| 释义 |
grasp BrE /grɑːsp/
NAmE /græsp/► SEE ALLgrasp the nettleclutch/grasp at straws
●grasp the ˈnettle (BrE) deal with a difficult matter, firmly and with courage 果断地处理棘手问题◆The government will have to grasp the nettle. If they don’t, the traffic congestion is going to get out of control.
政府将不得不对此事采取果断的手段。若非如此，交通堵塞问题将一发不可收拾。 ORIGIN This expression refers to the belief that if you touch a nettle (= a plant with leaves that sting) lightly, you will be hurt, but not if you take a firm hold of it. 这个表达法原指这样的观念：轻触荨麻（nettle）时会产生刺痛感，但若用力去抓反而不痛。●clutch/grasp at ˈstrawstry all possible means to find a solution or some hope in a difficult or unpleasant situation, even though this seems very unlikely （在危难中）极力抓住救命稻草，不放过任何微小的机会◆The doctors have told him that he has only 6 months to live, but he won’t accept it. He’s going to a new clinic in Switzerland next week, but he’s just clutching at straws.医生告诉他他只能活 6 个月了，可是他不接受这一诊断。他下周要去瑞士一家新开的诊所，可这只不过是在作绝望的挣扎。 |