classics

classics — idiom

1. the books and plays that people have valued for a long time as especially import

1.慣用語B2
釋義

the books and plays that people have valued for a long time as especially important and worth reading

例句

At university, Mei chose the classics over modern crime novels.

choose the classics over modern fiction

Christopher spends Sunday mornings reading the classics in the town library.

read the classics

同義詞
  • literary masterpieces

    Focuses on highly admired books and plays, but is less fixed as a phrase

  • the canon

    More academic and refers to the body of works treated as especially important

  • great literature

    Broader and less fixed; can include newer works as well

反義詞
  • popular fiction

    Usually points to entertainment reading rather than long-established literary reputation

  • light reading

    Suggests easy, undemanding books rather than highly valued literary works

文法句型

read the classics

study the classics

return to the classics

用法筆記

Usually appears as the fixed phrase 'the classics', not as a label for one book. In study and reading contexts, it often points to older works that are widely respected and often taught.

常見錯誤

❌I bought a classics for the train ride.
✅I bought a classic for the train ride.
💡use the singular 'classic' for one famous book; 'the classics' refers to a group of admired works.
❌The classics is too difficult for me now.
✅The classics are too difficult for me now.
💡this phrase usually refers to many works, so it normally takes a plural verb.