un·der·mine /-ˈmaɪn/
(vt.)漸漸破壞,挖掘地基,暗地里破壞
Un·der·mine v. t.
1. To excavate the earth beneath, or the part of, especially for the purpose of causing to fall or be overthrown; to form a mine under; to sap; as, to undermine a wall.
A vast rock undermined from one end to the other, and a highway running through it. --Addison.
2. Fig.: To remove the foundation or support of by clandestine means; to ruin in an underhand way; as, to undermine reputation; to undermine the constitution of the state.
He should be warned who are like to undermine him. --Locke.
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undermine
v 1: destroy property or hinder normal operations; "The
Resistance sabotaged railroad operations during the war"
[syn: sabotage, countermine, counteract, subvert,
weaken]
2: hollow out as if making a cave or opening; "The river was
caving the banks" [syn: cave]