用法学习: 1. quay: a hard surface next to an ocean or river, where boats can stop. ferry: 渡轮, 轮渡, 渡船, 渡口. a boat that makes short regular trips between two or more places. There is no ferry service to the island in the winter. take/catch the ferry: They took the ferry to Staten Island. go by ferry: We went by overnight ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. I. A ferry is a boat that transports passengers and sometimes also vehicles, usually across rivers or short stretches of sea. They had recrossed the River Gambia by ferry. II. If a vehicle ferries 运送 people or goods, it transports them, usually by means of regular journeys between the same two places. Every day, a plane arrives to ferry guests to and from Bird Island Lodge. It was still dark when five coaches started to ferry the miners the 140 miles from the Silverhill colliery. A helicopter ferried in more soldiers to help in the search. seaport 港口城市, 海港 a town close to the ocean with a large port. A seaport is a town with a large harbour 港口 that is used by ships. King's Lynn, known until 1537 as Bishop's Lynn,[2] is a seaport and market town in Norfolk, England. ...the Baltic seaport of Rostock. harbour = harbor an area of water near the land where it is safe for boats to stay. A port is a harbor where passengers and goods can be taken on and off. Norfolk harbor. Several fishing boats were moored in the tiny harbor. port I. [countable/uncountable] an area of water where ships stop, including the buildings around it. A harbor is the same thing but smaller and is intended for smaller boats. in port: We'll have to spend 10 days in port for repairs. At dusk they docked at the port of Monaco. a. a city where there is a port. New York is the busiest port on the East Coast. II. [countable] computing a part of a computer that you fit a cable into so that you can connect another piece of equipment to it. the printer port. any port in a storm used for saying that you will accept any help or take any opportunity if you are in a bad situation. It's not an ideal solution, but any port in a storm. port of call I. a place on land where a ship stops before continuing its trip. II. informal one of the places that you visit on a trip. port of entry the place where someone or something officially enters a country. 2. back catalogue I. 旧作. A listing of all the works of a specific artist, or all the books, records etc of a specific publisher, including works that are no longer available. A musical performer's back catalogue is the music which they recorded and released in the past rather than their latest recordings. In his back catalogue, he was heavily criticised for his use of the word "faggot". However, on his last album Flower Boy, he discussed his sexuality in what appeared to be a breakthrough moment, and has since been more open about his refusal to accept labels. II. (informal) The works themselves. not a pretty sight If you say that someone or something is not a pretty sight, you mean that it is not pleasant to look at. [informal] The bathroom is not a pretty sight. The wallpaper's peeling, the tiles are crumbling. eyesore (eye candy) an unpleasant or ugly sight in a public place: They think the new library building is an eyesore. 3. go for broke I. To wager everything. II. (idiomatic) To try everything possible or do every last thing possible in a final attempt. here goes nothing (idiomatic) Indicates a lack of confidence or certainty about the activity about to be tried. Well, I checked everything and I think it's wired up correctly, so I guess all that's left is to turn it on. Here goes nothing! go for somebody/something I. British English to attack or criticize someone The dog suddenly went for me. II. to try to get or win something Jackson is going for his second gold medal here. go for it spoken (=used to encourage someone to try to achieve something) If you really want the job, go for it! III. British English to choose something I think I'll go for the chocolate cake. IV. informal to like a particular type of person or thing. Annie tends to go for older men. the same goes for somebody/something (also that goes for somebody/something too) spoken used to say that a statement you have just made is true about someone or something else too. Close all doors and lock them when you go out. The same goes for windows. I could/would go for something spoken used to say that you would like to do or have something. A full meal for less than five bucks! I could go for that! go with something I. to be provided or offered together with something. The house goes with the job. He had fame, money, and everything that goes with it. Does a car go with the job? a. to exist frequently with something A fair amount of stress seems to go with jobs like this. II. to seem good, natural, or attractive in combination with something. Which shoes go best with this dress? III. to choose or accept something. to choose something (over something else). To select or choose something: We decided to go with the pink wallpaper, even though it doesn't match our carpet. I think I'll go with the yellow one. We decided to go with the oak table rather than the walnut one. I think we should go with yellow for the walls. IV. to accept someone's idea, plan etc. Take the side of someone. to accept someone's idea or plan. Let's go with John's original proposal. I'll go with you in defending his right to speak freely. We're asking importers to go with the domestic rules and customs. V. Look good with, match. For example, This chair goes well with 相配, 匹配 the rest of the furniture, or That color doesn't go with the curtains. go with someone INFORMAL to have a romantic or sexual relationship with someone. I heard that Carol is going with the guy who works downstairs. a. INFORMAL to have sex with someone.
sing a different tune = sing another tune (dance to another tune) To change one's opinion, behavior, or attitude, especially suddenly or abruptly. to change one's manner, usually from bad to good. He never used to support that political candidate, but he's singing a different tune all of a sudden. I used to be very cynical about the world, but ever since surviving that car wreck, I've been singing a different tune! They'll be singing a different tune after they see what we've come up with. When she learned that I was a bank director, she began to sing a different tune. You will sing another tune as soon as you find out how right I am!. change (one's) tune To change one's attitude, opinion, manner, or stance on something, typically in a way that is more positive or agreeable. Reverse one's views or behavior, switch sides. The mention of a hefty tip really changed the host's tune, so I think he'll be able to find us a table after all. After I threatened him with no allowance, my son changed his tune and started doing his chores. When she realized she was talking to the bank president, she quickly changed her tune, or I bet Dan will sing a different tune when he finds out what the salary is. dance to another tune To change one's behavior. to shift quickly to different behavior; to change one's behavior or attitude. He'll be dancing to another tune when he finds out that the board means business. After being yelled at, Ann danced to another tune. A stern talking-to will make her dance to a different tune. I hope that detention gets these rambunctious students to dance to another tune. sing the same tune 意见统一, 意见一致 To have the same understanding of something as someone else; to say the same things about something as other people, especially in public. I think we should have a meeting with everyone who's involved in the project. That way we can all be singing the same tune before we begin. Make sure everyone the campaign is singing the same tune before we release any kind of statement to the press.
catch 和 take 的细微区别, the (表示这一路, 或者这一辆) 和 a (表交通方式) 的区别: catch/take a bus/train: I have to take a bus to work today. I have to catch a bus to work today. How do you plan to go to Baltimore? I will either drive or take a bus. Where are you going? I have to catch a bus. The last one leaves in ten minutes. Loob: My [...] car's broken down again. How on earth am I going to get to town? Loob's BrE-speaking friend: You'll have to catch a bus/You'll have to catch the bus/You'll have to get a bus/You'll have to get the bus. 在美国你可以说get a cab, 但不说get a bus, 在英国可以说get a bus. "Can I get a bus from here to..." means "is there a route?" "...get the bus" wouldn't make sense, since there might not be a route to the desired destination. Thinking about AE usage a little more, I suspect, but cannot prove, that we are more apt to take a/the bus for long journeys, and catch a/the bus for local commutation. I'm taking a bus from Boston to Las Vegas. [We also take trains for longer trips.] the bus/train 和 a bus/train的区别: "How do you get to the houses of your friends?" "Sometimes I walk, sometimes I take a bus" (not "the bus" because it might be different buses for different friends). "How do you get to work?" "Sometimes I walk, sometimes I take the bus" ("the bus" because you always take the same bus (route) to work). I've got to catch the bus home now. If you use the definite article 'the' it means that the fact of catching the bus has been mentioned before in the discussion or it's a well known fact. But, if it is a new subject, you have to say 'a bus'.
What it would mean for the Queen to invite Meghan's mum to Christmas: "The Queen has invited Doria to Sandringham for Christmas," or so reported one of Britain's Sunday papers recently. It's certainly possible, but, regular as clockwork 时钟一样准时, this is a story that's rehashed every year(rehash 炒冷饭 to do something again without adding new ideas or without changing it. If you say that someone rehashes old ideas, facts, or accusations, you disapprove of the fact that they present them in a slightly different way so that they seem new or original. [disapproval] They've taken some of the best bits out of the best things and rehashed them. [VERB noun] They are just bringing up old rehashed claims, with no vision for the future. We spent most of the meeting rehashing old issues. If you describe something as a rehash, you are criticizing it because it repeats old ideas, facts, or themes, though some things have been changed to make it appear new. [disapproval] The Observer found the play 'a feeble rehash of familiar Miller themes'. [+ of] Most of the 'new' models look set to be little more than rehashes 稍作改变 of existing products.), each time with a different in-law in place. Meghan's situation is unique when compared to previous royal spouses. For anyone who watched May's royal wedding, it would be impossible to miss Harry's full house on one side of the Chapel in stark contrast to Meghan's sole family member, her mum Doria, sitting stoically ( stoical 逆来顺受的 [ˈstoʊɪk(ə)l] accepting things without complaining. If you say that someone behaves in a stoical way, you approve of them because they do not complain or show they are upset in bad situations. [formal, approval] He never made excuses, maintaining a stoical silence. He had been stoical at their parting. ) and alone across the aisle. Meghan is incredibly close to her mother and she has been a strong and guiding influence throughout her life—none more so, perhaps, than over the last few months as Meghan has navigated her entry into royal life. An invitation to spend Christmas Day at Sandringham would be as unprecedented as Meghan attending the festivities last year when she was still just a fiancée. It is an occasion steeped ( steep v. To steep food in a liquid means to put the food in the liquid for some time so that the food gets flavour from the liquid. It's a drink made by steeping pineapple rind in water. [VERB noun] ...green beans steeped in olive oil. be steeped in something to have a lot of a particular quality or thing. The region is steeped in history. adj. I. A steep slope 陡坡 rises at a very sharp angle and is difficult to go up. a steep slope/hill/bank/path. It was a steep climb out of the valley. San Francisco is built on 40 hills and some are very steep. ...a narrow, steep-sided valley. The road climbs steeply, with good views of Orvieto through the trees. ...steeply terraced valleys. ...houses with steeply sloping roofs. a steep drop or fall is sudden and nearly vertical. Suddenly the plane pitched forwards into a steep dive. II. A steep increase or decrease in something is a very big increase or decrease. Consumers are rebelling at steep price increases. Unemployment is rising steeply. III. If you say that the price of something is steep, you mean that it is expensive. [informal] The annual premium can be a little steep, but will be well worth it if your dog is injured. ) in familiar tradition for the Windsors, but for the inexperienced newbie it's enough to make you want to double-spike your eggnog ( Eggnog is a drink made from egg, milk, sugar, spices, and alcohol such as rum or brandy. ). In previous years the odd extended family member of a royal spouse has joined the royals for church on Christmas morning, notably the Middletons in 2014, but they are not believed to have returned to the big house for lunch following the service. Other family members have routinely been invited to Sandringham in the days and weeks following Christmas, but Christmas Day itself is sacrosanct ( [ˈsækrouˌsæŋkt] I. 神圣不可侵犯的. considered too important to be changed or criticized. If you describe something as sacrosanct, you consider it to be special and are unwilling to see it criticized or changed. Beyond alteration, criticism, or interference, especially due to religious sanction; inviolable. something that is sacrosanct is considered to be so important that no one is allowed to criticize or change it. What one pilot holds as sacrosanct routine, another pilot disdains. The suggestion is that the central core area should be absolutely sacrosanct with slightly less stringent restrictions as you spread outward. Freedom of the press is sacrosanct. ...weekend rest days were considered sacrosanct. II. very holy. -sanct-, root. -sanct- comes from Latin, where it has the meaning "holy.'' This meaning is found in such words as: sacrosanct, sanctify, sanction, sanctity, sanctuary. sacro- [ˈseɪkrəu,ˈsakrəu] relating to the sacrum. "sacroiliac". sacrilege [ˈsakrɪlɪdʒ] 失敬, 不尊重, 大不敬 noun the act or an instance of taking anything sacred for secular use. violation or misuse of what is regarded as sacred. Sacrilege is behaviour that shows great disrespect for a holy place or object. the misuse or desecration of anything regarded as sacred or as worthy of extreme respect. to play Mozart's music on a kazoo is sacrilege. Stealing from a place of worship was regarded as sacrilege. "putting ecclesiastical vestments to secular use was considered sacrilege". You can use sacrilege to refer to disrespect that is shown for someone who is widely admired or for a belief that is widely accepted. It is a sacrilege to offend democracy. sacrilegious [sækrɪlɪdʒəs] 大不敬的, 失敬的, 不尊重的 adj If someone's behaviour or actions are sacrilegious, they show great disrespect towards something holy or towards something that people think should be respected. A number of churches were sacked and sacrilegious acts committed. ) for the Queen. It's nothing personal; simply that Christmas Day provides an opportunity for Her Majesty to enjoy quality time with her own immediate family with no expectation of being on parade. There's also the issue of space. Large as Sandringham might be, it is a house, not a palace. When the whole family is in residence, there simply isn't room for anyone else. Carole and Michael Middleton are the grandparents of the future king, as were the late Earl Spencer and Frances Shand Kydd, but to date none have swilled sherry ( swill I. [transitive] to drink a large amount of something, especially alcohol, in an enthusiastic way. They sat around the table swilling beer. II. [intransitive/transitive] if a liquid swills inside a container or area, or you swill it there, it moves around. swill something around 晃来晃去, 摇晃, 晃荡, 摇晃: Cathy swilled the brandy around in her glass. III. [transitive] to pour water over something in order to clean it. swill something out/down: She swilled the pan out in the sink. sherry a strong wine from southern Spain, often drunk before a meal. a. [countable] a glass of sherry. fortified wine an alcoholic drink made by adding a small amount of brandy or other alcoholic drink to wine. Sherry and port are fortified wines. ) or pulled crackers ( Christmas crackers—also known as bon-bons in some regions of Australia—are part of Christmas celebrations primarily in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Commonwealth countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. A cracker consists of a segmented cardboard tube wrapped in a brightly decorated twist of paper with a prize in the central chamber, making it resemble an oversized sweet-wrapper. The cracker is pulled apart by two people, each holding an outer chamber, causing the cracker to split unevenly and leaving one person holding the central chamber and prize. The split is accompanied by a mild bang or snapping sound produced by the effect of friction on a shock-sensitive, chemically impregnated card strip (similar to that used in a cap gun). One chemical used for the friction strip is silver fulminate. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) lists English Christmas Crackers as an item prohibited from being brought onto an aircraft. Assembled crackers are typically sold in boxes of three to twelve. These typically have different designs usually with red, green, and gold colours. Making crackers from scratch using tissue paper and the tubes from toilet rolls is a common activity for children. ) over the Queen's Christmas goose ( The modern day American family will sit down to a meal of turkey or ham or beef this Christmas, but goose remains the traditional. Christmas meat of choice for many and was long before Dickens wrote of its succulence. The goose has been perfectly created to make for the ideal Christmas feast. Geese are ready to be eaten twice a year. Once when they are young or "green" in the early summer and again when they are at their fattest and ripest toward the end of the year after having feasted on fallen corn. It also has the softest fat in its category of animal.). Therein lies the quandary( [ˈkwɒnd(ə)ri] a state of perplexity or uncertainty over what to do in a difficult situation. "Kate was in a quandary" a difficult situation; a practical dilemma. "a legal quandary". ): invite one set of in-laws, and suddenly Christmas becomes a free-for-all "plus one". In recent years, William and Kate have chosen to spend several Christmases with Kate's family in Bucklebury. While alternating families for the holidays is a standard festive headache 节日头疼事 for us regular folk(How Should Couples Split the Holidays Between Their Families. How should we divide the holidays between our families? Ways to Split Up Time Between Families During the Holidays.), it was an unprecedented move in the Sandringham circle. In years gone by all immediate family members were expected to be in attendance, but since their marriage, the Tindalls, too, have occasionally skipped Sandringham in favour of their own plans. Should it transpire that the Queen hasn't invited Doria it won't indicate any slight, malice or scandal, but rather a wish to preserve the elements of a sacred family Christmas. In that way, the royals are "just like us". With the Queen and Prince Philip's advancing years, Christmas with the whole family becomes ever more precious and the Queen cherishes family above all else. The Queen will be conscious of Meghan wanting to celebrate the festive season with her mother, especially given she's an only child on her mother's side. With Her Majesty's blessing, it's possible Harry and Meghan may choose to spend their first newlywed Christmas indulging in roast chicken at Nottingham Cottage with Doria and their pups. Or, they may choose to join the rest of the royal family at Sandringham just as they did last year.
