rushing
rushing — adjective
1. done or happening with great speed, because there is not enough time
done or happening with great speed, because there is not enough time
The rushing water from the melting snow flooded the valley.
collocation: rushing water
Amira could feel the rushing wind on her face as she cycled downhill.
Jin's rushing departure meant she left her passport on the table.
collocation: rushing departure
The rushing footsteps in the hallway startled the sleeping child.
- rushing water
- rushing wind
- rushing footsteps
- rushing departure
Usage Note
Commonly used before nouns describing natural forces (water, wind) or actions (footsteps, departure).
Common Mistakes
rushing — noun
1. in American football, the action of advancing the ball by carrying it and runnin
in American football, the action of advancing the ball by carrying it and running forward, instead of throwing it
The team's rushing attack gained over two hundred yards by halftime.
collocation: rushing attack
Joshua led the conference in rushing yards for three seasons.
collocation: rushing yards
The linebacker stopped the rushing play before it reached the end zone.
The rushing play gained only two yards before the defender tackled the runner.
- rushing yards
- rushing attack
- rushing game
- rushing play
- rushing touchdown
- ground game
team-specific term for overall rushing strategy
- running game
interchangeable with 'rushing' in football context
- passing
the alternative method of advancing the ball by throwing it
Usage Note
This sense is specific to American football (gridiron). It describes the strategy of advancing the ball by running with it rather than passing. The opposite is 'passing.'
2. the act of doing something too quickly, often without enough care or thought, wh
the act of doing something too quickly, often without enough care or thought, which may cause mistakes
In her rushing to meet the deadline, Reema made several spelling mistakes.
pattern: in [possessive] rushing to [verb]
The rushing of the crowd toward the exit panicked the security guard.
Devika's rushing through the recipe meant she forgot the baking powder.
Quan's constant rushing at work caused tension among his colleagues.
- in [possessive] rushing to [verb]
- rushing of the crowd
- constant rushing
- all this rushing
- haste
more formal; implies excessive speed
- hurry
more common in everyday speech, less negative
- carelessness
emphasises the lack of attention rather than speed
- deliberation
the quality of doing things slowly and carefully
- carefulness
implies attention to detail and thoroughness
Usage Note
Distinguish from 'rush' (the uncountable noun): 'rushing' emphasises the ongoing, repeated nature of hurried behaviour, while 'rush' commonly refers to a single busy period (e.g. 'the morning rush') or a sudden surge.