好词典

sticky

UK //ˈstɪki//US //ˈstɪki//

词源

源自中古英语 stiky,与 stick(粘贴)同源,最早可追溯至古英语 stician(刺入、黏附)。

adjective

❶ 形容物体表面有黏性,容易粘附其他东西。常用于描述胶水、糖果或潮湿的表面。

“The tape is very sticky and hard to remove.”

(这胶带非常粘,很难撕下来。)

“Her hands were sticky after eating the candy.”

(吃完糖果后她的手黏糊糊的。)

❶ 比喻事情或情况令人困扰、难以摆脱,如棘手的问题或尴尬的局面。

“We're in a sticky situation with this contract.”

(我们在这个合同上陷入了棘手的情况。)

“The politician found himself in a sticky position.”

(这位政治家发现自己处境尴尬。)

同义词:adhesive, tacky, gluey, problematic, tricky

常见短语

sticky fingers — 字面意思是黏糊的手指,常比喻有偷窃习惯的人。

“Be careful with your wallet around him - he's got sticky fingers.”

(在他身边要小心钱包 - 他有顺手牵羊的习惯。)

sticky wicket — 源自板球术语,比喻困难或微妙的处境。

“The company is on a sticky wicket with these new regulations.”

(面对这些新规定,公司处境很困难。)