词:beef up
英英释义:to make something stronger or more effective, esp. by adding more support
例句:To boost sales and brand image, companies are beefing up their social media presence.
2. 体会这个词 (进阶篇)
我们很熟悉“beef”是牛肉,它其实也和 up 搭配使用构成动词短语 beef up 表示“加强、改善“。这是口语和外刊中高频出现的动词短语,我们可以用它在一些语境下替换 improve/increase/strengthen 等词。我们通过几个例子进一步了解它的具体用法。
江西上饶凶案也暴露出了学校安保措施上的不足,相信这一事件会让许多学校加强安保:
The tragic incident, where a 10-year-old boy was stabbed to death on campus, will prompt schools to beef up their security measures.
为了提升销售和品牌,许多公司都加强了在社交媒体上的曝光:
To boost sales and brand image, companies are beefing up their social media presence.
《经济学人》中也经常使用 beef up,比如:
Regulators have beefed up their oversight, especially of the largest institutions that are too big to fail. (“加强监管”就可以说成“to beef up one’s oversight”)
Mr Moro's move from the courtroom to Mr Bolsonaro's cabinet is a chance to strengthen anti-corruption laws and beef up enforcement. (这里的 strengthen 和 beef up 是同义表达)
3. 从认识到会用(作业)
1)翻译下面的句子:
中国需要对家庭暴力加强立法。
(参考翻译: China needs to beef up legislation to curb domestic violence/abuse.)
2)结合自己的生活、学习、工作、兴趣等,想象在什么语境下会用到这个表达。先简要描述这个场景,再造句。