释义 |
a man of few words a man of few wordsA man who does not speak often or at length. Despite being a man of few words, Joseph was well-respected in his field because of his actions.See also: few, man, of, wordman of few wordsFig. someone, not necessarily a man, who speaks concisely or not at all. He is a man of few words, but he usually makes a lot of sense.See also: few, man, of, wordman of few wordssee under few words. See also: few, man, of, wordof few words, man ofAlso, woman of few words. A person who does not speak much; also, a person of action rather than words. For example, A woman of few words, Susan hardly seemed like a successful lawyer, or Harry's a man of few words but he gets things done. This characteristic has been considered praiseworthy since Homer's time, but the precise idiom dates only from about 1600. Shakespeare had it in Henry V (3:2): "Men of few words are the best men." See also: few, man, ofa man (or woman) of few words a taciturn person.See also: few, man, of, worda man/woman of few ˈwords a person who does not talk much: Mr Robins was a man of few words, but his opinions were always respected.See also: few, man, of, woman, wordman of few words, aA person who speaks little but to the point; also, by implication, a person of action rather than words. Although most writers trace this expression to the Old Testament (“Let thy words be few,” Ecclesiastes 5:2), it is actually much older, appearing in Homer’s Iliad (“Few were his words, but wonderfully clear”). It appeared in John Ray’s 1678 proverb collection, and a version of “Few words are best” occurs in numerous other languages as well. See also strong silent type.See also: few, man, of |