英语短语动词解读：Cream off

欢迎，英语学习者！短语动词常常让人头疼，但它们对于让你的英语听起来地道而流利至关重要。今天，我们要深入学习短语动词 cream off。正确掌握 cream off 的用法，将极大提升你的英语词汇量和理解能力。本篇内容将探讨其多种含义，句子的结构用法，相关表达，还会给你机会进行练习。准备好提升对这一多用途短语动词的理解力吧！

目录

• Cream off 是什么意思？
• Cream off 的句型结构
• 相关短语及同义词
• 练习时间！
• 结语

Cream off 是什么意思？

短语动词 cream off 是一个有趣的表达，有几种不同的含义，通常都围绕“取最精华部分”或“取一部分钱”的概念。它的起源可能源自字面意义——从牛奶表面撇去奶油，那是最丰富的部分。理解这个画面有助于你更容易理解它的引申义。

当你 cream off 某物时，本质上就是挑选或去除特定部分，往往是最有价值或最有才能的。这一短语动词常用于商业、金融、教育甚至日常情境。学会如何在句子中正确使用 cream off，是提升英语流利度和理解细腻会话的大步。我们会探讨它的常见含义，以及这些含义在不同情境中的应用。

Cream off 的句型结构

理解 cream off 的语法结构是正确使用它的关键。这个短语动词是及物的，意味着它总是需要一个宾语——被“cream off”的人或物。一般结构是主语执行“cream off”的动作，作用于某个宾语，有时还会指出其来源或整体。让我们来探讨常见含义及它们的标准句型。

含义一：挑选最优秀或最有才华的

这也许是 cream off 最常见的引申用法。它指的是从更大群体或集合中，选择并带走最有能力的人或最好的东西，通常是为了获得优势。

• 结构：主语 + cream off + [最优秀/最有才华的人/物] + （from [某团体/来源]）
• Example 1: Elite universities often cream off the top students from schools across the country. In this sentence, "elite universities" (subject) are selecting "the top students" (object) from a larger pool ("schools across the country").
• Example 2: The company has a reputation for trying to cream off the most innovative employees from its competitors. Here, "the company" (subject) is taking "the most innovative employees" (object) from "its competitors" (source).

含义二：分取一部分钱（常含秘密或不正当之意）

cream off 还有一个重要含义，是指分走一部分金钱或利润，尤其是以不公平、秘密、或不正当的方式。不过有时也指合理地事先收取一部分。

• 结构：主语 + cream off + [金钱/利润/百分比] + （from [来源/总额]）
• Example 1: The investigation revealed that the manager had been creaming off a small percentage of the daily takings for years. This implies a dishonest act where "the manager" (subject) was taking "a small percentage of the daily takings" (object).
• Example 2: Before distributing the grant money, the organization would cream off an administrative fee. In this case, "the organization" (subject) is taking "an administrative fee" (object) from the total "grant money" (source), which might be a legitimate, disclosed action.

含义三：字面意义——去掉奶油

这是最初的字面意义，其引申义也来自这里。它指的是把牛奶或其他液体表面的一层奶油去掉。

• 结构：主语 + cream off + 奶油 + （from [牛奶/液体]）
• Example 1: My grandmother taught me how to cream off the thick layer from the fresh milk to make butter. "My grandmother" (subject) is removing "the thick layer" (object, which is cream) from "the fresh milk" (source).
• Example 2: You need to cream off the fat that rises to the top of the broth before serving. Here, "you" (subject) are instructed to remove "the fat" (object) from "the top of the broth" (source).

理解以上不同结构和语境，将有助于你高效使用 cream off，让这一短语动词成为你的英语词汇宝库的一员。

相关短语及同义词

扩展词汇量通常包括学习同义词和相关短语。这不仅能帮助你理解意义的细微区别，还能让你的表达更丰富；用 cream off 的不同场合，也有多种表达方式。下面这张表格列出了一些常用于类似场景的同义词，可供替换选择：

掌握这些同义词，你不仅能更好地理解各类文本，更能在表达类似 cream off 意思时，选用最贴切的词语。

练习时间！

现在，该检验你对 cream off 的理解啦！为每道题选择最佳答案。

Question 1: Which sentence best describes a company trying to attract the most skilled employees from other firms? a) The company wants to cream on talented staff.

b) The company plans to cream off the best engineers from its rivals.

c) The company will cream up its workforce with new hires.

d) The company decided to cream out experienced professionals.

Correct answer: b

Question 2: "The dishonest cashier was caught trying to __________ some money from the till each day." Which phrasal verb fits best? a) cream up

b) cream over

c) cream off

d) cream in

Correct answer: c

Question 3: What is the literal meaning of "to cream off"? a) To mix cream into coffee.

b) To remove the layer of cream from milk.

c) To whip cream until it's stiff.

d) To buy expensive cream.

Correct answer: b

Question 4: "The prestigious scholarship program aims to __________ the most academically gifted students from disadvantaged backgrounds." a) cream with

b) cream by

c) cream out of

d) cream off

Correct answer: d

结语

掌握像 cream off 这样的短语动词，是你通向英语流利之路的重要一步。正如我们所看到的，cream off 有不同的含义——从挑选最优秀者到拿走一部分钱，以及字面意义上的撇去奶油。理解它们的结构和常见语境，能让你自信而准确地使用。继续在课文和对话中注意它的出现，并尽量运用到自己的口语和写作中。坚持练习，短语动词就会变成你英语词汇的自然组成部分！