短語動詞(phrasal verbs)的變化確實不少,同一動詞與不同的介詞組合,便帶出截然不同的意思,耐人尋味。
Show 展示、表示
He likes to show off his wealth.
他喜歡炫耀其財富。
Did he show up at the party?
他可有在那次聚會出現?
Let us show him up to be the crook that he is.
我們要揭露他其實是奸詐之人。
Shut 關閉
Oh, do shut up!
噢,請住口!
The theatre was shut down for repairs.
劇院關閉了以便維修。
Stand 站立、忍受
Stand by me! 支持我!
The presidential candidate announces that he stands for change.
總統候選人宣布他的立場是代表改革。
Stay 停留、保持、擱置
He often stays up late to finish his work.
他常為完成工作而捱夜。
He wants to stay away until the gossip clears.
他想離開直至流言散去(即不露面)。
Step 步行、步驟
We have to step up our efforts to succeed.
我們須加倍努力才能成功。
He will step down for a better candidate.
他打算退位讓賢。
Take 取、視為
He takes after his father.
他很像他的父親(可能是指樣貌、性格)。
The con man tried to take us in but we found him out.
那騙子試圖蒙騙我們但被我們識破。
Do not take it out on me; it was not my fault.
勿向我洩憤,錯不在我。
I will take over his job.
我將接替他的職務。
The flight will take off at midnight.
航班將於午夜起飛(啟航)。
Let me take you out for lunch.
讓我請你出外午膳。
I want to take up painting.
我想開始學習繪畫。
Wind 風、擰、捲、轉彎
The chairman winds up discussions with a summary of key points.
主席結束討論時略述扼要點。
He has to wind up his business because of losses.
由於生意虧蝕,他要結束營業。
After all the excitement, the children found it difficult to wind down.
玩得太過興奮,小朋友難以靜下來。
謹望大家細意檢視上文所列,加以研究。 ■余黎青萍 前教育署署長
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