Second-best

second-best adj 1 next after the best 仅次於最好的 my ,second-best `suit 我的这身套装, 仅次於最好的那套 the second-best performance of the tournament 联赛中仅次於最好的那一场. 2 not as good as one would really like 未达到最喜欢的程度的 I like live music: for me, records are definitely second-best. 我喜欢现场演奏的音乐, 听唱片可没那麽好. 3 (idm 习语) come off ,second-`best fail to win; fail to do as well as sb else 未获胜的; 做得不如他人的 When they have to choose between quality and price, quality usually comes off second-best. 他们在质量和价格作取舍时, 往往要牺牲质量. n [U] person or thing that is not as good as the best 第二等的人或事物 I'm used to high quality and won't take second-best. 我用惯高质量的东西, 差一点儿的都不行. ,second `chamber upper house in a law-making body 议会的上议院. ,second `class (a) standard of accommodation, etc that is of lower quality than first class （住宿等的级别的）二等 [attrib 作定语] a second-class carriage on the train 火车的二等车厢. (b) category of mail that is given less priority than first-class mail 二等邮件（次於获优先处理的一等邮件） Second class is cheaper. 二等邮件较便宜. [attrib 作定语] ,second-class `letters 二等邮件的信. ,second-`class adj 1 of the second-best group or category 第二等的; 第二级的 a second-class degree in history 乙等荣誉历史学位. 2 (derog 贬) much less good than the best; second-rate 次等的; 二流的 a ,second-class ho`tel 次等旅馆 The old are treated as ,second-class `citizens, ie not as well as other members of society. 老人遭次等公民待遇. adv go/travel second-class 乘坐二等车 It takes longer if you send it second-class. 按二等邮件寄, 花的时间长.