performance
performance — noun
1. the level of success shown when a person, team, or machine does a job or works i
the level of success shown when a person, team, or machine does a job or works in a particular situation
Ella's performance in the maths test surprised her worried parents.
performance in + test
The washing machine's performance improved after Dad cleaned the filter.
machine performance
Phone performance got worse when too many apps were open.
Judges praised the team's performance under pressure in the final.
Better battery performance let Mia film the whole parade.
- results
focuses on the outcome rather than the overall standard of how something worked
- functioning
used especially for machines, systems, and technical processes
- efficiency
stresses working well with little waste of time or energy
- output
often refers to the amount produced, not the whole quality of the work
- failure
a stronger opposite, suggesting a complete lack of success
文法句型
performance in [activity]
improve performance
machine performance
用法筆記
Common with in for tests, games, and jobs, and with nouns like engine, phone, or battery. Distinguish from sense 5: this sense is about quality or results, not the carrying out of a duty itself.
2. a show presented for people watching, especially with music, acting, or dance, o
a show presented for people watching, especially with music, acting, or dance, or the quality of one performer in it
We watched a street performance outside Taipei Main Station.
street performance
Nora gave a piano performance at her grandmother's birthday dinner.
give a performance
Even after one missed line, the lead actor's performance drew loud applause.
Rain delayed the evening performance until eight thirty.
Tonight's performance was cancelled after a power cut backstage.
- show
the broad everyday word for entertainment presented to an audience
- act
often means one short routine or one performer's part of a larger show
- concert
used specifically for a music performance
- production
often suggests a full staged work with direction, design, and cast
文法句型
give a performance
watch a performance
the evening performance
用法筆記
This sense can name the whole event or one person's work in it. Distinguish from sense 1: with theatres, actors, music, or audiences, performance is artistic rather than about efficiency.
3. more trouble, effort, or noisy fuss than a simple thing should involve
more trouble, effort, or noisy fuss than a simple thing should involve
Packing one small overnight bag became such a performance for Ivy.
such a performance
What a performance over one missing spoon before the children left.
What a performance
Changing one hall light bulb became a real performance on that ladder.
The costume looked great, but it was a bit of a performance to wash.
Even simple online forms become a performance once Uncle Ray forgets his password.
文法句型
such a performance
a real performance
a bit of a performance
用法筆記
Often used after such a, a real, or a bit of a. The tone is usually critical, suggesting that a small job or small problem has turned into more fuss than necessary.
常見錯誤
4. another occurrence of the same event, especially an unwanted one
another occurrence of the same event, especially an unwanted one
Teachers feared a repeat performance of last winter's snowball fight.
repeat performance of + event
The mayor promised no repeat performance of the traffic chaos after midnight.
no repeat performance
Fans hoped for a repeat performance of Sunday's late comeback.
After the leaking roof, shop owners wanted no repeat performance of that mess.
- repeat
broader and more neutral, with much wider everyday use
- recurrence
more formal and common for problems, symptoms, or difficult situations
- rerun
mainly used for repeated TV programmes or repeated screenings
文法句型
repeat performance of + event
用法筆記
Most often seen in the phrase repeat performance, usually with of and a known earlier event. It is much rarer than repeat or recurrence in modern everyday English.
5. the completion of duties, tasks, or agreements, especially in formal writing
the completion of duties, tasks, or agreements, especially in formal writing
The job includes daily performance of safety checks before opening time.
performance of + task
Late brick delivery prevented performance of the building contract that month.
performance of a contract
During the performance of her duties, Officer Lin stayed by the gate.
The lease sets rules for performance of repairs inside the old temple.
Careful performance of each step kept the lab workers safe.
- execution
formal and often used for carrying out a plan, order, or duty
- fulfillment
stresses meeting a promise, requirement, or condition
- discharge
formal and especially common with official duties or obligations
- neglect
suggests a failure to carry out the duty or task that is required
文法句型
performance of duties
performance of a contract
during the performance of
用法筆記
Common in formal writing, especially with duties, tasks, obligations, or contract. Distinguish from sense 1: here performance means the actual carrying out, not how good the result was.