释义 |
belle of the ball the belle of the ballThe woman who draws the most attention in a certain social situation. Honey, in this beautiful prom gown, you'll be the belle of the ball!See also: ball, belle, ofbelle of the ball the most admired and successful woman on a particular occasion. The belle of the ball was originally the girl or woman regarded as the most beautiful and popular at a dance.See also: ball, belle, ofbelle of the ball, theThe most beautiful or most popular person present. The word belle, for “beautiful woman,” came into English directly from French in the early seventeenth century. After balls and similar grand social occasions became relatively rare, the original meaning—the reigning beauty at a dance—was widened to include the outstanding individual (male or female) at virtually any gathering. Today the term is often used ironically, for someone who would like to be so regarded.See also: belle, ofbelle of the ballThe most appealing woman at a dance or another social occasion. “Ball” refers to a formal dance, at which there was usually one female who was the cynosure of all male eyes. At other occasions too—case in point: Scarlett O'Hara at the barbecue at Tara where men fell all over themselves to fetch her a plate of food. Fiddle-dee-dee indeed.See also: ball, belle, of |