work /BrEwɜːk; NAmEwɜːrk/ ► SEE ALLwork against sb/sthwork around sthwork around to sthwork at sthwork at doing sthwork away (at sth)work sth inwork sth into sthwork yourself into sthwork off sthwork sth offwork on sbwork on sthwork outwork sb out work sth outwork itself outwork sb overwork round sth, etc. work throughwork throughwork through sthwork through sthwork to sthwork towards sthwork sb upwork yourself up (into sth)work sth upwork up to sth●ˌwork aˈgainst sb/sthif sth works against sb/sth, it has the effect of making it harder for sb to do or achieve sth妨碍，阻碍（某人做成某事）；对…造成不便◆The engineering career structure works against women. 工程行业的职业结构不利于女性。◆The new policy has worked against the interests of farmers. 新政策损害了农民的利益。[v + prep]●ˌwork aˈround sth (BrE alsoˌwork ˈround sth) to find a way of doing what you want to in spite of situations, rules, etc. that could prevent you doing it绕开，规避（造成妨碍的状况、规则等）；绕道走◆If we can’t get rid of the problem, we’ll just have to work round it. 如果我们不能解决这个问题，就只好绕过它了。◆He urged the two sides to work around their disputes and reach an agreement. 他敦促双方求同存异，达成协议。◆My uncle couldn’t read, but he’d found ways to work around it because he was too embarrassed to tell anyone. 我叔叔不识字，但他设法回避这一点，因为他羞于让人知道。[v + prep]▸ˈwork-around
noun
a way of dealing with a problem which allows you achieve the result you want, without actually getting rid of the problem（未真正处理问题的）变通办法，权宜之计◆a work-around solution 临时性解决方案●ˌwork aˈround to sth (BrE alsoˌwork ˈround to sth) to gradually turn a conversation towards a particular topic逐渐转移（话题）◆I wondered when he would work around to the subject of money. 我不知道他何时会绕到钱的问题上来。[v + adv + prep]●ˈwork at sth●ˈwork at doing sthto make great efforts to achieve sth or do sth well努力；致力于◆She worked hard at her French and passed the exam. 她刻苦学习法语，通过了考试。◆You’ve got to work at losing weight. 你必须花力气减肥。◆You’ve got to work at it. 你必须下功夫。◆Marriage has to be worked at. 婚姻需要悉心维系。[v + prep]●ˌwork aˈway (at sth) (often used in the progressive tenses常用于进行时) to continue to work hard for a period of time继续努力（做某事）◆I’ve been working away in the gym, trying to get fit. 我一直在健身房锻炼以保持健康。◆Ruth spends hours in the library, working away at Japanese. 鲁思在图书馆一呆就是好几个小时，苦学日语。[v + adv]●ˌwork sth ˈin●ˌwork sth ˈinto sth1.to add one substance to another and mix them together掺入；将…搅拌进◆Work the butter in with your fingers. 用手指把黄油掺进去。◆Use plenty of polish and work it well into the wood. 涂上足量的光蜡并使它充分渗入木料。2.to try to include sth in a piece of writing, a speech, etc.设法把…加进（文章、讲话等）中；尽量包括◆Try and work in something about your own experience. 尽量穿插讲点你本人的经验。◆He usually manages to work something topical into his act. 他通常会设法在他的节目中加插些热门话题。1[v + n/pron + adv][v + adv + n][v + n/pron + prep]2[v + adv + n][v + n/pron + adv][v + n/pron + prep]●ˌwork yourself ˈinto sthto become very angry, excited, etc.变得十分气愤（或非常激动等）◆She’s working herself into a state about the exams. 她因为考试而精神紧张起来。◆He was working himself into a rage. 他开始暴跳如雷。➡ see also work sb up, work yourself up[v + pron + prep]●ˈwork off sth (of a machine, a piece of electrical equipment, etc.机器、电气设备等) to use a supply of power or another machine in order to operate靠电源（或其他机器）运行◆The lighter works off the car battery. 点火器利用车载蓄电池打火。[v + prep]●ˌwork sth ˈoff1.to get rid of sth by physical effort（通过消耗体力）宣泄，消除◆He went for a run to work off some calories. 他去跑步以消耗部分热量。◆By the time she had finished cleaning, she had worked off her anger. 她打扫完卫生之后气就消了。2.to earn money to pay off a debt挣钱还清（债务）◆They worked off their huge bank loan over five years. 他们工作了五年多才还清了那一大笔银行贷款。3.if you work off a punishment, etc., you do what you have been told to do because you have done sth wrong or committed a crime服从，接受（处罚等）◆Keane has started to work off his eight-match suspension. 基恩开始接受停赛八场的处罚。[v + adv + n][v + n/pron + adv]●ˈwork on sbto try to persuade sb to agree to sth or to do sth努力劝说…同意（或去做某事）；尽力说服◆My father hasn’t said he will lend me the car yet, but I’m working on him. 父亲还没说他会把汽车借给我，但我正在竭力说服他。[v + prep]●ˈwork on sth🔑1.to be busy with a particular activity, project, piece of research, etc.忙于，从事（某个活动、项目、研究等）◆What are you working on at the moment? 你现在忙什么呢？◆The committee worked on ways to raise money. 委员会忙于找路子筹措资金。◆Tara is currently working on a solo album. 塔拉眼下正忙着制作个人演唱专辑。2.to practise or work hard in order to improve sth刻苦练习，努力工作（以改进某事物）◆Your designs are great, but you need to work on them a bit more. 你的设计很棒，但还需要下点功夫完善一下。◆You need to work on your technique (= for example, in a sport). 你得下功夫提高技术。◆Jack’s been working on building up his confidence. 杰克一直在努力增强自信。◆‘Have you sorted things out with your parents yet? ’ ‘No, but I’m working on it(= I’m trying hard to do this).’ “你和父母之间的事解决了吗？”“没有，但我正在继续努力。”3.to consider that sth is true when you are saying or doing sth, planning sth, etc.以…为前提；以…为出发点；基于◆We are working on the assumption that everyone invited will come. 我们的前提是假设受邀者都会出席。◆The police are working on the theory that she was attacked by somebody she knew. 警方认为袭击她的人是她认识的人并展开追查。[v + prep]●ˌwork ˈout🔑1.to happen or develop in a particular way, especially a successful way进展；（尤指）成功地发展◆I’m glad my plan worked out (= was successful). 我很高兴我的计划成功了。◆Their marriage didn’t work out (= was not successful). 他们的婚姻不美满。◆It is all working out very well. 一切都进展得很顺利。◆Don’t worry now, everything will work out all right in the end. 别操心了，所有事情最终都会有个好结果的。2.(at sth)if sth works out at sth, you calculate that it will be a particular amount计算；算出◆The rent works out at £50 a week each. 租金算下来是每人每周 50 英镑。◆It’ll work out cheaper to go by bus. 算来还是乘公共汽车便宜些。NOTEWork out is often used with cheaper, more expensive, etc. * work out 常与 cheaper、more expensive 等连用。3.to train the body by physical exercise锻炼身体；做运动◆I try and work out three times a week. 我尽量每周锻炼三次。4.if a sum, a maths problem, etc. works out, it gives a result（总数、数学题等）等于，解出◆The equation won’t work out if x is negative. 如果 x 为负数，这个等式就不成立。[v + adv]▸ˈworkout
noun
a period of physical exercise锻炼◆I did a two-hour workout in the gym. 我在健身房锻炼了两个小时。●ˌwork sb ˈout (especially BrE) to understand sb’s character了解，理解，弄懂（某人的性格）◆I’ve never been able to work my mother out. 我一直摸不准母亲的脾气。SYNfigure sb outNOTENot used in the passive.不用于被动语态。[v + n/pron + adv][v + adv + n] (rare) ●ˌwork sth ˈout🔑1.to calculate sth计算；算出◆You’ll have to work out the costs involved. 你得计算出所需费用。◆Can you work out the answer to number 2? 你能算出第 2 题的答案吗？◆I worked out that we owe him £30. 我计算了一下，我们欠他 30 英镑。◆Let me pay for now and we’ll work it out later. 由我先付吧，我们以后再算清楚。OBJcost, answer SYNfigure sth out2.to find the answer to a question or sth that is difficult to understand or explain找到…的答案；处理；解决◆I couldn’t work out how Jack had got there so quickly. 我弄不清杰克怎么这么快就到了那儿。◆We worked out that we were second cousins. 我们搞清楚了我们原来是远房堂兄弟。◆Can you work out what’s going on? 你能弄明白目前的情况吗？◆The game was fairly simple once we’d worked out the rules. 我们搞清楚规则，这个游戏就很简单了。SYNfigure sth outNOTEWork sth out is often used with how, where, why, etc. * work sth out 常与 how、where、why 等连用。➡ SYNONYMS 同义词辨析work sth out clear sth up ◇ crack sth ◇ figure sb/sth out ◇ solve sth ◇ unravel sth ◇ work sth out These verbs all mean to find the correct answer or explanation for sth.这些动词都表示解答、解释、解决。 clear sth up (not formal) to solve or explain sth that is mysterious or confusing解决（难题）；解释（谜团）Police are desperate to have this murder cleared up.警方正竭力侦破这桩谋杀案。 crack sth (not formal) to find the solution to sth such as a crime or problem破获（案件）；解开（难题）We need some more solid evidence if we're going to crack the case. 要想侦破此案我们需要一些更确凿的证据。I think we've cracked it.我想我们已经解开谜团了。 figure sb / sth out (not formal) to think about sth until you understand it, especially how to do sth, what has happened, etc.明白；领会到I can't figure out how to do this.我搞不清楚这个怎么做才好。I've never been able to figure her out.我一直没能摸透她。 solve sth to find the solution to a problem or explanation for sth that is difficult to understand or explain解答；解决We were given clues to help us solve the puzzle.我们已经得到了有助于解开这道难题的线索。The mystery has not yet been completely solved.这个谜团仍未完全破解。 unravel sth to explain sth that is mysterious or difficult to understand解释；澄清The discovery will help us unravel the secrets of the Ice Age.这一发现将有助于我们解开冰河时期的秘密。 work sth out (not formal) to think about sth until you understand it, especially how to do sth, what has happened, etc.找到…的答案；处理；解决I'm trying to work how I could possibly have spent $150 last night.我正想弄明白昨晚我怎么会花了 150 元。 WHICH WORD? Work sth out is used more in British English and figure sb / sth out is used more in American English. However, if you are talking about understanding sb's character and behaviour figure sb out is used in both British and American English. * work sth out 多用于英国英语，而 figure sb / sth out 多用于美国英语。但如果指摸透某人的个性和行为，英国和美国英语均用 figure sb out。 PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONSto work out / figure out how / what / where / who / why…to solve / work out a puzzle / an equationto solve / clear up / crack / unravel a case / mysteryto solve / clear up a crime / murder / question / problemto work out / figure out the answer / solution3.to plan sth; to think of sth计划；思考◆I’ve worked out a better way of doing it. 我想到一个做这件事的更好的办法。◆The details still have to be worked out. 细节还需进一步斟酌。OBJdetails, plan, way4.to organize sth or deal with problems in an acceptable way妥善安排（或处理）◆Ed and Jane seem to have worked things out between them. 埃德和简似乎已妥善解决了他们之间的问题。SYNsort sth out5.to continue to work at your job until the end of the period of time mentioned持续工作到（某期限）◆They didn’t make me work out my notice (= the period of time that is officially fixed before you can leave your job). 他们没有让我工作到期满。◆He didn’t want to work out the rest of his years in an office. 他不想把余生消耗在办公室里。6.to remove all the coal or metal from a mine把（煤或金属）挖尽；采掘完（煤或金属矿）◆Most of the mines had been worked out. 大多数矿井都已开采光了。SYNexhaust sthNOTEOften used in the passive.常用于被动语态。[v + n/pron + adv][v + adv + n]●ˌwork itself ˈoutif a problem works itself out, it gradually stops being a problem without anyone having to do anything（问题）逐步自行解决，逐渐自动化解◆Did you think everything would just work itself out? 你是不是以为所有事情都会自动了结？SYNsort itself out[v + pron + adv]●ˌwork sb ˈoverto attack sb physically and injure them, either as a punishment or to get information from them拷打；逼供◆They sent the boys round to work him over. 他们派出了几个小兄弟去拷问他。[v + n/pron + adv][v + adv + n]●ˌwork ˈround sth, etc. (BrE) ➡work around sth, etc.●ˌwork ˈthroughto work without stopping for a particular period of time（一段时间内）连续工作，不停干活◆At harvest time we work through until it gets dark. 在收获季节，我们一直干到天黑。[v + adv]●ˌwork ˈthrough●ˌwork ˈthrough sth1.to start to have an effect somewhere开始影响；对…发挥作用◆These pressures have worked through to the staff. 这些压力影响到了员工。◆The full effects of the change will take time to work through the system. 这项改革对整个体系产生全面影响尚需时日。2.to move or pass through sth gradually until you reach a particular point逐渐移动到；慢慢过渡到◆I started at page one and slowly worked my way through to the end. 我从第一页慢慢读到结尾。◆You shouldn’t try to work through the course too fast. 你不该过快地完成这门课程。◆Allow time for the drug to work through your body. 药效要过一段时间才会扩展到你全身。[v + adv][v + prep]●ˌwork ˈthrough sth1.to experience a problem, a difficult situation, etc., and deal with it until you eventually find a solution处理好（问题）；熬过，挨过（困境）◆to work through grief / emotions 消除悲伤 ∕克服感情问题◆Counselling is helping him work through this trauma. 心理辅导正帮助他摆脱精神创伤。◆The situation was difficult for the family, but they were able to work through it and come out the other side. 这个家庭那时处境困难，但他们终于挺过来并熬出了头。2. ( work sth ˈthroughless frequent) to think or talk about sth carefully until you can find a solution仔细想出（解决办法）；交流清楚；谈妥◆If you are having problems in your relationship, take time to work through it with your partner. 如果你们的感情有问题，花点时间和你的伴侣沟通解决。◆Work the problem through together. 共同想办法解决这个问题。1[v + prep]2[v + prep][v + n/pron + adv] (less frequent) ●ˈwork to sthto follow a plan, etc.遵照（计划等）；根据…行事◆We’re working to a very tight schedule. 我们的日程安排很满。◆They have to work to a budget. 他们必须按照预算办事。[v + prep]●ˌwork toˈwards sth ( ˌwork toˈward sthespecially NAmE) to try to reach or achieve a goal努力达到，设法完成（目标）◆She’s working towards her PhD. 她在攻读博士学位。◆The two groups are working towards the same end. 这两个组正向同一目标迈进。◆Jo’s working towards obtaining a Master’s degree. 乔正为获得硕士学位而努力。[v + prep]●ˌwork sb ˈup●ˌwork yourself ˈup (into sth)to gradually make sb/yourself become very upset, angry or excited about sth（使）开始苦恼，变得愤怒，兴奋起来◆She had worked herself up into a rage. 她把自己搞得怒气冲冲。◆He worked the crowd up into a frenzy. 他把人群煽动得疯狂起来。◆You’ve worked yourself up into a state again. Try and relax. 你又激动起来了。尽量放松些。[v + n/pron + adv][v + adv + n]▸ˌworked ˈup(about sth)
adjective
[not before noun] (informal) very excited, upset or angry about sth（对某事）非常兴奋，心烦意乱，非常生气◆What was Ben so worked up about? 本对什么事这么激动？◆I can’t get at all worked up about cars (= I am not interested in or excited by cars). 我对汽车根本不感兴趣。◆She gets terribly worked up(= nervous) about exams. 她对考试紧张得要死。●ˌwork sth ˈup1.to gradually develop or increase sth until you have enough逐步发展；逐渐增加（到足量）◆We jogged up the hill to work up an appetite. 我们为增加食欲慢跑上山。◆I can’t work up much enthusiasm for this subject. 我对这个话题提不起多大热情。◆She soon worked up a sweat. 她不一会儿就满身大汗了。2.(into sth)to spend time and effort on a piece of work in order to improve or complete it努力使改善；精心使完成◆The idea needs a lot of working up. 这个创意需要下一番工夫加以完善。◆You could work up this idea into a story. 你可以用这个构思创作出一个故事。◆Some of the sketches were worked up into paintings. 有些速写加工成了油画。[v + adv + n][v + n/pron + adv]●ˌwork ˈup to sth1.to gradually prepare for and move towards sth that is more exciting or extreme逐步发展到，逐渐达到（更高或更深的程度）◆He started slowly and worked up to running ten miles a day. 他开始时慢跑，后来逐渐发展到一天跑十英里。◆The tension works up to a climax towards the end of the film. 电影快结束时，紧张气氛达到了高潮。2.to prepare yourself to do sth difficult or unpleasant为（困难或令人不快的事情）作准备◆I haven’t told him yet but I’m working up to it. 我还没告诉他呢，但我正准备说。SYNbuild up(to sth)[v + adv + prep]