hold a brief for 有意维护
【讲解】
在这里brief作名词。与该习语意义相反的习语为hold no brief for,其意思是“不支持,不赞成”。例如:I hold no brief for those who say that violence can be justified.(我不赞成人们说有时使用暴力是合乎情理的.)
【对话】
A:Why did you quarrel with our teacher?
A:为什么你和老师吵架?
B:He held a brief for Tom, it's unfair.
B:他有意维护汤姆,这是不公平的。
A:Don't tell me that. I think you were wrong, too.
A:别这么说,我想你也有错。