| 单词 | least |
| 释义 | least (liːst ) Least is often considered to be the superlative form of little1. 1. at least phrase B1 You use at least to say that a number or amount is the smallest that is possible or likely and that the actual number or amount may be greater. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. ...a dinner menu featuring at least 15 different sorts of fish. Aim to have at least half a pint of milk each day. About two-thirds of adults consult their doctor at least once a year. You should use this mouthwash several times a day – twice at the very least. Synonyms: at the minimum, at the very least, not less than 2. at least phrase B1 You use at least to say that something is the minimum that is true or possible. The forms at the least and at the very least are also used. She could take a nice holiday at least. He is at least content that there will be no immediate use of force. At the least, I needed some sleep. His possession of classified documents in his home was, at the very least, a violation of Navy security regulations. 3. at least phrase B2 You use at least to indicate that you are correcting or changing something that you have just said. It's not difficult to get money for research or at least it's not always difficult. They didn't like the magazine much, but they bought it or, at the least, borrowed it from each other. 4. at least phrase B1 You use at least to indicate an advantage that exists in spite of the disadvantage or bad situation that has just been mentioned. We've no idea what his state of health is but at least we know he is still alive. If something awful happens to you at least you can write about it. 5. adjective B2 You use the least to mean a smaller amount than anyone or anything else, or the smallest amount possible. I try to offend the least amount of people possible. If you like cheese, go for the ones with the least fat. Synonyms: smallest, meanest, fewest, minutest Least is also a pronoun. On education funding, one country performs best but spends the least per student. Least is also an adverb. Damming the river may end up benefitting those who need it the least. 6. adverb [ADVERB adjective/adverb] B1+ You use least to indicate that someone or something has less of a particular quality than most other things of its kind. He is the youngest and least experienced player in the team. He was one of the least warm human beings I had ever met. ...the least technically accomplished car in Europe. 7. adjective You use the least to emphasize the smallness of something, especially when it hardly exists at all. [emphasis] I don't have the least idea of what you're talking about. They neglect their duty at the least hint of fun elsewhere. The bosses paid less than they had promised and at the least complaint went to the police. 8. adverb [ADVERB with verb] B1+ You use least to indicate that something is true or happens to a smaller degree or extent than anything else or at any other time. He had a way of throwing her off guard with his charm when she least expected it. 9. adjective You use least in structures where you are emphasizing that a particular situation or event is much less important or serious than other possible or actual ones. [emphasis] Having to get up at three o'clock every morning was the least of her worries. [+ of] Although three days isn't very long, shortage of time was the least of his problems. At that moment, they were among the least of the concerns of the government. [+ of] 10. pronoun B2 You use the least in structures where you are stating the minimum that should be done in a situation, and suggesting that more should really be done. Well, the least you can do, if you won't help me yourself, is to tell me where to go instead. The least they could have given me was half a day to rest. The least his hotel could do is provide a little privacy. the least I could/can do phrase You use expressions like 'that's the least that I can do' to mean that you are very willing to do it, or to acknowledge someone's thanks. [formulae] Why not relax and let me teach you how to windsurf? It's the least I can do. 'Right,' she said, chuckling. 'Thanks, anyway.' 'It was the least I could do'. 11. in the least phrase You can use in the least and the least bit to emphasize a negative. [emphasis] I'm not like that at all. Not in the least. I'm not in the least bit touched by the Marilyn Monroe kind of beauty. Alice wasn't the least bit frightened. 12. last but not least phrase You use last but not least to say that the last person or thing to be mentioned is as important as all the others. ...her four sons, Christopher, twins Daniel and Nicholas, and last but not least 2-year-old Jack. 13. least of all phrase You can use least of all after a negative statement to emphasize that it applies especially to the person or thing mentioned. [emphasis] No one ever reads these articles, least of all me. Such a speech should never have been made, least of all by a so called responsible politician. 14. not least phrase You can use not least to emphasize a particularly important example or reason. [emphasis] Dieting can be bad for you, not least because it is a cause of stress. Everyone is more reluctant to travel these days, not least the Americans. 15. to say the least phrase You can use to say the least to suggest that a situation is actually much more extreme or serious than you say it is. [emphasis] Accommodation was basic to say the least. Some members of the public can be a bit abusive to say the least. Synonyms: at the very least, without any exaggeration, to put it mildly Idioms: least said, soonest mended [British, old-fashioned] said to mean that it is a good idea to say very little, because you might upset someone or make a situation worse if you say too much Say nothing. Least said, soonest mended is what I always say. Especially in court. Easy Learning Idioms Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers Collocations: least likely to They are the least likely to save of all age groups. The Sun Afterwards we conferred about whose hands were least likely to drop the money at the cash desk. Times,Sunday Times What emphases are they most or least likely to hear? Christianity Today Traditionally, those aged 65 and over are the age group least likely to shop online. The Sun Workers least likely to call 'house' are ad staff, market traders and estate agents. The Sun Despite all this attention, though, it still remains one of the world's least understood nations. Times, Sunday Times Most friends and acquaintances at least understood the nature of the decision. Times, Sunday Times Because they are the most vulnerable and least understood or supported. Times, Sunday Times One analytics consultancy said that it gave up on managers altogether, preferring to deal exclusively with executives, because they at least understood what they did. Times, Sunday Times Success can be analysed and, if not recreated in factory conditions, then at least understood as a tangible product that comes from relentless hours of purposeful practice. Times, Sunday Times Translations: Chinese: 最小的 Japanese: 最も少ない |
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