be in earnestSERIOUS PERSONto really mean what you are saying, especially when expressing an intention or wish 是认真的,是诚挚的〔尤指在表达意图或愿望时〕 She wasn’t sure whether he was in earnest or not. 她吃不准他是不是认真的。
be in dead/deadly/complete earnest Although he smiled, Ashley knew he was in deadly earnest. 虽然他在微笑,但阿什利知道他是极其认真的。
→ be in earnest at earnest2(2)