一种对抗或竞赛,双方通过凝视对方来试图迫使对方先退缩或认输
stare-down 是一个典型的复合词,其结构直接反映了它的含义。词根 stare 保留了其“凝视”的核心意义,而 down 则取自“使屈服、压倒”的引申义,常见于如 take down(击败)或 put down(压制)等短语中。这个词的字面意思是“用凝视将对方压倒”,生动地描绘了双方通过眼神对峙、直至一方被迫低头移开视线的心理较量过程。它最初可能源于美国英语,用以描述这种非言语的心理对抗,其词义由两个语素直观构成,并演化为一个专指此种行为的名词。
“The negotiation turned into a tense stare-down across the table.”
谈判变成了在桌旁一场紧张的瞪眼对峙。
“In the wild, a stare-down is often enough to establish dominance without a physical fight.”
在野外,一场瞪眼较量通常足以确立支配地位,而无需进行肢体冲突。
“The two players were locked in a stare-down before the critical penalty kick.”
在关键的点球罚球前,两名球员陷入了一场瞪眼对峙。