gorge
gorge — noun
1. a deep, narrow opening between steep rock walls on both sides, usually one that
a deep, narrow opening between steep rock walls on both sides, usually one that a fast-flowing river or stream has slowly cut into the rock over a very long period of time
The river at the bottom of the gorge can be reached by a steep path.
collocation: bottom of the gorge
From the bridge, Tamás looked into the gorge and saw the water far below.
A narrow road winds through the gorge, following the river for several kilometres.
collocation: through the gorge
The national park is famous for its deep gorges and high waterfalls.
Hikers stopped at the edge of the gorge to take photos of the steep cliffs.
collocation: edge of the gorge
- bottom of the gorge
- edge of the gorge
- through the gorge
- deep gorge
- narrow gorge
- steep gorge
Grammar Patterns
the + gorge
article + deep/narrow/steep + gorge
Usage Note
The word is commonly paired with adjectives such as deep, narrow, steep, or rocky. Rivers are often said to 'cut' or 'carve' a gorge over long periods of geological time.
Common Mistakes
2. a feeling of extreme anger or disgust so powerful that it almost makes you feel
a feeling of extreme anger or disgust so powerful that it almost makes you feel physically unwell — only used in the fixed phrase '(somebody's) gorge rises' (or 'makes somebody's gorge rise')
When Adisa heard how the workers had been treated, his gorge rose.
idiom: somebody's gorge rises
The unfair decision made Olivia's gorge rise, but she stayed calm.
Reading the politician's cruel comments, Saira felt her gorge rising in disgust.
pattern: feel + possessive + gorge + rising
Every time the boss lied to the staff, it made Chiara's gorge rise.
- gorge rises
- gorge rose
- make someone's gorge rise
- feel one's gorge rising
Grammar Patterns
possessive + gorge + rises/rose
make + possessive + gorge + rise
Usage Note
This is a literary or formal idiom, not used in everyday speech. The possessor ('my', 'his', 'her', 'their', or a name + apostrophe-s) is required — you cannot say 'the gorge rises' without a possessor. The verb in the phrase is always 'rise'; 'raise' is incorrect.
Common Mistakes
3. a very narrow passage or path between two mountains or through a ridge, often se
a very narrow passage or path between two mountains or through a ridge, often serving as a route through otherwise impassable land
The only way through the mountains is a narrow gorge that the army controls.
collocation: through a gorge
Ryo led the group through a dark gorge between two limestone cliffs.
The gorge was barely wide enough for two people to walk side by side.
Ancient traders used this gorge as a route between the coast and the inland plains.
collocation: gorge as a route
- through a gorge
- narrow gorge
- dark gorge
Grammar Patterns
article + gorge
through a/the gorge
Someone becomes extremely angry or disgusted, often causing a feeling of sickness.
When Maya heard the racist joke, her gorge rose immediately.
Did your gorge rise when you saw the unfair treatment?
gorge — verb
1. to eat a very large amount of food quickly or greedily, usually until you feel u
to eat a very large amount of food quickly or greedily, usually until you feel uncomfortably full or sick
After the long hike, Defne gorged herself on bread and cheese.
reflexive pattern: gorge oneself on [food]
The guests gorged on the huge buffet until they could barely move.
pattern: gorge on [food]
Adina warned her children not to gorge themselves with sweets before dinner.
Otis gorged himself at the all-you-can-eat restaurant and regretted it later.
Sirin could not stop gorging on the chocolate cake her grandmother had baked.
pattern: gorge on [food]
- gorge on
- gorge oneself
- gorge with
- gorge at
- stuff oneself
informal, similar meaning but slightly milder in tone
- binge
can apply to food or other activities; often implies a pattern rather than a single event
- overeat
neutral and descriptive; lacks the greedy or messy sense of 'gorge'
- fast
to eat nothing at all for a period of time
Grammar Patterns
gorge on [food]
gorge oneself on [food]
gorge with [food]
gorge + direct object
Usage Note
The verb carries a negative connotation of excess or lack of self-control. The most common patterns are 'gorge on [food]' (intransitive) and 'gorge oneself on [food]' (reflexive transitive). Using 'gorge' with a direct object without a reflexive pronoun ('He gorged pizza') is unnatural; native speakers prefer 'He gorged on pizza' or 'He gorged himself on pizza'.