undress

to take off all your clothes, especially before going to bed. [Get undressed](bold) is the usual phrase to use in everyday English

Em felt uncomfortable undressing in front of other people.

to remove a piece of clothing. [Remove](bold) is more formal than [take off](bold)

'It’s warm in here,' said Michael, taking off his jacket.

Police officers told him to remove his clothes.

to take off all or some of your clothes – used especially when you do this quickly, when someone has ordered you to do it, or in a way that is deliberately sexually exciting

Ben stripped off and got into the shower.

She stripped off her clothes and lay on the bed.

The women in the club screamed and clapped as the male dancers began to strip.

to take off your clothes and put on different clothes

The boys ran up the stairs to get changed.

I’ll be ready in a second, I just have to get changed.

to open a piece of clothing that is fastened

to take your clothes off, or take someone else’s clothes off

Joe still needs an adult to undress him.

乔仍需要大人给他脱衣服。

In everyday English, people usually say [get undressed](bold)  rather than [undress](bold) :


undress

Cindy was wandering about her room [in a state of undress](bold).

辛迪光着身子在房间里走来走去。


uneasy

[uneasily](bold) adv. eg: Bill shifted uneasily in his chair. eg: Charles’ concern for the environment [sits uneasily](bold) with (=does not fit well with) his collection of powerful cars.

There was an uneasy peace in the region for nearly three years before the conflict flared up again.

It was an uneasy truce, however, and tension was never far from the surface.

Things seemed quiet enough, but it was an uneasy calm.

The government is based on an uneasy alliance between Christian Democrats and Socialists.

The result was an uneasy compromise which no-one liked.

worried or slightly afraid because you think that something bad might happen

心神不安的，不自在的；忧虑的

→see THESAURUS at [nervous](->nervous)   →see THESAURUS at [worried](->worried)

Ninety percent of those questioned [felt uneasy](bold) about nuclear power.

受访者中有90%的人对核能感到忧虑。

used to describe a period of time when people have agreed to stop fighting or arguing, but which is not really calm

The treaty restored an uneasy peace to the country.

这个条约让该国恢复了暂时的和平。

不舒服的；不踏实的；不安的

She eventually fell into an uneasy sleep.

她终于睡着了，但睡得并不踏实。


unemployed

ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd◂

ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪd◂

someone who is unemployed does not have a job

Fifty percent of the men in this town are unemployed.

unemployed, especially for a long period of time, when you had a job before

if someone is redundant, they have been told that they no longer have a job

He was made redundant earlier this year.

to be receiving money from the government because you do not have a job

Many people on welfare don’t have anyone to take care of the kids while they train for a job.

if someone is looking for work, they do not have a job and are trying to find one

How long have you been looking for work?

people who are jobless do not have jobs – used especially in news reports

The jobless totals have risen by 6% in the last year.

I’ve only been unemployed for a few weeks.

In everyday English, people often say [out of work](bold)  rather than [unemployed](bold) :

He’s been [out of work](bold) since January.


unemployed

[the long-term unemployed](bold)(=people who have not had a job for a long time)

a retraining scheme for the long-term unemployed


unemployment

ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt

ˌʌnɪmˈplɔɪmənt

They live in an area where unemployment is high.

The area has the lowest unemployment in Europe.

(=when very large numbers of people are unemployed)

(=when people are unemployed for a long period of time)

It can be difficult to help people out of long-term unemployment.

Large-scale unemployment among young people could have terrible social consequences.

These measures could result in massive unemployment in the construction industry.

After the pit closed, the town experienced severe unemployment.

The collapse of the currency led to widespread unemployment.

(=the number of young people/men/women unemployed)

Youth unemployment there has reached 50 percent.

The government is spending more on projects to cut unemployment.

People blamed immigrants for causing unemployment.

The government’s first priority is to combat unemployment.

During their term in office unemployment increased by 50 percent.

The economic crisis has seen unemployment soar.

The crisis meant a sharp rise in unemployment.

We are hoping to see a fall in unemployment.

The unemployment level among young people is rising.

They publish monthly unemployment figures for the UK.

(=an area where there is higher unemployment than in other places)

The town became an unemployment blackspot after the factory closure.

the number of people in a particular country or area who cannot get a job

Closure of the plant means 80 workers are facing unemployment.

这家工厂关停，致使80个工人面临失业。

money paid regularly by the government to people who have no job

He’s been on unemployment for two months.

他已经领了两个月的失业救济金。


unequal

used to describe a situation or a social system which is unfair because some groups or people have more power than others

不平等的；不公正的；不均衡的

〔数目、数量或水平〕不相等的，不相同的

to not have enough strength, ability etc to do something


uneven

She walked back carefully over the uneven ground.

她小心翼翼地从凹凸不平的地面上走回来。


unexpected

[unexpectedly](bold) adv. eg: His father died unexpectedly.

used to describe something that is surprising because you were not expecting it

想不到的，意外的，突然的

The experiment produced some unexpected results.

这次实验产生了一些意想不到的结果。

Her death was [totally unexpected](bold).

Hague’s announcement was [not entirely unexpected](bold).

黑格的声明并非完全出乎意料。


unfair

[unfairly](bold) adv. eg: Mrs Taylor believes her son has been [unfairly treated](bold). eg: The tribunal decided that Mr Matthews had been [unfairly dismissed](bold).

not right or fair, especially because not everyone has an equal opportunity

The present welfare system is grossly unfair.

It’s not fair that people are paying different prices for the same tickets.

not fair or right according to the principles of a particular society

He believed it was an illegal and unjust war.

unfair because people are treated in different ways or because some people have more power than others

the unequal distribution of global resources

unfair because people are treated in different ways, or because some people have more power than others

The system is inequitable, because it makes it possible for rich people to buy a place at university.

unfairly against or in favour of a particular group

There were claims that prison bosses were racially biased.

The trade laws are biased in favour of rich countries.

treating someone unfairly and having an unreasonable dislike of them because of their race, sex etc, or because they are old, disabled etc

The media had very prejudiced attitudes towards disabled people.

I don’t want to sound prejudiced, but I do think women are better at this type of job.

treating someone unfairly because of their race

Children pick up racist attitudes from their parents.

treating someone unfairly because of their sex

He had made sexist comments to several women in the office.

The show was about two female inspectors who had trouble with their sexist bosses.

treating someone unfairly because of their age – used especially when old people are unfairly treated

Ageist attitudes result in older people being discriminated against in the workplace.

treating someone unfairly because they are homosexual

It’s totally unfair to blame one player when the team doesn’t play well.

The newspaper called the judge’s ruling ‘blatantly unfair.’

laws aimed at preventing [unfair competition](bold)

旨在防止不公平竞争的法令

Many employers have recognized that age discrimination is unfair.

许多雇主已经认识到年龄歧视是不公平的。

She won £20,000 for [unfair dismissal](bold)(=being illegally made to leave your job).

她因被不公平解雇而得到两万英镑的赔偿。


unfaithful

someone who is unfaithful has sex with someone who is not their wife, husband, or usual partner

Geoff had been unfaithful to her on many occasions.


unfamiliar

ˌʌnfəˈmɪliə◂

[unfamiliarity](bold) /ˌʌnfəmɪliˈærəti/  n. <U>

She stood on deck to gaze at the unfamiliar surroundings.

她站在甲板上凝视着四下陌生的一切。

Some of the technical vocabulary may be unfamiliar to you.

有些专业词汇你可能不熟悉。

We were unfamiliar with the neighbourhood.


unfashionable

ʌnˈfæʃənəbəl

ʌnˈfæʃənəbəl

not popular or fashionable at the present time – used especially about people’s ideas, beliefs, and way of life

They lived in an unfashionable part of London.

Marriage has become unfashionable in some countries.

no longer fashionable – used especially about clothes, styles, and behaviour

Miniskirts have been in and out of fashion over the years.

Leather jackets had never fallen out of fashionbecome unfashionable.

He used to be a smoker until smoking went out of fashion.

used for describing things which were fashionable and modern at one time but are starting to look unfashionable or old now

The hotel needs to improve its dated interior.

no longer fashionable – used especially about ways of doing and thinking about things. A rather formal use

The musicals and light comedies for which she was known have become passé.

Some of his ideas about food are a bit passé.

used when saying that something is now very unfashionable – a very informal use

Blogging is already starting to feel so last year.

The resort is overcrowded and so last year.

不流行的；不时髦的，过时的

→see THESAURUS at [old-fashioned](->old-fashioned)


unfinished

something that you have not yet dealt with


unfold

if a story unfolds, or if someone unfolds it, it is told

〔故事等〕展现，呈现；(使)展示

As the story unfolds, we learn more about Max’s childhood.

随着故事的展开，我们对马克斯的童年有了更多的了解。

if a series of events unfolds, they happen

He had watched [the drama unfold](bold) from a nearby ship.

他从附近的一艘船上目睹了这一戏剧性事件的发生。

if you unfold something that was folded, or if it unfolds, it opens out

〔卷着的东西〕展开；打开，摊开〔卷着的东西〕


unfortunate

ʌnˈfɔːtʃənət

someone who is unfortunate has something bad happen to them

When we entered the room, the teacher was yelling at some unfortunate student.

an unfortunate situation, condition, quality etc is one that you wish was different

He has an [unfortunate habit](bold) of repeating himself.

他有一个讨厌的习惯，总是重复自己说过的话。

It’s unfortunate that so few people seem willing to help.

很遗憾，愿意帮助的人寥寥无几。

It’s [most unfortunate](bold)(=very unfortunate) that your father can’t come to the wedding.

你父亲不能来参加婚礼，真是太遗憾了。

unfortunate behaviour, remarks etc make people feel embarrassed or offended

〔行为、话语等〕不得体的；粗野的


unfortunately

ʌnˈfɔːtʃənətli

used when you are mentioning a fact that you wish was not true

Unfortunately, you were out when we called.

很遗憾，我们打电话来的时候你出去了。


unfounded

unfounded statements, feelings, opinions etc are wrong because they are not based on facts

Unfounded rumours began circulating that Ian and Susan were having an affair.

无端的谣言开始流传开来，说伊恩和苏珊有暧昧关系。

不幸的是，最后证明我是盲目乐观。


unfriendly

behaving towards someone in a way that shows you are not interested in them or are not ready to talk to them or help them

The hotel staff were unfriendly and unhelpful.

They didn't seem very friendly to strangers.

very unfriendly, and ready to argue or fight

He was openly hostile towards me when I arrived.

A hostile crowd gathered outside the US embassy.

behaving towards other people as if you do not like them or care about them

unfriendly, especially because you are angry with someone

He got a frosty reception from his wife when he finally returned home she was not very friendly towards him.

not wanting to talk to other people or spend time with them, especially because you think you are better than them

Some politicians are criticized for being too aloof.

unfriendly and always trying to start arguments with someone

Why are Kate and John so antagonistic towards each other?

not interested in meeting other people or forming friendly relationships with them

Sorry if I'm being antisocial, but I need to get my work done.

He was an antisocial loner with no friends.

making you feel as though you are not wanted

The report found that the church can seem unfriendly to outsiders.

unfriendly – used especially about the physical characteristics or appearance of something

The entrance to the factory is cold, bare, and unwelcoming.

The new fence is just one example of the city’s attempt to make public spaces unwelcoming to the homeless.

lacking the normal friendly relations between people who work or do business together

I had no desire to work for a large impersonal organization.

They just handed over the keys and walked out – it was all so impersonal.

unfriendly, uncomfortable, and a little frightening, so that you do not want to go there

The school was a rather forbidding building surrounded by a high steel fence.

[comparative](italic) [unfriendlier](bold) [superlative](italic) [unfriendliest](bold)

不友好的，不友善的；冷漠的；有敌意的

The old man looked cross and unfriendly.

老人看上去生气了，很不友好。

位置荒僻、氛围冷漠的地方

The villagers were really quite unfriendly towards us.

村民们对我们真的很不友好。

not helping or wanting a type of person or thing

We have created cities that are unfriendly to pedestrians.

我们建造的城市不适合步行。

an unfriendly government or nation is one that opposes yours


unhappy

After a while I didn’t feel quite so unhappy.

The Government was deeply unhappy about criticism from the press.

It was the first time she had been away from home and she was desperately unhappy.

Stevens had a unhappy childhood in Manchester.

Her parents had had an unhappy marriage.

Ruth tried to put these unhappy memories from her mind.

[comparative](italic) [unhappier](bold) [superlative](italic) [unhappiest](bold)

伤心的,难过的,不开心的

If you’re so unhappy, why don’t you change jobs?

你要是那么不开心，为什么不换个工作呢？

In everyday English, people often say they feel [down](bold)  or [fed up](bold)  rather than [unhappy](bold) :

The situation at home was making her feel very [down](bold).

feeling worried or annoyed because you do not like what is happening in a particular situation

Dennis is unhappy about having to work on a Saturday.

丹尼斯很不高兴星期六还要上班。

We were all unhappy with the quality of the service.

我们都对服务质量不满意。

an unhappy remark, situation etc is not suitable, lucky, or desirable


unhealthy

[comparative](italic) [unhealthier](bold) [superlative](italic) [unhealthiest](bold)

not normal or natural and likely to be harmful

Gareth had an unhealthy interest in death.

加雷思对于死亡有种病态的兴趣。

unhealthy skin, hair etc shows that you are ill or not healthy

〔皮肤、头发等〕显出病态的，显得不健康的


unhurt

The driver [escaped unhurt](bold) from the accident.

司机安然无恙地逃过了这场车祸。


unification

ˌjuːnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

ˌjuːnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən

the act of combining two or more groups, countries etc to make a single group or country


uniform

a particular type of clothing worn by all the members of a group or organization such as the police, the army etc

He was still [wearing](bold) his [school uniform](bold).

他正当班，并且穿着制服呢。


uniform

being the same in all its parts or among all its members


uniformity

ˌjuːnəˈfɔːməti

the quality of being or looking the same as all other members of a group

相同(性)；统一(性)；一致(性)

There seems to be no uniformity among the various systems.

各系统之间似乎没有统一性。


unify

[past tense and past participle](italic) [unified](bold) [present participle](italic) [unifying](bold) [third person singular](italic) [unifies](bold)

if you unify two or more parts or things, or if they unify, they are combined to make a single unit

(使)统一，(使)成一体

Strong support for the war has unified the nation.

对战争的坚决支持使这个国家团结了起来。

His music unifies traditional and modern themes.

他的音乐结合了传统和现代的主题。


unilateral

ˌjuːnəˈlætərəl◂

ˌjuːnəˈlætərəl◂

a unilateral action or decision is done by only one of the groups involved in a situation

〔行动或决定〕一方的，单边的，单方面的

a unilateral declaration of independence

[unilateral disarmament](bold)(=when one country gets rid of its own )


union

(also: [trade union](bold) ([BrE](bold)) [labor union](bold) ([AmE](bold)) )

an organization formed by workers to protect their rights

→see THESAURUS at [organization](->organization)

Are you planning to [join](bold) the [union](bold)?

used in the names of some clubs or organizations

协会；联合会；俱乐部；会社〔用于组织的名称中〕

the act of joining two or more things together, or the state of being joined together

The artist’s work shows the perfect union of craftsmanship and imagination.

这位艺术家的作品体现了工艺和想象力的完美结合。

Some militants favour independence for Kashmir or union with Pakistan.

有些激进分子主张克什米尔独立或并入巴基斯坦。

a group of countries or states with the same central government

used in the past to talk about the United States, especially the northern states during the Civil War

美利坚合众国〔旧称〕；〔尤指内战时期北部诸州组成的〕北部联邦

the activity of having sex, or an occasion when this happens


unique

极好的；难得的，不同寻常的；特别的

This is a unique opportunity to study these rare creatures.

这是研究这些珍稀动物的一次难得机会。

People sometimes use ‘very’ with [unique](bold)  in this meaning, but this use is often considered to be incorrect.

→see THESAURUS at [different](->different)

每个人的指纹都是独一无二的。

existing only in a particular place or in relation to a particular person or people

某人/某地独具[特有]的

The issues being discussed here are not unique to the US.

在此讨论的问题并非美国独有。


uniquely

something that is uniquely good, difficult etc is very good, difficult etc in a way that few other things are

in a way that is typical of a particular place or group of people, and that does not exist anywhere else

in a way that is different from anything or anyone else

There are 45 uniquely designed buildings.

有45栋设计样式与众不同的建筑。


unit

a group of people working together as part of a larger group

The man is in the hospital’s [intensive care unit](bold).

那名男子在医院的重症监护室。

an amount of something used as a standard of measurement

a thing, person, or group that is regarded as one single whole part of something larger

单位，单元〔指构成更大整体的物、人、群体〕

The family is the basic social unit of modern society.

家庭是现代社会的基本单位。

one of the numbered parts into which a textbooka book used in schools is divided

a single complete product made by a company

一件〔公司生产的完整产品〕

The factory’s output is now up to 150,000 units each month.

这家工厂的产量现已达到每月15万件。

a piece of equipment which is part of a larger machine

a piece of furniture, especially one that can be attached to others of the same type

an amount of work that a student needs to do in order to complete a particular course


unite

if different people or organizations unite, or if something unites them, they join together in order to achieve something

Our goal is to unite the opposition parties and defeat the president.

我们的目标是联合各反对党挫败总统。

Party members united behind their leader.

党员们联合起来支持他们的领袖。

In 1960, the regions united to form the Somali Republic.

1960年，各地区合并，成立了索马里共和国。


united

joined or closely connected by feelings, aims etc

The two countries were united against a common enemy.

这两个国家联合起来对付共同的敌人。

a united effort to clean up the environment

used in the names of some football teams and companies

〔用于足球队或公司的名字〕


unity

when a group of people or countries agree or are joined together

他的文章往往缺乏整体感。

one of the three related principles that say a play should be about a single set of related events which happen in one place on one day

〔戏剧中情节、时间和地点的〕一致性；三一律


universal

ˌjuːnəˈvɜːsəl◂

[universality](bold) /ˌjuːnəvɜːˈsæləti/ US /-ɜːr-/  n. <U>

involving everyone in the world or in a particular group

全世界的；全体的；共同的

These stories have [universal appeal](bold).

人们普遍感兴趣的一个话题

a democracy based on [universal suffrage](bold)(=when every adult has the right to vote)


universally

ˌjuːnəˈvɜːsəli

by everyone in the world or everyone in a particular group

These arguments were not [universally accepted](bold).

这些论点没有被大众接纳。

In Edinburgh he is universally known as ‘Big Tam’.

在爱丁堡，人人都叫他“大个子塔姆”。

Is that a model which should be applied universally?

那个型号是否应广泛推广？


universe

all space, including all the stars and planets

a world or an area of space that is different from the one we are in

[a parallel/an alternative universe](bold)

to be the most important person or thing to someone

成为某人最重要的人[物]，对某人来说处于最重要地位

a person’s life, including all of the people, places, and ideas which affect them


university

ˌjuːnəˈvɜːsəti◂

a place where you can study a subject at a high level to get a degree

About a third of the pupils go on to university.

in Britain, a place where you can study after you finish secondary school, especially to train for a job. In the US, a place where you can study and get a bachelor’s degree

a school that students can go to for two years in order to learn a skill or prepare for university

Community colleges can provide job-specific training.

a college or university where you can study for a master’s degree or a doctorate, after receiving your first degree

I taught for a few years, and then went back to graduate school.

Her daughter was about to go to university.

She studied law at Edinburgh University.

I applied for university without any real idea of what I wanted to do.

Some people take a year off before they start university.

Students often find work soon after leaving university.

She graduated from Liverpool University in 2006.

He dropped out of university in order to join a rock band.

He studied history at school and was now planning to take a university course.

Thirty years ago 33% of university students were female.

(=someone who has completed a university course)

She is a university graduate who speaks three languages.

Her father was a university lecturer and her mother a teacher.

He was a qualified engineer with a university degree.

I did not have the advantage of a university education.

one of the oldest university departments in the country

(=the area of land containing the main buildings of a university)

There were violent protests on university campuses.

an educational institution at the highest level, where you study for a degree


unjust

不公平的，不公正的；不合理的


unkind

In everyday English, people usually say [mean](bold) , [nasty](bold) , or [horrible](bold)  rather than [unkind](bold) :

The other kids were really [mean ](bold) to me.

treating people in a way that makes them unhappy or upset. [Unkind ](bold) sounds rather formal. In everyday English, people usually say [mean](bold) or [nasty](bold)

Children can be very unkind to each other.

deliberately unkind, and seeming to enjoy making people unhappy

He said some really nasty things before he left.

Joe couldn’t forget the hurtful things she had said.

Couples sometimes do hurtful things to each other.

deliberately unkind to someone because you are jealous of them or angry with them

The other women were spiteful to her, and gave her the hardest work to do.

She watched them with spiteful glee pleasure.

deliberately behaving in a way that is likely to upset, hurt, or cause problems for someone

Someone had been spreading malicious rumours about him.

There was a malicious smile on her face.

not seeming to care about someone’s problems, and not trying to help them or make them feel better

Her parents were very unsympathetic, and told her that she deserved to fail her exam.

very unsympathetic and not caring at all about other people’s feelings

Was he hard-hearted enough to leave his son in jail overnight?

very unkind and deliberately making people feel unhappy or making them suffer physically

extremely unkind and behaving in a very immoral way

extremely unkind and enjoying making other people suffer

Their father was a sadistic bully who beat them regularly.

He took a certain sadistic pleasure in his job.

not thinking about the effects of your actions on other people

It was inconsiderate of him not to say that he would be late.

a thoughtless disregard for other people’s feelings

someone who is tactless carelessly says or does things that are likely to upset someone, without realizing what they are doing

behaving in a way that is likely to upset someone, or not seeming to care about someone’s feelings. [Insensitive](bold) is rather a formal word

The article is insensitive to the family and friends of the victim.

He later admitted that some of his remarks were ‘insensitive’.

不仁慈的；不和善的；刻薄的


unknown

不知道的[地]，未知的[地]

The murderer’s identity [remains unknown](bold).

[For some unknown reason](bold), Mark quit his job and moved to Greece.

不知何故，马克辞掉工作移居希腊了。

[An unknown number of](bold) people were killed.

Unknown to his wife, Ron had been having an affair.

罗恩有了外遇，可他妻子并不知情。

if someone or something is an unknown quantity, you do not know what their abilities are or how they are likely to behave

是个未知数〔指难以预测其能力或行为〕


unknown

At that point in her career she was still an unknown.

在她事业的那个阶段，她还是个无名小卒。

The long-term effects of the drug are still an unknown.

这种药品的长期作用还是个未知数。

a place that is not known about or that has not been visited by humans

不为人知[人类尚未到达]的地方

The astronauts began their journey into the unknown.

航天员开始了对未知世界的探索之旅。

things that you do not know or understand


unlawful

不合法的，非法的，违法的

The jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing.

陪审团作出了非法杀害的裁决。


unleash

to suddenly let a strong force, feeling etc have its full effect

突然释放，发泄〔力量、感情等〕

Lefèvre’s comments unleashed a wave of protest.

勒菲弗的评论引发了一波抗议的浪潮。

to let a dog run free after it has been held on a leash


unless

You use the simple present tense with [unless](bold) : Unless the government changes its policy, the economic situation will get worse.

Don’t use ‘will’ in the clause after [unless](bold) .
Don’t say: [Unless the government will change its policy ...](strike)

You can also use the present perfect tense with [unless](bold) : I won’t change anything unless someone has asked me to.
Don’t say: [unless someone will have asked me to](strike)  [unless someone will ask me to](strike)

To talk about the past, use the simple past with [unless](bold) : Unless the company got a loan, it would go bankrupt. They threatened to kill him unless he gave them the money.
Don’t say: [Unless the company would get a loan ...](strike)

You use [unless](bold)  when saying that if something does not happen, something else will happen: Unless I hear from you (=if I don’t hear from you), I’ll assume everything’s OK.

You use [in case](bold)  when saying that you do something in order to be prepared if something happens: Take a sweater in case you get cold.

You use [or else](bold)  when saying that something bad will happen if you do not do something: You’d better go now, or else you’ll miss the train.

used to say that something will happen or be true if something else does not happen or is not true

Unless some extra money is found, the theatre will close.

要是不能找到更多资金，剧院将要关闭。

I think you should complain – unless, of course, you are happy with the way things are.

我觉得你应该发发牢骚——当然，除非你对现状很满意。

He won’t go to sleep unless you tell him a story.

要是你不给他讲故事他就不睡觉。

I can’t leave her unless I know she’s all right.

除非我知道她没事，否则我不能离开她。

‘Will you go with her?’ ‘Not unless she wants me to.’

“你和她一起去吗？” “她想让我去我才会去。”


unlike

completely different from a particular person or thing

Tammy was unlike any other woman I have ever known.

塔米和我认识的其他女人都不一样。

迟到可不是格雷格的作风。

used when saying how one person or thing is different from another

Unlike most people in the office, I don’t come to work by car.

和办公室大多数同事不同，我不是开车上班的。

In appearance John is not unlike his brother.

约翰和他兄弟长得有些像。

The landscape is [not unlike that of](bold) Scotland.


unlike

to show on Facebook that you no longer like or agree with something, after showing that you liked it


unlikely

It’s highly unlikely that he’ll survive.

The government is extremely unlikely to change its policy.

I may have thrown it away by mistake, but that’s pretty unlikely.

(=more and more unlikely as time passes)

It looks increasingly unlikely that the Bank of England will cut interest rates.

The most unlikely possibility was that she might resign.

They should build a new road, but that’s an unlikely scenario.

Once he resigned as president, the unlikely coalition of former enemies fell apart.

In the unlikely event of an accident, the system will automatically shut down.

未必会发生的，不大可能的

Donna might be able to come tomorrow, but [it’s](bold) very [unlikely](bold).

唐娜明天也许能来，不过这可能性很小。

The weather is unlikely to improve over the next few days.

接下来的几天天气不大可能好转。

It’s unlikely that the thieves will be caught.

这伙窃贼被抓住的可能性不大。

[in the unlikely event of sth](bold)(=if something which is unlikely happens)

In the unlikely event of a fire, passengers should move to the top deck.

万一发生火警，乘客应转移到顶层甲板上。

an unlikely place, person, or thing is strange and not what you would expect

〔地点、人或事〕非想象中的

The birds had nested in some [unlikely places](bold).

这种鸟在让人意想不到的地方筑了巢。

The quiet village of Brockhampton was an [unlikely setting](bold) for such a crime.

很难相信宁静的布罗克汉普顿村会发生这样的罪案。

不大可能是真的，靠不住的


unlimited

The system can support an [unlimited number](bold) of users.

该系统可以支持无限多的用户。

The ticket offers unlimited travel on the London underground for seven days.

凭本票可在七日内无限次乘坐伦敦地铁。


unload

to remove a load from a vehicle, ship etc

〔从车、船等上〕卸下〔货物〕

The driver unloaded some boxes from the back of the truck.

司机从卡车后部卸下了一些箱子。

if a ship unloads, the goods that it carries are removed from it

to get rid of something illegal or not very good by selling it quickly

把〔非法或不是很好的东西〕脱手，抛售

Investors continued to unload technology stocks on Thursday.

星期四投资者继续抛售技术股。

Hundreds of cheap videos were unloaded on the British market.

数百种廉价录像带在英国市场上抛售。

to get rid of work or responsibility by giving it to someone else

摆脱，推卸〔工作或责任〕

Don’t let him unload his problems onto you.

别让他把他的问题都推到你身上。

to express strong feelings, especially anger, to someone when you are extremely upset

Koch unloaded his concerns over dinner one night.

一天晚上吃饭时，科克诉说了自己的担忧。

When he got back to the office, Green unloaded on his staff.

格林回到办公室后，把气撒在了员工身上。


unlock

to discover important facts about something


unmistakable

ˌʌnməˈsteɪkəbəl◂

ˌʌnməˈsteɪkəbəl◂

不会弄错的，清楚明白的，显然的


unnatural

different from what you would normally expect

It was very cold, which seemed unnatural for late spring.

天很冷，晚春这个天气似乎不正常。

看似虚假的；不真实的；不自然的

Julia’s laugh seemed forced and unnatural.

朱莉娅的笑容看上去勉强而不自然。

different from normal human behaviour in a way that seems morally wrong

〔行为〕违反常理的，违背人道的

different from anything produced by nature

她的头发是非天然的橘黄色。


unnecessary

[unnecessarily](bold) /ʌnˈnesəs/ US /ˌʌn-nesəˈserəli/  adv. eg: I don’t want to worry you unnecessarily.

The suffering of these animals is totally unnecessary.

‘I’ll give you a lift.’ ‘Thank you, but that’s quite unnecessary.’

She admitted causing the dog unnecessary suffering.

Neither team is likely to take any unnecessary risks, so the result will probably be a draw.

He thinks advertising is an unnecessary expense.

(=something that costs more than is necessary or more than you can afford)

The chairman called first-class airline travel an unnecessary extravagance.

There’s no point in taking unnecessary risks.

冒不必要的风险没什么意义。

Williams was found guilty of causing [unnecessary suffering](bold) to animals

威廉斯因无故虐待动物被判有罪。


unofficial

done or produced without formal approval or permission

Hodges wrote an unofficial biography of the artist.

霍奇斯写了一部这位艺术家的未授权传记。

非公事的，私事的，私人的

The president made an unofficial visit to the Senator’s house.

总统到那位参议员的家作了一次私人访问。


unorthodox

ʌnˈɔːrθədɑːks

unorthodox opinions or methods are different from what is usual or accepted by most people

〔信念或方法〕非传统的，非正统的

Her unorthodox views tend to attract controversy.

她离经叛道的观点往往会招来争议。


unpack

to take everything out of a box, bag,suitcase etc

打开〔盒子、包、手提箱等〕取出物品

She unpacked her suitcase and headed for the beach.

她取出手提箱里的东西，往海滩那边去了。

Maggie carefully unpacked the gifts she had bought.

玛吉小心翼翼地打开她买的礼物。

to make an idea or problem easier to understand by considering all the parts of it separately

Some of the issues surrounding mental illness have been unpacked in Chapter 3.

一些有关精神疾病的问题已在第3章作了分析。


unpaid

an unpaid bill or debt has not been paid

〔账单〕未支付的；〔债务〕未偿还的


unpleasant

使人不愉快的；不合意的；讨厌的

不友好的，不友善的；冷漠的；有敌意的

他说了一些很不客气的话。


unplug

[past tense and past participle](italic) [unplugged](bold) [present participle](italic) [unplugging](bold)

to disconnect a piece of electrical equipment by pulling its plug out of a socket


unpopular

[unpopularity](bold) /ʌnˌpɒpjəˈlærəti/ US /-ˌpɑːp-/  n. <U>

This bill is deeply unpopular with the rest of the Republican establishment.

The changes to the National Health System were extremely unpopular with doctors.

(=more and more unpopular as time passes)

The war was becoming increasingly unpopular.

The party promised to abolish this widely unpopular tax.

a decision that was [deeply unpopular](bold) with students


unprecedented

never having happened before, or never having happened so much

He [took](bold) the [unprecedented step](bold) of stating that the rumours were false.

他史无前例地声明那些谣言实属子虚乌有。

Crime has increased [on an unprecedented scale](bold).

犯罪率增幅之大前所未有。

an event that is unprecedented in recent history

近代历史上没有先例的事件


unpredictable

ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbəl◂

ˌʌnprɪˈdɪktəbəl◂

[unpredictability](bold) /ˌʌnprɪdɪktəˈbɪləti/  n. <U>

changing a lot so it is impossible to know what will happen

〔因变化太大而〕无法预测的

someone who is unpredictable tends to change their behaviour or ideas suddenly, so that you never know what they are going to do or think

〔人〕反复无常的，捉摸不透的


unravel

[past tense and past participle](italic) [unravelled](bold) [present participle](italic) [unravelling](bold) ([BrE](bold)) [past tense and past participle](italic) [unraveled](bold) [present participle](italic) [unraveling](bold) ([AmE](bold))

to understand or explain something that is mysterious or complicated

Detectives are still trying to unravel the mystery surrounding his death.

侦探们仍在试图解开他的死亡之谜。

if you unravel threads, string etc, or if they unravel, they stop being twisted together

解开，拆散〔缠在一起的线、绳等〕；(使)松开

if a system, plan, organization etc unravels, it starts to fail

〔系统、计划、组织等〕瓦解，崩溃

The company started to unravel when two of the directors were arrested.

两名董事被捕以后，公司开始分崩离析。


unreal

an experience, situation etc that is unreal seems so strange that you think you must be imagining it

It seemed unreal to be sitting and talking to someone so famous.

和这么一位大名鼎鼎的人坐在一起谈话似乎很不真实。

Many people go into marriage with unreal expectations.

许多人都是怀着不切实际的憧憬步入婚姻的。

我们的迪士尼乐园之旅棒极了。


unrealistic

ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk◂

ˌʌnrɪəˈlɪstɪk◂

unrealistic ideas or hopes are not reasonable or sensible

It is unrealistic to expect these changes to happen overnight.

期待这些改变一夜之间就能发生是不切实际的。

Some parents have totally [unrealistic expectations](bold) of teachers.

有些家长对老师抱着完全不切实际的期望。


unreasonable

[unreasonably](bold) adv. eg: unreasonably high prices

Don’t let your boss make [unreasonable demands](bold) on you.

别任由你的老板对你提无理的要求。

It’s unreasonable to expect you to work seven days a week.

要你一星期上七天班也太不讲理了。

It’s not unreasonable to ask him to help you.

unreasonable prices, costs etc are too high


unrelated

ˌʌnrɪˈleɪtɪd◂

ˌʌnrɪˈleɪtɪd◂

two things that are unrelated are not connected to each other in any way

The police think that the two incidents are unrelated.

警方认为这两个事件互不相关。

His illness is unrelated to the accident.

people who are unrelated are not from the same family


unreliable

ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl◂

ˌʌnrɪˈlaɪəbəl◂

这辆汽车的性能变得非常不稳定。


unrest

The policy led to rising unemployment and social unrest.

A month of political unrest followed the killing of 12 protesters by the police.

The wave of nation-wide strikes and industrial unrest continued throughout the winter.

(=between groups of people in a country, or between the people and the government)

Our country is being ripped apart by civil unrest.

Anti-war demonstrations became the focus of student unrest in the early 1970s.

Unemployment and poor housing were significant causes of urban unrest.

Rocketing unemployment led to growing unrest in the country.

We are receiving reports of serious unrest in areas of northern India.

(=existing in many places or among many people)

As prices soared, there was widespread unrest.

Troops usually respond to outbreaks of unrest with force.

A wave of unrest had resulted in seven deaths.

The election results were followed by a long period of unrest.

The introduction of new working practices provoked severe industrial unrest.

Food shortages led to widespread social unrest.

Troops were brought in to quell the unrest.

a political situation in which people protest or behave violently

There is [growing unrest](bold) throughout the country.

The protests were the biggest show of social unrest since the government came to power.

这些抗议活动是这届政府上台以来最大的一次社会动荡。


unsafe

→see THESAURUS at [dangerous](->dangerous)

Many people feel unsafe walking alone at night.

很多人觉得一个人走夜路不安全。

an unsafe judgment in a court of law is based on facts that may be wrong


unsatisfactory

不够好的，不能令人满意的


unscrupulous

不择手段的，不讲道德的；无耻的

→see THESAURUS at [dishonest](->dishonest)


unseen

[sight unseen](bold) at → [sight](->sight) 1 sense 17


unseen

a piece of writing that you must translate into your own language in an examination

〔考试中〕需即席翻译的文章


unskilled

an unskilled worker has not been trained for a particular type of job

〔工人〕无特殊技能的，未受专门训练的

companies employing [unskilled labour](bold)(=people who have no special training)

unskilled work, jobs etc do not need people with special skills

〔工作等〕无须特殊技能的


unspecified

The meeting will take place at an unspecified date in the future.

会议将于日后召开，具体日期不确定。


unspoiled

BrE also: [un‧spoilt](bold) /ˌʌnˈspɔɪlt◂/  [adj](bold)

an unspoiled place is beautiful because it has not changed for a long time and does not have a lot of new buildings

〔地方〕未遭破坏的，未丧失原有自然美的

someone who is unspoiled has not changed in spite of the good or bad things that have happened to them

〔人〕未受外界事物影响的

她虽然事业有成，却依然保持本色。


unstable

likely to change suddenly and become worse

不稳定的，易变的，动荡不定的

The political situation is still very unstable.

something that is unstable is likely to move or fall

someone who is unstable changes very suddenly so that you do not know how they will react or behave

〔人〕反复无常的，动摇不定的

一名精神状态不稳定的男子

an unstable chemical is likely to separate into simpler substances


unsuccessful

[unsuccessfully](bold) adv. eg: He tried unsuccessfully to make them change their decision.

The advertising campaign has been largely unsuccessful.

(=unsuccessful to a great and noticeable degree)

The education service has been singularly unsuccessful in achieving greater equality.

In both cases negotiators were ultimately unsuccessful.

We made several unsuccessful attempts to tackle the problem.

He quit politics following his unsuccessful presidential campaign.

The search for a planet like the Earth has so far proved unsuccessful.

not having a successful result or not achieving what you wanted to achieve

an [unsuccessful attempt](bold) to climb Everest

We have been unsuccessful in finding a new manager.

我们没能找到一位新的经理。


unsuitable

not having the right qualities for a particular person, purpose, or situation

These toys are not suitable for children under 3.

The job was considered unsuitable for women.

Some dogs end up in totally unsuitable homes.

not suitable for a particular situation or purpose – used especially about someone’s behaviour or language

Slang is not appropriate in an academic essay.

It would not be appropriate for us to comment at this stage.

not the right thing or person for a particular job or purpose

You’re using the wrong spoon – this is the soup spoon.

She was simply the wrong person for the job.

not looking or seeming suitable for that place or situation

The horse drawn carriage looks a little out of place among the busy traffic.

two ideas or things that are incompatible cannot exist or be done together. Two people who are incompatible are unlikely to have a successful relationship, because they have very different characters, beliefs etc

He considered the role of wife and mother to be incompatible with a career.

Why do totally incompatible people get married?

seeming strange and unsuitable, often in a humorous way, because of being unexpected in a particular situation or very different from its surroundings

It seemed incongruous having a dance-band at the funeral.

He was dressed in a three-piece suit with an incongruous tie shaped like a fish.

an inconvenient place or time is not suitable and causes problems for you

He always seems to call at inconvenient times.

The new station is inconvenient to pedestrians, because it is a long walk from the centre of town.

not suitable to be used for something, or not suitable to do something

The boat is not only unfit to live in but is actually unsafe.

The meat was declared unfit for human consumptionnot suitable to eat.

A jury decided Pryse-Jones was unfit to stand trial at court because of his mental illness.

The house was unfit for human habitationnot suitable to live in.

The book is [unsuitable for children](bold).


unsure

not certain about something or about what you have to do

I was unsure of the reaction I would get.

我不清楚将会得到何种反应。

If you are unsure about anything, just ask.

如果你有什么地方不明白，尽管问。

彼得不清楚接下来该怎么办。

Chris seemed nervous and unsure of herself.

克丽丝显得紧张，没有自信。


until

In everyday English, people often say [till](bold)  rather than [until](bold) :

You use the simple present tense with [until](bold) : I will wait until I hear from you.

Don’t use ‘will’ in the clause after [until](bold) .
Don’t say: [I will wait until I will hear from you.](strike)

You can also use the present perfect tense with [until](bold) : I will wait until I have heard from you. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
Don’t say: [until I will have heard from you](strike)  [until the sugar will have dissolved](strike)

You can also use the past perfect tense with [until](bold) : I waited until the train had left the station.

You usually use [until now](bold)  when a situation has just ended or changed: I have never thought about it until now (=but now I have thought about it).

You use [so far](bold)  when a situation has not changed: We don't have any news about him so far.
Don’t say: [We don't have any news about him until now.](strike)

if something happens until a particular time, it continues and then stops at that time

这张票的有效期一直到3月份。

He waited until she had finished speaking.

Until recently, Anna worked as a teacher in Japan.

直到最近，安娜一直在日本当老师。

[Up until](bold) last year, they didn’t even own a car.

一直到去年，他们连汽车也没有。

used to emphasize that something does not happen before a certain point in time or before something else has happened

直到〔用于强调某事在某个具体的时刻或者另一件事发生以前没有发生〕

‘Can I go out and play now?’ ‘Not until you’ve done your homework.’

“我现在可以出去玩吗？” “家庭作业做完以后才行。”

It was not until 1972 that the war finally came to an end.

直到1972年战争才终于结束。


untouched

not changed, damaged, or affected in any way

没有变化的；未受损害的；未受任何影响的

an island that has been untouched by time

没有随时间流逝而改变的一个岛

Several papers lay untouched on the desk.

有几份文件原封不动地放在书桌上。


untrained

〔做某事〕未经过训练的，未经培训的

when someone who does not have special knowledge of a subject looks at something or listens to it

To the untrained eye, the two flowers look remarkably similar.

在不懂的人看来，这两种花看上去非常相似。


unused

not experienced in dealing with something

不习惯抛头露面的敏感的男人

Maggie was unused to being told what to do.

玛吉不习惯有人对她指手画脚。


unusual

We had snow in May, which is very unusual.

not happening very often, or existing only in small numbers

Hatton gathered many rare plants from all over the world.

Ninety-day visas can be extended only in exceptional circumstances.

The presence of a jury in a civil trial is now quite exceptional.

It was a small village where nothing out of the ordinary ever seemed to happen.

extremely unusual and unexpected – used about an accident, storm etc

A freak wave wrecked most of the seafront.

Their car was crushed by a tree in a freak accident.

if something is unprecedented, it has never happened before – often used about successes and achievements

An unprecedented number of students have received top grades.

if something is unheard of, it has never happened or been done before – used especially when something seems very surprising to people at that time

In our small town, this kind of crime was almost unheard of.

unheard-of luxuries such as electric windows and air-conditioning

behaving in a way that seems rather strange but not frightening

The house was owned by an eccentric millionaire.

very different from the way people usually behave, think, dress etc, often in a way that seems interesting

His parents had a rather unconventional lifestyle, and let their children do whatever they pleased.

His approach to business may seem unconventional, but he certainly gets results.

unorthodox ideas or methods are different from the usual ones, and therefore seem surprising to many people

He is known for his unorthodox political views.

We’ve not had any snow yet, which is extremely unusual.

The design of the house was somewhat unusual.

There is nothing unusual about the arrangement.

We want to know if anyone saw something unusual last night.

Did you notice anything unusual about him?

[It’s unusual for](bold) Dave to be late.

[It’s not unusual](bold)(=it is quite common) to feel very angry in a situation like this.

遇到这样的情况觉得非常生气是很正常的。


unusually

used to say that something is not what usually happens

Unusually for me, I fell asleep very quickly.


unveil

to show or tell people about a new product or plan for the first time

〔首次〕透露〔新计划〕，展示〔新产品〕

The club has unveiled plans to build a new stadium.

俱乐部首次披露了要建造一座新体育馆的计划。

to remove the cover from something, especially as part of a formal ceremony

为 …揭幕；揭去 …上的覆盖物


unwell

〔尤指短时间〕不舒服的，有病的

In everyday English, people usually say that someone is [not well](bold)  rather than [unwell](bold) :

He didn’t come to school because he [wasn’t well](bold).


unwilling

not wanting to do something and refusing to do it

She's unwilling to admit that she was wrong.

Stuart was an unwilling participant in the shooting.

Put  away any toys the child is not willing to share, to avoid any problems.

not willing to do something, although you may be persuaded after a while. Also used when someone does something after at first being unwilling to do it

He was reluctant to talk about his childhood.

the government's reluctant agreement to hold talks

given unwillingly – used about admiration, respect, support, or an apology

He could not help feeling a grudging admiration for the old lady.

to not want to do something, especially something that you might have to do – a rather formal use

He has more staff than he needs, but he is loath to get rid of good people.

He was unwilling or unable to pay the fine.

他是不愿意付这罚款，不然就是付不起。

not wanting to do something but doing it


unwise

不明智的，愚蠢的，轻率的

It’s unwise to keep medicines in a place that can be reached by children.

把药品放在儿童可及之处是不明智的。


unwrap

[past tense and past participle](italic) [unwrapped](bold) [present participle](italic) [unwrapping](bold)

to remove the paper, plastic etc that is around something

Brigitte was unwrapping her birthday presents.

布丽吉特正在拆她的生日礼物。


unzip

[past tense and past participle](italic) [unzipped](bold) [present participle](italic) [unzipping](bold)

to unfasten the zip on a bag, piece of clothing etc

to make a computer file its normal size again so that you can use it, after it has been made to use less space


up

[not be up to much](bold) at → [much](->much) 2 sense 8

Tim had climbed up a tree to get a better view.

蒂姆爬到了树上，以便看得更清楚。

Put up your hand if you know the answer.

Karen lay on her back, staring up at the ceiling.

卡伦仰卧着，盯着天花板。

在三万英尺高空飞行的飞机

她的办公室就在那段楼梯上面。

The doctor’s assistant was up a ladder in the stockroom.

医生的助手正站在储藏室的梯子上。

Everyone stood up for the national anthem.

Mick turned his collar up against the biting winds.

米克竖起衣领抵挡刺骨的寒风。

in or to a place that is further along something such as a road or path

We walked up the road towards the church.

我们沿着那条路向教堂走去。

We’re driving up to Chicago for the conference.

我们正驾车北上芝加哥参加会议。

a stormy voyage up the east coast from Miami to Boston

沿东海岸从迈阿密到波士顿的一段颠簸的航程

A man came up and offered to buy him a drink.

一名男子走上前来说要请他喝一杯。

used to show that the place someone goes to is more important than the place they start from

The river steamers only went up as far as Mandalay.

内河汽船最远只开到上游的曼德勒。

at or towards a higher level or a greater amount

在，向〔更高水平或更多数量〕

去年暴力犯罪率增加了9%。

In written English, people often prefer to use [rise](bold)  rather than [be/go up](bold) , because it sounds more formal:

Violent crime [rose](bold) by 9% last year.

beating your opponent by a certain number of points

[two goals up/three points up etc](bold)

They stayed up all night to watch the game.

It’s time to [get up](bold)(=get out of bed).

It’s good to see you [up and about](bold) again (=out of bed after an illness and moving around normally).

看到你又能起床活动真是太好了。

used after certain verbs to show that something is completely finished, used, or removed

〔用于某些动词后表示彻底完结、用完或除去〕

The children had to eat up all their food.

孩子们得把饭菜全部吃完。

After a month, the wound had almost healed up.

一个月后，伤口差不多愈合了。

used after certain verbs to show that something is cut, broken etc into pieces or divided into parts

〔用于某些动词之后表示成为碎片或分成几部分〕

We still haven’t decided how to divide up the money.

我们还是没有定下来怎么分这笔钱。

used after certain verbs to show that things are collected together

〔用于某些动词之后表示合在一起〕

Let’s just add up these figures quickly.

我们很快地把这些数字加起来吧。

used to say which surface or part of an object should be on top

above and including a certain level, age, or amount

在 …及以上〔指水平、年龄或数量〕

All the women were naked from the waist up.

Children aged 12 [and up](bold) must pay the full fare.

12岁及以上儿童需购买全票。

Ralph paced up and down the room, looking worried.

拉尔夫在屋里踱来踱去，显得焦虑不安。

if someone is up and down, they sometimes feel well or happy and sometimes do not

Jason’s been very up and down since his girlfriend left him.

自从女朋友离他而去后，贾森的情绪一直波动很大。

to a higher position and then a lower position, several times

They were all jumping up and down and screaming excitedly.

他们都又蹦又跳，兴奋地尖叫着。

[look sb up and down](bold)(=look at someone in order to judge their appearance or character)

Maisie looked her rival up and down with a critical eye.

梅茜用挑剔的目光打量对手。

as much or as many as a certain amount or number but not more

The Olympic Stadium will hold up to 80,000 spectators.

奥林匹克体育场将可容纳多达八万名观众。

a process that can take [anything up to](bold) ten days

可能需要长达十天的一个过程

for the whole of a period until a certain time or date

She continued to care for her father up to the time of his death.

她一直照顾父亲直到他去世。

We’ve kept our meetings secret up to now.

直到现在我们的会议都是保密的。

clever, good, or well enough to do something

胜任〔某职位〕；有资格，适于〔做某事〕

I’m afraid Tim just isn’t up to the job (=he does not have the necessary ability).

蒂姆怕是干不了这份工作。

You don’t need to go back to school if you don’t feel up to it.

要是你觉得身体还不是很好的话，就不一定要回去上学。

He’s not really up to seeing any visitors.

他的身体状况不太适合见客。

if something is up to a particular standard, it is good enough to reach that standard

I didn’t think last night’s performance was up to her usual standard.

我觉得她昨晚的演出没有发挥出正常水平。

doing something secret or something that you should not be doing

正在做〔秘密或不该做的事〕

The children are very quiet. I wonder what they’re up to.

孩子们很安静，我不知道他们在搞什么鬼。

He knew Bailey was up to something. But what?

他知道贝利在偷偷地干着什么，可又是什么呢？

I always suspected that he was [up to no good](bold)(=doing something bad).

我一直怀疑他在干什么不好的勾当。

used to say that someone can decide about something

You can pay weekly or monthly – it’s up to you.

你可以每周或者每月付一次款，你自己决定。

used to say that someone is responsible for a particular duty

It’s up to the travel companies to warn customers of any possible dangers.

旅游公司有义务预先告知顾客任何可能的危险。

if a period of time is up, it is finished

〔一段时间〕已结束，已过去

I’m sorry, we’ll have to stop there. Our time is up.

抱歉，我们必须停下了，时间到了。

if a road is up, its surface is being repaired

if a computer system is up, it is working

There could well be a few problems before your new computer is [up and running](bold) properly.

新电脑正常运行之前出现一些问题是完全有可能的。

having to deal with a difficult situation or opponent

He came up against a lot of problems with his boss.

他和老板之间有很多问题。

Murphy will be really [up against it](bold) when he faces the champion this afternoon.

墨菲今天下午和冠军交锋，可有一场硬仗要打了。

This week 14 of Campbell’s paintings were put up for auction.

本周有14幅坎贝尔的画被拍卖。

Even the most taboo subjects were up for discussion.

连最忌讳的话题也拿出来讨论了。

being considered for election or for a job

被考虑，被提名〔当候选人，做某一工作等〕

Senator Frank Church was coming up for re-election that year.

那一年参议员弗兰克·丘奇被提名竞选连任。

She is one of five candidates up for the chief executive’s job.

她是总经理职位的五位候选人之一。

appearing in a court of law because you have been accused of a crime

Ron’s up for drinking and driving next week.

罗恩因酒后驾车将于下周出庭受审。

willing to do something or interested in doing something

愿意做某事；对某事感兴趣

We’re going to the pub later – are you up for it?

我们等一会儿要去酒吧，你愿意来吗？

if something is up, someone is feeling unhappy because they have problems, or there is something wrong in a situation

I could tell by the look on his face that something was up.

看他的脸色我就知道出事了。

Is something up with Julie? She looks really miserable.

朱莉怎么了？她看上去愁眉苦脸的。

(also: [be up on sth](bold) ([AmE](bold)) )

I’m not all that well up in musical matters.

Conrad’s really up on his geography, isn’t he?

康拉德地理学得非常好，是吗？

to appear in a court of law because you have been accused of a crime

He was up before the magistrates’ court charged with dangerous driving.

他被控危险驾驶罪，在裁判法院受审。

to be very upset and angry because of a particular situation or person

I’m up to here with this job; I’m resigning!

这份工作我受够了，我要辞职！

used to express support and encouragement for a particular group of people or for a sports team

工人们加油！/红队加油！等

used as a very rude and offensive reply to someone who has said something that annoys you

‘You’re not allowed to park here.’ ‘Up yours, mate!’

“你不能在这里停车。” “去你的，伙计！”

if you say that someone is up himself or up herself, you mean that they pay too much attention to themselves and what they do or what they look like – used to show disapproval

某人眼里只有他自己/她自己等；某人很自我〔含贬义〕


up

the mixture of good and bad experiences that happen in any situation or relationship

We have our ups and downs like all couples.

我们的关系也有起落，跟所有的夫妻一样。

a brilliant young player who is on the up and up

事业蒸蒸日上的一名杰出的年轻球员

if a person or business is on the up and up, they are honest and do things legally


up

[up the ante](bold) at → [ante](->ante) 1 [up sticks](bold) at → [stick](->stick) 2 sense 12

[past tense and past participle](italic) [upped](bold) [present participle](italic) [upping](bold)

to increase the amount or level of something

to suddenly do something different or surprising

Without saying another word, he upped and left.

他二话不说，突然就走了。


upbringing

She had a comfortable middle-class upbringing.

a religious/Muslim/Catholic etc upbringing

Because of her Catholic upbringing she would not divorce her husband.

(=one in which someone is protected from difficult or unpleasant experiences)

I'd had a very sheltered upbringing, so going to college was a real eye-opener.

He reacted violently against his strict upbringing.

(=when someone has advantages because their family is wealthy)

Due to his privileged upbringing, he finds it difficult to identify with ordinary people.

However good their upbringing, young people may still behave badly.

have a good/religious/tough etc upbringing

He had a rather unsettled upbringing, moving with his father from town to town.

the way that your parents care for you and teach you to behave when you are growing up


update

to add the most recent information to something

为 …增加最新信息，更新

to make something more modern in the way it looks or operates

plans to update manufacturing procedures

to tell someone the most recent information about a situation

Can you update me on what’s been happening?

你能不能告诉我最新情况？


update

the most recent news or information about something

The report provides a brief update on the progress of the project.

这份报告对项目的最新进展作了简要汇报。

a change or addition to a computer file so that it has the most recent information


upgrade

to make a computer, machine, or piece of software better and able to do more things

（使）〔计算机、机器、软件〕升级

You’ll need to upgrade your hard drive to 120Mb before running this software.

运行这个软件之前你需要把硬盘升级到120兆。

to improve something and make it more modern, especially in order to provide a better service

升级；改良〔尤为提升服务〕

The hotel has recently been refurbished and upgraded.

这家酒店最近重新装修过，设施更加完善了。

to give someone a better seat on a plane or a better room in a hotel than the one they paid for

给〔飞机乘客或宾馆客人〕升级

我们可以为您升级到商务舱。

擢升〔某人〕，给〔某人〕升职

to change the official description of something to make it seem better or more important

使升格，提高〔某事物〕的地位

Four of the regions were upgraded to the status of republic.

其中四个地区升格为共和国。

to learn new and more modern ways of doing a particular job


upheaval

a very big change that often causes problems

〔往往会带来问题的〕激变，剧变；动乱

Moving house is a [major upheaval](bold).


uphold

[past tense and past participle](italic) [upheld](bold) /-ˈheld/

to defend or support a law, system, or principle so that it continues to exist

支持，维护〔法规、制度或原则〕

a committee that aims to uphold educational standards

旨在保持教育水准的委员会

if a court upholds a decision made by another court, it states that the decision was correct

The conviction was upheld by the Court of Appeal.


upload

if information, a computer program etc uploads, or if you upload it, you move it from a small computer to a computer network so that other people can see it or use it

(使)〔信息、计算机程序等〕上载，上传

It might take a while for this to upload.

上载这个可能要花些时间。


upload

information, computer programs etc that have been uploaded, or the process of uploading them

上载[上传]的信息[计算机程序等]；上载，上传


upon

[once upon a time](bold) at → [once](->once) 1 sense 14 [take it upon yourself to do sth](bold) at → [take](->take) 1 sense 27

在[到] …上面〔与on或onto的意思相同〕

We are completely dependent upon your help.

if a time or event is upon you, it is about to happen

used to emphasize that there are a lot of layers, miles etc

一层又一层/一英里又一英里等〔用于强调〕


upper

[a stiff upper lip](bold) at → [stiff](->stiff) 1 sense 11

in a higher position than something else

〔位置〕较高的，较上的，上面的

There is an upper age limit for becoming a pilot.

to have more power than someone else, so that you are able to control a situation

Police have gained the upper hand over the drug dealers in the area.

警方在与该地区的毒品贩子的较量中占据了上风。

more important than other parts or ranks in an organization, system etc

〔在某一机构、体系等中〕较高级的，较重要的

the [upper echelons](bold)(=the most important members) of corporate management

further from the sea or further north than other parts of an area


upper

the top part of a shoe that covers your foot

illegal drugs that make you feel happy and give you a lot of energy


upper class

[upper-class](bold) adj. eg: upper-class families

[The upper class](bold)  is usually followed by a singular verb: The upper class [doesn’t](bold) want the system to change.

In British English, you can also use a plural verb: The upper class [don’t](bold) want the system to change.

[n](bold) <[singular](bold)> also: [upper classes](bold) <[plural](bold)>

the group of people who belong to the highest social class

上流社会，上层社会，上等阶层


upright

The ceiling was so low I was unable to stand upright.

These apes came down from the trees and gradually learned to walk upright.

Susan drew herself upright and thrust out her chin.

(=sit or stand with your back very straight)

Murphy and I both sat bolt upright when we heard the alarm.

He appears big because of his powerful shoulders and upright posture.

〔站或坐得〕笔直的[地]，挺直的[地]

The chimpanzee [stood upright](bold) and grasped the bars of its cage.

黑猩猩直直地立起，抓住笼子的铁栅。

Katie was still awake, [sitting bolt upright](bold)(=sitting with her back very straight)  staring at the television.

凯蒂还醒着，坐得笔直，眼睛盯着电视。

[pull/push/draw etc yourself upright](bold)

placed in a vertical position pointing in a line that is at an angle of 90° to a flat surface

竖直的[地]，垂直的[地]，直立的[地]

Your seat should be in the [upright position](bold) when the plane is landing.

飞机降落时应调直座椅靠背。

他是位诚实、正直的好人。


upright

a long piece of wood or metal that stands straight up and supports something


uprising

an attempt by a group of people to change the government, laws etc in an area or country

→see THESAURUS at [revolution](->revolution)

a [popular uprising](bold)(=by the ordinary people in a country)


upset

unhappy and worried because something unpleasant or disappointing has happened

Miss Hurley is too upset to speak to anyone at the moment.

She’s still deeply upset about her uncle’s death.

He’s upset that he didn’t get an invitation to their wedding.

upset and shocked because someone has been unkind to you, especially someone that you trusted and thought was a friend

Bill felt deeply hurt when he realized she had lied to him.

Gretta was really hurt that none of her friends came to visit her in the hospital.

Jackson was said to be ‘deeply hurt’ by the newspaper reports about him.

Priests have been counselling distressed relatives of the victims.

She was visibly distressed after hearing of her husband’s accident.

so upset and worried that you are unable to do normal things, and nothing can make you feel calm

Benson was so distraught over the breakup of his marriage that he felt like committing suicide.

The distraught parents of the missing baby have made a public appeal for her return.

She called me one night in a terrible state, saying she wanted to die.

I could see that she was in a bit of a state.

to be very upset or angry, so that you think things are worse than they really are

It’s not worth getting worked up about. Anyone can make a mistake.

不快的，心烦意乱的，烦恼的

She was [deeply upset](bold) about the way her father treated her.

父亲那样对她，她非常难过。

Debbie was upset that he didn’t spend more time with her.

他没有花更多的时间陪自己，黛比觉得不快。

if you are upset with someone, you are angry and annoyed with them

You’re not still upset with me, are you?

an illness that affects the stomach and makes you feel sick


upset

[past tense and past participle](italic) [upset](bold) [present participle](italic) [upsetting](bold)

to change a plan or situation in a way that causes problems

打乱，搅乱〔计划、形势等〕

The chemicals [upset the balance of](bold) the environment.

这些化学品破坏了环境的平衡。

to push something over without intending to

to defeat an opponent who is considered to be much better than you

〔出人意料地〕打败〔实力远超自己的对手〕

Jones upset the 40th-ranked American, Cunningham.

琼斯出人意料地打败了排名第40位的美国选手坎宁安。

to affect your stomach and make you feel sick

The soup was revolting and upset my stomach.

那汤令人作呕，让我的肠胃很不舒服。


upset

worry and unhappiness caused by an unexpected problem

〔由意外之事引起的〕忧虑，烦闷，苦恼

If you are the victim of a burglary, the emotional upset can affect you for a long time.

如果家里被盗，你会为此烦恼许久。

when a person or team defeats an opponent who is considered to be much better than them

There was a major upset when the young skater took the gold medal.

那位年轻的滑冰运动员夺得了金牌，爆了个大冷门。


upside down

with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top

To get the plant out of the pot, turn it upside down and give it a gentle knock.

想要把植物从盆里取出来，就把花盆倒过来，轻轻敲一下。

to make a place very untidy when you are looking for something

The burglars have turned our house upside down.

小偷把我们家翻了个底朝天。

to cause a lot of change and confusion in a situation or in someone’s life

给〔局面或某人的生活〕造成巨变[混乱]

the story of a young girl whose life was turned upside down

讲述一个年轻女孩生活遭遇重大变故的故事


upside down

in a position with the top at the bottom and the bottom at the top


upstairs

[upstairs](bold) adj. <only before noun> eg: an upstairs window eg: the upstairs rooms

[kick sb upstairs](bold) at → [kick](->kick) 1 sense 16

towards or on an upper floor in a building

她身体不舒服，在楼上躺着。


upstairs

one or all of the upper floors in a building


up-to-date

They have access to up-to-date information through a computer database.

他们可以通过计算机数据库获得最新信息。

[keep/bring sb up to date](bold)(=to give someone all the newest information about something)

Our magazine will keep you up to date with fashion.

我们的杂志可以让你即时掌握最新的时尚资讯。

[keep/bring sth up to date](bold)(=to make something more modern)

The old system should be brought up to date.


upward

a sharp upward movement in property prices

moving or pointing towards a higher position

Stroke the cream onto your skin in an upward direction.

把护肤霜在皮肤上轻轻由下向上涂抹。


upwards

also: [upward](bold) ([especially AmE](bold))  [adv](bold)

Pointing upwards, he indicated a large nest high in the tree.

他朝上指了指，示意树上高处有个大鸟窝。

The path began to climb steeply upwards.

The expected rate of inflation was revised upwards.

预期通货膨胀率修正后上调了。

〔数量、时间等〕 …以上

14岁及14岁以上的儿童

The meeting was attended by [upwards of](bold)(=over) 500 people.


urban

the deprived sections of the urban population

relating to music such as rap,R & B,reggae etc that is mainly played by black singers and musicians


urge

to strongly suggest that someone does something

竭力主张；强烈要求；敦促

→see THESAURUS at [advise](->advise)   →see THESAURUS at [recommend](->recommend)

I got a note from Moira urging me to get in touch.

我收到莫伊拉的一封短信，让我务必跟她联系。

He urged that a referendum should be held by December.

他力主12月之前举行一次全民投票。

I have urged upon him the need for extreme secrecy.

慈善机构敦促迅速采取行动。

to make someone or something move by shouting, pushing them etc

He urged her forward, his hand under her elbow.

他托着她的胳膊肘，推她往前走。

She began urging him towards the front door.


urge

I was overcome by an irresistible urge to laugh.

She fought back the sudden urge to beg his forgiveness.

Most of us feel the biological urge to reproduce.

Every animal has an instinctive urge to survive.

I still sometimes feel an urge to have a cigarette.

She had to resist a constant urge to look back over her shoulder.

He satisfied his urge to travel by going to India.

(=do what you feel you want to do, when this is wrong)

I try not to give in to the urge to gossip.

强烈的欲望；迫切的要求；冲动

He could no longer [resist](bold) the [urge](bold) to go and see Amanda.

他再也抑制不住去看阿曼达的冲动。

Suddenly she had an overwhelming urge to be with her son.

突然，她有一种无法抗拒的冲动，要和儿子在一起。


urgency

the need to deal with something immediately because it is very important

The issue should be discussed [as a matter of urgency](bold).

这一事件应被当作紧急情况讨论。

Despite the crisis, there appeared to be no [sense of urgency](bold).

危机当前却没有出现紧迫的氛围。

the feeling of wanting something immediately

埃米莉亚听出他声音中的急切。


urgent

There is an urgent need for stricter regulation.

Urgent action is needed to boost employment.

She believes the nation’s drug problem requires urgent attention.

I have an urgent message for Sam – where is he?

Health chiefs have called an urgent meeting to discuss the problem.

The union is seeking urgent talks with management on this matter.

Nenna told them that she had urgent business on the other side of London.

I’ve got some urgent tasks to finish before I leave tonight.

It’s an urgent problem, and needs tackling straight away.

very important and needing to be dealt with immediately

紧急的，急迫的，需迅速处理的

He was [in urgent need of](bold) medical attention.

The report called for [urgent action](bold) to reduce lead in petrol.

报告呼吁迅速采取行动，减少汽油中的铅含量。

done or said in a way that shows that you want something to be dealt with immediately


us

used by the person speaking or writing to refer to himself or herself and one or more other people

他安排我们大家一起喝一杯。

生活对于我们女性来说是艰难的。

全球变暖将影响我们所有人。

used instead of ‘me’. Many people think this use is incorrect

我〔用于代替me，很多人认为这种用法不正确〕


usage

the way that words are used in a language

the way in which something is used, or the amount of it that is used


use

to use something for a particular purpose

They rebuilt the church using local stone.

Staff can make use of a wide range of facilities.

She made full use of her contacts within the organization.

to use a particular method or skill in order to achieve something

They employed every means at their disposalevery available method.

to use something that is available to you, for a practical purpose

The company has developed a new way to utilize solar energy.

to use something as fully and effectively as possible, or to use something that will give you an advantage over your opponent

The country’s natural resources have not yet been fully exploited.

He was quick to exploit any weakness in his opponent’s argument.

to use something such as a method, idea, or system in a particular situation

New technology is being applied to almost every industrial process.

I wanted to apply the things that I had learned on the course.

to use information, knowledge, or experience that you have learned in the past

He was able to draw on his own experience as a diplomat when he was writing the book.

Journalists draw on information from many different sources.

to use violence, force, threats etc as a way of achieving something

Extremists on both sides resort to violence.

We are prepared to resort to force if necessary.

to use your rights, authority, influence etc

Only 40% of the population exercised their right to vote.

Congress must decide whether to exercise its veto.

if you use a particular tool, method, service, ability etc, you do something with that tool, by means of that method etc, for a particular purpose

我可以用一下你的电话吗？

我来跟你说一下你可以用哪个房间。

Use your imagination when planning meals.

She booked the flight using a false name.

[easy/difficult/simple etc to use](bold)

Drop-down menus make the program very easy to use.

下拉式菜单使得这个程序使用起来非常简便。

They were using animals for scientific experiments.

Bob uses the van for picking up groceries.

鲍勃用小货车拉食品杂货。

My parents use the house as a holiday home.

我父母把这房子用作度假屋。

Most people now use their cars to go shopping.

现在大多数人开车去购物。

to take an amount of something from a supply of food, gas, money etc

使用，耗费，消耗〔食物、燃气、金钱等〕

We use about £40 worth of electricity a month.

我们每月的电费大约40英镑。

Standard washing machines use about 40 gallons of water.

一般洗衣机的用水量大约为40加仑。

to make someone do something for you in order to get something you want

Can’t you see that Howard is just using you?

你看不出霍华德只是在利用你吗？

Gerald had been [using](bold) her [for](bold) his [own ends](bold).

杰拉尔德一直在利用她来达到自己的目的。

She used her position as manager to get jobs for her friends.

她利用自己的经理职位为朋友谋职。

if you say you could use something, you mean you would really like to have it

to say or write a particular word or phrase

We use the word ‘hardware’ to describe the actual machine.

我们使用“硬件”这个词来指机器本身。


use

(=when something is used in many places or situations, or among many people)

The widespread use of computers changed business completely.

Doing the work in stages makes the most efficient use of resources.

We need to consider whether there could be a more effective use of our time.

The heavy use of pesticides in the area led to severe health problems.

These drugs are not recommended for regular use.

We want to encourage employees to make greater use of the sports facilities.

Our department is responsible for establishing the guidelines for land use in the county.

Drug use among teenage boys is on the increase.

the increasing use of computers in education

电脑在教育领域中越来越多的使用

a purpose for which something can be used

Robots [have](bold) many different [uses](bold) in modern industry.

机器人在现代工业中有多种不同用途。

The cupboard is full of things I can never find a use for.

柜子里放满了我可能永远也用不上的东西。

to use something that is available in order to achieve something or get an advantage for yourself

We will make use of her vast experience.

我们将利用她丰富的经验。

There is an answering machine for you to make use of.

有一个电话答录机供你使用。

Try to [make good use of](bold) your time.

to use something such as knowledge or skills for a particular purpose

a job where her management skills can be put to good use

可以充分施展她管理才能的工作

运用某事物的能力；某物的使用权

Joe’s given me the use of his office till he gets back.

乔允许我在他回来前使用他的办公室。

He [lost the use of](bold) both [legs](bold) as a result of the accident.

因为这场事故，他的双腿失去了行动能力。

You needed blankets to keep warm because the heating was no use.

暖气没有用，你需要盖上毯子保暖。

Take this – it’s of no use to me anymore.

拿着这个，我再也用不着它了。

used to tell someone not to do something because it will have no effect

used to say that you are going to stop doing something because you do not think it will be successful

白搭！不行！〔用于表示因认为不会成功而要停止做某事〕

used to say that something seems to be a waste of time

(某事)有什么意义，(某事)有什么用〔用于表示某事似乎是浪费时间〕

What’s the use of decorating the house if we are going to sell it?

我们既然要卖房子了，装修又有什么意义？

a machine, place etc that is in use is being used

〔机器、场所等〕在使用中

Electric vehicles built in 1920 were still in use in the 1950s.

1920年制造的电车在50年代仍在使用。

provided for a particular person or group of people to use

He was charged with having information likely to be of use to terrorists.

他被控掌握着对恐怖分子可能有用的信息。

to start being used, or to start using something

Computers first came into use in the early 1950s.

计算机最早于20世纪50年代初开始使用。

a machine, place etc that goes out of use or is out of use is not being used

〔机器、场所等〕废弃不用，不再使用

Some 4,000 railway stations have gone out of use since the 1960s.

自20世纪60年代以来大约有4,000座火车站已经废弃不用。

to have no respect for someone or something

厌恶某人/某事物，不喜欢某人/某事物

She has no use for people who are always complaining.

used, often humorously, to say that something or someone can sometimes be useful, even though it may not seem that way

某事物/某人自有其用处〔常为幽默用法〕

one of the meanings of a word, or the way that a particular word is used

〔某个词的〕(一项)词义，用法


used

to have experienced something so that it no longer seems surprising, difficult, strange etc

I do the dishes every day, so I’m used to it.

我每天洗盘子，所以习惯了。

I can’t get used to the idea that you’re grown up now.

现在你已长大成人，但是这一点我还不适应。


used

cars, clothes etc that have already had an owner

dirty or not in good condition any longer, as a result of being used


used to

Don't confuse [I used to do something](bold)  and [I am used to (doing) something](bold) .

You say I used to live in Paris  when you lived in Paris in the past, but you do not live there now. In this meaning, [used to](bold)  is followed by the base form of the verb (=the infinitive without 'to').

You say I'm used to living in Paris  when you are accustomed to living in Paris because you have lived there for some time.

[Be used to](bold)  is followed by an [-ing](bold)  form, not the infinitive.
Don't say: [I'm used to live in Paris.](strike)

if something used to happen, it happened regularly or all the time in the past, but does not happen now

过去经常[一直]〔发生〕，曾经

We’re eating out more often than we used to.

我们现在出去吃饭的次数比以前多了。

You didn’t use to eat chips when you were younger.

你年轻的时候不吃炸薯条的。

你以前不是这么大惊小怪的。

if a particular situation used to exist, it existed for a period of time in the past, but does not exist now

There used to be a large car park on this site.

这地方曾经是个大停车场。

Why are you so bad-tempered? You didn’t use to be like this.

你怎么脾气这么暴躁？以前你不是这样的。

这座大楼以前是家酒店吗？

Where did you use to live before you came to Manchester?

你来曼彻斯特之前住在哪里？


useful

something that is  useful  makes it easier for you to do something

useful – used especially about something that is convenient and easy to use

I always keep old jars – you never know when they might come in handybe useful.

useful because it helps you to do something

This drug can be helpful in treating depression.

if someone or something is of use, they are useful for you when you are doing something

if doing something is worthwhile, it is useful for you and you benefit from doing it

It is worthwhile to start by asking ourselves why people get involved in crime.

His information was very valuable to the police.

The course was a valuable experience for me.

extremely useful in helping you do something

The drug could be invaluable for treating cancer patients.

someone or something that is indispensable  is so useful and important that you cannot do something without them

For walkers, a good compass is indispensable.

He became an indispensable part of the team.

an indispensable guide to travelling in Italy

Their website has some useful tips on selling your home.

Keeping lists of the words you learn is a useful way of remembering vocabulary.

The Internet is a useful tool for investors.

He played well and made a useful contribution to the team’s performance.

This equipment could prove useful in testing babies’ hearing.

It is useful to practise in front of an audience.

Don’t just stand there – make yourself useful!

Sending her to prison would serve no useful purpose.

The space under the desk is useful for storing CDs.

书桌下面的空间可以用来存放激光唱片。

techniques that could be useful to teachers

Can you come and [make yourself useful](bold)(=help people to do something)?


usefulness

the state of being useful or the degree to which something is useful

There are doubts as to the usefulness of this approach (=it may not be useful).

有人怀疑这种方法是否有用。

As a commuter service, the ferry has [outlived](bold) its [usefulness](bold)(=is no longer useful).

作为一种通勤服务，渡船已经没有用武之地了。


useless

From his point of view qualifications are wholly useless.

These flaws could make the software virtually useless in a business environment.

The vehicle proved quite useless on rocky ground.

The book is pretty useless for today's students.

She has a debilitating condition which renders her legs virtually useless.

Salt water flooded into the land making it useless for farming.

Police checkpoints proved useless at stopping the suicide bombers.

(=not useful, and causing harm or problems)

It would be worse than useless to try and complain about him.

The doctor concluded that further treatment would be useless.

医生下了结论，进一步治疗是无益的。

a website full of [useless information](bold)

Water had got into the radio, and now it was completely useless.

收音机进了水，现在完全不能用了。

[worse than useless](bold)(=not useful and in fact causing harm or problems)

The map was so out-of-date it was worse than useless.

这地图太老了，用了比没用还糟糕。

unable or unwilling to do anything properly

差劲的，无能的；指不上的

Don’t ask Tim to fix it. He’s completely useless.

别叫蒂姆来修理，他根本不行。


user

Computer users are being warned to look out for the virus.

Did you signal to let other road users know you were turning right?

The hotel caters mainly to business users.

Internet users who illegally download music and films could face large fines.

Electricity companies are warning that heavy users face much higher bills.

Regular sunbed users are likely to suffer long-term skin damage.

(=someone who uses something only a little)

Light users of the service will receive a reduction in their bill.

someone or something that uses a product, service etc

Drug users were warned about the dangers of sharing needles.


user-friendly

用户友好的，易使用[理解，操作]的


user name

username  also: [=user I#D](bold)  [n](bold) <[C](bold)>

a name or special word that proves who you are and allows you to enter a computer system or use the Internet

Please enter your user name and password and click ‘OK’.

请输入用户名和密码，然后点击OK键。


usher

to help someone to get from one place to another, especially by showing them the way

她往后退了退，领他进去。


usher

someone who shows people to their seats at a theatre, cinema, wedding etc

〔剧院、电影院、婚礼等的〕引座员，迎宾员

someone who works in a law court whose job is to guide people in and out of the courtrooms


usual

ˈjuːʒuəl, ˈjuːʒəl

ˈjuːʒuəl, ˈjuːʒəl

happening, done, or existing most of the time or in most situations

[longer/higher/worse etc than usual](bold)

It is taking longer than usual for orders to reach our customers.

订购的货品送达顾客手中所需的时间比平时长了。

She ate twice [as](bold) much [as usual](bold).

It’s usual to keep records of all expenses.

in the way that happens or exists most of the time

As usual, they’d left the children at home with Susan.

像往常一样，他们把孩子留在家里，让苏珊带。

他们照例没有邀请任何女性。

used to say that something bad that often happens has just happened again

〔坏事〕照常地，再一次地〔发生〕

used for talking about something that usually happens, is usually done etc

‘What was he going on about this time?’ ‘Oh, the usual.’

“这回他又在唠叨什么？” “哦，还是那些事情。”

the drink that you usually have, especially in a particular bar

〔尤指在某一酒吧内〕常喝的饮料

按老规矩给我来一品脱，保罗。

behaving differently from the way you usually behave, especially by seeming worried or upset about something

(某人)和平时不一样〔尤指显得担心或烦恼〕

Keith doesn’t seem his usual self these days.

这些天基思似乎有些反常。


usually

used to talk about what happens on most occasions or in most situations

通常我都穿黑色、灰色或者棕色的衣服。

The drive usually takes 15 or 20 minutes.

这段车程通常需要15或20分钟。

[Usually](bold)  can come before the verb or at the start of the sentence: She usually takes the bus. Usually she takes the bus.

[Usually](bold)  normally comes after ‘be’ or an auxiliary verb such as ‘do’ or ‘have’: She is usually late. I don’t usually come here.
Don’t say: [She usually is late.](strike)  [I usually don’t come here. ](strike)


utensil

a thing such as a knife, spoon etc that you use when you are cooking


utility

a service such as gas or electricity provided for people to use

公用事业〔如燃气、电力等〕

你的房租包括燃气、电费之类的吗？

a piece of computer software that has a particular use

〔计算机〕应用程序，实用程序

It’s a simple shareware utility that allows you to print signs and banners.

这是个简单的共享应用软件，你可以用它来打印标牌和横幅。

the quality of being useful, or the degree to which something is useful


utilize

[utilization](bold) /ˌjuːtəlaɪˈzeɪʃ/ US /-lə-/  n. <U>

In everyday English, people usually say [use](bold)  rather than [utilize](bold) :

The money will be [used](bold) to build a new sports hall.

also: [utilise](bold) ([BrE](bold))  [v](bold) <[T](bold)>

to use something for a particular purpose

We must consider how best to utilize what resources we have.

我们必须考虑怎样充分利用现有的资源。


utter

complete – used especially to emphasize that something is very bad, or that a feeling is very strong

完全的，十足的，彻底的〔用于强调事物糟糕或感情强烈〕

This company treats its employees with [utter contempt](bold).

这家公司对员工没有一丝尊重。

I watched in [complete and utter](bold) horror as he pulled out a gun.

我惊恐万分地看着他拔出枪来。


utter

“你这个蠢货！”她厌恶地说道。

Cantor nodded without [uttering](bold) a [word](bold).

to make a sound with your voice, especially with difficulty

〔尤指吃力地〕发出〔声音〕

受伤的囚犯发出一声呻吟。


utterly

completely – used especially to emphasize that something is very bad, or that a feeling is very strong

完全地，十足地〔用于强调事物糟糕或感情强烈〕


vacancy

He searched the newspapers regularly for job vacancies.

We will keep your CV on file in case other suitable vacancies arise.

(=a job for which no one has been hired)

The teaching unions estimate there are some 10,000 unfilled vacancies.

Other officers are working overtime because of staff vacancies.

We have no vacancies for cleaners at present.

Where did you see the vacancy advertised?

We are making every effort to fill the vacancies.

the vacancy which was created by White’s resignation

She asked if there were any vacancies for salespeople.

a job that is available for someone to start doing

There are still two vacancies on the school board.

学校董事会还有两个职位空缺。

We [have](bold) no [vacancies](bold) for photographers at the moment.

我们目前没有摄影师职位空缺。

The council is making every effort to [fill](bold) the [vacancies](bold).

地方议会正想方设法填补这些职缺。

a room in a hotel or building that is not being used and is available for someone to stay in

〔宾馆、大楼中的〕空房间

Let me see if we [have](bold) a [vacancy](bold) for tonight.

我来看看我们今晚还有没有空房间。

His mouth fell open and the look of vacancy returned.

他的嘴张着，那种茫然的神情又出现了。


vacant

[vacantly](bold) adv. eg: Cindy was staring vacantly into space.

a vacant seat, building, room, or piece of land is empty and available for someone to use

〔座位、房屋、土地〕空的，未被占用的

Only a few apartments were still vacant.

There was only a [vacant lot](bold)(=empty unused area of land in a city) where her house used to be.

她以前房子所在的地方只剩下一块空地了。

In everyday English, people usually say that a seat or room is [free](bold)  rather than [vacant](bold) :

a job or position in an organization that is vacant is available for someone to start doing

He was offered the position of headmaster when it fell vacant.

校长职位空出来以后给了他。

[situations vacant](bold) BrE(=the part of a newspaper where jobs are advertised)

an expression that shows that someone does not seem to be thinking about anything

茫然的表情/神情/凝视等


vacation

What are you doing in the school holidays?

a day that is set by law, when no one has to go to work or school

In 2002, there was an extra public holiday to mark the Queen’s golden jubilee.

the August bank holidayday when all the banks and shops are closed – used in British English

a time when you stop working or studying in order to rest, or a short vacation from school

Lots of college kids come to the beaches during the spring break.

We get four weeks’ annual leavepaid time off work each year.

He has been taking a lot of sick leavetime off work because you are ill recently.

Angela is on maternity leave time off work when having a baby.

He was given compassionate leavetime off work because someone close to you has died, is very ill etc to go to his father’s funeral.

a period when someone, especially a teacher, stops doing their usual work in order to study or travel

a period of time when a soldier or someone working in another country can return to their own country as a holiday

While on furlough, he and his girlfriend got married.

rest and relaxation a holiday, especially one given to people in the army, navy etc after a long period of hard work or during a war

Soldiers in Vietnam were taken to Hawaii for R & R.

You’re working too hard. You need a vacation.

What did you do on your summer vacation?

The island is my favorite vacation spot.

You could take a sick day or a vacation day.

(=an idea about what you want to do on your vacation)

Do you have any vacation plans this summer?

the number of days, weeks etc that you are allowed as paid holiday by your employer

How much vacation do you get at your new job?

你的新工作有多少天的带薪假期？

I think I have four [vacation days](bold) left.

我想我还剩下四天带薪假期。

Employees are entitled to four weeks’ [paid vacation](bold) annually.

员工每年享有四周的带薪假期。

one of the periods of time when a university is closed

one of the periods of time when a school or university is closed


vacation

The Bernsteins are vacationing in Europe.

伯恩斯坦一家正在欧洲度假。


vaccine

a substance which contains a weak form of the bacteria or virus that causes a disease and is used to protect people from that disease

Doctors worried that there would not be enough vaccine for everyone who needed it.

医生担心没有足够的疫苗给每个需要的人。


vacuum

His sudden departure created a vacuum at the head of the company.

The disappearance of religious beliefs has left a vacuum in many people's lives.

What political ideas have filled the vacuum left by the fall of communism?

The leader's sudden death created a power vacuum.

Military leaders stepped in to fill the political vacuum.

Many children are growing up in a moral vacuum.

There is a policy vacuum on climate change.

a space that is completely empty of all gas, especially one from which all the air has been taken away

a situation in which someone or something is missing or lacking

Her husband’s death left a vacuum in her life.

丈夫的去世给她的生活留下一片空白。

the political vacuum caused by the ban on Communist Party activity

existing completely separately from other people or things and having no connection with them

在封闭状态中；与外界隔绝

The process of learning a language does not take place in a vacuum.

学习语言的过程在封闭状态下无法进行。


vacuum

用真空吸尘器打扫［清洁］


vague

The students only had a vague idea of what they were supposed to do.

She had a vague feeling that she had let something important slip away.

I have only a vague recollection of what the house looked like.

Everything happens so quickly, though, that all you are left with is a vague impression.

A vague suspicion began to tug at Benny's mind.

unclear because someone does not give enough detailed information or does not say exactly what they mean

含糊的，不明确的，不清楚的

The governor gave only a vague outline of his tax plan.

州长只是含糊地大致说了一下他的税务计划。

Julia was vague about where she had been and what she had been doing.

关于她到过哪里，做了些什么，朱莉娅含糊其词。

have a vague idea/feeling/recollection etc (that)

to think that something might be true or that you remember something, although you cannot be sure

隐约地想到/感到/记起等

Larry had the vague feeling he’d done something embarrassing the night before.

拉里隐约觉得自己前一天晚上做了什么尴尬的事。

The vague shape of a figure loomed through the mist.

薄雾中隐隐出现了一个模糊的人影。


vaguely

I vaguely remember a woman in a red dress standing outside the door.

我依稀记得一个穿红色连衣裙的女人站在门外。

There was something vaguely familiar about him.

他身上有种似曾相识的感觉。

I was vaguely aware of another figure by the door.

我隐约意识到门边还有一个人。

含糊地，不明确地，不清楚地

in a way that shows you are not thinking about what you are doing

他对着天花板心不在焉地笑了笑。


vain

[vainly](bold) adv. eg: The instructor struggled vainly to open his parachute.

People close their windows at night in a vain attempt to shut out the sound of gunfire.

Young men moved south in the vain hope of finding work.

Mothers have been to every shop in town in a vain search for the toy.

someone who is vain is too proud of their good looks, abilities, or position – used to show disapproval

自负的，自视过高的，虚荣的〔含贬义〕

without success in spite of your efforts

Police searched in vain for the missing gunman.

警方搜寻失踪的持枪歹徒，但毫无结果。

without purpose or without positive results

Altman swore that his son’s death would not be in vain.

阿尔特曼发誓他的儿子不会白死。

[take sb’s name in vain](bold) at → [name](->name) 1 sense 12

a vain attempt, hope, or search fails to achieve the result you wanted

The young mother died [in a vain attempt](bold) to save her drowning son.

那位年轻的母亲没能救起溺水的儿子，自己也淹死了。

a threat, promise etc that is not worrying because the person cannot do what they say they will


valid

[validity](bold) /vəˈlɪdəti/  n. <U> eg: I would question the validity of that statement.

I had a perfectly valid reason for being there.

If the criticism is valid, you should make the appropriate changes.

You must have a valid excuse for any absence.

Each of these ways of looking at things is equally valid.

(=based on correct numbers or good research)

The drug trials were scientifically valid.

a valid ticket, document, or agreement is legally or officially acceptable

Your return ticket is valid for three months.

你的回程票有效期为三个月。

a reason, argument etc that is based on what is reasonable or sensible

合理[正当]的理由/论点/批评等

Police officers must have a valid reason for stopping motorists.

警察拦下驾车者必须有正当理由。

a valid password, ID  etc is one that will be accepted by a computer system

〔密码、账号等〕系统认可的，有效的


validate

[validation](bold) /ˌvæləˈdeɪʃ/  n. <C,U>

to prove that something is true or correct, or to make a document or agreement officially and legally acceptable

The Supreme Court has validated the lower court’s interpretation of the law.

最高法院已经认可下级法院对这条法规的阐释。

Many scientists plan to wait until the results of the study are validated by future research.

许多科学家计划等到调查结果被今后的研究证实了以后再作定论。

to make someone feel that their ideas and feelings are respected and considered seriously

Talking with people who think like you helps validate your feelings.

和想法相似的人交谈可以让你的情感得到认同。

if a business validates a ticket from a parking garage, it puts a special mark on it, showing that it will pay the parking costs

承认，认可〔停车卡，即在上面盖章表示同意支付停车费〕


valley

an area of lower land between two lines of hills or mountains, usually with a river flowing through it

The route passes through a remote mountain valley.

a trek up the Gokyo Valley to see Mount Everest

a deep narrow valley with steep sides – often used in names, especially in Europe

a deep valley with very steep sides – often used in names, especially in North and South America

a deep narrow valley in Scotland or Ireland

a small narrow valley, usually formed by a lot of rain flowing down the side of a hill

They reached the top by scrambling up a gully.

The valley becomes narrower at this point.

We looked down on the wide valley below.

The route passes through beautiful wooded river valleys.

(=one with a lot of plants or trees growing in it)

We were on a ridge above a green valley, with the mountains beyond it.

There are extensive views across the Forth Valley.

Most of the town is built on the valley floor.

He looked across to the far side of the valley.

They live in houses of stone on the slopes of a wooded valley.

There is a great waterfall at the head of a valley.

The stream in the bottom of the valley was spanned by a narrow bridge.

谷；山谷〔通常有河流流过〕


valuable

worth a lot of money and expensive to buy

so valuable that it is impossible to calculate a price

precious metals such as gold, or stones such as diamonds are very rare and expensive

Back in ancient times, coins contained precious metals.

The ring was set with dozens of precious stones.

to be worth a very large amount of money

Some rare baseball cards are worth a fortune.

very special and important to someone – used about people or things

My family have always been precious to me.

the place where I kept my most precious things

very special and important to someone, so that they want very much to keep it or obtain it

The book was one of his most prized possessions.

The shells are prized for their beauty are considered to be very special.

very special and important to someone, especially because it is connected with someone they love

the case in which she kept her most treasured possessions

extremely special and important, especially because it is the only one of its kind

The manuscripts are said to be irreplaceable.

There can be no doubt that this sort of help is valuable for teachers.

The booklet contains valuable advice for new mothers.

The police were contacted by a number of people who had valuable information about the bombings.

The experience you can gain in a small advertising agency will be very valuable.

He made a valuable contribution to our work.

If you have a good network of contacts, you have a valuable asset.

Exercise is a valuable tool in treating depression.

Their most valuable belongings were locked in a safe in the bedroom.

他们最值钱的财物锁在卧室保险箱里。

valuable help, advice, information etc is very useful because it helps you to do something

〔帮助、建议、信息等〕宝贵的，有价值的，有用的

Muriel has made a valuable contribution to our company’s success.

缪里尔为我们公司的成功做出了宝贵的贡献。

important because there is only a limited amount available

I won’t waste any more of your valuable time.

我不会再浪费你的宝贵时间了。


value

The dollar has been steadily increasing in value.

There is a risk that the shares may fall in value.

The house doubled in value over two years.

It’s hard to put a value on something so unusual.

The value of the land had increased by $2m.

Good quality furniture should hold its value.

You should insure any goods of high value.

The low value of the dollar will benefit tourists.

The mortgage is more than the house’s current market value.

They made an attempt to assess the cash value of the contract.

The tickets are selling for far more than their face value.

(=its value after considering inflation)

The real value of their salaries has fallen.

(=the amount that users will pay for illegal drugs)

Drugs with a street value of £1,600 were found in the car.

There was a sudden drop in the value of oil.

We saw a rapid increase in the land’s value.

These drugs are of great value in treating cancer.

Our society places a high value on education.

(=that will be important or useful for a long time)

He wanted to achieve something of lasting value.

(=important because it was a gift, reminds you of someone etc)

The ring wasn’t expensive but had great sentimental value.

(=the amount of things that a food contains, which are good for your health)

The nutritional value of cereals can vary.

He called for a return to traditional values.

a book about a clash between British and Chinese cultural values

The films of the time reflected these changing social values.

We have replaced our spiritual values with materialism.

basic human values such as honesty, decency, and duty

The party needs to express its core values clearly.

People brought up in different times hold different social values.

They vote for the candidate who shares their values.

The new party was dedicated to upholding traditional values.

The young have a completely different set of values.

the amount of money that something is worth

The alterations doubled the value of the house.

这些改变使这所房子的价值增加了一倍。

used to say that something is worth what you pay for it, or not worth what you pay for it

[good/poor etc value (for money)](bold) BrE, [a good/poor etc value](bold) AmE

At only £45 a night, the hotel is great value for money.

那家酒店每晚只要45英镑，非常划算。

[value for money](bold) BrE(=good value, or the quality of being good value)

Every customer is looking for value for money.

每位顾客都想买到划算的东西。

the importance or usefulness of something

A group of athletes spoke to the students about the value of a college education.

几个运动员向学生谈及大学教育的重要性。

His research has been of little practical value.

他的研究没有什么实用价值。

The Sioux Indians placed a high value on generosity.

苏族印第安人非常看重为人慷慨。

The locket has great [sentimental value](bold)(=importance because it was a gift, it reminds you of someone etc).

那个盒式项链坠很有纪念意义。

窃贼们没有偷走值钱的东西。

I hope this book will be of value to both teachers and students.

我希望这本书对教师和学生都有帮助。

a good or interesting quality that something has because it is surprising, different, new etc

After the initial curiosity value, the product’s sales dropped considerably.

当人们最初的好奇感过去以后，这个产品便销量大跌。

your ideas about what is right and wrong, or what is important in life

Your attitudes about sex are affected by your religious and [moral values](bold).

a mathematical quantity shown by a letter of the alphabet or sign

〔由字母或符号表示的〕(数)值


value

to think that someone or something is important

约先生因简工作努力而十分看重她。

to decide how much money something is worth, by comparing it with similar things

我们决定给房子估一估价。

Paintings valued at over $200,000 were stolen from her home.

几幅估价为二十多万美元的画从她家里被盗走了。

[Value](bold)  is usually passive in this meaning.


valve

a part of a tube or pipe that opens and shuts like a door to control the flow of liquid, gas, air etc passing through it

阀，活门；气嘴；瓣(膜)

the part on a trumpet or similar musical instrument that you press to change the sound of the note

〔小号等乐器上的〕阀键，活塞

a closed glass tube used to control the flow of electricity in old radios, televisions etc


van

a vehicle used especially for carrying goods, which is smaller than a truck and has a roof and usually no windows at the sides

a large box-like car that can carry a lot of people

a railway carriage with a roof and sides, used especially for carrying goods

〔铁路上运送货物的〕车厢

to be one of the people who are in front or who are leading a change

She was in the van of the feminist movement.


vandalism

the crime of deliberately damaging things, especially public property

破坏财物（罪）〔尤指破坏公共财物〕


vandalize

also: [vandalise](bold) ([BrE](bold))  [v](bold) <[T](bold)>

to damage or destroy things deliberately, especially public property

故意破坏〔财物，尤指公物〕

The cemetery was vandalized during the night.