| 单词 | to set the scene |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto set the scene Phrases P1. to lay the (also one's) scene: to establish the background, setting, or context for a play, story, account, etc.; (also figurative) to create the necessary conditions for a future event, action, etc. (cf. lay v.1 20b). Cf. to set the scene at Phrases 9. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > the staging of a theatrical production > stage [verb (intransitive)] > locate a scene to lay the (also one's) scene1597 1597 W. Shakespeare Romeo & Juliet Prol. 2 In faire Verona, where we lay our Scene . View more context for this quotation 1648 T. Stephens tr. Statius Thebais ii. 52 These creepe the neerest way, by paths unseen, Through shrubs, and crosse the woods: Then lay their scene For villany. a1749 S. Boyse New Pantheon (1753) x. 22 This Engagement is differently related by Authors..some Writers laying the Scene in Italy..others in Greece. 1825 Gentleman's Mag. Jan. 1/2 In a recent performance.., where the scene is laid in the reign of George II, John Duke of Argyll..is by a strange and peculiar felicity of retroposition, attired in the Vandyke dress of the time of Charles I. 1939 H. W. Wells Elizabethan & Jacobean Playwrights ii. 35 The playwright lays his scene in no particular city or period of history. 2010 Independent (Nexis) 3 Apr. 48 The Lincoln-Douglas debates of 1858, which laid the scene for the American Civil War by setting out the arguments over slavery and the rights of black people. P2. the scene opens and variants [compare French ouvrir la scène (1690)] : (in early use) the stage setting is revealed; (later more generally) the action begins.Originally used literally, and chiefly in stage directions, with reference to the opening of a curtain or screen concealing or forming part of the scenery of a play; in later use influenced by sense 2a and open v. 17b. ΚΠ 1623 B. Jonson Time Vindicated sig. B2 (stage direct.) Loud Mvsiqve. To which the whole Scene opens, where Saturne sitting with Venus is discouer'd aboue. 1673 E. Settle Empress of Morocco i. 1 (stage direct.) Scene opens, Muly Labas appears bound in Chains. 1693 T. Rymer Short View Trag. sig. B7v The Scene opening presents 15 Grandees of Spain. 1767 A. Campbell Sale of Authors iii. 165 (stage direct.) Scene opens, Apollo, Booksellers, &c. at Table, with Wine, &c. before them. 1865 A. Thomas On Guard I. ii The first scene opened on a somnorific, sultry summer afternoon in London. 1877 W. W. Fowler Woman on Amer. Frontier x. 224 The scene opens with a view of three white-tilted Conestoga wagons..each drawn by four pair of oxen rumbling along through a plain. 1938 Times 24 June 14/2 The first scene..opened with villagers..watching their children playing ‘Hot Cockles’. 1979 R. McMillan All in Good Faith ii. i. 53 (stage direct.) The scene opens in the middle of a crowded party; everyone is well-oiled. 2002 M. Cousins Scene by Scene 45/1 The scene opens as Joe (Tony Curtis) and Jerry (Lemmon), dressed in 1920s fashion as Josephine and Daphne, board the train to Florida. P3. the scene of (the) action: the place (real or metaphorical) which is the location, setting, or focus of events or activity (cf. sense 8a, 8b); spec. the site of military action (see action n. 18). ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > [noun] > in which something takes place or prevails nestc1390 grounda1400 seat1565 scene1593 locus in quoa1638 the scene of (the) action1650 sitea1657 venuea1843 1650 C. Elderfield Civil Right Tythes xxxii. 277 Things that had their proper scene of action and agitation elsewhere in another room. 1677 G. Miege New Dict. French & Eng. ii. sig. Tt3/3 There will be the Scene of Action this Campaigne, ce sera là le Theatre de la Guerre. 1730 C. Lamotte Ess. Poetry & Painting ii. 71 As to the Scene of the Action: This, without any just Reason, is represented to be a Stable, where Oxen and Asses are seen tied to the Manger. 1833 T. Hook Parson's Daughter I. vii. 138 It was clear she could not quit the scene of action. 1876 S. Birch Rede Lect. Egypt 24 The riverine navies of Egypt floated to the scene of action. 1927 Indiana (Pa.) Evening Gaz. 19 July 2/4 As soon as the planes reached the scene of the action the machine gunners directed a heavy fire against the rebel positions. 1967 Econ. Devel. & Cultural Change 15 318 The financing agencies, being close to the spot, could judge the project much better than the centralized agency far away from the scene of action. 2002 P. Foos Short, Offhand, Killing Affair 196 This included teamsters, musicians, and soldiers who had served for extremely brief periods or who had merely traveled to the scene of action. P4. behind the scenes. a. Behind the stage or the scenery of a theatre where the public is not usually admitted; out of sight of the audience; (hence) so as to see or understand the process of making a film or television show; on a film set. ΘΚΠ society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > the theatre or the stage > a theatre > stage > [adverb] > behind stage behind the scenes1668 behind1824 backstage1898 1668 J. Dryden Of Dramatick Poesie 32 Things hapning in the Action of the Play, and suppos'd to be done behind the Scenes. 1791 J. Boswell Life Johnson anno 1749 I. 106 She was carried off to be put to death behind the scenes. 1809 B. H. Malkin tr. A. R. Le Sage Adventures Gil Blas II. iv. viii. 178 Those who are behind the scenes are not to be dazzled by the tinsel of the property-man. 1919 Boston Sunday Globe 15 June 48/2 (heading) Behind the scenes at the movies. Just how the pictures are made told in detail from scenario to screen. 1920 Punch 10 Mar. 197/1 Operatics. It has been suggested before now that Opera might be improved if the singing were done behind the scenes and the performance on the stage were carried out in dumb show by competent actors. 1984 Back Stage 21 Sept. 26/2 A new television commercial that takes viewers behind-the-scenes of Showtime's programming. 2006 Time Out N.Y. 9 Mar. 87/3 This documentary goes behind the scenes at a production of The Tempest. b. figurative and in extended use: (a) in secret, away from public view or scrutiny; in the background; (b) so as to gain insight into the inner workings of something. ΚΠ 1685 J. Dryden tr. Lucretius Nature of Love in Sylvæ 90 Well they understand like cunning Queans; And hide their nastiness behind the Scenes. 1748 Ld. Chesterfield Let. 16 Feb. (1932) (modernized text) III. 1102 I, who have been behind the scenes, both of pleasure and business. 1812 M. Edgeworth Absentee v, in Tales Fashionable Life V. 355 Miss Pratt..had obtained the entrée to a number of great houses, and was behind the scenes in many fashionable families. 1931 J. Galsworthy Maid in Waiting vi. 42 Saxenden is a big noise behind the scenes in military matters. 2012 New Yorker 3 Sept. 41/3 Behind the scenes, the police worked up an Operational and Raid Plan, which involved more than a dozen local and federal agents. c. attributive (usually with hyphens). Of, relating to, or designating activity taking place away from public view; (of a person) that acts or works in the background. ΚΠ 1820 J. Waldie Sketches Descriptive of Italy I. xxiii. 342 I may well call the religious ceremonies of Rome a performance—for they are really like acting—with this difference, that the spectators are admitted both before and behind the scenes, or rather that the behind-the-scenes-work is done before their eyes. 1916 E. V. Lucas Vermilion Box 171 This was not a mere idle rumour bearer..but one with friends of behind the scenes knowledge. 1955 H. Roth Sleeper ix. 69 His behind-the-scenes directors must have trusted him. 1961 John o' London's 5 Oct. 374/2 His political novel tells the story of the behind-the-scenes struggle for power. 2012 Daily Tel. 5 July 22/1 The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics, in which he also has a major behind-the-scenes role. P5. a. to quit the scene: to leave the place where events are happening or action taking place; to go away; (frequently figurative) to die (cf. sense 8c). ΚΠ 1692 R. Ames Elegy Death Rear-Admiral Carter (single sheet) If from Fates Jaws could Vertue save, Or Courage rescue from the Grave, Carter would ne're have quit the Scene. 1760 Crit. Rev. Feb. 136 Sylvia having eyed them from behind a thicket, advances when they quit the scene. 1838 J. D'Alton Hist. County of Dublin 19 The justice of Agricola's apprehensions, and the prudence of his policy, were fated to be evinced in a few ages after himself had quit the scene. 1975 Change 7 47/1 While the prognosis, by and large, is surprisingly upbeat, the skeptics have not quit the scene altogether. 2010 R. Morris Lighting Out for Territory v. 146 When Norton himself quit the scene in 1880, thirty thousand mourners filed past his coffin while flags across the city flew at half-mast and the San Francisco Chronicle mourned: ‘Le Roi Est Mort!’ b. Originally U.S. slang. to make the scene and variants: (a) to arrive at or go to a place; to participate in an event or activity (cf. sense 8e); (b) to come to prominence, esp. within a certain sphere of activity; to be successful. ΚΠ 1954 A. Ginsberg Let. 26 Nov. in J. Kerouac & A. Ginsberg Lett. (2010) 252 Please leave time free to see me, we will make all the possible scenes, Montmarte and Village. 1957 N.Y. Times Mag. 18 Aug. 26/3 Scene, any place where musicians play or gather; by extension, any place where people meet or any event they attend. Thus, ‘Let's make the country scene this week-end.’ 1964 Billboard 5 Sept. 6/1 Until the Beatles made the scene early this year, many tradesters were saying that the era of the million-selling single was passed. 1970 G. F. Newman Sir, You Bastard viii. 202 Billie would eventually get the sheet changed..or Mrs Basil, whoever made the scene first. 2004 B. Frazer in N. M. Grace & R. C. Johnson Breaking Rule of Cool 130 Small time poets just making the scene at readings or in little mags. 2013 J. Ross Outside Wire xvii. 195 By the time we made the scene the surrounding jungle was hot and silent. P6. change of scene n. the action or fact of moving to different surroundings, esp. in order to restore or improve one's mental or physical well being; (now more usually) an instance of such a change; = change of scenery n. at scenery n. Phrases 1.In early use not a fixed collocation. ΚΠ ?1792 I. Pigot Let. in A. Leslie Mrs. Fitzherbert (1960) ix. 87 She says her spirits are so damped and her nerves so bad, she must go out to..soothe her mind by change of scene and country. 1815 T. S. Surr Magic of Wealth II. 260 Its half the pleasure of going to these sort of places.—If one comes by the way of getting a change of scene like, and a little recreation from the shop. 1824 Scenes & Thoughts 14 My tender parents..proposed that I should go some little excursion, hoping that change of scene would complete my re-establishment. 1889 Harper's Mag. July 234/1 Papa Graystone vowed that the lovely invalid should have change of air, change of scene, and repose without a moment's delay—now—instantly. 1934 A. Huxley Let. 5 Mar. (1969) 378 I feel in need of a change of scene, being stickily entangled in a novel I can't quite find a satisfactory machinery for. 1988 H. Thomas Klara (1990) li. 255 Charlie Grew decided that he needed a change of scene. 2000 N.Y. Times 31 Dec. v. 11/1 She..seems to know what city dwellers most need: a total change of scene, a chance to slow down, let go and, as the Jamaicans say, cool out. P7. a. to make a scene of: to treat (an event, situation, etc.) with undue fuss or emotion, esp. for effect; to make a commotion about (an incident, experience, etc.). Chiefly in to make a scene of it. ΘΚΠ the mind > emotion > excitement > public excitement > stir up or maintain public excitement [verb (intransitive)] to make a scene of1804 agitate1828 to raise Cain1840 to whoop things up1873 1804 G. Rose Diaries (1860) II. 169 The reconciliation should be accompanied with éclat, and..it was intended to make a scene of it. 1861 Knickerbocker July 37 She determined to surrender, but still resolved to make a scene of it. She accordingly..suddenly burst into tears, and flung herself into his arms, sobbing violently. 1916 Cosmopolitan Feb. 439/1 I should like to suggest that you an Lord Henry have you explanations in private. It seems to me..rather indecent to make a scene of it—like this. 1983 S. R. Lawhead Dream Thief xix. 394 Most people do not care to make a scene of their public disgrace. 2006 in Jrnl. Hist. Sexuality (2007) 16 9 It [sc. homosexuality] was an issue, if we made a scene of it, but so was drinking. b. to make (also cause, create) a scene [compare French faire une scène (à quelqu'un) : see to make (a person) a scene at Phrases 7c] : to indulge in a public display of emotion or strong feeling; to cause a fuss or commotion; cf. sense 11. ΚΠ 1820 ‘Lady Humdrum’ Domest. Scenes II. 248 ‘For goodness' sake!’ cried Laura, ‘don't let us make a scene here!’ 1880 E. Scott-Stevenson Our Home in Cyprus xi. 130 She created quite ‘a scene’. When told she must bring her baby again, she gesticulated, and passionately exclaimed that ‘no one should drag her there’. 1888 Poor Nellie 34 You made a regular scene. 1916 D. Haig Diary 23 Oct. in War Diaries & Lett. 1914–18 (2005) 245 He was afraid that Joffre, being an ‘underbred individual’ might make a scene on account of my last letter to him. 1995 C. Coulter Valentine Legacy ix. 93 There was no reason to cause a scene in the middle of the Blanchards' ballroom. 2003 J. Drury Ian Dury & Blockheads iv. 82 This was a reference to the fact that I didn't mind ruffling feathers in the studio and making a scene to get my own way. c. to make (a person) a scene [compare French faire une scène à quelqu'un (1782)] : to confront (a person) with a public display of emotion or strong feeling; to berate or reproach (a person) about something. Now rare. ΚΠ 1848 W. M. Thackeray Vanity Fair lxiv. 589 Madame de Belladonna made him a scene about you, and fired off in one of her furies. 1866 H. Kingsley Leighton Court xxvii. 96 Once she had made him a scene, but it was no use: the more she stormed the more he laughed. 1908 H. James Portrait of Lady (rev. ed.) I. ix. 112 Was Lord Warburton suddenly turning romantic—was he going to make her a scene, in his own house, only the third time they had met? 1932 E. C. Mayne tr. C. Du Bos Byron & Need of Fatality vi. 276 Byron went to Annabella's room for the purpose of making her a scene about the actresses, and an extremely violent one. 1970 N. Marsh When in Rome (1971) 105 She certainly made him a scene. P8. a. the scene of the crime: the location at which a crime has been committed; (also figurative) the place where something bad or significant occurred or originated. Cf. crime scene n. ΘΚΠ the world > space > place > [noun] > in which something takes place or prevails > specific the scene of the crime1816 society > law > rule of law > lawlessness > [noun] > crime > a crime > place where crime committed the scene of the crime1816 1816 Edinb. Ann. Reg. 1814 7 362/1 It chanced that a stranger..lodged in a house opposite to the scene of the crime. 1884 L. H. Griffin Great Republ. 148 He was taken to the scene of the crime by a lynching party. 1923 A. Christie Murder on Links iv. 51 Now, Monsieur Poirot, you would without doubt like to visit the scene of the crime. 1958 B. Hope in Boston Daily Globe 19 Sept. 10/2 I love [state] fairs... It's like getting back to my original business... I like to sneak back to the scene of the crime now and then. 1984 Washington Post (Nexis) 21 Jan. c5 Georgetown returns to the scene of the crime this afternoon. One year ago in Madison Square Garden, the Hoyas lost to St. John's before 19,500 fans. 2004 H. Kennedy Just Law (2005) xiii. 267 DNA samples found at the scene of the crime can be highly probative evidence in determining the identity of an offender. b. scenes-of-crime (also scene-of-crime): (attributive) of or relating to a crime scene or to crime scenes generally (esp. with reference to the gathering of forensic evidence). ΘΚΠ society > law > law enforcement > police force or the police > [adjective] > branches of police force uniformed1813 scenes-of-crime1931 mobile1938 uniform1938 1931 H. Battley Single Fingerprints in Amer. Jrnl. Police Sci. 2 364 The results of an examination of 849 ‘scenes of crime impressions’ by the Bureau of Scotland Yard during a period of nine months afford convincing proof on this point. 1954 F. Cherrill Cherrill of Yard iii. 39 By this arrangement it became much easier to carry out a search with a single Scenes of Crime mark which had been classified in accordance with the single fingerprint system. 1961 Observer 21 May 5/3 The War Office have placed an order..for thirty-eight ‘Scene of Crime Kits’, to issue to their security-men. 2014 Gloucestershire Echo (Nexis) 7 June 12 The cadet scheme will give volunteers the chance to..learn about policing in the county including specialist areas like the dog section, scenes-of-crime unit and armed response. c. scenes-of-crime officer n. (also scene-of-crime officer) a police officer or member of police support staff trained to locate, record, and recover forensic evidence from crime scenes; abbreviated SOCO n. ΚΠ 1969 The Job (Metropolitan Police) 6 June 2/4 The Police Federation Conference..carried..a resolution..to the Home Secretary to put an end to..employing civilians as ‘scenes of crime’ officers. 1970 Jrnl. Royal Soc. Arts 118 202/2 Police officers have been specially trained as ‘Scenes of Crime Officers’ and are highly experienced in the proper selection, collection, labelling and packing of relevant material. 1994 E. McNamee Resurrection Man (1998) ii. 13 There would be a scene-of-crime officer, fingerprint and forensic men. 2008 L. Horton Twisted Tracks (2009) iv. 44 It was cordoned off with police tape as was the street leading up to it, and the scenes-of-crime officers were already there. P9. to set the scene. a. To establish or describe the location or context of an event, story, account, etc.; to give preliminary or background information. ΚΠ 1883 Harper's Mag. Dec. 179/1 There are few poets..that can set the scene more vividly and with less effort. 1928 Oakland (Calif.) Tribune 2 Jan. 2 b/1 The book is divided into 25 sections, each with a page or so of preface to set the scene. 1982 R. McGough Waving at Trains 36 To set the scene: A cave In Madron, Cornwall. On a warm September afternoon. 2012 Atlantic Oct. 106/2 To set the scene: we, this evening's chorus, are divorced professional mothers..who have adjusted, several years in, to life after marriage. b. To create favourable or necessary conditions for a future event. ΚΠ 1899 Scribner's Mag. Aug. 158/2 Raoul was left up the tree, perched among the branches, out of breath. Luck had set the scene for the lumberman's favorite trick. ‘Chop him down! chop him down!’ was the cry. 1915 Washington Post 20 Aug. 8/5 The third sacker..made two errors in succession, and paved the way and set the scene for what was to follow. 1989 Discover Oct. 75/2 These advances set the scene for the..biotech revolution of the eighties. 2007 H. Svensmark & N. Calder Chilling Stars i. 28 This early inception of cultivation then set the scene for the development and rapid spread of integrated agro-pastoral economies. P10. to steal the scene: see steal v.1 4h. < as lemmas |
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