小词详解 | squander
squander 英 [ˈskwɒndə(r)] 美 [ˈskwɑːndər]
SAT TEM8 GRE
外刊例句
In the past, Premier League clubs squandered their wealth.
在过去,英超俱乐部大肆挥霍它们的财富。
——《经济学人》On a bitter night nearly two-and-a-half squandered years ago, Donald Trump was duly elected the 45th president of the United States of America.
光阴蹉跎,在近两年半前一个令人痛苦的夜晚,唐纳德·特朗普如期当选为美利坚合众国第45任总统。
——《纽约时报》
基本释义
[verb] waste (something, especially money or time) in a reckless and foolish manner
[动词] 鲁莽而愚蠢地浪费(某物,尤指金钱或时间)
深入解读
Squander 最早出现于16世纪末期,词源不详,主要表示“ 浪费、挥霍(时间、金钱、资源、机遇、优势等)”,强调不计后果的肆意挥霍,通常意味着陷入彻底贫困(destitute)或资源枯竭的境地,比如:
他把自己所有的钱都糟蹋在赌博上了。
He squandered all his money on gambling.该队浪费了好几次得分机会。
The team squandered several good scoring chances.
肆意挥霍在李白口中是“千金散尽还复来”。家财全部散去了能否还复来这可不好说,但无独有偶的是, squander 在表示挥霍之外,还可以指“使分散”,比如:
他们驱散了敌人的庞大舰队。
They drove and squandered the huge enemy fleet.
名人用例
Dost thou love life? Then do not squander time, for that is the stuff life is made of.
你热爱生命吗?那么,别浪费时间,因为生命是由时间组成的。
同近义词
profligate: recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources
dissipate: squander or fritter away (money, energy, or resources)
lavish: bestow something in generous or extravagant quantities on
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