PROBLEM1 something that causes difficulties2 something that makes you feel worried or unhappy3 a problem that stops you from making progress4 an extremely difficult or complicated problem5 full of problems6 to have a problem7 to be in a very difficult situation8 when a fact or situation causes problems9 to make progress difficult10 when someone causes problems, especially deliberately11 someone who causes a lot of problems12 to cause extra work or inconvenience for someone13 what you say when you are explaining a problem14 what you say to ask someone about a problemRELATED WORDSsee alsoDIFFICULTFAULTSOLVE1 something that causes difficulties 引致困难的某事problem /ˈprɒbləmǁˈprɑː-/ [countable noun]a bad situation that must be dealt with, because it is causing harm or inconvenience, or it is stopping you from doing what you want to do 问题；难题have a problem If you have any problems, give me a call. 如有任何问题，打电话给我。problem with Sue's had a lot of problems with her neighbours recently. 近来，休与邻居们磨擦不断。cause/create problems The new traffic system is causing problems for everyone. 新交通系统给所有人带来了麻烦。solve a problemfind a way to deal with it 解决问题 Scientists still have not solved the problem of what to do with nuclear waste. 科学家仍旧无法解决处理核废料的问题。the drug/crime etc problem Federal laws have almost no effect on the crime problem that concerns most people - crime on the streets. 联邦法对影响大多数人的街头犯罪问题几乎没有效力。problem of The problem of substance abuse in high school is widespread. 药物滥用的问题在高中很普遍。big/serious problem Our biggest problem is lack of money. 我们最大的问题是缺钱。 Whiteflies can be a serious problem that affects produce grown in California and other states. 粉虱可能是影响加州及其他州农产品的一大问题。difficulty /ˈdɪfɪkəlti/ []a problem that makes it more difficult to do something that you are trying to do 困难；难处 I don't expect major difficulties, although there are still differences to be worked out. 尽管仍存在差异要解决，但我不认为会有大问题出现。difficulty with The main difficulty with this method is that it takes twice as long. 这种方法的主要不便之处是要花费两倍的时间。have difficulty with (doing) something Youngsters may have difficulty applying the paint because of its thin consistency. 这种颜料小孩子用起来也许有困难，因为它很稀。get into difficulty/difficultiesstart to have problems in a situation 陷入困难 Credit cards make it extremely easy to get into difficulty with debt. 信用卡极易让人陷入债务困难。economic/financial difficulty The nation faces severe economic difficulties. 该国面临严重的经济困难。language/technical/legal etc difficulty Police officers in most Californian cities need to be able to cope with language difficulties and cultural differences. 加州大部分城市的警察得能够应付语言障碍和文化差异。face/experience difficulty Some parents experienced difficulty when they tried to move their children to other schools. 有些父母在为子女转学时遇到了困难。be in difficulty/difficultiesbe in a situation that has problems 陷入困难 Manchester United won easily, and never seemed to be in any difficulty. 曼联队轻松获胜，似乎从未陷入过困难。difficulty of doing something The difficulties of counting whales makes most population figures extremely unreliable. 清点鲸鱼的数量是个难题，这使大多数有关鲸鱼总数的数据极不可信。trouble /ˈtrʌbəl/ [countable/uncountable noun]a problem or several problems that make something difficult, spoil your plans etc 问题；麻烦 The trouble was caused by a loose connection in the fuse box. 问题是由保险丝盒里一处接触点松动而造成的。 If you used the same tape later and had no sound trouble, the problem is in the video recorder, not the tape. 要是过一会儿用同一盒磁带不出现声音问题，那么故障在于录像机，不在磁带。trouble with The pilot reported trouble with both engines. 飞行员报告两台引擎都有问题。have trouble We have had a lot of trouble with the car this year. 今年我们的车出过很多问题。have trouble doing something Norris had trouble finding work and is still unemployed. 诺里斯找工作遇到麻烦，现在仍失业。cause trouble Snow and freezing temperatures caused trouble at many airports. 下雪加上气温降至冰点，给许多机场带来了麻烦。the trouble with somethingthe one feature of something that is a problem 某事物的麻烦之处 The trouble with lasagne is that it takes so long to make. 做意大利卤汁面条的麻烦之处在于花费的时间太长。hassle /ˈhæsəl/ [countable/uncountable noun]informala problem or a series of problems that are annoying because they involve a lot of work, arguing, inconvenience etc 【非正式】困难；麻烦 The airline doesn't make seat assignments, which can be a hassle for travelers, but it saves money. 这家航空公司不指定座位，这给旅客造成麻烦，但省钱。 Shopping by mail avoids the hassles of crowded stores at Christmastime. 邮购避免了圣诞节期间商店拥挤带来的麻烦。legal/bureaucratic etc hassles Byrd says he settled the claim to avoid legal hassles. 伯德说他支付了索赔以避免法律纠纷。it's too much hassle I don't want to organize a big party - it's too much hassle. 我不愿组织大型的聚会—麻烦太多了。complication /ˌkɒmplɪˈkeɪʃən, ˌkɒmpləˈkeɪʃənǁˌkɑːm-/ [countable noun]an additional problem that makes a situation even harder to deal with than it already is 使更复杂〔困难〕的问题 One complication is that the meals also need to be suitable for children of Islamic or Jewish faiths. 额外的难题是每餐的食物既要适合伊斯兰教的孩子，也要适合犹太教的孩子。 Legal and financial complications have made it impossible for the two companies to complete the deal on time. 法律及财务上的难题使得两家公司不可能按时达成协议。hitch /hɪtʃ/ [countable noun]a small problem within a long process 故障；障碍 The plan has a hitch: drilling holes for the owls in the trees will kill the trees. 该计划有个障碍：为猫头鹰在树上钻洞，树会死掉的。without a hitchwithout any problems 顺利 The parade went off without a hitch, despite concern about protestors. 尽管担心会遭遇抗议者，游行还是顺利进行了。 The shuttle landed without a hitch at Edwards Air Force Base. 航天飞机在爱德华兹空军基地顺利着陆。there's a hitch There was a hitch - about half the employees did not want to move to a different city. 存在一个障碍——约一半的雇员不想搬到另一个城市。hitch in Nelson refused to comment on reports of a last-minute hitch in the negotiations. 纳尔逊拒绝对有关谈判最后障碍的报道发表评论。technical hitch There's been a slight technical hitch, so we'll have to postpone the video until later. 发生了一个技术性的小故障，因此我们得延迟播出这段录像。hiccup /ˈhɪkʌp, -kəp/ [countable noun]a small problem which is not very important compared to other things 小麻烦；小问题 There was a slight hiccup when I couldn't find my car keys, but finally we set off. 出了一点小小的问题，我一时找不到汽车钥匙，但最后我们还是起程了。 The airline industry's troubles are a mere hiccup in an otherwise upward growth trend. 航空业的困难只是个小问题，在其他方面它呈增长趋势。snag /snæg/ [countable noun]a small problem or disadvantage in something which is mainly good and satisfactory 小困难；小障碍；小麻烦 The cleanup effort was delayed for a few days by some technical snags and equipment problems. 由于一些技术上的小故障和设备问题，清扫工作耽搁了几天。hit a snag/run into a snag The case hit a snag in October when the judge handling it had to be replaced. 10月，主审法官调换，该案遇到了障碍。last-minute snag The House worked out some last-minute snags in the legislation. 众议院解决了立法过程中一些最后的障碍。catch /kætʃ/ [singular noun]a hidden problem or disadvantage in an offer that seems very good - use this especially when you think the problem has been deliberately hidden to trick people 小圈套；诡计；隐藏的问题〔尤指故意隐藏以骗人的问题〕there's a catch You get free meals and accommodation, but there's a catch -- you have to look after the children. 你的膳食和住宿都是免费的，但这里有个小圈套—你必须照看孩子。with a catch Many of the best deals come with a catch: they are only good through early summer. 许多最好的优惠都有小圈套：仅至初夏有效。the catch is (that) The catch is that you can't enter the contest unless you have spent $50 in the store. 难题在于，除非你在店里消费50美元，否则无法参加比赛。teething troubles/pains/problems /ˈtiːðɪŋ ˌtrʌbəlz, ˌpeɪns, ˌprɒbləmzǁ-ˌprɑː-/ [plural noun]Britishsmall problems that a new company, product, system etc has at the beginning 【英】初期困难；创业阶段遇到的困难 After a few teething troubles, the new car worked perfectly. 解决了启用阶段出现的几个问题之后，新车运转良好。 The disagreement was just one of the teething problems of the partnership. 观点不同只是合作初期出现的小问题之一。2 something that makes you feel worried or unhappy 让人感到担心或不快的事problem /ˈprɒbləmǁˈprɑː-/ [countable noun usually plural]something that happens in your life that makes you feel worried, unhappy, or ill 问题；麻烦事have a problem Bill isn't sleeping well - I think he's having problems at school. 比尔睡不好—我觉得他在学校里遇到了麻烦。personal problems She's had a lot of personal problems - her mother died when she was eight. 她有许许多多个人问题—她八岁丧母。health problems Tannen retired early due to health problems. 由于健康问题，坦嫩提前退休。troubles /ˈtrʌbəlz/ [plural noun]things that make you feel worried and unhappy, especially problems that have continued for a long time 〔尤指长期的〕烦扰；麻烦事 It's nice to talk to someone about your troubles. 跟别人谈谈自己的烦心事很好。 Parents can get wrapped up in their own troubles, and not notice how it's affecting their children. 做父母的可能陷入自己的麻烦事之中，没有注意到这对子女的影响。3 a problem that stops you from making progress 阻止进程的问题setback /ˈsetbæk/ [countable noun]something that happens which stops you making progress or which makes things worse than they were before 挫折；倒退 Arafat has survived crises, setbacks, and challenges to his leadership. 阿拉法特历经危机、挫折以及对他领导权的挑战，挺了过来。have/suffer a setback The peace talks have suffered a series of setbacks. 和平会谈遭受了一连串的挫折。setback for The court's decision was a major setback for Bradley. 法院的判决对布拉德利是个很大的打击。setback in Manning suffered a setback in his battle against alcoholism. 曼宁在与酗酒斗争时受了挫。serious/major/big setback The two losses are a serious setback for the team's playoff hopes. 输了两场对该队进入季后赛的希望是个很大的挫折。political/economic/legal etc setback The decision is a legal setback for the steel company. 这个判决对那家钢铁公司来说在法律上是个挫折。business/election etc setback He had been depressed over a number of business setbacks. 做生意遭受了许多挫折，他心灰意冷。hurdle /ˈhɜːʳdl/ [countable noun]a problem or difficulty that must be dealt with before you can do or achieve something else 障碍；难关 The main hurdle at present is getting the council's permission. 目前主要的障碍是获得地方议会的同意。legal/bureaucratic/political etc hurdle Women face a lot of legal hurdles trying to prove sexual harassment. 女性在试图证明受到性骚扰时会面临法律上重重障碍。 There are lots of bureaucratic hurdles to deal with when adopting a child. 要收养儿童，必须克服许多官僚体制上的难关。hurdle for Requiring school uniforms can be a financial hurdle for the poor. 要求穿校服对穷人来说是经济上的一道难关。clear/pass a hurdle The bill has cleared all the hurdles before it and will soon become law. 该法案通过的障碍扫清了，很快就会成为法律。stumbling block /ˈstʌmblɪŋ blɒkǁ-blɑːk/ [countable noun]a fact or situation that will make it very difficult for something to be achieved 障碍；绊脚石 Negotiations with management broke off Tuesday, with wage proposals the stumbling block. 星期二与资方的谈判破裂了，工资提议成了障碍。stumbling block to Each side has accused the others of creating stumbling blocks to peace. 每一方都指责他方给和平制造绊脚石。stumbling block for Mortgage interest rates have fallen, but large down payments remain a stumbling block for house buyers. 按揭利率下调，但一大笔首期付款对购房者来说依然是块绊脚石。hindrance /ˈhɪndrəns/ [countable/uncountable noun]something that makes it very difficult for you to do what you are trying to do 妨碍物，障碍物 America's top golfers played well despite the hindrance of early morning mist. 尽管晨雾成了比赛障碍，美国顶尖高尔夫球选手仍表现出色。 I concentrated on my career, feeling that a family would be a hindrance. 我专注于自己的事业，感到家庭会是个障碍。be a hindrance to The country's poor infrastructure is a major hindrance to importers. 该国落后的基础设施对进口商来说是一大障碍。 The biggest hindrance to economic reform has been the lack of access to U.S. markets. 经济改革最大的障碍在于无法进入美国市场。without hindrance Travelers can move through the country without hindrance. 游客可以毫无阻碍地在该国自由行动。more of a hindrance than a helpcausing more problems than there would be otherwise 帮忙不成反成累赘 The girls wanted to set the table, but they were more of a hindrance than a help. 那些女孩子想来摆餐具，却帮了倒忙。obstacle /ˈɒbstəkəlǁˈɑːb-/ [countable noun]a difficult problem that stops someone or something making progress or developing 妨碍，阻碍，干扰 The deal should go through, but there are several legal obstacles to overcome first. 这项交易应该能谈妥，但先要解决几个法律问题。 There are a number of obstacles in the way of a lasting peace settlement. 要达成持久的和平协议，存在一些阻碍。obstacle to There's no reason why the fact of being a parent should be an obstacle to women's career progression. 生孩子妨碍女性事业发展是没有道理的。4 an extremely difficult or complicated problem 极其困难或复杂的问题dilemma /dɪˈlemə, dəˈlemə, daɪ-/ [countable noun]a situation in which it is very difficult to decide what to do, because all the choices seem equally good or equally bad 困境；两难处境 It is a common dilemma: Should you stay where you have friends and family, or take that good job in a far-away city? 这是一个常见的两难局面：与朋友和家人在一起，还是接受远方城市的好差事？face a dilemma With a child on each opposing team, Dad was faced with a dilemma: which supporters should he sit with? 爸爸有两个孩子分别在交手的两支球队中，于是他面临着一个困境：应当与哪一方的支持者坐在一起？ethical dilemma Writers are debating the ethical dilemma raised by the parents who did not want their Siamese twins separated. 两个连体婴儿的父母不愿让孩子分离开，作家们在就此引发的道德难题进行辩论。catch-22 /ˌkætʃ twenti ˈtuː/ [uncountable noun]a situation in which you cannot do one thing until you do another thing, but you cannot do that thing until you do the first thing, with the result that you can do neither 左右为难的情况 It's catch-22 -- she can't get a job unless she has experience, and she can't get experience unless she has a job. 真叫人无所适从—一她没有工作经验找不到工作，而没有工作又无法获取经验。a catch-22 situation It's a catch-22 situation: The project won't receive government money until it is shown to be successful, but it cannot be successful without adequate funds. 这真是个左右为难的局面：该项目只有成功才能获得政府资金，然而，没有足够的资金无法成功。no-win situation /ˌnəʊ ˈwɪn sɪtʃuˌeɪʃən/ [singular noun]a situation in which something bad will happen whatever you decide to do 无法解决〔必败〕的情况 It's a no-win situation -- if I tell him, he'll be upset, but if I don't he'll be mad at me for not telling him. 真叫人没有办法—如果我告诉他，他会不高兴，但如果我不告诉他，他又会因为我对他隐瞒而火冒三丈。 Hospitals are in a no-win situation, since protecting patients’ privacy may conflict with protecting the health of doctors, nurses, and other hospital workers. 医院也没办法，因为保护病人隐私与保护医生、护士及其他医院工作人员的健康相矛盾。a chicken-and-egg problem/situation/dilemma /ə ˌtʃɪkn ənd ˈeg ˌprɒbləm, sɪtʃuˌeɪʃən, dˌleməǁ-ˌprɑː-/ [noun phrase]a difficult situation in which you do not know which of two things was the cause of the other and which was the result, because neither could exist if the other did not 鸡与蛋孰先的问题/情况/难题 We all hate lawyers, but they're in business because so many people sue each other: it's a classic chicken-and-egg situation. 我们都讨厌律师，但是他们经营业务是由于那么多人对簿公堂：这是个因果难定的典型情况。 The airport faces a chicken-and-egg dilemma: Airlines won't add more flights unless there is more demand, and there won't be more demand until there are more flights. 机场面临着鸡和蛋的难题：只有需求上升航空公司才会增加航班，但不增加航班，需求是不会上升的。vicious circle /ˌvɪʃəs ˈsɜːʳkəl/ [singular noun]a situation in which one problem causes another problem, that then causes the first problem again, so that the whole process continues to be repeated 恶性循环 Many people who diet put on even more weight when they stop, creating a vicious circle. 许多节食的人停止节食后体重增加得更多，造成了一种恶性循环。 More and more teenagers are caught in a vicious circle of drug addiction and crime. 越来越多的青少年陷入了吸毒与犯罪的恶性循环之中。5 full of problems 全是问题的problematic /ˌprɒbləˈmætɪk◂ǁˌprɑː-/ [adjective]full of problems and difficult to deal with 有很多问题的，成问题的 It is important to understand the problematic nature of historical evidence. 了解史料中问题重重这一特点是很重要的。 The new salary scale remains a problematic area. 新的薪金级别制仍然问题重重。highly problematic The Foreign Minister said that relations between the two countries are ‘highly problematic’. 外交部长说，两国关系“很成问题”。fraught with problems/difficulties /ˌfrɔːt wɪð ˈprɒbləms, ˈdɪfɪkəltizǁ-ˈprɑː-/ [adjective phrase]use this about an activity or plan that is full of unexpected problems which make it very difficult 〔活动或计划〕充满问题的；困难重重的 The preparations for the wedding were fraught with difficulties, but finally everything went well. 婚礼的准备工作中困难颇多，但最后一切都很顺利。 Legalization of drugs would be fraught with problems, but the ‘war on drugs’ causes problems too. 毒品合法化困难重重，但是“对毒品的战争”也引起许多问题。minefield /ˈmaɪnfiːld/ [singular noun]an activity or subject where you have to be very careful, because it is full of hidden problems and risks, so that it is very easy to make mistakes or upset people 隐藏着危险的活动〔问题〕 House-buying can be a minefield -- you need a good lawyer. 购房活动中风险无处不在—你需要一个好律师。 Mozart's music seems so danceable, but most choreographers regard it as a minefield. 莫扎特的乐曲似乎很适于跳舞，但大多数编舞家将其视作雷区。can of worms /ˌkæn əv ˈwɜːʳmz/ [noun phrase]informala situation or subject which at first seems to be simple and easy to deal with, but is full of complicated problems for anyone who gets involved with it 【非正式】〔开始看似简单但越来越〕棘手的情况〔问题〕 Census questions about race are a pretty big can of worms. 涉及种族的人口普查问题会相当麻烦。open up a can of wormssuddenly find that you have to deal with a lot of difficult and unexpected problems 引起很多棘手的问题 The government opened up a can of worms when it decided to reorganize the education system. 政府决定改革教育制度时突然发现有一大堆棘手的问题要处理。6 to have a problem 有问题have a problem /ˌhæv ə ˈprɒbləmǁ-ˈprɑː-/ [verb phrase] If you have any problems, just come and ask me. 如果你有问题，就来问我。 I had a few problems getting the copier to work. 我遇到了一些问题，无法让复印机工作。have a problem with I'm having a bit of a problem with my dishwasher. 我的洗碗机出了点问题。 One landowner says he has never had any problems with hikers crossing his property. 一位地主称，穿越他土地的徒步旅行者从未惹上过麻烦。 Jane can be quite difficult to get on with -- I've had one or two problems with her in the past. 简有时很难相处—以前我与她有一两次过节。have trouble/difficulty /hæv ˈtrʌbəl, ˈdɪfɪkəlti/ [verb phrase]to have problems that make it more difficult to do something 有麻烦；有困难 You look as if you're having trouble -- do you want any help? 你似乎有麻烦—要帮忙吗？have trouble/difficulty with I had some trouble with the car this morning. 今天早晨，我的车出故障了。 She's having a little difficulty with her spelling. 她的拼写有些小问题。have trouble/difficulty doing something He had a lot of trouble finding a job. 他找工作遇上了许多困难。 The child was having difficulty breathing. 这孩子呼吸困难。be in trouble /biː ɪn ˈtrʌbəl/ [verb phrase]to have serious problems 处于困境 It's clear from these figures that the company is in trouble. 从这些数字来看，该公司显然处于困境之中。 When someone's in trouble it's natural to try and help them. 当有人陷于困境时，自然要设法去帮助他们。get into troublestart having serious problems 陷入困境 I took out a loan but got into trouble when I lost my job. 我借了贷款，但失业后就陷入了困境。in deep/serious/big troublehave very serious problems 陷入严重困境 Consular officers can help and advise you if you are in any serious trouble while abroad. 要是在国外遇上大麻烦，领事馆的官员会提供帮助和建议。have a hard time /hæv ə ˌhɑːʳd ˈtaɪm/ [verb phrase]to have a lot of problems or a lot of difficulty doing something 经历艰难 Premature babies have a hard time even under the best of circumstances. 即使在最好的条件下，早产儿也会历经磨难。have a hard time doing something A lot of people are having a hard time making ends meet. 许多人生活捉襟见肘。 Anyone calling the 202 area code this weekend had a hard time getting through. 这个周末拨打202区号很难接通。be faced with /biː ˈfeɪst wɪð/ [verb phrase]to have a problem, a difficult choice, or the possibility of something bad happening soon 面临，面对〔问题、困难的选择或发生坏事的可能性〕 We are often faced with dilemmas or problems which have no easy answers. 我们常常得面对不易解决的两难问题或麻烦。 Manufacturing industries are faced with decreasing productivity and increasing international competition. 制造业正面临日趋衰退的生产能力和日益激烈的国际竞争。 When faced with an unfamiliar word, good readers are able to make guesses based on the meaning and structure of the sentence. 善于读书的人遇见不熟悉的单词会根据句子的含义和结构去猜。be up against /biː ˈʌp əgenst/ [verb phrase]to have a difficult problem or opponent that you must deal with or fight against 必须处理〔某种困难〕；与…作斗争；与…对抗 The company is up against tough competition from abroad. 该公司正与国外强大的对手相竞争。 When you're surfing and get hit by a wave, it's a reminder of what you're up against. 冲浪时被波浪击中，提醒人们遇见的是什么样的对手。 In the semi-finals he will be up against one of the best players in the game. 半决赛时，他将迎战一位顶尖选手。come up against /ˌkʌm ˈʌp əgenst/ [verb phrase]to start having problems or difficulties that you have to deal with 遇到；碰到 Older people applying for jobs come up against an age barrier. 年纪较大的求职者遇到了年龄上的障碍。 The committee found itself coming up against the prejudices of many staff when it tried to introduce new working practices. 委员会试图推行新的工作方法时，遭遇许多员工的偏见。encounter /ɪnˈkaʊntəʳ/ [transitive verb]to experience problems, difficulties, or opposition while you are trying to do something 碰到；遭遇〔问题、困难或反对〕 Drivers on the M25 are likely to encounter fog and black ice tonight. 25号公路上的驾驶员今晚可能会遇上大雾和地上的透明薄冰。 Many of the children encountered some difficulty in learning the material. 这些孩子中许多人在学习这种教材时都遇到过一定困难。 The government has encountered strong opposition over its plans to build a new airport. 政府建造新机场的计划遭到强烈的反对。run into problems/difficulties /ˌrʌn ɪntə ˈprɒblemz, ˈdɪfɪkəltizǁ-ˈprɑː-/ [verb phrase]to unexpectedly start having problems while you are doing something 遇到问题/困难 The corporation has run into serious financial problems. 这家公司遇到了严重的经济困难。 Our staff will be happy to answer your questions should you run into difficulties installing the equipment yourself. 如果您自己安装该设备时遇到困难，我们的员工会很乐意回答您的问题。have a lot on your plate /hæv ə ˌlɒt ɒn jɔːʳ ˈpleɪtǁ-ˌlɑːt-/ [verb phrase not in progressive]informalto have a lot of difficult problems to deal with or a lot of things to worry about 【非正式】有很多问题要操心 Don't bother your mother -- she's got a lot on her plate at the moment. 不要给你母亲添麻烦了—眼下她有很多事要操心。 Susan's had a lot on her plate recently, what with the car accident and everything. 苏珊最近有许多事要操心，如车祸一事以及其他许多事。7 to be in a very difficult situation 处于极其困难的境地be in a fix /biː ɪn ə ˈfɪks/ [verb phrase]informalto be in a difficult situation and not know what to do 【非正式】陷入困境 The team's owner is in a fix - he's spent a lot to improve the stadium, but ticket sales are still declining. 该队的老板陷入了困境—他斥巨资修缮体育场，但门票的销售量依然在下滑。 Wyck's business consists of helping, for a fee, computer owners who are in a technical fix. 怀克的业务是为电脑出现技术故障的人提供收费服务。be in a tight spot/corner /biː ɪn ə ˌtaɪt ˈspɒt, ˈkɔːʳnəʳǁ-ˈspɑːt-/ [verb phrase]to be in a very difficult or dangerous situation, when there is very little you can do to get out of it 遇上麻烦；处于险境 A mobile phone lets you reach help when you're in a tight spot. 手机可以在你身处险境时让你求助。 O'Neill had been in tight corners before, but never as tight as this one. 奥尼尔以前遇上过麻烦，但不像这次那么棘手。put somebody in a tight spotgive someone a difficult problem 使某人陷入困境 Losing his job put them in a tight spot financially. 他的失业使他们陷入了经济困难。be in a mess/be a mess /biː ɪn ə ˈmes, biː ə ˈmes/ [verb phrase]to have so many problems that there is not much hope that things will get better, especially as a result of past mistakes 陷于困境〔尤因过去的错误〕 The previous manager had left the restaurant's affairs in a terrible mess. 前任经理离开餐馆时留下了一个烂摊子。get into a mess How did you manage to get into this mess in the first place? 首先你是怎么弄到如此狼狈的？somebody's life is a messthey have a lot of problems and seem unable to deal with them 某人的生活一塌糊涂 Her boyfriend left her and she lost her job - her life is just a mess at the moment. 男朋友离她而去，加上她失业了一眼下她的生活一团糟。be in a difficult/awkward position /biː ɪn ə ˌdɪfɪkəlt, ˌɔːkwəʳd pəˈzɪʃən/ [verb phrase]to be in a difficult situation because whatever you do, you are likely to offend someone or make things worse 左右为难；处境窘迫 I was in a difficult position, as I was being asked to confront a man who had much more power than I did. 我的处境尴尬，因为我被要求面对一个权力比我大得多的人。put somebody in a difficult/awkward position Clara was angry at Harry for putting her in such an awkward position. 克拉拉对哈里把她置于如此进退维谷的境地感到生气。be in an impossible position /biː ɪn ən ɪmˌpɒsbəl pəˈzɪʃənǁ-ˌpɑː-/ [verb phrase]to be in an extremely difficult situation, because whatever you do there will certainly be serious trouble 处于极窘迫的境地 I'm in an impossible position -- if I criticize him he may resign, but if I don't he'll end up ruining the whole project. 我处于极窘迫的境地如果我批评他，他也许会辞职；如果我不说，他最终会毁了整个计划。put somebody in an impossible position By bringing his objections out into the open, the Chancellor has put the Prime Minister in an impossible position. 大法官公开提出异议，令首相陷入极为窘迫的境地。be in a quandary /biː ɪn ə ˈkwɒndəriǁ-ˈkwɑːn-/ [verb phrase]to be in a very difficult situation and not be able to decide what is the best thing for you to do 陷入无所适从的窘境 I was in a quandary - I didn't know whether to tell the police or not. 我陷入了进退维谷的境地—我不知道是否要报警。 The government has got itself into a quandary over the new tax -- if they abandon it they will be seen as weak, if they keep it they will be very unpopular. 政府在新税收的问题上令自己陷入了窘境—如果他们废除它，就会被人们认为是软弱；如果他们坚持，就会很不得人心。be in dire straits /biː ɪn ˌdaɪəʳ ˈstreɪts/ [verb phrase]to have very serious problems, especially financial ones, which could have very serious results 处于困境〔尤指经济方面〕 The company is in dire financial straits. 该公司陷入了财务困境。 The team is in such dire straits they've even considered selling their three best players. 这支球队陷入了如此艰难的困境，他们甚至在考虑转让三名最出色的球员。it's one thing after another /ɪts ˌwʌn θɪŋ ɑːftər əˈnʌðəʳǁ-æf-/spokensay this when you have had a series of problems and you feel that these problems will never end 【口】连连碰上倒霉事 It's been one thing after another since I started renting out the place to students. 自从我把房子租给学生后，就连连碰上倒霉事。 It's one thing after another with that stupid photocopier! What's wrong with it now? 那台该死的复印机接二连三地出错！现在是什么毛病了？8 when a fact or situation causes problems 事实或情况引起问题cause/create/pose a problem /ˌkɔːz, kriˌeɪt, ˌpəʊz ə ˈprɒbləmǁ-ˈprɑː-/ [verb phrase]to cause a problem that has to be dealt with 引起问题 You would be the only woman on a staff of over thirty men, which could create problems. 员工中有三十多名男性，你是唯一一名女性，这可能引起麻烦。 Both parents and teachers are worried about the problems posed by drugs. 父母和教师都对毒品带来的问题感到忧心忡忡。cause/create/pose a problem for Rebecca was frequently late for work, which caused problems for her colleagues. 丽贝卡上班经常迟到，这给同事们带来了麻烦。 Rising inflation could pose a major problem for the government. 通货膨胀不断加剧，这会给政府造成严重的问题。make life difficult /ˌmeɪk laɪf ˈdɪfɪkəlt/ [verb phrase]to cause problems for someone and make it difficult or inconvenient for them to do what they want to do 使为难；制造麻烦 Petty arguments between staff have made the manager's life difficult. 员工间的小争执让那位经理为难。make life difficult for The rail strikes are making life increasingly difficult for people who have to travel into London every day. 铁路工人罢工给必须每天去伦敦的人造成了越来越大的麻烦。present a problem/difficulty /prɪˌzent ə ˈprɒbləm, ˈdɪfɪkəltiǁ-ˈprɑː-/ [verb phrase]if an activity or a planpresents a problem, there is a problem connected with it that has to be dealt with 〔活动或计划〕带来困难 Constructing a highway in this area would present enormous difficulties. 在这个地区建造一条公路会有很大困难。present a problem/difficulty for Live television programmes present special problems for the broadcaster. 现场直播的电视节目给主持人带来了特殊困难。present somebody with a problem/difficulty Britain's relationship with other members of the European Union presents Blair with problems, just as it did for the Tories. 和保守党人一样，英国同其他欧盟成员国的关系也给布莱尔带来了难题。troublesome /ˈtrʌbəlsəm/ [adjective]something that istroublesome keeps causing problems over a period of time 麻烦的；棘手的 The infection can be particularly troublesome if it affects the lungs or throat. 感染的部位如果是肺或咽喉，就会变得格外棘手。 The plant is regarded as a troublesome weed in rice fields. 人们认为该植物在稻田里是种讨厌的杂草。be a headache /biː ə ˈhedeɪk/ [verb phrase]informalto cause problems over a period of time that are difficult to deal with 【非正式】是个令人头痛的问题；令人头痛 Messy walkways and picnic tables are just some of the headaches caused by the hundreds of ducks that gather by the lake. 脏乱的人行道和野餐桌只是聚在湖边的几百只鸭子弄出的其中一些令人头痛的事。be a headache for Censorship is always a constant headache for newspapers in the republic. 新闻审查对该共和国的报界来说，一直是个令人头痛的问题。give somebody a headache The scandal has given the minister a very public headache. 这起丑闻弄得满城风雨，使那位部长头疼。plague /pleɪg/ [transitive verb]if difficulties, illnesses, doubts, problems etcplague someone, there are a lot of them and they keep causing trouble for a long time 〔困难、疾病、怀疑、问题等〕烦扰；困扰 Social problems plague these low-income communities. 社会问题困扰着这些低收入社区。 The area is plagued by soil erosion and flooding. 该地区受土壤侵蚀和水灾的困扰。dog /dɒgǁdɔːg/ [transitive verb]if a problem or bad luckdogs someone or something, it keeps causing trouble for a long time and prevents them from succeeding 〔问题或坏运气〕困扰；折磨；使苦恼 The team has been dogged by injury all season. 该队整个赛季都为球员的受伤所困扰。 Zambia had none of the heritage of war and violence that dogged, say, Kenya or Zimbabwe. 赞比亚未像肯尼亚或津巴布韦那样，受到战火与暴力的后遗症困扰。9 to make progress difficult 使进展困难hamper /ˈhæmpəʳ/ [transitive verb]to make it very difficult for an activity or plan to continue successfully 妨碍，阻碍〔活动或计划〕 Search efforts were hampered by strong winds and fifteen foot waves. 由于风力强劲，巨浪高达15英尺，搜寻工作受到了阻碍。 The police's work is hampered by people who file false complaints. 有人投诉不实，妨碍了警方的工作。 Health care costs are severely hampering the nation's small businesses. 医疗保健费用严重阻碍了该国小企业的发展。hinder /ˈhɪndəʳ/ [transitive verb]to cause problems and therefore delay the development or progress of something 阻碍，妨碍〔某事物的发展〕 Higher interest rates could hinder economic growth. 更高的利率会阻碍经济增长。 Society's attitudes about women hinder any real progress toward equality. 社会对于女性的态度阻碍着通向平等的真实进展。 Heavy rains had hindered the expedition's progress through the north-west of the country. 大雨阻碍了考察队在该国的西北部地区前进。impede /ɪmˈpiːd/ [transitive verb]to make progress or the development of something slower or more difficult 阻碍，妨碍 Progress has been impeded by a number of economic factors. 发展受到了一些经济因素的阻碍。 In fact, the use of these drugs may even impede the patient's recovery. 实际上，用这些药甚至可能妨碍病人康复。10 when someone causes problems, especially deliberately 有人制造麻烦，尤指故意地cause/create problems /ˌkɔːz, kriˌeɪt ˈprɒbləmzǁ-ˈprɑː-/ [verb phrase]to cause a problem, even if you do not intend to 引起问题 After a while, John started causing problems in class. 过了一会儿，约翰开始在课堂上捣乱起来。 They have two good running backs who can cause problems for our team's defense. 他们有两名优秀的跑卫，会给我们队的防守带来麻烦。 A popular independent candidate could create problems for the Democrats by taking away votes. 受欢迎的独立候选人会分散选票，给民主党人带来麻烦。cause/make trouble /ˌkɔːz, ˌmeɪk ˈtrʌbəl/ [verb phrase]to deliberately cause problems, especially by starting arguments or fights 制造麻烦〔尤指开始争吵或打架〕 Don't give him another drink, or he'll start causing trouble. 不要再给他酒喝，否则他会惹麻烦的。 Some of the demonstrators were determined to make trouble, whatever the police did. 一些示威者决意要制造麻烦，不管警察怎么样。 It's not just gang members that cause trouble, it's middle- and upper-class kids too. 制造麻烦的不仅有帮派成员，还有中产阶级和上流社会的孩子。make life difficult /ˌmeɪk laɪf ˈdɪfɪkəlt/ [verb phrase]to deliberately cause problems and make it difficult for someone to do something, for example in order to punish them or persuade them to do something 使日子不好过；刁难〔以惩罚某人或劝服某人做某事等〕 They can't actually stop us, but they could make life difficult. 他们实际上无法制止我们，但可以百般刁难。make life difficult for Some employers have made life difficult for employees who need time off for extended illnesses. 有些雇主让需要请长病假的雇员日子不好过。give somebody a hard time /ˌgɪv somebody ə ˌhɑːʳd ˈtaɪm/ [verb phrase]informalto deliberately treat someone badly and cause trouble for them, for example by criticizing them, complaining, or asking them a lot of difficult questions 【非正式】为难某人；和某人过不去； When I first came here everyone gave me a really hard time, because I was the first woman to run a department. 我刚来此地时大家都与我为难，因为我是第一个管理一个部门的女性。give sb a hard time about My mother gave me a really hard time about Freddy. She couldn't stand him. 我妈为了弗雷迪和我过不去，她受不了他。rock the boat /ˌrɒk ðə ˈbəʊtǁˌrɑːk-/ [verb phrase]informalto cause problems by making changes in a situation that everyone else thinks is satisfactory 【非正式】生事；找麻烦 We have a pretty good life here. Why rock the boat? 我们在这里生活得相当好，为什么还要去无事生非？ Judge Thurgood Marshall never hesitated to rock the boat, from the beginning of his long legal career. 瑟古德·马歇尔法官自司法生涯伊始，那许多年中一直不惮烦，不怕事。 A lot of people have a don't-rock-the boat mentality that stops them from complaining. 许多人的心态是不想惹事，这令他们不去投诉。11 someone who causes a lot of problems 引起许多麻烦的人troublemaker /ˈtrʌbəlˌmeɪkəʳ/ [countable noun]someone who deliberately causes problems, especially by complaining a lot or trying to make people fight or argue 惹是生非者；闹事者；搬弄是非者 The violence was started by a small group of troublemakers. 这起暴力事件是由一小撮闹事者引起的。 Women who point out cases of harassment risk being labelled troublemakers. 指出性骚扰案件的女性有可能被扣上惹是生非的帽子。difficult/awkward /ˈdɪfɪkəlt, ˈɔːkwəʳd/ [adjective]someone who isdifficult orawkward causes a lot of problems, because they behave in an unreasonable or unhelpful way 〔指人〕执拗的；蛮横的 Darren's always been such a difficult child. 达伦一直是个很难管教的孩子。difficult/awkward about She's being really awkward about the divorce. 她对离婚的事态度蛮横，很不合作。12 to cause extra work or inconvenience for someone 给某人增添工作或不便inconvenience somebody/cause (somebody) inconvenience /ˌɪnkənˈviːniəns somebody, ˌkɔːz somebody ɪnkənˈviːniəns/ [transitive verb/verb phrase]to cause problems for someone by making them do something that is inconvenient for them 给…带来不便，麻烦 Would I be inconveniencing you if I arrived about ten thirty? 我10点30分左右到会给你带来不便吗? The builders promised the Browns that they would not be inconvenienced for more than two days. 建筑工人们向布朗一家保证，至多两天就不会再打扰他们了。cause inconvenience for somebody It was weeks before a decision was made, which caused inconvenience for everyone. 过了几个星期才作出决定，这给大家都带来了不便。cause somebody inconvenience If you don't remember your password, you'll cause yourself a lot of inconvenience. 要是记不起密码的话，你麻烦就大了。put somebody out /ˌpʊt somebody ˈaʊt/ [transitive phrasal verb]to make someone have to do something that is inconvenient for them by asking them to do something for you 给某人添麻烦〔指请某人做某事〕 Are you sure you don't mind picking the children up from school? I don't want to put you out. 你真的不介意把孩子从学校接回来吗？我不想麻烦你。 I hope I'm not putting you out, but I need someone to stay in the office at lunchtime today. 希望没给你添麻烦，今天午餐时间我需要有人留在办公室。trouble /ˈtrʌbəl/ [transitive verb]to cause someone problems or more work than usual 麻烦；打扰；打搅 I didn't want to trouble you - you have your own problems. 我不想打搅你——你也有自己的麻烦事。 She doesn't want to trouble you by asking lots of questions. 她不想问你许多问题来打扰你。put somebody to a lot of trouble /ˌpʊt somebody tʊ ə ˌlɒt əv ˈtrʌbəl ǁ-ˌlɑːt-/ [verb phrase]to make someone spend a lot of time or use a lot of effort in doing something for you 给某人添许多麻烦 We've put her to a lot of trouble. Why don't we get her some flowers? 我们给她添了许多麻烦。何不送她些花? I don't want to put you to any trouble. 我不想给你添麻烦。13 what you say when you are explaining a problem 解释某一问题时所说的话the trouble/problem is /ðə ˌtrʌbəl, ˌprɒbləm ˈɪzǁ-ˌprɑː-/spokensay this when you are explaining why something is difficult or what is causing problems 【口】问题是〔用于解释〕 The trouble is, there's no-one here who really understands computers. 问题是这里没人真正懂电脑。the trouble/problem is (that) The problem is that we can't really afford the plane fare. 问题是我们实在买不起机票。the trouble/problem with something is The trouble with using credit cards is that it's so easy to get into debt. 使用信用卡的麻烦是极易欠债。the thing is /ðə ˌθɪŋ ˈɪz/spoken informalsay this when you are explaining to a friend why you cannot do what they want 【口，非正式】问题是，麻烦是〔用于推辞别人的要求〕 The thing is, I have an important exam next week. 问题是，下周我要参加一个重要的考试。 I'd love to come, but the thing is, I promised to see Jim tonight. 我想来。问题是我已答应今晚去见吉姆。14 what you say to ask someone about a problem 问别人问题时说的话what's wrong/what's the matter /ˌwɒts ˈrɒŋǁ-ˈrɔːŋ, ˌwɒts ðə ˈmætəʳ/spokensay this when you are asking someone what is causing a problem, for example why they are upset, or why a machine will not work 【口】怎么回事，怎么了 What's the matter? You look as if you've been crying. 怎么回事？你好像一直在哭。what's wrong/what's the matter with What's wrong with the TV? 电视机怎么了? What was the matter with Daniella yesterday? 丹妮拉昨天怎么了？what's up /ˌwɒts ˈʌp/spoken informalsay this when you are asking someone if there is a problem that they want to talk about 【口，非正式】怎么啦；出了什么事 ‘Karen, can I talk to you for a minute?’ ‘Sure, what's up?’ “卡伦，我能跟你说几句话吗？”“行啊，怎么啦？”what's up with somebody?say this when someone seems to have a problem 某人怎么啦？ What's up with Larry today? 拉里今天出了什么事？what's the problem /ˌwɒts ðə ˈprɒbləmǁ-ˈprɑː-/spokensay this when you are asking why someone cannot do something or why something will not work 【口】怎么了，怎么回事 ‘I can't finish the last question.’ ‘Why? What's the problem?’ “最后一道题我做不完。”“为什么？怎么回事？” What's the problem? Is there something I can do? 怎么了？我能做些什么?what's the problem with ‘I can't get my computer to work.’ ‘What's the problem with it?’ “我启动不了电脑。”“怎么回事？”do you have a problem with that? /duː juː hæv ə ˈprɒbləm wɪð ðætǁ-ˈprɑː-/especially American, spokensay this to ask someone if they are unhappy about something you just said or suggested - use this when you are annoyed and want to be slightly rude 【尤美，口】对此你有什么问题？〔用于表示不耐烦，显得有点粗鲁〕 ‘Is he going to sleep in your room?’ ‘I think so. Do you have a problem with that?’ “他睡你的房间？”“我想是吧，对此你有什么问题？” ‘Are you all by yourself?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ And I wanted to say ‘you got a problem with that?’ “你一个人吗？”我说，“是啊。”而且我想说“对此你有什么问题？”