用法学习: 1. vortex [ˈvɔːtɛks] 旋涡, 漩涡 旋风 (plural vortexes or vortices) noun. a whirling mass of fluid or air, especially a whirlpool or whirlwind. a mass of air or water that spins around very fast and pulls objects into its empty centre. A vortex is a mass of wind or water that spins round so fast that it pulls objects down into its empty centre. The polar vortex 北极旋风 is a system of wintertime winds. ...the spiralling vortex air-flow that slows the plane. "we were caught in a vortex of water". 煮荷包蛋, 荷包蛋做法 poached eggs: Using a whisk, vigorously swirl water until a vortex forms in the center. Slip 1 egg with vinegar into vortex and continue to swirl water with whisk around edges of pan until it returns to a boil. II. a dangerous or bad situation in which you become more and more involved and from which you cannot escape. If you refer to a situation as a vortex, you feel that you are being forced into it without being able to prevent it. This decision propelled her into a vortex from which there seemed no escape. His country is being dragged closer to the vortex of violence. I was sucked into a vortex of despair. A slotted spoon 漏勺 is a spoon implement used in food preparation. The term can be used to describe any spoon with slots, holes or other openings in the bowl of the spoon which let liquid pass through while preserving the larger solids on top. It is similar in function to a sieve; however, a ladle-sized slotted spoon is most typically used to retrieve items from a cooking liquid while preserving the liquid in the pot, while table-sized slotted spoons are often used to serve foods prepared or packaged in juices, such as canned fruit and vegetables. 2. A séance or seance ( [ˈseɪ.ɑːns] French: [seɑ̃s] ) is an attempt to communicate with spirits. The word séance comes from the French word for "session", from the Old French seoir, "to sit". In French, the word's meaning is quite general: one may, for example, speak of "une séance de cinéma" ("a movie session"). In English, however, the word came to be used specifically for a meeting of people who are gathered to receive messages from ghosts or to listen to a spirit medium discourse with or relay messages from spirits. In modern English usage, participants need not be seated while engaged in a séance. The popularity of séances grew dramatically with the founding of the religion of Spiritualism in the mid-nineteenth century. Perhaps the best-known series of séances conducted at that time were those of Mary Todd Lincoln who, grieving the loss of her son, organized Spiritualist séances in the White House, which were attended by her husband, President Abraham Lincoln, and other prominent members of society. The 1887 Seybert Commission report marred the credibility of Spiritualism at the height of its popularity by publishing exposures of fraud and showmanship among secular séance leaders. Modern séances continue to be a part of the religious services of Spiritualist, Spiritist, and Espiritismo churches today, where a greater emphasis is placed on spiritual values versus showmanship. Leader-assisted séances are generally conducted by small groups of people, with participants seated around a table in a dark or semi-dark room. The leader is typically asserted to be a medium and he or she may go into a trance that theoretically allows the spirits to communicate through his or her body, conveying messages to the other participants. Other modes of communication may also be attempted, including psychography or automatic writing, numbered raps, levitation of the table or of spirit trumpets, apports, or even smell. It was thought spirits of the dead resided within the realm of dark and shadow, making the absence of light a necessity to invoke them. Skeptics were unwilling to accept this required condition. Saying,"You would not buy an automobile if it was only presented in the dark." This is the type of séance that is most often the subject of shock and scandal when it turns out that the leader is practicing some form of stage magic illusion or using mentalism tricks to defraud clients. The ouija ([ˈwiːdʒə] WEE-jə, [-dʒi] jee)( A ouija board is a board with the letters of the alphabet written on it. It is used to ask questions which are thought to be answered by the spirits of dead people.), also known as a spirit board or talking board, is a flat board marked with the letters of the alphabet, the numbers 0–9, the words "yes", "no", occasionally "hello" and "goodbye", along with various symbols and graphics. It uses a planchette (small heart-shaped piece of wood or plastic) as a movable indicator to spell out messages during a séance. Participants place their fingers on the planchette, and it is moved about the board to spell out words. "Ouija" is a trademark of Hasbro, but is often used generically to refer to any talking board. Spiritualists in the United States believed that the dead were able to contact the living and reportedly used a talking board very similar to a modern Ouija board at their camps in the U.S. state of Ohio in 1886 to ostensibly enable faster communication with spirits. 3. TBBT: Leonard, do I detect a little swagger in your step? Possibly. Well, stop. It doesn't suit you. What's going on? Siebert put me in charge of handing out the last bit of the administrative funds. And I have sole discretion [dɪˈskreʃ(ə)n] 我说了算. Whoo! Looks like Christmas came early. First thing on my list is a golden umbrella 'cause Leonard's gonna make it rain! Hold on, I'm not just gonna hand out money. There's a procedure you need to follow. I believe he's referring to the traditional kissing of the buttocks. Should we form a line or just do it like we're bobbing for apples( Apple bobbing, also known as bobbing for apples, is a game often played on Halloween. The game is played by filling a tub or a large basin with water and putting apples in the water. Because apples are less dense than water, they will float at the surface. Players (usually children) then try to catch one with their teeth. Use of arms is not allowed, and the hands are often tied behind the back to prevent cheating. In Scotland, this may be called "dooking" (i.e., ducking). In northern England, the game is often called apple ducking or duck-apple. In Ireland and Newfoundland and Labrador, "Snap Apple Night" is a synonym for Halloween. )? Cute. But President Siebert trusted me with this and I'm taking it seriously. If you have a legitimate request, you can submit it to me in writing and I will evaluate it based on its merits. Sure, sure. Is Jet Ski one word or two? Hofstadter! Heard Siebert put you in charge of the administrative fund? Can't think of a better guy for the job. I think he's done this before. Leonard, I know you and I have a troubled history but I hope that when I make my request, you'll give me a fair shot. Of course. See? That's why I like about this guy, integrity. Bring it in! I just put something in your pocket. It's good at all El Pollo Locos. 4. The Kid Lori: The teenager, who is from the working-class Sydney suburb of Waterloo, recently called out the hangers-on( hangers-on [disapproval] If you describe someone as a hanger-on, you are critical of them because they are trying to be friendly with a richer or more important person, especially in order to gain an advantage for themselves. This is where the young stars and their hangers-on come to party. ) during a radio interview with Fitzy and Wippa. "I've had all types of f**kers come out of the woodwork 不知道从哪里冒出来," he told the radio hosts. "You don't speak to these people for years and all of sudden it's like, "I've always believed in you," and it's like, "No, you didn't,'" he said. heart-rending = heartrending You use heart-rending to describe something that causes you to feel great sadness and pity. ...heart-rending pictures of refugees. I heard the most heartrending screams and moans. heart-wrenching extremely sad or distressing. "this heart-wrenching drama revisits the early days of the crisis". 5. handle noun. I. A handle is a small round object or a lever that is attached to a door and is used for opening and closing it. I turned the handle and found the door was open. II. A handle is the part of an object such as a tool, bag, or cup that you hold in order to be able to pick up and use the object. The handle of a cricket bat protruded from under his arm. ...a broom handle. III. [informal] If you have a handle on a subject or problem, you have a way of approaching it that helps you to understand it or deal with it. When you have got a handle on your anxiety you can begin to control it. verb. I. If you say that someone can handle a problem or situation, you mean that they have the ability to deal with it successfully. To tell the truth, I don't know if I can handle the job. She cannot handle pressure. You must learn how to handle your feelings. to be able to deal successfully with a large amount of work or information. The newer computers can handle massive amounts of data. The helpline handles 100 calls an hour. to deal successfully with a person who is likely to become angry or upset Flight attendants are trained to handle difficult passengers. The Big Sky: There could have been so many places they could have taken a wrong turn. If they were in cell range, which maybe they weren't. In that area... I am not trying to handle you. I'm worried myself, okay? II. If you talk about the way that someone handles a problem or situation, you mention whether or not they are successful in achieving the result they want. I think I would handle a meeting with Mr. Siegel very badly. She admitted to herself she didn't know how to handle the problem. The family has criticized the military's handling of Robert's death. The government was criticized for the way it handled the crisis. Amy: Actually, some research indicates that by not over-thinking, the less intelligent handle emotions better. Sure you're not coming down with a cold? Sheldon: Have you ever dealt with something so relentlessly irritating? Leonard: That's a trick question, right? handle something well 处理的很好, 应对得当: Congratulations! You handled that really well. He asked me to move in, but I think I handled it well. Really? She asked you to move in with her? Yeah, she was hinting around about it, but I think I handled it pretty well. "Pretty well"? You ran out of there so fast, if it was a cartoon, there would have been a Stuart-shaped hole in the wall. Was she mad? Uh, no. I talked to her after. She said she's fine. So how are you guys? Really good. Except for when we went grocery shopping, and the checkout lady asked when I was due. But you handled it well. badly/poorly handled: We felt that the dispute was badly handled. III. If you handle a particular area of work, you have responsibility for it. to be responsible for doing a particular job or piece of work. to manage, deal with, or be responsible for: My wife handles the household accounts. This computer handles all our billing. Detective Dawkin will be handling this case. Publicity is being handled by an outside agency. She handled 负责事务 travel arrangements for the press corps during the presidential campaign. The investigation is being handled by Scotland Yard's anti terrorist branch. press corps: a group of news reporters who are located in a particular place or who follow a particular person the White House press corps. The White House press corps is the group of journalists, correspondents, and members of the media usually assigned to the White House in Washington, D.C., to cover the president of the United States, White House events, and news briefings. Its offices are located in the West Wing. IV. When you handle something such as a weapon, vehicle, or animal 用, 使用, you use it or control it, especially by using your hands. to control an animal or a vehicle using your hands She handled the horse very confidently. I had never handled an automatic. V. If something such as a vehicle handles well, it is easy to use or control. if a vehicle handles well or badly, it is easy or difficult to control His ship had handled like a dream! VI. When you handle something, you hold it or move it with your hands. Wear rubber gloves when handling 处理 cat litter. to touch or hold someone or something handle something with care: All chemicals must be handled with care. handle someone roughly 粗暴对待: Some prisoners complained that they'd been roughly handled. VII. to buy and sell goods, especially illegally handle stolen goods 赃物: He denied burglary but admitted handling stolen goods. someone cannot handle something 应付不来, 应付不了 someone is unable to deal with something I left because I couldn't handle the pressure. too hot to handle too difficult or dangerous to get involved with The exiled leader was becoming too hot to handle and the government decided to expel him. 6. answer to the name of 名字叫做 be called. if an animal answers to the name of something, it comes to you when you call it this name "a missing gent answering to the name of Bloom". What does your dog answer to? to have a particular name a small boy answering to the name of Andrew. answer to someone to have to explain to someone why you did something. to take orders from, obey, and explain your actions to someone: The great thing about working for yourself is that you don't have to answer to anyone. I answer to no one except the president. Parisian [pəˈrɪzɪən] 巴黎的, 巴黎人 adj. relating to Paris. "a Parisian boulevard". noun. a native or inhabitant of Paris. someone from Paris in France. controversy US [ˈkɑntrəˌvɜrsi] UK: [kənˈtrɒvə(r)si] ( controversial [ˌkɑntrəˈvɜrʃ(ə)l] ) prolonged public disagreement or heated discussion. "the design of the building has caused controversy". amount in controversy 有争议的金额, 有争议的数额 the amount of money that is being disputed in a civil court case The court has jurisdiction in civil cases where the amount in controversy is less than $12,000. The Board requested that he remain in office until they could choose a successor, and Scott reluctantly assented. 7. TBBT: Would you mind stocking these ( stock I. if a shop stocks goods, it has them available for sale Do you stock fishing rods? II. to fill a place with things that you will need. stock something with something: They had stocked their cupboards with food for the holidays. The bathroom was stocked with expensive toilet articles. well-stocked a well-stocked shop has plenty of things in it to choose from. stock up on/with sth During the emergency, people stocked up on essential items. We've stocked up with food in case we get snowed in. There are genuine reductions to take advantage of, and it could be worth stocking up. stock up on sth Before the storm arrived, Jamaicans rushed to stores to stock up on bottled water. stock car A stock car is an old car which has had changes made to it so that it is suitable for races in which the cars often crash into each other. He acted as grand marshal of a stock car race. )? Actually, I'm not on the clock today( the amount of time on the clock is the amount of time since something started. The amount of time left on the clock or still on the clock is the amount of time before something finishes. on the clock I. INFORMAL used for saying how many miles a vehicle's mileometer or speedometer shows. Currently displayed on a motor vehicle's speedometer or odometer. I can't believe I got a ticket for speeding—I was only going 50 on the clock! This car may have 200,000 kilometers on the clock, but it still runs as smooth as ever. a car with over 82,000 miles on the clock. II. Currently engaged in work during one's normal working day or assigned hours. I'd love to go have a beer with you, but as you can see by the uniform I'm wearing, I'm actually on the clock right now. III. Of a taxi (and by extension, its driver), currently engaged to carry a passenger and having an active meter. Sorry, but I can't stay to chat. I've got a taxi waiting outside that's still on the clock! ). I'm just hanging out with my boyfriend. Ah, cool. Huh. That's me, right? Oh, I forgot to tell you I broke up with you, and now I'm dating... that guy. I know you're joking, but my flight-or-flight response doesn't. Isn't it fight-or-flight? Not for me. TBBT: So I told my mom she just needed to back off. This is our wedding, and if anyone's gonna design the floral arrangements, it's going to be my man. Thank you. I mean, I'm not trying to be a groomzilla, but... this is my specialty 特长, 专项. Someone texting you? Uh, no. It's just my, uh, doorbell camera. Oh. I got one of those for my place, but I never installed it. Oh, it's easy. I can do it for you. You're gonna love it. It's how I found out a raccoon was stealing my cheese-of-the-month club. 8. trade on/upon something to use something for your own advantage, esp. unfairly. to use a situation or someone's kindness in order to get an advantage for yourself If you ask me, they're just trading on Sam's good nature 好心, 善心, 好意. He ran the kind of political campaign that trades on people's fear of crime. If someone trades on something, they make use of it for their own advantage, often in an unfair way. He was a man who traded on the achievements of others. The Big Sky: I can't believe this is happening. Danny. Not the time to panic. Oh, really, Grace? When would be a good time? If he was going to kill us, he would have done so. Probably 'cause he wants to do something to us. Oh, God. He wanted to talk. He didn't just zap me. He wanted to talk first. I think we're dealing with a very lonely person. Okay. Good. So, how do we trade on that? zap I. transitive to hit, harm, or destroy someone or something, usually using a weapon or a piece of equipment developed by modern technology. To zap someone or something means to kill, destroy, or hit them, for example with a gun or in a computer game. A guard zapped him with the stun gun. ...throat spray, which absolutely zaps any remnant of my sore throat. the movie's endless scenes of aliens being zapped by lasers. II. transitive to cook something in a microwave. III. 换频道. intransitive/transitive to change the program you are watching on television using a remote control. If you zap channels while watching television, you change channels using the remote control. Men like to zap the TV channels, something that can drive certain women berserk. In the old days there were fewer channels to zap. IV. intransitive/transitive to send or move something very quickly, or move in this way. The plane zapped across the sky in a flash. V. To zap something such as a computer file or document means to delete it from the computer memory or to clear it from the screen. 9. The Big Sky: Problem? I'm not comfortable, Ronald. You've been acting off 表现不正常, 行为不正常, 行为异常. That's my problem. Maybe the problem is you. You ever consider that? I actually have. After all... what's that saying? "A mother is only as healthy as her sickest child"? What has gotten into you? I have a nose for things. And I don't like the stink. The Big Sky: What time did you get up? Uh, woke up at 3:00. Couldn't fall back asleep. You gonna leave me? I'd feel a lot less alone if I did. Remember I told you my nickname in high school? The Big Rick. Wasn't just because I was big or captain of the football team. It was that I could always be counted on to do the right thing, the moral thing. But... the "good" of something, the "right" of it... ... murky business. What have you done? murky I. 昏暗的. dark and dirty or difficult to see through. dark or cloudy. A murky place or time of day is dark and rather unpleasant because there is not enough light. The large lamplit room was murky with woodsmoke. It happened at Stamford Bridge one murky November afternoon. a. Murky water or fog is so dark and dirty that you cannot see through it. ...the deep, murky waters of Loch Ness. murky waters. The river was brown and murky after the storm. II. [British, disapproval] used to describe a situation that is complicated and unpleasant, and about which many facts are not clear. If you describe an activity or situation as murky, you suspect that it is dishonest or morally wrong. There has been a murky conspiracy to keep them out of power. He became involved in the murky world of international drug-dealing. I don't want to get into the murky waters of family arguments. III. If you describe something as murky, you mean that the details of it are not clear or that it is difficult to understand. The law here is a little bit murky. The movie has dumb characters and a murky plot (= it is difficult to understand). 10. oversell 吹过头 If you say that something or someone is oversold, you mean that people say they are better or more useful than they really are. to say that someone or something is better than they really are because you want to impress or persuade people The benefits of higher education have been oversold. I think the reformers have at times oversold the reforms. undersell 贱卖 I. to sell something at a less expensive price than someone else. II. to think or say that someone or something is less important, valuable, effective, etc. than they really are. sell someone short 贱卖 to describe someone or something as less impressive than they really are His main fault is that he tends to sell himself short. Big Sky: You have a face to fall in love with. Oh, sugar. I'm not the type that people fall in love with. Why not? Because they don't. I think you're selling yourself short 自贬身价. People sell me short all the time. Even my own mother. Don't let them do that. I won't. Do you have a mother? Why do you ask? Well, no offense, but people in your... line of work, I sometimes wonder what their parents think. Well, I haven't spoken to my parents since... I don't know when. outsell If one product outsells another product, the first product is sold more quickly or in larger quantities than the second. The team's products easily outsell those of other American baseball clubs overseas.The company consistently outsells all other European designers.
