stonewall
stonewall — 動詞
- stonewallpresent simple I / you / we / they
- stonewallshe / she / it
- stonewalledpast simple
- stonewalling-ing form
1. to use evasive or unhelpful behaviour so that a discussion, investigation, or of
拖延阻撓
以迴避問題方式阻礙討論
to use evasive or unhelpful behaviour so that a discussion, investigation, or official process cannot move forward or reach a conclusion.
Roya, a veteran politician, stonewalled whenever reporters asked about the missing funds.
資深政治人物 Roya 每當記者問起那筆失蹤的資金時就採取拖延阻撓的態度。
stonewall + on/about [topic]
The senator accused her opponents of stonewalling the climate bill to protect oil companies.
該參議員指控她的對手為了保護石油公司而阻撓氣候法案的進度。
stonewall + [bill/investigation/effort]
During the investigation, the company's lawyers stonewalled every request for documents.
在調查期間，該公司的律師對每一份文件調閱請求都予以拖延迴避。
Ignacio stonewalled the interviewer's questions about his past for over an hour.
Ignacio 對採訪者關於他過去的提問拖延了一個多小時，始終不願正面回答。
When pressed on the budget cuts, the minister simply stonewalled and changed the subject.
當被問到預算削減的問題時，部長只是顧左右而言他，迴避了話題。
- obstruct
broader term; can refer to physical or procedural blocking
- block
more direct and definitive; a block stops something completely
- stall
suggests temporary delay rather than outright refusal
- filibuster
specific to parliamentary procedure; uses extended speech to delay
文法句型
stonewall + on/about + topic
stonewall + noun phrase (investigation, inquiry, effort)
用法筆記
Frequently used in politics, law, and journalism. The object is typically the process being delayed (investigation, inquiry, bill, talks) rather than a person.
常見錯誤
2. in the sport of cricket, to play in a purely defensive way by blocking the ball
消極防守
板球中只防守不進攻的打法
in the sport of cricket, to play in a purely defensive way by blocking the ball without trying to score runs.
The opening batter stonewalled for three hours, scoring only twelve runs against Australia.
開路打者在三個小時內只採取消極防守，面對澳洲隊僅得了十二分。
stonewall for [duration]
With five wickets down, Hoa stonewalled each delivery to save the match from defeat.
在失去五個三柱門的劣勢下，Hoa 對每一球都嚴加防守，力保比賽不致落敗。
The team captain ordered him to stonewall until the rain stopped play for the day.
球隊隊長指示他採取守勢，直到雨勢過大暫停比賽為止。
Young cricket players are taught to attack, not to stonewall from the first over.
年輕的板球選手被教導要主動進攻，而不是從第一局就消極防守。
- attack
to play aggressively and try to score runs
文法句型
stonewall + for [duration]
stonewall + to [purpose]
用法筆記
Restricted to the sport of cricket. Outside cricket, using 'stonewall' as a verb has a different meaning (DELAY TACTICS sense).
常見錯誤
stonewall — 名詞
1. a low fence or boundary made by stacking stones on top of each other, often foun
石牆
用石頭砌成的圍牆或籬笆
a low fence or boundary made by stacking stones on top of each other, often found around fields, gardens, or along country roads.
A low stone wall runs along the edge of the farmer's wheat field.
一道低矮的石牆沿著農夫的小麥田邊緣延伸。
stone wall along/around [place]
The cottage garden was enclosed by a moss-covered stone wall from the eighteenth century.
這棟鄉村小屋的花園被一道十八世紀、長滿青苔的石牆圍繞著。
Sumin sat on the stone wall and watched the sheep graze in the valley below.
Sumin 坐在石牆上，望著下方山谷裡吃草的羊群。
Farmers in this region have built dry stone walls to divide their land for centuries.
這個地區的農民幾百年來一直用乾砌石牆來劃分他們的土地。
- fence
a general term for any structure dividing land; stone walls are a type of fence
- boundary wall
emphasises the wall's function of marking the edge of an area
文法句型
stone wall + along/around + place
dry stone wall
用法筆記
Often written as two separate words (stone wall). When written as one word (stonewall), the noun sense refers to a physical wall, but the verb sense (DELAY TACTICS) is far more common.
常見錯誤
2. a barrier or obstacle that seems impossible to get past, especially in discussio
障礙
難以克服的障礙（如談判、改革）
a barrier or obstacle that seems impossible to get past, especially in discussions, negotiations, or public affairs.
Every attempt to reform the tax system hit a stone wall of political opposition.
每一項改革稅制的努力都碰上了政治反對勢力的銅牆鐵壁。
hit a stone wall of [opposition/resistance]
The peace talks ran into a stone wall when neither side would compromise.
由於雙方都不願在邊界問題上讓步，和平談判陷入了僵局。
run into a stone wall
For years, efforts to close the old factory met a stone wall of resistance from workers.
多年來，關閉舊工廠的努力一直遭到工人銅牆鐵壁般的抵抗。
The plan faced a solid stone wall of criticism from community leaders and residents.
該計畫面臨社區領袖和居民如石牆般的強烈批評。
- obstacle
a general term; 'stone wall' emphasises that the obstacle is solid and unmoving
- barrier
suggests something that blocks progress or access
- impediment
more formal; something that makes progress more difficult
文法句型
hit a stone wall
run into a stone wall
meet a stone wall of + noun
用法筆記
Usually appears in fixed expressions like 'hit a stone wall', 'run into a stone wall', or 'meet a stone wall of [something]'. Typically written as two words (stone wall).