该短语的核心含义是“与某人不一致或处于冲突状态”。它有三个主要义项:1)意见、观点或利益上的分歧,例如“be at odds with the management”表示与管理层意见相左;2)行为或性格上的矛盾,例如“His actions are at odds with his words.”;3)持续的对立或争吵状态,如“The two brothers have been at odds for years.”。这些义项都源于“odds”本义“差异、不平等”,引申为“不一致、冲突”,强调双方处于对立或不合的状态。
该短语常用于正式和半正式语境,如新闻报道、学术写作和商务沟通。在新闻报道中,它描述政治或社会冲突,如“The two countries are at odds over trade policy.”;在商务邮件中,表达意见分歧,如“We are at odds with the client on the budget.”;在学术写作中,指理论与证据矛盾,如“The results are at odds with previous findings.”;在日常口语中,也可使用,但语气偏正式,如“Mom and Dad are at odds about my career.”;在法律文本中,用于描述争议双方。各场景下,核心含义不变,但正式程度递增。
语法说明
该短语为系表结构,主语+be+at odds with+宾语。be动词需随主语和时态变化,如“is/are/was/were”。后面可接人或抽象名词(如“policy”、“evidence”)。常见句型:1)主语+be at odds with+某人/某事;2)主语+be at odds over/on+某问题,如“They are at odds over the contract.”。易错点:不要漏掉“with”,或误用“at odds to”;“odds”前不加冠词,始终用复数形式。
相似词辨析
近义短语包括“in conflict with”、“disagree with”、“be opposed to”。区别在于:“in conflict with”强调公开的对抗或冲突,语气更强;“disagree with”侧重于意见不合,但不一定涉及情绪或行为冲突;“be opposed to”表示明确反对,立场鲜明。例如:“He disagrees with the plan.”(他不同意计划);“He is at odds with the plan.”(他与计划矛盾,可能隐含更严重的分歧);“He is opposed to the plan.”(他反对计划)。在正式写作中,“be at odds with”常用于描述客观矛盾,而“disagree with”更主观。
易错提醒
该短语语域中性偏正式,适用于书面语和正式口语,但在非正式对话中稍显生硬。褒贬色彩中性,但常暗示负面关系,如争吵或矛盾。常见误用:1)与“at odds”混淆,后者单独使用表示“不一致”,如“The statements are at odds.”;2)误用介词“to”,正确为“with”;3)用于描述人与物品关系时可能不当,如“The color is at odds with the room.”虽可接受,但更常用“clash with”。
常见搭配
be at odds with the facts
be at odds with each other
be at odds over something
be at odds with the law
be at odds with reality
be at odds with tradition
be at odds with one's principles
用法示例
The mayor is at odds with the city council over the new budget.市长与市议会在新预算问题上意见不合。
His behavior is at odds with his professed beliefs.他的行为与他所宣称的信念相矛盾。
The two companies have been at odds for years over patent rights.两家公司在专利权问题上已争执多年。
She found herself at odds with her colleagues on the project direction.她发现自己在项目方向上与同事意见相左。
The witness's testimony is at odds with the video evidence.证人的证词与视频证据相矛盾。
They are at odds about how to raise their children.他们在如何养育孩子的问题上存在分歧。