| 释义 |
at one's beck and call at (one's) beck and callCompletely compliant or obedient to another person; catering to one's every need. The phrase has a negative connotation. Do you really think I'll do anything you say? I'm not at your beck and call! A: "How can we get to the mall this weekend?" B: "Oh, my sister will take us—she's been at my beck and call ever since I caught her sneaking in past curfew!"See also: and, beck, callat one's beck and callRequired to tend to someone’s wishes; totally under someone’s control. The obsolete noun beck, which survives only in this cliché, meant a mute signal or gesture of command, such as a nod of the head or a pointing of the finger; the verbal form, to beckon, still exists, as does call, for a vocal summons.See also: and, beck, call |