用作及物动词
▲S+～+sb(+on sth)
She briefed me on the case.她向我简要说明了这个案子。
He briefed her on her job.他对她的工作作了必要的指点。
◇ 用于be ～ed结构
President was briefed by his advisers before the interview.总统在接受采访前得到顾问们的资讯。
He was fully briefed on the problem before the meeting.他在会前已掌握了这个问题的详尽资料。

［同义词］ adj. short, terse, concise n. outline, summary v. inform
［反义词］ adj. comprehensive, extensive
［词源］＜中古英语bref(短)

To begin with,I'd like to tell in brief the importance of the work.首先,我想简要谈谈这项工作的重要性。
The new minister's brief is to insure that the water supply is improved.新部长指示要确定改进供水状况。

1.brief的基本意义是“短暂的”,含有“压缩”的味道。只用于时间而不用于距离。偶尔用于长度时多含有滑稽可笑的意味。
2.brief还可指内容“简洁的；简要的”。

in brief
简言之in a few words; without details
In brief, it has been an exciting day.总之，这一天过得很带劲。

to be brief
简言之in a few words; without details
To be brief, he was happy with the result.简言之，他对这个结果感到高兴。

用作定语
▲～+n.
She had time to give a brief report.她有时间做一个简短的报告。
There was a brief pause in the conversation.对话中有短暂的停顿。
She wears a brief skirt.她穿着一件短裙。
用作表语
▲S+be+～
Life is brief.人生短暂。
Time is limited, please be brief.时间有限,请讲得简洁些。
▲S+be+～+prep.-phrase
He's brief of speech.他的话简短扼要。
You were very brief with him just now.你刚才对他太生硬。
用作宾语补足语
▲S+V+O+～
He made his speech as brief as possible.他使他的发言尽可能简短。

brief, short
参见short条。