elude

/ɪˈluːd/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪˈluːd/ (ame, ipa) · /ē-ˈlüd/ (ame, mw)

elude — verb

  • eludepresent simple I / you / we / they
  • eludeshe / she / it
  • eludedpast simple
  • eluding-ing form

1. when something you strongly hope for or work toward stays permanently out of rea

1.動詞及物B2
釋義

when something you strongly hope for or work toward stays permanently out of reach, no matter what you try

例句

A gold medal at the Olympics has eluded the Taiwanese weightlifter for three consecutive Games.

goal (gold medal) + elude + person + time period

Despite publishing six novels, critical recognition has always eluded the author.

abstract goal: critical recognition

同義詞
  • escape

    more general; 'escape' can be deliberate, while 'elude' implies the thing stays out of reach despite effort

反義詞
  • achieve

    opposite meaning: to successfully get what you want

  • attain

    formal opposite: to reach a goal after effort

文法句型

success/fame/victory + elude + person

用法筆記

The subject of this sense is always a thing (a goal, prize, or outcome), never a person. The person who wants it is the object.

常見錯誤

❌She eluded the promotion at work.
✅The promotion eluded her at work.
💡the desired thing eludes the person; the person does not elude the thing.

2. to get away from someone or something that is chasing or looking for you, using

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to get away from someone or something that is chasing or looking for you, using speed, skill, or trickery

例句

The runaway dog eluded animal control officers for two weeks before the Watanabe family found him in their backyard.

animal + elude + pursuers + time

The suspected spy has eluded intelligence agencies for more than a decade by constantly changing his identity.

person + elude + authorities + manner (by changing identity)

同義詞
  • evade

    very close; 'evade' often suggests a more deliberate, strategic effort to avoid a duty or pursuer

  • escape

    broader; can be physical or metaphorical, and does not always imply cleverness

  • dodge

    more physical and immediate, like dodging a punch or a question

反義詞

文法句型

person/animal + elude + captor/pursuer

用法筆記

Unlike 'avoid' (which can mean simply staying away), 'elude' always implies active pursuit by the other party and cleverness on the part of the one escaping.

常見錯誤

❌I eluded my friend at the party.' (casual avoidance — use 'avoided' instead).
✅The criminal eluded the police for months.
💡'elude' suggests a serious chase, not casual social avoidance.

3. when a name, fact, word, or piece of information stays just out of your memory o

3.動詞及物B2
釋義

when a name, fact, word, or piece of information stays just out of your memory or understanding, even when you try hard to recall or grasp it

例句

The name of the actor who played the grandfather still eludes me, though I can picture his face.

name + elude + person + contrast (face is clear)

The answer to the final crossword clue eluded Mr. Lin until his daughter whispered it from the next room.

solution + elude + person + resolution (until)

同義詞
  • escape

    informal; 'It escapes me' is a colloquial alternative to 'It eludes me'

反義詞

文法句型

name/fact/solution + elude + person

用法筆記

This sense is quite common with expressions like 'It eludes me why/how…' or '…eludes me' at the end of a sentence. The subject is always a thing (name, fact, reason), never a person.

常見錯誤

❌I eluded his phone number.
✅His phone number eludes me.
💡the information eludes the person, not the other way around.