steam1 /stiːm/ ●●○ W3 noun [uncountableU] 1 gas 气体D the hot mist that water produces when it is boiled 蒸汽,水蒸气 Steam rose from the hot tub. 水蒸气从热腾腾的浴缸里升起。
2. mist on surface 表面的雾气DWET the mist that forms on windows, mirrors etc when warm wet air suddenly becomes cold 水汽;雾气 3 power 动力TPW power that is produced by boiling water to make steam, in order to make things work or move 蒸汽动力[压力] The engines are driven by steam. 这些发动机是由蒸汽驱动的。
steam engine/train/hammer etc (=an engine etc that works by steam power) 蒸汽机/蒸汽火车/汽锤等
4. let/blow off steam ANGRYto get rid of your anger, excitement, or energy in a way that does not harm anyone by doing something active 发泄怒火;宣泄情绪let/blow off steam• So kicking the cat, biting a towel or pounding a pillow aren't really much use, except for letting off steam.• Jody lets her blow off steam first.• Recess is a good chance for kids to blow off steam.• Others have behavioural problems and need to let off steam in a safe and controlled setting.• She just needed to blow off steam.• You want to let off steam?• You got upset, blew off steam.• We let off steam in graffiti, vandalism and football hooliganism.• It was recreation hour, explained Brother Andrew with a smile, and the Brothers were letting off steam. 5 get/pick/build up steam (also gather/gain steam) a) FAST/QUICKif an engine picks up steam, it gradually starts to go faster 〔发动机〕逐渐加速 b) IMPORTANTif plans, beliefs etc pick up steam, they gradually become more important and more people become interested in them 〔计划、观念等〕逐渐变得重要,逐渐得到关注 The election campaign is picking up steam. 竞选活动声势逐渐壮大。
6 run out of steam (also lose steam)TIRED to no longer have the energy or the desire to continue doing something, especially because you are tired 〔尤指因疲劳而〕泄气,失去动力 I usually just let her yell until she runs out of steam. 我通常就任她叫喊到没有力气为止。
7 under your own steam INDEPENDENT COUNTRY OR ORGANIZATIONif you go somewhere under your own steam, you get there without help from anyone else 靠自己的力量 I’ll get to the restaurant under my own steam. 我会自己去餐馆的。
under your own steam• He would prefer an assistant who was prepared to be directed, not one who would dash away under their own steam.• We need to know whether Paul got to the Cathedral under his own steam and at what time.• He left unexplained why, if that was his view, he had not gone under his own steam somewhat earlier.• I never thought Sal and Thomas would make it here under their own steam!• Can you manage to get up to the house under your own steam while I bring up the food?• It now stands in North Road museum having last moved under its own steam in 1925.• Otherwise, they'd be all over the place under their own steam. 8 railway 铁路TTT a railway system in which the trains use steam for power 蒸汽机车铁路系统 →4 See picture of 见图 steam → full steam ahead at full1(18)