softie
softie — noun
- softiesingular
- softiesplural
1. A person who is gentle, caring, and easily moved to sympathy or kindness, and wh
A person who is gentle, caring, and easily moved to sympathy or kindness, and who often gives in to other people's wishes.
Cyrus is such a softie — he cried at the end of that animated film.
cry at the end of [event] — typical emotional trigger
The new manager seems strict, but everyone says she is a real softie underneath.
seems strict but ... a real softie — contrast frame
My dad is a softie who always gives in when the children ask for dessert.
Even tough police officers can be softies when it comes to their own kids.
Quan may look scary, but he is a softie who loves feeding stray cats.
- pushover
more negative — suggests the person is too easily manipulated or persuaded
- sentimentalist
more formal; focuses on emotional responses rather than gentle character
- hardliner
someone who refuses to compromise and sticks firmly to rules or policies
用法筆記
Often used affectionately or with a tone of mild teasing, especially about someone who appears tough on the surface.
常見錯誤
2. A person regarded as lacking strength of character, being too easily influenced,
A person regarded as lacking strength of character, being too easily influenced, or showing emotions too readily in a way that seems weak or foolish.
Don't be such a softie — you cannot believe every sob story you hear.
don't be such a — dismissive/critical use
Aoi felt like a softie for crying over a television commercial.
felt like a [noun] for [verb]ing — self-critical use
The other kids called Henrik a softie because he would not fight back.
Stop acting like a softie and tell them what you really think.
Ingrid knew she was a softie, but she could not say no to the puppy.
- stoic
someone who endures hardship without showing emotion or complaint
用法筆記
Used critically or dismissively. Unlike sense 1, this carries disapproval — the person's softness is presented as a character flaw rather than an endearing quality.