A terrier is a type of small, lively dog. Terriers were bred to hunt animals that live in holes in the ground — foxes, rats, badgers — so the dog was expected to go down into the earth after them.

A terrier is a type of small, lively dogTerrier 是一種體型小、活力充沛的狗。 Terriers were bred to hunt animals that live in holes in the groundTerrier 原本是被培育來獵捕住在地洞裡的動物——foxes, rats, badgers——像狐狸、老鼠、獾——so the dog was expected to go down into the earth after them所以這種狗被期待能鑽進地底追進去。

That job shaped the animal: terriers are famously bold, busy, quick to bark, and unwilling to let go of something once they have decided about it. There are many breeds with the word in the name — fox terrier, Yorkshire terrier, bull terrier, Scottish terrier — and most are now kept simply as pets.

That job shaped the animal這份工作塑造了牠們的性格：terriers are famously bold, busy, quick to barkTerrier 以大膽、精力旺盛、愛叫聞名，and unwilling to let go of something once they have decided about it而且一旦認定一件事就不肯放手。 There are many breeds with the word in the name很多犬種的名字裡都有這個字——fox terrier, Yorkshire terrier, bull terrier, Scottish terrier——像 fox terrier（獵狐㹴）、Yorkshire terrier（約克夏㹴）、bull terrier（牛頭㹴）、Scottish terrier（蘇格蘭㹴）——and most are now kept simply as pets現在大多只是當寵物養。

Because of that character, people also use the word about a person, usually with affection and a little respect: to call a reporter or a lawyer 'a terrier' means they keep at something and will not drop it. That figurative use is common in British writing and sports commentary, less so in Taiwan's classrooms, but it is worth recognising when you meet it.

Because of that character因為這種性格，people also use the word about a person大家也會拿這個字形容人，usually with affection and a little respect通常帶著喜愛和一點敬意：to call a reporter or a lawyer 'a terrier'說一個記者或律師是 'a terrier'，means they keep at something and will not drop it意思是他們會緊咬著一件事不放。 That figurative use is common in British writing and sports commentary這種比喻用法在英式寫作和體育評論裡很常見，less so in Taiwan's classrooms在台灣的課堂上比較少見，but it is worth recognising when you meet it但遇到的時候值得認得出來。