sharpen
verb [ T ] uk/ˈʃɑː.pən/ us/ˈʃɑːr.pən/
(ABLE TO CUT)
C2 使变尖；使锋利
to make something sharp or sharper
My pencil is blunt - I'll have to sharpen it. 我的铅笔钝了——我得削一下。
figurative The company is cutting production costs in an attempt to sharpen its competitive edge (= in order to improve how competitive it is). 这家公司正降低生产成本，以增强竞争力。
- More examples
- I need to sharpen that knife.
- She sharpened the blade.
- He sharpened the edge of the stick to a point.
- The surgeon sharpened his scalpel.
- He used to sharpen his razor on a leather strap.
(MAKE STRONG)
加强；加剧
to make something stronger
Recent changes have sharpened competition between the airlines. 近来的种种变化加剧了航空公司之间的竞争。
The prison riots have sharpened the debate about how prisons should be run. 监狱暴动加剧了有关监狱该如何管理的争论。
改善；提高
to improve
I hope this course will help me sharpen my computer skills. 我希望这门课程能帮助我提高电脑操作技能。
I went to university to sharpen my mind. 我上大学是为了让自己的头脑更加敏锐。
We'll need to sharpen our wits if we're going to defeat Jack's team. 要击败杰克的队，我们需要更加聪明一些。
(CLEAR)
使清晰;使清楚
to make something clearer
How do you sharpen the focus on this camera? 这台相机的焦距怎么调清楚呢？
(MUSIC)
使提高音调；使提高半音
to make something play a higher musical note
You need to sharpen the A string on your violin. 你小提琴上的 A 弦应升半音。
Phrasal verb
sharpen (something) up 改进；改善
to perform better, or to improve the performance of something
If the company doesn't sharpen up soon, it will go out of business. 如果这家公司不马上改进的话，就会歇业倒闭的。