理解动词短语 "Burn out"：含义与用法

欢迎各位英语学习者！英语动词短语常常令人困惑，但它们为语言增添了丰富的色彩和表达的精准性。今天，我们要深入解析一个非常常见且重要的动词短语："burn out"。理解 "burn out" 的细微差别至关重要，因为它频繁用于形容从个人精疲力竭到机械故障等各种情形。本文会清楚地解释 burn out 不同的含义，展示如何用它造句，探讨相关的同义词，并让你有机会检验自己的理解。读完之后，相信你会在日常英语对话中更加自信地运用 "burn out"！

目录

• “Burn out”是什么意思？
• “Burn out”的用法结构
• 相关短语与同义词
• 练习时间！
• 结论

“Burn out”是什么意思？

动词短语 "burn out" 是英语中多用途、常见的表达，主要传达枯竭或停止运作的含义。它最常见的是指由于长期或过度压力导致的情感、身体、精神上的精疲力竭，许多职场人士和学生都能不幸感同身受。除了个人精疲力竭外，"burn out" 还可以描述某些事物，比如设备或火焰，因为过度使用、燃料耗尽或寿命终结而停止运行。我们将深入剖析这些不同的含义层面，帮助你理解如何有效地使用 burn out。

“Burn out”的用法结构

动词短语 "burn out" 可以根据表达的内容有不同的用法。理解它的语法结构对于准确自然地使用至关重要。我们将探讨它的主要含义以及如何构建句子。请注意，语境对于判别 "burn out" 的具体含义非常关键。

含义1：因过度工作或压力变得精疲力竭或生病。

这可以说是当代英语中 "burn out" 的最主要含义，指因长期压力或过度劳累导致深度疲劳、精力枯竭的状态。它强调慢性压力对个人健康的负面影响，感到情绪被榨干与麻木。

• 结构：主语 + burn out
• Example 1: After months of working 12-hour days and dealing with immense pressure, the dedicated doctor started to burn out, finding it hard to feel any enthusiasm for her job.
• Example 2: Many students burn out before their final exams if they don't manage their study schedules effectively and allow for adequate rest and relaxation.

含义2：使某人因过度工作或压力而感到精疲力竭或生病。

在这种及物用法中，重点转向了导致他人burn out 的施动方或情境。这个动词短语需要一个宾语——即被迫精疲力竭的人。这个结构有助于明确压力来源。

• 结构：主语 + burn + 宾语（人） + out
• Example 1: The relentlessly demanding project, with its impossible deadlines and lack of resources, completely burned the entire development team out.
• Example 2: Constant criticism and micromanagement from his new supervisor burned him out in less than a year, leading him to seek alternative employment.

含义3：（指火焰）因无燃料而熄灭。

这种解释比较字面化，直接与燃烧过程有关。当火焰 "burns out"，指的是消耗完所有可燃物，无法继续燃烧。

• 结构：主语（火/火焰）+ burn out
• Example 1: The campfire we had enjoyed all evening eventually burned out as we ran out of logs to add to it, leaving only glowing embers.
• Example 2: Firefighters often let controlled burns burn out naturally once the perimeter is secure and there's no risk of spreading.

含义4：（指设备、灯泡、电机等）因过度使用或故障而停止工作。

这种 "burn out" 的用法描述电气或机械部件的损坏。它意味着该设备因磨损、过热或内部缺陷等原因到达了使用寿命的尽头。谈论日常电器或机器时常用这种说法。

• 结构：主语（设备/部件）+ burn out
• Example 1: The old motor in the vintage washing machine finally burned out after faithfully serving the family for over twenty years.
• Example 2: If you leave the halogen stage lights on at full power for too long without a break, the expensive bulbs will burn out much more quickly.

含义5：通过火灾摧毁某物，尤其是建筑物内部。

此用法的 "burn out" 描述火灾造成重大破坏的情形，通常指某建筑内部被大火吞噬或严重损毁。

• 结构（主动）：主语（如火、纵火者）+ burn out + 宾语（如建筑、房间）
• 结构（被动/不及物暗示）：主语（建筑/房间）+ burn out
• Example 1 (Active): The devastating electrical fire burned out the entire top floor of the historic library, destroying countless rare books.
• Example 2 (Passive implication): The abandoned car, left by the roadside for weeks, was completely burned out by vandals overnight.

相关短语与同义词

虽然 "burn out" 很有针对性，但还有一些词语和短语可以表达类似的精疲力竭或停止运作的意思。掌握这些同义词可以丰富你的词汇，帮助你在不同语境下选择最合适的表达。

练习时间！

让我们通过几个问题来检验你对 "burn out" 的理解。为每个问题选择最佳答案。

Question 1: Which sentence best uses "burn out" to mean becoming exhausted from overwork? a) The candle will burn out if you leave it.

b) She's afraid she will burn out if she takes on another project.

c) The faulty wiring caused the motor to burn out.

d) The firefighters watched the building burn out.

Correct answer: b

Question 2: "The constant demands of the job almost __________ him _________." Which pair correctly completes the sentence? a) burned / out

b) burn / off

c) burned / down

d) burning / out

Correct answer: a

Question 3: What is the most likely meaning of "burn out" in the sentence: "The old lightbulb in the hallway finally burned out."? a) Became very angry

b) Stopped functioning due to overuse

c) Was extinguished by someone

d) Caused a fire

Correct answer: b

Question 4: The manager's unrealistic expectations quickly __________ the new intern __________. a) burned out

b) burned out on

c) burned / out

d) burned out / them

Correct answer: c

结论

掌握动词短语 "burn out" 是你学习英语过程中的宝贵一步。正如我们所见，它的含义多样，既包括压力和精疲力竭等人类体验，也涵盖物品的寿命和火灾的破坏性。理解这些细微差别并练习不同句型，能让你的表达更加精确自然。尽管去在交流和写作中使用 "burn out"，坚持练习才是流利表达的关键！