| 单词 | speak |
| 释义 | speakspeak /spik/ ●●● S1 W1 verb (past tense spoke /spoʊk/, past participle spoken /ˈspoʊkən/) 1IN CONVERSATION [intransitive always + adv./prep.] to talk to someone about something or have a conversation: speak to I haven’t spoken to him since last Monday.speak with The director would like to speak with you this afternoon.speak of/about Dad never spoke about his family at all.speak to/with somebody about something Have you spoken to Harriet about the party?► see thesaurus at talk12SAY WORDS [intransitive] to use your voice to produce words: She was too nervous to speak. He spoke very softly.speak to John, speak to me! Are you OK? I was so emotional I couldn’t speak.3LANGUAGE [transitive not in progressive] to be able to speak a particular language: Elaine speaks Spanish and Russian. He doesn’t speak a word of French (=he doesn’t speak French at all).can/can’t speak English/Japanese etc. Several children in the class cannot speak English. → see also -speaking4FORMAL SPEECH [intransitive] to make a formal speech: I get nervous if I have to speak in public.speak at I’ve been invited to speak at the annual convention.speak about/on She will be speaking on education reform. Kendrick spoke in favor of (=said things that showed he supports) cutting taxes. Only one member spoke against (=said things to oppose) the new rules. → see also speaker, speech5ON TELEPHONE [intransitive] to talk to someone using the telephone: “Who’s speaking, please?” “This is Mike Palmer.”speak to/with “May I speak to Laura Davis?” “Speaking.”6EXPRESS IDEAS/OPINIONS [intransitive always + adv./prep.] to say something that expresses your ideas or opinions: speak well/highly of somebody/something Dan speaks very highly of (=says good things about) you.speak as a parent/teacher/Democrat etc. Speaking as a lawyer, I think you’re making a mistake. Personally speaking, I don’t like the way she dresses.speak badly/ill of somebody/something (=say bad things about someone or something)7generally/strictly/technically etc. speaking used when you are saying what is true in a general, strict, etc. way: Strictly speaking, it’s my money, not yours.8speak your mind to say exactly what you think about something, even when this might offend people: Sam has never been shy about speaking his mind.9something speaks volumes (about/for somebody/something) used to say that something expresses a feeling or idea very clearly, without using words: The look on his face spoke volumes about his opinion.10be on speaking terms (with somebody) (also be speaking (to somebody)) [usually in questions or negatives] if two people are not on speaking terms, they do not talk to each other, especially because they have argued: Claire and Andy aren’t speaking.11speak out of turn to say something when you do not have the right or authority to say it12speak in tongues to talk using strange words as part of a Christian religious experience13speak with one voice if a group of people speak with one voice, they all express the same opinion[Origin: Old English sprecan, specan] → see also actions speak louder than words at action (14), in a manner of speaking at manner (4), so to speak at so1 (7), be spoken for at spoken2 (2)speak for phrasal verb1speak for somebody/something to represent and express the feelings, thoughts, or beliefs of a person or group of people: I speak for the families of this city in saying that we want better schools.2speak for yourself spoken used to tell someone that you do not have the same opinion as he or she does: “We’re not interested in going.” “Hey, speak for yourself.”3speak for itself/themselves to show something so clearly that no explanation is necessary: The results speak for themselves.speak of something phrasal verb1literary to show clearly that something happened or that it exists: The lines on her face spoke of her frustration.2speaking of somebody/something spoken used when you want to say more about someone or something that has just been mentioned: Speaking of birthdays, don’t you have one coming up?3speak of the devil spoken said when the person you have just been talking about arrives at the place where you are4no ... to speak of (also nothing/none to speak of) used to say that there is very little of something or not enough to be important or easily noticed: Grace had no personality to speak of. “Have you had any rain?” “None to speak of.”speak out phrasal verb to publicly speak in protest about something, especially when protesting could be dangerous: speak out about/in favor of/against Smith was not afraid to speak out against the war.speak to somebody phrasal verb1to talk to someone who has done something wrong, to tell him or her not to do it again: speak to somebody about something Someone needs to speak to him about being on time.2if something such as a poem, painting, or piece of music speaks to you, you like it because it expresses a particular meaning, quality, or feeling to youspeak up phrasal verb1used to ask someone to speak louder: Speak up, please – I can’t hear you.2to express your opinion freely and clearly: If anyone is against the plan, now is the time to speak up.speak up for somebody/something phrasal verb to speak in support of someone or something: You’ll have to learn to speak up for yourself. |
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