| 释义 |
▪ I. bo-peep|ˌbəʊˈpiːp|
Forms: 6 boo-peep, -pepe, -pipe, bo-pepe, -pipe, 6–7 bo-, boe-peepe, 7 boa-peep, boh-peepe, 7– bo-peep.
[f. bo int. + peep v.; cf. Sc. bo-keek, keek-a-boo.]
1. a. A nursery play with a young child, who is kept in excitement by the nurse or play-mate alternately concealing herself (or her face), and peeping out for a moment at an unexpected place, to withdraw again with equal suddenness. Johnson says ‘The act of looking out and then drawing back as if frighted, or with the purpose to fright some other’. Hence to play (at) bo-peep (with); also fig., in many obvious applications.
1528Tindale Doctr. Treat. (1848) 214 Mark how he playeth bo-peep with the scripture. 1535Joye Apol. Tindale (Arb.) 7 Yf Tindal wyll..playe boo pepe withe the tencis. c1620[Fletch. & Mass.] Trag. Barnavelt ii. i. in Bullen O.Pl. (1883) II. 248 This blinded State that plaies a boa-peep with us. 1648Herrick Hesper., Upon her Feet, Her pretty feet Like snailes did creep A little out, and then, As if they started at Bo-Peep, Did soon draw in agen. 1658Osborn Jas. I (1673) 526 Forced to..die in a Prison, or play at Bo-peep all the remainder of their days with their Creditors. 1701Interest of England 34 Men..That..do nothing but play at Bo-peep with God Almighty. a1849H. Coleridge Poems (1850) II. 217 What fancy so pretty is playing bo-peep With the innocent's thoughts in the fields of sleep?
b. as interjection.
c1550Pride & Abuse Wom. in Hazl. E.P.P. IV. 231 Bo pepe! what have I spyed? A bug, devysing of proud knacks.
c. attrib.
1663Cowley Cutter Coleman St. iii. v, There will be a good Bo-peep Love. 1692Villiers (Dk. Buckhm.) Chances (1714) 115 Were these your bo-peep Prayers? 1863W. Phillips Speeches xxiv. 547 For the President, in bo-peep secrecy to hide himself in the White House.
2. A look; = peep n.2 1 a. Austral. and N.Z. colloq.
1941Coast to Coast 1941 67 ‘I'll 'ave a bo-peep,’ he said. ‘You gotter watch 'er. We don't want no dead pups.’ 1944L. Glassop We were Rats ii. xiii. 79 Let's take a bo-peep at what they got in the canteen. 1946F. Sargeson That Summer 61 A smart-looking piece of goods..having a bo-peep out of the bathroom window. 1961B. Crump Hang on a Minute, Mate (1963) 91 Have a bo-peep at this little lot. 1969Landfall XXIII. 323 Take a bo-peep at old Lionel.
▪ II. bo-ˈpeep, v. rare.
intr. To play bo-peep.
1606Warner Alb. Eng. xvi. ci. (1612) 400 Why should faces faire indeed bo-peepe behind a Fanne? 1840Barham Ingol. Leg., Wedding Day 26 The National School, Bo-peeping 'midst ‘many a mouldering heap’. |
