
好词典

源自中古英语 'stuflen',可能与古法语 'estouffer'(意为“窒息”)有关,最终源于拉丁语 'stuppa'(意为“麻絮”)。
❶ 阻止某事发生或发展,通常指通过压制或限制的方式。常用于描述抑制情感、声音或行动。
“She tried to stifle a yawn during the meeting.”
(她在会议中试图忍住不打哈欠。)
“The government was accused of stifling free speech.”
(政府被指控压制言论自由。)
stifle a yawn — 忍住不打哈欠,通常用于描述在正式场合或不想被人注意时控制自己的行为。
“During the lecture, he had to stifle a yawn to appear attentive.”
(在讲座期间,他不得不忍住哈欠以显得专注。)
stifle innovation — 抑制创新,指通过限制或阻碍的方式阻止新想法或技术的发展。
“Too many regulations can stifle innovation in small businesses.”
(过多的规定可能会抑制小企业的创新。)