"take shape" 是一个常用的英语短语,核心含义是"逐渐成形、变得具体、有了眉目",强调原本模糊、抽象的事物(如想法、计划、项目、作品等)通过逐步发展或行动,慢慢呈现出清晰的结构或形态。
字面直译是"获得形状",引申为:
抽象概念(想法、计划)从"模糊"到"具体可行";
实体事物(作品、项目)从"未完成"到"初具轮廓"。
如:plan(计划)、idea(想法)、project(项目)、vision(愿景)、story(故事)、sculpture(雕塑) 等。
用程度/过程副词修饰,强调"逐渐"的过程:
slowly/tardily(缓慢地)、gradually(逐渐地)、finally(终于)、begin to/start to(开始)。
常用结构:主语 + take shape(主动语态,无被动)。
My idea for a novel has been floating around for years, but it only started to take shape after I traveled to Japan.
(我写小说的想法盘旋了好几年,但直到去了日本才开始有眉目。)
The team's strategy for the campaign is finally taking shape now that we've agreed on the key messages.
(既然我们确定了核心信息,团队的 campaign 策略终于成形了。)
The clay sculpture began to take shape as the artist added details to the face and hands.
(艺术家给脸部和手部添加细节后,黏土雕塑逐渐有了形状。)
The new community center is taking shape—they've already built the foundation and walls.
(新的社区中心正在成形——地基和墙都建好了。)
Our wedding plans are taking shape now that we've booked the venue and sent out invitations.
(我们订了场地、发了请柬,婚礼计划终于有进展了。)
come together(凑成、成形):The pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together.(拼图的碎片开始凑齐了。)
materialize(实现、具体化):Her dream of opening a café finally materialized last year.(她开咖啡馆的梦想去年终于实现了。)
form(形成):A plan began to form in his mind.(一个计划在他脑海中形成。)
简单来说,"take shape" 就是描述"从无到有、从模糊到清晰"的发展过程,无论是想法、计划还是实物,只要在逐步变得具体,都可以用它~