“get at”是一个多义英语短语,核心含义围绕“接近、触及、理解或暗示”,具体用法需结合语境判断。以下是其最常见的含义及用法说明:
指通过动作触及或获取某个位置的物品(常因位置高/隐蔽而难以拿到)。
The cookies are on the top shelf—I can’t get at them without a step stool.
(饼干在顶层架子上——没有梯子我够不着。)
The toolbox is under the bed—can you get at it?
(工具箱在床底下——你能拿到吗?)
指“领会、抓住”不易理解的意思、观点或本质(常与what/its meaning等搭配)。
I can’t get at what he’s trying to say—his speech is so confusing.
(我弄不懂他想说什么——他的演讲太混乱了。)
It took me hours to get at the main theme of the novel.
(我花了几个小时才弄懂这本小说的主题。)
指不直接表达,而是通过暗示传递想法(常用句型:What are you getting at? 你到底在暗示什么?)。
She kept mentioning “responsible people”—I think she was getting at me for forgetting the meeting.
(她一直说“负责任的人”——我觉得她在暗示我忘了会议的事。)
Stop beating around the bush—just get at the point!
(别绕弯子了——直接说重点!)
指因某事反复指责或抱怨某人(常用搭配:get at sb. about/for sth.)。
My dad always gets at me for leaving the lights on.
(我爸爸总因为我没关灯而数落我。)
Why do you keep getting at her? She didn’t do anything wrong!
(你为什么一直指责她?她没做错什么!)
指“接触到”因障碍(如锁、保镖)而难以接近的人或物品。
The secret files are locked in a safe—no one can get at them.
(机密文件锁在保险箱里——没人能拿到。)
The pop star was surrounded by fans—we couldn’t get at him for an autograph.
(那位流行歌星被粉丝围着——我们没法靠近他要签名。)
指“深入处理”问题的根源或本质(常用搭配:get at the root of sth.)。
We need to get at the root of the problem instead of just fixing the symptoms.
(我们需要解决问题的根源,而不是只处理表面症状。)
Let’s get at this project—we don’t have much time left.
(我们开始处理这个项目吧——没时间了。)
get at sb.:指责/暗示某人;
get at sth.:够得着/理解/处理某事;
get at what sb. means:理解某人的意思;
get at the truth:弄清真相。
get at vs. get to:
“get to”侧重“到达某地”或“开始做某事”(如:I’ll get to the store later. 我晚点儿去商店。);
“get at”更强调“触及、理解或暗示”(如:I can’t get at the jar. 我够不着罐子。)。
通过以上例子,你可以根据语境快速判断“get at”的具体含义~