| 释义 |
clear water, n.
Brit. |ˈklɪə ˈwɔːtə|, U.S. |ˌklɪ(ə)r ˈwɔdər|, |ˌklɪ(ə)r ˈwɑdər|
[‹ clear adj. + water n.]
1. Chiefly Rowing. A stretch of water between the stern of a boat (esp. the leading boat in a race) and the bow of the nearest following boat.
1870Boston Advertiser 23 July in L. H. Bagg Yale & Harvard Boat Racing (1871) 8 Lyman promptly set forty-four strokes to the minute, which brought them to the stake with an oar's length of clear water between their boat's stern and the Yale's bow. 1930Times 18 July 7/7 With a length and a half of clear water between him and Collet, he drove Collet out of his water, drew level in the next minute, and..took four lengths off him in the next minute. 1945R. E. Anderson Merchant Marine & World Frontiers xxiii. 171 That number of Liberty ships.., moored bow and stern with a minimum of clear water between each vessel and its neighbor, would stretch for fifty miles. 2001Press (Canterbury, N.Z.) (Electronic ed.) 25 Aug. Olympic champions Germany have won every title except one since quads [sc. quadruple sculls] came into the world championship programme in 1985. Usually they have put clear water on their nearest rivals.
2. fig. A significant difference between two positions or options, esp. those of rival organizations; spec. (also in clear blue water) that between the British Conservative and Labour parties (blue traditionally being the colour representing the Conservatives).
1972Lat. Amer. 18 Aug. 260/1 He said he respected Lanusse, but disagreed with him on many points... The statements have a somewhat artificial smell; it could well be that they merely feel that Manrique's candidacy has a better chance with some clear water between them. 1985Listener 14 Feb. 4/3 The Government, it is said, wants to see ‘clear water’ between the rewards of those in work and those on benefit. 1996Adv. Driving Milestones (Inst. Adv. Motorists) 21/1 We wanted to put clear water between the majority of responsible operators and the few cowboys who let the side down. 2002Times 16 July 1/2 Michael Howard, the Shadow Chancellor, confirmed the clear blue water separating the Tories from Labour. |