tool

noun

OPAL W

/tuːl/

Idioms

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an instrument such as a hammer, screwdriver, saw, etc. that you hold in your hand and use for making things, repairing things, etc.工具
- garden tools园艺工具
- a cutting tool切削工具
- Always select the right tool for the job.一定要选对干活的工具。
- craftsmen using traditional tools使用传统工具的工匠
- a set of tools一套工具
see also machine tool, power tool
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- general-purpose
- multi-purpose
- basic
- …
… of tools
- set
verb + tool
- use
- sharpen
- down tools
- …
a thing that helps you to do your job or to achieve something（有助于做工或完成某事的）用具，器具，手段，方法
- research tools like questionnaires问卷之类的研究手段
- a marketing/management tool营销/管理工具
- The internet can be a powerful teaching tool.互联网可以成为一个强大的教学工具。
- a useful/valuable tool有用/有价值的工具
- Some of them carried the guns which were the tools of their trade (= the things they needed to do their job).他们有些人携带着喷枪，那是干他们那一行的器具。
- the effectiveness of interest rates as an economic tool利率作为经济工具的有效性
- An email newsletter can be a very effective communication tool.电子邮件简讯是一种非常有效的沟通工具。
- They need to use all the tools at their disposal. 他们需要使用所有可以使用的工具。
- The internet has become a vital tool for many artists.因特网已经成为许多艺术家的重要工具。
- This dictionary is a great reference tool for advanced learners.这本词典是高级学习者的很好的参考工具。
- We must ensure that education is not used as a political tool.我们必须确保教育不被用作政治工具。
- a valuable diagnostic tool for physicians宝贵的医生诊断工具
- Technology provides tools to enhance teaching. 技术提供了加强教学的工具。
- They are developing new software tools.他们正在开发新的软件工具。
Collocations Dictionary
adjective
- new
- effective
- essential
- …
verb + tool
- become
- develop
- provide
- …
phrases
- the tools of the/somebody’s trade
a person who is used or controlled by another person or group受人利用的人；工具
- The prime minister was an unwitting tool of the president.首相不知不觉被总统利用了。
(taboo, slang) a penis鸡巴；屌

词源Old English tōl, from a Germanic base meaning ‘prepare’. The verb dates from the early 19th cent.

Idioms

down tools

(British English) (of workers工人) to stop work; to go on strike撂下工作；罢工

not the sharpest tool in the box | not the sharpest knife in the drawer

(informal, humorous) not intelligent工具
- He's not exactly the sharpest tool in the box, is he?他不是盒子里最锋利的工具，是吗？