point-blank
point-blank — 副詞
1. if a gun is fired point-blank, it is fired with the muzzle held extremely close
近距離地
槍口幾乎貼著目標地射擊
if a gun is fired point-blank, it is fired with the muzzle held extremely close to or almost touching the person or thing being aimed at, so that the bullet travels in a straight line to its target
The soldier fired point-blank at the target from just three metres away.
那名士兵從僅僅三公尺的距離近距離開槍射擊目標。
fired point-blank at [target]
A bullet fired point-blank does far more damage than one fired from a distance.
近距離發射的子彈造成的傷害遠比遠距離射擊要大得多。
fired point-blank (passive)
Joaquín raised the pistol and shot point-blank into the metal door.
Joaquín 舉起手槍，近距離朝金屬門開了一槍。
At that range — less than two metres — the gun would kill if fired point-blank.
在那個不到兩公尺的距離，如果近距離開槍是會致命的。
The forensic report confirmed the shot was fired point-blank.
鑑識報告確認這槍是近距離擊發的。
- at close range
less specific about the gun being almost touching; can describe any short distance
- at close quarters
suggests combat or struggle very nearby rather than a deliberate shot
- from a distance
implies the shooter is far from the target
- from afar
formal or literary opposite
用法筆記
Frequently used with verbs of shooting: fire, shoot. The phrase 'at point-blank range' is a common alternative to the adverb alone.
常見錯誤
2. in a very direct manner that makes no effort to spare someone's feelings — used
直截了當地
毫不客氣或委婉地說出
in a very direct manner that makes no effort to spare someone's feelings — used when asking hard questions, turning something down firmly, or delivering unwelcome news bluntly
Tariro asked her boss point-blank whether she was going to be promoted.
Tariro 直截了當地問老闆她是否會獲得升遷。
asked [sb] point-blank whether …
When Jin asked point-blank if the project would fail, no one answered.
Jin 直截了當地問這個專案是否會失敗，沒有人回答。
Tanvi refused point-blank to sign the contract without reading it first.
Tanvi 斷然拒絕在未先閱讀合約的情況下簽字。
Samir told the manager point-blank that the proposal was poorly planned.
Samir 直接告訴經理，這份提案的規劃非常不周全。
The journalist asked point-blank about the missing funds during the press conference.
那名記者在記者會上直截了當地問起那筆遺失的資金。
- bluntly
very similar; bluntly tends to focus on the speaker's lack of politeness, while point-blank emphasises the direct refusal or confrontation
- flatly
often used with refuse or deny; suggests no possibility of change
- straight out
informal; similar meaning but slightly less forceful
- indirectly
suggests avoiding the main topic
- evasively
implies deliberately avoiding a direct answer
文法句型
verb + point-blank + (that-clause or wh-clause)
用法筆記
Common with speaking verbs: ask, tell, refuse, deny, say, answer. The directness can sound rude in formal contexts; in informal situations it may signal honesty and strength.
常見錯誤
point-blank — 形容詞
1. describing a gunshot fired with the muzzle positioned extremely near to the targ
近距離的
槍口緊貼目標射擊的
describing a gunshot fired with the muzzle positioned extremely near to the target — often almost touching it — so that the projectile travels straight without dropping before impact
The victim had a point-blank wound to the chest with visible powder burns.
受害者胸口有一處近距離槍傷，並有明顯的火藥灼傷。
point-blank wound
A point-blank shot from that distance would leave powder burns on the skin.
從那個距離近距離開槍會在皮膚上留下火藥灼傷。
point-blank shot
The forensic team found evidence of a point-blank shooting.
鑑識小組找到了近距離槍擊的證據。
Brandon could not miss from that range — it was a point-blank target.
從那個距離 Brandon 不可能射偏——目標近在咫尺。
The bullet entered at point-blank range, leaving a small, clean hole.
子彈在極近距離射入，留下一個小而整齊的彈孔。
- close-range
broader; can describe any short distance, not necessarily gun-to-body proximity
- contact-range
more technical; specifically means the gun was touching the target
- long-range
describes a shot fired from far away
- distant
general opposite for any close-range description
文法句型
point-blank + noun (shot, wound, range, target)
用法筆記
Attributive only — used before nouns such as shot, wound, range, target, shooting. Does not appear in predicative position ('the shot was point-blank' is possible, but less common than 'it was a point-blank shot').
常見錯誤
2. said or done in a very direct way that shows no concern for politeness or the fe
直截了當的
直接而不客氣的
said or done in a very direct way that shows no concern for politeness or the feelings of others — used especially of refusals, questions, and answers that are unusually blunt
Maeve's point-blank refusal to help surprised everyone in the office.
Maeve 直截了當地拒絕幫忙，讓辦公室裡所有人都很驚訝。
point-blank refusal
Chiara's point-blank question about the budget made the manager uncomfortable.
Chiara 針對預算提出的直接問題讓經理感到很不自在。
point-blank question
Talia gave a point-blank 'no' when asked to work on the weekend.
當被要求在週末工作時，Talia 直接回答「不」。
The committee received a point-blank rejection of their proposal.
委員會收到了對其提案的斷然拒絕。
Astrid's point-blank answer left no room for further discussion.
Astrid 直截了當的回答沒有留下進一步討論的空間。
- blunt
very close in meaning; blunt can describe a person's manner, while point-blank only describes the remark or action itself
- direct
less negative; direct can be neutral or even positive, while point-blank implies an edge of rudeness
- forthright
more positive connotation; suggests honesty rather than rudeness
文法句型
point-blank + noun (refusal, question, answer, rejection, denial)
用法筆記
Attributive only — used before nouns such as refusal, question, answer, rejection, denial. Stronger than 'direct'; implies that the speaker made no effort to be polite.