An allusion is something said or written that mentions a subject, a person, a story, or an event without naming it straight out. The speaker or writer points, and trusts you to recognise the thing being pointed at. “He met his Waterloo” is an allusion to Napoleon’s last defeat, used for a final, heavy loss.

An allusion is something said or writtenallusion是一種說出來或寫出來的東西 that mentions a subject, a person, a story, or an event提到某個主題、人物、故事，或事件 without naming it straight out但不直接講出名字 The speaker or writer points說話或寫作的人只是指一下 and trusts you to recognise the thing being pointed at相信你認得出他指的是什麼 'He met his Waterloo'（像'He met his Waterloo'，他遇上了他的滑鐵盧） is an allusion to Napoleon's last defeat就是在暗指拿破崙最後一次的戰敗 used for a final, heavy loss用來形容一次徹底、沉重的失敗

Teachers, newspapers, and novels use allusions a lot; they add an extra layer for people who share the same background. The word is fairly formal.

Teachers, newspapers, and novels use allusions a lot老師、報紙和小說很常用allusion they add an extra layer它們增加了一層額外的意思 for people who share the same background給有相同背景知識的人 The word is fairly formal這個字算是蠻正式的

In loose talk people more often say “she was referring to…” or “that’s a nod to….” An allusion is not a secret code, and it is not a lie. It is an indirect mention, offered in the hope that you will catch it.

In loose talk在比較口語的說法裡 people more often say 'she was referring to…' or 'that's a nod to….'大家比較常說'she was referring to…'（她指的是…）或'that's a nod to…'（那是在暗指…） An allusion is not a secret codeallusion不是什麼密碼 and it is not a lie也不是謊言 It is an indirect mention它是一種間接的提及 offered in the hope that you will catch it說的人希望你能領會到