释义 |
twotwo /tuː/ ●●● S2 W1 number  twoOrigin: Old English twa ► pair two things of the same type that you use together. Also used about two people who do something together or who you often see together: · a pair of shoes· a pair of socks· Winners will receive a pair of tickets for the show.· The pair were arrested six days after the killing.· They're a funny pair!· The British pair will be playing in the final on Saturday. ► a couple (of something) two things of the same type, or a very small number of things: · There were a couple of empty seats at the table.· Do you have any stamps? I just need a couple. ► couple noun [countable] two people who are married or having a sexual relationship: · a married couple· The couple met at university. ► twins noun [plural] two children who were born on the same day to the same mother: · The twins look very alike.· identical twins ► duo noun [countable] two people who perform together or who are often seen together: · a comedy duo ► duet noun [countable] a piece of music written for two people to play: · They played a duet by Brahms. ► twice two times adverb: · The group meets twice a week.· She sneezed twice. for two people► for two for two people: · A table for two, please. ► double bed/double room a bed for two people, or a room that has a bed for two people in it: · I'd like to book a double room. ► twin beds/twin room two separate single beds, or a room with two separate single beds: · We asked for a twin room, and they've give us a double room. two► two 2: · We've got two dogs and three cats.· There used to be five churches in the town. Now there are only two.· It takes two hours to get there.two of: · Two of the boys in the hockey team were sick. ► a couple informal two: · I haven't got any stamps - could you lend me a couple?a couple of: · I've got a couple of tickets for the game on Saturday.· She lived in Japan for a couple of years. two people► couple two people who are together, especially because they are married or have a sexual relationship: · the couple who live next door to me· A young couple were walking hand in hand along the beach.a married couple (=a couple who are married): · The house was bought by a young married couple. ► pair two people who are doing something together, or who are similar or connected in some way: pair of: · They felt like a pair of burglars, enjoying themselves in someone else's house while the owner was away.in pairs (=working in groups of two): · Do the next exercise in pairs.a strange/funny/friendly etc pair: · Bill and his brother were a rather odd-looking pair. ► duo two people who work or perform together: · a brilliant young comedy duo· the successful management duo of Doug Livermore and Ray Clemence two things of the same type that are used together► pair two things of the same type that are used together: a pair of shoes/socks/gloves/earrings etc: · I need a new pair of shoes. ► twin use this to talk about two things that are the same as each other and exist together or are used together: · the new twin bridges over the river Clyde· a PC with twin disk drivestwin beds: · I asked for a room with twin beds. each one of two people or things► both use this to talk about two people or things together: · We both really enjoyed the evening.· I can't decide which dress to buy, I like them both.· Both drivers were injured, but not seriously.both of: · Both of us felt ill the next day.· Both of the windows had been broken.both the/these/my etc: · Both her attackers were wearing masks and gloves.· Both her parents are doctors. ► each use this to talk about two or more people or things when you think of them as separate: · My wife and I each have our own bank account.each of: · In the cup final, each player gets a medal, even the substitutes. ► either use this to talk about one of two people, places, or things, especially when it does not matter which one: · "Would you like tea or coffee?" "Either - I don't mind."· You can enjoy the view from either window.either of: · If you see either of these men, contact the police immediately.· She says she has never seen either of them before.either somebody/something or somebody/something: · I usually drink either coke or beer. ► neither not one of two people, places, or things, and not the other: · "Do you want milk or lemon in your tea?" "Neither thanks."· The game wasn't very exciting. Neither team played well.neither of: · Luckily, neither of the passengers was hurt in the crash.neither somebody/something nor somebody/something: · Neither Mary nor the doctor was willing to use the word "cancer". ► each other/one another use this to say that each of two people does the same thing to the other, or has the same feeling about the other: · The twins looked at one another and giggled.· We don't see each other so often now.each other's/one another's: · They used to borrow each other's clothes. someone whose brother or sister was born at the same time► twin one of two children who were born on the same day to the same mother: · I never realized that you and Sammy were twins.· Joey's my twin.twin brother/sister: · Sally and her twin sister still spend a lot of time together now that they are adults.identical twins (=twins who look exactly the same): · There have been a lot of interesting studies done on identical twins separated at birth.fraternal twins (=twins who do not look the same): · Noelle and Craig are fraternal twins. intended for two people► for two use this about something that is intended for only two people: · We'd like a table for two please.· a romantic weekend in Paris for two ► double: double room/bed/mattress a room, bed etc that is intended for two people: · The room contained a double bed, a wardrobe, and a small chest of drawers.· Double rooms cost $80, single rooms are $50. ► two-man: two-man tent/canoe a tent etc that is designed for two people: · We all squeezed into Ralph's small two-man tent.· They paddled down the river in a two-man canoe. twice the normal size► double twice the amount, number etc: · The band has just released a new double album.· Last year she suffered the double blow of losing her father and discovering that she had cancer.double whiskey/brandy etc: · A double brandy, please.a double portion of something: · I ordered fish and a double portion of chips. when something happens two times► twice · The weather was great - it only rained twice in three weeks.· She's been married twice before.twice a day/month/year etc (=when something happens regularly two times every day, month etc) · I play golf twice a week.· Staff meetings are held twice a month.twice over British · You should read the exam question twice over before answering it.· The company's accounts were checked twice over, the second time by an independent auditor. ► a couple of times informal two or three times: · I've been out with Harry a couple of times, but I wouldn't call him my boyfriend. consisting of two things of the same type► double · I pushed the double doors open and walked into the office.· The report and photographs fitted nicely onto a double page.· You cannot park on double yellow lines. ► dual having two types of one particular thing: · It's much safer if you learn to drive in a car which has dual controls.· He found it difficult to cope with the dual pressures of work and home life.dual role/function/purpose/aim: · Don Jose continued in his dual role of father and teacher to his son.· The magistrate's court has a dual function: to try minor cases and consider whether in more serious cases there is enough evidence for a trial to take place.dual nationality/citizenship (=when someone has the legal right to live in two different countries): · He has dual nationality because his father was born in Pakistan and his mother is British. ► twofold formal if the reasons, aims, or effects etc, of something are twofold , there are two reasons, aims, or effects: · My reasons for leaving are twofold.· This new legislation will have a twofold effect on businesses. when a number or amount is twice as big as another► twice: twice as big/fast/much/many etc bigger, faster etc by 100%: · This sweater would have cost twice as much if I'd bought it in England.twice the size/my salary/his age etc: · He married a woman who was twice his age.· It's about twice the length of a football field.· Full cream milk contains about twice the fat of skimmed milk. ► double twice as much as an amount, number etc: double the amount/number/weight/size/cost etc: · Over 30% of marriages end in divorce, which is double the number 20 years ago.· The house is now worth double the amount we paid for it. ► twofold two times as much or as many of something: a twofold increase: · The last ten years have seen a twofold increase in the numbers of deaths on the road. money that is borrowed► both use this to talk about two people or things together: · Paul and I are both scared of spiders.· I can't decide which dress to buy. I like them both.· Both drivers were injured, but not seriously.both the/these/my etc: · Both the robbers were wearing masks.· Both their parents are doctors.both of: · Both of us felt a little sick after dinner.· Both of the windows had been broken. ► the two of them/us/you spoken both the people that you are talking about: · While the two of them talked about cars, I went into the kitchen to make coffee.· We're taking a romantic vacation - just the two of us.· I want the money to be shared equally between the two of you. ► the pair of them/us/you British spoken both the people that you are talking about - used especially when you are angry or disappointed with them: · Get out of here, the pair of you!· There we were, stranded in the middle of nowhere with no money between the pair of us. ► each use this to talk about two people or things when you think of them as separate: · My wife and I each have our own bank account.each of: · Each of the teams has already won two games. ► each other/one another use this to say that each of two people does the same thing to the other, or has the same feeling about the other: · My boyfriend and I don't talk to each other very much anymore.· The twins looked at one another and giggled.each other's/one another's: · Ron and Joe didn't like each other's girlfriends. ► either use this to talk about one of two people, places, or things, especially when it does not matter which one: · "Would you like tea or coffee?" "Either - I don't mind."· You can operate the controls with either hand.either of: · If you see either of these men, contact the police immediately.· She says she never met either of them before.either somebody/something or somebody/something: · I usually drink either coke or beer with pizza. ► neither not one or the other of two people, places, or things etc: · "Do you want milk or lemon in your tea?" "Neither, thanks."· The game wasn't very exciting, and neither team played well.neither of: · Luckily, neither of the passengers was hurt in the crash.neither somebody/something nor somebody/something: · Neither her mother nor her father knew about her boyfriend. ► mutual: mutual feelings/friends/interest etc mutual feelings etc are ones that both people have at the same time: · The couple were introduced to each other by a mutual friend.· An investment in my company would be to our mutual benefit.· They would meet every week to discuss matters of mutual interest. ► share to both have the same opinion, attitude, interest etc: · They share an interest in 16th century architecture.· My husband and my mother share the same birthday. ► two/three/four etc abreast (=with two, three, four etc people or vehicles next to each other) The planes were flying four abreast. ► two days/three weeks etc after (something) Ten years after he bought the painting, Carswell discovered that it was a fake. ► two miles/six feet etc apart Place the two posts 6 metres apart. ► two days/three weeks/five years etc apart Our birthdays are exactly a month apart. ► a one-bedroom/two-bedroom etc apartment (also one-bedroomed/two-bedroomed apartment British English)· A tiny one-bedroom apartment was all she could afford. ► five minutes/two hours etc away The beach is only five minutes away (=it only takes five minutes to get there). ► three years/two months etc back (=three years etc ago) His wife died a couple of years back. He called me a while back. ► two/three/four etc billion 3.5 billion years ago Overseas debt is a staggering £16 billion. ► branches into two When you reach the village green, the street branches into two. ► a two-storey/three-storey etc building (=with two, three etc floors)· Our villa was a delightful two-storey building. ► a two-party/three-party etc coalition· The composition of the three-party coalition remains unchanged. ► two-way communication (=in both directions)· Train drivers need two-way communication with the signal box at all times. ► a one-year/two-year etc contract· He signed a five-year contract worth $2 million. ► count by twos/fives etc It’s quicker to count by tens (=saying 10, 20, 30 ...). ► a one-year/two-year etc course· She did a one-year teacher training course. ► cut something in half/two (=into two pieces)· Cut the tomatoes in half. ► a one-year/two-year etc deal (=one that will be fixed for one year, two years etc)· The five-year deal is estimated to be worth $17.2 million. ► two/queen etc of diamonds the ace of diamonds ► two goals down/three points down etc Swindon were six points down at one stage. ► two/three/four etc dozen (=24, 36, 48 etc) The number of deaths has risen to more than two dozen. ► an hour’s/a two-hour etc drive It’s a two-hour drive from Calais to Thiepval. ► be two/ten etc years somebody’s elder Janet’s sister was eight years her elder. ► between ... two extremes In fact, the truth lies between the two extremes. ► a father of two/three/four etc (=a man with two, three etc children) The driver, a father of four, escaped uninjured. ► the first two/three/few etc I only read the first two chapters of the book. It rained during the first few days of the trip. ► a one-bedroom/two-bedroom etc flat· She lived in a one-bedroom flat in Clapham. ► a one-room/two-room etc flat· Their home is a humble two-room flat. ► a double/two-car garage (=for two cars)· The house had a double garage. ► a one-year/two-year etc guarantee· Our clocks carry a five-year guarantee. ► one/two etc and a half· ‘How old is she?’ ‘Five and a half.’ ► a two-star/three-star etc hotel (=a hotel that has been given a particular rating)· On our honeymoon, we stayed in a four-star hotel in Paris. ► two/three/four etc hundred I make nine hundred dollars a week. a journey of 15 hundred miles ► in two/halves/pieces etc I tore the letter in two and threw the pieces in the fire. ► a one-/two-/three- etc inch something a six-inch nail ► jail somebody for two months/six years/life etc They ought to jail her killer for life. ► knows a thing or two My cousin knows a thing or two (=knows a lot) about golf. ► last but one/two etc (=last except for one other, two others etc) on the last but one day of his trial ► last (somebody) two days/three weeks etc A good coat will last you ten years. Cut flowers will last longer if you put flower food in the water. ► ten minutes/two hours etc late You’re half an hour late. ► ten minutes/two hours etc late The bus came ten minutes late. ► two years/three weeks etc later He became Senator two years later. ► lead by ten points/two goals etc Nadal was leading by two sets. ► a one-shot/two-goal/three point etc lead (=a lead of a specific amount)· Goals by Keane and Lennon gave Tottenham a two-goal lead. ► have two weeks/six months etc to live He knows he’s only got a few months to live. ► two metres/three miles etc long The bridge is 140 feet long. ► two hours/three days etc long The speech was twenty minutes long. ► a two-thirds/2:1/three to one etc majority· A two-thirds majority in both Houses of Congress is needed to overturn a presidential veto. ► two/three/four etc million seven million dollars £37 million of new investment ► a one/two/three etc minute something a ten-minute bus ride ► mother of two/three etc (=mother of two/three etc children) Janet is a full-time teacher and a mother of two. ► a two-hour/twenty minute etc nap· At age four, she was still having a two-hour nap every day. ► nought point one/two/three etc (=0.1, 0.2 etc) ► two/three etc occasions· He was given a red card on two occasions this season. ► gives ... the old one-two Ali gives his opponent the old one-two, and it’s all over. ► part one/two/three etc· The questionnaire is in two parts: part one asks for your personal details and part two asks for your comments on the course. ► twelve weeks pregnant/two months pregnant etc· The doctor said that she was eight weeks pregnant. ► two days/three years etc previously (=two days, three years etc before) Six months previously he had smashed up his car. ► a two-horse/two-way race· It soon became clear that it would be a two-horse race. ► one-room(ed)/two-room(ed) etc a three-room apartment ► slice something in two/half Slice the eggs in two and arrange them on a serving dish. ► snap (something) in two/in half (=break into two pieces) The teacher snapped the chalk in two and gave me a piece. ► five hours/two weeks etc solid On Saturday I went to bed and slept fourteen hours solid. ► split something in two/down the middle The war has split the nation in two. ► split (something) in two/half The board had split in two. Split the pineapple down the middle. ► two-storey/five-storey etc (=having two etc storeys) ► a one-day/two-week etc strike· A three-day strike is planned for next week. ► a two-year/three-month etc study· They are engaged in a five-year study into the effects of calcium on bone health. ► tear something in two (also tear something in half)· Jack snatched the letter from him and tore it in two. ► 3 feet/1 cm/two inches etc thick The walls are about two meters thick. ► (as) thick as two short planks (=very stupid) ► one-third/two-thirds Two-thirds of the profits are given to charities. ► two/three/four etc thousand five thousand dollars The company employs thirty thousand people. ► two-tiered/three-tiered etc (=having two, three etc levels or layers) a three-tiered wedding cake ► two-tier a two-tier system of government ► two/three/four etc trillion $5.3 trillion Japan’s exports were worth $43 trillion last year. ► a two-mile/1500-foot-long etc tunnel· A 250-metre-long tunnel provides access to all parts of the development. ► a two-edged sword (=something that has as many bad results as good ones) Strong leadership is a two-edged sword. ► two goals up/three points up etc United were a goal up at half time. ► a two-week/three-day etc vacation► wait two hours/ten minutes etc· William waited an hour for his sister to arrive. ► long/three-hour/two-week etc wait There was an hour wait before the next train departed. ► a five-minute/two-hour etc walk· There’s a good restaurant a five-minute walk away. ► two-wheeled/three-wheeled/four-wheeled etc (=having two, three etc wheels) a three-wheeled car ► five metres/two miles etc wide The river is more than fifty yards wide. ► three feet/two metres etc in width It’s about six metres in width. ► a five-point/two-goal etc win· The team had a nine-point win over Arizona. ► a year/a week/a moment/an hour etc or two► two sides of the same coin► two heads are better than one► be in two minds (about something)- As ever, he was in two minds about Clarac's value to the project.
- Do you know, he was in two minds about accepting?
- For a second he was in two minds about it.
- I am in two minds whether to change the engine or repair it.
- In her own cottage a few miles away the witch Agnes Nitt was in two minds about her new pointy hat.
- Please be warned: they are capable of getting through that gap which you are in two minds about bothering to block.
- They were not to be in two minds.
- This time she seemed to be in two minds about what to do.
► two cents (worth)- Just for my own two cents worth, even Martin Luther King said the source of all wealth is labor.
- One hundred thousand copies at two cents a sheet.
- Results in the most recent quarter were two cents below the consensus from analysts surveyed by First Call.
- Walter had already put in his two cents worth.
- We charged a penny for admission and two cents a cup for Kool-Aid.
► two’s company, three’s a crowd► in twos► put two and two together- When we found the money and the drugs in his room, it was easy to put two and two together.
- As it is, Krauss is probably putting two and two together.
- He can be trusted to put two and two together.
- He saw the pits, he saw my father, and he put two and two together.
- His friends put two and two together, and so did the media, which beseiged his home by telephone and helicopter.
- If they found the coins they might put two and two together.
- In 1989 Congress put two and two together, in a programme to sell the government's houses to the poor.
- It is not difficult to put two and two together.
- Still nobody in the chemical industry put two and two together.
► that makes two of us- Well, that makes two of us, Hilary thought with a little smile as she sat at the table.
► two can play at that game► two points/five seconds etc adrift (of somebody)► one-all/two-all etc► a bird in the hand (is worth two in the bush)► two bits/four bits► the last but one/the next but two etc► call it £10/two hours etc► put in your two cents’ worth► two sides of the same coin- Kohl later said that German unity and European integration were "two sides of the same coin."
► two’s company, three’s a crowd► two/three etc deep- A huge goat-hair sack would then be thrown over the saddle, forming two deep pockets either side.
- Alison Edwards suffered three deep cuts in her face when she accidentally fell through a shop window.
- As it was, I had to stand around a bar packed two and three deep.
- Best show ever-me light as a feather and them standing two deep on two levels!
- I loved the first hour after the opening bell, when customers gathered three deep and the money poured in.
- This had two deep leather armchairs, a big desk with a telephone on it, and books.
- Two bulging boxes were stacked two deep on the right and left of the stage.
► like a dog with two tails► two/three etc doors away/down/up- Across the world, or two doors down the corridor.
- Freda Berkeley misses her and another neighbour, the writer Patrick Kinross, who lived two doors away.
- He thanked the colonel for the interview and returned doggedly to his pistol lessons in the basement range two doors away.
- He tried the house opposite, and was told two doors down.
- I took the keenest pleasure in expelling Phetlock from my old office, two doors down from the Oval.
- Mr Potts and the matrons left them in the church and went to stay two doors away, in a hotel.
- The guest room's two doors down the corridor.
- The second was in another bin beside the Argos showroom two doors away.
► one in every three/two in every hundred etc► fall between two stools- Overall, the study seems to fall between two stools.
- That was a bad time for her because she fell between two stools in a way.
► put two fingers up at somebody► have two left feet► half past one/two/three etc- At half past one the men got up and checked their equipment, gathering several sticks as well.
- At half past three he wanted to die, or to kill somebody.
- At half past two this morning my wife died.
- It was half past three in the morning.
- She arrived at the Herald building at half past three, and walked past the uniformed commissionaire to the lift.
- The return journey was supposed to start at half past three but there would always be a few people missing.
- They'd all been given leaflets about it at half past three.
► two-headed/three-headed etc► don’t give a hoot/don’t care two hoots► a two/three/four etc horse race- The women's competition was a two horse race between last year's winners Surrey and previous champions Essex.
► be two/five/ten etc years somebody’s junior- His wife's name was Sarah; she was five years his junior, and she predeceased him by ten months.
- The 42-year-old princess married Commander Tim Laurence, who is five years her junior, just before Christmas.
► kill two birds with one stone- Deedee killed two birds with one stone, both shopping and looking for a shop of her own to rent.
- Adding five examples to the chapters that at present lack them would kill two birds with one stone.
- By promoting these new investors, Mr Alphandéry could kill two birds with one stone.
- In trying to play matchmaker and kill two birds with one stone, I nearly annihilated three.
- Lleland was obviously out to kill two birds with one stone.
- Thorpey said it'd kill two birds with one stone.
- Well, now we can kill two birds with one stone.
► two/three etc of a kind- Andrus and he are two of a kind.
- I want three of a kind.
- In one way, he and Dolly were two of a kind.
- They were two of a kind - extroverted and fun-loving.
- They were two of a kind, people said.
- You and Lady Lavinia, you are two of a kind.
- You and me, we're three of a kind.
- You have to rotate the trays and try to catch two of a kind consecutively.
► have two left feet► the lesser of two evils- At least they chose the lesser of two evils, but even so Tank managed to create havoc.
- Mansfield saw the difficulty in reconciling the two principles, but thought that certainty was the lesser of two evils.
- So people go to the polls convinced their only choice is the lesser of two evils.
- They regarded the ditching of a widely respected Chancellor, in somewhat undignified circumstances, as the lesser of two evils.
- While not particularly welcome, the black knight is considered the lesser of two evils.
► that makes two of us- "I'd like to work in Hawaii." "That makes two of us."
- Well, that makes two of us, Hilary thought with a little smile as she sat at the table.
► a day’s march/two weeks’ march etc► three weeks/two years etc now► one o'clock/two o'clock etc► one or two- "Do you have any Bob Dylan albums?" "Yes, one or two."
- I only know the names of one or two of the new students.
- There are one or two things I'd like to ask you about.
- There are one or two things to sort out before I leave.
- We've had one or two problems with the car but nothing serious.
- Accommodation Accommodation is in one or two bedroom apartments, about 300 to 400 yds from the sailing beach.
- Eventually, this area should be able to support one or two satellite offices.
- For the tall man, the lie should be one or two degrees more upright.
- In one or two places, Jasper had to pull me up between the rocks.
- Let us start with one or two fundamentals.
- Ten of the 13 previous meetings between the Braves and Marlins were decided by one or two runs.
- The statements should be listed, one or two sentences for each.
- There were one or two escapees from within his group, however.
► in ones and twos- Guests arrived in ones and twos.
- There were only about fifty people in the hall, standing around in ones and twos.
- Instead, we will separate and make our way downtown in ones and twos.
- Mounted men in ones and twos appeared suddenly from the cover of trees, or out of folds in the ground.
- Shabby men were walking about, in ones and twos.
- Stragglers kept joining in ones and twos.
- The Browns started to browse along the wall, and, in ones and twos, other parents made their entrances.
- The more moderate, responsible men and women began to leave in ones and twos and then in a landslide.
► like two peas in a pod► take/bring somebody down a peg (or two)- No harm in taking Evans down a peg.
► be two/ten a penny- Anyway, they would fall in love with these Counts who were ten a penny and even pay for their drinks.
- Dallams were ten a penny in the backstreets of Frizingley.
- Moreover, although titles were two a penny in Cannes, Lord Westbourne was different.
- Now they are two a penny - or rather they were until 1990.
- Teachers of history are ten a penny, and out-of-work teachers of history are twenty a penny.
- There, residential and nursing homes are two a penny.
- These rings are ten a penny.
- Uncritical testimonials to the postmodern's attractions are ten a penny, and conservative denunciations thereof not much scarcer.
► for two pins I’d ...► a one-two punch- The city faced the one-two punch of an earthquake followed by a recession.
- And heart disease took a one-two punch.
► not have two pennies/halfpennies/beans to rub together► number one/two/three etc seed► be two/five/ten etc years somebody’s senior► serve two/three/four etc (people)- After serving two years of her sentence, she was released on probation.
- As no man can serve two masters we had long been told no wise general tries to fight on two fronts.
- He gave Edberg no chance of breaking him, serving four stunning aces and a massive percentage of first services.
- Newton was released after serving two years in prison.
- Reagan became the first incumbent to serve two terms in the presidency since Dwight D.. Eisenhower in the 1950s.
- She served three consecutive terms from 1877 to 1885, and was noted for her fearlessness and power of debate.
- The new managers saw their administrative responsibilities as serving two purposes.
- This story serves two important purposes.
► in a couple of shakes/two shakes► two weeks/a month etc short of something► one-minute/two-minute etc silence► sleep two/four/six etc- All the comfortable rooms sleep two and are of a high standard with private shower and W.C; most have a balcony.
- Expect to pay $ 115 for a cabin that sleeps four during peak season.
- He was probably fed up with having to sleep four to a bed.
- I can actually go home and sleep six hours at night now.
- Rates start at $ 75 per night off-season for a cabin that sleeps two.
- Soldiers sleep four or six to a dormitory, with lockable doors and private bathrooms.
- The properties, which sleep four people, are based at Rosecraddoc Manor, set in 38 acres of woodlands near Liskeard.
- They sleep six to a bed and wake up to the fiery sting of bug bites.
► five feet/two metres etc square► stand on your own (two) feet- Able to stand on her own feet.
- I guess I shall have to learn to stand on my own feet.
- Out-and-out competitive in the world market standing on our own feet?
- She's very kind, but we ought to stand on our own feet.
- She, who'd always stood on her own feet, fought her own battles.
- Such beliefs are able to stand on their own feet, without support from others.
- Using the market price means that each division must stand on its own feet, as though it were an independent company.
► two-storied/five storied etc► two/three strikes against somebody/something- For the younger pilots, I had two strikes against me before I even began that were impossible to overcome.
- Generally, unless batters have two strikes against them, Bosley doesn't want them to swing at high strikes.
► it takes two to tango► teach/show somebody a trick or two- Experienced teachers can teach new teachers a trick or two.
► something is a two-way street- But creative collaboration is a two-way street.
- But the link between diagnosis and treatment is a two-way street.
► within two feet/ten years etc either way► split something two/three etc ways► (there are) no two ways about it- No two ways about it, Blue says to himself: he knows everything.
- No two ways about it, Clint Schneider was dynamite.
- That was the job description, no two ways about it.
- There are no two ways about it.
► two wrongs don’t make a right 1the number 2: I’ll be away for almost two weeks. We have to be there by two (=two o'clock). His family moved to Australia when he was two (=two years old).2 in twos in groups of two people or things: I’d like you to line up in twos, please. → twosome3put two and two together to guess the meaning of something you have heard or seen: I saw him leaving her house and I put two and two together.4that makes two of us spoken used to tell someone that you are in the same situation and feel the same way: ‘But I don’t know anything about children!’ ‘Well, that makes two of us.’5two can play at that game spoken used to tell someone that they will not have an advantage over you by doing something because you can do it too6a year/a week/a moment/an hour etc or two spoken one or a few years, weeks etc7two sides of the same coin used to talk about two ways of looking at the same situation8two heads are better than one used to say that two people are more likely to solve a problem or think of an idea than one person working alone9be in two minds (about something) British English, be of two minds (about something) American English to be unable to decide what to do, or what you think about something: I was in two minds about whether to go with him.10two cents (worth) American English informal your opinion or what you want to say about a subject: Everyone had to put in their two cents worth.11two’s company, three’s a crowd used to say that it is better to leave two people alone to spend time with each other → don’t care two hoots at hoot1(5), → two/three etc of a kind at kind1(6), → be two/ten a penny at penny(11), → in ones and twos at one1(3), → it takes two to tango at tango2(2), → kill two birds with one stone at kill1(13), → no two ways about it at way1(54), → fall between two stools at fall1(32)THESAURUSpair two things of the same type that you use together. Also used about two people who do something together or who you often see together: · a pair of shoes· a pair of socks· Winners will receive a pair of tickets for the show.· The pair were arrested six days after the killing.· They're a funny pair!· The British pair will be playing in the final on Saturday.a couple (of something) two things of the same type, or a very small number of things: · There were a couple of empty seats at the table.· Do you have any stamps? I just need a couple.couple noun [countable] two people who are married or having a sexual relationship: · a married couple· The couple met at university.twins noun [plural] two children who were born on the same day to the same mother: · The twins look very alike.· identical twinsduo noun [countable] two people who perform together or who are often seen together: · a comedy duoduet noun [countable] a piece of music written for two people to play: · They played a duet by Brahms.twice two times adverb: · The group meets twice a week.· She sneezed twice.for two peoplefor two for two people: · A table for two, please.double bed/double room a bed for two people, or a room that has a bed for two people in it: · I'd like to book a double room.twin beds/twin room two separate single beds, or a room with two separate single beds: · We asked for a twin room, and they've give us a double room. |