spirit

(=used when saying that someone is happy and excited)

He wrote home often, trying to keep his family’s spirits up.

They refused to let the rain dampen their spirits.

Her spirits rose as they left the ugliness of London behind.

the qualities that make someone live the way they do, and make them different from other people

I’m 85, but I still feel young in spirit.

我85岁了，但心依然感觉年轻。

[independent/proud/free etc spirit](bold)(=a person with a particular type of character)

[kindred spirit](bold) at → [kindred](->kindred) 2 sense 1

the way someone feels at a particular time, for example if they are happy or sad

[be in good/high spirits](bold)(=be excited and happy)

Cooper was still in high spirits after winning the race.

库珀依然处于比赛获胜后的高昂情绪中。

His [spirits](bold) were so [low](bold)(=he was so sad) that he refused to answer his phone.

他情绪非常低落，连电话也不愿接。

[raise/lift sb’s spirits](bold)(=make someone happier)

The warm morning sun lifted our spirits.

早晨温暖的阳光使我们精神为之一振。

She wrote poetry while she was in the hospital to [keep](bold) her [spirits up](bold)(=keep happy).

她住院的时候写写诗，使自己保持愉快心情。

[sb’s spirits rise/lift/sink](bold)(=they become more or less happy)

My spirits sank when I saw the mess they’d left.

看见他们留下的烂摊子，我的情绪一下子低落了。

the part of someone that you cannot see, that consists of the qualities that make up their character, which many people believe continues to live after the person has died

Although Laurie is dead, I can feel his spirit with me.

劳里虽然已经过世，但我还能感觉到他的灵魂和我在一起。

a creature without a physical body that some people believe exists, such as an angel or a dead person, who has returned to this world and has strange or magical powers

courage, energy, and determination – used to show approval

志气，勇气，决心〔含褒义〕

Sandra is small, but she makes up for it with great spirit.

桑德拉身材瘦小，但她巨大的勇气弥补了这点不足。

a young team with strong [fighting spirit](bold)

When they took away his freedom, they [broke](bold) his [spirit](bold)(=made him lose his courage).

他们剥夺了他的人身自由就等于挫伤了他的锐气。

the attitude that you have towards something or while you are doing something

You’ve got to approach this meeting in the right spirit.

你一定要以正确的态度来对待这次会议。

the spirit of cooperation between the two sides

a strong feeling of belonging to a particular group and wanting to help them

the set of ideas, beliefs, feelings etc that are typical of a particular period in history, a place, or a group of people

〔某一特定历史时期、地方或群体的〕精神，风气

Tourism has not destroyed the spirit of Bali.

观光旅游还没有破坏巴厘岛的地方特色。

His beliefs conflicted with the spirit of the age.

他的信念与当时的时代精神发生了冲突。

if you say you will be somewhere in spirit or with someone in spirit, you will not be with them but will be thinking about them

I can’t come to your wedding, but I’ll be there in spirit.

我不能来参加你们的婚礼，但我的心会和你们在一起。

to start to feel as happy, excited etc as the people around you

Judith couldn’t really enter into the spirit of the occasion.

朱迪思无法完全融入那欢乐气氛中去。

the meaning or qualities that someone intended something to have, especially the meaning that a law or rule was intended to have

〔尤指法律或规则的〕精神，本质

Thoreau believed that his actions were in the spirit of American institutions.

梭罗相信他的行为是符合美国传统精神的。

Miller’s actions may not be actually illegal, but they have violated [the spirit of the law](bold).

米勒的行为本身不一定犯法，但违背了法律的精神。

[the letter of the law](bold) at → [letter](->letter) 1 sense 4

a strong alcoholic drink such as whisky or brandy

烈酒〔如威士忌或白兰地〕

liquid such as alcohol, used for cleaning

used to express approval of someone’s behaviour or attitude

这就对了，这种态度才对〔用于认可某人的行为或态度〕

when you feel that you want to do something

要是愿意的话，如果有兴趣

the spirit is willing (but the flesh is weak)

used when saying that you want to do something, but you are too tired or do not feel strong enough – often used humorously

心里固然愿意（身体却很羸弱），心有余而力不足〔常为幽默用法〕


spiritual

relating to your spirit rather than to your body or mind

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

Painting helps fill a spiritual need for beauty.

绘画可以满足对美的精神需求。

Islam was inspired by the teachings of the spiritual leader Mohammed.

伊斯兰教是受宗教领袖穆罕默德的教义影响产生的。

a place where you feel you belong because you share the ideas and attitudes of that society

某人的精神家园，某人的精神归宿〔指一个自己能认同其思想和态度的地方〕


spiritual

a religious song of the type sung originally by African-Americans

灵歌〔一种原为美国黑人唱的宗教歌曲〕


spit

[past tense and past participle](italic) [spat](bold) /spæt/ or [past tense and past participle](italic) [spit](bold) ([AmE](bold)) [present participle](italic) [spitting](bold)

to force a small amount of salivathe liquid in your mouth out of your mouth

尼克摇下窗子，啐了口唾沫。

A group of fans spat on the players as they left the field.

一群球迷在球员离开球场时朝他们吐口水。

Billy stood up slowly, rubbed his jaw, and spat blood.

比利慢慢站起来，揉揉下巴，吐了口血。

Diana tasted her martini and quickly spat it out.

黛安娜尝了一口马天尼酒，马上就吐了出来。

You don’t need an umbrella – it’s only spitting.

你不用带雨伞——只飘着一点小雨。

to say something quickly in a very angry way

“闭嘴！”玛丽亚怒叱道。

used to ask someone to tell you something that they seem too frightened or embarrassed to say

爽快地说出来〔用于叫人说其不敢或不愿说的话〕

to send out small bits of something, for example fire or hot oil, into the air

A log fire was crackling and spitting in the hearth.

圆木在壁炉里烧得噼啪作响，火星四溅。

if a cat spits, it makes short angry sounds

〔猫在愤怒时〕发出咕噜咕噜声

to be very close to someone or something

to react to something in a very angry way – used when suggesting that the person is behaving like a child and not reacting like an adult should

耍脾气，发脾气〔用于指某人生气时的行为像小孩子，而不像成人应该做的那样〕


spit

the watery liquid that is produced in your mouth

a long thin stick that you put through meat so that you can turn it when cooking it over a fire

a long narrow piece of land that sticks out into the sea, into a river etc

岬，沙嘴〔伸入水域中的狭长陆地〕

萨姆长得和他爸爸一模一样。

when something is thoroughly cleaned and polished

It was Christmas, so Ellen gave the dining room a little extra spit and polish.

圣诞节到了，埃伦把饭厅格外仔细地打扫了一遍。


spite

without being affected or prevented by something

虽然；不顾；尽管 …（仍 …）

尽管下着雨，我们还是出去了。

Kelly loved her husband [in spite of the fact that](bold) he drank too much.

虽然丈夫酗酒，凯莉仍然爱着他。

a feeling of wanting to hurt or upset people, for example because you are jealous or think you have been unfairly treated

她就是出于恶意把它打破的。

[pure/sheer spite](bold)(=spite and nothing else)

if you do something in spite of yourself, you do it although you did not expect or intend to do it

The picture made her laugh in spite of herself.


spite

[cut off your nose to spite your face](bold) at → [cut ](->cut )

[v](bold) <[T only in infinitive](bold)>

故意与〔某人〕作对，恶意对待

The neighbours throw things over the garden wall [just to spite](bold) us.

邻居把东西扔过花园围墙，故意和我们作对。


splash

if a liquid splashes, it hits or falls on something and makes a noise

〔液体〕哗啦作响地溅泼，飞溅，溅落

海水哗啦哗啦地拍打着码头。

to make someone or something wet with a lot of small drops of water or other liquid

to make water fly up in the air with a loud noise by hitting it or by moving around in it

The children were splashing about in the pool.

She ran up the drive, splashing through the puddles.

她冲上车道，踩得水洼里的水飞溅。

if a newspaper or television programme splashes a story or picture on the page or screen, it makes it large and easy to notice

以显著版面刊载，以大篇幅报道

The gunman’s picture was splashed across the front page.

持枪歹徒的照片大幅刊登在头版上。


splash

the sound of a liquid hitting something or being moved around quickly

〔液体的〕溅泼声，飞溅声

Rachel fell into the river with a loud splash.

雷切尔扑通一声掉进河里。

a mark made by a liquid splashing onto something else

There were splashes of paint all over my clothes.

我衣服上溅满了油漆斑点。

to do something that gets a lot of public attention

Russell’s new show made a big splash in New York.

拉塞尔的新节目在纽约引起很大的轰动。

a small amount of liquid added to a drink

〔加入饮料中的〕少量液体

一杯加了少许白兰地的咖啡


splendid

[splendidly](bold) adv. eg: a splendidly equipped new sports centre eg: The team played splendidly.

壮丽的，华丽的，辉煌的，灿烂的

所有的房间都能看到漂亮的景致。

used to show that you approve of or are pleased by something

好极了〔用于表示赞成某事或对其感到高兴〕

‘I’ll see you tomorrow then.’ ‘Splendid!’

“那么我明天和你见面。”“好极了！”

used to emphasize that something is not with other things

岿然独立，傲然独立〔用于强调〕

The house sits in splendid isolation on top of a steep hill.

这栋房子岿然独立于一座陡山的顶部。


split

[past tense and past participle](italic) [split](bold) [present participle](italic) [splitting](bold)

if a group of people splits, or if it is split, people in the group disagree strongly with each other and the group sometimes divides into separate smaller groups

〔组织内部〕产生分歧，分裂

→see THESAURUS at [break](->break) 1   →see THESAURUS at [separate](->separate) 2   →see THESAURUS at [tear](->tear) 2

It was feared that the issue would split the church.

人们担心这一问题会导致教会分裂。

The party is split over the issue of immigration.

该党在移民问题上意见有分歧。

The government appears [deeply split](bold) on this issue.

The Pan-Africanist Congress split from the ANC in 1959.

泛非主义者大会在1959年脱离了非洲人国民大会。

[split sth in two/down the middle](bold)

战争使这个国家一分为二。

to divide or separate something into different parts or groups, or to be divided into different parts or groups

分割，把 …分开〔成几部分〕；分成〔不同部分〕

现在你们分成三人一组好吗？

if something splits, or if you split it, it tears or breaks along a straight line

（使）裂开，（使）撕开，（使）断裂

树枝承受不住他们的重量断裂了。

One of the boxes had [split open](bold).

[Split](bold) the pineapple [down the middle](bold).

to divide something into separate parts and share it between two or more people

Profits will be split between three major charities.

盈利将在三大慈善机构中间分配。

He agreed to sell the car and split the proceeds with his brother.

他同意把车卖掉，所得的钱和弟弟分。

[split sth three/four etc ways](bold)(=share something between three, four etc people or groups)

The money will have to be split three ways.

to make someone’s head or lip have a cut in it, as a result of a fall or hit

碰破〔头或嘴唇〕，把 …碰得裂开

She fell against a table and [split](bold) her [lip](bold).

她摔倒时撞到桌子，磕破了嘴唇。

The force of the blow nearly [split](bold) his [head open](bold).

这一击打得他脑袋都快裂开了。

if people split, they end a marriage or relationship with each other

to argue that there is a difference between two things, when the difference is really too small to be important

纠缠于细枝末节，在琐细的问题上争辩

to agree on an amount that is exactly between two amounts that have been mentioned

〔在数额上〕互相让步，折中，妥协

OK, let’s split the difference, and I’ll give you £20.

行，我们各让一步，我给你20英镑。


split

a tear or crack in something made of cloth, wood etc

他外套袖子上一条长长的裂缝

a serious disagreement that divides an organization or group of people into smaller groups

〔团体内部的〕分裂，分歧

The argument could lead to a damaging split in the party.

这场争吵可能会导致党内出现分裂，对该党产生不利影响。

a split between the radicals and the moderates within the group

团体内部激进派和温和派之间的分歧

The union is desperate to avoid a split over this issue.

工会竭力避免在这一问题上发生分歧。

the end of a marriage or relationship – used especially in newspapers and magazines

离婚，分手〔尤作报刊用语〕

She seems to be getting over her recent split with her fiancé.

她不久前和未婚夫分了手，现在似乎快走出来了。

the way in which something, especially money, is shared between several people

In a publishing deal, the average split used to be 50:50 between writer and publisher.

出版协议中，作者和出版商之间一般都是五五分成。

[three-way/four-way etc split](bold)(=when something is shared equally between three, four etc people)

a clear separation or difference between two things

the traditional split between the state and church

to spread your legs wide apart so that your legs touch the floor along their whole length


spoil

to have a bad effect on something so that it is much less attractive, enjoyable etc

New housing developments are spoiling the countryside.

The bad weather completely spoiled our holiday.

to spoil something completely and permanently

Using harsh soap to wash your face can ruin your skin.

to spoil something by making it less attractive or enjoyable

His handsome Arab features were marred by a long scar across his face.

Outbreaks of fighting marred the New Year celebrations.

to slightly spoil something that is generally very good, beautiful, or impressive

The huge number of tourists rather detracts from the city’s appeal.

There were a few minor irritations, but this did not detract from our enjoyment of the holiday.

to spoil something that you have been trying to achieve

The bombings undermined several months of careful negotiations.

to spoil a friendly relationship between people or countries

The affair has soured relations between the UK and Russia.

to spoil a close relationship completely, so that people can no longer trust each other

Their marriage was poisoned by a terrible dark secret.

to spoil something important or something that has been carefully planned

If there’s any delay, it will mess up our whole schedule.

[past tense and past participle](italic) [spoiled](bold) or [past tense and past participle](italic) [spoilt](bold) /spɔɪlt/ ([BrE](bold))

to have a bad effect on something so that it is no longer attractive, enjoyable, useful etc

整个公园环境都给垃圾破坏了。

We didn’t let the incident spoil our day.

我们没有让这件事破坏我们一整天的气氛。

Why do you always have to [spoil everything](bold)?

你为什么老是要把一切都弄糟呢？

[spoil/ruin your appetite](bold) at → [appetite](->appetite) sense 1

to give a child everything they want, or let them do whatever they want, often with the result that they behave badly

宠坏，惯坏，溺爱〔小孩〕

She’s an only child, but they didn’t really spoil her.

她是独生女，不过他们也没有娇惯她。

His mother and sisters [spoil](bold) him [rotten](bold)(=spoil him very much).

他母亲和姐姐把他给宠坏了。

to look after someone in a way that is very kind or too kind

无微不至地关心；过分地照顾，纵容

You’ll have to let me spoil you on your birthday.

你生日那天一定要让我好好待你。

Go on, spoil yourself. Have another piece of cake.

来吧，善待自己，再来一块蛋糕吧。

〔开始〕变质，变坏，腐败

Food will spoil if the temperature in your freezer rises above 8°C.

如果冰柜的温度上升到8摄氏度以上，食物就会变质。

to mark a ballot paper wrongly so that your vote is not included

to be very eager to fight or argue with someone


spoil

the things that someone gets by being successful

They tried to take more than a fair share of the spoils.

things taken by an army from a defeated enemy, or things taken by thieves

waste material such as earth and stones from a mine or hole in the ground

〔矿井里或地下挖出的〕废石方，弃土


spoken

used about the language that people speak rather than write

Spoken English is often less formal than written English.

I can understand classical Arabic but not spoken Arabic.

an oral test is one in which you have to speak rather than write. [Oral](bold) is also used about culture, traditions, and history that are based on spoken English rather than being written down

Anglo-Saxon stories and poems were part of a largely oral culture.

a verbal agreement, warning, form of communication etc is spoken rather than written down

We had a verbal agreement but no written contract.

The company have received verbal approval to begin the project.

by someone telling you about something rather than by reading about it somewhere – used to say how you got some information

He found out about the job by word of mouth.

A lot of our customers hear about us through word of mouth.

the form of language that you speak rather than write

spoken language rather than written language or music

〔相对于书面语言或音乐而言的〕口头话语

pupils’ understanding of the spoken word

if someone is spoken for, they are married or already have a serious relationship with someone

if something is spoken for, you cannot buy it because it is being kept for someone else

〔商品〕已预留给〔某人〕


spokesman

a man who has been chosen to speak officially for a group, organization, or government

〔团体、组织、政府的〕发言人，代言人


spokesperson

ˈspəʊksˌpɜːsən


spokeswoman

a woman who has been chosen to speak officially for a group, organization, or government


sponge

a piece of a soft natural or artificial substance full of small holes, which can suck up liquid and is used for washing

a simple sea creature from which natural sponge is produced

an act of washing something with a sponge

a light cake made from flour, sugar, butter, and eggs


sponge

to wash something with a wet cloth or sponge

用湿布轻轻擦洗以清洁小地毯。

She stood on the bath mat and sponged herself down.

她站在浴室踏脚垫上，用海绵擦身子。

to get money, free meals etc from other people, without doing anything for them – used to show disapproval

These people are just sponging off the taxpayers.

这些人就是在白吃纳税人的钱粮。

to remove liquid or a mark with a wet cloth or sponge

用湿布[海绵]吸掉〔液体〕，用湿布[海绵]揩掉〔斑点〕

I’ll go and sponge this juice off my dress.

我要去把我连衣裙上的果汁揩掉。

to put paint on a surface using a sponge

用海绵把油漆涂上去，就像这样。


sponsor

a person or company that pays for a show, broadcast, sports event etc, especially in exchange for the right to advertise at that event

〔表演、广播节目、体育赛事等的〕赞助者，赞助商

Eastman Kodak is a major sponsor of the Olympics.

伊士曼柯达公司是奥运会的主要赞助商。

a person or company that supports someone by paying for their training, education, living costs etc

〔为某人支付培训费、教育费、生活费等的〕资助者

someone who agrees to give someone else money for a charity if they walk, run etc a particular distance

〔慈善募捐活动的〕捐资者，捐款人

someone who officially introduces or supports a proposal for a new law

〔新法案的〕提案人，发起人，倡议者

someone who officially agrees to help someone else, or to be responsible for what they do

You cannot get a work visa without an American sponsor.

如果没有美国担保人就拿不到工作签证。


sponsor

to give money to a sports event, theatre, institution etc, especially in exchange for the right to advertise

赞助，资助〔体育赛事、演出、团体等〕

The competition was sponsored by British Airways.

此项比赛由英国航空公司赞助。

to support someone by paying for their training, education, living costs etc

资助〔某人接受培训、教育等〕

The bank had offered to sponsor him at university.

这家银行表示愿意资助他上大学。

to officially support a proposal for a new law

to agree to help someone or be responsible for what they do

to agree to give someone money for charity if they walk, run etc a particular distance

为〔某人的慈善募捐活动〕捐款

an event in which many people walk, swim etc a particular distance so that people will give them money for a charity

慈善筹款徒步/游泳等活动

supported and encouraged by the UN, the US etc

由联合国促成的/美国安排的/政府支持的等


sponsorship

financial support for an activity or event

〔对活动或赛事的〕赞助，资助

The expedition is looking for sponsorship from one of the major banks.

探险队正在向一家大银行寻求赞助。

the act of sponsoring someone or something, or of being sponsored


spontaneous

[spontaneously](bold) adv. eg: She laughed spontaneously.

[spontaneity](bold) /ˌspɒntˈniːəti, -ˈneɪəti/ US /ˌspɑːn-/  n. <U>

something that is spontaneous has not been planned or organized, but happens by itself, or because you suddenly feel you want to do it

自发的，自然而生的；一时冲动的

My spontaneous reaction was to run away.

someone who is spontaneous does things without planning them first – used to show approval

天真率直的，率性的〔含褒义〕


spoon

[be born with a silver spoon in your mouth](bold) at → [born](->born) 1 sense 8 → [dessertspoon](->dessertspoon) → [greasy spoon](->greasy spoon) → [soup spoon](->soup spoon) → [wooden spoon](->wooden spoon)

an object that you use for eating, cooking, or serving food. It has a small bowl-shaped part and a long handle


spoon

Spoon the mixture carefully into the bowls.

用匙小心地把混合料舀进碗里。


sport

→ [field sports](->field sports) → [water sports](->water sports) → [winter sports](->winter sports)

a large area of ground, usually covered with grass, where team sports are played

A few kids were playing on the football field.

a large sports field with seats all around it for people to watch team sports or track and field competitions

The atmosphere in the Olympic Stadium was amazing.

a sports field and the seats and buildings around it, belonging to a particular football, rugby, or cricket team

Busch Stadium is one of the newest ballparks in Major League.

an area with lines painted on the ground, for tennis, badminton, basketball, or volleyball

The hotel has four tennis courts and a volleyball court.

the area in a baseball field that is within the shape formed by the four bases. The [diamond](bold) can also be the whole field

The pitcher stands in the middle of the diamond.

There’s a playground, a picnic area, and a baseball diamond.

a circular path with lines on it, for running on

In the relay, each runner runs once around the track.

a room with machines which you can use to do exercises

He jumped into the deep end of the pool.

I’ll meet you outside the swimming pool.

a building where you can play many types of indoor sports

Why not do exercise classes at your local sports centre?

a small sports centre, where you pay to be a member

How much does it cost to join a health club?

My ambition was to play sport at the highest level.

Students are encouraged to take part in a sport of some kind.

She competed in various sports when she was young.

I liked playing team sports such as football and rugby.

You have to be mentally tough to compete in individual sports.

Football is the most popular spectator sport.

(=in which people compete and try to win)

Competitive sport teaches valuable lessons which last for life.

(=one in which players have physical contact with each other)

People get hurt in contact sports, but they also have fun.

More and more people are taking up winter sports.

Many teenagers are attracted to extreme sports such as snowboarding.

The kind of money involved in professional sport makes cheating inevitable.

A lot of schools have their own sports teams.

Is this country able to stage a major sports event?

(=someone who is famous for playing sport)

The event will be opened by a well-known sports personality.

All our holiday camps have wonderful sports facilities.

a new online store selling all kinds of sports equipment

The clinic specializes in treating sports injuries.

In British English, you say: I like watching sport on TV. [ Sport](bold)  is an uncountable noun in this meaning.

In American English, you say: I like watching sports on TV.  [Sports](bold)  is a plural noun in this meaning.

a physical activity in which people compete against each other

My favourite sports are tennis and swimming.

我最喜欢的运动是网球和游泳。

All students are encouraged to take part in a sport.

鼓励所有的学生都要参加一项体育运动。

He picked up the newspaper and turned to the sports pages.

他拿起报纸，翻到体育版。

为什么电视上的体育节目这么多？

上学时我一直讨厌体育运动。

an activity that people do in the countryside, especially hunting or fishing

野外运动〔尤指打猎或钓鱼〕

a demonstration by people opposed to [blood sports](bold)(=sports that involve killing animals)

反对猎杀运动的人士举行的示威

a helpful cheerful person who lets you enjoy yourself

乐于助人者，开朗大度的人

[be a sport](bold)(=used when asking someone to help you)

行行好，把自行车借我用一下。

someone who does not get angry when they lose at a game or sport

输得起的人，输了不生气的人

someone who gets angry very easily when they lose at a game or sport

输不起的人，输后不服气的人

used when speaking to someone, especially a man, in a friendly way

老兄，朋友〔用作友好的称呼，尤用于男子〕

used when speaking to a boy in a friendly way

小伙子，小朋友〔用作对男孩的友好称呼〕

to joke about someone in a way that makes them seem stupid


sport

to be wearing something or have something on your body and show it to people in a proud way

埃里克得意地穿了一件新的驼绒大衣。

the sight of dolphins sporting amidst the waves


sports car

a low fast car, often with a roof that can be folded back or removed


sports centre

([BrE](special)) AmE sports center  [n](bold) <[C](bold)>

a building where people can go to play many different types of indoor sports


spot

→ [beauty spot](->beauty spot) → [blackspot](->blackspot) → [blind spot](->blind spot) [change your spots](bold) at → [change](->change) 1 sense 16 → [G-spot](->G-spot) [high point/spot](bold) at → [high](->high) 1 sense 12 [hit the spot](bold) at → [hit](->hit) 1 sense 28 → [hot spot](->hot spot) [knock spots off](bold) at → [knock](->knock) 1 sense 19 [be rooted to the spot](bold) at → [root](->root) 2 sense 5 [have a soft spot for sb](bold) at → [soft](->soft) sense 16 → [trouble spot](->trouble spot)

a particular place or area, especially a pleasant place where you spend time

〔尤指休闲的〕地点，处所

我选了一个远离马路的地点。

位于恬静宜人之处的一座小村舍

Why do they want to build a house on this particular spot?

他们为什么要在这个地方建一栋房子？

the exact spot where the king was executed

a usually round area on a surface that is a different colour or is rougher, smoother etc than the rest

Two spots of colour appeared in Jill’s cheeks.

吉尔的脸颊上出现了两块色斑。

a small mark on something, especially one that is made by a liquid

〔尤指液体留下的〕污渍，斑痕

a small round red area on someone’s skin that shows that they are ill

He had a high fever and was covered in spots.

a small raised red mark on someone’s skin, especially on their face

〔尤指脸上红色的〕丘疹，粉刺

Becka was very self-conscious about her spots.

if you do something on the spot, you do it immediately, often without thinking about it very carefully

if you are on the spot, you are in the place where something is happening

We ought to find out the views of the people on the spot.

我们应当了解一下在现场的那些人的看法。

if you walk, run, or jump on the spot, you do it staying in the same place, without moving around

If running outside doesn’t appeal, try jogging on the spot indoors.

如果对室外跑步不感兴趣的话，可以试试在室内原地慢跑。

to deliberately ask someone a question that is difficult or embarrassing to answer

〔故意提出难以回答或尴尬的问题〕使某人难堪

a short period of time when someone can speak or perform on radio or television

〔某人在广播或电视中说话或表演的〕节目时段

He was given a 30-second spot just after the news.

新闻之后，他有一段30秒钟的出镜时间。

a [guest spot](bold) on ‘The Tonight Show’

在《今夜秀》中的嘉宾时间

a position in a list of things or in a competition

〔在排序表、比赛中的〕位置，名次

The budget has a regular spot on the agenda.

Manchester United are still in the top spot after today’s win.

今天获胜后，曼联队继续位居榜首。

a point at which someone or something is not very good

I carried on with my questions, sensing a weak spot in his story.

我觉得他的叙述中有个疑点，于是继续提问。

if someone has a weak spot for something, they like it very much

〔对某物的〕特别喜爱，偏爱

I’ve always [had a weak spot for](bold) chocolate.

This [puts](bold) the chairman [in](bold) a very [tight spot](bold).

这让主席陷入了非常难办的境地。

I hope you can help [get](bold) me [out of a tight spot](bold).

我希望你能帮助我脱离困境。

something that is good in a bad situation

亮点，困境中使人高兴的事

The computer industry is the [one bright spot](bold) in the economy at the moment.

眼下，计算机产业是经济的唯一亮点。

The [only bright spot](bold) of the evening was when the food arrived.

那天晚上唯一令人高兴的是食物送到的时候。

I’ve been having [a spot of bother](bold)(=some problems) with my car.

a piece of paper money worth five dollars, ten dollars etc


spot

[past tense and past participle](italic) [spotted](bold) [present participle](italic) [spotting](bold)

to notice someone or something, especially when they are difficult to see or recognize

发现；注意到；看出，认出

→see THESAURUS at [notice](->notice) 1   →see THESAURUS at [see](->see) 1

我发现有辆警车在我们后面。

It can be hard for even a trained doctor to spot the symptoms of lung cancer.

即使是训练有素的医生也很难看出肺癌的症状。

Meg spotted someone coming out of the building.

梅格看到有个人从大楼里出来。

One of the station staff spotted that I was in difficulty, and came to help.

一位车站工作人员看到我有困难，就过来帮忙。

to have small round marks or small pieces of something on the surface

挡风玻璃上点点滴滴全是雨水。

to give the other player in a game an advantage

〔在比赛中给对手〕让〔一定的分数等〕

He spotted me six points and he still won.

他让了我六分，但还是赢了。


spot

for buying or paying immediately, not at some future time

They won’t take credit; they want [spot cash](bold).

他们不给赊账，要求付现。

He quoted us a [spot price](bold) for the goods.

他给我们报了商品的现货价格。


spotlight

a light with a very bright beam which can be directed at someone or something. Spotlights are often used to light a stage when actors or singers are performing

The yard was lit by three huge spotlights.

院子里亮着三盏巨大的聚光灯。

She stepped into the spotlight and began to sing.

她走到聚光灯下，开始演唱起来。

a lot of attention in newspapers, on television etc

Education is once again under the spotlight.

教育问题再一次成了媒体关注的焦点。

A new report has turned the spotlight on the problem of poverty in the inner cities.

一篇新的报道将媒体的关注点引向了内城区的贫困问题。


spotlight

[past tense and past participle](italic) [spotlighted](bold) or [past tense and past participle](italic) [spotlit](bold)

to direct attention to someone or something

使显眼，使突出，使受注意

The article spotlights the problems of the homeless.

文章专门探讨了无家可归者的种种问题。

to shine a strong beam of light on something

将聚光灯射向〔某物〕，聚光照明

她走出来，站到聚光灯下的舞台上。


spouse

[spousal](bold) /ˈspaʊz/  adj. eg: spousal abuse

Spouses were invited to the company picnic.

配偶受到邀请参加公司的野餐会。


sprain

[sprain](bold) n. <C> eg: I thought my wrist might be broken, but it was just a bad sprain.

to damage a joint in your body by suddenly twisting it

→see THESAURUS at [hurt](->hurt) 1   →see THESAURUS at [injury](->injury)

I fell down the steps and [sprained](bold) my [ankle](bold).

我从台阶上摔下来，扭伤了脚踝。


sprawl

also: [sprawl out](bold)  [v](bold) <[I always + adv/prep](bold)>

to lie or sit with your arms or legs stretched out in a lazy or careless way

〔懒洋洋地或漫不经心地〕摊开手脚躺[坐]着

I tripped on a stone and [went sprawling](bold) on the pavement.

我被一块石头绊了一下，四仰八叉地摔在人行道上。

a blow which [sent](bold) him [sprawling](bold)

if buildings sprawl, they spread out over a wide area in an untidy and unattractive way

〔建筑群〕杂乱地延伸[扩展]

这座城市杂乱无章地向外扩展，绵延数英里。


sprawl

a large area of buildings that are spread out in an untidy and unattractive way

〔建筑群〕杂乱扩展的大片地区

We drove through miles of [urban sprawl](bold) before we finally got out into the countryside.

我们开车行驶数英里，穿过向外无序扩展的城区，终于来到了乡间。


spray

to force liquid out of a container so that it comes out in a stream of very small drops and covers an area

Someone had sprayed blue paint over his car.

有人在他的汽车上喷了蓝色油漆。

Vandals had sprayed graffiti on the walls.

破坏公物者在墙上喷涂了乱七八糟的图案和文字。

[spray crops/plants etc](bold)(=cover them with liquid to protect them from insects or disease)

果实每四个星期喷一次药。

if liquids or small bits spray somewhere, they are quickly scattered through the air

〔液体或碎屑〕飞溅，飞散

香槟酒从瓶子里喷洒而出。

to shoot a lot of bullets towards a person or place very quickly

持枪歹徒向人群开枪扫射。


spray

liquid which is forced out of a special container in a stream of very small drops

大多数农民都使用喷雾杀虫剂。

a container which forces liquid out in a stream of small drops

Mary took a perfume spray from her handbag.

玛丽从手提包里拿出一瓶喷雾香水。

water in very small drops that is blown from the sea etc or sent up by vehicles on a wet road

My face was stinging from the salt spray.

liquid that comes quickly from somewhere in very small drops

a small branch or stem with leaves or flowers on it, used for decoration

〔装饰用的〕带叶[花]的小枝

an attractive arrangement of flowers or leaves

a lot of bullets or very small objects moving quickly through the air

一阵雨点般的子弹/石子等


spread

[spread your net wide](bold) at → [net](->net) 1 sense 8

As news of his death spread, his army disintegrated.

He has been spreading the word about ways to beat heart disease.

When Brown’s hotel burned down, Clark spread the rumor that Forsyth was to blame.

It was the sort of story that would spread like wildfire.

Has someone been spreading malicious gossip?

The murders were clearly intended to spread terror.

There is no indication that the violence is likely to spread.

Their musical fame has spread far beyond their native country.

The fire spread rapidly, consuming many of the houses.

The news spread like wildfire through the town.

[past tense and past participle](italic) [spread](bold)

if something spreads or is spread, it becomes larger or moves so that it affects more people or a larger area

Fire quickly spread through the building.

He watched the dark stain spread over the gray carpet.

他看着深色污渍在灰色地毯上漫开。

The disease [spread rapidly](bold) amongst the poor.

疾病在穷人中间迅速传播。

Revolution quickly spread from France to Italy.

革命迅速从法国蔓延到意大利。

to become known about or used by more and more people

发生爆炸的消息迅速传播开来。

The news [spread like wildfire](bold)(=very quickly).

[Word spread ](bold)quickly that she was leaving.

她要离开的消息迅速传开。

Andy loves spreading rumours about his colleagues.

安迪很喜欢散播关于同事的谣言。

They are [spreading the word](bold) about the benefits of immunization.

他们在宣传注射疫苗的好处。

to open something out or arrange a group of things so that they cover a flat surface

Papers and photos were spread across the floor.

地板上摊满了报纸和照片。

(also: [be spread](bold) [spread out](bold) )

the forest that spread over the whole of that region

将那一地区全部覆盖的森林

The company has more than 2,500 shops spread throughout the UK.

这家公司有超过2,500家商店分布在英国各地。

to put a soft substance over a surface, or to be soft enough to be put over a surface

在烤面包片上抹一层薄薄的果酱。

If you warm up the butter, it’ll spread more easily.

如果把黄油加热，抹起来就更容易。

[Spread](bold) the nut mixture [evenly](bold) over the bottom.

把果仁混合料均匀地抹在底部。

if you spread your arms, fingers, or legs, you move them far apart

张开，伸开〔手臂、手指或腿〕

to do something over a period of time, rather than at one time

将 …分散〔于一段时间内〕

Could I spread the repayments over a longer period?

我可以把贷款在更长的时间里分期还清吗？

There will be 12 concerts spread throughout the summer.

to share or divide something among several people or things

The bills are sent out on different dates to spread the workload on council staff.

议案于不同的日期分发，以便分散市政会工作人员的工作量。

They want the country’s wealth to be more [evenly spread](bold).

他们希望国家财富分配更加平均。

if an expression spreads over someone’s face, it slowly appears on their face

to start to have an independent life and experience new things

A year spent studying abroad should allow him to spread his wings a bit.

在国外留学一年可以让他独立一些。

if a bird or insect spreads its wings, it stretches them wide

if money, effort etc is spread thin, it is being used for many things so there is not enough for each thing

〔钱、精力等〕用得过于分散（而不够分配）

They complained that resources were spread too thinly.

他们抱怨资源使用过于分散。

to try to do too many things at the same time so that you do not do any of them effectively

to scatter seeds,manure etc on the ground


spread

[middle-aged spread](bold) at → [middle-aged](->middle-aged) sense 3

when something affects or is known about by more people or involves a larger area

an attempt to stop the spread of nuclear weapons

the [rapid spread](bold) of cholera in Latin America

霍乱在拉丁美洲的迅速传播

a soft substance made from vegetable oil that is used like butter

〔植物油制成的〕人造黄油

one slice of toast with a low-fat spread

一片抹有低脂人造黄油的烤面包

We have a good spread of ages in the department.

我们部门人员的年龄分布很合理。

the total area in which something exists

the [geographical spread](bold) of the company’s hotels

这家公司下属酒店的地理分布

a special article or advertisement in a newspaper or magazine, which covers two pages or covers the centre pages

〔报刊中〕横跨两版的/中间折页的文章[广告]

There’s a double-page spread in Sunday’s paper.

星期天的报纸上有一篇横跨两版的文章。

a large meal for several guests on a special occasion

〔特殊场合招待数位客人的〕丰盛的饭菜

汤姆的母亲摆上一桌丰盛的饭菜。

the area covered when the fingers of a hand, or a bird’s wings, are fully stretched

〔手指伸直时〕手的全长；〔鸟的〕翼展

the difference between the prices at which something is bought and sold, or the interest rates for lending and borrowing money

〔买卖价格或借贷利率的〕差额，差幅

the spread between the city banks’ loan rates and deposit rates

城市银行贷款利率和存款利率之间的差额

the number of points between the scores of two opposing teams

〔两支对抗的运动队的〕比分差距


spreadsheet

a computer program that can show and calculate financial information

电子表格程序〔一种能显示和计算财务数据的计算机程序〕

a document that contains rows and columns of numbers that can be used to calculate something


spring

You use [in spring](bold)  or [in the spring ](bold) when saying that something happens at this time: In spring the days get longer. She’s coming to visit us in the spring.

You say [last spring](bold) : They moved here last spring.
Don’t say: [They moved here in last spring.](strike)

You say [this spring](bold) : The flowers are beautiful this spring.
Don’t say: [The flowers are beautiful in this spring.](strike)

You say [next spring](bold) : They’re getting married next spring.
Don’t say: [They’re getting married in next spring.](strike)

You say [ that spring](bold) : It rained a lot that spring.
Don’t say: [It rained a lot in that spring.](strike)

the season between winter and summer when leaves and flowers appear

It was a cold, sunny day in early spring.

那是早春一个晴朗而寒冷的日子。

something, usually a twisted piece of metal, that will return to its previous shape after it has been pressed down

the ability of a chair, bed etc to return to its normal shape after being pressed down

〔椅子、床等的〕弹性，弹力

a place where water comes up naturally from the ground

There are several [hot springs](bold) in the area.

if you walk with a spring in your step, you move quickly and happily

As he walked into the office that morning, there was a spring in his step.

那天早上他迈着轻快的脚步走进办公室。

happy and full of energy – used humorously

a sudden quick movement or jump in a particular direction


spring

spring for
spring from
spring on
spring up

[past tense](italic) [sprang](bold) /spræŋ/ or [past tense](italic) [sprung](bold) /sprʌŋ/ ([AmE](bold)) [past participle](italic) [sprung](bold)

to move suddenly and quickly in a particular direction, especially by jumping

Tom sprung out of bed and ran downstairs.

Two men sprang out at me as I was walking through the park.

我在公园里走着，两名男子突然朝我扑来。

He [sprang to his feet](bold)(=stood up suddenly) and rushed after her.

他腾地站起身，冲过去追她。

[spring to sb’s aid/assistance](bold)(=move quickly to help someone)

One of the young policemen sprang to her assistance.

有个年轻的警察赶紧过去帮她。

[Spring](bold)  is used mostly in literature. In everyday English, people usually say [jump](bold) :

if something springs back, open etc, it moves quickly, suddenly, and with force, especially after being pushed down or sideways

The branch sprang back and hit him in the face.

树枝弹回来，打在他的脸上。

大门在他们身后弹回关上了。

if someone or something springs to mind, you immediately think of them

to suddenly become active, start moving, or start working

突然活跃[行动，工作]起来

They were prepared and ready to spring into action.

他们已经做好准备随时开始行动。

Roy is unlikely to spring any surprises.

罗伊不大可能有什么惊人之举。

A lot of small businesses sprang into existence during the 1980s.

20世纪80年代冒出了许多小公司。

if an animal springs a trap, it is caught by the trap

〔动物〕触发捕捉器〔而被捉〕

to make someone say or do something by tricking them

设圈套诱使某人说[干]出某事

if a boat or a container springs a leak, it begins to let liquid in or out through a crack or hole

〔船或容器〕出现裂缝〔开始漏水〕

to quickly defend someone who is being criticized

Charlene sprang immediately to her son’s defence.

查伦马上站出来为儿子辩护。

if soldiers spring to attention, they stand suddenly upright


sprinkle

to scatter small drops of liquid or small pieces of something

我在我的拿铁咖啡上撒了点可可粉。

The book is [liberally sprinkled](bold) with clichés.

书中使用了大量陈腐的套话。

if it is sprinkling, it is raining lightly


sprinkle

a small amount of something, especially scattered on top of something

少量，一点〔尤指撒在某地方的某物〕


spy

someone who works for a government or police department in order to get secret information about another country or organization

He is the FBI’s best undercover agentone who works secretly and pretends to be someone else.

someone who finds out an enemy country’s secrets for their own country but who also gives secrets to the enemy

a former CIA double agent who also worked for the KGB

someone who works for an organization while secretly giving information to its enemies

A mole in the government was leaking information to the press.

someone who secretly tells the police about criminal activities, especially for money

Acting on information from an informer, the police raided the house.

He is serving a 20-year prison sentence for espionage.

He died while working as a government spy.

be arrested/imprisoned/shot etc as a spy

Anyone caught working with the Resistance was shot as a spy.

He was arrested on suspicion of being an American spy.

The activities of foreign spies have increased.

John le Carré is famous for writing spy stories.

one of the most exciting spy movies of all time

He was well informed through his network of spies.

The Americans have denied using spy satellites to spy on China.

The photographs were taken by spy planes.

John le Carré’s fictional spy master George Smiley

someone whose job is to find out secret information about another country, organization, or group

She worked as a spy for the American government.

[spy ring/network](bold)(=an organized group of spies)


spy

the action of secretly collecting information about a person, country, or organization

Several embassy officials had been arrested for spying.

spying. [Espionage](bold) is more formal than [spying](bold)

The company carried out a campaign of industrial espionage against its main rival.

Double agents are quite commonplace in the world of espionage.

activity in which the police, army, etc watch a person or place carefully because they may be connected with criminal activities

The police have had him under surveillance have been watching himfor months.

secret military activities against an enemy

These planes are used by British Intelligence for covert operations.

[past tense and past participle](italic) [spied](bold) [present participle](italic) [spying](bold) [third person singular](italic) [spies](bold)

to secretly collect information about an enemy country or an organization you are competing against

从事间谍活动；秘密收集情报

He was charged with spying on British military bases.

他被指控刺探英国军事基地情报。

to suddenly see someone or something, especially after searching for them

〔尤指经过寻找〕突然看见，突然发现

Ellen suddenly spied her friend in the crowd.

埃伦突然在人群中找到了她的朋友。


squad

→ [death squad](->death squad) → [firing squad](->firing squad) → [flying squad](->flying squad)

a group of players from which a team will be chosen for a particular sports event

〔为参加某体育比赛而组成的〕运动队，球队

the police department responsible for dealing with a particular kind of crime

A controlled explosion was carried out by bomb squad officers.

防爆小队队员实施了一次受控爆破。

a small group of soldiers working together as a unit


square

[win (sth)/beat sb fair and square](bold) at → [fair](->fair) 3 sense 1

having four straight equal sides and 90° angles at the corners

forming a 90° angle, or being close to or similar to a 90° angle

an area of measurement equal to a square with sides a metre long, a mile long etc

having the shape of a square with sides that are five feet, two metres etc long

I don’t think the shelf is square with the floor.

我觉得这块搁板与地面不平行。

Children should have three square meals a day.

if someone’s body or a part of their body is square, it looks broad and strong

to have the same number of points as your opponent in a competition

The teams were all square at the end of the first half.

上半场结束时两队打成平局。

if two people are square, they do not owe each other any money

Here’s your £10 back, so that [makes](bold) us [square](bold).

还你10英镑，这样我们谁也不欠谁了。

honest and fair treatment from someone, especially in business

I’m not [getting](bold) a [square deal](bold) here.

我在这里没有得到公平对待。

someone who is square is boring and old-fashioned

someone who is in a job or situation that is not suitable for them

不适宜做某工作的人；与周围环境格格不入的人


square

a shape with four straight equal sides with 90° angles at the corners

a large open area in the centre of a town or city, usually in the shape of a square, or the buildings surrounding it

The hotel is just off the main square of Sorrento.

酒店就在索伦托的主广场附近。

the situation from which you started to do something

The police are now back at square one in their investigation.

警方的调查工作现在又回到了起点。

[go back to square one](bold)(=used when you start something again because you were not successful the first time)

Okay, let’s go back to square one and try again.

好吧，我们从头开始，再试一次。

I’ve had to relearn the game from square one.

我只好从头开始，重学这个游戏。

the result of multiplying a number by itself

a space on a board used for playing a game such as chess

someone who is considered boring and unfashionable

a flat object with a straight edge, often shaped like an L, used for drawing or measuring 90° angles


square

square away
square off
square up
square with

使〔某数〕自乘一次；使〔某数〕成平方

to win a point or game so that you have now won the same number of points or games as the other team or player

把〔比分〕拉平，使〔比赛〕打成平局

India won the second match to square the series at one each.

印度队赢了第二场，把系列赛比分扳为一平。

to stand straight and push your shoulders back, usually to show your determination

挺直肩膀，挺起胸膛〔通常以显示决心〕

尝试做不可能的事，化圆为方


square

[Look](bold) him [square in the eye](bold) and say no.

要直视着他的眼睛说“不”。

赖特把球径直传给了布朗。


squash

to press something into a flatter shape, often breaking or damaging it

The cake [got](bold) a bit [squashed](bold) on the way here.

蛋糕在送来这里的路上有点压坏了。

Her hair had been squashed down by her hat.

她的头发被帽子压得平平的。

挪过去点——你挤着我了。

to push yourself or something else into a space that is too small

We can probably squash another couple of things in.

我们也许还可以塞几件东西进去。

to use your power or authority to stop something

[squash rumours/hopes/reports etc](bold)(=say that a rumour etc is not true)

The government was quick to squash any hopes of reform.

She felt anger rising but quickly squashed it.

她感到怒气往上冲，但很快就把它抑制住了。


squash

a game played by two people who use rackets to hit a small rubber ball against the walls of a square court

used to say that there is not enough space for everyone to fit in comfortably

one of a group of large vegetables with solid flesh and hard skins, such as pumpkins

a drink made from fruit juice, sugar, and water


squat

[past tense and past participle](italic) [squatted](bold) [present participle](italic) [squatting](bold)

to sit with your knees bent under you and your bottom just off the ground, balancing on your feet

He squatted down beside the little girl.

他在小女孩身边蹲了下来。

to live in a building or on a piece of land without permission and without paying rent


squat

short and thick or low and wide, especially in a way which is not attractive


squat

a house that people are living in without permission and without paying rent

她在卡姆登私占了一间房子住着。

nothing, or nearly nothing. Squat is often used in negative sentences for emphasis

没有，几乎没有〔常用于否定句中以示强调〕

他有一份几乎不赚什么钱的工作。


squeak

to make a short high noise or cry that is not loud

发出吱吱声[短促的尖叫声]

一只老鼠吱吱叫着跑进了灌木丛。

to say something in a very high voice, especially because you are nervous or excited

〔尤因紧张或激动〕尖叫，尖声说（话）

to succeed, win, or pass a test by a very small amount so that you only just avoid failure

侥幸成功；险胜；勉强通过〔测试〕

She just squeaked through her math test.

她数学测验只是勉强及格。


squeak

if there is not a squeak from someone, they do not say anything or communicate at all

We didn’t hear a squeak from him in months.

我们几个月都没有他的任何消息。


squeal

发出长而尖锐的声音[叫声]；用长而尖的声音说

他们开车走了，轮胎发出吱的一声。

“让我走！”她尖声叫道。

to tell the police or someone in authority about someone you know who has done something wrong


squeeze

to press something firmly together with your fingers or hand

他捏了捏她的手，她笑了。

He squeezed the trigger, but nothing happened.

他扣动扳机，但没有反应。

to get liquid from something by pressing it

压出，挤出，榨出〔液体〕

Squeeze a bit of lemon juice onto the fish.

to try to make something fit into a space that is too small, or to try to get into such a space

He had squeezed through a gap in the fence.

他从围栏的一个缺口挤了过去。

We could probably squeeze in a few more people.

我们也许还可以再挤进去几个人。

侥幸成功；险胜；勉强通过〔测试〕

Greece just squeezed through into the next round.

希腊队勉强进入了下一轮比赛。

to strictly limit the amount of money that is available to a company or organization

严格限制〔公司或组织的资金〕；压缩

The government is squeezing the railways’ investment budget.

政府在压缩铁路投资预算。


squeeze

a situation in which there is only just enough room for things or people to fit somewhere

It’ll be a squeeze with six people in the car.

这辆汽车坐六个人会很挤。

an act of pressing something firmly with your fingers or hand

Marty [gave](bold) her hand a little [squeeze](bold).

马蒂轻轻地捏了一下她的手。

a small amount of juice obtained by squeezing a piece of fruit

挤出的少量柠檬汁/来檬汁等

a situation in which wages, prices, borrowing money etc are strictly controlled or reduced

cuts due to the squeeze on public sector spending

由公共部门开支紧缩引起的削减

All manufacturers are [feeling the squeeze](bold)(=noticing the effects of a difficult financial situation).

所有的生产商都感到资金紧张。

to try to persuade someone to do something


squirrel

a small animal with a long furry tail that climbs trees and eats nuts


squirrel

[past tense and past participle](italic) [squirrelled](bold) [present participle](italic) [squirrelling](bold) ([BrE](bold)) [past tense and past participle](italic) [squirreled](bold) [present participle](italic) [squirreling](bold) ([AmE](bold))


stab

[past tense and past participle](italic) [stabbed](bold) [present participle](italic) [stabbing](bold)

to push a knife into someone or something

He was [stabbed to death](bold) in a fight.

他在一次打斗中被捅死了。

She had been stabbed in the chest repeatedly.

to make quick pushing movements with your finger or something pointed

He raised his voice and stabbed the air with his pen.

他提高嗓门，并用钢笔在空中比画。

to do something that harms someone who likes and trusts you


stab

an act of stabbing or trying to stab someone with a knife

a sudden sharp feeling of pain or a strong emotion

an attempt to do something, often not successfully

[have/make/take a stab at (doing) sth](bold)

when someone you thought was a friend tries to harm you


stability

the condition of being steady and not changing

It could threaten the peace and stability of the region.

这可能威胁到该地区的和平与稳定。

the ability of a substance to stay in the same state


stabilize

[stabilization](bold) /ˌsteɪbəlaɪˈzeɪʃ/ US /-lə-/  n. <U>

BrE also: stabilise  [v](bold) <[I,T](bold)>

to become firm, steady, or unchanging, or to make something firm or steady

The patient’s condition has now stabilized.

病人的情况现已稳定下来了。


stable

A wide base will make the structure much more stable.

宽大的底座会使结构牢固许多。

[in a stable condition](bold) BrE, [in stable condition](bold) AmE

He is said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

据说他在医院里病情稳定。

He was clearly not a very stable person.

显然他不是一个非常稳重的人。

a stable substance tends to stay in the same chemical or atomic state


stable

a place where horses are kept and that often gives riding lessons

马场〔养马并常常教授骑术的地方〕

a group of racing horses that has one owner or trainer

〔一位马主或驯马师所拥有的〕一群赛马

a group of people working for the same company or with the same trainer

〔在同一家公司工作或受同一教练训练的〕一批人

同一家好莱坞公司旗下的演员

shut/close the stable door after the horse has bolted

to try to prevent something when it is too late and harm has already been done


stack

[blow your top/stack](bold) at → [blow](->blow) 1 sense 16

〔叠放整齐的〕一叠，一堆，一摞

the rows of shelves in a library where the books are kept


stack

to make things into a neat pile, or to form a neat pile

The assistants price the items and stack them on the shelves.

售货员给商品标价，然后把它们叠放到货架上。

to put neat piles of things on something

在 …上整齐地堆放〔某物〕

地板上码放着一摞摞箱子。

used to say that someone is unlikely to be successful


stadium

[plural](italic) stadiums or [plural](italic) stadia /-diə/

a building for public events, especially sports and large rock music concerts, consisting of a playing field surrounded by rows of seats


staff

→ [general staff](->general staff) → [ground staff](->ground staff)

The school has over 100 full-time staff.

Much of the work is done by temporary staff.

I have taken on board the comments of my senior staff.

We would like to thank all the medical staff at Broadgreen Hospital.

He had responsibility for training library staff.

Recruitment of trained staff was a continuing problem.

At least one staff member should always be present.

On Wednesdays there’s our weekly staff meeting.

The company has made a massive investment in staff training.

I usually have a coffee in the staff room before school starts.

(=how happy and confident the staff somewhere feel)

Staff morale has been badly affected by the reorganisation.

Kelly Jones has joined the staff as a medical secretary.

The entire staff has done an outstanding job this year.

今年全体员工工作都非常出色。

他们一共雇用150名员工。

one of our longest-serving [staff members](bold)

我们中工龄最长的员工之一

I’d like to welcome a new member of staff.

我想要欢迎一名新的员工加入。

We were both on the staff of the British Film Institute at the time.

那时候，我们两个都是英国电影协会的员工。

Joan is the only lawyer we have on staff.

琼是我们雇员中唯一的律师。

[staff room](bold) BrE(=a room for teachers in a school)

In British English, [staff](bold)  is usually followed by a plural verb: The staff [are](bold) against the idea .

In American English, [staff](bold)  is usually followed by a singular verb: The museum’s staff [is](bold) composed of volunteers.

You say a [staff member ](bold) (or a [member of staff](bold)  in British English) or an [employee](bold) , when talking about one person on the staff.
Don’t use [a staff](strike)  to refer to one person.

When talking about different groups of people, the plural form [staffs](bold)  is sometimes used, but it is much less common than [staff](bold) : head teachers and their staffs

a long thick stick that an official holds in some ceremonies

the set of five lines that music is written on


staff

[staffing](bold) n. <U> eg: staffing levels

to be or provide the workers for an organization

在 …工作；为 …配备职员

The centre is staffed mainly by volunteers.

在该中心工作的主要是志愿者。


stage

one of several parts of a long process, which happen one after another

At this stage of the election campaign, it is impossible to predict who will win.

She is still in the early stages of pregnancy.

Piaget famously divided childhood into four separate stages.

one of the parts of a process that you have to do or deal with in order to go on to the next one

The first step is to make a list of what you need.

one of the clearly separate stages of a process or activity, during which a type of activity takes place that is different from those in other phases

They were now entering the final phase of their journey.

one of the parts that an event or activity is divided into, especially talks or a sports competition

The next round of the trade talks will be held in Geneva.

a specific time or moment during the course of something

What do you really want at this point in your life?

By this point they were starting to feel more confident.

Sometimes there are problems in the early stages of a project.

She was well cared for during the final stages of her life.

He was in the lead at the halfway stage.

It marked the beginning of a new stage in my life.

(=very important because it affects the future success of something)

The football season is reaching a crucial stage.

(=when someone or something is developing)

This plan is still in its formative stages.

He was 13 and going through that awkward stage.

We have reached the stage where no-one is safe to walk our streets at night.

He is entering a new stage of his career.

Most young people go through a rebellious stage.

The election marks an important stage in the rebuilding of the country.

We then took the experiment a stage further.

We have several ideas in various stages of development.

At one stage I had to tell him to calm down.

Four out of ten people are likely to contract cancer at some stage in their lives.

At this stage his wife did not realise he was missing.

I can’t change my plans at this late stage.

These points will be dealt with at a later stage.

He was on stage for most of the first act.

Recently she has appeared on stage in 'Private Lives'.

The audience broke into applause as soon as he walked on stage.

The Charlatans took the stage in LA yesterday.

Everyone except the main character gradually leaves the stage.

I came off stage last night and just collapsed in a heap.

(=leave the stage, especially before you should)

The pianist walked off the stage after playing only a few notes.

a particular time or state that something reaches as it grows or develops

the early stages of a child’s development

It’s a good move at this stage in his career.

在他事业的这个阶段，这是很好的一步。

We’re getting to the stage where we hardly ever go out together.

我们快要到几乎不一起外出的地步了。

one of the parts which something such as a competition or process is divided into

〔比赛、过程等的〕阶段，段

The team reached the semi-final stage of the competition.

We’re now reaching the end of stage three of the construction.

我们现在到了施工第三阶段的收尾期。

The [next stage](bold) is to complete an application form.

The rest of the money will be paid in stages (=a small amount at a time).

the raised area in a theatre which actors or singers stand on when they perform

这出戏她大部分时间都在台上。

She [appeared on stage](bold) with George Michael.

她和乔治•迈克尔同台演出过。

acting as a profession, especially in theatres

I wanted to [go on the stage](bold)(=become an actor).

stars of [stage and screen](bold)(=theatre and cinema)

if someone or something is centre stage, it has everyone’s attention, or is very important

Anne’s sculpture [took centre stage](bold) at the show.

安妮的雕塑作品成为展会上大家关注的焦点。

The UN has [moved to](bold) the [centre stage](bold) of world politics.

联合国已经成为国际政治的核心。

a place or area of activity where something important happens

〔重大事件发生的〕地点，场所；〔活动的〕舞台

[on the world/international/political etc stage](bold)

He’s an experienced campaigner on the world stage.

他是国际舞台上一位经验丰富的活动家。

important figures on the European political stage

欧洲政治舞台上的重要人物

Geneva has been the stage for many such conferences.

日内瓦已成为众多此类会议的举办地点。

to prepare for something or make something possible

为某事做准备；使某事成为可能

Will this agreement merely set the stage for another war?

这个协议是否只会酿成另一场战争？


stage

[stage a strike/demonstration/sit-in etc](bold)

Activists staged a protest outside the parliament.

活动人士在议会外组织了一场抗议活动。

The candidates’ public appearances were [carefully staged](bold)(=not natural).

候选人的公开露面都是经过精心安排的。

to start doing something again or being successful, after you had stopped or not been successful for some time


stagger

to walk or move unsteadily, almost falling over

他好不容易才蹒跚着走回家。

The old man staggered drunkenly to his feet.

老汉醉醺醺地踉跄着站了起来。

to make someone feel very surprised or shocked

What staggered us was the sheer size of her salary.

令我们感到惊愕的是她的薪水之高。

to continue doing something when you seem to be going to fail and you do not know what will happen

〔在前景不明朗的情况下〕硬撑，维持

The company staggered from one crisis to the next.

这家公司在一次又一次的危机中举步维艰。

to arrange people’s working hours, holidays etc so that they do not all begin and end at the same time

错开〔工作时间、假期等〕

Jim and his wife stagger their work hours so one of them can be at home with the kids.

吉姆和妻子把工作时间错开，以便两个人中总有一个可以在家照料孩子。

to start a race with each runner at a different place on a curved track

使采用梯形起跑〔指环形跑道上运动员在不同的位置起跑〕


stagger

an unsteady movement of someone who is having difficulty in walking


stain

to accidentally make a mark on something, especially one that cannot be removed, or to be marked in this way

〔意外地〕（被）染污，（被）弄污

Her fingers were stained yellow from years of smoking.

她的手指因长年吸烟被熏黄了。

a cowboy hat stained with dust and sweat

to change the colour of something, especially something made of wood, by using a special liquid

给〔某物，尤指木制品〕染色[着色]

We’ve decided to stain the shelves blue.

我们决定把架子涂成蓝色。

to damage the good opinion that people have about someone


stain

How can I get coffee stains out of a cotton tablecloth?

There was a brown stain on the bedroom ceiling.

Lighter fuel can be used to remove more stubborn stains.

He was trying to remove a stain from his jacket.

Fruit juice stains can be hard to shift.

She didn’t want to get a stain on her new dress.

She wiped the soup off her blouse, but it left a stain.

A dark stain spread over the grey carpet.

Here are a few quick tips for stain removal.

a mark that is difficult to remove, especially one made by a liquid such as blood, coffee, or ink

〔尤指液体形成的〕污迹，污点

There was a dark red stain on the carpet.

地毯上有一处深红色的污迹。

White vinegar is great for removing stains.

How do you get wine stains out of a tablecloth?

如何去除桌布上的葡萄酒渍？

[stubborn stains](bold)(=ones that are very difficult to remove)

a special liquid that you use to change the colour of something, especially wood

〔尤指木料的〕着色剂，染色剂

stain on sb’s character/name/reputation etc

something that damages the good opinion that people have about someone

某人性格/名声/名誉等方面的污点


stair

a set of steps built for going from one level of a building to another

I left my briefcase at the top of the stairs.

我把公文包遗忘在楼梯顶端了。

‘Lisa,’ he cried from the foot of the stairs.

“莉萨。”他在楼梯下面喊道。

We walked up four [flights of stairs](bold)(=sets of stairs).

露西在楼梯最下面的一级上坐了下来。

in the servants’ part of a large house, in the past


staircase

a set of stairs inside a building with its supports and the side parts that you hold on to


stake

if something that you value very much is at stake, you will lose it if a plan or action is not successful

They have to win the contract – thousands of jobs are at stake.

他们必须拿下这份合同，这关系到数千个工作岗位。

National pride is at stake in next week’s game against England.

下星期对阵英格兰队的比赛关乎民族尊严。

if you have a stake in a business, you have invested money in it

他在这家公司拥有51%的股份。

if you have a stake in something, you will get advantages if it is successful, and you feel that you have an important connection with it

Young people don’t feel they have a stake in the country’s future.

年轻人觉得自己与国家的未来没有关系。

money that you risk as the result of a horse race, card game etc

〔赛马、牌局等的〕赌注，赌金

For a dollar stake, you can win up to $1,000,000.

押一美元赌注，最多可赢一百万美元。

We’re [playing for high stakes](bold) here.

if the stakes are high when you are trying to do something, you risk losing a lot or it will be dangerous if you fail

Climbing is a dangerous sport and [the stakes are high](bold).

爬山是一项危险的运动，风险很大。

if the stakes are high when you are doing something such as playing a card game, you risk losing a lot of money

a pointed piece of wood, metal etc, especially one that is pushed into the ground to support something or mark a particular place

[Drive](bold) two [stakes into the ground](bold) about three feet apart.

往地下打两根桩，相隔大约三英尺的距离。

a post to which a person was tied in former times before being killed by burning

Suspected witches were [burnt at the stake](bold).

被怀疑是女巫的人被烧死在火刑柱上。

used when saying how popular, fashionable etc someone or something is

Ben wouldn’t score very highly in the popularity stakes.

(be prepared to) go to the stake for/over sth

to be willing to do anything to protect or defend an idea or belief

（准备）为保护[捍卫]某事物冒一切风险

That’s my opinion, but I wouldn’t go to the stake for it.

那是我的观点，但我也不会非要坚持。

We’re going to pull up stakes and move to Montana.

我们打算把家搬到蒙大拿州去。


stake

to risk losing something that is valuable or important to you on the result of something

Kevin is staking his reputation on the success of the project.

凯文把自己的名誉都押在这个项目上，赌它一定会成功。

Jim staked his whole fortune on one card game.

吉姆把自己的全部财产都押在一次牌局中。

used when saying that you are completely sure that something is true, or that something will happen

I’m sure that’s Jesse – I’d stake my life on it.

我肯定那人就是杰西——我敢以性命打赌。

to mark or enclose an area of ground with stakes

用标桩标出[围起]〔某一地区〕

A corner of the field has been staked off.

这块地的一角用标桩围了起来。

to say publicly that you think you have a right to have or own something

公开声明（对 …）拥有所有权

Both countries staked a claim to the islands.

两国都宣称对这些岛屿拥有主权。


stale

bread or cake that is stale is no longer fresh or good to eat

〔面包或蛋糕〕不新鲜的，变味的

French bread [goes stale](bold)(=becomes stale) very quickly.

air that is stale is not fresh or pleasant

〔空气〕不新鲜的，污浊的

不再有趣的，没有新意的，乏味的

Other marriages might [go stale](bold), but not theirs.

别人的婚姻也许会变得平淡无味，但他们的婚姻不会。

if you get stale, you have no new ideas, interest, or energy, because you have been doing the same thing for too long

〔因长期从事同一工作而〕疲沓的，厌倦的，腻烦的

If you stay in the job for more than ten years, you [get stale](bold).

如果你做同一份工作超过十年，就会感到腻烦。

He was becoming stale and running out of ideas.

他逐渐变得疲沓，没什么创意了。


stall

a table or a small shop with an open front, especially outdoors, where goods are sold

〔尤指户外的〕货摊，摊位

an enclosed area in a building for an animal such as a horse or cow

if a plane goes into a stall, its engine stops working

a seat in a row of fixed seats for priests and singers in some larger churches

〔一些大教堂中的〕牧师和唱诗班座位

a small enclosed private area for washing or using the toilet

the seats on the main level of a theatre or cinema

a good seat in the front row of the stalls


stall

if an engine or vehicle stalls, or if you stall it, it stops because there is not enough power or speed to keep it going

（使）〔引擎或交通工具〕失速

An inexperienced pilot may easily stall a plane.

经验不足的飞行员动辄就会让飞机失速。

to deliberately delay because you are not ready to do something, answer questions etc

[Quit stalling](bold) and answer my question!

别拖延时间，快回答我的问题！

to make someone wait or stop something from happening until you are ready

Maybe we can stall the sale until the prices go up.

也许我们可以拖到价格上涨时再出售。

While his career has stalled, hers has taken off.

在他的事业停滞不前之际，她的事业却腾飞了。


stamina

physical or mental strength that lets you continue doing something for a long time without getting tired

You need stamina to be a long-distance runner.

Elaine has the stamina and the determination to succeed.

伊莱恩具有成功所需的毅力和决心。


stamp

a small piece of paper that you buy and stick onto an envelope or package before posting it

a tool for pressing or printing a mark or pattern onto a surface, or the mark made by this tool

if something has the stamp of a particular quality, it clearly has that quality

具有某事物的特点[特征]

The speech [bore](bold)(=had)[the stamp of](bold) authority.

a small piece of paper that is worth a particular amount of money and is bought and collected for something over a period of time

a piece of paper for sticking to some official papers to show that British tax has been paid

印花税票〔在英国贴在正式文件上证明完税的票据〕

someone with a particular kind of character

他显然属于完全不同的一类人。

an act of stamping, especially with your foot


stamp

to put your foot down onto the ground loudly and with a lot of force

观众又是跺脚又是高声叫喊。

‘I will not!’ Bert yelled and [stamped](bold) his [foot](bold)(=because he was angry).

“我才不呢！”伯特跺着脚叫喊道。

She stood at the bus stop [stamping](bold) her [feet](bold)(=because she was cold).

她站在公交站台，不停地跺着脚。

stamp on sb/sth (=try to hurt or kill someone or something, by putting your foot down onto them)

Marta shrieked and started stamping on the cockroach.

玛尔塔尖叫起来，并开始去踩那只蟑螂。

to walk somewhere in a noisy way by putting your feet down hard onto the ground because you are angry

〔因生气〕跺着脚走路，噔噔地走

to put a pattern, sign, or letters on something, using a special tool

在 …上面印盖〔图案、记号、字母等〕

The woman at the desk stamped my passport.

办公桌旁的那位女士在我的护照上盖了印。

Among the papers was a brown folder stamped ‘SECRET’.

那些文件中有一个盖有“机密”字样的棕色文件夹。

在所有的信件上加盖日期戳。

to have an important or permanent effect on someone or something

对 …有重要[永久性]的影响

The experience remained [stamped on](bold) her [memory](bold) for many years.

这一经历多年来一直深深地印在她的记忆中。

His army years had stamped him with an air of brisk authority.

军旅生涯使他养成了一种雷厉风行的作风。

to stick a stamp onto a letter,parcel etc

在〔信封、包裹等〕上贴邮票


stance

〔公开表明的〕观点，立场，看法

What is your stance on environmental issues?

你在环境问题上持什么立场？

a [strong stance](bold) against abortion

The president has adopted a [tough stance](bold) on terrorism.

总统对恐怖主义采取强硬的立场。

a position in which you stand, especially when playing a sport

〔尤指体育运动中的〕站姿


stand

stand against
stand around
stand by
stand down
stand for
stand in
stand out
stand out against
stand over
stand to
stand up
stand up for
stand up to

[make sb’s hair stand on end](bold) at → [hair](->hair) sense 8 [leave sb/sth standing](bold) at → [leave](->leave) 1 sense 15 [not have a leg to stand on](bold) at → [leg](->leg) 1 sense 7 [stand/serve/hold sb in good stead](bold) at → [stead](->stead) sense 2 [stand your ground](bold) at → [ground](->ground) 1 sense 7

to be on your feet in an upright position

There were no seats, so we had to stand.

When we entered, Stephen was standing by his desk.

to be standing, especially for a long time

If you have young kids, you’re on your feet all day.

I’d been on my feet since 7 o'clock and I needed to sit down.

The crowd were all on their feet clapping and calling for more.

to stand after you have been sitting or lying down

Mum fell in her flat and was unable to get up.

to stand after you have been sitting, or to be in a standing position

I stood up when she came in and shook her hand.

It’s generally better to do this exercise standing up.

to stand up, especially slowly or when it is difficult for you

My attorney got slowly to his feet, breathing heavily.

to stand after you have been sitting, especially at a formal event

As the bride entered the cathedral, the congregation rose.

Audience members rose to their feet, cheering and clapping.

[past tense and past participle](italic) [stood](bold) /stʊd/

to support yourself on your feet or be in an upright position

It looks like we’ll have to stand – there are no seats left.

看来我们只能站着——没有座位了。

[Stand still](bold)(=do not move) and listen to me.

Don’t just [stand there](bold)(=stand and not do anything) – help me!

不要光站在那里，帮帮我！

[stand on tiptoe/stand on your toes](bold)(=support yourself on your toes)

If he stood on tiptoe, he could reach the shelf.

他要是踮起脚尖，就能够到架子了。

Smiling, she stood and closed the blinds.

她微笑着站起来，关上百叶窗。

[stand clear of sth](bold) BrE(=step away from something in order to be safe)

〔无意中〕踩到[踏上]某物

to be upright in a particular position, or to put something or someone somewhere in an upright position

Some remains of the original house still stand.

原先那所房子的残垣断壁依然还在。

Can you stand that pole in the corner for now?

你能暂时把那根柱子竖在角落里吗？

I closed the lid and stood the case against the wall.

我关上盖子，把盒子靠墙立好。

Stand Molly up on a chair so she can see.

让莫莉站到椅子上，这样她就能够看见了。

to be or stay in a particular state or condition

The kitchen door [stood open](bold) so she went in.

厨房的门开着，于是她走了进去。

[stand empty/idle](bold)(=not being used)

scores of derelict houses standing empty

I’m not too thrilled with [the way things stand](bold)(=the state that the situation is in) at the moment.

我对目前的情况并不是很兴奋。

The evidence, [as it stands](bold)(=as it is now), cannot be conclusive.

[where/how do things stand?](bold)(=used to ask what is happening in a situation)

Where do things stand in terms of the budget?

I will know within the next month or two how I stand (=what my situation is).

接下来的一两个月之内我就会知道自己的情况了。

[stand united/divided](bold)(=agree or disagree completely)

He urged the whole community to stand united and to reject terrorism.

他敦促整个社会团结起来抵制恐怖主义。

[stand prepared/ready to do sth](bold)(=be prepared to do something whenever it is necessary)

We should stand ready to do what is necessary to guarantee the peace.

我们应该时刻准备着采取必要手段确保和平。

countries that have [stood together](bold)(=stayed united) in times of crisis

在危难时刻团结起来的国家

[stand in awe of sb](bold)(=admire them, be afraid of them, or both)

used to say that you do not like someone or something at all, or that you think that something is extremely unpleasant

I know he [can’t stand the sight of](bold) me.

莉莉受不了在办公室工作。

I can’t stand people smoking around me when I’m eating.

我受不了吃饭时有人在我旁边抽烟。

to be able to accept or deal well with a difficult situation

I couldn’t stand the thought of leaving Danielle.

想到要离开丹妮尔我简直受不了。

I’ve had about as much as I can stand of your arguing!

I don’t know if I can stand the waiting any longer.

我不知道我是否还能再等下去。

How can you stand Marty coming home late all the time?

你怎么受得了马蒂老是很晚回家？

She’s a strong woman who [stands no nonsense](bold) from anyone.

她是个很强势的女人，容不得任何人胡闹。

to be good or strong enough to last a long time or to experience a particular situation without being harmed, damaged etc

亚麻织品能耐受很高的温度。

His poetry will [stand the test of time](bold)(=stay popular).

他的诗歌将经得起时间的考验。

很可能会做某事，可能有某物

What do firms think they stand to gain by merging?

公司认为通过合并会得到什么好处？

After the oil spill, thousands of fishermen stand to lose their livelihoods.

石油泄漏发生后，许多渔民很可能会失去生计。

to stay in a particular place without moving

The car’s been standing in the garage for weeks.

这辆汽车停在车库里好几个星期了。

The mixture was left to stand at room temperature for 15 minutes.

混合料在室温下放置了15分钟。

The train was already standing at the platform.

The trophy [stands](bold) five feet [high](bold).

John [stood](bold) six feet [tall](bold).

His former workforce of 1,300 now stands at 220.

他以前有1,300名职工，现在只剩220人。

Illiteracy rates are still thought to stand above 50 percent.

文盲比例仍被认为超过50%。

to have a particular rank or position when compared with similar things or people

〔和同类相比〕位于，处于〔某种地位〕

The president stands high in the public opinion polls.

总统在民意调查中排名很高。

How do their sales stand in relation to those of similar firms?

与同类公司相比较，他们的销售情况如何？

His book could stand alongside the best.

他的书堪与最好的书比肩。

to try to become elected to a council, parliament etc

She announced her intention to stand for parliament.

她宣布打算参加议员竞选。

if a decision, offer etc stands, it continues to exist, be correct, or be valid

Despite protests, the official decision stood.

尽管有人抗议，官方决定仍维持不变。

我说过愿意帮忙的话依然算数。

if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen

used to tell someone that they should leave a job or situation if they cannot deal with its difficulties

used to say very directly that it would be a good idea for someone to do something or for something to happen

某人最好做某事；某事应该发生

His smile exposed teeth that could stand a good scrubbing.

他一笑牙齿都露了出来，那些牙真该好好刷一刷了。

My doctor told me I could stand to lose a few pounds.

医生说我的体重该减掉几磅了。

used to admit that your opinion or something that you just said was wrong

我接受批评，我承认错误〔用于承认自己的观点或刚才说过的话是错误的〕

某人（对某事）的看法[态度]

We still do not know where he stands on the matter.

我们仍然不知道他对此事的看法。

I knew from where I stood that the stocks were practically worthless.

据我所知，这些股票实际上一钱不值了。

to know how someone feels about you, or what you are allowed to do in a particular situation

知道（某人）对你的看法；知道你可以做什么

At least we know where we stand with Steven now.

至少我们现在知道史蒂文对我们的看法了。

It helps to know where you stand legally.

最好搞清楚自己的法律处境。

([stand at attention](bold) ([AmE](bold)) )

if soldiers stand to attention, they stand very straight and stiff to show respect

to support yourself on your head or hands, with your feet in the air

to wait in a line of people until it is your turn to do something

Customers stood in line for 20 minutes at the cash register.

顾客在收银机前排了20分钟的队。

to refuse to be forced to move backwards

她堵在入口处，不肯后退一步。

to refuse to change your opinions, intentions, or behaviour

The government continued to stand firm and no concessions were made.

政府继续采取强硬态度，不作任何让步。

to refuse to change a decision, plan etc

Harry’s standing pat on his decision to fire Janice.

哈里坚持解雇贾尼丝的决定。

to continue to do something alone, without help from anyone else

Some of the Pacific islands are too small to stand alone as independent states.

太平洋上的有些岛屿太小，无法单独作为独立的国家存在。

to be much better than anything or anyone else

For sheer entertainment value, Kelly stood alone.

单从娱乐价值而言，凯利是出类拔萃的。

to not change or progress at all, even though time has passed

任何行业都不能止步不前。

[Time](bold) seems to have [stood still](bold) in this lovely hotel.

在这家宜人的酒店里，时间仿佛停顿了。

to be likely to be able to do something or to succeed

有机会/有希望（做某事）

You’ll stand a better chance of getting a job with a degree.

你有了学位，找到工作的机会就会更大。

Maybe their relationship had never really stood a chance.

也许他们的恋情从来就是没有希望的。

I always encouraged Brian. I didn’t want to stand in his way.

我始终鼓励布赖恩，我不想妨碍他。

to be able to do what you need to do, earn your own money, etc without help from others

She’s never learned to stand on her own feet.

used to say that something should be completely clear to anyone who is sensible

这是合乎情理的，这是自然的

It stands to reason that you cannot find the right person to do a job unless you know exactly what that job is.

如果你不知道工作的具体性质，就找不到合适的人选，这是自然的。

The case against him will stand or fall on its own merits.

指控他的这个案子能否胜诉将取决于案子本身的情况。

a liquid that stands does not flow or is not made to move

〔液体〕不流动，处于静止状态

to watch someone or something so that they do not do anything wrong or so that nothing bad happens to them

看守，守卫（某人/某物）

You must stand guard over him at all times.

to promise to pay money if someone does not return to a court of law to be judged

to be brought to a court of law to have your case examined and judged

格雷沙姆将因谋杀罪受审。

The accused was ordered to stand trial on a number of charges.

被告被勒令接受数项指控的审判。

to be the person in a court of law who is being judged for a crime

被指控（某事），被控告（某事）

The former president stands accused of lying to the nation’s parliament.

前总统被指控对国会撒谎。

if you stand accused of doing something bad or wrong, other people say that you have done it

The radio station stands accused of racism.

这家电台被指责有种族歧视行为。

to stand with your back straight and your head raised

Stand tall with your feet comfortably apart.

身体站直，两脚自然分开。

to be proud and feel ready to deal with anything

We will stand tall and fight for issues of concern to our community.

我们将挺起胸膛，竭力解决关系到我们社区利益的问题。

used to say that someone is able to do something easily

This is basic stuff. I can do it standing on my head.

这是很初级的东西，我闭着眼睛也能做。

if something is stood on its head, it becomes the opposite of what it was before

One area of the business which has been stood on its head is internal communications.

这家企业和以前完全不同的一个方面是内部通信。

to not worry about the formal rules of polite behaviour

Come on, Mal. Don’t stand on ceremony here at home.

行啦，马尔，在家里就不必拘礼了。

to pay for something as a gift to someone

Come on, Jack. I’ll stand you a drink if you like.

来吧，杰克，你愿意的话，我来请你喝一杯。


stand

a piece of furniture or equipment used to hold or support something

[coat stand/hat stand](bold)(=for hanging coats or hats on)

a table or small structure used for selling or showing things

售货台[亭]；货摊；展示台[架]

The shop was crowded with display stands and boxes.

这家商店里满是陈列台和展示盒。

One week, three magazines [hit the stands](bold)(=became available to buy) with Peace Corps stories.

一星期有三份刊登维和部队故事的杂志上架。

a position or opinion that you state firmly and publicly

〔公开表明的〕主张，立场

the Republicans’ conservative stand on social and environmental issues

共和党在社会和环境问题上的保守立场

She was accused of not [taking a stand on](bold) feminism or civil rights.

她被指责在女权主义或民权问题上没有明确的立场。

a strong effort to defend yourself or to oppose something

[take/make/mount a stand (against sth)](bold)

我们必须坚决反对种族歧视。

a building where people stand or sit to watch the game at a sports ground

In the stands, fifty of Jill’s friends and family have come to watch her last game.

在看台上，吉尔的亲戚朋友共有50人前来观看她的最后一场比赛。

Will the next witness please [take the stand](bold)(=go into the witness box)?

the period of time in which two batsmen are playing together in a game of cricket, or the points that they get during this time

a place where taxis or buses stop and wait for passengers

a group of trees of one type growing close together

林分，〔某一种〕植物群丛


standard

→ [double standard](->double standard) → [living standard](->living standard)

Many food businesses fail to meet basic standards of hygiene.

The government sets standards that all hospitals must reach.

We are determined to raise standards in our schools.

Television companies should maintain standards of taste and decency.

The standard of this festival improves every year.

School inspectors say that educational standards have fallen.

The standard of their work was generally very high.

The report says the standard of children’s diet in Britain is poor.

All too often their behaviour has fallen below acceptable standards.

(=high standards that are difficult to reach)

The Marines’ rigorous standards mean that only a small proportion of applicants are successful.

Clearly there is a need for international standards to be laid down to govern food safety.

All our products meet the current safety standards.

There had been a policy of raising academic standards within the school.

They called on the Indian government to apply stricter environmental standards.

The institutions have an evident interest in maintaining professional standards.

(=the level of comfort and the amount of money people have)

Living standards at all income levels improved over that period.

There has been an improvement in living standards.

There has been a general decline in standards of literacy among undergraduates.

His performance yesterday was below standard.

The technology was crude by modern standards.

The equipment was very old-fashioned by our standards.

Class sizes are small by British standards.

the level that is considered to be acceptable, or the level that someone or something has achieved

Students have to reach a certain standard or they won’t pass.

学生必须达到某一标准，否则无法通过。

The airline has rigorous safety standards.

这家航空公司有严格的安全标准。

The committee is assessing the standard of care in local hospitals.

委员会正在评估当地医院的护理水准。

moral principles about what kind of behaviour or attitudes are acceptable

the recent decline in [moral standards](bold)

Standards have slipped since I was a boy.

从我小时候起，行为标准就已经降低了。

a fixed official rule for measuring weight,purity, value etc

〔重量、纯度、价值等的〕标准，基准

an official government standard for the purity of silver

a popular song that has been sung by many different singers

〔很多歌星演唱过的〕流行歌曲

被多人翻唱过的爵士流行歌曲


standard

正常的；标准的；普通的；普遍接受的

[standard practice/procedure](bold)(=the usual way of doing things)

Searching luggage at airports is now standard practice.

机场的行李检查现在是例行做法了。

regular and usual in shape, size, quality etc

〔形状、大小、质量等〕标准的

We make shoes in standard and wide sizes.

我们制造标准码和加宽码的鞋子。

All these vans are made to a standard design.

这些小货车均按标准设计制造。

a standard book, work etc is read by everyone studying a particular subject

〔书、作品等〕公认为标准的，权威的

the standard form of a language is the one considered to be correct and is used by most people


standardize

[standardization](bold) /ˌstændədaɪˈzeɪʃ/ US /-dərdə-/  n. <U>

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

to make all the things of one particular type the same as each other

Attempts to standardize English spelling have never been successful.

统一英语拼写的尝试从未成功过。


standard of living

the amount of wealth, comfort, and other things that a particular person, group, country etc has


standpoint

a way of thinking about people, situations, ideas etc

[from a theoretical/political/economic etc standpoint](bold)

Let’s look at the questions from an economic standpoint.

让我们从经济的角度来看这些问题。

a discussion of marriage [from the standpoint of](bold) women


staple

a small piece of thin wire that is pushed into sheets of paper and bent over to hold them together

a small U-shaped piece of metal with pointed ends, used to hold something in place

a food that is needed and used all the time

the main product that is produced in a country

Bananas and sugar are the staples of Jamaica.

香蕉和糖是牙买加的主要产品。


staple

to fasten two or more things together with a staple

课堂讲义都是装订在一起的。

I stapled the order form to the invoice.


staple

forming the greatest or most important part of something

石油是尼日利亚的主要出口产品。

They live on a staple diet of rice and vegetables.

他们以大米和蔬菜为主食。

something that is always being produced, seen, bought etc

经常制作[看到，购买等]的东西

television’s staple diet of soap operas and quiz shows

以肥皂剧和问答比赛为主的电视节目


star

[guiding star](bold) at → [guiding](->guiding) sense 2 [born under a lucky/unlucky star](bold) at → [born](->born) 1 sense 7 [reach for the stars](bold) at → [reach](->reach) 1 sense 12 [thank your lucky stars](bold) at → [thank](->thank) sense 3

a large ball of burning gas in space, which can be seen at night as a point of light in the sky

The dark night sky was clear and full of stars.

one of the large objects that goes around the Sun, for example the Earth, Saturn, Mercury, or Mars

The planet Uranus was discovered in 1781.

the star that gives us light and heat, around which the planets move. There are also many millions of other suns in the universe

the round object that moves around the Earth every 28 days, or a similar object that goes around another planet

a mass of rock that moves around the sun. Most [asteroids](bold) are found between Jupiter and Mars

a type of star that is far away in space and produces  and

an object like a star that is far away in space and shines extremely brightly

a group of stars that forms a particular pattern and has a name

The constellation of Orion is one of the most easily recognizable patterns of stars in the night sky.

one of the large groups of stars that make up the universe

Astronomers have detected a galaxy 11 billion light years away.

all space, including all the stars and planets

How many planets in the universe have life?

a famous and successful actor, musician, or sportsperson

a talent show to find the stars of the future

someone who often appears in newspapers, on television etc and is well-known to the public. [Celebrities](bold) are often famous for being famous, not because they have any great

The magazine is full of gossip about celebrities.

a famous person whose name is known by many people – used especially in the following expressions

All the big names in football were at the awards dinner.

Giorgio Armani is one of the most famous names in fashion.

He is yet to become a household namesomeone who everyone has heard of.

an entertainer or sports player who is famous and often appears in the newspapers, on television etc – used especially in the following phrases

Many advertisers use TV personalities to promote their products.

He was chosen as sports personality of the year.

an extremely famous performer, especially a musician or film actor

The film made Tom Cruise an international superstar.

someone who is famous and admired for being extremely good at doing something – used especially about people who are at the end of a long career or who have died

Jane Fonda is the daughter of film legend Henry Fonda.

someone who was one of the best players or performers that there have ever been

He was one of the all-time soccer greats.

I looked up and saw hundreds of stars shining in the sky.

Stars began to twinkle in the darkening night sky.

We arrived home just as the stars were coming out.

There was a full moon, and the stars were out.

I had spent a lot of time looking up at the stars as a kid.

In the desert, they slept out under the stars.

(=a small group of stars close together in the sky)

He fixed his telescope on a tiny little cluster of stars in the constellation of Taurus.

He has worked with some of the world’s biggest stars.

Most TV stars do quite a lot of charity work.

She was known as a soap star before she took up singing.

(=a star who is famous in many countries)

His performance in 'The Titanic' made him an international star.

(=someone who is becoming famous and successful)

She is very much the rising star of Black American fiction.

The production team say they have been careful to look after all their child stars.

Winners get star treatment from the media.

(=a film or television programme that is intended to show the abilities of one particular star)

He denied that the movie was just a star vehicle for Tom Hanks.

(=a star who has been in plays and films)

Now this much-loved star of stage and screen has been made a Dame.

a large ball of burning gas in space that can be seen at night as a point of light in the sky

I lay on my back and looked up at the stars.

The [stars](bold) were all [out](bold)(=they were shining).

The [stars](bold) were[ twinkling](bold) overhead (=shining and quickly changing from bright to faint).

sitting around a campfire under the stars

→ [falling star](->falling star) → [morning star](->morning star) → [shooting star](->shooting star)

a famous and successful actor, musician, or sports player

〔影视、歌唱或体育〕明星，名角

By the age of 20, she was already a [big star](bold)(=a very famous and successful performer).

她20岁时就已经是大明星了。

[a pop/movie/TV/football etc star](bold)

He is a [rising star](bold)(=someone who is becoming famous and successful) in the music world.

She’s a good actress but she lacks [star quality](bold)(=a special quality that could make someone a star).

她是个好演员，但缺乏明星气质。

the person who has the main part, or one of them, in a film, play, show etc

Ray Grimes, the star of the television series ‘Brother John’

雷•格兰姆斯，电视连续剧《强风吹来时》中的主角

the person who gives the best performance in a film, play, show etc

〔电影、戏剧、演出等中的〕明星，最出色者

Laporte, as Ebenezer Scrooge, is undoubtedly [the star of the show](bold).

拉波特，埃比尼泽•斯克鲁奇的扮演者，毫无疑问是这出戏中最闪亮的明星。

Shamu, the killer whale, is the show’s [star attraction](bold)(=best and most popular person or thing).

杀人鲸“晓穆”是演出中最受人瞩目的明星。

the best or most successful person in a group of players, workers, students etc

〔运动员、员工、学生等中的〕最优秀者，最佳者

the star columnist of ‘The Sunday Times’

《星期日泰晤士报》的明星专栏作家

a shape with four or more points, which represents the way a star looks in the sky

a mark in the shape of a star, used to draw attention to something written

I put a star next to the items that we still need to buy.

我在我们仍需购买的物品旁边打上星号。

a piece of cloth or metal in the shape of a star, worn to show someone’s rank or position – used especially on military uniforms

〔尤指用在军服上表示级别或地位的〕星章

a mark used in a system for judging the quality of hotels and restaurants

〔评判酒店和餐馆质量等级的〕星（级）

a description, usually printed in newspapers and magazines, of what will happen to you in the future, based on the position of the stars and planets at the time of your birth

used to say that what happens to a person is controlled by fatea power that is believed to influence what happens in people’s lives

Their marriage was surely written in the stars.

他们的婚姻无疑是命中注定的。

to see flashes of light, especially because you have been hit on the head

〔尤因头部被击而〕眼冒金星

I felt a little dizzy and could see stars.

我觉得有点晕，眼冒金星。

to imagine that something you want to do is much more exciting or attractive than it really is

said when you are very grateful or pleased because of what someone has done

你太棒了！/太好了！〔表示感谢或高兴〕

谢谢，梅尔，你真是太好了！


star

[past tense and past participle](italic) [starred](bold) [present participle](italic) [starring](bold)

if someone stars in a film, television show etc, they are one of the main characters in it

〔在电影、电视节目等中〕担任主角，主演

Eastwood starred in ‘The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly’.

伊斯特伍德在《黄金三镖客》中担任主角。

DeVito stars opposite Dreyfuss in the movie.

德维托在这部影片中担任主角，与德莱弗斯演对手戏。

休·格兰特扮演那位浪漫的男主角。

‘The Freshman’ was Brando’s first [starring role](bold)(=the most important part in a film) in ten years.

《新鲜人》是白兰度十年里主演的首部影片。

if a film, television show, or play stars someone, that person is one of the main characters in it

由 …担任主角，由 …主演

梅丽尔·斯特里普主演的一部电影

The movie starred Orson Welles as Harry Lime.

这部影片由奥森•威尔斯饰演哈里•利姆。

to put an asteriska star-shaped mark next to something written

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


stare

[stark staring mad](bold) at → [stark](->stark) 2 sense 2

(=very steadily, with a lot of attention)

(=without emotion, understanding, or interest)

(=not noticing anything, although your eyes are open)

She sat down on the bed and stared unseeingly at the wall.

(=seeming not to notice or be thinking anything)

Hilary stared in disbelief at the kitchen clock.

Jo's always lying on the sofa staring into space.

to look at something or someone for a long time without moving your eyes, for example because you are surprised, angry, or bored

[stare (at sb) in disbelief/amazement/horror etc](bold)

She sat there [staring into space](bold)(=looking for a long time at nothing).

她坐在那里，出神地凝视前方。

if something is staring you in the face, it is very clear or easy to notice but you have not noticed it

就在某人眼前〔形容某事物非常明显，某人却注意不到〕

The solution was staring me right in the face all along.

解决办法其实一直就明摆在我的面前。


stare

I returned his stare and he looked away.

The man fixed him with a long, deliberate stare.

(=showing no emotion, understanding, or interest)

Mention his name, and you get mostly blank stares.

She was gazing out of the window with a vacant stare.

His unwavering stare was making me feel pretty uneasy.

I smiled and said "hello" but only got a cold stare.

When I expressed surprise, he responded with a cool stare.

They ignored the curious stares directed at them.

when you look at something or someone for a long time in a steady way

She [gave](bold) him a long hard [stare](bold).

她狠狠地盯了他好一会儿。

She laughed, ignoring the stares of everyone around her.

她大笑起来，不顾周围的人都在盯着她看。

His pleas were met by a [blank stare](bold)(=a stare with no expression, understanding, or interest).

他的请求得到的回应是面无表情的凝视。


start

start back
start in
start off
start on
start out
start over
start up

[Start](bold)  belongs to a group of verbs where the same noun can be the subject of the verb or its object.

You can say: We’ll start the show at 7.30.  In this sentence, ‘the show’ is the object of [start](bold) .

You can say: The show will start at 7.30.  In this sentence, ‘the show’ is the subject of [start](bold) .

to start doing something.[ Begin](bold) is more formal than [start](bold), and is used especially in written English

The company will commence drilling next week.

Work was commenced on the next power station.

to finally start doing something, especially your work

Come on, Sam – it’s time you got down to some homework.

What time do you have to set off in the morning?

I usually set off for work at about 8.30.

The ship set out from Portsmouth on July 12th.

to start something, especially something new, difficult, or exciting

The Law Society has embarked on a major programme of reform.

Jamaica was embarking on a decade of musical creativity.

to start doing something again after stopping it or being interrupted

Normal train services will be resumed on April 5th.

Trade was resumed after the end of the war.

to start doing something or going somewhere

I think we should get cracking straightaway.

to start. [Begin](bold) is more formal than [start](bold) and is used especially in written English

Work on the new bridge will begin early next year.

to start being shown to the public – used about a play, show, or exhibition

Lloyd Webber’s new musical opened in London last week.

A major exhibition of her work will open in New York in November.

The work is scheduled to commence in April.

to start happening or being done – used especially about something that is likely to last a long time

Construction work is getting under way on a new train network.

Discussions concerning the plan got under way on April 2.

to start happening – used especially about a fire, a fight, war, or a disease

Police were called in when fighting broke out in the crowd.

The blaze broke out on the third floor of the hotel.

to start – used especially about a football game or a meeting

The match is due to kick off this afternoon at Wembley Stadium.

What time will the celebrations kick off?

to do something that you were not doing before, and continue doing it

There’s so much to do I don’t know where to start.

有那么多的事情要做，我都不知道从哪里开始。

He got up and [started](bold) running [again](bold).

I’d better [get started](bold)(=start doing something) soon.

What Kerry said started me thinking (=made me start thinking).

to begin happening, or to make something begin happening

Lightning started a fire that burned 500 acres.

闪电引起大火，烧毁了500英亩林地。

The party was just [getting started](bold) when Sara arrived.

萨拉到达时，派对刚刚开始。

[starting (from) now/tomorrow/next week etc](bold)

You have two hours to complete the test, starting now.

你有两小时的时间完成考试，现在开始计时。

to begin something in a particular way, or to begin in a particular way

（使）〔以某种方式〕开始，开场

A healthy breakfast is a good way to start the day.

健康早餐是一天很好的开始。

The festivities started with a huge fireworks display.

庆祝活动以一场盛大的烟火表演揭开序幕。

The restaurant started as a small take-out place.

这家餐厅是从一间小外卖店起家的。

Any new exercise program should start slowly.

任何新的锻炼计划开始时都应该慢慢来。

Chao starts by explaining some basic legal concepts.

查奥开始时先解释了一些基本的法律概念。

[start a business/company/firm etc](bold)

She wanted to start her own catering business.

她想自己开一家餐饮公司。

to begin a new job, or to begin going to school, college etc

开始（从事新的工作、上学等）

if you start a car or engine, or if it starts, it begins to work

（使）发动，（使）开始运作，启动

今天早上这辆车发动不起来。

to begin travelling or moving in a particular direction

We’ll have to start early to get there by lunchtime.

我们必须早点出发，以便午饭前赶到那里。

to begin your life or profession in a particular way or place

20世纪50年代她从一名舞蹈演员开始起步。

It’s difficult for new lawyers to [get started](bold) in private practice.

对新入行的律师来说，独立开办事务所起步很难。

if a river, road, path etc starts somewhere, it begins in that place

The trail starts immediately behind the hotel.

小径的起点就在酒店后面。

if prices, amounts, or rates start at or from a particular number, that is the lowest number at which you can get or buy something

〔价格、数量或费用〕（自 …）起

to begin doing a job or activity completely from the beginning

There were no textbooks, so the teachers had to start from scratch.

没有课本，因此教师们只得从零开始。

to deliberately make something start happening, especially something bad

〔有意地〕使发生，开始〔尤指不好的事情〕

I [started](bold) a [fire](bold) to warm the place up.

我生了一堆火让周围暖和起来。

Oh, don’t go trying to start an argument.

Other girls were [starting rumours](bold) about me.

其他女孩子在散布有关我的谣言。

said when talking about the beginning of a situation, especially when it changes later

I was pretty nervous to start with, but after a while I was fine.

开始时我很紧张，但过了一会儿就好了。

said to emphasize the first of a list of facts or opinions you are stating

There are problems. To start with, neither of us likes housework.

有一些问题。首先，我们俩谁都不喜欢做家务。

to try to do something and fail, so that you finish in the same situation that you were in before

A lot of people who lose weight gain it back over time, and end up back where they started.

许多人减肥后经过一段时间体重又恢复到以前的水平，最后是白折腾一场。

if a player starts in a game, or if someone starts them, they begin playing when the game begins, especially because they are one of the best players on the team

（使）作为首发队员上场〔尤因是球队中的最佳队员〕

Astacio started for the Dodgers on Tuesday night.

星期二晚上阿斯塔西奥作为道奇队首发上场。

to stop doing what you are doing and begin doing it again in a better or different way

She saw her new job as a chance to start afresh.

她把自己的新工作视为重新开始的一次机会。

used to say that someone else has caused an argument or problem

〔争论或问题〕是某人挑起来的！

“别打她！” “但这是她挑起来的！”

It looks like Jess is trying to start something.

to move your body suddenly, especially because you are surprised or afraid

〔尤指因吃惊或害怕〕突然移动；惊起，吓一跳

A loud knock at the door made her start.

巨大的敲门声吓了她一跳。

Emma started from her chair and rushed to the window.

埃玛从椅子上惊跳起来，向窗口冲去。

to begin doing something when you are young, especially when it is unusual to do it

Woods started young, and was coached by his father.

伍兹起步很早，由他父亲训练。

used to tell someone to stop complaining, arguing, or annoying you

别烦了！〔用于叫某人停止抱怨、争吵或骚扰〕

‘Mum, I don’t like this ice cream.’ ‘Oh, don’t you start!’

“妈妈，我不喜欢这个冰激凌。”“哎，你别烦了！”