beetle

An insect with hard outer wings that cover and protect the wings it uses to fly.

• A beetle crawled across the leaf.
• We found several beetles under the log.
• Can this beetle fly?

Common phrases: black beetle, dung beetle, beetle larvae, beetle wings

To move somewhere quickly, often with small, hurried steps.

• He beetled off to work.
• The children beetled away down the path.
• She was beetling along with a bag in each hand.

Similar words: scurry, hurry, scuttle

Opposites: dawdle

Common phrases: beetle off, beetle away, beetle along

To stick out above something, often looking large or threatening.

• A rock beetled over the entrance.
• The cliffs beetle above the sea.
• His thick brows beetled over his eyes.

How to use it: beetle over something (Dark cliffs beetled over the narrow path.)

Similar words: overhang, jut out, loom

Common phrases: beetle over something, beetle above something

Sticking out over something, especially when describing thick eyebrows.

• He had beetle brows.
• Her beetle eyebrows gave her a stern expression.
• Two sharp eyes watched from beneath his beetle brows.

Similar words: overhanging, protruding, jutting

Common phrases: beetle brows, beetle eyebrows