◙ (betting;pastandpast participle bet 或 betted) 1. [noobj.] risk something, typically a sum of money, against someone else's on the basis of the outcome of a future event, such as the result of a race or game • （就比赛等的结果）打赌，赌博 » betting on horses. 赌马。 »I wouldn't bet against him winning. 我不会打赌说他赢不了的。 »[with clause] I would be prepared to bet that what he really wanted was to settle down. 我敢打赌他心里真正想要做的事情是设法安顿下来。 »[with obj.] most people would bet their life savings on the prospect. 多数人会为求得成功而将一生的积蓄孤注一掷。 »[with obj.andclause] he bet a hundred pounds that he could complete 200 miles. 他以100英镑打赌说自己能跑完200英里。 [with obj.andclause] risk a sum of money against (someone) on the outcome or happening of a future event • 与（某人）以钱打赌 »[with two objs] I bet you £15 you won't chat her up. 我跟你赌15英镑，你和她肯定搭不上话。 2. [with clause] [informal] used to express certainty • [非正式] 敢说，肯定 » I bet this place is really spooky late at night. 我敢说到了深夜时分这地方绝对是阴森得吓人。 »he'll be surprised to see me, I'll bet. 我敢肯定，他见到我一定会很惊讶的。 ◙ noun 1. an act of risking a sum of money in this way • 打赌，赌博 »every Saturday she had a bet on the horses. 她每周六都赌马。 » for a bet he once rode 200 miles in nine hours. 为了打赌，他有一次用九个小时骑了200英里。 a sum of money staked in this way • 赌注 »the bookies are taking bets on his possible successor. 赌注登记经纪人们对谁可能成为他的后继人一事打赌。 [with adj.] [informal] a candidate or course of action to choose, offering likelihood of success to a specified degree • [非正式] 有可能成功的人选（或备选行动） »Town looked a good bet for victory. 看上去汤恩是一个很有成功希望的人选。 » your best bet is to call the official liquidators. 找官方的资产清算人应是你的首选。 (one's bet)[informal] an opinion, typically one formed quickly or spontaneously • [非正式] （一时产生的）想法，感觉 »my bet is that Liverpool won't win anything. 我感觉利物浦队将一无所获。
【IDIOMS】
◘ all bets are off 1. [informal] the outcome of a situation is unpredictable • [非正式] 世事难料 ◘ bet the farm 1. [N. Amer. informal] risk everything that one owns on a bet, investment, or enterprise • [北美，非正式] （在赌博、投资或风险事业上）孤注一掷；破釜沉舟 »this isn't a great time to bet the farm on the Internet. 现在不是在因特网上孤注一掷的有利时机。 ◘ don't (或 wouldn't) bet on it 1. [informal] used to express doubt about an assertion or situation • [非正式] 这拿不准 »he may be a suitable companion—but don't bet on it. 他可能会是个合适的同伴——但这也难说。 ◘ want to bet? 1. [informal] used to express vigorous disagreement with a confident assertion • [非正式] 敢打赌吗？（用于表示强烈不同意某种说法） »‘You can't be with me every moment.’ ‘Want to bet?’. “你不可能时刻都和我在一起。"“打不打赌？"。 ◘ you bet 1. [informal] you may be sure;certainly • [非正式] 你放心；当然，一定 »‘Would you like this piece of pie?’ ‘You bet!’. “你想吃这块馅饼吗？"“当然！"。
【语源】
1. late 16th cent.: perhaps a shortening of the obsolete noun abet 'abetment'