by all means, by no means
这两个词组都是by...means的形式。
by all means: 意思是“一定”、“无论如何”、“用一切手段”;by all means亦可用于回答,表示有礼貌的同意,作“好的”、“当然可以”解。
- you must bring him here by all means.
你们一定要设法把他带到这里来。 - this project must be realized by all means.
这个规划必须要实现。 - you should by all means warn him before he leaves for singapore.
你务必在他去新加坡之前提醒他。 - may i have one?—yes,by all means.
我可以拿一个吗?——当然可以。
by no means: 意思是“决不”,相当于not at all.
- she is by no means bright.
她一点儿也不聪明。 - i will by no means consent.
我决不同意。 - the first step will take quite a long time and can by no means be accomplished overnight.
第一步的时间是相当地长,决不是一朝一夕所能完成的。