Adjective
/bɔːlki/
The term "balky" refers to a person or animal that is stubborn or unwilling to cooperate. It can also describe machinery that does not function properly or is prone to malfunctioning. In terms of frequency, "balky" is not widely used in everyday conversation but may appear more frequently in written contexts, particularly in technical discussions regarding equipment or behaviors indicating resistance.
Лошадь, проявляющая упорство, отказалась двигаться, что задержало поездку.
The balky engine made it difficult to get the car started.
Упрямый двигатель затруднял запуск автомобиля.
After several attempts, I finally managed to coax the balky printer into working again.
While "balky" is not commonly found in many idiomatic expressions, it can imply stubbornness or resistance in various contexts. Here are a few phrases where "balky" can metaphorically fit into idiomatic language:
Он был упрям, как мул, и отказался изменить своё мнение.
Balky behavior - Refers to uncooperative or obstinate actions, often seen in animals or people.
Ребёнок проявил упрямое поведение, когда его попросили сделать домашнее задание.
Balky machine - Describes a device or equipment that frequently malfunctions.
The word "balky" originates from the word "balk," which has roots in Old English "balcan," meaning to “to stop short.” It evolved in the 16th century to refer to horses that would refuse to jump over obstacles. Over time, it expanded to include more general definitions of stubbornness and resistance.