straight
straight — 名詞
1. the part of a racing track or road that runs in one line, with no curves or bend
直道
賽道或道路上沒有彎的直線段
the part of a racing track or road that runs in one line, with no curves or bends, especially the section near the finish.
Tendai pulled ahead of the leader as the horses entered the final straight.
進入最後直道時，Tendai 超過了領先的選手。
common phrase: the final straight
The car wobbled on the bend but steadied once it reached the long straight.
車子在彎道上有點晃，但開上長直道後就穩了下來。
collocation: long straight
Cyclists can reach top speed along the back straight of the velodrome.
自由車選手在自由車場的後直道上能衝到最高速。
Spectators cheered loudest when Valentina overtook two runners on the home straight.
當 Valentina 在最後直道超越兩名選手時，觀眾的歡呼聲最大。
- stretch
general term for any unbent section of road; not tied to racing
- straightaway
American English equivalent, especially in motor sport
文法句型
the + straight
用法筆記
Almost always used with 'the' and a directional modifier (final, home, back, finishing). Outside racing contexts the word 'stretch' is more common for a straight piece of road.
常見錯誤
2. a run of successful shots, throws, sets, or moves that earns the highest possibl
連勝；連中
連續無失誤的得分或勝利
a run of successful shots, throws, sets, or moves that earns the highest possible result during a sporting contest, with nothing missed in between.
Karim won the tennis final in straight sets, losing only six games overall.
Karim 直落奪下網球決賽，全場只丟了六局。
fixed phrase: in straight sets
The Lions took the championship in three straights, beating every rival.
雄獅隊以三場連勝拿下冠軍，每個對手都被擊敗。
collocation: in N straights
Anong sank twelve free throws in a straight before her arm finally tired.
Anong 連續罰進十二球，手才終於開始痠。
Few darts players manage to close out a leg with a straight of perfect throws.
很少有飛鏢選手能用一連串完美的擲鏢結束一局。
文法句型
win/take + in straights
用法筆記
Most natural in fixed sports phrases like 'in straight sets' (tennis) or 'three straights' (best-of-five matches). Outside these phrases, 'streak' or 'run' is usually preferred.
常見錯誤
3. in poker, a winning combination of five cards whose numbers run in order, where
順子
撲克裡五張連號但花色不一定相同
in poker, a winning combination of five cards whose numbers run in order, where the suits do not all need to match.
Liam stayed calm and revealed a straight running from five to nine.
Liam 沉著地翻牌，亮出從五到九的順子。
phrase: a straight + from X to Y
A flush usually beats a straight in standard five-card poker rules.
在標準的五張牌撲克規則裡，同花通常大過順子。
ranking comparison context
Noa drew the missing card on the river and completed her straight.
Noa 在河牌摸到缺的那張牌，順利湊出了順子。
The dealer warned the table that a straight only counts if every card is consecutive.
莊家提醒大家，順子必須每張牌都連號才算數。
文法句型
have/hold + a straight
用法筆記
Distinct from a 'straight flush' (five consecutive cards of the same suit), which is a much stronger hand. Differs from sense 2 in being a fixed poker term, not a sequence of actions.
常見錯誤
4. someone whose romantic or sexual feelings are directed toward members of another
異性戀者
對異性有好感或交往的人
someone whose romantic or sexual feelings are directed toward members of another sex, used especially when contrasting with gay, lesbian, or bisexual people.
The campus group welcomes both queer students and straights who want to be allies.
校園社團歡迎酷兒學生，也歡迎想當盟友的異性戀者。
plural noun: straights
Élise told the interviewer that, as a straight, she had never faced housing discrimination.
Élise 在受訪時說，身為一名異性戀者，她從未遇過租屋歧視。
as a + straight (self-identification)
Christopher described himself as a straight raised by two lesbian mothers in Oregon.
Christopher 形容自己是個異性戀者，由兩位女同志媽媽在奧勒岡撫養長大。
The film festival drew gay and bisexual viewers as well as plenty of curious straights.
影展吸引了同志與雙性戀觀眾，還有不少好奇的異性戀者。
- heterosexual
more formal and clinical; preferred in academic or medical writing
文法句型
a + straight
straights (plural)
用法筆記
Mostly informal and chiefly used inside discussions of sexuality or LGBTQ+ topics. The adjective 'a straight person' is felt as more neutral; the bare noun can sound a little blunt or pointed depending on context.
常見錯誤
straight — 形容詞
1. going in one direction only, with no curves, bends, or angles along the way.
筆直的
沿一個方向延伸，沒有彎曲
going in one direction only, with no curves, bends, or angles along the way.
Linh drew a straight line across the page using a wooden ruler.
Linh 用木尺在紙上畫了一條筆直的線。
a straight + noun (line)
The road from the village to the lake is long and very straight.
從村子到湖邊的那條路又長又筆直。
noun + is + straight (predicative)
Sayaka has thick black hair that is perfectly straight, almost like silk.
Sayaka 一頭濃密的黑髮非常直，就像絲綢一樣。
Sit up straight in your chair, and keep your back straight while writing.
椅子上要坐直，寫字時也要把背挺直。
After many hours, the gardener finally pulled the hose straight across the lawn.
忙了好幾個小時後，園丁終於把水管拉直，鋪過整片草坪。
文法句型
a straight + noun
noun + is/looks straight
用法筆記
Covers any shape without curves: lines, roads, hair, posture, and uncoiled objects. The opposite is curly, bent, or twisted depending on what the noun is.
常見錯誤
2. behaving in an honest and fair way, and not trying to trick or hide things from
正直；誠實
為人公正誠實，不耍手段
behaving in an honest and fair way, and not trying to trick or hide things from anyone.
Élise has always been a straight, fair manager who treats every worker the same.
Élise 一直是個正直、公平的主管，對待每位員工都一視同仁。
a straight + person
Just be straight with me, Devika — did you take the money or not?
Devika，跟我老實說，那筆錢到底是不是你拿的？
be straight with someone
We need a straight answer about the missing keys, not more excuses.
我們要的是關於那串遺失鑰匙的誠實答案，不是更多藉口。
Romi kept a straight business and never cheated even his closest friends.
Romi 做的是正派生意，連最親近的朋友也從不欺騙。
文法句型
be straight with someone
a straight + person/answer
用法筆記
Frequently used in the pattern 'be straight with someone' meaning to tell them the truth. Distinguish from sense 3 (saying something directly): sense 2 is about a person's character; sense 3 is about how a particular message is delivered.
常見錯誤
3. saying exactly what you think in plain words, even when the message may upset or
直接；坦白
說話直白不修飾，即使逆耳
saying exactly what you think in plain words, even when the message may upset or disappoint the listener.
Imani gave her brother a straight talk about wasting money on lottery tickets.
Imani 對哥哥直言不諱，談到他把錢浪費在彩券上的事。
a straight talk (frank)
I will tell you straight: your novel needs another six months of careful editing.
我就直話直說：你這本小說還需要再仔細修改半年。
tell someone straight + clause
Doctor Andrés prefers to give patients the news straight, without softening the words.
Andrés 醫師習慣把病情直接告訴病人，不會刻意美化用詞。
Yara asked the coach for a straight opinion on whether she should quit the team.
Yara 請教練給她一個坦白的看法，問她是否該退出球隊。
- evasive
avoiding a clear answer
- diplomatic
softening the message to protect feelings
文法句型
tell someone something straight
give it to someone straight
用法筆記
Often appears with verbs of speaking: 'tell straight', 'say straight', 'give it to someone straight'. Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 describes the speaker as honest in general; sense 3 describes one piece of speech as delivered without softening.
常見錯誤
4. easy to understand because the facts or steps are clear and not mixed up with an
清楚；理清
事實或步驟清楚不混亂
easy to understand because the facts or steps are clear and not mixed up with anything confusing.
Let me get this straight, Ilan: you missed the bus because the alarm did not ring?
Ilan，讓我把事情弄清楚：你錯過公車是因為鬧鐘沒響，對嗎？
let me get something straight (clarify)
Christopher needed an hour to get the messy timeline of events straight.
Christopher 花了一個小時，才把混亂的事件先後順序理清。
get something straight (in order)
The teacher asked Anya to make sure all her facts were straight before the debate.
老師要 Anya 在辯論前先把所有事實弄清楚。
We can begin the project once the budget figures are straight in everyone's mind.
等大家心裡都把預算數字搞清楚之後，我們就可以啟動這個專案。
文法句型
get something straight (in one's head)
have one's facts straight
用法筆記
Common in the patterns 'get X straight' and 'have one's facts straight', meaning to make information clear and correct. Often used when a speaker is confused and wants to confirm details before continuing.
常見錯誤
5. lying flat or hanging evenly, without one side being higher than the other.
平正；端正
水平擺放，不歪不斜
lying flat or hanging evenly, without one side being higher than the other.
The painting on Bilal's wall is not quite straight; the right side hangs lower.
Bilal 牆上的那幅畫掛得不太正，右邊明顯比較低。
be straight (level)
Henry checked that the kitchen shelves were straight before drilling the screws.
Henry 在鎖螺絲之前先確認廚房的層架是否擺正。
be straight (level)
Your tie is not straight, Yan — the knot has slipped over to the left.
Yan，你的領帶歪了，結已經滑到左邊去了。
The old wooden table is no longer straight, so the soup bowls slide toward the window.
那張舊木桌已經不平了，所以湯碗會朝著窗邊滑過去。
文法句型
hang/sit/be straight
用法筆記
Subject is usually something that should sit flat or vertical: pictures, shelves, ties, tables, hems. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 is about shape (no curves); sense 5 is about position (no slope).
常見錯誤
6. served on its own, with no water, ice, or other drink mixed into it; also used f
純的；純飲的
不加冰、水或其他飲料
served on its own, with no water, ice, or other drink mixed into it; also used for plain food without sauces or extras.
Naoko likes her whisky straight, with no ice and no soda water.
Naoko 喜歡威士忌純飲，不加冰也不加蘇打水。
drink something straight (no mixer)
Quinn ordered a straight gin at the hotel bar before dinner.
Quinn 晚餐前在飯店酒吧點了一杯純的琴酒。
a straight + drink
After the long hike, Vivek took his coffee straight, no milk and no sugar.
走完那段長路後，Vivek 喝了一杯純咖啡，不加奶也不加糖。
The chef serves straight tomato soup at lunch, with bread on the side.
主廚午餐供應的是原味番茄湯，旁邊配上麵包。
文法句型
drink something straight
have/take something straight
用法筆記
Most common with strong drinks (whisky, vodka, gin) meaning no mixer. With food or coffee, it means plain or without extras. Compare sense 1 ('straight hair'): sense 6 is about purity, not shape.
常見錯誤
7. happening one after the other in a series, with nothing else coming in between.
連續的
一個接一個、中間沒有中斷
happening one after the other in a series, with nothing else coming in between.
Eshe scored top marks in maths for the fifth straight semester.
Eshe 連續第五個學期數學拿到頂尖成績。
straight + ordinal + noun (counting consecutive units)
The Tigers have now lost ten straight games and may be relegated.
老虎隊已經連續輸了十場比賽，可能會被降級。
common pattern: number + straight + games/wins/losses
Caleb worked twelve straight hours on the building site without a break.
Caleb 在工地連續工作了十二個小時沒休息。
It rained for six straight days in Lucía's village last week.
上週 Lucía 的村莊連續下了六天的雨。
Min answered three straight questions wrong and lost his quiz lead.
Min 連續答錯三題，丟掉了搶答賽的領先。
- consecutive
more formal; common in writing and statistics
- successive
formal; emphasises sequence rather than count
- in a row
informal phrase used after the noun: 'five wins in a row'
文法句型
straight + plural noun (e.g. wins, hours, days)
用法筆記
Always before a plural or uncountable noun naming a unit of time, attempt, or result (days, weeks, hours, wins, losses). Cannot stand alone after a linking verb in this sense — you cannot say 'the games were straight'.
常見錯誤
8. with the many objects in a room or on a surface arranged in their proper places,
整齊的
東西都歸位、沒有凌亂
with the many objects in a room or on a surface arranged in their proper places, so that the space looks orderly rather than messy.
Élise spent Sunday morning putting the spice rack straight after the move.
搬完家後，Élise 花了整個週日早上把香料架整理整齊。
verb pattern: put something straight = tidy it up
Adina liked to keep her desk straight before starting any new task.
Adina 喜歡把書桌整理整齊後再開始新的任務。
keep + noun + straight (maintain in tidy state)
Ritu finally got the cluttered hallway straight after two hours of sorting shoes and coats.
整理鞋子和外套兩個小時後，Ritu 終於把雜亂的玄關收拾整齊。
Zayd cannot fall asleep until the toys, books, and clothes on his shelves are straight.
架上的玩具、書本和衣服沒有擺整齊，Zayd 就睡不著。
文法句型
put / get / keep something straight
用法筆記
Subject is usually a room, desk, shelf, or other space holding many items together. Distinguish from sense 5 (LEVEL): sense 5 describes a single object's horizontal or vertical alignment ('the picture is straight'); sense 8 describes the orderly arrangement of multiple items across a space ('the desk is straight').
常見錯誤
9. behaving in a serious, conservative way and not interested in anything unusual o
古板保守
認真守舊、不喜歡新奇事物
behaving in a serious, conservative way and not interested in anything unusual or daring — sometimes used to suggest the person is a little dull.
Tuan's parents are too straight to enjoy a comedy club on a Friday night.
Tuan 的爸媽太古板，週五晚上不會去喜劇俱樂部享樂。
predicative use: be too straight (mildly disapproving)
Paul gave up his banking job because the office felt impossibly straight.
Paul 辭掉銀行的工作，因為辦公室氣氛實在太古板。
Cole always wore a tie to school dances and was teased for being so straight.
Cole 在學校舞會總是打領帶，被同學笑說太古板。
Christopher's poetry is far too straight for an audience that loves wild experiments.
Christopher 的詩風太保守，吸引不了愛實驗風格的觀眾。
- conventional
neutral; describes following accepted norms
- conservative
stronger; suggests resistance to change
- square
very informal and dated, used by younger people about older ones
- unconventional
neutral opposite
- edgy
informal; suggests daring or modern style
文法句型
straight + person noun
be too straight (informal)
用法筆記
Slightly informal and often mildly negative, suggesting the person or thing is boring or stuck in old ways. Do not confuse with sense 2 (HONEST), which is positive — context and tone tell them apart.
常見錯誤
10. describing a person whose romantic and sexual feelings are directed only at peop
異性戀的
只受異性吸引的人
describing a person whose romantic and sexual feelings are directed only at people of the other gender.
Allison came out as bisexual after years of telling her family she was straight.
Allison 多年來都跟家人說自己是異性戀，後來才出櫃為雙性戀。
predicative use: be straight (about identity)
Imran is straight, but he marched in last weekend's pride parade with his sister.
Imran 是異性戀，但上週末他陪妹妹一起參加了同志遊行。
common pattern: 'X is straight, but…'
Reuben writes about dating from a straight man's perspective in his weekly column.
Reuben 在每週專欄裡，從異性戀男性的角度書寫約會經驗。
Nala asked the new tenant whether she was straight or queer.
Nala 問新房客是異性戀還是酷兒。
- heterosexual
more formal and clinical
文法句型
be straight
用法筆記
Standard informal term and widely accepted across registers, though 'heterosexual' is preferred in formal or medical contexts. This sense applies to the person; sense 11 covers relationships and activity.
常見錯誤
11. involving two people of opposite genders together as partners, or describing the
異性間的
形容男女之間的關係或情感
involving two people of opposite genders together as partners, or describing the kind of romantic or sexual activity between them.
The novel follows three straight couples through their first year of marriage.
這部小說描寫三對異性戀夫妻婚後第一年的生活。
common collocation: straight couple / marriage
Ava's documentary contrasts straight relationships in Tokyo with same-sex ones in Berlin.
Ava 的紀錄片把東京的異性戀關係和柏林的同志關係做了對照。
before noun only; this sense never stands as a predicate
Most romance novels in the 1980s portrayed only straight love stories.
1980 年代多數言情小說只描寫異性戀的愛情故事。
Nora's research compares parenting outcomes in straight and gay households.
Nora 的研究比較異性戀家庭與同志家庭的育兒成果。
- heterosexual
more formal; preferred in academic writing
- opposite-sex
neutral and clinical, common in legal or policy texts
文法句型
straight + relationship/couple/marriage/sex
用法筆記
Always before a noun describing the relationship, activity, or unit (couple, marriage, sex, household). Compare sense 10, which describes a person's identity rather than the relationship itself.
常見錯誤
12. no longer taking illegal drugs or drinking alcohol, especially after a period of
戒掉毒酒
已經戒除毒品或酒精
no longer taking illegal drugs or drinking alcohol, especially after a period of doing so.
Heather has been straight for two years after finishing rehab in Glasgow.
Heather 在格拉斯哥完成戒治後，已經兩年沒碰毒品和酒。
be straight + duration (since stopping drugs/alcohol)
Renata promised her daughter she would go straight before the baby arrived.
Renata 答應女兒，會在寶寶出生前把毒戒掉。
verb phrase: go straight = give up drugs/alcohol
Tariro stayed straight throughout university despite the heavy drinking culture there.
雖然大學喝酒風氣很盛，Tariro 在校期間始終滴酒不沾。
Dylan called his sponsor every night to help him stay straight.
Dylan 每晚打電話給輔導員，幫助自己持續戒毒戒酒。
文法句型
go straight
stay straight
be straight
用法筆記
Informal, especially common in recovery contexts. Often confused with 'sober', but 'straight' can also imply staying off illegal drugs, while 'sober' usually points only to alcohol. Used predicatively, never before a noun in this sense.
常見錯誤
13. owing no money to a person and being owed no money by them, so that no payment i
兩不相欠
雙方互不欠錢、債務已清
owing no money to a person and being owed no money by them, so that no payment is left unfinished between you.
Once Tariq pays me back the twenty dollars, we will be straight.
等 Tariq 把那二十美元還我，我們就兩不相欠了。
predicative: be straight after debts cleared
Saira handed her brother the last fifty pounds and said, "Now we're straight."
Saira 把最後那五十英鎊拿給弟弟，說：「現在我們兩不相欠了。」
informal speech: 'we're straight' to close a debt
If you cover the taxi fare, I'll buy lunch tomorrow and we'll be straight.
如果你付這趟計程車錢，我明天請吃午餐，我們就扯平了。
Are we straight now, or do I still owe you for the concert tickets?
我們現在算清了嗎？還是我演唱會門票錢還沒還你？
After Pedro paid back the loan from his cousin, the two of them were straight again.
Pedro 把跟表哥借的錢還清後，兩個人又兩不相欠了。
- in debt
still owing money to the other party
文法句型
be straight (with someone)
用法筆記
Predicative only and almost always plural-subject or with 'with [person]'; you cannot say 'a straight friend' meaning debt-free. Distinguish from sense 2 (HONEST) and sense 3 (DIRECT IN SPEECH): those describe character or manner, while this sense only describes the financial balance between two specific people.
常見錯誤
straight — 副詞
1. going to a place by the most direct route, without stopping anywhere else along
直接地
走最短路線，中途不停地前往某處
going to a place by the most direct route, without stopping anywhere else along the way.
After the long flight, Mira went straight home and fell into bed.
在那段漫長的飛行之後，Mira 直接回家，倒在床上就睡著了。
go straight home (no stop in between)
Walid drove straight to the hospital when he heard the news about his father.
Walid 一聽到父親的消息，就直接開車去醫院。
drive straight to + place
Please come straight back to the classroom after lunch — do not stop at the shops.
午餐後請直接回教室，不要去逛街。
The children ran straight into the sea as soon as they reached the beach.
孩子們一到海邊，就直接衝進海裡。
Élise walked out of the meeting and went straight to her boss's office.
Élise 走出會議室後，直接去找她的主管。
文法句型
go/come/walk/drive + straight + to/into/back/home
用法筆記
Always sits between the verb of motion and the destination phrase (to/into/back/home). Distinguish from sense 3 ("straight away"), which marks time, not direction — sense 1 answers "by what route?", sense 3 answers "when?".
常見錯誤
2. in a clear, logical way that lets you make sense of things — used almost only wi
清晰地
頭腦清楚地（多搭配 think 使用）
in a clear, logical way that lets you make sense of things — used almost only with the verb "think", and almost always after "can't" or "couldn't".
I'm so tired that I can't think straight — let's discuss this tomorrow morning.
我太累了，沒辦法清晰地思考，這件事我們明天早上再談吧。
fixed pattern: can't think straight
After three cups of coffee and no sleep, Madison couldn't think straight at all.
灌了三杯咖啡又沒睡覺，Madison 完全沒辦法清晰地思考。
couldn't think straight (past form)
The noise from the building site made it impossible for Quan to think straight.
工地的噪音讓 Quan 根本沒辦法清晰地思考。
Take a deep breath, Hoa — you need to think straight before you reply to that email.
Hoa，深呼吸一下，妳得先想清楚再回那封電子郵件。
- clearly
broader; works with many verbs (think, see, hear)
- rationally
more formal; emphasises logic over confusion
文法句型
think + straight (almost always negated: cannot/can't think straight)
用法筆記
Almost always paired with "think" and a negative or near-negative context (can't, couldn't, hardly, barely, impossible to). Avoid pairing it with other verbs of mental activity — "reason straight" or "plan straight" sound wrong to native speakers.
常見錯誤
3. with no time gap before or after — used in phrases like "straight away" (right n
馬上；隨即
中間沒有時間間隔，緊接著進行
with no time gap before or after — used in phrases like "straight away" (right now) and "straight after" (the moment something else finishes).
Call an ambulance straight away — Mr. Tanaka has fallen down the stairs.
馬上叫救護車——Tanaka 先生從樓梯上摔下來了。
fixed phrase: straight away (= immediately)
Andrés went to the gym straight after work, without even changing his shirt.
Andrés 下班後沒換衣服就直接去健身房。
straight after + noun (time-link)
Noor recognised her old teacher straight away, even after twenty years.
即使過了二十年，Noor 還是一眼就認出了她以前的老師。
Eat your soup straight after I pour it, or it will get cold.
我倒好湯後請馬上喝，不然就涼了。
- immediately
more formal, same meaning
- right away
American English equivalent of 'straight away'
- at once
formal; emphasises urgency
- later
general opposite of "straight away"
文法句型
straight away
straight after + noun/clause
用法筆記
About time, not direction. Compare with sense 1: "come straight home" = no detour (route); "come home straight after work" = no delay (time). "Straight away" is the British / Commonwealth equivalent of American "right away".
常見錯誤
4. moving or pointing in a line that does not bend or turn — for example, walking f
筆直地
沿著一條不彎、不轉的線移動或指向
moving or pointing in a line that does not bend or turn — for example, walking forward without changing direction, or sitting with your back upright.
Walk straight ahead for two blocks, then turn left at the bakery on the corner.
往前直走兩個街區，到轉角的麵包店再左轉。
straight ahead (giving directions)
Sit up straight, Christopher — your back will hurt if you slouch over the desk like that.
Christopher，坐直一點——你像那樣趴在桌上，背會痛的。
sit up straight (posture)
The arrow flew straight through the apple and landed in the wooden fence behind it.
那支箭筆直地穿過蘋果，射進後面的木籬笆裡。
Ada looked straight into the camera and smiled at her grandmother on the video call.
Ada 在視訊通話中直視鏡頭，對著奶奶微笑。
The road runs straight across the desert for over a hundred kilometres.
那條路筆直地穿過沙漠，綿延一百多公里。
- directly
more formal; works for both gaze and movement
文法句型
verb of motion + straight + ahead/up/down/across
用法筆記
Often combined with a small particle that names the direction: ahead, up, down, across, through, into. The combination tells the learner exactly which line of motion is meant.