| 释义 |
straight forward, straightˈforward, adv. and a.
[straight adv. 9 b.]
A. adv. Directly in front or onwards; in direct order.
1809Malkin Gil Blas viii. xii. (Rtldg.) 306 Tell him all the circumstances straightforward as they happened. 1830Herschel Study Nat. Phil. i. ii. (1851) 22 To walk uprightly and straight-forward on firm ground. 1832H. Martineau Demerara iii. 39 Old Robert could not be got to answer a question straight-forward or to tell anything without contradicting himself twenty times. c1850Arab. Nts. (Rtldg.) 727 He proceeded straight forward on his journey without deviating either to the right or left.
B. adj.
1. Of movement, vision, etc.: Proceeding or directed straight forward.
1807Roland Fencing 24 Those kind of straight-forward thrusts. 1815F. Burney Diary 20 Mar., The desire of obtaining intelligence made Madame d'Henin most unwilling to continue a straightforward journey. 1859Hawthorne Fr. & It. Note-bks. (1871) II. 291 Its peculiar expression eludes a straightforward glance, and can only be caught by side glimpses. 1867Longfellow Dante. Inf. i. 3 Midway upon the journey of our life I found myself within a forest dark, For the straightforward pathway had been lost.
2. Of language, narrative, or exposition: Direct, without circumlocution or digression.
1806J. Beresford Miseries Hum. Life vii. Introd. (ed. 3) 132 You put my poor stock of straight-forward phraseology quite upon the stretch to reach after you! 1875Jowett Plato (ed. 2) IV. 40 Of many..benevolent actions we can give a straightforward account by their tendency to promote happiness. 1895J. H. Round in Bookman Oct. 25/2 The book..[is] a straightforward, readable narrative in a very reasonable compass. 1913Times 13 Sept. 15/6 They had had a straightforward statement of affairs from Mr. Barry.
3. Of an action or process: Continuous in one direction, undeviating.
1817Malthus Popul. III. 170 It has proceeded in a very straight-forward manner to spend great sums in war, and to raise them by very heavy taxes. 1824Dibdin Libr. Comp. p. iv, A sedulous and straight-forward cultivation of the pursuit in question. 1850Denison Clock & Watch-m. 161 We must have some more violent method than the straight forward expansion of one metal over that of another.
4. Presenting a clear course; free from difficulties.
1833H. Martineau Brooke Farm xi. 131 It all seems straightforward enough now, if I can but get this appointment.
5. Of persons, their dispositions or conduct: Consistent, undeviating in purpose, single-minded. Also (now usually), free from duplicity or concealment; frank, honest, outspoken.
1829P. Egan Boxiana 2nd Ser. II. 601 The Streatham Youth is a straight-forward fellow—honest upon all occasions. 1834Marryat P. Simple vii, ‘He may be a fool, sir,’ observed he to the captain, aside; ‘but I can assure you he is a very straight-forward one.’ 1845Disraeli Sybil iv. v, He is a man; with clear, straightforward ideas, a frank, noble presence. 1845–6Trench Huls. Lect. Ser. ii. i. 160 Serving with a straightforward and downright obedience..God. 1850W. Irving Mahomet II. 18 His next movement was indicative of his straight-forward cut-and-thrust policy. 1874Spurgeon Treas. Dav. ci. title, It is David all over, straightforward, resolute, devout; there is no trace of policy or vacillation. 1874Green Short Hist. ix. §10. 702 He was thoroughly straightforward and true to his own convictions. 1911Riker Henry Fox 1st Ld. Holland I. ii. 86 Lacking a straightforward and practicable policy, they were helpless to combat a party which [etc.].
Comb.1875G. John in R. W. Thompson Life (1908) 352 Wei is a plain, honest, straightforward-looking man. |