stiffer
stiffer — 動詞
- stifferpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stiffers3rd person singular
- stiffering-ing form
- stifferedpast simple
1. to get money or an advantage from someone by making false promises, without inte
欺騙
用不實承諾騙人
to get money or an advantage from someone by making false promises, without intending to keep them
The contractor stiffed several homeowners by taking their money and never finishing the work.
那位承包商收了幾戶屋主的錢卻從未完工，欺騙了他們。
stiff + someone (by + V-ing) — describes how the cheating was done
Wei felt the seller had stiffed him by sending a broken phone instead of the new model.
偉覺得賣家用一支壞掉的手機代替新機型寄來，欺騙了他。
Heloísa discovered that her travel agent had stiffed her on the holiday package.
Heloísa 發現她的旅行社在度假套裝行程上欺騙了她。
The used-car dealer stiffed customers by selling cars with hidden engine problems.
那家中古車商賣的車藏了引擎問題，欺騙了許多顧客。
文法句型
stiff + someone
用法筆記
Frequently used in passive constructions: 'be stiffed' describes the victim's experience.
常見錯誤
2. to keep money that you should give to another person, especially someone who has
賴帳
不支付應付的報酬
to keep money that you should give to another person, especially someone who has done work for you
After painting the whole house, Pedro's client tried to stiff him by claiming the job was not done well.
Pedro 幫整棟房子刷完油漆後，他的客戶以工程做得不好為由，想賴掉他的工資。
stiff + someone (for work completed)
The landlord stiffed the plumber on the repair bill even though the leak was fixed properly.
房東賴掉了水電工的維修費，儘管漏水的地方早已修好了。
Ignacio worked for two weeks but his boss stiffed him and never paid a single cent.
Ignacio 工作了兩週，但老闆賴掉了他的薪水，一毛錢也沒給。
Talia's client stiffed her on the consulting fee after she had finished the project.
Talia 的客戶在她完成專案後，賴掉了應付的顧問費。
- default on
more formal and typically used for loans or debts, not wages
- pay up
to give the money that is owed
文法句型
stiff + someone
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (CHEAT OR DECLARE): sense 2 focuses specifically on not handing over money that is due, without necessarily involving a broken promise.
3. to not give a tip (= extra money for service) to a waiter, driver, or other serv
不給小費
沒有給服務人員小費
to not give a tip (= extra money for service) to a waiter, driver, or other service worker
Omar stiffed the taxi driver after the driver took him the long way through heavy traffic.
Omar 沒有給計程車司機小費，因為司機在擁擠路段繞遠路。
stiff + service worker (reason shown in context)
A group of customers stiffed the waitress on a large dinner bill.
一群客人在餐廳吃了一頓大餐卻沒給女服務生小費。
Ari never stiffs the barber and always leaves a generous tip in cash.
Ari 從來不會不給理髮師小費，總是留下豐厚的現金。
The hotel guest stiffed the bellhop who carried three suitcases up to the room.
那位飯店房客沒給提了三箱行李上樓的服務生小費。
- leave no tip
neutral phrasing without the informal judgment of 'stiff'
- tip generously
to give a large tip
文法句型
stiff + someone
用法筆記
Subject is the customer; object is the service worker. The context usually implies the customer was dissatisfied or simply unwilling to tip.
4. to not provide a person with an item, benefit, or opportunity that they had a ri
拒絕給付
拒絕給予某人應得之物
to not provide a person with an item, benefit, or opportunity that they had a right to expect
The committee stiffed the volunteers on the training materials they had promised.
委員會拒絕提供當初承諾要給志工的培訓教材。
stiff + someone + on + [expected item]
Jabari felt his boss had stiffed him on the promotion he had worked toward for two years.
Jabari 覺得老闆沒給他努力了兩年應得的晉升機會。
The university stiffed the new teachers on the housing allowance they had been promised.
大學拒絕提供當初承諾給新進教師的住宿津貼。
Owen thought the festival organizers had stiffed the bands on their backstage passes.
Owen 認為音樂節主辦單位拒絕提供樂團應得的後台通行證。
- shortchange
originally about money, now used more broadly for giving less than expected
文法句型
stiff + someone + on + something
用法筆記
The object of 'on' is the expected item or benefit, not a person. This sense broadens beyond money to any promised thing.
5. to murder a person, usually as part of a criminal plan or on the orders of gang
做掉
故意殺人（犯罪用語）
to murder a person, usually as part of a criminal plan or on the orders of gang leaders
In the crime novel, the gang leader ordered his men to stiff the witness before the trial began.
在這本犯罪小說裡，幫派老大下令手下在審判前將證人做掉。
slang; stiff + someone (ordered to murder)
The old mobster threatened to stiff anyone who gave information to the police.
那位黑幫老江湖威脅說，誰向警方洩密就把誰做掉。
Ishaan watched a film where the villain planned to stiff the detective before the final showdown.
Ishaan 看了一部電影，裡面的反派打算在最後對決前將偵探做掉。
The mafia movie shows how the boss would stiff a traitor and dump the body in the river.
那部黑幫電影裡，老大會把叛徒做掉並把屍體丟進河裡。
文法句型
stiff + someone
用法筆記
Strong slang, mostly found in crime fiction and dialogue about organized crime. Avoid in neutral or formal writing.
常見錯誤
6. to fail in business and earn very little or no money, often forcing the business
倒閉
生意失敗，賺不到錢
to fail in business and earn very little or no money, often forcing the business to close
Felipe's food truck stiffed after only three months because the parking permits were too expensive.
Felipe 的餐車只經營了三個月就倒閉了，因為停車許可證費用太貴。
intransitive: business + stiffed (failed)
The new bookstore stiffed when a big chain opened just two blocks away.
那家新書店在大型連鎖店進駐兩條街外後就倒閉了。
Christopher's start-up stiffed within a year because the product was too expensive for most buyers.
Christopher 的新創公司不到一年就倒閉了，因為產品對多數買家來說太貴了。
Pedro's coffee shop stiffed during the first winter when foot traffic dropped sharply.
Pedro 的咖啡店在第一個冬天就倒閉了，因為行人流量大幅減少。
- thrive
to grow and succeed in business
文法句型
stiff (no object)
用法筆記
Unlike senses 1–5, this sense is intransitive — the business itself fails, not someone failing to pay. The subject is a business or venture.
常見錯誤
7. in golf, to send the ball a long way so that it stops right beside the hole
攻近洞口
高爾夫中將球打到洞口附近
in golf, to send the ball a long way so that it stops right beside the hole
Sivan stiffed an approach shot to within a foot of the pin on hole eighteen.
Sivan 在第十八洞將一記攻果嶺球打到距離旗桿僅一英尺的位置。
stiff + approach shot + distance phrase: to within...
Mira stiffed the ball from two hundred metres out and left herself an easy putt.
Mira 從兩百公尺外將球打到洞口附近，給自己留下一記輕鬆的推桿。
Heloísa stiffed her second shot from the fairway, stopping just two feet from the pin.
Heloísa 從球道將第二桿打到洞口附近，距離旗桿僅兩英尺。
Alessia took a three-wood and stiffed a shot that rolled to within inches of the cup.
Alessia 拿三號木桿打出一記精準攻洞球，球滾到距離球洞僅幾英寸的位置。
文法句型
stiff + noun phrase (a shot / the ball / an approach)
用法筆記
This sense is used only in golf. The verb describes a high-skill shot that lands very near the hole, typically on a long-distance approach.
stiffer — 名詞
- stiffersingular
- stiffersplural
1. an informal word for a person, used with an adjective that says what kind of per
傢伙
非正式，搭配形容詞指某類人
an informal word for a person, used with an adjective that says what kind of person they are or what their situation is
Rin is a lucky stiff — she won a free trip to Japan.
Rin 真是個幸運的傢伙——她贏得了去日本的免費旅遊。
lucky stiff — informal expression for a fortunate person
The poor stiff worked the night shift at the same garage for thirty years.
那可憐的夥計在同一個修車廠上了三十年的夜班。
The working stiffs on the morning train all looked exhausted.
早班火車上那些辛苦的上班族（working stiffs）全都一臉疲憊。
What a sad stiff — he lost his wallet and keys on the same day.
多可憐的傢伙——他在同一天弄丟了錢包和鑰匙。
文法句型
adjective + stiff describing a person
用法筆記
Almost always used with an adjective (lucky, poor, working, old) that describes the person. Never used alone without a modifier in this sense.
常見錯誤
2. an informal word for a dead human body, especially one found in a crime or accid
死屍
屍體的俚語說法
an informal word for a dead human body, especially one found in a crime or accident scene
The night guard discovered a stiff behind the supermarket freezer at midnight.
夜班警衛在半夜發現超市的冷凍庫後面有一具死屍。
stiff = corpse; used in crime or accident contexts
Two fishermen found a stiff floating in the river near the old iron bridge.
兩名漁夫在老鐵橋附近的河裡發現一具漂浮的屍體。
The paramedic covered the stiff with a white sheet before the police arrived.
急救人員在警方抵達前用白布蓋住了那具死屍。
Detectives found the stiff in a locked room with no signs of a struggle.
警探在一個緊鎖的房間裡發現了那具屍體，現場沒有任何打鬥痕跡。
用法筆記
This is slang and can sound disrespectful in formal or sensitive situations. The neutral terms ‘body’ or ‘corpse’ are safer for official or polite use.
stiffer — 形容詞
- stifferpositive
- stifferercomparative
- stifferestsuperlative
1. feeling firm and hard when you touch it, and not soft or bendable — for example,
更硬的
觸感堅硬、不柔軟的
feeling firm and hard when you touch it, and not soft or bendable — for example, old bread, dry leather, or thick fabric that has lost its softness.
The leather on the old sofa felt stiffer than the new one in the shop.
舊沙發的皮革摸起來比店裡那張新的更硬。
stiffer than — comparing firmness of two items
The bread grew stiffer after sitting out all night on the counter.
麵包放在流理檯上一整夜後變得更硬了。
A stiffer mattress helped Theo sleep better than his old soft one.
更硬的床墊讓提歐睡得比睡舊軟墊時好。
The clay became much stiffer as it dried in the afternoon sun.
陶土在下午的陽光下變乾，變得硬多了。
2. describing an object that is difficult to bend or move out of its shape — for ex
更難彎
不容易彎曲或變形的
describing an object that is difficult to bend or move out of its shape — for example, thick cardboard, a new brush, or a metal rod.
The new cardboard box had stiffer sides and held the books well.
新紙箱的側邊比較硬，裝書撐得很好。
stiffer sides — referring to a container's rigidity
Wei found the door handle stiffer than usual and had to pull harder.
偉發現門把比平常難轉，得多用點力才能打開。
A stiffer plastic cover protected the tablet better than the thin one.
比較硬的塑膠外殼比薄的那個更能保護平板電腦。
The new hiking boots felt stiffer at first but softened after a few walks.
新登山鞋一開始穿起來很硬，但走了幾次之後就變軟了。
- more rigid
more formal and suggests something that cannot bend at all
- tougher
emphasises strength and resistance to damage, not just bending
- more flexible
able to bend without breaking
3. describing muscles that feel tight and hurt when you try to move them, typically
更痠痛
肌肉緊繃，活動時會痛的
describing muscles that feel tight and hurt when you try to move them, typically after hard exercise, sitting still for a long time, or sleeping in an awkward position.
Haruto's shoulders felt much stiffer after he carried boxes up three flights of stairs.
春人搬了幾箱東西爬了三層樓梯之後，肩膀痠痛多了。
stiffer after physical activity — describing muscle tightness
When Mei woke up, her neck was stiffer than usual after sleeping on the floor.
美睡在地板上醒來後，發現脖子比平常僵硬許多。
Kofi's legs grew stiffer during the long bus ride from Accra to Kumasi.
科菲從阿克拉到庫馬西的長途巴士上，雙腿變得越來越痠。
Elena did some stretches because her back felt stiffer after sitting at the desk all day.
艾蓮娜做了些伸展運動，因為坐了一整天辦公桌後背變得更緊了。
- more painful
focuses on the pain rather than the inability to move freely
- tighter
emphasises the feeling of muscles being pulled or contracted
- more relaxed
muscles that are not tight or painful
- looser
able to move freely without pain or restriction
用法筆記
Often used with parts of the body as the subject — neck, shoulders, back, legs, joints. Common in the pattern 'feel/get/grow stiffer'. Distinguish from sense 1 (FIRM TO TOUCH): this sense refers to muscle tightness and pain, not the texture of an object.
常見錯誤
4. behaving in a very formal and serious way that does not feel warm or relaxed — f
更拘謹
態度正式、不輕鬆自在的
behaving in a very formal and serious way that does not feel warm or relaxed — for example, using very correct language at a meal, standing very straight, or not laughing at jokes.
Tomás seemed much stiffer at the formal dinner than when we met for coffee.
湯馬斯在正式晚宴上比我們喝咖啡時拘謹得多。
stiffer at a formal occasion — behaviour becoming more reserved
The new manager was stiffer with the staff than the old one and never smiled.
新經理對員工的態度比前任更嚴肅，從來不笑。
Linh noticed her uncle became stiffer whenever the topic of money came up.
玲注意到叔叔每次提到錢的話題就變得更加拘謹。
The diplomat's tone grew stiffer during the press conference about the new policy.
在記者會上談到新政策時，那位外交官的語氣變得更加嚴肅。
- more formal
broader term covering any situation with correct etiquette
- less relaxed
focuses on the absence of casual ease
- more relaxed
calm and informal in behaviour
- friendlier
warm and open toward others
用法筆記
Describes a person's manner or style of communication, not the person's character as a fixed trait. Common in contexts of meetings, ceremonies, or first encounters.
常見錯誤
5. describing a punishment, rule, or competition that is more severe, difficult, or
更嚴厲
處罰、規則或考試更加嚴格的
describing a punishment, rule, or competition that is more severe, difficult, or demanding than expected — for example, a heavy fine, a tough exam, or a challenging race.
The school created stiffer rules about using phones in class with a fine for breaking them.
學校針對課堂使用手機制定了更嚴格的規定，違規要罰款。
stiffer rules — more severe regulations or penalties
Anjali found the final exam stiffer than the practice test and studied for two more weeks.
安佳麗發現期末考比模擬考難很多，又多讀了兩個星期。
Drivers now face a stiffer penalty for parking in front of a fire hydrant.
駕駛人現在在消防栓前停車會面臨更嚴厲的罰款。
The competition for the scholarship grew stiffer as more students applied this year.
今年申請的學生變多了，獎學金的競爭也變得更加激烈。
- harsher
suggests unreasonable severity, especially for punishments
- tougher
more general; fits exams, competition, and rules
- more stringent
formal, used for rules and standards in professional contexts
- more lenient
less strict or severe
- easier
less difficult or demanding
6. describing a wind that blows with noticeably more force than usual, making it ha
更強勁
風力比平常更大、更猛烈的
describing a wind that blows with noticeably more force than usual, making it harder to walk against it or keeping small objects from staying in place.
The wind on the mountain was stiffer than in the valley, so the hikers put on extra jackets.
山上的風比山谷裡強勁很多，登山客都多穿了一件外套。
stiff wind — strong wind that is hard to move against
A stiffer breeze came up from the harbour and blew papers off the café tables.
一陣更強的風從港口吹來，把咖啡桌上的紙都吹走了。
The wind grew stiffer as the afternoon went on, and flags began to flap loudly.
到了下午風勢越來越強，旗子開始啪啪作響。
Sailors checked the ropes twice because the breeze had turned much stiffer overnight.
水手們把繩索檢查了兩次，因為一夜之間風力增強了很多。
用法筆記
Used only with wind, breeze, or gale. Not used for rain, snow, or other weather conditions.
常見錯誤
7. If an alcoholic drink is stiff, it contains a large amount of alcohol and is ver
更濃烈的
酒精飲料濃度很高
If an alcoholic drink is stiff, it contains a large amount of alcohol and is very strong.
After the long flight, Dmitri ordered a stiffer whiskey than his usual beer and felt the warmth spread quickly.
長途飛行結束後，Dmitri 點了一杯比平常喝的啤酒更濃烈的威士忌，很快就感到一股暖意。
attributive comparative: stiffer + drink name (than...)
Hiroshi ordered a stiffer rum punch, but the bartender warned him it was too strong.
Hiroshi 點了一杯更濃烈的蘭姆潘趣酒，但調酒師警告他說那杯酒太烈了。
Oluwaseun poured himself a stiffer coffee than last time by adding an extra splash of brandy.
Oluwaseun 給自己倒了一杯比上次更濃烈的咖啡，多加了一點白蘭地。
A stiffer cocktail like a double martini hits you much harder than a light beer or a glass of wine.
像雙倍馬丁尼這類更濃烈的調酒，比淡啤酒或一杯葡萄酒來得有後勁。
文法句型
stiff + noun (drink/whiskey/coffee)
用法筆記
Almost always used before a noun describing a drink (whiskey, cocktail, rum). Never used predicatively — you would not say 'this drink is stiff.'
常見錯誤
8. Used to describe a price, fee, or cost that is very high and often feels unfair
更高昂的
形容價格高得難以負擔
Used to describe a price, fee, or cost that is very high and often feels unfair or difficult to pay.
The new garage charged Li Wei a stiffer fee than the old one for the same repair work.
那家新修車廠收 Li Wei 的費用比舊的那家更高，做的卻是同樣的維修工作。
collocation: stiffer fee — comparing prices between providers
Tourists complained that harbour restaurants charge stiffer prices than the places near the train station.
觀光客抱怨港邊餐廳的價格比火車站附近的店家更昂貴。
Pablo had to pay a stiffer fine for speeding than his sister did for parking illegally.
Pablo 因超速被處以比妹妹違規停車更高的罰款。
The private school charges a stiffer tuition fee than the public university, but offers smaller class sizes.
私立學校收取比公立大學更昂貴的學費，但班級人數較少。
- steep
very similar in meaning and register; interchangeable in most contexts
- hefty
informal; suggests the amount feels large and burdensome
- exorbitant
stronger and more formal; suggests the price is unreasonable
- cheap
low in price
- reasonable
fair and not too expensive
文法句型
stiff + price/fee/cost/fine
用法筆記
Used only with nouns related to money: price, fee, cost, fine, rent, tuition. Not used with objects or services directly: 'a stiff meal' would be incorrect.
常見錯誤
9. Firmly determined in character; refusing to change your opinion, decision, or co
更堅定的
形容態度堅決不妥協
Firmly determined in character; refusing to change your opinion, decision, or course of action even when pressured.
The old general grew stiffer in his refusal to surrender the fortress than the younger officers expected.
老將軍拒絕投降的態度比年輕軍官們預期的更加堅定。
pattern: stiffer in + refusal/opposition — comparative form
Fatima showed stiffer determination than her colleagues when the board criticised the project.
當董事會批評這個專案時，Fatima 展現出比同事們更堅定的決心。
The villagers mounted stiffer resistance than the factory owners had anticipated.
村民發起的抵制比工廠老闆預期的更為堅決。
A stiffer opponent than anyone expected made the trade negotiations drag on for weeks.
一個比所有人預期更強硬的對手，讓貿易談判拖延了數週。
- resolute
more formal; suggests strong and steady purpose
- unyielding
emphasises the refusal to give in under pressure
- determined
broader and more common; describes someone with a strong will
- weak-willed
easily persuaded or influenced
- yielding
willing to give in or compromise
文法句型
be stiff in + noun
stiff + noun (opposition/resistance/refusal)
用法筆記
Describes a person's character or a group's collective attitude. Frequently pairs with nouns of opposition (resistance, refusal, opposition). Does not describe physical rigidity — for that, use sense 1 or 2.
常見錯誤
10. (informal slang) Extremely drunk, to the point where a person can barely walk, s
更醉的
俚語，形容醉到無法行走
(informal slang) Extremely drunk, to the point where a person can barely walk, stand, or speak clearly.
After the wedding reception, half of the guests were stiffer than at any other party that year.
婚宴結束後，一半的賓客比當年任何其他聚會都喝得更醉。
informal predicative: were stiffer than... — comparative degree of drunkenness
By midnight, most people at the bar were much stiffer than when the evening started, and some could barely stand.
到了午夜，酒吧裡大部分的人比夜色剛降臨時醉得多了，有些人幾乎站不穩。
Zara's brother grew stiffer as the night went on and ended up asleep on the sofa.
Zara 的哥哥隨著夜色愈深醉得愈厲害，最後在沙發上睡著了。
By the end of the party, Carlos was much stiffer than his cousin, who had drunk only water all night.
派對結束時，Carlos 比他整晚只喝水的表弟醉得多了。
文法句型
be stiff
get stiff
用法筆記
Strongly informal slang. Never use in formal or professional writing. Typically used predicatively ('He is stiff') rather than attributively before a noun, though 'a stiff man' is occasionally heard in spoken slang.
常見錯誤
stiffer — 副詞
1. More strongly or severely than before or compared with something else; used to s
更強地；更嚴
比先前或比他人程度更強烈
More strongly or severely than before or compared with something else; used to say that a feeling, action, or effect has increased in intensity.
The fines for late tax returns were applied stiffer this year.
今年對逾期報稅的罰款執行得更嚴格。
comparative adverb: 'applied stiffer' = more severely
The north wind blew stiffer as evening fell.
傍晚時北風颳得更猛了。
Competition for the job grew stiffer after the ad went online.
徵才廣告上線後，這份工作的競爭變得更激烈。
Sayaka felt the cold stiffer in the mountains than in the city.
Sayaka 在山上比在城裡覺得更冷。
- more severely
more common in everyday English
- with greater force
more explicit about physical intensity
- more gently
opposite in terms of force or intensity
文法句型
stiffer + verb (comparative of manner/degree)
用法筆記
Often follows verbs of applying force or experiencing effects (blow, howl, apply, freeze, feel).
2. In golf, used to describe a shot that lands closer to the hole than another shot
更靠近洞口
高爾夫擊球距洞口更近
In golf, used to describe a shot that lands closer to the hole than another shot, making the next putt easier.
Zayd hit his approach stiffer than his opponent did.
Zayd 的切球比對手更靠近洞口。
golf terminology — 'stiffer' = closer to the hole
Sven played the ball stiffer from two hundred yards out.
Sven 從兩百碼外將球打得更靠近洞口。
Kofi's chip shot landed stiffer than any other player's that round.
Kofi 的切滾球比該回合中其他球員都更靠近洞口。
Layla's second shot finished stiffer, stopping right beside the flag.
Layla 的第二桿打得更靠近，球就停在旗桿旁邊。
- closer
more general term; stiffer is golf-specific
文法句型
hit/play + stiffer + than + [noun phrase]
用法筆記
Use is limited to golf commentary and sports writing; almost always comparative, comparing the closeness of one shot to another.
3. With less ease of movement than before or compared with something else; in a mor
更僵硬地
動作比之前更不靈活
With less ease of movement than before or compared with something else; in a more rigid or less relaxed way.
Yael walked stiffer than usual after the long car trip.
Yael 在長途車程後走得比平時更僵硬。
comparative adverb describing body movement
The barn door swung stiffer on its hinges after the rain.
那扇穀倉門在雨後變得比以前更難開。
Ada held her back stiffer after lifting the heavy boxes.
Ada 搬完重箱子後，背部挺得比平時更僵硬。
Eli's fingers moved stiffer in the cold workshop.
Eli 在冰冷的工坊裡手指動得更不靈活。
- more rigidly
more technical; suggests lack of flexibility
- less smoothly
focuses on the difficulty of motion
- more freely
opposite — with greater ease of movement
- more smoothly
opposite — moving without resistance
文法句型
verb + stiffer + (than) [comparison]
用法筆記
Describes physical movement of people, animals, or mechanical parts; often compares the current state to a previous, more flexible one.