settle

settle for, settle on, settle up

这组短语的意思并不相同：settle for的意思是“(勉强)同意接受”“清理(债务等)”; settle on的意思是“决定”“给(钱、遗产等)”; settle up的意思是“付账”。

settle, decide, determine, fix, make up one's mind, resolve

这组词(组)都有“决定”的意思。它们的区别在于:

1.decide是普通用词,指经过讨论、思考消除分歧而对是非、优劣、取舍等问题“作出决定”; resolve强调信念的目的性; 而settle则强调最后的“决定”。例如:

From that moment she resolved to trace the unknown element.从那时起,她决心找出这种未知的元素。

He resolved that nothing should hold back.他决心不为任何阻碍所挫。

The heavy rain might settle the changeable weather.这场大雨也许能使变幻不定的天气稳定下来。

2.determine强调“意志坚定”“不可动摇”,也常用于科技方面通过调查或认真思考后作出“决定”或“确定”。例如:

His advice determined me against further delay.他的劝告使我决定不再拖延。

He is determined to break away all the bad habits.他决心改掉所有坏习惯。

An X-ray determined that no bones were broken.经X光测定,没有发生骨折。

3.fix指经过考虑和商议后作出决定,强调不再改变。例如:

Once the aim is fixed, we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一经确定,我们就不要随意改变。

4.make up one's mind指下决心做某事,不再改变。例如:

Have you made up your mind about it?关于这件事,你拿定主意了没有?

They have made up their minds to set off tomorrow afternoon.他们决定明天下午动身。

settle, establish, fasten, fix

这四个词的共同含义是“使稳定”“使固定”。它们的区别是：

1.fix强调使稳固于、固定于某一位置、地方或情况中,且难以改变或移动。

2.establish强调使稳固而持久地建立起。例如:

Every possibility has been exploited to establish a number of schools.利用一切可能性建立了许多学校。

The company has established a new system for dealing with complaints.这家公司建立了处理意见的新制度。

3.settle则指“将…置于稳固的、有秩序的或永远的地方或情况中”。例如:

We have settled what we'll discuss at the next meeting.我们已决定下次会议讨论什么内容。

Their grandparents settled the land in 1856.他们的祖辈于1856年在这块土地上定居下来。

4.fasten只说明“系”“(使其)固定”这一动作,不强调动作的结果。也可指因出于好奇或向某人征求意见而目不转睛地看。例如:

Please fasten the seatbelt when the plane is about to take off.飞机起飞时请系好安全带。

The stranger fastened on my arm.那个陌生人紧紧抓住我的胳膊。

His eyes fastened upon the beautiful lady.他的眼睛盯住那位美丽的妇人。