好词典
inflate
UK /ɪnˈfleɪt/US /ɪnˈfleɪt/
词源
源自拉丁语 'inflare'，由 in-（进入）和 flare（吹气）组成，字面意思是'吹入'。
verb
❶ 通过充气使物体膨胀变大，常用于描述给气球、轮胎等充气的过程。
“He used a pump to inflate the bicycle tires.”
（他用打气筒给自行车轮胎充气。）
“The children were excited to inflate the balloons for the party.”
（孩子们兴奋地为派对给气球充气。）
❶ 夸大或虚报某事物的价值、数量或重要性，通常带有负面含义。
“The company was accused of inflating its profits to attract investors.”
（该公司被指控虚报利润以吸引投资者。）
“Politicians often inflate the importance of minor achievements.”
（政客经常夸大微小成就的重要性。）
同义词:expand, blow up, enlarge, exaggerate, overstate
常见短语
inflate one's ego — 使某人自我膨胀，通常指通过奉承或过度表扬让人变得自负。
“All that praise from his fans really inflated his ego.”
（粉丝们的所有那些赞美真的让他自我膨胀了。）