词组 | an unknown quantity |
释义 | Idiom an unknown quantity if someone or something is an unknown quantity, you do not know much about them or what effect they will have in the future.Turner may do well in the election, though he is an unknown quantity as a campaigner.The new computer system is still an unknown quantity for our department. an unknown quantityA person or thing that is unpredictable and thus difficult to anticipate. We're still revising our new product, so its potential success is an unknown quantity. This is her first year teaching, so her ability to connect with her students is still an unknown quantity. *unknown quantityFig. a person or thing about which no one is certain. (*Typically: be ~; become ~.) John is an unknown quantity. We don't know how he's going to act. The new clerk is an unknown quantity. Things may not turn out all right. unknown quantityAn unpredictable person or thing, as in We don't know how the new pitcher will do-he's an unknown quantity. This expression comes from algebra, where it signifies an unknown numerical value. Its figurative use dates from the mid-1800s. an unknown quantityCOMMON If someone or something is an unknown quantity, not much is known about them. She had met Max several times, but he was still pretty much an unknown quantity. The team is something of an unknown quantity, having played few big games. Ballet was an unknown quantity in the United States at that time. unknown quantitya person or thing whose nature, value, or significance cannot be determined or is not yet known.an ˌunknown ˈquantitya person or thing that you do not know anything or enough about: His ability to make decisions in a crisis is an unknown quantity.Our new director is still an unknown quantity. |
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