thing noun ⇨thing1 (lots of things to do)⇨thing2 (Pass me that thing.)⇨thing3 (your swimming things)⇨animal (a living thing)⇨person (you poor things)⇨situation (How are things?)⇨a sure thing⇨certainty⇨take things easy⇨restverb
thing1
noun
a lot of things to do有很多事情要做Pass me that thing.把那件东西递给我。your swimming things/all things Japanese游泳用品；所有日本的东西thing ♦︎ stuffThese words are both used to refer in general to facts, events, situations or actions, or to what sb does, says or thinks.这两个词均表示事实、事件、事情。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆(a) good thing / stuff◆a lot / lots / loads of things / stuff◆things / stuff to do / say■thing [countable] a fact, event, situation or action; what sb says or thinks事实；事件；事情；（做、说或想的）事◆There are a lot of things you don't know about me.我有很多情况你都不了解。◆There's another thing I'd like to ask you.还有一件事我想问你。◆It's a good thing we got here early.幸亏我们早到了这儿。◆A terrible thing happened last night.昨晚发生了一件可怕的事。◆I've got loads of things to do today.今天我有许多事要做。◆The main thing to remember is to switch off the burglar alarm.最要紧的是记住关掉防盗报警器的开关。◆I like camping, climbing and that sort of thing.我喜欢露营、爬山之类的活动。◆She said the first thing that came into her head.她当时想到了什么就直说了。◆'Why did you tell her our secret?' 'I did no such thing!'“你为什么把我们的秘密告诉她？”“没有的事！”◆Let's forget the whole thing(= everything).咱们把所有事情都忘掉吧。■stuff [uncountable] (informal) used to refer in a general way to things that people do, say or think（泛指所做、所说或所想的）事儿◆I've got loads of stuff to do today.我今天有好多事儿要做。◆I like reading and stuff.我喜欢看书什么的。◆The band did some great stuff on their first album.这支乐队首张专辑有几首很棒的曲子。◆I don't believe in all that stuff about ghosts.我不信什么鬼魂之类的事儿。
thing2
noun
a lot of things to do有很多事情要做Pass me that thing.把那件东西递给我。your swimming things/all things Japanese游泳用品；所有日本的东西thing ♦︎ object ♦︎ whole ♦︎ item ♦︎ entity ♦︎ artefact ♦︎ commodity ♦︎ thingyThese are all words for sth which can be seen and touched, but is not alive and which you do not name.这些词均表示物品、东西。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a precious / valuable thing / object / item / artefact / commodity◆an expensive thing / item / artefact / commodity◆a rare thing / object / item / artefact / commodity◆a single thing / object / whole / item / entity◆a physical thing / object / item / entity◆a basic thing / object / item / entity / commodity◆a separate thing / object / item / entity◆everyday / household objects / items◆a historical object / item / artefact◆to produce / manufacture a thing / an object / an item / an artefact / a commodity■thing [countable] something whose name you do not use because you do not need to or want to, or because you do not know it; something that is not alive in the way that people and plants are东西；物件；物品◆Can you pass me that thing over there?把那边那个东西递给我好吗？◆She's very fond of sweet things(= sweet foods).她非常喜欢吃甜食。◆He's just bought one of those exercise things.他刚买了一件健身器材。◆Turn that thing off while I'm talking to you!我和你谈话时把那个玩意儿关掉！◆Don't treat her like that－she's a person, not a thing!别那样对待她，她是人，不是物品！◆He's good at making things with his hands.他善于手工制作物品。 see also stuff ⇨ material■object [countable] a thing that can be seen and touched, but is not alive物体；物品；东西◆He uses everyday objects to teach basic scientific principles to the kids.他用日常用品教孩子们基本的科学原理。◆Glass and plastic objects lined the shelves.架子上排列着玻璃和塑料制品。NOTE辨析 Thing or object?Thing is a much more general word than object. An object is usually a fairly solid thing, in three dimensions(= it is not flat), that is not going to get used up quickly: food, drink and sheets of paper are not objects, although sth made out of paper might be. Object is used especially when you do not know exactly what sth is, or when you are talking about a whole group of things that do not have enough in common to be called by a more particular word. * thing比object含义宽泛得多。object通常是相当稳固的、立体的，不会很快用完的东西。食品、饮料和纸张不是object，尽管有些纸制的东西可能是。object尤用于不知究竟为何物时，或谈论一整组没有太多共同点、不能用一个更具体的词指称的东西◆This looks a very unusual object. What is it exactly?这东西看起来很不寻常。它究竟是什么？◆Furniture and other household objects were piled up outside the house.家具及其他家居用品堆放在屋外。In this example, the objects could include lamps, cushions, a vacuum cleaner and other things from around the house that do not come under the term 'furniture'.上面例句中的objects可能包括灯、靠垫、吸尘器及房子里其他不属于家具的东西。■whole [countable] a thing that is complete in itself整个；整体◆Four quarters make a whole.四个四分之一构成一个整体。◆The subjects of the curriculum form a coherent whole.课程中的科目构成了一个有机的整体。◆The festival will be great for our city and for the country as a whole(= as one thing, not as separate parts or regions).这次庆典活动对我们城市乃至整个国家都将意义重大。■item [countable] a single thing, considered separately from other similar things一件商品（或物品）◆Can I pay for each item separately?我能否按件分别付钱？◆The computer was my largest single item of expenditure.电脑是我花钱最多的一件东西。◆This clock is a collector's item(= because it is rare and valuable).这座钟是珍藏。■entity / /ˈentəti/ / [countable] (formal) something that exists separately from other things and has its own identity独立存在物；实体◆The unit has become part of a larger department and no longer exists as a separate entity.这个单位已附属于一个更大的部门，不再作为一个实体独立存在。◆Each subsidiary of the company will be treated as a single entity.公司的每一个子公司将被视为单一实体。■artefact ( artifact, especially in NAmE) / /ˈɑːtɪfækt; NAmEˈɑːrtɪfækt/ [countable] (technical术语) an object that is made by a person, especially sth of historical or cultural interest（尤指有历史或文化价值的）人工制品，手工艺品◆The museum has a superb collection of ancient artefacts from Nubia.那座博物馆珍藏了一批古代努比亚手工艺精品。■commodity /kəˈmɒdəti; NAmEkəˈmɑːdəti/ [countable] (ratherformal) a thing that is useful or has a useful quality有用的东西；有使用价值之物◆Water is a precious commodity that is often taken for granted in the West.水很宝贵，但西方人往往意识不到这一点。■thingy /ˈθɪŋi/ / [countable] (informal, spoken) used to refer to a person or thing whose name you do not know or have forgotten, or which you do not want to mention（指不知道、忘记或不想提及其名的）某某，那个人，那东西◆This new multimedia thingy means you can research things a lot more easily.这个新的多媒体玩意儿意味着做研究可以容易多了。
thing3
noun
a lot of things to do有很多事情要做Pass me that thing.把那件东西递给我。your swimming things/all things Japanese游泳用品；所有日本的东西➡ See also the entry for ⇨ equipment另见equipment条things ♦︎ stuff ♦︎ property ♦︎ asset ♦︎ possession ♦︎ holding ♦︎ junk ♦︎ belongings ♦︎ goods ♦︎ valuablesThese are all words for objects or items, especially ones that you own or have with you at a particular time.这些词均表示物品、物件、财产。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆personal things / stuff / property / assets / possessions / holdings / belongings◆private property / assets / possessions / holdings / belongings / goods◆to collect / gather / pack your things / stuff / possessions / belongings◆to search sb's / your / the things / stuff / property / belongings◆to go through sb's / your / the things / stuff / belongings◆to buy things / stuff / property / assets / a holding / goods◆to acquire things / stuff / property / assets / possessions / your holdings / goods◆to sell your things / stuff / property / assets / possessions / holdings / belongings / goods / valuables■things [plural] (especially BrE, ratherinformal) objects, clothing or tools that you own or that are used for a particular purpose用品；衣服；用具◆Shall I help you pack your things?我帮你打点行装好吗？◆Bring your swimming things with you.带上游泳用品。◆I'll just clear away the breakfast things.我这就收拾早餐餐具。◆Put your things(= coat, etc.) on and let's go.把你的衣服穿上，咱们出发吧。ⓘ In American English it is more usual to use stuff. However, in both British and American English things can be used, followed by an adjective, to mean 'all that can be described in a particular way'. This use is more formal.表达此义时美式英语中更常用stuff。不过，在美式和英式英语中均可用things后接形容词，指所有某种类型的东西，这种用法较为正式◆ (ratherformal) She loves all things Japanese.她喜欢所有日本的东西。■stuff [uncountable] (informal) used to refer to a group of objects when you do not know their names, when the names are not important or when it is obvious what you are talking about东西，物品，玩意儿（事物名称不详、无关紧要或所指事物明确时用）◆Where's all my stuff?我那些东西都哪儿去了？◆They sell stationery and stuff (like that).他们出售文具之类的东西。◆ (disapproving) Could you move all that stuff off the table?请你把桌上那些玩意儿全都拿走好吗？ⓘ Stuff can also refer to a substance or material. * stuff亦可指物质或材料。 see also stuff ⇨ material■property [uncountable] (ratherformal) a thing or things that are owned by sb（某人的）所有物，财产，财物◆This building is government property.这座大楼是政府的财产。◆Be careful not to damage other people's property.小心别损坏别人的财物。◆The youths were convicted of defacing public property.那些青年被判犯了毁坏公物罪。◆ (BrE) I rang the lost property office at the station to see if my bag had been handed in.我打电话给车站失物招领处，看是否有人把我的包交到那里。ⓘ In American English a lost property office is called the lost and found.在美式英语中，失物招领处称为lost and found。■asset / /ˈæset/ / [countable, usually plural] (especially business尤用于商业) a thing of value, especially property, that a person or company owns, which can be used or sold to pay debts资产；财产◆Her assets include shares in the company and a house in France.她的财产包括公司的股份和在法国的一所房子。◆What is the net asset value of the company?公司的资产净值是多少？◆financial / capital assets金融／资本资产◆income from fixed asset investments固定资产投资收入OPPliability ⇨ debt■possession [countable, usually plural] something that you own, especially sth that can be moved（尤指可以拿走的）个人财产，私人物品◆The ring is one of her most treasured / prized possessions.这枚戒指是她最珍贵的财产之一。◆Prisoners were allowed no personal possessions.囚犯不允许携带任何个人财物。 see also possess ⇨ have1■holding [countable] (formalorbusiness商业) an amount of property that is owned by a person, museum, library, etc.; a number of shares that sb has in a company私有财产；（博物馆、图书馆等的）馆藏；（个人持有的）公司股份◆one of the most important private holdings of Indian art最重要的印度艺术私人馆藏之一◆She has a 40% holding in the company.她持有公司40%的股份。■junk [uncountable] things that are considered useless or of little value无用的东西；无价值的东西◆I've cleared out all that old junk from the attic.我把阁楼里所有的废旧物品都清除干净了。◆This china came from a junk shop.这件瓷器是从旧货店里买来的。◆ (informal, disapproving) Is this all your junk(= are these all your things)?这些破玩意儿都是你的吗？➡ See also the entry for ⇨ wastenoun另见waste名词词条■belongings [plural] possessions that can be moved, especially ones that you have with you at a particular time动产；（尤指某个时候随身的）财物◆She packed her few belongings in a bag and left.她把不多的几件东西装进包里便离开了。◆Please make sure you have all your belongings with you when leaving the plane.请确保离开飞机时带走您的所有物品。■goods [plural] (especiallywrittenorlaw法律) possessions that can be moved动产；（可拿走的）私人财产◆He was found guilty of handling stolen goods.他被判犯了销赃罪。◆The plastic bag contained all her worldly goods(= everything she owned).这塑料袋里装着她的全部家当。■valuables [plural] things that are worth a lot of money, especially small personal things such as jewellery or cameras（尤指小件的私人）贵重物品（如珠宝或照相机等）◆Never leave cash or other valuables lying around.切勿将现金或其他贵重物品乱放。
animal
noun
animal ♦︎ creature ♦︎ being ♦︎ beast ♦︎ organism ♦︎ thingThese are all words for sth which is alive but which is not a human or a plant.这些词均表示动物、生物。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a living animal / creature / being / organism / thing◆a strange animal / creature / being / beast◆a wild animal / creature / beast / thing◆a / an savage / exotic animal / creature / beast◆a / an marine / aquatic animal / creature / organism◆a social animal / creature / being◆a mythical creature / beast■animal [countable] something that is alive but is not a plant or a human动物（不包括人）◆These birds perform a ritual which is unique in the animal kingdom.这些鸟会举行一种仪式，在动物界是独有的。◆This product has not been tested on animals.这种产品没有做动物试验。◆Animal rights groups are staging a protest against the fur trade this Saturday.本周六动物权利组织将举行反对动物毛皮贸易的抗议活动。ⓘ Humans are not usually considered to be animals, but in technical contexts they can be.人通常不看成为animal，但在专业语境中可归类为animal◆Humans are the only animals to have developed speech.人类是唯一一种会说话的动物。In other, non-technical contexts, animal is used as a less formal synonym of mammal, to mean any creature that is not a bird, fish, reptile, insect or human being.在其他非专业语境中，animal用作mammal（哺乳动物）非正式的同义词，指除鸟类、鱼类、爬行类、昆虫类与人类以外的生物◆the animals and birds of South America南美洲的鸟兽■creature [countable] a real or imaginary animal, especially if it is considered unusual in some way（真实或想象的，尤指非同一般的）动物，生物◆The dormouse is a shy, nocturnal creature.睡鼠是一种在夜间活动的胆小动物。◆Goblins and other dangerous creatures lurked inside the cave.妖怪和其他危险动物埋伏在洞穴里。■being [countable] a living creature, especially when considered in the context of science or philosophy（尤指自然科学或哲学语境中的）生物◆Human beings learned to control fire around 100 000 years ago.大约10万年前人类学会了控制火。◆Dolphins are highly intelligent beings.海豚是非常聪明的生物。■beast [countable] (old-fashionedorformal) an animal, especially one that is large or dangerous, or one that is unusual（尤指大型、凶猛或独特的）动物，兽◆He was ripped apart by wild beasts in the forest.他在森林里被野兽撕成碎片了。◆mythical beasts such as unicorns and dragons独角兽和龙之类神话中的野兽■organism /ˈɔːgənɪzəm; NAmEˈɔːrgənɪzəm/ [countable] (formalorbiology生物) something that is alive, especially sth that is extremely small有机生物；（尤指）微生物◆Even the simplest, single-celled organisms show examples of this behaviour.即使是最简单的单细胞生物也表现出这种习性。■thing [countable] a living creature生物◆All living things are composed of cells.所有生物都由细胞构成。◆He ran down the hill, screaming like a wild thing.他跑下山坡，疯了似的尖叫着。ⓘ In this meaning thing is used especially in the collocation living thing.表达此义时，thing尤用于短语living thing中。
person
noun
➡ See also the entry for ⇨ people1另见people条第1义person ♦︎ individual ♦︎ figure ♦︎ human ♦︎ human being ♦︎ mortal ♦︎ type ♦︎ character ♦︎ soul ♦︎ thingThese are all words for a man, woman or child.这些词均表示人、个人。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a / an average / normal / ordinary person / individual / human / human being / mortal◆a rational person / individual / human being◆an intelligent person / human / human being◆a sad person / individual / figure / character◆a brave / kind person / soul◆a mere human / mortal◆a / an key / powerful / independent person / individual / figure◆the person / individual concerned / responsible■person [countable] a man, woman or child; sb who is not identified人；某人◆What sort of person would do a thing like that?什么人会干出那样的事呢？◆He's a fascinating person.他是个魅力十足的人。◆What is she like as a person?她的人品怎么样？◆He's just the person we need for the job.他正是我们需要的适合这个工作的人。◆I had a letter from the people who used to live next door.我收到老邻居写来的一封信。◆I'm not really a city person(= I don't like cities).我不是一个很喜欢城市生活的人。◆The price is $40 per person.价格为每人40元。ⓘ The plural of person is usually people, but in formal language persons is often used. * person的复数形式通常是people，但是在正式用语中常用persons◆This vehicle is licensed to carry 4 persons.这部车限载4人。◆ (law法律) The verdict was murder by a person or persons unknown.裁定是一人或多人所为的谋杀，凶手身份不明。■individual [countable] a person considered separately rather than as part of a group个人◆The competition is open to both teams and individuals.团队或个人均可参加比赛。◆The teacher should treat each student as an individual.教师应对学生因材施教。◆Each course has to be tailored to the needs of the individual.每门课都要针对个别需求而量身订制。◆The school's reputation is being ruined by the bad behaviour of a few individuals.学校的声誉被少数几个人的恶劣行为破坏了。ⓘ An individual can also be a person of a particular type, especially a strange or unpleasant one. * individual还可指某一类型的人，尤指性格怪异或令人讨厌的一类◆This scruffy-looking individual wandered into the office.这个脏兮兮的人晃进了办公室。 see also individual ⇨ ownadj.■figure [countable] a person of the kind mentioned人物；人士◆He's a leading figure in the music industry.他是音乐界的领军人物。◆a cult / public / political figure偶像；公众／政治人物◆a figure of authority权威人士◆When she last saw him he was a sad figure－old and tired.她最后一次见到他时，他一副苍老而疲惫的落魄模样。 see also public figure ⇨ star1■human [countable] a person rather than an animal, a machine or, in science fiction, a creature from another planet人（相对于动物、机器或科幻小说中的外星生物）◆Dogs can hear much better than humans.狗的听觉比人灵敏得多。◆More work is needed on the interface between humans and machines.人机界面方面需要做更多的工作。▸human
adjective
◆the human body / brain人体；人脑◆a terrible loss of human life人命的惨重损失◆Contact with other people is a basic human need.和他人接触是人的基本需要。■ˌhuman ˈbeing [countable] a human人（相对于动物、机器或科幻小说中的外星生物）◆That is no way to treat another human being.那绝不是对待他人的方式。◆He was just a normal human being with faults like the rest of us.他只是个普通人，会犯错误，像我们每个人一样。NOTE辨析 Human or human being?Human often refers to the biological characteristics of people compared with animals, machines or, in science fiction, with creatures from other planets. * human常指区别于动物、机器或科幻小说中外星生物的人的生物特征◆Pigs are biologically very similar to humans.从生物学角度讲，猪和人很相似。Human is also used to refer to different stages in the development of the human race. * human还指人类发展过程中的不同阶段◆early / primitive / modern humans早期的人；原始人；现代人Human being is often used when talking about a person's ability to think, feel and be social when compared with animals. * human being常用来谈论人区别于动物的思考、感觉和社交能力◆She was not behaving like a rational human being.她的行为不是一个理性的人该有的。■mortal [countable] (humorous) a person, especially an ordinary person with little power, influence or skill人；凡人；普通人◆She can deal with complicated numbers in her head, but we lesser mortals need calculators!她可以心算复杂的数字，可我们这些常人得用计算器！■type [singular] (informal) a person of a particular character, with qualities or features具有某种特征的人；典型◆She hangs around with all those artistic types.她跟那些搞艺术的人泡在一块。◆He's not the type to be unfaithful.他不是那种花心的人。◆She's not my type(= not the kind of person I am usually attracted to).她不是我喜欢的类型。■character [countable] (usually used with an adjective通常与形容词连用) (ratherinformal) a person, especially a strange or unpleasant one or sb with a strong personality（尤指性格古怪、令人讨厌或有个性的）人◆There were some really strange characters hanging around the bar.酒吧附近有一些不三不四的人在游荡。◆She's a reformed character nowadays.如今她已改过自新了。◆She's quite a character!她绝对与众不同！ⓘ Character can describe a person who seems strange or unpleasant * character可指古怪或讨厌的人◆a / an unsavoury / undesirable / suspicious / shady character讨厌／不得人心／多疑／可疑的人or a person who did bad things in the past but who has changed也可指改过自新的人◆a reformed character回头的浪子or simply a person with a strong personality.或指性格特征明显的人◆a tough / determined / shrewd character严厉／果敢／精明的人■soul [countable] a person of a particular type; (especially in negative sentences) a person某种人；（尤用于否定句）人◆It means bad news for some poor soul(= an unlucky person that you feel sympathy for).对某些可怜人来说，这是坏消息。◆A few brave souls queued all night to get tickets for centre court.几个勇气十足的人排了一夜队，买到了进入中心球场的票。◆There wasn't another soul in sight(= no one around).连个人影都不见。ⓘ Soul is mainly used in a few fixed phrases, especially in negative sentences. * soul主要用于构成几个固定短语，尤用于否定句◆There was not a soul about / in sight / to be seen.连个人影都不见。◆I won't tell a soul.我不会告诉任何人。◆She's completely exhausted, poor soul!可怜她已累得精疲力竭了！Otherwise, it is becoming old-fashioned or is used only in literary contexts.除此之外的用法都已过时，或仅用于文学语境。■thing [countable] (used with an adjective与形容词连用) (spoken) used to talk to or about a person or animal, to show how you feel about them（指人或动物，带感情色彩）人，家伙，东西◆You silly thing!你这个蠢货！◆You must be starving, you poor things.你们一定饿坏了，可怜的家伙！◆The cat's very ill, poor old thing!这猫病得很厉害，真可怜！
situation
noun
➡ See also the entry for ⇨ information另见information条situation ♦︎ circumstance ♦︎ position ♦︎ conditions ♦︎ things ♦︎ the case ♦︎ state of affairsThese are all words for the conditions and facts that are connected with and affect the way things are.这些词均表示情况、状况、形势。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆in (a) particular situation / circumstances / position / state of affairs◆the general / current / present / real situation / circumstances / position / conditions / state of affairs◆the / sb's economic / financial / social situation / circumstances / position / conditions◆(a / an) normal / unusual / ideal situation / circumstances / position / conditions / state of affairs◆(a / an) favourable / difficult / exceptional / desperate situation / circumstances / position / conditions◆(a) healthy / satisfactory situation / position / conditions / state of affairs◆(a / an) happy / unhappy situation / circumstances / position / state of affairs◆to create a situation / circumstances / conditions◆to describe / explain the situation / circumstances / position / things / state of affairs◆to look at / review the situation / circumstances / conditions / things■situation [countable] all the things that are happening at a particular time and in a particular place情况；状况；形势；局面◆You need to consider the present economic situation.你需要考虑目前的经济形势。◆In your situation, I would look for another job.假如我是你的话，我会另找工作。◆He could see no way out of the situation.他找不到摆脱现状的出路。◆You could get into a situation where you have to decide immediately.你可能会遇到不得不立刻作决定的情况。■circumstance [countable, usually plural] the facts that are connected with and affect a situation, event or action; the conditions of a person's life, especially the money they have条件；环境；境遇，境况（尤指经济状况）◆Police said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the boy's death.警方说关于这个男孩的死亡没有发现可疑情况。◆Under the circumstances(= considering the facts of the situation), it seemed better not to tell him about the accident.在这种情况下，不告诉他这次事故似乎更好。◆Under no circumstances should you lend Paul any money.你无论如何都不能借钱给保罗。◆Grants are awarded according to your financial circumstances.补助金是根据你的经济状况发放的。ⓘ Circumstance [uncountable] is a formal word for 'situations and events that affect and influence your life and that are not in your control'. * circumstance是表达“命运、客观条件”的正式用词◆a victim of circumstance(= a person who has suffered because of a situation that they cannot control)客观环境的牺牲品◆He had to leave the country through force of circumstance(= events or the situation made it necessary).环境所迫，他只得离开该国。■position [countable, usually singular] the situation that sb is in, especially when it affects what they can and cannot do处境；地位；状况◆This put him and his colleagues in a difficult position.这使他和他的同事陷入了困境。◆The company's financial position is not certain.这家公司的财务状况不明朗。◆I'm afraid I am not in a position to help you.我恐怕帮不了你。■conditions [plural] the circumstances in which people live, work or do things; the physical situation that affects how sth happens（居住、工作或做事情的）环境，境况，条件；（影响某事发生的）物质环境◆These neglected children are living under the most appalling conditions.这些无人管的儿童在最恶劣的环境下生活。◆They held a one-day strike to demand improvements in pay and conditions.他们举行了一天的罢工，要求提高工资和改善工作条件。◆Beware of treacherous driving conditions.当心危险的行车环境。NOTE辨析 Circumstances or conditions?Circumstances refers to sb's financial situation; conditions are things such as the quality and amount of food or shelter they have, or the things that they get from their employer, such as holiday and sickness pay and a pleasant working environment. The circumstances that affect an event are the facts surrounding it; the conditions that affect it are usually physical ones, such as the weather. * circumstances指某人的经济状况，conditions则指伙食或居住的状况，或指雇用待遇，如假期、病假工资和舒适的工作环境等。circumstances是对某事产生影响的相关情况，conditions则通常是物质环境，如天气。■things [plural] (ratherinformal, especiallyspoken) the general situation, as it affects sb形势；局面；情况；事态◆Things haven't gone entirely to plan.事态没有完全按照计划发展。◆ (informal) Hi, Jane! How are things?喂，简！近来怎么样？◆Think things over before you decide.先把情况考虑周全了再作决定。◆As things stand at present, he seems certain to win.从目前情况看，他似乎胜券在握。◆All things considered(= considering all the difficulties or problems), she's done very well.通盘考虑起来，她做得很好。◆Why do you make things so difficult for yourself?你为什么这样跟自己过不去？ⓘ Things is used more in spoken than written English, and in slightly informal contexts, especially when talking about your personal life (rather than politics, business, etc.). * things较多用于口语而非书面语，而且是不太正式的语境，特别是涉及个人生活而非政治、公务等◆Things are rather difficult at home.家里的情况很困难。◆the political situation政治形势◆political things■the case [singular] the true situation实情；事实◆If that is the case(= if the situation described is true), we need more people.如果真是那样，我们就需要更多的人手了。◆It is simply not the case that prison conditions are improving.监狱条件得到改善的说法绝非事实。➡ See also the entry for ⇨ fact另见fact条■state of afˈfairs [singular]
idiom
a situation事态；情况；形势◆How did this unhappy state of affairs come about?这种不愉快的情况是怎样发生的？ see also state ⇨ stateNOTE辨析 Situation or state of affairs?State of affairs is mostly used with this. It is also used with adjectives describing how good or bad a situation is, such as desirable, happy, sorry, shocking, sad and unhappy, as well as those relating to time, such as present and current. Situation is much more frequent and is used in a wider variety of contexts. * state of affairs主要与this连用，也可与表示情况好坏的形容词（如desirable、happy、sorry、shocking、sad和unhappy）以及与时间有关的形容词（如present和current）连用。situation常用得多，且适用的语境更广泛。
certainty
noun
certainty ♦︎ inevitability ♦︎ necessity ♦︎ a foregone conclusion ♦︎ a sure thingThese are all words for sth that you believe will definitely happen.这些词均表示据信必定发生之事。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆a certainty / an inevitability about sth◆an absolute certainty / necessity◆the one / only certainty / necessity■certainty [countable] an event that will definitely happen; a fact or situation that is not doubted by anybody必然的事；确实的事（或情况）◆Her return to the team now seems a certainty.她的归队现在似乎已经确定了。◆The end of the Cold War marked the collapse of many old political certainties.冷战结束标志着许多旧的政治环境下必然发生的事从此消亡。OPPuncertainty ⇨ doubtnoun2■inevitability / /ɪnˌevɪtəˈbɪləti/ / [uncountable, countable, usually singular] the fact that sth will definitely happen and cannot be avoided or prevented, especially sth bad or unpleasant; an event that will definitely happen（尤指坏事的）不可避免；必然发生的事◆We must all, sooner or later, confront the inevitability of death.或早或晚，我们都必须面对必然到来的死亡。◆World war has ceased to be an inevitability.世界大战再不是无可避免的了。 see also inevitable ⇨ inevitable■necessity / /nəˈsesəti/ / [countable, usually singular] a situation that must happen and that cannot be avoided, especially in order to do or achieve sth else必然的状况，不可避免的情况（尤指为了做或实现另一事情）◆Living in London he felt, was an unfortunate necessity.他觉得在伦敦生活是迫于无奈。■a ˌforegone conˈclusion
idiom
a result that is certain to happen预料中的必然结局◆The outcome of the vote is a foregone conclusion.选举结果一如所料。■a ˌsure ˈthing
idiom
(especially NAmE, ratherinformal, especially business尤用于商业) something that is certain to happen必定发生的事情◆An increase in crude oil prices now looks like a sure thing.现在看来，原油价格一定会上涨。
rest
verb
rest ♦︎ relax ♦︎ hang out ♦︎ take it/things easy ♦︎ sit back ♦︎ unwind ♦︎ chill out ♦︎ potter ♦︎ put your feet upThese words all mean to sleep, do very little or just enjoy yourself, especially after a period of activity or illness.这些词均表示休息、放松。PATTERNS AND COLLOCATIONS 句型和搭配◆to try to / help sb (to) rest / relax / unwind◆to just rest / relax / hang out / take it easy / sit back / unwind / potter◆to rest / relax / sit back a little / bit■rest [intransitive, transitive] to relax, sleep or do nothing after a period of activity or illness; to not use a part of your body for some time休息；放松◆The doctor told me to rest.医生叫我休息。◆Rest your eyes every half an hour.每过半小时让眼睛休息一下。◆I awoke feeling rested and refreshed.我醒来后感觉神清气爽，精力充沛。■relax [intransitive] to rest by doing sth enjoyable, especially after work or effort（尤指工作或辛苦后）放松，休息◆When I get home from work I like to relax with a glass of wine.我下班回到家里，喜欢喝杯葡萄酒放松放松。◆Just relax and enjoy the movie.放松心情，好好欣赏这部电影吧。 see also relax ⇨ relax1, relaxation ⇨ entertainment■ˌhang ˈout
phrasal verb
(hung, hung) (especially NAmE, informal) to spend time relaxing; to spend a lot of time in a particular place or with a particular group of people消遣放松；（和某些人）相聚玩乐，泡在某处◆Do we have to rush around today? I'd rather just hang out.我们今天要四处奔忙吗？我宁愿闲逛一下。◆The local kids hang out at the mall.当地的小青年常在商业中心闲荡。■ˌtake it ˈeasy■ˌtake things ˈeasy
idiom
(took, taken) (ratherinformal) to relax and avoid working too hard or doing too much放松；休息；不过分劳累◆The doctor told me to take it easy for a few weeks.医生叫我休息几周。■ˌsit ˈback
phrasal verb
(sitting, sat, sat) (ratherinformal) to relax, especially by not getting too involved in or anxious about sth袖手旁观（尤指不积极参与或不挂念某事）◆She's not the kind of person who can sit back and let others do all the work.她不是那种自己歇着，什么活儿都让别人干的人。ⓘ Sit back suggests that sb is resting and watching other people work. * sit back意味着某人自己休息，看其他人工作。■unwind / /ˌʌnˈwaɪnd/ / (unwound, unwound) [intransitive] to stop worrying or thinking about problems and start to relax放松，放轻松（指停止担心或思考问题）◆Listening to music helps me unwind after a busy day.听音乐使我在忙碌一天后放松下来。■ˌchill ˈout
phrasal verb
( chill) (informal) to relax by being lazy after working hard, especially with other people（尤指和其他人一起）慵懒地放松◆They like to chill out and listen to music after work.他们喜欢下班后放松一下，听听音乐。■potter [intransitive] (always used with an adverb or preposition总是与副词或介词连用) (BrE) to do things or move without hurrying, especially when you are doing sth that you enjoy and that is not important从容做事；悠然地做（喜爱的小事）；漫步；闲荡◆I spent the day pottering around the house.我在家里逍遥了一天。■put your ˈfeet up
idiom
(putting, put, put) (ratherinformal) to sit down and relax, especially with your feet raised and supported（尤指搁起双腿）坐下休息◆After a hard day's work, it's nice to get home and put your feet up.辛苦一天后回家搁起双腿休息是很惬意的。