out-and-out

IPA/ˌaʊt ən ˈaʊt/
IPA/ˌaʊt ən ˈaʊt/

out-and-out — 形容詞

1. used to describe someone or something that has an unpleasant quality to the high

1.形容詞B2
釋義

徹頭徹尾的

完全徹底的，強調負面特質

used to describe someone or something that has an unpleasant quality to the highest degree, with no doubt or limitation

例句

Eli told an out-and-out lie to his boss, claiming he had finished the report.

Eli 對他的老闆說了個徹頭徹尾的謊話，聲稱他已經完成了報告。

out-and-out + [noun] intensifying a negative quality

The company's out-and-out refusal to negotiate made everyone angry.

那家公司徹頭徹尾拒絕協商的態度讓每個人都很生氣。

同義詞
  • absolute

    similar meaning but carries a slightly more formal tone and can describe both positive and negative qualities

  • utter

    equally informal and emphatic; commonly paired with nouns like 'nonsense', 'failure', or 'disaster'

  • downright

    also informal and intensifying, but suggests bluntness or rudeness rather than completeness

  • complete

    more neutral and less emphatic; can describe both good and bad things

反義詞
  • partial

    opposite in degree — suggests something is only partly true or present

  • slight

    opposite in intensity — suggests a small degree rather than a total one

文法句型

out-and-out + [noun]

用法筆記

Attributive only — cannot be used after a linking verb like 'is' or 'seems' (❌ 'His lie was out-and-out'). Always placed directly before the noun it modifies.

常見錯誤

❌He was out-and-out wrong.
✅It was an out-and-out lie.
💡'out-and-out' is an adjective, not an adverb; it must be followed by a noun.
❌The problem is out-and-out.
✅It is an out-and-out problem.
💡'out-and-out' cannot be used as a predicate adjective after a linking verb.