fallout
fallout — 名詞
1. The harmful radioactive material that falls from the sky after a nuclear bomb ex
輻射落塵
核爆後飄落的放射性微粒
The harmful radioactive material that falls from the sky after a nuclear bomb explodes, settling on the ground and contaminating the area for a long time.
After the 1954 nuclear test, radioactive fallout spread across the nearby islands and into the ocean.
1954 年的核子試爆之後，放射性落塵飄散到鄰近的島嶼與海洋中。
fallout + spread across [area]
Scientists measured the fallout levels in the soil around the abandoned reactor every month.
科學家每個月都測量廢棄反應爐周遭土壤中的落塵含量。
measure + fallout levels
The government warned residents to stay indoors to avoid exposure to the radioactive fallout.
政府警告居民待在室內，以免暴露在放射性落塵之中。
Decades after the disaster, the fallout still made large areas unsafe for farming.
災難發生數十年後，落塵仍使大片區域不適合耕作。
- radioactive debris
more general; includes larger fragments, not just fine particles
- nuclear dust
less technical, often found in news reporting
文法句型
fallout + spreads / settles
用法筆記
Almost always used as an uncountable noun. Frequently modified by 'radioactive' or 'nuclear' in scientific contexts.
常見錯誤
2. The negative consequences that spread from a bad event, affecting people or situ
負面影響
事件或行動的不良後果
The negative consequences that spread from a bad event, affecting people or situations for some time after the event itself is over.
The company faced serious fallout after the data breach exposed millions of customer records.
資料外洩事件讓數百萬筆客戶紀錄曝光後，該公司面臨嚴重的負面影響。
face + fallout from [event]
The political fallout from the corruption scandal forced three senior ministers to resign.
這起貪腐醜聞的政治效應迫使三位資深部長辭職。
political fallout + from [event]
Local businesses still face the economic fallout of the factory closure two years ago.
當地企業至今仍承受著兩年前工廠關閉所帶來的經濟衝擊。
Zuri tried to limit the fallout by apologising publicly to everyone who had been hurt.
Zuri 試圖公開向每一位受到傷害的人道歉，以限制負面影響的擴大。
The emotional fallout of the divorce affected the whole family for years.
離婚帶來的情感創傷影響了全家人好幾年的時間。
- consequences
neutral — does not carry the same negative weight as 'fallout'
- repercussions
more formal, suggests a chain of indirect effects
- aftermath
focuses on the period after an event; 'fallout' emphasises the spreading effects themselves
文法句型
fallout + from [event]
fallout + of [event]
用法筆記
Commonly modified by an adjective describing the type of consequence: political fallout, economic fallout, social fallout, emotional fallout. The cause is introduced by 'from' or 'of'.
常見錯誤
fallout — 動詞
1. To have a serious argument with someone that ends or damages the relationship be
爭吵
與人激烈爭吵以致關係破裂
To have a serious argument with someone that ends or damages the relationship between you.
The two brothers fell out over their father's will and stopped speaking completely.
那兩兄弟因為父親的遺囑而鬧翻，從此不再說話。
fall out with [someone] over [something]
Eli fell out with his best friend over a small misunderstanding that grew too big.
Eli 因為一個越鬧越大的小誤會而跟最好的朋友吵翻了。
fall out with [someone]
Good friends sometimes fall out, but real ones find a way to make up again.
好朋友有時也會吵架，但真正的朋友會想辦法和好。
Constanza fell out with her cousin after he borrowed money and never returned it.
Constanza 跟表弟鬧翻了，因為他借了錢從來不還。
- make up
to become friends again after an argument
文法句型
fall out with [someone] over [something]
用法筆記
In modern English this sense is used mainly as the two-word phrasal verb 'fall out' (verb + particle), not as 'fallout' written as one word. Frequently paired with 'with' (the person) and 'over' (the reason).
常見錯誤
2. To happen or develop in a particular way, especially by chance or as events unfo
結果是
事情的發展或結局
To happen or develop in a particular way, especially by chance or as events unfold.
As things fell out, the train was delayed so we missed the first act of the play.
結果事情是這樣的：火車誤點了，所以我們錯過了第一幕的演出。
as things fell out + [unexpected result]
It fell out that the two old friends were seated next to each other at the wedding.
說來也巧，那兩位老朋友在婚禮上竟然被安排坐在一起。
it fell out that + [clause]
It fell out that the only hotel room available was the one nobody wanted.
結果最後唯一空著的房間就是大家都不想住的那一間。
As things fell out, Linh ended up teaching the class while the teacher was sick.
事情就這樣發生了，Linh 在老師生病時代課教了整堂課。
- turn out
modern equivalent, very common, neutral register
- come to pass
formal/literary, similar level of archaism
文法句型
it fell out that…
as things fell out…
用法筆記
This sense is now archaic or dialectal. It survives mainly in fixed expressions like 'as things fell out' or 'it fell out that'. Learners should recognise it in older literature but avoid using it in modern speech.
3. In a military context, to step out of a line or formation of soldiers, especiall
離開隊列
從軍隊列隊中走出
In a military context, to step out of a line or formation of soldiers, especially when given permission or an order to do so.
The sergeant ordered Private Daichi to fall out of the formation and report to the captain.
中士命令二等兵 Daichi 離開隊列去向連長報到。
ordered + [someone] + to fall out
When the drill ended, the soldiers fell out and walked back to their barracks.
演練結束後，士兵們離開隊伍走回營房。
The drill instructor told the tired recruits they could fall out and get some water.
教官告訴疲憊的新兵可以離開隊列去喝點水。
After the inspection, Caleb and the other soldiers were allowed to fall out for ten minutes.
視察結束後，Caleb 和其他士兵獲准離開隊列休息十分鐘。
- fall in
to take one's position in a military formation
文法句型
fall out of [formation]
ordered to fall out
用法筆記
Opposite of 'fall in' (to take one's place in formation). Used as a command in military training: 'Fall out!' means soldiers may leave their positions.
4. Within military settings, to exit a building so you can join other soldiers who
集合出列
離開建築物加入軍事隊形
Within military settings, to exit a building so you can join other soldiers who are already standing in formation outdoors.
At the bugle call, troops fell out of the barracks and formed ranks in the courtyard.
號角一響，部隊步出營房在廣場上整齊列隊。
fall out of [building] + form ranks
The recruits fell out of the mess hall when the alarm sounded for the emergency drill.
緊急演習警報響起時，新兵們衝出餐廳到外面集合。
Every morning the company fell out of the dormitory and marched to the parade ground.
每天早晨，整個連隊步出宿舍，行進到閱兵場。
The commanding officer ordered everyone to fall out of the headquarters building immediately.
指揮官命令所有人立刻離開總部大樓到外面集合。
文法句型
fall out of [building]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 3 (LEAVE RANKS): sense 3 means leaving a position within a formation, while sense 4 means leaving a building to go outside and form up. Both use the phrasal verb 'fall out'.