释义 |
tt► I don’t mind admitting something· I’m scared and I don’t mind admitting it. ► I quite agree/I couldn’t agree more (=I agree completely) ‘We have to talk.’ ‘Absolutely,’ Meredith replied. ‘I couldn’t agree more.’ ► won’t ... amused He won’t be very amused (=he will be annoyed) when he finds out what’s happened to his garden. ► can’t wait to see the back of I can’t wait to see the back of this project, I can tell you (=I will be happy when it ends). ► don’t believe a word of it I don’t believe a word of it (=I think it is completely untrue). ► don’t/didn’t/won’t etc bother ‘Do you want me to wait for you?’ ‘No, don’t bother.’ ► It didn’t seem worth bothering It didn’t seem worth bothering the doctor about. ► I don’t care ‘He looked angry.’ ‘I don’t care!’ ► don’t come cheap Air fares to Africa don’t come cheap (=are expensive). ► don’t know what came over I’m sorry about that – I don’t know what came over me (=I do not know why I behaved in that way). ► it won’t come to that We need to be prepared to fight, but hopefully it won’t come to that (=that won’t be necessary). ► can’t compete (with something) (=be unable to be more successful) Small independent bookstores simply can’t compete with the big national chains. ► can/can't cope· Older people can't cope so well with the heat. ► don’t need this ... crap· I don’t need this kind of crap (=used when you are angry about the way someone is behaving towards you). ► It didn’t cross ... mind that It didn’t cross her mind that she might be doing something illegal. ► Don’t be daft Me, jealous? Don’t be daft (=that is a silly idea). ► I couldn’t eat another thing spoken (=used to say that you are completely full)· Thanks, that was lovely, but I couldn’t eat another thing. ► won’t get that far The lake is about 4 miles away, but we probably won’t get that far (=won’t go as far as that place). ► you don’t/can’t fool me You can’t fool me with that old excuse. ► can’t function You know I can’t function (=cannot perform normal activities) without a coffee in the morning. ► don’t stand a ghost of a chance They don’t stand a ghost of a chance of winning. ► Don’t even go there ‘What if the two of them ...?’ ‘Don’t even go there!’ ► can’t go on like this I can’t go on like this for much longer. ► somebody doesn’t hear too well/very well (=they have problems with their hearing) Old Zeke doesn’t hear too well anymore. ► couldn’t help it if She couldn’t help it if she was being irrational. ► can’t help it ‘Stop biting your nails.’ ‘I can’t help it.’ ► somebody can’t help feeling/thinking/wondering etc something I can’t help feeling that there has been a mistake. I couldn’t help thinking about the past. ► I hope you don’t mind I hope you don’t mind me asking, but why are you moving? ► can’t/couldn’t imagine· He couldn’t imagine life without his wife. ► Don’t knock it ‘Designer fashion is silly.’ ‘Don’t knock it; it’s an important industry.’ ► don’t know the first thing about I don’t know the first thing about (=I know nothing about) looking after children. ► don’t let’s do something British English informal Don’t let’s argue like this. ► It wasn’t long before It wasn’t long before (=soon) Lisa arrived. ► can’t believe your luck· I couldn’t believe my luck as my number was called out! ► didn’t mean it I’m sure she didn’t mean it (=she did not intend to upset or hurt someone). ► Mind you don’t Mind you don’t fall! ► that’s if you don’t mind We’ll go there together – that’s if you don’t mind. ► don't expect miracles· Don’t expect miracles. A hairdresser can't make a 50-year-old look like a 20-year-old. ► You can’t miss it It’s a huge hotel on the corner. You can’t miss it (=it is very easy to notice or recognize). ► You don’t miss much You don’t miss much, do you (=you are good at noticing things)? ► didn’t miss a trick John didn’t miss a trick (=noticed every opportunity to get an advantage) when it came to cutting costs. ► couldn’t move for At Christmas, you couldn’t move for toys in this house (=there were a lot of toys). ► couldn’t move a muscle Paul couldn’t move a muscle (=could not move at all) he was so scared. ► don’t think much I don’t think much of that idea (=I do not think it is good). ► n’t ... any· We got 3 points and they didn’t get any. ► n’t ... anybody· I didn’t know anybody. ► don’t overdo it Use a few drawings and photographs, but don’t overdo it. ► couldn’t help overhearing I couldn’t help overhearing your argument. ► Don’t panic Don’t panic! We’ll soon get you out of there. ► can’t/couldn’t possibly I can’t possibly allow you to go home in this weather. She couldn’t possibly have heard what was said. ► don’t want to pry I don’t want to pry, but I need to ask you one or two questions. ► didn’t say· I would rather you didn’t say that. ► hadn’t said· I would rather you hadn’t said that. ► can/can’t see You can see the Houses of Parliament from here. ► can/can’t see From the tower, you can see for miles. I can’t see a thing without my glasses. ► can’t see the point of I can’t see the point of (=I do not understand the reason for) spending so much money on a car. ► Don’t be silly ‘Shall we go for a walk?’ ‘Don’t be silly, it’s dark.’ ► can’t/couldn’t sleep· I went to bed, but I couldn’t sleep. ► isn’t so Morton says his parents kicked him out, but his brothers say this isn’t so. ► can’t spare ... time Sorry, I can’t spare the time. ► can’t stand the sight of I know he can’t stand the sight of me. ► can’t stick I can’t stick mum’s new boyfriend. ► Isn’t it strange how Isn’t it strange how animals seem to sense danger? ► it doesn’t surprise me I didn’t know you two knew each other. Mind you, it doesn’t surprise me. ► It wouldn’t surprise ... if It wouldn’t surprise me if he married Jo. ► couldn’t swear to it I think it was about ten o'clock when we left, but I couldn’t swear to it (=I am not certain). ► didn’t take any notice I waved, but he didn’t take any notice (=pretended not to notice). British English ► can’t take any more I just can’t take any more (=can’t deal with a bad situation any longer). ► aren’t talking Sue and Bob still aren’t talking (=are refusing to talk to each other). ► can’t bear the thought of something· I can’t bear the thought of you being hurt. ► doesn’t upper class· The upper class doesn’t want the system to change. ► don’t upper class· The upper class don’t want the system to change. ► won’t be for want of trying Well, if he doesn’t get the job it won’t be for want of trying! ► I don’t wonder British English (=I am not surprised) I don’t wonder you’re tired. ► I shouldn’t wonder British English (=I would not be surprised about something) He’ll come back soon enough, I shouldn’t wonder. ► it wasn’t worth it I thought about trying to talk to him about it, but decided it wasn’t worth it. ► you can’t go wrong (=you cannot make a mistake)· Turn right and then right again - you really can’t go wrong. ► somebody can’t abide somebody/something- I can't abide the idea of them getting married.
► can’t answer for somebody► the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree► can’t/couldn’t be arsed (to do something)► don’t ask me- "How does this thing work?" "Don't ask me!"
► don’t ask- "What did he want you to do?" "Oh, don't ask."
► I/you can’t/couldn’t ask for a better something► something can’t be bad- The kids get a multicultural education, and that can't be bad.
► something doesn’t bear thinking about- The reaction I'll get when my parents find out doesn't even bear thinking about.
► can’t bear something► if you can’t beat 'em, join 'em► beggars can’t be choosers- It would be nice to have a suit with a better fit, but as they say, beggars can't be choosers.
► can’t begin to understand/imagine etc► don’t you believe it!► can’t believe your eyes/ears- I couldn't believe my ears when she told me the cheapest flight was $1,100.
► can’t/don’t believe something- I can't believe you lied to me!
- When I saw the video, I was like, I don't believe it!
► don’t bet on it/I wouldn’t bet on it- Maybe he's really a nice guy, but I wouldn't bet on it.
► he/she won’t bite- Well, go and ask him if he can help you - he won't bite!
► I don’t blame you/you can hardly blame him etc► don’t blame me- Go ahead, but don't blame me if it doesn't work.
► wouldn’t say boo to a goose► I wasn’t born yesterday- You can't expect me to trust you after all the other promises you've broken, you know. I wasn't born yesterday.
► somebody can’t have it both ways► somebody can’t/couldn’t be bothered (to do something)► don’t hold your breath- If you're waiting for the Cubs to win the series, don't hold your breath.
► don’t waste your breath- Save your breath. He won't listen.
► if it ain't broke, don't fix it► butter wouldn’t melt in somebody’s mouth► there isn’t much call for something- There isn't much call for typewriters since computers got easier to use.
► can’t hold a candle to somebody/something- Basketball stars today can't hold a candle to Michael Jordan.
► somebody couldn’t care less► you can’t be too careful- You can't be too careful where computer viruses are concerned.
► you won’t catch me doing something- You won't catch me ironing his shirts!
► don’t come the innocent/victim/helpless male etc with me► something doesn’t/can’t compare (with something)► somebody/something can’t compete with somebody/something- Melinda knew she couldn't compete with her sister when it came to boys.
► (I/you/he etc) can’t complain► I couldn’t► couldn’t be better/worse/more pleased etc► don’t count your chickens (before they’re hatched)- Getting an Oscar would be wonderful, but I think it's too early to count my chickens.
- If you want to go on a date sometime, you can ask me. But don't count your chickens.
- You'll probably get the job, but don't count your chickens just yet.
► crime doesn’t pay► damned if you do, damned if you don’t► don’t you dare!- Don't you dare hang up on me again!
► I/we don’t have all day- Hurry up, we don't have all day!
- But Sally does not have all day here.
► I wouldn’t be seen/caught dead► better the devil you know (than the devil you don’t)► somebody can dish it out but they can’t take it► somebody doesn’t do nice/funny/sensible etc► I can’t be doing with something► dot the i’s and cross the t’s- Well, we haven't dotted the i's and crossed the t's, but the contract's nearly ready.
► wouldn’t dream of (doing) something► I/we won’t eat you► can’t get enough of something/somebody► I don’t envy you/her etc► can’t take your eyes off somebody/something► somebody’s face doesn’t fit► can’t face► I can’t be fagged► you can’t say fairer than that► somebody wouldn’t hurt/harm a fly► if it wasn’t/weren’t for somebody/something► don’t forget- Don't forget that my mother's coming to visit this weekend.
- Don't forget that the car needs gas.
- Don't forget to mail that letter, will you?
- Don't forget your keys.
- Don't forget, we have to be there by five o'clock.
► aren’t you forgetting ...?/haven’t you forgotten ...?► and don’t you forget it!► can’t/couldn’t get over something► never/don’t look a gift horse in the mouth► don’t give me that► people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones► don’t go doing something- It's a secret, so don't go telling everyone.
► don’t go there► it/money doesn’t grow on trees► mustn’t/can’t grumble► can’t hack something► it wouldn’t do somebody any harm to do something- It wouldn't do you any harm to get some experience first.
► won’t/can’t have something► can’t make head or/nor tail of something► won’t/wouldn’t hear of it► you can’t hear yourself think► somebody’s heart isn’t in it- She was doing the best she could, but her heart just wasn't it it.
► I couldn’t help myself/she couldn’t help herself etc► it can’t be helped- It's not an ideal solution, but it can't be helped.
► somebody can’t help (doing) something- I can't help it. I hear that song and I have to dance.
- I can't help wondering what happened to that little girl.
- Ron can't help the way he feels about her.
- You talk to the guy for five minutes, and you can't help but like him.
► don’t hesitate to do something- Don't hesitate to call me if you need any help.
► it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans► don’t give a hoot/don’t care two hoots► I don’t feel too hot/so hot/very hot► something won’t/doesn’t hurt- The house looks pretty good, but a fresh paint job wouldn't hurt either.
► you can/can’t imagine something► if it wasn’t/weren’t for somebody/something► don’t judge a book by its cover► just because ... it doesn’t mean► isn’t she just/aren’t they just etc► it won’t/wouldn’t kill somebody (to do something)- It wouldn't kill you to do the dishes.
► (don’t) get your knickers in a twist► I don’t know- "I couldn't live there.'' "Oh, I don't know. It might not be so bad.''
- "Where's the nearest restroom?" "I don't know."
- Oh, I don't know, we could meet at 3 or 4 o'clock.
► I don’t know how/why etc► I don’t know about you, but ...► I don’t know how to thank you/repay you► wouldn’t you know (it)- "He showed up late again." "Wouldn't you know it."
► you don’t know- You don't know how long I've waited to hear you say that!
► I wouldn’t know- "When's he coming back?" "I wouldn't know."
► somebody hasn’t heard the last of somebody/something► don’t make me laugh- "Could you finish this by tomorrow?" "Don't make me laugh."
► the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing► a leopard can’t change its spots► don’t give me that line► you haven’t lived (if/until ...)► somebody/something/it won’t be long► don’t look now- Don't look now - here comes Kristen.
► don’t go mad► it doesn’t matter- "Do you want white or dark meat?" "Oh, it doesn't matter."
- "I think I taped over your show." "It doesn't matter - I already watched it."
- "We've missed the train." "It doesn't matter - there's another one in 10 minutes."
- It calls for brown sugar, but it doesn't matter - you can use white.
- It doesn't matter if you're a few minutes late. We'll wait for you.
- It doesn't matter what other people think. You should do what you think is best.
► somebody doesn’t have much meat on him/her► don’t mention it- "Thanks for the lift!" "Oh, don't mention it!"
- "Thanks for the ride home!" "Don't mention it."
► I wouldn’t mind (doing) something► if you don’t mind- I'm going to close the window, if you don't mind.
► if you don’t mind my saying so/if you don’t mind me asking► I don’t mind admitting/telling you/saying etc► don’t mind me- Oh, don't mind me, I was just thinking out loud.
► don’t mind her/him etc► (I) don’t mind if I do- "Would you like another piece of cake?" "Thanks - don't mind if I do."
► I wouldn’t miss it for the world► you can’t mistake somebody/something- Their lies are so obvious, you can't mistake them.
► that’s all I need/that’s just what I didn’t need► won’t take no for an answer► somebody can’t help noticing something► you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs► I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something)- I wouldn't put it past Colin to lie to his wife.
► can’t place somebody► I can’t promise (anything)► I wouldn’t put it past somebody (to do something)► I couldn’t put it down- It's such a good book that I couldn't put it down.
- What an amazing book! I just couldn't put it down.
► on the q.t.► don’t remind me► something doesn’t bear repeating► I can’t rightly say/don’t rightly know► it doesn’t take a rocket scientist (to do something)- It doesn't exactly take a rocket scientist to realize that the chain of events was no coincidence.
► Rome wasn’t built in a day► somebody can’t do something to save his/her life► I can’t say (that)► I couldn’t say► wouldn’t you say?► you don’t say!- "I think Bob and Susan are having an affair." "You don't say! That's been common knowledge for months."
► can’t say fairer than that► I wouldn’t say no (to something)- I wouldn't say no to a cup of coffee.
► I don’t see why not- "Are you sure they'll let us walk on their land?" "I don't see why not."
► can’t/couldn’t seem to do something- I just can't seem to come up with lyrics for this song.
► be sick of/can’t stand/hate the sight of somebody/something► somebody can’t get it into their (thick) skull► if you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen► can’t stand- Don't invite Alice. Mum can't stand the sight of her.
- Europeans never stay there for long. They can't stand the heat.
- Her father can't stand liver and onions.
- I can't stand the way he's always telling people what they should do.
- If there's one thing I can't stand, it's hypocrisy.
- She couldn't stand the thought of losing her children.
- We used to be quite good friends but now I can't stand her.
► don’t (you) start!► don’t be a stranger!► I don’t suppose (that)- I don't suppose the painting will ever be worth a thousand dollars.
- I don't suppose you'd be willing to go get the napkins?
- I don't suppose you have any idea where my address book is, do you?
► don’t sweat it- Don't sweat it - you'll pass the test, no problem.
► don’t sweat the small stuff► you can’t teach an old dog new tricks► I couldn’t tell you- "Is it going to rain tomorrow?" "I couldn't tell you."
► I can’t tell you- "So is Maggie really pregnant?" "I can't tell you."
- I can't tell you how grateful I am for your help.
► don’t tell me- "We finally made it here." "Don't tell me - you couldn't find your keys."
- Don't tell me we're out of milk!
► somebody won’t thank you (for doing something)► I wasn’t thinking- Sorry, I wasn't thinking. Do you want a cup too?
► don’t give it another thought- "I'm really sorry about that." "Don't give another thought."
- "I'm sorry we had to cancel the party.'' "Oh, please don't give it another thought. It wasn't your fault that you were ill!''
► can’t do something for toffee► don’t trouble yourself► somebody can’t wait/can hardly wait► something can/can’t wait- Go home - the report can wait until tomorrow.
► I don’t want to sound/be ..., but ...► something doesn’t/won’t wash (with somebody)► you can’t have it both ways- It's either me or her. You can't have it both ways!
► can’t very well (do something)► you don’t know when you’re well-off► don’t know/can’t tell etc which is which► why doesn’t somebody do something?- Why don't you give me your number, and I'll call you.
- Why not have the picnic in Glendale?
► you can’t win them all► you can’t win► wouldn’t wish something on/upon somebody- James says he wouldn't wish a military career on anyone.
► I don’t wish to interfere/be nosy etc► I couldn’t wish for a nicer/better etc ...► surprised/angry/pleased etc isn’t the word for it► I can’t work somebody out► don’t worry- "Don't worry about me -- I'll be fine," said Billie.
- "Don't worry, there's plenty of food for anyone who wants to come."
- Don't worry - I'll do the laundry this time.
- Don't worry about it. You can pay me back tomorrow.
- Don't worry! The flight's not until 9:30. We have plenty of time.
- Don't worry. The doctor says it's just a bad cold.
- Don't worry; I'll lend you money if you need it.
► don’t get me wrong- Don't get me wrong - I like Jenny, but she can be a little bossy.
- Don't get me wrong, I love my family, I just don't want to be with them all the time.
- I like Jenny, don't get me wrong, but I do think she acts a little childishly at times.
► you can’t go wrong (with something)- You can't go wrong with a dark gray suit.
► two wrongs don’t make a right 1the written abbreviation of tonne or tonnes2the written abbreviation of ton or tons |