用法学习: 1. the understatement of the year 说得轻松, 太谦虚了, 大题小做, 说小了, 大事化小 (overstatement of the years 说话夸张, 夸大其词) used of a statement that makes something seem much smaller, much less important, etc., than it really is "I may have overreacted a little." "That's the understatement of the year!" That was the understatement of the century for him to say that both department heads are better at presenting than he is . They were both as brilliant as he was useless. apportion [əˈpɔː.ʃən] I. 承担. 分担. 分享. to give or share out something, especially blame or money, among several people or things. to share something between several people or organizations. When you apportion something such as blame, you decide how much of it different people deserve or should be given. The experts are even-handed in apportioning blame among E.U. governments. The allowable deduction is apportioned between the estate and the beneficiaries. ...the apportionment of resources. apportion sth between sb/sth 分配 The costs will be apportioned between the buyer and the seller. apportion sth to sb/sth 给与 She apportioned 25% of her estate to her grandchildren. apportion sth among sb/sth International agreements apportioning flights among airlines will soon be a thing of the past. When we know how much is profit, then we can apportion the money among/between us. The investigation into the air crash would inevitably apportion blame to certain members of the crew. The authors put forward a positive pitch for "abundance liberalism": a vision of the US where policymakers spend less time fighting over how to apportion 分配 scarce resources and more time making sure there's no scarcity to start with. II. INSURANCE, LAW to decide who is responsible for an accident or event, especially when deciding how much of the costs each person, insurance company, etc. should pay: I'm not here to apportion blame, but only to try and resolve the problem. Liability was apportioned 定责, 责任划分, 承担责任 80-20 in his favour. III. ACCOUNTING, TAX to divide costs between different accounts or uses: apportion sth between sb/sth Items such as gas and electricity bills can be apportioned between home and work use. 2. Supply-side progressivism is a political ideology that emphasizes increasing the supply of essential goods and services to make them more abundant and affordable in order to achieve progressive outcomes. Owing to this focus, supply-side progressive policy positions have collectively been referred to in literature and the media as the Abundance Agenda. Supply-side progressivism holds that certain regulations artificially restrict the supply and drive up costs of essential goods and services, such as housing, healthcare, and higher education, while other regulations, such as antitrust law, need to be implemented or enforced to encourage market competition and innovation. They also advocate for more investment in research and development for technologies such as sustainable energy sources in order to increase abundance and reduce costs over time. What the US badly needs to do is build, they argue – build more houses, public transportation, power plants and other infrastructure – but that isn't happening. One obstacle is nimbyism ( nimbyism = NIMBYism = not in my back yard [ˈnɪm.bi.ɪ.zəm] disapproving the behaviour of someone who does not want something to be built or done near where they live, although it does need to be built or done somewhere: Residents were accused of nimbyism when they tried to stop the new superstore development. Nimbyism helps explain the shortage of new housing in the Southeast. nimby = NIMBY abbreviation for not in my back yard: a person who does not want something unpleasant to be built or done near where they live: The spokeswoman said that nimby attitudes were delaying development of the site. a person who does not want something unpleasant but necessary to be built or done near where they live: This followed a nimby campaign against the noise made by the wind farm. ), the tendency of people to support public works and development in the abstract but fight them when they affect their own neighborhoods. Another is "everything bagel" ( An everything bagel A type of bagel with many toppings, such as sesame seeds, garlic, and poppy seeds. A type of bagel baked with a mix of toppings. The exact ingredients vary, but recipes often include garlic flakes, onion flakes, poppy seeds, sesame seeds and kosher salt. The bagels are made with regular dough, and the name is independent of additional fillings such as cream cheese. The everything bagel inspired the creation of other food items with similar toppings, including bagel chips, croissants, rolls, roti, pasta, and mixed nuts. Pre-made mixes of everything bagel seasoning are also available. Many bakeries and fast-casual restaurants offer the Everything bagel. Its origins are disputed, but it was likely first created sometime between 1973 and 1980. ) logrolling ( logrolling 互投赞成票, 互相吹捧 politics specialized I. 互帮, 互相帮忙. 官官相护. 互相挠背 the practice of voting for something that someone else wants in return for them voting for something that you want. the practice of undemocratic agreements between politicians involving mutual favours, the trading of votes, etc. Logrolling is especially common when the legislators are relatively free of control by their national party leaders. It was part of a logrolling package. II. 互捧. 互相吹捧. the practice of praising someone or their work, in return for them doing the same for you: Attention has been drawn to alleged logrolling by authors in "books of the year" features published by newspapers. I am not saying writers of those comments are engaging in logrolling, but they certainly read a different book to the one I did. III. a sport in which two people try to stay standing on a floating log (= a thick piece of a tree trunk or branch), or other long, rounded object, while trying to make the other person fall off: The group's eventual goal is to bring logrolling to the Olympics. Her mum signed her up for a logrolling class at the local pond. IV. 滚木头, 打滚 the practice of turning a person who is lying down in one movement, keeping their spine (= the row of bones down the back) straight: To turn a patient by logrolling, the nurse first folds the patient's arms across their chest. ) that complicates what should be narrowly focused legislation by layering 层层叠加, 罗列 it with other social and political objectives, such as diverse hiring requirements or climate crisis goals, in order to appease interest groups or political constituencies. Abundance makes clear that it is a book written for the left, and isn't really interested in elaborating the ways that Republicans and conservatives have contributed to these problems, though Klein and Thompson acknowledge that they have. Yet within the left the book has proved controversial. "It would be a huge mistake," Matt Bruenig, a policy analyst, wrote in Jacobin, "to sideline whatever focus there is on welfare state expansion and economic egalitarianism ( egalitarianism [ɪˌɡæl.ɪˈteə.ri.ən.ɪ.zəm] 平等主义(主张在社会、政治、经济权利方面人人平等) the belief in or practising of egalitarian principles (= the idea that all people should have the same rights and opportunities). Egalitarianism is used to refer to the belief that all people are equal and should have the same rights and opportunities, and to actions that are based on this belief. Commentators hailed an era of egalitarianism. She has long loved the egalitarianism of life at sea. Companies in Silicon Valley are supposedly centres of egalitarianism. egalitarian [ɪˌɡæl.ɪˈteə.ri.ən] adj. believing that all people are equally important and should have the same rights and opportunities in life: an egalitarian society. The party's principles are basically egalitarian. ) in favor of a focus on administrative burdens in construction." He continued: "Indeed, we have now seen what it looks like when the government supports and subsidizes technological innovation and implementation without concerning itself with the inegalitarianism of the system. His name is Elon Musk. In its desire to promote electrical vehicles and rocketry 火箭技术 ( the science and technology of the design, operation, maintenance, and launching of rockets. ) innovations, the US government made him the richest man in the world and then he used his riches to take over a major political communications platform and then the government." 3. Flaming( In 2006, Klein was one of several writers pseudonymously flamed by The New Republic writer Lee Siegel (posting as a sock puppet called sprezzatura).), also known as roasting, is the act of posting insults, often including profanity or other offensive language, on the internet. Flaming is distinct from trolling, which is the act of someone causing discord online or in person. Flaming emerges from the anonymity that Internet forums provide for users which allows them to act more aggressively. Anonymity can lead to disinhibition 无所顾忌, 放肆, 肆意妄为( disinhibition 无所顾忌, 放肆, 肆意妄为 loss or reduction of an inhibition (as by the action of interfering stimuli or events) disinhibition of a reflex. disinhibition of violent tendencies. inhibited 拘谨的, 受约束的 not confident enough to say or do what you want. not confident enough to say or do what you want. If
you say that someone is inhibited, you mean they find it difficult to
behave naturally and show their feelings, and that you think this is a
bad thing. We are rather inhibited about touching each other. The presence of strangers made her feel inhibited. The presence of strangers made her feel inhibited. uninhibited (disinhibited) 无拘无束的 free and natural, without embarrassment or too much control. If you describe a person or their behaviour as uninhibited, you mean that they express their opinions and feelings openly, and behave as they want to, without worrying what other people think. ...a commanding and uninhibited entertainer. The dancing is uninhibited and as frenzied as an aerobics class. Mason was uninhibited in his questions about Foster's family. The students we spoke to were surprisingly uninhibited in talking about sex. We watched two hours of glorious, uninhibited tennis. She gave a loud, uninhibited laugh. unrestrained [ʌnrɪstreɪnd] (=unchecked) 不受控的 [disapproval] If you describe someone's behaviour as unrestrained, you mean that it is extreme or intense, for example because they are expressing their feelings strongly or loudly. There was unrestrained joy on the faces of the people. His campaign has been unrestrained and often vulgar. hung up 焦虑不安, 惴惴不安 having a hang-up (= feeling of worry about yourself). feeling unreasonably anxious, esp. about yourself: Don't be so hung up about your weight – you look fine. hung up about [informal, disapproval] If you say that someone is hung up about a particular person or thing, you are criticizing them for thinking or worrying too much about that person or thing. It was a time when people weren't so hung-up about health. Are you really that hung up on her? Why are so many women so hung up about food? be hung up on something 对…着迷, 对…忧心忡忡 to be extremely interested in or worried by a particular subject and spend an unreasonably large amount of time thinking about it: Why are you so hung up on getting everything right? ), which results in the swearing, offensive, and hostile language characteristic of flaming. Lack of social cues, less accountability of face-to-face communications, textual mediation, and deindividualization are also likely factors. Deliberate flaming is carried out by individuals known as flamers, which are specifically motivated to incite flaming. These users specialize in flaming and target specific aspects of a controversial conversation. While these behaviors may be typical or expected in certain types of forums, they can have dramatic, adverse effects in others. Flame wars can have a lasting impact on some internet communities where even once a flame war has concluded a division or even dissolution may occur. The individuals that create an environment of flaming and hostility lead the readers to disengage with the offender and may potentially leave the message board and chat room. The continual use of flaming within the online community can create a disruptive and negative experience for those involved and can lead to limited involvement and engagement within the original chat room and program. Social researchers have investigated flaming, coming up with several different theories about the phenomenon. These include deindividuation ( individuate I. 让人觉得很特别, 特别对待. 区别对待 to make a person or thing become different or particular in some way: Her elaborate way of speaking individuates Maria from the other female characters. Technology allows managers to individuate the production process into a series of unique tasks. II. to become a person who thinks or behaves in their own original way: At the age of thirteen she began to individuate and become more of a rebel. We spent a lot of time in our family group, but we were also allowed to individuate. individualized = individualised 个性化的 prepared or suitable for individual people: The hospital gives individualized care/attention/treatment to all its patients. personalized 个人定制的 used to describe an object that has someone's name on it, or that has been made for a particular person: His car has a personalized number plate - TJ 1. Deindividuation ( the loss of a person's sense of individuality and personal responsibility. ) is a concept in social psychology that is generally thought of as the loss of self-awareness in groups, although this is a matter of contention. Deindividuation 群体化导致个人羞耻感丧失, 去个体化, 法不责众心理, in social psychology, describes the loss of self-awareness and self-regulation in group settings, leading individuals to behave in ways they might not otherwise. This phenomenon can result in disinhibited 破格的, 出格的 actions, potentially including antisocial or even aggressive behavior, as individuals may feel less accountable and more influenced by group norms. Theories of deindividuation propose that it is a psychological state of decreased self-evaluation and decreased evaluation apprehension causing antinormative (agasint social norms) 违反社会规范的, 不符合社会规范的 and disinhibited behavior. Deindividuation theory seeks to provide an explanation for a variety of antinormative collective behavior, such as violent crowds, lynch mobs, etc. Deindividuation theory has also been applied to genocide and been posited as an explanation for antinormative behavior online and in computer-mediated communications. Although generally analyzed in the context of negative behaviors, such as mob violence and genocide, deindividuation has also been found to play a role in positive behaviors and experiences. There still exists some variation as to understanding the role of deindividuation in producing anti-normative behaviors, as well as understanding how contextual cues affect the rules of the deindividuation construct. Deindividuation is losing the sense of self in a group. non-normative = nonnormative [ˌnɒnˈnɔː.mə.tɪv] (anti-normative) 非常规的, 不符合社会规范的 not relating to what is considered the usual or normal way for people to look, act, or behave: The study discusses the connections between the creation of norms and the legal punishment of non-normative behaviour. The clothes are sold in a broad range of sizes and cuts to accommodate people with nonnormative body types. heteronormative adj formal usually disapproving suggesting or believing that only heterosexual relationships are normal or right and that men and women have naturally different roles: Ballet has historically been a heteronormative art form. These attitudes come from years of living inside a heteronormative society. The book was filled with misogynistic and heteronormative rhetoric. anti-narrative 反叙事的 a play, film, novel, or other work of art that does not tell a story or describe a series of events. intentionally not telling a story or describing a series of events: This is probably his most anti-narrative, anti-entertainment film to date. He was anti-narrative, not concerned about providing a conventional plot. The beautiful imagery does not compensate for the soporific anti-narrative. We are drawn into an anti-narrative, a story going nowhere. soporific [sɒpəˈrɪfɪk] 沉闷, 让人昏昏欲睡的 causing sleep or making a person want to sleep. Something that is soporific makes you feel sleepy. The warmth of the room and the monotony of the speaker's voice grew soporific. ...the soothing, soporific effects of sitting by an open fire. the soporific effect of the heat. hypnosis [hɪpˈnəʊ.sɪs] 昏昏欲睡 (Narcolepsy 嗜睡症 narcoleptic 嗜睡症的) an artificially produced state of mind similar to sleep in which a person can be influenced to say or do things. a mental state like sleep, in which a person's thoughts or actions can be easily influenced by someone else: under hypnosis. Under deep hypnosis, she remembered the traumatic events of that night. hypnotic [hɪpˈnɒt.ɪk] I. caused by hypnosis: hypnotic trance. She went into a hypnotic trance. II. 昏沉的. 昏昏欲睡的. making you feel as if you want to sleep or are in a trance (= a state of not being completely conscious or in control of yourself): The beat of the music was strangely hypnotic. wiki: A hypnotic (from Greek Hypnos, sleep), also known as a somnifacient 安眠药 or soporific, and commonly known as sleeping pills, are a class of psychoactive drugs whose primary function is to induce sleep and to treat insomnia (sleeplessness). ) and reduced awareness of other people's feelings (online disinhibition effect), conformance to perceived norms, miscommunication caused by the lack of social cues available in face-to-face communication, and anti-normative behavior. 4. blind alley 死路一条, 死胡同, 徒劳无功, 白费功 I. an alley or road that is closed at one end; a cul-de-sac. a course of action leading nowhere. "many technologies that show early promise lead up blind alleys". II. a situation or method that is not effective or will not produce results. something that leads you nowhere or is of no use: This sort of thinking just seems to be leading us up/down a blind alley. All our work has only led us up a blind alley. blowhard 吹牛皮的人, 吹牛逼, 说话不着调, 爱吹嘘的人, 好吹牛的人, 说大话的人 noun derogatory informal a boastful or pompous person. If you describe someone as a blowhard, you mean that they express their opinions very forcefully, and usually in a boastful way. He doesn't like to be a blowhard about what he's developed. "the segregationist blowhards who would dominate the politics of my state for a generation". in the weeds I. 陷入泥潭 (in over ones head 应付不来, 应付不了). with so many problems or so much work that you are finding it difficult to deal with something. with so many problems or so much work that you are finding it difficult to deal with something. Immersed or entangled in details or complexities. We're down in the weeds here with customer service. The cooks were so deep in the weeds, they were threatening to walk out. We're down in the weeds here with customer service. The cooks were so deep in the weeds, they were threatening to walk out. Overwhelmed with problems, troubles, or difficulties. We were starting to get deep in the weeds on the lead up to the software's unveiling, but we managed to make up some lost ground in the last couple of weeks. My relationship with Joanna has been in the weeds lately. Boy, we're deep in the weeds now. I'm worried we're going to have to scrap the whole thing. II. 迷失. 忙于, 忙得不可开交. 陷进去, 沉浸在, 一叶障目不见泰山. 过于关注细节. 而忽略整体的人. 因小失大. 丢了芝麻. 完全投入. concerned with small details, often when this prevents you from understanding what is important. Totally immersed in or preoccupied with the details or complexities (of something). I'd like to come out tonight, but I'm deep in the weeds with my thesis. When I left them at the library, they were deep in the weeds analyzing Mrs. Dalloway for their presentation. I think you're too deep in the weeds to see a solution. Some time away from the project might help. He's one of those rare people who can get down in the weeds and work on the details, but still see the big picture. I don't want to get too lost in the weeds, but there is a margin of error. III. 忙个不停. 忙不过来 (idiomatic, restaurant slang, of a cook, bartender, or server) Overwhelmed with diners' orders. Of a restaurant worker, completely overwhelmed with diners' orders and unable to keep up with the pace. I was all alone waiting tables during Sunday brunch, so I got in the weeds almost immediately. Even with a full staff, Friday was so busy that we were deep in the weeds for most of the night. I spent my whole shift deep in the weeds, so no, you couldn't pay me to stick around here for another hour. See ya! for want of a nail 得不偿失, 顾头不顾屁股, 因小失大, 捡了芝麻丢了西瓜, 猴子掰玉米一样 proverb Due to a minor inconvenience or mishap, (something much worse has happened). The full proverb is "For want of a nail the shoe was lost. For want of a shoe the horse was lost. For want of a horse the rider was lost. For want of a rider the battle was lost. For want of a battle the kingdom was lost. And all for the want of a horseshoe nail ( horseshoe nail a thin pointed nail with heavy flaring head that is used to fix a horseshoe to the hoof.)." If only you'd taken your car in for an oil change when you were supposed to, this emergency trip to the mechanic could have been avoided. Ah, for want of a nail. The entire company ended up folding due to a failure by one of its employees to mail the loan application on time. For want of a nail, as they say. I told him repeatedly to do something about that leaking pipe, but no. And now, for want of a nail, the whole basement is flooded. 5. fait accompli 既成事实 [ˌfet ə.kɒmˈpliː ˌfeɪt ə.kɑːmˈpliː] plural faits accomplis something that has already happened or been done and cannot be changed: The policy change was presented to us as a fait accompli, without consultation or discussion. gutsy [ˈɡʌt.si] adj informal I. 有种的. 有胆识的. 胆大的 brave and determined. If you describe someone as gutsy, you mean they show courage or determination. I've always been drawn to tough, gutsy women. They admired his gutsy and emotional speech. a gutsy performance. II. If you describe something as gutsy, you mean that it is powerful and interesting. ...the rich, gutsy flavours of mature autumn vegetables. Cape Town Opera returns with this gutsy staging of Gershwin's opera. ballsy [ˈbɔːl.zi] brave and determined. You can describe a person or their behaviour as ballsy if you admire them because you think they are energetic and brave. ...the most ballsy woman I know. ...ballsy, gutsy live rap music. She's one ballsy lady! addled [ˈadld] 昏庸的, 不清醒的, 脑子不清楚的, 迷糊的, 糊涂的 I. unable to think clearly; confused. confused and unable to think clearly: I'm afraid my sun-addled brain couldn't make any sense of the instructions. He was so addled by drugs that his crimes could not have been premeditated. "this might just be my addled brain playing tricks". II. (of an egg) rotten. ball and chain I. a device consisting of a heavy metal ball fixed to a thick, heavy chain, locked to someone's body, usually around their ankle, in the past in order to prevent them from escaping: The cover of the book depicts a prisoner with a ball and chain attached to his foot. One of the museum's exhibits is a very heavy, rusty ball and chain. II. something or someone that you cannot get rid of, that prevents you from being free or happy or from making progress: My car is a ball and chain to me. The expense of maintaining it is becoming too much. If you have big loans to pay off, that debt becomes like a ball and chain. He probably thought I was a real ball and chain around his neck. be the belle of the ball 村花, 舞会之花, 聚会中最引人注目的女人 to be the most attractive woman at a party or similar event: She wore a dress of crimson silk to the dinner and was the belle of the ball. malarkey = malarky [məˈlɑː.ki] 傻傻的事 silly behaviour or nonsense: I like the socializing but I can't be bothered with dressing up and all that malarkey. 6. sharp elbows 做事强势 a willingness and ability to be forceful in order to succeed or move forward, either by being very determined and competitive or by physically pushing other people out of the way: Sometimes you do need to have sharp elbows in this business. Getting on the train required sharp elbows. He had no real talent, but made up for this with his sharp elbows. She is extremely polite, but that is not to say that she lacks sharp elbows. Is the glass ceiling so tough that only those with the sharpest elbows can break through? sharpen your elbows 横冲直撞 to prepare yourself to to be forceful in order to succeed or move forward, either by being very determined and competitive or by physically pushing other people out of the way: Competition for the job is fierce, so sharpen your elbows. Sharpen your elbows and prepare to push your way through the crowds. Shoppers outside were sharpening their elbows, ready for the store to open. sharp-elbowed willing and able to be forceful in order to succeed or move forward, either by being very determined and competitive or by physically pushing other people out of the way: Both men are fast-talking, plain-spoken, sharp-elbowed politicians. The city's commuters are notoriously sharp-elbowed. have sharp elbows To be especially aggressive in the advancement of one's own interests, usually while ignoring how doing so affects other people. Holly has always had sharp elbows, so I'm not surprised she undermined you to get that promotion. You've got to have sharp elbows if you want to get ahead in this industry. After you've been ignored at your job long enough, you learn to have sharp elbows. gamer NORTH AMERICAN a person known for consistently making a strong effort, especially in sport. "he's a gamer, always ready to go that extra mile". A felt sense 直觉 (intuition, instinct, gut feeling) (used to describe a deep, bodily awareness of a complex situation or issue—something you feel internally, even if you can't yet put it into words. A felt sense is not just a raw emotion like fear or happiness. It's more like a vague, intuitive sense of something—like a gut feeling or inner knowing—before it becomes clear or defined. ) is an internal aura that encompasses everything you feel and know about the given subject at a given time–encompasses it and communicates it to you all at once rather than detail by detail. A felt sense is a direct, bodily awareness of a situation, person, or event, encompassing all you feel and know about it, rather than detail by detail. It's an internal aura, a vague, not-yet-fully-articulated experience that goes beyond thoughts or feelings. Felt sense is the term coined by Prof. Eugene Gendlin, when he observed and developed the practice of Focusing. It is a way of attending to the body in such way that allows meanings to develop and carry forward, bringing situational change. She starts by saying that at first, a felt sense is a mess. It's unclear; it doesn't make sense. It's in the 'murky zone', that Eugene Gendlin talks about. It's not logical or rational. We don't know what it's about, at first. Later, we may find that there is logic and rationality contained within it. There's a moment where we might say, of course; now it makes perfect sense. Now I understand what it is going on here. Now I understand the meaning of this. Examples of a Felt Sense: Feeling a sense of unease or tension when discussing a difficult topic. Having a feeling of knowing something is unfinished in a creative project, even if you can't articulate why. Experiencing a vague sense of discomfort or an internal resistance when facing a challenge. Feeling a sense of joy or excitement when anticipating a positive event. In essence, a felt sense is your body's way of communicating with you, providing a sense of the whole that may be more nuanced than your thoughts or feelings can express. 7. split the baby = cut the baby in half = saw the baby in half (idiomatic) To resolve a dispute in a way that is disadvantageous to both parties. Etymology: In reference to the Judgment of Solomon. wiki: "Split the baby" is an idiom referring to resolving a dispute by making a decision that is disadvantageous for both parties, often by dividing the outcome unequally. It originates from the biblical story of King Solomon's judgment. The phrase is often used in legal contexts, where it can describe a settlement reached by splitting the difference between two opposing viewpoints, even if that split results in a less-than-ideal outcome for each side. The origin of the phrase, according to some sources, lies in the story of King Solomon, and some say it is etymologically backward, and those who use it in a legal context may be ignorant of its true meaning. The Judgement of Solomon is a story from the Old Testament in which Solomon ruled between two women who both claimed to be the mother of a child. Solomon ordered the baby be cut in half, with each woman to receive one half. The first woman accepted the compromise as fair, but the second begged Solomon to give the baby to her rival, preferring the baby to live, even without her. Solomon ordered the baby given to the second woman, as her love was selfless, as opposed to the first woman's selfish disregard for the baby's actual well-being. Some consider this approach to justice an archetypal example of an impartial judge displaying wisdom in making a ruling. cohere [kəʊˈhɪər] verb. I. If an argument or theory coheres, all the different stages fit together to form a reasonable whole. If the different elements of a piece of writing, a piece of music, or a set of ideas cohere, they fit together well so that they form a united whole. The various elements of the novel fail to cohere. This coheres with Peel's championing of alternative music. The empire could not cohere 统一 as a legitimate whole. II. 团结起来. 团结一致. 万众一心. to unite or to hold together as a unit: His vision is of a world that coheres through human connection rather than rules. have the wind at your back = May the road rise up to meet you = May the wind always be at your back. 有加持, 有助力( take the wind out of someone's sails 撤劲, 掣肘 = knock the wind out of sb's sails = knock the wind out of sb 影响决心, 被打击到, 少了信心, 少了决心 to make someone feel less confident or less determined to do something, usually by saying or doing something that they are not expecting: I was all ready to tell him that the relationship was over when he greeted me with a big bunch of flowers - that took the wind out of my sails. This shouldn't take the wind out of the sails when it comes to bold ideas for housing in NSW. We've been far too timid 小心翼翼的 for far too long ... more proposals like this are needed to break the back of the housing crisis in the state. break the back of something 度过最难关 to get most or the worst part of a particular task done. If you break the back of a task or problem, you do the most difficult part of what is necessary to complete the task or solve the problem. It seems at least that we've broken the back of inflation in this country. We can deliver supplies and work to break the back of the famine. We've broken the back of it now and we should be finished by Friday.) to be in a good situation in which you can succeed. Forward momentum; a boost in one's prospects for success due to favorable events or circumstances. A favorable position that encourages forward momentum (as with a ship that has the wind at its back). She really struggled in her studies last year, but she's had the wind at her back ever since changing her major. The president has the wind at his back on this issue. done for 即将送命, 即将受难, 非常疲劳的 I. 大麻烦. 玩完了. 玩蛋了. 完蛋了. 死定了. to be about to die or suffer very much because of a serious difficulty or danger. defeat, ruin, or kill someone or something. about to die or suffer greatly because of a serious difficulty or danger. To be in jeopardy or doomed. If the boss finds out that I was the one who messed up that report, I'm done for! Now that Mom knows about it, our scheme is done for. Another quarter of paltry sales numbers means the company is done for, right? We thought we were done for when we smelled smoke and the lights went out. If we get caught, we're done for. "without that contract we're done for". We all thought we were done for when the boat started to sink. II. INFORMAL BRITISH prosecute or convict someone for a crime. To be apprehended for some crime or wrongdoing. be caught and punished for doing something illegal but not too serious: I got done for speeding on my way back home. I know you want your stuff back, but you'll be done for stealing if someone catches you breaking into his flat! A: "That guy has a record? Really?" B: "Yeah, he was done for some minor crimes as a teenager." I was done for trespassing, even though I swear I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time! "we got done for conspiracy to cause GBH". III. very tired: I'm really done for - I'm going to bed. IV. 死翘翘了 To be about to break or stop working, as of a machine. The blender stopped working again this morning, so I really think it's done for. Pop's been working on that engine all day with no progress—it's definitely done for, he just can't admit it. I'd say the washer's done for, based on that terrible clanking sound it's been making! V. To be certain that one is about to die. Leave me behind—I'm done for! There's no way I can survive this wound. If the enemy storms our fort, we're done for. I'm done for, fellas. Save yourselves! 8. be choked with emotion 不知说什么好, 说不出话来 So overwhelmed with an emotion, either positive or negative, as to be unable to speak clearly or at all. I was positively choked with emotion by all the lovely speeches at my retirement party. The retiring broadcaster tried to give a speech at the end of his last show, but he became choked with emotion while expressing his gratitude to all his fans and supporters. I hate public speaking—I always become choked with emotion once I feel all those eyes on me. choke on (one's) (own) words To have particular difficulty saying something, especially because one is overwhelmed with emotion. The retiring broadcaster gave a tearful speech at the end of his last show, choking on his words as he tried to express his gratitude to all his fans and supporters. She was so overcome by anxiety up on that stage that she stammered and choked on her own words throughout the entire presentation. I didn't write my own wedding vows because I knew I would be emotional during the ceremony, and I didn't want to choke on my words. "Chill people's speech" or "have a chilling effect on speech 让人不敢说话, 让人禁言" means to discourage or inhibit someone from speaking freely, often due to fear of legal consequences or social pressure. It's a phenomenon where individuals or groups self-censor or refrain from expressing themselves due to concerns about potential negative outcomes. If something such as a law, rule, or action has a chilling effect, it tends to discourage discussion, limit freedom, or cause some other harm. He has warned of the chilling effect of the new law on free speech. There are concerns that the turmoil could soon have a chilling effect on funding for our world-leading research facilities. The demand to pay 50% up front does have a chilling effect. send a chill/shiver up/down someone's spine to make someone feel very thrilled, frightened, etc. Her thrilling performance sent a chill up my spine. The very thought of encountering those people in a dark alley sends a shiver down my spine. 9. I beg you: This is a direct and straightforward expression of pleading or requesting something urgently. It is commonly used in both spoken and written English and conveys a strong sense of urgency or desperation. "I beg you to help me with this project." I beg of you: This phrase is slightly more formal and can imply a deeper emotional appeal. It suggests not just a request, but a heartfelt plea, often used in more serious or emotional contexts. "I beg of you to reconsider your decision". Now I humbly beg of you to help me preserve his life and help me fight against this inhumane landslide of child suicides caused by unchecked bullying by schools and teachers. beg, borrow, or steal to do whatever is necessary to get something: I'm going to get a dress for the prom, whether I have to beg, borrow, or steal one. Cryopreservation 生物冷藏技术, 超低温冷藏 ( cryopreservation = cryo-preservation [ˌkraɪ.əʊ.prez.əˈveɪ.ʃən] the process or practice of keeping body tissues, organs, cells, etc. at very low temperatures so that they can be used later: After the birth of the triplets, the couple had 13 embryos left over in cryopreservation. cryopreservation of Cryopreservation of ovarian tissue is of interest to women whose reproductive potential is threatened by cancer therapy. cryopreserve = cryo-preserve [ˌkraɪ.əʊ.prɪˈzɜːv] to keep body tissues, organs, cells, etc. at very low temperatures so that they can be used later: Rapid freezing is a simple and effective way to cryopreserve embryos. Cryopreserved ovarian tissue can later be transplanted to the patient. ) or cryoconservation is a process where biological material - cells, tissues, or organs - are frozen to preserve the material for an extended period of time. At low temperatures (typically −80 °C (−112 °F) or −196 °C (−321 °F) using liquid nitrogen) any cell metabolism which might cause damage to the biological material in question is effectively stopped. Cryopreservation is an effective way to transport biological samples over long distances, store samples for prolonged periods of time, and create a bank of samples for users. Molecules, referred to as cryoprotective agents (CPAs), are added to reduce the osmotic shock and physical stresses cells undergo in the freezing process. Some cryoprotective agents used in research are inspired by plants and animals in nature that have unique cold tolerance to survive harsh winters, including: trees, wood frogs, and tardigrades. The first human corpse to be frozen with the hope of future resurrection was James Bedford's, a few hours after his cancer-caused death in 1967. Bedford's is the only cryonics corpse frozen before 1974 still frozen today.
The Calling: 1. You're not in trouble, Hailey. So you and Vincent had a date planned? We were gonna go to a movie. If you had nothing else going on, if you wanted to go out with me or whatever. Are you two romantically involved? Friends? Yes. We're in French together. We talk. He's a nice person. Very sweet. You seem very contrite. I'm so sorry. Tell us what you're sorry about. Vincent's nice, so nice. But I don't like him like that. He asked me to go to the movies, and I said yes. A little bit 'cause I felt sorry for him. But also... Also what? To make my boyfriend jealous. Did it work? Um... a little. What's his name, your boyfriend? Billy. Billy Livingston. So he knew about your impending (imminent 迫近的) date(used to refer to an event, usually something unpleasant or unwanted, that is going to happen soon: The impending 随时可能发生的 crisis over trade made everyone nervous. impending disaster/doom. The player announced his impending retirement from international football.) with Vincent. I posted it on Instagram. There were some... some pretty mean comments. Did she write all this? Other people. Man. Adults got nothing on kids ( have/get nothing on someone or something 差远了, 难以望其项背, 远不及, 差得远, 比不上, 没法匹敌 I. to not be as good as someone or something. if someone has nothing on you, they are not better than you at something. To have no discernible advantage over someone or something else; to not be any better than someone or something. She's got nothing on you when it comes to writing. He's a good player, but he's got nothing on his brother. Yeah, you're pretty good at basketball, but you've got nothing on my older brother Steve. Video game systems have gotten pretty impressive in recent years, but in my opinion they've got nothing on the classic systems from the '90s. Sorry, dude, but if you're competing with the CEO's daughter for the promotion, you've got nothing on her. II. To have no decisive incriminating evidence against someone; to have no proof of wrongdoing or criminality about someone. The police can insinuate all they want, but they know they've got nothing on me that'll stick. You know you've got nothing on me, which is why you're starting these pathetic rumors and hoping people believe them! I suspect they're cheating on tests, but what can I do? I've got nothing on them at this stage. III. To have no information available about someone or something. I got this history book for my report, but it's got nothing on the topic I want to write about! The library is horribly outdated—it's got nothing on the current president! A: "Wait, are you serious? The newspaper's got nothing on yesterday's train derailment?" B: "I know, isn't that the exact kind of thing they're supposed to be reporting?") when it comes to cruelty. I mean, this would explain him running away. Or jumping off the bridge. You talk to the boyfriend? He's on the list. How'd it go with Mr. Wentworth? He says he didn't see anything suspicious, complained that we find him suspicious, says it's bigotry, and he can't sweep the negative thoughts out of his head. I want you to take the boyfriend. Great. How are we doing on Vincent's phone? Yeah, I'm meeting with the tech this afternoon. Should've made progress by now. Let's hope. Hope is good. 2. So did you feel him? Some. Mainly, I felt that she's still withholding. Donya?Mm-hmm. At the risk of pissing you off and getting to know you better, have you always been super religious? That question is not suitable for work. I wanna learn how you do your job, how you think. I think like a cop. You know, I'm not the only orthodox Jew in the NYPD. Why did you become a cop? You know my origin story ( An "origin story 背后的故事, 故事的发端" typically refers to the narrative that explains the origins of a character, group, or even a concept. It's the backstory that reveals how they came to be who or what they are, often including significant events or circumstances that shaped their development. An origin story is a common literary device used in various genres, including comics, novels, and movies, to provide context for the main character or antagonist. It explains their motivations, powers, and the circumstances that led them to their current role in the story. In superhero comics, It often refers to how a character gained their superpowers or became a superhero/supervillain, as seen in the stories of Batman, Superman, and other iconic characters. The term can also be applied to historical accounts or explanations of how major societal concepts or movements emerged. For example, the origin story of a political ideology might explain its historical roots and key tenets. In order to keep their characters current, comic book companies, as well as cartoon companies, game companies, children's show companies, and toy companies, frequently rewrite the origins of their oldest characters. This goes from adding details that do not contradict earlier facts to a totally new origin which makes it seem that it is an altogether different character. A pourquoi story, also dubbed an "origin story", is also used in mythology, referring to narratives of how a world began, how creatures and plants came into existence, and why certain things in the cosmos have certain yet distinct qualities. A backstory, or established background narrative, that informs the identity and motivations of heroes and villains in a comic book or similar fictional work: The superhero's origin story begins with a tragic accident that left him scarred, but also resulted in his supernatural powers. An origin myth is a type of myth that explains the beginnings of a natural or social aspect of the world. Creation myths are a type of origin myth narrating the formation of the universe 宇宙的形成. However, numerous cultures have stories that take place after the initial origin. These stories aim to explain the origins of natural phenomena or human institutions within an already existing world. In Greco-Roman scholarship, the terms founding myth or etiological myth (from Ancient Greek: αἴτιον aition 'cause') are occasionally used to describe a myth that clarifies an origin, particularly how an object or custom came into existence. In modern political discourse the terms "founding myth", "foundational myth", etc. are often used as critical references to official or widely accepted narratives about the origins or early history of a nation, a society, a culture, etc.), "Law & Order." Mm-hmm. So what's yours? I'm a Jew. I was taught my job on Earth is to do mitzvahs ( mitzvah [ˈmɪtsvə] 善事, 行善 a precept or commandment. a good deed done from religious duty. In its primary meaning, the Hebrew word mitzvah ([ˈmɪtsvə]; Hebrew: מִצְוָה, mīṣvā [mit͡sˈva], plural מִצְווֹת mīṣvōt [mit͡sˈvot]; "commandment") refers to a commandment from God to be performed as a religious duty. Jewish law (halakha) in large part consists of discussion of these commandments. According to religious tradition, there are 613 such commandments. In its secondary meaning, the word mitzvah refers to a deed performed in order to fulfill such a commandment. As such, the term mitzvah has also come to express an individual act of human kindness in keeping with the law. The expression includes a sense of heartfelt sentiment beyond mere legal duty, as "you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). For some mitzvot, the purpose is specified in the Torah; though, the opinions of the Talmudic rabbis are divided between those who seek the purpose of the mitzvot and those who do not question them. The former believe that if people were to understand the reason for each mitzvah, it would help them to observe and perform the mitzvah. The latter argue that if the purpose for each mitzvah could be determined, people might try to achieve what they see as the ultimate purpose of the mitzvah, while rejecting the mitzvah itself. The Torah ([ˈtɔːrə] or [ˈtoʊrə] Biblical Hebrew: תּוֹרָה Tōrā, "Instruction", "Teaching" or "Law") is the compilation of the first five books of the Hebrew Bible, namely the books of Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. The Torah is also known as the Pentateuch ([ˈpɛntətjuːk]) or the Five Books of Moses.). Hmm. Good deeds help repair a broken world. So I became a police officer to do good deeds. It's not the only reason. My father was murdered. It was never solved. 3. Yeah, I get the link between genius and madness. But he's always drawing fish. Well, those drawings aren't really about fish. Van Gogh used to paint flowers. They were never about flowers. Van Gogh chopped his own ear off. Yeah. So do you agree that Avi's crazy? No, that's not what I'm... um... Mortals like us aren't meant to understand it. He's not divining anything ( divine adj. I. connected with a god, or like a god: divine being Some fans seem to regard the players as divine beings. divine intervention Instead of trying to change the situation, they simply pray for divine intervention (= help from God). divine right Just because you've been promoted, that doesn't give you a divine right (= one like that of a god) to tell us all what to do. II. extremely good, pleasant, or enjoyable: We had a perfectly divine time in Switzerland. Their new house is quite divine! verb. to guess something: I divined from his grim expression that the news was not good. divine something from something 猜测, 推测 Some journalists even tried to divine meaning from the star's body language during the interview. II. 探测. to search for water or minerals underground by holding horizontally in your hands a Y-shaped rod or stick, the end of which suddenly points down slightly when water or minerals are below it: divining rod They use forked sticks as divining rods for locating buried treasure and underground water. ). It's intuition. He's got no direct line to God. Yeah, well, I bet Avi would beg to differ. 4. You've never seen this man, say, sitting on a park bench with Vincent? No. Would it be possible that this man saw you sitting on a park bench with Vincent? Did you not hear my question? Uh, I've encountered Vincent in the park before. Sometimes we've sat and chatted. I mean, we're neighbors. Is... what's so unusual about that? You texted him, "If you ever need to talk." You also texted him on Sunday last, "That never should have happened." It seems Vincent told his friend Benjamin what happened. I would like for you to give me your version as to what happened, Donya. I really don't understand what... I don't know what's going on. I would like for you to give me your version, Donya. Any idea where he's... None. What did this Benjamin say? I'd like for you to give me your version. I already know the what. I wanna know the why. Donya, I'm a firm believer that everybody, every single one of us, at some point in our life, has a "what do I do?" moment. This would be your moment, Donya. I could see that he was so upset. Vincent? Yeah, last Sunday. He had this upcoming date with a girl who he thought liked him. And it turned out to be a lark on her part( lark informal I. (skylark 云雀) A lark is a small brown bird which makes a pleasant sound. II. 不是认真的. 开玩笑. 玩闹. an activity done for a joke that is not intended to cause serious harm or damage. If you say that doing something is a lark, you mean that it is fun, although perhaps naughty or dangerous. For a lark, we all decided to ditch our Friday classes and drive to New York City for the weekend. Who buys a $500 bracelet for a lark? She must be rich! For a lark, we went to the beach for the weekend. The children thought it was a great lark. He'd made it seem rather a lark, to be visiting a supposedly haunted house. The kids hid their teacher's bike for a lark. III. You use lark in expressions such as this acting lark and the writing lark to indicate humorously that you think an activity or job is amusing, foolish, or unnecessary. He got the part, and eventually decided the acting lark wasn't half bad. this ... lark 游戏, 玩闹, 胡闹 UK informal a way of referring to an activity or a situation that you do not take seriously: I don't really think I'm suited to this marriage lark 这种玩意, 这种东西. (as) happy as a lark 开心的像孩子 Very happy; contented. I've been happy as a lark ever since we moved to the countryside. Johnny's in a bit of a bad mood, but just give him a new toy to play with and he'll be as happy as a lark. I'm home from that work trip and happy as a lark. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tonight! be up with the lark 和鸟儿有一同起床, 鸟儿一样早起(rise with the lark) mainly UK to get out of bed very early in the morning. bugger, sod, etc. this for a lark! UK offensive used to show that you are extremely annoyed or bored with an activity and that you will not continue doing it: I'd been waiting for him for an hour and I thought, sod this for a lark - I'm going home! lark around = lark about If you lark around or lark about, you behave in a playful, childish, and silly way, often in order to make people laugh. The other actors complained about me larking about when they were trying to concentrate.). He was beyond devastated 难受. I could see how devastated he was feeling. And I just meant to bolster 安慰, 抚慰 ( verb. to support or improve something or make it stronger: More money is needed to bolster the industry. She tried to bolster my confidence/morale (= encourage me and make me feel stronger) by telling me that I had a special talent. They need to do something to bolster their image. noun. 垫腰. 腰垫. a long firm cylinder-shaped pillow. ) him some.
