| 释义 |
Houdini|huːˈdiːnɪ|
The professional name (Harry Houdini) of an American escapologist, Erich Weiss (1874–1926), used to denote an ingenious escape, or a person who embodies the characteristics of Houdini. Also attrib. Hence (occas.) as v. intr., to escape.
1923N.Y. Times 9 Sept. vii. 2/1 Houdini, to get out of something, to escape. 1923J. E. Baxter Locker Room Ballads 20 With a dozen balls in play at once And each of them doing Houdini stunts. 1930J. Fait Big House 120 Don't do no Houdini, or we'll lay you out. 1946Mezzrow & Wolfe Really Blues 373/1 Do a Houdini, disappear. 1958[see escapologist]. 1962L. Deighton Ipcress File xxv. 164 There was no chance of a ‘Houdini’ through the boltwork. 1967L. J. Brown Cat who ate Danish Modern xiii. 117, I have to buckle the harness good and tight or he'll wiggle free... That cat's a Houdini. 1971Guardian 24 Aug. 7/4 Houdini act saved injured climber in air crash. |