shrinking violet

短语

羞怯的人

发音

UK /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/
AU
UK /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪlət/
UK /-lɪt/
US /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪələt/
US /ˈʃɹɪŋkɪŋ ˈvaɪlət/

词形变化

shrinking violets 复数 shrinking violets

释义与例句

n.
  1. 1.

    A very shy or timid person, who avoids contact with others if possible.

    习语

    June, no shrinking violet she, crossed the room and introduced herself to the newcomers.

    1927, Ernest Bramah, Max Carrados Mysteries '"Shy", you said, sir! And I think you saw Moya less than six months ago? Well, the shrinking violet has been "had" twice since then for brawling, and if her mother hadn't contrived influenza in the very nick of time I understand that the timid fawn had arranged to chain herself to the minute hand of Big Ben.'

词汇关系

名词

同义词 1

shy person

上位词 1

coward

下位词 1

wallflower

词源

Possibly from the inconspicuous nature of the violet (genus Viola) flower and plant. The term appears to have been first used in the literal sense in the early 19th century.

来源：wiktionary