每日一词学英语(88): balk

这个用在北美的词在英国有另一种写法：baulk。本意是马停下来不肯前进，用于人时表示因困难或危险等因素而拒绝执行某事，常和at搭配使用。

~ (at sth) to be unwilling to do sth or become involved in sth because it is difficult, dangerous, etc.
*Many parents may balk at the idea of paying $100 for a pair of shoes.
*He balked for a moment. ‘I can’t afford it,’ he finally admitted.

Eventually burgeoning debt will limit the room for fiscal manoeuvre, and politicians may balk at renewed stimulus long before then. (From The Economist, July 23, 2009: A long way to go)