parry

parry — 動詞

1. to stop a hit, kick, or weapon from reaching you by quickly turning it aside, of

1.動詞及物C1
釋義

擋開；格擋

把攻擊或武器撥到一旁以保護自己

to stop a hit, kick, or weapon from reaching you by quickly turning it aside, often using your arm or a held object as a shield.

例句

Marcus parried the wooden sword with his shield just before it hit his shoulder.

Marcus 在木劍砍到肩膀前一刻用盾牌把它擋開了。

parry + noun + with + noun (instrument)

The fencer parried every thrust during the match in Taipei.

那位劍士在台北的比賽中格擋了對手每一次的刺擊。

parry + thrust (typical fencing object)

同義詞
  • deflect

    more general; works for both physical blows and verbal attacks

  • block

    more common, less technical; suggests stopping rather than turning aside

  • ward off

    phrasal alternative; used widely for danger and illness too

  • fend off

    implies sustained defence against repeated attacks

反義詞
  • strike

    the offensive opposite — to land a hit rather than turn one aside

  • thrust

    the forward attack a fencer parries

文法句型

parry + noun (blow / sword / punch)

parry + noun + with + noun

用法筆記

Object is usually a weapon, blow, or fast-moving object (sword, punch, ball). Often paired with 'with' + the tool used to deflect (shield, racket, forearm). Distinguish from sense 2, which has an abstract object such as a question.

常見錯誤

❌I parried the cold air from the window.
✅I blocked the cold air from the window.
💡'parry' needs a deliberate strike or projectile, not a passive force.
❌The boxer parried his opponent.
✅The boxer parried his opponent's punch.
💡you parry the blow, not the person.

2. to skilfully avoid answering an awkward question or responding to criticism, oft

2.動詞及物C1
釋義

迴避；搪塞

用機智的話巧妙避開難題或批評

to skilfully avoid answering an awkward question or responding to criticism, often by replying with a joke, a counter-question, or a vague comment.

例句

The minister parried questions about her salary with a polite smile.

部長以一抹禮貌的微笑迴避了關於她薪水的問題。

parry + question + with + noun

Carlos parried every accusation by pointing out his rival's own mistakes.

Carlos 反過來指出對手自己的錯誤，藉此搪塞每一項指控。

parry + accusation (typical abstract object)

同義詞
  • deflect

    near synonym; slightly more neutral and less stylish

  • evade

    stronger sense of dishonesty; 'parry' suggests skill rather than guilt

  • sidestep

    informal; emphasises avoiding rather than answering cleverly

  • dodge

    informal; can sound more critical of the speaker

反義詞
  • address

    to respond to a question or issue directly rather than turn it aside

  • confront

    to face the criticism head on instead of deflecting it

文法句型

parry + noun (question / criticism / accusation)

parry + noun + with + noun

用法筆記

Object is abstract — typically 'question', 'criticism', 'accusation', or 'comment'. Often modified by adverbs like 'neatly', 'skilfully', or 'deftly' to highlight cleverness. Distinguish from sense 1, where the object is a physical strike.

常見錯誤

❌She parried the homework so she could go out.
✅She avoided the homework so she could go out.
💡'parry' is for verbal challenges, not duties or chores.
❌He parried his answer.
✅He parried the question.
💡you parry the attack (the question), not your own reply.

parry — 名詞