释义 |
dust off
dust D0350300 (dŭst)n.1. Fine, dry particles of matter.2. A cloud of fine, dry particles.3. Particles of matter regarded as the result of disintegration: fabric that had fallen to dust over the centuries.4. a. Earth, especially when regarded as the substance of the grave: "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" (Book of Common Prayer).b. The surface of the ground.5. A debased or despised condition.6. Something of no worth.7. Chiefly British Rubbish readied for disposal.8. Confusion; agitation; commotion: won't go back in until the dust settles.v. dust·ed, dust·ing, dusts v.tr.1. To remove dust from by wiping, brushing, or beating: dust the furniture.2. To sprinkle with a powdery substance: dusted the cookies with sugar; dust crops with fertilizer.3. To apply or strew in fine particles: dusted talcum powder on my feet.4. Baseball To deliver a pitch so close to (the batter) as to make the batter back away.v.intr.1. To clean by removing dust.2. To cover itself with dry soil or other particulate matter. Used of a bird.Phrasal Verb: dust off To restore to use: dusted off last year's winter coat.Idioms: in the dust Far behind, as in a race or competition: a marketing strategy that left our competitors in the dust. make the dust fly To go about a task with great energy and speed. [Middle English, from Old English dūst.]ThesaurusdustverbTo scatter or release in drops or small particles:besprinkle, powder, sprinkle.Translationsdust off
dust off1. To remove dust and dirt from someone or something by patting or wiping. A noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "off." After sliding into third base, I got up and dusted myself off. Here, take this rag and dust off the TV stand before Grandma gets here.2. To ready something (often by retrieving it from storage) so that it can be used again. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "off." Now that Thanksgiving has come and gone, it's time to dust off the Christmas decorations!3. slang In baseball, to throw a pitch at or very close to the body of the batter. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "off." Don't be afraid to dust off the batter a bit if he's crowding the plate.4. To ready oneself for something that one used to do, often after something unpleasant has happened. In this usage, a reflexive pronoun is used between "dust" and "off." I know you struggled last season, but it's time to dust yourself off and start fresh this season.5. To punch or beat someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "off." I ran to get a teacher when I heard the school bully threaten to dust off another kid in our class.6. To kill or defeat someone. In this usage, a noun or pronoun can be used between "dust" and "off." No one expected the highest-seeded team to be dusted off so early in the playoffs.See also: dust, offdust someone offSl. to punch or beat someone. We dusted them off one by one. We had to dust off all those big guys. dust someone or something off to wipe or brush the dust off someone or something. Dust this vase off and put it on the shelf. Please dust off this vase.See also: dust, offdust off1. Restore to use. For example, I've dusted off last year's menu for the party. This usage alludes to cleaning and thereby renewing some object. [Mid-1900s] 2. Pitch a baseball dangerously close to the batter's head, as in I'm sure he dusted him off on purpose. [Slang; 1920s] 3. Finish off, kill; also, easily defeat. For example, They vowed to dust off the old man, or We'll dust off this team in no time. [Slang; c. 1940] 4. Thrash, beat up, as in If he didn't hand over his wallet, they threatened to dust him off. [Slang; 1920s] See also: dust, offdust offv.1. To remove dust from something or someone by brushing or wiping: I dusted off the old trunk in the attic. We picked up the antiques and dusted them off.2. To restore something to use: The mechanic dusted off that old engine and sold it. I dusted off last year's winter coat and put it on.See also: dust, offdust someone off tv. to give someone a good pounding or beating. Bob dusted off Larry; then he started for Tom. See also: dust, off, someoneEncyclopediaSeedust |