
shadows
词源
源自古英语 sceadwe/sceadu(阴影),与古高地德语scato、拉丁语umbra同源,原始印欧语词根*skehd-(覆盖、隐藏)。
noun
❶ 指物体挡住光线后在地面或墙上形成的暗影,通常比物体本身轮廓更模糊。
“The tree cast long shadows in the afternoon sun.”
(树在午后的阳光下投下长长的影子。)
“She saw two shadows moving behind the curtain.”
(她看到窗帘后面有两个影子在移动。)
❶ 比喻性用法,表示某人或某事物留下的持续影响或痕迹。
“He lived under the shadow of his famous father.”
(他在著名父亲的阴影下生活。)
“The war left deep shadows on the survivors' minds.”
(战争在幸存者心中留下了深深的阴影。)
verb
❶ 指秘密跟随或监视某人,通常用于侦探或间谍活动。
“The detective shadowed the suspect for three days.”
(侦探秘密跟踪嫌疑人三天。)
“Reporters shadowed the celebrity during her vacation.”
(记者们暗中跟拍这位名人的度假行程。)
常见短语
afraid of one's own shadow — 形容人非常胆小,连自己的影子都害怕,极度容易受惊吓。
“After the robbery, she became afraid of her own shadow.”
(遭遇抢劫后,她变得草木皆兵。)
in the shadows — 指在暗处或不引人注目的地方,也可比喻在幕后或不被知晓的状态。
“The real power often lies in the shadows.”
(真正的权力往往隐藏在幕后。)