好词典

gauntlet

UK //ˈɡɔːntlət//US //ˈɡɔːntlət//

词源

源自中古英语'gantelet',古法语'gantelet'(小手套),与'glove'同源。军事挑战含义来自中世纪扔手套决斗的传统。

noun

❶ 一种防护手套,通常由金属或皮革制成,用于战斗中保护手部。现代也指某些运动或工业用途的防护手套。

“The knight wore a gauntlet to protect his hands during the duel.”

(骑士在决斗时戴着一只金属护手来保护双手。)

“The blacksmith's gauntlets shielded his hands from the sparks.”

(铁匠的防护手套保护他的手不被火星烫伤。)

❶ 指一种挑战或考验,常与'run the gauntlet'短语连用,表示经历一系列困难或批评。

“The new employee had to run the gauntlet of tough questions from the board.”

(新员工不得不面对董事会提出的一系列尖锐问题。)

“Politicians often run the gauntlet of media scrutiny.”

(政客们经常要经受媒体的严格审查。)

同义词:glove, mitt, challenge, ordeal, trial

常见短语

run the gauntlet — 指经历一系列困难或挑战,原指古代一种刑罚,受罚者需从两排人中间跑过并遭受击打。

“After the scandal, the CEO had to run the gauntlet of angry shareholders.”

(丑闻发生后,首席执行官不得不面对愤怒的股东们的连番质问。)

throw down the gauntlet — 发起挑战,源自中世纪骑士扔手套表示要求决斗的传统。

“The young scientist threw down the gauntlet to the established theory.”

(这位年轻科学家向既定理论发起了挑战。)