英语词组COMMUNICATION是什么意思，短语翻译、用法及例句-英语词组固定搭配大全

IDIOMSLANG

COMMUNICATION

clue someone in (on something)

to inform someone of something. (Informal.)

Please clue me in on what's going on.Yes, clue her in.

drive at something

to be making a point; to be approaching the making of a point.

I do not understand what you are telling me. What are you driving at?She was driving at how important it is to get an education.

get a load off one's mind

to communicate what one is thinking; to speak one's mind. (Informal.)

He sure talked a long time. I guess he had to get a load off his mind.You aren't going to like what I'm going to say, but I have to get a load off my mind.

get in touch (with someone)

to communicate with someone; to telephone or write to someone.

I have to get in touch with John and ask him to come over for a visit.Yes, you must try to get in touch.

get the floor

to receive official permission to address the audience.

When I get the floor, I'll make a short speech.The last time you had the floor, you talked for an hour.

get through (to someone)

to reach someone; to manage to communicate to someone.

I called her on the telephone time after time, but I couldn't get through to her.I tried every kind of communication, but I couldn't get through.

give it to someone (straight)

to communicate something to someone clearly and directly. (Informal.)

Come on, give it to me straight. I want to know exactly what happened.Quit wasting time, and tell me. Give it to me straight.

give someone the low-down (on someone or something)

to communicate to someone the full story about someone or something. (Slang.)

Please give Sally the low-down on the new expressway.I do not know what's going on. Please give me the low-down.

in short

stated briefly.

At the end of the financial report, the board president said, "In short, we are okay."My remarks, in short, indicate that we are in good financial shape.

keep in touch (with someone) and stay in touch (with someone)

to remain in friendly communication with someone.

I try to keep in touch with my cousins.All our family tries to stay in touch.

keep someone posted

to keep someone informed (of what is happening); to keep someone up to date.

If the price of corn goes up, I need to know. Please keep me posted.Keep her posted about the patient's status.

leave word (with someone)

to leave a message with someone (who will pass the message on to someone else).

If you decide to go to the convention, please leave word with my secretary.Leave word before you go.I left word with your brother. Didn't he give you the message?

make a face (at someone)

to attempt to communicate to someone through facial gestures, usually an attempt to say "no" or "stop."

I started to tell John where I was last night, but Bill made a face so I didn't.John made a face at me as I was testifying, so I avoided telling everything.

make a point

to state an item of importance. (As in sports and games.)

You made a point that we all should remember.He spoke for an hour without making a point.

out of touch with someone

no longer talking to or writing to someone; knowing no news of someone.

I've been out of touch with my brother for many years.We've been out of touch for quite some time.

put a bee in someone's bonnet

to give someone an idea (about something).

Somebody put a bee in my bonnet that we should go to a movie.Who put a bee in your bonnet?

put ideas into someone's head

to suggest something—usually something bad—to someone (who would not have thought of it otherwise).

Bill keeps getting into trouble. Please don't put ideas into his head.Bob would get along all right if other kids didn't put ideas into his head.

put someone in the picture

to give someone all the necessary facts about something.

They put the police in the picture about how the accident happened.Would someone put me in the picture about what went on in my absence?

put something in

to submit something.

In fact, I put the order in some time ago.I put in a request for a new typewriter.

put something into words

to state or write a thought; to find a way to express a feeling with words.

I can hardly put my gratitude into words.John has a hard time putting his feelings into words.

put something plainly

to state something firmly and explicitly.

To put it plainly, I want you out of this house immediately.Thank you. I think you've put your feelings quite plainly.

so to speak

as one might say; stated in a certain way, even though the words are not exactly accurate.

John helps me with my taxes. He's my accountant, so to speak.I just love my little poodle. She's my baby, so to speak.

tip someone off

to give someone a hint; to warn someone. (Slang.)

I tipped John off that there would be a test in his algebra class.I didn't want to tip off everyone, so I only told John.

to put it mildly

to understate something; to say something politely. (Note the variation in the examples.)

She was angry at almost everyone—to put it mildly.To say she was angry is putting it mildly.To put it mildly, she was enraged.

trot something out

to mention something regularly or habitually, without giving it much thought. (Informal.)

Jack always trots the same excuses out for being late.When James disagreed with Mary, she simply trotted out her same old political arguments.

COMMUNICATION - KEYBOARD

hunt-and-peck

a slow "system" of typing where one searches for a letter and then presses it. (From the movement used by fowls when feeding. Fixed order.)

I never learned to type right. All I do is hunt-and-peck.I can't type. I just hunt-and-peck, but I get the job done—eventually.

on line

connected to a computer.

As soon as I get on line, I can check the balance of your account.I was on line for an hour before I found out what I wanted to know.

pound something out

to type something on a typewriter or computer. (Slang.)

Please pound it out again. There are six errors.It'll take just a few hours to pound out this letter.

COMMUNICATION - PROCEDURES

go through channels

to proceed by consulting the proper persons or offices.

If you want an answer to your questions, you'll have to go through channels.If you know the answers, why do I have to go through channels?

COMMUNICATION - PUBLIC

leak something (out) and let something (get) out

to disclose special information to the press so that the resulting publicity will accomplish something. (Usually said of government disclosures. Also used for accidental disclosures.)

Don't leak that information out.I don't want to be the one to leak it.They let news of the politician's affair get out on purpose.

put something into print

to have something printed and published.

It's true, but I never believed you'd put it into print.This is a very interesting story. I can't wait to put it into print.

serve notice

to announce (something).

John served notice that he wouldn't prepare the coffee anymore.I'm serving notice that I'll resign as secretary next month.

stick something up

to affix or attach something onto a wall, post, etc.

This notice ought to be on the bulletin board. Please stick it up.I'm going to stick up this poster near the entrance.

COMMUNICATION - SWEAR

use strong language

to swear, threaten, or use abusive language.

I wish you wouldn't use strong language in front of the children.If you feel that you have to use strong language with the manager, perhaps you had better let me do the talking.

COMMUNICATION - TELEPHONE

get (a)hold of someone

to manage to reach someone on the telephone.

I tried to get hold of you earlier in the day, but your line was busy.See if you can get ahold of Tom and ask him why he is late.

give someone a ring and give someone a buzz

to call someone on the telephone. (Informal.)

Nice talking to you. Give me a ring sometime.Give me a buzz when you're in town.

on hold

left waiting on a telephone line.

I hate to call up someone and then end up on hold.I waited on hold for ten minutes when I called city hall.

put someone on hold

to leave someone waiting on a telephone call.

Please don't put me on hold. I'll call back later when you aren't so busy.I'll have to put you on hold while I look up the information.

COMMUNICATION - VERBAL

(all) in one breath

spoken very rapidly, usually while one is very excited.

Ann said all in one breath, "Hurry, quick! The parade is coming!"Jane was in a play, and she was so excited that she said her whole speech in one breath.Tom can say the alphabet all in one breath.

bend someone's ear

to talk to someone, perhaps annoyingly.

Tom is over there, bending Jane's ear about something.I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bend your ear for an hour.

beyond words

more than one can say. (Especially with grateful, shocked, and thankful.)

Sally was thankful beyond words.I don't know how to thank you. I'm grateful beyond words.

break the news (to someone)

to tell someone some important news, usually bad news.

The doctor had to break the news to Jane about her husband's cancer.I hope that the doctor broke the news gently.

by word of mouth

by speaking rather than writing.

I learned about it by word of mouth.I need it in writing. I don't trust things I hear about by word of mouth.

change the subject

to begin talking about something different.

They changed the subject suddenly when the person whom they had been discussing entered the room.We'll change the subject if we are embarrassing you.

chew the fat and chew the rag

to have a chat with someone; to talk very informally with one's close friends. (Informal.)

Hi, old buddy! Come in and let's chew the fat.They usually just sat around and chewed the rag. They never did get much done.

engage in small talk

to talk only about minor matters rather than important matters or personal matters.

All the people at the party were engaging in small talk.They chatted about the weather and otherwise engaged in small talk.

exchange more than words with someone

to say hardly anything to someone. (Always negated.)

I know Tom was there, but I am sure that I didn't exchange more than three words with him before he left.We hardly exchanged more than two words the whole evening.Sally and Liz didn't have enough time to exchange more than five words.

find one's tongue

to be able to talk. (Informal.)

Tom was speechless for a moment. Then he found his tongue.Ann was unable to find her tongue. She sat there in silence.

get a frog in one's throat

to get soreness or something else in one's throat that prevents one from talking well.

The speaker got a frog in his throat and had to stop talking for a while.Excuse me. I have a frog in my throat.

get a word in edgewise and get a word in edgeways

to manage to say something when other people are talking and ignoring you. (Often in the negative.)

It was such an exciting conversation that I could hardly get a word in edgewise.Mary talks so fast that nobody can get a word in edgeways.

give out with something

to utter or say something.

Suddenly, the dog gave out with a horrible growl.At that point, John gave out with a comment about how boring it all was.Come on, tell me. Give out with it!

give voice to something

to express a feeling or an opinion in words; to speak out about something.

The bird gave voice to its joy in the golden sunshine.All the people gave voice to their anger at Congress.

have the gift of gab

to have a great facility with language; to be able to use language very effectively. (Slang.)

My brother really has the gift of gab. He can convince anyone of anything.If I had the gift of gab like you do, I'd achieve more in life.

hold forth , speak at length

to speak at length. (Informal.)

I've never seen anyone who could hold forth so long.The professor held forth about economic theory for nearly an hour.

in a stage whisper

in a loud whisper that everyone can hear.

John said in a stage whisper, "This play is boring.""When do we eat?" asked Billy in a stage whisper.

make chin music

to talk or chatter. (Slang.)

We sat around all evening making chin music.You were making chin music when you should have been listening.

mention someone or something in passing

to mention someone or something casually; to mention someone or something while talking about someone or something else.

He just happened to mention in passing that the mayor had resigned.John mentioned in passing that he was nearly eighty years old.

pipe up with something

to speak up and say something, especially with a high-pitched voice.

Billy piped up with a silly remark.Did I hear somebody pipe up with an insult?

put words into someone's mouth

to speak for another person without permission.

Stop putting words into my mouth. I can speak for myself.The lawyer was scolded for putting words into the witness's mouth.

ramble on (about someone or something)

to talk aimlessly about someone or something.

John is so talkative. He's always rambling on about something.You're rambling on yourself.

rattle something off and reel something off

to recite something quickly and accurately.

She can really reel them off.Listen to Mary rattle off those numbers.

run off at the mouth

to talk excessively. (Slang.)

Shut up, John. You're always running off at the mouth.There is no need to run off at the mouth. Stop talking so much for so long.

say something under one's breath

to say something so softly that almost no one can hear it.

John was saying something under his breath, and I don't think it was very pleasant.I'm glad he said it under his breath. If he had said it out loud, it would have caused an argument.

shoot the breeze

to spend time chatting.

I went over to Bob's place and shot the breeze for about an hour.Don't spend so much time shooting the breeze. Get to work!

shoot the bull

to spend time chatting about one's accomplishments, especially with others who are doing the same.

Those guys out in the backyard are just sitting around shooting the bull.It was raining, so everybody spent the day indoors drinking beer and shooting the bull.

slip of the tongue

an error in speaking where a word is pronounced incorrectly, or where something that the speaker did not mean to say is said.

I didn't mean to tell her that. It was a slip of the tongue.I failed to understand the instructions because the speaker made a slip of the tongue at an important point.

speak off the cuff

to speak in public without preparation.

I'm not too good at speaking off the cuff.I need to prepare a speech for Friday, although I speak off the cuff quite well.

speak out of turn

to say something unwise or imprudent; to say the right thing at the wrong time.

Excuse me if I’m speaking out of turn, but what you are proposing is quite wrong.Bob was quite honest, even if he was speaking out of turn.

speak up

to speak more loudly.

They can't hear you in the hack of the room. Please speak up.What? Speak up, please. I’m hard of hearing.

strike up a conversation

to start a conversation (with someone).

I struck up an interesting conversation with someone on the bus yesterday.It's easy to strike up a conversation with someone when you're traveling.

take the words out of one's mouth

[for someone else] to say what you were going to say. (Informal. Also with right, as in the example.)

John said exactly what I was going to say. He took the words out of my mouth.I agree with you, and I wanted to say the same thing. You took the words right out of my mouth.

talk a blue streak

to talk very much and very rapidly. (Informal.)

Billy didn't talk until he was six, and then he started talking a blue streak.I can't understand anything Bob says. He talks a blue streak, and I can't follow his thinking.

talked out

tired of talking; unable to talk more. (Folksy.)

I can't go on. I'm all talked out.She was talked out in the first hour of discussion.

talk in circles

to talk in a confusing or roundabout manner.

I couldn't understand a thing he said. All he did was talk in circles.We argued for a long time and finally decided that we were talking in circles.

talk oneself out

to talk until one can talk no more.

After nearly an hour, he had talked himself out. Then we began to ask questions.I talked myself out in the meeting, but no one would support my position.

talk shop

to talk about business matters at a social event (where business talk is out of place). (Informal.)

All right, everyone, we're not here to talk shop. Let's have a good time.Mary and Jane stood by the punch bowl, talking shop.

talk someone's head off

[for someone] to speak too much. (Slang.)

Why does John always talk his head off? Doesn't he know he bores people?She talks her head off and doesn't seem to know what she's saying.

talk something over

to discuss something

Come into my office so we can talk this over.We talked over the plans for nearly an hour.

talk until one is blue in the face

to talk until one is exhausted. (Informal.)

I talked until I was blue in the face, but I couldn't change her mind.She had to talk until she was blue in the face in order to convince him.

tell one to one's face

to tell (something) to someone directly.

I'm sorry that Sally feels that way about me. I wish she had told me to my face.I won't tell Tom that you're mad at him. You should tell him to his face.

think out loud

to say one's thoughts aloud.

Excuse me. I didn't really mean to say that. I was just thinking out loud.Mr. Johnson didn't prepare a speech. He just stood there and thought out loud. It was a terrible presentation.

wag one's chin

to chatter or chat with someone. (Slang.)

We stood around and wagged our chins for almost an hour.Don't just wag your chin. Stop talking and get to work!

word by word

one word at a time.

We examined the contract word by word to make sure everything was the way we wanted.We compared the stories word by word to see what made them different.

word for word

in the exact words; verbatim.

I memorized the speech, word for word.I can't recall word for word what she told us.

COMMUNICATION - WRITTEN

dash something off

to send something off, usually quickly.

I'll dash a quick note off to Aunt Mary.Ann just dashed off a message to her parents.

draw something up

to put something into writing; to prepare a written document; to put plans on paper. (Used especially with legal documents prepared by a lawyer.)

You should draw a will up as soon as you can.I went to see my lawyer this morning about drawing up a will.The architect is drawing up plans for the new city hall.

drop someone a line and drop someone a few lines

to write a letter or a note to someone. (The line refers to lines of writing.)

I dropped Aunt Jane a line last Thanksgiving.She usually drops me a few lines around the first of the year.

hammer something out

to work hard at writing up an agreement; to work hard at writing something. (As if one were hammering at the keys of a typewriter.)

I’m busy hammering my latest novel out.The lawyers sat down to hammer out a contract.

in black and white

official, in writing or printing. (Said of something, such as an agreement or a statement, which has been recorded in writing. Fixed order.)

I have it in black and white that I’m entitled to three weeks of vacation each year.It says right here in black and white that oak trees make acorns.Please put the agreement into black and white.

make a note of something

to write something down.

Please make a note of this address.This is important. Make a note of it.

mark someone down

to make a note about someone; to note a fact about someone.

I’m going to the party. Please mark me down.Mark me down, too.

put something down

to write something down.

I’II give you the address. Please put it down.I'll put down the address in my address book.

put something down in black and white

to write down the terms of an agreement; to draw up a written contract; to put the details of something down on paper. (Refers to black ink and white paper.)

We agree on all the major points. Now, let's put it down in black and white.I think I understand what you are talking about, but we need to put it down in black and white.

put something on paper

to write something down.

You have a great idea for a novel. Now put it on paper.I'm sorry, I can't discuss your offer until I see something in writing. Put it on paper, and then we'll talk.

write someone or something up to

write an article about someone or something.

A reporter wrote me up for the Sunday paper.I wrote up a local factory and sent the story to a magazine, but they didn't buy the story.

write something down

to write something; to make a note of something. (Also without down.)

If I write it down, I won't forget it.I wrote down everything she said.

write something out

to spell or write a number or an abbreviation.

Don't just write "7," write it out.Please write out all abbreviations, such as Doctor for Dr.

词组	COMMUNICATION
释义	IDIOMSLANG COMMUNICATION clue someone in (on something) to inform someone of something. (Informal.) Please clue me in on what's going on.Yes, clue her in. drive at something to be making a point; to be approaching the making of a point. I do not understand what you are telling me. What are you driving at?She was driving at how important it is to get an education. get a load off one's mind to communicate what one is thinking; to speak one's mind. (Informal.) He sure talked a long time. I guess he had to get a load off his mind.You aren't going to like what I'm going to say, but I have to get a load off my mind. get in touch (with someone) to communicate with someone; to telephone or write to someone. I have to get in touch with John and ask him to come over for a visit.Yes, you must try to get in touch. get the floor to receive official permission to address the audience. When I get the floor, I'll make a short speech.The last time you had the floor, you talked for an hour. get through (to someone) to reach someone; to manage to communicate to someone. I called her on the telephone time after time, but I couldn't get through to her.I tried every kind of communication, but I couldn't get through. give it to someone (straight) to communicate something to someone clearly and directly. (Informal.) Come on, give it to me straight. I want to know exactly what happened.Quit wasting time, and tell me. Give it to me straight. give someone the low-down (on someone or something) to communicate to someone the full story about someone or something. (Slang.) Please give Sally the low-down on the new expressway.I do not know what's going on. Please give me the low-down. in short stated briefly. At the end of the financial report, the board president said, "In short, we are okay."My remarks, in short, indicate that we are in good financial shape. keep in touch (with someone) and stay in touch (with someone) to remain in friendly communication with someone. I try to keep in touch with my cousins.All our family tries to stay in touch. keep someone posted to keep someone informed (of what is happening); to keep someone up to date. If the price of corn goes up, I need to know. Please keep me posted.Keep her posted about the patient's status. leave word (with someone) to leave a message with someone (who will pass the message on to someone else). If you decide to go to the convention, please leave word with my secretary.Leave word before you go.I left word with your brother. Didn't he give you the message? make a face (at someone) to attempt to communicate to someone through facial gestures, usually an attempt to say "no" or "stop." I started to tell John where I was last night, but Bill made a face so I didn't.John made a face at me as I was testifying, so I avoided telling everything. make a point to state an item of importance. (As in sports and games.) You made a point that we all should remember.He spoke for an hour without making a point. out of touch with someone no longer talking to or writing to someone; knowing no news of someone. I've been out of touch with my brother for many years.We've been out of touch for quite some time. put a bee in someone's bonnet to give someone an idea (about something). Somebody put a bee in my bonnet that we should go to a movie.Who put a bee in your bonnet? put ideas into someone's head to suggest something—usually something bad—to someone (who would not have thought of it otherwise). Bill keeps getting into trouble. Please don't put ideas into his head.Bob would get along all right if other kids didn't put ideas into his head. put someone in the picture to give someone all the necessary facts about something. They put the police in the picture about how the accident happened.Would someone put me in the picture about what went on in my absence? put something in to submit something. In fact, I put the order in some time ago.I put in a request for a new typewriter. put something into words to state or write a thought; to find a way to express a feeling with words. I can hardly put my gratitude into words.John has a hard time putting his feelings into words. put something plainly to state something firmly and explicitly. To put it plainly, I want you out of this house immediately.Thank you. I think you've put your feelings quite plainly. so to speak as one might say; stated in a certain way, even though the words are not exactly accurate. John helps me with my taxes. He's my accountant, so to speak.I just love my little poodle. She's my baby, so to speak. tip someone off to give someone a hint; to warn someone. (Slang.) I tipped John off that there would be a test in his algebra class.I didn't want to tip off everyone, so I only told John. to put it mildly to understate something; to say something politely. (Note the variation in the examples.) She was angry at almost everyone—to put it mildly.To say she was angry is putting it mildly.To put it mildly, she was enraged. trot something out to mention something regularly or habitually, without giving it much thought. (Informal.) Jack always trots the same excuses out for being late.When James disagreed with Mary, she simply trotted out her same old political arguments. COMMUNICATION - KEYBOARD hunt-and-peck a slow "system" of typing where one searches for a letter and then presses it. (From the movement used by fowls when feeding. Fixed order.) I never learned to type right. All I do is hunt-and-peck.I can't type. I just hunt-and-peck, but I get the job done—eventually. on line connected to a computer. As soon as I get on line, I can check the balance of your account.I was on line for an hour before I found out what I wanted to know. pound something out to type something on a typewriter or computer. (Slang.) Please pound it out again. There are six errors.It'll take just a few hours to pound out this letter. COMMUNICATION - PROCEDURES go through channels to proceed by consulting the proper persons or offices. If you want an answer to your questions, you'll have to go through channels.If you know the answers, why do I have to go through channels? COMMUNICATION - PUBLIC leak something (out) and let something (get) out to disclose special information to the press so that the resulting publicity will accomplish something. (Usually said of government disclosures. Also used for accidental disclosures.) Don't leak that information out.I don't want to be the one to leak it.They let news of the politician's affair get out on purpose. put something into print to have something printed and published. It's true, but I never believed you'd put it into print.This is a very interesting story. I can't wait to put it into print. serve notice to announce (something). John served notice that he wouldn't prepare the coffee anymore.I'm serving notice that I'll resign as secretary next month. stick something up to affix or attach something onto a wall, post, etc. This notice ought to be on the bulletin board. Please stick it up.I'm going to stick up this poster near the entrance. COMMUNICATION - SWEAR use strong language to swear, threaten, or use abusive language. I wish you wouldn't use strong language in front of the children.If you feel that you have to use strong language with the manager, perhaps you had better let me do the talking. COMMUNICATION - TELEPHONE get (a)hold of someone to manage to reach someone on the telephone. I tried to get hold of you earlier in the day, but your line was busy.See if you can get ahold of Tom and ask him why he is late. give someone a ring and give someone a buzz to call someone on the telephone. (Informal.) Nice talking to you. Give me a ring sometime.Give me a buzz when you're in town. on hold left waiting on a telephone line. I hate to call up someone and then end up on hold.I waited on hold for ten minutes when I called city hall. put someone on hold to leave someone waiting on a telephone call. Please don't put me on hold. I'll call back later when you aren't so busy.I'll have to put you on hold while I look up the information. COMMUNICATION - VERBAL (all) in one breath spoken very rapidly, usually while one is very excited. Ann said all in one breath, "Hurry, quick! The parade is coming!"Jane was in a play, and she was so excited that she said her whole speech in one breath.Tom can say the alphabet all in one breath. bend someone's ear to talk to someone, perhaps annoyingly. Tom is over there, bending Jane's ear about something.I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bend your ear for an hour. beyond words more than one can say. (Especially with grateful, shocked, and thankful.) Sally was thankful beyond words.I don't know how to thank you. I'm grateful beyond words. break the news (to someone) to tell someone some important news, usually bad news. The doctor had to break the news to Jane about her husband's cancer.I hope that the doctor broke the news gently. by word of mouth by speaking rather than writing. I learned about it by word of mouth.I need it in writing. I don't trust things I hear about by word of mouth. change the subject to begin talking about something different. They changed the subject suddenly when the person whom they had been discussing entered the room.We'll change the subject if we are embarrassing you. chew the fat and chew the rag to have a chat with someone; to talk very informally with one's close friends. (Informal.) Hi, old buddy! Come in and let's chew the fat.They usually just sat around and chewed the rag. They never did get much done. engage in small talk to talk only about minor matters rather than important matters or personal matters. All the people at the party were engaging in small talk.They chatted about the weather and otherwise engaged in small talk. exchange more than words with someone to say hardly anything to someone. (Always negated.) I know Tom was there, but I am sure that I didn't exchange more than three words with him before he left.We hardly exchanged more than two words the whole evening.Sally and Liz didn't have enough time to exchange more than five words. find one's tongue to be able to talk. (Informal.) Tom was speechless for a moment. Then he found his tongue.Ann was unable to find her tongue. She sat there in silence. get a frog in one's throat to get soreness or something else in one's throat that prevents one from talking well. The speaker got a frog in his throat and had to stop talking for a while.Excuse me. I have a frog in my throat. get a word in edgewise and get a word in edgeways to manage to say something when other people are talking and ignoring you. (Often in the negative.) It was such an exciting conversation that I could hardly get a word in edgewise.Mary talks so fast that nobody can get a word in edgeways. give out with something to utter or say something. Suddenly, the dog gave out with a horrible growl.At that point, John gave out with a comment about how boring it all was.Come on, tell me. Give out with it! give voice to something to express a feeling or an opinion in words; to speak out about something. The bird gave voice to its joy in the golden sunshine.All the people gave voice to their anger at Congress. have the gift of gab to have a great facility with language; to be able to use language very effectively. (Slang.) My brother really has the gift of gab. He can convince anyone of anything.If I had the gift of gab like you do, I'd achieve more in life. hold forth , speak at length to speak at length. (Informal.) I've never seen anyone who could hold forth so long.The professor held forth about economic theory for nearly an hour. in a stage whisper in a loud whisper that everyone can hear. John said in a stage whisper, "This play is boring.""When do we eat?" asked Billy in a stage whisper. make chin music to talk or chatter. (Slang.) We sat around all evening making chin music.You were making chin music when you should have been listening. mention someone or something in passing to mention someone or something casually; to mention someone or something while talking about someone or something else. He just happened to mention in passing that the mayor had resigned.John mentioned in passing that he was nearly eighty years old. pipe up with something to speak up and say something, especially with a high-pitched voice. Billy piped up with a silly remark.Did I hear somebody pipe up with an insult? put words into someone's mouth to speak for another person without permission. Stop putting words into my mouth. I can speak for myself.The lawyer was scolded for putting words into the witness's mouth. ramble on (about someone or something) to talk aimlessly about someone or something. John is so talkative. He's always rambling on about something.You're rambling on yourself. rattle something off and reel something off to recite something quickly and accurately. She can really reel them off.Listen to Mary rattle off those numbers. run off at the mouth to talk excessively. (Slang.) Shut up, John. You're always running off at the mouth.There is no need to run off at the mouth. Stop talking so much for so long. say something under one's breath to say something so softly that almost no one can hear it. John was saying something under his breath, and I don't think it was very pleasant.I'm glad he said it under his breath. If he had said it out loud, it would have caused an argument. shoot the breeze to spend time chatting. I went over to Bob's place and shot the breeze for about an hour.Don't spend so much time shooting the breeze. Get to work! shoot the bull to spend time chatting about one's accomplishments, especially with others who are doing the same. Those guys out in the backyard are just sitting around shooting the bull.It was raining, so everybody spent the day indoors drinking beer and shooting the bull. slip of the tongue an error in speaking where a word is pronounced incorrectly, or where something that the speaker did not mean to say is said. I didn't mean to tell her that. It was a slip of the tongue.I failed to understand the instructions because the speaker made a slip of the tongue at an important point. speak off the cuff to speak in public without preparation. I'm not too good at speaking off the cuff.I need to prepare a speech for Friday, although I speak off the cuff quite well. speak out of turn to say something unwise or imprudent; to say the right thing at the wrong time. Excuse me if I’m speaking out of turn, but what you are proposing is quite wrong.Bob was quite honest, even if he was speaking out of turn. speak up to speak more loudly. They can't hear you in the hack of the room. Please speak up.What? Speak up, please. I’m hard of hearing. strike up a conversation to start a conversation (with someone). I struck up an interesting conversation with someone on the bus yesterday.It's easy to strike up a conversation with someone when you're traveling. take the words out of one's mouth [for someone else] to say what you were going to say. (Informal. Also with right, as in the example.) John said exactly what I was going to say. He took the words out of my mouth.I agree with you, and I wanted to say the same thing. You took the words right out of my mouth. talk a blue streak to talk very much and very rapidly. (Informal.) Billy didn't talk until he was six, and then he started talking a blue streak.I can't understand anything Bob says. He talks a blue streak, and I can't follow his thinking. talked out tired of talking; unable to talk more. (Folksy.) I can't go on. I'm all talked out.She was talked out in the first hour of discussion. talk in circles to talk in a confusing or roundabout manner. I couldn't understand a thing he said. All he did was talk in circles.We argued for a long time and finally decided that we were talking in circles. talk oneself out to talk until one can talk no more. After nearly an hour, he had talked himself out. Then we began to ask questions.I talked myself out in the meeting, but no one would support my position. talk shop to talk about business matters at a social event (where business talk is out of place). (Informal.) All right, everyone, we're not here to talk shop. Let's have a good time.Mary and Jane stood by the punch bowl, talking shop. talk someone's head off [for someone] to speak too much. (Slang.) Why does John always talk his head off? Doesn't he know he bores people?She talks her head off and doesn't seem to know what she's saying. talk something over to discuss something Come into my office so we can talk this over.We talked over the plans for nearly an hour. talk until one is blue in the face to talk until one is exhausted. (Informal.) I talked until I was blue in the face, but I couldn't change her mind.She had to talk until she was blue in the face in order to convince him. tell one to one's face to tell (something) to someone directly. I'm sorry that Sally feels that way about me. I wish she had told me to my face.I won't tell Tom that you're mad at him. You should tell him to his face. think out loud to say one's thoughts aloud. Excuse me. I didn't really mean to say that. I was just thinking out loud.Mr. Johnson didn't prepare a speech. He just stood there and thought out loud. It was a terrible presentation. wag one's chin to chatter or chat with someone. (Slang.) We stood around and wagged our chins for almost an hour.Don't just wag your chin. Stop talking and get to work! word by word one word at a time. We examined the contract word by word to make sure everything was the way we wanted.We compared the stories word by word to see what made them different. word for word in the exact words; verbatim. I memorized the speech, word for word.I can't recall word for word what she told us. COMMUNICATION - WRITTEN dash something off to send something off, usually quickly. I'll dash a quick note off to Aunt Mary.Ann just dashed off a message to her parents. draw something up to put something into writing; to prepare a written document; to put plans on paper. (Used especially with legal documents prepared by a lawyer.) You should draw a will up as soon as you can.I went to see my lawyer this morning about drawing up a will.The architect is drawing up plans for the new city hall. drop someone a line and drop someone a few lines to write a letter or a note to someone. (The line refers to lines of writing.) I dropped Aunt Jane a line last Thanksgiving.She usually drops me a few lines around the first of the year. hammer something out to work hard at writing up an agreement; to work hard at writing something. (As if one were hammering at the keys of a typewriter.) I’m busy hammering my latest novel out.The lawyers sat down to hammer out a contract. in black and white official, in writing or printing. (Said of something, such as an agreement or a statement, which has been recorded in writing. Fixed order.) I have it in black and white that I’m entitled to three weeks of vacation each year.It says right here in black and white that oak trees make acorns.Please put the agreement into black and white. make a note of something to write something down. Please make a note of this address.This is important. Make a note of it. mark someone down to make a note about someone; to note a fact about someone. I’m going to the party. Please mark me down.Mark me down, too. put something down to write something down. I’II give you the address. Please put it down.I'll put down the address in my address book. put something down in black and white to write down the terms of an agreement; to draw up a written contract; to put the details of something down on paper. (Refers to black ink and white paper.) We agree on all the major points. Now, let's put it down in black and white.I think I understand what you are talking about, but we need to put it down in black and white. put something on paper to write something down. You have a great idea for a novel. Now put it on paper.I'm sorry, I can't discuss your offer until I see something in writing. Put it on paper, and then we'll talk. write someone or something up to write an article about someone or something. A reporter wrote me up for the Sunday paper.I wrote up a local factory and sent the story to a magazine, but they didn't buy the story. write something down to write something; to make a note of something. (Also without down.) If I write it down, I won't forget it.I wrote down everything she said. write something out to spell or write a number or an abbreviation. Don't just write "7," write it out.Please write out all abbreviations, such as Doctor for Dr. bitch box n. a loudspeaker, especially one that announces orders in the armed services. (From World War II and still heard.) The bitch box was blaring out messages and I couldn't sleep.I hate to hear the sarge's voice over the bitch box. buzzword n. a specialist word; a technical word; a jargon word. Your constant use of buzzwords makes your work sound quite trivial.What's the latest buzzword? Dear John letter n. a letter a woman writes to her boyfriend in the military service telling him that she does not love him anymore. Wally got a Dear John letter today.Sally sends a Dear John letter about once a month. grapevine n. a mouth-to-mouth communications network. I heard on the grapevine that Sam is moving to the East.The grapevine was right. He's already left. junk fax n. an unwanted and irritating fax message. We got nothing but a whole pile of junk faxes today.I wish they would outlaw junk faxes. land a blow tr. to make a point. I think I really landed a blow with that remark about extortion.The point about justice landed a blow. scrip(t) n. a note; any piece of paper with a written message. (Underworld.) Hey, Mike, here's a script for you from the boss.Make him sign this script before you let him in on the deal. Stay tuned. 1. sent. “Stay tuned to this radio or television station.” (A formula uttered before a commercial.) I'll be right back after these announcements. Stay tuned.Stay tuned. Back in a minute. 2. sent. “Continue to pay attention to this matter.”; “Watch for further developments.” Things are developing rapidly in this area. Stay tuned.Stay tuned. Pending legislation could change all this. take it to the street tr. to tell everyone about your problems. If there's something bothering her, she's gonna take it to the street, first thing.Come on, don't take it to the street.
随便看	visually warn me off warn me off from warn of warn off warn off from warn off (from someone or something) warn of (someone or something) warn one about warn one against warn (one) against (something) warn one away warn one away from warn (one) away (from someone or something) warn one of warn one off warn one off from warn (one) off (from someone or something) warns warns about warns against warns away warns away from warns her about warns her against