用法学习: 1. currency n. I. 通货. 接受度. 流通. the state of being commonly known or accepted, or of being used in many places. the state of being commonly known or accepted, or of being used in many places: The idea that computer use enhances students’ motivation has gained currency in recent years. wide currency His ideas enjoyed wide currency during the last century. gain currency Many informal expressions are gaining currency in serious newspapers. II. the system of money that is used in a particular country at a particular time: domestic/foreign/local currency The deal will be done in the local currency. stable/strong/weak currency They benefited from having a stable currency over a long period of time. buy/sell currency Currency is bought on the currency foreign exchange, also known as the forex exchange. devalue 贬值/revalue a currency The Central bank devalued the currency to curb rising inflation. a currency rises/falls Stocks jumped and the currency rose for the first time in several weeks. currency dealing/trade/trading This website will give you top tips on the foreign exchange markets from currency trading experts. currency dealer/trader. common currency If you say that an idea or belief has become common currency, you mean it is widely used and accepted. The story that she was trapped in a loveless marriage became common currency. 2. possess I. If you possess something, you have it or own it. He was then arrested and charged with possessing an offensive weapon. He is said to possess a fortune of more than two-and-a-half-thousand million dollars. II. If someone or something possesses a particular quality, ability, or feature, they have it. possess knowledge/qualities/skills 具备知识, 具备技能 Sales managers must possess strong leadership qualities. ...individuals who are deemed to possess the qualities of sense, loyalty and discretion [dɪˈskrɛʃn]. This figure has long been held to possess miraculous power. III. If a feeling or belief possesses you, it strongly influences your thinking or behaviour. Absolute terror possessed her. Tsvetayeva was possessed by a frenzied urge to get out of Moscow. possessed I. If someone is described as being possessed by an evil spirit, it is believed that their mind and body are controlled by an evil spirit. She even claimed the couple's daughter was possessed by the devil. He behaved like someone possessed. II. If someone or something is possessed of a particular quality, ability, or feature, they have that quality, ability, or feature. If someone is possessed of a particular feeling or belief, they have that feeling or belief. He is possessed of the most brilliant talents. She was possessed of a terrifying sensation that the life was being squeezed slowly out of her. what possessed you to do something (what has to break inside your brain for you to do something) 发了什么疯, 中了什么邪, 怎么会? 哪股劲儿, 是什么风? If you ask what possessed someone to do something, you are emphasizing your great surprise that they have done something which you consider foolish or dangerous. (of a wish or an idea) to take control over a person's mind, making that person behave in a very strange way: Whatever possessed him to wear that appalling jacket! What on earth had possessed her to agree to marry him? enter into and control, as of emotions or ideas. (of a desire or an idea) to take control over a person's mind, making that person behave in a strange way: I don't know what possessed me to start yelling like that. What possessed you to buy this house? 3. I'm not OK with this S1E1: And yes, during arousal, there is an increase in all sorts of things, including adrenaline and, of course, blood flow, and the blood flow continues down and then gets trapped within the corpora cavernosa. The penis expands, and this is how the Homo sapien male( Homo sapiens [ˌhəʊ.məʊ ˈsæp.i.enz] modern humans considered together as a species: The genus Homo contains multiple species, including our own, Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens hasn't evolved all that much since prehistoric times.) is able to hold an erection. Yes. From my experience, Mr. File, the holding of an erection is far more successful in the hands of a Homo sapien female. Very funny, Mr. Lewis. Just talking science ("Talk science 讲科学道理" refers to using the specific language, reasoning, and discourse practices used within the scientific community. It involves observing, hypothesizing, arguing with evidence, and communicating concepts clearly. Educators use it to build critical thinking and meaning-making in science classrooms. ). Moving on. 4. This is not OK with me - S1E1: So, I'm standing there, trying to get by(get by I. get past. trying to physically pass someone, like squeezing past them in a hallway or crowded space. II. He's not trying to excel, just get by 凑合过, 瞎过. ), and he's all like, "Oh, who's the new girl in town?" And I'm like, "Shut up. It's me, Dina." Wait, this is Brad... Lewis? Yeah. He's sort of sweet, you know? And then he asked me to homecoming. Wait, and... and you accepted? No. I told him to take his washboard abs and chiseled jawline and get out of my face. Yeah, of course I said yes. Dina just got her braces off, and her boobs suddenly arrived. So, of course, golden boy Bradley Lewis takes notice 注意到. So, what, are you guys, like, suddenly girlfriend and boyfriend or something? I mean, we haven't put a label on it yet, but... I really like him, okay? 4. I'm not OK with this S1E1: Hey, Goob. Done your homework yet? Hours ago. Soon as I got home. What about you? Uh... I'll get to it 一会儿做, 等会儿做, 过会儿的. Come on, Syd. Mom says you have to work hard if you're gonna succeed. Yeah, well, the plan's always been for me to sit back and watch you succeed, Goob. Oh, hey, who knows? Maybe one day, if you really work hard enough, you get to be the one to pay for my funeral. How was school today? Well, um... Richard Rynard punched Toby Gardner in the face, and he got sent to Mr. Coffee's office. Oh, yeah? Yup, and I think I might be next, so... I'm devising a plan. Check it out. Holy shit, Goob. Is that for you? Yup. Designed it myself. Breastplate, shin guards, spiked gloves... But I'm not so sure about the helmet situation just yet, 'cause I don't wanna block my peripherals, you know, just in case. It's really cool, man. It's some of your best work yet. Yeah, it's basically my Mark One (Mark I or Mark 1 第一版 often refers to the first version of a weapon or military vehicle, and is sometimes used in a similar fashion in civilian product development. In some instances, the Arabic numeral "1" is substituted for the Roman numeral "I". "Mark", meaning "model" or "variant", can itself be abbreviated "Mk." mark 1 eyeball (military, humorous) The naked eye. Don't worry, I'll use my trusty mark 1 eyeball here. Etymology: In reference to mark 1; the designation commonly given to the first version of an invention, before the addition of any improvements or enhancements. ), and the first suit's always the hardest to design, so it's still a work in progress 半成品. And, sorry, what was the plan again? Well, I'm gonna build the suit and kick Richard Rynard's ass. Oh. Vengeance. Got it. 5. fizzle [ˈfɪz.əl] mainly US I. to gradually end. to finish slowly in a way that is disappointing or has become less interesting. If something fizzles, it ends in a weak or disappointing way after starting off strongly. Our relationship fizzled into nothing. I like the way the movie starts but then it fizzles out. Interest in the project fizzled after the funding was withdrawn. II. to make a weak continuous s sound: The fire fizzled miserably in the rain. fizzle out to gradually end, often in a disappointing or weak way: They went to different universities and their relationship just fizzled out. The railway strike fizzled out on its second day as drivers returned to work. It had appeared those plans fizzled after a government committee denied Harry security protection for his family and Buckingham Palace withdrew and offer for the prince to stay there when it appeared he would come alone. 6. bend (one's) efforts 全力以赴, 竭尽全能 To put forth a great deal of effort toward some goal or end. I've been bending my efforts to find a way out of these legal problems, but, as of now, I'm still going to prison. Don't bend your efforts to please these people—they'll never appreciate it. I've been bending my efforts trying to get a passing grade this semester, so failing by two measly points is incredibly frustrating. bend (one's) mind 好好想想, 好好思考, 认真思考 To consider, reflect upon, or think hard about something. If you would just bend your mind, I'm sure you could find a solution to the company's excess costs. I have bent my mind about things, and, unfortunately, selling the house is really the only option. Oh, bend your mind a little—you'll come up with something! bend your mind/efforts to something (formal) think very hard about or put a lot of effort into one particular thing. bend to someone's will (idiomatic, intransitive) To yield to persuasion or other pressure originating from someone. bend someone's will = bend to the will of (someone) 无奈服从, 屈服于淫威, 说服, 劝服, 改主意, 改变心意 (idiomatic, transitive) To persuade or otherwise induce someone to change his or her views or to choose a different course of action. to do what is demanded by (one who is stronger, in authority, or influential). a politician accused of bending to the will of wealthy supporters. bend to something 认怂, 为...而折腰, 向...屈服 to unwillingly accept the opinions or decisions of other people: The city council was forced to bend to public pressure. TBBT: Priya: Oh, Sheldon. You haven't changed a bit, have you?Sheldon: Why would I change? Leonard: The hope has been that you'd eventually bend to public opinion. So, Priya, what brings you back to LA? Priya: I have a one day layover on my way to Toronto. Corporate merger. 7. TBBT1: Leonard: Hey Lesley. Lesley: I didn't know you ate here. Sheldon: We don't. This is a disturbing aberration. TBBT2: Sheldon: What does it mean? Penny: Oh, come on, you went to college. Sheldon: Yes, but I was eleven. Penny: Alright, look, a tie on the doorknob usually means someone doesn't want to be disturbed because they're, you know, getting busy. TBBT3: Sheldon: I have good news. Leonard: And you had to barge in here and wake us up in the middle of the night? Sheldon: Your cell phone was off. Leonard: Because we didn't want to be disturbed 被干扰, 坏好事, 被打扰, 别打搅, 被打搅. Sheldon: And that didn't work out, did it? TBBT4: Sheldon: Mmm, all right. It would appear as if alcohol is playing keep-away with your intelligence. Good night. Please note, it is now past ten p.m. Per our roommate agreement, kindly refrain from raucous laughter, clinking of glasses, and celebratory gunfire. Penny: Okay, explain something to me. You watch Leonard put up with that guy for years and years. What has to break inside your brain for you to think (what possessed you to do something) 脑子坏了, 中邪, 发疯, 发神经, 脑子坏掉了, 吃了什么药, 中了什么邪, Oh, Krishna, I've got to get me some of that? play-away: Keep Away, also called Monkey in the Middle, Piggy in the Middle, Pickle in a Dish, or Pickle in the Middle, or Monkey, is a children's game in which two or more players must pass a ball to one another, while another player (in the middle) attempts to intercept it. The game could be considered a reverse form of circle dodgeball, because instead of trying to hit people in the middle with the ball, players attempt to keep the ball away from them. The game is played worldwide. 9. Friends: It's not just giant nuclear weapons that can destroy the world. As a microbiologist, I can tell you even the tiniest organisms can still tear you a new one ( tear/rip someone/something to shreds I. to strongly criticize a person or something they do, think, or say: The critics tore his performance to shreds. II. to damage someone or something badly: My trousers were torn to shreds when I fell off my bike. tear someone a new one 臭骂, 痛骂, 大骂一通, 骂翻天 (euphemistic) To express great anger toward (a person) for some perceived offence or shortcoming; to castigate. To criticize, berate, or upbraid one in an extremely belligerent and angry manner. Oh man, the boss is going to tear me a new one when he finds out what happened! I hope the government tears that company a new one for what they did. ). Howard: Interesting. I think what you might need to know about my colleague is that though she claims her field of interest is tiny organisms, she certainly has spent her fair share of time around what we can assume was pretty massive weaponry. 10. trade places (with someone) = change places (with someone) 交换位置, 换身份, to exchange positions with someone: We traded places so he could sit near the window. He might be rich, but I wouldn't change places with him for anything. To switch to the spot, role, or position that another person currently is in. If two people trade places, each person puts themselves in the situation of the other person. There was a time in my life when I would have traded places 交换人生 with anyone because I believed that everyone was better than me. He plays the young heir to an oil fortune who trades places with a water-ski instructor. I want to talk to the people at the other end of the table. Would you mind trading places? Many people say that they would gladly trade places with a celebrity, but I doubt they would enjoy the constant attention. Friends: Rachel: Okay. Switch places with me! Switch places with me! Come on! I'll go under, you go over! Ross: Yeah, I'll get right on that. Rachel: Oh come on Ross!! (She tries to switch places with him and goes under his leg.) Friends: MONICA: OK, wait, wait, wait, wait. You know what? Ross, let's switch places. You get in the middle. No un-, ya know, unless this looks like we're trying to cover something up. ROSS: Monica, Monica, you could come in straddling him, they still wouldn't believe it. [opens door] We're here. TBBT: Howard: Sweetie, we don't have to do this now. Bernadette: Yes, we do. You left right after we got married. This is like our honeymoon. Now, hold on to your hat. Oh. Uh-oh. Howard: You okay? Bernadette: A little dizzy. Must be the Benadryl. Switch places with me. Howard: Okay. 11. Corned beef (called salt beef in Ireland and Commonwealth countries) is a salt-cured 腌过的, 腌制的 piece of beef. The term comes from the treatment of the meat with large-grained rock salt, also called "corns" of salt. Sometimes, sugar and spices are added to corned beef recipes. Corned beef is featured as an ingredient in many cuisines. phony-baloney = phoney-baloney 假的, 弄虚作假的, 装相的 [ˌfəʊ.ni.bəˈləʊ.ni] adj. US informal disapproving Something that is described as phony-baloney is not real or is not what it claims to be: I was not fooled by all that phony-baloney talk about spiritual renewal. Why do you keep asking me all these phoney-baloney questions? 12. venture noun. I. a new activity, usually in business, that involves risk or uncertainty. a new business activity: business/commercial venture The firm is looking overseas for more lucrative business ventures. The total value of venture investments increased to $5.6 billion in the second quarter. The American car giant and its venture partner in China are investing millions of dollars to explore ways of reducing reliance on petrol. create/form/set up a venture. finance/fund/invest in a venture. She advised us to look abroad for more lucrative business ventures. There are many joint ventures between American and Japanese companies. verb. I. to risk going somewhere or doing something that might be dangerous or unpleasant. to start a new activity, start thinking in a new way, or start doing an activity in a new place: venture into sth There are some excellent deals for new investors venturing into the electronic marketplace. Meanwhile, the insurer has ventured beyond insurance with the launch of its first unsecured personal loan last week. The company has finally decided to venture overseas. He wanted to venture into the mountainous wilderness of the countryside. She rarely ventured outside, except when she went to stock up on groceries. As we set off into the forest, we felt as though we were venturing (forth) into the unknown. If you venture to do something that requires courage or is risky, you do it. 'Don't ask,' he said, whenever Ginny ventured to raise the subject. If you venture into an activity, you do something that involves the risk of failure because it is new and different. He enjoyed little success when he ventured into business. If you venture somewhere, you go somewhere that might be dangerous. People are afraid to venture out for fear of sniper attacks. Few Europeans who had ventured beyond the Himalayas had returned to tell the tale. II. fml to say something when it is risky to do this. To venture something is to attempt it when you are likely to be wrong or to be criticized: I wouldn’t venture an opinion about that. She tentatively ventured 斗胆说出 the opinion that the project would be too expensive to complete, but the boss ignored her. venture a guess/opinion/judgement I don't have enough knowledge to venture a judgement. I was too shy to venture a comment. Friends: What do you think? Uh, you in the blue shirt? I think that, um, yours is a question with many possible answers. Would you care to venture one? If you venture a question or statement, you say it in an uncertain way because you are afraid it might be stupid or wrong. 'So you're Leo's girlfriend?' he ventured 斗胆问了一句, 大着胆子说. He ventured that plants draw part of their nourishment from the air. Stephen ventured a few more sentences in halting Welsh. 13. fealty [ˈfiːəlti] 效忠 ( allegiance ) a feudal tenant's or vassal's sworn loyalty to a lord. "they owed fealty to the Earl rather than the King". Ser Jorah Mormont is an exiled Northern lord living in Essos. He has sworn fealty to his fellow exile Daenerys Targaryen and helps her adapt to life as a Khaleesi of the Dothraki. But even as his fealty to Trump was unquestioned, the senior senator continued to be a vocal spokesperson for US intervention and leadership across the globe — often breaking with the more isolationist bent of Trump's supporters. II. formal acknowledgement of loyalty to a lord. "a property for which she did fealty". Originally, Jorah was working as a spy for Varys, King Robert's spymaster in King's Landing, sending Varys information about the Targaryen exiles. But he grows to respect and admire Daenerys and begins serving her in earnest. He saves her from an assassination attempt, stops sending reports to Varys and ignores an official royal pardon that would allow him to return home to Westeros. He develops strong and unrequited feelings for her. When Daenerys learns of his past spying, he is dismissed from her service and ordered to leave her presence. 14. flub [flʌb] 搞砸 US informal verb. to fail or make a mistake, especially when performing: He really flubbed badly by not catching the ball. Sheila flubbed her lines in the second act. If you try a sales technique and flub it, not making a sale, will you try it again? noun. A flub is a mistake or an unsuccessful attempt to do something. ...a flub that made listeners cringe. supplant [səˈplɑːnt] 取而代之, 取代 to replace. to take the place of (something or someone): Travel videos do not supplant guidebooks, but they can be useful when planning a trip. Printed books will soon be supplanted by e-books. Small children can often feel supplanted in their parents' affections (= that their parents no longer like them as much) when a new brother or sister is born. He may be supplanted by a younger man. By the 1930s the wristwatch had almost completely supplanted the pocket watch. Big tech rivals have long tried to supplant Apple, but so far Google, Samsung, Meta Platforms, Microsoft and Amazon.com have all failed. Now, OpenAI is emerging as a new threat. It has built powerful AI models and is working toward an unscientific "family of devices" to run them, devices that could supplant Apple's. Apple's innovation engine failed to develop hit AI products and features, leaving it vulnerable to new entrants 新来者, 后来者. Its suit could be an attempt to throw sand in the gears at OpenAI, company observers say, to slow poaching of Apple staffers, for instance. throw sand in the gears 阻挠, 捣乱, 搅局, 搞破坏 to cause problems or prevent something from happening as it should. To disrupt, delay, or cause problems to a plan, activity, or project. We had everything in line for the party, but having the caterer cancel on us at the last minute really threw sand in the gears. It will throw sand in the gears if the board decides not to increase our funding for this project. The CEO of the massive conglomerate accused the government of maliciously throwing sand in the gears of its latest acquisition. I don't want to give them a chance to throw sand in the gears. He said "When mobile phone companies charge consumers fat penalties to leave, they're throwing sand in the gears of competition." 15. mettle [ˈmet.əl] 实力 ability and determination when competing or doing something difficult. bravery and determination. Someone's mettle is their ability to do something well in difficult circumstances. His first important chance to show his mettle came when he opened the new session of the Legislature. For both sides, it's the first real test of their mettle this season. The climb to the summit in a blizzard would test their mettle. show your mettle 显示自己的实力 The team showed its mettle in the final round. prove your mettle 证明自己的实力 She proved her mettle as a hardworking, hard-minded appellate court judge. The real test of her political mettle came in the May elections. Thomas Tuchel's exchange with Jude Bellingham gives England another chance to prove its World Cup mettle. on your mettle ready to do something as well as you can in a difficult situation. If you are on your mettle, you are ready to do something as well as you can, because you know that you are being tested or challenged. The added competition keeps them on their mettle. Both players were on their mettle in the final round. put someone on their mettle Cooking for such important people really puts you on your mettle. 16. paternalistic [pəˌtɜː.nəˈlɪs.tɪk] 说教的, 家长式的 politics usually disapproving (of people in authority) making decisions for other people rather than letting them take responsibility for their own lives: The country has a paternalistic culture. He had a paternalistic attitude toward his peers. be put out I. to be annoyed, often because of something that someone has done or said to you: He seemed a bit put out at not having been invited. II. In a sporting competition, to put out a player or team means to defeat them so that they are no longer in the competition. The Spaniard was put out in three sets. ...the debatable goal that put them out of the UEFA Cup. III. 熄灭. If you put out a fire, candle, or cigarette, you make it stop burning. Firefighters tried to free the injured and put out the blaze. She tried to light a candle but the rain put it out. If you put out an electric light, you make it stop shining by pressing a switch. He crossed to the bedside table and put out the light. IV. If you put out an announcement or story, you make it known to a lot of people. The French news agency put out a statement from the Trade Minister. put off I. 暂缓. 延期. If you put something off, you delay doing it. Women who put off having a baby often make the best mothers. The Association has put the event off until October. II. If you put someone off, you make them wait for something that they want. The old priest tried to put them off, saying that the hour was late. III. 失去兴趣. If something puts you off something, it makes you dislike it, or decide not to do or have it. The thought of caring for young plants can put people off growing their own veg. His personal habits put them off. The country's worsening reputation does not seem to be putting off the tourists. We tried to visit the Abbey but were put off by the queues. IV. If someone or something puts you off, they take your attention from what you are trying to do and make it more difficult for you to do it. She asked me to be serious–said it put her off 干扰到某人, 影响某人, 失去注意力 if I laughed. It put her off 不能专心 revising for her exams. be rained off = US be rained out 因下雨而暂停 If a sport or outside activity is rained off, it cannot start or continue because it is raining: Most of today's matches were rained off. 17. flop sweat 紧张的流汗 US informal nervous sweat (as of a performer) caused especially by the fear of failing. sweat (= clear, salty liquid that passes through your skin when you are hot or worried) caused by fear of failure, for example when someone is performing in front of an audience: The first sign of trouble was the flop sweat that broke out on the witness's brow. The performers are trying so hard you can almost smell the flop sweat through the TV screen. Raj: Can I ask you guys a question? So, I'm seeing Lucy tomorrow night, and I've never hung out with someone who broke up with me. How do you do it? Howard: You can't let her know you're hurting. You know, the key is confidence. Raj: Why is the key always confidence? How come it's never love handles and flop sweat? Bernadette: If this girl hurt you so much, are you sure you want to see her again? Howard: Well, if I may, he has so little self-respect and is so desperate for the smallest crumb of affection, she could literally sleep with his own father in his own bed and post the video to YouTube, and he'd still buy her flowers and ask her to be his bride. Raj: He's right. But in my defence, if we could survive that, we could survive anything. cold sweat a state of extreme worry and fear: break out in a cold sweat 吓出一身冷汗, 出了一身冷汗 I break out in a cold sweat (= become extremely worried) just thinking about public speaking. 19. pay raise = UK pay rise 加薪 an increase in the amount of money you earn for doing your job. To get a raise 获得加薪 means to receive an increase in your base salary or hourly wage for the work you do. It is an employer-approved bump in pay, typically awarded for strong performance, added responsibilities, or longevity with a company. Negotiating a pay raise is always a difficult task. Howard: Guys, there was an accident at Bernie's lab. Leonard: Oh, my God, is she okay? Howard: Yeah, but she's at the hospital in quarantine. Penny: What? Amy: Poor Bernadette. Leonard: Oh, no. Sheldon: I hate to pile on the bad news, but I just got a raise. Note: You should be careful not to confuse the verbs raise and rise. Raise is a transitive verb and usually followed by an object, whereas rise is an intransitive verb and not followed by an object. Rise can also not be used in the passive. ...the government's decision to raise prices... The number of dead is likely to rise. Both raise and rise can be used as nouns to mean pay increase. Raise is used in American English, and rise is used in British English. Millions of Americans get a pay raise today. ...a rise of at least 12 per cent. 20. walk a mile in (someone's) shoes To spend time trying to consider or understand another person's perspectives, experiences, or motivations before making a judgment about them. I know that certain people can come across as selfish or mean-spirited, but you should try walking a mile in their shoes before you dismiss them too quickly. Howard: So, you can never take it off? Leonard: No. Raj: Not even to sleep? Leonard: No. Howard: So, you're just an idiot? Leonard: It's called proving a point. Howard: Is the point that you're an idiot? Sheldon: Gentlemen, please. Leonard is trying to walk a mile in my metaphorical shoes. He can't walk in my actual shoes. He has the feet of a toddler. 21. 少年犯罪: Tulloch was automatically sentenced to life without parole after pleading guilty to first-degree murder in the 2001 stabbing deaths of Half and Susanne Zantop. But the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in 2012 that mandatory sentences of life without parole are unconstitutional for juveniles, and later applied that decision retroactively. The rulings gave hundreds of juvenile lifers(lifer I. someone who has been punished by being put in prison for a very long time or until they die: In the 1980s, 726 lifers were paroled. Releasing lifers is a very complex issue. II. someone who has been employed by a particular company, organization, or industry for the whole of their working life: Before the move to Channel 4 he was considered a BBC lifer. A company lifer, he worked his way up through the ranks at the household products group.) a shot at freedom, including five men serving life sentences in New Hampshire for murders they committed as teenagers. A psychiatrist with two sons, one of them the same age Tulloch was when he committed his crimes, she said she can appreciate that brain functioning can change over time. But she does not believe it's true for Tulloch, saying he meticulously planned the killings and followed through in a cold, predatory manner. "This wasn't a crime of passion or retribution," she said. "He wasn't using substances, he wasn't psychotic. There was just sheer depravity (depravity [dɪˈpræv.ə.ti] 道德败坏, 堕落 the state of being morally bad, or an action that is morally bad. Depravity is very dishonest or immoral behaviour. ...the absolute depravity that can exist in war. ...the righteous struggle between decency and depravity. depraved [dɪˈpreɪvd] adj. Depraved actions, things, or people are morally bad or evil. morally bad or evil: a depraved character/mind. Someone who can kill a child like that must be totally depraved. ...a disturbing and depraved film. She described it as the work of depraved and evil criminals. )." She urged that he stay in prison "for the longest possible sentence." Attorneys Richard Guerriero and Oliver Bloom said Tulloch's prison records show he has matured, and that after some initial misconduct early on, he's had no major infractions ( infraction [ɪnfrækʃən] 违反, 违规, 犯规 An infraction of a rule or law is an instance of breaking it. an occasion when someone breaks a rule or law: infraction of Any attempt to influence the judges will be seen as an infraction of the rules. ...an infraction of school rules. ...parents of kids who committed minor infractions. ) since 2012 and no minor infractions since 2017. Quoting from Tulloch's therapy records, they said he has expressed "significant remorse" for what he sees as a heinous and unforgivable crime, his "warped youthful thinking 扭曲的年轻思维," and his "good capacity for empathy." The Supreme Court rulings addressed only mandatory life sentences without parole for juveniles, leaving the U.S. the only country that allows discretionary 审慎的, 视情况而定的 life sentences for minors. New Hampshire lawmakers have rejected attempts to end life sentences for juveniles, but Tulloch's case could bolster future attempts. After Tulloch argued in 2018 that sentencing juveniles to life without parole violated the state constitution, the judge asked the state Supreme Court to weigh in, but it declined. Last July, MacLeod agreed with Tulloch, finding that the constitution categorically prohibits such sentences as "cruel or unusual" punishment. 22. plug away = dig away to work hard and in a determined way, especially at something that you find difficult: plug away at 坚持不懈, 不懈努力, 用功读书, 学习辛苦 to continue doing something even though it is difficult or boring. She kept plugging away at her homework. If you keep plugging away at it, your English will improve. Katie has been plugging away at her homework for hours. dig (away) 深挖, 大肆挖掘 I. to devote serious and sustained effort. It took days of digging away at the subject, but he understands it thoroughly now. II. to keep plugging away at a difficult problem, subject, or project. He dug away at the math textbook for hours until he understood the concepts. III. to shovel, scoop, or scrape dirt and debris away from a specific area. Frequently used when freeing something or someone that is trapped or buried (like a car in a snowdrift). We had to dig away the heavy snow 掘走, 掘开, 凿开 just to open the front door. The construction workers dug away the mud to reveal the old stone foundation. dig someone/something out I. to get someone or something out of somewhere by digging: Firefighters helped to dig out the people trapped in the snowdrift. The doctor used a sharp instrument to dig a piece of glass out of my finger. II. to search and find something that has been put away for a long time. to find something that you have not seen or used for a long time: Mum dug out 找出, 挖出 some old family pictures to show me.
moderate VS temper (tamper, pamper) VS chasten VS mellow: 0. moderate adj. & noun. [ˈmɒd.ər.ət] verb. [ˈmɒd.ər.eɪt] adj. I. 适度的. 适量的. neither small nor large in size, amount, degree, or strength. being within a middle range in size, amount, or degree; neither great nor little. moderate growth/inflation/increase Moderate growth last year was enough to raise a profit. moderate gains/losses Investors saw moderate gains on Wall Street overnight. People on low and moderate incomes spend proportionately much more on housing. They split investments between high-yielding bonds and those of more moderate risk. The rent has gone up over the years, but in moderate amounts. The company was of moderate size, with about 50 employees. The cabin is of moderate size - just right for a small family. moderate growth/inflation. He's a moderate drinker. Imposing sanctions is a moderate action when you consider that the alternative is military intervention. There has been a moderate improvement in her health since she began the treatment. We have had moderate success in changing people's attitudes. Sheldon: Well, I believe I've done it. And I'm only saying believe to sound modest, because, sweet Sam Houston, I did it. Sheldon: Look at him, just standing in line like he wasn't moderately famous 有一定知名度的 30 years ago. Let's go say hello. some, but not as much or as great as desired 一定的: There has been moderate improvement in her health since she began the treatment. II. Moderate 中庸的 opinions, especially political ones, are not extreme and are therefore acceptable to a large number of people. (of opinions) not extreme: comparatively/relatively moderate Temporary lay-offs are a relatively moderate action when you consider that elsewhere whole factories have been shut. Conservatives are suspicious of the Senator's moderate views. When she was young she was a radical, but her political views have become more moderate as she has gotten older. The party includes both extremely conservative and moderate members. noun. I. a person whose opinions, especially their political ones, are not extreme and are therefore acceptable to a large number of people. Of the seven members of the committee, five were political moderates 中间派. He is well-known as a moderate in the party. verb. I. to (cause to) become less in size, strength, or force; to reduce something. to lose strength or force, or to make something less strong: Oil prices are expected to moderate. In the short term a rising currency helps to moderate inflation. The weather prediction is for strong winds, moderating 转轻微 by evening. The president may have to moderate his stance on tax cuts. II. education UK specialized 统一标准. to make certain that all the people marking an examination use the same standards: The marked scripts are sent away to be moderated. We moderate to ensure fairness in marking. III. to make certain that the rules of an internet discussion are not broken, for example by removing any threatening or offensive messages: The entire message board is moderated to ensure that only genuine stock market discussions are featured. The broadcaster has vowed to moderate more strictly on its social media pages. IV. mainly US 节制. to make certain that a formal discussion happens without problems and follows the rules. to manage a public discussion: The local TV anchorman is going to moderate (the debate). They asked him to moderate the debate. The encounter took place with both men seated at a table, with PBS's Gwen Ifill moderating. moderation My doctor advised me to eat anything I want as long as it's in moderation 有节制. V. to become less extreme, or to make something do this: His views on some social issues had moderated over time. There have been repeated calls for the director to moderate his plans for layoffs. 1. temper and fray: fray: I. 分崩离析, 土崩瓦解. if a rope or piece of cloth frays or is frayed, the fibers in it become loose and start to come apart. The shirt cuffs are beginning to fray. II. if someone's nerves or their temper frays or is frayed神经兮兮的, 神经质, they start to get angry or nervous. fraying at/around the edges 磨了边角 gradually being destroyed or becoming weaker. Support for the proposals was fraying at the edges. the fray I. an exciting activity or situation in which someone competes with other people. Other bidders are now likely to enter the fray. II. a fight or argument. have a short/quick temper/fuse (=become angry very quickly): He's not a bad boss, but he has a short temper. control your temper: Andrew has not yet learned to control his temper. tempers flare 脾气大爆发, 勃然大怒 (=people get angry): Tempers flared and things began to get out of control. tempers fray (=people start to get angry): It was a difficult meeting and tempers got a bit frayed. temper: a particular emotional state or mood: in a bad/foul/terrible etc. temper 脾气不好, 情绪不好: When Mark turned up he was in a foul temper. in a good temper脾气好: He seems to be in a good temper. be in a temper 闹脾气: He doesn’t mean what he says when he's in a temper. get/fly into a temper: When she refused to help, he flew into a temper. a fit of temper (=a sudden short period of uncontrolled anger): He stormed out of the room in a fit of temper. a temper tantrum (=a sudden short period of uncontrolled anger): As a small child he had had violent temper tantrums. guard your tongue/temper to speak or behave carefully, without using bad language or violence. pamper verb. I. To treat with excessive indulgence. to treat with affectionate and usually excessive indulgence; coddle; spoil: pampered their child. II. To give in to; gratify: He pampered his ambition for wealth and fame. tamper verb. I. (usually foll by with) to interfere or meddle. 篡改. to tamper with a lock. to tamper with official records. tried to tamper with the decedent's will; tampering with the timing mechanism of the safe. II. To tinker with rashly or foolishly: Don't tamper with my feelings. III. (usually foll by with) to attempt to influence or corrupt, esp by bribery. to engage in underhand dealings私下交易, 黑幕交易, esp. in order to influence improperly (usu. fol. by with). to tamper with the jury. temper [ˈtɛmpə] noun. I. a frame of mind; mood or humour a good/quick/even/short temper = a short fuse. II. a sudden outburst of anger; tantrum. a quick temper. a fit of temper. III. a tendency to exhibit uncontrolled anger; irritability. IV. a mental condition of moderation and calm (esp in the phrases keep one's temper, lose one's temper, out of temper). V. (Engineering / Metallurgy) the degree of hardness, elasticity, or a similar property of a metal or metal object. temper verb (tr). I. 柔和, 柔化, 调整. to moderate. to soften or tone down. to make more temperate, acceptable, or suitable by adding something else. he tempered his criticism with kindly sympathy. to temper justice with mercy. a portfolio that is tempered to the investor's needs. temper its doctrinaire logic with a little practical wisdom". temper clay; paints that had been tempered with oil. II. 洗礼. 淬炼. 磨练. To strengthen through experience or hardship; toughen: soldiers who had been tempered by combat. temper something with something I. Fig. to harden something, such as metal, with something. You have to temper the metal pieces with very high heat. The sheet of metal was tempered by the application of great pressure. II. Fig. 调和一下, 调剂一下, 显得好听的, 显得没有那么刺耳, 缓和一下. 缓冲一下. 软化一下 to soften the impact of something, such as news, with something. We can temper 柔和一点, 柔化 this disaster story a bit with a picture of the happy survivors. The news story was tempered with a paragraph of explanation and justification. 板球员妈妈打电话给NZ广播节目(duped into believing she's off air): Deborah: I don't know whether they realise he was actually born and bred in New Zealand and quite frankly has family all over the country. And for those who listen to your station, for them to sit and listen to their cousin and their grandson being bagged like that is absolutely unconscionable ( 太过分了. more than a reasonable or acceptable level or amount. ) and I'm his mother and I'm totally brassed off ( brass someone off Sl. to make someone angry. (Primarily military. As angry as the "brass," or officers, might get about something.) You really brass me off. The private brassed off the sergeant. ). Host: Well he's a great cricket player, he's amazing. Deborah: I know he is, but it's not even about the cricket. It's about the personal attack on him. They called him arrogant and then they called him some sort of name. They don't know him! They wouldn't have a bloomin' clue! Matt: I don't remember them calling him any other words, other than he made some pretty arrogant comments before the game. Deborah: No he didn't! It's a load of rubbish 一派胡言, 胡说八道! Matt: Yes he did. Deborah: Arrogance isn't a part of his make up( kiss and make up (idiomatic) To settle one's differences and forgive. make it up to sb. 补偿 (idiomatic, transitive) To pay back; to return someone a previous good deed. to do something good that helps someone to feel better after you did something bad to them. to do something good for someone you have upset, in order to become friends with them again: I'm sorry we can't take you with us, but I promise I'll make it up to you somehow. I'm really sorry. I'll make it up to you. After John gave her a lovely wooly hat for her birthday, she wanted to make it up to him so she took him out for dinner. You've been so kind to me, how can I make it up to you? make up to someone to try to become friends with someone. Look how the cat is making up to Richard! Jimmy is making up to Donna, and she doesn't even notice. make it up as one goes along 即兴, 见机行事 (idiomatic) To improvise continuously. make up I. 弥补, 不悔. To compensate, fill in or catch up. He can make up the time next week. I plan to make up for my failed midterm. Cuba took limited free market-oriented measures to alleviate severe shortages of food, consumer goods, and services to make up for the ending of Soviet subsidies. II. (intransitive) 重归于好. 解决争端. To resolve, forgive or smooth over an argument or fight. They fight a lot, but they always manage to make up. make up (with someone) to reconcile with someone; to end a disagreement (with someone). Bill and Max decided to make up. They made up with each other and are now very good friends. ). Are you being smart here? Matt: No. Deborah: I just want to get the point across ... I'm just really disappointed. Say those things and then temper it with some positives( temper something with something I. Fig. to harden something, such as metal, with something. You have to temper the metal pieces with very high heat. The sheet of metal was tempered by the application of great pressure. II. Fig. 调和一下, 调剂一下, 显得好听的, 显得没有那么刺耳, 缓和一下. 缓冲一下. 软化一下. to soften the impact of something, such as news, with something. We can temper this disaster story a bit with a picture of the happy survivors. The news story was tempered with a paragraph of explanation and justification. ). Have a look on Twitter, see the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Tino Best, Graham Onions — all of those people giving him their support because they know that tomorrow is another day. Host: You're a lovely woman Debs and thanks for call and we'll make sure that gets righted on the show. You have a great day. 2. mellow adj. I. relaxed and satisfied, for example because of having drunk alcohol. Warmed by liquor, slightly intoxicated, stoned, or high. II. 温暖的. 暖色的. soft and warm in colour. mellow greys and greens. III. with a soft, smooth, and pleasant sound. Not coarse, rough, or harsh; subdued, soft, rich, delicate; said of sound, color, flavor, style, etc. the sweet mellow tones of a guitar. IV. 口感绵软的. 不生涩的. 不苦涩的. with a smooth full taste. Soft or tender by reason of ripeness; having a tender pulp. a mellow apple. a mellow whisky aged in wood. V. 由于年龄, 阅历而变的洗练, 安然, 不急不躁, 智慧. 安静. 人情练达的 gentle, wise, and easy to talk to, especially because of age and experience. He had grown mellow with age. mellow Verb. I. If you mellow, or if something mellows you 变得圆滑, 变得圆融. 懂得变通. 不固执, 变得好相处, 磨去了棱角, 少了些刺. 经过人生淬炼, 收敛锋芒, 不倔强的, 收敛, 不张扬了, 内敛, 温和, 变得柔和,世故. 深通人情世故. 人情练达, 通情达理, 变得心软了, 变得更睿智, 更成熟. 更稳重. 变得随遇而已, 不再较真, 不再计较 ( bellow n. 风箱, 空气泵, 鼓风机 bellow I. 咆哮, 大喊大叫. To make the deep roaring sound characteristic of a bull. II. To shout in a deep voice. bellow something out 喊出来 to cry something out loudly with great force. Don't just say it. Bellow it out! Bellow out your name so we know who you are!), you become gentler, wiser, and easier to talk to, especially because of age or experience. She's mellowed 变得好相处, 没有棱角 a lot over the years. Leonard: Its not that I'd stopped trying, its just how relationships progress 关系都是这样的. They start with infatuation, but over time mellow into something more comfortable. II. if colours mellow, or if something mellows them, they become softer, warmer, and less bright 不那么鲜艳, 不那么扎眼. mellow out I. to become less angry. to chill out, relax, settle down. "He was really mad so we all told him to mellow out". When you mellow out, maybe we can talk. Come on, man, stop yelling and mellow out! II. to become generally more relaxed. Gary was nearly forty before he started to mellow out a little and take life less seriously. After his illness, he mellowed out and seemed more glad to be alive. He needs to mellow out a little. Maybe I'm getting mellow 变得柔软, 心变得柔软, 不再心硬 in my old age, but at least the boy made one good decision. He had the savvy to get out of Westlife before they had the cheek to 有胆, 有脸, 厚颜无耻的 release a whole album of Frank Sinatra covers. Astringents 收敛剂, 收敛水 are also often used in the formulation of an aftershave. astringent [əˈstrɪndʒ(ə)nt] n. a liquid or cream used for making your skin drier or for stopping a cut from bleeding. adj. I. medical 止血的. 收敛的. 帮助伤口融合的. 有助伤口融合的. an astringent substance or liquid makes your skin drier or helps to stop a cut from bleeding. II. an astringent taste is one that is strong and bitter. III. an astringent remark is one that criticizes someone severely. ignominious [ˌɪɡnəˈmɪniəs] 丢人现眼的, 丢脸的 very embarrassing, especially because of making you seem very unsuccessful or unimportant. an ignominious defeat. ignominy [ˈɪɡnəˌmɪni] 羞辱. 耻辱. a situation where you feel embarrassed and lose other people's respect. Great dishonor, shame, or humiliation. The army suffered the ignominy of a quick and decisive defeat. harsh one's mellow 破坏好兴致, 扫兴, 坏我好事, 败兴(killjoy, buzzkill, dampener, killjoy (person), party-pooper (person)) to reduce or destroy a person's good mood. To spoil one's good mood or to annoy.to be a killjoy. to ruin someone's happiness, whether they are drunk, or just really happy, with sad news or drama. Don't harsh my mellow by asking me about my SAT scores. 3. chasten [ˈtʃeɪs(ə)n] (责难,不幸)遏制, 使缓和, 使有所收敛. 不再那么嚣张的 vt. (be chastened) (of a reproof or misfortune) have a restraining or moderating effect on. to make someone feel ashamed or less confident. She seemed suitably chastened 磨去了棱角, 没脾气了 by the experience. "We believe democracy in Thailand has been systematically destroyed," he said from Phnom Penh. "People have been chastened 惩戒, 惩治, hunted and bullied with no sense of fairness, justice or decency. She seemed suitably chastened by the experience. the director was somewhat chastened by his recent flops. chastened 学乖了的, 吸取教训了的, 吃过亏了的, 吃一堑长一智的, 经过磨练了的 [as adj. chastening] a chastening experience 一次磨炼.
How Israel tried to turn Iranian foe into an asset: In early 2024, the rector ( rector [ˈrek.tər] I. a priest in charge of a parish (= area) in the Church of England. A rector is a priest in the Church of England who is in charge of a particular area. He was rector of All Hallows Church in Wellingborough. II. an important official at some colleges in Scotland, elected by the students. A rector is an important official in some universities or colleges. ...the Rector of Imperial College, London. III. US the person in charge of a university or school. 校长: 中小学: US Principal 和 UK Headteacher. 大学校长: 美国用 President；英国/澳洲/新西兰用: Vice-Chancellor. Chancellor 是名誉校长. 没有实权. ) of a university in Budapest received a startling request from a top Hungarian government official. The official told the rector, Professor Gergely Deli, that Ludovika University of Public Service should hold a climate change conference and extend an invitation to an unlikely guest: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the widely reviled(to criticize someone strongly, or say unpleasant things to or about someone: The judge was reviled in the newspapers for his opinions on rape. ) former president of Iran. Even more shocking was the reason. The official told Mr. Deli that the conference was merely a front for Mr. Ahmadinejad to have secret discussions in Budapest with intelligence operatives from Israel, Mr. Ahmadinejad’s avowed enemy. Mr. Deli knew that the invitation could tarnish both his own reputation and that of the university. But, he said in an interview, he believed he might be playing a role in saving lives. Mr. Ahmadinejad’s 2024 visit to the university and a second one the following year were part of a yearslong Israeli effort to groom him as an intelligence asset who, when the time came, could be installed as Iran's new leader, according to both American and Iranian officials familiar with the operation, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive intelligence. The effort culminated in late February of this year — during the first days of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran — with an audacious operation to relocate the former leader, who had been living under strict surveillance in Tehran. The goal: to set in motion the plan to topple the current regime and install Mr. Ahmadinejad. The plan failed.On Feb. 28, an Israeli airstrike hit Mr. Ahmadinejad's compound, targeting the building of his bodyguards and his armored vehicle. After the strike, according to four senior Iranian officials, a black Peugeot car arrived, picked up Mr. Ahmadinejad and whisked him away at high speed from the chaotic scene. American and Iranian officials with knowledge of the operation said the car had been driven by Mossad operatives, who took Mr. Ahmadinejad to a secret safe house in Iran. But the former Iranian leader was upset about the frantic rescue operation, and he appeared to be disillusioned about the Israeli plan to return him to power, according to people with knowledge of what occurred. He eventually left the safe house under circumstances that are still unclear. Mr. Ahmadinejad was not seen in public again until July 6, when he made a brief appearance at the funeral procession for the slain supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His current status remains uncertain. But four senior Iranian officials said that Mr. Ahmadinejad was in the custody of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' intelligence wing, under house arrest, now that Iran has learned about much of his interactions with Israel. Israeli officials have not commented publicly about the plan to install Mr. Ahmadinejad as Iran's leader, which was part of a broader attempt to topple the government in Tehran. Another element involved arming and training Iranian Kurdish opposition forces based in northern Iraq to cross into western Iran, hold territory there and eventually move toward the capital Tehran, an effort that never manifested 实现, 成真. The regime-change plan involved a "sequence of special operations, very, very unique, that was supposed to happen," Tamir Hayman, a former head of intelligence for the Israeli Defense Forces, told the PBS talk show "Firing Line" in May, after The New York Times first revealed details of Mr. Ahmadinejad's role in the plan. "And Ahmadinejad was part of that sequence." Mr. Ahmadinejad ordered violent crackdowns on a nationwide uprising contesting 质疑 his re-election in 2009, and, under his rule, the judiciary carried out mass executions of dissidents and jailed opponents and rivals. But in the years after he left the presidency, Mr. Ahmadinejad tempered his views and toned down the anti-Israel rhetoric that had marked his time in office. He was often eager to show off his newly minted moderate side, granting interviews and giving speeches in which he opined on Iran's pop music culture, criticized the country's security forces for heavy-handed crackdowns and accused the ruling class of financial corruption. He abandoned his signature oversize khaki windbreaker and began wearing tailored suits. He groomed his messy beard, appeared to get Botox treatment and began learning English. Mr. Ahmadinejad's relationship with the Iranian government was complicated. Senior leaders marginalized him and restricted his movements, yet they allowed him a seat alongside other senior officials on a high-level council that advises the supreme leader. He attended the council's meeting in February, a few days before the war began. Many in Iran saw cynical political motives in Mr. Ahmadinejad's transformation 转变, 嬗变, which they viewed as an attempt to burnish ( I. to rub metal until it is smooth and shiny. II. 改善形象. If you burnish something such as your public image, you take action to improve it and make it more attractive: The company is currently trying to burnish its socially responsible image. burnished I. 擦亮的, 磨光的, 抛光的 smooth and shiny, usually because of being polished (= rubbed): The case is burnished aluminium. burnished mahogany doors. II. (of a colour) 温暖而有光泽的. 闪闪发光的. 明亮的. shining in a warm way: Their children have burnished olive skin. III. having had improvements made to it: Nothing in political prose has been so burnished as his acceptance speech. ) his populist credentials and distance himself from ruling officials. He retained a base of support among working-class Iranians, and his advisers were certain that his goal was to one day return to power. Mr. Ahmadinejad became disillusioned with the Islamic republic system after he was disqualified to run for president three times, the associate said, and concluded that he could not ascend to power 上台, 掌权 as long as the current system remained in place. Israeli intelligence agencies were closely following the brewing rift between Mr. Ahmadinejad and the Iranian regime during this period, according to two Israeli defense officials familiar with intelligence assessments at that time. Of particular interest, the officials said, was Mr. Ahmadinejad's growing resentment of Ayatollah Khamenei and other senior figures who had disqualified Mr. Ahmadinejad from running for president again. Mr. Ahmadinejad's actions began to arouse suspicion within the intelligence branch of Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps, which is responsible for safeguarding the Islamic republic against foreign interference. His Iranian bodyguards from the Guards' Ansar unit, who accompanied Mr. Ahmadinejad on all his foreign travel, reported that on at least two occasions, he had managed to shake off 摆脱, 甩掉 his security detail and disappear for long meetings during the June 2025 trip. In a report about the trip, the bodyguards said that they had confronted Mr. Ahmadinejad about his disappearances and that he had told them he had been meeting with university professors, according to the two Iranian Guards members and one intelligence official. On July 6, he made a brief, surprise appearance as part of Ayatollah Khamenei's funeral procession. Videos of the procession showed Mr. Ahmadinejad, wearing a heavy jacket in the 90-degree Fahrenheit (32 Celsius) heat, with a surgical mask pulled down to his chin. Iran's two other living former presidents, Hassan Rouhani and Mohammad Khatami, were not invited and did not appear in any of the funeral ceremonies. Mr. Ahmadinejad stood with his head down, not speaking, flanked on all sides by what appeared to be security guards.
