( theories) [, ]a formal set of ideas that is intended to explain why sth happens or exists学说；论◆Maslow's theory of human motivation马斯洛人类动机论◆the boom and bust theory of British economics英国经济学的繁荣与萧条交替循环论 [, ]the principles on which a particular activity is based理论；原理◆management theory管理理论◆the theory and practice of design设计理论与实务 [] an opinion or idea that sb believes is true but may in fact be wrong意见；看法◆The theory is that CEOs get rich only when shareholders get rich.有一种看法认为，只有股东富有了，首席执行官才能变得富有。●in ˈtheoryused to say that a particular statement is supposed to be true but may in fact be wrong理论上；按理说◆In theory, these machines can last up to ten years.理论上讲，这些机器最多可运行十年。◆This all sounds fine in theory, but would it work in practice?这话听起来都有道理，但是在实践中是否可行？expectancy theory game theory organization theory