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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Solve the riddle - 英语词汇详解 (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：decipher a puzzle (Solve the riddle)

Solve the riddle 🔊

/sɒlv ðə ˈrɪdəl/

verb phrase

To find the answer or solution to a difficult or confusing problem.

decipher a puzzle 🔊

➕

/dɪˈsaɪfər ə ˈpʌzəl/

verb phrase

To find the solution to a difficult or confusing problem after careful thought or investigation.

📁 Category：School Education 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

'Solve' from Latin 'solvere' (to loosen); 'riddle' from Old English 'rǣdan' (to interpret).

💡 Mnemonic

Imagine a locked chest: you must 'solve the riddle' to find the key.

📖 Example

Our study group worked together to solve the riddle of the difficult math problem. 🔊 Our study group worked together to solve the riddle of the difficult math problem.

🔗 Collocations

solve the riddle of – to find the solution to a mystery or problem

crack the code – to decipher a secret system

figure out the puzzle – to understand a confusing situation

🔄 Synonyms

decipher (v.) – to interpret or understand something difficult, like a code or puzzle

unravel (v.) – to solve a mystery or puzzle by working out the details

crack (v.) – to find the solution to a problem or code

🚫 Antonyms

confuse (v.) – to make something unclear or difficult to solve

mystify (v.) – to cause someone to be puzzled or bewildered

🌱 Derivatives

solution (n.) – the answer to a problem

riddle (n.) – a puzzling question or problem

📖 Cultural Story

The phrase 'solve the riddle' combines Latin and Old English roots. Riddles were ancient verbal puzzles used in cultures worldwide, from Greek mythology to medieval courts.

Meaning 2：crack the riddle (Solve the riddle)

Solve the riddle 🔊

/sɒlv ðə ˈrɪdəl/

verb phrase

To find the correct answer to a riddle, which is a type of puzzling question.

crack the riddle 🔊

➕

/kræk ðə ˈrɪdəl/

verb phrase

To find the correct answer to a riddle, which is a type of puzzling question.

📁 Category：Entertainment & Sports 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

The child was so excited when he managed to solve the riddle his uncle told him. 🔊 The child was so excited when he managed to solve the riddle his uncle told him.

🔗 Collocations

solve a riddle – to answer a puzzling question correctly

pose a riddle – to ask someone a puzzling question

answer a riddle – to give the solution to a riddle

🔄 Synonyms

answer (v.) – to respond correctly to a question or riddle

figure out (v.) – to find the solution after thinking about it

🚫 Antonyms

stump (v.) – to baffle someone so they cannot solve a riddle

🌱 Derivatives

riddler (n.) – a person who asks riddles