好词典

threadbare

UK //ˈθredbeə(r)//US //ˈθredber//

词源

源自中古英语 thred + bare,字面意思是'线头裸露的',14世纪开始用于形容磨损的织物。

adjective

❶ 形容衣物因长期穿着或洗涤而严重磨损,布料变薄甚至能看到线头。也可比喻事物因过度使用而失去价值或新鲜感。

“He wore a threadbare jacket that had been his father's.”

(他穿着一件已经磨损得很厉害的夹克,那是他父亲的旧衣服。)

“The sofa was covered with threadbare cushions after years of use.”

(经过多年使用,沙发上的垫子已经磨得破旧不堪。)

同义词:worn-out, shabby, tattered, ragged, frayed

常见短语

threadbare argument — 指因反复使用而失去说服力的论点,显得陈旧无力。

“The politician's threadbare arguments failed to address the current crisis.”

(这位政客的陈词滥调未能解决当前的危机。)