abu

S3 W2

BrE /əˈbjuːs/ AmE /əˈbyuːs/

verb / noun en → es

past abused pp abused ing abusing

1 HARM [transitive] B1

to treat someone in a way that is unfair or cruel, especially over a long period of time

maltratar, abusar de alguien

  • abuse somebody

Collocations abuse children · abuse a patient

  • He has been abusing his wife for years.

    Ha estado maltratando a su esposa durante años.

2 VERBAL [transitive] B1

to say or do cruel and insulting things to someone, especially in public

insultar, maltratar verbalmente a alguien

  • abuse somebody

Collocations verbal abuse · abuse someone verbally

  • She was abused by her colleagues.

    Fue insultada por sus colegas.

3 DRUG [transitive] B2

to use a drug in an illegal or harmful way, especially regularly and to excess

abusar de una droga

  • abuse something

Collocations drug abuse · alcohol abuse

  • He has been abusing drugs for years.

    Ha estado abusando de drogas durante años.

1 HARM [uncountable] B1

cruel or unfair treatment of someone, especially over a long period of time

maltrato, abuso

2 VERBAL [uncountable] B1

cruel and insulting words or actions towards someone, especially in public

insulto verbal, abuso

3 DRUG [uncountable] B2

the use of a drug in an illegal or harmful way, especially regularly and to excess

abuso de drogas

Phrasal verbs

take abuse ACCEPT C1

aceptar abusos

  • She took the abuse from her boss without complaint.

    Ella aceptó los abusos de su jefe sin quejarse.

abuse somebody of something STEAL C1

despojar a alguien de algo

  • He was abused of his inheritance.

    Fue despojado de su herencia.

Idioms

abuse one's position C1

abusar de su posición

  • He abused his position to get a promotion.

    Abusó de su posición para obtener un ascenso.

abuse one's power C1

abusar del poder

  • She abused her power to punish the workers.

    Abusó de su poder para castigar a los trabajadores.

abuse one's authority C1

abusar de la autoridad

  • He abused his authority to get what he wanted.

    Abusó de su autoridad para obtener lo que quería.