自现象级英语
LAGGARD
1. 英英释义：a person who makes slow progress and falls behind others
例句：This cut-throat contest is not for losers and laggards.
2. 为什么选这个词？
“laggard”是可数名词，意思是“落后者”，从动词 lag（落后）衍生而来。这个词是《经济学人》的常客，可以指一个人、一家公司、一支球队、一个国家。来看几个例句。
这项比赛竞争激烈，不适合失败者和落后者，就可以说：
This cut-throat contest is not for losers and laggards.
中国男足一直落后，让很多国人觉得非常尴尬，我们就可以说：
The Chinese national football team has long been a laggard, an embarrassment to many Chinese.
来看看《经济学人》文章中用到的几处 laggard：
a) Britain’s economy has gone from a leader to a laggard internationally, as GDP growth has slowed sharply.
想表达“从领头羊变成了落后者”就可以直接用“go from a leader to a laggard”这一表达。
b) Indeed, half a millennium ago Europe might justly have been considered a laggard.
c) On its current path, the country will remain a growth laggard.
这句中，注意 growth 虽然是名词，但也可以用来修饰 laggard。这个用法在有的字典中查不到，不过在地道英文中还是可以看到的。我们在阅读中可以多注意积累类似的名词作修饰语的用法。
3. 怎样学会使用这个词？
1）翻译下面的句子：
这个国家的经济一度落后，不过现在已经开始迎头赶上了。 (重点：现在进行时，迎头刚上pick up/ catch up, 一度落后，同位语once/ long a laggard)
Once a laggard, the economy of this country is starting to catch up. Long a laggard, this country's economy is beginning to pick up.
造句：
例1：The new operation in Europe has developed a reputation as a laggard in the smartphone arena. 遭人诟病
例2：Her academic performance went from a leader to a laggard during her high school years. 仿写，学习成绩下降
例3：The trainee, long a laggard, is at last shining out in the cut-throat contest. 练习生的逆袭
个人拓展：
释义：指代事物和人 a company, organization, etc. that does something later, or improves less quickly, than others
指代人someone who buys a product at a much later date than most people
搭配：laggard countries/ authorities/ companies，be a laggard in doing sth
an international laggard/a growth laggard
背诵：
Chevron, an energy-firm, has gone from a laggard to a world-beater.
Britain’s economy has gone from a leader to a laggard internationally, as GDP growth has slowed sharply.
Mexico, long a laggard in financial reform, is at last putting its banks in order.
Steel companies are still considered laggards compared to high-tech manufacturers.