
好词典

源自古英语cū(单数)和cȳ(复数),源自原始日耳曼语*kūz,与德语Kuh、荷兰语koe同源。动词意义来自古挪威语kúga(压迫)。
❶ 指成年母牛,是cow的复数形式,通常指用于产奶或肉用的雌性牛类动物。
“The farmer milks the cows every morning.”
(农民每天早上给奶牛挤奶。)
“We saw a herd of cows grazing in the field.”
(我们看到一群牛在田野里吃草。)
❶ 指通过恐吓或威胁使某人屈服或顺从,常用于被动语态。
“He was cowed into silence by their threats.”
(他被他们的威胁吓得不敢出声。)
“The bully tried to cow the smaller children.”
(恶霸试图吓唬较小的孩子们。)
till the cows come home — 指很长时间,通常用来形容做某事需要很长时间或永远做不完。
“You can argue till the cows come home, but I won't change my mind.”
(你可以一直争论下去,但我不会改变主意。)
sacred cow — 指不容批评或质疑的人、事物或制度,通常带有讽刺意味。
“The monarchy is often seen as a sacred cow in that country.”
(在那个国家,君主制常常被视为不容质疑的存在。)