英语中有不少单词,其本身存在互相矛盾的两个意思,如果不弄清楚,有时会给我们的英语阅读带来一定困扰。特定情况下,联系上下文语境即可弄清它们的具体意思。
1. sanction“制裁”&“批准”
Economic sanctions will only be lifted when the aggressor nation withdraws its troops.只有侵略国撤回其军队,经济制裁才会解除。
They tried to get official sanction for the scheme.他们想使计划获得正式批准。
2. overlook“检查;监视”&“忽视;忽略”
I am overlooking her work.我正在检查她的工作。
I think there is one key fact that you have overlooked.我认为你忽略了一个重要的事实。
3. finished“完成的”&“失败的”
Are you finished with that drill?你的那个练习做完了吗?
This financial crisis means that the government's economic policy is finished.这次金融危机意味着政府的经济政策失败了。
4. dust“擦去……的灰尘”&“在……上撒粉末”
I was dusting the mantelpiece when I noticed a crack.我在擦壁炉台的时候发现了一道裂纹。
Dust the top of the cake with icing sugar.在蛋糕上撒些糖霜。
5. left“留下”&“离开”
He left the house by the back door.他从房子的后门离开了。
His shoes left muddy marks on the floor.他的鞋在地板上留下了泥印。
6. trim“添加,装饰”&“修剪,剪枝”
The children are trimming up a Christmas tree with ribbons, laces.孩子们正在往圣诞树上挂彩带和蕾丝。
He trimmed dead branches off a tree.他从树上剪掉枯枝。
7. cleave“劈开;分开”&“粘住;紧贴”
With one blow of the knight's axe, he clove the rock in twain (= into two pieces).武士大斧一挥,将石头劈成了两半。
The ancient ivy cleaved to the ruined castle walls.古老的常春藤紧紧攀附在破败的城堡墙上。
注意:表“粘住;紧贴”时,cleave通常与to连用。
8. scan“细看,审视”&“粗略地看”
She anxiously scanned the faces of the men leaving the train.她急切地盯着一张张下火车的人的脸。
I scanned through the booklet but couldn't find the address.我很快地翻阅了一遍小册子,但没有找到那个地址。
9. fast“快速的”&“固定的”
Computers are getting faster all the time.计算机一直在提速。
She made her end of the rope fast to a tree.她把绳子的一头牢牢地绑在树上。
10. off“关掉”&“响起”
She turned off the TV.她关掉了电视。
The alarm went off.闹铃响了起来。
11. weather“经受住”&“受侵蚀”
The company weathered the recession.这家公司挺过了经济衰退。
The rock was weathered.岩石风化了。
12. screen“放映;播出”&“遮掩;遮蔽”
The programme was not screened on British television.这个节目没有在英国电视上播出过。
She raised her hand to screen her eyes from the bright light.她抬手遮住耀眼的亮光。
13. help“帮助”&“抑制”
How can I help you?我如何才能帮你呢?
I couldn't help laughing.我忍不住大笑起来。
14. clip“剪下来”&“别上去”
I clipped his picture from the newspaper.我把他的照片从报纸上剪了下来。
He clipped his flashlight to his belt.他把手电筒别在腰间。
15. fine“糟糕的;不合时宜的”&“优秀的;极好的”
He picked a fine time to leave us.在那个时候扔下我们走了,他可真是会挑时间。
This building is the finest example of its type.这幢建筑是同类建筑中最杰出的代表。
16. flog“鞭笞,棒打”&“推销,出售”
Soldiers used to be flogged for disobedience.过去士兵们常常因不守军令而遭鞭笞。
He tried to flog his old car, but no one would buy it.他想快点儿卖掉他的旧车,但没人愿意买。
17. ravel“使纠缠;使错综复杂”&“弄清;解开”
Mark's interference merely ravelled things further.马克的掺和只是让情况进一步复杂化了。
It took Daisy a long time to ravel out all the wool.黛西花了很长时间才把毛线解开。
18. mean“吝啬的,小气的”&“极好的,出色的”
He's too mean to buy her a ring.他太吝啬了,舍不得给她买一枚戒指。
She's a mean piano player.她是个出色的钢琴演奏家。
19. toss out“丢弃”&“提出”
She tossed out my old chair.她把我的旧椅子扔了。
I decided to toss out the idea.我决定提出这个想法。
注意:第二个例句在特定情况下也可以指“抛弃”那个想法,要根据上下文而定。
20. buckle“坍塌,垮掉”&“系牢”
My knees buckled with fear.我因为害怕而膝盖瘫软。
Buckle your seat belt.请系好安全带。
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