- heap
- [[t]hi͟ːp[/t]]
heaps, heaping, heaped1) N-COUNT: oft N of n A heap of things is a pile of them, especially a pile arranged in a rather untidy way.
...a heap of bricks.
...a compost heap...
He has dug up the tiles that cover the floor and left them in a heap.
Syn:2) VERB If you heap things in a pile, you arrange them in a large pile.[V n prep/adv] Mrs. Madrigal heaped more carrots onto Michael's plate.
Heap up means the same as heap.Also V n P
V P n (not pron) Off to one side, the militia was heaping up wood for a bonfire.3) VERB If you heap praise or criticism on someone or something, you give them a lot of praise or criticism.[V n on/upon n] The head of the navy heaped scorn on both the methods and motives of the conspirators.
4) QUANT: QUANT of n-uncount/pl-n Heaps of something or a heap of something is a large quantity of it. [INFORMAL]You have heaps of time.
...a job that might suit someone with heaps of experience...
I got in a heap of trouble.
Syn:loads5) PHRASE: usu v-link PHR, PHR after v Someone who is at the bottom of the heap or at the top of the heap is low down or high up in society or an organization....those at the top of the social heap...
Ordinary workers in state industry, once favoured, suddenly found themselves at the bottom of the heap.
6) PHRASE: v PHR, v-link PHR If someone collapses in a heap, they fall heavily and untidily and do not move.The young footballer collapsed in a heap after a heavy tackle.
English dictionary. 2008.