much to the consternation of• There Taylor played after work, on holidays-and on Sundays, at first much to the consternation of the neighborhood.• You could be spending a lot of time in serious thought, much to the consternation of those around you.
Originconsternation
(1600-1700)FrenchLatin, from consternare“to frighten”, from consternere“to scatter, throw down”, from com- ( → COM-) + sternere“to spread out”
ADJECTIVE | VERB + CONSTERNATION | PREPOSITIONADJECTIVE➤considerable, great相當大的焦慮;極度的驚愕▸➤widespread普遍的驚慌VERB + CONSTERNATION➤cause, create, fill sb with引起驚恐;造成驚慌;使某人充滿驚恐◇The announcement created surprise and consternation.這一通告引起了一片驚恐。◇The thought of meeting him filled me with consternation.想到要和他見面,我就怕得不行。➤express, feel, greet sth with表示驚愕;感到驚恐 ;對⋯報以驚愕◇His resignation was greeted with consternation.他的辭職讓人愕然。PREPOSITION➤in consternation驚恐地◇She stared at me in consternation.她驚恐地盯着我。➤consternation among⋯中的驚恐◇There is some consternation among business leaders.商界領袖中存在一些恐慌情緒。