Differences between border on and feed on

Border on means to be very close to something, almost touching it or to be almost at the point of doing something. Feed on means to survive or grow by eating a particular thing or to thrive on a particular emotion or situation.

Meanings and Definitions: border on vs feed on

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

Border on

1Be located next to a place.
Portugal BORDERS ON Spain.
2Be very nearly something.
What he did was BORDERING ON betrayal.

Feed on

1Grow stronger.
The opposition party's FEEDING ON the government's weaknesses.
2Consume in an animal's diet.
The bats FEED ON insects.
3Give someone a particular food.
He FEEDS his cat ON dry food.

Usage Examples: border on, feed on in Sentences

Learn how to use these expressions through these examples

border on

Example

Portugal borders on Spain.

Example

His behavior borders on rudeness.

feed on

Example

Cows feed on grass in the pasture.

Example

The squirrel feeds on nuts and seeds.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Border on

come close to

To approach or be near to something, often implying a potential danger or risk.

Example

His behavior came close to being disrespectful, but he stopped himself just in time.

be on the verge of

To be very close to doing something, often implying a significant change or action.

Example

She was on the verge of quitting her job when she received a promotion offer.

approach the threshold of

To be very close to reaching a limit or boundary, often implying a critical or decisive moment.

Example

The company's profits approached the threshold of sustainability, prompting a reevaluation of their business strategy.

Similar Expressions(Synonyms) of Feed on

thrive on

To grow or develop well by being nourished or stimulated by a particular thing, often implying a positive or beneficial effect.

Example

He thrives on challenges and always seeks new opportunities to learn and grow.

be sustained by

To survive or continue to exist by relying on a particular thing, often implying a necessary or essential condition.

Example

The local economy is sustained by tourism, which generates most of its revenue.

be consumed by

To be overwhelmed or dominated by a particular emotion or situation, often implying a negative or destructive effect.

Example

He was consumed by jealousy and couldn't bear to see his ex-girlfriend with someone else.

Explore more Phrasal Verbs

Here are some phrasal verbs with the same verbs or particles

Phrasal Verbs with “feed”

Phrasal Verbs with “on”

Differences in border on vs feed on: Usage, Formality, and Tone

Frequency in Daily Use: border on or feed on?

In daily conversation, people use border on more often than feed on. This is because border on is used in a variety of contexts such as describing a physical location or a behavior, while feed on is more specific and used in limited contexts such as describing an animal's diet or a person's emotional state. So, while both phrases are used, border on is more common in everyday conversation.

Informal vs Formal: Contextual Use of border on and feed on

Border on and feed on are informal phrases often used in casual conversations. They are suitable for everyday interactions with friends and family. In more formal settings like business or academic contexts, using alternative expressions can convey a more polished tone.

Tone and Implication: The Nuances of border on and feed on

The tone of border on and feed on can differ based on context. Border on often carries a neutral or negative tone when referring to being close to something undesirable or inappropriate, while feed on typically has a positive or negative tone, depending on the context. It can describe thriving on positive emotions or situations, or it can describe being consumed by negative emotions or situations.

border on & feed on: Synonyms and Antonyms

Border on

Synonyms

adjoin
abut
neighbor
approach
verge on
come close to
be near to
be almost

Antonyms

be far from
be distant from
be unrelated to
be separate from

Feed on

Synonyms

Antonyms