borrow
verb (used with object)
to take or obtain with the promise to return the same or an equivalent.
had been borrowing
-
past perfect progressiveof borrow.past perfect progressive
Used to describe an action that was ongoing continuously in the past up until another past event interrupted it.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He had been borrowing money to "keep up appearances" with friends like then-footballer Rio Ferdinand who were being "paid well", but he was eventually left with an £88,000 debt pile.
From BBC ● Oct. 24, 2024
On 18 July, four days after Claire Hart moved out, Lance returned a rental car he had been borrowing, on time, to avoid the late fee.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 17, 2017
“I’ve enrolled people who have cancer, heart problems, diabetes - you name it. One gal had been borrowing money from her family for cancer treatments before she enrolled. These are people who really need this.”
From Washington Times ● Jun. 25, 2015
Several analysts said that it appeared the company had been borrowing through off-the-books affiliates, perhaps making its balance sheet look stronger than it was.
From New York Times ● Mar. 13, 2015
Instead the Very Young Man had been borrowing from the others as he went along.
From The Girl in the Golden Atom by Ray Cummings
