
tightrope
词源
复合词,源自tight(紧的)+ rope(绳索),最早记录于19世纪,用于描述马戏表演设备。
noun
❶ 指高空表演者行走的紧绷绳索,常用于马戏团或特技表演中,需要极高平衡能力。
“The acrobat walked across the tightrope without a safety net.”
(杂技演员在没有安全网的情况下走过了绷紧的绳索。)
“Learning to balance on a tightrope takes years of practice.”
(学会在绷索上保持平衡需要多年的练习。)
❶ 比喻处于需要极度谨慎处理的危险或微妙处境,稍有不慎就会失败。
“The diplomat walked a tightrope between the two conflicting nations.”
(这位外交官在两国冲突间如履薄冰。)
“Managing both work and family is like walking a tightrope sometimes.”
(平衡工作和家庭有时就像走钢丝一样需要谨慎。)
常见短语
walk a tightrope — 形容处于需要极度小心平衡的困难处境,常用于比喻危险或微妙的状况。
“The politician had to walk a tightrope between pleasing voters and following party lines.”
(这位政客不得不在取悦选民和遵循党派路线之间小心平衡。)
tightrope walker — 指专业的高空绳索表演者,也用于比喻善于处理复杂局面的人。
“The famous tightrope walker crossed Niagara Falls in 2012.”
(这位著名的绷索表演者于2012年穿越了尼亚加拉大瀑布。)