"take to one's heels" 是一个固定习语,字面可理解为“迈开某人的脚后跟(跑)”,实际表示:
突然逃跑;拔腿就跑;撒腿就跑(强调因恐惧、慌张或急于逃离而快速启动的跑行动作)。该短语是不及物动词短语(无需接宾语),结构中的 "one's" 需根据主语的人称/数变化(如 his、her、their、my 等)。
主语:通常是人(或拟人化的动物),表示“主语自己逃跑”。
场景:多用于描述因遇到危险、麻烦、惊吓或急于躲避某事而快速逃离的情况。
以下是结合不同场景的实用例子,帮助理解:
① When the thief saw the police, he took to his heels and disappeared around the corner.
(小偷看到警察后,拔腿就跑,转眼消失在街角。)
② The cat took to its heels as soon as the dog started barking.
(狗一开始叫,猫就撒腿跑了。)
③ As soon as the rain poured down, the kids took to their heels and ran into the house.
(大雨一倾盆而下,孩子们就赶紧跑回了家。)
④ I almost took to my heels when I realized I’d forgotten my speech at home.
(当我意识到演讲稿忘在家里时,差点拔腿就跑(想回去取)。)
若需更简洁的说法,可替换为:
run away(逃跑)
flee(逃离,更正式)
bolt(突然窜逃,强调速度)
但 "take to one's heels" 更形象生动,通过“脚后跟”的细节突出“用脚快速移动”的动作,比普通的“run away”更有画面感。
不可省略 "one's":正确表达是 "take to his heels"(不是 "take to heels");
时态变化:过去式为 "took to one's heels",现在分词为 "taking to one's heels"(如:He is taking to his heels to avoid the债主. 他在逃跑以躲避债主。)
总结:"take to one's heels" 是描述“快速逃跑”的生动表达,适用于口语和书面语,记住one's 随主语变化即可灵活使用~