life
noun
laɪf noun
1
TIME SB IS ALIVE
某人的一生
the period of time when someone is alive 一生，寿命 C,U
Learning goes on throughout life.
活到老，学到老。
You have your whole life ahead of you.
你前面还有漫长的人生呢。
in sb’s life
For the first time in my life I was happy.
我生平第一次感到高兴。
I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life!
我这辈子还从来没有这么尴尬过呢！
I’ve known John all my life (=since I was born) .
我从小就认识约翰了。
His main aim in life was to have fun.
他人生的主要目标就是享乐。
It was one of the best days of my life .
那是我一生中最快乐的时光之一。
The accident scarred him for life (=for the rest of his life) .
这场事故给他留下了终生的创伤。
She knew she’d feel guilty for the rest of her life .
她知道自己将内疚终生。
Raj spent his life caring for others.
拉吉一辈子都在关爱他人。
Bonington spent his entire adult life in France.
博宁顿成年时期都是在法国度过的。
We don’t know much about the poet’s early life (=when he was young) .
我们对这位诗人的早年生活知道得不多。
Poor diet can lead to a whole range of diseases in later life (=when you are older) .
饮食不良会在晚年引发各种疾病。
She married late in life (=when she was fairly old) .
她结婚晚。
He’s a life member (=continuing until he dies) of the club.
他是俱乐部的终身会员。
2
STATE OF BEING ALIVE
生存
the state of being alive 生，生存; 生命 C,U
The right to life is the most basic of human rights.
生存权是最基本的人权。
The riots presented a considerable risk to life and property.
骚乱给生命和财产带来相当大的威胁。
Danny was a cheerful little boy who loved life.
丹尼是一个热爱生命的快乐小男孩。
A seatbelt could save your life .
坐椅安全带可以救命。
Two firefighters risked their lives to save the children.
两名消防员冒着生命危险营救这些孩子。
Thousands lost their lives (=died) in the earthquake.
成千上万的人在地震中丧生。
an explosion which claimed the lives of (=killed) at least 170 miners
至少夺走 170 名矿工生命的一次爆炸事故
He has risked life and limb (=has done very dangerous things) to photograph some of the world’s most dangerous animals.
他冒着生命危险拍摄了一些世界上最凶猛的动物。
Cuts to the ambulance service could cost lives (=people could die) .
减少救护车服务可能会以生命为代价。
Misuse of the equipment could endanger the lives of staff and students.
设备使用不当会危及员工和学生的生命。
He owes his life to (=he is still alive because of) the prompt action of a neighbour.
他能活命多亏了一个邻居反应快。
take your (own) life (deliberately kill yourself) 了结自己的生命，自杀
There’s no evidence that she intended to take her own life.
没有证据证明她有自杀的意图。
take sb’s life (kill someone) 杀死某人
No-one has the right to take another’s life.
谁也无权结束他人的生命。
be fighting for your life (be so ill or injured that you might die) 与死亡搏斗
A resident was fighting for his life yesterday, having escaped the blaze.
昨天，一位居民和死神进行了搏斗，从大火中逃了出来。
give your life/lay down your life (die in order to save other people or because of a strong belief) 捐躯，牺牲
He gave his life for the cause of freedom.
他为了自由的事业献出了自己的生命。
take your life in your (own) hands (put yourself in a very dangerous situation) 冒生命危险，豁出性命
You take your life in your hands every time you cross this road.
每次过这条马路都是在玩命。
3
WAY SB LIVES
某人的生活（方式）
the way you live your life, and what you do and experience during it 生活 C usually singular 一般用单数
lead/live/have a ... life
The operation should enable Bobby to lead a normal life.
这次手术应该能让鲍比过上正常的生活。
She just wanted to live a quiet life.
她只是想过平静的生活。
Having a baby changes your life completely.
有了孩子会彻底改变你的生活。
The family moved to Australia to start a new life .
这家人移居澳大利亚，开始新的生活。
Ken’s whole life revolved around surfing (=that was the main interest and purpose of his life) .
肯的全部生活都是以冲浪为中心。
You shouldn’t let your boyfriend rule your life (=control and affect everything you do) .
你不应该让男朋友主宰你的生活。
My grandmother had a hard life (=a life full of problems) .
我的祖母一生坎坷。
She’s led a very sheltered life (=a life in which you have been protected from unpleasant things) .
她过着备受呵护的生活。
a life of crime/poverty/misery etc
He had been drawn into a life of crime.
他被引上了犯罪的道路。
4
PARTICULAR SITUATION/JOB
独特的情形/工作
a. the experiences, activities, and ways of living that are typical of being in a particular job, situation, society etc b. the time in your life when you are doing a particular job, are in a particular situation etc 〔从事某一工作或处于某一情形时的〕生活经历 C,U
Why do so few women enter political life?
为什么涉足政治生活的女性这么少？
the British way of life
英国人的生活方式
city/country/village etc life
Noise has become one of the main pollutants of modern city life.
噪音已成为现代城市生活的主要污染之一。
army/student/college etc life
He missed the routine of army life.
他怀念军队里稳定的生活。
Are you enjoying married life ?
你婚姻生活开心吗？
sb’s life as sth
Now a celebrity chef, he rarely talks about his life as an army cook.
他现在是一位名厨，很少谈起自己在部队里当炊事员的生活。
Sara admits to having affairs throughout her married life .
萨拉承认她婚后一直有外遇。
Most of his working life was spent in the shipyards.
他的工作生涯中大部分时间是在船厂度过的。
5
social/personal/sex etc life
the activities in your life relating to your friends, your family, sex etc 社交/个人/性生活等
I don’t need advice about my love life.
我的爱情生活不需要有人来指手画脚。
traditional views of family life
传统的家庭生活观念
Children need a caring and happy home life.
儿童需要充满关爱和幸福的家庭生活。
6
HUMAN EXISTENCE
人的生活
human existence, considered as a variety of experiences and activities 生活; 人生 U
My Aunt Julia had very little experience of life.
朱莉娅缺乏生活经验。
Life has a way of changing the best of plans.
人生就是这样，偏要改变你好好的计划。
For some people, religion gives life a meaning.
对于有些人来说，宗教信仰使人生有了意义。
daily/everyday life
the frustrations and disappointments of everyday life
日常生活中的挫折和失意
I try to see the funny side of life .
我尽量去发掘生活中有趣的一面。
7
TIME WHEN STH EXISTS/WORKS
某事物的存在期/使用寿命
a. the period of time during which something happens or exists b. the period of time during which something is still good enough to use 使用寿命; 有效期; 保鲜期 C usually singular 一般用单数
[+ of ]
The issues will not be resolved during the life of the present parliament.
这些问题在本届议会任期内是得不到解决的。
start/begin/come to life as sth
The building began life as a monastery.
这建筑物最初是用作修道院的。
[+ of ]
What’s the average life of a passenger aircraft?
客机的平均使用寿命是多久？
Careful use can extend the life of your washing machine.
小心使用洗衣机可以延长其寿命。
8
LIVING THINGS
生物
a. the quality of being alive that people, animals, plants etc have and that objects and dead things do not have b. living things, such as people, animals, or plants 生物; 活物 U
Ben felt her neck for a pulse or any other sign of life .
本摸了摸她的脖子，看是不是还有脉搏，或者其他的生命迹象。
In the spring-time, everything comes to life again.
春天，万物复苏。
Is there life on other planets?
其他行星上有生命吗？
human/animal/plant/bird etc life
The island is rich in bird life.
岛上鸟类繁多。
9
be sb’s (whole) life
to be the most important thing or person to someone 是某人的（全部）生活; 是某人的生命
Music is Laura’s whole life.
音乐是劳拉的生命。
10
life and death life or death
10. also 又作 used for emphasizing that a situation, decision etc is extremely urgent and important, especially because someone is at risk of dying 生死攸关（的），决定生死（的）〔用于强调情况、决定等的紧急和重要性〕
Don’t call me unless it’s a matter of life and death .
如果不是什么生死大事就不要打电话给我。
a life or death decision
生死攸关的决定
A doctor’s job involves life and death situations.
医生在工作中经常面临生死关头。
11
GAME
游戏
a chance in a game, especially a computer game, in which you can be defeated or do something wrong and can still continue playing 命〔尤指计算机游戏中继续玩下去的机会〕 C
He’s up to level five and still has three lives left.
他打到了第五关，仍有三条命。
12
ACTIVITY
活动
activity or movement 生气，生机 U
The house was quiet and there was no sign of life .
屋子里静悄悄的，没有一丝生气。
She was always so cheerful and full of life .
她总是那么乐观，充满生气。
13
INTEREST/EXCITEMENT
兴趣/兴奋
a quality of being interesting or exciting 活力; 精彩 U
Try to put some life into your writing.
文章要尽量写得生气盎然。
The game really came to life after a magnificent goal from Beckham.
贝克汉姆进了漂亮的一球后，比赛变得非常精彩。
A gifted teacher can really bring literature to life for his or her students.
有才华的老师可以把文学教得生动有趣。
14
come to life/roar into life/splutter into life etc
14. to suddenly start working 突然开始运作
Finally the car spluttered into life.
汽车终于突突地发动了起来。
15
make life difficult/easier etc
15. to make it difficult, easier etc to do something 使变得困难/较容易等
Surely computers are supposed to make life easier, not more complicated!
计算机应该给生活带来便捷，而不是更复杂吧！
[+ for ]
Why make life difficult for yourself?
为什么要自找麻烦呢？
16
the life and soul of the party the life of the party
16. ; the life of the party AmE [美] someone who enjoys social occasions and is fun and exciting to be with〔在社交场合中〕最活跃的人 BrE AmE
17
life and limb
17. your life and physical health – used especially when this is threatened in some way [正式] 生命〔尤用于生命受到某种威胁时〕 formal
She risks life and limb every day in her job as an undercover investigator.
她的工作是当密探，每天都要冒生命危险。
18
get a life!
18. used to tell someone that you think they are boring and should find more exciting things to do [口] 来点有意思的吧！ spoken
You guys should just stop moaning and get a life!
你们这些家伙就别抱怨了，来点有意思的吧！
19
that’s life such is life
19. also 又作 used to say that something is disappointing but you have to accept it 生活就是这样，这就是生活〔用于表示某事令人失望，但必须接受〕 spoken
Oh well, that’s life!
好了，生活就是这样！
20
life’s a bitch
20. used to say that bad things happen in life [口，不礼貌] 生活真是狗屁 spoken not polite
21
this is the life
21. used when you are relaxing and doing something you enjoy [口] 这样才是生活，生活就该这样〔用于表示悠闲，做自己喜欢的事〕 spoken
Ah, this is the life! Lying on the beach, sipping cool drinks.
啊，这样才是生活！在沙滩上躺躺，喝着清凉的饮料。
22
the shock/surprise/game etc of sb’s life
22. the biggest shock or surprise, the best game etc that someone has ever had 某人平生最大的震惊/最大的意外/最出色的比赛等
I had the surprise of my life when I saw John standing there.
我看到约翰站在那里，真是天大的意外。
23
how’s life?
23. used to ask someone if they are well, what they have been doing etc [口] 你过得好吗？你生活得怎么样？ spoken
Hi Bob! How’s life?
嗨，鲍勃，你好吗？
How’s life been with you?
你过得好吗？
24
life goes on
24. used to say that you must continue to live a normal life even when something sad or disappointing has happened [口] 生活还得继续 spoken
We both miss him, but life goes on.
我们俩都想念他，可是生活还得继续呀。
25
a life of its own
25. a. if something has a life of its own, it seems to move or work by itself b. if something has a life of its own, it exists and develops without depending on other things 自身的力量
The ball seemed to have acquired a life of its own.
那个球就像活了一样。
Slowly but surely, the project is taking on a life of its own .
这个项目依靠自身力量在慢慢地一步一步向前发展着。
26
cannot for the life of me
26. used to say that you cannot remember or understand something even when you try hard [口] 我拼了命也不能，我怎么也不能 spoken
I couldn’t for the life of me remember his name.
我怎么也想不起他的名字。
27
life’s too short
27. used to say that you should not waste time doing something or worrying about something [口] 人生苦短，生命太短暂〔用于表示不能浪费时间去做某事或为某事担心〕 spoken
Forget about it. Life’s too short.
忘了这事吧，生命太短暂了。
[+ for ]
Life’s too short for moping about.
人生苦短，经不起自怨自艾。
life’s too short to do sth
Life’s too short to bear grudges.
人生苦短，何必心存怨恨。
28
not on your life
28. used as a reply to a question or suggestion to say that you definitely will not do something [口] 决不〔做某事〕 spoken
‘Are you going to go and work for him then?’ ‘Not on your life!’
“那么你是要去替他工作喽？”“我才不干呢！”
29
the woman/man/girl etc in your life
29. the woman or man you are married to or are having a relationship with – used especially in advertisements 你生命中的女人/男人/女孩等〔尤用于广告〕
This is the ideal gift for the man in your life.
这是送给你生命中的男人最理想的礼物。
30
PRISON
监狱
also 又作 the punishment of being put in prison for the rest of your life 终身监禁，无期徒刑 U
be sentenced to/get/be given life
He was sentenced to life for the murder.
他因谋杀罪被判终身监禁。
I think she should get life.
我觉得应该判她无期徒刑。
31
ART
艺术
when you paint, draw etc something you are looking at, especially a person or animal 写生 U
She’s taking classes in life drawing .
她在上写生课。
32
frighten/scare the life out of sb
32. to make someone feel very frightened [非正式] 把某人吓得魂不附体 informal
Don’t do that! You scared the life out of me!
别那样做！你把我的魂都吓掉了！
33
there’s life in the old dog yet
33. used to say that although someone or something is old, they are still able to do something – used humorously [口] 老当益壮〔幽默用法〕 spoken
34
live/lead/have the life of Riley
34. to have a very easy and comfortable life and not have to work hard 过着安逸的生活 informal
He spends all day lounging by the pool and living the life of Riley.
他整天就是懒洋洋地躺在游泳池旁，过着悠闲安逸的生活。
35
BOOK/FILM
书/电影
the story of someone’s life 生平，传记; U
Boswell’s Life of Johnson
鲍斯韦尔所著的《约翰逊传记》
36
the next life the life to come life after death
36. also 又作 , the time after death, in which some people believe life continues in another form 下辈子，来生
She expects to meet her dead husband in the next life.
她期待来生与亡夫相会。