at root

basically; fundamentally

实际上，根本上，本质上

it is a moral question at root.

这实质上是个道德问题。

put down roots

(of a plant) begin to draw nourishment from the soil through its roots

（植物）扎根

strike at the root (或 roots) of

affect in a vital area with potentially destructive results

摧毁…的基础，根绝

the proposals struck at the roots of community life.

这些建议根绝了社区生活。

take root

(of a plant) begin to grow and draw nourishment from the soil through its roots

（植物）生根，开始生长

root something out

(亦作 root something up)dig or pull up a plant by the roots

连根挖，连根拔

root for

(informal)support or hope for the success of (a person or group entering a contest or undertaking a challenge)

(非正式)支持，赞助，声援（个人或团体参加比赛或接受挑战）

the whole of this club is rooting for him.

这个俱乐部里大家都在支持他。

root someone on

(N. Amer. informal)cheer or spur someone on

(北美，非正式)为…欢呼，喝彩；为…鼓气

his mother rooted him on enthusiastically from ringside.

他的母亲从台边区拼命为他加油。

root and branch

Utterly; completely

完全地；彻底地

The organization has been transformed root and branch by its new leaders.

这个组织已被它的新领导人彻底改变了性质