finesse
/fɪˈnes/ (bre, ipa) · /fɪˈnes/ (ame, ipa) · /fə-ˈnes/ (ame, mw)
finesse — 名詞
1. the elegant ability to do something difficult with smooth control, careful judge
圓融手腕
處理難事時所展現的優雅技巧
the elegant ability to do something difficult with smooth control, careful judgement, or a light touch, so that the result looks easy.
Gabriel handled the tense meeting with the kind of finesse you rarely see in junior managers.
Gabriel 處理那場緊張會議時所展現的圓融手腕，在資淺主管中相當少見。
with + finesse, abstract object of 'handle'
The young pianist played the difficult Chopin piece with surprising finesse for a thirteen-year-old.
這位年輕鋼琴家彈奏那首艱難的蕭邦曲目，以十三歲的年紀來說技巧出奇高超。
with + finesse + for + comparison
At the UN summit, Quan needed real finesse when speaking to two angry rival leaders.
在聯合國高峰會上，Quan 與兩位互不相讓的對立領袖對話時，需要相當高超的圓融手腕。
Lotte's painting shows great finesse in the way she captures light on water.
Lotte 的畫作在描繪水面光影的方式上，展現出極高的繪畫造詣。
There was no finesse in the way the new chef chopped the onions.
那位新廚師切洋蔥的手法毫無技巧可言。
- clumsiness
lack of physical control
- crudeness
lack of subtlety, especially with people
文法句型
finesse + in + noun
with + finesse
用法筆記
Most often follows the prepositions 'with' or 'in'. Subject of admiration is usually a complex task involving people, art, sport, or craft — not simple physical strength.
常見錯誤
finesse — 動詞
- finessepresent simple I / you / we / they
- finesses3rd person singular
- finessing-ing form
- finessedpast simple
1. to manage a tricky problem, person, or situation by clever and indirect moves —
巧妙化解
以委婉迂迴方式應對棘手局面
to manage a tricky problem, person, or situation by clever and indirect moves — sometimes hinting at light dishonesty — to get the outcome you want.
Ayesha finessed the seating plan so that her two arguing cousins never sat together.
Ayesha 巧妙安排了座位表，讓兩位常爭吵的表親不會坐在一起。
finesse + concrete problem (seating plan)
In court, Nellie finessed the awkward question by answering a slightly different one.
在法庭上，Nellie 以回答略為不同的問題，圓融化解了這個尷尬的提問。
finesse + an awkward question; named subject in courtroom
Joaquín somehow finessed his way into the private after-party without an invitation.
Joaquín 不知怎地，沒有邀請函也巧妙地溜進了私人的派對後場。
Investors expect the new CEO, Darius, to finesse the merger talks without upsetting either board.
投資人期待新任執行長 Darius 能在不得罪任一方董事會的情況下，巧妙地推進併購談判。
The minister tried to finesse the scandal by releasing good economic news that morning.
那位部長試圖在當天上午釋出利多經濟消息，藉此圓融化解這場醜聞。
文法句型
finesse + noun
finesse + one's + way + into/through
用法筆記
Object is usually a tricky situation, question, deal, or negotiation — not a physical object. Often carries a hint of light deceit or stage-management, distinguishing it from a plain 'handle' or 'manage'.
常見錯誤
2. to keep adjusting small details of something already finished, like a recipe or
細部打磨
對成品不斷微調直到最佳狀態
to keep adjusting small details of something already finished, like a recipe or design, until it reaches the very best version it can be.
Christopher spent the whole weekend finessing his speech for Monday's wedding.
Christopher 整個週末都在細部打磨他為週一婚禮準備的致詞稿。
finesse + small unit (speech) before deadline
The chef kept finessing the sauce until the balance of salt and lemon was perfect.
那位主廚反覆優化醬汁，直到鹽與檸檬的比例完美為止。
finesse + a recipe; iterative tweaking
Obi finessed the logo by shifting each letter only a hair to the right.
Obi 把每個字母只向右挪一絲，藉此細部打磨那個商標。
Anya's team spent another week finessing the app's checkout flow before launch day.
Anya 的團隊在發佈日之前又花了一週反覆優化這款應用程式的結帳流程。
Élise wanted to finesse her photo essay one last time before sending it in.
Élise 想在送出之前，再把這組攝影專題細部打磨最後一次。
- rough out
make a quick early version, the opposite stage of work
文法句型
finesse + noun
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1: this is about polishing your OWN creative work, not handling other people or situations. Object is usually a recipe, design, draft, plan, or product — something with adjustable small parts.