crumble
crumble — 動詞
1. to use your fingers to press something dry, such as bread, a biscuit, or a dried
弄碎；碎裂
用手將乾物壓成小碎塊
to use your fingers to press something dry, such as bread, a biscuit, or a dried herb, until it turns into tiny crumbs; or for old, dry, or weak material to break into fragments by itself.
Jisoo crumbled the dried rosemary into the stew with her fingertips.
Jisoo 用手指將乾迷迭香弄碎到燉菜裡。
transitive: crumble + object + into [liquid/food]
The old brick wall had crumbled after centuries of winter rain and frost.
那面老磚牆經過數世紀的冬雨和霜凍後已經碎裂了。
intransitive: subject (structure) + crumbles [gradual decay]
As Antonia unfolded the ancient map, its edges crumbled in her hands.
Antonia 打開那張古老地圖時，地圖的邊角在她手中碎裂開來。
Piotr crumbled a slice of bread over the soup to make it thicker.
Piotr 將一片麵包弄碎撒在湯上，讓湯變得更濃稠。
Tendai watched the sandstone cliffs slowly crumble into the sea below.
Tendai 看著砂岩懸崖慢慢碎裂落入下方的海中。
- crush
stronger pressure, often with a tool or full hand; can be less precise than crumble
- break up
more general; can apply to any material into any size
- disintegrate
formal; implies complete breakdown into fragments, often gradual
- hold together
to remain as one piece or structure
文法句型
crumble + object (transitive)
subject + crumble (intransitive)
用法筆記
The transitive use describes an intentional action (you crumble food by pressing it). The intransitive use describes natural decay over time. Do not confuse with 'crumple' (to crush into creases, like paper).
常見錯誤
2. for a system, organization, relationship, or someone's emotional control to grad
崩潰；瓦解
逐漸失去力量或影響力
for a system, organization, relationship, or someone's emotional control to gradually become weaker and fail, especially because of pressure from outside.
The family business crumbled when the local economy slowed down.
當地經濟放緩後，那家家族企業便逐漸瓦解了。
intransitive: business/institution + crumbles [gradual failure]
Selim's confidence crumbled after he failed the driving test three times.
Selim 第三次沒通過駕照考試後，他的自信心崩潰了。
The peace agreement crumbled as both sides refused to compromise.
雙方都拒絕妥協，和平協議於是瓦解了。
Under constant criticism from her boss, Lakshmi's usual calm finally crumbled.
在老闆不斷的批評下，Lakshmi 平日冷靜的態度終於崩潰了。
The dictator's regime crumbled when the army refused to support him.
軍隊拒絕支持獨裁者之後，他的政權便瓦解了。
- collapse
more sudden and complete; can be physical or abstract
- deteriorate
gradual decline in quality or condition, not necessarily ending in failure
- disintegrate
break into parts; more dramatic and final than crumble
- strengthen
to become more powerful or resilient
- hold firm
to resist pressure and stay strong
文法句型
subject (system/confidence/business) + crumble
crumble + under + [pressure/stress/criticism]
用法筆記
Subject is usually an abstract noun: confidence, resistance, a relationship, an empire, a system, or one's composure. Often used with 'under' to introduce the cause of the failure.
常見錯誤
crumble — 名詞
1. a hot sweet dish made by baking soft fruit in a dish and topping it with a dry,
水果酥
水果上鋪碎屑烤成的甜點
a hot sweet dish made by baking soft fruit in a dish and topping it with a dry, rubbed-together blend of fat, grain flour, and sweetener that becomes crunchy and brown in the heat.
Tariro served a warm apple crumble with vanilla ice cream for dessert.
Tariro 晚餐後端上了溫熱的蘋果酥搭配香草冰淇淋。
countable: a [fruit] crumble
Nellie's rhubarb crumble won first prize at the village bake sale.
Nellie 的大黃水果酥在村莊義賣活動中得了第一名。
For a quick dessert, David made a plum crumble with oats on top.
David 做了一個快捷的甜點：上面鋪燕麥的李子水果酥。
Indra's mother taught her how to make a perfect blackberry crumble.
Indra 的母親教她如何做出完美的黑莓水果酥。
文法句型
a [fruit] crumble (countable)
[fruit] crumble (uncountable)
用法筆記
Primarily used in British English. In American English, a similar dish is called a 'crisp'. Common fruit combinations: apple, rhubarb, plum, blackberry. Usually served hot with custard, cream, or ice cream.