badly-off
/ˌbædli ˈɒf/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌbædli ˈɔːf/ (ame, ipa)
badly-off — 形容詞
1. describes a person, family, or community whose income is so low that they cannot
貧窮的
收入不足，負擔不起基本生活所需的
describes a person, family, or community whose income is so low that they cannot pay for the essential things in daily life, such as nutritious food, a warm home, or proper clothing.
Omar's family was badly off after his father lost his job at the car factory.
Omar 一家在父親失去汽車工廠的工作後變得非常貧窮。
The charity provides free winter coats to badly-off children in the city.
這家慈善機構在冬天為貧窮的孩子們提供免費外套。
badly-off children — attributive use before a noun
Zuri grew up in a badly-off neighbourhood where most families rented their homes.
Zuri 在一個貧窮的社區長大，那裡大部分家庭都租房子住。
Many badly-off students receive government grants to help pay for university tuition.
許多經濟困難的學生領取政府補助來支付大學學費。
- poor
the most common and neutral term; 'badly off' is slightly more informal and often implies a worsened situation
- hard up
informal British English, often for a temporary shortage of money
- broke
very informal; having no money at a particular moment
- impoverished
more formal; describes long-term, severe poverty
- well-off
the direct opposite; having plenty of money
- comfortable
having enough money to live without worry
文法句型
be + badly off
badly off + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Frequently used in the comparative form 'worse off' (more badly off) and the superlative 'worst off' (most badly off). The attributive form (before a noun) often takes a hyphen: 'badly-off families'.
常見錯誤
badly-off — 片語動詞
- badly-offbase form
- badly-offs3rd person singular
- badly-offing-ing form
- badly-offedpast simple
1. not having enough money at a particular moment, especially compared with what yo
缺錢的
某段時間手頭緊、錢不夠用的
not having enough money at a particular moment, especially compared with what you had before or what other people have — a temporary or relative shortage rather than long-term poverty.
The Watanabe family was badly off for cash after spending all their savings on medical bills.
渡邊一家把所有積蓄都花在醫療費上之後，手頭變得很緊。
badly off for cash — shows the pattern with 'for'
Daniel found himself badly off when his freelance projects dried up last winter.
Daniel 的自由接案工作在去年冬天完全中斷後，發現自己經濟困難。
The school was badly off for basic supplies like paper and pencils.
這所學校嚴重缺乏紙張和鉛筆等基本用品。
After paying the huge repair bill, Raj's family was even more badly off than before.
付完巨額維修帳單後，Raj 一家比以前更缺錢了。
- short of
more neutral; simply means not having enough of something
- strapped for
informal; 'strapped for cash' is a common collocation
- well-supplied with
having plenty of something
文法句型
be + badly off + for + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often followed by 'for' to specify what is in short supply (e.g. 'badly off for time', 'badly off for staff'). Unlike the adjective sense, this meaning emphasises a temporary or situational shortage rather than permanent poverty.
常見錯誤
2. in a poor physical condition or an unfavourable situation — used for objects, bu
狀況差的
建築物、機構或健康處於不良狀態的
in a poor physical condition or an unfavourable situation — used for objects, buildings, organisations, or a person's health that have clearly deteriorated.
The old community centre was badly off, with broken windows and a leaking roof.
舊社區中心狀況很差，窗戶破損，屋頂漏水。
After three years of drought, the farm was badly off and could barely grow enough vegetables.
歷經三年乾旱後，農場狀況糟到幾乎種不出足夠的蔬菜。
Grandma's health has been badly off since she fell and broke her hip last winter.
奶奶去年冬天摔倒傷到髖骨之後，健康狀況就一直很差。
The city's public buses are badly off and need major repairs to keep running safely.
市區的公車車況很差，需要大修才能安全行駛。
- in a bad way
informal; can describe both people and things that are in a terrible state
- run-down
specifically for buildings or places that have not been looked after
- dilapidated
more formal; for buildings or structures falling apart
- in good shape
in a healthy or well-maintained condition
- well-maintained
kept in good condition through regular care
文法句型
be + badly off
用法筆記
This sense applies to things (buildings, equipment) or situations (a business, a project), not usually to people except when describing their health. Distinguish from sense 1 (SHORT OF CASH) — here the problem is physical decay or difficulty, not lack of money.