litmus /ˈlɪtməs/●the ˌacid ˈtest (of sth) ( the ˈlitmus testespecially in NAmE) a situation which finally proves whether sth is good or bad, true or false, etc.决定性的考验◆They’ve always been good friends, but the acid test will come when they have to share a flat.他们一直是好朋友,可是两个人必须合住一套公寓,真正的考验快要到了。ORIGINBoth these expressions originally referred to chemical tests. The acid test uses nitric acid to test if something is made of gold. The litmus test uses litmus paper to test for acids and alkalis.这两个表达法原指两种化学试验。acid test (酸性试验)使用硝酸测试物质是否含金。litmus test (石蕊试验)使用石蕊试纸检测物质的酸碱性。