释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024mud•dle /ˈmʌdəl/USA pronunciation v., -dled, -dling, n. v. - to mix up in a confused manner: [~ + object]Most of my papers had been muddled during my absence.[~ + up + object]Someone had muddled up the papers in his office.[~ + object + up]Someone had muddled them up.
- to cause to become mentally confused:[~ + object]The five strong drinks had muddled him.
- muddle along, [no object] to think or act without planning or direction:Our company is just muddling along.
- muddle through, [no object] to reach a goal despite lack of knowledge, skill, or direction:We'll just have to muddle through as best we can.
n. [countable* singular] - the state of being confused:in a muddle and unable to figure out which way to go.
- a confused or disordered state of affairs:a muddle of insurance forms.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024mud•dle (mud′l),USA pronunciation v., -dled, -dling, n. v.t. - to mix up in a confused or bungling manner;
jumble. - to cause to become mentally confused.
- to cause to become confused or stupid with or as if with an intoxicating drink.
- to make muddy or turbid, as water.
- to mix or stir (a cocktail, chocolate, etc.).
- Ceramicsto smooth (clay) by rubbing it on glass.
v.i. - to behave, proceed, or think in a confused or aimless fashion or with an air of improvisation:Some people just muddle along, waiting for their big break.
- muddle through, to achieve a certain degree of success but without much skill, polish, experience, or direction:None of us knew much about staging a variety show, so we just had to muddle through.
n. - the state or condition of being muddled, esp. a confused mental state.
- a confused, disordered, or embarrassing condition;
mess.
- 1540–50; mud + -le; cognate with Middle Dutch moddelen to muddy
mud′dled•ness, mud′dle•ment, n. mud′dling•ly, adv. - 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged confuse, botch, bungle, spoil.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers:: muddle /ˈmʌdəl/ vb (transitive)- (often followed by up) to mix up (objects, items, etc); jumble
- to confuse
- US to mix or stir (alcoholic drinks, etc)
n - a state of physical or mental confusion
Etymology: 16th Century: perhaps from Middle Dutch moddelen to make muddyˈmuddled adj ˈmuddling adj , n |