基本介词AT补充词组

基本介词AT补充词组

1. at a set time ** 在特定时间，在指定的时间

解 习语；词义溯源：在［确定的时间（set time）］

例 In an ordered society, everything should happen at a set time. 在一个有序的社会，每件事都应该在特定的时间发生。

2. at a sitting ** 一次性；在一段时间里；同时

解 习语；词义溯源：在同一时间［就座（sitting）］

例 Each worker produces 36 pairs of shoes at a sitting during an 8-hour work shift. 每个工人在8个小时的工作班次中可以一次性生产36双鞋。

3. at a snail's pace ** 像蜗牛爬一样，十分缓慢

解 习语；词义溯源：以［蜗牛的速度（snail's pace）］

例 Development of solar building technology has progressed at a snail's pace. 太阳能建筑技术发展十分缓慢。

4. at all ** 以任何方式，无论怎样；根本

解 习语；词义溯源：以［整体（all）］来看；一般用于否定句中

例 Most cities in America are not crowded at all. 美国大部分城市根本不拥挤。

5. at all costs / at any cost ** 不惜任何代价，无论如何

解 习语；词义溯源：以［所有（all）］或［任何（any）］的［代价（costs, cost）］

例 Once committed to war, we must win at all costs. 一旦宣战，我们就必须不惜一切代价取得胜利。

6. at all times ** 随时；始终

解 习语；词义溯源：在［所有时间（all times）］

例 Prisoners are required to wear the electronic monitoring device at all times. 监狱要求囚犯随时佩戴电子监控设备。

7. at an early date ** 更早一点，提前

解 习语；词义溯源：在［很早的时候（early date）］

例 If you let me know at an early date that you are coming, I can arrange to meet you.如果你早点告诉我你要来，我就可以安排时间见你。

8. at any rate ** 无论如何，不管怎样；用以进一步说明上文

解 习语；词义溯源：在［任何程度或等级（any rate）］；通常用于总结发言与结语中

例 There are many details involved in publishing a book like this. At any rate, we have an efficient and professional staff who do an excellent job. 要出版一本这样的书有很多细节要注意。但我们拥有一个高效的专业团队，可以提供卓越的服务。

9. at best 〔most〕 / at the best 〔most〕 ** 充其量，最多

解 习语；词义溯源：在［最好的时候（best）］

例 Recycling isn't promoted in the country and at best, only 10% of newspapers are recycled. 回收利用在这个国家并没有得到推广，最多只有10%的报纸被回收利用。

You can expect to pay $45-$50 on a hotel room at the most. 不超过45到50美元就可以找到一个酒店房间。

10. at close range ** 在近处，在附近

解 习语；词义溯源：在［很近的距离（close range）］

例 Gun powder burns on his skin indicated the victim had been shot at close range.皮肤上的火药烧伤表明受害人被近距离击中。

11. at cross purposes ** 目的不同；意见相左

解 习语；词义溯源：处于［相反的、交错的（cross）目的、目标（purpose）］的状态

例 It became apparent that the two of us were at cross purposes for starting the charity. I wanted to help the community; he wanted to further his political career.很明显，我们两个人在启动慈善活动方面目的不同。我想帮助社区，而他想让自己的政治生涯走得更远。

12. at death's door ** 濒临死亡，行将就木

解 习语；词义溯源：在［死亡的门槛边（death's door）］；是一种委婉的表达方式

例 At death's door, Forrest reflected on his life and what it had meant. 在行将就木之际，福里斯特反省了他的一生和人生的意义。

13. at every turn ** 到处，处处

解 习语；词义溯源：在 ［每个转弯处（every turn）］

例 For a talented young man like you, there will be opportunities at every turn. 对于像你这样有才华的年轻人来说，到处都是机会。

14. at first ** 最初，最开始

解 习语；词义溯源：在［最初（first）］

例 At first I didn't like beer, but after a while I became quite fond of it. 一开始我不喜欢喝啤酒，但是不久后我就十分喜欢它了。

15. at first glance 〔blush〕 ** 乍一看，一瞥

解 习语；词义溯源：在［看第一眼（first glance，first blush）］的时候

例 At first glance it appeared to be an airplane, but as it got closer we saw it was actually a huge bird.它乍一看像一架飞机，但是等它靠近之后我们发现，其实那是一只大鸟。

16. at full speed 〔tilt〕 ** 全速；尽力地

解 习语；词义溯源：以最高的［速度（speed）或倾斜度（tilt）］

例 There was a war on and factories were operating at full speed producing the military machines that would make victory ours. 战争开始了，工厂正以最快的速度生产军用机械，以保证我们取得胜利。

17. at half mast ** （袜子）翻转下来，（裤子）太短；降半旗

解 习语；词义溯源：在 ［桅杆一半（half mast）］的位置

例 The President ordered flags flown at half mast across the nation. 总统命令全国降半旗。

18. at hand ** 在手边；在不久的将来

解 习语；词义溯源：在［手边（hand）］；用于形容距离或者时间

例 They believe that the great day is at hand. 他们相信伟大的一天即将到来。

19. at home with ** 与…一起感到舒服；熟悉，精通

解 习语；词义溯源：与…在［家（home）］

例 I'm at home with this software, so I'm not really interested in changing. 我对这款软件非常熟悉，所以没兴趣更换。

20. at it again ** 争吵

解 〈口〉习语；词义溯源：［又（again）］为了某事（争吵）

例 There were two cats fighting just beneath my window. I got up and chased them away，but they were at it again in about 20 minutes. 我窗户下面有两只猫在打架。我起床把它们赶走了，但是20分钟后它们又开始吵闹了。

21. at last / at long last ** 等待了很久之后；终于，最后

解 习语；词义溯源：在［很长时间后（long last）］

例 At long last I was able to enjoy the luxury of having my own yacht. 我终于可以过上有游艇的奢侈生活了。

22. at least ** 至少

解 习语；词义溯源：在［最少（least）］的情况下

例 Mark Howser's father has at least 5000 books in his personal library. 马克·豪斯的爸爸的私人图书馆中至少藏有5000本图书。

23. at length ** 最终，终于；详细地

解 习语；词义溯源：在［一段时间、长度（length）］之后

例 While most of his answers were brief, he spoke at length when asked about his vision of the future. 尽管他的大部分答案都非常简洁，但是被问到未来的愿景时，他非常详细地讲了起来。

24. at liberty ** 自由地，不受约束地，随意地

解 习语；词义溯源：处于［自由（liberty）］的状态

例 With the trial over, juries are now at liberty to discuss the case with reporters. 审判结束，陪审员现在可以随意与记者谈论案件信息。

25. at loggerheads ** 争吵，对立

解 习语；词义溯源：处于与［傻瓜、笨蛋（loggerheads）］一起的状态

例 Congress and the President are at loggerheads over how to balance the budget. 国会与总统在如何平衡预算方面处于对立的状态。

26. at loose ends ** 无所适从；混乱

解 习语；词义溯源：在［（线或绳子）不牢固的两端（loose ends）］

例 Crowds gathered outside the military headquarters were described by one reporter as being “at loose ends”. 人群聚集在军队指挥部外面，有一位记者将此描述为“处于混乱状态”。

27. at once ** 即刻，马上

解 习语；词义溯源：在［一次（once）］（命令）后

例 When you hear the fire alarm, you should evacuate from the building at once.听到火警警报器响后，你应该马上离开所在建筑。

28. at 〔in〕 one fell swoop ** 一举，一下子

解 习语；词义溯源：处在［一次突袭、袭击（one fell swoop）］中

例 After the boat sank, over 400 lives were lost in one fell swoop. 船沉没后，共有超过400人一下子失踪了。

29. at one's beck and call ** 按某人说的（或要求的）做

解 习语；词义溯源：在某人的［手势和要求（beck and call）］下

例 Let me be at your beck and call. Call me anytime you need anything and I'll be right there to take care of it for you. Okay? 随时为你效劳。有什么需要随时给我打电话，我会立即过来处理的，好吗？

30. at one's best ** 处于最佳的状态

解 习语；词义溯源：处于［最好的（best）］状态

例 Carson wasn't at his best when he fought Duncan. Otherwise he would have won. 卡森与邓肯比赛时不在最佳状态，否则他就赢了。

31. at 〔on〕 one's doorstep ** 在门口；某人的职责

解 习语；词义溯源：处于某人［门前的台阶（doorstep）］上

例 Why do you always lay your problems at my doorstep? I don't have any time to handle them. 你为什么总是把你的问题丢给我呢？我可没时间处理它们。

32. at one's earliest convenience ** 尽快；尽早

解 习语；词义溯源：在某人［最早的方便的时候（earliest convenience）］

例 Please fill out the attached forms and mail them to the address listed below at your earliest convenience. 请填写所附表格，并尽早将表格寄回以下地址。

33. at one's request / at the request of sb. ** 受某人的邀请；应某人的要求

解 习语；词义溯源：在某人的［要求（request）］下

例 The UN Security Council will meet in an emergency session tomorrow at the request of the Saudi Arabian government. 应沙特阿拉伯政府的请求，联合国安全理事会将召开紧急会议。

34. at present ** 现在，目前

解 习语；词义溯源：在［现在（present）］

例 At present, this city has three convention centers, with another under construction.目前，这座城市共有三个会展中心，还有一个正在建设当中。

35. at sea about sth. / at sea ** 困惑，茫然；在海上

解 习语；词义溯源：某事处于［漂泊在海上（at sea）］ 的状态

例 Those who have not seen the first two movies in this series may find themselves at sea if they try to watch the third one. 没有看过这个系列电影前两部的人，在看第三部的时候可能会感到困惑。

36. at sixes and sevens ** （完全）混乱；乱七八糟

解 习语；词义溯源：处于［六分七裂（sixes and sevens）］的状态

例 I'd be at sixes and sevens most of the time if I didn't have such an excellent secretary to keep me organized. 要是没有这么一位优秀的秘书帮我安排好一切，那我大多时候肯定都处于混乱状态。

37. at sometime sharp ** 准时

解 习语；词义溯源：在某个时间［准时地（sharp）］

例 Harris told me the show starts at 7:30 sharp, so we had better arrive on time. 哈里斯跟我说表演7:30准时开始，所以我们最好准时到达。

38. at that rate ** 那样的话，照那种情形

解 习语；词义溯源：以那种［比率、速度（rate）］

例 We need to reduce CFC gas use by 5% a year. At that rate, the harmful gas would be eliminated in 20 years.我们需要每年减少5%的氟氯化碳气体排放量。那样的话，20年内就可以消除这种有害气体。

39. at the appointed time ** 在约定（或预定）的时间

解 习语；词义溯源：在［约定的（appointed）］时间

例 At the appointed time, the prisoner was taken from his cell to the room where he would be executed.在预定的时间，囚犯被带出囚室，并被带到了执行死刑的房间。

40. at the bottom of the ladder ** 在最底层

解 习语；词义溯源：处于［梯子、地位（ladder）］的［底层（bottom）］

例 Starting out at the bottom of the ladder as a waiter, he worked his way up to become the president of the hotel chain in less than 20 years. 他从最底层的服务员开始做起，在不到20年的时间内就成为连锁酒店的总裁。

41. at the crack 〔break〕 of dawn ** 凌晨，黎明时

解 习语；词义溯源：在［凌晨（dawn）］［破晓（crack，break）］的时候

例 My neighbor keeps a rooster in his backyard. It crows each morning at the crack of dawn and wakes up the whole neighborhood.我的邻居在他的后院养了一只公鸡。每到黎明时分，这只公鸡就会打鸣，把街坊都吵醒。

42. at the drop of a hat ** 一有消息就…，立刻；随时

解 习语；词义溯源：在［帽子掉下（drop of a hat）］的时候

例 Frank loves to play his violin in public and will give you a performance at the drop of a hat. 弗兰克喜欢当众拉小提琴，他可以随时为你表演。

43. at the eleventh hour ** 在最惊险的时候；在最后

解 习语；词义溯源：在［最后的瞬间、时间临近时（eleventh hour）］

例 An agreement has finally been signed at the eleventh hour and now the historic Mason Building will not be torn down. 协议在最后一刻签署了，现在，具有历史意义的梅森大楼不会被拆除了。

44. at the end of nowhere ** 在…的尽头，在偏远的地方

解 习语；词义溯源：在［偏僻之地的尽头（end of nowhere）］

例 It's a small wood cabin on a 54-acre farm at the end of nowhere. The closest town is about 120 miles away.这栋小木屋在一个54英亩大的偏远农场上，离最近的小镇大约有120英里远。

45. at the end of one's rope 〔tether〕 ** 在忍耐的边缘；进退两难

解 习语；词义溯源：处于［绳子（rope）、忍耐（tether）］的［极限（end）］

例 Since my mother-in-law moved in with us, I have tried my hardest to be patient with her, but after two years I'm afraid I'm at the end of my rope. Either she moves out or I will! 自从我岳母搬进来跟我们一起住以后，我一直尽力保持对她的耐心，但是两年之后，我恐怕已经忍无可忍了。要么她搬出去，要么我搬出去！

46. at the expense of sb. or sth. ** 以某人或某物为代价；由某人负担费用

解 习语；词义溯源：由某人支付［费用、经费（expense）］

例 Satellite cities, six-lane highways and high-speed rail systems are being built at the expense of our nation's farmland. 我们国家正在以牺牲耕地为代价，开垦土地建设卫星城、六车道高速公路和高速轨道系统。

47. at the last minute ** 在最后关头，接近尾声

解 习语；词义溯源：在 ［最后一分钟（last minute）］

例 It looked like we would have to cancel the meeting, when Peter showed up at the last minute and we were able to continue as planned.我们好像不得不取消会议了，但后来彼得在最后时刻出现了，我们又可以按照预定计划继续了。

48. at the mercy of sb. / at one's mercy ** 任由某人安排；在某人的支配下

解 习语；词义溯源：在某人的［慈悲、宽容（mercy）］下

例 Hundreds of thousands of refugees are at the mercy of the United Nations, on whom they are completely dependent for food, shelter and protection. 几十万的难民只能听联合国的安排，靠联合国提供食物、住所和保护。

49. at the outset ** 最开始，起初

解 习语；词义溯源：在［最初、开始（outset）］的时候；参照from the outset

例 The optimism we had at the outset disappeared a couple of days later when the leader of the opposition was assassinated. 我们最初的乐观在几天之后就消失了，因为反对派领袖被刺杀了。

50. at the outside ** 最多

解 习语；词义溯源：在［外面（outside）］

例 It could cost $20,000 at the outside, but if we can salvage some parts from the old machine, It might be as little as $10,000. 这个最多得花两万美元，但是如果我们利用旧设备上的一些部件，可能只要一万美元。

51. at the present time / at this point in time / at this point ** 如今，目前

解 习语；词义溯源：在［现在时刻（present time）］

例 At this point in time, we know 24 people have died in the fire. It is likely there will be more later.目前，我们知道有24人在火灾中丧生。稍后可能会更多。

52. at the same time ** 同时，一起；然而

解 习语；词义溯源：在［同一时间（same time）］

例 We left the conference hall at the same time, but I got to the office ten minutes sooner.我们同时离开会议大厅，但我早了十分钟到达办公室。

53. at the top of one's voice 〔lungs〕 ** 大声地

解 习语；词义溯源：以某人［最高的（top）］［声音（voice）］

例 Some drunken man was screaming a girl's name at the top of his lungs. 有个喝醉了的人正在高声喊着一个女孩的名字。

54. at this rate ** 以这个速度，照这样下去

解 习语；词义溯源：以这一［比率、速度（rate）］

例 We've been driving for three hours and we've gone only 140 miles. At this rate, it'll take us ten hours to reach New York. 我们开了三个小时车才走了140英里。照这样的速度，我们要花十个小时才能到纽约。

55. at this stage of the game / at this stage ** 在这个阶段，眼下，现在

解 习语；词义溯源：在［（比赛的）这一阶段、时期（this stage of the game）］

例 It's too early to determine if the changes have had any effect at this stage. 现在决定这些改变是否有影响还为时尚早。

56. at times ** 有时，偶尔

解 习语；词义溯源：在［有些时候（times）］

例 At times, he could be quite kind, but generally he was the coldest, meanest man I have ever met. 有时候，他非常友善，但是通常时候他是我所见过的最冷酷、最小气的人。

57. at will ** 随意地，自由地

解 习语；词义溯源：按照自己的［意志（will）］

例 Our farm is large and the horses are allowed to wander and graze at will. 我们的农场很大，马匹可以自由地漫步、吃草。

58. at work ** 在工作，在办公；忙于

解 习语；词义溯源：处于［工作（work）］的状态

例 I'm sorry, he's at work on a program and doesn't want to be disturbed. I'll tell him you called though. Okay? 很抱歉，他正忙着一个项目，不希望被打扰。不过我会告诉他你打过电话，好吗？

59. at worst / at the worst ** 在最差的情况下

解 习语；词义溯源：在［最糟糕的情况（the worst）］下

例 The weather report says we can expect some snow, but only a couple of millimeter at worst.天气预报说我们这里可能会下雪，但是在最差的情况下也只会下几毫米。