用法学习: 1. catering 提供餐饮 the job of organizing the food and drinks for an event such as a party or meeting. Who's doing the catering for the reception? the catering staff. Catering is expensive. drinks and nibbles: I am new to Mum's net and I really need some help for catering wonder women. I have got 20-25 Mums from school coming for drinks and nibbles吃吃喝喝 next weekend. I really need some good quick impressive but easy canape ideas. If you know any tasty 'cheating' party nibble ideas I'd be really grateful. I have never done a party like this before and I am starting to panic. All ideas gratefully received. cater to something 适合口味 to provide people with something they want or need, especially something unusual or special. There are more and more TV shows catering to young male audiences. cater for someone/something 提供所需 to provide people with everything they want or need. The school aims to cater for children of all abilities. Football fans are well catered for. a self-catering holiday or place is one where you can cook your own food. Shock value 为了吓人而吓人的 (I don't like that thriller, it's only gory for shock value) is the potential of an action (as a public execution), image, text, or other form of communication to provoke a reaction of massive disgust, shock, anger, fear, and other similar negative emotions hoping to make their audiences sick. The term off-color humor (also known as dirty jokes) is an Americanism used to describe jokes, prose, poems, black comedy, blue comedy and skits that deal with topics considered to be in poor taste or overly vulgar by the prevailing morality of a culture. Most commonly labeled as "off-color" are acts concerned with a particular ethnic group or gender. Other off-color topics include violence, particularly domestic abuse; excessive swearing or profanity; "toilet humor"; national superiority or inferiority; "dead baby" jokes; and other topics generally considered impolite or indecent. Generally, the intent of off-color humor is to induce laughter by evoking a feeling of shock and surprise in the comedian's audience. In this way, off-color humor is related to other forms of postmodern humor, such as the anti-joke. The highly-praised television show South Park also popularized the use of offensive humor, for which the show has become infamous. The Aristocrats is perhaps the most famous dirty joke in the US due to its high shock value and is certainly one of the best-known and most oft-repeated among comedians themselves. Shock advertising or Shockvertising is a type of advertising generally regarded as one that "deliberately, rather than inadvertently, startles and offends its audience by violating norms for social values and personal ideals." 2. gruesome 血腥的, 血淋淋的 involving or describing death or injury in a very unpleasant way. the gruesome details of how she was murdered. Police faced the gruesome task of looking for the body parts. The first part of the movie is quite gruesome. distinctive 特色鲜明的, 容易辨认的, 容易认得出来的 easy to recognize because of being different from other people or things of the same type. a smooth, rich coffee with a distinctive flavour. a distinctive feature: Good visuals and diagrams are the magazine's most distinctive features. She is a quite distinctive girl, very tall, thin. A brand which is widely known in the marketplace acquires brand recognition品牌辨识度, 品牌知名度. When brand recognition builds up to a point where a brand enjoys a critical mass of positive sentiment in the marketplace, it is said to have achieved brand franchise. He is a star with a great deal of name recognition名字辨识度. recognizable 辨认的出来的, 辨识度高的, 认得出来的 able to be recognized or identified from previous encounters or knowledge. "there was no recognizable photograph of him". His or her face is mostly obscured, the only details that can be made out辨认出 are the individual's light skin,
dark hair of cheekbone length and a poster for the movie Casablanca on
the wall. A body discovered "burned beyond recognition(完全改了模样,面目全非, 难以辨认, 认不出来)"
in a Miami rubbish bin is that of a 26-year-old model who once posed
for Playboy, reports from the US say. When the data includes private information, such as passwords and credit card numbers, steps must be taken to make the data unintelligible( 难解的, 无法了解的, 莫明其妙的. legible清晰易读的, illegible字迹模糊难辨认的) to unauthorized parties.
Transferring sensitive information敏感信息
over a network can be risky. discern I. 明察秋毫, 眼里容不得沙子.明眼人. to notice something, especially after thinking about it carefully or studying it. discern a difference/pattern/reason. II. to see or hear something, especially something that is far away or not very clear. We could just about discern a small figure walking towards us. discerning 有洞察力的, 明察秋毫的, 有鉴赏力的, 明辨是非的, 分得清好坏的, 懂行的, 在行的, 内行的 showing good judgment about things such as art, music, and books and able to tell whether something is valuable or well made. The discerning reader will appreciate the subtleties of Boyd's humour. discernible [dɪˈsɜ:(r)nəb(ə)l] 很明显的, 一眼即知的, 明摆着的 able to be seen, noticed, or understood. a discernible improvement in the patient's condition. A small boat was clearly discernible in the middle of the lake. 3. honk 鸣喇叭 I. [intransitive/transitive] to make a loud noise using a horn, especially the horn of a car. II. [intransitive] if a goose or another bird honks, it makes a loud noise. shonky dishonest, not reliable, or of bad quality. Actually, my name is Austin Powers. Danger is my middle name. -- Austin, in Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery. Danger's my middle name! Well, actually it's Quincy, but you guys get the picture. -- Steve Urkel in Family Matters. deserving 应该的, 理所当然的, 应得的, 配得上的, 最应该的, 得其所的 worthy of being treated in a particular way, typically of being given assistance. worth supporting or helping. I am the deserving winner. Government money is now only being given to the most deserving areas of the city. "the deserving poor". Happy spending花钱愉快, 好好花钱吧. He just doesn't learn学不乖, 得不到教训. pick someone or something apart I. Lit. 撕裂开. to pick at and pull someone or something to pieces. The vultures attacked the hunger-weakened 饿得没有力气的 man and tried to pick him apart. They tried to pick apart the body. Harry picked his piece of cake apart, looking to get all the nuts out. II. 撕个粉碎. Fig. to analyze and criticize someone or something negatively. to find mistakes, weaknesses, or faults in someone or something. When new
software is developed, the company sends out a test version and asks
users to pick it apart. Lots of players are picked apart by their
coaches, by the fans, and by the media. You didn't review her performance; you just picked her apart. The critics picked apart the performers. vulture 秃鹭, 吃人类尸体的鸟 I. a large bird that eats the bodies of dead animals. II. informal someone who tries to gain an advantage from weaker people. culture vulture showing disapproval someone who is very interested in music, literature, and other arts. This word shows that you think people like this are annoying or not sincere. plow through something I. Lit. to move through something such as snow or mud with a plow. The huge truck plowed through the snow-covered streets so traffic could move again. II. Fig. to work through something with determination. She plowed through the book to learn everything she could. Billy plowed through dinner and ran outside to play. Go jump [in a/the lake] 去死, 滚开! (informal) an impolite way of telling someone to go away and stop annoying you. This guy just wouldn't leave us alone, so finally I told him to go jump in the lake. What a dog真低等! We have a delicate eco-system here, You are the apex predator, even the bosses are underneath you. 4. delicate(fragile, frail) I. 精细易碎, 需要小心呵护的. something that is delicate can easily be damaged or broken. Delicate skin must be protected from the sun. II. someone who is delicate is rather weak and often ill. III. 惹人爱怜的. attractive and thin, small, light, or graceful. The plant has delicate pink flowers. her delicate hands. IV. 精细的. attractive with many small details. a delicate floral design. V. a delicate 细微的, 微妙的 taste, smell, or colour is pleasant and not too strong. VI. a delicate situation 情况微妙, 需要小心应对的 needs to be dealt with carefully so that people do not get upset or annoyed. There is a rather delicate matter that I need to discuss with you. The negotiations are at a very delicate stage. VII. a delicate process is difficult, needing care and a lot of skill. a very delicate operation. a delicate balance between freedom and restraint. VIII. moving with care and skill. He plays the piano with a delicate touch. handsy I. = touchy-feely(have one's creep on). (informal) 爱动手动脚的. prone to touching other people with one's hands, especially inappropriately. II. (golf) moving the hands and wrists excessively when making a stroke or swing. More than a handful is a waste. bonk I. [intransitive/transitive] British to have sex with someone. II. [transitive] to hit someone gently on the head, or to accidentally hit your head on something. A Bonker is a moderately attractive, charming, "girl-next-door" type female who flirts with every male in the vicinity without ever actually dating or hitting anyone. A modern derivative of the Siren, if you will. Rare exceptions can be made in odd cases of a male who is either too young or too old, chosen seemingly at random. TITS! I thought shit was goin down with this one smokin asian girl in my apartment but it turns out she's just a total class-five Bonker. Damn dude, that shit's rough. drive someone bonkers to annoy someone very much. That boy is driving me bonkers with his stupid questions. Is she hot or nowhere哪都补哪儿. 5. pile into something to get into a place or something such as a car, especially in large numbers or in a way that is not organized. Four huge men piled into the back of the car.
Angelina Jolie takes the vile out of villain in 'Maleficent': Angelina Jolie, in taking her first major acting role in years, wanted something "crazy and silly" to counter the more serious parts of her life and her idea of fun was to play a baddie who looks pretty darn scary to children. Maleficent is a villain, and one of Disney's most popular since she appeared as the wicked fairy in the 1959 animated feature "Sleeping Beauty," in which she casts an evil spell on the princess. The modern reimagining of that fairytale in "Maleficent" allows Jolie to show the hurt 伤口 that sparked her character's evil side邪恶的一面 and how she overcomes it. It may be dark at times - "the darkest Disney will go" says Jolie - but kids and adults will get laughs from its wicked humour, an uplifting tale of justice and a new cinematic heroine with a gothic twist. "There are people today, especially kids, that have been bullied and felt like they are outsiders or felt different," said Jolie of her character, who sports black horns and sharp cheekbones. "And I loved that this goes in that direction." So apparently did her six kids, who encouraged her to take the role and helped her find her memorable Maleficent voice. "My children have seen it and it really makes them happy," she said. The studio has launched an ambitious marketing campaign that includes Maleficent lines of MAC Cosmetics and clothing and shoes by designer Stella McCartney. The audience sweet spot(The sweet spot is a place where a combination of factors results in a maximum response for a given amount of effort. In tennis, squash, racquetball, baseball, or cricket, a given swing will result in a more powerful hit if the ball strikes the racket or bat on the latter's sweet spot. The sweet spot is the location at which the object being struck, usually a ball, absorbs the maximum amount of the available forward momentum and rebounds away from the racket, bat, club, etc. with a greater velocity than if struck at any other point on the racket, bat or club.) is girls age 10 and up, an older group than the younger children who swooned for the empowering princesses in the Disney's animated blockbuster "Frozen," according to Phil Contrino, chief analyst at Boxoffice.com. Riding on the momentum of "Frozen," "Maleficent" should bring in $64 million in ticket sales in its opening weekend in the United States and Canada, Contrino said, and Jolie's global appeal hints at big sales overseas. In a lush palate influenced by classic painting in which artists heightened landscapes, Stromberg created two worlds; Maleficent's forest kingdom and the human kingdom ruled by Stefan, the man who wronged 冤枉 her. Maleficent disrupts the christening of King Stefan's daughter Aurora and lets it be known that the princess she calls "Beastie" will go into a deep slumber when she turns 16, a spell that can only be broken by the kiss of true love. Aurora, the Sleeping Beauty played by an angelical天使般的 Elle Fanning, tests Maleficent's hard resolve with her innocence. Maleficent "stands up for her home, she is protecting it from mankind," said Fanning. "She is a powerful lady and she is definitely in charge." As much as she wanted to have fun with the role, Jolie also felt a certain responsibility. "You do a Disney film and you want kids to walk out and be better for it(better for something (=healthier as a result of something): I had a good rest, and I'm feeling a lot better for it. be (all) the better for something to improve as a result of something. Their performance will be all the better for a little extra practice.)," she said. Jolie's next offering will be her second directorial effort, "Unbroken," the real story of an Olympic runner taken prisoner in World War II that will be released Dec. 25. But when it comes to acting, the soon-to-be 39-year-old Jolie likes where she is很满意现状. Billy Bob Thornton has given a graphic account of his relationship with ex-wife, 'Angelina Jolie, publicly spilling details about her obsession with blood. The Monster's Ball actor was married to Angelina for three years - between 2000 and 2003 - before she went on to meet her current husband Brad Pitt. While it's common knowledge 众所周知 the pair had a tempestuous relationship - and Angelina has been open about her previous problems with self harming - the interview provides the most detailed account to date about their bizarre fixation with blood(fixture I. a piece of furniture or equipment that is fixed in its place and is considered part of the building, and so you do not take it with you when you move. Something that is fixed but can be moved is called a fitting. become a fixture: Their display could become a fixture of the show. a. used about a person considered to be permanently established in a job, place etc. II. British a sports event that happens at a regular time and place. The club is having to play all its fixtures away from home.). "Angie came home one day with…you know those lockets (locket a piece of jewellery that consists of a very small case that you wear round your neck on a chain. People often keep a photograph of someone who they love inside a locket.) you buy that are clear and you put a picture of your granny in it or something like that and wear it around your neck? That's what it was. She bought two of those," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "We were apart a lot 不在一起 because she's off making Tomb Raider and I'm making Monster's Ball. We were on opposite ends( on opposite sides of the barricades (idiomatic) Of starkly different, opposite views on an issue. Etymology: The idiom has been in use for at least a century. It probably derives from a literal observation of political
protests, where government buildings were insulated with barricades, and
the government was said to not represent the people because they and
the people were on opposite sides of the barricades.), we see each other for two weeks and whatever," he added. "She thought it would be interesting and romantic if we took a little razor blade and sliced our fingers, smeared a little blood on these lockets and you wear it around your neck just like you wear your son or daughter's baby hair in one. Same thing. From that, we were wearing quart jars of blood around our necks. And we were vampires and we lived in a dungeon." The star also opened up about what went wrong in their relationship, admitting he "didn't feel good enough" for her. "We had a great time together. We had a great marriage and I chickened out because I didn't feel good enough. That's all that happened. It was no big deal, we never hated each other," he admitted.
How to have a good aura and positive energy(I love that boy, he's got good energy. emit/emnate, send out/send forth/radiate/rain good/positive or bad/negative vibe/energy/aura. )? We are magnets. When we emit positive energy 释放正能量, 发散正能量 (thoughts, feelings, and vibrations), we attract more positives to us. When we dwell on the negatives, we attract negatives ~ sapping our energy and strength in the process. If we want to attract heath, wellness, and vitality to ourselves, we must stop circulating (and re-circulating) toxic, negative thoughts and feelings. At any moment, you can send people positive vibes or negative vibes. Criticism sends out negative vibes. So do complaints, disagreement, blame, and frowns. Love, by contrast, involves the emanation of positive energy. Expressions of thanks, gratitude and appreciation, along with interest in others' lives and warm smiles, all send forth 释放出 positive energy as well. The more positive emanations (emanation [ˌeməˈneɪʃ(ə)n] emanate [ˈeməneɪt] I. [intransitive] to come from a particular place. emanate from: She could hear raised voices emanating from her parents' room. Wonderful smells emanated from the kitchen. II. [intransitive/transitive] if you emanate a lot of a quality or feeling 放射, 发散, 散发, or if it emanates from you, you show it without expressing it in words. emanate from: A sense of joy emanated from him.) you send people, the more they will feel appreciated, and appreciate you in return. Overdoing the positivity with excessive gushing, like sunshine that is too intense, can be off-putting倒胃口的. For the most part though, people who emanate positive vibes feel "warm." Whether it's your boss, employee, or colleague; your friend, relative, or partner, warm people feel safe to share with, and, like gentle sunshine和煦的阳光, radiate good feelings. Their positivity makes you want to talk with them more; they establish good vibes as a relationship standard. Positive people avoid being critical or argumentative爱吵架的, 爱争吵的, negating what you say, or responding dismissively to what you say. Those are the habits of negative people. Interacting with someone who is often negative, or being in a group with a leader who sends forth negative words and vibes, can be a downer让人提不起精神, 打击士气. Their energy makes others feel insecure, criticized, irritated or depressed. Time shared with someone who rains toxic energies can be downright unpleasant. Positive individuals and leaders, by contrast, convey interest in your perspective and well-being, along with agreement, appreciation, humor, and affection. Subconsciously, the levels of feel-good chemicals感觉良好的 like serotonin and oxytocin in your body rise when you hear positive words and phrases, or receive a smile, eye contact, or a pat on the back. By contrast, serotonin levels go down when you interact with someone whose words and body language convey the message, "Stay away!" Similarly, the energy in the positivity area of your brain, the left prefrontal lobe, diminishes while the right prefrontal lobe, the locus of negative feelings, increases in energy. Why is it that some people make you feel awful just by being around them? Often, it's an energy thing. Their energy field 能量场 can bring you down. Worse, it can happen that their bad energy follows you. It clings to you. You can't seem to shake the creepy or depressed feelings or the physical symptoms – like cold skin or a dull headache – that come from having been near them. When I was young, I knew a woman who was an invasive hugger, but what she gave others with her hugs wasn't the warm fuzzies暖洋洋的, 暖烘烘的! She gave ice. Auric ice. She made me cold to my core, and from the tip of every hair to the center of every cell. An energy vampire of expert skill, she drained the life force 生命力 from everyone she touched and she did it as often as she could reach out and grab another warm body. Sometimes the energy ice would last for hours, and many years later, when I saw her for the last time, she was still vampirizing the life force out of everyone around her.
