ebb

Word family

Related topics: Oceanography

ebb1 /eb/ noun

1. [singular] (also ebb tide)HEO the flow of the sea away from the shore, when the tide goes out 落潮，退潮 OPP flood tide

2 be at a low ebb LEASTto be in a bad state or condition 处于低潮；处于衰退状态

His confidence is at a low ebb.

他的信心很低落。

Examples from the Corpus

be at a low ebb• Self-confidence can be at a low ebb if you've just been told to p ... off by an embittered pedestrian.• Idei is overhauling a corporate structure Sony introduced in mid-1994 when its fortunes were at a low ebb.• I was at my lowest ebb after the kidney surgery.• He came in when the lads were at a low ebb somewhere on the ocean bed.• Basic research on petrochemicals was at a low ebb around 1980.• Interest in religion seemed to be at a low ebb.

3 ebb and flow CHANGE FROM ONE THING TO ANOTHERa situation or state in which something increases and decreases in a kind of pattern 〔有规律的〕涨落，起伏

the ebb and flow of the conversation

时高时低的谈话声

the ebb and flow of passengers in the station

车站里时多时少的客流

Examples from the Corpus

ebb and flow• There is always an ebb and flow, an inner energy used to enhance mood and expression.• But he related well to me, although his engagement ebbed and flowed.• Inside the room I saw the pulsing ebb and flow of light that meant a fire.• In the harbour you got a secondary ebb and flow between the main tides.• A moaning north wind that ebbed and flowed like the sound of surf and ocean waves.• Manufacturers need to anticipate the ebb and flow of consumer demand.• Nixon always will remain a vivid figure for those of us who watched the ebb and flow of his remarkable career.• The ebb and flow of controversy in television news items did not produce corresponding trends in public interest and discussion.• It was ebb and flow, up and down, punch and counterpunch that didn't want to end.

Examples from the Corpus

ebb• John summed it up as the super sixties, sobering seventies and ebb and flow of the eighties.• In the past eighteen months he has felt at an appallingly low ebb.• We had a few concluding words about the literary scene in London, which he thought to have reached a pretty low ebb.• Inspiration seemed to be at a very low ebb.• At her lowest ebb, she would have scorned to stoop to such tactics.• At his lowest ebb, Macari was threatened with imprisonment and his wife rang friends to secure bail money of £50,000.• The latest setback is another sign of the ebb in the governor's influence.

Related topics: Oceanography

ebb2 verb [intransitiveI]

1. HEOif the tide ebbs, it flows away from the shore 〔潮水〕落，退

2 (also ebb away)REDUCE to gradually decrease 衰退；逐渐减少

Linda’s enthusiasm began to ebb away.

琳达的热情开始减退。

Examples from the Corpus

ebb• Delay it, and its vitality would ebb.• Under these conditions, our normal self-assurance ebbs.• But the fear, whatever it was, was ebbing, and I could once again take deep breaths and release them.• The tide was ebbing, and they went down on the steeply shelving bed of the Conway.• Now the excitement had begun to ebb at leaving Miss Tish.• But their strength was ebbing away, and neither DeFreitas nor Botham could contribute, both on the field but carrying injuries.• As El Ni o ebbs away, drought follows the torrential rain.• I could feel my courage ebbing away.• But the power of men like Allen ebbed quickly after segregationist Democrats regained command of the Legislature in 1872.

Origin ebb1

Old English ebba

ebb1 nounebb2 verb

Chinese

Corpus