Automotive Repair Vocabulary

verb to damage or destroy by or as if by a sudden and violent blow

adjective excellent or outstanding

• The contractor did a bang up job on renovating the old building.
• Wow, you really did a bang up job on that presentation!
• I heard the new restaurant has a bang up menu.
• She did a bang up job of organizing the event, everything went smoothly.

verb to carry out a task poorly or unsuccessfully

adjective describing something that has been done poorly or unsuccessfully

• The surgeon botched the operation, leading to serious complications for the patient.
• The handyman totally botched the repair job on my sink.
• I tried to fix my computer myself, but I totally botched it.
• The comedian's joke fell flat and was completely botched.

noun a slight hollow in a hard surface, typically caused by an impact or pressure

verb to make a dent in something, typically by impacting or applying pressure

• The dentist filled in the small dent in the patient's tooth.
• I accidentally made a dent in my car door when I opened it too quickly.
• My brother's new car is so cool, not a dent on it!
• The recent scandal put a dent in the company's reputation.

noun a determination or resolution

verb to arrange or settle something

• The technician was able to fix the issue with the server quickly.
• I'll try to fix the leaky faucet in the kitchen this weekend.
• I need to fix my sleep schedule, I've been staying up too late.
• We need to fix our relationship before it falls apart completely.

noun the technical aspects of a particular field of activity or endeavor

• Understanding the mechanics of how a car engine works is crucial for any automotive engineer.
• The mechanics at the auto shop fixed my car in no time.
• I don't understand the mechanics of this new video game, can you show me?
• The mechanics of a successful business involve strong leadership and effective communication.

verb to forcefully remove something by tearing or pulling it out

• The contractor had to rip out the old wiring before installing the new electrical system.
• I had to rip out the weeds in my garden before planting new flowers.
• I'm going to rip out this old carpet and put in hardwood floors instead.
• She felt like someone had ripped out her heart when she found out he had been cheating on her.

verb to open or release by removing a bolt or obstruction

• The technician carefully unbolted the panel to access the circuitry inside.
• I had to unbolt the old door before installing the new one.
• We need to unbolt this thing ASAP, it's blocking the way.
• She felt like she had finally unbolted the emotional barriers holding her back.

noun A noun is a word that represents a person, place, thing, or idea. In this case, 'wreck' is a noun that refers to a violent or severe accident involving damage or destruction.

• The shipwreck was discovered by a team of marine archaeologists.
• I heard there was a car wreck on the highway this morning.
• That party was a total wreck, everyone was out of control.
• Her emotional state was like a wreck after the breakup.

noun a unit of measurement equal to half of an inch

• The carpenter measured the board and cut it to a precise half-inch length.
• I only need a half-inch more to finish this project.
• I'll just eyeball it and cut off about a half-inch.
• She was only a half-inch away from winning the race.