The word "clink" can be used as both a noun and a verb, and it has a couple of different meanings. Let’s break it down:
As a Noun:
Clink (Correctional Institution):
This meaning refers to a jail or prison, where people are held by the government because they are accused of a crime or have been convicted of one.
Example: "After the trial, the judge sent him to the clink for five years."
This meaning refers to a short, light metallic sound, like the sound made when glasses or metal objects hit each other.
Example: "We heard the clink of glasses as they celebrated the New Year."
As a Verb:
Advanced Usage:
In informal speech, "clink" can sometimes refer more generally to any kind of jail or prison, not just specifically a correctional facility.
Example: "He spent a few nights in the clink after the incident."
Word Variants:
Different Meanings:
Synonyms:
For the sound: tinkle, chime, jingle.
For the correctional institution: jail, prison, lockup.
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:
While "clink" does not have many idioms or phrasal verbs associated with it, you might hear phrases like: - "In the clink": This idiom means to be in jail. - Example: "He was caught stealing and now he’s in the clink."
Usage Instructions:
When using "clink" to refer to a sound, you can often use it in a celebratory context (like toasting) or when discussing metal objects.
When using "clink" to refer to a jail, it is more common in informal speech.
Summary:
"Clink" can describe either a sound made by glass or metal or refer to a jail. Remember the context to understand which meaning is intended.