用法学习: 1. TBBT: Leonard: No, it is not yours. We all went in 集资 on the box together. Sheldon: Well, yes, but I found it in the box, and the laws of maritime salvage clearly state that the finder of a sunken treasure is the owner of the treasure. Leonard: How is this maritime salvage? Sheldon: Other than the lack of water, how is it not? 2. TBBT: Penny: Okay, here's the protocol, you and I are still friends, and you stop saying coitus. Sheldon: Good, good. I'm glad we're still friends. Penny: Really? Sheldon: Oh, yes. It was a lot of work to accommodate you in my life. I'd hate for that effort to have been in vain. Penny: Right. Sheldon: Just to be clear do I have to stop saying coitus with everyone or just you? Penny: Everyone. Sheldon: Harsh terms 条件苛刻, 严苛. But all right, I'll just substitute intercourse. Penny: Great. Sheldon: Or fornication. Yeah. But that has judgmental overtones, so I'll hold that in reserve. Penny: So, how you been? Sheldon: Well, my existence is a continuum, so I've been what I am at each point in the implied time period. 3. TBBT: Sheldon: I found it. The ring is mine. I don't understand why in this group I never get my way. Leonard: You always get your way. Sheldon: I'll stipulate to that if you give me the ring. Penny: Hey, guys. Enjoying your food that I actually brought you instead of promising food, but bringing you a box of random crap? Leonard: Yeah, it's delicious, the sarcasm's a little stale 老生常谈, 老掉牙, though. Hey, how about this? Until we figure out what to do with the ring, Penny holds on to it. 4. indomitable [ɪnˈdɒm.ɪ.tə.bəl] 百折不挠的, 不可战胜的 used to say that someone is strong, brave, determined, and difficult to defeat or frighten. (of a person) strong, brave, and impossible to defeat or make frightened. If you say that someone has an indomitable spirit, you admire them because they never give up or admit that they have been defeated. ...a woman of indomitable will. He was utterly indomitable. an indomitable spirit/will. The indomitable Mrs Furlong said she would continue to fight for justice. in a trench coat 装模作样, 伪装 (slang, humorous) Pretending to be something greater, especially unconvincingly. Nobody authorized anything; it's just a scanner in a trench coat. Etymology: From a pop culture cliché in which two children, one on the other's shoulders, wear a long coat in order to pass for one adult to enter an R-rated movie theater. A trench coat is a type of raincoat with pockets and a belt. Trench coats are often similar in design to military coats. Prepare for bad weather by throwing on a lightweight trench coat. 5. indefatigable [ˌɪn.dɪˈfæt.ɪ.ɡə.bəl] = not able to be pulled down by fatigue always determined and energetic in trying to achieve something and never willing to admit defeat. never becoming tired. You use indefatigable to describe someone who never gets tired of doing something. His indefatigable spirit helped him to cope with his illness. He was indefatigable in his efforts to secure funding for new projects. She worked indefatigably and enthusiastically to interest the young in music. For many years Annie has been an indefatigable campaigner for human rights. Annie was an indefatigable campaigner for better community services. Fleabag jumps back into the fray with a bracing second season that upholds its predecessor's frenzied wit and delicate heart, replete with Phoebe Waller-Bridge's indefatigable charisma. bracing 清新的, 令人心旷神怡的 I. (of weather) cold and perhaps windy, in a way that makes you feel full of energy. The crisp weather was oddly bracing. The air on top of the hill was cool and bracing. a bracing wind. II. (of an activity) making you feel full of energy because it is done outside when the weather is cold and perhaps windy: We enjoyed a bracing walk on the beach. Her day begins with a bracing run along the canal. a bracing early morning swim. III. having a strong effect on your senses or emotions. The finale, bracing and exhilarating, dazzled from start to finish. Starting life again as a single woman has been bracing, a little scary, but ultimately very good for me. At an altitude of 6,900 feet, the air is bracingly clean. This is a bracingly honest story by a writer who seems to remember exactly what it was like to be 16. 6. a new wrinkle A new and often unexpected aspect, dimension, innovation, development, or stratagem. A happy expedient, a novel or different device. To bring or contribute a new and often unexpected aspect, dimension, innovation, development, or stratagem (to something). If proven to be true, the discovery could signal a new wrinkle in the way we think about the evolutionary process. Their new, and unorthodox, pitcher has brought a new wrinkle to the team's offensive game. Well, this is certainly a new wrinkle—no one foresaw that the experiment would yield a rubber-like substance. World Liberty is celebrating the major milestone, while critics worry this is a new wrinkle on the classic case of the fox guarding the henhouse 狐狸给鸡当保镖 that will give corporations and foreign actors a new way to stealthily curry favor with the White House. note: The transfer of "wrinkle" from rumpled clothing or age-lined skin took place in the 1800s, but the idea of novelty was added in the United States in the early 1900s. Jazz composer W. C. Handy used it in Father of the Blues (1941): "In addition to twirling their batons, they added the new wrinkle of tossing them back and forth." This cliché is particularly popular with business journalists. 7. varsity [ˈvɑː.sə.ti] 校队 used to describe sports teams at schools or colleges that are at the most skilled level of play. one of the main sports teams at a university, college, or school: He was hoping to make the varsity next year. Eight varsity players will return to the football team next season. He was a member of the varsity baseball team. a. [British, mainly journalism] People sometimes use varsity to describe things that relate to universities, especially sports activities or teams at a university or competitions between universities. He swam varsity for McGill. Women must have the same opportunities to participate in varsity sports. b. The varsity is the main or first team for a particular sport at a high school, college, or university. She has been in the playoffs every year since she made the varsity. He also played for the varsity basketball team. note: Varsity is a shortened form of the word "university" that most commonly refers to the highest-level athletic team representing a high school, college, or university. A varsity team is the highest-level team in a sport or activity representing an educational institution. Varsity teams train to compete against each other during an athletic season or in periodic matches against rival institutions. At high schools in the United States, a varsity team is one step above a school's junior varsity (JV) team, which is composed of less experienced players. act noun. I. something that you do: an act of aggression/bravery/madness/terrorism. simple act The simple act of telling someone about a problem can help. a kind/thoughtless/selfish act. artistic representations of the sexual act. II. behaviour that hides your real feelings or intentions: Was she really upset or was that just an act 做给人看的, 装的, 做样子的? III. a person or group that performs a short piece in a show, or the piece that they perform: a comedy/juggling/trapeze act 表演. Our next act is a very talented young musician. IV. a part of a play or opera: Shakespeare's plays were written in five acts 一幕. The hero does not enter until the second act/Act Two. V. law specialized a law or formal decision made by a parliament or other group of people who make the laws for their country: an Act of Parliament. the Betting and Gaming Act. Almost two hundred suspects were detained in the UK last year under the Prevention of Terrorism Act. The state legislature passed an act banning the sale of automatic weapons. act of God 自然事件 a natural event that cannot be controlled or prevented by humans, especially one that causes a lot of damage, such as an earthquake or a flood. an event such as a very bad storm that cannot be prevented or controlled and usually cannot be insured against: The insurance company dismissed the accident as an act of God and refused to pay out. Primitive people regarded storms as an act of God. Acts of God, such as lightning strikes, were traditionally excluded from insurance policies. Your home warranty will not cover a system's failure from normal wear and tear, but will cover failure from an act of God. act of bravado something, especially something unnecessary and dangerous, that shows courage and that you do to make people respect or admire you: In an act of bravado, he challenged his opponent to a fight. The whole escapade was an act of bravado that went horribly wrong. act of defiance an action which shows that someone refuses to obey someone or something: She wore the badge as an act of defiance. The organizers of the protest asked demonstrators to turn their backs in an act of defiance against the government. act of desperation something you do when you are in such a bad situation that you are willing to take risks in order to change it: In an act of desperation, he put all his money into bitcoin. This is not a strategic plan - it's an act of desperation. Some people see suicide bombings as misguided acts of desperation. act of terrorism a violent action that is designed to cause fear among ordinary people, in order to achieve political aims: The bomb explosion was one of the worst acts of terrorism that the country had experienced in recent years. be a hard/tough act to follow to be so good that it is not likely that anyone or anything that comes after will be as good: His presidency was very successful - it'll be a hard act to follow. do a disappearing/vanishing act to go away, usually because you do not want to do something or meet someone: Tina always does a vanishing act when my mother comes to stay. get your act together to start to organize yourself so that you do things in an effective way: She's so disorganized - I wish she'd get her act together. get/muscle in on the act to take advantage of something that someone else started: We did all the hard work of setting up the company, and now everyone wants to get in on the act. put on an act to behave or speak in a false or artificial way: He's just putting on an act for the boss's benefit. 8. baste [beɪst] 拿汤汁浇, 浇汤汁 verb If you baste meat, you pour hot fat and the juices from the meat itself over it while it is cooking. Baste the turkey at regular intervals. to put fat or meat juices on food, esp. meat, while it cooks: We basted the turkey every twenty minutes. Pam was in the middle of basting the turkey. Bake for 15-20 minutes, basting occasionally. baster (移液器, 吸量管或滴管): a large glass, plastic, or metal tube with a rubber bulb at one end and a small opening at the other, to be filled with butter, drippings, etc., for basting food as it is cooking. A baster (or turkey baster) is a kitchen tool with a squeeze bulb and a tube. It draws up pan juices, stock, or melted butter and ejects them over roasting meat to keep it moist and flavorful. Many modern sets also include a needle tip to inject liquids directly into the meat. double-header A double header is a pair of sporting games, concerts, or entertainment events held one right after the other, usually on the same day and at the same venue. two events, sports games, entertainments, etc. happening one after another: The two games were played as a double-header in Paris. In those days, films were double headers with an intermission. A double tap, or double-tap, is the practice of following a military strike (be it bombardment such as missile strike, air strike, artillery shelling, or detonation of explosive weapon or improvised explosive device) with a deliberately timed second strike in the same place several minutes later, usually in an attempt to maximize the casualties of an attack. A triple tap refers to an additional third strike which follows the second strike. The term is usually associated with instances where emergency responders and medical personnel rushing to the site hit by the first strike are hit by the second strike. A quadruple [ˈkwɒdrʊpl] tap refers to a sequence of four strikes, where three subsequent waves follow an initial attack in the same location to target those who gather at the site. A Florida Law Review article defines the practice as strikes separated by five to twenty minutes, stating that the practice likely is a war crime and arguing that it violates the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which prohibit targeting civilians, the wounded, and those no longer able to continue fighting. 9. lay someone up 卧床不起, 卧病在床 to force someone to stay in bed. to disable or confine with illness or injury. If someone is laid up with an illness, the illness makes it necessary for them to stay in bed. a knee injury laid him up for a week. She's been laid up with the flu for over a week. I was laid up in bed with acute rheumatism. Powell ruptured a disc in his back and was laid up for a year. lay something up I. to stop a machine, ship, or vehicle, for example when it needs repairs or there is not enough work to do: Eighteen of our biggest cargo ships were laid up until business improved. 养病. 卧床休息. To recuperate or rest; to remain in a place. He laid up until recovering from his illness. She's been laid up in Reno for weeks. II. 单手上篮. in basketball, to jump in the air very close to the basket and throw the ball into the net with one hand to score, especially by bouncing it off the backboard: The player caught the ball one-handed, laid it up, and the crowd went crazy. III. in golf, to hit the ball a shorter distance than normal, for example to avoid some water or a bunker (= an area filled with sand): Because it's a really tight hole, you just have to lay it up. lay-up I. in basketball, an action in which a player jumps in the air very close to the basket and throws the ball into the net with one hand to score, especially by bouncing it off the backboard: They took advantage by scoring several easy lay-ups. It was a game they won on a last-second layup. II. in golf, a shot in which a player hits the ball a shorter distance than normal, for example, to avoid some water or a bunker (= an area filled with sand): The hole requires either a skilful lay-up, leaving a long shot over water to the green, or a heroic drive.
'Paella is just for lunch' and other unwritten rules for visiting Spain: Spain is famous for its laid-back lifestyle, but beneath the long lunches and late nights are social codes 社交规则 that shape everyday life. Our expert explains how to read them. While Spain is beloved for its beautiful beaches, romantic architecture and delicious food culture, one of its strongest draws is its famously relaxed pace. No hay prisa ("no rush") and tranquilo ("relax") are oft-uttered phrases here; meals are drawn out 拖得很久, 时间很长 and nightlife lasts until morning. Even non-Spanish speakers know the meaning of siesta. But "relaxed" doesn't mean there's no order. Beneath Spain's easy-going surface are silent social codes that shape everything from how people queue to how they structure their days. Instinctive rather than explicitly stated 明说的, 明确规定的, Spain's unwritten social rules are often based on respect for regional identity, a belief that life is best lived sociably in public and a historical need to work with, not against, the searing Sun. Locals might not say them out loud, but that doesn't make them any less important to learn. From relinquishing your personal space to skipping paella at dinner, here are five unwritten rules that will help you understand Spain from the inside. Trust the invisible queue: Try to order at a covered market, pharmacy, bakery, bar or local shop in Spain and you'll typically find people standing around randomly, no clear line in sight. It may seem confusing to the outsider, but there's a deeply ingrained system at play, rooted in a cultural preference for interaction, informality and social trust. "Queues" in Spain do indeed exist, but they are typically spread-out crowds rather than prim lines ( prim [prɪm] 规规矩矩的 disapproving very formal and correct in behaviour and easily shocked by anything rude. formal, neat, and socially correct: She wore a silk gown and prim white gloves. She's much too prim and proper to drink pints of beer. a. If you describe someone as prim, you disapprove of them because they behave too correctly and are too easily shocked by anything rude. We tend to imagine that the Victorians were very prim and proper. We sat primly at either end of a long settee. She sipped her tea primly. b. If you describe something as prim, you mean that it is very neat, tidy, or sensible. On her blonde wavy hair, the white hat looked nicely prim. the prime meridian 本初子午线线 the imaginary line from the North Pole to the South Pole that passes through Greenwich in England and marks 0° longitude, from which all other longitudes are measured. International Date Line换日线. ) because of space constraints 空间限制 in small premises or market aisles; standing where it's most convenient solves the issue. But how do you know when it's your turn? What to do: When you arrive, approach the closest person and ask "¿Quién es el último?" (Who's last?) or simply "¿El último?" They will point to whomever is. Once you know who's last, you're free to walk along the displays and peruse ( [pəˈruːz] I. to read through something, especially in order to find the part you are interested in: He opened a newspaper and began to peruse the personal ads. II. to read or look at something in a relaxed way: He opened the newspaper and perused the sports pages. Note: it can mean to read something very carefully, or it can mean to skim through it casually. ) what to buy without losing your place. But stay alert: you will get asked "¿El último?", too. Don't assume the meal is over when it's over: You've just had the last bites of Spanish tortilla ([tɔːrˈtiːə tor-TEE-ə) (a thin, circular unleavened flatbread, originally made from corn (maize) but now also made of wheat flour. The corn tortilla is a staple food in most of Mexico and Central America, while the flour tortilla is typical of Northern Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine. The tortilla has become popular across the world. ) and the last drops of Rioja. But before you ask for the bill, look around. The tables next to you, strewn with empty glasses and crumpled napkins, may look like they've finished too, but they're just entering another phase: the ritual known as la sobremesa. Literally translated as "over the table", la sobremesa is the hour (or hours) after the meal when everyone settles in for a long conversation. It may involve another round of coffee or drinks, but there's no pressure: la sobremesa is all about enjoying each other's company. The tradition is thought to stretch back to the agricultural past, when families sat around the table after lunch as it was still too hot return to the fields immediately. Most Spaniards may no longer till the fields ( Tilling a field 翻地 means digging, stirring, or turning over the earth to prepare it for planting crops. If you've visited Lancaster farmland, you've likely heard someone boast that much of Lancasters farmland is "no-till" land. Did you know 66% of Lancaster County's farmers utilize no-till or minimum-till practices on their farms? But what exactly is tilling, and why do we try to avoid it? According to Oregon State University, "tilling is the practice of aerating the soil to permit moisture and air to permeate, allowing seeds to germinate, encouraging root growth, controlling weed growth, and integrating fertilizers into the soil." Farmers often till their fields with plows to prepare fields for seeding. ), but the sobremesa continues its role in maintaining relationships. The joy of enjoying each meal for as long as possible has never gone out of style. What to do: Simply relax, put away your phone and keep chatting away. Waiters are used to letting people enjoy their conversations, so just raise a hand to ask for the bill when you're (really) ready to leave. And feel free to linger even longer. Follow the Sun: Spain's famously late rhythm can bewilder visitors, with dinners that last until midnight and shops that close for hours after lunch. But there's a logic behind the seemingly languorous rhythm(languorous [ˈlæŋ.ɡə.rəs] 慵懒的(表现富贵的)(More sensual and indulgent — a pleasurable slowness. Almost always carries a positive or dreamy connotation. Evokes warmth, luxury, ease. ) mentally or physically tired or not active, in a way that feels or looks pleasant. If you describe an activity as languorous, you mean that it is lazy, relaxed, and not energetic, usually in a pleasant way. ...languorous morning coffees on the terrace. I felt warm and languorous. His dark eyes were languorous and heavy-lidded. languid [ˈlæŋ.ɡwɪd] 懒散的, 懒洋洋的, 慢吞吞的, 有气无力的(General low energy, weak, or slow-moving. Can be neutral or even slightly negative. Often physical — tired limbs, slow movements. ) moving or speaking slowly with little energy, often in an attractive way. lacking energy, or causing a lack of energy or enthusiasm: He sat on the porch enjoying the delicious, languid warmth of a summer afternoon. a languid manner/voice. If you describe someone as languid, you mean that they show little energy or interest and are very slow and casual in their movements. To his delight a familiar, tall, languid figure lowered itself down the steps of a club. Time spent at Jumby Bay can be as energetic or as languid as you wish. We sat about languidly after dinner. ). In Spain, people work with, not against, the Sun. Historically, Spanish farmers started the day early to get their work done before the Sun grew too hot, saving lunch until they were through. Then, in the 1940s, General Franco moved the clocks forward to align with Nazi Germany. Though the country now found itself in the Central European time zone, many stuck to the traditional solar schedule: lunch at 13:00 became lunch at 14:00 as the sun reached its zenith an hour later than before, and dinner happened later, too, as the light now lasted longer. In Spain, the workday is also slightly longer than the EU average: 36.3 hours per week versus 35.9 hours. Perhaps that's why Spain's famous "siesta" is increasingly less the norm, since 80% of its population now lives in cities. Unable to head home at lunchtime and have a nap, workers now often return to the office or use the post-lunch time to tackle chores. What to do: Shape your day around avoiding the worst of the afternoon Sun between 13:00 and 18:00 – a light breakfast. Check shop hours to avoid slogging through the heat to a shuttered destination, and keep in mind that only tourist restaurants open at 19:00. If you can hold off 推迟 until 20:30 or 21:00 you'll be able to eat at better establishments. Consider a strategic siesta to help you stave off the hunger, or prepare for a long night. Make room for the crowd: Spain is a tactile nation, where touching an arm for emphasis, greeting with hugs and (lots of) kisses, bumping shoulders in a bar and standing close to strangers in a line are all everyday aspects of social behaviour – though they can surprise visitors from places with stricter norms around personal proximity. Furthermore, whether you find yourself in the city or the village, Spanish social life has traditionally been lived in public places like plazas, bars and streets. These shared spaces can get quite closely packed, meaning you end up very close to your neighbours by default. What to do: Don't automatically read physical closeness as rudeness. Stake out your own (little) space but accept that you'll still catch accidental bumps and jostles in busy areas. If you need to squeeze past someone, a simple "perdón" (sorry) suffices, and almost always elicits "no pasa nada" (no problem) from the other person. Don't order paella for dinner or sangria at a bar: Thanks to Spain's thriving tourist industry, you'll find the same supposed Spanish staples – sangria, paella [pʌɪˈɛlə] and tapas [ˈtæp.əs] ( Tapas are small, savory plates of food or snacks in Spanish cuisine that are traditionally served alongside drinks like wine or bee. They are sized as appetizers, snacks, or finger foods rather than full main courses. Tapas (Spanish: [ˈtapa]) are appetisers or snacks in Spanish cuisine. They can be combined to make a full meal and are served cold (such as mixed olives and cheese) or hot (such as chopitos, which are battered, fried baby squid; or patatas bravas, spicy potatoes). In some bars and restaurants in Spain and across the globe, tapas have evolved into sophisticated cuisine. In some Central American countries, such snacks are known as bocas. In parts of Mexico, similar dishes are called botanas. An individual appetizer (or single order of an item) is a tapa.) – wherever you go. But Spain is a huge country, with 17 autonomous communities on the mainland, and an equal number of regional cuisines. Traditionally, people ate what was produced locally, and that love for and loyalty towards regional identity when it comes to food is still strong today. Embrace the opportunity to enjoy the beloved dishes of the city you're visiting. Paella is revered as a native dish 本地菜 of Valencia and Catalonia, but wherever you try it, do it like the Spanish and order it just at lunchtime, as it is considered a heavy meal to digest. Tapas bars will serve regional specialties depending on the city, but the sheer creative variety of pintxos is best enjoyed in their Basque homeland. If you're in Madrid in the colder months, don't miss the famous meaty chickpea cocido stew (Cocido is a traditional, hearty Spanish comfort food featuring a slow-cooked blend of meats, vegetables, and legumes simmered in a rich broth.); enjoy gazpacho in Andalusia and most of Spain in the summer. Year-round, consider swerving the sangria. Locals do drink it, but it's not regarded a bar drink: it's more commonly consumed as a punch at parties. What to do: If a restaurant has a photo menu, it will likely be a tourist trap. To explore regional dishes, try a three-course menú del dia in local restaurants during weekdays. These menus are dying out in Spain partly because of shorter lunch breaks and the rise of new, trendier eateries, so look out for places full of locals with daily chalkboard menus, generally indicating fresh, seasonal food. To drink at the bar like a local, order the nationally adored tinto de verano, a mix of red wine and lemonade that contains no hard liquor, or tiny caña draft beers, which stay colder longer.
