-
an instrument such as a hammer, screwdriver, saw, etc. that you hold in your hand and use for making things, repairing things, etc. 工具 
garden tools 园艺工具 a cutting tool 切削工具 Always select the right tool for the job. 一定要选对干活的工具。 craftsmen using traditional tools 使用传统工具的工匠 a set of tools 一套工具
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- general-purpose
- multi-purpose
- basic
- …
- set
- use
- sharpen
- down tools
- …
-
a thing that helps you to do your job or to achieve something （有助于做工或完成某事的）用具，器具，手段，方法 research tools like questionnaires 问卷之类的研究手段 a marketing/management tool 营销/管理工具 The internet can be a powerful teaching tool. 互联网可以成为一个强大的教学工具。 a useful/valuable tool 有用/有价值的工具 Some of them carried the guns which were the tools of their trade (= the things they needed to do their job). 他们有些人携带着喷枪，那是干他们那一行的器具。 the effectiveness of interest rates as an economic tool 利率作为经济工具的有效性 An email newsletter can be a very effective communication tool. 电子邮件简讯是一种非常有效的沟通工具。 They need to use all the tools at their disposal. 他们需要使用所有可以使用的工具。
Extra ExamplesThe internet has become a vital tool for many artists. 因特网已经成为许多艺术家的重要工具。 This dictionary is a great reference tool for advanced learners. 这本词典是高级学习者的很好的参考工具。 We must ensure that education is not used as a political tool. 我们必须确保教育不被用作政治工具。 a valuable diagnostic tool for physicians 宝贵的医生诊断工具 Technology provides tools to enhance teaching. 技术提供了加强教学的工具。 They are developing new software tools. 他们正在开发新的软件工具。
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- new
- effective
- essential
- …
- become
- develop
- provide
- …
- the tools of the/somebody’s trade
a person who is used or controlled by another person or group 受人利用的人；工具 - (taboo, slang)
a penis 鸡巴；屌
Word OriginOld English tōl, from a Germanic base meaning ‘prepare’. The verb dates from the early 19th cent.
Idioms
down tools
- (British English)
(of workers 工人 to stop work; to go on strike 撂下工作；罢工
not the sharpest tool in the box | not the sharpest knife in the drawer
- (informal, humorous)
not intelligent 工具 He's not exactly the sharpest tool in the box, is he? 他不是盒子里最锋利的工具，是吗？