moment
Word family
Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++LDOCE 5++mo·ment /ˈməʊmənt $ ˈmoʊ-/ ●●● S1 W1 noun [countable] 1 point in time 时间点TIME/AT A PARTICULAR TIMENOW a particular point in time 某一时刻 It was one of the most exciting moments in his life. 这是他一生中最激动人心的时刻之一。at this/that moment (=used for emphasis) 就在这/那时候 Just at that moment there was a knock on the door. 就在那时，有人敲门了。 She may be in trouble at this very moment and trying to call you. 此时此刻她可能遇到了麻烦，正想方设法给你打电话。 I remember the moment when I first saw him after the operation. 我还记得手术后第一次见到他的那一刻。 Quinn always seems to be in the right place at the crucial moment. 奎因似乎总能在关键时刻把握时机。 I just this moment (=only a very short time ago) arrived and already Dan wants to know when I’m leaving. 我才刚到，丹就想知道我什么时候走。 At this moment in time it would be inappropriate to comment on the situation. 这个时候恐怕不宜对局势作出评论。 From that moment on (=after that time) we were the best of friends. 从那以后我们就成了最好的朋友。 ► Don’t say ‘in that moment’ when you mean ‘at that particular time’. Say at that moment: At that moment, everything stopped.意指“在那时”时，不要说 ‘in that moment’，而要说 at that moment: At that moment, everything stopped. 那一刻，一切都停止了。2 short time 短时间SHORT TIME a very short period of time 片刻，瞬间，刹那 He was here a moment ago. 他刚刚还在这里。 Can you spare a few moments to answer some questions? 你能抽点时间回答几个问题吗？in a moment (=very soon) 马上，很快 I’ll come back to that point in a moment. 我马上还会回过来谈那一点。for a moment It was quiet for a moment, then Rae spoke. 沉寂了片刻，然后雷开始说话了。after a moment ‘I don’t understand, ’ said Louise after a moment. “我不懂。”过了一会儿，路易丝说道。 A moment later we heard a splash. 过了一会儿，我们听到哗啦一声。wait/just a moment (=used when you want someone to wait a short time while you do or say something) 等一下 Just a moment; let me put these away first. 等一下，让我先把这些东西收起来。 We have to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice (=very quickly). 我们必须准备好随时就走。► see thesaurus at time3 at the moment British English especially spoken, American English formal now 此刻，目前，眼下 Julia’s on holiday in Spain at the moment. 朱莉娅目前在西班牙度假。 At the moment, the situation in Haiti is very tense. 眼下，海地局势十分紧张。4 for the moment used to say that something is happening or is true now but will probably change in the future 暂时；目前 Well, for the moment we’re just friends. 嗯，我们目前只是朋友而已。 For the moment the rain had stopped. 雨暂时停了。5 the moment (that) somebody does something IMMEDIATELYas soon as someone does something 某人一做某事就… He said he’d phone you the moment he got home. 他说他一到家就给你打电话。6 the last moment LASTif you do something at the last moment or if something happens at the last moment, it happens at the last possible time 最后一刻7 (at) any moment SOONextremely soon 马上，立刻8 opportunity 机会 [usually singular]CHANCE/OPPORTUNITY a particular time when you have a chance to do something 时机，机会9 moment of madness/weakness/panic etc a short period of time when you do not feel or behave as normal and often do or say something which you later wish you had not done or said 一时疯狂/软弱/惊慌等10 one moment ... the next/from one moment to the next used to say that a situation changes very suddenly, often in a way which you do not expect or cannot explain 一会儿…过一会儿/紧接着〔表示形势变化之快出乎意料或无法解释〕11 not believe/think/do something for a/one moment especially spokenDON'T THINK SO/DOUBT IT used to say that you did not believe, expect etc something at all 根本不相信/没想到/没做某事12 of the moment NOWthe person, idea, word etc of the moment is the one that is most important or popular at the present time 〔人、观念、词语等〕当前最重要[时兴]的13 have its/your moments INTERESTINGto have periods of being good or interesting 有好[有趣]的时候n14 be having a moment informal to be having a time of success or popularity – used especially in magazines15 not a moment too soon ON TIMEalmost too late 几乎太迟，差点就来不及16. the moment of truth FIND OUTthe time when you will find out if something will work properly, be successful etc 〔接受检验、成败见分晓等的〕关键时刻，紧要关头n17. be/live in the moment to give your full attention to the situation you are in, and not think about the past or the future18. of great moment old-fashionedIMPORTANT important 重要的n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 1: a particular point in timeadjectivesright/perfectI’m just waiting for the right moment to tell her.The moment is not quite right just yet.an opportune moment (=a good time to do something)I was waiting for an opportune moment to leave.a historic moment (=a moment that is important in history)The fall of the Berlin wall was a historic moment.a memorable momentThere have been many memorable moments in this year’s Olympics.the exact/precise momentHer stomach chose that precise moment to make a loud noise.the very moment (=used for emphasizing that something happened at a particular time)I could tell something was wrong from the very moment I walked in through the front door.the present moment (=now)At the present moment, there are 500 students at the school.an important momentThis was probably the most important moment in his life.a critical/crucial moment (=a very important moment)This was a critical moment in the country’s history.a defining moment (=something that shows the real character or purpose of something)The win was a defining moment in the boxer’s career.somebody’s finest moment (=when someone was most successful or admired)The performance was one of the band’s finest moments.somebody’s proudest moment (=when someone did the thing they are most proud of)My proudest moment was when my daughter was born.the worst momentStanding on the edge waiting to do your bungee jump is the worst moment.verbscapture the moment (=to take a picture, describe something etc that will remind you of a particular time)They captured the moment on film.enjoy the momentShe found herself laughing with him, enjoying the moment.savour the moment (=enjoy the moment)He seemed to savour every moment of their conversation.relive the moment (=experience something again by thinking about it, talking about it etc)In court she had to relive the moment her son was murdered.choose a moment to do something (=do something at a particular time)She always seemed to choose the worst moment to interrupt his thoughts.dread a moment (=feel anxious or worried about something that will happen)She was dreading the moment when she would have to fire him. phrasesjust this/that moment (=only a very short time ago)I had just that moment arrived.at this moment in time (=now)At this moment in time we cannot proceed with the proposal.from that moment on (=after that time)From that moment on I saw very little of Dean.moment to moment/moment by moment (=used for emphasizing that something changes quickly)The colours of the sunset changed moment to moment.every waking moment (=all the time you are awake)He spent every waking moment in the lab.at a given moment (=at any particular time)There was no variety at all - you knew exactly what you would be doing at any given moment of the week.n COLLOCATIONS – Meaning 2: a very short period of timeverbstake a moment (=use a short time)Coleman took a moment to reply.have a moment (=have a short time to use)Can you come and see me when you have a moment?wait a momentWait a moment while I get my coat.pause a moment (=stop speaking or doing something for a short time)Lisa paused a moment, then said ‘yes’.hesitate a moment (=not speak or do something for a short time because you are unsure of what to say or do)Paul hesitated a moment then followed her.spare a moment (=used when asking someone if they have a short time available to spend with you)Can you spare a moment to go through some figures with me?phrasesjust a moment (=used when telling someone to wait)Just a moment, I’ll go and get her.at a moment’s notice (=very quickly)Fire fighters need to be able to get ready at a moment’s notice.a moment agoI saw him outside just a moment ago.there’s never a dull moment (=something is always exciting or full of activity)There’s never a dull moment with Chris around!adjectivesa brief momentFor a brief moment, he looked directly at her.a fleeting moment (=a very short time)For a fleeting moment she wanted to run away.a long momentHe was silent for a long moment before replying.a spare moment (=short period of time when you are not doing other things)She spent every spare moment in the library.Examples from the Corpus
moment• He stood for a moment, rubbing his chin.• He was here a moment ago.• The speeder froze in mid-air for just a moment, while its computers coped with the sudden assault on the automatic systems.• There had been moments of significance but no possibility for overall meaning.• Can you spare a few moments to answer some questions?• I was just waiting for the right moment to tell her.• But when you do, it's a sweet, sweet moment.• At the moment I show, the beam is emanating westward.• When the moment came he took it and he took it well.• But these moments did not seem to lose the play's tension.• When it erupts at the wrong moment, it can signal severe illness.at this/that moment• Guys, do you know how happy I am at this moment?• Angrily she opened her mouth to protest but at that moment the door opened and David appeared.• Dada was overcome by natural embarrassment on meeting his daughter at that moment.• Even at this moment brother Mycroft will be early at his desk in the Foreign Office, soothing agitated ministers.• He seemed big and rugged - more like a logger than a hotel executive at this moment.• The one occasion which was flashing through Yanto's mind at this moment involved just three of the local water babies.• If she'd had the power at that moment she would have reached out and crushed him into the carpet.• It was no good; reading at this moment in time was the last thing she felt like.a moment ago• I saw him a moment ago.• Judge Mumphrey, who entered only a moment ago, is getting settled on the bench.• Recovering slightly from the terror of a moment ago, he wondered whether he dared pick up the skull.• Surely he hadn't been using that tone with her a moment ago?• The warmth of a moment ago that had so overwhelmed her had cooled to a more familiar glint of contempt.• These funds are only one element of the package of extra resources for students which I mentioned a moment ago.• We passed the boundary with Ontario a moment ago.• Who would ever guess from the benign expression on his face that just a moment ago he had been exploding with anger?big moment• And, yes, it is a big moment.• It was still a big moment for everyone.• Molinari has had a run of big moments in her meteoric political career, and this latest is fittingly pyrotechnic.• Klepner's big moment had arrived and the ex-Harvard Business School man strode confidently to the podium.• It was Tara's big moment ; she breathed deeply and began to play.• He was delighted to know I came for the big moment in your career.• Finally, there is the big moment.• A professional photographer really gets down to it ... The big moment arrives and everything is a spectacular success.• Maybe they knew this was their big moment, their chance to make history.Origin moment (1300-1400) French Latin momentum; → MOMENTUMmo·ment noun →10-18
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
→n COLLOCATIONS1 →n COLLOCATIONS2LDOCE OnlineChineseSyllable
a point Corpus time particular in
moment
mo‧ment S1 W1 /ˈməʊmənt $ ˈmoʊ-/
noun [countable]1. POINT IN TIME a particular point in time:
It was one of the most exciting moments in his life.
at this/that moment (=used for emphasis)
Just at that moment there was a knock on the door.
She may be in trouble at this very moment and trying to call you.
I remember the moment when I first saw him after the operation.
Quinn always seems to be in the right place at the crucial moment.
I just this moment (=only a very short time ago) arrived and already Dan wants to know when I’m leaving.
At this moment in time it would be inappropriate to comment on the situation.
From that moment on (=after that time) we were the best of friends.
► Do not say 'in that moment' when you mean ‘at that particular time’. Say at that moment: At that moment, everything stopped.
2. SHORT TIME a very short period of time:
He was here a moment ago.
Can you spare a few moments to answer some questions?
in a moment (=very soon)
I’ll come back to that point in a moment.
for a moment
It was quiet for a moment, then Rae spoke.
after a moment
‘I don’t understand,’ said Louise after a moment.
A moment later we heard a splash.
wait/just a moment (=used when you want someone to wait a short time while you do or say something)
Just a moment; let me put these away first.
We have to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice (=very quickly).
3. at the moment British English especially spoken, American English formal now:
Julia’s on holiday in Spain at the moment.
At the moment, the situation in Haiti is very tense.
4. for the moment used to say that something is happening or is true now but will probably change in the future:
Well, for the moment we’re just friends.
For the moment the rain had stopped.
5. the moment (that) somebody does something as soon as someone does something:
He said he’d phone you the moment he got home.
6. the last moment if you do something at the last moment or if something happens at the last moment, it happens at the last possible time
at the last moment
The operation was cancelled at the last moment.
She always leaves everything to the last moment.
7. (at) any moment extremely soon:
The plumber should be here any moment now.
The roof could collapse at any moment.
8. OPPORTUNITY [usually singular] a particular time when you have a chance to do something:
His wife Denise was there to share his big moment (=opportunity to do something great).
choose/pick your moment (=try to choose the best time to do something)
He picked his moment carefully to tell them the news.
This was her moment and she knew she had to take it.
9. moment of madness/weakness/panic etc a short period of time when you do not feel or behave as normal and often do or say something which you later wish you had not done or said
in a moment of something
In a moment of madness I agreed to go with him.
He experienced a brief moment of panic.
10. one moment ... the next/from one moment to the next used to say that a situation changes very suddenly, often in a way which you do not expect or cannot explain:
One moment she’s kissing me, the next she doesn’t want to see me again.
You never know what’s going to happen from one moment to the next.
11. not believe/think/do something for a/one moment especially spoken used to say that you did not believe, expect etc something at all:
He didn’t fool me for a moment.
She had never for one moment imagined that it could happen to her.
12. of the moment the person, idea, word etc of the moment is the one that is most important or popular at the present time:
They interview personalities on a topic of the moment.
the mood of the moment
13. have its/your moments to have periods of being good or interesting:
a movie that had its moments
14. not a moment too soon almost too late:
The ambulance finally arrived, and not a moment too soon.
15. the moment of truth the time when you will find out if something will work properly, be successful etc
16. of great moment old-fashioned important
■ adjectives
▪right/perfect I’m just waiting for the right moment to tell her. | The moment is not quite right just yet.
▪an opportune moment (=a good time to do something) I was waiting for an opportune moment to leave.
▪a historic moment (=a moment that is important in history) The fall of the Berlin wall was a historic moment.
▪a memorable moment There have been many memorable moments in this year’s Olymics.
▪the exact/precise moment Her stomach chose that precise moment to make a loud noise.
▪the very moment (=used for emphasizing that something happened at a particular time) I could tell something was wrong from the very moment I walked in through the front door.
▪the present moment (=now) At the present moment, there are 500 students at the school.
▪an important moment This was probably the most important moment in his life.
▪a critical/crucial moment (=a very important moment) This was a critical moment in the country’s history.
▪a defining moment (=something that shows the real character or purpose of something) The win was a defining moment in the boxer’s career.
▪sb’s finest moment (=when someone was most successful or admired) The performance was one of the band’s finest moments.
▪sb’s proudest moment (=when someone did the thing they are most proud of) My proudest moment was when my daughter was born.
▪the worst moment Standing on the edge waiting to do your bungee jump is the worst moment.
■ verbs
▪capture the moment (=to take a picture, describe something etc that will remind you of a particular time) They captured the moment on film.
▪enjoy the moment She found herself laughing with him, enjoying the moment.
▪savour the moment (=enjoy the moment) He seemed to savour every moment of their conversation.
▪relive the moment (=experience something again by thinking about it, talking about it etc) In court she had to relive the moment her son was murdered.
▪choose a moment to do something (=do something at a particular time) She always seemed to choose the worst moment to interrupt his thoughts.
▪dread a moment (=feel anxious or worried about something that will happen) She was dreading the moment when she would have to fire him.
■ phrases
▪just this/that moment (=only a very short time ago) I had just that moment arrived.
▪at this moment in time (=now) At this moment in time we cannot proceed with the proposal.
▪from that moment on (=after that time) From that moment on I saw very little of Dean.
▪moment to moment/moment by moment (=used for emphasizing that something changes quickly) The colours of the sunset changed moment to moment.
▪every waking moment (=all the time you are awake) He spent every waking moment in the lab.
▪at a given moment (=at any particular time) There was no variety at all - you knew exactly what you would be doing at any given moment of the week.
■ verbs
▪take a moment (=use a short time) Coleman took a moment to reply.
▪have a moment (=have a short time to use) Can you come and see me when you have a moment?
▪wait a moment Wait a moment while I get my coat.
▪pause a moment (=stop speaking or doing something for a short time) Lisa paused a moment, then said 'yes'.
▪hesitate a moment (=not speak or do something for a short time because you are unsure of what to say or do) Paul hesitated a moment then followed her.
▪spare a moment (=used when asking someone if they have a short time available to spend with you) Can you spare a moment to go through some figures with me?
■ phrases
▪just a moment (=used when telling someone to wait) Just a moment, I’ll go and get her.
▪at a moment’s notice (=very quickly) Fire fighters need to be able to get ready at a moment’s notice.
▪a moment ago I saw him outside just a moment ago.
▪there’s never a dull moment (=something is always exciting or full of activity) There’s never a dull moment with Chris around!
■ adjectives
▪a brief moment For a brief moment, he looked directly at her.
▪a fleeting moment (=a very short time) For a fleeting moment she wanted to run away.
▪a long moment He was silent for a long moment before replying.
▪a spare moment (=short period of time when you are not doing other things) She spent every spare moment in the library.
■ a time when something happens
▪time a time when something happens or when you should do something: The last time I saw her she was in high school. | It’s time for you to go to bed. | The best time to visit Scotland is in late May.
▪occasion a time when something happens. Occasion is more formal than time: They have been seen together on several occasions. | The last occasion the two teams met, the Giants won easily.
▪moment a particular point in time when something happens: At that moment (=at exactly that time), the door bell rang. | The next moment she was gone.
▪point a particular time during a longer period of time: At one point during the play she completely forgot her lines. | the lowest point of the holiday
mo‧ment S1 W1 /ˈməʊmənt $ ˈmoʊ-/
noun [countable]1. POINT IN TIME a particular point in time: at this/that moment (=used for emphasis)
► Do not say 'in that moment' when you mean ‘at that particular time’. Say at that moment: At that moment, everything stopped.
2. SHORT TIME a very short period of time:
in a moment (=very soon)
for a moment
after a moment
wait/just a moment (=used when you want someone to wait a short time while you do or say something)
3. at the moment British English especially spoken, American English formal now:
4. for the moment used to say that something is happening or is true now but will probably change in the future:
5. the moment (that) somebody does something as soon as someone does something:
6. the last moment if you do something at the last moment or if something happens at the last moment, it happens at the last possible time
at the last moment
7. (at) any moment extremely soon:
8. OPPORTUNITY [usually singular] a particular time when you have a chance to do something:
choose/pick your moment (=try to choose the best time to do something)
9. moment of madness/weakness/panic etc a short period of time when you do not feel or behave as normal and often do or say something which you later wish you had not done or said
in a moment of something
10. one moment ... the next/from one moment to the next used to say that a situation changes very suddenly, often in a way which you do not expect or cannot explain:
11. not believe/think/do something for a/one moment especially spoken used to say that you did not believe, expect etc something at all:
12. of the moment the person, idea, word etc of the moment is the one that is most important or popular at the present time:
13. have its/your moments to have periods of being good or interesting:
14. not a moment too soon almost too late:
15. the moment of truth the time when you will find out if something will work properly, be successful etc
16. of great moment old-fashioned important
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