I asked after my sick aunt. 我问候了生病的姑妈。
  They all seemed very concerned; and your health was asked after. 似乎都很关切，并向起你的健康。
ask for请求；要求；向•••••• 要••••••， 需要；要求见（某人）；（通过询问来）寻找某人：
  He asked for more food. 他请求再给点儿吃的。
  She never asked for any favors for herself. 她从不为自己要求任何照顾。
  Ask the wild land for grain. 向荒地要粮。
  Go to the inquiry office and ask for Mr. Smith. 到咨询处去问史密斯先生。
用法导航
  有关ask for的用法如下：（1）ask for sb.　找某人。（2）ask for sth.　请求••••••。　（3）ask sb. for sth. = ask sb. sth.　向某人要某物。另外，要表达“要某人做某事”，则用ask sb. to do sth. 要求做某事用ask to do sth.　
ask for it自寻麻烦，自讨苦吃，自食其果：
  I won’t listen to your complaints, you asked for it.　我不想听你诉苦，那是你自讨苦吃。
ask for leave请假：
  He always asks for leave during working at factory.　在工厂期间他常请假。
ask for the moon渴望不可能得到的事物：
  If you hope he’ll help you, you are asking for the moon.　他指望他来帮你，没门儿。
ask for trouble自讨苦吃，自找麻烦：
  You’d better not touch the peaches, it you do you are just asking for trouble.　你最好不碰那些桃子，否则，你是在自找麻烦。
ask out邀请外出（吃饭等）；退休，辞退：
  She was so lovely that she was often asked out.　她讨人喜爱，因而总有人要她出去。
ask sb. round 邀请某来家：
  I’ll ask you round for coffee when I’m not so busy.　有空时我会请你来喝咖啡。
　David asked us round to supper.　戴维请我们到他家吃饭。
at a bad time of year在全年不好的时节里：
at a blow一下子，一举：
We solved all the problems at a single blow.　我们一下子就把那所有问题解决了。
We can’t finish at a blow. We’ll have to come again tomorrow.　我们一下子是做不完的，明天还得再来。
at a dash一鼓作气，一气呵成地，迅速而利落地，一举：
  He finished his homework at a dash and sat down to listen to the music.　他一口气把作业做完了，然后坐下来听音乐。
at a distance隔远一些，留有空间，不挨近：
Keep at a distance!　别靠近！
用法导航
(1) at a distance和in the distance两条短语均表示距离。但程度不同。前者指较近的距离，后者指相当远的距离。例如：
  The oil painting looks better at a distance. 这幅油画隔远一些看好多了。
　The train disappeared in the distance.　火车消失在远方。
(2) 但前者也可在a后添long, great, considerable等词。表较远的距离。例如：
They kept him at a great distance until he had proved he could be trusted.　在他证明自己确实可信之前，他们一赶不和他来往。
at a glance一瞥，一看：
  That physician saw at a glance that the child has a bad cold.　这位内科医生一看就知道这个孩子得了重感冒。
　　I could tell the difference between them at a glance.　我一眼就可以看出这两者之间的区别。
at a loss困惑，不知所措；不肯定，不知道（做些什么或说些什么），亏本：
　　　He was at a loss for an explanation.　他不知如何解释才好。
　　　For some reason Smith’s grocery store is running at a loss.　由于某种原因，史密斯的杂货店在亏本经营。
at a run跑；较差
  Thy started off at a run but soon tired and began to walk.　他们跑步出发，但不久就累了，便开始走。
at a time 每次，一次；在••••••时候；同时：
  Michael went up the stairs two at a time.　迈克尔两步并一步地走上楼去。
　He checked them off one at a time as they came in.　他们进来时，他逐个核对。
用法导航
   at a time的意思是“每次”“一次”，at one time的意思是“曾经”“一度”，使用时要注意二者的区别。例如：
You can borrow two books at a time.　你一次只可以借两本书。
He was a teacher at one time, but now he works for foreign trade.　他曾经当过老师，但现在做外贸工作。
at a word（对请求、建议或命令等）反应很快地，立即地：
  At a word from the teacher, the little girl got up and sang for the visitors.　老师一说，这个女孩就站起来为来宾唱歌。
at all 根本，到底，确实；一点儿：
  Can you swim at all?　你会游泳吗（哪怕一点点也行）？
　Jack doesn’t seem at all interested in my plan.　杰克看上去对我的计划毫不感兴趣。
　Are you going there at all?　你到底去不去？
　If it is worth doing at all, it is worth doing well.　如果真值得做的话，就值得做好。
用法导航
(1) at all通常用于否定句中，用来加强语气。例如：
I do not understand at all.　我一点也不明白。
　(2)at all 用于疑问句是起强调作用，常带有较强烈的感情色彩。
　(3)at all还可用于肯定句，但往往含有不肯定的意思。例如：
　　　I was surprised at his coming back at all.　他竟然回来了，真令我吃惊。
  (4)at all也可用于条件从句，表示“哪怕一点儿”“（如果）真的”“确实”。例如：
　　　You should tell us if you know anything at all about it.　哪怕你知道这件事的一丁点儿情况，你也应该告诉我们。
at all costs亦作at any cost不惜任何代价（牺牲）；无论如何：
  They are determined to do it at any cost.　他们决心不惜任何代价也要做这件事。
　We must arrive there at all costs before midnight.　无论如何代价我们也要在午夜前赶到。
at all events 亦作in any event / case不管怎样，无论如何；在任何情况下；肯定的，总之：
  Tom was not brilliant, but at all events he worked hard.　汤姆不很聪明，但不管怎样，他很用功。
　I’ll probably see you tomorrow, but in any event I’ll telephone.我明天可能来看你，但无论如何我会打电话来。
at all hours 随时地；在任何时间：
  This street was alive and noisy at all hours.　这条街在任何时候都生气勃勃，熙熙攘攘的。
　The boy’s mother said he must home on time for meals at all hours.　这男孩的母亲叫他以后必须按照回家吃饭。
at all points各方面：
  We should be well prepared at all points, just in case something unexpected should happen.　我们应该在各方面做好准备，以防万一。
at all times任何时候：
  You will find someone in the office at all times.　任何时候办公室都会有人。
　They say they are ready at all times to lend us a hand.　他们说他们随时准备帮我们忙。
at an end结束：
  The meeting is now at an end.　会议现在结束。
at any moment，任何时候：
  It may happen at any moment.　这随时都会发生。
　We must put the people’s interest first at any moment.　我们无论何时都要把人民的利益放在首位。
at any price不管价格的高低；无论多少代价；无论如何：
   It isn’t a question of cost. You can’t get this kind of furniture at any price.　这不是个价钱问题，无论出价多高你买不到这种家具。
　　He made up his mind to win at any price.　他决心无论如何也要赢。
at bottom根本上，实际上：
   He’s a good students at bottom.　他本质上是个好学生。
at death’s door面临死亡，生命威在旦夕：
   He was nearly at death’s door but a famous doctor saved his life.　他快要死了，但一位名医救了他的生命。
at every turn事事，处处，每次：
   Although I tried hard to be friendly, I was refused at every turn.　虽然我极力表示友好，但每次都遭到拒绝。
at (the) farthest至多（不过••••••），最远（不过•••••••）：
  It’s five miles away at(the) farthest.　最多不过五英里。
at first 最初，首先，开始时：
  Not everyone recognized the correctness of these principles at first. 不是每个人一开始都能认识这个原则的正确性。
　At first there was a little trouble, but things were soon quiet.　开始有点小麻烦，但不久就平静了。
用法导航
  at first多用于句首或句末，通常用来和后来发生的事物做对照，和at first修饰的句子的意思往往和后来发和的事情相反。
at first hand直接地，第一手地：
  I got this information at first hand.　我直接得到这个消息、
at first sight一看，乍见：
  Smith fell in love with her at first sight.　史密斯对她一见钟情。
at full length 全身伸直地，直挺挺地：
  He was lying at full length on the grass.　他直挺挺地躺在草地上。
at hand在近处，在手头；即将来临；即将到来：
  The finals are at hand.　期末考试即将到来了。
　I live close at hand.　我住在附近。
at heart在内心；实质上，本质上：
  I have your health at heart.　我很挂念你的身体。
　He may look brave, but he’s coward at heart.　他貌似勇敢，其实是个胆小鬼。
at home在家，在本地，在国内，像在家里一样舒适的：
  I’m sorry, I left my ID card at home.　很抱歉，我把身份证忘在家里了。
　Is our next match at home or away?　我们下次比赛是在还是在客场举行？
  Do sit down at the fire and made yourself at home.　请坐在火炉边，别拘束。
用法导航
  at home是固定短语，home前面不加冠词then.　但要说在“某人家”时，则应说in the home of …　或in one’s home. At home in something是“熟悉”的意思。At home还可用“在国内”讲，短语at home and abroad意思是“在国内外”。
at it 在忙碌，在苦干；在干令人讨厌的事，搞恶作剧：
   He has been hard at it all afternoon and expects to finish by 8 o’clock. 他整整一下午都在干那件事，想赶在八点前把它完成。
  The little girl is at it. 小姑娘在搞恶作剧。
at large一般的，总的看来，整体的，详尽的，详细的：
  The younger generation, at large, is a bright group.总的看来，年轻的一代是生气勃勃的。
  There’s no time to discuss the subject at large. 没时间详细讨论这个问题。
at last 最后，终于：
  She saved her money until at last she had enough for a colour television set. 她把钱存起来，最后够买一台彩电。
用法导航
at last和in the end: 两条短语的意思相同，用法上他们的区别是：at last多用于对过去事情的描述：in the end除了说明过去的情况外，还可用来对将来事情的推测，at last较in the end语气强。
at latest最迟，至迟：
  I’ll be at your place by seven at latest. 我最迟7点钟到你那儿。
at least至少，起码不少于：
  It cost at least ten pounds. 它至少值十英镑。
  When you speak English you at least make yourself understood. 你说英语时，至少要让别人听懂。
at length详细地，最后，终于：
  The teacher explained the language points of the text at length to the students. 老师把课文中的语言点详细地给学生解释。
  At length, we began to understand what he said. 最后，我们才明白他的话。
at longest（指日期）至多，最晚，最长：
  We can stay here only three days at longest. 我们在这里至多只能呆三天。
  The jacket will be ready in a week at longest. 至多一个星期，上衣就可以做好。
at most最多，至多：
  They can stay for three days at most. 他们最多能呆三天。
用法导航
  at most, at the most和at the very most三者的意思一样，只是at the very most的语气较重
at need 紧急时，有需要时：
  He always keeps some money at hand, so that he can use it at need. 他总是把一些钱放在手头，以备不时之需。
at night在夜晚：
   On the moon it’s too hot in the day and too cold at night. 月球上白天太热，晚上太冷。
用法导航
   “在夜晚”还可以说：in the night, by night, during the night.　如果说“某一天的夜晚”则必须用介词on.
at no time在任何时候都不，从不，决不：
  At no time and under no circumstances will China be the first to use nuclear weapons. 中国在任何时候和任何条件下都不会首先使用核武器。
at noon在中午：
  At noon the old tiger came down to the edge of the water to drink. 中午时候考虑来到水边喝水。
  He’ll call on me at noon. 他中午要来看我。
at once立刻，马上；同时：
  Do it at once, please. 请马上干吧。
  The film is at once interesting and instructive. 这部电影既有趣又有教育意义。
at one’s best处于（健康，情绪，才能，竞技等）最好状态；处于全盛时期：
  The cherry blossom is at its best. 樱花开得正盛。
  She was at her best yesterday evening and kept all of us amused. 昨天晚上她情绪最好，使我们大家一直都很开心。
at one’s convenience方便：
  Come at your convenience, any time will do for me. 你方便时就，我什么时候都行。
  Please let me know at your earliest convenience. 请尽早告知。
at one’s door在附近，在跟前，靠近：
  There’s a swimming pool right at my door. 游泳池就在我家附近。
at one’s service随时提供服务：
  My bike is at your service. 我的自行车随你使用。
  I am at your service if you need me. 你需要我干什么，尽管吩咐。
at one time曾经，从前有个时候：
  At one time scientists thought that there could be no thing smaller than atoms. 科学家曾一度认为没有比原子更小的东西了
at outs (with)（与••••••）不和；（与••••••）意见分歧：
  The two girls who were at outs with each other for a long time, have now become good friends. 那两个长期不和的女孩现在成了朋友。
at peace处于和平状态，和平相处；处于平静（和睦）状态，安静；长眠，死：
  The two nations are now at peace. 这现国现在和平相处。
  The problem was settled and his mind was at peace. 问题解决了，他的心情也就平静了。
  All was at peace in the dead of the night. 深夜里万籁俱寂。
at pleasure随意；随•••••喜欢：
  You may go or stay at pleasure. 愿去愿留，随你的便。
at present现在，目前：
  At present there are two thousand students in our school. 我们校目前有两千学生。
用法导航
  该短语是正式用语，通常用于书面语，往往暗示情况的暂时如此。注意present前无冠词，如有冠词则是“行持枪礼”的意思。短语at the present time与at present同义。
at quiet 平静；平稳：
   He has grown more at quiet with himself.　他变得较为平静了。
at rest静止的；安宁的；心情安定的；解决了的，，不必再谈的（问题）：
  No child is ever really at rest.　小孩们真是安静不下来的。
　She set still in her chair, but no at rest.　她坐在椅子上不动，但心绪不宁。
　The question has been set at rest.　这个问题已经解决。
at sea在海上；困惑：
  We had a storm at sea.　我们在海上遇到了风暴。
　I was all at sea when I began my new job.　我开始做新工作时茫然不知所措。
at short notice准备时间很少，很仓促，一有通知就：
  We went on holiday at such short notice that I didn’t say goodbye to you.　我们动身去休假之前十分仓促，我不及向你告别。
at / on sight一见（就），立即；见（票）即付（指汇票等）：
  He shot the enemy at sight.　他一看见敌人就开枪。
　The students were asked to translate a passage at sight in the last exam.　在上次考试中要求沉重看着短文进行翻译。
　This IOU (I owe you) will be paid at sight.　这张借据是见账单就付钱的。
at sixes and sevens乱七八糟，杂乱无章，心情混乱；意见不一致，不和睦：
  The classroom is at sixes and sevens.　那教室乱七八糟。
　Things are happening so fast that I’m at sixes and sevens.　事情发生的这样快，使我心绪烦乱。
　I thought that they had decided what to do, but I see now that they are still at sixes and sevens.　我想他们已经决定做什么，但我现在看到他们仍然是意见不一致。
at table在吃饭：
  Don’t talk at table.　吃饭时不要说话。
用法导航
  at table, at the table: at table是“在吃饭”的意思，at the table是“在桌子旁”的意思。
例如：
They were at table when I called.　我去看望他们时，他们正在吃饭。
The were at the table reading newspapers when I called.　我去看望他们时他们正桌旁看报纸。
at that time在那时：
  I was only six at that time.　当时我只有六岁。
at the age of在••••••岁时：
　　At the age of twelve, Edison began selling newspapers on the train.　爱迪生12岁时开始在火车上卖报纸。
at the back of在••••••后面：
  At the back of the house there is a vegetable garden.　房子后面有一片菜园。
at the back of one’s mind在（某人）记忆的深处：
 I have an impression at the back of my mind that I met him somewhere before.　我印象中，曾经在什么地方见过他。
at the beginning of在••••••之初，　在••••••的开始：
  They left for Beijing at the beginning of the year.他们是在年初时去北京的。
　At the beginning of class our teacher told us a story.　刚开始上课时，老师给我们讲了一个故事。
at the bottom在底部，本质上，实际上：
There stands a strange at the bottom of the garden.　在花园的尽头立着一块石头。
　When she heard the news, she was excited at the bottom of her heart.听到这个消息，她内心激动。
用法导航
　　(1)bottom意为“底部”“尽头”“下端”，常与介词at搭配。例如：at the bottom of the sea在海底，at the bottom of the garden在花园的尽头，at the bottom of page10在第10页的下端。（2）但需要注意的是，若在指容器的内侧或外侧的底部时，如指内侧的底部时，则可用介词in, on或at,若指外侧的询问时，仅用on或at.另外at the bottom表示“本质上”“实际上”的意思时，与at bottom相同。
at the cinema在主电影院：
  What’s on at the cinema today? 今天电影院时放映什么？
at the cost of 牺牲，以•••••为代价：
  He saved the lives of the children from the fire at the cost of his own. 他牺牲了自己的生命，却从大火中救出了孩子们。
at the doctor’s在医生论据。在医务室：
at the edge of在••••••边上：
  The city lies at the edge of the Sahara Desert. 这座城市位于撒哈拉沙漠的边上。
at the eleventh hour在最后时刻，在危机之时，在刚好来得及的时候：
  He won his chance at the eleventh hour. 他在最后时刻获得了机会。
  War, which seemed certain, was prevented at the eleventh hour. 看来势必要发生的战争在最后一刻被制止了。
用法导航
  本条短语原于《圣经•新约•马太福音。马太福音》。如果一天为12小时，那么第11小时已经是这12小时的末尾，因此转意为“最后时刻”。同时，这个短语还有“恰逢其时”的意思。
at the end of在•••••••结束时，到••••••的尽头，达••••••的限度：
  At the end of the performance the entire actors and actress came out to answer the curtain calls. 演出结束时，全体男女演员出来谢幕。
  At the end of the road you’ll find the hospital. 你会在路的尽头找到那家医院。
  She was at the end of her patience. 她已忍无可忍了。
用法导航
  表时间时注意和by the end of的区别。by the end of表示“在••••••结束时”“到••••••末为止”，多用完成时。例如：
  By the end of last month, my brother had been on that ship for five years. 到上月末为止，我哥哥已在那条船上呆了五年。
at the flood正当高潮：
  The tide is nearly at the flood. 潮水快到高潮了。
at the foot of在•••••脚下，在••••••下部：
  There is a cottage at the foot of the mountain. 山脚下有一座小型别墅。
  The poor stood at the foot of the social ladder. 穷人处于社会的底层。
at the full 在充满的时候；在圆满的状态中；在全盛时：
  The moon is at the full. 月亮正是最圆的时候。
  His business is at the full now. 他的事业现在正在全盛时期。
at the head of居••••••的首位；在••••••的最上面，依靠；率领：
  Daniel stood at the head of the staircase. 丹尼尔站在楼梯的最上一级。
  He is at the head of these troops. 他率领着这些军队。
at the moment此刻，这时，那时：
  I’m afraid I’m to busy at the moment to talk with you. 恐怕我此时太忙，没时间同你谈话。
  I rang you up but at the moment the line busy. 我给你打电话，但那时正占线。
用法导航
  从例句可以看出，此短语暗示，说话者所说的情况只是短暂的。
at (the) pains尽力，用心；下苦工夫，煞费苦心：
　　They were all at pains to help me in examining all these accounts.　他们都一直尽力地帮助我仔细地检查这些账目。
at / on / upon the point of 靠近，接近；即将•••••的时候：
  He was at the point of death when taken to he hospital.　他被医院时已经快要死了。
at (the) ready（举枪）准备（射击）；处于戒备状态：
  All the guns were told at (the) ready.　所有的枪都摆好架势，准备射击。
　The racers were at (the) ready, waiting for the shot.　赛手们各就各位，在等待发令枪声。
at the same time同时；然而，可是：
  The two 100 – metre runners reached the finish line at the same time.　这两个百米运动员同时跑到终点。
　I’ll forgive you, at the same time you must never do it again.　我可以原谅你，可以后绝对不能这样干了。
用法导航
　　at the same time作“同时”讲时，常指短暂的同一时刻，at the same time和in the same time两条短语的意思稍有不同：at 表的时间是一个点，in表示的时间是一段，前一个讲在同一个时间点做了什么，后者讲在同一段时间做了什么。
at the time当时，那时候：
　　Sun Yue called at my home last night, but I failed to meet him as I was out at the time.　昨天晚上孙跃来看我，但我当时出去了，所以没有见到他。
at the top of one’s voice用尽量大的声音：
  Don’t speak at the top of your voice.　不要大声吼。
　
at the top of the ladder / tree在（某一行业中）名列前茅，处于领导地位：
With his long years of research in physics, he’s certainly at the top of the ladder / tree on the subject.　他多年研究物理学，　在这方面可是数一数二的。
at the very start 一开始：
  They lined up at the very start. 他们一开始就派好了队。
at the wheel驾驶；掌舵；主管；指挥；控制：

at (the) worst在最坏的情况下，作为最坏的可能性：
  Don’t speak to the driver at the wheel. 别和在开车的驾驶员讲话。
  He is still at the wheel of a large company. 他仍主管一家大公司。
at this time of day在这个时候，到了这个地步：
  The poison has already taken effect, no medicine would be of any use at this time of day. 毒性已经发作了，到了这个地步什么药也没用了，
at his time of year在（一年）的这个时节里，时至今日，这样迟：
   Strange it is that he should think of doing so at this time of year. 真是怪了，他竟然到这个时候才想到如此做。
at times有时；偶尔，不时：
   At times I make mistakes when I speak English. 我说英语有时出错。
at twice在第二次时；分两次（做某事）：
     We succeeded at twice. 第二次我们成功了。
     He paid the debt at twice. 他分两次还俩款。
at white heat自热化，激烈的：
  Their discussion went on for an hour at white heat. 他们的讨论激烈地进行了一小时。
at will任意，随意，听便：
  Children are allowed to play at will nearby. 孩子们可以在附近任意地玩耍。
at work在工作；（机器）在运转中：
   Don’t disturb me when I am at work. 我工作时不要打扰我。
   The machine is at work. 机器在运转中。
attend to注意，处理；照顾，护理：
  Please attend to what she is saying. 请注意听她说的话。
  I have an urgent matter to attend to. 我有急事要办。
  He carefully attended to the wounded soldiers day and night. 他日夜悉心照料伤员。
average out达到平均数；算出平均数：
  His taxes should average out at about one quarter of his incomes. 他上的税应是他平均收入的四分之一。
  The gain averaged out to 25 percent. 利润平均为百分之25。
  They averaged out the numbers and got the result 8.4.他们算出这个数的平均数是8.4。
average out at平均为：
  Our writing hours averages out at 80 hours per week. 我们的写作时间平均每周为80小时。
average to平均为••••••：
  These bananas are averaged to three. 这些香蕉被平均分为三份。
average up提高到平均水平：
   They averaged up the wages of the lower – paid workers. 他们把低收入工人的工资提高到平均水平。
awake to认识到，意识到，深知：
  At last the teacher awoke his students to the fact that there is no easy way to success. 这位教师使学生认识到成功无捷径了。
  I’m wide awake to his weakness. 我非常清楚他的弱点。
away from离开，远离，脱离，不在：
  I haven’t been away from home before.  我以前没有离开过家。
away with 去掉；走开，滚开：
  Away with them! 把它们拿走！
　Away with you, I am tired of your company. 滚开，我讨厌和你在一起。
用法导航
 本短语一般用于无动词的命令句。