slither
/ˈslɪðə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · [slˈɪðɚ] /ˈslɪðər/ (ame, ipa) · [slˈɪðɚ] /ˈsli-t͟hər How to pronounce slither (audio)/ (ame, mw)
slither — 動詞
- slitherpresent simple I / you / we / they
- slithershe / she / it
- slitheredpast simple
- slithering-ing form
1. to move low over the ground in a winding way, especially like a snake or eel
蜿蜒滑行
像蛇一樣扭動前進
to move low over the ground in a winding way, especially like a snake or eel
A green snake slithered across the warm road after the summer storm.
夏季暴雨過後，一條綠蛇蜿蜒滑過溫熱的路面。
slither + across + surface for snake-like movement
Theo watched the lizard slither under a flat rock near the stream.
Theo 看著那隻蜥蜴蜿蜒滑進溪邊一塊扁平岩石下。
Putri saw an eel slither between the reeds at the edge of the pond.
Putri 看見一條鰻魚在池塘邊的蘆葦間蜿蜒滑行。
The injured hiker slithered along the narrow ledge toward safer ground.
那名受傷的登山客沿著狹窄岩脊蜿蜒滑向較安全的地面。
- stride
suggests upright movement with long confident steps
文法句型
slither + across/along/under + place
slither + adverb / prepositional phrase
用法筆記
Usually describes animals or people moving with the body close to the ground. It often suggests an uneasy, twisting motion rather than a smooth or graceful one.
2. to slide somewhere with little control because the surface is wet, icy, steep, o
失控滑動
因濕滑等而難以控制地滑行
to slide somewhere with little control because the surface is wet, icy, steep, or hard to grip
Christopher slithered down the muddy bank and landed in the shallow water.
Christopher 沿著泥濘的河岸失控滑下，最後跌進淺水裡。
slither + down + slope for uncontrolled movement
The child slithered across the icy path when her boots lost their grip.
那個孩子的靴子一失去抓地力，就沿著結冰的小路失控滑過去。
Bilal slithered toward the ditch as the rain turned the hill slick.
雨勢把山坡變得濕滑後，Bilal 朝水溝失控滑了過去。
The bike rider slithered sideways on the frozen bridge but stayed upright.
那名騎士在結冰的橋面上往側邊失控滑動，但還是撐住了身體。
- steady oneself
means to regain control and stop the unwanted movement
文法句型
slither + down/across/toward + place
slither + adverb (sideways)
用法筆記
This sense is used when someone or something is carried by a slippery surface rather than choosing the movement. It often appears with down, across, toward, or sideways.
3. to move little by little into a different and usually worse situation, often so
逐漸轉壞
不知不覺變成較糟局面
to move little by little into a different and usually worse situation, often so quietly that others fail to notice it at first
The friendly joke slithered into cruelty before anyone at the table objected.
那個原本友善的玩笑，在整桌人出聲反對前就逐漸轉壞成殘酷的嘲弄。
slither into + worse kind of behavior
After the layoffs, hope slithered into fear across the whole office.
裁員之後，整個辦公室裡的希望逐漸轉壞成恐懼。
Without clear rules, the club slithered from chaos into open conflict.
缺乏明確規則後，那個社團從混亂逐漸轉壞成公開衝突。
The careful discussion slithered into blame before the meeting ended.
那場原本審慎的討論在會議結束前逐漸轉壞成互相指責。
As debts grew, the small business slithered toward bankruptcy.
隨著債務增加，那家小公司逐漸轉壞，滑向破產。
- drift
is more neutral and can describe changes that are not harmful
- slide
is broader and less suggestive of something unpleasant or sneaky
- deteriorate
focuses on worsening quality rather than the quiet movement into a new state
文法句型
slither + into + state
slither + from + state + into + state
slither + toward + negative result
用法筆記
Often used for changes that feel quiet, uneasy, or hard to stop once they begin. The new state is usually negative, such as conflict, fear, debt, or decline.