about

/ əˈbaut; əˋbaʊt/ adv

(also esp US around) a little more or less than; a little before or after;

approximately 比...稍多或稍少; 在...稍前或稍後; 大约; 左右: It costs about 10. 这需10英镑左右. * He's about the same height as you. 他大约像你那麽高. * She drove for about ten miles. 她开车行驶了大约十英里. * They waited for about an hour. 他们等了大约一个小时.

(infml 口) nearly 将近: I'm (just) about ready. 我（就）快准备好了.

(infml 口) (in understatements 用於含蓄的言语): I've had just about enough, ie quite enough. 我已经差不多够了（十分够了）. * He's been promoted, and about time too, ie it ought to have happened earlier. 他获提升了, 也差不多到时候了（早

就该提升了）.

(idm 习语) that's about `it/the `size of it (infml 口) that is how I see it or assess it 大致如此[大小差不多]（据我所看到或估计到的）.

about 2

/ əˈbaut; əˋbaʊt/ adv part (in senses 1, 2 and 3 esp Brit; in these senses also, esp US, around1﹑2﹑3义尤用於英式英语; 这些词义, 尤於美式英语, 也可用around)

(a) (indicating movement) here and there, in many directions; all around （表示动向）到处, 各处, 处处: The children were rushing a`bout. 孩子们到处乱闯. * The boys were climbing about on the rocks. 男孩子都在岩石上乱爬呢. (b)

(indicating position) here and there (in a place) （表示位置）（在某一地方）到处; 各处: books lying about on the `floor 散置地上的书 * people sitting about on the `grass 在草地上各处坐着的人们.

in circulation; moving around 在传播中; 在流动中; 在周围活动: There was nobody a`bout, ie Nobody was to be seen. 周围没有人. * There's a lot of `flu about, ie Many people have flu. 有许多人患流感. * He'll soon be a`bout again, eg

after an illness. 他不久就又能四处走动了（如病愈後）.

somewhere near; not far off 附近; 不远: She's `somewhere about. 她就在附近. facing around 向後转: put the ship a`bout, ie so as to face in the opposite direction 使船掉头（转成相反的方向） * It's the wrong way a`bout. 刚好相反了. *

A,bout `turn! ie Turn to face the opposite way (as a military command). 向後转!

（军事口令）.

# a,bout-`turn (US a,bout-`face) n

1 turn made so as to face the opposite direction 向後转.

2 (fig 比喻) complete change of opinion, policy, etc 意见﹑ 政策等完全改变:

These new measures indicate an about-turn in government policy. 这些新措施表

明政府的政策彻底改变了. about 3

/ əˈbaut; əˋbaʊt/ prep (in senses 1, 2 and 5 US around; Brit also around in these senses 1﹑2﹑5义, 美式英语用around; 这些词义, 英式英语也可用around) (a) (indicating movement) here and there in (a place); in many directions in （表示动向）在...到处, 在...各处: walking about the town 在城里到处走 * travelling about the world 环游世界 * Look a`bout you. 看看你的周围. (b) (indicating

position, state, etc) here and there in (a place); at points throughout （表示位置﹑ 状况等）在（某地）到处; 在所有各点: papers strewn about the room 散置於室内各处的文件.

near to (a place); not far off from 在...附近; 离...不远: She's somewhere about the place. 她就在附近. * I dropped the key somewhere about here. 我把钥匙掉在

这儿附近了.

on the subject of (sb/sth); in connection with; concerning or regarding 关於; 对於; 有关: a book about flowers 关於花卉的书 * Tell me about it. 把这件事告诉我. * What is he so angry about? 他对什麽事这麽生气? * He is careless about his personal appearance. 他对自己的仪表毫不在意. =>Usage 见所附用法.

concerned or occupied with (sth) 从事於; 忙於: And while you're a`bout it..., ie while you're doing that... 在你做那件事的时候... * Mind what you're about, ie Be careful. 注意你正在做的事（小心）.

at a time near to; at approximately 将近...的时候; 大约在...: He arrived (at) about ten o'clock. 他大约（在）十点钟到的.

(idm 习语) be about to do sth intend to do sth immediately; be on the point of doing sth 即将; 正要: As I was about to say when you interrupted me... 我正要说的时候, 你插嘴了... * We're about to start. 我们即将动身. * I'm not about to admit defeat, ie I have no intention of doing so. 我还不想认输. how/what about...? (a) (used when asking for information or to get sb's opinion 用以询问消息或徵求意见): What about his qualifications (ie Is he qualified) for the job? 他有资格做这件工作吗? (b) (used when making a suggestion 用以提出建议): How about going to France for our holidays? 咱们到法国去度假好吗?

NOTE ON USAGE 用法: Both about and on can mean `on the subject of'. *about和on均意为„关於‟. A book, film or lecture on Chinese art, education or prehistory suggests a serious, academic presentation. 在关於中国的艺术﹑ 教育或史前时期的书﹑ 电影或演讲中, 用on意味着具有严肃的学术性的内容. A book, discussion or TV programme about China, schools or dinosaurs is of more general interest and more informal. 在关於中国﹑ 学校或恐龙的书﹑ 讨论会或电视节目中, 用about则更具一般性和通俗性.

胡说八道中的 八道 的由来 cnBeta - 精彩IT “文明用语” 朗文当代英语词典 about 1

a·bout W1S1 /əˈbaut/ prep

concerning or relating to a particular subject

1

a book about politics

She said something about leaving town. He lied about his age.

About that car of yours. How much are you selling it for? What's he on about (=talking about) ?

It's about Tommy, doctor. He's been sick again.

Naturally, my mother wanted to know all about it (=all the details relating to it) .

used to show why someone is angry, happy, upset etc I'm really worried about Jack.

She's upset about missing the party.

in many different directions within a particular place, or in different parts of a place

= around, round round

We spent the whole afternoon walking about town.

Books were scattered about the room.

in the nature or character of a person or thing

There's something really strange about Liza.

What I like about the job is that it's never boring.

what/how about sb/sth

spoken a) used to ask a question that directs attention to another person or

thing

What about Jack? We can't just leave him here. I'm feeling hungry. How about you? b) used to make a suggestion How about a salad for lunch?

do sth about sth

to do something to solve a problem or stop a bad situation

If we don't do something about it, the problem is going to get worse. What can be done about the rising levels of pollution?

if an organization, a job, an activity etc is about something, that is its basic

purpose

Leadership is all about getting your team to co-operate.

while you're about it

spoken used to tell someone to do something while they are doing something else because it would be easier to do both things at the same time

Go and see what's the matter, and while you're about it you can fetch me my sweater.

what was all that about?

spoken used to ask the reason for something that has just happened, especially someone's angry behaviour

literary surrounding a person or thing

Jo sensed fear and jealousy all about her.

→be quick about it at quick 1 (5), go about your business at business

about 2

about W1S1 adv

[Language: Old English; Origin: abutan, from a- 'on' + butan 'outside'] also round about spoken

a little more or less than a particular number, amount, or size = roughly

2

I live about 10 miles away.

a tiny computer about as big as a postcard We left the restaurant at round about 10.30.

BrE in many different directions within a place or in different parts of a place

= around

People were rushing about, trying to find the driver.

Cushions were scattered about on the chairs.

near to you or in the same place as you

Is Derrick about? There's a phone call for him. Quick! Let's go while there's no-one about. BrE spoken existing or available now

I hope she hasn't caught flu. There's a lot of it about .

She might get temporary work, but there's not much about. informal almost or probably

I was about ready to leave when somebody rang the doorbell. 'Have you finished?' ' Just about .'

It's just about the worst mistake anyone could make.

that's about it/all

spoken a) used to tell someone that you have told them everything you know He was a quiet chap, married with kids. That's about it, really. b) used to say that there is nothing else available

There's some cheese in the fridge and that's about it.

so as to face in the opposite direction

He quickly turned about and walked away.

about 3

about3 adj

be about to do sth

if someone is about to do something, or if something is about to happen, they will do it or it will happen very soon

We were just about to leave when Jerry arrived. Work was about to start on a new factory building. not be about to do sth informal

used to emphasize that you have no intention of doing something I've never smoked in my life and I'm not about to start now. →out and about at out 1 (3), be up and about at up 1 (11) 牛津高阶英语词典 about

adverb, preposition, adjective adverb

a little more or less than; a little before or after Synonym: APPROXIMATELY

It costs about $10. ◆ They waited (for) about an hour. ◆ He arrived (at) about ten.

nearly; very close to: I'm just about ready. ◆ This is about the best we can hope for.

(especially BrE) in many directions; here and there: The children were rushing about in the garden.

(especially BrE) in no particular order; in various places: Her books were lying about on the floor.

(especially BrE) doing nothing in particular: People were standing about in the road.

(especially BrE) able to be found in a place: There was nobody about. ◆ There's a lot of flu about. ◆ She's somewhere about-I saw her a few minutes ago.

(technical or formal) facing the opposite direction: He brought the ship about. AROUND

Idioms: that's about all

that's about it used to say that you have finished telling sb about sth and there is nothing to add: 'Anything else?' 'No, that's about it for now.' more at JUST adv., OUT adv. preposition

on the subject of sb/sth; in connection with sb/sth: a book about flowers ◆ Tell me all about it. ◆ What's she so angry about? ◆ There's something strange about him. ◆ I don't know what you're on about (= talking about). ◆ There's nothing you can do about it now.

used to describe the purpose of sth: Movies are all about making money

these days. ◆ What was all that about? (= what was the reason for what has just happened?)

busy with sth; doing sth: Everywhere people were going about their daily business. ◆ And while you're about it ... (= while you're doing that)

(especially BrE) in many directions in a place; here and there: We wandered about the town for an hour or so. ◆ He looked about the room.

(especially BrE) in various parts of a place; here and there: The papers were strewn about the room.

(especially BrE) next to a place or person; in the area mentioned: She's somewhere about the office.

(literary) surrounding sb/sth: She wore a shawl about her shoulders. Idioms: how / what about?

used when asking for information about sb/sth: How about Ruth? Have you heard from her? ◆ I'm having fish. What about you?

used to make a suggestion: How about going for a walk? ◆ What about a break? adjective

Idioms: be about to do sth to be close to doing sth; to be going to do sth very soon: I was just about to ask you the same thing.

not be about to do sth to not be willing to do sth; to not intend to do sth: I've never done any cooking and I'm not about to start now. VOCABULARY BUILDING

ways of saying approximately

The flight takes approximately three hours.

The tickets cost about £20 each.

The repairs will cost $200, give or take a few dollars. How much will it cost, more or less ?

We are expecting thirty or so people to come. She must be 25 or thereabouts.

Profits have fallen by roughly 15%.

You can expect to earn round about £40 000 a year. The price is somewhere around $800.

She earns somewhere in the region of £25 000.

All these words and phrases are used in both speaking and writing; about is the most common and approximately the most formal.

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