tongue-in-cheek

英 ['tʌŋin'tʃi:k] 美
  • adj. 不认真的,半开玩笑的;不当真的
  • adv. 无诚意地

英文词源


tongue-in-cheek (adv.)
1856, from phrase to speak with one's tongue in one's cheek "to speak insincerely" (1748), suggestive of sly irony or humorous insincerity, perhaps a stage trick to convey irony to the audience.
Hem! Pray, Sir, said he to the Bard, after thrusting his Tongue into a Corner of his Cheek, and rolling his Eyes at Miss Willis, (Tricks which he had caught by endeavouring to take off a celebrated Comedian) were these fine Tragedies of yours ever acted? [anonymous, "Emily, or the History of a Natural Daughter," 1761]



This arietta, however, she no sooner began to perform, than he and the justice fell asleep ; but the moment she ceased playing, the knight waked snorting, and exclaimed,--'O cara! what d'ye think, gentlemen? Will you talk any more of your Pargolesi and your Corelli ?'--At the same time, he thrust his tongue in one cheek, and leered with one eye at the doctor and me, who sat on his left hand--He concluded the pantomime with a loud laugh, which he could command at all times extempore. [Smollett, "The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker," 1771]

双语例句


1. Teddy clucked his tongue like a disapproving English matron.
特迪咂了咂舌头,活像个不以为然的英国女舍监。

来自柯林斯例句

2. He stuck out his tongue and flared his nostrils.
他伸出舌头,鼻翼扇动着。

来自柯林斯例句

3. I walked over to the mirror and stuck my tongue out.
我走到镜子前面伸出舌头。

来自柯林斯例句

4. Tongue lolling, the dog came lolloping back from the forest.
那只狗伸着舌头从树林里蹒跚地跑回来。

来自柯林斯例句

5. She made a face and stuck out her tongue at him.
她做了个鬼脸,向他吐了吐舌头。

来自柯林斯例句

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