swear
verb uk/sweər/ us/swer/ swore | sworn
(USE RUDE WORDS)
B2 [ I ]诅咒，咒骂
to use words that are rude or offensive as a way of emphasizing what you mean or as a way of insulting someone or something
It was a real shock, the first time I heard my mother swear. 我第一次听见母亲骂脏话时觉得非常震惊。
When the cab driver started to swear at him, he walked away. 当出租车司机开口对他骂脏话时，他走开了。
- More examples
- Please don't swear in front of the children.
- I swear quite a lot but even I draw the line at saying certain words.
- He was so angry he forgot himself and swore loudly.
- We could hear him cursing and swearing as he tried to get the door open.
- He was sent off for swearing at the referee.
(PROMISE)
B2 [ I or T ]发（誓）;宣（誓）
to promise or say firmly that you are telling the truth or that you will do something or behave in a particular way
I don't know anything about what happened, I swear (it). 我发誓我对所发生的事一无所知。
[ + (that) ] You might find it difficult to believe, but I swear (that) the guy just came up to me and gave me the money. 你可能觉得这难以置信，但我发誓，那个人确实走过来把这些钱给了我。
UK informal She swore blind (= promised definitely) (that) she didn't know what had happened to the money. 她信誓旦旦地说她不知道钱哪儿去了。
[ + to infinitive ] New gang members must swear to obey the gang leaders at all times. 新的帮会成员必须发誓在任何时候都服从帮会头目。
In some countries, witnesses in court have to swear on the Bible. 在有些国家，出庭证人必须手按《圣经》宣誓。
I swore an oath to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. 我发誓要陈述实情，言无不尽，绝无半点虚言。
A few of us knew what was going to happen, but we were sworn to secrecy (= we were made to promise to keep it a secret). 我们有几个人知道将要发生什么事，但我们已经发过誓要对此保密。
I think his birthday is on the 5th, but I wouldn't/couldn't swear to it (= I am not completely certain about it). 我想他的生日是5号，但我并不完全肯定。
- More examples
- He swore he would avenge his brother's death.
- He swore he'd pay her back for all she'd done to him.
- Soldiers must swear allegiance to the Crown.
- I swear to God I didn't know about it.
- I want you to swear that you will never try to see her again.
Phrasal verbs
swear by something 非常相信（某物有效或有用）
to believe strongly that something is effective or useful
My dad swears by these vitamin pills. 我爸很相信这些维生素片。
swear someone in 使（某人）在法庭上宣誓;使（某人）宣誓就职
When someone is sworn in, they make a formal promise to be honest or loyal, either in a law court or when starting a new official job.
The next witness was sworn in. 下一位证人也已经宣誓了。
Obama was sworn in as president. 奥巴马宣誓就任总统。
swear off something 发誓不做，保证放弃，下决心戒除
to make a decision to stop doing, using, or being involved with something harmful, such as drugs or alcohol, or something that is not good or helpful
After years of addiction, he swore off drugs completely. 上瘾几年后，他发誓彻底戒毒。