vuelos de la aerolínea.

Phrasal verb 'called for'.

The boycott was a peaceful way to protest the new law.

El boicot fue una forma pacífica de protestar contra la nueva ley.

Noun phrase as a complement.

If we sustain the boycott, they will have to listen to us.

Si mantenemos el boicot, tendrán que escucharnos.

First conditional sentence.

The boycott had a significant impact on their annual profits.

El boicot tuvo un impacto significativo en sus ganancias anuales.

Collocation 'significant impact'.

Some celebrities decided to lead the boycott of the awards show.

Algunas celebridades decidieron liderar el boicot a la entrega de premios.

Using 'lead' to show leadership.

The boycott spread quickly through social media platforms.

El boicot se extendió rápidamente a través de las redes sociales.

Adverb 'quickly' modifying the verb 'spread'.

They are considering a boycott of the international sports event.

Están considerando un boicot al evento deportivo internacional.

Present continuous with 'considering'.

The boycott ended when the company apologized for its actions.

El boicot terminó cuando la empresa se disculpó por sus acciones.

Temporal clause with 'when'.

The consumer boycott was highly effective in changing the brand's policy.

El boicot de los consumidores fue muy efectivo para cambiar la política de la marca.

Compound noun 'consumer boycott'.

Organizing a nationwide boycott requires a lot of coordination.

Organizar un boicot a nivel nacional requiere mucha coordinación.

Gerund 'organizing' as the subject.

Despite the boycott, the company refused to lower its prices.

A pesar del boicot, la empresa se negó a bajar sus precios.

Prepositional phrase 'Despite the boycott'.

The boycott was criticized by those who feared job losses.

El boicot fue criticado por quienes temían la pérdida de empleos.

Passive voice 'was criticized by'.

A boycott is often seen as a last resort for activists.

Un boicot se ve a menudo como un último recurso para los activistas.

Phrase 'last resort'.

The government's boycott of foreign goods boosted local sales.

El boicot del gobierno a los productos extranjeros impulsó las ventas locales.

Possessive 'government's boycott'.

The boycott gained momentum after the video went viral.

El boicot cobró impulso después de que el video se volviera viral.

Idiomatic expression 'gained momentum'.

They are launching a boycott to protest unfair labor practices.

Están lanzando un boicot para protestar contra las prácticas laborales injustas.

Infinitive of purpose 'to protest'.

The boycott of the regime's oil exports crippled the national economy.

El boicot a las exportaciones de petróleo del régimen paralizó la economía nacional.

Strong verb 'crippled'.

A secondary boycott involves targeting a company that does business with the primary target.

Un boicot secundario implica dirigirse a una empresa que hace negocios con el objetivo principal.

Technical term 'secondary boycott'.

The ethical implications of the boycott were debated extensively in the media.

Las implicaciones éticas del boicot fueron debatidas ampliamente en los medios.

Adverb 'extensively' modifying the passive verb.

The boycott served as a catalyst for significant legislative reform.

El boicot sirvió como catalizador para una reforma legislativa significativa.

Metaphorical use of 'catalyst'.

Critics argue that the boycott unfairly targets low-wage workers.

Los críticos sostienen que el boicot se dirige injustamente a los trabajadores de bajos salarios.

Reporting verb 'argue' followed by a 'that' clause.

The success of the boycott hinged on the unity of the participating groups.

El éxito del boicot dependió de la unidad de los grupos participantes.

Phrasal verb 'hinged on'.

The boycott was part of a broader strategy of economic statecraft.

El boicot fue parte de una estrategia más amplia de diplomacia económica.

Academic term 'economic statecraft'.

International observers noted that the boycott was largely symbolic.

Los observadores internacionales señalaron que el boicot fue en gran medida simbólico.

Adverb 'largely' modifying 'symbolic'.

The efficacy of the boycott was undermined by the presence of 'scab' consumers.

La eficacia del boicot se vio socavada por la presencia de consumidores 'esquiroles'.

Using the term 'scab' in a consumer context.

A total boycott of the nation's financial institutions was proposed as a non-kinetic weapon.

Se propuso un boicot total a las instituciones financieras de la nación como arma no cinética.

Military/Political term 'non-kinetic weapon'.

The boycott's long-term repercussions on trade relations remain to be seen.

Las repercusiones a largo plazo del boicot en las relaciones comerciales están por verse.

Complex noun phrase 'long-term repercussions'.

The boycott was characterized by a decentralized, grassroots organizational structure.

El boicot se caracterizó por una estructura organizativa descentralizada y de base.

Technical description of organizational structure.

Legal scholars analyzed whether the boycott constituted a form of protected speech.

Los juristas analizaron si el boicot constituía una forma de expresión protegida.

Legal terminology 'protected speech'.

The boycott was a visceral reaction to the corporation's environmental negligence.

El boicot fue una reacción visceral a la negligencia ambiental de la corporación.

Strong adjective 'visceral'.

The boycott functioned as a mechanism for collective moral signaling.

El boicot funcionó como un mecanismo para la señalización moral colectiva.

Sociological term 'moral signaling'.

The boycott's momentum was stymied by a lack of international consensus.

El impulso del boicot se vio obstaculizado por la falta de consenso internacional.

Advanced verb 'stymied'.

近义词

embargo sanction blacklisting protest refusal ban

反义词

patronage support endorsement

常见搭配

consumer boycott

nationwide boycott

launch a boycott

organize a boycott

join a boycott

lift a boycott

total boycott

cultural boycott

boycott of products

economic boycott

常用短语

call for a boycott

— To publicly ask people to start a boycott.

The union leader called for a boycott of the factory.

break a boycott

— To stop participating in a boycott or to go against its rules.

A few stores chose to break the boycott and sell the goods.

sustain a boycott

— To keep a boycott going for a long period.

It is difficult to sustain a boycott without clear leadership.

effective boycott

— A boycott that achieves its intended goals.

The effective boycott led to a change in the law.

widespread boycott

— A boycott that many people in different places are doing.

There was a widespread boycott of the new movie.

threaten a boycott

— To say that a boycott will happen if demands are not met.

The environmental group threatened a boycott of the airline.

lead a boycott

— To be the main person or group organizing the protest.

She was chosen to lead the boycott against the utility company.

support the boycott

— To agree with and participate in the refusal.

Many local businesses decided to support the boycott.

end the boycott

— To officially stop the protest action.

They voted to end the boycott after the company compromised.

boycott campaign

— A series of organized actions focused on a boycott.

The boycott campaign lasted for over a year.

容易混淆的词

boycott vs strike

A strike is by workers; a boycott is by consumers.

boycott vs embargo

An embargo is a government trade ban; a boycott is a social refusal.

boycott vs sanction

Sanctions are official penalties; boycotts are grassroots movements.

习语与表达

"vote with your wallet"

— To show your opinion by choosing what to buy or not buy.

If you don't like their ethics, vote with your wallet and start a boycott.

informal

"hit them where it hurts"

— To attack or pressure someone in their most vulnerable area, often financially.

The boycott will hit the corporation where it hurts: their profits.

informal

"send a message"

— To do something to clearly show your feelings or intentions.

The boycott was intended to send a message to the government.

neutral

"stand in solidarity"

— To show unity and support for a cause or group.

We stand in solidarity with the workers by joining the boycott.

formal

"cross the picket line"

— To go to work or shop at a place that is being boycotted or struck.

He felt guilty about crossing the picket line during the boycott.

neutral

"put the squeeze on"

— To put pressure on someone to do something.

The boycott is designed to put the squeeze on the manufacturer.

informal

"take a stand"

— To publicly express an opinion or take action against something.

The boycott was their way of taking a stand against injustice.

neutral

"black sheep"

— A person who is excluded because they don't follow the group (sometimes used for those breaking a boycott).

He was treated like the black sheep for not joining the boycott.

informal

"shut someone out"

— To refuse to include someone or deal with them.

The boycott effectively shut the company out of the local market.

neutral

"draw a line in the sand"

— To set a limit that must not be crossed.

The boycott was the community's way of drawing a line in the sand.

neutral

容易混淆

boycott vs strike

Both are forms of refusal to participate.

A strike involves workers refusing to work; a boycott involves consumers refusing to buy.

The factory workers went on strike, while the public started a boycott of the products.

boycott vs embargo

Both stop goods from being traded.

An embargo is a legal order by a government; a boycott is a voluntary social movement.

The UN imposed an embargo, but the citizens started a boycott.

boycott vs blacklist

Both involve excluding a target.

A blacklist is a list of names; a boycott is the action of avoiding them.

The company was put on a blacklist, leading to a worldwide boycott.

boycott vs protest

Boycott is a type of protest.

Protest is the general category; boycott is the specific economic method.

The protest included a march and a boycott.

boycott vs buycott

Sounds similar.

A boycott is refusing to buy; a buycott is actively choosing to buy from ethical companies.

Instead of a boycott, they organized a buycott to support local farmers.

句型

I like the boycott.

I like the boycott of the shop.

They started a boycott of [noun].

They started a boycott of the market.

We should join the boycott because [reason].

We should join the boycott because they are polluting.

The [adjective] boycott led to [result].

The nationwide boycott led to a price drop.

Despite the boycott, the [subject] [verb].

Despite the boycott, the company remained defiant.

The boycott served as a [noun phrase].

The boycott served as a catalyst for reform.

Any

A boycott against [noun].

A boycott against the new tax.

Any

To call for a boycott.

The group called for a boycott.

词族

名词

boycott

boycotter

动词

boycott

形容词

boycotted

如何使用

frequency

Highly frequent in news, history, and social media contexts.

常见错误

The workers held a boycott. → The workers held a strike.
Workers 'strike'; consumers 'boycott'.
He boycoted the store. → He boycotted the store.
The verb requires a double 't' in the past tense too.
A boycott for the company. → A boycott of the company.
Use 'of' to indicate the target being protested.
The government boycotted the trade. → The government imposed an embargo.
Governments usually 'embargo' or 'sanction' rather than 'boycott'.
I am having a boycott of chocolate. → I am avoiding chocolate.
'Boycott' is for social/political protest, not personal diets.

小贴士

Use with 'of'

Always remember to say 'a boycott of [company]' rather than just 'a boycott [company]'.

Double the T

Never forget the second 't'. It's Boycott, not Boycot.

Scale Matters

Use 'boycott' for organized group actions to sound more professional.

Learn Collocations

Words like 'launch', 'organize', and 'lift' are the best friends of 'boycott'.

Boycott vs Sanction

Use 'sanction' for government-level actions and 'boycott' for people-level actions.

Historical Context

Mentioning the Montgomery Bus Boycott is a great way to show you understand the word's importance.

Noun and Verb

Remember it can be both: 'The boycott' (noun) and 'To boycott' (verb).

Social Media

Look for #Boycott on social media to see real-world modern examples.

Purpose

Always try to include 'to protest' or 'in response to' when writing about a boycott.

Variety

Mix 'boycott' with synonyms like 'economic pressure' to make your writing more interesting.

记住它

记忆技巧

Think of a BOY sitting on a COT refusing to buy his toys. BOY-COT.

视觉联想

Imagine a large 'X' over a store front with a crowd of people standing with their backs turned to it.

Word Web

Protest Consumer Refusal Economic Social Change Solidarity Market

挑战

Try to use the word 'boycott' in a sentence about a brand you recently decided to stop using for ethical reasons.

词源

The word comes from the name of Captain Charles Boycott, an English land agent in Ireland.

原始含义： In 1880, as part of the Irish Land League's campaign, the local community refused to have any dealings with him.

English (Eponym)

文化背景

Be aware that boycotts can be politically polarizing; some may view a specific boycott as a moral necessity, while others may see it as unfair bullying.

In the UK and US, boycotts are a widely recognized and legal form of political expression protected by free speech laws.

The Montgomery Bus Boycott The Salt March (India) The Anti-Apartheid Boycott

在生活中练习

真实语境

Politics

diplomatic boycott
boycott the election
political protest
regime change

Business

consumer boycott
market impact
brand reputation
lost revenue

Environment

plastic boycott
sustainable choices
eco-activism
green pressure

History

bus boycott
civil rights
non-violent resistance
historical movement

Sports

olympic boycott
sporting protest
national refusal
event withdrawal

对话开场白

"Do you think a consumer boycott is an effective way to change a company's behavior?"

"Have you ever participated in a boycott of a specific brand or product?"

"What are the most famous boycotts in history that you know about?"

"Is it fair to boycott a company if it might cause innocent people to lose their jobs?"

"How has social media changed the way boycotts are organized today?"

日记主题

Write about a time you disagreed with a company's ethics. Did you consider a boycott?

Imagine you are organizing a boycott. What would be your goal and how would you get people to join?

Discuss the pros and cons of using a boycott as a political tool.

Reflect on a historical boycott and how it shaped the world we live in today.

Describe how you would feel if you were the target of a community boycott.

常见问题

10 个问题

The word comes from Captain Charles Boycott, an Irish land agent in 1880 whose local community refused to work for him or sell to him as a form of protest. This was so effective that his name became the standard term for such actions.

In most democratic countries, consumer boycotts are a legal form of free speech and peaceful protest. However, 'secondary boycotts' (targeting a company that does business with the primary target) can sometimes face legal restrictions in labor law.

It is spelled B-O-Y-C-O-T-T. Remember the double 'T' at the end, which comes from the name of the person it was named after.

A strike is when employees refuse to work to get better conditions. A boycott is when customers refuse to buy products to protest a company's actions. One is about labor, the other is about consumption.

While one person can stop buying something, a boycott is usually defined as a collective, organized effort. It requires a group of people acting together to be truly called a boycott and to be effective.

Success usually depends on clear goals, wide participation, significant media attention, and causing enough economic or reputational damage that the target is forced to change.

While economic pressure is the main tool, many boycotts are also about 'moral signaling' or social pressure, showing that a company's actions are not acceptable to the public.

A cultural boycott is when artists, musicians, and scholars refuse to visit or perform in a certain country to protest its government's policies, such as the boycott of South Africa during Apartheid.

This occurs when a government refuses to send official representatives to an event, like the Olympics, while still allowing its athletes to compete. It is a symbolic political gesture.

No, many boycotts fail if they don't get enough participants or if the target company can find other markets. However, even a 'failed' boycott can raise significant awareness about an issue.

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