| 单词 | on spec |
| 释义 | > as lemmason spec b. on spec, on the chance of obtaining some advantage, gaining some profit, etc. Later more generally: as a gamble, on the off chance. ΘΚΠ the world > existence and causation > causation > chance or causelessness > [adverb] > on the off chance on speculation1811 on spec1832 1832 F. Marryat Newton Forster III. ix. 143 Both..came out on spec. 1837 C. Dickens Pickwick Papers xxxiii. 368 They said what a wery gen'rous thing it was o' them to have taken up the case on spec. 1857 C. Kingsley Two Years Ago III. vii. 217 If tradesmen will run up houses on spec in a water-meadow, who can stop them? 1928 R. Campbell Wayzgoose ii. 36 Some came on spec and others came on bikes. 1938 F. D. Sharpe Sharpe of Flying Squad xxv. 256 He never tries anywhere on spec., and never does more than two houses a night. 1970 G. Greer Female Eunuch 178 The third book bought on that same day was bought on spec. 1978 N.Y. Mag. 3 Apr. 36/3 Franklin Thomas remembers starting the center on spec with an analysis that projected a 50–50 chance of succeeding. 1981 B. Hines Looks & Smiles 197 ‘Is he expecting you?’ ‘No, we just came on spec.’ on spec 2. Winchester College slang. A good or enjoyable thing or occasion. Also on spec. ΚΠ 1891 R. G. K. Wrench Winchester Word-bk. (1901) (at cited word) < as lemmas |
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