| 词组 | motive |
| 释义 | motive AC /ˈməʊtɪv $ ˈmoʊ-/ noun the reason that makes someone do something, especially when this reason is kept hiddenadjectivesthe main/prime/primary motive The main motive for the killings seemed to be revenge.sb’s real/true motive What were his true motives for offering her the job?a hidden/secret motive She wondered if there was a hidden motive for his departure.an ulterior motive (=a different motive, which you do not tell other people about) He had an ulterior motive for inviting her to his house.a political/economic/sexual/racial motive The murders might have a political motive.a strong motive Barbara had a strong motive for disliking Ben.a possible motive Police have received information about possible motives for the attack.a clear motive She had no clear motive to lie.the underlying motive (=a motive that is not directly stated) The treaty’s underlying motive was to make Japan a strong ally of the US.a sinister motive (=evil or bad) The newspaper article suggested a more sinister motive for their meetings.have mixed motives (=have more than one motive) He had mixed motives for joining the army: a desire to prove himself, but also the desire to get away from his family.verbshave a motive The killer must have had a motive.find/establish a motive So far the police have been unable to establish a motive for the attack.question/suspect/doubt sb’s motives (=think that someone might have bad reasons for doing something) He was quick to question the motives of those who publicly disagreed with him.prepositionsa motive for sth The motive for the attack is unknown.the motive behind sth The main motive behind this research is a commercial one. |
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