by-the-hour

by-the-hour — 搭配詞

1. used to show that payment, rental, or use is counted separately for every hour i

1.搭配詞B2
釋義

按時計費

每過一小時就另外計價

used to show that payment, rental, or use is counted separately for every hour instead of as one total price

例句

Ryo hired a study room by-the-hour for his Sunday speaking practice.

Ryo 為了週日口說練習，按小時租了一間自習室。

hire something by-the-hour for short use

The babysitter is paid by-the-hour, so midnight pickups cost more.

那位保母是按小時計酬，所以接小孩接到半夜會更貴。

be paid by-the-hour for hourly wages

同義詞
  • hourly

    is the common single-word alternative for pay, rates, or charges

  • on an hourly basis

    is a longer and more formal wording often used in contracts

反義詞
  • flat-rate

    describes one fixed price instead of an amount that rises each hour

文法句型

pay someone by-the-hour

charge by-the-hour

book something by-the-hour

用法筆記

Most often follows verbs such as charge, pay, rent, or book, and it names an hourly rate rather than a fixed total. Distinguish it from sense 2, which describes a situation growing stronger with each passing hour.

2. used when something keeps getting stronger, worse, or more noticeable as one hou

2.搭配詞B2
釋義

逐時加劇

每過一小時就更嚴重或更明顯

used when something keeps getting stronger, worse, or more noticeable as one hour follows another

例句

With no rain in sight, the heat felt worse by-the-hour.

一直沒有下雨，熱氣變得一小時比一小時更難受。

comparative + by-the-hour for worsening conditions

As the match drew closer, the crowd grew louder by-the-hour.

比賽越接近，場外的人聲一小時比一小時更大。

grow + comparative + by-the-hour

同義詞
  • hour by hour

    is close in meaning but is a broader time phrase and can sound more neutral

  • progressively

    is more formal and does not stress the repeated hourly rhythm as clearly

文法句型

grow louder by-the-hour

feel worse by-the-hour

become tenser by-the-hour

用法筆記

Usually comes after comparatives such as worse, louder, or tenser. Distinguish it from sense 1, which is about hourly payment or pricing rather than ongoing change.