/pres ||; prɛs/verb
1 [I,T] to push sth firmly (用力)压,推,挤,按:
Just press that button and the door will open. 只须按那个按钮,门就会开。
He pressed the lid firmly shut. 他把盖子紧紧地按住。
2 [T] to put weight onto sth, for example in order to get juice out of it 挤压,榨取(如果汁):
to press grapes 压榨葡萄
☞picture at squeeze 见squeeze插图
3 [T] to make a piece of clothing smooth by using an iron (用熨斗)熨平:
This shirt needs pressing. 这件衬衫需要熨一熨。
4 [T] to hold sb/sth firmly in a loving way (关爱地)紧握,紧抱:
She pressed the photo to her chest. 她把那张照片搂在怀里。
5 [I] press across, against, around, etc (sth) (used about people) to move in a particular direction by pushing (指人)推挤着朝某方向前进:
The crowd pressed against the wall of policemen. 人群挤向警察筑成的人墙。
6 [I,T] press (sb) (for sth/to do sth) to try to persuade or force sb to do sth 试图劝说或强迫某人做某事:
I pressed them to stay for dinner. 我力劝他们留下吃晚饭。
to press sb for an answer 催促某人答复
7 [T] to express or repeat sth in an urgent way 迫切表达或重复;强调:
I don't want to press the point, but you still owe me money. 我不想强调这一点,但你还欠我钱。
be hard pressed/pushed/put to do sth→
HARD²
be pressed for sth to not have enough of sth 缺少;缺乏:
I must hurry. I'm really pressed for time. 我得赶快去,时间实在紧迫。
bring/press charges (against sb)→
CHARGE¹
press ahead/forward/on (with sth) to continue doing sth even though it is difficult or hard work (虽然困难或艰辛仍)继续或坚持做:
They pressed on with the building work in spite of the bad weather. 虽然天气恶劣,他们仍然继续进行建筑工程。