in the shape of

in the shape of — 慣用語

1. used to say that something arrives, exists, or is presented as a particular pers

1.慣用語B2
釋義

以…的形式

以特定形式或身分出現

used to say that something arrives, exists, or is presented as a particular person, thing, or type — showing what form it takes rather than naming it directly.

例句

Help arrived in the shape of Eri, who brought food and medicine.

援助以 Eri 送來食物和藥品的形式到來。

in the shape of + person arriving to help

The company offered a bonus in the shape of extra holiday days.

公司以額外休假的方式發放獎金。

in the shape of + abstract benefit

常見搭配
  • come in the shape of
  • arrive in the shape of
  • appear in the shape of
  • present itself in the shape of
同義詞
  • in the form of

    the most direct synonym; interchangeable in almost all contexts, equally neutral in register

  • as

    shorter and less formal; draws less attention to the idea of transformation or appearance

文法句型

in the shape of + noun phrase

用法筆記

The verb before this phrase is usually one of arrival or appearance: "come", "arrive", "appear", or "present itself". The subject is typically an abstract concept — help, support, news, opportunity, relief.

常見錯誤

Bonus came in a shape of extra pay.
The bonus came in the shape of extra pay.
The article is always "the", never "a". This is a fixed phrase.