School / B1

BUL-ee-ing/ˈbʊliɪŋ/

Bullying is repeated cruel or threatening behaviour: a bullying policy; online bullying. Bully can be the person or the verb. Teasing can be milder; harassment is a close legal twin at work. Uncountable. UK schools must have an anti-bullying policy. Do not call a single rude remark bullying unless it is part of a pattern — check the school’s definition.

Meaning

Repeated unkind or threatening behaviour towards a weaker person.

Examples

• “The school updated its policy on bullying after the inspection.”
• “The inspection asked how the school records bullying, not only how it talks about kindness.”
• “Online bullying continued after the weekend, which is why parents were called in.”

Good to know

Uncountable: bullying; anti-bullying policy. Person/verb: bully. Work twin: harassment. Usually a repeated pattern.

Topics

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