好词典

weasel

UK //ˈwiː.zəl//US //ˈwiː.zəl//

词源

源自古英语 'weosule',可能与古高地德语 'wisula'(意为黄鼠狼)同源,最终可能来自原始印欧语词根表示'流动'或'滑动',形容其敏捷的动作。

noun

❶ 一种小型肉食性哺乳动物,身体细长,行动敏捷,常见于北半球。常用来形容狡猾或诡计多端的人。

“I saw a weasel dart across the road this morning.”

(今天早上我看到一只黄鼠狼飞快地穿过马路。)

“The weasel is known for its ability to sneak into small spaces.”

(黄鼠狼以能钻进狭小空间而闻名。)

同义词:ferret, stoat, ermine

verb

❶ 用狡猾或欺骗的手段逃避责任或达成目的,常用于短语 'weasel out'。

“He tried to weasel out of doing his homework.”

(他试图逃避做家庭作业。)

“Don't let him weasel his way out of paying the bill.”

(别让他耍花招逃避付账。)

同义词:evade, dodge, shirk

常见短语

weasel words — 指故意含糊其辞或模棱两可的用语,常用于政治或广告中以避免明确承诺。

“The contract was full of weasel words that made it hard to understand.”

(合同中充满了模棱两可的措辞,让人难以理解。)