before /biˈfɔ:/ I. prep. 在…以前：He had come to Europe before the outbreak of the war.他于战争爆发前来到欧洲。Pride goes before a fall.骄者必败。‖II. adv.以前：You should have told me so before. 你早就应该告诉我了。You walk before and I will follow after. 你在前头走，我将在后面跟着。‖III. conj.在…以前：It will be years before we meet again. 我们要过好几年才会再见面。［考句］The fire was finally brought under control, but not before extensive damage had been caused. 大火最终得到了控制，但在这之前已造成了巨大的损失。