Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
verb
To march on the spot (a drill command sometimes used as form of punishment).
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Singapore, invariable
Topics: government, military, politics, war
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
To be stuck in the same role or career with very little prospects of advancement.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: Singapore, Singlish, figuratively, invariable
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
History
Unadapted borrowing from Malay hentak kaki (literally “stomp one’s feet”), referring to a punitive military drill command in the Singapore Armed Forces requiring soldiers to march on the spot. The full drill command is hentak kaki, cepat hentak.
