Phrase
irish bull
noun
自相矛盾的说法
A self-contradictory statement; a logical absurdity.
- 1.
A ludicrous, incongruent or logically absurd statement.
荒谬、不协调或逻辑上荒唐的陈述
荒谬、不协调或逻辑上荒唐的陈述
In use
His explanation for being late was an Irish bull: he said he arrived early because the traffic was heavy.
The politician's speech was full of Irish bulls, promising to cut taxes while increasing spending.
She claimed she never repeats herself, but that statement itself is an Irish bull.
make an Irish bull
He made an Irish bull during his speech.
他在演讲中自相矛盾了。
be an Irish bull
His statement was an Irish bull.
他的说法自相矛盾。
Common mistakes
That Irish bull is very strong.That statement is an Irish bull.
学习者误将“Irish bull”理解为字面上的“爱尔兰公牛”，而实际上它是一个习语，意为“自相矛盾的说法”。正确的用法是将其作为一个名词短语指代一种说法，而非动物。
He is an Irish bull.He made an Irish bull.
学习者错误地将“Irish bull”用作指人的名词，但该短语只能指自相矛盾的言论或说法，不能指人。修正后使用“made an Irish bull”表示“说了一个自相矛盾的话”。
Connections
Confusing words
- bull
- 公牛 · Irish bull 是固定短语，意为‘自相矛盾的说法’，并非字面上的‘爱尔兰公牛’。
Word family
- Irish bulls
- plural
Learner notes
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY.