Words / B2

KURB/kɜːb/

To curb is to control or limit something unwanted; as a noun, that limit: curb emissions; a curb on spending. In UK English the pavement edge is kerb, not curb — classic trap. The levy was meant to curb emissions. Mix-up: kerb / curve (later). Do not write curb for the stone edge of a UK pavement.

Meaning

To control or limit something, especially something unwanted; as a noun, that limit (US also the pavement edge).

Examples

• “The levy was meant to curb emissions, the policy source said.”
• “A curb on overtime featured in the budget, which is the limit-as-noun sense.”

Good to know

curb + noun; a curb on. UK pavement edge: kerb. Trap: curve. News, economics, and citizenship. Limit or restrain, not the UK kerb stone.

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