politics
politics — noun
1. the work, arguments, and decisions connected with running a country or influenci
the work, arguments, and decisions connected with running a country or influencing how it is run.
City politics changed after the mayor lost support in three districts.
At dinner, Grandma asked everyone to stop talking about politics.
talk about politics
Local politics often decides where new roads, schools, and parks are built.
The newspaper covers politics in Taiwan and across East Asia.
After the debate, many young voters became more interested in politics.
- government
names the people or system in power more than the activity around it
- public affairs
more formal, especially in news and official contexts
- political life
broader and can also include a person's career
文法句型
talk about politics
politics in + place
interested in politics
用法筆記
Often appears with words naming place or level, such as local politics, city politics, or national politics. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense is the field of public power itself, not one person's career in it.
常見錯誤
2. the job or career of trying to gain and use power in government.
the job or career of trying to gain and use power in government.
Nina went into politics after ten years of work in local schools.
go into politics
His brother left banking because he wanted a career in politics.
career in politics
After the flood in Tainan, Marcus entered politics to protect local homes.
After serving as mayor, Elena stayed in politics at the national level.
Politics was never part of Omar's plan until the party called him.
- public life
slightly broader; can include a visible role outside government
- political career
more explicit and slightly more formal
- government service
can also include non-elected official work, so it is wider
文法句型
go into politics
career in politics
stay in politics
用法筆記
Common in patterns such as go into politics, career in politics, and stay in politics. Distinguish from sense 1: this use is about doing political work as your own profession.
常見錯誤
3. the school or university subject about how governments work and how public decis
the school or university subject about how governments work and how public decisions are made.
Mei studies politics at university and hopes to report on elections.
study politics
Our teacher linked politics with history, law, and the news.
Politics became Samir's favorite subject after a class on voting rights.
At Oxford, her politics course focused on how governments work.
The college hired a new professor to teach politics this year.
- political science
common university term, especially in American English
- government
can name a school subject, but often sounds narrower
- civics
usually focuses more on citizens' rights and duties
文法句型
study politics
politics course
teach politics
用法筆記
Most natural after study, teach, read, or a word like course or class. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is the subject you learn, not public events themselves.
常見錯誤
4. a person's beliefs about laws, leaders, and how national power should be used.
a person's beliefs about laws, leaders, and how national power should be used.
Her politics grew more conservative after she started a small business.
The interview showed that Marco's politics are closer to the center.
politics are + adjective
Although they are sisters, their politics differ on schools and tax.
Students asked the actor about his politics before supporting the campaign.
By college, Lena's politics had moved sharply to the left.
文法句型
someone's politics
politics are + adjective
politics move to the left or right
用法筆記
Often follows a possessive, as in her politics or the senator's politics. Distinguish from sense 1: this sense is about one person's views, not political activity in general.
常見錯誤
5. the hidden struggle over who has influence inside a group, workplace, or organiz
the hidden struggle over who has influence inside a group, workplace, or organization.
Office politics kept the best nurse from getting the team leader job.
office politics
The club's politics became ugly after two friends fought for control.
At Ken's bakery, politics split the cousins into two angry teams.
At the TV station, politics mattered more than good ideas.
Campus politics divided the student group before the festival.
- power struggle
stronger and more openly conflict-focused
- infighting
stresses conflict within the same group
- maneuvering
focuses on careful moves to gain advantage
文法句型
office politics
campus politics
politics inside + group
用法筆記
Usually appears with a word naming the group or place, especially office politics or campus politics. This sense is often negative and focuses on internal power games, unlike sense 1 about public government.