until /ənˈtil/ prep. & conj. 1.直到(用于肯定句，与延续性动词连用，表示动作延续到某时)：We worked until supper time. 我们一直工作到吃晚饭的时间。Let’s wait until the rain stops. 让我们等到雨停。 not (…) until…直到…才…：I didn’t know the fact until I read your letter.读了你的信,我才知道事实情况。It was not until yesterday that I noticed it. 直到昨天我才注意到这件事。［注］not until 放在句首时，主句要倒装：Not until midnight did it stop raining. 直到半夜雨才停。 ［考句］It was not until dark that she realized it was too late to go home.直到天黑他才意识到回家太晚了。2.在…之前：I’ll take no steps until you arrive. 你到以前我们不会采取任何步骤。