| 词汇 | likely |
| 释义 | likely adjective► a likely storyused ironically as an expression of profound disbelief UK, 1984likely storyAn exclamation of distrust or disbelief in someone's explanation or story. Albert: "Sorry I'm late. My car broke down half way here!" Sarah: "Yeah, likely story! I bet you just wanted to finish watching the football game on TV." (that's a) likely storyA phrase used to express disbelief of an excuse or explanation. He said he had to stay late at the office again. That's a likely story—he's probably out with his friends! The cat ate your science project? Likely story. as likely as notProbably; most likely. During lunch, you'll find Mrs. Smith preparing lessons in her office, as likely as not. not bloody likelyDefinitely not. Used to emphatically indicate that one completely refuses or disagrees. A: "Are you going to Jen's party this weekend?" B: "Not bloody likely! She's been a total jerk to me lately." Help him, after all the trouble he's given me? Ha, not bloody likely! not likelyDefinitely not. Used to emphatically indicate that one completely refuses or disagrees. A: "Are you going to Jen's party this weekend?" B: "Not likely! She's been a total jerk to me lately." Help him, after all the trouble he's given me? Ha, not likely! like as notProbably; most likely. Emma's a real bookworm—like as not, you'll find her curled up with a book on a Friday night. I'm hoping to get there before dinner, but with trains being so delayed lately, like as not it'll be closer to bed time. likely as notProbably; most likely. During lunch, you'll find Mrs. Smith preparing lessons in her office, as likely as not. Likely as not, we'll just have to pay a fine since we're first time offenders. *likely as notFig. probably; with an even chance either way. (*Also: as ~.) He will as likely as not arrive without warning. Likely as not, the game will be canceled. Not likely.Inf. That is probably not so; that probably will not happen. Mary: Is it possible that you'll be able to fix this watch? Sue: Not likely, but we can always try. Sally: Will John show up on time, do you think? Bob: Not likely. in the unlikely eventIf something improbable should occur. For example, In the unlikely event that I'm held up, please cover for me, or In the unlikely event that we should have snow in May, we're still well equipped to cope with it . Also see under in case, def. 2. like as notAlso, as like as not; as likely as not. In all probability, with an even chance, as in Like as not it'll rain by afternoon, or Likely as not the governor will run for a second term. In the first two terms, like is short for likely in the sense of "probably," that is, "It is as likely as it is not likely." [Late 1800s] not likelyPeople say not likely as an emphatic way of saying no, especially when they are asked to do something. Clear up his mess for him? Not likely! a likely storyused to express disbelief of an account or excuse.not likely!certainly not; I refuse. informal(as) like as ˈnot,like eˈnough,most/very ˈlike(informal) quite/very probably: As like as not, he’ll be late. He usually is.as ˌlikely as ˈnot,most/very ˈlikelyvery probably: As likely as not she’s forgotten all about it.a ˈlikely story(spoken, ironic) used for showing that you do not believe what somebody has said: They said they’d found the wallet on the ground outside the pub — a likely story!not (bloodytaboo, etc.) ˈlikely!(spoken, especially British English) used to disagree strongly with a statement or a suggestion: Sign a blank cheque for you? Not bloody likely! |
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