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a big headache 令人头痛的事情
They are a big headache.
他们真让人头痛。
Trying to make the children eating is a big headache.
设法让孩子们吃饭是一件大麻烦事。
You may save yourself a big headache and a lot of money, too.
这样你既能省去一个大麻烦，还能省下大笔 的钱。
a few 少数，几个
He asked us a few questions.
他问了我们几个问题。
Pam called to say she's going to be a few minutes late.
帕姆打电话说她要晚几分钟。
How many potatoes do you want?
你想要多少土豆？
Oh, just a few, please.
哦，就要几个。
a fraction of 一部分，少数
I got these shoes at a fraction of the original price.
我以原价的一部分购买了这双鞋。
She paused for a fraction of a second.
她停顿了一小会儿。
The car stopped within a fraction of an inch of the wall.
汽车在离墙不到一英寸的地方停住了。
★ original[ə'rɪdʒənl]adj.原始的，最初的
★ pause[pɔːz]v.暂停，停顿
a little 少量的，稍许的；少量，一点
I need a little help to move these books.
我需要人来帮点忙搬这些书。
There was a lot of food but I only ate a little.
食物很多，但我只吃了一点儿。
If you've got any spare milk, could you give me a little?
你要是有多余的牛奶，能不能给我一些？
★ spare[speə（r）]adj.多余的，剩余的
a lot of 许多的
What a lot of presents!
这么多的礼物哇！
I haven't got a lot of time.
我时间不多了。
They paid a lot of money for that house.
他们为那所房子支付了很多钱。
a matter of concern 焦点
It's a matter of concern.
这件事至关重要。
Stress at work is a matter of concern to staff and management.
工作压力是一件让员工和管理人员都关切 的事。
Although these figures are relatively low, the trend is definitely a matter of concern.
虽然数字仍属偏低，但变化趋势确实令人 关注。
★ figure['fɪgə（r）]n.数字
★ relatively['relətɪvli]adv.比较地，相对地
★ definitely['defɪnətli]adv.明确地，确切地
a series of 一系列，一连串
The book grew out of a series of lectures.
这书是由一系列讲稿编写而成的。
This autumn the TV station will be showing a series of French films.
今年秋天电视台将放映一系列法国电影。
Staff will hold a series of meetings over the next few weeks.
在接下来的几周里，员工将举行一系列会议。
★ lecture['lektʃə（r）]n.演讲，讲课
above all 首先，尤其是
Above all, I'd like to thank my team members.
最重要的是，我要感谢我的团队。
Above all, tell the truth.
最重要的是说出真相。
Max is hardworking, cheerful, and above all, honest.
马克斯勤奋、乐观，最重要的是诚实。
★ cheerful['tʃɪəfl]adj.精神振奋的，快乐的
absent from 不在，缺席
John has been absent from school for three days now.
约翰现在已经缺课三天了。
Two students are absent from class today.
今天有两名学生缺课。
Was Jack absent from work again?
杰克又没来上班吗？
abundant in 富于
Life is meant to be abundant in all areas.
生活意味着在各个方面都应当富足。
Cheap consumer goods are abundant in this part of the world.
廉价消费品大量存在于世界的这部分地区。
Fossil fuels are abundant in the vast continent.
在这片广阔的大陆上，化石燃料非常丰富。
★ fossil['fɔsl]n.化石
★ continent['kɔntɪnənt]n.大陆，洲
account for 解释
I will account for this state of affairs.
这里的情况，我会解释的。
We must account for every penny we spend during a business trip.
我们必须把我们出差时所花的每一分钱交代清楚。
He could not account for his absence from school.
他无法说明他旷课的原因。
accuse sb. of sth.
控告某人，谴责某人
He's been accused of robbery.
他被控告抢劫。
Are you accusing me of lying?
你是在指责我说谎吗？
She accused him of stealing her watch.
她控告他偷她的手表。
★ robbery['rɔbəri]n.抢劫（案），盗取
add to 增加
I have nothing to add to my earlier statement.
我对我先前说的话没有什么补充的。
I don't want to add to your troubles.
我不想给你增加麻烦。
Two added to five makes seven.
2加5等于7。
after all 毕竟，终究，到底
I do like her—after all, she is my sister.
我当然喜欢她——她毕竟是我妹妹。
So you've come after all!
你到底还是来了！
After all, what does it matter?
归根结底，那有什么关系呢？
agree on/upon 对……意见一致
We agree on the question.
我们在这个问题上意见一致。
We couldn't agree on a date.
关于日期我们未能取得一致意见。
The two sides agreed on a cease fire.
双方达成了停火协议。
★ cease[siːs]v.停止，中止
agree to 同意，赞成
It was unwise of you to agree to that.
你同意那件事是愚蠢的。
To tell the truth, I don't agree to your plan.
说实话，我不同意你的计划。
To my disappointment, my father doesn't
agree to buy me a new bike.
我爸爸不同意给我买新自行车，我很失望。
★ unwise['ʌn'waɪz]adj.不聪明的，不明智的，愚蠢的
★ disappointment['dɪsə'pɔɪntmənt]n.失望，沮丧
agree with 同意，相符合，相吻合，适合
Your account of the affair does not agree with mine.
这件事你的说法和我的说法不一致。
I entirely agree with you.
我完全同意你的看法。
I like mushrooms, but unfortunately they don't agree with me.
我喜欢吃蘑菇，但不幸的是他们不喜欢。
★ entirely[ɪn'taɪəli]adv.完全地；彻底地
★ mushroom['mʌʃrum]n.蘑菇
ahead of 在……之前
Directly ahead of us is the royal palace.
我们正前方就是皇宫。
London is about five hours ahead of New York.
伦敦时间比纽约早五小时左右。
She was always well ahead of the rest of the class.
她在班上总是遥遥领先。
★ royal['rɔɪəl]adj.王室的，王族的
aim at 瞄准；针对；努力，力争
Aiming at the target, he fired and missed it.
他瞄准目标开火，却未打中。
My remarks were not aimed at you.
我的话并非针对你说的。
We must aim at increasing exports.
我们要力求增加出口货物。
★ remark[rɪ'mɑːk]n.评论，评述
all at once 突然；同时；马上，即刻地
All at once the door opened.
门突然打开了。
You can't do everything all at once.
你不能同时做每一件事。
We just can't decide such an important thing all at once.
我们只是不能马上决定这样一件重要的事情。
all but 几乎，差不多；除了……都
The party was all but over when we arrived.
我们到的时候，晚会几乎要结束了。
I all but stumbled.
我几乎摔倒了。
I knew them all but one.
除了一个我不认识之外，其余的人我都认识。
★ stumble['stʌmbl]v.绊倒
all day long 整天，终日
She nagged him all day long.
她一天到晚地说他。
She chattered all day long.
她整天唠叨。
All day long he lay at home watching television.
他成天躺在家里看电视。
★ nag[næg]v.唠叨，烦扰
★ chat[tʃæt]v.闲谈，聊天
all of a sudden 突然，忽然
All of a sudden, the tyre burst.
轮胎突然爆裂了。
All of a sudden, the lights went out.
突然灯熄灭了。
It became overcast all of a sudden.
天突然阴了下来。
★ burst[bɜːst]v.爆炸，胀破，爆破
★ overcast['əʊvə'kɑːst]adj.阴的，多云的
all over again 再一次，重新
He did the work so badly that I had to do it all over again myself.
他干得太差劲了，我只好亲自重做。
I'll have to write it all over again.
我得从头再写一遍。
She had screwed up and had to do it all over again.
她把事情搞砸了，得重新做。
★ screw up 把……弄糟
all over 到处，遍及
We looked all over for the ring.
我们到处找那只戒指。
I'm aching all over after the match.
比赛后我浑身疼痛。
That sounds like my sister all over.
听起来跟我姐姐一模一样。
all right 不错；好，行；没关系
Is the coffee all right?
这咖啡行吗？
Are you getting along all right in your new job?
你的新工作还行吗？
Will you post this for me?
你能帮我寄一下这个吗？
Yes, all right.
好的。
all the same 都一样，无所谓；尽管如此，仍然
It rained every day of our holiday—but we had a good time all the same.
我们的假期每天都下雨——但我们还是玩得很高兴。
All the same, there's some truth in what she says.
即便这样，她的话也还是有些道理。
I wasn't able to use your dictionary, but thanks all the same.
我没用上您的字典，但还是要谢谢您。
all the time 一直，始终
That letter I was searching for was in my pocket all the time.
我找的那封信其实一直就在我口袋里。
He's a business man all the time.
他一向是做生意的。
Conditions are changing all the time.
情况始终都在变化。
★ condition[kən'dɪʃn]n.状况，情况
angry with/at 生气，愤怒
I got really angry with her.
我真的很生她的气。
I was angry with myself for making such a stupid mistake.
我因为犯了这么愚蠢的错误而生自己的气。
He's really angry at/with me for upsetting Sophie.
因为打扰索菲，他真生我的气了。
★ stupid['stjuːpɪd]adj.愚蠢的，傻的
★ upset[ʌp'set]v.心烦意乱，搅乱
anxious about/for 忧虑，担心
John is anxious about his exam results.
约翰为考试结果而担忧。
I am very anxious about my son's health.
我非常担心儿子的健康。
We were anxious about/for you.
我们为你担心。
anything but 根本不，除……之外，任何事（物）都……
The hotel was anything but satisfactory.
这家旅馆太不让人满意了。
Maria is anything but stupid!
玛利亚太精明了！
The problem is anything but easy.
这个问题绝不容易。
★ satisfactory[sætɪs'fæktərɪ]adj.满意的，满足的'
apart from 除……外
I've finished apart from the last question.
除了最后一道题，我全做完了。
Apart from the ending, it's a really good film.
除了结局外，这其实是一部好电影。
We didn't see anyone all day, apart from a couple of kids on the beach.
我们整天都没看见什么人，除了在沙滩上有几个孩子。
appeal to 吸引；申诉；请求
Does this piece of music appeal to you?
你对这首音乐感兴趣吗？
She appealed to the high court against her sentence.
她不服判决而向高等法院上诉。
They appealed to him to abandon the idea.
他们请求他放弃这个想法。
★ sentence['sentəns]n.判决，宣判
★ abandon[ə'bændən]v.遗弃，抛弃，离弃
apply for 申请
He encouraged me to apply for the job.
他鼓励我去申请那份工作。
Many people have applied for the job.
许多人都申请这项工作。
I made up my mind to apply for a scholarship.
我决定申请奖学金。
★ make up one's mind 决定，下决心
★ scholarship['skɔləʃɪp]n.奖学金
apply to 适用
These rules don't always apply.
这些规则并非总能行得通。
What I have said applies only to some of you.
我所说的只适用于你们当中的一部分人。
The rules of safe driving apply to everyone.
安全驾驶之规则适用于每个人。
appropriate for/to 适当，合适
Sports clothes are not appropriate for a formal wedding.
运动服用于正式婚礼中是不适当的。
His formal style of speaking was appropriate to the occasion.
他郑重其事的讲话方式适合那个场合。
She picked up a dress appropriate for the occasion.
她挑了一件适合该场合穿的衣服。
★ occasion[ə'keɪʒn]n.时候，场合
approximate to 近似，接近
Your story approximates to the facts we already know.
你所说的与我们已经了解的事实很接近。
The yearly output approximates to 600，000 tons.
年产量接近60万吨。
The production cost approximates to$100，000.
生产成本接近10万美元。
apt at 聪明，善于
My little sister is apt at languages.
我的小妹妹善于学习语言。
He is apt at skating.
他擅长滑冰。
He is apt at devising means.
他擅长想办法。
★ devise[dɪ'vaɪz]v.想出，设计
apt to 易于，倾向
My pen is rather apt to leak.
我的钢笔爱漏墨水。
Some of the staff are apt to arrive late on Mondays.
有些员工周一的时候总是迟到。
around/round the clock 夜以继日
Surgeons are working round the clock to save his life.
外科医生们正在日夜工作以抢救他的生命。
He studied around the clock for his history exam.
他日以继夜地准备历史考试。
The workers work in three shifts around the clock.
工人们日夜不停地分三班轮流干活。
★ surgeon['sɜːdʒən]n.外科医师
★ shift[ʃɪft]n.轮值的班
as a matter of fact 事实上，实际上
As a matter of fact, I have no interest in math.
事实上，我对数学不感兴趣。
I'm going there tomorrow, as a matter of fact.
其实，我明天是准备去那里。
As a matter of fact I've only lived here for the last three years.
事实上，我是三年前才住在这儿。
as a result of 因为，由于
The flight was delayed as a result of fog.
因有雾该航班误点。
He lost his job as a result of the dispute.
由于这次争端，他丢掉了工作。
He was late as a result of the snow.
由于大雪他迟到了。
★ delay[dɪ'leɪ]v.耽搁，延误
★ dispute[dɪ'spjuːt]n.争论，辩论
as a rule 通常，照例
When does he come as a rule?
通常他什么时候来？
I go to work by bicycle as a rule.
通常我骑自行车上班。
As a rule, I'm home by six.
我通常六点在/到家。
as a whole 作为一个整体，整个看来，全面
We must consider these matters as a whole.
我们必须从整体上考虑这些事情。
The performance is good as a whole.
这次表演总的来说不错。
Is the collection going to be divided up or sold as a whole?
这批收藏品是零卖还是一起卖？
★ consider[kən'sɪdə（r）]v.考虑，细想
★ performance[pə'fɔːməns]n.演出，表演
★ collection[kə'lekʃn]n.收藏品
★ divide up 分开
as far as 远至，直到，到……程度，就……而言
I'll walk with you as far as the post office.
我陪你走到邮局。
As far as I can see, that is highly unlikely.
依我看那是极不可能的。
We've got as far as collecting our data but we haven't analysed it yet.
我们已收集了资料，但尚未分析。
★ analyse['ænəlaɪz]v.分析
as follows 如下
The reasons are as follows.
其理由如下。
The winners are as follows：in the third place, Mandy Johnson；in the second place……
获胜者如下：第三名曼迪·约翰逊；第二名……
The main events were as follows：firetly, the president's speech, secondly the secretary's replys and thirdly, the chairman's summing-up.
主要活动如下：第一项，总裁讲话；第二项，秘书做解答；第三项，主席做总结。
as for 至于，关于
As for you, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
至于你，你应该感到惭愧。
As for the hotel, it was very uncomfortable and miles from the sea.
至于旅馆呢，非常不舒服，而且离海边有好几里地。
He likes summer, but as for me, I like winter much better.
他喜欢夏天，但是对我来说，我则更喜欢冬天。
★ ashamed[ə'ʃeɪmd]adj.感到羞耻的，感到惭 愧的
★ analyse['ænəlaɪz]v.分析
as good as 和……几乎一样；几乎，差不多
He as good as said I'm a liar.
他无异于说我撒谎了。
The matter is as good as settled.
这事等于解决了。
The decorating is as good as finished—I just need to finish off the painting.
装修差不多完了——我只需要刷完油漆就可以了。
★ liar['laɪə（r）]n.说谎者
★ decorate['dekəreɪtɪŋ]n.装修，装潢
as if 好像，仿佛
He behaved as if nothing had happened.
他装作若无其事的样子。
It looks as if it is going to rain before long.
看起来一会儿就要下雨了。
I feel as if I had been in a different world.
我感觉好像置身于一个世外桃源。
★ behave[bɪ'heɪv]v.表现，行为
as it is 照现状看，看样子
Leave it as it is.
顺其自然。
We were hoping to have a holiday next week, as it is, we may not be able to get away.
我们原来盼望着下星期放假——看样子是走不 了了。
I thought I might be transferred, but as it is, I shall have to look for a new job.
我以为我可能会调动工作，但是照目前情况看我得另找工作了。
★ transfer[træns'fɜː（r）]v.调动，调任；转让
as it were 宛如，似乎；可以说
She seemed very relaxed in her natural
setting as it were.
她似乎十分悠然自得——可以说是有自己随遇而安的天地。
Books are, as it were, his life.
书可以说就是他的生命。
He is my best friend, my second self, as it were.
他是我最好的朋友，或者说，是第二个我。
as/so long as 只要；既然，由于
As long as it doesn't rain, we can play.
只要不下雨，我们就能玩。
You can go out to play as long as you stay in the back yard.
只要你不出后院，你可以出去玩。
As long as we've driven this far, we might as well go on.
既然我们已经开得这么远了，就不妨继续往 前驶。
as regards 关于，至于
I have little information as regards his past.
我对他过去的情况不太了解。
As regards attending the meeting, I haven't decided yet.
关于那个会议，我还没有决定是否参加。
As regards that matter I'm quite of your opinion.
关于那件事，我很同意你的意见。
as soon as 一……就……；立即……；不晚于……
He left as soon as he heard the news.
他一听到这事儿就走了。
I'll tell him as soon as I see him.
我一见到他就告诉他。
He didn't arrive as soon as we'd hoped.
他到达的时间比我们预期的要迟。
as the saying goes 俗话说
As the saying goes，"Don't count your chickens before they're hatched".
俗话说：“不要高兴得太早”。
"You can't judge a book by its cover"，as the saying goes.
俗话说，不要以貌取人。
"More haste, less speed"，as the saying goes.
常言道：“欲速则不达”。
as to 就……而论，至于，说到
He was uncertain as to which road to take.
至于走哪条路，他还不确定。
As to Jack, I believe he wouldn't have said anything like that.
至于杰克，我相信他不会那么说的。
There's no decision as to when the work might start.
至于什么时候开始工作，还没有决定。
as though 好像，仿佛
He rubbed his eyes and yawned as though waking up after a long sleep.
他又揉眼睛又打哈欠，好像睡了一大觉刚醒 似的。
It looks as though everyone else has gone home.
看起来好像大家都回家了。
It sounds as though there is a knock at the door.
听起来好像有人在敲门。
★ rub[rʌb]v.揉，搓
★ yawn[jɔːn]v.打哈欠
as usual 像平常一样，照例，照常
You're late, as usual.
你像平常一样又迟到了。
As usual, there weren't many people at the meeting.
像往常一样，来开会的人不多。
On Sundays he gets up early as usual.
星期天他照常起得很早。
as well 同样，也，还
Are they coming as well?
他们也来吗？
Why don't you come along as well?
你为什么也不一起来呢？
I am going to Paris and my brother is going as well.
我要去巴黎，我弟弟也去。
as well as 除……外（也），既……又……
He grows flowers as well as vegetables.
他既种菜也种花。
She is a talented musician as well as a photographer.
她不但是摄影师还是个天才的音乐家。
She can speak Japanese as well as English.
她会说日语和英语。
★ talented['tæləntɪd]adj.有才能的，有才干的
★ photographer[fə'tɔgrəfə（r）]n.摄影师
as yet 到目前为止，迄今为止
As yet little is known of the causes of the disease.
造成这种疾病的原因迄今几乎一无所知。
We've had no luck as yet.
我们还没有交上好运。
The problem is not resolved as yet.
这一问题还没有解决。
★ resolve[rɪ'zɔlv]v.解决
ashamed of 羞愧，害臊
You should be ashamed of yourself for telling such lies.
你应该为说这些谎话而感到羞耻。
He felt ashamed of having done so little work.
他因只做了这么一点儿工作而感到惭愧。
I'm ashamed of myself for having given you so much trouble.
给你添了这么多麻烦，真不好意思。
aside from 除……外（还有）
Money continues to be a problem, but aside from that we're all well.
钱仍然将是一个问题，但是除了这个问题我们都很好。
I hardly watch any television, aside from news and current affairs.
我几乎不看什么电视，除了看新闻和时事。
Aside from a few scratches, I'm OK.
除了几处擦伤外，我安然无恙。
★ scratch[skrætʃ]n.擦伤，伤痕
ask about 询问，了解
He went to the station to ask about the trains.
他到火车站去了解火车情况。
Ask about the ring you lost. He may have found it.
去问问你丢的戒指，也许他捡到了。
It is impolite to ask about other people's income.
问别人的收入是不礼貌的。
★ impolite['ɪmpə'laɪt]adj.粗鲁的，不礼貌的
★ income['ɪŋkʌm]n.收入
ask after 问候
I spoke to James today. He was asking after you.
我今天和詹姆斯说话了，他向你问好。
He always asks after you in his letters.
他每次来信都向你问候。
You'd better call and ask after her.
你最好打电话向她问候一下。
ask for 请求，要求
Did you ask for a pay increase?
你请求加薪了吗？
May I ask for your views on a few questions?
我能否请你谈谈对几个问题的看法？
Ask for a refund if the goods are faulty.
商品如有缺陷，可要求退款。
★ refund[riː'fʌnd]n.退款
★ faulty['fɔːlti]adj.有错误的，有缺点的，出毛病的
ask for the moon 异想 天开
You might as well ask for the moon as for a bicycle.
你要辆自行车就像要天上的月亮一样。
Don't ask for the moon, Mr. Jones.Be reasonable, please.
别异想天开了，琼斯先生。请理智点儿吧。
Oh, Jerry, let's not ask for the moon. We have the stars.
噢，杰瑞，不要再祈求得到月亮了，我们已经拥有星星了。
★ reasonable['riːznəbl]adj.讲理的，明事理的
ask for trouble/it 自讨 苦吃
Driving after drinking alcohol is asking for trouble.
酒后开车是自讨苦吃。
Don't ask for trouble by worrying about exams.
别为考试担心而自寻烦恼了。
You'd better not ask for it.
你最好不要自讨苦吃。
ask of 索求，指望，问起
Now, I have a favor to ask of you.
现在我有一事相求。
It's not too much to ask of you to clean your own shoes.
让你擦自己的鞋，这要求并不过分。
Is he well?Did he ask of me?
他还好吗？他问起我了吗？
ask off 请假
You are not allowed to ask off.
不准你请假。
I want to ask off for my birthday today.
今天是我的生日，我想请假。
If it is really necessary for me to go there, I shall have to ask off.
如果我真的必须到那里去，那我就只好请假了。
assist in 帮助（做某事）
You will be employed to assist in the development of new equipment.
你将被聘用来帮助新设备的开发。
The army arrived to assist in the search.
军队到达帮助搜寻。
Perhaps I can assist in some way.
也许我能有所帮助。
★ development[dɪ'veləpmənt]n.发展，开发
★ equipment[ɪ'kwɪpmənt]n.设备
associate with 联合
联系；与……交往；与……合作
Whisky is usually associated with Scotland.
人们常把威士忌同苏格兰联系起来。
I don't like you associating with such people.
我不喜欢你和那些人混在一起。
I always associate him with fast cars.
我总是由他联想到高速汽车。
assure sb. of 使某人放心；使某人确信；向某人 保证
They tried to assure him of their willingness to work.
他们尽力使他相信他们乐意工作。
He assured me of his final success.
他使我确信，最后他会取得成功的。
I can assure you of the reliability of the news.
我可以向你保证这消息是可靠的。
★ willingness['wɪlɪŋnɪs]n.乐意，自愿
★ reliability[rɪlaɪə'bɪlɪtɪ]n.可靠性'
at a loss 茫然，不知所措；亏本地
It left him at a complete loss.
这使他完全茫然了。
I'm at a loss what to do next.
我不知道下一步怎么办。
He sold his house at a loss.
他亏本出售他的房子。
★ complete[kəm'pliːt]adj.完整的，完全的
at a time 一次，每次
I'm sorry, but I'm too busy to help you now—I can only do one thing at a time.
对不起，不过我现在太忙了不能帮助你——我一次只能做一件事。
Don't try to do everything at once；take it a bit at a time.
不要什么事情都一块儿干，要一次做一点儿。
Take two pills at a time.
每次服两粒。
at all 完全，丝毫；究竟；果然
He's had no food at all.
他一点儿食物也没有了。
I'm afraid I've got nothing at all to say.
恐怕我完全没有什么要说的。
Don't you know at all?
你完全不知道吗？
at all costs 不惜一切代价，无论如何
We must at all costs prevent them from finding out about the plan.
我们无论如何也不能让他们发现这个计划。
We must finish the work at all costs before midnight.
无论付出什么样的代价，我们必须在午夜前完成这项工作。
He will attain his goal at all costs.
他将不惜一切代价达到目的。
★ attain[ə'teɪn]v.获得（某事物）；达到，实现
at all events 不管怎样，无论如何
I will come at all events.
我无论如何一定来。
At all event, the worst that she can do is say"no".
不管怎样，她大不了就是说个“不”字。
He is not clever, but at all events he works well.
他并不聪明，但不管怎样他做得很好。
at all times 随时，总是
I'm at your service at all times.
我随时为您效劳。
Children must be supervised at all times while in the park.
在公园的时候必须随时照看孩子们。
He has a cool head at all times.
他不论什么时候都有清醒的头脑。
★ supervise['suːpəvaɪz]v.监督，察看
★ cool head 清醒的头脑
at any rate 无论如何，至少
Well, I'm not going home on foot, at any rate.
好吧，无论如何，我不打算走路回家。
I don't think they liked my idea. At any rate, they weren't very enthusiastic about it.
我觉得他们不喜欢我的想法。至少，他们对此不是很热情。
That's one part of the job done at any rate.
不管怎么说，这个工作已经做了一部分了。
★ enthusiastic[ɪn'θjuːzi'æstɪk]adj.热心的，极感兴趣的
at best 充其量，至多
We can't arrive before Friday at best.
我们无论如何星期五以前也到不了。
Don't scold him too much；he is at best a child.
不要对他苛责太多，他只不过是个孩子。
We can only finish half of it this afternoon at best.
今天下午我们充其量只能完成一半。
★ scold[skəʊld]v.责骂
at call 随时支取；随时 可用
The money is payable at call.
这笔钱可随时支付。
The taxi is at call.
出租车随叫随到。
Money put into the credit cards is at call.
划入信用卡的钱可以随时支取。
★ payable['peɪəbl]adj.应付的，可付的
at ease 安适，不拘束
He felt completely at ease.
他感觉非常舒适。
She soon put/set me at ease.
她很快就让我放松下来。
I never feel at ease in his company.
我跟他在一起总是感到很不自在。
at fault 有责任，出毛病
My memory was at fault.
我记错了。
The police said that the other driver was at fault.
警察说是另一位司机的责任。
Who is at fault in the accident?
在这场事故中谁是过错方？
★ accident['æksɪdənt]n.事故
at first 最初，起先
If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.
一次不成功，那就再接再厉地干下去。
The finding was at first puzzling.
该发现起初让人感到困惑。
At first I thought he was joking but then I realized he meant it.
起初我还以为他是开玩笑，但之后我意识到他是认真的。
at first hand 直接地，第一手地
I heard about it at first hand from my neighbor.
我是直接从我的邻居那里听来的。
We wished to obtain information at first hand.
我们希望能得到第一手情报。
It is much cheaper to buy goods delivered at first hand.
买第一手货会比较便宜。
at first sight 乍一看，一看到……立即
I took against him at first sight.
第一次见面我就讨厌他了。
They fell in love at first sight.
他们一见钟情。
At first sight this seems crazy.
乍看上去这似乎就是疯狂的。
at hand 在手边，在附近，即将来临
When he writes, he always keeps a dictionary at hand.
他写作时手边总备有一本词典。
He lives close at hand.
他住在附近。
Your big moment is at hand.
你的重大时刻即将到来。
at heart 内心里，本质上
I'm a country girl at heart.
我实际上是个乡下姑娘。
When I say"don't eat sweets"，I have your health at heart.
当我说你别吃糖果时，我是关心着你的健康。
Let's face it. We're all romantics at heart.
面对现实吧，实际上我们都是浪漫的人。
★ romantic[rəu'mæntik]n.浪漫的人
at home 在家，在国内
Is there anybody at home?
有人在家吗？
Make yourself at home!
不要拘束（像在家里一样）！
Is our next match at home or away?
我们下一场比赛是在主场进行，还是在客场进行？
at intervals 不时，每隔……
At intervals she would stop for a rest.
她不时停下来休息。
It snowed at intervals this week.
这星期不时下雪。
He comes back to see us at regular intervals.
他每隔一段时间就回来看看我们。
★ regular['regjulə（r）]adj.有规律的，定期的，定时的
at large 详尽的，整个的；（罪犯，动物等）未被捕 获的
The escaped prisoner is still at large.
越狱犯依然在逃。
The question is discussed at large in my report.
我在报告中对该问题作了详细的探讨。
The country at large is hoping for great changes.
整个国家都希望有大变化。
★ prisoner['prɪznə（r）]n.囚徒
at last 终于，最后，到底
I've finished my essay at last!
我终于完成了文章！
At last we were home!
我们终于到家了！
At last a compromise was agreed on.
通过互让最终达成折中协议。
★ compromise['kɔmprəmaɪz]n.妥协，和解
at least 至少，最少
It will cost at least$100.
这至少值100美元。
You'll have to wait at least an hour.
你至少得等一个小时。
We should brush our teeth at least twice a day.
我们每天应该至少刷两次牙。
at length 最终，终于，长时间地，详细地
At length the bus arrived, forty minutes late.
公共汽车终于来了，晚了四十分钟。
The young people spoke at length about their experiences.
这个年轻人详细地叙述了他们的经历。
Well, we have discussed the matter at length.
这件事我们已经仔细讨论过了。
at most 至多，不超过
At most I might earn$250 a day.
我一天至多可挣250美元。
There were 50 people there, at most.
那里至多有50人。
She's 25 years old, at most.
她最多25岁。
at no time 在任何时候都不，从不，决不
At no time should you give up studying.
在任何时候你都不应放弃学习。
At no time should we give in to difficulties.
我们决不应该在困难面前屈服。
At no time did I feel they were unreasonable.
我从没觉得他们不讲理。
★ unreasonable[ʌn'riːznəbl]adj.不讲道理的，不合理的
at once 立刻，马上；同时
Come here at once!
立刻到这里来！
Don't all speak at once!
大家不要一齐说！
I can't do two things at once.
我无法同时做两件事。
at one time 曾经，一度；同时
At one time I used to go skiing every winter.
我有一度每到冬季就去滑雪。
At one time we met frequently.
过去我们曾常常见面。
He was at one time so devoted to piano playing.
他曾经那么沉迷于弹钢琴。
★ devote[dɪ'vəʊt]v.奉献
at one's best 在某人的最佳状态；在全盛时期
Chaplin was at his best playing the little tramp.
卓别林扮演小流浪汉已达登峰造极的境界。
I wasn't feeling at my best at the party, so I didn't enjoy it.
在那次聚会上我身体不太好，所以兴致不高。
The peach blossoms are at their best now.
桃花正在盛开。
★ tramp[træmp]n.流浪者
★ blossom['blɔsəm]v.开花
at peace 处于和睦（或平静）状态
She's never at peace with herself.
她总是静不下来。
The problem was settled and his mind was at peace.
问题解决了，他的心境宁静了。
But here everything was at peace.
但是这里一切都是这么的平静。
at present 目前，现在
Are you busy?
你忙吗？
Not at present.
现在不忙。
At present she's working abroad.
她现在在国外工作。
I'm afraid I can't help you just at present—I'm too busy.
很抱歉，我现在帮不了你——实在太忙了。
at random 随便地，任意地
Soiled dishes were piled at random.
脏碟子胡乱地堆放着。
Please open a book at random.
请随便打开一本书。
He asked questions at random.
他胡乱问些问题。
at rest 静止，安静；解决
Her words set my mind at rest.
她的话使我放心。
The waves of the sea are never at rest.
大海的波涛永不停息。
You can keep your mind at rest about the matter, as it's all set.
你放心吧，这件事已经解决了。
at sea 在海上；茫然，不知所措
I'll spend three months at sea.
我将在海上度过三个月。
I'm all at sea；I've no idea how to repair cars.
我手足无措，不知道怎样修理汽车。
She tried to understand the instructions, but she was completely at sea.
她费尽力气想看懂那些说明文字，却全然不知所云。
★ instruction[ɪn'strʌkʃn]n.使用说明
at stake 在危急关头，在危险中，冒风险
This decision puts our lives at stake.
这个决定让我们的生命处于危险中。
Our children's education is at stake.
我们孩子教育的好坏无法预料。
The life of the sick man is at stake.
病人的生命在危急中。
at one's disposal 供某人任意使用，可自行支配
Students have a well-stocked library at their disposal.
学生有个藏书丰富的图书馆，非常方便。
The firm put a secretary at my disposal.
公司给我配了一名秘书。
Mark had a lot of cash at his disposal.
马克有很多现金可自行支配。
at table 在吃饭
Children must learn to behave at table.
小孩吃饭时必须有规矩。
They were at table when we called.
我们去拜访时，他们正在吃饭。
You shouldn't speak loudly at table.
吃饭时你不该高声讲话。
at the beginning/start 在开头
The cold weather broke at the beginning of April.
寒冷的天气到四月初开始变暖了。
We're going to New York at the beginning of July.
我们七月初要去纽约。
However, the reform is hindered at the beginning.
但是，改革一开始就受到阻碍。
★ reform[rɪ'fɔːm]n.改革，改造
★ hinder['hɪndə（r）]v.阻碍，妨碍
at the cost of 以……为 代价
It is not good for young ladies to keep slim at the cost of their health.
年轻女士牺牲健康来减肥是不可取的。
She saved him from drowning, but only at the cost of her own life.
他溺水时她救了他，但却牺牲了自己的生命。
He succeeded only at the cost of his health.
他成功了，但身体却垮了。
at the expense of 由……付费，以……为代价
His fame was bought at the expense of health and happiness.
他牺牲了健康和幸福来获得名声。
He built up a successful business but it was all done at the expense of his health.
他创建的企业很成功，但这一切却以损害他的健康为代价。
He devoted his time to football at the expense of his studies.
他全然不顾学习，把全部时间都用于踢球。
at the latest 最迟
I should be back by 11 o'clock at the latest.
我应该最晚11点回来。
Passengers should check in one hour before their flight time at the latest.
乘客最迟应在班机起飞前一小时办理登机手续。
I'll give you a definite answer on Friday at the latest.
我最迟星期五给你一个确切的答复。
at the mercy of 受……支配，任凭……摆布
The ship was at the mercy of the storm.
那只船在暴风雨中失去控制。
They are absolutely at the mercy of providence.
他们完全听天由命。
The picnic was at the mercy of the weather.
去不去野餐要由天气决定。
★ absolutely['æbsəluːtlɪ]adv.绝对地，完全地
★ providence['prɔvɪdəns]n.天意，天佑
at the moment 此刻，目前
I'm afraid she's not here at the moment.
我恐怕她现在不在这儿。
The number is engaged at the moment. Try again in five minutes.
这个号码现在占线，五分钟后再试试吧。
He's unemployed at the moment and has been for over six months.
他目前失业，已经有半年多了。
at the outset 在开头时
At the outset of her career she was full of optimism, but not now.
她事业伊始十分乐观，但现在已今非昔比了。
You made a mistake at the outset.
你从一开始就错了。
At the outset, it looked like a nice day.
开始的时候，天看上去很晴朗。
★ optimism['ɔptɪmɪzəm]n.乐观，乐观主义
at the outside 最多，充其量
With tips I can earn ￡150 a week, at the very outside.
连小费在内我每星期最多能挣150英镑。
It's only a 20-minute walk, half an hour at the outside.
这只是20分钟的路程，最多半小时。
It might cost 10 dollars, or 15 dollars at the outside.
这可能要花10美元，顶多15美元。
at the peak of 在……高峰期
She's at the peak of her career.
她正处于她事业的顶峰。
Hotel rooms are difficult to reserve at the peak of the holiday season.
在度假季节的高峰期，很难预订到酒店房间。
I'm at the peak of my condition.
我现在达到了最佳的身体状况。
at the ready 可立即使 用的
He stood by the phone, pencil at the ready.
他站在电话旁边，把铅笔准备好了。
He had his camera at the ready.
他把照相机准备好，可随时拍摄。
I always have my notebook at the ready position.
我总是将笔记本放在手边，以便随时取用。
at the request of 应……的邀请
I came at the request of you.
我是应你要求而来的。
I came to the office at the request of Mr.Smith.
我应史密斯先生的要求来到了办公室。
I bought it at the request of my father.
我应父亲的要求买了这个。
at the risk of 冒着……的危险
At the risk of sounding ungrateful, I must refuse your offer.
听上去不知感恩，但我必须谢绝你的提议。
At the risk of sounding stupid, can I ask a question?
虽然听上去很愚蠢，我能问个问题吗？
He says it at the risk of losing his job.
他冒着失业的危险说这个。
★ ungrateful[ʌn'greɪtfl]adj.不感激的，不领情的
at the same time 同时，一起；但是，然而
Don't all speak at the same time.
大家别同时说。
She was laughing and crying at the same time.
她一面笑一面哭。
You've got to be firm, but at the same time you must be sympathetic.
你态度要强硬，但还必须有同情心。
★ sympathetic[sɪmpə'θetɪk]adj.同情的，表示同情的'
at the worst 在最坏的情况下，从坏处想
At the worst we'll have to sell the house so as to settle our debts.
实在没办法我们就得把房子卖了还债。
At the worst, I will have to tell her the truth.
如果实在没办法，我就只能告诉她真相了。
Consider the problem at the worst.
从最坏的情况考虑这个问题。
at this rate 照此速度；照这种情形；既然这样
I can't keep pace with you at this rate.
你这速度我可跟不上。
At this rate, we shall soon be bankrupt.
这样下去的话，我们很快就要破产了。
At this rate we won't ever be able to afford a holiday.
照这种情形看来，我们就无法度假了。
★ keep pace with（与……）齐步前进，
（与……）并驾齐驱
★ bankrupt['bæŋkrʌpt]adj.破产的
at times 有时，间或
Life is hard at times.
生活有时候是艰难的。
You can be really annoying at times, you know.
你知道吗，你有时候真的很烦人。
Everyone may make mistakes at times.
每个人不时都会犯错误。
★ annoying[ə'nɔɪɪŋ]adj.使人气恼的，讨厌的
at will 任意，随意
He can cry at will.
他可以随意哭。
The animals are allowed to wander at will in the park.
这些动物可以在公园里随意走动。
You are free to leave the house at will.
你有随意离开这栋房子的自由。
★ wander['wɔndə（r）]v.游荡，闲逛
at work 在工作的地方，在干活；在起作用，在运转
Please don't ring me at work.
打电话请不要打到我上班的地方。
She suspected that secret influences were at work.
她怀疑有些势力暗中作祟。
They were watching the artist at work.
他们看着那个艺术家忙个不停。
★ suspect[sə'spekt]v.怀疑
attach to 附在……上，把……系在……
Please attach the sample to the letter.
请随信附上样品。
You'll be attached to this department until the end of the year.
你在年底前将暂时属于这一部门。
No blame attaches to you in this affair.
这件事不怪你。
★ sample['sɑːmpl]n.样品，标本
attend to 注意；专心；照料
Attend to your work and stop talking.
专心工作，不要说话。
Could you attend to this matter immediately?
你能不能立刻处理这件事？
A nurse attends to his needs.
有个护士照顾他。
★ immediately[ɪ'miːdiətli]adv.立即，马上
awake to 认识，明白，意识
Are you fully awake to the danger you're in?
你充分意识到自己所处的危险了吗？
Too few people are awake to the dangers of noise pollution.
很少有人意识到噪声污染的危险。
You must be awake to the realities of life.
你必须意识到人生的现实。
aware of 意识到
Are you aware of the time?
你知道是什么时候了吗？
It happened without my being aware of it.
事情在我不知不觉中发生了。
I am acutely aware of the difficulties we face.
我十分清楚我们面临的困难。