好词典

snipe

UK //snaɪp//US //snaɪp//

词源

源自中古低地德语 'snīpe',可能模仿鸟的叫声。动词意义(射击)源于19世纪猎鸟行为。

noun

❶ 一种长嘴的涉禽,生活在湿地环境中,以其细长的喙和隐蔽的习性著称。

“We spotted a snipe hiding in the marsh grass.”

(我们看见一只沙锥鸟藏在沼泽草丛中。)

“The snipe's camouflage makes it hard to see in its natural habitat.”

(沙锥鸟的保护色使其在自然栖息地中难以被发现。)

同义词:sandpiper, woodcock, shorebird

verb

❶ 从隐蔽处射击,尤指远距离或出其不意地攻击;也指暗中批评或嘲讽。

“The soldier sniped at the enemy from a hidden position.”

(士兵从隐蔽位置狙击敌人。)

“He kept sniping at his colleagues during the meeting.”

(他在会议上不断暗中嘲讽同事。)

同义词:shoot, criticize, attack

常见短语

snipe hunt — 一种恶作剧或徒劳的任务,原指欺骗新手去抓不存在的沙锥鸟。

“Sending the intern to find a left-handed screwdriver was just a snipe hunt.”

(让实习生去找左撇子螺丝刀只是个整人把戏。)