1. 结实的，坚硬的，牢固的　 solidly fixed in place
2. 坚定不移的，矢志不渝的　 not changing or likely to change
3. 强有力的，坚信　 strong and giving a feeling of trust

　～ faith　坚定的信念
　～ prices　稳定的物价
　～ steps　坚定的步伐
　～ about　…的想法很坚定
　～ against　坚定地反对…的，比…坚挺的
　～ against the pounds　（美元等）比英镑坚挺
　～ in one's purpose　意志坚决
　～ with　对…严格的
　～ with children　严格对待孩子

　The runner has firm muscles.　那个赛跑运动员有一身结实的肌肉。
　They have taken firm possession of the enemy position.　他们已牢牢地占领了敌人的阵地。
　He kept a firm hold on her hand as he helped her across the river.　他在帮她过河时紧紧地抓住她的手。
　His reply to the request was a firm "No".　对那个请求他坚决地回答：“不”。
　Our offer was met with a firm refusal.　我们的报价被坚决拒绝。
　He expressed firm support for their cause.　他对他们的事业表示坚决的支持。
　He kept a firm hold on my arm as he helped me over the fence.　他有力地拉着我的手臂，帮我越过栅栏。
　I'm a firm believer in telling the truth.　我坚信应该说真话。
　His muscles are very firm.　他肌肉很结实。
　Some soft foods become firm when cold.　有些松软的食品凉了就变硬。
　You must be firm.　你必须坚决。
　This wet ground is not firm enough to walk on.　这块湿地不够坚实，不能在上面走。
　I don't think that chair is firm enough to stand on.　我想那椅子不够牢稳，不能站上去。

 ♣ a firm hand
　严格控制　strong discipline or control
　All children need a firm hand.　孩子们都需要有严格的管教。
　A dictator must have a firm hand.　独裁者必须具备强硬的手段。
　That boy needs a firm hand to help him grow up.　那个男孩需要严加管教才能有所长进。
　He sent a special governor to Altorf, who would rule with a firm hand.　他派了一名特别总督去阿尔托夫，此人将用铁的手腕来统治该城。
 ♣ firm about
　在…上态度坚定　determined about sth
　I shall have to be firm about this subject.　在这个问题上我不得不采取坚定态度。
 ♣ firm against
　坚挺的　not lower than another currency, etc. and possibly about to rise in price
　The pound remained firm against the dollar but fell against yen.　英镑对美元仍然坚挺，但对日元下跌。
 ♣ firm in〔of〕
　坚定的　determined in purpose
　Jack is firm in his resolution to do it.　杰克做那件事的决心很坚定。
　They remained firm in the conviction that they would be able to overcome their difficulties.　他们始终坚信能够克服困难。
　He was firm in his belief that his cause was just.　他坚定地相信自己的理由是公正的。
　He is firm in his purpose.　他意志坚定。
　Mary is firm of purpose.　玛丽是个不达目的不罢休的人。
 ♣ firm on one's feet
　步伐稳定的　walking steady
　The baby is not very firm on its feet yet.　那个小孩还站不稳。
 ♣ firm with
　对…严格　strong and consistent in attitude and behaviour, not easily persuaded to change one's mind, decision
　The father was firm with his children.　父亲对他的孩子很严格。
　She is firm with her son.　她对自己的儿子严格管教。

 ♣ firm, hard, solid
　这三个词都可表示“坚硬的”“坚定的”。其区别是：firm指组织与构造是坚韧的，不容易因拉伸、弯曲而变形，暗示稳定或坚固；hard指厚实或坚硬，能抵抗压力，几乎不能压缩、拉伸或挖掘或极度执著，有顽固之意；solid指结构很坚固，密度一致，有很强的稳定性，能抵抗任何压力。例如：
　I took a firm hold on the rope.　我牢牢地抓住了绳子。
　The ground was too hard to dig.　这块地太硬没法挖。
　The buildings are surrounded with solid walls.　这座建筑周围用坚硬的墙围着。

　firm　还可用作副词，常修饰静态动词。例如：
　She is holding firm to the stick.　她紧紧地握住手杖。

C 公司，商行 a business company

　establish a ～　开商行
　manage a ～　经营商行
　operate a ～　经营商行
　run a ～　经营商行
　advertising ～　广告公司
　long ～　〈英〉诈骗商行
　manufacturing ～　制造公司
　shipping ～　运输公司
　tailoring ～　成衣店
　business ～　商业公司
　export ～　出口公司
　trade ～　商行
　～ in Paris　在巴黎的公司

　She works for an engineering firm.　她在一家工程公司工作。
　She works for a firm of stockbroker.　她在一家股票经纪公司工作。
　He was a partner in a firm of solicitors in Holborn.　他是荷尔本一家律师事务所的合伙人。
　The firm has not been doing well recently.　这家公司最近经营状况不佳。
　The firm is very successful, they're raking it in.　这家公司很成功，正在赚大钱。
　The firm have agreed to give me a two weeks' holiday.　公司已经同意给我两个星期的假。
　The firm are giving an important dinner.　这家公司大摆宴席。

　他是史密斯兄弟商行的办事员。
　［误］ He is a clerk in〔at, on〕 the firm of Smith Brothers.
　［正］ He is a clerk with the firm of Smith Brothers.
　［析］ 表示“是某公司的职员”时， firm前通常用with.

 ♣ firm, company, corporation, partnerships
　参见company条。

　vt. & vi.（使）坚硬，（使）稳固 (cause to) become firm

　～ the government　稳定政府
　～ quickly　很快硬结
　～ safely　安全硬结
　～ sufficiently　有效地稳固
　～ prices up　稳住物价
　～ around sth　把某物周围的土培实
　～ sth in its socket　把某物牢牢插在其座孔里

　The jelly firmed quickly.　果冻迅速坚硬起来。
　His face firmed and he spoke with restrained anger.　他把脸一沉，按捺着火气说话。
　The market firmed slightly.　行情稍有回升。
　The voice firmed with decision.　嗓音变得果断坚定。
　Stock market prices have firmed.　股票市场已经稳定了。
　He reshuffled the cabinet to firm his government.　他重新改组内阁以强化其政府。

 ♣ firm up　(v.+adv.)
1. （使）更结实；（使）更坚硬 (cause to) become harder
　The soil is firming up now that the weather is drier.　天气干燥了，土壤也变得坚硬起来。
　Exercise will firm up your muscles.　锻炼身体能使肌肉结实。
　The machine helps to firm the ground up for the game.　机器压实了比赛用的场地。
2. 把…安排得更稳妥，牢靠；使稳定 arrange (sth) more firmly; cause to become firm
　We should firm up ties with the Third World.　我们应当加强与第三世界的联系。
　I will return to Paris tomorrow, if I firm up the my air ticket.　如果我能把飞机票定下来的话，我打算明天回巴黎。
　We should be able to firm up the agreement today.　我们今天应该能把协议确定下来。
　The government must act to firm prices up.　政府必须采取措施稳定物价。

　［同义词］ adj. braced, convinced, crisp, hard, reliable, rigid, stable, strong, sure, tight, unchanging, unshakable n. business, company, concern, corporation
　［反义词］ adj. infirm, loose, soft, unsound, weak
　［词源］　古法语ferme<拉丁语firmus （坚固，坚定）