/spʌndʒ; spʌndʒ/
n
1 [C] type of simple sea animal with a light elastic body-structure full of holes that can absorb water easily 海绵.
2 [C, U] (part of) one of these, or a substance of similar texture, used for washing, cleaning or padding （用作清洗工具或衬垫物的）海绵, 海绵状物
*a large bath sponge, ie for washing one's body in the bath 洗澡用的大块海绵
* filled with sponge 内填海绵的
* [attrib 作定语] sponge rubber 泡沫橡胶.
3 [C] piece of absorbent material, eg gauze, used in surgery （外科用的）吸水物（如纱布）.
4 [C esp sing 尤作单数] act of cleaning, wiping, etc with a sponge; sponging 用海绵或吸水物进行的清洗、擦拭等
*She gave the floor a vigorous sponge all over. 她用海绵把地板 使劲儿擦了一遍.
5 [C, U] = sponge-cake
*Would you like some more sponge? 你再来点海绵蛋糕好吗?
6 (idm 习语) throw up the sponge (infml 口) admit that one is defeated 认输.

v
1 [Tn, Tn.p] ~ sb/oneself/sth (down) wipe, wash or clean sb/oneself/sth with a sponge 用海绵或海绵状物擦拭或清洗某人[自己/某物]
*sponge a wound 用海绵擦洗伤口
* He sponged down the car to remove the shampoo. 他用海绵把汽车上的洗涤剂擦掉了.
2 [I, Tn, Tn.pr] ~ (sth) (from sb) (infml 口) get (money, etc) from sb without giving or intending to give anything in return 白拿, 白得（钱等）; 揩油
*sponge a dinner 白吃一顿
* sponge a fiver (ie 5) from an old friend 向老朋友揩油硬要五英镑.
3 (phr v) sponge sth off/out remove sth by sponging 用海绵等清除某物
*sponge out a stain in the carpet 用海绵把地毯上的污迹擦掉. sponge on/off sb (infml usu derog 口, 通常作贬义) live at another person's expense; get money, food, etc from sb without giving or intending to give anything in return 依赖他人为生; 当食客; 从某人那儿白得（钱、食物等）; 揩油
*He always sponges off others. 他总是揩别人的油. sponge sth up remove (liquid) with a sponge 用海绵等将（液体）吸掉.