1.magnify的基本意思是“放大”“扩大”,通常指借助于媒介物(如光学装置)作用于人的视觉而使某物扩大(面积和体积)。强调影响人的判断力。在英语俚语中, magnify表示“虚夸”,多指夸大事物的重要性,危险性及严重程度。
2.magnify既可用作及物动词,也可用作不及物动词,用作及物动词时,接名词或代词作宾语。

magnify to(v.+prep.)
夸大到… exaggerate sth to certain degree
▲magnify sth to sth
◇ 用于be ～ed 结构
A simple mistake in judgement was often magnified to the proportions of a major crime.在审判时,小的过失常常被夸大到滔天大罪。

用作不及物动词
▲S+～(+A)
This is a microscope that magnifies greatly.这是台放大很多倍的显微镜。
This photograph won't probably magnify well.这张照片放大出来很可能效果不好。
用作及物动词
▲S+～+n./pron.
A telescope magnifies the image of anything that one looks at through it.望远镜能把人们通过它看到的任何东西的图像放大。
A microscope magnifies bacteria so that they can be seen and studied.显微镜把细菌放大,使人们得以看见并研究它。
He tried to magnify the part he played in the battle.他试图夸大他在战斗中发挥的作用。
She tends to magnify all her problems.她一向乐于夸大她的问题。
They have magnified the peril.他们把危险夸大了。
He often magnifies himself against others.他常用抬高自己贬低对方的方法反对别人。
My soul does magnify the Lord.我的心确实是赞美上帝的。
◇ 用于be ～ed 结构
An object was magnified 200 times by the microscope.这架显微镜能把物体放大二百倍。

magnify, amplify, augment, enlarge, increase
参见increase条。
magnify, exaggerate
参见exaggerate条。