单词 | wit |
释义 | wit (wɪt ) Word forms: wits 1. uncountable noun Wit is the ability to use words or ideas in an amusing, clever, and imaginative way. Boulding was known for his biting wit. They love her practical attitude to life, her zest and wit. Synonyms: humour, fun, quips, banter 2. countable noun If you describe someone as a wit, you mean that they have the ability to use words or ideas in an amusing, clever, and imaginative way. Holmes was gregarious, a great wit, a man of wide interests. 3. singular noun If you say that someone has the wit to do something, you mean that they have the intelligence and understanding to make the right decision or take the right action in a particular situation. The information is there and waiting to be accessed by anyone with the wit to use it. Synonyms: cleverness, mind, reason, understanding 4. plural noun [usually poss NOUN] You can refer to your ability to think quickly and cleverly in a difficult situation as your wits. She has used her wits to progress to the position she holds today. 5. plural noun You can use wits in expressions such as frighten someone out of their wits and scare the wits out of someone to emphasize that a person or thing worries or frightens someone very much. [emphasis] You scared us out of our wits. We heard you had an accident. ...a huge bass drum which frightened the wits out of the organist each time it was banged. 6. have one's wits about one/keep one's wits about one phrase If you have your wits about you or keep your wits about you, you are alert and ready to act in a difficult situation. Travellers need to keep their wits about them. 7. to be at your wits' end phrase If you say that you are at your wits' end, you are emphasizing that you are so worried and exhausted by problems or difficulties that you do not know what to do next. [emphasis] We row a lot and we never have time on our own. I'm at my wits' end. 8. pit one's wits against sb phrase If you pit your wits against someone, you compete with them in a test of knowledge or intelligence. I'd like to pit my wits against the best. 9. to wit phrase To wit is used to indicate that you are about to state or describe something more precisely. [literary] The Oracle's advice was sound, to wit: 'Nothing in excess.' 10. battle of wits phrase [battle inflects] If you refer to a situation as a battle of wits, you mean that it involves people with opposing aims who compete with each other using their intelligence, rather than force. With chess you're involved in a battle of wits from start to finish. Quotations: True wit is nature to advantage dress'd, What oft was thought, but ne'er so well expressedAn Essay on Criticism Brevity is the soul of witHamlet Next to being witty yourself, the best thing is being able to quote another's wit Wit is the epitaph of an emotionMenschliches, Allzumenschliches Collocations: lack the wit Teams lack the wit, the optimism and the skill to play like that these days. Times, Sunday Times Unfortunately, it also lacks the wit that might have helped it to rise above these flaws. Times, Sunday Times But they soon sank back into their first-half slackness, lacking the wit or imagination to do much more than lump the ball forward for the final half-hour. Times, Sunday Times It's more scholarly than the previous editions but it lacks the wit. Times, Sunday Times As well as commentary, his presentation and phone-ins were well served by his ready wit and wide sporting knowledge. Times, Sunday Times His ready wit could become very sharp and acerbic. Times, Sunday Times He was always known as being full of mischief but above all as having a ready wit. Times, Sunday Times With a ready wit, an engaging irreverence, a hearty laugh and a talent for mimicry, he was popular at any gathering. Times, Sunday Times His wide knowledge combined with his ready wit and sense of the absurd, and indeed his not inconsiderable charm, always made him a welcome guest at dinner parties. Times, Sunday Times He suffered a heart attack not long thereafter, and his retirement was marred by ill health, which he bore with stoicism and wry wit. Times, Sunday Times Her dry, wry wit further enlivens almost every page. Times, Sunday Times A much-loved and generous-hearted man, whose passion and wry wit brought joy to so many. Times, Sunday Times Archive clips and his customary wry wit make this engaging fun. Times, Sunday Times She was noted for her modest demeanor coupled with wry wit, and always preferred the title of teacher over the more prestigious professor. Retrieved from Wikipedia CC BY-SA 3.0 Translations: Chinese: 智力 Japanese: 機知 |
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