好词典

twig

UK /twɪɡ/US /twɪɡ/

词源

源自古英语'twicce'(分叉物),与古诺尔斯语'tvik'(分叉)同源,动词义项可能来自树枝断裂的拟声联想。

noun

❶ 指树木或灌木上细小的分枝,通常比树枝更细更嫩,常用于描述植物的自然生长状态或作为柴火材料。

“She picked up a dry twig and threw it into the campfire.”

(她捡起一根干枯的小树枝扔进了篝火里。)

“The bird built its nest using twigs and leaves.”

(小鸟用细枝和树叶搭建了它的窝。)

同义词:branchlet, sprig, shoot

verb

❶ 突然理解或意识到某事,多用于英式英语口语,表示顿悟的过程。

“It took me a while to twig what she was hinting at.”

(我花了好一会儿才明白她暗示的意思。)

“He finally twigged that they were playing a joke on him.”

(他终于意识到他们是在捉弄他。)

同义词:realize, grasp, comprehend

常见短语

not a twig — 强调完全没有或丝毫不剩,常用于夸张表达某物被彻底消耗或消失。

“After the beavers finished, there wasn't a twig left on the tree.”

(河狸啃完后,树上连一根细枝都不剩了。)

twig and berries — 英语俚语,幽默地指代男性生殖器,属于非正式场合的俏皮说法。

“He covered his twig and berries when jumping into the cold lake.”

(他跳进冰冷的湖水里时护住了自己的关键部位。)