2009年3月12日星期四

short (EARLY), expanding aspirations

Some Chinese restaurateurs with fine-dining aspirations try to resist the pull of cashew chicken. They fail.
“We’ve got dim sum on the weekend,” said John Burke, 36, proprietor of Mr. Yen’s. “And spicy pigs’ ears on the menu. But it doesn’t matter — 40 percent of our business is cashew chicken.”

In Time of Crisis, Urging Bold Action and Big Ideas
By PETER BAKER
The president sought to convince anxious Americans why now is the right time for expanding aspirations.

Quote
"It was bought on the morn of the day he was born, It was always his treasure and pride. And it stopped short, never to go again, when the old man died." — Henry Clay Work, "My Grandfather's Clock"

short (EARLY) Show phonetics
adverb
before the arranged or expected time or place:
We had to cut short our holiday (= finish it early) because Richard was ill.
We wanted to explain the plans fully, but the chairman stopped us short, as there were other important matters to discuss.

aspiration Show phonetics
noun [C usually plural; U]
something that you hope to achieve:
I've never had any political aspirations.
It's a story about the lives and aspirations of poor Irish immigrants.

aspirational Show phonetics
adjective UK
showing that you want to have more money and a higher social position than you now have:
Trendy trainers and designer labels have become aspirational status symbols, especially among the young.

aspirate

Hide phonetics
noun [C] SPECIALIZED
the sound represented in English by the letter 'h', in words such as 'house'

aspirate

Hide phonetics
verb
1 [T] to pronounce a word with the sound 'h'

2 [I or T] US SPECIALIZED to breathe in, or to breathe a substance into your lungs by accident

aspiration

Hide phonetics
noun [U]

(from Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

Super Magnet Toys Recalled by MTC Due to Aspiration and Intestinal Hazards

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed.
Name of Product: Super Magnets
Units: About 2,800
Importer: Man’s Trading Company, of Brisbane, Calif.
Hazard: The magnet attached to the bottom of a small toy panda can detach. If swallowed or aspirated by young children, the magnets can attract each other internally and cause intestinal perforations or blockages, which can be fatal.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported.

Description: The ½-inch toys are shaped and painted to resemble panda bears. A small magnet is attached to the bottom of the toy. “Super Magnets” and the MTC logo are printed on the front of the packaging. The magnet toys are sold eight to a package.
Sold at: Dollar and gift stores nationwide from September 2005 through November 2007 for about $1.
Manufactured in: China
Remedy: Consumers should take the recalled toy away from children immediately and return them to the store where purchased for a full refund.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact MTC at (800) 388-7228 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT Monday through Friday. Consumers can also e-mail the firm at mtcmans@aol.com