好词典

bedlam

UK //ˈbed.ləm//US //ˈbed.ləm//

词源

源自中古英语 Bedlem,是伦敦伯利恒圣玛丽精神病院(Bethlehem Hospital)的简称,该院以收治精神病人闻名,后引申为混乱的代名词。

noun

❶ 指极度混乱或嘈杂的场景,常用来形容失控的吵闹环境或精神错乱的状态。源自历史上伦敦著名的精神病院名称。

“The classroom was complete bedlam after the teacher left.”

(老师离开后,教室彻底陷入混乱。)

“The protest turned into bedlam when the police arrived.”

(警察到达后,抗议活动变得一片混乱。)

同义词:chaos, pandemonium, turmoil, uproar, mayhem

常见短语

like bedlam — 形容某处或某种状态极其混乱吵闹,如同精神病院般的场景。

“The kids' birthday party was like bedlam with all the shouting and running around.”

(孩子们的生日派对充斥着叫喊和奔跑,简直像疯人院一样。)