名词 (noun):指“勒索行为”或“被用来勒索的把柄”。
动词 (verb):表示“勒索某人”。
• He was blackmailed into giving her $10,000 after she threatened to reveal his affair.
→ 他因对方威胁要曝光他的婚外情而被迫支付一万美元。
• The journalist uncovered a blackmail scheme involving several government officials.
→ 记者揭露了一起涉及多名政府官员的勒索阴谋。
• Never let anyone use your past mistakes as blackmail against you.
→ 别让任何人利用你的过去错误来要挟你。
“Blackmail” 是一个正式且带有强烈负面色彩的词,多用于法律、新闻或严肃语境中。日常对话中较少使用,除非描述真实威胁行为。