gong

A large metal disc that makes a deep, loud sound when you hit it.

• She struck the gong.
• A deep gong sounded at the start of the ceremony.
• The orchestra uses two large gongs in this piece.

Common phrases: strike a gong, sound the gong, large gong

A medal or official award, especially one given in Britain for special achievements.

• He received a gong for his charity work.
• Several actors picked up gongs at the ceremony.
• She joked that her father deserved a gong for patience.

Similar words: award, medal, honour

Common phrases: receive a gong, get a gong

A metal shooting target that makes a ringing sound when a bullet hits it.

• The bullet hit the gong.
• We hung a steel gong at the far end of the range.
• Each hit made the shooting gong ring loudly.

Similar words: steel target

Common phrases: steel gong, shooting gong, hit the gong

A form of spiritual energy believed to grow through special training and to be stronger than qi.

• The practitioner hoped to develop gong.
• Their teaching describes gong as stronger than qi.
• Daily practice is said to increase gong.

Common phrases: develop gong, cultivation of gong

To ring a large metal disc, or make its deep, loud sound.

• The metal disc gonged loudly.
• He gonged to announce dinner.
• A bell gonged across the empty hall.

Similar words: ring, sound

Common phrases: gong for dinner, gong loudly

To stop a performer or speaker before they finish, originally by sounding a metal disc.

• The judge gonged the contestant.
• They gonged him off halfway through his song.
• The host threatened to gong any speaker who ran over time.

How to use it: gong someone off (The judges gonged the singer off after one verse.)

Similar words: stop, cut off

Common phrases: gong someone off, gong a contestant

To warn someone by sounding a bell or similar loud signal.

• The tram driver gonged a warning.
• He gonged the pedestrian near the tracks.
• The driver gonged repeatedly as the cart approached the crossing.

Similar words: warn, alert

Common phrases: gong a pedestrian, gong a warning

To give someone a medal or official award.

• The actor was gonged last year.
• They gonged him for his work with children.
• Several local volunteers were gonged in the annual honours list.

How to use it: gong someone for something (They gonged her for years of public service.)

Similar words: honour, decorate

Common phrases: gong someone for something, gong an actor