cringe

vi

• ① (因恐惧、卑屈等而)退缩,畏缩
  • She cringed at the thought of the accident.她想到那次意外事故而畏缩。

• ② 奉承,谄媚,巴结,卑躬屈膝,摇尾乞怜
  • He cringed to the boss.他向老板谄媚讨好。
  • The courtiers cringed before the king.朝臣们在国王面前卑躬屈膝。

• ③ 【口】讨厌
  • His foolish talk makes me cringe.他那愚蠢的谈话使我讨厌。
  • I cringed at his jokes.我讨厌他的笑话。