lever
/ˈliːvə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlevər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈle-vər ˈlē-/ (ame, mw) · /ˈliː.vər/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈlev.ɚ/ (ame, ipa)
lever — 名詞
- leversingular
- leversplural
1. a long, stiff bar that rests on a fixed support point and is used to lift or mov
槓桿
利用支點移動重物的長形工具
a long, stiff bar that rests on a fixed support point and is used to lift or move heavy objects, or a handle that operates a machine by being pushed or pulled.
The mechanic pulled the lever to raise the car off the ground.
技師拉動槓桿，將汽車抬離地面。
pull a lever to operate machinery
Daichi pushed the lever forward, and the conveyor belt began to move.
Daichi 將槓桿往前推，輸送帶便開始移動。
A simple lever can lift a rock that is too heavy for your bare hands.
一根簡單的槓桿就能抬起一顆雙手搬不動的石頭。
The old iron lever on the water gate had rusted after years of rain.
水閘上那根舊鐵製槓桿經過多年日曬雨淋已經生鏽了。
Before starting the machine, check that all the levers are in the neutral position.
啟動機器前，請檢查所有的槓桿是否都在空檔位置。
用法筆記
Frequently appears with the verbs 'push', 'pull', 'move', and 'operate'. The object moved is typically heavy, stuck, or part of a machine.
常見錯誤
2. something that you use to influence or pressure someone into doing what you want
籌碼；手段
用來影響或施壓他人的事物
something that you use to influence or pressure someone into doing what you want, often in a way that is not entirely fair.
The union used the threat of a strike as a lever to demand better wages.
工會以罷工作為籌碼，要求提高薪資。
use something as a lever to demand
Quan felt his boss used the promotion as a lever to demand longer hours.
Quan 覺得老闆利用升遷作為手段，要求他延長工作時間。
The small company had no lever to force the larger firm to change its pricing.
那家小公司沒有任何籌碼可以迫使大企業改變定價。
Some parents use guilt as a lever to control their adult children's life choices.
有些父母用罪惡感作為手段，來控制成年子女的人生選擇。
Diya needed a stronger lever to persuade the committee to reconsider her application.
Diya 需要更有力的籌碼才能說服委員會重新審視她的申請。
- leverage
the more common noun form for this figurative sense; 'lever' is rarer and more concrete in tone
- bargaining chip
specifically in negotiations; more informal than 'lever'
- tool
more neutral and general; lacks the connotation of unfair pressure
用法筆記
Subject is often a person or group with some form of advantage. The 'lever' itself is typically a threat, piece of information, or resource that creates pressure. Negative tone is common but not required.
常見錯誤
lever — 動詞
- leverpresent simple I / you / we / they
- levers3rd person singular
- levering-ing form
- leveredpast simple
1. to move, lift, or force something open by using a long bar or similar tool, push
撬動
用槓桿或棒狀物移動
to move, lift, or force something open by using a long bar or similar tool, pushing or pulling against a fixed point.
Élise levered the heavy stone slab aside with an iron bar.
Élise 用一根鐵棍將那塊大石板撬到一旁。
levered + object + adverb (aside)
Ritu carefully levered the lid off the wooden crate with a screwdriver.
Ritu 用螺絲起子小心地將木箱的蓋子撬開。
The rescue workers levered the fallen beam off the trapped driver.
救援人員用槓桿將壓在受困司機身上的橫樑撬開。
Adisa levered the rusty gate open by pushing a metal rod through the gap.
Adisa 把一根金屬棒塞進縫隙，將生鏽的大門撬開。
The crew levered the piano up onto the stage using a long wooden plank.
工作人員用一塊長木板把鋼琴撬上舞台。
文法句型
lever + object + adverb/preposition
用法筆記
Typically followed by an adverb or prepositional phrase indicating direction or result (aside, open, up, off, out of). The tool used is often mentioned in a 'with' phrase.
常見錯誤
2. to move someone or something by applying a lot of physical strength, typically i
費力移動
用極大體力移動人或物
to move someone or something by applying a lot of physical strength, typically into or out of a tight or awkward spot, sometimes with a tool and sometimes just with your body.
The nurses levered the heavy patient into a sitting position on the bed.
護理師合力將那位身體沉重的病人挪到床上的坐姿位置。
lever + object + into a position
Mateo levered himself out of the narrow space between the rocks.
Mateo 從岩石間的狹窄縫隙中費力地爬了出來。
Selim levered the heavy suitcase onto the overhead rack in the train.
Selim 費了好大一番力氣才把沈重的手提箱放到火車的行李架上。
The team levered the injured climber onto the stretcher with great care.
隊員們小心翼翼地將受傷的登山者抬上擔架。
文法句型
lever + reflexive pronoun + preposition
lever + object + into/to
用法筆記
Often used with reflexive pronouns (levered himself/herself) or in medical and rescue contexts. The key difference from verb sense 1 is that the focus is on the effort involved rather than the specific tool used.
常見錯誤
3. to alter circumstances in a way that benefits you, often by dishonest or unfair
操控；謀取
以不正當手段改變局面
to alter circumstances in a way that benefits you, often by dishonest or unfair means.
The politician levered himself into a powerful position by making secret deals.
那名政治人物透過秘密交易，把自己弄進了一個有權有勢的職位。
lever + reflexive + into [position] (figurative)
Joon levered the hiring rules to get her friend a job without an interview.
Joon 利用公司的招聘規定，讓朋友未經面試就拿到了工作。
Some managers use office gossip as a way to lever themselves ahead of their colleagues.
有些主管利用辦公室八卦作為手段，讓自己在同事中佔到優勢。
Christopher tried to lever the board's decision by reminding them of his past donations.
Christopher 試圖提醒董事會他過去的捐款，藉此左右他們的決定。
- manipulate
more common and covers a wider range of dishonest influence
- exploit
focuses on taking advantage of a situation or person
- manoeuvre
can be neutral or negative; implies strategic positioning
文法句型
lever + reflexive pronoun + into [position]
lever + object
用法筆記
Strongly negative connotation. Typically used in political, corporate, or competitive contexts. Distinguish from noun sense 2: the verb focuses on the action of changing a situation, while the noun focuses on the thing used to apply pressure.