opportunity

op‧por‧tu‧ni‧ty S1 W1 / ɒpətjunəti, ɒpətjunɪti $ ɑpərtu- / 名词 ( 复数形式 opportunities )

1 [可数和不可数名词] a chance to do something or an occasion when it is easy for you to do something

opportunity to do something

a rare opportunity to see inside this historic building

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank you all.

opportunity for

Games and songs provide an opportunity for classroom interaction.

2 [可数名词] a chance to get a job or improve your situation at work :

There are fewer opportunities for new graduates this year. → equal opportunities at equal 1 ( 2 )

COLLOCATIONS

动词

have opportunity I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to travel.

take/use opportunity (= do something you have a chance to do ) Several employees took the opportunity to retire early.

seize/grasp an opportunity (= do something very eagerly when you have the chance ) She saw an opportunity to speak to him, and seized it.

miss/lose an opportunity (= not do something you have a chance to do ) Dwyer never missed an opportunity to criticize her.

give somebody opportunity The children should be given the opportunity to make their own choices.

get an opportunity I decided to go, as I might never get this opportunity again.

provide/present/open up an opportunity The course also provides an opportunity to study Japanese.

an opportunity comes (along/up) We had outgrown our house when the opportunity came up to buy one with more land.

an opportunity arises Perhaps she would explain later, if the opportunity arose.

形容词

a good/great/wonderful etc opportunity It’s a great opportunity to try new things.

the ideal/perfect opportunity I’d been wanting to try sailing, and this seemed like the ideal opportunity.

a golden opportunity (= a very good opportunity ) The council has missed a golden opportunity to improve the town centre.

a rare/unique opportunity a unique opportunity to stay in a real castle

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity (= a very good opportunity that you will only get once ) For many athletes, the Olympics are a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

a wasted/lost/missed opportunity (= one you do not use ) Many people see the failed talks as a missed opportunity for peace.

ample opportunity/plenty of opportunity (= a number of chances to do something ) There will be ample opportunity for shopping.

limited/little opportunity (= not many chances ) They had little opportunity to discuss the issue beforehand.

名词

a photo opportunity (= a chance to take a good photograph, especially of a particular person ) Parents will always look for good photo opportunities at their kid’s graduation ceremony.

短语

at the first/earliest opportunity (= as soon as possible ) He decided to leave school at the earliest opportunity.

at every (possible) opportunity (= whenever possible ) She went to the museum at every opportunity.

a window of opportunity (= a time when you can do something ) The other team started making mistakes, but we didn’t take advantage of this window of opportunity.

a land of opportunity (= a country where people have a lot of good opportunities ) America was then seen as a land of opportunity.

the opportunity of a lifetime (= a very good opportunity that you will only get once ) The winner of the contest got the opportunity of a lifetime – the chance to work with a top fashion designer.