好词典

balk

UK /bɔːk/US /bɔːk/

词源

源自古英语 'balca'(梁木、障碍),与古北欧语 'bjalki'(横梁)同源,最初指物理障碍,后引申为行为上的抗拒。

verb

❶ 因犹豫或害怕而突然停止行动,常用于描述人或动物因障碍或心理抗拒而拒绝前进。

“The horse balked at jumping over the high fence.”

(马匹在跨越高栅栏时突然退缩不前。)

“She balked when asked to speak in front of the crowd.”

(当被要求在人群前发言时,她突然僵住了。)

同义词:hesitate, refuse, recoil, resist, shy away

noun

❶ 指阻碍行动的事物或障碍,也指棒球投手的违规动作。

“The fallen tree was a balk to our progress.”

(倒下的树木成为我们前进的障碍。)

“The pitcher committed a balk by faking a throw.”

(投手因假动作被判投球违例。)

同义词:obstacle, hindrance, barrier, impediment, block

常见短语

balk at — 对某事表现出犹豫或拒绝,通常因为觉得困难或不合理。

“Many employees balk at the new overtime policy.”

(许多员工对新加班政策表示抵触。)