Prise

/praɪz/
verb

To use force to move or open something.

She used a screwdriver to prise the lid off the paint can.
Visual representation of "prise" - to use force to move or open something

Often appears as...

  • prise open
  • prise apart
verb

To obtain something with difficulty.

He finally managed to prise the truth out of her.
Visual representation of "prise" - to obtain something with difficulty

Often appears as...

  • prise out
  • prise from
verb

To use force to move or open something.

She used a screwdriver to prise the lid off the paint can.
Visual representation of "prise" - to use force to move or open something

Often appears as...

  • prise open
  • prise apart
verb

To obtain something with difficulty.

He finally managed to prise the truth out of her.
Visual representation of "prise" - to obtain something with difficulty

Often appears as...

  • prise out
  • prise from
Definition 1 of 2
Visual representation of "prise"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Physical Action

Used when describing a physical act to separate items that are stuck or to open.

Illustration for Physical Action
You might need to prise the stubborn jar open with a cloth.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Literal Use

Often used in a very literal sense, involving manual or physical effort.

Illustration for Literal Use
He had to prise the window open because it was painted shut.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Tool Requirement

A tool is often needed to achieve the prising action.

Illustration for Tool Requirement
Use a knife to prise open the shell and retrieve the nut.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Physical Action

Used when describing a physical act to separate items that are stuck or to open.

Illustration for Physical Action
You might need to prise the stubborn jar open with a cloth.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Literal Use

Often used in a very literal sense, involving manual or physical effort.

Illustration for Literal Use
He had to prise the window open because it was painted shut.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Tool Requirement

A tool is often needed to achieve the prising action.

Illustration for Tool Requirement
Use a knife to prise open the shell and retrieve the nut.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Physical Action

Used when describing a physical act to separate items that are stuck or to open.

Illustration for Physical Action
You might need to prise the stubborn jar open with a cloth.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Literal Use

Often used in a very literal sense, involving manual or physical effort.

Illustration for Literal Use
He had to prise the window open because it was painted shut.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Tool Requirement

A tool is often needed to achieve the prising action.

Illustration for Tool Requirement
Use a knife to prise open the shell and retrieve the nut.
Visual representation of the word "Prise"

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Video examples

Rebuilding Stonehenge PIPE...

to these rock faces to prise them off you really need wooden levers and ropes and you can pull them off and a lot of people pulling tying well you can see the one right right in front of us there if you could get hold of that you could

Video examples

Ducks Diving for Mussels...

these can only be reached during a brief lull in the currents the ducts must quickly prise the mussels free before the tide starts to turn

Video examples

Ants vs Crab PIPE Natural...

seem to work together the larger soldiers prise open the mouth parts so smaller workers can squeeze through and

Video examples

Killer Ant Swarm...

to their size as some look for a in its leg armor others prise open its body plates like a tin opener

Video examples

BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...

this female walrus is shielding her puppy if he can just prise her off

Video examples

Polar Bear vs Walrus PIPE...

This female walrus is shielding her pup. If he can just prise her off

Video examples

ONE HOUR of Amazing...

this female walrus is shielding her pup if he can just prise her off

Video examples

Best Polar Bear Moments...

this female walrus is shielding her pup if he can just prise her off

Video examples

Top 5 David Attenborough...

puppy if he can just prise her off the bear's claws and teeth can't

Video examples

The Planet Earth...

puppy if he can just prise her off the bear's claws and teeth can't

Video examples

Rebuilding Stonehenge PIPE...

to these rock faces to prise them off you really need wooden levers and ropes and you can pull them off and a lot of people pulling tying well you can see the one right right in front of us there if you could get hold of that you could

Video examples

Ducks Diving for Mussels...

these can only be reached during a brief lull in the currents the ducts must quickly prise the mussels free before the tide starts to turn

Video examples

Ants vs Crab PIPE Natural...

seem to work together the larger soldiers prise open the mouth parts so smaller workers can squeeze through and

Video examples

Killer Ant Swarm...

to their size as some look for a in its leg armor others prise open its body plates like a tin opener

Video examples

BBC Earth 50 Top Natural...

this female walrus is shielding her puppy if he can just prise her off

Video examples

Polar Bear vs Walrus PIPE...

This female walrus is shielding her pup. If he can just prise her off

Video examples

ONE HOUR of Amazing...

this female walrus is shielding her pup if he can just prise her off

Video examples

Best Polar Bear Moments...

this female walrus is shielding her pup if he can just prise her off

Video examples

Top 5 David Attenborough...

puppy if he can just prise her off the bear's claws and teeth can't

Video examples

The Planet Earth...

puppy if he can just prise her off the bear's claws and teeth can't

Example 1 of 10

Quote examples

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

British Royalty

When I sit down with my team before an engagement, sometimes they are horrified as I say I don't want to read the biographical brief because I prefer to prise information out of people. It becomes like a game. The stories that come out, I could write a book about.
Portrait of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Quote examples

Anne Enright

Irish Author

There are certain books that should be taken away from young writers; that should be prised out of their clutching fingers and locked away until they are all grown up and ready to read them without being smitten.
Portrait of Anne Enright

Quote examples

Gina Miller

Guyanese Activist

Ever since David Cameron took it on himself to prise open Pandora's box and call the E.U. referendum, the only thing that's been predictable has been the utter unpredictability of what has followed.
Portrait of Gina Miller

Quote examples

Margaret Halsey

American Author

I was well warned about English food, so it did not surprise me, but I do wonder sometimes, how they ever manage to prise it up long enough to get a plate under it.
Portrait of Margaret Halsey

Quote examples

Howard Staunton

English Celebrity

When a Piece or Pawn is in a situation to be taken by the enemy, it is said to be en prise. To put a piece en prise, is to play it so that it may be captured.
Portrait of Howard Staunton

Quote examples

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

British Royalty

When I sit down with my team before an engagement, sometimes they are horrified as I say I don't want to read the biographical brief because I prefer to prise information out of people. It becomes like a game. The stories that come out, I could write a book about.
Portrait of Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall

Quote examples

Anne Enright

Irish Author

There are certain books that should be taken away from young writers; that should be prised out of their clutching fingers and locked away until they are all grown up and ready to read them without being smitten.
Portrait of Anne Enright

Quote examples

Gina Miller

Guyanese Activist

Ever since David Cameron took it on himself to prise open Pandora's box and call the E.U. referendum, the only thing that's been predictable has been the utter unpredictability of what has followed.
Portrait of Gina Miller

Quote examples

Margaret Halsey

American Author

I was well warned about English food, so it did not surprise me, but I do wonder sometimes, how they ever manage to prise it up long enough to get a plate under it.
Portrait of Margaret Halsey

Quote examples

Howard Staunton

English Celebrity

When a Piece or Pawn is in a situation to be taken by the enemy, it is said to be en prise. To put a piece en prise, is to play it so that it may be captured.
Portrait of Howard Staunton
Example 1 of 5
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