twitch
/twɪtʃ/ (bre, ipa) · [twˈɪtʃ] /twɪtʃ/ (ame, ipa) · [twˈɪtʃ] /ˈtwich How to pronounce twitch (audio)/ (ame, mw)
twitch — 動詞
- twitchpresent simple I / you / we / they
- twitcheshe / she / it
- twitchedpast simple
- twitching-ing form
1. to make a quick, small movement that you do not fully control, or to make a body
抽動
身體部位不由自主地動一下
to make a quick, small movement that you do not fully control, or to make a body part move that way.
Salma's left eye twitched during the long meeting after three cups of coffee.
開了三杯咖啡後，Salma 的左眼在漫長會議中一直抽動。
body part as subject: eye twitched
A loose wire made the robot's arm twitch each time Bao pressed the switch.
每次 Bao 按下開關，鬆掉的電線都會讓機器人的手臂抽動一下。
make + body part + twitch
Imran felt his cheek twitch when he tried not to laugh.
Imran 忍著不笑時，感覺自己的臉頰抽動了一下。
The sleeping dog's ears twitched at the sound of the gate.
聽到大門的聲音時，那隻熟睡的狗耳朵抽動了一下。
- hold still
to keep the body from moving unexpectedly
文法句型
twitch
twitch + body part
用法筆記
Often used for body parts such as an eye, mouth, or cheek. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 1 is about the body moving on its own or being made to move, not about pulling an external object.
常見錯誤
2. to pull something with a brief, sharp movement, or to move in that way because s
輕扯
短促地拉一下某物
to pull something with a brief, sharp movement, or to move in that way because someone pulls it.
Kenji twitched the fishing line, and the float jumped near the reeds.
Kenji 輕扯了一下釣線，浮標就在蘆葦旁跳動起來。
twitch + noun phrase
A sudden breeze twitched the tent flap open before anyone reached the door.
一陣突來的風輕扯開帳篷門片，還沒有人走到門邊。
cause movement with a quick pull
The hooked fish twitched the line hard enough to shake the rod tip.
那條上鉤的魚猛地一扯釣線，連竿尖都跟著晃動。
João twitched the puppy's lead to keep it away from the puddle.
João 輕扯了一下小狗的牽繩，好讓牠別踩進水坑。
文法句型
twitch + noun phrase
noun phrase + twitch
用法筆記
Usually takes an object such as a rope, line, lead, or flap. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is about pulling an outside thing, not a body part jumping by itself.
常見錯誤
3. used to say that a curtain moves because someone behind it is secretly watching
窗簾微動
暗示有人躲在窗後偷看
used to say that a curtain moves because someone behind it is secretly watching what is happening outside.
The curtains twitched when the new family parked outside Mrs Patel's house.
新搬來的一家人把車停在 Mrs Patel 家外面時，窗簾就微微動了一下。
curtains twitch = hidden watcher
As the ambulance stopped, the net curtains twitched along the quiet street.
救護車一停下來，安靜街上的白紗窗簾就跟著微動。
British street scene with net curtains
Every time Elias came home late, the upstairs curtains twitched next door.
每次 Elias 很晚才回家，隔壁樓上的窗簾都會微微動一下。
One parked van was enough to make the curtains twitch all afternoon.
只要有一輛陌生廂型車停著，就足以讓那些窗簾整個下午微微動個不停。
文法句型
curtains twitch
用法筆記
Mainly British. This expression does not describe the cloth itself as important; it hints that a curious person is peeking out from behind it.
4. to secretly watch what nearby people are doing, usually from behind a window or
偷看鄰居
躲在窗後偷看附近人家動靜
to secretly watch what nearby people are doing, usually from behind a window or curtain.
People in the lane twitch whenever an unfamiliar car slows near the gate.
只要有陌生車子在大門附近慢下來，這條巷子的人就會開始偷看鄰居。
people + twitch (British informal)
My aunt says the whole block twitches when delivery vans stop outside.
我阿姨說，只要宅配車停在外面，整個街區的人都會開始偷看。
Retired neighbours twitch from behind their lace curtains on sunny afternoons.
退休的鄰居們常在晴朗午後躲在蕾絲窗簾後偷看外頭。
The village starts twitching as soon as reporters knock on one front door.
只要記者去敲某一戶人家的門，整個村子就開始偷看起來。
- snoop
broader and more direct; not limited to watching from home
- nose around
informal; can involve asking questions, not just peeking
- mind your own business
to avoid watching or interfering
文法句型
people twitch
twitch + adverbial phrase
用法筆記
Usually humorous or mildly critical. It suggests nosy attention to other people's business, especially in a quiet residential area.
twitch — 名詞
- twitchsingular
- twitchesplural
1. a quick little movement of a muscle or body part that happens without meaning to
抽搐
肌肉或身體部位突然動一下
a quick little movement of a muscle or body part that happens without meaning to.
A nervous twitch kept pulling one corner of Salma's mouth upward.
一陣緊張造成的抽搐，讓 Salma 嘴角的一邊不停往上拉。
a nervous twitch
The doctor noticed a slight twitch in Imran's hand during the test.
醫生在檢查時注意到 Imran 的手有一下輕微抽搐。
a twitch in + body part
After the loud bang, there was a twitch under the horse's skin.
那聲巨響過後，馬的皮膚底下出現了一下抽搐。
One twitch of Bao's eyelid told his sister he was still awake.
Bao 眼皮的一下抽搐，就讓姊姊知道他其實還醒著。
文法句型
a twitch in + body part
a twitch of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used for small facial or muscle movements, especially when someone is nervous, tired, or trying to hide a feeling.
常見錯誤
2. a brief sharp pull or tugging movement.
一扯
突然拉一下的動作
a brief sharp pull or tugging movement.
Felix felt a quick twitch on the fishing line and grabbed the rod.
Felix 感到釣線忽然一扯，立刻抓緊了魚竿。
a twitch on + noun phrase
With one twitch of the cord, the old lamp flickered back to life.
只要繩子一扯，那盞舊燈就又閃著亮了起來。
with one twitch of + noun phrase
The horse answered Ayesha's light twitch on the reins and turned left.
馬感受到 Ayesha 在韁繩上的輕輕一扯，便往左轉了。
A sharp twitch at the door handle made Zuri step away from the shed.
門把突然一扯，讓 Zuri 立刻往棚屋旁退開。
- push
movement in the opposite direction
文法句型
a twitch on + noun phrase
a twitch of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often appears with fishing lines, reins, cords, and handles. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 2 is an outside pulling action, not a movement in the body.