grouse

A wild bird with a round body, often hunted for sport or food in northern regions.

• A grouse flew out of the heather.
• We saw several grouse on the moor.
• The hunters waited quietly for the grouse to appear.

Similar words: moorbird, moorcock, moorfowl

Common phrases: red grouse, black grouse, grouse shooting

The meat of a wild northern bird, cooked and eaten as food.

• We had grouse for dinner.
• The chef served roast grouse with potatoes.
• Have you ever tasted grouse?

Common phrases: roast grouse, serve grouse, grouse breast

A complaint or something that makes you unhappy about a situation.

• My only grouse is the price.
• Poor service was a common grouse among customers.
• What is your main grouse about the new system?

How to use it: a grouse about something (Her biggest grouse about the flat is the noise.)

Similar words: complaint, grumble, gripe

Common phrases: my only grouse, a common grouse, main grouse

To complain, often repeatedly or in an unhappy voice.

• He always grouses about the weather.
• The staff groused over the extra work.
• Stop grousing and help me carry these bags.

How to use it: grouse about something (They groused about the lack of parking.); grouse that… (She groused that nobody had asked her opinion.)

Similar words: complain, grumble, moan, gripe

Common phrases: grouse about something, grouse at someone, grouse over something

To hunt wild birds called grouse, usually by shooting them.

• They went out to grouse on the moor.
• He groused on the estate every autumn.
• The guests spent the morning grousing in the hills.

Common phrases: go grouse, grouse on moors

Very good or enjoyable, in informal Australian English.

• We had a grouse day at the beach.
• That new bike looks grouse!
• Thanks for the party, mate; it was grouse.

Similar words: great, excellent, awesome

Opposites: terrible, awful

Common phrases: a grouse day, grouse weather, have a grouse time