argue
verb uk/ˈɑːɡ.juː/ us/ˈɑːrɡ.juː/
(DISAGREE)
B1 [ I ]争论;争吵;争辩
to speak angrily to someone, telling that person that you disagree with them
The children are always arguing. 孩子们老是吵个不休。
Kids, will you stop arguing with each other? 孩子们，你们别再吵嘴了好不好？
They were arguing over/about which film to go and see. 他们正在争论去看哪部电影。
- More examples
- It's normal for couples to argue now and then.
- When two of your best friends argue it puts you in a very awkward position.
- They used to argue all the time and now they've practically stopped talking to each other.
- My mother never takes sides when my brother and I argue.
- Stop arguing with me, Daryl, and do as you're told!
(GIVE REASONS)
B2 [ I or T ]论证;说理;辩论
to give the reasons for your opinion, idea, belief, etc.
The senator argued for/in favour of/against making cuts in military spending. 部长提出支持／反对削减军费开支的理由。
[ + that ] The senator argued that cuts in military spending were needed. 部长论证了削减军费开支的必要性。
You can argue the case either way. 这件事正说反说都有道理。
See also: well argued
- More examples
- They argue that the membership of the Council does not reflect the racial make-up of the city.
- Environmentalists argue that more goods should be transported by rail.
- It's no longer possible to argue that crime is unconnected with unemployment.
- Counsel for the defence argued convincingly that his client was not guilty.
- He argued powerfully and persuasively against capital punishment.
(SHOW)
[ T ]显示出；表明
to show that something is true or exists
The evidence argues a change in policy. 证据表明政策有了变动。
Idiom
argue the tossidiom UK informal disapproving 唱反调;抬杠
to disagree with a decision or statement
It doesn't matter what you say, he'll always argue the toss! 不管你说什么他都会唱反调！