- (时间)流逝：
Two weeks have lapsed since they arrived in Paris.
自他们抵达巴黎以来，已过去了两个星期了。
- 滑入；陷入(某种状态)：
The driver lapsed into unconsciousness after the car accident.
车祸之后，司机陷入昏迷状态。
He tried to speak English all the day,but gradually he lapsed into his native tongue.
他试图整天说英语，可是渐渐地他又讲起本国语了。
- 倒退；退步；没达到(标准、期望等)：
The audience were disappointed in the comedian because he lapsed from his formerly high standard of performance.
观众对这位喜剧演员感到失望，因为他的表演没有过去水平高了。
- 终止，结束：
a subscription that has lapsed
(报纸、杂志等的)订阅期已截止
- 【法律】(权利、所有权、契约等的)失效；丧失；消灭：
Remind me to renew the driver's license.It will lapse next month.
提醒我更换驾驶执照，它下个月就失效了。
- 放弃信仰，背离正道：
to lapse from good manners
行为变坏