lather

/ˈlɑːðə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlæðər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈla-t͟hər/ (ame, mw) · /ˈlɑː.ðər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlæð.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)

lather — 名詞

1. The layer of small white bubbles that appears when soap or detergent rubs agains

1.名詞B1
釋義

泡沫

肥皂與水混合產生的白色泡沫

The layer of small white bubbles that appears when soap or detergent rubs against water and air during washing, shaving, or cleaning.

例句

Ravi worked up a thick lather with the shaving brush and applied it to his chin.

Ravi 用刮鬍刷搓出厚厚的泡沫,然後塗在下巴上。

collocation: work up a lather

The lavender soap bar produced almost no lather in the hard tap water.

那塊薰衣草肥皂在硬水中幾乎搓不出泡沫。

verb pattern: produce + lather (intransitive result)

同義詞
  • foam

    the broadest term; can refer to any mass of small bubbles in liquid, not just soap

  • suds

    informal term for soapy water, especially dishwashing or laundry foam

  • froth

    lighter, airier foam; often used for beer or coffee rather than soap

文法句型

a lather

lather

用法筆記

Often used in the expression 'work up a lather,' which describes the action of rubbing soap against a brush, sponge, or hands to create foam. The uncountable form (lather) is more common than 'a lather.'

常見錯誤

The horse was covered in soap bubbles after the race.
The horse was covered in lather after the race.
💡The foam on a horse is sweat, not soap; use the horse sense, not the soap sense.

2. The white foamy sweat that appears across a horse's coat when the animal has bee

2.名詞C1
釋義

汗沫

馬匹運動後皮膚上的白色汗沫

The white foamy sweat that appears across a horse's coat when the animal has been ridden or exercised intensely.

例句

The stable hand wiped the foamy lather from the mare's neck after her long gallop.

馬伕擦拭母馬長途奔馳後脖子上的泡沫汗漬。

collocation: foamy lather

When the riders reached the barn, the pony's flanks were covered in white lather.

當騎手們抵達馬廄時,小馬的側腹已經覆滿了白色的汗沫。

passive: be covered in lather

同義詞
  • sweat foam

    a descriptive non-idiomatic alternative; plainer but less natural in equestrian contexts

  • froth

    sometimes used for horse sweat foam but is more general and less precise

文法句型

lather

covered in lather

用法筆記

Used almost exclusively for horses, not for other animals or people. The lather appears white or greyish and is a sign of genuine exertion, not overheating.

常見錯誤

After his run, the dog was covered in lather.
After his run, the horse was covered in lather.
💡Lather (sweat foam) is specific to horses; for dogs, use 'panting heavily' or 'sweating.'

3. A state of nervous worry, anger, or excitement that makes you tense and unable t

3.名詞B2
釋義

焦躁

緊張、激動或煩躁的狀態

A state of nervous worry, anger, or excitement that makes you tense and unable to think clearly, usually because of a problem or urgent situation.

例句

Priya was in a lather all morning before her final exam results came out.

Priya 在期末成績公布前的整個早上都焦躁不安。

fixed phrase: in a lather

The project manager worked himself into a lather over the missing quarterly reports.

專案經理因為遺失的季報而把自己氣得焦躁不已。

reflexive pattern: work + oneself + into a lather

同義詞
  • dither

    a weaker state of indecisive worry; less intense than 'in a lather'

  • frenzy

    more intense and uncontrolled; suggests panic rather than worry

  • state of agitation

    more formal register; not idiomatic

反義詞

文法句型

in a lather

get into a lather

work oneself into a lather

用法筆記

Almost always appears in the fixed phrase 'in a lather' or 'get into a lather' / 'work oneself into a lather.' Uncommon outside these expressions. The underlying metaphor compares emotional agitation to the foaming sweat of a horse (sense 2).

常見錯誤

She was lathering about the delay.
She was in a lather about the delay.
💡The noun form must be used in the fixed phrase 'in a lather'; 'lather' is not a verb for being anxious.

lather — 動詞