
好词典

源自中古英语 'beholden'(受约束的),原为动词 'behold' 的过去分词形式,最终可追溯至古英语 'behealdan'(注视,持有)。
❶ 指因接受他人帮助或恩惠而心怀感激或负有义务的状态,通常带有被动意味。
“She didn't want to be beholden to anyone for financial support.”
(她不想因为经济支持而对任何人感恩戴德。)
“The artist refused grants to avoid being beholden to sponsors.”
(这位艺术家拒绝资助,以免受制于赞助人。)
beholden to — 表示因受惠于某人或某事物而处于需要回报或受约束的状态。
“Small businesses often feel beholden to their biggest clients.”
(小企业常觉得受制于他们的大客户。)