Word: Bottleneck
Part of Speech: Noun and Verb
Basic Definition:
As a noun: A bottleneck is the narrow part of a bottle near the top. It can also refer to any situation where something is slowed down or stopped due to a restriction or obstacle.
As a verb: To bottleneck means to become narrow or to slow down a process because of an obstruction.
Usage Instructions:
Noun Usage: You can use "bottleneck" when talking about a physical object, like a bottle, or in situations that involve processes, like work or traffic.
Verb Usage: Use "bottleneck" when describing how something is slowing down or getting stuck.
Examples:
Advanced Usage:
In a business or project context, "bottleneck" often refers to a point in a process where progress is hindered. For example, "His laziness has bottlenecked our efforts to reform the system," means that someone’s lack of effort is slowing down the progress of a project.
Word Variants:
Bottlenecked (adjective): Used to describe something that has been affected by a bottleneck. Example: "The bottlenecked production line caused delays."
Bottlenecking (verb): Present participle form, indicating the action of causing a bottleneck. Example: "The team is bottlenecking the project due to poor communication."
Different Meanings:
In a literal sense, it refers to the shape of a bottle.
In a figurative sense, it describes any situation where progress is slowed down, such as in traffic, business processes, or systems.
Synonyms:
Obstruction
Impediment
Delay
Constraint
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While there are no specific idioms directly using "bottleneck," you might use phrases like: - "Hit a snag" – which means to encounter a problem or obstacle. - "Get stuck" – to become unable to move forward, similar to a bottleneck.
Summary:
"Bottleneck" is a versatile word that describes both a physical narrowing in a bottle and a metaphorical slowing down in processes.