work something out
phrasal verb with work verb uk/wɜːk/ us/wɝːk/
(CALCULATE)
B2 计算出
to do a calculation to get an answer to a mathematical question
We need to work out the total cost of the project. 我们需要算出这项工程的总造价。
- More examples
- Can you work out how much each card cost?
- I need to work out how much tax I will have to pay.
- When we worked out how much it cost us to run a car, we decided to sell it.
(UNDERSTAND)
C2 (US usually figure sth out)理解;想出
to understand something or to find the answer to something by thinking about it
[ + question word ] There will be a full investigation to work out what caused the accident. 将进行全面的调查以找出事故发生的原因。
[ + that ] Investigators needed several months to work out that a fraud had been committed. 调查人员需要几个月的时间才能查出欺诈行为。
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- I couldn't work out what was going on.
- We're trying to work out how to finish the project.
- I couldn't work out what his expression meant.