borderline
/ˈbɔːdəlaɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɔrdɚlˌaɪn] /ˈbɔːrdərlaɪn/ (ame, ipa) · [bˈɔrdɚlˌaɪn] /ˈbȯr-dər-ˌlīn How to pronounce borderline (audio)/ (ame, mw) · /ˈbɔː.də.laɪn/ (bre, ipa) · [bˈɔrdɚlˌaɪn] /ˈbɔːr.dɚ.laɪn/ (ame, ipa)
borderline — 形容詞
- borderlinepositive
- more borderlinecomparative
- most borderlinesuperlative
1. so close to a dividing line that it could belong on either side, or only just go
臨界的
接近分界，或只差一點才達標
so close to a dividing line that it could belong on either side, or only just good enough to be accepted.
The judge called the email a borderline threat and ordered extra security.
法官認為那封電子郵件已接近威脅的臨界線，因此下令加強維安。
borderline + noun for barely acceptable status
After the scan, Dr. Mehta said the results were borderline normal.
做完掃描後，Mehta 醫師說那些結果仍屬臨界的正常範圍。
be borderline + adjective for test results
Teachers saw his joke as borderline cruel during the class debate.
老師們認為他的玩笑已經勉強算殘忍，尤其是在班上辯論時。
The loan application was borderline, so the bank asked for more records.
那份貸款申請屬於勉強過關的情況，所以銀行要求更多資料。
The plan looked borderline legal after the rules changed overnight.
規則一夜之間改變後，這個計畫看起來只算勉強合法。
- marginal
often stresses a very small difference or safety margin
- questionable
focuses more on doubt about quality or ethics than on a dividing line
- unclear
shows uncertainty, but not always the idea of only just passing
- clear-cut
clearly on one side, with no doubt about classification
- acceptable
plainly good enough rather than only just meeting the standard
文法句型
borderline + noun
borderline + adjective
be borderline
用法筆記
Usually appears with a result, judgment, rule, or behaviour, such as borderline normal, borderline legal, or borderline cruel. The surrounding noun or adjective shows whether it means near a dividing line or only barely acceptable.
常見錯誤
borderline — 名詞
1. a line, rule, or point that marks where one state ends and another begins.
界線
分開兩種狀態或標準的線
a line, rule, or point that marks where one state ends and another begins.
For Pim, the borderline between caution and fear disappeared after the storm.
對 Pim 來說，暴風雨後謹慎與恐懼之間的界線消失了。
the borderline between X and Y
The new law moved the borderline of what schools may collect online.
新法把學校在線上能蒐集哪些資料的界線往前推了。
move the borderline of what ...
In art class, the teacher asked where the borderline between copy and tribute lies.
在美術課上，老師問抄襲與致敬之間的界線在哪裡。
Years of drought pushed the borderline between farm and desert farther south.
多年乾旱把農地與沙漠之間的界線推得更往南。
The argument showed a thin borderline between honesty and cruelty.
這場爭論顯示，誠實與殘酷之間只有一條很細的界線。
文法句型
the borderline between X and Y
move the borderline of what ...
a thin borderline
用法筆記
Often followed by between when two feelings, categories, or standards are being contrasted. It can also be followed by of what is allowed or possible when the speaker is defining a limit.
常見錯誤
borderline — 副詞
1. by a very small amount; almost reaching a point without fully getting there.
幾乎；差點
快到某種程度，但還沒完全到
by a very small amount; almost reaching a point without fully getting there.
The soup was borderline too salty after Omar added the last spoonful.
Omar 加了最後一匙後，這碗湯幾乎太鹹了。
borderline + too + adjective
By midnight, the baby was borderline asleep in Evan's arms.
到了半夜，那個寶寶在 Evan 懷裡差點睡著。
The room felt borderline empty after everyone carried chairs outside.
大家把椅子搬到外面後，房間看起來幾乎空了。
Roya laughed so hard she was borderline crying at dinner.
Roya 笑得太厲害，吃晚餐時差點哭出來。
The hill looked borderline white under the first snow of winter.
初雪落下後，那座山坡看起來幾乎全白了。
- almost
the most neutral and common choice
- nearly
similar in meaning, often a little less informal
- practically
stronger and often more emphatic than borderline
文法句型
borderline + adjective
borderline + -ing form
用法筆記
This adverb is informal and usually comes before an adjective or -ing form to mean almost. It is common in speech when someone wants to sound a little stronger or more dramatic than nearly.