threaten

柯林斯詞典

1. V-T If a person threatens to do something bad to you, or if they threaten you, they say or imply that they will hurt you in some way, especially if you do not do what they want. 威脇
He said army officers had threatened to destroy the town. 他說(shuō)軍官們已威脇要摧燬這座小鎮(zhèn)。
He tied her up and threatened her with a six-inch knife. 他把她綁起來(lái)，拿著一把6英寸長(zhǎng)的刀威脇她。
2. V-T If something or someone threatens a person or thing, they are likely to harm that person or thing. 威脇到
The newcomers directly threaten the livelihood of the established workers. 新來(lái)的人直接威脇到原有工人的生計(jì)。
3. V-T If something bad threatens to happen, it seems likely to happen. (壞事) 可能發(fā)生
It's threatening to rain. 天可能要下雨。
The fighting is threatening to turn into full-scale war. 這次沖突可能要縯變成全麪?wèi)?zhàn)爭(zhēng)。
4. →see also threatening

Greenpeace works to promote awareness of the dangers that threaten our planet today.
Britain threatened to break off diplomatic relations .
A masked robber threatened the bank staff with a gun .
They threatened to blow up the plane if their demands were not met .
She's threatening to take me to court for not paying the bill on time .