Basic Details
Word: Sheriff
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A sheriff is a government official who is responsible for keeping law and order in a county or a town.
Synonyms: Constable, lawman, peace officer
Antonyms: Criminal, lawbreaker
Idioms and Phrases
- Sheriff of Nottingham: Refers to someone who exercises oppressive authority. Example: "Her strict rules made her the Sheriff of Nottingham among her friends, who felt controlled."
- Take the law into your own hands: To act on one's own authority, typically regarding the law. Example: "When no one came to help, he decided to take the law into his own hands and confront the troublemakers."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The sheriff held a town meeting to discuss safety measures after a series of burglaries.
Example 2: During the fair, the sheriff ensured everyone followed the rules and stayed safe.
Example 3: The sheriffs office played a crucial role in the investigation of the missing person in the community.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word "sheriff" comes from the Old English term 'shire-reeve', meaning the royal official in charge of a shire (an old term for a district or area)?
Famous Quote
"The law is the public conscience." - Thomas Hobbes
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "sheriff" mean?
a) A type of animal
b) A government official responsible for law enforcement
c) A kind of fruit
d) A school principal
Answer: b) A government official responsible for law enforcement
2. Which of these is a synonym of "sheriff"?
a) Teacher
b) Lawman
c) Cook
d) Painter
Answer: b) Lawman
3. What is an antonym of "sheriff"?
a) Hero
b) Lawbreaker
c) Friend
d) Helper
Answer: b) Lawbreaker
4. Which sentence uses "sheriff" correctly?
a) The sheriff baked a cake for the town party.
b) The sheriff stopped a robbery in progress.
c) The sheriff flew to the moon.
d) The sheriff became a famous actor.
Answer: b) The sheriff stopped a robbery in progress.
5. What does the phrase "take the law into your own hands" mean?
a) To follow the rules
b) To act on your own authority regarding the law
c) To lose a job
d) To become a lawyer
Answer: b) To act on your own authority regarding the law
