hostage
noun [ C ] uk/ˈhɒs.tɪdʒ/ us/ˈhɑː.stɪdʒ/
C2 人质
someone who is taken as a prisoner by an enemy in order to force the other people involved to do what the enemy wants
She was taken/held hostage by the gunmen. 她被持枪歹徒劫持作人质。
The terrorists have seized 20 hostages and are threatening to kill one a day unless their demands are met. 恐怖分子劫持了20名人质，并威胁除非他们的要求得到满足，否则将每天杀掉一名人质。
Idiom
hostage to fortuneidiom 将来可能会引起麻烦的言行;冒险行为;冒险言论
an action or statement that could create problems for you later
The prime minister was extremely cautious, saying nothing inflammatory and giving no hostages to fortune. 首相极为谨慎，不说任何具有煽动性和可能在将来引起麻烦的话。