| 词组 | work |
| 释义 | IDIOMSLANG WORK at work working (at something); busy (with something).Tom is at work on his project. He'll be finished in a minute.Don’t disturb me when I'm busy at work. back to the salt mines time to return to work, school, or something else that might be unpleasant. (The phrase implies that the speaker is a slave who works in the salt mines.)It's eight o'clock. Time to go to work! Back to the salt mines.School starts in the fall, and then it's back to the salt mines again. ball and chain a person's special burden; a job. (Usually considered slang. Fixed order. Prisoners are sometimes fettered with a chain attached to a leg on one end and a heavy metal ball on the other.)Tom wanted to quit his job. He said he was tired of that old ball and chain.Mr. Franklin always referred to his wife as his ball and chain. devil of a job and the devil's own job the most difficult task. (Informal. The first entry is usually with a.)We had a devil of a job fixing the car.It was the devil's own job finding a hotel with vacancies. dirty work unpleasant or uninteresting work.My boss does all the traveling. I get all the dirty work to do.She's tired of doing all the dirty work at the office. do something by hand to do something with one's hands rather than with a machine.The computer was broken so I had to do the calculations by hand.All this tiny stitching was done by hand. Machines cannot do this kind of work. earn one's keep to help out with chores in return for food and a place to live; to earn one's pay by doing what is expected.I earn my keep at college by shoveling snow in the winter.Tom hardly earns his keep around here. He should be fired. get down to business and get down to work to begin to get serious; to begin to negotiate or conduct business.All right, everyone. Let's get down to business. There has been enough playing around.When the president and vice president arrive, we can get down to business.They're here. Let's get down to work. get down to something to begin doing some kind of work in earnest.I have to get down to my typing.John, you get in here this minute and get down to that homework! get one's teeth into something to start on something seriously, especially a difficult task. (Informal.)Come on, Bill. You have to get your teeth into your biology.I can't wait to get my teeth into this problem. go into action and swing into action to start doing something.I usually get to work at 7:45, and I go into action at 8:00.When the ball is hit in my direction, you should see me swing into action. go (out) on strike [for a group of people] to quit working at their jobs until certain demands are met.If we don't have a contract by noon tomorrow, we'll go out on strike.The entire workforce went on strike at noon today. go to town to work hard or fast. (Informal.)Look at all those ants working. They are really going to town.Come on, you guys. Let's go to town. We have to finish this job before noon. in the line of duty as part of the expected (military or police) duties.When soldiers fight people in a war, it's in the line of duty.Police officers have to do things they may not like in the line of duty. labor of love a task that is either unpaid or badly paid and that one does simply for one's own satisfaction or pleasure or to please someone whom one likes or loves.Jane made no money out of the biography she wrote. She was writing about the life of a friend and the book was a labor of love.Mary hates knitting, but she made a sweater for her boyfriend. What a labor of love. lie down on the job and lay down on the job to do one's job poorly or not at all. (Lay is a common error for lie.)Tom was fired because he was laying down on the job.You mean he was lying down on the job, don t you?Sorry, I was lying down on the job in English class. on duty at work; currently doing one's work.I can't help you now, but I'll be on duty in about an hour.Who is on duty here? I need some help. one's work is cut out for one one's task is prepared for one; one has a lot of work to do.This is a big job. My work is cut out for me.The new president's work is cut out for him. on the job working; doing what one is expected to do.I'm always on the job when I should be.I can depend on my furnace to be on the job day and night. plug away (at something) and peg away (at something) to keep trying something; to keep working at something.John kept pegging away at the trumpet until he became pretty good at it.I'm not very good at it, but I keep plugging away. put one through one's paces to make one demonstrate what one can do; to make one do one's job thoroughly.The boss really put me through my paces today. I'm tired.I tried out for a part in the play, and the director really put me through my paces. roll one's sleeves up to get ready to do some work.Roll your sleeves up and get busy. This isn't a picnic. This is work!Come on, you guys, get busy. Roll up your sleeves and go to work. the daily grind [someone's] everyday work routine. (Informal.)I'm getting very tired of the daily grind.When my vacation was over, I had to go back to the daily grind. work one's way through college to hold a job that pays part of one's college expenses.Tom couldn't get a loan, so he had to work his way through college.I worked my way through college, and that made college seem more valuable to me. work on something to repair, build, or adjust something.The carpenter worked on the fence for three hours.Bill is out working on his car engine. work 1. noun 1 the betting slips in an illegal lottery or gambling operation US, 1972. 2 cheating in gambling, especially in craps. The statement 'There's work down' means that altered dice or cards are in play US, 1950. 3 dice or cards that have been altered for the purpose of cheating US, 1963. 4 crack cocaine US, 1989. 5 sex US, 1959.► do the work on someoneto kill someone US, 1994.► have your work cut out; have your work cut out for you; have all your work cut outto have enough, or all you can manage, to do – anything more would be too much. From an earlier sense (to have your work prepared for you) UK, 1856 2. verb 1 to cheat at gambling US, 1963. 2 to have sex with someone US, 1957. 3 to sell drugs US, 1993. 4 to dilute a powdered drug US, 1989.► to get workedto be knocked from your surfboard and pummelled by the ocean US, 1987.► work a ginger(of a prostitute) to rob a client. From GINGER AUSTRALIA, 1953.► work for Standard Oilto drive a truck that burns excessive amounts of fuel or oil US, 1971.► work like a charmto achieve a purpose with absolute ease. From the idea of a magic charm influencing the action UK, 1882.► work like a niggerto work very hard. Praise and contempt in equal parts US, 1836.► work the cuts(used of a prostitute) to solicit customers on the streets US, 1987.► work the glory rodeto affect religious conversion while in prison in the hope of receiving an early parole US, 1976.► work the holeto rob drunks sleeping on underground platforms or in the carriages US, 1953.► work the kerb(of a prostitute) to ply for trade from passing motorists UK, 2002.► work the nutsto operate a shell game in a circus midway or carnival US, 1980.► work the other side of the streetto be on opposing sides of a bipolar situation; to make a living as a criminal US, 1982.► work your bollocks offto work very hard UK, 2002.► work your ticketto obtain a discharge from employment on the grounds of physical injury or ill health; originally military but in the prevailing compensation culture applied to any employment situation where benefits of discharge are considerable, and thus fraudulent endeavour is often implied UK, 1899 work against work against sb/sth if something works against you, it makes it harder for you to achieve something: In those days the company career structure tended to work against women and prevent them from getting to the top.■ SIMILAR TO: count against work around work around/round sth to organize what you are doing so that you are able to do it in spite of things that could have stopped you or limited you: I agree that this is a major problem, but we'll just have to work around it. It soon became clear that it wasn't possible to work around the existing law. work around/round to work around/round to sth to very gradually prepare yourself or other people for something that you are going to say or do, for example because it is difficult or embarrassing: It was a difficult subject to talk about with my boss, and I knew that I must work around to it gradually. Martin was clearly working round to saying something, so I waited to hear what it was. work at work at sth to try hard to improve or achieve something: Budd always had a terrible temper, and really had to work at self-control.work at it If you work at it, your reading will improve over time.work at doing sth This year we've worked hard at expanding the business, and it's done very well.■ SIMILAR TO: work on work away work away to keep working hard for a long time: At the studio we were able to see engineers and technicians working away in the control room.+ at I went round the back and found Jake working away at a table he was making.■ SIMILAR TO: beaver away BrE informal, slog away BrE informal work in 1. work sth in • work in sth to add one substance to another and mix them together thoroughly: Add the butter to the flour and work it in with your fingers.2. work sth in • work in sth to rub a soft substance into a surface until it disappears completely: Using a cloth, work the wax in well, and allow it to dry before polishing the wood.■ SIMILAR TO: rub in3. work in sth • work sth in to cleverly include something in a speech or a piece of writing: During the interview he managed to work in a reference to his new book.■ SIMILAR TO: slip in work into 1. work sth into sth to add one substance to another and mix them together thoroughly: Gradually work the remaining flour into the dough.2. work sth into sth to rub a soft substance into a surface until it disappears completely: Work the cream gently into your skin.■ SIMILAR TO: rub (into)3. work sth into sth to cleverly include something in a speech or a piece of writing: He managed to work a few jokes into his talk.4. work yourself into a state/rage/frenzy etc to become very angry or upset about something, especially something that is not very important: She's worked herself into a real state about her electricity bill.■ SIMILAR TO: work yourself up work off 1. work off sth • work sth off to get rid of an unpleasant feeling, for example anger or worry, by doing something that uses energy: If I feel aggressive and frustrated at the end of the day, I sometimes go swimming to try and work it off. It's often a good idea to work off some of your tension by walking to the interview.2. work off sth • work sth off to do something that uses energy after you have eaten a lot, in order to stop yourself getting fat or so that you feel less full: Physical exercise is good for working off those extra calories. I suggested going for a long walk, to try and work off the enormous lunch we'd had.3. work off sth • work sth off to pay back a debt by earning the money you owe, or by working without pay for the person who lent you the money: The company managed to work off billions of dollars of debt incurred in the 1980s. I'm not taking out another loan - it took me years to work off the last one.4. work off sth if a piece of equipment works off a particular supply of power, it uses that supply to make it work: The alarm works off the car's own battery. work on 1. work on sth to work in order to produce or achieve something: At the time of her death she was working on a new novel. Are you working on any films at the moment? The company is working on a new version of its world-famous 'Beetle' car.2. work on sth to spend time trying to improve something in order for it to be successful: Chris is a very strong player, but he still needs to work on his technique.■ SIMILAR TO: work at3. work on sth to spend time working to repair something: He spends most of his weekends working on his motorbike.4. work on sb to keep trying to persuade or influence someone, for example so that they will agree to do something, or to let you do something: The authorities still don't want to put traffic lights on the bridge, but we're working on them. I've been working on my mum to let me have a motorbike for ages now. work out 1. work out sth • work sth out to calculate the answer to a problem that involves numbers, amounts, prices etc: "How much will all the building work cost?" "I haven't worked out the exact figures yet." Francis sat down to work out how much of his salary he would have to save each year.■ SIMILAR TO: calculate2. work out sth • work sth out to think carefully about something in order to decide what you should do or how you should do it: Rod's spent over an hour working out the best route to take. UN negotiators were busy working out a way to end the dispute.+ what/where/how etc We know what we're aiming at, but we still have to work out how to put it into practice.have it all worked out (=have completely planned how you are going to do something) I have no idea how to do this, but Sid says he has it all worked out.3. work out sth • work sth out especially BrE to succeed in understanding something by thinking carefully about it+ what/why/how etc She finally managed to work out how to switch the machine on. There was obviously something wrong, but I couldn't work out what it was.■ SIMILAR TO: figure out, suss out spoken, especially BrE work sb out BrE to understand someone's character or why they behave as they do: Don looked at her, puzzled. He was still trying to work this girl out.can't work sb out I can't work Geoff out, one day he's friendly and the next he ignores me completely.■ SIMILAR TO: make sb out, figure sb out4. work out if the cost of something works out at a particular amount, that is what it costs when you calculate the figures+ at At the end of the evening, the meal worked out at $15 each.+ to be The total cost of advertising works out to be about $900 million annually.work out expensive/cheap etc (=be expensive or cheap) If we go by taxi, it's going to work out very expensive.5. work out if something works out, it is successful: The marriage didn't work out, and we split up after two years. About three years ago, I made a decision to open a restaurant, and luckily for me it's all worked out perfectly.6. work out if a situation works out in a particular way, it happens or develops in that waywork out well/badly etc Financially, things have worked out very well for us. At the time, the situation seemed hopeless, but in the end it all worked out fine.■ SIMILAR TO: turn out7. work out to do physical exercises, especially regularly, in order to make your body fit and strong: I've started to work out in the gym two or three times a week.workout n C a period of physical exercise or training: Then we went and had a shower and breakfast, just what we needed after a good workout.8. work itself out if a problem or a difficult situation works itself out, it gradually becomes less and less difficult until it stops existing: There are always problems when you start something new like this, but they usually work themselves out in time.■ SIMILAR TO: resolve itself9. be worked out if a mine is worked out, all the coal, gold etc has been removed from it. A mine is a place where coal, gold etc is dug out of the ground.: The mine, which is in the Forest of Dean, is almost worked out now, after 700 years of use.■ SIMILAR TO: be exhausted10. work out your notice/your contract to continue to do your job until the end of a fixed period of time that you had agree to work: She's resigned, but she still has to work out her three months' notice. work over work sb over • work over sb informal to hit someone hard many times: The gang tied him to a chair and worked him over, until they got tired and left him, half dead.■ SIMILAR TO: beat up, do over BrE spoken informal work round ► see work around/round work through 1. work through sth • work sth through to deal with a problem or difficulty by discussing it in detail until you find a solution you are happy with: Mann feels that he has a special relationship with Lofte that will enable them to work through any differences. If neither of you wants a divorce, then you'll just have to work it through. Conflicts of interest were bound to happen, and they had to be worked through by negotiation and bargaining.2. work through sth • work sth through to deal with strong feelings of anger, sadness, guilt etc by talking or thinking about them until you feel more in control of them or understand them better: When someone close to you dies, you need support, so that you can work through your grief. Tom's fear of relationships had to be explored and worked through.3. work through • work through sth if the result of a decision or an action works through, it gradually has an effect: It always takes time for a change in policy to work through. The educational reforms will work through the system slowly, over several years.4. work through to continue working for a long period without stopping for a break: Liz starts work at 5.30 pm. and works through until midnight. work towards work towards/toward sth to try hard to achieve something that can only be achieved gradually, over a period of time: The two sides have been working toward an agreement for several months. The government is working towards greater openness and less secrecy. work up 1. work up sth • work sth up if you work up a feeling such as courage, interest, or sympathy, you try to make yourself feel it, especially with difficulty: We'd already lost one game, and we couldn't work up any enthusiasm for another.work up the courage/energy to do sth The boys were obviously watching us, and working up the courage to speak to us. I'm so tired I can't even work up the energy to go to bed.■ SIMILAR TO: summon up2. work up an appetite/thirst to make yourself feel hungry or thirsty, by taking some exercise or waiting a long time before you eat or drink: We went for a brisk walk along the beach to work up an appetite for dinner.3. be worked up to feel very angry, excited, or upset about something: Mel seemed to be very worked up about something.get worked up (about sth) Tim's always late, so there's no point in getting so worked up about it.■ SIMILAR TO: be agitated4. work sb up to make someone feel upset, worried, or excited:+ into He was a brilliant speaker and knew exactly how to work his audience up into a state of excitement.work yourself up Stop working yourself up over nothing and let's have a drink.5. work sth up • work up sth to produce a final plan, design, or piece of writing from the ideas or information that you have: U-Haul worked up the design for the posters and Dial Corp is printing them.+ into I'd like you to take detailed notes, and work them up into a report later.6. work up to gradually increase the amount of something that you do or take regularly: In general with this drug, it's best to start with a low dose and then work up.+ to Start with ten minutes of exercises each day and work up to half an hour.■ SIMILAR TO: build up7. work up a sweat to take enough exercise to make your body get hot and start to sweat (=produce liquid from your skin): You need to run two or three miles a day, just enough to work up a sweat. work up to 1. work up to sth • work sb up to sth to gradually get ready to do something that seems difficult, or tell someone something that seems embarrassing: Topaz suddenly realized that Tim was working up to a proposal of marriage.work up to doing sth I hope you're not working up to telling me that you can't pay me what you owe.work yourself up to doing sth They've been working themselves up to asking for a pay rise, but I don't think they'll get it.■ SIMILAR TO: lead up to sth2. work up to sth to gradually do more of something, or do something that is more and more difficult, until you reach a particular level: If I were you I'd do the easy questions and then work up to the more difficult ones.■ SIMILAR TO: build up to sth work(one's way) into something1. . to get into something tight or small gradually and with effort. He worked himself into the dark corner and hid there for a while. The mouse worked into the crack and got stuck. 2. . to get more deeply involved in something gradually. I don't quite understand my job. I'll work my way into it gradually. Fred worked into the daily routine gradually. work(one's way) through something1. . Lit. to work to earn money to pay the bills while one is in college, medical school, law school, etc. I worked my way through college as a waiter. 2. . Fig. to progress through something complicated. I spent hours working my way through the tax forms. I worked through the forms very slowly. 3. . Fig. to struggle through an emotional trauma. When she had finally worked through her grief, she was able to function normally again. Larry worked through the pain.
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英语词组固定搭配大全包含354030条英汉双解词组，基本涵盖了全部常用英文词组、短语的翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。