加拿大家园论坛

美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

原文链接:https://forum.iask.ca/threads/298466/

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#1
每一种语言都有它独特的成语和俗语。而学习外语的人经常在理解这些习惯用语时会感到很困难。这是因为你不可能从组成某个习惯用语的字面上来懂得它的意思。

  比如,美国人经常说:“Give me a hand.” 按照字面来理解, “give me hand”就是“给我一只手。”可是,它的意思却是“帮我一下忙。”
  
  另外一个例子是: “Foot the bill.”
  
  “Foot”的意思是 “一只脚”,而“bill”在这儿的解释是“账单”。“Foot the bill.”并不是把帐单踩在脚底下,而是付账的意思。
  
  另外,有的时候,一个词汇有好几种解释。就拿下面一句话来作例子吧:
  
   例句-1:“We arrived two hours late at the big blow-out for Charlie’s birthday because our car had a blow-out.”
  
  这句话里第一个blow-out是指规模很大的聚会,第二个blow-out是指汽车的轮胎炸了。整个句子的意思是:“由于我们车胎炸了,所以我们晚了两个小时才到达查理举行生日宴会的地方。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#2
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

还有一些习惯用语从字典上的意思来看是相同的,但是它们使用的场合却不同。
  
  下面两个习惯用语就是很好的例子。
  
  一个是“Lock, stock and barrel”,另外一个是:“Hook, line and sinker”。
  Lock, stock and barrel和Hook, line and sinker都是全部的意思,可是用法却不同。
  
  我们先来举一个Lock, stock and barrel的例子:
  
   例句-2:“Mr. Rockefeller bought the whole oil company lock, stock and barrel.”
  这句话的意思是:“洛克菲勒先生把整个石油公司买了下来”。换句话说,也就是他买了这个石油公司的大楼丶油井和其他属于这个公司的资产。
  
  Hook, line and sinker虽然也和lock, stock and barrel一样是全部的意思,可是它还带有受骗的意思。例如:
  
   例句-3:“I warned Sally not to believe that man's stories about how rich he was, but she swallowed them hook, line and sinker. After she married him, she found out that he owed everyone in his office money.”
  他说:“我告诉沙利不要相信那个男人说的他多么有钱之类的话。可是沙利却一点都没有怀疑他。等到结婚才发现这个人几乎向每个同事都借了钱。”
  
  
  刚才我们讲解了在学英语过程中经常会碰到的一些问题。有些习惯用语从字面上看不出它们的确切意思,例如:give me a hand和foot the bill。另外还有些习惯用语在不同场合却表达不同的意思,如blow out。还有一些俗语,它们在字典上的解释是相同的,但是却有不同的用法,就像lock, stock and barrel和hook, line and sinker。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#3
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们开始播送[流行美语]。在这个节目里,我们要请大家听Michael和李华的对话,他们俩都是纽约大学的学生。 Michael是美国人,但是他听得懂中文。他和李华在这个新学期 里不约而同地都选了摄影课。现在是清早7:50,俩人在课堂门口碰到了。请注意他们讲话中用的两个常用语:bummed和chill。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua, what are you doing here? You taking this class too?
  
  L: 对,我选了摄影课。可是这节课那么早,我最讨厌起大早。
  
  M: Yeah, I'm really bummed that I have to get up so early! I'm also bummed out that Dr. Johnson is teaching this class. I've heard she's really tough.
  
  L: 嗨,Michael, 什么是 bummed? 我记得Bum 不是指无家可归的人吗?
  
  M: Yeah, that is true. But here I used bummed and bummed out. They both mean to be unhappy or upset.
  
  L: 噢,你看,就这一个字就把我弄糊涂了。原来是 bummed, 或者是 bummed out, 意思是不高兴,感到烦恼。嗨,Michael, 你刚才说什么来着?
  
  M: I'm really bummed that I have to get up so early! I'm also bummed out that Professor Johnson is teaching this class.
  
  L: 现在我清楚了,你是说要那么早起床实在叫你不高兴,Johnson博士教这门课也让你不高兴,因为她很严格。嗨,要是女同学拒绝你的邀请,那你就会更难受,对不对?
  
  M: Ha ha. Very funny. But you are right, if I got turned down for a date I'd be bummed. I'm also bummed that summer vacation is over.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#4
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 嘿,我可了解你,要是遭到女同学的拒绝,你肯定会垂头丧气的。你连暑假结束也会感到烦恼。不过,这个单词很有用。我希望学期结束时,我不会因为分数不好而感到 bummed out。
  
  M: Me too. Hey, I got an idea. Let's go to the student center and relax after class.
  
  L: 我当然知道Johnson博士有多严格。好吧,下了课我们去学生中心休息一下。
  
  M: Glad class is over! I'm ready to chill for the rest of the morning. I haven't had a chance to chill out these last few days, getting ready for school and all.
  
  L: 什么? 你说上完课很高兴,但是为什么一上午你会发冷呢?
  
  M: Oh, no! Chill or chill out here means to relax. Chill,
  
  L: 噢,chill或者chill out在这里是指休息。刚才你还说开学前没有机会chill out, 到底是什么意思?
  
  M: I said: "I haven't had a chance to chill out these last few days getting ready for school."
  
  L: 原来你是说:过去几天为了准备开学而没有机会休息。
  
  那你能说去打棒球,休息一下?
  
  M: You normally go someplace calm and peaceful where you can relax. I like to chill out at the cafe with a book sometimes. And I know that you like to chill at the museum.
  
  L: 打棒球不能说是 chill out。不错,要到比较安静的地方才能休息。每个人还不一样,你喜欢坐在咖啡馆里看书,你知道我喜欢到博物馆去。能不能说到酒吧间去 chill out?
  
  M: Sure, but we usually only say that if the bar is quiet and not too crowded.
  
  L: 对,要是酒吧间人不多,也不闹,那就能这样说。这个单词太好了。谢谢你教我。我想今晚我到我的朋友家去 chill out。
  
  M: Sounds great! Ah, look at the time. I need to go meet my friend at the bookstore. Sorry that I have to go, I'm really bummed to have to leave you!
  
  L: 得了,你要去书店跟朋友一起买书,你就走吧,别说什么跟我分手很难受这种话。走吧,下回我们到别的地方去玩。
  
  M: Cool. Have fun chilling tonight at your friends'. See you later!
  
  L: 我今晚在朋友家肯定会玩得很高兴,Bye!
  
  Michael和李华在对话里用了两个常用语,一个是:bummed或者是bummed out, 意思是不高兴,烦恼;另一个是:chill或者是chill out, 意思是休息,放松,或者玩。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#5
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲两个和吃东西有关的俗语。第一个是: “Greasy spoon.”Greasy是油腻的意思, spoon是指调羹,也就是汤勺。Greasy和spoon这两个字合在一起就是指那些有点像夫妻老婆店那样的小饭馆。这些小饭馆一般来说菜谱上花色品种并不多,碗筷也好像不那么干净,装潢也不讲究,但是菜的味道倒不错,价钱也很公道。
  
  下面我们来举个例子。这是一个丈夫在对他的的妻子讲话:
  
  例句-1: Honey, let me take you out to dinner. But you know I don’t feel like dressing up to go some place fancy. How about just going down the street to the greasy spoon and getting hamburgers?”
  
  丈夫说:“亲爱的,让我带你去外面吃晚饭吧。不过,我实在不想穿得必恭必敬的去那些大饭馆。咱们就上街那头那个小饭馆去吃汉堡包怎么样?”
  
  下面我们再举一个例子,这是一个人在和朋友说话:
  
  例句-2: Mike, you ought to try the potstickers at that little Chinese joint on New York Avenue. It looks like a greasy spoon but the potstickers are great and the price is cheap.
  
  他说:“麦克,你得上纽约大街那个中国小饭馆去尝尝他们的锅贴。那饭馆看起来不像样,可是他们的锅贴味道真好,价钱又便宜。”
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#6
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面再讲第二个和吃东西有关的习惯用语: Potluck. Pot的意思是锅子, luck是运气。可是,我们现在讲的 potluck 是一个字。 Potluck 作为一个字,它指的是美国一种经常举行的聚会形式。也就是在某一个人,或几个人的提议下举行一个午餐会或晚餐会,但是参加聚会的每个人都要带一个菜或者带一种饭后甜食。主人除了为聚会提供场地外,也只要准备一个菜,或买一些饮料就行了。这就叫作: Potluck lunch or potluck supper.可以想象,举行Potluck的时候,大家能够尝到许多不同的食品。可是,要是你运气不好,好几个人带的东西你都不爱吃的话,那你就只好回家去那个greasy spoon吃点儿什么了。Potluck还有另外一个意思。那就是:有什么就要什么。用在吃的方面就成了:有什么吃什么的意思。比如,一个人碰到了好几年没见面的老朋友,他说:
  
  例句-3: Say, Charley, if you don't have plans for tonight, why don’t you come out to our house and have a potluck with us? Helen won’t have time to cook anything special, but she can put an extra plate on the table for you.
  
  他说:“喂,查理,你要是晚上没事就上我家来吃便饭。有什么吃什么。我太太不一 定有什么时间做什么菜,但是多加一份筷子是绝对没有问题的。”
  
  上面我们讲了美国习惯用语的一些特点以及两个和吃东西有关的习惯用语。一个是:Greasy Spoon是指价廉物美的小饭馆。 今天讲的另外一个词汇是:potluck 是每个人都带一样菜的一种聚会。现在你就懂得下面这句话的意思了:
  
  例句-4: I’ve been so busy lately. Last week I went to a greasy spoon with a friend and this Sunday I’ve got to go a potluck.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我最近可忙了。上个周末我和一个朋友去一家小饭馆吃饭,这个星期天我得做一个菜去参加一个聚会。”
  

tony1969 : 2009-12-02#7
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

沙发

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#8
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和Michael在对话里使用的两个常用语,一个是:to ditch,另一个是:to hit the spot。现在Michael 正在图书馆里做功课,李华来找他。
  
  L: 嗨,Michael, 功课做得怎么样了?
  
  M: I can't think. It's too noisy. Let's ditch this place.
  
  L: 你没法动脑筋,因为这儿太闹。你还说什么来啦?Ditch this place,什么意思呀?
  
  M: Ditch! To ditch means to quickly leave a place you no longer want to be.
  
  L: 噢,to ditch 就是你不想再呆在那个地方,想赶快离开。你的意思就是要马上离开图书馆。不对啊,ditch 这个字不是可以解释为地上挖的沟吗?你说的 ditch 是同一个字?
  
  M: Yes, it is. Same word, same spelling, but a different meaning.
  
  L: 原来是同一个字,同样拼法,但意思不同。噢, Michael, 再举个例子给我听,好吗?
  
  M: If we want to get away from someone you could say, "Let's ditch him," which means to leave someone behind.
  
  L: 你的意思是 to ditch 不仅可以指地方,还能指人。 上次我们跟 Mary 一起去看电影,看完电影我们俩没跟 Mary 打招呼就走了,这就可以说:We ditched Mary,对不对?
  
  M: That's correct.
  
  L: 要是你干活干腻了,不想干了,那该说。。。
  
  M: To ditch work.
  
  L: 不想去开会。。。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#9
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: To ditch the meeting. You can also say: to ditch the concert.
  
  L: 我知道,那是不想去音乐会。要是和朋友约好了,可是又不想去了,那该怎么说呀?
  
  M: To ditch my friend. Hey, can we ditch the library now! I am really tired and could use some coffee.
  
  L: Ok, ok。让我们离开这图书馆吧。你累了,想喝咖啡。走,去校园外的那个咖啡馆吧。
  
  L: 好,咖啡馆到了。
  
  M: Yep, here's the coffee shop. Li Hua, what do you want, my treat this time.
  
  L: 你请我啊? 那太好了。我要一杯咖啡就行了。
  
  M: Sounds good. Two coffees please. Here's your coffee, Li Hua.
  
  L: Thanks!
  
  M: No problem. Oh, so hot! Be careful. Good coffee, really hits the spot. I feel more awake now.
  
  L: 对,咖啡是不错,你已经觉得清醒点儿啦!我可不信咖啡的作用就那么快!对了,刚才你说: " It really hits the spot? To hit the spot 不是击中要害吗? 你刚才说的好象不是这个意思。你怎么老是说一些怪里怪气的话。
  
  M: Hit the spot means to satisfy one's need. I really needed some coffee earlier so it really hit the spot.
  
  L: 原来hit the spot 就是满足一个人的需要。你刚才很想喝咖啡,喝了就感到非常过隐,很痛快。Hit the spot 是哪三个字组成的?
  
  M: Hit-the-spot. For example, if you are hungry and go eat you could say, "That food really hit the spot."
  
  L: 中文里也有这个说法。肚子非常饿的时候去吃饭。吃饱了就感到心满意足。洗个热水澡真痛快,那该怎么说?
  
  M: A hot bath would hit the spot.
  
  L: 吃个汉堡包真过隐,该怎么说?
  
  M: A burger would hit the spot. Let's go, I'm hungry.
  
  L: 好家伙, 喝了咖啡,又肚子饿了, 要去吃汉堡包。这回我可不奉陪了, I have to ditch you now. 再见了!
  
  M: Ok. Bye. 再见。
  
  Michael 和李华在对话中用了to ditch 和 to hit the spot. To ditch表示 要离开某个人,因为你不想跟他在一起了;或表示要马上离开一 个不想再呆的地方。To hit the spot 是感到过隐,觉得很痛快。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#10
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

It goes in one ear and out the other.
  
  to play by ear
  
  今天我们要讲两个和耳朵,也就是ear有关的成语。中国人经常说那些不听劝告的人对别人的话总是“一个耳朵进一个耳朵出”,把它们当作“耳边风”。美国也有完全相同的说法。他们是这样说的: "It goes in one ear and out the other."
  
  下面是一个父亲在说他的女儿:
  
  例句-1:"I told Sally it was foolish to marry that man, but it went in one ear and out the other. Now she wishes she'd listened to me. He drinks and gambles and she wants to leave him."
  
  这位爸爸说:“我早就告诉沙利不要那么笨,去和那个人结婚。可是,对于我的话,她是一个耳朵进一个耳朵出。结了婚她才知道那人又喝酒又赌钱。现在她后悔当初没听我的话,想要和他分手啦。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个老板在对他的秘书说话:
  
  例句-2:"How many times have I told you to get to work on time. But my words just go in one ear and out the other. So I don't have any choice but to fire you."
  
  他说:“我告诉了你多少次上班要准时。可是,你对我的话老是一个耳朵进一个耳朵出。现在,我没有办法了,只好解雇你了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#11
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是:play by ear. Play就是玩的意思。可是,play by ear的意思并不是“玩耳朵”。这个词汇的来源和音乐有关系。它原来指的是那些会弹钢琴或某种乐器,但是却不会看五线谱的人。每当他们要弹奏某个曲调时,他们只能凭着上一回听到的记忆来弹。可是play by ear现在已经成为日常用语了,意思是做一件事不是事先有计划的,而是走着瞧,临时决定。例如,你被请到某处去讲话,可是又没有时间准备。你就可以对听众说:
  
  例句-3:"I haven't had a chance to prepare any notes so all I can do is start talking and play it by ear."
  
  这话的意思是:“我今天没有什么准备,所以就只好讲到那儿就算那儿了。”
  
  下面一个例子是一个人在和朋友约会:
  
  例句-4:"I am not sure if my wife wants me to go shopping with her on Sunday. If she decides to go with her sister instead, then I can play tennis with you. Let's just play it by ear."
  
  他说:“我还不知道星期天我太太是否要我陪她去买东西。要是她决定和她姐姐一起出去,那我就能和你去打网球。我们就瞧着办吧!”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#12
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael是纽约大学的美国学生,他同时也在一家建筑公司实习。他的中国同学李华今天要去他的公司看他。Michael听得懂中文,但是说还有点困难。Michael和李华在今天的对话里会用两个常用语,一个是:big gun; 另一个是to quarterback。Michael现在在办公室门口和李华打招呼。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua, Come on in. How're you doing?
  
  L: 我挺好。你怎么样?对了,你下午想干什么?
  
  M: Ah, I've got a meeting with the big guns this afternoon. They want to talk to me about continuing to work here after graduation.
  
  L: 我听懂了你后面的一句话,他们要跟你谈关于毕业后回来工作的 事。那真是太好了。可是,你刚才说今天下午要跟谁开会?
  
  M: Yea, I 'm meeting with my bosses. Sometimes we call them the big guns of the office.
  
  L: 噢,你要跟你的几个老板开会。你们把老板叫做the big guns!
  
  M: It's an expression that can be used to describe powerful people.
  
  L: 噢, 那是指权力很大的人, 也就是大人物。那么,总统的顾问能 称为big guns吗?
  
  M: Yes, a president's advisors are big guns. But it can also be used in sports. In soccer the stars of a team are the big guns.
  
  L: Big guns 还能用在体育方面。
  
  M: OK, let me show you around the rest if the office.
  
  L: 你要带我去看看这公司的大楼,那太好了。Let's go!
  
  M: This is the conference room. We had a meeting here yesterday on our plan for a new building. The project leader quarterbacked the meeting.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#13
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 等等,你说这是会议室,你们昨天在这里开了一个会, 讨论盖 一 栋新楼的计划。可是,你还说那项目主任是踢美式足球的,是quarterback,四分卫,对不对?
  
  M: No, no, no! Quarterback here is a verb, meaning to lead. The word quarterback is borrowed from American football, where the quarterback leads the team.
  
  L: 噢,quarterback 在这里是动词,意思是领导。你说这里的 quarterback 是从美式足球里借来用的,因为quarterback在球队里是 主力。你刚才是怎么说的?
  
  M: The project leader quarterbacked the meeting.
  
  L: 现在我听清楚了,你刚才说的是:项目领导人主持会议。
  
  那么,to quarterback 还能用在别处吗?
  
  M: To quarterback is business slang. If someone is responsible for a group working on a new project that individual is quarterbacking the team.
  
  L: 知道了,to quarterback 是用在商业方面的。要是某人负责一个新 项目,这个人就是在领导这个项目的小组。要是某人在一个法律事务所主持会议,那该怎么说呢?
  
  M: Someone quarterbacked the meeting at the law firm.
  
  L: 你们公司的一位重要领导主持会议,讨论公司的收入报告,这又 该怎么说?
  
  M: The company's big gun quarterbacked the meeting about their revenue report. Hey, I need to get back to work. I'll call you later.
  
  L: 好吧,那就再见吧!希望你将来成为a big gun.
  
  M: Oh, yea, I'm sure soon I'll be quarterbacking every meeting and every project.
  
  L: 你真的当真呐! 还想主持所有会议,总管所有项目。得啦,再 见吧!
  
  Michael 和李华在对话中用了两个常用语, 一个是:the big guns, 意思是大人物,对决策有重大影响的人;另一个是:to quarterback,意思是主持会议,或总管项目。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#14
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这一课里,我们要讲几个和吃东西有关的词汇。第一个是: doggy bag。
  
  Doggy这是字是dog,也就是“狗”这个字的形容词。Bag大家都知道是“口袋”的意思。Doggy bag连在一起是指饭馆里把客人吃剩的菜放在盒子里,然后把它们都放在一个纸口袋里让客人带回家的那种口袋。那末,这和狗又有什么关系呢? Doggy bag这个说法的出现有它特殊的背景。以前美国人也不好意思把在饭馆吃剩的菜带回家,怕有失面子。所以有的人就会对服务员说:
  
  例句-1:"Waiter, could you please wrap up the rest of this steak for me ? I'd like to take it home for my dog."
  这个人对服务员说:“请你把这块牛排包起来,我想带回家给我的狗吃。”
  
  尽管带回家的东西是给人吃的,但是doggy bag这个名称也就成了日常用语了。现在,情况就不同了。在美国,把在饭馆里吃剩的东西带回家已经是习以为常的事了。饭馆还都备有这些让客人装剩菜的盒子。也没有人会因为要把剩菜带回家而感到不好意思。在美国首都华盛顿,许多中国饭馆的服务员往往不等客人说话就把剩菜给装在doggy bag里了。下面我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-2:"We had so much food left over from dinner at the China garden last night that we took enough home in doggy bags to feed the whole family tonight."
  她说:“昨晚我们在汉宫吃饭剩下了好多菜。我们带回家的剩菜就足够我们全家今天晚上再吃一顿的。”
  
  
  尽管美国人现在对身体里的胆固醇是否太高很敏感,但是他们到饭馆吃早饭时还是经常要点荷包蛋。可是,荷包蛋的做法各有不同。有的要蛋黄老一点,有的要嫩一点。有的只要煎一面,有的要两面都煎一煎。在英语里,这些都有不同的说法。要是你喜欢吃只煎一面的荷包蛋,那你就应该对服务员说:你要你的鸡蛋: Sunny side up.
  
  Sunny side的意思是太阳的那一面,sunny side up也就是蛋黄向上的意思。要是放在整个句子里的话就是:
  
  例句-3:"I would like to have my eggs sunny side up."
  
  要是你愿意要荷包蛋两面都煎一下的,那你就说你要:Over easy.
  也就是把鸡蛋反过来也煎一下的意思。比如说,有两个人在饭馆里吃早饭,各人要的荷包蛋不一样

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#15
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句-4:M: "Miss, I'd like two fried eggs sunny side up and the sausage on the side."
  F: "Not me. I don't like to see my eggs staring up at me with big yellow eyes. Miss, two fried eggs, over easy and not fried too hard."
  
  那位先生说:“小姐,我要两个荷包蛋,只要煎一面。另外再加一点香肠。”
  而那位女顾客说:“我可不要,我不喜欢两个大蛋黄像眼睛那样瞪着我。小姐,我要鸡蛋两面都煎一下,但不要太老。”
  
  
  今天我们一共讲了三个有关吃东西的习惯用语:
  
  第一个是doggy bag。 doggy bag是指人们把在饭馆里吃剩下来的饭菜装在里面带回家的口袋。第二个是sunny side up。Sunny side up是要荷包蛋只煎一面。今天讲的第三个习惯用语over easy。Over easy的意思是荷包蛋两面都煎一下。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#16
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[流行美语]又和大家见面了。Michael和李华这两个大学生今天在 纽约的百老汇逛马路。那里戏院很多。李华看到一个 剧院在演歌 舞剧[音乐之声],于是她苦苦哀求Michael陪她去看。Michael 在学中 文。他喜欢李华跟他讲中文,可以让他练习听力。他在今天的对话 里会用到"broke"和“lame"这两个词。
  
  L: Michael,你看,这个剧院在演[音乐之声]!我一直想看这个歌 舞剧。
  
  M: I know, it's a popular show.
  
  L: 谁都喜欢[音乐之声]。Michael,今天晚上我们没有功课,我们去 看,好吗?
  
  M: Sorry, Li Hua, I'm broke. Maybe another time.
  
  L: Broke? 你受伤啦?
  
  M: No, no, no! I did not break anything. Here broke means to have no money.
  
  L: 噢,你没有摔断骨头,把我吓一跳。Broke在这里的意思是没有 钱。上回我妈妈出了车祸,花了好多钱修车,她就没钱了。 这也可以说 ...
  
  M: Yes, your mom was broke!
  
  L: 我哥哥付了学费,还买了好多书,他现在也是没钱了。
  
  M: Your brother is now broke! I know your sister spent all her money to buy a computer, so she is now broke too.
  
  L: 你怎么知道我姐姐买了一台电脑,把所有的钱都花完了?
  
  M: You told me yourself, you just forgot!
  
  L: 我告诉过你?我真是忘了。可是我不信你没有钱,你不是刚开始 给一个公司打工,前几天还发了工资吗?
  
  M: Ok, ok, I'm not broke. We can go see the show.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#17
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 我知道你有钱!太好了,太好了,谢谢你Michael。
  
  L: 这两个座位还挺好的。
  
  M: Yea, pretty good. Li Hua, do you know why I didn't want to come to the show? Because I think musicals are lame.
  
  L: Lame? Lame 是什么意思呀?
  
  M: When you say something is lame you mean that it is silly or it is uninteresting.
  
  L: 噢,说什么东西 lame 就是说没有意思,无聊。还有什么事情你 觉得是无聊的?
  
  M: Saturday morning classes are lame!
  
  L: 你是说星期六早上上课是个馊主意?
  
  M: Yes, having class on a weekend is lame because it's a silly idea.
  
  L: 对,我也同意,周末上课太没劲了!谁出的这个主意,是够傻的。
  
  对了,Michael, 上回你交不出家庭作业也找了个很牵强的借口, 你当时是怎么对教授说的?
  
  M: I told our professor that my dog ate my homework. Yes, I agree, that was a lame excuse.
  
  L: 对了,你对教授说你的狗把你的家庭作业给吃了。谁都不会相信 你这种话。那你刚才不想来看歌舞剧,借口说没钱,那也是 lame excuse?
  
  M: Yes, it was an inadequate excuse because I do have money.
  
  L: 我知道你有钱,只是为了不想看歌舞剧而找个借口才说没钱的。
  
  M: You can also say...
  
  L: 行了,行了,我懂了。别说话了,演出开始了。
  
  M: Ok, but don't give me any lame excuses next time I want to do something!
  
  L: 下回不管你要干什么,我绝对不会用这种牵强的借口。
  
  M: Seriously, after buying these tickets I really am broke!
  
  L: 买了这两张票,你真的没钱啦? 得, 下回我请客。
  
  Michael 和李华在今天的对话里用了broke这个词, broke在这里的意 思是没有钱了。他们还用了一个词:lame, 意思是无聊,没有 意思,或者是不合适的。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#18
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

英语里有好些习惯用语都和“水”,就是water这个字有关系。有的用:hot water;还有的用:cold water or deep water。在英语里用这些词汇组成的习惯用语就和水一样普遍。但是,它们都有一个共同的特点,那就是它们一般都含有贬意。今天我们要向大家介绍两个用water这个字组成的习惯用语。第一个是:in hot water. In hot water的意思并不是“在热水中”。它的确切意思是指某人或某些人出境困难,遇到非常麻烦的问题了。举个例子来说吧:
  
  例句-1:"Joe is really in hot water now -- his girlfriend just found out he's seeing another woman."
  
  这句话的意思是:“乔伊现在可是难办了,因为他的女朋友最近发现他另外还有一个女朋友。”
  
  我们再举一个例子:
  
  例句-2:"That movie actor tried to cheat on his income tax, but he got caught and now he's in hot water with the government."
  
  这是说:“那个电影演员想在缴纳所得税的时候弄虚作假,可是给税务局发现了。现在,他可麻烦了。”
  
  今天要讲的另一个和water有关的习惯用语是: to throw cold water on something. To throw cold water on something和中文里说的“泼冷水”意思完全一样。下面的例子是一个人在说他办公室里发生的事:
  
  例句-3:"Everybody else in the office thought my idea was great, but the boss threw cold water on it."
  
  他说:“办公室里所有的人都认为我的主意很好,就是我们的老板给我泼冷水。”我们再举一个例子。这是一个儿子在说他的爸爸:
  
  例句-4:"I had planned on going to medical school but my dad threw cold water on this idea the other day when he told me he wasn't sure he had the money to pay my tuition for so long."
  
  他说:“我一直想上医学院。可是,那天我爸爸给我泼冷水,说他不一定有能力替我付那么多年的学费。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#19
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华要开车去新泽西州看一个朋友,跟他一起过周末。 新泽西州紧挨着纽约,开车只要一个小时就到了。请注意他们俩人讲话当中用的两个词: shot 和 damage。现在他们正准备上车。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua, are you ready to go?
  
  L: 行,我准备好了,可以走了。
  
  M: Ok, let's go!
  
  L: 哟,怎么啦?
  
  M: I think my engine is shot. This is not good.
  
  L: 什么? 有人开枪把你车打坏啦?
  
  M: No! You're right, shot does mean to have used a gun, but here shot means something is broken.
  
  L: 对啊,shot是指开枪,原来这儿的意思不同,这儿是指什么东西坏了。那我的电脑坏了,也能用shot这个字啊?
  
  M: Sure. My computer is shot. You can say almost anything is shot.
  
  L: 什么东西坏了都能这样说?
  
  M: Yes, if you hurt your knee, you can say: My knee is shot, or if you hurt your shoulder, you can say: My shoulder is shot.
  
  L: 噢, 要是你的膝盖受伤了,你就可以说:My knee is shot; 要是你的肩膀受了伤,那你就说:My shoulder is shot.
  
  M: Let's go rent a car. I don't want our whole day to be shot.
  
  L: 对,还是去租一辆车吧。 噢,毁了一整天也能这样说呀!
  
  M: Yep. Let's go!
  
  (Michael和李华租了一辆车,现在他们在开往新泽西的路上)。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#20
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 这辆车真不错,挺稳的。再开半小时就到了,太好了!
  
  M: Yeah, I'm glad too, but the damage for renting the car is pretty bad.
  
  L: 什么?这辆租的车也坏了?哟,那怎么办呐!
  
  M: No, the rental car is not damaged! The word damage does mean that, but damage here means the amount of money needed to pay for something.
  
  L: 租的车没有坏,真把我吓一跳。原来又是我的英文有问题。 Damage 这个字很普通,大家都知道是指什么东西坏了。可你指的是为什么东西付的钱。
  
  M: Yes, renting the car is expensive, so the damage is bad. We usually say the damage is bad or not bad.
  
  L: 我知道了,价钱贵就是:the damage is bad。 价钱不高,那就是: the damage is not bad. 再给我举个例子吧。
  
  M: When you pay for dinner at a restaurant, you can ask: What's the damage?
  
  L: 噢,在饭店里吃完晚饭要付钱的时候可以问:“What's the damage?" 所以租车很贵,the damage is bad. Michael, 别担心,我可以帮你付一点。
  
  M: You don't have to, Li Hua. I know the damage for your new computer was pretty bad.
  
  L: 你真好心,知道我买新电脑花了不少钱,所以不要我帮你付。 Michael, 没关系,我能付一点,你还要去修车,也很贵的。
  
  M: Thanks, Li Hua. But I hope the damage for fixing my car won't be too bad.
  
  L: 我也希望你修车不至于太贵。得了,别说钱了,赶快开吧。
  
  M: OK, I'll drive fast so that the rest of our day won't be shot.
  
  L: 对了,别浪费时间了,我也不想把一天的时间全浪费了。
  
  今天Michael 教了李华两个年轻人常用的词,一个是shot。 Shot 是指什么东西坏了,或者人体的某个部位受伤了;另外一个词 是damage。这里的damage不是指损坏,而是指为某样东西,或某个交易付的钱

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#21
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这一课里我们再要讲两个和水,也就是和 water 这个字有关的词汇。第一个是 to hold water。
  
  To hold water 按字面解释当然可以说是“不让水漏出来”。但是,它的另外一个意思是指某一个人找的借口、提出的理由、或说的话是确实的,站得住脚的。美国人经常说:"That excuse simply doesn't hold water."意思是:那个借口根本站不住脚。我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-1:"The accused man claimed that he'd been in another city the night of the murder. But his story didn't hold water after three different witnesses testified in court that they had seen him running from the scene of the crime."
  这句话的意思是:“这个被控告的人说,发生谋杀案的那天晚上他出门去了,不在当地。但是,有三个不同的证人都出庭作证说,他们看见他从作案的地点逃跑。因此,他说出事那天他不在当地的说法根本是靠不住的。”
  
  
  今天要讲的另外一个和water这个字有关的习惯用语是 water off a duck's back。
  
  鸭子身上的毛就像雨衣一样,水在上面呆不住,一下全滑掉了。因此,water off a duck's back 是指毫无作用。就像下面这句句子所说的:
  
  例句-2:"I keep telling my friend it's foolish to gamble all of his money, but it's like water off of a duck's back."
  这是说:“我一直告诉我的朋友,不要那么傻,把所有的工资都用在赌博上。可是,我的话对他全然不起作用。”
  
  
  另外一个例子是:
  
  例句-3:"The doctors tell us it`s dangerous to smoke, but such good advice rolls off of some people like water off of a duck's back."
  这是说:“医生都告诉我们抽烟对身体是有害的。可是,这种劝告对于有些人来说就像耳边风一样,毫无作用。”
  
  水对人的身体来说是非常重要的。可是,在英语里,这些和water有关的成语都含贬意好像有点奇怪。不过,至少有一个和water有关的习惯用语是让人高兴的。那就是:to make my mouth water 顾名思义,这个说法的意思是“让我流口水”。
  
  例句-4:"The roast duck that restaurant serves is my favorite dish. Every time I think about it, it makes my mouth water."
  这个人说:“我最喜欢吃那个饭馆的烤鸭。每当我想起它我就会流口水。”
  
  
  今天我们讲了to hold water,water off a duck's back和 it makes my mouth water这几个同water有关的习惯用语
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#22
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天,Michael 和他的中国同学李华约好了在中央公园见面。他们在对话中会用到两个词:drag 和 trip。
  
  L: 对不起, Michael,我迟到了。地铁误点了。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua. Don't apologize, it's a nice day to just sit here and relax.
  
  L: 对,坐在这里休息休息是挺好的。我也很喜欢这个公园。不过,我们得到大都市艺术博物馆去看摄影展览呐!
  
  M: Oh, do we have to go? I hate going to the museum on such a nice day, it's such a drag.
  
  L: 哟,你觉得这么好的天气去博物馆太没意思,就不想去了? Michael,你答应过我,要是我到这儿来,你就跟我一起去。你说什 么drag不drag的,我又没法把你拽着一起去!
  
  M: No, to call something a drag means it is tiresome.
  
  L: 噢,在中文里就是没劲,没意思。Michael,drag不是拉东西的拉吗? 你说的drag跟这个drag是同一个字吗?
  
  M: Yeah, Li Hua, same word. As another example, we could also call our professor Dr. Smith a drag.
  
  L: 噢,还可以说我们的教授Smith博士没劲,没意思。这我可不知 道,我并不觉得他枯燥无味。
  
  M: Of course you would say that. After all, on the first day of class all you did was talk about how cute he was.
  
  L: 你说我第一天上完他的课后,口口声声夸他长得帅?你别瞎说八道了。
  
  M: Oh, Li Hua, you're such a drag. You did say he's cute.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#23
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 非要说我认为他很帅。还说我没劲。算了,不跟你说了。 Michael,我去看展览了,不管你去不去。
  
  M: All right, all right, I'll come.
  
  ( Michael 和李华看完了摄影展)。
  
  L: 这个摄影展览真好,可是我还在生你的气呢!
  
  M: Ok, I'm sorry. Actually, I really enjoyed the photography exhibit. I thought it was a trip.
  
  L: 我也很喜欢这种超现实主义的艺术。等等,你为什么把看展览叫/ 做旅行呢?我们又没有离开纽约。
  
  M: No, the word trip does mean travel, but here it means something that is unusual, in a good way.
  
  L: 对,trip这个字很普通,是指旅行。原来你说的trip是指不寻常, 但又很好的意思。 噢,我想起来了。以前有一个教授告诉过我, 美国年轻人在60和70年代盛行反潮流的行为。Trip 这个词就来自 那个时候,是指吸毒后产生的幻觉。对不对?
  
  M: Yeah, but its meaning has changed.
  
  L: 现在的意思不一样了。可我现在就知道我们刚才去看的摄影展览可以说是a trip,中文可以说是与众不同吧。其他还有什么也能用trip这个词来形容的呢?
  
  M: Well, look at that guy over there, sitting on the bench. The long hair and wild clothes. I really like his outfit, so I would call him a trip. But some people may not like this.
  
  L: 噢,坐在长板凳上的那个留着长头发,穿着很怪的男人? 你喜欢他的衣服,所以你认为他与众不同,别有风味。对不起,我可不欣赏。
  
  M: That's ok, everyone is different.
  
  L: 对,每个人的爱好不一样。你再给我举个例子吧。
  
  M: I would also call our photography class professor a trip, her style is a trip.
  
  L: 对,她是与众不同,她上课的时候总是很激动,跟别的教授不一 样。我的男朋友是学小提琴的,他常常练琴练得忘了吃饭,他也能算是个trip吧?
  
  M: Yeah, he is also a trip. I can't imagine you would like someone who is a drag.
  
  L: 这你可说对了。你要是一个枯燥无味的人,我才不跟你一起出去玩呢。得了,我们该回去做功课了,尽管没劲,书还得念呐。
  
  M: Ok, let's go!
  
  今天Michael教了李华两个常用的词,一个是:drag,意思是没意思, 枯燥;另一个是:trip,意思是与众不同,别出心裁,但是含有褒意。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#24
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

对于学英语的人来说,英语的基本词汇和语法也许并不是最困难的。难的是许多英语字和词汇有好几种不同的意思。就拿blow这个字来说吧,它初看起来似乎很简单,不就是“吹气”的意思吗?是的,但是这个字还有其他好些意思呐。它可以指用拳头打某一样东西,可以指爆炸,突然发生的灾难,吹喇叭或其他乐器等等。在美国大学生经常用的一本字典里,blow这个字作为动词和名词加在一起总共有二十九种解释。我们今天来看一看两个和blow这个字有关的常用词汇。
  
  第一个是blow up。Blow up这个词根据不同上下文可以作四种解释。最普通的意思是:用炸药炸毁什么东西。例如:
  
  例句-1:"The retreating German army tried to blow up all the bridges on the Rhine River to stop the Allied troops from crossing into Germany."
  这句话的意思是:“正在撤退的德国军队设法炸毁莱茵河上所有的桥梁来阻挡联军越过莱茵河进入德国。”
  
  另外blow up也可以指一个人发脾气或发火。我们来举一个例子:
  
  例句-2:"I really blew up when I learned that my girlfriend was going out with another man."
  这是说:“当我知道我的女朋友还跟另外一个男朋友出去玩的时候,我可真火了。”
  
  Blow up有的时候还可以解释成给气球吹气,给排球和汽车轮胎打气。比如一个人说:
  
  例句-3:"I have to stop at the gas station to blow up my front tires."
  他说:“我得到加油站去给汽车的前轮打气。”
  
  最后,放大照片也可以用blow up这个词。你可以到印照片的店里对售货员说:
  
  例句-4:"I 'd like 8 by 10 blow ups of these negatives, please."
  这是说:“请你把这些底片放大成8X10那么大的照片。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#25
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的第二个和blow这个字有关的词汇是blow out。
  
  Blow out和blow up 一样至少也有四个不同的意思。汽车轮胎炸了可以用blow out这个词。比如有一个人说:
  
  例句-5:"My car smashed into a tree when I had a blow-out."
  他说:“当我的轮胎炸了的时候,我的车就撞到一棵树上去了。
  
  Blow-out还可以解释为把火灭掉。比如,一个母亲对孩子说:
  
  例句-6:"You'd better blow out that candle before it sets fire to the tablecloth."
  这位母亲说:“你最好还是把那蜡烛灭了吧,否则台布都要烧着了。”
  
  在另外一种情况下,blow-out可以指电灯的保险丝断了:
  
  例句-7:"All the lights went off in the building and the elevators stopped when the master fuse blew out."
  他说:“大楼的总保险丝一断,楼里所有的灯都灭了,电梯也停了。”
  
  Blow out也可以指那种规模很大,排场很讲究的聚会。下面这句话就是一个很好的例子:
  
  例句-8:"When the Lees celebrated their 25th anniversary, they invited all their friends to a big blow-out at the best hotel in town."
  他说:“当李家夫妇庆祝他们结婚二十五周年的时候,他们在当地最高级的旅馆里举行了一个规模盛大的聚会,把所有的朋友都请去了。”
  
  
  今天我们讲了两个常用的词汇,一个是blow up,另一个是blow out。Blow up 和blow out各自都有好几个意思。刚学英语的人一开始也许会感到有点混乱。但是多接触,多使用后也就会逐渐熟悉起来的
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#26
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华今天去看篮球比赛。球赛是在纽约大型室内体育馆[麦迪逊广场花园]举行,这场比赛是华盛顿的球队对纽约的球队。 Michael到中国去学过中文,他让李华跟他讲中文,以便练习听力。 现在他们俩正在排队进入体育馆。今天他们在对话中会用choke和 money这两个词。
  
  L: 嗨,Michael,谢谢你买到这么好的票!我真高兴能到[麦迪逊广场]来 看球。这可是有名的体育馆哟!
  
  M: No problem! I am really happy you could come. Yeah, I love coming to the Garden to watch basketball games.
  
  L: 你也喜欢来这里看篮球比赛啊,那太好了。今天是纽约队比华盛顿队, 你看结局会怎样?
  
  M:Well, Li Hua, I think New York is going to lose. Knowing them, their going to choke.
  
  L: 你说纽约队会输? 你还说什么 choke? 你是说他们吃饭时会噎着啦? 这跟输球有什么关系,我不懂。
  
  M:No, no, no! They're not going to choke on their food! It's the same word with the same spelling, but it has a different meaning. Here, choke means to fail under pressure.
  
  L:噢,我懂了。 你说的choke 是指纽约队会抵挡不住华盛顿球队的压力而输掉, 对吗?
  
  M: Yes! And choke has many uses. How else do you think it can be used?
  
  L: Choke 可以用在很多地方。考试考糟了,可以用choke 这个字吧?
  
  M: Yes! In fact, I choked on a test last week.
  
  L:你上星期考试考糊了?嘿,Michael, 我还知道怎么用choke这个字。你 不是老想请那个姑娘出去玩吗?你请她,她连电话都不回,这可真让你choked了,对不对?
  
  M:It seems like you really understand this word! Yeah, but it doesn't matter with that girl because I don't like her anyway.
  
  L: 噢,你说得可真轻松,没关系,因为你不喜欢她。好,那你告诉我你喜欢哪个女孩呐?
  
  M:Oh, that doesn't matter. Let's go to our seats!
  
  L: 好,好, 去找位置吧!
  
  (Michael和李华找到了自己的座位)

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#27
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael,你看,纽约队看来不会输,他们赢了两个球,现在还剩十秒了。只要纽约队不失去球,他们就不会输。
  
  M:I think that New York is going to win. Maybe they won't choke after all.
  
  L:你也认为纽约队可能不会输?等等,你看, 纽约队丢了球!这下他们完 了!华盛顿队要求暂停,他们还有赢的机会。
  
  M:Washington is going to win. Michael Jordan will make the last shot. He is money.
  
  L: 你认为华盛顿球队会赢,Michael Jordan 会投进最后一个球。你说 "He is money "是说他会赚钱吗?
  
  M:No, by money, here I mean that he performs consistently at a high level.
  
  L: 噢,这儿的money不是指钱,是指他打球一直保持在高水平上,一直打得很棒。
  
  M:Yes, you could say Yao Ming is money too.
  
  L: 姚明当然很棒,所以也可以说:Yao Ming is money。那我们班的 Steven,他考试总是考得很好,也能说,He is money?
  
  M:Yup. He's money. You can also call things money. For example, this pizza we are eating is money.
  
  L: 原来凡是好的东西都可以说是money。我们正在吃的比萨饼是很好吃, 所以也可以说是money.
  
  M:Do you think the coffee shop we like to go to is money?
  
  L: 我们常去的咖啡馆当然非常好,我一有空就想去。
  
  M: Michael Jordan won the game! I told you he is money!
  
  L: Michael Jordan赢得了比赛,他就是棒。
  
  M:Let's get going, though. I have to study for a test. I don't want to choke on the test again.
  
  L: 好吧,你快回去准备考试吧,我知道你要再考糊,就麻烦了。
  
  Michael和李华今天在对话里用的两个词意思是相对的。 To choke是糟糕,失败的意思;而money是保持高水平,非常棒的意思。最好大家都不要choke,都成为money,那就太棒了。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#28
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语是和鼻子,也就是和nose这个字有关系的。鼻子是我们的嗅觉工具,也是我们的呼吸器官,是人体的一个重要组成部份。英语里有不少成语和俗语等习惯用语都和鼻子有联系的。比如to follow your nose是一直走的意思,或者是随着你闻到的味道去找什么东西,或什么地方。又比如to pay through the nose是指付出很高价钱。
  
  在这次节目里,我们要介绍另外两个和鼻子有关的习惯用语。第一个是 to be led by the nose。To be led by the nose是一种很不愉快的经历。它的意思就是一个人全部在别人的控制之下,就像一头牲口被人用绳子牵着鼻子走一样。那末to be led by the nose在一般情况下的用法是怎么样的呢?下面这句话就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1:"Ed's wife is a strong-minded woman and leads him around by the nose."
  这句话的意思是:“埃德的太太是一个个性很强的人,埃德简直就是被她牵着鼻子走。”
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子。这是一个爸爸在给他的儿子提供一些忠告:
  
  例句-2:"Remember, Son, don`t let other people lead you around by the nose. You'll get along a lot better in life if you use your own judgment and do what you yourself think is the right thing."
  这位爸爸说:“儿子,你可千万要记住不要让别人牵着你的鼻子走。要是你能用你自己的判断力,做你认为是对的事,那你的日子会过得好得多。”
  
  
  下面我们要讲的一个词汇是 under your nose。举个例子来说吧:有一个人突然发现自己的眼镜找不着了,他到处找,楼上、楼下,找遍了家里每个角落还是找不到。最后,他的太太给他找到了。那眼镜就在他坐着看书的椅子旁边。他太太就会说:
  
  例句-3:"See, they were right under your nose the entire time."
  她说:“瞧,你的眼镜一直在你的鼻子底下。”
  
  Under your nose的意思也就是一样东西离你很近,但是,你就是没有看到。
  
  我们再举个例子来说明under your nose的用法:
  
  例句-4:"Did you read in the paper how bold that robber was at the art museum? He cut three paintings from their frames and walked out with them right under the guards' noses."
  这个人说:“你有没有在报上看到关于那个去博物馆偷东西的贼有多么大胆的消息吗?他把三幅画从镜框里割了下来,然后就竟然在警卫的鼻子底下带出了博物馆。”
  
  
  以上我们讲了两个和鼻子,也就是nose这个字有关系的习惯用语。第一个是 to be led by the nose,这是被别人牵着鼻子走的意思。今天讲的另一个词汇是 under your nose,意思是没有看到就在自己身边的东西。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#29
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[流行美语]又和大家见面了。Michael今天和李华约好了去纽约中国城吃饭。李华刚刚到Michael的住处。他们在对话中会用到 hang out和hard headed这两个常用语。
  
  L:嗨,Michael, 走吧!
  
  M:I'm coming. Hey, come on in for a minute and sit down.
  
  L:还要叫我进来坐会儿呀!不行,快走,我饿了,我要去吃中国饭。
  
  M:I'm not ready yet. Just hang out for a minute.
  
  L:嗨,你真是的,还有什么事非要现在干呐!你要我给你挂什么?一张画?
  
  M:No, no, no!! Just wait for a few minutes.
  
  L:要我等几分钟,这跟挂东西有什么关系呀?
  
  M:No, you don't understand. Hang out means to pass time while you're waiting.
  
  L:噢,hang out是等一会儿的意思?
  
  M:Yes, but it can also mean to spend time with your friends. For example, you and I hang out a lot.
  
  L:跟朋友一起玩也能说是hang out,对,我们是经常在一起活动。
  
  M:Ok. So hang out while I go get ready.
  
  L:还要我等呀!行,不过下次不管上那儿去,要是我让你等一会儿,你可别感到奇怪哟。
  
  M:Ha, ha. Ok, I 'm ready.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#30
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L:那就走吧!你喜欢中国城哪个饭馆呐?
  
  M:Let's go to Good Fortune. Do you mind if some of my other friends hang out with us?
  
  L:好,新世界饭馆挺好。你说你还有几个朋友也要跟我们一起吃饭呀? 当然没关系了,我一直认为玩的时候人多一些好。
  
  (Michael和李华开车到了中国城)
  
  L:Michael, 你知道该往哪儿走吗?我想我们还是问一下路吧,你好象是迷路了。
  
  M:I'm not lost. I think I know where we are.
  
  L:还硬说你没有迷路呢!Michael, 别这么顽固嘛!问一下路有怎么啦?你真是讨厌。
  
  M:Are you calling me hard headed?
  
  L:我是说你顽固,跟你的头硬不硬没有关系。
  
  M:Hard headed does mean stubbon, they have the same meaning. It's an expression people use sometimes.
  
  L: 我说呢,我刚才还真不懂什么头硬不硬。原来hard headed就是顽固。有人用hard headed这个说法?我怎么没听说过? 不过,你要是问了路我就不会说你顽固了。美国男人呐,都一样,都很顽固。他们硬着头皮,就是不肯问路。
  
  M:I know where we are. We're really close to the restaurant.
  
  L:你还不认为你迷路,你知道离新世界饭馆很近了。好吧,那我就听你的吧。 对了,Michael, 我跟我弟弟说什么他都不听,非常顽固,我能说是 hard headed吗?
  
  M:Yeah, I remember meeting him, he is certainly hard headed.
  
  L:对,你见过他。上回在公园里,他非要去跟一个不认识的女孩搭讪,我们叫他不要去,他不听,结果给人瞪了一眼,落个没趣。这真可以说是hard headed吧?
  
  M:Sure. But remember, hard headed is only an adjetive to describe people.
  
  L:噢,hard headed 只能形容人呀?我看,用hard headed来形容你是再合适不过了。走了那么多路,饭馆在哪里呐?
  
  M:I think it's just down this block.
  
  L:你还认为在这条街上。Michael, 你就在这儿等等吧,我去问路。你啊, 真是hard headed, 顽固不化。
  
  今天Michael和李华在谈话中用了两个常用语,一个是:hang out, 意思是等一等,或跟朋友一起玩;另一个常用语是:hard headed, 意思是:顽固,固执。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#31
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

许多美国成语或者习惯用语都是以各种衣服的名称来组成的。比如说,“衬衫”--shirts;“裤子”--pants;“领子”--collars。在今天的「美国习惯用语」时间里,我们要向大家介绍两个由socks,也就是“袜子”这个字组成的习惯用语。1987年在美国开始竞选总统的前夕,民主党候选人哈特说,民主党的党员们应该:
  
  例句-1:Pull their socks up and get back in the game.
  
  把袜子拉起来,这是什么意思?他的意思是民主党的党员应该振作起精神,投入竞选总统的运动中去。另外再举一个例子。比如说有一个篮球队正在参加比赛。比赛已经进入下半场,可是他们一直在失分;队员们也都一个个情绪低落,疲乏不堪,脚上的袜子也已经从膝盖滑到了脚跟。这时候,他们的教练就要求暂停,把队员们叫在一起,然后对他们说:
  
  例句-2:Pull your socks up.
  
  也就是说,你们要振作起来,回到场地去加油干。下面的一个例子是一个大公司的推销部经理在对手下的推销员讲话:
  
  例句-3:I have bad news: our sales were off 18% for the last quarter. So I'm telling you guys -- you have to pull your socks up and get out there and sell more stuff, or you'll be looking for new jobs this summer.
  
  他说:“我有个不好的消息:我们上一季度的销售量下降了18%,所以我告诉你们,你们赶快振作起来到外面去加紧推销。否则,你们今年夏天就要另外找工作了。”
  
另外一个由socks组成的习惯用语是: knock your socks off. Knock your socks off的意思和pull your socks up完全不同。它的意思是:使人感到非常震惊。下面这个例子是一个老板在对他的推销员说话:
  
  例句-4:Wait until you hear my new marketing plan -- it'll knock you socks off!
  
  他说:“等你们听到我的推销计划时,你们都会大吃一惊的。”也就是说,他的推销计划简直好极了,那些推销员听了会十分惊讶的。
  
  下面是一个大学生在对他的同学说关于他见到的一个女孩:
  
  例句-5:Have you seen Jack's sister, who's here visiting from California? She'll knock your socks off: she's the most gorgeous-looking woman I've seen for a long time.
  
  他说:“你见到了杰克那个从加州来的妹妹吗?我好久没有见到过这样漂亮的女孩了,她简直是美得惊人。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#32
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[流行美语]又和大家见面了。Michael是一个在纽约上大学的美国年轻人,他经常跟中国学生李华一起玩。Michael向李华学中文,李华向 Michael 学英文。Michael 正在准备考试,有很多功课要做,但是李华要他出去休息休息,两人约好下午在动物园见面。他们在对话中会用这两个词:all-nighter和cram。
  
  L: 嗨,Michael. 我在这儿!
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua. Oh, the elephant house, let's go in and take a look.
  
  L: 噢,那是大象馆啊? 好, 进去看看。 不行,不行,这儿太臭 了。走吧!
  
  M: Oh, yeah. Let's get out of here. In fact, I've got a lot of studying to do. I'm going to need to pull an all-nighter.
  
  L: 我知道你有很多功课,但是你在准备考试的时候也总得休息休息 嘛。我听说这次考试会很难。你刚才说 all-nighter 是不是开夜车 的意思呀?
  
  M: Yeah, that's what I meant. Li Hua, you're smart!
  
  L: 我是猜出来的, all的意思是整个,全部,nighter和 night 很像。我想一个人要整夜学习,那不就是开夜车吗?但是,有一点我不太懂,你说:to pull an all-nighter,什么是pull ?
  
  M: Pull means to get yourself through a difficult time.
  
  L: 噢, pull an all-nighter, 就是迫使自己整夜念书,因为要这样做是很辛苦的。
  
  M: Yep. You wouldn't have to pull an all-nighter because you have been studying all semester, I haven't been.
  
  L: 这你可说对了。我不需要开夜车,因为我整个一学期都在学习。 你要开夜车,因为你平时不学习。
  
  M: I know, I know, you're a better student than I am.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#33
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 我真喜欢纽约的秋天, 空气很清新。你要是能跟我一起玩,不用回去念书,那该多好啊!
  
  M: I don't want to go study either, but I should.
  
  L: 对啊, 你 要是上星期多花点时间念书不就好了嘛。现在你得临时抱佛脚了。
  
  M: I perform better on tests when I cram.
  
  L: Cram? Cram是把什么东西塞进去的意思,跟学习有什么关系呢?
  
  M: Well, it's sort of the same meaning. I'm going to do a lot of studying at the last minute, that's what it means to cram.
  
  L: 意思差不多?噢,我知道了!Cram就是我们中文里说的填鸭式方法,就是硬把食品塞给鸭子吃,这样鸭子就长得肥。北京烤鸭 就是用这种鸭子做的。你说的cram 是临时抱佛脚,在考试前猛记猛背,把知识往脑子里塞。你还认为这是好办法?
  
  M: Well, everyone's different. Cramming works for me.
  
  L: 你认为临时抱佛脚对你来说行得通。可是,Michael,想把半学期的内容在一个晚上记住,这样做可真傻。
  
  M: Stop being my mother, Li Hua!
  
  L: 我才不想当你妈呢, 你不听我的话,那就算了。Michael, cram这个词是否还能用在别的场合呢?
  
  M: Not really. It's only used to describe studying for a test, usually college or high-school level.
  
  L: 噢,只能指大学生或中学生在考试前开夜车,临时抱佛脚。
  
  M: And that's what I need to do, right now. It's getting late and I know I will have to pull an all-nighter.
  
  L: 好吧,我明天早上给你打电话。
  
  M: No, don't worry about me, I'm sure I will still be cramming.
  
  L: 哟,你还准备开夜车开到天亮呐? Ok, well, good luck!
  
  今天李华向Michael学了两个常用语,一个是:all-nighter, 意思是开夜车;另一个是:cram, 这是指中学生或大学生在考试前临时抱佛脚。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#34
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

扑克牌是美国人的一种传统性消遣。最普遍的一种扑克牌游戏就叫poker。中文里的「扑克牌」也许就是从poker这个游戏的名字得来的。玩poker这种游戏需要有技巧,还要碰运气,另外你还得有点冒险精神。由于poker在美国人当中十分普遍,因此有许多牌桌上的说法也就逐渐地成了人们日常的用语了。今天我们要介绍两个和poker这个游戏有关的词汇。第一个是poker face. Poker face的意思就是脸上毫无表情,不露声色。这对于玩牌的人来说是很重要的,因为每个人都想猜测谁手里的牌好,谁手里的牌次。可是,要是你摆出一付poker face的话,谁也猜不出究竟你手里的牌怎么样。
  
  我们来举一个例子,看看poker face在日常生活中的用法。例如,你的同事对你说:
  
  例句-1:I never know whether my boss likes my work or not -- he is a real poker face!
  
  他说:“我从来也不知道我的老板到底喜不喜欢我的工作。他脸上可真是一点表情都没有。”还有的人去看牙大夫的时候心里非常紧张,可是脸上却装得若无其事。
  
  下面这个人说的也是同样的情况:
  
  例句-2:I tried to keep a poker face even though I was scared to death when I went back to my doctor to hear the results of my lab tests. But I admit I gave him the biggest smile of my life when he told me the tests were negative and there was nothing wrong with me.
  
  他说:“当我去医生那里去看试验结果的时候,我害怕得要死。可是我尽量装得若无其事。不过,当大夫告诉我化验结果是阴性;我没有问题的时候,我对他笑了,我大概一辈子也没有笑得那么高兴的。”
  
玩牌的时候脸上不露表情的人往往都很谨慎,把牌放在靠胸口的地方,免得给别人偷看。这在英文里就是 close to the vest。Close to the vest用在一般情况下就是指一个人非常小心不让别人知道他在干什么。
  
  我们先来听听一位记者的讲话:
  
  例句-3:Two other governors have already announced that they will run for president in the next election but the governor of our state is still keeping his plans close to his vest -- nobody is sure what he will do.
  
  这是说:“另外又有两位州长宣布他们决定参加下一届的总统竞选。可是我们的州长还是对他的计划保密,谁也不知道他究竟参不参加。”
  
  下面一个例子是一个大公司的总裁在告诉一位同事一个机密的消息,但是要他不要说出去:
  
  例句-4:John, keep this close to your vest but I want to tell you our company is going to merge with a big New York corporation -- they'll announce it sometime next week.
  
  他说:“约翰,我要告诉你,我们的公司要和纽约的一家大公司合并了,他们下星期内就要宣布。不过你知道就行了,不要往外说。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#35
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华都在纽约上大学,最近他们结束了期中考试,今天准 备坐火车去华盛顿参观访问。现在Michael正在火车站等李华。今天 他们在谈话中会用到两个常用语:drained和wired.
  
  L:嘿,Michael。这火车站好大,总算找到你了。
  
  M:The train is just about to leave. Good thing you got here in time.
  
  L:我当然会准时到,我什么时候迟到过?嗨,火车就要开啦?要多少时间才能到华盛顿呐?
  
  M:Only about four hours. I'm probably going to sleep the entire way.
  
  L:(train leaving station, announcer in background) 你想在火车上睡觉? 不行,你睡觉我跟谁说话呐?
  
  M:Li Hua, you are full of energy. But I'm drained, I'm going to sleep.
  
  L:我是精力充沛。可你说你是什么? Drained?
  
  M:Yeah. Drained, it means exhausted.
  
  L:Drained就是累的意思。那drained这个词还能用在其他什么场合呢?
  
  M:The word can be used two ways. To be physically drained and emotionally drained. For example, if a couple fight all the time, they would be emotionally tired, which you can also call drained.
  
  L:噢,drained可以指体力很累,也可以指一个人在情绪上压力很大。要是一对夫妇老是吵架,那肯定情绪很不好。你是这个意思吧?
  
  M:Yeah, you understand. You don't even seem drained after the mid-terms.
  
  L:考试倒没让我觉得累,可是,两天前我跟我哥哥为了他的女朋友吵了一架。他那女朋友很任性,还老想管别人,真讨厌。跟我哥哥吵完后,我真是感到很累。
  
  M:Yeah, you were emotionally drained. Well, if you don't want me to sleep on the train, we'd better go get more coffee. Let's go to the Cafe Car.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#36
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 那好呀,走,去食品车厢买咖啡!
  
  M:This coffee is going to keep me awake the entire trip.
  
  L:这杯咖啡就能让你一路上不困啦? 我可不行,到华盛顿之前,我至少还要喝两杯。
  
  M:Geez, Li Hua, I don't think I will be nearly as wired as you are.
  
  L:Wired? 我猜这是说我精力旺盛, 是不是?
  
  M:You are right. This word has a couple of meanings. One means to be energetic and the other means to have nervous energy.
  
  L:这么说,wired可以指对某件事很兴奋,也可以说对某件事感到紧张而努 力去做。 要是我精力充沛,可以说:I am wired; 要是在大考前我感到很紧张而抓紧时间复习功课,也可以说:I'm wired。 是这个意思吗?
  
  M:Yeah, that's right. But it has one other meaning as well. Wired means to be connected to something, such as being wired into the Internet, or being wired into a discussion.
  
  L:噢,跟什么东西联系在一起也可以说是wired, 例如和因特网连接。你最后说的 wired into a discussion 我不太懂,那是什么意思啊?
  
  M:You have been participating in the meetings to make decisions about our college, right?
  
  L:对啊!我是参加一些会议,讨论有关学校的某些决定。
  
  M:Ok, your participation in the college's meetings and being involved in those decisions means you are wired into the discussion.
  
  L:噢,我参加这些会议,参预决策的讨论,这就可以说:I'm wired into the discussion.
  
  M:Yep. After all this coffee I have had, I don't feel so drained. In fact, after the next cup, I think I'm going to be pretty wired.
  
  L:喝了咖啡你就不感到那么累了。再喝一杯,你就精神百倍了。那好,我 再去给你买一杯, 要不要?
  
  M:Thanks so much, Li Hua!
  
  今天Michael和李华在谈话中用了两个意思相对的词,一个是drained,意思是非常累;另一个是wired,意思是精力充沛.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#37
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国的成语或俗语和其他语言一样同生活中的各个方面有关。有一些和食品有关,有的来自扑克牌游戏,还有的和穿着有联系。今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语是和鞋子、手套有关系的。首先,我们要介绍的是“The shoe is on the other foot”。
  
  The shoe is on the other foot的意思是:形势已经完全不同了。下面这个例子就能够说明the shoe is on the other foot在日常会话中是怎么用的:
  
  例句-1: "Back in school we made fun of Jones because we thought he spent too much time studying instead of having fun. Now the shoe is on the other foot -- he's made lots of money and the rest of us are just barely making enough to feed our families."
  这句话翻成中文就是说:“以前在学校里念书的时候,我们老是笑话琼斯,认为他这个人老是念书,不会玩。可是,现在情况就完全不同了。他赚了不少钱,而我们这些人的收入只够维持家计而已。”
  
  下面的一个例子是一个球迷在夸耀当地的棒球队:
  
  例句-2: "For the last ten years the Tigers have been the worst team in the league: we've finished down at the bottom. But now the shoe is on the other foot: we have all these good young players and we're beating everybody else in the whole league."
  这句话的意思是:“我们这个地方的球队老虎队十年前是参加联赛的所有球队中最次的一个,比赛结果老是最后一名。现在可不同了。我们球队的队员都很年轻,球艺也好。他们把其他球队一个个全打败了。”
  
  现在我们来讲一个和手套有关的习惯用语: To work hand in glove
  To work hand in glove的意思是密切合作。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: "The local police are working hand in glove with the FBI to find the bank robbers."
  这是说:“当地的警察正在和联邦调查局密切合作设法找到那些抢劫银行的罪犯。”
  
  Hand in glove这个词汇也经常用在反面的场合,形容一些人合谋犯罪等。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: "I read in the paper about this customs officer they arrested at the airport. They caught him working hand in glove with a gang of smugglers to bring diamonds into the country without paying duty."
  这个人说:“我在报纸上看到有关那个在机场被逮捕的海关官员的消息。他们发现他和一些走私者密切合作,把钻石带进来而不缴关税。”
  
  上面我们讲了两个美国人常用的词汇。第一个是 the shoe is on the other foot,这是指情况完全不同的意思。另外一个是 to work hand in glove,这是密切合作的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#38
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华今天在华盛顿的国家建筑博物馆参加一个建筑会 议。今天,请大家注意他们对话里用的两个常用语:kick back和one track mind 。
  
  L: 期中考试完了有这么一个周末真不错,尽管我们得参加这次大会, 我也觉得挺不错。
  
  M: I'm glad we made it to DC. It's a good time to just kick back and relax.
  
  L: 我也很高兴能到华盛顿来,正好可以休息一下。不过,你刚才说 kick back是什么意思呀? 肯定不是要踢什么东西吧?
  
  M: No, I don't! I just mean to relax with my friend, you.
  
  L: 噢,跟朋友一起玩, 也就是说跟我玩。你是说,kick back 就是把 腿跷起来,痛痛快快地休息,是这个意思吗?
  
  M: Yes. Last weekend we were in New York and kicked back with your friends, remember?
  
  L: 对,上个周末我们是去纽约跟我的朋友一起玩了。不过,我以前 也听人说过kick back,但那是指贪污受贿。
  
  M: Yeah, it can be used that way as well. When one person pays someone else in return for a job or a contract.
  
  L: 这么说,kick back可以解释为休息,也可以解释为给某人一些钱, 以换取一个工作职位或其他好处。这两个意思完全不同。
  
  M: When you mean corruption, kickback is one word. When it means to relax, kick back is two words.
  
  L: 在指贿赂的时候,kickback是一个字,在指休息,轻松的时候, kick back 是两个字,就差这么一点点。对,我那天在 报上看到一 个公司总裁把合同给了一个给他回扣的承包商。
  
  M: Yeah, that company executive got a kickback. Well, enough about kickback. Do you want to go to any of the panels this afternoon?
  
  L: 你问我下午要不要去参加 小组讨论? 去那个讨论东方建筑特色的小 组吧! 尽管我很想到咖啡馆去休息休息。
  
  M: Ok, maybe once we are done with the panel we can go out and do something fun.
  
  L: 好主意, 小组讨论会结束后我们可以出去玩。
  
  L: 好了,Michael,会开完了。我们得计划一下今天上哪儿去。不过, 我先得喝杯咖啡。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#39
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Ok, ok. Geez, you have such a one track mind sometimes. Do you know what a one track mind is?
  
  L: 我不知道,但是我知道你在取笑我。
  
  M: No, I'm not making fun of you. One track mind means you are only thinking about one thing all the time. Today all you have been thinking about is coffee. You should remember this phrase, it's commonly used.
  
  L: 噢,one track mind还是常用的说法,所以我得记住。你认识我的 朋友王光吧? 她成天工作,从来不想别的事。你能说她是one track mind 吗?
  
  M: Yeah, you can say that. It's amazing how much she works, never does much of anything else.
  
  L: 对,她就是这样,工作狂。你们男人也都是one track mind。脑子 里总是想着女孩子。
  
  M: Yeah, there's one particular girl I think about.
  
  L: 你老想一个女孩子? 谁呀?
  
  M: Here's your coffee shop, two coffees please!
  
  Michael和李华今天在对话中用了kick back。当kickback作为一 个词的时候,意思是贪污受贿;当kick back用作kick和back两个字的 时候,意思是休息,和某人一起玩。他们在对话中还用了one track mind,意思是脑子里光想一件事

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#40
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲两个由鼻子,也就是nose 这个字组成的俗语。鼻子是我们嗅觉和呼吸的工具,是人体的一个重要组成部份。大概也正因为如此,英语里许多常用的习惯用语都和nose这个字有联系。比如说,你到华盛顿来访问,要上白宫去参观,可是走在路上好像迷失了方向。于是,你就在马路上问人怎么去白宫。你得到的回答可能就是:
  
  例句-1: "Turn left at the next corner and then follow your nose -- you can't miss it."
  
  这人说:“到前面的路口向左转,然后一直走就到了,你不会看不到的。”
  
  很明显,这句句子里“follow your nose”的意思就是“一直走”。 Follow your nose还可以解释为利用嗅觉找到什么东西。例如:
  
  例句-2: "You say you're looking for the French Bakery? Just walk two blocks north, turn left, and you can smell that wonderful smell of fresh bread baking: just follow your nose and it will bring you right to the front door.”
  
  这人说:“你是说你在找那个法国面包店吗?往北走过两条街,然后向左转,你就会闻到那烤面包的香味。随着香味走就会把你带到那面包店的门口了。”
  
  “Follow your nose”在这句句子里着重的是嗅觉,而不是方向。今天我们要讲的第二个常用的习惯用语是: Pay through the nose。 Pay就是付钱的意思。按字面上来解释,pay through the nose就是通过鼻子来付钱,这听起来似乎很痛苦。而实际上,pay through the nose的确切意思是付出比真正的价值高得多的钱,或者说付出的钱实在太多而感到心痛。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: "My brother Bob borrowed the money to open his restaurant five years ago when the interest rate was so high, so he's been paying through the nose ever since."
  
  这个人说:“我哥哥在五年前借钱开他那个饭馆的时候正好利率非常高。所以,他从那时起就一直在大笔大笔地还债。”
  
  这样由于利息高而付许多钱来还债当然谁也不愿意。可是,也有人心甘情愿出高价来买那些他们认为值得买的东西。下面一个例子就可以说明这一点:
  
  例句-4: "Life is funny. When the famous dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh was alive, nobody wanted to buy his pictures. But now rich people will pay through the nose for one, sometimes more than five million dollars."
  
  这句话的意思是:“人生实在是很有趣的。当那位有名的荷兰画家凡高还活着的时候,没有人要买他的画。可是,现在那些有钱人却愿意出高价买他的画,有时候一张画就要五百多万美元。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个和nose有关的常用词汇。第一个是follow the nose。Follow the nose可以指“一直走”,也可以解释为随着你闻到的味道去找什么东西,或什么地方。今天讲的第二个和nose有关的词汇是to pay through the nose。To pay through the nose是付出很高价钱的意思。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#41
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在纽约上大学的Michael和李华今天在华盛顿参观名胜古迹。他们在对话里会用到两个常用语:ticked off ,另一个是close。
  
  L: Michael, 大家都说纽约人开车不守规矩,我看华盛顿的人也好不了多少。刚才那辆车差一点撞到我!
  
  M: Yeah, I saw that. Crossing the streets in New York and Washington is dangerous. But getting ticked off about it won't do you any good.
  
  L: 对,在纽约和华盛顿穿马路是很危险。你说什么对我没好处? Ticked off?
  
  M: Yes, Ticked off means to get angry or annoyed at something. Getting angry at the drivers will not do you any good.
  
  L: 噢,ticked off的意思是为什么事情生气。 你刚才说的是我对开车的人生气没有什么好处。看来让我ticked off的事还挺多。
  
  M: Yeah, like when your boyfriend broke up with you right before we started classes.
  
  L: 你还提醒我这事!我以前那男朋友刚开学就跟我分手,当时我真的非常生气。不过,Michael,我觉得你也很爱生气。
  
  M: Well, I got pretty ticked off a few days ago when the professor gave me a low score on the exam.
  
  L: 对,和你同班的中国同学王光告诉我你那天非常生气,因为那个教授给你的考试判分判得很低。Ticked off这个说法很好,以前我就知道用angry这个字。
  
  M: Hey, are you hungry? We haven't eaten in a while.
  
  L: 刚才好生气,连肚子饿也忘了。走,去吃点东西吧!
  
  (Michael和李华吃完饭以后)
  
  M: Now that we have eaten, let's walk to the White House. It's not too far from here.
  
  L: 到白宫去?太好了,除了照片外,我还没有看到过真的白宫呢!
  
  M: Watch out Li Hua! Get back!
  
  L: 哟! 我的天哪!我的天哪!真吓死我了!我以为这下我可完了!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#42
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Oh, my god! Are you okay? Geez, that was really a close call.
  
  L: Michael, 我都差一点被车撞了, 而你还在说什么close call,这跟打电话根本没有关系!
  
  M: No, that's not what I meant by close call. I meant that the car nearly hit you.
  
  L: 对啊,那车差一点就撞上我了,这就是 close call?
  
  M: Actually, Li Hua, close call means that you narrowly avoided danger. Something bad could have happened to you, but you narrowly avoided a bad situation.
  
  L: 原来close call就是说,差一点发生倒霉的事,我算是逃避了这倒霉事。我可以说,今天我差一点没被汽车撞了。对不对?
  
  M: Yeah, that's right.
  
  L: 那close call是不是一定用在跟生命危险有关的场合呢?
  
  M: Not really. Let me give you another example. The paper you and I turned in this week was almost late. That was also a close call.
  
  L: 对,那个教授让我们在星期二前把学术报告交给他,我们是星期一晚上去交的,差一点就过了限期,这也可以说是close call。 下回我可再也不敢这么做了。
  
  M: Here we are! The White House!
  
  L: 太好了! 白宫到了, 那我们赶快走把。
  
  今天 Michael 和李华在对话中用的一个常用语是ticked off, 意思是为了什么事情生气; 另一个是close call,意思 是差一点没发生倒霉的事,或是差一点完不成该做的事。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#43
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大约一百五十年前,美国一些开荒的人逐步地到西部的荒野去开拓。这些拓荒者从当地印第安人那里学到了一个诀窍,那就是躺下身来把耳朵贴在地上,就可以听到几英里以外野兽奔跑的蹄声。这对于那些拓荒者来说是非常重要的,因为他们听到的蹄声也许是印第安人骑着马来攻打他们的马群奔跑声,也可能是几千头受惊的野牛正向他们奔驰而来。如果不及时躲避,他们会被这些野兽践踏成泥的。现在,印第安人和野牛群的威胁已经没有了。可是,把耳朵贴在地上这个诀窍已经成为一个俗语,在英文里也就是 to keep an ear to the ground。
  
  To keep an ear to the ground,它的意思就是保持高度警觉,及早发现那些即将会发生的事情的预兆。比如说,一个精明的政客对选民的想法总是很警觉的,有时候,一些选民还没有想到的事,他们倒已经想到了。下面一位国会议员说的话正好说明了这一点:
  
  例句-1:"Every two weeks while the Congress is in session, I try to get back home to California to talk to people. This doesn't give me much time to relax with my family, but I have to keep an ear to the ground and hear what voters are thinking about."
  这位议员说:“当国会举行会议的时候我每两个星期设法抽空回加州一次去和当地的人进行交谈。我没有多少时间可以和家人在一起,但是我得及时了解选民的想法。”
  
  下面我们再听听另外一个议员说的话:
  
  例句-2:"I try to keep an ear to the ground and what I hear these days is that most people think we spend too much money on building roads and not enough on our schools."
  这个议员说:“我总是设法注意人们的想法。最近我听说,大多数人认为我们在筑路方面花钱太多,而用在学校方面的钱却不足。”
  
  
  下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语也是和耳朵,也就是ear有关的。它是 up to one's ears。 Up to one's ears有好几个意思。首先,它可以解释成“很忙”的意思。比如说:
  
  例句-3: "Half the people in my office are home sick, so I'm up to my ears!"
  这个人说:“我办公室里有一半的人有病请假,所以我简直忙得不得了。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个丈夫为了逃避到厨房去帮他太太的忙正在找借口:
  
  例句-4:"Gee, honey, you know I'd like to help you paint the kitchen tonight, but I'm up to my ears in paper work I had to bring home from the office. "
  这个丈夫说:“亲爱的,你知道我很愿意今晚帮你把厨房上油漆。可是我从办公室带回来好些要做的事。”
  
  Up to one's ears这个习惯用语在下面这句句子里的意思就不同了:
  
  例句-5:"The mayor says he didn't know people on his staff were taking bribes. But my guess is he's up to his ears in it."
  这句话的意思是:“市长说他不知道他手下的工作人员接受贿赂。可是,我猜想他完全是介入这些事的。”
  
  
  今天我们讲了两个习惯用语,第一个是 to keep an ear to the ground,意思是保持高度警觉。另一个是 up to one's ears,这是指很忙,或者是完全介入某件事的意思。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#44
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华已经从华盛顿返回纽约。今天是星期六,他们一起到纽约的 Meadowlands去看冰球。Michael和李华这两个大学生,一个讲英文,一个讲中文,旁边的人听起来很奇怪,可是他们自己已经习惯了这种方式。今天他们在谈话中会用两个常用语:keep cool和screw up。
  
  L:Michael,谢谢你带我到Meadowlands来看冰球,Meadowlands可是有名的地方呐! 而且我从来还没有看过冰球呢!
  
  (Starting buzzer)
  
  M:Sometimes these games get really rough!
  
  L:我也听说了,他们说冰球比赛有时很粗暴,经常会打架。
  
  M:Wow, look at them! It's only five minutes into the game and they are already pushing and shoving.
  
  L:是啊,他们已经开始推推攘攘,真的打起来了。人们都说冰球比赛有时会很粗暴,但是才开始五分钟就打架,这可是不多见。
  
  M:Yeah, they really need to keep cool out there.
  
  L: Michael, 这是冰球,在冰上打球,当时是冷的咯,你在说什么呀?
  
  M:Li Hua, that's not what I meant. Keep cool means to calm down。Keep, means to hold and cool, meaning cold.
  
  L: 噢,keep cool就是要冷静一点, 你是说这些球员不要火气那么大,需要保持冷静。对,他们要是老打架,最好的球员就会被禁止打球的。
  
  M:Yeah. Another example, remember last week when you got into an argument with the professor over your mid-term grade?
  
  L:我才不会忘记上星期的事呐。那个教授给我期中考试打那么低的分数,我当然要跟他争嘛。
  
  M:Right now Li Hua, you need to keep cool.
  
  L:是,一说起这件事,我就会生气。得了,得了,不谈这个了吧!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#45
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:I can't believe how poorly they are playing.
  
  L:你说他们打得不好呀? 说实话,我根本看不懂。我只知道当地的球队输了三分,这就输了很多啦!
  
  M:Yeah, they have really managed to screw up this game.
  
  L:"Screw up"? 我不懂,这是什么意思?
  
  M:"Screw up" means not to play well. The home team is certainly messing up.
  
  L:噢,"Screw up" 就是打得不好。
  
  M:"Screw up," it means to mess up.
  
  L:是不是只能说打球时,或参加运动比赛时犯了错误?
  
  M:No, it can be used to describe a lot of things. For example, I screw up on tests all the time.
  
  L:噢,你考试老考糟也能用screw up来表示呀!这么说,"screw up" 可以用的范围很广。 要是说一个人工作没有做好呢?
  
  M:He screwed up at work.
  
  L:你老是和别人的关系搞不好,也能说是screw up吧?
  
  M:Yes, that's why I don't date anymore. Because I screw up all the time.
  
  L:原来是因为老跟别人搞不好关系,所以你就不交女朋友了。 Michael,你也别跟自己太过不去了。
  
  M:I do screw up a lot; I make mistakes all the time.
  
  L:我们都犯错误的,谁能不犯错误啊!我来给你介绍个女朋友吧!
  
  M:Look, they are playing like that! What is wrong with these players.
  
  L:嗨, 这些球员真的很糟糕,你看,他们已经输了四分啦!
  
  M:I hate this! They can't manage not to screw up tonight.
  
  L:Michael, 尽管他们screw up,我们还是要keep cool! 也许还有希望扭转局势。
  
  李华今天从Michael那儿学到了两个常用语, 一个是:keep cool,意思是:冷静一些,别太激动;另一个常用语是:screw up, 意思是把事情弄糟了。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#46
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人最普遍的纸牌游戏就是扑克,扑克牌游戏就像牛仔裤一样具有美国特色。那末,扑克牌游戏是怎么玩的呢?很简单,每次游戏开始,在发牌前,每个参加玩扑克的人都在牌桌中间放同等数目的钱。发牌以后,每个人再下赌注。发牌前每个人拿出来的钱和发牌后下的赌注都归游戏的获胜者。由于扑克牌游戏在美国人当中十分普遍,因此有许多牌桌上的语言逐渐就成了日常用语。例如:Sweeten the pot。Sweeten the pot在牌桌上的意思是把赌注的总数加得高一些,这样可以对玩游戏的人更有吸引力。可是,这个词汇已经变成一个日常用语了。它的意思是:为了使一个提议更有吸引力而在原有的条件基础上再增加一些对对方有利的条件。我们来举个例子看看:
  
  例句-1: "Miss Smith didn't want the job until the company sweentened the pot by offering her a higher salary and the use of a company car."
  
  这句话的意思是:“施密斯小姐本来不想要那份工作的。后来,那家公司提高了给她的工资,还给她一辆公司的汽车用。这样,她才接受了那个工作。”
  
  下面一个例子是关于房地产生意的:
  
  例句-2: "They've built so many new office buildings here that they have trouble renting out all the space. So some landlords sweeten the pot; they offer a company six months free rent if it signs a three-year lease."
  
  这句话翻译到中文的意思就是:“他们在这儿盖了那末多的办公楼,现在都租不出去。所以,有的房产主就设法增加一些吸引人的条件。他们对一个公司说,要是这个公司和他们签订一个三年的租房合同,他们就可以免交半年房租。”
  
  另外一个来自玩扑克牌游戏的词汇是:The cards are stacked against you。The cards are stacked against you。这句话是说,你处于很不利的情况下,成功的机会很少。下面的例子是说一个人受了骗:
  
  例句-3: "Last night I got into a poker game with these men I met in the hotel bar. And I lost a thousand dollars before I realized the cards were stacked against me. All I could do was pick up the money I had left and walk away."
  
  这人说:“昨晚上,我和几个在旅馆酒吧间里碰到的人一起玩扑克游戏。直到我输了一千多美元后,我才忽然省悟到我想要赢他们恐怕是不可能的。我只好拿起剩下的钱就走了。”
  
  下面我们要举的一个例子是说,有的时候形势就是对你不利,但是毫无办法。
  
  例句-4: "I really wanted to try out for the basketball team when I was in college. But the cards were stacked against me: I'm only five feet six inches tall and everybody else was six-two or even taller."
  
  这个人说:“当我上大学的时候,我真想参加篮球队。可是,那不可能,因为我身高只有一米六多,而其他人都至少有一米八。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#47
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael 和李华这两个大学生,一个讲英文,一个讲中文,旁边的人听起来很奇怪,可是他们俩已经习惯了。今天他们来到中央公园,李华会学到两个常用语:pig out 和 bigmouth。
  
  L: Michael, 感恩节你过得好吗?
  
  M: It was good to be with my family, but I was disappointed that you couldn't be there.
  
  L: 我知道,跟家人在一起总是高兴的事。谢谢你邀请我,但是我早就答应了另一个朋友,所以没法去你家,明年我一定去你家。
  
  M: Ok, well. It was a great meal, we all pigged out.
  
  L: 你们感恩节吃猪肉呀?我还以为感恩节都是吃火鸡呢。
  
  M: Yeah, most people do have turkey. Pig out means to eat a large amount of food, not that we actually ate pig.
  
  L: 噢,pig out就是吃好多东西, 不是指吃猪肉呀?
  
  M: Yes, pigs eat a lot and that's where the expression pig out comes from. I did eat like a pig on Thanksgiving.
  
  L: 我猜也是, pig out肯定是因为猪吃好多东西而形成的常用语。 Michael,我看你呀,不仅是感恩节,你平时就吃好多。上星期, 你每天晚上都吃得象头猪一样。
  
  M: Um, I certainly did.
  
  L: Pig out这个说法只能指吃东西啊?能不能用在别的地方?
  
  M: No, not really. But don't forget that when you use it in the past tense, pig out should be pigged out.
  
  L: 那是过去时态,要是说你到了圣诞节假日又要大吃大喝了,那该怎么说?
  
  M: You will pig out during the Christmas holidays.
  
  L: 嗨,我是在说你,我才不会吃那么多东西呢!
  
  Michael, 是不是每年都有这么多人来中央公园滑冰?
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#48
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Yes, it's free. My friend Josh said he would be coming to ice-skate with his girlfriend Emily today. Oh, By the way, Li Hua, did you tell Simon that Josh and Emily are getting married soon? I just need...
  
  L: 是,那天我不小心告诉了Simon。我知道Josh和Emily现在还不想 公开他们准备结婚的计划,不过我真不是故意的。
  
  M: Geez, Li Hua, you have such a bigmouth!
  
  L: 你生气了?肯定是骂我。说我是bigmouth,大嘴巴!你是说我吃 很多东西吗?
  
  M: No, I'm saying you talk a lot about other people's business!
  
  L: 噢, 你不是说我嘴巴大,而是说我多嘴,爱嚼舌头,谈论别人。
  
  M: That makes you a bigmouth.
  
  L: 我们女孩子都喜欢谈论别人。不过,Michael,我从来没在书上看 到过这个词,是不是一般在口语里用?
  
  M: Yes, it is usually used in informal speech.
  
  L: Michael,我真不应该那么多嘴,把 Josh和Emily准备结婚的事告诉 别人。
  
  M: Well, don't worry about it. I tend to pig out and you're a bigmouth. Everyone has their faults.
  
  L: 哟,你倒是想得开,人人有缺点,你爱象猪那样吃,我爱谈论别人。这样就好象什么事也没了!
  
  M: Just don't be a person who eats like a pig and also is a bigmouth.
  
  L: 对,这两个缺点都有那就糟了。 走吧,该会学校去念书了。
  
  今天Michael和李华在纽约中央公园,一面看许多人滑冰,一面聊天。李华从Michael 那儿学到了两个常用语,一个是pig out,就是吃很多东西的意思;另一个是bigmouth,就是多嘴的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#49
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人在十七世纪初来到北美洲大西洋沿岸的东部地区定居。此后,他们了花两百多年时间来开拓西部的大片处女地。在这期间,这些开拓者的生活不仅非常艰苦,而且还有生命危险。为了能够进行耕作,他们得用斧头来砍伐森林,用犁来翻耕处女地。他们经常猎取野兽来作为食品。同时,他们还要随时准备抵御敌对的印第安人的袭击。所有这些经历都丰富了美国人的语言,即便在今天使用的语言中,人们还可以发现许多开拓时期生活的痕迹。拿斧头来作例子吧:它既大,又重,头上还有锋利的刀口。这是一个很危险的工具,特别是当斧头突然从斧柄上脱落的时候,谁要是倒霉正好在旁边的话,就有可能被砍伤。
  
  现在,美国人就把有的人突然失去控制而勃然大怒的现象叫作:To fly off the handle。Fly是飞的意思,而handle是指斧头柄。我们来举个例子看看,to fly off the handle在日常生活中是怎么用的。
  
  例句-1: "My wife spent all afternoon yesterday cooking a special dinner for our wedding anniversary. So she really flew off the handle when I came home three hours late."
  他说:“为了庆祝我们结婚周年,我太太化了整个下午精心烹调。可是,我昨晚晚了三个小时才回家。她可真火了。”
  
  当然,丈夫也会发火的。下面说话的这位太太正在担心她的丈夫会对她发火。她对丈夫说:
  
  例句-2: "Honey, please don't fly off the handle -- I had a little accident with the car, but it certainly wasn't my fault."
  她说:“亲爱的,你可别发火。我出了一点小车祸,但是那绝不是我的错。”
  
  那些开发西部的拓荒者经常拿打猎获得的小动物作为他们的肉食,有时还利用它们的皮毛。他们还训练狗在打猎的时候学会把打中的动物叼回来。可是,动物为了逃命,往往会爬到树上去。那些狗有时一糊涂没看清楚动物上了哪棵树,结果对着一棵没有动物的树乱叫。这在英文里就是:To bark up the wrong tree。To bark 就是狗叫,wrong是错的意思,tree就是树。To bark up the wrong tree翻成中文可以说是:找错门了。例如,一个人说:
  
  例句-3: "If my brother-in-law hopes to borrow any more money from me, he will be barking up the wrong tree."
  这句话的意思说:“要是我的小舅子再想问我借钱,那他算是找错了门了。”
  
  Barking up the wrong tree也可以是指错怪了某人。下面这句话就是一个例子。警察逮捕了一个嫌疑犯,并在盘问他。这个人对警察说:
  
  例句-4: "Hey man, if you think I was the guy who robbed that bank today, you're barking up the wrong tree! I was nowhere near the place."
  他说:“喂,要是你认为我是今天抢银行的那个人,那你就错怪我了。我根本就没上那儿去。”
  
  
  今天我们讲了两个和美国开拓西部有关的习惯用语。
  第一个是:To fly off the handle,这是发脾气,发火的意思。
  第二个是:To bark up the wrong tree,这是指找错了门或错怪了人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#50
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

你们大家可能都已经认识了Michael和李华这两个大学生了。Michael讲英文,李华是个中国学生,能讲英文,但是她还在不断地跟Michael学。大家可千万不要认为这两个在纽约的大学生老是到外面去玩。其实他们学习都很努力,现在他们就要在李华的宿舍里一起念书,准备考试。李华今天会学到两个常用语,一个是:what's up,这是一个用来打招呼的通俗说法。 另一个是: no brainer,意思是某件事很容易, 不用动脑子就能做成。
  
  L: 嗨,Michael,快进来。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua, what's up?
  
  L: 什么?
  
  M: What's up? What are you doing?
  
  L: What's up? 我倒是听人这么说过,可是我还没有弄清楚这句话到 底是什么意思,我应该怎么回答?
  
  M: What's up is really a common greeting.
  
  L: 噢,what's up就是一般打招呼,不是指我的头上是什么呐?
  
  M: No. It's like saying, "What is happening in your life?"
  
  L: 我知道了,what's up就是中文里我们说的:怎么样?
  
  M: Well, it's really only spoken language.
  
  L: 要是我去看一个我已经有两个月没见的朋友,我在见到她的时 候我可以说What's up,对吗?
  
  M: Yes, definitely!
  
  L: 那别人对我说what's up?, 我又该怎么回答呢?
  
  M: You can explain what's going on in your life, or you could say something as simple as: Not much.
  
  L: 要是你问我,What's up? 我就可以说: Oh, not much, just getting ready for our test. 意思就是:噢,没什么,就是在准备我们的考 试。
  
  M: That's good usage. You can really say anything.
  
  L: 对,你怎么回答都行。 好吧,我们该学习了。
  
  我真是希望这次考试赶快过去。
  
  M: You stress too much, this test will be a no brainer.
  
  L: 你是说我压力太大,没有脑子? 你知道我脑子很灵的呀!
  
  M: Smarter than me, that's for sure. What I mean is that this test will be really easy. No brainer means something that reqires little or no thought.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#51
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 好,你承认我比你聪明。不过,我还得跟你学英文。你说,no brainer就是某件事很容易,不需要动脑子就行呀?
  
  M: Yeah.
  
  L: 我知道了。象我哥哥那天去买车,运气好,碰到一个公司半价出 售。 在这种情况下决定买不买,不就是no brainer吗?
  
  M: That's right.
  
  L: 那次那个漂亮女孩邀你出去玩,你接受不接受邀请不也是很容易 定的吗?
  
  M: Yeah, that was a really easy decision, could be called no brainer. Of course I would go out with her.
  
  L: 对,决定是容易做,但是你到头来还是不喜欢她。
  
  M: That's true. When the University gave you a scholarship to come study here in New York, it was a no brainer for you too.
  
  L: 当然啦,大学给我奖学金来纽约念书,作这种决定还要动脑筋 啊?更何况我学习成绩那么好。
  
  M: So then why are you bothering to study?
  
  L: 这还用问? 再聪明的人也得念书嘛!
  
  M: On, ok, let's get back to work.
  
  李华今天学到了两个常用语,一个是:what's up? 这是一个用来打招呼的通俗说法; 另一个是:no brainer,意思是某件事很容易,不用动脑子就能做成。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#52
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国英语当中有许多成语和俗语都和过去的历史有关系。例如,美国开拓西部的过程给美国语言增添了不少色彩。可是,美国的一些习惯用语也反应了各种科学在现代化道路上的发展。这次的[美国习惯用语],我们要讲两个和飞行有关的习惯用语。
  
  四十年前,乘飞机可是一件新鲜事,是一个值得向朋友夸耀的冒险行动。可是,现在乘飞机已经变得和乘公共汽车差不多了。美国的航空公司每天大约有一百万乘客。空中飞行变得如此普遍的原因之一是由于电子导航系统的发展,这样飞机就可以在无线电电波发出的领航信号指挥下准确地从一个机场飞到另一个机场。这些尖端的科学设施已经变得非常普遍,因此美国英语里有一个表达形式,那就是:Right on the beam。Right on the beam在日常生活中的意思就是一个人做某件事做得很对。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1:"Your school report is right on the beam: you followed directions exactly and got all the facts down in the right order."
  
  这听起来好像是一个老师在对一个学生说话。他说:“你的报告写的很对,你准确地按照要求写了,而且每个事实也都按照正确的次序写了进去。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个人在评论那个竞选州长的候选人发表的讲话:
  
  例句-2:"I thought Mr.Claghorn's speech was right on the beam last night! Just like he says, we need to spend more money on educating our children. He makes a lot of sense to me."
  
  这个人说:“我认为克拉格霍恩先生昨晚上讲的话完全正确。就像他说的,我们应该花更多的钱在教育孩子方面。我觉得他讲的话很有道理。”
  
  像电子导航系统这样现代化的安全设施在以前是根本没有的。在使用无线电电波,雷达和空中交通管制系统前,飞行员只能根据地面的铁路、河流和水塔那样的标记来决定他们的航向。要是一个飞行员不得不在云层里飞,或在气候不好的情况下飞行的话,那他只好靠自己的猜测来决定方向了。这在英语里就是:To fly by the seat of his pants。现在人们用To fly by the seat of his pants来形容某种局面,也就是你在做某件事的时候没有明确的指导,也缺乏足够的知识。下面这个例子就可以说明这个词汇在日常生活中的用法:
  
  例句-3:"When Jones started up business in a new town, he didn't know anybody, so he had to fly by the seat of his pants."
  
  这是说:“当琼斯在一个新的地方开始经营他的生意的时候,他在那里一个人都不认识。所以他只好全靠自己摸索着办。”
  
  我们再来举个例子:
  
  例句-4:"Driving to a friend's house last night I took the wrong turn off the main highway and got lost. I didn't have a road map but I flew by the seat of my pants and after twenty minutes I found the street I was looking for."
  
  这个人说:“昨晚在我开车去一个朋友家的路上,我在一条高速公路上拐错了一个弯,结果就迷失了方向。我当时又没有地图。我只好凭着自己的猜测开,过了二十分钟我终于找到了我要去的那条路。”
  
  以上我们讲了两个来自空中飞行的习惯用语。
  一个是:Right on the beam,在日常生活中这句话的意思就是一个人做某件事做得很对。另外一个习惯用语是:to fly by the seat of my pants,这是来形容某种局面,也就是你在做某件事的时候没有明确的指导,也缺乏足够的知识

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#53
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们穿的各种服装在美国的日常用语当中占有很大的地位。鞋子、袜子、手套等名称都是一些习惯用语的组成部份。今天我们要讲两个由衬衣,也就是 shirt 这个字组成的俗语。首先,我们要讲的是:To keep one‘s shirt on。To keep one's shirt on用中文来说,那就是:“穿着你的衬衣。”“穿着你的衬衣”听起来是个好主意,可是,它到底是什么意思呢?有的时候,这是劝告别人要有耐心,不要太紧张了。例如,一个妻子对她的丈夫讲:
  
  例句-1: "Keep your shirt on, Harry; we have plenty of time to catch the train."
  
  她说:“哈里,你别太紧张了,我们还有好多时间,足够我们赶到火车站去的。”
  
  可是to Keep one's shirt on 在更多的场合下,是指要保持冷静,在对情况有足够了解以前不要发火。比如说,有一天,我们曾在以前的课文中提到的那位丈夫晚了三个小时回家吃晚饭。一到家,他就看到他的太太火冒三丈,马上就要大发雷霆。于是,他马上就对太太说:
  
  例句-2: "Honey, keep your shirt on, please! I'm sorry, but the boss made me work late at the office."
  
  他说:“亲爱的,请你千万别发火。我很抱歉。可是,我的老板给了我好多活,我不得不在办公室加班嘛。”
  
  下面我们要解释的一个和shirt这个字有关的习惯用语是:To lose one's shirt。Lose这个字的意思当然就是丢掉,或失去什么东西。一个人要是丢了他的衬衫,他回到家里恐怕那要比那个晚了三小时才回家吃晚饭的丈夫碰到的麻烦要多得多。可是,to lose one's shirt 实际上并不是真的指丢了衬衫。它的确切意思是某个人失去了他所有的一切。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: "Did you hear what happened to Joe? He's lost his shirt, the poor guy -- invested all his money in a fancy restaurant and it just went out of business."
  
  这句话翻成中文就是说:“你有没有听到关于乔的事?这回,他可真是丢掉了一切,真可怜。他把所有的钱都投资在一家豪华的餐馆里。而这家餐馆不久前倒闭了。”
  
  下面是另一个说明to lose one's shirt 在日常生活中是怎么用的例子:
  
  例句-4: "Be careful of salesmen who call on the phone and offer to sell you land on the beach down in Florida. You can lose your shirt because the chances are the land is under water at high tide."
  
  这句话的意思是:“对那些通过电话来鼓动你买弗罗里达州靠海滨的土地的推销员,你得十分小心。你要不小心就有可能会损失一切,因为这些地很可能就是那些在涨潮的时候会被水淹没的地。”
  
  上面我们讲了两个由shirt 这个字组成的俗语。但是,尽管这两个俗语都是由shirt 这个字组成的,可是它们的意思却完全不同。第一个To keep your shirt on是指不要紧张,或者是不要在不了解清楚情况的时候就发火。我们今天讲的另外一个俗语是:To lose one's shirt,这是指是失去一切的意思。美国英语中还有不少由shirt这个字有关的习惯用语
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#54
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国英语中,人们穿着的各种服装名称经常是组成一些习惯用语的主要成份。今天我们再讲两个由shirt这个字组成的俗语。第一个是:A stuffed shirt。Stuffed这个字有好几种解释,有时是指装的满满的。在某种情况下是吃得过饱的意思。那末 ,a stuffed shirt 是什么意思呢?A stuffed shirt是指那些爱摆架子,表现得神气十足的人。对于这种人最好是敬而远之。这种人既傲慢,又顽固,自以为了不起,他们参加任何社交活动都不受人欢迎。我们现在来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: "My boss is a stuffed shirt: all he talks about is how important his ancestors are, how he was number one in his class at his university, and the wonderful things he thinks he's done for our company."
  这个人说:“我的老板老是爱摆架子,吹嘘自己。他一开口就是说他的祖先的地位有多么重要,他在大学念书时又如何成为他们班里的第一名,还自称对我们公司作出了多大的贡献等等。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个选民在谈论他对候选人的看法:
  例句-2: "I think I'll vote for Jimmy Brown instead of the other guy James Leland Elegant the third. Jimmy ins't a stuffed shirt like Elegant -- he's a friendly, informal guy like us ordinary people."
  他说:“我想我会投布朗的票,而不投那个看来很高雅的利兰。布朗不像利兰那末神气活现。他很友好、随和,就像我们普通老百姓一样。”
  
  
  我们再来讲一个和shirt这个字有关的俗语:To give you the shirt off his back.。从字面上来解释,to give you the shirt off his back 就是把他的衬衣从背上拿下来给你。一个人要是肯把衬衣脱下来给你的话,那就是一个在你患难的时候能拿出他所有的一切,包括他的衬衣,来帮忙的人。这种朋友是很可贵的。下面我们来举一个例子。这是一个女孩在和朋友说她的父亲:
  
  例句-3: "Of course Dad gets mad at me sometimes for no good reason. But if I ever need it, I know he would give me the shirt off his back."
  这是说:“我父亲有时对我发火也不见得有什么道理。但是,只要我需要,他总是会尽一切力量帮助我的。”
  
  不仅是父亲,那怕是在一般人当中,这种好心人也是不难找到的。例如下面这句句子里谈到的这个人:
  
  例句-4: "Pete never says very much. But when he hears about somebody who's sick in the hospital or lost his job, he's always the first to put his hand in his pocket and bring out money to help. Yes, sir, he's the kind of man who'd give you the shirt off his back."
  这句话的意思是:“皮特这个人平时话不多。但是,每当他听说某人有病进了医院,或失了业,他总是第一个拿钱出来帮忙。是的,他是这种会尽力帮助别人的人。”
  
  
  今天我们讲了两个和shirt这个字有关的成语,一个是:A stuffed shirt,这是指那些爱摆架子,表现得神气十足的人。 另外一个成语是 To give you the shirt off his back,这是指尽自己的力量帮助别人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#55
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华今天早上都有课,现在正往课堂走。李华今天会学到两个常用语:to goof off 和to hit the sack。
  
  L: Michael, 别往我头上扔雪块,行吗?你怎么象个小孩呀!
  
  M: Li Hua, I'm just goofing off.
  
  L: 你就是讨厌。 我不懂什么是goofing off.
  
  M: Actually Li Hua, to goof off does mean that I'm acting stupid and not being serious. Goof is a verb.
  
  L: 噢,to goof off 就是干无聊的事,那你确实很无聊,老向我扔雪 块。
  
  M: To goof off is a great term. Young people use it a lot. It is often used to describe how young people are behaving.
  
  L: 年轻人经常用to goof off来形容别人的行为?我记得念中学时班 上有个学生老是打断老师的话,喜欢开玩笑,你可以说这个学生 是goofing off吗?
  
  M: Yeah, that's right. Children or young people often goof off. Do you remember when we were at the movies and those high school students threw candy at the screen, you could say they were goofing off.
  
  L: 对,没错,小孩和年轻人经常会做一些无聊的事开玩笑。我才不会忘掉我们那次去看电影的事呢。那几个中学生往银幕上扔糖果, 真是太无聊了,他们还以为好玩呢。
  
  M: To tell you the truth, when I went to the library in high school with my roommates we would usually waste time and ended up goofing off.
  
  L: 你是说,你念中学时跟同学去图书馆念书,结果在那儿互相扔纸球?
  
  M: Yeah, that's right.
  
  L: 怪不得你一开始考不上大学呢! 行,教室到了,下课等我一起去图书馆,可千万不要goof off。
  
  L: 这课真是枯燥无味。我最讨厌晚上上课,每次上完课,我都感到很累。
  
  M: That's right. Even though it's not that late, I'm ready to hit the sack!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#56
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 你说什么?你要去捅一个口袋?Sack不是麻袋吗?我以为你很累了,而你现在要去运动?
  
  M: No, no. It's a colloquial saying. I mean I'm going to bed. Sack, here means bed, and hit means going to.
  
  L: 噢,原来to hit the sack是指去睡觉,sack在这里是指床, hit是去 床上睡觉的意思。 那我要坐下,能不能说 to hit the chair?
  
  M: No, not really. This phrase -- to hit the sack -- has a pretty limited meaning.
  
  L: 哟,to hit the sack只能指去睡觉,别的地方还不能用!那要是我 午想睡个午睡,能不能说:I want to hit the sack?
  
  M: No, it's usually used to talk about going to bed at night, after a long day at work or school.
  
  L: 午睡也不能用,只能指一天工作和学习后晚上去睡觉。那现在我 已经上了一天的学,再加上晚上上了这堂枯燥无味的课,我可 以说:It's time for me to hit the sack。 对不对?
  
  M: That's correct, Li Hua. But don't forget that we have a test tomorrow.
  
  L: 我当然不会忘掉明天的考试。
  
  M: Ok, now go hit the sack, but after tomorrow's test we will have to study seriously for next week's test, no more goofing off.
  
  L: 明天考试后你想好好学习,为下星期的考试作准备。没问题,我 帮你准备,我们俩都会考得很好。
  
  M: Yeah, I'm going to hit the sack. Bye, Li Hua!
  
  Michael 今天教了李华两个常用语,一个是:to goof off,意思是做一些无聊的事,开玩笑;另一个是:to hit the sack,这是指晚上上床睡觉。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#57
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在大家可能都已经很熟悉Michael和李华了吧!他们俩都在纽约上大学。纽约有许多酒吧都是爱尔兰移民开的。今天Michael要带李华去看一个酒吧。Michael在讲话时会用两个常用语:to bum和turn-off。
  
  L: 嗨,这儿好热闹啊!Michael, 在爱尔兰酒吧里大家喝些什么呢?
  
  M: People normally drink a large beer that is usually served warm.
  
  L: 我可从来没喝过热的啤酒,一大杯也喝不了,要一小杯行不行?
  
  M: Well, you can order whatever you want, but I need to bum a couple of dollars, if you don't mind.
  
  L: 随便我要什么都行呀!那好,就来一小杯。对了,你刚才说要是我不在意的话,你想bum a couple of dollars, 那是什么意思啊?
  
  M: What I mean is, can I borrow a couple of dollars from you.
  
  L: 原来你要问我借几块钱!
  
  M: Yes. But don't use this word for big things. For example, you would not ask your friend, “Can I bum your car?”
  
  L: 噢,在问别人借大的,象汽车之类的东西时,不能用bum这个字,bum 只能用在问人借小东西的时候。
  
  M: Yeah, it's usually used when asking for something small, like a piece of gum or candy.
  
  L: 哟,你们美国人,怎么一片口香糖,一颗糖还要借啊?难道真的还要还吗?
  
  M: No, small things you don't need to return, such as gum and candies.
  
  L: 这很重要,因为在这种情况下,我们中国人就不说借了,我们大概会说:给一颗糖吧。
  
  M: You are right Li Hua. But if you feel cold at a friend's home and you asked to bum a sweater, then you would return it when you were going to leave.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#58
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 对,要是在朋友家感到冷要借一件毛衣,那一般都应该还的。所以,这要看情况,对不对?
  
  M: Yes, if you will let me bum a couple bucks tonight, I promise to pay you back tomorrow.
  
  L: 行,行,行,就借你两块钱,你问服务员要酒吧,我来付钱。可明天别忘了还我。
  
  M: Okay. Two beers please!
  
  L: 我以前有一个朋友,每次跟她一起出去,不管去看电影,还是去 喝咖啡,她总是问我借钱。
  
  M: A girl I used to hang out with acted the same way. Whenever a group of us went out, she would always ask to bum money. It got to be a real turn-off.
  
  L: 你也碰到过这样的人哪? 等等,a real turn-off? 这是什么意思呀?把什么东西关掉?
  
  M: No, a turn-off is something that repels someone.
  
  L: 噢, 是一个让人讨厌的什么东西。 是不是指一个人的性格里有什么地方让你不喜欢他?
  
  M: Yes, that's right. Let me give you an example. Your ex-boyfriend always smoked cigarettes around you, that was a real turn-off.
  
  L: 是啊,我以前的男朋友跟我在一起的时候老是抽烟,那真是讨厌。
  
  M: A girl I once dated always interrupted me whenever I was talking. That was a real turn-off.
  
  L: 对,你告诉过我,你从前的女朋友老是打断你的话,让你很讨厌。 我还有一个朋友把脏衣服在房间里到处乱扔, that was also a turn-off.
  
  M: See, you've learned how to use turn-off. By the way, I also have dirty clothes lying around my apartment. Does that bother you?
  
  L: 哼,你也把脏衣服到处乱扔?你要是不打扫乾净的话,别想请 我到你家去。
  
  M: Ok, I'll try to clean it up.
  
  各位听众,今天李华从Michael 那里学到了两个常用语,一个是: to bum,意思是借钱或其他东西;另一个是:a turn-off,意思是让人讨厌的地方。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#59
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家到现在都认识 Michael这个美国学生了,他不断在学中文,他很喜欢听他的中国同学李华讲中文。李华呢,在和Michael接触中也学了不少英文。现在他们俩刚上完课,正从课堂里走出来。今天李华会学到两个常用语: lucky break和mellow。
  
  L: 今天教授把考卷发回给我们了,Michael,你考得好吗?
  
  M: I did much better than I expected. It was a lucky break that I knew most of the answers.
  
  L: 你考得比你预期的好,那太好了。不过,你说什么又是lucky,又是break的?Lucky不是好运气吗?Break是休息,对不对?
  
  M: Lucky break together means something good that happens that you were not expecting.
  
  L: 噢,lucky和break这两个词放在一起,它的意思就是没有预料到的好运气。Michael,你刚才那句话是怎么说来着?
  
  M: I said: it was a lucky break that I knew most of the answers.
  
  L: 我懂了。你是说,你没有想到运气会那么好,大多数考题的答案你刚好都知道。
  
  M: Yeah, that's right. If you understand, give me an example.
  
  L: 哼,我当然懂了,你还要考考我呐? 那天我开车开的飞快, 警察让我把车停下来。可是他只给了我一个警告,而没有给我罚单,我可没想到会有这种好运气。这可以说是一个lucky break吧?
  
  M: That was a lucky break. I think it was because the police officer found you attractive.
  
  L: 警察因为看我漂亮才不给我开票?你别开玩笑了!不过,那次可 运气,否则至少要罚我五十美元。让我想想还有什么例子可以 用lucky break这个说法的。
  
  M: Well, the paper that's due in two days, I.....
  
  L: 对了,教授要我们在两天后交报告,Michael,你还没有开始动手 吧!幸好教授推迟了限期,让我们下星期一交。这对你来说真是个lucky break吧?

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#60
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Let's go to lunch to celebrate our good luck.
  
  L: 好呀, 去吃午饭,庆祝我们的好运气。
  
  (Michael和李华到了吃饭的地方)
  
  L: 啊呀,这个地方太闹了!
  
  M: Yeah, you're right. It'll be hard for us to have a conversation here. Let's go to a place that's more mellow.
  
  L: 对,在这里讲话都听不到。到别的地方去吧。Michael,你刚才讲什么more mellow?
  
  M: I said that let's go to a place that's more mellow, meaning someplace more calm and relaxing.
  
  L: 噢,more mellow的意思是比较平静,比较放松。那也就是说到一个不太闹的地方去,对不对?
  
  M: Yeah, you can use the word mellow to describe a person too.
  
  L: Mellow也可以用来形容一个人,那今天我们的教授很平静,我可不可以说:She was mellow today!
  
  M: Yeah, let's go the cafe near the library.
  
  L: 太好了,这个地方很安静。我们来看看菜单。哟,你看,再过五分钟就开始减价了,三明治今天半价。我们运气可真好呀!
  
  M: Well, we found the mellow place and we pay half price. Really a lucky break. Worth celebrating too.
  
  L: 对,找到安静的地方,还只付半价。真值得庆祝。你多吃点吧, 晚饭就别吃了。
  
  M: Ok. Good idea!
  
  这俩个小年轻还在狼吞虎咽地吃三明治。今天他们在讲话中用了lucky break 和mellow这两个常用语,这是美国人在日常生活中经常用的,大家不妨也在口语中试着用用。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#61
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

每一种语言都反映了各个民族的文化习俗和社会发展。美国的许多成语和俗语也不例外。它们不仅表现了美国历史上各个不同阶段的特点,而且也反映了这个国家当代的特色。四十年前,乘飞机在美国还是少有的事,现在已经成了人们旅行的一种很普通的交通工具。对于某些经常到外地去的人,坐飞机已经像乘公共汽车一样。有些夫妻分居两地的人,每个周末乘飞机回家也不是很特殊的事了。今天我们要讲两个由飞行俗语而变成日常用语的词汇。过去,当飞行员在空中发现汽油不足或是机器出了故障,他们就不得不用降落伞,以保生命的安全。这在英文里就叫:To bail out。To bail out 用在飞行方面就是从飞机上跳伞。可是,现在除了军用飞机外,很少飞行员还带着降落伞飞行。To bail out 现在已经成了一个日常用的词汇,它的意思就是摆脱一些麻烦或危险。比如说,一个人在谈到他的朋友的时候说:
  
  例句-1: "Smith was lucky enough to bail out and quit the company just before it went bankrupt."
  他说:“施密斯还算是运气,在那个公司倒闭前就辞职了。”
  
  下面一个例子是说怎么样帮助别人渡过经济难关:
  
   例句-2: "After his restaurant failed, Bill couln't pay back the money he had borrowed from the bank. He was afraid the bank would take the house he'd put up as security. But his dad bailed him out and paid the loan off for him."
  这句话的意思是:“比尔的饭馆倒闭后,他没有钱来还银行贷款。他当时很害怕,担心银行会把他的房子拿走,因为他把房子当做他贷款的担保。后来,他爸爸替他还清了银行的钱,这样才把他从危机里解救了出来。”
  
  另外一个来自飞行的俗语是:Nose dive。Nose就是鼻子,dive是俯冲,或者是跳水。不管是俯冲,还是跳水,他们都是指急剧地往下降。当一架飞机开始nose dive的时候,它突然尾巴向上,鼻子向下快速地往地面下降。可是,nose dive也可以用在生活的其他各方面。例如,一家报纸报导说:
  
   例句-3: "Today the stock market took a nosedive and dropped 25 points."
  这句话的意思是:“今天股票市场的价格猛跌,下降了二十五点。”
  
  一个人的工作,或事业也可以出现nose dive这样的现象。美国报纸可能会这样报导有关好莱坞电影明星的情况:
  
   例句-4: "Everyboday thought this young actor would have a brilliant future after he starred in two pictures that made a lot of money. Then he appeared in three films that nobody want to see, and his career took a nose dive -- no producer wants him any more."
  这句话是说:“大家都以为那个年轻演员,在演了两部盈利非常高的电影后,一定会前途无穷的。可是后来,他又演了三部谁都不要看的电影。这样,哪个制片人都不要他了,他的影台生涯从此就一落千丈。”
  
  
  今天我们讲了两个来自飞行的习惯用语。一个是:To bail out,这是指跳伞,或解救困难。另一个是Nose dive,意思是急剧下降,或一落千丈。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#62
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[流行美语]时间又到了。Michael和李华都在纽约上大学。Michael对纽约很熟,因此经常带李华到一些著名的地方去参观。今天他俩要去纽约的大都会艺术博物馆去听讲演。李华将学到两个常用语:neat和sharp。
  
  L: Michael,我能够把你拽着一起去听这个演讲,真不容易。今天讲 话的这个人在数学和艺术方面都有博士学位。他讲话的题目就 是:数学和艺术的关系。
  
  M: I'm sure the lecture will be really neat.
  
  L: 什么? Neat? 那不是整齐,乾净的意思吗?
  
  M: No. Neat, it's a word used here to describe something that is good.
  
  L: 噢,neat在这里是指某样东西很好,那你为什么不直接说好,而 非要说neat呢?
  
  M: Neat is very conversational.
  
  L: Neat这个词很口语化!那是不是任何时候我要说什么东西好都可以 用neat这个词呐?
  
  M: Neat can be used to describe an idea, a concept.
  
  L: Neat可以用来指一个好的主意,好的概念。今天讲演的内容就是 数学和艺术的会合。这是一个很好的概念。
  
  M: Well, Li Hua, you find the concept interesting, right?
  
  L: 对,我觉得这个概念很有意思。
  
  M: Well, if it holds your interest and you like the idea, then you can call it neat.
  
  L: 噢,只要我有兴趣,觉得是个好主意,我就可以说: That's neat!
  
  M: You're right.
  
  L: 如果我跟一些朋友出去玩,有人建议去喝茶,聊天。要是我觉得 很好的话,我也可以说:That's a neat idea.
  
  M: Certainly. Hey, we are running pretty late. Let's hurry up.
  
  L: 哟,对了,太晚了。赶快走吧!
  
  L: 我觉得他讲得真好。我从来没有想到数学和艺术有那么多关系。 他讲得很清楚。现在我对这个题目懂了好多。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#63
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Yeah, I really agree. The speaker was really intelligent, you could say he is sharp.
  
  L: Sharp,不是指一把刀快不快的意思吗? 那天有 个人说我很sharp, 当时我也不懂他是什么意思。那么说,他是在说我好咯!
  
  M: Absolutely!Sharp is an adjective that can be used to describe a person who is really smart.
  
  L: 你是说,sharp这个词可以用来形容一个非常聪明的人,也就是 脑子很敏锐的人。那我们的朋友王涛总是得到好分数,我可以 说:He's very sharp。
  
  M: He certainly is.
  
  L: 那这个词sharp是不是跟形容刀快不快的sharp是同一个字呢?
  
  M: Same word.
  
  L: 你能不能用sharp这个词来指一本很好的书?
  
  M: No, it is not used to describe things, only people. You could not call my apartment sharp.
  
  L: 噢,sharp用在这个意思的时候只能形容人,不能指东西。我还不 能说你的宿舍很sharp。 Michael,你那宿舍乱得象猪窝,怎么打扫 也称不上sharp了。
  
  M: I know. My mother said the same thing.
  
  L: 你看,我没说错吧!连你妈都这么说。不过,Michael,尽管我老 是跟你开玩笑,我倒觉得你很sharp,脑子很清楚,很快。
  
  M: Thanks, Li Hua. I think you're very sharp too.
  
  今天李华在跟Michael的谈话中学到了两个常用语, 一个是neat,意思是很好的主意,很好的计划;另一个是 sharp,意思是一个人脑子很聪明。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#64
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国人讲话时,或从书刊报纸上,你经常可以听到或见到一些由手臂,就是英文里的arms这个字组成的成语或俗语。有些习惯用语从字面上就可以很明显地了解它的意思,不需要解释。With open arms 就是一个很好的例子。当你听到一个朋友说: "My family received me with open arms when I came back from my trip to California." 很明显,这是说当你的朋友去加利福尼亚州后回家的时候,他家里的人都非常欢迎他。可是,有些习惯用语就不像with open arms这样容易理解了。比如说,什么是:Up in arms?这儿的arms不是指手臂了,而是指武器,如枪、炮、箭等。Up in arms的意思是起来进行武装斗争,或者非常愤怒,准备打架。我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-1: "All us students are up in arms at the news the school is raising our tuition ten percent."
  这句话的意思是:“当我们学生听到学校要提高百分之十的学费时,我们都火冒三丈。”
  
  下面我们要举的例子是一个国会议员在和一个同事谈论新的税收提案:
  
  例句-2: "No way am I going to vote for a bill to raise income tax again. The voters back home are already up in arms about how much the government takes out of their pay already and I have to run for re-election this fall."
  这位议员说:“我绝不会投票支持再次增加所得税的提案。我们州的选民对政府现在从他们工资里扣除的税的数量已经非常恼火了。而我今年还要竞选连任。”
  
  
  下面我们要讲的另一个由arms这个字组成的习惯用语是:At arm's length。Length在中文里的意思就是长短。At arm's length就是指和某人保持一定距离。下面这个例子是一个大学生在和他同宿舍的同学说话,请大家注意at arm's length 这个习惯用语在句子里是怎么用的:
  
  例句-3: "I keep trying to get friendly with that lovely blonde who sits next to me in biology class. But she keeps me at arm's length."
  他说:“我一直设法和那个生物课坐在我旁边的金发姑娘接近。可是,她老是和我保持一定距离。”
  
  在用at arm's length作为和谁保持一定距离的时候,一般都是这么说的:to keep someone at arm's length。
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在警告一个朋友不要和某人接近:
  
  例句-4: "Let me warn you about this Smith fellow. He seems like a nice, friendly guy. But it's wise to keep him at arm's length. You get too friendly with him, and the first thing he'll do is ask to borrow money from you."
  这个人说:“我要警告你关于那个叫Smith的家伙。他看起来似乎很友好。但是,你最好还是和他保持一定距离。一旦你和他过于接近,他马上就会问你借钱。”
  
  
  今天我们介绍了两个和arms 有关的习惯用语。第一个是:Up in arms,这是指起来进行武装斗争,或者非常愤怒,准备打架。另一个是:At arm's length 或者To keep someone at arm's length,这是和某人保持一定距离的意思

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#65
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华今天坐地铁去书店买书。现在他们正在地铁上。Michael今天会教李华两个常用语:jerk和street smart。
  
  L: Michael, 我们是这一站下车吗?
  
  M: Yeah.
  
  L: 哟,这人怎么回事呀,直往人群里挤。在纽约,一般人都会站在 一边好让别人下车。
  
  M: People are usually a lot more courteous. That one guy was a real jerk.
  
  L: 对,人们一般都很有礼貌的。那个人真是讨厌。你刚才说他是什 么来着?
  
  M: Jerk. Jerk is someone who is mean and inconsiderate.
  
  L: 原来Jerk就是很粗鲁,不顾别人的人。那依我看哪,好多人都是 jerk。有的人开车,在靠近别人车子很近的地方硬要挤到别人前面 去。这些人也可以说是jerks,对吗?
  
  M: They certainly are. But be careful, this word is very mean.
  
  L: 噢,叫人jerk是很不礼貌的,那用这个词的时候可真是要小心。 Michael,谢谢你告诉我,否则我要是随便叫人jerk,那就会出问题 了。
  
  M: See that man across the street? The one who's shouting and yelling at the little girl? He must be a real jerk.
  
  L: 看见了。一个大人对着那么小的女孩大叫大嚷,绝对是个讨厌的 人。Michael,虽然你有时候也很讨厌,不过我想你还没到那个程度。
  
  M: Well, thanks, I guess.
  
  L: Michael,我从来没有在这个站下过车。我们该往哪儿走呀?
  
  M: To the right, this way.
  
  L: 往右拐? 你知道书店在哪里吗? 好吧,那我就跟着你走。
  
  嗨,Michael,你以前没去那个书店买过书,你怎么知道它在哪儿 呢?你好象什么地方都认识,总是知道要往那里走。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#66
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Well, I grew up in the city. I guess you could say I'm street smart.
  
  L: 我知道你是在纽约长大的。你说你是street smart?Street是街道, smart是聪明,这两个词放在一起是什么意思呀?
  
  M: It means I know how city life operates, I know how to deal with different situations.
  
  L: Street smart就是知道在大城市生活该怎么处置一些事情,应该如何 应付各种不同的情况。那么,street smart是不是和保护自己,不要被 坏人袭击也有关系哪?
  
  M: Yes, being street smart also means you know how to be careful, for example, at night time.
  
  L: 噢,street smart也是指一个人知道应该怎样小心,例如夜晚在外 面活动的时候。要是你在纽约,或在北京都知道在地铁上如何防 止小偷,那也能称为street smart,是不是?
  
  M: Yes, that would be street smart. For instance, if you walk at night, you've got to be alert if anyone is behind you.
  
  L: 对,晚上在外面走路是要注意后面有没有人,有的话,要观察这 个人是不是另有企图。Michael,你去中国好几次了,你在中国是 不是也很street smart? 比如说,在中国买东西的时候往往可以讨 价还价。你是一个外国人,他们大概会对你提高价格吧?
  
  M: No way, I had heard about that before I went to China. So I was pretty street smart and knew how to bargin.
  
  L: 原来你去中国前已经听说了,所以你知道怎么样和别人讨价还价。 Michael,我发现你非常street smart,也不是一个jerk。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语,一个是:jerk;另一个是:street smart。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#67
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国的成语和俗语,也和其他语言一样,有许多都是由身体各个部份的名称组成的。例如:To follow your nose是指“一直走”。另外还有:To play by ear,意思是看着办。其他还有用hand 和foot这些字组成的习惯用语。
  
  在这次节目里我们要向大家介绍由腿,也就是leg这个字组成的习惯用语。中文里也有许多和腿这个字有关的俗语,像拉后腿、飞毛腿等。我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语是:To shake a leg。Shake的意思是“摇动”。 Leg当然是指腿。你可能已经猜到,to shak a leg就是赶快行动的意思。
  
  举个例子来说吧,一个妈妈对儿子说:
  
  例句-1: "Come on, shake a leg, son, or you're going to be late for school."
  这个妈妈说:“儿子,你快点儿吧!否则你上学要迟到了!”
  
  下面我们再举一个例子。这是一个卡车司机在对卸货的人说话:
  
  例句-2: "Let's shake a leg there, you guys! I got to get this truck unloaded and on the way back to the warehouse before dark."
  他说:“喂!你们这帮人快点儿吧!我得把这车货卸完,在天黑前赶回仓库去呢。”
  
  
  下面我们要讲的一个也是由leg这个字组成的习惯用语是:To pull one's leg。To pull one's leg 初看起来好像和中文里的“拉后腿”的意思差不多。但是,千万不要被表面现象所迷惑。To pull one's leg的真正意思是逗别人,开别人玩笑的意思。有时候,有的朋友故意讲一些话来骗我们,后来才发现他是在开玩笑。
  
  例如,一个大学生上了同学的当,事后他说:
  
  例句-3: "My roommate said this girl had told him she wouldn't mind going out with me. But when I invited her to a movie, I learned he was just pulling my leg."
  这个大学生说:“我的同房间同学说,那个女孩愿意和我一起出去玩。可是,当我请她去看电影的时候,我才发现我那同学是逗我,开我的玩笑。”
  
  要是这个大学生聪明一点的话,他当时就可以对他的同学说:
  
  例句-4: "Hey, stop pulling my leg, will you! I don't believe that girl really said she likes me and would like me to take her out."
  这句话的意思是:“喂,你别逗我行不行!我才不信那个女孩真的说了她喜欢我,还要我邀她出去玩。”
  
  
  今天我们讲了两个由leg这个字组成的习惯用语。它们是:To shake one's leg,这是指赶快动作的意思。
  To pull one's leg,这是指和别人开玩笑。和leg这个字有关的俗语里还有一个很有趣的说法,那就是:Break a leg! 从字面上来看,break a leg难道是断了一条腿?或是倒霉?不是,break a leg的确切意思是祝愿别人成功。例如,你的朋友明天要去参加高考,你就可以对他说:Break a leg! 不管你明天要去干什么,我们在这儿也希望你Break a leg!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#68
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在纽约上大学的Michael明天要考试,可是他的中国同学李华一定要他去参加一个聚会。李华今天学到的两个常用语是:hit 和to roll。
  
  L:Michael,你答应跟我一起来参加聚会,我得谢谢你呀! 你知道吗,我不太习惯在这种场合和那些不认识的人交谈。 嗨, Michael,那不是你的朋友Steve吗?我听说,只要有party 他一定参加。
  
  M:Yeah, he's the hit of all these parties.
  
  L:他是什么?Hit? Hit不是打人吗?
  
  M:No, "hit" here means he is the most popular person at these parties. "Hit" is a word used to describe someone or something that makes a favorable impression.
  
  L:啊呀,英文可真难学。一个词在这里是这个意思,在那里又变了意思。你说的hit是指大家都很喜欢的人。那hit用做这个意思的时候能指东西吗?
  
  M:Yeah, things can also be called a hit. For instance, you can say "that song is a hit with teenagers".
  
  L:对了,有的歌曲非常热门,这也能称为hit。 你刚才说:“That song is a hit with teeangers”, 意思是:“青少年特别喜欢的一首歌。” 这么说,“年轻人喜欢的一首歌”就是。。。
  
  M:That song is a hit with young people.
  
  L: 一个受欢迎的电视节目也能说是hit吗?
  
  M:Yes, you can! A hit TV program.
  
  L:Michael, 我听说好多女孩儿都很喜欢你!
  
  M:No, that's not true!
  
  L:我认识的女孩都说你很帅!我想她们那么喜欢你,你恐怕还不知道自己是a hit with girls!
  
  M:Oh, stop it, Li Hua! You're embarrassing me.
  
  L:哟,你还会不好意思呐!得了,去拿点东西吃吧,我饿了。
  
  L:Michael, 我们来了有两个小时了吧! 我倒是认识了几个很有意思的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#69
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:Yeah, the people here are pretty cool, but I'm getting tired. I've got a test tomorrow that I haven't prepared for yet. Do you think we can go pretty soon?
  
  L:对,这儿的人都挺好。怎么啦,你累了,想走了?我知道, 你还没有准备好明天的考试。其实,我也有点累了。我们随时都可以走。
  
  M:Okay, let's roll!
  
  L:什么? Let's roll? 滚回去啊?
  
  M:Oh no, "let's roll" here means "let's leave!"
  
  L:To roll也能表示要离开?
  
  M:Yes, if you're doing one thing, you can say "to roll" when you want to start something new.
  
  L:等等,让我看看我是不是懂你的意思了。要是你在做一件事,过了一会儿,你不想继续做下去,而是想做别的事了,这时你就可以说to roll。
  
  M:That's correct.
  
  L:怪不得上次开舞会的时候,我们班上的那个高个子George 对他的女朋友说:Let's roll! 后来我听说他们去看电影了。当时我还听不懂let's roll是什么意思。
  
  M:"Let's roll" is very popular, especially among young people. Well, Li Hua, I really do think it's time to roll.
  
  L:好吧。不过,刚才跟我说话的那个人告诉我,一会儿有一位名歌手会来唱歌。Michael,等他唱完一首歌再走,好不好?
  
  M :A hit singer will be coming? I'd like to stay, but I really have to prepare for my test.
  
  L:那好吧!
  
  M+L:Let's roll!
  
  今天李华学的一个常用语是:hit, 这是指受欢迎的,人们喜欢的人或东西;另一个常用语是:to roll, 也就是开始准备做一件事。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#70
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语是由 arm,也就是手臂和leg,也就是腿这两个字组成的。我们要介绍的第一个词汇是:To twist someone's arm。Twist是拧,用力扭转的意思。一个人要是给别人把手臂拧到身后去那是很难受的。To twist someone's arm这个习惯用语的意思也正是如此,它是指给某人施加压力,迫使他做你要他做的事。下面这个例子是一个学生说的话:
  
   例句-1: "I didn't want see that movie about Mozart, but my roomate twisted my arm. I'm glad he did -- it was a great show."
  
  他说:“我本来不想去看那个有关莫扎特的电影的。可是,我同房间的同学硬逼着要我去。不过,看了电影后我倒很高兴,因为那个电影太好了。”
  
  这个学生还算运气,尽管他本来不愿意,可是结果还不错。但是,被迫做的事往往会产生不愉快的结局。请听下面这位爸爸说的话:
  
   例句-2:"My son has been twisting my arm to let him take my car out on a date ever since he got his driver's license. This weekend, I finally let him take it. And now it's in the body shop for a thousand dallars of repairs: he had an accident on the way to pick up his girlfriend."
  
  他说:“自从我儿子拿到驾驶执照以来,他一直闹着要开我的车去赴约会。这个周末,我终于答应了。可是,他在去接女朋友的路上出了车祸,现在我的车正在车库里修,要花一千美元呢。”
  
  
  下面我们要讲的一个俗语里既有 arm 也有 leg:To charge someone an arm and a leg。Charge就是要多少价钱的意思。任何东西要你付出一只手臂,还加上一条腿恐怕要价也太高了一点,很不值得。很明显,to charge someone an arm and a leg的意思就是要价太高。下面这句话就是一个例子:
  
   例句-3: "Don't go to that fancy new restaurant. The food isn't very good and they charge you an arm and a leg for it!"
  
  这个人说:“别上那个新开的高级饭馆去。他们的菜并不好,而价钱倒贵得要命。”
  
  在美国,一般人都很怕去看牙大夫。这不仅是为了怕痛,而是他们要价都很高,动一点小手术就是好几百美元,有的甚至要几千美元。下面这句话就反应了这个情况:
  
   例句-4: "Say, if you need a dentist, you might want to try my brother. He's fresh out of dental school and trying to set up a practice. But he does good work, and he won't charge you an arm and a leg for it like most other dentists."
  
  这个人说:“喂,要是你想找牙大夫,你可以上我弟弟那里去试一下。他刚毕业,正在设法开业。可是,他技术很好,也不会像其他许多牙大夫那样收费很高。”
  
  现在我们来复习一下今天讲的两个习惯用语。
  第一个是 to twist someone's arm,那是强迫某人做你要他做的事。
  第二个是 to charge someone an arm and a leg,这是指要价太高。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#71
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael是个美国学生,在纽约上大学。他的一个要好同学是从中国大陆来的李华。今天Michael刚好在校园里碰到李华。李华会在谈话中学到两个常用语:couch potato和nuts。
  
  L:嗨,Michael, 你上哪儿去呀?
  
  M:I'm going to meet Jon at the subway. You've met Jon, haven't you?
  
  L:嗯,是不是上次在一次party上你给我介绍的那个带眼镜的人?
  
  M:Yes. I want to drag him out to do something. You know, he's such a couch potato.
  
  L:他是什么? Couch potato? 什么是couch potato? 他爱吃土豆?
  
  M:No, couch potato is an expression used to describe someone who sits in front of the TV all the time eating junk food, such as potato chips.
  
  L:噢,原来coach potato是指一个人老坐在电视机前吃零食。 这个常用语挺有趣。那couch potato是不是只能指人呀?
  
  M:Yes, it is only used to describe people, those who are lazy and unmotivated.
  
  L:噢,只能指人,指那些懒懒散散,没有动力的人。好,下回我就叫我哥哥couch potato。他老是看电视,一看就看到三更半夜,吃的东西撒在地毯上,沙发上,到处都是。
  
  M:My father's like that too. My mother is always angry with him. But he doesn't care.
  
  L:哟,你爸爸也是这样呀!要我是你妈,我也会生气的。
  
  M:But sometimes, after a really hard week at school, I also just want to collapse and be a couch potato.
  
  L:一个星期在学校念书实在很累了,回家当一回couch potato, 我想这还是可以的,只要不是每天这样就行了。
  
  M: Yes, I agree. Li Hua, would you like to join us? Jon and I are going to play tennis.
  
  L:你们要打网球呀,那太好了,我正在学打网球呐。
  
  M:That's wonderful. You know, some people think I'm nuts to have a friend like Jon.
  
  L:有的人认为你是什么? Nuts?Nuts不是花生,杏仁那样的果仁吗?你跟Jon交朋友跟吃花生有什么关系呀

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#72
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:No, nuts here means someone who is crazy.
  
  L:原来nuts在这里是说一个人做的事很怪。大概就象中文里说的:你疯啦!对吗?
  
  M:That's right. Jon can be rude, and he also argues a lot. Sometimes he does drive me nuts.
  
  L:他看起来不象会对别人无礼,爱跟人争论的人哪!你刚才说drives me nuts 是什么意思啊?
  
  M:Drives me nuts means he makes me crazy.
  
  L:噢,还可以说drive me nuts, 或者是drive someone nuts。嗨,Michael, 那天我上移民局去办手续,排队好长,我站了一小时,我真是火死了。我能说:They drove me nuts 吗?
  
  M:Of course. You know, my mother used to make me clean my room every night when I was in high school and that drove me nuts.
  
  L:你念中学的时候你妈妈每天晚上要你打扫房间?那是有点受不了。嗨,Michael,你认识我的朋友张红吗?
  
  M:Oh, yes, she is nuts. She spent $200 for a dress, and it's ugly.
  
  L:对,张红这个人是有点问题,化两百美元买件难看的衣服。不过,Michael,你总是批评别人买的东西。 You sometimes drive me nuts too.
  
  M:Li Hua, I think you are learning these words too fast.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语,一个是:couch potato,指那些常坐着看电视,吃零食的人;另一个是:nuts,就是说一个人不正常,做的事很怪。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#73
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

一般人在做任何事情的时候总是想找捷径,越容易越好,这似乎是人的本性。因此,在英语里有不少成语和俗语是形容办事很容易的。其中之一就是:To take candy from a baby。Candy就是吃的糖,baby在中文里就是小孩。To take candy from a baby的意思就是:某件事情很容易办成,就像把孩子手里的糖拿来一样。请听下面这个例子:
   例句-1: "Getting grandmother to loan me the money was as easy as taking candy from a baby."
  这个人说:“要我祖母借我那笔钱那简直是太容易了。”
  我们再来举一个例子吧。这是一个被关在监狱里的犯人在和牢房里另一个犯人说话:
   例句-2: "Louey told us that robbing this bank would be as easy as taking candy from a baby. But somebody told the police and they were waiting for us. We had no choice but to throw down our guns and surrender."
  这个犯人说:“洛伊对我们说,要抢那个银行简直太容易了。可是,不知谁去报告了警察。到我们去抢银行时,警察在那里等着我们。我们没办法,只好放下枪投降。”
  To take candy from a baby,欺负小孩,从小孩手里拿糖,在想象当中是很容易的。但是,实际情况恐怕并不见得如此。发明这个成语的人也许从来也没有设法把婴儿的小拳头扒开,然后把那小手里的糖拿来。任何做过父母的人都会告诉你孩子一般都会紧握着手里的糖不放,要是你硬是要拿,他就会大声哭叫。可是,尽管如此,to take candy from a baby已经成为美国人经常用来形容办事容易的词汇了。
  另外一个形容事情很容易办的俗语也是和食品有联系的,这就是:A piece of cake。Piece 是指一片,或一块;cake就是蛋糕。A piece of cake的意思当然可以是指一块蛋糕。可是,作为俗语,它的意思就成了:这件事太容易了。例如,一个工作人员,犹豫了好久,最后终于鼓足了勇气去和老板提出增加工资的要求。他原来以为要和老板进行一番争论。可是,出乎他的意料,老板马上同意了,还说,他确实应该增加工资了。这样,他喜笑颜开地回到家里对太太说:
   例句-3: "Honey, I finally asked Old Man Jones for my raise. And it was a piece of cake!"
  他说:“亲爱的,我终于对老琼斯提了要求增加工资的事。我没有费吹灰之力他一口答应了。”
  首先使用 A piece of cake 这个俗语的是二次世界大战期间联军的飞行员。那时,他们往往是这样说的:
   例句-4: "At the briefing before we took off to bomb the Germans, our commander told us it would probably be a tough flight. But it turned out to be a piece of cake: no anti-aircraft fire and no enemy fighters."
  这句话的意思是:“在我们起飞去轰炸德国人之前举行的情况介绍会上,我们的司令官告诉我们这次飞行任务可能很艰巨。但是,结果倒是非常容易,既没有高射炮射击,也没有敌机来干扰。”
  上面我们讲了两个形容事情很容易办的俗语。一个是To take candy from a baby;第二个俗语是A piece of cake。「美国习惯用语」第二十三讲就到里。欢迎下次再一起来学习美国习惯用语。再见。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#74
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

每个人的生活道路几乎都是崎岖不平,有上有下的。当然,一般人都喜欢攀登到社会的高峰,而不愿意沦落到社会的最低层。美国的俗语和成语充份地反应了这种概念。今天我们就来介绍两个跟上和下,也就是top和bottom这两个字有关系的习惯用语。美国的电影院里曾经放映过一部电影,名字叫《Top Gun》《Top Gun》这部电影的情节是讲几个海军的战斗机驾驶员为了争夺最佳驾驶员的地位而互相倾轧。可是,top Gun这个常用词汇在喷气式飞机诞生前很久就已经出现。那还是在美国开拓西部的时候,那些西部神枪手有时为了获得最佳枪手的称号而互相残杀。现在,top gun这个习惯用语已经没有什么火药味了。一位大学教师很可能会用top gun这个词来对学生说:
  例句-1: "Read this book by Professor Winter -- he's a top gun in Shakespeare research."
  这位教师说:“大家看一下温特教授写的这本书,他是在莎士比亚研究方面最优秀的学者。”
  Top Gun这个习惯用语在美国律师当中用得也很多。下面的例子就是一个律师在给他的委托人提供建议:
  例句-2: "Sorry, I don't handle divorces myself, but if you really want to divorce your husband, I can give you the name of two of the top guns in New York when it comes to getting a good divorce settlement."
  这位律师说:“对不起,我本人不处理离婚案这种业务。但是,如果你一定要和你丈夫离婚,那我可以把纽约的两个在处理离婚财产方面最好的律师介绍给你。”
  上面我们讲的是和top这个字有关的俗语,下面我们要给大家介绍一个由bottom这个字组成的习惯用语:bottom line。Bottom line这个词汇是做生意的人开始用的。每个公司的会计在财政报告上都要把收入和开支加起来,然后得出一个最关键的数字,也就是这个公司究竟盈利多少,或亏损多少。这就是所谓的bottom line。现在,bottom line这个词汇已经成为人们经常用的了,不仅商人,而且连政府官员和其他一般人都用。我们来 举个例子吧。这是一个饭馆老板在说话:
  例句-3: "I hate to tell you this, but if we don't get more customers the next three months, the bottom line is that we'll go out of business."
  他说:“我很不愿意告诉你。但是,要是我们在今后三个月里不能招揽更多的顾客的话,归根结蒂的问题是我们必然会倒闭的。”
  我们下面要举的例子还是和这个饭馆的经营有联系的。在老板说了以上的话半年后,他们的生意已经兴旺得多了。他对他的合夥人说:
  例句-4: "Our new cook from Sichuan is bringing in a lot more people. And the bottom line is that last month we made a profit of fifteen thousand dollars."
  他说:“我们那个从四川来的新厨师吸引了不少顾客。其结果是上个月我们赚了一万五千美元。”
  美国人经常问下面这个问题:What's the bottom line? 这就是说,在对一个问题讨论结束后,其结果到底是什么,这也是有关的人所必须了解的内容。
  今天我们讲了两个习惯用语,一个是:top gun;另一个是:bottom line。「美国习惯用语」第二十四讲就到里。欢迎下次再一起来学习美国习惯用语。再见。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#75
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

笑是人类表达喜怒哀乐各种不同感情的一个不可缺少的形式。笑这个字,也就是英文里的laugh经常出现在美国的成语或俗语里。人们经常会做一些事,纯属为了高兴。这在英文里就是:Just for laughs。Just for laughs这个俗语在不同情况下,它的意思也就不同。首先,它可以解释为:做某件事纯属为了高兴,就像我们上面讲的那样。我们来举个例子吧。
  例句-1: "Come on and get your jacket -- let's go out and have a couple of beers just for laughs."
  这个人说:“来吧,穿上你的外套,我们到外面去喝两杯啤酒高兴高兴。”
  可是,Just for laughs有时也可以指做愚蠢的事,或有害的事。下面的情形就是一个例子:
  例句-2: "Just for laughs they tossed Mary in the swimming pool with all her clothes on. Then they found out she didn't know how to swim."
  这个人说:“就是为了开玩笑,他们把玛丽连衣服带鞋的整个扔进了游泳池,结果他们发现,玛丽根本不会游泳。”
  开这种恶作剧的玩笑实在是不应该。我们再来举一个高兴一点的例子吧:
  例句-3: "I really enjoyed that movie last night. It won't win any prizes, but it has two funny guys in it that are worth watching just for laughs."
  这个人说:“我很喜欢昨晚看的那个电影。这个电影不见得会得什么奖,但是那两个滑稽的角色值得一看,非常好玩。”
  下面要讲的一个和laugh这个字有关的习惯用语不一定会使当事人高兴。To laugh up one's sleeve。Sleeve就是衣服袖子。To laugh up one's sleeve从字面上来看是在袖子里笑,实际上也就是偷偷地笑。To laugh up one's sleeve的真正意思就是偷偷地笑话某人,因为这个人有些可笑的地方,而他本人还没有发现。例如:
  例句-4: "We were all laughing up our sleeves at the teacher when he was up at the blackboard explaining the math problem. He had a rip in the back of his pants and didn't know it."
  这句话翻成中文就是:“当老师在黑板前讲解数学题的时候,我们都偷偷地笑,因为他裤子后面有个裂缝,他自己还不知道。
  其实,这种情况是经常发生的。下面又是一个例子:
  例句-5: "We were all laughing up our sleeves at our brother when he sat down at the dinner table. He'd seen his girl off at the airport and had lipstick on his face and didn't know it."
  这个人说:“当我们的哥哥坐下吃晚饭的时候,我们都在偷偷地笑他,因为他刚去机场送他的女朋友,脸上留下了口红,他还不知道。
  今天我们讲了两个和笑,也就是laugh这个字有关的习惯用语。
  第一个是:Just for laughs,这是纯属为了取乐的意思。
  第二个是:To laugh up one's sleeve,这是指暗暗发笑的意思

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#76
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

笑是最好的药品。不管这句话对不对,美国大众读物「读者文摘」的一个笑话拦就是用这句话来做标题的。但是,笑并不一定总是显示高兴或快乐。笑这个字,也就是英文里的laugh,在一般情况下都含有褒意,可有的时候却包含一种贬意,类似耻笑、讥笑、冷笑等,这些当然不会是好的药品。今天我们要讲两个由laugh这个字组成的习惯用语,一个是 a horse laugh,另一个是 the last laugh。从这两个词汇中,我们就可以看到laugh这个字在英文里和中文一样具有正反两面的含义。现在,我们先来讲 a horse laugh。Horse就是一头马。A horse laugh在英文里并不是指马在笑。作为一个俗语,a horse laugh是一种表示不信任的嘲笑。下面这个例子是说一些人对某个竞选议员的候选人表示不信任:
  例句-1: "When this guy running for Congres told us how much money he'd save us taxpayers, we all gave him the horse laugh. We knew when he was in the state legislature he always voted for higher taxes."
  这句话翻成中文就是说:“当这个竞选国会议员席位的人对我们说,他会为我们这些缴税的人省多少钱的时候,我们大家都哄堂大笑。我们知道,在他担任州议员的期间,他老是投票赞成提高税收的。”
  我们再来举个例子,看看 a horse laugh 在句子里是怎么用的:
  例句-2: "Harry thinks he's God's gift to women: that none of them can resist his charm. So we all gave him the horse laugh when he asked the new girl in class to go to a movie and she told him to get lost."
  这句话是说:“哈里总是以为自己具有莫大的魅力,女人们都被他倾倒,他就像上帝恩赐给女人的礼物一样。所以,当他请班里新来的那个女孩去看电影,而被那女孩毫不客气地拒绝了以后,我们都禁不住地嘲笑他。
  下面我们要讲的一个和 laugh 这个字有关的俗语是 the last laugh。The last laugh的意思就是,在某人开始做一件事情的时候,许多人都说他不会成功。但是最后他还是成功了。这时候,他的心里很高兴,也许还很得意,这就是the last laugh。发明飞行的赖特兄弟两人就是一个例子。当他们在1903年十二月宣布他们将实现人类飞行的梦想的时候,有的报纸写文章讥笑他们。可正是那一天,他们开创了人类进入飞行的新时代。The last laugh可以说是最令人满意的笑了。我们来举个例子吧:
  例句-3: "I used to laugh at my roommate in college -- he'd stay in and study on weekends while I went out for a good time. But I guess he has the last laugh on me. He's a famous brain surgeon and me, I'm selling used cars and barely make enough to live on."
  这个人说:“我过去在大学的时候总是笑话我同宿舍的同学,因为他周末老是呆在学校念书,而我总是出去玩。现在,我猜想他一定很得意地在笑我。他已经成为一个脑外科专家,而我则以卖旧汽车为生,只能勉强糊口。”
  以上我们向大家介绍了两个和laugh这个字有关的词汇。它们是a horse laugh和the last laugh。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#77
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

红颜色这个字,就是英文里的 red,也经常出现在美国的成语和俗语里,有时是正面的,有时是反面的。例如,我们在中文里说,铺上红地毯来欢迎外国贵宾。在英文里也就是 to roll out the red carpet to honor a visiting head of state,或者也可以说 to give someone the Red carpet treatment。我们来举个例子吧:
   例句-1:"When Ann came back from her long vacation, we gave her the red carpet treatment."
  这是说:“当安度了一个很长的假期后,我们像贵宾一样欢迎她回来。
  可是 red 这个字有时也包含着一种贬意,比如说 in the red。做生意的人最怕 in the red,因为那是指亏本。今天我们要讲两个由 red 这个字组成的习惯用语,一个具有正面的含义,另一个包含着反面的意思。我们先来讲一个表示高兴、快乐的习惯用语 a red letter day。A red letter day 的中文意思就是:大喜日子。对于某个人来说,那是指发生好事的一天。例如,一个母亲说:
  例句-2:"It was a real red letter day for me when my son came home from three years in the navy. We rolled out the red carpet to welcome him home."
  这位母亲说:“我儿子在海军里服役了三年。他回家的那天对我来说真是一个大喜日子。我们真是把他当贵宾一样来欢迎他。”
  我们从这句话里也可以看出,to rolled out the red carpet 并不一定要用在高官显贵的身上,对普通人也能这么说。我们再来举个例子说明 a red letter day:
  例句-3:"I'm lucky--my birthday is a real red letter day. It's on December 31, New Year's eve and all over the world people are out celebrating it."
  这个人说:“我运气真好,我的生日是十二月三十一号,刚好是新年前夕,全世界的人都庆祝那一天。”
  下面我们要讲的一个俗语,它的含义我敢肯定人人都讨厌。这就是 red tape。Tape 是带子的意思。Red tape 是指官僚主义,或文牍主义。换句话说,red tape 就是人们在和政府或官方机构打交道时往往会遇到的拖延、混乱等令人烦恼的障碍。那末,这和红带子又有什么关系呢?这是因为在古时候官方的文件一般都用红带子捆起来的,这样红带子就和官僚主义连在一起了。现在我们来举个例子:
  例句-4: "With all the red tape I ran into at city hall, it took me three months to get my business license."
  这个人说:“我在市政厅遇到了各种官僚主义的麻烦。我化了整整三个月才拿到营业执照。”
  下面我们再来举一个有关 red tape 的例子:
  例句-5:"You can't believe how much red tape there is in getting a visa. You have to get a birth certificate and other personal papers and fill out a bunch of complicated forms and have an interview. After that you wait and wait."
  她说:“你简直不会相信,要拿到一个签证会遇到多少官僚主义的麻烦。你先要拿到你的出生证和其他有关你个人的证件,然后填一大堆复杂的表格,接着还要去面谈。办完这些事以后,你还得一等再等。”
  今天我们讲了两个以 red 这个字为主的习惯用语。第一个是 a red letter day,另一个是 red tape。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#78
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[流行美语]又和大家见面了。Michael这个美国学生今天好象什么事都不太顺当。他的中国同学李华也发现他好象有心事。到底是什么事呢?你听了Michael和李华的对话就知道了。他们在对话中会用到两个美国年轻人常用的说法, 一个是to bomb;另一个是to mess up。
  
  L: Michael, 怎么啦?你好象有心事。
  
  M: I think I just bombed my history test. I don't think I'm going to pass.
  
  L: 噢,你怕刚才历史测验会不及格。嗨,没必要,这又不是大考。 Michael,你刚才说什么"bombed my history test",bomb不是炸弹,或 是爆炸吗?你可不要开这样的玩笑,现在大家对安全问题都很敏感。
  
  M: No, I said I bombed my test, that means I did very poorly, and probably will get a very low mark.
  
  L: 考得不好,分数低,这我都听懂了,就是那个词bomb用在这里 有点怪。我想,这就是中文里说的考试考糊了。那除了考试外还 能用在哪里呢?
  
  M: Well, sometimes we might say a movie or a play "bombed". That means that no one wanted to see it, and it probably lost a lot of money.
  
  L: 噢,还可以指电影,或话剧太次,没有人要看,卖座率太低。我上 星期去看了一次电影,剧院里没几个人。后来我才看到报纸评论 说这部电影太糟了。我能不能说:"The movie I saw last week bombed"?
  
  M: Sounds like it bombed to me. Remember the play we went to a few weeks ago? The actors were terrible!
  
  L: 对,你说几个星期前去看的那场话剧,有几个话剧演员简直是 太糟 了。That play really bombed! 我说得对不对?
  
  M: Absolutely! Hey listen, Li Hua, can we please change the subject? I don't want to think about failure right now. What would you like to eat? It's my treat.
  
  L: 你不要再谈这种丧气的事情,没问题!要请我吃饭,行,我 吃沙拉和三明治。不过,Michael,你真是得省点钱,要是老是考 试不及格,研究院会把你开除的!
  
  M: Please! Don't mention tests!
  
  L: 跟你开玩笑嘛!
  
  M: Ah, here's my hamburger. Ack! They messed up my order! There are onions on this burger!
  
  L: 你说什么呀? 他们把你的汉堡包怎么啦?

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#79
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: I told them not to put onions on my burger, but they forgot. Therefore I said that they "messed up my order". I can also just say "they messed up."
  
  L: 噢,你叫他们不要放洋葱,他们忘了。所以,to mess up就是做 错了事,对吗?
  
  M: That's right. Also, "to mess up something" can mean to break or damage something.
  
  L: 噢,to mess up something还可以指把什么东西弄坏了。昨天,和 我同房间的学生问我借自行车,等她还我的时候,自行车的链子 断了。我是不是可以说:"She messed up my bike"?
  
  M: Sure! Hey, you'd better tell her to buy you a new chain.
  
  L: 对啊,我是让她去买新链子,可是她说都是我不好让她差一点没 出严重的车祸。
  
  M: What? She broke your bicycle, and she's angry at you? That's just wrong!
  
  L: 她就是那样的人,上回她把借来的电视机给弄坏了。
  
  M: She messed up the TV she borrowed? You don't need a roommate like her.
  
  L: 虽然她弄坏了我的自行车,其他方面她还是很好的。嗨, Michael,你能帮我修自行车吗?
  
  M: Well, I'm really out of luck today. I bombed my test, they messed up my burger, and now I have to repair your bike!
  
  L: 这也算什么倒霉呀!没几分钟你就修好了。我先谢谢你了!
  
  M: Ok, ok!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:to bomb,另一个是:to mess up。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#80
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华是在纽约上大学的中国学生。现在她正在和Michael这个美国学生谈有关她学习方面的问题。今天Michael 会教李华两个常用语:to take a hike 和 to blow off。
  
  L: Michael,我真烦死了,我们那个经济学教授非要我们分成小组来完成一个项目,可小组里一个同学嘛一声不啃,另一个我说什么他都反对。
  
  M: If I were you, I would have told him to take a hike.
  
  L: 你要对他说什么? Take a hike? 是什么意思啊?
  
  M: Take a hike is to tell someone to leave, or to tell someone to leave you alone.
  
  L: Take a hike就是叫谁走开,或者是告诉某人不要来打搅我。对吗?
  
  M: That's correct. In fact, you told me there's that one guy who always bothers you in the study hall. You should tell him to take a hike.
  
  L: 我知道你在说谁。我在自修室里念书的时候,那个人经老是要来跟 我说话。可是他往往很不客气。
  
  M: Why don't you tell him to take a hike?
  
  L: 我不好意思对别人说这种话。 那样很不礼貌,是不是?
  
  M: Sometimes you can use "take a hike" in a joking manner. For instance, when my friend kept teasing me about the way I dressed the other day, I told him to take a hike.
  
  L: 我那天是听见你那朋友在笑话你穿的衣服,可是,当时你说take a hike,我不知道是什么意思。现在想起来,你好象是用开玩笑的口气说的。
  
  M: Li Hua, give me an example. I want to see if you know how to use it.
  
  L: 哼,你要考我! Michael, 你经常跟我开玩笑,说我老买衣服,下次你再要这样,我就要对你说:Take a hike.
  
  M: Yes, Li Hua, I suppose you could.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#81
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 你昨晚上不是说好要跟Bob去看电影吗?你怎么一个晚上都呆在家里呢?
  
  M: Bob and I did make plans to go out last night. But he blew me off. He decided to go out with his girlfriend. It wasn't the first time he blew me off.
  
  L: 原来说好去看电影,到最后一分钟打电话给你说要和女朋友出去 玩。Michael,你刚才说了两遍blew me off ? 是不是取消原定约会的意思?
  
  M: Yes, to blow off means to break off plans you had with someone.
  
  L: 也就是说你和Bob约好去看电影,可是他为了跟女朋友玩而把你给甩了。
  
  M: You're right.
  
  L: To blow off 还能用在什么场合呢?
  
  M: If someone has been friendly to you in the past, but he suddenly seems to ignore you, you can say that person blew you off.
  
  L: 噢,to blow off 还可以指某人突然对你很冷淡。
  
  M: Yes. For instance, when I was at a party last weekend, Nancy acted like she didn't even know who I was. I can say Nancy blew me off.
  
  L: Nancy上个周末在聚会上看见你好象不认识你?这不可能,她不是跟你很好的吗?
  
  M: Yes, but that's ok. Li Hua, you can also use this phrase to talk about things you blow off, such as something you don't want to do.
  
  L: 我不想做什么事,也可以用to blow off。我不是告诉你我不想参加 那经济学的小组吗?可是,要是我blow it off,我这门课就会不及格。
  
  M: Yeah, there are some things in life you just shouldn't blow off.
  
  L: 唉,生活中有些事是非得做的,就象和你一起吃午饭一样。
  
  M: Oh, Li Hua, take a hike.
  
  在今天的对话中,Michael教了李华两个常用语,一个是:take a hike,意思是叫某人走开;另一个是to blow off,这是指取消约会,或者是不做自己不想做的事。

中国不是伊拉克 : 2009-12-02#82
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

很好很强大,通通收藏。

太极无敌 : 2009-12-02#83
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

很好很强大,通通收藏。
一个都不能丢地收藏了!谢谢!!!!!!

北京爽秋 : 2009-12-02#84
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

收藏

miaomiao.hu : 2009-12-02#85
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

非常有用的课程。非常感谢楼主的分享!!在工作中经常被slang,和idiomatic language搞晕,有这些总结实在是太好了。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#86
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华是在纽约上大学的中国学生。今天她的美国同学Michael 陪她练习开车,准备去考驾照。他们在路上几次遇到惊险的情况,尽管这样, 李华还是学到了两个常用语,一个是:cop; 另一个是:to freak out.
  
  M:Your driving is getting better, Li Hua. Hey, you'd better slow down. This is a 35 mile per hour zone.
  
  L:这地区每小时只能开35英里呀?我是不是开太快啦?哟,我的天呐,警察车跟在我后面,那怎么办呐?
  
  M:Calm down, Li Hua. Just find a parking lot and stop the car. The cop will follow us, and come over to your window to talk to you.
  
  L:哪儿有停车的地方呀! 行,就停在这里吧!你刚才说谁会过来跟我说话?是警察吗?
  
  M:That's right. "Cop" means police officer.
  
  L:警察要来跟我说话!我会不会倒霉呀?我该怎么办呢?
  
  M:Calm down! Sometimes the cops stop people just to warn them, not to give them a ticket. You weren't going very fast anyway.
  
  L: 你说警察可能过来只是警告我一下,不一定会给我罚单呀?但愿如此,我好象是没有开太快。Michael, 你刚才说“cops", 那警车里到底有几个警察呀?
  
  M:When I say "the cops", I mean the police in general. I'm not talking about any cop in particular.
  
  L:噢,cop 这个名词用复数的时候,cops, 可以总的指警察,而不是指某个警察。 我就把车停这儿吧。 Michael, 我能称呼警察“cop”吗?
  
  M:No! The word "cop" is too informal. You should show respect when talking to the cops. Call him "officer", don't call him "cop"!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#87
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L:天哪!原来“cop”是很随便的称呼,你干吗不早告诉我呀!我可不要惹警察生气!
  
  M:Li Hua, don't worry. I'm sure this isn't very serious.
  
  M:See, Li Hua, I was right. The cop didn't give you a ticket.
  
  L:谢天谢地,他没有给我罚单。 他要罚我好多钱的话,那我就糟糕了。
  
  M:I told you not to freak out. If a cop sees that you are nervous, he will be even more suspicious of you.
  
  L:你告诉我什么?叫我别下车?
  
  M:No, I told you not to "freak out". "Freak out" means to panic or to act crazy and excited.
  
  L:是啊, 我经常听到一些人说 freak out, 原来是指过于激动,显得非常紧张。对不对?
  
  M:That's right. Actually, I was the one who should have been freaking out!
  
  L:你才该感到紧张?为什么?
  
  M:Because this is my car, and you only have a learner's permit. I'd be responsible if you got in trouble.
  
  L:这我就不懂了。是的,这是你的车,我只有一张学开车的许可证。可是,我开车出了问题,为什么警察会怪你呀?你为什么要freak out?
  
  M:Hey! Li Hua, look out for that car!
  
  L:Don't freak out, Michael. 我看见那辆车了。不过,那车差一点就撞到我们了!
  
  M:Oh, man! that was close! That guy is crazy! I wish the cops were here to see that!
  
  L:对,刚才是够险的,警察要看到他那么开车,准要给他罚单。不过,今天已经和警察打过交道了,够了。再要跟cops打交道,那我可真是要freak out了。
  
  M:Me too. Now, drive carefully!
  
  今天这两个年轻人真是够惊险的。不过,李华学到了两个非常有用的词汇: cop, 警察;to freak out,非常紧张和激动。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#88
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家可能还记得Michael 这个美国学生以往几次考试都考糟了,这一次情况可大不相同。今天他和他的中国同学李华约好了在图书馆见面。李华会学到两个常用语,一个是:to ace;另一个是:peanuts。
  
  L: 嗨, Michael,今天考得怎么样?
  
  M: Not bad! I aced today's history test!
  
  L: 你历史测验又考糟啦?那你还那么高兴!
  
  M: No, Li Hua, I didn't bomb my test. I said "I aced the test". I did very well on it!
  
  L: 你考得很好,那太好了,Michael!最近你每天都到图书馆来念书, 我知道你会考得比以前好的。你刚才用的是哪个字啊?
  
  M: Ace. Here, ace is a verb, and you can add a "d" to make it past tense.
  
  L: 噢,在这里,ace是个动词,过去时就是在后面加一个字母 "d",变成 了aced。这个字是不是和扑克牌里的那张牌A,或者叫“尖子”的那 张牌一样的呢?
  
  M: That's right. The "ace" card is usually the highest value in a card game. Therefore, "ace" means to do well.
  
  L: 对,在玩扑克的时候ace往往是价值最高的一张牌,所以ace就是 指某件事做的很好。那ace作为动词还能用在什么场合呢?
  
  M: Usually we can use "ace" to describe how we did on a test, or on things similar to tests. For example, I can say I aced my last job interview.
  
  L: 噢,一般都用在和测验考试之类的情况,你上次找工作去面谈谈 得很好也能用“ace" 这个词。再说一遍你刚才说的那句话,好 吗?

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#89
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: I aced my last job interview.
  
  L: 你大概回答问题答得很好,所以老板就要你了。
  
  M: That's right. Li Hua, if someone is very good at something, we can call him an "ace". I can say, for example, you are an ace at taking tests.
  
  L: I'm an ace at taking tests, 你说我非常会考试!这也不见得,我考糊 的时候也有的。不过,比你少一点就是了。
  
  M: Yes, you're right!
  
  L: Michael, 借我$.75 买杯咖啡好吗?
  
  M: Well, okay. Li Hua, how much money do you earn as a teaching assistant, if you don't mind my asking?
  
  L: 你当然不在意你问我赚多少钱。 当助教的工资很低,才8美元一 小时。
  
  M: Eight dollars? That's peanuts!
  
  L: Peanuts? Peanuts不是花生吗?你是什么意思呀?
  
  M: That's really not much! You only make eight dollars an hour? Your wages are very low, so I said that's "peanuts"!
  
  L: 原来你的意思是我的工资很低。你说的peanuts是不是和我们吃的 花生一个字吗?
  
  M: That's right.
  
  L: 我在想另外找个工作呢。我的同学王燕在图书馆工作,一个小时 就有十美元。
  
  M: That's still peanuts compared with the teaching assistants in other departments. I make about 13 dollars an hour as a graduate assistant.
  
  L: 哟,你一个小时赚13美元呐! 真不公平,你赚那么多钱,而我 只赚peanuts.
  
  M: I don't see how you can live on so little money.
  
  L: 赚那么点钱是怎么过的日子呀?我还有奖学金呐,每个月给我四 百美元生活费。
  
  M: Too bad you don't really make peanuts, at least you can eat those...
  
  L: 你真想要我赚花生,靠吃花生过日子呀。Michael, 你真废话!
  
  M: I'm just kidding!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:to ace,就是某件事做得很好,特别是象考试之类的事;另一个是:peanuts,这里不是指花生,而是指数量很小,价值很低。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#90
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华都为今天的考试苦苦准备了整整一个星期。他们俩刚考完,都觉得自己考得不错。俩人决定去看一场电影,轻松轻松。李华会学到两个常用语,一个是:buck; 另一个是:whatever。
  
  M: Li Hua, are you going to get any snacks before the movie begins?
  
  L: 你说什么?噢,电影还没有开场,你问我要不要买点吃的?嗯, 我本想买一杯可乐,可是买了票,没钱了,算了吧!
  
  M: Don't worry about it! I'll buy you one. It's only a few bucks.
  
  L: 你说什么?一杯可乐不是$2.75吗?你说 "only a few bucks"?
  
  M: Yes. "Buck" is an informal way to say "dollar".
  
  L: 哟,"buck" 就是"dollar"!是非正式的名称。 嗨,昨天我要买一块 糖,你给我一美元,那我就可以说:“You gave me a buck",对不 对?
  
  M: That's right. And the other day, I lent you a few bucks for lunch. And last week, you borrowed ten bucks so you could buy a chemistry textbook, and...
  
  L: 得啦, 你用不着提醒我,我知道,那天借了你几块钱吃午饭, 上星期借你十块钱买化学书,不就是借了两回吗!你怎么啦,怕 我不还?
  
  M: No, I'm not reminding you, I just wanted to give you some examples.
  
  L: 得了吧!要给我举例子,跟钱有关的事多着呢,为什么非要举我 问你借钱的例子!
  
  M: Ok, don't be mad at me. Hey, since you now know what "buck" means, why don't you give me an example.
  
  L: 要我给你举个例子,行,那还不容易呀! 你看我这件毛衣,款 式很新型,纯毛的,还是名牌,你猜多钱?Five bucks!
  
  M: Five bucks! I can't believe it!
  
  L: 清仓大减价嘛! 可是,Michael,我去商店的时候,停车停错了地 方,吃了一张罚票, it costs me 50 bucks!
  
  M: Oh! So your sweater actually costs you 55 bucks! That's expensive!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#91
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 真倒霉!得了,别说了。去买可乐吧!电影都快开场了。
  
  (Michael和李华看完电影以后)
  
  L: Michael,这电影可真棒!
  
  M: What? Are you kidding? That was the stupidest movie I've ever seen. I would have rather spent the seven bucks on a good meal.
  
  L: 你从来没看过这么傻的电影?你宁可花这七块钱去好好吃顿饭! Michael, 你真怪!我非常喜欢Piers Brosnan,他长得多帅呀!
  
  M: Handsome? Whatever! He's got to be over 50 years old now!
  
  L: Michael, 你说 “whatever",在这里是什么意思呀?比如说:You can buy whatever you want." 意思是:你想买什么都行。可是,你 刚才说一个字“ whatever”,口气不同,好象意思也不一样。
  
  M: The word "whatever" I said is the same as in your example, But when someone says "whatever" like this: "whatever," he is being sarcastic. He thinks what you just said is nonsense.
  
  L: 噢,原来是这么回事。你说的whatever和我举的例子里的 whatever 是一个字, 可是,说的语调不一样就表示说话的人在讽 刺对方,认为对方说的是废话。好,又学会一个词。不过, Michael,你不喜欢这部电影是不是你认为Piers Brosnan不够帅? 你 是妒忌他吧?
  
  M: Whatever! Piers Brosnan is an old man and he's getting fat. I couldn't possibly be jealous of him.
  
  L: 得了吧!对,Piers Brosnan年级不小了,也比以前胖了。可是我 认为他还是很帅。你自己不也比以前胖了嘛。
  
  M: I'm fat? Whatever! This movie was a waste of seven bucks!
  
  L: 唉,非要说看这部电影是浪费七块美元。 得了,Michael, 你还是 省点钱吧,没准我下回还要问你借呢!
  
  M: Whatever!
  
  李华今天学到了两个常用语,一个是:buck,这是指美元;另一个常用语就是:whatever,这是表示说话的人对对方说的话很不以为然,就象中文里说的“得了吧”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#92
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 黑颜色和白颜色往往是对立的。黑代表黑夜和邪恶,而白象征着日光、善良或美德。在美国好莱坞早期那些无声电影里,导演往往给英雄人物戴上白帽子,而给坏蛋戴黑帽子。这样,连十岁的孩子一看就马上知道谁是好人,谁是坏人。白帽和黑帽就这样逐渐成了一个习惯的说法,也就是 white hats and black hats。White hats and black hats 就代表好人和坏人。黑和白这两个字 black and white 经常在美国的成语和俗语中出现。可是,它们并不一定像好人、坏人那样黑白分明。有时候,黑还具有肯定和积极的意思。例如,对一个做生意的人来说 in the black 就意味着赚钱,而不是亏本。今天,我们要讲两个和 black and white 这两个字有关的成语。首先我们来讲一个和black有关的常用语 a black sheep。Black 当然是指黑颜色,而 sheep 是一头羊的意思。一头黑颜色的羊 a black sheep 指的是一个给他周围的人带来耻辱的人。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-1: "Uncle Joe is the black sheep in the family. Instead of getting a job, all he does is drink too much, gamble away any money he gets and chase after women."
  
  这句话翻成中文就是:“乔叔叔是他们家的败家子。他不是去找个工作,而是成天喝酒,有了一点钱就去赌,还老是玩女人。”
  
  我们再来举一个例子:
  
  例句-2: "We all thought my youngest brother was the black sheep in our family. In fact he was in so much trouble he ran away to Australia. But he started a new life there, married a wonderful girl, and now he's a millionaire."
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们都认为我最小的弟弟是我们家的败家子。实际上,他闯了好多祸,最后只好逃到澳大利亚去。可是,他在那里重起炉灶,和一个非常好的女孩结了婚,现在都成了百万富翁了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#93
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是和 white 这个字有关系的,这就是 A white lie。Lie 就是谎话的意思。那末,难道骗人还分黑白吗?是的。A white lie 的意思就是那种为了避免使对方感到难受而说的谎话。比如说,一个女孩子新交的男朋友很难看,但是为了不要使她感到难受,你说了个谎,说你认为他很英俊。回到家,你就对丈夫说:
  
  例句-3: "I told a white lie when I told Jennie her boyfriend was goodlooking. The truth is he's just about the ugliest man I've ever seen."
  
  她说:“我骗珍妮说,她的男朋友很英俊。其实,他大概是我看到的所有男人当中最难看的了。”
  
  我们再来举一个例子:
  
  例句-4: "My mother and dad taught me never to tell a lie. So I feel guilty every time I tell even a little white lie, although I do it just to make somebody feel better."
  
  这个人说:“我爸爸妈妈总是教我绝对不能说谎话。因此,每当我说一点谎,即便是为了让某人感到好受一点而说谎的时候,我都好像做错了事一样。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个和黑和白,也就是 black and white 有关的俗语。它们是 a black sheep 和 a white lie

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#94
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天是星期六,Michael和李华到购物中心去买东西。李华喜欢买衣服,Michael喜欢看电脑, 所以他们决定各自先去买东西,然后中午在吃饭的地方碰头。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to rip off和straight answer。
  L: 嗨, Michael, 在这儿!
  
  M: Hi, Li Hua! Hey, what did you buy?
  
  L: 今天我真高兴,你看,买了那么多衣服才花了我七十五美元。那 店要关门了,东西全都半价。Michael, 你买了什么?
  
  M: I bought a pair of tennis shoes. When I bought them, I thought it was a good deal, but later I saw the same pair at another store for much less. I got ripped off.
  
  L: 你买了一双网球鞋。让我看看。挺好的嘛!Michael, 你刚才说的 最后一句话我没有听懂,什么是got ripped off? 是不是上当受骗的 意思?
  
  M: Yes, to be ripped off means to be cheated.
  
  L: 你看,我还猜对了。Michael, 你为什么不把买的网球鞋去退掉, 再到便宜的店去买呢?
  
  M: I wanted to do that, but when I went back to the first store, I saw a sign that said "All Sales are Final". So, I guess there's nothing I can really do about it.
  
  L: 哟,还不让退货,这可真倒霉。那你买鞋的时候怎么没看见不让 退货的牌子呢?
  
  M: I was just too eager to buy these shoes. If you buy something and then find out that it is of poor quality, you can also say you were ripped off.
  
  L: 噢,买了东西后发现质量很差也可以说to be riffed off。对了,我上 个月从网上买了一部DVD电影,可是我在看电影的时候好几次都卡住 了,害得我连结尾都没看上。
  
  M: I guess I'm not the only one who got ripped off.
  
  L: 买东西真是要小心。得了,我们去买饭吧!
  
  (Michael和李华吃完饭以后)
  
  L: 时间不早了,该回去了。搭地铁去吧!
  
  M: Sure! That was fun, Li Hua, but I have to stop spending so much money.
  
  L: 我也不该花那么多钱。嗨,Michael, 你不是申请去一个公司实习, 他们会付你一些工资的吗?那他们有没有决定要雇用你啊?

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#95
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: No, they just keep telling me that they will let me know soon. I wish the company would just give me a straight answer.
  
  L: Straight answer? 是什么意思啊?
  
  M: Well, if you are looking for a straight answer, that means you want someone to give you a direct answer and tell you the truth.
  
  L: 噢,straight answer就是直接了当,或者是实事求是的回答。
  
  M: That's right. For instance, I could see that my last roommate was unhappy living in our apartment, I asked him why, but I could never get him to give me a straight answer.
  
  L: 为什么你以前同宿舍的人既不高兴和你住在一起可是又不告诉你 真正的原因呢?后来他不是搬出去了吗?
  
  M: Yes, he did give me a straight answer after he moved out. It turned out he wanted to move in with his girlfriend.
  
  L: 他搬出去以后才老实地告诉你他是要搬去和女朋友一起住。 我 还以为他不喜欢你把屋子弄得乱糟糟的呢。
  
  M: Li Hua, I think you are the only one who is bothered by that. Well, this is our stop. Do you still want to come over to my messy apartment? Give me a straight answer.
  
  L: 我才不信只有我一个人批评你把屋子弄得乱七八糟。不管你家乱 不乱,我当然得去呀,我的书还在你哪里嘛!
  
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:to rip off,意思是受骗,上当;另一个是:straight answer,意思是坦率,老实的回答。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#96
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个俗语是和下雨有关系的。下雨是不可捉摸的,有时你不要它下,它却突然下个不停,可是,到了十分需要雨水的时候,它却偏偏又不下。就拿美国人喜欢的垒球赛来作例子吧。正当三万个球迷在看一场紧张的球赛时,突然下起暴雨来了。球员和观众一个个地四处乱跑去找地方躲雨。可是,那些出了五块或十块美金买一张票的球迷却不会空手回家的。
  
  在美国,只要在球赛开始以后下雨,每个人在离开体育场的时候都可以得到一张特别的票子。你可以用这张票子下回免费看一场球。这种特别的票子就叫rain check。Rain就是雨,check 就是支票。Rain check的意思就是,你买了票,但是因为下雨而没有看成球。为了补偿你的损失,就给你一张下次可以用的免费票。可是,rain check这个词已经不局限在体育球赛方面了。它已经应用于生活的各个方面。它的意思是:给予第二次机会。
  
  比如说,一个百货公司减价出售电视机一个星期。可是,不到一个星期,所有减价的电视机都已经卖完了。在这种情况下,店员就对顾客说:
  
  例句-1: Say, I'm sorry but we just sold the last TV set we had on sale. But I'll give you a raincheck so you can still get the special price when we get in a fresh stock a couple weeks from now.
  
  这个店员说:“对不起,我们刚刚把最后一架减价的电视机卖掉了。但是,我会给你一张rain check,这样过两个星期我们进了货以后,你仍然可以按减价的价钱买电视机。”
  
  Rain check这个词也可以用在社交场合。假如一个男学生要请一个女孩子去吃晚饭,可是这女孩当天已经有了约会。不过她很喜欢这个人,很想跟他出去玩。这时候,她就说:
  
  例句-2: I'd love to go out with you, Ben. I'm sorry I'm busy tonight, but I'd like a rain check.
  
  她说:“本,我很愿意和你出去玩。但是,非常抱歉的是我今晚很忙。我们下回去玩好吗?”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#97
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个和雨,也就是rain这个字有关的成语就是It never rains but it pours. It never rains but it pours这句成语翻到中文就是“祸不单行”的意思。我们举个例子来看看It never rains but it pours这个成语在句子里是怎么用的:
  
  例句-3: I really feel sorry for Mike. First his wife left him. Next he lost his job. Then somebody stole his car. Like they say, it never rains but it pours.
  
  这是说:“我真是为迈克感到难受。先是他的太太把他扔了,然后,他又丢了工作,接着,他的车又被人偷了。这真是像人们所说的,祸不单行呀。”
  
  不过,看来倒霉的人似乎还不止他一个。下面说话的人也是够倒霉的:
  
  例句-4: Oh boy! You can't believe the trouble I had today. My alarm clock didn't go off, so I missed biology class. Then, I lost my home work assignment for math. I invited my girlfriend to lunch and after we ate, I found I'd left my wallet at home. It never rains but it pours.
  
  他说:“咳,你真不会相信今天我有多倒霉。首先,我的闹钟没有响,所以我没有上生物课。然后,我又把我的数学作业给丢了。我请女朋友吃午饭,吃晚饭我才发现我把钱包忘在家里了。呵,这可真是祸不单行呐。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#98
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家都知道Michael这个美国学生正在学中文。他和中国学生李华约好每个星期至少在一起活动一次。今天他们决定到一个公园去滑冰。李华会学到两个常用语:loser 和to bug。
  
  L: 今天的天气真好呀!正是运动的好天气。我已经好久都没有滑冰 了。
  
  M: You're a very good skater. I just keep falling down.
  
  L: 学滑冰总是会摔跤的。多练习练习就好了。
  
  M: I know, but I feel like such a loser. I keep getting passed by little kids. They laugh at me.
  
  L: 小孩肯定比我们滑得快,别怕他们笑话你。你刚才说你觉得自己 是什么? Loser? 滑冰又不是比赛,怎么会输掉呢?
  
  M: I said I feel like a loser, it means that I feel like a failure. It doesn't mean I lost a game.
  
  L: 你是说loser就是一个人做某件事总是做不好。嗯, 我们在中文 里常说:“我怎么老学不好,真是个笨蛋”。这跟loser的意思 差不多吧?不过,Michael,我肯定你在滑冰方面不是个笨蛋,你只 要多练习就行了。
  
  M: Thanks for the encouragement, Li Hua. But I've always been kind of a loser at sports. Growing up, I was always picked last for the baseball and soccer teams.
  
  L: 原来你在体育方面从小就不行。不过,Michael, 在其他方面你 一点也不笨。
  
  M: What do you mean, Li Hua?
  
  L: 这还不明白吗?女孩子都很喜欢你呀,你还有其他好多朋友呀。
  
  M: You're right, I do have a lot of friends. But if they could see how many times I fell down today, I'm sure they would not want be friends with such a loser.
  
  L: 得了吧,Michael,要说笨蛋,那天晚上我们见到的那个人才是呢。 他自以为挺帅,老是想去和女孩子搭讪,可是,谁都知道他是个 没出息的人,谁都不要和他交朋友。Michael,我们能叫这种人 loser吗?
  
  M: Yeah, very good, Li Hua. That guy really is a loser. He never studies at all. I think he's in college just to party.
  
  L: 他从来不念书呀?Michael,你还滑不滑?
  
  M: I guess so...Just wait up for me, in case I fall down again. Okay, let's go!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#99
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(滑完冰以后)
  
  L: Michael,运动一下真舒服。
  
  M: Yeah, you had been bugging me about going skating for so long, I guess it was about time that I came along with you.
  
  L: 什么是bugging ? Bug不是小虫子吗?
  
  M: No, bugging means to bother or annoy someone about something. I didn't mean it in a serious way, I was just kidding.
  
  L: 噢,to bug就是为了某件事去麻烦别人,让人讨厌。 Michael, 你 再举一个例子好吗?
  
  M: Sure. You can say that something is bugging you, such as an assignment that you haven't been able to finish or a problem that you cannot solve. You could also...
  
  L: 等等,让我先弄清楚你说的。你是说,我没能完成的功课, 或者解决不了的问题都可以用to bug这个动词。那就是说:"This assignment is bugging me",或者是:“This problem is bugging me",对 不对?
  
  M: Yes, you can also say that a habit someone has really bugs you.
  
  L: 我知道,象Mary,她老是打断我说话,让我很烦,很讨厌。
  
  M: You could say "It really bugs me when Mary interrupts me in the middle of a sentence." I can also say it really bugs me when you try to tell me what to do.
  
  L: 嗨,我告诉你该怎么做是为了你好。老实说,it bugs me that you never listen to me.
  
  M: It seems that you've learned how to use "loser" and "to bug". Let's go home.
  
  李华今天学了一个名词“loser",指一个人老是不会做某件事;她还学了一个动词“to bug",意思是为了一件事老是去麻烦别人,让人讨厌。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#100
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个俗语是和枪,也就是英语里的gun这个字有联系的。我们要讲的第一个俗语是to stick to one's guns。对于士兵来说,在被很多敌人包围的情况下还要能持续装炮弹发射的话,他们肯定需要很多勇气。这种精神在英文里就是to stick to one's guns.
  
  To stick to one's guns从字面上来解释是指枪。但是这个俗语现在几乎和枪没有什么关系,它的意思就是:在日常生活中坚持原则,稳步前进,不屈服外界的压力。比如说,一个爸爸对他在大学念书的女儿讲话:
  
  例句-1: Pumpkin, I hear that some of the students at your school are fooling around with drugs. But I hope, young woman, that you stick to your guns and keep saying no!
  
  这位爸爸说:“小鬼,我听说你们学校的学生里有吸毒的现象。我希望你坚持正道,坚决抵制这种恶习!”
  
  事实上,世界上有许多事都是靠坚忍不拔的精神才能办成的。下面我们再来举个例子:
  
  例句-2: I have to admire the ladies who fifty years ago worked so hard to get women the right to vote. People laughed at them at first but they stuck to their guns and got the congress to pass the 19th Amendment back in 1920.
  
  这个人说:“我很钦佩以前那些女士们,她们五十年前努力为妇女争取选举权。开始,许多人都笑话她们。但是,她们坚定不移,最后在1920年终于促使国会通过了美国宪法的第十九项修正案。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#101
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个俗语虽然没有gun这个字,但是和开枪也是有关的,这就是shooting the breeze。Shoot就是开枪的意思。Shooting the breeze就是在很轻松、很愉快的气氛下和朋友聊天。例如,一个教室里的学生在等教授来上课。其中有两个学生是同乡。这两人中的一个说:
  
  例句-3: Say, Bill, how about coming back to my room after class? I'll get a couple of cold sodas and we'll shoot the breeze for a while.
  
  这个学生说:“喂,比尔,上完课你到我宿舍去吧。我去买两瓶汽水,咱们聊回儿天,你看怎么样?”
  
  学生上完课聊一会儿天当然是无可非议的。可是,在某种情况下聊天可能会出问题的。你听下面这个人说的话就明白了:
  
  例句-4: At the staff meeting this morning the boss told us she wanted to see us at our desks busy working instead of spending so much time standing around shooting the breeze with each other.
  
  这个人说:“今天早上我们办公室开会的时候,我们的头儿说,她要看到我们都坐在自己桌子那里忙着干自己的活,而不是花好多时间站在那儿闲聊天。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#102
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael这个美国学生由于各方面的压力太大而情绪不太好。 今天他想去找李华一起出去放松放松。现在他正在敲李华的门。Michael会教李华两个常用语:to play hooky和to snap。
  
  L:Michael,你在这儿干什么?你不是有课吗?
  
  M:Yes, I'm supposed to be in class right now. But I didn't read the assignment for class today, and I just didn't feel like going, so I decided to play hooky.
  
  L:你真够呛,没看今天上课的材料就不想去上课,还想在家玩什么游戏!什么是hooky呀?
  
  M:No, to play hooky means to skip class.
  
  L:噢,原来to play hooky是指逃学,旷课。我还以为是玩什么游戏呢!Michael, 你要进来坐会儿吗?
  
  M:Actually, I was going to the student center to hang out and have lunch. I was wondering if you would like to come with me.
  
  L:你要到学生中心那儿去看看,然后再吃午饭呀?我跟你一起去,我本来就要去吃午饭。不过,我只有一个小时的时间,下午我得去工作。
  
  M:It seems like you have been working a lot lately. I have an idea! Why don't you call in to work and tell them you're sick! You can also play hooky from work.
  
  L:我最近工作是很忙。Michael,你的意思是让我打电话给工作的地方说我生病,这样就可以不去上班?这也可以说是to play hooky?
  
  M:Yes, you can play hooky from school or from work.
  
  L:你可真能出馊主意!自己逃学还不算,还要我装病不去工作。不行,我工作的地方星期一总是很忙的,而且上星期我真的生病,请了两天假。I don't want to play hooky from work. 我说得对不对,Michael?
  
  M:Yes, very good. I guess you'd better go to work then. It's too bad I can't spend more time with you. Well, if you have only one hour for lunch, we'd better hurry.
  
  L:别着急,一个小时来得及。等我拿件大衣。
  
  L:Michael, 你很幸运,没有象我那么多的压力。我得自己赚钱付学费,还要养活自己。你可以随便play hooky, 我可不行。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#103
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:Hey, I may play hooky once in a while, but I usually study hard. Do you think I don't feel any pressure to get good grades? If I don't do well, I won't get a good job later on.
  
  L:哟,哪儿来那么大的火气呀!我知道你不是经常逃学,你学习很努力,争取得到好分数,将来找一份好工作。你不用发那么大的脾气嘛!
  
  M:I'm sorry, Li Hua. I didn't mean to snap at you. It's just that right now I'm so stressed. That's part of the reason why I didn't go to class today.
  
  L:没关系,我知道你最近压力很大。你说 “I didn't mean to snap at you", 那是什么意思呀?是不是指你很生气地跟我说话?
  
  M:Yeah, to snap, s-n-a-p. To snap at someone means to yell at someone or talk to them in an angry way.
  
  L:to snap at someone 就是对某人大声嚷嚷,或者很生气地和某人说话。Michael,你一般不对人那么讲话的。我想可能是你最近压力太大了。
  
  M:Yeah, but that's no excuse for snapping at you. I know you didn't mean to make me angry.
  
  L:我是没有让你生气的意思。 没关系,每个人都有情绪不好的时候嘛!Michael, 我以前好象听到别人用过to snap at someone, 可不太清楚它的意思。有一次,一个小孩说他打破了什么东西。。。
  
  M:His mother must have snapped at him when he broke something at home.
  
  L:对,他是说他妈妈骂他因为他打破了一个花瓶。可是,Michael,这里的snap是过去时,那该怎么拼呢?
  
  M:Past tense for snap is s-n-a-p-p-e-d. I can say, "I snapped at you but I apologized."
  
  L:得了,不用道歉了。啊呀,不好了,时间到了,我得去上班了。See you later, Michael!
  
  M:Bye, Li Hua!
  
  今天李华又从Michael那儿学到两个常用语,to play hooky就是逃学,或者装病不去上班;to snap就是对某人嚷嚷,很生气地对某人说话。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#104
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天美国两个很有名的年轻电影明星,一个叫Paul Newman,另一个叫Tom Cruise。不久前他们一起拍了一部电影,叫「绿钞票」。这是因为美国钞票的背面都是绿颜色的。绿颜色也是草和树等自然界生物的颜色。除此之外,绿颜色还可以包含其他各种意思。有的时候,它意味着年轻、新鲜、有力、成长。另外一些时候,绿颜色是指不成熟,就像没有熟的苹果那样。我们今天要讲的两个俗语就是跟绿颜色,在英文里就是 green 这个字有关的。第一个是green thumb。大家都知道green 的意思是绿颜色。Thumb 就是大母指。可是green thumb 并不是说某人的大拇指变绿了或染上了绿颜色。Green thumb指的是某人在种花或种菜方面很有才能,或在这方面很有知识和技术。比如说,一位太太在谈到她邻居李太太的时候说:
  
  例句-1: "I wish I had a green thumb like Mrs. Lee -- look at the beautiful roses in her yard."
  
  这位太太说:“我真希望我能像李太太那样会种花,瞧她院子里的玫瑰花多好看呐!”
  
  可是,不会种花和种菜的人看来还不少,下面讲话的这个人看来更糟糕:
  
  例句-2: "I guess I don't have much of a green thumb: every year I plant cabbage, beans and sweet corn in my backyard but all I ever get is a lot of weeds."
  
  这个人说:“我猜想我在种菜方面是没有什么才能。每年,我在后院种菜、种豆和种玉米,可是长出来的大都是草。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#105
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在全世界各地,绿颜色的交通灯就是可以通行的意思。可是,除了交通灯以外,人们也经常在日常生活中用「开绿灯」这个说法来表示某个计划获得批准,可以进行。在中文里,我们也经常这么说的。下面我们要介绍的一个俗语就是 green light。我们已经知道,green就是绿颜色,light就是指灯。Green light就是绿灯。在美国,一个在某公司工作的管理人员可能会对他的秘书说:
  
  例句-3: "My boss liked my idea to open a branch office in Los Angeles and gave me the green light to go ahead."
  
  这位经理说:“我的老板非常支持我在洛杉矶开一个分公司的建议。他让我按计划去办。”
  
  下面我们再来举个例子:
  
  例句-4: "The astronauts were in the space shuttle ready to go, but somebody saw one of their computers had a problem. It's fixed now, but Houston Control is checking it again before they give the green light to launch."
  
  这句话翻成中文就是:“宇航员都已经进入航天飞机,准备出发。但是,有一个人发现他们的一个电脑有问题。现在虽然已经修好,可是休斯顿控制中心正在再一次进行检查,然后再让他们正式发射。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#106
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天是四月一号愚人节。李华到处去找Michael, 有事商量。今天她会学到两个常用语,sketchy和sucker。
  
  L:Michael,和我住在一起的小陈今天打电话到我工作的地方。她说警察到家里去找我。他们说我的签证有问题。我该怎么办?我很害怕。
  
  M:What? I don't believe her. That story sounds sketchy.
  
  L:你说听起来什么?你不信小陈说的话?
  
  M:That's right. I said her story is "sketchy" . That means it is suspicious and cannot be trusted.
  
  L:噢,sketchy就是可疑,不可信。你怎么知道小陈说的话不可信?
  
  M: Well, for one thing, the police usually don't care about visas. They are too busy looking for serious criminals.
  
  L:嗯,对呀,警察抓罪犯还忙不过来呢,他们才不管签证呢!移民局的人才是管签证的。这么说来,小陈的话是有点可疑,sketchy。
  
  M:Also, I don't think the police or immigration officers would go to your house. That sounds very sketchy.
  
  L: 对,Michael, 你可真行呐! 要是签证有问题,移民局一般会先给我一封信,他们才不会到家去找我呢。这真是越说越不可信了。
  
  M:But if you want to know what's really sketchy, you should remember what day it is.
  
  L:今天是什么日子呀?噢。。。今天是四月一号愚人节! 哟,我的老天爷呀,我没想到小陈会跟我开这个玩笑。
  
  M:Heh heh, your roommate is pretty sketchy too, if you ask me.
  
  L:等等,你也能说一个人sketchy? 你觉得小陈这个人不太可信?对,她的话确实是靠不住。上星期在聚会上见到的那个人,死跟着我不放,楞要送我回家,我能不能说,that guy was very sketchy?
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#107
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:Yes, that guy was very sketchy. You have to be careful around sketchy people like that.
  
  L:对了,我得打电话告诉小陈我没上她的当, 借你的手机用一用,行吗?
  
  M:Sure!
  
  M:What did you say to your roommate just now? You were talking so fast in Chinese that I couldn't understand.
  
  L:我告诉她我很生气,我不想再跟她住在一起了,我告诉她我要搬出去和她哥哥同居了。嘿,她好象真相信我说的话!
  
  M:She believed that? She is such a sucker!
  
  L:她是什么?你是说她sketchy,是吗?
  
  M:No, no... a sucker is someone who believes people who lie to her, and can be easily tricked .
  
  L:Sucker这个词我在学校里经常听到,可就不是太清楚究竟是什么意思。原来sucker 是指很容易上当,很轻信别人的人。我一开始相信了小陈的话,那我不就是个sucker咯!
  
  M:Sure, everyone is a sucker at one time or another...
  
  L:那倒是的,每个人有时难免会当傻瓜。我记得你在电脑上收到很多电子邮件的广告,说你可以在家工作赚很多钱,当时你还很相信这些广告呢。You were such a sucker!
  
  M: Hey, my phone is ringing. Li Hua, it's for you. I think it's your roommate.
  
  L:是小陈?让我跟她说话。 (李华接电话)是呀!我不管你告诉他什么。我们相爱,我们要同居。什么?我不管你说什么,我不要跟骗我的人住在一起。 (关电话)
  
  M:Your roommate is a real sucker! She still believes your story even after talking to her brother?
  
  L:对,他跟她哥哥通完了电话,但是还相信我要和她哥哥同居了。我看我还是给她打个电话告诉她我是在开玩笑吧,否则她会把我的东西从窗子里都扔掉的。
  
  今天Michael 教李华学会了两个常用语,一个是:sketchy,意思是一个人,或者是一个人说的话不可信,值得怀疑;另一个是:sucker, 指一个很轻信,很容易上当的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#108
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国的成语和俗语五彩缤纷。其中有一些是和红颜色有关,如:red letter day 和 red tape。有的和绿颜色有关。如:green thumb 和 green light。不管是红或是绿,它们都含有特殊的意思。
  
  今天我们要讲两个和蓝颜色,也就是英语里的 blue 这个字有关的成语。在日常生活中,blue是一个非常口语的词汇,美国人经常使用。它的意思就是情绪很低。正因为如此,blues 这个字就成了爵士音乐里面的一种。称谓 blues 的这种爵士音乐,它的特点是节奏慢,曲调很低沉。
  
  在日常会话中,要是你对一个朋友说: "I really have the blues today." 这就是说,你今天因为某种原因情绪很不好。
  
  现在,我们先来讲一个和 blue 有关的俗语:singing the blues。Singing 的原动词是sing,就是唱歌、唱戏的唱。Singing the blues 的意思就是诉苦、抱怨。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-1: "Every time I ask Joe to pay back the money he borrowed from me, he sings the blues about all the things at home he needs money for."
  
  这人说:“每当我要乔还他借我的钱的时候,他总是诉苦,说他家里有多少开支。”
  
  换句话说,就是乔用诉说家里的种种困难来做借口,设法不还他欠的钱。我们再来举个例子:
  
  例句-2: "Don't pay any attention to that guy! He's always singing the blues about how poor he is, but the truth is he has more bucks in the bank than the two of us put together."
  
  这个人说:“别听那家伙的话。他老是诉苦,说他多么穷。可是,事实上,他银行里的钱比我们两人的加在一起还多。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#109
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要介绍的另一个俗语是 like a bolt out of the blue。Bolt 是闪电,blue 在这儿是指蓝色的天空。 Like a bolt out of the blue 的意思就是晴天霹雳,也就是出乎意外、没料想到。有时,你花几个小时也解不开一道数学题。可是,当你不再去想它的时候,你脑子里突然出现了答案。人们还经常用 like a bolt out of the blue 来形容车祸。请听下面这句句子:
  
  例句-3: "A driver may testify that he was going the normal speed limit when a truck appeared in front of him out of the blue and he did not have time to stop."
  
  这句话的意思是:“一个开车的人可能会在作证时说,正当他以正常的速度行驶的时候,一辆卡车突然出现在他面前,他来不及刹车。”
  
  我们再听听下面这个学生讲的话:
  
  例句-4: "The announcement that the president of our university was quitting to go to another school hit us like a bolt out of the blue. He's always said he liked it here so much he would stay until he retired."
  
  他说:“我们大学校长宣布他决定辞职到另外一个学校去工作。我们都感到很突然,因为他老是说他很喜欢这个学校,要一直在这儿工作到退休。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个俗语。一个是 singing the blues;另一个是 like a bolt out of the blue。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#110
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael在纽约上大学,他父母住在华盛顿,这个周末他请李华到他父母家作客。今天,李华会学到两个常用语:fishy和to luck out。
  
  L: Michael, 谢谢你请我到你家来过周末。有机会和一个美国家庭一 起过周末对我来说是很有意义的。你的爸爸妈妈人真好,我也很 喜欢你的妹妹。
  
  M: She's not usually so nice. Normally all she does is complain. I think there's something fishy going on.
  
  L: 噢,你说她平时没有象这两天讨人喜欢呀?她老是爱抱怨,这我 倒是看不出来。你说,there's something fishy going on, 那是什么 意思呀?Fish不是鱼吗?
  
  M: Oh, fishy is fish with a "y". It means there is something suspicious going on.
  
  L: 你的意思是,你妹妹表现得那么好,和平时不一样,你觉得有点 可疑。为什么呢?
  
  M: Because she always acts this way when she is trying to get our parents to let her do something.
  
  L: 对,有些孩子是这样的。当他们想问家长要什么的时候就会表现 得出奇的好。要求满足了, 一切又照常了。
  
  M: I can say something is fishy if I think someone is lying about something.
  
  L: 这我就清楚了,你要是认为某个人在骗你,你就可以说:It seems fishy.
  
  M: That's right.
  
  L: 比方说,我那天接到一个旅行社的电话,说我得了一个奖。他说我可 以到四个地方去旅行一个星期只要二百美元,但是要我马上付这笔 钱。我当时就觉得可疑,I thought something was fishy, 对不对?
  
  M: You're absolutely right. Let me tell you something, the travel company probably doesn't even exist. After you pay them, you won't be able to find them anymore.
  
  L: 哟,幸亏我没上当。原来是骗局,等我付了钱,他们就消失了! 这可太气人了!
  
  M: You really have to be careful whenever you smell something fishy

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#111
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

( Michael和李华在飞机场)
  
  L: Michael, 一个周末过得真快。好象刚到,现在又要搭飞机走了。
  
  M: Look, half of the flights are canceled because of the snow, but ours is still on time. We really lucked out.
  
  L: 噢,因为下雪,所以一半的航班都被取消了,我们的却还按时飞。 真是运气。你刚才说的lucked out大概就是运气的意思吧?
  
  M: Yes, it means we were really fortunate.
  
  L: 那每当我觉得运气好的时候,我都能用to luck out来表示吗?
  
  M: Yes, for example, I can say I really lucked out on that test last week. I didn't study very much for it, but I still knew all the answers on the test.
  
  L: 上星期的考试,我可没有考好。你没怎么念书倒是都能答出考题, you really lucked out on that test. 我可没有这种运气。我要不念书就 考不好。
  
  M: Hold on a second, I think they just called my name. I hope nothing's wrong.
  
  L: 对,我也听到他们叫你的名字呢,快去看看,有什么问题。
  
  L: 怎么回事,Michael, 票子没有问题吧?
  
  M: No, in fact I lucked out again. I dropped my wallet at the ticket counter. They just wanted to return it to me.
  
  L: 哟,你钱包掉了还不知道,柜台捡到了还主动还给你。你哪 来那么好的运气呐!You really lucked out this time! 钱包里有多少钱 哪?
  
  M: Not much, only ten bucks! Come on Li Hua, let's board the plane.
  
  李华今天学到了两个常用语,一个是:fishy,意思是怀疑对方不老实,有花招;另一个是:to luck out,这是指没有料到的运气

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#112
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人很喜欢吃 apple pie。 Apple pie是一种用烤箱制作的甜点心,它的外面是一层面粉,里面是用苹果做的馅儿。中文有时把 apple pie翻成“苹果排”。美国人喜爱吃apple pie是他们刚从欧洲移居到美洲来以后就开始了。每个家庭主妇都经常做苹果排。为了说明apple pie是美国生活的一个特点,人们常说: "As American as apple pie." 这句话的意思是:就像苹果排一样具有美国特色。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: So many Asian restaurants have opened up in Washington that a writer on a daily paper here jokes that dim sum, Japanese sushi and Vietnamese spring rolls have become as American as apple pie.
  
  这句话的意思是:“华盛顿开了那末多亚洲饭馆,一家报纸的记者开玩笑地说,广东点心、日本生鱼片加饭团和越南春卷都已经变成像苹果排一样的美国食品了。”
  
  美国人和其他各民族一样具有很多特色。除了爱吃apple pie以外,美国人有一个很突出的特点就是,他们非常喜爱运动,特别是球赛。许多大学都愿意录取好的运动员,给他们奖学金,但是他们得在念书的同时花好多时间练球,参加比赛,为学校争光。美国人喜爱球赛是有历史根源的,因为有些球类运动都是起源于美国。下面这个例子就说明了这一点:
  
  例句-2: Football and baseball are as American as apple pie as they were invented by Americans and played and watched everywhere in this country. Many people would glue to their TV sets whenever there are major competitions.
  
  他说:“橄榄球和棒球是美国式的运动,因为它们是美国人发明的,全国各地都有人打这种球或看这类球赛。每当有重大比赛时,许多人就坐在电视机前不肯动了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#113
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人也很喜欢吃土豆,特别是刚从烤箱里拿出来的一个个热气腾腾的土豆。下面我们要介绍的一个俗语是: hot potato。大家都知道hot的意思是热或烫。 Potato就是土豆。热的土豆固然好吃,但是它会烫你的手,你会想法马上甩掉的。 Hot potato作为俗语,它的意思就是一个争论很激烈的问题,没有一个人愿意为它承担责任。例如:
  
  例句-3: The question of whether to raise taxes to cut the budget deficit is a real hot potato for a lot of politicians.
  
  这个人说:“是否用增加税收的方法来减少预算赤字的问题对于许多政客来说是一个棘手的问题。”
  
  下面这个例子是一位律师在给另一位律师提供建议:
  
  例句-4: If I were you, I'd drop that client like a hot potato; he's always suing somebody for something, but he usually loses and he doesn't pay his lawyer's bills.
  
  这个律师说:“要是我是你的话,我就把你那个顾客马上甩掉。他老是为了什么事去告别人,可是他总是输给别人,他还往往不付律师费。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#114
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华是一个中国学生,她在纽约上大学,还在大学的中文系当助教。今天她要去和系主任谈话,要求增加助教的工资。李华的美国同学Michael陪她一起去。李华会学到两个常用语:wimp和guts。
  
  L: Michael,我很紧张。我不敢去和系主任谈话。。。 我看就算了吧, 我不要去要求加工资了。
  
  M: What? Don't be such a wimp, Li Hua! You have to talk to her, if you want to get a raise.
  
  L: 你刚才说什么? Don't be什么?
  
  M: I said don't be a wimp. A wimp is a weak person, a coward, or someone who can't take pain. If you don't talk to your boss, then you are a wimp!
  
  L: 噢,wimp就是软弱的人,胆小鬼,或者是怕痛的人。所以,你说要是我不和系主任谈,我就是胆小鬼。 哎,你这么说我太不公平了。 你才是a wimp。上星期你去捐血,针还没有碰到你, 你就哇哇大 叫,你不是wimp是什么?
  
  M: I was not! You were a wimp when you crashed your bicycle. You cried because you hurt your arm!
  
  L: 我那次骑自行车摔倒,受伤可严重了。不管怎么样,女孩子哭并不意味着她是一个软弱的人。
  
  M: But you are a wimp! Remember yesterday, you couldn't open a bag of potato chips, because you're so weak!
  
  L: 我昨天打不开一包土豆片,我没有力气,这也算是wimp? 我才不是呐!有一次,我们从学校走回你的家,一共三公里, 你至少在当中休息了两次。这才是软弱的表现呢!
  
  M: All right, all right, stop goofing around. You need to go talk to your boss. If you don't go in there, you'll be a wimp with no money.
  
  L: 对,我要不进去谈就加不了工资,人家肯定会说我没有骨气。看来,我别无选择,我就得进去要求系主任给我们加工资。
  
  (李华和系主任谈完话以后)
  
  M: Well, Li Hua, how did it go?
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#115
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 一点问题都没有。系主任同意我们应该增加工资。她说她会去争 取足够的资金给我们提高工资到每小时十二点五美元。
  
  M: Wow! That's not bad Li Hua. It took a lot of guts to go in there like that.
  
  L: Guts? 进去谈要许多什么?你说我什么嘛?你可别说我坏话。。。
  
  M: No, no, when I say it took a lot of guts, I mean you had to be brave to do that!
  
  L: 噢,guts就是勇气。Guts 不就是动物的内脏吗?是这个字吗?
  
  M: That's right! You can say someone has a lot of guts. That means he is brave.
  
  L: 嗯, a lot of guts就是有勇气。你刚才说it took a lot of guts to go in there。所以,it takes guts to do something就是要做某件事一定要 有勇气。
  
  M: That's right. For instance: It took a lot of guts for you to come to the U.S. by yourself.
  
  L: 对,我一个人独自到美国来是要有勇气才行的。你上回在我朋友 家唱卡拉OK,这也是要有勇气的呀!
  
  M: You are right. Americans usually don't like to sing in public if they can't sing very well.
  
  L: 好多中国人也不喜欢在大庭广众唱歌呀。这确实是要有勇气的。你那 天是因为喝了酒才敢唱。否则,你就是个wimp!
  
  M: So are you! You only had enough guts today because I was here to support you. Usually you are a wimp!
  
  L: 对,你陪我一起来给我壮胆,所以我才有勇气找系主任谈话。不 过呢,我至少没有在走回家的路上喘不过气来。 You are a wimp!
  
  M: I guess we both are!
  
  今天Michael教李华学会用两个常用语,一个是:wimp,意思是软弱,没骨气;另一个是:guts,这是指有勇气
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#116
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

鸡蛋也是一些美国俗语的组成部份。要是一个人把他所有的钱都当做赌注,想冒险发财,这在中文里是“孤注一掷”,在英文里就是:to put all his eggs in one basket. Eggs就是鸡蛋,one basket就是一只篮子。 To put all his eggs in one basket的意思就是把所有的鸡蛋放在一只篮子里,这样是很冒险的。我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-1: If you want to play the stock market, it's smarter to divide your money and buy three or four different stocks instead of putting the whole amount into just one stock and putting all your eggs in one basket.
  
  这个人说:“要是你想玩股票,你最好是把你的钱分开来买三、四种不同的股票,这是比较聪敏的作法。你千万不要把所有的钱都买一种股票。”
  
  To put all your eggs in one basket不仅可以用在经济方面,它还可以用在其他方面。下面这句句子就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: Going steady in high school with only one member of opposite sex is a mistake. Go out with several people -- don't put all your eggs in one basket.
  
  这是说:“在中学里只交一个男朋友,或一个女朋友,那是错误的。应该多交朋友,而不要把自己局限在一个人身上。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#117
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

乌鸦是人们都讨厌的鸟,它又大又黑,叫的声音既粗又难听。乌鸦的肉也老得没法吃。可是,有一个美国俗语偏偏就是“吃乌鸦”: to eat crow. Eat就是吃,crow就是乌鸦。乌鸦肉根本是没法吃的,因此要一个人吃乌鸦,那肯定是非常难受的。这也正是to eat crow这个俗语的意思。 To eat crow的确切意思是一个人把自己弄得很丢脸,因为他犯了一个很难堪的错误,而又不得不承认。也许举个例子能够更好地说明to eat crow的意思:
  
  例句-3: That man running for mayor went around bragging he'd win the election by a big 50,000 majority. But he had to eat crow when the woman running against him won by more than 60,000 votes.
  
  这句话的意思是:“那个竞选市长的人到处吹嘘说他肯定能得到大多数选民的拥护,以五万张选票当选市长。可是,现在他很丢脸,因为那位和他一起竞选的女候选人最后获得六万多张选票而当选市长。”
  
  可是,爱夸口的人似乎到处都是。下面的一个例子更是可笑:
  
  例句-4: Our neighbor had to eat crow yesterday. He's been telling us what a good tennis player he is. Well, he took my 12-year-old son out to play and the kid beat him three straight sets.
  
  这个人说:“我们的邻居真是丢了脸。他老是在我们面前吹嘘,说他网球打得多么多么好。他昨天带着我那十二岁的儿子去打网球,结果我儿子以三比零把他打败了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#118
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华白天上了好几门课,晚饭后又做功课。李华决定到Michael 的住处去休息一下,看一会电视。今天Michael 会教李华两个常用语:nerd 和cheesy。
  
  M: Are you okay, Li Hua? What's wrong? Why are you crying?
  
  L: 我没事。这个电视剧让人挺伤心的。我一看这种电视剧就会哭,真是 没办法。
  
  M: You are such a nerd.
  
  L: 你叫我什么?A nerd? 我知道那不是什么好话,可是nerd到底是什 么意思呢?
  
  M: If you call someone a nerd, it means you think he is weird and not cool. It can be used in many different situations.
  
  L: 噢,nerd是指那种跟一般人不一样,有点怪的人。Nerd可以用在 许多不同场合。那象你今天穿了这套衣服,怪怪的,我就可以 说:You're a nerd。 对不对?
  
  M: Me? A nerd? Well, yes, you could call me a nerd.
  
  L: 我肯定好多人都叫你a nerd。
  
  M: As a matter of fact, when I was growing up, a lot of kids called me a nerd because I didn't fit in.
  
  L: 你小的时候不合群,所以许多人都叫你nerd。我看你现在很合 群嘛。看不出你小时候是个nerd。你到底是怎么个不合群呢?
  
  M: Well, as you know I was never very good at sports, and I never knew how to fit in with the cool kids.
  
  L: 对,你好象告诉过我你从小就不太喜欢体育,跟那些很受欢迎的 同学也合不到一起。所以,你就成了一个nerd。
  
  M: A typical nerd is someone who wears glasses and carries a lot of books.
  
  L: 噢,那就是书呆子的形象,戴着眼镜,拿着许多书。
  
  M: That's right. If someone is always studying, or seems to know the answers to everything, you can call him a nerd.
  
  L: 老念书,什么都知道的人,那不就是书呆子吗?Michael,我看你 有的时候穿衣服有点怪,也许人家会叫你nerd,可是你绝对不会 成为书呆子。
  
  M: I guess so! Li Hua, That TV show is so cheesy. I don't know why it's so popular.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#119
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 这个电视剧好多人都喜欢,包括我在内 。可你又在说什么批评的 话, 我不知道cheesy是什么意思,但是我知道你在说它不好。
  
  M: Cheesy means tacky or dumb. It's usually used to describe a TV show, movie, or something someone says.
  
  L: 噢,cheesy就是很俗气,质量很次,很愚蠢。人们经常用cheesy 这个词来形容电视节目,电影或者某个人说的话。
  
  M: I think the new TV soap opera on Channel 6 is so cheesy. It is fake and the things they say on the shows are so weird. I don't know why these shows are so popular.
  
  L: 对,我也看了六频道那个新的电视连续剧。情节是很虚假,对话 也很怪。可是你想知道为什么那么多人喜欢看吗?我来告诉你。看这 种电视剧总想知道结局嘛。我有的时候还会流泪的呢。
  
  M: How can those cheesy TV shows make you cry? You're such a nerd.
  
  L: 什么? 你说我是个nerd?
  
  M: Don't be mad, Li Hua. But you are a nerd. No one cries while watching these cheesy TV shows!
  
  L: 我才不信呢。你们这些不流眼泪的人缺乏感情,你们才是nerd。 我不 跟你说了,我要回去了。
  
  M: No, no, Li Hua. Wait, at least you have to finish watching this cheesy TV show so that you know who's going to marry whom.
  
  L: 对了,不看完这个电视剧,不知道结局,我也睡不着。那就看 吧!
  
  看来今天李华真是生气了,因为Michael说她是个nerd, 也就是说她这个人有点怪。后来她同意继续在Michael 家看完那个很cheesy的电视节目。Cheesy 就是很俗气, 没有水平的意思
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#120
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当别人提到猴子的时候,你脑子里会出现一个什么形像呢?一般来说,人们认为猴子是一个很聪敏的动物,大家都喜欢观察它们,这是因为猴子的行动往往跟人很像。它们也确实和人一样有的时候很调皮、爱耍花招。美国的成语和俗语也反应了猴子的这些特点。今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语就是和猴子的特性有关的。我们要介绍的第一个俗语就是:monkey business。 Monkey 就是猴子的意思, business 是指做生意或办什么事。但是 monkey 和 business 两个字合在一起用的时候,它们的意思就变了。 Monkey business 是指不道德或不合法的行为,往往是偷偷摸摸和具有欺骗性的行为,例如盗用公款等。下面我们来举一个例子:
  
  例句-1: "The newspapers say there's a lot of monkey business going on at city hall, with officials getting money under the table from people who want the contract to build the new airport."
  
  这句话的意思是:“有些报纸说,市政府里有许多见不得人的事,有的营造商为了从市政府获得建造新机场的合同而偷偷地用钱贿赂市政府的官员。”
  
  Monkey business 不一定指当官的人贪污腐化,一般人当中也可能出现不轨行为,下面这个人说的就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: "I think there's some kind of monkey business going on in that house across the street. People going in and out all day long; maybe they're selling drugs or something."
  
  这个人说:“我看对马路那个房子里的人一定在进行一些不正当的勾当。一天到晚老有人进进出出,他们可能在贩毒,或搞其他什么鬼名堂!”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#121
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个和 monkey 有关的俗语是 to make a monkey out of somebody。 Somebody 是指某个人。To make a monkey out of somebody 这个俗语的意思是:把某人弄得好像一个傻瓜一样。下面我们来举一个例子:
  
  例句-3: "My friend Pete made a monkey out of me the other day. He told me the party Saturday night was formal, so I wore a suit and tie. But everybody else there was wearing a tee-shirt and blue jeans. It sure made me feel like a fool."
  
  这个人说:“我的朋友皮特那天真把我弄得像个傻瓜一样。他告诉我星期六晚上的聚会是很正式的,所以我就穿上西装,戴上领带。可是其他人都穿园领衫和牛仔库。我真感到自己好像是个傻瓜一样。”
  
  在一般情况下,人们总是设法把别人弄得很傻,但是也有人由于自己的行为不当而把自己弄得像个傻瓜蛋一样。例如,下面这个人在说的这个孩子就是如此:
  
  例句-4: "Tom made a monkey out of himself by jumping up and down and yelling when his father wouldn't let him go to the movie."
  
  这个人说:“汤姆因为他爸爸不让他去看电影就一个劲地上下乱跳,嘴巴里还大声乱叫,简直把自己弄得像个傻瓜一样。”
  
  我们今天讲了两个和monkey 有关的俗语。它们是 monkey business 和 to make a monkey out of somebody。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#122
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

昨天晚上Michael 和一个老同学一起出去玩, 两个人都喝得酩酊大醉。现在李华来找他一起去看一个新的艺术展览。李华会学到两个常用语:wasted和 to get a kick out of something。
  
  L: 嗨, Michael,快走吧,该去看展览了!
  
  M: Give me a moment, Li Hua. Last night a friend and I went out to a bar and got wasted, so I don't feel very good right now.
  
  L: Got wasted? 你说你们浪费了好多钱呀?
  
  M: No, Li Hua, when I say we got wasted I mean we got very very drunk.
  
  L: 噢,你们到酒吧去了。你说的wasted意思是喝酒喝得酩酊大醉, 不是指浪费。
  
  M: We were so wasted that we couldn't even stand up straight.
  
  L: 你们真是要命,喝得站都站不直。干吗要喝那么多呢?这么喝对你身体不好的。
  
  M: I know. My best friend from high school came to visit, and we usually get wasted when we meet.
  
  L: 中学时的好朋友来看你,一高兴就喝多了,这我可以理解。在中国,老同学见面的时候,我们总是会开个party, 往往喝好多酒, 可是我们不见得会醉到象你这种程度。
  
  M: Ugh. It always seems like a lot of fun when I get completely wasted, but the next day, I regret it.
  
  L: 是啊,喝得大醉的时候觉得很好玩,到第二天你就后悔了。得了,你得换换衣服,吃点东西。我们得早点去,否则人会太多了。
  
  M: Eat something? Are you kidding? I can't even open my eyes without feeling sick.
  
  L: 哟,你睁开眼睛就想吐呀?那是不能吃东西。Michael,幸好今天是星期六,否则你整天就不能上课,什么事也做不了。
  
  M: Yes, I'm in graduate school, and I can't afford to miss too many classes.
  
  L: 研究生要缺太多课可不是开玩笑的。得了,我看你还是先洗一个澡,再喝点茶,这样可能会好些。
  
  M: Okay, I'll try.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#123
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael,你觉得怎么样,好点吗?快,我们走吧!
  
  M: Li Hua, don't speak so loudly. I still have a headache. I think you get a kick out of watching me suffer.
  
  L: 你说什么?你想踢我?
  
  M: No, I said you get a kick out of watching me suffer. That means, you enjoy watching me suffer.
  
  L: 噢,to get a kick out of something意思就是为了什么事感到很开心。 这个kick跟踢球的kick是同一个字吗?
  
  M: That's right.
  
  L: 我干吗看见你难受我就高兴呢? 你是自作自受!
  
  M: I know, I know...you're a good friend. You get a kick out of helping people, not watching them suffer.
  
  L: 这你说得还象样,我才不愿意看见别人难受,我很高兴帮助别人。 帮助象你这样的美国学生学中文我就很高兴。
  
  M: I'm so useless. I only get a kick out of doing stupid things, like getting wasted or watching old cartoons.
  
  L: 偶然喝醉一次,看看老的卡通片也不能说自己没有用嘛。你看到你的学生英语有进步,不也让你很高兴吗?
  
  M: Yes, I guess I do get a kick out of watching my students learn.
  
  L: Michael, 走吧! 嗨,看完展览要不要再去喝个酩酊大醉呀?
  
  M: Arrrgh! Li Hua, you really do get a kick out of tormenting me. I'll never get wasted for the rest of my life. I promise.
  
  L: 我只是开个玩笑而已。不过,我倒是希望你这辈子再也不要喝那么多酒了!
  
  别看Michael 昨晚喝醉了,今天还晕乎乎的。可是他教了李华两个很有用的常用语,一个是:wasted,那是指喝得大醉;另一个是:to get a kick out of something,那就是为某件事感到很高兴。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#124
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人在日常生活中经常用hot这个字,例如 hot potato, hot dog,hot number, hot rod等等。它们有的时候代表好的、正面的意思,但有一些则具有反面的意思。今天我们要介绍两个和hot这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是:hot seat。
  
  大家都已经知道hot这个字是热的意思,seat 就是座位。 Hot seat这个俗语从字面上来解释就是那个座位很热,或很烫。但是,它的真正意思却并非如此。大家都知道,有些国家在处决那些被判死刑的犯人时不是用枪决的方式,而是让犯人坐在一张可以通电的椅子上,把他电死的。以前,人们就是把犯人坐的那张椅子叫做hot seat。可是,美国好些州现在都已经废除了死刑。Hot seat这个俗语的意思也有所改变。现在,hot seat这个俗语指的是那种可能会产生麻烦,或让人感到难堪的局面。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-1: I thought it would be fun to judge the high school beauty contest. Instead I ended up on the hot seat. When we picked the winner, I made one girl happy and nineteen others mad at me.
  
  这个人说:“我原先以为参加中学生美女评选是一件很有趣的事。可是,结果弄得我很为难。我们选出了一个冠军,这样,只有一个女孩是高兴的,另外十九个都生我们的气。”
  
  我们再举个例子:
  
  例句-2: If you're mayor of a big city these days, you're sitting in the hot seat -- it's hard to make voters happy when you don't have the money in the budget to give them all the things they expect.
  
  这句话翻成中文就是:“现在这个年头,你要是当一个大城市的市长的话,那麻烦可多啦。预算里没有那么多的钱来满足选民们所期望的一切,要使他们高兴真是难上难。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#125
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语也是和 hot 这个字有关的。 这个俗语就是hot and bothered。 Hot and bothered 的意思是一个人由于某件事而感到很激动、担忧或者很生气。一个简单的例子就是:
  
  例句-3: Nancy was all hot and bothered when her boyfriend showed up two hours late to take her to the party.
  
  这个人说:“南希和她的男朋友约好了一起去参加一个聚会。可是,南希等呀等,她的男朋友晚了两个小时才来接她。南希可真是既生气,又担心。”
  
  一个丈夫做完了晚饭,把厨房弄得一塌糊涂。这时,他对他的妻子说:
  
  例句-4: Please don't get hot and bothered about all these dirty pans and dishes, honey. After dinner you just sit down and relax and watch TV, and let me clean up the kitchen.
  
  这位丈夫说:“亲爱的,你别因为这些脏的盘子和碗就发火和担心。吃完饭,你就去坐下,看看电视,轻松轻松,让我来把厨房打扫乾净。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#126
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华好几天没见了,今天刚好在校园里碰到,两个人就聊起来了。李华会学到两个常用语:to chip in和snail mail。
  
  L: 嗨,Michael,Bob明天开生日party, 你去吗?
  
  M: Yes, I'm going with a few friends. We decided to chip in and buy him a leather jacket. He's been talking about buying a jacket for a long time.
  
  L: 你要和几个朋友一起去参加 party,还要给他买一件皮夹克。可是皮夹克很贵,你们是不是准备大家凑钱给他买?你刚才说chip in是不是就是这个意思呀?
  
  M: That's right. To chip in, means to each contribute money to buy something.
  
  L: 那就是我们中国人说的凑钱买东西。
  
  M: Usually you say "chip in" if each person in a group of people gives some money to buy someone a present.
  
  L: 要是每个人都出一些钱给谁买个礼物,人们一般就会说to chip in。
  
  M: To give you another example, my mother said her colleagues always chip in to buy gifts to celebrate someone's birthday or when someone has a new baby.
  
  L: 你妈妈的同事往往会凑钱买礼物给过生日的同事,或者给刚生孩子的同事。这跟上面你说的几个朋友凑钱给Bob买皮夹克差不多。To chip in还可以用在其它什么场合吗?
  
  M: You can also use "to chip in" if you are going out with a group of people for dinner or a drink.
  
  L: 噢,几个朋友一起出去吃饭,喝酒,每个人出一些钱来付帐也可以说是chip in。
  
  M: Yes, the guys and I usually each chip in a few dollars when we go out for pizza on Friday nights。Last week, I paid 10 dollars, Bob chipped in $4, John gave $2. There is one guy who never chips in. He's cheap. It really makes me mad.
  
  L: 等等,上星期五你们几个人出去吃比萨饼,你付了十美元,Bob出了四美元,John出了两美元。还有一个小气鬼,从来不出钱。他真好意思!Why don't you ditch him, 甩了他不得了!
  
  M: Oh, we've been friends for many years, and it's only a few bucks!
  
  L: 哟,既然朋友多年,也就几块钱的事,你不愿意甩了他,那你就别生气啊!Michael, 你手里拿的是什么?好象是信吧!现在还有人写信呀?

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#127
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: I got two letters today from a couple of old friends! I hardly ever get snail mail anymore.
  
  L: 你收到两个老朋友给你的来信。你说什么?Snail mail, snail不就是蜗牛吗?mail 就是信。 信和蜗牛又有什么关系呀?
  
  M: "Snail" is an animal known for its slow movement. "Snail mail" means real letters that you get in your mailbox.
  
  L: 噢,我知道了。蜗牛走的很慢,所以snail mail就是指通过邮局寄的信。以前怎么没有听说snail mail这个说法呢?
  
  M: Well, ever since e-mail became popular, people have used "snail mail" to talk about paper mail, because it is slower than e-mail.
  
  L: 对,邮局寄的信和电子邮件相比真是要慢多了。叫它“蜗牛信”倒也挺形象的。
  
  M: Yes, everyone is so busy nowadays, no one seems to have time to write snail mail anymore.
  
  L: 你说得一点不错。大家都很忙,没有多少人还会坐在那儿写信。邮局里送来的邮件不是账单,就是广告。这些也能叫做snail mail 吗?
  
  M: No, only a letter written to you by a friend or family member can really be called "snail mail".
  
  L: 噢,人们只有把亲友写的信叫做snail mail。说起写信,我真是应该给我爸爸妈妈写信了。
  
  M: I'm just too lazy to write snail mail. I think I'll go write some e-mails.
  
  L: 你的亲友都在美国,都有电脑。我的父母在中国,他们还没有电脑,所以,I have to write snail mails to them。我得走了,下回再聊吧!
  
  M: Okay, bye!
  
  李华今天学到两个常用语,一个是:to chip in, 意思是凑钱买什么东西,或者是凑钱付大家一起吃饭的钱。另一个是:snail mai,这是指通过邮局寄的信。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#128
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国英语里,有一些习惯用语都和neck这个字有联系的,但是它们的意思却各不相同。我们先来讲一个美国人经常用的、由neck这个字组成的俗语:to break your neck。 Break 这个字的意思是把什么东西弄断或打破。但是,to break your neck的意思并不是指你的脖子真的断了。 To break your neck作为俗语是尽一切力量努力去做某件事的意思。下面这位爸爸说的话就很清楚地告诉大家to break your neck这个俗语的用法:
  
  例句-1: I wish Sam would study harder, because I am breaking my neck to scrape up the money to keep him in college.
  
  这位爸爸说:“我希望萨姆在念书方面再用功一些,因为我一直在想尽一切办法来凑足了钱好让他继续念大学。”
  
  美国人的生活是很紧张的,节奏很快,人人感到压力很大。可是,下面这个例子说的那个修电视机的工人当天比较运气,碰到了一个好顾客。这位顾客对他说:
  
  例句-2: You don't have to break your neck fixing this TV set: I really don't need it next week.
  
  他说:“你不必赶紧地修这个电视机,我下星期并不需要它。”
  
  在任何情况下把脖子伸得太长都是既冒险又危险的。中国话里有“枪打出头鸟”的说法。在英文里就是:to stick your neck out。据说to stick your neck out这个说法是来自形容乌龟的处境。当乌龟的头缩在乌龟壳里的时候,一切都很安全。可是,一旦它们把头伸出来,那可就危险了。可是,to stick your neck out已经成为美国人在日常生活中常用的表达形式了。下面我们来举个例子:

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#129
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句-3: I think my boss is dead wrong about hiring his son-in-law, but I'm not going to stick my neck out and tell him!
  
  这个人说:“我认为我的老板雇用他的女婿是绝对错误的,但是我才不去冒那风险去告诉他呐。”
  
  可是,不怕担风险的人还是有的。下面这个人就是在称赞他们州的国会议员:
  
  例句-4: I admire our congressman -- he's one politician who's not afraid to stick his neck out and say what he really thinks, even if it costs him some votes.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我很钦佩我们的国会议员。他是一个敢于冒着风险说自己心里话的政治家尽管那样做会使他失去一些选票。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#130
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华到美国来念书还不到一年,纽约有好多地方她还没有去过。今天Michael 带李华到一个夜总会去玩。李华有点紧张,但是她会学到两个常用语:uptight和to get it 。
  
  M:Hey Li Hua, why are you sitting over here next to the bar? Why don't you go out and dance?
  
  L:我为什么坐在这里,不去跳舞?我。。。有点累。
  
  M:Oh come on! Don't be so uptight! Everyone is having a good time except for you.
  
  L:你说除了我,每个人都很高兴?你叫我不要什么?什么是uptight?
  
  M:I said, don't be uptight. Uptight means tense, irritable, or unable to relax.
  
  L:Uptight 就是紧张,显得烦躁,不能放松。Uptight 这个词是怎么拼的?
  
  M:Uptight, u-p-t-i-g-h-t. You really are uptight! We're at a dance club, and you're still trying to learn English!
  
  L:在夜总会问你一个英文字就说明我情绪紧张呀?我听不懂问你还不行吗?
  
  M:Hmph. You're never this uptight when you are with your Chinese friends. You're never afraid to sing karaoke, even it sounds so bad!
  
  L:跟中国朋友在一起我当然不紧张咯,我跟他们都很熟嘛。我知道我唱卡拉OK 唱得很难听,但是我也不怕。
  
  M:Hmm. Sometimes if I feel a bit uptight, I have a few beers. That helps me relax.
  
  L:Michael, 你得小心,不要在感到紧张的时候为了放松而喝酒。这样你会越喝越多的。
  
  M:I don't always drink when I feel uptight. Just sometimes.
  
  L:要不是经常的话,那还可以。不过,我现在。。。不想喝酒。
  
  M:Stop being so uptight, have a drink. Come on, I'll buy you something.
  
  L:行,行。让我想想。。。我要一个Jack and Coke.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#131
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:Be right back!
  
  M:I don't get it, Li Hua. I thought You liked to dance.
  
  L:你没有什么?Don't get 什么?
  
  M:I said "I don't get it". Don't - get- it. That means I don't understand.
  
  L:噢,don't get it 就是不懂。那要是我想学什么,可是又弄不清楚,弄不懂,我就可以说:“I don't get it." 对吗?
  
  M:That's right! Like my dog, Ralph. I tried to teach him to sit whenever I tell him to. But he still doesn't understand me. He doesn't get it.
  
  L:等等,你要训练你的狗,叫它坐哪里就坐哪里,它弄不懂你的要求,这也能说:He doesn't get it.
  
  M:Yes. If I tell you a joke, and you understand it, you can say: "I get it."
  
  L:要是我懂你说的笑话,我可以说:“I get it." 可是,Michael, 你说的笑话,我大多数都听不懂。
  
  M:There you go again...you are always so uptight.
  
  L:听不懂你的笑话也怪我紧张呀? Michael, you don't get it, 我根本就不紧张。
  
  M:Wait, I get it! You're being uptight because Zhao Lifeng is dancing over there. Everyone says you like him!
  
  L:什么!说我喜欢赵立封!他在那儿跟别人跳舞,所以我就很紧张。 Michael, you really don't get it at all. 赵立封是我好朋友的男朋友,我要跟他跳舞,我的好朋友就会生气。何况我也不喜欢他。
  
  M:Whatever you say, Li Hua. But you still don't have to be so uptight. You can dance with me.
  
  L:好吧,我跟你跳舞,这样你就不会再说我uptight 了。 (dance music)
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语:to get it, or don't get it 意思是懂某件事,或弄不懂某件事;另一个是:uptight,也就是一个人显得很紧张。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#132
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再讲两个和脖子有关的俗语。第一个是 pain in the neck。Pain这个字大家都知道是痛的意思。 Neck 是指脖子。但是,pain in the neck 并不是脖子痛的意思,pain in the neck 是说某人很讨厌。这个俗语非常普遍,你每天都可以听到美国人这么说: He's a real pain in the neck.这就是说:“那个人真讨厌。”下面这个例子是一个饭馆的老板在说某个顾客:
  
  例句-1: I want to run and hide every time I see that woman come into my place. A real pain in the neck; she's always complaining about the food and the service.
  
  这位老板说:“每当我看到那个女人来到我饭馆的时候,我总是想拔腿就跑,到什么地方去躲起来。她可真是讨厌,老是抱怨不是饭菜不好,就是服务不好。”
  
  Pain in the neck 不是一定要针对别人说的,有时还可以用在自己身上。我们来举个例子。下面是一个很不高兴的爸爸在对儿子说话:
  
  例句-2:I don't want to be a pain in the neck, son, but I've reminded you a dozen times already to clean up your room. Better do it tonight, or you can't use the car this weekend.
  
  这个爸爸说:“儿子,我并不想让你讨厌,但是我已经提醒你几十次了,要你把房间整理乾净。你还是今天晚上把房间打扫干净的好,否则,这个周末你就别想用汽车。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-02#133
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要介绍的一个和 neck 有关的习惯用语是 neck and neck。 Neck and neck 是指比赛进行得很激烈,竞争双方不相上下。 Neck and neck 这个说法原先是来自比赛,如赛跑、赛马等。就拿赛马来说吧,有的时候两匹马齐头并进,很难分辨出那匹马在前头,那一匹在后头。在有的情况下,一匹马由于它的脖子比另一匹马先到终点而获胜,还有的时候甚至由于它的头,或它的鼻子先到而成了冠军。但是,neck and neck 现在也经常用在别的竞争方面,下面这个例子就能说明这一点:
  
  例句-3:Right now, only a week from the election, the republicans and the democrats are running neck to neck and none of the experts can predict which party will win.
  
  这句话的意思是:“现在离开选举只有一个星期了,但是,共和党和民主党在竞选方面仍然不分上下,没有一个专家能预测到底那个党会在竞选中获胜。”
  
  Neck and neck 有时还可以用在其他场合,就拿我们广播的这课「美国习惯用语」来做例子吧:
  
  例句-4:I'm running neck and neck with the clock to see if I can finish on time.
  
  这句话的意思是:“这次节目的时间已经很紧了,我正在加紧播送,不知能不能在限定时间内播完这次节目。”
  
  我们讲了两个和neck这个字有关的习惯用语,其中之一是pain in the neck。 Pain in the neck 是指某人非常讨厌的意思。这是美国非常普遍的一个俗语。我们今天介绍的另一个和 neck 这个字有关的习惯用语是neck and neck。 Neck and neck是指比赛双方齐头并进,竞争十分紧张,不分上下。

太极无敌 : 2009-12-02#134
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

衷心感谢!!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#135
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

多谢狂想。继续补充。

星期天,迈可和李华约在一道到户外市场去买东西。他们很自然地聊起前一天晚上各自做了些什么事。李华问迈可昨晚上干吗?
  
  M: Man, last night I just vegged out in front of the TV all night.
  
  L: 你说什么? 你说你在电视机前面vegged out? 是不是说你在电视机前面吃生菜?
  
  M: No, no, no It doesn't have anything to do with vegetables! To veg out, V-E-G O-U-T, means to sit around and do nothing.
  
  L: 噢,原来如此。“to veg out”意思是说无所事事,呆坐在那里。那你干吗不出去呢?
  
  M: I was supposed to go out with some friends, but I was too tired after being at work all day. That's why I ended up vegging out in front of the TV all day.
  
  L: 啊,原来你是太累了,昨晚你除了呆坐在家里,什么也没干。那么veg out 和英语里面另外一个形容:老是坐在电视机前的人是个couch potato一不一样呢?
  
  M: Yes, it is similar to being a couch potato. However, if you are vegging out, that does not necessarily mean you are watching TV or eating like a couch potato does.
  
  L: 那样的话,要是我去了公园,呆坐在那儿,啥事也没干, 那还能不能说我在公园里vegging out呢?
  
  M: No, if you veg out you usually do so at home. You may be reading, listening to music, watching TV or just sitting there. Basically, your are not thinking of anything very complicated.。
  
  L: 所以说要是你veg out的话,通常都是赋闲在家呆坐的。如果你累了一天,或者一直辛苦地在做一件事,看来你多半会翘起二郎腿,什么事也不做,休闲休闲了。
  
  M: Yes, that's true. People often veg out after a long day of working or studying. Sometimes, they veg out when they should be working or studying, but then don't feel like it.
  
  L: 噢,这样的话,听起来好像是当一个人该做某件事,却投闲置散,拖到以后再去做,那就是veg out了。
  
  M: Yeah, you can also say“vegged”for short, as in “I totally just vegged last night in front of the TV.”
  
  L: 迈可,让咱们先停下来歇会儿吧。
  
  L: 我真难以相信你星期六还得上班,我以为你是星期一到星期五上班呢。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#136
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Usually, I do only have to work from Monday through Friday. But my supervisor has really been in my face about getting this project done. I needed to get it done by Monday, so I decided to come in over the weekend.
  
  L: 我懂得,你是说你的领导一直在逼着你做完你的工作。可是你是怎么说的? In my face? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  M: To say that my supervisor was “in my face” means that he has been giving me a lot of pressure about finishing the project. Just imagine someone who is standing close to your face, demanding that you finish something.
  
  L: 要是你说某人是in your face的话,听起来可不是什么好事。像是他不断地在提醒你该做什么事。看来你的领导是个很难处的人啊。
  
  M: Actually, he is not that bad. I really like him as a person. He is just very demanding when it comes to finishing work on time. He has an “in your face” personality.
  
  L:这样说来,你也可以说某人有“in your face”的个性呐。
  
  M: Yes, that means they have a very aggressive, direct personality. Someone like that usually doesn't care what other people think about their ideas.
  
  L: 这样形容一个人的个性,听起来不太尊敬。
  
  M: You’re right, it's not a very nice thing to say about someone. You probably shouldn't tell someone directly that you think they have been in your face about something.
  
  L: 谈到“in my face”,大太阳正照在我脸上,可真把我晒得够呛,咱们到里边儿去找个阴凉地方吧。
  
  M: Okay, how about getting some ice cream? There's an ice cream store right over there.
  
  L: 好主意,咱们走吧。
  
  今天迈可和李华一块儿去买东西,李华学了两个新词儿:"veg out"和“in my face”."veg out"是说什么事也不做,完全轻松一下;“in my face”是一种咄咄逼人的态度或者个性。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#137
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

人的心是我们喜、怒、哀、乐各种感情的源泉,因此“心”这个字出现在美国不少的成语和俗语中也就不足为奇了。在大多数情况下,人心显示出来的是人类感情善良的一面,例如慷慨。要是有一个人对你说: "Aw, come on -- have a heart!"
  
  To have a heart 要是从字面上来解释那就会毫无意义了,因为每个人生下来都是有一颗心的。To have a heart 是一个俗语,它的意思就是要求别人对说话的人表示同情,或者是要求别人帮助他。
  
  下面我们要举的例子是一个十六岁的男孩在请求他的爸爸让他用家里的新汽车。根据美国法律,一个孩子到了十六岁就可以通过考试拿到驾驶执照,也就是说可以开汽车了。
  
  在美国,凡是一个家庭里有这种年龄的孩子的话,那你就会经常听到这样的请求。这个男孩对他爸爸说:
  
  例句-1: "Hey, Dad, have a heart and let me use the new car; I have this big date with Jennie tonight."
  
  这个孩子说:“爸爸,请你发发善心,让我用那辆新汽车吧。我今天晚上请我的女朋友杰尼出去玩,这个约会可是很重要的呢!”
  
  一般来说,家长都不太愿意让孩子开自己的汽车,因为许多年轻人往往喜欢开车开得很快,这样容易出车祸。即便事故不严重,修理汽车的价格也很贵。何况,十几岁孩子由于事故而死亡的例子也不少。
  
  我们要举的第二个例子是一个问朋友借了钱的人在请他的朋友宽容一些时间:
  
  例句-2: "Charlie, I know I've owed you the hundred bucks for a long time. But, have a heart: give me a little more time because I really don't have it right now."
  
  这个人说:“查理,我知道我借你一百块钱已经好久了。但是,请你做做好事,再宽容我一点时间,因为我现在确实没有这笔钱。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#138
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲解的一个俗语是美国人日常生活中经常用的:cross my heart。 Cross my heart 在中文里的意思就是“保证”或者“发誓”等。一个小孩会说:cross my heart 来让你相信他说的话是真的。例如:
  
  例句-3: "Billy, cross my heart, it wasn't me who broke your bicycle."
  
  这个孩子说:“比利,不是我把你的自行车弄坏的,我发誓。”
  
  Cross my heart 这个俗语用的面是很广的,不仅小孩常用,大人也经常用这个俗语。例如,有的谈恋爱的人就用 cross my heart 来向对方表白自己的真情。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: "Honey, cross my heart, I've never looked at another woman since the first day I set eyes on you! Believe me, that's the truth!"
  
  这个人对他的女朋友说:“亲爱的,我向你发誓,自从我见到你以来,我从来也没有对别的女人看过一眼。这可是千真万确的呀!”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#139
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

My heart stood still
  
  heart-to-heart talk
  
  从科学的角度来看,人的心就是人体内输送血液的重要部份。但是,对我们大多数人来说,人的心要比这意义深远的多,它不仅是维持生命所不可缺少的一部份肌体,而且也是人的各种感情的源泉。今天我们再来讲两个和“心”,也就是英文里的 “heart”这个字有关的习惯用语。首先,我们要讲的是:My heart stood still。我们上面已经说过,“heart”就是心, stood 就是 stand 的过去时,意思是站着, still 就是静止的、不动的。大家可能从字面上已经猜到 My heart stood still 的意思了。 My heart stood still 就是指某件事使你非常害怕,或惊恐,以致你的心脏都几乎停止跳动了。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1:"My heart stood still when the other car ran through the red light and I knew we were about to crash."
  
  这个人说:“当我看到那辆汽车穿红灯的时候,我知道我们要撞车了。我的心都好像停止跳动了。”
  
  这种心情不仅会出现在自己处于危险的时候,在看到别人遭到危险的时候也同样会产生类似的情景。下面这个例子就能说明这一点:
  
  例句-2: "I have to tell you my heart stood still when I saw that baby fall into the water. But that boy jumped right in after the kid and pulled him out before he went under -- that boy deserves a medal!"
  
  这个人说:“我告诉你,当我眼看那小孩掉下水去的时候真是把我吓得几乎连心都停止跳动了。但是,那个年轻人立即就跳到水里,还没等那小孩沉下水去,就把他救了出来。他真应该得到一枚奖章!”
  
  我们要介绍的第二个和 heart 这个字有关的俗语是: heart-to-heart talk。 Heart-to-heart talk 的意思就是两个人很严肃、很坦率地谈论一些私事。 Heart-to-heart talk 翻译到中文就是“坦诚地谈话”,或者是“促膝谈心”。比如说,当一个妻子发觉他的丈夫在赛马方面花的钱太多,她可能就要和她丈夫好好地进行一次 heart-to-heart talk。或者,一个工作人员老是迟到早退的话,他的老板可能就要把他找到办公室来进行一次 heart-to-heart talk。下面我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: "Son, you and I have to sit down and have a heart to heart talk about your school grades. You have to do something to bring them up if you want to get into a good college."
  
  这位爸爸说:“儿子,你我得坐下来好好谈一谈关于你的学习成绩问题。你要是想进一个好大学的话,你得把分数提高才行呀。”
  
  虽然美国有几千所大学,但是要进入一个好大学的话,竞争性还是很强的。美国的大学,特别是那些有名的大学,录取学生的时候不仅要看你考试成绩,而且还要看这个学生的社会活动是否活跃,体育运动是否积极。这些学校的学费也特别贵。当然,成绩突出的话就能得到奖学金。这就是为什么这位爸爸要和他儿子谈心的原因。
  今天我们讲了两个和 heart 这个字有关的俗语。
  
  第一个是 My heart stood still。这是指一个人因为受到惊吓而他的心似乎都停止跳动了。
  
  我们今天讲的第二个俗语是 heart-to-heart talk。 Heart-to-heart talk 就是谈心

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#140
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这一天迈可准备和李华一起温习功课,在他们两人对话的时候,李华学到了两个新词儿:“to be into” 和“geek”.
  
  L: Hi迈可! 我马上要考试了,你帮我温习一下功课好吗?Hey, 你在看什么书啊? Hmmph! 是本漫画?
  
  M: Yes, it is a comic book. I really used to be into comic books when I was a high school student, but now I don’t have much time to read them
  
  L: “Be into” 漫画书,你是指你总是把头埋进漫画书里边儿?
  
  M: Well, not exactly. Be. B-E. Into. I-N-T-O. “to be into” means to be very interested in something, and to know a lot about it.
  
  L: Oh, 你指的是一种嗜好。可是我以为只有儿童才看漫画书的。你未免年纪太大了点儿吧?
  
  M: Please! Comic books are not only for children. A lot of people my age are into comic books. And in Japan, everyone reads them, young or old.
  
  L: 我想你对 漫画书很有兴趣也没什么不好。而且你还有其它好些兴趣。
  
  M: That’s right! I am into dancing. I am also into camping and watching sports。
  
  L: 我就不喜欢看运动节目。我倒是对连续剧兴趣很浓。I
  
  M: Why are you still into soap operas? They are soooo boring! At least the people who play sports are real!
  
  L: 你看你的漫画书,我看我的连续剧。不论如何,我还有些真正的嗜好。举例来说,我就对中国书法就非常有兴趣,只不过,老实说,我的字老写不好。
  
  M: That’s not true! I think your calligraphy is very good. You have been into calligraphy for a long time, haven’t you?
  
  L: 不错,我很小的时候,我妈妈就逼着我练字。那时候,我一点也不喜欢,可是现在我真感激她那时逼着我练字。
  
  M: Also, you are into learning English.
  
  L: 那倒也是,不过那可不是我的嗜好。在中国,我们从中学就开始学英语了。
  
  M: Well, at least you are lucky you started young. I have only been into learning Chinese for a couple of years, and my Chinese is terrible!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#141
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 不,迈可,那你可说的不对,你的普通话说的挺好的。
  
  L: 迈可,你是不是该停下来,别再看那漫画书,该开始复习功课了。
  
  M: Li Hua, you sound like my mother. Anyway, I can’t put this comic book down. I am such a comic book geek.
  
  L: 你说你是什么?一个“geek”? 那是什么意思?
  
  M: Well, a "geek" is soomeone who spends all of their time with their special interests or hobbies. They are mor concerned about their hobbies than being "cool" or making friends.
  
  L: geek是怎么拼?的这个字听起来好怪噢。
  
  M: Geek. G-E-E-K.
  
  L: 这样的话,我能不能说篮球名将Michael Jordan 是一个篮球 geek?
  
  M: Well, not really. Geeks are not usually into playing sports. They like things like comic books, computers, collecting stamps, reading science fiction books。
  
  L: 这样说来,一个 geek所喜欢的东西别人未必喜欢。他们专心注意的是用脑筋和想象力的东西,但是不需要身体动得太多。
  
  M: That sounds about right. Geeks often put their hobbies before other things, such as their social life, meeting girls, gaining a useful education.
  
  L: Aha! 你就是一个地道的 geek! 你就情愿看漫画书而不肯学习。有的时候你宁愿在家玩儿电子游戏而不肯外出跟朋友们混在一起。
  
  M: Gee, thanks Li Hua. Anyway, I am not completely a geek. I do study hard most of the time. I do like to dance, and I do have a lot of female friends.
  
  L: 好了,好了算你是半个geek. 对了,我有个表弟就是一个geek。他老是看武打电影和玩电子游戏。他从不穿一件像样的衣服,他也不在乎找不找到工作。
  
  M: Yes, your cousin sounds like a real geek to me. A lazy geek.
  
  L: 可是他至少不像你那样是一个漫画书geek!
  
  M: I am into comic books. So what?
  
  今天迈可和李华二人本来是要在一起温习功课的,结果聊起了:“to be into” 和“geek”这两个新词儿。李华现在明白了“to be into” 就是一个人对一件事物特别有兴趣,也对那件事物特别懂。“geek”是说一个人只花时间在他发生浓厚兴趣的嗜好上,别的都不管不顾。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#142
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to go all out
  
  to go though hell or high water
  
  大多数的人都很钦佩那些力量充沛、勇往直前的人。这种人为了达到目的而采取行动的时候毫不畏惧。在认定了目标以后,他们就会全力以赴。这种精神在英文里就是:to go all out。一本字典对to go all out的解释就是:以最大的决心和所有的力量去做一件事。 To go all out这个俗语经常用在体育方面,下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: Our basketball team went all-out to win the championship game. But so did the other team, and they beat us by two points.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们的篮球队为了在比赛中获胜而全力以赴。可是,另外一个队也是这样,结果他们多得了两分而把我们打败了。”
  
  To go all out虽然经常用在体育方面,可是这个俗语现在几乎已经成为哪儿都能用的词汇了。下面的一个例子是一位政治家在谈论即将举行的选举:
  
  例句-2: This time the other party is going all-out to win -- they're spending twice as much money as we can on radio and TV commercials.
  
  这位政治家说:“这一次,跟我们对立的政党正在全力以赴地争取在选举中获胜,他们在电台和电视上做广告化的钱比我们能化的要多两倍。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#143
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语是:to go through hell or high water。 To go through hell or high water,这个俗语使人们脑海里出现某一个在必要的时候能够赴汤滔火的人的形像。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: I love my friend John like a brother -- I know he'd go through hell or high water for me.
  
  这个人说:“我对约翰就像对待自己的兄弟一样,我知道他会为我赴汤滔火的。”这句话的意思也就是,约翰会尽一切可能来帮助他的。下面我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在说某一个家庭:
  
  例句-4: That's a very close family -- whatever happens to one of them, sickness, money trouble, anything, the rest of them come to help. They'd go through hell and high water for each other.
  
  他说:“这家人之间的关系非常密切,不管任何人发生什么事,无论是生病也好,缺钱花也好,或发生其他任何问题,每个人都会来帮忙的。不管家里谁有了困难,大家都会为他赴汤滔火。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#144
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和Michael一起吃午饭 的时候,聊起了李华的室友小陈。Michael在谈话中教给李华两个年轻人常用的词:psycho和laid back。
  
  M: Hey Li Hua. You look upset about something. What's up?
  
  L: 哎,还不是我的室友,她今天又找我的麻烦,说是以后再也 不让我做中国菜,因为她受不了厨房里的油烟味。
  
  M: She said what? Your roommate is a psycho! She's crazy!
  
  L: 你刚才说她是什么?
  
  M: I called her a psycho.
  
  L: 我猜想,a psycho 就是中文里常说的“神经病”,对不对?
  
  M: That' right. Also, psycho was the name of a famous movie about a crazy person who killed people in a hotel.
  
  L: 嗯,我听说过那部电影叫[惊魂记]。不过,你说我室友是个psycho,你不是真的以为她发疯了吧?
  
  M: Well, I guess she isn't crazy. Usually we just call someone with strange behavior, and a bad unpredictable temper, a psycho.
  
  L: Bad, unpredictable temper,无缘无故乱发脾气,哎呀,这简直说的就是我室友嘛。Michael,再给我举几个psycho的例子好吗?
  
  M: Well, my last boss was a real psycho. One time, I came to work one minute late, and he yelled at me in front of everyone.
  
  L: 真的? 他当着很多人的面骂你啊。这种人真是有毛病。哎,你可不可以想想看,还有什么psycho的例子呢?
  
  M: Well, ask any American, and they'll probably tell you about some famous serial killer, they are psychos.
  
  L: 噢,psycho也可以真的指一个心理变态的杀人狂。
  
  M: That's right. We might call someone who kills people for no reason a psycho.
  
  L: ,这样听来,我那个室友倒是没那么严重了,不过我总得想办法和她 好好相处,你说对不对, Michael?
  
  M: Well, when is your apartment lease going to expire? You can always ditch your psycho roommate and find a new one.
  
  L: 好主意。我们公寓的租约还有两个月就到期了。到时候我就可以搬出去了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#145
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Well, let's look at the roommate wanted ads in the paper.
  
  L: 你说我们来看看“寻找室友”的广告啊。让我来看看,这条广告说Wanted: friendly, laid back female roommate to share a two-bedroom apartment。Michael,这个“laid back”是什么意思啊?
  
  M: Laid back, describes someone who does not get angry or excited easily. This person doesn't want a psycho roommate.
  
  L: 噢,laid back是形容一个人个性比较随和,不会轻易发脾气。 Michael,你觉不觉得我脾气很好,很容易相处啊?
  
  M: Well, I guess so. Usually you are laid back. But, not always...
  
  L: 你这是什么意思,干吗吞吞吐吐的,有话直说嘛。
  
  M: Well, remember when you got angry at your roommate for breaking your bicycle and then blaming you?
  
  L: 我承认那次我很生气,不过那是因为我的室友先对我无理取闹啊。
  
  M: And you certainly weren't very laid back when she tricked you on April Fool's day.
  
  L: 就是嘛,那次也是因为她在愚人节捉弄我才惹我发脾气的。
  
  M: Well and then your roommate.......
  
  L: 够了,够了,别再提我的室友了,我每次生气都是被她害的。
  
  M: You're right, Li Hua. She's the problem, not you. You'd better find a new, laid back roommate.
  
  L: 对,我们赶快看广告吧。 你看这个广告说:Asian girl, seeks female roommate for two bedroom apartment. Call Xiaoli Chen. 我的天哪,这是我室友嘛 。她居然在瞒着我登广告。真把我气死了。
  
  今天李华学会两个新词,一个是psycho,指的是一个人行为反常,爱发脾气。另一个是laid back,就是个性比较随和的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#146
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to go for broke
  
  to go overboard
  
  大胆勇敢和鲁莽轻率之间的界线有的时候并不是很明确的。今天我们要讲的两个俗语就能够分清这两种不同的品质。首先我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语是 to go for broke。 To go for broke 的意思就是一个人准备冒损失一切的危险来采取一项行动,也可以说是“孤注一掷”。体育运动员往往会遇到这种情况。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: "The biggest auto race of the year is ready to start. All the drivers are ready to go for broke and drive their cars until they fall apart."
  
  这个人说:“今年规模最大的一次汽车比赛快要开始了。所有参加比赛的驾驶员都准备竭尽全力地争取获胜,那怕担当一切风险,把汽车开得散了架子也在所不惜。”
  
  下面我们要举的一个例子是一个在打扑克牌的人,他拿了一手好牌,准备把他所有的赌注都压在这手牌上。他说:
  
  例句-2: "Okay, I'm going to go for broke and bet all the money I have on my cards. I don't see how anybody can beat what I'm looking at here in my hand."
  
  他信心十足地说:“行啦,这回我得豁出去把我所有的钱都压在这付牌上。我就是不相信任何人能够打败我手上的这付牌。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#147
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

拿到一付很好的牌而冒一些风险似乎还是有一定的道理。可是有些人在情绪激动或者发怒的时候往往会在没有充份估计形势的情况下,不顾后果地鲁莽从事。这在英文里就是 to go overboard。 Overboard 这个字的意思是从船上掉到水中,就像一个粗心大意的水手,专心致意地忙着工作,一不小心,手没抓紧就掉下水去了。 To go overboard 作为一个习惯用语可以解释为在不顾自己安全的情况下就鲁莽地采取行动。下面我们要举的例子是一个妻子在劝她的丈夫不要轻率地作出决定:
  
  例句-3:"John, let's not go overboard and get a new car right now. With all the other expenses we have, we won't be able to make the monthly payments."
  
  这位妻子对她的丈夫说:“约翰,我们最好现在不要匆忙地买新汽车。我们手上还有其他要付的帐,我们没有能力再每个月为新汽车付还借款。”
  
  To go overboard 也可以用在商业界。下面是一个股票商在对他的顾客提出一些劝告:
  
  例句-4: "I wouldn't go overboard and buy a lot of stock in that company right now. I hear their profit is down from what it was last year."
  
  这位股票商说:“我现在决不会太轻率地大量买那个公司的股票。我听说他们今年的利润比去年的低了。”
  
  以上我们讲了两个习惯用语,一个是 to go for broke。 To go for broke 是指竭尽全力或孤注一掷。我们今天讲的另一个俗语是 to go overboard。 To go overboard 的意思是鲁莽从事,也就是在没有很好地考虑后果的情况下就采取行动。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#148
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华前段时间通过了驾驶执照的考试,现在可以自己开车了。迈可也坐在她的车里,从他们二人的对话中,李华学到了两个常用语:take it easy和to chew out。
  
  L: 考完试了,现在有了驾照真好。我觉得我能够去任何地方,做任何想做的事了。
  
  M: I know what you mean. American kids feel the same way when they turn 16 and get their licenses. Too bad you don't have a car.
  
  L: 那有什么关系,我可以跟你借车啊,对不对?哎呀 Hey! What do you think you are doing? Do you want to be killed? Michael,你看那个骑自行车的孩子,我差点儿撞了他!
  
  M: Hey, hey, take it easy Li Hua! You really scared that kid. He looked really scared.
  
  L: Michael, 你刚才说什么?什么easy?
  
  M: I said take it easy! That means you need to calm down, not get too excited.
  
  L: Take it easy? Take it easy是冷静下来,别太气了的意思?
  
  M: That boy was almost in a very bad accident, and he was startled. You don't need to make him feel worse.
  
  L: 你说的不错,看样子他都快哭了。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua, you're going to be driving on your own soon. I hope you learn to take it easy and not get angry at everyone.
  
  L: 你说的对。要是我冷静开车的话,也许我的车会开的更好。
  
  M: I'm sure you will. You just finished a difficult test. You should take it easy. Let's go get some lunch, my treat.
  
  L: 你要请客啊?行,我是应该放松放松了。我要好好享受今天剩下的时间。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#149
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Man, Li Hua, you really chewed that kid out.
  
  L: 你指的是刚才骑车的那个小孩?你说我对他怎么了?
  
  M: You chewed him out! I mean you yelled and got angry at him.
  
  L: 你是说我发脾气大骂了那个孩子,是吧?
  
  M: That's right. If someone gets angry and yells at you, and starts criticizing your behavior, they are chewing you out.
  
  L: 原来如此,我也不知道为什么我大骂那个小孩,大概是当时我也害怕的缘故。
  
  M: Are you upset about something else? You seem to have a bad temper today.
  
  L: 我是真有点气,因为昨天刘教授对我发脾气。因为我该教中文课, 我去晚了五分钟。他就对我大发脾气。
  
  M: That's too bad. I don't like being chewed out like that either. Especially when I know I was wrong.
  
  L: 那可不是我的错,我自行车的链子又脱落了。 为什么发生这类事情你总是怪我呢?
  
  M: Hey, take it easy, Li Hua! Don't chew me out! I was talking about myself, not you.
  
  L: 我的天,是我不对,不知道我今天是怎么回事。我想跟每个人发脾气似的。
  
  M: You must be stressed. First, Professor Liu chewed you out, then you almost ran over the kid on the bike.
  
  L: 你说的对,我真不该对任何人都发脾气。我应该开开心心的。
  
  M: At least you should be happier than I am. Yesterday, my roommate chewed me out. He said I always make a mess in the living room, and he is tired of cleaning up after me.
  
  L: 也许你是把房子弄得很乱,可是你室友也不该对你发脾气啊。
  
  M: He was right, though. I really need to get rid of my bad habits.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是Take it easy,意思是冷静下来,或者放轻松些。另一个是to chew out,意思是发脾气骂人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#150
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to put your best foot forward
  
  to land on your feet
  
  我们在一般情况下都不太会注意我们的脚,除非你感到脚痛或有什么其他毛病。可是,脚这个字,也就是英文里的 foot 却不时出现在美国成语或俗语里,有时我们的 foot 把我们引向成功,有时却给我们带来许多麻烦,这全在于我们怎么用这个字了。
  
  比如说,你正在找工作,和某个公司约好了去面谈,或者你第一次要去和一位异性会面,这个时候你就想要给他们一个好印象。这在英文里就是to put your best foot forward。为了给人造成一个好印象,也就是说to put your best foot forward,你在去面谈前肯定会尽量把衣服穿得体面一些,在和人面谈的过程中脸上还老是笑容可掬。下面这个例子就是某人在给别人出主意,如何设法给招工的单位一个好印象:
  
  例句-1:Better get a haircut before you go to that job interview tomorrow. You want to put your best foot forward because there are twenty other people after the same job.
  
  这个人在劝他的朋友。他说:“你明天去那个公司面谈前最好去理一下发。你得给他们一个好印象才行,因为有二十多个人都在争夺这个工作。”
  
  我们再来举一个例子说明怎么样用 how to put your best foot forward:
  
  例句-2:I finally got a date with that girl I've been trying to go out with so long. So I'm putting my best foot forward and sending her a dozen roses and a box of chocolates before I pick her up tomorrow.
  
  这个人说:“我总算和那个女孩约好了明天一起出去玩,这是我长久以来所梦寐以求的。所以,我在明天去接她前先送她一打玫瑰花和一盒巧克力,这样好给她一个好印象。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#151
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

你难免有的时候会在生活中或工作中碰到一些麻烦和困难,可是,要是你很聪敏或者是很幸运的话,那末这些麻烦和困难都能得到解决。美国有一个俗语就是形容这种情况的。这个俗语就是to land on your feet。 To land on your feet的字面意思是:你的脚站在地上。可是它的确切含义是:你在经历了一些困难后最后又回到一个稳定的状态,也可以说是逢凶化吉了。那么,这个俗语的出处是什么呢?有的语言专家认为,这个俗语可能来自对猫的观察。你也许注意到,当一只猫从树上掉下来的时候,它表现出一种特殊的技能:它能在空中还没有落地之前调整自己身体的姿势,从而使自己平安地落地。我们来举一个例子吧:
  
  例句-3:My brother Joe got fired for never coming to work on time, but he landed on his feet and found another job that paid twice as much money.
  
  这个人说:“我的弟弟因老是不准时上班而被公司解雇了。可是,他倒是逢凶化吉又找到了一份工作,而且工资还加了一倍。”
  
  经济问题在美国是经常发生的。下面又是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: Mr. Green is one of these people who's not afraid to put his money into some very risky investments. Sometimes he'll lose out, but somehow he usually manages to land on his feet and find money to put into something else that makes a profit.
  
  这个人说:“格林先生就是那种不怕冒很大危险去投资的人。有时,他也确实会亏本,但是他总是会逢凶化吉,找到钱去投资生财的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#152
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天是周末,Michael和李华去打台球。李华一边玩一边还学了两个年轻人常用的词:to rule和to blow money on something.
  
  L: 哎呀,我不想玩了。我老是输给你。这样玩还有什么意思啊。
  
  M: Hey! You don't need to get angry just because I rule at the pool table!
  
  L: 啊? 你在台球桌上做了什么?你是不是耍了什么花招,怕我生气啊?
  
  M: Absolutely not! I said that I rule the pool table. That means that I am the best at playing pool. I can defeat anyone. Rule, R-U-L-E.
  
  L: 噢,我明白了,rule在这里指的是你玩台球玩得最棒,可以打败任何人。对不对,Michael?
  
  M: That's right! I am king of the pool table! I rule!
  
  L: 嘿,你不要那么得意好不好。你忘了,那天打乒乓球,你连连败在我的手下。你呀,对乒乓球这种体育运动简直是一窍不通。
  
  M: Sport? Ping-pong is not a sport! It's a game! You might rule at that little game. But I rule at pool, a man's game!
  
  L: 你在瞎说什么啊。我不跟你争了。你还是多给我解释解释rule这个词吧。
  
  M: Well, I can say "I rule the pool table"; that means that I dominate the game. Or I can say "I rule at" doing something. In either case it means the same thing: I am the best!
  
  L: 好了,好了,就算你是最棒的吧。那rule还有什么别的用法呢?
  
  M: Sometimes we just say something or someone rules without adding any other words. For instance, I can say "Chinese food rules!" That means I think it is great.
  
  L: 那如果我说:Michael Jordan rules!,是不是就表示我认为他是最棒的篮球运动员,对不对?
  
  M: That's right. When we say a person rules, that means we think they are the best, or at least that they are impressive.
  
  L: 哎,Michael,你看那边有个人老往我们这边看,没准他是想和你比赛,怎么样,敢不敢跟他比?
  
  M: Whatever, I rule the pool table, no matter who I play against!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#153
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael,你打得怎么样,输了还是赢了?
  
  M: Not so well. Say, Li Hua, can I borrow five dollars? I just blew my money on playing pool with them, and I need to put gas in the car so we can get home.
  
  L: 你说你的钱怎么了?你是不是在赌博啊?
  
  M: No, I said I blew my money on pool. That means I spent all of my money very quickly. Blew is the past tense for blow.
  
  L: 噢,“blow money on something”就是为了做某件事很快把口袋里的钱花光了。
  
  M: That's right. Like when we were at the mall the other day, and you blew a whole week's pay on shoes.
  
  L: 我是花了一星期的工资买鞋,可你不觉得我买的鞋价廉物美,所以不能说我浪费啊。
  
  M: Well, I guess sometimes it's ok to blow one's money on something useful.
  
  L: 就是嘛。哎,我倒是想起了一个你乱花钱的例子,记不记得你大 学一年级的时候到赌城拉斯维加斯,blew all of your money on black jack。
  
  M: Ha ha ha....yeah, what a wonderful memory. but, I'll never blow all of my money like that again. I am older and wiser now.
  
  L: 得了吧,你年龄的确是越来越大,可脑筋并没有越来越聪明。要不然你今天怎么会玩台球把钱都花光呢?
  
  M: Those guys are good. They play quickly, and they both beat me several times. Also, we agreed that the loser had to pay for the pool table. So of course I blew all of my money very quickly.
  
  今天Michael可是够倒霉的,输了球,还花光了钱。不过李华倒是收获不小,她今天学到两个很有用的词。一个是:to rule,是很棒的意思。另一个是:to blow one's money on something,意思是把钱都浪费在了某样东西上。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#154
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to get off on the wrong foot
  
  to put one's foot in one's mouth
  
  有的人一开始就给人一个坏印象是怎么说的呢? You should say: to get off on the wrong foot。 To get off on the wrong foot,这是指某人一开始就没给人一个好印象,或一开始由于某种行为而把事情弄糟了。下面这句话里说的这个人就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: When Joe went to his new job, he got off on the wrong foot. On the first morning he upset his new boss by arriving at the store two hours late. And right now he's out looking for a job again.
  
  这个人说:“乔找到了一份新的工作,可是他刚开始到那家店里去上班时就给人一个坏印象。第一天上班他就晚到两个小时,让他的老板好不高兴。现在他又在找工作了。”
  
  To get off on the wrong foot这个俗语实际上可以适用于任何情况。下面一个例子是一个男学生在说他交女朋友的情况:
  
  例句-2: I finally got a date with that new girl in class but I sure got off on the wrong foot with her: I had car trouble and got to her place almost two hours late.
  
  他说:“那天我终于和班上新来的那个女同学约好了出去玩。可是,当天我的车出了问题,晚了两个小时才去接她,所以我一开头就把事弄糟了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#155
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有意无意做错事、说错话的情况是很经常的。下面我们要讲的一个俗语就是无意中说错了话而伤害了别人,或者叫自己很不好意思。这个俗语就是:to put your foot in your mouth。
  
  我们来举个例子看看什么样的情况才 to put your foot in your mouth:
  
  例句-3: When Sally told that silly joke about the sailor with one leg she really put her foot in her mouth. She didn't know the man across the dinner table had a brother at home in a wheelchair.
  
  这句话翻成中文就是:“沙莉吃晚饭时说了一个笑话,拿一个只有一条腿的水手开玩笑。她可不知道坐在饭桌对面那个人的哥哥就是个残废,行动都得靠轮椅。”Sally如果事后了解情况的话,她肯定会说: "Well, I certainly have put my foot in my mouth."
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子:
  
  例句-4: I certainly put my foot in my mouth at the party last night when I asked Mister Brown to say hello to his wife for me. Somehow I'd forgotten that his wife died six months ago.
  
  这人说:“我昨晚在那个聚会上无意中说错了话。我让布朗先生替我向他的太太问好。不知怎么回事,我忘了他太太已经在半年前去世了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#156
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和 Michael二人一起开车到市中心,他们想要找个停车的空位。在他们二人对话中,李华会学到两个常用语:a big deal和give it a shot。
  
  M: Man, I hate trying to park my car in this city! There are never any spaces. Hey look! There's one!
  
  L: 啊!我看到了那个位子。 Um, Michael, 可是我不知道我该不该停那儿。我的停车技术很差,我怕出差错把车给撞了。
  
  M: Don't worry about it! You have to learn this sooner or later. Give it a shot!
  
  L: 你说什么?Give what? 我该把车干吗?
  
  M: I said give it a shot, that means try or give it a try. We say give a shot when we ask someone to try something they are not sure they can do.
  
  L: 噢,你用的字 shot, 是不是就像开枪射击的那个shot啊
  
  M: That's right. For instance, when you are taking a test, and you are not sure of the answer to a question, you still have to give it a shot and try to guess the correct answer.
  
  L: 噢,give it a shot原来指的是尽量试试,即使你没有多大的信心。
  
  M: That's right. Now you try and use this phrase. Go ahead, give it a shot!
  
  L: Hmm,如果说你想要申请一个很好的工作,可是又怕自己得不到,你就可以说:Give it a shot! 反正你也不会有什么损失的。
  
  M: You've got it.
  
  L: 那还有没有其它场合可以用shot这个字的?
  
  M: Well, we might also say give it your best shot.
  
  L: 所以我们也可以说“give it your best shot”, 意思就是全力以赴去试一下。
  
  M: That's right. Now you'd better move your car into that space. We shouldn't sit here in the middle of the road. Go ahead and park, give it a shot!
  
  L: 好,我就试试看。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#157
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 我的天, Michael,我撞到哪里了?
  
  M: Don't worry Li Hua, it's not a big deal. The bumper just hit the parking meter.
  
  L: 你说不大什么?不管撞倒哪儿都不得了啊。
  
  M: No no, I said its not a big deal. That means it's not very serious.
  
  L: Oh, 那big deal是哪两个字,怎么拼?
  
  M: Big, B-I-G; Deal, D-E-A-L. If something is a big deal it is very serious, or very important to someone.
  
  L: 我明白了,当我撞上停车计时表,你说 its not a big deal,你的意思是说没什么大不了的。我并没有造成多大损害,对不对?
  
  M: Yeah, at least I don't think you did. Maybe you scratched the bumper or the parking meter. You didn't really damage the car or meter, so it's not a big deal.
  
  L: 原来如此,但愿你说的对。还有,要是不用not这个字可以?
  
  M: Sure you can, for instance, it was a big deal for me when I turned 16 and got a driver's license.
  
  L: 对。对美国青年人来说,拿到驾驶执照可真是一件大事。
  
  M: Looks like you understand how to use this phrase. Why don't you make another sentence?
  
  L: 那我就用它造句子: It was a very big deal for Chinese people when Beijing got the chance to host the 2008 Summer Olympics.
  
  M: It sure was! I remember on TV, I saw a lot of people in Beijing partying when that happened.
  
  L: 哎呀,别多说了。我得赶快把车停好。
  
  M: Yep, if a cop sees you stopping traffic, he might think it is a big deal. Move out of the space and try to park again. Give it another shot!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语:a big deal和give it a shot。A big deal是指很重大,或者严重的事。Give it a shot指的是尽力去试。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#158
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

cold feet
  
  jump in and get your feet wet
  
  一个人在充满信心的时候往往就会无所畏惧,勇往直前。但是,当一个人对某件事感到胆怯的时候,他就会畏缩不前。我们经常可以看到一种情况:有的人对一件事开始的时候很有信心,很有把握。可是,事到临头就变得没有勇气了。在英文里有一个俗语是用来形容类似情况的,那就是cold feet。 Cold 是冷的意思, feet就是两只脚。 Cold feet 并不是在雪地里走而使你的脚很冷。Cold feet是指临时上场感到胆怯。例如:
  
  例句-1: Peter told his wife that this time he was really going to walk in and demand a pay raise from the boss. But when he arrived at the office, he got cold feet.
  
  这句话翻成中文的意思是:“这个名字叫皮特的丈夫对自己的妻子说,这次他可一定要到他老板的办公室去要求增加工资了。可是,他一到了办公室就感到胆怯,不敢去见他的老板。”
  
  这种临阵脱逃的现象是很经常的。下面我们要举的例子恐怕会引起许多听众的共鸣:
  
  例句-2: I really need to get my teeth fixed, but every time I start to phone the dentist, I think about the sound of that drill and right away I get cold feet.
  
  这个人说:“我实在应该去牙大夫那儿看牙了。但是,每当我拿起电话想和大夫预约的时候,我就好像听到那钻牙的声音,一下子,我就害怕起来了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#159
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

事到临头打退堂鼓,出现cold feet的现象也许是一个弱点,但是在美国成语里,把脚弄湿倒是一件好事。比如说,好些听众都在学英语。这是一种外语,许多初学的人都怕难为情不敢用英语来对话。可是,老师很可能就会劝这些学生: "Jump in and get your feet wet. " Jump in and get your feet wet这个俗语的意思是:到实践中去学,也可以说是跳到游泳池里学游泳。我们来举一个老师对学生说的话:
  
  例句-3: I know most of you are afraid to embarrass yourselves by trying to speak English after these first few lessons. But that's the best way to learn: when you meet an American, try a few words -- jump in and get your feet wet.
  
  这位老师说:“我知道你们大多数人感到,刚上了几课英语,就用英语来说话很不好意思。不过,当你见到美国人时,你不妨试着说一点。到实践中去学是最好的办法。”
  
  到实践中去学对于任何事来说都是很重要的。下面说话的人就认识到例句 jump in and get your feet wet 的重要性:
  
  例句-4:I want to get into politics so I'm volunteering to put up signs for one of the people running for mayor. I don't get paid for it but it's a chance to jump in and get my feet wet.
  
  这个人说:“我希望将来能够到政界去工作,所以我现在在帮一个竞选市长的候选人张贴宣传标语。我帮他做这些事是完全义务的,是没有工资的。但是,这是到实践中去得到一些经验的好机会。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#160
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华二人到了纽约一个公园去看烟火。李华学到了两个新词:packed和 hype。
  
  L: 我老天,这个公园可真挤,但愿我们能够找到个地方坐下。
  
  M: Yeah, it's really packed today. I've never seen this many people here.
  
  L: Michael,你刚刚说什么?你是说人好多吗?
  
  M: Yes, I said the park is packed. That means it is crowded, there are a lot of people here.
  
  L: 噢,我懂了。你说的packed,就是通常你说打包的pack那个字吧?
  
  M: That's right. Here we say "be packed" to show that a place is full of people, just like a box packed full of stuff.
  
  L: 我想我懂了。那中国人口很多,我是不是可以说China is packed?
  
  M: No, that's not really right: China has a lot of people, but China is also a very big place. We usually use 'packed' to describe a small place full of people.
  
  L: 嗯,原来是这样一来。那就好像在中国春节期间,每班火车都挤的满满的,那我就可以说:在春节前那个星期the trains are packed,对不对?
  
  M: That's right. Around Spring Festival, the buses are packed as well. Right?
  
  L: 没错。事实上,中国的公共汽车永远都是挤得满满的,很难找到个座位,至少在各个大都市都是这样。
  
  M: So, in China what other kinds of places might be packed with people?
  
  L: Well,我记得我去看《泰坦尼克号》那部电影时,电影院是挤的好满,好像每个人都要看哪部电影似的。
  
  M: Ewww. I don't really understand why people liked that movie so much. I thought it was boring.
  
  L: 管它是啥原因,Michael,反正中国各地的电影院总是很挤就是了。
  
  M: Hey, the show is starting.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#161
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎,Michael,你觉得今天的烟火如何?
  
  M: Well I guess they were OK, but I was hoping they would be better.
  
  L: 你觉得还可以更好一些?可是我觉得已经很好了。
  
  M: But there was so much hype about this show! Every newspaper said it was going to be the greatest fireworks display in New York history!
  
  L: 你说太多什么?你说这次烟火怎么了?
  
  M: I said there was a lot of hype, Hype means a lot of excitement or praise about something that you might hear about before you see it.
  
  L: Oh,所以hype就是指大家总是把一件事说的比实际情况还要好。 对不对?
  
  M: Yeah, that's right. For instance, there was a lot of hype about Titanic, but I didn't think it was as good as the hype said it would be.
  
  L: Hmm,你说the hype about Titanic,所以我们就应该说there is hype about something,对不对?
  
  M: That's right. For example, I remember hearing a lot of hype about the Forbidden City in Beijing, but I didn't think it was very interesting.
  
  L: 你说什么?你居然说北京故宫不好,那可是中国保存历史古迹的一颗明珠哎。
  
  M: I didn't say it wasn't important to Chinese history. I just didn't think it was very fun to visit, at least not as fun as all the hype said it would be.
  
  L: 我才不管你怎么想呢。你说报上对今天的烟火作了很多宣传,到底是怎么说的呢?
  
  M: Well, the newspapers said it was going to be larger and more exciting than anything ever shown in the city before. But really I think that was just hype. This year wasn't much different from last year.
  
  L: Michael,要是你总是听人宣传的话,你一定会失望的。
  
  M: I guess you are right.
  
  今天Michael和李华到纽约一个公园去看烟火。Michael说这个公园是packed,也就是十分拥挤的意思。另外Michael也不是太喜欢这次的烟火表演,因为他说报纸作了过多的渲染。也就是hype这个词的含义。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#162
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

ants in your pants
  
  to have butterflies in one's stomach
  
  科学家们说,昆虫,也就是我们一般说的小虫子,对人类有不少好处。到目前为止,科学家们已经发现的昆虫共有七十万种。世界上竟然会有这么多不同的小虫子,你可能会觉得难以相信。有些小虫子,我们还少不了它们,例如,蜜蜂传播花粉,使得植物得以繁殖。还有些虫子会杀害虫,在有的国家里,小虫子还能当食品。可是,尽管如此,大概喜欢蟑螂的人还是不多的。
  
  美国的成语和俗语就可以反应出人们很讨厌那些生活在我们周围的小虫子。今天我们来向大家解释两个成语,都是和小虫子有关的。我们要讲的第一个俗语是ants in your pants。 Ants就是蚂蚁,pants 就是裤子。蚂蚁钻进了裤子,你可以想象是个什么滋味了。你肯定坐不住了。 Ants in your pants这个俗语的意思就是一个人很紧张,坐立不安。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: The company financial report isn't due until next Friday. But the boss has ants in his pants and wants us to have it all ready for him on Tuesday morning.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们公司的财务报告应该是下星期五才交。但是,我们的老板紧张得要命,非要我们在星期二早上就交给他。”
  
  坐立不安并不一定是由于精神紧张。有的时候,不耐烦的心情也会使人坐立不安。下面就是一个小饭馆的女服务员在和厨师讲话:
  
  例句-2: Say, what happened to the order for table seven? The guy's been waiting for a half hour and he's really getting ants in his pants for the cheeseburger and fries he ordered.
  
  这位服务员说:“喂,七号桌子点的东西好了吗? 那人等他点的奶酪汉堡包和炸薯条已经等了半个小时啦,他都有点不耐烦了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#163
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有些蝴蝶是很漂亮的。但是,他们在美国一个俗语里出现的时候就不见得漂亮了。这个俗语是这么说的:To have butterflies in one's stomach。大家都知道, butterflies是指蝴蝶, stomach是人身体里消化食品的胃。
  
  To have butterflies in one's stomach,从字面上来解释就是,一个人的胃里有蝴蝶。可是,这个说法的真正意思是一种持续不断的恐惧、紧张或忧虑的心情,和中文里说的“心里感到七上八下”很相似。要是你很怕在大庭广众发表讲话的话,你就可能对你的朋友说:
  
  例句-3: Sitting there at my sister's wedding dinner, I had butterflies in my stomach because I know I'd have to stand up and make a speech.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我姐姐结婚那天晚上举行宴会的时候,我坐在那里心里直感到七上八下,因为我知道我得站起来讲话。”
  
  我们再来听听一个篮球运动员在比赛完毕后讲的话:
  
  例句-4: Yeah, sure I had butterflies in my stomach in the locker room! But once I got out on the court and caught that first pass, I was just fine.
  
  这位篮球运动员说:“比赛前在更衣室里的时候,我当然感到很紧张不安。可是,等我一上场,接到第一个传来的球的时候,我就没事了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#164
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华在复习功课,做完功课后他们准备去看电影。在今天的对话中,李华会学到两个常用语:no way和to bet。
  
  L: Michael,准备好了吗?我们要去看电影了。Anna正开车来接我们呢。
  
  M: Yeah I'm ready...let me get this call though. Hello? Sorry, I can't come to work right now. I have to pick up a friend from the airport. Yep. Sorry I can't help out. OK.
  
  L: 哎呀,Michael,你怎么能骗你同事说你要去机场接人呢?我觉得他们可能真的很需要帮手,你就去吧。我们可以下次再看电影嘛。
  
  M: What? No way! I'm not going to help him!
  
  L: 你说什么?no way是什么意思啊?
  
  M: No way means that there is no way I will do that. It means that I refuse completely.
  
  L: 噢,我知道了, No way就是绝对不行的意思,好象中文里的门儿都没有。你真的不能帮帮他吗?
  
  M: No way! That guy is just lazy. He is always trying to escape from work and find other people to do his job for him. Nobody trusts him.
  
  L: 可是不管怎么说,我还是觉得同事之间还是应该互相帮忙啊。
  
  M: Really? Well, what if Professor Wang called right now and said he needs you to help him grade Chinese test papers all afternoon?
  
  L: No way! 我才不干呢,我以前帮过他好几次忙,可他从来都不付给我工资,更气人的是他连声谢谢都不肯说。
  
  M: Well anyway, Anna and I have been waiting for a long time to see this movie. There is no way I'm changing my plans.
  
  L: 我明白了,我看你是喜欢Anna,不想错过和她一起看电影的机会吧。
  
  M: What? No way!
  
  L: 哎,你怎么又说no way,这回我又没要求你做任何事情啊。
  
  M: Oh, well sometimes no way also means that's not true or absolutely not. It shows that you disagree with something that somebody said.
  
  L: 得了,我就是觉得你喜欢Anna。
  
  M: No way!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#165
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Hmm, Anna still isn't here. I bet the traffic is bad.
  
  L: 啊?你说什么?
  
  M: I said "I bet the traffic is bad". That means I think, or I'm pretty sure that the traffic is bad. Bet, as in to bet money.
  
  L: 噢,bet本来的意思是下赌注,例如赌钱,不过在这里是认为或相信的意思。
  
  M: That's right. When you bet money, you can't always be 100% sure about your bet.
  
  L: 对啊,赌钱的人不可能100%地预料到下赌注的结果, 所以说, 如果你说“I bet”,那表示你是在推测。
  
  M: That's right. Anyway, I'm not worried about Anna, I bet she 'll arrive any minute now.
  
  L: I bet you are right. Anna从来不迟到。你觉得这部电影会好看吗?
  
  M: I don't know. It's an action movie, so I bet you won't like it very much.
  
  L: 谁说的,其实我也很喜欢动作片啊,当然除了那些烂片子。
  
  M: I bet you'll say it is stupid no matter how good it really is. You always say action movies are stupid.
  
  L: Whatever. 我听好多人说这部电影好看,我想今天电影院一定满座。
  
  M: Hey, look, there's a red car down the street. I bet that's Anna.
  
  L: No way. Anna的车比这辆车小多了。
  
  M: Looks like I was right. Let's hurry.
  
  L: I bet Anna她一定很高兴见到你。
  
  M: No way! Stop joking around like that, ok?
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。No way表示不可能;to bet是确信的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#166
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to bug someone
  
  to louse up
  
  有一些美国成语和俗语和昆虫有关系。由于人们一般都很讨厌那些小虫子,所以和这些小虫子的名字有关的俗语大多数是贬意的。例如 ants in your pants,这是指坐立不安或不耐烦。另外还有 to have butterflies in one's stomach,肚子里有蝴蝶飞舞,这是心里紧张的意思。
  
  在口语里,人们往往把昆虫叫做“小虫子”,也就是美国人说的 "bug" 这个字。 Bug 这个字可以指小虫子。但是,它也可以当动词用。在当动词用的时候, bug 这个字的意思在不同情况下就不一样,它可以解释为:令人烦恼,就像你周围有许多苍蝇或蚊子时让你心烦一样。 Bug 这个字也可以指窃听别人的电话或讲话。要是一个人说: "That loud music next door really bugs me." 他的意思就是:“隔壁人家把音乐放那么响,真烦人。”我们来举一个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: "You know what bugs me? Somebody coming a half hour early when you invite them to dinner. Very rude of them, I think. I tell you -- it really bugs me!"
  
  这个人说:“你知道什么事情会让我感到讨厌吗?当你请朋友来吃晚饭,某个人早到半个小时。我认为这种人真不懂礼貌。我告诉你,那才叫我讨厌呐。”
  
  下面我们要举的一个例子,其中 bug 这个字的意思又有些不同:
  
  例句-2: "Our car is ten years old so my kids keep bugging me to buy a new one, but the old one still runs fine and I don't want to put the money out right now to replace it."
  
  听起来,这个人肯定是一个家长。他说:“我们家的汽车已经用了十年。所以我的孩子们老是鼓动我去买一辆新车。可是,那辆老车还很好用,我现在也不愿意花钱去买新车。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#167
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

一种没有人喜欢的小虫子就是虱子。虱子在英文里叫作 louse。你们肯定知道 lousy 这个字,它就是从 louse 这个字来的,意思是:糟糕的、讨厌的等等。但是 louse 这个字也能当动词用。今天我们要讲的一个和 louse 这个字有关的习惯用语是 to louse up。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: "The lousy rain has certainly loused up my plans to take my girl friend to the beach today."
  
  这个人很遗憾地说:“这讨厌的雨真是打乱了我的计划。我今天本来准备和我女朋友一起去海边玩的。”
  
  一个人要是 loused up 和女朋友的约会恐怕还不要紧,可是他要是 loused up 重要事情的话,那就很麻烦了。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: "I loused up my chance to get that job at the radio station by showing up at the employment interview two hours late. But could I help it if my car had a flat tire on my way to the meeting?"
  
  这个人说:“由于我那天去招工的地方面谈时晚到了两小时,因此我失去了在电台工作的机会。可是,在我去的路上我汽车的轮胎炸了,那叫我有什么办法嘛?”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和小虫子有关的俗语。第一个是: to bug someone,这是使人心烦、令人讨厌的意思,或者也可以解释为“窃听”。今天讲的另一个俗语是: to louse up,这是弄糟、毁坏等意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#168
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在Michael和李华正在公寓大楼前看热闹。李华会学到两个新词。一个是busted;另一个是creep。
  
  L: Michael,发生什么事儿啦,为什么有这么多警察在这儿啊?
  
  M: The police just busted someone for trying to steal my neighbor's car.
  
  L: 你说警察把那个小偷怎么样了?把他打伤了吗?
  
  M: No, they busted him. Busted means to catch someone doing something they shouldn't be doing.
  
  L: 噢,原来 busted someone for doing something就是干坏事的人被抓到了。
  
  M: That's right. You can say "They busted him for something" or you can just say "they busted him."
  
  L: Michael,你认识那个小偷吗?
  
  M: Sure! They busted the man who lives in the apartment above mine!
  
  L: 他就住你家楼上啊?
  
  M: Yes, I saw the police put him into a car and drive away.
  
  L: 哎呀,好可怕。原来你楼上一直住着个小偷。Michael,bust这个词是不是只能指警察抓罪犯呢?
  
  M: Not at all. Anyone who catches someone doing something wrong is busting them.
  
  L: 噢,我们普通人抓到别人干坏事也可以说“busted someone doing something wrong”。那我可不可以说“The teacher busted my classmate for cheating on the English test.”
  
  M: Yes, that's perfect. When you were little, did anyone ever bust you for doing something wrong?
  
  L: 当然了。有一回我逃课去逛街被阿姨看到告诉了我妈妈,害得我挨了一顿骂。
  
  M: That's not too bad. Once when I was in school, the teacher busted me for selling candy to my classmates.
  
  L: 啊?你向同学兜售糖果,幸亏你被抓到了,要不然不知道你还会干什么坏事呢。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#169
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael,想想真是奇怪,你楼上住了个罪犯你居然一直都不知道。
  
  M: Yeah, but I'm not surprised. I always thought that guy was a creep.
  
  L: A creep? 那是小偷的意思吗?
  
  M: No, that's not what I said. I said he's a creep. A creep is someone who looks and acts in a way that makes people suspicious and uncomfortable.
  
  L: 噢,a creep就是指一个人鬼鬼祟祟,令人怀疑。那你为什么觉得那个人是个creep呢?
  
  M: Well, he was never a friendly neighbor. He was always frowning, and wouldn't say hello to people. That's one reason I thought he was a creep.
  
  L:可是这也不能说他就是个creep啊。 因为有很多人平常都是皱着眉头,从来不和别人打招呼,可是不一定有什么坏心啊。
  
  M: Sometimes he would try to sell us things. And even though we refused to buy his stuff, he just wouldn't leave us alone. That's why my neighbors didn't like him. They all thought he was a little weird.
  
  L: 啊,他还硬向你们推销东西。难怪你们怀疑他有什么不良动机。 所以你才说他是个creep。
  
  M: You've got it. You give me an example.
  
  L: 我们班有个男生很讨厌,所有的女生都觉得他是个creep。
  
  M: Ok. Why is he a creep?
  
  L: 他看人的眼神不对头,还有啊,他脸上总是一副皮笑肉不笑的表情,喜欢和女生开那种很肉麻的玩笑。
  
  M: Yes, he definitely sounds like a creep to me.
  
  L: 哎,Michael,我今天早上看到你和Alice在咖啡厅喝咖啡,你早上不是有上课吗?
  
  M: Oh, you busted me! Please keep quiet about that, OK? I told my professor I had to visit a sick aunt in the hospital.
  
  L: 什么?你这个人哪,迟早有一天会被教授抓到你说谎。
  
  今天李华学会两个新词。一个是busted,就是做坏事被抓到的意思。另一个是creep ,指的是一个人的行为举止鬼鬼祟祟。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#170
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to get a foot in the door
  
  to be dead on one's feet
  
  美国的商品推销员在不很久以前还是挨家挨户地去推销商品,例如吸尘机、厨房用品、百科全书和圣经等。当一位家庭主妇听到敲门声,把门打开的时候,精明能干的推销员就会把一只脚先伸到门里边,这样可以避免在他还没有机会介绍他的商品之前女主人就把门关上了。这种挨家挨户访问的推销员现在几乎已经消声匿迹了,大多数推销员现在都靠电话来招揽生意。可是,把一只脚先伸到门里边这个说法却成了一个人们经常用的俗语了,在英文里就是:to get a foot in the door。 To get a foot in the door的意思就是:为了达到一个目的迈出了第一步,尽管你可能离达到目的的距离还很远。下面这个例子是一个学生说的话:
  
  例句-1: You know that beautiful girl who sits ahead of me in English class? She keeps turning me down for dates, but I finally got a foot in the door today: she met me for coffee after class.
  
  这个学生说:“你知道英语课坐在我前面那个很漂亮的女孩子吗?我请她出去玩,她老是拒绝我。可是,今天我算是迈出了第一步。她答应下了课和我一起去喝咖啡。”
  
  下面我们要举的例子是两个人在谈论一个很有政治野心的朋友。其中一个人说:
  
  例句-2: Getting into politics is tough. But Martin got his foot in the door when he volunteered to go around town putting up posters for the Republican candidate for Congress.
  
  他说:“要进入政界是很难的。可是,马丁曾经在当地义务地帮助那些共和党竞选国会议员的候选人张贴标语,这样他为能够进入政界迈出了第一步。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#171
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

一整天在电线干上贴标语或招贴画确实是很累的。马丁回到家的时候可能会感到两只脚累得连站都站不动了。这也有一个俗语来形容这种情景的: to be dead on one's feet。美国虽然是最先进的国家之一,但仍然有好多职业需要工作人员站着做的。售货员就是其中之一。站了一天,到了下班的时候,他们必然会感到两只脚很累。下面就是一个售货员在对他的太太讲话:
  
  例句-3: Honey, I've got to sit down and rest before I take you out to dinner. I'm really dead on my feet tonight: we had the big year-end sale on and I was so busy I didn't even have time for lunch.
  
  他说:“亲爱的,我得坐下歇一会儿再和你一起出去吃晚饭。我今天晚上两只脚实在累死了。我们正在举行年底大减价,我忙的连午饭都没有时间吃。”
  
  下面的例子是一个孩子在跟他的同学说他们全家去看庆祝海湾战争游行的情况:
  
  例句-4: My parents took me to Constitution Avenue to see the parade. After standing there for a whole day, my mom was so dead on her feet that she could not even cook dinner for us by the time we got home.
  
  这个孩子说:“我爸爸妈妈带我到宪法大街去看游行。我们在那儿站了一天,回到家的时候,我妈妈的脚累得要死,连做晚饭也做不动了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#172
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华从 Michael那儿学到了两个新词 redneck 和 in the sticks。
  
  M: Come in!
  
  L: Hi Michael! 真抱歉,我没先告诉你就来了。你的电话一直占线, 所以我没法打电话给你。
  
  M: That's no big deal. I was on the phone with my friend Bob who lives in Georgia. He is such a redneck!
  
  L: 原来这样。对了,你把你朋友叫什么来着?你说他是什么啊?
  
  M: I said he's a redneck, R-E-D-N-E-C-K.
  
  L: 一个红的脖子? 这是什么意思啊?
  
  M: A redneck is someone from the countryside who lives a country lifestyle.
  
  L: 所以你叫一个人 redneck就是说他是乡下人或很土气。哎,这样 说别人很不礼貌吧。
  
  M: Well, maybe. If you call someone a redneck, it means you think that they are not very cultured or sophisticated.
  
  L: 你就因为你朋友住在乡下,你就开他玩笑说他是redneck ,未免 不太好吧。
  
  M: I'm not really making fun of him. Some people are proud to be rednecks. Bob likes to call himself that.
  
  L: 你说叫他redneck,Bob他还很得意呀。那我就不懂了。在中国, 大多数住在乡下的人都巴不得往城里跑呢。
  
  M: Well, the U.S. is different. Being a redneck doesn't mean being poor or uneducated. It is a way of living, I guess.
  
  L: 那么rednecks到底像什么呢?你来说说。
  
  M: Let me see, how can I describe them? When we say someone is a redneck we mean they are from the south, and speak with a southern accent。
  
  L: 现在我懂了, redneck 呢一般是指美国南方人,或者说话有南方 口音的人。不过说真的,那些南方口音我真的听不太懂。
  
  M: Also, rednecks like life in the countryside. They enjoy sports such as hunting or fishing. They like living in areas with lots of open space.
  
  L: Hmm, rednecks他们不住在 城市,他们更享受乡下的生活。
  
  M: Exactly. Also, most rednecks have blue-collar jobs, or work on a farm. By the way, Li Hua, be careful how you use this word. Some people might get angry if you call them a redneck.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#173
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎,对了,Michael,你那个红脖子朋友Bob为什么事打电话给你 啊?
  
  M: Well, he asked me if I wanted to visit him this summer. I'm not sure if I really want to go though.
  
  L: 真的吗? 为什么你不想去呢?
  
  M: He lives out in the sticks. There's nothing for me to do out there.
  
  L: 他生活在那儿?The sticks 是什么地方啊?
  
  M: Oh, when I say in the sticks, that just means in a rural area, far from a big city.
  
  L: 噢,原来是指乡下啊。哎哟,只不过离开城市几天,这样你也受 不了啊?
  
  M: Well, I am used to city life. I don't know how to fish or hunt, and I really don't like farm work. I don't think I would like living in the sticks.
  
  L: 你觉得你不适合乡下的生活啊,不过偶尔去呼吸一下新鲜空气不 是挺好的吗?
  
  M: I guess. Maybe I should visit him.
  
  L: 要是有人自称是 redneck 的话,他也许觉得生活在乡下 in the sticks 也是很值得自豪的了?
  
  M: Actually, the phrase in the sticks is not very polite. You shouldn't tell someone that they live in the sticks unless you are just joking with them.
  
  L: 奥,说别人 live in the sticks 并不是很好,除非你是在开玩笑啊?
  
  M: You are right. Usually when you say something is in the sticks you mean it is far from anything civilized.
  
  L: 其实美国人并不懂得什么是真正的乡下。就算他们住在乡下好了, 只要一开车就到城里了嘛。
  
  M: That's true. Still, some places out in the sticks are pretty far from a big city, even if you drive a car.
  
  今天李华学到了两个新词:redneck 和 in the sticks 。Redneck 是指乡下人。 In the sticks 则是指远离城市的农村地区。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#174
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to stand on one's own two feet
  
  to throw oneself at someone's feet
  
  在美国的成语和俗语中,有不少是围绕着“脚”这个字构成的,“脚”这个字在英文里就是 foot ,多数就是 feet。在美国的成语和俗语中,以 foot 或 feet 这个字为主的俗语为数还不少,它们的意思也各不相同。
  
  今天我们要给大家再介绍两个由 foot 或者 feet 这个字组成的俗语。第一个是:to stand on one's own two feet。 To stand on one's own two feet 的意思恐怕不难猜到。一个人如果能站稳脚跟的话,他就一定能独立自主,靠自己的力量来办事。我们下面要举的一个例子是一位父亲担心他的儿子吸毒或酗酒,所以在劝告他的儿子:
  
  例句-1: Son, somebody may try to get you to smoke marijuana or drink, just to fit in with the crowd. But I hope you can stand on your own two feet and say no.
  
  这位父亲说:“儿子呀,有的人为了要你合群也许会劝你喝酒或吸毒。但是我希望你能够独立自主,拒绝他们的引诱。”
  
  那些能够独立自主的人的确很令人钦佩。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: Bill Brown has managed to stay in Congress now for twenty years. The voters don't always agree with him but they really like the way he stands on his own feet and makes his own decisions on which way to vote, regardless of pressures from all the lobbyists.
  
  这个人说:“比尔布朗在国会当议员已经二十年了。选民们不一定都同意他的观点,但是他们倒很欣赏他在对各种提案投票时的那种独立自主精神。不管那些游说者给他施加多大压力,他都按自己的决定投票。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#175
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个习惯用语是: to throw oneself at someone's feet。 To throw oneself at someone's feet 这个俗语可以解释为:公开对某人表示爱慕。比如说,一个男子在幻想自己未来的婚事,他对他的朋友说:
  
  例句-3: I'm still looking for the right girl to marry. And when I find her, I'll throw myself at her feet and ask her to spend the rest of her life with me.
  
  他说:“我现在还在物色一个我认为合适的女孩作为我的妻子。一旦我找到了,我就要拜倒在她的石榴裙下,恳求她作为我的终身伴侣。”
  
  To throw oneself at someone's feet 还可以解释为:为了得到一些好处而溜须拍马,或拜倒在某人脚下。下面的例子是说一个被判了罪的犯人:
  
  例句-4: The prisoner who has been convicted as a traitor threw himself at the feet of the judge and begged for mercy.
  
  这句话的意思是:“那个被定罪为叛徒的犯人拜倒在法官的面前,求他发发慈悲。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#176
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在今天的对话中Michael会教李华两个常用语:一个是under the weather,另一个是to grab a bite to eat。
  
  M: Hello?
  
  L: 喂,Michael,你今天怎么了?我怎么在学校没看到你,打电话到你上班的地方也没人接。你没事儿吧?
  
  M: Oh, its nothing. I am just a little under the weather today, so I decided to take the rest of the day off and really rest.
  
  L: 什么?你说天气不好,所以你就请一天假。天气好好的吗,你干吗撒谎呢?
  
  M: No no, I said "I am under the weather today". Under, U-N-D-E-R; The Weather, W-E-A-T-H-E-R. Under the weather, it means sick.
  
  L: 噢,under the weather就是生病的意思啊,那你还不赶快看医生啊?
  
  M: Oh, don't worry. It's not very serious. Usually when someone says that they are under the weather, they mean they feel bad, but are not very sick.
  
  L: 你的病不严重,那我就放心了。可是你为什么今天觉得under the weather呢?
  
  M: Last night I went out to eat with a friend. After dinner, it started to rain heavily. We didn't have umbrellas, and I had to walk to a long way back to my car in the rain. I think I caught a cold, so now I feel under the weather.
  
  L: 难怪了,你吃完饭就淋着雨走了那么长的路。哎呀,你以后可千万小心,万一得了什么大病那该怎么办呢?
  
  M: It's ok, Li Hua. I can take care of myself. That's why I am resting at home. That reminds me, how is your mother doing? Didn't you say she was under the weather last week?
  
  L: 噢,我妈妈现在好多了。不过上星期可真把我们吓坏了。上星期一她突然说不舒服,提前下班,第二天就开始咳嗽,浑身发软。
  
  M: Oh no! You must have been worried she had SARS.
  
  L: 没错,我家里人都担心她感染了萨斯。所以每个人都嚷着自己 under the weather,不过啊,第二天我妈妈的情况好转,他们每个人也都觉得自己好了。
  
  M: They were all thinking about SARS, so they also felt under the weather. In fact, they were all ok.
  
  L: 就是啊,他们觉得自己under the weather,我看纯粹是心理作用。
  
  M: So why were you trying to call me at work today?
  
  L: 我打电话想问问你今天晚上要不要一快去吃饭。
  
  M: Well, I'd like to, but I really think I should stay at home tonight. Maybe this weekend we can grab a bite to eat.
  
  L: 你说我们这个周末吃什么?
  
  M: I said we can "grab a bite to eat". Grab, G-R-A-B; a bite, B-I-T-E; to eat, E-A-T. It means we can go out and have a quick meal somewhere this weekend.
  
  L: 噢,grab a bite to eat就是随便到那个餐馆吃一顿,对不对。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#177
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: That's about right. To be exact, it means to find some quick and simple food, like fast food.
  
  L: 啊?尤其指吃快餐啊,我可不想这样随便grab a bite to eat 。我想去个有气氛的好餐馆。再说了,Michael,你也不应该老吃垃圾食物。
  
  M: I know, I know. It's just that I often don't have a lot of time between classes and work. So at lunchtime, I usually have to go to a fast food place and grab a bite to eat. I don't have time to go anywhere else.
  
  L: 如果你觉得中午时间很紧,那你就因该在家里把午饭准备好带到学校。你看,你每天到外面grab a bite to eat,那样你的开销多大啊。
  
  M: I don't always grab a bite to eat at fast food places. Sometimes I make lunch at home. But it takes a lot of time in the evening, and sometimes I am busy then, too.
  
  L: Michael,你真是太不会照顾自己了,冒着雨乱跑,整天吃垃圾食品,难怪你会under the weather,以后你真的要好好照顾自己呢。
  
  今天Michael身体有点不舒服,就是under the weather:Michael约李华等他身体好了一起去grab a bite to eat,也就是随便到外面吃点快餐。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#178
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to be swept off one's feet
  
  Don't let the grass grow under one's feet
  
  今天我们再来讲两个和 foot 或 feet 有关的俗语。我们曾经讲过: to stand on one's own two feet,这是独立自主,依靠自己的意思。我们还讲过: to throw oneself at someone's feet,这是公开表示对某人的爱慕之情,或是拍马奉承、百般讨好某人。可是,被爱慕或讨好的对象往往会突然感到非常兴奋而不由自主地变得飘飘然起来。这种情景在英文里是这么说的: to be swept off one's feet。下面我们要举的一个例子就可以看出一个人在 throwing himself at someone's feet 以后所可能产生的后果:
  
  例句-1: "Dick was so crazy about Jane that he threw himself at her feet. Jane was swept off her feet and they're getting married next Tuesday."
  
  这句话的意思是:“迪克实在是爱简,他完全拜倒在她的石榴裙下。这一下使得简感到飘飘然,不由自主了。他们竟然决定下星期二就结婚。”
  
  这种闪电式的结婚确实有点过于匆忙。下面一个例子就是一个人在劝他的朋友不要草率从事。这也说明 to be swept off one's feet 这个俗语不一定完全适用于被爱慕的人,也可以用在其他场合:
  
  例句-2: "Hal, I know how anxious you are to get married and start a family. But don't let yourself get swept off your feet by a pretty face: think about what you are doing before you get caught."
  
  他说:“海尔,我知道你是非常急于结婚成家。但是,你不要被一张漂亮的脸弄得昏昏然的。在问题还没有发生前,你得脑子清楚一些,明白自己到底在干什么。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#179
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

像结婚这样的事确实应该慎重考虑,不能操之过急。但是有的时候,我们处理事情也不能拖拖拉拉,浪费时间。这在英文里就是: Don't let the grass grow under one's feet。 Grass 是指草。 Don't let the grass grow under one's feet 从字面上来解释,这句话的意思是:不要让草在你脚底下长出来,实际上也就是说,你不要什么事也不干,浪费时间。我们来举一个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: "Right now the house is a real bargain. Don't let the grass grow under your feet -- sign the agreement today before somebody grabs it."
  
  这是一个房产经纪人在对一个买主说话。他说:“现在房产价格实在是非常便宜。你不要浪费时间,最好今天就签合同,免得给别人把这栋房子抢走。”
  
  Don't let the grass grow under your feet 是推销产品的人经常说的话。下面的例子是一个汽车商在对顾客说话:
  
  例句-4: "I tell you, don't let the grass grow under you feet -- this is the last day of this sale and the price on this model goes up a thousand dollars tomorrow!"
  
  他说:“我告诉你,今天是这次减价的最后一天。这种型号的车子,明天就要上涨一千美元。所以你不要犹豫不决,浪费时间。”
  
  上面我们给大家介绍了两个和 foot 或者 feet 这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是: to be swept off one's feet,这是指一个人由于一件使他兴奋的事而感到不由自主。今天我们讲的另一个习惯用语是: Don't let the grass grow under one's feet,这是劝人不要停止不前,浪费时间。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#180
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

piece of junk
  
  cheap
  
  今天李华到Michael家里借用他的电脑。李华会学到了两个新词儿:piece of junk 和cheap。
  
  M: Ok Li Hua, let me see if I can find that webpage for you.
  
  L: Wow, 你的电脑上网真够慢的, 不知道是哪儿出问题了。
  
  M: Actually, it's not the Internet connection, it is my computer. Its an old piece of junk and it is very very slow.
  
  L: 它是一片什么啊?你的电脑出什么问题啦?
  
  M: I said it's a "piece of junk". Piece, P-I-E-C-E; of junk. J-U-N-K. A piece of junk is something that is old and broken, or just doesn't work well.
  
  L: 噢!我想起来了,junk就是你要丢掉的废物,像是旧的车胎或破烂的自行车。
  
  M: That's right. In fact, I'd say my car is a piece of junk too. It's ten years old, it doesn't start half the time, and pieces are always falling off of it.
  
  L: 你的车可不是一堆破烂呢。你倒是应该好好保养它。我叔叔在中国有辆用了二十多年的旧车,到现在还不是走得挺好的。
  
  M: Well, some older cars are more simple in design, and easier to fix. It is hard to find parts for my car, and it isn't really worth the cost to fix it.
  
  L: 嗯,那倒是。现在好些东西过几年之后就变成废物了,就好像我的‘随身听’一样。
  
  M: Your walkman is a piece of junk? I've had a Sony walkman for ten years, and it still works well!
  
  L: 我的那一台可真的不行了,现在一动也不动;有的时候还把我的录音带给弄坏了。我真是应该买个新的了。
  
  M: Yes, you probably should. If it damages your tapes, it's not worth using.
  
  L: 别管我的了,你的电脑该怎么办? 为什么不去买个新的来呢?像你这样的学生可得有台好电脑才行啊。
  
  M: I might. Hey, wait a minute! What would I do with my old piece of junk computer? Maybe give it to a certain friend of mine?
  
  L: 嘿,我可没那么说,不过要是还能用的话,我倒乐于拿走,也许我还可以用它来做功课。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#181
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎,Michael, 现在你不想换电脑了是不是?
  
  M: Well, I could, but I am also too cheap to spend money to buy a new one.
  
  L: 等等,你说你是便宜的?我以为只能说东西是便宜的,你是不是说你太穷了啊?
  
  M: No no, that's not what I mean, even though that is true. When I say that a person is cheap, that means that they always try to avoid spending money, or always buy the least expensive thing they can find.
  
  L: 噢,原来说一个人cheap就是说他很抠啊。嘿,那我还真得说你是够cheap的了。Michael, 你就是那种在餐馆里为了省一两块钱只叫杯白水当饮料的人。
  
  M: What? You are calling me cheap!
  
  L: 怎么了? 这句话冒犯你了吗?
  
  M: Oh, sorry. I should have told you: it is not very nice to call a person cheap. It also means that someone is not generous, or doesn't understand quality.
  
  L: 噢,原来cheap还有爱捡便宜的意思。难怪你不喜欢被人说 cheap。
  
  M: Anyway, I could say you are cheap, because you always use old things that other people give you. Like your bicycle, or that watch you have..
  
  L: 可是,单单因为我不肯花钱,并不表示我就cheap啊。我只是个穷学生嘛。
  
  M: Yeah, I shouldn't say you are cheap, that's not very nice. My roommate is really cheap, though. Nobody likes to go out to eat with him.
  
  L: 真的吗?他怎么啦?
  
  M: Well, if three or four of us order a pizza together, he always adds up exactly how much each person owes. He counts every cent!
  
  L: 哇,那他也真够呛的,算那么清楚啊。
  
  M: And he also never gives a full tip to restaurant waiters. He always gives them a little bit less than he should.
  
  L: 他不肯给服务员该给的小费?我想我从这家伙身上了解到cheap的含义了。
  
  今天李华从 Michael那儿学到了两个新词儿。Piece of junk就是指没用的废物;cheap在这里指小气、不肯花钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#182
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to pull no punches
  
  straight from the horse's mouth
  
  大多数人都认为诚实和坦率是一个很好的品质,尽管我们不见得每时每刻都能够做到,美国人也不例外。在美国的日常用语里有各种说法来形容这种品质。我们在今天的[美国习惯用语]里要给大家介绍四个和这一主题有关的习惯用语。
  
  第一个是:to pull no punches。 To pull no punches,这是指毫不保留地告诉别人你的看法。Punch 这个字的一种解释就是拳击。 To pull no punches 这个俗语使人脑子里顿时出现一个拳击场里两个拳击手扭成一团,互相攻打对方,而对方设法回避的形像。但是 to pull no punches 这个俗语并不是用在拳击方面的。下面的例子说明在日常生活中怎么用这个俗语:
  
  例句-1: When I saw my brother Joe, I didn't pull any punches -- I told him to stop drinking and go out and find a job.
  
  这句话翻成中文的意思是:“当我见到我哥哥乔伊的时候,我毫不保留地对他说,不要再喝酒了,还是出去找个工作吧。”
  
  人们要想毫无保留地对对方讲心里话的时候往往会很犹豫,怕伤害别人。但是,在有的情况下,你绝不会犹豫,就像下面这个例子里的这个人:
  
  例句-2: I pulled no punches when I went to see the auto dealer who sold me such a lousy car. I told him he ought to be ashamed to charge so much for a car that had so many things wrong with it. No, he didn't give me my money back, but I sure felt better afterwards.
  
  这个人说:“那个汽车商卖给我的这辆汽车毛病太多了。我去看他的时候毫不客气地对他说,卖这么次的车给我还收我那么多的钱,你自己应该感到害臊。虽然他并没有把钱还给我,可是,说了这些话我感到痛快多了。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#183
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的另外一个俗语是:straight from the horse's mouth。 Straight from the horse's mouth,从字面上来解释它的意思是:直接来自马的嘴巴。可是,这个俗语的真正意思是:你听到的消息是真实的,因为这消息来自可靠的来源。马和消息可靠又有什么关系呢?你要知道,远在人们还没有使用汽车的年代,人们是依靠马作为他们主要的交通工具,认为马是十分可靠的。现在,汽车已经早就代替了马,但是这个俗语仍然被广为使用。现在我们再来举个例子:
  
  例句-3: I tell you I know for certain that Lisa will be promoted to manager. The boss told me himself, so it's straight from the horse's mouth!
  
  这个人说:“告诉你,我知道莉沙肯定会被提升为经理的。这是老板亲口告诉我的,这个消息是绝对可靠的!”
  
  我们再来举个例子:
  
  例句-4: Say, did you hear that Sally and Bob are going to get married. Honest, I'm not joking. I heard it from Bob himself, so it's straight from the horse's mouth!
  
  他说:“喂,你听说了没有,萨利和鲍勃要结婚了。我可不是开玩笑,我说的是实话。我是听鲍勃自己讲的,因此这消息是完全可靠的!”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#184
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to get carried away
  to call it a day
  
  今天Michael为李华油漆房子。李华学到了两个新词儿:to get carried away和to call it a day。
  
  L: Hey Michael,我回来了。我的天哪,你连客厅都刷啦?你只要刷卧房就够了,我没想要你做这么多的。
  
  M: That's O.K. The work was pretty easy. I guess I got carried away.
  
  L: 什么?你怎么啦?你说你得到什么啦?
  
  M: I said I got carried away. "Got" is the past tense of "get" and "carried" is the past tense of "carry".
  
  L: 好了,那"got carried away"到底是什么意思?
  
  M: "To get carried away" means to be so focused on doing something that you don't notice anything else, and lose track of time. It can also mean "to do something more than is necessary."
  
  L: 噢,我懂了。这句话是说:因为你太专心做一件事上所以忘了其它的事,连不需要的也都做了。
  
  M: You've got it. I was so absorbed in my work that I got carried away. I didn't notice how long I had been working. When I finished, I saw that it was already three o'clock!
  
  L: 嗯,我真希望我能你这样专心工作。我最恨刷油漆这种活了。对了,Michael, 这个"got carried away"除了用在工作上,我可不可以用在其它地方呢?
  
  M: Sure! We can use it for a lot of things. For instance, the other day I went shopping for clothes. At first, I had only planned to spend 50 dollars to buy some pants and a shirt. But I got carried away and spent 250 dollars. 
  
  L: 噢,所以当你got carried away的时候,表示你已经忘乎所以了,对不对?
  
  M: That's right. For instance, I was cooking spaghetti sauce the other day. I really like garlic, so I decided to put a lot in. But I got carried away, and put in way too much.
  
  L: Phew, 我原来是不想说的,怪不得你嘴里一股大蒜味,真是呛人哪。这样说来,有的时候get carried away也有贬意啊,对不对?
  
  M: Sure it can. Why don't you give me an example of how being carried away can be used negatively?
  
  L: 那还不简单,有一次我请我朋友帮我油漆卧房,结果他got carried away连客厅也一块儿给我 刷了。
  
  M: Well, that sounds right. But why is that a bad thing?
  
  L: 他因为太got carried away,结果忘记我的起居室原来是要漆蓝色,不是白色的。
  
  M: D'oh!
  
  音乐间隙

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#185
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 L: Michael, 你今天做的也真够多的了,我真的很谢谢你啦。
  
  M: No problem. I think you are right. Let's call it a day.
  
  L: 啊,你说要我们做什么?今天你还想要做什么呢?
  
  M: No no, I said "Let's call it a day". That means: let's stop working for today and go home.
  
  L: 可是我已经在家了啊!
  
  M: You know what I mean! To "call it a day" just means to decide it is time to quit working, and to relax or go home. Now I think we should call it a day and go get something to eat.
  
  L: 我早就知道你一定会提到吃的。好吧,你想去那儿?
  
  M: Hmm, why do you take me to your favorite restaurant in Chinatown.
  
  L: 那真是好主意。我知道那里有个很好的饭店。我们可以叫只鸭子,然后呢,再来一些菜。这么样?
  
  M: Whoa, don't get carried away, Li Hua. You're not that rich.
  
  今天Michael为李华油漆房子,李华学到了两个新词儿: to get carried away和to call it a day。 To get carried away意思是:因为做事太专心忽略了其它的事。To call it a day指的是一天工作到此为止。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#186
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

no holds barred
  
  to let one's hair down
  
  对人坦率,无保留地说自己的看法,有的时候是以友好和轻松的态度出发的,但是在某种情况下也可能是语气强硬,情绪对立。我们今天要讲的两个习惯用语就反映了这两种不同的气氛。我们先来讲第一个:no holds barred。 No holds barred 这个说法是来自摔交运动。但是,在人们争论的时候, no holds barred 是指不顾对方的面子和情绪,毫不迟疑地把自己的想法说出来。比如说,一个美国朋友可能会对你说:
  
  例句-1: My wife and I had a real no holds barred talk last night about all the things wrong with our marriage.
  
  他说:“我和我的妻子昨晚可真是毫不留情地谈了一谈,把我们婚姻方面的所有问题不管三七二十一都说了出来。”
  
  No holds barred也可以形容那些政客们之间进行的辩论。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: That TV debate between those two guys running for senator was sure a no holds barred affair. They spent more time saying nasty things about each other than they did talking about their plans.
  
  这句话的意思是:“那两个竞选参议员的人在电视上进行辩论时真是毫不留情。他们花在互相攻击方面的时间比介绍他们方针的时间还多。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#187
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要介绍的一个习惯用语是:to let one's hair down。 To let one's hair down描绘出一幅可爱的画面。过去,西方女子很多都留长头发,出去应酬时把头发盘在头上梳出各种式样来。晚上回家后,她们就把发卡一个个地从头发里拿出来,让头发很自然地披在肩上。 To let one's hair down的实质意思也就是解除表面的装饰,使一切显得很自然、真实和放松。 To let one's hair down不一定用于女子,也可以用在男性。下面的例子就可以说明问题:
  
  例句-3: The president has to make so many official appearances that he seldom gets a chance to let his hair down and enjoy life like ordinary people.
  
  这句话是说:“总统要出席许多公开场合,因此他很少有机会像普通老百姓那样轻松地享受生活。”
  
  To let one's hair down 也可以用在朋友之间,就像下面这个例子一样:
  
  例句-4: Sally, we've been good friends for a long time. But lately I get the idea you are very much upset with me. I wish you'd let your hair down and tell me what's wrong to make you feel this way.
  
  这个人对他的朋友说:“萨莉,我们多年来一直是好朋友,可是最近我感到你对我非常不高兴。我希望你能够坦率地告诉我,到底是哪些事让你这么不高兴。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个表示坦率的习惯用语,虽然它们都具有坦率的意思,可以在含义方面有所不同。我们讲的第一个俗语是:no holds barred,这是指在争论或其他场合毫不客气地对别人说自己的想法。今天我们讲的第二个俗语是:to let one's hair down。 To let one's hair down是指轻松、自然,或把心里的话说出来。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#188
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to be canned
  
  to kiss up to
  
  今天Michael和李华下了班以后就去逛街。他们边走边聊,李华会学到两个常用语:to be canned和to kiss up to。
  
  M: Man, it was crazy at work today!
  
  L: 真的?你们办公室今天发生什么事啦?
  
  M: My friend George was late again, so the boss canned him!
  
  L: 你的朋友George今天上班迟到,你们老板对他怎么了?对他大喊大叫吗?
  
  M: No, it's much worse than that. The boss canned him. In other words, the boss fired him!
  
  L: 什么?你是说George被解雇了。所以To be canned就是被解雇的意思啊?
  
  M: Yeah, here, "canned" is the past form of "to can," which means "to put something in a can," or slang for "to throw something in the trash can".
  
  L: 噢,这里canned就是把什么东西扔到垃圾桶。可这跟解雇人有什么关系呢?
  
  M: Hehheh, when your boss "cans" you, he's getting rid of you. It is like he is throwing you in the trash can.
  
  L: 原来这是一种比喻啊。不过这种说法听起来挺吓人的。Michael, 你觉得George应该被解雇 吗?
  
  M: To tell the truth, George was not a very good employee. If I were the boss, I would have canned him too.
  
  L: 哎呀,Michael,你这么说你的朋友未免太过份了吧!George又没做坏事,为什么要解雇他 啊?
  
  M: Well, George was often very late to work. This month, he came in late a least four times. The boss warned George many times before he finally canned him.
  
  L: 看来你一点也不同情George。要是我的朋友碰上这种倒霉事,我至少也会替他难过啊。
  
  M: Hmph. When George was late, it caused me and the other employees a lot of trouble. No one is really sad that he was canned.
  
  L: 也许你说得没错。如果每个人都象George这样老迟到,那会给其他人造成多大的麻烦啊。
  
  M: Well, you are right and wrong. Because George was canned, we all have a lot more work to do right now.
  
  L: 对,希望你们公司会赶快雇一个人来接替George的工作。
  
  M: I'm sure they will.
  
  音乐间隙

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#189
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎,Michael,你有没有担心过自己有一天会被老板解雇呢?
  
  M: Me? Not at all. I'm a good worker, and I kiss up to the boss all the time.
  
  L: 你说你工作表现很好,而且你还经常亲你的老板。哎呀,Michael, 你好恶心哦,你的老板 不是男的吗?
  
  M: No no no...I said I "kiss up to" my boss. To "kiss up to" someone is to try to be extra friendly to someone so they will treat you well.
  
  L: 那你到底是怎么样“kiss up to”你的boss呢?
  
  M: Well, when I want to "kiss up to" the boss, I might bring him coffee, or help him clean the office. I also try to say nice things about him and his family, or tell him he just looks really cool.
  
  L: 噢,现在我懂了。你不用说的那么好听,“kiss up to”无非就是拍什么人的马屁嘛。哎呀, 真没想到,你还是个马屁精啊。你不怕同事看不起你啊?
  
  M: No, not at all. All of the employees kiss up to my boss. Actually, there's nothing wrong with that, because our boss is a really nice guy.
  
  L: 如果你的老板真象你说的那么好,或许讨好他也没什么错。
  
  M: I Guess kissing up to someone can be useful, but not so that everyone hates you.
  
  L: 你说的没错,拍马屁有时候是挺管用的,不过要是搞得人人都讨厌你,那就太不值得了。
  
  M: Don't worry about me. I don't want the boss to do anything for me, I just don't want to be canned.
  
  L: 其实我才应该向你学几招,去讨好讨好我的老板,也让他对我另眼相看。
  
  今天李华学会了两个常用语:to be canned和to kiss up to.To be canned在这里就是被解雇的意思,kiss up to是讨好某人,拍马屁的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#190
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

loose cannon
  
  blockbuster
  
  战争往往给语言留下深刻的痕迹。当战火停息,一切恢复正常以后,一些带火药味的字和词汇经常会变成人们日常的用语来形容那些和战争没有太大关系的人或事物。
  
  有的俗语甚至还反映了两百年前打仗的形式,例如,美国人经常会说某个人是一个:loose cannon。大家都知道, loose是松散的意思,而cannon是指大炮。 Loose cannon的来历是几百年前当人们在海上作战时,他们往往在船上放好些大炮,每一座大炮放在一个带四个轮子的平台上。在战争间隙的时候,船员们用很粗的绳子把这些大炮栓住,不让它们随便移动。可是,当风暴来临,这些绳子在风暴的冲击下断了以后,大炮就会在船甲板上到处滚动,会把那些不幸就在大炮旁边的船员轧死,这比真正的敌人还要危险。
  
  现在, loose cannon的意思和打仗并没有什么关系。人们把loose cannon用来指一个失去控制、无视权威、打破常轨的人,这种人往往会伤害和他自己站在一边的人。例如,有些美国政府官员在重大问题上擅自采取行动,也不向总统汇报。国会议员就把这些人称为loose cannon。下面的例子是一个政治家在谈论一个要为他竞选连任参加工作的人:
  
  例句-1: I know this guy is a smart political worker. But he's hard to control. In fact, he's a loose cannon who might do more damage to our side than the man I'm running against.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我知道这家伙在政治工作方面很聪明。但是,这个人很难控制。实际上,他就像一个没有约束的大炮,给我们造成的危害可能会比我竞选对手造成的危害更大。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#191
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要给大家介绍的第二个和战争有关的俗语是:blockbuster。 Blockbuster原来是第二次世界大战期间联军在和纳粹德国进行空战中用的武器,这种武器的力量十分强大,它可以把城市中两条街之间的所有楼房夷为平地。而现在,blockbuster是指某件事取得很大的成功,特别是指文艺界一些成功的电影、歌曲、剧本等。例如:
  
  例句-2: A story from Hollywood said that the new James Bond film is the blockbuster film of the season.
  
  这是说:“好莱坞的一篇文章说,詹姆斯.邦德新拍的那个电影是这一季度最成功的片子。”
  
  你可能很熟悉下面这个例子中提到的那个电影:
  
  例句-3: The biggest Hollywood blockbuster of all time still remains "Gone With the Wind", the classic picture about the civil war. And the amazing thing is it was made back in 1939.
  
  这句话的意思是:“好莱坞历来最成功的片子仍然是关于美国南北战争的经典作品「飘」。令人惊奇的是这部片子还是早在1939年拍摄的。”

农家小炒肉+鲍汁扣花菇 : 2009-12-02#192
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

d

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#193
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

psyched
  
  to flop
  
  
  今天Michael要在家里举行一个party,请朋友来玩。李华学到两个常用语:psyched和to flop。
  
  L: 啤酒冻好了,吃的也摆好了。我看一切都准备好了。
  
  M: Great! I'm really psyched about this party. Tonight I finally get to relax and have fun with my friends.
  
  L: 你是不是担心party会出问题?是不是怕没有朋友来?
  
  M: Not at all. I said "I am psyched." That means that I am very excited, and am looking forward to something.
  
  L: Psyched这个词听起来怪怪的。那么“to be psyched”照你说的,就表示你盼望什么事情啦?
  
  M: Not exactly. When I say "I am psyched," I not only mean that I am excited, but that I am full of energy and ready to go.
  
  L: 是吗?可是今天的party有什么节目让你这样高兴呀?
  
  M: Well, once some of my friends show up, I plan to have a few beers and hit the dance floor. Quite a few ladies should be showing up at the party tonight, so my friends will be psyched and ready to go as well!
  
  L:嗯... 美酒加美女,听起来不错嘛。不过Michael, 你也不要太激动了。我可是见过你喝醉了之后跳舞还有和女孩讲话的样子。真是不敢恭维噢。
  
  M: O.K., that's enough already. If you're so smart, why don't you use "psyched" in a sentence for me?
  
  L: 嗯,让我想想看。对了,像“拳击手Mike Tyson,在比赛前很psyched,因为他准备好要恶战一场了。”这句话怎么样?
  
  M: Yeah, you seem to understand this phrase pretty well. All good athletes have to be psyched before a sports match, otherwise they have no chance of winning.
  
  L: 行了行了,Michael, 你只要记住自己不是运动员,也不是专业的舞蹈家。
  
  M: Oh come on Li Hua! Don't try to ruin this party for me! You should be psyched too! This is going to be the greatest party of your life!
  
  音乐间隙

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#194
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 你没事吧?
  
  M: [Groan] Ugh, this is ... this is terrible. I feel like such an idiot. I can't believe my party flopped so badly!
  
  L: 怎么了?你说你的party怎么了?
  
  M: I said my party flopped. That's the past tense for "flop." I mean that the party sucked.
  
  L: 我懂了, “flop” 就是你的party搞砸了。这个词还有别的意思吗?
  
  M: Well, the word "flop" means to fall down flat and make a noise like when you drop a rug or a large book on the floor.
  
  L: OK,我懂了。这个词的意思就是形容很重的东西掉在地上的声音。这个词是不是只能形容party的时候用呢?
  
  M: Not at all. If a movie or a play "flops," that means it was not very successful. Sometimes we might say a plan "flopped," meaning it failed.
  
  L: 那你说说看,为什么你的party搞砸了呢?
  
  M: I wish I knew. Even my friends left after a couple of hours. I've never been to a party that flopped as badly as this one. Oh ...I know what happened tonight.
  
  L: 那是为什么呢?
  
  M: Today is the first Saturday of the new semester. Professor Wilkins always invites all of the graduate students in my department to a big pool party at his house. Everyone must have gone there!
  
  L: 嗨,你怎么会忘了这回事呢?你的教授给研究生举行party?那我们也赶紧去参加他的party吧!我可不想在你的房间里发呆。我们也要去找点乐子啊!
  
  M: That's wonderful. My party is such a flop even you can't wait to leave.
  
  L: 哎哟,有什么关系?只要我们能参加另一个party就好了。我已经等不及了,赶快走吧!
  
  今天李华学会了两个常用语:psyched和to flop。Psyched在这里就是“精神高昂,盼望某件事情”的意思,to flop就是“失败,不成功”的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#195
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

bomb
  
  To drop a bombshell
  
  语言往往是难以捉摸,也是没有道理可讲的。我们刚才给大家介绍了Blockbuster。Blockbuster是指某件事,特别是文艺作品,取得很大成功。可是,你要是用另外一种武器的名字,它的意思可以完全相反。例如:bomb。 Bomb就是炸弹,也一样是一种武器。但是,在电影和音乐方面,你要是用bomb这个字,它的意思就是不成功,不受欢迎,卖座率很低。要是有一则新闻报导说最近一位著名歌星录制的歌曲是一个bomb的话,那就是告诉你,这张唱片或磁带没有像想象中销路那么好。要是你听到别人说:
  
  例句-1: A newspaper says that a picture that had cost 34 million dollars to make has bombed at the box office.
  
  你大概可以知道这句话的意思是:“一份报纸说,一部花了三千四百万美元摄制的影片卖座率很低。”也就是说,这部电影的本钱都收不回来。
  
  我们再来听听一位在好莱坞采访的记者讲的话吧:
  
  例句-2: This young producer made money on his first three films, so the studio invested forty million in his fourth film. But it turned out to be a real bomb -- it didn't make enough to get back the investment.
  
  这位记者说:“这位年轻的电影制片人开始拍摄的三部影片卖座率很高,赚了不少钱,所以电影公司就投资四千万美元让他拍第四部电影。可是,这部电影的卖座率实在很低,因此连本钱都没赚回来。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#196
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语也和 bomb 有关,但是它的意思和 bomb 又很不相同。这个习惯用语就是:to drop a bombshell。 To drop a bombshell 的意思是:宣布令人震惊的消息,就像一枚炸弹在你身旁突然爆炸一样让你吃惊。下面这个祖父宣布的消息确实会让人感到很惊讶:
  
  例句-3: Grandfather dropped a bombshell last night when he told the family he is marrying a woman 40 years younger than he is.
  
  这句话的意思是:“祖父昨晚上对家里的人说,他要和一个比他年轻四十岁的女子结婚,这可真叫大家吃了一惊。”
  
  你知道美国历史上最令人吃惊的事之一是什么吗?下面这个例子就会告诉你:
  
  例句-4: In March 1968 President Lyndon Johnson dropped one of the biggest bombshells ever dropped in American politics when he announced that he would not run for re-election because of the Vietnam War.
  
  这是说:“1968年3月美国总统约翰逊宣布,因为越南战争,他决定不竞选连任。这可是美国政治史上最令人震惊的消息之一了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#197
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

pain in the neck
  
  to have had it
  
  今天Michael会教李华两个常用语:pain in the neck和to have had it。
  
  M: Hello? I'm sorry. I'm not interested. No. No thank you. Look, I said I am not interested!
  
  L: Michael,是谁打来的电话,让你这么生气啊?
  
  M: That was someone who wanted to sell me a magazine subscription over the phone. Those people are such a pain in the neck!
  
  L: 嗯,我也不喜欢别人在电话里跟我推销东西。可是你叫他们什么?A pain in the neck?
  
  M: That's right. Pain. A pain in the neck is something that is just very very annoying.
  
  L: 噢,我明白了,“a pain in the neck”就是指讨厌到了极点。
  
  M: Exactly. I can't stand telemarketers. When I get home and finally sit down, they always call. What a pain!
  
  L: 那是真的很讨厌。哎,“a pain in the neck”是不是只能形容人呢?
  
  M: Not always. Things or situations can be a "pain in the neck".
  
  L: 噢, 所以,“a pain in the neck”还可以拿来指某样东西,或者是某种处境。那我可不可以说“It is such a pain in the neck when the electricity goes out”?
  
  M: You've got it! And it really was a pain in the neck, too! I couldn't do anything last week when we had the blackout. I couldn't cook, couldn't watch TV......
  
  L: 哎哟,不能看电视算得上什么“pain in the neck”。那天我开车回家,马路上连红绿灯都坏了,那才叫不方便呢。
  
  M: Yeah, well that's all over now. Oh man! It's my neighbor again! He always plays his drums in the evening. It's such a pain in the neck.
  
  L: 原来是你的邻居,他又在练习打鼓啊。唉,我也有个讨厌的邻居,她那只狗总是叫个不停,有时候晚上睡着了又给那狗吵醒了。真是个“pain in the neck”。
  
  M: Yeah, well if it's that bad, why don't you ask your neighbor to do something about it.
  
  L: 有啊。可是她不但不改,还和我们耍态度呢。这个人啊,也是个“pain in the neck”。
  
  M: I guess the only thing worse than telemarketers are noisy neighbors.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#198
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: I have had it! That guy has got to stop doing this.....I've got to call him.
  
  L: 等等,Michael,你说“I have had it”,那是什么意思啊?
  
  M: It means that I am so annoyed by something that I cannot stand it any longer.
  
  L: 噢,“I have had it”就是你再也无法忍受了 ,是不是?
  
  M: That's right. When we say "I have had it," we just mean that we have been dealing with the problem for a long time, and can't stand it any longer.
  
  L: 哎,Michael,这次让我来接。(Speaking to phone in English) Hello? No, sorry, I'm not interested. No, I'm not the lady of the house. Listen, we've had it with you telemarketers! Leave us alone!
  
  M: Wow, looks like you learned this phrase quickly. Don't you think you were a bit rude with them?
  
  L: 什么?你说我粗鲁?哎呀,我真是受不了你。你这个人啊,就是没有魄力,什么事也做不成。你讨厌谁就直接告诉他嘛。还有啊,为什么你不敢理直气壮告诉你的邻居他打鼓的声音太吵了。光坐在那 儿抱怨有什么用吗?
  
  M: Alright then, I've really had it with my neighbor. I'm going to do something about it this time.
  
  L: (Mocking tone of voice) 哟,Michael,这回来真的啦。你要做什么,打电话向你妈咪诉苦吗?
  
  M: I've had it with you too, Li Hua. You always laugh at me. You can be such a pain in the neck!
  
  L: 哎呀,Michael,对不起嘛。我不是故意要气你的啦!不过你说的也没错,有的时候我还真的是“pain in the neck”。
  
  M: No.....no. You're not really a pain in the neck. The noise is just making me crazy. I'm going to call that guy and tell him to stop.
  
  今天李华学的两个常用语都和人的情绪有关,pain in the neck是讨厌到了极点,to have had it是再也无法忍受下去了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#199
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

oddball
  
  odds and ends
  
  你们大概都知道,英文里有许多单字可以有好几种解释,有时使得学英语的人感到很糊涂,到底这个字是什么意思。就拿odd这个字来说吧, odd这个字仅仅只有三个字母组成,可是它却有好几个意思。它可以形容某个很奇怪的人或者行为,也可以指一、三、五这样的单数。Odd这个字还可以和别的字合在一起用,当然和不同的字合在一起它的意思也就不同。例如:Oddball。要是你说某人是个oddball,那就是说这个人表现的很奇怪,和一般人不一样。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: My friend Joe is certainly an oddball. In the summer he puts his shoes in the refrigerator at night so his feet will be cool when he goes to work in the morning.
  
  这是说:“我的朋友乔伊真怪。在夏天,他晚上把鞋子放在冰箱里,说是第二天早上去上班去的时候,脚可以凉快一点。”
  
  世界上的怪人还是很多的。下面这个例子说的那个人也是怪得出奇:
  
  例句-2: And another oddball is Bill, especially when it comes to food. Can you believe it, he even puts catchup on his ice cream. Talk about oddballs!
  
  这句话的意思是:“另外一个很怪的人是比尔,特别是在吃东西方面。你信不信,他吃冰淇淋的时候竟然还要加蕃茄酱。真是什么怪人都有!”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#200
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们下面再来讲一个 odd和其它字合在一起的习惯用语:Odds and ends。 Odds and ends 的意思是:零碎东西。比如,一个人要到外地去旅行,他可能会说:
  
  例句-3: Okay, I'm all packed now, except for a few odds and ends I'll put in a handbag and carry on the plane with me.
  
  这人说:“行了,我的行李都准备好了,还有一些零星小东西,我准备把它们放在手提包里,随身带上飞机去。”
  
  你要是到美国的公司或其他机构去参观的话,你可以看到很多人的办公桌上很乱,纸张文件堆得很高。下面这个人就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: One good thing I got done at the office today was clean up my desk. I'd let so many odds and ends pile up that you could scarcely see the desk itself. But I got busy and took care of everything.
  
  这个人说:“今天我在办公室里做的一件好事是把我的桌子整理乾净了。那些零零碎碎的东西越堆越多,简直连桌面都看不见了。可是,我今天抓紧时间,把所有的东西都整理好了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#201
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华到了一家中餐馆吃饭,二人正在点菜。李华学到了两个词儿:already和one to talk。
  
  L: 啊, 我的天啊,我饿死了。这菜单上每一个菜我都爱吃。
  
  M: OK, just order something already!
  
  L: Michael, 你说什么?我什么菜都还没点,连服务生都还没来呢,你怎么就说“already”呢?
  
  M: No, no, Li Hua, I said, "Order something already!" I meant that you should hurry up.
  
  L: 噢,所以,你在这儿用了“already”,就是叫我快一点啊。可是你把这个字用在句子的最后面,这种用法好奇怪哟!
  
  M: When we say "already" at the end of a sentence, sometimes we are showing that we are impatient, that we want somebody to stop waiting and to do something.
  
  L: 噢,我懂了。你能不能再给我举个例子啊?
  
  M: OK. Remember when we were stopped at a light earlier today? The car in front of me didn't move when the light turned green, so I yelled -- "Come on, move already!"
  
  L: 嗯,我懂了,我懂了,这个习惯用语很简单嘛。
  
  M: Yeah? Well, go ahead! Make a sentence already!
  
  L: O.K. 你不是老是说那个叫Cindy的女孩儿有多可爱吗? So come on, ask her out already!
  
  M: Um, well, the sentence is correct, but I don't really know Cindy that well. I'm a little shy around girls, you know.
  
  L: 管他呢,你怕什么? Just talk to her already!
  
  M: Well, actually I've talked to her before, but I was really nervous. I did get her phone number. I told her I might call her if I missed class and needed to borrow her notes.
  
  L: 啊,你已经有她的电话号码啦!那你还等什么?要是她肯把电话号码给你,她对你一定有兴趣的。 Call her already!
  
  M: All right! All right! Shut up already! I'll call her.
  
  L: 嘿, Michael, 我是要帮你的忙啊!你干嘛跟我发脾气?
  
  M: I'm sorry, Li Hua. I shouldn't have told you to shut up. Hey, the waiter is coming. I'm hungry. Go ahead and choose something already!
  
  L: 嗯,我想我要点宫爆鸡丁。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#202
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 嗨,Michael, 你知不知道有的时候你可真无礼啊。
  
  M: I'm rude? You're one to talk, Li Hua!
  
  L: 哎,你说我什么,Michael?你要是还在生气的话,我现在就走了。
  
  M: Please, calm down Li Hua. I said, "You're one to talk." I meant that you shouldn't say I am rude when you yourself are rude.
  
  L: 好了,我知道有的时候我也很粗鲁啦。所以,Michael,你说:You're one to talk,是不是就是说我们俩都半斤八两,我不用说你,其实我自己也是很粗鲁的?
  
  M: That's right. When you told me I can be rude, I thought that that was rude. So I said, "You're one to talk!" That means, you have the same problem, so you shouldn't criticize me.
  
  L: 噢,我懂了,其实我也不是要对你那么粗鲁。我只是替你担心,因为你老是说你很寂寞,可是你又不肯主动去找女孩子,你太害羞了。
  
  M: I'm shy? You're one to talk! What about you? You are always too shy to meet new guys.
  
  L: Well, 在中国,女孩子本来就不会主动去约男孩子的嘛!总是男的要去找女的。
  
  M: That's not a good excuse. I think you're just too picky.
  
  L: 什么?你说我太挑剔?You're one to talk! 你自己不也老是说你碰不到既聪明又有教养的女孩?你这不也自以为是吗?
  
  M: I'm too proud of myself? You're one to talk! You wouldn't even consider going out with a guy if he didn't have a Master's degree.
  
  L: 好了,好了,Michael, 我们不要再吵了,反正也吵不出什么道理来。
  
  M: Yeah, sorry, let's just forget about it. Hey look, our food is here.
  
  L: So eat already! 咱们早该吃了。
  
  MC: 各位听众,李华今天和Michael一起在餐馆点菜的时候,学到了两个美国用语的用法。Already用在命令式句子的后面时,相当于普通话里面常说的:“早该如何如何”的意思。You're one to talk!则相当于“你竟然敢说这话,我们俩都半斤八两”的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-02#203
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

peaches and cream
  
  sour grapes
  
  下面我们来谈谈和水果有关习惯用语。英文里“水果”这个字,也就是fruit,是来自很早以前的一个拉丁文里的动词。意思是“享受”。而事实上也确实如此,香蕉、苹果、橘子、樱桃、桃子或葡萄等水果放在果盘里看起来都十分吸引人。因此、有关水果的俗语往往是具有一种肯定和完善的含义,例如:peaches and cream。
  
  大家知道peaches就是桃子, cream是指奶油。 Peaches and cream的意思是:一切都很美好。有人可能会问:桃子和奶油有什么关系呢?这是因为美国人在吃水果时往往喜欢把水果切成块,然后加一点奶油一起吃。实际上,美国人吃很多东西都喜欢和奶油一起吃。所以,peaches and cream就意味着完美无缺。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-1: Sally and Joe had a big fight last week, but they've made up and now everything is peaches and cream again.
  
  这句话的意思是:“沙莉和乔伊上星期大吵了一场。可是,后来他们互相谈开了,现在他们又很要好了。”
  
  Peaches and cream还可以形容一个年轻少女容光焕发的面孔:
  
  例句-2: Peter's sister is a lovely girl. She has a real peaches and cream complexion, soft and white as milk and a touch of pink like a fresh ripe peach.
  
  这人说:“比德的妹妹是一个可爱的女孩。她的皮肤真是完美无缺,柔软洁白得像牛奶,还透露出一点像成熟了的新鲜桃子的粉色。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-03#204
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

可是,水果在美国成语里也并不千篇一律地含有褒意,有的时候也反映了反面的意思。下面我们要讲的一个俗语就是一个例子:sour grapes。 Sour是酸的意思,grapes就是葡萄。中文里也有酸葡萄的说法,而且中英文的意思也完全相同。举个例子就能说明这一点:
  
  例句-3: Bill was sure he'd be elected class president. But when Mary beat him in the voting, he told us he was glad he didn't get the job because it was too much work. That's nothing but sour grapes!
  
  这句话翻成中文是说:“比尔开始认为他肯定能当选为班主席。但是,当玛丽在选举中击败他以后,他对我们说,他很高兴他没有得到这个职位,因为当了班主席工作太多了。他这么说纯属是吃酸葡萄!”
  
  下面是另一个关于 sour grapes 的例子:
  
  例句-4: Talk about a clear case of sour grapes! When Bob's girl friend left him to marry another man, he went around telling anybody who would listen that he left her because she wasn't good enough for him.
  
  这人说:“要说吃酸葡萄吧,这件事可是很明显的了。当鲍勃的女朋友和另外一个人结婚后,鲍勃到处去对那些愿意听他诉苦的人说,是他不要他的女朋友的,因为他的女朋友配不上他。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个和水果fruit这个字有联系的俗语。第一个是peaches and cream。Peaches and cream是指一切都很完美。我们讲的第二个俗语是sour grapes。 Sour grapes跟中文里的说法“酸葡萄”的意思一样。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-03#205
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

由于内容还很多,我将与狂想合作,共同贴完,以飨读者。

cindyycm : 2009-12-03#206
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

收藏

ditto18 : 2009-12-03#207
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Great!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#208
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家现在肯定都已经很熟悉Michael和李华这两个在纽约上大学的学生了。Michael是正在学中文的美国学生,李华是从中国来的留学生。今天他们上完课以后一起去打保龄球。李华会学到两个常用语:to mess with somebody和give me a break.
  
  L: 哎,得,现在我们的分数平了。Michael,你输了可不要哭哟!
  
  M: Oh, oh...Come on! Miss it, miss, miss!
  
  L: Michael,你好赖皮,你这样叫我“别打中,别打中”,是分散我注意力嘛,你要我怎么打啊!
  
  M: Hehe, calm down, Li Hua. Don't take the game so seriously. I'm just messing with you.
  
  L: 你说你跟我做什么?
  
  M: I said I'm messing with you. To mess with someone means to bother the person, or disturb him, or to play a joke on him.
  
  L: 噢,to mess with someone就是说去打扰某个人,或者是跟他开玩笑。那to mess with someone是不是也有想要骗某人的意思呢?
  
  M: Not really. Sometimes "to mess with someone" can be serious. For instance, a dangerous person might say, "If you mess with me, I'll hurt you."
  
  L: 对,有的流氓就会这么说,他说,“你要跟我捣乱,我就揍你。”可是,在一般情况下,to mess with someone是指跟一个人开玩笑,或者故意跟他捣乱,是不是?
  
  M: That's right. When I was in high school, the whole class would mess with the teacher sometimes. Everyone would start humming at the same time. The teacher would be angry, but couldn't tell who was doing it.
  
  L: 啊,你上中学时就这么顽皮啊。全班一起哼哼,连老师都搞不清楚是谁在做呢,就这样跟老师开玩笑啊!我们在中国啊可不敢呢。我们都很怕老师的。哎,得了,该我了!
  
  M: Whao! Don't move, there's a bee on your neck.
  
  L: 啊,什么?你说我脖子上有只蜜蜂啊?快把它赶走啊!
  
  M: Heheh, just kidding! There was no bee, I'm just messing with you.
  
  L: 你很讨厌呐,Michael, 把我吓了一跳。Stop messing with me,我得打球了。
  
  M: Ok. Miss! Miss!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#209
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 我再也不跟你打保龄球了,我输都是因为你跟我捣乱。虽然我们说了谁输就请客,我今天不请你吃晚饭了。
  
  M: What? I only coughed after you had let go of the ball. There is no way I made you miss. Give me a break!
  
  L: 你说给你什么?我什么都不给哟!
  
  M: I said "give me a break." When someone says "give me a break," that means he thinks what he just heard or saw is unreasonable, or they think someone is being too harsh on them.
  
  L: 噢,Give me a break就是你认为你听到的,或看到的是不合理的。那你的意思是说,我说你是因为捣乱我才输了球,这么说是不合理的?
  
  M: That's right.
  
  L: 什么? Give me a break! 我没有说任何不讲理的话。就是因为你跟我捣乱,所以我才没有打中球。
  
  M: What? Give me a break! I only messed with you before you bowled, I didn't say anything while you were throwing the ball.
  
  L: 什么?我打球的时候你什么也没说?Give me a break! 你明明就假装咳嗽,说什么“别打中!别打中!”这样就是分散我注意力嘛!
  
  M: I just had something in my throat. Is it not OK for me to cough? Give me a break!
  
  L: 得了,得了,我下回哪儿都不跟你去了。别跟我讲话了!
  
  M: Li Hua, give me a break! I'm just kidding...take it easy.
  
  L: 哈哈!我也是在跟你开玩笑啦!可是,你可千万要记住,绝对不要mess with me!
  
  M: OK, that's fair enough!
  
  这两个年轻人听起来好象要吵架,但是却是在互相开玩笑。在他们的谈话中,李华学到了两个很有用的说法:to mess with someone和give me a break.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#210
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华谈到和父母沟通的问题,李华学到了folks和rag on这两个习惯用法。
  
  M: Hey look, I've got to go. I'll talk to you later. Bye. (sound of putting the phone down). Oh, geez!
  
  L: 哎,Michael! 我不想打断你说话。
  
  M: Oh don't worry about it, Li Hua. It was just my folks.
  
  L: Folks? 你说你在跟谁说话?
  
  M: My folks. Here "folks" means "parents".
  
  L: 噢,folks就是指“父母”啊。听起来你好象不太想和你爸妈说话。这不太好吧?
  
  M: I just get tired of talking to them, that's all. My folks call me two or three times a week to remind me to do things, like go to the dentist, or change the oil in my car. I am an adult now, and they don't need to do that.
  
  L: 你爸妈每星期给你打两三次电话,提醒你去看牙医、换汽车的机油,那不是很好吗?哎,对了,Michael, 你去看了牙医了没有?你不是说牙痛吗?
  
  M: Please, Li Hu, you sound just like my folks.
  
  L: 你呀,真不领情。对了,用folks来称呼父母,这是不是不太礼貌啊?
  
  M: No, its not impolite really, but it is very informal.
  
  L: 噢,folks是很随便的称呼,但并不是没有礼貌的。哎,Michael, 一般是你会主动给你父母打电话,还是他们给你打电话啊?
  
  M: Well, um. Usually my folks call me first! I don't have to call them!
  
  L: 你不给他们打电话,那是为什么?
  
  M: I don't usually have a lot to say to my folks. They call me so often, I have no new news to tell them. By the way, Li Hua, how often do you talk to your folks?
  
  L: 怎么会和父母没话说呢?我和我爸妈每个星期至少要打两次电话呢。
  
  M: Wow, that must be expensive.
  
  L: 还好啦。我和我爸妈都有电脑,这样我们就可以通过电脑免费通话了。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#211
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎,你知道吗,Michael, 你真是应该多给你父母打电话。你们都住在同一个城市,不打电话太不应该了。
  
  M: Li Hua, please stop ragging on me about my parents. I still visit them all the time!
  
  L: 你说要我不要怎么啦?Ragging on? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  M: I said, "Stop ragging on me". "To rag on someone" means "to scold or tease someone over and over."
  
  L: To rag on someone就是说你不断地责备或者取笑某个人。嘿,我才提醒你两次,这样也算是ragging on you啊?
  
  M: Well, not really. You're not as bad as my folks. They rag me all the time about all kinds of things.
  
  L: 等等,你刚才说they rag me,那rag后面到底有没有on啊?你说清楚好不好?
  
  M: Ok ok, stop ragging on me! "To rag" can be used with "on", or without "on." The meaning is just the same.
  
  L: 噢,我懂了。哎,那你爸爸妈妈他们老是说你什么?
  
  M: They rag on me about not cleaning my car, not eating right, drinking too much, not having a girlfriend, not going to church, not calling them, not calling my other relatives.
  
  L: 哎,等等,等等。你说你父母说你不洗车,不吃健康食物、喝酒太多,还有,没有女朋友,又不去教堂,也不给他们打电话。哎哟,这批评还真不少啊。我的父母好象不怎么说我哎。
  
  M: Well, anyway, its getting late. Want to get some pizza?
  
  L: Michael, 干吗不自己做点健康食物呢?
  
  M: First my folks, and now you. It seems like everyone wants to rag on me today.
  
  李华今天和Michael一起谈到和父母沟通的问题的时候,学到了两个美国用语的用法。Folks是指父母;Rag on则是不停地批评和嘲笑他人的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#212
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

lemon and going bananas
  
  going bananas
  
  大多数人都很喜欢吃水果。水果颜色鲜艳,形状多样,看起来也怪可爱的。一些和水果有关的美国成语和俗语也都具有肯定的含义。但是,这倒也并不是千篇一律,也有一些由水果组成的习惯用语表达的是反面的意思。我们首先要给大家介绍的一个俗语是:lemon。Lemon就是柠檬。柠檬是非常酸的一种水果,大概没有其它东西比它更酸的了。但是,lemon 作为一个俗语它的意思就成了那种质量很坏的东西,不能起它应有的作用。美国人经常把一辆经常出问题的汽车称为lemon。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: Mr. Lee paid $15,000 for his new car. But he got a real lemon: it's never run right and it spends more time in the garage getting fixed than it does on the road.
  
  这个人说:“李先生花了一万五千块美金买了这辆新车。可是,这辆车却是毛病百出。这车从来也没有好好地跑过,它在车行里修的时间比它在马路上跑的时间还多。”
  
  Lemon 这个俗语也不局限于坏的汽车,它还可以指其它那些不理想的东西,下面这个人的经验就是一例:
  
  例句-2: Mister Green usually gives me good advice. But the computer company stock he told me to buy was a lemon. I had to sell it at the price I paid for it.
  
  这是说:“一般来说,格林先生给我提供的建议都是很好的。可是这次他让我买那个电脑公司的股票却是个馊主意。我不得不按原价抛出。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#213
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个俗语是:going banana。对我们大多数人来说,香蕉是很好吃的,又香又甜,营养很丰富。可是,going banana的意思是:快要发疯了。究竟为什么要把香蕉说的这么糟糕,这实在很难解释。然而,这个俗语在美国那些家里有青少年的家长当中是十分普遍的。你听听下面这位父亲,他在说他那十四岁的女儿:
  
  例句-3: Mary spends all her time listening to loud music, talking on the phone, or looking at herself in the mirror instead of studying or helping us around the house. I tell you, that kid is driving us all bananas!
  
  这位父亲说:“玛丽把她所有的时间都用在听音乐,还得把音量放得大大的,或者是打电话,或者照镜子,而不是把时间用在学习上或帮助我们做点家务。我告诉你,那个孩子真是快要把我们逼疯了。”
  
  家里有十几岁孩子的听众恐怕在这方面也有同感,即便情况有所差别。下面我们要举的例子也是很普遍的:
  
  例句-4: I'm going bananas over the noise in the apartment next door. They play their television loud enough for the whole building to hear. And they never turn it off until one o'clock in the morning!
  
  这个人抱怨说:“隔壁人家的闹声真快把我逼疯了。他们把电视机开得那么响,整个楼都听见了。而且,不到半夜一点他们从来不关电视机。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#214
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to shoot the breeze
  
  through the grapevine
  
  人们坐在一起闲聊,天南地北,说长道短的,传播流言菲语,这是很普遍的一种活动。美国有好多成语和俗语是形容这一方面的。例如to shoot the breeze。To shoot就是发射、开枪、发炮等,breeze就是阵阵微风。To shoot the breeze这个习惯用语使人脑子里出现了一幅画面,也就是:一些好朋友没事聚在一起闲聊天,毫无顾忌地想说什么就说什么。下面我们来听听一个大学生说他昨晚在干什么:
  
  例句-1: On Friday nights I usually go to a movie. But it was raining so hard last night I just stayed in the dorm to sit around and shoot the breeze with a couple of friends.
  
  这个大学生说:“一般来说,星期五晚上我总是去看电影的。可是,昨晚上雨下得好大呀,所以我就呆在宿舍里和两个朋友一起聊天。”
  
  下面这个人说出了为什么他喜欢shooting the breeze。他的话恐怕也说出了一般人心里的想法:
  
  例句-2: One thing I enjoy about shooting the breeze -- you can relax and say anything you want to. You're among friends and nobody takes things seriously.
  
  这个人说:“我很喜欢聊天,因为你可以很放松,想说什么都行。你是和朋友在一起,没有人会很认真的。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#215
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是你问一个人,你说的那个消息是从那儿听来的,他可能会说:through the grapevine。Grape是葡萄,grapevine就是葡萄藤。Through the grapevine的意思实际上就和中文里说的:通过小道消息来的一样。也就是说,这个消息是经过人们口头传播传到他这儿来的,他也不知道到底是从谁那儿开始的。
  
  早在一百多年前,当美国南北战争正在进行的时刻,士兵们把那些非官方渠道来的消息,也就是秘密地在他们中间传播的消息称为grapevine。下面这个例子就是一个士兵正在把一个消息告诉他的要好朋友:
  
  例句-3: What do you think of the news that our regiment is being transferred to California. It's not announced officially yet, but this morning I got it through the grapevine.
  
  这个兵对他的朋友说:“你对我们部队调到加利福尼亚州去的消息是怎么想的。这个消息还没有正式宣布,我是今天早上通过小道消息听来的。”
  
  人们对于小道消息的看法倒是各不相同。有的人确信不误。可是,下面说话的人则不然:
  
  例句-4: I don't always believe what I get through the grapevine, but it's true at least half the time and and it's a lot faster than whatever the army tells you about what we're doing.
  
  这个人说:“我不完全相信小道消息。但是,小道消息至少有一半是确实的,而且比部队领导告诉我们的要快多了。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#216
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael现在在玩电子游戏,李华在等他一起去和朋友吃饭。Michael今天会教会李华两个常用语:junkies和cut it out.
  
  (Sound of video games)
  
  L: 嗨,Michael,你还没有玩够这电子游戏呀?你这个人怎么回事嘛!
  
  M: Just a minute. (video game sounds stop) Oh never mind. You are right, Li Hua. I need to do something more useful with my time. I'm a video game junkie.
  
  L: 你说你是什么? Junkie? 那是什么啊?
  
  M: I called myself a "video game junkie."
  
  L: 你是说你玩电子游戏玩太多了,对不对?
  
  M: You got it. The word "junkie" originally was slang for a drug addict. Now, however, people used the word "junkie" to describe people who are very absorbed in a hobby or kind of entertainment.
  
  L: 噢, 所以junkie是指那些沉醉于自己嗜好的人。那么,除了像你这种老爱玩电子游戏的人以外,还有其他的junkies,对不对?
  
  M: Of course! For instance, my dad is a golf junkie. He goes to the golf course at least twice a week, and plays for hours.
  
  L: 没错,你爸爸真是个高尔夫球迷,一个星期要打两次,每次还要打好几个小时,那他肯定是退休了,不然那来那么多时间啊? 哎,Michael, 你可不可以再给我举几个不同的junkies的例子呢?
  
  M: Well, my friend Mitch, he is a sports junkie. He watches football in the fall, hockey in the winter, and baseball in the spring and summer. He finds a game on TV almost every day of the year, and he knows everything about every player.
  
  L: OK,所以你那个朋友Mitch,他呀是个大球迷。每天在电视上看球赛,秋天看足球,冬天就看曲棍球,春夏天又看棒球,而且还知道每一个球员呐。哇,真是个大球迷!
  
  M: That's right. We don't use the word "junkie" for just any fan. We use it for people who can't live without their hobby.
  
  L: 噢,所以junkies还是特别指那些没有这些嗜好就没办法活的人呐!
  
  M: Yeah, like you. You are a soap opera junkie. I've seen you run to the student union between classes just so you can watch soap operas on the TV there. You are a junkie!
  
  L: 什么?你说我是连续剧迷?我至少不像你对电子游戏那么迷。好了好了,快走吧,我们跟Jack还有Sarah约好要吃饭的。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#217
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Sound of video games)
  
  L: 嗨,Michael,我们得走啦,否则要迟到了。
  
  M: Mmm hmm. (sound continues) Ahh! Come on, come on!
  
  L: Michael, 把遥控器给我!
  
  M: Hey! Cut it out!
  
  L: (Click, TV turns off) 对不起,Michael,我们再不走要来不及了。你刚才说什么cut it out, 什么意思啊?
  
  M: No! I said "cut it out." That means "stop it!"
  
  L: 噢,cut it out就是说“别这样”?那这句话是在什么场合用的?
  
  M: If someone is doing something that annoys you, and you really want them to stop, you can use this phrase. For instance, I was busy playing that game when you tried to grab the controller from me. I wanted you to stop trying to grab it, so I said "cut it out".
  
  L: 噢,所以,谁要是做的事让你很讨厌,你要他别这么做,这个时候你就可以说这句话。就象刚才我要抢你的遥控器时,你就说cut it out, 就是让我别抢。看来,这个cut it out还挺有用的。
  
  M: You understand. So what do you say if someone starts throwing peanuts at you, like this.
  
  L: 你干吗拿花生扔我啊?Stop, ER... Cut it out, Michael!
  
  M: Very good. I guess you really have learned this phrase.
  
  Michael今天用扔花生来教李华怎么说cut it out,也就是“别这样!”。这回李华恐怕再也忘不了这个说法了。李华今天还学到 junkies这个词。意思是对某种嗜好,或好玩的事着了迷的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#218
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

a fish out of water
  
  to teach a fish how to swim
  
  在今天的节目里,我们要给大家介绍几个和鱼有关的习惯用语。中国人常常用「如鱼得水」来形容一个一切都很顺当的环境。美国人常用的一个俗语却刚好和「如鱼得水」相反,他们说:a fish out of water。从字面上解释就是:没有水的鱼。你肯定经历过一种场合,当时你觉得很不自然,和周围的人或环境格格不入。A fish out of water作为一个俗语,就是指这种感觉的。它的意思是某人和他所处的环境不融恰,使他感到很别扭、很难堪。
  
  比如说,我的一个朋友最近从一个国际会议回来后他对我说:
  
  例句-1: At the conference I was a fish out of water. All the speeches were in French, a language I never studied.
  
  他说:“参加那个会议真叫我感到别扭。所有人发表讲话的时候都用法语,可是我从来也没有学过法文。”
  
  每个人都会有感到别扭的时候,下面这个人碰到的场合又是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: Everybody else at the party ended up in the swimming pool. But I was a fish out of water because I can't swim.
  
  这人说:“参加聚会的每个人最后都到游泳池去游泳了,我真感到别扭,因为我不会游泳。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#219
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是谁想教鱼怎么游泳的话,那简直是班门弄斧,多余的了。下面我们要讲解的一个习惯用语就是这个意思:to teach a fish how to swim。To teach a fish how to swim作为俗语的意思是指班门弄斧:给别人提出完全没有必要的建议或劝告。你听了下面这位父亲的讲话就会知道他的儿子有多可笑了:
  
  例句-3: My son, fresh out of college, keeps telling me how to run my business. But I've been making good money for 30 years so he's teaching a fish how to swim.
  
  这位父亲说:“我的儿子大学刚毕业,可是他却不断地来告诉我应该怎么做生意。我三十年来生意做得很好,赚了不少钱。所以,他来告诉我怎么做生意简直是多余的。”
  
  这个儿子可能还不知道自己在做傻事。可是,有的人在事后发现自己做了类似的傻事会感到很难堪。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-4: The day after I got my private pilot's license, I told this man at the party all about how to fly an airplane. Later I learned he was an airline pilot who flew jumbo jets -- I'd been teaching a fish how to swim.
  
  这个人说:“我在得到飞行员执照后的一天,在一次聚会上告诉一个人怎么驾驶飞机。后来,我听说那个人是开大型喷气机的飞行员。我去告诉他怎么驾驶飞机真是多余,简直是班门弄斧。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#220
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Michael正坐在咖啡馆里喝咖啡。李华在看报。今天李华会学到两个常用语: check something out和to call something。
  
  M: What's in the news today, Li Hua? (sound of newspaper rustling)
  
  L: 有些什么新闻啊?噢,我没有在看新闻。我在看招聘人的广告,想找个临时工,赚点钱。
  
  M: Hmm, let me take a look. Hey, check this one out!
  
  L: 等等,让我看看。(read slowly) 招聘辅导两个孩子,要母语是中文的家庭教师。对了,Michael, 你刚才说什么:check this one out, 你是叫我把这报纸借出去啊?这儿又不是图书馆,而且,这报纸是我自己买的!
  
  M: No, I said "Check this one out!" "To check something out" means "to look at something closely".
  
  L: 噢,check something out就是“仔细看一看”的意思!那不就是“从图书馆里借书”的意思吗?
  
  M: Well, that 's the formal meaning of "to check something out." However, the informal meaning is to have a look at something.
  
  L: 原来to check something out可以指从图书馆借书,可是在不正式的场合就是“仔细看一看”的意思。那,这大概是非常口语的说法,对不对?
  
  M: Right! Ok, check this advertisement out.
  
  L: 看这个广告呀? Hmmm, 不行,不行,他们要找的家庭教师必须住在他们的地下室,还得要带孩子。算了算了吧!
  
  M: You know, Li Hua, you can also use "check it out" when you want someone to notice something, or pay attention. It pretty much means, "Whoa, look at that!"
  
  L: 噢,所以,你要让人注意什么事的时候也可以用check it out。是不是就象我们中文里说的:“你看哪!你看哪”的意思啊?
  
  M: That's right. Whoa, check it out, Li Hua! That building across the street is on fire.
  
  M: 什么?马路对面哪栋楼着火啦?哎,对呀,你看,那儿来了三辆救火车。哎哟,但愿没有人在那房子里。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#221
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Hey, check this out! Oh, I call this one!
  
  L: 让我看看! (sound of paper rustling) 招聘一位研究生,带几个孩子去参观纽约的博物馆和参加文艺活动。报酬优厚!嗨,这个工作太好了!
  
  M: No way, Li Hua! I already called this job!
  
  L: Michael, 你说什么?你已经给他们打过电话啦?
  
  M: No, that's not what I mean. I said, "I call this job." Whoever says "I call something" first has the first claim on whatever they called.
  
  L: 噢,Call something就是谁先说要这样东西,那这样东西就归谁?你先说你要这份工作,所以这工作就是你的!嗨,Michael, 你可别忘了,你是在帮我找工作!
  
  M: Actually, no one can call this job. We can both apply and see who gets it.
  
  L: 就是嘛,没有人可以call this job. 谁都能申请这份工作的!
  
  M: I know, I was just teasing you.
  
  L: 哎,好了,Michael, 你再给我举一个to call something的例子好不好?
  
  M: Heheh, Ok. When I was little, before my family went somewhere in the car, I would always yell, "I call the front seat!" My brother and I would always fight over who got to sit in the front seat.
  
  L: 啊,你小时候还和你弟弟抢汽车座位呀! 你呀,要是call the front seat, 你就可以坐在前面。吓,你还真好意思呢!
  
  今天李华又从Michael那儿学到两个常用语。 一个是to check something out, 在非常口语的情况下, to check something out是“仔细看看”的意思;另一个是to call something, 意思是:“谁先说,谁就有优先权得到某样东西”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#222
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

fish or cut bait
  
  cold fish
  
  有些人在处理问题的时候很果断,但是也有不少人前怕狼后怕虎,在处理问题的时候左顾右盼,迟迟不能做出决策。比如说,几个朋友一块儿去钓鱼。可是,其中一个人心不在焉,根本没有好好钓鱼。这时,他的朋友就会对他说:“Fish or cut bait。” Fish or cut bait在这个情况下的意思就是:“得了,你要不想钓鱼就乾脆去干别的。”
  
  Fish or cut bait从字面上来解释就是:你要就钓鱼,否则就切断你的鱼饵。换句话说,也就是你要不做这个,那就做那个,总得有所决定。Fish or cut bait作为俗语的意思就是:不要举棋不定,而要当机立断。
  
  比如说,有一个孩子刚从中学毕业,可是他什么也不想干,天天在家游荡。他的父亲就对他说:
  
  例句-1: Son, either go on to college or go out and find yourself a job. It's time to fish or cut bait!
  
  他说:“儿子呀,你要就去上大学,否则就出去给自己找个工作。是作出决定的时候啦!”
  
  下面的例子是一个经营汽车的人在对一位顾客说话:
  
  例句-2: Mister Wilson, you asked me to hold that red convertible until you made up your mind whether to buy it. Well, I've got another customer who wants it, so it's time for you to fish or cut bait.
  
  这个汽车商人说:“威尔逊先生,你要我把那辆红色敞篷车先留一下,等你作出决定究竟买不买。现在,另一位顾客想要买那辆车,所以,我得请你作出最后决定了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#223
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的习惯用语是:cold fish。Cold fish是指那些对人很冷淡,很不友好,根本没有意思和别人友好相处的人。这些人往往不受人欢迎。
  
  下面这个例子就能说明cold fish的意思。这是一些朋友在准备举行一个聚会,他们正在讨论请哪些人来参加这次聚会,其中一个人说:
  
  例句-3: Let's not invite Joe to the party: he's such a cold fish he'll spoil it for everybody else.
  
  这个人说:“别请乔伊来参加这次聚会。他这人对人太冷淡,太不友好。他来了会使其他所有人都扫兴的。”
  
  要是因为对人冷淡,不合群而不受人欢迎,不被人邀请去参加社交活动,那倒是小事。一个人能不能和别人友好相处往往还会影响到他的事业前途。下面这个例子就是最好的说明:
  
  例句-4: I'm not going to vote for that man for senator -- he's too much of a cold fish. I shook hands with him once and it was like shaking hands with a dead mackerel.
  
  说话的人很明显是一个选民。他说:“我才不投那个候选人的票呐。他实在是个很不友好的人。我有一次和他握手,那冷冰冰的样子简直是像和一条死鱼握手一样。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个和fish,也就是鱼有关的习惯用语。第一个是fish or cut bait。Fish or cut bait的意思就是:作出决定,不是干这个,就是去干那个。我们今天给大家介绍的第二个习惯用语是cold fish。Cold fish就是指那些对人很冷淡,性情怪僻,很不合群的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#224
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华在谈论著名演员阿诺施瓦辛格在加州当选州长的新闻。在谈话中李华会学到两个常用语: to crack somebody up和wannabe。
  
  (sound of TV news in the background)
  
  L: Michael, 你干吗这么关心加州的州长选举啊?你又没去过加州!
  
  M: (chuckles) I know, it's just the idea that Arnold Schwarzenegger is the new governor of California cracks me up! It's so funny!
  
  L: 你说阿诺选上加州州长让你什么啦?cracks-me-up?
  
  M: I said, "Cracks me up!" That means it makes me laugh. In fact, the whole California election cracks me up. It's all so ridiculous!
  
  L: 噢,我知道了,如果说什么事情cracks you up, 那就是说这件事让你觉得好笑。哎,可是,为什么加州选举会让你觉得好笑啊?
  
  M: Hehehe. For some reason, whenever I see Arnold giving a speech on TV, I just crack up.
  
  L: 你说,你只要在电视上看到阿诺讲话就觉得好笑,为什么呢?我觉得他比其他政客还好一些哎!
  
  M: He is not the same! He has a funny accent, and whenever I see him, I don't see Arnold, I see his characters from Terminator and Conan the Barbarian. (laughs at length) It just cracks me up!
  
  L: 啊,你一看见阿诺,就会想起他在电影里扮演的角色啊,难怪你觉得他的样子好笑。可是你嘲笑他说话有口音,这不太好吧!
  
  M: Oh who cares? Everyone laughs at Arnold's accent: (speaks in Arnie voice) "I just want to say to Governor Gray Davis, Hasta la vista, baby! You won't be baaack!"
  
  L: (laughs) 行了行了,Michael! (in English) You are cracking me up. (Chinese) 你啊,听起来一点也不象阿诺!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#225
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 你知道吧,Michael, 阿诺啊,他不仅仅是演员,他在经商方面也很有经验,而且看起来满有政治天才的,说不定他会是个很好的州长啊!
  
  M: What? Are you crazy? Arnold is barely even an actor. And he doesn't have any experience as a politician! He's a wannabe!
  
  L: 你说他是什么?A wannabe? Michael, 你不喜欢他可以,可是不应该这样骂他吧?
  
  M: I didn't call Arnold a rude name! I said that he's a wannabe politician. I meant he isn't a real politician, he just wants to be a real politician!
  
  L: 噢,我懂了。Wannabe,它的意思就是,“想成为某个人或者是某种人”。 所以,你说阿诺是个wannabe politician,就表示呢,他希望成为政治家,可是啊,他不是真正的政治家。那,wannabe这个词还有其它的意思吗?
  
  M: A "wannabe" is often someone who wants people to think they are a certain kind of person, even though they aren't the real thing.
  
  L: 噢,A wannabe还可以说,是要别人认为他是某种类型的人,虽然他们并不是那种人。
  
  M: Can you give me an example of a "wannabe," Li Hua?
  
  L: 嗯,让我想一想... 对了,很多中国学生都觉得我们系里的Anderson教授,他呀,是个wannabe中国专家。只去过中国几次,汉语啊说得乱七八糟,可是他总是做出很懂中国的样子。
  
  M: Yeah, he is a wannabe.
  
  L: 哎,Michael, 你呀,要是不好好练习中文的话,有一天,你也会成为一个wannabe中国专家!
  
  Michael和李华今天在谈论著名演员阿诺施瓦辛格在加州当选州长的新闻。在他们的谈话中,李华学到了两个很有用的说法:to crack somebody up是“让人发笑”的意思,wannabe指“希望成为某种人的人”。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#226
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to feast your eyes on
  
  to hit between the eyes
  
  世界各国的诗人写了好多诗来描写人的眼睛,有的把眼睛称为“灵魂的窗户”,还有的说,人们通过眼睛所表达的语言在世界各处都是共同的。今天我们就来给大家介绍几个和眼睛有关的习惯用语。中文里有“饱尝眼福”的说法。美国英语里也有类似的习惯用语。其中之一就是to feast your eyes on。Feast的意思是:宴请,举行盛大的筵席,或使人得到享受等。宴请你的眼睛,使你的眼睛得到享受,实际上也就是“饱尝眼福”的意思。To feast your eyes on这个说法可以应用到各个方面,比如说看到美貌的女子,欣赏自然风光,观赏艺术作品等。举个例子来说,一个到华盛顿来访问的人也许会说:
  
  例句-1: The place I enjoyed most was the National Gallery of Art. I spent a whole afternoon there feasting my eyes on all their modern paintings.
  
  这个人说:“我最喜欢的地方是国家艺术馆。我化了整整一个下午在那里欣赏他们的现代绘画,真是饱尝了眼福。”
  
  To feast your eyes on还可以用在食品方面。我们下面来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-2: I'm on diet trying to lose ten pounds, so I stopped to feast my eyes on the cakes in the bakery window, but resisted the temptation to go in and buy one to eat.
  
  这个人说:“我正在设法减肥,想减轻我的体重十磅。为此,我只是到那些面包房去饱饱眼福,但是尽量克制自己不进去买东西吃。”
  
  美国人一般来说是很喜欢吃蛋糕、奶油、冰淇淋等甜食。但是目前人们对食品中的糖份很敏感,特别是体重超重的人,往往克制自己的食欲而避免吃蛋糕之类的甜食。偶然吃了一点还好像犯了什么错误一样。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#227
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的第二个和eyes,也就是和“眼睛”有关的习惯用语是to hit between the eyes。To hit between the eyes听起来是好像是很痛苦的事,但是作为一个俗语,它的意思仅仅是:十分惊奇。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-3: When my wife told me we were going to have a baby, it hit me right between the eyes.
  
  这位不久就要当爸爸的人说:“当我的妻子告诉我她已经怀孕了的时候,我真是惊奇万分。”
  
  下面一个例子是一个学生在做家庭作业,他说:
  
  例句-4: I bet I fooled around with these equations for ten minutes but then all of a sudden the right answer hit me right between the eyes.
  
  他说:“我敢打赌,我在这些方程式上花了总总十分钟还没有得出答案。后来,不知怎么回事,我突然想出了正确的答案。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#228
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华正在尽情享受这星期才开始的假期。今天他们去参加了一个音乐会。Michael教会李华两个常用语:24-7和duh。
  
  L: Michael,这音乐会真不错,就是太长了。我啊快要饿死了!快去找个地方吃东西吧!
  
  M: Alright. There's a cafe on the corner over there, I think it's open 24-7.
  
  L: 对,前面就有家咖啡馆。你说那个cafe 24-7, 24-7是什么意思呀?
  
  M: I said it's open 24-7. You know the number 24, and seven, right? 24-7 means it is open all the time.
  
  L: 我知道了!就是说一天二十四小时,一个星期七天它都开门。对不对?
  
  M: You've got it! In the U.S. a lot of small diners, convenience stores and gas stations are open 24-7.
  
  L: 对,我看到一些小饭馆,还有一些杂货店还有加油站,他们都是二十四小时营业的。Michael, 那24-7是不是只能用在商店哪?
  
  M: Not at all! It can be used for anything. For instance, Li Hua, if you ever have an emergency, you can call me any time, 24-7.
  
  L: 噢,24-7可以用在任何场合。你说要是我遇到紧急情况,可以在任何时候打电话给你。Michael, 你真是太好了。不过,我想我可能会先打911。
  
  M: Yeah, that's probably a better idea. 911 operates 24-7. Li Hua, can you use this phrase now?
  
  L: 让我想想。有了。期终考试前,我肯定很多人为了准备考试,交报告晚上开夜车,所以可以说:Many students worked 24-7 before the finals. 对不对?
  
  M: You're right. I was also up 24-7 studying and writing before the finals.
  
  L: 那最后一个礼拜真够呛。现在总算轻松了。
  
  M: That's right! Woo Hoo! Hey, after we eat, let's go dancing somewhere.
  
  L: Michael,你还没有玩够呀!
  
  M: Now that we are on vacation, I'm ready to party 24-7!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#229
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael,这饭馆开门吗?
  
  M: Well, duh, Li Hua! The lights are on and there are people inside. What do you think?
  
  L: 你说什么? Duh? 那是骂人的意思吗?
  
  M: No, I didn't say anything bad! All I said was "duh". When someone says something that you think is very obvious, or asks you a stupid question, you can say "duh".
  
  L: Duh! 也就是说我刚才问这个饭馆有没有开门是个傻问题,所以你就说:duh!就像是我们中文里说的“废话”!Michael, 他们这里有咖啡吗?
  
  M: Duh, Li Hua. Of course they have coffee here. Practically every restaurant in the States has coffee.
  
  L: Michael, 我只不过随便问一句,你就又来duh, duh, duh...真讨厌!
  
  M: Oooh! Sounds like you are getting a little grumpy, Li Hua. I guess you are pretty tired, huh?
  
  L: Duh, Michael! 现在都已经半夜一点半了,你还问我累不累?我才该对你说“duh"!
  
  M: Ok, Ok, calm down. I'll just get a coffee to go, and give you a ride home. It sounds like you need some sleep.
  
  L: Duh! 我当然想睡觉了!不过,买了咖啡在路上喝,然后你开车送我回家。这倒是个好主意。
  
  M: I see you are not the kind of person who like to party 24-7!
  
  L: Duh! 我悃成这样,你看我是个喜欢整天整夜party的人吗?
  
  李华今天学到两个常用语,一个是:24-7,意思是一天二十四小时,一周七天都工作,或者是成天成夜地干什么事。另一个是:duh, 意思是:废话,当然咯。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#230
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

eyes pop out
  
  not even bat an eye
  
  人们在碰到突然的、出乎意料之外的事的时候往往会睁大了眼睛表示惊奇。美国人在形容这种情景时经常说: Somebody's eyes pop out.其实,中国人在形容某人感到十分惊奇时也经常说:那个人的眼珠子都快掉出来了。这和英文里的eyes pop out很相似。现在我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: My wife's eyes popped out when she saw the necklace I bought her for our twentieth wedding anniversary.
  
  这个人说:“在我们庆祝结婚二十周年时,我给我的妻子买了一条项链。当她看到那条项链时,她眼睛睁得可大了。”
  
  大家都可能知道,美国的离婚率是很高的,正因为如此,人们对结婚周年是很重视的,特别是逢十的结婚周年,如二十周年、三十周年等,一般当事人都要举行盛大庆祝活动。
  
  Have your eyes popped out还可以用在其它场合,下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: I hadn't seen my niece since she was a child, so when she visited town the other day my eyes popped out -- she's grown into a very beautiful young woman.
  
  这个人说:“我还是在我侄女是个孩子的时候见过她。自从那时起,我一直就没有机会见到她。因此,那天她突然来这儿访问使我感到十分惊奇。她已经长大,变成一个很漂亮的年轻少女了。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#231
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有的人不管发生什么大事,似乎从来也不会感到惊奇;他们总能保持镇静,连眼睛都不眨一下。这在英文里就是:Not even bat an eye。我们现在来举个例子来看看not even bat an eye是在句子里是怎么用的:
  
  例句-3: Bill didn't even bat an eye when they told him he had just won the lottery. He just shrugged and said, 'Well, I guess I can use the money.'
  
  这句话的意思是:“当比尔听到他中了头奖的时候,他连眼睛都没有眨一下,只是耸耸肩膀说:“行,我想这些钱是会有用的。”
  
  中了头奖不表现激动,这已经很不容易了。要是一个人在赌钱的时候输了钱,还能保持镇静的话那就更不容易了,可是比尔就能做到。请听和他一起赌钱的人是怎么说的:
  
  例句-4: Bill lost five thousand dollars on this one poker hand, but he didn't even bat an eye--he just shrugged and said, 'Easy come, easy go. Come on and deal the next hand!'
  
  这个人说:“比尔在仅仅打一付扑克牌游戏的过程中就输了五千美元。可是他眼睛都没眨一下;他只是耸耸肩说:“来得容易,去得容易。快,发牌吧。”
  
  今天我们讲几个习惯用语都是和眼睛,eyes有关的。首先我们讲了feast your eyes on和hit between the eyes(见61课)。我们还讲了eyes pop out。Eyes pop out是指当一个人在感到很惊奇的时候,眼睛睁的大大的。我们今天讲的另一个和eyes有关的俗语是not even bat an eye。Not even bat an eye是眼睛都不眨一下的意思。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#232
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael正在设法买票和李华一起去看世界职业棒球赛的决赛。李华学到了两个习惯用语:to strike out 和to pull something off。
  
  M: Well, Li Hua, I struck out again. It looks like my cousin won't have any world series tickets to sell to us after all.
  
  L: 你说什么?Struck out? 这跟买球票有什么关系?
  
  M: I said I struck out again. Struck out means that I failed after trying several times.
  
  L: 噢,我想起来了!棒球赛里就有strike out这个说法。如果一个击球手三次击球不中,他就strike out, 也就是“三振出局”。所以,strike out的意思是,一件事做了几次也不成功。
  
  M: That's right. Looks like you've got a good grasp of the rules of baseball. Why don't you try and use it in a sentence.
  
  L: 嗯,让我想想。对了,我一个朋友申请了几个学校的研究院,可是没有一所学校接受她。 (English) So, she completely struck out.
  
  M: There you go. You know, even if your friend struck out this year, I hope she tries again. I remember the first year I applied to graduate school, I struck out too. But I learned from my mistakes, and eventually found a good school that accepted me.
  
  L: 原来你和我朋友一样也有申请研究院失败的经历,可是吸取教训后你就成功了,希望我朋友也会如此。
  
  M: Yeah, I was rather pleased to get into graduate school. Too bad I still strike out with the girls. None of the good ones want to go out with me.
  
  L: 嘿嘿,别担心,Michael, 你要求不要太高,一定会找到你喜欢的女孩的。你总不可能一直在这方面strike out吧!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#233
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 嘿 Michael, 你到底有没有买到棒球决赛的球票啊?
  
  M: No, to tell you the truth, Li Hua, I don't think I can pull it off. There simply are no tickets for sale.
  
  L: 你说什么? Pull it off? 你还在想办法,对不对?
  
  M: I said I don't think I can pull it off. To pull something off - Pull. P U L L. Off. O F F, means to succeed at something very difficult, usually unexpectedly.
  
  L: 噢,To pull something off就是出人意料地做成一件很困难的事情。哎,Michael, 你再举个例子好不好?
  
  M: Ok, most of our friends didn't think that Beijing would be allowed to host the 2008 Olympics, but in the end Beijing pulled it off! I was really surprised.
  
  L: 对,很多人以为中国申办奥运不会成功,但是中国试了几次,终于成功, 也就是pulled it off。Michael, 凭你对中国的了解,你不应该感到惊讶才对嘛。
  
  M: Yeah. I guess so. Anyway, as for the tickets, I don't think I can pull this off.
  
  L: 为什么买棒球赛的票那么难啊?
  
  M: The series has already started, the tickets were sold months ago, and the only people selling them on the Internet want at least $600 a ticket for game 7.
  
  L: 电脑上买票还要六百美元一张?这也太过份了吧?哎,Michael, 反正我对棒球也没兴趣,你就不用给我买票了。
  
  M: You know, Li Hua, I spent the whole afternoon calling people and trying to find tickets. I wish you had said something sooner.
  
  L: 对不起,我知道你花了很多时间。可是,我没想到你这么没能耐,试了半天还是struck out!
  
  Michael和李华想买职业棒球赛的球票,可是没有买到。李华学到了两个习惯用语:to strike out和to pull something off。Strike out表示一件事做了几次都没有成功。To pull something off表示出人意料地做成了一件很困难的事情。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#234
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to keep one's eyes peeled
  
  to have the wool over one's eyes
  
  美国人似乎有不少用眼睛这个字,也就是英文里的eyes这个字组成的成语和俗语。我们曾经在前面的课文中给大家介绍过eyes pop out,这是指某个人在感到十分惊奇的时候,眼睛睁得大大的,似乎连眼珠子都快掉出来了。但是,眼睛睁大的时候并不完全是出于惊奇。
  
  比如说,当你在交通十分拥挤的情况下开车的时候,你一定会很紧张。这时,你的眼睛就会张得大大的,注意地看周围是否有危险的情况。美国人有一个常用的俗语用来形容这种情景的: to keep one's eyes peeled. To keep one's eyes peeled实际上就是提高警觉的意思。住在华盛顿的人经常会说:
  
  例句-1: "The beltway is very dangerous to drive on, especially during the rush hour. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled when you change lanes to pass one of those big trucks they call eighteen wheelers."
  
  这句话的意思是:“在环绕华盛顿地区的这条高速公路上开车是非常危险的,特别是上下班交通最忙的时候。所以,当你要改换车道,超过那种十八个轮子大卡车的时候,你一定要十分警觉。”
  
  有的时候,那些做坏事的罪犯也会用to keep one's eyes peeled这个俗语。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: "Joe, I'm going to have to drill this lock out of the door for us to get in. The drill will make some noise, so keep your eyes peeled for the cops."
  
  这个罪犯在做案的时候对他的同夥说:“乔伊,我得把这门上的锁钻下来,这样我们才能进去。我钻的时候会有声音,所以你得睁大眼睛,注意看有没有警察。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#235
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是你老是很警觉的话,也就是说要是你老是keep your eyes peeled,你就可能会避免受人蒙蔽。美国人经常说: to have the wool pulled over one's eyes。
  
  To have the wool pulled over one's eyes,这个习惯用语的意思就是:蒙蔽某人。美国是一个自由贸易的国家,但是在做生意的过程中受骗也是经常发生的。下面有关一位黄先生的例子就能说明问题:
  
  例句-3: "Poor Mr. Brown--his partner certainly pulled the wool over his eyes. He had no idea the partner was stealing all the profits until the man suddenly left town."
  
  这句话的意思是:“可怜的黄先生,和他合伙的人肯定欺骗了他。黄先生一直不知道那人在偷偷地把赚来的钱放到自己口袋里去,直到那人突然一走不返,这才使他恍然大悟。”
  
  To pull the wool over one's eyes这个俗语也可以用在其他方面,下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: "I won't vote for that politician again. I've seen him pull the wool over the eyes of the voters with lots of promises, but he never carries them out once he gets into office."
  
  这句话翻到中文就是说:“我不会再投那个政客的票了。我已经看到他向选民们许好多愿来蒙蔽他们。但是,一旦当选,他所作的保证一个也没有兑现过。”
  
  我们今天讲解了两个和eyes这个字有关的俗语,第一个是to have one's eyes peeled,这是指提高警觉。我们今天讲的第二个俗语是to pull the wool over one's eyes,这是欺骗别人的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#236
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华终于把明天要交的一份报告写完了。她松了一口气,想出去轻松一下。她决定先去看看Michael在干什么。今天,李华会学到两个常用语:dumb blonde和bimbo。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua. What brings you here?
  
  L: 没事。刚写完明天要交的报告,想休息一下。哎,你在看电视剧Friends呀?我看过,我很喜欢Pheobe. 就是那个金发女孩,她真滑稽。
  
  M: Yeah, she's a real dumb blonde.
  
  L: 你叫她dumb blonde? 什么意思呀? Dumb不是指一个人很笨吗?blonde是金发。很笨的金发女郎啊?
  
  M: You're right. Dumb blonde. We often joke that blonde women are usually pretty but not very intelligent.
  
  L: 噢,原来你们老把金发女郎说成是很漂亮,可是却很笨。 象Pheobe也一样,很漂亮,但是老说傻话,也是个dumb blonde。可是,说人家笨不是很不礼貌吗?
  
  M: Yes, that's why we would never say this to someone's face. It's usually only used as a joke behind people's backs.
  
  L: 原来这是作为笑话来讲的,绝对不能当着一个金发女郎的面说dumb blonde. Michael,你真认为金发的女人真的都很笨吗?
  
  M: No, we often used the term as a joke. Most of the jokes about dumb blondes are not true.
  
  L: 我想也是,有金发的人不见得就是比别人笨。Michael, 你给我讲一个关于dumb blonde的笑话吧!
  
  M: OK. A crying blonde asked a policeman for help to find her lost dog. The policeman suggested that she put an ad in the paper. The blonde responds: "I can't, because my dog can't read." Li Hua, do you understand the joke?
  
  L: 听懂了。一个金发女郎的狗丢了。她一面哭一面要一个警察帮她把狗找回来。警察建议她在报上登个广告。可是,这个金发女郎说:“不行,我的狗不识字。” Michael, 我才不信有这么笨的人。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#237
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 那天我们上历史课的时候,那个女学生问教授谁是美国的第一任总统。这可真傻,不过她不是金发女郎。那我该怎么说她呢?
  
  M: Well, you can call her a bimbo. Bimbo is a very dumb woman, not necessarily a blonde.
  
  L: 你的意思是,bimbo可以指笨的女人,不管她是不是金发女郎。
  
  M: That's right. Remember last week in class, a girl asked who won World War II, the Germans or the Japanese? What a silly question, she's a real bimbo.
  
  L: 对,我记得!她问第二次大战是德国人胜还是日本人胜,提得出这样问题的人才真是个bimbo。
  
  M: Yeah, it's scary that an American did not even know who our first president was or who won World War II. But it's still not nice to call her bimbo, though.
  
  L: 我知道,虽然提这样的问题很傻, 不过也不能当她们的面叫她们bimbo. 这样会伤害她们自尊的。
  
  M: I know you wouldn't. Just want to warn you.
  
  L: 哟,Michael, 我和一个朋友约好在中国城见面的,我得去搭地铁了。我要来不及了!
  
  M: To Chinatown? Two blocks away!You can walk there in 5 minutes, why do you want to take subway? You're such a bimbo!
  
  L: 噢,再过两条街就是中国城?我还以为要坐地铁呢!嗨, Michael, 我路不熟这也算bimbo呀!你真没礼貌!我走了!
  
  M: Sorry, bye!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:dumb blonde, 这是用来笑话那些金发女郎,看起来很漂亮,但是脑子很笨。另一个是:bimbo。Bimbo是指笨的女人,不管是不是金发。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#238
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to keep one's eye on the ball
  
  eye-opener
  
  我们再给大家介绍一个又eye组成的俗语:To keep one's eye on the ball。To keep one's eye on the ball这个常用语原先是来自球类运动,如网球、高尔夫球、垒球等。你一定要把眼睛看准了才能打到这些球。下面这个垒球运动员说的话就能说明问题:
  
  例句-1: We were playing Chicago there and the crowd was yelling and booing and waving handkerchiefs to distract us. But I kept my eye on the ball, swung as hard as I could and hit a home run. That Chicago crowd sure quieted down as I jogged around the bases.
  
  这位垒球手说:“我们那时正在芝加哥和当地一个球队比赛,看球的人群又喊又嚷,还挥动手绢想分散我们的注意力。可是,我集中精力,使出所有的劲儿来打球,结果打了一个本垒打。这下,当我沿着垒跑的时候,芝加哥的观众就变得很安静了。”
  
  让我们来举一个汽车推销员的例子吧。这个人家里有些事不顺心,使他在工作时很分散精力。于是,他的老板就把他叫到办公室去对他说:
  
  例句-2: Tom, your sales record is way down the past six months. You've only sold 17 cars all this time. You'd better start keeping your eye on the ball, or you'll find yourself looking for another job.
  
  这位老板说:“汤姆,你的销售量在过去半年里一直很低。你在这段时间里一共才卖了十七辆汽车。你还是集中注意力地工作,否则,你恐怕得另找工作了。”还有一个由eye这个字组成的、非常有用的习惯用语是eye-opener。Eye-opener是一个字。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#239
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Eye-opener有两个意思,一个是表示惊奇,就像下面这个女子所表达的情绪:
  
  例句-3: Of course, John and I have had a few problems, just like most married couples. But I always felt we had a good, solid marriage. So it was a terrible eye-opener when I opened the letter he'd left on the kitchen table and found out he'd run off with his old college sweetheart.
  
  这个被抛弃的妻子说:“当然,约翰和我是有一些矛盾,就像大多数夫妻一样。但是,我一直认为我们的婚姻是有牢固基础的。所以,当我打开他留在厨房桌上的信,知道他和他以前大学里的女朋友出走了的时候,我真是非常惊奇。”
  
  Eye-opener的另一意思是:开阔了眼界。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-4: Seeing those color films the astronauts took off the earth on their flight to the moon was certainly an eye-opener. I never realized how beautiful and how lonely our planet looks hanging there in space.
  
  这句话的意思是:“看到宇航员在登上月球时拍的那些有关地球的彩色照片真是开了眼界。我从来也不知道我们的地球在空间是这么美丽、这么孤单。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#240
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和Michael在讨论做生意的事。 李华会学到两个常用语:to make a killing和to break even.
  
  M: Li Hua, what are you looking at on the Internet?
  
  L: 噢,我想在网上买个做豆腐的机器。我和一个朋友想做了豆腐周末拿到农民集市上去卖。 你说有人会买吗?
  
  M: Of course people would buy your tofu! You'd make a killing!
  
  L: Make a killing? 做豆腐和杀人有什么关系?
  
  M: No, I said you'd "make a killing". "To make a killing" means to earn a lot of money quickly through some kind of lucrative business.
  
  L: 唷, to make a killing就是通过做生意赚了许多钱! Michael, 这么说,你认为我们这个生意能做得成,是吗?我不知道美国人是不是爱吃豆腐呐。
  
  M: Of course! A lot of people who don't eat meat, or who want to eat healthy foods eat tofu. Also, there are a lot of Chinese in this part of town. I'm sure you'll make a killing.
  
  L: 对,好多美国人现在健康意识很强,不吃肉,爱吃豆制品。Michael, 你说得没错,这一带中国人也很多,肯定有人会买新鲜豆腐的。Michael, 你能不能再给我举一个例子呀?
  
  M: Well, for instance, my uncle Roger made a killing in real estate. A few years ago, he bought a lot of land and then rich people started building houses in the area, and he made a lot of money.
  
  L: 你叔叔几年前买了好多地,然后有钱人在这些地上盖房子,所以他就通过房地产生意赚了好多钱!他可真有远见呐!
  
  M: You can also say to make a killing in the stock market, in the insurance business or even in the tofu business!
  
  L: 噢,to make a killing in the stock market就是通过买卖股票赚了好多钱,in the insurance business就是保险业。可是,我想靠卖豆腐大概不会make a killing --赚不了太多钱。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#241
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Don't worry about losing money, Li Hua. At the very least, you will break even.
  
  L: 你说我至少会什么?break even?
  
  M: "To break even" means to neither lose nor gain money. If you do some business and are able to cover the costs of the business, but don't make a profit, you are breaking even.
  
  L: 噢,那就是既不赚钱,也不亏本。做豆腐的机器不是太贵,所以,你说得对,要做到收支相抵, 也就是break even, 应该不会有问题。
  
  M: Even if you don't earn a lot of money, if you break even you lose nothing, plus you get to enjoy lots of fresh tofu.
  
  L: 唷,你倒想得好,不赚不赔没什么损失,还能吃好多新鲜豆腐!你不就是想不出钱白吃豆腐嘛!对不对?
  
  M: What? I don't care that much about tofu. Stop being silly and use this phrase in a sentence.
  
  L: 嗯...有了。我和我的朋友Regina上星期第一次去大西洋赌城玩。开始我们各自出了50 美元,可是不到一小时全输光了。后来我们两人各出10美元,合在一起,结果终于把100美元又赚了回来。所以,In the end, we broke even.
  
  M: (Sarcastically) Wow. $50. Good thing you were able to break even, or you'd have to sleep in a cardboard box on the sidewalk.
  
  L: Michael, 别小看人哪!输了50美元,我就得睡在马路上的纸箱里呀?哎,不过,说实话,50美元是不少钱,我本来就不该去赌钱。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:to make a killing, 意思是做生意在短期内赚了很多钱。另一个是:to break even, 意思是做生意没有亏本,也没有赚钱。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#242
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

flea market
  
  to clam up
  
  科学家们说,世界上有许多昆虫对人类是有益的,但是也有好多小虫子使人感到讨厌,特别是跳蚤,它虽小,但是咬起人来很利害,而且还可能会传染致命的病菌。可是,美国人倒是很喜欢跳蚤市场。跳蚤市场在英文里就是叫:flea market。
  
  什么是flea market呢?Flea market实际上和跳蚤一点关系都没有。Flea market是一种往往在周末举行的非正式集市,flea market一般都是在户外,而且那儿有许多摊贩出售各种各样的东西,有不少都是用过的旧东西,新的东西也有,但是质量一般都比较差,价钱也很便宜。可是,要是你眼光敏锐的话,你能花很少的钱买到很有价值的古董和其他东西,就像下面这个人一样:
  
  例句-1: I was lucky when I went to the flea market today. In the middle of all the worthless junk I found a carved jade Chinese snuff bottle and bought it for five dollars: the seller didn't know what it was.
  
  这个人说:“我今天去跳蚤市场,运气还真不错。在那些毫无用处的破玩意儿堆里,我找到一个中国鼻烟壶,是用玉做的,上面还有雕刻。我才花了五块钱。卖东西的人根本不知道那是什么东西。”
  
  有的人很容易伤感,看到一些旧的东西就触景生情,钩起他们对以往的回忆。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: For me a flea market is a sad place--all those memories of the past: stuff that used to be precious to people who have died or grown old or just moved away.
  
  这人说:“在我看来,跳蚤市场是一个令人伤感的地方,市场上卖的东西过去对一些人来说都是很宝贵的,但是他们老的老了,死的死了,有的人也已经不知去向了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#243
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语也很有趣,有时也很有用:to clam up。Clam在中文里就是蛤蜊,当蛤蜊外面的壳关起来的时候,你要想把它打开是不容易的。因此,clam up的意思就是嘴巴闭得紧紧的。当然,在不同场合,它的意思也就有所不同。下面这个例子是一个人听他朋友讲话听得太腻味了,于是他对他的朋友说:
  
  例句-3: Hey, clam up, will you! I've heard enough already about how hard you work in the office!
  
  这个人说:“咳,你别说了,行不行!我已经听够了你在办公室工作多卖力的话了。”
  
  下面这个例子的情况可完全不同了。这是要这个人说话,可是他偏不说:
  
  例句-4: The cops found a man they know was a witness to the murder. But he has clammed up and won't talk--he's afraid the killer's mob will come after him if he testifies in court.
  
  这句话的意思是:“警察找到了一个人,他们知道他是一起谋杀案的目击者。可是,他嘴巴很紧,什么也不肯说,他怕要是他出庭作证,那个谋杀集团不会放过他。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#244
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华在打台球。从Michael的谈话中,李华学到两个常用语: to fork something over和to get over something.
  
  L: (sound of pool balls clicking) 嗨,别进去,别进去呀! 啊呀,我怎么又输了这关键的球呢!这下好了...
  
  M: That's too bad, Li Hua. Looks like you owe me five dollars. Come on, fork it over!
  
  L: 对,我们赌了五块钱,输了就给你,有什么了不起。可什么是fork it over?
  
  M: To fork something over means to pay or give something, usually money. You lost a 5 dollar bet, so you need to fork over five dollars!
  
  L: 噢,to fork it over原来就是付钱,或者给什么东西。Michael,你再举个例子,好不好?
  
  M: Before I left China, I bought a lot of souvenirs. At the train station, a worker told me that my bags were too heavy, and I was made to pay a fine. I had to fork over 80 yuan, 八十块!
  
  L: 行李太重就被罚了八十块人民币!可能是坑你是外国人吧!嗨,你本来就不该买那么多礼品。而且你买的都不是什么好东西,瞧那条石头雕的龙,真难看!
  
  M: Hey, I forked over 350 yuan for that statue! Don't make fun of it!
  
  L: You forked over 350 yuan for that thing? 出350块买那条龙呀?老天爷,Michael, 那玩意儿恐怕还不值50块人民币呢。
  
  M: Well, anyway, you need to fork over my 5 dollars now, please.
  
  L: 你那么着急要我给你五块钱干嘛?
  
  M: Go over to the bar and get us some beers. My treat!
  
  L: 要我拿那五块钱去买啤酒,还算你请客!Macheal, 你真好意思呐!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#245
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 我刚才怎么会又输给你呢,真是难以相信。真倒霉!
  
  M: Please, Li Hua, its a game of pool. Get over it!
  
  L: Get what? 你说什么?Get-over-it?
  
  M: I said "get over it". To get over something means to stop feeling bad about something, to forget about something bad.
  
  L: To get over it就是不要为了某件事老感到难受,要把它忘掉。你的意思是要我忘掉我输给你五块钱?
  
  M: Well, you don't need to completely forget about losing -- but just don't let the fact that you lost bother you. Get over it!
  
  L: 对,完全忘掉恐怕是不行,但是别老放在心里。 Michael, 我是跟你开玩笑的啦。不过,to get over it这个说法好像很有用,再给我举个例子吧。
  
  M: My aunt's husband was killed in the Vietnam war. She never completely got over his death. She sometimes talks about him as if he were still alive.
  
  L: 你姨夫在越南战争里被打死已经那么久了,你阿姨到现在有时还以为他还活着。我听了都感到难受,你别举这么伤心的例子好吗?
  
  M: Ok, let me see -- when I was eight, I had a puppy. I really loved that dog! But the dog got sick, and never got over the illness.
  
  L: 哟,你八岁时候养的小狗后来病死啦!Michael! 我最心痛这种小动物了,我都快要哭了。
  
  M: Li Hua, please! Don't cry . That was years ago! Besides, it wasn't even your dog.
  
  L: 说的也是,那么多年前的事了,而且也不是我的狗。可能我喝酒喝太多了。
  
  M: Hey, you'd better finish that! I forked over five dollars for these beers!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:to fork it over, 意思是给什么东西,或付钱。另一个是:to get over it, 意思是忘掉不愉快的事情。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#246
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

baloney
  
  kickback
  
  有些人很善于说谎,或者是在形容某些事物的时候夸大其词。下面我们给大家介绍一个美国人在这方面常用的俗语:baloney。人们用baloney这个字来形容某些人说的话一钱不值。比如说,有一个叫琼斯的人向老板提出要求加工资。老板说了些好听的话就把他打发走了。回到家里,当琼斯太太问起这件事时,琼斯说:
  
  例句-1: Honey, the old man told me what a great job I'm doing and how I am so valuable to the company. But he said the company isn't making enough money right now to give anybody a raise, he thinks he may be able to do something about it a year from now. But I'm afraid all he gave me was a lot of baloney.
  
  琼斯对他太太说:“亲爱的,那老头说我工作做得如何好,我对公司来说又是如何重要。但是,他说,当前公司没有足够的收入来给每个人加工资。他说明年他也许能想办法给我加工资。不过,他说的那些话恐怕多半都是空话。”
  
  政客们在竞选的时候经常会遭到对方的攻击,他们也经常用baloney这个字来回击对方。例如,一个参加竞选的议员看到对方在电视和报纸上指责他和一些大企业的关系太密切。然后,他就在记者会上说:
  
  例句-2: Baloney! That's all it is when my opponent keeps saying that my voting record always favors big business over the average citizen. Let me say it again: that's nothing but baloney!
  
  这个议员说:“胡说!我的对立面说我在投票时老是从大企业的利益出发,而不考虑一般老百姓。让我再重复一遍:他们的这些话纯属一派胡言。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#247
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

可是,在现实生活中我们也确实看到有的政客老是维护有钱人的利益,有的还甚至接受贿赂。美国人把那些政府官员接受的贿赂称为:kickback。政府官员接受贿赂是违反美国联邦、州和其它地方法律的,可能会受到严厉的惩罚。请听一位电台记者广播的一则新闻:
  
  例句-3: John Doe, the former head of the City Public Works Department, went on trial today in the district court. He is charged with taking a 50,000-dollar kickback from the Blank Construction Company after giving them a 3 million dollars contract to repair the city streets.
  
  这句话的意思是:“以前市政工程部的头头多伊约翰今天在地区法院受审。他的罪名是接受布兰克建筑公司给他的五万美元贿赂,以换取他给该公司一项价值三百万美元修理街道的合同。”
  
  下面是一个选民在讲他们地区的一位议员:
  
  例句-4: We thought our congressman was a sure bet to be re-elected. But he's in real trouble--his opponent charges him with getting kickbacks for voting a certain way and seems to have some evidence to prove it.
  
  他说:“大家都以为我们的议员肯定会再次当选的,但是他现在可碰到麻烦事了,他的对手指责他在对某项提案进行投票方面接受贿赂,而且他们好像还有证据。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个美国人常用的俗语,它们是:baloney和kickback。Baloney是指胡说八道,kickback是指官员接受贿赂。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#248
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华在学校的书店里买书。李华会学到两个常用语:hot和to have a crush on someone。
  
  M: Li Hua, do you see that girl over there?
  
  L: 你是说那个穿红毛衣的女孩?她怎么啦?
  
  M: She's so hot! I've seen her around campus before and I would really love to meet her.
  
  L: 你在校园里见过她,还想认识她。嗯,她是很漂亮。不过,你又没跟她说过话,你怎么知道她很热呢?
  
  M: No, silly. To say someone is "hot" means that he or she is really attractive. That girl over there is definitely hot.
  
  L: 噢,说一个人hot是说她很漂亮,很有吸引力,而不是感觉很热的意思。
  
  M: That's right, Li Hua. Now, you know who I think is hot. Tell me who do you think is hot?
  
  L: 没错,我现在知道你喜欢谁了。至于我喜欢谁嘛,嗯...电影演员汤姆.克鲁斯 - Tom Cruise - 怎么样?I think he's hot!
  
  M: Tom Cruise? No, I mean someone you really have a chance of going out with.
  
  L: 噢,要能够一起出去玩的人呐?
  
  M: Yes, I mean you are not very likely to meet Tom Cruise. Besides, he's a little old now.
  
  L: 说得也是,要想认识Tom Cruise恐怕是不太可能的。他当然比以前老了,不过,我觉得他还是很有风度的--He's very hot。
  
  M: Now, come on, who do you think is hot?
  
  L: 你想知道我心目里谁最hot呀?我才不告诉你呢,免得你泄露了我的机密。
  
  M: Fine, be that way, but I will find out sooner or later.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#249
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎, Michael, 你喜欢的那个女孩去付钱了。要不要我去跟她说话?和她认识以后再给你介绍一下。
  
  M: NO!
  
  L: 为什么?你是信不过我,还是怕羞呀?
  
  M: I'm not sure. Besides, I don't want her to know that I have a crush on her. She might not even like me.
  
  L: 你不要她知道什么?You have a crush on her -- 这是什么意思?
  
  M: "To have a crush on someone" means you really like the person.
  
  L: 噢,to have a crush on someone就是喜欢某人。那我喜欢你,你是我的好朋友,我能不能说I have a crush on you呢?
  
  M: No, "to have a crush on someone" means you like that person romantically.
  
  L: 噢,对不起,刚才没弄清楚。 所以,to have a crush on someone是说对异性有好感,希望和这个人谈恋爱,才能这么说。那我能说I have a crush on Tom Cruise吗?
  
  M: Yes, that would be appropriate. But when are you going to like someone you actually have a chance of meeting.
  
  L: 你想知道我真的要谁做男朋友啊?这种事我怎么能告诉你啊。
  
  M: Why not? Don't you trust me?
  
  L: 这不是什么信任不信任的问题。好,等你告诉那个女孩你喜欢她以后我再告诉你,好不好?
  
  M: Then I guess I won't know who you have a crush on any time soon.
  
  L: 啊呀,你真是没胆量。怪不得你交不到女朋友呢!
  
  Michael和李华在学校的书店里买书,李华学到了两个常用语。hot是指一个人对异性很有魅力和吸引力;to have a crush on someone是指对异性有好感。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#250
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to get a kick out of
  
  to kick the bucket
  
  美国多年来有一首流行歌曲,它的名字叫“I get a kick out of You.” Kick就是用脚踢的意思,不管是人的脚,或是马的脚,被踢的人一般来说是会感到很痛的。但是,这首歌的名字“I Get A Kick Out of You”却毫无痛苦之意,相反的,它的意思是:由于你的爱情使我感到快乐和激动。下面这个例子里的年轻人发现自己对过去半年里有时一起出去玩的那个女孩产生了爱慕之心。他对这位姑娘说:
  
  例句-1 : Say, Barby, let me tell you something. I really get a kick out of being around you. If you feel the same way about me, maybe we ought to get serious and think about getting engaged to each other.
  
  这个年轻人说:“咳,芭比,我有些想法要告诉你。和你在一起真使我感到非常愉快。要是你对我也有同样的感觉的话,那我们得认真对待我们的关系,考虑我们是否应该订婚了。”
  
  To get a kick out of这个俗语并不完全和爱情联系在一起。它可以用于任何一个使你高兴的人,或任何一样令你喜爱和激动的东西。例如:一个成年人在说他自己的爱好:
  
  例句-2: I'm not a kid anymore but I still get a big kick out of going to see a circus. The elephants, the clowns, the acrobats--they make me feel like a kid again.
  
  他说:“我已经不是个孩子了。但是,每次去看马戏总是使我感到非常高兴和激动,那些大象、小丑和杂技、使我感到我好像又成了一个小孩子似的。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#251
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们还要讲一个由kick这个字组成的俗语,那就是:to kick the bucket。尽管这个俗语也同样有kick这个字,但是它的意思却全然不同。To kick the bucket,它的意思是:一个人死了。特别要指出的是,to kick the bucket这个用法一般是对死者不太尊重的,所以在有礼貌的谈话中不太使用这一俗语。我们来举个例子吧:有一个人骑了马到一个农场去找他以前的老朋友Charley,到了那儿,农场的一个人对他说:
  
  例句-3: Your old friend Charley's not working here any more. In fact we heard he kicked the bucket down in Texas last winter; he got kicked in the head by a horse he was trying to saddle up.
  
  这人告诉他:“你的老朋友查理已经不在这儿做了。事实上,我们听说他去年冬天已经在得克萨斯州死了。他在套马的时候,那匹马往他的头上踢了一脚。”
  
  To kick the bucket这个俗语也可以用于动物。例如:
  
  例句-4: That old dog next door finally kicked the bucket. He was sixteen years old, toothless, blind and could hardly get around. Sixteen years is a long time for a dog, so it was time for him to go.
  
  这句话的意思是:“隔壁的那条狗终于死了。那狗已经有十六岁了、牙都没了、又瞎、行动也不方便。十六岁了,对狗来说也是时候了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#252
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华刚上完课在学生休息室里聊天。李华会学到两个常用语:out of line和to trash something.
  
  L: 嗨, Michael,刚才我听到历史课的教授在对你嚷嚷,什么事呀?
  
  M: I argued with him because I thought that a book he's assigning us to read is no good. I guess I was out of line.
  
  L: 你说教授指定要我们看的书不好!你真是没有分寸。嗯,你刚才还说什么来啦?Out of line? Line, 是l-i-n-e这个字吗?那不是排队的意思吗?
  
  M: No, "to be out of line" means to speak or act when it is not appropriate, especially when dealing with someone who is your superior.
  
  L: To-be-out-of-line就是话说得不恰当,或者是做事做得不合适,特别是对长辈。那不就是我刚才说的“没分寸”吗?我们中国人对长辈特别要有礼貌,哪有象你那样跟教授争论的嘛!
  
  M: Well, in America, you're not always out of line when you disagree with your teacher. Still, I was wrong to criticize our professor so loudly in front of the whole class.
  
  L: 我知道,美国学生和老师辩论是很正常的。可是,象你那样在全班同学面前对教授大声嚷嚷,那才是出了格,out of line。Michael,out of line只是指你和长辈说话没有分寸吗?
  
  M: Not always. For instance, I once told my classmate he should break up with his girlfriend. The two of them had been together for many years. I was not a close friend of this guy, so I was out of line to say that.
  
  L: 你要你同学和他女朋友分手?你跟这个同学又不熟。哎哟,你不仅是out of line, 你简直是疯了-- out of your mind!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#253
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael,我觉得那教授对你大声嚷嚷也有点过份。
  
  M: Well, I really trashed the book he was asking us to read. I probably should have been a little more tactful.
  
  L: 噢,你还把那本书扔到垃圾桶里啦?那可真是太没礼貌啦!
  
  M: What are you talking about? I didn't throw anything in the trash. I said I "trashed the book". That means I said really bad things about it.
  
  L: 噢,to trash the book不是把书扔到垃圾桶里,而是把它说成一钱不值。
  
  M: Last year I made a professor angry because I trashed General MacArthur in a history class. I wrote a paper on his mistakes in the Korean War.
  
  L: 去年你写了一篇论文例举了麦卡瑟将军在韩战中的种种错误?我怎么不知道呀?Michael, 你不能老是这么贬低历史人物嘛!对了,除了书和人以外,to trash something还能用在别的地方吗?
  
  M: You can trash anything. For instance (sips coffee), this coffee is horrible! It tastes like dishwater.
  
  L: 这咖啡象洗碗水?我觉得还可以嘛。有什么东西你觉得好吃的吗?
  
  M: Not really. That's the problem with Americans. We don't have good taste in food or drink. Americans don't understand what good cheese, bread or chocolate taste like. We always eat junk.
  
  L: 你听听,现在你又在贬低美国人了,说他们不知道什么是好吃的,不懂得什么是好的奶酪、面包和巧克力,老是吃那些垃圾食品。 Now you're "trashing" your own country.
  
  M: Hey, this is a free country. I can trash America anyway I want.
  
  L: 把自己的国家说得一钱不值似乎也有点out of line了。你这个人啊,就是爱看到反面的东西。嗨(sighs) Whatever.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:out of line, 意思是没有分寸,出格。另一个是:to trash something, 是把什么东西说成一钱不值。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#254
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to kick up one's heels
  
  to kick off
  
  人们大概都看到过一匹年轻的俊马在宽阔的草原上兴高彩烈地奔跑的情景吧!这是一幅很美丽的图象。马的前腿往前伸展,后腿很有节奏地往上踢。美国有一个俗语就是建筑在这一形像之上的。这个俗语就是:to kick up one's heels。To kick up one's heels,从字面上来解释就是:把后脚往上踢。但是,实际上to kick up one's heels是用来形容人们到外面去寻欢作乐,就像马在草原上奔跑一样。比如说,有两个人在办公室里说话:
  
  例句-1: How about coming out with us Wednesday night? We're all going to take Bill Glover out to dinner. Then later we'll drop into a few night spots. It's Bill's last chance to kick up his heels, you know--he's getting married the next morning.
  
  这人说:“星期三晚上跟我们一起出去玩,怎么样?我们大家一起请比尔格洛弗出去吃晚饭。然后,我们再到几个像夜总会那样的地方去玩。这是比尔到外面去寻欢作乐的最后一次机会了,你知道,他第二天上午就要结婚了。”
  
  To kick up one's heels并不一定是年轻人的事,上了年纪的人有时也想到外面去轻松轻松。下面的例子就很能说明问题:
  
  例句-2: My mother and dad are over sixty, but they still like to go out once in a while to have dinner and do a little dancing and kick up their heels. Of course, they go home a lot earlier than they used to.
  
  这个人说:“我的爸爸和妈妈已经六十多了,但是他们有时还是喜欢到外面去吃晚饭、跳跳舞,高兴高兴。当然罗,他们现在回家的时间要比以前早多了。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#255
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们还要给大家介绍一个和kick这个字有关的美国俗语。这个俗语是:to kick off。To kick off的意思是一项活动,或一个计划的开始。To kick off原来是用在足球比赛的。每次比赛开始都是由一个球队把球踢到对方球队去。可是现在这个俗语几乎可以用在任何方面,表示:开始。美国人经常用to kick off来表示竞选活动的开始。有的时候,你可以从电台上听到这样的报道:
  
  例句-3: Last night Michael Smith kicked off his campaign for the U.S. Senate with a speech here promising lower taxes and a bigger budget for schools and more help to the farmers.
  
  这则消息说:“昨晚,迈克尔斯密斯在这儿发表讲话,作为他竞选美国参议员竞选活动的开始。他在讲话中向选民们保证降低税收,增加学校经费,并给予农民更多的帮助。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个学生在准备他的暑期活动。他说:
  
  例句-4: Now that my exams are all finished, I'm going to kick off the summer vacation by going down to Ocean City for a week to get some sun, some surf and a chance to look at the girls.
  
  这个学生说:“现在考试已经全部结束,我要先到欧欣城去玩一个星期,去晒晒太阳,在海上玩冲浪,还可以看看那里的姑娘们。这就作为我暑假的开始。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#256
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华正在教室里等着上课。今天李华会学到两个常用语:gee和oh well...
  
  L: Michael, 你听说了没有,Professor Johnson的车坏了,这节课取消了。
  
  M: His car broke down? (sarcastically) Gee... that's too bad! I was really looking forward to Professor Johnson's class!
  
  L: 你不是最讨厌上Professor Johnson的课吗?你说geeeee, 这是什么意思啊?
  
  M: (sighs) Come on, Li Hua! Don't you know what sarcasm is? Of course I don't like that class!
  
  L: 噢,你是在说反话!哎哟,你们美国学生老是说那些讽刺挖苦的话,有时候我都听不懂。哎,gee到底是什么意思吗?
  
  M: Well, "Gee..." is an interjection that shows surprise, wonder, or uncertainty. Sometimes when people say "Gee..." (in a long, drawn out fashion) they are just pretending that they are surprised.
  
  L: 你是说gee放在句子里,可以表示惊奇或是怀疑。可要是拖长了调,说geeeeee,这说话的人啊就是假装他感到惊奇。等等,那要是我问你,纽约今年的冬天会冷吗?这个问题当然是很傻啦,因为纽约的冬天总是冷的,那,你会怎么样带着讽刺的口气来回答呢?
  
  M: I would say, "Gee..., I don't know... Winter here has been cold every year for the last ten thousand years, but maybe this year will be different."
  
  L: 几千年来纽约的冬天都是冷的,今年可能会不同,哎,Michael, 你也真是能说反话哎!
  
  M: Now, Li Hua, why don't you give me an example using "Gee" without sarcasm to show that you are surprised.
  
  L: 举个不带讽刺意思的例子啊... 哎,要是你告诉我你得到一大笔让你到中国去学习的奖学金,我就会说:Gee, that's great!。哎,Michael, 教室都空了,你走不走啊?
  
  M: (Sarcastically, in English) "Gee, I don't know. Sometimes I just like to sit in an empty classroom and do nothing..."
  
  L: 得,你愿意坐在空教室里,那我走了!
  
  M: Hey, wait!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#257
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Did you hear, the football team won't make the playoffs this year. Oh well, that's too bad.
  
  L: 对,足球队今年不能参加决赛。你说是Owell不好,谁是Owell?
  
  M: I said, "Oh well". Oh, o-h, well, w-e-l-l. "Oh well" is use to show mild regret. We also use it to tease people or pretend that you are upset.
  
  L: 噢,原来这是两个字,oh和well。 oh well就是表示有点遗憾。Michael, 你等等,我要到那个售货机去买包土豆片。(sound of vending machine). 嗨,这个机器坏了,我给了一包的钱,它给我两包。
  
  M: It's broken? Oh well, I guess you have to give me a bag. We don't want to waste food, right?
  
  L: Oh well, 你说这啊是想逗我。我为什么要给你一包土豆片哪!还美其名说什么不要浪费食品。你不就是想白吃我的土豆片吗?
  
  M: You're not going to give me any chips? (teasing) Oh well, I guess I won't be able to give you a ride home.
  
  L: 你为了一包土豆片就不让我搭你的车,要我走回家啊?行啊,那我以后就不帮你做中文课作业了!
  
  M: (teasing) Oh well. I guess I won't be able to help you learn English then. Hm, too bad!
  
  L: 你呀,别装模作样,不帮我学英语就算了,以后啊不跟你说话了。
  
  M: Um, calm down Li Hua. I was just joking, you know.
  
  L: (in English, sarcastic) Gee, really? (Chinese) 我还真以为你为了一包土豆片就不要我这个朋友了呢。
  
  M: Oh well, we've been kidding too much. Let's go home.
  
  李华今天学到了两个常用语,一个是:gee, 这是一个语气词,可以使你说的话带有遗憾、惊奇的色彩。另一个是:oh well, 在中文里就是:“行啊, 得啦!”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#258
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

at the drop of a hat
  
  to talk through one's hat
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍两个和“帽子”,也就是英文里的“hat”这个字有关的习惯用语。二次世界大战以前,美国人一年四季都戴帽子。可是,那些和“hat”这个字有关的俗语却仍然常常出现在人们的讲话中。今天我们首先给大家介绍下面这个俗语:at the drop of a hat。At the drop of a hat的意思是:一有信号可以马上行动。它往往用来形容那些脾气很暴燥的人,例如像下面这个例子中的人:
  
  例句-1: Tom Atkins is usually a good-hearted, friendly guy. But he has one problem--a hot temper. Say something he doesn't agree with, and he'll start a loud argument at the drop of a hat.
  
  这个话的意思是:“汤姆阿特金斯一般来说是一个心地善良,很友好的人。但是,他有一个毛病,那就是脾气太坏。要是你说些什么他不同意的话,他可以马上和你大声争辩。”
  
  At the drop of a hat这个习惯用语不一定要用于争辩或打架的场合。它也可以解释为:在有必要的时候,某人可以立即行动,就像下面这个例子所说的那样:
  
  例句-2: I have a job that involves a lot of travel on short notice. I always keep one bag packed so I'm ready to go at the drop of a hat when I get a call from the boss asking me to catch the next plane to Chicago.
  
  这句话是说:“我的工作经常需要在得到通知后马上出门去。所以,我老是有一只箱子,里面放好了出门需要用的东西,这样当我接到我老板的电话让我乘下一班飞机去芝加哥的时候,我可以立即动身。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-04#259
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个俗语是:to talk through one's hat。To talk through one's hat这个俗语的意思就是:说话的人自己根本不懂,所以他的话实际上是胡说八道。这个俗语是出自两百年前的一次总统竞选。在1888年,纽约的一家报纸登了一幅漫画,讽刺当时正在竞选总统的本杰明哈里森。哈里森经常戴一顶很高的帽子,所以漫画家把他的帽子画得很大,连他的脸都给遮住了。漫画下面的注解说,当哈里森发表竞选演说的时候,他是通过他的帽子向听众说话的,也就是他是在胡说八道 。尽管如此,哈里森还是在那次竞选中当选为美国总统。下面我们就to talk through one's hat来举一个例子:
  
  例句-3: Anybody who says we can balance the budget without raising taxes is just talking through his hat.
  
  这是说:“谁要是说我们能够在不提高税收的情况下使预算平衡的话,那真是胡说八道。”
  
  我们再来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-4: Hey, don't listen to that guy. He's talking through his hat when he tells people that two-headed men from Mars have landed a spaceship near Washington and the government is keeping it secret.
  
  这个人在对旁人说:“喂,你别听那家伙的话。他告诉别人说,有些长两个头的人从火星乘一架宇宙飞船来到华盛顿附近,而政府把这件事掩盖起来,不让公众知道。这人简直是在胡说八道。”
  
  我们给大家介绍了两个和“hat”这个字有关的俗语。第一个是:at the drop of a hat。这个俗语的意思是,一有信号马上就可以行动。有时它可以指脾气很暴燥的人一触即发,但也可以用于一般情况下。今天我们讲的第二个俗语是:to talk through one's hat。To talk through one's hat是指说话的人对主题根本不懂,是在胡说八道。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#260
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华刚吃完晚饭,两人正在讨论晚上去干什么。李华会学到两个常用语:to catch a flick和to have no business doing something。
  
  M: Dinner was okay. Did you like it?
  
  L: 晚饭是不错,可是我吃得太饱了。
  
  M: Me, too. It's still really early. Do you want to catch a flick or something? We can still make it to the 7:00 pm show.
  
  L: Catch a flick? 那是一种游戏吗?
  
  M: No. Flick is just another word for movie, and to catch a flick means to go to a movie.
  
  L: 噢,原来flick也可以指电影,catch a flick就是去看场电影。哎,怪不得那天我听不懂。那天,生物课的一个同学下了课对我说:Would you like to catch a flick? 我当时还不知道他说什么,所以我就说:No. 其实我很爱看电影。Okay, let's catch a flick.
  
  M: You learned that quickly. I hear that Arnold Schwarzenegger's new flick is pretty good. We could go see that. It's probably pretty violent though.
  
  L: 你想去看阿诺的新电影。好呀! 对,他的电影都有很多打斗的场面,不过,他的电影本来就是动作片嘛。Michael, 我是不是可以把阿诺的动作片叫做action flicks?
  
  M: Yes, that's right, Li Hua. There are also romance flicks, adventure flicks, and comedy flicks.
  
  L: 我知道了,romance flicks就是爱情片, 那,adventure flicks就是惊险片, comedy flicks呢,就是喜剧片,对不对?
  
  M: That's right! What kind of movie do you like best?
  
  L: 我最喜欢看喜剧片,因为comedy flicks会让人发笑,看了以后会很高兴,很轻松。
  
  M: I like action flicks. They are exciting.
  
  L: 好,那我们就去看阿诺的action flick - 动作片好了!
  
  M: Okay, let's catch a flick.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#261
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: That movie was awful! I've never been so bored in my entire life!
  
  L: 啊,你不喜欢这个电影?我倒觉得阿诺演得很象个侦探啊!
  
  M: Are you kidding? That man has no business acting. He is the worst actor ever. I hope he is a better governor.
  
  L: 阿诺has no business acting? 你是说阿诺的工作不是演员? 他明明就是个演员啊!
  
  M: No, I said he has no business acting. When you say someone has no business doing something, it means that they should not do it because they cannot or because they are really bad at it.
  
  L: 噢,说什么人has no business doing something, 就是说这个人不该干这件事或是这一行,因为他的水平太差了。Michael, 你再给我举个例子,好不好?
  
  M: For instance, I have no business teaching Chinese because I don't speak it very well. Now you give me an example.
  
  L: 你说你中文太差,所以不能教中文。还要我举个例子。那太容易了。你呀,没有资格批评阿诺的演技,因为你不是影评家!You have no business criticizing Arnold because you are not a movie critic.
  
  M: Hey, I can still have my opinion. You have no business telling me what I can or can't say.
  
  L: 好,那你就坚持己见吧,我不理你就是了。
  
  M: You have no business being so upset. I'm just making examples.
  
  L: 我也不是真和你生气啦,Michael, 大概是太晚了,我们都犯困了吧!真该回家睡觉了!
  
  M: Okay, good night.
  
  L: 再见!
  
  李华今天学到了两个常用语:to catch a flick表示看电影。To have no business doing something表示某人水平很差,不适合干某件事或者某一行。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#262
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

hang on to your hat
  
  to keep something under your hat
  
  要是你头上根本没有戴帽子,而有人对你说:Hang on to your hat. hang on就是抓住的意思,所以Hang on to your hat从字面上解释就是:抓住你的帽子。那么,你既没有戴帽子,为什么人家要叫你:抓住你的帽子呢?Hang on to your hat这个俗语的真实意思就是:有特别惊人的消息,你要准备好,不要因为过于惊奇而让帽子都从头上掉了下来。下面这个例子是一个女子在对她的朋友说话:
  
   例句-1: Hang on to your hat--you won't believe this but last night Bill asked me to marry him!
  
  她说:“告诉你一件特大消息,你肯定不会相信。可是,昨天晚上比尔向我求婚啦!”
  
  可是,对那些已经结了婚的人来说,喜从何来呢?他们也有各式各样的喜事。美国人都很向往到夏威夷的檀香山去,那里四季温暖,景色迷人,当地人又是以对人友好著称。所以,下面这个例子里说话的人当然就很高兴了:
  
   例句-2: Hi, honey, I have something to tell you! Now hang on to your hat--the boss says he wants me to take charge of the new office in Honolulu. How about that for a nice surprise!
  
  这个人对他的太太说:“亲爱的,我要告诉你一个消息。你得小心听着:我的老板说,他要我负责管理檀香山新开办的分公司。怎么样,这个出人意料的消息不错吧!”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#263
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

帽子是一个藏东西的好地方,不管是把一封信放在帽子底下不让别人看到,还是戴上一顶帽子把自己的秃顶遮起来。下面我们要讲的一个俗语就是这个意思:to keep something under your hat。To keep something under your hat的意思就是:我要告诉你一个秘密,但是千万不要告诉任何人。例如,下面这个女子正在告诉她的朋友有关另一个朋友的秘密,她说:
  
   例句-3: Mary told me her husband is seeing another woman and she's thinking about leaving him but please keep it under your hat.
  
  她说:“玛丽告诉我她的丈夫有在外面乱搞。玛丽正在考虑跟她丈夫分手。不过,请你千万不要对别人说。”
  
  世界上好像要保密的事很多。下面又是一个例子:
  
   例句-4: Can you keep a secret? The boss's secretary just told me he's leaving for another job. She told me not to tell anybody else, so keep it under your hat.
  
  这个人说:“你能保密吗?我们老板的秘书刚刚告诉我老板要上别处去工作了。他的秘书叫我不要对任何人说,所以你得保密呀!”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#264
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在Michael和李华在准备下午的考试。李华会学到两个常用语:to jinx和come off it。
  
  L: Michael, 考试准备得怎么样了? 可别再像上次那样考砸了!
  
  M: Ahh! Li Hua, don't say that! You'll jinx me!
  
  L: Jinx you? 听不懂,什么是jinx啊?
  
  M: Jinx. Jinx can be used as a verb or a noun. One way to jinx someone is to say something unlucky, like you just said.
  
  L: 噢,jinx这个词可以作动词,也可以作名词。你刚才说:You'll jinx me, 意思是你认为我说“这次你可别考砸了”,这句话不吉利,会让你倒霉。哎哟,Michael, 你那么迷信啊!
  
  M: Well, some people believe in jinxes. For instance, a lot of people think that there is a jinx on the Chicago Cubs baseball team. It hasn't won a World Series for 95 years.
  
  
  L: 有人说芝加哥棒球队“小熊队”撞上了倒霉运,所以老是进不了世界杯决赛。Michael, 你刚才说,There is a jinx on the Chicago Cubs. 这个jinx就是名词了吧?
  
  M: That's right! I don't believe in black magic or anything like that. But I do think that if someone hears something unlucky, or believes that there is a jinx, it can affect his or her performance.
  
  L: 我啊,也不相信真的有什么魔术或巫术的。可是,要是你确实相信听到倒霉话就真的会倒霉,那是会影响你的心理,也会影响你做事的结果。我就不信真的有jinx!
  
  M: Really? What if I told you that I think you're going to fail this test unless you apologize to me? I am jinxing you!
  
  L: 什么?你要我对你道歉!我要不跟你道歉,我考试就会不及格!你想咒我啊,You are trying to jinx me? 我才不怕呢。我又不信jinx这一套!我只是希望你这次别考砸了。我是好意啊!
  
  M: Li Hua, you said it again! I'm going to give you five seconds to apologize for jinxing me.
  
  L: 给我五秒钟对你道歉?我干吗要道歉,我又没有说错话。我看你还是赶快去复习你的功课吧!别相信什么悔气不悔气的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#265
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎呀,Michael, 我这次肯定考砸了。都是你的错,you jinxed me before the test!
  
  M: Oh come off it, Li Hua. You said you don't believe in jinxes.
  
  L: Come off it? 你在说什么呀?
  
  M: I said "come off it!" That means "stop talking nonsense" or "stop pretending that something is true".
  
  L: 噢,come off it就表示“不要瞎说”、“别装蒜啦”。嗨,你不是说你相信听了倒霉的话就真的会倒霉呀?
  
  M: Come off it, Li Hua! You're the one who said that if someone fails, it has nothing to do with the jinx.
  
  L: 我是不相信所谓的jinx, 可是你在考试前和我争来争去,影响我情绪,所以我没有考好啊!
  
  M: You want me to feel guilty? Well, I don't!
  
  L: Come off it, Michael! 你要我跟你道歉,还说不然我就会考不好,这当然影响我情绪啦!
  
  M: Come off it, Li Hua! It's not my fault. It's your fault you didn't come to class on Friday. You missed about a third of the material covered on the test.
  
  L: 什么?我考试没考好是因为我礼拜五没有来上课?哎,你明明知道那天我生病了嘛!
  
  M: Oh, come off it! I saw you later that day. You weren't sick!
  
  L: You come off it, Michael! 我是真的生病啦!
  
  M: Unlucky, huh? So you're still blaming me for jinxing you? Come off it, already. You don't really believe in that jinx nonsense, do you?
  
  L: 对,我考试没考好,不怪你,算我自己倒霉,行了吧?
  
  李华今天在和Michael谈论考试的时候,学到了两个常用语:to jinx表示“带来坏运气”;come off it表示“不要瞎说”、“别装蒜”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#266
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

To eat one's hat
  
  To eat one's heart out
  
  要是我们有的时候仔细想一想的话,恐怕每个人都有不能兑现自己所说的话的时候,在中文里我们有时把这种现象叫做:食言。英文也有和中文同样的说法,那就是:to eat one's words。
  
  To eat one's words是一个很普遍的俗语。今天我们首先要给大家介绍一个和to eat one's words相仿的习惯用语。那就是:to eat one's hat。当一个人说to eat his hat,那就是他十分肯定他说的话是对的,要是他错了,他宁可把自己的帽子给吃了。翻到中文就是:要是他错了,他就不姓张,或不姓李等等。
  
  举个例子来说吧:一个密执安大学的研究生王某某对自己的学校感到非常骄傲,他对他的朋友说:
  
  例句-1: Michigan has a great football team this fall. If we don't win the national championship this year, I'll eat my hat.
  
  这个学生说:“密执安大学今年秋天绝对会有一个非常强的足球队。要是我们今年不能获得全国足球赛冠军的话,我就不姓王。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个姓李的股票商正在对他的顾客说话,预测股票市场的前景。他说:
  
  例句-2: One thing I do know something about--playing the stock market. And I'll eat my hat if it doesn't go up another three hundred points by the end of the year.
  
  这位股票商说:“有一样东西我还懂得一点,那就是玩股票市场。要是到今年年底股票价格不上升三百个百分点的话,我就不姓李。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#267
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语也是和“吃”,也就是eat这个字有关的,但是不是吃帽子,而是to eat one's heart out。大家都知道,heart就是人的“心”。To eat one's heart out难道是吃人的心吗?具体来说,to eat one's heart out不是这个意思。但是,从某种意义上来说也确实包含着这种含义。To eat one's heart out的真正意思是:非常沉痛而又绝望的悲痛。下面的例子是一个朋友在告诉他的朋友关于家里发生的不幸的事:
  
  例句-3: Ever since grandmother died, grandfather has been eating his heart out--he's lost all interest in life and won't even get out of bed to eat.
  
  这个人说:“自从祖母去世后,祖父非常伤心,他对生活失去了一切兴趣,都不愿意起床吃饭。”
  
  To eat one's heart out还可以用在另一种场合,也就是半开玩笑地让别人对你产生妒忌。你听了下面这个例子就会明白它的意思了。这是一个大学生在对他的要好朋友说话:
  
  例句-4: Hey, Pete, you know that girl in the physics class you like so much, the one who won't pay any attention to you? Well, eat your heart out, buddy--I'm taking her out for dinner and a movie Saturday night.
  
  喂,彼得,你知道那个和我们一起上物理课的女孩吗?那个你非常喜欢,但是她从来也没注意过你的女孩?这下好了,你去伤心去吧,我星期六请她出去吃晚饭、看电影!
  
  听了这种话,再好的朋友恐怕也会生气的。所以,除非你当真把它作为开玩笑,而且肯定对方也把它当做玩笑,否则还是不要叫别人去eat his heart out。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#268
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华现在在商店里买东西。李华会学到两个常用语: shades和to get turned down.
  
  L: Michael, 你在看什么?
  
  M: I really need a new pair of sunglasses. I sat on the old ones and crushed them.
  
  L: 你也真是的,怎么会坐在自己的太阳眼镜上呢!
  
  M: (trying on a pair of sunglasses) Li Hua, what do you think? Do I look cool in these shades?
  
  L: 你把太阳眼镜叫做shades? 是s-h-a-d-e这个词吗?那不是“树荫”的意思吗?
  
  M: Shade used as plural - shades, is just another word for sunglasses. It makes sense because they shade your eyes from the sun.
  
  L: 噢,shade用作复数,就可以指“太阳眼镜”。对,太阳眼镜把阳光给挡住了。这么说倒挺形象的。 Yes, Michael, you look very "cool" in those "shades."
  
  M: Thank you. Li Hua, You should try on this pair of shades. They would look pretty on you.
  
  L: 好啊,我来试试。倒是真好看,可惜太贵了。我可舍不得花这么多钱。
  
  M: Yes, those shades are pretty expensive. Maybe they'll go on sale. I have to pay for my shades now.
  
  L: 对,我还是等它减价的时候再买吧。你决定买你这副了?可要小心哟,别再把你的new shades放在椅子上给坐坏了。
  
  M: I will be careful. Hey, Li Hua, how about this pair of shades? They are light brown instead of black.
  
  L: 这副浅棕色的墨镜确实挺别致的,不过,我不太喜欢这个颜色。我想我还是等下次挑一副黑色的shades吧!
  
  M: Okay, I think we need to get back to school. Don't you have a class this afternoon?
  
  L: 就是啊,我下午有课,我们赶快回学校吧。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#269
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 你看,那边走过来的不就是你喜欢的那个女生吗?你现在戴着新墨镜,样子好酷啊。还不赶快跟她说句话?
  
  M: No, I don't really feel like getting turned down. I'm sure she has a boyfriend anyway.
  
  L: 哎哟,你真是的!你怎么能肯定她已经有男朋友了呢?你说什么不想被turned down?你是说,怕这个女孩的男朋友找你算帐,把你打翻在地呀?
  
  M: No, no. "To get turned down" means to get rejected. I'm afraid of getting turned down means I'm afraid of being rejected.
  
  L: 原来,to get turned down就是“遭到拒绝”的意思,也就是说,你想和她交往,如果她不愿意,那你就是被turned down了。你是怕遭到她的拒绝,让你下不了台呀!
  
  M: Exactly. Nobody likes to get turned down.
  
  L: 我也知道,谁都不想被拒绝。可是,你怎么能肯定这个女生就一定会turn you down呢?你不试一试,永远也不知道她到底是不是真的会turn you down啊!
  
  M: You're right. My fear of getting turned down is making it difficult to find a girlfriend. I suppose I'll survive even if she turns me down. Maybe I'll ask her out to coffee next time I see her.
  
  L: 就是啊,你老怕被拒绝,怎么能找到女朋友嘛!而且,即使被turned down, 也没什么大不了的。Michael, 你要是戴着这副新买的墨镜,我肯定她不会turn you down。
  
  M: Are you sure she won't turn me down if I wear these shades?
  
  L: 我肯定她不会拒绝你,可是,她要是已经有男朋友了,那我就不知道你这副新买的shades有多大威力了。
  
  M: Ok, I'll make sure if she has a boyfriend before I ask her out.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是:shades, 相当于 sunglasses, 也就是“太阳眼镜”、“墨镜”;另一个是:to get turned down, 意思是“遭到拒绝”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#270
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

nerd
  
  jock
  
  girl jock
  
  近年来,美国学生常常用一些词汇来形容那些不太受其他学生欢迎的人。他们最常用的一个字是:nerd。这个字恐怕在有的字典上都找不到。它的意思和“书呆子”很相似。被称为nerd的学生一般都很聪敏,对学习也很严肃,他们大多数时间都花在学习上。他们的毛病在于他们看起来很软弱,和其他同学的关系也很别扭。这些所谓nerd衣服也穿得比别的学生保守,在社交场合表现的不知所从。由于他们一般都比较害羞,因此和这些nerd在一起不像和其他人在一起那么有趣。让我们来听听一个名字叫萨利的女学生对她的朋友说的话:
  
  例句-1: Today George Miller actually had the nerve to ask me to go the the Christmas dance with him! Sure, he's getting straight A's in all his classes, but look at those thick classes, and those dull clothes he wears. I'd rather be caught dead than to out with a nerd like him.
  
  萨利说:“今天乔治米勒居然敢来邀我和他一起去参加圣诞节的舞会。是啊,他每门课都得A,但是看看他那眼镜片有多厚,还穿那些老古董衣服。我要和这么一个书呆子一起去跳舞,我宁可去死。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个刚去参加中学同学毕业二十年聚会的人说的话。
  
  例句-2: The big surprise was seeing Bill Green. He was such a nerd 20 years ago--too busy studying instead of having a good time like most of us. But maybe he had the right idea; he owns his own computer company and is worth ten million bucks.
  
  他说:“这次聚会最惊人的是看到比尔格林。二十年前他可是个书呆子,忙于学习,没有时间像我们那样去玩。可是,也许他当时的想法是对的,他现在自己开一个电脑公司,值一千万美元。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#271
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是nerd在学校里被人看不起,那么谁受人欢迎呢?受人欢迎的是:jock。Jock就是那种身材魁梧,长得很帅,很富有男子汉气概的运动员。下面是一个很妒忌的nerd在发表他的看法。他为什么妒忌呢?他说:
  
  例句-3: You may call me a nerd, but I think it's more important to study hard than to be a jock and play football or basketball. The trouble is, though, the girls all want to go with jocks, the guys with the muscles and team sweaters.
  
  这个书呆子说:“你可以叫我书呆子,但是我认为用功念书要比做一个漂亮男子和踢足球、打垒球更重要。可是,问题是那些女孩子都要和那些长得帅的男学生和那些身体很强壮的球队队员出去玩。”
  
  现在美国学校里好些女学生也积极参加各种体育运动,她们被称为:girl jock。我们来举个girl jock的例子吧:
  
  例句-4: My kid sister is only six but it looks like she'll turn out to be a girl jock. Instead of staying in the house, she loves to go outside and play baseball with the boys. And you know something--she's better at it than most of the boys.
  
  这个人说:“我的小妹妹只有六岁,可是看起来她会成为一个很强壮的女运动员。她不愿在家呆着,她喜欢出去和男孩一起打垒球。你要知道,她比大多数男孩都打得好。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#272
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华碰到了倒霉的事,Michael大力相助,真够朋友的。李华会学到两个常用语:a drag和to start from scratch。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua. How is your history project going?
  
  L: 你还要问我历史课的事。唉,我可真倒霉呀!我的电脑坏了,把我写的东西全丢了。可报告明天就要交呢。
  
  M: Your computer crashed? Wow, that's a drag. Is there anything I can do to help?
  
  L: 哎哟,你说什么?什么是drag啊?
  
  M: If something is a "drag," that means it is negative or depressing. The fact that you lost your history project and will probably have to do it again is definitely a drag.
  
  L: 原来a drag就是倒霉的、让人不高兴的事。我电脑坏了,把我明天要交的历史课报告全丢了。这可真是倒霉事。It's really a drag。
  
  M: That's right. You want to know what else is a drag?
  
  L: 还有什么倒霉事呀?
  
  M: My computer is broken, too, so I can't let you use it to re-write your project. I sent it in to be fixed and I won't get it back until next week.
  
  L: 你的电脑也坏啦!哎哟,本来还真想先借你的用呢!没事,我可以用我同屋的电脑。可是,我得先到图书馆里去把我写报告用过的书全找回来,重新看这些书,找材料。我能不能在明天完成这个报告还是个问题呐,真是倒霉!
  
  M: Maybe if you explain your situation to the professor, he'll give you some extra time. I'm sure he knows what a drag it is when your computer breaks down. It doesn't hurt to ask.
  
  L: 对,我得去跟教授解释一下。他肯定明白电脑坏了,丢了材料有多倒霉。你说得对,也许他会让我延期交卷。我马上就去找他。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#273
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Li Hua, what did your professor say? Will he give you extra time to do the project over again?
  
  L: 对呀,教授让我延期三天交卷。可是我怕重头开始再做一遍时间还是不够!What a drag!
  
  M: Yeah, you do have to start from scratch. I'll help you as much as I can.
  
  L: Start from what? 什么是start from scratch?
  
  M: To start something from scratch means to start from the very beginning. You lost your entire project when your computer crashed, including your research, so now you have to start from scratch.
  
  L: 噢, to start from scratch就是从头开始。我电脑坏了,所做的一切东西都丢了,所以,I have to start from scratch -- 从头开始啦!
  
  M: That's right. You have to start your project from scratch. How can I help?
  
  L: Michael, 你能帮我忙,那真是太好了。既然我得从头开始,那我得先去图书馆。你能帮我找书吗?
  
  M: Sure. I'm happy to help. While we are walking, why don't you try and give me another example of "to start something from scratch".
  
  L: 一面走路还要我给你举例子。你可抓得真紧哎! 好吧,让我想想。要是我家房子被烧了,那我们不得不重新盖房子-- to build a new house from scratch. Right?
  
  M: Yeah, that's right. That's not a very happy example though. It would be a real drag if your house burned down!
  
  L: 对,这个例子倒有点倒霉了!好,再给你一个例子。要是我学画画,可是我从来没有学过,我就说:I am going to start from scratch。
  
  M: Yes, you could. Hey, look, there's the library. I suppose we had better focus on your project now. You do have to start from scratch after all.
  
  L: 对,我得集中力量从头来起。唉,真倒霉,it's such a drag!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是:a drag, 意思是倒霉,不好的事。另一个是:to start something from scratch, 这是指从头开始。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#274
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

每种语言都有一些特殊的词汇用来形容人的不同特性。例如,在中文里我们把那些只会念书的人叫做“书呆子”,把那些老是屈从于别人意志的人叫做“软骨头”等。美国人也有好多类似的习惯用语。今天我们首先要给大家介绍一个美国人常用的字: wimp。美国人经常用wimp这个字来形容一些比较软弱,缺乏勇气,办事无效的人。参加竞选的政界人士往往喜欢用wimp这个字来描述竞选对手。 不管是不是符合事实,有的时候,这种形像就在选民心目中留下了印象。例如,下面这个人正在和朋友讨论投哪个候选人的票。他说:
  
  例句-1: As far as I know, this guy Roger Bly is honest. And he's had a pretty good voting record in Congress. But he looks like such a wimp: I'm afraid he doesn't have the guts to handle a real crisis when it comes up. So I guess I'll vote for the other guy.
  
  他说:“就我所知,罗杰布莱这人很老实。他在国会里就各种问题投票的记录来看也很不错。可是,他看起来像个软骨头。 我担心,在真正发生危机的时候,他可能不会有足够的勇气来处理问题。所以,我想我还是投另外一个候选人的票。”
  
  我们在生活中不难看到有些人胆小怕事,不管是不是他错,他老是听任摆布。下面就是一个例子,这是一个人在说他的妹夫:
  
  例句-2: I'm afraid my sister married a real wimp. Sure, he makes a good salary and treats her good. But he lets himself get pushed around by everybody--waiters, clerks in stores, the guy who pumps gas--he's afraid to stand up for his rights.
  
  这个人说:“我看我的妹妹大概是嫁了一个真正的软骨头。不错,他工资不低,对她也很好。 可是,任何人都可以摆布他:饭馆服务员、售货员、加油站的人,等等,他从来也不敢维护他自己的权利。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#275
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个字是:turkey。听众们大概都知道,turkey就是火鸡,美国人在感恩节和圣诞节时家家户户都要吃火鸡。 可是,活的火鸡非常难看,行动迟顿,而且笨头笨脑的。所以,要是你把一个人形容为turkey,那你就等于说,那个人是愚蠢无用的。 下面是一位父亲在说他女儿的男朋友:
  
  例句-3: I'm worried about this young fellow my daughter is dating. He never finished school, he doesn't have a job, he dresses like a bum--he looks like a real turkey to me.
  
  这位父亲说:“我真担心我女儿的那个男朋友。他书没念完,也没有工作,穿得像个叫化子。我看,他真是个愚蠢的,毫无用处的人。”
  
  每个大公司或机构里总会有几个什么事情也干不了的人,可是要想开除他们还不容易。下面这个人说的是一些机构如何处理这些人的办法:
  
  例句-4: Some private firms and official agencies have what they call a "turkey farm", a part of the organization where their turkeys can be sent to get them out of the way until it's possible to fire them.
  
  这个人说:“有些私营公司和政府机构都有一种叫做“火鸡农场”之类的地方。这是那个机构的一部份,为了不让那些生产力很低的人影响其他人的工作, 这些单位可以把他们送到“火鸡农场”去,直到能够开除他们为止。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#276
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华正在开车和Michael一起去学校。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to be on crack和to get the hang of something。
  
  L: 哟,我的天啊,我车后面的一个轮胎爆了!Michael, 一个轮胎爆了还能开一段路,对不对?
  
  M: Li Hua!? Are you on crack? You can't drive with a flat tire, you'll ruin your car, and probably get in a wreck!
  
  L: 哎哟,我也不想弄坏我的车,也不想出车祸。不过,你刚才问我Are you on crack?这是什么意思啊? crack这不是一种毒品吗?on crack不就是吸毒吗?
  
  M: Yes, "crack" -- as in "crack cocaine". "To be on crack" means to be high on cocaine. Of course, when I say, "Are you on crack?" I really mean -- "Are you crazy"?
  
  L: 等等,这得弄清楚。你的意思是,to be on crack可以指吸毒,但是你刚才对我说的不是这个意思。你是说:我要在一个轮胎破了的情况下继续开车,简直是疯啦!哎,你可得解释清楚了,我从来不吸毒的!
  
  M: Calm down, Li Hua. People use this phrase all the time. I was just alarmed that you would try to drive your car with a flat tire. You'd have to be on crack to do something crazy like that.
  
  L: 噢,我懂了,你的意思是:我准是吸了毒才会想干这种傻事 -- 轮胎破了还想继续开车。Michael, 我们把轮胎换了吧。现在还来得及。
  
  (sound of trunk opening, tools rattling, sound of car jack, etc.)
  
  L: 说到发疯,我认为George Wilkins才真是疯了呢。我听说他要到阿富汗一个村庄去给他的论文做实地调查。
  
  M: He's going to be traveling in Afghanistan! Is he on crack? Can you imagine how dangerous that place must be right now?
  
  L: 我也觉得真是太危险了。不过他想要当国际水平的人类学家。那他就得做出牺牲啦!
  
  M: Yeah, well that Ph.D. won't be much good to him if he gets shot. I still think anyone who chooses to go to Afghanistan right now is on crack.... it's just crazy!
  
  L: 就是,要在阿富汗给打死的话,什么博士学位都没用了。行了,轮胎装好了,我们快走吧!
  
  (sound of trunk closing)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#277
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: (Horn honking) 噢,应该让他先走。我开车的技术实在太差了。老是犯这种错误。
  
  M: Don't worry Li Hua, you're not a terrible driver! You haven't been driving for very long. You'll get the hang of it, eventually.
  
  L: 你说我最后会什么?Get the hang of it?
  
  M: I said you will "get the hang of it". "To get the hang of something" means to become proficient at something through practice.
  
  L: 噢,to-get-the-hang-of-it就是多练习,多实践,一些事情就会做得更好。这不就是中文里说的“熟能生巧”吗?但愿你说得对,我多开车,技术就会改进喽!
  
  M: I know I'm right! Remember when you first started school, you had trouble with your writing assignments? I think you've gotten the hang of writing English essays now, right?
  
  L: 就是哎,我刚来美国的时候不会写学术报告。现在是好多了。
  
  M: You've been living in the U.S. for some time now. You must have gotten the hang of a lot of new skills?
  
  L: 嗯,我在美国已经三年了,是学到不少东西。
  
  M: And you've gotten the hang of teaching, haven't you? Your students seem to like you.
  
  L: 对呀,我在教中文方面也比较熟悉了。I've got the hang of teaching Chinese, 对不对?
  
  M: Absolutely!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是:to be on crack, 这可以指“吸毒”,但是也可以指:“你疯啦!”。李华学到的另外一个常用语是:to get a hang of something, 意思是通过练习,熟能生巧。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#278
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to throw one's hat in the ring
  
  to go on the stump
  
  在竞选的第一个阶段,那些认为自己有资格当总统的人经过多方考虑后作出决定究竟参不参加这次总统竞选。美国人经常用一个俗语来指决定参加竞选,就是:to throw one's hat in the ring。To throw one's hat in the ring是指某人决定参加竞选。这个说法可能是来自很早以前的一种风俗。那时,有的职业摔交运动员经常到各地去旅行和当地的人才一比高低。如果当地有某个人决定和他比赛的话,那个人就把帽子往场里一扔,表示接受挑战。当然,这类到处旅行,像中国古时候摆擂台的那种方式现在很少见了,可是这个俗语却被普遍用来形容接受挑战,参加竞选。我们来举一个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: A former senator from Massachusetts named Paul Tsongas was the first Democrat to throw his hat in the ring for this year's presidential election.
  
  这句话的意思是:“麻省一位名字叫保尔?聪格斯的前参议员是第一个决定参加今年总统竞选的民主党人。”
  
  在是否参加总统竞选的问题上,纽约州的州长科莫最晚作出决定:
  
  例句-2: People at first thought that the Governor of New York would throw his hat in the ring. But he waited and waited and announced at the last minute that he would not run for president.
  
  这句话是说:“人们开始都以为纽约州州长科莫会参加竞选。可是,他迟迟不作决定,直到最后一分钟才宣布他决定不参加总统竞选。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#279
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在竞选总统的第二个阶段,那些决定参加竞选的人开始到各地去参加各州的初选。在美国的俗语中就是:stump。Stump在这里的意思是参加竞选的人到各处去发表讲演,争取选民的支持。你要是查字典的话,stump这个字的一个意思是:树墩。树墩和到处演讲这两者之间在美国是有历史性联系的。在美国刚成立的时候,人们为了开荒种地和建立新的城镇,砍掉了好多树。竞选公职的候选人往往站在树墩上发表演说。慢慢地,stump这个字就演变到现在的意思,就是竞选者到各处去演说争取选票。我们再来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: The governor is running for reelection, and he's looking hard for votes--he'll stump the whole state next month and make speeches in over fifty cities and towns.
  
  这句话的意思是:“这位州长正在竞选连任。他在竭尽全力地争取选票。下个月,他要到全州五十个城镇去发表讲话,进行竞选活动。”
  
  可是今年在竞选方式和去年有所不同:
  
  例句-4: Usually, candidates fly to different places to make speeches. This year, however, the Democratic candidates Clinton and Gore took a bus to make their stump speeches in order to meet more people at the grassroots level.
  
  这句话里的stump这个字是个形容词。这句话是说:“候选人一般都是乘飞机到各地去发表演说。可是,今年民主党的两位候选人克林顿和戈尔改乘大轿车去各地竞选,这样他们沿途可以见到更多的普通老百姓。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#280
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael提前下班,在路上碰到李华。李华会学到两个常用语: to slack off和peon。
  
  L: 嘿, Michael, 你今天怎么这么早就下班啦?
  
  M: Well, this is the holiday season, so everyone at work is slacking off. No one minds if I leave early.
  
  L: 你说是因为过节,早下班没人会介意,而且办公室里每个人都在slacking off? 那是做什么呀?
  
  M: (Chuckles) I said everyone is "slacking off". "To slack off" means just the opposite of "being busy". "To slack off" means "to not work hard".
  
  L: 噢,to slack off的意思和“努力工作”刚好相反。我懂了,你是说,因为过节,所以同事们都比较放松-- Everyone at work is slacking off. 可是,Michael, 你自作主张提前下班,是不是有一点太slack off了呢?
  
  M: Oh, I certainly don't worry about it, because I noticed even my boss is slacking off. He left even earlier than I did.
  
  L: 你们公司老板比你走得还早,看来,他比你更加slack off。说得也是,马上就要新年了,连我也觉得挺懒散,什么事都不想做。
  
  M: That's Ok. You're on vacation. You have very good reasons to be slacking off.
  
  L: 虽然说是放假,可是我本来打算利用假期多读些英文书,我要是这么懒散,恐怕连一本书也读不完了。
  
  M: I wish it were holiday all the time, so I could always slack off.
  
  L: 什么?你想每天都放假,那你就可以老这么轻松的了?嘿,Michael,我们中文里常说:“一张一驰”。Slack off一段时间以后,你就应该努力工作啦!
  
  M: Hmm. Maybe you are right. Sometimes after slacking off during a holiday or vacation, we do feel refreshed and ready to get back to work again.
  
  L: 也是啊,适当放松一下,工作起来会更带劲儿。新年快到了,我确实应该slack off for a couple of days, 可是如果slack off的时间太长了,我心里就会觉得不安。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#281
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎,Michael, 你提早下班,万一公司有什么要紧事,你不担心同事会找你吗?
  
  M: Oh, don't worry about that. I am not that important, I'm just a peon where I work.
  
  L: 你是什么?a peon? 那是什么呀?
  
  M: I said I am a Peon. The word "peon" originally meant someone who did manual labor in order to pay off a debt. These days, though, people use "peon" to refer to an unimportant person at work who performs a simple task.
  
  L: 噢,peon这个词原来是指“为了还债而做苦工的人”,现在呢,大家用peon这个词来指那些在公司里做简单工作,地位比较低的雇员。Oh, come on Michael, 你怎么能说自己在公司不重要呢?
  
  M: No, I'm just a peon at my workplace. Anyone could do my job.
  
  L: 嗯,要是谁都能做你的工作,那恐怕是一个peon了。中文系的李教授常常对我们说,你要不好好干,好多人都等着这个位子呢。看来,我才是一个真正的peon呢。
  
  M: Well, maybe you are easy to replace. But that's no reason for you to feel like a peon.
  
  L: 你说得对,我不应该自己觉得我做的工作不重要,而且,想想看,我们大学校长或是你们公司老板恐怕当年也做过好一段时间的peon呢!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语,一个是: to slack off, 意思是“松懈,懒散”。另一个是peon, 指“在工作单位做简单工作的人”,也就是所谓的“小土豆”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#282
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

favorite son
  
  sound bite
  
  美国今年的总统选举已经进入了最后的紧张阶段。今天我们先再给大家一个在美选举初期经常用的习惯用语:favorite son。Favorite son从字面上来解释是:受宠的儿子。可是用在选举上,它的意思就变了。决定参加总统竞选的人来自各州,当一个有候选人的州举行初选的时候,本州的候选人就是favorite son。其他竞选者要到那些有favorite son的州去参加初选,那可就麻烦了。因为,一般来说,同一个党的人总是会支持本州的候选人,那怕他们明明知道这个人根本不可能被提名为总统候选人。今年爱奥华州就发生了类似情况:
  
  例句-1: Every election year Iowa gets lots of national attention because it's the first state to show which candidates it wants. But this year other presidential hopefuls did not spend much time in Iowa because Senator Harkin from Iowa was a favorite son candidate.
  
  这是说:“每次大选爱奥华州总是全国注视的中心,因为它总是第一个举行初选,表明他们喜欢哪个候选人。可是,今年其他州的候选人并没有在爱奥华州花很多时间进行竞选活动,因为哈金参议员就是来自爱奥华州的,他就是爱奥华州的宠儿。”意思也就是:别人没有办法和他在那个州竞争。哈金参议员由于在其他州举行的初选中节节败退早已宣布退出竞选

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#283
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

参加竞选总统的候选人越来越多地利用新闻媒介来宣传他们的观点和攻击竞争对手。下面我们就给大家介绍一个这方面的习惯用语:sound bite。
  
  Sound bite就是插入电视新闻节目当中的一个和选举有关的片段。比如,有几个候选人同时在一个州进行竞选,当地的电视播音员就可能做一个节目介绍这几位候选人,其中包括他们的讲话片段。这些片段虽然很短,不会超过十五秒钟,可是候选人却把这种机会看得很重要,因为全国各地的选民都能看到。为了要公平对待每个候选人,给他们同等的时间,新闻节目有时候会出现一些问题,就像下面这个例子一样:
  
  例句-2: We have a problem in our six o'clock newscast. We have sound bites of four candidates and we better squeeze in all four. Which means we'll have to cut some other story out of the show.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们六点钟的新闻节目有个问题。我们有四个候选人的片段,最好把四个片段都挤进去。不过,这就意味着我们得减少一些其它内容。”
  
  美国人对于政界人士越来越缺乏信任,对他们在竞选期间所说的话不太相信。有的人说:
  
  例句-3: Some of the presidential candidates are more interested in sound bites than sound policies.
  
  这些人说:“有些竞选总统的候选人对自己在电视上演讲的片段比他们对制定好的政策更感兴趣。”这句话里有两个sound这个字,sound bites里的sound是指声音,而sound policies是指好的、有效的政策。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#284
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华今天在紧张地准备历史课的考试。她在和Michael的谈话中会学到两个常用语:beats me和to be in a bind.
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua. What are you doing?
  
  L: 我在准备历史课的考试。Michael, 你知道美国总统罗斯福和斯大林第一次见面是在什么时候?
  
  M: Beats me. I don't know much about that period of history.
  
  L: 哎哟,你不知道我也不会打你呀,你为什么要说:Beats me? Beat不就是打人的意思吗?
  
  M: No, I don't mean you would beat me. The expression "beats me" means that I have no idea what the answer is.
  
  L: 噢,在这里,beat不是打人的意思。Beats me就是我不知道!
  
  M: Right. If I ask you a question like how many miles away the sun is, you might say, "I don't know - beats me."
  
  L: 这你倒是说对了,我还真不知道地球和太阳之间距离多少英里。Beats me! 你知道尼加拉瓜的第五任总统是谁吗?
  
  M: Okay, that really beats me. You don't really need to know the answer to that question for your history test, do you?
  
  L: 傻瓜,我当然不需要知道这个答案,我是在跟你开玩笑,我学的历史是二次大战期间的美国和欧洲,和尼加拉瓜根本就没关系。
  
  M: Okay. By the way, what time is your history exam?
  
  L: 哟,beats me! 我把考试的日程忘在同学家里了!
  
  M: You left the schedule at your classmate's home? What's wrong with you?
  
  L: Beats me! 我也不知道我怎么会忘在他家里的。不过,没关系,我还有足够时间来准备。
  
  M: You had better go and check the exam time. If the exam is tomorrow, you're really going to be in trouble.
  
  L: 行,行,行。我去查,要是明天就考试的话,那我可真是麻烦了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#285
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Hey, Li Hua, did you find someone to help you with that history question?
  
  L: 没有人知道罗斯福和斯大林第一次见面是什么时候。我也找不到这方面的材料。而且,考试是星期二,不是星期三。我这下可真麻烦了。
  
  M: Wow, it sounds like you're really in a bind.
  
  L: 你说什么?我在什么东西里?什么是a bind?
  
  M: To be in a bind -- B I N D -- means that you are in a very difficult situation. Your exam is tomorrow and you can't find the material you need to study. Therefore, you are in a bind.
  
  L: 噢,to be in a bind就是处境很难。唉,我真是处境艰难。Michael,我这次考试可能要不及格了。你能不能帮我摆脱这个困境呢?也就是 to get out of this bind I'm in.
  
  M: Of course, I'm always willing to help a friend out of a bind. You can study your notes, and I can look up any questions you have in your text book. Will that help?
  
  L: 我复习我的笔记,然后你帮我查课文里的问题。这是个好主意,这样我可以省好多时间。Michael, 谢谢你,谢谢你。哎,还有什么情况下我们可以用to be in a bind?
  
  M: Well, if I have to pay my rent, but I don't have any money, then I'm in a bind.
  
  L: 你付房租的时候到了,可是你又没有钱,那可真是in a bind。我来举个例子。要是我在找工作,有个公司要和我面谈,可是我早就和朋友约好那天要一块儿吃饭,我可以说:I'm in a bind吗?
  
  M: Yes, you would be in a bind. But you're going to be in an even worse bind if we don't start studying for your exam soon.
  
  L: 你说得对,要是我们再不动手开始准备考试的话,那我就会处境更困难了-- in an even worse bind。好吧,那赶快念书吧!I don't want to be in a bind anymore!
  
  今天李华学到了一个用得非常普遍的说法:beats me, 意思是“不知道”。李华还学到了另一个常用语:to be in a bind, 意思是“处境困难”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#286
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

blame game
  
  negative campaigning
  
  美国选民每四年不仅要选举一位总统,而且还要选举四百三十五名国会议员、至少三十三名参议员以及在州一级和基层的许多官员。在竞选的过程中,每个候选人为了当选总是想方设法地抬高自己,贬低别人。他们用的策略之一就是:blame game。
  
  Blame是责怪或指责的意思,game在这里是指策略或者是手法。Blame game是候选人把造成某些社会问题的责任推到竞选对手身上去的手法,那怕他明明知道这是他自己的责任。下面这位候选人对选民说的话就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: I'm not going to play the blame game and say who's at fault that so many people are out of work. But I have to tell you my opponent did vote against three bills to create new jobs.
  
  这句话是说:“我不会把造成那么多人失业的责任推给别人,我不会使用那种推卸责任的把戏。但是,我得告诉你们,在国会就三项有关创造新就业机会的提案投票时,我的对手投的是反对票。”
  
  下面这个例子是对杜鲁门总统的评论:
  
  例句-2: Harry Truman, who was President from 1945 to 1952, was one man who did not play the blame game. He had a sign on his desk: The Buck Stops Here.
  
  这是说:“杜鲁门从1945到1952年担任美国总统。他是一个不推卸责任的人,他在桌子上放了一块牌子,上面写着‘我负责’这几个字。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-04#287
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

和blame game相似的一个俗语是:negative campaigning。Negative是反面的意思,campaigning就是竞选。那么,什么是negative campaigning呢?下面这句话就回答了这个问题:
  
  例句-3: A listener just called in to ask what I mean by negative campaigning. Well, it means a candidate's main strategy is to tell voters how bad the other guy is instead of talking about how good he is himself.
  
  他说:“一位听众刚才打电话来问什么是negative campaigning。Negative campaigning它的意思就是一个候选人采用的主要策略是告诉选民他的对手是如何的坏,以避免说自己是如何如何的好。”
  
  下面是另一个例子:
  
  例句-3: Some political observers say that negative campaigning isn't working this year - that voters want to hear positive ideas about how to create new jobs and give people better health care.
  
  这句话是说:有些政治观察家说,尽力贬低对方的反面竞选方式今年行不通了。选民们要听积极的主意,像如何增加就业机会、为公众提供更好的保健措施等。”

太极无敌 : 2009-12-04#288
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

太强大了!谢谢!谢谢!!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#289
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华正坐在教室里聊天,等着上课。今天李华会学到两个常用语:out of it和gung ho。
  
  L: 嘿,Michael, 你今天看起来好象不太舒服...你是不是病了?
  
  M: I'm O.K. I just have a small cold. I took some strong cold medicine, so I am a little out of it today.
  
  L: 噢,你有点感冒,但是吃了几颗比较厉害的药。你说你out of it? 你是说你药没啦?
  
  M: No, I said "I am out of it" "Out of it" mean's that I am half-awake, not alert, or something like that.
  
  L: 噢,原来是你吃的感冒药让你感到昏昏沉沉,晕呼呼的。这就是为什么我不喜欢吃那种感冒药。
  
  M: Yeah, I know what you mean. But I had such a terrible headache, I had to take something. I just hope I'm not too out of it to pay attention in class.
  
  L: 头痛太厉害倒也是得吃点药。可是,今天上课的内容对考试很重要。你要是昏沉沉的话,可能会漏掉重要的内容噢。
  
  M: Well, you'll let me look at your notes, right? Anyway, I'm not so out of it that I can't pay attention at all. (yawns while speaking) I'm just a little sleepy, that's all...
  
  L: 你当然可以看我的笔记。不过,要是你只是有点困,不太厉害的话,你还是可以注意听讲的。其实,Michael, 只要喝一杯热热浓浓的咖啡你马上就会清醒的。
  
  M: (yawns) Hmm... That's a good idea, Li Hua. I was so out of it this morning that I forgot to make coffee.
  
  L: 你早上连咖啡也忘了做?你真是够迷糊的了。我要是早上没喝咖啡的话,根本就醒不过来。
  
  M: You mean if you don't have coffee, you'll be out of it for the whole morning? Wow, Li Hua, you're starting to become more and more American.
  
  L: 我要没有咖啡,真是一个早上都没精神。对,都是你们美国人传染给我的好习惯。快走吧,我们还有二十分钟,而且上课前得让你喝点咖啡才行呐。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#290
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 嗨,Michael, 我听说有的学生这个周末要去参加反战抗议活动,你去吗?
  
  M: I'm not sure. I'm not very gung ho about this anti-war protest.
  
  L: 你对这个抗议活动不太gung ho, 这是什么意思啊?
  
  M: I said "I'm not very gung ho about this protests". Gung ho means to be very aggressive, enthusiastic or zealous about something. Believe it or not, Li Hua, it's from Chinese.
  
  L: Gung ho这个说法是来自中文?意思是非常热情,很有闯劲。我怎么从没听说过?
  
  M: You don't know that? Some say that in World War two, a U.S. marine commander taught a special marine unit the Chinese battle cry "gung ho".
  
  L: 那是二战时一个美国海军陆战队的司令教他的士兵用的中国战斗口号?你真是越说越悬乎了。不过,你为什么对反战活动不积极呢?你不是讨厌这场战争吗?
  
  M: I am not gung ho about this protests because I don't like the organizers, I think they are too radical.
  
  L: 你是不喜欢组织这次抗议活动的人,你认为他们太激进了。
  
  M: Are you going to the protest? You have been very gung ho about protesting the war.
  
  L: 是啊,我反对战争,这方面的活动我都积极参加。可是这个周末我得写论文。I am very gung ho about working on my thesis.
  
  M: Good for you! I wish I was as gung ho about my studies as you are. But right now, I am so out of it I don't have energy to do anything.
  
  L: 说了那么多话,你还觉得困,那你赶快喝这杯咖啡啦!
  
  李华今天学到两个常用语,一个是:out of it, 意思是“昏昏沉沉,有点晕乎”。另一个是:gung ho, 意思是“积极热情”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#291
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

swing voter
  
  to come out swinging
  
  我们要给大家介绍两个和竞选有关的俗语,它们都和swing这个字有关。Swing的意思就是摇摆。我们首先要给大家介绍的一个俗语是:swing voter。
  
  大多数选民一般来说总是忠于自己所属的党,民主党投民主党候选人的票,共和党投共和党候选人的票。但是,有一部份人由于某种原因对自己的党不太满意。他们最终投谁的票在于哪个党的候选人在重要的问题上能提出更迎合他们的主张,因此两个党都要争取这些动摇不定的选民,也就是swing voter。他们可能在选举前改变好几次主意。下面我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-1: The political experts say that the election in the state of Michigan is too close to predict. It's the swing voters who will decide who wins there and we don't know what they are thinking.
  
  这是说:研究政治的专家们说,密西根州的选举双方势均力敌,很难预测谁会当选。那些摇摆不定的选民是决定谁获胜的关键,我们不知道他们现在在想什么。
  
  下面的例子是一个负责竞选的人说的话:
  
  例句-2: This is going to be a close election. The only way we can win this time is to work as hard as we can to win over the swing voters.
  
  这个人说:这次竞选将是势均力敌的。我们要在这次选举中获胜,唯一的办法就是尽一切力量来争取那些至今仍然动摇不定的选民。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#292
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

为了争取选民,双方候选人往往就采取互相攻击的策略,这就是我们今天要介绍的第二个俗语:to come out swinging。To come out swinging实际上是来自拳击运动的一个俗语。当两个重量级拳击手比赛的时候,只要铃一响,他们就冲到场地的中央,尽力地挥舞双臂,各自企图在对方还没有时间袭击他的时候就给对方致命一击。用在竞选的时候,to come out swinging就成了互相攻击的意思。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: After a day off, President Bush and Governor Clinton this morning again launched another hard week of campaigning, and they both came out swinging.
  
  这句话的意思是:休息了一天以后,布什总统和克林顿州长今天早上又开始了一个星期的艰苦竞选旅程,他们两人一开始就进行互相攻击。
  
  下面我们再举一个例子:
  
  例句-4: They say the big mistake the Democratic candidate made in 1988 was that he failed to come out swinging the day after the convention.
  
  这句话的意思是:他们说民主党1988年总统候选人的错误是他没有在全党代表大会以后马上展开攻击。
  
  ******
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个美国人在竞选过程中常用的俗语,第一个是:swing voters。Swing voters就是那些还没有决定投谁票的选民。我们给大家讲解的第二个习惯用语是:to come out swinging。To come out swinging的意思是:候选人进行互相攻击。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#293
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这是一个星期六的下午, Michael和李华比较放松,他们正在校园里散步。 李华会学到两个常用语:critter和mug。
  
  L: 今天天气真好,你看那个人在跟他的狗玩,那小白狗真好玩!
  
  M: Yes, he is a cute little critter.
  
  L: Critter是什么?Critter是狗的一个品种吗?
  
  M: No, a critter is just an animal, usually one that is relatively small and furry. The word is used a lot in the Southern part of the US.
  
  L: 噢,critter就是毛耸耸的小动物。那么,松鼠也可以说是个critter,对不对?
  
  M: Yes, squirrels are definitely critters. But you know a lot of people don't like squirrels. They think that they are dirty and look like rats with bushy tails.
  
  L: 还有人不喜欢松鼠的呀?怎么会说它们象老鼠呢!我觉得它们真可爱,看起来毛耸耸,软棉棉的。我最喜欢看它们用前面两条腿捧着一颗花生啃。哎哟,那样子真好玩!
  
  M: Well, I would not try to feed those little critters if I were you, they bite and can carry diseases.
  
  L: 不要喂它们吃东西?它们会咬人?嗨, 你站得远一点扔给它们不就行了吗?我倒是听说过它们会传染疾病,是要小心点。Michael, 那象耗子那样的小动物也能够叫做critters吗?
  
  M: Yes, those are critters, too. Speaking of which, did you hear that my roommate got a new-born sharpei?
  
  L: 你的室友养了一只刚出生的沙皮狗!那肯定很好玩。
  
  M: I don't think so. As far as I'm concerned, that little critter looks ugly.
  
  L: 你觉得沙皮狗难看啊?不少人家里养沙皮狗都觉得它们可爱。我还没有见过刚出生的沙皮狗呢!Michael, 你带我去看一看,好不好吗?
  
  M: You want to take a look at that ugly critter? Ok, we'll go.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#294
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Look, Li Hua, here is my roommate's sharpei. Look at that furry mug. He looks like he should be friendly.
  
  L: 哟,这就是你室友的沙皮狗呀!好可爱哟!Michael, 你说什么furry mug?Mug不是用来喝咖啡或喝茶的杯子吗?沙皮狗和mug有什么关系呀?
  
  M: No, not a coffee mug. Mug is slang for a face, usually an ugly one. His little mug is his face.
  
  L: 噢,在这里,mug不是指杯子的意思,而是指一张脸,而且往往是指难看的脸。我觉得这只狗的脸挺可爱的。Michael, 我能不能摸摸它啊?
  
  M: Go ahead, but I'm sure he'll bite you.
  
  L: 它会咬我?那就算了,我就看看它吧。哎,Michael, 我们能不能把人的脸称为mug呢?
  
  M: Of course. For example, my brother has a really ugly mug.
  
  L: 你弟弟的脸很难看? 哎哟,Michael, 你怎么能这么说啊?再说,你弟弟的脸没准跟你的脸很象啊!
  
  M: I was just trying to give you an example. I don't really think my brother has an ugly face.
  
  L: 哎哟,你真是的,要给我举例子也得找个适当的例子嘛。怎么能拿你弟弟来举例子,破坏他的形象呢?对了,我还得弄弄清楚,mug一般是指难看的脸,是贬意,对不对?
  
  M: Yeah, we usually don't say a person has a pretty mug. But, if you like the look of that dog, you can say: "Oh, what a cute mug this little dog has!"
  
  L: 噢,你的意思是,可以用mug这个词来指一个动物的脸很可爱,但是不能用来形容人的脸。
  
  M: That's right.
  
  今天李华学会说critter。这是指毛耸耸的小动物。今天她还学会一个词,那就是mug。Mug在这里是指动物和人的脸,一般是指难看的脸。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#295
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Don't change horses in the middle of the stream
  
  to jump on the bandwagon
  
  美国的民意测验显示,布什总统落后于民主党候选人克林顿。这使人想起在十九世纪美国内战期间担任总统的林肯。林肯在竞选连任的时候也遇到了重重困难。当时他对选民说: "Don't change horses in the middle of the stream."
  
  Horses就是“马”的意思,in the middle of the stream是指“河流的中间”。"Don't change horses in the middle of the stream"也就是说:不要在过河过到一半的时候换你骑的马。就美国选举来说,这个俗语的意思就是:即便你们对我不满意,但是目前美国问题很多,不是换总统的时候。林肯的这句话很有名,竞选连任的官员经常引用他这句话。我们来举一个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: I may have made a few mistakes in the last four years. But, my friends, let me tell you this--with the economy in bad shape, this is no time to change horses in the middle of the stream.
  
  这位竞选连任的官员说:我可能在过去四年内犯了一些错误,但是朋友们,让我告诉你们,在目前经济那么糟糕的时候换人是不行的。”
  
  下面我们再举一个选民说的话:
  
  例句-2: I kind of like this new man because he has some fresh ideas. But I guess I'll vote for the old guy who has the job now. Somehow, I just don't like to change horses in the middle of the stream.
  
  这个选民说:我倒是很喜欢这个新的候选人,因为他有些新主意。不过,我想我还是投票给那个现任的官员。不知什么缘故,我就是不喜欢中途换人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#296
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

很早以前在收音机和电视还没有出现的时代,竞选官职的人为了吸引公众的注意往往会雇一个乐队,让他们在一辆马车上演奏。马车上贴了许多标语,鼓励人们投某某人的票。这种有乐队的马车就叫bandwagon。要是这个候选人特别受人拥护,那些无足轻重的小政客就会登上那辆马车,让人们知道他们和这位名人关系很好。这就是jump on the bandwagon。
  
  从字面上来看,这是“跳上有乐队的马车”的意思。实际上这种马车已经不存在,但是这个俗语还是经常使用的,它的意思是:站在某候选人一边,表示支持。下面是一个一直在观望的政客说的话:
  
  例句-3: After the latest polls I think that Green is going to win. Let's jump on the bandwagon right now and endorse the man before we get left behind.
  
  这位政客似乎已经看准了风向。他说:根据最近的民意调查,我想格林是会当选的。我们得马上表态支持他,否则我们就会落后于形势了。
  
  下面是一个对选举很感兴趣的人说的话:
  
  例句-4: Sometimes you can tell who is going to win a big office like President or Governor by watching how many other politicians come running to jump on his bandwagon and get credit for supporting him.
  
  这个人说:有时候,你只要看有多少政客急急忙忙表态站在某个候选人一边,并想以支持他得到好处,你就可以知道谁会当选像总统或州长那样的重要官职了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#297
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael到李华的宿舍串门,李华会学到两个常用语:have a cow和pack rat。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua, what are you doing?
  
  L: 哎哟,我在找我的眼镜,急死人了,找不到眼镜我怎么上课啊?
  
  M: Calm down. Li Hua, don't have a cow. I'm sure you'll find them.
  
  L: 你说什么?Don't have a cow? Cow, 这不是“母牛”的意思吗?哎,我这儿是学生宿舍,怎么能养母牛呢?
  
  M: No, I said "don't have a cow", it means don't get too excited about something. I'm sure you'll find your glasses if you are patient enough.
  
  L: 噢,我懂了,你是让我耐心点儿。你叫我Don't have a cow, 意思就是别着急、别慌,可是,Don't have a cow字面的意思明明是“别有母牛”。这跟“别惊慌”一点关系也没有,好奇怪哟!
  
  M: Yeah, it is a little strange, but we still say it.
  
  L: 好吧,就听你的, I won't have a cow, 再想想看,我可能把眼镜放在什么地方了。
  
  M: Well, where did you see them last?
  
  L: 我记得昨晚睡觉前把眼镜放在床边桌子上了。
  
  M: Have you looked under the bed?
  
  L: 有啊,我在床底下找过了,让我再看看。哎呀,你还真说对了,就在床底下呢!
  
  M: See, I told you not to have a cow and I was right.
  
  L: 可是,Michael, 你肯定平时也有惊慌失措的时候。比方说,要是我对你说,我把你的电脑弄坏了,你肯定会have a cow。
  
  M: Yes, I would have a cow because I can't afford to buy a new one. Hey, Li Hua, You didn't really break my computer, did you?
  
  L: Don't have a cow! 我是在跟你开玩笑啦!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#298
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: Li Hua, you really have a lot of stuff. Is that the movie ticket from last week? You even saved that?
  
  L: 噢,这是上星期的电影票。你说我这儿东西多啊,那是因为我喜欢把各样东西留起来。你看,除了电影票,我还有报纸杂志什么的。谁知道呢,说不定什么时候会有用呢!
  
  M: You're really a pack rat. Look at all this stuff! No wonder you couldn't find your glasses.
  
  L: 哎哟,Michael, 虽然我找不到眼镜可能是因为我这儿东西太多,可你也不该骂人啊?干吗说我是rat? Rat 那不是“老鼠”吗?
  
  M: No, I didn't call you a rat. I said you are a pack rat. A pack rat is someone who saves everything and has lots of stuff.
  
  L: 噢,原来,pack rat是指“什么东西都不肯扔的人”。我什么东西都不愿意扔 -- I guess I am a pack rat.
  
  M: My mom is a pack rat, too. We have so much stuff in our house. She even saved every drawing I ever made when I was a kid.
  
  L: 原来你妈妈也是个pack rat. 你说连你小时候画的画她都舍不得扔?我倒希望我妈也是个pack rat, 把我小时候画的画啦或者玩过的玩具也留到今天。
  
  M: So you can have them here and add to your "collection"? You're really a pack rat, but Li Hua, have you ever thought how difficult it would be for you to move to a new place?
  
  L: 说的也是,我什么都留着,东西越积越多,要是哪天想搬家,那可就成问题罗。
  
  M: Well, my folks have been in their house for more than 20 years, probably because my mom is such a pack rat, they have too much stuff to even move.
  
  L: 什么?你爸妈在一个地方住了20多年,可能就是因为你妈是pack rat,弄得家里东西太多了?Maybe I shouldn't be a pack rat anymore!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语,一个是to have a cow, 意思是“惊慌失措”;另一个是pack rat, 意思是“什么东西都不肯扔的人”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#299
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

sleaze
  
  gridlock
  
  在竞选过程中,候选人进行互相攻击似乎是常事,只是在手法上有所不同而已。今天我们先要给大家介绍一个和候选人互相攻击有关的常用词汇:sleaze。Sleaze这个字听起来就不太悦耳,它的意思也很不好。Sleaze指的是“下流的人”,或是“低级的东西”。可是今年的美国总统竞选中,sleaze是指“攻击对方的私生活”。也就是,竞选一方散布有关竞选对手私生活中的丑闻,以此在选民中毁坏对方的名声,他们散布的丑闻有的可能是属实的,但是也有一些是完全捏造的。下面请听一个例句:
  
  例句-1: On the campaign trail today the Republicans and the Democrats both hurled charges accusing the other side of using sleaze despite promises by Bush and Clinton to stop such tactics.
  
  这是说:今天在竞选活动中共和党和民主党互相攻击,指责对方使用人身攻击的手法,尽管布什和克林顿都做了保证不再这样做。
  
  下面请听一位候选人是怎么说的:
  
  例句-2: I don't intend to use sleaze against my opponent although there are plenty of things in his personal life that the voters ought to know about.
  
  他说:我并不想利用竞选对手的丑闻来攻击他,但是他的私生活中也确实有很多东西选民应该知道的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#300
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在七十年代,纽约有一次发生严重的交通堵塞事故。当时汽车无法前进,排成几里长的长蛇阵,所有主要街道的路口全部都被堵死了。人们把这一现象叫做:gridlock。Gridlock这个字在有些字典里还查不到。现在,美国人用gridlock这个字来指美国政界存在的那种两派僵持不下,任何问题无法得以进展的现象。出现这种现象的主要原因是布什总统是共和党人,而负责制定法律的国会却在民主党控制之下。在过去四年内,布什提出的大多数提案国会都没有通过。而国会提出的提案,很多都被布什否决了。民主党在国会虽占多数,但还没有到足以推翻总统否决的三分之二多数。这个局面使得许多重要问题无法进展,造成了gridlock的现象。请听下面这个例句:
  
  例句-3: Both the Republicans and the Democrats agree that the big problem with the government in Washington is political gridlock. But they certainly don't agree who is to blame.
  
  这句话的意思是:共和党人和民主党人都同意,美国政府的一个大问题就是在政治上的僵局。至于究竟哪一方应该对这个局面负责,双方意见却完全不同。
  
  这种现象不仅仅是美国联邦政府的问题,连州一级政府也同样存在类似情况。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: Our State is just like Washington--we have a Republican Governor and a Democratic legislature. So we usually have gridlock on new programs because one side won't approve what the other side does.
  
  这个人说:我们州和华盛顿一样,我们的州长是共和党的,而立法机构却在民主党控制下。往往一方不同意另一方的计划,所以我们经常会在新的项目上出现僵局。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了sleaze。Sleaze是攻击竞选对手私生活的手法。Gridlock是在政治上处于僵局的现象。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#301
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华要出去买东西。李华会学到两个常用语:down with that和to pay through the nose。
  
  M: Hey, Li Hua. What do you want to do today? I don't have any special plan, so we can do whatever you want.
  
  L: 你今天没事干呀?太好了,我正想去买几件春天穿的衣服。那些旧的都已经过时了。
  
  M: I'm down with that. I need to buy some new tennis shoes. My old ones are really gross. My roommate is threatening to throw them out.
  
  L: 我也注意到你的球鞋了,实在不象话,怪不得你的室友要把它扔掉呢。哎,那太好了,咱们就一块儿去买东西吧。不过,Michael,你刚才说I'm down with that。那是什么意思呀?就是你愿意去的意思吗?
  
  M: Yes, the expression "I'm down with that" means going shopping is okay with me and I'm willing to go.
  
  L: 这很有意思。那要是你问我,要不要跟你一块儿吃晚饭,我很愿意的话,我能不能说:I'm down with that?
  
  M: Yes, that would let me know that you are willing to have dinner with me. What would you say if I suggested we go to my friend's party on Saturday night.
  
  L: 你建议我们星期六晚上上你朋友家去聚会啊。嗯,那一定很好玩,我愿意去,I'm down with that。
  
  M: Right. Now, where do you want to go shopping? There are lots of places close by.
  
  L: 去哪儿买东西呀?学校附近有很多买东西的地方。去附近那个购物中心,好不好?
  
  M: Okay, that's fine with me. That mall has a shoe store and it's close. Let's go.
  
  L: Okay, I'm down with that. 我们可以搭公共汽车去,几分钟就到了。然后我们有一整天去买我们要买的东西。还可以在购物中心吃饭呢!
  
  M: Okay, I'm down with that.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#302
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: 哎,Michael,这家店看起来真好。我们能不能进去看看呀?我肯定他们有很好的衣服。
  
  M: That's Neiman-Marcus. They have nice stuff, but they're really, really expensive. You have to pay through the nose to buy even a shirt there.
  
  L: 我也猜想它们的衣服一定很贵。你说要在他们这里买件衬衣就要pay through the nose? 东西贵和鼻子有什么关系呀?
  
  M: To pay through the nose is to pay a lot of money for something, usually way more than the item is worth. For instance, a shirt in a normal store costs about $40. However, a shirt in Neiman-Marcus easily costs $200. That's paying through the nose.
  
  L: 我懂了。To pay through the nose就是用高价买一样东西,往往要比原来的价值高很多。像普通店里一件衬衣要40美元,在他们这里就要200美元。可是,Michael, 我还是不懂,一个人的鼻子和钱有什么关系呀?
  
  M: Yeah, it is a strange expression, but that's the way it is. Do you still want to go into that store?
  
  L: 不要,不要,我不进去了。我只是个学生,没那么多钱,I can't afford to pay through the nose for things. 我啊,付不起这么高的价钱。
  
  M: I agree. I don't want to pay through the nose for anything either. It's stupid to waste so much money on something you can buy cheaper somewhere else.
  
  L: 就是呀,能够用便宜的价钱买到的东西为什么要浪费那么多钱去买呢?对了,Michael, 那什么时候我们还可以用to pay through the nose这个说法的呢?
  
  M: Well, some people are willing to pay through the nose to buy tickets to see their favorite singers.
  
  L: 噢,花好多钱买票去听他们喜欢的歌手唱歌。我就有几个朋友爱买名牌的东西。她们就愿意pay through the nose。
  
  
  M: I don't understand paying through the nose to eat at fancy restaurants either. Food is food. Li Hua, I'm getting hungry. Can we go eat first?
  
  L: I'm down with that. 我也有点饿了。但是,I don't want to pay through the nose.
  
  李华今天学到了两个常用语。一个是:down with that, 意思是“同意”,或者是“愿意”。另一个是:to pay through the nose, 意思是“出高价买东西”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#303
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 lame duck
  
  golden parachute
  
  美国民主党总统候选人克林顿在一九九二年十一月三号当选为美国第四十二届总统。这一结果使好些官员都处于即将下任的境地,包括布什总统在内。美国人给这些竞选失败、即将下任的官员起了一个名字,叫做: lame duck。Lame的意思就是“走起路来一瘸一瘸的”。duck就是“鸭子”。从字面上来解释lame duck就是:一只瘸的鸭子。但是,我们这儿指的不是鸭子,而是一个经选举产生的政府官员竞选连任失败,可是他的任期还有几个星期或几个月。
  
  任何政府官员都可能成为lame duck。从总统、参议员、一直到州长和市长。就拿布什总统来说吧,他的总统任期一直要到明年一月二十号克林顿宣誓就职为止。
  
  克林顿在当选后的第二天发表讲话时说:During the transition..., I urge America's friends and foes alike to recognize...that America has only one President at a time...
  
  克林顿说:"在过渡时期内......,我要敦促美国的朋友和敌人都认识到...,美国在任何时候只有一位总统......”也就是说,在明年一月二十号之前,美国的总统仍然是布什。"
  
  然而,一个任期只剩下几个星期的官员很自然地会失去很多权力。这就是为什么把他们称为lame duck,因为他只能像一只瘸的鸭子那样,一拐一拐地走,再也飞不起来了。下面我们给大家举一个例子:
  
  例句-1: The governor of our state ended up as a lame duck when he lost the election. He still has six weeks left in office but there's nothing to do except to pack up his papers.
  
  这是说:我们州的州长竞选连任失败,因此即将下任。他的任期还剩六个星期,不过他除了整理办公室以外也没有什么事情可干了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#304
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

那么这些lame duck今后怎么办呢?在这些人当中,有许多都能找到一个golden parachute。Golden的意思是“金的”,parachute指的是“降落伞”。作为一个俗语,golden parachute就是那些下任的官员在失去他们原来的工作以后在经济上提供保障的安排。当布什总统明年一月卸任的时候,他将和其他总统一样在他有生之年享受一份优厚的退休金。按照美国法律,国家还为他提供保安人员和为维持他办公室的一笔资金。美国当前还在世有四位总统。他们是尼克松,福特,卡特和里根。
  
  在那些下任的官员中,有些运气好的将担任一些企业的执行总裁,到一个律师事务所去工作,或者为一些企业进行游说,设法影响他们以前在政府工作时的同事。下面我们来举一个例子:
  
  例句-2: Congressman Blank lost the election. But he has a golden parachute--he's been offered a job as a senior vice president in a big company in his home state of New York.
  
  这是说:布兰克议员竞选连任失败。但是他运气很好,经济上都已经有了安排,因为他家乡纽约州的一家大公司请他去担任副总裁。
    
  今天我们讲了两个和选举有关的俗语:lame duck和golden parachute。Lame duck是指竞选连任失败,即将下任的官员。Golden parachute是那些lame duck在经济方面的安排。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#305
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华正在谈论有关买汽车的事。李华会学到两个常用语:to kick oneself和raw deal。
  
  L: Michael, 你没有买Jerry的车啊?我以为价钱很公道啊!怎么回事啊?
  
  M: Please don't mention that! Jerry sold the car to someone else yesterday. I'm still kicking myself for not buying it when I had the chance.
  
  L: Kicking yourself, kick不就是k-i-c-k,踢球的踢吗?你为什么要踢你自己呢?
  
  M: No, no Li Hua. "To kick oneself" means to feel regret for missing an opportunity, or making a mistake that could have been avoided.
  
  L: 噢,to kick oneself不是真的踢自己,意思是:自己失去了一个好机会而埋怨自己太笨。Michael, 那到底是怎么回事啊?
  
  M: Well, I told Jerry that I wanted to check out some other cars before I made a decision. Someone else bought the car before I had a chance to decide. I'm still kicking myself for waiting too long.
  
  L: 原来你是想等看看别的车以后再做决定,结果Jerry就把车卖给别人了。哎哟,Michael, 你不用埋怨自己啦。不管做什么交易,作决定前仔细考虑清楚总是好的。
  
  M: Well, I guess you're right. When I bought the car I have now, I wasn't careful enough. Later, I found out the car was in very poor condition, and I have been kicking myself ever since.
  
  L: 你看,我说得没错。你买现在这辆车的时候不小心,所以现在老要出问题。哎,Michael, 你呀,买得不好也怨自己,没有买到也埋怨自己。你累不累呀!
  
  M: Hey, speaking of regret, I heard that your ex-boyfriend Ding Yu is doing really well these days. I bet you are kicking yourself for dumping him, huh?
  
  L: 你在说我以前的男朋友丁余?告诉你,不管他现在多有钱我都不会因为跟他分手而后悔。
  
  M: Hmm, I know, when you're a famous professor at a top U.S. university, Ding Yu will be kicking himself for not being nicer to you when you were together.
  
  L: 我要是在美国当了名教授,他再捶胸顿足地后悔也没有用。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#306
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 你没有买Jerry的车,那你是不是还想找一辆旧车呢?
  
  M: Yes, I still want to replace my car. But I'm sort of afraid... The last time I bought a car, I got a really raw deal!
  
  L: 你上回买车怎么啦?什么是raw deal?是不是不好的意思?
  
  M: That's right! A raw deal. Raw. A "raw deal" means an unfair deal, or to be treated roughly and unfairly by someone.
  
  L: A raw deal就是吃了亏的交易。你的意思是,你上次买这辆车的时候,卖车的人让你吃了大亏?
  
  M: That's right. The week after I bought the car, the engine broke down, and I had to completely replace it! The guy I bought it from refused to pay for it.
  
  L: 车才买了一个星期就出问题。这实在是太倒霉了。这就是所谓的a raw deal。那么,Michael, raw deal是不是只能用在买卖方面的?
  
  M: No, not necessarily. For instance, my Uncle George worked at a factory for over twenty years. Unfortunately, the factory was shut down and George lost his job right before he had a chance to retire. That was a raw deal!
  
  L: That's really a raw deal! 我听到好几个这样的例子了。一个人在一个公司做了几十年,还没来得及退休公司就关门了。退休金全完了。我舅舅的工厂关门前,他工作了八个月,到现在还没拿到工资呢!
  
  M: That's really a raw deal!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语:to kick oneself和raw deal。To kick oneself是由于错过了机会而怨恨自己。Raw deal就是在跟别人打交道时吃了亏。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#307
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

on the fence
  
  maverick
  
  各种语言都有一套特殊的政治词汇,美国英语也不例外。美国国会议员在通过各项法案时经常要投票表示自己的立场。但是,有些议员在面临有争议的法案时往往感到难以作出决定。美国人把这种情况叫做:on the fence。Fence就是“篱笆”。On-the-fence的意思也就是骑在篱笆上,左右不定。下面就是一例:
  
  例句-1: Sorry, friend: I can't tell you right now how I will vote on the new tax bill. I'm still on the fence: I'm looking for more information before I decide which way I'll jump.
  
  这位议员说:朋友,对不起,我现在还不能告诉你我对这个有关税收的新法案如何投票。我还没有决定。在我决定站在哪一边以前,我还要了解更多的情况。
  
  On the fence也可能指那种两面观望,看准了如何行动才对自己有好处的所谓“骑墙派”。下面就是一个典型的例子:
  
  例句-2: That man has managed to stay in office for ten years by being a regular fence-sitter. He never makes up his mind how to vote on an issue until he's sure whether most voters are for or against it.
  
  这是说:“那个人在投票前总是要先看准了大多数选民是赞成还是反对,然后再决定投什么票。就这样,他竟然当了十年议员。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#308
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

一般来说,忠实的民主党员或者是共和党员基本上会按照党的决定来投票。但是,每个党里都有一些非常独立、很有主见的人,他们往往不按照党的意志去投票。所以很难预料他们会站在那一边。美国人把这种人称谓:maverick。
  
  Maverick是大约一百五十年前得克萨斯州一个牧场主的名字。当时,各农场之间是没有铁丝网隔开的,牲口可以到处去吃草。一般农场主都在自己的牛身上打上自己的记号,可是Maverick却不在乎,他的牲口身上没有任何记号。后来,当其他牧场主看到没有记号的牲口时,他们就会说:‘看,那是Maverick的牲口!’现在,Maverick这个字已经用到政治上来,形容那些有独立主见,不像大多数党员跟着自己党的意志行事的议员。下面请听一位党的领导人说的话:
  
  例句-3: This vote on the foreign trade bill is going to be close, and I sure wish we could be sure of that man's support. But he's such a maverick we can't count on his voting with the party.
  
  他说:两个党在这个外贸法案上的票数肯定会非常接近。我真是希望能够得到那个人的支持,但是他的独立性非常强,没有办法肯定他是否会跟着党的意思去投票。
  
  可是,maverick有时倒也很受人尊重下面这句话里说的就是一例:
  
  例句-4: Congressman Black is a real maverick but the voters keep sending him back to Washington. They admire a man who votes the way he really feels instead of just trying to please the voters all the time.
  
  这是说:布莱克议员是一个真正独行其事的人,但是选民们不断投他的票,推选他到华盛顿去当议员。选民们很钦佩他,因为他总是根据自己真正的想法去投票,而不是单纯想讨好选民。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#309
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Michael这个周末什么功课都没有,原来准备好好玩一玩,可是后来计划落空。李华会学到两个常用语:zip和drama queen。
  
  L: 嗨,Michael, 你这个周末有功课要做吗?
  
  M: Nope. I don't have to do zip. I'm free the whole weekend.
  
  L: 你不用做zip? 那是什么意思呀?Zip不是衣服上的拉链吗?
  
  M: No, I mean zip as in zero or nothing. I don't have zip means I don't have anything to do.
  
  L: 噢,zip可以解释为“零”,“什么也没有”。那你的意思是你周末什么事也没有,对不对?
  
  M: Yes. If you ask me for money and I don't have any, I could say I haven't got zip. Get it?
  
  L: 知道了,你没有钱,我本来也没有想问你借钱啊。
  
  M: Good. Now, do you have any money I could borrow. I want to buy a coke.
  
  L: "No, I don't have zip." 我这么说对不对?
  
  M: Yes, you used it right, but I really want to buy a coke.
  
  L: 你真的要问我借钱哪?Michael, 我可真是没有钱,我不骗你。
  
  M: Oh well, I guess I'll have to go to the bank before we can do anything interesting this weekend. If I don't have any cash, then we won't be able to do zip.
  
  L: 没错,你要不到银行去取钱,那周末我们哪儿也去不了。We won't be able to do zip.
  
  M: Now you've learned the word zip. The bank is over there. I'll get some cash and I'll come right back.
  
  L: 快点,我饿了,要去吃晚饭了。嗨,Michael, 你多取点钱,I don't have zip in my pockets.
  
  M: Alright.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#310
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 我们周末出去玩的计划全被打乱了。我们的历史教授从电脑上发给我们一个新作业,星期一就要交了。啊呀,我真气死了。
  
  M: Oh, don't be such a drama queen. The assignment can't be that bad, and I know for a fact that you do have free time.
  
  L: 你叫我什么? Drama queen? Drama是戏剧,queen是女王。这两个词合在一起,嘿,我虽然不知道drama queen的具体意思,但是我肯定你是在讽刺我,对不对?
  
  M: Not really. A drama queen is a girl who exaggerates her problems, usually to get attention. Your problem really isn't that bad, but you make it sound like the end of the world.
  
  L: 噢,drama queen原来是说一个女孩,为了引起别人的注意,夸张了她面临的问题。 哎哟,就是小题大作。嗨,我可不是小题大作。我是因为没有时间完成作业,所以我才心烦意乱。
  
  M: Oh, please. You are being a little too dramatic about this homework assignment.
  
  L: 只是一个作业,你说得倒简单!算了,算了,不跟你争了。可能是我还不清楚drama queen的含意,Michael, 你再给我举个例子,好不好?
  
  M: Do you remember my friend, Angela, who called me crying because she couldn't find her math book?
  
  L: 当然记得。她呀,为了找不到她的数学书给你打电话的时候还哭了,我真是难以相信。她好像老是有什么事感到不高兴似的。
  
  M: She is such a drama queen. She makes a huge deal out of losing a book or a bad haircut. Once, she wouldn't talk to me for a week because I forgot to call her back.
  
  L: 对,她总是大惊小怪,小题大作的,丢了一本书也不高兴,剪头发剪得不好也不高兴。你忘了给她打回电,她当然要生气,一个星期不跟你讲话就算客气的了。我可没有象她那样,所以别叫我drama queen.
  
  M: Yeah, you're not quite as bad.
  
  今天李华学到了zip和drama queen两个常用语,zip就是零,什么也没有的意思;drama queen是指那种喜欢小题大作,大惊小怪的女孩子。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#311
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to give somebody a piece of one's mind
  
  to tell someone off
  
  你有没有因为十分生气而对别人大发雷霆?美国人有一个说法是形容这种情绪的,那就是:to give someone a piece of one's mind。To give someone a piece of one's mind是指对某人大发雷霆。例如,一个人开汽车出门,在路上一个开车不守规则、横冲乱闯的人把他弄得很紧张,差点儿没出事。他回到家还在生气,于是他对家里的人说:
  
  例句-1: This stupid idiot passed me on the left, then cut in ahead of me so close I had to jam on the brakes to keep from hitting him. When I caught up with him at the stoplight, I rolled down my window, and boy, did I give him a piece of my mind.
  
  这个人说:这个混蛋,他从我左边超车,然后在靠我很近的地方就往我前面挤,我不得不急煞车,否则我的车就要撞上他的车了。当我在红灯的地方和他平行的时候,嗬,我可把他臭骂了一顿。
  
  下面这个例子是一个公司经理对他的办公室主任不满,他说:
  
  例句-2: Today I'll give my business manager a piece of my mind. I'm tired of him coming in an hour late every day. I'll tell him to be here on time or look for a job some place else.
  
  他说:今天我得好好地把办公室主任说一顿。他每天迟到一小时,真叫人讨厌。我要叫他准时来上班,否则就到别处去另找工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#312
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国口语里有一些表示生气的习惯用语都是由tell这个字组成的。其中美国人最常用的一个就是:to tell someone off。To tell someone off也是表示生气,但是也包含一些拒绝某人要求的意思,例如:
  
  例句-3: My brother-in-law borrowed $200 from me six months ago and never paid me back. So when he tried to borrow another $200 last night, I certainly told him off.
  
  这句话翻成中文的意思就是:我的姐夫半年前问我借了两百块美元,可是一直没有还我。所以当他昨天晚上又要问我借两百块美元的时候,我把他好好说了一顿,没借给他。
  
  在美国,有许多地方汽车是生活不可缺少的一个工具。汽车也确实给人们提供许多方便。可是,一旦汽车出了毛病那就麻烦了,因为大多数车行要价很高,还有的还欺诈顾客。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: Can you believe this mechanic charged $800 to fix my car and it runs worse than it did before? Tomorrow I'll go back to tell him off: I'll make his ears burn for a week!
  
  这人说:你信不信,这个修车的人给我修一下车就要我八块钱,可是我的车开起来比修车以前还不如。明天,我得去骂他,我得让他一个礼拜都感到害臊。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#313
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和Li Hua在一起做功课。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:bail和call it quits。
  
  M: Agghh! Come on, Li Hua. We've been studying for five hours. I'm ready to bail!
  
  L: 是啊,我们做了5个小时的功课,我也想干点儿别的了。可是Michael, 你说你准备做什么?You're ready to bail。bail, 那是一种游戏吗?
  
  M: No, silly. I said "I'm ready to bail". "To bail" as in "to leave".
  
  L: 噢,To bail在这里是“离开”的意思。可是明天就要考试了,我们还没复习完呢!
  
  M: Please, Li Hua. I already know the material. I'm ready for tomorrow's test. Let's bail and get something to eat!
  
  L: 好吧,我肚子也饿了,Let's bail and get something to eat! Michael, 你对明天的考试这么有把握,你是不是昨天晚上就开始复习啦?
  
  M: Not really. I went to a movie with some friends last night. After the movie, they wanted to go to a dance club, but I bailed on them and went home to get some sleep.
  
  L: 噢,你昨天晚上和朋友去看电影,然后你的朋友们去跳舞,可是you bailed on them, 意思就是你没和他们一起去,对不对?
  
  M: That's right. I bailed on my friends and went home.
  
  L: 噢,那Michael, 除了可以说bail on someone, 还可不可以说bail on something呢?
  
  M: Of course! For instance, last week I had a dentist appointment, so I had to bail on history class.
  
  L: 对啊,上星期,你因为要去看牙,所以没有上历史课,You bailed on history class.
  
  M: Come on, Li Hua. I'm starving. Let's bail and get something to eat!
  
  (Door open and the two leave...)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#314
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: (in restaurant) By the way, Li Hua, I heard that Jack isn't going to be in school next term. Is he really calling it quits?
  
  L: 什么?Jack下学期就不来上学啦?你说他calling it quits, quit 不就是“放弃”的意思吗?你是说Jack下学期就要退学啦?
  
  M: Ya, that's right. "To call it quits" means to quit doing something. I heard that Jack is calling it quits.
  
  L: 噢,to call it quits意思就是“停止做某件事”,可是,我听说Jack只不过是想先打半年工,多挣点钱,明年他还会回来继续上学,He's not really calling it quits.
  
  M: That's good to hear.
  
  L: Michael, 那这个to call it quits还可以用在别的地方吗?
  
  M: Sometimes "to call it quits" means to break up a relationship between a boyfriend and girlfriend.
  
  L: 噢,原来to call it quits还可以用来表示男女朋友分手,这就让我想到啦,不久前好莱坞电影明星Ben Afleck和Jennifer Lopez, 他们俩本来都订婚了,可是后来又推迟了婚礼,大家就觉得很奇怪啊:Are Ben and J-Lo calling it quits?
  
  M: (sighs) I can't stand those two. I hope that this time they are calling it quits for real, so I never have to hear about them again.
  
  L: 你倒希望他们俩真分手,这样你再也不会听到他们的消息啦。嗨,Michael你也真是的,他们写他们的,你不看不就得了。你不是老说功课太多吗?对了,你还说选修的阿拉伯语课太难 - Are you going to call it quits?
  
  M: No, I'm not going to call it quits! I am going to finish it.
  
  L: 哇,从来没见过你这么大的决心呐!我还记得你学中文的时候有好几次都想call it quits呢!
  
  M: Whatever.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语,一个是bail, 表示“离开”。另一个是call it quits, 意思是“停止做某件事”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#315
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

hick
  
  city slicker
  
  世界各地存在一个普遍现象,那就是城市居民和农民之间互相瞧不起,用一些贬低对方的名称称呼对方。美国人在这方面也不例外。住在像纽约这种大城市的居民往往把农民看成是一些土里土气、脑子很简单,而且容易上当受骗的人。这些城里人经常把农民称为:hick。Hick这个字和中文里的乡下佬差不多。但是,一个hick并不见得一辈子做乡下佬。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-1: See that well-dressed man across the room? That's Mr. Green. When he came to New York 20 years ago, he was only a hick fresh out of the cornfields of Kansas. But he turned out to be a lot smarter than he looked; they say he made ten million dollars last year trading in the stock exchange.
  
  这个人说:你瞧屋子那边那个衣着很讲究的人。那是格林先生。二十年前他来纽约之前,只不过是勘萨斯州种玉米的乡巴佬。他当时虽然看起来不怎么样,但是脑子却非常灵活。他们说,去年他通过买进卖出股票就赚了一千万美元。
  
  下面是一个人在回顾他大学时代的一个同学:
  
  例句-2: My roommate in my freshman year was a real hick. He came from a town so small it didn't have a stop light, a building with an elevator or a movie theater.
  
  他说:大学一年级时和我住一个房间的那个同学真是个乡下佬。他的老家是一个非常小的镇,那里连红绿灯都没有,没有一个楼里有电梯的,甚至连电影院都没有。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#316
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国农民的人数现在越来越少了。一百年前,美国有百分之四十二的人生活在农村。可是,随着城镇的发展和农业机械化,美国农民的人数现在已经下降到只占总人口的百分之二点二。农民用来贬低城里人的名词很有限。他们常用的一个是:city slicker。Slick这个字的意思是很滑流。所以,一个city slicker 也就是说话很圆滑,衣着很时髦,但是很可能是一个不老实、不可信任的家伙。比如说,一个农民的女儿就要到城里去工作,这个农民对他的妻子说:
  
  例句-3: Yep, I told Susie not to go out with any of them city slickers with their smooth talk and fancy clothes. If she has to go out, look for a farm boy. He may be a hick, but she can trust him a whole lot more.
  
  他说:是的,我告诉苏琦不要和那些圆嘴滑舌、衣着讲究的城里人出去玩。要是她一定要出去玩,找一个农村来的男孩。他也许是个乡巴佬,但是至少是可以信得过的。
  
  下面这个例子是对城里人的一个评价:
  
  例句-4: Sure, a city slicker looks smart as long as he stays in a place like New York. But you put him down on a farm and he won't do much better than a newborn baby!
  
  这句话的意思是:是的,一个油滑的城里人在像纽约这种地方看起来都很精明。但是,你要是把他送到农村去,他肯定什么也不会干,比一个新生婴儿好不了多少。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#317
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael和李华刚在外面吃完晚饭。李华会学到两个常用语:shoot和shot。
  
  L: 嗨,这顿饭吃得真不错。Michael, 快付帐,我们走吧。这次该你付了吧?
  
  M: Yeah yeah, I know. I'll just charge it to my credit card.... oh shoot! I forgot my wallet!
  
  L: 你忘了带钱包?没有信用卡你就要shoot. Shoot不是开枪吗?
  
  M: I said "Oh shoot!". If you say "shoot" loudly and suddenly, it's a way to express alarm or disappointment. If you say it slowly, and with a low tone of voice, it shows disgust or indifference.
  
  L: 噢,shoot在这里不是开枪的意思呀?你说,突然大声地说shoot,就表示惊吓或者是失望。如果是低声地说,那就表示讨厌或者是不在乎。Michael, 你先给我举个大声说的例子吧。
  
  M: Well, if I close my car door and realize that I just locked my keys inside, I might yell "Aw, shoot!"
  
  L: 关了车门才发现车钥匙给锁在车里了,那是很烦人的,在中文里我们就会说:啊呀,真糟糕!那Michael, 可不可以再给我举一个低声说的例子呢?
  
  M: If someone tells me a story about a scar on their little finger, I might say "Shoot, that's nothing. Look at this big scar on my back."
  
  L: 你的意思是,如果小手指上一个疤跟你背上的大疤比算不了什么。在中文里我们是说:嗨,那算什么! 对了,Michael, 这个shoot是不是骂人的话?
  
  M: (slowly) Li Hua, the word "shoot" isn't vulgar! Actually, it's a word people use when they want to avoid cursing. A little kid could say it, and no one would care.
  
  L: 噢,shoot是心里很火,可是又不想骂人的时候说的。所以不是什么难听的话。得了,你忘了钱包,那看来只能我来付钱了!Oh shoot! I don't believe it. 我也没带信用卡。那我们怎么办哪?
  
  M: (slowly) Shoot, it's nothing to worry about, Li Hua. My house is close by. I can walk home and get my wallet.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#318
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: Michael, 你怎么那么快就回来了?
  
  M: (panting) I ran as fast as I could. (pants some more) Boy, am I shot!
  
  L: 你从家里跑来的! 你那么紧张干什么呀! 对了,你刚才说:I am shot! 在路上有人对你开枪,所以你才跑那么快啊?
  
  M: What? No, of course not! "To be shot" means to have no energy, to feel weak and tired. I really tired myself out running so fast: I'm really shot now!
  
  L: 噢,to be shot是累了,觉得没劲的意思。哎哟,你跑那么快当然会累咯。对不起,本来我也可以走回家去拿信用卡的,可是我昨晚只睡了五个小时,所以我今天也感到很累 - so I'm shot too.
  
  M: I used to stay up late studying too, and sometimes I'd be so shot that I'd fall asleep in class.
  
  L: 我也跟你一样,老是开夜车念书,结果上课的时候悃得打瞌睡。以前在国内念书的时候好象都没有这么紧张呢!
  
  M: (slowly) Shoot, Li Hua. If you feel that way, you might as well stay in China.
  
  L: 哼,要是我这么想,我就最好呆在中国!你说这话是什么意思呀!那你老觉得累,你干脆呆在家里算了。
  
  M: Shoot! Don't be mad! I was just kidding.
  
  L: Shoot, 我也是跟你开玩笑嘛。
  
  李华学到了两个常用语,一个是shoot,这是一个惊叹词,表示讨厌,失望或者是烦恼,也就是有的时候心里不高兴,但是又不想用脏话骂人的时候用的词。李华还学到了to be shot,这是很累的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#319
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to throw to the wolves
  
  to throw the baby out with the bath water
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍两个由throw这个字组成的俗语。第一个是to throw to the wolves。Wolf就是狼,to throw to the wolves的意思就是:牺牲别人来解救自己。这个俗语可能是来自一个俄罗斯的民间故事。这个故事说的是,一对父母带着几个孩子坐着雪橇在雪地里行走,后面有一群狼在追他们。那个做父亲的就把他的孩子一个接着一个地扔给狼吃,这样他自己就可以安全地抵达目的地。我们来举个例子看看这个俗语在实际生活中是怎么用的:
  
  例句-1: The voters have been demanding that the mayor do something about all the corruption at city hall, so he threw a couple of minor officials to the wolves--he accused them of taking bribes to issue building permits and then fired them.
  
  这是说:选民们要求市长对市政府内部所有的贪污行为采取行动,于是他就把两名基层官员做牺牲品来保全他自己。他指责这两个基层官员在发放建筑许可证方面接受贿赂,然后就把他们解雇了。
  
  但是,比这位市长更凶狠的人也并不少见,下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: Louie, we've got to find some small-time guys to throw to the wolves for murdering that cop. Otherwise, the cops will trace the killing right back to us.
  
  这是一个流氓头子在说话,他对手下的一个打手说:路易,我们得在谋杀那个警察的事上找一些小喽罗来做牺牲品,否则,警察就要把这案件追根儿追到我们这儿来了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#320
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们下面要给大家介绍的一个俗语是:to throw the baby out with the bath water。To throw the baby out with the bath water从字面上来解释就是:在泼洗澡水的时候连孩子一起泼掉了。这是很难想象的。但是这个俗语真正表达的是:在你扔掉不要的东西时把宝贵的东西都无意地一起扔掉了。我们举个例子吧:
  
  例句-3: Our company thought they'd be smart and save money by stopping the bonuses they had been giving to the salesmen who sold the most cars each month. Well, they saved a little money, but they threw the baby out with the bath water--our best salesmen quit and went to work for our biggest competitor.
  
  这句话的意思是:我们公司取销了给每个月出售汽车最多的推销员奖金的制度,以为这样做很明智,可以省钱。可是,他们省了一点儿钱却失掉了更有价值的东西,因为我们最好的推销员就此不干了,他到和我们竞争最激烈的公司去干了。
  
  下面这个例子里的公司主管比较聪敏,他正在考虑要不要解雇那个他不满意的雇员:
  
  例句-4: I'd really like to fire this man tomorrow. But if I fire him, his brother will probably leave with him. His brother is one of our best people, and I don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water.
  
  他说:我可真想明天就把那个人解雇了。但是,要是我解雇他,他的哥哥也许会和他一起走。他哥哥是我们这儿最好的雇员之一,我可不要因为解雇他弟弟而失去他。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#321
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Michael和李华去一个夜总会听音乐,因为他们的朋友Jack要带他的乐队来演出。李华会学到 "to stick around" 和 "guilt trip" 。
  
  (noisy rock music playing, people talking, etc.)
  
  L: (Talking loudly over crowd) Michael! (coughs) 这个地方真让人难受,声音这么大,还有那么多人抽烟。这些乐队也真是够呛的!
  
  M: I know Li Hua, the show isn't very good. But Jack's band is going to be playing soon. Let's stick around until their performance is over, OK?
  
  L: Jack的乐队什么时候来啊?哎,你说什么"stick around"? 你的意思就是先不要走,是不是?
  
  M: That's right. I said "let's stick around." That means to stay or remain in a place.
  
  L: 噢,to stick around就是在一个地方再呆一会儿。懂了,你的意思就是要我们等Jack的乐队来了,表演完了以后再走。Michael, 那乘我们等他的时候,你再给我举几个例子,好不好?
  
  M: Hmmm... Well, you remember Angie Summers, right? She finished her Ph.D. last spring, but has decided to stick around and do some post-doctoral work before she starts looking for a job.
  
  L: 我当然记得Angie Summers啦。她今年春天拿到了博士学位,可是决定在开始找工作前先不离开学校,做一些博士后的工作。所以,在这里,to stick around就是她继续呆下去,不离开学校。噢,Michael,我们还要等Jack等多久嘛?
  
  M: I don't know. Let's just stick around for another half hour or so. If Jack doesn't show up, we can leave.
  
  L: 好,那再等他半小时,否则我可真要受不了了!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#322
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

L: (sighs) 噢,谢天谢地,总算完了,我要再在里面呆下去,就要聋了。
  
  M: Yeah, I'm sorry about that, Li Hua. But if we hadn't waited for Jack to perform, he would have given us a huge guilt trip about it on Monday.
  
  L: 要是我们不等Jack的话,他会给我们什么?A guilt trip? Guilt不是感到有罪,感到内疚吗?那Trip是旅行。你是说Jack会觉得非常抱歉啊?
  
  M: No, I meant he'd make us feel guilty.
  
  L: 噢,他让我们感到内疚?
  
  M: That's right. A "guilt trip" means guilty feelings one has about doing something wrong. To "give someone a guilt trip" means to try and make him feel guilty.
  
  L: 等等等等,这我得弄清楚了。A guilt trip就是一个人做错了什么事而觉得内疚,好象他犯了错误。To give someone a guilt trip就是让别人感到内疚。嘿,Jack的乐队水平那么差,让我们来听这种音乐,他应该觉得内疚才对呀!
  
  M: I agree! So when was the last time you had a guilt trip about something?
  
  L: 我最后一次觉得内疚是什么时候啊?那就是我要跟我男朋友分手的时候啊,是我要跟他分手的,我到现在心里还感到有点抱歉。
  
  M: Don't let him put a guilt trip on you! So why did you break up with him anyway?
  
  L: 因为我和你老在一块儿学习,他老是让我觉得好象我做错了什么是的。He tried to put a guilt trip on me.
  
  M: What? That's insane. I'm glad you broke up with him. Anyway, you'd better not try to make me feel guilty about him.
  
  L: 对,他呀,是有毛病,所以我才和他分手的嘛。我告诉你可是没有要让你感到内疚的意思啊!
  
  M: That's better!
  
  今天李华学到了to stick around,意思是“在一个地方呆下去,先别走”.李华还学到了a guilt trip,这是指“感到内疚”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#323
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to throw a wet blanket on something
  
  to throw a monkey wrench
  
  中国人经常会用“泼冷水”这个词来形容一些影响人们热情的事。那么,美国人是怎么说的呢?他们说:to throw a wet blanket on something。
  
  A wet blanket就是一张湿的毯子。To throw a wet blanket on something就是消除别人的热情或者是破坏别人的享受。那么,这个俗语是从哪儿来的呢?大家可能都注意到,每当发生火灾的时候,人们往往用湿的毯子来灭火。这个俗语还经常被用来形容那些让人感到扫兴的客人,请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-1: Let's not invite Dick to the dance--he is such a wet blanket with that sour look on his face and his boring talk.
  
  这个人说:我们开舞会可别请迪克,他那愁眉苦脸的样子,还老说那些没有人感兴趣的话,太扫兴了。
  
  下面这个例子是一个人在谈论国家经济动向的问题:
  
  例句-2: Bad news today: the government says that corporate earnings weren't as good as expected the last quarter. That'll throw a wet blanket over plans of investors to get into the stock market.
  
  这句话的意思是:今天的消息可不好。政府说,上一季度私营企业的盈利并没有期望中那么好。这个消息对那些想在股票市场投资的人来说就好像泼了一盆冷水一样。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#324
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语是:to throw a monkey wrench。A monkey wrench就是那种用来拧螺丝的活动扳头。要是一个工人在工作的时候不小心把扳头掉到正在运转的机器里去了,那个机器就会停顿。这也正是to throw a monkey wrench的意思,那就是影响、或终止某些本来该发生的事。下面的例子是一个人在对他的朋友诉苦:
  
  例句-3: The family and I planned to leave Monday for a two-week vacation in California. But the boss threw a monkey wrench into our plans today when he told me I have to go to a business meeting in New York next week.
  
  他说:我们全家计划星期一去加州两个星期渡假。但是,老板今天突然要我下星期去纽约参加一个会议,这下可把我们全家人的计划都打破了。
  
  下面这个例子是美国人可能在新闻节目里听到的消息:
  
  例句-4: A federal judge threw a monkey wrench into the project to build a new oil refinery on the river. He ordered the company to stop work until they had a better plan to guard against water pollution.
  
  新闻报道说:联邦法官终止了在河上修建新的炼油厂的工程。他下令那个公司在制定出更好的防止水污染计划之前停止这项工程。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#325
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Michael因为家里有急事而匆匆走了。今天,Michael的好朋友Larry和Li Hua在一起谈到Michael。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:live it up和Yeah right!
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua. You look unhappy. What's up?
  
  LH: Michael原来计划下个月去中国学中文,可是他突然家里有急事要他马上去,所以他只好直接从家里去北京了,我都没有机会跟他说再见。I hope he'll be O.K in China.
  
  LL: Of course he'll be O.K.! I bet right now Michael is living it up in China.
  
  LH: 哎呀,你说什么呀!Michael现在人已经到中国了,他当然是living in China啦!
  
  LL: No, no, Li Hua. I said that he is "living it up in China". To "live it up" means to live a fun and extravagant lifestyle, like a rich person who is always partying and never has to work.
  
  LH: 噢,live it up意思就是“尽情享受生活”,就好像有钱人可以过奢侈的生活一样。唉,Michael他是个穷学生,他哪能像有钱人那样过日子呀。
  
  LL: Well, as a foreign exchange student, he doesn't have to worry about paying for tuition, or rent or food, because he's already paid for it... so in China, for just a few dollars a day, he can live it up!
  
  LH: 真的?参加交换项目去中国留学,学费、食宿都不用自己付啊!Larry, 那你当初在北京留学的时候肯定也lived it up喽?
  
  LL: Oh, we had fun alright. We usually didn't have a lot of homework, and didn't have to go to work, so on the weekend, we had plenty of time to live it up!
  
  LH: Hmm, 功课不多,又不用打工,这么说,你们大老远跑到中国,说是去留学,其实是去过逍遥日子、尽情享受去啦?
  
  LL: Hey, I didn't say we didn't study! We got to live it up while we learned Chinese.
  
  LH: 哎哟,和你相比,我在美国的留学生活可就没那么自在了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#326
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: (sound of cell phone ringing) (speaking into the cell phone) Hello? Michael! 你好吗?哎呀,中国现在的时间是半夜了吧?还是我明天再给你打吧!Michael, 你学完一年回来的时候,你的中文肯定要比Larry 强。 Sure. Have fun! Bye bye! (cell phone shuts off) Larry, Michael said to tell you "hi".
  
  LL: You think Michael's going to speak Chinese better than I? Yeah Right!
  
  LH: 你说什么?Yeah Right! 从你说话的口气看,你是在说反话吧?也就是说,你根本不相信我说的话?
  
  LL: You've got it. I said "yeah right" When someone says "yeah right" like this (uses sarcastic tone of voice) "yeah right" or this "yeah right", it means they don't believe something is true, or don't agree with something.
  
  LH: 你看,我猜对了吧!听你的口气就带着讽刺的意味。怎么,你觉得一年以后Michael的中文不会超过你啊?可是Larry, Michael比你更用功呦!
  
  LL: Yeah, right! I lived in China for two and a half years. I'm practically fluent in Mandarin. Michael can't catch up with me in just a year.
  
  LH: 什么?你自以为你的中文讲得流利?Yeah right! 虽说你在中国呆过两年半,Michael他只有一年的时间,可是只要他用心听课,认真完成作业,他的中文肯定能超过你。
  
  LL: You think someone can learn Chinese just by going to class and doing homework? Yeah right! I learned more spoken Chinese by living it up and hanging out with Chinese friends than I did in class.
  
  LH: Hmmph. 我看Michael他也挺喜欢交朋友的,他肯定也能找到好多人练习中文会话。
  
  D: Yeah right! But he'll never catch up with me!
  
  L: Yeah, right!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是live it up, 表示“尽情享受生活”。另一个是Yeah right, 这是带有嘲讽口气的反话,表示不相信对方。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#327
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to let the cat out of the bag
  
  look like the cat that ate the canary
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍的习惯用语是和猫,也就是cat有关的。以后我们还要讲和狗,就是dog有关的俗语。
  
  我们先给大家介绍:to let the cat out of the bag。从字面上来解释,to let the cat out of the bag它的意思是:让那只猫从口袋里出来。但是,它的实际意思是:在不小心的情况下泻露了秘密。下面这个例子就能说明这个俗语的意思:
  
  例句-1: I bought a nice wrist watch as a surprise for my wife's birthday. But I'm afraid I let the cat out of the bag--I hid it under my socks and she found it when she was putting my clean clothes away.
  
  这位丈夫说:我给我太太买了一只很好的手表作为生日礼。我把手表藏在我的袜子底下,可是当我太太替我把乾净衣服放好的时候,她发现了那只手表。所以,我的秘密恐怕已经泻露了。
  
  生日礼物被发现还不是什么严重的事,可是下面这个例子就不是开玩笑的事了:
  
  例句-2: It was supposed to be a secret that we were firing our accountant for stealing money. But one of the secretaries saw the memo and let the cat out of the bag by telling her friends.
  
  这个人说的是办公室里的秘密。他说:我们解雇了我们的会计,因为他偷钱。这件事原来是应该是保密的。但是,一个秘书看见了一张有关这件事的条子,然后就告诉了她的朋友,这样就泻露了秘密。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-05#328
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个和cat有关的俗语是:look like the cat that ate the canary。Canary就是金丝雀。Look like the cat that ate the canary这个俗语是用来形容一个人显得非常满足,就像一只猫终于实现了它长期来的愿望,把鸟笼打开,把里面那只可怜的金丝雀吃了一样地感到满足。下面的例子说的是两个朋友去赛马,其中的一个重要方面是个老手,可是却输了,而那个新手却赢了。这个老手说:
  
  例句-3: My friend didn't listen to my advice and he bet twenty dollars on the horse. Why, I couldn't believe my eyes! The horse won by a nose and my friend came back with the two thousand bucks he'd just won, looking like the cat that ate the canary.
  
  他说:我的朋友没有听我的劝告,在那个马身上压了二十块美元。我真是难以相信我的眼睛。那匹马跑得快了一点点就赢了。我那朋友拿了他刚赢的二千块美元回来,非常得意。
  
  我们再来看看一个刚被提升的人是如何的得意:
  
  例句-4: Say, I think Mister Green in Personnel just got that promotion he's been wanting so much. I saw him walk out of the boss's office like the cat that just ate the canary.
  
  这是一位同事在说话:喂,人事处那个格林先生大概升了一级,这是他迫切期望的。我看见他从老板的办公室出来,得意非凡。

太极无敌 : 2009-12-05#329
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢兄弟!得努力学习了!!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#330
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry到Li Hua的宿舍去串门,Li Hua会学到两个常用语:hang in there和to be stressed out。
  
  LL: Li Hua, you look exhausted. Is everything OK?
  
  LH: 哎哟, Larry, 我得在星期五以前赶出两篇论文,星期五还有一门课要大考,你说我能不累吗?I AM exhausted!
  
  LL: Hang in there, Li Hua! After Friday it will be all over, and then you can relax.
  
  LH: Hang in there? 那是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: Hang in there. Hang in there just means "to keep enduring" or "to persist through a difficult situation."
  
  LH: 噢,hang in there的意思就是,在困难的情况下再忍一忍,或者坚持下去。HHang in there - Hmm...这个说法很有意思。不过hang这个词本意不是“悬挂”吗?
  
  LL: That's right, but "hang in there" can also mean "to stay the same" or "to not give up".
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,hang in there就是要“坚持下去,不要放弃”的意思。
  
  LL: Exactly! Remember last semester when you had two tests and a term paper due the same week, you hung in there and even managed to get good grades. When things get tough, you just have to hang in there.
  
  LH: 我当然记得上学期的那个礼拜。一个星期里,我有两门课要考试,还要交一篇学期论文。我当时咬紧牙关坚持学习,结果还得了好分数。所以你说,这就是hang in there的意思吧?
  
  LL: You're right! Let me give you another example. If someone is having an emergency and calls the 9-1-1 emergency hotline, the operator might say, "Hang in there, an ambulance will be there in a few minutes".
  
  LH: 噢,你说要是遇到紧急情况打911电话,接线员可能会说,Hang in there! 也就是说:“别着急,坚持一下,救护车马上就到”的意思。
  
  LL: So, just hang in there, Li Hua. You'll finish the papers before Friday and get good grades for the test too!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#331
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嗨,Larry, 我刚考试考完。现在好了, 我可以轻松一下了。
  
  LL: Well, I'm glad to see you so happy now that your test is over and those papers are done. You were really stressed out last week!
  
  LH: 就是啊,我现在好高兴。可是,你说我上星期怎么了?Stressed out?
  
  LL: I said you were "stressed out". Stressed out means that you were under so much stress and pressure that you barely made it.
  
  LH: 噢,stressed out意思就是“压力太大,几乎承受不了”。Hmm, 这话一点没错,我上个星期还真是有点顶不住了。Larry, 你倒是好像不太容易stressed out.
  
  LL: That's because I know that to be stressed out usually makes things worse. I find that I do better on a test when I'm not stressed out about it.
  
  LH: Hmm, 我也有这种感觉,你越是感到压力大,越会坏事。在这种情况下,考试都是考不好的。
  
  LL: Last week, you appeared a little bit impatient, but I understand it's because you were really stressed out about your papers. So I encouraged you to HANG IN THERE.
  
  LH: 我上星期显得很烦躁呀!哟,我自己还没有察觉呢。Larry, 我要是对你显得不耐烦, 对不起哟!下次再遇到压力很大的情况,也就是我stressed out的时候,我一定会记住,要坚持下去,要hang in there.
  
  LL: Oh, don't worry about it. The last thing I want is for you to stress out about making me upset. By the way, did you call Michael last night?
  
  LH: 对,我打了。他说他还不太习惯那儿的生活,我让他hang in there! Try not to be stressed out. 他还让我向你问好呢!
  
  LL: That's nice!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hang in there, 表示“坚持下去,不放弃”。另一个是to be stressed out, 意思是“压力太大”。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#332
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

rain or shine
  
  rainy day
  
  每个人对下雨的反应都不同。在发生旱灾的地方,农民天天盼望着下雨。可是,正在野外聚餐的人,下雨使他们感到很扫兴。然而,有的活动不管天气如何都照常进行,这在中文里就是:风雨无阻。美国人的说法是:rain or shine。
  
  Rain or shine简单地说就是:不管下雨或出太阳,一切照常进行。请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-1: There is one big difference between baseball and football in America. If it's a rainy day, we don't play baseball. But teams play football rain or shine. In fact, I've seen football games played in a snowstorm.
  
  这句话的意思是:在美国,垒球和橄榄球有一个很大的区别。要是天下雨,我们就不打垒球。可是,橄榄球却是风雨无阻的。我还见过大雪天比赛橄榄球的呢。
  
  但是,rain or shine实际上还包含更广的意思。Rain or shine还可以解释为:不管在什么情况下。比如说,一个年轻人离开了家到世界各地去周游,好久没回家了。他对朋友说:
  
  例句-2: I haven't seen mother and dad and the rest of the family for ten years, but I still know I can count on them rain or shine.
  
  他说:我已经有十年没见到我的父母和其他家人了。但是,我知道不管在什么情况下,我肯定会得到他们的帮助的。”换句话说也就是,不管他干什么,不管他是穷是富,他家里的人都会关心他、帮助他的。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#333
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来讲一个和rain这个字有关的常用语:rainy day。Rainy day作为一个俗语,它的意思是:今后可能需要钱的时候,也就是准备一些钱,以防万一。下面是一个劳动妇女在说话:
  
  例句-3: Every week when I get my paycheck, I always try to put fifty dollars in my savings account for a rainy day. Who knows--I might lose my job someday or get sick and not be able to work!
  
  她说:每星期我拿到工资以后,我总是想办法存五十美元到银行里去,以防万一。谁知道呀,也许哪一天我失业了,或者生病不能工作了。
  
  下面这句话对每个人来说可能都是金玉良言:
  
  例句-4: When you're twenty-five years old, sometimes it's hard to worry about rainy days off in the future. But if you're smart, you'll start saving for rainy days because rainy days come to us all.
  
  这句话的中文意思是:当你只有二十五岁的时候,你恐怕很难为将来的需要担心。但是,要是你很聪明的话,你就会为将来遇到的困难而开始攒钱,因为每个人都会有困难的时候。
  
  ******
  
  以上我们讲了两个和雨,也就是rain这个字有关的习惯用语。它们是:rain or shine和rainy days。Rain or shine的意思是:不管下雨或出太阳,一切照常进行。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#334
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry到Li Hua的宿舍里面去串门,Li Hua会学到两个常用语:neat freak和crash.
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua. What are you doing?
  
  LH: 我刚收拾完房间,现在我要把所有文件分类,然后放在这些不同颜色的文件夹里。
  
  LL: Wow, you really are a neat freak.
  
  LH: 你说我是什么?Neat freak?听上去就不是什么好意思。哎,你别叫那些我听不懂的名字,好不好?
  
  LL: Calm down. Li Hua. To be neat is to be very clean and orderly. A freak is a person that is really weird or unusual. Together, a "neat freak" refers to someone who likes to keep things extremely clean and organized.
  
  LH: 嗯,neat这个词我知道,就是“干净、有条理”的意思, freak就是说一个人和一般人不一样,很古怪。所以,a neat freak就是一个特别爱干净、特别有条理的人。哎,Larry, 你真觉得我是个neat freak吗?
  
  LL: Yes, see, your room always looks perfect, you always make your bed. You never throw your clothes on the floor. And you have all your papers well organized.
  
  LH: 那你和neat freak刚好相反。你的房间总是乱糟糟的,床也不铺,衣服满地乱扔,还有,你的各种学习资料也是到处乱放。
  
  LL: Well, I'm not a neat freak, so I don't care if everything is neat and perfect.
  
  LH: 我看哪,Larry, 你就是太懒了-- I think you are just too lazy。
  
  LL: Well, maybe I am a little lazy, but look at your room, books, sweaters and even newspapers are stacked in order, and you're a real neat freak.
  
  LH: 怎么啦,书呀、毛衣和报纸当然应该放整齐嘛。这有什么奇怪的? 对你来说这可能是过份“有条理”,可能是有点怪。Well, I guess I am a neat freak.
  
  LL: Alright. Now that you've finished cleaning, why don't we go to a movie.
  
  LH: Sure, let's go!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#335
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL: That movie was so long. It's almost midnight! I'm so tired that I think I'm going to go home and crash.
  
  LH: 什么?你是说你太累了,如果开车回家会出交通事故啊?
  
  LL: No, I don't mean crash as in "car-crash". I mean crash as in "go to sleep".
  
  LH: 我还是不懂。你是说crash,这个词,除了可以用作car-crash, 表示“撞车”,还可以用来表示“睡觉”啊?
  
  LL: Yes, "I really want to go home and crash" means that I really want to go home and sleep.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了。想想看,crash这个词用在这里还挺形象的,因为你太累了,所以一回家就“瘫”在床上“睡着”了。So, Larry, can I say I was so tired that I crashed on the couch -- 我实在太累了,所以倒在沙发上就睡着了?
  
  LL: Yes, you can say that. Another example is: I crashed at Jim's house the other night because it was too late to go home.
  
  LH: 这个我懂,你是说,你那天晚上在Jim家玩得太晚了,所以干脆不回家,就在他家里过了一夜。 那要是我家里在粉刷墙壁,没法住,我可不可以说,I'd like to crash at my friend's house?
  
  LL: Of course you can, but right now Li Hua, what I really want is to crash in my own bed. I can't wait to get home.
  
  LH: 有那么着急吗? 刚才看电影的时候我看你眼睛还张的大大的呢。不过,我也挺累的了。我想我一到家也会倒头就睡着的 -- I will also crash when I get home.
  
  LL: Let's go!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是neat freak, 表示“特别爱干净、有条理的人”。另一个是crash, 在口语里可以表示“睡觉”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#336
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  buddy
  
  sidekick
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍两个美国人经常用来指好朋友的字。大家可能都已经很熟悉英文里的friend这个字,friend的意思就是朋友。但是,美国人还有一些比较口语化的说法。一个很普遍的字就是:buddy。Buddy这个字在军队里特别普遍,但是一般平民用的也非常多。Buddy这个字已经有一百五十多年的历史了,它是来自brother这个字,因此,buddy这个字可以说是指那些和你亲如兄弟一样的朋友。比如说,一个曾经参加过越南战争的美国退伍军人难以忘怀他在战争中的经历,他说:
  
  例句-1: What sticks most in my mind is all the good buddies I saw killed there. I'll remember their faces as long as I live, because they were like brothers to me.
  
  这位退伍军人说:在我脑子里印象最深的是那些我亲眼看到被杀害的好朋友。我这一辈子也忘不了他们的脸,因为他们就像是我的亲兄弟一样。
  
  Buddy这个表示好朋友的字是不分男女的。下面这个例子就是一个男学生在说他一位要好的女朋友:
  
  例句-2: Sally and I don't have any romantic interest in each other. We're just good buddies who come from the same town and enjoy having a cup of coffee and talking about people we both know.
  
  他说:我和莎莉都没有谈情说爱的意思。我们是同乡,也是好朋友。我们喜欢在一起喝杯咖啡,谈谈大家认识的人而已。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#337
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国口语里还另外有一个指好朋友的字,那就是:sidekick。Sidekick是指那些非常忠实的朋友,每当你需要的时候,他们总会在你身边帮忙的。
  
  下面是一个准备参加同学会的人说的话:
  
  例句-3: I'm really looking forward to the tenth reunion of the class of 1983. For one thing it's a chance to see my old sidekick Billy Bob. We roomed together, played side by side on the football team--well, he was my best buddy back in the good old days.
  
  这个人说:我真是迫不及待地想去参加83届的第十次同学会。这是我见到老朋友比利鲍伯的一个机会。我和他那时住在一个房间里,在足球队里一起踢球,他真是我当年最好的朋友。
  
  我们下面再来举个例子:
  
  例句-4: In the old cowboy movies I used to see as a boy, all the heroes had a sidekick. The sidekick was never as smart or handsome or brave as the hero but he was always there to help out in times of danger.
  
  这个人说:在我小时候看的那些西部电影里,所有的英雄人物都有一个亲密的朋友。而这个朋友总是没有那个英雄那么聪明、英俊和勇敢,但是每当发生危险的时候,他总是在那里全力相助。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#338
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua一起打保龄球,Li Hua会学到两个常用语:snap和spaced out.
  
  (SFX of bowling alley)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, you look nervous. Have you ever bowled before?
  
  LH: No, 我从来没打过保龄球,所以当然紧张啦!
  
  LL: Don't worry, Li Hua, bowling is a snap. You'll figure it out in no time.
  
  LH: 你说bowling是什么 - a snap? To snap不是对别人嚷嚷、说话态度很凶的意思吗?
  
  LL: That's right. "To snap at someone" is to speak rudely, but snap can also be used as a noun. If we say something is a "snap" that means it's very easy and can be learned quickly.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,snap用作动词的时候,意思就是对人很凶,不过你刚才说的snap是用做名词,要是我们说something is a snap, 意思就是很容易就能学会的事,哎,那不就是我们中文里所说的“小菜一碟”吗?
  
  LL: Yes. So, now you'll understand what I meant by saying "bowling is a snap!"
  
  LH: 你说“保龄球容易学”?可是,我怎么觉得挺难的呢?
  
  LL: Well, if you think bowling is hard, then what do you think is a snap?
  
  LH: 让我想想 -- 骑自行车挺容易的。我一个下午就学会了。
  
  LL: So you think riding a bike is a snap -- I agree, once you learn how to ride a bike, it's a snap. Hey, Li Hua, you know what else is a snap?
  
  LH: No, what else?
  
  LL: Beating you at bowling is a snap. Look, I'm 50 points ahead of you.
  
  LH: 这太不公平了!我以前从来就没有打过保龄球,你可能已经打过几百次了!我能打到那么多的pins就算不错了。
  
  LL: You're right, Li Hua. It's not fair. Here, I'll teach you. Then you'll see what a snap it is.
  
  (Sound of ball being thrown)

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#339
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL: Li Hua, did you enjoy bowling?
  
  LH: Yes, 保龄球挺好玩的,可是也挺累人的。
  
  LL: Yeah, I agree. I feel kind of spaced out.
  
  LH: 你说你觉得怎么样了 - spaced out? Larry, 你是身体不舒服吗?
  
  LL: No, no. Feeling spaced out means feeling kind of detached and unfocused. I sometimes feel spaced out when I'm tired.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,feeling spaced out意思就是“觉得昏昏沉沉的,注意力难以集中”。就是啊,一个人太累的时候是会感到昏昏沉沉,周围发生什么事都不知道。
  
  LL: Yeah, but sometimes it might be for no reason. For instance, I might feel spaced out at class - I would be thinking about baseball, instead of listening to the teacher.
  
  LH: 你上课的时候还会想起棒球赛呀!哎呀,那你走神儿也走得太厉害了吧!
  
  LL: All right, Li Hua. Now don't tell me you've never felt spaced out yourself.
  
  LH: 我当然也有迷糊的时候啦,比如上星期,我心不在焉地去上课,结果走错了教室。
  
  LL: Last week, I was really stressed over the exams. I was so spaced out that I forgot my father's birthday. I felt terrible.
  
  LH: 什么,因为要考试,你紧张得连你爸爸的生日也忘记啦?那你爸爸肯定很生气罗?
  
  LL: No, he knows me very well - bowling is a snap for me; but exams always make me very nervous.
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。snap用作名词,意思是“轻而易举的事”。Spaced out就是“昏昏沉沉、注意力不集中”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#340
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to put on the dog
  
  to go to the dogs
  
  美国人总是说:狗是人的最好的朋友。许多美国人对家里的狗就好像对待家里的人一样好。有钱人还往往会出几千美元去买一只稀有品种的狗,我们今天要讲的一个俗语就和这种现象有密切关系的:to put on the dog。
  
  To put on the dog就是摆排场给别人看。大概一百多年以前,一些有钱的人往往化很多钱去买一只稀有品种的小狗来显示自己很有钱。一些阔太太们经常在接待客人的时候把一只小狗抱在腿上来眩耀自己的阔气。当时耶鲁大学的学生就创造了to put on the dog这一说法来嘲笑那些暴发户。我们来举一个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: Joe Doak is sure putting on the dog since his rich aunt died and left him 10 million dollars. He's bought the biggest house in town and a Mercedes 600, and talks about buying some riding horses.
  
  这句话的意思是:乔多克自从他阿姨去世,留给他一千万美元遗产以后,他可真是摆阔气。他买了城里最大的一栋房子,还有一辆奔驰600型号的汽车。他还在说要买几匹马供他骑马玩呢。
  
  看来有钱的人也不都是那样挥霍的。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: I had this friend in the army who was the son of one of the richest men in the country. But what I like about him was that he never put on the dog to show off his money.
  
  这句话的中文意思就是:我在部队服役的时候有个朋友,他的爸爸是美国最有钱的人之一。我很喜欢这个朋友,因为他从来也不眩耀自己多么有钱。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#341
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

和to put on the dog意思相反的一个俗语是:to go to the dogs。To go to the dogs这个俗语的意思就是:变得很穷,彻底破落。比如说,在十九世纪的时候,美国西部发现金矿的地区出现了一个又一个新的城镇。许多人到那里去淘金,都想发家致富。可是后来怎么样了呢?
  
  例句-3: As soon as the gold was all gone, these towns went to the dogs almost overnight. Everybody moved away, and these places are ghost towns now, with the wind whistling through the empty houses and shops.
  
  这句话的意思是:等到金子都淘光了,这些城镇一下子就被人遗弃,彻底完蛋了。那里所有的人都走了,剩下的只有风在吹过空房子和商店的时候发出的沙沙声音。
  
  这是社会变迁造成的结局。但是,人为的结局更加悲惨:
  
  例句-4: I always thought my friend Pete had a good future. But then he got hooked on heroin and lost his job and his wife--I never saw a man go to the dogs so fast!
  
  这人说:我总以为我的朋友彼是很有前途的。但是后来他吸上了毒品,失去了工作,妻子也走了。我从来没有看到过任何人破落得那么快的!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#342
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua下课以后一起去吃午饭,Li Hua会学到两个常用语:threads和load up。
  
  (campus noise)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, those are nice threads you're wearing.
  
  LH: Threads? - 那不是“缝衣服用的线”吗?哎哟,Larry, 你是说我的连衣裙开线了吗?
  
  LL: No, no. Threads, when used in plural, is another word for clothes. I was just telling you that you are wearing nice clothes.
  
  LH: 噢,原来thread用作复数--threads,就可以代表“衣服”。这倒挺合理的,因为衣服就是用线织成的嘛!你刚才说these are nice threads, 原来是夸我的连衣裙漂亮啊!
  
  LL: That's right!
  
  LH: 谢谢你,Larry, 其实,这件连衣裙挺旧的了。 Larry,要是我说一件衣服,是不是要用单数thread?
  
  LL: No. It's always threads. I think that's because even one piece of clothing is made of many threads.
  
  LH: 说得也是,即使一件衣服,也是用很多很多线做成的,所以,还是要用复数 - threads.
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, let me test you. If I say, "I went shopping yesterday and bought lots of threads", what does that mean?
  
  LH: 这么简单的句子,还要考我。你是说“我昨天买了很多衣服”。Larry,你真的买了好多衣服呀?
  
  LL:No, I was just giving you an example. I don't go shopping for threads.
  
  LH:你老是穿牛仔裤加T恤衫,怎么也不换换样子嘛?
  
  LL: What's wrong with the threads I'm wearing? Oh, please, Li Hua, my threads are just fine -- Jeans and T-shirt are comfortable.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#343
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(cafeteria sound)
  
  LL:Hey, not many people in the cafeteria. That's the benefit of coming late.
  
  LH: 来晚了人少是没错,但是好东西可能也都给吃完了。哎,Larry, 我知道你饿了,可是你也不能一下子拿那么多嘛,你吃得完吗?
  
  LL: I won't have time to eat dinner until late, so I'm trying to load up on food now.
  
  LH: 噢,今天你晚饭要很晚才能吃,可是,你说什么 - load up on food? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To load, load up on something is to get a lot of it, usually so that you can store some of it for later.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了。你是想午饭多吃点,晚上就不会太饿了。哎,Larry, 除了说吃的东西,load up on还可以用在别的地方吗?
  
  LL: Of course. Do you remember the storm we had last summer? Well, people were worried about losing power, so they loaded up on batteries before the storm.
  
  LH: 去年夏天的那场暴风雨呀?我当然记得。就是啊,当时大家特别担心停电,所以买了好多电池 - We loaded up on batteries.
  
  LL: Yup. Also, Li Hua, we can load up on sleep, too.
  
  LH: 噢,除了可以说load up on food, load up on batteries, 我们还可以说load up on sleep, 意思是多睡觉、多休息。
  
  LL: If you load up on sleep and vitamins, you shouldn't get sick very easily.
  
  LH: 是没错,多休息、多吃维生素,我们就不容易生病了,哇,Larry, 我看你装了整整两盘菜啊,要是我像你这样load up on food,我肯定早就发胖了。
  
  LL: All right, Li Hua, what are you trying to say? You know I don't load up on food like this everyday!
  
  LH:那倒也是!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是threads, 在口语里表示“衣服”。另一个是load up on something, 意思是“大量储存某样东西”,比如load up on food, 就表示“吃得很多”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#344
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to let sleeping dogs lie
  
  Every dog has his day
  
  我们首先要讲的一个俗语对每个人来说也是一个很好的忠告:to let sleeping dogs lie。
  
  To let sleeping dogs lie,从字面上来看,这个俗语的意思就是不要去惹正在睡觉的狗,因为睡着了的狗不会咬人。换句话说,也就是:要是采取什么行动会给自己或别人带来麻烦,那么最好还是保持现状,不要采取行动。下面是一个妇女在给她的朋友提出劝告:
  
  例句-1: If I were you, I would not tell Nellie you saw her husband having lunch with another woman. It might have been perfectly innocent, but I'd let sleeping dogs lie.
  
  她说:要是我是你的话,我就不会去告诉内利你看见她丈夫和另一个女人一起吃午饭的事。也许他们根本就没有什么事,所以你还是别惹麻烦。
  
  下面这个例子说明每个人在采取行动前需要慎重考虑,要想到可能产生的后果:
  
  例句-2: Can you prove that your neighbor stole your lawnmower? If not and you call the cops, he could make real trouble for you. Better to let sleeping dogs lie!
  
  这句话的意思是:你有证据证明你的邻居偷了你的割草机吗?要是你没有证据,又去报了警,他可以给你制造好多麻烦的。你还是算了吧!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#345
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语是:Every dog has his day。Every dog has his day这个俗语的意思是:每个人总会有实现自己愿望的一天。比如,一个公司职员很想被提升,但是,他的愿望没有实现,而另一个同事却被提升了。回到家里,他的妻子听到这一消息后对他说:
  
  例句-3: Darling, I know how upset you are that you didn't get the promotion. But don't take it too hard--your turn will come. You know what they say--every dog has his day!
  
  他的太太说:亲爱的,我知道你因为没有被提升而感到很不高兴。你可别把这件事看的太重了。你以后会有机会的。就像他们说的:人人都有得意之时嘛。
  
  下面的例子是关于一个作家找不到出版商出版他的作品,于是他的朋友就劝他:
  
  例句-4: Okay, so this publisher sent back your manuscript. There are plenty of other publishers. You'll find one who'll buy it--remember, every dog has his day!
  
  这个朋友说:行了,就算这个出版商把你的手稿退了回来,那还有好多出版商呢。你会找到一个愿意接受你作品的出版商的。别忘了,人人都会有机会的。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#346
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua一起听了有关环境保护的讲座。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:to buy something和to be sold on something。
  
  (college hallway noise)
  
  LH: 哎,Larry, 听了这个讲座,我觉得“全球变暖问题”真挺让人担心的。
  
  LL: I don't know, Li Hua... I just don't buy the theory that global warming is caused by humans. There is a lot we just don't know.
  
  LH: 你说你不买什么? 哎,没人想卖你东西啊?
  
  LL: I said that I don't buy that theory. That mean's I don't accept it as completely true.
  
  LH: 噢,原来I don't buy the theory就是“我不接受这种说法”。哎,那不就是我们中文里说的“我不买这一套”吗?得了得了,我没时间跟你争论。哎,你听说了吗 - 我们今年的学费要涨百分之10呢!学校说他们计划要翻修图书馆。
  
  LL: What? That's ridiculous. I don't buy that excuse. They raised tuition last year by 5% to expand the stadium.
  
  LH: 就是嘛,去年学校为了扩建体育馆已经把学费增加了百分之5了。Larry, 那你是不是能够再用I don't buy it 给我举一个和学校没有关系的例子呢?
  
  LL: OK. You know my friend Angela? She's often late for class, and she always has different excuses. So finally one day, Professor Johnson said to her, "I don't buy your excuses. I think you are just not self-disciplined enough!"
  
  LH: 对,你那个朋友Angela,她老是迟到,而且总有借口。可是我不知道Johnson教授这么厉害,居然还公开说不相信她的话,还批评她是自己要求不严格。哎哟,那多不好意思呀。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#347
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: So Larry, 你打定主意去南京哪一所学校留学了吗?
  
  LL: I don't know. I guess I'm still not sold on that school.
  
  LH: Sold? 那不是“卖东西”的“卖”吗?哎哟,“卖东西”和“留学”这有什么关系呀?
  
  LL: No, silly! I said that I am not sold on that school. "To be sold on something" means to be convinced that it's worthwhile, or it's the best choice.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了。To be sold on something意思就是“你认为这件事值得,是个好选择”。这个说法挺有意思的,你能不能再给我举了例子?
  
  LL: Well, remember when you were looking for a new apartment? At first you weren't sold on that place, but when you heard that the rent was only $600 a month, you were sold!
  
  LH: 对呀,我在找房子的时候,一开始还不太满意我现在住的那个地方,后来听说房租一个月才六百美元,马上我就动心了。哎,Larry, to be sold on something是不是只能用在和“钱”有关的事情上呢?
  
  LL: Not necessarily. For instance, suppose you can't decide if you want to vote for someone who is running for office, you could say "I'm not sold on that candidate yet".
  
  LH: 噢,选举的时候,要是我还不能肯定是不是要投某个候选人的票,我也可以说,I'm not sold on that candidate yet.
  
  LL: That's right. We were just talking about that Professor Johnson didn't buy Angela's excuses, we can also say he wasn't sold on her excuses.
  
  LH: 对,Professor Johnson不相信Angela老是迟到的借口,我们也可以说He wasn't sold on her excuses, 也就是说,to be sold on something也有“相信”的意思。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, I guess I should have told you that was just an example -- Professor Johnson didn't really say it to Angela.
  
  LH: 什么?闹了半天Johnson教授根本就没对Angela说那些话呀?你可真会编故事!
  
  LL: I know - You were totally sold on it - You actually bought it!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语,一个是to buy something, 表示“相信某件事”。另一个是to be sold on something, 意思是“认为某件事值得、是真的”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#348
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to throw a curve
  
  to throw for a loop
  
  美国人在打棒球时经常喜欢发曲线球,使球的方向会发生突变,这样给对方造成错觉,不能回击那个球。这和其他球类运动,如排球、乒乓球或网球,在发球时发转求的作用也很相似。逐渐地,这种让对方产生错觉,因而无法应付的球艺变成了日常用语:to throw a curve。
  
  Curve就是曲线的意思。To throw a curve就是在打棒球时发曲线球。但是作为俗语,它的意思是给别人造成错觉,让他难以应付。请听一个刚刚考完历史的学生在埋怨他的教授:
  
  例句-1: Professor Green certainly threw us a curve today. Half the questions were from parts of the book he told us to read but he never covered them in class. Of course, most of us didn't bother to read the stuff, so we really got caught.
  
  这个学生说:格林教授今天可真是把我们难住了。考题的一半是他要我们看的那本书里的内容,可是他从来也没有在课堂上讲过。我们大多数人也都没有化时间去看那玩意儿,所以今天我们突然发现无法应付考题了。
  
  To throw a curve还可以解释为“欺骗”。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: My supervisor threw me a curve when he told me he would recommend me for the promotion. He didn't tell me he was also recommending three other people for the same job. So I didn't get it.
  
  这个人说:我的上司欺骗了我,他告诉我他要建议给我提升。可是,他没有告诉我他同时还推荐了另外三个人担任同一个职位。结果我没有被提升。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#349
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个俗语是:to throw for a loop。Loop是圆圈的意思。To throw for a loop是指“感到非常震惊”或者是“情绪很波动”。下面的例子是一个男朋友使得他的女朋友非常不高兴。这个女孩子说:
  
  例句-3: Bill told me he couldn't take me out last night because he had to study for a big exam. So it threw me for a loop when I saw him walking into the movie theater with that stupid girl who sits next to him in biology class. (Recording defects: no audio for this part)
  
  她说:比尔告诉我,他昨天晚上不能带我去玩,因为他要准备大考。所以,当我看到他和那个生物课坐在他旁边的傻姑娘一起走进电影院的时候我真是大吃一惊。
  
  考试分数有时侯也会令人出乎意料的,请听下面的例子:
  
  例句-4: When I saw my semester grade for the chemistry course, it really threw me for a loop! I was sure I'd get at least a "B"--but there it was in black and white: a "D". So I barely managed to pass.
  
  这个学生说:“当我看到我的化学课学期成绩的时候,我真是吓了一跳。我满以为我至少能够得一个“B”,可是白纸上写的黑字是一个“D”。所以我刚刚及格。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#350
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

期终考试今天全部结束,Larry和Li Hua准备开个party来庆祝一番。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:without a hitch和chow down。
  
  (household utensil noise)
  
  LH: Larry, 你看我们准备的东西够不够啊?这是我第一次请朋友来开party,要是东西不够吃,那就糟糕啦!
  
  LL: Calm down, Li Hua. I'm sure the party will go off without a hitch.
  
  LH: 你说我们的party会怎么样 - without a hitch - 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Oh, if something "goes without a hitch", it means that everything goes smoothly and nothing will go wrong.
  
  LH: 对,hitch这个字也可以解释为“障碍”,那something goes without a hitch, 就是“进展顺利”。
  
  LH: Larry,你的意思就是我们的party will go off without a hitch,肯定能办好,不会有问题...那我可不可以说:There won't be any "hitches"?
  
  LL: No, No, Li Hua, you can't use it that way. You can only say that something "goes without a hitch." This is an idiomatic expression. You can't generally substitute the word "hitch" for "problem."
  
  LH: 啊,原来something "goes without a hitch"是一个习惯用语,不能把hitch 和problem两个交替来使用。那想说什么事一帆风顺,我们就只能说:什么事情goes without a hitch.
  
  LL: Okay, Li Hua, now that you understand the phrase, can you give me an example?
  
  LH: 我来想一想。有了。最近这次考试我觉得我考得不错 - My exams went without a hitch.
  
  LL: I wish I were as confident as you are. Now, can you give me another example of how to use "without a hitch"?
  
  LH: 嗯...我最近申请了暑期里到一个公司去工作。他们约我上星期去面谈。我觉得那个面谈进行得挺顺利的,所以 - It went off without a hitch.
  
  LL: Hey congratulations!
  
  LH: Thank you, Larry. 哎哟,我们赶快准备吧。客人马上就要到了

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#351
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 (party SFX)
  
  LL: See, everybody is enjoying the party, I told you it would be fine.
  
  LH: 嗯,大家好象都玩得挺开心。我原来还担心吃的不够呢,现在看来说不定还做多了!
  
  LL: I don't know about that. Some people are really chowing down. Hey, look at Jim, he's eating one hot dog after another!
  
  LH: 就是啊,我也注意到Jim挺喜欢吃热狗的,可是你说什么? 这儿有的人是在chowing down? 什么是chow down啊?
  
  LL: Well, "chow" is slang for "food" and to chow down is to eat a lot and to do it enthusiastically.
  
  LH: 噢,chow这个字在口语里可以表示“食物”。那么chow down就是“吃得很多,而且还兴致勃勃的”。那不就有点儿像我们中文里说的“狼吞虎咽”吗?
  
  LL: Yep. Look, Jim has finished his hot dog. He's now moved on to eating a piece of cake. He's definitely chowing down. He acts as though he hasn't eaten in days.
  
  LH: 对,Jim他刚吃完热狗,现在又在吃蛋糕了 - He is really chowing down. 好象几天没吃饭一样的。哎,对了,Larry, 这也说明我们准备的东西受欢迎哪!
  
  LL: That's right! See, Li Hua, I told you that the party will go off without a hitch.
  
  LH: 哎,Larry, 说了这么半天了,你都吃什么啦?
  
  LL: What have I chowed down? Well, I have been busy helping you and haven't got time to eat yet.
  
  LH: 哎哟,真是抱歉,你光顾着帮我招待客人,自己都还没顾上吃呢!
  
  LL: That's OK. I think we should chow down now before all of the good stuff is gone!
  
  LH: 好啊,那我们赶紧开吃吧,要不然好东西都没了!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是without a hitch, 表示事情“进展顺利”。另外一个是chow down, 相当于中文里所说的“狼吞虎咽”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#352
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

crocodile tears
  
  sob story
  
  大家知道,眼泪的英文字就是tears。 英文里有一个说法,叫做:crocodile tears。 Crocodile就是鳄鱼。Crocodile tears和中国人常说的“猫哭老鼠假慈悲”是一样的意思。Crocodile tears这个俗语来自一个古老的神话,说是鳄鱼往往发出一种哭的声音来引诱那些它们要吃的动物,然后一面吃一面流眼泪。这当然不会是事实,但是这个说法已经成常用语。下面我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-1: The truth is that Pete never liked his rich Uncle John. But you should have seen his crocodile tears when the old man died and left him a million dollars!
  
  这句话是说:皮特从来都不喜欢他那个有钱的叔叔约翰,这是事实。可是那老人去世的时候给他留了一百万美元,你可真该看看皮特当时那假伤心的样子。
  
  下面这个例子说的是一位政客:
  
  例句-2: In his speeches the mayor always puts on a big show of crocodile tears for poor and homeless people. But I don't see him doing anything to help them.
  
  这是说:这位市长在讲话的时候总是装得好像他对穷人和无家可归的人非常同情。但是,我并没有见到他做些什么来帮助他们。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#353
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要讲的另一个和“哭”有关的俗语是:sob story。Sob是哭泣的意思,story就是故事。Sob story的意思就是某人编造一个令人伤心的故事来赢得别人的同情,甚至于让别人给钱来帮助他。下面是一位女士在描述她怎么听了一个sob story以后受骗的:
  
  例句-3: Usually I don't give money to beggars. But this nice young man told me a sob story about needing money for a bus ticket to see his dying mother, so I gave him two dollars.
  
  这位女士说:一般我是不给乞丐钱的。但是,这个看上去挺不错的年轻人告诉我他需要钱坐公共汽车去看他那快要死的妈妈。他说得这么悲惨,我就给了他两块钱。
  
  世界上好心人是不少的,下面这个例子又是一个人上了sob story的当:
  
  例句-4: On my way to work this man stopped me and said that he hadn't eaten in three days so I gave him a dollar. On my way home I saw him get into a new car and drive off and now I know he had given me a sob story.
  
  这个好心人说:在我去上班的路上那个人挡住了我,对我说,他已经三天没有吃东西了。所以我给了他一块钱。可是,我在回家的路上看见他跨进了一辆新的汽车后就开走了。我这才知道他说的事全是假的。
  
  我们今天讲的两个习惯用语都是和眼泪有关的。它们是:crocodile tears和sob story。Crocodile tears从字面上来解释就是:鳄鱼的眼泪,实际上也就是“猫哭老鼠假慈悲”。Sob story是编造悲惨的故事来赢得人们的同情。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#354
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua在一个朋友家的花园里参加party。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:dude和chick。
  
  LH: Hey Larry! 参加party的人都挺高兴的,可是Jack刚才在那边儿好像和人吵架,什么事呀?
  
  LL: Oh, Jack and some other dude were having a really intense argument. We were afraid they might get into a fight, so we had to separate them.
  
  LH: 就是啊,他们吵得挺凶的,好象要动手打起来似的!可是,Larry, 你管另外那个人叫什么? Dude? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Dude is another word for guy, or man. I just said Jack and "some other dude" were arguing.
  
  LH: Oh, dude 是指男人,我还以为是那个人的名字呢!你刚才是说“Jack和那个人争论得非常激烈”。哎,Larry,那你叫别人dude有没有什么不好的意思吗?
  
  LL: What? No, of course not. Dude just means guy. However, it is very informal, so you'd sound silly if you called someone important a "dude", or used it in a formal situation.
  
  LH: 噢,dude这个称呼没有贬意,只是一般用在很随便的场合。哎哟,幸亏你告诉我,要是在正式的场合我把某位大人物称为dude, 那可不就出洋相了吗!
  
  LL: And usually, only younger people use the word "dude", and it usually refers to fairly young men.
  
  LH: 噢,dude 一般是年轻人用的词,而且dude也是指年轻人。 对了,我想起来了,有一次我在商店里就听到两个年轻人用dude这个词。我那时还不懂dude是什么意思。 哎,dude不就相当于中文里说的“那个家伙”吗?
  
  LL: That's right! See that dude over there? That's my pal Frank. I'll ask him for a beer. Dude, toss me one of those beers. Thanks!
  
  LH: 哎哟,你真好意思,自己不去拿啤酒,让你那个dude扔过来,幸亏你接得准!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#355
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Oh no, Larry我看见我的同屋朝这边走过来了。要是她看见我,她又要缠着我没完没了了。
  
  LL: What? That tall girl with glasses? Is that the chick you're always telling me about?
  
  LH: 对,就是那个戴眼镜的高个儿女孩。你叫她什么? Chick? Larry, 我虽然不喜欢那个女孩,可是我也不想用难听的词来骂她噢!
  
  LL: Huh!? I didn't say any bad words. I said "that chick". Chick means "young woman". It's not a bad word, although some people find it a little offensive.
  
  LH: 噢,原来chick这个词是指“年轻女孩儿”呀!哎哟,这要是直接翻译成中文,可不是什么好词儿。你说在英文里,chick不是骂人的话,可是你又说有的人听了会不大高兴,这是怎么回事啊?
  
  LL: Well, some women find it demeaning - I guess they think that baby chickens are cute but sort of brainless. You can use this word around your friends, but not in formal situations or with strangers.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了 - chick这个词本意是“小鸡”,小鸡虽然可爱,可是好象没有脑子,傻傻的,所以有的女孩就不愿意别人叫她chick。这么说,可以在熟朋友之间用chick这个词,不过,不要在正式场合,或者叫一个陌生人chick。哎,Larry, 我们还是赶快走吧,我可不想让我的同屋缠着我不放。
  
  LL: Hey, there she goes. You're in luck, Li Hua. Your roommate's gone... she just left with two other chicks and that dude who was arguing with Jack.
  
  LH: 她和另外两个女孩儿一起走啦,还有那个跟Jack吵架的dude!哇,真是谢天谢地。这下我们可以痛痛快快地玩了!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是dude, 是口语里男孩之间的称呼,就相当于中文里所说的“家伙”。另外一个是chick, 在口语里指年轻女孩儿。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#356
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to cry in one's beer
  
  cry baby
  
  有不少美国人经常到酒吧间去,一面喝酒,一面聊天。还有的人在心情不好的时候喜欢到酒吧间去喝酒解闷。我们今天要讲的第一个俗语就是和这种习惯有关的。
  
  To cry in one's beer,的意思是坐在酒吧间里对着啤酒哭,自己可怜自己。比如说,一个人在劝他的朋友:
  
  例句-1: Come on, Joe! Instead of sitting around in a bar all day crying in your beer about not having any money, why not get off your bottom and go out and look for a job!
  
  这个人说:行了,乔伊!与其成天坐在酒吧间里,为了没有钱而可怜自己,你为什么不振作起来到外面去找个工作呢!”
  
  看来自我可怜的人是没有人同情的。下面这个例子是一个学生在发表他对同房间一个学生的看法:
  
  例句-2: I'm tired of hearing my roommate crying in his beer about how hard it is to get good grades. If he'd stay home and study instead of going out every night, I'm sure he'd do a lot better in his classes.
  
  这个学生说:我那同宿舍的同学老是自我可怜,说要得到好分数是多么的难。我听得都烦死了。要是他每天晚上呆在家里念书,而不是老出去玩,我肯定他的成绩会好得多。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#357
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家有没有碰到过一种老是哭哭啼啼、抱怨日常生活中一些琐事的人?美国人把这种人叫作:cry baby。大家都知道cry就是“哭”,baby就是“小娃娃”。顾名思义,你们肯定知道cry baby的意思了。下面的例子又是一个人在劝他的朋友:
  
  例句-3: Come on, Jack, you're twenty years old--don't be such a cry baby about everything. We all have our problems, but you ought to do something about them instead of just complaining.
  
  这个人说:行啦,杰克,你已经二十岁了,别有点儿事就哭。我们大家都会碰到一些问题的。但是,你得想办法来解决问题,而不能老是抱怨。
  
  许多人都怕去看牙大夫。但是,美国牙大夫一般都用麻药。为了保护牙齿,大夫经常安排病人每年清洗牙齿两次。下面是一个爸爸在说他的儿子:
  
  例句-4: Bill, don't be such a cry baby about going to the dentist: all he's going to do is clean your teeth. Look at your little sister--she's not making a fuss about it.
  
  这位爸爸说:比尔,别为了去看牙就哭哭啼啼的。他只是替你洗洗牙而已。看看你的妹妹,她就没有这样大惊小怪的。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#358
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua在商店里给朋友买生日礼物。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:to horse around和jump the gun。
  
  LH: 哎哟,Larry, 你看那边那两个小男孩在打架呢。他们家大人怎么也不管呐?
  
  LL: Oh, don't worry, they're just horsing around. They won't hurt each other.
  
  LH: 你要我别担心,说他们只是在horsing around,HORSE这个词在英文里不是“马”吗?
  
  LL: Yes, in "horse around", "horse" is used as a verb, "to horse around" means "to play or joke with someone". Those two kids were just playing, they were horsing around.
  
  LH: 噢,horse在这里是用作动词,to horse around意思是“和别人开玩笑、闹着玩儿”。Larry, 你是说那两个男孩儿是在闹着玩儿啊!
  
  LL: Hey! Why did you punch me in the arm?
  
  LH: I'm just horsing around! 嘿Larry, 这个horsing around还可以用在什么地方呢?
  
  LL: Well, sometimes it means the same as "just kidding" or "just joking." Hey, Li Hua, you have something on your shirt...
  
  LH: 什么?我衣服上沾了东西啊?在哪儿呢?我怎么看不见呢?
  
  LL: That's because I'm just horsing around. There isn't anything on your shirt. I just wanted to see if you would look.
  
  LH: 噢,原来你又在跟我开玩笑啊。这么说,和别人开玩笑或者是恶作剧,也可以算是horsing around. Hey, Larry, 你看你的鞋带松了。
  
  LL: Nice try, Li Hua, but I know you're just horsing around.
  
  LH: 哎哟,我们别光顾开玩笑了,赶快给我朋友挑挑生日礼物吧!
  
  LL: Hey, how about this shirt?
  
  LH: What?! 这衬衫多难看呀!You must be horsing around.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#359
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua. You know what happened to my friend George?
  
  LH: 你的朋友George?他最近不是在找工作吗?听说他接受了一家大公司的面试。
  
  LL: Yeah, and he was so sure that he would get the job that he quit his old job. Unfortunately, he really jumped the gun. He just found out yesterday that he didn't get the job after all.
  
  LH: 噢,George以为那个公司肯定会要他,所以把以前的工作给辞了。可是,他昨天才知道那个公司没有聘他,哎,Larry, 那你说George "jumped the gun", 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To jump the gun is to do something too soon. For instance, if a runner starts running before the race starts, he's jumping the gun.
  
  LH: 噢,to jump the gun就是过早采取行动的意思!对了,像赛跑的时候,有些运动员信号枪还没响就提前跑了。所以叫jump the gun,这个说法挺形象的。George在不知道是不是有新工作以前就把旧工作给辞了,那可不是操之过急了嘛!
  
  LL: Okay, Li Hua, now that you understand what "jump the gun" means, can you give me an example?
  
  LH: 嗯,让我想一想...我有一个朋友前不久要来美国,她还没拿到签证就先买了飞机票。这也可以说是jumped the gun吧?
  
  LL: Definitely, because if she doesn't get a visa, then she won't be able to use the plane ticket.
  
  LH: 那可不是,要是签证领不到,那飞机票就白买了。哎,Larry, 那你给我举个例子吧。
  
  LL: I have a good one: Once I brought a girlfriend home to meet my parents. My mom really jumped the gun and assumed that we were going to get married.
  
  LH: 什么?你带女朋友回家,你妈妈就误以为你们要结婚呐?哎哟,她可真是jumped the gun了, 当时一定挺尴尬的。
  
  LL: You bet. It was embarrassing!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是horse around, 意思是“闹着玩儿、开玩笑”。另外一个是jump the gun, 就相当于中文里所说的“操之过急”。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#360
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 cludy
  
  in the clouds
  
  今天我们要给大家讲解两个由cloud这个字组成的习惯用语。大家肯定都知道cloud就是天上的云。天上满布乌云的时候,天空往往就变得很暗淡。我们要讲的第一个俗语就是这个意思。
  
  Cloud这个字是名词,意思是云。Cloud后面再加上一个字母y就成了形容词,意思是:多云。但是,它的含意也可以解释为:暗淡、不乐观。下面是一个电台播音员在发表他对国际贸易前景的看法:
  
  例句-1: When you look at all the trouble spots around the globe right now, the future of international trade looks very cloudy.
  
  这位播音员说:要是你看看当前全球所有有问题的地方,国际贸易的前景看来是很暗淡的。”换句话说也就是,这位播音员认为国际贸易的前景并不乐观。
  
  在天上多云的时候,许多东西也不像阳光灿烂的时候看的那么清楚。下面这句话就是一个例子。美国国会两院对每一个新的提案都要经过讨论,然后投票通过。例如,一名记者问一位参议员国会会不会通过某个提案。这位参议员回答说:
  
  例句-2: I'd have to say the chances are cloudy. We have quite a bit of support for this bill but we're not sure that we have enough votes to get it passed.
  
  这位参议员回答说:“我觉得很难肯定。支持这项提案的人还不少,但是我们不敢肯定我们会有足够的票数来通过这项提案。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#361
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 不管是美国人,还是中国人,我们每个人恐怕都有做白日梦的时候。有的时候,我们一边走路,一边在想心事,或者是一边做什么事,一边在想其它事情,身边发生什么事全然没有注意到。美国人把这叫做:in the clouds。
  
  In the clouds可以解释为:心不在焉。请听下面这个例子,这是一个人在说她的朋友:
  
  例句-3: Sally is my best friend but she walked right past me today, and didn't even say hello. Her head certainly was in the clouds--she looked like her mind was a thousand miles away.
  
  这个人说:莎莉是我最好的朋友,可是,她今天在我身旁走过,连招呼都没有跟我打。她肯定在做白日梦,看起来她的心思好像在一千哩以外的地方。
  
  下面的例子讲的是一个学生。这个学生上课的时候没有注意听讲,他说:
  
  例句-4: I was really embarrassed--the teacher asked me a question and I didn't even hear him; I was daydreaming and my head was in the clouds.
  
  他说:我当时真是非常难堪。老师问我问题,我根本没有听见。那时,我刚好在做白日梦,思想在开小差。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#362
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华到Larry的宿舍里去串门儿,李华会学到两个常用语:on the fritz和to hog。
  
  LH: Hey, Larry, 我昨天晚上给你打电话,在你手机上留了言,你怎么没给我回电话啊?
  
  LL: I didn't get your message. My cell phone has been on the fritz. I don't know what's wrong with it.
  
  LH: 你没收到我的留言?还说你的手机怎么啦?On the fritz - 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: I said my cell phone is on the fritz. If something is on the fritz, that means something is wrong with it and it is not working properly.
  
  LH: 噢,要是说什么东西on the fritz, 意思就是“出了毛病,不能正常工作了”。哎呀,我的手机有时候也会on the fritz. Larry, 除了电话以外,还有什么东西也可以说是on the fritz呢?
  
  LL: Well, usually it is machines that are on the fritz. For instance, sometimes my computer does not respond to my commands, so it's on the fritz.
  
  LH: 原来on the fritz通常是用在机器设备上,比方说像你说的电脑。就是啊,有的时候电脑会出故障,不听指令,那就是on the fritz了。
  
  LL: Now Li Hua, can you give me an example?
  
  LH: 有了。昨天我在学校的食品零售机买coke,我明明塞进去一块美元,可是零售机一点反应都没有。It must have been on the fritz.
  
  LL: Oh, some of the vending machines are often on the fritz.
  
  LH: 哎,Larry, 除了说机器,我能不能说一个人on the fritz呢?
  
  LL: Not really. However, the exception is that you can say that your stomach is on the fritz if it is uncomfortable.
  
  LH: 噢,我们不能直接说一个人on the fritz, 但是,要是我的胃感到难受,我就可以说:My stomach is on the fritz.
  
  LL: All right, Li Hua, forget about things that are on the fritz. You want to watch this DVD?
  
  LH: Sure! 但愿你的DVD player is not on the fritz.
  
  LL: Oh, come on, Li Hua!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-05#363
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, stop hogging all the popcorn! I want some too.
  
  LH: 得了得了,想吃爆米花就说话呀,给你!你说我什么?Hogging all the popcorn? 好像不是什么好意思,你可得给我解释清楚!
  
  LL: Well, to hog something is to keep it for yourself and not share it with others. Just now you were eating all of the popcorn without sharing it with me. Therefore, I said you were hogging the popcorn.
  
  LH: To hog something就是霸占着某样东西,不给别人。嘿,Larry, 你怎么能说我霸着爆米花不给你呢?我又不知道你也想吃,再说,我现在不是分给你了吗?
  
  LL: Okay, I suppose you aren't hogging it anymore.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry, 除了说食物以外,这种说法还可以用在别的地方吗?
  
  LL: Well, we are now watching a DVD, if I don't let you use the remote control, then I'm hogging the remote.
  
  LH: 噢,要是你一个人拿着遥控器,不让我用,那你就是hogging the remote. 那可比hogging the popcorn更气人了!
  
  LL: Okay, now it's your turn to give me an example.
  
  LH: 让我也举个例子啊?想起来了。我那个同屋啊,她有的时候用洗手间用好长时间,进去了就不出来,我真应该告诉她 - stop hogging the bathroom.
  
  LL: That's a very good example. Hey, Li Hua, look at me - if I lie down on the couch and don't give you any room to sit down, then I am hogging the couch.
  
  LH: 哎哟,Larry, 你干什么呀?你干嘛一个人把整个沙发都占了,一点儿地方都不给我留,你想让我坐地板啊?Stop hogging the couch, Larry!
  
  LL: Calm down, Li Hua, I was just giving you an example.
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是on the fritz, 意思是“出了故障”。另外一个是to hog something, 意思是“把某样东西据为己有,不给别人”。

昆虫国际 : 2009-12-05#364
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

献花

太极无敌 : 2009-12-05#365
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢!学习并收藏了!

霜岳 : 2009-12-06#366
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢!

lisa(sz) : 2009-12-06#367
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

收藏

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#368
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

on a cloud
  
  under a cloud
  
  你们肯定都知道英文里的前置词有时会使人很混乱,它们在句子里虽然不显眼,但是作用却很关键,用错了一个前置词意思可能完全不同。我们先来讲on a cloud这个词。
  
  On a cloud是很高兴的意思,高兴得走路轻飘飘的好像腾云驾雾一样。下面这个大学生就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: I've been on a cloud all day long - I heard this morning that I got an A on my final biochemistry exam.
  
  这个学生说:我今天一天都很高兴,因为我早上听说,我生物化学期末考试得了一个A。
  
  令人高兴的事是层出不穷的,下面这位太太也是很高兴,至少她的先生是这么说的:
  
  例句-2: My wife has been on a cloud since I told her the other day I would spend my year-end bonus at the office to take us to Hawaii to celebrate our twentieth wedding anniversary. And to tell you the truth, I'm really looking forward to it myself.
  
  这位丈夫说:我那天告诉我的妻子,我要把办公室发给我的年终奖金用来和她一起去夏威夷旅行,以庆祝我们结婚二十周年。自从那天起,我太太一直很高兴。说实话,我自己也非常想去。
  
  夏威夷虽然是美国领土的一部份,但是由于它位于太平洋中间,离开美国本土很远,所以去那里旅行不如去别的地方那么容易。当然,夏威夷那岛国风光非常吸引人,因此能去夏威夷一游实在是令人向往的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#369
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们刚才讲的是on a cloud。下面我们把前置词on换成under,也就是under a cloud。任何人under a cloud是绝对不会高兴的,因为他不是丢尽了面子,就是被怀疑做了什么坏事。下面是一个人在讲另外一个被逮捕的人,这人被指控和贩毒有关:
  
  例句-3: The judge had to let him go because there wasn't enough evidence against him. But he's going around under a cloud because most people think he's guilty.
  
  这个人说:法官由于没有足够的证据来定罪,所以只好放了他。但是,他到哪儿都受怀疑,因为大多数人都认为他是有罪的。
  
  下面这个例子是一个人在饭馆里对别人说的话:
  
  例句-4: See that man sitting at the table by himself? He's supposed to be a very smart lawyer, but he's been under a cloud ever since he was mixed up in a scandal involving a company that was run by a mobster.
  
  这人说:看见那个桌子边独自坐着的人吗?他本来是一个很能干的律师,但是他跟一个公司的丑闻有牵连,而那个公司是由流氓集团经营的。从那时起他一直被人怀疑。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#370
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和Larry在谈暑假里打算干什么,李华会学到两个常用语:jack和kaput。
  
  LH: Hey Larry, 你知不知道纽约附近哪个地方可以钓鱼呀?
  
  LL: Fishing, huh? I'm sorry Li Hua, I don't know jack about fishing.
  
  LH: 哎,我问你钓鱼的事,你怎么说你不认识Jack?
  
  LL: I'm not talking about a guy named Jack. When I say "I don't know jack about fishing", that means "I don't know anything about fishing".
  
  LH: 噢,原来jack在这里不是人的名字,你说 I don't know jack about fishing 意思就是“你对钓鱼一无所知”。这么说,jack在这里就表示 "nothing", right?
  
  LL: That's right.
  
  LH: I don't know jack about fishing, 那不就成了I don't know nothing about fishing. 英文里是不能用双重否定的,不是吗?
  
  LL: OK, you're right, we don't use double negatives in proper, formal English. But this is slang! "I don't know jack" means "I don't know anything".
  
  LH: 我也经常听人说 I don't know nothing, 我知道在正规英语里面是不应该这么说的。这样说来,在口语里是这么用的,那"I don't know jack" 就表示“我什么也不知道”。对了,Larry, 那你暑假不准备钓鱼,你打算干什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, I may just sit around. In other words, I don't do jack!
  
  LH: You don't do jack! 我知道,你是说你什么也不干啊。除了"I don't know jack" ,原来你还可以说:I don't do jack! 好不容易到了暑假,你却打算什么都不干?我才不会这样白白浪费时间。
  
  LL: Well, the reason vacation is so valuable is because I can sit around and don't do jack all day. Usually I'm a very busy guy.
  
  LH: 你说得也有道理,就是因为放假了,才有可能懒散一点儿;什么事情也不做。平时又要学习又要打工,是够忙的。
  
  LL: Well, anyway, I need to get home and start on the term paper. I haven't written jack yet!
  
  LH: 什么?你的期末论文一点儿还没动手啊?哎哟,那你赶紧回家去写吧!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#371
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你不是在家写论文吗?怎么又跑到学校图书馆来啦?
  
  LL: Well, I got home and started to work on my term paper, but my computer went kaput!
  
  LH: 你说你的电脑怎么啦?Went kaput? 听起来就好象是电脑出问题了,是不是啊?
  
  LL: Yes, "kaput" means "broken, ruined or not working properly." My computer went kaput, so now I have to work on my paper in the library.
  
  LH: Oh, 原来 kaput 意思就是“坏了,没法正常工作”。你是说你的电脑坏了,Larry, 你最近好像运气不太好嘛.前些天,你的手机电话不是也出故障了吗?
  
  LL: Oh man, that's a real problem! My cell phone really went kaput and nobody could reach me.
  
  LH: 就是啊,我给你打电话留言,你也没收到。
  
  LL: During that time, I was out of touch with everyone. It felt like my whole life went kaput.
  
  LH: 有那么严重吗?你因为手机坏了,和所有人失去了联系,让你觉得整个生活都完蛋啦?哎哟,还是先说说你的电脑吧 - 你的电脑 went kaput,那你有没有丢掉什么重要文件呢?
  
  LL: Well, I'm hoping it wasn't the hard drive that went kaput. That would be terrible!
  
  LH: 你先别着急,即使是hard drive went kaput, 我想有的信息还是可以找回来的啦!
  
  LL: Let's hope so. If I can't get my computer fixed soon, I won't have jack to show them in my term paper.
  
  LH: 但愿你的电脑赶快修好。学期论文要是交白卷可真是太糟糕了。
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语,一个是jack, 在英语口语里 I don't know jack的意思是“我什么也不知道”。李华学到的另一个常用语是kaput, 就相当于中文里所说的“坏了”“出了问题”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#372
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

basket case
  
  all washed up
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍两个表示毫无希望的习惯用语。我们要讲的第一个常用语是:basket case。
  
  Basket的意思就是“篮子”。比如说,要是一个人在一次事故中失去了四肢,他就变得毫无能力来料理自己的生活,只能让人家把他放在一只篮子里抬来抬去。这种毫无能力和希望的情景就是basket case的意思。Basket case经常被用来形容那些很穷的国家,它们的人民饥寒交迫,毫无希望。有的时候,basket case也是指那些老是亏钱,即将倒闭的企业。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: I'm really worried - our company is losing so much money these days that if things don't get better in the next two months we'll be a basket case and have to go out of business.
  
  这个人说:我真是非常担心,我们公司这些日子亏损了那么多钱,要是在今后两个月里情况没有好转的话,我们就彻底没有希望,只好倒闭了。
  
  Basket case也可以用半开玩笑的口气来指个别人,就像下面这个人。他正在找工作,刚刚到一个公司去面谈回来:
  
  例句-2: They made me wait so long for the interview that I was a basket case by the time I finally got called in. I've never been so nervous! I stammered, I stuttered--I almost couldn't remember my own name.
  
  这人说:他们让我等了很久才和我面谈。等到他们叫我进去的时候,我根本就不行了。我从来就没有这样紧张过,结结巴巴地说不出话来,差一点连自己的名字都忘了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#373
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是:all washed up。大家都知道,wash就是洗东西的“洗”。但是,all washed up的意思是彻底完蛋,和乾净不乾净毫无关系。下面这位女士在和她妹妹说一个他们都认识的朋友:
  
  例句-3: Did you hear that Gloria's marriage is all washed up? She found her husband was seeing another woman, so she packed up, took the kids and moved out. Now she's suing for divorce.
  
  她说:你听说了没有,格洛里亚发现她的丈夫有外遇,因此她收拾起自己的东西,带着孩子搬出去了。现在,她向法院提出要离婚呢!
  
  下面这个例子是关于一个染上恶习、到最后破坏自己生活的人:
  
  例句-4: That man over there used to be one of the best players in baseball. But then he started drinking, turned into an alcoholic, and just two years later he was all washed up.
  
  这句话的意思是:那边那个人以前是最好的棒球运动员之一。但是,后来他开始喝酒,逐渐酗酒成习。这样,只过了两年,他的棒球生涯也就完蛋了

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#374
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua一起去医院看望一个生病的朋友Laura。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:pick-me-up和lay off。
  
  (street noise)
  
  LH: 哎,Larry, 我觉得Laura生病以后一直情绪不好 - 我真的很替她担心。
  
  LL: Well, this visit should be a nice pick-me-up for her. I'm sure she'll like the flowers you bought her.
  
  LH: 我也希望她会喜欢我买的这些花。可是,Larry, 你说我们去医院看她,对她是个 "pick-me-up", 什么是"pick-me-up" 啊?
  
  LL: A pick-me-up as one word is something that makes someone feel better or gives them energy.
  
  LH: 噢,原来"pick-me-up" 合起来是一个词,表示“能让人振作起来、让人心情好起来的东西”。所以你说我们去医院看Laura会让她心情好起来啊!
  
  LL: That's right. Here is another example - If you receive a birthday card from your best friend, you must feel good. So, the card for you is a "pick-me-up".
  
  LH: 对呀,好朋友送我生日卡片,那肯定会让我很高兴。只可惜生日一年只有一次。Larry, 我如果情绪低落,你猜我会怎么办?我吃巧克力。Chocolate is a good pick-me-up.
  
  LL: I don't really like chocolate, so when I need a pick-me-up, I usually eat ice cream.
  
  LH: 我也喜欢吃冰淇淋,不过,和冰淇淋比起来,我还是觉得“逛街买东西”更容易帮我调节心情。
  
  LL: Well, that's a good pick-me-up for girls, but most guys don't enjoy shopping that much.
  
  LH: 你说得太对了。“逛街买东西”常常能让女孩子一下子心情就好起来,可是对男生来说恐怕就不那么灵了。唉,真可惜Laura现在在医院里,要不然我可以约她出来逛街呢!
  
  LL: Well, I'm sure that seeing her friends and getting such pretty flowers will be a great pick-me-up for her.
  
  LH: 就是啊,见到我们还有这些好看的花她一定会高兴起来的。前面就是医院了。哎,Larry, 走了一路,我有点儿累了。我们先到这家咖啡馆喝杯咖啡怎么样?
  
  LL: Yeah, I'm kind of tired, too. I could use a little pick-me-up.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#375
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Laura seemed so spacey. I think that maybe the doctors should lay off the painkillers.
  
  LH: 就是啊,Laura好像显得昏昏沉沉的,所以你觉得医生应该给她开止疼药 - painkiller 啊?
  
  LL: No, I meant they should STOP giving her painkillers. To lay off something is to stop using it or to stop doing it, and to lay off someone is to stop bothering him or her...
  
  LH: 噢,原来Lay off something的意思就是“停止用某种东西”或者“停止做某件事”。那lay off someone的意思就是“别再烦某个人”。原来你说的是医生应该给Laura停用止疼药吗?
  
  LL: You got it! You see - Painkillers tend to make the person spacey. That's why I think the doctors should lay off the painkillers for Laura.
  
  LH: 说得也是,止疼药是会让人晕晕乎乎的。哎,Larry, 我们能不能再到那个咖啡馆买杯咖啡呀?我看了Laura那么难受的样子,我也得提提神了- I need another pick-me-up.
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, you ought to lay off the caffeine. You're going to become addicted!
  
  LH: 你要我别喝那么多咖啡,不然会上瘾?嗨,Larry, 别管我的事, lay off me, 我啊,就是想喝这杯咖啡!
  
  LL: Alright, alright. Don't be mad at me.
  
  LH: 哎哟,我也不是真的和你急嘛。我只不过是想用"lay off someone" 来举个例子, 哎,你说我用得对吗?
  
  LL: Yes, you sure used it correctly. Now, shall we lay off the English lessons for a while? I think I will have some ice cream as a pick-ME-up.
  
  LH: 好啊,我们俩这个“英语课”要先告一段落,你吃冰淇淋。我呢,还是喝我的咖啡!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语,一个是pick-me-up, 意思是“给人提神、让人心情一下子好起来的东西”;李华学到的另外一个常用语是lay off, lay off something意思是“停止做某件事”, lay off someone意思是“别烦某个人”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#376
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Smart (as intelligence)
  
  Smart (as fashionable)
  
  我想大家一定都很熟悉英文里的smart这个字。Smart这个字可以有好多解释,用在许多地方。它可以解释为很聪明,或者指一个人衣着很时髦,或者形容某个自认为比别人都好的人。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍两种最普通的意思,也就是聪明和衣着时髦、漂亮。下面这个例子里说话的人用的是smarter这个字,也就是在smart后面加er,用做比较式的形容词:
  
  例句-1: I hate to admit this, but my kid sister is smarter than I am. I barely passed algebra and geometry, but here she's head of her class in both.
  
  这个人很谦虚,他说:我虽然不愿意承认这个事实,但是,我的小妹妹确实比我更聪明。我的几何和代数只是勉强及格。可是,她这两门课在班里都是第一。
  
  下面是一个弟弟在和哥哥比,他不仅不谦虚,相反地,他听起来很不服气:
  
  例句-2: What makes my brother think he's so smart? Sure he did a lot better than I did in college. But if he's all that smart, how come I have a better job and make more money?
  
  这个弟弟说:我哥哥凭什么认为自己是那么聪明?是的,他在大学时功课比我好得多。可是,要是他真是那么聪明,那我的工作怎么比他的好,我怎么钱比他赚得多?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#377
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来看看smart这个字解释为时髦、或者衣服穿得很漂亮的时候是怎么用的。许多美国人为了赶时髦,他们每个季度都要花好多钱去买几套新衣服,然后把旧衣服送给慈善机构,送给朋友,或乾脆扔掉。当然,大家都喜欢既买到自己喜爱的衣服,又能省钱。因此每当有减价出售的时候,大家争先恐后地去选购。下面是一个人在形容他的朋友,花钱不多但是穿着却很入时:
  
  例句-3: The thing I like about Harry is that he's such a smart dresser. He probably doesn't spend any more money on his clothes than I do, but somehow he manages to look so stylish.
  
  这人说:“我之所以喜欢哈利是因为他在穿衣服方面很聪明。他在衣服方面花的钱可能不比我花的多,但是不知什么缘故他总能穿得看起来很时髦。”
  
  要是一个人经常去参加正式的社交活动的话,那他就得花更多的钱去买夜礼服。下面是一个年轻女孩既想去参加聚会,但又买不起礼服。她说:
  
  例句-4: I'd love to go to this party; it's the smartest social affair this year. But I can't afford to buy a new gown, and everybody else there will be so smartly dressed.
  
  这个女孩说:我很想去参加这个聚会,这是今年最热门的一次社交活动。可是,我买不起新的夜礼服,而所有参加这次聚会的人都会穿得非常漂亮的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#378
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua一起在游乐园坐过山车。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:to rock和letdown.
  
  LH: 哎哟,这一趟过山车坐得我晕头转向的,直想吐!真是活受罪!
  
  LL: You are sick and dizzy? What are you talking about? That rollercoaster rocks! I'm going to ride it again!
  
  LH: 什么,Larry, 你还想再去坐啊?你还说那个过山车rocks. Rock 当作动词不是“摇摇晃晃”的意思吗?
  
  LL: No, no, I didn't say that it rocked back and forth. "To rock" means "to be great". If something or some experience is really fun or exciting, we say "It rocks!"
  
  LH: 噢,原来在这里,rock不是前后摇晃的意思,而是要是有什么事情有意思、够刺激,我们就说It rocks! 哎,那不就相当于中文里说的“棒极了”的意思吗?
  
  LL: That's right, Li Hua. I'm sure you've heard this expression before.
  
  LH: 还真是,上星期我和同学到学校附近那家湖南餐馆吃饭。吃完饭,我同学说,"That meal rocked!". 我当时没听懂,所以没敢答腔,现在我可明白了,她呀是在夸那顿饭好吃呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, she must have liked it. Everyone likes Hunan Garden. That restaurant rocks.
  
  LH: 哎哟,Larry, 我看我们还是别说吃了吧,我的胃到现在还没缓过来呢!这样吧,你再给我举个别的例子,好不好?
  
  LL: Sure... if someone tells you some good news, you might say, "That rocks!"
  
  LH: 哎,说到“好消息”,我还真有个好消息告诉你,你知道吗,有家私人学校打算等我毕业后要聘用我呢!
  
  LL: Whoa, really? That's great news. That rocks, Li Hua. You haven't even graduated yet, and this private school already offered you a great job!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#379
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 哇,总算可以回家了,我真担心你会不会坐过山车坐上了瘾呢!
  
  LL: Well, I liked the two rollercoaster rides, but the park itself was kind of a letdown.
  
  LH: 是啊,我知道你喜欢过山车,要不然也不会连着坐两次啊!可是你又说这个游乐园是什么 - letdown?
  
  LL: I said that the park is a letdown. A letdown is something that disappoints you. The park really wasn't especially bad, but I was expecting it to be better. It was a real letdown.
  
  LH: 等等等等,letdown的意思就是某件事让你失望。你是说,这个游乐园其实还可以,只不过不像你原先想象的好,所以让你失望了。那Larry, 你觉得这个游乐园哪一点儿让你失望呢?
  
  LL: Well, It was too crowded. The lines in front of the rides were too long.
  
  LH: 哎哟,现在就是旅游旺季,这儿当然人多,坐过山车当然要排队等啦!你就是爱发牢骚。那这样,你再给我举个例子吧,看看还有什么事对你是个letdown.
  
  LL: Well, my History Professor is a real letdown. He's a well-known expert in his area, but he's not very good at giving lectures.
  
  LH: 你们历史教授在学术界是挺有名的,可是你说他不太会讲课呀,那确实是挺让学生失望的。哎,Larry, 我记得你第一次到中国,去了长城,回来你也说和原先想象的一点儿都不一样。那the Great Wall 对你来说是不是个letdown呢?
  
  LL: I'm glad you remember that. My first trip to the Great Wall WAS truly a letdown. It was so crowded with tourists and souvenir peddlers.
  
  LH: 你怎么到哪儿都嫌人多啊?长城是有名的旅游景点,当然有各地的游客啦,还有小商贩卖纪念品!哎,不过,你刚才说,你第一次去长城让你失望,那后来你再去是不是就感觉好多了?
  
  LL: Yeah, that second trip rocked!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是rock, 说something rocks,就相当于中文里的“棒极了”。李华学到的另一个常用语是letdown, 意思是“让人失望的事”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#380
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们经常说做事要看轻重缓急,有的时候不得不把正在做的事或计划要做的事先搁置一边。美国人把这叫做:to put on the back burner。Back就是后边,而burner在这儿的是指做饭的炉子。美国的厨房里,炉台上一般都有四个炉口,前面两个,后面两个。人们往往把很快能煮好的东西放在前面炉子上煮,把一些要慢慢煮的东西放在后面的炉子上。这就是to put on the back burner这个俗语的来源。下面这个例子是一个广告公司的老板在给会计下指示:
  
  例句-1: Joe, I know you're working on the Anderson contract, but let's put it on the back burner for now. We need your help on the new Jones contract. It's worth more than five million dollars.
  
  这个老板说:乔伊,我知道你现在正在处理安德森合同的事情,但是,让我们先把它放一放。我们要你来帮忙处理和琼斯签订的新合同。这个合同价值达五百万美元。
  
  ******
  
  每个家庭也经常会把马上想干的事推迟一段时间。下面是一个丈夫在对妻子说话:
  
  例句-2: Honey, the boss told me today he can't give me that pay raise I was expecting. I'm afraid that means we'll have to put our plans to buy a bigger house on the back burner until next year.
  
  这个丈夫说:亲爱的,老板今天告诉我他不能满足我的愿望给我加工资。所以我们想买栋大房子的计划恐怕不得不等到明年再说了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#381
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

好多人在做一些事的时候会表现出拖拖拉拉,很不愿意的样子。美国人把这种现象称为:to drag one's feet。你听了下面这位母亲的话就会明白什么是to drag one's feet了:
  
  例句-3: Billy and Sally always drag their feet when I tell them it's bedtime. They love to watch TV after dinner and they'd stay up till midnight if I didn't chase them off to bed.
  
  这位母亲说:每当我叫比利和萨利上床睡觉的时候,他们总是拖拖拉拉。他们喜欢吃完晚饭后看电视,要是我不催着他们上床的话,他们可以一直看到半夜。
  
  ******
  
  下面的例子是一个百货公司的雇员正在罢工,要求增加工资。这个公司的经理说:
  
  例句-4: The union is dragging its feet on agreeing to a settlement. They think the company is getting desperate to get people back to work because Christmas is coming and that's our busiest time of year.
  
  他说:工会拖拖拉拉地不肯就解决方案达成协议。他们认为,公司一定会迫不及待地要雇员回去工作,因为圣诞节快来了。这是我们一年最忙的时候。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#382
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Li Hua正在往图书馆走,突然,Larry把她叫住了。 Li Hua在今天的谈话中会学到两个常用语:what's her face和thingamajig。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua. One of your classmates asked me to give you this envelope.
  
  LH: 我的同学要你给我这个信封?哪个同学呀?
  
  LL: Oh, it was... what's-her-face, you know, the tall girl with red hair.
  
  LH: 高个子、红头发的女孩儿?你还说什么- What's her face? 哎,Face不是“脸”吗?
  
  LL: I said "what's-her-face" instead of her name because I couldn't remember her name. I guess it means I can remember her face, but not her name.
  
  LH: 噢,你不记得她的名字,但是你记得她的脸长的是什么样子,所以你说what's her face, 也就相当于what's her name 。Hm,Larry, 你这么说是不是不太礼貌呢?
  
  LL: Well, it's not really rude, but it's very informal. You shouldn't call someone what's-her-face if she is nearby... in that case, you should just ask her what her name is.
  
  LH: 哎哟,幸亏你告诉我, 尽管what's-her-face是很随便的说法,但是也不应该当着那个人的面这么说。要是这个人就在你身边,那么我就应该直接问她叫什么名字。哎,对了,Larry, 刚才你是说what's her face, 要是男孩子的话,那应该怎么说呢?
  
  LL: You would say what's-his-face.
  
  LH: 噢,要是男生,但是又记不起他的名字,那也可以说what's his face。我想起来了,那个高个红头发的女孩是Julia。我和Jenny向她借了上星期四的笔记,因为那天我俩没去上课。这个信封里肯定是她的笔记。
  
  LL: That's right - You missed a class last Thursday. Hey wait, if you needed notes, why didn't you just ask me?
  
  LH: 但是我们觉得 - what's-her-face... um, Julia... 她肯定比你记得好。
  
  LL: Well, come to think of it - If I were what's-her-face, er... I mean Jenny, I wouldn't want my notes either.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#383
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 哎,Larry, 你手里拿的是什么东西呀?
  
  LL: This thing in my hand? Oh, it's the thingamajig I use to measure the air pressure in my car's tires.
  
  LH: 什么?Thin-ga-ma-jig - 这名字听起来很好玩儿。
  
  LL: No no, that's not the real name of this thing. We use "thingamajig", to replace the name of an object when we don't know or can't remember its real name.
  
  LH: 噢,Thingamajig不是这个东西的名字。那要是不知道,或是忘了一样东西的名称,我们就可以用这个thingamajig来代替。哎,那不就是像我们中文里说的“那玩意儿”吗?是不是?
  
  LL: That's right. Actually, I think the thing in my hand is called a "tire pressure gauge". Tom asked me to help him check the air pressure of his car's tires.
  
  LH: 原来你手里拿的这个thingamajig是用来测量汽车轮胎压力的。你要帮Tom来测测他的车子轮胎啊 ?哎哟,Larry, 看来你对车子还挺懂的嘛!
  
  LL: Hey, I never said I'm good with cars. To me, everything under the hood of my car is just a bunch of thingamajigs.
  
  LH: 汽车引擎盖下面的东西你是一窍不通啊?我才不信。噢,说到修车,我这辆自行车的手闸最近不太灵,你帮我看看好不好?
  
  LL: Let me see. I think you just need to oil these thingamajigs on your handlebars here.
  
  LH: 自行车把手上的这些零件该上油啊?你肯定吗?
  
  LL: Well, if you don't believe me, you can ask what's-his-face, Jenny's boyfriend, the tall Indian guy - He can fix bikes.
  
  LH: 那个高个子的印度人,Jenny的男朋友?你是说Rick吧!他会修自行车?那我可要去问问Jenny了!
  
  LL:OK! Let's go!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是what's her face, 也可以说what's his face。意思是“那个叫什么什么的人”。李华学到的另一个常用语是thingamajig, 就相当于中文里所说的“那个玩意儿”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#384
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的两个习惯用语都和back有关。首先我们要讲的是:to turn one's back on someone。从字面上解释,这是把自己的背对着某人。可是,实际上这是指根本不理会某人,或不肯给那个有困难的人任何帮助。下面这个例子是一个弟弟在抱怨他的哥哥:
  
  例句-1: I won't ever forgive my older brother - he turned his back on me and refused to lend me any money when I lost my job.
  
  这人说:我永远也不会原谅我的大哥。当我失去我的工作的时候,他根本不肯帮忙; 一点钱都不愿意借给我。
  
  ******
  
  这个哥哥也确实不太讲兄弟之情。不过,这恐怕也不是什么少见的事,有的时候父亲不认孩子的事还有呢。下面的例子就是一个儿子在说他爸爸:
  
  例句-2: My father deserted my mother and me when I was five years old. But I can't turn my back on him now that he's old and sick. So I'm paying the rent for him on a little apartment in Los Angeles.
  
  他说:当我五岁的时候,我爸爸抛弃了我妈妈和我。可是,现在我爸爸又老又病,我可不能不管。我现在在洛杉矶租了一个小公寓套房,我替他付房租。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#385
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语是:to get on someone's back。To get on someone's back是指对某人唠唠叨叨没完。太太嫌先生不帮忙做家务,先生又嫌太太太唠叨。这个现象可能是没有国界的,哪儿都存在。下面两个例子表达了双方的观点,先听太太的吧:
  
  例句-3: I really don't like to get on Henry's back all the time. But after twenty years, you would think he'd learn to pick up his clothes and hang them in the closet to help me keep the house neat.
  
  太太的话听起来很有理。她说:我实在并不喜欢老是对亨利唠叨。可是,二十年啦,你想他总学会了把自己的衣服拣起来,挂在衣柜里,帮我把屋子弄乾净吧!
  
  ******
  
  先生倒也承认太太有道理,但是就是......还是让他自己说吧:
  
  例句-4: Helen is always on my back to make me pick up my clothes when I leave them lying around the house. She's right, of course, but I wish she wouldn't get on my back so much.
  
  他说:每次我把衣服随便扔的时候,海伦总是唠唠叨叨,让我把它们拣起来。当然,她是对的。可是,我就是希望她不要那么唠叨个没完。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#386
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这是星期六,Li Hua一大早就到Larry的宿舍叫他一块儿去跑步。 在今天的谈话中,Li Hua会学到两个常用语:sleep in和slacker。
  
  LL: come in!
  
  LH: 哎呀,Larry, 你怎么还没起床啊,都八点半啦!
  
  LL: Li Hua, it's Saturday, I want to sleep in for once. What's so important that you have to wake me up?
  
  LH: 哎哟,你不是说今天早上一起去跑步吗?还问我什么事情那么重要,把你叫醒了,你真健忘。嗨,你说你想 "sleep in" 那是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: Ok, now pay attention. "Sleep in" is a very, very important term to me. "Sleep in" means to sleep later than usual.
  
  LH: 噢,sleep in 意思就是“比平时起得晚”,那不就是“睡懒觉”吗?你真懒,怪不得sleep in这个短语对你来说 "very, very important".
  
  LL: Hey, sleeping in once in a while does not make a person lazy.
  
  LH: 这话也有道理,偶尔睡个懒觉也不见得就是懒惰,其实我有的时候也喜欢早上多睡会儿。
  
  LL:Li Hua, why didn't you sleep in this morning? It's Saturday!
  
  LH:这个星期每天我都忙得要命,根本没时间锻炼,所以才想早上起来跑步啊!
  
  LL: Sleep is important, too, Li Hua. You should have slept in and run later.
  
  LH: 要早知道你想睡懒觉,我也不用起那么早了。 今天中午我睡个午觉。这样就可以补过来早上没有sleep in的损失喽!
  
  LL :That sounds like a good idea. Now, can I go back to sleep?
  
  LH:跟你说了那么多话,你还想睡觉啊!起来,起来,跟我一起去跑步。
  
  LL: All right. I guess I'm awake now anyway. Wait for me, I'll be ready to go in a minute.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#387
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL:Li Hua, why don't we stop at Starbucks and have a coffee!
  
  LH: Larry, 跑了那么几分钟,你就想到星巴克喝咖啡!你可真懒。
  
  LL: Come on! I'm not a slacker. I'm just a little tired because somebody didn't let me sleep in this morning.
  
  LH: 对,是我把你叫醒的。可是你没睡懒觉也不至于就累成这样啊!你不是个"slacker", 我连 "slacker" 是什么都还不知道呢!
  
  LL: A slacker is someone who "slacks off" or very lazy.
  
  LH: 噢,我想起来了,Michael以前就给我解释过slack off这个短语,意思是“松懈、懒散”,那 slacker就是“喜欢偷懒、特别懒散的人”喽!
  
  LL: You got it. For example: a student who doesn't do his homework and is always late for class is a slacker.
  
  LH: 一个上课老迟到、老不做作业的学生就是个slacker。 哎,Larry, 我们认识的人里,谁是slacker 啊?
  
  LL: You know that guy in our history class who always sleeps through class and never reads his textbook? He is a slacker.
  
  LH: 对对对,历史课上那个家伙一上课就睡觉,课本也从来不看,绝对是个slacker。 哎,Larry, 昨天饭馆里那个女服务员也是个slacker吧?
  
  LL: Ah, she was such a slacker! She was so slow that it took nearly an hour to get our food. I thought I was going to starve to death.
  
  LH: 别说你了,让我们等了快一个小时,我都要饿死了。嘿,Larry, 你看,我们还有不到2百米就要到头了,快跑啊!
  
  LL: Can't we walk the rest of the way?
  
  LH: 你想走? 不行不行,我们要坚持跑到终点 - Don't be a slacker, Larry!
  
  LL: Stop calling me that! Next weekend, I'm going to wake you up at 6 a.m. to go running and then we'll see who is the slacker!
  
  LH: 什么?你下星期六早上6点钟叫我起来跑步啊?我可不干,下星期六我要睡懒觉 - I'm going to sleep in!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是sleep in, 意思是“睡懒觉”。李华学到的另一个常用语是slacker, 是指“喜欢偷懒的人”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#388
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

nag
  
  to get off one's back
  
  大家常常可以听到有的丈夫抱怨说,自己的太太在家里老是唠叨个没完,说他家务事做得不够,衣服到处乱扔等。美国人用一个字来形容这种爱唠叨的现象,那就是:nag。Nag这个字的意思就是没完没了地唠叨,让人听起来很烦燥。但是,这个字不是用来专门形容太太的,它还可以用在其它方面,例如,下面这个例句里的工人把这个字用在他老板身上:
  
   例句-1: I like my boss except for one thing - he's always nagging me about getting to work on time. I'm never more than five minutes late, and that's only when the bus doesn't show up on time.
  
  这个工人说:我的老板什么都挺好,就是老是嘱咐我要按时上班,唠叨个没完。实际上,我即便晚到也从来没有超过五分钟的,而那也只是在公共汽车晚到的时候才会发生。
  
  这句话里的nag是个动词,但是,nag也可以用做名词来形容那些不断批评别人,要别人按着他的意志行事的人。下面就是一个例子:
  
   例句-2: My wife is such a nag about my smoking - she keeps after me all day long to stop it. You know, I've been smoking twenty years now and giving up my four packs a day is hard to do.
  
  这个人说:我的太太在我抽烟的问题上真是爱唠叨,为了要我戒烟她成天说个没完。可是你要知道,我抽烟已经有二十年啦,要戒掉一天四包烟的习惯可是很难的事。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#389
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是有人老是对你唠叨个没完,你总有一天会感到无法忍耐,你可能会说: "Hey, get off my back, will you!"这就是说:“喂,你别跟我唠叨了,行不行!”我们这儿要讲的常用语就是:to get off one's back。
  
  下面的例子是一个汽车工人在谈论他的老板:
  
   例句-3: I'm telling you, if that guy doesn't stop nagging me about working faster, I'm going to tell him to get off my back or I'll walk right off the job and let him see how hard it is to find a good mechanic these days.
  
  这个工人说:我告诉你,要是那个家伙再来唠叨要我干得更快地话,我就要告诉他别再纠缠不清,否则我就不干了,让他知道现在要找一个真正懂机械的工人是多么的难。
  
  To get off one's back还可以指一些对人起限制作用的规章、条例或机构等。下面这个例子就是一个商人在抱怨政府过多的条例:
  
   例句-4: Do you know what would help pick up the economy? Just get the government off our backs with all these useless rules and regulations that keep us filling out forms and showing inspectors around.
  
  这个人说:“你知道什么能够促使经济发展更快吗?就让政府取销所有那些毫无用处的条例和规章就行了,省得我们老是填表格,带着检查员到处看。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#390
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry去Florida渡假一个星期。李华现在正开车去飞机场接他。今天李华会学到两个常用语:a blast 和lighten up。
  
  LH: 嗨, Larry,我在这里!
  
  LL: Hi, Li Hua, how are you? Thank you for coming to pick me up.
  
  LH: 没事!Florida怎么样? 玩得好吗?
  
  LL: Oh man, I had a blast! My friends in Miami took a few days off, just to hang out with me. We did nothing but hang out on the beach and go partying every night!
  
  LH: 哟,你那个在Miami的朋友还请了几天假陪你玩呀!那你肯定玩得很痛快。嗨,Larry, 你刚才说 I had a...什么来啦?
  
  LL: I said I had a blast. "To have a blast" means to have a great time. If something was a blast, that means it was a lot of fun.
  
  LH: Blast 不是“爆炸”的意思吗?怎么 "to have a blast" 又成了玩得特别高兴!哎哟,学英文真不容易! 得了, Larry, 你玩得痛快,我可是花了整整一个星期帮Jones教授来准备下学期的课呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, well, I tried to get you to come along. You would've had a blast too.
  
  LH: 对,你是请我一起去了,但是我不能去。我得工作,要不然下学期学费哪儿来呢?不过,昨天Rick过生日,我晚上去他的party 了...
  
  LL: Well, too bad I didn't come back a day sooner... his parties are always a blast.
  
  LH: 对,每次Rick 开party,大家总是玩得很痛快。昨天晚上我早上三点才回家。我走的时候还有好多人在那儿呢!大家都玩疯了!
  
  LL: Sounds like you had a blast. What about you? Li Hua, your birthday's today. Are you going to celebrate?
  
  LH: 嗯,生日也不是什么大事嘛。我在中国的时候从来不过生日的。
  
  LL: Aww, whatever. I think everyone should have a blast on their birthday!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#391
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 唉,时间过得真快,我都已经25岁了,四分之一个世纪呐!可我还在这儿念书,还没有一个正式的工作...
  
  LL: What? Lighten up, Li Hua! You're in your mid-twenties! You have plenty of time to decide what you want to do!
  
  LH: 什么?你叫我lighten up? 你是说我要减轻体重?你在胡说什么吗?
  
  LL: Hey! I'm not talking about weight here. To lighten up means to relax, to be less serious.
  
  LH: 噢,lighten up就是要放松,不要太认真的意思!哎哟,不行,我可不能lighten up,我得考虑我的前途呐,我毕业以后干什么 - 是要回国还是呆在这儿...
  
  LL: Like I said, Li Hua, you seriously need to lighten up. Stress makes people gain weight.
  
  LH: 行,行,行,我想办法放松。嗨,Larry,你好象是很轻松,没什么压力,那你肚子怎么会这么大呢?
  
  LL: Watch it, Li Hua! I'm tired of you making fun of me. You know I've been working hard to lose weight recently...
  
  LH: "Lighten up, Larry!" 别跟我生气,我只是开玩笑嘛!我只不过是想举个例子。我这么说lighten up,对不对?
  
  LL: Yeah, you're right. But don't you mention my belly again!
  
  LH: 好了,好了,你家到了! Larry,我今天不想出去玩了,咱们明天再见吧!
  
  LL: Wait, Li Hua, can you help me with this bag?
  
  LH: 那么两个小包你都拿不动呀? 得了得了,我帮你拿这个包吧!
  
  (Sound of many people yelling "SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!")
  
  LH: 哎哟,我的天哪!你们给我举行生日party都没让我知道!啊呀,你们真是太好了!怪不得Larry 你非要我帮他拿包进来呢!
  
  LL: Looks like you've lightened up already. See? I told you you'd have a blast tonight!
  
  LH: 那么多人给我过生日,我当然很高兴呀!谢谢,谢谢。Thank you so much!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。一个是to have a blast, 意思是“玩得很痛快”。李华学到的另一个常用语是lighten up。这是指“放松,别太认真”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#392
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to get one's back up
  
  to scratch one's back
  
  当一只猫生气的时候,它往往把它的背拱起来,嘴里还发出呼呼的声音,显得它随时准备施展它那爪子的威力。美国一个常用语就出自猫的这种形像。 这个常用语就是:to get one's back up。To get one's back up就是生气的意思。下面这句话是一个妻子在说他的丈夫:
  
  例句-1: "One thing really gets my back up -- the way my husband leaves his clothes on the bed or on the floor so I have to pick them up all the time."
  
  她说:“我的丈夫总是把衣服往床上、地上乱扔,我老得把它们拣起来,真叫我生气。”
  
  可是,妻子的批评使做丈夫的很生气。他对朋友说:
  
  例句-2: "And there's one thing that really gets my back up: my wife nagging at me to hang my clothes up as soon as I walk in the house at night after a hard day at the office."
  
  他说:“每天在办公室辛苦地工作了一天,可是晚上一走家门,我老婆就开始唠叨,要我把衣服挂好。这实在让我生气。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#393
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是你觉得背上某一个地方痒痒,而你自己又抓不到。这是很难受的。在这种情况下,最好有人替你抓一下。美国人有一个普遍的说法,那就是:to scratch one's back。To scratch one's back从字面上来看就是“抓某人的背”。它的真正含义是:某人帮了你一下忙,而这个帮你忙的人也期望你下回帮他的忙。因此,to scratch one's back实际上就是:这回你帮我忙,下回我就帮你的忙。例如,一个参议员对他的高级助手说:
  
  例句-3: "This senator from the 11th district scratched my back when he voted for my bill to cut state income taxes, so it's my turn to do him a favor and vote for that bill for more money for roads in his district."
  
  这位参议员说:“上回在投票通过我提出的有关裁减州所得税的提案时,第十一选区的参议员投了我一票,帮了我的忙。所以,现在是该我帮他忙的时候了,我得投票赞成为他的选区修建公路增加拨款的提案。”
  
  这种现象在政客当中很普遍,但是做买卖的也要相互给好处,请听这位推销员说的话:
  
  例句-4: "In my business it's important to scratch each other's back. Say a customer does me a favor by giving me an extra big order. The next time he's in town I might take him out to dinner and a broadway show."
  
  这位推销员说:“干我们这行,相互帮忙是很重要的。要是一位顾客订了特别大的一批货,帮了我的忙。下次他再到这个城市来的时候,我可能得请他吃晚饭和到百老汇去看演出。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个习惯用语:"to get one's back up"和"to scratch one's back"。 To get one's back up是生气的意思;to scratch one's back是指某人帮了一下忙,帮忙的人也期待对方下回帮他的忙。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#394
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry 和Li Hua下课以后在电影院门口商量看什么电影。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:eye candy和 bazillion。
  
  LH: Hmm, 我想看Troy. 听说这部电影挺棒的!
  
  LL: I don't know, Li Hua. That movie looks like it's nothing but eye candy.
  
  LH: 你说那部电影是什么?Eye candy? candy不是“糖果”吗?。这是一部关于古希腊的电影,和“糖果”有什么关系呀?
  
  LL: I said it's mostly eye candy. Eye candy describes something that looks really good, but does not serve a useful purpose.
  
  LH: 噢,你说的是eye candy。Eye candy是比喻某个东西看上去虽好,可是并不实用。那不就有点儿像我们中文里常说的“华而不实”吗?
  
  LL: That's right. In a movie, fancy special effects are just eye candy.
  
  LH: 现在好多电影都是靠电脑制作的特技场面,看起来挺花哨,其实电影本身一点儿意思也没有。可是Larry, 你知道吗 - Troy 这部电影是Brad Pitt主演啊?
  
  LL: Well, in this case the eye candy is Brad Pitt.
  
  LH: 什么?说Brad Pitt是eye candy, 这也太不公平了。他不仅长得帅,而且演技也是一流的。你怎么能说他“华而不实”呢?
  
  LL: Fine, fine, Brad Pitt is more than just eye candy. Still, I'd rather see something else... like that science fiction film I was telling you about. That's the kind of eye candy I want to see!
  
  LH: 你要看那部科幻片啊?我看那才是名符其实的eye candy呢!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#395
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: You know, Li Hua, we've been standing here trying to choose a movie for fifteen minutes. Why don't we forget about seeing a movie today? There are a bazillion other things to do in this city.
  
  LH: 就是啊,我们在这儿都站了15分钟还决定不了看哪个电影。那要是不看电影我们干什么呢?你说有a bazillion事情可做。Bazillion - 这是个数字吗?
  
  LL: I said "there are a bazillion other things". "Bazillion" means a lot. It's supposed to sound like "a billion" or "a zillion" - a large number, anyway.
  
  LH: 对,bazillion听起来就好像billion,或zillion。Billion是十亿, zillion是“千千万”, 所以bazillion也可以说是“许许多多,数不清的”意思。Larry, 你说我们有bazillion的事可干,那你说说我们可以干什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, there's an outdoor rock concert this evening not far from my place and the museum is showing a new exhibit of ancient bronze work today.
  
  LH: Hmm, 我不想听什么摇滚音乐会,博物馆的古青铜器展览可能会更有意思。Larry, 我还是有点糊涂,bazillion这个词可以像使用具体数字一样来使用它吗?
  
  LL: Yeah, pretty much. For instance, I'm not sure that today is a good day to visit the museum. There will be a bazillion people there on the opening day of that exhibit.
  
  LH: 没错,开展第一天,人肯定很多。那我们改天再去吧。你不是说有a bazillion other things to do 吗?
  
  LL: There's a bazillion bars along this street. We could go hang out in one while we decide what to do next.
  
  LH: 这条街上的酒吧是挺多的,可是现在才下午3点多,我不想去酒吧。
  
  LL: Hmm... well, let me think... sometimes when you have a bazillion choices, it's hard to make a decision.
  
  LH: 哎哟,得了得了,说什么选择多了反而不好决定。我说还是看电影吧。Troy 还有几分钟就要开始了,你肯定不想看吗?
  
  LL: Look, we've discussed this a bazillion times. That movie is nothing but eye candy for girls.
  
  LH: 哎哟,你真是的,你不要看,那我自己去看啦!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语,一个是eye candy。意思是“华而不实的东西”。李华学到的另一个常用语是bazillion, 就相当于中文里面所说的“多得数都数不清”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#396
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

brainchild
  
  to pick one's brain
  
  今天我们要讲两个和人的脑子有关的习惯用语。“脑子”这个名词翻成英文就是"brain"。我们首先要给大家介绍的一个常用语是:brainchild。Brainchild是一个字。大家已经知道,brain是指脑子,child就是孩子的意思。在一般口语里,brain和child这两个字合在一起的意思就是:脑子里产生的一个想法。例如,我们可以说:
  
  例句-1: The electric light bulb is the brainchild of Thomas Edison, the telephone is the brainchild of Alexander Graham Bell, two 19th-century American inventors.
  
  这句话翻成中文就是:电灯泡是爱迪生发明的,电话是贝尔发明的。这两人都是美国十九世纪的发明家。
  
  Brainchild不一定要像那些伟大发明家的发明创造。一般人都会有brainchild。下面是一个学生在谈他的老师:
  
  例句-2: To set up a foundation in our college to help poor students was the brainchild of our sociology professor.
  
  这个学生说:在我们学校里成立一个帮助贫困学生的基金会,这是我们社会学教授想出来的主意。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#397
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Brainchild是某人头脑里主动产生的产物。那么,要是我们想利用别人的智慧,那该怎么说呢?在这种情况下,美国人经常说:to pick one's brain。Pick这个字的意思就是拣什么东西的“拣”。To pick one's brain就是向别人了解情况,或是徵求精通某个问题的专家的意见。我们来举个例子。一个报馆的记者正在写一篇报道,介绍新发明的一种特效药。他说:
  
  例句-3: I don't understand all this scientific language. I'd better go see Doctor Rogers at the medical school and pick his brain; maybe he can make it clear to me.
  
  这位记者说:我是不懂这些科学名词。我还是到医学院去请教罗杰斯大夫吧,没准他能把问题给我解释清楚。
  
  在美国,to pick one's brain是非常普遍的一种现象,因为美国人喜欢各述己见,进行辩论,然后看看谁的意见更合理。不管世界其他地方上或是在美国发生了什么事,电台和电视台都会请一些专家来谈谈他们对问题的看法,这实际上也是to pick their brains。我们再来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-4: People all say that Mary is very smart. Yes, she is. But you have to know the reason why she is smart is because she always picks other people's brains.
  
  这句话是说:人们都说玛丽这个人非常聪明。是的,她确实非常聪明。但是,你们得知道她之所以聪明是因为她老是听取别人的意见
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#398
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在播送流行美语。Larry正准备去食品店买东西。他打了个电话给Li Hua问她要不要带什么东西。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:hook something up和buzz off。
  
  (Telephone rings...)
  
  LH: Hello?
  
  LL: Hi, Li Hua. This is Larry. I'm going to the grocery store and I was wondering if you needed anything.
  
  LH: Larry! 你要去商店买东西呀?我正好牛奶喝光了,你可不可以帮我买点牛奶呢?回头我再给你钱。
  
  LL: Sure, no problem. I can hook you up with some milk.
  
  LH: Hook me up with some milk? 哎,我知道hook是“钩子”的意思。那hook up就是把东西用钩子钩住, 你想把我和牛奶钩在一起?噢,我猜就是给我带牛奶的意思,对不对?
  
  LL: Yes, you're right. To hook somebody up with something means to get something for him. I meant that I will get the milk for you.
  
  LH: 你看,我猜得不错吧!To hook me up with some milk就是“给我带点牛奶”。对了,我差点忘了, Larry, 你能不能再给我带包土豆片呢?
  
  LL: Sure, I can hook you up with some potato chips, too. Is there anything else you'd like me to hook you up with?
  
  LH: 还有什么呀?对了,你能不能帮我买一张这个周末的音乐会票子呢?
  
  LL: Well, they don't sell those at the grocery store, but I have a friend who can hook you up with some tickets.
  
  LH: 噢,对不起,我忘了你是要去食品店。那儿是不卖音乐会的票。你朋友可以帮我买票啊,那太好了!哎,Larry, 除了说hook somebody up with something以外,我能不能说hook somebody up with someone呢?
  
  LL: Of course you can, but it means "to introduce the person". For example, if you want to meet my friend, then I can hook you up with him.
  
  LH: 噢,原来to hook somebody up with someone的意思就是“把某人介绍给另一个人”。哎,Larry, 你还记不记得上次历史课上那个很有意思的男孩呢 - Can you hook me up with him?
  
  LL: I would if I knew him, but I've never talked to him before. Sorry.
  
  LH: 你从来没跟他说过话呀?那就算了。对了,Larry,每次我写学术报告,我总是对自己的英文不太有信心,你能不能给我介绍一个能帮我改英文的人?
  
  LL: Of course, I can hook you up. I'll help you myself.
  
  LH: 你愿意帮我改我的英文报告啊?你真是太好了!哎哟,还是你先去买东西吧,别忘了hook me up with milk and potato chips!
  
  LL: I won't forget.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#399
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Knocking on the door. Door opens)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua. Here's your milk and potato chips. See, I didn't forget to hook you up.
  
  LH: Thank you, Larry. 我正忙着复习功课。 I'll see you later.
  
  LL: Hey, you aren't even going to invite me in? You're just telling me to buzz off? That's a little rude!
  
  LH: 对不起,Larry, 我不是不想请你进来坐,可是我实在太忙了。哎,对了,什么是buzz off 啊?
  
  LL: Buzz off is a way of telling someone to leave. You were trying to tell me to leave, so that's like saying "Buzz off!"
  
  LH: 噢,buzz off就是叫某人离开,哎哟,Larry。我可没有要赶你走的意思,我只不过是心里着急,我星期五要考试,到现在还没准备好呢!
  
  LL: Well, then instead of telling me to buzz off, you should ask me if I can help you?
  
  LH: 对呀,那Larry, 你先别走,你现在有时间帮我复习吗?
  
  LL: I have about an hour before I have to go home.
  
  LH: 你大概一个小时后要回家?那你等会儿吧 - You can buzz off later.
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua, (sarcastically) You make me feel so important.
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是hook somebody up, hook somebody up with something意思是“给某人带某样东西”;hook somebody up with someone意思是“把这个人介绍给某人”。李华学到的另一个常用语buzz off. Tell someone to buzz off意思是“叫某个人离开”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#400
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

To give up the ghost
  
  ghost town
  
  世界上到底有没有鬼?真正看见过鬼的人似乎也不多,可是几千年来,许多人一听鬼的故事就毛骨悚然。今天我们要讲两个和“鬼”这个字有关的俗语,可是你们千万别害怕,你绝不会见到鬼的。“鬼”这个字在英文里就是:ghost。Ghost就是看不见的幽灵。今天要讲的两个俗语就是这个意思。我们先来介绍:to give up the ghost。To give up就是“放弃”。一个人放弃了灵魂不就是死了吗?To give up the ghost的意思也就是:“ 死”。下面我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-1: My poor old aunt was in bed with cancer for six months before she finally gave up the ghost.
  
  这个人说:我那可怜的老阿姨得了癌,在床上躺了半年后终于去世了。
  
  To give up the ghost不一定指人,它还可以用来说别的东西,就像那些磨损很利害无法修理的机器:
  
  例句-2: I need money to buy a new car. My old one is twelve years old and I'm afraid it's ready to give up the ghost.
  
  这个人说:我需要钱去买一辆新车。我那辆老的汽车已经开了十二年,恐怕是要完蛋了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#401
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是你看过美国的西部电影的话,你很可能看到过那种被遗弃的城镇。美国人把它们叫做:ghost town。Ghost town就是一些被遗弃的城镇。一百多年前,成千上万的人都争先恐后到美国西部去淘金,想一夜里就变成一个富翁。当时那里的小城镇都很繁荣,后来,随着淘金活动的结束,人们也就逐个地离开了那里到别处去谋生。这些城镇也就没有生命了。下面的例句是一个人在形容ghost town的凄凉情景:
  
  例句-3: These old ghost towns can give you a scary feeling, with the buildings falling apart and the only sound is the moaning of the wind blowing through the deserted streets.
  
  这人说:被遗弃的城镇真让你感到害怕。那里的房子东倒西歪,唯一能听到的声音就是在那没有人的街道上风吹的呜呜响声。
  
  就是在现代的美国社会中,有些城镇由于经济条件的变化仍然会被遗弃。我们要举的第二个例子就可以说明这种现象:
  
  例句-4: I come from a city in Illinois which used to have three big steel plants. But these factories closed twenty years ago and the city has almost become a ghost town with most of the people gone and most of the stores and houses boarded up like a mining town out West.
  
  这人说:我的老家是在伊利诺伊州的一个城市。那里原来有三个大钢铁厂。但是,二十年前这些厂就关闭了。那里的大多数人也都搬走了,商店和房屋都钉上了木板,就像西部那些开矿的城镇一样。所以我的老家也几乎成了一个被遗

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#402
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Li Hua的电脑坏了, 她正在用Larry 的电脑写学术报告。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:clunker和 Don't sweat it!
  
  (Sound of typing)
  
  LH: Larry, 谢谢你让我用你的电脑。我的电脑最近老出毛病,真气人!
  
  LL: Heheh, don't mention it. You know, you ought to get a new computer to replace that old clunker of yours.
  
  LH: 你说我应该买一台新电脑来取代什么?Clunker? 我在说我的电脑啊,怎么是"clunker"呢?
  
  LL: No, no... when I said it is a "clunker" - I meant that it's an old, worn-out machine.
  
  LH: 噢,原来clunker是指“又老又旧的机器”,用这个词来形容我那台电脑再合适不过了。那Larry, "clunker" 这个词只能够用来形容电脑吗?
  
  LL: Not at all... a clunker can be any kind of worn-out machine that doesn't work very well. "Clunk" is the sound that an old car's engine makes... like this (makes clunking noise)
  
  LH: Larry, 你学得倒挺象的嘛!Clunk这个词真的听上去就像一辆破车的引擎发出来的声音。你知道吗? 我那辆旧车就是这种声音。Larry, 你说clunker可以用来指任何旧的、不中用的机器,是不是啊?
  
  LL: Right! Heheh, Li Hua, no offense, but your car is a real clunker, too.
  
  LH: 我才不介意呢,你是在说我的车,又不是说我。我那车本来就是又老又破。
  
  LL: Well, some people in America are sensitive about their cars. People might feel a little ashamed if someone says the car they drive is a clunker.
  
  LH: 是呀, 不少美国人对他们开的车很敏感的,要是有人说他们开的车太旧了,他们会觉得不好意思。不过,Larry, 我的车只要能把我带到我想去的地方就行了。等我毕业后找了份好工作,我再卖掉这个clunker, 换辆好车喽!
  
  LL: Yeah, me too. I can't wait to replace my old clunker car, clunker bicycle, and this clunker computer.
  
  LH: 哎哟,你可真着急 - 不仅想要换新车,连自行车、电脑你也想换新的呀!可是,跟我的电脑相比,你的电脑算不上是clunker - 你看,至少我还能用它写文章呐!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#403
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LH: Oh no! 真对不起,Larry, 我不小心把你的鼠标器掉到地上了,可千万别摔坏了。
  
  LL: Oh well. Don't sweat it, Li Hua, it was an old mouse. I needed to replace it anyway.
  
  LH: 噢,你连这个鼠标器也想换新的啊!等等,你还说Don't sweat it,你是让我别出汗?
  
  LL: I'm not talking about sweat! When I say "don't sweat it", that mean's "don't worry about it".
  
  LH: 噢,Don't sweat it意思就是“别担心”。你是说即使我把你的鼠标器给摔坏了也没什么大不了的。Larry, 好像真的给摔坏了,那可怎么办啊!
  
  LL: Don't sweat it, Li Hua. The computer store is just a five-minute drive from here. We can go and get a new mouse.
  
  LH: 噢,谢天谢地!我还真忘了你这儿附近就有个电脑商店嘛!Larry, 是我弄坏的,我要赔你,但愿不是太贵。
  
  LL: Expensive? Nah, don't sweat it. A cheap mouse like this only costs around ten dollars. Anyway, I'll pay for it... like I said, I needed a new one anyway.
  
  LH: 像这样的鼠标器大约才10美元一个啊。真是便宜。不过,是我弄坏的,还是我来买吧!那咱们赶紧走吧,我还得赶回来赶报告呢!
  
  LL: Don't sweat it, it's only four thirty. You have plenty of time.
  
  LH: 虽然才四点半,可我还是得抓紧时间呐!Larry, 你等我一下,我把写好的部分存在这张disk上。我可不想我辛辛苦苦写好的东西被你那old clunker computer给搞丢了。
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是clunker, 意思是“由于太旧而不太好用的东西”。李华学到的另一个常用语是 - Don't sweat it, 意思是“别担心”,“别着急”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#404
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

ghost writer
  
  spooky
  
  大家都知道作家就是写书的人。作家在英文里就是writer。那么你知道什么是ghost writer吗?
  
  Ghost就是“鬼”。Ghost writer,难道鬼还能当作家?你可知道,美国人天天都看好多ghost writer写的东西。可是,这些作家不是鬼,他们都是所谓的“黑笔杆”。Ghost writer替有名望的人写讲稿或写自传,因为大多数有名望的人没有写作的才能,也没有时间来写。他们雇那些ghost writer来替他们写,然后把成品当做自己的作品来发表。下面说话的人在讲当一个黑笔杆的利和弊:
  
  例句-1: Writers like to see their names on books. But ghost writers have to be invisible like real ghosts. But don't feel to sorry for them: they get very well paid for writing under somebody else's name.
  
  他说:作家都喜欢在书上看到自己的名字。但是,黑笔杆就得像真的鬼一样让人看不到。可是,他们以别人的名义写东西能赚很多钱,所以也别太同情他们啦。
  
  有些人指责一些著名作家,说他们的作品实际上是由黑笔杆替他们写的,是黑笔杆使他们成名的,甚至还有人这样指责世界闻名的莎士比亚。请听下面这句话:
  
  例句-2: Shakespeare died almost four hundred years ago but there are still a few people who believe Francis Bacon or somebody else was the ghost writer who really wrote all the plays which have Shakespeare's name on them.
  
  这句话的意思是:莎士比亚大约四百年前就去世了,可是到如今仍然有些人认为莎士比亚的剧本实际上不是他自己写的,而是由弗朗西斯.培根或其他什么人替他写的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#405
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有不少人说他们不信鬼,但是在某种阴森森的场合,他们也会感到害怕。美国人常用spooky这个字来形容这种感觉。当spooky这个字解释为害怕的时候,这种害怕往往是由于怕鬼而引起的。听了下面这个女孩说的话你就会明白spooky这个字的意思了:
  
  例句-3: I don't believe in ghosts. But you know something? I get this spooky feeling every time I walk by this old, deserted house at night where that woman was chopped to death 30 years ago.
  
  这个女孩说:我是不相信有鬼的。可是,你知道吗?每当我晚上走过那栋空无一人的老房子,就是三十年前那个女人在里面被人剁成好几块的那栋房子,我就感到毛骨悚然,真害怕。
  
  下面说话的这个人看来胆子更小。他说:
  
  例句-4: Every time I pass by funeral homes or cemeteries, even in broad daylight , I always have that kind of spooky feeling as if ghosts will appear.
  
  这个人说:每当我走过殡仪馆或墓地的时候,那怕是大白天,我总是感到阴森森,好像鬼就会出现似的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#406
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to brainstorm
  
  egghead
  
  美国人在面临难题的时候往往会坐在一起交换意见,找出解决问题的方案。不管是在私营公司,或是在政府机构里,这种现象是常见的。美国人把这种做法叫作:to brainstorm。Brain就是脑子,storm就是暴风雨。Brainstorm是一个字,意思就是:群策群力。比如说,一个电视广告公司为一家汽车制造商录制了一段广告,介绍这家厂生产的1990年新车。可是这个汽车商对广告不满意。于是,广告公司的经理对手下的雇员说:
  
  例句-1: I'm sorry to tell you our client has turned down the ads we did for him. Let's meet at 2 o'clock and brainstorm ideas for a new set of commercials.
  
  这个经理说:我很抱歉我得告诉你们,我们的顾客不喜欢我们替他录制的广告。让我们两点开个会,一起出主意再重新替他做广告。
  
  这里的brainstorm是作为动词用的。下面说话的人把brainstorm当做名词用,它的意思是:好主意。他说:
  
  例句-2: Say, I just had a brainstorm! In our ads for these new cars, why don't we talk about their safety features and not how fast they go. A lot of people are worried about safety these days.
  
  这人说:咳,我有了个好主意!在介绍这些新车的广告里,我们不如不要说它们跑多快,而着重介绍这些车的安全设施。现在许多人都为安全担心。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#407
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大多数人都很尊敬那些脑子灵活聪明的人。可是,有些聪明的人总觉得自己比周围的人强,处处要表现自己。美国人把这种人称为:egghead。Egg就是鸡蛋,head就是头。Egghead作为一个字是在1952年美国总统大选时开始用的。当时,共和党的候选人是二次世界大战联军的最高司令员艾森豪威尔将军。艾森豪威尔的竞选对手是伊利诺伊州州长、民主党候选人史蒂文森。史蒂文森是个知识分子,他在竞选过程中发表了一系列精心撰写的讲话。可是,这些讲话只有知识分子才感兴趣,所以共和党人就取笑他说:
  
  例句-3: Sure, all the eggheads love Stevenson. But how many eggheads do you think there are?
  
  这句话的意思是:当然罗,所有知识分子都喜欢史蒂文森。可是你想想,知识分子一共才有多少呀?
  
  最后艾森豪威尔当选为美国总统。不管地位高低,大大小小的eggheads们似乎都是书生气十足。下面是一个人在说他的哥哥:
  
  例句-4: I have to tell you that since he went off to college, Bill has turned into a real egghead. He'd rather read a book on physics than see a movie or a good football game on TV.
  
  他说:我得告诉你,比尔上了大学后,他真是变成了一个书生气十足的人。他宁可看物理书也不愿去看电影,或看电视上精彩的足球赛。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#408
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和Larry在图书馆看书。Larry注意到 Li Hua和平时有点儿不一样。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:out of whack和goofy。
  
  (Library SFX)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, what's wrong? You're acting a little out of whack.
  
  LH: 我什么事也没有啊!你说我怎么了 - acting a little out of whack? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Out of Whack - means to be different from usual or abnormal. You're acting different from usual, so you seem a little out of whack.
  
  LH: 噢,原来out of whack意思就是“和平时不太一样”。你觉得我有点儿反常啊?你还真说对了,我明天晚上有个约会,是我第一次要和这个人见面。心里有点儿紧张,我连穿什么衣服都还没想好呢!
  
  LL: You have a date and you didn't tell me? That's out of whack! But, at least now I understand why you're acting out of whack. First dates make everyone nervous.
  
  LH: 就是啊,第一次约会总是让人紧张的。就是,我平常的活动你都知道,这次约会我没告诉你,确实是不寻常,难怪你会说out of whack。 这么说,Larry,out of whack, 可以指人,也可以指事情,是吗?
  
  LL: That's right. For instance, I think it's really out of whack that my best friend has a date tomorrow and she didn't tell me about it.
  
  LH: 对不起,Larry. 我其实本来想告诉你的,大概就是因为我太紧张了,心里没准,所以我就给忘了。
  
  LL: Okay, well, I suppose that I can forgive you. Hey, you know what makes me feel all out of whack?
  
  LH: 有什么东西会让你反常啊?我不知道,赶快赶快,告诉我啊!
  
  LL: The fact that I haven't slept more than three hours every night this week. I've been so busy.
  
  LH: 什么?你这个星期每天睡眠还不到三个小时啊?再忙也不至于这样吧!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#409
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Campus SFX)
  
  LL: Li Hua, how was your date last night? Did it go well or was the guy really goofy?
  
  LH: 哎呀,别提了!昨晚的约会简直糟透了。那家伙也不知怎么搞的,第一次见面就忘了带钱包,结果还是我付的帐呢。哎,Larry, 你刚才说was the guy really goofy - "goofy" 是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Goofy means several things. It can mean silly, funny, crazy or stupid. Or a little bit of all of those things combined. It sounds like your date was goofy.
  
  LH: 要是你说goofy是指“愚蠢、可笑、怪怪的、傻傻的”,或者是这些因素都有点儿的话,我那个 date 可真是goofy。他真的是傻到让人觉得可笑了呢,要不是那顿晚餐花了我那么多钱,我真的说不定会笑出来呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, he sounds pretty goofy to me. Was he goofy-looking, too?
  
  LH: Goofy-looking? 你是问他长的样子是不是也怪怪的、傻傻的啊?
  
  LL: Yep, goofy-looking means silly looking, like a clown.
  
  LH: 噢,他长得倒不错,看上去一点也不傻,更不像个小丑。哎,Larry, 你也不想想,我哪能找个样子傻傻的人去约会呢?得了得了,先别说我那个goofy date了。Goofy这个词我还可以怎么用呢?
  
  LL: When kids act silly for attention, you can say that they are acting goofy.
  
  LH: 对呀,小孩子为了让别人注意他,有的时候会干些傻事。这么说,goofy这个词也不见得都是指不好的事。
  
  LL: Generally, it's not very negative. You can call a person "goofy," too. For instance, I would call you goofy if you went on another date with that guy.
  
  LH: 原来goofy这个词并不一定都是贬意。幸亏你告诉我,不然要是我听见你说我goofy, 我说不定会生你的气呢!再说了,Larry, 和那个家伙出去一次已经够了。我才不会再和他约第二次呢 - I wouldn't do something that out of whack!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是out of whack, 意思是“反常、和平时不一样”。李华学到的另一个常用语是goofy, 意思是“愚蠢可笑,傻傻的”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#410
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和Larry在图书馆看书。Larry注意到 Li Hua和平时有点儿不一样。Li Hua会学到两个常用语:out of whack和goofy。
  
  (Library SFX)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, what's wrong? You're acting a little out of whack.
  
  LH: 我什么事也没有啊!你说我怎么了 - acting a little out of whack? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Out of Whack - means to be different from usual or abnormal. You're acting different from usual, so you seem a little out of whack.
  
  LH: 噢,原来out of whack意思就是“和平时不太一样”。你觉得我有点儿反常啊?你还真说对了,我明天晚上有个约会,是我第一次要和这个人见面。心里有点儿紧张,我连穿什么衣服都还没想好呢!
  
  LL: You have a date and you didn't tell me? That's out of whack! But, at least now I understand why you're acting out of whack. First dates make everyone nervous.
  
  LH: 就是啊,第一次约会总是让人紧张的。就是,我平常的活动你都知道,这次约会我没告诉你,确实是不寻常,难怪你会说out of whack。 这么说,Larry,out of whack, 可以指人,也可以指事情,是吗?
  
  LL: That's right. For instance, I think it's really out of whack that my best friend has a date tomorrow and she didn't tell me about it.
  
  LH: 对不起,Larry. 我其实本来想告诉你的,大概就是因为我太紧张了,心里没准,所以我就给忘了。
  
  LL: Okay, well, I suppose that I can forgive you. Hey, you know what makes me feel all out of whack?
  
  LH: 有什么东西会让你反常啊?我不知道,赶快赶快,告诉我啊!
  
  LL: The fact that I haven't slept more than three hours every night this week. I've been so busy.
  
  LH: 什么?你这个星期每天睡眠还不到三个小时啊?再忙也不至于这样吧!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#411
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Campus SFX)
  
  LL: Li Hua, how was your date last night? Did it go well or was the guy really goofy?
  
  LH: 哎呀,别提了!昨晚的约会简直糟透了。那家伙也不知怎么搞的,第一次见面就忘了带钱包,结果还是我付的帐呢。哎,Larry, 你刚才说was the guy really goofy - "goofy" 是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Goofy means several things. It can mean silly, funny, crazy or stupid. Or a little bit of all of those things combined. It sounds like your date was goofy.
  
  LH: 要是你说goofy是指“愚蠢、可笑、怪怪的、傻傻的”,或者是这些因素都有点儿的话,我那个 date 可真是goofy。他真的是傻到让人觉得可笑了呢,要不是那顿晚餐花了我那么多钱,我真的说不定会笑出来呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, he sounds pretty goofy to me. Was he goofy-looking, too?
  
  LH: Goofy-looking? 你是问他长的样子是不是也怪怪的、傻傻的啊?
  
  LL: Yep, goofy-looking means silly looking, like a clown.
  
  LH: 噢,他长得倒不错,看上去一点也不傻,更不像个小丑。哎,Larry, 你也不想想,我哪能找个样子傻傻的人去约会呢?得了得了,先别说我那个goofy date了。Goofy这个词我还可以怎么用呢?
  
  LL: When kids act silly for attention, you can say that they are acting goofy.
  
  LH: 对呀,小孩子为了让别人注意他,有的时候会干些傻事。这么说,goofy这个词也不见得都是指不好的事。
  
  LL: Generally, it's not very negative. You can call a person "goofy," too. For instance, I would call you goofy if you went on another date with that guy.
  
  LH: 原来goofy这个词并不一定都是贬意。幸亏你告诉我,不然要是我听见你说我goofy, 我说不定会生你的气呢!再说了,Larry, 和那个家伙出去一次已经够了。我才不会再和他约第二次呢 - I wouldn't do something that out of whack!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是out of whack, 意思是“反常、和平时不一样”。李华学到的另一个常用语是goofy, 意思是“愚蠢可笑,傻傻的”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#412
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在课间休息的时候聊天,李华会学到两个常用语:to push one's luck和crackpot。
  
  LH: Larry, 我已经好久都没有为我的论文做研究了。我想今天不去上Wilkins教授的课而去图书馆。
  
  LL: I dunno, Li Hua. You'll really be pushing your luck if you miss class again.
  
  LH: Pushing-my-luck? Pushing是推的意思,luck是运气,我不懂耶!pushing my luck是什么意思。
  
  LL: I said you will be pushing your luck. "To push your luck" means to take a chance when you've already done something risky.
  
  LH: 噢,pushing-your-luck就是已经做了冒风险的事,可是啊!还想再进一步碰碰运气,是这个意思吗?
  
  LL: That's right. The first two times, the professor didn't give you any trouble. But every time you miss a class, you are taking an even bigger risk. You are pushing your luck.
  
  LH: 对噢,那两次没去上课,教授没说什么。要是我今天再不去上课,万一教授不高兴,我不就麻烦了吗? Larry,你不也是这样吗?你那台车,煞车都坏了,你还到处开,不也是碰运气,希望它不出事吗?
  
  LL: That's right. One day, I was almost in a car wreck, so I decided to stop pushing my luck and have the brakes fixed. I was so stupid.
  
  LH: 我还不知道你差一点出车祸呢!哎呀,你看,你非要push your luck,非要到差一点出车祸的时候才去修车。真危险! Larry,这么说,to push one's luck只能指冒风险,碰运气吗?
  
  LL: Generally yes. But sometimes, if someone keeps asking you for favors, you might tell them "don't push your luck!"
  
  LH: 我最近就碰到这么一个人,我帮了她一点忙,她就没完没了了,要求一个接一个。下回我就可以对她说:Don't push your luck! 对了,Larry,我还真想要你帮个忙,我能再借你的电脑用吗?这不算是push my luck吧?
  
  LL: No, of course not. You're welcome to use my computer.
  
  LH: 谢谢,Larry,你总是那么大方。我今天下午能借你的车吗?
  
  LL: Yeah, OK... I guess...
  
  LH: 那我能不能把你的电脑搬回家用一个礼拜呢?
  
  LL: You're pushing your luck, Li Hua!
  
  LH: 哈哈... 跟你开玩笑嘛!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#413
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 哎哟,老天爷, Wilkins教授真是怪。他在上课的时候花了最后二十分钟给我们讲他每天吃多少维他命,为什么要吃这些维他命。
  
  LL: What? (laughs) Don't worry about it, Li Hua. Everyone knows Professor Wilkins is a crackpot.
  
  LH: 他是什么?你是说他吸毒吗?
  
  LL: No, of course not... I said that he's a crackpot. A crackpot is a crazy person. Or maybe just someone who holds very strong, crazy opinions and ideas.
  
  LH: 噢,crackpot是一个很怪的人,有稀奇古怪想法的人。嗨,Larry,有名的人是不是也是很怪的?
  
  LL: Let me think... you know, most real crackpots don't become famous. But in his time, a lot of people thought that Christopher Columbus was a crackpot.
  
  LH: 没错,真正怪的人一般是不会成名的。可是哥伦布的情况就不一样了。当时人们认为他很怪,有神经病,因为他说航行可以围绕地球转,但是事实证明他是对的,所以他是聪敏,不能算是crackpot。
  
  LL: I wonder if I or other students should talk to Professor Wilkins, and ask him to not talk about off-topic subjects in class. Would we be pushing our luck?
  
  LH: 你和其他学生去跟Wilkins教授说别在上课时讲那些离题的内容?我想他不会在意的啦!
  
  LL: What if we just told him to stop talking about his crackpot ideas in class.
  
  LH: 你说什么?叫他别在课堂上讲他的那些神神道道的想法!Now that would be pushing your luck!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是:to push one's luck。意思是已经做了有点风险的事,还想进一步碰碰运气。李华学到的另一个 常用语是:crackpot。这是指那种想法很奇怪的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#414
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有很多美国习惯用语都提到人们从头到脚穿戴的东西,就是帽子、衣裤、鞋袜等。例如我们今天要学的习惯用语都关系到脚上穿的东西。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: sock away。 Sock是短袜,而且一般后面总带著复数s,因为袜子总是一双双的,所以大多是复数形式,但是在这个习惯用语里sock末尾没有s,而且这里的sock不是名词,是动词。
  Sock away这个习惯用语也许来自银行还不那么普遍的以往年代。当时有些人会把积攒的钱款藏在一只旧袜子里,然后压在床垫下面,以备急用。于是就产生了sock away这个说法来泛指积存一点钱,备作他用。当然现代人积蓄的款子很少还会放在袜子里,人们多半会存进银行。我们来听个例子。
  例句-1:I don't make a lot of money but every two weeks when I get paid I try to sock away twenty dollars in my savings account at the bank to buy a ring for the girl I want to marry.
  他说:我挣钱不多,但是每两星期发工资的时候我总是设法把二十美元存进我在银行的储蓄存款帐户,为的是给我的结婚对象买一只戒指。
  可见这里的sock away意思就是存钱备用。
  ******
  脚上穿的除了袜子以外当然还有鞋子,就是shoe。接下来我们要学带有shoe这个词的习惯用语。第一个是: the shoe is on the other foot。 The shoe is on the other foot这个习惯用语从150年前流传至今。要理解它的用意其实很简单,你只要把左脚的鞋子套到右脚上,而把右脚的鞋子穿在左脚,试试看处于这种颠来倒去的状况你有多难受。好,让我们再通过一个例子来体会它的确切含义,说话的人在回忆自己二十年前的同班同学Jones:
  例句-2:Back at school we all laughed at Jones because we thought he was stupid. Now the shoe is on the other foot -- he's made lots of money and we barely make enough to feed our families.
  他说:从前在学校的时候我们都取笑Jones,因为我们觉得他很蠢。然而今非昔比,情况完全颠倒,如今他挣了好多钱,而我们却相反只能勉强维持家庭生计。
  当初被他们大夥儿瞧不起的人如今却出人头地比谁都强,可见the shoe is on the other foot意思是情况彻底改变,而这种翻来复去的变化也使说话人的心态有点儿失去平衡,因为当年他眼中的一个笨蛋如今却大大超越了他,难免令他感到不舒坦。
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#415
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学一个习惯用语: on a shoestring. Shoestring是鞋带,鞋带当然是价格低廉、微不足道的东西,而on这个词有时可以用来说以什么来维持生活或者经营企业,所以on a shoestring,可以解释为以相当于鞋带价值的那点钱来维持或者经营什么。
  谁都清楚以那一丁点儿钱是绝对维持不了生活,也不可能经营一家企业的,on a shoestring当然是夸张的说法。让我们听个例子来体会它的确切含义吧。这段话说的还是刚才提到的那个小时被人瞧不起但是长大后发迹的Jones.
  例句-3:Jones started a little restaurant on a shoestring, but he ran it so well and the food tasted so good that he now has 300 eating places across the United States.
  他说:Jones 最初以微薄的资金开了一家小饭馆,但是他非常善于经营,饭菜又做得十分可口,所以如今他已经在全美各地拥有三百家饭店了。
  这段话里的on a shoestring意思就是小本经营。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#416
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to grab a bite
  
  grubstake
  
  今天我们先要给大家介绍一个你肯定会经常用的习惯用语。有的时候你可能会非常忙,忙得都没有时间吃饭。在这种情况下,你一定会临时找点什么东西先填补一下。这在英文里就叫做:to grab a bite。
  
  To grab a bite要翻成口语很明显就是:先吃点什么,因此和正式吃一顿饭有很大不同。下面这个说话的人是刚下班回家,正在对他太太说他为什么这么饿:
  
  例句-1: Honey, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse! I was so busy at work today. I didn't even have time to run out and grab a bite at that Kentucky Fried Chicken place across the street.
  
  这位丈夫说:亲爱的,我现在饿得都能把一头马吃下去。今天在办公室里我可真忙,连跑到对马路那个肯德鸡炸鸡铺子里去买点吃的时间都没有。
  
  上班时候没时间吃饭是被迫的。可是有些时候,我们往往为了玩,也很乐意放弃吃饭的时间,宁可玩够了再吃。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: We need to hurry if we want to see the 7:30 movie. Let's just stop off and grab a bite to eat at that hamburger joint near the theater.
  
  这个人说:要是我们想看七点半那场电影的话,我们得赶快。我们就到电影院附近那个卖汉堡包的地方先吃点东西吧。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#417
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个俗语是:grubstake。Grub这个字可以解释为食品,但是和stake合在一起的时候,它的意思就变了。美国人在开发西部的时候,往往要找一些会给他们提供食品和工具的人,使他们有能力开创他们的事业。现在,grubstake这个字已经演变成为开创新的企业所提供的资金或贷款。我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-3: My husband and I have worked hard to make our new restaurant a success, but most of all I thank my father for giving us the grubstake to open it.
  
  这个人说:我和我的丈夫花了很大力量才使我们新开的饭馆很成功。不过,我更感谢我爸爸为我们提供了开这个饭馆的资金。
  
  有这样一个爸爸是很幸运的。下面这个人就没有这种运气:
  
  例句-4: I want to quit my job and open a sporting goods shop for myself. But I'm having trouble finding anybody to put up a grubstake to help me get started.
  
  这个人说:我想辞了我那个工作,自己开一个体育用品店。但是,我找不到人给我一笔贷款来开这个店。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#418
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和李华在学校的书店里买书。李华会学到两个常用语:racket和That does it!
  
  (Bookstore SFX)
  
  LH: Hey, Larry, 你不是想买下学期的课本吗?那还不趁我们在书店赶紧买了?
  
  LL: I want to buy them, but these prices are ridiculous! The textbook business is such a racket!
  
  LH: 你想买书,可是又嫌这些书太贵呀?你还说出版课本的行业怎么啦?什么是a racket?
  
  LL: That's right. I said the textbook business is a racket. A "racket" is an unfair criminal business that makes lots of money, like gambling or extortion.
  
  LH: Oh, racket这个词在这里的意思是“牟取暴利”,就好比赌博和诈骗一样的非法行为。Larry,你的意思是这些课本定价过高,就象是在敲诈勒索,有那么严重吗?
  
  LL: Absolutely! Look at this! This history book costs $90! The publishers know we have no choice but to buy the book, so the prices are really high. What a racket!
  
  LH: 哎哟,还真是的。这本历史书要卖九十美元,是够贵的。那些出版商明明知道我们没别的办法,只能买这些书,所以把价钱定这么高。这真是像敲诈勒索。那Larry, 你觉得还有什么是racket呢?
  
  LL: I think that cable TV is a racket. There's only one company in town; they are always raising prices, and all the channels worth watching cost extra. It's a racket!
  
  LH: 对呀,我们这儿只有一家提供有线电视的公司。他们老是涨价。可是Larry, 看不看电视问题不大。你知道吗 - 有的医院还趁人之危,敲诈勒索孕妇呢!
  
  LL: Really? What do you mean exactly?
  
  LH: 比方说,我听说有的医院让孕妇做一些不必要的检查,收的钱还非常多,那些孕妇不懂,只能听医生的。这真是和诈骗一样。
  
  LL: Wow, now that's a real racket.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#419
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Oh man, look at this! $85 for a book of old essays on U.S. Politics? That does it! I'm buying my textbooks online.
  
  LH: 这本美国政治论文集要卖85美元?你说 - "That does it"? 这是什么意思?
  
  LL: Well, when someone says "That does it", he means that he is so upset that he is no longer willing to accept something.
  
  LH: 噢,"That does it"就是一个人对某件事非常生气,以致到了宁可放弃的地步。 哎,那不就相当于中文所说的“得了,算了吧”?Larry, 你是说这些课本要价太高,所以你干脆不在这儿买,到因特网上去买了?
  
  LL: That's right! If a situation gets so bad that you cannot stand it, you can yell "that does it!", and then do something about the problem.
  
  LH: Hmm... 要是你实在觉得忍无可忍,你就可以大声说:That does it!哎,Larry, 我好象明白这个用法了,可是你能不能再给我举个例子呢?
  
  LL: Well, for example, if an employee always comes to work late, one day the boss might say "You're late again? That does it! You're fired!"
  
  LH: Ah. 这正是我对我表妹说的话。她每天上班都迟到。我对她说总有一天他老板会觉得忍无可忍。你的老板会说:“得了,你今后别来上班了。”原来在英文里就可以说:"That does it! You're fired!"
  
  LL: Now you know how to use "That does it!" Why don't you give me an example.
  
  LH: 有了,Larry,有一天你会在照镜子的时候对自己说, "That does it! 我一定要减肥了!"
  
  LL: (Angry) That does it, Li Hua! I told you to stop making fun of my weight.
  
  LH: Hey! 别生气,Larry! 我是跟你开玩笑呢!而且我发现你最近好像瘦了。你是不是在吃什么减肥食品啊?
  
  LL: A special diet? No way! All those diet books and special foods are a racket. I just decided to exercise regularly and eat less junk food.
  
  LH: 这话我同意,那些减肥书和减肥食品都很贵,主要是为了骗钱,其实最重要的是锻炼身体,少吃零食。Good for you, Larry!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是racket, 意思是价格太高,就象敲诈勒索一样。另一个常用语是That does it! 中文里可以说“得了,不干了!”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#420
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

munch
  
  hors d'oeuvres
  
  今天我们要讲的两个常用语大概会使你流口水的。首先,让我们来给大家介绍一个字"munch"。Munch这个字的意思是吃零食。好多人都喜欢吃零食,特别是女孩子。不过,美国人不管男女老少,每当他们看电影的时候,他们总是喜欢吃爆米花。每个电影院也都设有卖爆米花和汽水的地方,而且这还是电影院的一大笔收入。下面这个例子就能说明问题:
  
  例句-1: "One of the real pleasure of life for me is to sit and munch on hot buttered popcorn while I watch a good movie."
  
  这句话的意思是:“一面看一部好电影,一面吃着加黄油的爆米花,这对我来说才真是生活里的一大乐趣。”
  
  可是,经常吃零食对那些想保持身材苗条的来说是不行的。请听下面这个例句:
  
  例句-2: "No wonder Betty has trouble keeping her weight down. Between meals she munches all day long on potato chips, salted peanuts and candy."
  
  这个人说:“贝蒂吃完饭还是成天吃土豆片、咸花生和糖果,怪不得她没法减肥呢。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#421
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国和其他西方国家,举行正式招待会的时候,或者在正式的晚餐前,主人往往会用一些小点心来款待大家。这种小点心有一个特殊名称,那就是hors d'oeuvre。
  
  大家一定感到这个字的拼法很奇怪,是的,这是字本身是法文,所以它的拼法和一般英文拼法不太一样。Hors d'oeuvre在法文里的意思是:主菜以外的食品。下面的例子说明了什么是hors d'oeuvre:
  
  例句-3: "Last year our company had a great New Year's party with a fine sit-down dinner. But this year, with business so bad, we only had a stand-up reception with a few hors d'oeuvres like cheese on crackers and some cheap wine."
  
  这个人听起来是一个公司的雇员。他说:“去年,我们公司举行新年晚会时请大家正式吃了一顿晚饭。可是,今年生意不景气,我们只举行了一个招待会,只有一些像咸饼乾加奶酪那样的小点心和便宜的酒。”
  
  可是,有的hors d'oeuvres要比咸饼乾加奶酪要高级得多,就像下面这个例子里所说的:
  
  例句-4: "You should have been at the French Embassy reception last night. The hors d'oeuvres were so tasty I filled up on them and didn't eat any dinner when I got home."
  
  这个人运气很好,他说:“你昨天晚上真应该去参加法国使馆的招待会。他们的点心真好吃,我吃了好多,回到家连晚饭都没吃。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个和吃东西有关的俗语,它们是:munch和hors d'oeuvres。Munch是吃零食,hors d'oeuvres是招待会或晚餐前吃的小点心。我们讲了那么多好吃的东西,什么加黄油的爆米花、土豆片、花生、还有法国点心等,让我们大家都去grab a bite吧!否则真的要口水直流了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#422
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和李华在一家电脑商店买东西,李华会学到两个常用语:whatchamacallit和mooch。
  
  (Computer Store SFX)
  
  LH: Larry, 你想买什么呀?
  
  LL: I need to get one of those whatchamacallits that add memory. The memory on my laptop computer is almost full. What do you need to get?
  
  LH: 我想买一些磁盘。Larry, 什么是whatchamacallit?这个词听起来好怪啊!它能帮你增加laptop的内存?那是电脑的部件吗?
  
  LL: No, no, it's not a part of the computer. Whatchamacallit actually, it is the combination of the words "what you might call it" joined together and said very fast.
  
  LH: 噢,原来whatchamacallit是what-you-might-call-it这几个词合在一起的啊。那whatchamacallit这又是什么意思呢?
  
  LL:When you don't remember the real name of the thing you are talking about, you might say whatchamacallit. I forget what the thing I need is called, so I just call it a whatchamacallit.
  
  LH: Oh, 原来是你叫不出一样东西的名字时候你就可以说它是whatchamacallit。哎,在这种情况下,不就像我们在中文里说的“那个叫什么来啦”?
  
  LL: Exactly. But you cannot tell a shop clerk "I want to buy whatchamacallit".
  
  LH: 那当然哟,要是你对店员说你想买那个叫什么来啦,他怎么知道你要什么呢?Hey, Larry, 你看这是什么?Look at this whatchamacallit!
  
  LL: That's a zip drive. You can use it to save things on disks.
  
  LH: 噢,原来这就是我们平时常说的zip drive啊!What about that whatchamacallit?
  
  LL: That's a digital music player. Li Hua, you can't just start calling everything a whatchamacallit!
  
  LL: 怎么啦?我不知道这个东西叫digital music player,所以我就用你教我的这个词whatchamacallit 。
  
  LL: I guess you're right, but don't use that as an excuse not to learn the real names of things.
  
  LH: 你放心,你没看见吗?我学了就用啊,每次都是你教什么我就用什么!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#423
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 我今天能不能借你的电脑用几个小时?
  
  LL: Last week, you borrowed my CD player. Yesterday, you ate half of my pizza and, today, you want to borrow my computer. You're becoming a mooch, Li Hua!
  
  LH: 哎哟,借用一下你的CD player,吃一点儿你的pizza你都记这么清楚呀?你还说我变成什么啦?A mooch?
  
  LL: A mooch, that's someone who, instead of getting things for herself, borrows or takes things from others. You always come to my apartment and get free food out of my refrigerator. That makes you a mooch.
  
  LH: A mooch就是指那种喜欢借别人或者是拿别人东西的人。哎,Larry, 我有的时候是到你的冰箱里拿东西吃,可是我有时候不是也请你吃晚饭吗?
  
  LL: Yeah well, the next time you come over, you should bring me a pizza.
  
  LH: 没问题,下次我给你带个pizza不就行了吗?可是Larry, 咱们得先说清楚,你以后再也不能叫我是 mooch, 我可不是那种喜欢白吃白喝、占人便宜的人呢。
  
  LL: Alright, alright. Let's forget about us for a second. Can you think of another person who is a mooch?
  
  LH: 嗯, 让我想想 - 哎,对了,我在学校食堂吃饭的时候,有个女生老是凑到我桌上来吃我的炸薯条。更气人的是,她还以为我没注意到呢!
  
  LL: Yes, that is a mooch. You should slap her hand next time she does that.
  
  LH: 啊!你说她下次再这么做就打她的手?哎哟,那也用不着吧?我啊!学会了mooch这个词,下次就可以对她说 - Stop being a mooch!
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是whatchamacallit, 就相当于中文里所说的“那个叫什么来啦”。李华学到的另一个常用语是mooch, 意思是“喜欢白吃白拿的人!”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#424
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to call the shots
  
  to call one's bluff
  
  我们经常会问别人:你们家里谁说了算?也就是谁作最后决定。美国人经常说:to calls the shots。
  
  To call the shots也就是作最后决定、下命令。To call the shots的原来意思是:军官下令部队开枪。但是现在to call the shots已经在口语中常常出现。请听一个公司雇员在讲他公司里的事:
  
  例句-1: "The three partners who own our company are supposed to have equal say in running it. But one of them, old Mister Johns, is the one who calls the shots and tells us what to do."
  
  他说:“我们公司三个老板在经营方面应该是有同样发言权的。但是最后做决定的总是老约翰先生,每次都是由他来告诉我们干什么。”
  
  有些男人很不喜欢女人当他们的领导,但是有时也无可奈何。下面就是一例:
  
  例句-2: "Some men in the office thought no woman could be strong enough to be boss. But a week after Miss Smith took charge, they learned she was going to call the shots and they'd better listen."
  
  他说:“办公室里有些男的雇员以为没有一个女子有足够的能力来当领导。但是,在史密斯小姐主管工作一个礼拜以后,他们知道她说的话就是命令,因此还是服从她为好。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#425
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个常用语是:to call one's bluff。To call one's bluff就是揭露某人虚张声势的做法。这个俗语来自美国人喜欢玩的扑克牌游戏。有时你手里的牌很坏,但是你想让别人认为你手里的牌好极了,可是别人不相信你,对你进行挑战,这就是to call one's bluff。你听听一位打牌老手是怎么说的:
  
  例句-3: "Sometimes you can scare the other players out of the game with a bluff and 'steal' the pot with a worthless hand. But it can be very expensive if another player calls your bluff."
  
  他说:“有时候你可以虚张声势把其他牌友吓住了,这样你就偷偷地用一手坏牌赢了钱。可是,要是另一个打牌的人不相信你,向你挑战,那你就可能会输不少钱。”
  
  To call one's bluff这个说法现在已经不局限在打牌上了。下面这个例子是一个公司的经理在对他的助手讲话:
  
  例句-4: "One of our salesmen asked for a raise in salary today, and said he'd have to leave if we didn't give him a raise. But I called his bluff--I told him no, and wished him good luck. Then he said he'd stay on with us because he liked working here so much."
  
  他说:“我们公司的一个推销员今天要我给他加工资,说要是我们不给他加工资,他就不在这儿干了。但是我没上他的当,拒绝了他的要求,还祝他好运气。于是他就改口说他非常喜欢这儿的工作,愿意在这儿继续做下去。”
  
  今天我们讲的两个俗语是:to call the shots和to call one's bluff。To call the shots是下命令、做最后决定。To call one's bluff是揭露某人虚张声势的做法。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#426
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华忙着批改中文班学生的作业。李华会从Larry那儿学到两个常用语:go easy on和go cold turkey。
  
  LH: 哎!这些学生!看看他们的考卷儿,简直糟透了!也不知道他们是不是真想学中文。
  
  LL: Hey, go easy on your students, Li Hua. They've only been studying Chinese for a few weeks. It's a difficult language!
  
  LH: 你说什么?你要我把中文课改得再容易一点儿?
  
  LL: That's not what I said, Li Hua. I said you should go easy on them. That means you should show some restraint - don't be too angry with them.
  
  LH: Hmmpph! Go easy on them,就是别这么厉害,别那么恼火。可是Larry, 他们每天才学五个单词,要是你问我啊,I am going easy on them.连这点最基本的中文都考不好,那还有什么希望呐!
  
  LL: I just mean you shouldn't yell or get angry at them. Why are you always in such a bad mood these days?
  
  LH: 我这几天是情绪不好,没耐心,也不知道是什么原因,可能是因为咖啡喝得太多,晚上睡不好觉的缘故吧。
  
  LL: A lot of coffee - huh? No wonder you can't sleep well. I think you should go easy on the coffee.
  
  LH: Go easy on the coffee? 等等,Larry, 刚才你让我对学生要客气点儿 - go easy on my students,现在又说我应该go easy on the coffee,这又怎么解释呢?
  
  LL: When I say "go easy on the coffee", I mean you should show some restraint and drink less coffee.
  
  LH: Go easy on the coffee, 就是让我少喝点儿咖啡。可是,go easy on the students就是要对学生客气点。我不是太清楚,Larry, 你能不能再给我举个例子?
  
  LL: Sure. Whenever you see me drinking at a party, you always tell me to go easy on the beer.
  
  LH: 对呀,每次参加party 的时候我都劝你别喝那么多啤酒,喝醉了会出洋相的!哎哟,Look at this! 这个学生,五道题里只回答了一道,我只能给她不及格了。
  
  LL: Hey, hey, don't give her an 'F'! Go easy on her. And go easy on the coffee,

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#427
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 啊,我累死了!
  
  LL: How are you feeling now that you're drinking less coffee?
  
  LH: 嗯,我已经三天没喝咖啡了,晚上睡觉是好多了,可是白天我怎么老是觉得精力不够、昏昏沉沉的呢?
  
  LL: No coffee for three days? I told you to go easy on the coffee, not go cold turkey!
  
  LH: Go cold turkey? 你在说什么呀?你让我少喝咖啡,多吃冷火鸡呀?
  
  LL: No, I said you went "cold turkey". That means to suddenly quit doing or consuming something that is addictive.
  
  LH: 噢,原来go cold turkey不是 “吃冷火鸡”呀!Go cold turkey是“突然停止做那些习惯做的事,一下子戒掉原来上瘾的习惯”。哎,Larry, 你觉得我过去喝咖啡到上瘾的程度了吗?
  
  LL: Ok, you're not really addicted to coffee. But quitting coffee isn't easy, right? When I said you went cold turkey, It implied that quitting is not easy.
  
  LH: 是啊,突然一下子一点儿咖啡都不喝了,是够难的,怪不得我老没精神呢!不过Larry, 要把戒咖啡和戒烟相比,我看,戒烟恐怕更难吧?
  
  LL: That's true. One day, my friend Rick went cold turkey on cigarettes. It almost drove him crazy, but he never smoked a cigarette again.
  
  LH: Wow, 你的朋友Rick可真了不起,说戒烟一下子就戒掉了。我记得我叔叔也试过一下子戒掉 - go cold turkey on cigarettes,可是他试了三次都没成功,不过他现在抽得比以前少多了。
  
  LL: I'm glad your uncle is going easy on cigarettes.
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是go easy on someone 就是“对某人客气些”,要是说go easy on something,那就是“有节制地使用某件东西”。李华学到的另一个常用语是go cold turkey on something, 意思是“突然停止做某件事”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#428
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to call up
  
  to call it a day
  
  我们曾经说过,学习英语的一个困难就是有些英文字一个字就有好几个不同的意思。就拿call这个字来说吧。在一本字典里,call这个字和它所组成的词汇一共有六十九种不同的意思。一个很简单的例子就是:to call up。
  
  To call up的最普通的意思是给某人打电话。但是,to call up也可以解释为:引起一个人的记忆。美国人很喜欢出去旅行,一到夏天,好多人都利用每年的假期到国内外去旅行。每次旅行都带一些具有当地特色的纪念品回家。因此,不少美国人家里都陈列着各国的手工艺品。下面这句话就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: "Every time I look at that black and gold lacquer box on my desk, it calls up memories of our trip to Bangkok last year."
  
  从这句话我们可以知道,这个说话的人去年访问了泰国。他说:“每当我看到我桌上那个黑色和金色的盒子,我就回想起去年访问曼谷的情景。”
  
  To call up还可以用在军事方面,意思是在紧急情况下调动预备役军队来参加某些行动。佛罗里达州州长就这样做过:
  
  例句-2: "After the hurricane hit the Florida coast, the governor called up the National Guard to help with the rescue work."
  
  这句话的意思是:“在飓风袭击佛罗里达州沿海一带地区后,州长就下令国民警卫队来帮助营救灾民的工作。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#429
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来给大家解绍一个由call这个字组成的俗语:to call it a day。To call it a day的意思是你工作了一天,到晚上你停止工作回家休息,但是准备第二天再回去继续完成昨天没做完的事。说简单一点也就是:结束一天的工作。下面是一个学生在说他正在为英语教授写的一份期终报告的进展情况:
  
  例句-3: "I worked on my term paper until about ten o'clock last night, but got so sleepy I decided to call it a day. I'll finish it this afternoon when I come back from class."
  
  这个学生说:“昨晚我写我的期终报告一直写到十点钟,后来我困不行,就决定不写了。今天下午上完课我再来把它写完。”
  
  我们再来举个例子。这是一个新闻记者在讲他当天的工作:
  
  例句-4: "We've got so much news to handle today that I didn't even have time to have lunch. Now I am going to call it a day and go home to have a good rest."
  
  这位新闻记者说:“今天我们要处理的消息多极了,忙得我连吃午饭的时间都没有。今天就到此为止了,我得回家好好休息去了。”
  
  以上我们讲了to call up和to call it a day这两个词。To call up可以解释为:打电话、钩起回忆、征集预备役军人等。To call it a day就是结束一天的工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#430
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和Li Hua一边开车一边在车上听广播,Li Hua会学到两个常用语:come clean和no sweat。
  
  (Highway & traffic SFX)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, did you hear that? The president of that corporation finally came clean about stealing several million dollars.
  
  LH: 什么什么?我刚才没注意听,你说那个公司总裁怎么啦?他来上班的时候干干净净?这和偷几百万美元有什么关系呀?
  
  LL: No, I said, "He finally came clean about stealing several million dollars." It means "He finally admitted he stole several million dollars." To come clean about something is to admit to it.
  
  LH: 噢,to come clean about something 原来就是“坦白承认”。你刚才是说那个公司总裁最后终于承认他偷了几百万美元。这么说,Larry, 要是我做错了事,然后承认做错了,那我就是come clean 喽?
  
  LL: That's right. If you cheat on a test and then tell the professor because you feel guilty, then you are coming clean about your mistake.
  
  LH: Hey, Larry, 你可别瞎说,我考试从来不作弊,心里没鬼,更不用去教授那儿认错。你刚才闯了红灯,我看呐,你还是干脆承认你的开车技术不怎么样吧!
  
  LL: What? You want me to come clean about my bad driving? What stop light? There wasn't a stop light. Don't tease me like that.
  
  LH: 我知道没有红绿灯,我只不过是逗你玩儿呢!
  
  LL: Speaking of coming clean about things, did your roommate ever come clean about stealing your CD?
  
  LH: 没有!我那个同屋偷了我的CD死活都不承认,可是我敢肯定是她偷的。
  
  LL: How do you know?
  
  LH: 有一天我看见她的CD夹子在桌上开着,我那张CD明明就在里面。
  
  LL: Well, if she's not going to come clean about it, then maybe you should just take it back.
  
  LH: 那可不行,她不愿意承认是她的问题,我可不想乱翻她的东西。
  
  LL: Then you really need to find a new roommate. You should just come clean and admit that you made a mistake when you moved in with her.
  
  LH: 你说得对,Larry,我真该换个同屋,早知道这样,一开始就不该和这个人搬到一起。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#431
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 哎哟,Larry, 你刚才拐弯的时候开这么快,我把可乐撒在车座上,把你的车给弄脏了。
  
  LL: No sweat. I'll stop at that gas station and we can get some stuff to clean it up.
  
  LH: 那我们赶紧开到前面那个加油站擦擦干净吧!可是你还说 - No sweat - 别出汗?噢,你的意思是让我别着急,是不是?
  
  LL: That's right! No sweat means "don't worry about it" or "it's okay." Don't worry about the coke. We can clean it up.
  
  LH: 你以前还教过我一个类似的短语,是Don't sweat it! 也是“别担心,别着急”的意思。除了可以说Don't sweat it, 也可以说No sweat。可是,Larry, 我还是挺不安的,你看我撒了这么多可乐,这能擦干净吗?
  
  LL: As I said, no sweat. The seats are leather, so they are really easy to clean.
  
  LH: 噢,这种皮制的车座很容易擦干净啊?这我就放心了。哎,Larry, 你能不能再给我举个 no sweat 的例子?
  
  LL: Well, if someone accidentally bumps into you in the hallway and they say, "sorry," you can tell them, "no sweat."
  
  LH: 嗯,要是有人在楼道里不小心撞到我,他如果说sorry, 我就可以说,No sweat! 也就是没关系的意思。Larry, 昨天我和一个朋友约好一起吃午饭,可是他没来。我估计是忘了,我下次见到他能不能也对他说No sweat呢?
  
  LL: Well, personally, that would upset me, but if he comes clean about the fact that he has forgotten to meet you, then you can tell him no sweat.
  
  LH: 对,让我白等是挺让人恼火的。你说得对,要是他承认是把约会给忘了,那我就会告诉他 No sweat - Don't worry about it 。
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是come clean, 意思是“坦白承认”。另一个常用语是 no sweat, 意思是“别着急,别担心”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#432
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to rub elbows
  
  elbow room
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍和elbow这个字有关的常用语。Elbow就是胳膊肘儿。许多诗人喜欢描写漂亮的脸或美丽的身材,可是没有人描写胳膊肘儿的。然而,人体的这一部份却用处很大。在美国人常用的习惯语当中,用elbow这个字组成的俗语有不少,今天我们讲两个最常用的。一个是:to rub elbows。To rub就是磨擦,to rub elbows的意思是出去和别人接触和交际。你听了下面这个例句就会清楚to rub elbows的意思了:
  
  例句-1: "I like Mister Lewis. He's one of the richest, most powerful men in New York, but he's not stuck-up at all. In fact he really enjoys getting out and rubbing elbows with all us ordinary people."
  
  这句话的中文意思是:“我很喜欢刘易斯先生。他是纽约最有钱有势的人之一,但是他却一点架子都没有。事实上,他还很喜欢和我们这些普通人交往。”
  
  听了这个例句,大家不要误会 to rub elbows一定是指交朋友。To rub elbows也可以解释为一般的接触。请听下面的例句:
  
  例句-2: "If you travel across America by bus, you rub elbows with all sorts of people. You'll meet older retired people, young students and others who ride the bus because it's cheaper than flying."
  
  这句话的意思是:“要是你乘长途汽车到美国各地旅行的话,你就会接触到各种人。你会碰到退了休的老年人、年轻的学生等。他们坐长途汽车是因为这比乘飞机便宜。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#433
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人还经常说:elbow room。Elbow room的最普通解释就是:某人能施展的地方或空间。下面是一位家庭妇女在讲为什么他们要买新房子:
  
  例句-3: "My husband and I are looking for a bigger house to move into. We have six children and a seventh on the way, and we need a lot more elbow room than we have now."
  
  她说:“我和我丈夫正在找一栋大一点的房子。我们有六个孩子马上又要生第七个了。我们需要比现在更大一些的地方。”
  
  俗话说:人比人气死人。下面这句话里说的人和这位家庭妇女相比那真是天差地别:
  
  例句-4: "I can think of one person who has more elbow room than she needs--the Queen of England. They say that Windsor Castle has more than a thousand rooms. Now that's real elbow room."
  
  这人说:“我知道有一个人所占有的地方比她需要的多得多,这人就是英国女王。他们说,温莎堡里有一千多间房间。这才是真正的面积大呢。”
  
  我们今天讲的词汇是:to rub elbows。To rub elbows是和别人交往或接触。另一个词是:elbow room。Elbow room指的是一个人可施展的地方或空间。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#434
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在图书馆里看书,在他们旁边有个学生在用手机打电话。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to tick someone off和get lost.
  
  (Someone talking on the phone loudly)
  
  LL: It really ticks me off when people talk so loudly in the library. Don't they realize that other people are trying to study?
  
  LH: 就是嘛,在图书馆里这么大声说话,真讨厌!Hey,Larry, 你说tick me off,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: That person ticks me off means he irritates me. To tick someone off is to annoy or irritate someone.
  
  LH: 噢,to tick someone off就是惹人生气,让人讨厌的意思。没错!那家伙说话这么大声害我不能专心看书。Larry,我们是不是该跟他说说呢?
  
  LL: No, that's okay. I think he's leaving now anyway. Thank God. Besides, that would be a rude thing to say to someone's face.
  
  LH: 对噢,当众要他小声点似乎也太厉害,不够礼貌。你看他走了,谢天谢地。Larry,你知道还有什么事tick me off , 惹我生气吗?
  
  LL: What ticks you off, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 哼!Smith 教授在假期里给我们安排这么多作业,真是气人!这样我们根本没有机会好好休息嘛!
  
  LL: Yeah, that ticks me off, too, but there's nothing we can do about it. What else ticks you off?
  
  LH: 说的也是,我啊再抱怨,作业还是得做。嗯,还有什么事让我生气的啊?对了,我那同屋常常三更半夜才回家,每次都把我吵醒,我一生气就怎么也睡不着了!
  
  LL: No wonder you look so tired lately. You should really talk to your roommate about that. You need to sleep.
  
  LH: 我看起来很累的样子,是不是?哎呀,真糟糕。我是该跟她好好谈谈,可是这种事情真的很难开口嘛!
  
  LL: You can just very politely tell her that it really ticks you off when she comes home so late and ask her to try and be more quiet.
  
  LH: 很礼貌地告诉她她那么晚回来让我生气?让她小声一点?唉,我得好好想想该怎么说才不让她生气。I don't want to tick her off.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#435
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL: Hey, Li Hua, you're still looking really tired today. Didn't you talk to your roommate?
  
  LH: 唉,别提了,我和我同屋说了啊!可是她叫我get lost。嗯,Larry,get lost是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: That's so rude! "Get lost" is a rude way of telling someone to leave. She told you in a very rude way to leave her alone.
  
  LH: 哎哟,昨天她说的时候是很不高兴的样子,但是我当时不懂什么是get lost。 哼,原来是叫我走开,别烦她的意思。这可真是粗鲁。那我现在该怎么办呢?
  
  LL: Next time she comes home at 2 am, I would tell her to get lost and find somewhere else to sleep.
  
  LH: 下次她再晚回家,你让我也对她说get lost, 叫她到别处睡去。那怎么行哪?
  
  LL: I know, but she deserves it. Maybe you can look for another roommate. She doesn't sound like a nice person to live with.
  
  LH: 嗯!你说得没错。等我找到一个新的同屋就把她给踢出去。到那时,我就可以对她说get lost!
  
  LL: That's right. I'm sure you'll tick her off.
  
  LH: 她要生气,那真是活该了。嗨, 对了,Larry, 我们刚才应该对那个打电话的人说get lost,对不对?
  
  LL: We could, but that would be kind of rude. Try not to use "get lost" too much unless you are kidding with someone.
  
  LH: 噢,开玩笑的时候也可以说。OK, Larry, get lost!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是:to tick someone off, 意思是惹人生气,讨人厌。李华学到的另一个常用语是get lost。意思是叫人走开,别来烦我的意思。这是一种非常粗鲁的说法。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#436
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

shrimp
  
  crab
  
  不管是英文还是中文,人们往往用动物的名称来形容人,例如骂人的时候说某人像猪,像狗,或者赞扬某人鹤立鸡群等。美国人有时把人形容为像一只虾。虾在英文里就是:“shrimp”。
  
  大约八百年前,shrimp这个字首先是用来指那些个子矮小的人。后来人们才把虾称为shrimp。但是,现在人们还是经常叫个子矮小的人shrimp。我们来举一个有关体育的例子:
  
  例句-1: "Basketball is a game for tall people. But once in a while a player like Mugsy Bogues comes along. Mugsy is a real shrimp--only 1.6 meters tall. But he's so quick and clever he can play on equal terms with all those giants."
  
  这句话的意思是:“篮球是适合个子高的人打的球。可是偶然也会出现像马格西博格这样个子矮小的球员。马格西博格体格实在是矮小,身高只有一米六。但是他机智灵活,和那些个子高大的球员一样地打球。”
  
  下面我们来举一个有关政客的例子:
  
  例句-2: "The great French leader Napoleon was shorter than everybody around him, so you'd have to call him a little shrimp. But for a shrimp, he certainly made the rest of Europe tremble."
  
  这句话的中文意思是:“法国伟大的领导人拿破比他周围的人都矮,所以你可以说他像只小虾。但是作为一只小虾,他却震憾了整个欧洲。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#437
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们来给大家介绍一下美国人是如何把crab,也就是螃蟹这个字用在日常口语中的。螃蟹有许多腿,还有那双很利害的钳子。大概是由于它的相貌,人们都认为它是一种性情急燥、容易动怒的动物。正因为这样,美国人把那些性格暴燥,脾气很坏的人叫做crab。例如,学生经常把老师叫做crab,特别是当他们要执行学校规章制度的时候。下面就是一个学生在说话:
  
  例句-3: "I don't like any of my teachers much, but the one I hate the most is Missus Gray. She's such an old crab, always scolding us for making noise, chewing gum, not doing our homework."
  
  他说:“所有的老师我都不太喜欢。但是,我最恨的是格雷小姐。她真是个老螃蟹,老骂我们不安静、吃口香糖、不做家庭作业。”
  
  美国人不仅把crab这个字用于妇女,而且有时也用在男人身上。例如:
  
  例句-4: "My neighbor is such an old crab. He practically does not allow me to listen to music and watch TV. Whenever I turn on my radio or television set, he knocks on my door and angrily orders me to stop."
  
  这个人说:“我的邻居可真是个老螃蟹。他不让我听音乐和看电视。每当我打开收音机或电视机,他就会来敲我的门,怒气冲冲地要我把它们关掉。”
  
  我们刚才讲了shrimp和crab这两个字。Shrimp作为俗语是指身材矮小的人。Crab是指那些性情暴燥的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#438
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华刚下课,走出课堂就碰上Larry。李华在和Larry 谈话中会学到两个常用语:to go off on someone 和what's the deal.
  
  (School building lobby SFX)
  
  LH: Hey, Larry. 你刚下课啊?对了,我刚好要问你,今天你有没有见到Dave?
  
  LL: Dave? No, I haven't seen him anywhere since professor Jones went off on him yesterday morning.
  
  LH: Jones教授对Dave怎么啦?你说他went off on Dave? 那是什么意思呢?
  
  LL: To go off on someone means to suddenly get very angry at someone. "To go off " can mean "to explode"- for instance, something like a bomb or a gun can go off.
  
  LH: 噢,to go off on someone就是突然对某人大发脾气,就好像炸弹爆炸,枪支开火那样。那Jones教授为什么突然对Dave大发脾气呢?
  
  LL: Dave asked Professor Jones if he could turn in a paper a few days late, and Professor Jones just went off on him.
  
  LH: Dave 怎么经常要求晚几天交报告呐?唉,也难怪Jones教授要go off on him对他发脾气了。Larry,你再给我举几个go off on someone的例子吧!
  
  LL: Hmm, let me think. I remember when I was in Beijing I tried to pay a taxi driver, and he went off on me for several minutes. I had no idea why he was so angry. It turned out, what I gave him was a counterfeit note.
  
  LH: 你给出租车司机假钞票,那他当然要对你大发脾气咯!
  
  LL: Li Hua, have you ever gone off on someone here in the U.S.?
  
  LH: 我啊,我英文还不是很好,轻易不敢和人吵架。我只有对我过去那个同屋发了好几次脾气,因为她实在太脏,而且还想偷偷搬出去,就是为了想赖掉一个月的房租呢!
  
  LL: She tried to cheat you out of a month's rent? If my roommate did that, I wouldn't just go off on him, I'd take him to court!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#439
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So anyway, what's the deal with Professor Jones lately? He always seems to be in a bad mood.
  
  LH: What's the deal? 你在说什么啊?deal不是交易的意思吗?你是问我,Jones教授在和什么人作交易?
  
  LL: No, no, Li Hua. When I ask "what's the deal", I mean "what is the situation?" I was asking why he is in a bad mood.
  
  LH: 噢,我知道了,what's the deal就是我们中文里常说的“怎么回事”。你刚才是问我,Jones教授心情不好到底是怎么回事。我听说,他对今年没能升上正教授的职位好像挺失望的。
  
  LL: Really? What's the deal with that? He's been in this department for years!
  
  LH: 就是啊! Jones教授在我们系上教书也有好多年了,不给他提升,究竟是怎么回事,谁也不知道。
  
  LL: That seems to be unfair. Well, Li Hua, what's the deal tomorrow night? Is everyone still planning to go together to that concert?
  
  LH: 明天晚上是这样,我和另外三个同学会去听演唱会,可是我的车出问题了,现在还在修车厂呢。Larry,我们能搭你的车去吗?
  
  LL: Well, here's the deal: I've got class until six thirty tomorrow, and the concert is at eight. It's probably best if you meet me here at school, since I might not have enough time to pick you all up.
  
  LH: 哼,你明天6点半才下课,而演唱会8点就开始。对,要你去接我们恐怕是来不及。那就照你说的吧,我们到学校来等你!噢,对了, Ed明天不想去,他和Jill刚分手,不想和Jill见面。
  
  LL: Really? What's the deal with those two? I thought they were really happy together, but I heard that Jill went off on Ed the other night.
  
  LH: 他们俩到底是怎么回事?谁知道!大家都以为他们在一起很高兴。Jill 那天晚上对Ed大发脾气是因为Ed没跟她商量就决定明年到国外去念书。
  
  LL: Oh well. That's too bad. Anyway, the deal tomorrow is you and your friends will meet me here at school, and we'll all leave together. OK?
  
  LH: 没问题,那就明天晚上在校园见了!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是:to go off on someone, 意思是突然对某人大发脾气。另一个常用语是: the deal with something, 这是指情况如何,怎么回事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#440
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to smell fishy
  
  to fish for compliments
  
  新鲜的鱼营养很丰富,味道又鲜美。可惜的是,鱼很容易变质,时间放长了,它就会发臭。今天我们要讲的第一个俗语就和鱼有关,这就是to smell fishy。
  
  Fish就是鱼,fish后面加一个y,就成了fishy,也就是fish的形容词。To smell fishy的意思是在某一件事情上你感到不太对头,似乎有人在进行欺骗,这时候你就可以说: "It smells fishy."
  
  我们现在来举个例子:
  
  例句-1: "Somebody offered to sell me some beach property in Florida at a good cheap price. But the deal smelled fishy so I went down to take a look. Sure enough, every time the tide came in, the land was under three feet of water."
  
  这个人说:“有一个人要把佛罗里达州海滨的土地卖给我,价钱很便宜。但是,我总觉得这笔交易有点不对头,所以就到那里去看了一看。果然,每当潮水来的时候,这块地就被三英尺深的水淹没了。”
  
  下面这个例句是一个人在报上看到出售旧汽车的广告,价钱实在便宜,便宜得都让人觉得不太对头了。你猜是怎么回事?
  
  例句-2: "It appeared to be a real bargain, but I smelled something fishy because the man was in such a hurry to sell it. I was right--later on I found out the car was stolen."
  
  这人说:“价钱可真是便宜,可是这人那么急急忙忙要卖掉让我感到不太对头。我还真是没错,后来我才发现那辆车是偷来的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#441
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

你可知道,在陆地上,鱼虽然钓不到,但是人们往往想钓别的东西,例如:to fish for compliments。Compliments就是赞扬或者恭维。To fish for compliments就是用一种巧妙的方法来让别人恭维你、赞扬你。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-3: "Do you notice how Dora always fishes for compliments? She keeps asking the men in the office what they think of her new hairdo, or whether they think her new dress is the right color for her."
  
  这个人说:“你有没有注意到多拉是怎么让别人恭维她的?她在办公室里老是问一些男的同事,他们喜不喜欢她的发式,或者她的新衣服的颜色对她是不是合适。”
  
  下面是一个作家在和一个人说话,他很可能是想要那个人说几句赞扬他的话,尽管他不承认。先听听他是怎么说的,然后你来作判断吧。
  
  例句-4: "I hope you don't think I'm fishing for a compliment, but have you had a chance to read my new book? The reviews are good, but I'd like to hear what you think about it."
  
  他说:“我希望你不要以为我是要你恭维我。不过,你有没有看过我的新书?书评倒写的都很好,但是我很想听听你的意见。”
  
  我们今天讲了两个俗语:to smell fishy和to fish for compliments。To smell fishy是觉得不太对头,to fish for compliments是设法让别人赞扬你。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#442
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

turkey
  
  cold turkey
  
  美国人很喜欢吃火鸡。每逢感恩节和圣诞节,火鸡总是家家户户节日盛宴的主菜。有的时候,人们把感恩节称为“火鸡日”。火鸡在英文里就是:turkey。
  
  尽管美国人很喜欢吃火鸡,但是大多数人认为火鸡不仅很难看,而且还笨头笨脑的。所以,要是你把某一个人叫做turkey,那就等于说那个人无能、很笨。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: "I wouldn't go out on a date with Mary if she was the last woman in the world. She's such a turkey with that boring personality and stupid grin."
  
  这人说:“即便我在世界上找不到其他女人,我也不想约玛丽一起出去玩。她那性格很让人讨厌,还有她那傻笑。她真是个笨蛋。”
  
  可是,有的人表面上很精明,实际上也是个turkey,就像下面这个办公室主任说的那样:
  
  例句-2: "This man came with a good recommendation from his last job, but it turns out he's just a turkey who simply can't do anything right!"
  
  这位主任说:“这个人来的时候,他原来工作的公司还给他写了很好的推荐信。可是,他原来是个笨蛋,干什么都干不好。”
  
  说到吃火鸡,美国人有的时候吃热的,也有的时候吃冷的。可是,cold turkey作为一个俗语,它的意思就不是冷火鸡肉了。Cold turkey作为俗语的意思是指一些人突然终止某种已经成隐的习惯,如非法吸毒、酗酒或抽烟等。我们用一个烟隐很大的人来做例子吧:

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#443
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句-3: "You know, for 25 years I smoked two packs a day. But the day a good friend of mine died of lung cancer, I decided to go cold turkey and never light up another cigarette. It was tough, but it was the smartest thing I ever did in my life."
  
  他说:“你可知道,我以前每天抽两包烟,抽了二十五年。后来我一个要好朋友因为肺癌而死了。就在他去世的当天,我下定决心戒烟,从此以后我再也没有抽过一支烟。那是很不容易的,可那是我一生中我做的最明智的一件事。”
  
  从这个例子我们可以看到,cold turkey是指立即全部停止一个行为,而不是逐步的。 下面这个例子也很说明问题:
  
  例句-4: "I needed to lose weight quick, so I gave up ice cream, cake and other rich foods cold turkey. And do you know I lost ten pounds in just a little over a month!"
  
  这个人说:“不久前,我认为我必须要减肥。于是,我就开始不吃奶油、蛋糕和其他热量很高的食品。你知道,仅仅一个多月我就减掉了十磅。”
  
  我们今天讲了turkey和cold turkey。用turkey这个字来指人,那就是说那个人不聪明、笨头笨脑的意思。Cold turkey是立即停止长期养成的习惯。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#444
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在学校体育馆里碰到Larry,今天李华会学到两个常用语: flab和ripped.
  
  (Ambience sound in a busy gym)
  
  LH: 哇!Larry! 你怎么满头大汗的?你在做什么啊?
  
  LL: I've been out running. I'm trying to burn all this flab on my stomach!
  
  LH: 噢!原来你刚才是去跑步啦,怪不得一身都是汗。哎,你还说你是要燃烧掉什么?哎!该不是要靠锻炼来去掉你身上多余的脂肪吧?
  
  LL: That's right! Flab means fat, especially loose fat that hangs off the body.
  
  LH: 原来flab就是脂肪的意思,特别是指身上那些鼓出来的肥肉。哎呀,其实我不觉得你胖啊!你现在比我刚认识你的时候要瘦多了!
  
  LL: Sure, I might be thinner, but I still have more flab than I need. I want to look good when I visit the beach next spring.
  
  LH: 原来你是为了明年春天到海滩去玩的时候身材看起来更漂亮?你既年轻又健康,只要少吃一点,多余的脂肪就会消失的。
  
  LL: It's never that easy. A lot of westerners are like me, they grow flab very easily. If I don't exercise, the flab won't go away.
  
  LH: 西方人好象是很容易发胖,一旦胖了就很难瘦下去。如果不运动,肥肉就不会消失?我倒不认为所有的西方人都像这样。
  
  LL: Well, no, of course not. For instance, my friend Pete eats like a pig, but there isn't an ounce of flab on his body. It's amazing.
  
  LH: 噢!你那个朋友Pete啊!他真的是很能吃,可是还那么瘦。我猜有些人就是不容易发胖。一般来说,我也不太会发胖!不过最近我发现我的手臂好像越来越粗了....
  
  LL: Really? Maybe you'd better join me next time I go running. You don't want that flab to get worse, do you?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#445
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 对了!Larry, 你怎么突然间决定要开始运动了呢?噢!该不是.......有新女朋友了?
  
  LL: Pfft... I wish! It's just that last month when I was in Florida, I saw a lot of ripped guys on the beach there. I felt like a real loser after seeing them.
  
  LH: 你上个月到佛罗里达去玩,看到海滩上好多ripped guys。什么是ripped guys? 这些人让你觉得自己很失败,那是为什么呀?
  
  LL: If someone is ripped, it means that they are very strong, and have lots of muscle definition. You can see their muscles clearly.
  
  LH: 啊,ripped原来是指那些身体很强壮、肌肉很发达的人,就像那些健美先生,或者是奥林匹克运动会的那些短跑选手嘛!
  
  LL: That's right. Sprinters usually are pretty ripped - too much flab would slow them down.
  
  LH: 没错,短跑运动员身上有太多脂肪,那怎么跑得快呢!对了!Larry,你大概要花多长时间才可以锻炼成像你在海滩上看到的那些身材健美的人呢?
  
  LL: Oh, I don't know. I don't really care if I'm ripped or not. I just want to lose some flab so that I can go to the beach without being laughed at.
  
  LH: 我同意你的想法,不管健美不健美,只要把多余的肥肉去掉,到海滩去不给人笑就好了。其实,对大多数女人来说,健美倒不一定是她们心目中理想的男人的主要条件!
  
  LL: Really? So you're saying women don't really care if a guy is strong and ripped?
  
  LH: 是呀!至少我是这么想的。当然太胖,flab太多也不行。
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到了两个常用语。一个是flab, 是指身上股出来的脂肪肥肉。另一个常用语是ripped,形容人身材健美、肌肉强壮。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#446
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry要开车去接李华一起去上课。李华会学到两个常用语:get it together和tough。
  
  (Doorbell Rings)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua!? You're not ready for school! We need to go now! It's already 8:30.
  
  LH: (Yawns) Larry? 你怎么这么早就来啦!现在几点了?
  
  LL: Get it together, Li Hua! It's already 8:30! We need to leave in fifteen minutes, or we'll be late to class!
  
  LH: Get it together? (Groans and yawns) 把什么放一起啊?你在说什么嘛?
  
  LL: I said "get it together"! That means, get organized, focus on what you need to do.
  
  LH: 噢,你是要我赶快准备好上学。Get it together就是要人打起精神做该做的事。那除此之外,Larry,get it together还能用在什么场合呢?
  
  LL: "To get it together" , or "get one's act together" can also mean something very general, such as arranging one's life for the better.
  
  LH: 哎哟!get it together既可以指准备去上学,又可以指把一个人的生活安排得更好。Larry,这听起来很复杂,我都有点糊涂了。
  
  LL: Here's an example: After finishing college, I didn't work hard to plan for the future for several years. But finally I got my act together, and got accepted into graduate school.
  
  LH: 大学毕业后悠闲几年,没有长远打算这在年轻人里也是常事。不过,你们这些生在美国的孩子真幸福。要是在中国,错过一次机会以后恐怕就难了。
  
  LL: That's right... here in the U.S. people usually have several chances to get it together. One of my friends almost failed his first semester of college. But he got his act together, and now he's a Ph. D. candidate at Yale.
  
  LH: 哇!你这个朋友还真是好样儿的。大学第一学期差点儿不及格,现在居然是耶鲁大学的博士生了。可有的人犯了错,一开始失败了就很难再振作起来,做好事情了!
  
  LL: Right, right... enough talking! Get it together, Li Hua. If you're not ready in ten minutes, I'm leaving!
  
  LH: 好啦!好啦!别催我嘛!再给我5分钟!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#447
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: All right, let's go. Now.
  
  LH: 等一等!还不能走啦!我还没吃早餐呢!
  
  LL: Well, that's tough. You'll just have to wait until after your first class to eat something. Now let's go!
  
  LH: Tough? 你是要我坚强一点,就这么饿着啊?
  
  LL: No, that's not what I mean. When I say "that's tough" that means "too bad". Sometimes, you can just say "tough" by itself. Anyway, It's too bad that you can't eat breakfast, but we have to go now.
  
  LH: 噢!tough就是指:没办法了,你就忍着点吧。哎,Larry,你真不讲道理!
  
  LL: That's right, its not very polite to say "that's tough!" when someone complains or has a problem. Usually when you say "that's tough" it means you don't care about their problem.
  
  LH: 原来你真的一点都不同情我啊!That's tough, 是不太礼貌的用法,表示你根本不在乎别人的问题。哎呀,Larry我们可不可以至少去一下麦当劳买点吃的!我这样肚子空空的上课也不能专心。
  
  LL: That's just tough, Li Hua. We don't have time to get you breakfast. You should have gotten up earlier.
  
  LH: 可是... 起的晚又不是我的错,是我的闹钟坏了嘛!
  
  LL: Tough! I don't care why you're late this morning, I just want to get to class on time. Let's go.
  
  LH: 你真是毫无同情心。我既没有吃早餐,我连今天上课要用的材料都还没看呢!
  
  LL: Tough. You can look at you notes in the car. I'm leaving right now... you'd better come with me if you want a ride to school.
  
  LH: 好啦!好啦!我来了啦!噢!我真的好饿噢!
  
  LL: Tough, Li Hua. If you'd just get yourself together, this kind of thing wouldn't happen. Let's go!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是get it together, 也可以说get one's act together, 意思是打起精神,做好该做的事。另一个常用语是tough, 意思是:情况就是这样,没办法了。这是不太礼貌的说法,表示你对别人的困难不在乎。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#448
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry在学生中心的咖啡馆里休息。今天李华会学到两个常用语:cop out和to get worked up.
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua. Some friends and I are planning to go camping and hiking next month. Do you want to come along?
  
  LH: 嗯...去露营啊?嗯,下个月我可能会很忙耶!噢!对!那个周末我已经答应帮我邻居照顾他的狗。
  
  LL: What? I didn't even tell you when we're going! Sounds like a cop-out to me!
  
  LH: 对,你还没有告诉我是哪个周末。不过,A cop? cop不是警察吗?我不去露营和警察有什么关系?
  
  LL: No, no, I don't mean "cop" as in "police officer". A cop out, is a weak excuse for not doing something.
  
  LH: 噢,原来cop out是想推脱做某件事,但是理由又很牵强。哎呀,好啦!我招了,我是不喜欢露营!要走那么多路,又会被虫咬,还得睡睡袋,而且我还听说美国有很多熊呢!
  
  LL: Bears? Don't tell me you won't go just because you're afraid of bears. That's an even stupider cop out.
  
  LH: 好啦好啦!跟熊没有关系,我就是懒惰!不喜欢露营嘛!
  
  LL: That's what I thought. Well, it's better to be honest than to cop out. So do you understand what "cop out" means now?
  
  LH: 嗯,我想我大概懂cop out的意思了!给你举个例子吧!我的朋友Jeanna老是说她想学中文,可是当我主动提出要教她时,她又总是说没时间。这就是cop out喽!
  
  LL: Yeah, that sounds like a cop out to me. Most people just aren't willing to put the time and effort into really learning another language.
  
  LH: 说到学外语,Larry,我记得不久前,你也叫我教你读中文报纸,怎么样?你明天有时间吗?
  
  LL: I, um... I think I'm busy tomorrow. The plumber is coming to my house sometime in the afternoon, so I have to wait for him, and...
  
  LH: 得了吧! 什么等工人来修水管?谁会相信这种借口。你这才是真正的cop out!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-06#449
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: (Growls) 嗨!这些学中文的学生,我真不想教了!怎么考试考得这么糟!我看啊,这学期他们一个也别想拿A!
  
  LL: Calm down, Li Hua. Don't get so worked up over it.
  
  LH: 你要我别work up?你是说我不必那么努力,那什么意思呀?
  
  LL: No, I don't mean you have to work harder. I mean, you shouldn't get worked up. To get worked up means to get angry or excited.
  
  LH: 噢,don't get worked up是别生气的意思!不生气?你看看他们写的中文有难看,而且还老是写错别字。
  
  LL: Let me see those. Hmm... Wow, this isn't bad at all. I can tell they're a lot better than they were a few weeks ago. Don't get so worked up over a few small mistakes!
  
  LH: 你觉得他们比几个星期前进步多了?我看看...嗯,也许你说的对,也许我对他们要求太高了。
  
  LL: That's right. I can tell most of these students want to learn Chinese. If you always get worked up when they make mistakes, you won't notice when they improve.
  
  LH: Larry,你说的对,大多数学生都是真的想学,我不应该看到他们的错误就生气,应该多多鼓励他们。
  
  (Sound of distant argument)
  
  LH: 嘿!Jack和Ben两个人在那儿那么生气吵什么啊?
  
  LL: Oh, nothing. It's election year, and those two are always getting worked up over politics.
  
  LH: 噢,我知道美国人在竞选总统方面意见不一致,但是没有想到有些人会争的面红耳赤。
  
  LL: Yeah, sometimes when you get worked up about something, it shows that you really care about it. Just like you with your students!
  
  LH: 那倒是,关心某件事才会激动,就象我很在乎我学生的成绩。说到学习,Larry你准备好上中文课了吗?
  
  LL: Um... well... OK. No more cop outs. Let's get started.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是cop out,意思是用牵强的借口来逃避做某件事。另一个常用语是to get worked up,就是为某件事生气。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#450
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

beefy
  
  to beef up
  
  美国人特别喜欢吃牛肉,最普遍的吃法是用牛肉末做汉堡包,或者是切成大块煎牛排。尽管现在许多人都担心胆固醇太高,可是牛肉仍然是美国人最喜欢吃的食品之一。我们今天要给大家介绍的两个俗语就是和牛肉这个字有关的。“牛肉”的英文就是beef。
  
  要是在beef这个字后面加一个字母y,那就成了形容词beefy。当然你可以把beefy解释为“牛肉的”,但是在口语里,要是你说某人很beefy,那就是说,那个人个子很高大、肌肉很发达,就像一个280磅的重量级摔跤运动员一样。下面我们要给大家举的例子是一个学生放学后碰到两个想欺负他的人。
  
  例句-1: "These two guys were pushing me around until my brother, who's a beefy football player on the school team, came out and asked me if I needed help. You should have seen those two guys run!"
  
  这句话的意思是:“正当那两个人在欺负我的时候,我哥哥出来问我要不要帮忙。我哥哥是一个膀大腰圆的足球校队队员。你可没看见那两个人看到我哥哥后跑得有多快!”
  
  可是,一个身材高大、体型魁梧的人有时也会让人吃一惊,下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-2: "You expect a big, beefy man to have a deep, deep voice. But my beefy neighbor who must weigh 120 kilos has a high-pitched squeaky voice like a man half his size."
  
  这人说:“你以为一个个子高大、非常粗壮的人,他的声音一定会非常低沉。但是我那邻居,虽然他高头大马,体重有120 公斤,然而他的声音却又高又细,就像一个体格比他小一半的人发出来的声音。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#451
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语是把beef这个字用作动词:to beef up。To beef up 的意思是:增加力量。这可能和美国人认为牛肉能够增强体力的想法有关。但是,to beef up这个说法并不一定局限在身体强壮这一个方面,这个俗语实际上可以用在生活各个方面。我们下面的例子就很能说明问题。
  
  例句-3: "A general beefs up his forces before a battle by adding more tanks and artillery. A college can beef up its educational level by hiring highly-qualified professors."
  
  这句话的意思是:“一个将军在战役前可以通过增加坦克和大炮来增强他的部队的力量,一所大学可以通过聘请很有资格的教授来提高它的教育水平。”
  
  To beef up还可以用在商业方面,请听下面这个例子:
  
  例句-4: "I am happy to tell you that our sales increased almost 25 percent in the last six months after we beefed up our sales force by hiring 50 more sales people in California and Texas."
  
  这个人说:“我很高兴地告诉你,我们公司在加利福尼亚州和得克萨斯州增加了五十名销售员以后,过去半年内的销售量增加了百分之二十五。”
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了:beefy和to beef up这两个词的用法。Beefy是一个形容词,形容一些人身体很强壮,to beef up是指增加力量。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#452
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry在学生中心的咖啡馆里休息。今天李华会学到两个常用语:cop out和to get worked up.
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua. Some friends and I are planning to go camping and hiking next month. Do you want to come along?
  
  LH: 嗯...去露营啊?嗯,下个月我可能会很忙耶!噢!对!那个周末我已经答应帮我邻居照顾他的狗。
  
  LL: What? I didn't even tell you when we're going! Sounds like a cop-out to me!
  
  LH: 对,你还没有告诉我是哪个周末。不过,A cop? cop不是警察吗?我不去露营和警察有什么关系?
  
  LL: No, no, I don't mean "cop" as in "police officer". A cop out, is a weak excuse for not doing something.
  
  LH: 噢,原来cop out是想推脱做某件事,但是理由又很牵强。哎呀,好啦!我招了,我是不喜欢露营!要走那么多路,又会被虫咬,还得睡睡袋,而且我还听说美国有很多熊呢!
  
  LL: Bears? Don't tell me you won't go just because you're afraid of bears. That's an even stupider cop out.
  
  LH: 好啦好啦!跟熊没有关系,我就是懒惰!不喜欢露营嘛!
  
  LL: That's what I thought. Well, it's better to be honest than to cop out. So do you understand what "cop out" means now?
  
  LH: 嗯,我想我大概懂cop out的意思了!给你举个例子吧!我的朋友Jeanna老是说她想学中文,可是当我主动提出要教她时,她又总是说没时间。这就是cop out喽!
  
  LL: Yeah, that sounds like a cop out to me. Most people just aren't willing to put the time and effort into really learning another language.
  
  LH: 说到学外语,Larry,我记得不久前,你也叫我教你读中文报纸,怎么样?你明天有时间吗?
  
  LL: I, um... I think I'm busy tomorrow. The plumber is coming to my house sometime in the afternoon, so I have to wait for him, and...
  
  LH: 得了吧! 什么等工人来修水管?谁会相信这种借口。你这才是真正的cop out!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#453
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: (Growls) 嗨!这些学中文的学生,我真不想教了!怎么考试考得这么糟!我看啊,这学期他们一个也别想拿A!
  
  LL: Calm down, Li Hua. Don't get so worked up over it.
  
  LH: 你要我别work up?你是说我不必那么努力,那什么意思呀?
  
  LL: No, I don't mean you have to work harder. I mean, you shouldn't get worked up. To get worked up means to get angry or excited.
  
  LH: 噢,don't get worked up是别生气的意思!不生气?你看看他们写的中文有难看,而且还老是写错别字。
  
  LL: Let me see those. Hmm... Wow, this isn't bad at all. I can tell they're a lot better than they were a few weeks ago. Don't get so worked up over a few small mistakes!
  
  LH: 你觉得他们比几个星期前进步多了?我看看...嗯,也许你说的对,也许我对他们要求太高了。
  
  LL: That's right. I can tell most of these students want to learn Chinese. If you always get worked up when they make mistakes, you won't notice when they improve.
  
  LH: Larry,你说的对,大多数学生都是真的想学,我不应该看到他们的错误就生气,应该多多鼓励他们。
  
  (Sound of distant argument)
  
  LH: 嘿!Jack和Ben两个人在那儿那么生气吵什么啊?
  
  LL: Oh, nothing. It's election year, and those two are always getting worked up over politics.
  
  LH: 噢,我知道美国人在竞选总统方面意见不一致,但是没有想到有些人会争的面红耳赤。
  
  LL: Yeah, sometimes when you get worked up about something, it shows that you really care about it. Just like you with your students!
  
  LH: 那倒是,关心某件事才会激动,就象我很在乎我学生的成绩。说到学习,Larry你准备好上中文课了吗?
  
  LL: Um... well... OK. No more cop outs. Let's get started.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是cop out,意思是用牵强的借口来逃避做某件事。另一个常用语是to get worked up,就是为某件事生气。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#454
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 snowball
  
  snow job
  
  如果天气很热的话, 讲几个和冷的东西有关的俗语也许会让人感到舒服一些。好吧,下面我们就来讲由“雪”这个字组成的常用语。 第一个就是snowball。
  
  听到snowball这个字,我们脑子里就会出现孩子们冬天在雪地里扔雪球玩的形像。这当然是 snowball这个字的原来意思。可是,snowball 也可以当动词用来形容某一样东西很快就变得越来越大,就像滚雪球那样。下面的这个例句就是用snowball来形容一家餐馆的生意在最近几个月变得越来越好。
  
  例句-1: "Sally's happy about how her new seafood restaurant is doing. Business was slow at first but it's really snowballed the last couple of months: now you have to wait in line to get a table."
  
  这句话的意思是:“沙利对她新开的海鲜饭馆很满意。一开始,生意很清淡,但是最近两个月来生意越来越好。现在你要座位还得排队等。”
  
  下面是一个主管某个政客竞选的人在对他的助手说话:
  
  例句-2: "The latest polls show that public opinion is starting to snowball in favor of our opponent. We need to find some more good things to say about our candidate and find them quick."
  
  这句话的意思是:“最近民意调查显示,选民越来越倾向于我们的对手了。我们必须再找些有利于我们候选人的内容来加以宣扬,而且还要尽快地行动。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#455
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个和snow有关的常用语:snow job。Snow job就是用拍马屁、夸张等手法来欺骗或说服别人。我们来举一个例子:在美国,人人都要买各种各样的保险;健康、房子、汽车保险等。那些保险公司的推销员靠着他们三寸不烂之舌向顾客推销,说的天花乱坠,你一不小心就会上当。 下面这个人就差点儿上了当:
  
  例句-3: "This guy kept telling me how much I'd save with his company. But when I read the policy he was selling, I realized he was giving me a snow job. So I told him thanks but no thanks."
  
  这句话的意思是:“这个人一再对我说,要是买他们公司的保险我会省多少钱。但是,当我看了他推销的保险政策后,我才明白他是在骗我。所以我告诉他,谢谢,我不要。”
  
  几乎在生活各个方面,你都得十分小心不要上当。下面是一个人对竞选议员表示怀疑:
  
  例句-4: "That new man who's running for Congress makes a lot of promises what he'll do for the people. But I keep having this uneasy feeling that he's only giving us a snow job."
  
  这句话的意思是:“那个刚参加竞选国会议员的人做了许多保证,说他以后要为公众做些什么事。但是,我总感到不安,觉得他只不过是在欺骗我们。”
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了两个和snow 这个字有关的俗语,它们是:snowball and snow job。Snowball是某一样东西很快地变得越来越大;snow job是用欺骗手段来说服别人。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#456
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在书店里看书。李华在看一本流行时装杂志。今天李华会学到两个常用语:bling和booze.
  
  (Ambience sound in bookstore)
  
  LL: I just found an interesting book on World War II. What are you reading, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我啊,我在看一本时装杂志,他们在批评茱莉亚罗勃兹,说她在奥斯卡颁奖典礼上,戴了太多的bling。Larry,什么是bling啊?
  
  LL: Oh, that's a new word for really big, shiny jewelry. Usually, a bling or a bling-bling is a piece of jewelry that has big diamonds.
  
  LH: 噢!我懂了,bling就是指又大又亮的珠宝首饰,通常还镶有钻石的首饰。Larry, 你看,在这张照片里,茱莉亚罗勃兹戴了长长的钻石耳环,还有钻石项链,再加上大手镯。真的,太多bling-bling!
  
  LL: Yeah, that is a lot of shiny jewelry, but I thought girls liked that sort of thing. Don't you wish you had a lot of bling?
  
  LH: 我想是吧。哪个女人不喜欢亮晶晶的珠宝呢!不过我觉得,一次戴太多的珠宝好像有点过份。Larry,你说呢?
  
  LL: I'm not the best person to ask for fashion advice. To me, all that bling is really just a bunch of expensive rocks that don't do anything.
  
  LH: 你说的没错啦。这些亮晶晶的珠宝,说穿了,还不就是些昂贵的石头。对了,Larry,bling除了用来形容首饰以外,我能不能把一件亮晶晶的礼服也说是bling呢?
  
  LL: I haven't heard the word used that way. I think that bling only refers to jewelry.
  
  LH: 原来,bling只能用来形容珠宝首饰。Larry 你看,这张照片里妮可基曼戴的戒指真漂亮。杂志说,这个戒指至少价值一百万美元呢!
  
  LL: That has to be the biggest ring I have ever seen. I can't imagine spending a million dollars on a rock!
  
  LH: 你们男人啊!永远也不会理解为什么女人要花这么多钱买珠宝首饰。这种事只有女人才懂啦!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#457
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 这篇文章说"Booze on College Campuses." 大学校园里的booze!Booze是一种毒品吗?
  
  LL: Booze is another word for alcohol, like beer or whiskey.
  
  LH: 噢,原来booze在这里指的是酒啊!这篇文章说很多美国大学里都有学生酗酒的问题,不只危害学生的身体健康,有的时候还会导致意外。这是真的吗?
  
  LL: Sadly, many college students drink a lot of booze. They study during the week and then they go to parties on the weekends. Booze is a major part of most college parties.
  
  LH: 是呀!我也注意到了,很多美国大学生喜欢在周末开party,那总是少不了酒。对了,Larry,是不是所有的酒都可以称为booze?葡萄酒是不是也算booze?
  
  LL: Yes, wine can be called booze, and so can rum and vodka.
  
  LH: 噢,这么说,booze可以指葡萄酒,也可以指烈酒。Larry,你是不是也经常参加派对,喝酒狂欢啊?
  
  LL: Very funny, Li Hua. You know I don't have enough time to go to many parties. I do drink booze once in a while, but not all the time.
  
  LH: 嗯,偶尔喝一点酒其实还可以。我比较喜欢喝葡萄酒,其他的酒我就不感兴趣了。你呢?你喜欢什么样的酒?
  
  LL: Well, I prefer to drink beer. Stronger booze will give me a headache the next day.
  
  LH: 我也不爱喝烈酒,除了像你说的,喝多了会头疼,我觉得烈酒喝起来有汽油的味道。
  
  LL:You might as well not to drink it!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是bling,或者可以说bling-bling。这是指又大又亮的珠宝首饰。李华学到的另一个常用语是booze。这是指喝的酒,包括各式各样的酒。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#458
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华两人正在做菜,准备一会儿带到朋友家参加party。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to blow it和to wing it.
  
  (Cooking sounds)
  
  LH: Larry, 那是什么味道?(sniffing) .........哎呀,糟了!是猪排烤焦了啦!
  
  LL: What? Oh no! I ruined them. They're stuck to the bottom of the pot. I blew it!
  
  LH: 你在说什么啊!你是把猪排烤焦了,又没有吹坏什么东西!你怎么说blow it呢?
  
  LL: When I said "I blew it", I meant that I ruined the whole dish. To "blow it" means to make a mistake that leads to total failure, or ruins a good opportunity.
  
  LH: 噢,原来blow it是指犯了错,把事情搞砸了,或者错过了一个大好机会。你啊!还真是把这道猪排给搞砸了。这样吧!给你个将功补过的机会,再给我举个blow it的例子吧!
  
  LL: Well, the other day I was playing pool with Jack. I was just two shots away from winning, but then I blew it: I sunk the eight ball and lost.
  
  LH: 哈哈! 你玩台球输给Jack ! 八成是你太有自信,所以才会在最后关头输掉。
  
  LL: And last week, I finally got a date with that girl from my international relations class, but I blew it. I took a nap, overslept, and showed up at her place an hour and a half late.
  
  LH: 哎, Larry, 你几星期来一直要约那个女孩出去玩。终于约到了,怎么会睡过头,还迟到一个半小时的呢!我看你啊!你真是砸了这个好机会。
  
  LL: Yeah, well, it wasn't as bad as when you had that job opportunity last week and blew it!
  
  LH: 哟,你说到我头上来啦!我没有拿到那分工作又不是我的错!我怎么知道他们在我的电话里留了言。
  
  LL: That's because you forgot to check it. That was a really good job, too, and you blew it!
  
  LH: 我没有听电话留言。就算是我blew it。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#459
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 哎,Larry, 现在可怎么办?我们一个小时后就得到Jane的家里,可是我们一道菜也没做好!
  
  LL: Well, we'll just have to wing it.
  
  LH: Wings? 你是说鸡翅膀?可是我们已经没有时间到店里去买了啊!
  
  LL: No, no, Li Hua, I said we have to wing it. That means, we'll have to do the best we can with limited time and resources
  
  LH: 噢,原来to wing it是说在有限的时间和条件下尽量拼凑。好吧!那你有什么好办法?
  
  LL: Let me see, what do you have in the fridge? (sound of fridge opening) Hmm, there's some tofu in here, and some green onions. And there's all these jars of weird Chinese sauces. Maybe we can wing it by making some kind of tofu dish.
  
  LH: 嗯,让我看看.......!对了!这儿有豆腐,有葱,还有...让我看这瓶子里是什么...噢,四川辣酱! 得了,我们可以做麻辣豆腐,这道菜又快又容易,只要把豆腐切块,再切些青葱,半个小时就可以完工咯!
  
  LL: O.K., let's get to work. (sound of sink/cooking sounds). This is a great idea. People will love it, and no one will even notice that we're winging it.
  
  LH: 没人会看出我们是临时凑出这道菜的。所以Larry, to wing it是不是只能用在临时把东西放在一块儿,就像做菜?
  
  LL: Not always. For instance, when I covered for Jack and taught his history 101 students last week, I didn't have time to prepare for the class, so I just winged it.
  
  LH: 你替Jack上课,可是事前没有时间备课。咦?那你是怎么临时备好课的呢?
  
  LL: I read the reading assignment just an hour before class began. The students knew I was winging it, but they were very understanding.
  
  LH: 上课前一小时看看指定阅读些什么材料你就去上课啦!那学生当然知道你是在凑合咯!
  
  LL:Li Hua, pay attention to your cooking, don't blow it this time!
  
  LH: 你放心,你没看见我老守在炉子边吗! 我绝不会blow it !
  
  今天李华学到的两个常用语,一个是to blow it,意思是把事情搞砸了,或者是错过一个大好机会。另一个常用语是to wing it,是指在有限的时间和条件下,临时拼凑完成一件工作。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#460
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to break the ice
  
  iceberg
  
  在盛夏季节,人们经常想要吃一点冰镇的东西,如冰西瓜,冰淇淋,或者喝冰汽水等。其实,美国人不管春夏秋冬,每天都离不了冰。今天我们给大家介绍两个和冰有关的习惯用语。第一个就是to break the ice. To break就是打破的意思,ice 当然就是冰的意思。To break the ice 作为俗语是指:缓和紧张气氛,使在场的人放松一些。例如,一个公司举行会议,参加会议的人都互不相识。那末,会议主席怎么来缓和一下气氛呢?
  
  例句-1: "He started the meeting with a couple of jokes to get people to relax. Then he went around the table and asked everybody to stand up and tell a little about themselves and that broke the ice in a hurry."
  
  这句话的意思是:“他 (这是指会议主席)一开始就讲了两个笑话,让大家放松一些。然后,他围着桌子让每个人站起来简单地自我介绍一。这样很快就使气氛缓和了。”
  
  下面的这个例子能说明在什么情况下气氛缓和得更快:
  
  例句-2: "It's hard to break the ice at a party for adults where everybody is a stranger. But you put a bunch of young kids together and the noise tells you they break the ice in five minutes."
  
  这句话的意思是:“一群互不相识的成人聚在一起,要缓和气氛可不容易。但是,要是一群孩子在一起,只要五分钟他们就很融洽了,从他们的吵闹声中你就可以知道这一点。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#461
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个常用字是:Iceberg。Iceberg的原意是:在南北极附近海面上飘动的大冰山。但是,在当做俗语用的时候,iceberg是指一个人很冷漠无情,缺乏正常人的热情,就像下面例子里说的那个人。
  
  例句-3: "My boss is the smartest man I know. But he's a real iceberg: he acts like he has no feelings for other people. In fact you can almost feel the chill when he walks into the office."
  
  这句话翻成中文就是:“我的老板是我所认识的人当中最聪敏的一个。但是,他真是个冷漠无情的人。他好像对别人毫无感情。当他走进办公室的时候,你几乎会感到一股冷气。”
  
  然而,有的人看上去冷冰冰,可是在某种场合下,你会发现他并非如此。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-4: "We thought our neighbor next door was a real iceberg, cold and aloof to us all. But at his daughter's wedding he wore a big smile and was so friendly I couldn't believe he was the same man."
  
  这个人说:“我们都认为我们隔壁的邻居是个很冷漠的人,对我们大家都很冷淡。但是,在他的女儿婚礼上,他笑容满面,非常友好。我真是难以相信他是同一个人。”
  
  今天我们学习了两个和冰有关的俗语:to break the ice和iceberg。
  
  To break the ice 是缓和紧张气氛,iceberg 是指那种冷漠无情的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#462
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

where-is-the-beef
  
  turkey farm
  
  自从电视普及以来,人们往往会把一些电视广告里特别吸引人的词句用到日常生活中去。几年前在美国,有一个快餐店在电视上做广告,广告里是一个老太太在另一家快餐店里买了一个汉堡宝。她打开一看里面只有小小的一块肉。她既惊奇,又生气地问:“Where's the beef?”
  
  Beef 就是牛肉,where's the beef?也就是:牛肉在哪里?意思就是:这个汉堡包里的牛肉太少。几乎在一夜之间,人们就把这个电视广告里的问句用到日常生活中去了。连民主党总统候选人蒙代尔在1984年总统竞选时都用这句话来攻击他的对手里根总统。里根当时已经担任了四年总统,正在竞选连任。蒙代尔认为里根在任职四年期间没有取得实质性的成就,所以他在竞选演说问了这样一句话:
  
  例句-1: "Where's the beef,Mr. President -- where's the beef?"
  
  从字面上来翻译,这句话的意思是:牛肉在那里,总统先生--牛肉在那里? 当然,蒙代尔并非真的要牛肉。他说那句的意思是:你不要尽说空话,我们要看实质性的成就。可是这句话并没有帮蒙代尔的忙,里根总统在那次选举中非但打败了蒙代尔,而且还赢得了美国有史以来空前的竞选胜利。
  
  下面这句话是一个学生在说他的历史教授:
  
  例句-2: "Our history teacher is a good talker but there isn't much real meat about history in what he says. I'd like to ask him, 'Where's the beef?' because we sure don't learn much from him."
  
  这个学生说:“我们的历史老师很能夸夸其谈,但是他说的东西里没有什么实质性的内容。我真想问问他,实质性的内容在那里,因为我们真是没有从他那里学到多少东西。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#463
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再给大家介绍一个美国人经常用俗语:turkey farm。但是这个俗语并不是从电视广告里来的。Turkey是火鸡,farm就是农场。但是,turkey farm合在一起作为俗语用的时候和农场却毫无关系。那末,什么是turkey farm呢? 在每个政府机构或者私营公司里总会有一些工作能力低或者是不愿勤恳工作的人;但是,由于种种原因,领导又没有办法解雇这些人。为了使工作不受影响,这些机构的领导往往把这些人调到一个地方,就像打入冷宫一样。实际上也就是把他们养在那里。这种地方就是叫turkey farm。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-3: "The man is so incompetent we'd like to fire him. But he has good political connections so we sent him to our turkey farm out in Denver where he can't cause much damage."
  
  这句话的意思是:“那个人实在无能,我们很想解雇他。但是他和一些政界人物关系很好,所以我们就把他送到丹佛那个机构里去,那样他就不能再起多大破坏作用了。”
  
  从这句话里我们可以看出,在美国靠关系来办事也不是罕见的事。但是,和有些国家不同的是,美国的法律很严格,加上各机构都具有很大的独立性,因此这种靠关系来为私利服务的事也只能在一定程度上可行,超越了规章制度和法律所允许的范围那就危险了。一旦被揭露,当事人就有被控告和判罪的可能。我们从每天报纸上就经常能看到这种事。
  
  下面我们再给大家举一个例子,这是一个政府机构的办公室主任在说他手下的一个秘书。
  
  例句-4: "There is a secretary in my office who tries to do as little as possible. I have warned her several times. If she continues to behave that way, one day I am going to send her to the turkey farm."
  
  这位主任显然对这个秘书很生气。他说:“我办公室里的一个秘书总是设法干得越少越好。我已经警告她好几回了。 要是她继续这样下去的话,总有一天我要把她送到那个全是废物的部门去。”
  
  人们可能会觉得奇怪,为什么像这样的秘书还不解雇他。这是一个很值得问的问题。可是,情况不是那末简单。一般来说,美国的私营公司和企业要解雇工人或雇员还比较容易,因为工作不出成果就直接影响公司的利润。但是,美国政府部门如果因为一个雇员工作不好而要解雇他,这里牵涉的手续是非常复杂的。这也是保障雇员权利的一部份。但是正因为如此,这些工作效率低的人也就感到很泰然,因为他们知道只要不过份,领导是不会把他怎么样的。
  
  我们今天学习了两个俗语,一个和牛肉,就是beef有关;另一个和火鸡,也就是turkey有关。我们讲的第一个俗语是:where's the beef?意思是实质性的东西在哪里。另外一个和 turkey 有关的俗语是:turkey farm,指的是政府或私营机构专门安排那些工作无能,又不能开除的人聚集的地方。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#464
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和李华在校园里闲逛,校园里到处都贴满了选举传单。今天李华会学到两个常用语:flip flop和wishy-washy.
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua who do you support for class president?
  
  LH: 我觉得Gary Lawrence当学生会主席应该是不错的。他看起来挺老实,也很勤奋。
  
  LL: Gary Lawrence? But he flip-flops all of the time. One minute he's in favor of increasing campus security and the next minute he's accusing the university of policing its students
  
  LH: Flip-flop? 那是什么意思啊?你说他一会儿要加强校园安全,一会儿又批评学校过于监管学生。嗯...flip-flop, 你是说他翻来覆去的意思吧?
  
  LL: Something like that. Flip-flop is a term that is often used in politics. It means that a particular person suddenly changes his/her position on an issue.
  
  LH: 噢,flip-flop经常用在政治方面。但是改变想法也没什么错啊。每个人都会有改变主意的时候嘛!
  
  LL: That's true, but when someone flip-flops a lot it makes him seem weak and indecisive. People will not think he is a good, strong leader.
  
  LH: 那是没错。如果一个人经常flip flop,别人就会觉得他不够果断,不能做个好领导。
  
  LL: If Gary flip-flops a lot, how could he be a good student leader!
  
  LH: 对,如果我们因为Gary支持加强校园安,投了他一票。结果他当选后,又改变立场,那不就糟了?
  
  LL: Exactly. I would feel as though I had voted for the wrong person.
  
  LH: 没错,那可真是选错人了。哎,对了,Larry,如果我说我赞同死刑,但后来又改变立场,反对死刑。这样算不算是flip-flop?
  
  LL: That would definitely be flip-flopping.
  
  LH: 可是一些政治人物经常这样改变立场的啊!
  
  LL: That's true, but they also lose support when they do things like that. It's very negative to be accused of flip-flopping in U.S. politics.
  
  LH: 还好我不是什么政治人物,这样我就可以随便改变立场咯!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#465
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Li Hua, what about Laura Wilson? Do you support her for class president even though she flip-flops all of the time? I think she is so wishy-washy.
  
  LH: 嗯,Laura Wilson是还好啦。可是她不也经常改变立场吗?你还说她wishy-washy。那又是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Wishy-washy is similar to flip-flop but it's an adjective instead of a verb. To be wishy-washy is to be weak and indecisive.
  
  LH: 原来wishy-washy的意思和flip flop差不多,只不过它是个形容词。照这么说,Larry, 我是不是能说一个经常改变主意的人很wishy-washy?
  
  LL: Yes. I can also call you wishy-washy if you can't decide which candidate to support.
  
  LH: 嘿!我才不是wishy-washy呢!我只是要仔细地想一想,到底把票投给谁最好!
  
  LL: I know, I'm just teasing you. Can you give me another example of wishy-washy?
  
  LH: 你要我举个例子啊?哎,有了,我们的朋友Lisa,她一直下不了决定是不是该和她男朋友分手。她呀! 就是标准的wishy-washy.
  
  LL: Yes, you could call her wishy-washy because she can't make a decision and act on it.
  
  LH: 说到做决定,我还没有决定是不是该为下学期的一个会议写报告。要写的话,负担很重,不过会得到学术界的重视。我到现在还决定不了。
  
  LL: Quit being wishy-washy and make a decision. If it's worth it, then it's worth it. If not, then forget about it.
  
  LH: 你说得到容易,值得就值得,不值得就算。我并不想wishy-washy,就是不想做错误的决定。
  
  LL: Sometimes, you have to take the risk.
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。第一个是flip flop. 意思是一个人经常改变立场,特别是指一些政治人物。第二个常用语是wishy-washy,这是形容一个人很软弱,不果断。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#466
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

sitting duck
  
  dead duck
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍两个由"duck"这个字组成的习惯用语。 Duck就是鸭子。一只正在飞的鸭子可不容易打到它;然而一只浮在水面上的鸭子却是一个很容易击中的目标。这也正是我们今天要讲的第一个俗语:sitting duck。
  
  Sitting duck 从字面上解释就是:一只坐着的鸭子。当然,sitting duck 是一个俗语,它的意思是:一个很容易受骗,或被打击的对象。 下面我们来举一个例子:
  
  例句-1: "Sure. My friend Joe is a sitting duck for any phony offer that promises to make him rich in a hurry. Anytime a fast-talking salesman comes along with a promise to make Joe a millionaire overnight, Joe will hand over his money. And, of course, he'll never see it again."
  
  这句话的意思是:“我的朋友乔伊对任何说是能让他很快发财的骗局都相信。只要那些滔滔不绝的推销员向他保证他们能够一夜间使他成为百万富翁,不管是谁,他都会把钱交给他们。当然,这些钱他是再也见不到了。”
  
  这种情况在美国并不少见,特别是在那些老年人当中,有些人很容易轻信他人的话。骗取老人钱财的事件常有发生,有的甚至还谋财害命。
  
  大家一定都很熟悉二次世界大战时发生的珍珠港事件。那是在1941年十二月七号凌晨,日本人在没有宣战的情况下突然偷袭珍珠港,美国太平洋舰队遭到毁灭性的打击。第二天,美国向日本宣战,从而爆发了太平洋战争。下面这个例句就是在讲珍珠港事件:
  
  例句-2: "It was early on a Sunday morning and the Americans had no warning. So the battleships and destroyers were sitting ducks when the Japanese bombers swept in from the sea."
  
  这句话的意思是:“那是一个星期天的清晨,美国人根本没有得到警告。所以当日本轰炸机从海上飞来的时候,那些战舰和驱逐舰只能束手待毙。」

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#467
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

就像我们上面所说的,一个sitting duck是很容易被骗或甚至受到伤害。有时它甚至会处于一个毫无希望的境地,给予它任何帮助都无济于事。美国人把这种情况称为:dead duck。
  
  Dead就是死的意思,一只死的鸭子当然就是没救的了。但是,为什么是鸭子而不是鸡或其他动物呢?那就不太清楚了。那末,什么样的情况才算是dead duck呢? 举个例子来说吧,一个饭馆由于地段不好而生意一直不景气,这个饭馆的老板感到很烦恼。他的妻子就给他出主意说:
  
  例句-3: "If I were you, I wouldn't put any more money into the restaurant. It's simply in the wrong part of town. Honey, I'm afraid it's already a dead duck -- there isn't any way to save it."
  
  这位太太说:“如果我是你,我就不会再为这个餐馆投资了。它的地段不好。亲爱的,恐怕这个饭馆是已经完蛋了,没有任何方法可以挽救了。”
  
  美国人很喜欢品尝具有各种民族特色的食品。这也许是因为美国是一个由不同民族组成的国家。在美国各地的饭馆,其花色品种之多恐怕是其他国家所比不上的。这儿不仅有供应美式食品的饭馆,而且还有许多中国饭馆,还有朝鲜、印度、越南、泰国、日本以及阿富汗饭馆等。饭馆越多,竞争性也就必然更为激烈,因此老饭馆倒闭,新饭馆开张也不是什么新鲜事。有的时候,饭馆还在,可是老板和厨师却换掉了,因此饭菜的花色和味道也就不同了。
  
  Dead duck这个俗语可以用在生活的各个方面。美国的政界人物也经常使用这个俗语。凡是美国总统提出的法案都必须获得国会参议院和众议院的通过才能成为法律。下面是一个人在谈论他对总统提案的看法:
  
  例句-4: "The President's proposal looks like a dead duck -- some congressmen in his own party are against it, so I'm afraid he won't get enough votes to get it passed through the Congress."
  
  这人说:“总统的提案看来是没有希望了,连他自己党内的议员都反对,所以他恐怕不能获得足够的票数使得这一提案在国会通过。”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个由duck, 也就是“鸭子”这个字组成的常用语; 第一个是:sitting duck,指的是那些很容易上当受害的人。我们今天讲的第二个俗语是:dead duck;是指那些没有任何希望的事或物。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#468
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

chicken out
  
  chicken feed
  
  我们在[美国习惯用语]节目里谈到过好多好吃的东西,像牛肉、火鸡、鸭子等。今天我们来讲和[鸡]有关的习惯用语。近年来,美国人对健康问题越来越敏感,因此他们对饮食也就特别地注意。许多人都尽量吃所谓的健康食品,各地还专门有出售健康食品的商店。西方的医学界人士把像牛肉和羊肉之类的肉概括地称为红颜色的肉,美国人把它们叫做:red meat。
  
  Red 是红颜色,meat就是肉。医学界人士在研究的基础上认为多吃这类红颜色的肉对身体不好,所以美国人就大量吃鸡或海鲜。可是鱼和虾价钱很贵,因此吃鸡在美国就变得很普遍。可是,人们对活的鸡并没有什么好感;要是你把一个人叫做鸡,也就是chicken,那你就等于说那个人是个胆小鬼。美国人常用的一个和chicken有关的俗语就是:to chicken out。
  
  To chicken out的意思是:你原来计划好要做一件事,但是到最后一分钟你害怕了,感到你不能做那件事了。To chicken out也可以说是临阵退却。这种现象可能出现在许多方面,而且几乎每个人都在不同情况下经历过。比如说,一个从来没有在许多人面前讲过话的人接受了演讲的邀请。在准备过程中,他满有信心,感到自己虽然没有经验,但是不会有问题的。可是等到真要上台的前一刻,他的两条腿发软了,心里感到很恐惧,认为自己不可能完成这个任务。这就是to chicken out。 下面这个例子是说在体育活动中出现的临阵胆怯现象。
  
  例句-1: " Today I was sure I could work up my courage and dive off the ten-meter board at the pool. I walked right out to the edge, but then I chickened out -- it looked like a long way down to the water!"
  
  这个人说:“我原来以为今天我肯定会鼓足了勇气从游泳池那个十米高的跳台上跳下去。可是,当我走到跳台边缘的时候我害怕了。从跳台到水面的距离看起来好远呐。”
  
  像这样的体育运动是必须要有胆量的。很多人可能都会产生同感,不少人恐怕连走到跳台边缘的胆量都没有。
  
  体育运动让人胆怯倒是不难理解。可是,你有没有听说过有的人居然会在结婚前临阵退却。结婚应该是喜事嘛,那为什么要害怕呢?你读完下面这个例句就明白了。
  
  例句-2: " My friend Joe was planning to get married for the fourth time. But at the last moment he chickened out because his first three marriages ended in divorce and he was afraid to take another chance."
  
  这句话的意思是:“我的朋友乔伊原来准备要第四次结婚。可是,到了最后一分钟他胆怯了,因为他结过三次婚,最后结局都是离婚,所以他怕这次又会不成功。”
  
  美国的离婚率很高,因此再婚的人确实不少。但是,结四次婚的人毕竟还是少数。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#469
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个和鸡有关的习惯用语。鸡是一种很小的家禽,它的胃当然也很小,吃不了太多东西。下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语就是来自这种现象:chicken feed。
  
  Feed 在这儿的意思就是喂鸡的饲料。Chicken feed作为俗语,它的意思就是:很小数量的钱,少得像喂鸡的饲料一样。下面这句话就是一个很好的例子。
  
  例句-3: "I turned down the job at the hamburger restaurant. They only pay chicken feed -- not even enough money to pay my rent."
  
  这个人很明显是在找工作,他说:“我没有接受那个汉堡包店的工作。他们付的工资实在太少,还不够我付房租呢。”
  
  美国社会发展变化得非常快。有的人说现在比过去强,但是也有不少人存在今非昔比的想法。有些人认为,好些人都有能力为自己的家庭买一栋房子,实现了所谓的[美国梦想]。可是,美国也确实有很多无家可归的人,因此另外一些人认为美国梦想已经破裂。正因为如此,有的人经常在谈话时流露出怀旧的心情。下面这个例句就是一个人在把现在的物价和五十年以前的物价做对比。他说:
  
  例句-4: "My grandfather says that 50 years ago a salary of $5,000 a year meant you could live very comfortably. But these days $5,000 is just chicken feed; you'd have a tough time just surviving on it."
  
  这个人说:“我祖父说,五十年前,一年五千美元的工资意味着你可以生活的非常舒服。可是,现在五千美元年薪真是微不足道,难以维持生活。”
  
  今天我们学习了两个和chicken这个字有关的常用语。一个是:to chicken out,也就是临阵退缩的意思。我们今天讲的另一个和chicken有关的俗语是::chicken feed,意思是很少量的钱。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#470
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华正在家里批改中文班学生的考卷。Larry来找他。今天李华会学到两个常用语:flunk和lose sleep over.
  
  (Paper rustling sounds)
  
  LH: (sighs) 唉,这两个学生又不及格了。这学期他们已经是第三次考试不及格了!
  
  LL: What? You're flunking them? I thought I told you to go easy on your poor students.
  
  LH: 你在说什么啊?flunk them? 什么是flunk?
  
  LL: I said you are going to flunk the students. That means you're going to give them a failing grade.
  
  LH: 噢!flunk就是给他们不及格分数啊,那你还真说对了。你看看他们的考卷!这能及格吗?
  
  LL: Heh, let me see... whoa, that guy even wrote his own Chinese name wrong! If he can't even get that right, he's almost definitely going to flunk!
  
  LH: 就是嘛!连自己的中文名都写错。我只能给他不及格了。等等,Larry,你先是说我flunk这些学生,给他们不及格,现在又说他们自己要flunk。这到底是谁要flunk谁啊?
  
  LL: The word flunk can mean both "to give a failing grade to" as well as "to fail a course". So if you flunk that student, he will flunk the class. Got it?
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,flunk既可以指给学生不及格的分数,也可以指学生自己考不及格。那Larry, 你是不是也有过不及格的时候啊?
  
  LL: What? No way! ...well, almost. Actually, I almost flunked my first beginner's Chinese class. But I managed to pass with a C.
  
  LH: 我的天啊!只拿到C?你啊!八成和我这些学生一样懒散,不认真。我要是你的中文老师,绝对让你不及格的!
  
  LL: Hey, I did my best! My first Chinese teacher even tutored me on her own free time. If it weren't for her, I would have flunked!
  
  LH: 嗯,那是你运气,老师愿意帮你补课。我也愿意帮这些学生补习,可是他们经常连课都不来上,我能怎么办?
  
  LL: They don't come to class? What a couple of idiots. Well, go ahead and flunk them, then.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#471
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: (Sighs) 唉!我真不知道该怎么处理那两个学生的成绩。
  
  LL: Yeah, I'd go ahead and just flunk them. Don't lose any sleep over it, they deserve it.
  
  LH: 你要我别怎么样?睡不着觉?你在说些什么啊?
  
  
  LL: When I say lose sleep over something, I mean not to worry about it a lot.
  
  LH: 噢,你这么说我就懂了。Lose sleep over something就是说你非常担心某件事情,而到了睡不着觉的地步。Larry,你真以为我会为这两个学生担心到失眠呐?
  
  LL: Of course not. When we use this phrase, we are just exaggerating. I know you won't really lose sleep over something like this.
  
  LH: 原来lose sleep over是有点夸张的说法。我虽然还不到失眠的程度。可是有时候我真觉得当一个老师压力好大,有好多责任呢!
  
  LL: Most of your students seem to be doing pretty well, right? You aren't losing any sleep over the other students, are you?
  
  LH: 没有!我有一些学生非常聪明,也很用功。
  
  LL: That's good. That means the other two students are just irresponsible. There's no need to lose sleep over them failing your class.
  
  LH: 对了,就这两个学生有问题。他们不及格也是他们自己的责任。Larry, 我听说你前几天回绝了一个工作机会。怎么回事呀?
  
  
  LL: That? Oh, I'm not losing any sleep over that decision. I just don't have time for that job, I had no other choice.
  
  LH: 没事就好。时间太紧张就别再给自己增加负担,读书还是比较重要的。
  
  LL: That's right. I'd rather have a low income than flunk a class. That's the kind of thing I could really lose sleep over!
  
  LH: 我真希望我所有的学生都像你一样,宁可钱少,也不能不及格。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是flunk,意思是老师给学生不及格分数,或是学生考不及格。另外一个常用语是lose sleep over something, 是为某件事担心而到了失眠的地步。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#472
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚刚上完美国历史课,两人正在讨论上课的内容。今天李华会学到两个常用语: out to get someone和go to bat for someone.
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, did you notice how professor Smith kept asking Mary really hard questions? He really seemed out to get her.
  
  LH: 就是啊!我也在纳闷呢!Smith教授好象在故意刁难Mary,他问她的问题恐怕谁都答不出来。真是奇怪。Larry你说教授是out to get her,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: If a person is "out to get" someone else it means that he has a grudge against that person and wants to hurt or embarrass her.
  
  LH: 哼,out to get someone 就是故意让某人难堪,和他过不去。可是Smith 教授和Mary有什么过节,为什么要这样对她呢?
  
  LL: I heard that a student complained about Prof. Smith to the department chair. It's possible that she was the one who complained and now he's out to get her for it.
  
  LH: 你怀疑Mary在系主任那里表示对Smith教授不满,所以教授现在要整她?哎哟! 要是被教授盯上,故意和你过不去,那可惨了!
  
  LL: Yeah, I can imagine that it's stressful. I've never had a professor that was out to get me, but I had a classmate that was out to get me once.
  
  LH: 真的啊?你那个同学为什么和你过不去呢?
  
  LL: Well, I asked out the girl he liked and she went out with me. He was so angry that he was always spreading rumors about me. He even told the girl that I had another girlfriend
  
  LH: 那可不能怪你呀!那个女孩愿意和你约会,他就算喜欢那女孩,也不应该散布中伤你的谣言嘛!那,那个女孩她相信那些谣言吗?
  
  LL: Of course not. She knew he was out to get me. Have you ever known anyone who was out to get you?
  
  LH: 我啊,我也有过这种不愉快的经验。我以前那个同屋常常会故意删掉别人给我的电话留言,特别是一些重要信息内。你说,这不是故意整我吗?
  
  LL: Yeah, she really had a grudge against you after you asked her to be quieter when she came home at night.
  
  LH: 就是啊!自从我让她晚上回来别声音太大以后,她老是跟我过不去。这种人真不讲理。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-07#473
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我真不敢相信Smith教授居然会当着全班面骂Mary笨!
  
  LL: But did you see how that other student went to bat for her? He told the professor that his behavior was unprofessional in front of everyone.
  
  LH: 对,那个男同学真是有男子汉大丈夫的气概。他站起来指责教授。可是这和bat有什么关系?Bat不是球棒的意思吗?
  
  LL: That term comes from baseball. If you go to bat for someone else it means you stand up for them and defend them.
  
  LH: 噢!Go to bat for someone就是替某人打抱不平,就像那个男同学替Mary出头,站起来批评Smith教授一样咯!
  
  LL: Exactly. Can you think of a time that someone went to bat for you?
  
  LH: 嗯,有一次我骑着自行车被一个开车的人撞上,那人还怪我,说是我的错。不是你跳出来帮我忙的吗!你怎么忘了呢?我记得你还叫了警察呢。You really went to bat for me.
  
  LL: Oh, that was nothing. I was just helping you out. I'm sure you would have gone to bat for me, too.
  
  LH: 那当然,朋友有难,我一定会拔刀相助,替你出头啊!哦!还有一次,一个女同学在考试的时候偷看我的考卷,还向教授说是我做弊呢。
  
  LL: Yeah, I remember that.
  
  LH: 你为我打抱不平,跑去和教授说你看到那个女孩偷看我的考卷。
  
  LL: Well, that was true. I did see her cheating.
  
  LH: Larry,我真的很感谢你噢! 你也有男子汉大丈夫的气概。
  
  LL:Thank you!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是out to get someone。意思是故意和某人过不去,让他为难、难堪。另一个常用语是go to bat for someone, 是替某人打抱不平,为人出头的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#474
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和李华要到体育馆去和几个朋友打篮球。李华会学到两个常用语:stick to something和give something a shot.
  
  (Ambience sound in gym)
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, are you looking forward to today's game?
  
  LH: 嗨,其实我的篮球打得不怎么样。我倒想试试其他的运动。
  
  LL: You'll get better. You've only been playing basketball for a few weeks. You have to stick to something if you want to become good at it.
  
  LH: 对,我才打了几个星期的篮球!可是你怎么说要我stick to something. Stick不是黏的意思?这跟打篮球有什么关系啊?
  
  LL: To "stick to something" means that you continue to do it and don't give up.
  
  LH: 噢!我懂了,stick to something就是坚持不懈,继续做某件事。那不就像我们中文里说的“持之以恒”嘛!你的意思是,要是我想打好篮球,就得不断地练习咯!
  
  LL: That's right. You've stuck to practicing English for a long time, and now your English is much better. Right?
  
  LH: 你说的对,我学英文倒是尽量的多说,不断地练习。对了,Larry, 那stick to something除了运动,学语言,我还可以用在哪些地方呢?
  
  LL: Well, a person can stick to a decision, too. If I decide to learn Chinese, and I stick to my decision, that means I don't change my mind or give up.
  
  LH: 噢,如果一个人坚持自己的决定,也可以说stick to one's decision。那一个立场不坚定,经常flip-flop的人可就不能这么说咯!
  
  LL: That's right. Very good use of the term flip-flop, by the way.
  
  LH: 谢谢。不过有时候要坚持做一件事还真不容易。就好比打篮球,我已经不知道我是不是真的喜欢打篮球了。
  
  LL: Remember how hard English was at first? But you stuck to it and now it's much easier, right?
  
  LH: 好象是这样。你觉得打篮球也会像学英文一样,只要我坚持练习,就会越来越容易吗?
  
  LL: I do. You'll see. So, have you decided to play in today's game after all?
  
  LH: 好吧,我来试试看,也许就象你说的,多练习,我就能打好球!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#475
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Sound of dribbling basketball)
  
  LH: Larry, 那个篮球架子太远了,我肯定投不进!
  
  LL: Come on, Li Hua, give it a shot. It's okay if you miss.
  
  LH: Larry,我是在投球耶!你怎么叫我给它一枪?"Give it a shot" 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To give something a shot is to go ahead and try something, even if you don't expect to be successful.
  
  LH: 嗨,我还以为give it a shot是开枪呢!原来,give it a shot就是试一试,不管会不会成功。好吧。那我就投喽!可是我一定投不进啦!
  
  (Sound of basketball into the basket)
  
  LL: Hey, look, you made it! That's three more points for our team! See, it never hurts to give something a shot.
  
  LH: 哇!太棒了!我居然投进了!对了,Larry, give it a shot我是不是还能用在其他什么地方?
  
  LL: Just about anything. For instance, I'd like to give sailing a shot, even though I've never sailed a boat before in my life.
  
  LH: 你想学开船啊!我倒想试试开飞机呢!
  
  LL: Hey, slow down. We all know what your driving is like. I don't think it's a good idea for you to fly a plane.
  
  LH: 嘿!我的开车技术有什么不好?再说,刚才是你告诉我,不管结果如何,都应该去试一试的啊!
  
  LL: Maybe if you stick to driving for a while and get better at it, then you can give flying a shot.
  
  LH: 哎呀,其实我也是说说而已啦。我根本就没钱去上飞行课。不过如果有机会,我会去试试的!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是stick to something.就是坚持不懈,继续做某件事。第二个常用语是give it a shot. 这是试一试的意思,哪怕你认为不会成功,但也可以一试。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#476
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

spring chicken
  
  goose bumps
  
  古今中外,大家都认为年轻少女是美丽和具有青春活力的象征。美国人在这方面似乎更加敏感,希望能够永保青春。一般人都尽量不让别人知道自己的年龄,所以在美国以及其他西方国家,问别人的年龄是认为不礼貌的,因此是很忌讳的事。美国人用不同词汇和俗语来形容年轻少女,其中之一就是:spring chicken 。Spring就是春天,chicken就是鸡。春天的鸡和其他季节的有什么区别呢? 下面这个例子就能告诉你什么是spring chicken。这是一对正在饭馆吃饭的夫妇在评论旁边一个妇女。这位丈夫说:
  
  例句-1: "See that woman sitting over there -- the one wearing the flashy red dress and too much lipstick and eye shadow? She is flirting with that good-looking young man across from her. Well, she's certainly no spring chicken; that man looks young enough to be her son!"
  
  这位丈夫对太太说:“看见坐在那边的那个女人吗?就是那个穿大红衣服,涂了好多口红和眼膏的那个女人?她在和对面那个帅小伙子卖弄风情。实际上她已经不年轻了,那个年轻人可以做她的儿子。”
  
  尽管有些人已经不再是妙龄少女,可是她们不见得就不能使自己生活得很活跃。在美国,许多人退了休以后还是很活跃,甚至比退休以前更忙碌。他们参加各种社会活动,到国内外旅行,继续进行体育锻炼,70多岁的人开车也是常见的事。下面这个例子就能说明这种现象。
  
  例句-2: " I'm over forty, so I'm not a spring chicken any more. But I can still play a good game of tennis. In fact, I can take my 20 year old son out to the tennis court and beat him any day of the week."
  
  这个人说:“我已经四十多了,所以已经不再年轻了。但是我网球还是打得很不错。不管哪一天,我都可以在网球场上打败我那二十岁的儿子。”
  
  这个人的态度很现实,但是她并不因为自己已经不再年轻了而甘心认输

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#477
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

每当我们看到一些令人感到难受或害怕的东西,或者在我们情绪激动的时候,我们的皮肤上往往会起鸡皮疙瘩。这种现象可能每个人都曾经经历过。 但是在英语里鸡皮疙瘩叫: goose bumps。Goose就是鹅,鸡鸭鹅的鹅;bumps就是疙瘩。为什么中国人说鸡皮疙瘩,而美国人却说鹅皮疙瘩,那就不得而知了。可是,它们的意思是一样的。许多人都非常怕蛇,不管是毒蛇还是不毒的蛇,看到蛇那种样子就感到很讨厌和难受,要起鸡皮疙瘩。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-3: "I know that most snakes are harmless, but I can't help it -- every time I see a snake, even in a zoo, I get goose bumps all over!"
  
  这句话的意思是:“我知道大多数的蛇是不咬人的,但是每当我看到蛇,我全身就会起鸡皮疙瘩,那怕在动物园里看到蛇也是如此,真是没办法。”
  
  当某些事物使我们突然感到热情洋溢,或产生敬仰的心情的时候,我们也会起鸡皮疙瘩。下面说话的人在告诉他的朋友他是多么喜欢女歌星Madonna。Madonna不但令许多美国人陶醉,她还演过几部电影。但是,她的歌喉和演技并不是吸引广大观众的主要因素,她之所以在一些美国人心目中特别红主要还靠她的姿色和大胆卖弄风情的表演。下面讲话的这个人就是在讲Madonna,他说:
  
  例句-4: "Do you know, I have seen every movie with Madonna in it at least five times. Just seeing her picture in a magazine gives me goose bumps -- she's such a beauful woman!"
  
  这人说:“你知道,Madonna演的电影每部我都至少看五遍。即便在杂志里看到她的照片都会让我起鸡皮疙瘩。她真是太漂亮了。”
  
  显然这个人是Madonna的崇拜者之一。
  
  我们今天学习了两个俗语,第一个是:spring chicken。Spring chicken不是指春天孵出来的小鸡,而是指年轻的少女。我们今天讲的第二个俗语是:goose bumps。Goose bumps就是当一个人看到讨厌的东西,或是情绪激动的时候皮肤上起的鸡皮疙瘩。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#478
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to make hay
  
  to go haywire
  
  美国并不是一开始建国就是一个工业很发达的国家。其实,美国早期也是以农业为主的。现在生活在农村的美国人当然已经很少了。可是,日常口语中用的一些词汇还经常使我们回想起以前的情景。
  
  为牲口准备冬天的饲料是农民夏天的一项重要工作。他们收割已经长高了的草,把它们铺开晒乾,然后再把它们捆起来入库作为牲畜冬天的饲料。及时完成这项工作是很重要的,因为乾草要是淋了雨,它们就会发霉。美国有这样一句成语:to make hay while the sun shines。这句成语的原意是:乘有太阳的时候,赶快把饲料准备好。美国人经常把这一说法缩短成为:to make hay。To make hay在用作俗语的时候,它 的意思就和准备饲料没有什么太大关系了。它的意思就是:看到赚钱的机会就尽量从中获利。我们来举一个例子吧。这个说话的人因为汽油涨价而感到很生气。
  
  例句-1: "If you ask me, some oil companies are really making hay out of the Gulf crisis. They keep raising the price of a gallon of gas, even though the experts say there's enough gas to go around if people don't get greedy."
  
  这个人说:“要是你问我啊,我告诉你,有些石油公司乘着海湾危机而大发其财。他们不断抬高每加伦汽油的价钱,尽管那些专家们说,只要人们不太贪心,汽油供应是足够的。”
  
  我们再给大家举一个 to may hay的例子。这是一个人认为一个新的电脑公司的股票会使他赚很多钱,他正在劝他的朋友买这个股票。
  
  例句-2: "I tell you, the smart thing is to buy as much stock as you can afford. You want to make hay before everybody hears about it and the stock doubles in price."
  
  他说:“我告诉你,尽你的能力买,这是聪明的做法。你要在别人还没有听说这个股票之前就赚一大笔钱。等到人家都知道了,股票的价格就会加倍。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#479
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国的农民一般都是用一根细的铁丝把乾草一捆捆地捆起来。这种捆乾草的铁丝在英文里叫做:haywire。每当一个农民要喂牲口的时候,他就用斧头把铁丝砍断。可是,要是他不小心的话,铁丝可能会弹起来,铁丝的尖端还会刮破他的皮肤和衣服。铁丝这种四处乱弹乱跳的现象就形成了美国人常用的一个俗语,也就是:to go haywire。
  
  To go haywire的意思就是:一个人非常生气,以致于无法控制自己。有些人平时看来脾气很好,从来也不会发火。可是,每个人都有个限度,超过了限度,谁都会发火。下面说话的这个人的哥哥就是这样。
  
  例句-3: "Usually my brother is the calmest man I know. But when he saw this kid trying to steal his new car, he really went haywire. He chased the kid down the street, tackled him and sat on him until the police showed up. He's lucky the kid didn't have a knife!"
  
  这人说:“我哥哥一般来说是我认识的人当中最沈着镇静的一个。但是当他看到那孩子想偷他那辆新车的时候,他真是火冒三丈。他一直追到街那头才抓到那孩子,然后就骑在他身上,一直等到警察来才罢休。算他运气,那孩子身上没带刀子。”
  
  美国人很喜欢养狗。狗虽然可爱,但有时也会给你带来麻烦。下面是一个人回到家发现他的狗把家俱啃坏了。他对一个朋友说:
  
  例句-4: " I tell you I was so mad when I saw what the dog had done. I'm afraid I went haywire: I rolled up a newspaper to swat him with and chased him all over the house."
  
  这个人说:“我告诉你,当我看到我那条狗干了什么的时候,我真是火极了,当时我恐怕已经控制不住自己了。我把报纸卷起来,满屋子追着打它。”
  
  上面这个例句里用了一个大家恐怕不太熟悉的字:swat。Swat就是用力打的意思。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和hay这个字有关的习惯用语。 一个是:to make hay while the sun shines,简短的说法就是 to make hay;另一个习惯用语是 to go haywire。
  
  To make hay while the sun shines 或者 to make hay,意思就是:尽量利用有利可图的时机来赚钱。To go haywire就是一个人非常生气,以致难以控制自己。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#480
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和李华花了大半天时间在购物中心里,采购圣诞礼物。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to be beat和to O.D. on something.
  
  LL: The mall was so crowded! I'm totally beat from fighting the crowds all day long.
  
  LH: 就是啊!我从来没有看过这么多人一块儿逛街。哎,Larry,你刚才说I'm beat,是不是说我们挤在人群里的时候,有人打你啊?
  
  LL: No, nobody hit me. The expression "I'm beat" means, "I'm exhausted."
  
  LH: 噢,原来I'm beat,不是打的意思,而是累坏了。其实,我也好累。你想想我们在这儿花了6个小时耶,怎么可能不累。
  
  LL: It would only have taken two hours at most if we didn't have to spend so much time waiting in line to pay for things. I bet the sales people are really beat by the end of the day.
  
  LH: 你说的没错,光是付钱,我们就花了很多时间排队。我看那些售货员一天下来肯定累坏了。
  
  LL: Well, I'm glad I don't work in a store. I'm so beat that I think I'm going to go to bed very early tonight. What about you?
  
  LH: 我也累死了,今晚可能也得早点睡。嘿!Larry, 如果我逛街逛累了,是不是能说shopping beat me?
  
  LL: No, you can only say, "I'm beat from shopping."
  
  LH: 噢,这么说,下星期我要准备期末考试,我应该说:Next week, I'll be beat from studying for my final exams.
  
  LL: Please, don't mention exams. I'm beat just thinking about studying for them.
  
  LH: 哎,Larry,你也别这么想嘛!准备的时候是很累,可是考试考的得好,不也是很高兴的事嘛!
  
  LL: That's true. I hope my family members appreciate the effort I put into finding their Christmas presents.
  
  LH: 你花了那么大功夫买来的礼物,你家人一定会喜欢的。唉!我们俩都累了,还是回家吧。明天见咯!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#481
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嘿, Larry, 你好一点了吗?还是你仍然觉得累呢?
  
  LL: I'm afraid I'm not feeling much better. I caught a cold and then I O.D.ed on cold medicine. Now, I feel really tired and spacey.
  
  LH: 什么,你感冒啦?你还说你O.D.了一些感冒药。那是什么意思?严不严重啊?
  
  LL: "To O.D. on something" is short for "to overdose on something."
  
  LH: O.D.就是服药过量啊?那不是很危险吗?你是不是该去医院检查一下啊?
  
  LL: No, don't worry. Usually, O.D.ing on medicine or drugs is very serious, but I probably took a little bit too much cold medicine, not enough to hurt me.
  
  LH: Oh, 那就好!你刚才真把我吓一跳。其实我也不太舒服。我看了好几个小时的书,现在头好疼呢!
  
  LL: Hey, please don't mention exams and studying. I don't even want to think about exams now that I have a cold!
  
  LH: 好啦!我不再提念书和考试了嘛!Larry, 也许你应该少吃些感冒药,多多睡觉。这样或许会感觉好一些。
  
  LL: I think O.D.ing on some more sleep is a good advice, it's probably the only way I'm going to get through exams with a cold.
  
  LH: 那好,如果你想多睡觉多休息,我可要多叫点比萨来吃,我快饿坏了!
  
  LL: I wouldn't mind having some pizza, too. Order enough for both of us.
  
  LH: Larry, 如果你还能感觉肚子饿,那你肯定没有病的太严重啦!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,第一个是to be beat,意思是因为做某件事而累坏了,就是to be beat from something。第二个常用语是to O.D. on something,意思是对某个东西服用过量。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#482
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

the last straw
  
  to sow one's wild oats
  
  我们曾经在[美国习惯用语]节目中讲过由hay这个字组成的常用语,今天我们要给大家介绍两个和straw这个字有关的俗语。 Hay和straw都可以解释为草。但是,它们之间是有区别的。Hay是专门为做饲料而种的草,而straw就是一般的稻草。美国农民有时也用稻草喂牲口,但是总比不上饲料那末好。
  
  大家都知道,骆驼是非常强壮的动物,一般来说,一只骆驼可以驮五百公斤重的东西。但是,要是你不断往它背上加东西的话,这只骆驼到了一定程度就会达到它所能承受的饱和点,那怕再多加一根稻草也会使它承受不了而垮台。这就是我们今天要给大家介绍的第一个俗语:the straw that breaks the camel's back。The straw that breaks the camel's back,意思就是:那根压断了骆驼背的稻草。现在,人们经常把它简化为:the last straw。我们来举一个例子。这是一个非常生气的妻子在对她的丈夫说话:
  
  例句-1: "All these years I've tried to be a good wife, even though you're lazy, you drink too much and half of the time don't even have a steady job. But when I find out you are spending money on another woman, that's the last straw! I want you out of my house right now and I never want to see you again."
  
  这位太太说:“这些年来,尽管你很懒,喝酒过度,还经常没有固定的工作,但我一 直尽力做一个贤惠的妻子。可是,当我发现你把钱化在另一个女人身上的时候,这就使我无法忍受了。你给我马上出去,我永远也不要再见到你了。”
  
  有的人听了这句话可能会对这位太太说:“你早该如此啦!可是,在美国,妇女承担养家活口重担的事并不少见。
  
  让人无法忍受的事情有大有小。下面是一个学生在说为什么他把和他同屋住的同学赶了出去。
  
  例句-2: "I put up with a lot from this guy. He borrowed my clothes, he borrowed my money, he borrowed my tennis racket. But when I caught him using my toothbrush that was the last straw, so I kicked him out!"
  
  他说:“我对这个家伙够宽容的了。他借我的衣服穿,问我借钱,借用我的网球拍。可是,当我发现他用我的牙刷的时候,这就叫我无法忍受了。所以我把他赶了出去。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#483
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语和"燕麦"这个字有关:to sow one's wild oats。
  
  To sow就是播种的意思,wild oats就是野生的燕麦。美国人常用燕麦来喂牲口,野生的燕麦那就更不值一钱了。可是,to sow wild oats 并不是播种野生的燕麦,它的意思是沉醉于放荡的生活中,下面是一个哥哥在说他的弟弟。他说:
  
  例句-3: "Joe just had his 24th birthday. So I told him he ought to stop sowing his wild oats, wasting his time and money drinking with his buddies and chasing after girls. It's time for him to settle down, marry a nice girl and start raising a family."
  
  这个人说:“乔伊刚过了他二十四岁的生日。所以我告诉他,不要再浪费时间和钱 孩,结婚成家安顿下来的时候了。”
  
  这个例句里用了buddy这个字,buddy就是指亲密的朋友,哥儿们。
  
  认为生活放荡是浪费时间和金钱, 这只是当今人们的观点。可是,一个世纪以前,人们并不那末看。那时候,生活放荡还曾经是美国很时髦的一种生活方式。下面这个例子就很能说明这种情况:
  
  例句-4: " In the old days it was the thing to do for wealthy families to sent their young sons off to Europe for a year to have a good time and sow their wild oats before they came back, got a job, and got married."
  
  这人说:“过去,有钱人都要把年轻的儿子送到欧洲去一年,让他们尽情享受,过放荡的生活,然后再回来找个工作,结婚成家。”
  
  我们在这一课里给大家介绍了两个习惯用语,一个是和straw,就是稻草这个字有关;另一个是和oats,也就是燕麦这个字有关的常用语。我们讲解的第一个俗语是:the straw that breaks the camel's back,简短地说,就是:the last straw。这个俗语的意思就是:某件事使你终于无法忍受了。我们今天讲的第二个俗语是:to sow one's wild oats,也可以简单地说:wild oats。它的意思是:过放荡的生活。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#484
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry今天又到购物中心去采购圣诞礼物。李华会学到两个常用语:on edge和give it a rest.
  
  (Crowded mall FX)
  
  LH: 我真搞不懂耶!还有几个星期就要过圣诞节了,可是有些人看起来好像不是很开心,好像很紧张,很烦躁呢!
  
  LL: Oh, well, when people are busy doing their Christmas shopping, they can sometimes be a little on edge.
  
  LH: 你说他们怎么啦?Edge不是指在某个东西的边缘吗?On edge。那是什么意思呢?
  
  LL: No, no, I said, everyone is on edge that means everyone is a little nervous or in a bad mood.
  
  LH: 原来,on edge就是紧张不安的意思。可是我以为大家都喜欢过圣诞节,不是都要高高兴兴的吗?为什么不开心呢?(grumbles) 哎呀!那个小姐挤到我前面了。这里好挤噢!
  
  LL: People do love Christmas, and Americans are always try to be kinder and friendlier this time of year. But people are under pressure to buy Christmas gifts for all of their friends and family members, which is why a lot of them are on edge right now.
  
  LH: 嗯,忙着采购给每个家人朋友的礼物,是挺有压力的。我其实也有不少压力,学期快结束了,我得交报告,还得买礼物,还要批改学生的考卷。Hey! (yells in English) Watch where you're going!
  
  LL: Calm down Li Hua! I know that you're on edge right now, but try not start any arguments, OK?
  
  LH: 我才没有要和人吵架呢!我只是要那个人小心一点!
  
  LL: Look, everyone's on edge around here, and so are you. It's really easy to start an argument in this kind of situation. Just calm down.
  
  LH: 好嘛!对不起嘛!我想我真的需要冷静一下。Larry我们能不能找个地方坐下,喝点东西?咦!这儿有张桌子,我们坐这儿吧!
  
  LL: Why don't we come back some other time when it's not so crowded. When you're on edge like this, it's better to stay away from other people.
  
  LH: 那怎么行!我们已经费了这么大功夫到这儿来。没买到礼物就回去呢?你怎么啦?
  
  LL: Sorry, Li Hua, I guess I'm a little on edge myself. I still have a lot school work to do for next week, and I want to finish my shopping early so I can relax during Christmas break.
  
  LH: 好,那我们就尽快把礼物买好,赶快回家罗!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#485
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 快点,Larry你动作真慢耶! 我还有一些东西要买呢!
  
  LL: Give it a rest, Li Hua. I told you, I can't move quickly and carry all of your bags as well.
  
  LH: A rest? 你又要休息啦?我们不是半个小时前才坐下来休息的吗?
  
  LL: No, that's not what I said. I said give it a rest that means stop complaining, talking about, or doing something.
  
  LH: Give it a rest,是停止抱怨或停止做某件事。你的意思是我抱怨太多了?哎!是你浪费太多时间,首先,你到我家时就已经迟到半个小时...
  
  LL: Oh, give it a rest, Li Hua, I told you, I had to wait because of a traffic accident.
  
  LH: 因为交通事故你迟到,这还说得过去。可是我们来购物中心的路上,你又迷路了3次!
  
  LL: Give it a rest, Li Hua. We finally got here. Anyway, you weren't much help.
  
  LH: 好啦,好啦!算了啦!我也受不了在这么挤的地方逛。我今天实在不应该来的!
  
  LL: Well, I'm starting to get tired of carrying stuff for you. These bags are heavy!
  
  LH: (In English) Give it a rest, Larry! 你是大男生耶!这些东西对你来说不算什么啦!
  
  LL: Look, I'm tired, I'm a bit on edge, and I have a lot of work to finish this weekend. Can't we just give it a rest and go shopping next weekend?
  
  LH: 好吧!好吧!我们两人今天都有点急躁。也许我们真的应该回家,等有空再来买礼物吧!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是on edge, 意思是紧张不安,脾气急躁。另一个常用语是give it a rest。意思是停止抱怨或是停止做某件事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#486
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

belly laugh
  
  knee-slapper
  
  美国有一个谚语是这么说的:Laugh-and-the-world-laughs-with-you。Cry-and-you-cry-alone.
  
  按字面来解释,这个谚语的意思是:笑,全世界和你一起笑。哭,你一个人哭。它的含义就是:欢乐的时候,朋友都来了,遇到危险和灾难的时候,你就只能独自承担。这句话虽然有一定的道理,但是并不完全正确,因为愿意和别人共甘苦的人还是有的。不过,大多数人喜欢高兴,喜欢笑,这也是事实。美国人富有幽默感,他们经常说笑话,也非常喜欢类似相声那样的文艺节目。这种节目电视上每天都有。美国人把说笑话的文艺演员叫做:comedian。
  
  实际上,美国的comedian和中国的相声演员很相似。 不过美国那些说笑话的演员一般是一个人站在台上说。电视上那些固定节目的主持人往往会每天邀请几个有名望的人来参加他的节目。在他们很轻松地坐在那里谈话的过程中,他们就不断讲一些笑话。这样,观众既看到了有名望的演员,歌唱家,政界人物等,同时又听到了笑话。 今天我们就要给大家介绍两个和笑有关的俗语。笑有各种各样的笑法,最痛快的笑可能就是:belly laugh。
  
  Belly 就是肚子,因此belly laugh就是捧腹大笑。这可能是相声演员最喜欢听到的笑声。现在我们给大家举一个belly laugh的例子。这是一个观众在说话:
  
  例句-1: "Say, did you hear Johnny Carson last night? It's hard to be funny five nights a week, but last night was one of his best shows in a long time. He got some great belly laughs trading jokes with his guest star, Bob Hope."
  
  这个人说:“喂,你昨晚看了Johnny Carson的节目没有?要做到一星期五天都很滑稽是不容易的。但是,昨晚的节目是他很久以来最好的一次。他和他请来的著名演员Bob Hope一起讲笑话,好几次引得大家捧腹大笑。”
  
  美国每年都生产很多新的电影。但是,许多在几十年前拍的老电影至今还是很受人欢迎。其中包括不少闹剧和喜剧。下面这个例句就提供了一个例子。
  
  例句-2: "Fifty years ago, there were three clowns who made a lot of short movies. They are all dead now, but their comedies live on television because they are so full of belly laughs."
  
  这句话的意思是:“五十年前,美国有三个小丑,他们拍了好多短小的电影。现在,这三个小丑都已经去世了,但是他们的喜剧电影仍然在电视上播放,因为这些喜剧里有好多地方让人感到非常好笑。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#487
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家肯定注意到有些人笑的时候喜欢拍大腿。这种笑虽然不像belly laugh那样让人笑的肚子痛,但是也说明那个笑话也确实很好笑。美国人把这种笑话叫做:knee-slapper。
  
  Knee就是膝盖;slapper这个字是来自slap这个动词,是拍手的意思。 Knee-slapper的意思就是一个能让人笑的拍大腿的笑话。下面我们来举个例子。这是一个爸爸在说他的儿子:
  
  例句-3: "My son likes to tell jokes, although he has no intention to become a comedian. Last week, at a party he told a couple of knee-slappers about Bush and Gorbachev. I was quite surprised at his talent."
  
  这位爸爸说;“我儿子喜欢讲笑话,虽然他没有意图想当一个相声演员。上星期,他在一次聚会上讲了两个有关布什和戈尔巴乔夫的笑话,笑的人们直拍大腿。真没想到他还有点天才。”
  
  显然,这位爸爸对儿子的才能没有充份的估计。
  
  在美国,想当相声演员的人还真不少。他们也许是认为自己在这方面有才能,或是认为做一个相声演员并不是高不可攀的。所以,新的演员经常出现,想一显身手。可是,人们对专业演员的要求很高。下面说话的人就是一个例子。
  
  例句-4: " I was disappointed with that new comedian on TV last night. He talked for ten minutes and told only one knee-slapper during all that time. He'd better find funnier jokes or he'll be looking for a new job."
  
  这人说:“我对昨天晚上电视上那个新的相声演员很失望。他讲了十分钟,里面才有一个真正可笑的笑话。他还是最好想办法找一些更滑稽的笑话。否则,他得另外找工作了。”
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了两个和笑有关的习惯用语,它们是:belly laugh和knee-slapper。
  
  Belly laugh是指那种出自内心,痛快的大笑。Knee-slapper是那种使人笑得拍大腿的笑话。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#488
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在乘公共汽车去公园去溜冰。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to level with someone和clueless.
  
  (Local traffic)
  
  LL: I have to level with you, Li Hua. I'm not very fond of ice-skating. I haven't done it in years.
  
  LH: To "level with me?" Level是水平的意思。你是说你溜冰的水平和我不一样啊?哎!你又没看过我溜冰,怎么知道我的程度呢?
  
  LL: No, "to level with someone" is to be direct and honest.
  
  LH: 噢,to level with someone, 就是向人诚实坦白的意思。嘿!那我也得和你老实说,我根本不太会溜冰。我只是想去看看历史课的同学Jake。他说他今天会去公园溜冰,可是我又不想一个人去,所以.....
  
  LL: Now, the truth comes out! Come on, level with me, do you have a crush on Jake?
  
  LH: 嗯... 我是挺喜欢他的。 不过我想和他多聊聊,看看我是不是真喜欢他。
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, I have to level with you and say that you might not make the best impression on Jake if you're falling all of the time.
  
  LH: 对,我要是老摔倒,他看见了怎么会对我有好的印象呢!我还是少溜一些,站在一旁看别人溜吧!
  
  LL: Hey, that's not fair! You drag me ice skating and now you aren't going to ice skate?
  
  LH: 哎哟,对不起嘛!我把你拖来溜冰自己又不溜。To level with you,我来之前根本就没想那么多!
  
  LL: That's obvious. I think you might as well level with Jake and ask him to help you.
  
  LH: 对耶!我怎么没想到?我可以叫Jake教我溜冰啊!嗯,可是Larry, 那你怎么办?
  
  LL: Then I'll just sit and watch while you and your new boyfriend skate around on the ice.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#489
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Li Hua, I think I'll skate after all, but I'm really clueless about ice-skating. How do I put these skates on?
  
  LH: 怎么穿溜冰鞋啊!把鞋带系好不就行啦!对了,你刚才说"clueless",那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Okay. If someone is "clueless" it means that he or she has no idea what they are doing.
  
  LH: 噢,clueless就是什么也不懂。我虽然会穿溜冰鞋,可是对溜冰我也是一窍不通呐!I'm also clueless about ice-skating.
  
  LL: Great. This is the blind leading the blind. We're both more or less clueless. Do you see your friend Jake? Maybe he can help us.
  
  LH: 嗯,我没看到Jake,也许... 他不来了。
  
  LL: Li Hua, is Jake really coming? If he is, what time is he supposed to come here?
  
  LH: 嗯,我不知道。
  
  LL: You're not sure or you're clueless?
  
  LH: 好啦好啦,to level with you,我就听他说了一声今天会来滑冰。我根本不知道他到底什么时候来嘛!
  
  LL: Li Hua, what were you thinking?
  
  LH: Larry, 对不起嘛!我很喜欢Jake,可是我不知道该怎么接近他,怎么样进一步了解他。
  
  LL: Oh, I understand. Yeah, sometimes I'm clueless about girls, too. Everyone feels that way sometimes. Don't worry; I'll help you find an excuse to talk to Jake.
  
  LH: 真的吗!Wow! Larry, 你真好。有你帮忙,我就放心了。看样子我们在这儿也没别的事可做。那就一块儿溜冰咯!来吧!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是: to level with someone, 意思是向人坦白说实话。另一个常用语是clueless, 意思是对某件事什么也不知道。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#490
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

a straw in the wind
  
  to grasp at straws
  
  今天这一课我们要再给大家介绍两个由straw,也就是“稻草”这个词组成的习惯用语。稻草虽然没有什么价值,但是美国人常用的不少俗语都和straw这个词有关。我们首先要给大家介绍的一个常用语就是:a straw in the wind。
  
  按字面来解释,a straw in the wind意思就是:随风飘的一根稻草。可是,作为俗语,a straw in the wind是指:在事情发生前的一些风吹草动,也就是事态发展的一些迹象。一些记者在写经济或政治新闻的时候经常用这个俗语。我们先来举个例子看看到底a straw in the wind在句子里是怎么用的。
  
  例句-1: "Economic experts said today that the increase in auto sales the last 30 days is a straw in the wind that the nation's economy is beginning to recover from the brief recession."
  
  这句话很明显是一条新闻报导中的一部份。它的意思是:“经济专家们今天说,最近一个月来汽车销售量的增加象征着美国已经开始从短暂的经济衰退中复苏。”
  
  这句话里的最后两个字是:brief recession。Brief是短暂的意思,recession是目前经常用的一个字,它的意思是:经济衰退。
  
  A straw in the wind这个说法的来源可能和农民的习惯有关。要是你去过农村的话,你就知道农民经常把一把草往空中一扔,以此来看风往那个方向吹。逐渐地,a straw in the wind这个说法就应用到生活的各个方面,成为某件事的发展迹象了。
  
  现在我们再来给大家举个例子。这是一个正在竞选官职的候选人在担心他的竞选前景。
  
  例句-2: "I wish we had a good idea of how the voters feel about us. The only straw in the wind I see is that a lot more people are registering to vote this time. But is that good or bad for us?"
  
  这位候选人说:“我希望我们能更了解选民们对我们的看法。我所见到的唯一迹象就是这次有比以往多得多的人进行了选民登记。但是,这到底对我们是好事,还是坏事呢?”
  
  这句话里涉及美国选举的一个程序,那就是美国选民在投票前必须进行选民登记。只有登记了的选民才有资格投票,不登记就不能投票。可惜,有许多美国人对政治失去信心或感到反感,而经常不去投票,放弃这一民主权利。不投票的人一般也不会去登记。所以选民登记就变成预测选举的一个有用指标。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#491
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍另一个和straw有关的习惯用语:to grasp at straws。
  
  Grasp就是抓紧的意思。To grasp at straws字面上的意思就是抓紧稻草,但它的实际意思和中文里的[捞救命稻草]很相似。要是有一个人在一艘船上,这艘船突然起火,他就被迫跳进海水里。但是,他不会游泳。于是,他只能拚了命在水里想办法抓到任何能不让他沉入海水的东西,例如一块木头,一只空瓶子,甚至一把稻草等。当然,这些东西里没有一样能救他的。这个人只是在绝望之中想用任何办法解脱绝望的境地。下面我们要举的例子是一个学生在说他的同房间同学,平时不用功,到考试前临时抱佛脚。
  
  例句-3: "Harry, you're grasping at straws if you think you can pass that exam by starting to study the night before. You'll never catch up, man! All you'll do is lose a night's sleep, and still you won't get a passing grade."
  
  这个学生说:“哈利,要是你认为在考试前一天的晚上开始念书就能通过考试的话,那你就是想捞救命稻草。夥计,你这样是绝对赶不上的。你这样到头来尽管通宵不眠,但是结果还是不及格。”
  
  这个例句里的passing grade就是学校里考试的及格分数。
  
  下面我们要给大家举的例子是一个律师在讲一个被控告谋杀自己妻子的人。
  
  例句-4: "This man claims that a burglar shot his wife. But there was no sign a robber had broken in and the husband was found with a gun in his hand. He's just grasping at straws trying to stay out of jail."
  
  这位律师说:“这个人说是一个闯进屋子里来偷东西的人杀死他的妻子的。可是,没有任何迹象证明有贼破门而入,而这个丈夫却被发现手里拿着枪。他只不过是为了不想坐牢而要捞救命稻草罢了。”
  
  这个例子听起来很可怕,而这个案件也确实很可怕。但是美国的犯罪率很高,凶杀事件天天都有。这也是美国最严重的社会问题之一。
  
  我们今天讲的两个习惯用语是:a straw in the wind和to grasp at straws。
  
  A straw in the wind这个常用语的意思是:事态发展的迹象;to grasp at straws指的是企图捞救命稻草。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#492
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry在看大学美式足球赛。今天李华会学到两个常用语:hardcore和to take it out on someone.
  
  (Football crowd noise)
  
  LH: 噢!今天真够冷的。Larry,你看看那边那几个家伙,这么冷的天,还打赤膊,身上涂满了漆。你说,他们这不是疯了吗?
  
  LL: (Yelling) Come on, go, go, go! First down! Yeah! What's that Li Hua? No, those guys aren't crazy. They're hardcore football fans. They want to show how devoted they are to their team.
  
  LH: 你说他们是什么? Hardcore?
  
  LL: I said that they're hardcore fans. Hardcore means that they are very serious, and uncompromising. They are extremely devoted fans.
  
  LH: 噢!我懂了,hardcore就是指非常认真,非常投入的球迷。Larry, 这个hardcore是不是只能用来形容球迷呢?
  
  LL: No, hardcore can refer to people who are really devoted to a sport, hobby, or belief of some kind.
  
  LH: 噢,hardcore 还可以指那些对某种运动、嗜好或信仰狂热的人!
  
  LL: For instance, my cousin John is a hardcore mountain climber. He's going to go to Alaska in the middle of winter just to climb a mountain for fun!
  
  LH:你表哥John要在这么冷的冬天去阿拉斯加爬山?真是个狂热的登山迷!
  
  LL: Yeah, And you know Lisa, she's a hardcore shopper. The day after Christmas, she waited in front of a department store at 5:00 o'clock in the morning in order to buy some good stuff on sale.
  
  LH: 对,我听说了,Lisa圣诞节第二天早上五点就去排队买减价商品。我说了下回跟她一起去买东西。
  
  LL:I'm sure Lisa will turn you into a hardcore shopper too.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#493
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Crowd cheering)
  
  LH: 好啦!Larry, 我们的校队已经落后20分,比赛只剩下10分钟。看样子是没希望了。我们可不可以回去啦?
  
  LL: (Angry) Fine! Let's go.
  
  LH: 嘿!别生气嘛!你如果还想看,我们可以留下来啊!
  
  LL: Sorry Li Hua. I shouldn't take it out on you because I am disappointed about the football game. You're right, we should leave early.
  
  LH: 你说你不该怎么啦!Take it out on me?你是要从我这儿拿走什么吗?我听不懂耶!
  
  LL: No, that's not what I mean. To take it out on someone means to vent one's anger or frustrations on someone who is innocent.
  
  LH: 噢!to take it out on someone, 就是把怒气发泄在别人身上。就像我们中文里说的在别人身上“出气”嘛。球队输了你心里不高兴就想对我发脾气。哎,没关系,你再给我举个例子当作陪礼就行了!
  
  LL: Hmm, well sometimes when someone has a bad day at work, they might take it out on their kids by yelling at them.
  
  LH: 这是常见的。有的人办公室里碰到不高兴的事,回家就对孩子嚷嚷。我很幸运。我爸爸从来不把工作上的怨气发在我们头上。
  
  LL: My father never took it out on us either. But my brother would always take it out on me whenever he was angry about something.
  
  LH: 嗯,哥哥的欺负弟弟妹妹也不少见。Larry,告诉你,我心里不高兴的时候,也会对学生发脾气。
  
  LL: Really? You're so mean! How did you take it out on them?
  
  LH: 怎么在学生身上出气呀?那还不容易! 给学生来个突击测验。
  
  LL: Well, it's kind of unfair to take it out on your students, but I guess a little quiz can't hurt them. It can only make them study harder.
  
  LH: 好了,我们还是赶快走吧。待会儿球输了,这些球迷还不知要怎么发泄他们的怒气呢!
  
  LL: (Chuckles) Oh, take it easy, Li Hua. They won't take it out on you.
  
  今天李华从Larry那儿学到两个常用语。第一个是hardcore, 形容一个人狂热地喜欢某样活动。另一个常用语是to take it out on someone, 是指把怒气发泄在某人身上。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#494
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

trailblazer
  
  cutting edge
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍的两个俗语都有“打先锋”的意思。这种打先锋的精神是美国人的特色。在体育比赛,或者在科学技术领域进行新的发明创造方面都能显示出这种精神。我们首先要给大家介绍美国人在形容这种精神时经常用的一个字就是:trailblazer。Trailblazer是指那些为别人开创道路的人。Trailblazer这个字出现在两个多世纪前。那时,美国许多拓荒者到西部去开发荒地,他们把树砍掉,建立新的农场。而trailblazer就是走在大家前头,替大家开路的人。那些trailblazer在荒野里每走五十米就用刀或斧头把树皮砍掉一块,作为给后来的人寻找道路的记号。树上被砍掉树皮的地方就叫做blaze。Trailblazer实际上是由两个字组成的。Trail是指小路,blazer这个词是来自 blaze。Trail和blaze合在一起就成为trailblaze,最后再加上“r”这个字母就成了“开路的人”了。现在,trailblazer这个字已经应用到生活的各个方面。下面我们要举的例子就是在现代社会中开创新的道路的人。
  
  例句-1: "Something important to all of us happened on July 20, 1969. That's the day astronaut Neil Armstrong stepped down from the spaceship Eagle and became the first human to set foot on the moon. History will remember him as one of the trailblazers in man's exploration of space."
  
  这句话的意思就是:“1969 年七月二十号发生了一件对我们大家来说是很重要的事。那天,宇航员尼尔阿姆斯特朗走出[鹰]号登月舱,成为第一个登上月球的人。他将载入历史成为人类探索宇宙的先驱。”
  
  宇航员在英文里就是astronaut。
  
  世界上有无数人在各个领域有所创造发明,对人类作出了贡献。有的人由于他们的成就名扬天下,成为家喻户晓的人物。但是,还有许多人,虽然经过辛勤劳动,作出了重大的发现,但是一辈子仍然默默无闻。 请大家看看下面这个例句:
  
  例句-2: "Sometimes the real trailblazers never get in the history books. One of the greatest inventors of all time was the inventor of the wheel, but nobody knows his -- or her -- name."
  
  这句话的意思是:“有的时候,那些真正的先驱者一直都没有被记入史册。有史以来最最伟大的发明家之一就是发明轮子的人。可是,没有人知道他的名字。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#495
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家都知道,美国在科学技术方面的发展是很快的,几乎每天都在你追我赶。这也是美国社会发展的动力之一。下面我们要给大家介绍的这个俗语就和美国科技发展有密切关系:cutting edge。
  
  Cutting就是用刀来切东西的意思,edge就是一样东西的边缘。Cutting edge就是类似刀或斧头那种工具的锐利边缘,也就是刀口。作为习惯用语,它的意思就是:最先进的技术。Cutting edge这个俗语在美国人当中流传使用已经大约有四十年了,一般是用来形容科技发展领域最先进的研究和发明,因此这个习惯用语在科技界人士当中使用得最多。下面这个例句就很能反映美国科技界争先恐后发明新技术的景象:
  
  例句-3: "Today the XYZ Corporation announced it is making a new super-computer which will be on the cutting edge of data processing. It works at twice the speed of any computer now on the market."
  
  这句话的中文意思就是:“今天,XYZ 公司宣布,该公司正在生产一种新的超级电脑。这种新的电脑将成为处理信息的最先进技术。它的速度比现在市场上的任何电脑都要快一倍。”
  
  可是,cutting edge这个常用语现在已经不局限在科技领域了,它已经被用于社会的各个方面,甚至美国的音乐界人士也使用这个俗语。请看下面这个句子:
  
  例句-4: "For the past ten years, younger composers like Philip Glass have been on the cutting edge in composing operas that defy most of the traditional rules of writing music."
  
  这句话的意思是:“过去十年来,像菲利普格拉斯这样的年轻作曲家不受大多数传统作曲规则的约束,一直站在创作歌剧的最前列。”
  
  今天我们在这节[美国习惯用语]节目里讲了两个和打先锋有关的习惯用语。第一个是:trailblazer,指的是那些为别人扫除障碍,开创道路的人。我们今天还讲了:cutting edge。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#496
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry在准备搬家,李华特别去Larry家帮他收拾装箱。今天李华会学到两个常用语: to toss something和digs.
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, what do you think of this sweater? It's got several holes. Should I toss it?
  
  LH: 你要把这件毛衣扔给我装箱?你自己说有好几个洞了,还留它干嘛?扔了算啦!
  
  LL: That's what I meant. I didn't mean to toss the sweater to you. I mean to throw it out. To toss something means to throw something out.
  
  LH: 噢,原来to toss it就是把东西扔了的意思。这件毛衣真的该丢了。其实还有一些衣服你也该丢掉了。
  
  LL: Hey, I didn't ask your opinion of my wardrobe. I just wanted to know if I should toss that one particular sweater.
  
  LH: 哎!我也只是帮你忙啊。如果你不要我帮忙,那就算喽!我才不管你衣柜里哪些衣服该丢,哪些不该丢呢!
  
  LL: Okay, since you're so eager to help: Should I toss this pair of shoes, too? They're really old and gross.
  
  LH: 这还要问啊?你这双鞋又旧又脏的,当然该丢掉喽!还有你那件黄的T恤衫也可以扔了。
  
  LL: No, I'm going to use that as a rag for cleaning my new apartment. I hate to toss something that I can still find a use for.
  
  LH: 你想拿那件破衣服来当抹布,废物利用,这倒是不错。Hey,Larry, 冰箱里的这些苹果都烂了,可以扔掉了吗?
  
  LL: Yes, I'm afraid that there is quite a bit in the refrigerator that needs to be tossed. I buy things and then I'm never home to eat them.
  
  LH: 我也是,经常买了东西不吃,最后又扔掉。也许下回该买些冷冻食品,不然,让食物烂了又扔掉,好浪费哟!
  
  LL: You're right. It's really terrible to toss out food.
  
  LH: 好吧!我先帮你清一清冰箱里的东西,我可以把烂掉的食品全都扔掉吗?Can I toss them out?
  
  LL: You can toss out whatever you think needs to be tossed.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#497
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, how do you like my new digs?
  
  LH: Digs? Dig 不是“挖”的意思。你在说什么啊?这是你的新公寓耶!
  
  LL: My new "digs" is my new apartment, Li Hua. "Digs" is slang for one's place of residence.
  
  LH: 嗨,dig不是挖土,挖洞的挖吗!你用的是名词,还是多数。Digs,所以,这就是指一个人住的地方。
  
  LL:That's right. My new digs is a bit empty now, but once I move my stuff in, this should be a nice apartment.
  
  LH:嗯,现在看起来是有点空空荡荡。可是我担心你东西搬进来以后就会乱了。
  
  LL: Hey, I'm not that messy! I like to keep my digs nice.
  
  LH: 对,你不算太乱,但是也不见得是那种非常整洁干净的人。
  
  LL: Okay, you're entitled to your opinion, but I am also entitled to disagree with you. I happen to be very proud of the way I maintain my digs.
  
  LH: 我当然可以保留我的意见咯! 你也完全可以不同意我的看法。其实,你的家只要你自己满意就行了。说正经的,Larry你要不要我帮你布置新家,your new digs?
  
  LL: Let's just take care of moving first. Once all of my stuff is here, we can talk about decorating.
  
  LH: 那也是,还是先搬完了再说,再不赶快搬,今晚你恐怕得在旧公寓里睡觉喽!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是to toss something, 就是把东西扔掉的意思。另一个常用语是digs。这是指一个人的居住的地方。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#498
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

penny-pincher
  
  cheapskate
  
  有些人花钱很小心。花钱小心是很明智的,但是,要是一个人太过份了,把钱看作是生活中最重要的东西,那他和他周围的人就会产生矛盾。中文里有时把那些这种手头很紧的人称为:吝啬鬼,或小气鬼。美国人也有类似的常用语来形容这种人。今天我们就来给大家介绍两个。第一个是:penny-pincher。
  
  Penny-pincher是两个字和在一起而成的,但是两个字当中有一个hyphen,也就是连字号。Penny就是一分钱,pincher这个字是来自 pinch,可以解释为:把东西捏在手里的捏,pinch后面加上er就成了名词,是指人。顾名思义,penny-pincher就是那些连一分钱都要捏在手里不放的人。在中文里就是:吝啬鬼,或守财奴。但是,在某种情况下,penny-pincher也会带有积极的意思。下面的例句是一个人在说美国的国会议员。
  
  例句-1: "You know, with the national debt getting so big, maybe we ought to elect some penny-pinchers to the Congress next time instead of these guys who are so good at spending the taxpayers' money."
  
  这个人说:“你知道,现在我们国家的预算赤字越来越大,也许我们应该下次选举那些花钱手头很紧的人去做议员,而不要选那种善于把老百姓缴纳的税钱大手大脚花掉的人。
  
  有的时候,手头紧,花钱很小心不仅不是坏事,而且还值得称赞。下面这个例子是说一家人家如何省吃俭用来过日子。
  
  例句-2: "Our family is really pinching pennies these days trying to save money -- our daughter's going into medical school and the tuition is $24,000 a year."
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们家这些日子真是省吃俭用,想法省点钱,因为我们的女儿要上医学院,每年的学费就要两万四千美元。”
  
  事实上,美国有些医学院的学费现在已经超出三万美元一年。真正有能力供的起一个孩子念医学院的家庭也不多,许多学生都不得不靠借学生贷款来上学,然后到毕业后连本带利一起慢慢的还。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#499
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个常用语是:cheapskate。
  
  Cheapskate实际上也是由两个字合成的。 可是,cheapskate和penny-pincher不同的是,它在两个字当中没有一个连字号。Cheapskate是指一个人,每当他不得不花一点钱的时候,他总是尽量省钱,越便宜越好。这种人往往不受人欢迎,尤其会使他们的女朋友反感。 下面这个例句中说话的人在评论他的弟弟:
  
  例句-3: "My brother Dick is a smart, goodlooking guy. But none of my friends want to go out with him because he's such a cheapskate. His idea of showing a girl a good time is to take her to MacDonald's for a hamburger and then to the zoo because admission is free."
  
  这个人说:“我的弟弟迪克是一个很聪明,长的也很帅的人。但是,我的朋友当中没有一个人愿意和他一起出去玩,因为他是个吝啬鬼。他把女朋友带到麦当劳去吃汉堡包,然后到动物园去,因为不要门票。可是,他认为这样玩就很不错了。”
  
  这儿要说明的是, 麦当劳快餐店最近几年来陆续在一些国家开张,对当地的人来说,这也许是很新鲜的事。但是,在美国你走到那里都有麦当劳,而且是吃东西最便宜的饭的地方,就像在上海吃碗阳春面一样。因此,要请别人,特别是女朋友到那里去吃饭是很小气的,而且也很不礼貌。类似MacDonald's这样的快餐店在美国还有很多,像 Berger King等等。在这种快餐店,一顿午饭大约五块美元,要是到正式的饭店去吃午饭,最少也得花十多块美元,还要加小费。
  
  美国孩子们,特别是那些十几岁的孩子,往往会说他们的家长很小气,因为他们认为爸爸妈妈不肯像他们要求的那样为他们花钱。可是,让我们来看看这位爸爸是怎么说的。
  
  例句-4: "I know my son thinks I'm a cheapskate because I won't buy him a motorcycle. But he doesn't realize I don't have much money left after I pay the rent and all the other bills. Any money left over I have to save to pay his way to college next year."
  
  这位爸爸说:“我知道我的儿子认为我很小气,因为我不给他买摩托车。但是,他不知道,我付了房租和其他帐单后没有多少钱剩下了。剩下的那点钱我也得存起来为他明年上大学作准备。”
  
  这次我们学习了两个习惯用语,它们都是形容那些花钱很小心,手头很紧的人。这两个习惯用语是:penny-pincher和cheapskate。
  
  Penny-pincher和cheapskate都是指花钱很小心的人。但是,penny-pincher也可能是很简朴的人,有时具有一定的积极意义。Cheapskate似乎比penny-pincher更含有贬义。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#500
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华打电话问Larry今天下午要不要一块儿去打网球。今天李华会学到两个常用语:Bum和ticker.
  
  (Telephone rings)
  
  LH: 嘿!Larry, 你今天下午有空吗?想不想和我去打网球?今天天气真好!
  
  LL: I'm sorry, Li Hua, but my bum knee is bothering me. I don't think it's a good idea to play tennis right now.
  
  LH: 你的膝盖怎么啦?Bum knee, 那是什么毛病啊?
  
  LL: I have a bum knee means that there is something permanently wrong with my knee.
  
  LH:原来 a bum knee就是一个膝盖以前受了伤而落下了毛病,也就是老毛病。Larry,你什么时候受的伤,我怎么不知道哪?
  
  LL:I tore a tendon playing soccer several years ago, and now my knee hurts once in a while and it doesn't always bend well.
  
  LH:噢,你几年前踢足球的时候受的伤,所以不时会感到痛,还不能弯。我爷爷年轻时腿也受过伤,现在只要一下雨,他的腿就会发作。
  
  LL: Yes, having a bum knee or leg is very common, particularly among former professional athletes.
  
  LH: 就是啊,这种伤害对职业运动员来说都是常见的。我倒是很惊讶那些美式足球队员,打起球来横冲直撞,居然还能走路。
  
  LL: Yes, well many of them do suffer from a bum leg, a bum knee, or a bum shoulder.
  
  LH: 嗯,他们的工资非常高,据说有的年薪都上百万呢! 筋骨受伤大概只是个小小的代价吧!
  
  LL: That's true, but not all of them make that much money and they still suffer injuries that leave them with a bum joint.
  
  LH: 当然不是每个球员工资都那么高的。工资低的也经常会受伤的。
  
  LL: Li Hua. I would play with you if I could. Try to find someone who can play with you. If you can't, give me a call and we can watch a movie or something.
  
  LH: 我要是找不到打球的伴再给你打电话。看个电影也挺好。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#501
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 我找不着人和我打网球。你还想去看电影吗?
  
  LL: I'm sorry, I can't. My mom just called to tell me that my uncle is in the hospital because he has a bum ticker. I should go and visit him.
  
  LH: 你要去医院看望你叔叔,他怎么啦?Larry,你说你叔叔得了什么病,bum ticker? 什么是ticker?
  
  LL: He has a bum ticker. Ticker is slang for one's heart because your heartbeats similar to the way in which a clock ticks. My uncle has a bad heart.
  
  LH: 噢,原来ticker是指心脏啊!对,心脏是像钟表那样滴滴答答地跳动。Larry,你叔叔心脏病发作呀?
  
  LL: No, he just had some pains in his chest. He knows that he has a bum ticker, so he went to the hospital to have it checked out.
  
  LH: 原来他是因为胸口痛才住院。希望他没事。我爸爸的心脏也不好,所以医生特别叮咛他要小心,避免压力太大。
  
  LL: Well, we've warned my uncle to take care of his old ticker, but he doesn't listen. He still eats junk food and he has a very stressful job.
  
  LH: 看来你叔叔不是个听话的病人。心脏不好的人应该要避免吃垃圾食物。或许你叔叔这次出院后,能意识到要好好照顾自己的心脏了。
  
  LL: I hope so, but he has already had a heart attack and surgery, so I doubt he'll change his habits because of a few chest pains.
  
  LH: 他已经发作过心脏病,还动过手术!那看来胸口痛是不会促使他改变饮食习惯了。得了,你还是赶快上医院去吧,我明天再跟你聊喽!
  
  LL: Okay, bye.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是bum,指的是有毛病的,通常是老毛病。另一个常用语是ticker,是指心脏。这是很口语的说法,因为心脏就象钟表一样滴滴答答跳动。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#502
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 not all there
  
  to have a screw loose
  
  我们经常会发现有的人似乎脑子不太正常。也许是因为现代生活过于紧张,美国是有不少精神不正常的人。据说,美国人在口语里至少有二十个习惯用语用来形容这些人,但是由于时间关系,我们今天只能给大家介绍两个。我们先要给大家讲解的一个是:not all there。
  
  Not all there是美国人普遍用的一个习惯用语,它的意思是:某个人的行为表现很奇怪,或者是很傻。我们来给大家举个例子吧。这是一个学生在和同学议论他们班上新来的一个学生:
  
  例句-1: "This new kid looks like he is not all there. All he does is sit and stare out the window as if the only thing he sees is blank space."
  
  这个学生说:“这个新来的孩子看起来好像不太正常。他除了向窗外盯着看之外什么也不干,好像他眼睛里看到的只是一片空白。”
  
  在美国,你走在马路上会看到一些无家可归的人,他们当中就有一些精神病患者。可是,在八十年代前人们很少在马路上看到这些人,因为当时的美国政府为精神病患者设立了不少机构来照料他们。为他们提供治疗。然而,在里根总统当政期间,美国政府大量减少了这方面的拨款,这样一来,许多为精神病患者设立的机构只能关闭。有些病情比较轻的病人离开这些机构以后能够独立生活;但是,一些病情比较严重而又没有家人或其他机构照顾的病人也就只能流落街头。由于他们精神有病,因此也不可能找到工作,即使找到了,也不可能维持下去。所以他们就成了无家可归的人。他们一般来说是不会伤害别人,但是有时他们也会骚扰行人,比如伸手问人要钱,或对人大声嚷嚷等。同时在犯罪的人当中也确实有一些精神不正常的人。因此有不少美国人认为凡是精神不正常的人都应该根据他们的情况住在为精神病患者设立的各种不同设施里,由专门的管理人员照顾他们,给他们治疗,到确定他们能够正常生活以后才回到社会中来。但是,现在还做不到。根据新闻报导,由于近几年美国经济衰退,美国人的施舍精神也不如以前了。因此,无家可归的人可能比以往更为艰苦。
  
  大家都知道,美国的犯罪率是很高的,犯罪的方式也无所不有。下面这个例子里说的事就很出奇。这是一个人在和朋友谈论报上的一篇报导。他说:
  
  例句-2: "Did you read about that crazy guy who stole a police car to take his girlfriend to see a movie? The cop caught him in ten minutes -- it seems to me the guy was not all there."
  
  这人问他的朋友:“报上有一篇文章说一个疯疯颠颠的人偷了警察的车,带他女朋友去看电影,你看到了没有?。警察只花了十分钟就把他抓到了。我看那个人不太正常。”
  
  美国确实经常发生偷车事件,最近还出现用暴力抢车的事,但是偷警车的倒还不多。看来,那个人不是胆大包天,就是不太正常了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#503
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个形容人不正常的习惯用语:to have a screw loose。
  
  Screw是一个螺丝,loose是松的意思。所以 to have a screw loose从字面上来解释就是:一个螺丝松了。作为一个俗语,它的意思就是:某人的脑子不正常,因为他脑子里有些地方的接头松了。我们来举个例子说明这个俗语在口语里是怎么用的。这是一个人在回忆他大学里的一个同学:
  
  例句-3: " I knew a guy at college who had a screw loose somewhere -- he was scared to death of catching a disease so he'd run off to wash his hands after he shook hands with anybody."
  
  这人说:“我在念大学的时候认识一个人,他有点不太正常。他非常害怕染上什么病,所以他每次和别人握过手以后总是要马上去洗手。”
  
  每当出现新事物的时候,总有人不能马上接受,而且还要认为发明新事物的人有毛病。现在,飞机对大家来说是非常普遍的交通工具。许多美国人乘飞机就像坐公共汽车那样的随便。发明飞机的是姓赖特的兄弟两人。一开始,人们根本不相信人可以在空中飞行,所以大家以为这兄弟两不太正常。下面这个例句就是在说当时的情形:
  
  例句-4: "Everybody thought these two brothers had a screw loose somewhere when they built this silly-looking machine and claimed it could carry a man up in the air. But people stopped laughing when this crazy thing actually flew."
  
  这句话的意思是:“当那兄弟两造了那个看起来挺怪的机器,还说那机器能让人在天上飞的时候,每个人都认为这兄弟两不正常。可是,当那个怪物真的在天上飞了以后,大家就再也不笑话他们了。”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个形容人不正常的习惯用语。它们是:not all there和to have a loose screw。
  
  请大家不要忘记,我们在这课开始就已经提到,美国人用来形容人不正常的俗语至少有二十多个,今天讲的只是其中的两个。还有一点更重要的是,有的时候,我们认为不正常的人其实一点都不是不正常,相反的是,他们可能比我们大家都更加聪敏和富有想象力。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#504
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry正在讨论是不是要去听有关中国历史的演讲。今天李华会学到两个常用语:big shot和bent out of shape.
  
  (Ambience sound in the Hallway)
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua! Are you going to the guest lecture this evening? Some big shot Harvard professor is going to speak tonight.
  
  LH: 你说今天晚上来演讲的教授是什么?big shot?什么是big shot?
  
  LL: I said he is a big shot. A big shot is an important or influential person.
  
  LH: 噢!Big shot是指一个很重要,很有影响力的人。那不就是我们中文里说的“大人物”嘛!哎!哈佛大学的教授就是大人物,big shot呀?
  
  LL: Actually, this guy is a big shot because he's an American who lived in China for thirty years after the revolution, and got to know some of the leaders of China personally.
  
  LH: 哟,他在中国住了30年,还认识一些中国的领导人。听起来倒挺象大人物的。那他为什么要到我们学校来呢?
  
  LL: Well, the president of our university and some other big shots from the city government are good friends of his. They invited him to come here and give a lecture.
  
  LH: 原来他和我们校长还有市政府的官员都是好朋友。嗯,我很想去听听他的演讲。对了,Larry,你听说Jack找到一份新工作吗?
  
  LL: Oh yeah, I heard that he's working for a big shot lawyer now. I'm really happy to see him doing so well after graduation.
  
  LH: 我希望那家大律师事务所能好好待他。有时候,为这些大人物工作,未必是件好差事。
  
  LL: Yeah, I guess so. Still, it's better to work for a big shot lawyer than to be a waiter at a coffee house. A lot of us history majors end up doing jobs like that after graduation.
  
  LH: 话是不错,给大律师工作总比在咖啡馆当服务员好。可是,历史专业的毕业生也不见得都到餐馆去当服务员。我将来就要争取成为一个有名的教授, a big shot professor!
  
  LL: That's good to hear. Just be sure you don't forget about me after you become a big shot!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#505
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嘿!Larry, 昨晚我去听演讲,怎么没看见你呢?那位教授讲得很有意思!
  
  LL: Well, that's good to hear. I couldn't make it because some idiot crashed his car into mine last night on the way over here. I'm still pretty bent out of shape about it.
  
  LH: 什么!你昨晚出车祸啦?Bent out of shape? 你是不是受伤了?
  
  LL: I'm fine! (chuckles) I said I am bent out of shape. That means I am very angry and upset about the accident last night, even though it wasn't very serious.
  
  LH: 噢!原来你是为了车子被撞而生气。Bent out of shape就是生气,发火的意思。嗨,没受伤就好,车子坏了有保险公司,别生气啦?
  
  LL: But I'm bent out of shape because the other guy was really rude. I had the right of way at a stop sign, but he drove through the intersection first and bumped into my car. Then he started yelling at me for not letting him go first!
  
  LH: 哼,他不守交通规则,抢先过了马路撞上你的车,还对你大声嚷嚷?怪不得你要气坏了呢!
  
  LL: (Angry) That guy is an idiot! Otherwise, I wouldn't get so bent out of shape. Let's talk about something else. What about the lecture?
  
  LH: 对!别谈这事了。昨晚那个演讲我觉得很有意思,不过,在那位教授讲完要离开会场的时候,有一群学生对他大吼大叫,好像是不同意他的某个观点。
  
  LL: Did the guy get all bent out of shape about it?
  
  LH: 没有耶,那位教授没生气,也没有理会那些学生。后来大家都离开会场了。
  
  LL: Well, that's good. If someone gets bent out of shape about different opinions, it usually means he's narrow-minded.
  
  LH: 所以,Larry,尽管撞你车的人不讲道理,你也不要小心眼,为这事生气。
  
  今天李华学会两个常用语,第一个是big shot,是形容很重要,有影响力的大人物。另一个常用语是bent out of shape,意思是很生气。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#506
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

under the weather
  
  down with a bug
  
  在寒冷的冬天,伤风,咳嗽和感冒等小毛小病有可能使孩子没法上学,大人不能上班。在这种情况下,美国人打电话到办公室去请假的时候,他们是怎么说的呢? 一般来说,他们会说:"My daughter Mary is sick." 意思是说:“我女儿玛丽病了。”或者说:"I'm not feeling good." 意思是:“我不太舒服”。
  
  这些讲法都是非常普遍的。但是,美国人在表达这些意思的时候也有一些常用的俗语。今天我们就给大家介绍两个。美国人在说“我不太舒服”的时候,经常会用:under the weather。
  
  Weather就是天气,但是under the weather的意思是:我不太舒服,和天气没有关系。下面我们举的例子是一个人打电话到办公室去请假。
  
  例句-1: "Mr. Jones, this is Sally Smith. I'm sorry, but I can't come to work today -- I'm feeling a little under the weather."
  
  这个人说:“琼斯先生,我是沙利史密斯。对不起,今天我有点儿不舒服,所以不能去上班了。”
  
  当你用under the weather的时候,你只是告诉对方你感到不舒服,而不用具体地告诉别人你究竟是头痛呢,还是拉肚子。Under the weather可能是有小毛小病的时候最普遍的用法。下面我们再来举个例子,这回是刚才那位老板Mr. Jones生病了,他打电话给他的秘书,当然不是向她请假,而是告诉她他不去上班,给她下一点指示而已。
  
  例句-2: "Miss Smith? This is Mister Jones here. Could you please cancel my appointments for today? I'm feeling under the weather so I'm going to stay home. I hope I see you tomorrow."
  
  琼斯先生说:“你是史密斯小姐吗?我是琼斯先生。我今天不太舒服,所以我就耽在家里,不去上班了。请你把我今天的约会给取消了吧。明天再见。”
  
  这位史密斯小姐一定很高兴,老板不来上班事情会少得多。一般秘书小姐成天都得围绕着老板的工作节奏行事,有时忙的喘不过气来。 有一家咖啡批发公司的秘书,她非常喜欢写作,但是苦于没有时间。所以,每当他的老板出差到外地去的时候,她就利用空余时间写她的短篇小说。她也很坦率地告诉她的老板,老板并不反对,说是只要你把该做的做完了,做好了就行。有的秘书小姐喜欢利用午餐休息的时间去逛商店,买东西;也有的经常和朋友约好了一起去吃午饭。当然,老板不在,她就会更放松一些,不必急急忙忙赶回办公室去。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#507
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在冬天,人们往往因为孩子或大人感冒,咳嗽而不得不请一、两天假。这都是不太严重的毛病。有的时候也会由于传播得很快的一些病毒而使人感到不舒服。这种小毛病对一般人来说没有什么了不起,尽管咳嗽,嗓子痛和头痛也是很难受的。可是,这些小毛病对老年人,或有严重疾病的人来说可能是很危险的。美国人在口语里经常把这种病毒叫做:bug。
  
  Bug这个字的意思是:小虫子。虽然从医学的角度把病毒叫做bug是不正确的,但是在这种情况下,你要是用bug这个字,谁都知道你是指传染疾病的病毒。我们来举个例子吧。这是一个人在打电话给他的朋友:
  
  例句-3: "Susan, this is John. I'm sorry, but Helen and I are both down with this darn bug that's going around, so I'm afraid we won't be able to come to dinner tonight."
  
  这人说:“苏珊,我是约翰。海伦和我都感到很不舒服,都怪最近流传的那种讨厌的病毒。今天我们恐怕不能上你们那儿吃晚饭了,实在对不起。”
  
  生病不能去上班当然要影响工作,可是刚好在有人请吃饭的时候生病,那也是可惜的很。
  
  有的人有点小毛病根本不在乎,也不去看大夫,最多睡两天也就挺过去了。可是,当病情不见缓和,时间拖得太久,那就不得不去看医生了。在美国,一般人都有自己的医生,,而且这位医生还往往是所谓的“家庭医生”,就是家里所有的人都找他看病。有的时候,一家几代人都在一个医生那里看病。在美国看病,事先都得打电话去和医生约定时间,当然要是急诊,那就又当别论。下面这个例句是一个人在和他的医生说话:
  
  例句-4: "Doctor, this is John Smith. I think I'd better come in to see you for a check-up. I don't know what's wrong with me. I'm afraid I am down with a bug."
  
  这人说:“医生,我是约翰史密斯。我想还是请你给我检查一下。我不知道是什么问题,恐怕我是传染上了流行性病毒。”
  
  至于和医生约时间要等多久才能去看病,那就要看每个医生的不同情况了。一般来说,病人较多的医生就会等得时间长一些,有的医生当天就可以让你去他的诊所。但是,几乎没有人能够事先没有约好,走进医生诊所就要看病的。
  
  美国也有一部份人根本买不起医疗保险;有的人是因为工作的公司不提供医疗保险的福利,那些没有工作的人就更付不出这笔钱,因为个人保险要比公司集体保险贵得多。
  
  今天我们讲了两个表示身体不舒服的习惯用语:under the weather和down with a bug。
  
  Under the weather是很概括地表示不舒服,而不是具体地说明什么病,如头痛,头晕,或胃痛等。Down with a bug是指受到流行性病毒的感染而身体不舒服。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#508
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华正在为朋友的生日party做准备,她生平第一次烤了一个蛋糕。今天李华会学到两个常用语:from scratch和all set.
  
  LH: Larry, 这是我烤的蛋糕,你尝尝。这可是我生平第一次烤蛋糕,不一定会好吃!
  
  LL: Mmmm! This is delicious! Did you make this from scratch or did you use a cake mix?
  
  LH: 你觉得好吃呀?太好了!哎,你刚才问我是不是make it from scratch? 那是什么意思啊?我是照因特网上的一个食谱做的。
  
  LL: Then you did make it from scratch. To make something from scratch is to make it yourself using all of the basic ingredients.
  
  LH: 原来to make something from scratch就是自己用基本材料,从头做起。是呀,我用鸡蛋、面粉、牛奶和黄油做的。还有别的做蛋糕的方法?
  
  LL: A lot of people nowadays use a pre-packaged cake mix with all the ingredients in it already, so it's easier to make.
  
  LH: 用事先调好的蛋糕粉那当然简单多了。那多没意思啊!自己把所有的材料准备好,从头开始做,其实很好玩呢!
  
  LL: Well, you should be proud of yourself. This cake is great!
  
  LH: 谢谢,你说好吃我就放心了!对了,Larry,你有没有自己烤过蛋糕?
  
  LL: No, but I tried making chocolate chip cookies from scratch once.
  
  LH: 自己做巧克力饼干啊?好吃吗?
  
  LL: They were awful because I forgot to put oil in them. After that, I decided that it was best if I didn't try to make things from scratch anymore.
  
  LH: 忘了放油!那饼干肯定会太硬。你一次没做成功就决定下回不做了!你知道,做这种东西是试验好多次才行。
  
  LL: I know, but I'm not that patient.
  
  LH: 嗨,要做好就得要有耐心嘛!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#509
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: All right, Li Hua. The cake is ready, the drinks are prepared, and the decorations look great. I think we are all set.
  
  LH: We are all set? 这是什么意思?蛋糕、饮料都准备好了,一切都布置好了。你的意思是一切准备就绪了,是吗?
  
  LL: That's right. To be "all set" is to be ready for whatever it is you're going to do. In this case, we are all set to have a party.
  
  LH: 对,要举行party的个方面似乎都准备好了。那我是不是可以说we're all set to have fun at the party?
  
  LL: If you're ready to have fun, then of course you can say that. Hey, what about the music - is that all set?
  
  LH: 音乐啊?没问题!我把激光唱机和几片激光盘全放桌上了。So it's all set.
  
  LL: Great! Now, I'm all set to eat more of that cake you made. It's really delicious
  
  LH: 不行,你现在还不能吃这蛋糕,要等做生日的人吹完蜡烛后才能吃的!
  
  LL: I know. I was just kidding. Hey, do you have a place for people to put presents?
  
  LH: 放礼物的地方啊?早准备好了!我在进门的地方有张桌子。大家可以把礼物和生日卡放在那儿。.
  
  LL: Okay, since everything is all set, we can relax until the guests start arriving.
  
  LH: 我早就准备好在客人来以前先休息一下。筹办一个生日party 可真是够累人的!
  
  LL: Preparing a party isn't that bad; it's cleaning up afterwards that's a lot of work.
  
  LH: Party结束后,我想你一定会帮我收拾的。对不对?
  
  LL:Of course!
  
  李华学到两个常用语。第一个是from scratch, 意思就是从头做起。第二个常用语是all set, 就是一切就绪,准备好了的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#510
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

baby boomers
  
  yuppies
  
  今天我们要给大家讲解两个反应美国经济和社会变化的俗语。在第二次世界大战期间,美国一共有一千三百万人参军服役。他们当中有许多人由于战争而没有时间完成自己的婚姻大事。因此在1945年战争结束后,他们就纷纷开始组织家庭,生儿育女。在这方面,他们也确实是紧追直赶,成绩辉煌。在1946年到1964年这将近二十年的时间里,美国的人口急剧增加,新生婴儿的人数一共有七千八百万人。美国人为这一代人起了一个名字: baby boomers。
  
  大家都知道,baby是指小孩。Boomer是来自boom这个字。Boom有的时候可以解释成:大声的爆炸。但是在这里,它的意思是::飞速的发展。这也就是美国当时人口增长的情况。在46年到64年之间出生的人, 被称为baby boomers。 他们当中不少人在事业方面已经有了成就。美国前总统克林顿就是一个突出的例子。请听下面这个例句:
  
  例句-1: "President Bill Clinton's election in 1992 was a transfer of power from the old generation to the new generation -- he's the first baby boomer to be elected to the White House."
  
  这句话的意思是:“克林顿总统1992年竞选获胜象征着美国政权从老一代转移到新一代。克林顿是战后人口飞速增长期间出生的那一代人当中第一个当选为总统的。”
  
  当选为总统毕竟是极少数人的事。那末,其他baby boomers的情况又是如何呢? 我们今天要讲的第二个俗语就和这个问题有关。
  
  刚才我们提到,美国人口在二次大战后的将近二十年时间内快速增长。可是自那时以来,美国人口的增长率一直在下降。美国人口普查局每十年统计人口一次。从1950年到1960年,美国人口比前十年增长了18.5%。然后从六十年代开始就一直往下降。在1980年代,美国人口比70年代只增长了百分之9.8%。下面这个例句就告诉我们美国人口下降的原因:
  
  例句-2: "Population growth has slowed down in the United States since the baby boomers became adults. They're simply not having as many children as their parents did."
  
  这句话的意思是:“自从战后人口剧增期间出生的人长大成人以后,美国的人口增长率已经开始下降。因为他们不像他们的父母那样生很多孩子。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#511
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来看看这些在战后二十年里出生的人目前的情况。克林顿总统虽然是那时代出生的人,但是他没有代表性,因为有多少人能当选为总统呢?不过,这些baby boomers当中有不少人都生活的不错。美国人给这些人也起了个名字,这就是我们今天要给大家介绍的第二个习惯用语:yuppies。
  
  你要是查1983年以前出版的字典,你可能还找不到yuppy这个字。实际上,yuppy是一个缩略字,它是由 young urban professional这三个字的第一个字母组成的,也就是yup。后面再加上p和y这两个字母来形成第二个音节。新出版的字典会告诉你,所谓yuppies就是那些很有抱负,受过高等教育,住在大城市有专业性的工作,生活很富裕的年轻人。很多baby boomers后来变成了yuppy。 请听一位yuppy的自白吧。
  
  例句-3: "I guess you can call me a yuppy. I'm 37 and I make enough money to afford the right things in life. See this gold Rolex watch? I eat in the best restaurants and drink a good wine instead of whiskey. Yes, of course, I drive a BMW."
  
  这个人 说:“我想你可以把我看做是一个富裕的年轻人。我今年三十七,我的收入使我有能力享受生活中美好的东西。 这只Rolex金表,看见了吗?我到最好的饭馆吃饭,喝上等的酒,而不喝威士忌。是的,没错,我开的是德国宝马牌汽车。”
  
  虽然baby boomer的人数有将近八千万,但是他们究竟不能代表美国全部的人口。更何况 baby boomer不见得个个都富有。因此像上面这位 yuppy说的生活方式在美国并非普遍现象。
  
  但是,对于这种一切在于享受的生活方式,有的知识分子也看不惯。请听听他们的看法:
  
  例句-4: "The trouble with most yuppies is that they don't have independent minds of their own. They follow the latest fashions in food, wine, clothes, cars and amusement like a herd of sheep."
  
  这人说:“这些富裕年轻人的问题就是他们没有独立自主的想法。他们在吃,喝,穿着,汽车和娱乐方面老是赶时髦。他们就好像一群羊一样。
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了两个反应美国经济和社会变化的习惯用语。第一个是:baby boomers;
  
  Baby boomers就是那些在第二次大战后大约二十年期间出生的人,在这段时间内美国人口增长率突飞猛进。今天我们还讲了:yuppies;Yuppies是指 baby boomers当中那些有专长,工资收入很高,生活很奢侈的人。他们一般都住城市里。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#512
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华到Larry家来借一本书,碰巧Larry的妈妈打电话来。什么事呢?你听了他们的对话就知道了。今天李华会学到两个常用语:play hooky和put one's foot down。
  
  (Hang up phone)
  
  LH: Larry,怎么啦?你看起来很不高兴。
  
  LL: Oh, it's just that my little sister is giving my mom a lot of trouble. She played hooky from school two days in a row last week.
  
  LH: 你妹妹给你妈惹麻烦了。你说她上星期在学校连续两天played hooky? 那是一种游戏吗?为什么你妈妈会生气啊?
  
  LL: No, it's not a game. To play hooky is to skip school or work when you have no excuse for doing so.
  
  LH: 噢!play hooky就是逃学,旷课的意思。那很严重耶!我要是逃学,我妈妈一定会非常非常生气!
  
  LL: Every kid plays hooky once in a while, but playing hooky as often as my little sister does is a serious problem. It's affecting her grades.
  
  LH: 对,偶尔旷课还可以,如果像你妹妹这样常常逃课,成绩当然会受影响喽!那你妈妈打算怎么做?
  
  LL: She'll forbid my sister from watching TV, talking on the phone, or going out with her friends for at least a month.
  
  LH: 哇!至少一个月不能看电视、不许和朋友通电话,也不可以和朋友出去。这样的处罚是够厉害的。不过也许她能得到教训,以后不再逃学。
  
  LL: I hope so. Hey, you really never played hooky when you were a kid?
  
  LH: 嗯,有那么几次我不想上学,就装病待在家里。这样也算play hooky吗?
  
  LL: Of course, that counts! Actually, I think every kid has used that trick to play hooky at least once.
  
  LH: 对,假装生病是孩子们想逃学时常用的借口。我记得我是因为有的同学老是取笑我,所以我不想上学。
  
  LL: Unfortunately, I think that's probably a very common reason for playing hooky from school.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-07#513
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,刚才是谁打电话来?
  
  LL: That was my sister. My mom really put her foot down this time. She's not allowed to watch TV or see her friends for two months. She's really upset.
  
  LH: 你妈妈罚你妹妹两个月不准看电视,也不准和朋友出去玩,那是够厉害的。可是,Larry, 你刚才说"put her foot down"是什么意思?
  
  LL: Oh, to put one's foot down means to take a really firm stance on something and enforce it.
  
  LH: Put one's foot down就是采取坚定立场,严厉执行。你妈妈是不是也曾经对你这么严格啊?
  
  LL: I was generally a good kid, but she did put her foot down once that I can remember. She thought one of my friends was a bad influence, so she didn't allow me to hang out with him
  
  LH: 那是可以理解。中国人常说,“近朱者赤,近墨者黑,”你妈妈是怕你交了坏朋友,所以才不让你跟他交往。
  
  LL: Well, haven't you ever had to put your foot down with anyone?
  
  LH: 你还记得我那讨厌的同屋吗?在她开始偷我的东西之后,我就对她不客气了。
  
  LL: Yeah, I remember that. I think you probably should have put your foot down before then, but you were too nice.
  
  LH: 是,我可能早就不该迁就她了。不过,我总觉得不太好意思,不太敢和别人发生冲突。
  
  LL: You've got to learn to put your foot down when it's necessary, otherwise people will take advantage of you.
  
  LH:没错,必要的时候就得学会对别人硬一些,有的人就是会欺软怕硬。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是play hooky, 是逃学,或旷课。另外一个常用语是put one's foot down, 意思是很坚定,采取严厉手段。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#514
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

dinks
  
  sandwich generation
  
  
  我们上次给大家介绍了baby boomers和yuppies。 这是两个反映美国社会变化的习惯用语。今天我们再给大家讲两个这方面的俗语。在第二次世界大战结束后的二十年内,美国人口急剧上升。在这段时间里出生的人现在都已经是三、四十岁了。美国人把他们叫做baby boomers。这些人当中有不少人在工作方面很出色,生活很富裕,人们把他们称为yuppies。但是,yuppies 除了年轻,富裕,住在城市里,都有专业性工作外,他们还有一个特点。那就是,他们当中有些人不要孩子。美国人把这些人叫做:dinks。
  
  Dinks和yuppies一样也是缩略字。 不过,Dinks代表的是double Income, no Kids.
  
  Double Income就是夫妻两人都工作,有两份收入;no Kids就是没有孩子。这就意味着,这样的夫妇比起有孩子的家庭来他们有更多的钱。下面是一个yuppy在说他和他妻子的家庭生活:
  
  例句-1: "Mary and I are dinks -- we both have good professional careers. Mary keeps her own maiden name for business reasons. And when I get home first, I cook dinner. We have this lovely house, but the mortgage payments are big enough that we can 't afford to have kids."
  
  这个yuppy说:“玛丽和我都工作,因此有两份工资,可是我们没有孩子。我们两都有很好的专业性工作。为了工作方便,玛丽结了婚还是用她自己的姓。平时要是我先回家,晚饭就由我来做。我们的这栋房子很漂亮,但是买房子借了很多抵押贷款,每个月要付不少钱来还这笔贷款,所以我们没有能力生孩子。”
  
  这里要说明的一点是,美国妇女在结婚以后一般都改用丈夫的姓。但是,有一些妇女为了工作或其他原因也有的人不用丈夫的姓。
  
  你要是到美国各地的住宅区去走走的话,一般你都会看到有些孩子在各处玩,有的孩子骑自行车,有的打球等。但是,由于一些年轻人不要孩子,因此这种孩童游玩的景色也有所改变。下面这个例句就是一位老人在叙述这方面的变化:
  
  例句-2: "The last five years a lot of dinks have moved into our part of town. They're nice people, but I miss seeing all the young kids playing in the park the way it used to be in the old days."
  
  这位老先生说:“在过去五年里,有不少两个人都工作,但是没有孩子的夫妇搬到我们这地区来住。他们都是很好的人,但是很遗憾的是现在我看不到过去那种孩子在公园里玩的景象了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#515
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当然,这些baby boomers也绝不是千篇一律的,他们也不都是有钱的yuppies,也不见得都不要孩子。事实上,有的yuppy夫妇不仅有孩子,而且还有老人要抚养。像这种上有老,下有小的yuppies,美国人也给他们起了一个名字,那就是:sandwich generation。
  
  Sandwich就是三明治,generation就是一代人。所以,sandwich generation就是既要赡养老人,又要抚养下一代的人。他们和挟在三明治当中的肉一样挟在老一代和小一代之中。他们的经济负担比较重, 下面这个例句就很能说明这个问题:
  
  例句-3: "Older people tend to retire earlier and live longer these days. And if they don't have pensions big enough to live on, this means their children in the sandwich generation have to bear the financial burden longer."
  
  这句话的意思是:“老年人现在都比较早地退休了,他们的寿命也比以往长。如果他们的退休金不够维持生活的话,这就意味着他们的孩子既要抚养老人,又要抚养他们自己的孩子,他们的经济负担时间也就更长。”
  
  有关方面也一直在想办法减轻这些上有老,下有小的人的负担。 请看下面这个例子:
  
  例句-4: " Some people argue that a better national health care plan would help ease the financial burden of the sandwich generation because keeping older people healthy costs a lot more money."
  
  这个人发表意见说:“有的人认为,一个比较好的全国保健计划就能减轻那些上有老,下有小的那代人的经济负担,因为要保持老人身体健康得花好多钱。”
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了两个和现在三、四十岁的人有关的习惯用语。它们是:dinks and sandwich generation。Dinks是指那些三、四十岁的夫妇,两人都有很好的职业,收入很高,但是却不要孩子。Sandwich generation也是指那一代的人,但是他们上有老,下有小,经济负担比较重。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#516
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华今天在公园玩飞盘时看到一个人随地丢垃圾。今天李华会学到两个常用语:tattletale和pushover.
  
  LH: Larry, 你看,那个人随地丢垃圾。我们是不是该去告诉站在那边的警察?
  
  LL: I don't know, Li Hua. I don't really like to be a tattletale. Maybe we should just go and pick up the garbage ourselves.
  
  LH: 我们为什么要帮他捡他的垃圾?他应该知道这样是很没有公德心的。你说你不想当个tattletale。那是什么意思?是不是说我们向警察报告是不对的?
  
  LL: A tattletale is someone who runs to tell the person in charge whenever someone else does something wrong. Usually, children call each other tattletales.
  
  LH: 噢,tattletale原来就是爱告状的人。要是一个小孩说粗话,他姐姐听到了就跑去告诉妈妈。这个小姐姐就算是tattletale喽?
  
  LL: Exactly. In general, no one likes a tattletale because it seems as though that person is just trying to get attention.
  
  LH: 对,没有人喜欢爱告状的人。他们就是想显得自己比别人好而已。举个例子来说,如果我考试做弊,你去告诉教授。这样你就是个tattletale,对吗?
  
  LL: Right. You certainly wouldn't be right for cheating on the test, but I wouldn't be a very good friend, either.
  
  LH: 我当然不会在考试的时候做弊。嗨,那个扔垃圾的家伙已经走了。
  
  LL: Yeah, let's go and put the garbage in the trashcan. It's not right to leave that on the ground.
  
  LH: 对,把垃圾扔在地上实在不好。我们去把垃圾拣起来扔在垃圾桶里吧。Larry,你真是个有公德心的人。不过,我很好奇,你小时候有没有告过谁的状呀?
  
  LL: No, but my little sister was an awful tattletale. Every time I did anything she didn't like, she would run and tell our mother.
  
  LH:真有意思,你的小妹妹老爱到你妈那儿去告你的状。你肯定很顽皮。
  
  LL:Not really. She's just a tattletale.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#517
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嘿, Larry, 我倒想听听,你妹妹经常到你妈妈那里告你的状,你都怎么反应啊?
  
  LL: I would act really sorry and my mom would forgive me immediately. My mom is a pushover, so she rarely punished me.
  
  LH: 你好耍赖噢!故意装出很抱歉的样子,让你妈妈很快原谅你。哎,对了,什么是pushover?
  
  LL: A pushover is someone who is easy to convince. It also refers to someone who gives in easily.
  
  LH: 噢,知道了,pushover就是指很容易相信别人,经常让步的人。就像你,假装认错,你妈就不会处罚你,事情就过去了。对不对?
  
  LL: Right. Some people are pushovers because they are really nice and just want to make everyone happy.
  
  LH: 对,这种人,pushovers,一般心地善良,总想让大家都高兴。我看的出来你就是这种人。
  
  LL: Me? A pushover? You've got to be kidding!
  
  LH: 我才不是开玩笑呢!我记得有一次,我们一起去看电影,你想看的电影和我想看的完全不一样,结果我们还是看了我想看的那部电影!
  
  LL: Hey, that's just being a good friend. I don't know if you should call me a pushover for that.
  
  LH: (Laugh) 好啦!Larry, 我说你是pushover完全没有恶意噢!Pushover是不是有负面的意思?
  
  LL: Not necessarily. People are usually pushovers when they're with people whom they care about.
  
  LH:没错,让步一般都是为自己喜欢的人让步的。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是tattletale, 就是喜欢告状的人。另外一个常用语是pushover,意思是很轻信,或容易让步的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#518
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

couch potato
  
  mall rats 
  
  美国的电视业过去十多年来有很大的发展。电视节目越来越花色繁多,选择性也就随之而增加。特别是电缆电视的出现,为美国人提供了几十个频道的电视节目,而美国有百分之五十的家庭都能看到电缆电视节目。还有百分之五十的家庭都购置了录像机。他们可以在家里看录像带上的电影,或者是当他们不在家的时候,把电视上的节目录下来。随着电视业的不断发展,美国就出现了一种花很多时间看电视的电视迷。人们把他们叫做:couch potato。
  
  Couch是指沙发,potato就是土豆。Couch potato是指那些一有时间就坐在沙发上看电视的人。他们坐在那里一声也不吭,一动也不动,就象一个土豆一样。下面讲话的人就是一个couch potato:
  
  例句-1: Why should I go out to see a movie or a concert -- it’s a lot more comfortable to stay at home. I have cable TV, which gives me a choice of 30 different programs. Why, I can see a championship fight right in my living room. Or I can rent a good movie for a couple of bucks and watch it on my VCR.
  
  他说:是的,你可以叫我电视迷,但是我干什么要到外面去看电影,听音乐会呢!在家要舒服多了。我装了有线电视频道,可以看到三十个不同的节目。我在我的客厅里就可以看到各种体育运动的比赛。或者我可以花两块钱去租一部电影,用我的录像机来看。
  
  美国公众除了可以看到三大电视网的节目以外,还可以看到公共广播电视网以及地方台的节目。另外,要是你愿意花钱定购有线电视的话,你一下就增加了二、三十个频道。电视的内容这样花样繁多,当然有的人就被吸引住了。
  
  Couch potato可能也知道他们的习惯不好。下面这个例子是一个couch potato在说他如何处理孩子看电视的问题:
  
  例句-2: I'm a couch potato and it's too late for me to change. But we try to keep our kids from watching more than two hours of television a day: we don't want them to be couch potatoes, too.
  
  这个人说:我是个电视迷,一有空就坐在沙发上看电视。要我现在改掉这个习惯已经为时过晚。但是,我们尽量让孩子们 每天看电视不超过两个小时。我们不想让他们也变成电视迷。
  
  有的人听了这句话可能会说,给孩子立规矩固然是好的,但是,要孩子养成好习惯的最好办法还是父母以身作则。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#519
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国有许多购物中心。美国人把它们叫做:mall。
  
  有的mall规模较小,只有十几家商店。可是,有的购物中心规模非常大。例如,在华盛顿附近的维吉尼亚州,有一个购物中心里面一共有两百多家商店,另外还有饭馆,电影院和几公顷大的停车场。一到周末星期六和星期天,各地的mall里都是买东西的人。有的人也不见得想买什么,但是他们也在里面逛。这些购物中心对那些青少年来说具有很大的吸引力。美国人把这些经常到mall去逛的人叫做:mall rats。
  
  Rat就是老鼠。Mall rats当然并非真的指老鼠,而是指那些年轻人像老鼠那样在mall里钻来钻去。下面是一个mall rat在说一个大的购物中心是如何地好玩。
  
  例句-3: Hey, there's always something to do there for us mall rats. At least a dozen fast food places where we can buy a burger, a slice of pizza, ice cream -- whatever. Ten different movie theaters. And a whole lot of people to watch, you know? I can, like, spend the whole day there, you know?
  
  这人说:嗨,对我们爱逛购物中心的人来说,那儿总是有好玩的事的。那儿至少有十几个快餐店,我们可以在那里买汉堡包,意大利饼,冰淇淋等,什么都有。那儿还有十个电影院,放映不同的电影。你还可以看到好多人,你知道吗?我可以在那里玩上一整天。
  
  下面我们再来举个例子。这是一个曾经喜欢逛购物中心的人在讲述他过去的经历:
  
  例句-4: Sure, I used to be a typical mall rat hanging around watching the crowds, especially the girls. But then I went out for basketball, made the team and I don't have time to waste anymore!
  
  这个年轻人说:当然了,我过去是个典型的逛购物中心的迷,喜欢在那里观看来来往往的人,特别是女孩子。可是,后来我去打篮球, 进了球队,这样我就没法再浪费时间了。
  
  这些购物中心对退休了的老人具有另外一种吸引力。这些购物中心都是室内的,冬天有暖气,夏天有冷气。因此,不管外面天气如何,他们都可以在mall里面散步。
  
  我们今天学习了两个和美国人的生活习惯有关的俗语。第一个是:couch potato,就是指那些一有空就坐在沙发里看电视的人。我们今天学习的第二个俗语是:mall rats,是指那些老喜欢到购物中心去逛的年轻人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#520
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华准备到银行去,李华要开一个帐户,而Larry需要取一些现金。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to be hard up和to pick on someone.
  
  LH: Larry,我要去银行开个户头,你去银行做什么?
  
  LL: Well, my friend is a little hard up for cash right now, so I'm going to withdraw some money and let him borrow it.
  
  LH: 原来你是要提现金借给朋友啊!你的朋友怎么啦?你说他hard up for cash。 Cash是现金。这个我懂,但hard up是什么意思?
  
  LL: To be "hard up" for something means that you don't have enough of it.
  
  LH: Hard up for something就是什么东西不够,所以你那朋友hard up for cash, 就是钱不够啦!对不对?
  
  LL: Exactly. He's helped me when I was hard up before, so I feel that I should help him out now.
  
  LH: 嗯,你朋友以前也借钱给你,帮过你,所以现在你帮他。这也是应该的。对了,Larry, 这个hard up除了指缺钱,还可以用在什么地方?
  
  LL: Well, one is usually hard up for money. However, you can be hard up for time or for work, too.
  
  LH: 如果我说I am hard up for time, 那就表示我很忙,时间不够,对不对?
  
  LL: Right. I'm usually hard up for time during exams. I have so much studying to do that I hardly even sleep.
  
  LH: 我也是,只要到了期中考,期末考的季节,我就觉得时间不够用,书都念不完。那hard up for work不能说工作不够,只能说找不到工作喽?
  
  LL: I'm hard up for work means that I really need a job, but I'm having a hard time finding one.
  
  LH: 嗯,那种需要工作却找不到工作的滋味一定很不好受。希望我毕业后不会经历hard up for work.
  
  LL: So do I. I don't think anyone enjoys being hard up for time, money, or work.
  
  LH:对,缺钱,缺时间,没工作都不好受。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#521
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Did you see those two children in the bank? The little boy was awful; he kept picking on his sister.
  
  LH: 就是,那个小男孩真不听话,吵吵闹闹的。你说他picking on his sister,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: Oh, to pick on someone is to annoy or to be mean to that person. The little boy kept picking on his sister by calling her ugly and pulling her hair.
  
  LH: Pick on someone就是欺负,招惹别人,或者老是批评别人的意思。那个小男孩不断拉他姐姐的头发,还说她丑,真是很让人讨厌。我小时候我哥哥也喜欢捉弄我。他总是踩我的脚,却说是我踩他!
  
  LL: Well, at least your brother stopped doing that when he got older. My parents still pick on each other.
  
  LH: 你说什么,你的爸妈也老是互相指责?
  
  LL: They just criticize each other over stupid things. For example, my dad likes to pick on my mom about her cooking. He thinks she's a terrible cook.
  
  LH: 你妈妈帮全家人做饭已经够辛苦了,你爸爸居然还批评她做饭做得不好。你爸爸也真是的!
  
  LL: I know, but they have been picking on each other for thirty years and old habits are hard to break. To be honest, I think they enjoy it.
  
  LH: 那倒是,30多年都是这样,要改恐怕也难。可是,你说他们喜欢这样做,这不太可能吧!
  
  LL: Sometimes, they are joking. When my mom picks on my dad about the kind of music he listens to, I know she's just joking. Other times, I think they are just being grouchy.
  
  LH: 我想他们有时是开玩笑。你爸听什么音乐,你妈还要管呐?肯定是开玩笑。当然,有的时候互相闹别扭也是可能的。人都有情绪不好的时候嘛!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是to be hard up for something, 就是缺乏某样东西,通常用来指缺钱或没时间。另一个常用语是pick on someone, 意思是批评别人,或者是欺负别人。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#522
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

backslider
  
  backslapper
  
  今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都和back这个字有关。Back这个字有好几个解释。它可以指人体的后背,或者是指在后面。今天我们要给大家介绍的两个俗语都是建筑在back这个字的基础上。
  
  有的人明知自己有坏习惯,也很想把它改掉。可是,他们缺乏毅力。尽管他们每次下决心要采取行动彻底改掉坏习惯,可是过不久,他们又慢慢地走回老路,恢复了原来的习惯,所下的工夫也就全功尽弃。美国人把这样的人叫做:backslider。
  
  抽烟就是一个最好的例子。有多少人多次下定决心要戒烟,可是过了一段时间他们又依然如故,每天抽一包,甚至两包烟。下面是一个儿子在说他的父亲:
  
  例句-1: "I don't know what to do about my father. He has an awful cough from smoking and he's tried to stop a dozen times. But after a couple of weeks, he backslides and starts puffing away again."
  
  这个儿子看来很担心他爸爸的身体。他说:“对我爸爸,我真不知道怎么办才好。他由于抽烟,所以咳嗽很利害。他已经戒烟戒了十几次了,可是每次戒烟,过了两个星期,他又开始抽起烟来,恢复老习惯了。 ”
  
  美国人对保持体型优美是很敏感的。当然,妇女,尤其是年轻少女,对此更加敏感。可是,在美国人当中,体重超重的人也确实不少。这和他们吃很多肉,奶油,黄油,甜食等都是有直接关系的,因为这些食品很容易使人发胖。为了减肥,或者维持恰当的体重,不少人经常要通过种种方法来节食。下面说话的就是一个体重超重的人:
  
  例句-2: "I know I'm 20 pounds overweight, and I keep trying to diet. But I'm a terrible backslider. I'll lose a couple of pounds and then walk by an ice cream shop and go in and eat a quart of the stuff."
  
  这人说:“我知道我的体重超重二十磅,我一直在设法进行节食。但是,我实在是一个没有毅力的人,每当我减轻了一点体重,我又重返老路。我有时减掉了两磅,可是当我走过冰淇淋店的时候,我就会进去买一升冰淇淋吃。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#523
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国,除了许多人自己进行节食以外,还有许多商业机构,专门为人们减肥制定一套所谓的科学方法。他们收一定的费用,然后根据你的情况为你提供减肥食谱,或者甚至为你提供食品。据说,他们的生意还很不错,人们经常可以在电视上看到他们的广告。我记得,有一个广告说,一块美元减一磅。到菜铺里买肉,一磅肉还要好几块美元。减肥一磅要收一美元,这到底合算不合算呢?恐怕这要根据每人不同的需要了。
  
  美国人要向别人表示友好的时候往往用手拍拍对方的后背。对许多人来说,这已经成了习惯。这儿要说明的是,这种习惯在美国男人当中特别普遍。例如,在一个婚礼上,新郎的好朋友都会在他背上拍几下,以表示对他祝贺。可是,有的人做得太过份,见到人,不管是熟人还是不认识的人,他们见一个拍一个,想以此来显示他们很友好。美国人把这种人叫做:backslappers。
  
  Backslapper这个字实际上是由两个字合成的。Back大家都已经知道就是后背,slapper这个字是来自slap这个动词,意思是:打,也就是打耳光的打。在slap后面加上p-e-r这三个字母就成了名词, 意思是:打人的人。因此,backslapper就是拍人后背的人。在政界人士当中,这种拍拍背,握握手以示友好的动作特别有用。下面就是一个人在描述一位政客:
  
  例句-3: "Mr. Green keeps getting elected because he tries to shake hands with every voter in his district at election time. He backslaps all the men and he kisses every baby he sees and tells the mother it's the most beautiful baby he's even seen."
  
  这个人说:“格林先生老是当选,因为他在竞选的时候总是在他选区里和每个选民握手。他见到男人就拍拍他们的背,看到小孩就亲亲他们的脸,还告诉孩子的妈妈,这孩子是他见过的最漂亮的一个孩子。”
  
  嘴巴甜的人也许是会占点便宜。但是,好多人都知道,嘴巴甜的人并不一定可靠。有的时候,这些显得很友好的人并不是真得那样友好。下面这个例子就能说明这个问题:
  
  例句-4: "Be careful of that big, loud guy over there. He's a real backslapper if he thinks you're important, but if he finds out you're not a bigshot, he won't even bother to say hello to you."
  
  这个人显然是在警告他的朋友。他说:“那边那个说话大声的大个子,你可得小心。要是他认为你是一个重要人物,他就会和你拍肩握手地表示友好;可是如果他发现你不是大人物,他连招呼都懒得和你打。”
  
  今天我们给大家讲解了两个习惯用语,第一个是:backslider。
  
  Backslider是指那些想要改掉坏习惯,但是往往在改了一段时间后又恢复老习惯的人。今天我们讲的第二个俗语是:backslapper。Backslapper是指那些老是拍肩握手,想向别人表示友好的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#524
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华今天去给他们的朋友Jim买结婚礼物。Jim下个周末就要结婚。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to tie the knot和drop-dead gorgeous.
  
  LL: I can't believe Jim is going to tie the knot! He seems too young to get married.
  
  LH: Jim已经25岁啦。25岁结婚还算早啊!你说Jim要tie the knot. Tie是绑的意思,knot是结,“打个结”和结婚有什么关系?
  
  LL: "To tie the knot" is slang for "to get married."
  
  LH: 噢!to tie the knot就是结婚的意思啊!好奇怪噢!为什么要用打结来形容结婚呢?
  
  LL: As far as I know, a very old type of wedding ceremony involved tying a knot to symbolize the joining of the couple's lives and now "tying the knot" has become a synonym for marriage.
  
  LH: 噢,以前的结婚典礼上要打结,表示新郎新娘的生活从此结合在一起。所以才会用tie the knot 来表示结婚。这真有意思。对了,Larry, 你想你大概什么时候会结婚哪?
  
  LL: Whoa, slow down. I need to find a girlfriend first. At this point, I honestly have no idea when I'll get married. What about you?
  
  LH: 我和你也差不多啦!你得找个女朋友,我呢,得先找到一个男朋友哪!
  
  LL: Well, hopefully, someday we'll both find someone really nice to tie the knot with.
  
  LH: 嗯!我也希望我们两个都能找到满意的对象!对了! Larry,你认识Jim的未婚妻吗?
  
  LL: No, I've actually never met her. I'm really curious to see what she's like. According to Jim, she's the most beautiful woman in the world.
  
  LH: 嗯,我明白Jim为什么这样说,每个人都认为自己的另一半是世界上最美最帅的人!
  
  LL: Love does have that effect on people. I certainly hope I tie the knot with someone beautiful.
  
  LH: 其实,只要你是真心爱她,你就会认为她是世界上绝无仅有的大美人!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#525
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Li Hua, Jim just showed me a picture of his fianc业. She's drop-dead gorgeous!
  
  LH: 你看到Jim未婚妻的照片啦?你说她drop-dead gorgeous? 那是什么意思?是不是说她很丑?
  
  LL: No, she's beautiful. "Drop-dead gorgeous" is a way to describe someone who is incredibly attractive.
  
  LH: 原来drop-dead gorgeous的意思是非常漂亮,美极了。所以你认为Jim的未婚妻是个超级大美女喽?那她到底长什么样?
  
  LL: She looks like a super model.
  
  LH: 哇!像个超级模特啊!那真是美得不得了了!Larry, 我有个问题。我能不能用drop-dead gorgeous来形容很帅的男人呢?
  
  LL: Well, I probably wouldn't call another man drop-dead gorgeous, but you can. Why? Who do you think is drop-dead gorgeous?
  
  LH: 嗯,我也不知道谁可以称得上是drop-dead gorgeous的大帅哥。哎,不过经过你这一问,我想电影明星Brad Pitt应该可以算是drop-dead gorgeous的帅哥吧!
  
  LL: Yeah, I'm sure there are a million other women who agree with you.
  
  LH: 好啦!现在该你了!你觉得谁算得上是drop-dead gorgeous的大美人啊?
  
  LL: Besides Jim's fianc业? I think that Lisa from our history class is pretty close to being drop-dead gorgeous.
  
  LH: 你是说历史课的那个Lisa?我从来没注意过。哎!既然你觉得她很漂亮,为什么不约她出去呢?
  
  LL: She has a boyfriend. Unfortunately, most drop-dead gorgeous girls I meet already have a boyfriend.
  
  LH:她已经有男朋友了!Larry,你动作太慢了!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语是to tie the knot。就是指结婚。另一个常用语是drop-dead gorgeous,是形容一个人非常美丽,非常好看的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#526
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

backseat driver
  
  back-up system
  
  我们给大家介绍过几个由back这个字组成的习惯用语,例如backslider,backslapper等。今天我们再来给大家讲解两个和back这个字有关,而且是非常普遍的俗语。我们首先要给大家讲解的是:backseat Driver。
  
  Backseat是由 back和seat这两个字组成的。Back是背后或后面的意思,seat就是座位。Backseat两个字合在一起就是指汽车后面一排的座位。Driver就是开车的人。那末,坐在后面座位上的人怎么能开车呢?这就是backseat driver作为俗语的意思了。在美国开车出门是许多人每天生活的一部份。开车的技术当然每个人都不一样。一般来说,开车的人都不太喜欢别人给他指指点点,教他怎么开,怎么走。坐在后面的人本来满可以轻松地聊天,看风景,只要开车的人把你带到目的地去不就完了吗?可是,偏偏有的人坐在后面还不甘心,老是要给开车的人不断地提出没有必要的指导,警告和批评。这种人就是:backseat driver。我们先来给大家举个例子:
  
  例句-1: "Honey, why don't you pass the car in front -- he's going too slow! Look out -- do you see the car coming out of that side street! Oh, oh, better slow down: the light's turning red up ahead!"
  
  这是一个丈夫在车子里对正在开车的妻子讲话。他说:“亲爱的,你超过前面那辆车吧,他开的太慢。当心,注意旁边那条街里开出 来的那辆车。得了,得了,慢点开吧,前面的路灯刚变红。”
  
  人们开玩笑说某人是backseat driver一般指妇女的情况比较多。可是,实际上男人在车里指手画脚的也大有人在。这些人就是没有认识到女人同样可以开车开得很好。
  
  由于开车时指指点点而产生不愉快,引起夫妇吵架的情况也是常有的。有的时候,太太一生气就对先生说:“Darling, just shut up and let me do the driving, okay?”意思是:“亲爱的,闭上你的嘴,让我专心开车,可以吗?”
  
  有一点必须指出的是,backseat driver不一定用在开车的情况下。其他方面也同样使用。下面这个例句就给大家提供了一个实例:
  
  例句-2: "One place where you find lots of backseat drivers is in politics. These are people who can't get elected themselves but keep bothering elected public officials with unneeded advice."
  
  这人说:“要说指手画脚的人,在政界人士中你可以找到好多。这些人自己竞选失败,没能当选,可是老是不断地给当选的官员提供那些没有必要的意见。”
  
  当然,我们不能说所有没有当选,而提意见的人都是backseat driver。有的人也许是出自好心或良好的愿望。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#527
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来给大家介绍另外一个和back这个字有关的俗语:back-up system。
  
  Back-up system在目前大量使用现代技术的情况下是经常听到的一种说法。它的意思是后备的设施。比如说,大型喷气式飞机都有一套后备的机械设备,要是主要的机械在飞行的过程中出现故障的话,这套后备的设备就可以马上运转,这样可以使飞机继续安全地飞行。Back-up system也就是这种后备的设施。航天飞机的内部就有好多后备的设备来保护宇航员。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-3: "On the second day of the flight, the space shuttle's main air-conditioning system broke down. But the astronauts switched on the back-up system and were able to continue the mission for another three days and land safely at Edwards Air Force Base."
  
  这句话的意思是:“在航天飞机起飞后的第二天,飞机里的空调设备坏了。宇航员于是开动了后备的空调设备,这样他们才能再持续工作三天,然后安全地在爱德华兹空军基地降落。”
  
  女:在当前高技术极为普遍的时代,如果没有后备的设施,有的时候非但会影响工作,而且还会造成很大的危险。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-4: "This airline pilot talked about getting ready to land that famous day when all the lights in New York went out. He said he was lucky the airport had a back-up system of its own generators -- otherwise he would have to try to land in total darkness."
  
  这个人说:“大家都知道纽约发生停电, 全城陷入黑暗的那一天。这个飞行员谈到当天他准备降落的情景。他说,幸运的是,机场自己有后备的发电设备。否则,他得设法在黑暗里降落。”
  
  各位听众,我们今天又给大家介绍了两个由back这个字组成的习惯用语。第一个是:backseat driver。Backseat driver是指那些自己不在岗位上,但是却喜欢不断给在位的人提供别人不需要的意见或建议的人。我们今天讲的第二个俗语是:Back-up system。
  
  Back-up system是指后备的设施,以便在主要的设备出现故障的时候发挥作用,使工作能够正常地持续下去。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#528
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天Larry和李华要到朋友Bob家里,Bob因为要搬家,所以把他的立体音响卖给Larry。今天李华会学到两个常用语:dibs和shotgun.
  
  LL: I'm really glad that Bob gave me first dibs on his stereo. He knows I've always admired it, but I couldn't afford to buy a new one just like it.
  
  LH: 我知道你一直很喜欢Bob的立体音响,可是又买不起全新的。现在他要卖给你,怪不得你那么兴奋。哎,可是你说Bob给了你first dibs, 那是什么意思?是不是说Bob第一个先卖给你?
  
  LL: Something like that. To have first dibs on something is to have the opportunity to decide if you want it before anyone else.
  
  LH: 所以我真猜对了。First dibs就是有优先的机会来决定是不是要买。Bob让你优先决定是否要买他的音响设备,也就是给了你first dibs.
  
  LL: Exactly. For example: I know that you like my car, so if I ever decided to sell it, I would give you first dibs.
  
  LH: 真的吗?我可以有优先买你车子的权利?Larry你真好!这样吧,我记得你爱吃我做的蛋糕,下回我再做的时候,你可以优先享用,you'll get first dibs on it.
  
  LL: I like the sound of that. While we're on the subject, "dibs" has another use, too. If I say I have dibs on the last piece of cake, then that means that I claim it for myself.
  
  LH: 噢!Dibs还可以用来表示某种要求或权利。好,那我先说了,这块糖是我的。I have dibs on this candy bar.
  
  LL: Hey, that's the last one! We won't be able to get lunch until after we bring the stereo back to my apartment. Can't you share it with me?
  
  LH: 嘿!我已经说了,I have dibs on it. 这块糖就是我的。
  
  LL: That's not very generous. You know I would share it with you.
  
  LH: 好啦!好啦!我是开玩笑的。你可以和我一起分这块糖。
  
  LL: Thank you. You can have first dibs on the next candy bar you find.
  
  LH: 对了,Bob还有那么多东西要卖。他有没有也让你优先决定呢?
  
  LL: He gave me first dibs on some of his furniture, too, but I don't really need anything right now. Well, we're here. Let's go get my new stereo.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#529
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I'm sorry, Li Hua, but you don't get to ride shotgun on the way home. I need you to sit in back and hold the stereo.
  
  LH: 你要我坐在后座抱住你的音响啊?可以啊!可是你怎么说我不能坐shotgun?我本来就没想拿枪呀!
  
  LL: You don't get to ride shotgun means that you can't sit in the front passenger seat. The front passenger seat is often referred to as "shotgun."
  
  LH: 原来shotgun就是指前面驾驶座旁的座位啊?好奇怪!为什么要用“枪”来形容一个座位呢?
  
  LL: Have you ever seen an old Western movie about cowboys and Indians?
  
  LH: 西部电影,我当然看过啊!只是我觉得西部电影都挺暴力的,我不是很喜欢。
  
  LL: In the old days, it wasn't very safe, so there was often a person who sat next to the driver of the horse-drawn carriage. This person carried a shotgun to protect the carriage.
  
  LH: 原来如此。过去由于不安全,所以为了保护马车的安全,坐在马车前排的人手上都拿着枪。前排那个座位就被称为shotgun. 真有意思!
  
  LL: Exactly. Do you mind if you can't ride shotgun on the way home?
  
  LH: 没问题!我可以坐在后面保护你的音响。反正我经常坐在前座,偶尔换换坐后面,也没关系!
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. From now on, you always have first dibs on shotgun, no matter who else is riding with us.
  
  LH: Larry!你说了就得算数哟!以后不管跟谁一起坐车,我都可以有优先权坐在前座。太好了!Larry,我们可不可以去吃午饭?那半块糖根本不够,我好饿噢!
  
  LL: I agree. Let's go.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是: first dibs, 就是有优先权。另一个常用语是shotgun. 这是指汽车驾驶座旁的那个座位。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#530
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚上完课,现在在一面喝咖啡,一面聊天。今天李华会学到两个常用语:off one's rocker和silent treatment.
  
  (Bar noise)
  
  LH: Larry, 我看你一直盯着那边那个女孩。你为什么不走过去跟她聊一聊呢?
  
  LL: Are you kidding? She'll think I'm off my rocker if I just walk over and start talking to her.
  
  LH: 你走过去跟她讲话,她会认为你是什么?Off your rocker,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To be "off one's rocker" means to be crazy. I'm afraid she'll think I'm crazy, or at least really weird, if I start talking to her for no reason.
  
  LH: 噢!所以off one's rocker就是指一个人特别怪,行为反常。嗨,你要是觉得和陌生人说话很奇怪,那你才真的是off your rocker呢!
  
  LL: I don't know, I guess I'm just a little shy about it, okay?
  
  LH: 你这么害羞,难怪总是错失良机!算了,你要胆子那么小,我也没办法。哎,Larry,你看那边那个人才真的有点不正常?
  
  LL: Who?
  
  LH: 就是坐在角落里的那个人,你看他还在唱歌呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, he looks like he's a bit off his rocker, but he's probably just really drunk.
  
  LH: 就是,也许他是喝醉了。Larry,我今天不能玩太晚。明天早上9点钟,历史课的教授要给大家补课。
  
  LL: 9:00 am on a Saturday morning? Your professor is either completely off his rocker or he just likes to torture his students.
  
  LH: 星期六早上给大家补课不是挺好吗? 你认为这教授是疯啦! 我看你才是off your rocker。Larry,班上没有一个同学认为那教授这样做有什么不正常,更没有人认为他是为了要折磨学生。
  
  LL: Ok, ok. But to me, anyone who likes to go to class on Saturday morning is off his rocker

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#531
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, I forgot to tell you that my sister is giving me the silent treatment. She's mad at me for telling our mom about her new boyfriend.
  
  LH: 你把你妹妹交男朋友的事告诉你妈,难怪你妹妹对你发火。你说她还给你silent treatment,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To give someone "the silent treatment" is to refuse to talk to that person. My sister is refusing to talk to me because she's mad at me.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了。Silent treatment就是不理你,不跟你说话。这么说,你妹妹也不接你电话咯?
  
  LL: No, she wouldn't even speak to me when I was home last weekend.
  
  LH: 我最讨厌这种态度了。不讲话,能解决问题吗?
  
  LL: Exactly. If my sister is giving me the silent treatment, then how are we supposed to talk over the problem?
  
  LH: 我还记得,当我告诉我妈我决定要来美国念书时,她气得一个月不和我说话。
  
  LL: She probably wasn't really mad at you. She was just upset that you would be so far away.
  
  LH: 我知道,她不是真的生我的气,而是不舍得我到这么远的地方来念书。可是不说话有什么用啊!
  
  LL: Sometimes giving someone the silent treatment is a good idea, though. There are a couple of people I avoid talking to because I know that they like to gossip.
  
  LH: 那倒也是。碰上那种喜欢嚼舌头的人,最好不和他们说话。去年我的同屋就是这样的人,所以我一个学期都不跟她说话,给她silent treatment。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, you learn fast!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是off one's rocker,就是指一个人行为不正常。也就是我们平常所说的,某某人疯了。另外一个常用语是silent treatment,就是沉默对待的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#532
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

in the pink
  
  fit as a fiddle
  
  我们曾经给大家介绍过几个在你感到身体不舒服的时候说的习惯用语。不知大家还记不记得? 比如说:under the weather是什么意思?这是指:不太舒服。什么是:down with the bug? 这是:由于流行性病毒的感染而不舒服。当然,表达身体不舒服的说法有很多,上面举的只是其中的两个。可是,我们不能老是说不高兴的事,今天我们来讲两个在身体很健康和精力充沛的时候说的常用语。首先,我们要讲的是:in the pink。
  
  当一个人告诉你:He is in the pink,那你就知道他肯定感到身体很好。In the pink这个习惯用语的出处说法各有不同。有的人说,in the pink这个俗语可能是来自跑马场,因为在那里,人们把 in the pink用来形容那些看起来很健壮的马。但是,有的人有不同的看法;他们认为凡是身体健康的人,他们的皮肤都会呈现一种粉色的光泽,就像我们说有的人脸色很好,白里透红一样。这些人说in the pink这个说法就是从这儿来的。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: "Our next door neighbor came back from the hospital yesterday after his heart attack. And I'm glad to say he certainly looks back in the pink again."
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们的隔壁邻居心脏病发作进了医院,昨天他出院回家了。他看起来确实和以往一样健康,我很高兴。”
  
  在美国,邻里关系也各有不同。有的地方邻居关系很密切,互相照应,来往很多。有孩子的家庭往往会互相合作,轮流接送孩子,这样大家都可以省点时间。美国人经常要出去旅行,邻居关系好会带来很多方便,因为在你出门的时候,你可以请邻居替你浇花、喂猫、收取邮件等。更重要的是,好的邻居会经常关心你的家,万一发现有可疑的人想乘虚而入时,他就会及时替你报警。但是,也有的地方邻居没有来往的。有的人在一个地方住了好几年还像陌生人一样。下面我们再来用in the pink来举个例子,这是一个人在睡了一个好觉后感到精神百倍。他说:
  
  例句-2: "It's amazing what a good night's sleep can do for a man. I thought I was getting a cold yesterday so I went to bed a couple of hours early and I really feel in the pink now."
  
  这人说:“晚上睡一个好觉能对一个人起多大的作用,这真实令人吃惊。我昨天以为我感冒了,所以比平时早两个小时就上床了。现在我感到精神好极了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#533
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是你觉得身体非常好,你不仅可以说in the pink,你还可以用另一个习惯用语来表达这个意思:fit as a fiddle。
  
  Fit是身体好的意思,fiddle是类似小提琴的乐器。 要是一个人说他fit as a fiddle,那就好比是一把琴的弦和音调都调得很好。请听下面这位年轻人谈谈他是怎么样保持健康的:
  
  例句-3: "I think my health is important, so I don't smoke or drink. I eat lots of vegetables and fruit, and I do exercises three times a week. These things help to keep me fit as a fiddle."
  
  这位年轻人说:“因为我的身体是很重要的。所以,我不抽烟,也不喝酒。我吃好多蔬菜和水果。每个星期,我锻炼三次。这些都使我能保持身体健康。”
  
  美国人现在的寿命也越来越长。下面就是一个人在说他的祖父:
  
  例句-4: "My grandfather looks like he's sixty but he's really eighty years old and fit as a fiddle: he still has his own teeth, doesn't need glasses, and walks four miles every day."
  
  这个人说 :“我的祖父看起来像一个六十多岁的人。可是实际上,他已经八十岁了。而且他还非常健康:他不用装假牙,看东西也不用眼镜,每天还走四英哩路。”
  
  身体很好的八十岁老人在美国不能说是罕见的事。但是,牙齿没有坏,看书不用戴眼镜,这实在令人感到惊奇。老人为了保持身体健康每天散步,做运动也并不稀罕。可是,四英哩并不是很短的行程。想必这位老人肯定有他特殊的养身之道。
  
  今天我们给大家讲解了两个表示身体很健康的习惯用语。第一个是:in the pink。
  
  In the pink的意思是指一个人脸色看上去白里透红,气色很好,身体很健康。我们今天讲的另一个习惯用语是:fit as a fiddle。
  
  Fit as a fiddle的意思也是指身体很好,就像一只调好音的小提琴,准备演奏美丽动听的音乐一样。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#534
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to play ball
  
  on the ball
  
  我们知道,美国人非常喜欢体育,特别是球类运动。他们热衷于橄榄球,垒球,篮球,网球和高尔夫球,等等。每当电视转播精彩球赛的时候,马路上的汽车都会少一些,因为大家都呆在家里看电视了。大概是由于美国人对球类这么感兴趣,所以有不少习惯用语都和“球”- ball 这个字有关。
  
  中国人一般都说:打球, 很少说: 玩球。可是,在英文里却刚好相反,没有人说打球,都说to play ball。
  
  To play ball除了作打球解释外,实际上它也是一个俗语,意思是: 合作,或者是: 互相帮忙。美国人常说"You play ball with me and I'll play ball with you." 从字面上解释,这句话的意思是:“你和我打球,我以后也会和你打球。” 但是,除了孩子会说这样的话以外,大人一般都把这句话作为俗语来用。那末,作为俗语这句话又是什么意思呢? "You play ball with me and I'll play ball with you" 作为俗语的意思就是: 这次你跟我合作,下次我一定跟你合作。我们来举个例子: 这是一个警察在和一个抓到的毒品走私犯说话:
  
  例句-1: "Look, you play ball with me and tell me who your boss is, and maybe we can get the judge to take it easy on you."
  
  这个警察是想从这个小喽罗身上打听到大罪犯的消息,这样可以一网打尽,所以,他说:“你听着,你要是现在和我合作,告诉我你的老板是谁,这样也许我们可以让法官对你宽大处理。”
  
  这回我帮你忙,或做出让步,为的是以后能得到你的帮助,在人与人的关系中这似乎是一种很普遍的做法。不管一个人地位多高,多有钱,有时候似乎也不得不这么做。下面这个例子就证明这一点:
  
  例句-2: "To get his programs passed through the congress, a president sometimes has to play ball with members of the opposing party and do them favors in return for their votes."
  
  这句话的意思是:“作为一个总统, 为了让国会通过他的计划,有的时候也不得不和反对党的成员合作,给他们一些好处,以换取他们的选票。”
  
  这句话是千真万确的。的确,美国总统权力很大,他的决定不仅影响美国,往往对全世界的动向都会产生作用。但是,有一点人们往往会忽视,那就是,美国总统的权力也是有限的,因为他的重大决定如果没有国会的批准就成不了法律,没有国会同意,他的计划就不能付诸实施。因此,总统和国会议员进行讨论、协商,做出妥协等等是总统要推行他的计划的一个重要组成部份。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#535
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个由ball这个字组成的俗语:on the ball。
  
  On the ball 这个习惯用语的意思是:一个人很机灵,在工作方面做的非常出色,总是名列前茅。有人可能要问,一个人精明能干,工作出色,这跟ball 有什么关系呢? 据说, on the ball这个俗语来自打篮球,有些著名的篮球运动员有一种才能,那就是:在球场上不管球在谁手里,也不管球在场地的哪个角落,他们总能在离球不远的地方,一有机会就可以把球抢到手,也就是on the ball。
  
  我们来举个例子看看on the ball 在日常生活中是怎么用的。这是一个商店的经理在对他的助手说话:
  
  例句-3: "Say, that new saleswoman doesn't seem to pay much attention to her work. You tell her she'd better get on the ball and start taking care of customers or we'll have to let her go."
  
  这位经理说:“我说啊,那个新来的售货员似乎心思不在工作上。你去告诉她,让她好好干,小心伺候顾客,否则我们不得不解雇她。”
  
  美国没有铁饭碗,几乎没有一个人的工作是永久性的,大学毕业后在一个地方工作一辈子的人不多。在私营企业和公司里,人员流动尤其频繁。有的人在找到工资更高、更满意的工作之后就辞去了原来的工作到别处去了,公司方面也可以解雇那些工作态度不好,水平不够的工作人员。因此,要是一个人不想被开除的话,那他就得兢兢业业地工作,尽自己的最大努力把工作做好。像上面例句里的女售货员就面临被解雇的危险。
  
  下面我们再给大家举一个例子来说明on the ball在日常生活中是怎么用的。这是一个报馆的老板在讲一个非常突出的记者:
  
  例句-4: "That reporter is about the best we have on the paper. He's always on the ball and brings back stories that most other reporters would miss."
  
  他说:“那个记者大概是我们报纸最好的记者了。他的报导总是非常出色,他往往会带回一些大多数记者都会忽略的消息。”
  
  今天给大家讲解了两个和ball这个字有关的俗语,第一个是:to play ball。
  
  To play ball作为俗语的意思是和某人合作,或做出妥协,以便以后可以得到对方的帮助。
  
  我们今天讲的另一个习惯用语是:on the ball。
  
  On the ball是指一个人很机灵,工作做得很出色。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#536
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华到博物馆去看中国艺术品的展出,不过Larry好像心情不太好。今天李华会学到两个常用语:gang up on someone和basket case.
  
  (Indoor crowd in a museum)
  
  LH: Larry, 怎么啦?你好像很不开心?
  
  LL: Oh, it's just that my mother, father, and sister are all upset with me for not calling them enough. I feel as though my whole family is ganging up on me.
  
  LH: 既然你爸爸妈妈还有你妹妹都说你打电话回家太少,那恐怕情况确实是如此。不过,他们可能不了解你是工作和学习太忙了,所以才没法经常给他们打电话啊!不过,Larry,你说你家人gang up on you. 那是什么意思?
  
  LL: If two or more people join together against another person, then they are "ganging up" on that person.
  
  LH: 噢,gang up on someone就是合伙对付某个人的意思。所以你觉得你们全家联合起来埋怨你。
  
  LL: Exactly, maybe they think that if they gang up on me, then I'll be sure to call them at least every other day.
  
  LH:那你以后会不会隔一天就给他们打电话呢?其实,这也可以做到嘛。象我们现在休息的时候,你就可以打。说几句话就可以了嘛!
  
  LL:Has anyone ever ganged up on you, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 嗯,我不记得有什么人联合对付过我。哎,不过我记得在我们家附近有几条狗经常联合起来欺负我邻居的猫。那只可怜的猫最后只好跳到屋顶上去了。
  
  LL: That's a good example, Li Hua. In my house, it was the opposite. We had three cats and one dog. The cats used to gang up and chase the dog around the house.
  
  LH: 啊!原来在你们家是刚好相反。三只猫追一条狗。嘿!真有意思!你们家的狗一定很瘦小。我还没听说过有狗会怕几只猫的呢!
  
  LL: Actually, he was a pretty big dog; he just wasn't very brave. Whenever the three cats would gang up on him, he would try to hide under the bed, but he was too big to hide there.
  
  LH: 原来它还是只大狗,就是胆小。一只大狗因为怕三只猫而想躲到床底下!Larry,我没听说过,你肯定是在瞎说。
  
  LL: No, it's true!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#537
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嘿!Larry,你和你家人谈过了吗?他们还在气你不常打电话吗?
  
  LL: They aren't mad at me anymore, but my mom is a basket case because my sister will be graduating soon.
  
  LH: 你妈妈怎么啦?basket case?Basket是篮子的意思,你妹妹快要毕业。这和basket有什么关系?
  
  LL: Oh, a basket case is someone who is really upset or nervous. My mom is upset that my sister is graduating and will be leaving home for college.
  
  LH: 噢,原来basket case就是指一个人很紧张,很不高兴。你妹妹高中毕业后,很快就要到外地念大学;你妈妈紧张不安是可以理解的。
  
  LL: That's true. However, I think my sister will be just fine. There's no need for Mom to be such a basket case.
  
  LH: 那倒是,你妈妈没有必要那么紧张。我刚来美国的时候,也是个basket case。我那时好紧张,因为我的英语还不是很好,我担心听不懂别人讲的话而犯错误。
  
  LL: That's pretty normal. How about now? Are you still a basket case? Or have you adjusted to life in the U.S.?
  
  LH: 嗯,现在我只有在考试的时候才会紧张。每学期总是有一个礼拜,我会紧张得睡不着,吃不下。
  
  LL: I didn't realize that exams turned you into such a basket case. Why do you worry so much when you always get good grades?
  
  LH: 我也不知道为什么我那么在乎考试成绩。但我也没办法控制,只要考试一来,我就马上成了个basket case。我想我大概是对自己信心不足吧!
  
  LL: Well, next time you feel yourself turning into a basket case, let me know and I'll make you learn to be relaxed.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是gang up on someone, 就是合伙对付某个人的意思。另一个常用语是basket case, 是指一个人很紧张,很担心。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#538
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry到商店买东西。李华看到巧克力正在减价出售,所以买了一大堆。今天李华会学到两个常用语:chocoholic和fix.
  
  LL: Whoa, Li Hua. I didn't know you were such a chocoholic. How are you going to eat all of that?
  
  LH: 我看这巧克力多便宜呀!我当然得多买一些喽!哎,你刚才说我是chocoholic, 那是什么意思,是不是说我很爱吃巧克力?
  
  LL: A chocoholic is someone who likes chocolate so much that they are practically addicted to it.
  
  LH: 噢,chocoholic还真的是指特爱吃巧克力的人,可是我还没有到上瘾的地步。Larry,喝酒成瘾的人在英文里就是alcoholic。那chocoholic是不是跟alcoholic一样严重呀?
  
  LL: Don't worry. Being a chocoholic isn't as serious as being an alcoholic. All you have to worry about is getting fat from eating so much candy.
  
  LH: 我确实是很爱吃巧克力,你要说我是chocoholic也没关系。不过我不会因为吃巧克力而发胖,因为我挺能控制自己,一天只吃一、两块。
  
  LL: I suppose that's reasonable. My mom is a real chocoholic, too. It's easy to buy her a birthday present or a mother's day present - I just buy her a box of chocolates.
  
  LH: 原来你妈妈也爱吃巧克力。这样看来,好像大多数喜欢吃巧克力的人都是女的。你们男孩难道不喜欢巧克力吗?
  
  LL: Personally, I love chocolate, but I know a lot of guys who don't like it very much. I don't know why chocolate seems to be more popular among girls.
  
  LH: 嗯,我也搞不清楚为什么女孩子要比男孩子更喜欢巧克力。这样吧!我们可以做个调查,看看每个人每天吃多少巧克力,说不定能找出答案呢!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#539
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, have you had your daily chocolate fix yet?
  
  LH: Chocolate fix? Fix是修理的意思,修理巧克力?Larry,你在说什么啊?
  
  LL: To get a "fix" is to get a portion of something that you're addicted to and thereby relieve your craving. You're a chocoholic, so you need a chocolate fix once in a while.
  
  LH: 噢,Fix在这里不是修理的意思。你是指我每天都要吃巧克力,今天有没有吃了巧克力,过了隐。那Larry,我知道你喜欢喝咖啡,我是不是能说每天早上你都需要a caffeine fix?
  
  LL: That's exactly right. Once in a while, I need a chocolate fix, too. I don't know why, but sometimes I really crave chocolate.
  
  LH: 你有的时候也爱吃巧克力啊?这么说你和我一样,都是chocoholic喽?
  
  LL: I don't need to have chocolate every day, but I am guilty of needing an occasional chocolate fix.
  
  LH: 哎哟!原来你只是偶尔想吃巧克力。对了,回答你刚才的问题,我今天还没有过我的chocolate隐呢!
  
  LL: Okay, then I have a suggestion. Let's go to Starbucks and get coffee and chocolate chip cookies.
  
  LH: 好主意。到星吧克咖啡馆去喝咖啡,还吃带巧克力的点心。这样你和我都可以解馋了!
  
  LL: We'll be getting a sugar fix at the same time, too. It's a brilliant plan!
  
  LH: 等等,什么又是sugar fix?
  
  LL: Well, some people crave sweet things in general, so they need a sugar fix. In addition, sugar gives you an extra boost of energy.
  
  LH: 没错,有的人每天都得吃甜的东西,不吃就好象少了什么似的。你说糖还有提神的作用?这我倒是不知道。既然如此,那好吧,快去咖啡馆喽!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是chocoholic,是形容一个人爱吃巧克力到了成瘾的地步。另一个常用语是fix。在这里是名词,就是吃自己特别爱吃的东西,过过隐。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#540
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 now the ball is in your court
  
  to start the ball rolling
  
  美国人非常喜欢运动。凡是在各种运动中出类拔萃的人都成了人们心目中的大明星。这些明星的收入每年可以高达几百万。他们有的从事慈善活动,有的则关心年轻人的教育,在各方面做出不少贡献,很受人尊重和敬仰。但是,也有的人不但生活腐败,而且还有吸毒等犯法行为。严重的甚至被判刑入狱。在所有体育运动中,美国人特别喜爱球类运动。我们已经给大家介绍过好几个和球,也就是ball这个字有关的习惯用语,例如:on the ball,就是很机灵,工作做得很好的意思。今天我们再来给大家讲解两个和ball这个字有关的俗语。第一个我们要给大家介绍的是:now the ball's in your court。
  
  Now the ball is in your court从字面上来解释,它的意思是:现在球在你那边的场地上了。实际上,这是打网球时用的一句话,也就是你已经采取了行动,把球打过了网,到了对方的场地,现在是对方采取行动的时候了。但是,从俗语的角度来说,它的意思并不在于打球。美国的生意人和律师经常用这个俗语来告诉对方,他们已经提出建议和要求,现在是对方采取行动的时候了。下面我们来举个例子。这是一个名字叫亨里希金斯的律师为了布朗先生的离婚案件在和布朗太太的律师打电话:
  
  例句-1:"This is Henry Higgins calling about the Brown divorce case. I'm sending you Mr. Brown's offer to pay your client a thousand dollars a month for child support. Now the ball's in your court: let me know whether Mrs. Brown agrees to this amount."
  
  他说:“我是亨里希金斯。我是为了布朗的离婚案件给你打电话的。布朗愿意每个月付一千美元的子女扶养费。正式的文本我已经寄给你了。现在是你们做决定的时候了。布朗太太是不是同意,请你在做出决定后告诉我。”
  
  美国有两个主要的政党:共和党和民主党。每一个法案,不管是总统提出的,或是由国会议员提出的,都要通过两党议员投票来决定是否能成为正式的法律。因此,在投票前两党进行协商,互相做出妥协和让步是经常的事。下面我们要举的例子就是一个国会议员为了农业部的预算在和对立党的一个成员进行谈判。这位议员说:
  
  例句-2:"Here's a revised budget our people are ready to vote for. It's about the best I can do. Now the ball's in your court, my friend: see whether your people can agree to it."
  
  他说:“这是一个修改过的预算,我们准备投票表示同意。我可已经尽了最大努力了。老兄,你们党内成员是否同意现在要看你的了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#541
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个和ball这个字有关的习惯用语:to start the ball rolling。
  
  To start就是开始,rolling是滚动的意思。To start the ball rolling要是从字面来翻译就是:开始滚这个球。作为习惯用语,它的意思就是:开始一个活动。我们经常说,万事开头难。比如说,每当逢年过节的时候,或者有什么事值得庆祝的时候,我们往往会组织一个晚会,或者请几个朋友到家来吃晚饭。在这种场合,一般在开始的时候气氛不会很轻松,总得要某个人带个头谈一些有趣的事,或者说个笑话才能使空气融洽。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-3:"It looked like a dull party with everybody just sitting there. But Dick started the ball rolling by telling a couple of funny jokes, and then Jack brought out his guitar and sang some folk songs. People started singing along and we had a good time after all."
  
  这个人说 :“聚会一开始,大家都坐在那里,看起来很沉闷。后来,迪克讲了两个挺滑稽的笑话,总算开了个头。然后,杰克把他的吉他拿了出来,还唱了几首民歌。大家也都跟着一起唱。我们玩得很高兴。”
  
  当然,to start the ball rolling这个习惯用语也可以用在严肃的场合。下面就是一个例子。这是一个公司的总经理把手下各部门的主管都召集来开会。他说:
  
  例句-4:"Okay, I've called this meeting to see what ideas we have for the new ad campaign. I'll start the ball rolling by telling you a few ideas I already have."
  
  这句话的意思是:“行,我召开这次会议是看看我们对于最近大力做广告的活动有些什么新的主意。我先来开个头,把我已经想到的几个想法给大家谈一谈。”
  
  这句话里用了ad这个字。其实,这个字是个缩略字,它的原形是:advertisement。 Advertisement就是广告的意思。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和球这个字,也就是ball这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是:now the ball is in your court。
  
  Now the ball is in your court作为俗语的意思是:现在该是你采取行动的时候了。我们讲的第二个俗语是:to start the ball rolling。
  
  To start the ball rolling是开始一个行动。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#542
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

skin-deep
  
  that really gets under my skin
  
  今天我们要给大家讲的两个习惯用语都是和皮肤,也就是英文里的skin有关。 由于皮肤是在外表又很薄,所以美国人有这么一种说法:skin-deep。
  
  Deep就是深浅的深。Skin-deep从字面来解释就是:像皮肤那样深,实际上也就是中文里说的“肤浅”。当一个人感情不真实,或者一件事并不像它表面上看起来的那样,人们往往会用skin-deep这个常用语来形容它。我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-1:"Joe likes to brag about all the friends he has. But to tell the truth, his friendships are only skin-deep -- the only person he really cares about deep down in his heart is himself."
  
  这句话的意思是:“乔伊老是喜欢吹嘘他有好多朋友。但是,说实话,他和这些朋友的友情都很肤浅。他心目里真正关心的一个人就是他自己。”
  
  像这种只关心自己,不真心关心朋友的人不仅在美国有,在哪儿都能碰到。一般来说,美国人是很热情,以助人为乐的。
  
  美国人有一句老话,那就是:beauty is only skin-deep。
  
  Beauty就是美丽的意思。Beauty is only skin-deep,这个说法的意思就是:美貌只是表面现象。换句话也就是说,外表的美貌并不能说明这个人的本质。下面这个例句就说明了这一点:
  
  例句-2:"Sure, Mrs. Brown is the best-looking woman in town. But you know what they say: beauty is only skin-deep. Underneath, she's about as mean and sti ngy as anybody can be."
  
  这个人说:“当然罗,布朗太太是当地最漂亮的一个女人。但是,你知道大家都在说:美貌只是表面现象。实际上,她比谁都刻薄和小气。”
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#543
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语也是和skin这个字有关的,而且也很生动:that really gets under one's skin。
  
  Really是确实的意思,under the skin按字面解释是在皮肤下面的意思。但是,这种现象似乎是不现实的。我们现在讲的是俗语,that really gets under one's skin作为俗语,它的意思就是一个人感到很烦燥和厌烦。实际上和皮肤没有什么关系,而用在描写情绪的时候更多一些。现在,我们先来给大家举个例子,这是一个老师在说他的学生:
  
  例句-3:"Most of the kids in my fifth period English class are great, but Billy Brown really gets under my skin. He never stops talking, he teases the girls until they cry, and he never turns in his homework on time."
  
  这位老师说:“在我第五节英语课里的大多数学生都非常好。但是,比利.布朗真让我讨厌。他说话说个没完。他还老逗那些女孩,直把她们逗哭了为止。而且他从来也不准时交作业。”
  
  大家可以看到,这句话里没有什么和皮肤有关系的地方。但是,美国人常用 that really gets under one's skin这个说法来形容讨厌和烦燥的情绪。
  
  下面我们再来给大家举个例子。这是一个办公室的工作人员在说他的同事:
  
  例句-4:"Jack is a nice guy but he has one habit that really gets under my skin: he sits there all day and cracks his knuckles. You know, I think he doesn't even realize he's doing it."
  
  这个人说:“杰克是一个很好的人。但是,他有一个习惯实在令我感到讨厌。那就是,他成天坐在那里把自己的手关节按得嘎嘎的响。 我想他自己恐怕都没有意识到他在做什么。”
  
  把手关节弄出嘎嘎的声音倒还不是常见的习惯。但是,美国人在举止方面确实有不少忌违的地方。比如,他们认为一个人要是坐在那里不断把腿或脚抖动是不礼貌的。另外还有吃饱了饭大声打嗝儿,当众擤鼻子,剔牙齿等。大声清嗓子也不是很礼貌的行为,有时在跟别人说话时不得不清一下嗓子的时候,美国人一般都要说一声对不起。在这方面,每个国家和民族都有不同的风俗习惯
  
  我们今天讲了两个和skin这个字有关的习惯用语,它们是:skin-deep和that really gets under my skin。
  
  Skin-deep是肤浅,表面的意思;that really gets under one's skin是令人感到讨厌的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#544
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry陪李华带着她新领养的猫咪-小雪球-去看兽医。两人聊起了一位共同的朋友。今天李华会学到两个常用语:workaholic和nutty.
  
  LL: I'm really worried about Bob. He seems as though he has turned into a real workaholic.
  
  LH: 你很担心Bob,因为他成了workaholic. Workaholic, 那是什么意思?是不是Bob生病了?
  
  LL: No, Bob doesn't have a disease. He's a workaholic. A workaholic is someone who works all of the time and never takes time for anything else.
  
  LH: 啊,我懂你的意思了。Workaholic是指一个人工作过度,从来不休息。就是“工作狂”的意思嘛!Bob天天加班,怪不得他看起来总是那么累。这样对身体很不好呢!
  
  LL: No, it's not. Workaholics often get stress-related problems such as high blood pressure or ulcers.
  
  LH: 就是,高血压和溃疡都是一些工作过度的人常有的毛病。我爸爸就是个工作狂。我小的时候很少见到他,因为他总是在办公室里加班。结果在我10岁的时候,他得了溃疡,医生要他立刻减少工作量。
  
  LL: That's a shame, but it's actually pretty common. I've known a few workaholics, too.
  
  LH: 现代人工作忙碌,变成工作狂是很常见的。哎,Larry也许我们应该和Bob谈谈,让他知道我们很担心他。
  
  LL: I don't know how he'll respond to that. Maybe it would be better if we just pressured him to hang out with us and relax more.
  
  LH: 这倒是个好主意,让他和我们一起出去玩,一定可以放松心情的! 要不这样吧!我们可以邀请Bob下星期到我家玩,顺便看看我的小雪球!
  
  LL: I don't know if meeting your crazy cat is going to help prevent Bob from becoming a workaholic, but at least it will get him out of the office for a while.
  
  LH: 嘿!我的小雪球才不疯呢!她只不过是只小猫咪,爱玩而已嘛!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#545
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, did the vet officially diagnose your cat as being totally nutty?
  
  LH: Nutty? 那是什么意思。你该不是在说我的小雪球有什么行为方面的问题吧?
  
  LL: You could say that. Nutty means crazy.
  
  LH: 所以nutty就是疯疯颠颠的意思。哎,我跟你说过了,小雪球不疯。她只是比较好动。
  
  LL: Did the vet agree with you?
  
  LH: 当然喽!兽医还说,小雪球既不疯,也没有心理问题。她只是一只小猫,所以特别需要别人注意她。兽医还说我应该经常陪小雪球玩。
  
  LL: Oh, I see, she's so nutty because she has too much extra energy. If we play with her and tire her out, she'll be calmer.
  
  LH: 没错,只要我们多陪陪她,消耗她的体力,她就不会精力旺盛地动来动去。所以我打算用绳子做一些小玩具,每天至少陪她玩15分钟。
  
  LL: Hey, that actually sounds fun. Can I help?
  
  LH: 当然喽!但是你得先答应我,不可以再叫她是个小疯子,或是nutty了。这样我才让你和她玩。可以吗?
  
  LL: All right, I won't make fun of your nutty cat anymore.
  
  LH: Larry! 你怎么又这么说她啊!
  
  LL: I'm just kidding. I think it's funny that you get so offended when I call Snowball nutty.
  
  LH: 我当然要生气咯!小雪球是只很乖的小猫。我真的很喜欢她。所以你不可以这样嘲笑她。
  
  LL: Okay, I won't. Let's take her home and play with her now. I'm sure she doesn't want to stay here any longer.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,一个是workaholic,指的是一个人工作过度,不休息,也就是我们常说的:工作狂。另一个常用语是nutty,是指行为疯疯颠颠的,不太正常。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#546
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

no skin off my nose
  
  to save one's skin
  
  我们已经讲过一些和身体各部份有关的习惯用语,如:头,背,眼睛,手臂等。我们也讲过和皮肤有关的俗语。今天我们再给大家介绍两个由skin这个字组成的习惯用语。第一个是:no skin off my nose。
  
  No skin off my nose,从字面上解释是:不会从我鼻子上掉皮。但是,你要是在跟别人讲话的时候用这个俗语的话,你真正的意思是:这件事不是你的问题,也不是你的麻烦,而你也不在乎。我们来举个例子看看no skin off my nose在日常生活中是怎么用的。这是一个人在谈他以前的女朋友:
  
  例句-1:"Hey, it's no skin off my nose if Susie's going out now with that guy! I don't care what she does -- I broke up with her a month ago, when I met Karen. Karen's a lot more my style."
  
  这个人说:“嗨,要是苏琪现在跟那个家伙好,一起出去玩,我可一点都不在乎。她干什么我都无所谓。我在遇到卡伦以后就和她断了关系。卡伦和我更相配一些。”
  
  No skin off my nose这个说法的出处是什么可是不太清楚。从鼻子上掉一块皮又有什么了不起呢? 我们中国人在事不关己的时候经常会说:对我毫无损失,不会从我身上掉一块肉。当然,对美国人来说,人太胖不是好事,许多人都在想方设法地减肥,因此不会从身上掉一块肉的说法肯定就不合适了。
  
  现在在一部份美国年轻人当中很流行的一件事是在身上刺花。在身上刺花要花不少钱,还要忍受痛苦。更重要的是,刺了以后想要去掉可不容易,即便去掉也会留下伤痕。下面我们要给大家举的例子就是一个哥哥在劝说他的弟弟要三思而行。他说:
  
  例句-2:"Look, it's no skin off my nose if you want to get tattooed all over, kid. But it's stupid to begin with, and besides Mother and Dad will be very upset when they see what you've done."
  
  这个哥哥说:“我说,你这小子要是想把全身都刺花我都无所谓。但是,在身上刺花本身就是愚蠢的事。何况当爸爸妈妈看到你在身上刺了那末多花的时候,他们肯定会很不高兴的。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-08#547
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语很简单,但是在某种情况下却很重要。这个俗语是:to save one's skin。
  
  To save one's skin的意思从表面看来是:救了某人的皮。但是,实际的意思是:安全地逃出了危险的境地,没有受到伤害。下面我们要举的例子是说一个人的儿子发生了车祸。这位爸爸说:
  
  例句-3:"My son was in a bad auto accident last week. The other car went through a red light and smashed into him. It wrecked his car, but he was wearing his seat belt and that saved his skin -- he walked away without a scratch."
  
  这句话的意思是:“ 我的儿子上星期在开车时发生了严重的车祸。那一辆车穿红灯,然后撞上了我儿子的车,把他的车给撞坏了,但是因为他带着安全带,所以他一点都没有受伤。”
  
  下面我们要举的一个例子虽然没有生命危险,但是对于一个学生来说也是很重要的事。 我们看看这位学生是怎么说的:
  
  例句-4:"I was in real trouble last night: I had to type up a term paper to turn in to my English teacher this morning and my typewriter broke down. But the girl next door loaned me her typewriter; she really saved my skin."
  
  他说:“昨晚我可真是碰到了大问题。今天早上我必须把一篇论文交给英语老师,昨晚得用打字机打完的。结果我的打字机坏了。幸好我隔壁的那个女孩把她的打字机借了给我,这可真是救了我的命。”
  
  当然,这里所谓的“救了我的命”只是为了加强语气而已,实际上也就是帮了我一个大忙,解救了一个危机。
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了两个和skin这个字有关的俗语。第一个是:no skin off my nose。
  
  No skin off my nose是指对某件事不在乎,不会受到损害。我们今天给大家讲解的第二个和 skin有关的俗语是:to save one's skin。
  
  To save one's skin,这个习惯用语的意思是某人从一个大危机中被解救出来,或者是逃脱了一个危险的情况,没有受到伤害。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#548
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在电影院外面等朋友。电影都快开场了,可是朋友还没到。Larry决定用手机给这个朋友打电话。今天李华会学到两个常用语:juice和nuke.
  
  LL: Darn! My cell phone is out of juice. Can I use your cell phone to call Bob and Lisa and find out why they're late?
  
  LH: 你的手机怎么啦?Out of juice, juice是果汁。哎噢!该不是你的电话掉到果汁里啦?难怪不能用啦!
  
  LL: No, my cell phone is out of juice. "Juice" is slang for "power". I meant that the battery in my phone is out of power.
  
  LH: 噢,原来juice在这里是指电池里的电啊!所以out of juice就是没电的意思。既然你的手机没电了,你可以用我的,我昨晚才充过电,so it has plenty of juice.
  
  LL: That's fortunate. At least one of us has a functioning phone.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry你前些天不是说你的车有毛病吗?现在怎样啦?
  
  LL: Yes, my car wouldn't start because the battery was out of juice. I had to go to the mechanic and get a new battery.
  
  LH: 原来是车子里的电池也没电啦!看来这juice还真少不了,否则什么也干不了。昨天,我的激光唱机没有电。噢,没有juice了,偏偏我又找不到电池,害得我什么也听不了。
  
  LL: Yeah, I hate it when that happens, too. The other day, I was in the middle of typing a report on my laptop, when the battery ran out of juice. I almost lost the whole report.
  
  LH: 哇,你可得特别小心电脑的电池呢。如果电脑没电了,你输入的报告还有档案都可能会泡汤。那可就严重了!
  
  LL: I know! I've had some awful experiences with that. Fortunately, now computer companies are making laptops with batteries that hold more juice.
  
  LH: 就是,现在的电脑用的都是容量比较大的电池,所以打到一半没电的情况比较少了。Larry, 你还是快点儿给他们打电话吧!电影很快就要开始了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#549
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我真不敢相信Lisa和Bob居然说好了会不来。太糟糕了!
  
  LL: Yeah, I agree. Do you still want to go out to dinner? Or do you want to nuke the pizza that's in my fridge and eat that?
  
  LH: "Nuke a pizza"? "Nuke"是nuclear核能的简称。哎,Larry,你准备怎么吃那块比萨饼呀?
  
  LL: Oh, to nuke something is slang for cooking it in the microwave.
  
  LH: 噢,你真吓了我一跳呢!原来to nuke是把东西放进微波炉里加热啊!所以你是说你想把冰箱里那块pizza热来当晚饭吃。
  
  LL: Well, it would save some money. I also have some frozen dinners we could nuke. It would be faster than going to a restaurant.
  
  LH: 嗯,吃冷冻食品是比去餐馆吃饭是比较快,又便宜,可是我觉得冷冻食品不好吃耶!吃东西还是要吃新鲜的好!
  
  LL: My cousin won't eat food that's been nuked at all. She thinks that using a microwave is unhealthy.
  
  LH: 真的吗?你表妹说微波过的食物都不健康。那微波食物真的对身体有害啊?
  
  LL: I don't know and I don't want to know. Nuking food is so convenient and quick that I really don't want to give it up.
  
  LH: 我知道,微波食物既方便又快速。有时候我实在太忙,没时间做饭,我也是用微波炉来热剩菜剩饭。
  
  LL: I hardly ever have time to cook an entire meal. I'm also not a very good cook, so I would probably starve without a microwave.
  
  LL:好多男生都不会做饭,也没有兴趣。我看没有微波炉是要饿死的。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是juice,也就是电源,电力的意思。 另一个常用语是nuke,是用微波炉加热的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#550
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

at the wheel
  
  hell on wheels
  
  今天我们给大家介绍两个和 “轮子”有关的习惯用语。“轮子”在英文里是:wheel
  
  美国人最熟悉的可能就是汽车轮子了。在美国很多地方,汽车是生活中不可缺少的交通工具,没有汽车就变得寸步难行。当然,美国一些大城市里一般也有公共汽车或地铁,例如,在纽约和华盛顿等大城市,许多人都乘地铁或公共汽车上下班,但是依靠汽车的人仍然不在少数,因此,大多数美国人从小就和汽车打交道,虽然法定年龄是十六岁才能开车,但是,许多孩子在十六岁以前就开始学,开着玩,因此他们对汽车非常熟悉。
  
  我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语就和开车有关系:at the wheel
  
  At the wheel在这里是指开车,这是一种非常口语的说法。比如说,一个父亲对他儿子的行为很生气,正在盘问他:
  
  例句-1: "You not only came back home after midnight last night, but you also wrecked my car. Let me ask you something: How many people were in the car and who was at the wheel on your way home?"
  
  这个爸爸说:“你昨晚不仅过了半夜十二点才回家,你还撞坏了我的车。让我来问你,你回家的路上车里一共有几个人,到底是谁在开车?”
  
  这个父亲看来是很生气,这也难怪,在美国,管教这类十几岁的孩子是很不容易的事,特别是当他们有了驾车执照以后,他们总想用家长的车带着同学和朋友出去玩。有的孩子车子开得飞快,很容易出车祸,因此保险公司对年轻驾车者的收费也比成年人高。
  
  但是,当你把at the wheel当做俗语用的时候,它还有另一层意思,那就是:负责或控制一个大的组织。
  
  实际上,at the wheel这个俗语并不是来自汽车,而是出自航海。原来at the wheel是指站在船舵后面控制船的航向。
  
  我们给大家举个例子看看at the wheel在作这种解释的时候是怎么用的。这是一个刚从大名鼎鼎的哈佛商学院毕业的年轻人在说他的愿望:
  
  例句-2: "You want to know what my career plan is? I'll tell you honestly -- My ambition is to be at the wheel of a big corporation by the time I reach forty!"
  
  他说:“你要知道我在事业方面的计划?我可以坦白地告诉你:我的愿望是在我四十岁的时候能够成为一家大公司的总裁。”
  
  这个年轻人确实很有抱负,他的愿望在美国也不是不可能实现的,因为在美国大公司的领导人当中,年龄在四十岁上下的人很多。
  
  根据我们上面所讲的,at the wheel实际上既可以指开车,也能解释为“控制或领导一个规模很大的组织”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#551
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语也有两个不同的解释。这个习惯用语是:hell on wheels
  
  在某种情况下,hell on wheels是一个含有褒意的说法,指一个人工作特别努力,动作快而有效,而且凡事都要争先恐后。
  
  我们来举一个例子,这是一个老板在夸奖他手下的一个雇员:
  
  例句-3: "Mary is sure hell on wheels when it comes to good hard work -- She gets twice as much done in eight hours as anybody else in the office."
  
  这个老板说:“要论工作,玛丽是既努力肯干,而且还又快又好。要和办公室其他任何人来比,她在八小时里干的事要比别人多一倍。”
  
  这样的工作人员确实难能可贵。
  
  在上面的例子里,hell on wheels这个俗语是含有褒意的用法,是称赞一个人的工作态度和能力。
  
  可是,下面我们还要给大家介绍hell on wheels 的另一种含义。
  
  在某种情况下,hell on wheels是指某个人脾气很坏,对别人要求特别苛刻,在处理和别人的关系的时候也很粗鲁。这似乎跟我们上面讲的hell on wheels的含义有很大不同。
  
  我们举个例子看看含贬意的hell on wheels是怎么用的。这是一个学生在谈论她一个好朋友的父亲:
  
  例句-4: "Jane's dad is certainly hell on wheels with her and her brother. Nothing they do pleases him. He scolds them for this and that every day. He won't let them go out on weekends and takes away their allowances on the slightest excuse. I really feel sorry for them."
  
  这个学生说:“简的爸爸对她和她的弟弟实在是非常挑剔和苛求。他们做什么事都不能讨他的欢心。他每天为这为那地骂他们,周末也不让他们出去玩,还往往为了一点点小事就没收他们的零花钱。我真是替他们感到难受。”
  
  在社会问题上真是很难一概而论。美国人当中有一种论调,那就是大人应该尊重小孩的意愿,而不能强迫孩子按大人的意志来行事,因此有不少孩子很放纵,很难管教。但是,像上面这个例句里所描述的那种过于苛求的父亲也是存在的。当然,像这样的父亲就很难和孩子搞好关系。
  
  今天给大家讲解了两个和wheel这个字有关的习惯用语,第一个是:at the wheel
  
  at the wheel有两个意思:可以解释为开车,也可以指负责或领导一个大型的组织。
  
  今天讲的另一个俗语是:hell on wheels
  
  hell on wheels这个俗语有两个截然不同的意思,一个是工作努力,有效率;另一个是指某人脾气暴燥,对人苛刻和粗暴。
  
  今天讲的两个习惯用语都有不同的解释,特别是hell on wheels,两种解释差距很大,这就要看上下文才能确定它的确切意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#552
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry到李华住的地方,去看她新领养的猫咪小雪球。今天李华会学到两个常用语:mental和pro.
  
  LL: Snowball is adorable! She's so little and fluffy!
  
  LH: 就是啊,我的猫咪小雪球是很可爱,可它也够疯的。你看看它把我的家具抓成什么样了!
  
  LL: Oh, don't worry. Your cat isn't mental. All cats love to scratch furniture. You just need to give her a scratching post to scratch instead.
  
  LH: 你是说有办法让小雪球不再抓我的家具?噢!谢天谢地。我明天马上去买你说的那种专门让猫抓的柱子。不然,我的家具都要完蛋了。对了,你刚才说小雪球不是mental,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To be "mental" means to be crazy.
  
  LH: Mental就是发疯,疯狂的意思。所以你觉得小雪球很正常,一点也不疯啊?
  
  LL: She's just being a kitten. You need to get her a scratching post. She also might be doing this because she's lonely when you're gone.
  
  LH: Larry, 看不出来你对猫还有一套呢!你说小雪球太孤单了,才会到处抓,你该不是要我再领养一只猫和它做伴吧?你要真是那么想,那你可真的是mental,疯了!
  
  LL: Well, maybe you could adopt an older cat that's a little calmer.
  
  LH: 再领养一只大猫?你出什么馊主意呀!我绝对应付不了两只猫。那样,我会被逼疯的,成了mental。
  
  LL: Okay, well then try getting her something to scratch. You should cut her claws, too.
  
  LH: 对呀!我前天是要给小雪球剪指甲,可它像疯子一样,一直叫,一直抓我,最后还躲到床底下。
  
  LL: Hmmm....maybe you need some professional help. When you take her to the vet to get her shots, then the vet can help you cut her claws.
  
  LH: 我也希望兽医能帮忙。我真不知道怎么帮猫剪指甲。不过我怕小雪球到时候发疯抓人,连兽医都会受不了。
  
  LL: Don't worry, I'm sure the vet sees mental cats all day long.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#553
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 小雪球现在好多了。我带它看过兽医,也找了几本有关养猫的书。我现在比较懂得怎么照顾它了。
  
  LL: See, you're already becoming a pro. Pretty soon, you'll be able to handle a whole house full of cats.
  
  LH: 哎哟!一只猫已经够我头疼的了,一屋子的猫?甭提了!你刚才说我可以变成pro, 那又是什么意思?
  
  LL: Pro is short for "professional." If you say someone is a pro, it means that she is really good at something.
  
  LH: 原来,pro就是专业的意思。嗯,我还不敢说自己在这方面很专业啦!
  
  LL: That's understandable. You can't become a pro overnight. It takes time and practice.
  
  LH: 当然喽!要当专业人员可不是一天一夜的事,需要花很多时间来实践,积累经验。
  
  LL: Hey, I'm sure that Yao Ming got frustrated once in a while when he was training to become a pro basketball player.
  
  LH: 姚明在训练过程中还会烦恼? 他根本不用练球,他是一个“天生的”篮球好手!
  
  LL: Hey, even naturally talented people have to work hard to become a pro.
  
  LH: 嗯,我从小就梦想成为职业排球运动员。能够在沙滩上打排球一定是件很过瘾的事!
  
  LL: I'm sure it's not as much fun as it seems. Pro sports players have to work hard and they travel a lot. There's a lot of pressure on them to perform well.
  
  LH: 是没有象我们想像的那样好玩。训练是很辛苦的,还要到处旅行,压力好大。可是,这些职业选手能赚大钱。那些美式足球和篮球明星,年薪都上百万呢!
  
  LL: Don't you wish you'd get that much money for being a pro at caring for Snowball?
  
  LH: 唉!专业管理宠物有什么好处?唯一的报酬就是有一只快乐健康的猫!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是mental,是指发疯,疯狂的意思。另一个常用语pro是指专业人员。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#554
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

spinning one's wheel
  
  re-inventing the wheel
  
  在今天的节目里我们再来给大家讲解两个由轮子,也就是wheel这个字组成的习惯用语。我们已经学过:at the wheel,就是开车,或者是领导一个大型组织。我们还讲过:hell on wheels,也就是工作勤恳有效,另外一个意思是:脾气暴燥,对人苛求和粗鲁。下面我们再讲两个由轮子这个字组成的习惯用语。
  
  在谈到轮子的时候,人们一般都会产生一种往前发展的概念。但是,轮子在转动的时候也有就地踏步,不往前移动的现象。这可能吗?完全可能。你有没有看到过,一辆在泥浆地里,或是陷入很深的沙地的汽车。发生这种情况的时候,不管司机坐在车里怎么使尽全力发动机器,踩油门,但是车轮只是在泥浆里或沙堆里空转,寸步不动。这种现象最能说明那种花了精力,而又毫无进展的局面。我们今天要讲的第一个俗语就和这种情况有关,那就是:spinning one's wheels。
  
  Spin这个字作为动词,它的意思是转动。Spinning one's wheel这个习惯用语是形容一个人采取了行动,但是令他非常懊丧的是,他的行动毫无成果。我们还是举个例子来说明这个俗语的用法吧。这是一个牢骚满腹的雇员在埋怨他的工作:
  
  例句-1: "I've got to get out of this place and find another job somewhere. I'm just spinning my wheels here -- there's no chance to get a pay raise, much less a promotion."
  
  他说:“我得离开这个地方到别处去另找工作。我在这儿干死干活的,可是根本就没有机会加工资,更别说被提升了。”
  
  无论是换工作,或是换居住的地方,美国人在这方面的流动程度一般来说是比较高的。这种流动的现象在经济十分景气的时候更为明显。在美国建国早期,有的人找一个工作做一段时期,等到手里有一点钱,他就去玩或做自己喜欢做的事,如旅行等。等到钱用完了,再去找个工作做。可是,在经济不景气的情况下,这种作法就变得不实际了。
  
  在美国,个人的安全、尤其是幼年儿童的安全问题是每个家庭十分关心的事。大多数的家庭都要求孩子告诉家长他们的行踪;例如:放了学上那个同学家去,大概什么时候回家等,这样就免得家长担心。下面就是一个父亲在训斥他的女儿:
  
  例句-2: "How many times have I told you that you've got to let us know where you are and get back at the time you promised. But I feel I am just spinning my wheels here, as you always do whatever you want and worry us sick over you."
  
  这位爸爸说:“我对你讲了多少次了,你得告诉我们你上哪儿去,并且要按你自己说的时间回来。可是,我感到我在这儿白费劲,因为你老是想干什么就干什么,而我们却为你担心得要命。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#555
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

轮子是人类最早发明的东西之一,也是世界上最重要的发明之一。这一事实产生了美国人常用的一个俗语:那就是:re-inventing the wheel。
  
  Invent这个字的意思是:创造、发明。Re-inventing就是:重新发明。Re-inventing the wheel从字面上来解释就是:重新发明轮子。但是,既然轮子早就存在,再要发明不是多此一举吗?作为俗语,Re-inventing the wheel是指某个人认为自己想到了一个非常好的新主意,但是实际上这个主意别人早就想到,而且已经实施了。 美国的电脑非常发达,不同的电脑程序有各种不同的功能。最普通的是能够打字,可以储存资料和信息。另外有的还能画画,制图和算帐。我们下面要举的例子是一个老板在对他的会计说话:
  
  例句-3: "Look, don't try to design your own computer system for handling our accounts. There are plenty of good systems already on the market, so let's not reinvent the wheel!"
  
  这个老板说:“我说呀,不要为管理我们的帐目设计你自己的电脑程序。市场上已经有不少好的程序,所以我们不必多此一举啦。”
  
  在美国生活的一个特徵就是头绪很多。每个公司和机构里都有很多文件,报表等材料。这些一般都有专业秘书来整理,然后按类别进行归挡。这样,需要时随时都可以很快地找出来。当然每个人根据自己的方便都有不同的方法。甚至在家里,每个人每天都能收到好多信件,其中有保险公司,电话公司,信用卡公司等等发来的通知,银行发来的帐单等。由于每年年初都要报税,人们一般都把这些材料保留一定的时间,以便有帐可查。下面就是一个新移民在说他在这方面的经历:
  
  例句-4: "I thought I had finally worked out a good system to file these papers according to their different categories and under specific labels, but it turned out I was reinventing the wheel as most people have been doing it this way for a long time."
  
  这句话的意思是:“ 我还以为我总算想出了一个好办法,把这些报表材料放在不同的夹子里,标上不同的标记。可是实际上许多人早就这么做了,我只是重复他们的作法而已。”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和轮子,也就是wheel这个字有关的习惯用语,它们是:spinning one's wheel和re-inventing the wheel。
  
  Spinning one's wheel是指花了精力而没有成果。Re-inventing the wheel是指某人自以为想出了好方法,但是实际上这个方法别人早已在用了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#556
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华两人正开着车,准备到乡下的一个农场去骑马。今天李华会学到两个常用语:boonies和country bumpkin.
  
  (Car driving on country road)
  
  LH: Larry,我们要去的那个农场到底还有多远啊?
  
  LL: Unfortunately, it's way out in the boonies. It will take at least two hours to get there.
  
  LH: 两个小时?我的天啊!还要那么久啊?我在车上已经坐的腰酸背痛了。对了,你说这个农场在boonies, 那是一个小镇的名字吗?
  
  LL: No, "boonies" is a slang term for any place that is very far from any major city or town.
  
  LH: 噢,boonies就是指离城市很远的乡下地方,也就是很偏僻的地方,我们中文里说那些地方是“前不着村,后不搭店”。
  
  LL: This farm is in the boonies, but I've heard that it's very beautiful and that they have really nice horses.
  
  LH: 哇,那儿风景很好,还有很好的马,真是太棒了!要到这样的地方去,车开多远都无所谓!
  
  LL: Yeah, I'm kind of excited about going horseback riding, too.
  
  LH: 嘿,说真的,Larry,幸好我给我们两个人准备了午餐,要不你想,在那种地方 - in the boonies - 大概连麦当劳都没有噢!
  
  LL: I'm not sure that's such a bad thing, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 我知道,像麦当劳这种快餐店的东西还是少吃为妙。不过我的意思是,在那么偏僻的地方恐怕很难找到吃午饭的餐馆吧。嘿!Larry,你看,那片田野好美噢!
  
  LL: Yes, it is. It's really nice to get out of the city once in a while. I especially like driving on country roads. There's hardly any traffic out in the boonies.
  
  LH: 就是啊!在乡下开车,既能欣赏景色,享受新鲜的空气,又不必担心塞车。我已经好一会儿没看到其他车了。偶然出一次城真让人心情开朗。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#557
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你觉不觉得那个在农场工作的女孩和城市女孩很不一样?她的穿着很朴素,脸上也没有化装,一点都没有特意打扮的样子。
  
  LL: Yeah, she was definitely a country bumpkin. Were you able to understand her? She had a bit of a country accent.
  
  LH: 嗯,我是有点听不太懂她说的话;她有一点乡村口音。你说她是个country bumpkin,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: A country bumpkin is someone who is from the countryside. The term usually refers to someone who is relatively simple and unsophisticated.
  
  LH: Bumpkin就是生活在农村那些很纯朴的人。那Larry,你有没有在城市里碰过从农村来的人?
  
  LL: Sometimes. The other day, there was a guy on the subway who was such a country bumpkin that he couldn't figure out how to buy a ticket. He said that he'd never been on a subway before!
  
  LH: 那人又没有乘过地铁,第一次当然不知道怎么买地铁票喽!我刚来美国的时候,我也不知道怎么买地铁票啊!
  
  LL: That's true. Hey, Li Hua, do you know any country bumpkins?
  
  LH: 我有一个住在乡下的表姐。她和我那些住在大都市里的亲戚很不一样。我想她应该算是个country bumpkin吧!
  
  LL: I have an uncle who owns a farm in Idaho. He's really a country bumpkin. He hates the city and he prefers to wear jeans and a cowboy hat. I think he'd rather ride a horse than the subway.
  
  LH: 我还不知道你有个叔叔在爱达荷州。他还有个农场,真有意思!说不定,下回我们可以去你叔叔那儿玩,过过农村生活,做个country bumpkin!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是boonies,指的是离都市很远的农村。另一个常用语是:country bumpkin 是形容生活在农村的那些很纯朴的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#558
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to jump right out of one's skin
  
  all skin and bones
  
  今天我们 来给大家介绍两个由skin组成的习惯用语。我们要讲的第一个常用语所形容的景象可能你们永远都看不到。这个俗语是:to jump right out of one's skin。
  
  To jump就是:跳;to jump right out of one's skin要是直译的话,就是某人从皮肤里跳出来。这当然是不可能发生的,所以你永远也不可能看到这种现象。实际上,to jump right out of one's skin是指一个人由于突然发生的事,或者是由于没有预料到的危险,使他吓一跳。同样的,要是突然发生一件令人非常高兴的事,使某人非常惊喜,在这种场合下也能用这个常用语。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: "When the door opened, I almost jumped right out of my skin. There was my brother, arms loaded with Christmas presents. He lives all the way out in California, but he'd decided to surprise me by flying to Washington for Christmas."
  
  这句话是说:“门一打开,我真是惊喜万分。那是我哥哥,拿了好多圣诞节礼物。他住在加州,离这儿好远。但是,他决定乘飞机来华盛顿过圣诞节,可是不让我知道,给我来个突然的惊喜。”
  
  圣诞节是美国人一年当中最隆重的节日之一。和中国人过农历年一样,许多人都要从外地回家和家人团聚,互相送礼物。
  
  刚才我们举的例子是一个人没有预料会见到他哥哥,所以非常高兴,感到惊喜。下面我们举的例子是由于恐惧而感到非常突然:
  
  例句-2: "When it started to rain, I ran toward a big tree for shelter. But there was a flash of lightning and I jumped right out of my skin -- the lightning hit the tree just before I reached it."
  
  这人说:“在雨刚刚开始下的时候,我就往一棵大树那儿跑,想在树下躲一会儿。但是,天上突然闪起电来,我还没有跑到树下面,闪电就击中了那棵树。真是把我吓了一大跳。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#559
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

不同的国家和民族对某些事物的看法各不相同,这也就是风俗习惯的不同,或者是所谓的文化差异。中国人要是见到一个很久没有见面的朋友,往往会说:“吆,你发福了!”或者是说:“你心宽体胖呀!”可是,要是美国人对朋友说:你胖了,那他的朋友可是要生气的。下面我们要给大家介绍的这个俗语就和这一情况有关:all skin and bones。
  
  大家都已经知道,skin是皮肤,那末,什么是bone呢? Bone就是人体内的骨头。All skin and bones,从字面来解释,它的意思就是:全是皮肤和骨头。实际上,all skin and bones和中文里的“皮包骨”的说法完全一样。美国人经常用all skin and bones来形容那些很瘦的人,这是一个非常普遍的说法。当然,all skin and bones是夸大其词,因为一个人要是只剩下皮和骨,那这个人就没有可能活下去。但是,这正是习惯用语的特点。它们往往通过夸张的形式来使人们印象更深,我们今天讲的第一个习惯用语 to jump right out of one's skin就是如此。刚才我们说过中国人和美国人对胖和瘦的看法有所不同,我们举一个例子就可以显示这一点:
  
  例句-3: "Have you seen Henry lately? For two months he's been on this special diet to lose weight. Well, he's taken off forty pounds and now he's all skin and bones."
  
  这句话的意思是:“你最近看见亨利没有?他为了减肥,按照特殊的食谱吃了两个月。你看,他已经减掉了四十磅,现在真是非常瘦了。”
  
  在这句话里,all skin and bones指的是这个人很有毅力,节食很成功,是一种赞扬的意思,所以要是翻译成“皮包骨”似乎就不太合适了。由此可见,翻译也得根据每个国家和民族的文化和习俗来选择用词。
  
  美国人从健康和美观出发喜欢瘦一点。但是,在世界上也有不少人非常瘦,然而他们并不是由于节食而瘦的,而是由于没有足够的食品,因此这不是他们的选择。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4:"There's nothing sadder to see than a picture of children who are all skin and bones because they live someplace where most people don't get enough to eat."
  
  这句话的意思是:“当你看到一张照片,上面全是皮包骨的孩子,因为他们生活的地方大多数人都吃不饱,看到这样的照片比什么都令人感到难过。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个和skin有关的习惯用语。我们讲的第一个习惯用语是:to jump right out of one's skin。To jump right out of one's skin是指吓一跳,它可以是由于高兴而感到惊喜,也可能是因为危险或其他不幸的事而感到震惊。我们今天讲的第二个习惯用语是: all skin and bones,就是皮包骨的意思,是指那些很瘦的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#560
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry的妹妹要来找他,所以李华到Larry的公寓去帮他打扫清洁。今天李华会学到两个常用语tomboy和chicken.
  
  LH: Larry, 这是我第一次要见到你妹妹。我特别兴奋呢!你妹妹到底是个什么样的人啊?
  
  LL: Well, I don't know if you and my sister will have much in common. My sister is kind of a tomboy.
  
  LH: 你妹妹是什么?Tomboy?那是什么意思?Boy是男孩耶,你妹妹怎么成了个boy?
  
  LL: No, a tomboy is a girl who acts more like a boy. My sister is more interested in sports and cars than fashion or movie stars.
  
  LH: 噢,tomboy就是一个行为举止像男孩的女生。你妹妹喜欢运动和汽车,这有什么不对?谁规定女孩子就一定要喜欢衣服和化妆品的?我也喜欢运动和汽车啊!
  
  LL: Oh, no. I don't want to get in a feminist debate. I'm just saying that many people might think that my sister is not very feminine.
  
  LH: 啊?很多人都觉得你妹妹不够女人味啊?那我和你妹妹一定可以合得来的,因为我小时候也是个tomboy。我喜欢爬树,打球,有一次还跟一个男孩打架呢!
  
  LL: You? A tomboy? You're kidding, right? You always wear dresses and you act very feminine. I don't believe it.
  
  LH: 是真的!我小时候我妈妈总是要逼我穿裙子。还有啊!我都是和街坊邻居的男孩子玩,因为其他的女孩都觉得我像个男孩!
  
  LL: I guess you really were a tomboy. You must have changed a lot.
  
  LH: 其实我也没有改变很多啊!你看,我现在还是很喜欢打球运动,而且我最好的朋友还是个男的呢!
  
  LL: Really? Who's your best friend?
  
  LH: Larry! 你可别装傻哟!你知道你就是我最好的朋友!
  
  LL: That's really sweet, Li Hua. I'm honored to be your best friend, even if you are a tomboy! (laughing)
  
  LH: 好了啦!你就别再这样逗我了!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#561
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, my sister and I are going rock climbing tomorrow. Do you want to come with us?
  
  LH: 什么?爬岩石? 那不是很危险吗?
  
  LL: Come on. Don't be a chicken. It's perfectly safe and it'll be a lot of fun.
  
  LH: A chicken? Chicken是鸡的意思。我不想去爬岩石,这和鸡有什么关系?
  
  LL: Oh, chicken is slang for wimp or coward. You don't have to come with us if you're too much of a chicken.
  
  LH: 原来你是在笑我胆小啊?Chicken就是指胆小,懦弱的人。哼!我才不是胆小鬼呢。我一点儿也不害怕爬岩石,我只不过是比较小心而已嘛!
  
  LL: Well, if you're not a chicken, then you're welcome to come with us. We're leaving at 8:30 tomorrow morning.
  
  LH: 好,为了证明我不是胆小鬼, 不是一个chicken,明天早上8点半我一定到!那,你们是不是工具都准备齐全了?
  
  LL: Yes, my sister brought all of our equipment from home, so we'll all be perfectly safe. You don't have to worry at all.
  
  LH: 你别再拐弯抹角地说我胆小了!你啊才是个胆小鬼呢!你不是最怕坐云霄飞车吗?
  
  LL: That's different! People can get killed on those things if something goes wrong!
  
  LH: 是啊!云霄飞车如果出状况,是会摔死人的。那难道攀岩石就不会出意外啊?
  
  LL: All right, you made your point. I won't call you a chicken again. I'll see you tomorrow morning at 8:30, okay?
  
  LH: 没问题。明天见!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,第一个是tomboy,形容一个性格象男孩的女孩。另一个常用语是chicken,是指一个胆小懦弱的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#562
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to skin someone alive
  
  skin game
  
  我们曾经给大家介绍过几个和皮肤,也就是英文里的skin这个字有关的习惯用语,其中有:
  
  skin deep,就是“肤浅”的意思。 还有:to save one's skin, 是指某个人被别人从危险的情景中,或者从一个大危机中解救出来。
  
  在以上这两个俗语里,skin这个字都是当名词用。然而,skin这个字也可以当动词用。当skin用做动词的时候,它有好几种解释,其中之一就是:剥皮。当一个人非常生气的时候,例如当孩子做了什么事让家长非常生气时,这个人就可能会说:“我要活活剥了他的皮。”美国人也有相同的说法,那就是:to skin someone alive。
  
  在现代社会里,贩毒吸毒的现象越来越猖獗。不少年轻人为了追求物质享受,不惜去贩毒,以为这样可以通过毒品转手,轻而易举地赚很多钱。可是,许多年轻人正因为参与贩毒活动而被害。因此,一般正派的家长最害怕的就是自己的孩子交上了坏朋友,走上这条危险的道路。下面这个例子就是一个爸爸在听到自己的儿子参加贩毒活动的消息后所说的话:
  
  例句-1: "I've warned my son Jack repeatedly not to have anything to do with drugs. Last night, however, he was caught by the police for selling drugs on the street. Wait until he comes home, I'll skin him alive."
  
  这个父亲非常生气地说:“我一再警告我儿子杰克绝对不要和毒品有任何瓜葛。可是,昨晚上,警察把他抓去了,因为他在街上贩卖毒品。等他回来,我要活生生地剥了他的皮。”
  
  当然,活生生地剥了他的皮是做不到的,也不可能。这只不过是习惯用语夸大的说法而已。但是,这个儿子被他爸爸狠狠地骂一顿,或是打几下可能是难免的了。
  
  大家都知道, 离婚最主要的原因之一就是夫妇的一方有外遇,对任何美满的婚姻来说,夫妇一方有外遇都是一种强烈的腐蚀剂。下面就是一个丈夫在说他的妻子:
  
  例句-2: "Mary promised two weeks ago that she would stop seeing Bill. Today, my sister saw her with Bill in a restaurant kissing and hugging. I am going to skin her alive this time."
  
  这位丈夫说:“两个星期前玛丽向我保证,她以后不再和比尔来往了。可是,今天,我姐姐见到她和比尔在一家饭馆里,又接吻又拥抱的。这回我可得活活地剥了她的皮。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#563
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当skin这个字用在美国俗语里的时候,它还可以解释为欺诈某人以骗取他的钱财。这实在和皮肤是毫无关系,但是这种说法在美国人当中流传已经将近两百年了。我们现在来给大家介绍和这一意思相关的一个俗语,那就是:skin game。
  
  Game这个字的意思是:游戏。Skin game当然不是指和皮肤做游戏。Skin game指的是:通过任何不诚实的方式来进行赌博。这个说法从十九世纪中期,美国内战期间就开始在美国人当中流行了。比如说,几个人一起打扑克牌,而负责安排这次牌局的人做了手脚,以致那个被骗的人根本不可能赢钱。下面这个例子就是一个人在对他的朋友说他被骗的经历:
  
  例句-3: "In a bar in Chicago last week these three guys invited me to a friendly poker game. They let me win the first couple of hands and then upped the stakes. Do you know, I'd lost five thousand bucks by the time I realized I'd been caught in a skin game?"
  
  这人说:“上星期在芝加哥的一个酒吧里,有三个人请我一起去打扑克牌玩。他们先让我赢了两付牌。然后就把赌注加大。你可知道,等我意识到我是掉入了圈套,受他们欺骗的时候,我已经输了五千美元了。”
  
  美国人当中也有喜欢打麻将的,一般都是年纪大一些的人,尤其是妇女。他们有的时候还有固定的搭子,每星期打一次或两次麻将。下面就是一个老太太在说她的经历:
  
  例句-4: "Since I joined the majong team last summer, I've won only once for just $20. It suddenly dawned on me last week that I've been cheated by the other three in a skin game."
  
  这位老太太说:“自从去年夏天我参加了这个麻将小组后,我只赢了一次,一共才二十美元。直到上星期,我才忽然省悟到,我一直在受那三个人的欺骗。”
  
  打了半年多麻将才发现自己被骗,这也真是可怜,也不知道她一共输了多少钱。
  
  我们以上讲了两个由skin这个字组成的习惯用语,第一个是:to skin someone alive。
  
  To skin someone alive是一个人生气的时候说的气话,意思是要把某人活活地剥皮。今天我们讲的另一个俗语是:skin game。
  
  Skin game是以不正当的手法通过赌博来骗取别人的钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#564
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正走在公园里,两人准备穿过公园到地铁站去。今天李华会学到两个常用语:gooey和retro.
  
  LL: Oh no! I just stepped in something gooey! Gross!
  
  LH: 怎么啦!Larry!你踩到什么啦?gooey是什么?该不是鸟粪吧?
  
  LL: Something that is gooey is sticky and wet like glue or chewing gum. As a matter of fact, I think that the gooey thing I stepped in is actually chewing gum.
  
  LH: 呃,你踩到口香糖啦!口香糖又湿又黏的,真是够恶心的!原来gooey就是指这种东西。我最讨厌那些人把吃过的口香糖随便吐在地上。真没有公德。
  
  LL: I hate it, too, especially because gooey things like chewing gum are really hard to clean up. Now, I'm going to have to walk around with a gooey pink spot on the bottom of my shoe.
  
  LH: 就是啊。这些黏呼呼的口香糖一旦沾上了,是很难洗掉的。也许你可以等到晚上口香糖干掉后,可能会比较容易从鞋底掰下来。
  
  LL: That's a good idea. I'll try and peel it off later tonight.
  
  LH: Laryy, 你就别再发火了。想一想,口香糖沾上鞋底,总比沾上头发要好一些吧?
  
  LL: I can imagine. Has that ever happened to you?
  
  LH: 嗯,是有那么一次。我还在念小学的时候,班上的一个男孩把一瓶胶水倒在我头上,黏呼呼的胶水把我头发全沾上了。我妈妈花了好几个小时才把我的头发洗干净呢!
  
  LL: That's awful! You must have been so upset!
  
  LH: 就是啊!我哭了好久。第二天我也拿了一大罐黏稠的水彩倒在那个男孩的衣服上作为报复。谁要他先倒胶水在我头发上!
  
  LL: That's terrible, Li Hua!
  
  LH: 我也知道这样做是不对的。可是你知道吗?那个男孩再也没敢欺负我了!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#565
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 我喜欢你这双新鞋。真好看!
  
  LL: Thanks! I bought them to replace the shoes that were all gooey from the gum I stepped in. I liked these because they are kind of retro.
  
  LH: Retro? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Retro means similar to something from the past. These shoes are retro because they look like the shoes people used to wear in the 1950s.
  
  LH: 噢,retro是指那些与过去流行的东西很类似,那不就是“仿古”的意思吗?我也注意到,一些仿古的衣服或饰品通常都有特殊的风格。
  
  LL: Yeah, some people even go to special stores to buy actual vintage clothes that are twenty or thirty years old.
  
  LH: 哇!到特殊的商店去买二,三十年前的衣服啊!我虽然喜欢仿古风味的衣服,可是我还真不明白为什么有人会花钱买一件20年前的旧衣服。
  
  LL: I don't understand it, either. I prefer to buy a new shirt that looks old-fashioned instead of one that actually is old.
  
  LH: 当然了!我也宁可买式样是仿古的新衣服。我才不要花大钱去买那些古董衣服呢。
  
  LL: Some car manufacturers are making retro cars now, too. Chrysler makes a couple of cars that look like cars from the 1940s.
  
  LH: 对,我也见过克莱斯勒出的那种汽车。式样象四十年代的车。真的很酷!
  
  LL: Yeah, I like them too, but in this case, I actually prefer real vintage cars. A retro new car just isn't the same as a real classic car.
  
  LH: 你宁可买几十年前的老车呀?式样仿古的新车跟老车有什么不一样哪?是结构,还是材料不一样?
  
  LL: It's hard to explain, but sometimes nothing compares to the real thing.
  
  LH:衣服嘛要买老款式的新衣服。汽车嘛要买真正的老车。Larry,你真怪!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是gooey,是形容那种湿乎乎,又很黏的东西。另一个常用语是retro,就是仿古,或复古的意思

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#566
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

one of a kind
  
  top-notch
  
  世界上大多数人都喜欢好的东西。有许多人花很多精力和工夫就是为了争取成为一个出众的人。如果您有机会见到一些真正才华出众的人,你也许会同意这些人的确与众不同,能做到常人做不到的事情。今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是描写那些特别出众、水平超出一般的人或物。我们先来给大家讲第一个:one of a kind。
  
  Kind这个字有很多解释;在这里,它的意思是:一个类别。任何人要是成为one of a kind那就等于是:只此一家,独一无二;那当然就很特殊,任何人都没法跟他比了。让我们来举个例子,这是一个学生在谈他所喜欢的音乐:
  
  例句-1: Normally I don't care much for classical music -- U-2 is more my style. But I can listen to Mozart all day long. Just imagine: he died at thirty-five and he wrote six hundred pieces of music. He was certainly one of a kind.
  
  这个学生说:“一般来说,我不太喜欢听古典音乐,我喜欢听硬摇滚乐。但是,我也能够整天听莫扎特的音乐。你想,他死的时候才三十五岁,可是他已经写了六百首曲子。他真是一位与众不同的音乐家。”
  
  上面这个例子说的是音乐家,下面我们要举的例子是关于一位运动员。这是一个拳击迷在对他的朋友发表他的看法:
  
  例句-2: I've seen all the great fighters in the last thirty years. And I think the best was Muhammed Ali. He was one of a kind -- he could move faster and hit quicker than anybody else I ever saw.
  
  这个人说:“过去三十年当中所有有名的拳击手我都看过。我认为最好的还是穆罕默德阿里。他的动作特别快,他打击对方的速度比我所看到的任何拳击手都快。他真是非常突出。”
  
  体育在美国人生活中占有一个非常重要的地位。要是一个十几岁的男孩被吸收加入学校的球队的话,那对家长来说,当然特别是对他的爸爸来说就好像是件大喜事。每个大学对学校球队成员都有特殊的奖学金,因为他们可以为学校争光。报纸每天都有体育专栏,电视新闻往往除了报新闻外还有专人报天气预报以及体育新闻。体育在美国人生活中所占的比重就不难想象了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#567
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在来给大家介绍今天要讲的第二个习惯用语:top-notch。
  
  Top和notch原来是两个字,但是由于在这两个字当中有一个连接号,所以实际上已经成为一个字了。Top大家都知道是最高的意思。Notch可以解释为在一样东西上刻记号,当然最高的就是最好的。Top-notch是指最出众的人或其他东西。我们先来举一个指人的例子:
  
  例句-3: Our firm is paying our new executive vice president two hundred thousand a year. But it takes a lot of money to hire a top-notch man these days.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们公司付给新来的执行副总裁的工资每年是二十万美元。现在要雇用水平这么高的人要花好多钱呐。”
  
  这样的工资在美国就是高薪阶层了。当然,名演员和运动员的收入会更高。可是,年薪仅仅两万美元的人也不在少数。
  
  上面的例子是用top-notch来形容人,下面我们来举个例子用 top-notch来指东西:
  
  例句-4: When I'm in New York I always stay in this hotel. Everything here is top-notch: the rooms, the restaurants, the service. And it's close to most of the places I want to go.
  
  这句话的意思是说:“我到纽约来的时候总是住在这个旅馆里。这儿的一切都是最高级的,这儿的房间,餐馆,他们的服务都非常好;而且这个旅馆离我要去的大多数地方都很近。”这个人说的旅馆大概是五星旅馆,因为美国的旅馆是由有几个星来衡量的.最多的是五个星。星越多说明这个旅馆越高级。美国的每个城市都有大大小小不少旅馆。从那些联锁的著名高级旅馆一直到那些叫做motel的小旅馆。当然,它们的价格也悬殊很大。纽约的大旅馆一个晚上至少要一百多美元,有的豪华套房甚至可以要上千块美元一夜。那些所谓的motel在设备和服务方面都比较简单,价钱当然也要便宜一些。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个形容非常出众的人或东西的习惯用语。第一个是:one of a kind。
  
  One of a kind是指一个非常突出的人和物,他们非常出众以致到了独一无二的程度。今天我们还给大家介绍了:top-notch。Top-notch也是非常出众的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#568
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在讨论暑假期间做什么。李华建议邀请一些朋友一块儿去露营。今天李华会学到两个常用语:long shot和the buzz.
  
  LH:Larry,我们要不要叫Dave和Laura跟我们一起去露营呀?
  
  LL: Well, it's a long shot, Dave and Laura probably already have something planned.
  
  LH: 那倒也是,他们可能已经计划好了暑期活动。不过,这跟long shot有什么关系哪? Shot是射击。我邀他们去露营,不是去打猎......
  
  LL:No, there's nothing to do with shooting!
  
  LH:等等,我知道了。你的意思是,他们已经有计划了,所以不太可能和我们去露营,long shot就是不太可能,是不是?
  
  LL: That's exactly what it means. A "long shot" is something that is not likely to happen or there is only a small possibility of success.
  
  LH: 你看,我猜对了吧! Long shot是指不太可能的事。要不我们可以加入他们的活动啊?
  
  LL: That's a long shot, too, because it's probably too late to make the necessary airplane or hotel reservations.
  
  LH: 是吗?现在已经不太可能订到机票和旅馆啦?那...还有什么是可能的,而不是long shot呢?
  
  LL: We could spend the vacation with my family at my parent's lake house. I'm pretty sure that my parents would be happy to join us there.
  
  LH: 哇!到你爸妈的湖边别墅去度假,还能见到你爸爸妈妈。那真是太好了。Larry,你怎么没早点想到这个好计划嘛?
  
  LL: Well, I thought it was a long shot that you'd be willing to spend your vacation with my family. My parents sometimes could be boring.
  
  LH: 怎么会呢?我很喜欢你爸爸妈妈。他们很和善,也很风趣。你妹妹也是个很有意思的人。我想我们会玩得很开心的。
  
  LL: It's a long shot that my sister will come home to spend the vacation. She said she's going to Europe this summer.
  
  LH: 噢,她要去欧洲呀?我也很想去,但是现在没钱。Larry,暑假去你们家,我们会不会到湖里游泳啊?我要不要带游泳衣呀?
  
  LL: You should definitely bring a bathing suit.
  
  LH: 那么,要不要带件毛衣呀?
  
  LL:You could, but it's a long shot that you'll need it.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#569
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LH: Larry,你准备好了吗?我们该出发了!
  
  LL: Yep. I'm all packed. I decided to bring some new movies with us to watch, too, including a new horror movie. The buzz is that it's really scary.
  
  LH: 你还带了电影哪?太好了,不过我可不爱看恐怖电影。对了,Larry,你刚才说,the buzz is...,什么是the buzz?
  
  LL: Buzz is slang for what people are saying about a particular topic, person, or thing, not necessarily bad.
  
  LH: 噢,buzz就是指大家谈论的话题,所以你的意思是大家都在说这部电影很可怕,是不是?
  
  LL: Right. I brought that new Tom Cruise movie, too, because I know you've been wanting to see it.
  
  LH: 真的,你还带来了Tom Cruise最新的电影。Larry,谢谢你!最近大家都在谈论,那就是: The buzz is Tom Cruise又有新女朋友了。
  
  LL: I really don't pay any attention to the buzz about celebrities' personal lives. I'm just not interested in it.
  
  LH: 我对关于名人的传说通常也不太感兴趣。但是,Tom Cruise是我喜欢的电影明星,所以有关他的事,我是比较注意的。
  
  LL: Oh well, all the buzz in the media about their personal lives probably didn't help their marriage that much.
  
  LH: 没错,那些媒体的报道对他们的婚姻不但没有什么好处,甚至还可能间接地破坏了他们的婚姻呢!
  
  LL: That's right!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是long shot,是形容某件事不太可能发生,机会不大。另一个常用语是the buzz,是指大家对某人或某事的谈论。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#570
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to crash the gate
  
  to crash the party
  
  crash course
  
  学英文容易碰到的困难之一就是一个字有时候可以有好几种解释,因此我们有的时候花点时间来研究一个字也是值得的。今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都和crash这个字有关,而crash这个字就有好几个解释。
  
  Crash可以用做名词,也可以用做动词,它还可以用做形容词。但是,crash最普通的意思是:猛烈的撞击,像汽车撞车,飞机失事等。在习惯用语当中,crash这个字还有其它意思,例如:to crash the gate。gate是大门的意思,但是,to crash the gate并不是用力撞大门,而是另外的意思。一个人想看电影或者看体育比赛,可是没有票,他想偷偷混进电影院或体育馆,这就是to crash the gate。我们来举一个例子:
  
  例句-1: When I was a kid, I'd crash the gate at baseball games. But I stopped for good when I got caught one day and the police called Dad, and he gave me the only whipping of my life.
  
  这个人说:小时候我经常不买票偷偷地混进体育馆去看棒球比赛。可是,有一天我被抓住了,警察就打电话给我爸。他狠狠地揍了我一顿。我一辈子就挨了这一顿揍。后来我再也不敢偷偷混进去看球了。
  
  没有票混进电影院或体育馆去看电影、看球赛叫做to crash the gate,那么,要是有一个地方举行聚会,但是你没有被邀请,而你又偷偷地混了进去,这种情况能不能用to crash the gate来形容呢? 不能,但是你只要换一个字就行了。你不要用to crash the gate,而用:to crash the party。
  
  party就是聚会。这儿指的是比较大型的聚会,否则也不可能混进去。下面我们要举的例子就是大使馆举行的招待会。
  
  例句-2: I have this friend who is an expert at crashing parties at foreign embassies. He wears his best clothes and walks in the door like he's somebody important. If they ask to see his invitation card, he feels around his pockets and says he must have left it at home.
  
  这个人说:我的一个朋友是混进外国大使馆去参加聚会的专家。他穿上他最好的衣服,进门的时候就好像是什么大人物一样。如果他们要看他的请帖,他就摸摸口袋说,他肯定是把请帖拉在家里了。
  
  偷偷混进电影院或体育馆是to crash the gate;偷偷混进去参加聚会是to crash the party,两者之间只是一字之差,但是不能混着用。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#571
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

近年来,crash这个字又增添了一层新的意思。人们想在短期内完成一件事的时候往往就会用crash这个字。例如,一个公司或机构想集中力量完成一个计划或一个项目,他们就会把这叫做:crash plans or programs。
  
  还有的人想在短期内减肥,这就叫做:crash diet。
  
  更普通的就是有的人为了学一种科目或一种特别的技术参加短期训练班。短期训练班就是:crash course。
  
  美国公司在国外往往有分公司,在派人员出国前经常会给他们学一个短时期的语言或则是对方国家的风俗习惯。下面这个人就是在说他参加短期训练班的经历:
  
  例句-3: I'm busy taking a crash course in German because my company is sending me to Berlin next month to open a branch office. It's hard work--four hours a day with my tutor and another four or five hours of study at home listening to tapes.
  
  这个人说:我正忙于参加一个短期训练班学德文,因为我的公司下个月要派我到柏林去开一个分公司。这么学非常辛苦,每天跟老师学四个小时,然后回到家再听四、五个小时的磁带。
  
  学任何东西都可以用这种集中压缩的方式,包括如何做一个政客,下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: When that young man was elected to congress, he went to Washington a month early to get a crash course from a retiring congressman on the important issues he'd have to vote on.
  
  这句话的意思是:那个年轻人当选为国会议员后,他提早一个月就去华盛顿。他想利用这点时间向一位即将退休的议员请教,让他对那些以后要投票表决的重要问题有所了解。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和crash这个含义很多的字有关的习惯用语。第一个是:to crash the gate,意思是没有门票偷偷溜进电影院或体育馆去看电影或看球赛;另外一个和to crash the gate只差一个字的说法是:to crash the party,意思是没有被邀请而混进去参加聚会。
  
  我们今天讲的另一个和crash这个字有关的常用语是:crash course。Crash course就是指短期训练班。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#572
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华到Larry住的地方去送一本书,发现鱼缸里的金鱼不见了。今天李华会学到两个常用语:bite the dust和funky.
  
  LH: 哎,Larry,你的金鱼到哪儿去了?
  
  LL: Oh, he bit the dust yesterday. I found him floating in the tank. I'm really bummed out about it.
  
  LH: 你的金鱼怎么了?Bit the dust? Bit是bite的过去时。意思是:咬; 那dust是尘土的意思。咬尘土? 噢,你是说你的鱼死啦?
  
  LL: That's right! That fish was a few years old, so I think he might have just died of old age.
  
  LH: 那只鱼在你这儿好几年啦?怪不得你显得闷闷不乐!Larry,要不要我陪你再去买条金鱼?
  
  LL: I'm thinking about going to buy a new fish today, but I want to clean out the tank first. I don't want the new fish to bite the dust, too.
  
  LH: 没错,买新的鱼以前最好把鱼缸打扫干净,不然新的鱼也可能会死掉的。
  
  LL: It's possible. I really don't want to take any chances.
  
  LH: 对,一条鱼价钱也不便宜,可别冒风险。对了,Larry,你知道吗?John的奶奶几天前去世了,那我是不是能说:she bit the dust the other day。
  
  LL: Wait a second, Li Hua, I don't think you want to say that your friend's grandma bit the dust. It's not very polite or respectful.
  
  LH: 噢,bite the dust这个说法用在人的身上是不礼貌的!那我还真是得小心。
  
  LL: It's okay to say my fish bit the dust or some bad guy in a movie bit the dust, but you probably don't want to say that about your friend's family member.
  
  LH: 嗯,我懂了。To bite the dust可以指鱼,可以指电影里的坏蛋,可是千万不要在朋友的家人去世的时候用这个说法。
  
  LL: You've got it! Now let's go buy a fish.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#573
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你为什么不买那条鱼?它的鳍好大而且颜色好漂亮!我从来没见过色彩这么鲜艳的鱼呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, he is kind of funky. I don't think I've ever seen another fish like that either.
  
  LH: 等等,什么是funky? 是不是很酷的意思?
  
  LL: Funky has several meanings, but in this case, it means cool, unique, and unusual.
  
  LH: 噢,在这里,funky就是指很酷、很独特的意思。没错,这条鱼真的很特别。这鱼放在你的鱼缸里一定很漂亮!
  
  LL: Hold on, that funky little fish is pretty expensive. Why don't we get a cheap little goldfish instead?
  
  LH: 小的金鱼是便宜点,可是颜色就没有这么特别了啊!
  
  LL: I happen to like goldfish. I can buy one of those goldfish with the funky bubbles behind its eyes.
  
  LH: 你是说那条眼睛后面长两个大球的金鱼呀?我还是喜欢那条很漂亮的鱼,那条funky fish。
  
  LL: Well, I appreciate your opinion, but this is going to be my fish.
  
  LH: 那也是,别听我的。这是你的鱼,你得天天看的。Larry,你看,那边那个人穿的衣服真是与众不同。我觉得很怪,是不是也很funky?
  
  LL: Yeah, he definitely has his own sense of style. It looks as though he's here to buy a fish, too.
  
  LH: 对,每个人都有自己穿衣服的风格。说不定他会买那条很漂亮的鱼!
  
  LL: That's a possibility. Now, come on, forget about that fish and help me pick out a goldfish, the funkier the better.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是bite the dust, 就是死掉的意思,不过通常不用在人身上,因为那样说不太礼貌。另一个常用语是funky。意思是很酷、很独特。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#574
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

set of wheels
  
  free-wheeler
  
  Wheel是轮子的意思。轮子是在很久以前就发明的,现在都没有人记得到底是谁发明了轮子。可是,轮子的发明对人类做出了非常大的贡献。要是世界上没有轮子,那我们就不可能有马车、汽车、火车和飞机,也不可能有发电机。实际上,没有轮子世界上大部份的机器都可能消失。我们很难想象要是没有轮子,人们的生活将成什么样。我们今天再来给大家介绍两个由wheel这个字组成的俗语。第一个我们要讲的就是和汽车有关的:set of wheels。
  
  Set这个字的意思就是:一组或一套。大家都知道,一辆普通的小汽车有四个轮子,因此,有的人就把汽车叫做:set of wheels。下面是一个人刚买了一辆汽车回家,非常骄傲地想显示一下。他对他的朋友说:
  
  例句-1: Hey Pete, come on over and take a look at my new set of wheels. Fire-engine red, real leather upholstery -- I tell you, the girls will go crazy over it!
  
  这个人说:喂,彼得,到这儿来看看我的新汽车。大红的颜色,座位和四周都是皮的。我告诉你,那些女孩子看见了这车可真是会喜欢的了不得的。
  
  为什么这个人要说女孩子会特别喜欢呢?这是因为美国许多年轻人都开车带女朋友出去玩,当然,车越漂亮他也就觉得越光彩,女朋友也会感到特别骄傲,有面子。
  
  下面这个例子里说的人和上面这个买新车的人的想法完全不同:
  
  例句-2: I'm too old to worry about impressing the girls. All I want is a cheap set of wheels I can count on to get me to work every day and that doesn't cost a lot to keep running.
  
  这句话的意思是:我已经老了所以不用担心我的车给那些女孩子什么印象。我所要的就是一辆便宜一点的车,既可以靠它每天去上班,也不要花很多钱来保养。
  
  以上两个例子充份体现了美国人之间的代沟。年轻人喜欢的是色彩鲜艳的跑车,最好还是敞棚的,车开的飞快,旁边坐一个金发女郎,这是最得意的事了。可是,年纪大一些的人就喜欢实惠,车要牢靠、舒服,价钱不要太贵,最好还不要老出问题。有的年轻人甚至不要开家长的车,怕同学们笑话。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#575
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来给大家介绍第二个由wheel组成的习惯用语:free-wheeler。
  
  Free就是自由,不受控制的。Wheeler是在wheel这个字后面加上e和r这两个字母。这个字的意思就成了:用轮子的人。那末,free-wheeler究竟是什么意思呢? Free- wheeler就是指那些不愿意遵守自己所属公司或机构的规章制度,自己喜欢怎么做就怎么做的人。这个习惯用语是来自自行车后轮胎上面的一个装置,这个装置可以让骑自行车的人在下坡的时候不用踩踏脚,而自行车会自己往下滚。下面我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-3: Joe got fired from that big company because they thought he was too much of a free-wheeler: he wouldn't fit into the system. Now he's working as a used-car salesman.
  
  这句话的意思是:乔伊被那家大公司解雇了,因为他们认为他不能按照公司的制度办事,过于自作主张。现在,他在一个卖旧汽车的地方做推销员。
  
  每个公司,机构都有一定的规章制度,不能遵循这些规章制度的人往往就会被解雇,这是常常发生的事。每个社会都有不同的规章和法律,那些不能遵守法律的人往往就会犯罪,被淘汰。这种free-wheelers恐怕在哪个社会里都有。然而,不是所有的free-wheelers都是不好的,有的时候free-wheelers在不犯法的情况下却还是很受人尊敬。大家都知道,美国国会由民主党和共和党组成。在投票通过某些法案的时候,一般来说,民主党的党员都按照民主党的主张投票,属于共和党的议员一般听从共和党的决策。可是,也有一些议员在不同意自己所属党的观点的时候,会站到对方的立场,投票支持对立党。这样做当然会受到压力,需要勇气。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-4: Other Congressmen call Mr. Blank a free-wheeler because he doesn't always vote the way the party wants. But in our district we like a man who votes his honest convictions.
  
  这个人说:其他国会议员说布兰克先生是一个不受约束的人,因为他不见得每次都按照党的意愿去投票。但是,在我们选区里,我们喜欢一个能够老老实实根据自己的原则来投票的人。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都和wheel这个字有关系。首先我们给大家讲解了:set of wheels。Set of wheels从字面上来解释是:一组轮子。但是在口语中,set of wheels就是指汽车。今天我们讲的第二个习惯用语是:free-wheeler。Free-wheeler是指那些不愿意按一个公司或一个机构的所定之规来行事的人,他们一般喜欢怎么做就怎么做。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#576
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry在帮李华写一篇报告,因为李华的电脑出了问题,她写的整个报告都丢了。今天李华会学到两个常用语:back to square one和killer.
  
  LH: 电脑出了问题,我写的东西全没了!真糟糕,现在我得从头开始写了!
  
  LL: I'm sorry, Li Hua. It's a real bummer, but I guess we're back to square one.
  
  LH: Larry,我急都快急死了,你还在做什么游戏,什么方块一,方块二的。方块和我写报告有什么关系?
  
  LL: Oh, when you're back to square one it means that you are back where you started and you have to start all over again.
  
  LH: 噢,原来back to square one就是回到开头的地方,一切都得从头来起。唉,看来我也只能这么做了。
  
  LL: You must remember some of what you wrote. You can start by writing that down before you forget it.
  
  LH: 我脑子里是记得一些我写的东西。先把我记得的部份写下来。这倒是个好主意,这样总比一切从头开始要好一些。
  
  LL: Don't feel so bad, Li Hua. It could be worse. My uncle spent years working on a novel. But a computer virus destroyed his computer and the backup disk. He was back to square one.
  
  LH: 我的天啊!你叔叔比我更惨,写了多年的小说就这样没了。要是我的话,我可能就会放弃了。
  
  LL: But my uncle said he's going to rewrite the novel despite the fact he had to start from square one.
  
  LH: 你叔叔真有毅力呀!嗯,Larry,你有没有闻到一股烧焦味?
  
  LL: Oh no! I forgot about the pizza in the oven. It's burning! Li Hua, I'm so sorry. I'm afraid that we're back to square one with dinner, too
  
  LH: 不得了,比撒饼在烤箱里都忘了。哎呀,你看,都烤焦了。看来我们得重新打电话订比萨饼了。
  
  LL: That's a good idea because this one is completely burned.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#577
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Let's watch TV while we're eating. The Simpsons are on. I love watching The Simpsons; it's such a killer show.
  
  LH: 哎哟,Larry,你有没有搞错啊?“辛普森家族”是个卡通节目,很好玩的。哪是什么杀人行凶的节目呢?
  
  LL: No, I don't mean "killer" as in deadly. I mean killer as in awesome or really cool.
  
  LH: 噢,原来这里的killer不是杀人,而是指某样东西很棒,很酷。我也觉得“辛普森家族”是个很棒,很好笑的节目。
  
  LL: This is killer pizza, too. I'll have to remember to order pizza from the same restaurant next time.
  
  LH: 对,这比萨饼真好吃。没错,下回再到这个饭馆去订。 Larry,我已经看过这一集“辛普森家族”了,这一集真的很好笑。
  
  LL: Yeah, you're right, this is a killer episode. I can watch it over and over again and never get tired of it.
  
  LH: 这一集我也看了好几遍了,但是还没有看厌。Larry,我觉得另外一个电视连续剧也可以算得上是个killer show。
  
  LL: What show?
  
  LH: 那个描写6个年轻男女在纽约市的“六人行”节目。那是我最喜欢的电视节目之一,每次播那个节目,我绝对不会错过!
  
  LL: There are probably several million people who agree with you. That is a killer show, and one of the most popular TV shows in history.
  
  LH: 许多人都同意我的观点! 那是美国电视节目有史以来最红的节目之一。这么说,你同意我的判断噜?
  
  LL: I think the show could be better, but Jennifer Aniston has killer legs.
  
  LH: 啊!原来你的注意力全在女主角的一双漂亮的腿上呀?
  
  LL: It's not the only reason, but she does have killer legs.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是back to square one, 是指一切从头来过。另一个常用语是killer。这是形容某样东西或某件事很棒,很酷

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#578
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

wheeler-dealer
  
  fifth wheel
  
  上次我们学过两个由“ wheel ”组成的习惯用语:free-wheeler和set of wheels。今天我们还要给大家介绍两个由 wheel组成的习惯用语。 第一个是:wheeler-dealer。
  
  Wheeler-dealer是指那些精明能干,善于利用他们跟重要人物的关系来做成大笔生意的人。这类人有的时候甚至还能使用一些手腕来钻法律的空子。他们往往是无所顾忌,会设法消除任何想阻挡他们的人。下面我们要举的例子就是一个商人在警告他的朋友要提防一个手段很厉害的人:
  
  例句-1: "Be careful if you do business with Mr. Green. He's a real wheeler-dealer full of big talk and promises. He knows lots of important people, but he takes some chances with the laws. The best thing you can say about him is that so far he's stayed out of jail."
  
  这人说:“要是你跟格林先生做生意的话,你可得小心。他可真是一个能说会道,做出各种保证,手腕很厉害的人。他认识好多重要人物,而且他还会冒违法的风险。要说得好听一点的话,那就是到目前为止他还没进监狱。”
  
  我们再来举一个有关wheeler-dealer的例子。说话的人在为他的哥哥进行辩护:
  
  例句-2: "Some people call my brother a wheeler-dealer because he's made so much money buying and selling real estate. But the truth is he's just smarter than the people he does business with, and I can't see anything wrong with that."
  
  他说:“有些人说我哥哥人很利害、很会耍手段,因为他做房地产生意赚了好多钱。但事实上他只不过是比那些和他做生意的人更聪明,我并不认为那有什么不对。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#579
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的第二个俗语是:fifth wheel。
  
  Fifth这个字是来自five。Five就是五。Fifth就是第五。一辆小汽车只有四个轮子,第五个轮子当然就成了多余。所以,fifth wheel作为俗语就是指某个人是多余的,不须要的,或者甚至是不受欢迎的。比如说,两个男学生带着他们的女朋友去看电影,如果他们又请了另一个男学生,而被邀请的那个男学生没有女朋友,他一个人跟着那两对去看电影,他就会感到很不舒服,似乎成了多余的人了。而作为一个多余的人是很难受的。我们来举个例子,这是一个学生在对他的朋友说话:
  
  例句-3: "Have you noticed that group of seniors who always sit at that big table in the dining room? They think they're better than the rest of us. If you sit down at that table, they don't even say hello -- they make you feel like a fifth wheel."
  
  这个学生说:“你注意到在饭厅里老围着那张大桌子坐的毕业班学生吗?他们认为他们比我们谁都强。要是你坐到他们那个桌子边去的话,他们连招呼都不和你打,让你感到自己好像是多余的。”
  
  美国的学生和其他国家的学生一样往往在低班级和高班级之间会有竞争或不融洽的情况。但是,不同班级的学生互相交朋友的情况也不少。不管是中学或大学,你往往会看到低班级和高班级的学生坐在一起吃饭、聊天。有很多课程也是不同班级的学生一起上的。
  
  美国的学校,特别是中小学在举行一些课外活动的时候经常会要求家长参加,并给予协助。比如说,华盛顿一个中学的历史老师要带学生到附近几个历史古迹去参观,按学生的人数要开两辆面包车,除了这位老师能开车外,还少一个开车的人,因此这位老师就问家长谁能够那天来帮忙的。一般来说,那些不工作的家庭妇女是会愿意参加这种工作的,要是他们那天刚好有空的话。下面这个例子是一个家长在说她参加学校运动会的情况:
  
  例句-4: "My son asked me to come help at his school track meet but I felt like a fifth wheel when I got there: they already had enough people to help so I just stood there feeling useless."
  
  这位家长说:“我的儿子要我在他学校开运动会的时候去帮忙。可是,我到了那里觉得自己似乎是多余的,因为他们已经有好多人在帮忙,我只好站在那里没事干。”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和wheel有关的俗语。第一个是:wheeler-dealer。
  
  Wheeler-dealer是那种特别精明能干,善于使用自己和有权势的人的关系,不顾一切地扫除障碍,目的就是要做成大笔生意。
  
  我们今天还给大家讲解了另一个和wheel有关的俗语,那就是:fifth wheel。
  
  Fifth wheel从字面上看它的意思是:第五只轮子。但是,作为俗语,fifth wheel是指:某人是多余的,没有必要的,甚至是不受欢迎的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#580
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry正在超级市场买菜。今天李华会学到两个常用语:smack-dab和ring a bell.
  
  (Ambience sound in supermarket)
  
  LH: Larry, 你在笑什么啊?
  
  LL: Didn't you see that lady walk smack-dab into the fruit display? She knocked all of the oranges over. What a mess!
  
  LH: 哎哟,那位太太把那水果摊撞翻了。真是的,你看,地上到处都是桔子。她是怎么回事呀?你说她什么来着?
  
  LL: I said that she walk smack-dab into the fruit display. Smack-dab means exactly or right. That means she walked right into the fruit display.
  
  LH: 噢,smack-dab是很精确,很准确的意思。你刚才是说,她一直对着那个水果摊走过去,结果把水果摊撞倒了。幸好她只是撞翻了一些水果,而不是撞到什么有危险性的东西。
  
  LL: Yeah, luckily the fruit display doesn't have any sharp edges. Once my friend walked smack-dab into a glass door and broke her nose.
  
  LH: 我的天啊!你的朋友撞上一扇玻璃门,还把鼻子都撞伤了?难道他没看到那扇门吗?怎么可能撞上去呢?
  
  LL: Well, the door was really clean and it was in the evening, so she just didn't see the glass there.
  
  LH: 那倒是可能的,玻璃门擦得很干净,而且又是晚上。你那朋友当时一定觉得很尴尬吧?
  
  LL: Oh, she was humiliated.
  
  LH: 要是我的话,我也会很不好意思的。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, what's that on your sweater?
  
  LH:怎么啦?我毛衣上有什么?
  
  LL: Well, I just noticed that you have a brown spot smack-dab in the middle of your sweater.
  
  LH: 什么?我毛衣上有一块咖啡色的脏东西?哎呀!肯定是我早上吃巧克力时滴在衣服上的。你说的对,这还恰恰在我毛衣的正中间。
  
  LL: Oh, it's not that bad. You can change into another sweater when you get home.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#581
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, does the name "Laura Wilson" ring any bells for you?
  
  LH:Laura Wilson?不是那个上星期我们在网球场上碰到的那个金发女孩嘛?她为什么要为我打铃呀?她和打铃有什么关系?
  
  LL:Oh, no! If someone asks you if something "rings a bell," then he is asking if you remember it. I just got a phone message from Laura Wilson and I can't remember who she is.
  
  LH: Larry, 你年纪轻轻,怎么那么健忘!Laura Wilson上星期在网球场上还跟我们说她准备去当职业网球手。
  
  LL: Oh, now I remember who she is. Once you mentioned her plan to be a professional tennis player, then her name rang a bell with me.
  
  LH: Larry, to ring a bell这个说法很有意思。你刚才问我,Laura的名字有没有ring a bell,就是在问我记不记得Laura。那也就是说,要是我记得的话,那我脑子里就会个铃声。
  
  LL: It's a very vivid expression and easy to remember. Right?
  
  LH: 对,我们和她说好下个周末一起打网球,你还记得吗?Does that ring a bell?
  
  LL: Yeah, that rings a bell. What time were we supposed to meet her?
  
  LH: 我记得我们约好了下午4点种在网球场碰面的。
  
  LL: That rings a bell, too. I had better write that down so that I don't forget again.
  
  LH: Larry, 这个星期五是2月11号,怎么样,那是什么日子啊?Does that ring a bell?
  
  LL: It rings a bell, but I'm not sure why. Could you refresh my memory?
  
  LH: Larry! 我真不敢相信你居然忘记了!
  
  LL: I'm just kidding, Li Hua. Of course, I remember that Friday is your birthday.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是smack-dab,意思就是不偏不歪、恰恰正好的意思。另一个常用语是ring a bell,也就是记得的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#582
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

green thumb
  
  all thumbs
  
  我们今天要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都和我们的大拇指有关。大拇指在英文里是:thumb。
  
  每个人手上都有两个大拇指,而且天天都用它们。正因为如此,我们往往习以为常而不把大拇指当一回事。可是,你要是试一试一天不用大拇指,你一定会突然感到你的手很笨,做起事来很不方便。美国人在口语里也有一些由thumb这个字组成的习惯用语,有的和大拇指有直接关系,有的则和大拇指没有什么关系,或者至少没有什么直接的关系。我们今天先要给大家讲解的一个常用语是:green thumb。
  
  Green是绿颜色的意思。Green thumb要按字面来翻译的话就成了:绿色的大拇指。绿色的大拇指究竟是什么意思呢? 美国人很喜欢在家里种花草,有院子的人不仅在院子里种花,不少人还种各种蔬菜,如西红柿、黄瓜等。他们还在室内养花草。这几乎是每个家庭都有的。但是,有的人种花,种菜种得很成功,所有的植物看上去都是绿油油,非常光亮,很健康。可是,有的人尽管他们也浇水,也让植物晒太阳,也上肥;但是他们种的东西总是没精神, 半死不活。上面说的Green thumb就是指那些很会种花种菜的人。换句话说,在这些人的手下,植物都生长得很好。这些 green thumbs有时还很受到别人的羡慕。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: "I sure wish I had a green thumb like Mister Jones next door. Every year he grows the best tomatos and sweet corn in our whole neighborhood. And his roses are absolutely beautiful!"
  
  这个人说:“我真希望我也能像我邻居琼斯先生那样能把花和菜种得那末好。他种的西红柿和老玉米在我们这个居民区里每年都是最好的。另外,他种的玫瑰化简直是漂亮极了!”
  
  很奇怪的是那些很会种花的人有时也讲不出道理,为什么在他们手下花草就变得那末健康和兴旺。下面这个例子就能证明这一点:
  
  例句-2: "All my friends said that I have a green thumb. They keep on asking me what I do to the plants at home as they look so shining and healthy. To tell you the truth, the only thing I do is watering them once a week. "
  
  这句话的意思是:“我的朋友都说我特别会种花。因为我家里的花草看起来油光光,长得很好。他们老是问我究竟用了些什么方法。说实话,我只不过就是一个星期浇一次水。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#583
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们以前就说过,英文里有的时候一字之差就会使得意思完全相反。今天我们要给大家介绍的第二个习惯用语也就是和上面讲的green thumb只差一个字,但是意思却完全不同。我们要讲的第二个常用语就是:all thumbs。
  
  All就是所有,一切的意思。All thumbs从字面上来说就是:全是大拇指。Green thumb虽然在种花草方面很好,但是,要是一个人的十个手指全是大拇指,那他也会感到很难受、很不方便。所以,all thumbs这个俗语是指那些手脚很笨的人。 请看下面这个例子:
  
  例句-3: "It's funny how Doctor Brown can do delicate brain surgery in the operating room, yet his wife Mabel says he's all thumbs at home when he tries to change a light bulb or hammer a nail in the wall to hang up a picture."
  
  这人说:“布朗医生的太太梅贝尔说,布朗医生在家里笨手笨脚,换个灯泡,在墙上敲一个钉子挂张画都不行;而他却能够在手术室里做那种很精细的脑外科手术。这真是不可思议。”
  
  大多数美国人都买现成的毛衣穿,自己织毛衣是不常见的。但是也有人把织毛衣作为消遣。下面是一位先生在和他太太说话:
  
  例句-4: "It's amazing you can knit so fast and finish a sweater in a week. Have you seen the way Julie knits? She's all thumbs, I'm afriad it's going to take her years to finish a sweater."
  
  这位先生说:“你织毛衣织得真快,一个星期就能完成一件毛衣,真行。你见过朱丽织毛衣吗?她手脚好笨哪,恐怕要好几年才能织完一件毛衣。”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和thumb这个字有关的常用语。它们是:green thumb和all thumbs。
  
  Green thumb是指那些很会种花养草的人。All thumbs是笨手笨脚的意思。你们看,这两个常用语只是一字之差,但是green thum的意思是好的,而all thumbs的意思却是反面的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#584
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚刚看完Robin Williams主演的一部新的喜剧片。两人正准备离开戏院。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to crack somebody up和fess up.
  
  LL: That was great! Robin Williams really cracks me up!
  
  LH: 这部电影真的很有意思。我都笑得快流出眼泪了。对了,你刚才说crack me up,crack不是破裂,裂开的意思吗?这和好不好笑有什么关系?
  
  LL: If something or someone cracks you up, it means that it makes you laugh.
  
  LH: 噢,crack you up就是让你发笑啊?你是说Robin Williams很好笑,我完全同意。我特别喜欢看他演的电影。特别是演喜剧片,每次都会让我笑得肚子疼!
  
  LL: You know what else cracks me up?
  
  LH: 还有什么事情让你觉得好笑啊?我猜不出来耶!
  
  LL: That joke that you told me yesterday.
  
  LH: 我昨天告诉你的笑话?对,那个笑话谁听了都笑个没完。
  
  LL: After you told me the joke, I shared it with my friend, John. It really cracked him up, too. He was laughing so hard that I thought he was going to have a heart attack.
  
  LH: 你的朋友John笑得那么厉害,你还以为他要发心脏病!那他肯定是个爱笑的人。说到爱笑,我就是一个。我邻居那只猫经常让我笑。
  
  LL: Why? What does it do? Tell you jokes?
  
  LH: 哎哟,猫哪会讲笑话呐! 那只猫经常爱玩自己的尾巴。那天它在沙发上为了玩自己的尾巴,不小心从沙发上摔下来,那个模样真是逗! That really cracks me up!
  
  LL: That is cute. Animals crack me up, too. They do all kinds of silly things.
  
  LH: 没错,很多小动物都好可爱,常常有一些特别好笑的举动。我就准备养一只宠物。
  
  LL: Now, that idea cracks me up. You don't know how to take care of a pet!
  
  LH: 哼!我想养小动物,有什么好笑?很多东西我都可以学嘛!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#585
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Li Hua, you look like there's something you want to tell me. Come on, fess up.
  
  LH: 我是有事情想告诉你,不过你先解释一下,什么是fess up啊?
  
  LL: To fess up is to confess or admit something.
  
  LH: 原来,fess up就是承认,坦白的意思。好吧!那我说了。你还记不记得我说过想养一只宠物?我去了流浪动物收容所,而且还领养了一只小猫咪!
  
  LL: That's great! But does your landlord know you have a pet now?
  
  LH: 嗯,这就是我在担心的地方,我还不敢告诉我的房东。我怕他知道我在屋子里养猫,他会生气。
  
  LL: Why? Aren't you allowed to have pets in your apartment?
  
  LH: 嗯,其实...
  
  LL: Come on, fess up.
  
  LH: 我们是可以在公寓里养宠物,但是我们应该先征求房东的同意后才可以。
  
  LL: And you didn't ask the landlord first, did you?
  
  LH: 没有耶,我没有先征询过他的意见,所以我现在才会担心嘛!
  
  LL: Well, you'd better fess up to him soon. It's better if he finds out from you. Otherwise, you seem dishonest.
  
  LH: 你说的没错,要是被他发现我先斩后奏,他说不定会把我踢出去呢!我想我今天下午就会告诉他,希望他答应让我保留我的小猫咪! I'll fess up to him today!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语:to crack somebody up,意思就是让某人发笑。另一个常用语是fess up,也就是坦白,承认的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#586
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

under the thumb
  
  to stick out like a sore thumb
  
  我们每个人的一双手都有十个手指,其中最有力的就是我们的大拇指。大拇指在英文里就是thumb。
  
  我们已经给大家介绍过两个和大拇指有关的常用语,就是green thumb和all thumbs。
  
  今天我们要再介绍两个由thumb组成的常用语。要是我们想把一样东西牢牢地摁住,一般我们都用我们的大拇指。这和今天要讲的第一个习惯用语有密切关系。这个习惯用语就是:under the thumb。
  
  Under就是在下面的意思。Under the thumb就是在大拇指底下。但是,作为一个习惯用语,under the thumb是从广义来解释的。它的意思就是指控制某人,或被人控制。要控制别人,或者由于某种原因受人控制,这是常见的事。我们先来举一个被别人控制的例子。这是一个人在说他办公室里的一个同事:
  
  例句-1: "My friend Pete Green is certainly under his wife's thumb. She handles all the money, buys his clothes, won't let him go out at night -- he's almost afraid to breathe without her permission."
  
  这个人说:“我的朋友比德.格林完全受他太太的控制。他们家里所有的钱都由太太管, 他的衣服也由太太买。 他太太还不让他晚上出去。没有太太的同意,他几乎都不敢呼吸。”
  
  这话说得也许有点夸大,那么怕老婆的人恐怕也不多。当然,美国人和其他国家的人一样,确实有怕老婆的,但同时也有怕老公的。这也正是美国人争论不休的问题之一。男的说女的越来越利害,女的则说男的太大丈夫主义。实际上,这个问题恐怕在世界各国都普遍存在。但是,在美国一个太太能做到不让丈夫晚上出去,而丈夫也心甘情愿,这可是不容易。
  
  上面这个例子说的是一个受人控制的人。下面我们来举一个要把别人置于自己控制之下的人。这个现象经常发生在家长和孩子之间。家长要管教,孩子要自由。这个例子是一个人在说他弟弟的孩子:
  
  例句-2: "It's really sad that my brother Jack's son was arrested for selling drugs. I told Jack he had to place his son under his thumb before it's too late. But he didn't believe me."
  
  他说:“我弟弟杰克的儿子因为出售毒品而被逮捕,这实在很令人伤心。我告诉过杰克他必须把他儿子控制住,不要等到太晚了来不及。可是,他没有听我的话。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#587
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个常用语是:to stick out like a sore thumb。
  
  To stick out是什么东西伸到外面,sore是痛的意思。To stick out like a sore thumb的字面意思是:一个痛的大拇指伸出在外。要是你的大拇指受了伤,你一定会把它特别的伸出来,便于用纱布包扎起来。这当然会引起旁人的注意。To stick out like a sore thumb就是指那种不同寻常,引起别人注意的情况。下面我们来举个例子:
  
  例句-3: "I really felt sorry for my roommate Dora at the party last night. She wore her very best dress, but her boyfriend came wearing blue jeans and a tee-shirt. He stuck out like a sore thumb because all the other men were in coats and ties."
  
  这句话的意思是:“我昨晚在聚会上真为我的室友多拉感到难受。她穿了她最漂亮的一件礼服。可是,她的男朋友却穿了牛仔库和汗衫去参加聚会。其他男的都穿的很讲究,西装领带的, 只有多拉的男朋友显得有点和这个聚会格格不入。”
  
  人们去参加舞会一般都有舞伴。下面这个例子是一个人在说她的朋友因为没有舞伴而感到很难堪:
  
  例句-4: "Sarah went to the ball alone thinking she'd find someone to dance with. But everyone had a partner so she was all alone most of the time. She stuck out like a sore thumb and was very embarrassed."
  
  这句话的意思是:“萨拉一个人去参加舞会,以为总可以找到个舞伴。可是,每个人都有自己的舞伴,所以大多数的时候都没有人和她跳舞。这样她就显得突出,这使她感到很难堪。”
  
  我们今天给大家讲解了两个和大拇指,也就是thumb这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是:under the thumb。
  
  Under the thumb是控制的意思。不管是主动地控制别人或是被人控制都可以用这一习惯用语。我们今天讲的第二个习惯用语是:to stick out like a sore thumb。
  
  To stick out like a sore thumb是指由于某种情况使一个人很不合群,显得很突出。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#588
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在商量下星期三有没有时间去听爵士音乐。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to play something by ear和strapped.
  
  LH: Larry, 我看到一张爵士音乐会的海报。我很想去。怎么样,你下星期三有没有空去听呢?
  
  LL: I don't know. I have several papers due next week and I'm not sure if I'll have time. Let's play it by ear, okay?
  
  LH: 哇,你下星期得交好几份报告啊?那肯定没有空了。哎,你刚才说: Let's play it by ear。你想玩什么啊?玩耳朵?
  
  LL: No! "To play something by ear" is to wait and see if something is possible and to be flexible rather than set any firm plans.
  
  LH: 噢,play something by ear就是想做一件事,可是又不能确定是否可能,只好到时候看情况再说,就像中文里说的“看情况而定”!
  
  LL: Right. I just can't make any definite plans right now, so I prefer to play it by ear.
  
  LH: 所以你刚才的意思是,你要再等等看能不能及时写完报告,然后才能确定能不能去音乐会! 对了,你不是答应我下星期六去博物馆吗?你还能去吗?
  
  LL: Oh, I forgot that I promised to go with you. Can we play that by ear, too?
  
  LH: 你怎么把答应我的事都给忘了!我特别想去那个博物馆!你不能去也得早告诉我吗!
  
  LL: Just because I want to play it by ear doesn't mean that we definitely won't go. It just means that I'm not certain.
  
  LH: Larry,下回你要约我上那儿去,我也学你说:Let's play it by ear, 到时候再说!
  
  LL: That's not fair, Li Hua. It's not my fault that I can't make any definite plans because I have so much work to do.
  
  LH: 好啦,说真的,这也不是你的错。那我们也只好看情况再说了!
  
  LL: All right, I'll call you the day before the concert to let you know if we should get tickets, okay?
  
  LH:到音乐会前一天再告诉我,那还买得到票呀! Let's play it by ear!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#589
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, I can't go to the concert with you. I'm sorry, but I'm really strapped for time.
  
  LH: 噢,Larry,你不能去听音乐会。没关系。我听说票子早卖完了。你刚才说:strapped for time,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Oh, to be "strapped" for time or money means that you don't have enough of it.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了。Strapped for something就是缺少什么东西。你因为有很多报告要完成,所以没有时间去听音乐会了。You're strapped for time。对吗?
  
  LL: Exactly. I still have 20 pages to write by Friday.
  
  LH: 星期五以前还有20页的报告要写,那很多耶!那星期六还去博物馆吗?
  
  LL: Yes!I should be finished with everything by Friday, so I won't be strapped for time this weekend.
  
  LH: 你真的能在星期五以前把报告都写完呐!那你这个周末就有时间陪我去看博物馆了。You'll not be strapped for time this weekend, right?
  
  LL: Yes, I promise to go with you.
  
  LH: 那太好了!我很高兴这个星期六我们能一块儿出去,因为下个周末我就要忙了,I will be strapped for time next weekend!
  
  LL: Why? Do you have a paper due?
  
  LH: 就是啊。下个周末,我得写完一篇英文课的报告,所以肯定不能出去了。
  
  LL: Let me know if you need any help with that. Listen, I'm sorry, but I'm too strapped for time to talk any more right now. I'll talk to you after Friday, okay?
  
  LH: 没问题。等你星期五写完报告再打电话给我吧。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是play something by ear, 就是现在还不能确定,要等到时候看情况再说。另一个常用语是strapped, 也就是缺乏什么,通常是指缺乏时间或金钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#590
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

everything from soup to nuts
  
  everything but the kitchen sink
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都和吃东西有关。 我们要讲的第一个俗语是:everything from soup to nuts 。
  
  Everything是所有东西的意思。Soup是指喝的汤,nuts是指乾果,如花生、核桃等。从字面上来翻译,everything from soup to nuts它的意思就是:从汤到乾果,什么都有。作为俗语,它的意思也就是:什么都有,但并不一定是指吃的东西。那末,soup to nuts是指什么呢? 大约一百年以前,美国人每顿饭吃的东西种类要比现在多的多。那时候,到一家高级饭馆去吃一顿饭就可能有七八道菜。首先是喝汤,在正餐前还要吃一点鲜蚝,然后是鱼、鸡等几种肉做的菜,还有蔬菜,糕饼,最后还有奶酪,水果和一碗乾果。Soup to nuts就是从这儿来的。可是,像这种吃法早就过时了。美国人现在非常注意不要吃太多脂肪和含胆固醇很高的食品。然而,everything from soup to nuts这个俗语至今还很流行,但是它已经不是指食品,而是什么都有的意思。我们来举个例子吧:
  
  例句-1: "You ought to go and look around in that big new department store that just opened at the shopping mall. I've never seen so many different things to buy in all my life -- they sell everything from soup to nuts."
  
  这句话的意思是:“你得去那个购物中心新开的百货公司去看看。我一辈子也没见过有那末多不同的东西可买,他们出售的东西真是包罗万象,无奇不有。”
  
  美国人也很喜欢搜集一些特殊和奇异的艺术品,古董等其他小玩意。有些人家里用一个玻璃柜来陈列这些东西,或放在书架上。下面这个例句就是一个人在说他的朋友:
  
  例句-2: "My friend Jean had been posted in a number of countries when she worked as a secretary in overseas embassies. Over the years, she collected so many beautiful things, and her home has practically everything from soup to nuts."
  
  这人说:“我的朋友吉恩以前曾被派往好几个国家工作,当时她在那些大使馆里当秘书。她搜集了许多好看的东西,她的玻璃柜子里简直是什么都有。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#591
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个常用语虽然不是直接讲食品的,但是和食品却有不可分隔的关系:everything but the kitchen sink。
  
  Kitchen sink就是厨房里的水槽。Everything but the kitchen sink按照每个字来翻译,它的意思就是:除了厨房水槽外的一切。这里指的不是所有的东西,而是指几乎所有的一切。Everything but the kitchen sink这个俗语在第二次世界大战期间,美国空军战士经常用它来形容他们在敌占区上空所遇到的防空炮火。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-3: "It was really tough over the target area today. The Germans threw everything but the kitchen sink at us -- rockets, anti-aircraft cannon, machine-gun fire. We were lucky they didn't send up their fighter planes, or we would have lost some of our bombers."
  
  这个军人说:“今天在轰炸地点上空打的可真艰巨。德国人用火箭、防空大炮、机关枪等几乎所有的武器来对付我们。还好,他们没有派出战斗机来,否则我们肯定会损失几架轰炸机的。”
  
  二次世界大战已经在四十多年前结束了,可是everything but the kitchen sink这个俗语不但仍然在美国人口语中经常出现,而且已经被应用到各个方面。下面就是一个例子。这是一对夫妇周末出门去旅游,丈夫一面看着妻子把大箱子里的东西拿出来,一面说:
  
  例句-4: "Gee, honey, do you really need all that stuff for a three-day holiday -- it looks like you've brought along everything but the kitchen sink."
  
  这位丈夫说:“哟,亲爱的,就渡三天假,你真需要那么多东西呀?看来你几乎把所有东西都搬来啦!”
  
  我们今天给大家讲了两个和吃东西有关的俗语,但是它们的意思却和吃的东西没有什么关系。我们讲的第一个俗语是:everything from soup to nuts。
  
  Everything from soup to nuts是指各式各样的东西很多。我们今天还给大家介绍了另一个俗语,那就是:everything but the kitchen sink。
  
  Everything but the kitchen sink也是指很多,几乎包括所有的东西。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#592
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天是星期六,Larry和李华要和另外一个同学Jim一块儿去吃午饭,然后再去看电影。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to dump someone和babe magnet.
  
  LL: Li Hua, Jim sounded really bummed on the phone. His girlfriend just dumped him and I don't think he's handling it very well.
  
  LH: Jim在电话上听起来情绪很坏?他女朋友把他怎么啦?Dumped him?什么是dump?
  
  LL: Well, first they had a fight and then she dumped him. To dump is to break up with someone.
  
  LH: 噢,原来dump someone就是不要和某人在一起了。也就是Jim的女朋友把他给甩了。是呀,男女朋友分手是挺难受的。
  
  LL: Yeah, I can't believe she dumped him after they'd been together for two years. It's really a shock.
  
  LH: 我听了也很惊奇。他们在一起已经两年了,Jim脾气又那么好,为什么他女朋友要把他甩了?为什么要dump him?
  
  LL: I don't know. He wouldn't tell me the reason why she dumped him.
  
  LH: 他不原意告诉你为什么。对,有的人是不原意跟别人谈这种细节。会不会Jim的女朋友爱上别人了?
  
  LL: That's possible, but it's not really any of our business. We should just try and cheer him up while we're with him.
  
  LH: 对,这是他们之间的事。我们不必过问。我们今天就想办法让他高兴一点就好了。哎,Larry,你有没有被女朋友甩过? Have you ever been dumped?
  
  LL: I really don't want to talk about that, Li Hua. If I have been dumped, it's not something I'm proud of.
  
  LH: 你不想告诉我。我能理解,被别人甩了确实不是什么值得骄傲的事。这么说,你被甩过。You have been dumped. 为什么?
  
  LL: Li Hua! I told you that I don't want to talk about it.
  
  LH: 对不起,对不起。我只是好奇。你人那么好,为什么你的女朋友会甩了你。我只是觉得很难想像而已。
  
  LL: Don't worry about it. Hey, look, we're almost at Jim's place.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#593
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嘿,Larry, 刚才吃饭的时候,你说Jim是个babe magnet,他听了好像开心一点。Babe magnet到底是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: A babe magnet is a man who attracts lots of women, the way a magnet attracts metal. I was trying to make him feel better.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,babe就是指女孩子,而magnet就是磁铁,所以一个babe magnet就是很能吸引女孩的人。你这么说是为了安慰Jim。意思是他很快就会找到新女朋友了,是不是?
  
  LL: Exactly. If he feels good about himself and thinks about future possibilities, then he won't be so depressed about getting dumped.
  
  LH: 没错。只要Jim对自己有信心,觉得前途有希望,他就不会太难过了。而且Jim真的是一个babe magnet啊!他长的一表人才,又聪明,对人也好。我想很多女孩都会喜欢他!
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, if you think he's such a babe magnet, then why don't you go out with him?
  
  LH: Larry! 你在说什么嘛!我说Jim是个好人并不意味着我就要和他谈恋爱啊。
  
  LL: I know; I'm just teasing you. Besides, even if Jim is an irresistible babe magnet, I don't think it's a good idea to go out with him right now.
  
  LH: 我同意。他现在情绪不好。最好等一段时间再开始谈恋爱。Larry,有没有人告诉你,你也算得上是个babe magnet?
  
  LL: I don't need anyone to tell me I'm a babe magnet. I already know it.
  
  LH: 是吗?口气还真不小嘛,你早知道自己是个babe magnet啊?
  
  LL: Yep. Women love me. They told me I'm a babe magnet.
  
  LH: (Giggling) 你要真是个babe-magnet,那你怎么会被甩的呢?
  
  LL: Li Hua, I told you...
  
  LH: 开个玩笑嘛!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是to dump someone,就是把某人甩了,和这个人分手的意思。另一个常用语是babe magnet。这是指一个能吸引女孩的男人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#594
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

to kiss someone or something goodbye
  
  kiss of death
  
  今天我们要给大家讲解的习惯用语都和“接吻”这个字有关。我想大家都知道“接吻”在英文里是Kiss。Kiss对全世界的人来说都意味着爱情,但是,它也可以表示父母对孩子的爱,或者是朋友之间的友情,有的时候还可以表达尊敬,就像一位男士亲吻一位女士的手,或者一位到罗马访问的人亲吻教皇的戒指等等。一般情况下,我们都把接吻看成是好事。有一首老歌名字叫:“接吻比酒更甜蜜。”不过,今天我们给大家介绍的这两个和kiss有关的俗语却都含有反面的意思。第一个是:to kiss someone or something goodbye
  
  Goodbye --大家都知道是“再见”的意思。To kiss someone or something goodbye,从字面上可以解释为:和某人或某样东西接吻,以表示再见。这是一个英语俗语,当你kiss something goodbye的时候,你就会失去这件东西,不管是工作,做生意的机会,还是你所关心的某个人。
  
  我们来举个例子,这是一个公司老板在催促手下的一个雇员赶快做完手上的工作:
  
  例句-1: "Jones, when are you going to have that bid ready for the big airport construction contract? I 'm telling you right now, if you don't have our bid ready in time, you can kiss your job goodbye!"
  
  这个老板说:“琼斯,你什么时候能完成那个大机场建筑合同的投标方案?我可现在就告诉你,要是你到时候没准备好,那你就别想在这儿干了。”
  
  工作上受到压力在美国是很普遍的,虽然美国在就业方面的流动性比较大,但是一般人还是希望能有个稳定的工作。只有在压力难以承受、或者是由于其它不能忍受的原因,人们才不得已去换工作。在美国,在一个公司工作十几年甚至更长时间的人也很多,而要是在政府部门工作就更是如此了。
  
  美国有无数的饭馆,而且花色品种名目繁多,除了美国风味的饭馆外,还有许多中国饭馆,日本、朝鲜、墨西哥、阿富汗、意大利和法国饭馆,等等等等。但是,正因为这样,美国饭馆业之间的竞争也极其激烈,兴衰就成为常事了。除了一些经营得很成功的饭馆能长年维持下去外,有些饭馆过几年就出卖给别人,有的干脆就倒闭了。下面的例子说的就是一个原来很好的饭馆搬了家以后变得不受欢迎了:
  
  例句-2: "I used to like that restaurant when the food was good and the price reasonable. But since it moved to the place close to where I live, the food has become lousy and the prices have gone so high. So I've decided to kiss it goodbye."
  
  这个人说:“我过去很喜欢那个饭馆,他们的菜味道好,价钱也便宜。可是,自从搬到我家附近以后,他们的菜味道变得很糟,价钱也变贵了。所以,我决定和这个饭馆再见了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#595
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个和kiss有关的习惯用语同我们对 kiss这个字的一般概念完全相反。这个习惯用语是:kiss of death。
  
  Death就是死,那跟kiss有什么关系呢?Kiss of death实际上是指造成失败的因素。下面是一个地方政党的领导人在谈论挑选谁来参加市长竞选:
  
  例句-3: "One candidate I won't support is Joseph Blow. Sure, he may be a good speaker and all that, but he's been involved in some shady business deals. Once the newspapers start digging that up, it would be the kiss of death for our whole list of candidates for the city council."
  
  这句话的意思是:“有一个人我是绝对不要他当候选人的,那就是约瑟夫.布罗。对,他也许是个很好的演说家,还有其他长处,但是他一直和那些不正当的商业勾当有牵连。一旦报纸开始报道这些事,我们所有竞选市政委员的候选人就都完蛋了。”
  
  下面这个例子是一个大学生想在暑假到法国去游览,但是父亲不同意。他正在跟他哥哥商量叫他去说情:
  
  例句-4: "Go talk to Dad for me please. You know Mom always goes along with Dad's decisions. If she approaches Dad on my behalf that would be the kiss of death to my trip."
  
  他说:“求求你,帮我去跟爸爸说说吧。你知道妈总是同意爸爸的决定的。要是妈为了我去跟爸爸说,那我的这次旅行就算完了。”
  
  美国的暑假每年从五月中一直到八月底,长达三个多月。很多学生利用这段时间去打工赚钱,来付一年的学费。家里比较富裕的学生往往就到各地或国外去旅游,但是对一些收入不多的家庭来说就难免力不从心了。
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和kiss这个字有关的常用语。第一个是:to kiss someone or something goodbye,意思是“拒绝或放弃某人或某样东西”。
  
  我们今天学的另外一个常用语是:kiss of death,指的是让某件事失败的因素。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#596
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这是星期天的早晨。李华和Larry正在星巴克咖啡馆里喝咖啡。今天李华会学到两个常用语:on the spot和schmooze.
  
  LL: I'm dreading my Chinese exam tomorrow. The teacher will give us a topic and she expects us to talk about the topic for two minutes on the spot.
  
  LH: 你明天要考中文呀?老师给每个学生一个题目,让你们当场就这个题目讲两分钟。这是好难。不过Larry,别担心,你可以先跟我练习啊!对了,你刚才说on the spot,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: Oh, to do something "on the spot" is to do it immediately - right then and there.
  
  LH: On the spot就是立刻,当场的意思。所以你刚才的意思就是教授在考试的时候当场给题目,你就得立即上台讲两分钟。
  
  LL: Exactly. It's always nice to have time to prepare, but sometimes doing something on the spot can be fun.
  
  LH: 有充份时间做准备那当然好呀。但是,我可想不出有什么事情马上要做而能让我感到有意思的。你给我举个例子好不好。
  
  LL: Well, we can decide right here - on the spot - to go to the movies. That would be fun, right?
  
  LH: 嗯,我们现在就决定去看电影,那当然好玩呀。可是我们不知道看哪部电影,到哪里去看哪。
  
  LL: That's a problem. Where can we find the newspaper or a computer on the spot!.
  
  LH: 就是嘛,我们既不能上网,也没有报纸可以查电影时间表。而且你明天不是有中文考试吗?你现在应该在家里背单字嘛!
  
  LL: I should. If I don't study the vocabulary, then I won't be able to come up with a speech on the spot.
  
  LH: 对,要当场发表两分钟讲话,不熟悉有用的词汇是不行的。
  
  LL: No, it's more like a good strategy for failing my test. Hey, why don't you help me study?
  
  LH: 一点没错,要是你不多记住一些单词,那你肯定会考砸的。你要我就在这里帮你复习功课?On the spot?
  
  LL: Why not? I brought my Chinese book with me.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#597
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我真不敢相信,咖啡馆的那个女服务员居然会送你一杯免费的咖啡!
  
  LL: Well, it helps that I schmoozed her a little bit.
  
  LH: Larry,你对那个女服务员怎么啦?Schmooze是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To schmooze means that someone is extra nice to him or her, usually in the hope that you'll get something in return.
  
  LH: 噢,schmooze就是对某人特别好,希望能得到一些回报。那不是“讨好、献殷勤”吗?你想让服务员对你客气一点,所以你就对她特别好啊?
  
  LL: Well, no. I was actually hoping to get her to go out on a date with me, but I'll settle for free coffee.
  
  LH: 原来你是想约那个女孩出去,现在喝了一杯免费咖啡就满足了。哎呀,你呀,你还不如去schmooze你的中文老师,让她明天评分的时候对你客气点。这不是更实际吗!
  
  LL: Hopefully, I won't need to schmooze my teacher in order to get a good grade.
  
  LH: 不讨好老师也能得好分数,你怎么一下子变得那么信心十足了呢。不过,你要我帮你复习功课,那至少也该schmooze我这个义务家教吧!
  
  LL: Hey, you're my friend, you're supposed to do things out of friendship, not because you want something.
  
  LH: 我知道啦。我是跟你开玩笑的!不过,你要是想对我好一点,schmooze我一下,我也不会反对的!
  
  LL: I'm always nice to you - and it's not because I'm trying to schmooze you.
  
  LH: 那倒是,你一向对我不错,算得上是我最好的朋友喽!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是on the spot,就是即刻,当场,马上的意思。另一个常用语是schmooze,这是指讨好某人,对某人献殷勤,通常是想得到回报。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#598
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Easy street
  
  Out on the street
  
  各位听众,今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都和「街道」这个字有关。「街道」这个字在英文里就是:Street. Street is spelled s-t-r-e-e-t. Street.
  
  Street 就是城市里的街道。我们首先要介绍给大家的一个俗语就是:Easy street. Easy is spelled e-a-s-y. Easy street.
  
  Easy 就是:容易。那末,easy street 按字面上来看就是:容易街。听众们,你们认识的人当中有没有人住在容易街的? 事实上,你恐怕在任何地图上都找不到容易街这条街名。所谓的 easy street 只是一个常用语,用来形容一个人有足够的钱,生活得很舒适。Easy street 这个说法是在大约九十多年前出现的。最初使用这个说法的是一位美国作家。他在一本小说中描写了一个生意做的很好而变得非常富裕的年轻人。最后,这本书说:“He could walk up and down easy street.“
  
  这是说:「他可以在容易街上走来走去。」意思就是,他可以生活的很自如。逐渐地,人们就把这位作家创造的词汇用到日常生活中去了。我们来举个例子看看 easy street 这个习惯用语在日常生活中是怎么用的。
  
  例句-1: “Joe is an example of what hard work can do. He worked seven days a week for five years to make his restaurant the best in town. Now the money is rolling in and he’s living on easy street.“
  
  这句话的意思是:「要知道辛勤劳动能得出什么成果,乔伊就是一个例子。他整整五年,每个星期工作七天,从而使他开的饭馆成为当地最好的饭馆。现在,他的财源滚滚,生活得可消遥自在啦。」
  
  辛勤劳动取得成效,使自己能够享受劳动果实确实能令人感到骄傲和安慰。可是,世界上还有一些人,他们根本就不劳动,却生活的也很舒适,或甚至很奢侈。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-2:“John has no siblings. So when his parents passed away, he inherited everything from the family -- properties, bank savings, stocks and a big house. He’s really living on easy street.“
  
  「约翰没有兄弟姐妹。所以,当他的父母去世的时候,他继承了所有的遗产 -- 房产,银行存款,股票,还有一栋大房子。他不需要工作,但是生活得非常舒适。」
  
  这个例句里用了 sibling 这个字。Sibling is spelled s-i-b-l-i-n-g. Sibling.Sibling 是兄弟姐妹的意思,你可以说:brothers and sisters, 但也可以用 sibling 这一个字来代表。我们再来把这个例句用慢速念一遍。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#599
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要说世界上有许多事不公平,那也是确实的。有的人要生活得舒适非得刻苦努力才能做到,有的人却不费吹灰之力就能变成富裕的人。还有的人即便刻苦努力但还是生活艰难。下面我们要给大家讲解的一个俗语就和生活困难有关。
  
  Out on the street 刚好和 easy street 相反,它的意思是:一个人没有工作,难以维持生活。下面这个例句里形容的就是一个时运不佳的人。
  
  例句-3: “I really wish I could find a way to help my brother Bill. He lost his job over a year ago when the company he worked for went bankrupt and he’s been out on the street ever since.“
  
  这人说:「我真希望我能想个办法来帮帮我弟弟比尔的忙。一年多以前,他工作的那个公司破产了,他也就失了业。自那时起,他一直生活很艰苦。」
  
  我们经常把一些很有钱的人称为百万富翁,也就是英文里的 millionaire 这个字。实际上,现在有一百万家产已经不算是最富裕的了,真正有钱的人都有亿万产业,因此说他们是亿万富翁还比较符合实际。随着时代的发展,英文里也出现了亿万富翁这个字。十亿在英文里就是:Billion. B-i-l-l-i-o-n.
  
  亿万富翁就是在 billion 后面加上a-i-r-e 就成了billionaire. 下面是一个父亲在教训他的儿子。
  
  例句-4:“I work very hard to provide you with a good education. I don’t expect you to be a billionaire, but it’s up to you whether you want to live on easy street or to be out on the street in the future.“
  
  这个爸爸说:「我辛苦地工作为了让你受到良好的教育。我不期望你成为一个亿万富翁。但是,你将来是要生活的很舒服,还是难以维生,这全在于你自己了。」
  
  以上我们讲了两个和 street 这个字有关的习惯用语,它们是:Easy street and out on the street.Easy street 是由于财源丰富而生活得很舒服; out on the street 是生活艰难的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#600
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry到李华住的地方去接她出去吃晚餐,可是发现李华正焦急地到处找什么东西。今天李华会学到两个常用语:downer和baby.
  
  LH: Larry,我的钱包不见了。找了半天也没找到。我肯定是放在家里的,你说现在怎么办呢?
  
  LL: That's a real downer. Let me help you look for it. What does it look like?
  
  LH: 嗯,我的钱包是红颜色的,上面还镶有蓝色的边。你刚才说downer,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: Oh, a "downer" is something that makes you feel "down" or depressed. Losing your wallet is definitely a downer.
  
  LH: Downer就是让人不高兴的事情。嗯,丢钱包真的是很倒霉。丢了钱还不算,还得重新申请驾驶执照、身份证件,还得打电话给信用卡公司取消我的信用卡,想到这些我就头疼。
  
  LH: Hey, don't get all upset yet. We still haven't finished looking for it.
  
  LL: 我知道。这样吧,我到厨房去找,你帮我找一找沙发底下。
  
  LL: Sure. Hey, you know what else is a downer? Julia can't go out with us tonight. Her boyfriend is sick and she went over to his house to take care of him.
  
  LH: 噢,Julia今晚不能和我们去吃饭啦?真让人失望。That is a downer! 自从她交了男朋友以后,我已经好久没见到她了。
  
  LL: I know what you mean. I haven't seen her in at least two months.
  
  LH: 我找到了!我找到我的钱包了。你看,在冰箱下面,一定是今天早上我买菜回来时掉下去的。
  
  LL: Great! Let's go. I'm so hungry that I can eat a whole horse. It would be a real downer if we have to wait for a table at the restaurant.
  
  LH: 餐厅里等不到位子,那还不是什么大问题。我要是真找不到我的钱包,那才真是a real downer。
  
  LL: Yeah, then I'd have to pay!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#601
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: (Whiny) 什么!还得等一个小时才有座位啊?啊,我不行了,我快要饿死了!
  
  LL: Oh, don't be such a big baby. You'll survive. Besides, it might not take that long.
  
  LH: Larry, 你说我像个baby 。Baby 就是婴儿,娃娃。我饿了还不行吗?大人也会肚子饿哪!
  
  LL: Well, then don't act so immature and whiny. You're too old to whine like a baby.
  
  LH: 你说我表现得象个孩子一样,所以叫我baby。我饿了还不能说呀?
  
  LL: Saying that you're going to starve to death is a little dramatic, don't you think?
  
  LH: 我说快要饿死了。这是强调,夸张!为了找钱包,我中午饭都没有来得及吃。所以我真的是很饿啊!
  
  LL: All right, don't get so upset. I was just teasing you. You don't need to be such a big baby about it.
  
  LH: 你怎么你又叫我baby了!
  
  LL: I'm sorry. It's just fun to tease you.
  
  LH: 噢,你就喜欢逗我。你觉得这样很好玩啊?好啊!你不也是经常抱怨没有时间看球赛,没有时间出去玩吗。那下回我也叫你a big baby!
  
  LL: I really was just kidding, Li Hua. You're not a big baby. You don't need to start thinking of ways to get even with me.
  
  LH: 你惹急了我就说是开玩笑。我当然要想办法报复了。
  
  LL:Hey, look our table's ready.
  
  LH:谢天谢地。我们终于等到位子了。现在你再叫我big baby, 我也无所谓了。吃饭要紧,快点菜吧。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是downer, 就是指让人非常失望,非常不高兴的事。另一个常用语是baby, 是形容一个人表现得像小孩一样幼稚。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#602
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

street smarts
  
  two-way street
  
  今天我们再给大家介绍两个由 street 这个字组成的俗语。第一个是: Street smarts. 大家肯定很熟悉 smart 这个字,smart 是指一个人很聪敏,或者衣服穿得很讲究。但是,我们现在讲的 street smarts 里面的smarts 是一个名词,后面还有一个s。要是一个人有 street smarts, 那他就懂得怎样在大城市里那些比较不安全的街道上对付各种情况,甚至还可能在这种环境下发财。这种 street smarts 是在大学里学不到的,只有在实际的生活经历中逐步得来的。下面说话的这个人就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1:“I never got a chance to go to college. My dad died when I was fourteen, and I had to go to work selling hotdogs out of a pushcart on a streetcorner. But this taught me lots of street smarts, and today I own a chain of fast-food restaurants in sixteen different cities.”
  
  这个人说:「我从来没有机会上大学。我十四岁的时候父亲就去世了,我只好在马路口用一辆推车来卖热狗。但是,我通过这段经历学到了好多在这种环境中处理事情的能力。现在,我拥有一个联锁快餐店,在十六个城市都有分店。」
  
  美国的犯罪率很高,许多城市都有一些地区很不安全。因此,人们都很注意提高警惕,以防备万一。下面是一个生活在纽约人在谈他的经验。
  
  例句-2: "I learned a lot of street smarts during the years when I had to walk through Times Square to my office everyday. I walked with confidence, was aware of people around me and held on to my purse real tight. "
  
  这人说:“有几年,我每天去办公室都得走过纽约时报广场。在这段时间里,我学到好多关于如何防备坏人的本领。我走起路来总是显得很有信心,注意周围的人,同时紧紧地抓住我的皮包。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#603
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个和 street 有关的常用语是: Two-way street. Two-way street, 在two 和 way 这两个字当中有一个连接号。Two-way street 在一般的情况下,它的意思就是车辆可以往两个方向走的马路。但是,在把 two-way street 当做俗语用的时候,它是指人和人互相帮助的关系。下面的例子是一个人在向他的朋友借钱。
  
  例句-3:“Pete, can you loan me a thousand bucks? We’ve been friends a long time, so you know that if you ever need money in a hurry, I’ll be glad to help you out. Like I always say, friendship is a two-way street.”
  
  这人说:“皮特,你能借我一千美元吗?我们是老朋友了,所以,你知道要是以后你急需用钱,我一定会很高兴地帮助你。就像我老说的那样,友谊是相互的。”
  
  大家可能会问,既然有 two-way street, 那末是不是有 one-way street 呢? 确实有,one-way street 也可以指那种车辆只能往一个方向走的街道。然而作为俗语,one-way street 就是在人和人的关系中单方面地只有一方帮助另一方,为对方提供方便,做出让步,而接受这一切的一方好像受之无愧,毫无反应。
  
  美国人当中虽然有不少离婚的现象,但是同时也有不少为金婚,银婚纪念举行庆祝活动的。下面的例子就是一对老夫妇在庆祝他们的金婚纪念。这位老先生对朋友们说:
  
  例句-4:“People always asked us what makes our marriage so successful. In fact, we sometimes get mad at each other too. But both of us know when to make concessions. It’s a two-way street. One-way street won’t work.”
  
  这位老先生说:“人们老是问我们为什么我们的婚姻那末成功。事实上,我们有的时候也吵架。但是,我们两人都知道什么时候应该做出让步。这是相互的, 单方面是行不通的。”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍了两个和 street 这个字有关的常用语。第一个是: Street smarts. Street smarts 是在一些不安全的街道上懂得如何应付的能力和本领。我们今天讲的第二个常用语是:Two-way street. Two-way street 就是人和人相互帮助和关心的关系,而不是单方面做出努力。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#604
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天早上Larry和李华和一对朋友Charles and Lisa约好一起打网球。李华会学到两个常用语:pumped和iffy.
  
  LL: I'm really pumped about today's tennis match. How about you, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 你对今天的比赛怎么啦?Pumped?你是不是在说你很紧张?
  
  LL: No, I'm not nervous. Pumped means energized and excited. I'm looking forward to today's game because I think it will be a lot of fun.
  
  LH: 原来pumped是很兴奋。对了,pump不是也有打气的意思吗?你是说你打足了气,跃跃欲试的意思。
  
  LL: That's right! What about you? Aren't you pumped about the game?
  
  LH: 嗯,我是很期待这场比赛,不过,我可不敢说我像你那样pumped. 我对体育没有象你那样感兴趣。
  
  LL: Yeah, I guess I get particularly pumped about sports. If sports don't get you all that pumped up, then what does?
  
  LH: 我呀,我是一谈起旅行就特别兴奋。I'm pumped about travel。只要想到要去旅行,我就非常兴奋。明年暑假,我计划要到温哥华去玩一个星期。
  
  LL: You're pumped about going to Vancouver? What is there to do in Vancouver?
  
  LH: 到那儿去干什么? 温哥华有很多美丽的高山。景色一定很壮观。还有那里的野生动物!我一想到有机会看到野生麋鹿我就特别兴奋。Yes, I'm pumped about going to Vancouver.
  
  LL: Well, I guess people get pumped about different things. Personally, I don't get very excited about mountains and wild animals.
  
  LH: 我知道,高山美景和野生动物对你来说没有太大吸引力。还不如在网球场上打球来得过瘾。
  
  LL: Hey, tennis is fun and it's good exercise.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-08#605
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,刚才跟Charles和Lisa一起打网球挺过瘾的。对了,我差一点忘了问你,这个周末在麦迪逊广场花园有一场职业网球赛。你想去看吗?
  
  LL: I don't know. It's iffy that we'll even be able to get tickets. Tickets for things like that sell out very quickly.
  
  LH: 那倒也是,像这种热门球赛的票八成已经卖完了,所以你刚才说iffy,就是指我们“不太可能”买到票,是吗?Iffy肯定是从if 这个词来的。
  
  LL: That's right. If something is "iffy",that means that it is uncertain or even a little unlikely.
  
  LH: 要是用iffy这个词来形容什么事的话,那就是不肯定,不太可能。不过,Larry,我们还是可以试一试吗。没准运气好,还有票呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, but even if I can get tickets, it's iffy that we'll be able to afford them. Tickets for games like that tend to be expensive, too.
  
  LH: 你说门票可能很贵,我们可能买不起啊?Larry,也许他们有半价的学生票呢。我们试试看嘛,好不好?
  
  LL: Sure, I'll call the ticket vendor this afternoon. But it's iffy that they have half-priced tickets for students.
  
  LH: 没关系,如果真的买不到票,我们可以做别的事啊!如果我们不能去看职业选手打球,我们还可以找朋友去打嘛!
  
  LL: Speaking of which, wasn't that last game fun? Do you think Charles and Lisa would play with us again?
  
  LH: 对,跟Charles和Lisa打的最后一场是真好玩!
  
  LL: But it's iffy that they'll want to play against us again.
  
  LH:他们不一定再想跟我们打球。那是为什么呀?
  
  LL:Can't you see? They were defeated by us every round. It's really iffy that they had any fun this morning.
  
  LH:对了。老是输球的话恐怕是没有什么好玩。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是pumped,是形容很兴奋,很有活力的样子。另一个常用语是iffy,是指某件事情不太可能。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#606
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry准备在公司汇报工作。事先想请李华帮他听听,看报告内容能不能吸引人。李华今天要学两个常用语。一个是dud,另一个是oomph 。

  LL: Thanks for agreeing to listen to my presentation, Li Hua. I really don't want it to be a dud。

  LH: Larry, 什么是 "dud" 呀 ?

  LL: Oh, A dud D-U-D is something or someone that doesn't live up to expectations and is a disappointment。

  LH: Dud就是让人失望的意思。你是不是想让我帮你听听,你的报告能不能吸引人啊?

  LL: Right! I want my presentation to be lively and interesting. If it is boring and difficult to understand, it will be a dud。

  LH: 愿意为您效劳!不过Larry, 你这人这么幽默,不用听我就知道,你的报告肯定不会枯燥无味的。

  LL: You never know. I once worked with a woman who I thought was really funny, and at work we really got along. But then we went on a date, and it was a real dud。

  LH: 你们约会的问题出在哪里呢?

  LL: It turns out that we didn't have much in common except work。

  LH: 噢,我知道了,你们俩这叫缺少共同语言。That date really does sound like a dud。

  LL: What about you Li Hua? Have you every gone out with a guy who was a real dud?

  LH: Dud也能指人啊。那要这么说,我可是遇到过真正的dud。

  LL: How was this guy a dud, Li Hua?

  LH: 他长得特别帅,可是我们俩出去吃饭,他从头到尾都在没完没了地讲他自己,根本不问问我喜欢些什么。That date was a real dud。

  LL: Kind of like a firecracker that doesn't go off! We also call fireworks that don't go off "duds."

  LH: 没错,我们管不响的爆竹叫"哑炮"。我最喜欢放炮了,特别是春节的时候.。.

  Larry, 你干嘛呢?

  LL: I am trying to get the slide projector to work. It looks like the light bulb is a dud!

  LH: 那就别摆弄幻灯了。我光听就行了。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#607
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Okay, let's get started. Please be honest, Li Hua, and don't be afraid to tell me if you think my presentation is a dud。

  LH: 你放心,我一定怎么想就怎么说。

  LL: So, what do you think, Li Hua? Does my presentation need more oomph?

  LH: Oomph? 这又是什么词啊!怎么这么难说。

  LL: It is like "oom" from the word room, followed by an "F" sound. Say it after me, Li Hua. Oomph!

  LH: (Imitating)"oom", "oom-f". Oomph, oomph 是什么意思啊?

  LL: When I asked if my presentation needed more oomph, I was asking if it needed something extra to make it more lively or interesting。

  LH: 噢,你是说可以加点儿什么,让你的报告更精彩是吧。老实说,Larry, 我觉得有的地方确实有点儿枯燥,需要加点儿oomph。

  LL: How do you think I could give my presentation more oomph, Li Hua?

  LH: 比方说,你一上来可以先讲个笑话,吸引听众的注意。然后讲到一半儿有人开始走神的时候,你可以再讲个你自己工作中的真实经历,最好是干过的什么傻事。这样你的报告就能更生动了。

  LL: That's very good advice, Li Hua. I think doing those things will give my presentation the extra oomph it needs。

  LH: 好,那现在换我了。我最近给中文课设计了一个网页。你也帮我看看,要不要也加点儿oomph。

  LL: Sure. I'm happy to look at it and tell you if it needs more oomph。

  (Typing on keyboard.。.)

  LH: Okay, here it is. Larry, 你觉得怎么样?

  LL: Wow, Li Hua! Maybe your website has a little too much oomph!

  LH: Oomph 还会太多吗?

  LL: Well, you used orange and pink together on the same page. Those colors make it hard to read。

  LH: 粉红色和桔黄色放在一起是太亮了,看上去眼睛有点儿不舒服,那我换换其它颜色吧。

  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dud, 意思是令人失望的。另一个是oomph, 是吸引力的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#608
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

To knock off
  
  我们经常提到在学英文过程中不时会碰到一个困难,那就是一个英文字,或一个表达形式有好几种不同的意思。今天我们要给大家介绍的一个常用语就是很好的例子。这个常用语就是:To knock off. To knock off 这个常用语至少有六,七个不同的解释。正因为如此,我们今天可能要打破常规,不能像平时那样每次讲两个习惯用语,而是只能讲一个习惯用语了。
  
  首先,to knock off 可以解释为:停止工作。比如说,有两个油漆工人在粉刷房子,其中一个工人突然发现时间已经很晚了,于是他对另一个工人说:
  
  例句-1:“Say, Charlie, do you know it’s already six o’clock? Time to knock off. We can finish painting this room tomorrow.”
  
  这个人说:“我说呀,查理,你知道现在已经六点钟了吗? 该停工啦。我们可以明天来把这间房间粉刷完。”
  
  有的时候, to knock off 还可以解释为:降低某一个商品的价钱。下面这个例子是一个人在电话上对他的朋友讲他新买的汽车。
  
  例句-2:“Sally, let me tell you, I got a great bargain on my new Ford Escort! I bought it from my brother-in-law so he knocked fifteen percent off the dealer list price.“
  
  这人说:“萨莉,我告诉你,我新买的福特 escort 型汽车,价钱可真便宜。我是从我姐夫那儿买来的,所以他在汽车推销商列出的价格基础上给我打了百分之十五的折扣。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#609
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

To knock off 的另一个意思是:很粗鲁地命令别人不许说话,不许作声。这在军队里用的更普遍。我们来举个例子。要是一个军官很晚回到军营,可是尽管已经过了息灯时间,他发现他手下的士兵还没睡觉。于是,他就说:
  
  例句-3:“All right, men! Knock off all the noise and turn the lights out right now! Any more noise out of you and you’ll be scrubbing latrines this weekend!”
  
  这个军官对他手下的士兵说:“行啦,你们这些人。马上关灯,不许再出声。你们再要有一点声音,这个周末你们就去打扫厕所。”
  
  大家每个星期都盼望周末,好出去轻松一下。要被罚去扫厕所那简直是可怕,所以是一个很有效的威胁。
  
  上面我们讲的三种有关 to knock off 的解释是:停止工作,不许做声,降低价格,它们都带有抑制的含义。可是,to knock off 还有一个和这些相反的意思,那就是:不顾质量匆忙地写什么东西。下面说话的是一个学生,由于他当晚一定要完成第二天必须交的作业,所以不能和同学一起去看电影。他说:
  
  例句-4:“I’d love to go to the movies with you, but tonight I have to stay home and knock off a term paper for my English class. I won’t spend much time on it but I need to turn in something tomorrow to make sure I pass the course.”
  
  他说:“我真想和你们一起去看电影。可是,今晚我得呆在家里给英语课写期终报告。我不会在这份报告上花很多时间,但是为了肯定能通过这一课程,我明天必须交点作业。”
  
  To knock off 还有一个最可怕的意思,那就是: 谋杀。这个用法在犯罪集团里很普遍。犯罪集团之间往往竞争很激烈,下面是一个集团的头头在和他的助手说话:
  
  例句-5:“Louie, we’ve got to do something quick about these guys from Chicago coming in here to sell dope in our territory. What do you think -- how about we knock off one of these guys as an example and scare the rest out of town?“
  
  这个犯罪集团的头目说:“路易,那些正在从芝加哥来的家伙要在我们地盘上贩毒。我们得赶快采取行动。要不我们干掉他一个,杀鸡给猴看,把其他人吓跑。你看, 怎么样?”
  
  当然,我们大家恐怕不会用这种口气说话。但是,懂得这个俗语的意思也是很有用的。
  
  以上讲了 to knock off 这个常用语的五种不同解释,它们包括:停止工作,不许出声,降低价格,不顾质量地匆忙写文章,以及谋杀。其实,我们今天讲的并不是to knock off 的全部解释,它还可以指:吃东西吃的非常快;没有得到许可就模仿其他产品等。我们很清楚,仅仅一个常用语就有那末多解释确实能使人感到很混乱。但是,实际上,问题并不是太复杂的。要是你在看书报时遇到这一常用语,你只要注意上下文就会懂得 to knock off 是什么意思了。要是你在和别人讲话时对方用 to knock off 这个俗语,那你可以从周围发生的事或他正在谈论的主题中了解它的意思。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#610
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

To run a tight ship
  
  To sit tight
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语里一个关键的字就是: Tight. Tight 就是「紧」的意思。这个字有的时候具有好的含义,但也有的时候包含坏的意思。比如说,鞋子太紧,tight shoes 会把你的脚挤得很痛,可是,要是一栋房子的屋顶造得很严密,也就是tight roof,那你的房子在下雨的时候屋顶就不会漏水。
  
  我们今天首先要给你讲解的一个习惯用语就是: To run a tight ship. Run 在这里不是跑的意思,而是指管理。Ship 就是一艘船。To run a tight ship 这个俗语是来自以前使用帆船的时候。那时,一个要求很严的船长往往要他的船员把张帆的绳子拉得紧紧的,这样可以尽量获得风力。在这种船长的领导下,船上的一切器械都放的井井有条,船员也都知道随时要服从命令。可是,现在,to run a tight ship 这个俗语已经和船没有直接关系了。它的意思是:一个公司,政府机构或其他组织的领导人在自己的单位纪律严明。下面这个例子就是一个负责人在对新来的工人讲他的要求。
  
  例句-1:"I like to run a tight ship around here. That means that you’d better be here at 8:30 and you don’t get off work until 5:30. No coming late or going home early! And you don’t take more than 30 minutes for lunch. Do you understand?"
  
  这个老板说:「我喜欢在这里实行严格的纪律,这就是说,你们最好8:30 就到这里,5:30 以前不能下班。迟到早退是不行的。午饭时间不能超过半个小时。懂不懂?」
  
  这样纪律森严究竟是好还是坏,这就在于你的观点了。要是你是一个负责人,你可能对刚才说话的那个老板很钦佩。但是,要是你是他手下的工人,你肯定对他的严格规章制度不会太高兴的。
  
  有的人懒散成性,很难按照严格的规章制度办事。但是,像这样的人哪个领导都不欢迎。下面这个例子就是一个老板在说一个总想偷懒的雇员。
  
  例句-2: "I’m trying very hard to run a tight ship here, but that guy who was hired two months ago has been late almost every morning and one day took more than two hours for lunch. He has left me with no choice but to fire him."
  
  这个老板说:「我在这儿想尽量管理得严格一点。可是,那个两个月前被雇的人几乎每天早上都迟到,中午花两个多小时吃午饭。他实在让我别无选择,只能解雇他啦。」

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#611
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国有许多人工作非常勤奋,每天早到晚走是经常的事。虽然每周有两天休息,但是星期六有些人也到公司去加班。不过,像上面这个例句里说的那种想偷懒的人也是有的。这也就是为什么有的人不能长久维持一个工作的原因之一。
  
  下面我们要给大家介绍的一个和 tight 有关的习惯用语是: To sit tight. 大家都知道,sit 就是坐着的意思。那末,to sit tight 是什么意思呢? 这并不是许多人坐在一起很挤的意思,而是指在某种情况下最好静静地观望,不要采取行动。比如说,要是你出去买一辆汽车,你要推销员减价一千美元。推销员答应考虑一下。回到家里,你告诉你的朋友那辆车正是你心目中想要的。你开始后悔没有按推销员要的价钱买了下来。这时,你的朋友可能会对你说:
  
  例句-3:"No, just be smart and sit tight. You offered a good price and I’ll bet if you sit tight, he’ll call up tomorrow and agree to take it."
  
  这人说:「不,你可要聪敏点,不要采取什么行动。你还的价钱很好,我保证,要是你耐心等着,他明天会打电话来同意按你的价钱卖给你的。」
  
  在美国买汽车,那可真是一门学问,不仅要懂得行情,而且还要会打心理战。没有经验的人就会受那些推销员的骗。他们有时会出尔反尔,把你弄得火冒三丈。所以,有经验的人往往事先都打听好价钱,胸有成竹。在自己愿意出的价格之内,要卖就卖,不卖我就上别处去买。当然,实际情况要比这更复杂些。
  
  我们再来举个例子。美国有许多人靠买股票来生财。特别是最近几年来银行利率很低,在股票方面投资的人就越来越多。但是,股票市场的风险比较大。一有波动就有人马上出售手里的股票。可是,也有些长期投资的人在风波前面不采取行动而愿意观望一段时间。下面这个例子就是说这方面情况的。
  
  例句-4:“When the stock price dropped drastically in 1987, some investors lost millions of dollars. But the majority of investors were sitting tight waiting for the stock market to bounce back.“
  
  女:这句话的意思是:「当1987年股票价格大幅度下降的时候,有些投资者损失了几百万美元。可是,大多数投资者没有采取什么行动,只是观望,等待股票市场回升。」
  
  今天我们讲了两个和 tight 这个字有关的习惯用语。它们是: To run a tight ship and to sit tight. To run a tight ship 是一个单位的纪律严明; to sit tight 是观望,不采取行动。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#612
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天李华和Larry在纽约市中央公园附近散步。路边有许多小贩在卖仿名牌的手提包和围巾等东西。今天李华会学到两个常用语:knock-off和running on empty.
  
  LL: Li Hua, don't bother buying any of those. They're just cheap knock-offs.
  
  LH: 可是这个手提包真漂亮!你看,上面还有名牌古姿的标记呢!你说这些都是便宜的knock-offs。是不是说它们都不是真货?
  
  LL: Yeah. A "knock-off" is a fake, an imitation of the real thing.
  
  LH: 你瞧。我一猜就猜对了,knock-off就是指假的,仿冒的东西。这些皮包当然不可能是真的啦!一个真的古姿皮包可是要上百美元呢!我根本就买不起!
  
  LL: Well, if you can't afford the real thing, why would you want to buy a cheap knock-off?
  
  LH: 买不起真货的人才买假冒品嘛!有的假冒品做的非常好,你不仔细看还分不出是真是假呢!你看,这个皮包还是很漂亮,而且也很实用呢!
  
  LL: Well, it's your decision whether you want to buy a knock-off.
  
  LH: 我很喜欢这个皮包。不过我现在还不需要。算了吧!我想还是别买了。
  
  LL: Hey, look that vendor is selling knock-offs of famous paintings. Some of them are pretty good.
  
  LH: 真的耶!这些仿冒的艺术画看起来和真品一样,模仿得真像! 不知道是不是那个卖画的人自己画的。
  
  LL: It's possible. He might be an art student and practices his skill by making knock-offs of famous masterpieces.
  
  LH: 在中国也有很多学艺术专业的学生,他们会临摹一些名画,顺便练习自己的绘画技巧。所以你经常可以找到一些假的中国名画呢。
  
  LL: I know. When I was in China, I bought several and brought them back to my friends as gifts.
  
  LH: 你在中国买这样的仿冒品带回来送人啊?不过很多美国人都不太懂中国的画,说不定他们还以为你送给他们的是真品呢!
  
  LL: The important thing is not whether the paintings were knock-offs but rather that they made my friends happy.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#613
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Wow, Li Hua. I'm really running on empty. Do you mind if we go back home now?
  
  LH: Running-on-empty? 什么是“running on empty"? 你不舒服,想回家了?
  
  LL: No, "running on empty" means that I'm exhausted and I don't have any energy. I feel like a car whose gas tank is empty.
  
  LH: 噢,你用汽车没有油来比喻,我就知道了。Running on empty就是很累,一点劲儿都没有了。或许我们可以找点东西吃。你可以补充一下体力。
  
  LL: That might help a little, but I really need to go home and get some rest.
  
  LH: 对了,你前两天感冒刚好,所以才会觉得running on empty。好吧,那我们就买点东西吃。休息一下,然后就回家。
  
  LL: That sounds like a good idea to me. When I'm running on empty, food and sleep are always the best remedies.
  
  LH: 我也是呀!我一累,只要吃饱睡足,马上就能恢复体力。我们这两天都够忙的。真是该好好休息一下。
  
  LL: It's kind of difficult to enjoy the park when you're running on empty.
  
  LH: 没错。人一累,再好玩的事都提不起劲来。
  
  LL: Hopefully, by tomorrow, I won't be running on empty anymore and we can enjoy a nice walk in the park.
  
  LH: 今天你回家好好睡一觉,多吃点有营养的东西,我保证你明天就会有精神了。如果你还想来公园散步,我一定奉陪!走吧!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是knock-off,是指假的,仿冒的东西。另一个常用语是running on empty,是形容一个人很累,体力不足。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#614
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚刚看完电影。李华在问Larry她没看懂的地方。今天李华会学到两个常用语:copycat和wacky。
  
  LH: Larry,我特别喜欢看这种侦探片,最后把坏人抓住,特痛快。对了,刚才那电影里的侦探说,那杀人凶手是个copycat。那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: A copycat is someone who imitates someone else. The murderer in the movie imitated other famous murderers, so he was copycat killer.
  
  LH: 嗯,copycat就是指模仿别人的人。噢,现在我懂了。那个侦探是说那个杀人犯是模仿其他杀人犯的作案方法。哎呀,怪不得我看电影的时候有些地方弄不懂。对了,Larry,这个copycat还可以用在其他的地方吗?
  
  LL: Sure. For instance, my younger sister used to imitate me a lot when she was a kid. She would repeat whatever I said, so I caller her my little copycat.
  
  LH: 你叫你小妹妹little copycat。你妹妹一定很可爱。她一定很崇拜你,所以才模仿你的一举一动,重复你说的话!
  
  LL: Yeah, it was kind of cute, but it got annoying after a while.
  
  LH: 小妹妹学你的样有什么讨厌的?
  
  LL: Kids are great copycats and they always manage to copy things that they shouldn't. If I said a bad word, my sister always repeated. My mother thought I was teaching her bad words on purpose.
  
  LH: 所以大人要给小孩树立好的榜样嘛! 你不要你妹妹说粗话,那你就不该说粗话。不过,你妈妈以为你故意教坏妹妹,那肯定让你很不好受。对不对?
  
  LL: That's right. It got me into a lot of trouble. Hey, I also remember that when I was a kid, it was common for kids to accuse each other of being a "copycat."
  
  LH: 没错,小孩子最喜欢说别人学自己,好象自己很聪敏,别人就只会模仿。
  
  LL: You're right. To call someone a copycat means that the other person isn't original and was just imitating what someone else was doing.
  
  LH: Larry,你说的这句话不是跟我刚才说的意思一样吗? You're a copycat!
  
  LL: Not entirely the same!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#615
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, did you ever do any wacky things when you were a kid?
  
  LH: 对不起,Larry,你刚才说什么。我没听懂,你问我小时候做过什么wacky的事,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Wacky means crazy or silly. Kids tend to do wacky things. For instance, when I was a kid, I tried to play Tarzan with our living room curtains.
  
  LH: Wacky就是指疯疯颠颠或犯傻。对,小孩子往往会做一些傻事。不过,像你小时候想学泰山而把窗帘当树枝爬上去,这也太危险了。
  
  LL: Yeah, I had just seen the movie, Tarzan, and I decided to climb the curtains and swing from them the way Tarzan swung from the vines. Pretty wacky, huh?
  
  LH: 我想也是,你肯定是看了泰山这电影后才那么wacky的。 不过说到wacky,我小时候也不见得比你差,也做了不少wacky的事呢!
  
  LL: Such as?
  
  LH: 嗯,比方说,我8岁那年,我爬上邻居家的一棵树,上去了,却不知道该怎么下来呢。
  
  LL: That's wacky! So what did you do?
  
  LH: 我挂在树上,还能怎么办?只好大叫,请人来救我喽!后来有人拿了张梯子,把我给救下来了。
  
  LL: That's funny. Hey, how's your cat doing? Has she done anything wacky lately?
  
  LH: 嗨,说到我的猫小雪球,它做的wacky 事那才多呢!昨天我在看电视上一个介绍大自然的节目,小雪球看到银幕里的小鸟就一直想扑上去和它玩。那个模样真逗!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是copycat,是指模仿别人的人。另一个常用语是wacky,意思就是疯疯颠颠,犯傻的。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#616
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Tight-lipped
  
  Tight with someone
  
  今天我们再给大家讲解两个以 tight 这个字为主的习惯用语。我们要先给大家介绍一个你们经常会用到的一个字,那就是: tight-lipped. Lip 就是嘴唇。Tight-lipped 实际上就是中文里我们所说的:嘴巴很紧,也就是指那些说话不多的人。我们先来举个例子吧。这是一个人在说他的父亲。
  
  例句-1:"My father fought in World War Two. And he must have been a real hero -- he has a whole box full of medals. But he’s a tight-lipped man who never talks about what he did to earn them."
  
  他说:「我父亲参加过第二次世界大战。他肯定是一个真正的英雄,因为他有一个盒子里全是奖章。但是,他是一个不多说话的人,他从来也没有说过他干了了些什么才得到这些奖章的。」
  
  一个本性说话不多的人几乎在任何情况下都不太愿意告诉别人自己的心事,发表自己的观点。不过,tight-lipped 也可以指那些平常挺爱说话,但在某件事上守口如瓶的人。下面这个例子就非常能说明问题。这是一个母亲在和朋友说她的女儿。
  
  例句-2: "Mary is very open with me about almost everything. Every day she tells me all sorts of things that happens at school. But lately she’s been so tight-lipped about her boyfriend Jack. If I ask too many questions she gets angry."
  
  这位母亲说:「玛丽几乎在所有问题上对我都很公开。她每天都会告诉我学校里发生的各种事情。但是,近来她在她男朋友杰克的问题上却守口如瓶。要是我多问几声,她还会生气。」

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#617
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国许多家长所关心的问题之一就是要了解自己的孩子,他们经常说家长应该是孩子的朋友,而不仅仅是管教他们。但是,要做到这一点却不容易。
  
  Tight 这个字作为俗语还可以有各种解释。其中之一就是: Tight with someone. Tight with someone,从表面来看就是:和某人很紧,实际上也就是和某人关系很密切。比如说,有两个学生住在一个宿舍里。其中一个学生想买一部电脑,另外一个学生答应利用他的关系替她买一部便宜的电脑。他说:
  
  例句-3: "Look, if you want to buy a computer cheap, let me talk to my older brother. He’s tight with this guy who manages an electronics store in Washington and he can probably get you 30 percent off the regular price."
  
  这个学生心很好,他说:「瞧,要是你想买一部便宜一点的电脑,让我跟我的大哥谈一谈。他和华盛顿一个电子设备商店的经理关系很密切。没准,他可以比一般价格便宜百分之三十卖给你。」
  
  在美国的大学里,不少学生都有自己的电脑。这跟以前有的学生有自己的打字机一样。学生要做作业,写读书报告,有自己的电脑当然要方便得多。否则,你就得到学校的公用电脑室里去。这就涉及事先要去定时间,而且使用的时间也有限制,必然没有在宿舍里有自己的电脑更方便。但是买一部电脑是很贵的,不是每个学生或他们的家长所能承担的。这大概就是这个学生想找便宜一点的原因了。
  
  靠人际关系来办成某件事应该说并不是罕见的。有的要靠关系来办的事可能要比买便宜东西重要得多。比如说,一个正在找工作的大学毕业生和一个公司的人事处约好在星期一的早上九点去面谈,但是,这个年轻人星期天晚上出去玩,又喝酒又跳舞,直到清晨才回家。早上一觉醒来已经九点半。等他赶到那家公司,人事处的人说没有必要再谈了。回到家,他爸爸知道这事后就说:
  
  例句-4: "So you’ve missed your interview and they’re not interested in you anymore. I don’t blame them. But since you’re my son, I’m going to talk to the president of that company and ask him to give you another chance. I happen to be quite tight with him."
  
  这位爸爸说:「你没有能按时去面谈,他们现在也对你不感兴趣了。这不能怪他们。我刚好和那公司的总裁关系很好,既然你是我的儿子,我就去和他谈一谈,再给你一个机会。」
  
  要是没有这样的爸爸,没有这样的关系,那这事八成是完了。
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了两个和 tight 这个有关的俗语。第一个是: Tight-lipped. Tight-lipped 是指那些说话很少的人,或在某个问题上守口如瓶。我们今天给大家讲解的第二个俗语是: Tight with someone. 这是指和某人关系密切。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#618
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在学校体育馆里打篮球。今天李华会学到两个常用语:butterfingers和klutz。
  
  LL: Here, Li Hua, catch!
  
  LH: 嘿!Larry,你不要那么用力嘛!你这么用力我接不住啊!
  
  LL: Don't blame the fact that you're a butterfingers on me. I don't think it's my fault that you keep dropping the ball.
  
  LH: 对,我老是接不住球,可我没有怪你呀!我只是让你别使那么大劲儿。你说我是什么来着 ? Butterfingers? 你肯定又在损我,是不是?
  
  LL: A butterfingers is someone who is clumsy and tends to drop things.
  
  LH: 噢,我知道了,butter是黄油,fingers是手指,butterfingers就好像手上抹黄油,油腻腻的抓不住东西。也就是指那些笨手笨脚,经常会把东西掉在地上的人。Larry,我才不是呢,都是你扔球太用力,所以我才接不住!
  
  LL: Okay, butterfingers, you can keep trying to blame this on me, but I know the truth.
  
  LH: 别再叫我butterfingers了。来吧,再丢一次,只是别那么用力了!
  
  LL: All right, but I don't think it's going to help.
  
  LH: 你看。我这不是接住了吗?I'm not a butterfingers!
  
  LL: That was just luck. Don't feel too bad, though, my sister's much more of a butterfingers than you are.
  
  LH: 你妹妹比我还糟糕?怎么说啊?
  
  LL: She used to try out for the softball team every year in high school, but she never made the team because she couldn't catch the ball.
  
  LH: 啊,她念中学的时候每年都参加垒球队选拔,从来没有被接纳呀!就是因为她老接不到球!看来她真的是个butterfingers。
  
  LL: My sister's tough, though, she never let the fact that she's a genuine butterfingers stop her from trying.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#619
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,你怎么摔倒了,没事吧?
  
  LL: Yeah, I'm all right. I just tripped over that rock. I'm such a klutz!
  
  LH: 噢,一块石头把你绊倒了?嗨,你说你是什么来啦?Klutz?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: A klutz is someone who is very clumsy and falls, trips, and bumps into things very easily.
  
  LH: Klutz就是指那种经常会撞上什么东西,经常会跌倒的人。Larry,我可从来没有见你摔倒过。这还是第一次,所以你还算不上是个klutz。
  
  LL: Thank you, Li Hua. I appreciate it. However, I assure you that I can be a real klutz sometimes. Fortunately, I usually do klutzy things when no one else is looking.
  
  LH: Larry,你真有意思。你怎么知道你笨手笨脚的时候没有人看见?不久前你好象告诉我你撞到什么东西。我听了也忘了。
  
  LL: Oh, that's a few months ago. One day, I wasn't paying attention and I walked into a street sign. Some girls saw me and they started laughing. I felt ridiculous!
  
  LH: 光听你这么说,我就觉得好笑,没听说有人走在路上会撞上路标的。我可以想像,你当时一定显得很傻,a real klutz!
  
  LL: Well, that's the only time people saw me being a klutz. I don't plan on doing a repeat performance.
  
  LH: 就这一次给人看见? 以后不再会这样傻了?别太自信了!
  
  LL:You mean once a klutz, always a klutz?
  
  LH:我不是说你做了一次傻事,以后永远做傻事。我是说你还有可能做傻事。
  
  LL:Well, let's see!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是butterfingers,是指抓不稳东西,手里拿的东西经常会掉到地上去。另一个常用语是klutz,是形容一个人经常跌倒,或撞到东西,笨手笨脚的。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#620
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LOOSE LIPS
  
  AT LOOSE ENDS
  
  我们讲过几个和 TIGHT 这个字有关的习惯用语。今天我们要讲两个由 LOOSE 这个字组成的习惯用语。
  
  TIGHT 就是紧。而 LOOSE 刚好和紧相反,它的意思是:松。我们在讲和 TIGHT 这个字有关的俗语时曾经给大家讲过 TIGHTLIPPED 这个字,那就是:嘴巴很紧,很能保守秘密。今天我们要给大家介绍一个和 TIGHTLIPPED 相反的俗语: LOOSE LIPS. 大家肯定能想象,LOOSE LIPS 就是指嘴巴关不住,说话很随便,不加考虑,不负责任。我们来听一听一个警官在警告手下的警察,不要随便和别人谈论有关他们袭击贩毒集团的计划。他说:
  
  例句-1:"All right, men, don’t talk about the raid to anybody outside this room, not even another cop. This gang is dangerous, so the raid has to be a complete surprise. Loose lips can get somebody killed. And you don’t want it to be you!"
  
  这个警官说: “得了,夥计们,除了这间屋子,你们不要跟任何人,包括其他警察在内,谈论有关袭击的事。这个贩毒集团非常危险,这次袭击必须是彻底的突击行动。你们要是随便乱说,我们的人就有可能被害。你不会要这样的事发生在你身上吧!”
  
  年纪大一些的美国人可能还记得在第二次大战期间美国政府在公共场所贴的一张招贴画,这张画警告人们不要随便谈论军事秘密。画面上有一个从军舰上下来的海军战士和他在酒吧间遇到的一个女子在说话。在他们的背后,你可以看到德国独裁者希特勒正在听他们说话,他的耳朵大得和大菜盘一样。在这张招贴画的下面有这些字:“信口开河能够使船沈没!”这句话的意思也就是让大家不要谈论战争的事,因为敌人可能正在听你说话。二次世界大战虽然已经在四十多年前结束,但是 LOOSE LIPS 这个说法仍然很普遍。
  
  说话不小心会给生命带来危险,造成严重的后果。但是即便在日常生活中,虽然后果不至于那末严重,但是也会带来很多不必要的误会。下面是一个人在说他的妹妹。
  
  例句-2: "I did confide in my sister Mary that I might consider a divorce. Who would expect that she started to tell everybody I've already filed a divorce. My wife got really mad when she heard about this. Loose lips really can cause trouble."
  
  这人说:“我确实告诉过我妹妹玛丽我可能会考虑离婚。谁知道她马上就去告诉每个人我已经提出了离婚。我太太听说了以后可真是发火了。信口开河可真能带来麻烦。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#621
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲解的一个习惯用语是: AT LOOSE ENDS. 你要是处于 AT LOOSE ENDS 的情况下,那你就是感到没事可做,感到很无聊。下面说话的年轻女子因为没有事干而感到很不高兴。她说:
  
  例句-3:"I’m afraid I'll be at loose ends this weekend. My finance is going on a fishing trip with his buddies, and all my girl friends are away on vacation. Nothing for me to do but stay at home, wash my hair and maybe watch a little TV."
  
  这个年轻少女说: “这个周末我恐怕会没地方去而感到很无聊的。我的未婚夫和他的朋友们一起去别处钓鱼了。其他女朋友也都出去渡假了。我没有什么事可做,只好呆在家里,洗洗头,也许再看一会儿电视。”
  
  其实,对许多生活在美国的人来说,感到无聊,特别是感到没有事可做的机会并不多。美国的生活节奏很快,头绪很多,觉得时间不够,事情做不完的人倒是不少。下面这个例子是一个人在对他的朋友说他的生活。
  
  例句-4:"I don’t know about you, Charlie, but my life has always been so busy. I work nearly fifty hours a week. On weekends, I go to movies or take short trips with my friends. I never feel bored or at loose ends. "
  
  这个人说:“查理,我不知道你的情况,可是我的生活一向很忙。每个星期我工作将近五十个小时。周末,我和朋友一起去看电影或者短途旅行。我从来也没有感到没事干或无聊的。”
  
  在美国生活的人虽然每个星期都有两天休息,但是,大家到周末一般都很忙。首先,一个礼拜要买一次菜。每到月底还有各式各样的帐目要付,另外,每个人总还有各种应酬。
  
  各位听众,今天我们给大家介绍了两个以 LOOSE 这个字为主的习惯用语。它们是: LOOSE LIPS AND AT LOOSE ENDS. LOOSE LIPS 是指说话很随便,不谨慎。AT LOOSE ENDS 是感到没事干,很无聊

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#622
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

OUT OF ONE'S SKULL
  
  SKULL SESSION
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍以 SKULL 这个字为主的习惯用语。SKULL 这个字的意思大家都可以在字典上找到的,它是指脑壳,也就是头盖骨。每当我们看到一个灰白的头盖骨的时候,我们总是会感到有点恐惧,在大多数国家里,一个头盖骨一般是象征着死亡。在全世界,一个头盖骨的图象就是警告人们那里有毒品或有危险。但是, SKULL 这个字在当做俗语的时候,它可以指人的脑子。今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就和这个意思有关。这个习惯用语就是: OUT OF ONE'S SKULL.
  
  这是一个很好的例子来说明学习成语,俗语的重要性。OUT-OF-ONE'S-SKULL 这里每个字都是很简单的,但是要是你没有学过这个俗语,你可能会把它解释为:脑子以外的什么东西。可是,实际上,OUT OF ONE'S SKULL 是指一个人不是很认真地说某人不太正常,甚至是疯了。就像下面这位太太一样,她正在跟丈夫说那个经常向他们借钱的小舅子。
  
  例句-1:"Honey, you'd have to be out of your skull to lend that no-good brother of yours any more money. He already owes you over two thousand dollars and he has never paid back a penny!"
  
  这位太太说:「亲爱的,你要再借钱给你那没有用的弟弟,那你就是疯了。他已经欠你两千多美元,他还从来没有还过你一分钱呐。」
  
  在美国,个人之间一般不太互相借钱,因为借钱的渠道很多,例如,你可以向银行贷款,用信用卡预支,然后连本带利地每月偿还。当然,有的人对自己家里的人特别照顾,愿意接济一下也是有的。
  
  有不少美国妇女在有了孩子以后就辞去了工作,在家带孩子。而这些妇女当中很多都是受过高等教育,都是一些专业人才。辞去工作带孩子当然是一种牺牲,因为当一个人脱离社会几年后再要想回到社会潮流中去就会遇到很多困难,有的在家庭负担的压力下,甚至永远也无法返回劳力大军了。下面是一个人在劝他的同事不要辞去工作回家带孩子。
  
  例句-2: "Shirley, you’d have to be out of your skull to quit this high-paid job and become a housewife! You’d not only cut your total income by two thirds, but you may not be able to find a job this good for the rest of your life."
  
  这个人显然是在对一个女同事说话。他说:「雪莉,你要是想辞去工资这么高的工作,去做一个家庭妇女,那你简直是疯了。你这样做不仅会把你们的总收入减少三分之二,而且你可能以后一辈子也找不到像这样好的工作了。」
  
  美国之所以有的妇女要辞去工作带孩子也是有一定的客观因素的。在美国要找人带孩子是很困难的,不仅是费用很大,而且带孩子的人是否可靠也是一个大问题。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#623
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个和 SKULL 有关的习惯用语是: SKULL SESSION. SKULL SESSION 就是几个人在一起为了解决某些问题而交换想法,或者是让自己动动脑筋,在某一个专题上丰富自己的知识。下面是一个篮球教练在结束一次定期训练后对球队队员说话。
  
  例句-3: "Okay, men, I want you back in the locker room at eight o’clock for a special skull session. We’ll look at films of the team we play for the championship and talk over the new plays we’ve been practicing all week."
  
  这位教练说:「行啦,夥计们,我要你们八点到更衣室来开会,为我们的战术出谋划策。我们要看一下关于和我们争夺冠军的那个球队的电影,再讨论一下我们整个星期练习的新战术。」
  
  下面是一个数学老师在对他班上的学生说话。
  
  例句-4:"I’m afraid some of you students have forgotten what i taught you last week when we studied complex fractions. If you had trouble today with the problems i assigned, better stay after class and we’ll have a skull session on this."
  
  这个老师说:「我恐怕你们当中有的人已经忘了上星期我们在学繁分数的时候所教的内容了。要是你们有谁对我今天布置的作业有困难的话,最好在这一课上完后留下来,我们可以对这个问题进行讨论。」
  
  我们今天讲了两个和 SKULL 这个字有关的习惯用语。它们是: OUT OF ONE'S SKULL AND SKULL SESSION.
  
  OUT OF ONE'S SKULL 是以不完全认真的态度说某人大概是不正常,或是有点疯了。SKULL SESSION 是一些人坐在一起动脑筋,解决问题,或是增加自己在某一方面的知识。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#624
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华到学校附近一家新开的墨西哥快餐店吃饭。今天李华会学到两个常用语:cash cow和tickled pink。
  
  LL: Wow! This place is a real cash cow! Look how crowded it is!
  
  LH: Cash cow? 什么是cash cow? 我知道cash就是钱,现金;cow是一头牛。噢,我懂了,cash cow就是一头很有钱的牛。意思就是,这里生意这么兴隆,钱赚很多。对不对?
  
  LL: That is right! A cash cow is a business that is very profitable. This is obviously a popular place, so they must be making a lot of money.
  
  LH: 没错,这家餐厅一定很赚钱。你看,要是这里每小时来200个客人,每人平均消费7美元,那就不得了了!
  
  LL: That's $1,400 an hour! This place is definitely a cash cow. I wish I owned a business like this.
  
  LH: 嗯,我也希望自己能有这样一个赚钱的摇钱树呢。
  
  LL: You know what? The new movie theater that they just opened by campus is another real cash cow.
  
  LH: 对耶!学校旁边那家新开的电影院,是这附近唯一的一家,所以大家都上那儿去看电影。他们肯定也很赚钱。
  
  LL: Tickets are really expensive, too, but we don't have a choice because there aren't any other movie theaters nearby.
  
  LH: 真没办法,就因为这是这儿唯一的一家电影院,尽管票价贵,大家也别无选择!他们变成了赚钱的影院,a cash cow!可苦了我们这些穷学生!
  
  LL: At least they give student discounts on weekdays. That makes it a little bit easier on us.
  
  LH: 看来,我们最好在星期一到星期五之间去看电影。这样可以享受优惠价。不过这对戏院本身也有好处么!这样一来,学生就愿意在生意比较清淡的时间去看电影喽!
  
  LL: You should be a businesswoman, Li Hua. It seems like you really understand these things. If you own a business, I'm sure it will turn out to be a cash cow.
  
  LH: 也不见得啦!我其实对做生意没太大兴趣。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#625
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I'm tickled pink with the food here. What do you think, Li Hua? Do you like Mexican food?
  
  LH: 我很喜欢墨西哥菜,好吃极了。你说你tickled pink ?Tickle是搔痒的意思,pink是粉红色,你是说这道菜太辣了?
  
  LL: No, I mean that I really like the food. To be tickled pink by something is to be really pleased by it.
  
  LH: 噢,原来,tickled pink是指非常高兴,很满意的意思。嗯,我也很喜欢这里的菜。I am tickled pink too。
  
  LL: Oh, I almost forgot to tell you: I got a really good job for the summer. I'm really tickled pink about it.
  
  LH: 你找到一份非常好的暑期工?那太好了。我真替你高兴。那你什么时候开始工作呢?
  
  LL: I'll take a couple of weeks off after exams and then start work at the beginning of June. I told my mom and she was tickled pink too.
  
  LH: 考完试休息几个星期再工作。这安排真是不错。别说你妈听了高兴,谁听了都会替你高兴。我还不知道暑期干什么呢!
  
  LL: Aren't you going to visit Vancouver?
  
  LH: 对,我是要去温哥华看我哥哥,但是我得先打工,赚了钱才能去呀!听说学校图书馆有暑期工作。
  
  LL: That sounds good. You could sit in the air-conditioned library all summer and read and play on the Internet. You should be tickled pink to get a job like that!
  
  
  LH: 对,要是他们要我的话,我可以一个暑期坐在有空调的图书馆里看书,玩互联网。有那么一个工作,我当然高兴啦!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是cash cow,这是指非常赚钱的生意。也就是摇钱树。另一个常用语是tickled pink,是让人非常高兴,非常愉快的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#626
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在为他们的朋友Laura担心。他们两人都觉得Laura好像有什么心事。今天李华会学到两个常用语:clam up和to tank。
  
  LL: Laura has been acting really strange lately, but every time I try to ask her what's bothering her, she just clams up.
  
  LH: 我也注意到了,Laura最近是有点怪怪的。我也问过她怎么回事,她就是不肯说....对了,Larry,你刚才说clam up,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To clam up is to become silent and refuse to talk about something.
  
  LH: To clam up就是闭紧了嘴巴,不肯把心里的事告诉别人。可是Larry,clam不是一种蛤蜊吗?这跟说不说话有什么关系?
  
  LL: Yes, in fact, that's where the expression comes from. Clams can close their shells very tightly. If a person refuses to talk, his lips are closed just like a clam's shell.
  
  LH: 噢,对了。一个人嘴巴闭得紧紧的时候,就好像蛤蜊闭上壳,怎么也不打开。这个说法太形象了!
  
  LH: The problem is that Laura has clammed up about whatever is bothering her, which means that we have no way of helping her out.
  
  LH: 那倒也是。她要不说,我们又怎么能帮她。也许我们应该让她一个人静一静,等她想说的时候自然会告诉我们到底是怎么回事。
  
  LL: That's probably the only thing we can do.
  
  LH: 其实我爸爸也是一样。心里如果有事,从来不肯说。有的时候把我妈急的一直生气。
  
  LL: A lot of people clam up when something is bothering them. I tend to clam up when I'm really nervous.
  
  LH: 我也是耶!我只要一紧张,就不说话了。每个人不一样,我妹妹一生气就可以几天不说话。别人也不知道她在生什么气。
  
  LL: That's like my mother. She could clam up for days when she is angry with my father.
  
  LH: 你妈妈跟你爸爸生气几天不说话。那你爸爸怎么办哪?
  
  LL:Whenever my mother clams up, he clams up too.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#627
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I found out what was bothering Laura. She was upset because the last play she wrote tanked. Everyone criticized it.
  
  LH: 大家都批评她最近写的剧本。为什么?你说她写的那个剧本tanked,那是什么意思?Tank, 不就是打仗用的坦克吗?
  
  LL: No, this has nothing to do with the tank used in war. This "tank" is a verb. When something "tanks" that means that it is a complete failure.
  
  LH: 噢,这个tank 和军用坦克毫无关系。这里说的tank是个动词。意思是完全失败。所有的剧评家都批评Laura的舞台剧。那真是太惨了。可怜的Laura!
  
  LL: Yeah, no wonder she clammed up. I wouldn't want to talk about it if one of my projects tanked, either.
  
  LH: 就是啊,自己的成果被别人这样批评,心情一定不好受。对了,Larry,为什么大家不喜欢Laura的剧本呢?
  
  LL: I have no idea. I haven't seen or read her play, so I have no way of judging her work. Laura is a good playwright, I don't understand why her work tanked.
  
  LH: 嗯,没有看过她的剧本是很难判断。不过,Laura确实是一个很好的剧作家。也许我们应该去看看她写的舞台剧,说不定没有这么糟么。
  
  LL: Even if the play really is terrible, we could at least show our support by going to see it.
  
  LH: 你说的对,不管是好是坏,我们去看就代表我们对Laura的支持。好!我去问她在哪儿可以买票。Larry,那你什么时候有空去看呢?
  
  LL: Let's go this Friday. Originally, I had planned to see a movie this Friday, but the movie I wanted to see tanked, so I might as well go and see Laura's play.
  
  LH: 怎么就那么巧呢?你要看的电影也失败了。好,就这么说定了。我去买票,星期五我们就去看Laura的舞台剧喽!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是clam up,是指一个人不肯把心里的话告诉别人。另一个常用语是to tank,也就是失败的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#628
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲两个以bone这个字组成的习惯用语。Bone在中文里是什么意思呢? Bone就是骨头。我们首先要给大家介绍的一个和 bone 有关的习惯用语是: To have a feeling in one's bones. To have a feeling也就是有个感觉的意思。请大家不要误会, to have a feeling in one's bones并不是某人骨头酸痛,感到不舒服。To have a feeling in one's bones是指某人有一种强烈的感觉,似乎什么事情将要发生,但是他又无法解释为什么。下面就是一个很好的例子。这是一个年轻的女子在跟她的朋友说话。
  
  例句-1: I just came back from Sally and Joe’s wedding. It was beautiful, and they both looked so happy. But you know something? I hope I’m wrong but I have this feeling in my bones that this marriage won't last a year!
  
  这位年轻少女说:我刚参加萨莉和乔伊的婚礼回来。婚礼安排得很漂亮,他们两看起来也很高兴。但是,你知道吗,不知道为什么我总感到他们的婚姻维系不了一年。我希望我的感觉是错的。
  
  ******
  
  美国的私营企业到处都是,而且它们的规模也各不相同,大的可以有数以千计的雇员,而小的可以小到只有两个合伙人。下面是一个经营饭馆的人在说他的合伙人。
  
  例句-2:Bill and I have been partners for years and we have practically become friends. He’s honest and straightforward and has never cheated me. But he never talks about his family life, and I have a feeling in my bones that he’s thinking of a divorce.
  
  这个人说:我和比尔已经合伙了好多年了,我们实际上已经是很好的朋友了。他很诚实,也和直率,从来也没有欺骗过我。但是,他从来也不谈他的家庭生活,我不知怎么总是感到他在考虑离婚。
  
  美国人很强调个人的独立性。中国人在个人生活当中碰到问题的时候一般倾向于徵求家人或亲友的意见,得到他们的帮助。而美国人则习惯自己独立地解决问题,除了个别真正亲密无间的朋友外,他们一般不轻易把家里或个人的事告诉别人。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-09#629
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来给大家介绍一个以bone这个字为主的习惯用语。To have a bone to pick. To have a bone to pick 从字面上来解释就是挑骨头的意思。但是,作为俗语,to have a bone to pick 的意思就不同了,它是指:有理由来抱怨或争论。下面是一个丈夫在对他妻子讲话。
  
  例句-3: Honey, I have a bone to pick with you. I don’t mind you getting into the bathroom first in the morning, but do you have to be in there so long? You know, I have to get to work on time, too.
  
  这个丈夫说: 亲爱的,我有一件事得向你抱怨了。我不在乎你每天早上先用洗澡间,但是,你有必要在里面呆那末长时间吗。你知道,我也得按时上班的呀。
  
  在一般美国人家里,夫妇两的卧室里有一个洗澡间,而孩子们尽管他们也许有自己的房间,但是也得合用一个洗澡间,这倒是经常引起争吵的一个原因。
  
  ******
  
  每个人穿了新衣服都喜欢别人夸奖,这也是人的正常心理。特别是妇女,每当她们添置了一些新的时髦的衣服,总喜欢别人注意、夸奖一番。可是,有的人注意是注意了,但偏偏注意到坏的一面。下面的例子就是一个女教师在说她的朋友。
  
  例句-4: Sally always criticizes me no matter what I wear. Last week, I put on the red dress I bought at Macy’s. Everyone said I looked great in that dress. The only person who had a bone to pick with me was Sally. She said the dress was too tight on me. That’s ridiculous!
  
  这位女教师说:不管我穿什么,萨莉总是会批评的。上星期,我穿了在梅喜公司买的那件红色连衣裙,每个人都说我穿了那件衣服非常好看。唯一挑毛病的人就是萨莉。她说,那件衣服我穿太小了。这简直是可笑!
  
  ******
  
  我们今天给大家讲解了两个以bone这个字为主的习惯用语。第一个是: To have a feeling in one's bones. To have a feeling in one's bones就是某人有一种感觉,好像什么事情要发生,但是又讲不出道理。今天我们给大家介绍的第二个习惯用语是: To have a bone to pick. To have a bone to pick是指有理由提出抱怨或争论。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#630
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华今天晚上约好和朋友碰面,可是当Larry到李华家接她时,李华还在梳妆打扮。今天李华会学到两个常用语:dilly-dally和dis。
  
  LL: Come on, Li Hua. Aren't you ready yet?
  
  LH: 再等一下,我头发还没弄好呢。
  
  LL: Come on, already. Stop dilly-dallying and let's go!
  
  LH: Larry,你在说什么啊,什么是dilly-dally啊?
  
  LL: To dilly-dally is to waste time doing pointless things. Right now, you're dilly-dallying with your hair when our friend is waiting for us.
  
  LH: Dilly-dally就是拖拖拉拉。噢,你是说我们的朋友在等着,而我在这儿浪费时间。整理头发是浪费时间?我总不能披头散发地出门吧。 你不有的时候也爱拖拖拉拉,- dilly-dally嘛。
  
  LL: Me? Dilly-dally? Tell me, when have I ever dilly-dallied?
  
  LH: 瞧你说得,好像你自己从来没有拖拖拉拉过?两天前,我们约好晚上七点吃晚饭,结果你在家打电话跟朋友聊天,到了七点半才来! 这不是Dilly-dally吗? 你忘啦?
  
  LL: Oh, I forgot about that. Yeah, I guess I do dilly-dally sometimes. I really felt sorry for making you wait.
  
  LH:还有一次我在家里开party,我让你早点来帮忙,结果客人都到齐了,你还没有到,原来你是去买牙膏,在商店里逛得忘了时间。
  
  LL:Hey, Li Hua, you do have a good memory. I already forgot about it. But, I am sorry for dilly-dallying.
  
  LH:我倒不是要你道歉,你早就道歉过了。我只是要提醒你,你也有拖拖拉拉的时候。也就是:dilly-dally,对不对?
  
  LL:You're right. But at least you've learned how to use "dilly-dally".
  
  LH: 不过说真的,现在是5点半,我们和John的约会是6点,真的得赶快走了。
  
  LL: Well, because of your dilly-dallying, we're really going to have to hurry.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#631
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,你的上衣和裤子根本就不搭配,你是关着灯穿衣服还是怎么着?
  
  LL: Don't dis my clothes! I may not have great fashion sense, but at least I don't waste a lot of time dilly-dallying with my hair.
  
  LH: 哎,我是在说你的衣服,你怎么又扯上我的头发。你说我dis你的衣服。那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To "dis" something is to criticize something or make a negative comment about it. I think dis is short for "disrespect."
  
  LH: 原来dis就是disrespect这个词的简称,disrespect就是不尊重。你说:※Don't dis my clothes" 就是让我别批评你的衣服。我不是批评你的衣服,只是搭配得不好么。
  
  LL: That doesn't make me feel any better, Li Hua. It's not nice to dis your friends or their clothes.
  
  LH: 我以为朋友之间应该坦率,我说你衣服搭配得不好,你也不高兴,还说我这样说是不礼貌的。你不觉得你这样批评我也是不对的吗?
  
  LL: Oh, please, you started the whole thing by dissing my clothes.
  
  LH: 好啦,好啦,我以后不说就行啦。
  
  LL: All right, I promise not to dis you if you promise not to dis me or my clothes, deal?
  
  LH: Deal。以后你不批评我,我也不再批评你穿衣服的品味。我们就这么说定了。 Larry,已经六点了,怎么John还没有来呢?
  
  LL: Yeah, I wonder where he is? I hate people dilly-dallying.
  
  LH: 也许John正在哪里闲晃,根本就忘记时间了!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,第一个是dilly-dally,是说拖拖拉拉把时间浪费在不重要的事情上。另一个常用语是dis,是批评或给予负面评价。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#632
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Lick
  
  Lickety split
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是以lick这个字为主的。Lick就是用舌头舔什么东西。比如说,你要是买了一个蛋卷冰淇淋,那你就非用舌头舔不可,否则冰淇淋化了就会流你一手,粘粘的很难受。但是, lick这个字并不是一定和食物有关。特别是在当做俗语的时候,lick的含义也就更广泛了。做为俗语, lick这个字本身有时带有打败某人,或者是克服一个问题的意思。当美国人谈到拳击比赛时,他们经常用lick这个字来形容拳击运动员打击对手,或者被对方打败。我们来举个例子。这是一个拳击爱好者在看完一场比赛后评论一个新的拳击运动员。
  
  例句-1: The young athlete appears to have great potential. Although he was defeated in the end, he got in quite a few good licks during the match. Maybe one day he will emerge as one of the best."
  
  这个拳击爱好者说:这个年轻运动员看来很有潜力。最后,他确实被打败了,但是,他在比赛过程中有好几次很厉害地打击了对方。也许,他以后会成为最好的拳击手之一。
  
  我们已经在以前的节目里讲过,美国人非常喜欢运动,除了橄榄球以外,他们还喜欢棒球,网球,高尔夫球等。拳击也是美国人爱看的运动之一,而且还出现了世界有名的拳击手。
  
  大家都听到了这句话里用的quite a few good licks,意思就是很有效地向对方进行几次拳击。但是,要是你要说某个拳击手被打败了的话,那你就得改变说法了。
  
  To get a good licking. Licking也就是在lick这个字后面加上ing. Licking. 要是你要说那个年轻拳击手昨天被打的惨败,你就得说:
  
  例句-2: The young boxer got a good licking yesterday.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#633
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面这个例子是用 lick 这个字来表明克服了一个问题或者是一个困难。这是一个人想办法来克服他的头痛病。
  
  例句-3: I've had this horrible head cold for weeks and I’ve taken all kinds of medicine to try to lick it. Then I stayed in bed for a couple of days and that finally licked it for good.
  
  这个人说:几个星期来,我因为感冒而头痛得非常利害,我用了各种各样的药设法来治它。后来,我乾脆睡了两整天,这才终于把头痛给治好了。
  
  我们今天要讲的第二个以lick这个字为主的俗语就是: Lickety split. Lickety split是一种非常口语的说法,意思是:一个人尽力地跑得飞快。你听了下面这个例句就会知道在什么情况下一个人会这么跑。
  
  例句-4: Last week I went on a hunting trip in the north woods with two friends. Joe left our camp to get some more wood for the fire. Ten minutes later we heard all this yelling, and here came Joe, running lickety split with a big, angry bear about three feet behind him!
  
  这个人说:上星期,我和两个朋友一起到北部森林去打猎。乔伊为了营火到我们露营地外面去拿点木柴。十分钟后,我们听到大声嚷嚷的声音。然后,乔伊就飞快地往回跑,一只怒气冲冲的大熊正在他后面大约三英尺的地方追他。」这简直就是逃命,怪不得他跑那末快呢。
  
  当然,人们不一定是在生命有危害的时候才跑的飞快。下面就是一个例子。这是讲一个正在等待大学录取通知书的高中毕业生。
  
  例句-5: Jack applied to several universities after he graduated from high school, but his number one choice is Harvard. Last week when he was in the swimming pool, his brother went to tell him that a letter from Harvard had arrived. He ran home lickety split.
  
  这句话的意思是:杰克在中学毕业后报考了好几所大学,但是,他的第一志愿是哈佛大学。上星期当他在游泳池游泳的时候,他弟弟去告诉他有一封哈佛来的信。他就飞快地往家跑。
  
  我们今天讲的两个习惯用语都是和lick这个字有关的。第一个是: Lick. Lick这个字的一般解释是用舌头舔,但是在作为俗语的时候,它有攻击对方,或者是设法克服某种困难的含义。今天我们还给大家讲解了: Lickety split.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#634
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

经过一个星期的紧张考试,学期结束了,Larry和李华正在很轻松地吃午饭。今天李华会学到两个常用语:flying colors和to butter up。
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, how do you think you did on your English exam? I'd be willing to bet that you passed it with flying colors.
  
  LH: 我想我英语考试考得还可以。你刚才说你敢打赌我一定会通过,但是with flying colors是什么意思啊? Flying就是飞; colors是颜色, flying colors,我可不懂。
  
  LL: Oh, to pass a test or an exam with flying colors means that you did a really great job.
  
  LH: 噢,flying colors就是非常出色。你的意思是我英语考试一定考得非常出色。是不是出色,我可不知道,其实只要及格,我就很高兴了。
  
  LL: Come on, you had me for a tutor. I'm sure you did well!
  
  LH: 你辅导我英语,我就一定会考得成绩优异?你真的对自己的辅导这么有信心啊?
  
  LL: That's not a very appreciative attitude, Li Hua. Whether or not you pass the exam with flying colors, I still put in a lot of time helping you.
  
  LH: 跟你开个玩笑嘛!我知道你花了很多时间和心血来辅导我的英语。我怎么会不感谢你呢!不管我考的好不好,我都应该谢谢你呀。
  
  LL: You helped me a lot, too. I'm not sure if I passed my Chinese exam with flying colors, but I'm sure that I got at least a B+.
  
  LH: 你肯定你的中文考试能得个B+? 那已经算是很出色了。对了,你刚才是怎么说来啦? 噢,我想起来,flying colors。好了,现在一切都结束了。暑期里,你不需要再苦苦地读中文了!
  
  LL: I know, I'm so glad this semester is over.
  
  LH: 就是啊。学期结束真让我感到轻松。 这个星期我什么也不想做了。
  
  LL: We both deserve a break. Even if we didn't pass all our courses with flying colors, we both worked really hard all semester.
  
  LH: 我同意,尽管我们不见得每门功课都成绩优异,我们都已经尽最大的努力了,应该休息一下!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#635
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嗨,Larry,你看起来好帅!是不是今晚有约会啊?
  
  LL: No, I don't have a date tonight. Why are you being so nice? Are you trying to butter me up for something?
  
  LH: 说你帅,还要问我为什么对你这么好?你真是疑神疑鬼的。还说我想什么来啦?Butter up, butter不是黄油吗?什么意思呀?
  
  LL: To butter someone up is to be really nice to him so that you can ask him for something.
  
  LH: 其实,我猜到了,to butter up就是为了得到好处而拍人马屁的意思。哼,我才不会那么做呢!
  
  LL: I know you weren't trying to butter me up, Li Hua. I was just joking with you.
  
  LH: 好吧,只要你知道,我是诚心诚意的赞美你,不是另有企图,别有用心就好了。
  
  LL: I know you're not like that, but there's a girl in my Chinese class who is.
  
  LH: 真的啊?你的中文班里有个女孩就是这样的人?她怎么啦?
  
  LL: She was really nice to me one day. She offered to help me with my homework and everything. It turns out, she was just buttering me up so that she could ask me to help her move to a new apartment.
  
  LH: 原来她是想让你帮忙搬家啊!其实她没有必要帮你做任何事,直接了当请你帮忙不就行了嘛!也许她不好意思。
  
  LL: I guess, but what bothers me is that she ignored me until she needed my help with something. She was only nice to me when she was buttering me up to ask for help.
  
  LH: 原来如此。她过去从来不理你,到了要你帮忙的时候才来拍马屁。那她也真是太会利用人了。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是flying colors,这是指的是什么事情做得很出色。另一个常用语是to butter up,这是指为了得到好处而拍人马屁。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#636
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

To shape up or ship out
  
  To rock the boat
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍两个和船有关的习惯用语。船在英文里就是: Ship. 船员或者和水上生活有关的人创造了一套他们自己的语言。但是,他们的有些表达形式已经上了岸,成为日常用语了。和 ship 有关的俗语还不少,我们今天只能给大家讲解两个, 我们要讲的第一个是: To shape up or ship out. To shape up or ship out,我们先来看前面一半 to shape up. To shape up 的意思是改进你的工作或行为。后面一半 to ship out 就是离开一个地方。把前后两部份合在一起 to shape up or ship out 就成了一个俗语,意思是:要就改进你的工作,否则就离开这儿。美国的陆军里经常用这个俗语。下面这个例子是一个陆军中士在训斥一个二等兵。
  
  例句-1:"Jones, you are without a doubt the worst soldier in the whole company! Your uniform looks like you slept in it! Your rifle is always dirty, and you can’t follow a simple order! I’m telling you, soldier -- either shape up or ship out, you hear me!"
  
  这个中士很严厉,他说:「琼斯,毫无疑问你是整个连队里最糟糕的兵。你的制服皱得好像睡衣似的,你的枪支老那末脏,你连简单的命令都不能执行。我告诉你,你要就做出改进,否则就请你走路,懂吗!」
  
  我们上面说 to shape up or ship out 这个俗语在陆军里用的比较多,但是在日常生活中也可能出现的。例如,一个公司的老板对手下一个雇员说:
  
  例句-2: "Mary, you often come late in the morning and leave early in the evening, and you are always on the phone talking to your friends. This is not acceptable here. I’m now giving you a last chance, either shape up or ship out. "
  
  这个老板说:「玛丽,你经常早上迟到,晚上早退,你还老和朋友在电话上聊天。这种表现在这里是不能接受的。我现在给你一个最后的机会,要就改进你的表现,否则你就离开这里。」
  
  这里要指出的是许多美国人工作很紧张,生活的节奏也很快。如果有人迟到早退,又不好好专心工作的话,很有可能会被解雇。但是像这个例句里说的这种人确实存在,这也是为什么有些人难以在一个公司长期工作的原因,因为他们到哪里都不受欢迎。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#637
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

女:美国人有时也把船叫做 boat. 但是,ship 和 boat 之间还是有一点差别的,一般来说boat 总是比ship 要小。我们下面要给大家介绍的一个俗语就是和 boat 这个字有关:To rock the boat. To rock the boat 指的是:找麻烦,或者让人感到厌烦,就像一个孩子站在一艘船当中,故意把船弄得摇摇晃晃,使得船上的人很害怕一样。人们往往会劝别人不要去找麻烦。下面是两个人在办公室里谈论一个很偷懒的同事。
  
  例句-3:"Sure, I agree Smith isn't worth the big salary he gets, but I wouldn't tell the boss if I were you. Smith is one of his favorites, and he'll think you're just rocking the boat and making trouble."
  
  这个人说:「当然,我同意斯密斯根本没有资格拿那末高的工资。但是,要是我是你,我就不会把这种想法去告诉老板。斯密斯是他的亲信之一。你要告诉他的话,他会以为你想找麻烦呢。」
  
  每当暑假来临,美国的学生就开始计划怎么来安排这三个多月的时间,有不少人动手找工作,赚钱为下一年的学费做准备,有的计划先出去旅行,轻松一番再做打算。下面是一个学生在跟他的妹妹谈他和几个同学的暑期计划。
  
  例句-4:"After much discussion, five of us in the class have finally decided to go to Europe for three weeks. Preparation is already underway. Please don't rock the boat by telling mother, because I’m sure she wouldn't agree."
  
  这个学生对妹妹说:「我们班上五个同学讨论了好久,最后终于决定去欧洲三个星期。准备工作已经开始了。我肯定妈是不会同意的,所以请你千万不要告诉妈妈,那样会破坏我们的计划的。」
  
  这种偷偷摸摸,瞒着家长出远途旅行的作法当然很不好,使得家长很担心。但是,调皮捣蛋的孩子那儿都有。不是有人说越聪敏的孩子越调皮吗?
  
  今天我们给大家讲了两个和船有关的习惯用语。第一个是: To shape up or ship out. To shape up or ship out 翻到中文就是:要就改进,否则就离开这里。我们今天讲的第二个和船有关的习惯用语是: To rock the boat. To rock the boat 是找麻烦,或是破坏某个计划。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#638
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry已经开始在一家公司做暑期工作。他正在向李华抱怨工作上的问题。今天李华会学到两个常用语:swamped和to get axed。
  
  LL: I've only been working there two days and I'm already totally swamped with work! It's unbelievable!
  
  LH: Larry,你说 swamped with work,是不是说你不知道怎么做这份工作?
  
  LL: No, I know how to do the work. It's just that there is too much of it. To be swamped means to have too much work to do.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,swamp一般是沼泽地的意思,你说swamped with work就是工作太多,好象陷进了沼泽地一样,让你觉得喘不过气。那他们到底给你什么样的工作?
  
  LL: It's all relatively simple stuff like filing, typing, copying. It's just that there are piles of it and everyone wants it finished right now.
  
  LH: 啊!归档、打字、复印都是很简单的事,可要是办公室每个人都要你做这些事,每个人都要你马上给他做,这确实难以对付。Larry,也许你该建议他们再多雇个人来帮你啊!
  
  LL: I doubt that. Besides, I don't want them to think I'm lazy. I guess I just have to accept the fact that I'll be swamped with work for the rest of the summer.
  
  LH: 真是的。一个暑假就陷在这些繁琐的工作里,太没劲了。我只想在暑假里轻松轻松。
  
  LL: I was hoping to relax a little, too, but it doesn't look as though that's going to happen.
  
  LH: 不过Larry,虽然你白天在公司里工作很忙,可是你晚上回到家可以轻松一下啦,因为你不必像学期当中忙于写作业或交报告!
  
  LL: That's true, but I'm so tired by the time I get home from being swamped all day that I don't have the energy to do anything fun.
  
  LH: 这你就跟我不一样了。我呀,再累也没有关系,只要一听到玩,我就精神百倍了。不过,Larry,我真希望能帮你一点忙。
  
  LL: Oh, it's not your fault, Li Hua. I'm sorry for complaining like this.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#639
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 嗨!Larry!你的暑期工作现在怎么样了!还是很忙吗?
  
  LL: It's even worse than ever! The management just axed one of the other employees and now they're giving me all of his work!
  
  LH: Ax不是斧头吗?你说你公司把那个雇员怎么啦?Axed?不是把他砍了吧?听起来好吓人的!
  
  LL: To ax someone is to fire them. The other guy was really unreliable so management decided to ax him.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,to ax someone就是把某人开除的意思。你真倒霉。公司把那个不可靠的人开除了,他的工作也就落在你头上。你们公司有没有考虑雇用新人来接替他的工作?
  
  LL: I have no idea. In the mean time, I have so much work that I'm running around all day long.
  
  LH: 你真可伶,每天忙得晕头转向的。也许你可以问问他们什么时候会雇用一个新人啊?
  
  LL: I want to ask, but I'm afraid of getting axed, too.
  
  LH: 你不过问问而已嘛!他们为什么要开除你呢?
  
  LL: Well, I guess they wouldn't fire me, because I've been doing a good job although I'm swamped with work. I just don't want them to think that I'm lazy or that I'm complaining.
  
  LH: 我肯定他们不会开除你。他们也不傻,知道你做很多工作,而且还做得很好。你要不说,他们绝对不会再顾一个人。这样不是省钱嘛!
  
  LL: I guess you are right. I'm more likely to get axed for messing up rather than telling them I'm overworked.
  
  LH: 没错。老老实实地告诉他们你太忙,总比你忙不过来,把事情搞砸了要好。
  
  LL:Li Hua, you're so smart!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是swamped,是指陷入大量工作,或其他什么事。另一个常用语是to get axed,就是被开除的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#640
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Up to one's neck
  
  To break one's neck
  
  你们可知道人身体上的「脖子」在英文里叫什么? 是Neck. 在美国人的日常生活中也有一些和「脖子」或者是「颈部」相关的习惯用语。今天我们来给大家介绍其中的两个,第一个是: Up to one's neck. Up to one's neck就是某人手头要做的事实在太多,多得没法应付。下面是一个电视机修理部的一个人在对一个顾客说话。
  
  例句-1: "I'm sorry but I won't be able to fix your TV for two weeks. I’m up to my neck in work right now. But I’ll try to have it ready for you in time for the start of the football season."
  
  这个人对顾客说:「对不起,我在这两个星期内修不了你的电视机。我现在忙得简直无法应付。不过,我一定设法在足球比赛季节开始前给你修好。」
  
  美国一般所说的足球实际上是指橄榄球,这是最具有美国特色,也最受美国人重视的一项运动。每年从九月开始,许多球队为争取冠军而比赛。决赛在一月底进行。在这几个月里有许多精彩的比赛都通过电视直播,因此要是一个爱看足球的人没有电视机,那简直是不可想象的。所以,那位修电视机的人一定要在足球季节开始前给那个顾客修好。
  
  我们经常说,美国人的生活节奏很快,有许多人感到压力很大。下面这个例子就能给我们一个具体的概念,到底美国人忙到什么程度。这是一个人在说他这个星期里要做的事。
  
  例句-2: "Apart from my regular work this week, I have to give a speech on Wednesday and teach a course on Thursday. And my aunt is coming from New York for a visit on Friday. With so much to do, I’m really up to my neck."
  
  这个人说:「这个星期除了每天八小时正常工作外,我星期三要去讲演,星期四要去教课。星期五,我纽约的阿姨要来玩。那末多的事,真要把我给忙死了。」
  
  在美国,有不少人有第二职业,甚至有第三职业。当然,这样做的主要原因是增加收入。也有的人除了正常的工作外为了兴趣或者是为社会做点贡献而不要报酬的到一些机构去工作。义务劳动的机会在美国是很多的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#641
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上面讲了一个和 neck 这个字有关的习惯用语。现在我们再给大家介绍一个。To break one's neck. To break one's neck 从字面上来翻译,就是弄断一个人的脖子。可是, to break one's neck 实际上并不是谋害或伤害某一个人,作为俗语,它的意思是:尽最大努力来完成一项工作,或者是用最快的速度赶到一个地方去。现在,我们把今天讲的第一个俗语 up to one's neck 和现在正在讲的 to break one's neck 合在一起给大家举个例子。这是一个人在说他当天如何的紧张。
  
  例句-3: "I was really up to my neck in work today, I couldn't get away from the office till six-thirty. So I had to break my neck to get to my sister's engagement party at seven o'clock."
  
  这个人说:「今天我工作忙的不得了,直到六点半我才能离开办公室。可是,我妹妹今天订婚,七点举行订婚仪式,还请了一些客人。所以我不得不拼了命用最快的速度赶去。」
  
  在美国大学里,每个教授不仅安排学生阅读大量书籍和文章,而且还经常要学生写学术报告。但是,要是一个学生在学期结束前不能完成某一课程的报告,他可以要求教授延长到下学期再交这分报告。下面这个例子是一个学生在说他为了暑期能去旅行而努力完成作业。
  
  例句-4: "My parents agreed to pay my trip to Europe this summer only if I complete all my course work before the end of the semester. So now I’m breaking my neck to finish all the papers I have to write."
  
  这个学生说:「我爸爸妈妈答应我,要是我在这学期结束前完成所有的作业,那末他们就给我钱让我今年暑假到欧洲去旅行。所以,我现在正在拼命地把我要写的学术报告写完。」
  
  我们今天给大家介绍了两个和 neck 这个字有关的习惯用语,第一个是: Up to one's neck. 这是指某个人要做的工作实在太多,简直无法应付了。今天我们还给大家讲解了: To break one's neck. To break one's neck 就是一个人拼命地去完成一项工作,或者是尽快地赶到某一个地方去。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#642
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

To get it in the neck
  
  To stick out one's neck
  
  我们给大家介绍过两个和脖子,也就是人身体上的颈部有关的常用语。脖子在英文里就是: Neck. 今天我们再来给大家讲解两个和 neck 有关的习惯用语。第一个是:
  
  To get it in the neck. To get it in the neck 就是一个人受到惩罚,或者受到损失。大家肯定都记得,古时候,处死犯人往往是用杀头的方法。To get it in the neck 这个俗语可能是和杀头有关系。我们来举个例子。这是一个人下了班到酒吧去喝酒,聊天。但是,他突然看了看表,然后说:
  
  例句-1: "Oh, oh! I was supposed to be at home for dinner at six and it's already seven-thirty. I've got to go right now or I'll get it in the neck from my wife -- and she's cooking my favorite dish, a nice, big pot roast."
  
  这人说:「哟,不得了。我应该六点到家吃晚饭的,可现在已经是七点半了。我得马上就回家,否则我太太要把我杀了。她今天还煮了一大锅我喜欢吃的焖肉。」
  
  在西方,不少人,尤其是男人,下了班先要到酒吧去喝几杯酒。有些人老去一个酒吧,因此他们和酒吧里的服务员和顾客都很熟悉。下了班,上那儿去坐一会儿,和那些熟人聊会儿天,轻松一下,然后再回家吃晚饭。上面例句里说话的人就是在酒吧里聊天,聊得把时间都忘了。
  
  美国人很喜欢外国的工艺品,古董,或者一些好玩的小玩意儿。他们把这些东西作为家里的摆设,供自己和客人欣赏。下面这个例子是一个孩子请了几个同学回家来玩,不小心把他妈妈心爱的花瓶打破了。他心里很害怕。他对几个同学说:
  
  例句-2: "That vase is my mother's favorite. She liked it so much that she brought it back all the way back from China last year. I'll get it in the neck, I'm sure, when my mom finds out that I broke it."
  
  这孩子说:「那个花瓶是我妈最喜欢的。正因为她非常喜欢,所以她去年老远从中国带回来的。我妈知道我打破这只花瓶后,她肯定会惩罚我的。」

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#643
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家讲解一个和 neck 有关的习惯用语: To stick one's neck out. 中文里有一个说法,枪打出头鸟。To stick one's neck out 的意思和枪打出头鸟的意思一样,也就是说,要是你把脖子伸出去,那你就会有危险受到伤害。有的时候,有的人很有勇气出头露面为别人打抱不平,但是这样作可能并不明智。下面这个例子是一个政界人士的朋友在给他提供劝告。
  
  例句-3: "You know I admire you for not being afraid to stick your neck out for your old friend who's running for mayor. But it would be a mistake to stick it out too far -- your friend has no chance at all to win and helping him won' make you popular with the new mayor."
  
  这位朋友说:「你不怕出面帮你朋友竞选市长,我很钦佩,这你也知道。但是,你要是过份地帮他忙,那就是错了。因为你的朋友根本就不可能当选,而帮他的忙会使新的市长对你不高兴。」
  
  竞选的时候,一个政界人士站在哪一位候选人一边就好像是下赌注一样。上面这个例句就说明了这一点。
  
  路见不平,拔刀相助,或者为了某种权益而出头为大家争取,这是值得令人钦佩的精神。但是,有的时候愿意出头的人也容易被人利用,下面这个例子就是一个人在说他的同事如何想利用他。
  
  例句-4: "Nobody in our project likes Jack because he's too selfish. Most of us would like to kick him out of the project, but nobody wants to offend him. They urged me to take the action. Well, I'm not about to stick out my neck."
  
  这个人说:「我们这个项目里没有人喜欢杰克,因为他太自私。大多数人都想把他赶出这个项目,但是没有人愿意得罪他。他们都怂恿我来采取行动。得了,我才不会出头干这种事,我没那末傻。」
  
  今天我们讲了两个和 neck 有关的习惯用语,第一个是:
  
  To get it in the neck. To get it in the neck 是受到惩罚,或受到损失。我们今天还讲了: To stick out one's neck. To stick out one's neck 就是枪打出头鸟的意思

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#644
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在房门上发现一张纸条,可是字体写的很潦草,看不清写的是什么,也不知道是谁写的。今天李华会学到两个常用语:gibberish和google。
  
  LH: Larry,你能不能帮我看看这张字条上到底写些什么?
  
  LL: I can't read it, either. It looks like gibberish to me. Are you sure someone didn't leave it as a joke?
  
  LH: 为什么有人要跟我开玩笑留这张字条?你说这看来像gibberish。那是什么语言?
  
  LL: Gibberish means language that doesn't make any sense.
  
  LH: Gibberish就是写得乱七八糟,没有人看得懂的意思。那不就是胡言乱语吗?为什么有人要写这张奇怪的字条,还放在我门上呢?
  
  LL: I don't know. That doesn't make any sense to me.
  
  LH: 我想这字条应该很重要,不然这个人不会千里迢迢到我的楼里,在我门上留下这张字条。
  
  LL: Well, it wasn't important enough for them to write in plain English. I wouldn't worry about it if I were you.
  
  LH: 那倒也是,要是很重要,这个人应该写清楚一点嘛!我只希望这个留字条的人不要认为我没礼貌,不给他回复。
  
  LL: Hey, it's not your fault that the note was all gibberish. Besides, if it's really important, whoever it is will try to contact you again.
  
  LH: 没错,如果真有什么重要的事,这个人会再和我联系的。对了,Larry,你知道我还在哪里见过这种写得乱七八糟的东西吗?
  
  LL: No, but I'm sure you're going to tell me.
  
  LH: 一些美国人喜欢在身上刺中文刺青或穿带有中文字的衣服。可是有时候这些中文根本就不对,看不清是什么字。所以也算是gibberish。
  
  LL: Yeah, I've seen people do that, too. But the truth is, I saw the same thing in China: People would wear clothes with English writing on them that was pure gibberish.
  
  LH: 嘿嘿,这真有意思。我想都是因为大家对外国语言似懂非懂吧?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#645
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,又有人在我门上留条了,不过这一次,还有个公司商标在上面。你听说过一个叫West的公司吗?
  
  LL: No, I've never heard of it, but you can find out what sort of company it is by googling it.
  
  LH: 你要我做什么?Google?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: You know that there is an internet search engine called Google, right?
  
  LH: 我当然知道因特网的搜索引擎Google。中文叫古狗网站,我经常用。
  
  LL: Well, people use it so often, that now it has become a verb meaning to do an internet search using Google.
  
  LH: 噢,因为大家经常用古狗网来查询,所以现在google已经成了一个动词,意思是上网用古狗网查资料或信息!你是要我上网去google一下,查查这家公司?
  
  LL: That's my advice. It will only take a minute. Googling stuff is so convenient. I can't imagine what life was like before Google.
  
  LH: 就是啊,要是从前找一家公司,不知道要花多少时间翻电话本,现在只要上网,一下子就找到了。
  
  LL: Sometimes when you google something, you get a lot of unnecessary information, but you can look through it relatively quickly.
  
  LH: 没错,我刚开始google的时候,我总觉得不到点上。现在我看谁都得google,因为它实在是很方便。好,我现在就上网来看看这家West公司到底是做什么的。
  
  LL: Good luck. I hope you get an answer to the question of who has been leaving mysterious notes full of gibberish on your door.
  
  LH:嗨,Larry,要是我google碰到问题,我还得请你帮忙呐!
  
  LL:Oh, google is so easy, you won't have any problems.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语,第一个是gibberish,就是写的乱七八糟,看不清的字,或者是胡言乱语,让人听不懂得话。另一个常用语是google,是指上网查某个信息或资料

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#646
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华打电话问Larry,想不想到动物园参观新的熊猫展览。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to putz around和worrywart。
  
  LH: 嘿,Larry,你在做什么?忙不忙?
  
  LL: Not really. I was just putzing around the apartment, cleaning up a little and putting some things away. Why? What do you have in mind?
  
  LH: 噢,你在家打扫,整理东西。你还在家干什么啦?什么是putzing around?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To putz around is to behave idly, without anything very urgent or important to do. I don't have anything special to do, so I'm just putzing around doing minor things.
  
  LH: To putz around就是没有什么迫切或重要的事做,只是在家东晃晃,西摸摸。嗨,既然你没什么重要事做,要不要一块儿去动物园。我想去看新来的熊猫。
  
  LL: Sure. We can putz around the zoo and look at the animals. The weather is beautiful today, so it will be nice to go outside.
  
  LH: 就是啊,今天天气这么好,待在家里太可惜了,还不如到动物园去逛逛,看看动物。
  
  LL: Yeah, it's much better to putz around outside in the sunshine. It's so great to have time to relax.
  
  LH: 没错。前一阵子我忙得连睡觉的时间都没有,更别说四处闲晃了。说实话,我还真喜欢闲逛,I like to putz around。
  
  LL: When do you want to leave?
  
  LH: 嗯,你半小时内能出门吗?我听说熊猫在下午的时候比较活跃,这时候去最有意思!
  
  LL: Sure. I'll meet you at the university gate in half an hour.
  
  LH: 没问题!一会儿见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#647
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,快点!我怕我们会错过这班公共汽车,太晚了我们就看不到熊猫了!
  
  LL: Calm down, Li Hua. Don't be such a worrywart. We have plenty of time to catch the bus and the pandas aren't going anywhere.
  
  LH: 嘿!你又说我什么了?什么是worrywart?
  
  LL: A worrywart, very simply, is a person who worries too much.
  
  LH: A Worrywart,就是指一个人不是担心这事,就是担心那事,而这些都是一些微不足道的事情。那不就是我们中文里说的“杞人忧天”吗?Larry,我真的是这样的人吗?
  
  LL: Sometimes, you can be a worrywart. For instance, you worry a lot about your grades.
  
  LH: 可是,担心成绩不好。这很正常啊!很多人都会担心他们的成绩,学习成绩可不是什么微不足道的事呢!
  
  LL: Most people worry about their grades, but you worry more than most people.
  
  LH: 我比别人担心更多!我才不信呢。你自己也不是老担心工作,老担心你老板和同事对你印象不好。
  
  LL: I don't worry too much about work! I have a healthy concern for what my boss and my co-workers think, but I don't think I'm a worrywart.
  
  LH: 噢,我担心就是过份。你担心就是正常的!你自己想想,你应该8点上班,可上星期你每天早上5点就起床,就怕迟到。这不是过份么?
  
  LL: Yeah, I guess that is a little extreme. I think I'll get more relaxed at work once I've gotten more settled in. I'm still new.
  
  LH: 我知道。你是刚到那家公司去工作,所以特别紧张。等到你习惯以后就会放松一些的。得了,我们还是好好享受今天这么棒的天气,去看熊猫喽!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是to putz around,就是四处闲晃,无所事事的意思。另外一个常用语是worrywart,是指一个人担心个没完,就像中文里所说的“杞人忧天”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#648
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Cold shoulder
  
  Hot air
  
  今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语是以两个对立的字组成的,第一个是冷,也就是英文里的cold,第二个是热,也就是英文里的 hot。让我们首先来讲以cold这个字组成的俗语。Cold shoulder. 大家都知道,cold 就是冷。Shoulder 就是肩膀。那末,cold shoulder从字面上来解释就是:冷的肩膀。但是,Cold shoulder 作为俗语的意思就是:故意对某人很不友好,显示出讨厌或轻视某人的态度。现在,我们先来举个例子。
  
  例句-1:I always thought Mary and I were friends. But when I saw her at the supermarket today and said ’hello,’ she gave me the cold shoulder -- she looked right past me like I wasn’t even there.
  
  这个人说:我老是把玛丽看作是我的朋友。但是,今天我在超级市场看到她,还跟她打招呼了。可是,她看都没看我一眼,就好像我没在那儿一样,对我可冷淡咯。
  
  请大家注意这个例句的最后一句话:she looked right past me like I wasn’t even there. Like I wasn’t even there 这样说,严格来讲,并不符合语法的要求,但是美国人却都那末说。这证明口语里习惯的说法并不一定符合语法的规定,这是经常出现的现象,希望大家在学习的过程中注意这一点。
  
  美国许多有钱和有地位的人都参加各种很高雅的俱乐部,这些俱乐部每年收很高的会员费,但是会员也可以享受很多俱乐部的设备和服务,例如网球场和游泳池等。一般,这类俱乐部都有他们自己的餐厅,会员可以带朋友一起去吃饭,可以享受特殊的优待。下面这个例句是一个人被邀请参加某一俱乐部的聚会,由于他不属于那一阶层的人,所以受到了冷遇。他说:
  
  例句二:It was the first time I got invited to that fancy club. People at the party were polite to me, but one of the waiters gave me the cold shoulder when I asked for a drink. Let me tell you, I’ll never go to a place like that again.
  
  女:这个人说:我被邀请去那种高级俱乐部还是第一次。每个参加聚会的人倒是对我很客气。可是当我问一个服务员要一杯饮料的时候,他对我特别冷淡。我告诉你,我这辈子再也不去那种地方了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#649
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才我们给大家介绍了和冷,也就是 cold 这个字有关的俗语,下面我们给大家讲一个由热,也就是 hot 这个字组成的俗语。Hot air. Hot 就是热,air就是空气。Hot air合在一起就成了热空气。按字面上这么解释是完全对的,但是,我们现在在讲俗语,所以hot air就不是热空气了。那末,hot air作为俗语做什么解释呢? Hot air 作为俗语就是夸夸其谈,吹牛。我们来举个例子吧。这是一个人在评论那些竞选当官的候选人。
  
  例句三:Most candidates make promises during a campaign to win voters’ support. But many promises are nothing but hot air. After the candidates get elected, they tend to forget most of the things they promised to achieve.
  
  女:这人听起来对政界人士缺乏信任,他说:大多数候选人在竞选过程中都做出各种保证,以赢得选民的支持。但是,他们说的好多都是夸夸其谈,等到当选后,他们往往把自己的保证忘了。
  
  在美国,无论是竞选总统,还是竞选地方官员,候选人都得表明自己对某些问题的观点。为了获得选民的拥护,他们往往在一些群众关心的问题上迎合群众的需要,以这种方式来争取更多的选票。但是,等到当选以后,不管是由于客观条件,或是来自政治圈子里的压力,他们在竞选过程中所做的保证不能得以实现。这种改变有的完全是合理的,是出于大众利益的,是应该的。但是也有些是在于达到某些政治目的。这样当然会引起一些选民的不满。
  
  爱吹牛的人并不少见。下面这个例子就是两个朋友在说他们在一次聚会上遇见的一个人。
  
  例句四:That man at the party yesterday didn’t have any idea what he was talking about. He blew a lot of hot air about health and nutrition. He didn’t know that both of us have been practicing medicine for more than thirty years.
  
  这个人说:昨天聚会上那个人真不知道他在说什么。他夸夸其谈地说了好多关于健康和营养的事。他可不知道我们两行医已经三十多年了。
  
  各位听众,今天我们讲了两个习惯用语,第一个是和冷,也就是cold这个字有关的习惯用语:Cold shoulder. Cold shoulder是故意对人冷淡,表现出轻视和讨厌的态度。我们今天讲的第二个习惯用语是和热,也就是和hot这个字有关的。Hot air.Hot air是指夸夸其谈,吹牛。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#650
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在纽约苏活区吃午饭。两人聊起了自己的暑期工作。今天李华会学到两个常用语:bang for the buck和number crunchers。
  
  LL: Did I tell you that my boss has decided to advertise his business online? He says newspaper advertisements are too expensive and believes the Internet will reach more people.
  
  LH: 你老板的主意很好啊。在因特网上登广告当然比在报纸上登广告要便宜,而且看到的人还会多很多呢。
  
  LL: Yes it does. He figures that for a fraction of the cost, he will get more bang for his buck!
  
  LH: 花一点点钱就能怎么啦?More bang for his buck?那是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: More bang for your buck... Bang for the buck is when someone gets more value for the money they put into something. "Buck" is another way of saying dollars or money.
  
  LH: 我懂了!Bang for the buck就是※花最少钱取得最大效果§。也就是成本低,收效高,很合算的意思啦。就像我们现在吃的自助餐,每人只要4美元,就可以吃到各式各样的菜色,还有可口的点心,像冰淇淋、蛋糕等等。
  
  LL: That's right Li Hua, by paying less and eating more you are getting more bang for your buck.
  
  LH: 这么说来,昨天我到艾尔加油站去加油,也是很合算的。I got more bang for my buck!
  
  LL: How's that?
  
  LH: 那个加油站昨天在大促销啊!一加仑汽油只要1块5美元呢!
  
  LL: US$1.50 a gallon! That's incredible! Prices at most stations now are as high as US$2.70 a gallon. You definitely got more bang for your buck!
  
  LH:没错,有的加油站都快要三美元一加仑了。你好象没有听说过艾尔加油站。我明天带你去,so that you can get more bang for you buck too!
  
  LL:That sounds good!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#651
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 对了,Larry,你还没说你老板决定在那个网站上登广告?
  
  LL: He says he would like to put his advertisement on the Website for the New York Times. Of course, that really depends on what his number cruncher says about the idea.
  
  LH: 你老板想把广告登在纽约时报的网站上。不过,什么是number cruncher?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: A number cruncher is someone who is good with numbers, like an accountant.
  
  LH: 等,等。Number就是数字;cruncher这个词来自crunch,就是在嘴巴里咀嚼,crunch后面加上e, r, 就成了咀嚼的人。咀嚼数字...?噢,我知道了,a number cruncher就是会摆弄数字的人,也就是象会计那样会算帐的人。你的老板一定很信任公司的会计。
  
  LL: Who happens to be his wife.
  
  LH:原来你们公司的会计就是你老板的太太呀?
  
  LL:When he and his wife first started their business he was in charge of the finances. That didn't last long. When they found themselves $10,000 in debt they knew something had to change.
  
  LH: 公司开办时,你的老板管帐,结果一下就亏了一万美元呀!所以后来才让他太太来管帐的。
  
  LL: Yes. In six months, she helped turn the business around and now they are making as much as $10,000 a month in profit.
  
  LH: 哟, 你老板的太太真厉害。她不但扭转了亏损,现在一个月就能赢利一万美元哪!我可最怕数字的。
  
  LL:I am not a number cruncher either. She's a real number cruncher。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是bang for the buck,意思是花最少钱得到最大的效果,也就是合算,划算的意思。另一个常用语是number cruncher,这是指对数字很在行,很能算计的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#652
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Over one's head
  
  Over the hump
  
  
  大家肯定都很熟悉英文里的over这个字。Over is spelt: 0-V-E-R. Over的意思是:在上面,但是这个字在不同场合有不同的意思。今天我们要给大家介绍两个由over这个字组成的习惯用语。第一个是: Over one's head. Head is spelt: H-E-A-D.
  
  Over one's head的意思是一个问题对某人来说太困难。要是你在学校里学的一门课太复杂,很难懂,你就可以用这个习惯用语来表示。比如说,很多人都感到高深的数学太难懂。所以,我们大概会对下面例子里说话的学生很同情的。这个学生说:
  
  例句-1:Last semester I signed up to take calculus, but I dropped out of class after two weeks -- that kind of math is just too far over my head.
  
  这个学生说:“上学期我报名参加微积分那个班。但是,上了两个礼拜课以后我就退出了。那种数学对我来说实在是太难懂了。”
  
  在美国的中学和大学里,除了少数几门必修科以外,学生可以自由选课。在每学期初的几个礼拜里,要是一个学生对他选的某一门课感到不合适,他可以要求退出这门课,再另外选一门课。这也正是上面例句里那个学生所说的。
  
  美国的电脑非常发达,现在已经广为使用。机关、公司和商店几乎都用电脑。很多人家里也有电脑,孩子可以用电脑玩游戏;大人可以用电脑写文章、写信、算帐等。有的人还用电脑做生日卡和贺年片。但是,只有在你懂得怎么用的情况下,电脑才会提供你这些服务。下面就是一个人因为不懂使用电脑而感到苦恼。
  
  例句-2:I bought a personal computer a month ago and spent a lot time reading the manual. But operating this machine is over my head. I may have to sell it if I can't find anyone to help me.
  
  这个人说:“一个月前我买了一台电脑,化了好多时间来研究说明书。但是,看来要弄明白怎么用电脑对我来说实在是太难了。要是我找不到任何人可以帮我忙的话,我可能只好把它给卖了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#653
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

说实话,每个电脑都有不少功能。除了那些对电脑特别感兴趣,对电脑很精通的人以外,有许多人只知道使用电脑最基本的功能。不少人把电脑作为一个有记忆的打字机;也就是能把你打的东西储藏起来,以后有需要的时候马上可以看到。
  
  上面我们讲的是某些事太困难,难以理解。下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是克服困难的意思。这个习惯用语就是: over the hump. Hump is spelt H-U-M-P. Hump就是一个小丘。Over the hump 是指某个人已经完成了一项任务当中最困难的部份。要是一个人生了重病,但是他渡过了最危险的阶段,在这种情况下也可以用over the hump来表示。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-3:My friend was so sick that we were afraid he'd never leave the hospital alive. But the doctors say he's over the hump now, getting stronger every day, and he can go home next week.
  
  这是一个人在说他的朋友,他说:“我的朋友前一阵病得很重,我们担心他会死在医院里。但是,医生说,他现在已经渡过了难关,目前他的体力正在一天天地恢复,越来越强壮,下星期就可以回家了。”
  
  一个作家要完成一本书需要花很多时间和精力。从搜集素材到出版往往要用几年的时间才能完成一本书。下面这个例子就是一个人在说他的一位当作家的朋友。
  
  例句-4:Arthur practically disappeared from the scene for a couple of years as he was concentrating on his second novel. Yesterday he finally agreed to attend a party next week as he has completed the draft and is now over the hump.
  
  这个人说:“阿瑟过去两年一直集中力量在写他的第二本小说,所以你根本见不到他的人。昨天,他终于答应参加下星期举行的一个聚会,因为他已经完成了这部小说的初稿,最忙、最艰苦的时期已经过去了。”
  
  今天我们给大家介绍的两习惯用语都和over这个字有关。第一个是: Over my head. Over my head是指一门学科、一个问题太复杂,太难懂。我们今天讲的第二个习惯用语是: Over the hump. Over the hump是渡过了一项工程、一个计划最困难的阶段。也可以说渡过了一个不幸处境的最紧要的关头。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#654
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在中央公园等着听音乐。那里举行的户外摇滚乐演唱会马上就要开始。今天李华会学到两个常用语:Boss和Mob scene。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, I can't wait for the band to start playing. The last concert I went to by this band was totally boss.
  
  LH: 你说上回去听这个乐队演出怎么啦?Boss?那不是指监督工作的老板吗?
  
  LL: Right, but when I said the concert was boss, I meant it was really great.
  
  LH: 啊?Boss在这里是形容演唱会很棒的意思,可是Boss跟很棒有什么关系呀?
  
  LH: You know how a boss is above his employees and tells them what to do? Something that is boss is above the others. And better than the rest.
  
  LH: 噢,因为老板,也就是boss比其他人更能干,指挥手下人干活,所以就是棒!那我很喜欢星际大战电影里的特效,我能不能说they were boss?
  
  LL: The special effects in the new Star Wars movie were boss. They were much better than in the older Star Wars movies.
  
  LH: 对,我同意。新的星际大战里面的特效比以前的星际大战更棒。Larry,你看到Rick 买的新车吗?
  
  LL: Yeah, it is nice, isn't it? Fire engine red with leather seats and a sunroof. That is definitely one boss car.
  
  LH: 我可不喜欢那大红颜色,象救火车。可是皮座垫和天窗我倒很喜欢。Larry,要是我认为一样东西不太棒,那该怎么说呀?
  
  LL: If you don't think something is that great, you can say something is not so boss.
  
  LH: 要是今天的演出很棒,我就可以说:They are boss! 但是上星期的表演不怎么样,那就是:They weren't so boss.
  
  LL: You are right, in fact. Last week's act wasn't so boss. I was there.
  
  LH: 嘿!你看!乐团出来了。哇!他们的服装好棒噢!So boss!
  
  LL: And wait until you hear the lead guitarist start playing. I think you'll find he is pretty boss, too.
  
  LH: 你说那吉他手很棒呀?那他肯定很有名,是吗?嘘!要开场了。别说话了!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#655
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: What a mob scene! The concert is over and now there are people everywhere.
  
  LH: 就是,演唱会一结束,大家都抢着要回家,你瞧这人群哪!哎,Larry, 什么是mob scene?
  
  LL: Well, a mob scene, is a big group of people, who are acting in a random and disorderly way.
  
  LH: 噢,mob scene就是指乱糟糟的一大群人。上星期我去看星际大战电影的首映,买票的人排着队打闹说笑,有票的人在门口等着开场。That was a real mob scene.
  
  LL: Yes, the theaters were mobbed for the opening of Star Wars. I am going to wait a few weeks to see it when the lines will be shorter.
  
  LH: 早知道首映的时候会那么多人,我也该象你这样等几个星期再去看,就不必排那么长的队了。Larry, 我们该往哪儿走呀?我们得脱离这个mob scene才行,不然我们什么时候才能到家呀!
  
  LL: Well, the subway will probably also be mobbed. It will be just as much of a mob scene on the train as it is here.
  
  LH: 啊?连地铁也会象这里一样挤满人啊?那我们别去和人挤了。我们先走一段路吧!
  
  LL: Okay, Li Hua, I've got an idea about how to get away from this mob. Follow me. I know a shortcut!
  
  LH:哟,你还知道小路呐。你早说呀!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是boss,这是很棒,很好的意思。另一个常用语是mob scene,这是指人很多的场面。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#656
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Over a barrel
  Over one's dead body
  
  我们今天再来讲两个和over有关的习惯用语。第一个是: over a barrel. Barrel就是一只装东西的桶。那么,什么是over a barrel 呢? Over a barrel是一个人出于某种原因受人牵制,一切都得听从那个人的意志行事,别无选择。我们举个例子来看看在实际生活中over a barrel 是怎么用的。下面是一个饭馆的老板告诉我们他和他的合夥人之间存在的问题。他说:
  例句-1:My partner wants to buy out my share but he's only offering half what it's worth. Of course, he has me over a barrel because I'm anxious to retire and go to Florida and I can't find anybody else who wants to buy.
  
  这个人说:“我的合夥人要把我的股份买下来,但是,他只愿意付实在价值的一半。我呢,急着要到佛罗里达州去退休,又找不到别的买主,所以我就给我那合伙人捏在手里,任意摆布了。”
  
  美国有不少人退休后就到佛罗里达州去生活,最主要的是那里天气好,冬天不冷,又是沿海,风景很好。有的人甚至在退休前就在佛罗里达州买好了房子,准备在那里渡过有生之年。当然,美国还有其它天气很好的地方,例如像夏威夷州,但是,夏威夷岛在太平洋当中,离开美国大陆很远,不如佛罗里达州那么方便。
  
  下面这个例子是一个人在说他的邻居老太太,由于生活全靠侄女料理,因此她不得不受她侄女的牵制。
  
  例句-2:That old lady has no children of her own, and she's too sick now to take care of herself. She has to depend on her niece for help. Of course her niece has her over a barrel -- she made the old lady transfer most of her savings to her own account.
  
  这个邻居说:“这位老太太自己没有孩子,身体还有病,没有办法自己料理生活,全要依靠她侄女的帮助。她侄女于是就任意摆布她,让她把她大部份存款转到她的户头中去。”
  
  美国的老年人很少和子女住在一起。有的和孩子住的比较近。这样,儿子女儿还可以经常去看望他们,帮他们买买东西,做一些他们能力不及的事。但是,也有一些孩子对父母很不关心,既不去看望,连电话问候也很少。这样的老人晚年是比较凄惨的,单身的老人就更是如此。美国人对中国人敬仰老人的风尚是非常欣赏的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#657
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是:over one's dead body。Dead就是死,body就是一个人的身体。Over one's dead body按字面来解释就成了在某人尸体之上。但是,实际上,over one's dead body是一个常用语,意思是:竭尽全力来阻止一个计划。我们来举一个例子。下面是一个母亲对女儿宣布结婚的消息做出的反应:
  
  例句-3:You mean you want to marry this man twice your age who's been divorced two times already? You'll only do it over my dead body!
  
  这位母亲说:“你是说你要和那个年纪比你大一倍,已经离过两次婚的男人结婚?你要想和他结婚,除非等我死了。”
  
  这位生气的母亲说的话给人一种印象,似乎美国人结婚都要父母同意。实际上,并不是如此。美国的年轻人当然一般都是自由恋爱,但是,父母喜欢不喜欢子女的选择也会产生很大的影响,而且也往往会因为父母不赞成孩子的选择而闹得家庭不和。
  
  美国的中小学也是分学区的。也就是说,一个孩子上哪个学校是根据你住在哪里、在那个学区来决定的。而每个县和城市都有一个管理当地学校的委员会。这个委员会的成员是由选民推选的。下面是一个家长对学校委员会的决定表示愤怒。他说:
  
  例句-4:The school board wants to close our grade school and bus our kids to another school ten miles away. I went to the school board meeting and told them they do that over my dead body!
  
  这个人说:“学校委员会要关闭我们这一学区的小学,然后把这儿的孩子用校车送到一个十英里外的小学去上学。我在学校委员会的会议上对他们说,除非我死了,否则他们别想关闭我们的小学。”
  
  我们今天给大家讲了两个由over这个字组成的常用语。它们是:over a barrel, over one's dead body。Over a barrel是指一个人出于某种无奈,只能听凭别人摆布,别人让他怎么干他就得怎么干; over one's dead body是想方设法阻止某一计划的实现。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#658
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华请Larry到家来帮她修理堵塞的澡盆。今天李华会学到两个常用语:gross和in a pinch。
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, look at the hair clogging your drain. How gross!
  
  LH: 我知道是头发把澡盆给堵死了。不过, Gross是什么意思哪? 你是说这里有很多头发啊?
  
  LL: No, I'm not referring to the quantity. I mean it is disgusting and sickening!
  
  LH: 原来gross在这里是指让人看到难受,令人恶心,不舒服的意思。堵住下水道的东西当然都是很脏的,看见了让人恶心。不过,上回我在你家看到你的冰箱,那才叫恶心呢!
  
  LL: What do you mean?
  
  LH: 我是说,你冰箱里的食物有的已经发霉了。That was gross!
  
  LL: I've cleaned out my refrigerator since then, and I don't think it is that gross any more.
  
  LH: 你清理过你的冰箱啦?过两天我去看看。还有,你把脏衣服到处乱丢,that's gross, too!
  
  LL: All right, Li Hua, I'm the first to admit that I'm not the best housekeeper. I've been so busy lately, that my whole apartment is pretty gross right now, to tell you the truth.
  
  LH: 你能老实承认自己不会理家。那还算不错的。一般男生都不会整理家。这样吧!Larry,过两天我去你家帮你打扫干净,作为对你今天的帮忙表示感谢。请人来修要花好多钱哪!
  
  LL: Yeah, the amount the plumber will charge you will be pretty gross, I am sure. What tools do you have?
  
  LH: 让我看看,工具可能都在水槽下的柜子里。Ooh, gross! 有只大蜘蛛!
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, it is a tiny spider, and I think it is cute. I don't think it is gross at all.
  
  LH:哎哟,你还说那只大蜘蛛看起来挺好玩呐!It is gross, Larry。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#659
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 我找到那个通马桶的工具了!用这个来清除这些头发行吗?
  
  LL: It will have to do in a pinch.
  
  LH: In a pinch? 那是什么意思?
  
  LL: You know, a pinch is a tight spot in which you can't move around or a difficult situation in which you don't have many options.
  
  LH: Pinch就是很小的地方,没有什么周转余地,或者是处于困难的情况下,没什么选择余地。我的厕所是很小,可是也足够你站在里面修澡盆呀!
  
  LL: I meant that we don't really have a choice about whether or not I use the plunger. I'll either have to use your plunger, or call the plumber.
  
  LH: 噢,原来你说的in a pinch是指我们别无选择的意思,要就用这个工具,否则就得请人来修。那你就用这个工具试试看哪!
  
  LL: Well, then let me try to get us out of the pinch we're in. Let me use the plunger.
  
  LH: 对,用这个工具试试,没准你能解决这个难题!
  
  LL: Yes, it is working. The tub is draining now.
  
  LH: 水开始流啦?哇!太棒。太谢谢你了,帮我解决了这个大麻烦。You really get me out of this pinch!
  
  LL: It is my pleasure. I am always glad to help a friend in a pinch.
  
  LH: 我们都知道你是乐于帮助朋友解决困难的。好,现在要想办法解决你的问题了。
  
  LL: Yes, if I don't get that apartment cleaned before my parents come to visit, I am going to be in a real pinch.
  
  LH: 你要在你爸妈来之前打扫干净你的公寓,否则你也只好让他们看到你那肮脏恶心的家了。
  
  LL: Exactly, so now it is your turn to help me out of the pinch I am in.
  
  LH:我一定帮你打扫干净。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是gross,这是指看到的东西让人感到很恶心,很不舒服。另一个常用语是in a pinch,这是指陷入困境,没有选择余地。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#660
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和一个朋友约好碰面,但眼看自己就要迟到了。他向李华借手机打电话让他朋友等一会儿。今天李华会学到两个常用语:cell和the 411。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua can I borrow your cell?
  
  LH: 你要借我的什么来着,cell?
  
  LL: You know your cell. Your cell phone.
  
  LH: 噢,原来cell就是cell phone手机的简称。你当然可以借用我的手机。拿去!
  
  LL: Thanks. Having a cell is so convenient. I just need to give Rick a call and let him know I am going to be late to meet him.
  
  LH: 手机是很方便。你看,你现在快要迟到了,有手机就可以打个电话告诉Rick,否则他会以为你不来了呢!
  
  LL: (Larry makes phone call) Hey, Rick, it's Larry. I'm running a bit late. I'll meet you at the library in about half an hour. OK? See you then, Bye! Thanks, Li Hua, here's your cell back.
  
  LH: 你半小时就能到图书馆见Rick? 那你就快走吧!对了,Larry,你不自己也有手机吗?
  
  LL: I am embarrassed to say my apartment is such a mess that I can't find my cell. I am sure it is there somewhere under a pile of clothes.
  
  LH: 你找不到你的手机啦?没错,肯定是埋在那堆衣服里了。没问题,今晚我给你手机打个电话,你听到铃声就知道手机在哪里了。
  
  LL: Right, when my cell starts ringing, I'll be able to find it. I'll just follow the sound of the ring. Good idea!
  
  LH: 好,那你把你手机的号码给我,我输入我的手机里,今晚就可以给你打电话。
  
  LL: Okay, it is 5-5-5-2-3-4-5. I already have your cell number programmed into my phone, Li Hua.
  
  LH: Larry,我得用一下我的手机,Mary给我留了话,不知道她找我做什么?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#661
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, what was the call about? Give me the 411.
  
  LH: 你在说什么奇怪的东西啊?什么是give me the 411?
  
  LL: You know you dial 411 to reach the information operator, right? Well, when I said to "give me the 411," I meant for you to give me information just like the operator gives you the number you are looking for.
  
  LH: 对呀,要查电话号码就打411,然后他们就会把你要的号码告诉你。所以,你说“give me the 411”,意思就是要我告诉你Mary打电话给我有什么事。Mary是问我想不想参加明天晚上在她家举行的读书会。
  
  LL: Hmmm....I don't know Mary. What is the 411 on her?
  
  LH: 噢,你要知道有关Mary的情况?Mary她人很好,也很用功。你想不想跟我去参加明天的读书会。这样你就能见到Mary了!
  
  LL: I'd really like to meet Mary, but I've been invited to a party tomorrow evening.
  
  LH: 你明晚要参加一个party?什么party, give me the 411?
  
  LL: One of the guys I work with - Fred - has been given a big promotion. He has invited several of us from work to meet him at a pub to celebrate.
  
  LH: 噢,你的朋友被提升要请你们去庆祝。这个party听起来很棒耶!Larry,我能跟你一起去吗?
  
  LL: Sorry, Li Hua. According to the 411 I have, this is a co-workers only event. Fred wants to express his thanks to the people that have helped him at work.
  
  LH: 哼,只有同事才能参加啊。好吧。对了,这个Fred是个什么样的人?What is the 411 on Fred?
  
  LL: He's a great guy. Oh, Li Hua, I've got to go! I've got to meet Rick at the library. I'll give you more 411 on Fred some other time.
  
  LH:你下回可别忘了告诉我有关Fred 的情况。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是cell,也就是cell phone 手机的简称。另一个常用语是the 411,意思是有关某人或某件事的信息。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#662
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Out the window
  Out of this world
  
  
  我们已经给大家介绍过两个由out这个字组成的习惯用语。他们是:Out of the woods和out of the picture。Out of the woods 是渡过了难关;out of the picture是某人不再参与。今天我们再来给大家讲解两个和out这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是:Out the window。
  
  Window就是窗子。你一看到out the window这几个字可能马上会理解为:在窗户外面。但是,作为习惯用语,out the window的意思是突然失去了、或者是浪费了某样东西。我们可以突然失去钱财。要是一个人运气不好,他的辛勤劳动也可能白费,就像下面这个例子里说的一样:
  
  例句-1:My husband and I saved for ten years to open our own restaurant. And we worked six months to get it ready. Then the day after we opened, we had a big fire and all our money and hard work went out the window.
  
  这个人真算是倒了霉。她说:“我丈夫和我为了自己开餐馆攒钱攒了十年。我们还花了半年的时间准备开张。可是,饭馆开张的第二天,饭馆起了一场大火。我们所有的钱和辛勤的劳动全部完了。”
  
  实际上,美国一般的住家和商店都有保险,不仅房子有保险,而且里面的东西也都按它们的价值去买保险,因此,万一遇到了灾难不至于倾家荡产。要是上面讲的那家饭馆由于刚开张而没来得及保险,那可真是太不幸了。
  
  下面是一个人为了举行一个聚会做了好多准备工作,可是,客人最后没有来,因此他很生气。他说:
  
  例句-2:I've spent all weekend getting ready for my party -- shopping, cleaning and cooking. But my guests called at the last minute to say they couldn't come. Well, all my efforts went out the window. Let me tell you, I won't invite them again.
  
  这个人说:“为了这个聚会,我花了整个周末做准备 -- 买菜,打扫,做菜。可是,我请的客人到最后一分钟打电话来,说他们来不了了。我真是白费工夫。我告诉你,我下次再也不请他们了。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#663
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个和out有关的常用语是:out of this world。
  
  World这个字的意思是“世界”。Out of this world并不是在这个世界以外的意思。这是一个习惯用语,它的意思是:令人激动,精彩极了,绝妙的,特别是在形容音乐、电影的时候可以用这个常用语。你也可以用 out of this world来形容一顿非常精美的晚餐。男女之间也可以用这一习惯用语来形容对方。下面这个人是在说一个你大概也非常喜欢的电影:
  
  例句-3:Say, I see that Gone with the Wind is on TV tonight. I've seen it ten times already but I'll watch it again. I think it's out of this world -- maybe the best movie ever made!
  
  这人说:“喂,今天晚上电视上要放《飘》这部电影。我已经看过十遍了,但是我今天还要再看一遍。我认为这个电影实在是太精彩了,可能是所有电影当中最好的一部。”
  
  美国人不仅经常出去吃饭,而且还很重视饭馆的装饰和气氛。下面是一个人在描述她去过的一个非常幽雅的饭馆:
  
  例句-4:Donna took me to lunch at a restaurant in a shady woods just outside of town. We sat outdoors and the food tasted great. The place is so pretty and relaxed that it's really out of this world!
  
  这个人说:“唐纳带我到近郊一个隐蔽在树林里的饭馆去吃午饭。我们坐在户外。那里的饭菜色香味都好极了。那儿的环境非常漂亮和轻松。这实在是绝好的享受。”
  
  今天我们讲了两个和out这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是:out the window。Out the window是突然失去,或是浪费了某样东西,或者是某人的辛勤劳力。我们今天还讲了out of this world。Out of this world是指某些东西非常好,特别是音乐、电影、吃饭、有时也能指人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#664
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在海滩享受温暖的阳光。不过李华有点心事,因为她的朋友Joe向她借了钱,却一直没还。今天李华会学到两个常用语:deadbeat和cool it。
  
  (Ambience sound on the beach)
  
  LL: Li Hua, relax and enjoy the day. Joe isn't a deadbeat. He'll pay you back as soon as he can.
  
  LH: 我也希望Joe会还我钱。你说Joe不是一个deadbeat,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: A deadbeat is someone who does not pay his/her debts or fulfill his/her obligations. Joe is not a deadbeat. He always pays people back.
  
  LH: A deadbeat就是一个故意赖帐的人。你说Joe不是那样的人,可要是他一直不还我钱,那我该怎么跟他提这件事,又不伤他的自尊心呢?这事真麻烦!
  
  LL: You're right; money is an awkward subject. I usually just avoid lending people money altogether. That way I don't have to worry about deadbeats.
  
  LH: 唉,我也不喜欢借钱给别人,可我是真的想帮他忙。
  
  LL: Yeah, I know what you mean. Just be careful who you help in the future: there are a lot of deadbeats out there.
  
  LH: 我知道,下回我再要借钱给别人,一定会格外小心,因为借钱不还的人还是有的。对了,Larry,我还听过别人说deadbeat dads。那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Well, after a divorce, a man is supposed to send money to his ex-wife to help her support their children. A man who doesn't send money is a "deadbeat dad."
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,A deadbeat dad就是离婚后不肯负担孩子抚养费的父亲。
  
  LL: Exactly. I know a guy whose father was a deadbeat dad. The poor guy's mother had to work three jobs to support her children.
  
  LH: 这个妈妈要做三份工来抚养她的孩子,就是因为爸爸不肯抚养孩子。难道法律都不惩罚这些不负责任的父亲吗?
  
  LL: Well, the courts can tell a deadbeat dad that he needs to pay child support, but that doesn't mean that he actually will.
  
  LH: 什么!法庭告诉他们要付钱,他们不付也没事呀?唉,真是糟糕!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#665
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Wow! Those kids over there are really loud. I wish they'd cool it.
  
  LH: 那些孩子是挺吵的。你要他们怎么着,cool it?什么意思呀?
  
  LL: I wish they would "cool it" means calm down. It can also mean to stop what one is doing.
  
  LH: 噢,cool it就是安静下来,或者停止做某件事的意思。你的意思是要这些孩子别再吵了。
  
  LL: Exactly. I wonder where their parents are? I'm surprised that their parents haven't told them to cool it yet.
  
  LH: 就是啊,那些孩子在那里鬼吼鬼叫好一会儿了。他们的爸妈到底听见了没?怎么不好好管教自己的孩子呢?
  
  LL: It's hard to enjoy the day with such noisy kids around. I'm considering going over there myself and telling them to "cool it."
  
  LH: 啊?你想自己过去叫那些孩子安静一点?我不知道这样做好不好呢。
  
  LL: Why not? Their parents obviously aren't going to do it and those kids are ruining the day for a lot of people.
  
  LH: Larry,也许你该冷静一点,cool it,别跟那些孩子一般见识了。不然,我们可以搬到远一点的地方坐。
  
  LL: Yeah, that's probably a good idea.
  
  LH: 来吧,我们把东西收一收,搬到海滩的另一边去好了。
  
  LL: Okay, let's go.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是deadbeat,是指借钱不还,故意赖帐的人。另一个常用语是cool it,是指安静下来,或停止做某件事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#666
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家肯定看到过那种喜欢吹口哨的人。为什么他们要吹口哨呢? 这恐怕个人情况不同。有的人心里高兴的时候就会吹口哨,但是,也有的人心里害怕的时候往往会吹口哨来壮自己的胆。这就是我们今天要给大家介绍的第一个习惯用语:Whistle in the dark。
  
  Whistle就是吹口哨,dark就是黑暗。To whistle in the dark从字面上来说就是:在黑暗中吹口哨。这就好像一个男孩儿半夜在坟堆里一边走,一边吹口哨,以表示自己不怕鬼。下面我们要举的例子和鬼毫无关系,但是它显示一个人想证明自己不害怕危险的处境。这是一个人在说他的朋友所面临的危险。
  
  例句-1: Dick is dating a football player 's girl, and claims he's not afraid what the player will do when he finds out. But Dick is just whistling in the dark -- the football player is as big as a grizzly bear and twice as mean.
  
  这人说:“迪克最近开始和一个足球运动员的女朋友一起出去玩。他说即便那个足球运动员发现,他也不怕。但是,迪克只不过是给自己壮胆而已。那个足球运动员个子大得像一只大灰熊,而且比大灰熊要厉害得多。”
  
  ******
  
  开汽车实际上并不难,不过也就是掌握油门、刹车和方向盘这三样东西。但是,没有在高速公路上开过车的人一开始是很胆战心惊的,因为旁边的车好像都开得飞快。你一上高速公路就别无选择,只有硬着头皮往前开。在美国,十六岁的孩子就可以拿到正式的驾驶执照。有的孩子,天不怕地不怕,开起车来横冲直闯,但也有胆子小的。下面是一个爸爸在说他那刚拿到驾驶执照的儿子:
  
  例句-2: John says he'll drive to Baltimore by himself to be interviewed by the school he applied for. He's just whistling in the dark. As a matter of fact, he's never driven on that big 8-lane highway and he's a very nervous, inexperienced driver.
  
  这个爸爸说:“约翰说他可以自己开车到巴尔的摩去他报考的那个学校去面谈。他这是在壮自己的胆。实际上,他还从来没有在有八个车道的高速公路上开过车。他开起车来很紧张,而且也没有经验。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#667
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们一开始就讲了,吹口哨的动机是各不相同的。上面讲的是为了壮胆,下面要讲的一个常用语也是和whistle这个字有关的,但是吹口哨的目的却完全不同。这个习惯用语是:To blow the whistle。
  
  To blow the whistle作为一个俗语,它的意思是:为了阻止骗局或不正当的事情继续下去而把它揭发出来。人们经常把进行揭发的人叫做:whistle-blower。
  
  下面就是一个例子,这是一个普通老百姓在说一个政府工作人员如何揭发他的上司:
  
  例句-3:Mister Green did us taxpayers a favor. When he discovered his boss was taking bribes, he blew the whistle and wrote his congressman about it. They investigated, the boss got fired and he may end up in jail.
  
  这人说:“格林先生为我们纳税人做了一件好事。当他发现他的上司受贿以后,他就告发了。他写信把情况告诉了来自他居住地区的国会议员。他们进行了调查,然后他的上司就被解雇了,他最终还可能坐牢呢。”
  
  美国虽然有各种法律来保障人民的利益,但是贪官污吏犯罪行为还是存在的。不同的是,在美国你可以告任何人。你甚至可以告总统,而且想掩盖和包庇也要担很大风险,因为要是一旦查证,包庇的人也要被判罪。
  
  ******
  
  揭发坏事也不是每个人都敢做的,因为那是要担风险的。例如,美国妇女经常会遇到的事就是公司的老板,或者他们的顶头上司想调戏或玩弄她们。那些正派的女子只有两个选择,要就另谋他职,或者是鼓起勇气去告发。可是,告发不一定能解决问题。下面这个例子是一个女子在说她的经历:
  
  例句-4: Our company manager had tried to sexually harass several female employees, but nobody dared say a word. Last week, Mary finally blew the whistle on him and the company investigated him and decided to fire the man.
  
  她说:“我们公司的经理曾经想调戏几个女职员,但是没有人敢说一个字。上星期,玛丽终于把这事揭发出来了。公司经过调查已经决定解雇那个经理。”听起来,这事好像很简单,但是在现实生活中,问题恐怕会复杂得多。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#668
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

不管在什么语言里,要表达一个意思总是有好几种方法。有的时候,几个俗语或成语表达相同的意思。今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语是美国人用得非常普遍的,每天都能听到。它们的意思也是相同的。我们首先要讲的是:nothing special。
  
  Nothing, 大家都知道,是“没有”的意思;而special 是指“特别”。Nothing special按字面来看,它的意思就是:没有什么特别。而它的真正含义也是如此,没有什么特别好,也不是彻底的坏。实际上也就是:一般,马马虎虎。下面这个例子是一个人在对他的朋友讲他的老板:
  
  例句-1: Mister Simpson is nothing special as a boss, but I can tell you I've worked for people a lot worse. He's lazy and not too smart, but at least he's easy to get along with.
  
  这人说:“辛普森先生作为一个老板也只能说是一般,但是,我可以告诉你,我以前有的老板要比他糟得多。他很懒,脑子也不太灵,但是他至少还很容易相处。”
  
  说实话,在美国,偷懒的老板恐怕不多。在竞争那么激烈的环境中,要是自己偷懒,生意怎么能做得兴旺呢?有的老板工作起来是不计算时间的,除了白天办公室工作外,他们还有不少应酬。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在说他对他参加的一个聚会的评价:
  
  例句-2: That party I went to last night was nothing special. The food was okay, but there wasn't enough of it. I didn't know many people, but I met a former classmate whom I haven't seen for some time!
  
  这个人说:“我昨晚去参加的聚会没什么特殊,只是一般而已。吃的东西倒还可以,不过量不足,不够吃。另外,好多人我都不认识,不过我倒遇到了一个我很久没见的老同学。”
  
  美国人很喜欢举行聚会,大大小小形式不同。大型的聚会一般大概有二三十个客人。要是你想扩大你的社交圈子,那去参加比较大的聚会会给你机会认识一些人,也许会碰到几个趣味相投的人。但是,对那些想轻松轻松坐下聊聊天、谈谈心的人来说,他们就喜欢小型的聚会,三五个要好朋友就够了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#669
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语是美国人使用最普遍的,也是最容易学的。这个习惯用语就是: so-so。
  
  大家肯定知道so这个英文字,它可以解释为:“所以”。但是,在这里和“所以”这个意思毫无关系。在两个so当中加一个连接号,就使这两个字成了一个字。So-so的意思就是:“一般,马马虎虎”。比如说,真正突出的电影是少数,绝大多数的电影只不过是一般而已。请听下面这个例句:
  
  例句-3: That movie we saw last night was just so-so. It wasn't too bad -- it was pretty funny in spots. And the action was okay. But it wasn't really worth paying seven dollars for a ticket.
  
  这个人说:“昨晚我们去看的那个电影也就是一般。它不见得太坏,有的地方还挺滑稽。那些打的场面也还可以。但是,花七块美元买一张门票是不值的。”
  
  美国的电影院门票是不便宜,所以有许多人宁可等电影院放过以后去专门出租电影录像带的店里借录像带回家看。但是,要是你在晚上六点以前去看电影,那么票价就会便宜差不多一半。还有的在郊区的电影院,电影票很便宜,九毛九就可以买一张。但是,由于路比较远,只有住的比较近的人才能利用这种机会。
  
  ******
  
  美国的商店经常有减价的商品,当然,大多数的减价只是为了吸引顾客,并不见得真正的便宜。但是,在季节转变的时候,商店为了腾出地方进货新的商品往往会举行所谓的清仓削价。这种价格一般来说是真的便宜。下面是一个女孩在和妈妈说她看到的一件衣服:
  
  例句-4: Mom, in the Mall yesterday I saw a silk blouse for only 15 dollars. It's 50% off the regular price and I liked the color. But my friend Mary said it looked just so-so on me, so I didn't buy it.
  
  这个女孩对她妈说:“妈,我昨天在购物中心看见一件丝的衬衫,只要十五块美元,是原价的百分之五十。我也很喜欢那颜色。但是,我的朋友玛丽说,我穿上也不怎么太好看,只是一般而已,所以我没买。”
  
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#670
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在讨论星期六要干什么。李华要去逛街,但是Larry想去打篮球。今天李华会学到两个常用语:whatever floats your boat和up a creek。
  
  LH: Larry,我真的很想去逛街嘛!这个周末在购物中心有大特卖耶!
  
  LL: I don't understand why you like shopping so much, but hey, whatever floats your boat.
  
  LH: Boat?你在说什么啊?我是想去逛街买衣服,不是要去乘船玩啦!
  
  LL: No, "whatever floats your boat" is an expression. Whatever floats your boat means that you should do whatever you like doing. It also implies that everyone likes to do different things.
  
  LH: 噢,whatever floats your boat就是说你爱干什么就干什,而且还有每个人爱好不同的意思。好,那我星期六去逛街!
  
  LL: Fine then. You should do whatever floats your boat. However, I think I'll go play basketball instead.
  
  LH: 行,你想去打篮球,那就去吧! Whatever floats your boat!
  
  LL: I guess we won't be spending Saturday together. We could still meet for dinner, though.
  
  LH: 没问题,晚上一起吃晚饭,那你想去哪里吃饭呢?
  
  LL: I don't have any preferences. Whatever floats your boat is fine with me.
  
  LH: 真的吗?由我来决定去哪儿吃饭啊?
  
  LL: Yep, the decision is yours.
  
  LH: 嗯... 这样啊,我们能不能去学校附近那家新开的泰国餐厅?我朋友告诉我,他们的菜很好吃!
  
  LL: If that's what floats your boat, then it's fine with me.
  
  LH: 好,没问题。那我们星期六晚上6点半在餐厅见喽!
  
  LL: Okay, I'll see you then.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#671
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 怎么啦?Larry,出了什么事吗?
  
  LL: I lost my keys when I went to play basketball today. Now, I'm really up a creek.
  
  LH: 你把钥匙弄丢了?哎呀,那可真是麻烦了。不过,这跟a creek有什么关系哪? Creek那不就是小溪吗?
  
  LL: If someone is "up a creek" it means that he or she is stuck in a bad situation without an obvious solution.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,up a creek就是说一个人碰上难题,而且还没有办法来解决。也就是我们中文里说的“陷入困境”。唉,你现在真的是碰上大难题了。那你打算怎么办呢?
  
  LL: I don't know. I can't get into my apartment or my car without my keys.
  
  LH: 对,你没有钥匙就进不了家,也进不了你的车。那你能不能打电话问你房东,或许他有多一把钥匙。
  
  LL: My landlord is out of town for the weekend, so I'm up a creek until he gets back on Monday.
  
  LH: 什么?你的房东出远门,要到星期一才会回来?那可真麻烦了。也许你可以找个锁匠来开锁?
  
  LL: I think that might be my only solution, but it's going to be expensive.
  
  LH: 我知道请锁匠来开锁,可能要花一点钱,可是那总比你一个周末被关在家门外,不得其门而入要好吧?
  
  LL: Yeah, you're right. I have no idea what to do about my car keys, though. They're a little bit more difficult to replace.
  
  LH: 不好意思,我不开车,所以不知道上哪儿能找到新的车钥匙。看来你真是up a creek, 陷入困境了。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是whatever floats your boat,意思就是你爱干什么就干什。另一个常用语是up a creek。这是形容一个人陷入困境。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#672
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华的教授刚添了个女儿。李华和Larry准备去拜访这位教授,向他们表示祝贺。今天李华会学到两个常用语:wiped out和cutie-pie。
  
  LH: 嘿!Larry,我想去看琼斯教授和他太太。他们的女儿Sarah现在也应该有几个星期大了!
  
  LL: Aren't you worried they are too wiped out to have company?
  
  LH: Wiped out?你说琼斯教授他们怎么样了?
  
  LL: Too wiped out means they must be really tired. I am sure they haven't gotten much sleep with a new baby in the house.
  
  LH: 噢,Wiped-out就是很疲乏的意思。添了小宝宝他们俩可能都睡不好。不过我想,我们早一点去拜访他们,坐一会儿就走,应该没问题吧。我听说baby Sarah真的很可爱呢!
  
  LL: OK, That sounds good, but we should call before we go. You know, I am amazed Professor Jones is still teaching classes considering how wiped out he must be.
  
  LH: 就是啊,虽然很累,琼斯教授还来上课呢!真是让人佩服!我啊,只要想到去上课都会累,更何况我还没有小宝宝呢。
  
  LL: You're right! Just going to work every day wipes me out. I can't imagine what it must be like to have to get up so many times in the middle of the night to feed the baby and change diapers.
  
  LH: 没错,半夜里要起来好几次喂奶,换尿布,真是难以想象。我可受不了。
  
  LL:Wait until you have your own baby, you wouldn't mind to be wiped out.
  
  LH:我想是这样,有了自己的孩子再累也不在乎。 好吧,那我们就给琼斯教授打个电话,看他们什么时候方便让我们过去,顺便看看小宝宝。
  
  LL: And before we go we probably should stop somewhere and get a card and present for the baby. You aren't too wiped out to do a little shopping first, are you?
  
  LH: 说到逛街买礼物,我才不会觉得累呢!特别是买那些可爱的小宝宝衣服。我再累也愿意去!
  
  LL: I should have known!
  
  LH: 好,那我现在给琼斯教授打电话!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#673
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,你觉得baby Sarah是不是真的好可爱?
  
  LL: She was indeed. She was a real cutie-pie!
  
  LH: A cutie-WHAT? 你怎么说她是个派?Pie那不是一种点心吗?
  
  LL: Well, a "cutie-pie" isn't actually a pie like the desert, but means someone who is very cute.
  
  LH: 原来如此,cutie-pie不是指点心,而是指人长的很可爱。小宝宝Sarah眼睛大大的,再加上圆圆的脸蛋,真可爱!She is certainly a cutie-pie!
  
  LL: And little Sarah certainly takes after her mother. Professor Jones's wife is a cutie-pie, too!
  
  LH: 哎,Larry,琼斯教授的太太可是已婚妇女噢!就算你觉得她长的可爱,恐怕也没机会了。我劝你啊,还是多注意身边是不是还有其他可爱的女孩吧!
  
  LL: Do you have any one in mind?
  
  LH: 说起来,我还真有几个长的很可爱的女朋友,或许可以给你介绍一个,让你们出去吃个饭或看电影什么的。
  
  LL: Well, you would be a real sweetie-pie if you would give one of them a call and say nice things about me.
  
  LH: 哎。等等,我以为你刚才教我的是cutie-pie, 怎么你现在又说我是个sweetie-pie?
  
  LL: Sweetie-pie just means you are a very nice person. "Cutie-pie" and "sweetie-pie" are both often used to describe young children.
  
  LH: Sweetie-pie和cutie-pie往往是形容小孩。那我是不是可以叫你"oldy-pie"?因为你可不年轻了。
  
  LL: Sorry, Li Hua, it is just "sweetie-pie" or "cutie-pie." That's it.
  
  LH: 我知道,跟你开个玩笑而已,而且你也不老。Larry,你这么热心教我英语,真是个sweetie-pie。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是wiped out,是形容一个人很疲乏。另一个常用语是cutie-pie,是形容一个人长的很可爱。Sweetie-pie则是指一个人心地善良,热心助人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#674
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们在过去曾经讲过几个和cry这个字有关的习惯用语。cry这个字的意思就是:“哭”。我们今天首先要讲的一个习惯用语很简单,只有两个英文字组成:Far cry。
  
  Far就是很远的意,因此far cry有的时候就是指在很遥远的地方。比如说,你可以讲:Washington is a far cry from Beijing。这是说,华盛顿离北京很远。但是,人们用far cry的时候往往是指某一样东西和以往有很大的不同。你听了下面这个例子就会明白它的意思。这是一个人在说当他突然变得很有钱以后,人们对他的态度是如何的不同:
  
  例句-1: You'd be surprised how nice people treat me now when they hear my rich uncle died and left me twenty million dollars. It's a far cry from the days when I was just a clerk in a supermarket and nobody paid me any attention.
  
  这人说:“我那有钱的叔叔去世了,给我留下了两千万美元遗产。你要知道有的人在听说这个消息后对我有多么好,你会感到很惊奇的。我以前只不过是一个超级市场的雇员。那时谁也不把我放在眼里。现在和那时相比,那真是天差地别。”
  
  ******
  
  每个人都有一个成长过程。在美国许多公司里,那些高级领导人员一般都是年纪比较大的人,因为他们的经验比较丰富。但是,也有一些很年轻的人,由于他们的大胆和敢于创新的精神,在事业上飞黄腾达。下面一个例子就是一个人在说他公司里的一个年轻人:
  
  例句-2: Mike is only 24, but he's already president of our company. He looks very capable and full of confidence. It's a far cry from when he first joined the firm as a mail clerk. In those days he was very timid and shy.
  
  这个人说:“麦克只有二十四岁,但是已经是我们公司的总经理了。他看起来很有能力,也充满了信心。和他刚到公司来当一名管理信件的职员的时候相比,那简直是相差太远了。那时,他非常胆小,也很怕羞。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#675
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家讲解一个和cry这个字有关的习惯用语:Crying towel。
  
  Crying就是在cry这个字后面加上ing。 Towel是指毛巾。那么,crying towel难道是会哭的毛巾? 不是的。你们有没有碰到过那种为了一点事就抱怨没完,老是诉苦的人?美国人把这种人叫做:Crybaby。
  
  Crybaby就是指那种很软弱,碰不碰就会抱怨,哭哭啼啼的人。Crying towel就是给这种人一条擦眼泪的毛巾。这当然只是一个假设而已。有的时候也可以解释为带有讽刺性的安抚他们。下面我们来给大家举个例子。这是一个人非常厌烦坐在他旁边一张办公桌的那个同事,因为他唠唠叨叨抱怨个没完。他对那个同事说:
  
  例句-3: Pete, one of these days we'll have to get you a crying towel! You complain about everything twice as much as anybody else who works in our office. Don't be such a crybaby!
  
  这个人对他的同事说:“皮特,总有一天,我们会去给你弄一条擦眼泪的毛巾。你知道吗,你对每一件事的抱怨要比我们办公室里任何人都多上一倍。别老那么哭哭啼啼的!”
  
  在美国的文化环境当中,人们期望男子,不管在处理问题、或者在情绪方面,都应该是很独立和自力更生的。因此,要是一个男子老爱哭哭啼啼,那就显得格外突出。
  
  ******
  
  下面我们要举的一个例子是一个人正在跟他的朋友讲他的妹妹:
  
  例句-4: My sister Joan's boyfriend is a real crybaby. He whines and complains about everything -- his boss, his friends, even his cat. I told Joan to drop him unless she wants to supply him with crying towels the rest of her life. Who needs a husband like that!
  
  这人说:“我妹妹琼恩的男朋友是一个真正爱哭哭啼啼的人。他抱怨他的老板,抱怨他的朋友,甚至抱怨他家的猫。他几乎对每件事都会有怨气。我告诉琼恩,要是她不准备老是去安慰他的话,还不如和他断了关系。谁要那么样的丈夫呀!”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#676
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry在告诉李华关于他们的一个同学最近和女朋友闹别扭的事。今天李华会学到两个常用语:high maintenance和dating 101。
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, I feel bad for Tom. His girlfriend is so high maintenance.
  
  LH: 什么?High maintenance不就是指一些需要精心维护的机器吗?
  
  LL: Exactly. And in this case, Rachel is very complicated, and Tom needs to put a lot of efforts into maintaining his relationship with her.
  
  LH: 嗨,把high maintenance这个说法用在人的身上!不过也有道理,要是一个人需要high maintenance,那不就是很难伺候嘛!我和Rachel不熟,但是她看起来好象是个很好的人啊!为什么你认为她很难伺候呢?
  
  LL: Well, she gets upset if Tom doesn't call her every day. If he takes her out to eat, it has to be to a very expensive restaurant or she'll complain. It is hard for Tom to keep her happy.
  
  LH: 真没想到她那么难伺候。不每天给她打电话,不去高级餐馆就要生气。听起来倒是和我的朋友美玲很像。美玲也是个需要high maintenance的人。
  
  LL: Yeah, Meiling is a high maintenance friend. I know she doesn't like it when you spend time with me and not her.
  
  LH: 就是。她经常抱怨我花太多时间和你一起。我得经常向她解释我是在跟你学英语,还得跟她道歉。对了,Larry,你觉得我会不会像他们一样很难伺候?
  
  LL: Of course not, Li Hua, you are a very relaxed and easy-going person. In fact, as friends go, you are pretty low maintenance.
  
  LH: Low maintenance,你是说,和我交朋友,你不需要为了避免我生气而费尽心思。那就好。我可不想变成朋友心目中很难搞的人呢。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#677
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL: Well, Li Hua, I just talked to Tom. Rachel just broke up with him. It is back to Dating 101 for Tom.
  
  LH: Tom和Rachel分手啦?!你说Tom需要上约会101的课?我怎么没听说学校有开这门课呢?
  
  LL: Of course the university doesn't offer such a class! But it does offer History 101, English 101, and Chinese 101. These are all basic classes.
  
  LH: 噢,像历史101,英语101都是指一些基本课程,所以dating 101就是指学习有关约会的一切,就好像他到学校里修一门基础课学习怎样约会。
  
  LL: Right. And Tom isn't the only one who needs to take Dating 101. I haven't had a date in a long time.
  
  LH: 嘿!Larry,说到约会,你还记得我很喜欢的那个男孩,上星期我和他出去一次。我们去一家气氛不错的餐厅,可是他的话实在不多。
  
  LL: Sounds like he needs to enroll in Conversation 101. He should at least be able to keep a conversation going through dinner.
  
  LH: 没错,看来他的确需要修一门对话101的课程。不过他人是真的很好,就是非常害羞。
  
  LL: Then maybe what he needs is Confidence-Building 101, instead.
  
  LH: Larry,你真有意思,居然说他该上一门建立自信的基础课,Confidence-Building101!
  
  LL: And as for you Li Hua, you could use a little Relaxation 101. You are always so worried about your grades.
  
  LH: 没错,我是很担心学习成绩,所以你建议我修一门学会放松的基础课,Relaxation 101。你呀!我看你应该修一门有关整理家务的101课,看你的房间乱得那样。
  
  LL: Well, as you probably guessed, I failed Housekeeping 101. Dating 101 is a lot more fun.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是high maintenance。这是形容一个人需要别人小心谨慎来对待,否则就会不高兴,也就是很难伺候的意思。另一个常用语是dating101。这是指有关约会的最基本知识。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#678
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们给大家介绍过两个以whistle这个字为主的习惯用语,今天我们还要给大家讲一个和whistle这个字有关的俗语:To whistle a different tune。
  
  Different tune就是:不同的调子。To whistle a different tune就是这个吹口哨的人吹了一个不同的调子。这当然是从字面上来解释。To whistle a different tune作为俗语的意思是:一个人改变了主意,跟他以前说的不一样了。其实,这也是正常的。下面我们要举的例子就很能说明问题。这是说一个人在当爸爸前和当爸爸后的不同态度:
  
  例句-1: Tom always said he didn't want any children, but he's whistling a different tune since his wife gave birth to a son. He's so proud of the baby he can't stop talking about the kid.
  
  这个人在说他的朋友:“汤姆以前总是说他不要孩子。但是,自从他太太生了一个儿子后,他现在说的话可跟以前不同了。他真是为自己有那个孩子感到骄傲,老是在说他的儿子。”
  
  ******
  
  下面我们要给大家举的这个例子刚好和上面这个例子说的情况相反。上面例子里的人是在没有孩子前不要孩子,有了孩子后特别高兴。下面这个例子是一个女孩特别想要一件丝衬衫,可是她得到了以后又显得很不在乎了。这是她妈妈在说话:
  
  例句-2: Kathy liked Mary's silk blouse so much she begged me to find one for her. After I searched all over town and bought one for her, she started to whistle a different tune. Now she tells me it's too much trouble to iron it every time she washes it.
  
  这位妈妈说:“凯西非常喜欢玛丽上星期天穿的那件丝衬衫,苦苦哀求我给她也买一件。我跑遍全城去替她找,终于给她买到了。可是,她却变了挂。现在她对我说,那衬衫每次洗了以后要烫,太麻烦。”
  
  天下父母心都是差不多的。孩子想要什么,做父母亲的一般总是会想尽办法去满足孩子的欲望。美国人对孩子从小就培养他们要独立,凡事都要尊重孩子的想法,有些事情往往都在孩子的想法的基础上做出决定。因此被惯坏的孩子也不少。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#679
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲解的一个习惯用语是美国人用的很多的。这个习惯用语就是:Pipe dream。
  
  Pipe就是抽烟的烟斗,dream就是做梦。Pipe dream要是按字面解释为“烟斗梦”,那就没有意思了。Pipe dream作为俗语,它的意思就是:做白日梦。这个说法的来源可能是以往盛行用烟斗的时候,有的人一面抽着烟,一面享受烟草的香味,同时又在烟雾中胡思乱想做白日梦。作白日梦本身是一种享受,可是有多少白日梦能成为现实呢?下面这个例子就是一个人在说他的朋友:
  
  例句-3: My friend Johnny has this pipe dream about becoming a famous movie star. But it won't ever happen. He doesn't have any talent, and he has this high, squeaky voice people don't like to hear.
  
  这个人说:“我的朋友约翰尼一直在白日做梦想成为一个有名的电影明星。但是,他的梦想是永远也不会实现的。他没有一点演员的天才,而且他的嗓子又尖又细,没有人爱听。”
  
  著名的演员和运动员在美国是非常受人崇拜的。他们的收入每年都有几百万美元,生活豪华奢侈。所以梦想当有名演员的人确实不少。当然只有少数人的梦想会实现,大多数人的愿望只是白日做梦而已。
  
  ******
  
  我们再给大家举一个例子。这是一个非常喜欢学语言的人,不怕朋友们的笑话,决心学好外语。他对他的朋友说:
  
  例句-4: Just because I don't speak good English, don't you guys laugh behind my back and say it's just a pipe dream for me to learn Chinese. Well, give me a couple of years and I'll show you how fluent I can be.
  
  他说:“你们这些家伙别在我背后笑话我,说我英文还讲不清楚,还想学中文,真是在做白日梦。行,你们给我两年时间,到时候我让你们看看我能说得多流利。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#680
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在吃午饭。Larry好像心情不太好。今天李华会学到两个常用语:crummy和sack out。
  
  LH: Larry,怎么啦?你好像不太开心,是什么事惹你不高兴?
  
  LL: Oh, I'm just having a really crummy day. My crummy computer crashed again and my crummy air conditioner isn't working.
  
  LH: 你的电脑坏了,连你的空调也坏了。你可真倒霉耶!不过,你说了好几个crummy,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: When you're talking about a situation, crummy means miserable. When you're talking about an object, crummy means cheap and poor quality.
  
  LH: 噢,crummy形容一个情况,是指非常难受、很惨。要是形容一个东西,就是指这个东西很次,质量很差。Larry,你真可怜,有没有什么我能帮忙的?
  
  LL: Not unless you can fix my crummy computer and my crummy air conditioner.
  
  LH: 抱歉,我真希望我能帮忙,可是我既不会修电脑,也不会修空调。你有没有通知你的房东,要他来修空调呢?
  
  LL: Yeah, but he's not a very good landlord. He takes forever to fix anything, and even when he finally fixes something, he usually does a crummy job.
  
  LH: 嗨,这样的房东!要就不给你修,就是修也修得不怎么样。这可真糟糕呢!What a crummy situation!
  
  LL: You said it. I brought my computer to the repair shop and they say that they will have to keep for a week and it will cost $100 to fix.
  
  LH: 什么!要在修理的店里放一个星期,还要一百美元?
  
  LL: Yes, I hope they don't do a crummy job of fixing it. Well, if they do a crummy job the first time, then they should fix it the second time for free.
  
  LH: 当然喽,如果一次没修好,他们当然得免费再帮你修。不过如果他们修理的技术太差,要我的话,可不想再回去找他们。
  
  LL: That's understandable. Well, hopefully, they'll do a good job.
  

太极无敌 : 2009-12-09#681
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢兄弟辛苦工作!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#682
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I think part of the reason I'm having a crummy day is because I'm tired. I think I'll go home and sack out for an hour or two.
  
  LH: 你累了?可你要回家做什么?什么是sack out?
  
  LL: To sack out is to go to sleep. I want to go home and sleep for a while.
  
  LH: 噢,原来to sack out就是睡觉。那不就和hit the sack意思一样嘛?
  
  LL: That's right. If I sack out for a couple of hours, then I should wake up in a better mood.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry,你怎么会这么累啊?
  
  LL: Well, I didn't sack out until around 2 this morning because I was trying to fix my crummy computer.
  
  LH: 哇!修电脑修到清晨两点,怪不得你那么累!你真应该早点休息!
  
  LL: I know. It was so hard to get out of bed and go to work this morning.
  
  LH: 那当然啦,半夜两点才睡觉,早上肯定不想起床。如果你现在回家睡觉,那你今晚还睡得着吗?
  
  LL: I'm so tired that I don't think it will be a problem. I could probably sack out now and not wake up until tomorrow morning.
  
  LH: 你累到这种程度呀?现在回家睡觉,可以一觉睡到明天早上?看你这个样子,你再要这样熬夜早晚得生病的!
  
  LL:I don't believe you sack out at regular hour every night. You stay late too.
  
  LH:嗯,我有必要时当然也会开夜车,但没有象你这么经常呀!你得自己注意身体嘛。
  
  LL:You're right! I'll try not to sack out too late.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是crummy, 可以指情况很糟糕,也可以指一样东西质量很差。另一个常用语是sack out,就是睡觉的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#683
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们讲过以cry这个字为主的习惯用语。今天我们再给大家介绍一个和cry这个字有关的俗语:for crying out loud!
  
  For crying out loud是不耐烦地、或者是厌烦地表示惊讶。我们要举的例子是一个怒气冲冲的爸爸在跟他儿子说话:
  
  例句-1: For crying out loud, son! When are you going to do what I've told you and clean up your room! I just looked in there again and it's so messy I had to look twice to make sure your bed was still there under all that junk.
  
  这个爸爸说:“啊呀,我的儿子呀! 你到底什么时候才能按照我说的把你的房间打扫干净呐! 我刚才又去看了一下,你那房间呐,真是乱成一团,连你的床在哪里都看不到。我仔细看了以后才弄清楚你的床都给那些乱七八糟的东西给埋在下面了!”
  
  你们不要以为这个爸爸因为在火头上,所以话说得太过份。房间太脏、太乱、不打扫房间,这是许多美国的青少年都存在的问题,也是他们和家长经常发生矛盾的一个起因。而且这还不仅仅是男孩子的问题,许多女孩子的房间也是乱得不行。出现这一现象的原因之一可能是由于美国是一个物质丰富的社会,属于中产阶级的人一般来说经常不断地在买东西,因此每个人的衣服、用品越来越多。到了一定时间总得清理一下,送掉一些才能保持整洁。而十几岁的孩子是不太善于做这些事的。
  
  ******
  
  很多美国大学生都住在学校宿舍里,一个房间两个或者是三个人。有的时候,两三个学生合在一起到学校附近去租一套房间,每人一个卧室,但是客厅、厨房等合用。当然,每个人的性格和习惯都不同,因此矛盾是难免的。下面就是一个学生正准备去打网球,发现他的网球拍给他的同住的同学拿走了。他火冒三丈地说:
  
  例句-2: For crying out loud! Jack took my tennis racket again. How many times have I told him I don't mind letting him use it, but he at least has to ask first in case I need it myself!
  
  这个年轻人说:“我的老天爷! 杰克又把我的网球拍拿走了。我跟他说了多少遍,他用我的网球拍我倒不在乎,但是他至少得问我一声,万一我自己要用呢!”
  
  这儿要说明的是,虽然我们在讲美国成语、俗语,但是这种不征得别人同意就随便拿人家东西用的坏习惯可不是美国特有的。这种现象可能在世界各地都能找到,尽管大多数人都讨厌这种没有礼貌的行为。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#684
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当一个人火冒三丈的时候,往往在旁边的人就会劝他不要发那么大的火,要冷静一点。比如说,上面我们举的例子里那个父亲非常生气,要是他的儿子再顶他几句的话,他甚至可能动手打他的孩子。这时候,孩子他妈就很可能赶来劝说。这就是我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语:to cool it!
  
  Cool这个字往往被用做形容词,意思是“凉快、冷”。我们现在讲的是to cool it。很明显,在这里cool是用做动词。在一般情况下,to cool it就是让某样东西凉一下。比如说,刚出锅的菜太烫,让它先凉一下。但是,作为俗语,to cool it的意思就是:冷静一点儿,别发那么大的火。要是家里两个孩子一直在没完没了地吵吵闹闹,甚至打了起来,在旁边看报的父亲就忍不住了。他可能会说:
  
  例句-3: You kids cool it and stop fighting right now! Not one single day goes by without fighting between the two of you. Can't you be more friendly to each other like Mike and Linda next door?
  
  这位爸爸说:“你们俩不许再打了,马上给我停下来。没有一天你们俩不打架的。你们能不能也像隔壁的麦克和林达那样互相友好一点儿呢?”
  
  ******
  
  今天我们举了两个例子,都是爸爸对孩子发脾气的。这好像不太公平。下面我们来举个妻子发脾气,丈夫来劝说的例子。这位太太由于邻居把她新买的汽车撞坏了而十分生气,于是他的先生对她说:
  
  例句-4: Cool it, honey! I've checked the car -- it's not as serious as you thought. Besides, their insurance company is going to pay for the repair.
  
  这位丈夫说:“别发火,亲爱的。我去检查过那车了,情况并不像你想象的那么严重。而且,他们的保险公司会负担修理费的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#685
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华今天去逛街买衣服。Larry看到李华买了一大包衣服,简直吃惊。今天李华会学到两个常用语:clotheshorse和shell out。
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua! How many clothes do you need? You're a real clotheshorse, aren't you?
  
  LH: 哎哟!这些衣服都在大减价,不买可惜耶!对了,你又在说我什么啦?什么是clotheshorse?
  
  LL: A clotheshorse is someone who is concerned about fashion and likes to collect a lot of clothes.
  
  LH: Clotheshorse就是指爱时髦,喜欢买很多衣服的人。我不觉得我是clotheshorse啊!我来美国念书后,胖了很多,旧衣服已经穿不下了,所以我才需要买些新衣服嘛!
  
  LL: I think that's just an excuse to go shopping! You don't look like you've gained weight to me.
  
  LH: Larry,是真的,我没有骗你,我真的胖了不少!
  
  LL: I guess I'll take your word for it. Are you sure you're not a clotheshorse? Didn't you just go shopping a few weeks ago?
  
  LH: 我几个星期前去买衣服了? 你弄错了人吧。我已经有一年多没有买衣服了!再说,我也不是什么追求时髦的人,你怎么能说我是个clotheshorse?
  
  LL: I'm just teasing you. My mother is a true clotheshorse. She has a huge, walk-in closet and it is completely filled with clothes. She loves to buy clothes.
  
  LH: 你妈妈这么喜欢买衣服啊?难怪她总是打扮的很漂亮,而且她的衣服看来都很新。
  
  LL: It's funny, but my sister didn't inherit my mother's tendencies. She's not a clotheshorse at all.
  
  LH: 你妹妹不喜欢买衣服吗? 女孩子不喜欢买衣服,那可不多。
  
  LL: My sister hates going shopping. She would be happy if she could wear the same t-shirt and jeans every day of the year.
  
  LH: 真的?你妹妹宁可每天穿同样的T恤和牛仔裤?看来,不是每个女人都是clotheshorse。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#686
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, how much money did you shell out to buy clothes today?
  
  LH: Shell out?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To shell out money means to pay for something.
  
  LH: 噢,to shell out money就是花钱的意思,你是问我今天花了多少钱买这些衣服?其实每件衣服都打了折扣,所以我没花太多钱。
  
  LL: I'm just curious how much you have to shell out to fill up that huge shopping bag with women's clothing.
  
  LH: 你好奇?这可奇怪了,你怎么会突然间对女人衣服的价钱感兴趣?你也想买一些啊?
  
  LL: No! I'm just curious, that's all. I've heard that women's clothes are more expensive than men's clothes.
  
  LH: 你只是想知道女装是不是比男装贵。其实只要你懂得怎么找减价的衣服,你并不需要花大笔钱买衣服啊!
  
  LL: Next time I have to buy clothes, I'll ask you for help. I never bother to look for sales and I always end up shelling out more than I should.
  
  LH: 没问题!买衣服,找折扣品,我最在行了,我一定帮你!
  
  LL: Well, while we're at the mall, why don't you help me find a good deal on a pair of jeans.
  
  LH: 找牛仔裤?没问题!你通常都花多少钱买一件牛仔裤?
  
  LL: I usually shell out around $40.00.
  
  LH: 40块啊?我能帮你找到一件20块的牛仔裤,怎么样?
  
  LL: That's awesome!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是clotheshorse,是形容一个讲究穿着,喜欢买衣服的人。另一个常用语是shell out,也就是“付出”,尤其指付钱买东西的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#687
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们曾经给大家讲过几个形容人们发火、愤怒的习惯用语。今天我们要给大家介绍两个意思完全相反的常用语。听众们大概都遇到过一些在什么情况下都能保持平静的人,甚至在大多数人都会发火的情况下他都能保持平静。我们今天要讲的习惯用语就是包含这个意思的。我们先来讲第一个:to keep one's cool. 在一般的情况下,cool解释为:凉快或冷。但是,在这里,cool的意思是“冷静”。在某些情况下,有的人恐怕会气得捶胸垛脚,可是,有的人就能keep his cool,也就是保持镇静。下面我们来给大家举一个例子。这是一个商店售货员在说他们的经理:
  
  例句-1: It's hard to be polite to some people who come into our store. But our manager always manages to keep his cool when dealing with the kind of rude, nasty customers who would make most of us blow our top.
  
  这个售货员说:“要对一些到我们店里来的人很客气,那是很难的。有些很粗鲁、不讲道理的顾客真是会让我们大多数人火冒三丈。然而,我们的经理在对待这种人时总是能保持冷静。”
  
  美国商店里的售货员,除了个别的以外,总的来说都比较客气。特别是那些靠佣金收入的售货员就更加如此了,因为他销售越多,收入也就增长,所以唯恐礼貌不周。当然,顾客和售货员发生冲突的事也会偶然发生。
  
  ******
  
  售货员固然需要耐心,但是世界上恐怕有好多别的事都需要人们保持冷静才能办成的。比如说,教师在对待某些调皮捣蛋的学生时也需要保持镇静。下面就是一个学生在对他父母说他学校里的一位老师:
  
  例句-2: Some of our classmates always talk or make trouble in class. Most teachers get angry and end up yelling at them. But our chemistry teacher somehow always keeps his cool and quiets them down.
  
  这个孩子说:“我们班上有几个同学老是在上课时讲话或者捣乱。大多数的老师都会非常生气,最后对他们大声嚷嚷。但是,我们的化学老师却总是能保持镇静,还能让他们保持安静。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#688
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国的中学教育似乎是一个老大难的问题。教育界人士以及关心下一代教育的人一直在讨论如何能提高中学的质量。到目前为止还没有得出一个完满的答案。
  
  ******
  
  美国人喜欢吃沙拉,而黄瓜是沙拉不可缺少的成份。中国人到了夏天都喜欢吃拌黄瓜,实际上也是沙拉的一种类型。黄瓜给人一种清爽凉快的感觉。美国的俗语里有这么一个说法:to be cool as a cucumber.
  
  Cucumber就是黄瓜。To be cool as a cucumber从字面上来解释就是:像黄瓜一样凉爽。但是,要从俗语的角度来解释,它的意思就不同了。To be cool as a cucumber就是当一个人碰到困难和麻烦时很冷静、很放松。这是美国人经常用的一个习惯用语。我们来举个例子吧! 这是一个儿子在说他的爸爸:
  
  例句-3: Last week Dad was in this auto accident and the other driver was so mad he was yelling and screaming. But Dad stayed cool as a cucumber and got the other guy cooled off too, once he saw there wasn't any real damage to either car.
  
  这个儿子说:“上星期,我爸爸出了车祸。对方那个开车的人非常冒火,他大声嚷嚷,大声喊叫。但是,我爸爸却非常冷静,而且在那个人看到双方的汽车都没有受到很严重损伤后还设法使他冷静了下来。”
  
  不管出什么样的车祸都是很不幸的。出严重的车祸涉及到人命,有的人为此成为终身残废。即便出小车祸,担负责任的一方要承担经济损失,同时也使对方感到惊吓,带来修车、看病等许多麻烦。
  
  ******
  
  我们再给大家举一个关于to be cool as a cucumber的例子。这是一个人在说他和他的朋友去饭店吃饭的时候发生的事:
  
  例句-4: While Mike and I were waiting for our food, this clumsy waiter spilled a bowl of piping hot soup on Mike's back. I was furious, but Mike was as cool as a cucumber. He even told the waiter not to worry about it.
  
  这个人说:“我和麦克正在等我们的饭菜,那个笨手笨脚的服务员不小心把一碗滚烫的汤倒在麦克的背上。我真是生气极了,可是麦克却非常冷静。他甚至还叫那个服务员不要担心。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#689
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚看完一部最新的恐怖片,两人在离开戏院时还在讨论这部电影。今天李华会学到两个常用语:go overboard和guzzle。
  
  LH: 这电影好恐怖,真吓人噢!
  
  LL: Actually, I think it was kind of disappointing. I think the director went a little overboard with some of the special effects.
  
  LH: 你是在说导演和电影里的特效,但是你说的“went a little overboard",我可不懂。那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To go overboard with something is to go too far with it or use too much of it. I think the director relied too much on special effects.
  
  LH: 噢,原来to go overboard就是做得过头了,太过份了。所以你刚才是说这部电影的导演用了太多特效,对吗?
  
  LL: Exactly. I think the writers went a little overboard, too.
  
  LH: 啊?连编剧都做过头了,为什么呀?
  
  LL: Well, the writers created a main character who is a pilot, a linguist, a professor, and an expert in martial arts. That sounds a little overboard to me!
  
  LH: 那倒也是。他们把主角写成是一个飞行员、语言学家兼教授、而且还是武术高手,是有点太夸张了!一个角色有这么多才能,好像有点不真实了。
  
  LL: Yup. Of course, maybe I'm going a little overboard by analyzing a movie so much. After all, it is just a movie.
  
  LH: 你觉得你对这部电影的分析太过份啦?我倒没有这种感觉。是的,这只不过是一部电影。但是看完电影大家不是都讨论分析吗?
  
  LL: Aaaagh?
  
  LH: Larry,你怎么啦?
  
  LL: My stomach hurts. I think I went overboard with the popcorn.
  
  LH: 我刚才就告诉你别吃那么多爆米花,你看,现在胃开始疼了吧?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#690
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Aaaagh (groan).
  
  LH: Larry,怎么啦,你的胃还在疼呀?
  
  LL: Well, I pigged out on popcorn and then I was really thirsty, so I guzzled a large soda. Now, I'm really uncomfortable.
  
  LH: Guzzle a large soda? 你是说你喝了一大杯汽水,是这个意思吗?
  
  LL: Yeah, to guzzle something is to drink it quickly. The salt in the popcorn made me really thirsty, so I guzzled a bunch of soda.
  
  LH: Guzzle就是很快喝下去的意思。我知道,那就是说,你大口大口地喝了好多汽水。哼,你吃了那么多爆米花,那玩意儿又干又咸的,你口渴了就往下灌汽水。这么吃胃不疼才怪呢!
  
  LL: I know. I know. I'm suffering the consequences of my actions.
  
  LH: 对了,你毫无克制地吃爆米花,接着大口地喝汽水。你现在知道这么做的后果,吃苦头了吧!你真是自作自受!
  
  LL: Yes, I know. Usually I don't guzzle soda like that.
  
  LH: 是呀,我从来没有见你喝过那么多汽水 - guzzle so much soda。
  
  LL:Yes, I've never done that before. I just suffered a temporary lapse in judgment.
  
  LH:我看也是,你真是一时糊涂。好啦,看你这么难受,我们赶快回家,让你吃点药,看能不能好一些。
  
  LL: That's a good idea. I have some Pepto Bismol in my medicine cabinet. That should make me feel better.
  
  LH: Larry,你家里老有这种叫Pepto Bismol的药呀?我知道那是胃不舒服的时候吃的药。听我的劝,Larry,下回再口渴,还是喝白水好!
  
  LL:You're right!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是go overboard,就是指做什么事做得太过头,太过火的意思。另一个常用语是guzzle,是指很快喝下什么饮料。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#691
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要请大家一起来乘船,因为在这次节目里我们要给大家讲解两个都跟“船”这个字有关的习惯用语。那么,“船”在英文里叫什么呢?Boat。
  
  要是大家都上了船,那我们就能说:All in the same boat. All in the same boat就是我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语。按字面上来解释,all in the same boat就是:大家都在同一条船上。既然大家都在一条船上,那么要是船出事,大家都会掉进水里。这就是all in the same boat这个俗语的意思,就是指:几个处境相同、面对同样困难或危险的人,他们的命运也会相同的。我们来举个例子。这个例子是说一个小城镇,那里唯一的工厂被关闭了。
  
  例句-1: When the steel plant shut down, the town's people were all in the same boat. The workers had no jobs, and this meant the shops had no business. It was really tough all around.
  
  这句话的意思是:“当这个镇上的钢铁工厂被关闭的时候,每个人的处境都一样。工人没有工作,这就意味着商店没有生意。那儿都很困难。”
  
  许多人对美国的印象是非常繁华的城市,到处都是摩天大楼。但是,要是你开车从一个城市去另一个城市,路上会路过很多小城镇。一个小城镇里可能有一个大公司,这个城镇里的许多人都是这个公司的雇员。因此,要是公司或工厂一倒闭,大多数人就会失业。
  
  ******
  
  美国的小学大约下午三点就放学了。放了学,那些住得比较近的孩子往往在一起玩,有的骑小型的自行车,有的打球、踢球。下面这个例子是一群孩子在一起踢球,不小心把球踢到附近一家人家的玻璃窗上,把窗子给打破了。其中一个比较大的孩子说:
  
  例句-2: True, Jack's the guy who kicked the ball and hit the window. But we were all in the game so we're all in the same boat. Let's all go together to apologize.
  
  这孩子说:“是的,杰克踢的球把那玻璃窗给打破了,但是,我们都在一起踢球,所以我们都一样有责任。我们得一起去道歉。”
  
  这个孩子的父母知道这事以后肯定会感到有这么个孩子值得骄傲。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#692
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在再给大家介绍一个以boat这个字为主的习惯用语:To miss the boat.
  
  Miss就是失去的意思。 To miss the boat从字面来解释,它的意思是:误了上船的时间。但是,作为俗语,to miss the boat就是失去了一个好机会。下面这个例子是说一对夫妇由于耽误了时间而失去了买一栋房子的机会。这位丈夫说:
  
  例句-3: We found exactly the house we wanted, but we waited to buy it in the hope the price would go down. But we missed the boat; when we called the agent back, he'd just sold it to another family.
  
  他说:“我们找到一栋正好是我们想要的房子,但是我们等了一下,心想房价可能会下降。但是,当我们给那个房地产经纪人打回电话去的时候,他刚刚把那房子买给了另一家人家。所以,我们失去了这个好机会。”
  
  ******
  
  美国人非常喜欢旅行,而且好多人对访问中国是十分向往的。但是,由于半个地球那么远的距离,旅费和其它费用加在一起也要花不少钱才能做这么一次旅行。下面就是一个人在说他由于生病而失去了访问中国的机会,感到非常遗憾。
  
  例句-4: It has always been my dream to visit China. Finally, our company decided to send me to Beijing last month to open an office, but one day before the trip I fell sick and was hospitalized for surgery. So once again I missed the boat.
  
  这人说:“访问中国一直是我的梦想。后来,我们公司终于决定派我去北京开设一个办事处。可是,就在我启程的前一天我病倒了,还住院动了手术。所以,我又一次失去了一个好机会。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#693
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华看到报上登出的有关公寓的广告,租金比较便宜,于是她和Larry一起去看那公寓。今天李华会学到两个常用语:dump和ham。
  
  LL: Oh my God! This place is a dump! You couldn't possibly live here!
  
  LH: 这地方真够糟的!Larry,你说这是个dump,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: "Dump" as in "garbage dump." I mean that this place is far too dirty and poorly maintained for you to live in it.
  
  LH: 所以dump就是指像垃圾堆一样,很脏,各种条件都很差....哎呀!有一只大蟑螂刚跑过去。这地方真的是个dump,怪不得租金这么便宜。
  
  LL: The paint is peeling off of the walls, the ceiling leaks, and the refrigerator looks 50 years old. I don't think I've ever seen such a dump.
  
  LH: 你说的没错,这里墙上的油漆都剥落了,天花板在漏水,冰箱看起来又旧又脏。算了算了,我们还是走吧!别在这儿浪费时间,我可不想住在这种地方。 It's really a dump。
  
  LL: Are there any other apartments that you were planning to go and see today?
  
  LH: 还有一个地方我想去看,离这儿只有几条街,但愿那个地方不像这里那么差劲。
  
  LL: I don't know, Li Hua. This really isn't a very good area of the city. Maybe you should look at apartments somewhere else.
  
  LH: 这个区域不好,我想也是,否则这里的公寓租金不会这么便宜! 不过,要是到别处去找,那租金可能比我现在付的更高。
  
  LL: That's possible. In that case, I think that maybe you should stay in your current apartment.
  
  LH: 是吗?你认为我该继续住在我现在的公寓里?也许你说的对,我的公寓租金其实也不算太贵,而且也很舒服呢。
  
  LL: Your apartment is a palace compared to this dump.
  
  LH: 那倒是,和这里比起来,我的公寓可算是皇宫了。我还是打消搬家的念头吧!
  
  LL: That's a good idea.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#694
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, are those pictures from the party last weekend?
  
  LH: 没错,这些是上礼拜开party时照的照片,昨天才刚洗出来。嘿!你看,Sally真会抢镜头,几乎每张照片都有她。
  
  LL: Yeah, Sally's a real ham. She loves attention.
  
  LH: She's a ham? Ham不是火腿吗?那是一种猪肉嘛!噢!你是说Sally像一只猪啊?
  
  LL: (Laughing) No, I'm not saying she looks like a pig. Ham is slang for someone who loves attention. People who are hams especially love being videotaped or having their picture taken.
  
  LH: 噢!Ham在这里是指一个喜欢吸引别人注意的人。这种人特别喜欢录像,照像。照这么说,Sally绝对是个ham,她特喜欢别人给她照相。
  
  LL: If we videotape the party, I'm sure she would have played a starring role.
  
  LH: 没错,要是那天我们录像的话,她肯定会象个明星一样,到处都是她了。对了,Larry,你知道还有谁也可以算是个ham吗?
  
  LL: I think Jane is a real ham. She'd do anything to attract people's attention.
  
  LH:对,Jane也特别喜欢照像。她也可以说是个ham。你再猜猜谁是个ham?
  
  LL:No. Who?
  
  LH: 你没有注意到呀?我那猫咪小雪球啊!她也想尽办法让别人注意她。只要有人走进来,她立刻会冲上去,要别人看看她,摸摸她。
  
  LL: My parents' dog is a real ham, too. He won't leave you alone until you pet him and give him his fare share of attention.
  
  LH:这些小动物都要别人注意它们。我的朋友说,要是她出门时间长了,她的小狗会很不高兴的。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是dump,是指一个像垃圾堆,很脏,条件很差的地方。另一个常用语是ham,是指一个很喜欢别人注意,喜欢抢风头的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#695
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都和我们身体里的血有关。“血”在英文里就是:Blood.请你们每个人先想一想,在你所能做的事情当中最擅长的是什么。我肯定有的听众一定在体育方面很出色,还有的善于唱歌,还有的人在学外文方面比别人更快一些。总之,几乎每个人都有特长之处。
  
  我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就是这个意思:In one's blood. 要是按照字面来解释,in one's blood的意思就是:在某人的血液当中。但是,in one's blood和血液中的胆固醇和其它医学问题没有关系。在用做俗语的时候,in one's blood就是指一种某人似乎生来就有的兴趣或技巧。这当然是形像化的比喻,并没有什么科学基础。听众们听了下面这个例句就会明白in one's blood在日常生活中的意思和用法。这是一个喜欢打网球的人在说话:
  
  例句-1: I've played all sorts of sports -- baseball, golf, basketball. But I love tennis best. In fact you could say tennis is in my blood -- I've played ever since I was old enough to pick up a racket.
  
  这人说:“我什么球都打过。我打过棒球,高尔夫球,篮球等。但是,我最喜欢打的是网球。事实上,你可以说,我生来就会打网球。我从小就打,从我能够拿起网球拍的时候就开始打了。”
  
  ******
  
  我相信在我们的听众当中肯定有不少人生来就有学外语的兴趣和天才。这是许多人都会羡慕的。下面这个例子是一个人在对他的朋友说话:
  
  例句-2: Jack, I do envy your ability to learn Chinese so fast. Everybody knows that Chinese is a very hard language to learn. But it seems you don't need any effort to pick it up -- it must be in your blood.
  
  这个朋友说:“杰克,你学中文学的真快,我真是羡慕。每个人都知道,中文是非常难学的。但是,你在学中文方面似乎能够不化吹灰之力,好像很容易似的。你大概生来就有学中文的才能。”
  
  要说生来就有学中文的天才,在美国人当中可能也不多。但是,在学的过程中,成绩的好坏,进度的快慢确实是有差别的。学的好的能说非常流利的中文,学的不好的最终放弃了。这当然还和下不下功夫,有没有决心有很大关系。这和中国人学英文也是一样。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#696
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语也是和blood这个字有关的:Fresh blood. Fresh这个字的意思是:新鲜。那么,fresh blood当然就是:新鲜血液。这是指,公司企业、政府机构,或者是政党等单位为了增强力量而新招进来的成员。这和中文里说的新鲜血液的意思是完全一样的。下面是一个人在美国国会议员进行竞选的时候所做的评论:
  
  例句-3: For twenty years I've voted for Congressman White. But this time I think I'll vote for that young fellow who's running against him. We need fresh blood in the Congress, people who understand how much the world is changing.
  
  这个人说:“以往二十年来,我一直投怀特议员的票。但是,这次我想我要投怀特的对手、那个年轻人的票。我们在国会里需要新鲜血液,要一些懂得世界正在进行巨大变化的人来当议员。”
  
  当选民对国家的现状不满的时候,他们不是怪罪于总统,就是责怪国会无能,或者是认为两者都不行。在这种情况下,选民很自然地就会想换些议员,或换一个总统,在政府方面增加一些新鲜血液也许局面会有所改善。美国选民是有这种选择的机会的。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个公司的雇员在谈论他们公司近年来的变化:
  
  例句-4: When our company's sales began to decline three years ago, our president immediately recruited a number of young people. This fresh blood made a lot of difference -- now our sales have doubled.
  
  这个人说:“三年前,当我们公司的销售量开始下降的时候,我们公司的总经理立即着手招聘一些年轻人。他们可真是我们公司的新鲜血液。现在,我们的销售量已经增长了一倍。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#697
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry下课后在校园里碰到李华。他问李华需不需要去邮局。今天李华会学到两个常用语:fixing to do something和tricked-out。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, I'm fixing to go to the post office to mail a package. Do you need to buy stamps or mail something?
  
  LH: Larry,你要去邮局寄包裹。这和修理东西有什么关系?为什么你说fixing to go to the post office?是不是你去邮局前,要先修什么东西啊?
  
  LL: No. Fixing to do something means that you are getting ready to do it. "I'm fixing to go to the post office" means that I'm getting ready to go to the post office.
  
  LH: 啊!我懂了,fixing to do something就是准备要做什么事。Larry,我从来没听过这种说法。
  
  LL: It's used all over the U.S., but it's more commonly used in the southern states.
  
  LH: 原来这是在美国南方常用的说法。Larry,我很想和你一块儿去邮局,不过我准备去图书馆,我想在晚饭前看点书。I am fixing to go to the library to study before dinner. Larry,我这么说对吗?
  
  LL: Absolutely! Hey, did you notice how tired Professor Smith looked in class today? He looked as though he was fixing to fall asleep in the middle of his lecture.
  
  LH: 是呀,今天Smith教授看起来好累,在课堂上讲课时好想要睡着一样。不过你知道吗?他正在为下个月参加马拉松赛跑作准备,也许他锻炼过度,所以才这么累。
  
  LL: I didn't know that he's fixing to compete in a marathon? Wow, that's impressive.
  
  LH: 就是啊!我真难以想像他怎么能在上课之余还能找出时间来锻炼呢。
  
  LL: No wonder he's tired. I'd be exhausted.
  
  LH: 嗯,对了,我得去图书馆了,一会儿见!
  
  LL: Yeah, I'm going to go and mail this package before post office closes. They should be fixing to close up soon, so I had better hurry.
  
  LH:那就快走吧! 否则邮局关门了。你这包裹就寄不出去了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#698
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua. On the way to the post office, I saw Bob's new car. It's awesome! It's totally tricked-out with every accessory you can imagine.
  
  LH: What? 你说Bob的新车怎么样?什么是tricked-out?
  
  LL: If a car, or boat, or other machine is "tricked-out", it means that it has all kinds of luxury accessories.
  
  LH: 噢,tricked-out就是说汽车、船、或其他任何机器有各式各样的豪华设备。所以你刚才是说Bob的新车有各种新式的装置,很酷,是吧?
  
  LL: Exactly. It has a satellite radio system, big speakers, special wheels, and an amazing paint job. It has a super turbo-charged engine, too.
  
  LH: 哇,车上有卫星收音系统、大的扩音器、特殊的轮子....啊呀,我可不懂这些东西,但是听起来真的很酷!Bob's new car really is "tricked-out."
  
  LL: I can't imagine what he paid for it. It must have been really expensive. I can't wait until I can afford such a tricked-out car.
  
  LH: 嗯,肯定是很贵。你想要这样的车呀?我可不一定想买这种豪华车。我比较喜欢实用的车子,价钱比较便宜,问题可能也比较少。
  
  LL: A simple car would be less expensive than a tricked-out one. But why do you think it would have fewer problems?
  
  LH: 当然啦!你车上的装置越多,就越容易出故障,修理起来一定也很贵。 这是必然的。
  
  LL: That's true. It's probably more expensive to maintain a really tricked-out car because there are more things that could go wrong with it.
  
  LH: 对呀,要维护一辆高级车肯定是很贵的。我的要求是价钱便宜,问题要少。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是fixing to do something, 就是准备要做某件事。另一个常用语是tricked-out,是形容一样东西很豪华,有各种新式的装置。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#699
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家都知道人的正常体温是摄氏37度。可是,你们可知道,在不同的情绪下,人血的温度可能变得滚烫,或者变得冰冷。这当然是不可能的,只是形像化的比喻而已。然而,这也正是我们今天要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语。我们先来讲人体的血液在什么情况下会变得滚烫。To make one's blood boil. Boil是沸腾的意思。也就是把水烧到滚开的程度。当然,一个人的血液是不可能煮开的,但是当什么事情让你非常生气的时候,你可以说:It makes my blood boil.
  
  我想这和中国话里的“火冒三丈”,“怒发冲冠”等说法是相似的。我们来举个例子吧!这是一个人在回忆伤心的往事。
  
  例句-1: It happened three years ago, but it still makes my blood boil every time I think about how my girlfriend ran out on me and married some other guy without even telling me goodbye.
  
  这人说:“我的女朋友抛弃了我去和别人结婚,甚至都没有跟我告别。虽然这已经是三年前的事了,但是每当我想起这件事,我仍然是火冒三丈。”
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在告诉他的朋友他遇到了一件让他非常生气的事。他说:
  
  例句-2: I went to a Chinese restaurant last week with a friend. The waitress was so rude we ended up yelling at each other. Then she refused to serve us. It still makes my blood boil just to think about it.
  
  这位朋友说:“上星期,我和一个朋友去一家中国餐馆吃饭。那个服务员态度非常坏,结果我们吵了起来。后来她竟然不让我们在那儿吃饭。我想起这件事就生气。”
  
  这里要说明的是,这种现象在美国是非常少见的,尤其在西餐馆里恐怕是不会发生的。有的人说,中国店里的服务态度比较差。这话是不是有道理还可以推敲,因为许多中国店里的服务员对顾客也是笑脸相迎的。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#700
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是生气使你的血的温度升高,那么什么事情会使人的血变得冰冷呢?那就是害怕。那么在英文里,这个俗语是怎么说的呢:To make one's blood run cold.
  
  当一个人遇到生命危险的时候,他可能会害怕得发抖。比如说,要是一个怕鬼的人在突然见到什么像鬼的东西的时候,他就会非常害怕。在这种情况下,就可以用:To make my blood run cold.
  
  我们现在来举一个例子吧。这是一个怕鬼的人在讲他的经历。
  
  例句-3: As I walked into this old haunted house, I heard this terrible scream and my blood ran cold when I saw this figure in white rushing straight at me!
  
  他说:“人人都说这栋老房子里闹鬼,当我走进去的时候,我听到非常可怕的尖叫声,还看到一个穿白衣服的人影直冲着我过来,真把我给吓得连魂都没有了。”
  
  听众们,你们相信真的有鬼吗?对于这个问题,每个人恐怕会有不同的回答。
  
  ******
  
  使我们害怕得手脚冰冷,魂不附体的并不一定是鬼。还有许多其他事情也会使我们非常害怕的。比如说,美国的犯罪率很高,人们对自身的安全都很警觉。下面就是一个女孩在告诉她的爸爸她当天碰到的事。
  
  例句-4: While I was walking toward my car in the parking lot, two men in ski masks suddenly appeared in front of me, guns in hand. I was so scared that my blood ran cold. But they left in a hurry when they saw a police car coming.
  
  这个女孩说:“当我在停车场正往我的汽车那儿走的时候,两个男人带着滑雪戴的面罩突然出现在我面前,手里还拿着枪。我真是给吓得手脚冰冷,魂不附体。不过,当他们看到一辆警车开过来的时候,就匆忙地逃走了。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#701
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天是星期一,Larry和李华约好上完课一块儿吃午饭。Larry告诉李华他周末做了些什么事。今天李华会学到两个常用语:set of wheels和the pits。
  
  LL: Bob gave me a ride in his new set of wheels on Saturday. That car is so awesome. It rides like a dream!
  
  LH: 你说Bob让你坐他新的什么?Set of wheels?你是在说Bob的新车吧?
  
  LL: Yeah. "Set of wheels" or just "wheels" is a slang term for car. Or you can just say wheels. Bob's new wheels are really cool.
  
  LH: 噢,所以set of wheels或者wheels都可以用来指汽车。对了,Bob有没有告诉你,他花了多少钱买那辆新车?
  
  LL: He didn't say and I thought it would be rude to ask; but I know that a car like that costs at least $35,000.
  
  LH: 那样的车至少要三万五千美元?那可真是一大笔钱哪!
  
  LL: I suppose it's worth it if you have that much money to spend. For people like us, who are still studying, it seems like a lot of money.
  
  LH: 是啊,像我们这种穷学生,对这么贵的车,可是想都不敢想。不过,Bob有一份好工作,钱赚的多,所以才能买这么贵的车。
  
  LL: Just imagine, in a few years, you and I will be able to afford wheels like that.
  
  LH: 嗯,就算以后我能赚这么多钱,我大概也不会用来买那样的车。
  
  LL: Why not? I'd buy a set of wheels like that if I had enough money.
  
  LH: 我认为你不必花那么多钱就能买辆不错的汽车,而且你还可以把剩下的钱买别的东西,像是买房子啊!
  
  LL: That's true. I guess it depends on your priorities. If it's really important to you to have a fancy set of wheels, then it seems worth it.
  
  LH: 每个人的优先考虑都不一样,如果有一辆豪华车对你来说是重要的,那就值得。我呀,宁可把钱存起来,或用在其他东西上。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#702
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Bob got into an accident and ruined his new car. Isn't that the pits?
  
  LH: 啊!Bob撞车啦!好可怕, 那他受伤了吗?
  
  LL: He had minor infuries, but he'll be okay.
  
  LH: 噢,受了轻伤,那倒还算好。Larry,你刚才说the pits,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: If something or someplace is "the pits" it means it is the worst situation or place imaginable.
  
  LH: 噢,the pits,是指最糟糕,最差劲的意思。就是啊,Bob那么贵的新车就这样撞烂了,真是太糟糕了!还好他受的伤并不严重。
  
  LL: I visited him yesterday and he's kind of depressed. Fortunately, his insurance will pay for a new car.
  
  LH: 你昨天去看他啦?他情绪低是可以想象的。不过,保险公司会出钱帮他买新车,那太好了!那Bob什么时候可以拿到新车?
  
  LL: He has to special order another car like his and it will take several months. Until then, he won't have a car to drive.
  
  LH: 他为什么要定做一辆和他一样的车呢?这不但要等上好几个月,而且几个月没有车开。That's the pits! 要是我,换一辆车不就行了吗?
  
  LL: I know. His injuries won't allow him to walk very well and now he doesn't have a car to drive either. That really IS the pits.
  
  LH: 真可怜。Larry,我们可以带Bob去吃晚饭,让他开心一点啊!我们可以去学校附近那家新餐馆。
  
  LL: No, I tried that place last week and it's really the pits. Let's take him somewhere a bit nicer.
  
  LH: 你说那家餐馆很差劲。好吧,那我们就让Bob自己决定上哪儿吃饭喽!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是set of wheels,就是指汽车,你也可以说wheels。另一个常用语是the pits,是指最糟糕,最差劲的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#703
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们讲过几个表示非常生气的习惯用语,例如像:To make one's blood boil.我们今天再来讲两个和生气有关的俗语。我们要讲的第一个俗语是:To hit the ceiling.To hit就是“碰撞,打击”。Ceiling就是“屋顶”。To hit the ceiling,顾名思义就是“撞到了屋顶”。作为俗语,它的意思就是:一个人生气得暴跳如雷,甚至都撞到了屋顶。这个说法具有一般成语和俗语的特点,也就是夸大。但是,也正是由于这一特点使得成语和俗语变得很生动,有时还带有幽默的色彩。下面我们举的例子是一个儿子因为出了车祸而使他的爸爸非常生气。这个男孩对他的朋友说:
  
  例句-1: The only real damage was a bent fender, but I knew Dad would hit the ceiling when he saw it. Sure enough, he was so angry that he made me pay for the repairs myself.
  
  他说:“其实汽车真正给撞坏的地方也就是后面的保险杠。但是,我知道我爸爸看见了会火冒三丈的。果然不出我所料,他真是非常生气,甚至要我自己掏钱来付修理费。”
  
  一般的美国人对自己的汽车是非常爱惜的,甚至于还很有感情。有的车用的时间很长,车子就好像成了家庭成员了。有些人长期把很老的车放在车库里,即便不用也不肯处理掉。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在说他的一个同事,由于工作无效而给老板解雇了。他说:
  
  例句-2: Mary's been always very slow in her work. Her boss has warned her several times. Yesterday, when she again missed the deadline for a report, he hit the ceiling and fired her on the spot.
  
  这个人说:“玛丽的工作速度总是很慢。她的老板已经警告她好几次了。昨天,当她的老板听说她又没能在限期前写完一个报告,他火冒三丈,当时就解雇了她。”
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#704
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

生气的时候火冒三丈,跳得那么高,甚至碰到屋顶,这还不算厉害。下面还有一个说法,其后果可能更糟:to blow one's top.
  
  To blow可以解释为“吹气”的“吹”。但是,在这里解释为“爆炸”。Top一般来说是最高的意思,在这里是指人的头顶。所以,to blow one's top的字面意思就是把某人的头顶都炸开了。俗语的意思几乎跟中文里的怒发冲冠相似,当然,怒发冲冠可能比把头顶炸开要温和的多,但是他们都是表示非常生气。下面我们来举个例子。这是一个妈妈在对他的孩子做自我检讨:
  
  例句-3: I'm sorry I yelled at you kids this afternoon when I came home and saw the mess you'd made in the kitchen. Sure, I had a hard day at work, but I really shouldn't blow my top that way!
  
  这位妈妈说:“非常对不起。今天下午我回家看见你们把厨房弄得乱七八糟的,所以就对你们这几个孩子大声嚷嚷。当然了,我今天工作很忙很累,但是我实在不应该那么大发雷霆。”
  
  美国人当中有许多人有一种敢于承认错误,向对方道歉的习惯。家长也经常会对孩子表示道歉,说明自己做错了,就像上面这个例子里的妈妈那样。
  
  ******
  
  你们有没有发现在你们周围的人当中,有的人总是非常准时,可是有的人却老是迟到。这有的时候不得不使人感到人们生来就是有不同习惯的。下面这个人就是在说一个老是迟到的朋友。
  
  例句-4: Every time Bill and I make plans to see each other, he's always late and keeps me waiting at least twenty minutes. This morning I waited for almost an hour and I practically blew my top when I saw him.
  
  这人说:“每次我和比尔约好见面,他没有一次不迟到的;我至少要等他二十分钟。今天早上,我等了将近一个小时。等我见到他的时候,我可真是大发雷霆。”
  
  说到准时不准时,有的美国人认为这跟每个民族的文化和风俗习惯有关。因此,有的时候当某人迟到的时候,他们就会说这是:Mexican time. 意思是“墨西哥人往往迟到,所以这是不足为奇的”。这种观点有它一定道理,但是也不能一概而论。墨西哥人里也有准时的,美国人当中也有不准时的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#705
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry在告诉李华这个星期他办公室发生的一场争论。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to have a beef with someone和hit pay dirt。
  
  LL: The boss still wants to fire Jim because they had a beef over the last sales report.
  
  LH: 老板要开除Jim,因为他们有什么?A beef?你是说他们为了一些牛肉在吵架?
  
  LL: No (laughing), not beef as in the beef that you eat. To have a beef with someone means to have a disagreement. The boss and Jim had a disagreement over the sales report.
  
  LH: 噢,哈哈,原来have a beef with someone就是和某人有争执。这和我们吃的牛肉一点关系也没有。你老板为什么会和Jim吵架呢?
  
  LL: Well, the boss felt that Jim had done a really bad job of preparing the report and Jim felt that the boss did not give him enough time to do the report properly.
  
  LH: 噢,老板觉得Jim写的报告太差,而Jim觉得老板没给他足够的时间,所以两人就这么吵起来啦?Jim had a beef with the boss。我说得对吗?
  
  LL: Yep. Now, the boss is making everyone else miserable because of his beef with Jim.
  
  LH: 他是和Jim闹不开心,这跟其他人有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: He's just been in a really bad mood and he's being tough on everyone. It's not fair. His beef is with Jim, not the rest of the people in the office.
  
  LH: 他不高兴就对办公室里每个人都特别厉害。这是很不公平。他是跟Jim吵架,又不是和全办公室吵架。
  
  LL: Exactly. I'm worried that the situation will go too far and there will be major problems in our office.
  
  LH: 你怕情况发展下去办公室会出大问题呀?你们为什么不让Jim向老板道个歉。这不就完了吗?
  
  LL: I don't think he'll do that.
  
  LH: 他不会道歉?啊呀,你劝劝他嘛。关键在他身上, 道了欠紧张气氛就化解了,对大家都有好处。
  
  LL: It's worth a try. Maybe Jim will be willing to sacrifice his own interests and resolve his beef with the boss.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#706
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, you really hit pay dirt with that suggestion you made. Jim apologized to the boss and everybody is happy now.
  
  LH: Jim和你们老板道歉啦?那太好了!不过,Larry,你说hit pay dirt是什么意思,我听不懂耶!
  
  LL: To hit pay dirt means that you found something that turned out to be profitable or beneficial.
  
  LH: To hit pay dirt就是发现了很有好处的东西。所以你刚才的意思是我的建议非常有用。不过,这三个词hit, pay, dirt合在一起挺怪的。这说法是从哪里来的?
  
  LL: When miners would dig for gold, they would say that they had hit pay dirt when they found dirt that contained gold.
  
  LH: 噢,原来是采金矿的工人在挖到含黄金的矿石时,他们就会说hit pay dirt,这样一解释,我就懂了。
  
  LL: They sometimes say "strike pay dirt". Anyway, LI Hua, I also hit pay dirt today.
  
  LH: 你今天也挖到宝啦?怎么说?
  
  LL: I got a job offer for after I graduate.
  
  LH: 你已经找到毕业后的工作啦!那太好了!是哪家公司要雇你呢?
  
  LL: Actually, the office I'm working in offered me the job.
  
  LH: 真的?就是你现在打工的这家公司?不过你真的想在那儿工作吗?
  
  LL: At first, I wasn't that interested, but when they told me what my salary would be, I realized that I'd really hit pay dirt.
  
  LH: 哇,太棒了,你很快就能把你的破车卖了,买一辆高级车,a nice set of wheels。我们一块儿出去庆祝庆祝吧!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是have a beef with someone,就是和某人争吵,关系紧张的意思。另一个常用语hit pay dirt,也可以说strike pay dirt,就是指发现了有价值的东西。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#707
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家讲解的两个习惯用语都是以“枪”这个字为主的。“枪”在英文里就是:Gun.美国人在日常口语里,gun这个字是用的比较多的。枪,也就是 gun,是一种致命的武器,不过它并不见得老是用来杀人。比如说,赛跑的时候一贯都是以朝天开枪作为开始跑的信号。这就和我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语有直接关系。这个习惯用语就是:to jump the gun. To jump就是“跳高”或“跳跃”的“跳”。要是一个参加赛跑的运动员在枪还没有响就开始跑,那他就是jump the gun. 要是发生在规模比较大的运动会上,这个运动员还可能会被取消比赛资格。但是,to jump the gun作为俗语已经超越了体育的界限。它可以使用在生活的各个方面,它的意思就是:过早地开始一个行动,或者是过于匆忙地做某件事。下面就是一个很好的例子。听众们恐怕有时也会遇到同样的情况:
  
  例句-1: We certainly jumped the gun when we packed our winter clothes away the first warm day in March. Two days later it turned cold and six inches of snow fell. We had to get the clothes out again.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们在三月份天气一暖就把冬天的衣服给收起来了。这实在是过于早了一点,因为两天后天气突然又变冷,还下了六寸雪。我们不得不再把衣服拿出来。”
  
  ******
  
  性子急的人往往会做事太匆忙。下面这个例子就是一位当律师的丈夫在告诉他的朋友他的太太如何在没有弄清事实的情况下就指责他:
  
  例句-2: My wife saw me in a restaurant having lunch with a female client. Not knowing who my client was, she jumped the gun and accused me of having an affair. I had a hard time convincing her it was purely business.
  
  这人说:“我太太看见我和我的一位女顾客在饭馆里吃午饭。她还没有弄清楚跟我一起吃饭的是谁,就指责我有外遇。我花了好大工夫让她相信我和那女顾客一起吃午饭纯粹是为了生意。”
  
  许多人认为美国人在男女关系方面非常随便。美国的电视和电影很可能给人造成这样的印象。这不能说不是美国社会的一个方面,但是根据一份新的报告显示,大多数美国人的家庭观念很重,对自己的妻子或丈夫很忠诚。人们经常能看到一对对结婚几十年的老年夫妇。他们退休后一起出门旅行、游览,共享晚年。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#708
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

请大家想象一下两百年前的一场伟大战役。正当一队士兵在急忙往大炮里装炮弹的时候,他们看见有大量敌军骑兵向他们直冲而来,手里还拿着闪闪发光的大刀。就在这些炮兵拔腿想逃的时候,他们的上校着了急,大声对这些士兵说:stick to your guns!
  
  To stick to one's guns就是我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语。To stick在这里的意思是:坚守。也就是坚守岗位的“坚守”。To stick to one's guns就是:坚守某人的枪。但是,这个俗语已经演变到美国的日常用语中来了。它的意思跟战争或枪毫无关系。To stick to one's guns作为俗语的意思就是:在日常生活中不管压力多大,一个人要能坚持自己的计划。下面是一个珠宝商在讲话:
  
  例句-3: Business is so terrible my partner wants to close up shop, but I told him we should stick to our guns and not give up -- business is bound to pick up this winter if we can keep our doors open.
  
  这人说:“由于生意很不好,我的合股人要把店关掉。但是我告诉他要坚持下去,不要放弃,因为要是我们能维持下去,继续营业的话,今年冬天生意一定会好起来的。”
  
  ******
  
  美国大学里除了少数几门必修课以外,其它课程都可以由学生自己选择。一般一个学生每学期至少要上四门课。下面是一个学生在说他的同学:
  
  例句-4: Most students take four courses each semester, but not Mike. He always takes one more course than others. He stuck to his guns even when he had to work at two labs last semester.
  
  这个学生说:“大多数学生每个学期都选四门课,可是,麦克却不同。他总是比大家多选一门课。上学期他不得不去两个实验室工作,但是即便如此,他仍然坚持上五门课。”
  
  美国学生大多数都要工作,因为有的学生完全要由自己来负担教育费用,即使家长有能力,一般来说学生也要自己挣钱来负担一部份。所以这个例子里说的那个学生要到两个实验室工作也并不是少见的现象。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#709
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正准备出门,到Larry父母家去过周末。今天李华会学到两个常用语:hit the road和have a hissy fit。
  
  (Knock on door)
  
  LL: Come on, Li Hua. It's time to hit the road! We've got a long drive ahead of us.
  
  LH: 进来,进来,着什么急呀!对了,你说It's time to hit the road? Hit是打的意思,我们为什么要打马路?
  
  LL: To hit the road means to leave. It's time for us to leave.
  
  LH: 噢,to hit the road就是出发,上路的意思。哎呀,我的包还没装好耶!
  
  LL: Li Hua, I told you that we need to hit the road by 9:00 am if we're going to make it to my parents' house before dark.
  
  LH: 我知道!你说过要在天黑以前到,9点前就必须出发。我再有几分钟就好了。
  
  LL: All right, but please hurry up. I hate driving on country roads after dark. It can be dangerous.
  
  LH: 好啦,好啦,别催我啦! 对了。 Larry,我们可不可以先去吃个早餐?
  
  LL: I don't want to stop right after we hit the road. You can have a snack now and then we'll stop for lunch.
  
  LH: 什么?你要我先吃点零食,等到中午才吃午饭啊?可是我现在好饿噢!而且我家里什么吃的都没有。
  
  LL: How about this: If you can be ready to hit the road in five minutes, then we can stop for breakfast. Otherwise, you're just going to have to wait until lunch.
  
  LH: 你怎么还要讲条件呐!五分钟内出发我就能吃早饭,否则就得等到中午再吃饭。没问题,我只要三分钟就够了。
  
  LL: Are you sure you have everything you need?
  
  LH: 嗯,我想应该都带齐了吧。好啦,我们走吧!Let's hit the road!
  
  LL: It's about time! I'll go and put your bag in the car.
  
  LH: 你去把我的包放到车里呀?那就麻烦你了。别忘了,breakfast before we hit the road!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#710
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,你开过麦当劳啦!不是说好了先去吃早餐的吗?
  
  LL: Sorry, I missed the turn. We can turn around and go back. There's no need to have a hissy fit.
  
  LH: 你在说什么?Have a hissy fit?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To have a hissy fit means to get really upset about something and throw a tantrum.
  
  LH: To have a hissy fit就是发脾气的意思。我没有生气,我只是以为你是故意不去麦当劳的。
  
  LL: Well, look, I'm going to stop. See? You're going to get what you want, so there is no need to have a hissy fit.
  
  LH: 我跟你说了,我没有生气嘛!你干嘛一直这样说我啊?
  
  LL: Oh great. Now, you're going to have a hissy fit because I asked you not to have a hissy fit.
  
  LH: 等等,等等,你说什么?我发脾气是因为你叫我别发脾气?你都把我搞糊涂了。
  
  LL: Yeah, let's just forget about the whole thing and go get some breakfast. I'm actually a little hungry, too.
  
  LH: 就是啊,别再说什么生气不生气了。我好饿噢,快坐下来吃早餐吧!
  
  LL:Hey Li Hua, look at that little boy. He's having a hissy fit!
  
  LH: 那个孩子呀?噢,那边那个男孩。我们进来的时候他就已经在闹了。也许他没有拿到麦当劳的玩具。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是hit the road,就是出发,上路的意思。另一个常用语是to have a hissy fit,就是发脾气的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#711
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

历史记录已经证明人的脑子可以发挥巨大的功能;人脑对社会和科学的发展做出了不可估量的贡献。但是,点点滴滴的贡献都是人通过脑子去学习、理解、思考和创造才能做到的。今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就是和动脑筋有关的:to beat one's brains out. To beat就是打人的“打”。那么,to beat one's brains out是不是要把某人的脑子打出来呢?那不是太可怕了吗? To beat one's brains out实际上和打人毫无关系。作为一个习惯用语,to beat one's brains out就是绞尽脑汁的意思。也就是说,一个人尽很大的努力去动脑筋弄懂某个很难的课题,或者想办法完成一项需要用很多脑筋才能完成的任务。下面我们举的例子就是一个中学生在求他的同学给他一点帮助。他说:
  
  例句-1: Please, could you give me a little help on these algebra problems? I've been beating my brains out all weekend trying to figure them out, but I'm still not sure I understand them.
  
  这个学生对他的同学说:我花了整个周末的时间绞尽脑汁想弄懂这些代数题,可是到现在为止我还没法肯定我已经懂了。请你帮帮我的忙吧!
  
  许多美国人都认为中国人或其它亚洲国家的人脑子都很聪敏,尤其在数学方面能力特强。
  
  ******
  
  随着美国各方面的技术不断发展,家庭用具也越来越机械化,什么微波机、洗碗机、吸尘器、录像机等名目繁多。买这些家庭用具不仅要花钱,买回家以后要学会怎么用还是一个大问题。一般都要仔细看说明书,跟着说明书上说的一步一步去研究。下面是一个妻子因为不会用录像机而在对她的丈夫抱怨:
  
  例句-2: This VCR is too complicated for me! Okay, you've tried to teach me twice how to run it, but I beat my brains out again yesterday trying to tape a show and I still couldn't make it work.
  
  这位太太说:这个录像机对我来说是太复杂了。是的,你已经教了我两次怎么操作这个录像机,可是,昨天我想把一个节目录下来,结果绞尽了脑汁到了还是没有弄清楚该怎么操作。
  
  但是,有很多人发现他们的孩子都很能对付这样的电气设备。东西买回家,这些孩子也不见得仔细看说明书,但是他们东摁西摁,一下就行了。好些人因此感到很自豪,认为自己的孩子是天才,将来很可能朝那一方面发展。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#712
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

虽然我们的脑子可以发挥很大的作用,其潜力无穷, 但是,我们的脑子有时也会受到控制。这就是我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语:to brainwash. Brainwash是一个字,但是很明显,这是由两个字合成的,第一个字是brain, 第二个字是wash. Brain就是人的脑子,而wash就是洗衣服的“洗”。Brain和wash合在一起的意思就是“洗脑”,也就是在违背某人意愿的情况下不断地使他改变他的信念和行为。这个字是在五十年代出现的,当时,人们听说国家的统治者使用各种手段来改变政治犯的观点。现在,brainwash已经普遍用于各个方面,凡是利用一切机会再三重复的手段来改变人们观点的作法都是可以说是brainwash. 有的人说电视广告就是brainwash,因为它再三重复。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-3: Kids all over America watch cartoons on TV every Saturday morning. Almost every day I hear parents complain that the commercials they see over and over again brainwash the kids into buying stuff they don't really need.
  
  这个人说:全美国的孩子每个星期六早上都看电视上的卡通片。我几乎每天都听到家长们在抱怨说,这些孩子看了又看那些电视广告,结果他们都去买那些他们根本用不着的产品。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举个例子。这是说一个人的妹妹怎么和她的要好朋友产生会误会的。这人说:
  
  例句-4: Several of her friends brainwashed my sister Mary into believing that her best friend Carol was saying nasty things about her behind her back. Mary was as sorry as she could be when she found out it wasn't true.
  
  这人说:我妹妹玛丽的几个朋友不断地告诉她,她的要好朋友卡罗尔在她背后说她的坏话。玛丽经过她们的洗脑也就相信了她们的话。后来她发现这不是真的时,她感到非常抱歉。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#713
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry正开车和李华一起到他父母家过周末。两人在车上讨论这个周末的活动。今天李华会学到两个常用语:have a ball和tizzy。
  
  (Highway traffic)
  
  LH: 我希望你妈妈会喜欢和我一块儿去逛街。
  
  LL: Oh, I'm sure that the two of you will have a ball if you go shopping together. You both love to shop.
  
  LH: Have a ball? 哎,我是要和你妈逛街,不是和她去打球?
  
  LL: To have a ball means to have a lot of fun. I think you and my mother would have a lot of fun shopping together.
  
  LH: 噢,原来如此。To have a ball就是玩的非常开心,所以,Larry你的意思是我和你妈会逛的很开心。嗯,我也这么觉的。
  
  LL: I plan on watching some football with my dad and playing baseball with my cousins. That's my idea of having a ball.
  
  LH: 和你爸爸看球赛,又和你表弟打球,这些对你来说就是玩得过瘾啦!不过啊,我是一点兴趣也没有。
  
  LL: While I'm doing that, you and my mom can go and have a ball shopping. It works out perfectly.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry,你家有游泳池,对吧?
  
  LL: Yep, they have a big pool in the backyard. My cousins have a ball splashing around in it.
  
  LH: 嗯,我想我和你的表兄妹一样,一定会在游泳池里玩的很开心!我已经有好久好久都没有游泳了!
  
  LL: Yeah, I wouldn't mind going swimming either. This hot weather is great for hanging out in the pool.
  
  LH: 啊,我觉得这个周末一定会玩的很开心!
  
  LL: Yep, everybody is going to have a ball.
  
  LH: 我们还有多久才会到呢?
  
  LL: Another three or four hours.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#714
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Cell phone ringing)
  
  LH: Larry,你妈怎么一直打你的手机呢?她有什么急事吗?
  
  LL: Oh, she's in a tizzy because she's excited that we're coming home for a visit. She misses me while I'm away.
  
  LH: 我知道你妈盼望着你回家。我也知道她很想你,可是她怎么啦?She's in a what? Tizzy? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: A tizzy is a state of nervous excitement. My mom is excited about us coming home, but she's nervous because she wants to make sure everything is ready for us.
  
  LH: 所以tizzy就是指很紧张,很兴奋。你妈妈知道你要回家,所以她很兴奋,我妈也是这样,每次我要回家,她都会把家里打扫的一尘不染,还买一大堆我喜欢吃的东西。
  
  LL: My mom does the same thing. Be prepared to eat a lot this weekend. My mom gets in such a tizzy that she cooks enough to feed an army.
  
  LH: 哇,你妈妈一兴奋就会作好多饭菜啊?她做的菜好吃吗?
  
  LL: My mom is a great cook! You're going to have some old-fashioned American food.
  
  LH: 嗯,听起来好诱惑人噢!我快等不及了。说真的,我也有点tizzy,兴奋又紧张了。
  
  LL: Why are you in a tizzy?
  
  LH: 我很兴奋因为可以到一个美国人的家庭过周末,吃道地的美国菜。可是我又很紧张,因为我想让你家人对我有好印象啊!
  
  LL: Don't worry about that! You know my family thinks you're great!
  
  LH:你们家的人都对我很好。这我知道。
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是to have a ball,就是玩的很痛快,很开心。另一个常用语是tizzy,这是形容一个人很紧张,很兴奋。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#715
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

人的脑子不仅是各种思想和情绪的源泉,而且还控制着人体各部门的功能。人脑是人身体上非常关键的组成部份。大概也正是因为这个原因,“脑子”这个字经常出现在美国人日常用的成语和俗语当中。今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就是:brain drain. 大家要注意的是,brain drain这两个字的拚法只差一个字母。Brain的第一个字母是b,而drain的第一个字母是 d。大家都已经知道,brain就是脑子,那么,drain是什么呢?Drain在这里的意思是:外流。Brain drain这两个字合在一起就成了:脑子外流。我们一般都把这称之为:人才外流。Brain drain这个说法是在第二次世界大战以后出现的。当时有好多国家的学生,为了学习美国的科学技术,都纷纷到美国的大学来念书。可是,好多学生毕业以后就留在美国了,因为他们在美国工作所得到的工资要比回到自己国家去要高。Brain drain就是指一个国家受过高等教育的人才,被别的国家更好的就业机会或者其它条件所吸引而移居国外了。但是,现在的人才外流已经跟过去的情况有所不同。请听下面这个例句。
  
  例句-1: The brain drain to Europe and America has been a serious problem for developing countries. But the situation is changing for countries which have managed a high rate of economic growth -- more of their professionals living abroad are going back home these days.
  
  这句话的意思是:“发展中国家的人才不断地外流到欧洲和美国去。这对他们来说是一个很严重的问题。但是,在那些经济增长很快的国家,情况已经有所改变。在来自这些国家的专业人员当中,越来越多的人正在纷纷从外国回到原来的国家中去。”
  
  ******
  
  中国的一句俗话说:人往高处走,水往低处流。人才是外流还是回流在很大程度上决定于客观条件。有许多留学生出国以后想方设法地要留在外国,而有些留学生却刚好相反,学完以后马上就要回去,请他们留下来,他们还不肯。下面这个学生就是在讲在美国的台湾留学生。
  
  例句-2: There used to be a brain drain in Taiwan when most overseas students from there wanted to stay in America after graduation. But now it's different. The majority of them prefer to go back to Taiwan.
  
  这个学生说:“过去有一段时间,大多数来自台湾的学生希望在毕业后能留在美国。但是,现在情况可不一样了。他们当中的大多数似乎都愿意回台湾去。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#716
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲今天要给大家介绍的第二个和brain这个字有关的习惯用语:brain trust. Trust是信任的意思。Trust这个字可以用做动词,也可以用做名词。在brain trust这个俗语当中,trust是当做名词用的。我们先把brain trust这个习惯用语的出处给大家讲一下,你们听了以后就会懂得它的意思。Brain trust这个说法是六十年前开始的。当时罗斯福刚上任美国总统。罗斯福总统请了一些政府以外的专家来给他提建议、出主意。新闻界就说罗斯福信得过这些人的聪敏才智,也就是这些人是他认为信得过的人才。这个说法逐渐被大家所采纳。现在,凡是一个组织的领导人在他手下工作人员之外请一些人来给他出主意,做顾问,都可以称为brain trust. 下面是一个例句。
  
  例句-3: The president of our company is a young man who likes to hear fresh ideas. So he's organized a brain trust of the professors he had in college who meet once a month to give him advice.
  
  这个人显然是一个公司的雇员。他说:“我们公司的总裁是一个年轻人,他喜欢听取一些新鲜的意见。所以,他请了一些他在大学时候的教授做他非正式的顾问。他们每个月开一次会,给他出主意、提建议。”
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例句是一个研究所的研究员在埋怨他的领导只相信机构外面的人,完全不重视机构内部的人给他提的建议。
  
  例句-4: The director of our institute makes us feel useless because he only listens to his own brain trust. He totally ignores the ideas from those who work for him in the institute.
  
  这个人说:“我们研究所的主任只听取那些外来顾问的话,而且马上按照他们的建议采取行动。这使得我们感到好像我们都是没有用的人。他把所里工作人员提出的意见完全不当一回事。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#717
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry的新邻居非常吵闹,经常吵的他晚上睡不着。Larry问李华有没有什么好办法可以解决这个问题。今天李华会学到两个常用语:to knock it off和to conk out。
  
  LL: My neighbors are still making a bunch of noise. I wish that they would just knock it off so that I could get a few hours of sleep. I'm exhausted.
  
  LH: 你的新邻居还是那么吵啊?你只睡几个小时当然会感到疲倦啦!你说希望他们怎么啦?Knock it off?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: Knock it off. When someone says "knock it off" it means that they want you to stop whatever you're doing, most likely because what you're doing is annoying.
  
  LH: 噢,knock it off就是要人停止做某件事,特别是让人讨厌的事。你的邻居这么吵,所以你希望他们安静下来,别再吵了。
  
  LL: Exactly. They have been yelling, singing, and watching TV nonstop for days. I would give anything if they would just knock it off.
  
  LH: 整天都在大吼大叫,又是唱歌,又是看电视的,难怪你会受不了。那你有没有跟他们说过叫他们别再吵了?
  
  LL: I've thought about it, but I don't want to get into an argument with them. I've even thought about calling the landlord.
  
  LH: 你不想和他们吵,所以你还没说啊?或许你说的对,先和你的房东谈谈,让他去告诉你的邻居。
  
  LL: But they'll probably guess that I'm the one who complained.
  
  LH: 就算他们猜到是你去向房东抱怨的,那又怎么样?你管他们生不生你的气?
  
  LL: You're right, I guess it doesn't matter if they're mad at me as long as they knock it off.
  
  LH: 就是啊,只要他们不再吵了,谁管他们高兴还是生气?我的邻居经常会把他的垃圾丢在我家门口。
  
  LL: Did you tell him to knock it off?
  
  LH: 当然喽,我很客气的请他不要再把垃圾放在我家门口。他现在不再那么做了。
  
  LL: That's great. I wish my neighbors were as cooperative.
  
  LH: 你要邻居合作,你就得跟他们讲,客气点就行了嘛。Larry,我觉得你很爱抱怨耶。也许你也应该knock it off.
  
  LL: Very funny, Li Hua.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#718
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你好像很困,是不是刚起床啊?
  
  LL: I must have really conked out. I fell asleep on the couch a few hours ago. I was so tired that my neighbors couldn't keep me awake any longer.
  
  LH: 你在沙发上睡了几个小时,连你那邻居也没有把你吵醒。你肯定睡得很沉。Larry,你说你conked out? 是睡得很死的意思吧?
  
  LL: Right. To conk out is slang for falling into a deep sleep.
  
  LH: 你看,我猜对了吧!我知道你过去几天有多累,能好好睡一觉总是好的。
  
  LL: Yeah, it was wonderful to finally conk out for a few hours. I really needed the sleep.
  
  LH: 我也希望我能像你一样,conk out a few hours - 睡上几个小时。可惜我还不能睡;我还有很多功课要做。
  
  LL: Maybe you could conk out early tonight and do your homework in the morning before class.
  
  LH: 啊?你要我早点去睡,明天早上再起来做功课?不行,不行,我如果还有功课没做完,我是睡不着的。
  
  LL: You're a little too conscientious, Li Hua. Sometimes, you have to relax and take care of yourself.
  
  LH: 你觉得我太认真呀?别人也是这么说。看来我真应该放松一点。嗯,(yawn),好吧,那我就去睡了,I'll try to conk out now.
  
  李华今天学到两个常用语。第一个是to knock it off,意思是要人停止做一件事,通常是令人讨厌的事。另一个常用语是to conk out,就是睡的很深,很沉的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#719
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语是由track这个字组成的。Track 这个字跟其它好些英文字一样有好几种解释。有的时候,track是指人或动物走过的地方所留下的脚印。但是,track也可以解释为火车在上面运行的铁轨。我们先来讲一个很形像的习惯用语,那就是:one track mind.
  
  Mind就是一个人的心。这里说的心不是指心脏,而是一个人心里怎么想的心。那么,one track是什么意思呢?一般铁路都有两套铁轨,以便火车可以同时往两个不同的方向运行。可是,有些不太重要,用得又比较少的铁路只有一条铁轨,也就是火车只能往一个方向运行。one track mind作为俗语就是一个人的心思只能往一个方向想。那么也就是说,这个人的心很狭窄,除了自己的想法外容不得其它的观点。我们来举个例子吧。这是一个人在说他的弟弟。
  
  例句-1: I'm afraid my brother Johnny has a real one track mind. All he ever seems to think about is getting all dressed up and going out to chase the girls.
  
  这个人说:“恐怕我的弟弟约翰尼真是一个独行其事的人。他心里唯一想的似乎就是穿得漂漂亮亮的,到外面去找女孩子寻欢作乐。”
  
  这只是一种心胸很狭隘的现象,也就是兴趣单一,对某种事着了迷。
  
  ******
  
  另外一种大家经常会遇到的one track mind就是一个人只相信自己的看法,根本不能、也不想接受或考虑别人的意见。这种人早晚会摔跤。下面是一个人在说他的朋友。
  
  例句-2: I told Jack not to pour all his money into one single stock. But having a one track mind, he didn't even pay attention to what I said. Now he has suffered a heavy loss because the price of the stock he bought has dropped.
  
  这人说:“我告诉杰克不要把他所有的钱买一种股票。可是,他对我说的话根本没加注意,因为他一贯只相信自己,不愿听取别人的意见。现在,他买的那个股票价格下跌,他损失了好多钱。”
  
  好多美国人都喜欢买股票,作为个人的投资,因为要是一个人懂得股票市场,运气又好,他可以从买股票获得很高利润,要比银行的利息高得多。特别是近几年来,美国银行利率非常低,所以,好多人都把存在银行里的钱拿出来做其它投资,有些人就去买股票。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#720
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来讲一个和track这个字有关的习惯用语。那就是:track record. Track record是美国人用的非常普遍的一个习惯用语。Record这个字的意思是“记录”。Track record这两个字合在一起用,作为一个习惯用语,它的意思就是:以往的记录。Track record一开始是用来形容一匹马在每次比赛中的记录。这些记录登在一份关于赛马的报纸上。那些赌钱的人都很仔细地研究这些记录,希望能够挑选一匹最可能取胜,让他们赚钱的马。可是,现在,track record已经不仅仅指马了,它的含义已经扩大了很多。当前,当人们用track record的时候,他们是指一个人在事业方面如何表现的记录,特别是有些什么成就。这种记录对那些竞选官职的政界人士来说是非常重要的。下面是一个选民在对另一个选民说话:
  
  例句-3: We're lucky. This year we have two people with good track records running for Congress. It's hard to make up my mind, but I think I'll vote for Ms. Green because her track record is a little more impressive.
  
  这个选民说:“我们很幸运,今年我们竞选国会议员的两位候选人过去表现都很好,很难做出决定究竟选谁。但是,我想我还是投格林女士的票,因为我认为她以往的成就更好一些。”
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个关于track record的例子。刚才我们讲 track record主要是讲一个人的成就,但是有的时候也可以说一个人过去表现不够,甚至不好。下面是一个美国首都华盛顿的一个选民在说以前被关进监狱,现在却又当选的市长巴里。
  
  例句-4: Barry had been D.C.'s mayor for 12 years before he was put into prison for involvement with drugs in 1990. This time he was elected again. I just don't understand why people voted for him. He simply doesn't have a good track record.
  
  这人说:“巴里在1990年由于涉及毒品而被关进监狱。在这以前他在华盛顿担任了十二年的市长。这一次,他又重新当选为市长。我真是不懂为什么人们会投他的票。他以往的表现根本不好。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#721
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在商量如何帮助他们的朋友Jane,因为Jane在工作上碰到了困难。今天李华会学到两个常用语:a can of worms和cut one's losses。
  
  LL: I think that maybe we should just be supportive of Jane. It's best not to open a can of worms by trying to give her advice.
  
  LH: 当然我们应该支持Jane。你说我们不要什么?Open a can of worms? Worms是虫子,支持Jane,给她提建议和一罐虫子有什么关系?而且哪儿有什么罐子里装虫子的?
  
  LL: "To open a can of worms" means to do something that results in a complicated situation full of problems.
  
  LH: 我说呢,open a can of worms是个比喻,不是真的开一罐虫子。所以To open a can of worms 是指做了某件事会把问题弄得更复杂。可是,Larry, 我不懂,为什么给Jane提一些建议反而会造成更多问题呢?
  
  LL: Well, if she follows your advice and it doesn't solve her problem, then she might blame you.
  
  LH: 这倒也是,如果Jane听了我们的建议,但是问题解决不了,她可能会反过来怪我们。还有,我们也可能因为不了解情况而给她错误的建议呀!
  
  LL: Right. There are so many things that could go wrong when you give people advice that I usually avoid opening that can of worms.
  
  LH: 这是没错,给人提建议是很可能会出问题的,因为你毕竟不了解他的情况。可是,你也不能因为这样就避免给人提建议,不能因咽废食。给朋友出主意也是应该的嘛。对了,Larry, 你还不知道,那天在课堂上我才真的是opened a can of worms.
  
  LL: What did you do?
  
  LH: 我问教授为什么不讨论第13章,结果教授要全班回家读第13章,而且星期一还要考试呢!
  
  LL: I bet that everyone in your class is unhappy with you right now.
  
  LH: 就是啊,现在全班同学一定在骂我。更惨的是,连教授也生我的气,因为这本来是他的疏忽,可给我指明了。所以喽,我真的是招惹了更多麻烦。
  
  LL: Wow, that's a tough situation. You really did open a can of worms.
  
  LH: 就是啊,所以我现在很后悔,早知道什么都别说就好了。
  
  LL: Unfortunately, sometimes keeping your mouth shut is the only way to avoid opening a can of worms.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-09#722
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, Jane decided to cut her losses and quit her job. She's going to start looking for a new job tomorrow.
  
  LH: 真的?Jane决定要辞掉那个工作啦?Larry,什么是cut her losses?
  
  LL: To cut one's losses means to give up and withdraw from a losing situation.
  
  LH: Cut one's losses就是看到形势对自己不利就决定改变方向,这样可以减少损失。所以Jane决定宁可辞职,也不要再浪费时间去解决工作上的问题。是这个意思吗?
  
  LL: Exactly. She didn't see any way to improve her relationship with her co-workers, so she decided to cut her losses and leave.
  
  LH: 嗯,要是根本没有希望改善和她同事的关系,那还不如趁早离开,免得再继续受罪。
  
  LL: Sometimes, there's nothing you can do to improve a situation. All you can do is cut your losses and try to find a better situation.
  
  LH: 说的也是。人生有许多事情真的是你再怎么努力,也没办法改善的。像我一位朋友,她是研究生化专业的博士生,可是她和她的指导教授关系很差。
  
  LL: What happened?
  
  LH: 跟了那个教授三年后,决定不能再浪费时间了。所以她决定cut her losses,拿了个硕士学位就走人。博士学位也不要了。
  
  LL: She gave up on her PhD?
  
  LH: 她实在没别的选择,就只能放弃喽!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是to open a can of worms,意思是做了某件事会造成更多问题。另一个常用语是to cut one's losses,这是指及时从对自己不利的局面里撤出来,以减少损失。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#723
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是由mind这个字为主的。Mind就是指人的心,或者是一个人的想法或意见。现在我们来给大家讲解第一个习惯用语:to give somebody a piece of one's mind. Piece这个字实际上是一个量词,它有很多意思,但是在这里它的意思是“一片、或者是一部份”。因此,要是从字面上来解释,to give somebody a piece of one's mind,也就是:某人把自己的一些想法告诉别人。要是没有学过这个习惯用语的话,你可能以为这种作法很慷慨;这个人很愿意给别人提出忠告。可是,to give somebody a piece of one's mind, 它的确切意思刚好相反。To give somebody a piece of one's mind的真正意思是带有指责的直言不讳,或者是很愤怒地把某人痛骂一顿。比如说,美国家庭中经常发生的矛盾是家长规定孩子晚上一定要在什么时间前回家,而孩子往往不遵守家长的规定。下面就是一个例子。爸爸妈妈要女儿在晚上十二点以前回家,可是,他们等到半夜两点还不见人影,他们又着急,又生气。这位爸爸就说:
  
  例句-1: I'm going to wait for Mary to come home even if I have to stay up all night! And when she comes in that door, I am going to give her a piece of my mind she'll never forget!
  
  这位爸爸说:“哪怕我一夜不睡觉,我今天也非要等到玛丽回来不可。当她走进门的时候,我要好好地教训她一顿,让她永远也忘不了。”
  
  这种情况恐怕大多数家长都经历过,而且也经常可以听到人们在谈论这个问题。
  
  ******
  
  我们上面讲过,to give somebody a piece of one's mind可以解释为直言不讳。直言不讳本来是完全应该肯定的,但是,to give somebody a piece of one's mind除了说心里话以外还带有生气和指责的意思。下面这个例子就是一个人在说他去修车的经历。
  
  例句-2: I couldn't believe how much that mechanic charged me for fixing my car! I knew he was cheating me so I gave him a piece of my mind and told him I'd never bring the car back there again.
  
  这个太太说:“那个给我修车的人要我付那么多的钱,真是让我难以相信。我知道他在欺骗我,所以我毫不掩盖地告诉了他我对他的看法,并且对他说我以后再也不会到他那儿去修车了。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#724
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是美国人经常会用的。这个习惯用语是用mind这个字和另外一个字组成的。现在我们先把这个习惯用语念一遍:mind-boggling.
  
  Boggling这个字很明显是来自动词boggle。它的意思是“吃惊”或“震惊”。Mind-boggling是指某一件事情、或某样东西在智力或感情方面具有强大的力量而使人感到难以控制自己。比如说,有的人会想出非常英明的主意,别人根本想不到的主意。这也会使人感到震惊。下面是一个学生在说他学天文学的感受:
  
  例句-3: I remember how mind-boggling it was when I took astronomy in school and discovered our sun was just one of trillions of stars in a universe so big it was impossible for me even to imagine!
  
  他说:“我在学校上天文学的时候发现,我们的太阳只不过是宇宙间许许多多行星之一,而宇宙之大真是我难以想象的。我还记得当时我感到非常吃惊。”
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子,这个例子说明mind boggling也可以用在反面的情况下。这是一个人在说美国的一件谋杀案,那是一个二十几岁的母亲把自己的两个儿子推到河里给淹死了。
  
  例句-4: Everyone finds it mind-boggling that the young mother actually killed her two sons. I saw the boys on TV and they looked so sweet and innocent. Well, I guess we can't say anymore that all mothers love their children.
  
  这人说:“每个人听到那个年轻的母亲把她两个儿子杀死的消息都感到非常震惊。我在电视上看到这两个孩子。他们看起来非常可爱和天真。唉,我想我们恐怕不能再说,所有的母亲都爱她们的孩子了!”
  
  在这儿要说明的是,尽管美国的犯罪率很高,但是像这种母亲杀自己孩子的案件还是很少见的。正因为如此,这个案件引起了美国社会的愤怒。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#725
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry的车子正在厂里修理。今天李华陪他去取车。李华会学到两个常用语:grease monkey和fender bender。
  
  LL: I hope my car is ready. The grease monkey said it would be fixed by 3:00 this afternoon.
  
  LH: The grease monkey? Larry,你的车不是送到修车厂了吗?修车厂怎么会有猴子呢?
  
  LL: (Laugh) No, there aren't any monkeys like the monkeys in the zoo. Grease monkey is a slang term for auto mechanic.
  
  LH: 你们把汽车修理工叫grease monkey?真有意思。所以你是说,修车的工人告诉你,车子在3点以前会修好。
  
  LL: Right, but I doubt it will be ready. Every time a grease monkey tells my car will be ready, he's wrong.
  
  LH: 你不相信那修车的人?为什么每次他们说的时间都是错的?
  
  LL: Well, last time I had my car fixed. The mechanic said it would be ready the next day. As it turned out, my car wasn't ready until three days later.
  
  LH: 原来上回修车你就受骗过。说好第二天可以取车,结果拖了三天才修好。怪不得你不相信他们了。对了,Larry,我们可以当着修车工的面叫他们grease monkey吗?
  
  LL: Some mechanics wouldn't care, but others might not like being called a grease monkey. If I mean it as a joke, it's okay; however, it can also be used negatively.
  
  LH: 有些人不在乎,有的人会不高兴。这也是很自然的。要是叫他们grease monkey是开玩笑的话,我想应该不会有什么问题。
  
  LL: Yeah, but it can be an insult.
  
  LH: 那么到底怎么样才算是开玩笑呢?
  
  LL: Well, my sister tried to fix her car and got covered in grease. After that, my father jokingly called her his little grease monkey.
  
  LH: 哈哈,你妹妹自己想修车,结果搞的全身油污,你爸爸叫她my grease monkey。那你呢?你有没有自己修过车?
  
  LL: No, I'm not very good at fixing cars. I would be a lousy grease monkey.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#726
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你还没告诉我,为什么你的车要送去修啊?
  
  LL: I was in a little fender bender the other day and my tail light needed to be fixed.
  
  LH: 你的车怎么啦? A fender bender? 那是什么东西啊?
  
  LL: A fender bender is a minor car accident. Usually, no one is seriously hurt in a fender bender and the cars are not damaged too badly.
  
  LH: A fender bender就是小事故。Larry你撞车啦,怎么都没有告诉我呢?
  
  LL: It was just a fender bender, so I didn't think it was important enough to tell you about.
  
  LH: 小事故也可能会受伤啊。你怎么样?你没什么事吧?
  
  LL: I'm fine. I didn't even get a scratch.
  
  LH: 你没事就好。对了,你怎么会和别的车擦撞呢?
  
  LL: The girl in the car behind me was talking on her cell phone and she wasn't paying attention. She drove into the back of my car.
  
  LH: 一面开车一面打手机真的很危险的。那个从后面撞上你的女孩,如果开车速度再快一些,你们都有可能受伤呢!
  
  LL: Fortunately, she wasn't driving very fast, so it turned out to be just a minor fender bender.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是grease monkey, 是指修理汽车的工人。另一个常用语是fender bender, 这是指小车祸,通常没有人受伤的事故。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#727
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们曾经讲过几个和gun也就是枪炮的“枪”这个字有关的习惯用语。我们讲过:To jump the gun. 那是过早地采取行动的意思。我们还讲过:To stick to the gun. 这是指不管在什么压力下都坚持自己的计划。今天我们再来给大家介绍两个以gun这个字组成的习惯用语。第一个是:Under the gun.
  
  Under the gun就是一个人为了在限定的时间内完成一项任务,或者是解决一个问题而受到很大的压力,几乎就好像有人拿着枪逼着他把事情干完一样。我们来举一个例子吧。许多美国人认为在一个星期紧张工作后,周末应该好好地轻松一下,休息一下。有的比较富裕的人往往会在郊区安静的地方,或靠海的地方买一栋房子,周末就开车到那里去过两天安静的日子。没有条件买别墅的人则往往会开车到郊外去,或者到海滨去。下面就是一个公司职员在说他的老板打乱了他的周末计划。
  
  例句-1: I'd planned to go to the beach this weekend but I had to cancel my reservation. The boss has me under the gun to finish the company's annual program report by next Monday.
  
  这个人说:“我原来计划好这个周末要去海边玩的,但是我不得不把我预定好的旅馆等都取消,因为我的老板非要我在下星期一之前把公司的年度报告写完。”
  
  ******
  
  每年年底一般都是美国人最忙的时候。这恐怕在别的国家也是一样。工作的人在年底要做总结,要完成年终报表。学生要准备期终考试。除此之外还有许多节日的准备工作。一般来说,十二月初人们就开始写贺年片,寄贺年片,买圣诞节礼物,给外地的亲友寄礼物等。下面这个例子就是一个学生在说他的感受。
  
  例句-2: I can't afford any time before Christmas for parties because I'm under the gun to get ready for term exams. If I fail any of the courses I won't be accepted into medical school next year.
  
  这个学生说:“在圣诞节之前,我不能花任何时间去参加聚会,因为我要为期终考试做好充份准备,压力很大。要是我有一门课不及格,我明年就进不了医学院。”

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#728
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个俗语实际上是gun这个字的变形,它就是:gunshy. Gunshy这个字就是在gun后面加上 s-h-y. S-h-y本身也是一个字。它的意思就是:“怕羞,不好意思”。可是,gun和shy这两个字加在一起成了一个字以后,它的意思跟gun和shy都没有关系了。Gunshy这个字的意思是:一个人由于以往不太愉快的经历而在面临某种情况的时候感到很迟疑和不安。你们听了下面这个例句以后就会明白gunshy的意思了。这是一个哥哥在为他的弟弟担忧。
  
  例句-3: All his friends kept telling my brother Bill he ought to get married again. But he's gunshy about having another wife after his first marriage turned out so badly.
  
  他说:“我弟弟比尔的所有朋友都不断地对他说,他应该再结婚。但是,由于比尔第一次结婚结局很坏,所以他对再次结婚感到很迟疑。”
  
  ******
  
  美国的航空事业非常发达。飞机已经是一种极为普遍的交通工具。不少人由于工作关系几乎每个星期都要乘飞机到别的地方去。有的人开玩笑说,这些常坐飞机的人好像把飞机当成公共汽车了。虽然美国的航空公司一般都还安全,但是飞机出事也时而发生。下面这个例子是一个人在说他的朋友由于经历了飞机事故而不太愿意再乘飞机了。
  
  例句-4: John used to travel by plane at least once a month on business. But since he survived that plane crash last year, he's become gunshy about boarding a plane. He'd rather drive whenever possible.
  
  这人说:“约翰过去为了他的生意至少一个月得乘一次飞机。但是,自从他去年经历了那次飞机事故以后,他已经变得不愿意再乘飞机了。只要可能,他宁可开汽车。”
  
  在美国开长途汽车到某个地方去倒也是常事。过年过节的时候,高速公路上汽车很多,多半都是开车回家过节的。有的开三四个小时,更长的开上十几个小时也并不罕见。当然,这主要是为了省钱。可是,开车花的时间要比乘飞机多好几倍。比如说,从华盛顿开车到纽约一般要五个多小时,乘飞机一个多小时就到了。因此,办正经事的时候,一般都乘飞机
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#729
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华开始在图书馆打工,但是她告诉Larry她担心自己不能胜任这份工作。今天李华会学到两个常用语:learn the ropes和put a lid on it。
  
  LH: 我实在搞不清楚怎么用图书馆的电脑系统。我好怕我会做错什么事情。
  
  LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. You'll figure it out. It takes a little while to learn the ropes at a new job.
  
  LH: Larry, 你在说什么啊?To learn the ropes? 我是在图书馆工作,又不是在体育馆里呢。我干吗要学习拉绳索。再说,图书馆里也没有绳索啊?
  
  LL: No (laughing). "To learn the ropes" is an expression. It means to learn how to do something, especially something related to work.
  
  LH: 噢,to learn the ropes就是学会怎么做某件事,特别是指跟工作有关的事。这个用法好奇怪噢。你知道这个常用语是怎么来的吗?
  
  LL: The expression is related to sailing. When sailors first started working on a boat, they had to learn which ropes were attached to which sails.
  
  LH: 原来这是从航海而来。没错,这水手一开始学必须学会哪条绳索是控制哪个风帆的。我也希望我能赶快学会图书馆的一套工作,不然我可能要被开除了!
  
  LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. Everyone needs some time to learn the ropes at a new job. I'm sure your boss knows that.
  
  LH: 对,每个人到一个新的工作岗位都需要时间才能熟悉自己的工作。可是我真想表现好一些,不让我老板失望。
  
  LL: I'm sure you won't. When I started my most recent job, it took me about three weeks to learn the ropes.
  
  LH: 你花了三个星期才学会你现在的工作啊?那你在那三个星期里有没有犯错呢?
  
  LL: Of course, but no one minded because they knew that I was still learning the ropes.
  
  LH: 你的同事真好。他们知道你是新人,所以你犯错,他们都很包容。那如果你现在还犯错,他们会怎么样?
  
  LL: I don't have that excuse anymore, but my boss is still relatively understanding. He knows that everyone makes mistakes from time to time.
  
  LH: 你现在再犯错误就没有借口了。可是,你的老板真好,很能理解工作人员。我希望我的老板也能如此。不过,谢谢你的安慰,Larry!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#730
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 今天有个人来图书馆拿他订的书,可是书还没到。他对我好凶噢。我吓的都不知道该怎么办才好。
  
  LL: I would have told him to put a lid on it. After all, it's not your fault.
  
  LH: Put a lid on it? Lid那不是盖子的意思吗?我要他盖盖子做什么?
  
  LL: Telling someone to "put a lid on it" is the same as telling him or her to shut up.
  
  LH: 什么!Put a lid on it就是叫人闭嘴?我可不能那样做,那是很不礼貌的!
  
  LL: Well, it sounds as though he was being really rude to you.
  
  LH: 他虽然对我没礼貌,但我可不能学他那样。我是在那儿工作的,我可不能叫他闭嘴。
  
  LL: Yeah, you're probably right. It wouldn't be very professional to tell the guy to put a lid on it.
  
  LH: 我啊,只希望那个家伙再也别来图书馆了!
  
  LL: If he does, you can give me a call and I'll come over and tell him to put a lid on it myself.
  
  LH: 你别担心我啦。那个人要是再来找麻烦,我就直接找我的老板去和他谈喽!
  
  LL: That's a good idea.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是learn the ropes,就是学习,掌握诀窍的意思,通常是指工作方面的事。另一个常用语是put a lid on it,这是叫人闭嘴的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#731
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家讲的两个习惯用语都和hip这个字有关。Hip就是人身体上的臀部。美国人有一些俗语是以hip这个字为基础发展出来的,可是它们的意思跟hip没有什么关系。我们今天要给大家介绍的第一个习惯用语就是一个例子:hippie.
  
  Hippie这个字翻成中文就是:嬉皮士。“嬉”就是女字边加一个喜爱的“喜”,“皮”就是皮肤的“皮”,“士”就是博士的“士”。Hippie这个字是在六十年代出现。当时美国有一批不愿顺从一般社会常规的年轻人。他们穿奇装异服,梳特殊的发型,而且普遍对社会现实不满,唾弃一般人的生活方式和政治概念。直到今天,人们还把那些不管是男是女头发都留得长长的,绑着头带,脖子上还带着长长短短的珠子项链的人称为hippie。现在这些二十几年前的hippie都已经进入中年,有的已经成家立业,有了自己的孩子。下面这个例子就是一个以前的hippie在讲话。
  
  例句-1: I remember when I was a hippie, wearing my beads and Indian headband, marching for peace in Vietnam. I guess every generation wants to change the world, and, you know, who can blame them!
  
  这个人说:“我还记得我当时作为hippie的时候身上带着珠子项链,头上绑着美国印第安人的头带,为了争取在越南实现和平参加游行。我猜想每一代人都是想改变世界的。你说,谁又能责备他们呢!”
  
  ******
  
  你们恐怕已经从电视或其它报章杂志上看到,现在有些美国青年人爱穿的衣服也跟过去有很大的不同。他们时兴穿很长很大的衣服。有的女孩还喜欢穿爸爸的衬衣和西装上装,肩膀太宽也无所谓,袖子太长就把它卷起来。总而言之,越穿得不合身就好像越时髦。但是,有些保守一点的人,特别是中年人就有点看不惯。下面就是一个妈妈在说她的女儿。
  
  例句-2: Look at the way you dress! There are so many pretty outfits in the stores that would fit you well and show off your nice figure. Why do you have to dress like a hippie out of the 60's!
  
  这个母亲说:“瞧你穿得像个什么样。外面商店里有好多漂亮的衣服,它们会很合你身,显出你美妙的身材。干什么要穿得像六十年代的嬉皮士呐!”
  
  你想这个妈妈会说服她的女儿吗?我想是不会的。年纪稍大一些的人回想起自己年轻的时候也不都有这种情况吗?这大概就是所谓的代沟吧。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#732
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来介绍今天的第二个习惯用语,这个习惯用语也是跟hip这个字有关的:to shoot from the hip. To shoot就是开枪。我们先来把to shoot from the hip这个俗语的出处告诉大家。你听了以后就会知道它的意思。To shoot from the hip这个说法是一百年以前在美国西部出现的。那时,美国西部英雄都在皮带上挂着枪。To shoot from the hip就是一个人把枪从枪壳里拿出来,还没有把枪拿起来瞄准就马上开枪。这样的人往往会被一个瞄准后再开枪的人打死。现在,to shoot from the hip已经和开枪没有什么直接关系了。它的意思是:一个人在没有仔细思考以前就说话,或采取行动。下面这个例子是一个华盛顿机构的负责人在说他那负责和新闻界打交道的助手。
  
  例句-3: I'm afraid we need to look for a new press spokesman. Pete gets too upset at reporters' questions, then he starts shooting from the hip with his answers. This can get us into trouble.
  
  这位负责人说:“我怕我们得另外找一个新闻发言人了。皮特对记者提的问题往往会很冒火。然后他就不加思考地回答他们的问题。这可是会给我们带来麻烦的。”
  
  美国的新闻界并不受政府的控制。他们可以报导任何他们通过各种途径获得的消息。政府还得为新闻界举行新闻发布会,为记者提供消息,让他们提问题,甚至直接向总统提问题。不管谁在和记者讲话或回答问题时都很小心,以免说错了话造成难以弥补的影响。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在说他的两个性格很不相同的妹妹。
  
  例句-4: My two sisters have very different personalities. Mary is always very cautious about what she says, but Carol shoots from the hip all the time. And you can guess who gets into trouble more.
  
  这人说:“我的两个妹妹性格很不同。玛丽一向说话很谨慎,而卡罗尔往往不加思考就说话。你可以猜到谁的麻烦事情更多一些。”
  
  中国人总是说凡事都要三思而行。To shoot from the hip却刚好相反。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#733
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在商量要去看哪部电影。李华想看一部新的法国片,但是Larry却想看别的电影。今天李华会学到两个常用语:rattle on和third degree。
  
  LH: Larry,我真的很想看那部法国电影嘛!
  
  LL: I'm sorry, Li Hua, but I don't like French movies. The characters always rattle on and on about philosophy and nothing interesting ever happens.
  
  LH: 你说法国电影怎么啦?Rattle on那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To rattle on about something means to talk about it for a long time without really saying anything interesting or important.
  
  LH: To rattle on就是唠叨个没完没了,可是又没说出什么有意思的,或重要的事。你说法国电影都在滔滔不绝地谈哲学,才不是这样呢!我之所以喜欢法国电影就是因为他们探讨的都是很重要的议题,而且也不是象你说的rattle on and on.
  
  LL: I think they do.
  
  LH: 那你喜欢看英国电影吗?我知道最近在上演一部新的英国片。
  
  LL: Sorry, but I think British movies are the same as French movies. The characters rattle on about fashion, manners, and society and don't really do anything.
  
  LH: 什么!你觉得英国片也经常夸夸其谈地说时装、礼貌、社会风尚,可是却没有什么行动?嗨,那你是不是只爱看武打片?
  
  LL: No, but I do prefer a movie in which people act on their beliefs rather than just rattling on about them.
  
  LH: 你喜欢电影里的角色要为自己的信仰努力,而不喜欢它们唠唠叨叨的空谈。那我同意!那你到底想看哪一部电影嘛?
  
  LL: I wasn't rattling on. I was just expressing my opinion. How about this movie about the American Revolution? Is that okay with you?
  
  LH: 那部有关美国革命的电影啊?可以啊,不过我希望电影里的人不要滔滔不绝地讲爱国主义,该不会都rattle on and on吧?
  
  LL: Maybe a little, but there should be a lot of action, too.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#734
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry,你跑哪里去了,怎么这么晚才来嘛!我买好电影票在这里等你等了20分钟了!
  
  LL: Hey, don't give me the third degree! I'm a little late because my mom called, that's all.
  
  LH: 原来是你妈妈打电话给你。对了,你又说我什么啦,我给你third degree?那是什么意思?
  
  LL: To give someone the third degree means to question that person aggressively in order to get him/her to confess to something.
  
  LH: To give someone the third degree就是盘问某人的意思。我可没有盘问你的意思。我只是等你等了很久,都快发火了嘛!
  
  LL: Sorry. I didn't expect my mom to call. My mom gave me the third degree, too. She wanted to know why I haven't called her in such a long time.
  
  LH: 你妈也质问你为什么这么久没打电话回家。那你是怎么跟她说的?
  
  LL: I just told her that I've been really busy. The truth is that I avoid calling her, because every time I do call her, she gives me the third degree about something.
  
  LH: 你也别这样,我想你妈不是真的在骂你,或生你的气;她只是很关心你,很担心你嘛!
  
  LL: You're probably right, but sometimes she asks so many questions that it really feels like I'm getting the third degree.
  
  LH: 如果你怕你妈问东问西的,也许你应该经常打电话给她。这样她就不会这么操心,也不会老是追问你一堆问题喽!Then she won't give you the third degree.
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, that's a good idea!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是rattle on,这是形容唠唠叨叨,讲一些无关紧要的事情。另外一个常用语是third degree,这是有质问,盘问的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#735
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

豆子是人类最普遍的食品之一。豆子的品种很多,大家最熟悉的有大豆、红豆、绿豆等。这些豆子不仅价格低廉,而且营养丰富。美国的豆类品种也非常多。人们在各超级市场里也都能买到。今天我们要给大家讲解两个由豆子这个字组成的习惯用语。那么,豆子在英文里是怎么说的呢?Bean.现在我们来讲第一个由bean这个字组成的习惯用语。Full of beans. Full of beans并不是一个罐子里装满了豆子。要从字面上来解释,这个意思当然并不错。但是,当full of beans作为俗语用的时候,它是用来形容一个人很活泼,精力旺盛,情绪很好。我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在说他的朋友结了婚后情绪变得很好。
  
  例句-1: Getting married seems to be good for our friend Joseph. He's sure full of beans these days. He works a lot harder in the office and looks like he's enjoying life a lot more.
  
  这个人说:“结婚似乎对我们的朋友约瑟夫很有好处。最近,他确实是精力充沛。在办公室工作也比以往更卖力。看来,他比以前高兴多了。”
  
  实际上,这也是很自然的。要是谁结了婚就垂头丧气,那不就糟糕了吗?
  
  ******
  
  美国人有一种助人为乐的精神,特别是对一些生活有困难或遇到什么不幸的人更是愿意伸出援助之手。正由于这种精神,美国国内有不少人参加慈善活动。有的人拿出自己的时间来做些工作;有的捐助衣服等日常需要的东西。经济方面比较富裕的人则慷慨解囊,捐钱给一些慈善机构。下面这个例子是说一位老太太精力充沛地参加慈善工作,帮助生活有困难的人。
  
  例句-2: Sarah has been donating money and time for the Salvation Army. Though she's in her 70's, she's always full of beans. Last year, she was in charge of the fashion show and raised ten thousand dollars to help the poor.
  
  这句话的意思是:“萨拉一直捐钱给「救世军」,还花时间为他们工作。尽管她已经七十多岁,但她总是精力充沛。去年,她负责主办时装表演,为帮助生活有困难的人筹集到了一万美元。”
  
  美国有不少慈善机构,「救世军」就是美国最大的慈善机构之一。「救世军」在全国各地都有分部。他们有各种慈善活动和项目。要是你有不想再穿的衣服,或不用的家庭用具,只要给他们打个电话,他们就会派车来收。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#736
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Beans就是豆子,也不见得总是含有肯定或积极的意思,有的时候也能包含反面的意思。我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语就是一个例子。A hill of beans. 在美国,豆子是非常便宜的。这也就是说,种在小山顶上的一大片豆子最多只值一、两分钱。所以,要是你要说一个人一钱不值,那你就可以说这个人:Not worth a hill of beans. 我们来举一个例子吧。这是一个人在说他的妹妹。
  
  例句-3: I'm glad my sister didn't marry that guy. He's good-looking, but he's lazy, drinks too much and can't hold a job more than six months. The truth is, the man's not worth a hill of beans.
  
  这个人说:“我很高兴我妹妹没有跟那个家伙结婚。他长的很漂亮,但是他很懒,喝酒过度,到哪儿去工作都干不到半年。事实上,这个人根本一钱不值。”
  
  这个人的妹妹确实很幸运,没有嫁给这么一个没有用的人。因为,在美国,当一对夫妇要离婚的时候,任何一方要是没有固定工作的话,另一方还得分财产给他,每月给钱帮助他生活。
  
  ******
  
  美国每年出版许许多多的书。在美国,只要你能找到愿意出版你的书的出版公司,那你就能成为一个作家,当然有多少人要买你的书那就又当别论了。在出版的那么多书当中,不可避免的是有的书是不值一读的。下面我们举的例子就是一个人在读了一本书以后感到很失望。
  
  例句-4: My wife recommended I read that book about computers, that I could learn a lot from it. But to tell the truth, it was not worth a hill of beans. I even found some really bad mistakes.
  
  这人说:“我的妻子介绍我看那本关于电脑的书。她说,我可以从那本书里学到很多东西。但是,我却认为那本书一钱不值。我甚至还发现几个严重的错误。”
  
  对书的看法不同其实也并不稀奇,因为每个人的要求不同,水平不同,对书的评价也可能不同。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#737
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry正在讨论在报纸上看到的几个犯罪案件。今天李华会学到两个常用语:bottom feeder和bounce。
  
  LH: Larry,你有没有看到报上说的那个被警察逮捕的毒贩?
  
  LL: Yeah, that guy is a real bottom feeder. I hope that he goes to jail for a long time.
  
  LH: 嗯,像这种坏人真应该被抓到牢里关起来。Larry,你刚才还说这家伙是个真正的bottom feeder,bottom是底层,feeder不是饲养员吗?这两个字怎么能合在一起,它们和那些坏人有什么关系?
  
  LL: A bottom feeder is a really low, despicable person. That guy was selling drugs to kids, so he definitely counts as a bottom feeder.
  
  LH: 噢,bottom feeder是形容一个很低下、很卑鄙的人。没错,报上说的那个人专门卖毒品给年轻孩子,简直太可恶了。我认为所有的毒贩都是bottom feeders.
  
  LL: Unfortunately, there are a lot of bottom feeders in the world.
  
  LH: 就是啊,这个世界还是有不少这种卑鄙的坏人。对了,Larry,这个bottom feeder是不是只能用来形容犯罪分子?
  
  LL: It can be used to describe other people, too, but it's a very negative term.
  
  LH: Bottom feeder还能用来形容其他人?那Larry,你给我举个例子。
  
  LL: Well, some people think that lawyers are bottom feeders because they benefit from other peoples' misfortunes.
  
  LH: 对,好多人都不喜欢律师,认为律师很卑鄙。我还听到过好多耻笑律师的笑话呢!可是,Larry,律师不也会保护我们的权利吗?
  
  LL: That's true, but some people are upset by the fact that many lawyers get rich defending criminals.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,人们之所以讨厌律师,是因为律师经常帮犯罪分子辩护,靠着打这种官司来赚钱。嗯,可是不管怎么说,我还是认为有的律师不能算bottom feeders。
  
  LL: Some people think that tabloid journalists are bottom feeders because they invade the privacy of celebrities and they don't always verify stories before they publish them.
  
  LH: 这我绝对同意,那些专门报道名人私生活的狗仔记者,真是够恶劣的。他们经常捏造有关名人的一些很荒谬,不确实的报道。只有卑鄙的人才会写出这样的东西来! They are real bottom feeders!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#738
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, it was fun discussing the news with you, but I've got to bounce. I have to be at the doctor's office by 2:00.
  
  LH: 噢,你两点钟还得去看医生啊?那你得赶快走了。你说你要bounce,是那个拍皮球bounce a ball的bounce吗?
  
  LL: "Bounce" can be slang for leave. I've got to bounce means that I have to leave.
  
  LH: 噢,我懂了,to bounce就表示,得走了。你说你得要bounce,是因为你得赶着去那个医生诊所了。
  
  LL: Hey, don't you have to bounce if you're going to make to class on time?
  
  LH: 我的老天,现在都快两点了,谢谢你提醒我,我差点儿忘了得去上一堂课呢!看来我得赶紧bounce,赶快走喽!
  
  LL: Well, I have a little bit of time. If we bounce right now, I can drive you to campus.
  
  LH: 你肯定有时间把我送到学校?那就太好了,要不然,等我走到学校可能就要迟到了。
  
  LL: Okay, are you ready to bounce now?
  
  LH: 嗯,等一会儿,我只要进去把我的书和背包拿出来。
  
  LL: Okay, I'll go start the car. Just come on outside when you're ready to bounce.
  
  LH: 没问题,你先去发动车子,我拿了包就来!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。一个是bottom feeder,这是形容那种下流卑鄙的人。另一个常用语是bounce,这是指要离开,要走的意思。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#739
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们给大家介绍过两个由bean这个字组成的习惯用语,它们是:Full of beans and not worth a hill of beans. Full of beans是指一个人精力充沛,not worth a hill of beans是一钱不值的意思。今天我们还要给大家讲解两个和bean这个字有关的习惯用语。现在先来讲第一个:bean counter.
  
  Counter这个字是来自动词count. Count就是中文里数钱的数。在count这个动词后面加上er就变成了名词counter,也就是数数的人。那么,bean counter就是:数豆子的人。作为一个俗语,bean counter的意思就是一个政府官员,或者一个公司的总管老是把时间浪费在鸡毛蒜皮的小事上,尤其是为了一点点钱算计个没完。那些为政府或公司真正干些实际工作的人都很讨厌这些bean counters。你们听了下面这个例句就明白了。
  
  例句-1: I'm looking for a new job. This company I'm with now has too many bean counters. All they care about is how much we spend on postage and phone calls. They don't care if you are the best salesman in the place.
  
  这是一个人对工作不满,他说:“我得另外找个工作。我现在工作的这个公司里尽是那些小里小气的人。他们关心的就是我们在邮票和电话上花了多少钱,至于你是不是这个公司最好的推销员他们根本不管。”
  
  ******
  
  为了一点点钱纠缠不休的人恐怕在政府和公司之外也同样存在。下面是一个丈夫在说他的太太。
  
  例句-2: My wife is really a bean counter. No matter how much money I make, she never lets me buy more than new two shirts a year. And she insists on washing and ironing my clothes at home, instead of sending them out to the laundry.
  
  这位丈夫说:“我的妻子老是算计一点点钱。不管我赚多少,她每年最多只让我买两件衬衫。她还坚持要在家里洗和烫我的衬衫,而不愿意送到干洗店里去。”
  
  美国人花在干洗店里的钱是不少的。许多人尽管家里都有洗衣机,但是他们还是很习惯地把衬衫送到乾洗店里去洗。当然,干洗店洗的衬衫烫的很平整,领子浆得很硬。可是,洗一件衬衫大约得花一块多美元,如果每天换一件乾净衬衫,一个星期就得花六、七美元。这还不算洗西装、大衣等其它衣服的开支。妇女们也经常把连衣裙、衬衣、西装等送去干洗店。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#740
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个和bean有关的习惯用语是大家经常会用到的:To spill the beans. To spill就是什么东西从容器里撒出或倒出来。To spill the beans就是豆子从容器里倒了出来。可是,to spill the beans是一个俗语。它的意思是:泄漏秘密,但是往往是不小心、或偶然地泄漏了秘密,而不是故意这样做的。我们来举个例子吧。美国人经常为了生日或其它值得庆祝的事给家人或朋友举行聚会,但是有的人喜欢在事先不让过生日的人知道。这样可以让他很突然,感到很惊喜。下面就是一个人在说他准备聚会的经历。
  
  例句-3: That Sue Ellen just can't keep her mouth shut! I invited her to our surprise party for Mary, and she went and spilled the beans to Mary. She says she's sorry but she certainly spoiled the surprise!
  
  这人说:“那个苏爱伦,她就是闭不上她那张嘴。我请她参加为玛丽举行的聚会,但是事先不要告诉玛丽。可是,她跑去告诉了玛丽。她说她很抱歉,但是她却破坏了我们要让玛丽感到很惊喜的计划。”
  
  ******
  
  庆祝生日的计划给破坏是够扫兴的。但是,这毕竟还不是什么太严重的事。下面这个例子里说的事可是很重要。这是一个妻子决定去人工流产,但是因为她知道她丈夫肯定会反对,所以计划先瞒着他,等做完人工流产再告诉他。这个妻子说:
  
  例句-4: I planned to have the abortion first and then tell Frank. But I made a mistake by telling his mother about my plan. She spilled the beans and Frank was so mad that he didn't talk to me for a whole month.
  
  这位太太说:“我原来计划先去人工流产,然后再告诉弗兰克。可是,我犯了一个错误,把我的计划告诉了他妈妈。她又不小心说漏了嘴。弗兰克听了好生气,整整一个月没跟我说话。”
  
  我很怀疑弗兰克的妈妈到底是说漏了嘴,还是故意去告诉儿子的。更怀疑弗兰克生气一个月是不是就能把这件事忘了。因为,人工流产本来就应该夫妇之间进行商量后再做出决定。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#741
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在户外吃午饭。突然他们看到一只很大的蟑螂。今天李华会学到两个常用语:freaky和wig out。
  
  LL: Wow! That was freaky! I've never seen such a big cockroach before!
  
  LH: 哎哟,那么大一个蟑螂!真是恶心死了!Larry,你刚才说freaky,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Freaky means scary or really weird. That bug was definitely freaky.
  
  LH: 噢,freaky是形容很可怕或者很怪。一点都没错,那只大蟑螂真的是既恶心又可怕。我最怕蟑螂,尤其是这么大的!
  
  LL: What do you think of spiders?
  
  LH: 蜘蛛?我觉得蜘蛛比蟑螂更可怕!
  
  LL: Yeah, I don't like spiders very much either. My friend has a pet tarantula, which is a really big hairy spider, and it is the freakiest thing I've ever seen.
  
  LH: 我真搞不懂,像你朋友那样的人怎么会养蜘蛛当宠物,毛茸茸的蜘蛛想起来就让人头皮发麻,怎么还能当宠物,真是freaky耶!
  
  LL: Pet tarantulas are actually pretty common. You can buy them in any pet shop.
  
  LH: 嗨,我才不管这种蜘蛛宠物是不是很常见。我还是觉得养蜘蛛当宠物真是很怪,很可怕的,very freaky!
  
  LL: There's a horror movie about giant spiders that is so freaky that I can't even bear to watch it.
  
  LH: 噢,你是说那部有大蜘蛛的电影?嗯,我还记得看过他们的广告。别说去看了,我连想都没想过。如果我真的去看了那电影,大概会做一个月的恶梦。
  
  LL: Yeah, I only watched a few minutes of it before I decided that it was too freaky for me.
  
  LH: 瞧,连你这个大男生都不敢看,那电影一定很freaky。对了,Larry,除了蟑螂、蜘蛛,你觉得蛇是不是也很freaky?
  
  LL: Actually, snakes don't bother me that much. Rats don't bother me very much, either.
  
  LH: 啊,你不怕蛇,也不怕老鼠。好怪噢!我啊,我觉得蛇跟老鼠就像蜘蛛一样恐怖!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#742
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, would you wig out and refuse to come to my apartment if I got a pet rat?
  
  LH: 你想在家里养老鼠当宠物,还问我会不会wig out,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To wig out means the same as to freak out. It means to get very excited or upset.
  
  LH: 噢,wig out跟freak out意思一样,就是让人激动,或者把人吓坏了。哎,Larry,你是真的想养一只老鼠当宠物啊?
  
  LL: They actually make good pets and they are relatively easy to care for.
  
  LH: 你觉得养老鼠当宠物比较简单,那你就去养,我管不着,不过,我可能再也不敢去你家了。
  
  LL: That's what I was afraid of. I wouldn't mind having a pet rat, but I don't want to make all of my friends wig out, either.
  
  LH: 嗯,听你这么一说,我倒强烈建议你别养老鼠。我想很多人,特别是女孩子,大概会被你的宠物吓跑。这样你想交女朋友的希望就更加渺茫喽!
  
  LL: I hadn't thought of that. Yeah, I don't want to meet a nice girl then cause her to wig out when she finds out that I have a pet rat.
  
  LH: 就是啊,为了一只老鼠,吓跑了女朋友,那就不上算了。不过话说回来,Larry,你要是真的很想养宠物,就别太在意别人的想法嘛!
  
  LL: I know, but I don't want people wigging out every time they come to my apartment.
  
  LH: 你又想养宠物,又怕朋友被吓跑。对了,或许你可以考虑养鱼啊,一般人不会怕鱼,有的鱼还非常好看呐!
  
  LL:That's a good idea!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是freaky,是形容很可怕,很怪的意思。另一个常用语是wig out,这是指让人激动,或者使人很害怕的意思。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#743
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们再来给大家介绍两个和track这个字有关的习惯用语。Track这个字可以解释为人或动物走过的脚印。它也可以解释为铁路行驶的铁轨。现在我们来讲第一个:to make tracks. To make tracks就是一个人很快地从一个地方跑到另一个地方。你们听了下面这个例子就会明白to make tracks的意思了。
  
  例句-1: Sometimes I think the most important thing in Joe's life is his stomach. When he goes to a cocktail party, instead of talking to people, he makes tracks straight for the food table and he stays right there eating until it's time to go home.
  
  这句话的意思是:“有的时候我想,对于乔伊来说,活着最重要的就是他那张嘴。每当他去参加鸡尾酒会的时候,他不跟别人讲话,而是直奔放食品的桌子。他可以呆在那里不停的吃,一直吃到回家为止。”
  
  美国人经常举行鸡尾酒会。当然除了那些非常富裕的人以外,这些酒会一般都是由某些机构或公司举办的。在酒会上,人们可以认识一些人,以后在发展自己事业方面可能会有帮助。酒会也是人们为自己的公司或机构跟别人进行非正式交流的场合。因此,参加酒会不跟别人谈话,只顾吃东西,就显得有点儿奇怪。
  
  ******
  
  我们再给大家举一个例子来说明to make tracks是怎么用的。许多年轻人都很喜欢看电影,有的甚至一天看好几场电影。下面就是一个人在回忆他年轻时的情况:
  
  例句-2: I still remember how I played hooky in high school and made tracks from one movie theater to another to see the latest movies. My all-time record was five movies in one afternoon. My parents were really mad when they found out.
  
  这个人说:“我还记得在中学时我是怎么逃学,怎么从一个电影院赶到另一个电影院去看最新的电影。最高记录是一个下午看五场电影。我父母发现后可真是火冒三丈。”
  
  现在在美国就没有必要这么做了,因为在美国,每个电影院里至少有五六个放映场,同时放好几个不同的电影。因此,要是你想看几个电影,你都不用走出电影院,只要在那个电影院里换一个放映场坐下接着看就行了。有的人买一张票看好几场电影,当然,电影院是不喜欢你这样做的。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#744
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当美国开始铺盖铁路的时候,这些铁路一般都在一个城市的中心,把这个城市划分成两半。铁路的一边往往成为富人住的地区,而另外一边就成了到处是工厂、库房的贫民窟。这就是今天我们要讲的第二个习惯用语。那就是:the wrong side of the tracks. Wrong side就是:错误的一边。The wrong side of the tracks就是:错误的铁路一边。意思就是:贫民区的那一边。The wrong side of the tracks这个说法已经有一百多年了,但是人们现在还是用来指出身贫贱的人。下面就是一个典型的例子。
  
  例句-3: Remember how we used to make fun of Bill Brown in school because he came from the wrong side of the tracks and only owned one pair of pants? Well, he turned out to be a brilliant student, went on to medical school and now he's a famous doctor in New York.
  
  这个人说:“你还记得在学校时我们经常笑话比尔.布朗,因为他出身贫困,只有一条裤子吗?可是,他倒是一个很聪敏的学生,后来上了医学院,现在他在纽约是一个很有名的医生。”
  
  这可能就是人们常说的,穷苦人家的孩子往往能艰苦奋斗,成为有出息的人。
  
  ******
  
  我们往往看到或听到一些有关有钱人看不起穷人的事。可是,下面这个例子说的正是一个很富有的人,但是他并不自以为了不起。
  
  例句-4: Jack is from a very wealthy family. His father owns three banks on the East Coast. But Jack likes to make friends with anyone who has a good heart whether or not the person comes from the wrong side of the tracks.
  
  这句话的意思是:“杰克出身于一个非常富裕的家庭。他爸爸在东海岸拥有三家银行。可是,杰克喜欢跟任何一个好心肠的人交朋友,不管这个人是否出身贫贱。”
  
  当然,在现实生活中这样的人恐怕不多。正因为如此,大多数人还都很敬仰这样的人
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#745
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这是一个星期五的晚上,Larry和李华两人经过一个星期紧张学习后都很累,现在正在一起吃晚饭。今天李华会学到两个常用语:let off steam和oops。
  
  LL: Wow, it's nice to relax and let off some steam after a long week at work.
  
  LH: 就是啊,放松一下,感觉真好!Larry,你说要let off steam?Steam是蒸气,你还会放气呀?
  
  LL: No, not literally. To let off steam can mean to relax or it can mean to express pent-up feelings, usually of anger.
  
  LH: 原来如此。To let off steam就是放松,也可以是发泄积压在心里的感情,通常是火气。所以你是说一个星期紧张地学习和工作后放松一下,感觉很好。Larry,这个常用语跟steam, 蒸气有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: It's a metaphor. One has to ease the pressure in a steam engine by releasing - or letting off - steam. Otherwise the engine might overheat and explode.
  
  LH: 原来是从蒸汽机的原理来的。没错,蒸汽机如果不定时释放一下的蒸气,那就可能会爆炸。 Larry,如果你一直不放松的话,你该不会爆炸吧?
  
  LL: No, I'm not going to explode. However, letting off steam is important to a person's mental health.
  
  LH: 嗯,我同意,一个人如果没有放松的机会,那对心理健康有很大影响。我通常就是用跑步运动来让自己放松的。
  
  LL: A lot of people exercise to let off steam. Other people prefer quiet activities like reading.
  
  LH: 对,每个人疏解压力的方法都不一样。所以Larry,你是通过看书来让自己放松的?
  
  LL: I like to do exactly what we're doing now. I let off steam by relaxing and having a nice meal with a friend.
  
  LH: 和朋友吃吃饭,聊聊天是挺放松的。可是如果你真的很生气,非常生气,那你怎么发泄你的怒气呢?
  
  LL: Sometimes it helps to talk to someone. It's usually better to let off some steam before dealing with the issue directly.
  
  LH: 那倒是,先跟别人谈谈。火气很大的时候,最好别去处理那事。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#746
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Oops! I forgot that I have to work on Sunday. That just ruins my whole weekend.
  
  LH: Oops? 我常听到人们这么说,Larry,这是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: People usually say oops to acknowledge that they have made a mistake or have had a minor accident. I mistakenly thought I had the whole weekend off, when I actually have to work on Sunday. Oops.
  
  LH: 原来oops就是发现自己犯了小错误或出了一点没有意料的小插曲时说的,有点像中文里的“哎呀,糟了”。所以你是说,你差点儿忘了星期天还得上班。还好现在是星期五,你要到星期一再想起来,那可真是糟了。恐怕说Oops都太晚了。
  
  LL: That's true. Oops! I just dropped my fork on the floor.
  
  LH: 叉子掉在地上不是什么大事,叫服务员再拿个干净的就是啦。
  
  LL: That's okay. There's an extra one on the next table. I'll just take that one.
  
  LH: 拿那个桌上的叉子也行,反正哪儿没人坐。Oh no, 这回轮到我要说oops了。我想起来了,今天晚上我该给我妈妈打电话了。
  
  LL: You still have time. We should be finished here soon and you can go right home to call your mom.
  
  LH: Oops! 吃完饭赶回家也没用,我忘了买电话卡了。没电话卡,我怎么打电话呢?
  
  LL: I have a calling card. You can use it to call your mom. I don't mind at all.
  
  LH: 啊,幸好你有张电话卡,Larry,真是太谢谢你喽!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是let off steam,是指发泄怒气或其他情绪。另一个常用语是oops,这是一种语气词,通常是在当一个人犯了小错误时会说的。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#747
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是以站立的“站”这个字为主的。我相信大家都知道“站”在英文里是哪个字 Stand. Stand这个字有许多意思,美国人也用的很多。在我查的一本字典里,stand这个字有六十九种不同的含义。所以,很显然,今天我们讲的只能局限于stand这个字的几种用法。我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语就是:to stand up someone. 大家可能都会说stand up. 这不就是“站起来‘的意思吗?是的,一点也没错。但是,to stand up后面再加一个“某人”,那它的意思就完全不同了。To stand up someone就是一个人没有能按时去赴重要的约会,特别是和女朋友或男朋友的约会。这里要请大家注意的是,to stand up someone也可以把最后两个字颠倒一下,成为: to stand someone up. 这种to stand someone up的情况甚至在举行婚礼的时候都可能发生。下面就是一个例子。这是新郎在说话。
  
  例句-1: Mary was two hours late for our wedding and I was afraid she had stood me up. But she finally got there, her head all bandaged -- she'd been in an auto accident on her way to church!
  
  这位新郎说:“我和玛丽举行婚礼的那天她迟到了两个小时。我当时真担心她不会来了,让我空等。可是后来她终于到了。她的头上包着绷带。原来她在去教堂的路上出了车祸。”
  
  美国人当中也有不少人是很迷信的。要是在婚礼上真是发生这种情况,可能很多人都会感到这是不吉利的征兆。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举个例子。有的人性子很急,在赴约的时候一分钟也不愿意等,有的人则比较耐心。但是,不管是谁,大概没有人会喜欢每次约会你的朋友到了时间还不见人影的。下面就是一个人在说他跟他的女朋友的经历:
  
  例句-2: I really love Joan. We've been dating for over two years now. But I simply can't stand the way she always stands me up. Last month, I waited in front of the theater for an hour without seeing her shadow. I've finally decided to break up with her.
  
  这个人说:“我实在是非常爱琼恩。我们交朋友到现在已经有两年多了。但是,她老是迟到,老让我等她,我对这一点实在受不了。上个月,我在电影院门口等了一个小时还不见她的人影。我终于决定跟她分手了。”
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#748
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来讲一个以stand这个字为主的习惯用语, a stand-in. 要注意的是在stand和in之间必须有一个连接号。A stand-in很明显是一个名词。这个说法是出自好莱坞。大家都知道,电影里的惊险动作往往是由别人来代替电影明星演的。这种代替明星的人就是stand-in。每当明星不能参加排练的时候,那个代替他排练的人也是 a stand-in。可是,a stand-in这种说法现在已经不仅仅局限于代替演员的人,它已经扩大到日常生活中去,可以应用在各个方面。凡是一个人临时去代替别人做什么事,那个人就可以被称为a stand-in。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-3: The mayor was sick in bed with a sudden attack of the flu so one of the city council members had to be a stand-in for the mayor and go out to meet the governor at the airport.
  
  这句话的意思是:“市政委员当中有一个人得代替市长到机场去接州长,因为市长突然感冒,病倒在床。”
  
  ******
  
  替别人去参加某项活动本来也是正常的,难以避免的。但是,要是一个人经常担当这种角色,他恐怕也会感到厌烦。下面的例子是一个公司的副经理在向经理埋怨。
  
  例句-4: You want me to be a stand-in for you again tonight at the dinner party? Let me tell you, I'm getting tired of being your stand-in all the time. If you don't want to perform your duties, why don't you let me take over your position.
  
  这个副经理非常生气地说:“你今天又要我替你去参加晚上的晚餐会?我告诉你,你老让我去替你,我都烦死了。要是你不想担负起你的责任,那你为什么不让位,让我来担任经理呐!”

orange72 : 2009-12-10#749
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

非常有用,通通收藏,慢慢学习了

太极无敌 : 2009-12-10#750
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

非常有用,通通收藏,慢慢学习了
正解!慢慢学习,认真分享!!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#751
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry正在讨论他们刚才看的电影。今天李华会学到两个常用语:shrink和gross out。
  
  LH: Larry,刚才电影里的男主角说他需要看一个shrink是什么意思呀?Shrink当动词用的时候是指缩水,但是在这里好像不是这个意思。他到底在说什么啊?
  
  LL: Shrink is a somewhat negative slang term for a psychiatrist. If you tell someone that he needs to see a shrink, it means that you think he's crazy.
  
  LH: Shrink是指心理医生啊!你要是说要去看心理医生,别人就会觉得你这个人脑袋有问题,精神不正常。
  
  LL: Yeah, but shrink isn't usually a nice way to refer to psychiatrists.
  
  LH: 噢,shrink是指心理医生,但是是带贬意的。为什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, for instance, if my dad were a psychiatrist, I wouldn't describe him to other people as a shrink.
  
  LH: 你爸爸要是个心理医生,你就不会说他是个shrink,为什么?你爸爸是个很糟糕的医生?
  
  LL: No, it's because shrink is just not a very respectful word.
  
  LH: 我懂了,所以shrink就是对心理医生不尊重的称呼。对了,Larry,你看过心理医生吗?
  
  LL: Are you trying to imply that I'm crazy, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 没有啦,我当然知道你脑子没有问题。不过,在美国好像很多人都去看心理医生耶!
  
  LL: It is more acceptable nowadays, but a lot of people are still very uncomfortable about the idea of seeing a shrink.
  
  LH: 是呀,好象这是很普遍的事。原来在美国还是有很多人觉得不能接受,他们觉得去看心理医生的都是有些问题,脑筋不太正常的人吧!
  
  LL: No, shrinks help people who are depressed or are having family problems. Actually, most of the people who see a shrink probably aren't what we would call crazy.
  
  LH: 是啊,现代人生活这么紧张,很多人都得了忧郁症,这时候心理医生就能帮上很大的忙。对了,Larry,你认不认识什么心理医生啊?
  
  LL: Actually, my Dad's best friend is a shrink. He works with children that have social disorders.
  
  LH: 真的啊?你爸爸的好朋友就是一个心理医生?而且专门治疗小朋友不合群的问题?Larry,你小的时候有没有什么问题,去看过这医生吗?
  
  LL: Very funny, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 我是跟你开玩笑的啦!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#752
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, were you grossed out by the murder scene in that movie?
  
  LH: 你说电影里那段谋杀的情节怎么样?什么是gross out?
  
  LL: Grossed out means disgusted. So, did that scene gross you out?
  
  LH: Gross out就是让人感到恶心,你这么一说我就想起来,那段剧情真是够可怕的,有好多血噢!我是真的觉得gross out!
  
  LL: Yeah, me too. Usually scenes like that don't bother me too much because I know they're fake, but that one was particularly nasty. I was really grossed out.
  
  LH: 我啊,一看到血就受不了了。前几天,我不小心摔伤了膝盖,看到血流出来,我差点儿没昏倒 - I almost grossed out.
  
  LL: I guess that it's a good thing you decided not to be a surgeon. Otherwise, you'll be grossed out all the time.
  
  LH: 是呀,我妈妈一心想要我当医生,可是我这种一看到血就恶心的人,怎么能进医学院嘛!
  
  LL: Yeah, in medical school, you have to study dead bodies.
  
  LH: Larry,你别再说了,你越说我越害怕,也越觉得恶心了。别再说了啦!
  
  LL: Wow, I guess you do get grossed out easily.
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是shrink,这是指心理医生,但是是一种非常不礼貌的称呼,所以大家在应用时要小心。另一个常用语是gross out,就是让人恶心的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#753
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在今天的节目里,我们再来讲两个以stand这个字为主的习惯用语。To stand就是站立的意思。Stand这个字往往跟别的字合在一起用,最普通的就是:to stand up. 我肯定大家都知道to stand up的意思,那就是:站起来。今天我们首先要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语就是在 stand后面加一个:tall. Tall是一个形容词,意思是“高”。To stand tall并不是站得很高的意思。To stand tall是指一个人很神气地站在那里,挺着胸,表现得很自豪和自信,毫无畏惧的样子。我们来举一个例子。美国以前有一个男电影明星,名叫约翰韦恩。约翰韦恩虽然已经去世,但是他的名字仍然是家喻户晓的。约翰韦恩是一个个子高大,看起来很魁梧的人。他老是在电影里扮演西部英雄,专门和坏人做斗争。即便现在,电视台或者电缆电视有的时候还播放他演的电影。下面是一个美国人在回忆约翰韦恩。
  
  例句-1: John Wayne is so popular because he always stands tall in his movies, quiet and brave. He looks like he's ready to fight a dozen bad guys before breakfast and then go out and rope wild horses.
  
  这个人说:“约翰韦恩那时非常红,因为他在电影里的形像总是显得很高大。他沉默寡言,但是很勇敢。他看起来好像他能在吃早饭前和十几个坏人搏斗一番,然后再出去用绳子套野马。”用绳子套野马也是西部英雄经常进行的活动。
  
  ******
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子。这是一个哥哥在说他妹妹的男朋友。
  
  例句2: All the boys my sister has dated so far are very short guys. This is not really my ideal image of a man any girl should spend the rest of her life with. A girl should choose a strong, powerful man, who stands tall.
  
  这个哥哥说:“我妹妹以前的男朋友不知怎么都是非常矮的。在我心目中,这实在不是任何一个女孩共同生活一辈子的那种男人的形像。一个女孩应该选择很强健、显得很自信、什么也不怕的男人。”
  
  美国有的女孩对男人的形像非常重视,而对人品却不太关心。有的时候,不管这个人是好人还是坏人,只要这个人很有男子汉气概,长得很帅,这些女孩就会疯狂地对他表示好感。甚至对罪犯都是如此。这种表现有时很难令人理解。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#754
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

好,现在我们来讲第二个习惯用语:a stand-out. Stand-out是由stand和out这两个字组成的一个名词,在这两个字之间有一个连接号。A stand-out是指一个人在自己专业方面非常突出而引起人们注意。举例来说吧:美国有一个非常有名的篮球运动员,名字叫约翰逊。由于他的球艺精湛,投篮几乎百发百中,所以人们给他一个雅号叫做“神手约翰逊”。可是,在1992年,他经过检查发现自己感染了艾滋病病毒,因而不得不突然宣布退休。下面是一个篮球迷在对这一消息发表自己的观点。
  
  例句3: It was a sad day for sports when Magic Johnson announced he had to retire. Magic was such a stand-out in professional basketball -- one of the best players who ever lived!
  
  这人说:“神手约翰逊宣布他不得不退休的那天是非常令人伤心的一天。他在专业篮球运动方面是一个非常突出的人物。我们从来也没有过像他那么好的篮球运动员。”
  
  上面我们讲的to stand tall这个说法就可以应用在神手约翰逊的身上。神手约翰逊是一个黑人。他长得很高大、很魁梧,又是那么一个红得发紫的篮球运动员,既有地位,又有钱,因此许多女孩都很向往能跟他有些往来,有些接触。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来给大家举一个例子。下面这个例句里说的是一个人为了成为一个突出的人才不惜弄虚做假,结果反而弄巧成拙。这是他的同事在说话。
  
  例句4: I admit Wendy is a good researcher, but nobody would call her a stand-out right now. She was so eager to get a promotion that she faked some of the results in her last research report and now she's a laughing stock among her colleagues.
  
  这个同事说:“我承认温迪是一个很好的研究员,但是没有人现在能说她是一个突出的人才。由于她迫切地想得到提升,她在上一次的研究报告里假报了一部份成果,结果现在她在同事们当中成了一个笑柄。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#755
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在教室里等琼斯教授把改完的考卷发下来。今天李华会学到两个常用语:bad vibe和wake up call。
  
  LL: Li Hua, I have a really bad vibe about this test.
  
  LH: 你觉得你考的怎么样?Bad vibe? 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: A vibe is a feeling. Since I don't think I did very well on this test, I have a bad vibe about the grade I am going to get.
  
  LH: 噢,vibe就是一种感觉,你觉得你这次考试考得不好,所以有种不祥之兆,也就是你所谓的bad vibe。
  
  LL: (Gets test back) Ooh. You see, my bad vibe was right. I got a C.
  
  LH: 嗨,C不算太糟啦,这门课很困难,而且琼斯教授批分数一贯都很严。
  
  LL: Yeah, I actually had a bad vibe about this course before the class ever started. Some of my friends told me it was difficult and I'd have to work hard.
  
  LH:其实我在上这门课之前也有点担心,因为上过这课的人都说很难,要下很多功夫。
  
  LL:So, what did you get?
  
  LH: 嗯,我得到了A。这次考试算是不错,不过我很担心下星期要交的那份报告。I have a bad vibe about that paper.
  
  LL: Why do you have a bad vibe about the paper?
  
  LH: 因为我觉得用英文写报告是最难的。英文不是我的母语,每次写完英文报告,我总觉得好像有很多不通顺的地方。
  
  LL: Li Hua, you can always ask me or another student to look over your paper before your turn it in. I am sure you'll do fine. About that, I have a good vibe.
  
  LH: 真的?Larry,你愿意修改我的报告?你真好,谢谢你。
  
  LL: Uh-oh. I have a bad vibe about the look Professor Jones is giving us right now.
  
  LH: 对,嘘,琼斯教授在看我们了,别说了,下课后再聊吧。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#756
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: (After class) You know, Li Hua, getting a C on the test in Professor Jones' class was a real wake-up call.
  
  LH: 你说拿了C是wake-up call,哎,这个wake-up call不是叫人起床吗?难道你在上课的时候睡觉啊?
  
  LL: No, no, a wake-up call is not like an alarm clock that wakes you up from your sleep. What I meant was the grade I got woke me up to the fact that I have to work harder for this class.
  
  LH: 噢,wake-up call在这里不是指闹钟叫人起床,而是指一个警告。所以你是说,这次考试成绩不好提醒你要在这节课上加把劲,要更用功!
  
  LL: Yeah! Professor Jones gave me a wake-up call in the form of a bad grade. Now that class is over, I'm going to go home and study. Hey! Li Hua! Look out for that bike!
  
  LH: 哎哟!那个骑自行车的人差点儿撞上我。
  
  LL: Yeah, that was a wake-up call for us to be more careful about walking across campus.
  
  LH: 说的也是,这就提醒了我们,在校园里走路也得小心注意,不然很可能会受伤的。
  
  LL: We should be more careful. Say, Li Hua, where are you going now?
  
  LH: 嗯,我想利用下午没有课的时间,到体育馆的健身房去锻炼锻炼。
  
  LL: Why the sudden interest in physical fitness? You don't usually go to the gym, do you?
  
  LH: 嗨,别说了,你也知道我这个人是从不上健身房的。还不是上回健康检查时,医生说我体重有点超重,所以喽,that was a wake-up call.
  
  LL: You don't look overweight to me.
  
  LH: Larry,你心地真好,还安慰我看起来不胖。其实我倒不是那么在意外表看起来胖不胖,主要还是担心肥胖会影响健康吧!
  
  LL: And maybe it was a wake-up call that you and I shouldn't go out to have ice cream so often.
  
  LH: 啊?什么?要我放弃吃冰淇淋?我愿意每天上健身房,但是我一定得吃冰淇淋!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是bad vibe, 就是不好的感觉,不详的预感。另一个常用语是wake-up call,这是指一个提醒或警告。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#757
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我想大家都知道“帽子”在英文里是哪个字 - Hat. 今天我们就来给大家讲解两个和hat这个字有关的习惯用语。在第二次世界大战以前,美国人一年四季都戴帽子。男人到了夏天就戴草帽,其它时间一般都戴毡帽。在那个时候,要是一个女人没有一顶时髦的帽子,她根本就不会出门。现在的情况可不同了,大多数美国人都不戴帽子。但是,尽管衣服时装有所变化,可是用hat这个字组成的习惯用语仍然在美国人的口语中出现。其中一个很普遍的就是:at the drop of a hat. At the drop of a hat从字面上来解释就是:一旦帽子落地。这实际上也是一个信号的意思。也就是说,一有信号就马上行动。这个说法可能是来自以前的决斗。在决斗的时候,裁判员一般都是举着帽子,然后突然把它往地下一扔,作为决斗双方可以开始开枪的信号。但是,at the drop of a hat现在已经和开枪没有关系了,它的意思现在已经变成指一个脾气一触即发的人。下面这个例子就能说明问题。
  
  例句-1: Tom Atkins is usually a good-hearted friendly guy. But he has one problem -- a hot temper. Say something he doesn't agree with, and he'll start a loud argument at the drop of a hat.
  
  这句话的意思是:汤姆.阿特金斯平时总是很好心,也很友好。但是,他有一个问题,那就是脾气太急燥。谁要是说一些和他意见不同的话,他可以马上大声嚷嚷,跟人家争辩。
  
  ******
  
  在美国,丈夫虐待妻子,男朋友虐待女朋友,这种情况是很多的。有的甚至进行谋杀。下面这个例子是一个父亲在说她的女儿。
  
  例句2: My daughter Janet has decided to leave her abusive husband. I feel so relieved! If Janet uttered a word when John was in bad mood -- and most of the time he was -- he would hit her at the drop of a hat.
  
  这位父亲说:我女儿珍尼特终于下决心离开那个虐待她的丈夫约翰了。我真是松了一口气。要是珍尼特在约翰情绪不好的时候开口说话 -- 而他大多数时候总是情绪不好的 -- 他马上就会打她。
  
  由于妇女被虐待的情况很多,美国各地都设立了一些专门设施,随时接待那些受虐待的妇女。根据调查,有的妇女忍气吞声地忍受虐待,有的离开了虐待她们的男人后还往往主动地回去,还以为是自己的不是而引起对方生气的。这和一些妇女在经济上、心理上的不独立有关。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#758
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语会让我们想起那些会变戏法的魔术家。这个习惯用语就是:to pull something out of the hat. To pull something out of the hat就是“从帽子里拿出什么东西来”。魔术家一般都会变这个戏法,那就是先给观众看一顶帽子,里面好像是没有什么东西。然后,他就用一条手绢把帽子盖起来,用他的魔术棍敲几下,接着就从帽子里拿出一只活的兔子或者是一只活的鸟。To pull something out of the hat作为习惯用语,它的意思就是:“找到一个没有意料到的办法来解决面临的困难。”下面这个例子是一个公司的雇员为了公司的前途而担心。
  
  例句3: Our company is in deep trouble. We're out of money and have to pay back the bank a five-million loan by Tuesday. Unless the boss can pull something out of the hat, we'll be out of business.
  
  这个雇员说:我们公司的问题可大啦。我们没有钱,但是到星期二我们得偿还银行五百万元的贷款。除非老板能像变戏法似的想出什么好办法,我们的公司就要倒闭了。
  
  美国商人在这种境遇时的一个办法就是到别的银行去借钱来还马上要还的债。这样还可以争取到一点时间来挽救。当然,当你的公司境况不佳的时候,银行是不太愿意借钱给你的。要是你以往借了钱能按时偿还信誉好的话,那你还有希望借到钱。
  
  ******
  
  美国人的生活节奏很快,有的人一身兼几个职务,压力很大。下面就是一个人在说他可能在限期前完不了他该完成的事。
  
  例句4: So much pressure for me this week -- a research report to finish, six pages of translation to hand in and two house guests arriving tomorrow. I don't think I can cope with all this unless I can pull something out of the hat.
  
  这个人说:我这个星期压力很大,要写完一份研究报告,交出六页翻译,两个来我家住几天的客人明天就到。除非我能够想出什么好办法,否则我想我应付不了这么多的事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#759
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在一家洗衣店里洗衣服。今天李华会学到两个常用语:whoa和booboo。
  
  LL: Whoa, Li Hua, don't put so much detergent into the washing machine!
  
  LH: 我放太多洗衣粉啦?那下回我就少放一些。对了,Larry,你刚才说whoa,那是西部牛仔经常说的话吗?你刚才说whoa是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: Li Hua, have you been watching Westerns lately? You are right. Cowboys say "whoa" when they want their horses to slow down.
  
  LH: 原来我还真猜对了。在西部电影里,那些牛仔经常会说whoa,就是要他们的马儿慢下来。所以你刚才说whoa,就是要我慢点,别倒太多洗衣粉下去。
  
  LL: Right. Whoa, Li Hua, look at all the laundry that guy just brought in!
  
  LH: 等等,Larry,那个人是拿了一大包脏衣服进来,你说whoa是要他慢慢洗吗? 你又不认识他,跟你又有什么相干哪!
  
  LL: No, this time I used "whoa" to express amazement. I was amazed at the piles of laundry that guy just brought it. "Whoa" is an exclamation and depending on how you say it, it can mean different things.
  
  LH: 噢,这儿的whoa 是表示惊奇。你说了两次whao, 可是意思完全不一样。看来,这个whao 可以表达不同的意思。
  
  LL:You're absolutely right!
  
  LH:Whoa, Larry,你没有必要摺衣服摺那么快嘛!我们还有很多衣服要洗,得在这儿等上好长时间呢!
  
  LL: Hey, that was a good use of "whoa."
  
  LH: 还是得谢谢你这位老师的指导啊!Whoa, Larry,你看到那个人换了多少硬币要来洗衣服啊?
  
  LL: The guy with all the laundry? He's going to need a lot of quarters to do all of that laundry. Oh, hey, my next load of laundry is done. Let me take it out.
  
  LH: Whoa, Larry, 你的白衬衫怎么全变成粉红色啦?
  
  LL: I think you've mastered the use of "whoa," Li Hua.
  
  LH: Whoa, Larry, 我不过是用你刚教的常用语开开玩笑嘛。不过,你的白衬衣是变成粉红色啦!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#760
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Oh, boy, Li Hua, I made a big booboo.
  
  LH: 你做了什么?A booboo?
  
  LL: Yeah, a booboo means a big mistake! I left a red sock in with my white t-shirts and underwear. Now everything is pink.
  
  LH: Booboo就是犯了个大错误。原来你把一只红袜子丢进去和白衬衫一块洗,怪不得现在它们都成了粉红衬衫了。没关系啦,Larry,犯错误的人多着呐,我昨天也犯了个大错 - a booboo。
  
  LL: What was that?
  
  LH: 我啊,把钱包和钥匙放在厨房的桌子上,走出家才想起来,所以就把钥匙给锁在家里了。
  
  LL: That was a booboo, all right. How did you fix your booboo?
  
  LH: 还能怎么办,只好请锁匠来开门。当然啦,就是得花钱,破财消灾喽!Larry,我来帮你把这些粉红衬衫放到烘干机里吧!
  
  LL: Thanks. Hey, Li Hua, do you see that kid over there with the booboo on his knee?
  
  LH: The kid with a booboo on his knee? 你是说坐在那儿,那个膝盖上贴绷带的小孩啊?
  
  LL: Yeah, I saw him fall down earlier and get a booboo. He just scraped his knee a little. He cried, but his mom cheered him up.
  
  LH: 噢,你看到他摔下来,膝盖受了伤啊?等等,Larry,这么说,booboo除了指错误,也可以指受伤,对吗?
  
  LL: Right, but not a serious injury. . . Oh, Li Hua, watch out for the door of the dryer!
  
  LH: Ow! 好痛噢, 我的手指给烘干机的门夹到了。
  
  LL: Oh, let me see. Look, you've got a booboo, too!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是whoa,这个词有几种意思,它可以指“嘿,慢点”。也可以表示“很惊奇”。李华学到的另一个常用语就是:booboo。Booboo也有两种意思。一个是指错误,另外也可以指受伤。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#761
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们再来给大家介绍两个以“帽子”这个字,也就是英文里的hat这个字组成的习惯用语。我们已经讲过:at the drop of a hat. 这是指一个人的脾气很急燥,一触即发。我们还讲过:to pull something out of a hat. 这是想出一个意外的办法来解决面前的困难。今天我们首先要给大家讲的是:to pass the hat. To pass在这里是传递的意思。以前,美国教堂在礼拜结束前总是用一顶帽子在教徒当中一个个地传递过去,希望人们为教堂捐钱。现在的教堂已经不再用帽子了,而是用一个铜制或银制的盘子来代替了。但是,to pass the hat现在超越了宗教的色彩,应用到日常生活中去了,意思就是让大家捐钱为一个同事解决意外的灾难。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: When Bill Brown's baby daughter was hurt in that auto accident last week, we passed the hat around the office and collected three hundred dollars to help pay the doctor's bill.
  
  这句话的意思是:“当比尔.布朗的小女儿上星期在车祸里受伤以后,我们在办公室里募捐了三百多美元,来帮助比尔付医疗费。”
  
  这句话里有两点希望大家要注意的。首先,Bill Brown是这个人的全名,Bill是名字,Brown是姓。但是,在一般同事之间,因为大家都比较熟悉,所以互相都以名字称呼,而不用姓。第二点是,Bill作为名字和这句话的最后一个字bill虽然拚法是一样的,但是意思完全不同。Bill作为一般用词,它的意思是“帐单”。在上面这句话里,doctor's bill就是医生的收费。
  
  ******
  
  美国人一般来说都很慷慨,很有助人为乐的精神。每年冬天,许多人都会捐衣服、捐钱来帮助穷苦的人渡过寒冬。过年过节的时候,慈善机构都为穷人提供免费的节日晚餐,为穷苦的孩子送去许多玩具,也让他们能够欢度节日。但是,近年来,美国的经济境况不好,不少人收入降低,还有很多人由于公司企业纷纷裁员而失业,因此,据统计,美国人捐献的热情有所下降。下面这个例句是一个慈善机构的人在讲话。
  
  例句2: People are making fewer contributions. We've passed the hat around to possible givers but still can't meet our budget needs. Seems the only way out is to cut some programs and downsize our organization.
  
  这人说:“人们捐献的数量不如以前了。我们到那些可能捐钱的人那里去募捐,可是仍然不能满足我们预算的需要。看来唯一的出路是减少一些慈善项目和精简我们的机构。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#762
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是:to take one's hat off. 以前,每当一个人做了什么值得赞扬的事,人们往往会拿下头上戴的帽子,对那个人表示敬意。现在已经没有人戴帽子,因此这种举动也不存在了。可是,这个俗语还是经常用的。我们来举个例子。大家还记得刚才举的第一个例子里那个为公司前途担忧的职员吧。下面这个例子又是他在说话。
  
  例句3: I sure take my hat off to my boss. I don't know how in the world he did it, but somehow he pulled some tricks out of the hat and got us five million dollars to save the business.
  
  这个职员说:“我真是要对我的老板致敬。不知道他是怎么想出来的办法,但是他真是出人意外地弄到了五百万美元,从而挽救了我们的公司。”
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。美国有不少单亲的家庭,有的是由于死亡,有的是因为离婚,一个家庭只有母亲或只有父亲,当然只有母亲的情况更多一些。还有的年轻人没有结婚就有了孩子,有的男方由于不愿意承担责任而撒手不管,留下年轻的母亲带着孩子挣扎度日。下面是一个人在说他的妹妹。
  
  例句4: I really take my hat off to my sister. She raised five children all by herself after her husband died. I don't know how she managed, but all the children graduated from college and have good jobs.
  
  这个人说:“我真是非常钦佩我的妹妹。自从她丈夫去世后,她一个人把五个孩子扶养成人。我不知道她是怎么过来的,但是,五个孩子个个大学毕业,个个都有很好的工作。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#763
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在谈一位最近刚找到工作的朋友。今天李华会学到两个常用语:cushy和legit。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, did you hear about Kelsey? She just got a cushy new job.
  
  LH: A "cushy" job? 我知道Kelsey最近找到了新工作,但什么是cushy job?那是不是她找到了很理想的工作?
  
  LL: Oh, yeah. A "cushy" job a cushy job is one that isn't hard to do and has lots of benefits. A cushy job is soft and has a lot of padding like a cushion.
  
  LH: 我懂了,cushy就是从cushion软垫子这个词来的。所以cushy job就是很舒服的工作,就是钱多事少的好差事。Larry,快告诉我,Kelsey的工作到底是什么性质,为什么能够这么cushy?
  
  LL: Well, she'll be working as an interpreter for a local businessman who does a lot of work with Chinese companies. Her salary is very high, she'll get to travel regularly to China, and her other benefits are good, too.
  
  LH: 哇,帮美国商人做翻译,不但薪水高,还有机会到中国出差。真好!Kelsey的中文很好,个性又活泼,我想这个工作对她来说应该不难。 真是一个cushy job!
  
  LL: Doesn't it make you want to find a new job, Li Hua? Being a teaching assistant isn't the cushiest job.
  
  LH: 就是啊,当助教一点也不舒服,每星期我得花很多时间备课,和学生面谈,上课,批改作业,但是助教的薪水却少的可怜。It isn't a cushy job at all.
  
  LL: But you know, the teaching assistant job gives you valuable experience, and maybe some day you will have a cushy job as a Chinese professor at a major university.
  
  LH: 我也希望如此啊。希望我这个助教工作能为我将来能到名牌大学当教授打下基础,那可就是个cushy job了。Larry,那你呢?你希不希望你的暑期工作也是个舒服的好工作呢?
  
  LL: Well, it isn't hard to do, but I am hardly being paid anything, so I don't think you can call it a cushy job.
  
  LH: 工作虽不难做,可是工资微薄。那没什么意思。 那你想找个新工作吗? 你可以去问问Kelsey 她是怎么找到的,没准那公司还要人呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, I am going to talk to Kelsey. Maybe she has some good advice for me.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#764
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, Li Hua, I talked more to Kelsey about her new job, and now I am a little concerned that it isn't legit.
  
  LH: 你说,Kelsey的工作怎么样?什么是legit?
  
  LL: Legit. It's short for legitimate. I am afraid Kelsey's new job may not be legitimate.
  
  LH: 噢,legit就是合法的意思,是legitimate这个词的简化。你是说,你担心Kelsey找到的工作不合法?为什么呢?
  
  LL: Kelsey told me she hasn't actually started her job yet, and she had her interview in a coffee shop.
  
  LH: 嗯,在咖啡厅里面谈,这也不奇怪啊,很多公司觉得在办公室外面谈比较放松一些嘛。
  
  LL: But, I tried to look up the company name in the phone book and couldn't find it. If a company is legit, it should have a listing in the phone book.
  
  LH: 那倒也是。你在电话本里找不到这公司的名字?一个合法的公司应该在电话本里有它的名字呀。或许是你把公司的名字拼错了?
  
  LL: I am pretty sure that I got it right. The more I think about the job it seems too good to be true.
  
  LH: Larry,我知道你是为Kelsey担心,不过Kelsey很聪明,这个工作到底合不合法,我想她自己心里应该很明白。
  
  LL: I guess you're right. Maybe it is my concerns that aren't legit.
  
  LH: 不过话说回来,Larry,你替好朋友担心,这也是很正常的。
  
  LL: Well, that's true. I should stop worrying about Kelsey.
  
  LH: 好啦,现在什么都别担心了,我们一起去吃冰淇淋好不好?
  
  LL: Now, that is a business we KNOW is legit!
  
  今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是cushy。这是形容很软,很舒服的意思,用来形容一个工作,就是轻松容易的工作。另一个常用语是legit。这是指合法的,正确的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#765
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们曾经说过,美国人现在很少有人戴帽子的。可是,至少有二十个日常用的习惯用语是以“帽子”这个字为主的。我们先来复习一下“帽子”这个字在英文里是怎么念的:Hat. 好,现在我们先来讲第一个习惯用语:Hat in hand. Hat是帽子,hand是手。Hat in hand从字面上来理解就是手里拿着帽子。可是,作为俗语,它的含义就要比表面现象深刻多了。Hat in hand这个俗语是几百年前遗传下来的。
  
  当时,大多数国家的社会都分成普通老百姓,以及地主、贵族和统治国家的国王等有权势的人。那时候,每当一个农民或一个普通工人见到这些高官显贵的时候,他们一般都要脱下帽子表示敬意,好像这些人都比他们高一等似的。当然,现在的社会组合已经很不相同了。在当前,hat in hand的含义很简单。意思就是:在逼不得已的情况下去求人帮忙,然而又感到难以开口、很难堪。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: With our new baby and my wife sick, my paycheck just isn't enough for my family to live on. With business so bad, I hate to do it, but I have to go to my boss hat in hand and beg for more money.
  
  这个人说:我们的孩子刚出生,我妻子又在生病,我的工资根本不够我们开销的。我实在没办法,不得不去求我的老板帮忙,请他再给我一点钱。现在生意很不景气,我真是不愿意这么做。
  
  ******
  
  美国大学的学费非常贵,许多美国人感到难以负担子女的教育费用。这也是为什么大多数学生需要打工的原因。但是,从学校的角度来看,虽然学费不断地上涨,但是它们还是感到各方面费用越来越高,学校的资金还远远不够。所以,美国大学校长的重要任务之一就是筹集外来资金。下面就是一个校长在说话。
  
  例句2: I like my job as university president. But I don't like to go out hat in hand begging for money. Unfortunately, though, this is the most important part of my job. Otherwise the school simply couldn't survive.
  
  这位校长说:作为一个大学的校长,我喜欢我的工作。但是,我不喜欢卑躬屈膝地到外面去要钱。不幸的是,这似乎是我的工作当中最重要的任务,否则,这个大学就没有办法生存。
  
  实际上,某些大学在物色校长人选的时候都把候选人是否在社会上有足够的关系,有能力为学校筹集资金作为一个考虑的重要条件。因为,筹集资金在目前来说确实是一个大学校长的重要任务。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#766
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲今天要给大家介绍的第二个习惯用语:To wear two hats at a time. To wear就是“穿戴”的意思。To wear two hats at a time就是一个人同时戴两顶帽子。这当然是从字面上来解释。在实际生活中,你碰到过什么人同时戴两顶帽子的吗?恐怕没有吧。但是,你会听到美国人说某人同时戴两顶帽子的。那这是什么意思呢?To wear two hats at a time是指一个人同时担任两个职务。我们来举一个例子吧。
  
  例句3: They're so shorthanded at my cousin Joe's office that he has to wear two hats. He was already a Vice President, but now he is also the treasurer because the old treasurer quit and they can't afford to hire a replacement.
  
  这句话的意思是:我表兄乔伊的公司人手很少,他不得不同时担任两个职务。他本来就是副总裁,现在他还得负责管理财务,因为原来负责财务的人辞职了,而他们又没有钱另外雇用一个人来接替他。
  
  ******
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在说他的朋友如何在妻子去世以后担负起许多责任。
  
  例句4: Since Mike's wife passed away, he's been wearing two hats at home as both father and mother. Not only is he the breadwinner of the family, he also takes care of the children's food and clothes and helps them with their homework.
  
  这个人说:自从麦克的妻子去世以后,他在家既当父亲又当母亲。他不但要出去工作维持家庭的生活,而且他还得料理孩子们的饭食和衣服以及帮助他们做家庭作业。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#767
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这是一个星期六,Larry 和李华来到学校附近一个社区,那里的住户当天都把家里没用的东西拿出来廉价销售。 李华会学到两个常用语:shindig 和a steal。
  
  LL: Li Hua, this community yard sale is huge. It is quite a shindig!
  
  LH: 啊,这儿好热闹哟。 这么多住家摆摊儿卖旧货,还有这么多的人来买便宜货。Larry? 你说这是一个shindig,什么是Shindig啊?Shindig听起来好象不象英文词。
  
  LL: Oh, it is an English word all right.
  
  LH: Okay, 是英文词,那么shindig到底是什么意思呢?
  
  LL: A shindig is a big, noisy event. It can be a party or any big social occasion where there are lots of people.
  
  LH: Oh, shindig就是规模很大,很热闹的聚会,或者是某种社会活动。原来如此!这个社区定在今天大家一起卖旧货,吸引了很多人来捡便宜货。这就成了一个shindig。那还有什么场合可以称为shindig?
  
  LL: Remember, last year we went to the party for Professor Jackson's retirement? That was also a big shindig.
  
  LH: 噢,杰克逊教授退休时搞的那次聚会确实可以称作shindig。 当时,系里的研究生和教授们都到场了,向他表示敬意。那次shindig的盛况确实难忘;大家又吃,又喝,真是很痛快!
  
  LL: Speaking of shindigs, when are you going to have a shindig at your place, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 你要在我家里搞一个shindig ? 看来,那么大的聚会总要等到考试以后才能办啦。
  
  LL: I can't think of a better time to have a big shindig than after exams. I can help you plan it.
  
  LH: 就是啊,考完试大家都心情轻松,那是举办shindig 的最好时候。你愿意帮我策划,那太好了。Larry,要是在你家举行不是更好吗?你那里地方大呀!
  
  LL: Yeah, but it is also a lot dirtier. I wouldn't want to throw a fancy shindig in my messy place.
  
  LH:那倒也是,你的家呀,虽然大,但确实是杂乱无章。不过,我可以帮你打扫啊!地方大shindig不是可以有更多的人参加吗?
  
  
  LL: You're right! I will need your help though!
  
  LH: 嘿, 瞧瞧那些碟子! 这正是我需要的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#768
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Wow, Li Hua. Those dishes are a steal!
  
  LH: Steal?不, Larry,我干吗要偷呀?那么便宜我当然买得起呀!即便我买不起,我也不会偷呀!
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, I know that. But when something is a very good deal we say it is a steal - STEAL.
  
  LH: 噢,原来如此,对不起,我以为你让我偷呐!原来a steal就是很合算,和便宜的东西。我们中国人会说,这些碟子简直便宜得像白捡的一样,所以就可以说是a steal吧。我把这一套全买下来也只要花五美元!
  
  LL: That is what is great about shopping at a community yard sale. You can find lots of real steals.
  
  LH: 没错,在这种社区卖旧货的地方真能买到便宜货。Larry, 你看还有别的便宜货可以捡吗?Any more steals?
  
  LL: Yeah, look at this lamp. I need a lamp for my living room, and this one is only ten dollars.
  
  LH: 你客厅里需要一盏台灯?十块美元, 我可不敢说这也是个steal。
  
  LL: Why not, Li Hua? It appears to work.
  
  LH: 这灯是可以用的,可不一定是steal啊。我的碟子是个steal,那是因为物美价廉,可是这盏台灯嘛...
  
  LL: Are you saying that the lamp is ugly?
  
  LL: 唉,说实话,这灯是够难看的。
  
  LH: I am glad you are honest with me, Li Hua. Not everything at a yard sale is a real steal. You've just saved me ten bucks!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是shindig, 意思是规模很大,人很多,很热闹的盛会。李华学到的另一个常用语是a steal, 那是指便宜得象白检的东西一样。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#769
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

你们知道一个人很胖的这个“胖”字在英文里是哪个字?Fat. 中国人说一个人很胖,这是很普通的。但是,美国人在说一个人胖的时候却不太用fat这个字。你要是用fat 这个字,人家会觉得你很不礼貌,会生气的。那么,美国人是怎么说的呢?美国人是尽量避免直截了当地用“胖”这个字。他们有的时候说:She's quite big. 这恐怕就是中文里的“块头很大”了。有的时候美国人还说:He's heavy. Heavy是“很重”的意思,用在指人的时候也就是说他的体重很重。
  
  总之,美国人在说人家胖的时候比较婉转,以免伤害别人的自尊心。好,现在让我们言归正传。今天我们要给大家介绍的第一个习惯用语就是:Fat farm. Farm就是“农场”。Fat farm这个说法也许会引起误会,使人以为这是一个农场里面全是胖的人。实际上,一个人到fat farm去不是因为他胖,而是他想减肥。Fat farm是一个健身的机构,去那里的人要做大量的锻炼,但是东西吃得很少。有的美国人很难控制他们的体重,所以每年去一次fat farm为了减肥。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: My sister Sally is back from the fat farm again. She lost twenty pounds there. But the way she eats, I'm sure she'll gain it back and go back to the fat farm next year.
  
  这人说:我妹妹萨丽去参加减肥治疗所已经回来。她体重减少了二十磅。但是,按她这种吃东西的样子,我肯定她会重新增加二十磅,然后明年再去减肥治疗所。
  
  ******
  
  下面是另外一个人在说他的妹妹。
  
  例句2: Sally did something very embarrassing at the fat farm. One night she quietly phoned out to order a pizza thinking nobody would know, but she got caught by the fat farm manager. So she quit the next day and returned home.
  
  这个人说:萨丽在减肥治疗所干了一件很难堪的事。她一天夜晚偷偷打电话叫店里送一个比萨饼到治疗所,以为没有人会知道,结果给治疗所的经理抓住。所以,她第二天就回家不干了。
  
  有些人平时吃很多东西,造成体重超重。要一下子改变饮食习惯,在很短的时间里减少一二十磅那是很不容易的。因此,偷偷吃东西恐怕也是可以想象的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#770
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个习惯用语是:To chew the fat. Chew作为一个动词,它的意思是:吃东西时嚼东西的“嚼”。可是,to chew the fat并不是嚼肥肉。这是一个俗语,它的意思是“几个朋友、同事或一些熟人坐在一起随便聊天,不管是天南地北,或是张家长李家短,想讲什么就讲什么。”下面是一个例子。
  
  例句3: After my next class I'm going back to my room to catch upon my sleep. I was up until four this morning chewing the fat with my roommate and a couple of friends who dropped in.
  
  这个人说:上完下一节课我就要回房间去睡觉。我昨天晚上跟我同房间的同学和其他两个来玩的朋友一起聊天,一直聊到今天早上四点才睡觉。
  
  ******
  
  不管是中国人还是美国人,找对象要志同道合这恐怕是普遍的。下面是一个教授在说他的同事。
  
  例句4: Jack is a quiet man who writes books. In fact, he has published several highly-regarded books on Asian history. But all his wife likes to do is chew the fat with her friends all day long. I'm surprised that their marriage still holds together.
  
  这个教授说:杰克是一个很安静的人,他一直在写书。其实,他已经出版了好几本有关亚洲历史的书,受到很高的评价。可是,他太太所喜欢的就是成天和她那些朋友聊东家长西家短。他们的婚姻居然没出问题,我真是感到很奇怪。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#771
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 Larry和李华正在开车去看朋友,可是在纽约皇后区迷了路。李华今天会学到两个常用语:make a u-ey和step on it。
  
  LL: Uh, Li Hua, I think we are going the wrong way. I think we need to make a u-ey.
  
  LH: 什么, 我们走错路了啦?要make a u-ey,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To make a u-ey is to take a u-turn. U-ey - U-EY. I think you can make a u-ey up at the light ahead
  
  LH: 往回开是对的。但是,Larry,你没看见在灯前面有不让调头的牌子嘛!
  
  LL: Oh, you are right, Li Hua. We can't make a u-ey there. There is a "No U-turn" sign.
  
  LH: 是啊,这里明明写着“不许调头”。
  
  LL: Yeah, if a cop had seen you, he would have given you a ticket for making a u-ey there.
  
  LH: 我们还是小心点吧,给警察看见一定会罚款的。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, do you see that 7-11 on our right? You can make a u-ey in the parking lot. There is no problem with turning around in a parking lot.
  
  LH: 这是个好主意,右转到7-11杂货店的停车场;再在那儿调头。这肯定没有问题。 Larry, 你好聪明呦。
  
  (Sound of driving car)
  
  LL: Nice work! Now we should be headed in the right direction.
  
  LH: 方向是对了,可是你千万不要大意,我可不想再u-ey 了。
  
  LL: Uh...Li Hua, I have some bad news.
  
  LH: 什么,又有什么坏消息?
  
  LL: I think we passed the street we need to turn down again. I'm afraid we'll be making another u-ey after all!
  
  LH: 你说什么?我们又错过了该转的路口?天啊,我们又得找地方调头了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#772
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: We are really running late now, Li Hua. We better step on it!
  
  LH: Step on it? 你要踩什么?
  
  LL: Step-STEP, step on the gas pedal. We need to hurry up and make this car go faster.
  
  LH: 噢,step on it就是踩油门!我们是有点儿晚了,可是我不想 “step on it.”
  
  LL: You don't have to speed, Li Hua. Just step on it a little bit. Just go a little faster.
  
  LH: 我可以踩油门,再开快一点。不过安全也很重要呦!
  
  LL: Of course it is important to drive safely, and if you really don't feel comfortable stepping on it, then you shouldn't. A little late is all right!
  
  LH: 就是嘛!(Siren sound) 哟,不好了,后面来了警车,要我停下来。
  
  LL: Well, now you better step on it!
  
  LH: Larry!你说什么?你让我加速,你疯了吗?
  
  LL: I'm just kidding, Li Hua. You really should pull over and see what the police officer wants.
  
  LH: Larry,都是你叫我step on it,你还有心思开玩笑?我把车停在路边,让我下车看看警察怎么说。
  
  (Sound of street and talking)
  
  LL: What did the police say? Did he give you a ticket?
  
  LH: 我以为警察肯定会给我罚票。其实呀,警察觉得我们好象迷路了,问我要不要帮忙。Larry,幸亏我没有加速。不然我们就就惨了。
  
  LL: That's great, but now we are even later than before. Let's step on it!
  
  LH:还要让我step on it! 你真是疯啦?
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是make a u-ey, 意思是开车的时候调头往回开。李华学到的另一个常用语是step on it, 意思是踩油门,加快速度。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#773
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们讲过几个以fat这个字为主的习惯用语,今天我们再来补充两个。不同的民族对一个人胖不胖瘦不瘦有不同的看法。中国人说:“你胖啦!”那是好意,意思你身体很好,心宽体胖。可是,当你见到一个美国朋友的时候,要是你说:“你胖啦!”那他会很不高兴的,因为美国人最不喜欢胖,虽然你在美国到处可以看到很胖的人。但是“胖”,也就是fat并不见得都是坏事。我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语就能说明问题。Fat cat. Fat是指“胖”,cat是指一只猫。狗和猫的猫。Fat cat这两个字看来很简单,不是一只很肥的猫吗?不对。Fat cat实际上是指人,是指那些很有钱、很成功的人。我想,我们每个人都非常想当fat cat。 但是,当你成了fat cat以后,总会有人妒忌你的。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: I hate to see fat cats showing off all their money, but I would sure love to be one myself. But I guess my only chance of being a fat cat is to win ten million dollars in the lottery.
  
  这个人说:我不喜欢那些有钱人眩耀他们的钱,可是我自己也确实很想成为一个有钱人。但是,我要成为一个有钱人的唯一机会就是中一张一千万美元的彩票。
  
  许多美国人都买彩票,有的人每个星期都买。虽然一张彩票的价钱不算高,但是长期积累起来数目也很可贵。有的人和同事们合起来一起买。这样可以多买一些彩票,中彩的机会多一些。要是中了的话,他们可以把钱平分,虽然得到少一些,但比没有要好多了。
  
  ******
  
  我们再给大家举一个关于fat cat的例子。这是一个人在说他的朋友发家以后就瞧不起他了。
  
  例句2: Tom and I used to be quite close when we were poor students at college. After graduation he's become very successful and he's turned into a real fat cat. You know, he didn't even bother to say hello to me when I saw him on the street yesterday.
  
  这个人说:我跟汤姆在念大学的时候都是穷学生,我们很要好。毕业后,他很成功,变成一个非常有钱的人。你可知道,昨天我在马路上见到他,他连招呼都不跟我打。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#774
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在我们刚才讲的fat cat这个习惯用语里,fat这个字应该说是好的意思,是指一个人很有钱。从fat这个字来看,它应该包含多、或者大的意思。然而,这可不一定。下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语就是一个例子。Fat chance. Chance是机会的意思。那么,fat chance从表面上来看应该是机会很多。可是不然。Fat chance是指机会很少,甚至根本没有机会。我们来举一个例子。
  
  例句3: A fat chance I'll ever get a good grade in physics or chemistry; I'm just not very good when it comes to science. Maybe I ought to major in history or journalism instead.
  
  这个人肯定是一个学生。他说:我想得到物理课或化学课的好分数几乎是不可能的。凡是有关科学的课程我就是不行。也许我不应该选那些课,而应该学历史或新闻。
  
  有些美国学生刚进大学时确实还不太明确自己要学什么。他们往往在过了一段大学生活后才能决定自己的志愿。当然,早一点选定学科就知道应该选些什么课,因为要改变专业就可能会损失一些学分。
  
  ******
  
  大家都知道,许多家长都希望自己的孩子能够有一天出人头地,成为有名的电影明星、电视播音员,或其他引人注目的人物。在美国,有些人把孩子带到好莱坞去,希望被某个导演发现,让他在电影里充当一个角色。下面我们要举的例子是一个丈夫在对妻子讲话。
  
  例句4: My dear there is a fat chance Michael will be chosen by any director at Hollywood. Look at him again. In the first place he's not the handsomest boy in the neighborhood. Besides, don't forget he stutters!
  
  这个爸爸还比较现实,他对他妻子说:亲爱的,麦克被好莱坞导演选中的机会是很少的。你再看看他,首先他并不是我们这一带最英俊的男孩,而且你别忘了,他还有口吃的毛病。
  
  这位母亲大概是望子心切,把他的缺点全部忘了。别的不说,口吃的人要当演员是难上加难。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#775
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry 刚刚给自己的公寓贴了新的墙纸,可是他觉得效果很不理想。 李华今天会学到两个常用语:diddlysquat和rub it in。
  
  LL: Today, Li Hua, I discovered that I don't know diddlysquat about putting up wallpaper.
  
  LH: 什么? diddlysquat?听你的意思,你好象是说你对贴墙纸什么也不懂,是吗?
  
  LL: That's right. I don't know diddlysquat means I don't know anything.
  
  LH:噢,Don't know diddlysquat就是什么也不懂,一窍不通。
  
  LL:Right. When I was wallpapering my apartment, I didn't get the pieces perfectly straight before I put them on, and now the pattern doesn't line up.
  
  LH: 我也对贴墙纸一窍不通。不过,贴之前好象总得把墙纸弄直了。否则,墙纸的花样怎么对得起来呢!
  
  LL: Yeah, but it is harder to do than you might think. I really needed to read instructions in a how-to book before I started, but I didn't do diddlysquat to prepare.
  
  LH: 原来你什么准备都没有做就开始贴墙纸呀!美国有很多关于如何装修房屋的书,你什么没看就动手啦?你胆子也够大的。得了,你来帮我点忙, 分散一下注意力,心情就会好一些。好吗?
  
  LL: Sure, how can I help?
  
  LH: 我昨天买了一个新的电脑硬盘,可我在这方面什么也不懂,I don't know diddlysquat about computer。 你来帮我装一下,好吗?
  
  LL: You are just like my mom, Li Hua. She doesn't know diddlysquat about computers either─but I am happy to help out. When should I come by?
  
  LH: Larry,你能帮我装上,那太好了。午饭以后可以过来吗?
  
  LL: OK, I'll do that. But maybe you can come help me remove the wallpaper I put up.
  
  LH: 帮你撕墙纸,I don't know diddlysquat about that! 让我看看再说

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#776
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Oh, Larry, 这墙纸还真是没对齐。
  
  LL: Yeah, I know. Please don't rub it in.
  
  LH: 不要抹进去?我们不是要把墙纸撕下来吗?
  
  LL: No, no. By "rub it in", I didn't mean rub the wallpaper into the wall. I meant that I already know the wallpaper doesn't line up, so you don't need to tell me again and make me feel worse.
  
  LH: 我明白了, rub it in的意思是在伤口上抹盐,令人更难堪。 墙纸没贴好,你已经很难过了,我又提起这件事,就是rub it in - 让你更难受,对吗?
  
  LL: Yeah, especially when it is something you are not happy about. "Rubbing it in" just makes a person feel worse.
  
  LH: Rub it in,只会让人更难过, 所以我们的朋友Rick撞车之后,你并没有对他说, “你怎么这么不小心”,因为你不想让他更难堪。
  
  LL: Right, I didn't want Rick to feel even worse about his car.
  
  LH: 上个星期考试,我考得好, 你考得不好,我说,“你本来就该好好复习嘛”。这又是 rubbing it in,往伤口上抹盐,对 不对?
  
  LL: Exactly.
  
  LH: 可是我只是想对朋友提出忠告,并没有 抹盐的意思。
  
  LL: I know you didn't mean to rub it in, Li Hua. Well, let's go see what we can do about your hard drive.
  
  LH: Great. 好吧,去看看我的电脑吧。
  
  LL: You are really lucky that we are friends! I mean, you don't know diddlysquat about computers. You'd never be able to install the hard drive without me.
  
  LH: 我知道我对电脑一窍不通, 你就别往伤口上抹盐了。You don't have to rub it in!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是don't know diddlysquat about something,意思是对某件事一无所知,一窍不通。李华学到的另一个常用语是 rub it in, 意思是在某个人的伤口上抹盐,令人更加难过。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#777
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们给大家介绍过几个以fat,就是“胖”这个字为主的习惯用语,今天我们来给大家讲解两个和“瘦”这个字有关的常用语。Thin. Thin可以解释为“瘦”,但是在不少场合也是指“薄”,厚薄的“薄”。在今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语里,thin都解释为“薄”。我们先来讲第一个:Thin ice. Ice就是“冰”,滑冰的“冰”。Thin ice就是“薄的冰”。
  
  一到冬天,许多地方的河流或湖水都会结成冰。这是孩子们滑冰的好时机。但是任何人要是在很薄的冰上行走或滑冰的话,那是很危险的,因为薄的冰不一定能承担他的体重。万一冰块破裂,人就要掉到冰冻的河水里,有的人甚至会丧失生命。因此,on thin ice这个俗语的意思就是指各种危险的处境。由于这个说法已经扩展到生活的各个方面,因此on thin ice并不一定是指肉体或涉及生命的危险。下面这个例子就能说明问题。这是一个教授在警告一个学生。他说:
  
  例句-1: Young man, unless you start turning in your assignments on time and pull up your test scores, I have to tell you that you are on thin ice in this class. Right now you're very close to failing.
  
  这个教授说:小伙子,我得告诉你,你现在在这个班里的学业情况很危险,除非你及时交作业而且提高你测验的分数。你现在的情况是近乎不及格。
  
  ******
  
  在某种情况下,我们往往会做一些我们没有把握的事。比如说,有一个机构请你去讲演,而你对他们要你讲的题目并不熟悉,因此你在讲的时候总觉得有点心虚,生怕出错。这种情况就可以用on thin ice这个俗语来形容。下面就是一个教授在说他的感受。
  
  例句2: As a professor of philosophy I don't know much about movies so I was silly to accept an invitation to speak on American films as an art form last week. I felt I was really on thin ice during the speech, scared to death of making a fool out of myself.
  
  这位教授说:作为哲学教授,我对电影了解不多。可我接受了邀请,上星期去讲有关美国电影作为一种艺术形式。这实在是很傻。在讲演的过程中,我感到非常没有把握,害怕得要命,生怕说错了把自己弄得像个傻瓜一样。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#778
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来讲一个以thin这个字为主的习惯用语,Thin-skinned. 要注意的是在thin和skinned这两个字之间有一个连接号。Skinned是来自skin这个字。skin就是“皮肤”。那么,thin-skinned就是“皮肤很薄”的意思。当做习惯用语的时候,它的意思就是“脸皮很薄,对别人的批评比一般人更为敏感。”有时别人明明没有批评他的意思,而他也以为人家在指责他。我们来给大家举一个例子。
  
  例句3: The trouble with Harry is that he is so thin-skinned. He does good work, but he must feel very unsure of himself. Ask him a friendly question about how his work is going and he thinks you're criticizing him.
  
  说话的这个人肯定是在说他的同事。他说:哈里的问题是他太敏感,脸皮太薄。他的工作很好,但是他肯定对自己缺乏自信。你要是很善意地问他他的工作进展如何,他就会认为你是在批评他。
  
  这种人肯定很难相处,但是,有这种习性的人,他们本人恐怕也是很痛苦的。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个爸爸在对他的儿子说话。
  
  例句4: You shouldn't be so thin-skinned. You've changed jobs three times in three months and every time it was because somebody tried to correct your mistakes. Son, everyone has to listen to criticism sometimes. It's the only way to learn and grow.
  
  这位爸爸说:你不能这么敏感。你看,你三个月里换了三个工作,每次换工作都是因为别人要纠正你的错误。儿子,每个人在某个时候都得听一些批评。这是学习和成长的唯一道路。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#779
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry正在申请下学期学校的资助,可是到处碰壁。李华今天会学到两个常用语:runaround和take a chill pill。
  
  LL: I am so frustrated! The Financial Aid Office is giving me a real runaround!
  
  LH: Larry,你说资助办公室给你什么? Runaround是什么呀?
  
  LL: To give someone a runaround means to be deceptive and evasive to someone. They sent me from office to office,but no one can give me the right answers.
  
  LH: 噢, to give someone a runaround意思是对某人很虚假,躲躲闪闪的。你是说资助办公室打发你到这个办公室那个办公室,可就没有人给你一个明确的回答。Larry,那现在怎么办呢?
  
  LL: They are still giving me the runaround. They say I didn't turn in my application on time, but I know I did.
  
  LH: 他们说你没有交申请表?瞎说,你肯定交了,我还跟你一起去的。你知道, Larry,每次我申请延长学生签证,他们也是把我象皮球那样踢来踢去,gave me a runaround。
  
  LL: That's too bad. Since being given the runaround is no fun, what do you say we go for ice cream somewhere?
  
  LH: 去吃冰淇淋?我不知道能不能去。我今天下午很忙, 要批改很多作文。
  
  LL: How about after you grade your papers?
  
  LH: 批改卷子后,我还要写论文。
  
  LL: Li Hua, are you giving me the runaround?
  
  LH: Larry,看你说的,我怎么是在找借口呢?我看你有点多疑吧。
  
  LL: Well, you aren't giving me a direct answer for one.
  
  LH: 没有明确回答你。 好吧, Larry, 我的回答是不能去,对不起我不能跟你去吃冰淇淋。这行了吧?
  
  LL:That's OK! Just don't give me the runaround anymore. I've had enough of that!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#780
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I've been so frustrated by this whole financial aid mess. I really need to take a chill pill.
  
  LH: 吃什么药片?吃了这药片就能解决资助问题了吗?
  
  LL: Ha-Ha, very funny. No, to take a chill pill means to calm down. I need to calm down, forget my problems and do something else.
  
  LH: 原来是这个意思。 To take a chill pill是设法平静下来。我看也是,最好的办法是平静下来,做些别的事,先把这事阁一边。Larry,Rick的车给人撞坏了,他气死了。我看他也该平静下来,take a chill pill。
  
  LL: No, Rick did have good reason to be upset. I wouldn't have told him to take a chill pill in that case.
  
  LH: 是,他有理由生气。在这种情况下就不能叫他take a chill pill? 那你再举个例子给我听听,什么情况下可以说take a chill pill呢?
  
  LL: Sometimes when you get so worried before a test, Li Hua, I just want to tell you to take a chill pill.
  
  LH: 每次考试前,我是特别紧张。以后你看见我考试前太紧张,你尽管对我说take a chill pill。我不会生气的。我也不知道自己为什么会那么紧张。
  
  LL: You always study so hard. There is no need to be worried. You should just take a chill pill and relax. You know you'll do fine.
  
  LH: 我也这么想呀!我是很用功,每次考试成绩也都很好,本来我就不该紧张。不过,有的时候我觉得考试前心情紧张一点反而考的好。
  
  LL:In that case, you don't have to take a chill pill. But if I were too nervous before a test, I would be unable to think clearly and would certainly fail the test.
  
  LH: 那倒是可能的。每个人不一样嘛。不过, Larry, 你要是考糊了,你就会非常不高兴。到那时,你就得take a chill pill。 我看哪,你还是应该更用功一点,这样你的成绩会更好。
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, take a chill pill!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是give someone a runaround, 意思是找借口,躲闪,拖延,特别是对提出要求的人。另一个常用语是take a chill pill, 意思是平静下来。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#781
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

自己愿意。实际上,有的人还很喜欢花很多时间在工作上。有的人喜欢抽烟有烟瘾,有的人喜欢喝酒有酒瘾。有的人老是在工作,好像对工作上了瘾一样。英文里有一个专门的名词来形容那些人。这就是我们今天要给大家介绍的第一个习惯用语。workaholic 在英文里,alcoholic就是喝酒上瘾的人。根据高克毅写的《通俗美语辞典》,大约二十年前有一个名字叫作韦恩.奥茨的美国教会辅导员。他每天从早到晚忙个不停,是一个典型的工作狂。有一天,他那五岁的儿子要见他,但是他非得通过他爸爸的秘书约好一个时间后才能见到他。这件事使韦恩.奥茨省悟了过来,于是他写了一本书,题目是:《一个工作病狂者的忏悔录》,英文名字是:"Confessions of a Workaholic"。 这是workaholic这个字第一次出现。实际上就是把 alcoholic这个字前面的四个字母a-l-c-o改成w-o-r-k。从那时候起,workaholic就开始用来指一个只知道工作,忽视家庭,没有正常生活的人。下面就是一个很好的例子。
  
  例句-1: My brother Bill designs computers and he's turned into a real workaholic. He works twelve hours a day, talks about nothing else and pays no attention to his wife and three kids, or his old friends.
  
  这个人说:我的弟弟比尔是设计电脑的。他可真是变成了一个工作狂。每天工作十二个小时,一开口除了讲他的工作外没有任何别的内容。他把妻子、三个孩子以及他的一些老朋友完全抛在脑后。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例句是一个人在对他的太太诉说他的苦衷。
  
  例句2: Don't call me workaholic please! Yes, I spend most of my time in the office and can't go on vacation with you and the kids. But you think I like it? I have to work hard if I want to be promoted and make more money.
  
  他说:请你别叫我工作狂。是的,我把大多数时间都化在办公室里,也不能跟你和孩子们一起出去休假旅行。但是,你以为我喜欢那样吗?要是我想被提升,挣更多的钱,我非得努力工作不可呀。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#782
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来给大家介绍一个和艰苦工作有关的习惯用语。grunt work Grunt就是由于太疲劳,或者是不满意而咕咕哝哝。Grunt work就是会使得人感到非常疲劳的繁重的体力劳动。在越南战争期间,美国人把那些参加战争的美国士兵叫做grunt,特别是那种除了扛枪外还必须挖壕沟或做其他重体力活的士兵。Grunt work就是在这个基础上发展而来的。下面是一个学生在说他暑期打工的情况。
  
  例句3: The only job I could find was on a highway work crew. I spent most of my time digging ditches - nothing but grunt work. The good part was that it paid twice as much as work in a hamburger joint.
  
  这个学生说:我唯一能找到的工作就是在一个修公路的工程队里。大多数时间我都在挖沟,除了繁重的体力劳动外别的什么也没有。好处是这个工作的工资比在卖汉堡包的餐馆里工作要高出一倍。
  
  美国学生一到暑假都纷纷出去找工作,有的是为了付学费,还有一些只是为了增加一些零花钱。在长达三个多月长的暑假里,你可以看到不少学生在那些连锁快餐店里工作。其实,那里的工作也不轻松。
  
  ******
  
  每一个机构里都会产生工作分配不均匀的现象。下面是一个公司的雇员在跟老板抱怨。
  
  例句4: It's not fair that I'm always assigned to do the grunt work with no chance of getting those juicy jobs like the others on my team. We make the same amount of money and I don't see any reason to be treated this way.
  
  这个雇员非常生气,他说:我老是被指派去做那些繁重的工作,没有机会像我小组里那些人那样得到一些美差。这是不公平的。我们的工资都一样。我认为这样对待我是没有道理的。
  
  在美国,除非你有某种特殊才能,公司缺不了你,否则你要想加工资,或者得到优厚待遇,一般都要很婉转地和老板商量。像上面例句里那个人那么气冲冲地和老板说话恐怕是不多的

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#783
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚刚考试完毕。李华告诉Larry,她考得很不好。今天李华会学到两个常用语:Kiss something goodbye和Lose one's cool。
  
  LH: Larry! 今天的考试真难,我连三分之一都没做完。
  
  LL: What? That's not good. I guess you have to kiss your “A” in that class goodbye.
  
  LH: 你在瞎说八道什么呀? 我现在很不高兴,还要和谁亲嘴?
  
  LL: No, no, Li Hua, that's not what I said! I said “You have to kiss your ‘A’ goodbye". Kiss something goodbye indicates one accepts he or she won't or can't have something.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,kiss something goodbye在这里不是指和谁接吻告别,而是指一个人知道不会得到他要得东西了。你是说,我这门课考试没考好,所以就得不到A了。
  
  LL: That's right! Li Hua, did you ever have to kiss something goodbye before?
  
  LH: 我有没有遇到过这种情况呀?我想想...对了。 上次我把手套忘在出租车里了。所以,这手套就再也没有了。I have to kiss my gloves goodbye! 这意思对不对?
  
  LL: That's right. But when your bike was stolen last week, I bet you thought you would have to kiss that goodbye.
  
  LH: 没错,我真以为那自行车被偷了,从此就没了。没想到警察帮我把它找了回来, 我就不必跟自行车“kiss goodbye”。
  
  LL: And when you left China, you had to kiss your mother's good Chinese cooking goodbye.
  
  LH: 是啊,很久都没有吃到我妈妈烧的菜了,有的时候真想家。Larry,我毕业以后可能会离开纽约到一个小城市去工作,那我就吃不到纽约许多不同的风味小吃了。
  
  LL: I'm staying here in New York. So if that's your plan, you'll also have to kiss interesting conversations with me goodbye.
  
  LH: 是呀,我要是真的离开纽约, 我就不能跟你经常聊天了。不过,我们可以打电话啊。
  
  LL: That's right. Well, anyway, it's too bad about that test. I guess you will have to kiss your “A” goodbye.
  
  LH: Kiss my“A” goodbye,我可真不甘心。我得找教授谈一谈。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#784
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 这就是教授的办公室。
  
  LL: Sure is. OK, Li Hua, when you go into the professor's office to talk about that test, remember, don't lose your cool!
  
  LH: Don't lose your cool! 这是什么意思?难道我会丢失什么吗?
  
  LL: I said “don't lose your cool”. Don't lose your cool means stay calm, don't get angry.
  
  LH: 噢,don't lose your cool是要我冷静, 不要生气发火。 Larry, 前天我们开车明明没有超速,可是警察拦住我们, 我当时差一点要发火,可是没有"lost my cool"?
  
  LL: No, you didn't lose your cool, you were calm. One time I lost my cool with a bus driver because he didn't stop the bus at my stop.
  
  LH:你跟司机发脾气, 当然不会有好结果。
  
  LL: Yep. I had to wait for the next stop and walk back. If I hadn't lost my cool and had nicely asked him to stop, I wouldn't have had to walk so far.
  
  LH: 你看,和司机法脾气没好处。你得等下一站才能下车,再往回走。看来你要冷静地和他商量,keep your cool,他没准就停下来了。
  
  LL: That's true. I heard more people lose their cool in the evening than in the morning, when they are fresh.
  
  LH: 那是可以想象的。人工作了一天累了就容易发火。早上人很清醒,情绪就比较平静。好了, 闲话少说,我得进去找教授了。
  
  LL: Remember, when you go in there you don't want to lose your cool, or you can say, you want to KEEP YOUR COOL. Lose your cool and keep your cool are opposites.
  
  LH: 知道了,lose your cool就是失去冷静;keep your cool就是保持冷静。总之,遇事一定要冷静就是了。
  
  LL: That's for sure. I'll wait out here. See you in a few minutes.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是kiss something goodbye, 意思是失去、损失。李华学到的另一个常用语是lose one's cool意思是变得不冷静, 或是说keep one's cool这是保持冷静的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#785
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要给大家再介绍两个和work这个字有关的习惯用语。让我们先来复习一下work这个字吧。Work就是工作,或者是劳动。可是,今天我们要讲的习惯用语要在work这个字后面加一个s,成为works。Works就不能解释为工作或劳动了。Works可以解释为:工厂,比如说,水泥厂,钢铁厂等。Works也可以解释为一个机器的各个部件。这也就是我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语的意思,这个习惯用语很简单,就是在works这个字前面加上一个定冠词:the works. 要是你在理发店里听见一个人说the works,他的意思就是他不仅要理发师给他理发,而且他还要给他洗头、剃胡子、修指甲等,也就是说这家理发店提供的所有服务项目他都要。在妇女的理发店里也是一样。要是一位女士在理发店里说她要the works,那她就是说她不仅要洗头、做头发,而且还要清理脸部皮肤和其它所有的服务。你要是在美国到麦当劳或别的快餐店去的话,你会听到更多的人说他们要the works。下面是一个学生在买一份简便的午餐。他说:
  
  例句-1: French fries, please, and a large coke. And a hamburger with all the works - mustard, catsup, pickle, lettuce and onion.
  
  这个学生对售货员说:请你给我炸土豆条,和一大杯可口可乐。另外还要一个汉堡宝,全部作料都要,芥末,番茄酱,泡菜,生菜和洋葱。
  
  汉堡宝是美国人经常吃的一种食品,就是把一个圆的小面包切开分成上下两半,把牛肉末煎成的肉饼夹在面包当中,然后再放上一点生菜,几片西红柿,一点切的很细的洋葱等作料。有的人喜欢加一点番茄浆,有的人则喜欢加一点烤肉浆。当然牛肉饼是否做的好,煎的好,这对整个汉堡宝的味道起很大的作用。你可以到快餐店里吃到汉堡宝,大的餐馆里吃午饭的时候也有汉堡宝。当然价钱就要比快餐店的贵多了。
  
  ******
  
  人的性格都是各不相同的,有的人处处精打细算,花钱很小心。可是有的人用起钱来大手大脚,喜欢摆场面。下面就是一个人在说他的妈妈和妹妹。
  
  例句2: My mother and my sister have very different personalities. Mom always washes her hair before she goes to her hairdresser just to save money. But my sister asks for the works every time despite the fact she doesn't even have a job.
  
  这人说:我妈妈和妹妹是两个性格完全不同的人。我妈妈每次去理发店之前总是先自己洗头,这样好省一点钱。可是,我妹妹总是要理发店给她全套服务,一样不少,尽管她连个工作都没有。
  
  要指出的是,这种大手大脚的情况在美国年轻人当中还不在少数。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#786
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲解的习惯用语就是:in the works. In the works这个习惯用语是用来形容一个正在计划中的工程,或者这个工程正在进行中。要是说一个工程is in the works,那它的意思就是这个工程已经开始,但是在结束前还有很多工作要做。下面这个例子是一个电台记者在报导汽车工业正在进行的一个项目。他说:
  
  例句3: Several automakers have projects in the works to put a practical electrical car on the market by the year two thousand. They hope to build a car that will run four hundred miles without recharging the batteries.
  
  这人说:几家汽车公司都在研究制造一种实用的电动汽车,计划在2000年之前能够投入市场。他们希望推出一种能够开四百英哩不用充电的汽车。”
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在说他自己的个人计划。
  
  例句4: I like to read books on different topics - medicine, energy, arts and whatnot. I've accumulated a lot of notes I took while reading. A plan to file these notes is in the works, but it's going to take a long time before I get to it.
  
  这人说:我喜欢看各种不同科目的书,像医学、能源、艺术等等。我积累了好多看书时候做的笔记。我已经开始订计划来按课目整理这些笔记,但是要真正动手做还得等很久。
  
  一个人能够对理工科和文科都感兴趣是不容易的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#787
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华今天请Larry到家里来一起看电视转播的世界杯比赛。今天是美国队对捷克队。李华会学到两个常用语:make a big stink和to be creamed。
  
  (sound of knocking door)
  
  LH:请进来! Come on in, Larry!
  
  LL: Oh, hey there, Li Hua, I see the game has started. What's the big stink?
  
  LH: 球赛刚开始。你说这儿有臭味? 我没有闻到什么臭味呀!
  
  LL: No, I don't mean your apartment is stinking. I was asking why the soccer players are making a big stink. Big stink means making a big fuss or complaining.
  
  LH: 噢,你是问电视上这些球员在吵什么?嗨,美国队踢进了一个球,可是没有得分,因为裁判判定失误,所以就吵了起来。
  
  LL: So, the players are mad, and the U.S. soccer coach is making a big stink by arguing with the referee.
  
  LH: 是啊, 美国队个个气得火冒三丈。美国教练通常比较低调, 这次也忍不住跟裁判争执,表示强烈不满。
  
  LL: Yeah, but I don't think making a big stink about the call is going to change the referee's mind.
  
  LH: 我也这么想呢, 大吵大闹是不会改变裁判的决定的,还不如就算了, 接着比赛就好了嘛。
  
  LL: This reminds me of when I played baseball as a kid. Every once in a while a parent would get upset with the umpire and make a big stink.
  
  LH: 这不仅是你小时候打棒球的情况,现在也是那样。美国家长特别重视孩子的体育活动,有比赛必到现场,为孩子打气。觉得不公平还会对裁判大喊大叫。 我父母只有在我学习成绩不好的时候才会严厉批评。
  
  LL: Li Hua, weren't you the perfect student? I can't imagine your parents having anything to make a stink about.
  
  LH: 谁说他们不生气?我上中学的时候, 有个学期我的数学成绩很差。 我父母就特别生气。这对他们来说才是件大事。
  
  LL: Well, they had your best interests at heart. Say, you know what I want to make a big stink about now?
  
  LH: 我当然知道他们是为了我好。You want to make a big stink?有什么事让你不满意呀?
  
  LL: Where is the snack food? You can't watch soccer without having some snacks.
  
  LH: 嗨,你们美国人呀,看球就非得吃零食。不过,这不是什么大事。You don't have to make a big stink。 厨房里有好多吃的,你自己去拿 吧。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#788
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Have some chips, Li Hua. Hmm...it looks like the U.S. is getting creamed.
  
  LH: Creamed? Cream不是奶油吗?
  
  LL: No, creamed mean getting beaten. And badly.
  
  LH:噢,creamed在这里的意思是被打败,而且是惨败。
  
  LL:That's right. Say, Li Hua, why are you rooting for the U.S. team, anyway?
  
  LH: 我为什么帮美国队呀?你忘啦,中国队在亚洲地区赛中输给了科威特队, 根本没有资格参加世界杯赛。
  
  LL: Oh, yeah, I remember that. They were creamed pretty badly - Six to one, as I recall.
  
  LH: 没错,输给科威特六比一!别说了, 一提起中国队的惨败, 我就伤心。 所以现在我支持美国队, 因为我在美国留学, 可没想到美国队也要输了。The US team is going to be creamed!
  
  LL: The Czech Republic team is really good. I am not surprised the U.S. is getting creamed.
  
  LH: 美国队看来是输定了,我们别看球了。出去玩吧。
  
  LL: It's a nice day, Li Hua. Let's go out and play some badminton.
  
  LH: Larry,打羽毛球 你可不是我的对手, 说不定会被打得一败涂地呦。I'm sure you'll get creamed.
  
  LL: I tell you what, Li Hua, if you cream me at badminton, I promise...
  
  LH: 你保证什么?
  
  LL: I promise not to make a big stink about it!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是make a big stink, 意思是大吵大闹、表示强烈不满。李华学到的另一个常用语是to be creamed意思是被击败。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#789
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是以cut这个字为主的。Cut这个字和其他有些英文字一样,在跟别的字合在一起成为俗语,俚语的时候会有不同的意思。我想大家都知道cut 就是用刀或其他利器把什么东西切开。Cut是一个很简单,很普通的字,只有三个字母组成,c-u-t。可是,在我面前这本大字典里,cut有八十九个不同的解释。当然,cut在习惯用语当中,它就不一定是切东西的意思了。
  
  今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就是一个例子。To cut a deal. Deal这个字可以解释为交易。To cut a deal 并不是撕破,或者是破坏一个交易。相反地,to cut a deal就是在做生意方面,或者是在司法方面和对方达成一个协议。我们先来给大家举个例子。这是一个丈夫在告诉他的朋友有关他和他太太离婚的事。
  
  例句-1:The two of us argued a year - who got the house, the furniture, the car? But our lawyers finally cut a deal which we both thought was fair. So at last everything is settled.
  
  这位丈夫说:我们两在房子给谁,家俱分给谁,谁该得到汽车这些问题上争论了一年。但是,我们的律师最后定了一个方案我们两都认为是公平的,所以一切终于都解决了。
  
  离婚对双方本来就是很痛苦的事。在美国,人们还往往会为了分财产、争孩子,为了孩子的扶养费多少而打官司;有的甚至打好几年官司,弄得双方情绪很不好,不能过正常的生活。这真是劳命伤财,唯一获利的恐怕只有双方的律师了。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例子是我们都很熟悉的。这是一个十几岁的男孩子在讲他和他爸爸达成的协议。
  
  例句2: My dad has not been happy with my grades at school. But yesterday I promised him to work harder. Finally, we cut a deal. He said if I got all A's this semester, he'll let me go to the summer camp, or buy me a new car.
  
  这个男孩子说:我爸爸对我在学校的成绩不太高兴。但是,昨天我向他保证要更用功念书。最后,我们达成了一个协议。他说,要是这学期我每门功课都得A的话,他就让我去夏令营,或给我买一辆新车。
  
  美国的孩子到了十六岁就可以获得驾驶执照。在十六岁之前,不管要到哪里去他们得靠父母,或者是朋友接送。可是有了驾驶执照而没有车的话并不等于完全自由,因为他们还得向父母借用车。所以,有一辆自己的汽车对这些孩子来说简直好像插了翅膀一样。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#790
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来讲一个以cut这个字为主的习惯用语。To cut corners. Corner就是角,比如一张台子有四个角的角,或者是马路的拐角。当然,用刀来切台子的角,切马路的拐角是不可能的。但是,有时为了节省时间,我们在马路上走的时候不一定老顺着人行道走,而往往想办法走近路,从草地上,或穿过人家的院子。
  
  作为习惯用语,to cut corners的意思是:找更方便的办法,或更便宜的办法来做一件事。但是,这样做并一定会有好的效果。下面就是一个人在说他为了省钱而给自己带来更多的麻烦。
  
  例句3:I tried to cut corners by fixing my car myself instead of taking it back to the dealer. But it cost me money in the long run. The whole transmission dropped out when I was driving on the beltway.
  
  这个人说:我是想自己来修车,不要把车送到卖车的公司里去修。这样好便宜一点。可是,从长远来看,这样花我更多的钱。当我在环行公路上开车的时候,整个变速箱掉了下来。
  
  这可是非常危险的事,要是高速公路上车很多的话,这种事故会有生命危险的。这样的省钱,实在是得不偿失。
  
  ******
  
  美国近几年来经济不景气,不管是私营公司,还是政府机构,都在不断地裁减人员,节省开支。没有被裁掉的人当然很幸运,但是他们的工作压力也相应地增加了好多,有的人一个人要做几个人的工作。下面是一个人在抱怨他的工作压力太大。他说:
  
  例句4:Since the company laid off more than one hundred employees, I was given the responsibility not only for production and marketing, but also for personnel as well. No matter how hard I tried to cut corners, there's still not enough time for me to finish my work.
  
  这人说:自从公司解雇了一百名雇员以来,我不仅仅被指定负责生产和推销,而且还要负责人事。不管我怎么想方设法见缝插针,简化程序,我总没有足够的时间来完成我的工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#791
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 Larry在跟李华讲他办公室里新来的实习生。今天李华会学到两个常用语:eager beaver和grunt work。
  
  LL: A new intern started working in my office today. He sure is an eager beaver, Li Hua!
  
  LH: Beaver不是海狸吗?动物怎么能到办公室实习呢?
  
  LL: No, the new intern isn't an actual beaver! But he works hard and is always busy like a beaver building a dam. And he is always eager to do work, so we say he is an "eager beaver.”
  
  LH: 对了,我想起来了。Beaver不仅指海狸,有时也指工作勤劳的人。Eager就是很热情的意思,所以"eager beaver”指的是做事特别努力,特别积极的人。 Larry, 我看你也是个"eager beaver”,早出晚归的。
  
  LL: I am not quite the eager beaver that the new intern is - I've been in the office a while. People are generally eager beavers when they are new to a job and want to impress their bosses.
  
  LH: 没错,一般新到一个地方工作的人会特别热情积极,因为他们要让老板有个好印象。我刚开始教中文的时候, 也特别卖力,每天都花很多时间备课。
  
  LL: And would you say you still are an eager beaver when it comes to teaching Chinese?
  
  LH: 现在呢,不像刚开始那么卖劲了。像你一样, 我也不是以前的eager beaver了。
  
  LL: That's OK, Li Hua. While being an eager beaver can be a good thing, someone can also take it too far.
  
  LH: 勤奋当然是好事呀!居然还会有的人勤奋过头?这是什么意思?
  
  LL: Well, the intern in my office is such an eager beaver he wants to do everything! He ends up making my work more complicated.
  
  LH: 这个实习生什么都要做,这不是很好吗, 怎么会给你添麻烦呢?
  
  LL: Yeah, that's right. He always wants to help, but sometimes I work better on my own.
  
  LH: 你要是有的时候喜欢自己做,不要别人插手的话,你不能对他说你不需要帮忙嘛!对了,Larry,也许你可以 想办法让他作一些你不喜欢作的事呀。
  
  LL: What a good idea!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#792
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Thanks to your advice, Li Hua, I've now got the new intern doing some of my grunt work.
  
  LH: 什么是grunt work? Grunt不是指猪发出呼噜呼噜的声音吗?
  
  LL: Yes, pigs grunt. And people make grunting sounds, too, when they are working really hard at something like digging ditches.
  
  LH: 这我知道。人在做挖沟之类的工作时也会发出表示疲劳的声音。Larry, 那grunt work 是不是就是指繁重的体力劳动?
  
  LL: Not necessarily. Grunt work is basically routine, menial work. There are always some repetitive, boring tasks people working in offices do.
  
  LH: 我明白了,grunt work就是简单的,枯燥乏味的工作。
  
  LL: Yeah, and grunt work generally doesn't require a lot of knowledge or experience. That is why I am having the intern do my grunt work.
  
  LH: 做简单的工作当然不需要丰富的知识,也不需要很多经验。Larry,说了半天,你究竟让这位实习生做什么呢?
  
  LL: I am having him reorganize the office files, make new labels for the file folders, filling out forms and typing up letters.
  
  LH: 你还真让他干不少活耶!整理办公室的文件,并把它们存档, 还要为文件夹贴新的标签、填表格、打信件。这些事的确是既费事又枯燥的。这位实习生该不会在意吧?
  
  LL: No, I am sure he won't mind doing the grunt work.
  
  LH: 你怎么肯定他不在意呀?
  
  LL: He is such an eager beaver, Li Hua, that he will be delighted to do whatever grunt work I give him!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是"eager beaver", 意思是做事特别积极,努力的人。李华学到的另一个常用语是,grunt work意思是简单枯燥的工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#793
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经讲过两个以cut 这个字为主的习惯用语。让我们先来复习一下cut是怎么拼的。Cut这个字最普通的意思就是用刀把什么东西切开。可是,在今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语里,cut 的含义就不是“切东西”的“切”了。现在我们先来给大家讲一个用的非常普遍的常用语。To be cut out for. 有的时候,我们也可以说:To be cut out to be. To be cut out for, 或者是to be cut out to be都是一样的意思。要是一个人对你说:You are cut out for a certain job. 他的意思就是,他认为你非常适合做那个工作,你有能力把工作做得非常出色,也就是中国人常说的“某某人生来是做那个工作的材料”。我们来举一个例子。一个正在找工作的人在报上看到一则招聘人的广告。他认为那个工作对他来说是再合适不过了。他说:
  
  例句-1: I'm going to apply for this job as computer operator at this big law firm. They use a software system I've had lots of experience with, so it sounds like a job I'm cut out for.
  
  这人说:我准备到那家大的律师事务所去申请电脑操作员的工作。我对他们用的电脑软件有很丰富的经验,所以这个工作对我来说好像是非常合适。
  
  美国人要找工作一般都要到报纸上去看广告。美国的报纸除了为读者提供国际、国内和当地的消息外还为读者提供其它信息。特别是周末的报纸,广告拦里样样都有,从出售旧家俱、旧汽车、旧乐器等一直到租公寓、卖房子、雇保姆各种广告名目繁多。找工作的人更是要每天仔细看报纸上的广告;不少人也确实是通过报纸上的广告找到工作的。
  
  ******
  
  每个人的性格不同,各人的特长也不同,因此,有的人适合做某种工作,而同样的工作对另外一个人并不见得合适。下面是一个人在说他的两个阿姨,一个叫玛丽,一个叫琳达。
  
  例句2: My aunt Mary knows how to relate to people and is very persuasive. She is cut out to be a saleswoman. But my aunt Linda is different. She is quiet and shy. So she chooses to be a researcher at a lab and is very happy with her work.
  
  这人说:我的阿姨玛丽很善于和其他人交往,也很有说服别人的能力。做一个好的售货员对她来说是再合适不过了。但是,琳达阿姨不同。她很安静,也很怕羞。所以,她选择的职业是在一个实验室里当研究员。她对她的工作很满意。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#794
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的是一个很简单的习惯用语,那就是在cut这个字后面加上一个up. 这个习惯用语就是:cut-up. 要请大家注意的是在cut和up这两个字之间有一个连接号。当cut作为动词的时候,to cup up就是把什么东西切开。可是,当cut-up作为习惯用语的时候,cut-up就成为一个名词,意思是“跟人开玩笑或者是大声喧哗以吸引别人注意的那种人”。我们来举一个例子。
  
  例句3: John is always quiet as a mouse in the office. But he turns into a real cut-up at a party - playing silly jokes on people, flirting with all the women, and generally making a fool out of himself.
  
  这句话的意思是:约翰在办公室里总是安静得像一只老鼠。但是,他在一次聚会上却变了一个人,他开别人的玩笑,和所有的女士们卖弄风情。总之,他把自己弄得丑态百出。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子看看cut-up这个习惯用语是怎么用的。这是一个人在说他公司里的一个年轻律师。
  
  例句4: John is one of the junior lawyers in the company. He's a real cut-up, joking and laughing all the time even at the business meetings. The senior partners like him but wouldn't take him seriously and have him as a partner.
  
  这人说:约翰是公司里一个年轻的律师。他实在是很喜欢开玩笑,成天笑笑闹闹的,甚至在公司开业务会议时都如此。那些资深的律师都很喜欢他,但是并不把他当回事,也不想让他成为有正式股份的公司成员。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#795
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华的朋友David这个周末要举行聚会。Larry和李华在谈论为什么一个朋友不能参加。李华今天会学到两个常用语:baloney和party animal。
  
  LH: Larry,Laura说她下个周末不能去参加David的聚会,因为她要去看望她的阿姨。
  
  LL: That's baloney. She's just making up an excuse not to go to the party.
  
  LH: Laura是在找借口? 我想不会吧!对了,Larry,你说"That's baloney",这是什么意思呀?Baloney不是做三明治用的一种大香肠吗?
  
  LL: Yes, literally, baloney is a lunchmeat; however, in this case, baloney means "nonsense."
  
  LH: 在这种情况下,baloney是指胡说,废话。你的意思是Laura在胡说。嗨,Laura不去就不去吧, 为什么要骗人呢?
  
  LL: She doesn't want to go to the party either because her ex-boyfriend Jack will be there and doesn't want to be rude.
  
  LH: Larry,婉言谢绝邀请也没有什么不礼貌。另外,Laura上次对我说她和Jack虽然分手了,可还是好朋友。我不相信Laura是在找借口。
  
  LL: Now, that's really baloney. The two of them don't even speak to each other anymore.
  
  LH: 他们俩现在见了面都不理睬,也不说话?这跟Laura说的完全相反,是谁告诉你的呀?That's baloney!
  
  LL: That's what Jack told me the last time I spoke with him. He seemed very disappointed that they weren't getting along. He sounded really sincere.
  
  LH: 他对和Laura 分手感到很失望!That's baloney! 要是他感到惋惜,Laura又说他们还是朋友,那为什么他告诉你两人见了面象仇人那样不理睬, 不说话的?我才不相信Jack!
  
  LL: Come on, Jack is a good guy. He wouldn't tell me something that is baloney.
  
  LH: 可是Laura也不是坏人,她也不是说谎的人哪!。
  
  LL: Okay, okay. Forget what I said! It was all just a bunch of baloney, anyway!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-10#796
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL: Even if Laura isn't coming, I am glad Tom is coming to David's party. Tom is a real party animal!
  
  LH: Larry, 你说什么?Tom是party animal? Tom是人,不是什么动物!
  
  LL: Yes, he is a human being, but he is a human being that loves to go to parties! People that love to party are party animals.
  
  LH: 原来party animal指的是特别喜欢参加聚会的人,也就是聚会狂。Tom哪一次聚会都不错过,要这么说,他的确是个party animal。 Larry,我看你也是一个喜欢参加聚会的人,也是个party animal!
  
  LL: Yeah, but I am not as much of a party animal as Tom.
  
  LH: 你倒挺谦虚的,觉得自己还比不上Tom。你说说,你哪一点比Tom差呢?
  
  LL: Well, Tom goes out to parties nearly every weekend. I've got too much to do, and I really can't go out all the time.
  
  LH: 那倒是,Tom确实每个周末都去参加聚会,你还没到这个程度。Larry,David平时很严肃,还很害羞,没想到他会举办这个聚会。他绝不是象你和Tom那样的party animal。
  
  
  LL: Well, you might be surprised! Sometimes at a party David relaxes and acts just like Tom - like a real party animal!
  
  LH: 我才不信呢!David参加聚会时比平时更放松一点是可能的,但绝不会象Tom那样活宝。我看见过Tom在聚会上的样子, David不可能是个party animal。
  
  LL: Sure, he laughs, tells jokes and has a good time - and some times he gets crazy and does the funniest things.
  
  LH: 这可出乎我的意料。David居然还会如此谈笑风生,讲笑话,做逗人笑的事。说明我对他还不了解。
  
  LL: What about you, Li Hua? Are you a party animal?
  
  LH: Larry, 你别胡扯了! 你看我像聚会狂吗?
  
  LL: Let's just say if someone said to me "That Li Hua is a real party animal" - I'd say that is baloney!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是baloney, 意思是骗人的鬼话,胡扯。李华学到的另一个常用语是party animal, 指的是特别喜欢参加社交聚会的人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#797
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家介绍的两个常用语都是和“月亮”这个字有关。“月亮”在英文里是哪个字?Moon. 月亮在人的生活中一直占很重要的地位。可是,人们对月亮的看法很不相同。对有些人来说,一提到月亮就使他们想起爱情,产生一种浪漫色彩的感觉。但是,也有人对月亮存在反面的看法。他们认为月亮的不同位子会对他们产生不同的影响。我们先来讲一个大家都很熟悉的,和爱情有密切关系的字。那就是:Honeymoon. Honeymoon就是新郎新娘结婚后出去旅行渡蜜月。一般他们都会去那些风景优美,具有浪漫色彩的地方,以便单独地享受新婚的欢乐。
  
  可是,honeymoon这个字已经远远超过渡蜜月这个含义了。它已经成为一个可以应用于各种情况的习惯用语。和新婚夫妇一样,人和人的关系一开始往往都有良好愿望,双方也能过得很融恰。这就是honeymoon的意思。比如说,一个新当选的政府官员一开始往往能够和选民和其它政府部门保持很好的关系。下面这个例子是一个政治学教授在说话。
  
  例句-1: Even after a hard-fought campaign, history tells us that a new president can usually expect a honeymoon with congress for a few months before the real political fighting starts up again.
  
  这位教授说:历史告诉我们,一个新上任的总统,即便他竞选得十分艰苦,一般在头几个月内都能和国会保持良好的关系。过了这段时间,他和国会又会重新展开政治斗争。
  
  不管是新上任的总统还是新当选的州长或其他官员,刚上台总是有一段时期和各个方面关系比较和谐。美国人经常用honeymoon这个字来形容这一段顺利的时期。
  
  ******
  
  但是,honeymoon也可以用在别的场合。下面就是一个例子。这是一个人在说他一个新近结婚的女同事。这位女同事的丈夫有一个十几岁的孩子。
  
  例句2: Shortly after her marriage, Sarah said she got along fine with her husband's son. But two weeks ago, she complained that the boy poured ink on her dress and last week he broke her car window with a stone. Well, I guess their honeymoon is over.
  
  这个人说:萨利刚结婚的时候说,她和她丈夫的儿子相处得很好。但是,两个星期前,她说那孩子把墨水倒在她衣服上。上个星期,他又用石头把萨利的汽车窗户打破了。我想他们能和睦相处的日子已经结束了。
  
  在哪儿当后母都是不容易的。美国的离婚率很高,因此再婚的人也不少。有的时候,夫妇俩以前都结过婚,都有孩子。这样,一结婚家里就有两三个、甚至四五个孩子。这不仅牵涉到家长跟孩子,而且还牵涉到孩子跟孩子间的关系。弄得不好,夫妻关系也会受到影响。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#798
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语不仅在美国非常普遍,而且在中国恐怕也是极为普遍的。这个习惯用语就是:Moonlight. Moonlight从字面上来解释当然是月光的意思。但是,作为习惯用语,moonlight是指一个人除了白天做一份工作外,晚上还另外有一份工作。在美国,一个人做两份工作是很普遍的。有的人甚至做三份工作。例如,白天有一个工作,晚上有一个工作,到周末还有一个工作。下面我们来举个例子。
  
  例句3: My regular office job is from nine to five. But I also moonlight selling tickets at the movie theater from six-thirty to nine-thirty because I want enough money to get a new car.
  
  这个人说:我正常的工作时间是从九点到五点。但是,由于我要攒够了钱买一辆新车,所以我还有另外一份工作。那是从六点半到九点半在电影院里卖票。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在发表他对身兼两个职业的看法。他说:
  
  例句4: Most of my colleagues moonlight. One has his own restaurant, another one sells insurance, and several others are realtors. Yes, it's always nice to have more money to spend, but I think it's important to spend more time with my family.
  
  这人说:我的大多数同事都有另外一份工作。一个同事自己开饭馆,另一个推销保险,还有几个经销房地产。是的,有更多的钱用总是好的。但是,我认为用更多的时间和我的家人在一起是很重要的

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#799
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry最近一直在忙着帮老板准备讲话稿。李华到Larry的办公室来看望他。李华今天会学到两个常用语:holed up和come up for air。
  
  LL: It is so nice to see you Li Hua. I've been holed up in the office for days trying to get this presentation done for my boss.
  
  LH: Larry,我知道你忙着给你老板准备报告,可你说在办公室好几天干什么来啦?Hold up,这不是抢劫吗?
  
  LL: No, not a hold up. I said "holed up". Well, when I said I had been holed up here in the office, I meant I hadn't left my office in days,
  
  LH: 原来如此。你是说你在办公室好几天没出去。Holed up就是由于某种原因呆在一个地方很久没法出去。
  
  LL: Right. I've been holed up here for three whole days now. I feel kind of like a rabbit sleeping in his rabbit hole for the winter.
  
  LH: 你觉得自己好象是只兔子钻在洞里过冬!说得真形象。对了,我是有好几天没见到你了,好象不止三天哪!
  
  LL: When you were holed up working on your thesis, Li Hua. I didn't see you for a long time.
  
  LH: 那到也是。我在赶论文的那段时间常常好几天都不出门, 真有钻进了洞里的感觉。
  
  LL: Well, if you have to be holed up somewhere, your apartment is a pretty good place. At least it is comfortable.
  
  LH: 这倒是真的。 我呆在家里好几天,是觉得很舒服,不象你这办公室,累了连个躺的地方都没有。
  
  LL: There is a sofa in the break room. I've been taking naps there.
  
  LH: 你在休息室里的沙发上睡个午睡就行啦? Larry, 你还要多久才能准备好你老板的报告呀?你这么老呆在这里不回家,对你的身体不好。
  
  LL: Never mind, I'm strong. I'll finish my boss's presentation in a few days.
  
  LH: 还要几天才能完成这报告呀?这样做,时间长了你会生病的。生了病,你可就真的不能出门了。You'll be holed up at home。
  
  LL: At this point, being holed up at home sounds a lot better than being holed up here at work.
  
  LH: Larry, 还是跟我出去呼吸一下新鲜空气,你再回去继续干。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#800
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Thanks for getting me out of the office, Li Hua. I just had to come up for air.
  
  LH: 你不用谢我,我写论文的时候,你也把我拽出来休息休息。Larry,你说"come up for air" 大概是指换换环境,呼吸点新鲜空气,休息一下,是吗?
  
  LL: Right, I felt like I was drowning under all that work. Coming up for air was just what I needed.
  
  LH: 我跟你有同样的感觉。学期结束前我赶着写一篇报告时候,好几天没出门;我觉得自己真的好象被那些书和笔记本给淹没了。
  
  LL:I know. You looked so pale and evenly sickly. That's why I practically dragged you out to come up for air.
  
  LH: 我当时确实感到好象要生病的样子。幸亏你拉我出去换换空气,休息了一下。好吧,你现在想做些什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, I remember when you were working on your thesis, Li Hua, I'd get you to come up for air by asking you to go for a walk in the park.
  
  LH: 我记得你带我去的那个公园。那里有各式各样的花。好吧,我们上那公园去散步。
  
  LL: OK, let's go for a walk in the park for a little while. I know I'll work better after coming up for some air.
  
  LH: 我敢肯定你散步,休息后工作起来会更有效的。对了,明天我要说服我的同Lisa 也出来休息一下。
  
  LL: Why? What is she working on?
  
  
  LH: 她正在找工作,所以忙着在网上,报上查招聘广告,寄几十份履历给公司,填写申请工作的表格...... 她已经有一个星期没有出门了。
  
  LL: Sounds like she does need to come up for some air. If she wants to come out for air tomorrow, maybe I can join you too.
  
  LH:那太好了。你们俩都应该注意休息。You two should come up for air sometimes!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是" holed up", 意思是一个人由于某种原因在一个地方不能出门。李华学到的另一个常用语是"come up for air", 意思是换换环境,休息一会儿。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-10#801
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家讲解的两个习惯用语都是以“星期天”这个字为主的。“星期天”在英文里是怎么说的?Sunday. 信基督教的人星期天都去教堂做礼拜。在这个世纪初的时候,星期天除了去教堂外没有什么事情可做,因为大多数的商店和娱乐场所都关门。现在可不同了。基督徒仍然去教堂做礼拜,但是,除此以外人们可以去逛商店,看电影和参加其它娱乐活动。在美国,大规模的足球和棒球比赛都是在星期天举行的。今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语既显示了以往的星期天,也反映了当今星期天的情景。这个习惯用语就是:Sunday best. 在美国和其它西方国家,人们星期天去教堂的时候总是穿的非常正式,非常漂亮。所以,Sunday best就是指一个人最漂亮的衣服。当然,你也可以穿这些衣服去出席像婚礼那样的特殊场合。Sunday best实际上也就是我们所说的那种留着出去做客人时候穿的衣服。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: I'm leaving work early tonight. I want to go home and put on my Sunday best because I am going out with a very special friend to try that new French restaurant we hear is so good.
  
  这个人说:我今天准备早一点下班。我要先回家去换上我的漂亮衣服。因为我要跟一个非常特殊的朋友一起去那个新开张的法国饭馆去试一试。我们听说那个饭馆非常好。
  
  ******
  
  美国也经常有人给别人介绍男朋友或者是介绍女朋友。当然,被介绍的男女双方都会设法穿得很漂亮,好给对方一个好印象。下面是一个年轻人正在发愁,因为他不知道穿什么衣服去才好。他说:
  
  例句2: Well, I don't know what to wear. As a matter of fact, I don't have any decent clothes. But everybody says I've got to put on my Sunday best if I want to impress the girl. But I can't afford to buy a new suit.
  
  这个年轻人说:我不知道穿什么好。事实上,我根本没有什么像样的衣服。但是,每个人都说,要是我想给那个女孩子留下好印象的话,我一定得穿得非常漂亮。可是,我没有那么多的钱去买新的西装。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#802
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个和Sunday有关的习惯用语。Sunday driver. Driver就是开车的人。Sunday driver就是指那些开起车来很慢、很胆小的人。有些老年人平时不太出门,唯一出门的时候就是星期天开车到教堂去。他们往往开车开得很慢、很胆怯。当然,许多人都很讨厌这些Sunday drivers,特别是那些爱开快车的人。下面就是一个正在路上开车的人在说话。
  
  例句3: Darn it! I wish I could get around this guy in front of me -- he must be a Sunday driver. He's only going thirty miles an hour and everybody else is going at least fifty.
  
  这个人说:真讨厌,我真希望我能超过前面那辆车。那人肯定是一个开慢车的人。他的速度只有每小时三十英里,而其他所有的人都至少开每小时五十英里。
  
  美国各地关于开车速度的规定也有不同。当然,在市区内交通拥挤的地方车速就比较低,一般是每小时二十五英里。但是,高速公路的车速就要快多了,一般是每小时五十五英里,但是也有车辆比较少的高速公路允许开六十五英里。车速的快慢也是美国人经常争论的一个问题,有的人主张提高车速,有的人认为提高车速会发生更多车祸。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个儿子在说他为他爸爸开车开得太慢而感到担忧。他说:
  
  例句4: My dad is eighty-five and naturally he drives much slower than before. He said that he doesn't care if people consider him a Sunday driver so long as he feels safe. But he doesn't realize that to drive too slowly can be dangerous too.
  
  这个儿子说:我爸爸已经八十五岁,他比以前开车开得慢多了.这也是自然的。他老是说,只要他感到安全,别人说他开车开太慢他不在乎。可是,他不知道车开得太慢也是危险的。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#803
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华今天在Larry家玩电子游戏,给Larry打败。 李华今天会学到两个常用语:own someone和goner。
  
  [Sound of video games]
  
  LH: 哎,我又输了。这个游戏真不怎么样。
  
  LL: Ha! I own you Li Hua! That's five games to zero! I totally own you!
  
  LH: Larry,你那么激动干什么呀!你说什么?“I own you ”,你又不欠我什么呀!
  
  LL: No, not owe, I said own! To "own" someone means to overwhelmingly defeat that person at a game or contest, or just to be a lot better than someone else at something.
  
  LH: 噢,to own someone就是玩游戏或比赛的时候把某人打败,或者在某个方面比对方强得多。你是说,我们玩电子游戏,你把我打败了。这有什么了不起! 上次打乒乓球我把你打的落花流水,你记得吗?
  
  LL: Yeah, I know, I know, the last time we played, you beat me 21 to zero. You totally own me at ping-pong. But that's just because in the U.S. we don't think of ping-pong as a real sport.
  
  LH: 什么?你们美国人不把乒乓看作是真正的体育?That's baloney! 好吧,打保龄球在美国是很流行的,是不是!你还记得有一次我得了230分, 你连100分都不到。Larry,这你该怎么说呢?
  
  LL: Right, right, you definitely own me at bowling. That was pretty embarrassing. Of course, I had given blood that day, and...
  
  LH: 嗨,别再找理由了。你自己觉得不好意思就行! 你呀, 除了打电子游戏以外,我看你什么都玩不过我。
  
  
  LL: Oh yeah? What about Scrabble? I own you at Scrabble any day!
  
  LH: 拼字游戏? 当然了, 你是土生土长的美国人,英语是你的母语呀,如果连拼字你都比我差,那也太不好意思了吧。
  
  LL: In spite of what you believe, I also own the tennis court. I'm the best player on the tennis court. I can beat anyone else who comes onto the court.
  
  LH: 我承认你的网球的确打得不错,到目前为止,谁也打不过你,不过那是因为你还没有遇到好的对手。
  
  LL: Come on, Li Hua, it's silly to argue like that. Isn't it obvious that everyone can own someone in certain fields, but no one can own everyone in everything.
  
  LH:这话不错。每个人都有比别人强的地方,但是不能什么都比人强。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#804
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[Sound of video games]
  
  LH: 好了, Larry, 电子游戏打得差不多了, 我们出去吃点东西吧。
  
  LL: Wait, just let me finish this round [sound of TV popping and shutting off] Whoa, the TV died. Oh well, I guess it's a goner now.
  
  LH: 电视坏了, 你说电视是什么? Goner ?
  
  LL: I said, "It's a goner". That means that the TV is "gone". It's dead, it cannot be used again or brought back to life.
  
  LH: 我明白了,你说 "the TV is a goner" 意思是这电视机坏了,没救了。你怎么知道呀?也许还可以修呢!
  
  LL: I'v already fixed it once, I'm pretty sure it's a goner this time.
  
  LH: 原来你已经修过了,那看来是完蛋了。 Larry, 你看墙角的那盆花都枯黄了,看来是没救了。It is a goner。
  
  
  LL: Oh man, I can't believe I let that poor plant die. Yeah, it's definitely a goner. Just like your goldfish Shan-shan.
  
  LH: 你可别提我的金鱼, 一提我就难过。 Larry,你不觉得用goner来形容心爱得宠物或是人,有点不太合适吗?
  
  LL: I'm sorry. You're right, it is very insensitive to say someone's pet, or loved one is "a goner".
  
  LH: 没错,我也觉得把别人心爱的东西或喜欢的人称为goner似乎不太礼貌,对不对?
  
  LL: You're absolutely right. Li Hua, do you remember my brother Jack?
  
  LH: Jack? 就是那个不想上大学的弟弟吗?
  
  LL: Yes. Since he didn't have a college education, my parents said that he's a goner in the job market for sure.
  
  LH: 你爸爸妈妈认为你弟弟没有大学学历,要找工作是没有希望的。我看不一定吧 。 微软的创办人Bill Gates也没念完大学,可他现在是世界上最富有的人士之一。说不定Jack将来会很有出息呢。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是own Someone, 意思是在游戏和比赛中击败某人,或是在某个方面比别人强。李华学到的另一个常用语是goner意思是完了, 没希望了。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#805
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里我们要给大家介绍两个以“书”这个字为主的习惯用语。大家都知道“书”在英文里就是book. 我们每天都会听到或看到许多各地发生的事情,有的事情很普通,不太引人注意。可是,有的事情非常特殊、非同寻常。不管是这件事是特别好笑,还是这件事特别令人害怕,有的事就是能引起人们的注意,而且在事过境迁以后还深深地留在人们的记忆中。这就是我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语:one for the books. One for the books就是指一件非常特殊的事情,特殊到值得记载到书里去的程度。下面我们要举的例子就是一个人在告诉我们一个飞行员是怎样死里逃生的。他说:
  
  例句-1: Did you hear about that pilot who had to jump out of his plane at twenty thousand feet? His parachute didn't open. But he wasn't even scratched - he landed in a twelve foot snow bank in the mountains. Now, isn't that one for the books!
  
  这个人说:你听说那个飞行员不得不在两千英尺高的空中从他的飞机里跳出来的事吗?他的降落伞没有张开。可是,他一点都没有受伤。他着地的时候刚好落在一座山上。那里积了十二英尺厚的雪。这可真是闻所未闻的事。
  
  这种事情确实很少有,但是,这件事是真的,绝不是造出来的。
  
  ******
  
  下面要举的一个例子也很特殊,大家可能会不相信,但是这件事也确实是真的事情。这是一个人想给自己的朋友介绍女朋友,但是谁知道这两个被介绍的对象以前已经有人给他们介绍过了。这个介绍人说:
  
  例句2: I try to fix Michael up with my sister's classmate Mary. But I was stunned to see that they knew each. It so happened that they were introduced by someone before but weren't attracted to each other. Well, this is something really for the books.
  
  这人说:我想把我妹妹的同学玛丽介绍给麦克。可是当我发现他们早已认识真是把我给愣住了。原来以前已经有人给他们介绍过,但是他们互相不感兴趣。这种事可真是从来没听说过。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#806
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个和book这个字有关的习惯用语:to know someone like a book. To know someone like a book就是对某人非常了解,了解他的一身经历,他的脾气、他的观点、想法和希望等。下面是一个丈夫在说他非常了解他的太太。
  
  例句3: We've been married now for thirty years - long enough to know my wife like a book. I can tell what she is thinking about before she knows it herself.
  
  这位丈夫说:我们已经结婚三十年了,我对我的妻子是非常了解的。有的时候她自己还不清楚自己在想什么,我就已经知道了。
  
  能够做到这样真是不容易。有不少夫妻结婚几十年还不了解对方。这样的夫妇关系一般都不太好。在美国,夫妻关系出现问题的时候往往会寻求精神病专家来给他们分析和治疗。这些专家经常会鼓励他们加强交流,让对方明了自己的想法。因此像上面这个例句里的丈夫那么了解自己的妻子也是难能可贵的。
  
  ******
  
  美国人经常说某个人是个perfectionist。所谓perfectionist就是那种做事非常认真,而且还要求把事情做得完美无缺的人。这样的人工作起来很辛苦,因为他们总是对自己的工作不满意,认为还有改进的余地。下面是一个人在说他的朋友。
  
  例句4: Jack told me that he's going to take everything easy when he starts his new job at a big company. But since I know him like a book, I don't believe a word of what he is saying. I'm sure he'll continue working very hard trying to be perfect.
  
  这个朋友说:杰克告诉我等他到那个大公司开始新的工作以后,他不会再那么认真,要求自己一切做得完美无缺。可是,我对他实在是太了解了,所以我根本就不相信他的话。我肯定他还会继续刻苦地工作,想办法做得十全十美。
  
  其实,要求自己把工作做得完美并没有什么不好,但是有些人要求把每件工作都做的十全十美。这是不可能的。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#807
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华需要一个书架,她请Larry 陪她去社区看看有没有卖旧货的。李华今天会学到两个常用语:up for something和spot someone。
  
  LH: Larry , 我想买个书架, 你陪我去附近社区看看有没有卖旧货的,好吗?对了,报纸上的广告说, 附近就有一家, 走路10分钟就到。
  
  LL: Sure. I'm up for it. Let's go.
  
  LH: Up for it? 这话是什么意思?听起来好象你愿意去。
  
  LL: Right! When someone says he is up for it, that just means they are ready to do what is proposed, often some kind of social activity.
  
  LH: 明白了, 你刚才说,"I'm up for it", 意思是你愿意跟我去社区看看卖旧货的情况。那太好了。Larry , 如果我买到书架, 你能不能帮我把它搬回去呀?
  
  LL: I'm definitely not up for that. I definitely don't want to do that.
  
  LH: 我要是请你吃晚饭呢?Are you up for it ?
  
  LL: Well, I could be up for that, as long as the furniture isn't too big or heavy.
  
  LH: 瞧你,请你吃饭就原意帮我搬。当然咯,要是书桌太大,太重,你一个人是搬不动的。可是我也不要太大的。
  
  LL: Li Hua, I'd like to get some exercise today, would you be up for going for a run later today?
  
  LH:跟你去跑步? 好啊。 I'm up for it! 我最近也一直没有运动,体重增加了两磅,正需要锻炼呢!
  
  LL: I meant to ask you, Li Hua, we spend so much time together, do you think your parents are up for you hanging out with me instead of your Chinese friends?
  
  LH: 我父母没有意见, 因为跟你交往, 我既可以提高英语又能更多地了解美国生活。这是件好事呀。 我倒要问问你, 你的父母愿意我们两个作朋友吗?
  
  LL: Of course they are up for it. They like you and you help me improve my Chinese.
  
  LH:我也很喜欢你爸爸妈妈呀!至于帮你学中文嘛,我看成效不大。你看,你从来也不跟我讲中文。
  
  LL:Well, when I have a bigger vocabulary of Chinese characters, I will certainly feel up for speaking Chinese with you.
  
  LH:你总是说等我增加词汇量后再讲。我看,你永远也开不了口!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#808
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(嘈杂人声)
  
  LH: Larry,你看那家的门口摆了不少东西在卖, 我们去看看。
  
  LL: Yeah, I might even want to get something too, though I didn't bring my wallet. If I see something I like, do you think you could spot me?
  
  LH: 你可能要买东西,但没带钱包。你要做什么?Spot you? 找你呀!
  
  
  LL: No, that's not what I meant. If someone asks you if you can spot him or her, it means that he wants to know if you can lend him some money.
  
  LH: 噢,原来spot someone在这里是指借钱给某人。 你要是看到喜欢的东西,我当然可以借钱给你呀!可不能太贵了,否则我买书架钱就不够了。
  
  LL: Hey, look at that bookcase, that would be perfect for your dormitory.
  
  LH: 记得我刚来纽约的时候,在商店里看见过一个特别漂亮的书架,可是价格太贵, 我买不起,当时也不认识什么能够借钱给我的人。
  
  LL: Oh, if only I had known you then, I would have spotted you. But you can buy the bookcase here now. It's a real nice one.
  
  LH: 这个书架是挺好,价钱也不贵。 我实在是需要,否则我也不买,因为,你知道,我毕业后回国的时候, 这些东西不是送掉,就是扔掉。
  
  LL: That's right. And you need a lot money to buy airplane ticket and gifts for your family.
  
  LH: 到时候我能向银行借钱吗?Can I ask a bank to spot me?
  
  LL: No. Spot someone usually involves a small amount of money, while bank loans are often a big sum.
  
  LH:噢,银行贷款一般数额大一些,那spot someone都是借少量的钱。
  
  LL:Right. Li Hua, can you spot me for that badminton racquet over there?
  
  LH: 你要买那羽毛球拍呀? 才三美元呐,我可以借钱给你,没问题。不过你必须帮我把书架抬到宿舍去。
  
  LL: Sure, I'll help you since you're so nice to spot me for that badminton racquet.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语,一个是up for something。意思是愿意作某件事。李华学到的另一个常用语是spot someone。意思是借钱给某个人。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#809
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经给大家讲过两个以“书”,也就是book这个字为主的习惯用语。今天我们再来给大家介绍两个。我们要讲的第一个就是 to close the books. To close the books原来是会计用的一个说法,也就是每年年底把公司的帐目结算好,做到收支平衡,从而结束一年的帐务。但是,现在,to close the books这个习惯用语的用途已经超越了会计的范围。它可以用于其它各个方面,意思是“结束了一项任务、一个计划或一个工程等”。我们来举个例子。这是一个记者在电视上说,警察结束了一个调查了多年的案件。这个记者说:
  
  例句-1: The local police have closed the books on a murder case that is ten years old. Today they arrested a suspect who has confessed to killing a well-known businessman back in 1985.
  
  他说:当地的警察结束了一件已经调查了十年的谋杀案件。今天,他们逮捕了一名嫌疑犯,他承认他在1985年时候杀害了一个有名望的商人。
  
  美国是一个法治的国家。美国的法律名目繁多,但是在法律程序中有一个原则是司法人员必须遵守的。那就是:在没有经过正常的司法程序取得确凿证据前,涉嫌犯罪的人必须被认为是无罪的。这恐怕也是有些案件会拖好多年的原因。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个在大学里修博士学位的学生在跟他的朋友说话。
  
  例句2: To tell you the truth, I haven't seen any of my friends for the past three years because I was working on my PH.D. dissertation. But I've finally closed the books on it and I'm seeing people again like a normal person.
  
  这个学生现在已经是博士了。他说:老实告诉你,过去三年我没有跟任何朋友见过面,因为我在写博士论文。现在我终于写完了。我可以像一个正常人一样重新跟我的朋友们取得联系了。
  
  美国大学生,除了家里特别有钱的以外,一般都工作。在念本科的几年内,家长基本上为孩子承担经济责任。但是,到大学毕业念研究院的时候,大多数学生都得自己借学生贷款、或工作是来支付学费和维持生活。因此,不少念博士学位的人一面工作,一面写论文。这样一篇论文花三四年时间也是常见的。有的只好半途而废,放弃学位。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#810
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个习惯用语听起来有点怪。这个习惯用语就是to cook the books. To cook就是到厨房里去煮吃的东西。但是,to cook the books和厨房毫无关系。要懂得to cook the books这个俗语,首先就要知道book这个字在用做多数的时候,它不仅可以解释为几本书,而且还可以指“帐本”。To cook the books就是在做帐的时候做手脚,不如实地上报公司的盈利和开支。下面的例子是一个电台记者在报告新闻。
  
  例句3: The police today are looking for the treasurer of the x-y-z company, who has disappeared after auditors discovered he had been cooking the company's books and two million dollars are missing.
  
  这条新闻说:审计员发现某公司的财务员在帐本里做手脚,而且还少了两百万美元。这事被发现之后,公司的财务员突然失踪了。警察今天正在到处找他。
  
  ******
  
  几个朋友合伙做生意是很普遍的事。但是只有在大家都很诚实的情况下,生意才能长期维持下去。要是有一个合伙人想欺骗其他伙伴,那么迟早会拆伙的。下面这个例子就是一个人在说他跟朋友合伙的经历。
  
  例句4: The restaurant John and I own started to lose money two months ago. When I checked, I found out that John has been cooking the books and moved a big sum to his private account. I'm suing him to get the money back.
  
  这个人说:我和约翰一起开的那个饭馆两个月前开始出现亏损。我调查了一下后发现约翰在帐本里耍了花招,虚报帐目,而且还把一大笔钱挪到他自己的帐户下。我正在告他,我要他把钱还出来。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#811
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这是个星期六早上,李华打电话给Larry,叫他一起去海边玩。李华今天会学到两个常用语。一个是,count someone in另一个是,wipeout。
  
  (Li Hua打电话给Larry。电话铃声)
  
  LL: (Tired) Hello。
  
  LH: Larry, 该醒啦!看看外面的天气有多好呀!我和Jenny要去海边。你要一起去的话,赶快起来准备好。
  
  LL: Hmmà hey! You're right, the sky is beautiful. So you're going to Rockaway beach? Count me in!
  
  LH: 你说什么?要我数什么呀?你要我们等很久可不行!
  
  LL: No, no. I said count me in. That means I want to go too, I want to do this activity.
  
  LH: 噢,count me in就是:也算我一个,也就是说你要一起去。行,我和Jenny 一起出去买点吃的,那,我们11:30到你那里...
  
  LL: Wait, you're getting lunch before we go? Count me in on that too. I'm hungry!
  
  LH: 你饿了,要跟我们一起吃午饭?我早该知道你会这么说。只要有吃的,你总是要参加的。
  
  LL: Absolutely! I haven't had a good hamburger for weeks, so you can definitely count me in!
  
  LH: 怎么说得这么可怜!几个星期没吃一个像样的汉堡。好吧,那,你快起来准备,我们过十五分钟来接你。对了,Jenny还要去滑旱冰,你是不是也要参加?
  
  LL: Count me in on the rollerblading also.
  
  LH: 这你也要玩! 我真有点害怕,特别是几个星期前我把自行车撞坏了以后 ...
  
  LL: Really? I'm surprised. You usually like to try new things. When we plan new, fun things we can usually count you in.
  
  LH: 对,我一般是喜欢尝试新东西的。凡是有新鲜的,好玩的事,我都去。这回是因为自行车出了事,所以有点特殊。不过,我如果带安全用具,应该没事。那,你就算我一个吧!
  
  LL: That's what I thought! Anyway, count me in for the hamburgers. I'll be downstairs in fifteen minutes!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#812
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Li Hua and Larry are on the beach.)
  
  LH: 哟,我还从来没有看人冲浪呢!你看这些人呐!那人从他那冲浪板上掉下去了。他没事吧?
  
  LL: He just wiped out. It happens all the time.
  
  LH: Wiped out? 那是什么意思呀?他这就被冲掉啦?
  
  LL: No, no. Wiped out.If you fall down, fall off of something, or crash, this is a wipe out.
  
  LH: 原来wiped out就是掉下来,或撞坏了。我刚才真是吓了一跳,我还以为他被冲走了呢! 对了,我想掉在水里不会像摔在地面上那么痛吧!
  
  LL: Remember when you wiped out on your bicycle last month?
  
  LH: 你怎么又提我从自行车上摔下来的事呢!你看,我手臂上的疤还在呢!真痛呀!对了,你头边上的疤是哪儿来的?
  
  LL: That? I wiped out on my skateboard when I was a kid and fell down some steps. I was lucky I wasn't seriously hurt.
  
  LH: 你小时候从滑板上摔下好几个台阶? 你没有严重受伤,真算你运气。你该带防护帽。我从自行车上摔下来的时候要是没带防护帽,那我就惨了, 很可能会严重受伤。
  
  LL: Hey, that reminds me: what about your friend who wiped out while skiing earlier this year? Is he doing OK?
  
  LH: 你在说谁呀?噢,就是今年年初滑雪的时候摔跤的Steve! 他现在很好,几个星期前把他腿上的石膏取下来了。 Larry,那边是Jenny吗?
  
  LL: Hey, there's Jenny over there. Let's get our gear on and join her.
  
  LH: Larry,我还是有点害怕。我不想摔倒了受伤。
  
  LL: Don't worry, Li Hua! We'll go slowly. Even if you do wipe out, you'll be OK.
  
  LH: 那好吧,我跟你一起去,可是千万别太快了。那样即便摔倒也不会受伤。走吧!
  
  LL: I knew we could count you in!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是count someone in,意思是把某人包括在某个活动中。李华学到的另一个常用语是wipeout,意思是摔倒。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#813
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是以“嘴巴”这个字为主的。嘴巴在英文里就是: mouth。嘴巴毫无疑问是人体最重要的部份之一。吃东西吸收营养要靠嘴,表达自己的思想也要靠嘴。然而,嘴巴也可能是一个危险工具。中国人常说:“病从口入,祸从口出”。
  
  现在我们先来讲第一个习惯用语。To bad-mouth. Bad就是好坏的坏。在bad 和 mouth之间有一个连结号。To bad-mouth是一个动词。要是你bad-mouth某个人,你就是说这个人的坏话,企图损坏他的名誉。下面这个例子说明在日常生活中to bad-mouth是怎么用的。这是一个人在说他的朋友萨利。
  
  例句-1: I really get tired of hearing Sally bad-mouth her mother and father. She never says anything good about them, and yet I know they are good decent people who give her everything she wants.
  
  他说:萨利老是说她父母怎么不好。我真是听得烦死了。她从来也没有说过他们什么好话。然而,我知道他们都是很好,很正派的人。不管萨利要什么,他们都给她。
  
  总的来说,美国人认为在背后说别人坏话是很不礼貌的。这并不是说美国没有那些爱搬弄是非,一天到晚东家长,西家短的人。但是,一般来说,讲别人坏话都是跟家里的人或很熟的朋友。所以,上面这个例句里说话的那个人肯定跟萨利很接近。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。我们大家都可能见到过一种成天说别人坏话的人。下面是一个人在说他的同事。
  
  例句2: You'll notice Bonnie's always whispering with someone in the office. She can't stop bad-mouthing other people. One thing Bonnie really enjoys is picking on others.
  
  他说:你可以看到邦尼老是在办公室里跟别人交头接耳地讲话。她总是不断地在说别人坏话。挑剔别人是邦尼最高兴做的事。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#814
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来讲一个跟mouth这个字有关的习惯用语,不过这个习惯用语非常生动。To shoot one's mouth off. To shoot 就是开枪。To shoot one's mouth off等于是把一个人的嘴巴比作一把上了子弹的枪。大家知道,枪一开就很危险。To shoot one's mouth off 就是一个人为了给在场的人造成深刻的印象而说一些本不应该说的话,而且还唠唠叨叨地说个没完,使别人感到很反感。我们来举一个例子。这是一个公司的总经理在责备他的助手泻露了公司的秘密。
  
  例句3: Jones, why were you stupid enough to shoot your mouth off all over town about our plan to buy enough stock in that company to take it over? Now everybody knows what we're after and the price of the stock has gone up forty percent!
  
  这个经理说:琼斯,你怎么把我们准备购买那个公司的股票,然后再把它接收过来的计划到处乱说呢。你真是够傻的。现在谁都知道了我们想干什么,股票的价格一下上涨了百分之四十。
  
  每个公司在和其他公司竞争的方面都有自己的策略,而这都属于公司的机密,绝对不能泻露的。而这个助手如此不谨慎,实在很有被解雇的可能。
  
  ******
  
  每个人都有一些不想让别人知道的事,但是有些人会把这些事告诉比较亲近的人。下面的例子是一个人在说他的弟弟,因为这个弟弟泻露了他的一些秘密。
  
  例句4: It's true I told you Janet might be interested in me, but that was only my guess. How could you tell people at the party what I said? If you shoot your mouth off like that one more time, I won't tell you anything in the future.
  
  这个哥哥说:是的,我告诉你珍尼特可能对我有意思,可是,那只是我的猜测而已。你怎么能在那次聚会上把我说的话告诉大家呢?要是你下次再这么胡说八道,以后我什么也不告诉你了。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#815
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry最近去约塞美蒂国家公园度假。他正在告诉李华旅游的情况。李华会学到两个常用语:blown away和bone head。
  
  LL: Yosemite was fantastic. You really should go sometime, Li Hua. I know you would be completely blown away by the scenery.
  
  LH: 你是说那儿的风很大,会把我吹走呀?我本来倒是很想去,可是要是会被吹走的话,那不是太危险了嘛?
  
  LL: No, no. By "blown away" I mean you would be astounded. When something blows you away, it amazes you.
  
  LH: 噢,blown away 在这里指的是感到惊异,吃惊。对了,我看到过约塞美蒂国家公园的照片。照片上的风景就让我惊叹不已了。
  
  LL: But being there in person is so much more amazing. You won't believe how high some of the waterfalls are; when you go, it will blow you away!
  
  LH: 身临其境那当然更好了。我是听说了那儿的瀑布从很高的山上流下来,非常惊人。其实你知道吗,Larry,中国也有许多有名的山脉。下回你去中国一定要去黄山玩。那里的景色也会让你惊叹不已!
  
  LL: I am sure I will be blown away. I've heard friends who have been to Huang Shan and talk about it, and it does sound amazing.
  
  LH: 对,很多美国人都去黄山玩过,他们都觉得很美。对了,Larry,你去约塞美蒂有没有照相哪?
  
  LL: I sure do. Before I left, my uncle came by and gave me a new camera to take with me to Yosemite. I was blown away by his generosity.
  
  LH: 你叔叔那么好呀!知道你要出去玩还特地送你一个新的照相机呀!他这么慷慨,人人都会感到惊异,而且还会让人羡慕你呐。
  
  LL: Yes, sometimes when someone does something unexpectedly nice, it really blows you away.
  
  LH: 对,象我刚到美国的时候没有汽车,有的人开车带我去买菜,然后告诉我到什么地方该怎么走。我没有想到人们会对我这么好,真是让我感到又感动,又惊讶呢。
  
  LL: You know, the scenery was beautiful, but I was also blown away by the number of tourists at Yosemite.
  
  LH: 那有什么奇怪的?放暑假嘛,旅游的人当然多了!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#816
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Li Hua,I was also blown away by some of the stupid things people would do in the park!
  
  LH: 那不奇怪,在哪儿都有人做一些不得体的事。你看见有些人做什么啦?
  
  LL: Well, there was one guy who was feeding the deer. What a bone head!
  
  LH: 给鹿吃东西?公园里一般都不让大家给动物吃东西。你说bone head,你是指那头鹿头上有骨头?谁头上没有骨头呀?
  
  LL: No, I mean the guy who fed the deer was a bone head. A bone head is someone who has no brains and does something really stupid.
  
  LH: 嗯,bone head就是没有脑筋的人,所以你是指那些给鹿吃东西的人没有脑子。对了,我听说鹿应该在他们所在的栖息地自己找东西吃。
  
  LL: Yes, there are thousands of tourists who come to Yosemite every day. If everyone fed them, the deer would probably get fat and sick!
  
  LH: 还有那些随地扔东西的人也很讨厌,他们也都是bone-headed。
  
  LL: Exactly. Not picking up your trash just spoils the view for others and is bad for the environment.
  
  LH: 就是嘛,到处扔垃圾不但会影响公园的景色,而且也有害与保护环境。也许他们是因为没有扔垃圾的口袋?
  
  LL: That still seems like a bone-headed excuse to me. You can carry your trash until you find a park trash can or bring it with you to your car.
  
  
  LH: 你说我没有脑筋才会问这样的问题?我看你才没脑筋呐!把垃圾拿在手里,等到看见垃圾筒再扔?或者把垃圾带回到你汽车里?什么馊主意呀!
  
  LL:I wonder why don't parks give out trash bags to everyone who comes into the park, Li Hua, Do you think that would prevent littering?
  
  LH: Larry,这才是个好主意呐! 公园应该给每个来公园玩的人发一个垃圾袋,这样人们就不会随地扔东西了。
  
  LL:In fact, there are some parks in the U.S. that do that.
  
  LH: 有的公园已经这样做了,那别的公园也应该这样做。
  
  LL:So, I had a good idea! I guess that means you don't think I'm a bone head!
  
  LH:对,这个主意很好,所以你不是一个bone head.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是blown away,意思是惊叹,惊奇。另一个常用语是bone head,意思是没有脑筋的人

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#817
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语里,关键的一个字就是走路的“走”,也就是:walk。在形容一个人很高兴,很得意的时候,中文经常说这个人走路轻飘飘,好像腾云驾雾一样。英文里也有类似的说法。这也就是我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语。To walk on air。Air就是空气。走在空气上,那不就等于腾云驾雾了吗?To walk on air就是形容一个人非常高兴,走起路来轻飘飘。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: Susan has been walking on air ever since she got the official letter that she's been accepted as a graduate student at the University of California. You know, she never thought she had a chance.
  
  这句话的意思是:自从苏珊收到加州大学正式通知书,说她被录取为研究生以后,她真是轻飘飘的,好像腾云驾雾一样。你知道吗,她从来没有想到她会被录取。
  
  在美国,大学本科毕业生是比较多的,但是一般人认为要想真正找到好的工作,事业有所发展,那还需要进研究院修一个硕士学位。要想在大学教书,或是在研究所,试验所工作,最好有一个博士学位。当然,美国也有不少不能进大学的人。
  
  ******
  
  大多数人在工作单位都是想不断得到提升的。下面这个例子就是说一个人在知道自己被提升后感到很高兴,很飘飘然。
  
  例句2: When I got the news I was being promoted to be Director of Marketing, I felt like walking on air. You know, this is what I've been after for years, and now I finally got it!
  
  这个人说:在我得到被提升为市场部经理的消息后,我真是感到飘飘然,走起路来好像腾云驾雾一样。你可知道,为了争取得到提升,我化了好几年的功夫。现在,我终于得到了。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#818
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们可以想像,这个人为了能够获得提升几年来也操了不少心。这种操心的心情和我们要讲的第二个习惯用语有密切关系。To walk the floor. Floor就是地板,或是地面。To walk the floor从字面上来解释,也就是:在地面上走。但是,我们现在讲的是习惯用语,所以to walk the floor就有其特殊的意思。To walk the floor,作为俗语,就是指一个人在担心一件事的结局如何,或者是他不知道该怎么办。To walk the floor这个俗语使我们在脑子里出现一个形像,那就是一个人非常紧张,坐不住,在屋里走来走去地徘徊。比如说,一个年轻人第一次在医院里等他太太生孩子时可能就会在产房门口来回地走来走去,心情很不安定。谈爱情的人有时也会如此。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: My roommate has been walking the floor for weeks trying to decide whether to ask his girl friend to marry him. He loves her, but he's not sure he's ready to settle down and have a family.
  
  这句话的意思是:和我同房间住的那个朋友前思后想了几个星期,考虑到底要不要向他的女朋友求婚。他很爱她,但是他自己也不清楚他现在是否已经准备安家立业了。
  
  近年来,有一些美国年轻人不太想结婚,因为结了婚就有约束和家庭的责任,而且也不如单身生活那么自由。当然,到年纪大一些的时候,要建立家庭,养儿育女的想法就会强烈一些。上面这个例子里的人可能就是在边缘上。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。在美国,属于中上层阶级的人一般都每年到医生那里去检查一次身体。下面这个人心情很紧张,因为他的医生在他的喉头发现一个肿瘤,不知是良性还是恶性,目前他正在等待切片检验的报告。他说:
  
  例句4: I've been walking the floor for the past week waiting for the result of the test. I can't concentrate during the day, I have no appetite, and I can't fall asleep at night. This is simply torture. I sure hope it's not cancer.
  
  这个人说:过去一个星期来.我正在等试验的结果,我真是弄得坐立不安。白天,我没法集中注意力,也没有胃口;晚上,我无法入睡。这简直就是折磨。但是,我真是希望不是癌症。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#819
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry的父母最近来大学看望他。Larry一直忙着招待他们,今天好不容易抽空在李华的住处休息一下。李华会学到两个常用语:drive someone bonkers和tightwad。
  
  LL: I can't believe my family has been here only three days. They are really making me bonkers!
  
  LH: Making you bonkers?Larry,这个听起来可不像是什么好话。
  
  LL: No, it isn't. Bonkers means crazy. Even though I love my family, they have all these annoying habits that drive me bonkers.
  
  LH: 噢, make you bonkers就是你都快疯了。这我就不懂了,你很爱你的父母,这是毫无疑问的。可是他们有哪些习惯会让你受不了呢?
  
  LL: Well, there is my mom. She is a great housekeeper, but when she comes to my apartment, she rearranges everything. It drives me bonkers, because I can't find anything!
  
  LH: 这我完全理解。你妈是好意,看你屋里太乱,帮你整理整理。可是东西找不到的时候可真着急, 火气就上来了。我妈来看我的时候总是看电视,吵得我都没法看书。That drove me bonkers。
  
  LL: And I bet your mom is the kind of person that would go bonkers if it was always quiet. She probably likes the noise and activity.
  
  LH: 你说得一点都没错。我妈是个很活跃的人,一静下来她就受不了。
  
  LL: Then there's my little sister. She drives me bonkers because she is always complaining that there is nothing to do. She says she is bored.
  
  LH: 你也别怪你小妹妹,没事干也是很难受的。我回中国探亲的时候,每天不是吃饭就是聊天,真是很枯燥,有时真受不了。 Sometimes, it drove me bonkers, too.
  
  LL: Speaking of talking and eating, my brother is making me bonkers because he talks endlessly and has eaten up everything in my house! I've got to go to the grocery store again.
  
  LH: 噢,你弟弟也一起来啦?他那么爱说话,跟我妈在一起倒不错!(哈,哈...)不过,年轻人能吃,你当然得去超市给他去买吃的了!
  
  LL: It is okay, Li Hua. Even though I complain about my family, I really do love them. For everything they do that drives me bonkers, there is something wonderful they do, too.
  
  LH: 我知道,抱怨归抱怨,但是家人总是亲人。尽管他们有让我们受不了的地方,但是他们对我们总是出于爱心,为我们作了许多事。
  
  LL:Li Hua, do I drive you bonkers sometimes?
  
  LH: 没有啦!你是个好朋友. You never drive me bonkers.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#820
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你好像没有抱怨过你的父亲,看来你们家里至少有一个人没有drive you bonkers.
  
  LL: Oh, no, my dad is driving me bonkers, too. He is such a tightwad!
  
  LH: 什么?你父亲是什么?
  
  LL: He is a tightwad because he doesn't like to spend money on anything. He is very stingy with his money.
  
  LH: 噢,tightwad就是小气,不肯花钱。其实节省也不是坏事。
  
  LL: Yes, but let me give you an example. My dad knows my apartment is very small, but he is such a tightwad that he didn't want to spend money on a hotel.
  
  LH: 这个例子倒挺能说明问题。你这么一小间屋子,你爸爸妈妈带着弟弟一起来挤在你这儿是不太方便。
  
  LL: That is right. It would have been much more comfortable for them to have a hotel room, but my dad is too much of a tightwad for that!
  
  LH: 对,他们住在旅馆里,大家都舒服多了。这么看,你爸爸是很小气。不过,我父母也一样,他们来美国探亲时总舍不得到餐馆去吃饭, 说在外面吃太贵。
  
  LL: My dad is the same way about eating out, too. I hope that when I have kids I won't be such a tightwad.
  
  LH: 你爸爸也不肯出去吃饭哪!我看你呀,Larry,有了孩子后绝不会像你爸爸那样。 其实,作父母的也不容易,要养家,要供孩子读书,花销很大啊。
  
  LL: That's true. If my dad wasn't such a tightwad about the little things, maybe he wouldn't have been able to send me to college.
  
  LH: 那到是,要是你爸爸不这么精打细算,你现在可能还上不了大学呢。你的弟弟妹妹也要上大学的,所以你父亲节约是有道理的。
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. I'll forgive my dad for being a tightwad。But the rest of my family is still driving me bonkers!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是drive someone bonkers, 意思是令人生气,受不了。另一个常用语是tightwad,意思是小气鬼、吝啬鬼。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#821
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经给大家介绍过两个以walk这个字为主的习惯用语。它们是:To walk on air and to walk the floor. To walk on air的意思是,一个人很高兴的时候走路轻飘飘的。to walk the floor是指一个人由于不知道怎么办,或者是担心某一件事的结果而坐立不安。今天我们再来给大家讲解两个以walk这个字为主的习惯用语。第一个是: To take a walk.大家可能都知道to take a walk就是散步。但是,这里讲的to take a walk可不是这个意思,并不是讲话的人邀请你一起去散步。刚好相反,这儿所讲的 to take a walk是非常不客气的一句话。它的意思是:出去,或滚开。所以,to take a walk作为俗语的时候要特别小心。下面这个例子里讲话的人正在发很大的脾气,对他讲话的对象毫不客气。他说:
  
  例句-1: I don't want to listen to any more silly advice on how to run my life. Go on, take a walk - get out of here! I'm tired of looking at your stupid face!
  
  这人说:别再告诉我,应该怎么管理我的生活,我不要听了。走,你给我出去,滚出去!看见你那张丑脸我就烦。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在对他的合夥人讲话。这个合夥人经常通过一些小动作来欺诈他,因此他决定和他分手。他说:
  
  例句2: I'm tired of all your lies! You've cheated me too many times and I no longer want to be partners with you. So take a walk - I never want to see you again!
  
  这人说:我已经听够了你的谎话。你多次欺骗我,我现在不要再跟你合夥了。你走吧,我以后再也不想再见到你了。
  
  在商业界,美国人竞争得非常激烈,欺诈行为也是存在的。这可能在那儿都是普遍存在的。但是,美国的司法制度使得人们有可能通过司法途径来取得公正的解决方法。可是,也有人批评美国的司法制度过于烦琐,律师收费昂贵,没有大笔钱难以得到他们的服务。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#822
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍的是一个非常形像的习惯用语。那就是:To walk on eggshells. Eggshell就是鸡蛋壳。大家都知道,鸡蛋壳是很脆弱的。你要是想在鸡蛋壳上走,你必须非常小心谨慎,因为你处于一个非常微妙和危险的地位。比如说,美国人对人工流产这个问题争论非常激烈。这个问题已经成为选民衡量候选人的标准之一。下面这个例子就是一个竞选官职的候选人在担心他即将发表的讲话。
  
  例句3: I have to be very cautious in what I say about abortion. I know I am walking on eggshells. There are very strong feelings on both sides and I don't want to upset people any more than I have to.
  
  这位候选人说:我在讲人工流产的问题上必须十分谨慎。我知道我处于非常微妙的地位。在这个问题上,争论双方的情绪都非常激烈。除了不得已,我不想让更多的人对我不满。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。下面说话的人是一对夫妇的老朋友,而这对夫妇正在闹离婚。这使他感到左右为难。他说:
  
  例句4: I've been friends with both Jack and Mary even before they got married twenty years ago. Now they're in the process of a nasty divorce and I feel like I'm walking on eggshells every time I talk to either one of them.
  
  这人说:杰克和玛丽是在二十年前结婚的。在他们结婚前我就跟他们交朋友了。现在,他们正在闹离婚,互相争吵得非常激烈。每次我跟杰克或跟玛丽讲话的时候,我真是要非常谨慎小心。
  
  美国的离婚率是比较高的。当然离婚总是一件不愉快的事,吵吵闹闹的,争夺财产是常事。但是,有些美国夫妇虽然经历了离婚这段不愉快的时期,但是他们在离婚后还是能保持友好关系,作为朋友来相待,甚至互相帮忙。有些人虽然离了婚,但是他们仍然跟以前的岳父母,或公公婆婆保持友好关系。这一点是人们都很赞赏的。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#823
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这是个周末,Larry和李华在Larry叔叔的农场里摘了一天的苹果。李华会学到两个常用语:chock full和doohickey。
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua, your basket is chock full of apples.
  
  LH: Chock full of apples?你是不是说我的篮子都装满了?
  
  LL: Yeah, chock full means full to the point of overflowing, and I don't think you could put another apple in that basket.
  
  LH: 噢,chock full是指篮子不仅满了,而且是满得快掉出来了。那也是,我这篮子里是一个也放不下了。Larry,你的篮子怎么还没有装满呀?
  
  LL: You are right. My basket is not as chock full of apples as yours, but I have an excuse!
  
  LH: Excuse! 什么理由?
  
  LL: When I'm out picking apples on a nice, sunny day in the fresh air, I start to think about things. Soon my mind is chock full of ideas, but I'm afraid my basket isn't chock full of apples.
  
  LH: 我才不信呢!什么一到阳光明媚,空气新鲜的环境里摘苹果,你就开始动脑子。那你倒说说,今天都想了些什么呀!
  
  LL: I was thinking of things we could do with these apples. My aunt has a cabinet in the kitchen chock full of recipe books.
  
  LH: 你在想怎么处理这些苹果? 得了,这是你动作慢的借口罢了。不过,我对你说的你阿姨厨房里的食谱倒很感兴趣,咱们去找她聊聊吧。
  
  LL: And while we are in the kitchen talking to my aunt, we can have a little snack. She has a jar on the counter that is chock full of cookies.
  
  LH: 饼干我就不吃了, 太油太甜,They are chock full of sugar and fat.
  
  LL: Oh, a little sugar and fat won't hurt you, Li Hua. Besides the cookies are chock full of things that are good for you, like nuts, oatmeal and peanut butter.
  
  LH: 饼干里有果仁,麦片和花生酱?这些都是对身体有好处的?多吃了也是一样不好,你只是嘴巴谗而已!
  
  LL: Ha, ha, Li Hua. Very funny. Hey, while we on are way to the kitchen, let's stop by my uncle's tool shed.
  
  LH: 你要先去看看你叔叔的工具房? 好呀

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#824
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL:Boy, I forgot my uncle has so many tools. Can you hand me that doohickey on the tool bench?
  
  LH: Doohickey是什么呀?
  
  LL: Oh, I should have been more specific, Li Hua. A doohickey is a generic term for a tool or a gadget.
  
  LH: Doohickey是工具或小型工具的总称。那你要的是哪个呀?
  
  LL: I want the doohickey in the middle of the bench。
  
  LH: 在板凳当中的那个, 给你。Larry,这个东西是干什么用的?
  
  LL: This doohickey is one of the greatest inventions of all time. It is an apple corer, peeler and slicer.
  
  LH: 这玩艺儿既能削皮,挖掉苹果的核还能把苹果切成片,有这么多功能呀。怪不得你说它是最伟大的发明之一。
  
  LL: Yes, it does. This doohickey may look simple, but it is a good tool to have in a country kitchen when you have a lot of apples.
  
  LH: 当然啦,在这样的农村厨房里,摘了那么苹果,有这么一个工具当然好呀!这个工具怎么用的?
  
  LL: Well, first you stick the entire doohickey on a flat surface of a table.
  
  LH: OK, 先把这工具放在平的桌面上。我来试试, 看看这个东西是怎么切苹果的。
  
  LL: Put the apple here like this. And then turn the handle of the doohickey. And there you have it -- a cored, peeled, and slice apple!
  
  LH: 把苹果放在这里,然后转动这个把手。真的耶,你看,皮也削了,核也没了,而且已经切成片了。
  
  LL: Isn't this doohickey great?
  
  LH: Wow! 真有意思, 你叔叔的工具房里还有什么好的小玩艺儿呀? Any other interesting doohickeys ?
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是chock full , 意思是装的满满的。还有一个是doohickeys,意思是工具。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#825
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家介绍两个以“嘴巴”这个字为主的习惯用语- mouth。大家可能还记得上次我们讲过,to bad-mouth and to shoot one's mouth off. To bad-mouth就是说别人坏话; to shoot one's mouth off是指一个人在某种场合滔滔不绝地说一些不适时宜或者不该讲的话。今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语是:Motor mouth. Motor就是发动机。现在,你可以猜到什么是motor mouth了。Motor mouth就是那种滔滔不绝,除了喘气之外,说话没完的人。这种人的嘴巴就像一部机器,或汽车一样,发动了以后就好象停不下来了。不过,虽然这样的人有时会使得亲戚朋友感到难受,但是,除了这个不太好的习惯以外,他们也可能是很好相处的人。下面这个例子就是在说一个说话没完的人。
  
  例句-1: Dick is a nice guy. But he's such a motor mouth that people avoid talking to him. He just can't stop talking, and nobody else has a chance to get a word in the conversation.
  
  这个人说:迪克是一个很好的人。但是,他一说话就没个完,人们都怕跟他说话。他说话的时候就是停不下来,在谈话的过程中,没有任何人插得进嘴。
  
  ******
  
  这种说话不停,不让别人有机会发表观点的人往往是很让人讨厌的,至少,这些人缺乏礼貌,不尊重周围的人。下面是一个人的亲身体验。
  
  例句-2: The Rosens' friend David is a real motor mouth. I never go to any event when he's invited. He talks on forever, jumping from topic to topic like he knows everything. But for some reason the Rosens seem to like him.
  
  这句话的意思是:罗森家的朋友戴维德真是一个说话没完的人。不管什么活动,只要他们请戴维德,我绝不参加。他每次都说个没完,从一个主题跳到另一个主题,好像他什么都知道。不过,罗森夫妇不知为什么似乎很喜欢他。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#826
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

滔滔不绝,说话像机器那样的人固然不讨人喜欢,但是,更严重的是有的人老是在不合时宜的情况下说不恰当的话。美国人说这种人有毛病,而且还有一个特殊的说法。这就是我们要讲的第二个习惯用语。Foot in mouth disease. Foot就是一只脚,disease就是病。Foot in mouth disease从字面上来解释,它的意思就是,把脚放在嘴巴里的病。当一个小娃娃把自己的小脚放到嘴巴里去的时候,人们会觉得很好玩。但是,要是一个大人想这么做的话,他就会显得很傻,很愚蠢,就像你意识到自己说错了话一样。下面是一个典型的出言不当的例子。
  
  例句-3: Well, Pete did it again! He asked Mister Jones what his wife was doing these days. I guess he'd forgotten Missus Jones died last fall. Poor Pete: I have never seen a worse case of foot in mouth disease.
  
  这个人说:“得!比德又犯了同样的毛病 。他问琼斯先生他的太太最近在干什么。我想他把琼斯太太去年秋天去世的事给忘了。可伶的比德。我从来没有见过比这样出语不当更严重的了。”
  
  ******
  
  从某种程度上来说,每个人都有说错话的可能。下面我们要举的例子也很有趣。一个丈夫由于对妻子不忠诚而闹得家庭不和,他正在设法弥补跟妻子的关系。下面是他们的一个朋友在跟自己的太太说话:
  
  例句-4: David is trying very hard to make up with his wife. But his sister said at the party last night that she would never live under the same roof with her husband if he had an affair like David. She has a real case of foot in mouth disease!
  
  这个人对自己的妻子说:戴维德正在努力和他太太弥补关系。但是,他的妹妹昨晚在聚会上说,要是她的丈夫像戴维德那样有外遇的话,她是绝对不会再跟她的丈夫住在一起的。她真是有毛病,说话说得那么不恰当。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#827
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry刚在银行开了一个帐户。他一走出银行的大门就遇到了李华。今天李华会学到两个常用语:freebie和megabucks。
  
  LL: Hi there, Li Hua! You should open a savings account today. Look at the freebie I got at the bank.
  
  LH: Freebie? 你手里拿的好像是个计算机。
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. It is a calculator and, you know, it is free. And that is what makes it a freebie!
  
  LH: Free?你说,只要开个帐户就能得到一个免费的计算机。所以免费送的东西就是freebie。真的是送给你的吗?
  
  LL: Yes, it was a special promotion. I love getting freebies. And a calculator is a good freebie.
  
  LH: 原来是银行在开展特别的推销活动,给开帐户的人送一个礼物。 计算机是有用的东西。不过,凡是免费的我也都喜欢。
  
  LL: Banks often give away candy as freebie or a pen with the bank logo. But a calculator is something I will really use. That makes it a good freebie.
  
  LH: 是啊,送给我一支笔,那也有用。送我糖我才不要呢!在所有的免费礼品中我最喜欢香水了。
  
  LL: It is a good way to try expensive perfumes before spending the money. I guess.
  
  LH: 对呀!买一瓶香水很贵。送我一瓶小小的香水,要是喜欢我下回可以去买,不喜欢就算。这样就不会浪费钱了。Larry, 还有哪里可以得到免费商品啊 ?
  
  LL: Well, book stores often give away freebie bookmarks. But, I think my favorite freebie is food!
  
  LH: 书店给的书签没有什么吸引力。我也喜欢超市里为了推销而提供的那些免费食品,什么面包呀,蛋糕呀,肚子饿的时候可好啦!
  
  LL: Speaking of freebie food, here is a grocery store across the street. Let's go in and see if they have any freebies.
  
  LH:对马路的超市有免费食品呀?那还等什么呀?快走呀!
  
  (Sound of door opening, grocery store sounds)
  
  LL: Let's go to the freezer compartments. There is usually a lady giving out freebie samples of pizza.
  
  LH: 我看见了, 后面是有一个女服务员在送比萨饼呢。Larry, 你可真行呀!哪里有freebie 你都知道。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#828
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Say, Li Hua, would you like to win megabucks?
  
  LH: Megabucks? Mega意思是大, buck是指美元。 如果我没有猜错的话, megabucks的意思是很多钱。
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua. Your English is getting really good. That's right, megabucks is a lot of money.
  
  LH: Larry, 我当然想赢megabucks。谁不想发财呢?问题是怎么才能得到那么多钱呢?
  
  LL: Well, we can buy a lottery ticket at the front of the grocery store. Who knows, we may win megabucks.
  
  LH: 你要到前面去买一张彩票呀?我才不信我们会赢megabucks呢!不过, Larry,要是我们赢了,那会有多少钱呀?
  
  LL: If all six of the numbers on our ticket match the winning numbers, we will win 5 million dollars.
  
  LH: 要真能赢五百万, 那该多好呀!我们就不用再打工了。可是,要六个数字全和彩票一样才能赢,那中彩的机率不会很高吧?
  
  LL: It really isn't. We would have to spend megabucks buying lottery tickets to even have a small chance of winning.
  
  LH: 我就知道嘛,这种机会是很小的。即便花好多钱去买好多彩票,我们也不见得会赢。与其这么毫无希望地等着中彩票还不如我们自己去赚大钱呢。
  
  LL: You mean go to work? I don't know about you, Li Hua, but I'm not being paid megabucks.
  
  LH: 我知道你工资不高,我的工资也很低啊。 不过如果我们努力工作的话, 说不定哪一天我们会发财的。
  
  LL: You mean like Bill Gates of Microsoft? He's certainly made megabucks.
  
  LH: 是啊,所以微软的Bill Gates把很多钱都捐给了慈善事业。
  
  LL: I'm not sure I'll be making megabucks -- so for now I'll just keep living off of freebies in the grocery store. Want some more pizza?
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是freebie,意思是免费送的东西。还有一个是megabucks,意思是很多钱。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#829
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经讲过好几个以“嘴巴”,也就是英文里的mouth这个字为主的习惯用语。今天我们还要给大家介绍两个以mouth为主的习惯用语。第一个是: To put your money where your mouth is. To put your money where your mouth is是一种不很正式的方式告诉别人不要说大话,不如用钱来证明他说的话是确实的,或者是拿出证据,或实是际行动来。在下面这个例子里说话的人有一个朋友。他老是吹牛说他大学里的足球队是如何每次比赛都取胜的。这个人听的都厌烦死了,于是他对这个朋友说:
  
  例句-1: Jack, you're talking big about how great your team is and how bad they'll beat my team Saturday. Okay, let's bet fifty dollars on who wins. Let's see you put your money where your mouth is!
  
  这人说:杰克,你说了那末多大话,说你们球队有多好,他们星期六会如何把我的球队打得惨败。行,我们拿五十块钱来打赌,看看到底谁赢。让我们来看看你的话到底是不是确实。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举个例子。这是一个选民在评论他们州的州长。他说:
  
  例句-2: The governor of our State talks about the need to improve public education but puts no money where his mouth is. He simply uses education as a reason to raise taxes but he never intends to spend money on it.
  
  这个选民说:我们州的州长老是说有必要改进公共教育,但是在这方面并没有实际行动。他只是利用教育作为增加税收的理由,但是从来也没有把钱用在教育工作上的意图。
  
  美国的中小学教育是个有争论的问题。基本上,大家都承认美国的中小学教育水平很低。学生的拼写能力很差,有的学生甚至不能写完整的句子。在数学和科学学科方面,学生的水平也不理想。由于美国是个由移民组成的国家,每年都有从亚洲国家移民到美国的中小学学生.这些学生就在数理化方面显得非常突出。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#830
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家已经知道在英文里有各种不同的说法表示同意别人的观点。我们在这次节目里要讲的第二个习惯用语就是另一种说法。You just said a mouthful! Mouthful翻译到中文就是:一口,也就是吃一口饭,或一口菜的一口。但是这个意思跟我们现在讲的这个俗语没有多大关系。You just said a mouthful!的意思是:你说的非常对,也就是称赞说话的人,表示同意。现在我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在赞扬一位竞选连任的参议员所发表的讲话。这个人说:
  
  例句-3: Senator, I want to tell you that you sure said a mouthful when you said taxes are too high and you'd work hard to lower them. Good to hear, and you can certainly count on my vote!
  
  这个人说:参议员,你说税收太高,你要努力想办法来降低税收。我要告诉你,你说的完全正确。听到这样的话很高兴,我一定会投你一票的。
  
  从这个例句我们可以看到,竞选官职的政界人士所发表的竞选演说会起多么大的作用。但是,目前越来越多的美国人开始对这类竞选演说表示怀疑,因为他们发现这些候选人在竞选的时候说的很好,做出种种保证,但是当选以后往往难以兑现。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来给大家举一个例子。这是一个人在劝他的朋友要大胆地维护自己的权利,不要太软弱。他的这位朋友表示完全同意他的分析。
  
  例句-4: Jeff, you said a mouthful! Yes, I've been very weak in the past always trying to avoid trouble; so I put up with a lot. But some people would take advantage of you if you don't stand up for your own rights.
  
  这人说:杰夫,你说的完全正确。是的,我以前一直很软弱,总是设法避免麻烦,所以我总是忍受。但是,要是你不采取行动维护自己的权利的话,有的人就会欺负你。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#831
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华要开车去一个国家公园,他们先到加油站给汽车加油。李华今天会学到两个常用语,gas guzzler和tree hugger。
  
  LL: I can't believe the price of gas these days! I am going to have to get rid of this gas guzzler.
  
  LH: 我知道,我到美国来以后就从来没有见过这么高的的汽油价钱。 可是,Larry, 你要扔掉什么?Gas guzzler是什么呀?
  
  LL: To guzzle something is to drink it really fast. A gas guzzler refers to a car that gets very poor gas mileage and constantly needs to be filled up.
  
  LH: 我明白了。Guzzle就是口渴的时候大口大口地喝水。你是说你的车耗油太多,大口大口地喝油。A gas guzzler就是耗油量很大的汽车。
  
  LL: That's right. And looking at the price on the gas pump, I am not too happy to be driving a gas guzzler right now.
  
  LH: 好多人都有你这样的想法。油价这么高,还开耗油的车,花钱多了,当然不高兴啦。对了,你这个gas guzzler每加仑汽油能跑多少里路啊?
  
  LL: Well, about 25 miles to the gallon on the highway, but only 18 miles per gallon driving around town. It isn't the worst gas guzzler out there, but I could be driving something more fuel efficient.
  
  LH: 在高速公路上开每加仑25英里,在城市里只能开18英里! 比我的车要费油多了。你是该换一辆省油的车了。
  
  LL: Well, I know there are cars on the market that get as much as 40 miles to the gallon, but they tend to be smaller cars. Bigger cars tend to be gas guzzlers, and I wanted a bigger car.
  
  LH: 当然啦,省油的车一般都是小型的车,大车都是耗油的。你喜欢开大车,那就得多花钱。Larry,现在耗油量大的汽车一定卖不动了吧?
  
  LL: I think there will always be people who have the money to afford the gas and want to have a big gas guzzler to drive around.
  
  LH: 没错,就像你这样爱开大车的人总是有的。Larry, 这就叫愿者上钩。不过,有的人有钱,你是穷学生。 我还是喜欢开小车,省油省钱, 还有利于保护环境。
  
  LL: There! The tank of this gas guzzler is finally full. After I pay the gas attendant, we can get on the road.
  
  LH: 油加满啦?快去付钱,完了我们就可以上路了。太棒了, 我早就想去国家公园痛痛快快地玩一天。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#832
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, Li Hua, you drive a small car because you think it's good for the environment. Are you a tree hugger or what?
  
  LH: 是呀,我刚才说了,我喜欢开小车,原因之一是为了保护环境。你问我是不是个tree hugger? 抱树的人? 我是很喜欢树, 可是没有到要拥抱树的程度。
  
  LL: A tree hugger is someone who really likes trees and the environment and is willing to do pretty much anything to protect them.
  
  LH: 我猜想a tree hugger也就是特别喜欢树木,关心环保的人。Larry,tree hugger这个名词是有赞扬的意思,还是含有贬义?
  
  LL: It isn't a bad thing - depending on who you talk to. Some people see tree huggers as standing in the way of progress.
  
  LH: 没有坏的意思,但是又要看你跟谁说话。为什么有的人认为tree huggers会妨碍进步呢?这我不明白。
  
  LL: Do you remember a few years ago some tree huggers in the northwestern United States wanted to protect the forest home of the Spotted Owl?
  
  LH: 对,几年前,美国西北部一些环保人士为了保护猫头鹰的栖息地,阻止木材公司伐木而用铁链子把自己捆在树上。
  
  LL: Yeah, and the price of lumber in the northwest went up, and people blamed the tree huggers for lost jobs in the lumber industry.
  
  LH: 原来是这样。因为砍的树少了,价格就上升了,伐木业的就业机会也少了;他们都怪环保人士呀!在这些人眼里,tree huggers显然不是赞美的称呼了。
  
  LL: No, it is a term used to put down or disparage people who protect nature at the expense of human comfort and industry.
  
  LH: 对这些人来说,tree huggers就是牺牲人类的舒适和工业来保护自然。野生动物应该保护嘛,这总要有人站出来说话啊。
  
  LL: I guess so. Driving through the forest reminds me of the good things tree huggers can do.
  
  LH: 在森林里开车是会让我们想起tree huggers。他们努力保护森林,好让我们和子孙后代都能享用,这都是很有意义的事。
  
  LL: I think you've answered my question, Li Hua. You ARE a tree hugger.
  
  LH: 不错,我就是个tree hugger─我也为此而感到自豪。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。第一个是 gas guzzler, 意思是很费油的汽车。第二个是tree huggers, 意思是喜爱自然的人或是致力与环境保护的人士。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#833
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里我们要给大家介绍两个都是以wall这个字为主的习惯用语。Wall这个字是什么意思呢?Wall就是一堵墙的墙。有不少习惯用语都跟wall这个字有关。但是,今天我们只能讲两个。我们在这次节目里要讲的第一个习惯用语是:Wall-to-wall. Wall-to-wall这三个字之间有两个hyphens, 也就是连接号。所以,wall-to-wall实际上已经成为一个字了。那么,wall-to-wall究竟是什么意思呢?
  
  刚开始的时候,wall-to-wall是用来形容一个房间里的地毯从一边的墙铺到另一边的墙,也就是铺满了整个一间房间。但是,逐渐地,wall-to-wall这个说法就不仅仅用来描写地毯了,而是可以应用到其他生活各个方面。比如说,当一间屋子里挤满了人的时候,我们就可以说:Wall-to-wall people.
  
  下面是一个人在说他参加一个聚会的情况。
  
  例句-1: I went to this cocktail party last night but I walked out after fifteen minutes. It was wall-to-wall people - so crowded I couldn't even get close to where they were serving food and drinks.
  
  这个人说:我昨晚去参加那个鸡尾酒会,但是我进去十五分钟后就走了。屋子里挤满了人,挤得我根本没有办法靠近放食品和饮料的地方。
  
  ******
  
  每个人都有自己的爱好。有的人喜欢看书,有的人爱听音乐。但是,有的人有不同寻常的嗜好。例如,有的人热衷于搜集火柴盒,还有的人把每天看的报纸都存起来。下面这个例子里说的那个人就是对报纸有特别的感情。
  
  例句2: Jack's hobby is to save the newspaper he reads every day, saying he might need to check some information later on. There's practically no more space in his study except wall-to-wall newspapers. His wife is afraid of having a fire someday.
  
  这位讲话的人说:杰克的嗜好是把每天看过的报纸存起来。他说他以后要查什么消息的时候可能有用。除了满屋子的报纸外,他的书房里几乎没有什么空的地方了。他的太太担心哪天可能会起火。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#834
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲今天要给大家介绍的第二个习惯用语。Wallflower. 大家要注意的是:wallflower是一个字,虽然这个字很明显是由wall和flower这两个字组成的。而且,wallflower也不是墙上的花的意思,wallflower是指一个很害羞的女孩子,在参加舞会的时候大多数时间都跟其他害羞的女孩子坐在靠墙的椅子上,因为她没有男朋友,又不善于跟男孩子打交道。但是,这样的女孩子有时也会交好运。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: I felt so sorry for this wallflower at the school dance last night that I asked her to dance. And I'm glad I did. Once she got over her shyness, I found she had a smile that lit up the whole room. And believe it or not, I'm taking her to the dance on Friday night.
  
  这个人说:昨晚在学校的舞会上,我替那个坐在那里老不跳舞的女孩感到很不好受,所以我就过去请她跳舞。我真高兴我请了她。一旦她不再感到害羞,她的笑容好像点亮了整个屋子。你信不信,我还要请她一起去参加星期五晚上的舞会呢。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个女孩在说为什么她不愿去参加舞会。
  
  例句4: I like dancing. As a matter of fact, my friends think I'm a good dancer and I enjoy the music very much. But I never go dancing if I don't have a partner because I don't want to be a wallflower.
  
  她说:我喜欢跳舞。事实上,我的朋友们说我跳舞跳得很好。我也很喜欢听音乐。但是,在没有夥伴的时候,我从来不去跳舞,因为我不要参加舞会而又坐在那里不跳舞。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#835
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry正在商量去野营的事。今天李华会学到两个常用语:cold feet和do a number。
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua, are you ready for that camping trip this weekend?
  
  LH: 这个周末去野营的事呀? 嗯... 我还没一定是不是能跟你们一起去...
  
  LL: What? Don't tell me you're getting cold feet! You told me last week you wanted to come along!
  
  LH: 是,我上个星期是说要去来啦!可我现在说不好是不是能去。这跟我的脚没有关系。而且冬天还没有来,我的脚怎么会冷呢?
  
  LL: No, no... to get cold feet means, to become nervous or anxious and then change your mind about a decision.
  
  LH: 噢,你不是说我因为脚冷而不去。Cold feet是因为太紧张,太担心而改变主意。
  
  LL:I still don't understand why you are afraid to go camping.
  
  LH:我不是害怕野营。下星期二要期中考试,你忘啦?我得学习,还得写一个报告...
  
  LL: Everyone has gotten cold feet at least once. When I was little, my parents sent me to a summer camp. At the camp I began to feel homesick, started getting cold feet, and wanted to come home.
  
  LH: 原来你小时候还有这事! 你父母送你去夏令营,结果去了以后你就紧张了,要回家,那你父母得提早把你接回去呀?Larry,那时你多大呀?
  
  LL: I was like 7-years old. When I was a teenager, I thought about joining the Army after high school. But as I got closer to graduation, I got cold feet, and changed my mind.
  
  LH: 中学时你又想参军,后来又因为害怕而改变主意了。这我知道,我哥哥也是这样。Larry,你听说了没有?乔治亚州一个女子结婚前几天由於太紧张而逃走了。
  
  LL: Yes, she pretended she had been kidnapped. I feel sorry for her fiancé。
  
  LH: 对, 她假装被人绑架了。她那未婚夫可真倒霉。Larry,上星期本来说好去跳舞,后来你改变主意,是真的病了呢,还是get cold feet?
  
  LL: Honestly, I got cold feet. I got nervous at the last minute, and made up an excuse. Sorry!
  
  LH:原来是最后一分钟胆怯了,所以装病。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#836
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Hi, Larry! 你们去野营,开心吗?
  
  LL: Sure, I guess so... but look at this sunburn I got! The sun really did a number on my face!
  
  LH: 哟,看你的脸给晒的! 你说太阳怎么啦?Did a number,太阳和数字有什么关系呀?
  
  LL: The sun did a number on my face. Did a number means that the sun did a lot of damage, I got a really bad sunburn!
  
  LH: Did a number 意思是造成很大损坏。对,你晒得可真厉害。你的手臂呢?
  
  LL: Oh, those are mosquito bites. The mosquitoes really did a number on my arms... and my legs, and my neck...
  
  LH: 蚊子把你咬成那样呀!瞧你的手臂,还有腿,哟,还有脖子上!不过,你总算去玩了。我呀,才倒霉呢。车子好好停在那里,一个人会开着车撞上去,把我的门给撞坏了。He did a number on the door.
  
  LL: Wow, too bad. At least you were lucky that you weren't in the car when he hit it, he could have done a real number on you, not just your car.
  
  LH: 对,幸好我没在车里,否则我肯定会受伤的。我姐姐以前就在出车祸时手臂骨给撞断了。
  
  LL: That's terrible! A few years ago someone in a car hit me while I was riding my bicycle on the street. I was not hurt, but it really did a number on my bike!
  
  LH: 汽车撞你自行车,结果你居然没有受伤。自行车坏了没事。那个人赔你钱了?
  
  LL: Nothing, because he drove off. Good for him: I was angry and felt like doing a number on his face with my fists.
  
  LH: 撞了就开走了?那太不象话了。这种人真是该揍他一顿。不过像你这样软棉棉的手,受伤的可能是你的手,而不是他的脸。
  
  LL: Speaking of doing a number, that camping food really made my stomach uncomfortable. I need some coffee.
  
  LL: 野营的饭让你的胃不舒服?不过你空肚子喝咖啡...
  
  LH: Oh, yeah, that'll do a number on me, I'd better eat first.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是:cold feet,意思是由于紧张和担心而临时改变主意。另一个常用语是:do a number, 这是指伤害什么东西。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#837
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们知道以wall这个字为主的习惯用语有不少。我们也已经讲过两个。Wall-to-wall和wallflower. Wall-to-wall就是屋子里挤的满满的。Wallflower 是一个女孩很害羞,参加舞会时老坐在靠墙的椅子上。今天我们再来给大家介绍两个跟wall这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是:To climb the wall. To climb 就是爬,也就是爬树,或爬墙的爬。当一个人很担心,很烦恼的时候就可以用to climb the wall来形容。
  
  有的时候,某一个人会使你感到很心烦,有的时候当你在等待某一件事的结局的时候也会让你心情焦虑不安,不知道其结果是好呢还是坏。比如说,美国的中学毕业生要是想报考大学都要参加一个叫做SAT 的考试,也就是学术智能考试。各大学根据自己不同的标准,根据一个学生的SAT 的考试成绩来决定是否录取他。换句话说,也就是一个学生的SAT成绩能决定他是否会被大学录取以及上那个大学。要是分数很高,那么这个学生就能进入自己梦想的大学,否则就只能上别的大学了。因此,等待SAT成绩的时候是很令人担心的。下面就是一学生在说他在等待的时候是如何的紧张。
  
  例句-1: I'll be climbing the wall until I get the SAT results. My mother and dad will really be upset if the scores aren't high enough to get me into a first-class school.
  
  这个学生说:在我得到学术智能考试的成绩前,我会心情很焦急,坐立不安。要是我的分数不够高,我进不了第一流大学的话,我父母亲会非常不高兴。
  
  美国有几所很有名的大学,比如像哈佛,耶鲁,麻省工学院等。能够进入这些名大学不仅是很荣耀的事,而且毕业后也更容易找到好的工作。
  
  ******
  
  美国的大中学校每年暑假都会给学生提供一些暑期活动,有的甚至可以让学生到国外去。下面就是一个学生在等待校方对他的申请的答复。
  
  例句2: I've been climbing the wall lately just waiting for the school to decide on my application for the summer study program in France. I really want to see France, everybody says it's a beautiful country.
  
  这个学生说:最近,我心里好焦急,因为我申请了去法国参加一个暑期学习班。我正在等待学校的决定。我真想去法国,每个人都说法国非常漂亮。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#838
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语也是跟一个人的情绪有关的。这个习惯用语是:To drive someone up the wall. To drive可以有几种解释。最普通的就是开车。但是在这个俗语里,to drive解释为:促使。To drive someone up the wall就是某一个情况促使一个人非常紧张、难受或者是使他很烦燥。下面这个例子是一个人在说他的邻居。
  
  例句3: That guy in the next apartment has been playing his trumpet for four solid hours now and it's driving me up the wall! I' about ready to go next door and tell him to stop all the noise.
  
  这个人说:隔壁那套房间里的人吹喇叭已经吹了整整四个小时了。这简直快把我逼疯了。我真是要跑到他那里去,叫他不要再吹了。
  
  美国人虽然住房一般比较宽敞,但是互相干扰的情况也经常发生。那怕是那些住在一栋栋小洋房里的人也会跟邻居产生矛盾。经常发生的就是嫌邻居放音乐的音量太大等。
  
  ******
  
  每个人都有几个无话不谈的好朋友,但是这并不是说好朋友之间就没有矛盾。下面是一个人在跟自己的妈妈讲她的朋友。
  
  例句4: Mary and I have been friends more than ten years. She's very nice and I like her a lot. But she likes to criticize me whenever I wear a new suit. It drives me up the wall every time she does it.
  
  这个女孩对她母亲说:玛丽跟我交朋友已经有十多年了。她是一个很好的人;我也非常喜欢她。但是,我一穿新西装,她总是喜欢批评我。每次她挑剔我衣服的时候,我真是非常恼火。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#839
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华一起出去买东西, Larry说他肚子饿了。李华会学到两个常用语:grub和hustle。
  
  LL: Li Hua, I am so hungry. We need to find some grub quick.
  
  LH: 你怎么又饿了?你想吃什么?Grub? Grub是什么?
  
  LL: Grub is food, and right now I need to get some grub; otherwise, I am going to start eating the shoes I bought.
  
  LH: 原来Grub就是食物。你也太过分了, 你再饿也不至于吃你刚买的鞋子啊。 你要是真的啃鞋子, 我就要给精神病医院打电话了。
  
  LL: Oh, I see a place up ahead called Ranchero. They've got pretty good grub there.
  
  LH: 我也看见了那家叫Ranchero的餐馆。你说他们的饭菜很好, 真的吗?这家饭馆是什么风味的呀?
  
  LL: It is a Mexican restaurant. Mexican food is some of my favorite grub.
  
  LH: 你喜欢吃墨西哥饭? 我怎么不知道。 对不起,我可不喜欢吃墨西哥饭。我们能不能去别的餐馆呢?
  
  LL: Well, I am pretty hungry. But I suppose we can spend a little more time looking for a place with grub we both like.
  
  LH: 对,找个我们俩都喜欢吃的地方。这附近有个叫汉宫的中餐馆,他们的菜很好吃。我们去汉宫,怎么样?
  
  LL: Actually, a friend told me that the grub at China Garden is not so good. It isn't very authentic...
  
  LH: 汉宫的中国饭不地道?你听谁说的呀?我觉得还是不错的,当然不能算是第一流的。
  
  LL: But another friend said that the grub at China Garden was much better than he thought.
  
  LH: 每个人的口味不一样嘛。有的人觉得不正宗,这个朋友又觉得比他想象的更好。我看,你呀, 这么饿就别挑剔了。有什么就吃什么吧!
  
  LL:You're right. I guess at this point I am so hungry I can't be too picky.
  
  LH:说实话,Larry,哪儿的菜都比不上我妈妈做的。
  
  LL:Of course, the grub you get at any restaurant is never as good as home cooking. Come on, Li Hua, let's go to China Garden.
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#840
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: We better hustle, Li Hua!
  
  LH: Hustle ?那不是一种跳舞的步伐吗?你想去跳舞?
  
  LL: The hustle *was* a dance popular in the U.S. in the 1970s. But I'm not talking about old dance moves. I mean we better hurry.
  
  LH: 我明白了, 你的意思是我们要赶快,hustle跟70年代流行的舞步毫无关系。可是我们要付了账才可以走啊。这位服务生的动作怎么这么慢呢。
  
  LL: You are right, he isn't very fast, is he? We need to let him know we need to hustle.
  
  LH: 好, 你去告诉他我们需要赶紧走。我呢,去用一下洗手间。
  
  LL: But you have to hustle right back, Li Hua; otherwise, we won't make the bus.
  
  LH: 你放心,我马上就回来。我知道我们要赶六点的汽车呢,晚了就赶不上了。
  
  LL:No, Li Hua, I think we need to hustle out of here right now. Otherwise we won't be able to make it.
  
  LH: 有那么紧张吗? 现在不走就赶不上车啦?
  
  LL:Yes, I'll just leave the money on the table. Let's go!
  
  LH: Larry, 好主意,把钱放在桌子上, 可别忘了给小费。
  
  LL: Yes, I have included the tip。
  
  (sound of opening the door and running)
  
  LL: Oh, no, Li Hua! There is the bus. We aren't going to make it!
  
  LH: 跑得我都气喘不上来了,结果还是没有赶上。真倒霉。Larry,你要是真有急事的话,我们就去坐出租车吧。
  
  LL: That's a good idea, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry,你这么急着回家,到底有什么事呀?
  
  LL: The season finale of my favorite TV show is on at eight P.M.. I really can't miss it.
  
  LH: 原来你要在八点前赶回去看你爱看的电视剧!我的天啊, 我还以为你有什么急事呢。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是grub,意思是食物。还有一个是hustle,意思是赶快

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#841
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语是美国人用得非常普遍的,而且也很形像。这个习惯用语就是:To stonewall. Stonewall是一个字,但是很明显,它是由stone和wall两个字合成的。大家都知道,stone就是石头,那末顾名思义stonewall就是一堵用石头造的墙。按字面解释,这是对的。但是,作为俗语,它的意思就比较含蓄了,stonewall是指:想尽一切办法不要把那些使自己难堪或不利的消息透露出去。二十多年前,美国发生水门事件的时候,白宫竭尽全力阻挡国会的调查人员来查明尼克松总统手下的人是否有违法的行为。结果,想掩盖的企图宣告失败;事实真相被揭露出来,尼克松总统也被迫辞职。下面这个例子是一个地方上的政客在给他的高级助手下指示。
  
  例句-1: Make sure our people stonewall any questions from the press or television about our candidate for mayor having those personal problems. If the facts get out, we don't have a chance to win the election.
  
  这个政客对他的手下人说:要是报界或电视记者提出有关我们市长候选人的问题的话,一定要叫他们不要正面回答问题,不要泻露任何有关他们生活方面有问题的消息。要是人们知道真相的话,我们别想在这次竞选中获胜。
  
  ******
  
  下面的例子是在讲一个警察在向他的上司汇报有关一个案件的调查情况。
  
  例句2: We've arrested one major suspect in this murder case and also arrested another man who we believe helped the crime. But both of them are stonewalling - they refuse to answer any questions at all.
  
  这个警察说:我们已经逮捕了这个谋杀案的主要嫌疑犯,另外还逮捕了一个我们认为是帮凶的人。但是,这两人都拒绝回答任何问题,企图蒙混过去。
  
  ******

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#842
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在再讲一个跟wall有关系的习惯用语。Off the wall.请大家注意的是这里的off是有两个f, 而不是一个 f. Off the wall,要是按字面的意思来解释,那就是:不在墙上。但是,在用做俗语的时候,off the wall是指一个跟一般人很不一样的人,也就是美国人常说的那种性情和举止都很古怪的人,或者是一种和一般人的思路非常不同的想法。下面是一个人在说他的表兄。
  
  例句3: My cousin the rocket scientist is full of off the wall ideas about how man can travel into outer space beyond our solar system. He's either crazy or a genius - I don't know which.
  
  这个人说:我的表兄是一个研究火箭的科学家。他满脑子都是怪主意。说什么人如何可以到太阳系以外的宇宙空间去旅行等。他要就是有神经病,否则就是一个天才。我不知道他到底属于那一种。
  
  ******
  
  美国的企业为了要和其他同行业的公司进行竞争,必须要依靠股员的聪敏才智,为新的产品,新的经营方法出谋献策。我们曾经讲过一个美国人常用的字to brainstorm. 这就是要大家动脑筋,献计策的意思。下面是一个公司的工程师在说他的一个同事。
  
  例句4: People in our office tended to ignore Richard's ideas in the past because they thought they were off the wall. But our chief engineer tried his proposal last year and it turned out to be a huge success; it boosted our profits by 20 percent.
  
  这个人说:我们办公室的人过去往往不理会里查德的主意,因为他们认为他的想法太古怪。但是,去年我们的总工程师试用了他的建议,结果非常成功,为公司增加了百分之二十的利润。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#843
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在一家咖啡店里聊天, Larry在告诉李华的办公室里最近发生的事。李华今天会学到两个常用语:head honcho和slam dunk。
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, yesterday the head honcho of the company I work for came into the office.
  
  LH: 谁到你们的办公室来?公司的head honcho? head是头脑, honcho是什么呀?
  
  LL: A Head honcho is the person with the highest position in a company or organization. I think "honcho" actually comes from a Japanese word meaning leader.
  
  LH: Head honcho就是一个公司,或一个机构的最高领导人。Honcho这个词原来是来自日文, 意思是领导人。Honcho听起来是像日文。听起来,你好像挺高兴看见你们公司的head honcho。
  
  LL: Yes, indeed. I was very happy to meet the company president. I had never met the head honcho before.
  
  LH: 你和他从来没有见过面? 难怪他来了你们都好像有点受宠若惊一样。那这位高高在上的主管为什么会突然到你们办公室去呢?
  
  LL: Well, some of my co-workers have said that someone in our office is being considered for a promotion, but they don't know who. They think the head honcho came by to see the candidate for himself.
  
  LH: 你的同事说他是来看看他们领导想提拔的那个人,可是提拔谁呢,你们又不知道。他要提拔的人他还不认识呀?
  
  LL: You know how head honchos are. He works in the company's main office across town, and he doesn't always personally meet everyone that is hired.
  
  LH: 那倒也是,这个head honcho在公司总部上班,而总部又不在你们大楼里。说实话, 即使是在同一个办公楼里,老板也不一定认识所有的雇员呀。我们大学的校长我也只是在大会上见过。
  
  LL: But, Professor Jones is the head honcho of the East Asian Studies Department, and you know him.
  
  LH: 是啊, 东亚研究系的琼斯教授倒是和我很熟。 你们公司总裁是不是来看你的。他们想提拔的就是你吧?
  
  LL: I don' t know, Li Hua. He did chat with me for a few minutes about my work. Maybe the head honcho IS thinking about me for the promotion.
  
  LH: 他跟你聊了几分钟有关你工作的事?我看他很可能是想提拔你!Larry,你将来也许会成为一个head honcho!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#844
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I really don't think the promotion is a slam dunk, Li Hua.
  
  LH: Slam dunk? Slam dunk不就是我们在打篮球的时候常说的灌篮吗?
  
  LL: That' s right. A slam dunk is a shot taken by a basketball player that can't be missed. The player is usually right by the hoop and is literally shoving it right in the basket.
  
  LH: 灌篮得分应当是十拿九稳。 人就在栏板下面, 一伸手就把球灌进去了。Larry,我知道公司是否提拔你并不像灌篮那么十拿九稳。可是Larry,你的确很出色呀!
  
  LL: The company president DID talk to several other people in the office, so I have to say it is too early to think of the promotion as a slam dunk.
  
  LH: 我看也是,我们不要过于乐观, 毕竟跟公司总裁谈话的不止你一个人。不过,什么时候才知道the head honcho看中的到底是谁呢?
  
  LL: I don't think I will know. Say, what about you, Li Hua? I remember you applied for a fellowship for next year. I'd say for you that is a slam dunk!
  
  LH: 我是申请了奖学金, 可是现在还没有消息呢。 对我来说, 这也不是十拿九稳的, I don't think it is a slam dunk.
  
  LL: How could it not be a slam dunk? You are honestly one of the hardest working students I know. I can't imagine any one else getting the fellowship.
  
  LH: Thanks, Larry。 我是很努力, 可是用功的学生很多呀。 不过听到你这么赞扬我, 我还是很高兴。
  
  LL: Well, let's talk about something that is a slam dunk!
  
  LH: 什么事情是slam dunk,一定会发生呢?
  
  LL: I'd say it is a slam dunk that after we finish our coffee, you are going to go home and study.
  
  LH: 喝完了咖啡,我就要回家去做作业了。这是肯定的,That is a real slam dunk, Larry.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是head honcho,意思是公司或组织的最高主管。还有一个是slam dunk,指的是很有把握,肯定会发生的事情。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#845
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家讲的两个习惯用语都是以long这个字为主的。大家都知道,long就是长;长短的长。我们先来给大家讲一个非常口语的,而且也是经常用的俗语。Over the long haul. Haul在这里是作为名词用的。它的意思是运输。可是,我们讲的俗语over the long haul跟运输毫无关系。Over the long haul是指一段很长的时间。先请大家听一个例子。这个人说:
  
  例句-1: Some people always buy the cheapest things they can find. But not me! I buy good, expensive shoes: they save me money over the long haul because they last twice as long as a cheap pair.
  
  这个人说:有的人总是想方设法找最便宜的东西买。我可不这么样。我总是买最好的、贵的鞋子。从长远来说,好的鞋还能省我的钱,因为这种鞋穿的时间要比便宜的鞋长一倍时间。
  
  美国的物质供应丰富,因此选择也特别多。这既有好处,也有坏处。好处是花色品种和价格各有不同;个人可以按照自己的需要来采购。但是,由于选择太多,有的时候在买一样东西之前要花好多时间来研究,比较才能做最后决定。
  
  ******
  
  有的年轻人到了某一个时刻不想念书了。这种情况大概很多人都经历过,或者是听说过。下面是一位爸爸在对自己的女儿说话。这个女儿决定中学毕业后不上大学了。
  
  例句2: Why don't you go on to college? Over the long haul, it's important for your future to have a college degree. What can a high school graduate do? You don't want to be a secretary all your life!
  
  这个爸爸说:为什么你不上大学?从长远来看,大学毕业对你将来在事业上的发展是很重要的。一个中学毕业生能干什么?你总不要一辈子当个秘书吧!

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#846
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在来讲第二个习惯用语。Long shot. Shot这个字的本身是指打抢。Long shot这个俗语已经用了几百年了。它可能是来自士兵或者猎人。大家都知道,打抢的时候距离越远,打中的可能就越小。这也正是long shot作为俗语的意思。所谓long shot 就是:不管在什么比赛中,获胜的机会很小。但是,现在long shot已经可以应用到生活的各个方面。你可以在赛马的时候,你也可以在政治界人士的话中听到。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: Long shots don't win elections very often. But remember Jimmy Carter back in 1976? He was a real long shot. Nobody gave him a chance but he came up nowhere and won the race for the white house.
  
  这句话的意思是:那种希望缺缺的人不太会在选举中获胜。但是,记得早在1976年时候,吉米卡特的情况吗?他实在是没有什么希望取胜。没有人认为他有取胜的机会,但是他赤手空拳,在竞选中被选为美国总统。
  
  卡特在竞选期间,甚至在担任总统期间,有一部份人看不起他,不把他放在眼里,因为他出身于一个种花生的农民家庭。结果他却出乎人们意料在竞选中获胜。卡特在不当总统以后的年岁里一直在国际政治舞台上很活跃,为解决世界各地的矛盾做出了大量贡献。
  
  ******
  
  中国的俗语说,人贵在有自知之明。而事实上,有不少人对自己没有正确的估计。下面就是一个人在讲他的妹妹。
  
  例句4: Ellen has been taking music lessons since last year with the idea that someday she can be a famous singer. I admit she's talented in many ways, but being a professional singer is really a long shot.
  
  这个哥哥说:爱伦从去年开始一直在上音乐课。她想也许哪一天能够成为一个有名的歌手。是的,我承认爱伦在许多方面都很有才能,不过要当一个歌手实在是不太可能。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#847
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在学校的食堂里吃晚饭。李华今天会学到两个常用语;to down和to chug。
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, I think I can down this entire hamburger in a single bite. I am that hungry.
  
  LH: 听你的意思,我猜你是说你可以一口就把这个汉堡包吃下去, 对不对?
  
  LL: You're right, my friend! The hamburger will go down to my stomach.
  
  LH: 你看我没猜错吧! Down就是吃的意思。Larry,你说一口就能吃下去这有点夸张吧。 人又不是蛇, 要噎住了怎么办呢?
  
  LL: Well, maybe I was exaggerating a little, but down means to eat something all at once and really fast.
  
  LH: 我明白了,down不仅是吃,而且是狼吞虎咽。我记得在电视上看过 吃热狗比赛,有个人在12分钟内吃了50个热狗,He downed 50 hot dogs in 12 minutes! Larry,你能吃这么多吗?
  
  LL: No, I can't. I'm pretty hungry right now, but I think I would get sick after downing so many hot dogs in so little time.
  
  LH: 一下子吃这么多热狗,你当然受不了。不过, 人都有狼吞虎咽的时候。象我,回国探亲的时,有时候一顿饭能吃好几十个饺子呢。
  
  LL: But steamed dumplings are so small, I bet you can down fifty of those and still feel okay.
  
  LH: 五十个饺子,那可不少啊。 我只要吃上二十个就已经很饱了。
  
  LL: Well, one of my favorite things to eat is chocolate chip cookies. When I was a kid my Mom would bake them, and I would down a whole plate of cookies just like that.
  
  LH: 带巧克力的饼干我也爱吃。大多数美国妇女都会烤这种饼干。可是,你妈怎么会让你把烤出来的一盘全吃了呢?你们美国人可真能吃。
  
  LL: But I know you like ice cream, Li Hua. I've seen you down an ice cream cone in just a few seconds.
  
  LH: 你说对了,我的确喜欢冰淇淋。 其实我现在就想吃。 I'd like to down an ice cream cone right now.
  
  LL: Well, you go get your ice cream cone - and I am going to finish downing this burger.
  
  LH: 好吧,Larry,我去拿冰淇淋, 你把这汉堡吃完,我一会儿就回来。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#848
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua, after downing that burger, now I really need to chug a big glass of soda.
  
  LH: Chug,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: You know how you down a hamburger by eating it very quickly? You chug a soda by drinking it really fast and all at once.
  
  LH: 我刚才就猜是这个意思, chug就是很快地一下子喝光。Chug听起来好像是个像声字。
  
  LL: Well, listen to me chug this soda and tell me what you hear.
  
  (Sound of drinking)
  
  LH: 听到了, 你喝起来有咕嘟咕嘟的声音。
  
  LL: Yeah, chug comes from the sound you make when you drink something quickly and all at one time.
  
  LH: 只有在喝冷饮的时候才能够咕嘟咕嘟地快喝。你要喝茶可就不行了。一杯热茶,最好慢慢品尝。 再说, 喝快了也会烫嗓子呀。
  
  LL: I guess you can't really chug a cup of hot tea, but what about a bottle of cool water?
  
  LH: 冷的水当然可以了。只要不是热的,其他饮料都可以一饮而尽嘛。
  
  LL: For me, there is nothing better than chugging a glass of milk right after eating a plate of my mom's chocolate chip cookies.
  
  LH: 瞧把你给谗得!吃完巧克力饼干,你要再喝一大杯牛奶,听起来是真过瘾。
  
  LL: Oh, I love to chug milk! Sometimes I chug milk right out of the bottle in the fridge.
  
  LH: 你从冰箱里拿出装奶的瓶子就喝?连杯子都不用呀?
  
  LL: That's right. But don't tell my mom. She wouldn't be very happy to know I was chugging milk from the bottle in the fridge.
  
  LH: 你真够呛!还让我不要告诉你妈妈。谁看见了都不会高兴的。你这么喝,那别人要喝怎么办呐!Larry, 快把你的饮料喝了吧。 我得去上课了。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是down,意思是狼吞虎咽。还有一个是chug,意思是大口大口地喝,一饮而尽。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#849
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们讲过两个以long,也就是长短的长这个字为主的习惯用语。在这次节目里,我们要给大家介绍两个以长短的短,也就是英文里的short这个字为主的习惯用语。第一个习惯用语是: Short and sweet的意思就是很简短,也很明确,一点废话都没有。大家都知道,sweet这个字的意思是:甜,甜酸苦辣的甜。但是,在 short and sweet这个俗语里,sweet这个字并没有听起来很甜的意思。它只是意味着能够很快地知道说话的人,或写文章的人到底要说什么。下面是一个父亲在说他儿子给父母写的一封信。他说:
  
  例句-1: I got a letter yesterday from my son at college. It was certainly short and sweet. All it said was "Dear Dad/Mom, please send me a hundred dollars right away. Love, your son, Mike."
  
  这位父亲说:我昨天收到我儿子从大学寄来的一封信。这封信可真是简短,全部内容就是:亲爱的爸爸,妈妈,请马上给我寄一百块美元。你们的儿子,麦克。
  
  这样的信对大学生来说是很典型的。现在,有的年轻人恐怕还不写信呢。打电话不是更方便吗。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个short and sweet的例子。这是一个丈夫在工作了一天后回到家里看到他太太给他留的一张简短的条子。他现在在对他的邻居讲话。
  
  例句2: I was really tired after a hard day at the office. But the first thing I saw after I got home was this short and sweet note from my wife. It said: I'm going out to have some fun. Please pick up the kids and get them something to eat.
  
  这位可怜的丈夫说:在办公室忙了一天,我真是很累。可是,一回家首先看到的就是我太太留给我的这张简短的条子。条子上说:我出去玩。请接孩子,给他们吃点东西。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#850
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在来给大家介绍第二个习惯用语。这个习惯用语把长和短这两个对立面都结合在一起。The long and short of it. 这个俗语的意思就是:你把有关某一件事的基本事实和情况都说的很明白了,已经没有必要再说什么了。举例来说吧。一个家庭里的几个孩子都想让爸爸买一辆新车。他们不断地去说服他们的爸爸,把他弄得烦死了。后来,他对孩子们说:
  
  例句3: No, we are not going to buy a new car right now. The old one still runs fine. Besides, the simple truth is we don't have the money and that's the long and short of it.
  
  这个爸爸说:不,我们现在不买新车。那辆老车还挺好用。另外,事实上,我们没有钱去买新车。这就是基本的现实。
  
  买一辆新车是很贵的。当然,这还要看你想买什么样的车。最便宜的就目前的价钱来看也至少要大约一万美元。要买名牌汽车的话,五六万美元是并不是最高的价格。年轻人喜欢的跑车也比一般车要贵。是有一些美国人每隔几年就要换一辆新车,但大多数人恐怕难以做到。
  
  ******
  
  有不少美国大学生都在学校附近找房子住。比如说,两个学生一起租一套两房一厅的公寓房子,然后各人付一半房租。这样个人既有自己的房间,又比较便宜。但是,住在一起也会发生问题和纠纷。下面这个例子就是一个学生在对他合住的同学说话。
  
  例句4: If you want to go on sharing this apartment with me, you've got to stop having parties everyday and playing music loud after midnight. If you think you're not able to observe these rules, you can move out anytime - that's the long and short of it!
  
  这个学生说:要是你想继续跟我一起住在这里的话,你不可以再每天请客、聚会,也不能半夜三更大声放音乐。要是你认为你不能遵守这些规矩的话,那你可以随时搬出去。我已经把话都说清楚了。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#851
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在谈李华教中文的事。李华会学到两个常用语:dumb down和win-win。
  
  LL: So, when you teach first year Chinese you must really have to dumb down the material for the students.
  
  LH: 什么?Dumb down? 这是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: Yeah. To dumb down is to take something difficult and make it easy.
  
  LH:噢,To dumb down就是把难学的教材简化,让学生容易学一点。是啊, 一年级的学生都刚开始学中文, 我必须用简单一些的教材。Larry,dumb就是苯;down就是下降,dumb down这说法是不是有贬义呀?
  
  LL: Well, sometimes you dumb something down because it is really hard, and in those cases, to dumb down doesn't really have a negative sense to it.
  
  LH: 那倒是。把过分复杂的内容简化一些是好的,所以在这种情况下,dumb down确实不应该属于贬义。
  
  LL: Sometimes the person you are trying to teach isn't very smart - and you have to dumb it down so they can begin to understand. In that case, it does have a negative meaning.
  
  LH: 这我太清楚了。有的学生就是教不会,脑子不太聪明,遇到这种情况你也只好一点一点教,从最简单的开始。
  
  LL: Of course - and at work, when I explain the software to people who have never used it, I generally dumb down my instructions so they don't get confused.
  
  LH: 那我跟你办公室的同事差不多。你要教我用新的电脑软件,你非得讲得简单易懂,否则我会糊涂的。就像我教那些脑子不太快的学生一样。
  
  LL: So, you don't have to dumb it down for those bright students?
  
  LH: 教聪敏的学生当然就不需要dumb down我的教材咯!有的学生可真聪敏,一教就会,而且还不需要我每次重复。
  
  LL: That is amazing! If you didn't have to dumb it down, you must be a really good teacher.
  
  LH: 那还用说呀!当然是教导有方了,严师出高徒嘛。 Larry, 我想请你帮个忙, 不知道你能不能教我使用刚买的绘画软件。
  
  LL: Sure, Li Hua, I'd be happy to.
  
  LH: 我刚才说了,我对电脑不太精通。 你可要用简单的词汇来讲解 - You are really going to have to dumb it down for me!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#852
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, Li Hua. Speaking of teaching Chinese, I've got a proposal for you - and I think it is a real win-win situation.
  
  LH: 我知道,win-win situation就是双赢。也就是对双方都有好处。Win就是赢或输的赢。对了,Larry,你要给我提什么建议呀?
  
  LL: Oh, I met someone who studied Chinese years ago and wants to practice their Chinese. I thought you would be a perfect choice to help her out.
  
  LH: 你认识的这个人以前学过中文, 现在想练习中文, 我当然可以帮助她了。不过,如果只是我帮助她,这好像并不是双赢的局面呦。
  
  LL: Well, she is an editor for a magazine, and I thought she could help you by editing your dissertation - and you could help her practice her Chinese. It's a win-win situation for both of you.
  
  LH: 原来如此,她是一个杂志的编辑,可以帮我修改博士论文。 这样,我帮她练习中文,她帮我改论文,这真是一个win-win situation。 谢谢你,Larry, 你知道花钱请人修改论文是很贵的。
  
  LL: As can hiring a Chinese tutor. I am sure my friend will think it's win-win as well.
  
  LH: 当然,请人辅导中文也不便宜。 你把她的电话给我,我和她联系一下。Larry, 我也有一个双赢的建议给你。
  
  LL: Okay, just what is your win-win proposition?
  
  LH: 我刚才不是请你教我使用刚买的绘画软件吗?这个周末给你做顿中国饭怎么样?
  
  LL: Well, I like the idea! You are a great cook and I'm happy to buy the food, and you'll learn how to use the software. A perfect win-win partnership!
  
  LH: 你也是个很棒的双赢夥伴。可是,Larry, 吃完饭后别忘了洗碗。
  
  LL: Me do the dishes, too? That seems a little less win-win to me!
  
  LH:But it's a win-win to me!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dumb down,意思是把教材、讲解等简化,让学的人更容易懂。还有一个常用语是win-win,意思是双赢。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#853
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华都对他们的朋友Dave感到很同情,因为Dave最近刚同他的女朋友分手。李华会学到两个常用语:get a life和happy camper。
  
  LL: Ever since Dave's girlfriend broke up with him, Dave has been staying in his apartment doing nothing but playing video games and eating pizza. He really needs to get a life!
  
  LH: 我也听说了,自从Dave同女朋友分手后他成天灾家里玩电子游戏,什么事也不做。不过,Larry, 你说Dave needs to get a life, 我不太懂,他不是还活着,有生命啊。
  
  LL: Well, when I said Dave needed to get a life I meant Dave needs to stop thinking about his old girlfriend and get on with his normal life.
  
  LH: 我明白了。 你的意思是说他现在的生活不正常,头不梳,脸不洗的,天天只吃pizza。他确实应当设法忘掉那女朋友,振作起来过正常的生活。
  
  LL: Yes. The other day I told one of my co-workers in the office to get a life, too.
  
  LH: 你怎么老是让人get a life? 你的同事又怎么了?
  
  LL: Well, this one person I work with complains all the time. No one ever does anything right, nothing is ever good enough, and she never has anything nice to say.
  
  LH: 这种人我见得多了!他们对什么事都不满意,总是发牢骚。要跟这种人接触多了,你也会被他弄得情绪低落的。
  
  LL: Yeah, she was upset because the chairs around the table in the meeting room were not pushed in. I couldn't believe she was bothered by something so minor, so I told her to get a life.
  
  LH: 椅子没放好, 她也不高兴。 这种人呀,算了吧。让她找点真正有意思的事做。 Larry,我有一个同学也需要get a life。他书不好好地念,可整天泡在酒巴里。
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, at least we know that isn't going to happen to you. You study all the time.
  
  LH: 是啊, 我太用功了,只念书,不休息,也不娱乐, 或许我也应当平衡一下- get a life。
  
  LL: Oh, I wouldn't worry about it, Li Hua. You are doing just fine. I don't think you need to get a life. Li Hua, how about some ice cream?
  
  LH: 不行,我在减肥,不能吃冰淇淋。
  
  LL: Oh, come on, Li Hua, get a life!
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#854
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Have you seen Dave lately, Li Hua? He sure is a happy camper!
  
  LH: 什么?Happy camper,快乐的露营者?
  
  LL: No, no. A happy camper is just someone who is really happy.
  
  LH: 噢,A happy camper指的是很快活的人。Dave现在很快活吗?
  
  LL: Dave got back together with his girlfriend. And ever since then he's been smiling and laughing.
  
  LH: 难怪Dave最近笑口常开,原来和女朋友言归于好了。 我真为他高兴。
  
  LL: I'm a happy camper, too. That woman who was always complaining at work got transferred to another office.
  
  LH: 你办公室那爱发牢骚的同事调走了啦?那太好了。 Larry ,看来你的运气也很不错。
  
  LL: But I feel bad for the people who will be working with her. When they find out how much she complains, they won't be happy campers.
  
  LH: 那倒是,这种人走到哪里,哪里的人就倒霉。我有的时候想,这种爱抱怨的人能不能改变,也成为happy campers。 Larry , 我真希望跟你们一样,也是个happy camper。可惜我有这么多作业要改,高兴不起来。
  
  LL: Hey, I've got an easy way to solve this problem. Just give all your students A's. Then they will all be happy campers.
  
  LH: Larry, 你别出馊主意了, 给每个学生都打满分,他们当然高兴。可是这是欺骗,也不公平,这不是害了他们吗?
  
  LL: Li Hua, what would make you a happy camper?
  
  LH: 那还不简单!就是不改作业。
  
  LL: Well, why don't you put the grading off for a while and let's go get some ice cream. I promise you'll be a happy camper.
  
  LH: 好吧,先不改作业,痛痛快快地吃一碗冰淇淋。.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。 一个是get a life, 意思是改变一下生活的态度或方式。 还有一个是happy camper, 意思是快乐的人。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#855
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们再来给大家讲解两个以short这个字为主的习惯用语。In short order. In short order就是立即,马上的意思。许多美国孩子都不喜欢打扫房间。这也是父母经常训孩子的主题之一。下面这个例子里说话的爸爸倒是找到了一个办法,让他的儿子把房间立即打扫干净。他说:
  
  例句-1: For weeks I've been trying to get Jack to clean up his room. He finally did it in short order today after I told him he wouldn't get his allowance this week until he did.
  
  这位爸爸说:几个礼拜来,我一直催促杰克把自己的房间打扫干净。今天我告诉他,要是他不打扫的话,这个星期就不给他规定的零花钱。这样他总算没有再拖延,马上把房间打扫干净了。
  
  美国那些十几岁的孩子一般都有自己的房间。但是,这些孩子的房间往往都很乱,有的乱得床上,地上都是衣服,连走路的地方都没有。这可能是美国孩子的衣服、书籍和其他东西太多的原因。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。美国的各种机构,特别是学术机构,经常会就某个问题请一些这方面的著名人士来参加讨论会。下面这个例子里讲话的人正在跟他太太说他的准备工作。他说:
  
  例句2: I've gathered all the information I need for my speech at the seminar. I'll be able to have it written in short order. So, don't worry! In fact, there's plenty of time for me to get things ready.
  
  这人说:我在研讨会上发言所需要的材料都已经搜集好了。我马上就可以把发言稿写好。所以,你别担心。事实上,我还有很多时间为这次会议做好准备。
  
  美国的研讨会也有不同的方式。比较普遍的一种方式就是在一个主题上请几个发言的人。在开会的时候,他们坐在台上轮流发表自己的观点,然后坐在台下的听众就可以提出问题,和主讲的人进行交流。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-11#856
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个习惯用语比较长,请大家注意听。To get the short end of the stick. End就是末端,stick就是一根棍子。To get the short end of the stick,作为俗语,它的意思就是:你在某一件事上吃了亏。我们来举一个例子就能说明这个习惯用语的真正含义。有一次,一个朋友工作的公司要举行新年联欢会,每人出五个美元买食品和饮料,大家还推举这位朋友负责为联欢会安排食品供应。联欢会结束后,他拖着疲乏的步伐回到家里对自己的太太说:
  
  例句3: I was so busy taking care of the food during the party. Everybody seemed to be enjoying. But by the time I tried to find something to eat, the only thing left was a handful of peanuts. I sure got the short end of the stick.
  
  这位朋友对太太说:在整个联欢会过程中,我为了安排食品而忙忙碌碌。每个人都似乎在尽情享受。可是等到我想吃点东西的时候,剩下的只有一把花生了。我可真是吃了亏啦。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例子是一个人跟其他两个朋友合夥做生意。但是他最后损失了很多钱。你听了他讲的话就会知道是怎么回事了。他说:
  
  例句4: My two partners and I each put up one-third of the money to start our business. But I was the only one to lend the company more money. So when it went bankrupt, I was left with the short end of the stick.
  
  他说:我跟其他两个合夥者每人拿出三分之一的资金来开办我们的公司。但是,只有我一个人为公司提供了更多的贷款。所以,当这个公司破产的时候,我就吃了亏了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#857
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的两个习惯用语并不是由同样一个关键的字组成的,然而,它们具有相同的意思。也就是诚实,真实等。今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就是:On the level. Level这个字也有好几个解释/在这里可以解释为水平面,on the level就可以说是在水平面之上,是清清楚楚可以看的见的,不是隐蔽。要是说一个人是on the level,那这个人就是很直率的。你可以相信他的话的。
  
  我们来举一个例子。在美国,推销汽车的推销员在人们心目中的形像不是太好的;大多数人认为他们很滑头,会耍花招,骗人。要是他们认为你不懂汽车,特别是一些女的,他们就会更加欺负你。当然,这是一般的印象,他们当中也有诚实的。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: If you plan to buy a new car, I recommend you go to Joe Doakers. My friend Joe is really on the level - he'll give you a fair price, and he'll take good care of the car after you buy it.
  
  这是一个人在对他的朋友说话。他说:要是你准备买新车的话,我建议你去找我的朋友乔.多克斯。乔是很老实的。他会给你很公道的价格。你买了车以后,他也会很好地维护你的车。
  
  ******
  
  上面举的例子是有关买卖交易的,但是on the level也可以用在其他方面。下面这个例子是一个人在对他的朋友说话。
  
  例句2: Bob, we've known each other more than ten years now. I consider you as a very good friend and expect you to be on the level with me. So you really disappoint me by bad-mouthing me among my classmates.
  
  这个人说:鲍博,我们认识到现在已经有十多年了。我把你看作是一个很好的朋友,同时也期望你对我真诚相待。可是,你在我的同学当中说我的坏话。这使我非常失望。
  
  这里顺便说一下,英文名字有的时候会使人感到很混乱,因为有的名字有时会简化,变成跟原来的名字很不相同。上面这个例句子里的Bob就是从Robert这个名字来的。简化了的名字,可以说是非正式的名字,但是也有不少人在正式场合也用简化了的名字。最突出的就是美国总统克林顿。克林顿的正式名字是: William Clinton. 但是,他在签署正式文件的时候也用Bill Clinton, 而不用William Clinton。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#858
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语原来是属于犹太人用的一种语言,但是现在,这个字已经成为美国人常用的语言了。这个字就是:Kosher. 美国是一个由很多移民组成的国家,其中有不少是从东欧移居美国的犹太人。美国人一向很善于借用从世界各地来的移民所使用的语言。Kosher这个字在犹太人用的那种语言中是指犹太人吃的某些食品。这些食品是根据几千年来犹太人宗教法规所规定的方法加工和准备的,因此在他们心目中,这样准备或加工的食品是乾净的。美国人现在经常用 kosher这个字,当然它的意思已经有所变化。美国人在用kosher这个字的时候,它的意思是:可靠、真实、诚实等。下面我们要举的例子是一个哥哥在为妹妹担心。他说:
  
  例句3: This guy who wants to marry Susie claims to be a big businessman back in Chicago. But I'm going to check up on him to see whether he's actually kosher or just lying about himself.
  
  他说:那个要跟苏琦结婚的人声称是芝加哥的一个大商人。但是,我要查一查这个人,看看他是不是真的老实,还是在欺骗他自己的身份。
  
  ******
  
  下面的例子是一个企业的老板在对他的夥计说话,让他们做交易的时候不要跟贩卖毒品的人打交道。他说:
  
  例句4: Whenever you make a deal, check first to make sure that the money you receive is kosher. We don't want anything to do with laundering dirty money with drug dealers. Anything like that would hurt the future of our company.
  
  这老板说:每当你们达成一笔交易的时候,首先要查清楚你收进来钱是不是完全正当的。我们不要跟贩毒品的人进行的洗钱活动有任何关系。这很重要,因为它影响到我们公司的未来。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#859
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry告诉李华他连续几天给他哥哥打电话,可是总也找不到他。 李华会学到两个常用语:phone tag和chit chat。
  
  LL: Argh! I just got my brother's answering machine AGAIN. I've been playing phone tag with him for days.
  
  LH: 你和你哥哥playing phone tag?那是玩什么?有电话有关的游戏吗?
  
  LL: Well, not exactly, but it is like a game of tag.
  
  LH: Game of tag不就是小孩子们玩的捉人游戏吗?就是,大家跑,一个人追。被追到的人再接着去追别人。我们小时候都玩过这个游戏的。
  
  LL: Right. I'll give you an example of how phone tag works. On Monday, I called my brother and left a message on his answering machine. On Monday night, he called me back, but I was out so HE left a message.
  
  LH: 我也碰到过这种情况,上星期我打电话给一个朋友,他不在,我就留了言。他给我回电话的时候,我又不在,所以他留了言。 这样互相留言好几次,谁也找不到对方, 真是像捉迷藏一样。Phone tag这个词太生动了。
  
  LL: Yes, and this game of phone tag with my brother has been going on for three days! I'm getting pretty tired of it.
  
  LH: 你们这样phone tag已经三天了, 你为什么不给他写email,发电子邮件呢?
  
  LL: I know, Li Hua. Next time I call, if I get his answering machine again, I am going to tell him exactly when I am at home. That should solve the phone tag problem.
  
  LH: 对,你告诉他你什么时候在家,让他到时候 打过来就行了。 你还可以给他写email发电子邮件呀。 这可比打电话要省事多了。
  
  LL: That is a good idea, but I like hearing his voice. It makes me feel closer to him, and I really don't mind the phone tag too much.
  
  LH: 那倒也是。通话和写信毕竟不一样。 我虽然也用email,可还是常给我爸爸妈妈打电话。
  
  LL: I guess it would be pretty frustrating and expensive to play a game of long distance phone tag from China.
  
  LH: 一般都是我每个星期在固定的时间打电话回家,因为从中国打到美国价钱比较贵。 So I don't play phone tag with my family.
  
  LL: Maybe I should try that with my brother. I'm sure he is tired of playing phone tag, too.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#860
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你那么急着找你哥哥,有要紧的事吗?
  
  LL: No, not really. I just want to chit chat.
  
  LH: Chit chat是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To Chit Chat is to talk about general things that aren't very important. I don't really have anything specific or urgent to talk about.
  
  LH: Chit Chat就是闲聊。那你和你哥哥平时都闲聊些什么呢?
  
  LL: We chit chat about what is going on at work, what we've been doing for fun lately, and even about the weather.
  
  LH: 嗯,聊工作,生活和天气,看来你们哥俩的关系很不错嘛。 我也喜欢和家人聊天,特别是和我妈妈。
  
  LL: Chit chatting can be pleasant, but some times it can be annoying.
  
  LH: 是啊,有时候聊天不仅没有乐趣反而令人烦恼,就好像昨天我正忙着写论文,我的朋友 Rachel 打电话来和我聊天。
  
  LL: So, did you tell her you didn't have time to chit chat?
  
  LH: 一开始我没好意思告诉他我很忙。 然后聊了一会儿以后我对她说我在忙着写论文呢。
  
  LL: I know Rachel. She really likes to chit chat. Did she get off the phone right away, when you told her you need to work?
  
  LH: Rachel的确很喜欢聊天。我说我要赶快写论文,她还是不挂电话。真拿她没办法。
  
  LL: Well, I have to say, Li Hua, I don't mind chit chatting with you.
  
  LH: 你也喜欢和我聊天?其实我也喜欢和朋友聊天。像现在这样,边喝茶边聊,很放松也很有意思。 当然要作功课的时候就不能chit chat了。
  
  LL: That's right! I think it's time for you to work on your paper, and I need to try to call my brother again.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是phone tag,意思是打电话找人,可是来回好几次,双方还是没讲上话。还有一个常用语是chit chat,意思是闲聊。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#861
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们在这次节目里要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是指真实,可靠。我们已经讲过两个具有同样含义的习惯用语,它们是: On the level and kosher. 我们先来给大家介绍一个非常普遍的习惯用语。有的听众可能已经学过。
  
  这个习惯用语就是: Open and aboveboard. Open这个字用处很多,在这里的意思是公开,aboveboard实际上可以分成两个字来理解,above就是在上面的意思,board是一块板,aboveboard就是在板上。所以,open and aboveboard就是一切都很公开,都放在桌面上,是大家都能看得清楚的。也可以说是一切都是光明正大的。我们来举一个例子吧。
  
  这个例子里说话的人在告诉别人为什么他同意把钱投资在某一个公司。他说:
  
  例句-1: I looked at a lot of places to invest my money. But I decided to invest it in the Jones company. They have a reputation for being open and aboveboard, and I feel my money will be safe in their hands.
  
  这个人说: 为了拿我的钱去进行投资,我查看了好多地方。但是,我决定投资到琼斯公司。他们的名声很好,大家都知道这个公司是光明正大的。我觉得把钱交给他们是安全的。
  
  下面是一个公司股员在说新近参加公司的那位经理。他说:
  
  例句-2: We're very pleased with this new manager. He handles everything open and aboveboard, so we know exactly what he's trying to do. Besides, he listens to our opinions and adopts our suggestions. I think we'll have more drive under him.
  
  这个人说: 我们都很喜欢这个新来的经理。他处理事情总是很清楚、很公开;一切都是光明磊落,所以他想干什么我们都很清楚。另外,他也听取我们的意见、采纳我们的建议。我认为,在他的领导下我们会更有劲头。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#862
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在再给大家讲一个形容老实可靠的习惯用语。这个习惯用语就是:On the up and up. On the up and up跟on the level以及kosher的含义都差不多的。我们现在来举一个例子。这是一个选民在说他准备投谁的票。
  
  例句-3: I think I'll vote for senator Blank again. He's always been on the up and up with us voters - when he makes a promise he does his best to live up to it and men like that are hard to find.
  
  女: 这个选民说:我想我还是会再投布兰克参议员一票的。他对我们这些选民总是很坦诚。凡是他做的保证,他总是尽力做到。像这样的人还很难找。
  
  有些美国人现在对一些当选的政府官员也产生了不满情绪。这是因为在竞选的时候,每个候选人都针对选民的心理和他们所关系的问题做出种种保证。但是,一旦当选,他们就把自己在竞选时做的保证抛在脑后,不顾选民的利益了。当然有的是因为受到某些方面的压力无法实现自己的诺言。
  
  有的人生来就比较轻信别人,容易上当。下面这个例子是一个哥哥在告诉他妹妹不要把每个人看作是正派的、诚实的。这是因为他妹妹受了她男朋友的骗。这个哥哥说:
  
  例句-4: You trust every word of what he said. Then you found out he's already married. He used up all your savings and now he's gone. Mary, don't think everyone is on the up and up with you. There're dishonest people around, got to be careful!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#863
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry今天要和在他们的朋友Jenny一起去钓鱼。李华会学到两个常用语:go ballistic和get a move on。
  
  LH: Jenny怎么这么还不来啊。 我们已经等了20分钟了。 看见她我非和她算账不可。
  
  LL: Hey, calm down Li Hua. Don't go ballistic on Jenny when she gets here, there might be a good reason for her being late.
  
  LH: 你说不要对Jenny怎么样?Ballistic? 我就知道ballistic missile,弹道导弹。
  
  LL: That's different. I said, don't go ballistic. To go ballistic on someone means to get really angry, lose control and start screaming at this person.
  
  LH: 原来你是说不要对Jenny大发脾气, 我当然不会了。我确实讨厌别人迟到,但是我决不会对人大声嚷嚷,礼貌还是要的。
  
  LL: Oh really? What about that time you went ballistic on one of your students in Chinese class?
  
  LH: 那个学生作弊,我当然得训斥了他两句呀!但是,我也没有对他大发雷霆, I didn't go ballistic on him。 要是你,恐怕就会go ballistic了。
  
  LL: Ok, then, what about the time that guy almost hit you with his car, and you were so angry - you definitely went ballistic on him.
  
  LH: 那个人边开车边打电话,差点撞到我和一位老太太。我当然非常生气了。你可以说,我是发脾气了,I did go ballistic on him。 不过那是特别情况。我差一点命都没了。
  
  LL: Didn't you tell me before that you used to go ballistic on your old roommate all the time?
  
  LH: 没错,我以前常跟我的同屋发脾气。 可是你知道,每天我要作功课了,她总是大声放那种摇滚乐,我跟她说了还不听。过了一个月,我实在受不了才对她发脾气的。
  
  LL: Well, I definitely remember I heard you talking to someone in Chinese on the phone the other day, and it sounded to me like you really went ballistic on them.
  
  LH: 你听到我在电话上跟人发火了?那是我表姐。 不过我并没有跟她发脾气呀。你今天是怎么了, 你老是指责我,不断地翻老账。 你要是再没完没了,我就对你不客气了。 I'll be going ballistic on you.
  
  LL: I'm sorry, you're right, I shouldn't tease.
  
  LH: 什么?你这么一 本正经的,原来是在逗我呀。 真气死人了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#864
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, Jenny还没有来, 我们还要等多久啊?
  
  LL: I think we've waited long enough. She must have overslept. Oh well, let's get a move on.
  
  LH: 我肯定她睡过头了。一般她是很准时的。不过Larry,你说get a move on,那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To get a move on means to hurry up, to start going somewhere.
  
  LH: 我明白了。 To get a move on的意思是赶快走。昨天我在上课的路上遇见Jenny, 她说,We had better get a move on,or we'll be late。当时我还不太清楚什么是get a move on。现在才清楚她是让我赶快走,不然就要迟到了。
  
  LL: Right, OK, well, let's get a move on then, it's getting late.
  
  LH: 好吧,噢,Larry,对不起,我把防晒油忘在宿舍里了, 请你等一下。
  
  LL: Don't worry. I have some sunscreen right here. Now come on, it's almost six thirty - we need to get a move on.
  
  LH: 好吧, 那我就用你的防晒油吧。
  
  (Cell phone rings)
  
  LH: 很可能是Jenny打来的电话, 让我来接吧。
  
  LL: (sighs) Oh great!Tell her to get a move on. If she isn't here in five minutes we have to leave.
  
  LH: 对,我们最多只等5分钟, 过期不候。Larry, 要是我和我爷爷去看电影,我想催他赶紧走,能对他说get a move on吗?
  
  LL: No way, that would be rude.
  
  LH: 我也这么想呢! 你要是对长辈说get a move on是不太礼貌。对同年龄的人或年纪比你小的可以这么说,是吗?
  
  LL: Sure, telling someone your own age or younger to get a move on is fine. I remember once when I was waiting in a traffic jam in New York I went ballistic and started yelling at the other cars to get a move on.
  
  LH: 那你不能在纽约开车,纽约堵车是常事。你每次碰到堵车就大喊大叫?叫了也没用。 看来你也太没礼貌了。 刚才居然还批评我。
  
  LL: Hey, there's Jenny, let's get a move on before the fish stop biting.
  
  天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是go ballistic,意思是大发雷霆。另一个常用语是get a move on,意思是赶快走。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#865
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家讲的两个习惯用语是由两个很简单的字组成的。我们先来讲第一个:Ups and downs. 在一般情况下,up 和down都用做副词,但是在这个习惯用语里,它们都是名词,后面都还加上了s , 表示多数。Up的意思就是向上,在上面;down的意思就是向下,或在下面。Ups and downs作为俗语就是指一个人的运气时好时坏,或是在某件事上成功和失败不断循环。换句话说,ups and downs就是起伏、波折。这是每个人都难免会遇到的。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: Mister White sure has had his ups and downs. He's made a fortune three times and then lost it all. But he doesn't have to worry - his wife is rich. When her father died last year, she inherited two million dollars.
  
  这句话的意思是:白先生一生经历了不少起伏。他三次发了财,可是后来又全亏损了。但是,他不用担心,他太太很有钱。去年她爸爸去世的时候,她继承了两百万美元。
  
  ******
  
  虽然碰到起伏波折是常事,但是谁都喜欢万事顺顺当当,不要有波折。这是一个父亲在为自己的女儿担心。
  
  例句2: Carol has had all sorts of ups and downs preparing for her wedding - problems with the wedding gown and so on. Then on the big day, the flowers and the cake didn't arrive on time. She's very upset - these aren't lucky signs for a marriage.
  
  这位父亲说:卡罗尔在为婚礼做准备的过程中遇到许多波折,结婚礼服出了问题,以及其他不顺利的事。举行婚礼的那天,鲜花和蛋糕又没有准时送到。她非常不高兴。这些对婚姻来说都不是好的象征。
  
  美国人的婚礼一般排场很大。要举办一个婚礼大约要在一年前开始准备,从找地点,发请帖一直到新娘定礼服、决定伴娘服、定鲜花、食品饮料、蛋糕等等细节很多。大多数的婚礼首先要举行教堂仪式,然后举行宴会,接着还要跳舞,新郎新娘切蛋糕,大家吃蛋糕等。让人难以理解的是绝大多数费用都是由女家来负担。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#866
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲第二个习惯用语,这个习惯用语跟刚才讲的只差一个字。那就是:Down and out. Down and out就是一个人不仅没有工作、没有钱,而且也没有朋友帮忙。也就是中文里说的穷困潦到。
  
  美国人的生活方式跟中国人的生活方式很不同。他们对理财的观念似乎也跟中国人不一样。也许跟美国历来的经济繁荣有关;美国人往往不在乎借钱。在美国,借钱买东西、出去旅行、装修和美化住房,然后再分期连本带利地还。这是很普遍的作法。下面这个例子是说一个人倒霉的经历。
  
  例句3: Jeff used to have a very good job making enough money for a comfortable life. But he is a big spender and has never saved a penny. Last year, his company went broke and he lost his job. Now he's down and out.
  
  这句话的意思是:杰夫以前有一个很好的工作,收入足够他舒舒服服地过日子。但是,他手脚很大,从来没有攒过一分钱。去年,他的公司破产了,他也丢了工作。现在,他是一贫如洗,什么也没了。
  
  ******
  
  有的人工作很辛苦,但是一直在挣扎。这样的人很受别人的同情。下面这个例子就是在说这样的一个人。
  
  例句4: My friend Daniel has no education so it's hard for him to find a decent job and earn enough money for his family. Right now the poor guy is really down and out . I hope his children will help him out when they start working.
  
  这句话的意思是:我的朋友丹尼尔没有受过教育,所以很难找到一个像样的工作,有足够的钱来养家活口。现在,可怜的旦尼尔真是处于穷困潦到的境况。但愿他的孩子开始工作后可以帮他一点忙。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#867
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在看篮球比赛,交战的一方是姚明所属的休士顿火箭队,另一方是迈阿密的热火队。李华会学到两个常用语:classic和go for it。
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua, did you see that shot by Yao Ming? Now, that was classic!
  
  LH: 看到了,姚明的投篮真是一流的!你说that was classic!就是这个意思吧。
  
  LL: Yes, classic means something that is really good or especially well done.
  
  LH: 要是姚明的队能赢就太好了。 It will be classic。
  
  LL: I'm not sure that they will. Did you see that Miami Heat player steal the ball? Now that was a classic move!
  
  LH: 迈阿密热火队虽然抢到了球,这并不保证他们就会赢呀!你看,姚明队的队员紧紧地盯着对方,他们根本没有机会投篮。哎, 你看哪!火箭队的吉祥物火箭熊跑到比赛场上来了?
  
  LL: That is really funny! That is just classic.
  
  LH: 火箭熊在场上干扰比赛,你还说是classic。 不是说classic是好事吗,这有什么好的呢?
  
  LL: Oh, things that are classic are good. Clutch the Bear is doing a good job as a mascot. His prank is well-done and that is why it is classic.
  
  LH: 原来火箭熊是出来表演! 火箭熊玩的把戏倒是很精彩,真是一流的。哎, 说到可笑的事情,你听过 Bob的笑话吗?
  
  LL: Oh, yeah, Bob has so many jokes and almost everyone of them, I should say, is classic.
  
  LH: 是啊, 不知道他哪儿来的那么多笑话。每个笑话都很妙,有的时候笑得我肚子都痛了。
  
  LL: I remember sometimes you laughed so hard that you cried, Li Hua. Now, I have to say, your response was classic.
  
  LH: 有的时候我真的笑得肚子都痛了。 可这有什么好不好的?
  
  LL: Of course, it showed you have a great sense of humor.
  
  LH: 那倒是,有的人对笑话毫无反应。Hey, look, Larry, 迈阿密热火队领先了!
  
  LL: Whoooooo-eeeeeee! Alright! Awesome!
  
  LH: Wow, Larry, 我要是有相机一定把你站在沙发上乱蹦的样子拍下来,
  
  Now that would be classic!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#868
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Look at Yao Ming setting up his free throw. He is really taking too much time. He should just go for it.
  
  LH: 轮到姚明罚球了。你说姚明应当Go for it? 这是什么意思呢?
  
  LL: Oh, to go for it means to do something without thinking too much about it and ignoring the risks. Yao Ming should just take his free throw and get on with the game.
  
  LH: 我明白了, go for it的意思是不要犹豫不决、要全力以赴。姚明罚球是有点不紧不慢的,不过这是他的风格呀。太快了,可能投不中。糟糕!姚明罚球没中!
  
  LL: That's too bad. Say, speaking of going for it, I hear you are thinking of applying for a full-time teaching job.
  
  LH: 是啊,我打算申请一个全职的教师工作,不过还没有最后决定呢。
  
  LL: I think you should go for it, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 我知道应该去争取, 可是那个工作在外州, 一想到搬家我就头痛。
  
  LL: But if you don't go for it, you may never know if the job is good or not.
  
  LH: 这我也知道, 要不做那个工作就永远也不知道这工作好不好。不过,我也不想搬到外州后,万一不理想再搬回来。
  
  LL: That is just one of the chances you have to take when you go for it.
  
  LH: 当然任何事情都有风险,找工作也一样。
  
  LL: Li Hua, sometimes when you go for it, good things happen.
  
  LH: 积极找工作有时会有好的结果?万一工作不满意怎么办?
  
  LL: Well, my friend Bob saw a posting for a job he was interested in and decided to go for it. But his boss didn't want to see him go and gave him a really big raise.
  
  LH: Bob真走运。 老板听见他要走就给他加工资。 我要碰到这种老板,那该多好呀!
  
  LL: I think you should apply for that teaching job. You really should go for it!
  
  LH: 让我想想再说。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是classic, 意思是优秀的、一流的。还有一个是go for it意思是不犹豫、全力争取。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#869
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当一个人正在做坏事的时候被人家发现,这个人就会感到很难堪。今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是形容这种局面的。我们先来讲第一个:To get caught with one's hand in the cookie jar. Cookie就是饼乾,甜点心。Cookie jar就是放这些饼乾点心的罐子。To be caught with one's hand in the cookie jar从字面上来解释,它的意思就是:当一个人的手正在点心罐子里的时候被人发现了。
  
  以前许多美国妇女总是为孩子们做一些点心放在罐子里。但是,为了不让孩子吃的太多,妈妈往往把罐子藏在柜子顶上。这样孩子就不容易拿到。可是,有的孩子会爬到椅子上,去罐子里偷点心。要是妈妈突然走进厨房,那就被当场发现。这就是to be caught with one's hand in the cookie jar。现在,这个俗语已经用得非常普遍,只要是一个人在做不该做的事的时候被人当场抓到都可以用这个习惯用语来形容。我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在说某个邮局的雇员。
  
  例句-1: It's too bad what happened to her, but it's her own fault. One day they caught her with her hand in the cookie jar; she was stealing stamps for personal use and she was fired on the spot.
  
  这个人说:这件事对她来说是太不幸了,但是这也是她自己不好。有一天,正当她在偷邮票给她自己用的时候被人当场抓着。她立即就被解雇了。
  
  ******
  
  美国的电脑非常普遍。许多家庭也都有个人用的电脑。在办公室里,每个人都有自己的暗号,用了暗号才能打开自己的电脑。下面这个例子是一个人说他的同事偷看他的电脑。
  
  例句2: Tom was caught with his hand in the cookie jar when he was sitting at my computer desk reading my files last night. He admitted he stole my code a month ago and tried to find out what I wrote in the outline for the new project.
  
  这人说:昨天晚上,汤姆坐在我的电脑桌子前偷看我电脑里的材料的时候被我当场抓到。他承认,他一个月前偷了我的暗号,想知道我为那个新的工程写的大纲里有些什么内容。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#870
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的习惯用语所描写的情况要比小偷小摸被人发现更严重。这从字面上就可以显示出来。这个习惯用语就是:To be caught with one's pants down. Pants就是人们穿的裤子。因此,按字面来解释,to be caught with one's pants down就是一个人在裤子掉下来的情况下被人发现。作为俗语,它的意思就是当一个人正在做坏事,做可耻的事的时候被人发现了。下面这个例子是一个电台新闻记者报导有关一个市政府官员在做坏事的时候被人发现。这位记者说:
  
  例句3: The road commissioner was arrested today for taking a bribe from the contractor he hired to build the new highway. He was caught with his pants down, on video tape showing him accepting the money.
  
  他说:那个负责公路的专员今天被逮捕,因为他接受一名营造商的贿赂。那是他雇用来建造那条新公路的营造商。他在接受钱的时候被人录像录了下来,当场抓住。
  
  ******
  
  英国电影男明星休.格兰特最近发生的一件事最能说明to be caught with one's pants down这个俗语的意思。这是一个人在谈论这件事。
  
  例句4: Actor Hugh Grant was caught with his pants down when he was having sex with a prostitute in the back of his car. He was arrested by Los Angeles police and the media made a fuss of it. I really feel sorry for him.
  
  这人说:当英国电影演员休.格兰特跟一个妓女在他的汽车后座发生性关系的时候当场被人抓住。洛山矶的警察逮捕了他,新闻界大肆宣扬。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#871
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

夏天的时候,Larry和李华开车去海边玩。李华会学到两个常用语:jazzed和to catch some waves。
  
  LL: Li Hua, I am really jazzed about this trip to the beach.
  
  LH: Jazz不是爵士乐吗?我们去海边跟爵士乐有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: You are right, but by Jazzed I mean to be really excited. I am really looking forward to spending some time at the beach today.
  
  LH: 我知道了,Jazzed的意思是很兴奋。其实我也挺高兴的,不过我想知道有什么事情让你这么兴奋呢?
  
  LL: There are three reasons. First, I am really jazzed to not be working! I have been working really hard on a project for my boss, and it is really nice to have some time off.
  
  LH: 对,你为你老板的那个项目花了一个月的时间,现在完成了当然要放松一下喽。不用上班,这个理由很成立,另外两个理由呢?
  
  LL: Second, I am very jazzed about trying out my new surf board and riding some waves.
  
  LH: 你想试试你新买的冲浪板。那也合理,你那新的冲浪板真是很漂亮。要我是你,I would be very jazzed, too. 不过呢,我只想躲在阳伞下面看书。
  
  LL: I don't see how you can get jazzed about reading a book, Li Hua.
  
  LH: Oh, Larry, 你喜欢冲浪,我喜欢看书。各人的兴趣不同嘛。
  
  LL: I guess that is what makes the world interesting! I get really jazzed about playing Frisbee at the beach, too.
  
  LH: 在沙滩上扔飞盘,那有什么好玩的?那是小孩玩的东西。
  
  LL: Remember what you said, Li Hua? Different people get jazzed about different things.
  
  LH: 没错,没错,我是说过。
  
  LL: Remember, the guy in our English class really get jazzed about flying kites. We should have asked him to come to the beach with us today.
  
  LH: 对了,忘了邀请他一起来了。你不是说有三个理由让你兴奋吗?
  
  LL: Yes, the third reason is that I am jazzed to be spending some time with one of my favorite friends. And that would be you, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 第三个理由是跟像我这样的好朋友一起出游让你感到兴奋。Larry,你的嘴可真甜呐。不过,我还是谢谢你的好意。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#872
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, now that I've put on some sun screen, Li Hua, I am going to go catch some waves.
  
  LH: Catch some waves? 你能抓到海浪吗?
  
  LL: Ha, ha. I don't mean with my arms. To catch some waves- WAVES, means to ride some waves on your surfboard.
  
  LH: Oh, 我明白了, 你是要去冲浪。 不过,今天的浪不太,即使是用新的冲浪板也不好冲哟。
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. It isn't the best day to catch waves. The waves aren't very big, but I can at least try out my new surfboard by catching some little waves.
  
  LH: 不管是大浪还是小浪, 反正有浪就行了。Go and catch your waves。我在这里看我的书。
  
  LL: Oh, come on Li Hua, why don't you come out and catch some waves with me?
  
  LH: 我不知道怎么冲浪,我从来没有试过。
  
  LL: Catching waves isn't hard, Li Hua. I can show you how.
  
  LH: Okay, 那我去试试。不过, 你知道我有点紧张。
  
  LL: Oh, it will be fine, Li Hua. Let's go catch some waves.
  
  (Ocean/splashing sounds)
  
  LH: 我们已经在水里了,那怎么冲浪呢?
  
  LL: First, you hold on to the surfboard like this. And then you wait for a wave to catch. When a big wave comes along, you stand up on the surfboard and ride it.
  
  LH: 我来试试。 把冲浪板拿好, 然后海浪一来,就站到冲浪板上。噢,我的天啊, 大浪来了!
  
  LL: Okay, Li Hua, try to stand up. Good job, you caught your first wave!
  
  LH: Wheeeee, 我第一次冲浪成功了!
  
  LL: See, I told you catching some waves isn't hard.
  
  LH: 冲浪是不难。 Larry,我们再来一次吧。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是jazzed, 意思是令人兴奋,还有一个是catch some waves, 意思是海上冲浪。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#873
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家都知道,各行各业的人在跟同行业的人讲话时都有一些专门的行业术语。不管是医生,律师还是警察都有他们圈子内用的特殊词汇。这里讲的并不是指各行业的技术词汇,而是指他们如何把人们日常用的语言用到他们的行业里,使它们具有特殊的意义。举一个例子来说吧。美国的公共汽车驾驶员把他们驾驶的公共汽车叫做驴子,不在他们行业里的人就不一定听得懂。当然,有的行业俗语一般人也经常用。
  
  我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语就是一个例子。To touch base. To touch就是碰,或者是接触。Base就是基地,或基础。To touch base作为一个俗语,它的意思就是把某一件事的情况告诉有关的人。这个习惯用语是来自美国的棒球运动。但是,它已经成为一个常用语了。意思是跟有关人员进行联系。下面的例子是一个银行负责人在跟一个要借钱的店主在讲话。
  
  例句-1: Mister Lee, you have a good credit record and I think we can okay the loan. But I do have to touch base with the head of our loan department for his okay. I'll try to phone you tomorrow.
  
  这个银行负责人说:李先生,你在借贷方面信用很好。我想我们能够同意你贷款的要求。但是,我们还需要本行贷款部负责人的同意,所以还得跟他联系一下。我明天再给你打电话。
  
  ******
  
  To touch base虽然在商业界用的很多,但是一般人也经常用。凡是一个人认为有必要跟其他有关的人互通一下情况,使大家都知道这件事的进展和计划,就可以用to touch base来表示。下面这个例子是几个朋友准备一起去旅游,但是日期和路线还没有定。负责安排这次旅行的人在对其他成员说:
  
  例句2: There are several thing we can't decide right now. Mary has to know if her husband wants to join us and I need to consult my wife as to when I can start the trip. Anyway, I'll touch base with you all when I have these answers.
  
  这个人说:我们还有几个问题不能马上决定。玛丽得知道她丈夫是不是要参加我们的旅行。我得跟我太太商量什么时候我才能够动身。不管怎么样,等到我有了答案我会跟你们大家联系的。
  
  美国人非常喜欢旅行,旅行已经成为他们生活的一部份了。特别是到了夏天,出外旅行的人更是多。有的人到国外去旅行,有的在国内旅行。不少人还喜欢长途开车,沿着安排好的路线一路欣赏风光。在美国,你可以租一辆旅游车,在车里可以睡觉,还可以做饭。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#874
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第二个习惯用语是当前非常时髦的说法。在一般情况下,我们要是说:吃午饭,那就是:To eat lunch, or to have lunch together.可是,现在不少参加工作的人不说to eat lunch, 而说:To do lunch. Do lunch这个 do是有一定含义的。To do就是做一件事。To do lunch就是表示这顿午饭不是仅仅在一起吃午饭、聊天,而是有正经的事情要讨论。下面是一个例子。这是一个人在马路上碰到一个朋友,他说:
  
  例句3: Charley, good to see you! Say, let's do lunch next week - I have some new ideas I want you to hear. I'll give you a ring tomorrow to set a date.
  
  这人对他的朋友说:查利,见到你很高兴。喂,下星期我们一起吃午饭吧。我有些新的想法想讲给你听听。我明天给你打个电话约一个日子。
  
  To do lunch这个说法参加工作的人用的比较多,因为他们往往会利用一起吃午饭的机会讨论一些工作上的问题。一般不工作的人,如家庭妇女就不太会用这种说法。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个工程设计人员遇到很多问题,所以很着急。他正在打电话给他的朋友Peter。
  
  例句4: Peter, I'm afraid I can't finish the design before the deadline. There are simply too many problems that need to be solved. Let's do lunch today - I desperately need to hear your views.
  
  他说:比得,我怕我在限期内不能完成这项设计了。要解决的问题实在是太多了。我们今天一起吃午饭吧。我非常想听听你的看法。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#875
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 Larry和李华打算乘火车去Larry家玩。Larry家住在纽约郊区。 Larry和李华还打算去纽约市旅游。李华会学到两个常用语:do the math和know the drill。
  
  LL: Okay, Li Hua, I don't know how we are going to do the sightseeing and also spend time with my family. I mean, you do the math - how is it going to work?
  
  LH: Do the math? 这很好算嘛。我们有四天时间,24小时乘以4等于96个小时 。我们总共有96个小时。
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, I guess I didn't mean for you to actually do the math. When I said "you do the math," I meant something like "you think about it."
  
  LH: 原来你说"do the math",意思是考虑一下,不是真的要我算。Larry,是你请我到你家去,还要到纽约玩, 你应该考虑呀 - You should do the math。另外,去纽约玩要花多少钱呢?我这个当老师的可没有很多钱啊。
  
  LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. I've done the math. We'll save a lot of money by staying at my parent's house. Plus they will feed us.
  
  LH: 能住在你父母家就太好了,可以省很多钱。 Larry,你知道我是穷学生,凡事都要精打细算才行。I have to do the math all the time。
  
  LL: You know that is very smart. My younger brother could really have learned something from you.
  
  LH: 你弟弟向我学习?我有什么好学的呢?
  
  LL: Well, when he moved out and got his first job, he really didn't do the math. He ended up needing help from my parents, because he wasn't making enough money.
  
  LH: 你弟弟真傻,第一次拿到工资就觉得自己很有钱,要搬出去住。他肯定没想到房租那么贵。你弟弟现在怎么样了?
  
  LL: Yes, he is now making very good money waiting tables at a restaurant.
  
  LH: 我也听说餐馆服务员收入不少。
  
  LL: In one hour he might wait on ten tables. If each table tips him between five and ten dollars。Well, you do the math.
  
  LH: 每小时服务十桌客人,每桌客人给5块或是10块美元的小费。哟,你弟弟一个小时就能挣50到100美元。 看来,我也改行作服务员算了。
  
  LL: No, Li Hua. You are definitely meant to be a teacher. He's making what seems like a lot now, but in the long term - if you do the math - I think you'll be doing better in the end.
  
  LH: 从长远来看,我以后会挣得比你弟弟多?但愿如此。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#876
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Okay, Li Hua, we're now at the subway station. You know the drill. Have your ticket ready ...
  
  LH: 地铁票?我有呀。 Larry,你刚才说: You know the drill, 这是什么意思啊? Drill不是一种工具吗?
  
  LL: Well, a drill is a tool。But a drill can also be a routine. Knowing the drill is knowing a routine - it is knowing how things are done.
  
  LH: 噢,to know the drill就是知道一件事该怎么作。我当然知道怎么坐纽约地铁了。先要买票,然后把票放进自动检票机,否则就进不去。对吗?
  
  LL: That's good. But do you know the drill when it comes to taking a taxi in the city? We have to do that next.
  
  LH: 什么?我们下了地铁还要打的?我可没有在纽约打过的, 我是随时拦车呢,还是要到指定的街口等呀? I really don't know the drill。
  
  LL: That's OK, Li Hua. I'll teach you what you need to do - then you'll know the drill.
  
  LH: 我是得学学。我在纽约人生地不熟的。 没有你,我一定很紧张。
  
  LL: Yeah, it can be very disconcerting when you are in an unfamiliar place and don't know the drill.
  
  LH: 是呀,在不熟悉的地方有时心里是很不安。我刚来的时候不知道怎么乘公共汽车,有一次差点走丢了。
  
  LL: But now you are an expert. No one would say you don't know the drill now!
  
  LH: 当然了, 不过我也不是什么都知道, 还要向你多多请教。Larry,我们这是去哪里呀?
  
  LL: Oh, the usual places in New York City. You know the drill: go see the Statue of Liberty, go see a play on Broadway, and then go eat in Chinatown.
  
  LH: 对,到纽约来玩的人都是去这几个地方, I know the drill。先去自由女神像, 然后接着去百老汇看戏,然后去唐人街吃饭。
  
  LL: I'm glad you are excited about eating in Chinatown. Because when it comes to ordering in Chinese, I really don't know the drill.
  
  LH: 这你放心,Larry。 你不会点菜,我来点。 I know the drill 。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是do the math,意思是考虑、算计一下。另一个是know the drill,也就是说知道怎么作某件事情。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#877
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的两个习惯用语里都有一个关键的字。那就是:feather. Feather就是鸟身上的羽毛。既然羽毛跟鸟有关系,那末我们就先来讲一个和鸟有直接关系的习惯用语。Birds of a feather. Bird就是鸟,后面加一个s就是指多数,或者是各种类的鸟。同样种类的鸟一般身上都有相同的羽毛。这就是 birds of a feather的字面含义。在用做俗语的时候,birds of a feather是指人,而不是指鸟了。Birds of a feather的意思是:各种特性很相同的人。这跟中文里说的:物以类聚,人以群分的意思很相似。Birds of a feather这个俗语经常是含贬意的。
  
  下面就是一个例子,这是一个爸爸在担心他儿子经常结交的朋友。
  
  例句-1: I wish our boy wouldn't hang around with that crowd! They're birds of a feather - they don't care about getting a job; all they do is drink beer and chase girls.
  
  他说:我希望我儿子不会跟那群孩子经常混在一起。他们都属于一个类型,对于有没有工作根本不在乎;他们所关心的就是喝啤酒和找女孩子。
  
  美国的家长也很担心自己的孩子结交的朋友;生怕孩子受到坏影响,从而走上歧途。在现实生活中,由于朋友的影响而走上犯罪道路的人也不是少见的。
  
  ******
  
  每个人身处在一个集体当中的时候都会发现跟某些人合得来,跟某些人合不来。下面是一个公司的雇员在跟一个朋友说公司里的事。
  
  例句2: I've worked in this office for a couple of years and I can get along with all my colleagues except two. One is able to lie with a straight face and the other likes to play sneaky tricks. They're really birds of a feather.
  
  这个人说:我已经在这个办公室工作了两年,除了两个人以外我跟所有的同事都相处得很好。那两个人,一个骗起人来脸不变色。另一个人喜欢搞阴谋诡计,他们真是一路货。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#878
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来给大家讲解一个以feather这个字为主的习惯用语。有些鸟用别的鸟脱下来的毛来铺垫自己的鸟巢,使得自己的巢既暖和又舒适。我们要讲的第二个习惯用语就是从这种现象而来的。To feather one's own nest. Feather在这里是用做动词。Nest就是鸟巢,因此从字面来解释,to feather one's own nest就是用羽毛来铺垫自己的巢。在说到人的时候,to feather one's own nest就是先考虑自己个人的利益,而把别人的利害放在次要的地位上。To feather one's own nest一般是用来形容那些假公济私,不顾公众利益的政府官员。下面这个例子是一个电台记者在说一个大城市的市长。
  
  例句3: The newspapers are really after the mayor - they've dug up some evidence he's feathering his own nest by taking money under the table from companies doing work for the city government.
  
  这个记者报导说:各家报纸的报导确实都是针对市长的。它们发现了一些证据,证明他偷偷地从那些为市政府工作的公司那里接受贿赂。
  
  在美国的官员中也有贪污、腐败、违法乱纪的。但是,一旦他们被揭露,不管官职大小他们都会受到法律的制裁。当然,美国的司法过程还是相当复杂和烦琐的。这也是为了避免冤枉好人。
  
  ******
  
  美国公众对政府官员越来越感到失望,但是这也不能一概而论。下面这个例子是一个选民在表彰他们州的州长。他说:
  
  例句4: Our governor is a very compassionate man. He and his wife even donated their own private money to fund a shelter for homeless people. He's totally different from those politicians who only want to feather their own nests.
  
  这个人说:我们的州长是一个非常有同情心的人。他和他的夫人甚至把自己的钱捐了很多给一个收容无家可归的人的机构。他跟那些只想图自己利益的政客是完全不同的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#879
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在谈论他们的朋友Dave。 Dave的老板刚刚给他加了一大笔工资。李华今天要学会两个新的习惯用语,live large和a hoot.
  
  LL: It is a good thing that Bob got such a big raise. He likes to live large!
  
  LH: Live是生活,你说live large那是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: By living large, I mean Bob likes to buy expensive things, wear the best clothes, and eat out at fancy restaurants.
  
  LH: 谁不喜欢那样生活奢侈呀?买贵的东西、穿最好的衣服、下高级饭馆?I like to live large too。
  
  LL: Right. And Bob does live large. The minute after he heard about his new raise, Bob went out and bought a brand new Mercedes.
  
  LH: Wow,他可真够大手大脚的,钱还没拿到手就已经花出去了。 一辆Mercedes至少要几万美金吧。不过,喜欢live large的人还挺多。教我英国文学的史密斯教授最近买了一座豪宅,里面有六个卧室, 四个洗澡间,还有一个马厩。
  
  LL: Wow, maybe someday, I'll be able to live large, too.
  
  LH: 我不知道你, 反正我是没有希望了, 靠教中文这点收入连做梦也不会live large.
  
  LL: I don't earn that much at my job either. I will need more than one big raise to be able to live large. I'll need several raises!
  
  LH: 要加薪好多次才能过上奢适的生活, 那要等到什么时候啊。 不过Larry,过不上那种日子也没关系,我并不羡慕那种生活。
  
  LL: What do you mean? You don't want to live large?
  
  LH: 生活奢适是要付出代价的, 比如,保养和维修奔驰车要花很多钱。 大房子也要费时间打扫。
  
  LL: Those are good points, but it sure is fun to dream about living large.
  
  LH: 过不了那种生活光是梦想有什么好玩的呀! Larry,如果你有了钱,可以挥霍地生活, 你想作什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, I would first buy my own private jet.
  
  
  LH: 买一架私人飞机? That would be living large.
  
  LL: And then I would fly my jet to my own private island in the Caribbean.
  
  LH: 你还想开着飞机到自己在加勒比海买的一个岛上去!你真是在做梦!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#880
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I loved your reaction when I told you I wanted to buy my own private island in the Caribbean. It was a hoot!
  
  LH: "A hoot"是猫头鹰的叫声。你说我刚才的反映是猫头鹰的叫声?你这是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: No, that's not what I meant. You looked so amazed I thought it was really funny. Something that is really funny is a hoot.
  
  LH: 我刚才听你说要买一个私人岛屿是让我非常惊讶!想像你在加勒比海的私人海滩上悠闲地喝着果汁,那情景很可笑的哟。
  
  LL: Say, you know what else was a real hoot? Did you see that show on the comedy channel last night?
  
  LH: 你是指昨天晚上那喜剧节目频道播出的节目吗?我当然看了。
  
  LL: Yes! Wasn't it the funniest thing you have ever seen? I thought it was such a hoot.
  
  LH: 我也觉得很有趣。 有个人模仿总统,模仿的真好笑。 都快把我笑死了。 He was a hoot!
  
  LL: Hey, I hadn't really thought about this before, but doesn't our friend Bob look like the guy who impersonated the president?
  
  LH: 是啊, 模仿总统的人很像我们的朋友Bob 。真有趣 - What a hoot!
  
  LL: Speaking of Bob, did I tell you that he took me out for a drive in his new Mercedes?
  
  LH: Bob开着崭新的奔驰车带你去兜风了? 下回我也要让他带我去兜风。
  
  LL: Well, you wouldn't believe what happened. We were stopped behind a garbage truck at a stoplight when all of the sudden the truck dumped trash into the Mercedes all over me and Bob!
  
  LH: 什么, 垃圾车突然把垃圾倒出来,把你和Bob弄得全身都是垃圾?Larry,那卡车司机把你们当成了垃圾场了。 这真可笑 - It's really a hoot!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是live large,意思是生活挥霍。还有一个是hoot,意思是可笑、有趣。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#881
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经讲过两个以feather这个字为主的习惯用语。我们今天再来给大家讲两个以feather这个字为主的习惯用语。第一个是:As light as a feather. Light这个字有好几个解释,在这里是用做形容词。意思是:轻,也就是份量很轻的轻。Feather就是羽毛。羽毛的份量确实是很轻的。As light as a feather那末顾名思义就是:像羽毛那样轻。我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在说他当天所碰到的事。
  
  例句-1: While I was on my way to the law office at noon, the girl who was walking in front of me suddenly fainted because of the heat. Since she is as light as a feather, I had no problem in carrying her all the way to the hospital.
  
  这个人说:今天中午在我去律师事务所的路上,那个走在我前面的女孩子由于天太热而突然晕倒了。因为她的身体非常轻,所以我一口气就把她背到了医院,一点也不感到累。
  
  ******
  
  As light as a feather可以形容各式各样的东西。拿食品来说吧,有的很油腻,有的很清淡。下面是一个人在说他妈妈做的蛋糕。
  
  例句2: My mother is a very good baker, she is well known among our relatives and friends. Oh, you should have tasted the white chocolate cake she made last week. It's not that sweet and is as light as a feather.
  
  这个人说:我的母亲在烤蛋糕方面是个能手。我们的亲戚朋友都知道。哎呀,你真是应该尝尝上星期她做的白巧克力蛋糕。那蛋糕不是太甜,非常清淡。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#882
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来讲一个以feather这个字为主的习惯用语。几百年以前,英国的贵族以及其他身价很高的人喜欢在帽子上插上羽毛,以显示自己的重要性。我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语就是来自这种习惯。A feather in one's cap. A feather in one's cap作为习惯用语,它的意思就是某人取得的成就,值得嘉奖的象征。当然,现在已经很少有人再在帽子上插上羽毛了。实际上,带帽子的人也已经很少了。可是,这个说法依然是经常用的。我们来举一个例子吧。这是一个爸爸在电话上祝贺他女儿取得的荣誉。
  
  例句3: Sally, that's wonderful news, you getting elected to Phi Beta Kappa! We are so proud of you, honey. Not many students get this honor - it's certainly a feather in your cap!
  
  这个爸爸很激动地说:莎利,你被挑选为PhBK联谊会的成员,这个消息真是太好了。亲爱的,我们真是为你感到骄傲。不是很多学生能够被选上的。这实在是你的一个很大的荣誉。
  
  美国的大学里有一些荣誉组织,只有优秀的学生才能参加,其中之一就是Phi Beta Kappa,简称就是:PhBK学生联谊社。PhBK学生联谊社每年吸收大学四年级学生当中最优秀的学生为成员。一般都要首先由教授推荐,经过联谊社的批准才能加入。PhBK学生联谊社发给每个成员一个金钥匙,可以别在衣服上以表示学术方面的成就。
  
  ******
  
  美国中小学教师的工作也是很辛苦的。同时,各方面对中小学教育的水准批评甚多。这就更加重了对教师的压力。可是,尽管如此,还是有不少教师兢兢业业地工作,了解每个学生的情况,做出了很大的成就。下面就是一个被选为当年最佳教师的人在发表感想。
  
  例句4: I like my work as a teacher and I enjoy working with the kids. True, I worked very hard for the past year, but I certainly didn't expect to be elected best teacher of the year. It's really a feather in my cap!
  
  他说:我很喜欢教师的工作,我也很喜欢和孩子们在一起。是的,我去年工作很努力,不过,我并没有期望被选为今年的最佳老师。这对我来说实在是很大的荣誉。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#883
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在谈论州长竞选的问题。 李华会学到两个常用语toast和wiggle room。
  
  LL: If the Governor doesn't change his education policies, Li Hua, I think he is toast.
  
  LH: 你说什么? 要是州长不改变他的教育政策,他就会怎么呐?Toast不是烤面包吗?我想这肯定是一种比喻, 不过,He is toast究竟是什么意思呢?
  
  LL: When I said "toast" I meant that he would be finished or done for. Basically, I think he will lose the election.
  
  LH: 噢, He is toast就是他没有希望了,完了。 Toast这个说法很生动。就像烤面包一样, 面包烤好了就会被弹出来, 政府官员落选就像面包被弹出来一样。
  
  LL: That is exactly right.
  
  LH: 我们州的这位州长政绩不错,希望他能当选连任。 I hope he's not toast.
  
  LL: Well, I'll agree with you that the Governor is very effective in many ways. But after he decided to raise taxes, most Americans were pretty dissatisfied. He's toast, I tell you.
  
  LH: 我认为他不会落选。你不是也认为州长在各方面都很有效率吗?增加税收也是为了改善教育呀。我倒觉得他的竞选对手不行,他既不诚实,也税收方面也没有什么好主意。
  
  LL: I can see you and I aren't going to agree on this. Good friends shouldn't talk about politics. We don't want our friendship to be toast!
  
  LH: Larry, 你说的没错,再谈政治我们两个非成为仇人不可。 我们换个话题吧。你最近好像很忙, 在忙什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, since you asked, Li Hua, if I don't finish the budget report I am working on by Thursday, then I am toast!
  
  LH: 什么?你要在星期四以前完成预算报告。今天已经星期三了。看来你是要完了。我要是你,今天无论如何不睡觉也要把报告写出来。
  
  LL: That is the best way to avoid being toast. Say, Li Hua, what about you?Don't you need to turn in a chapter from your dissertation to your advisor?
  
  LH: 没错,琼斯教授说了我非得在月底以前把我论文的第一章交给他,不然就算我这学期不及格。那我就完了。Then I'm toast.
  
  LL: You *will* be toast, Li Hua. You won't be able to look for a job next year, and I know your parents will be very unhappy.
  
  LH: 就是呀,书没念好,父母不高兴,我就真的完了。I will be toast!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#884
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Did you see the candidates' debate last night, Li Hua? The Governor really didn't leave himself any wiggle room on the tax issue.
  
  LH: Wiggle room? Wiggle有摇动,摆动的意思。 Room是房间。你说州长在房间里说话的时候摇来摆去?
  
  LL: No, I meant that on the issue of taxes he left himself very little room to shift his position later.
  
  LH: 你是说他在辩论税收问题的时候没有给自己留下回旋的余地。他都说了什么呢?
  
  LL: He promised during the debate that if he was reelected he would not raise taxes.
  
  LH: 他说当选后不会提高税收?他实在不应当作出这个承诺。 如果遇到自然灾害、战争或是经济恶化,政府怎么能不提高税收呢?
  
  LL: You are exactly right. I can see he didn't leave himself any wiggle room there. Say, Li Hua, how is your dissertation chapter coming?
  
  LH: 我的博士论文写得怎么样了?哎,说起来很惭愧,我一直没有时间写。 时间表排得满满的,没有一点回旋的余地。
  
  LL: I know how that is, Li Hua. I am going to be working on my budget project right up until the last minute. I haven't left myself much wiggle room, either.
  
  LH: 我看你是得赶紧写那预算报告,要能在最后一分钟写出来就算你运气。 我这星期一定得写完论文第一章。下学期我想减少教书的时间,这样就会有多一点的时间来写论文了。
  
  LL: While having some wiggle room in your schedule is a good thing, are you worried about losing some of your income?
  
  LH: 是啊,少教些书是会让我有更多时间,不过我也担心收入就会减少。
  
  LL: I'm not very good at sticking to a budget. I always like to have some wiggle room in my budget for extra expenses.
  
  LH: 我知道,规定自己一个月花多少钱是很难遵守的,总有要额外买些东西的时候。所以我总给自己留一些余地,免得到时候没有没办法。
  
  LL: Yeah, I guess we can skip going out for ice cream for a while.
  
  LH: 吃冰淇淋花得了多少钱!We have a lot of wiggle room for ice cream.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是toast,意思是失败,或是俗话说完蛋。另一个是wiggle room,意思是回旋或调整的余地。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#885
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是以一个极其普通的英文字为主的。这个英文字就是:Bread. Bread就是面包,面包是美国人和欧洲人的基本食品,就像亚洲国家许多人每天吃米饭一样。面包对西方人来说是非常重要的。在有些俗语或谚语当中,bread这个字被用来代表钱。那就是money。这就可以说明bread的重要性了。我们今天要讲的第一个常用语就是一例。Breadwinner. Breadwinner实际上是由两个字合起来的,大家都已经知道breadwinner这个字的前半部份bread。Breadwinner的后半部份是winner。To win就是:赢得,获得或获胜。Winner就是获得某样东西的人,或者是获胜者。Breadwinner从字面上来理解,它的意思就是:赢得面包的人。从某种程度上来讲,这话也不错。但是,实际上,breadwinner作为俗语,它就应该解释为:家里主要挣钱的人,也就是养家糊口的人。以往,breadwinner一般都是家庭里面的男人来承担,但是,现在情况已经有了变化,越来越多的妇女参加了劳动大军。下面就是一个具体的例子。
  
  例句-1: My sister Mary works two different jobs, you know. Ever since her husband was paralyzed in an auto accident, she's been the only breadwinner in the family, and it certainly keeps her busy.
  
  这句话的意思是:你可知道,我的姐姐(或妹妹)玛丽一个人干两份工作。自从她丈夫出了汽车事故瘫痪以来,她就成了家里唯一挣钱养家的人了。这确实把她弄得非常忙碌。
  
  你要是看四十年代或者五十年代的老电影的话,你就可以看到,那个时候很多结了婚的妇女都不工作,在家当家庭妇女,特别是有了孩子的人。可是,现在已经很不相同了。可以说,大多数妇女都工作,因为现在单纯依靠丈夫的收入往往不够开支。所以,很多妇女也成为家庭的 breadwinner之一了。
  
  ******
  
  承担养家活口这个责任的人才知道这付担子的份量。下面是一个父亲在教训儿子。
  
  例句2: Paul, you've already spent so much this summer on your travel, and now you want to buy a new car. Your mother and I work very hard to maintain this family, you'll know how important money is when you become a breadwinner yourself.
  
  这个父亲说:保尔,你这个暑假已经花了好多钱去旅行,现在你又要买一辆新车。我跟你母亲为了维持这个家庭都非常辛苦地工作。等你要养家活口的时候,你就知道钱的重要了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#886
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

对西方人来说,面包跟黄油似乎是不可分开的。他们吃面包的时候往往在面包的一面涂上黄油。我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语就来自西方人的这个习惯。To know which side one's bread is buttered on. Butter就是黄油。在这个俗语里,butter是用做动词,后面还加上ed。To know which side one's bread is buttered on从字面来解释,它的意思就是:一个人要知道他的面包是哪一面上了黄油的。这当然是指上了黄油的那一边味道更好。作为俗语,它的意思就是:一个人在某种情况下很明白什么人会对他有好处,怎么做才对自己有利。下面是一个人在讲他那非常会拍马屁的同事。
  
  例句3: Fred sure knows which side his bread is buttered on. After the old boss retired, Fred's been chasing after the new boss exactly the same way.
  
  这个人说:弗雷德可真明白谁对自己有用,因此尽量地讨好老板。自从他以前的老板退休以后,他就跟以前一摸一样地去拍新老板的马屁。
  
  ******
  
  可是,不见得每个人都会这样做。下面就是一个人在说他的朋友。
  
  例句4: Jeff is a very honest person. He knows very well which side his bread is buttered on, but when the company treasurer pressured him to take part in his scheme, he not only refused, but reported to the board of directors.
  
  这个人说:杰夫是一个很诚实的人。他非常明白谁对他有好处。但是当公司负责财务的人迫使他参与他的阴谋的时候,他不但拒绝了,而且还向董事会报告了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#887
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在一个大商场里买东西,那里非常拥挤。李华今天学会两个常用语my bad 和back in the day。
  
  LL: My bad! I didn't mean to step on your foot, Li Hua. It's just that there are so many people at the mall today.
  
  LH: My bad? Bad不是坏的意思吗?这儿人确实很多,你不小心踩到我的脚,为什么说my bad? My bad是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: Oh, That's my bad, too. I should have explained what "my bad" means. It is a very informal way of apologizing without actually saying "I'm sorry."
  
  LH: 原来my bad是表示道歉,但是是很不正式的道歉。 什么时候用my bad,什么时候用I'm sorry呢?
  
  LL: Because you are my friend, and stepping on your foot was a pretty minor thing, I said "my bad." I'd say "I'm sorry" for something more serious - or if you were my boss.
  
  LH: 明白了,my bad是对很熟的朋友说的,而且发生的事也不是太严重,就像不小心踩了脚这类小事。要我是你的老板,你就不能说my bad!
  
  LL: Yeah, that's right. Say, would you like to get out of the crowd and stop for a cup of coffee in that shop over there?
  
  LH: 你要去那边那个店里喝咖啡?好呀! 可是My bad我没有带现金。
  
  LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. I've got some cash. You can pay me back later.
  
  LH: 谢谢你。 我在这里占着位子,你去买咖啡吧。我要一杯摩卡拿铁咖啡。
  
  (Sounds of busy restaurant/cash register transaction as Larry gets coffee)
  
  LH: Okay, Li Hua, here is your latte. Oh-My bad! I now remember you wanted a mocha latte. I got the wrong drink.
  
  LH: 没关系,不是摩卡拿铁也没关系。 Larry,递我一张餐巾纸,好不好?
  
  LL: Sure, here's a napkin.
  
  LH: Oops, My bad! 对不起, 我把咖啡撒了!
  
  LL: Here let me help you clean that up.
  
  LH: 谢谢你,幸亏你拿了好多餐巾纸,否则还真没法收拾。
  
  LL: Agh! Now it's my bad! I've spilled my coffee, too. (laughs)
  
  LH: (Also laughing) 你的咖啡也撒了。Larry, 我们赶快走吧, 不然不知又会出什么事,那样我们就会没完没了地说my bad !

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#888
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I can't believe how rude people are at the mall. I know it is crowded, but back in the day people were much more polite.
  
  LH: 没错,有的人真是没有礼貌。Larry,你说back in the day人们都很有礼貌,back in the day是指哪一天呢?
  
  LL: No, no, Li Hua. "Back in the day" is a general expression referring to a time in the past when things were better than they are now.
  
  LH: 噢,back in the day就是指过去,而不是指哪一天。你是说过去美国人都很有礼貌?
  
  LL: Yes, back in the day a man would have taken the time to open a door for a lady, especially if she was carrying packages.
  
  LH: 我遇到过这种情况。上次我去看牙,进大楼的时候,前面那个男子看见我也是进那大楼,就把门开开,等着让我先进去。Larry,你是说以前都是这样的吗?
  
  LL: Yes, and life was much simpler. There were no computers and cell phones back in the day. Now it is rush, rush, rush.
  
  LH: 没错,过去生活是比较简单,别说没有电脑和手机,我们小时候连彩色电视也很少。现在每个人都好像匆匆忙忙,不知道怎么回事。
  
  LL: And can you believe it? Before e-mail, back in the day people wrote letters with their own hands!!!
  
  LH: 自从有了电子邮件后,现在拿起笔来写信的人恐怕是很少了,可是我很喜欢收到别人亲笔写给我的信,因为那让我感到很亲切。
  
  LL: I agree with you. But, then again, I guess not everything back in the day was so great.
  
  LH: 是啊, 过去也不是样样都好。 我父亲常对我说, 他小时候上学要走很远的路。现在的孩子们就幸福多了,可以坐校车。
  
  LL: You know, my dad says the same thing. He would tell me I was so lucky, because back in the day he had to walk five miles to school.
  
  LH: 你爸爸上学要走五里路。我爸爸更苦,他不仅走路还要背着几十斤重的课本呢。
  
  LL:I agree. Li Hua, let's take the bus and go home. Oh, let me open the door for you.
  
  LH: 谢谢你, Larry, 你真希望有更多像你这样有礼貌的年轻人。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是my bad, 意思是对不起起。还有一个是back in the day, 意思是过去。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#889
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在中国,南方人每天三顿饭爱吃米饭,北方人喜欢吃面食。而西方人天天吃面包。面包是他们生活中不可缺少的一部份,就像米饭跟馒头对中国人一样重要。同时,他们吃面包的时候一般都要在面包上涂黄油。因此,黄油加面包成了西方人最基本的食品。今天我们就要给大家介绍两个以黄油这个字为主的习惯用语。黄油在英文里就是:Butter.
  
  以前美国人在吃面包的时候总是在面包上面涂上厚厚的一层黄油。但是,那时候人们还不太关心自己的胆固醇是不是太高了,吃的脂肪是不是太多了。现在,由于人们越来越关心自己的健康,所以许多人都吃那种用植物油做的黄油。可是,在五十年前,人们根本看不起这种代用品。现在美国人饭桌上的黄油可能比以前少多了,但是在日常讲话的时候,butter这个字还是经常出现的。我们先来讲一个用的非常普遍的习惯用语。Bread and butter. Bread and butter的意思就是生活最基本的需要,例如,食品、住房、衣服等。有的人把自己的工作叫做bread and butter。
  
  下面就是一个例子。这是一个刚从大学毕业的年轻人,他发现在目前经济不是很景气的时候想要找个好的工作很不容易,所以他只好到工资很低的地方去工作。他对他的朋友说:
  
  例句-1:Cooking hamburgers at MacDonald's is not the job I expected to get with my degree in business administration. But at least it's my bread and butter until I find a job that suits my education better.
  
  他说:我有一个企业管理的学位,在麦当劳做汉堡宝本来不是我想要的工作。但是,在我找到一个跟我的学识比较相配的工作前,现在的工作至少能让我过日子。
  
  ******
  
  有的人在一个工作岗位上能够工作几十年,然而有的人不管做什么都持续不久,不到一年半载就要换工作。下面这个例子是一个人在劝说他的朋友:
  
  例句2:Michael, you've changed three jobs in a year. It seems that no job suits you, either the pay was too low or the manager was nasty. It's not easy to find a job nowadays. You'd better stay on with your job; at least it's your bread and butter.
  
  这个人说: 麦克,你一年内换了三个工作。好像什么工作都不适合你。不是工资太低,就是经理太厉害。这些日子要找工作可不容易。你还是继续在现在的公司里做下去,至少它能提供你基本的生活需要。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#890
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再给大家介绍一个以butter为主的习惯用语。To butter up someone. 大家要注意的是butter这个字在这里是当作动词用,意思就是:涂黄油。但是,to butter up someone并不是把黄油涂在谁的身上。作为习惯用语,to butter up someone就是一个人为了从某人那里得到好处而拍他的马屁。我们来举一个例子:
  
  例句3:Since the word came out David will be promoted to vice president, everybody in the office is busy trying to butter him up except Joseph. Joseph is an honest person, he just doesn't know how to say things that are not true.
  
  这句话的意思是:自从消息传开说戴维德将被提升为副总经理以来,办公室里每个人,除了约瑟夫以外,都忙着拍他的马屁。约瑟夫是个老实人,他就是不知道怎么说假话。
  
  ******
  
  从上面这个例句听来,似乎不拍马屁的人属于少数,可是在实际生活中,不愿意这样做的人也不少。下面说话的人就是一个例子:
  
  例句4:Some people believe to butter up your boss is the only way to get ahead. It may be true in some cases. But, in my view, the most important thing is your own qualifications and skills.
  
  这个人说: 有些人认为,拍你老板的马屁是事业有进展的唯一道路。在某种情况下,这也许是确实的。但是,从我的观点来看,最重要的还是你自己的条件和技术。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#891
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry在告诉李华他公司里发生的事。 李华今天会学会两个常用语,trash talking和make waves。
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, yesterday at the office I heard two of my co-workers trash talking my boss.
  
  LH: 什么是trash talking? 难道他们在谈垃圾,垃圾有什么好谈的?
  
  LL: No, it's not. Trash talking is saying really mean things about someone.
  
  LH: 噢,trash talking就是说别人的坏话。那你的这两位同事为什么要说老板的坏话呢?
  
  LL: I think they were upset because he didn't like a proposal they submitted. They were saying my boss wasn't very smart and didn't make good decisions for the company.
  
  LH: 就因为老板没有接受他们的建议,他们就说他笨,作出的决策对公司不利?他们也太自负了吧! Larry,那你是怎么看的呢?
  
  LL: I am sure he had his reasons for rejecting their proposal. I have a lot of respect for my boss, and that is why their trash talking him bothers me so much.
  
  LH: 老板拒绝他们的建议总有他的道理。我知道你很尊重你们的老板,所以听见别人在背后说他坏话就感到很讨厌。我那天也听到两个研究生在说一个教授的坏话。我也觉得很讨厌。
  
  LL: Did you do anything about their trash talk?
  
  LH: 我当时就为这位教授辩护。 他们不一定会改变看法,但是我不能听任他们诬蔑这位教授。
  
  LL: Good for you, Li Hua!
  
  LH: 后来别人告诉我那两个人又在背后说我的坏话 - They trash talked me 。
  
  LL: I guess you made them mad by bringing attention to their trash talking. I just don't have the courage to deal with my two co-workers who talked trash about my boss.
  
  LH: 你没有勇气来对付他们?这有什么呢?你就对他们说, 你们这样说老板的坏话是不对的。
  
  LL: I don't think it is that easy, Li Hua. After all, I still have to work with these trash talkers.
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#892
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你是不是担心他们会找你的麻烦呀?
  
  LL: It is not so much that I am afraid of them, as it is that I don't want to make waves at work.
  
  LH: 你不是怕他们,而是不想在工作单位make waves。 Make waves是什么意思?你不想兴风作浪?
  
  LL: No, no. Making waves means to cause a disturbance.
  
  LH: 噢, 你是不想得罪他们,引起纠纷。
  
  LL: I know it would make waves at work. These two co-workers are senior to me, and I know if I talked to them, they'd just cause trouble for me.
  
  LH: 这两个人资历都比你深。你要批评他们,他们就会给你找麻烦,你实际上还是有点怕他们。
  
  LL: You know, I also don't want to make waves at home, too.
  
  LH: 公司里的事情怎么会牵涉到你的家人,又怎么会给家里制造麻烦呢?
  
  LL: Well, my parents just want me to do well and be successful. It would upset them to know I was having trouble at work.
  
  LH: 我明白了, 你不想让父母担心。 Larry,你不愧是个孝子。 我的一个学生可不像你。他暑假回家的时候, 给家里制造了不少麻烦。
  
  LL: What did he do?
  
  LH: 他在肚脐上穿了一个洞, 带上了一个金属环。他要赶新潮。可把他的父母都快要气疯了。
  
  LL: Well, that certainly is one way to make waves. Li Hua, you don't seem to be able to make waves.
  
  LH: 那你就不了解我了。几个月前我也跟我的房东闹了一场呢。
  
  LL: Really, Li Hua, you didn't tell me about this. What happened?
  
  LH: 我公寓里的浴缸漏水了。我跟老板说了好几次他都不理我。 后来我实在忍无可忍,就去他办公室问他为什么不给修,so I made some waves。
  
  LL: It is too bad you had to make some waves to get your landlord to do what he is supposed to do.
  
  LH: 其实我是不喜欢这样做的 - I don't like to make waves。他要早派人修了不就没事了嘛!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是trash talking, 意思是说别人的坏话。还有一个是make waves, 意思是制造麻烦或纠纷。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#893
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要介绍给大家两个很有趣的,也是很形像的习惯用语。第一个是:Butterfingers. Butterfingers是有两个字组成的。第一个是:butter, 那就是黄油。第二个是:fingers, 那就是手指。Butter跟fingers这两个字合在一起成为butterfingers。那么,butterfingers是什么意思呢?难道是谁用手指来偷黄油吃?不是的。Butterfingers是说,要是一个人的手指上沾了黄油,那他的手指就一定是很油腻、很滑,很难拿住手里的东西。因此,butterfingers是指那些笨手笨脚,经常会把手里拿的东西不小心掉到地上去的人。我们来给大家举一个例子。这是一个非常闹火的爸爸在说他那笨手笨脚的儿子:
  
  例句-1:John is a rocket scientist and is supposed to be smart. But you ought to see what a butterfingers he is out around the house. For instance, if I ask him to wash the dishes, he's sure to drop a dish or a cup.
  
  这个爸爸说:约翰是一个研究火箭的科学家,应该是很聪敏的。可是,你得看看他在家里那种笨手笨脚的样子。比如说,要是我让他洗碗,他肯定会摔破一个碗或一个杯子。
  
  ******
  
  美国人都很喜欢好的瓷器,凡是有条件的人家,每家都至少会有一两套来自中国、日本或者英国的瓷器。从西餐的角度来讲,一套瓷器包括多少件,其数量也各不相同。一般来说,少的可供四个人用,多的可以给八个人用。一套瓷器里有上百件也并不罕见。每个家庭里的好的瓷器还往往是传给下一代的宝贵东西,因为买一套好的瓷器是很贵的。下面就是一个人在保护他从祖母那里遗传得来的瓷器。他对他的朋友说:
  
  例句2:Jack, I appreciate your offer to do the dishes. But all of us know you are such a butterfingers, so please don't touch my chinaware. I inherited them from my grandmother. They are very precious to me.
  
  他说:杰克,你要帮我洗碗,我非常感谢。但是,我们大家都知道你是个笨手笨脚的人,所以,请你不要碰我的瓷器。这些瓷器是我祖母遗传给我的;他们对我来说是非常宝贵的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#894
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来给大家介绍今天要讲的第二个习惯用语。Butterball. Butterball也是由两个字合在一起而成的。一个是butter, 另一个是ball. Butter是黄油。这大家都早已知道,ball就是一只球,也就是皮球、篮球的球。从字面上来解释,Butterball就是一个由黄油做成的球,但是,作为俗语,它的意思就不同了。黄油要是吃得太多的话,会使人发胖。因此,butterball作为俗语的时候,它是指很胖的人,就像一个球一样。大家听了下面这个例句就会懂得butterball究竟是怎么用的了。
  
  例句3:My boss really needs to go on a diet and get some exercise - all that rich food he loves to eat is turning him into a real butterball.
  
  这个人说:我的老板真是应该注意他的饮食并且还得运动运动。他非常爱吃那些很油腻的东西。这些东西正在把他变成一个大胖子。
  
  美国生活的一个特点是,食品的价格跟其他东西相比是很便宜的。每个周末,要是你到买菜的超级市场去的话,你就可以看到有些人把超级市场装东西的车子装的满满的。这可能也是为什么美国有很多人很胖的原因。
  
  ******
  
  不少胖的人并不是他们喜欢胖,而是他们缺乏克制自己的意志。越是没有决心就越怕别人说。也正因为如此,有的时候妈妈看见女儿实在太胖,想劝劝她少吃一点,变得苗条一点。这当然完全是出于好心,可是有的时候却会因此而弄得不愉快。有的时候,朋友劝朋友也会产生同样的后果。下面就是一个人在说他的经历:
  
  例句4:Laura has a very beautiful face. But the way she keeps on eating is making her a butterball. When I talked to her last week about going on a diet, she got so mad. You know, I was only thinking about her own benefit.
  
  这个人说:劳拉的脸非常漂亮。可是,她这种吃东西的样子使她越来越胖,都快变成了一个大胖子了。上个星期我劝她进行节食的时候,她却火冒三丈。你知道,我完全是从她的好处着想的呀。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#895
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在一个餐馆里商量周末的计划。李华今天会学到两个常用语glitch和tweak。
  
  LL: What a busy morning in our office! We discovered a glitch in some new software we were trying out at work.
  
  LH: 你们发现新的电脑软件有一个glitch。Glitch是什么呀?
  
  LL: A glitch is a technical problem. When your computer or software doesn't work the way it is supposed to, it often has a glitch.
  
  LH: 噢, glitch就是技术故障。电脑或软件不能正常运作时往往就是因为有了故障。那你们弄清楚了没有电脑软件到底是什么问题呢?
  
  LL: Well, glitches are often difficult to explain. Basically, we would try to use a certain function of the software, and it would cause the office computers to lock up.
  
  LH: 用软件的某一功能,办公室的电脑就都不能用了,你说的就是所谓的电脑死机吧。
  
  LL: Glitches are very frustrating. They cost a lot of time and effort.
  
  LH: 没错,出了故障要花很多时间去解决,是很烦人的。对了,Larry,你听说没有,最近大家都在抢购一种电子游戏软件,结果发现这种软件有严重的技术问题 - it has a big glitch in it。听说厂家正在回收产品呢。
  
  LL: Oh, I know all about that! I love video games and actually bought that game system. It does have a serious glitch, and now I need to send it back to the company.
  
  LH: 你也买了那软件?那你就得把它寄回去。Larry,你说既然有问题,那厂家为什么还要出售他们的软件呢?
  
  LL: Sometimes the companies don't know about a glitch in a video game or video game system until enough people play it.
  
  LH: 那倒也是,有的问题必须在很多人用了以后才会发现。 对了,Larry, 你不是说今天要跟老板一起吃午饭吗?
  
  LL: I was originally, but there was a glitch in our plans. My boss discovered he had two appointments on the same day, so he had to reschedule our lunch for next week.
  
  LH: 你的老板也真是够糊涂的,怎么会在同一天安排两个午餐。幸好你是个年轻新雇员,取消和你的约会还不要紧。 Larry,我们说好了这个周末去参观摄影展览。这个计划没问题吧?Are there any glitches in that plan?
  
  LL: I don't think there will be any glitches. I am really looking forward to it. When do you want to leave?
  
  LH: 我也跟你一样盼着去呢。星期六早上十点半出发,怎么样?
  
  LL:Fine!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#896
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hmmm, I need to do an errand Saturday morning. We may have to tweak our plans a little.
  
  LH: Tweak our plans? Tweak这个字的发音有点怪。你的意思是要改变计划吗?
  
  LL: Tweak, may be a funny-sounding word, but it means to adjust something just a little bit.
  
  LH: Tweak的意思是稍微作些改动。 那你的意思是说星期六的计划要变喽。
  
  LL: Right, we don't have to change our plans too much. If we just tweak the time a little bit and leave at 11:00, I can finish my errand, and we still have plenty of time to enjoy the exhibit.
  
  LH: 没问题。我们把10:30出发改成11点出发就行了。不过我们也不能玩得太晚喽。
  
  LL: Why is that?
  
  LH: 我下个星期要在研讨会上宣读一篇论文。论文是写完了,但我还要作一些修改。
  
  LL: If the paper is in English, Li Hua, I can help you tweak it by reading it after we get back tonight.
  
  LH: 我是用英文写的, 你要是能帮我修改一下,那真是太好了。
  
  LL: It would be my pleasure, Li Hua. Well, this has been a nice lunch, but I need to get back to work. I've had some ideas about how to tweak the computers at work.
  
  LH: 瞧你,想出了修电脑的主意就急着要回去工作了。 你真有把握吗?
  
  LL: I'm not sure. But if I can't tweak it, maybe some one at the software company can. Thanks again for lunch, Li Hua. I'll see you later.
  
  LH: 哎,Larry,你的午饭都没怎么吃嘛。
  
  LL: To be honest, it wasn't very good. I think the chef needs to tweak the seasoning. It was kind of bland.
  
  LH: 这菜的确是没有什么味道。厨师是该改变他的佐料了。再见,Larry。 Good luck tweaking your computers!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是glitch,意思是技术故障。还有一个是tweak, 意思是作小的改动。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#897
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是表达速度非常快的意思。它们都很生动,也很形像。当你给别人讲故事的时候,你往往会想用一些有色彩的词汇来使你的故事更加生动。一百五十多年前,当美国人向西部开发的时候,那些打先锋的拓荒者在荒野生活很单调。他们只好轮流讲故事,用一些夸张的词汇来引别人发笑。
  
  我们今天要讲的两个习惯用语就是来自这个传统。当然,那时用的一些词汇已经流传到今天成为人们常用的习惯用语了。下面我们来讲第一个习惯用语。Like greased lightning. Greased就是上了油的。那就是很滑溜的意思;lightning就是闪电。闪电是自然界速度最快的一种现象。别忘了,这里讲的还只是一般的闪电,上了油的闪电当然是幽默性的夸张,但是要是确实存在的话,那它肯定会比一般闪电更加快的。我们现在来举一个例子。这是一个人在跑马厅评论一匹马。
  
  例句-1: I never saw a faster horse in my life. He ran like greased lightning all the way from the starting gate to the finish line and he broke the track record by more than three seconds.
  
  这个人说:我这辈子没见过比这匹马跑的更快的马了。它从开跑的门出来一直到终点始终像闪电一样跑得飞快。它比以前的记录还要快三秒多。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在说他下班回家的路上所看到的事。
  
  例句2: Walking home, I looked up and got out of the way quick - here came this black cat running like greased lightning and right behind him was this big dog chasing him so closely.
  
  这个人说:当时我正在走回家的路上。我一抬头,看到一只黑猫跑得飞快。就在它后面一只很大的狗正在紧紧地追赶。我看到这情况,马上就闪到一边去了。
  
  对了,要是他不马上躲开的话,没准那只大狗怪他挡路而咬他一口,或者把他撞倒。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#898
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来给大家介绍一个描写速度很快的习惯用语。Like a bat out of hell. Bat就是:蝙蝠。Hell就是:地狱。Like a bat out of hell按字面翻成中文就是:就像一只从地狱里飞出来的蝙蝠。发明这个说法的人可能是想像一只蝙蝠在扑打着翅膀,竭尽全力地飞,以逃避地狱之火。Like a bat out of hell现在可以用在各个方面。下面我们要举的两个例子就能说明问题。第一个例子是一群孩子在打篮球,一不小心把旁边住家的玻璃窗打破了。这房子里的主人说:
  
  例句3: As soon as I heard the glass break, I ran out to try to catch who had done it. But the kid ran away like a bat out of hell, so I'll have to pay for new glass myself.
  
  这个人说:我一听到玻璃打破的声音马上跑了出去,想抓住那打破玻璃的孩子。但是,那孩子像闪电一样地逃跑了,所以我只好自己掏钱来买新的玻璃啦。
  
  ******
  
  刚才举的那个例子是说小孩犯了错误生怕受到惩罚而赶紧逃跑。我们再给大家举一个 like a bat out of hell的例子。这是一个参加过二次世界大战的人在说他死里逃生的情况。
  
  例句4: We were marching on this road to the front when this German fighter plane came over the hill ahead of us like a bat out of hell. We were lucky: he was flying so low and so fast he didn't even see us. And he was gone before we could even turn our heads.
  
  这句话的意思是:“我们当时正在行军到前线去。突然,一架德国战斗机从我们前面的山头上出现。我们还真是运气:他飞的很低,也很快,所以他根本没有看到我们。还没有等到我们回头,它就不见了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#899
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚下课。李华告诉Larry一个非常好的消息。李华今天要学会两个常用语 get out of here和burned out。
  
  LM: Larry! 我有个好消息,说了你一定不相信,我买的彩票中奖了!
  
  LL: Really? Get out of here!
  
  LH: 我中了彩票,你不为我高兴,还让我出去?Get out of here? 我们又不在屋子里,出去上哪儿去呀?
  
  LL: No, listen,when someone tells you some good or exciting news, and you are really surprised, you can say get-out-of-here. It shows that you can barely believe the good news.
  
  LH: 原来get out of here在这里是表示惊讶和难以相信的意思。按字面来解释不就是出去吗。
  
  LL: You are right. So anyway, how much money did you win?
  
  LH: 你说我的彩票呀? 我中奖得了一千美元。
  
  LL: A thousand dollars? Get out of here! You are sooooo lucky! Hey, I've got some good news too. Do you remember that summer internship at the museum I applied for?
  
  LH: 你申请暑假到那博物馆去实习,当然记得呀!怎么啦?他们接受你去实习啦?
  
  LL: That's right! And not only that, but they are going to pay me a good salary too!
  
  LH: 让你去实习,还给你很好的薪水?Get out of here! 我简直不能相信。这比中奖还棒。
  
  LL: Heh, well, I don't know about that... Oh, by the way, you won't believe who I saw in the coffee shop near my apartment this morning, Jet Li!
  
  LH: 什么?你在公寓附近的咖啡店里看见李连杰了?Get out of here!
  
  LL: He's a really nice guy. Look, he gave me an autograph.
  
  LH: Whoa, get out of here! 李连杰还给你亲笔签名!你真幸运。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#900
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, Li Hua, what are you going to do with your lottery winnings?
  
  LH: 我要把大部分存起来, 不过我想请几个朋友去听音乐会。你要不要去?
  
  LL: Umm, well... I really appreciate the offer, but I'm kind of burnt out right now. I need to stay home and rest.
  
  LH: 你说你因为burnt out, 所以要在家里休息?什么是burnt out?
  
  LL: I said that I am burnt out. To be burnt out means to become exhausted because of stress or too much activity.
  
  LH: 噢, burnt out是指因为压力太大, 活动太多而疲惫不堪。 我看你就是活动太多,放假以后你天天都去参加聚会,所以才累成这样。
  
  LL: That's right, during the school year I was burnt out from studying and working, and now that school is out, I'm burnt out from partying!
  
  LH: 我知道你的意思。记得去年我本来要上四门课,同时还要当助教。没到两个星期,我就已经累坏了。
  
  LL: Good thing you dropped one of those classes. It's hard to be a good teacher when you are burnt out from studying yourself!
  
  LH: 对,幸亏我放弃了一门课。 自己学习都应付不过来怎么才能当好老师呢! Larry, 你不能跟我们去听音乐会, 真是可惜。 你知道还有谁喜欢滚石乐队吗?
  
  LL: The Rolling Stones? Get out of here! You have tickets to the Rolling Stones concert? OK, never mind what I said earlier, I'm going with you!
  
  LH: 我就知道你再累也不会错过滚石乐队的。 不过,Larry,有的人说滚石乐队已经演出了四十年,现在已经太疲乏了- burnt out。
  
  LL: I don't agree. I don't think they will ever burnt out.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是get out of here, 意思是难以相信,还有一个是burnt out,意思是累坏了,精疲力尽。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#901
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲两个表示速度很慢的常用语。第一个是:Slow burn. Slow可能大家都已经知道,是慢的意思,burn这个字有不少解释。最基本的一个意思是:烧,也就是用火烧的烧。但是,在我们现在讲的这个习惯用语当中slow burn并不是指慢慢地烧;slow burn里的burn是指发火。换句话说,一个人在令他恼火的情况下,他的火慢慢上来了,直到他失去控制,终于爆发为止。在一个人尽力控制自己不要发火的时候,你几乎可以看到他的血压在不断上升。比如说,一个公司的推销员犯了错误,以致使公司失去了最大的顾客。然而,这个推销员还不承认错误,而是不断用借口来塘塞。下面是一个人在描述公司经理当时的情绪。
  
  例句-1: We could see the boss doing a slow burn as he heard one lame excuse after another. His face got redder and redder and he finally blew up - he shouted at the salesman to clean out his desk and never come back.
  
  这个人说:当老板听到一个借口接着一个借口的时候,我们可以看出来,他的火慢慢地上来了。他的脸越来越红,越来越红,最后他终于爆发了。他大声对那个推销员嚷嚷,叫他把桌子清理一下,再也不要回来工作了。
  
  ******
  
  美国具有一定规模的公司大多数都有一个顾客服务处,专门回答顾客的问题和处理一些纠纷。在一般情况下,人们都是打电话去和他们接触。而电话线路经常会很忙。每当这种情况,他们就会放录好音的磁带来告诉你让你等一下。可是,这等一下有时可能会很长。有的顾客会越等越火。下面这个例子就是一个人在说他的经历。
  
  例句2: I was quite relaxed at first. It's common being told to hold on. But after five minutes, I could feel a slow burn was building up inside me. By ten minutes, I was so mad that I slammed the telephone and tore up all the papers.
  
  这个人说:一开始,我还很轻松。让你等这是很普通的事。不过,过了五分钟,我可以觉察到我心里火上来了。到了十分钟,我简直是火冒三丈。我把电话听筒甩下去,还把所有的文件都给撕了。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#902
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家都知道糖浆是一种很稠、很黏的液体,但是它很甜。美国人早上有的时候喜欢吃薄的煎饼。吃薄煎饼的时候一般都把糖浆浇在饼上。你可以在超级市场买到各地出产的,装在瓶子里的或装在罐子里的糖浆。由于糖浆又稠又黏,所以要把糖浆从瓶子里倒出来,它的速度很慢。特别是当一个人肚子很饿的时候,糖浆那种慢条斯理的速度真会令人不耐烦。
  
  我们下面要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语就是跟这种现象有关。这个习惯用语就是:Slow as molasses. Slow就是:慢,molasses就是:糖浆。Slow as molasses从字面上看来的意思就是:就像糖浆那末慢。但是,当slow as molasses当做俗语用的时候,它的意思就是说一个人做事很慢,慢的让人不耐烦。下面我们要举的例子就是一个人在说他请回家来修水管的人动作非常慢。
  
  例句3: When the water pipe broke in our basement, the plumber we got was slow as molasses. It took him twice as long to fix it as it would somebody else and he charged twice as much.
  
  这个人说:当我们地下室的水管破裂的时候,我们请来修理的那个人动作简直是慢透了。他花的时间要比其他任何人多一倍,而他收的费用也比人家高一倍。
  
  在美国,不管你家里什么东西坏了,比如说,家里的水管、锅炉、或者是屋顶,下水道等,你要想请到一个既可靠,价钱又公道的修理工人是非常困难的。你要是查电话本,专门做修理生意的公司有很多,但是你不知道那个可靠。所以,人们往往靠口头介绍。但是,一个人满意的并不等于其他人都会满意。要是家里某个人善于修理的话,那真是方便不少。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来给大家举一个例子。这是一个爸爸在说他的女儿吃饭吃得太慢。
  
  例句4: My daughter Carol is perfect except for one thing - she eats her three meals everyday slow as molasses. It's annoying to see the way she eats as if the food tastes so bad that she can hardly swallow. I think I'm going to take her to our doctor.
  
  这个爸爸说:我的女儿卡罗尔除了一件事以外其他什么都好。她一天三餐饭实在吃得太慢了。看到她那吃饭的样子实在是令人恼火,就好像饭菜的味道非常难吃,简直是难以下咽似的。我想带她到我们的医生那里去看看。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#903
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry昨晚因为赶工作而一夜没睡。他正在跟李华讨论睡眠问题。李华今天要学会两个常用语night owl和catch some zzzs。
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, I stayed up all night last night working on this project for work, and now I feel terrible. I guess I'm not a night owl after all.
  
  LH: 什么?你一夜没睡?难怪你显得很累。 不过你说你不是夜间的猫头鹰,熬夜跟猫头鹰有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: Owl is a bird, but a night owl is someone who likes to stay up all night.
  
  LH: 我知道了。 猫头鹰是夜间活动的动物,所以美国人把很晚才睡的人称为night owl。我们中国人把这种人称为夜猫子。
  
  LL: Right, real owls are like that. But last night I discovered I am not a night owl.
  
  LH: 你昨晚发现你不是夜猫子。你怎么发现的呢?
  
  LL: Well, I didn't go to bed until three in the morning, and now I am so tired I can hardly move.
  
  LH: 你早上三点睡觉,现在已经累得不行了。是呀,真正的夜猫子好像不在乎开夜车似的。看来你真不是一个夜猫子。 我算是会熬夜的了,但是也很少到三点才睡觉。
  
  LL: Really? When do you go to bed, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我喜欢在夜深人静的时候写作,所以经常半夜以后才睡觉。 Larry, 你可以说我是个“夜猫子,”a night owl.
  
  LL: I'd say you are a night owl. Normally, I go to bed around ten o'clock, because I have to get up early in the morning for work.
  
  LH: 你早起要上班,那当然不能当夜猫子了。 十点睡觉已经不算早了。
  
  LL: Yeah, when I was a student, I used to be a night owl, too. I remember back in college being a night owl was a lot of fun. Especially in the city, where there is a lot going on at night.
  
  LH: 当学生的时候熬夜是常事。不是念书,就是出去玩,晚上有很多地方可玩的。
  
  LL: I sometimes wish I could be a night owl again.
  
  LH: 你还想当夜猫子?那等你下班后我们去城里玩,怎么样?
  
  LL: Oh, No, Li Hua. All I need right now is a cup of coffee to get me through the day and a good night sleep!
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#904
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, Li Hua, I've got to get back to work, and then go home and catch some zzzzs.
  
  LH: 你要回去工作,然后回家,还要抓什么?Catch some zzzs是什么意思呀?Catch是抓住, zzzs是什么啊?
  
  LL: Catching some zzzs means to get some sleep.
  
  LH: 嗯,catching some zzzs就是睡觉!可为什么说catching some zzzs呢?Z不是英语的最后一个字母吗?
  
  LL: You're right. "Z" is the last letter of the alphabet. But many people associate the sound of the letter "Z" ( makes sound zzzzzzzzz) with the sound of snoring.
  
  LH: 噢, z跟打鼾的声音有点像,所以把睡觉说成是: to catch some zzzs。
  
  LL: And to catch some zzzs is to fall asleep, which is really what I need to do now.
  
  LH: 我知道,你已经说了好几遍了, 你现在最需要的就是回去睡一大觉。那你就赶快走呀!
  
  LL: But I still have some things I need to do at work.
  
  LH: 办公室里还有事要做。那你睁不开眼睛怎么办?
  
  LL: There is no need to worry! My desk isn't very comfortable, and the office is pretty loud. I don't think I could catch some zzzs at work, even if I wanted to.
  
  LH: 你怎么那么可怜呢! 办公室里坐着不舒服,又吵吵闹闹的,想睡觉都睡不着。那你乘车回家的时候在车上睡一回儿吧。
  
  LL: No, I better not do that. If I catch some zzzs on the bus, I might miss my stop.
  
  LH: 那就没办法了。我看你今天只有喝咖啡了。 Larry, 跟你说了半天睡觉的问题,把我都说困了。 Maybe I need to go home at catch some zzzs, too!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是night owl, 意思就是习惯很晚睡觉的人,也就是夜猫子。还有一个是 to catch some zzzs, 意思是睡觉。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#905
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家介绍两个以break这个字为主的习惯用语。Break这个字有许多意思。它可以当做动词用,主要的意思是:打破,或用力把什么东西一分成二。Break也可以当做名词。我们今天要讲的第一个常用语就是把break用做名词的。 Give me a break! Give me a break是非常口语的说法。在不同的场合有不同的解释。Give me a break可以解释为:你得了吧!!或者是:你算了吧!我们来举一个例子。下面是一个人在跟他的朋友争论:
  
  例句-1: You really think Jennifer is the prettiest girl in our class? Give me a break! There're several girls in our class who are better looking then she is. To my mind, Lisa is tops. She not only has looks; she also has brains.
  
  这个人说:你真的认为詹尼弗是我们班上最漂亮的女生?你算了吧!我们班上有好几个女生都比她好看。在我的心目中,利萨比谁都强。她不仅漂亮,而且脑子还很聪敏。
  
  在这句话里,give me a break 是表示不同意别人的意见。
  
  ******
  
  下面我们再来给大家举一个例子。在这个例句里,give me a break的意思又不同了!这是一个哥哥在对他的小弟弟讲话。
  
  例句2: Look, kid, I'm working on a term paper that's due tomorrow. I promise to play the video game with you after dinner, OK? Come on, give me a break so I can finish this!
  
  这个哥哥说:喂,小鬼,我正在写一份明天要交的学术报告。我保证吃完晚饭后就跟你一起玩电子游戏,行不行?得啦,你别烦我啦!让我把报告写完吧。
  
  这个小弟弟肯定是缠着哥哥不放,影响哥哥做功课了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#906
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来给大家讲一个跟break这个字有关的习惯用语。To break even. 在give me a break当中,break是当做一个名词,to break even, 很明显,break在这里就是用做动词了。Even在这里的意思就是:对等的。To break even这个说法在商业界用的比较多。意思是:在做了一段生意以后,比如说,做了一年生意以后,你手里的钱跟你刚开始做生意时有的钱一样多。换句话说,也就是在这一年时间里,你的开支跟你的收入一样。下面是一个饭店老板,他的饭店已经开了两年了,他在说他的收益和损失。
  
  例句3: Our first year was pretty tough. In fact, we lost money. This second year I think we'll break even. And now that we are getting more customers, next year we expect to make a healthy profit.
  
  这位老板说:饭店开张后的第一年,对我们来说是很困难的。事实上,我们还亏了钱。今年是第二年,我想我们能做到收支平衡。现在我们顾客越来越多,我想明年我们能够获得很多利润。
  
  美国的饭店各式各样,但是它们都面临很激烈的竞争。没有能力在竞争中生存下来的就只能被淘汰。即便是生意很兴隆的饭店,工作也很辛苦,每天都要工作十几个小时。人们说他们赚了钱,可是没有时间去花钱。
  
  ******
  
  手头有点钱的美国人一向都很喜欢买股票来行投资。《华盛顿邮报》曾经登过一篇报导,说一个政府雇员如何把平时省下来的钱买股票投资,结果成了百万富翁。下面这个例子就是一个人在说他的投资情况。
  
  例句4: Soon after I bought some stocks early last year, the stock prices went down so much that I lost half of my money. Fortunately, I didn't sell them. With the market going up since this year, I've now reached the point where I break even.
  
  这人说:去年年初我买了一些股票后不久,股票价格下跌了好多;我的钱损失了一半。幸好我没有抛出。今年股票价格不断上升,我现在已经到了不亏本的水平。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#907
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在去学校的书店。 李华今天会学到两个常用语hip and square。
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua, that is a really hip book bag!
  
  LH: Hip? Hip不是人的臀部吗。这跟我的书包有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: "Hip" is a slang word that means something is really cool and neat. I think your back pack is cool, so I said it was hip.
  
  LH: 我明白了, hip在这里是个俚语。意思是很棒, 很时髦。 你喜欢我的背包?这还是我在中国上大学的时候买的呢。这么旧的包有什么好的呢?
  
  LL: I think it is hip because it has Chinese characters on it. Things with Chinese characters on them are really cool - Really hip.
  
  LH: 有中文字的东西都好啊?这种背包在中国到处都是。我们并不觉得这种背包特别时髦。
  
  LL: Well, most Americans can't read the Chinese, but they still think having something, like a t-shirt or jewelry, with Chinese characters on it is really hip.
  
  LH: 那到是很有意思,美国人不懂中文,可是却喜欢有中文字的东西。我是看到有不少美国人的体恤衫上有中文字。中文字那么时髦, 说不定还能吸引一些人来我的班上学中文呢。
  
  LL: I am sure it will. Have you ever noticed some of the students have tattoos with Chinese characters?
  
  LH: 是啊,有的美国人纹身,刺的是中文字 。可惜有的时候他们恐怕不知道这些字的意思。
  
  LL: What do you mean?
  
  LH: 我有一次在校园里看到一位很时髦的男生,他的胳膊上写着“只能干洗。”
  
  LL: Ha, ha! That is really funny. And decidedly un-hip.
  
  LH: 是啊,“只能干洗”不仅不酷而且很可笑。 Larry, 我们快到书店了。听说时髦的学生都喜欢坐在书店的咖啡厅里边喝咖啡边看书。你要不要也喝一杯咖啡呀?
  
  LL: I don't know, Li Hua. . . Are we hip enough to drink coffee with all the cool students on campus?
  
  LH: 你够不够时髦我不知道,反正我有资格,别忘了我有一个时髦的背包。
  
  LL: Well, maybe some of your hip-ness will rub off on me!
  
  LH:行呀,你就沾点我的光吧!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#908
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Wow, sitting here with all of these hip college students is making me feel a little square.
  
  LH: Larry, 你看上去既不是方的,也不是圆的。不过如果一定要给你定型的话,我觉得你更圆一些。
  
  LL: I'm not talking about my physical shape, Li Hua. You know how "hip" means something cool? Something that is "square" is not cool at all.
  
  LH: 噢,原来square跟我刚才学到的hip意思正相反。Square就是不时髦,很土得意思。
  
  LL: That's right. And right now I am feeling square.
  
  LH: 你为什么感觉自己跟不上潮流很土呢?
  
  LL: Well, I've been out of school for a while, and I've been working. Every one here seems so young and carefree. It seems part of growing up is to become square.
  
  LH: 不错,你已经毕业,开始在公司做事了,学校里的人年龄也比较小。可是我不同意你的看法,成长并不等于越来越保守呀!
  
  LL: Look - I'm wearing a dress shirt with a tie, khaki pants and glasses. This is the uniform of a square.
  
  LH: 这我还没有听说!衬衫加领带,一条卡基其布裤子,再带上一付眼镜,这就成了赶不上潮流的典型制服?
  
  LL: Right.
  
  LH: 可是Larry, 我觉得你的眼镜很好看,很时髦。你看上去很有学问。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. But squares often look smart and read and study all the time.
  
  LH: 噢,不时髦的人看起来都很聪明,经常读书学习。那我这个研究生每天都看书,一定就是不时髦喽。I am a true square!
  
  LL: Well, I guess that means we two squares can hang out together then!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hip, 意思是很棒、很酷、很时髦。还有一个是square, 意思是保守,不时髦。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#909
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华今天去看赛车。 李华会学到两个常用语sick和souped up。
  
  LH: Larry,你看, 每辆赛车都不一样,各有独特之处,真有意思。
  
  LL: That car over there is totally sick. Look at the paint and the tires. That is so cool. I'd love to have a car like that.
  
  LH: That car over there is totally sick? 你说那辆车有病,可你又说它很酷。有病是坏事, 很酷是好事。你究竟在说什么呀?
  
  LL: Cool means I like that car, sick means I like the car too. If I say something is sick, that means it's really good, I like it, it's special.
  
  LH: 原来sick 和cool是一样的意思,都是指很好,很特别。这里的sick跟生病毫无关。那我可以说,you are neat Larry, you're special, you are so sick.
  
  LL: Hmm. You shouldn't use sick in that way! I would never say my friend is sick or that pretty girl over there is sick.
  
  LH: 你的意思是sick只用来形容一样东西?
  
  LL: That's right. That car over there is sick, those sunglasses you are wearing are sick, that new hat I bought you is sick too.
  
  LH: 我的太阳镜的确很酷,可是你给我买的帽子就很难说了。 Larry你看我的新鞋好看吗?
  
  LL: Totally sick,very nice. Where did you get them?
  
  LH: 特别酷吧。这双鞋是我在学校附近新开的大商场里买的。那商场的建筑很特别 - The structure of that shopping center is very unique...totally sick!
  
  LL: The company that developed that shopping center is owned by a friend of my Dad's, his company is opening new shopping centers every other week.
  
  LH: 那购物中心是你父亲的朋友建的呀? 而且每两个星期就开一个新的购物中心!他肯定很有钱了。
  
  LL: That's for sure. Their revenue is pretty sick。 With company growth like that, I bet my Dad's friend's net worth is pretty sick too.
  
  LH:那是肯定的。收入那么多,家产当然是惊人的。我们中国人就说:家产万贯。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-11#910
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 看赛车真有意思。你看,赛车奔驰而过, 人群不断地呐喊助威,多热闹啊。
  
  LL: A lot of people come to car races for the excitement but a lot just come to see the souped up cars.
  
  LH: See the souped up cars? Soup不是汤吗?Souped up cars是什么呀?
  
  LL: Souped up means changed or altered to go faster.
  
  LH: 噢,souped up的意思是经过改装,速度加快了。这里的赛车一定都经过改装。它们的速度比普通汽车要快得多。
  
  LL: That's right. If someone takes an ordinary bicycle and changes the wheels so it can go faster, we can say it was souped up.
  
  LH: 自行车也能改装加速吗?那我的自行车也该换换车胎了。
  
  LL: One time I had a skateboard, but it wasn't very fast. My Dad helped me soup it up with some new parts. After that my skateboard was one of the fastest in the neighborhood.
  
  LH: 滑板也能改装,让它加快速度呀? 你可要注意安全啊。对了,我以前也改装过电脑。我的朋友帮我安装了一些新的电脑软件,那电脑一下子快了不少。我用了好多年,直到没法再加快了。后来我只好再买一个新的。
  
  LL: Souped up is also often used with the Internet. When Google or Yahoo makes an improvement in their search engine, they'll often say that a certain type of search has been souped up.
  
  LH: 对了,上回我看到Google和Yahoo的广告,说它们的搜索引擎速度加快,当时我也不懂什么是souped up。今天才弄清楚,souped up就是为了加快速度而改装。
  
  LL:For some people, souping up motorcycles or cars is their hobby. I knew a guy who was always souping up something in his spare time.
  
  LH:还有人把改装东西作为嗜好?真是难以想象。我要有空就去购物中心。
  
  LL: Well, looks like the red car has won the race, let's go home.
  
  LH: 我就说嘛, 那辆红车一定会赢。我们走吧。
  
  LL: Too bad we can't take one of these souped up cars and quickly get home for dinner. I'm hungry.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是sick,意思是很棒、很酷。 还有一个是souped up, 意思是为了加快速度而改装某样东西。

太极无敌 : 2009-12-12#911
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

持续收藏并学习!谢谢

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#912
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里,我们要给大家介绍的习惯用语都是跟动物有关,但是这些动物你在动物园里恐怕是找不到的。我们首先要给大家讲的是:Sacred cow. Sacred是神圣的意思,cow就是一头牛。Sacred cow从字面上来解释,它的意思是:神圣的牛。Sacred cow这个说法是本世纪初来自印度。在印度,牛是神圣的,它们可以在马路上大摇大摆地走,即便影响交通也没有人敢碰它们,因为印度古代的宗教习惯是保护它们的。但是,作为习惯用语,sacred cow是指某个人,或某样东西,从来没有受到批评或嘲笑,即便在应该批评的时候也没有人敢这样做,就像印度的牛一样。当然,每个国家都有自己神圣的牛。美国政界就有很多这样不能碰的东西。下面就是一例。
  
  例句-1: One of our biggest sacred cows is the national social security program which pays many older Americans a pension. This program costs more money every year. But politicians are afraid to touch it because older folks have a lot of votes.
  
  这句话的意思是:我们最神圣不可侵犯的项目之一就是为美国老年人提供退休金的全国社会保障计划。这个计划的费用每年都在增加。但是,政界人士都不敢碰它,因为老年人有很多选票。
  
  ******
  
  神圣不可侵犯的事情不仅每个国家有,而且恐怕每个人都有。下面这个例句是说一个非常注意身体健康的人。
  
  例句2: Laura takes great care of her health. She's been very careful about what she eats and spends an hour every morning doing exercises. This has become her sacred cow - nothing can change her schedule rain or shine.
  
  这句话是说:劳拉非常注意自己的身体健康,她对她吃的东西非常小心。她还每天早上化一小时来锻炼身体。这已经成为她神圣不可侵犯的活动了,什么事都不能改变她的日程,真是雷打不动。
  
  许多美国人很注意身体锻炼,有的是为了健康,还有不少是为了减肥,保持身材。有的公司就有健身房,工作人员可以抽空去锻炼。有的人参加离家比较近的健身房,下了班或周末去锻炼。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#913
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才我们讲了一个跟牛有关的习惯用语,sacred cow.下面我们再来讲一个跟马有关的习惯用语。Dark horse. Dark就是暗的,或者是暗黑的,horse就是一匹马。Dark horse并不是一匹颜色暗黑的马。作为习惯用语,dark horse是指一匹没有名气的赛马,但是有的时候,它却会出人意料地获胜。这是dark horse的原来意思。现在,新闻界经常在政治性的报导中用这个习惯用语来指一个原来毫无名气的政界人士,但是他突然出面参加竞选,跟有名气的竞选人竞争。在一般情况下,dark horse往往是落选的,但是也不一定,就像下面这个例子一样:
  
  例句3: Our congressman had been in Washington 20 years and thought we'd keep voting for him forever. This year, though, the other party nominated a dark horse out of nowhere. He kept telling voters it was time for a change and he won the election.
  
  这人说:我们的国会议员已经在华盛顿二十年了,他以为我们会永远投他的票。然而,今年另一个党提名了一个不知从那儿冒出来的人,谁也不认识他。他不断地告诉选民,现在是进行改变的时候了。结果他当选了。
  
  ******
  
  下面一个例子是一个选民在评论几个竞选州长的候选人。
  
  例句4: People tend to elect candidates who have big names. But after listening to the new candidate's speech, I think he makes a lot of sense. I'm going to vote for him even though he's a dark horse.
  
  这个人说:人们倾向于投那些名气大的候选人的票。但是,听了那个新候选人的讲话,我认为在一些问题上,他很有道理。尽管他没有名气,我准备投他的票,也许他能改变一些现状。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#914
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry告诉李华他想报名参加救灾,帮助灾民。李华今天会学到两个常用语: get-go和on board。
  
  LL: Li Hua,there was a news report about families whose homes were damaged in a flood and they are not far from where my parents live. I knew from the get-go that I wanted to go help these people.
  
  LH: 对,我今天早上听到这条新闻,说有不少房屋被洪水冲垮了。你要去帮助救灾那当然好咯。不过你刚才说 from the get-go I wanted to go help these people。From the get-go是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: From the get-go means from the beginning. I knew from the beginning, from the get-go, that I wanted to do something to help out.
  
  LH: 原来from the get-go就是一开始的时候。 也就是,你一听到这新闻就想去救灾。我虽然没有想到要去救灾,不过我听到这消息后就马上为灾民的遭遇感到难过。From the get-go, I felt sorry for those people .
  
  LL: From the get-go, I felt the same way. So, this afternoon I am going to go to the American Red Cross to volunteer.
  
  LH: 你今天下午就要去美国红十字会去做义工呀?这太好了。
  
  LL: The Red Cross is a wonderful organization. In any disaster, they are always ready to help, ensuring that the victims have food, water, medicine and shelter from the get-go.
  
  LH: 可不是嘛。美国红十字会是有名的,一有灾情,他们一般都是首先赶到,向灾民提供救济。Larry,你到红十字会打算作些什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, my plan from the get-go has been to stop by the Red Cross and see what kind of help they need. Depending on what they need, I will take a couple days off work and drive to the town hit by the flood to help out.
  
  LH: 对,是要根据他们的需要。你还要向公司请假,开车到灾区去? Larry. 我好佩服你。我从一认识你, from the get-go,就知道你是个好人。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. That is really nice of you to say. You have been a good friend from the get go, too.
  
  LH: 谁都喜欢和你这样的人作朋友。Larry, 你去红十字会之前,我们先去吃午饭,怎么样?
  
  LL: That would be good. Today I have been hungry from the get-go. Where do you want to go?
  
  LH: 你早就饿啦,那我们就在附近找个地方吧。你看马路对面的这家pizza店怎么样?
  
  LL: Great! That place has been so popular from the get-go!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#915
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Restaurant sounds)
  
  LL: (To waiter) I'll have two slices of cheese pizza please. So, Li Hua, I was wondering if I could convince you to get on board this volunteering effort.
  
  LH: Get on board? 你的意思是让我也参加救灾?
  
  LL: Yes, when I asked you to get on board, I meant would you join me and help out.
  
  LH: 我这两天正好不用教课,所以跟你去一两天没问题。
  
  LL: That would be great! The people at the Red Cross will be so happy to have you on board.
  
  LH: 那我们怎么去呢?
  
  LL: Well, I was thinking we would drive. I was wondering if you would be on board with the idea of renting a van for the trip.
  
  LH: 租个面包车? 租车不是很贵吗?
  
  LL: It is a little expensive. But don't worry, Li Hua, I will pay for renting the van. I'd rather have you on board to help out.
  
  LH: 那好啊, 如果你出钱,我没意见。 .
  
  LL: And since we have a van, I am wondering if we can get anyone else on board. We will have room to take some other people.
  
  LH: 那也是,车里还有好几个空位呢,我的一些学生可能也愿意去灾区服务。
  
  LL: You should ask them, Li Hua, the more people we can get on board to help with the relief effort, the better.
  
  LH: Larry, 我们现在就去红十字会报名吧。让他们知道我们要参加救灾, let them know we are on board.
  
  LL: Good idea, but I really want to finish this pizza first.
  
  LH: I am definitely on board with that! Let's eat!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是from the get-go,意思是从一开始。还有一个是on board,, 意思是赞成、 愿意参加。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#916
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是以right这个字开始的。英文里有好几个字的发音都是right。比如说,写字的写就是write。但是,它的拚法是:write,而不是right。我们今天要讲的 right, 可以解释为:左右的右,或者是:正确的,也就是:对的。Right这个字每天都可以听到好多次。在这次节目里,我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就是:Right on the mark. Mark在这里的意思是:目标,就像射箭时的目标一样。要是一枝箭射中了目标,那就是说那个射箭的人射得很准。Right on the mark作为俗语,它的意思是某人做的预测非常准确。下面我们来举一个例子。这是一个公司的总裁在谈论他的公司。
  
  例句-1: At the start of the year our financial vice president predicted that business would pick up and we'd end up in December making a profit of fifteen percent. And he was right on the mark - it was exactly right.
  
  这个总裁说:今年年初,我们负责财务的副总裁预测我们的生意会更兴旺,到十二月,我们最终的利润是百分之十五。他的预测完全正确,一点都不错。
  
  美国商业界人士,跟其他国家的商人一样经常要对市场和自己产品的销售能力进行估计。他们在说某人的估计很准确的时候,经常用right on the mark这个习惯用语。
  
  ******
  
  美国许多大公司在国外都有分公司,因此派人到国外去常驻也是经常的事。但是,有的国家大家都喜欢去,有的国家不太有人愿意去。下面这个例子是一个公司雇员在跟同事说有关公司派谁去担任法国分公司经理的事。
  
  例句2: I predicted two months ago that Jack would be given the position of manager of our Paris office. See, I was right on the mark. Do you know, Jack's father is a close friend of the Chairman of the board. Sure it helps!
  
  这个人说:我早在两个月前就估计公司会让杰克当我们巴黎分公司经理的 。你们看,我的估计完全正确。你们知道吗,杰克的爸爸是董事长的好朋友。这当然是很有帮助的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#917
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语也是以right这个字开头的。我们先来给大家念一遍。Right up one's alley. Alley就是很窄的小巷,一般都在大马路的后面。要是你听到谁说: right up one's alley。它的意思就是:很适合他的兴趣或才能。当你在大学上学的时候,很重要的一点是要选择适合你兴趣或你特长的课程。这样好为你未来的事业打好基础。下面我们要举的例子是一个学生在对一个朋友说他下学期的课程。
  
  例句3: One course I know I'll take is advanced computer programming. Funny - a year ago I was afraid of computers. But once I tried, I found that working with a computer is right up my alley.
  
  这个学生说:我知道有一门课我一定要上的,那就是电脑程序。有趣的是,一年前,我很害怕电脑,但是,我试了一下以后,我发现和电脑打交道对我来说实在是非常合适的。
  
  ******
  
  美国社会和文化很强调一个人的独立意志,家长一般很注意要尊重孩子的意愿,那怕对很小的孩子也是如此。但是,也有一些家长要把自己的想法或计划强加于孩子。例如,有的做生意的家长一定要孩子接管自己的公司。下面是一个正准备考大学的学生在说他面临的问题。
  
  例句4: My dad is very angry with me because I refuse to take over his business. I have always been interested in medicine and I believe to be a doctor is really right up my alley. I don't know how to convince my father I'm not good at business.
  
  这个学生看来很苦脑。他说:我爸爸对我非常生气,因为我不愿意接管他的经营。我一直对医学很感兴趣,我认为我很适合当一个医生。我真不知道怎么样才能说服我爸爸,让他相信我不适合做生意。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#918
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在帮Larry打扫他的公寓。李华今天会学到两个常用语Oodles和chuck。
  
  LL: Oh! I forgot about this closet. Whoa. There are oodles of things in here I don't need.
  
  LH: Oodles? 你是说面条,noodles?
  
  LL: No, no. Oodles and noodles may rhyme, but oodles means lots of something.
  
  LH: 噢,oodles和noodles虽然押韵,但是oodles和面条毫无关系。Larry,你壁橱里怎么会有那么多东西呀? 看来今天我们要扔很多东西。That means there will be oodles of things to throw away!
  
  LL: Yes, like the oodles of old tennis balls I'll never use again.
  
  LH: 不只是网球,还有那么些旧杂志,你怎么会有这么多杂志呢?
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, those are magazines I have had since I was a kid. I would love to look through them, but we don't have oodles of time.
  
  LH: 你小时候的杂志一直保留到现在, 难怪这么多。对了,你为什么说我们没有很多时间来收拾?我们今天还有别的事吗?
  
  LL: Well, I arranged for a local charity to stop by at 5:00 and pick up the things I don't need. We've got oodles of work to do before they come, and time is running out.
  
  LH: 原来你已经跟慈善机构约好下午五点钟来拉东西。你怎么不早说呢?我们赶快收拾吧。
  
  LL: The problem is that I want to give them useful things. I know I have oodles of things to throw away, but I am not sure I'll have oodles of things to give to charity.
  
  LH: 别担心,要我看,你的很多东西慈善机构都有用的。比如这些旧衣服和餐具,肯定会有人要的。
  
  LL: Say, are you hungry? Why don't we make some lunch?
  
  LH: 做午饭?做什么呀?你的冰箱都是空的,没有什么可吃的呀。
  
  LL: I really need to go to the grocery store, but I DO have oodles of noodles.
  
  LH: 你有好多面条,那我们就煮面条吧。
  
  LL: I'm so glad you came by to help out, Li Hua. You've made cleaning my apartment oodles of fun!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#919
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Okay, now that we've collected everything, I need to decide what I'm going to give to charity and what I'm going to chuck.
  
  LH: Chuck? chuck又是什么意思?
  
  LL: To chuck something is to throw it out.
  
  LH: Oh, chuck就是扔掉。那我们把不要的东西分成两堆, 怎么样? 一堆捐献, 一堆扔掉。
  
  LL: Okay, I am definitely going to chuck these old magazines.
  
  LH: 这些旧杂志一定要扔掉,那这些毛衣呢? Do you want to chuck these sweaters?
  
  LL: No, I don't want to chuck those. I will give those to charity.
  
  LH: 你一下子扔掉这么多东西,以后不会后悔吗?要是你改变了主意怎么办?
  
  LL: I don't think I'll change my mind, Li Hua. Most of the things I am chucking, I haven't used in months.
  
  LH: 我想那些你好久没有用过的东西,扔了你也不会再想到它们。
  
  LL: It just feels good to chuck a bunch of stuff you don't need. My apartment will be neater after we are done, and I'll have more room.
  
  LH: 没错,东西扔了以后房间也会整齐一些,地方也会显得大一些Larry, 这个炒菜锅也要扔掉吗?
  
  LL: Well, the handle came off, and I bought another one. So, I just thought I'd chuck it. Since the pan is broken, I didn't want to give it to charity.
  
  LH: 锅子的把手掉了?让我看看。Larry,我喜欢这个炒菜锅。把它扔了还不如给我算了。 我可以修理。
  
  LL: Li Hua. I'd be happy if you got some use out of it. Giving the pan to a friend is much better than just chucking it in the trash can.
  
  LH: 谢谢你, Larry。 你没听说吗? 一个人的垃圾是另一个人的宝贝:"One man's trash is another man's treasure."
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是oodles, 意思是很多。还有一个是chuck, 意思是扔掉。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#920
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是以hook这个字为主的。Hook就是一个钩子。一百年以前,电影和电视还没有成为美国人生活的一个重要部份。然而,那个时候,美国各地都有戏院,演出那些比较轻松的节目,像唱歌,跳舞和滑稽等。有的时候,这些戏院还会让一些业余的演员在晚上客串演出,让他们有机会试试自己的才能。可惜的是,这些非专业的艺术家大多数水平都很低。当观众感到很不满意的时候,他们就会喝倒彩,甚至往抬上扔鸡蛋和西红柿。在这种情况下,舞台经理就会用一个长长的钩子伸到台上急忙把那个观众不喜欢的演员拉下台。这就是我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语。To give someone the hook. 从字面上来解释,to give someone the hook就是把钩子给某个人。然而在用做俗语的时候它的意思就是:很突然地解雇某人。下面是一个公司的雇员在说办公室里的秘书。
  
  例句-1: Our new secretary didn't last long. She always came to work late and left early, and she didn't learn to use the word processor. So after six weeks the boss had to give her the hook.
  
  这位公司雇员说:我们的秘书没有干多久。她总是迟到早退,而且还不学着用电脑。所以,她干了六个星期后,老板不得不解雇了她。
  
  电脑现在在美国是各行各业都不能缺少的工具,从办公室的秘书一直到最高级的科学家,每个人都得懂得怎么用电脑。美国的电脑发展很快,过不了多久又有新的功能和型号出现,因此许多人老有跟不上的感觉。
  
  ******
  
  有的人说,有一个好的上司是莫大的幸福。下面的例句就显示出一个好的领导是怎么对待下级的。这是一个研究所的主任在说一名研究员。
  
  例句2: Ron has been an excellent researcher since he joined this institute ten years ago. He has published a number of papers that are considered very valuable. I'm not going to give him the hook just because he made a minor mistake.
  
  他说:罗恩十年前来到这个研究所工作以来一直是一个非常出色的研究员。他发表了好几份被认为非常有价值的论文。我不会因为他犯了一个小错误就解雇他。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#921
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲的一个习惯用语就是:By hook or by crook. By hook or by crook就是:想方设法达到目的,或去得到你想得到的东西。有的时候可以解释为利用不公平或不合法的手段来达到目的。下面是一个例子。
  
  例句3: I sure feel guilty about not getting home the last few years to spend Christmas with mother and dad. But this year I'll get home by hook or by crook, no matter what!
  
  听起来,这是一个年轻人在说话。他说:过去几年我都没有回家跟我父母一起过圣诞节。我心里觉得很不应该。但是,今年不管怎么样我也得想尽一切办法回家过圣诞节。
  
  ******
  
  每个人都希望能够在工作岗位上不断被提升。但是,在出现升级的机会的同时也会有激烈的竞争。每个人在面临这种情况的时候都会采取不同的态度,而且差别会很大。下面是一个人在说他办公室的一个同事。
  
  例句4: Everyone likes to be promoted, that's perfectly understandable. But David is trying to get that promotion by hook or by crook; he even spread rumors smearing the other candidates. This is awful!
  
  这个人说:每个人都想被提升,这是完全可以理解的。但是,戴维德为了这次能够被提升正在千方百计地想办法。他甚至散布谣言,诬蔑其他有可能被提升的人。这太不像话了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#922
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry有件事要告诉李华,但是他要李华保守秘密。 李华今天会学到两个常用语Hush-hush和Blabbermouth。
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, I have some news I'd like to share with you, but I'd like you to keep it hush-hush.
  
  LH: Hush-hush? 我知道,hush-hush是要人别出声, 保持安静。Larry,你为什么要我别出声呢?
  
  LL: Something that is hush-hush means private and secret. It is something you don't want other people to know about.
  
  LH: 原来hush-hush在这里是指秘密的,不能告诉别人。 难道你有什么秘密吗?
  
  LL: I got a new job!
  
  LH: Wow! 你找到新工作了,太好了, Larry。 我还以为是什么不可告人的事情呢。这么好的消息你为什么不告诉大家呢?
  
  LL: Well, I am excited about it, and I do want to tell everyone, but my new job won't start for several months. I want to keep it hush-hush until I'm ready to tell people at my current job.
  
  LH: 新工作要几个月以后才开始,你现在还不想让老板和同事们知道。那好,我一定为你保密。不过这个秘密我们要保守多久呢?
  
  LL: About two months. Then I'll tell my boss and co-workers, and you won't have to keep my news hush-hush any more.
  
  LH: 两个月以后你就要告诉老板和同事了。我想他们一定会舍不得你走。 Larry,我也要告诉你一个秘密。 It is all very hush-hush.
  
  LL: What's that?
  
  LH: 我的一个学生最近在华盛顿申请了一份工作, 听说是去一个秘密机构。
  
  LL: If it is so hush-hush, how do you know about it?
  
  LH: 因为我给她写了推荐信, 那个单位还找我谈话,调查这位学生的情况。
  
  LL: Hmm, a hush-hush organization. Is she applying to become a secret agent?
  
  LH: 你说她在申请作特工? 这我可不能告诉你, 你知道我必须保密。
  
  LL: Oh, I know. I'm just curious. Sometimes it is hard to keep things hush-hush. Like the fact that my friend Dave is dating your friend Mary.
  
  LH: Dave 和Mary? 他们在谈恋爱? 我怎么没听说呢?
  
  LL: Dave asked me to keep it hush-hush for a while, because he wanted to be sure that Mary liked him and that it wasn't a one-time thing.
  
  LH: Dave要确定Mary是否真的喜欢他后才公开。这我完全理解。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#923
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I thought about telling you, Li Hua. But I didn't want to be a blabbermouth.
  
  LH: Blabbermouth这个词我知道, Blabbermouth指的是嘴快、不能保守秘密的人。
  
  LL: Wow, you are *good*, Li Hua. A blabbermouth is someone who blabbers; they talk, talk, talk and can't keep a secret.
  
  LH: Larry,在Dave这件事上, 你可真是守口如瓶啊,You are not a blabbermouth。 有你这样忠实的朋友,Dave一定很放心。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. Dave and Mary have been dating for several weeks, and he told me I could tell you and our other friends now.
  
  LH: Dave让你告诉我啦?那他和Mary一定很合得来, 太好了!Larry, Dave当时幸亏没有告诉Jennifer, 全世界的人就都知道了。
  
  LL: Jennifer is a blabbermouth? What do you mean?
  
  LH: 她总喜欢打听和议论别人的私事,然后到处乱说。
  
  LL: Have you ever said anything about it to her?
  
  LH: 我怎么好意思对她说:Don't be such a blabbermouth!
  
  LL: Well, then I'll remember the next time I have something I want to keep hush-hush: Don't tell Jennifer the blabbermouth!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hush-hush,意思是不要公开的,是秘密的。还有一个是blabbermouth,这是指那些嘴快,不能保守秘密的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#924
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的是,要是你和朋友一起出去吃饭,到最后由谁来付账的问题。在美国,要是一个朋友约你一起出去吃午饭,那当然由他付钱。然而,要是你和三四个朋友一起去饭馆吃饭,事先也没有说好谁请客,那末,当服务员把帐单放在桌上的时候应该怎么办呢?如果你们当中有一个人很慷慨的话,那么他可能会主动表示他愿意请客。在这种情况下,他可以说:Let me pick up the tab. To pick up就是把什么东西拿起来的意思。Tab在口语里就是指帐单。因此,let me pick up the tab, 就是我来付账的意思。我们来举一个例子,这是一个人跟两个朋友在饭馆吃饭,到付账的时候,他对他的两个朋友说:
  
  例句-1: Listen, please don't argue with me. Let me pick up the tab this time. You two treated me many times before when I was looking for a job. Now I'm making good money, so it should be my turn.
  
  这个人说:得了,请你们别跟我争。这次让我来付账吧。以前我在找工作的时候,你们两请我吃过好多次饭。现在,我的收入很好,所以这次应该轮到我了。
  
  ******
  
  但是,to pick up the tab只是一种说法,还有其他表达方式。比如,你也可以说:say, let me foot the bill for this. 这是说:嗨,这次我来付吧。大家可能知道foot就是:一只脚。但是,to foot the bill跟脚没有任何关系,而且这儿的foot是用做动词。To foot the bill就是付账。要是你愿意请你的朋友吃饭,你还可以说::It's my treat. 这是说:我请客。To treat就含有招待,款待的意思。我们上面讲的都是很慷慨大方,愿意请客的朋友。但是,每个人可能都碰到过一些非常小气的人。下面是一个人在跟他的哥哥讲话。
  
  例句2: I go out with Jack quite often, but he will never foot the bill for anything we spend. Even girls nowadays offer to treat me from time to time.
  
  这个人很生气,他说:我跟杰克经常出去,但是,不管我们花什么钱,他从来也没有付过账。现在的女孩子,有的时候还主动地要请我呢。
  
  我们在这句话里用的是to foot the bill,你也可以用其他两种说法来替代。另外有一点要指出的,以前在美国,要是男的和女的一起出去吃饭,那总是由男的来付账。但是现在随着社会和经济的不断变化,男女一起出去吃饭由女的来付账也是可以接受的了。这当然跟妇女的社会和经济地位提高有关。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#925
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人一起出去吃饭的时候,也往往采用分摊的做法。许多人,包括不少外国人在内,都认为这种做法很好。也就是说,大家一起到饭馆去,但是各自付自己的钱。这原来在英文里叫做:Dutch treat. Dutch treat翻到中文就是:荷兰式的请客,但是实际上并没有人请客。因为Dutch treat就是各自付自己的钱。当然,事先说好由谁请客也是经常的事。现在,人们已经把Dutch treat简化成:Go Dutch. 我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在向他的朋友建议一起去试试一个新的餐馆。
  
  例句3: How about trying that new French restaurant on Columbus Drive tonight? I heard it's expensive so let's go Dutch, Okay?
  
  这人说:今天晚上去哥仑布斯街那个新开的法国餐馆去试试怎么样?我听说那个餐馆很贵,所以我们各付各的,好吗?
  
  按照中国人的习惯,这种做法可能会使有的人感到不太习惯,但是一般美国人并不认为这有什么不合适。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在对朋友说话。
  
  例句4: Why don't we go Dutch in the future. I believe we'll be able to get together more this way as nobody would worry about who's going to pick up the tab.
  
  他说:我们以后各自付自己的钱。我相信,这样我们出去吃饭的次数还会多一些,因为那样大家都不会担心由谁来付账的事
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#926
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry说好开车来接李华去艺术馆,可是李华等了他好久也不见他来。李华今天会学到两个常用语 spaced和in a jiffy。
  
  (Phone rings)
  
  LH: Hello?
  
  LL: Hi, Li Hua, This is Larry. I am so sorry I am late. I completely spaced that we were going to the museum today.
  
  LH: You spaced going to the museum? 我们要去艺术馆不是航空馆,跟space没有关系!
  
  LL: By "spaced" I meant I completely forgot. Again, I'm really sorry.
  
  LH: 你怎么全忘了呢?我们不是一直说要去看画展吗?
  
  LL: I know, Li Hua. I can't explain how I spaced it. I got busy doing little things at home like laundry and cleaning the kitchen.
  
  LH: 什么?你在忙着洗衣服和打扫厨房?平时不见你干活,怎么今天这么勤快呢?不过别着急, Larry谁都有忘记的时候,包括我在内。
  
  LL: I can't believe it, Li Hua. You are so well organized. I can't imagine you spacing anything.
  
  LH: 我今年就忘了给我母亲寄生日贺卡。 I completely spaced it!
  
  LL: You spaced sending your own mother a birthday card?!
  
  LH: 是啊,真不好意思。 那几天我忙着改学生的作业,把寄卡的事忘得一干二净。Completely spaced it!
  
  LL: Well, that makes me feel a little better about spacing today's trip to the museum.
  
  LH: Larry, 你忘了没关系,现在还来的及。我们还有时间去看展览。
  
  LL: Really? I thought I had the pamphlet for the museum with its closing time, but I seem to have spaced where I put it。
  
  LH: 博物馆的小册子也不知道放在哪里了?你今天怎么了?得了,我上网去查吧! 让我看看...有了,网站上说他们6点关门。
  
  LL: OK, if I don't space anything else, we should have plenty of time to see the exhibit and maybe get some dinner afterwards.
  
  LH: Larry, 千万别忘了把门票带上。Don't space bringing the tickets for the exhibit. 没有票我们就惨了。
  
  LL: Don't worry Li Hua, I won't space the tickets. I've got them right in my pocket. I'll be over soon. Bye! (hangs up)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#927
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: See, I told you I'd be over in a jiffy!
  
  LH: In a jiffy? 你是说很快就到了,是吗?
  
  LL: Exactly, Li Hua. In a jiffy means a very short amount of time.
  
  LH: 对了,你平时要花一刻钟才能到我这里,今天怎么十分钟不到就到了呢? You did make it here in a jiffy.
  
  LL: I tried very hard to get over here in a jiffy, because I felt so bad about spacing our trip to the museum today.
  
  LH: 别再想忘了去参观的事了。我们得马上出发, 不然就没有时间看画展了。 We better get there in a jiffy.
  
  LL: Oh, it won't take long to get there, Li Hua. The museum isn't far. I promise we will be there in a jiffy. Are you ready to go?
  
  LH: 我去拿一下大衣和钱包, 马上就准备好。
  
  LL: While you are getting your coat and purse, I'll check the directions to the museum on the Internet. (computer clicking sounds)
  
  LH: Okay, 我去拿大衣。你在网上查查去博物馆的路线。
  
  LL: The web page isn't coming up. Usually web pages come up in a jiffy.
  
  LH: 是啊,平时网页一点就开,今天真奇怪。 Larry,我们没有时间了, 还是赶快上车吧。
  
  LL: Li Hua, I didn't have lunch because I rushed to get over here. Do you mind if I fix myself a sandwich real quick? I can make one in a jiffy.
  
  LH: Oh, Larry, 实在抱歉,我不知道你还没有吃午饭。你赶快去作sandwich吧,我在这里等你。不过要快噢。Please do it in a jiffy!
  
  LL: I will, and I promise I will also eat it in a jiffy, too!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是spaced, 意思是忘了。还有一个是in a jiffy意思是马上、立刻

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#928
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国有两个主要的政党,共和党和民主党。一般来说,共和党代表保守派,而民主党代表自由派。自由派和保守派在英文里就是:liberals和conservatives. Liberals就是自由派人士,conservatives就是保守派人士。和世界上其他国家的党派一样,他们互相指责,给对方加上一些不太光彩的外号。自由派喜欢对当前的社会,经济和政治制度进行改革。美国的自由派已经有很长的历史了。可是,保守派长期来一直想方设法在liberal这个名字前面加上一些反面的形容词,把它变成一个不是很受人尊敬的名字。下面就是一个例子:Tax-and-spend liberal. Tax就是税收,spend就是开支。保守派把他们叫做tax-and-spend liberal意思是说,自由派当选执政后,他们的政策就是增加对那些辛勤工作的公民的税收,然后把这些钱去救济游手好闲的人,使政府更能够控制人们的生活。下面是一个共和党候选人在说话。
  
  例句-1: My friends, don't be fooled by the promises of these tax-and-spend liberals. All they'll do is raise taxes on people like you, who are the backbone of this country, and then waste your money on programs that will bankrupt America.
  
  这位共和党候选人说:朋友们,那些只知道增加税收和开支的自由派人士做了保证,你们别受他们的骗。他们要做的仅仅是对你们这种发挥国家支柱作用的人增加税收,然后把你们的钱浪费在一些项目上,使国家破产。
  
  ******
  
  每件事都不能只听一面之词。下面是一个民主党候选人在指责共和党。
  
  例句2: The Republicans call Democrats tax-and-spend liberals. The Democrats respond that all the GOP is interested in is reducing taxes for wealthy people and cutting spending for social programs that help the poor.
  
  这个民主党人说:共和党人把民主党人叫做增加税收和开支的自由派。民主党反驳他们,说共和党感兴趣的只是降低有钱人的税收,裁减那些帮助穷人的社会项目的开支。
  
  这个例句里把共和党称为GOP。这是一个缩略语。全称是:The Grand Old Party. 意思是:美国的老大党,也是共和党的别名。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#929
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在保守派的眼里,还有另一种自由派。他们把这种自由派叫做:Knee-jerk liberal. Knee就是膝盖,Jerk就是突然震动一下。你要是到医生那里去,他在检查你的反应能力是否正常的时候会用一个橡皮的锤子轻轻地敲打你的膝盖,要是你的反应正常的话,你的膝盖就会自动地跳动。所以,这是你不能控制的,自动的反应。那末,knee-jerk liberal就是指一个人接受其他自由派的主张,不管这个主张是否合理。下面是一个例子。
  
  例句3: My brother-in-law Tom hasn't had an idea of his own in twenty years. He's a real knee-jerk liberal who votes for anything his liberal friends support, no matter how crazy it is.
  
  这人说:我的妹夫汤姆二十年来一直都没有自己的想法。他是一个真正盲目的自由派。只要他的那些自由派朋友支持的,不管这些想法有多么荒唐,他都投票赞成。
  
  ******
  
  大家都知道,美国有两个主要的政党 -- 民主党和共和党。一般来说,每个党的党员都遵循和支持自己所属党的方针和政策,但是两个党内都有温和派。也就是说,在某些问题上,有些党员会同意另一个党的观点,甚至投票支持对立派的提案。下面是一个议员原来是坚定的民主党,可是现在改变了他的态度。他说:
  
  例句4: In the past, my friends called me a knee-jerk liberal. Now I've found it harder to agree with the policies of any one party. Sometimes I like the Democrats ideas, but other times I tend to side with the Republicans.
  
  这人说:过去,我的朋友们叫我盲目的自由派。现在我发现要同意任何一个政党的所有政策是更困难的事。有的时候,我同意民主党的主意,但是有的时候我愿意站在共和党一边。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#930
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry在一家中餐馆吃饭。李华今天会学到两个常用语bite the bullet和benchwarmer。
  
  LH: Larry,你点的陈皮牛肉真好吃。 (Groans in pain) Oww!
  
  LL: Hey, what's wrong? Was there something in the beef?
  
  LH: 不,是我的牙。我的一个牙齿坏了,早该去看牙医, 可是一直不敢去。
  
  LL: Really? Well, if it hurts that much, I guess you have to bite the bullet and see a dentist!
  
  LH: Bite the bullet!? 咬子弹?Larry ,我咬肉都痛,还叫我咬子弹!
  
  LL: No, no, I'm not being mean. To bite the bullet means to resign yourself to doing something that is difficult or unpleasant.
  
  LH: 所以,你的意思是硬着头皮去难做的事,或不愉快的事。噢,我知道了,以前打仗的时候有时没有麻药,伤员动手术时只好咬著子弹,忍住疼痛。这个习惯用语就是这么来的吧?
  
  LL: I guess so. Anyway, your painful tooth will affect your studying, and it might get worse if you keep waiting. Just bite the bullet and see a dentist!
  
  LH: 牙痛当然影响我的学习。我一会儿就打电话给牙医生约时间。对了, Larry,你上星期因为停车而被罚款有没有去付啊?
  
  LL: (Sighs) No, I haven't paid them off yet. I guess I'd better bite the bullet and pay them, otherwise the charges will be doubled.
  
  LH: 还没有付呀!逾期不付会加倍罚款的。 Larry,今年你已经吃了好几张罚单了, 你平时很少用车,为什么不把它卖掉呢?
  
  LL: Hmm... I like the freedom of having a car, but owning one is pretty expensive in this city. Maybe I should just bite the bullet and sell my car.
  
  LH: 有车是方便, 可是要交停车费、保险费,车坏了还要修理费。 你知道吗?Ben最近把他的车卖掉了。
  
  LL: Really? You know what else Ben did recently? He finally bit the bullet and asked his girlfriend to marry him! She said yes!
  
  LH: 真的呀?那就是说Ben和他的女朋友要结婚了。这是好事啊, 可你为什么你说He bit the bullet? 为什么要硬着头皮求婚呢?
  
  LL: No! It's just that a making a marriage proposal takes courage sometimes. I'm sure Ben was nervous. That's why I say he had to bite the bullet.
  
  LH: 那倒是。求婚是要有勇气的,特别是对Ben这么内向的人来说。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#931
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Sounds of indoor court basketball)
  
  LH: Hey, Larry! 没想到你还会打篮球。
  
  LL: Hey! I've been a part of this recreational league here at the gym for a few months. Years ago I played in high school, but I was just a benchwarmer, really.
  
  LH: 你参加这体育馆的球队已经好几个月了? 我怎么不知道呀? 你说你在中学时只是个benchwarmer,那是什么位置呀?我只知道有前锋,中锋和后卫。
  
  LL: (Chuckles) It's not really a position, Li Hua. A benchwarmer is a reserve player on a team. They aren't as good as the starting players, so they have to sit on the bench and wait.
  
  LH: 原来benchwarmer就是我们中国人常说的板凳队员。 因为他们的技术比较差,入场打球的机会比较少,老坐在板凳上等教练的命令,把板凳都坐暖了。Benchwarmer,这很有意思。
  
  LL: Yeah, well, being a benchwarmer on my high school basketball team was not funny, for me at least. That's why I quit the team after one season.
  
  LH: 这我完全理解。 我以前在大学也参加过蓝球队, 也是老坐板凳,所以不久就退出了。
  
  LL: That's too bad! If I was forced to be a benchwarmer on this team, I'd probably quit too. It's not worth my time if I can't play.
  
  LH: 光坐在那里看而没机会打球的确不值得。 Larry,你现在差不多每场比赛都参加,球技一定很棒噢。
  
  LL: Heh, not really, this team only has seven players, and everyone always gets a chance to play. No one has to be a benchwarmer on this team.
  
  LH: 你们只有七名队员,那是没有人坐板凳了。我也想打篮球,不过我谁都不认识,不知道怎么报名。
  
  LL: Oh, what are you worried about, Li Hua. Just bite the bullet and ask someone about joining!
  
  LH: 好吧,我明天就去问问。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是bite the bullet, 意思是硬着头皮、鼓起勇气去做不想作或是很难做的事。还有一个是benchwarmer, 意思是指球队的后备队员。他们老是坐在板凳上,打球的机会不多。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#932
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们在上一个节目里讲了两个美国共和党用来攻击民主党的名称。现在我们来讲两个人们用来形容保守派的常用语。政界人士往往用那些带有浓厚党派色彩的语言来攻击对方,特别是在竞选的时候。用一些不好听的名称来贬低对方是他们的手法之一。
  
  在美国,打击对立派的方法之一就是把他们说成只能迎合那些既无知又顽固的选民。有一个美国人常用的词就包含这个意思:Redneck. Redneck是一个字,但是实际上是由两个字red和neck组成的。按字面来解释,redneck就是:红脖子。美国南部贫穷的农民,因为每天在太阳下劳动,所以他们的脖子老是红红的。这些南部农民大多数是白人。一般都比较粗暴,思想顽固,没有知识,而且种族观念很深,不喜欢黑人。美国的保守派很愿意争取他们。下面这个例句是一个地方的电台评论员在说话。
  
  例句-1: Usually rednecks in this State vote for the conservative candidate. But this year it's hard to predict because they're getting hurt by the slowdown in the economy.
  
  他说:这个州的农民一般都投保守派候选人的票。但是,今年却很难说,因为经济境况不好使他们受到损害。
  
  ******
  
  美国前总统卡特出身在南方乔治亚州。他的家是经营花生的农民。卡特的弟弟长得一副农家子弟的样子,喜欢喝酒,到处丢脸,被认为是一个典型的redneck。他自己也说redneck是那种喜欢开大卡车,一路开一路喝啤酒,然后把空瓶扔到车窗外面的粗人。但是,现在redneck这个说法已经不局限在形容南方农民了。它也可以用来指一般干粗活和具有种族歧视的人。下面是一个人在和他的朋友讲话。
  
  例句2: I met Bill's uncle that day at the party. He seems to be a typical redneck. He talked so loud and insulted the blacks all the time. I'm very surprised, he has nothing in common with Bill.
  
  这个人说:那天在聚会上我遇到了比尔的叔叔。看来,他是个典型的粗人。他大声说话,不断地侮辱黑人。他跟比尔毫无相同之处。我真是感到非常惊奇。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#933
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

四十年前,美国有一个共和党的参议员名字叫麦卡锡。英文就是:McCarthy. 这里要注意一下这个名字的拼音。大家都知道,人名地名的第一个字母要大写。但是,McCarthy这个名字有些不同。除了第一个字母M 要大写外,第三个字母C也要大写。美国有一些名字都是如此,但是不多。McCarthy在五十年代初在没有经过证实的情况下,骇人听闻地指责政府官员秘密为国际共产主义服务,从而迫害了不少人。1954年年底,参议院通过决议,正式谴责他的不当行为,从此结束了麦卡锡时代。虽然,麦卡锡时代已经过去,但是他的名字却变成美国人日常语言中含有贬意的用词。McCarthyite. McCarthyite就是在McCarthy这个名字后面加上ite,成为麦卡锡份子。现在,McCarthyite是指那些习惯于对反对自己的人进行毫无根据的,不公平的指责的人。下面是一个教政治学的教授在说话。
  
  例句3: You may see a McCarthyite in either party. Often he makes false charges against the other side simply to hide the fact that he has such a weak record of his own to sell the voters.
  
  这位教授说:你们可能在这个党,或者那个党里看到一个麦卡锡份子。一般来说,他自己以往的表现不良,因此难以争取选民。为了掩盖这一事实,他往往会假造罪名来指责竞争的对手。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例子是一个竞选议员的候选人在发表讲话,反驳对他进行诬蔑的反对派。
  
  例句4: My opponents accuse me of stealing public funds and accepting bribes when I was a cabinet member. None of these is true. They behave like true McCarthyites and the American people will not tolerate that.
  
  他说:反对我的人指责我盗用公款,说我在担任内阁成员的时候接受贿赂。所有这些指责全是假的。他们的做法真像麦卡锡分子。美国人民是不会容忍的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#934
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry正在跟李华谈他最近回家看到哥哥和妹妹的情况。 李华今天会学会两个常用语people person和know-it-all。
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, I just got back from seeing my family. It was a nice visit, and I was so impressed with my little sister Emily. She is such a people person.
  
  LH: 你说你妹妹Emily是什么?A people person? Hey, Larry, 妹妹Emily当然是人嘛。
  
  LL: Oh, a people person is someone who is good around people and likes people. Emily definitely is a people person, and she has what we call "people skills."
  
  LH: 噢,原来people person就是喜欢而且善于跟人交往的人。
  
  LL: Right, people skills include being friendly, being a good conversationalist, and making other people comfortable. So, seeing Emily again reminded me what a people person she is.
  
  LH: 我真是很羡慕那些善于跟人交往的人。他们总是显得很友好、也很健谈,让人喜欢。 你哥哥Ron呢? 他也是a people person?
  
  LL: No, Ron is very, very smart, but he is a not a people person. He likes to keep to himself, and when he is in a group, he doesn't talk very much.
  
  LH: 我知道你哥哥Ron很聪明。他是不太爱讲话。原来他性格比较内向。你和你哥哥的性格是不是有点相似?
  
  LL: Well, I think I am somewhere in the middle. I am not as much of a people person Emily is, but I think I have more people skills than my older brother Ron.
  
  LH: 我看你也是处于中间,在人际关系方面赶不上Emily,但比哥哥要强一些。Larry, 那你觉得我是什么水平呢?
  
  LL: You are a people person, Li Hua. I think you need to be a real people person to be a Chinese teacher.
  
  LH: 那倒不见得教中文的老师必须善于和人交往,其实任何老师都应该如此。 我们每天都要跟学生打交道嘛。
  
  LL: Being a people person can also be very useful when interviewing for a job.
  
  LH: 没错,找工作面试的时候, 公司总是喜欢能与人相处的雇员。
  
  LL: Yes, and my sister Emily told me she has an interview for an internship at a law firm. With her people skills, I am sure she will get it.
  
  LH: 没错,像Emily那样讨人喜欢的人,那律师事务所肯定会要她去实习的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#935
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: My older brother Ron drives me crazy sometimes, because he is such a know-it-all.
  
  LH: A know-it-all? 他什么都知道。这不是好事吗?
  
  LL: A know-it-all is someone who acts like they know every thing and want to show everyone that they know everything. But, they don't necessarily really know what they are talking about.
  
  LH: 噢,这儿说的a know-it-all不是真正的有知识,而是指那种喜欢喧耀自己什么都知道, 可是其实并不见得都懂的人。
  
  LL: Let's take my older brother Ron as an example. Because Ron is such a know-it-all, you can't say a word without him correcting you or arguing with you.
  
  LH: 我碰到过这样的人。不管你说什么他都要更正你。 Larry, 如果你说得对呢?比如你说地球是圆的?
  
  LL: Well, in this case my know-it-all older brother would say to me, "You know, Larry, technically the earth is not round."
  
  LH: 什么?! 他会说, 地球实际上并不是圆的?人人都知道地球是圆的。看来你哥哥并不是无所不知啊。
  
  LL: I'll give you another example. During this visit with my family, I said I thought Star Wars was the greatest science fiction movie of all time.
  
  LH: 许多人都认为[星球大战]是科幻影片中最棒的。
  
  LL: No, Ron, said, "Actually, Larry, 'The Matrix' did much better at the box office."
  
  LH: 他怎么这么爱抬杠啊? The Matrix这部电影的票房收入比《星球大战》还要高?我没有调查,可是我才不信呢。
  
  LL: That's why Ron drives me crazy sometimes. I just want to have one conversation with him where he doesn't have to act like such a know-it-all.
  
  LH: 其实,我觉得Ron未必喜欢和你争论,他可能是自卑,所以才装出什么都懂的样子。
  
  LL: Oh, No, Li Hua, don't you start sounding like a know-it-all, too!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是people person,这是 指喜欢并善于跟人打交道的人。还有一个是know-it-all,这是指那种自以为什么都懂的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#936
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里,我们要给大家讲两个以dry这个字为主的习惯用语。Dry就是:干,也就是干和湿的干。我们首先要讲的一个习惯用语是:Dry run. Dry是干,run就是跑。Dry run按字面来解释,那就是:干跑,而在我们生活中根本就没有干跑这一说。实际上,这里的run并不是跑的意思,而是run through。也就是:过一遍,或者是做一遍。换句话说,dry run就是在做一件事或执行一项计划前进行的演习。
  
  比如说,在正式上演一个剧本以前,导演和演员要进行多次排练。这个常用语是第二次世界大战期间开始出现的。士兵在练习打靶的时候枪里是没有子弹的。有的人就把这叫做dry run。逐渐地,dry run这个说法就传开了,后来到二次大战以后就成了生活中的日常用语。
  
  科学家有了新发明,在大规模生产以前有时也会先来试一下,看看有什么问题。做生意的人也会如此。下面就是一位公司的总裁在讲话。
  
  例句-1: We're certainly glad we did a dry run on our new marketing plan for California before we sent our salesmen out. We found so many things wrong that we're designing the whole thing over.
  
  他说:我们在派出推销员之前,把我们为加利福尼亚州制定的新的推销计划进行了一次演习。我们真是很高兴做了这次演习,因为我们发现了许多问题,现在我们正在重新设计。
  
  ******
  
  一个公司的董事长准备去检查一下他公司的公关部的情况。当然,公关部的经理在得到通知以后就开始紧张地做准备。下面这个例子是他在对手下工作人员说话。
  
  例句2: The Chairman is to arrive in two hours and we still have a lot to do. Please hurry up and complete your work before 10 o'clock. We need to save at least half an hour for another dry run.
  
  这位经理说:董事长两个小时以后就要到,我们还有许多事情要做。请大家抓紧时间,在十点以前完成你们手里的工作。我们必须剩下至少半个小时再来进行一次演习。
  
  美国人的头衔有的时候也很令人迷惑。Chairman这个字可以用在各种不同的场合。某个委员会的主席可以叫做chairman,但是在上面这个例句里,chairman指的是:chairman of the board,就是董事长。这么地位高的负责人要去检查工作,那经理当然会感到紧张。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#937
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来讲一个以dry这个字为主的习惯用语。Cut and dried. Cut就是切东西的切。大家都知道,英文里有许多字既可做动词,也可以做名词或形容词。Dry就是一个例子。Dry run里的dry是一个形容词,但是cut and dried里的dried 是从动词to dry变形而来,也就是动词to dry的过去式,意思是已经干了。Cut and dried这个习惯用语的含义实际上跟cut 和 dry都没有什么关系。Cut and dried的意思是:老一套,或者是人们所预料的,或者是根据以往的老做法来行事。任何事情要是被说成cut and dried,那就很可能是没有什么吸引人的地方,因为缺乏新鲜内容。
  
  下面就是一个很好的例子。这是一个共和党成员刚在自己的州里参加了党代会以后回来,感到十分失望。
  
  例句3: It was a waste of time to go to my party's state convention this year. It was all cut and dried - the same old speakers saying the same things they said last year.
  
  他说:今年去参加我所属的党的州党员大会真是浪费时间。一切都是老一套。讲话的人就是去年讲话的人。他们讲的话也跟去年一样。
  
  ******
  
  美国人举行婚礼的时候一般在仪式的程序里都有家长讲话的一项。有的家长口才很好,有的家长缺乏在公众场合讲话的经验。下面是一个明天就要结婚的儿子在对他爸爸讲话。
  
  例句4: Dad, I've no doubt that you'll make a fine speech tomorrow. What really concerns me is my father-in-law. He tends to repeat what he said in the past. That'll sound all cut and dried and possibly spoil the atmosphere of the wedding.
  
  这个儿子对他爸爸说:爸爸,你明天讲话一定会讲得很好的,这我是毫无疑问。我真正担心的是我的岳父。他总是重复他以前讲过的话。那会听起来老生常谈,还可能会影响婚礼的气氛。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#938
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在公园里散步,Larry告诉李华他的朋友Rick最近交了一个女朋友。 李华今天要学会两个常用语Seeing Someone和Breaking up。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, have you heard the news? Rick is seeing someone.
  
  LH: Rick is seeing someone? Rick在看人。这有什么奇怪的,我也在看一个人呀。I am seeing someone, too.
  
  LL: Really? You are seeing someone, Li Hua? Who is it?
  
  LH: 就是你呀。 Larry. 我不是在看着你吗?
  
  LL: (Laughs) That's pretty funny, Li Hua. But, by "seeing someone" I don't mean Rick is looking at someone with his eyes.
  
  LH: 你不是说"Rick is seeing someone"吗? 他不是在看人, 那是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: When I said Rick is "seeing someone," I meant he was dating a girl.
  
  LH: OH! 你是在说Rick有了一个女朋友。Although I'm seeing you,但是我们不是男女朋友的关系。
  
  LL: Right, we are just friends, Li Hua. We go out and do things together, but we aren't boyfriend and girlfriend. We aren't seeing each other.
  
  LH: 事实上, 我现在根本就没有男朋友,I am not seeing anyone.
  
  LL: It's OK, Li Hua. I'm not seeing anyone either. But Rick is pretty serious about the girl he is seeing.
  
  LH: Rick已经换了好几个女朋友了,你说他这次真的会很认真吗?那女孩是谁呀?
  
  LL: Her name is Jennifer. Rick has been seeing her for about a month or so.
  
  LH: 嗯,Jennifer。交往了才一个月,你怎么知道Rick对这个女孩很认真呀!
  
  LL: You're right, Li Hua. It hasn't been very long - but ever since they started to see each other, they've been doing everything together - going out to eat, seeing movies, and taking walks in the park.
  
  LH: 热恋的时候当然是形影不离了;一起吃饭, 看电影,一起去公园散步,多浪漫。Larry, 那边走的不是Rick吗?跟他牵着手的女孩子就是Jennifer吧?
  
  LL: That is Rick across the park. But that is not the girl he has been seeing.
  
  LH: 那个女孩子不是Jennifer? 难道Rick另有所爱了?
  
  LL: I don't know. I'll ask him.
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#939
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, Li Hua, you were right. Rick is seeing someone else. He and Jennifer broke up.
  
  LH: 果然Rick又有了别的女朋友。 哎,你说他和Jennifer broke up,那是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: To break up means to end the relationship. Apparently, Rick broke up with Jennifer last night.
  
  LH: 昨天晚上才分开,Rick就已经和别的女孩手牵手了, 真是不可思议。
  
  LL: From what Rick says, he decided to break up with Jennifer, because he met someone new that he liked even better.
  
  LH: Rick遇到了他更喜欢的人,所以和Jennifer分手了。 真是喜新厌旧的人呢,Jennifer一定伤心死了。 Rick是怎么跟她说的呢?
  
  LL: Rick said he called Jennifer last night on the phone and told her he wanted to break up.
  
  LH: 什么?他只是打了个电话,这太不礼貌了,他至少应该当面道歉。
  
  LL: Well, I guess since they hadn't been seeing each other very long, he didn't think it a problem to break up over the phone.
  
  LH: 他们交朋友的时间虽然是不长,可是毕竟是谈过恋爱的。如果我的男朋友突然打来电话要分手,我会很难过的。
  
  LL: Well, at least Rick didn't send Jennifer a text message telling her he wanted to break up.
  
  LH: 电子邮件?Larry,你跟女朋友分手不会只发个电子邮件吧?
  
  LL: Well, me personally, no. But I've known guys who have broken up with girls by sending them a text message.
  
  LH: Larry, 你可不能像他们那样。
  
  LL: I promise, Li Hua. And right now it is an easy promise to keep, considering I'm not seeing anyone!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是seeing someone, 意思是跟某人谈恋爱。还有一个是break up, 意思是分手。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#940
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来给大家介绍两个以dry这个字为主的习惯用语。第一个是:High and dry. High就是高,dry 就是干。要是一个人处于high and dry的局面,那他就是面临难以解决的困难,又没有任何人给予帮助。High and dry这个说法是怎么来的也不难想像。你要是乘船出游,而你的船在浅水的沙洲上搁浅了。等到潮水退了,你的船就在那高出水面的沙滩上没法动,周围既没有一点水,也没有任何人。这就是high and dry。下面是一个例子。这是一个人在告诉他的朋友他去参加一个聚会的情况。
  
  例句-1: Everybody had fun at Sally's party. But when it came time to clean up the mess, all the guests left in a hurry and Sally was left high and dry, to do all the work by herself.
  
  这句话的意思是:每个去参加萨利举办的聚会的人都玩得很高兴。但是,等到要收拾残局的时候,所有的客人都匆忙地走了,就剩下萨利一个人来干这些活。
  
  ******
  
  一般来说,美国人的时间概念是比较强的。跟朋友约会,到约定的时间就应该到指定的地点。要是去参加一个聚会,晚到五分钟,十分钟那倒还可以,因为有时候车辆拥挤,难以控制。这是可以理解的。但是,要是太晚了就不好了。另外要注意的一点是,参加一个聚会最好不要早到,因为举办一个聚会有许多准备工作要做,最后一分钟往往是最紧张的时刻,所以你要是早到,对主人来说是很不方便的。下面我们再来举一个high and dry的例子。这是一个人在埋怨他的朋友。
  
  例句2: John, Jack and Mary all urged me to give a big party to celebrate my promotion. They promised to help out with the preparation. But so far they've done nothing saying they are too busy. It seems that I've been left high and dry and have to do all the work by myself.
  
  这人说:约翰,杰克和玛丽都动员我举办一个大规模的聚会来庆祝我被提升的事。他们都保证帮我做准备工作。但是,到目前为止,他们什么也没做,说是太忙。看来,我是没办法了,只好自己来做一切了。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#941
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们在这次节目里要讲的第二个习惯用语是:Dry up. Dry up这个说法有几种不同的用法。其中之一是叫某人闭嘴,不要再说了。当然,这是不太礼貌的说法。我们来举一个例子。
  
  例句3: Oh, why don't you dry up. I'm sick and tired of hearing you complain all the time! If you don't like the job, why don't you go out and look for another one. It's not that you don't have a choice.
  
  这人说:喂,你得了,别说了,行吗? 你没完没了地抱怨,我都听的烦死了。要是你不喜欢这个工作,你干吗不出去再另外找一个工作。你又不是没有选择的余地。
  
  其实,美国近年来要找工作也不容易。许多公司和政府机构都在裁员。找到一个满意的工作更是难上加难。再说,即便找到了一个工作,难道就没有任何问题了吗?
  
  ******
  
  我们刚才说了,dry up这个常用语用在不同场合有不同的含义。上面的解释是叫某人不要再说了。另外一个解释是,非常快的消失,就像一杯水倒在很热的沙滩上。这当然是很形像的比喻。其实,dry up在生活其他方面也都适用。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句4: After he lost the election Senator Blank had two months left in his term. But he saw his political power dry up over night as people know very well that he'll be out of the picture soon.
  
  这句话的意思是:布兰克参议员在竞选失败后,他的任期还剩两个月。但是,由于人们很清楚他不久就会成为局外人,所以他发现他的政治权力好像一夜之间就消失了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#942
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry看了一场电影刚回到Larry的公寓。李华今天会学会两个常用语Dullsville和Coolsville。
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua, that movie was totally dullsville. I can't believe we stayed and watched the whole thing.
  
  LH: Dullsville? 这个电影的确没意思,It WAS really boring, 可是你为什么不说boring而是说Dullsville?
  
  LL: Well, you know, Li Hua, many small towns in America end in "ville."
  
  LH: 是啊,美国的许多小城镇都叫什么什么"ville" ,比如Coopersville and Andersonville.
  
  LL: So, when I said the movie was "dullsville," I was suggesting the movie was so boring, it was like living in the town of dull.
  
  LH: 我知道了, "dullsville"的意思是说,电影很没意思,就像是住在一个很枯燥的地方。
  
  LL: Right. And that movie was totally dullsville, especially for a comedy. I don't think I even laughed once.
  
  LH: 真的啊?你看这部喜剧片的时候一次都没有笑?不会吧。这部电影不是很好,可也没那么差。Larry,我们学校的一些教授,他们讲课才是真正的dullsville.
  
  LL: Yeah, I remember back in college being in some really dullsville classes. Sometimes they were so boring I'd fall asleep.
  
  LH: 不光是你,不少学生都会因为教授讲课乏味而打瞌睡。Larry,你上班的时候打瞌睡吗?Is your work dullsville?
  
  LL: No, actually we've been very busy with several important projects. There are times I wish it WAS dullsville at work.
  
  LH: 要完成好几个重要的项目,哪当然有功夫打瞌睡了。我教中文倒是蛮有意思,可是周末就很无聊。My weekends are dullsville.
  
  LL: I know what you mean. My weekends have been dullsville, too. I usually clean my apartment, go grocery shopping, and maybe wash my car. Not too exciting.
  
  LH: 我也是,周末就是打扫房间,买吃的、洗车、真单调。Larry,我们得想点什么有趣的事,改善一下周末的生活。
  
  LL: Hmmm。Let me think of how we can get out of dullsville.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#943
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL: I've got it, Li Hua! We'll go to an amusement park next weekend. There is one not too far away that is totally coolsville!
  
  LH: 我们下个周末去游乐园?好啊。那这次你就不用解释了,我知道Coolsville的意思就是说那个地方一切都很棒,很有意思。对不对?
  
  LL: That's right. And this amusement park really is coolsville. We won't be bored there.
  
  LH: 那这个游乐园里有什么特别好玩的呢?
  
  LL: The park has three huge roller coasters. One of them goes upside down! Now that ride is coolsville.
  
  LH: 游乐园里有三个过山车, 还有一个是头朝下的。可我不喜欢坐过山车,the ride doesn't sound so coolsville to me.
  
  LL: You don't like roller coasters? Well, what do you think is coolsville, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我觉得自然博物馆很有意思。
  
  LL: Really? Why do you think the natural history museum is coolsville? I guess I think it is more like dullsville.
  
  LH: 自然博物馆怎么会令人厌倦呢? 你看过那里的恐龙化石吗?多有意思啊。
  
  LL: Well, now that you mention it, my little seven-year old cousin Amy thinks dinosaurs are coolsville, too.
  
  LH: 你七岁的表妹Amy也喜欢恐龙化石?那下个周末,你去游乐园,我带Amy去自然博物馆,怎么样?
  
  LL: That would be coolsville! What a great idea.
  
  LH: 你去享受过山车,我们去观赏恐龙化石。两全齐美,Everything will be coolsville.
  
  LL: Except for one thing.
  
  LH: 除了一件事以外?什么事?
  
  LL: Wouldn't it be more coolsville if we could do something together?
  
  LH: 你说的对,两个人一起才有意思。那我跟你去游乐园,以后我们再去自然博物馆。
  
  LL: Coolsville.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dullsville,意思是枯燥乏味,令人厌倦。还有一个是coolsville,意思是很好,很有意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#944
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

每个人在生活中都不断地需要做出选择和决定。在一生中也都会有些不顺当的时刻。在这次节目里,我们要给大家讲的两个习惯用语就是指面临困难。在日常生活中,有的时候我们会觉得自己好像站在十字路口,不知道往哪儿走才好。要是我们做出错误的决定,那我们就会处于不利的境地。这就是我们要讲的第一个习惯用语。In the doghouse. Doghouse是一个字,可是实际上是两个字组成的,一个是dog,就是狗。另一个是house,意思是房子。Doghouse这个字的原意就是:狗睡觉的房子,也就是狗窝。In the doghouse作为俗语,它的意思就是你使某人很生气,以致你不得不在屋子外面跟自己家里的狗睡在一起,意思就是倒了霉。下面是一个学生在说他自己的经历。
  
  例句-1: I've been in the doghouse with my mom and dad ever since they saw my grades from last semester. I admit that I failed math and barely passed English, but these are tough courses!
  
  这个学生说:自从我妈妈和爸爸看到我上学期的成绩单以后,他们一直对我很生气。我承认,我数学不及格,英语也勉强及格。可是这些都是很难的课程!
  
  ******
  
  在美国人当中,离了婚再结婚的人也不少。有的时候,双方跟前夫或前妻都有孩子,结了婚两家合在一起孩子就更多了。这就会产生很多问题,不仅孩子之间会发生矛盾,而且还会影响夫妇之间的感情。下面就是一个丈夫在说他生活中的麻烦。
  
  例句2: My wife and I each has a son from our first marriages. Somehow, her son always likes to disturb my son when he's doing his homework. The other day I tried to discipline him and that got me in the doghouse with my wife.
  
  这个丈夫说:我跟我太太以前第一次结婚的时候都有一个儿子。不知怎么回事,每当我儿子做功课的时候,她的儿子总是喜欢捣乱。那天,我想给他做点规矩,这可使我太太对我好生气呐。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#945
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来给大家讲一个表示处境困难的习惯用语。Between a rock and a hard place. Between就是在两者之间,rock是石头,hard就是硬的,place是指地方。要是一条船遇到风浪,她的一边是一块大岩石,另一边是峭壁。这条船想要从这两者之间很窄的水面安全地脱险,这又有多么不容易。在这种情况下,你必须做出正确的决定,但是有的时候又似乎没有什么好办法。就像下面这个饭店的老板一样。
  
  例句3: We've lost so much that we're between a rock and a hard place. I can't decide whether to try to borrow money and pay higher interest than we can afford or else sell out and probably lose half of our investment.
  
  这个老板说:“我们亏损了这么多,现在真是左右为难。要是去借钱就得支付难以承担的高利贷。要是出售整个企业就很可能会损失我们投资总额的一半。在这两者之间,我真感到左右为难。”
  
  ******
  
  虐待妇女是美国的社会问题之一。有的是丈夫殴打妻子。有的是男朋友殴打女朋友。有的妇女被打得鼻青脸肿,还有的受重伤,有的甚至被打死。犯这种罪行的男人都很粗暴;女方往往怕他们。下面就是一个警察在说一个受虐待的妇女的心情。
  
  例句4: Lisa finds herself between a rock and a hard place. If she decides to stay with her husband, she'll be beaten from time to time or even killed one day. If she is determined to divorce him, he probably will kill her before she hires a lawyer.
  
  这个警察说:利萨发现自己真是进退两难。要是她决定和她丈夫继续过下去,她会不断地挨打,或者甚至哪天被打死。要是她决心跟他离婚,她可能还没有找到律师,就被她丈夫杀了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#946
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry在学校的电脑室里见到了李华。李华今天要学会两个常用语ASAP和crank out。
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua! What are you working on? A paper?
  
  LH: 不是,我在写申请威廉森中国历史奖学金的申请书。
  
  LL: What? But that's due tomorrow! You'd better finish that ASAP.
  
  LH: 我知道明天是申请的最后期限,所以我在赶呐。ASAP, 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: ASAP means "as soon as possible". You need to finish that application as soon as possible!
  
  LH: 噢,原来ASAP就是尽快 - as soon as possible 的缩写。 Larry,那你为什么不说as soon as possible而是说ASAP呢?
  
  LL: Well, people say "as soon as possible", but if you are in a hurry, it's easier to just say ASAP.
  
  LH: 匆忙的时候说ASAP,这能节省多少时间呢, 顶多半秒钟吧。
  
  LL: Well, it also sounds more forceful. For instance, if your boss tells you, "Li Hua, I need you to get this done ASAP!" you know that he is in a hurry!
  
  LH: 那倒是。ASAP听起来比较干脆,比较有力。
  
  LL: Or if your mechanic tells you that you car is leaking oil, and that you need to have it fixed ASAP, you'd better take his word for it.
  
  LH: 你别举这种让我倒霉的例子。不过,要是我的车漏油了,我当然得尽快修理。I need to have it fixed ASAP。
  
  LL: Wait, Li Hua, you promised me yesterday that you would proofread my Chinese composition. Have you done that yet? I need to hand it in ASAP!
  
  LH: 天啊, 昨天我答应帮你修改中文作文,我怎么把这件事给忘了呢?真的好对不起。那你今天下午交还来得及吗?
  
  LL: I need to go to work ASAP, so I need to hand this in before I go.
  
  LH: (Sighs) 如果你一定要在上班之前把作业交上去, 那我现在就帮你看吧。
  
  LL: Thank you so much, Li Hua. You're such a good friend.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#947
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Larry returns to the computer lab later in the day.)
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua! I am back from work. Are you still working on that statement?
  
  LH: 是啊, 我还在写申请。哎,Larry, 写申请有什么窍门吗?你怎么每次都写得那么快呢?
  
  LL: Oh, I don't know. I guess because I have written so many of them, now it's easy for me to crank them out.
  
  LH: Crank them out? 这是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: To crank something out means to produce something quickly and mechanically, without much thought.
  
  LH: 嗯,To crank something out就是不需要太多思考,很机戒地做成某种事。
  
  LL: Well, when I was an undergraduate, I would just crank out essays and term papers, no problem. Of course, it's not that easy these days.
  
  LH: 我听说了,你读本科的时候是写作高手, 论文和学期作文都难不倒你。现在当研究生就不一样了;你要作大量研究才能有根有据地写。
  
  LL: Exactly. So, did you ever just crank out essays when you were a student in China?
  
  LH: 当然了,我在中国读中学的时候, 半个小时就能crank out两页的政论文章。Larry, to crank out这个短语还能用在别的地方吗?
  
  LL: Sure, for instance, at McDonald's, they crank out hundreds of hamburgers every day.
  
  LH: 麦当劳每天制作成千上万个的汉堡包。这一点也不错。
  
  LL: And Hollywood cranks out stupid action movies every other week.
  
  LH: 我从来不看好莱坞制作的那种武打片,所以我就不太清楚了。
  
  LL: Anyway, I have another piece of homework for Chinese class that I need you to look at ASAP. Can you help me?
  
  LH: 没问题,我可以帮你看中文作业,不过你得帮我修改一下我写的申请书。I need to drop it in the mail ASAP。
  
  LL: Ok, no problem. Show me what you've written so far。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是ASAP, 意思是尽快。还有一个是crank out, 意思是不需多加思考地,机戒地制作某种东西。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#948
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要介绍给大家的两个习惯用语里都有一个主要的字。那就是:Bum. Bum就是指那种游手好闲,不务正业的人。每个社会都有这样的人。美国虽然是一个富有的国家,但是也不例外。美国人有几个称呼这种人的常用语。其中之一就是bum。在美国,你有时会看到一些衣服穿得破破烂烂,随身带着大包小包的人。这些包里的东西就是他们所有的家当了。
  
  人们把他们称为bums。Bum这个字还出现在一些习惯用语当中,一般都含有贬意。今天我们要给大家介绍的第一个常用语就是:Bummer. Bummer这个字大概是在二十五年前出现的,因此在美国常用语里还是比较新的。
  
  Bummer 的意思是:不愉快的经历。下面是一个例子。这是一个人在说他的朋友给他出的主意很不好。
  
  例句-1: Charley sure gave us a bad recommendation when he said that new rock group from England is so great. We heard their concert last night and it was terrible - believe me, a real bummer!
  
  这人说:查理向我们推荐说,那个从英国来的新的摇滚乐乐队简直是太好了。他的推荐实在是个错误。我们昨晚去听了那个音乐会,真是难听极了。你别不信我的话,那个音乐会实在太差劲了。
  
  ******
  
  美国有许多餐馆,它们具有不同的民族风味。就中国餐馆来讲也有广东菜、湖南菜、四川菜等。他们之间的竞争非常激烈。尽管有那么多餐馆,可是每个人一般都有几家自己喜欢的餐馆。下面是一个人在说他的经历。
  
  例句2: My wife and I like to try different restaurants. Some restaurants are very reasonable but their food is very tasty. Others, however, charge a lot yet the food is lousy. But none of them we've tried could be worse than the Chinese restaurant close to my home. It's a real bummer.
  
  这人说:我太太和我喜欢到不同的饭馆去试试。有的地方价钱很便宜,可是菜做的很有味道。也有的饭馆价钱很贵,饭食却很差。但是,没有一个饭馆比我家附近那个中国餐馆更次的了。那个饭馆真是太糟糕了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#949
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲的一个习惯用语是由bum和另外一个字合起来组成的。Bum rap. Rap在这儿是指因为作错了事而受到责备或惩罚。但是,受冤枉的事不是也很多吗?要是一个人并没有犯罪而被关进监狱,这就是a bum rap。当然, a bum rap并不一定是被关进监狱。有的时候,a bum rap就是指一个人实在没有做错什么事,但是却挨了批评。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: A lot of people blame the mayor for our roads being in such bad shape. But I think he's getting a bum rap: the problem is the city council won't give him enough money to fix them.
  
  这句话的意思是:我们这儿的道路坑坑□□实在不像样。许多人责怪市长。但是,我认为这实在太冤枉他了。问题在于市政委员会不给他足够的资金来修路。
  
  美国总统计划要做的事往往要得到国会的同意,各城市的市长要做的事也得获得市政委员会的批准。因此确实不能把所有的责任都推给市长。
  
  ******
  
  美国各公司或机构的办公室都有清洁工。在一般情况下,他们都在下班以后来打扫清洁。但是,也有办公室的工作人员在不得已的时候,下了班以后还要加班。下面是一个清洁工在埋怨。
  
  例句4: I cleaned up the office at six as usual. But someone messed up the place with leftover food and beer bottles. My boss blamed me for not having cleaned up properly. I was so mad at getting this kind of bum rap.
  
  这个清洁工说:我跟平时一样在六点打扫办公室。可是,那天晚上有人把办公室弄的乱七八糟,到处都是吃剩的东西和啤酒瓶。我的老板责备我,说我没打扫干净。受这样的冤枉气真让我非常生气。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#950
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry看见李华在修补她的书包,觉得有点奇怪。 李华今天要学会两个常用语cut it和get on it。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, what are you doing with that tape?
  
  LH: (Sighs)我不小心把书包扯了一个大洞。 我要用胶布把它粘上。
  
  LL: With that tape? Li Hua, this cheap clear tape isn't going to cut it, you need some duct tape.
  
  LH: The clear tape isn't going to cut it? 我不是要把书包切开呀!
  
  LL: I know! I said the clear tape won't cut it. Cut. If something or someone can't "cut it", that means it's not good enough.
  
  LH: 原来won't cut it的意思是不够好, 而不是把它切开。所以你是说这种透明的胶条不结实,粘不住,你要用那种厚的胶布?
  
  LL: That's right. Remember that Chinese newspaper reading class I was taking, it was too hard for me- my Chinese wasn't good enough. I couldn't cut it in that class, so I changed to another.
  
  LH: 我当然记得咯!当时你才学了半年中文,看中国报刊是不行,所以跟不上,只好放弃。
  
  LL: Yeah, to be able to read Chinese newspaper, I have to learn more Chinese characters.
  
  LH: 你说的对。 Larry你有没有帮我修改申请书啊?
  
  LL: Yeah, I looked at it. I don't think your application is going to cut it, though. You'll need to re-write some parts.
  
  LH: 你认为凭我写的申请书是拿不到奖学金的。哪怎么办呢?你说吧,哪些部分要重写。
  
  LL: You need to be more specific about your future academic plans. Simply promising to work hard isn't going to cut it with the review committee.
  
  LH: 你说得有道理,我得应当更具体地讲未来的学术计划,而不是泛泛地说要努力学习。 我写的恐怕是通不过审查委员会。
  
  LL:Call me when you finish rewriting.
  
  LH:I will, Larry.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#951
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[Li Hua and Larry meet on campus several days later]
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, haven't see you for a couple of days. Do you have another draft of that application essay for me to check?
  
  LH: 是啊,我们好几天没见了。 我一直忙着上课, 我的申请还没写好呢。
  
  LL: Well, you'd better get on it! It's due next week!
  
  LH: 我得get on it,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: I said, you'd better get on it. To get on it means to take care of something or start working on an important task.
  
  LH: 噢, get on it就是动手处理某件重要的事情。 没错,没错,我的确该动手修改那申请书了。
  
  LL: That's right! You'd better get on it right away. By the way, I'm going to be busy on Thursday, so you'd better have it ready by noon tomorrow.
  
  LH: 你星期四没有时间, 那就是说我非得在明天中午以前交给你。
  
  LL: Yes. If you can give it to me around noon tomorrow, I'll get on it right away and have the corrections ready by Thursday morning.
  
  LH: 星期四上午你就能改完。那太好了。 谢谢你。 你知道吗?我现在千头万绪,忙得不可开交,我这个月的电话账单还没付呢。
  
  LL: Really? You'd better get on that! If you wait too long, they'll charge a big fee, and it might damage your credit score.
  
  LH: 我知道,所以心里着急呢!过期不付要罚很多钱, 而且还会影响我的信誉。 这我都知道。可是我事太多, 我的汽车还没有重新登记呢。
  
  LL: What? If the police notice that you are driving a car with an out of date registration, you'll get a big ticket, or worse! You'd better get on that!
  
  LH: 是啊, 这件事一定得赶快办。 我可不想让警察发现我的车没登记,真要罚钱,我可受不了。可是我就是不喜欢填表, 要花很多时间。
  
  LL: That kind of thinking definitely won't cut it if you want to go to graduate school. Filling out forms for grant proposals is one of the main things that professors and graduate students do.
  
  LH: 那也是,研究生要申请研究经费都要填表。 看来我是得改变这种想法了。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是won't cut it, 意思是不行,不够好。还有一个是get on it , 意思是赶快处理。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#952
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry看见李华在修补她的书包,觉得有点奇怪。 李华今天要学会两个常用语cut it和get on it。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, what are you doing with that tape?
  
  LH: (Sighs)我不小心把书包扯了一个大洞。 我要用胶布把它粘上。
  
  LL: With that tape? Li Hua, this cheap clear tape isn't going to cut it, you need some duct tape.
  
  LH: The clear tape isn't going to cut it? 我不是要把书包切开呀!
  
  LL: I know! I said the clear tape won't cut it. Cut. If something or someone can't "cut it", that means it's not good enough.
  
  LH: 原来won't cut it的意思是不够好, 而不是把它切开。所以你是说这种透明的胶条不结实,粘不住,你要用那种厚的胶布?
  
  LL: That's right. Remember that Chinese newspaper reading class I was taking, it was too hard for me- my Chinese wasn't good enough. I couldn't cut it in that class, so I changed to another.
  
  LH: 我当然记得咯!当时你才学了半年中文,看中国报刊是不行,所以跟不上,只好放弃。
  
  LL: Yeah, to be able to read Chinese newspaper, I have to learn more Chinese characters.
  
  LH: 你说的对。 Larry你有没有帮我修改申请书啊?
  
  LL: Yeah, I looked at it. I don't think your application is going to cut it, though. You'll need to re-write some parts.
  
  LH: 你认为凭我写的申请书是拿不到奖学金的。哪怎么办呢?你说吧,哪些部分要重写。
  
  LL: You need to be more specific about your future academic plans. Simply promising to work hard isn't going to cut it with the review committee.
  
  LH: 你说得有道理,我得应当更具体地讲未来的学术计划,而不是泛泛地说要努力学习。 我写的恐怕是通不过审查委员会。
  
  LL:Call me when you finish rewriting.
  
  LH:I will, Larry.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#953
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[Li Hua and Larry meet on campus several days later]
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, haven't see you for a couple of days. Do you have another draft of that application essay for me to check?
  
  LH: 是啊,我们好几天没见了。 我一直忙着上课, 我的申请还没写好呢。
  
  LL: Well, you'd better get on it! It's due next week!
  
  LH: 我得get on it,那是什么意思?
  
  LL: I said, you'd better get on it. To get on it means to take care of something or start working on an important task.
  
  LH: 噢, get on it就是动手处理某件重要的事情。 没错,没错,我的确该动手修改那申请书了。
  
  LL: That's right! You'd better get on it right away. By the way, I'm going to be busy on Thursday, so you'd better have it ready by noon tomorrow.
  
  LH: 你星期四没有时间, 那就是说我非得在明天中午以前交给你。
  
  LL: Yes. If you can give it to me around noon tomorrow, I'll get on it right away and have the corrections ready by Thursday morning.
  
  LH: 星期四上午你就能改完。那太好了。 谢谢你。 你知道吗?我现在千头万绪,忙得不可开交,我这个月的电话账单还没付呢。
  
  LL: Really? You'd better get on that! If you wait too long, they'll charge a big fee, and it might damage your credit score.
  
  LH: 我知道,所以心里着急呢!过期不付要罚很多钱, 而且还会影响我的信誉。 这我都知道。可是我事太多, 我的汽车还没有重新登记呢。
  
  LL: What? If the police notice that you are driving a car with an out of date registration, you'll get a big ticket, or worse! You'd better get on that!
  
  LH: 是啊, 这件事一定得赶快办。 我可不想让警察发现我的车没登记,真要罚钱,我可受不了。可是我就是不喜欢填表, 要花很多时间。
  
  LL: That kind of thinking definitely won't cut it if you want to go to graduate school. Filling out forms for grant proposals is one of the main things that professors and graduate students do.
  
  LH: 那也是,研究生要申请研究经费都要填表。 看来我是得改变这种想法了。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是won't cut it, 意思是不行,不够好。还有一个是get on it , 意思是赶快处理。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#954
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们在这次节目里要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都有同一个关键的字。那就是fair。Fair这个字有很多解释。其中一个主要的意思是:公正或诚实。这也正是我们要讲的第一个习惯用语的意思。Fair and square. Square可以用做名词,也可以用做形容词。用做名词的时候,它的一般解释就是:四方块。用做形容词的时候可以解释为:正直的,或者是光明正大的。
  
  我们来举一个例子。目前在体育比赛中存在的一个问题就是有的运动员为了取胜而在比赛前服用那些能增强体力的药。体育界有关方面也一直在设法阻止这种现象。下面是一个人在说他那参加赛跑比赛的朋友。
  
  例句-1: Jack won the race last week with flying colors. But other athletes suspected he had taken drugs before the race. I know Jack well - he's a person with high moral standards. I'm sure he won the race fair and square without any cheating.
  
  这是说:杰克上星期在赛跑中以优异成绩获胜。但是,其他运动员怀疑他在赛跑前服了药。我很了解杰克。他是一个道德标准很高的人。我肯定他是老老实实取胜的;没有任何欺骗行为。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子说明fair and square的用法。这是一个很有钱的商人在说话。
  
  例句2: I admit I've piled up a certain amount of money during the past ten years. But I made every penny fair and square. I've never cheated others and at the same time I don't let anybody else cheat me.
  
  这个富商说:我承认我在过去十年内积累了一定数量的钱。但是,我的每一分钱都是老老实实地赚来的。我从来也没有欺骗过别人,同时也不允许别人欺骗我。
  
  ******
  
  我们现在来讲第二个以fair这个字为关键的习惯用语。Fair shake. Shake这个字一般用做动词的时候比较多,意思是:摇。大家都知道,to shake hands就是握手。但是在fair shake里,shake是一个名词。Fair shake是指和每个人进行同样诚实和公正的交易。也可以说是:一视同仁。
  
  这个习惯用语可能是来自一种用骰子玩的赌博。参加赌博的人先要把两颗骰子放在两只手当中摇一摇,然后再往桌上一撒,看看点数加起来一共有多少,以定输赢。现在我们来举一个例子看看fair shake在日常生活中是怎么用的。这是一个人在说买汽车的事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#955
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句3: When I buy a new car I buy it from Bill Green. He's always very honest with customers so you can depend on him to give you a fair shake when it comes to getting a good price.
  
  这个人说:当我要买新车的时候,我就到比尔那儿去买。他对顾客总是很诚实,所以你要是想要价钱好,他可以信得过他,他肯定会很公道地对待你的。
  
  美国人普遍第对推销汽车的人印象很坏,认为他们专会欺骗顾客,从中渔利。但是,从这个例子来看,推销汽车的人当中还是有好的。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在抱怨他的老板,因为他没有被提升。
  
  例句4: My supervisor always assigns me to tackle the tough jobs. But when there's a promotion, he tends to forget me. Several times, people less qualified than I am got promoted. I don't think my supervisor has given me a fair shake.
  
  这个人说:我的上司总是派我去处理难对付的工作。但是,一有提升的机会,他好像把我忘了。好几次了,那些水平不如我的倒被提升了。我认为我的上司对我不公平。
  
  美国公司里的职工跟其他地方一样在争夺提升机会的时候也很激烈。水平高的没被提升,水平低的反而被提升的事不是罕见的现象。有的人甚至为此辞职,到别处再找工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#956
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华一起去购物。Larry准备去参加朋友的婚礼,可是原来的西装太旧了,所以需要买一套新西装。李华今天要学两个常用语hand-me-down和hands down。
  
  LL: Hey Li Hua, I need your help with something. I want to go to the mall and buy a new suit to wear for my friend Jack's wedding.
  
  LH: 要我帮你购物?这可是我的专长。你想买什么牌子的西装?是Ralph Lauren, Calvin Klein, 还是Dolce & Gabbana?
  
  LL: Wo! Wo! Don't overwhelm me already. Any department store will do. All I need to do is find something to replace this old hand-me-down suit that I always wear.
  
  LH: 什么?你这套旧西装是什么质地的?Hand-me-down? 我怎么没听说过这种西装布料呀?
  
  LL: No. Hand-me-down is an expression. It refers to something that is given to you because someone else does not want it any more. My father gave me the suit that I wear now because he could not wear it any longer.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,hand-me-down是说从别人那儿捡来的旧东西,是别人不要的东西。你现在这套西装原来是你老爸穿不了给你的,怪不得看起来不太合身,而且还有些旧旧的。要这么说的话,我的鞋也是hand-me-down。
  
  LL: What? Your wingtip dress shoes?
  
  LH: 就是啊,这双鞋其实是我的好朋友Jane不要了给我的。她还告诉我说,她的另外两个朋友Sarah和Lily也都穿过这双鞋。
  
  LL: Wow! Now that's a hand-me-down. How have those shoes lasted so long?
  
  LH: 这种鞋之所以结实,是因为鞋底可以换新的,我已经换过两次了。对了,你老爸有没有给你什么hand-me-down的鞋,让你穿着去参加Jack的婚礼啊?
  
  LL: No, unfortunately, my big feet won't fit into his hand-me-down shoes.
  
  LH: 你的脚确实不小。那就走吧,大脚,我们买东西去。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#957
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

[Li Hua and Larry arrived at store]
  
  LH: Larry,你有三种选择,这种黑色或是棕色的单排扣两件套西装,还有就是这件灰色的双排扣西装,你更喜欢哪个?
  
  LL: I think the gray double-breasted suit is better looking than any of the others, hands down. And it makes me look pretty sophisticated.
  
  LH: 这件灰西装看上去确实不错,穿在你身上也挺精神的,但是你刚才说的hands down是什么意思呀?
  
  LL: Oh. hands down is an expression that means that something is easily better than something else; that a comparison or competition between two things is uncontested.
  
  LH: 噢, 我明白了。你是说这件灰色西装比其它的都强得多,根本没有好比较的。你说的不错,那套棕色的好像有点儿容易皱,黑色的看起来又太一般了。这件灰色的样子确实不错。
  
  LL: Yeah, and it costs half as much as the others. You know Li Hua, I would never have found this suit at such a good price without your help. Hands down, you are a much better shopper than I am.
  
  LH: 而且价钱也不贵,算是让你赶上了。你也知道,我这人就是喜欢逛街。下次你要买什么东西,可以再找我。我们俩儿也算是各有所长,谁都知道,要打篮球,我绝不是你的对手,可是,hands down,毫无疑问。
  
  LL: Yeah you're right about that. Let's go to the check-out counter and pay for this suit so I can finally get rid of my old hand-me-down suit.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hand-me-down, 意思是别人用过的旧东西。还有一个是hands down,意思是毫无疑问。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#958
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们在这次节目里要讲的两个习惯用语也是fair这个字有密切关系的。第一个是:Fair game. Game这个字也是有许多解释,其中用得最普遍的一个意思就是:游戏。
  
  但是,在fair game这个习惯用语里,这个 game不是指游戏,而是指猎物,也就是打猎人要打的动物。所以,fair game,作为俗语,它的意思也就是:可能成为被打击,被虐待或嘲笑的人或者东西。比如说,一个刚到一所新学校去上学的男孩很可能会成为那些老学生们开玩笑的对象;他们可以逗他,开他的玩笑,总之把他弄的日子很难过。下面我们来给大家举一个例子。这是一个人在讲现在的政客。
  
  例句-1: Politics is a tougher business now than it used to be. These days a candidate is fair game for the press: they'll poke into every corner of his past life to see what scandal they can dig up.
  
  这人说:现在搞政治不是件容易的事,要比以前难多了。现在参加竞选的候选人都已经成了新闻界监督的对象。他们对候选人以往的所有一切都要仔细检查,看看能不能挖出什么丑闻来。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个fair game的例子。这是一个哥哥在跟弟弟说话。
  
  例句2: Jeff, you've got to stand up for your rights at work. If you keep on making concessions and let people dump their work on you, pretty soon you'll become fair game for your colleagues to take advantage of.
  
  这位哥哥对弟弟说:杰夫,你在工作的地方得挺出身来维护你自己的权益。要是你不断让步,允许别人把他们的工作推到你身上,不久你的同事们就会把你当成他们经常可以利用的对象。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#959
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在再来讲一个跟fair这个字有关的习惯用语。这个习惯用语所指的人恐怕是大家在日常生活中不时会看到的。Fair-haired boy. 首先要注意的是,在fair 跟 haired这两个字之间有一个连接号。这样,这两个字就等于合在一起了。其次,fair这个字在这里不再解释为公正。Fair这个字还可以解释为:皮肤白嫩的,头发金黄色的。
  
  可是,fair-haired boy并不是一个有金黄色头发的男孩。Fair-haired boy,作为俗语,它是指一个父母特别宠爱的孩子,或者是工作单位的上司,学校里的老师特别喜欢的人。也可以说是上司面前的红人,或者是老师的得意门生。而这种红人,或者得意门生并不见得都很能干,很聪敏;他们往往是因为他们会拍马奉承,所以才成为红人的。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: Larry is the teacher's fair-haired boy in our English class. He pretends to her face that she's the best teacher he's ever had, but he says nothing but nasty things behind her back.
  
  这句话的意思是:拉里是我们英语老师的得意门生。他当着老师的面假装表示,她是他所有老师当中最好的一个。可是,背着她,他尽说一些难听的话。
  
  ******
  
  每个地方大概总是会有少数溜须拍马的人。下面是一个人在跟他的同事议论办公室里老板的红人。
  
  例句4: I can understand why our boss likes Carol because she's capable and efficient. But, Jim is really good for nothing, and he's always behind schedule for his work. I can't figure out what he did to become the boss's fair-haired boy.
  
  这个人说:我可以理解为什么我们的老板喜欢卡罗尔,因为她很能干,工作效率也很高。但是,吉姆实在是一个不学无术的人。他的工作也老是不能按计划进行。不知他干了些什么才成为老板的红人。我真是想不通。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#960
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚刚在餐馆吃完饭。李华今天要学两个常用语doggie bag和back burner。
  
  LL: This is waaaay too much food for me to finish. I guess I'd better ask for a doggie bag.
  
  LH: 怎么啦,你不会是想吐吧。
  
  LL: Huh? No! I said I am going to ask for a doggie bag. That's a bag that you use to take home leftover food from a restaurant.
  
  LH: 我知道了,就是中国人说的打包。你们叫"doggie bag",是因为美国人一般都把剩下的饭菜喂狗吧?可你没有狗呀。
  
  LL: It's just a figure of speech. I 'm asking for a doggie bag because I plan on eating the leftovers for lunch tomorrow.
  
  LH: 原来是你自己吃啊。美国人这种习惯真好。在中国,大家出去吃饭总要点好多菜,根本吃不了,剩下的,有的就扔了。
  
  LL: The U.S. isn't so different. People originally used the phrase "doggie bag" because they were embarrassed to admit they were saving food.
  
  LH: 怪不得叫 "doggie bag",原来开始的时候美国人也不好意思承认自己节俭,所以说是要喂狗。美国人真觉得这样做丢人吗?
  
  LL: Hmm...well, in the U.S. you wouldn't ask for a doggie bag at a really nice restaurant, or on a formal occasion. But otherwise most people would rather ask for a doggie bag than waste food.
  
  LH: 所以说,在高级饭店和正式场合一般不打包,但除此之外,打包就很正常了。中国现在也差不多,打包越来越普遍,不过我们用的是饭盒。
  
  LL: Yeah, same here. But even though the food usually goes in a box, people still use the term "doggie bag".
  
  LH: 美国人真把剩饭剩菜喂狗吗?
  
  LL: (Chuckles) The food from doggie bags can make a dog fat!
  
  LH: 不光是狗,经常在外面吃,人也会变胖的。账单来了。你得要 "doggie bag" 了。
  
  LL: (To the waiter) Excuse me, could I get a doggie bag for this please?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#961
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 刚才说了半天 "doggie bag"。我还真想养只小狗。
  
  LL: I know, you've mentioned that before. But you'd better just put that on the back burner for now.
  
  LH: 把什么放在炉子上?你在说什么呀?
  
  LL: I said put it on the back burner. That means, you should give your idea of owning a dog low priority, and wait until it is more practical or convenient.
  
  LH: 你是说我养狗不现实,所以不要着急,应该暂时放一放。其实,我要是真的养条狗也没有什么不可以,就是要做出一些牺牲罢了。
  
  LL: Really, you should just put it on the back burner. Taking care of a pet requires money and time.
  
  LH: 你说得也对,养狗又花时间,又费钱,确实应该等毕业有工作了再说。我真恨不得马上毕业。
  
  LL: I know! I have to put so many things on the back burner while I'm in school... I feel like I have no life!
  
  LH: Larry, 你都想干些什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, for instance, Jack and I were working together on an online business, but I am too busy with school to work on it often. I had to put that on the back burner.
  
  LH: 你和Jack要合作在网上做生意,真有两下子呀!
  
  LL: It's on the back burner right now. You know, I was in a rock band for a while, but I put that on the back burner as well.
  
  LH: (Laughs) 摇滚乐队?不会吧。Larry, 我听过你唱歌,你不会真想当摇滚歌星吧?(Cell Phone Rings) 是你的电话。
  
  LL: Whoa, it's Angie. I'll talk to you later, Li Hua. I've got to answer this. I'm going to ask Angie out this weekend.
  
  LH: 谁?你不是要跟Cindy约会吗?怎么又变成Angie了。你可不能脚踏两条船啊。
  
  LL: Cindy? Well, earlier this week, she left for study abroad in Europe, so I had to put her on the back burner.
  
  LH: (Groans) Whatever, Larry!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是Doggie bag, 意思是在外面吃完饭打包用的盒子。还有一个是back burner,意思是暂时不考虑。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#962
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

每当一年消逝,新年来临的时候,人们都纷纷举行庆祝活动送旧迎新。这都跟时光的流逝有关。在这次节目里,我们要讲两个跟时间有关的习惯用语。时间这个字在英文里就是:Time. Time也正是每年新年开始的时候,许多人下定决心要在新的一年里完成某些计划。也就是美国人所说的new year resolutions。
  
  在美国,有的人在一年开始时下定决心要在新的一年中减肥,有的则保证要在新的一年里戒烟等。由于圣诞节,美国的节日气氛其实从十二月中就开始了。男女老少纷纷出动购买圣诞礼物,购物中心人群拥挤。各单位,各公司也都一个接着一个举办圣诞晚会。人们一般都抱着快乐的心情来欢渡节日。
  
  我们要讲的一个习惯用语正是这个意思。The time of one's life. 当一个人经历到the time of his life,那他就是经历了非常高兴的事情,也可能是他一辈子最高兴的事。我们来举一个例子,这是一个老人在说为什么每当新年来临的时候,他总是感到心情激动。
  
  例句-1: It was New Year's eve in 1941, but I still remember it like it was yesterday. I went to this party and had the time of my life because I met the beautiful girl I've been married to for fifty years!
  
  这位老先生说:那是1941年的新年除夕,但是在我记忆里就好像昨天发生的事一样。那一天,我去参加一个聚会,我真是高兴得不得了,因为我在聚会上遇到了一个美丽的女孩。就是这个女孩,我跟她结婚已经五十年了。
  
  ******
  
  美国人经常喜欢开着汽车出去旅行,沿着一条线路到各地去玩。下面是一个年轻人在说他跟女朋友一起出去旅行的感受。
  
  例句2: Linda and I drove to Yellow Stone Park last summer. The scenery there was fantastic and we were so much in love. I had the time of my life and wished I could stay there forever.
  
  这个年轻人说:我跟林达今年夏天开车到黄石公园去玩。那儿的风景简直漂亮极了。我们两又在狂热地恋爱。这是我一辈子最高兴的时候了。我真是希望能永远呆在那里。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-13#963
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们往往会遇到一种情况。那就是一件我们正在做的事好像马上就会失败,做不成了,但是到了最后一分钟突然出现了转机。这种情况在电影里也很多。比如说,英雄人物总是要到最后一分钟才出现,然后把那马上要被人杀死的朋友解救出来。这最后一分钟在英文里就是:In the nick of time. In the nick of time就是最后一刻。这最后一刻有时几乎是来得太晚了。下面是一个人在说他去参加新年晚会的路上所发生的事。
  
  例句3: We had a flat tire on our way to Henry's party. But we still got there in the nick of time, five minutes to twelve, just in time to raise a glass and say hello to the new year.
  
  这个人说:我们去参加亨利举办的聚会,可是在路上,我们的轮胎暴了。不过我们仍然在最后一刻,也就是十二点差五分的时候到了亨利的家,正好举起玻璃杯,迎接新年的到来。
  
  ******
  
  刚才我们讲到电影里经常出现危险的镜头,然后到最后一刻,危机突然出现了转机,逢凶化吉,坏人被克制,好人得救。下面是一个人在发表评论。
  
  例句4: My friend Jack likes to watch horror movies. But to me they seem to be all the same. There is always somebody coming to rescue the good guys in the nick of time.
  
  这个人说:我的朋友杰克喜欢看恐怖电影。可是,在我看来,它们似乎都是千篇一律。每到最后一刻,总是有人会来解救好人的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#964
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在一起吃午饭。李华今天要学两个常用语a Cuppa Joe和Guilty Pleasure。
  
  LL: I am so sleepy! What I need right now, Li Hua, is a cuppa joe.
  
  LH: A cuppa joe ? 我确实有个朋友叫Joe,他怎么能帮你提神呢?
  
  LL: No, I don't need your friend Joe. "I need a cuppa joe" is a way of saying "I need a cup of coffee."
  
  LH: 我知道了,"cuppa"是"cup of"的缩写,可我还是不明白"Joe"怎么会是咖啡呢?
  
  LL: You wouldn't be alone in that, Li Hua. Most Americans don't know why we call coffee "Joe", but we have for a long time, and we still say it today.
  
  LH: 对呀,只要说起来方便,大家都知道是什么意思就好了。Larry, 你干嘛急着要喝咖啡呀?
  
  LL: I stayed up too late watching a movie on television last night, and today I am so tired. Having a cuppa joe would really help me get through my work day.
  
  LH: 原来是你自己晚上看电视,不好好睡觉,怪不得会那么困,要靠"a cuppa joe"里的咖啡因来提神。
  
  LL: So I am definitely ordering a cuppa joe with lunch. How about you, Li Hua? Would you like a cuppa joe?
  
  LH: 我才不要"a cuppa joe", 我又不爱喝咖啡。
  
  LL: If you don't want a cuppa joe, then what are you going to order to drink?
  
  LH: 我要一杯茶好了。
  
  LL: I've heard that a cup of tea doesn't have quite as much caffeine as a cuppa joe. Is that true?
  
  LH: 是呀,茶里所含的咖啡因确实不如咖啡多。
  
  LL: Then why would anyone want to drink tea instead of a cuppa joe?
  
  LH: 据我所知,除了咖啡因含量低以外,茶对人体还有其它许多咖啡没有的好处,特别是绿茶。听说绿茶里的抗氧化物质还能防癌呢。
  
  LL: But I still can't live without my cuppa joe.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#965
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你真的那么喜欢喝咖啡吗?
  
  LL: I guess you could say that drinking coffee is one of my guilty pleasures.
  
  LH: 喜欢喝咖啡也算犯罪吗?
  
  LL: A guilty pleasure is something you like to do, but isn't good for you. I'm not guilty of a crime when I drink coffee, but I do know there are better things I could be drinking.
  
  LH: 我知道了,A guilty pleasure的意思是一种内疚的快感,就是说你明知道喝咖啡可能不如喝茶和喝水对身体好,但你还是愿意喝咖啡。
  
  LL: That's right. What about you Li Hua, do you have any guilty pleasures?
  
  LH: 我,当然有了,其中之一就是冰激凌。
  
  LL: Ah yes, how could I forget? Eating ice cream is definitely a guilty pleasure for you.
  
  LH: 我知道冰激凌是高糖和高脂肪的食品,我也担心吃多了会胖,可我就是管不住自己。这不能算是最糟糕的guilty pleasure吧。
  
  LL: Some people like to drink alcohol or to gamble. These are guilty pleasures you have to be really careful about.
  
  LH: 是呀,酗酒和赌博都会让人上瘾,带来各种各样的问题。这些guilty pleasure可不是闹着玩的。不过我想,大多数guilty pleasure都是无害的吧。
  
  LL: Yes, my mother's guilty pleasure was taking a bubble bath on Sunday afternoons.
  
  LH: 星期天下午洗泡沫浴,这也算guilty pleasure吗?
  
  LL: She felt like she should be taking care of me and my brother and sister, but instead her guilty pleasure was to enjoy the quiet relaxation of some time alone in the bath tub.
  
  LH: 她内疚是因为觉得应该照顾孩子,不应该自己躲起来享受啊。Larry, 咱们的午饭和你的Cuppa joe来了,快吃吧。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是a Cuppa joe,意思是一杯咖啡。另外一个是guilty pleasure, 意思是带有内疚的快感。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#966
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人跟中国人一样有很多关于钱的说法。中国人说,有钱能使鬼推磨。美国人说:Money makes the world go around. 这是说:有钱能使地球转。中国人说:钱是万恶之源。美国人的说法跟中国话一样:Money is the root of all evil.
  
  不管是好,是坏,大多数人那末重视金钱就说明钱是生活中最重要的东西之一。要是没有钱有好多事是办不成的。我们今天要讲的一个习惯用语也能说明这一点。这个习惯用语就是:Front money. Front就是前面的意思。那末,front money 按字面来解释就是:前面的钱。这听起来似乎不知所云,但是它确实包含了实际的内容。Front money作为习惯用语,它的意思就是:头款。这是指开办新企业时所需要的钱。Front money也可以指开始进行一笔交易时先要付的一笔钱,也就是定金。这笔钱能够保证你今后有参与这笔交易的权利。
  
  下面我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在向他的朋友报告好消息。
  
  例句-1: Good news - Dad agreed to give me the front money I need to start my own restaurant. I have to buy kitchen equipment, tables and chairs and lots of other stuff before I open up.
  
  这句话的意思是:好消息。我爸爸已经答应给我开办自己饭馆所需要的开办费用。在饭馆开张前,我得去买厨房设备、桌椅板凳和其他许多东西。
  
  ******
  
  刚才这个例子里说的front money是为了开办一个事业所需的资金。下面我们再来举一个例子。这个例子里的front money是用做定金。这是一个缺乏足够资金的人在说话。
  
  例句2: I can see the future of that computer software company will be very profitable and I would very much like to invest in it. But the group wants me to pay a large sum of front money which I can't afford.
  
  这个人说:我能够预见,那个电脑软件公司将来会有很大收益的。我很想在这方面投资。但是,那些人要我付一大笔定金,而我又没有那么多的钱。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#967
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲的一个习惯用语也是跟钱有关的。这个习惯用语就是:Hush money. Hush这个字可以解释为:不要做声,或者是掩盖。所以,hush money就是为了防止某人揭露一个罪行或者一个丑闻而付给他的一笔钱。这种作法由来已久,hush money这个习惯用语也至少有三百年的历史了。我们现在来举一个例子。
  
  例句3: Taking hush money from a gangster to keep your mouth shut about something you saw him do is dangerous. He might decide it's cheaper to hire somebody to kill you than to keep paying you off the rest of your life.
  
  这句话翻到中文的意思就是:一个歹徒为了不让你揭露你看到他做的事而给你一笔钱。接受这笔钱是很危险的。他以后可能会认为,雇用一个人来把你杀了要比在你有生之年不断给你钱更便宜。
  
  ******
  
  在人背后谈论别人的私事对某些人来说真是人生不可缺少的乐事。在美国人当中,有修养的人是一般不随便讲别人坏话的,但是爱谈论东家长西家短的人也不少。下面是一个人在跟他的同事谈论公司里的秘书。
  
  例句4: Our manager is having an affair with his secretary and was seen one day by the cleaning woman. I was told the manager has been paying her hush money every month just to keep her silent.
  
  这个人说:我们的经理跟他的秘书有暧昧关系。有一天被一个打扫清洁的女工看见了。我听说,经理为了不让那清洁工说出去而每个月给她一笔钱,目的就是在于让她别做声。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#968
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华告诉Larry说,她跟一个学生约好,十点在她的办公室见面,谈谈这个学生的成绩,可以这个学生没有赴约。李华今天要学两个常用语no show和lala land。
  
  LL: So, you made an appointment with this student to talk about his grades, and he was a no show?
  
  LH: A no show? 对呀,他没来,没有出现,所以叫no show。这种说法简洁明了。
  
  LL: Right, a no show is some one who doesn't show up when they have agreed to. But, it is really rude to be a no show.
  
  LH: 确实不礼貌。我专门跑到办公室来,等了他好长时间,谁知道他却是个no show。
  
  LL: So, he didn't even call you to tell you that he wasn't going to come? It is even ruder to be a no show and not have called to let the person know you can't come.
  
  LH: 对呀,不来就已经很不礼貌了,连个电话都不打,就更不礼貌了。说实话,我挺意外的,因为这个学生看起来不象是那么不懂事的人。
  
  LL: Well, maybe something unexpected happened to him. There might be a good reason why he was a no show.
  
  LH: 失约还有什么好理由吗?
  
  LL: Well, maybe he was a no show because his car broke down, or he got lost, or even worse maybe he had an accident.
  
  LH: 是呀,我怎么就没想到呢。他的车可能会在半路抛锚。还有他可能会迷路。更可怕的是,还可能会出车祸。我本来挺生气的,让你这么一说,我反而开始替他担心了。
  
  LL: I remember one time when I was in college I made an appointment with a professor and ended up being a no show because my car ran out of gas.
  
  LH: 什么,车跑到半路没油了?你那个教授肯定火冒三丈。那后来呢?
  
  LL: I felt so bad about being a no show, the first thing I did when I got to a phone was call the professor and apologize.
  
  LH: 打电话道歉?那我们再等等吧,也许过一会儿我的学生就会打电话来了。
  
  LL: Have you ever been a no show for anything, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 倒是有一次,我的闹钟没响,所以睡过了头,结果没去上课。
  
  LL: That's not so bad. Lots of students are no shows for classes.
  
  LH: 不好意思的是,那是我教的一门课。(Phone rings) 等等,我接一下电话。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#969
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Hey, was that your student? Did he have a good reason for being a no show or was he just in lala land?
  
  LH: 打电话的就是那个学生。你为什么会觉得他在lala land呢?Lala land在哪呀?
  
  LL: Lala land isn't a real place. It is a state of mind. It is where you go when you are day dreaming and not paying attention to the things going on in the real world.
  
  LH: 我明白了,lala land不是一个地方,而是仙境、幻境的意思,做白日梦就是去了 "lala land"。这样说来,那个学生确实是去了lala land。
  
  LL: Really?! He was off in lala land when he forgot his appointment with you?
  
  LH: 没错,他当时正在跟朋友吃饭,完全忘记了跟我约好要见面。
  
  LL: Yes, it sounds like he was in lala land. So what did you say when he told you this?
  
  LH: 虽然我知道“忘了”不能算是失约的理由,但我还是很高兴他能打电话来道歉,谁都有忘事的时候。换句话说,大家可能都到过lala land。
  
  LL: That's right. Just last week I was a no show for a haircut appointment because I was off in Lala land.
  
  LH: 还有更好笑的。昨天我监考,有个学生走过来问我问题。
  
  LL: Let me guess, you were so far off in lala land, you didn't even know the student was there!
  
  LH: 你怎么知道的!我当时确实有点儿心不在焉,那个学生碰了一下我的肩膀才让我醒过神来。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是no show,意思是失约。另外一个是lala land,意思是身处幻境,心不在焉。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#970
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语里都有一个关键的字。这个字就是:Free. Free这个字有好几种解释。一种解释是:自由。也就是按照自己选择的方式生活,不受专制统治的约束。Free还可以解释为:不需要付任何代价而得到什么东西。在我们要讲的第一个习惯用语里,free的意思是独立自主,不受人控制。
  
  这个习惯用语就是:Freelance.我们要先来讲一讲freelance里的lance这个字。你要是了解了 lance这个字,你就会明白 freelance这个常用语是从那儿来的。Lance就是长矛。它是古代武士随身带的一种武器。在那个时候,大多数武士都为一个国王或一个君主服务。但是,也有一些武士从一个城市迁移到另一个城市,谁付他的工资高他就为谁服务。因为他们不属于任何一个雇主,人们把这些武士称为freelances。
  
  现在,武士已经没有了,那么free lance又是指什么呢?Free lance是一个非常普通的词汇。它主要是指那些从事自由职业的作家;他们不受任何一个雇主的雇用,而是把自己写的文章销售给不同的杂志和报纸。我们来举一个例子。
  
  例句-1: Bill used to be editor of a magazine. But the magazine closed so now he works freelance selling his articles to any magazine or newspaper that will buy them.
  
  这句话的中文意思就是:比尔以前是一家杂志的编辑。可是后来那家杂志关闭了,所以他现在是一个自由作家;把他写的文章出售给任何愿意买的杂志。
  
  ******
  
  美国还有一些专门从事翻译的自由职业者;他们没有一个固定的工作,而是在某些公司或政府机构需要他们的时候去做短期的工作。下面就是一个人在说他的朋友。
  
  例句2: Maria met her husband John when he was studying in Moscow. John speaks fluent Russian and has worked as a freelance interpreter since they came back to the U.S. He tells people he likes the freedom of this profession.
  
  这个人说:马丽亚是在她丈夫约翰在莫斯科念书时认识他的。约翰说一口流利的俄语。自从他们回到美国来以后,他一直是一个自由职业的翻译。他告诉别人说这个职业很自由,他非常喜欢。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#971
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个常用语是:Freeloader. Freeloader是一个字,但是它实际是由两个字组成的:free和loader。Freeloader里面的free是不收费,或者是没有代价的意思。一个freeloader就是一个人利用别人的慷慨,在人家里白吃白喝,甚至住在别人家里分文不付。这种人时间长了当然会让人讨厌。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: My brother-in-law has been living with us ever since he got mad at his boss and quit his job. Last night I told him to stop being a freeloader and get out and find another job.
  
  这个人是在说他的妹夫。他说:自从我妹夫对他的老板生气辞职以来,他一直住在我们家里。昨天晚上,我告诉他不要继续白吃白住,到外面去再找一个工作。
  
  ******
  
  每个人在一生中总是有起伏的,总会遇到不顺利的时候。但是,有的人在困难的时候甘愿成为一个freeloader,依赖别人,而有的人则能够冲破困难,重新站起来。下面就是一个老板在说他手下的一个雇员。
  
  例句4: The new office manager I've hired is someone we should all admire. After her husband died, it would have been easy to rely on her parents, who happen to be rich. But she refused to become a freeloader and tried very hard to find a job to support herself.
  
  这个老板说:我新雇用的办公室经理是我们应该倾佩的人。她丈夫去世以后,她满可以依赖她的父母;他们很有钱。但是,她却不甘心做一个坐享其成的人,下了很大工夫去找工作来养活自己。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#972
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华正在兴致勃勃地给Larry将她去看医生的经过,没想到被Larry泼了一盆冷水。李华今天要学两个常用语,TMI和PDQ 。
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, that is really TMI. I'm sorry you had to go to the doctor, but I really don't want to hear all about your infected toenail!
  
  LH: 你不想知道医生是怎么帮我处理那个发炎的脚趾甲的吗?TMI? 什么是TMI呀?
  
  LL: T-M-I is an abbreviation for "Too Much Information." I think you were giving me too much information about your doctor's appointment.
  
  LH: 我知道TMI是too much information的缩写,但我还是不明白,你为什么对我看医生漠不关心呢?
  
  LL: Well, you were telling me very specific details about your trip to the doctor, like how he had to cut away part of your toenail, and I thought you gave me too much information. TMI!
  
  LH: 噢,你是不想听医生是怎么把发炎的脚趾甲剪掉,又是怎么把里面的脓....
  
  LL: (Urgently) Please, Li Hua, that really is TMI! Generally, Americans don't like to talk about the specifics of personal matters like a doctor's visit, especially when the details are disgusting!
  
  LH: 原来是这样,就是说凡是像看医生这类的私事,美国人一般不会告诉别人,否则的话就是TMI。
  
  LL: That's right. But you should also not give too much information about your personal relationships.
  
  LH: 我有个朋友叫Sharon,她最喜欢给我讲她跟自己男朋友交往的细节。我也觉得那些都是 TMI 。
  
  LL: How so?
  
  LH: 比如说,她会告诉我,她的男朋友是怎么亲她的。
  
  LL: That is definitely TMI. You probably really don't want to know how Sharon's boyfriend kisses.
  
  LH: 那当然了。我实在不想听,可又不知道该怎么告诉她。
  
  LL: Well, now you do! The next time Sharon goes on and on about her boyfriend you can just say, "Please, Sharon, TMI!"
  
  LH: 我下次一定试试。对不起,Larry, 我得赶紧找个厕所。我刚才喝了一大瓶水。憋死我了。
  
  LL: (Urgently) Li Hua, that is another excellent example of TMI!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#973
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: You are back, Li Hua. That was PDQ!
  
  LH: 你刚才说TMI "too much information", 现在又说PDQ, PDQ是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: PDQ stands for "Pretty Darn Quick." You came back from the restroom very quickly, you were PDQ!
  
  LH: 噢,你是说我动作快啊,我是不想让你等,当然PDQ啦。
  
  LL: Say, Li Hua, I am getting very hungry. Aren't you? Let's stop chatting and find a place to eat PDQ.
  
  LH: 附近那个三明治的小吃店怎么样?
  
  LL: That's a good idea! The sandwiches are really good and they make them PDQ, which is good because I should really get back to work.
  
  LH: 对呀,他们那里的三明治又好吃又不用等。Larry, 你下午干脆别上班了,我们好好吃一顿,然后去公园。这么好的天气,待在办公室里可惜了!
  
  LL: I wish I could, Li Hua, but I really can't. My boss assigned me a project this morning, and he really wants me to finish it PDQ.
  
  LH: 那好吧,既然你要赶项目,那我们就快吃,你好get back to work PDQ.
  
  LL: What about you, Li Hua? Do you have a relaxing afternoon planned?
  
  LH: 其实我也有事。我的公寓有些地方需要修理,房东下午过来。所以吃完饭,我也要立刻赶回去。
  
  LL: Well, it sounds like we both have things to do this afternoon. Here's the sandwich place. Oh, No! It doesn't look like our lunch is going to PDQ after all.
  
  LH: 今天怎么这么多人,都排到门外了。
  
  LL: Well, it doesn't look like the service will be PDQ today. They must be short-handed.
  
  LH: 我们改去麦当劳吧,快餐店应该不会等太久。
  
  LL: And then we'll need to eat them PDQ, too!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是TMI,意思是别人并不想知道的事。另一个是 PDQ, 意思是非常快。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#974
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天再来给大家讲解两个以free这个字为主的习惯用语。首先我们要讲的是:Free and easy. 大家都知道,free是自由,或者是不用花钱就得到的。大家也可能很熟悉easy这个字。一般的解释是:容易。但是它也能指一个人很平易近人,容易接近。
  
  要是有人说某某人是free and easy,那么这个人一定是很轻松自如,很能宽容别人,也很好相处。在一般情况下,这样处世也不错,至少周围的人会喜欢这种人。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: Jeff is such a free and easy man, almost everybody in our office likes him. He's a handy guy always ready to help out. He even lends a hand to people who once sabotaged his chance for promotion.
  
  大家是否注意到,这个句子里有两个字:handy guy。 Handy guy翻译到中文就是手很巧的人。Handy在英文里,就是手这个字,也就是hand后面加一个y,意思就是手很巧的。Guy是一个非常口语的字。意思是人。人们常说:He's a nice guy。那就是说:他是一个很好的人。
  
  我们现在来看看上面这个例句到底在说什么。很明显,讲话的人是在说一个同事。
  
  这人说:杰夫这个人真是很随和,我们办公室里几乎每个人都喜欢他。他的手很巧。他也随时愿意帮忙。他甚至对那些曾经抢走他被提升机会的人他也愿意帮忙。
  
  ******
  
  Free and easy有时也可以解释为:太随便,不够谨慎小心。特别是涉及到钱的时候,这可能会产生问题。下面是一个人在说他的朋友。
  
  例句2: Harry is such a nice friendly guy we were glad to hear he'd won a million dollars in the lottery. But he was so free and easy with the money it was all gone in a year.
  
  这句话的意思是:哈里是一个很好的人,他总是很友好。我们听到他通过买彩票而得到一百万美元奖金的时候,我们都很高兴。可是,他在钱的问题上实在很随便,一年内这笔钱就没有了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#975
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来讲一个跟free这个字有关的习惯用语。Free-for-all. 大家可能已经注意到,在free for all这三个字当中有两个连接号。连接号的英文名称就是:hyphen。作为一个常用语,free-for-all的真正意思跟字面的意思很不相同。Free-for-all是指吵架、混乱或者是大声争论。在发生这种情况的时候,在场的人可以随时,随意加入争辩,既无规则,又没有人能够控制。现在在美国电视上就会看到这种情况。下面我们来举一个例子。
  
  例句3: On that political talk show last night the experts got mad at each other and got louder and louder. The host couldn't control them - it was a real free-for-all with everybody yelling at the same time.
  
  这句话的意思是:昨晚在那个讨论政治问题的电视节目上,几个请来的专家都互相很生气,然后讲话声音越来越大。节目主持人没法控制他们。所有的人都同时大声嚷嚷。那真是一场混战。
  
  ******
  
  美国的中学生一般下午三四点就放学了。住得近的合夥走回家,也有的成群结队乘公共汽车,或坐地铁回家。下面是一个中年人在讲他在路上看到的情况。
  
  例句4: The bunch of teenagers on the bus were arguing and suddenly two of them started to yell at each other. Then the rest jumped in. These kids ought to feel ashamed of themselves for such a free-for-all in public.
  
  这个人说:在公共汽车上的那些十几岁的孩子一开始在争论什么事。突然,两个孩子开始互相嚷嚷,然后其他孩子也一起大声吵闹。这些孩子在大庭广众这样大吵大闹真是该感到害臊。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#976
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry准备在公司汇报工作。事先想请李华帮他听听,看报告内容能不能吸引人。李华今天要学两个常用语。一个是dud,另一个是oomph 。
  
  LL: Thanks for agreeing to listen to my presentation, Li Hua. I really don't want it to be a dud.
  
  LH: Larry, 什么是 "dud" 呀 ?
  
  LL: Oh, A dud D-U-D is something or someone that doesn't live up to expectations and is a disappointment.
  
  LH: Dud就是让人失望的意思。你是不是想让我帮你听听,你的报告能不能吸引人啊?
  
  LL: Right! I want my presentation to be lively and interesting. If it is boring and difficult to understand, it will be a dud.
  
  LH: 愿意为您效劳!不过Larry, 你这人这么幽默,不用听我就知道,你的报告肯定不会枯燥无味的。
  
  LL: You never know. I once worked with a woman who I thought was really funny, and at work we really got along. But then we went on a date, and it was a real dud.
  
  LH: 你们约会的问题出在哪里呢?
  
  LL: It turns out that we didn't have much in common except work.
  
  LH: 噢,我知道了,你们俩这叫缺少共同语言。That date really does sound like a dud.
  
  LL: What about you Li Hua? Have you every gone out with a guy who was a real dud?
  
  LH: Dud也能指人啊。那要这么说,我可是遇到过真正的dud.
  
  LL: How was this guy a dud, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 他长得特别帅,可是我们俩出去吃饭,他从头到尾都在没完没了地讲他自己,根本不问问我喜欢些什么。That date was a real dud.
  
  LL: Kind of like a firecracker that doesn't go off! We also call fireworks that don't go off "duds."
  
  LH: 没错,我们管不响的爆竹叫“哑炮”。我最喜欢放炮了,特别是春节的时候...
  
  Larry, 你干嘛呢?
  
  LL: I am trying to get the slide projector to work. It looks like the light bulb is a dud!
  
  LH: 那就别摆弄幻灯了。我光听就行了。
  
  LL: Okay, let's get started. Please be honest, Li Hua, and don't be afraid to tell me if you think my presentation is a dud.
  
  LH: 你放心,我一定怎么想就怎么说。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#977
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, what do you think, Li Hua? Does my presentation need more oomph?
  
  LH: Oomph? 这又是什么词啊!怎么这么难说。
  
  LL: It is like "oom" from the word room, followed by an "F" sound. Say it after me, Li Hua. Oomph!
  
  LH: (Imitating)"oom", "oom-f". Oomph, oomph 是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: When I asked if my presentation needed more oomph, I was asking if it needed something extra to make it more lively or interesting.
  
  LH: 噢,你是说可以加点儿什么,让你的报告更精彩是吧。老实说,Larry, 我觉得有的地方确实有点儿枯燥,需要加点儿oomph.
  
  LL: How do you think I could give my presentation more oomph, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 比方说,你一上来可以先讲个笑话,吸引听众的注意。然后讲到一半儿有人开始走神的时候,你可以再讲个你自己工作中的真实经历,最好是干过的什么傻事。这样你的报告就能更生动了。
  
  LL: That's very good advice, Li Hua. I think doing those things will give my presentation the extra oomph it needs.
  
  LH: 好,那现在换我了。我最近给中文课设计了一个网页。你也帮我看看,要不要也加点儿oomph.
  
  LL: Sure. I'm happy to look at it and tell you if it needs more oomph.
  
  (Typing on keyboard...)
  
  LH: Okay, here it is. Larry, 你觉得怎么样?
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua! Maybe your website has a little too much oomph!
  
  LH: Oomph 还会太多吗?
  
  LL: Well, you used orange and pink together on the same page. Those colors make it hard to read.
  
  LH: 粉红色和桔黄色放在一起是太亮了,看上去眼睛有点儿不舒服,那我换换其它颜色吧。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dud, 意思是令人失望的。另一个是oomph, 是吸引力的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#978
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在今天我们要讲的习惯用语里,一个关键的字就是To blow. Blow这个字是一个非常勤劳的字,因为许多习惯用语当中都有这个字。你要想再找一个像blow用得那么多的字恐怕还不容易。在以前的“美国习惯用语”节目中,我们也曾经讲过几个。
  
  今天我们再给大家介绍两个和blow有关的习惯用语,第一个是:To blow one's own horn. To blow有好几个解释,但是在这个习惯用语当中应当解释为:吹。Horn就是喇叭。To blow one's own horn的字面意思是:吹自己的喇叭。但是,作为一个俗语,它的意思是:夸耀自己,或者是自吹自擂。喜欢夸耀自己的人一般都有这种吹牛的习惯。下面是一个学生在讲一个爱吹嘘的人。
  
  例句-1: Do you know Joe Jones next door to me in my dorm? Nobody likes him - he's always blowing his own horn about what a great athlete he is and how much the girls all chase him.
  
  这个学生说:你知道我宿舍里住在我隔壁的那个乔.琼斯吗?因为他老是喜欢吹嘘自己,所以没有一个人喜欢他。他总是夸耀自己是一个多么好的运动员,那些年轻姑娘又如何一个个地苦苦追求他。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在说别人给他妹妹介绍的男朋友。
  
  例句2: My cousin introduced my sister Lisa to Frank, a famous Harvard economics professor. He's interested in her but Lisa says she can't stand him because all he does is blow his own horn about his latest book on economics and how popular he is among his students.
  
  这个人说:我的表哥把我妹妹利萨介绍给弗兰克。他是哈佛大学经济系的名教授。他对利萨很感兴趣,但是利萨说她无法忍受弗兰克,因为他老是自我吹嘘他最近出版的有关经济的书,他的学生们又是多么喜欢他等等。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#979
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里我们要讲的第二个跟blow有关的习惯用语是:To blow the lid off. To blow在这里也可以解释为吹。Lid就是瓶子或罐子的盖头。要是你blow the lid off,那就是你把别人想方设法要保密的事情揭露出来。To blow the lid off这个说法给人脑子里制造了一个形像,那就是好像突然发生的爆炸把盒子上的盖子给掀掉了。这样人们就可以看到盒子里的秘密东西。在发现政府官员贪污腐化的情况下经常用to blow the lid off这个习惯用语。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: I hear that the newspapers are going to blow the lid off the mayor's office - they have proof that he's been taking bribes from building contractors to give them city business.
  
  这句话的意思是:我听说几家报纸要揭露市长办公室的情况。他们有证据证明市长接受了营造商的贿赂,然后把有关市内的生意给他们做。
  
  ******
  
  中国的俗语说,若要人不知,除非己莫为。要做坏事,总是会被人怀疑或觉察的。下面就是一个人在说他的处境。
  
  例句4: I've watched these strange people in and out of the house next door for some time. My neighbors and I suspect they're a gang dealing in cocaine smuggled from Colombia or Mexico. I wonder if I ought to blow the lid off by reporting them to the cops.
  
  这个人说:我看到这些不认识的人进进出出隔壁的房子已经有一段时间了。我和邻居们都怀疑他们是贩毒集团,把毒品从哥伦比亚或墨西哥偷运进来。我在想我是否应该去报告警察,把他们揭发出来。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#980
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华周末在国家公园野营。李华今天要学两个常用语,rough it和creep someone out。
  
  LL: I just love camping, Li Hua. Isn't it great to be roughing it?
  
  LH: "Roughing it"那是什么意思呀? 听起来好像挺恐怖的。
  
  LL: To rough it means to do without the comforts of civilization.
  
  LH: 噢,rough it就是在艰苦条件下生活的意思。
  
  LL: Right. Here we are camping out in the woods instead of staying in a hotel.
  
  LH:我们没去住旅馆,而是在野外宿营,所以你说这是在rough it. 可是我们有帐篷、有灯笼、还有睡袋,应该挺舒服的。
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, I really enjoy roughing it. I love to breathe in the fresh outdoor smells and enjoying looking at nature instead of watching TV.
  
  LH: 就是啊,这里空气真新鲜,天好像都比城里蓝。
  
  LL: But there are some people who don't enjoy roughing it. My dad loves camping, but my mother really doesn't.
  
  LH: 你妈妈为什么不喜欢野营?
  
  LL: She really enjoys her comforts. She doesn't like to be too hot or too cold.
  
  LH: 外出野营确实没有在家里舒适。我小时候在中国根本从来没有野营过。我父母都不喜欢rough it.
  
  LL: While some people don't like to rough it, there are times when you have to. Do you remember the big hurricane we had last year?
  
  LH: 当然记得。那场大风刮断了电线,害得我们停电一星期,只好因陋就简,用蜡烛照明,用煤气炉烧饭。
  
  LL: Even though we were in our houses, we had to rough it a little until the power came back on.
  
  LH: Larry, 这儿的洗手间在哪?
  
  LL: Well, you know, Li Hua, we ARE roughing it.
  
  LH: 不会连洗手间都没有吧!那你刚才...
  
  LL: Ha ha, just kidding, Li Hua. There is a restroom down the path over there. I may like to rough it, but there is no way I am going to a campground without a bathroom!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#981
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Owl sounds, other night sounds)
  
  LL: What is that sound, Li Hua?! It is really creeping me out, and I can't sleep.
  
  LH: Larry, 不过是只猫头鹰而已。别担心,猫头鹰是不会爬到你身上来的。
  
  LL: Even though "creep" does mean to crawl slowly along the ground like a worm or a caterpillar, that isn't what I meant by "creep out."
  
  LH: 那你说creep out里面的creep不是爬的意思?那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: When I said it crept me out, I meant the sound of the owl was bothering me or disturbing me so I couldn't sleep. Actually, it was making me a little scared.
  
  LH: 没想到你这样的大男人也会害怕一只猫头鹰。
  
  LL: Come on, Li Hua. You've got to admit it is a little scary being out in the woods all by ourselves. Aren't you a little crept out, too?
  
  LH: 说实话,我也有点儿怕。对不起, Larry我不该笑话你。
  
  LL: What is creeping you out, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我倒是不害怕猫头鹰的叫声,可是一想到可能会有蜘蛛和虫子在我睡袋里爬来爬去,我就浑身上下不自在。
  
  LL: Well, we are in the woods, and there are lots of spiders and bugs in the woods. Now that you mention it, spiders creep me out, too. We'll never get to sleep.
  
  LH: 那要不咱俩儿说点儿别的,没准注意力一转移,就不会去想那些吓人的事了。
  
  LL: When I was young and went camping with my friends, we always told ghost stories to each other. We had a lot of fun creeping each other out.
  
  LH: 什么,讲鬼故事?Larry! 不许吓唬我!我们现在是要设法不去想那些吓人的事,不是creep each other out!
  
  LL: I guess you are right, Li Hua...
  
  (Snoring sounds)
  
  LL:Hey, did you hear that? I heard another strange noise that is really creeping me out.
  
  LH: 别闹了。那是我在打呼噜呢!我不行了,快睡吧!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语.一个是rough it, 意思是在艰苦的条件下生活。另一个是creep someone out, 意思是让人毛骨耸然。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#982
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要介绍给大家的两个习惯用语都是以fire这个字为主的。Fire就是火。火对人类来说是非常有用的。它给我们煮饭,使我们保暖,帮助我们制造钢铁和其他金属。然而,在失去控制的情况下,火是很危险的。我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语就是包含危险的意思。To play with fire.
  
  火是很危险的东西,要是你掉以轻心把它当做好玩的东西来玩的话,那你就犯了严重的错误。要是你不小心地对待火的话,那你就可能会受到伤害。
  
  下面我们来举一个例子。这是一个爸爸在警告自己孩子不要在晚上到市内不安全的地区去。
  
  例句-1: I tell you you'll be playing with fire if you go alone into that neighborhood at night - it's a place where almost anything can happen to you if you don't watch out.
  
  这个爸爸说:我告诉你,要是你一个人晚上到那个地区去,那你就是在冒险。那个地方,要是你不小心的话,什么事情都可能发生的。
  
  美国的城市跟其他各国的城市一样都有一些不太安全的地区。在那些地区里经常发生暴力事件,不是枪击,就是谋杀。因此,一般人都尽量避免到那种地区去,特别是晚上。
  
  ******
  
  To play with fire这个俗语不一定是指会造成肉体上的危险。它也可以用在其他方面。下面就是一个例子。这是一个人在劝他的同事不要去跟老板争辩。
  
  例句2: Joseph, I know how you feel about not being selected for the promotion. But I think it would be playing with fire if you point out your boss's relationship with Carol who got the promotion. And besides, you don't have any proof.
  
  这个人说:约瑟夫,你没有被提升,我知道你的心情。但是,你要是指出你老板跟那被提升的卡罗尔的关系,那你是在给自己找麻烦。而且,你也没有任何证据。
  
  美国办公室里的男女关系也经常会产生一些问题。当然,大多数人还是很正派的。可是,也有少数老板,经理或手里有一点权的人想利用职权占点便宜。因此,现在美国联邦政府和其他公司都有关于性骚扰的教育,告诉大家在这方面的界限,以及发生类似问题时该怎么办。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#983
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再给大家介绍一个以fire这个字为主的习惯用语。To fight fire with fire. 要是从字面来解释,那就是:用火来攻火,这当然是不可能的。实际上,to fight fire with fire就是用你对立面对你用的手法来对待他。也可以说是以其人之道还其人之身。下面是一个例子,这是一个参加竞选的政客在说话。
  
  例句3: I had hoped this would be a clean campaign. But if my opponent wants to play dirty and talk about my personal life, I have no choice but to fight fire with fire and talk about some personal things we've found out about him.
  
  这个候选人说:我原先希望这次选举是光明正大的。但是,要是我的对手要耍下流手段,谈论有关我私生活的事,那我就别无选择,只好以其人之道还其人之身了,把我们发现有关他私生活的事也公布于众。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例子是讲一对夫妇。一开始的时候,那个丈夫在外面有外遇。后来,太太也决定用同样的方法来治她的丈夫。下面是他们的一位好朋友在说话。
  
  例句4: Jack and Joan have been my friends for over ten years. I felt bad for Joan when Jack started to have an affair last year. But Joan's decision to fight fire with fire by having an affair herself made things much worse.
  
  这个朋友说:我跟杰克和琼已经是十几年的朋友了。杰克去年开始在外面有外遇。我为琼感到很难受。但是,琼决定自己也去找一个男朋友,用以牙还牙的方式来对待杰克。这可是把事情弄得越来越糟。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#984
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry到李华家来看蜘蛛人的DVD。李华今天要学两个常用语,rocket science和chemistry。
  
  LL: What's the matter, Li Hua? I can't believe you are having trouble with the DVD player. I mean, it's not rocket science!
  
  LH: Rocket science?这是我家,又不是航空航天局,怎么会有火箭科学。
  
  LL: Well, when I said it wasn't rocket science, I meant it shouldn't be hard for you to get the DVD player to start.
  
  LH: 噢,rocket Science在这儿的意思是指很难弄懂的东西。但是使用DVD机不该是什么难事。
  
  LL: That's it! Getting the DVD player to work should be as simple as pushing a few buttons, and not nearly as complicated as rocket science. . . Hey, look, you got it working, Li Hua!
  
  LH:行了,没什么难的,只要知道按哪个键就行了。
  
  LL: Now all we need is popcorn to eat with our movie. I can go make some. I mean, making popcorn isn't rocket science.
  
  LH: 好啊,你负责爆米花,东西都在厨房微波炉下面的抽屉里。
  
  LL: Ok, I'm in the kitchen looking at the microwave, and I see three drawers. Which one is it?
  
  LH: It's not rocket science, Larry. 你把三个抽屉都拉开看看不就行了吗!
  
  LL: Oh, look at that! The popcorn was right on top. Now let me read the instructions. Hmm....Should be very easy. One doesn't have to be a rocket scientist to figure this out.
  
  LH: Larry, 你怎么这么长时间啊!要帮忙吗?用微波炉爆米花,不应该是什么rocket Science吧。
  
  LL: It isn't rocket science, Li Hua. The instructions are very easy. It's just I can't get the plastic wrapper off the popcorn packet.
  
  LH: 包装纸撕不开?I'm not a rocket scientist, but let me try. . .你看,只要抓住两边轻轻这么一拉就开了。
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua. Maybe you are a rocket scientist after all. That was pretty good. I better let you do the rest.
  
  LH: Larry, 别这么懒,你又不是没用过微波炉。You know it's not rocket science.
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#985
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Operating microwave machine.)
  
  LL: Mmmm...This popcorn is really good, Li Hua. And so is the movie. The chemistry between the lead actor and actress is really good.
  
  LH: 化学?我最后一次上化学课还是高中的事。化学跟蜘蛛人和他的女朋友Mary Jane有什么关系呀?
  
  LL: When two people are attracted to each other or get along really well -- they have chemistry.
  
  LH: 我明白了,就像做化学实验的时候一样。中文里也有两个人之间有化学反应的说法,就是说两个人互相吸引,或者是很合得来。
  
  LL: So, now that you know what I meant by "chemistry," what do you think -- do the actors in Spiderman have good chemistry or not?
  
  LH: 我觉得有。他们演得很逼真,真让我觉得他们彼此相爱。但是我有一个问题,Larry.
  
  LL: What is it, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 有的时候化学物质混在一起可能起发生爆炸,那这是不是“坏的”化学反应呢?能用来形容人跟人之间的关系吗?
  
  LL: Absolutely! When two people really don't like each other or can't get along -- that is bad chemistry.
  
  LH: 我原来有两个邻居,可以说是势不两立,经常互相对骂,他们俩而就是纯粹的bad chemistry.
  
  LL: It sure sounds like it. Speaking of bad chemistry, one of the people I work with really doesn't get along with my boss. They often argue about the littlest things.
  
  LH: 你同事跟老板有bad chemistry?那可得小心,不定哪天就会被炒了鱿鱼。
  
  LL: You're right, Li Hua...Say, Li Hua, what do you think about the chemistry between us?
  
  LH: Larry, 这还用问吗!It's not rocket science. 我们认识都快七年了,没有good chemistry, 就不会一直做朋友做到今天了。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是rocket science, 意思是很难做,很难懂的事情。另一个是chemistry, 是指人跟人之间的感情关系。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#986
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这次节目里我们要讲的两个习惯用语都有一个关键的字。那就是:Half. Half就是什么东西,什么份量或重量的一半。我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语是:Half-baked. Bake就是烤蛋糕,烤面包,或烤其他食品的烤。Bake的过去式就是在bake后面加一个d,成为baked。Half-baked这两个字之间有一个连接号。Half-baked的意思不难猜。要是一只鸡放在烤箱里没有烤熟就拿出来了。那就是half-baked。同样,一个没有完成的计划,或项目也可以说是half-baked。
  
  在下面我们要举的例子里,一个公司的经理在对公司的经销部主任讲话。
  
  例句-1: Bill, I'm sorry but this sales plan looks half-baked to me. There are some good ideas here, but I want you to take it back and do some more work on it.
  
  这个经理说:比尔,我很抱歉。这个推销计划看起来好像还不完整。计划里有些主意很好,但是我要你把这个计划拿回去再在上面下点功夫。
  
  ******
  
  每个人做事的作风不一样。有的人很麻俐,办什么事都乾净利索,有始有终。可是,也有人做什么事都是拖拖拉拉,而且还往往做了一半就不干了。下面是一个爸爸在劝自己的儿子做事不要虎头蛇尾。
  
  例句2: You see, you washed the car, but left the Windows unclean. You did the dishes last night, but you forgot to turn on the dishwasher. Somehow you give people the impression that whatever you do is half-baked.
  
  这个爸爸说:你看,你洗了汽车,但是没有把窗子打扫乾净。昨晚,洗了碗,但是你忘了开洗碗机的开关。你似乎给人一个印象,不管你做什么,你总是虎头蛇尾,没做完。
  
  美国家庭往往给孩子分配一些适合他们的工作,培养他们帮助父母做一些家务的习惯。但是,现在很多地方都有机器洗汽车的服务,所以自己洗车的人越来越少。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#987
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是一个人对自己做的事缺乏热情,那这个人对自己从事的工作就会漠不关心,是成功还是失败都不在乎。这在英文里就是:Half-hearted. Half-hearted是由half和hearted这两个字组成,当中有一个连接号。Half-hearted从字面上就可以猜到它的意思。也就是:半心半意。Half-hearted的反面就是 wholehearted。那就是:全心全意。我们来举一个例子。
  
  在这个例子里不仅有half-hearted跟wholehearted这两个字,而且还有我们刚才讲的第一个习惯用语half-baked。现在请大家听这个例句。
  
  例句3: Normally I'd give my wholehearted support to a bill to cut taxes. But this bill is so half-baked I can only give it half-hearted support and hope that somebody else introduces a bill that makes better sense.
  
  说这句话的人似乎是一个国会议员。他是在说他对其他议员提出的提案的看法。这句话的意思是:在一般情况下,我会全心全意支持减少税收的提案。但是这个提案很不成熟,我只能半心半意地支持它。我希望有人会提出一个更有意义的提案。
  
  ******
  
  我们再用half-hearted和wholehearted这两个字来举一个例子。上面这个例句涉及政治问题。下面这个例句讲的是爱情。这是一个哥哥在劝他的弟弟。
  
  例句4: Mark, you're my brother, but I have to be frank with you. I can understand why your wife wants to divorce you. You must admit you've never loved her wholeheartedly and half-hearted love is worse than none.
  
  这个哥哥说:马克,你是我的亲兄弟,可是我得跟你很坦率。我能够理解为什么你的妻子要和你离婚。你必须承认,你从来也没有全心全意地爱过她,而半心半意的爱比没有爱心更坏。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#988
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry有两张歌剧的票,邀请李华一起去。李华今天要学两个常用语,primo和glued。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, I've got two primo tickets to the opera. Would you like to come with me?
  
  LH: 歌剧?好啊。不过Larry, 什么是primo ticket ? Primo听起来不太象英语,是外来语吧?
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. Primo is an Italian word that means "number one" or "first-class."
  
  LH: 噢,primo是意大利语,意思是最好的,最棒的。
  
  LL: When I said I had primo tickets to the opera, I meant I had very, very good seats.
  
  LH:既然你有最好的票,那我们一定有primo seats, 最好的座位了!
  
  LL: Yes, we do have primo seats. The tickets are for two seats right in front of the center-stage.
  
  LH: 前排最中间,真是太好了,我们一定能看得特别清楚。对了,我们看的是哪一部歌剧啊?
  
  LL: It is Verdi's Aida. Since it is an opera in Italian, I guess it is appropriate to say it will be a "primo" experience.
  
  LH: 我听说过,威尔第的《阿依达》是一部很有名的意大利歌剧,但是我从来没看过。
  
  LL: Yes, Aida is a very famous opera, and I know you will enjoy it. I've also heard the tenor has a primo voice.
  
  LH: Larry, 这两张primo tickets会不会很贵啊。
  
  LL: Actually, no. I got a primo deal on the tickets. My friend bought season tickets to the orchestra, but couldn't make this performance. He sold them to me for half price.
  
  LH: 原来是你朋友买的季票,但是正好不能去,所以半价卖给你。That is a primo deal!
  
  LL: And I was thinking before the opera, we could have dinner. I know a primo little Italian restaurant near the opera house.
  
  LH: 意大利饭,太棒了!我最喜欢吃意大利饭了。
  
  LL: I think you will find the food at this place is primo - Some of the best in New York City.
  
  LH: 现在只有一个问题,Larry. I don't have any primo clothes to wear! 周末先得去买一身正式点儿的衣服。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#989
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Wasn't the opera amazing! I was glued to my seat the whole time.
  
  LH: 什么?让我看看,你裤子上没有胶水儿啊,你怎么会一直粘在椅子上呢?
  
  LL: I don't actually have glue on my pants, Li Hua. When I said I was glued to my seat, I meant I was so fascinated by the opera I didn't want to get up.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,你是说歌剧太精彩了,你听得全神贯注。确实没错,特别是那个男高音,唱得简直太棒了。I was glued to my seat, too.
  
  LL: It reminds me of this lecture about China I went to not long ago. The professor who spoke was very entertaining and charismatic.
  
  LH: 你是说那个教授讲得太吸引人了,大家都坐在椅子上一动不动,听得聚精会神?
  
  LL: Actually, not only was I glued to my seat, I was glued to his every word.
  
  LH: 每个字?能让你这样的学生把他的每个字都听进去,这个教授一定很棒。
  
  LL: He was really good, and he had a lot of interesting things to say about life in China today. What about you, Li Hua? What keeps you glued to your seat?
  
  LH: 我最近正在看一部韩剧《朱蒙》,剧情太吸引人了,我一集接一集地看,根本放不下。I am glued to the TV set for hours.
  
  LL: If you are glued to your television for hours, you have really become an American, Li Hua!
  
  LH: 你为什么这么说呀?
  
  LL: I think statistics show Americans on average are glued to their television sets for nineteen hours a week.
  
  LH: 我简直不敢相信,美国人每星期要看十九个小时的电视,我可能连九个小时都看不了。跟看电视比起来,我更喜欢看书。
  
  LL: Are you reading anything good right now?
  
  LH: 我最近正在看一本畅销的侦探小说。I have been glued to every page!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是primo, 意思是最棒的。另一个是glued, 是指被深深吸引,全神贯注的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#990
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里,我们要给大家介绍两个都是以bottom这个字为主的习惯用语。Bottom就是底部,也就是最下面的地方。我们要讲的第一个习惯用语就是:To get to the bottom of something. To get to the bottom of something就是找出某件事情的真相。
  
  我们往往会从不同的人那里得到不同的信息。那我们就得做出一个判断,究竟谁说的是实话,谁在说假话。在这种情况下,我们往往会用to get to the bottom of something这个习惯用语。比如说,在法庭上,一个法官听到双方的不同说法。法官就得想办法弄清楚这个案件的真正事实。
  
  在家里,有的时候孩子打破了什么东西。他们就互相指责。这时家长就得弄个水落石出,弄清楚事实的真相。下面就是一个很生气的爸爸在说话。
  
  例句-1: You kids keep blaming each other for breaking the window. Now sit down and answer my questions - I'm going to get to the bottom of this and find out who did it if it takes all night!
  
  这个爸爸说:你们这些孩子打破了窗子,老是互相指责。现在你们都跟我坐下来,回答我的问题。我一定要把事情弄清楚,那怕我们一夜不睡也得弄清楚究竟是谁干的。
  
  ******
  
  大多数美国人都用信用卡买东西。有的人身上现金非常少,买几块钱的东西都用信用卡。许多人都有好几种信用卡。这是因为每个信用卡都让你借钱。另外,发放信用卡的公司也不断设法提供各种优惠来吸引人们用他们的信用卡。百货公司也鼓励人们用他们的信用卡来买东西,所以一个人有十几张信用卡也是不足为奇的。可是,在使用信用卡方面也有不少弊病,有的不务正业的人通过各种方法来盗用别人的信用卡。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句2: I didn't use my credit card last month. So I was shocked when I saw on the statement for last month that there's a new balance of two thousand dollars. I'm going to get to the bottom of this and find out who used my credit card.
  
  这个人说:上个月我没有用信用卡。当我在上个月帐单上看到我花了两千美元的时候,我真是大吃一惊。我得追根究底把事情弄清楚,找出到底是谁用了我的信用卡。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#991
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语也是以bottom这个字为主的。这个习惯用语就是:To scrape the bottom of the barrel. To scrape就是刮。Barrel是一个圆的桶。当桶里的好东西都给别人都拿走了的时候,你就不得不刮桶底剩下的东西了。下面是一个例句。这是在说战争时期征兵的情况。
  
  例句3: At first only young, healthy, single men were taken for military service. But the war lasted so long they had to scrape the bottom of the barrel and take married men and older men with all sorts of health problems.
  
  这句话翻译到中文就是说:最初,征兵的对象只是身体健康的单身年轻男子。但是,战争拖的那么久,他们不得不迁就地把那些结过婚的男人和那些有各种病的年纪大一些的男子征兵入伍。
  
  这当然是在说以前战争期间的情况。现在,美国部队的组成跟过去相比有很大的不同。现在美国部队里有不少女兵,但是有的军校仍然全部是男生,有的人认为现在应该招收女生。另外一个有争论的问题是女兵参加实战是否合适。
  
  ******
  
  美国的许多商店一般在年初冬天即将结束,春天马上来临的时刻进行大减价。有的大减价只有一天,有的两三天或一个星期。下面是一个人在对他的妹妹说话。
  
  例句4: A couple of companies are having one-day clearance sales today. They have lots of stuff on sale at 50 to 70% discount. If I were you, I'd go early. If you go late in the afternoon after work, you'll have to scrape the bottom of the barrel.
  
  这个人说:有两个公司今天有一天的清仓大减价。有的东西的价钱降低百分之五十到百分之七十。要是我是你,我就早点去。要到下午上完班再去,那你可能就只能从卖剩下来的东西里去挑了。
  
  许多美国人都利用这类减价的时候买东西。在季节转换之前,商店一般都要举行大减价,清理仓库,以便进货新的商品。清仓减价的时候可以买到非常便宜的东西。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#992
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华刚买了一台笔记本电脑。她今天要学两个常用语,bells and Whistles和savvy。
  
  LL: So, you got a new laptop computer, Li Hua? Wow! It has all the bells and whistles, doesn't it?
  
  LH: Bells and whistles?我怎么没看见这台电脑上有什么铃铛和哨子啊。
  
  LL: Oh, What I meant was that your lap top has a lot of special features and extras that ordinary lap tops don't have.
  
  LH: 噢,我知道了,你刚才说的bells and whistles是指电脑上的DVD播放器和超宽屏幕等额外的功能。
  
  LL: Yeah, that is right. Manufacturers like to put lots of bells and whistles on lap tops to entice people to buy them.
  
  LH:没错,我就是冲着这些bells and whistles才买这台电脑的。你看,上面还有无线调制解调器和一个超大储存量的硬盘呢!
  
  LL: When I bought a lap top computer last year, Li Hua, I did NOT get one with all the bells and whistles, and now I kind of regret it.
  
  LH: 是啊,这些bells and whistles确实要多花点儿钱,可我觉得还是值得的。
  
  LL: I suppose I can always add some bells and whistles to my basic lap top. I would like to have a bigger hard drive.
  
  LH: 我听说加个硬盘并不难,我觉得你真的可以在你的电脑上加点儿bells and whistles.
  
  LL: Although sometimes it is possible to have too many bells and whistles!
  
  LH: Bells and whistles还会嫌太多吗?
  
  LL: Well, I was thinking of the cell phone I bought recently. It definitely came with all the bells and whistles. So many bells and whistles, in fact, I don't even know everything it does!
  
  LH: 你是说手机啊。我也有同感。现在的手机功能越来越多,很多我都用不着,也不知道该怎么用。
  
  LL: But some people really like to have all the bells and whistles. Like my Dad. The last time he went shopping for a new car, it had to have all the bells and whistles.
  
  LH: 车上能有些什么bells and whistles?
  
  LL: He wanted a car with leather seats that heated themselves and had a built in global positioning system.
  
  LH: 能加热的皮座椅,全球定位系统,看来车上也能有不少的bells and whistles.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#993
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你能帮我把这些软件装到电脑上吗?
  
  LL: I am happy to help you load your software on your new lap top, Li Hua. You know I'm tech savvy.
  
  LH: Tech Savvy? 我知道tech是technology科技的意思,那savvy呢?
  
  LL: Savvy means to understand something very well.
  
  LH: 所以你说自己tech savvy, 就是说你对电脑和高科技的东西很在行喽?
  
  LL: That's right. I've always been interested in computers, and as a result I am fairly tech savvy.
  
  LH: 那太好了。我可一点儿也不tech savvy. 我就知道怎么用电脑写论文,发电子邮件,除此之外就一窍不通了。Larry, 除了高科技以外,还有什么东西可以说savvy吗?
  
  LL: Oh, sure, Li Hua. We often say that some one who dresses well and has good fashion sense is fashion savvy.
  
  LH: 噢,fashion savvy就是很跟得上服装的潮流。那我可以说fashion savvy吧。
  
  LL: Oh, you definitely have fashion savvy, Li Hua. You always dress very stylishly.
  
  LH: 这肯定是我祖母的遗传。我看过她的照片,穿得可漂亮了。She definitely had fashion savvy.
  
  LL: A person can also have street savvy.
  
  LH: Street savvy? 你是说会认路吗?或者是有方向感?
  
  LL: No, no. A person with street savvy knows how people act in the city and how to be safe in parts of the city that might be a little rough.
  
  LH: 噢,street savvy是说街头的生存能力,特别是能在那些比较乱的街区不惹麻烦。看来,tech savvy和street savvy我都学不来,有fashion savvy就行了。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是bells and whistles, 意思是附加的功能或是点缀品。另一个是savvy, 是指在什么方面很在行。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#994
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都跟吃午饭有关系。午饭在英文里就是:Lunch美国人有一个很老的俗语,那就是:There's no such thing as a free lunch. 这个俗语翻到中文就是:白吃午饭这种事是没有的。这句话现在已经成为美国人经常用的俗语了。它的含意当然要超越午饭这个范围。There's no such thing as a free lunch的确切意思就是:世界上没有任何不付出代价就能得到的东西;也许当时你不用付出代价,但是迟早你得付,即便不是付钱,你也得为别人效劳来偿还。
  
  美国的一些行业及劳工组织雇用一些游说的人去影响政府官员。这些人很愿意请官员们去吃午饭,或者带他们出去旅行。但是,他们期望这些白吃白喝的官员能够做一些对他们有利的事,以致回报。下面这个例句是一个国会议员在说话。
  
  例句-1: I never let a lobbyist buy me a lunch or do any favor for me. Early in my political career I learned the truth of the old saying - there's no such thing as a free lunch.
  
  这个国会议员说:我从来没有让一个游说者请我吃过午饭,或者为我做什么事。俗话说,世上没有白吃饭的事。在我政治生涯的早期,我就懂得这句话的意思了。
  
  ******
  
  在美国,你经常可以看到free这个字,特别是在商业广告上。初到美国来的人往往会被这个字吸引,以为真的能拿到不要钱的东西。但是,仔细一看这个free都是有条件的。下面这个例句是一个到美国来不久的学生在说话。
  
  例句2: Seeing the word "free" in ads used to excite me because I thought the store was giving away stuff. Later I learned that there's really no such thing as a free lunch. They always want you to buy something and then give you some cheap gift to make you feel good.
  
  这个学生说:我过去一看到广告上有免费这个字就觉得很高兴,以为商店可能在送东西给顾客。后来我才知道真是没有不要钱的事。他们总是要你买点什么东西,然后给你一个不值钱的礼物让你感到很高兴。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#995
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才我们说的是几乎不要钱的午饭,下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是价钱很高的午饭。这个习惯用语就是:Power lunch. Power就是有力量的或是有权力的。那么,什么是 power lunch 呢?Power lunch就是有两个或更多的重要人物在一起吃午饭,但是他们并不是像一般朋友那样为了见见面,聊聊天而一起吃午饭;他们是为了谈生意,或其他工作上的事。
  
  Power lunch一般是在很贵的饭馆里举行,因为请客的一方可以向自己的公司报销。在这种饭馆里工作是很好的,下面这个例句就给大家提供了一个很好的实例。
  
  例句3: My brother works in a place that is very popular for power lunches. And he gets plenty of nice big tips because these people like to show off in front of each other.
  
  这个人说:我弟弟工作的地方常常有要人在那里吃午饭。由于这些人要在自己的客人面前摆阔气,所有我弟弟经常得到很多小费。
  
  在美国,到饭馆去吃饭要给小费已经成了必定之规。给多少小费是根据帐单上的总数。一般是总数的百分之十到百分之十五。但是人们往往给百分之十五。当然,这并不是硬性规定的,有的人给的很少,服务员就不会太高兴。有的美国人给的很多,经常给百分之二十的小费。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在说他的朋友。
  
  例句4: For the first time my friend Leo, a rising young star in New York financial circles, got invited to attend a power lunch today. He said he didn't enjoy it too much though because the big shots there scarcely noticed him.
  
  这个人说:我的朋友利奥很年轻,他在纽约金融界越来越走红。今天,他第一次被邀请去出席一次全是要人参加的午餐会。但是他说他并不感到高兴,因为那些大人物根本没注意到他。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#996
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华到Larry家借书,正好赶上Larry的朋友Dave打电话来 。她今天要学两个常用语, fed up和off the hook。
  
  LL: That was just Dave on the phone, Li Hua. He is really fed up right now.
  
  LH: Dave给你打电话,就是告诉你他吃多了吗?
  
  LL: No, Li Hua. To be fed up is to run out of patience in a difficult situation and to become angry.
  
  LH: 噢,fed up不是指吃多了,而是说受够了。
  
  LL: That's right. Dave has been having a bad day, and he has good reason to be fed up.
  
  LH:他遇到什么倒霉事了吗?
  
  LL: Well, Dave's car broke down on his way to work today, and he called a tow truck to come and get him. He's fed up, because he has been waiting for over an hour for the tow truck to arrive.
  
  LH: 拖车一个多小时还没到。换成我,也会fed up.
  
  LL: And Dave is also fed up with his car. This is the third time in the last month that his car has broken down.
  
  LH: 一个月坏三次。那可真得换车了,难怪他说自己受够了。他给你打电话就是抱怨这些吗?
  
  LL: He was hoping that if the tow truck didn't come in the next few minutes I might be able to give him a ride to work. He doesn't want his boss to get too fed up with him.
  
  LH: 噢,原来是求你送他去上班。一而再,再而三地因为车子抛锚而上班迟到,确实会引起老板的怀疑。
  
  LL: I don't think Dave's boss is completely fed up with him YET, but Dave doesn't want to take any chances.
  
  LH: 那当然了。他好不容易才找到这份工作,因为这个被炒鱿鱼,太不值得了。
  
  LL: Yeah. Personally, I'm a little fed up with Dave right now, too.
  
  LH: Dave有什么让你受不了的呢?
  
  LL: Well, every time Dave's car breaks down, he calls me to ask for a ride. I'm getting a little fed up with having to rearrange my schedule to keep helping Dave out.
  
  LH: 确实有点儿烦。不过,他是你的朋友,大家应该互相帮助嘛!
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. I shouldn't get fed up with Dave. (Phone rings) It's Dave on the phone.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#997
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Dave打电话说什么?
  
  LL: He told me the tow truck finally arrived. It looks like I'm off the hook!
  
  LH: Off the hook? 这种说法跟钓鱼有关吧?
  
  LL: Yes, it does, Li Hua. You know when you go fishing for fun, how you put a hook on the end of your line?
  
  LH: 当然了,我还记得上次跟你老爸一起去钓鱼,鱼线最后面有一个钩子,在上面挂上鱼饵。
  
  LL: And when a worm is off the hook, it is free. Just like I am now. I am off the hook, because I don't need to drive Dave to work after all.
  
  LH: 所以,off the hook就是脱身的意思。你不用再开车送Dave去上班了,所以你说自己是off the hook.
  
  LL: That's right. Say, speaking of obligations, don't you have a Chinese class you should be teaching right now?
  
  LH: Oh, No. I am off the hook today, Larry. 今天学校放假,所以我不用去教中文课了!
  
  LL: I forgot that today is a holiday. Unfortunately, I am NOT off the hook today. I need to go into work this afternoon to finish up a project I am working on.
  
  LH: 那你就是on the hook喽?
  
  LL: Well, we don't really say someone is "on the hook" in English when we mean they have something they need to do.
  
  LH: 所以说不用再去做一件事情是off the hook, 但是反过来,必须去做一件事情,则不能说on the hook.
  
  LL: You've got it, Li Hua. Say, how about going to a movie tonight? Do you still have to write your paper for Professor Jones, or are you off the hook?
  
  LH: 唉,I'm not off the hook. 我今天晚上必须得写完那篇论文。我可不希望让琼斯教授 fed up with me.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是fed up, 意思是不耐烦,受够了。另一个是off the hook, 是脱身,摆脱责任的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#998
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是跟钱有关系的。钱在英文里有各种说法。一个用得最普遍的就是:Money. 我们首先要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语恐怕是许多人都很欢迎的。这个习惯用语是:Easy money. Easy就是容易,money就是钱。Easy money有两种不同的意思。Easy money可以指用花招或欺骗手段得来的不义之财。但是,easy money一般是指没有花什么功夫而得来的钱财。我们来举一个例子。这是一个人做了一笔很好的房地产生意。他说:
  
  例句-1: I heard about this house the owner had to sell in a hurry, so I got it at a very cheap price. A week later I sold it for a 20,000 dollar profit. Talk about your easy money!
  
  这个好运气的人说:我听说这栋房子的房主急于要出售这房子,所以我以很便宜的价格买进了。一个星期后,我把它卖掉,从中赚了两万美元。这真是轻而易举得来的钱。
  
  请大家不要以为在美国赚钱都是那么容易。像这种机会是不多的。相反地,美国商店亏本倒闭的也不少,特别是在经济不景气的时候。
  
  ******
  
  想轻而易举地得到钱是可以理解的,但是重要的问题是用什么手段,通过什么途径。美国是一个物质丰富的国家,有些年轻人对于物质享受已经习以为常,以为什么东西都很容易得到。在无法得到的时候,有些人就采用犯罪手段。这也是美国年轻人当中犯罪的原因之一。下面我们来给大家举一个例子。这是一个老师在对学生讲话。
  
  例句2: I know you all want to be successful in the future. But the best way to do that is to get a good education. If I were you, I'd study hard and not spend a lot of time in figuring out how to make easy money.
  
  这位老师说:我知道你们都希望将来很成功。可是,要达到这个目的的最好方法就是受到良好的教育。要是我是你们的话,我就努力学习,而不是化好多时间去想怎么样才能轻而易举地得到钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#999
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

钱在英文里有好几种说法。Money只是其中最普遍的一个字。另外,你可以说:Dollar. Dollar就是美金,或美元。那当然是钱。我们下面要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语就是和dollar这个字有关。To bet one's bottom dollar. To bet就是打赌。One's bottom dollar就是一个人把钱都花完了,只剩下口袋底里最后一张钞票。当某人用自己最后剩下的钱去打赌的时候,这个人一定很自信,认为自己在某个问题上完全准确,因此愿意冒一切风险来证实这一点。
  
  下面是一个例子。通过这个例子我们可以看到在日常生活中这个习惯用语是怎么用的。
  
  例句3: You know, Senator Clark keeps telling the press that he won't run for president in 1996. But I'd bet my bottom dollar that two years from now he'll announce he's a candidate.
  
  这个人说:你知道,克拉克参议员不断地对新闻界说,他在1996年不会参加总统竞选。但是,我可以跟你打赌,两年以后,他会宣布他参加竞选的。
  
  ******
  
  下面又是一个例子。这是一个人在说他的同事。
  
  例句4: Our company was to deliver the ordered products to our clients before four in the afternoon. However, Larry forgot the whole thing and the client was mad as a wet hen. But I bet my bottom dollar that Larry will blame somebody else for his mistake.
  
  这个人说:我们公司应该在下午四点以前把客户的定货送到客户那里去。可是,拉里完全忘了这件事,把我们的客户都快气疯了。不过,拉里肯定会把他的错误的责任推给别人的,我可以跟你打赌。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1000
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华开车到游乐园去坐过山车。她今天要学两个常用语,Oh boy和scaredy-cat。
  
  LL: Oh, Boy! Isn't this amusement park great, Li Hua! I can't wait to take a ride on the roller coaster.
  
  LH: Oh, Boy?我知道你早就盼着来这儿坐过山车。可你说oh boy是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: "Oh, Boy!" is a common American expression that really has nothing to do with boys at all.
  
  LH: 那你刚才说Oh boy是什么意思呢?
  
  LL: When I said "Oh, Boy!" I was expressing that I was excited about coming to the park and that I was looking forward to the fun we are going to have today.
  
  LH: 所以你说Oh boy是表示高兴和兴奋。
  
  LL: That's right. Oh, Boy! Li Hua, look at that. There is someone selling cotton candy. I love cotton candy.
  
  LH: 我从没吃过棉花糖,好吃吗?
  
  LL: Oh, boy, is it ever! It is so light and sweet. I am sure you will love it.
  
  LH: Oh boy! Larry, 你看,那边有旋转木马。
  
  LL: Well, let's take a ride on the carousel. It will be a lot of fun. But did you see the roller coaster, Li Hua? Oh, boy... (Nervous tone)
  
  LH: 怎么了?刚才你说oh boy, 好象不太高兴。
  
  LL: I just saw that the roller coaster flips you upside down, and I really don't like roller coasters that flip you upside down. Oh, boy...
  
  LH: 可你刚才不是说oh boy是高兴的意思吗?
  
  LL: Well, it all depends on your tone, Li Hua. If you say "Oh, Boy!" like this, it means you are happy. If you say "Oh, boy" like this, it means you are concerned or dismayed about something.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了。 Oh boy既可以指让人高兴的事,也可以指让人担心的事,完全取决于语气。
  
  LL: That's right, Li Hua. It all depends on how you say it.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1001
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I can't believe I am so worried about riding this roller coaster. I am usually not this much of a scaredy-cat.
  
  LH: 什么是scaredy-cat? 听起来好象是胆小鬼的意思。
  
  LL: You are absolutely right, Li Hua. And right now, I am feeling like a big scaredy-cat about the roller coaster.
  
  LH: 你现在什么感觉?
  
  LL: Well, right now, I have this tight feeling in my stomach, and I am shaking a little. See, look at how my hand is shaking.
  
  LH: 我害怕的时候手也会抖,心里还会砰砰地跳。
  
  LL: What about you, Li Hua? I thought you told me once you didn't like riding roller coasters. Why aren't you acting like a scaredy-cat now?
  
  LH: 我以前也不敢做过山车,后来咬着牙试了一次,发现根本不可怕,而且头冲下的时候特别刺激。
  
  LL: Okay. I'll try to be brave and ride the roller coaster with you. So, is there anything that makes you feel like a scaredy-cat, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 说起来有点儿丢人。我最怕的是游泳。
  
  LL: You are a scaredy-cat about swimming? Why is that, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 因为我小时候没机会学游泳,所以长大后,不仅不敢下水游泳,连坐船都会害怕。
  
  LL: You know, my mother is a big scaredy-cat about flying on planes. She doesn't like the feeling of going up into the air.
  
  LH: 我听说很多人都害怕坐飞机,去什么地方,宁可开车或是坐火车 去。
  
  LL: My mom is like that. If she can she'd rather drive or take a train when she travels.
  
  LH: 每个人都有自己害怕的事情。
  
  LL: Well, I think people are scaredy-cats about things they think are dangerous.
  
  LH: 你说得没错。不过如果什么都怕,什么都不敢尝试,不是也很无聊吗?
  
  LL: Maybe so, but I am still feeling like a scaredy-cat about that roller coaster. Do I really have to go, Li Hua?
  
  LH: Larry, 我保证你不会掉下来。So stop being a scaredy-cat, and let's go.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是oh boy, 用来表达高兴或是担心的情绪。另一个是scaredy-cat, 是胆小鬼的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1002
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经给大家介绍过几个跟钱有关的习惯用语。今天我们再给大家讲两个以钱,也就是money这个字为主的习惯用语。对于许多人来说,钱是非常重要的东西。在美国的成语和俗语里有不少是跟钱这个字有关的。
  
  我们今天首先要给大家介绍的一个习惯用语是:Smart money. Smart这个字有好几个解释,比如说,聪敏,伶俐,漂亮,还可以解释为厉害等。在smart money这个习惯用语里,smart是指聪敏。大家恐怕也不难猜出smart money的意思。Smart money是指那些有经验的投资商或善于赌博的人经管投资的钱。有的时候,smart money可以直接指这些人。下面就是一个例子。这是一个人在对朋友说经商的前景。
  
  例句-1: Do you think the economy is heading up or down? The smart money seems to think that business will get better so maybe it's time to put some money into the stock market.
  
  这个人说:你认为经济的前景是会变得更兴旺呢,还是会变得越来越疲软。那些搞经济的专家们似乎认为商业会越来越好,所以,也许现在是把一些钱投资到股票市场去的时候了。
  
  ******
  
  由于美国投资市场五花八门,许多人都感到难以入门,可是最保险的银行存款又利率太低,所以越来越多的人把钱投入互助基金等收益更高的投资项目。下面就是一个退休的人在说他自己的经历。
  
  例句2: In the past, interest from my bank account was a good source of income to have after I retire. But interest rates are so low these days that I have to let those smart money people who handle mutual funds take care of my money.
  
  这位老人说:过去,我从银行存款所得到的利息是我退休后很好的一笔收入。但是,现在利率那么低,我不得不让那些管理互助基金的专业人员来经管我的钱。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1003
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家介绍一个非常有趣的习惯用语。这个习惯用语就是:Mad money. Mad这个字可以解释为:发疯。也可以说是:快气疯了。但是在这里mad是指非常生气。那么,钱怎么会生气的呢? 最开始的时候,mad money是年轻女子跟男朋友一起出去玩的时候自己身上藏的一点钱。万一她跟男朋友生气了,或吵架了,那她至少自己有钱叫出租车回家去。
  
  现在,mad money的含义已经扩大了。Mad money是另外放出的一小部份现金,准备在紧急时候用的。我们来举一个例子吧。这是一个丈夫在说话。
  
  例句3: The other day we ran out of gas sixty miles from home. I had forgotten my wallet. But we were lucky - my wife remembered she had her mad money, so we were able to buy gas to get back home.
  
  这个丈夫说:那天,我们在离家六十英哩的地方发现汽车里没有汽油了。我那天又忘了带钱包。但是,我们很幸运,因为我太太记得她有一些准备急用的现金,所以我们能买了汽油,开车回家。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个爸爸在说他女儿的经历。
  
  例句4: Last Saturday, my daughter was invited to a dinner party and planned to buy a cake on her way. In the bakery, she found out that she'd forgotten her purse. Fortunately, she had her mad money in her pocket to pay for the cake, so it turned out all right.
  
  这个爸爸说:上星期六,我女儿的朋友请她去吃晚饭。她准备在去的路上买一个蛋糕。她在蛋糕店里的时候发现她没有带钱包。还好她口袋里有一些应急用的现金可以付蛋糕钱,所以就没问题了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1004
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry告诉李华说,他正在给公司做一个大项目,忙得连饭都没时间吃。李华今天要学两个常用语,snarf和power nap.
  
  LL: I've been so busy with this project, Li Hua, I've hardly had any time to eat. Today I just snarfed down a sandwich at lunch, and I haven't eaten anything since.
  
  LH: 你只吃了个三明治?snarf也是吃的意思吗?
  
  LL: Snarf is another word for eat, Li Hua, but when you snarf something you eat it really quickly in a very short amount of time.
  
  LH: 噢,snarf是狼吞虎咽的意思。你是因为要赶项目,没时间吃饭,所以才匆忙地吃了个三明治。
  
  LL: Yeah. And when I snarfed down the sandwich, I didn't really enjoy it. I ate it so fast I didn't even really taste it.
  
  LH: 有时候我赶着写论文或是判作业,没时间吃饭,也会凑合着只吃几口炒饭填饱肚子。
  
  LL: You know, since I haven't had anything to eat since I snarfed down that sandwich, I am feeling hungry again.
  
  LH: Larry, 我这儿有盒饼干,你先吃几块,来垫垫肚子罗。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. That is really nice. But I'm so hungry, I'm afraid I'd snarf up your entire box of cookies.
  
  LH: 都吃了也不要紧,我不在乎这盒饼干,不过光吃饼干可没什么营养。
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. I really shouldn't snarf up all these cookies.
  
  LH: 不如今天晚上咱们找个餐馆,好好补一补,最近我一直在赶论文,也是忙得不可开交。
  
  LL: I'd love to, Li Hua. But, honestly, I don't have enough time to go out with you for a nice relaxing dinner. The deadline for the project is tomorrow, and I have just enough time to snarf down something before I go back to work.
  
  LH: 既然明天就是最后期限,你没时间正经吃饭,那就更不能光啃饼干了,而是应该吃点儿有营养的。这样才能补充能量。
  
  LL: Okay, I do have time to go to a fast food place.
  
  LH: 拐角处就有一家面条店,保证你二十分钟就能回去上班。
  
  LL: And snarfing down a bowl of noodles does sound better than snarfing down a box of cookies, Li Hua.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1005
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 这家店的面条还真好吃。
  
  LL: Yeah, But now I'm feeling a little sleepy. I think I am going to need to take a power nap before I go back to work.
  
  LH: A power nap? 我知道nap是午觉的意思,可power nap是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: A power nap is a short nap, maybe only fifteen to twenty minutes in length that people take in the middle of their work day to give them more energy, more power!
  
  LH: 噢,就是15分钟,20分钟,打个盹儿的意思。你知道吗,Larry, 在中国睡午觉是很普遍的。我们上学的时候中午都会睡上半个小时左右。
  
  LL: Taking naps isn't as common in the U.S. as it is in China, but more and more Americans are taking power naps.
  
  LH: 昨天晚上我看了一个节目,很有意思,里面说美国人现在越来越忙,晚上睡眠时间不够,所以白天需要take power naps,才能提高效率。
  
  LL: Hey, I saw that report, too!
  
  LH: 现在不少公司为了提高员工的工作效率,都在公司里设立专门供员工睡午觉的地方。
  
  LL: I wish my company had places like that for us to take power naps at work.
  
  LH: 你还记得吗,里面说有一家公司,给员工准备了鸡蛋形的午睡舱,还有舒缓的音乐,帮员工入睡。
  
  LL: Yeah, I'd love to take a power nap in one of those.
  
  LH: 但是打盹儿也要注意不能睡得太久。
  
  LL: I guess that is true. If you end up sleeping too long, you can enter a deep sleep and wake up feeling drowsy and even sleepier than you did before you took you power nap.
  
  LH: 好,到你公司了,你准备在哪儿小睡一会儿呢?
  
  LL: Well, I think I will go back to work and take a power nap at my desk.
  
  LH: Okay, Larry. 明天完成了手头的项目,给我打电话。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是 snarf, 是狼吞虎咽的意思。另一个是 power nap, 是打盹儿的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1006
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry告诉李华说,他正在给公司做一个大项目,忙得连饭都没时间吃。李华今天要学两个常用语,snarf和power nap.
  
  LL: I've been so busy with this project, Li Hua, I've hardly had any time to eat. Today I just snarfed down a sandwich at lunch, and I haven't eaten anything since.
  
  LH: 你只吃了个三明治?snarf也是吃的意思吗?
  
  LL: Snarf is another word for eat, Li Hua, but when you snarf something you eat it really quickly in a very short amount of time.
  
  LH: 噢,snarf是狼吞虎咽的意思。你是因为要赶项目,没时间吃饭,所以才匆忙地吃了个三明治。
  
  LL: Yeah. And when I snarfed down the sandwich, I didn't really enjoy it. I ate it so fast I didn't even really taste it.
  
  LH: 有时候我赶着写论文或是判作业,没时间吃饭,也会凑合着只吃几口炒饭填饱肚子。
  
  LL: You know, since I haven't had anything to eat since I snarfed down that sandwich, I am feeling hungry again.
  
  LH: Larry, 我这儿有盒饼干,你先吃几块,来垫垫肚子罗。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. That is really nice. But I'm so hungry, I'm afraid I'd snarf up your entire box of cookies.
  
  LH: 都吃了也不要紧,我不在乎这盒饼干,不过光吃饼干可没什么营养。
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. I really shouldn't snarf up all these cookies.
  
  LH: 不如今天晚上咱们找个餐馆,好好补一补,最近我一直在赶论文,也是忙得不可开交。
  
  LL: I'd love to, Li Hua. But, honestly, I don't have enough time to go out with you for a nice relaxing dinner. The deadline for the project is tomorrow, and I have just enough time to snarf down something before I go back to work.
  
  LH: 既然明天就是最后期限,你没时间正经吃饭,那就更不能光啃饼干了,而是应该吃点儿有营养的。这样才能补充能量。
  
  LL: Okay, I do have time to go to a fast food place.
  
  LH: 拐角处就有一家面条店,保证你二十分钟就能回去上班。
  
  LL: And snarfing down a bowl of noodles does sound better than snarfing down a box of cookies, Li Hua.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1007
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语听起来都是很顺耳朵的话,但是这些话都是在故意恭维你,以便让你做讲话的人要你做的事。在这方面,最普遍的一个习惯用语就是:Sweet talk. Sweet就是甜的;talk就是讲话。Sweet talk里面的sweet这个字就已经把意思点出来了。Sweet talk听起来很顺耳,但是实际上是拍马,或过份的赞扬。Sweet talk可以作为名词,也可以作为动词。下面是一个例句。在这个例句里sweet talk是用做动词。这是一个爸爸在说他的一个女儿。
  
  例句-1: You know, I think my youngest daughter was born with honey in her mouth! She can sweet-talk me into doing just about anything she wants me to do.
  
  这个爸爸说:你可知道,我想我那最小的女儿生来就是嘴巴甜的。她会用甜言蜜语来让我做几乎任何她要我做的事。
  
  这句话的英文里用的是:was born with honey in her mouth。这是指:她生来嘴巴里就有蜂蜜。我们在这里不必逐个按字面意思来翻,翻成:生来嘴巴甜也就可以了。
  
  ******
  
  有的人说,人人都爱听好话。这是人性。这话也许不错,但是也有一些脑子很清醒,不被好话所左右的人。我们来举一个例子。这是一个公司的主管在说他手下的一个雇员。在这个句子里 sweet talk是用做名词。这个主管说:
  
  例句2: Alex has been working for me over a year. He never misses a chance to say what he thinks I want to hear. He hopes I'll assign him nice jobs and eventually promote him. But I don't buy that kind of sweet talk so I guess he'll be disappointed.
  
  这个公司的主管说:亚历克斯在我手下工作已经一年多。他从来不放过机会说他认为我要听的话。他是希望我指派他好的工作,最后提拔他。但是,我可不吃这种拍马奉承。我想他会失望的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1008
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语也是说好话的意思,但是跟sweet talk有一些不同。这个习惯用语就是:Snow job. Snow是雪,job一般的解释是工作,也可以指某一项具体的工作。A snow job的意思是不太诚实的话,为了使听话的人相信他,他往往在讲话里撒一、两个谎。A snow job往往是当一个人遇到麻烦的时候想用几句好话来洗刷自己的责任。我们来举一个例子。学校的老师要求学生今天交期终报告,但是有一个学生没有写,所以交不出来。这个学生说:
  
  例句3: I've got to give the teacher a snow job to get her to give me another week. Do you think she'd believe me if I tell her I really wrote the paper, but the dog got it and ate it?
  
  这个学生说:我总得说些什么理由好让老师同意再给我一个星期。要是我告诉她我确实写了报告,但是给家里的狗叼去吃了,你认为她会相信我吗?
  
  狗吃了作业这个理由美国学生用的太多了,这都已经成了笑话。所以,这个老师恐怕是不会相信的。
  
  ******
  
  Snow job跟sweet talk一样可以当名词用,也可以当动词用。在上面这个例子里,a snow job是当做名词用。下面我们来举一个把snow job当做动词用的例子。这是一个正在找工作的女孩子约好到某个公司人事处去面谈,但是到了那天她把约会给忘得一干二净。下面是公司人事处主任在跟一个同事说话。
  
  例句4: That girl didn't show up for the interview. She said she felt so dizzy on her way that she could not drive anymore and there was no telephone around. But I have this uneasy feeling she's giving me a snow job.
  
  这位主任说:那个女孩到时候没有来面谈。她说她在路上感到头晕,没法再继续开车,周围又没有电话。可是我总有一种她在说假话的感觉。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1009
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在Larry的朋友Sam家开party。李华今天要学两个常用语,party foul和split.
  
  LL: Gosh, I am SO sorry, Li Hua! I just spilled some of my drink on you. What a party foul!
  
  LH: 没事的,Larry. 只不过是点儿汽水而已,一下就弄干净了。不过,什么是party foul 啊?
  
  LL: A party foul is when you do something really embarrassing at a party - like spill your drink on someone.
  
  LH: 噢,foul 在体育比赛里是犯规的意思,那 party foul 就是指开派对的时候出丑喽。
  
  LL: Right, and nobody really likes to commit a party foul, but sometimes when you are having a lot of fun and there are a lot of people together in one place, it is easy to do something stupid.
  
  LH: 发生 party foul 的时候,其他人会怎样呢?
  
  LL: Sometimes they stare or it gets very quiet - or other times some one might yell, "Party foul!" And everyone will laugh.
  
  LH: 那可真够丢人的。不过,洒点儿饮料不算什么,我见过更糟糕的party foul。
  
  LL: Really? What is the worse party foul you've seen?
  
  LH: 有一次我去参加朋友的婚礼。大家跳舞的时候,发生了我见过的超级party foul.
  
  LL: Don't keep me in suspense, Li Hua! Tell me about this party foul. What happened?
  
  LH: 有个客人踩在了新娘的婚纱上,把婚纱撕掉了一大块。所有人都傻了,大厅里鸦雀无声。
  
  LL: Yikes! That really is a major party foul. What happened then?
  
  LH: 新郎和新娘处理得很好,他们知道那个客人一定很难堪,所以马上开了个玩笑,帮他解围。
  
  LL: I think the most embarrassing party foul I committed was the time I went to a party in a suit.
  
  LH: 穿西装去参加派对有什么不对吗?
  
  LL: Well, I received an invitation to a very fancy New Year's Eve party once from my boss. I didn't read the invitation very closely though.
  
  LH: Uh-oh. 你犯了什么不可饶恕的 party foul 吗?
  
  LL: Well, when I showed up at the party and all the men were wearing tuxedos, I knew I had committed a party foul.
  
  LH: 别人都穿正式的燕尾服,只有你一个人穿西装,肯定特尴尬吧?哎,时间不早了,咱们是不是该走了?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1010
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 LL: This has been a nice party, but you are right, Li Hua. We really should split.
  
  LH: We need to split. Split 不是把东西劈成两半的意思吗?
  
  LL: It is, but split S-P-L-I-T is also a slang term meaning to leave a place - and sometimes to leave a place quickly.
  
  LH: 噢,原来是马上离开的意思。我前天晚上看了一个老的西部片,有个匪徒杀人后就说他要 split town, 逃出城。
  
  LL: That's a good example, Li Hua. That meant he had to get out of town quickly, before the police figured out he had committed the crime.
  
  LH: 好吧,Larry, 我准备好了,Let's split! 我们走吧。
  
  LL: That's a perfect use of "split", Li Hua! But before we split, we really should go find Sam and thank him for a fun evening.
  
  LH: 对啊,不跟主人打招呼就走,别人会觉得我们没礼貌的。
  
  LL: You're right, Li Hua. Oh, there is Sam over there. I'm going to go over and tell him we are going to split.
  
  LH: 等等,Larry. 你看,还有这么多人呢,我们不会走得太早了吧?
  
  LL: No, I don't think it is too early for us to split. We've been here a couple of hours already. Plus, Sam will understand. He knows I have to work tomorrow - and that you have to teach classes.
  
  LH: 那好,我在这儿等你。
  
  (Party sounds and music)
  
  LL: There. I told Sam we were going to split, and that we had a great time.
  
  LH: Sam 没有不高兴吧?
  
  LL: Oh, no. Not at all. In fact, he said he was glad we came and hoped we would come again the next time he had a party.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是party foul, 是在part上出丑的意思。另一个是split,是赶快走的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1011
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都有一个关键的字。这个关键的字就是:Fish. Fish就是很多人都爱吃的鱼。我们今天要讲的第一个以fish这个字为主的习惯用语就是:A fine kettle of fish. Fine就是好的,kettle是煮食品的大铁锅。A fine kettle of fish是指乱七八糟,很令人不愉快的事。这个说法可能是二百五十年前来自苏格兰。
  
  当时,人们把在河边举行野餐会叫做a kettle of fish,因为参加野餐会的人把刚刚从河里钓上来的新鲜鱼放到一个大铁锅里,然后再用木材搭一个火来煮。这些鱼一般都是匆匆忙忙地煮熟了,然后人们把这些滚烫的鱼从锅里拿出来,用手拿着吃。这当然会把手弄得很脏,有时还会把手烫着了。下面我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在说他丢了汽车钥匙所带来的麻烦。
  
  例句-1: There I was, stuck on a lonely road 50 miles from home, after I was stupid enough to lock myself out of my car. It was dark and not a house in sight. A fine kettle of fish, I tell you!
  
  这个人说:我实在是非常傻,把汽车钥匙锁在车里,因此没法把车门打开了。那发生在离我家五十英里的一条路上,四周没有人。当时,天已经黑了,周围看不到一栋房子。我告诉你,那可真是糟糕。
  
  把车钥匙锁在汽车里是经常发生的事。但是许多在美国居住的人都参加一种汽车服务组织,每年付一些会费。要是你开车在路上出了问题,不管是把钥匙忘在车里了,还是因为忘了关车灯了,电池没了,或其他问题,你可以打电话去让他们来帮你解决问题。当然,要是周围没有人,也没有电话,那就麻烦了。
  
  ******
  
  有不少美国人都参加俱乐部。有的是跟自己的行业有关的,有的跟自己的兴趣有关的。有的人参加好几个俱乐部。每个俱乐部的规模不同,但是一般都有负责人和财务员。下面是一个人在说他所属俱乐部的财务员突然辞职,因此帐目弄得一塌糊涂。
  
  例句2: He left a fine kettle of fish behind. We couldn't find out what our money had been spent for; we couldn’t tell which members had paid their dues, and the rent wasn't paid. What a mess!
  
  这个人说:他真是留下了一个乱摊子。我们弄不清楚我们的钱是怎么花的。我们也不知道哪些俱乐部成员已经付了会费。我们的房租也没有交。真是一团糟。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1012
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的第二个习惯用语是:To have other fish to fry. 这里的 fry是指在油里煎。这个习惯用语的真正含义是:当某人请另外一个人做一件事的时候,这个人表示他还有其他更重要的事要做。有的时候,这种回答是真的,有的时候只是一种借口。
  
  下面我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在请他的朋友为一个慈善机构筹款。这个朋友是这么回答的。
  
  例句3: Hey, Joseph, you know I'd sure like to help you raise money for the Red Cross. But I have other fish to fry - I'm chairman of the committee to raise money to fix the roof on my church.
  
  这个朋友回答说:嗨,约瑟夫,你知道我肯定是愿意帮你为红十字会筹款的。但是,我有其他的事。我们教堂的屋顶要修,而我是筹款委员会的主席。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个丈夫在对妻子说他自己的生活计划。
  
  例句4: Honey, they want me to run for Congress, but I said no. I have other fish to fry - I need all my time for my business so I can retire when I reach 50 and we can move to Hawaii.
  
  这个丈夫说:亲爱的,他们要我竞选国会议员,但是我拒绝了。我还有别的事要干。我需要把所有的时间放在我的生意上。这样我到了五十岁就能退休,然后我们可以搬到夏威夷去住。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1013
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在咖啡店里买咖啡。李华今天要学两个常用语,newbie和been around.
  
  LL: Wow, it seems to be taking a long time for this guy to get our coffee made. Maybe he is a newbie.
  
  LH: A newbie? 你说他是新来的?
  
  LL: Right. A newbie is someone that is new to a place, activity or organization.
  
  LH: 你说得对,他肯定是新手,好像连咖啡机还用不好呢!
  
  LL: It is like this new guy in my office. He just started work the day before yesterday. He doesn't know where anything is.
  
  LH: 初来乍到是最困难的时候,Larry, 你一定要帮帮这个新同事。
  
  LL: I have been helping him, and he's doing pretty well for a newbie. He is clearly very bright and has picked up on a lot of things very quickly.
  
  LH: 我们的咖啡来了,我们找地儿坐吧。
  
  LL: MMMmmm...It may have taken him a while to make the coffee, but the newbie did a good job. This coffee is great!
  
  LH: 你看,有时候对新手就是要有耐心。我还记得刚开始教中文的时候,样样东西都要学。
  
  LL: What did you find the most difficult about being a newbie Chinese teacher, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 当初最让我头痛的就是安排课堂活动,我总是掌握不好各项活动的时间长短。
  
  LL: Yeah, when I was a newbie, I remember having to learn where everything was in the office and who was responsible for which aspects of my job. . .Say, Li Hua, I want to show you something on my lap top.
  
  (Takes out lap top)
  
  LH: 是新的电脑游戏吗?
  
  LL: Yes, it is a fantasy role-playing game where you pretend to be a warrior or a wizard and run around attacking people and collecting treasure. I've just started the game, so I am kind of a newbie.
  
  LH: 这里面好像还有其他人,他们也是newbies吗?
  
  LL: No, some people have been playing the game for a long time. Their characters are very experienced, and they have fun attacking and stealing treasure from the newbies.
  
  LH: 那你肯定也是被这些老手欺负的对象喽?我是不会玩电脑游戏,也没兴趣。
  
  LL: You should try it, Li Hua. It is a lot of fun to play computer games, and it gets more fun when you aren't a newbie any more.
  
  LH: 还是算了吧,在电脑游戏上面,我宁愿做个newbie.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1014
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, when it comes to computer games, I've been around - if you know what I mean, Li Hua.
  
  LH: "Been around"? 我还真不知道这是什么意思。
  
  LL: "Been around" means to have lots of experience doing something. It is actually short for a longer expression...
  
  LH: 我想起来了。说什么人特别老道,就是"He has been around the block."
  
  LL: That's right! We shorten it to ''been around,'' but it basically means the same thing.
  
  LH: 所以你说自己''have been around.'' 就是说你打过很多电脑游戏喽?
  
  LL: That's right. I started playing computer games when I was seven years old, and I still play computer games.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry, 我一直想问你,听说你妹妹有新男朋友了?
  
  LL: Yes, she is dating a new guy. But I'm a little concerned. I think this guy has been around. He is much older than my sister.
  
  LH: 有经验不见得是坏事啊!
  
  LL: Well, he has been around, but not in a good way. I think he has dated a lot of girls and may not be as serious about my sister as she is about him.
  
  LH: 你是怕他不当真,让你妹妹伤心吧。那你妹妹呢?她有没有交过很多男朋友?
  
  LL: No, not really. She is still very young. I wish she would wait until she has been around a bit before deciding she wants to get engaged to this guy.
  
  LH: 别着急,Larry, 你妹妹绝顶聪明,她肯定能做出正确的选择。你要相信她!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是newbie, 是新手的意思。另一个是been around, 是老手的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1015
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家知道,世界上的人是各式各样的,有的人特别会说别人爱听的话,可是有的人特别善于吹毛求疵,挑别人的毛病。在这次节目里,我们就要给大家介绍两个形容这两种人的习惯用语。大多数人都说,人都是爱听好话的。既然如此,我们就先来讲一个善于说好话的习惯用语。To butter up someone. Butter这个字可能大家都早已知道,就是西方人经常吃的黄油。但是,在 to butter up someone这个习惯用语里,butter这个字是用做动词。To butter up someone并不是真的在某人身上涂黄油。作为俗语,to butter up someone是指对人不寻常地客气,过份地奉承,目的是在于赢得此人的好感,或者是要他给你一种特别的好处。To butter up someone这个习惯用语的形成可能是因为面包上涂了黄油味道就好多了,或者是因为黄油很滑溜,就像那些奉承别人的话听起来很顺耳那样。下面是一个公司的雇员在说一个会拍马的同事。
  
  例句-1: Harry is working hard to butter up the boss to get that promotion. The funny thing is if he worked as hard at his job as he does at buttering up people, he'd have a better chance to get what he's after.
  
  这个人说:哈里为了被提升,正在想方设法地对老板拍马奉承。有趣的是,要是他干活也能像他溜须拍马那样下功夫的话,他想得到提升的机会就会更多。
  
  ******
  
  在这次节目开始,我们不是说了,有的人很善于讲别人爱听的话,但是有的人就是缺乏这方面的才能。下面这个例子里说话的人就是属于后面这类人的。
  
  例句2: I believe some people are simply born with the talent of buttering up people. Don't you think I haven't tried. I did, but I felt so awkward about flattering people. So I've given up a long time ago.
  
  这个人说:我相信有的人生来就有拍马奉承的本领。你别以为我没有试过。我试过,但是要我去说那些奉承别人的话,我总觉得很难受。所以,我早就放弃了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1016
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要讲的一个习惯用语是形容那种专门会挑别人毛病的人。这个常用语就是:Nitpicker. Nitpicker实际上是由两个字组成的。Nit虱子下的蛋,picker就是挑东西的人。A nitpicker就是一个专门因为一些不重要的小事而批评别人的人,也就是挑剔,吹毛求疵。这种人一般都不受欢迎。Nitpicker这个字使我们想起一个在笼子里的猴子,把所有的时间都用来抓虱子。我们来举一个例子。这是一个新闻机构的编辑在对一个记者说话。他说他并不想挑剔,但是他对这位记者的报导有些批评。他说:
  
  例句3: I hate to sound like a nitpicker, but I found a comma missing in your third paragraph and another comma missing down in the tenth paragraph. Let's try to be more careful from now on.
  
  这个编辑说:我很讨厌听起来好像是在挑剔。但是我发现你文章的第三段里少了一个逗号,在第十段里也少了一个逗号。以后小心点。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在讲他的妹妹。
  
  例句4: My baby sister Carol said that most of her classmates like her taste and compliment her every time she wears a new dress. The nitpicker who criticizes her is her best friend Laura. My sister thinks that Laura is simply jealous of her.
  
  这个人说:我的小妹妹卡罗尔说,她的同学当中,大多数人都很喜欢她的衣着打扮,每次她穿新衣服,她们都说好看。唯一批评她的是她的好朋友劳拉。我妹妹认为劳拉就是妒忌她。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1017
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华在纽约参加长跑比赛。李华今天要学两个常用语,eat my dust和sore loser.
  
  LL: It's a good thing you've been training for this race, Li Hua. But you are still going to eat my dust.
  
  LH: Eat your dust? Yuck. 吃你的土?这是什么意思啊!
  
  LL: When someone says ''eat my dust," they are saying to their competitors in a race situation that they are confident they are going to win the race, leaving everyone else far behind.
  
  LH: 赢比赛跟让别人吃土又有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: Well, when you run, you kick up dust from the road. So, if I run very fast and you are behind me, you'll be getting my dust in your face - and eating my dust.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,跑在前面的人掀起的尘土,会落在后面人的脸上,原来是从这儿来的。不过,Larry, 我为今天的比赛已经训练两个多月了,也许你会eat my dust呢!
  
  LL: But I've been running for years, and I've been in many races. And most of the time, the other runners end up eating my dust.
  
  LH: 那也许你能象环法自行车大赛七连冠阿姆斯特朗一样,让其他人都ate his dust.
  
  LL: Now that I think about it, Li Hua, I prefer to think of myself as the cheetah of the running world. As the fastest animal on land, all the other animals eat the cheetah's dust.
  
  LH: 你还真自信!大话说出来,可千万别落在别人后面噢。
  
  LL: Actually, Li Hua. I am just joking. I'm not really the cheetah of the running world. There are so many runners in this race, I am pretty sure I will be eating someone else's dust.
  
  LH: 输赢并不重要,重在参与嘛!
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. And since this is a race for charity, it doesn't matter if you eat my dust - or I eat yours. In the end, everybody wins.
  
  LH: 对呀,比赛收益全都要用来帮助无家可归的人。Okay, Larry. 准备好,你要eat my dust了!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1018
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Whew! That was a great race. Even though I didn't place, I'm pretty happy about my overall time. I'm just disappointed by the guy who placed second - what a sore loser!
  
  LH: Hmmm...得第二名的那个人好像特别不高兴,又跺脚,又挥拳头,嘴里还骂骂咧咧的。你说,这就叫sore loser吗?
  
  LL: Yes, He clenched his fists and stomped around, saying things that weren't very nice. That is a sore loser!
  
  LH: 在中文里,我们说这种人输不起。
  
  LL: But I don't know why he was being such a sore loser, to place second out of the hundreds of people participating in the race should be something to celebrate.
  
  LH: 就是啊。我要是得了第二名,一定乐死了。这种输不起的人,让所有人都觉得扫兴。
  
  LL: It's true. Do you remember when you were a kid, Li Hua - and you were playing a game? If one of the kids started acting like a sore loser, the game wasn't so fun anymore.
  
  LH: 我当然记得。小孩子都不愿意输。我有个外甥,一输就哭鼻子。
  
  LL: Yeah, but most people grow up and become adults - and grow out of being sore losers.
  
  LH: 但是有的人就是长不大,我就见过很多sore loser.
  
  LL: That is true. I'm trying really hard not to be a sore loser myself.
  
  LH: 你怎么会是sore loser呢?
  
  LL: Well, I am kind of embarrassed that you beat me in the race, Li Hua. Especially since I told you that you were going to eat my dust. But I am not going to be a sore loser - I'm proud of you and how well you did in the race.
  
  LH: 噢,原来是因为这个。谢谢你,Larry, 我确实花了很多时间为这次比赛做准备。
  
  LL: Say, maybe we should celebrate the outcome by racing over to the ice cream store for an ice cream cone!
  
  LH: 好啊!但是你肯定会eat my dust, 你知道我一见冰激凌就没命了。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是eat my dust, 是输给我的意思。另一个是sore loser, 是指输不起的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1019
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是形容有的人用来欺骗别人的手法。美国人有许多有关欺骗的习惯用语,但是像其他的习惯用语一样,有的随着时间被淘汰了,而新的习惯用语又不断出现。最近几年来,在形容欺骗方面,人们经常用下面这个习惯用语:Smoke and mirrors. Smoke就是烟,mirrors是镜子。Smoke and mirrors这个说法是从那儿来的呢?
  
  实际上,这是从变魔术而来。魔术师往往让观众们相信他能使得一个人突然不见,然后又突然出现。要使人产生这么样的幻觉,魔术师一般都是用烟和镜子作为手段。所以,smoke and mirrors就成了欺骗别人的常用语。换句话说,也就是使用不真实的消息来蒙混别人。克林顿总统曾经在一次讲话中也用了smoke and mirrors 这个说法。他说,在他的发展经济和减少预算赤字方面,他不会用欺骗手段来蒙蔽全国人民。
  
  在看魔术的时候被骗倒是很好玩,但是在实际生活中被人欺骗,那绝对不是好玩的事。下面是一个例子。这是一个参加竞选的人在批评对立党内的一个竞选对手。
  
  例句1: My opponent's plan is nothing but smoke and mirrors: he's simply pulled his numbers out of the air to make it look like he can balance the budget without new taxes.
  
  他说:我那竞选对手的计划根本就是一个骗局。他只是毫无根据地提出几个数字,让人们觉得好像他可以不增加新的税收就平衡预算。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人受了他朋友的骗,正在发泄心中的不满。
  
  例句2: I told Mark about my plan to merge with a company in New York and asked his help. He promised to do all he could and even offered some ideas. But this was all smoke and mirrors. He bought that New York company himself last week - what a nasty trick!
  
  这个人说:我告诉马克有关我想跟纽约那个公司合并的计划,并希望他能给予帮助。他说他一定尽力帮忙,甚至还给我提了一些建议。可是,结果这些全是骗人的。上个星期他自己把那个纽约公司买下来了。真下流。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1020
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲第二个意思是欺骗的习惯用语。Bum steer. Bum就是不好的,或者是错误的。Steer就是引导向某个方向发展。把bum和 steer两个字合在一起就成了一个习惯用语。意思是:假的信息,或者是使人迷惑的信息。下面是一个例子,这是一个受害于假信息的公司总裁。
  
  例句3: I flew out to Los Angeles when I heard this company wanted to buy a million dollars worth of our equipment. But it turned out to be a bum steer, just a rumor spread by one of our competitions to make trouble for us.
  
  这个总裁说:我搭飞机到洛山矶去,因为我听说这个公司要买我们的设备,价值达一百万美元。但是,这个消息结果是假的,是我们竞争对象之一为了给我们制造麻烦而散布的谣言。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例子是一个人在说他认识的一个女孩。
  
  例句4: I really feel sorry for Mary. She moved all the way from San Francisco to New York believing that Frank would marry her as he promised. But his promise was a pure bum steer. Mary found out he's already married and has two kids.
  
  这个人说:我真是为玛丽感到难受。她老远的从旧金山搬到纽约来,相信弗兰克会跟她结婚,就像他保证的那样。可是,他的保证全是假的。玛丽发现他是结了婚的,还有两个孩子。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1021
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华刚刚忙完手头的工作。他们一起去吃冰激凌。李华今天要学两个常用语:my treat和ginormous.
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, you just finished a big paper, and I just finished an important project at work. Let's go for ice cream and celebrate. It'll be my treat.
  
  LH: 冰激凌是your treat? 可我也要吃啊,应该是our treat才对吧。
  
  LL: Well, the ice cream will certainly be for both of us - and it will be a treat for both of us, but when I said it was "my treat" I meant that I would pay for the ice cream.
  
  LH: 哦,原来是你要请客啊!
  
  LL: That's right, to TREAT someone means to pay for someone's food or entertainment as a form of a gift.
  
  LH: 那太好了。谢谢你请我去吃冰激凌。
  
  LL: It is my pleasure, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 为了表示感谢,这个周末我请你去中国餐馆吃饭。My treat.
  
  LL: That's very considerate, Li Hua. But you don't really have to treat me to dinner just because I treated you to ice cream.
  
  LH: 我可不是因为你请我吃冰激凌才请你去吃饭的,我请你吃饭是因为咱俩是好朋友嘛!
  
  LL: In that case, I'll be happy to go for Chinese food this weekend - especially if it is your treat.
  
  LH: 我有个问题,Larry, 在美国,如果有人提出请你吃饭,你还用争着付钱吗?
  
  LL: Generally, you can try to protest a little, but the most polite thing to do is to let the other person treat you and allow his or her to feel generous.
  
  LH: 在中国的时候,我有个叔叔,人特别大方,经常请朋友和家里人出去吃饭。
  
  LL: It is wonderful to have generous relatives. When I was growing up, my grandmother would always treat us to the circus - or sometimes a movie.
  
  LH: 看马戏?哎(叹气) -- 小时候真好!我爸爸也经常带我去看木偶剧。
  
  LL: Yeah. My Dad would always treat us to ice cream at a shop just like this one. Say, why don't you go ahead and order your ice cream, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 我要一个巧克力、香草和草莓的冰激凌蛋筒。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1022
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: That is the most ginormous ice cream cone I have ever seen, Li Hua.
  
  LH: Ginormous? 你是想说enormous吧?
  
  LL: Well, actually, Li Hua. You are right. I do mean that your ice cream cone is enormous. But ginormous is a slang word formed from two other words: gigantic and enormous.
  
  LH: 哦,gigantic前面的音和enormous后面的音连在一起,就变成了ginormous, 也就是特别、特别、特别大的意思喽?
  
  LL: Yes. Something that is ginormous is both gigantic and enormous. It is something that is really, really, really big.
  
  LH: 我饿极了,现在正需要一个ginormous的冰激凌,因为我有一个ginormous的胃口。
  
  LL: You just want to be careful that you don't eat too many sweets, Li Hua. You don't want to end up with a ginormous cavity!
  
  LH: 吃甜的长个大虫牙我倒不担心,我担心的是我的腰围。
  
  LL: Hey, here comes my hot fudge sundae. Wow! It is ginormous, too. Maybe we should have split one ice cream between the two of us.
  
  LH: 吃完这两个特大号的冰激凌,恐怕我们就得赶紧节食了。
  
  LL: You aren't kidding. I think this ice cream must contain a ginormous amount of fat and calories.
  
  LH: 嗨,管它呢,先吃了再说。
  
  LL: That sound's good...Oh, watch out, Li Hua! Your ice cream cone is melting and starting to tip! If it falls on the floor, it'll make a ginormous mess.
  
  LH: 还好你提醒我,总算没掉下来。不过我还是得赶快去拿一大叠餐巾纸来,先准备着。
  
  LL: That's a good idea. I could use a napkin, too. I think I have a ginormous chocolate moustache from my sundae.
  
  LH: 巧克力胡子?Ha, ha...你的巧克力冰激凌确实沾了一嘴。快给你,餐巾纸。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是 my treat, 是我请客的意思。另一个是ginormous,是巨大无比的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1023
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们给大家介绍两个以 smoke为主的常用语。首先我们要讲的是:To go up in smoke. 大家知道,smoke就是烟。To go up in smoke是指某项工程,或某个交易没有取得任何成果,就像烟一样一下子就消失了。我们来举一个例子。这是一个生活在美国西部的农民在说话。他经营一个小小的农场,生活很贫苦。他说:
  
  例句-1: This big oil company thought there might be a lot of oil in the ground under our farm. They drilled three wells but got nothing out of them buy dirt. So all our dreams of being millionaires went up in smoke.
  
  这个农民说:这个大石油公司以为我们农场的地下有很多石油。他们挖了三口油井,但是除了土以外,从油井里什么也没有得到。所以,我们想成为百万富翁的美梦全部成了泡影。
  
  这句话里有几个字可以说明,有不少英文字在不同场合有不同的解释。比如说,这句话里用的 oil这个字。Oil就是油,这是一个总称。烧菜的油可以称为oil,任何油类的液体都可以用oil这个名称。但是在这个句子里,从上下文里就可以知道,说话的人是在讲石油。这句话里用的well这个字也是一样,水井在英文里叫做well,油井也叫做well,要看所指的情况而定。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个年轻人原来准备学医,将来当医生。可是,偶然发生的一件事使他的梦想不能实现。下面是这个年轻人在对他的朋友说话。
  
  例句2: I was all set to go to medical school next September. But dad's company suddenly went bankrupt and it's too late to apply for a student loan. I'm afraid my dream of being a doctor has just gone up in smoke.
  
  这个学生说:我为了九月份入医学院准备好了一切。可是,我爸爸的公司突然破产,现在再申请学生贷款又已经太晚。我怕我想当医生的梦想已经破灭。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1024
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来给大家讲解一个由smoke这个字为主的习惯用语。Smoke screen. Screen这个字的意思是:屏幕,或者是帘子。所以,smoke screen就是烟幕。Smoke screen这个习惯用语是八十多年前第一次世界大战期间出现的。当时,在海面飞快前进的驱逐舰会在海面造成很密的烟雾。那些战舰为了保护自己,免受敌方炮弹的袭击而躲在驱逐舰造成的烟雾后面。
  
  现在,smoke screen这个说法已经成为日常用语,意思是人们为了隐瞒,或伪装某件事而用的手法。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: That man talks about how glad he was to retire at age forty-five and enjoy himself. But it's just a smoke screen to hide the fact he got fired from his job and can't find another.
  
  这句话的意思是:那个人说,他非常高兴在四十五岁就退休,能够好好享受生活。但是,这种说法只是用来掩盖真相。事实是他被他的公司解雇了,又找不到其他的工作。
  
  ******
  
  在美国,夫妇要离婚一般都要各自请律师,因为双方往往会在财产分配、孩子归哪一方、扶养费等问题上发生争执,而美国的法律又非常复杂。所以请一位能代表自己利益的律师也是有必要的。在女方不工作,或收入不多的情况下,男方必须每月给女方提供扶养费,但是也有不付这笔钱的。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句4: Sam's been telling everybody his wife is having an affair. But we think this is nothing but a smoke screen for his plan to divorce her for a younger woman and save paying her a lot of alimony.
  
  这人说:山姆对每个人说他的太太有外遇。但是,我们认为这是他使用的烟幕来掩盖他为了一个年轻女人而跟太太离婚的计划。说他太太有外遇就可以使他不用付他太太大笔扶养费。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1025
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在商量下个周末去哪里玩儿。李华今天要学两个常用语outdoorsy和artsy.
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, do you remember how much fun we had camping in the woods? Wouldn't you like to do something outdoorsy again this weekend?
  
  LH: Do something outdoorsy? 你是说户外活动吧。
  
  LL: That's right! But "doing something outdoorsy" doesn't just mean to do something outside, though. Playing basketball or badminton outside isn't really outdoorsy.
  
  LH: 在户外打球都不算outdoorsy, 那什么才算呢?
  
  LL: Well, outdoorsy activities - like fishing, hunting, hiking, camping and canoeing - are ones that you do in natural settings, such as in a forest or near a river.
  
  LH: 哦,我知道了,就是一定要到野外才行,在公园里和运动场上还算不上是outdoorsy.
  
  LL: That's it. So - what do you say, do you want to do something outdoorsy this weekend, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 上次去宿营确实挺开心的,咱们这次干点儿什么别?
  
  LL: Well, you know me, Li Hua. I'm a very outdoorsy kind of guy. How about we go canoeing?
  
  LH: 划独木舟啊。听起来挺过瘾的,可我有点儿怕。
  
  LL: Don't worry. I can teach you how to paddle a canoe. You don't have to be an outdoorsy person to learn how to do it.
  
  LH: 可是独木舟那么窄,翻了怎么办啊,我可不会游泳。有没有不那么危险的野外活动呢?
  
  LL: Oh, that is right. I forgot you can't swim very well. Okay...What other outdoorsy things might you like to do?
  
  LH: 有了!我们到纽约州的山里去远足吧!
  
  LL: Perfect. And I can borrow a backpack from one of my outdoorsy friends. That way we can bring food, water and other supplies we might need.
  
  LH: Okay. 那我要做些什么准备呢?
  
  LL: In addition to a backpack, you are going to need a good pair of hiking boots. I know a place that specializes in all sorts of outdoorsy stuff. We can get the boots there.
  
  LH: 好,那你陪我去买。也许你能把我改造成一个喜欢野外活动的人呢!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1026
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I don't think buying hiking boots will turn you into an outdoorsy person, Li Hua. I think you are really more of an artsy person.
  
  LH: Arsty...喜欢野外活动的人可以说outdoorsy, 那说一个人 arsty肯定是说她喜欢艺术喽?
  
  LL: Exactly! "Artsy" people enjoy appreciating and making all kinds of art - painting, drama and music.
  
  LH: 那我就是个 arsty的人。我喜欢绘画、音乐和装饰。
  
  LL: You are definitely artsy, Li Hua. I've always been impressed with your calligraphy.
  
  LH: 哦,我小时候我学过很长时间的书法;我父母都喜欢艺术,对我学习绘画和书法很支持。
  
  LL: My family isn't very artsy. My parents were always interested in sports and really encouraged me and my brother and sister to get involved in athletic activities.
  
  LH: 你姑姑呢?她看上去好像很arsty.
  
  LL: Oh, Aunt Jane? You are right, Li Hua, she is VERY artsy. Aunt Jane is artsy in almost every way.
  
  LH: 对呀,从她的服饰就能看得出来。
  
  LL: Yes, and not only are her clothes artsy, but her entire house is artsy, too. She loves to decorate her rooms in very interesting ways.
  
  LH: 我在中国有个朋友,也特别喜欢艺术,可是跟你姑姑不一样。
  
  LL: How so?
  
  LH: 他穿得特别简单,但是酷爱钢琴,每天要花好几个小时练琴。
  
  LL: I guess there are many different kinds of artsy people. What they have in common is their love of art.
  
  LH: 你呢,Larry, 要不跟我学书法吧,我保证把你变成一个喜欢艺术的人。
  
  LL: That's a generous offer, Li Hua. But I'm afraid there is a reason why I am an outdoorsy person and not an artsy person! I'll leave the calligraphy to you!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语.一个是outdoorsy, 是喜欢野外活动的人.另一个是arsty,是喜欢艺术的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1027
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们给大家介绍两个以 smoke为主的常用语。首先我们要讲的是:To go up in smoke. 大家知道,smoke就是烟。To go up in smoke是指某项工程,或某个交易没有取得任何成果,就像烟一样一下子就消失了。我们来举一个例子。这是一个生活在美国西部的农民在说话。他经营一个小小的农场,生活很贫苦。他说:
  
  例句-1: This big oil company thought there might be a lot of oil in the ground under our farm. They drilled three wells but got nothing out of them buy dirt. So all our dreams of being millionaires went up in smoke.
  
  这个农民说:这个大石油公司以为我们农场的地下有很多石油。他们挖了三口油井,但是除了土以外,从油井里什么也没有得到。所以,我们想成为百万富翁的美梦全部成了泡影。
  
  这句话里有几个字可以说明,有不少英文字在不同场合有不同的解释。比如说,这句话里用的 oil这个字。Oil就是油,这是一个总称。烧菜的油可以称为oil,任何油类的液体都可以用oil这个名称。但是在这个句子里,从上下文里就可以知道,说话的人是在讲石油。这句话里用的well这个字也是一样,水井在英文里叫做well,油井也叫做well,要看所指的情况而定。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个年轻人原来准备学医,将来当医生。可是,偶然发生的一件事使他的梦想不能实现。下面是这个年轻人在对他的朋友说话。
  
  例句2: I was all set to go to medical school next September. But dad's company suddenly went bankrupt and it's too late to apply for a student loan. I'm afraid my dream of being a doctor has just gone up in smoke.
  
  这个学生说:我为了九月份入医学院准备好了一切。可是,我爸爸的公司突然破产,现在再申请学生贷款又已经太晚。我怕我想当医生的梦想已经破灭。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1028
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  
  现在,smoke screen这个说法已经成为日常用语,意思是人们为了隐瞒,或伪装某件事而用的手法。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: That man talks about how glad he was to retire at age forty-five and enjoy himself. But it's just a smoke screen to hide the fact he got fired from his job and can't find another.
  
  这句话的意思是:那个人说,他非常高兴在四十五岁就退休,能够好好享受生活。但是,这种说法只是用来掩盖真相。事实是他被他的公司解雇了,又找不到其他的工作。
  
  ******
  
  在美国,夫妇要离婚一般都要各自请律师,因为双方往往会在财产分配、孩子归哪一方、扶养费等问题上发生争执,而美国的法律又非常复杂。所以请一位能代表自己利益的律师也是有必要的。在女方不工作,或收入不多的情况下,男方必须每月给女方提供扶养费,但是也有不付这笔钱的。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句4: Sam's been telling everybody his wife is having an affair. But we think this is nothing but a smoke screen for his plan to divorce her for a younger woman and save paying her a lot of alimony.
  
  这人说:山姆对每个人说他的太太有外遇。但是,我们认为这是他使用的烟幕来掩盖他为了一个年轻女人而跟太太离婚的计划。说他太太有外遇就可以使他不用付他太太大笔扶养费。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1029
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语里一个关键的字就是:top。要是你站在一个高高山峰的顶上往下看,下面到处是村庄、山冈和河流,你会感到你好像是站在世界的顶峰,有一种兴奋的感觉。这就是我们要讲的第一个习惯用语:On top of the world. On top of the world从字面来解释,它的意思是:在世界的顶峰,但是,作为习惯用语,它的意思就是:非常得意,非常高兴。下面这个例句里说的是一个身体有缺陷的韩国年轻人。但是由于他在学校的成绩优秀而被美国一个大学的研究院所录取。下面是一个人在对此表示感叹。
  
  例句-1: Who would imagine somebody like Lee could even graduate from college - confined to a wheel chair! Now he's going to America all by himself. Nobody could feel more on top of the world right now!
  
  这个人说:谁能想像像李这样一个坐在轮椅里的残疾人居然能够从大学毕业。现在,他自己一个人要到美国去了。没有人现在能比他更感到高兴的了。
  
  这句句子里用了一个名词wheel-chair。Wheel-chair就是残疾人坐的轮椅。Wheel是轮子,chair就是椅子,wheel-chair就是轮椅。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例句是讲一个母亲。这位母亲靠了自己一个人的努力扶养大了四个孩子。这是她的一个朋友在说话:
  
  例句2: I really admire Alice. Thirty years of hard work raising kids. Her youngest son just got married and all her children are doing well. She tells me she's on top of the world now for the first time in her life.
  
  这个人说:我真是佩服艾丽斯。她辛苦了三十年把孩子培养成人。她最小的儿子刚结婚,所有的孩子都很发达。她对我说,现在她真是感到非常高兴。这是她一辈子第一次感到这么高兴。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1030
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在来讲第二个以top这个字为主的习惯用语。Off the top of one's head. Head在这里就是人的头。 Off the top of one's head是美国人经常用的一个习惯用语。它的意思是:没有经过仔细考虑或仔细计算。我们来看看在日常生活中off the top of one's head是怎么用的。这是一个负责预算的主管在记者招待会上回答记者的问题。
  
  例句3: Sorry, I can't give you the exact figure off the top of my head. But I guess the percentage of working women in the American labor force right now is about, oh say, 47%.
  
  这位负责预算的主管说:对不起,我现在一下子不能给你精确的数字。但是,我猜在美国整个劳力中,工作的妇女大约占,嗯......就说百分之四十七吧。
  
  美国妇女参加工作的人数越来越多,原因之一是现在的家庭单靠丈夫一个人的收入已经不够支出,所以妻子也得出外工作,以补贴家用。一些比较富裕的家庭,妻子不工作的仍然不少。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个学生在说话。他在上课之前没有做好准备,因此上课的时候就措手不及了。他在告诉他的朋友上课时的情况。
  
  例句4: You know, I didn't study for this English quiz. So when the teacher called my name, I was frozen. Then standing up to recite the poem, I found myself doing it off the top of my head! Can you believe that?
  
  他说:你可知道,我没有为这次英语课的测验好好念书。所以,当老师叫我名字的时候,我真是愣住了。然后,我站起来背那首诗。我发现自己不加思索地随口而出。你相信不相信?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1031
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry去李华家吃饭。他告诉李华说,自己今天特别倒霉。李华今天要学两个常用语:nightmare和group hug.
  
  LL: I had the worst day at work today. It was an absolute nightmare!
  
  LH: 上班做恶梦?Larry, 你可要小心点儿,上班睡觉是要被老板炒鱿鱼的!
  
  LL: No, no. I didn't HAVE a nightmare at work...Being at work today was LIKE a nightmare.
  
  LH: 噢,你是说今天上班很痛苦,就像是做了一场恶梦啊,听起来挺吓人的。
  
  LL: It wasn't so much scary as it was unpleasant. Any situation that is really bad or unpleasant can be called a nightmare - even a really angry person can be a nightmare.
  
  LH: 我知道了,nightmare是指令人不愉快的人或者事。那你今天上班出什么事了?
  
  LL: It all started with my boss. He is usually a nice guy, but today he was really angry with his staff - me, included. He was a total nightmare.
  
  LH: 我记得你老板人挺随和的,今天怎么会突然发脾气呢?
  
  LL: Well, he wasn't happy that we hadn't finished a project by the deadline. When he came into the office this morning, he told everyone we better have it finished by the end of the day - or he was going to become our worst nightmare!
  
  LH: Your worst nightmare? Yikes! 你们不是一直都在赶着完成那个项目吗?老板这么生气,大家一定很沮丧吧?
  
  LL: That is exactly what happened, Li Hua. After work, my day didn't get better. On my way over to your house, the traffic was a nightmare.
  
  LH: 我也从新闻里看到堵车的消息了。你今天可真够倒霉的。我特别理解你现在的心情,还记得我博士生资格考试那天吗?
  
  LL: I do remember. As I recall that day was a total nightmare for you.
  
  LH: 是呀,我当时论文打到一半,电脑突然死机了。What a nightmare.
  
  LL: But the nightmare turned out okay in the end, didn't it?
  
  LH: 我只好从头再来。还好,我的论文最后还是得了优秀。
  
  LL: Then maybe my nightmare will have a good ending, too.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1032
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: You know, Li Hua, when my co-workers and me were feeling down after the boss yelled at us, we had a "Group Hug" and all felt better.
  
  LH: A "group hug"? 在办公室里集体拥抱?
  
  LL: Well, I know it sounds kind of strange, but sometimes when a group of people or a team is down and they need to cheer themselves up they have a "group hug."
  
  LH: 你的意思是,大家情绪低落的时候,group hug一下,感觉就会好起来?
  
  LL: Well, after my boss left and everyone was feeling down, one of my co-workers said aloud, "Group Hug!" We all stood up, hugged in a circle one time, and then felt much better.
  
  LH: 真有意思,group hug能让你们提高工作效率吗?
  
  LL: It really did. The group hug reduced the tension, and we all were able to get back to working on the project.
  
  LH: 我可以在我的中文课上试试看。中文很难学,所以学生们有时会因为进步慢而感到气馁。
  
  LL: A "group hug" could help lighten the mood in class, especially after a really hard test.
  
  LH: Larry, group hug是怎么做的呢?
  
  LL: Well, usually someone says, "Group Hug" or "Let's have a group hug." Then the group forms a circle and each participant puts their arms over their neighbors' shoulders.
  
  LH: 大家站成一圈,胳膊搭在旁边人的肩膀上,是这样吗?那下次我发考卷的时候,如果学生们考得不好,我就可以说,不要灰心,Let's have a group hug.
  
  LL: Yes, that's it! In my family, when my brothers and sisters would have an argument, my mom would say, ''Let's stop fighting and have a group hug.'' It was like magic - we'd all stop fighting.
  
  LH: Larry, 我知道你今天情绪不好,但是我们两个人不能说是group hug吧?
  
  LL: No, you are right, Li Hua. To have a true group hug, you need three or more people. But I'd be happy with just a regular hug from you, Li Hua!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是nightmare, 是令人不愉快的人或事。另一个是 group hug,是集体拥抱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1033
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天再给大家介绍两个以 top这个字为主的习惯用语。Top这个字有很多解释,在我们今天要讲的两个习惯用语里,top是指:最高,第一流,或者是特别好。我们先来讲第一个。Top banana. 大家可能会感到奇怪,top是最高,banana是香蕉,最高跟香蕉有什么关系呢? Top banana这个说法是来自美国的文艺界。
  
  一百年前那时候美国还没有电影和电视。当时有一种舞台演出,内容有流行的音乐、舞蹈和说笑话。有的时候,在一个讲笑话的演员讲完一个笑话之后,别人就给他一个香蕉。慢慢地,人们把最滑稽的演员称为 top banana。
  
  现在,人们还是把电视上演闹剧的人叫做 top banana,但是top banana这个说法随着社会的发展现在也可以指一个公司的总裁,或者是政府官员。下面就是一个讲前美国官员基辛格的例子。
  
  例句-1: For many years Doctor Henry Kissinger has been a top banana in American foreign policy. He is no longer in public office but plenty of people still listen to his advice.
  
  这句话的意思是:许多年来,亨里.基辛格博士在美国外交政策方面是最高级的一位官员。现在他已经不再担任公职,但是许多人仍然愿意听取他的意见。
  
  基辛格博士现在还不断地在报上对一些重大的国际问题发表文章,阐述自己的观点。
  
  ******
  
  美国人很喜欢幽默和笑话,因此他们也都很喜欢那些专门讲笑话的演员。其中有一位很著名的演员名字叫 George Burns。他活到一百岁。一直讲笑话。他是在刚刚过了一百岁生日后去世的。下面是一个人在表示感叹。
  
  例句2: George Burns had been on the stage all his life before he died at the age of 100. The newspaper said George Burns finally said good night for good. He'll always be remembered as one of the top bananas in the world of comedy.
  
  这人说:乔治.伯恩斯活到一百岁才去世。他在去世前一辈子在舞台上演出。报纸说, 乔治。伯恩斯终于向大家说了最后的一声:晚安。人们将永远记住他是整个笑剧界最好的演员之一。
  
  乔治。伯恩斯直到去世前不久,尽管带有老态,但是还在舞台上唱唱跳跳的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1034
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们来讲第二个以 top这个字为主的习惯用语。Top brass. Top brass和 top banana有其相似之处,但是对象不同。Top banana这个说法比较随便,而 top brass这个说法原先来自军队,比 top banana更加尊重一些。Brass就是黄铜。但是,top brass里的 brass是来自美国军帽帽舌上那金颜色的编织物。刚开始的时候,top brass是指军队里的高级将领。但是,在战争结束后,top brass也应用于商业界的重要人物。下面是一个商业评论员在说话。
  
  例句3: Do you know how Mr. Iacocca got to be the top brass at the Chrysler auto company? He was the one most willing to pick up and try new ideas and these took him all the way to the top.
  
  这个评论员说:你们可知道亚科克先生怎么会成为克莱斯勒汽车公司的总裁的?因为他最愿意接纳新的主意,并且试验这些新主意。这些品质使他逐步上升,以致成为最高领导。
  
  ******
  
  美国人上班的时候都穿得很正式。男男女女一般都穿西装。但是,下了班,他们都习惯穿比较宽大舒服的便服。因此,到了周末大家好像穿的都差不多,很难看出每个人的地位。下面是一个人周末在超级市场买菜时跟朋友在说话。
  
  例句4: See that guy selecting potato chips over there? Don't mistake him as an ordinary person like you and me. He's the top brass in our company, with the power to hire or fire anybody in the whole outfit.
  
  这个人对他的朋友说:看见那边在挑土豆片的那个人吗?你别以为他是像你我一样的普通人。他可是我们公司里的重要人物,有权在整个公司里雇用人,也有权解雇职工
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1035
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华告诉Larry说,她想多赚点钱,买机票回中国探亲。李华今天要学两个常用语:bread和nest egg.
  
  LH: Larry, 我想回中国看看我父母。I need to make some more bread.
  
  LL: You need to make more bread? I know you aren't a baker, Li Hua, so you must have learned that bread is slang for money.
  
  LH: 没错。那天我听一个朋友说,他要跟父母借点钱,因为he was short on bread,缺钱花了。
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, how about you? Can you borrow some bread from your parents for a plane ticket home?
  
  LH: 去中国的机票可贵了,我父母可出不起机票钱。要想回家,我唯一的办法就是再出去兼一份差。
  
  LL: Well, with the Christmas holidays coming up, there will be many opportunities for you to earn some bread.
  
  LH: 是啊,快过节了,很多商店都需要人手,找份活儿应该不难。
  
  LL: I wouldn't think so, but if you do have trouble, I can always loan you some bread.
  
  LH: 谢谢你,Larry. 但是不到迫不得已,我还是希望自己想办法。
  
  LL: Okay, I understand. So, Li Hua, have you thought about where you might want to work?
  
  LH: 我想到百货商店去打工,虽然那里的工作没太大的意思,但是I'd really only be doing it for the bread.
  
  LL: I think a department store is a good choice for you. Who knows? You may even be able to pay for your plane ticket to China and save a little bread.
  
  LH: 我也是这么希望的。我教中文的工资实在是不多,总觉得钱不够花。
  
  LL: Well, I am very lucky to have my job at the architect's office. Right now, I am bringing in a good amount of bread.
  
  LH: 你的钱都花在什么地方呢?
  
  LL: Well, I spend a lot on monthly expenses, but I also try to save some bread every month and, if possible, invest it.
  
  LH: 投资?看来你还挺有经济头脑的,Larry.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1036
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Saving is important, Li Hua. I am trying to build a nest egg so that I can buy a house some day.
  
  LH: 你要建一个窝里的蛋?(开玩笑地说)那你什么时候变成小鸟啊?
  
  LL: (Laughs) No, no, Li Hua. A "Nest Egg" is a term for money put away in reserve for some special purpose - like getting married, buying a house, or retiring.
  
  LH: 窝里的蛋怎么会指为结婚买房子存的钱呢?
  
  LL: Well, as I understand it, a "nest egg" was originally a fake egg placed in a nest to attract birds to lay more eggs. By putting aside money as a nest egg, you hope it will grow and make more money.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,窝里的蛋原来指的是假蛋,放在那里骗家禽多生蛋的,用来指钱,就好像是中文里说的钱生钱的意思,放在银行定期存款里就是个办法。
  
  LL: Yes, my parents have done this. But, they have also invested some of their nest egg in the stock market.
  
  LH: 投资股市可有风险,我就听说过很多老年人投资股市,结果赔得一干二净。
  
  LL: It can be, but my parents aren't investing in the stock market on their own. They have an investment company that is helping them manage their nest egg.
  
  LH: 那就好,等我开始在百货商店打工了,I hope I'll have a nest egg, too.
  
  LL: Well, I am building a nest egg to someday buy a house - What about you, Li Hua? What is your nest egg for?
  
  LH: 我先得存点钱应急,万一哪天车坏了或是生一场大病,手里有钱心里就踏实多了。
  
  LL: That's a good plan. My older brother wants to build a nest egg for his children.
  
  LH: Wait a minute, Larry. 你哥哥不是没孩子吗?
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua, but he has recently gotten married, and he and his wife want to have children. They will need to have a big nest egg for that!
  
  LH: 是啊,养孩子真的需要很多钱,特别是大学学费,做父母的确实需要提前做好准备。
  
  LL: Yes, they won't just need a chicken-sized nest egg - they'll need an ostrich-sized nest egg!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是bread, 指钱。另一个是nest egg, 是存下来的钱。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1037
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语里,一个关键的字就是:pin。Pin这个字单独用的时候可以解释为:别针。但是,pin这个字也有不少和其他字合在一起用的时候,例如:Clothespins, hairpins, rolling pins. Clothespins是晒衣服时候用来夹衣服的夹子;hairpins是女人夹头发用的,rolling pins是擀面杖。不过,在我们今天要讲的习惯用语里,pin的意思就是用金属做的,头很尖的针,就像大头针一样。我们要讲的第一个习惯用语是:Pinhead. Pinhead这个字是由两个字,pin和head组成的。Head就是头。Pinhead这个字不能随便乱用,因为它对人不是很尊重。要是你把别人叫做pinhead,那你就是说那个人很笨,没有脑子;脑子小得像个针那样。下面就是一个人在说他的同事。
  
  例句-1:Jack is one of the best-looking men in the office. Too bad he's such a pinhead. If you talk to him for two minutes, you realize he doesn't have a brain in his head.
  
  这个人说:杰克是办公室里最英俊的男人之一。但是,可惜的是他笨得要死,一点头脑都没有。要是你跟他说两分钟的话,你就会知道他的脑瓜子里根本就是空的。
  
  当然,说一个人没有脑子,或说他的脑子小得像个针头那样。这都是夸张。实际上也就是说有的人脑子快,灵活一些,而有些人由于种种原因,脑子慢一些。这都是常见的现象。下面是一个人在为他的朋友感到不平。他说:
  
  列句2:We have to admit Mark is really a pinhead. But I respect him because he works so hard. The problem is that some of our workers like to make fun of him. No wonder he lacks self esteem. It's a darn shame!
  
  这个人说:我们不得不承认马克是一个没有脑子的人。但是,我很尊重他,因为他工作很努力。问题是,我们有些同事老是拿他开玩笑。怪不得他会缺乏自尊心。这真是不应该!
  
  美国人常用guy这个字来指人。这是一个非常随便和口语化的说法。人们经常说:某某is a nice guy。那就是说:某某是一个很好的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-14#1038
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲的一个习惯用语是:On pins and needles. Pin是头很尖的针,needle是缝衣服的针。一个人不管是坐在这些针上,还是站在这些针上都是很难受的。因此,on pins and needles作为一个习惯用语。它的意思就是:由于某个原因而使得一个人很紧张,坐立不安。
  
  下面是一个人在一个医院的妇产科病房外跟一个朋友说话。他说:
  
  列句3:Did you notice that young man pacing back and forth in the waiting room like a caged tiger? He was certainly on pins and needles - I'll bet this is the first time his wife has ever had a baby.
  
  这个人对他的朋友说:你注意到没有,那个年轻人在等候室里来回地走,像一只拢子里的老虎一样?毫无疑问,他很紧张。我敢打赌,这肯定是他太太第一次生孩子。
  
  下面这个例子说的是一个著名的摔跤运动员。他由于犯有严重罪行而受审。现在他正在法庭等候听取陪审团对他的判决。这是一个记者在描述这个运动员的表情。
  
  列句4:When the jury foreman started to read the verdict, the boxer's face was white as a sheet. He tried to look calm and confident but everybody in the courtroom knew he was on pins and needles.
  
  我们先来解释一下什么是: jury foreman。美国司法制度的一个特点是审判一个案件一般都要从老百姓当中挑选成员组成陪审团。陪审团参加整个审判过程,然后经过讨论做出裁决。Jury这个字就是指的陪审团。Foreman就是陪审团团长。
  
  好,现在我来把上面那句话翻到中文。这个记者说:陪审团团长开始宣读裁决书的时候,这个摔跤运动员的脸白得像一张白纸一样。他想装得很平静,很有自信,但是在法庭上的每个人都知道他很紧张。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1039
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在帮彼得森教授看孩子。她急着打电话给Larry求助。李华今天要学两个常用语,pee and poo和handful.
  
  LH: Hi, Larry, this is Li Hua. 你能告诉我pee and poo是什么意思吗?
  
  LL: Sure, Li Hua, but first you have to tell me why you need to know what pee and poo means.
  
  LH: 我今天帮彼得森教授看孩子。他一直跟我说I need to pee and poo, 可我又不懂是什么意思。
  
  
  LL: (Laughs) I remember Professor Jones' little boy - his name is Scottie, right? What Scottie is trying to tell you by saying he needs to pee and poo', Li Hua, is that he needs to go to the bathroom.
  
  LH: 哦,原来Scottie是要上厕所啊!你等一下,我马上带他去。
  
  LL: It's no problem, Li Hua. Scottie is only two years old, and he may need some help going pee and poo.
  
  (Flushing sound)
  
  LH: 好了!原来pee是上小号,poo是上大号的意思啊。没想到,我今天跟个两岁的小孩学了个新词。
  
  LL: Scottie is a very good teacher, isn't he? I have to tell you, Li Hua, dealing with pee and poo is one of the reasons I don't want to have children.
  
  LH: 就因为小孩要pee and poo, 你就不想要小孩?等你有了自己的孩子,可能就不会嫌小孩子pee and poo恶心了。
  
  LL: That may be so, but I think I'll just settle for a dog instead.
  
  LH: 养狗?可是狗也要pee and poo啊。
  
  LL: But a dog goes pee and poo outside. It seems a lot easier to deal with than changing diapers.
  
  LH: 即使是在户外,你不是也得把狗的poo收拾干净吗?否则邻居一定会对你有意见的。
  
  LL: Then maybe I'll just have house plants. They don't pee or poo.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1040
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Child's laughter and flushing sounds)
  
  LL: It sounds like Scottie might be playing with the toilet, Li Hua. Boy, little Scottie is a real handful, isn't he?
  
  LH: Scottie确实是在玩抽水马桶。不过,他可不是一只手就能抱起来的。他已经两岁多了。我两只手抱他都费劲。
  
  LL: By saying Scottie is a handful, I wasn't talking about his size. I meant that he was behaving in a way that is wild and hard to handle and that he is keeping you very busy.
  
  LH: 噢,你是说Scottie调皮啊。哎,你再等一下,我得去制止Scottie. (To Scottie) Come on, Scottie, let go watch some cartoons. (To Larry) 好了,卡通片肯定能让他安静一会。
  
  LL: So, has Scottie been a handful all day, Li Hua? It sounds like babysitting him has been a lot of work.
  
  LH: 确实挺累的。不过两岁的孩子可能都是handfuls, 他们刚学会走路,对什么都好奇,但是又分不清对错。
  
  LL: So, you are saying you don't think Scottie is any more of a handful than any other two-year-old.
  
  LH: That's right, Larry. 我敢打赌,你小的时候一定也很淘气。
  
  LL: Yeah, my mom tells all sorts of stories about how I was a real handful when I was little boy.
  
  LH: 我能想象你小时候调皮的样子。你都干过什么坏事啊?
  
  LL: Well, my mom tells me that once I got out a box of crayons and drew a rainbow on the wall of our kitchen. Then there was the time I brought a frog with me into bed.
  
  LH: 你用蜡笔在厨房的墙上画彩虹?还把青蛙带上床?You really were a handful, Larry.
  
  LL: Okay, I've admitted I was a handful when I was a kid. Now, what about you Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我?我妈说我小时候可乖了。I was never a handful.
  
  LL: I should have known! (More children's laughter) Hey, what is the little handful doing now?
  
  LH: Uh-oh! Scottie拿着厕所里的手纸在客厅里到处跑,现在满地都是手纸。我得赶紧去收拾,不能跟你讲电话了。
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, you better go and deal with Scottie. What a handful! Talk to you later!
  
  天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是pee and poo, 指小孩子上厕所。另一个是handful, 是指小孩子很淘气。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1041
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语跟cook这个字有关。Cook可以作为动词。意思是:在炉子上煮吃的东西,cook也可以作为名词。意思是:厨师。这是cook这个字最普遍的解释。我们现在讲的一个习惯用语是把cook用做动词。它很简单,就是在to cook后面再加上up。To cook up跟煮什么东西吃没有关系。
  
  它的意思是:编造假的理由来掩盖事实,而这样做往往是为了欺骗某人,或者为了摆脱自己所处的困境。我们来举一个例子。这是一个人下了班在酒吧间里跟朋友一起喝酒聊天。他偶然看了一下手表。突然,他想起他该去他太太的办公室去接她回家。他紧张地说:
  
  例句-1: Oh, no! It's after seven o'clock and I promised Susan I'd meet her in front of her office right at six. I better cook up a good story or I'll be in big trouble.
  
  这位丈夫说:啊呀,已经七点多了。我答应苏珊六点钟在她办公室门口等她的。我得想出一个好一点的理由来解释为什么迟到一个多小时,否则我可真是麻烦了。
  
  ******
  
  下面我们要举的一个例子恐怕在哪个国家都有。这是一个孩子跟几个同学逃学去看电影,但是被老师发现,并告诉了家长。第二天,这个孩子在对他那几个逃学的同学讲他昨天的处境。
  
  例句2: I could see my dad was really angry when I got home yesterday. I cooked up a story about taking a sick classmate to the hospital. But my dad asked for his name and telephone number. So I had to tell the truth. I'm now grounded for a week.
  
  我们先来解释一下什么是: to be grounded。这是美国家庭对孩子用的一种惩罚方式。一个孩子被grounded的时候,他就不能用家里的汽车,也不许跟朋友或同学到外面去玩。现在我们来把上面这个例句翻成中文。
  
  这个孩子说:昨天我回家的时候我爸爸非常生气。我编造了一个理由,说是一个同学生病了,我送他到医院去。但是我爸爸要我告诉他那生病同学的名字和电话号码。所以不得不说实话了。现在我爸爸禁止我一个礼拜不能到外面去玩。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1042
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们要给大家讲解的一个习惯用语就是在cook这个字后面加上两个字母,也就是:i和e,那就成cookie。Cookie就是用烤箱烤成的小点心,一般做的时候里面都要放黄油和糖。但是,cookie这个字在用做习惯用语的时候还可以指某些人。你可以把你心爱的人称为cookie。你也可以叫一个很好玩的小孩,或一个漂亮的女孩cookie。
  
  另外还有两种人,我们也可以用cookie这个字来称呼他们,这两种人就是:Smart cookies and tough cookies. Smart cookies和tough cookies可以指男的,也可以指女的。Smart就是聪敏,所以,smart cookie就是那些脑子比较聪敏一些的人。我们先来举一个关于smart cookie的例子。这是一个人在说他的妹妹。
  
  例句3: When my sister was only ten years old I saw what a smart cookie she was going to be. And I was right; she's in Harvard medical school and she gets the highest grades in her class.
  
  这人说:在我妹妹只有十岁的时候,我就看出她将来会是一个非常聪敏的人。我一点也没错。她现在在哈佛大学的医学院念书。学习成绩是全班最好的。
  
  ******
  
  我们现在来讲tough cookie。首先我们得知道tough这个字的意思。Tough在形容人的时候,它是指一个人很坚强,很有主意,不太会受别人的影响的。这种tough cookies有的时候不受别人欢迎,但是他们往往会达到他们的目的。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句4: Our boss is sure one tough cookie. If you don't work hard, he'll fire you from your job in a minute. The good thing is that he's fair-minded; do good work and he'll pay you top wages.
  
  这个人是在讲他的老板。他说:我们的老板是一个非常严格的人。要是你不努力工作,他会马上解雇你。幸亏他很公正,要是你工作有成绩,他会给你很高的工资。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1043
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要给大家介绍的两个常用语之间没有什么共同之处。但是,他们在日常生活中都很有用。我们先来讲第一个。Fly-by-night. Fly-by-night这个习惯用语是由三个字组成的,但是在这三个字之间有两个连接号把它们组合成一个概念。也就是说,在fly和by这两个字之间有一个连接号,在by和night之间也有一个连接号。这几个字都很简单,fly是飞,night就是晚上。但是,fly-by-night跟飞和晚上毫无关系,fly-by-night指的是那种不可靠,在打交道的时候会欺骗你的机构。被别人形容为fly-by-night的组织会拿了你的钱就此不见了。既不还你钱,也不以别的形式作为回报。下面这句话里说的就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: This new auto dealer opened up with promises to sell cars cheaper than anybody else. But his business turned out to be fly-by-night: he collected people's deposits on new cars and then disappeared with everybody's money.
  
  这句话的中文意思就是:开这个新的汽车经销公司的人刚开始的时候保证他卖的汽车要比任何人都便宜。可是,他的公司原来是骗人的。他收了人们买新车付的定金,然后拿了这些钱就不见了。
  
  美国有很多经销汽车的公司。每个公司都雇用一些推销员。为了赚钱,这些推销员往往在一开始的时候给顾客很高的价格,经过讨价还价再慢慢地往下降。要是碰到一些不太精明的顾客,汽车经销公司和推销员就能获取很高的利润。所以,美国人一般来说对推销汽车的人很不信任,认为他们是不可靠的。当然,这也不能一概而论。
  
  ******
  
  美国有一些专门骗人钱的组织,很容易让人上当。它们大多数是通过邮局寄广告材料给许多人,引诱大家买它们的东西。有些组织把他们推销的产品价格说得很低,以此来吸引人们。例如,有的组织说他们可以给你很便宜的旅行,但是你得现在先付定金。等到你付了钱,你就找不到他们了。下面就是一个人在说他上当的经过。
  
  例句2: They told me I could take a four-city trip for only three hundred dollars, including hotels and meals. But after I sent my deposit of $150, I never heard from them any more and I have no way to contact them. Clearly, it was a fly-by-night organization.
  
  这个人说:他们告诉我,我可以付三百美元去四个城市旅游,包括旅馆和三餐。可是,等我把一百五十美元定金寄去以后,我就再也没有他们的消息了。我也没法跟他们取得联系。很明显,那是个骗人的组织。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1044
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要讲的第二个习惯用语是:Off the cuff. Cuff就是衬衫的袖口。Off the cuff的意思是:自发的,临时想起的,或者是很随便的。当你回答一个问题,而你对你的答案又不太肯定的时候,你就可以用off the cuff这个习惯用语。我们来举一个例子,这是一个政府官员在回答记者的问题。
  
  例句3: You want to know how many people work for our agency? Off the cuff, I'd say about two thousand. But I'll have to look up the exact number and get back to you later.
  
  这个政府官员对提问的记者说:你想知道我们这个机构有多少工作人员? 我的印象好像是两千人。但是,我得去查一下确凿的数字,然后再告诉你。
  
  ******
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人正在考虑买一栋房子。他正在跟他的房地产经纪商讨论借款和利率问题,计算每月要付多少钱。这位房地产经纪商说:
  
  例句4: If you want to borrow 80% of the total amount, with the interest rate at 7.5%, off the cuff, you probably will have to pay a little over fifteen hundred dollars a month. But I've got to do a detailed calculation before I can give you an exact number.
  
  这个经纪商说:要是你想借总数的百分之八十,利率是百分之七点五,你大概每月要付一千五百美元。不过我得仔细算了以后才能告诉你确凿的数字。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1045
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里,我们要给大家介绍两个跟金子和银子有关的习惯用语。我们先来讲一个跟金子这个字有关的习惯用语。Gold mine. Gold就是金子,mine就是矿,gold mine就是金矿。Gold这个字是英文里最古老的字之一,有几十个常用语都使用gold这个字。
  
  Gold mine在美国历史上也占有特殊的意义。一百多年前,成千上万个美国人奔往美国大陆的西部,因为大家听说那里有许多金矿。这就是美国历史上所谓的gold rush。
  
  大家都知道一个真正的金矿是什么,但是,作为习惯用语,a gold mine就是指使人能够获得很多利润的事情。下面这个例句就是一个很好的实例。这是一个人在讲前苏联领导人戈尔巴乔夫访问美国时的情况。
  
  例句-1: If you are famous enough, giving public lectures in America can be a real gold mine. Why, when Mister Gorbachev visited Virginia, he made $125,000 in speaking fees in four days.
  
  这人说:要是你很有名的话,在美国发表讲演真是能得到好多钱。你看,当戈尔巴乔夫先生访问维吉尼亚州的时候,他在四天里做了几次讲演,他的收入达到十二万五千美元。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。许多美国人都买股票。当然每个人的目的不同,有的人想很快发财,有的人作为长期投资,为孩子上大学,或为自己退休做准备。但是,玩股票也是很危险的,弄不好非但赚不到钱,而且还会连本钱都全部损失。下面是一个股票经纪商在对一个朋友说话。
  
  例句2: I've been in this stock business all my life. To some, it seems to be a gold mine, but I know how dangerous it can be. If you know nothing about stocks or you don't have a good stock broker, you could easily lose your money.
  
  这个人说:我一辈子做股票生意。在某些人眼里,玩股票似乎可以赚很多钱。但是我知道这可能是非常危险的事。要是你对股票一无所知,或者你没有一个很好的股票经纪商,你很容易就把钱给丢了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1046
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们给大家介绍一个跟银子有关的习惯用语。银子在英文里就是:Silver. 欧洲的有钱人以前有一种习惯的作法。那就是当家长为一个新生婴儿取名字的时候,他们要举行一个宗教仪式。在举行仪式的时候,他们给这个孩子一个银子做的勺。
  
  这个风俗就产生了下面这个习惯用语:Born with a silver spoon in his mouth. 从字面上来解释,它的意思就是:生来他嘴巴里就有一只银勺。这当然是不可能的。这个说法只不过是个比喻而已。Born with a silver spoon in his mouth作为习惯用语,它的意思就是某个人生在一个很富有的家庭,根本就不用到外面去找工作来谋生。当然出生富有的人并不见人人都满足于靠家庭财富来生活。下面就是一个例子。这是一个人在讲他们公司的总裁。
  
  例句3: I'll tell you the good thing about our boss. He was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and doesn't have to work at all. But he really works harder than anybody in the office.
  
  这人说:我来告诉你我们老板的优点。他出生在一个非常有钱的家庭;他根本不需要工作。但是,他工作非常努力,真是比办公室里任何人都更加努力。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例句里说的人就完全不同了。这是一个人在说他的表哥。
  
  例句4: My cousin Thomas was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He's now forty years old and has never worked a single day in his life. Sometimes I envy him very much. But in fact if I didn't work I would be very miserable.
  
  这个人说:我表哥汤姆斯的家很有钱。他现在已经四十岁,但是一辈子一天也没有工作过。有的时候,我很羡慕他。但是,事实上要是我不工作的话,我会非常痛苦的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1047
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华去朋友Frank家参加新年派对。李华今天要学两个常用语,dead和happening.
  
  LL: Gosh, there is hardly any one here, Li Hua. This party is really dead!
  
  LH: Larry. 这里每个人明明都活得好好的,你为什么说the party is dead呢?
  
  LL: Well, because there aren't very many people here, there isn't much conversation and laughter. When a party isn't lively, we say it is DEAD. And this party is dead.
  
  LH: 噢,你是说这个party不热闹,了无生气啊。现在时间还早,也许一会儿就热闹起来了。
  
  LL: I hope so. Speaking of places being dead today, I went into work for a little bit to get some things from my desk. There was no one in the office - it was completely dead.
  
  LH: 那当然了,今天是除夕,没有什么人会去办公室的。
  
  LL: I guess the college campus must be dead now, too.
  
  LH: 不光是今天,期终考试结束后,学生们都回家过年了。The campus has been dead for two weeks.
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, do you mind being on campus when it is dead like it is now?
  
  LH: 确实有点孤单,不过人少也有人少的好处。比方说,图书馆里就特别安静。
  
  LL: Oh, I bet the library is completely dead! I mean, who would be studying over the break?
  
  LH: 我啊!不过你说的没错,校园里确实没有什么人,可是停车特别方便。
  
  LL: I know what you mean about the convenience. This year I made sure to do my Christmas shopping at a time when the shopping mall was really dead.
  
  LH: 圣诞购物季节,商店里到处都是人。I cannot imagine a mall being dead during the holidays.
  
  LL: I went early on Tuesday and Wednesday morning. Since most people work during those times, it was pretty dead at the mall.
  
  LH: 这倒是个好办法,可以避开购物的人群,不用跟别人挤来挤去的。
  
  LL: That's right, Li Hua. Hey, look, the party isn't so dead any more! Some more people have shown up, and the music has started.
  
  LH: The party isn't dead at all. 你想去跳舞吗?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1048
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Sure, I'd love to dance, Li Hua. Now the party is really happening!
  
  LH: 如果我没猜错得话,Happening是dead的反义词吧?
  
  LL: You are right, Li Hua. It is the opposite of a "dead" party. A happening party is one that is lively and exciting - and where lots of different things are happening.
  
  LH: 是啊,这个party好像一下子就热闹起来了。
  
  LL: Frank has done a good job. It is because of parties like this that I love the holidays. Christmas and New Year's are such happening times of the year.
  
  LH: 就是啊,新年圣诞确实热闹,大家都跟亲朋好友在一起,不过我也很喜欢春天和夏天。
  
  LL: Why do you like spring and summer, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 放春假和暑假我可以到外地去,visit some more happening places.
  
  LL: I can't imagine a more happening place than New York City. I mean here in New York there is always something going on!
  
  LH: 纽约确实很热闹,可是美国还有其他热闹的地方啊。
  
  LL: I suppose that is true. I've heard San Francisco has a very happening art scene.
  
  LH: 我就很想去旧金山看看。还有,我还特别喜欢美国的布鲁斯音乐,所以很想到孟菲斯去。
  
  LL: I don't know, Li Hua. I visited Memphis once, and I didn't think it was a very happening place. But then again, I am not a fan of Blues music.
  
  LH: 猫王的雅园就在孟菲斯。我一直想去看看。我想,他当年在雅园一定开过很多热闹的派对。
  
  LL: Elvis was famous for his wild parties. Look, the party is really happening now.
  
  LH: Come on, Larry. 我们去跳舞吧,这么热闹的party, 我可不想就站在这儿。Let's go have some fun!
  
  LL: Okay, Li Hua! Now this is my idea of a happening time!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是dead, 指了无生气。另一个是happening,指非常热闹。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1049
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry患了重感冒,李华带着鸡汤去看他。李华今天要学两个常用语,blah和bounce back.
  
  LL: Hi, Li Hua, it is so nice to see you. I just wish I didn't feel so blah.
  
  LH: Blah? 你得的不是感冒吗?
  
  LL: I do have a cold, Li Hua. But "blah" is a word that describes how you feel when you have a cold or are sick - Blah is the feeling you have when you are really tired and have no energy.
  
  LH: 我知道了,blah是不舒服,生病时浑身乏力的意思。
  
  LL: That's right, Li Hua. I certainly wish I didn't feel so blah. I haven't been able to sleep very well with this runny nose and cough... (Cough, cough)
  
  LH: 你好可怜。我知道睡不好觉的感觉。别说感冒了,就是平时,睡不好觉我都会觉得blah.
  
  LL: Yeah, I've got a pretty good case of the blahs. I don't feel like doing much of anything.
  
  LH: 我给你熬了点儿鸡汤,或许你喝了会感觉好一些。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. Mmmm...This soup is great, Li Hua. It has a lot of flavor - not like my mom's soup. Sometimes her soup can be a little blah.
  
  LH: 你妈的汤怎么会是blah? 我以为blah不是指浑身乏力吗?
  
  LL: You can also use blah to talk about a thing. When referring to a thing, blah means something that isn't very good or interesting.
  
  LH: 你是说你妈熬的汤没味啊。你没当着她的面说过吧?
  
  LL: Actually, I have. My mom's blah cooking is a joke in my family. My mom really doesn't like spicy food, so many dishes she cooks are very blah.
  
  LH: 还好你没觉得我的汤也是blah. 你现在感觉怎么样?
  
  LL: I'm feeling a little less blah, thanks to you, Li Hua. So, how has your day been, anyway?
  
  LH: 没什么新鲜的。外面又湿又冷,我一直在家里批论文。I've been having a blah day.
  
  LL: Say, have you had some of the soup you brought, Li Hua? It is just the thing to cheer you up when you are having a blah day!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1050
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Now that I've had a nice bowl of hot soup, Li Hua, all I need to bounce back is a good night's sleep.
  
  LH: 你要bounce back弹回来,那一定得有张蹦蹦床罗。
  
  LL: Ha, ha. That's funny, Li Hua. While you can bounce on a trampoline, to "bounce back" means to recover from something. In this case, I am looking forward to bouncing back from this cold.
  
  LH: 原来你说的bounce back是复原的意思。只要你多吃多睡,用不了多少时间,就会象原来一样生龙活虎。
  
  LL: I am expecting to bounce back in a day or two. Then I will head back to work.
  
  LH: 幸好你只是感冒。你知道我的一个学生得了肺炎。
  
  LL: Wow! One of your students has pneumonia? That is a pretty serious illness. It will take several weeks before he will be able to bounce back.
  
  LH: 还有,我另外一个学生上星期刚刚割了阑尾。I don't expect he'll be bouncing back very quickly either.
  
  LL: You are right. It takes more time to bounce back from surgery or an injury than it does from a little cold.
  
  LH: 真希望生病不会影响到他们的成绩。
  
  LL: If they are good students and work hard, I am sure they will bounce right back from a few bad grades.
  
  LH: 有时候,遇到让人失望的事情也很难重新振作起来。
  
  LL: That's true. It took my Uncle Bob a long time to bounce back from his divorce.
  
  LH: 那你叔叔Bob离婚后是怎么重新振作起来的呢?
  
  LL: Well, he stayed very positive through the whole experience, and instead of thinking about the divorce, he put his energy into spending time with his children and doing things he enjoyed. That really helped him bounce back.
  
  LH: 保持积极的态度、多跟家人在一起,做喜欢做的事情。Larry, 这些真是好建议。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是blah, 指全身乏力或是没滋没味。另一个是bounce back, 指恢复过来。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1051
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry一起去附近一家新开的中国餐馆吃自助餐。李华今天要学两个常用语:yum和yuck.
  
  LL: There is so much good food at this buffet, Li Hua. I can't wait to eat some of those spring rolls. Yum!
  
  LH: 你说yum,那你肯定很喜欢吃春卷!因为我知道,yum在英语里就是可口,好吃的意思。
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua, you are right! Where did you learn about the word "Yum"?
  
  LH: 我前不久跟一帮美国朋友去吃pizza,其中一个人刚咬第一口,就大喊yum!他说自己最爱吃的东西就是pizza.
  
  LL: Well, I really enjoy eating spring rolls - especially when they are fresh. And these spring rolls look especially tasty. What makes you say "Yum!", Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我最爱吃的菜是鱼香茄子,想想都会流口水。Yum!
  
  LL: Well, I am afraid eggplant is not one of my favorites, Li Hua. I don't find eggplant dishes to be very yummy.
  
  LH: Yummy肯定是从yum来的吧!
  
  LL: Right! Yummy is used to describe a thing - Like yummy spring rolls or yummy eggplant.
  
  LH: 所以yummy是形容词,yum则是发感慨的时候说的。
  
  LL: Speaking of being about to eat, let's take our plates over to the table and enjoy this yummy food.
  
  LH: 对啊,我们得赶紧吃,吃完第一盘,马上再回来拿,你看他们正在上龙虾呢! Yum!
  
  LL: But don't fill up too much, Li Hua. You'll want to save room for dessert. The almond cookies look especially yummy.
  
  LH: 杏仁酥看起来确实比红豆面包好,那些红豆面包看起来好像不太新鲜的样子。
  
  LL: Well, I think most of the food here is yummy. What do you think, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 跟其他中国餐馆比,味道确实还不错。
  
  LL: But - is it as yummy as the food you used to eat back home in China?
  
  LH: 这里的饭菜当然没办法跟我妈做的饭比了!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1052
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: What's that on your plate, Li Hua? Is it a snake? Yuck!
  
  LH: 我如果没有理解错的话,这个yuck一定是yum的反义词吧?你觉得吃蛇肉很恶心吗?
  
  LL: Right again, Li Hua. Yuck is an exclamation of disgust. And I am sorry, but I find the idea of eating a snake disgusting.
  
  LH: 我可不是故意要恶心你。不瞒你说,蛇肉可好吃了,而且在美国,你想吃到蛇肉可不容易。刚才你说yuck的样子,突然间让我想起了我第一次吃奶酪的感觉。
  
  LL: Cheese? Cheese makes you say "Yuck!", Li Hua? What's wrong with cheese anyway?
  
  LH: 中国人做饭不用奶酪,以前我在中国的时候也没吃过。 可是美国人都很能吃奶酪。我到美国后,第一次吃奶酪的时候,简直难以下咽。 Yuck! 那种感觉,现在还记忆犹新。
  
  LL: That is interesting. Actually, Li Hua, there are some kinds of cheese that I find pretty yucky, too.
  
  LH: Yucky? Yucky肯定又是从yuck来的!就好像yummy是从yum来的一样。
  
  LL: Yucky is used to describe disgusting things. In this case, I was talking about disgusting cheeses. I find blue cheese to be especially yucky.
  
  LH: 你也有不爱吃的奶酪?我是从来没有尝过blue cheese, 可是如果连你都觉得yucky的话,那我也就不用尝了。
  
  LL: I don't blame you, Li Hua. No one should have to eat something that yucky.
  
  LH: Larry, 你拿的鱼香茄子怎么也没吃啊?不好吃吗?你不会觉得鱼香茄子也yucky吧!
  
  LL: I think I told you earlier, Li Hua, that I don't find eggplant to be very yummy. In fact, I do think it is pretty yucky.
  
  LH: 既然觉得鱼香茄子难吃,那你干嘛还要拿呢?
  
  LL: You told me fish fragrant eggplant was your favorite dish, Li Hua. So even though I think eggplant is yucky, I thought I should still try it.
  
  LH: 这就证明,一个人觉得yummy的食物,换个人完全可能会觉得yucky. Larry, 我看你呀,还是去吃春卷吧!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是yum或yummy, 是指食物可口好吃的意思。另一个是yuck或yucky, 是指食物难吃,难以下咽。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1053
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在这次节目里我们要给大家讲两个习惯用语。一个跟银子,就是英文里的silver这个字有关。另一个是以铅,就是lead这个字为主。
  
  我们现在来讲第一个。To be handed something on a silver platter. To be handed something就是别人给某人什么东西,或者是某人得到什么东西,on a silver platter就是银子做的长圆形盘子。To be handed something on a silver platter就是别人把什么东西放在银盘子上送给某人。真正的意思就是一个人得到很贵重的东西,但是并不是靠他自己的努力得来的。
  
  这听起来好像是好事,但是有的时候并不见的会产生好的结局。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句-1: Joe got handed his job here on a silver platter because he's the president's son. But I don't know how long he can last because he simply is not qualified to handle it and is already in a lot of trouble.
  
  这很明显是一个公司的雇员在说话。他说:乔伊没有化吹灰之力就得到了他现在这份工作,因为他是公司总裁的儿子。但是,我不知道他能干多久,因为他根本就没有能力来干这个工作。现在就已经出现了好多问题。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人为了没有跟别人竞争就得到提升而感到高兴。他对他太太说:
  
  例句2: Everybody in the office thought Jack had more chances than I did to get the promotion. But at the last minute he found a better paying job and left our company. So I got handed the promotion on a silver platter. Isn't it wonderful!
  
  这个人说:办公室里每个人都认为杰克比我更有可能被提升。但是,到了最后一分钟,他找到了一个工资更高的工作,于是他就辞了我们公司的工作。所以,我没化吹灰之力就得到了提升。这真是太好了,是不是?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1054
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来给大家讲解一个和铅有关的习惯用语。铅是很普通的一种金属,份量很重。一些习惯用语也反应了铅的这一特性。其中一个很能说明问题的习惯用语就是:To go over like a lead balloon. Lead就是铅,balloon就是气球。气球很轻,能在空中飘动。但是,一只用铅做的气球绝对不可能飘,因为份量太重。而且事实上也没有人用铅来做气球。
  
  作为习惯用语,这不过是用来做比喻而已。那末,to go over like a lead balloon这个习惯用语是什么意思呢?当一个想法,或一个建议没有能引起其他人的支持,这种情况就可以形容为:to go over like a lead balloon。有的时候,你想说个笑话逗大家一笑,但是听众没有反应,觉得没有什么可笑。这种情况也可以说是 to go over like a lead balloon。下面就是一个例子。
  
  例句3: When I gave my speech to the club, I started off with a joke to get the audience in a good mood. But my joke went over like a lead balloon - nobody even cracked a smile. And it almost ruined the rest of the speech for me.
  
  这人说:当我在俱乐部发表演说的时候,我一开始讲了一个笑话,想在听众当中制造一个好的气氛。但是,我的笑话没有引起任何反应,甚至没有一个人笑一笑。这几乎毁了我的整个演讲。
  
  美国人非常欣赏有幽默感的人。因此,说了笑话而没有人反应实在很影响讲话的人的信心。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在说他孩子对他的建议毫无反应。
  
  例句4: I told my kids if they stop watching TV for a week before their final exams, I'll take them to the zoo to see the pandas the first week of their summer vacation. But my suggestion went over like a lead balloon.
  
  这个爸爸说:我对孩子们说,要是他们在期终考试前一个星期不看电视,那末我就在他们放暑假的第一个星期带他们去动物园看熊猫。但是,孩子们对我的建议毫无反应。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1055
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在学校租了一块花圃,让Larry来帮忙。李华今天要学两个常用语,get into和grubby.
  
  LL: I think it is great that you have rented a garden plot, Li Hua, but I don't think I can really get into gardening.
  
  LH: You don't think you can "get into" gardening, Larry? 相信我,一点都不难,你只要跟我一起去,进了花圃就行了。Then you will be in the garden.
  
  LL: Well, I may be in the garden, but that doesn't mean I'll get into gardening. To "get into" something means to really like something or to enjoy doing something.
  
  LH: 噢,原来你说的get into是喜欢的意思。那你说you don't think you can get into gardening。意思就是说你不u会喜欢上园艺了?
  
  LL: Right. I am sorry, Li Hua, because I know how much you get into gardening.
  
  LH: 不过,你起码应该试试看啊!
  
  LL: Okay, Li Hua. I'll try it. Maybe I'll learn why you have gotten into gardening.
  
  LH: 我喜欢园艺完全是因为我妈。我们小时候,她总是在家里的院子里种很多菜。
  
  LL: That sounds nice. Fresh grown vegetables are so much better than the ones in the grocery store.
  
  LH: 那你呢,Larry? What do you get into?
  
  LL: Oh, you know me, Li Hua. I love computers. You know I really get into video games. I could play video games all day long.
  
  LH: 我永远搞不懂你为什么那么喜欢打电玩,我觉得打电玩很吵,而且打久了会很累。
  
  LL: Well, every body gets into different things. You get into gardening, and I get into video games.
  
  LH: 那也是。还有,我喜欢布鲁斯,你喜欢摇滚乐。
  
  LL: Yes, and while you can't understand how I can get into video games, Li Hua, I have never understood why you get into blues music. How can you listen to blues music? It just makes me sad.
  
  LH: 我喜欢布鲁斯的节奏和歌手的嗓音。但是我从来无法欣赏摇滚乐。简直吵死了。
  
  LL: I wonder if there is something we can both get into.
  
  LH: 我有个主意。We can both "get into" the car, 到花圃去。
  
  LL: "Get into" the car. Very funny, Li Hua!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1056
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Outdoor sounds, Larry and Li Hua are at the garden)
  
  LL: I should have brought some garden gloves. My hands are getting all grubby from digging in the dirt.
  
  LH: Grubby? 我猜grubby肯定是脏的意思。你的手还真是够脏的。
  
  LL: Grubby does mean dirty. Li Hua, my hands are so grubby, I've got dirt under my fingernails. Yuck!
  
  LH: 真没想到你还挺爱干净。别忘了,园艺一半的乐趣就在于浑身上下沾满泥土。
  
  LL: Well, maybe you think so, Li Hua. I'm just glad I wore some grubby, old clothes. Look how grubby the knees of my pants are!
  
  LH: 别抱怨了!在园圃里干活难免是要弄脏的。
  
  LL: Okay, then I'll stop complaining about being grubby. But, doesn't it bother you, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 不会啊,我喜欢这样。Why don't you like getting grubby, Larry?
  
  LL: I don't think it is that unusual that I don't like getting grubby, Li Hua. But I haven't always been this way.
  
  LH: 你以前不是这样?那你是什么样子呢?
  
  LL: Oh, when I was a kid, I used to play outside all the time. I would come home grubby from head to toe!
  
  LH: 从头到脚都是土? 那你妈妈肯定不高兴。
  
  LL: No, after I came home from a day of playing outside, she would take me by my grubby little hand and take me straight to the bath tub.
  
  LH: 好了,Larry. 今天就干到这吧,你看见那个工具房了吗?
  
  LL: Grubby old tool shed? Oh, yes, I see it.
  
  LH: 你能帮我把这些工具和这个桶放到那里收好吗?
  
  LL: Sure, not a problem, Li Hua!
  
  LH: 谢谢你,Larry. I hope you didn't mind getting grubby too much.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是get into, 是喜欢的意思。另一个是grubby, 是脏的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1057
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华周末来看Larry。李华今天要学两个常用语,goof around和go halvsies.
  
  LL: It sure is nice to see you, Li Hua. But, honestly I've got so many things I have to do right now. I've just goofed around all weekend and haven't gotten anything done.
  
  LH: You goofed around? 这是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To "goof around" means to not do the things you are supposed to do. And I really didn't do what I was supposed to this weekend.
  
  LH: 噢,原来goof around是游手好闲,不务正业的意思。那你有什么该做的事情没有做呢?
  
  LL: I was supposed to do my laundry, dust and vacuum my apartment, mop my kitchen floor, and clean my bathroom. But because I goofed around, I didn't do any of the cleaning I needed to do.
  
  LH: 洗衣服、还要打扫房间、擦地板,这么多事啊!那你这两天都干了些什么呢?
  
  LL: Instead of doing my housework, I watched movies on TV, talked to friends on the phone, and played computer games.
  
  LH: You really did goof around. 又是看电影,又是打游戏的。难道你父母没有告诉过你,只有做完正事以后才能玩吗?
  
  LL: They certainly did, Li Hua. But after a full week of work, I really didn't feel like doing my house cleaning. In fact, I didn't want to do much else besides goof around.
  
  LH: 这我能理解,大家周末都想好好放松一下,不过也不能整个周末都这样无所事事啊。
  
  LL: I know you are right, Li Hua. The weekend is really the only time I have to make sure my apartment is clean and that I have clean clothes.
  
  LH: 现在可倒好,已经星期天晚上了,你明天上班有干净衣服穿吗!
  
  LL: Well, then I've goofed around enough! I really need to do my laundry, Li Hua. So if you don't mind, I am going to get to work.
  
  LH: 我本来想和你出去看场电影,喝杯咖啡的,现在全泡汤了。
  
  LL: Yeah, I am sorry, Li Hua. You shouldn't have to go home, because I goofed around.
  
  LH: 这样好了,我们商量商量,我可以帮你一起打扫房间。
  
  LL: And then afterwards, we could still go for a cup of coffee.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1058
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I have a proposal for you, Li Hua. How about we go halvsies on my housework?
  
  LH: Go halvsies,那又是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: To "go halvsies" is to split something in half. In this case, I was hoping you could do half of my housework.
  
  LH: 哎谁让你是我朋友呢!我愿意帮你干一半的家务。可是我们怎么分担呢?
  
  LL: We can go halvsies by me doing the laundry and cleaning the bathroom, and you mopping the kitchen and doing the dusting and vacuuming.
  
  LH: 等等,我得写下来,免得你反悔。你说你负责洗衣服和打扫厕所,我负责拖厨房的地板和吸尘。这么多事情,干完肯定累死了。那我们到时候可以出去吃东西。
  
  LL: Well, rather than go out to eat, let's go halvsies on ordering a pizza for delivery.
  
  LH: 你是说咱俩各出一半的钱,点个比萨回来吃?好啊,我同意!
  
  LL: Great! If we go halvsies on ordering a pizza for delivery right to the apartment, we will still have a lot of time. I'll call the pizza place. How many pizzas should I order?
  
  LH: 我不是特别饿,点个大号的,就应该够咱俩吃的了。
  
  LL: Okay, then one pizza it is. I'll also order a bottle of soda, and we can go halvsies on that, too.
  
  LH: 汽水?好啊,不过都是你的,我可不想喝。
  
  LL: How about dessert? We can go halvsies on some cookies or a pie?
  
  LH: 我有个更好的主意。与其吃饼干,不如我们干完活一起去吃冰激凌吧,也算是慰劳一下自己。
  
  LL: Good idea! After we finish working, we can go halvsies on some ice cream.
  
  LH: 我可没说要跟你分,整个冰激凌都是我一个人的!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是goof around, 是消磨时间,不务正业的意思。另一个是go halvsies, 是一人一半的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1059
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们再来给大家讲解两个以steam为主的常用语。我们先来讲第一个。To go full steam ahead. Full就是全部,steam是蒸汽,ahead就是向前。To go full steam ahead的意思是:全力以赴。
  
  原来,to go full steam ahead是一艘船的船长给手下人发的命令。意思是:以最快的速度向前行驶。现在,to go full steam ahead已经不局限在船上使用了。它可以用在任何场合。意思是以快速完成一项工作。我们来引用美国报纸曾经登过的一篇文章里的一段,来看看to go full steam ahead是怎么用的。
  
  例句-1: White House sources tell us that President Clinton has told his staff to go full steam ahead to draft a new health care bill to send to Congress before the end of the month.
  
  这句话的意思是:来自白宫的消息告诉我们,克林顿总统已经命令他手下的工作人员要用最快的速度来完成有关起草保健改革新提案的工作,以便在这个月月底前送交国会。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这是一个公司的经理在埋怨手下工作人员工作无效。
  
  例句-2: I assigned the team two weeks ago to study the problem and find a solution. But I was told nothing has been done so far. So I called the team leader in today and told him to go full steam ahead and send me a report by the end of the week.
  
  这个经理:我在两个星期前就指派这个小组研究这个问题,找出解决方案。但是,有人告诉我,他们到目前为止什么也没做。所以,今天我把那个组长叫来了。我告诉他要以最快的速度完成这个任务,并在这个周末前把报告交给我。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1060
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们在来给大家介绍一个以steam这个字为主的习惯用语。To blow off steam. To blow 在这里很明显是一个动词。它的意思是:吹,或者是喷气。To blow off steam从字面来解释就是排除蒸气,但是做为习惯用语,它的意思就是发泄心里的火气。
  
  蒸气机是靠锅炉提供的热气来运作的。在锅炉内,蒸气逐渐使压力增高。锅炉有一个安全活门,在锅炉内压力高到危险程度的时候,蒸气就从安全活门里喷出去以减低压力。可是,要是安全活门坏了,锅炉就会像炸弹那样爆炸。作为习惯用语,to blow off steam就是说:要是你心里有火,你就让火发出来,不要闷在心里。下面是一个例子。这是一个人对他的同事发过脾气后在向他们道歉。
  
  例句-3: I'm sorry I yelled at you people. What happened wasn't your fault - I know that. But things have gone wrong all day, and I had to blow off steam at somebody!
  
  这个人说:我对你们大声嚷嚷,非常抱歉。这件事不是你们的错。这我也知道。但是,这一天里,什么事都不顺当。我总得拿某个人出出气。
  
  ******
  
  美国人也跟其他国家的人一样有不少家庭纠纷。当然,清官难断家务事;每家都有一本经。下面是一个人在劝自己的弟弟。
  
  例句-4: Jack, I know you have a lot of troubles in your office. But you can't always blow steam off at your wife and kids if you want to maintain your marriage. If you go on like this, one day your family will be ruined.
  
  这个哥哥说:杰克,我知道你在办公室有很多问题。但是,你要是想维持你的婚姻的话,你就不能老是把气出在你太太和孩子身上。要是你继续这样的话,总会有一天你会把你的家也毁了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1061
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry开车接李华去看医生,路上堵车迟到了。李华今天要学两个常用语,meltdown和make up.
  
  LL: I'm really sorry I am late, Li Hua. But there is no need for you to have a meltdown about it.
  
  LH: (生气地)如果meltdown是生气的意思,那没错,I am having a meltdown.
  
  LL: (Sheepishly) Well, Li Hua, perhaps now isn't the best time for an English lesson, but a meltdown is an excessively emotional response to a disappointment or a crisis.
  
  LH: (还是有点生气)meltdown是融化的意思,跟遇到挫败或是危机,情绪过分激动有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: Well, the term meltdown refers to the melting of the core of a nuclear reactor. When that happens, the nuclear reactor becomes unstable and may explode.
  
  LH: 噢,原来是从核反应堆来的。Well, I guess I did have a meltdown. 你今天迟到,我确实很生气。
  
  LL: I must say, it is very unlike you to have a meltdown. You are usually so calm and understanding.
  
  LH: 我生气可是有理由的。你迟到了不是一会儿,而是整整半个小时。看来我去看医生也要迟到了。
  
  LL: I understand why you had a meltdown, Li Hua. But honestly, there is nothing I could do about it. You know how unpredictable the traffic is in New York City.
  
  LH: 也是,我刚才太急了,没有给你解释的机会。你在路上遇到什么状况了吗?
  
  LL: Well, there was a car accident that blocked traffic for a long time. It wasn't very serious accident, but when the two drivers got out of their cars, there was a total meltdown in communication.
  
  LH: 你为什么说这两个司机之间发生了total meltdown呢?
  
  LL: Well, one driver was really angry. He was all red in the face and was yelling loudly. I could tell he was having a meltdown.
  
  LH: 啊,脸红脖子粗的大吵大闹,真是够吓人的。那另外一个司机呢?他们俩没打起来吧?
  
  LL: The other driver ended up having a meltdown, too - but in a different way. When the first driver started yelling at her, she started to cry.
  
  LH: 原来还是个女的,真可怜。警察来了吗?
  
  LL: By the time the police arrived, the two drivers had recovered from their meltdowns and were calm. The police officers were very professional.
  
  LH: 还好最后得到了圆满解决,最重要的是没有人受伤。对不起,Larry,我刚才不问青红皂白就对你大发脾气。
  
  LL: Don't worry about it, Li Hua. Everyone has a meltdown every once in a while.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1062
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, after that meltdown, don't you think it is time for you and me to make up, Li Hua?
  
  LH: Make up? 吵完架为什么要化妆呢?
  
  LL: No, no. To "Make Up" means to get back to being friends after a fight.
  
  LH: 我已经向你道歉,你也接受了,这就等于是和好了吧?
  
  LL: Yes, I think we have made up. We are still friends, right, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我们当然是朋友,你也知道,我不会真跟你生气的。I am glad we've made up. 真希望Janet也能跟她的男朋友Tom和好。他们上星期吵架,到现在都不说话。Janet痛苦极了。
  
  LL: Well, sometimes it is hard to make up with some one - especially when the argument is over something serious or someone is really stubborn and won't listen to the other person.
  
  LH: Janet倒并不固执,她很想跟Tom和好,可是Tom好像没有和好的意思。他们是因为Tom跟另外一个女孩子很接近才吵架的。
  
  LL: Hmmm...Well, if Tom hasn't tried to make up with Janet in a week, maybe he is more interested in that other girl.
  
  LH: Larry, 快别说了,我们还得赶去看医生呢!
  
  LL: Don't have another meltdown, Li Hua. I'll get you to the doctor's appointment. I think it was worth taking the time to make up and be friends again, don't you, Li Hua?
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是meltdown, 是情绪过分激动的意思。另一个是make up, 是和好的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1063
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要介绍给大家的两个习惯用语都有同一个关键的字。这个关键的字就是:Shoe. Shoe就是一只鞋子。要是多数的话,那就是在shoe后面加一个s,成为shoes。好。现在我们先来讲第一个以shoe这个字为主的习惯用语。Goody two shoes. Goody就是在 good这个字后面加上一个y。但是,goody跟good没有什么关系。Goody可以解释为:假正经,伪善者。Two shoes按字面解释就是两只鞋子。可是,goody two shoes跟鞋子毫无关系。
  
  Goody two shoes ,作为习惯用语,是指那种故意表现得比别人更高一等的人。这种人给别人的印象就好像他们在道德品行方面都要比别人强。也可以说是自命清高,或者是自命不凡的人。
  
  这跟两只鞋子有什么关系?这个习惯用语是怎么形成的?目前还不太清楚。我们来举一个例子吧。这是一个人在说他的朋友Karen。
  
  例句-1: I wonder how we can help Karen loosen up and be a little more tolerant of common human flaws. She's such a goody two shoes that all the men I know are afraid to ask her out on a date.
  
  这个人说:我在想我们怎么样才能让凯伦更开阔一些,对一般人常有的缺点能够更容忍一点。她真是自命清高。所认识的那些男人都怕请她出去,怕跟她交朋友。
  
  请大家要注意的一点是,尽管在goody two shoes这个习惯用语里是用的复数,但是,goody two shoes指的是一个人,因此前面需要用"a"。 要是你说:那个人是一个自命不凡的人。那你就应该说: That person is a goody two shoes。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这个例子里说的人跟上面那个例子里的那位女士完全不同。她的朋友说:
  
  例句2: It's true Eleanor isn't dating anybody steady right now. But don't get the idea she's a goody two shoes. She's not only smart and attractive - she's also a real fun person to be around.
  
  这个朋友说:埃利诺现在没有一个固定的男朋友。这是确实的。但是,别以为她是一个自命清高的人。她既很聪明也很漂亮,而且跟她在一起也非常有意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1064
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国好莱坞,每个年轻演员都盼望哪一天能够一举成名。实现这一梦想的途径之一,就是在一个大明星突然生病的时候,被邀请去替代那位大明星来拍电影。“代替别人”就是我们在这次节目里要讲的第二个习惯用语。To fill the shoes. 大家可能已经猜出来了,to fill the shoes的意思就是:代替某人,把某人的工作和责任接过来。
  
  下面是一个哥哥在替他的妹妹担心,因为他妹妹不久就要结婚。她未来丈夫结过婚,但是太太已经去世,留下了两个很小的孩子。这个哥哥说:
  
  例句3: Are you sure you're ready to fill John's first wife's shoes? Remember, she was a full-time wife and mother. But you're a full-time career woman with no experience taking care of kids.
  
  这个哥哥说:你是不是很有把握能替代约翰第一位太太的地位。你得记住,她是不工作的,整天在家担当妻子和母亲的任务。但是,你是整天要出去工作的职业妇女,又没有带孩子的经验。
  
  ******
  
  我们再给大家举一个例子来看看to fill the shoes在日常生活中是怎么用的。这是一个办公室的主任。他正在为找一位副手而感到头痛。这是办公室里的一名雇员在说话:
  
  例句4: Nobody else wants to work as hard as Helen did without a lot higher salary. That's why the boss is having a tough time finding anybody to fill Helen's shoes for the same money.
  
  这个雇员说:没有那个人愿意像海伦那样辛勤地工作,可是拿很低的工资。没有人愿意拿同样的工资来接替海伦的工作。这就是为什么老板花了很大的劲还找不到人的原因。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1065
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美式足球超级杯那天,Larry要在家开party, 李华帮他做准备。李华今天要学两个常用语,munchies和spread.
  
  LL: I'm really excited about having a Super Bowl party, Li Hua. I just went to the store and bought lots of munchies, so we will have plenty to eat while we watch the football game.
  
  LH: Munchies? 让我看看?(翻塑料袋的声音)。薯条、花生、开心果,I don't see anything called "munchies."
  
  LL: Munchies is a general word for snacks or things to "munch" on, Li Hua. When watching a football game, I love to eat munchies like chips and pretzels.
  
  LH: 噢,原来munchies是零食的意思!有不咸的吗?
  
  LL: Yes, Li Hua, I do. In the refrigerator, I have some other munchies that I've prepared. I also made a vegetable tray and some sour cream dip.
  
  LH: Wow, 你准备了这么多东西! 看超级杯原来这么重要啊!
  
  LL: Watching the Super Bowl is something many Americans look forward to all year. And part of the fun is inviting friends over to watch the game and share some munchies.
  
  LH: 这跟中国球迷看足球世界杯差不多。他们也是围着电视机,边吃边看,热闹极了。
  
  LL: Every body loves munchies. Speaking of munchies, are you hungry, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我确实有点儿饿了,不过我不想把这些零食打开,我们还是等客人都到了再说吧!
  
  LL: Oh, don't worry about it, Li Hua. There are plenty of munchies. Go ahead and open what you like.
  
  LH: 那好,我先吃点花生,我最爱吃花生了。
  
  LL: I've got a bad case of the munchies, too, Li Hua. But instead of peanuts, I think I'll munch on some potato chips.
  
  LH: A *case* of the munchies? 你拿的明明是一带零食啊!
  
  LL: When I said I have a case of the munchies, I meant I was really hungry for snacks.
  
  LH: Well, I guess I have a case of the munchies, too, Larry. 这些花生真是太好吃了。
  
  LL: The trouble with munchies is that once you start eating them - it is hard to stop.
  
  LH: 那我们还是忍忍吧,可别把这些零食都吃完了,否则一会儿看球赛的时候就没的吃了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1066
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Thanks for helping me put out the food, Li Hua. I hope this is enough of a spread for the Super Bowl party.
  
  LH: Enough of a spread? 这又是什么意思啊?你是说足够大家吃的吧?
  
  LL: A spread does refer to food, Li Hua - and specifically food set out on a table for a party. And the goal is to have lots of food!
  
  LH: 你准备的可真够丰盛的,That's quite a spread, Larry. 你看,有薯条、花生、开心果、蔬菜、饮料、啤酒,真是应有尽有。
  
  LL: Well, when one puts together a spread, Li Hua, you not only want there to be lots of food, but you also want the spread to look good.
  
  LH: 所以说,spread不光是要准备充足的食物,还要摆放得整齐好看,让人看了赏心悦目?
  
  LL: That's right. Like for this spread, I put the snacks in nice bowls, arranged the vegetables so they look attractive, and got these festive football napkins and cups.
  
  LH: 太棒了,Larry。我知道,你这一桌子食物,从盘子到纸杯,到餐巾纸,都跟橄榄球有关,最适合超级杯的party了.
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. I'm glad you like it.
  
  LH: Larry, 你准备这一桌子东西要花很多钱吗?
  
  LL: This spread wasn't very expensive. But I have been to parties where the hosts clearly spent a lot of money on gourmet foods and expensive wines.
  
  LH: 我还记得去年到市中心的一家大饭店去参加春节联欢活动。They had quite a spread!
  
  LL: I bet it was some spread. You know how much I like Chinese food.
  
  LH: 那明年咱们一起去,你可以亲眼看看!
  
  LL: While the spread I put together isn't as fancy as that, I just hope my friends will enjoy it.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是munchies, 是零食的意思。另一个是spread, 指丰盛的食物。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1067
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都含有惩罚的意思。要是一个人是惩罚的对象的话,这两个习惯用语会使他感到很痛苦的。一个人在一生中没有受到任何形式的惩罚是很少的。小的时候做错了事激怒了父母而受到惩罚也是常事。例如像不准吃晚饭,不准出去玩等。不过,我们今天要讲的是成年人犯了错误,或做了违法的事而受到惩罚。
  
  现在我们先来讲第一个习惯用语。To lower the boom. To lower就是把什么东西放低,boom在这里解释为帆船的帆下面的杠。用这个杠可以按当时的需要把帆升高或降低。要是一个人正在把杠往下放,而你的头正在杠下面的话,那个杠就会打到你的头。这可能使你感到非常痛。作为一个习惯用语,to lower the boom就是很严格的惩罚,或者是采取步骤严格地执行法律。下面是一个电台报导的一条消息。
  
  例句-1: The new chief of police announced today that he was going to lower the boom on drug peddlers by putting a lot more officers in neighborhoods where the situation is worst.
  
  这则消息说:新的警察局局长今天宣布,他将派很多的警察到贩毒最严重的地区去,以此来对那些贩毒者进行严格的管制。
  
  ******
  
  美国的犯罪率比较高。这是政府和公众都很关心的问题。人们在如何解决犯罪这个问题上议论纷纷。下面就是一个受害者在发表自己的看法。
  
  例句2: I was robbed in broad daylight last year. The police caught the guy but set him free after six weeks. I don't understand this, why can't they lower the boom on these criminals so that they will think twice before they do something bad.
  
  这个人说:去年,我在光天化日之下遭到抢劫。警察抓住了那家伙,但是关了六个星期就把他放了。我真是弄不懂,他们为什么不能对这些罪犯更严格一些。这样他们才会在干坏事前先考虑一下。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1068
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上面那个受害者一定很愿意用下面这个办法来对待罪犯,但是没有一个罪犯愿意受到这种惩罚的。这种严厉的惩罚就是我们要讲的第二个习惯用语:To throw away the key. To throw away就是把什么东西扔掉,key就是钥匙。
  
  美国的法律并不是全国统一的,各州有权制定自己的法律。但是,对大多数的州来说,最严重的惩罚恐怕就是把犯人关进监狱,然后throw away the key。大家也许已经猜出了to throw away the key是什么意思了。把犯人关进监狱,然后把监狱的钥匙扔掉。那当然就意味着这个犯人永远也出不了监狱了。也就是无期徒刑。
  
  我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在告诉他朋友关于一件抢银行案件的判决。
  
  例句3: You remember that man who shot three people when he held up a bank? The judge locked him up and threw away the key: she sentenced him to life in prison with no chance of parole.
  
  这人说:你还记得那个在抢劫银行的时候打死三个人的那个罪犯吗?法官把他关进监狱,让他永远也出不来。她判他无期徒刑,连保释的机会都没有。
  
  ******
  
  刚才说无期徒刑在美国许多州是最严重的惩罚。这是因为美国有许多州是没有死刑的。应不应该有死刑是美国人争论的一个主题。有的人认为,尽管那些罪犯确实犯了严重的罪行,但是死刑是不人道的。然而,对那些受害者和某些公众来说,只有严厉处决才能控制犯罪率不断上升的趋势。下面是一个人在发表他的观点。
  
  例句4: I don't think to throw away the key is the answer to the ever increasing rate of criminal cases. We must impose death sentences on those murderers who kill people without even blinking an eye? Only that may stop them killing so freely.
  
  这人说:我认为无期徒刑不是解决犯罪率不断上升的办法。我们必须对那些杀人不眨眼的谋杀犯处以死刑。只有那样他们才可能不再随便杀人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1069
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语,一个跟手腕有关。另一个跟鞋子有关。我们先来讲第一个。A slap on the wrist. Slap就是打一下,比如说,a slap on the face就是打耳光。Wrist就是手腕。A slap on the wrist就是在手腕上打一下。在手腕上打一下并不怎么痛。
  
  要是一个孩子伸手去拿他不该拿的东西,为了阻止他,他妈妈就很可能会在他手腕上打一下。作为习惯用语,a slap on the wrist就是轻微的惩罚,而且往往是指某人得到的惩罚要比他应该得到的惩罚要轻。
  
  我们来举一个例子。一个喝醉了酒的人在开车的时候把别人的车撞坏了。双方都被招到法庭作证。被撞的人对法庭的裁决非常不满意。他说:
  
  例句-1: I hoped the judge would send this guy to jail. But all he gave him was a slap on the wrist - he fined him two hundred dollars and suspended his driver's license for 30 days.
  
  这个人很不满地说:我本来希望法官会把这家伙送进监狱。可是,他仅仅让他罚款两百美元,吊销他的驾驶执照一个月。这真是清描淡写的惩罚。
  
  在美国,酗酒的人开车是一个大问题。每年都有不少因为喝醉了酒开车而造成的车祸,有的导致受害者终身丧失正常生活的能力,还有的因此而丧生,给受害者的家庭和孩子带来莫大的悲剧。美国政府对酗酒驾车的人有各种不同的惩罚。
  
  ******
  
  A slap on the wrist这个习惯用语不仅能用在司法方面,而且它在日常生活中也是很普遍的。下面是一个公司的雇员在埋怨他的老板对他不公平。他对他的同事说:
  
  例句2: Last time when I had a minor mistake in a report, Mr. Johnson gave me a severe warning and even threatened to fire me. Now, Lisa has made a really serious blunder, but I'm sure he'll give her a slap on the wrist.
  
  这个雇员说:上次我在一份报告中出了一点小差错。约翰逊先生给了我一个严重的警告,还威胁要解雇我。现在,丽萨出了一个真是非常严重的错误。不过,我肯定他也只会轻描淡写地惩罚她一下。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1070
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要讲的第二个习惯用语是跟鞋子这个字有关的。这个习惯用语就是:To wait for the other shoe to drop. To wait就是等待,the other shoe就是另一只鞋,to drop就是掉下来。这个习惯用语来自很早以前造的旅馆。那时,旅馆的墙壁都很薄,这个房间里的客人可以听到隔壁房间里的声音。要是一个刚上床准备睡觉的旅客,听到隔壁房间的门开了,隔壁旅客坐上床时弹簧发出的声音,接着就是一只鞋子掉在地上的声音。然后却是一片寂静。可是,这位想睡觉的旅客不能入睡了,他得等另外一只鞋掉下来后才能睡觉。这就是to wait for the other shoe to drop的来源。
  
  我们来举一个例子。这是一个人被提名出任官职,但是在等待参议院的批准。下面是一个人在谈论这件事。
  
  例句3: At the hearings they haven't dug yet into this man's personal background. But there are rumors he has some shady things in his past, so everybody's waiting for the other shoe to drop.
  
  这人说:在这些听证会上,他们到目前为止还没有去追究这人以往生活方面的情况。但是,有传说讲他过去有些不光彩的事,所以每个人都在等待最后的结局。
  
  从这个例子我们可以知道,to wait for the other shoe to drop就是在做一件事的过程中等待能够最后结束这个过程的事。
  
  ******
  
  下面是一个人在气头上把自己的朋友臭骂一顿,事后后悔莫及。最后,他决定写一封信给他朋友表示道歉,希望他朋友能原谅他。这是他在跟他的妻子说话。
  
  例句4: Honey, I feel really bad for giving a piece of my mind to Henry. The more I think about it, the worse I feel. I've written him a letter to apologize and hope he'll forgive me. Now I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.
  
  这个人说:亲爱的,我把亨利大骂了一顿。这实在使我感到非常难受。我越想越难受。我已经给他写了一封信,向他道歉,希望他能原谅我。现在,我就在等待他的回音。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1071
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华正在谈论李华的一个学生。这个学生经常在李华办公时间去找她问问题,下课也喜欢多待一会儿再走。李华今天要学两个常用语,puppy's Love和teacher's Pet.
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, you say this student of yours always comes to your office hours and stays after class to talk with you? It sounds like your student has a case of puppy love to me!
  
  LH: Puppy love? 小狗跟我的学生有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: As you know, Li Hua, puppies are very loyal and will follow their masters anywhere. We say a younger person who idolizes an older person has a case of puppy love.
  
  LH: 噢,puppy Love是指年轻人的暗恋。照你这么说,我这个学生对我可能还真有puppy love. 我该怎么处理呢?
  
  LL: Puppy love is usually harmless, Li Hua. I think as long as you remain professional, your student will eventually grow out of his puppy love.
  
  LH: 你是说我要装做没有察觉,等他自己放弃这段感情?你还挺懂行的。Have you ever had a case of puppy love?
  
  LL: Sure, I have, Li Hua. Puppy love is pretty common. I had a French teacher in high school who I really liked a lot. I stayed after class for extra help and was active in the French Club so I could spend more time with her.
  
  LH: 我真难想象你会下课不走问问题,甚至还去参加法语俱乐部,就是为了接近你的法语老师。她知道你暗恋她吗?
  
  LL: I wouldn't be surprised if she did know. I probably wasn't the first student she had with a case of puppy love.
  
  LH: 后来呢?
  
  LL: She just treated me like all the other students. She was friendly and pleasant and didn't call attention to my behavior. Eventually, I grew out of my puppy love.
  
  LH: 所以说,她对你跟其他学生一样,假装没有看出你的感情。这个老师处理得还真是不错。
  
  LL: Yes, she did, and I really respect her for it now that I am older. What about you, Li Hua? Have you ever had a case of puppy love?
  
  LH: 现在提起来,我也曾经有过一段puppy love.
  
  LL: Really, Li Hua? Who were you in puppy love with?
  
  LH: 我上学的时候私下里喜欢美术老师。他年轻潇洒,充满了创造力。不过跟你一样,I grew out of my puppy love when I got older.
  
  LL: And I am sure your student will grow out of his puppy love, too.
  
  LH: 谢谢你,Larry, 现在我知道该怎么对待那个学生了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1072
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, I have a question for you, Li Hua. Do you have a teacher's pet?
  
  LH: 宠物?Larry, 你知道我养猫啊。
  
  LL: Right, you do have a cat, Li Hua, but a teacher's pet is something a little different. A teacher's pet is her favorite student.
  
  LH: 哦,a teacher's pet是说我最喜欢的学生。Hmm....我有好几个不错的学生,但没有一个最喜欢的。
  
  LL: I can't believe you don't have a teacher's pet, Li Hua. Surely, there is one student who is better than the rest.
  
  LH: 倒是有个叫John的学生,成绩一直是A,上课很积极,如果要说teacher's pet, 那恐怕就是他了。
  
  LL: So, John is your teacher's pet. You said he is helpful in class - that is so typical of a teacher's pet. What kinds of things does he do?
  
  LH: 他经常主动帮我收、发作业,有时候还帮我擦黑板。
  
  LL: Oh, Li Hua, John is absolutely your teacher's pet! You better be careful. The other students may realize it and come to resent John.
  
  LH: 你是说其他学生如果发现John是teacher's pet, 就会妒忌他吗?
  
  LL: That's right. I never was a teacher's pet myself, but I did know other students who were teacher's pets.
  
  LH: 那你对那些同学有什么看法呢?
  
  LL: I was jealous of them and the attention they received from the teacher, and I found them annoying. I bet you were a teacher's pet, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 你怎么知道的!我绝对是teacher's pet, 老师可喜欢我了。
  
  LL: So, I just have one more question for you, Li Hua. Is John, your teacher's pet, the same student who has a case of puppy love for you?
  
  LH: 不是。暗恋我的学生不是John, 你别瞎猜!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是puppy Love, 指年轻人的暗恋。另一个是teacher's pet, 指老师最喜欢的学生。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1073
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry和李华一起看奥斯卡颁奖典礼。李华今天要学两个常用语,Glitz和Fashion Risk.
  
  LL: Wow! I just love watching the Oscar Awards show, Li Hua. There is nothing quite as wonderful as the glitz of Hollywood.
  
  LH: 我也特别喜欢看奥斯卡。不过Larry, 你刚才说glitz of Hollywood, glitz是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Glitz generally refers to a spectacular visual display of glamour and wealth.
  
  LH: 我每年看奥斯卡,最喜欢的就是看那些电影明星都穿些什么式样的晚礼服,戴什么首饰。所以说,glitz就是光彩照人、让人眼花缭乱的意思。
  
  LL: Most of the glitz of the Oscars Award Show is what the actors and actresses are wearing. People enjoy deciding which stars at the Oscars are the best dressed, and which are the worst.
  
  LH: Larry, 那你觉得今年谁穿得最漂亮,谁又穿得最难看呢?
  
  LL: Well, I haven't really decided yet, because we haven't finished watching the show. But I would have to say what Nicole Kidman is wearing is just too glitzy for my tastes.
  
  LH: Glitzy 肯定是从glitz来的。 妮可基德曼Nicole Kidman穿的是一条很高雅、线条很简单的黑裙子,怎么会过于奢华呢?
  
  LL: Well, it isn't Nicole Kidman's dress that is so glitzy, it is the *huge* diamond necklace that she is wearing with it.
  
  LH: 这我同意。她戴的钻石项链确实太醒目了。不过,这是好莱坞盛会,本来就是如此奢华的。
  
  LL: Sure, but sometimes I think there is too much glitz! What about you, Li Hua? Who did you think is the best dressed?
  
  LH: 那当然是乔治.克鲁尼George Clooney喽!不过,男明星跟女明星比起来,可就逊色多了。
  
  LL: The female stars really get to put on the glitz with their colorful gowns in different styles and their jewelry.
  
  (Music)
  
  LH: Larry, 你看,这是今年我最喜欢的电影主题曲,真希望这首歌能赢。
  
  LL: I liked this song, too. Wow, they didn't cut back on the glitz for this musical number. Look at all the dancers and the special lighting effects.
  
  LH: 太棒了!I love the glitz of Hollywood!
  
  LL: Well, I am glad you are enjoying it, Li Hua, because the Oscars Award Show is very, very long. I think we still have at least three more hours of glitz!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1074
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, now the Oscars are almost over. Which star do you think took the biggest fashion risk tonight, Li Hua?
  
  LH: Fashion risk? 时尚冒险?哦,我知道了,你是说哪个明星穿着大胆,冒着可能不被别人接受的风险,对吧?
  
  LL: Yes, that's right, Li Hua. A fashion risk is when someone wears something bold and dramatic, hoping that the people will think it is very stylish.
  
  LH: 如果这种大胆尝试不符合观众和媒体的口味呢?
  
  LL: If a star wears something unfashionable tonight at the Oscar Awards Show, it will be in all the newspapers and all over the Internet tomorrow.
  
  LH: 我觉得,在《汉娜.蒙塔娜》里演主角的小明星麦莉赛勒斯的穿着最有可能引起争论。你觉得呢?
  
  LL: I'll agree it was a bit of a fashion risk for someone so young to wear such a bright red dress, but I don't think she was the biggest fashion-risk taker at the Oscars tonight.
  
  LH: 那你觉得是谁呢?
  
  LL: I can't remember her name. But - you can't forget the dress she wore, the one with the leopard print design. Now that's taking a fashion risk!
  
  LH: 我也记得那条象豹子斑点的裙子。虽然有些别出心裁,但她穿上去挺好看的,不知道时装评论家明天会怎么说。
  
  LL: Well, I don't see how the critics could like that dress. But then again, what do I know? I'm not much of a fashion risk-taker myself.
  
  LH: 对啊,你每天就是衬衫和休闲裤,从来也不换换花样。
  
  LL: That's right. The biggest fashion risk I take is when I decide that I am going to wear a striped shirt instead of a plain one!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是Glitz, 指光彩照人,让人眼花缭乱。另一个是 fashion risk, 指穿着大胆,挑战时尚。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1075
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都有一个共同的关键的字。那就是:Wool. Wool就是羊毛,或者是呢绒。但是,wool在和其他字合起来成为习惯用语的时候,它就不一定跟羊毛或呢绒有任何关系了。我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语就是如此。Wild and woolly.
  
  Wild and woolly的意思是:粗暴的,吵闹的,暴力的。Woolly这个字当然是来自wool,在wool 后面加上l和y这两个字母就成了形容词woolly。Woolly这个字开始使用是在美国建国初期。那时有不少人去开发西部,当时人们的态度很粗鲁,生活也很艰苦。
  
  我们来举一个例子。有不少美国年轻人在举行聚会的时候喜欢放音乐,而且还把音量放得很大。这种情况经常会引起邻居的不满。下面就是一个人在抱怨住在他旁边的年轻人。
  
  例句-1: The young people next door had a wild and woolly party last night! Loud music and people yelling at the top of their voices - I couldn't get to sleep until four in the morning.
  
  这个人说:隔壁的年轻人昨晚举行聚会,吵得要命。他们把音乐放得很响,而且还大声嚷嚷。直到早上四点我还没法睡觉。
  
  ******
  
  美国学生往往利用暑假到跟他们专业有关的机构去实习,或打工赚钱。下面是一个办公室主任在说几个实习生。
  
  例句2: Most of our interns keep quiet and try very hard to learn. But, Jack and Bill get wild and woolly when they have free time; yelling and laughing disturbing everybody around. Maybe we ought to let them go.
  
  这个办公室主任说:大多数在我们这儿实习的学生都很安静地工作,努力学习。但是,杰克和比尔一有空就吵吵闹闹,大声嚷嚷,大声笑,影响周围的人工作。也许我们应该让他们走吧。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1076
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来讲一个跟wool这个字有关的习惯用语:Dyed in the wool. Dyed就是染颜色的染。也就是把布放在染缸里上颜色。染羊毛的最好办法就是在编织成毛料之前就染色。这样就不会变色,也不会退色。要是我们用dyed in the wool这个习惯用语来形容一个人的政治信仰,那我们就是说,这个人的政治信仰很坚定,难以改变,就像羊毛染的颜色不会变一样。
  
  我们来举一个例子。大家都知道,美国有两个大政党。一个是民主党,一个是共和党。但是,即便是一个家里的人,有的时候却属于不同的政党。下面例子里说的这对夫妇就能说明问题。
  
  例句3: Bill Jones is a dyed in the wool Republican and his wife Betty is a dyed in the wool Democrat. They argue about politics all the time but you know something - they get along better than any other couple I know.
  
  这个人说:比尔.琼斯是一个坚定的共和党成员,而他的太太贝蒂却是一个毫不动摇的民主党人。他们老是在一些政治问题上进行争吵。可是,你知道吗,在我所认识的夫妇当中,他们相处得比任何一对夫妇都好。
  
  ******
  
  美国的福利制度是一个有争议的问题。有的人认为当前的救济制度对接受救济的人太宽容,有的人认为当局对穷人的照顾还不够。下面就是一个人在讲他的两个朋友。
  
  例句4: Mary is a dyed in the wool liberal. She believes Washington should spend more money on the poor. But John is firmly against our welfare system. He says it encourages the poor to rely on the government and not work.
  
  这个人说:玛丽是一个坚定的自由派人士。她认为华盛顿当局应该为穷人花更多的钱。但是,约翰坚决反对当前的福利制度。他说,这个制度鼓励穷人依赖政府。这样他们可以不工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1077
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是以walk这个字为主的。Walk就是走路的意思。我们要讲的两个习惯用语一个是好事。另一个是坏事。我们先来讲第一个吧!To walk down the aisle. To walk down就是:走下去,aisle就是两组座位之间的走道,就像电影院,大礼堂和教堂里的走道一样。
  
  西方人结婚一般都要在教堂里举行婚礼。在举行婚礼时,新娘穿着白的礼服,随着结婚进行曲从入口一直走到前面主持婚礼的牧师面前。因此,to walk down the aisle就是结婚。我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在讲英国查尔斯王子和戴安那公主的婚事。
  
  例句-1: Do you remember how the royal couple walked down the aisle in Westminster Cathedral over ten years ago? I hoped they'd be happy forever after and I'm sorry to see them splitting up.
  
  这个人说:你还记得十多年前英国王族的一对夫妇在威斯敏斯特教堂举行婚礼的情况吗?当时,我真希望他们能从此永远幸福。现在看到他们分手真让我难受。
  
  这句话里提到的Westminster Cathedral,也就是威斯敏斯特教堂。历代英国国王都在这个教堂里举行加冕仪式。许多国王和名人也葬在这个教堂里。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个例子。这个例子是在讲一个很现代化的女子对婚姻和事业的看法。这是她的妹妹在讲话。
  
  例句2: My sister says she won't walk down the aisle with the first man who asks her. What she wants is to establish a career and have some financial independence like so many women these days.
  
  这个妹妹说:我姐姐讲她不会跟第一个向她求婚的男人结婚。她要先确立她的事业,在经济上具有一定的独立能力,就像现在许多妇女那样。
  
  这确实是许多美国年轻女子对生活的态度。而且这也是非常重要的,因为美国许多家庭现在单靠丈夫一人工作是不够家用的,所以妇女也必须有自己的职业。另外,美国的离婚率很高,要是女子没有自己事业,缺乏独立生活能力,一旦婚姻破裂,她们往往会发现自己处于非常被动的地位。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1078
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

你有没有听到过有关海盗的故事?很久以前,那些海盗往往在海上航行的时候拦劫船只,扣押船员和乘客。凡是他们认为没有用的人,他们经常会把他们扔到海里去。这就是我们要讲的第二个习惯用语:To walk the plank. Plank就是很厚的木板。那么什么是to walk the plank呢?他们先把一块木板放在船的一侧,板的一头从船身伸出去,就像一块跳水的跳板一样。他们逼迫那些他们不要的船员或乘客从板上走出去,然后,投入海中被淹死。这种海盗当然已经没有了。但是,to walk the plank这个说法依然存在。它的意思是:被解雇。
  
  比如说,你可能会听说一个公司的销售部经理因为跟他的老板合不来而被迫to walk the plank。在美国政府里有许多官员是总统任命的,因此在老总统下台,新总统上任的时候,那些老总统任命的官员往往都被解雇,由新总统重新任命。下面这个例句就是在讲这种现象。
  
  例句3: When a new man goes to the White House, all the top officials appointed by the old administration have to be ready to walk the plank to make room for the new president to appoint his own people.
  
  这句话的意思是:当一个新总统进入白宫的时候,前政府任命的高级官员都得准备被解雇,好腾出位子来让新总统任命他自己的人。
  
  像这种被总统任命的高级官员大约有两千四百人。可是为联邦政府工作的雇员一共有几百万。相比下来,高级官员的人数也不算太多。
  
  ******
  
  一个人刚买下一家服装店。下面是一个朋友在对他提出忠告。这个朋友说:
  
  例句4: When you take over the store, think twice about making the manager walk the plank. It may not be easy to find another one as honest and efficient as he is.
  
  这个朋友说:当你接管店铺的时候,在是不是要解雇经理的问题上要三思而行。要找一个像他那样老实和工作有效的经理恐怕不是那末容易。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1079
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华告诉Larry说,经常有学生上课时间用手机。李华今天要学两个常用语,texting和txt tlk.
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, your students won't stop using their cell phones in class? That is so rude! It is really impolite to be texting when you professor is giving a lecture.
  
  LH: 你说的texting想必就是text messaging发短信的意思吧?
  
  LL: Yes, Li Hua, texting is short for text messaging. And have to say I think it is rude for students to text in class.
  
  LH: 我也觉得在课堂上发短信是对老师的不尊重,所以我今天宣布,上课时间手机一律要关机。
  
  LL: That's a good class policy, Li Hua. I hope your students show you some respect and stop texting in class.
  
  LH: 我也希望他们上课不要再发短信了。可是我那些学生好像随时随地都在发短信。
  
  LL: Yeah, a lot of young people do. I read a news report the other day that several states in the U.S. are thinking of banning teens from texting while driving a car.
  
  LH: 什么?有些高中生开车的时候都在发短信?太危险了!
  
  LL: I know. I can't believe it myself. I can't imagine holding on to the steering wheel with one hand and texting with the other.
  
  LH: 一手握着方向盘,一手发短信,还要注意周围的路况。这简直不可能。
  
  LL: I agree. Texting while driving is a bad idea. Actually, Li Hua, I don't text very often, do you?
  
  LH: 我有时会跟中国的朋友发短信联络,因为他们觉得这样可以练习英语。
  
  LL: Texting to practice English is a great idea! But as for me, I'd rather call my friends and talk to them than text them.
  
  LH: 我觉得这跟年纪有关。我妈就从来不发短信,我虽然有时发,但跟我的学生比,可差远了。
  
  LL: That's true. Say, how have your students reacted to your new "No Texting" policy?
  
  LH: 他们有点不高兴,但也知道上课发短信是不对的。
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, what will you do if you catch someone texting in class now?
  
  LH: 这简单。被抓住上课发短信的,手机一律没收,下课来取。
  
  LL: Whoa! I bet no one will be texting in your class again, Li Hua.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1080
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, Li Hua, since you text to your friends in China, have you learned about text talk?
  
  LH: 我也是刚知道text talk是怎么回事的。简而言之,text talk是一种特殊的短信语言,为了提高打字速度,对一些词进行简化。
  
  LL: Right! Text talk is a language, and it has its own set of rules.
  
  LH: 我的学生都是这方面的专家,我从他们那儿学到了不少text talk的规则.
  
  LL: Really, Li Hua? Maybe you can teach me about text talk. As you know, I don't text very often.
  
  LH: 首先,打字的时候尽可能把元音字母省略掉。
  
  LL: Like Text Talk is shortened to TXT TLK.
  
  LH: 没错。把 Text, t-e-x-t中间的e省掉,变成t-x-t; 再把 talk, t-a-l-k中间的a省掉,变成t-l-k.
  
  LL: But even with the missing letters, you can still understand text talk, because your brain fills them in.
  
  LH: 对啊,看习惯了就好了。我最喜欢的是用数字替代字母。
  
  LL: Can you give me an example, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 比如说,打see you later一会儿见的时候,later, l-a-t-e-r, 就可以打成L-8-R,发音非常相近。
  
  LL: L-8-R for "later" is very clever. I bet the "See You" part is also shortened in text talk.
  
  LH: 没错。一般发短信的时候,see you可以简写为字母c加上字母u, 发音完全一样,也是C-U.
  
  LL: Mm, see you later, C-U L-8-R. Text talk is so funny, Li Hua! It makes me want to laugh out loud.
  
  LH: 你提醒我了,在text talk里面,如果要写laugh out loud, 可以用三个首写字母L-O-L来表达。
  
  LL: So, if I text L-O-L, my friend will know that I find something so funny it makes me want to laugh out loud?
  
  LH: 没错。L-O-L在短信里,就代表laugh out loud, 意思是看到了非常好笑的事情。哎呀,说得高兴忘了时间,I've got to go. C-U L-8-R! See you later, Larry!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是texting, 指发短信。另一个是txt tlk, 是短信语言中使用缩略语。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1081
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

对于电台广播来说,没有任何东西比字更重要的了。无线电广播最重要的工具是由一个一个字组成的讲话。今天我们就要给大家讲解两个由字这个字组成的习惯用语。字在英文里就是:word。在英文里,由word这个字组成的习惯用语有的很有趣,有的可以把字给吃了。这跟中文里的“食言”很相似。
  
  我们在这次节目里要讲的第一个习惯用语就是这个意思。请大家先听一遍这个习惯用语是怎么说的。To eat one's words. 请大家注意,这里的words是多数。To eat one's words当然不是真正地把字给吃了。To eat one's words作为习惯用语,它的意思就是:食言,说了话,或做了保证不能实现。也就是一个人说了话不算数。有的时候,to eat one's words可能会使自己很窘。比如说,一个人问朋友借钱,说好了一个礼拜以后还。但是,一个礼拜过了,他以为能收到的钱结果没有到,他只好去对那朋友说:
  
  例句-1: Michael, I'm really embarrassed that I have to eat my own words. The money I expected to receive last week didn't arrive. But I'm sure it's in the mail so l can pay you back before Saturday.
  
  这个人说:麦克,这回我不得不自食其言了。我真是感到非常难为情。我估计上个星期能收到一笔钱,但是没有到。不过,我肯定是在邮寄的路上。所以星期六之前我会把钱还给你的。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例子讲的是一个令人快乐的事情,虽然有人不得不承认错误。这是一个丈夫在说话:
  
  例句2: When we got married my younger brother predicted it would never last, that we weren't the right type for each other. But he's certainly had to eat his words and admit he was wrong.
  
  这个人说:我们结婚的时候,我的弟弟说,我们的婚姻长不了,因为他说我们夫妇两不相配。但是,他现在不得不收回他讲的话,承认自己是错的了。
  
  在上面我们举的两个例子里,说了话而不能兑现的人都能承认自己的错误。但是,在现实生活中也有些不负责任的人经常说了话不算数。还有的是故意讲一些话来欺骗别人,事后就不承认。这些也都能用to eat one's words来形容。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1082
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来讲一个以word这个字为主的习惯用语。From the word go. From the word go的意思是:一开始或者是马上、立即。这个习惯用语是出于赛跑。比如说,有一群孩子站成一排,准备赛跑。他们请站在旁边的一个人叫口令,让他们起跑。这个人就会给他们三个口令:Take your marks! Get set!Go!
  
  这三个口令就是:各就各位! 预备!跑! Go就是开始跑。这也就是我们要讲的这个习惯用语的意思。我们来举一个例子。这是一个老年人在回忆他和他太太第一次见面时的情景。他说:
  
  例句3: The first time we met I knew this was the only one I wanted to marry. Yes, sir, it was love from the word go. And, you know, we've been happy together almost fifty years.
  
  这个人说:我们第一次见面的时候,我就知道我要结婚就唯独是她。是的,先生,我们从一开始就互相爱上了。你知道,我们非常快乐地在一起共同生活了将近五十年。
  
  ******
  
  有关美满的婚姻的故事会使每个人高兴和羡慕。但是,有些脑子清醒的人也可以避免产生麻烦。下面就是一个人在说他自己的经历。
  
  例句4: When Mary and I met, I was dazzled. But I learned right away we had nothing in common. I knew from the word go it wouldn't work no matter how beautiful she was.
  
  这个人说:当我跟玛丽见面的时候,我顿时被她的美丽所迷住。但是,我发现我们没有什么共同之处。所以,一开始我就知道我们的关系是不行的,不管她有多漂亮。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1083
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有些词汇美国人每天都要讲,而且还可能要讲上无数遍。他们在办公室里用,在饭馆里,商店里以及其他任何场合都用这些词汇。所以有的人认为它们都成了老调,听都听腻味了。今天我们要讲的就是其中的两个。我们先来讲第一个。No problem.
  
  Problem就是有问题,有麻烦。No problem 就是:没有问题。No problem这个说法可以用在不同场合。首先,要是有人向你提出一个要求,你认为你能够,也愿意帮忙的话,你就可以说:No problem。意思就是:行,没问题。比如说,你妈妈让你在天黑以前把院子打扫乾净,你就可以回答说:No problem。我们来举一个例子吧。这是一个修汽车的人在对他的顾客说话。
  
  例句-1: You want your car back by six o'clock, right? Hey, no problem! It'll be all fixed up and ready to go, just as good as new.
  
  他说:你六点前要来拿车,是吗? 嗨,没问题。到时候,一切都会修好,就像新车一样,就等着你开走。
  
  当然,在现实生活中,你的车子可能过了三天还没有修好。美国一位研究语言的专家指出,当你听到对方说no problem的时候,有的情况下这意味着你的问题才刚刚开始。
  
  ******
  
  但是,no problem也可以用在别的场合。要是你把院子打扫得很乾净,你妈妈说:谢谢你,这时候你也能用no problem。在这里,no problem就是不要客气的意思。No problem这个习惯用语大约是三十年前开始出现的,但是现在世界各地的人都普遍地使用这个习惯用语。我们再来举一个例子看看no problem用做不要客气的时候是怎么用的。一个办公室里的电脑坏了。有一位工作人员打电话把电脑维修员请来看看有什么毛病。经过检查,这个电脑维修员说:
  
  例句2: There's no problem here except you forgot to switch on the machine.
  
  他说:这儿没问题,只是你忘了打开开关。
  
  打电话请维修员的工作人员很不好意思地说:Oh, we're so sorry, but thank you for coming.
  
  他说:哎呀,真是抱歉。不过,谢谢你啦。
  
  那个维修员说:No problem.
  
  大家要注意,第一句话里的no problem是真正的没问题,就是说这个电脑没有毛病。最后他说的 no problem 是不用客气的意思。
  
  ******
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1084
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

另外一个用得非常多的习惯用语是:Have a nice day! Have a nice day从字面上来解释,它的意思就是:有一个好的日子,但是实际上,have a nice day就是祝你今天过的快乐。这句话往往是人们在分手的时候说的,因此它也是再见的意思。这句话是三十年前那些开大卡车的司机通过无线电互相进行对话时说的。可是,现在,have a nice day已经成为每个人说的话,不管在那里,商店、办公室、马路上,人们在向对方很友好地告别的时候就会说:have a nice day。
  
  大多数美国人对别人都很友好,即便互相不认识,他们也会对别人打个招呼。有的时候在电梯里相互说个早上好,分手的时候说一声: have a nice day。我们来举一个例子。这是一个人开车时候超速被警察扣住。警察给了他一张罚款单,但是,最后还是很友好地向他告别。这个警察说:
  
  例句3: Sorry, Sir - you were going 80 miles an hour so I have to give you this ticket. Send your 100 Dollars to court within 10 days or you'll be in trouble. Now, have a nice day!
  
  这个警察说:对不起,先生,你刚才的车速是一小时八十英里,所以我不得不给你一张罚款单。你在十天内寄一百美元去法庭,否则你会有麻烦的。好,祝你今天愉快。
  
  美国高速公路的车速一般是每小时五十英里。被罚款一百美元不是一个小数字。这一天要过的愉快恐怕不容易。但是,警察最后说一句have a nice day是一种礼貌,并非虚伪。
  
  ******
  
  下面这个例子是一个人在对他的邻居讲话。这个人一早到门口去拿报纸,看见邻居的太太拿了公事包去上班。这个人对这位太太说:
  
  例句4: Hi, Joan! You're leaving so early for your office? Well, I guess it's the only way to beat the traffic. Anyhow, have a nice day!
  
  这个人说:嗨,琼! 你那末早就去上班啦? 是啊,我想这是避免车辆拥挤的唯一办法。祝你今天愉快!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1085
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国,讲笑话的市场很大。在笑话界也出了一些习惯用语。这些习惯用语也逐渐渗入一般人的日常生活用语。幽默是美国人生活当中的一个重要部份。也正因为如此,有很多人专门从事逗人笑的这个行业。
  
  有的像中国的相声演员那样站在舞台上讲笑话,但是他们往往是单口相声,没有搭档的。美国电视上不断有连续性的闹剧。新闻记者也拿日常生活中发生的事来开玩笑。还有报纸上充满笑话的漫画。当然,美国还有世界闻名的讲笑话演员。其中之一就是鲍勃.霍普。他的专长就是讲简短的一句话来逗观众发笑。
  
  这就是我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语的意思。One-liner. One就是一,二,三的一,liner这个字是来自line,也就是一条线,或者是一行字,也可以说是一句话。One-liner,就是在line后面加上字母r。这就是指说一句话的人。从讲笑话的角度出发,one-liner就是讲很短的笑话。有的讲笑话的演员讲很长的笑话,但是one-liner是连续讲很短的笑话。
  
  实际上,说简短笑话已经超越了文艺界的范围。下面就是一个例子。这是一个人在讲美国的政界人士。
  
  例句-1: Some important politicians and businessmen keep a man on their staff just to write one-liners for them. They like to have a few one-liners handy any time they have to make a speech.
  
  这人说:政治界和商业界一些重要人物在他们的工作人员当中有一个专门为他们写简短笑话的人。每当他们要讲演的时候,他们总喜欢有几个现成的简短的笑话。
  
  美国人在发表讲话的时候总喜欢挟几个笑话,特别是在开始的时候。这大概是为了使气氛轻松一些,和吸引听众注意力的原因。
  
  ******
  
  下面的例子是一个人刚到外地去发表讲演后回到家里。他马上打电话给他的朋友,对这位朋友以前送给他的一本书表示感谢。
  
  例句2: Debby, thank you so much for the book on American humor you gave me. I checked the book on my flight to Boston and found two perfect one-liners for my speech. And they really warmed up the crowd for what I had to say.
  
  这个人说:戴比,非常感谢你给我的那本关于美国幽默的书。我在飞往波士顿的路上看了一下这本书,为我发表讲话找到了两个非常好的短短的笑话。这两个笑话真是为我的讲话在听众当中制造了很热烈的气氛。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1086
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

讲笑话的时候一般都得有一句关键的使人发笑的话。这句关键的话就是我们要讲的第二个习惯用语。Punch line. Punch这个字的意思是:用力地打,猛击一下。Line在这里就是指一句话。Punch line就是在讲笑话的时候用的一句关键性的话。它能点中要处,使人发笑。要是一个笑话没有这么一句关键性的话,那这个笑话也就成不了笑话。
  
  一位专家认为,punch line这个说法是来自拳击运动,punch就是用拳头打对方。A punch line不是真正用拳头打你的下巴,而是用这句话使你发笑。下面我们来举一个例子。
  
  例句3: I wish somebody would tell Joe that he shouldn’t try to tell those long jokes. They're so long that half the time he forgets the punch line and people just don't laugh.
  
  这句话的意思是:我希望谁能跟乔讲一下,他最好不要讲那种很长的笑话。那些笑话那末长,他经常忘了笑话里那关键性的话。听众根本就没有笑。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来举一个关于punch line的例子。这是一个人在说他的儿子。
  
  例句4: I don't know how to tell my son Jack he simply has no talent as a comedian. For one thing he always laughs at his own joke before he gets to the punch line. Which means nobody laughs at the end of the job.
  
  这个做父亲的说:我的儿子杰克根本没有做一个相声演员的才能,可是我真是不知怎么样去告诉他。比如说,他总是在还没有讲到那句关键的话之前自己就笑了。那就是说,当他讲完笑话的时候没有人笑。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1087
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第1课
  
  Y: 各位听众好, 我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello everyone, my name is Jody ! And welcome to American Cafe! American Cafe is a place where you can improve your spoken English by meeting people who actually live and work in the United States. You're going to learn a lot more than English. I promise.
  
  Y: 没错, 我们这个节目非常丰富多采。您在这里不但可以学到地道的美国英语,还可以认识很多的美国人。
  
  J: For today, Yang Chen and I spent our Sunday visiting a famous Washington D.C. hangout that's been a success here since 1976. It's called Kramer's Books & Afterwards Cafe.
  
  Y: 对,在今天的节目中,我们要带您到一个非常有意思的地方。这里是华盛顿当地的居民非常喜欢的一个hangout, 等一下我们要解释这个词。
  
  J: It's a combination of a cafe, a bookstore, a restaurant and a bar.
  
  Y: 这个地方是1976年开业的。它不仅是一个书店,还是一个咖啡馆和餐厅。
  
  J: Great! Let's introduce Mark who has been working at Kramer's for 20 years.
  
  实录1: Mark: It was ... in 1976 when they opened it, it was a unique idea combining a restaurant, bar with a bookstore.
  
  Y: 我想在这里我们用hangout来形容Kramer's是再合适不过了。我们俩在这里真的是渡过了一个很愉快的下午,又买书,又吃,非常非常的放松。这也就是人们到咖啡馆的目的吧。
  
  J: Exactly. And that's exactly what a customer named Peter explained why people come to Kramer's and why it's such a popular destination.
  
  实录2: Peter: It's a great meeting place. It's a very diverse bookstore. And it's just a good place to come. Um, this bookstore has been here a long time, I don't know what long is, maybe 20 years or so. It's always been successful. It's always been lively. It's in a very lively part of town, probably the most cosmopolitan part of Washington.
  
  Y: 这个Peter有点儿英国口音。不过他已经在Washington住了三十多年, 我们可以说他是地道的Washington 人。
  
  J: I think 30 years makes you a resident of the District.
  
  Y: 对, 如果Jody你要是到北京住三十年,我也可以说你是地地道道的北京人。
  
  J: 好,谢谢您。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1088
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Y: 我们没有问Peter是做什么的,不过我觉得听他说话好象是一位教授。你看他用的这些词都很好。他用了一个“Cosmopolitan."
  
  J: I really like that word. "Cosmopolitan." You're hip. You're with it. Modern. Urban.
  
  Y: "Cosmopolitan" 这个词有世界性的,见过世面的这些意思。 我们可以说在中国,北京了,上海了,这些城市都非常cosmopolitan.
  
  J: I think D.C., Washington D.C. the nation's capital, is a very cosmopolitan city. You know, Mark mentioned a good word that I would like to go back to for a minute.
  
  实录3: Mark: Location, Location, location. Dupont Circle is a pedestrian neighborhood. There are people walking on the streets from early in morning 'til the middle of the night. And we're the kind of place where you stop in and browse for books, stop in and have a cocktail. It's just an easy, fun place to go.
  
  Y: 我觉得Mark很有生意头脑。他说Kramer's为什么这么成功,首先是它的地区。这一带叫Dupont Circle,是华盛顿非常繁华的一个地区,有很多年轻人住在这里。
  
  J: It's not only the young people who make it successful. It's that diversity of the clientele. Where all different types of people come in ... professors or diplomats, famous authors. Everybody stops in Kramer's. It's kind of a joke. When someone says what are three things important for the success of a business. The answer is "Location, location, location."
  
  Y: 一定要说三次。
  
  J: So I thought we would include that. It's kind of a funny expression in English.
  
  Y: 对,如果你选对了地方的话,即使你不会经营,它可能也会财源滚滚。
  
  J: Right, right. So both Mark, who is the employee and Peter, who is the frequent customer of the bookstore, - both of them talked about the importance of having a diverse and cosmopolitan clientele for success.
  
  Y: Peter是位顾客,那我们就从一个顾客的角度来听听为什么Kramer's这么受欢迎。
  
  实录4: Peter: Where you locate a bookstore is really absolutely critical. There is a cosmopolitan crowd around this area. If you stuck this in the middle of the country it would be a total failure.
  
  Y: Jody, 时间过得好快,五分钟马上就要到了。
  
  J: I know. It went so fast.
  
  Y: 我知道。用五分钟来谈论咖啡文化到底对美国人意味着什么显然是不够的。
  
  J: Really five minutes is not enough time. So, I think everyone should join us again for another program of American Cafe.
  
  Y: 那么希望下次节目和您再见。
  
  J: Come on Yang Chen, let's go hang out over a cup of coffee!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1089
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第2课
  
  J: Hello, I'm Jody!
  
  Y: 大家好, 我是杨晨!
  
  J: And welcome to American Cafe.
  
  Y: 欢迎您到美语咖啡屋.
  
  Enter pipe band music
  
  Y: Jody, 今天的这个音乐, 我怎么觉得怎么熟悉啊 ?
  
  J: Today I thought we would introduce Margaret Peng, the Chinese-American woman we met who does something quite uncommon. She's a drummer in a Scottish pipe band. Yang Chen, how cool is that!?
  
  Y: 你说得没错,我对她的印象特别的深. 这个女孩儿叫Margaret Peng, 是一位华裔,是华盛顿苏格兰风笛乐队的队员之一。在这种乐队里华人并不多见。那么,作为一个华裔,她是怎么迷上这种音乐的呢?我们来看看她是怎么说的:
  
  实录1: Margaret Peng: I'm a tenor drummer in the pipe band and I started playing in high school. Eh... I had a friend who was in the bagpipe band in high school. That what she played. She said: "Come on join it with me, join it." So I did it and I didn't think I'd keep doing it but I am (laughs).
  
  J: How many years now?
  
  MP: I've been in this band I've been in for 12, 12 years. Right.
  
  Y: Margaret刚才说她是在高中就加入了乐队一直到现在她练了十二年了,很长时间。
  
  J: 12 years! Wow.
  
  Y: 真的很不简单。 她加入乐队的原因其实很简单。 她当时她有一个朋友在乐队里吹bagpipe 的, 就问她, 你参加不参加? 她说好啊,就是那么简单.
  
  J: That's simple. She was in high school and a friend told her to come join the band.
  
  Y: 没错,没错。她在乐队里是鼓手。
  
  J: Yang Chen, I was so impressed when we saw Margaret Peng twirling her mallets in the air! It's like she was dancing! Really beautiful. She explained to me that the mallets are actually the sticks you use to bang the drum.
  
  Y: 对,“mallet”就是敲鼓用的鼓槌,或者小音槌。当时如果你能看到Margaret Peng挥舞小音槌的姿势,你会觉得她非常优美,简直就象跳舞一样。
  
  J: The music of the Scottish pipe band is so bizarre, isn't it?
  
  Y: Bizarre?
  
  J: You know, 奇怪。
  
  Y: 我想在这里可能说它奇特更合适吧。
  
  J: Oh, 不是奇怪的意思?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1090
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Y: "Bizarre"当然有奇怪的意思,不过这里说奇特更合适一些,因为这个音乐还是很好听的。
  
  J: I don't think anything sounds quite like the music of Scotland. And especially the bagpipes. While the drums are familiar, Yang Chen, to many cultures, I don't think the bagpipes are.
  
  实录2: Margaret Peng: It takes a lot of time. It's very difficult. There's a bag that you inflate with a blowpipe in your mouth. And you inflate the bag and every time you blow then you squeeze after you finish blowing. And you have to keep the pressure constant to keep that drone sounds. And then you have to play and then you have to walk. So there's a lot of things going on at the same time.
  
  Y: 说起来这种乐器的名字里面有个“笛”,风笛。其实它比中国笛子或长笛相比要大得多,看上去也很重。
  
  J: They have to carry all their instruments as they are marching.
  
  Y: Margaret刚才提到吹奏风笛有一种“drone sound”。我想要让听众更好地了解这种声音,还是让他们听一段音乐。
  
  J: Of course that's the best way. Let's play a droning bagpipe.
  
  Enter bagpipe music.
  
  J: I mean, picture this, Yang Chen. A group of musicians, men and women, dressed in the same very formal Scottish costume with kilt, you know a skirt, and carrying their instruments as they parade around.
  
  Y: 大家可以想象一下,一群人带着自豪感,昂首阔步地前进。我还记得Margaret当时给我的印象很深,她很威风,对不起?
  
  J: Exactly.
  
  Y: 苏格兰男子身上穿的这种花格裙是苏格兰特有的一种服饰。这种裙子的正确说法是 "kilt," 而不是 "skirt."
  
  J: You're right Yang Chen, the word is "kilt." K-I-L-T. I think Margaret gave a good explanation of the origin of Scottish pipe band music.
  
  实录3: Margaret Peng: And bagpipes are the traditional Scottish instruments used in time of war to help signal whether they were going to retreat or whether they were going to attack.
  
  Y: 原来在古代的苏格兰,人们用吹奏bagpipe来向军队发出信号,告诉他们应该进攻还是撤退。 最后我们来欣赏一段传统的苏格兰音乐。Jody,你知道吗,这段音乐是我的一个朋友演奏的。
  
  J: Oh, that's wonderful. And actually that's the end of our show today. So, thank you for stopping in to American Cafe.
  
  Y: 再见!
  
  J: See ya!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1091
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们来讲两个以fast这个字为主的习惯用语。Fast这个字有几个解释。这次节目就可以说明这一点。但是,fast这个字最普遍的意思是:快。我们先来讲第一个习惯用语。To play fast and loose. 从字面上来解释,to play就是:玩,fast就是:快,loose用在这里,它的意思就是:轻率的,不介意的。
  
  要是说一个人play fast and loose,那这个人就是不负责任的,靠不住的,因为他对周围的人毫不关心。要是信任这样的人那就是大错特错了。To play fast and loose这个习惯用语往往用在男女之情方面。比如说,谈恋爱的一方对对方并不十分真诚,而只是想利用对方。这种情况就可以说是to play fast and loose。下面就是一个例子:
  
  例句-1: I feel sorry for Mary - Jim has been playing fast and loose with her affections too long. Why doesn't she make up her mind once and for all, and just get rid of the man?
  
  这句话的意思是:我真是替玛丽感到难受,因为吉姆长期来对她的感情毫不介意。她干嘛不乾脆下定决心和他分手算了?
  
  ******
  
  To play fast and loose这个习惯用语并不局限于描写男女之间的感情。它还可以用来指那些不择手段利用别人的人。下面这个例子是一个人在谈论某个高级官员的弟弟。
  
  例句2: Gary played fast and loose with his brother's high office, raking in bribes from people who wanted favors from the government. It's a good thing the FBI finally caught him!
  
  这个人说:加里利用他哥哥高级官员的地位,从那些想要政府给他们好处的人那里搜刮钱财。最后他被联邦调查局抓住。这倒还真是不错。
  
  从这个例子我们可以看到,虽然这个人的哥哥是一个高级官员,但是只要罪证确凿联邦调查局还是把他抓住,他哥哥也保护不了他。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1092
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

好,现在我们来给大家讲解第二个以fast这个字为主的习惯用语。Hard and Fast. Hard and fast是指一个很严格的规则,或者是在任何情况下也不能改变的行动方针。Hard and fast这个习惯用语最初是形容一艘脱离了水的船。船有的时候是因为碰到了石块,有的时候是为了维修而被停泊到干的船坞里而脱离了水。大家都知道,fast这个字一般是指行动得很快。而这里的意思是停在一个地方动不了了,意思恰巧相反。这就是学英语的困难之处。一个字有不同的解释。Fast 这个字要是跟friend这个字合在一起那就成了fast friend,意思是非常要好的朋友。不管怎么样,大约一百年前,hard and fast这个习惯用语刚开始出现的时候,它是指一个严格的政策,或者是一个严格执行的规则。
  
  下面是一个例子,说话的是一个孩子,他似乎对他父母做出的规定不太满意。他说:
  
  例句3: At our house there's a hard and fast rule against us kids hanging out downtown late at night. We all have to be home by ten o'clock. And no exceptions, either!
  
  说话的显然是一个孩子。他说:对于我们这些孩子们晚上在市区里和朋友一起玩,我们家有一条不可动摇的规则。我们都得在晚上十点以前回到家里,而且还没有任何例外!
  
  ******
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子。这是讲在某个国家里发生的事。听说,在那个国家,家长有的时候可以给老师钱来提高自己孩子的分数。后来,学校当局了解到这个情况后就采取了行动。下面是一个人在谈论这件事。
  
  例句4: That country now has a hard and fast rule against a teacher taking money to raise a student's grade. It's not only dishonest but it's unfair to all the other students in the class.
  
  这个人说:那个国家现在有一个严格的规定,禁止老师接受钱来提高一个学生的分数。那样做不仅是不诚实的行为,而且对班上的其他学生来说也是不公平的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1093
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语里都是以sit这个字作为关键的字。我们现在先来讲第一个习惯用语。Sitting pretty. 大家都知道,sit是一个动词,意思就是坐下。Sitting就是 to sit这个动词的现在进行式;pretty 就是好看,漂亮。但是,sitting pretty作为一个习惯用语,它的意思并不是具体地说一个人坐在那里很漂亮。Sitting pretty作为习惯用语的真正含义就是一个人处于优势的地位;每各个方面的条件都对他有利。
  
  这个说法是从二十年代开始的,当时有一首流行歌曲。名字叫:"I'm sitting pretty in a pretty little city."
  
  这个歌名的意思是:※我在一个漂亮的小城市里过得很好。§ Sitting pretty这个习惯用语可以用在生活的许多方面。比如说:你的朋友找工作找了很久,最后他找到了一个工资很高,而且也很稳定的工作。这时,你就可以说你的朋友终于sitting pretty。在美国,联邦政府雇员的工作长期以来一直比其他工作更为稳定。但是,现在美国政府要进行改革,这使得政府雇员很担心。下面说话的人就是在告诉我们为什么他们要担心。
  
  例句-1: Federal workers thought they were sitting pretty until the White House announced its plans for reform. The plan calls for cutting a quarter million jobs so now people are worried.
  
  这个人说:在白宫宣布改革政府的计划前,联邦政府雇员一直认为他们的处境很优越。改革计划要求裁减二十五万个职工,所以人们现在都很担心。
  
  ******
  
  做生意的人都要面临很多竞争。下面这个例子是在说一个开干洗商店的李先生。
  
  例句2: Mister Lee is really sitting pretty now - the other dry cleaner down the block sold out to an oriental grocery store, which means he now has no competition for two miles around.
  
  这个人说:李先生现在的处境很好。这条街那边的干洗商店已经卖给一家出售东方食品的杂货店。这就是说,现在李先生的商店在两英哩的范围内没有人跟他竞争。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1094
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲第二个习惯用语。To sit tight. Tight这个字有很多解释。最普遍的意思就是:很紧的,或者是很紧密的。To sit tight这个习惯用语的意思是:不要采取任何行动,要耐心等待。有的语言专家认为,to sit tight这个说法是来自扑克牌游戏。有的时候,一个参加游戏的人可以继续参加游戏,但是放弃叫牌的机会。我们来举一个例子。有一个人很久以前在某个地方有个女朋友,叫玛丽。现在,过了很多年,这个人回来看玛丽。下面是一个朋友在对这个人说话。
  
  例句3: Now just sit tight and wait: Mary'll be here in a minute. I can't wait to see her reaction when she sees you - she'll be so surprised and happy she may cry.
  
  这人说:你现在就耐心地等着。玛丽马上就会到的。我真是迫不及待地想看看她在见到你的时候有什么反应。她一定会非常惊奇和高兴,也许她还会流眼泪呢!
  
  ******
  
  我们要举的第二个例子是讲第二次世界大战期间一个犹太女孩家里发生的事。这个女孩的名字叫安.弗兰克。安.弗兰克和她的父母为了躲避德国纳粹分子的搜捕躲在一个地方躲了好几年。五十年代,电影公司根据安.弗兰克的日记拍了一部电影,描述德国纳粹分子如何残酷地迫害犹太人的。这部电影震动了世界各国的观众。下面是一个人在谈他的观感。
  
  例句4: Remember that scene when she had to sit tight in the attic while German soldiers searched the house downstairs? I was holding my breath hoping they wouldn'0t find her hiding place.
  
  这人说:有一个镜头是当德国兵在楼下到处搜寻的时候,她在阁楼里紧张地等着。记得这个镜头吗?我当时憋住了呼吸,希望他们找不到她躲藏的地方。
  
  我得告诉大家,这个故事是一个悲剧。安.弗兰克和她的父母最后被捕,后来在德国集中营里死去。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1095
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第3课
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe.
  
  Y: 各位听众好, 欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: You know, Christmas is just around the corner and I am already starting to feel Christmas all around me.
  
  Y: 你是说商店里现在挤满了抢购礼物的人,还有电视上不停地在播放圣诞节的广告,对不对?
  
  J: No, no! I ignore all of that stuff. No, what I mean, is I'm starting to hear and smell Christmas. OK, Close your eyes, Yang Chen, and think about Christmas and tell me what you hear and smell.
  
  (Silence. Long pause)
  
  J: Yang Chen? Yang Chen, anything yet? You know people are waiting.
  
  Y: 哎呀,你等一等。我正在竖着耳朵听呢,还得使劲闻一闻。你不是说要我闭着眼睛寻找感觉吗?,我找到了。 在一个美丽的夜晚,星星在闪耀,我站在雪地里,听到了雪橇那悦耳的声音。对,就是这种感觉,你觉得怎么样?
  
  J: That's okay. But I was thinking more like ... chainsaws.
  
  Y: Chainsaws? 啊呀,你真是扫我的兴啊。原来你说的声音是电动锯的声音。太不浪漫了。
  
  J: Well, I know it's not romantic, but I love the sound of a chainsaw and the smell of a pine tree being cut. The Christmas tree tradition is one of the best things about Christmas.
  
  Y: 对。真正的圣诞树用的是松树?
  
  J: Right, pine tree.
  
  Y: 那人们是不是要到森林里去砍树呢?
  
  J: Oh, no no-no. You don't go to a forest to cut down your Christmas tree. There are Christmas tree farms.
  
  Y: 哦, 原来有Christmas tree farms。这还不错,用不着去破坏森林。说道这里,我倒是好象真的闻到了松树的味道了。
  
  J: Oh, that's me.
  
  Y: 你用了什么香水?
  
  J: Not perfume! I have just come from a Christmas tree sale in my neighborhood.
  
  Y: 有意思吗?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1096
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: I did. And it was wonderfully entertaining. The elementary school held a Christmas tree sale to raise money. And there I met a woman named Ann, who is not only the organizer of the sale but she is also very active in the elementary school with the Parent Teacher Association, also known as the PTA.
  
  Y: 好啊,那我们就听听组织者Ann都说了些什么。
  
  实录1: Ann: We have from Charlie Brown trees to big beautiful balsam firs And we have a range of prices. And we do this to support the school PTA and it pays for supplies and trips and things like that for the children. And, um, so we do it two days over the weekend, Saturday and Sunday, and hopefully raise some money. And also just build a lot of good feelings about the school inside the community.
  
  Y: Ann刚才说的 PTA 就是老师和家长联合组成的协会。原来他们举办圣诞树销售活动是为了协会筹款,另外还可以增强学校和社区的感情。
  
  J: Right. And it really does spread community feelings in the neighborhood. That's what Christmas is all about!
  
  (Enter Music "O Tannenbaum" from Cyrus Chestnut's A Charlie Brown Christmas)
  
  Y: Ann 刚才提到Charlie Brown。 我们都知道Charlie Brown是著名的花生漫画系列里的人物。
  
  J: Again, here's Ann.
  
  实录2: Ann: Well, Charlie Brown, the cartoon character, always had a very small little sad-looking tree that nobody wanted, but he took it home and was very happy with it. So we always have some people that come and look for a Charlie Brown tree.
  
  Y: Ann 刚才说的多好啊,一棵瘦小的圣诞树在可怜巴巴地等待着有人把它带回家。
  
  J: The holiday cartoons with Charlie Brown and Snoopy and the rest of the Peanuts gang are really an important part of Christmas for almost all children in the United States. Well, not just children. because every year I watch the Charlie Brown Christmas Special.
  
  Y: 你要借给我看一看。
  
  J: I will, I will give it you. You and your family will love it. And truly Charlie Brown fell in love with a small, scrawny, little lonely Christmas tree that nobody wanted. And took it home and he gave it love. And it turned out to be a perfect Christmas tree.
  
  Y: 没错。Charlie Brown过圣诞是一个非常经典的故事,大人小孩都喜欢。Jody,你知道吗,我们家那棵圣诞树又小有不太好看,而且是塑料的,用了好几年。我今年本来打算把它扔了,可是我女儿不让我扔。我想她可能对这棵树非常有感情。不过今天听你解释了Charlie Brown Christmas tree,我想要是下次有人再笑话我们家的树太小太难看的话,我就可以告诉他这棵树可是典型的Charlie Brown Christmas tree。
  
  J: Of course, you tell them you have a Charlie Brown Christmas tree, Yang Chen!
  
  Y: 没错。我可以向别人炫耀我有棵Charlie Brown Christmas tree。
  
  J: Thanks for tuning into American Cafe. Okay, see you again!
  
  Y: 谢谢大家到我们的美语咖啡屋。好,我们下次再见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1097
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第4课
  
  Y: 各位听众好。我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。在今天的节目中...。 哎,我们的另外一位节目主持人,Jody, 还没来哪。Oh, Jody... 别担心,别担心, 她来了...。
  
  ( Door closing. Bags rustling.)
  
  J: Yang Chen, I'm so sorry I'm late. Has the program started yet?
  
  Y: 当然已经开始啦。
  
  J: Oh, I'm so sorry everyone. Hello everyone! Welcome to American Cafe. My apologies.
  
  Y: 你怎么今天迟到了?
  
  J: Just go ahead without me. I'm going to get my bags...
  
  (Sound of rustling bags.)
  
  Y: Jody 你干吗呢? 能不能集中点精神? ... 啊?! 你竟然去逛街去了?
  
  J: Shopping? No, no, no. I was not shopping.
  
  Y: 那这些购物袋是怎么回事儿呢?
  
  J: What bags? Oh, these bags? Right, You see, Yang Chen, I was doing research.
  
  Y: 作研究, 做什么研究啊?
  
  J: Research on ... buying and selling.
  
  Y: 啊哈,作市场调查。那还不是和逛街差不多。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1098
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: Okay, I may have done a little shopping. But I just wanted to get in the mood. Because I thought shopping is such a popular pastime for Americans, we could do a show on shopping. What do you think?
  
  Y: 我知道美国人,特别是女士们周末喜欢逛街。我也很喜欢啊。你下次再作市场调查可要叫我和你一快去啊。
  
  J: Oh, absolutely! Actually for today's show I thought we could talk about a special type of store that I've always wanted to know more about, a consignment store!
  
  Y: Consignment store? 哎, 咱俩那天在Dupont Circle路过的那家店就是一家consignment store,对不对?
  
  J: The one and the same! It's called Secondi Consignment Store. And when I went back, I spoke with Molly, an employee there, who helped me understand exactly how a consignment store operates.
  
  Y: 我们来听听Molly怎么解释consignment store是什么意思。
  
  实录1 Molly: A consignment store is a store where people own the items that the store sells for them on their behalf. The original owner of the items is only paid once the items are sold on the store.
  
  Y: 这种商店在中文里应该叫寄售商店。
  
  J: Let's listen to Molly again as she talks more about how a consignment store operates.
  
  实录2 Molly: The consigner comes in. One of the managers goes through the items and tells the consigner "Yes, we can sell it" or "No, we can't." "Here's what we think we can sell it for" pricewise. And then the consigner gets 50 percent of that price.
  
  Y: Molly 刚才提到的"consigner"... right?
  
  J: Consigner. Correct.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1099
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Y: ... 就是委托他们出售商品的客户。一般来说,客户拿东西到她们商店来,有一位专门负责收购的经理决定哪些她们能卖出去,哪些她们不愿意卖。然后和客户商订价钱,商店会得到售价的50%。
  
  J: Wow, Yang Chen, you summed that up really well. A consigner is the person who brings the clothes in that they want the store, the consignment store, to sell for them. So a consignment is just like being a distributor. You know, a slang word for distributor is "middle man." And you say "middle man" even if it's a woman.
  
  Y: , 在中文里呢, "middle man"应该就是"中间人" 或者"经纪人"的意思。
  
  J: Oh, hey, Yang Chen, also at Secondi they have a great system that keeps the inventory fresh.
  
  Y: 这家商店,就是Secondi这家商店,那么他们怎么避免货品的积压呢?我们再让Molly解释一下。
  
  实录3 Molly: After the first month the clothing goes down 20 %, and after the second month it goes down 40%, and after the third month if it's still here, the contract that we have with the consigner is just that we can donate it automatically for them.
  
  Y: 噢,原来她们的货物第一月没卖出去就降价20%,两个月卖不出去就降40%,三个月还卖不出去就要捐出去了。听 Molly 怎么一说,如果我们每天去这家商店,那每天都能看到她们的货架上有新的东西。
  
  J: Oh, they have some really great items there. Some were way out of my price range. Too expensive!
  
  Y: 我知道,你说的 "well out of my price range"就是对我来说价钱太贵了,买不起。
  
  J: But look at my new jeans! $28 and they still had the tag on them!
  
  Y: 才28美元?太值了!好了,各位听众,您今天了解了美国的consignment store,不知道您有什么感想呢?我觉得,我真是一种很不错的消费方法,以低于零售商店的价格买到名牌衣服。这简直就是每个女士的梦想。哎,Jody, 咱们现在就去吧!
  
  J: Thanks for tuning to American Cafe. Come on, Yang Chen, lets go!
  
  Y: 谢谢您收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次再见。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1100
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们再给大家介绍两个以sit这个字为主的习惯用语。大家都知道,sit就是坐。虽然我们要讲的两个习惯用语都以sit这个字为主,但是它们坐的地方却很不同。
  
  现在我们先来讲第一个习惯用语。To sit on one's hands. 要是按字面的意思直接翻译的话,to sit on one's hands就是某人坐在手上。但是,我们现在讲的是习惯用语,to sit on one's hands具有更深的意思。To sit on one's hands这个俗语是出自文艺界。去看戏,或去参加音乐会的观众往往会用鼓掌的方式来对台上的表演表示赞许和欣赏。可是,要是演出的水平太低的话,观众就会sit on their hands - 不鼓掌。现在,to sit on one's hands这个常用语已经不局限于文艺界了。它可以用在其他方面,意思是表示不喜欢,不欣赏。我们来举一个例子吧。
  
  这是一个唱流行歌曲的歌星在说话。他刚结束了当天的演出,对于观众没有为他鼓掌而感到很不高兴。他说:
  
  例句-1: Man, that's sure a tough audience out there tonight! I thought I sounded great but the audience really sat on their hands - I tell you I never want to come back to this lousy place!
  
  这个歌星说:好家伙,今天晚上的听众可真是很难讨好呀。我觉得我自己唱得非常好,但是观众们却毫无反应,不鼓掌。我告诉你,我以后再也不要到这个倒霉地方来了!
  
  看来,这个演员肯定是自我感觉良好。观众是很公平的,要是他们都不鼓掌,那很有可能就是演出水平太低。
  
  ******
  
  有的时候,to sit on one's hands也可以指某个人不马上同意,或参加一个活动,其原因倒不一定是他不喜欢,而是有其他原因。我们来举一个例子。这是一个学校里的一个学生在说话。他在说他请一位叫Emily的老师帮助学生组织戏剧俱乐部的经历。他说:
  
  例句2: Emily loved the idea, but she sat on her hands for two weeks. I finally realized we should have asked her to be the director. We did, and now she's working harder for the club than anybody else.
  
  这个人说:埃米很喜欢这个想法,但是她拖了两个星期,没有做出反应。后来,我终于意识到,我们应该请她当导演。结果,我们确实请她当了导演。现在她非常努力地为俱乐部工作,没有任何人能比得过她。
  
  这是一个很好的例子。这个例子说明埃米之所以拖拉,也就是to sit on her hands,不是由于她不愿意成立俱乐部,而是为了自己想当导演。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1101
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们现在来讲第二个以sit这个字为主的习惯用语。To sit on the fence. Fence就是篱笆,to sit on the fence按字面来解释,它的含意就是坐在篱笆上。但是,作为一个习惯用语,to sit on the fence就是左右不定。To sit on the fence这个说法十九世纪初就开始出现了。那个时候,to sit on the fence是指一个人在政治上既不支持共和党,也不支持民主党;也就是保持中立。
  
  现在,to sit on the fence可以更广泛地使用。凡是一个人没有做出决定,或者在某一个问题上没有采取立场,都可以用to sit on the fence来形容。下面是一个人在说一个名字叫杰克的中学生。
  
  例句3: Jack sat on the fence for weeks before he made up his mind to go out for baseball instead of track. A good choice for the school: he turns out to be the best player on the team.
  
  这个人说:杰克犹豫了两个星期,最后决定放弃田径,去打篮球。这对学校来说是一个很好的选择,因为他后来成为学校篮球队中最好的球员。
  
  ******
  
  下面我们再来举一个例子,这次我们又回来谈政治了。说话的人已经决定在国会议员的选举中投在职议员一票,但是他的太太还没有做出决定。这位丈夫说:
  
  例句4: I've decided to vote for the man already in office. But Sally is still sitting on the fence. Maybe she'll vote for the independent candidate. We'll just have to wait and see.
  
  他说:我已经决定投那个已经在职的议员一票。但是,沙利到现在还没有做出决定。也许她会投那个独立候选人的票。我们只能等着瞧了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1102
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语里都有一个关键的单词:fast。我们要讲的第一个习惯用语是:Life in the fast lane. 我想大家都知道fast这个词的意思是“快”,那么lane这个词是什么意思呢?一定有不少人会说这个词解释“小路”,“巷子”。对,但是fast lane的意思却是公路上的快车道。
  
  上过高速公路的人都知道,最左边的那条车道是快车道。在这条车道上行驶你能超过别的车道上的车辆而遥遥领先,但是你也必须一刻不停地高速前进,否则后面的千军万马就会冲你而来。那么life in the fast lane是什么意思呢?请大家好好听下面这段话,说的是一个叫 Tom的年青人,请你边听边体会life in the fast lane究竟是什么意思?
  
  例句-1: Tom is a hotel manager. He works 60 hours a week, but he's always flying to Hong Kong, Tokyo or New York and enjoys life in the fast lane.
  
  一定有不少听众朋友已经明白fast lane是个比喻,用在这儿并不就指快车道,而是指竞争激烈、忙碌而快节奏的生活方式。
  
  ******
  
  有些人似乎生来就适应这种快节奏的生活。他们不在乎繁忙的工作和巨大的压力。Tom 就是这样一个小伙子。但是还有些人却觉得这样的生活尽管充满刺激也能赚大钱,却也令人精疲力尽。好,我们来听听有关Bill的一段话吧。听的时候还是请您注意life in the fast lane这个习惯用语:
  
  例句2: Bill used to enjoy life in the fast lane in New York, but his family didn't. Now he's happier living a quiet life in a small town with his wife and two kids

这回你都听清楚了吧。说的是Bill原来喜欢纽约那种快速紧张的大都市生活,但是他家人却受不了了。于是他现在跟太太还有两个孩子在小城里安安静静地、舒舒服服地过日子。 life in the fast lane这个习惯用语还有另外一个说法,意思完全一样: life on a fast track。在这个短语里,track这个词原意也是快车道。当然它也可以用来比喻快速紧张的生活。比方说美国前总统尼克松曾经这样评论纽约市:
  
  例句3: It's a place where you can't slow down - a fast track.
  
  他说:“在纽约那样的地方你可不能松懈,这是一个马不停蹄的地方。”
  
  我想各位不论是不是住在大城市,都想象得出纽约市那种简直没有喘息余地的生活节奏。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1103
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲第二个习惯用语。Go nowhere fast。你们一定发现nowhere这个词是由no和where两个词组成的,所以Go nowhere意思当然是“哪儿都不去”。而fast这个词的意思是“快”。那么整个短语似乎是前后矛盾的。哪儿都不去又怎么会快呢?那就让我们来听一个例子吧。这是被一道几何题难住的人说的话。请你边听边好好想想这个习惯用语的含义。我要给你一个提示:Go nowhere fast也是一种比喻的说法。好,请你仔细听:
  
  例句4: I've been working on this problem all evening and I'm going nowhere fast! Could you help me out, because I just don't know how to do it.
  
  大家都听清楚了吧?显然go nowhere fast意思是费了九牛二虎之力去做一件事,却一无进展。比方说刚才那个人说:“我一晚上都在绞尽脑汁地解那道几何题,却一无进展,你帮帮我好吗?因为我实在不知道怎么解这道题。”
  
  ******
  
  好,我们再听一个例子。这是在评论一部小说里的人物。他们都背上了家庭历史的包袱。这儿有几个可能是陌生的词和词组:Burden, Burden解释重担。还有一个词组,family history,大家都知道family 这个词,是“家庭”“家族”,history是历史,family history就是家史。好,我们现在一起来听下面这段话。请你注意里面的习惯用语:go nowhere fast。
  
  例句5: Those people in the novel are going nowhere fast. They bear burdens of their family history and are never able to solve any of their problems.
  
  这段话讲的是,这本小说里的人物背上了家庭背景的沉重压力,束手束脚、固步自封,一直没能解决自己面临的问题。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1104
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第5课
  
  J: Hi everyone! I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。在我们这个小小的咖啡屋里,您可以了解美国文化,还可以认识美国朋友,最重要是还可以学地道的美国英语。
  
  J: That's right! And on today's program, we are going to take you to the Big Apple...New York City, to talk about something New Yorkers cannot live without, Restaurants!
  
  Y: 对,今天这个题目大家一定都喜欢。我们要带您到最有美国特色的大都市纽约,了解对纽约人来说至为重要的餐馆文化。
  
  J: Well, Yang Chen I spoke with Brian Carson, who is the manager of a restaurant located in the heart of New York City.
  
  Y: 这个Brian Carson是我们今天要认识的第一位美国人。他在这个热闹的纽约市中心的一家餐馆做经理。好,我们听听他来解释这个餐馆文化对纽约人来说意味着什么。
  
  实录1 Brian Carson: Most people don't cook in this city because it's set up to eat. You walk outside your door and there's a sea of 10000 restaurants on the isle of Manhattan. It's just that it's part of the convenient, ummm, way of life in New York City. People eat out. They dine out, that's what they do.
  
  Y: 哇,你听见他说了吗? 他说光在曼哈顿区就有一万个餐馆。而且他用了一个词,用"sea”来形容餐馆林立。 "Sea" 就是海洋的意思。
  
  J: He said "a sea of 10,000 restaurants," to describe when something is abundant. You could say, "the grassy field was a sea of green." Ah, you could say, "she is drowning in a sea of confusion."
  
  Y: 你是在说我吗?
  
  J: No, not you. Another example, "The streets of New York are a sea of people."
  
  Y: 确实,中文里也有“人山人海”这种说法。下面我们再接着听听Brian介绍餐馆文化的意义。
  
  实录2 Brian Carson: What makes...um, things special for New Yorkers is when they throw dinner parties. It's the opposite. They invite people into their world and they create feasts in their environments. That to me and to them is a special night. Eating out is almost like a necessity in this city. It's just what people do.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1105
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Y: 这么说来,纽约人请别人到餐馆吃饭是很普通的,如果请你到家里那是特殊的情况,是不是?
  
  J: Right. And when I spoke to a customer, her name's Tammy, she was very honest in her response. She also said she doesn't cook. Much like you, Yang Chen.
  
  Y: 就是想我一样。
  
  J: And she said that it's simply easier for her to meet her friends out at restaurants. But it is a very special event when they come to her home.
  
  实录3 Tammy Scotsafaber: Eating out is very important for me because I don't cook, A. I think it is one of the main ways that people end up seeing their friends at dinners and drinks or dinners then drinks. If you have someone to your home then you have to be a hostess as opposed to being able to just relax and have dinner.
  
  Y: 她说得太对了!你想一想,在家请客又费力,又费心,花那么多的精力去准备,对不对?
  
  J: Sorry to interrupt, but I was going to say, you also have to clean your house.
  
  Y: 没错!
  
  J: And New Yorkers, I mean, people who live in big cities, not only New York, Shanghai, Beijing, Los Angeles, you just don't have time.
  
  Y: 并不是说我很懒惰!
  
  J: No. It's not because we're lazy. We're busy women!
  
  Y: 因为我的时间太宝贵。说起服务员的工作,我想,这份工作挺好的。
  
  J: Well, we spoke with a man by the name of Aaron Zebrook and he has many reasons why he likes to work as a waiter.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1106
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4 Aaron Zebrook: Pretty women. Lots of cash. Stuff like that is involved. Good food. You learn about wine, you learn about food. You have to know these things. And that's again appealing. Who doesn't want to learn about food and wine and try all this good stuff and make cash at the same time at night when you have free time?
  
  Y: 哇,他总结得很精彩,美酒佳肴,金钱美女,听起来真的是很诱人。
  
  J: You learn about lots of stuff, food and wine and people. It can be a really good job.
  
  Y: 也是一种社会经验。
  
  J: Yeah. And I'll tell you what, for students, it is one of the most popular jobs to have. All this talk about restaurants, Yang Chen, is making my stomach growl.
  
  Y:对,我听到你的肚子在叫了!
  
  J: I know! It's embarrassing, but I'm starving! So, let's go to a restaurant and get something to eat.
  
  Y: 好了,今天我们的节目时间到了!我和 Jody 要赶快到外边吃饭去了!
  
  J: Thanks for joining us on American Cafe! Let's go eat!
  
  Y: 咱们走罢!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1107
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第6课
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好!欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello, everyone, I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe! And Happy New Year everyone! Happy New Year, Yang Chen! You know what January brings, don't you?
  
  Y: 一月份是新年的开始,人们当然要快快乐乐地迎接新年。比如说打扮得漂漂亮亮地参加舞会,走亲访友,还有逛街买东西等等。
  
  J: Of course, but after all that is over that's when the New Year's Resolutions kick in. You know when they start.
  
  Y: New Year's Resolutions,新年的决心。哎呀,我还没想好呢!
  
  J: You know, maybe we should talk about New Year's Resolutions a little bit to find out, you know, what we should give up for the New Year.
  
  Y: 对。我们还是给大家解释一下什么叫New Year's Resolution。
  
  J: Good idea. Here's Chuck from Washington DC with a definition of New Year's Resolutions...
  
  实录1 Chuck: Well, a New Year's Resolution is something that an individual chooses to do on the occasion of the new calendar year. They are starting off with a clean slate. They are sort of having a fresh beginning and are going to take the occasion of the new year to introduce a new behavior or set some goals or, to the contrary, they are going to eliminate some behavior, perhaps a vice or a bad habit, and do their very best through the new year to improve their behavior.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1108
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Y: Chuck 刚才说的clean slate是一个很有用的说法,你给大家解释一下它的意思好吗?
  
  J: Sure. A clean slate. And it just means a fresh beginning. You know adding a good habit or giving up a vice or bad habit. But I'm still not sure of anything I should give up for the New Year's. What about you?
  
  Y: 嗯,我想想看。A clean slate可以解释成从头开始。可是说到要放弃什么坏习惯,我还真想不出来。你看我这么老实,遵纪守法,根本没什么坏习惯啊。
  
  J: What, no bad habits?! Are you sure?! I can think of a couple bad habits you may have.
  
  Y: 可别告诉别人!
  
  J: Okay we'll keep that between us. Let's introduce some of the people we met on New Year's Eve and hear what they were giving up for the new year. The first one is Jen, from Boston.
  
  Y: 我们听听Jen有什么打算。
  
  实录2 Jen: My name is Jen and I'm from Boston and for 2004 I hope to be healthier, eat healthy, go out running and relax and find a balance in my life between work and relaxation, take some time for myself.
  
  Y: Jen说她要多跑步。这个主意倒是不错。
  
  J: Oh, are you kidding!? No thanks. I hate running. Jen can do all the running she wants. What else did Jen have to say?
  
  Y: 她还说她要在工作和休闲之间找到更好的平衡。
  
  J: Now that sounds like a good idea: finding a balance between work and play. Here's another person. His name's John and he has a New Year's resolution too.
  
  Y: 好。那我们听听John有什么打算。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1109
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3 John: My name's John and I'm from Boston. And New Year's Resolutions would be to go to the gym more. Um
  
  Y: Gym? 不行。我最不喜欢到健身房和一大堆人一块儿锻炼了。
  
  J: Oh, I'm with you! You know since we don't like working out or dieting maybe we could change a part of our behavior, like Corby, a visitor to Washington D.C., had many New Year's Resolutions.
  
  Y: 这个Corby够贪心的。她说她有好几个New Year's Resolutions。我们听听她是怎么说的。
  
  实录4 Corby: Resolutions for next year is to control my temper, and not judge people and to quit smoking. I will probably focus on those. They're a handful.
  
  Y: Corby 真有意思。他不只有一个,而是有好几个新年的决心。她坏毛病还真不少:喜欢批评别人,坏脾气,还抽烟。哎呀,我们又没有这些坏毛病,所以我们也不用去想什么新年决心了。
  
  J: Maybe you're right. You know, we're both pretty easygoing and neither of us smoke.
  
  Y: 就是,就是,我们都快成了道德典范了。
  
  J: Here's a woman named Terry who explains why she gave up giving up stuff for New Year.
  
  Y: 我们听听Terry是怎么说的。
  
  实录5 Terry: Most of the times it's because when I make them they are very difficult to follow through on and complete. So I don't feel successful and nobody likes to do failure sorts of things. So, I guess I just don't do New Year's Resolutions.
  
  Y: 还是Terry看得开。她知道自己没有毅力坚持下去,所以也就不去强求自己了。
  
  J: We'll just keep on doing what we're doing.
  
  Y: 没错。不用改变什么。喜欢作什么就作什么。太好了。这就是我的New Year's Resolution! 只要高兴,我们做什么都可以。
  
  J: But good luck with your New Year's resolutions and Happy New Year.
  
  Y: 好。我们今天的时间就到了。下次再见。
  
  J: See you later.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1110
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们来讲两个以wing这个词为主的习惯用语。我想你们都很熟悉这个词。它的意思是翅膀。自古以来,鸟的翅膀激发了人们不少美丽的幻想,而wing这个词也构成了许多习惯用语。今天要讲的第一个习惯用语是:wing it。我们刚才说过wing意思是翅膀。人们有时会梦想自己能长上一对翅膀,为了学wing it这个习惯用语就请你也假想一下你的双臂成了一对翅膀。这样你就能海阔天空、自由自在地四处飞翔,并且随着风云变幻而改变方向。
  
  那么wing it究竟是什么意思呢?你也许已经注意到wing这个词在这儿不是名词,而是动词。另外我得告诉你的是这个短语是用来作比喻的,并不真是说长着翅膀在飞。为了让你领会wing it这个短语的意思我们要听两个例子。第一个例子。这是一个专门为华盛顿的政客撰写演讲稿的人在发牢骚。原因是他的上司演讲并不按照他精心撰写的稿子念。
  
  例句-1: I don't like my job. No matter how much time I spend on a speech for my boss, he wings it instead of reading it the way I wrote it.
  
  Wing it是指不按照事先准备的讲稿而现场即兴发言。难怪这位专门为上司准备讲稿的人要抱怨说他不喜欢他的工作,因为不论他花了多少时间准备讲稿,他的上级都不照着他煞费苦心写成的稿子念,而是现场发挥。
  
  ******
  
  这位讲演撰稿人觉得自己白费了精力,因为他的上级脱离讲稿,自由发挥。但是对某些人说来这却是一种必要的技能。比方说电视或者广播现场问答节目的主持人就必须能随机应变地就某一专题侃侃而谈。他们得现场采访各行各业知名人士、学术权威,和这些人谈论各种各样的专题。他能拿着事先准备的讲稿照本宣读吗?当然不行。他对节目所讨论的每一个专题都精通在行吗?那也不可能,因为题目范围包罗万象。那么这个节目主持人该如何是好呢?这就是下面这段话要告诉你的。
  
  在听之前我们先来学几个词组和生词:talk show, 我们知道talk是“交谈”,而show可以解释为“节目”,talk show就是现场问答节目。Host是主持人,所以talk show host就是现场问答节目主持人。Interview解释“采访”。Review意思是“评论”。好,我们来听听现场问答节目的主持人是怎样做好一个节目的。请你特别注意这段话里的习惯用语wing it。
  
  例句2: A good talk show host will interview a writer without reading his books. He'll read some reviews so he can wing it when he talks to the writer on his show.
  
  它说的是一个好的问答节目主持人在采访一位作家的时候,可能并没有读过他的作品,然而他却会去读一些评论文章。这样在节目上他就能和这位作家海阔天空地进行讨论了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1111
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

好,现在我们来给大家讲解第二个以wing这个词为主的习惯用语。 Take someone under your wing,和刚才说的习惯用语wing it一样,也是比喻的用法。只是在这个习惯用语里 wing不再当动词,而是名词。你一定看到过老母鸡把小鸡藏在翅膀底下保护它们的情景。这个习惯用语就出自这儿。其实在中文里我们也有类似的说法。把某人置于你的羽翼之下,意思就是你要保护这个人。
  
  接下来我们要听一个例子。它说的是一个孤儿,在海外长大之后对祖国作出贡献。在听之前我们先学几个生词:missionary. Missionary是传教士。Educate. Educate解释“教育”。好,我们仔细听听下面这段话。请你注意里面的习惯用语take someone under your wing。
  
  例句3: Foreign missionaries took her under their wing and gave her food and clothes. But they also educated her to be a teacher for women in her country.
  
  这段话说:外国传教士收养了她,为她提供衣食,更让她受了教育,使她成为她本国妇女的教师。
  
  从这段话里可以看出习惯用语take someone under your wing含有“收养、养育”的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1112
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语里都有一个主要的单词:scratch。很多人都知道scratch这个词的意思是抓、或者刨刮表面。你要是给蚊子叮了一口,你就会这样做:scratch your skin with your fingernails。就是你会用指甲去抓痒。也许不少人都知道这句很有意思的俗语:You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. 这句话直译就是:你给我搔背,我也为你抓痒痒。它风趣地表达了彼此帮忙、相互捧场的意思。Scratch在这里都当动词用,但是它也可以作名词,而且有新的含意。
  
  一百多年前人们在赛前用棍子在泥沙跑道上划出一条直线,运动员就从这儿起步,所以scratch可以解释“起跑线”。我们今天要学的第一个习惯用语,就有这个名词。Start from scratch,也许很多人听了这个短语会想:它的意思不就是“从起跑线开始”吗?你先别忙下结论。我们先来听下面这段话,说的是鼎鼎大名的肯德基炸鸡店的发迹。你知道“肯德基炸鸡店”英文怎么说吗?Kentucky Fried Chicken。好,我们来听这段话。请注意start from scratch这个短语的含义。
  
  例句-1: He started from scratch with a small chicken restaurant down south. But he worked hard, had some luck and now Kentucky Fried Chicken is sold around the world.
  
  它说的是“肯德基炸鸡店”的创办人白手起家,从南方的一家路边小餐馆做起。他既勤奋又有运气,发展成今天行销全球的肯德基炸鸡。
  
  一定有不少听众朋友已经明白不能从字面意义来理解scratch这个词在start from scratch这个习惯用语里意思。整个短语的意思是“从零开始”,“白手起家”。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个习惯用语是:up to scratch。Up to scratch,这个习惯用语也和运动有关。在拳击赛中,scratch指裁判在拳击场中间划的界线,根据以前的规则,如果一个拳击手被击倒在地,他必须在38秒内站起来、回到这条界线上并能继续搏斗,否则就认输。所以up to scratch意味着这个选手处于良好竞技状态。
  
  我想听众朋友一定明白up to scratch这个习惯用语虽然来自拳击赛,却也被广泛应用到其它方面。我们来听听下面这段话。这是牛仔裤工厂的经理和他购买布料的纺织厂在通话。请你边听边体会up to scratch这个习惯用语的含义。
  
  例句2: Sorry but that cloth you sent us isn't up to scratch. It's too thin and the color is too dark. We can't use it so I'm shipping it back.
  
  那位经理批评那批布料太薄,颜色又太深,质量够不上标准,不合用,所以要退货。可见up to scratch有合乎标准、合格的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1113
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现在我们来讲scratch这个词的第三种用法。这回scratch意思完全不同。近五十年来人们给“钱”取了个绰号,就是scratch。这在日常会话中很普遍。我们一起来听听这段话:
  
  例句3: My wife and I are saving as much as we can - we are trying to get enough scratch to buy a house.
  
  这个人和他的太太尽量节省,为了攒够钱买房子。
  
  ******
  
  在我们今天要学的最后一个习惯用语里, scratch回到了它的原意。就是“刨括表面”。这个习惯用语是:scratch the surface. Surface的意思就是“表面”。Scratch the surface这个习惯用语来自农活。你下种如果想得到好收成,就必须深耕细作,而不能刨去一层表土就撒种完事。就是说不能光是scratch the surface。这句话逐渐被应用到日常生活的各种场合。因为它形像地表达了流于表面、不深入的工作。好,我们来听一个例子。这是警方在对记者谈一件轰动一时的谋杀案:
  
  例句4: We don't have much yet because we've just started to scratch the surface. But we are putting more men on the job and we will dig deeper into the facts.
  
  警方说,目前他们掌握的案情不多,但是他们增加了办案人员,将深入探究证据。可见scratch the surface含义是肤浅表面、或者还处于初步阶段、有待深入的工作。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1114
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第7课
  
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe! My name is Jody!
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨。Eh, Jody... 你拿了一堆什么东西啊?
  
  J: Oh, this stuff? Let's see, I have political posters .... what else do I have flyers, you know, information sheets... Wow, I really have a lot of work to do!
  
  Y: 一大堆工作你还这么高兴啊,为什么?
  
  J: Well, I'm excited because the work is for a political grassroots campaign. See, I volunteered to hang posters and hand out flyers to people at subway stops.
  
  Y: 噢,原来你是热衷于这种基层群众活动。
  
  J: It's the best way for everyday citizens to get involved and make a difference! But hey, some of the people I met a grassroots campaign meeting can explain that it much better than I. Let's hear from them. Here's Rudy who organized the meeting that I went to.
  
  Y: 下面我们就来听听Rudy是怎么说的:
  
  实录1 Rudy: My name is Rudy. I've lived in DC for a little under a year. And grassroots campaigning to me is a movement of people coming toward for a common cause, be it political or social, or whatever, banding together, working together to come to a common goal and hopefully be victorious in its outcome. The hierarchy is loose so everybody's voice counts. And in the end hopefully everyone is happy with the outcome.
  
  Y: Rudy总结的很好。他说基层活动就是为了共同的目的, 大家聚集在一起,共同努力,最后获得成功。 Jody, 你给大家解释一下hierarchy的意思好吗?
  
  J: Okay! The hierarchy means the chain of command. And in a grassroots campaign the structure of the hierarchy is very loose. That means there's really no specific leader or boss.
  
  Y: 对,这个hierarchy就是指挥系统,或者说体系。当然了,既然是基层群众运动,那么它的结构一定是比较松散。
  
  J: Right. And in a grassroots campaign everybody comes together for, as Rudy said, a common goal and contributes what they can.
  
  Y: 那多好啊。每个人都是平等的,没有什么上下级之分。
  
  J: Right, like a true democracy.
  
  Y: 你说的一点没错。这一类的自发性群众活动正是美国民主的基础。
  
  J: Here's another definition of grassroots campaigning that I liked a lot from Michael.
  
  Y: 好,我们再听听Michael的观点。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1115
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Michael Briggs: If I had to define grassroots campaigning, I would think that it's people working with each trying to really bring democracy to life, share ideas, get people involved behind their candidate, trying to change minds, and raise awareness about an issue or a politician.
  
  Y: 哎,Jody,我突然想到,grassroots campaign这个说法是怎么来的呢?
  
  J: Oh, you know, I was curious about the origin, or the roots, haha, get it? Grassroots...anyway. I was curious about that myself. So let's have Michael help us out again.
  
  实录3 Michael Briggs: My understanding of it is that grass has roots that are very broad, and they're not very deep but they broad. The way grass grows is it sends its roots out and then sprouts and those sprouts send more and more roots out. So it's about a chain reaction or a growing web of people that over time come to life.
  
  Y: 中文里的“grassroots”就是草根的意思。草的生命力很旺盛,它的根部蔓延得很快,用这个词来形容这种基层群众活动非常形象。另外,Michael说的chain reaction就是连锁反应的意思。
  
  J: The more people you reach out to, the more people they reach out to, and so on, and so on and so on. I'd say that joining a grassroots campaign is the best to empower yourself.
  
  Y:你说得没错。这种亲身参与确实有一种鼓舞人心的力量。
  
  J: That's why a woman named Catayune joined a grassroots campaign to elect a political candidate.
  
  实录4 Catayune: My name is Catayune and I live in Washington DC. I grew up in Ohio. Grassroots campaign helps me because it means that ideas and emphasis and energy comes up from the grassroots, from everyday citizens. So it helps empower everyday citizens to really have a voice in national politics.
  
  Y: 你觉不觉得今天我们采访的这几个人他们都强调群众参与,每个公民都应该发出自己的声音这样一种概念,这也正是群众运动的意义所在。
  
  J: Well, what do you think, Yang Chen. Joining a big group of people and fighting for the same common goal doesn't it sound exciting?
  
  Y: 嗯,太让人激动了。
  
  J: You don't sound very 激动了. Come on let's go join everyone and take part in the grassroots campaign.
  
  Y: 那就走吧,还等什么呢?
  
  J: Thanks for joining us on American Cafe. We gotta go! See ya!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1116
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第8课
  
  
  Y:大家好, 我是杨晨! 欢迎您到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe! I'm Jody. Here, Yang Chen. I bought you something. An instant Lottery Ticket. See, you scratch off the surface to see if you have won. Let me do mine first. (scratch, scratch) Come on Lady Luck! Make me a winner! (scratch, scratch) Damn! Nothing.
  
  Y: Hmm, 好象幸运女神不太喜欢你。
  
  J: I guess not. Well, you try yours and see how you do.
  
  Y: 好,我来试试我的运气。(scratch, scratch) 哇! 我赢了五块钱!
  
  J: What! Let me see that. You won five bucks! I think I gave you the wrong ticket. I think I gave you mine. Can I have it back?
  
  Y: No way!
  
  J: Now, what would really be exciting is if you won the BIG Lottery.
  
  Y: 你说的好多州一起办的那个超级乐透奖,对不对?
  
  J: Yes. That's right! The POWERBALL!
  
  (Enter sharp lightning crack)
  
  Y: 这个声音好恐怖啊!
  
  J: What our listeners may not know but a well-timed lightning bolt sound is meant to signify the mysterious, the awesome, like the POWERBALL!!!
  
  (Enter sharp lightning crack)
  
  Y:好了,好了,我现在已经感受到超级乐透的威力了。现在你这个音响效果可不可以停止了呢?
  
  J: Okay. No more lightning bolts. For a while.
  
  Y: 可是,我们是不是先来解释lottery这个词,然后再发挥你的音响效果。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1117
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: Let's do. The Lottery is gambling. It's a drawing of numbers. And you have to get all six numbers right AND pick the right number as the Powerball to win.
  
  Y: 噢,对,Lottery是以买彩票或奖券的方式进行赌博。
  
  J: The jackpot recently is really high: $210 million!
  
  Y: 哇! 两亿一千万美元!! 啊,我要昏倒了。
  
  J: That's right, Sister! You go ahead and faint. The night before the drawing, I stopped at my neighborhood store and there was a line of about 50 people waiting to buy their lottery tickets. Here's some on-site interviews of people actually buying their lottery tickets.
  
  Here's Carl from Miami...
  
  实录1 Carl: Lottery ticket is a gambling format for a winning of a ticket for $210 million.
  
  J: $ 250 million. What are the odds that you can win?
  
  Carl: one in 250 million, I think.
  
  J: So why are you here?
  
  Carl: Someone's gotta win, that's basically it. The chances are low, but someone does have to win.
  
  Y: 他刚才提到一个词“odds”,我看我们需要先给大家解释一下。
  
  J: Sure. O-D-D-S. You know, your chances of winning. What are your odds of winning? But for this lottery, the odds were 1 in 250 million.
  
  Y: 那么这里就是说赢得机律是1比2亿5千万。
  
  J: So the odds are very low. And this woman Susan had a very funny way of describing how she views her odds and why she still plays.
  
  Y: 好,我们听听Susan的见解。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-15#1118
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Susan: Your have a better chance of getting hit by lightning than you do of winning the lottery. However, people do get hit by lightning. So it does make sense to give it a try.
  
  J: So, you're willing to risk a couple of dollars and see if you can win the jackpot.
  
  Susan: Yes!
  
  J: See! She mentioned the word "lightning!"
  
  (Enter sharp lightning crack)
  
  Y: 你知道吗,你听起来象个巫婆一样。
  
  J: Okay. Now, get serious, Yang Chen. You know, after I started interviewing people they all started talking about the big "what if?" You know what if I win?
  
  Y: 就是,我都替他们发愁。如果赢了,那么多钱怎么花呀?
  
  J: Here's what Susan had to say.
  
  Y: 好吧, 我们来听听Susan的宏伟计划。
  
  实录3 Susan: Well, that's what everyone always thinks as they're waiting in line ... "What would they do if they won." And of course, the first thing you think is quit your job and buy all those things that are on your list, that you wanted to get...you know...
  
  J: Another woman, Olivia from New Orleans, Louisiana, said that after she paid off her and her family's debt she would give some of her winnings to charities.
  
  实录4 Olivia: I would definitely donate some to charity, because there are a lot of good courses. And pay off all my debts, my mother's debts, my sister's debts and travel.
  
  Y: 每个人都那么说。如果赢了以后先把工作辞了,然后买下所有以前买不起的东西,还要捐一部份给慈善机构。
  
  J: Well, that's what they say before they win. I don't know what they say after they win.
  
  Y: 好,我们的时间到了。谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Yeah! Thanks for joining us today at American Cafe. I certainly enjoyed talking with you about the American tradition of the...
  
  Y: Stop it, Jody! 如果你再让我听到...
  
  J: ...POWERBALL!!

太极无敌 : 2009-12-16#1119
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)


故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1120
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语里都有这样一个词:devil。它的意思是魔鬼。这可是个引起人们恶感的词。在基督教文化里,魔鬼是背叛上帝的邪恶之灵,但是被正义的天使打败,驱逐出天堂。从此魔鬼就在地狱称王,并成为人间的万恶之源。
  
  今天我们要讲的第一个习惯用语是:raise the devil. Raise这个词有“惹起”,或者“使出现”的意思。那么从字面意思看来,raise the devil可不就是让牛鬼蛇神都出笼,闹得鸡犬不宁吗?
  
  好,我们来听一个例子。这是一个公司经理在发脾气。让我们仔细听听raise the devil在这段话里是什么意思,还有这位经理为什么这样恼火?
  
  例句-1:Ask Tom to come right now! I just found out he shipped the watches to New York instead of Los Angeles. I'm going to raise the devil with him.
  
  这位经理火冒三丈要马上把Tom叫来,因为他刚发现Tom把那些手表定货送错了地方,运去了纽约而不是洛杉矶,所以经理要把Tom叫来好好训斥一番。可见raise the devil这个习惯用语意思就是“暴跳如雷,大叫大骂。”
  
  还有,不知你有没有注意到,“大声训斥某一个人”,就是raise the devil with someone. 这里用介词with。
  
  ******
  
  接下来我们还要听一个例子,里面也有习惯用语raise the devil。这是一位大学校长在和学校的财务主任争辩,反对提高学费。请你仔细听,在这段话里raise the devil表达甚么样的情况。先让我们来学一个生词:tuition这个词的意思是学费。还有一个生词:parent,意思是家长。好,让我们一起来听这段话:
  
  例句2:We raised tuition ten percent last year. If we raise it again, our students and their parents will raise the devil with us and some of them will go somewhere else next year.
  
  那位大学校长说:“我们去年已经把学费增加了百分之十,如果我们再次提高学费的话,就会引起学生和家长们的强烈抗议。他们中有些人甚至明年会转学。”
  
  从这段话我们可以看出raise the devil不仅表达“大叫大骂”的意思,也可以解释为“强烈抗议”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1121
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语是:devil's advocate. Advocate这个词本身的意思是提倡和维护某种思想、事业或者维护某一人物的人。比方说,在法庭上的辩护律师就是advocate。也许有人会想devil's advocate岂不是和魔鬼狼狈为奸,为虎作伥的坏蛋吗?完全不对!
  
  Devil's advocate这个习惯用语来自罗马天主教教会。在这个教会的悠久历史上,曾经有不少品德高超,行为圣洁的人。他们无懈可击的生活作风和坚定不移的信仰使他们在身后能当之无愧地被称为圣贤,但是要得到圣贤的称号实在不容易。这得经过好几年的调查。罗马天主教会会委派一名神父或者其他神职人员竭尽全力地挖掘这名候选人是否有任何瑕疵以至不配得到圣贤的荣誉。而这名调查人员就叫devil's advocate。
  
  这下你该明白了,尽管有这样的名号,但是devil's advocate却并不是为魔鬼效劳的人,而是吹毛求疵的人。
  
  好,现在我们来听一个例子。这是一家公司的雇员在讨论公司搬迁的事情,而这次搬迁几乎已成定局。请你边听边体会devil's advocate这个习惯用语的含义。
  
  例句3:I'm in favor of moving too, but let me be the devil's advocate for a moment. Let's take a look at how much money we might save by staying right here.
  
  首先那位雇员表示他是赞成搬迁的,但是他说他姑且充当一下devil's advocate,看看如果不搬,可以省下多少钱。这样看来devil's advocate还可以解释为“不随大流而从反面角度来探究问题的人”。也可以说是为了看清一切事实真相而有意唱反调的人。
  
  ******
  
  在辩论或者讨论中,必须有各种不同的观点才会出现百花齐放,百家争鸣的局面,所以电视脱口秀主持人为了开阔人们的思路、活跃气氛,往往会提出一些反面论点。这时这位主持人就是devil's advocate。
  
  好,让我们再听一个例子,这是一位电视脱口秀主持人在说话:
  
  例句4:We all agree women should have equal rights to work. But I'll be devil's advocate and ask, wasn't it better in the old days when women stayed home to cook, clean house and have babies?
  
  这位电视脱口秀主持人说:“我们都一致认为妇女应当有就业的平等权利,但是让我来唱一下反调。试问:以往让妇女待在家里做饭,打扫并养育子女的岁月是不是更为美好呢?”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1122
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 美语咖啡屋第9课
  
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨。欢迎您光临美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe. My name's Jody! Hey Yang Chen I am having Brunch this weekend with some friends. Do you have time to come join us?
  
  Y: 好啊。不过这次可不会象上次那样一吃就吃四个钟头吧。
  
  J: Oh, but that's the whole point of Brunch. After a long workweek, a nice long Brunch is the perfect end to the weekend! And as a matter of fact the meal is so long and so relaxing that it is a combination of breakfast and lunch. It's spelled B-R-U-N-C-H.
  
  Y: 你说的到是有道理。既然brunch是把早饭和午饭合并在一起,那么当然时间就应该长点了。不过说起来brunch这个词不好把它翻成中文呢。我看听众朋友喜欢怎么叫它就怎么叫它什么吧。或者干脆就用英文brunch。
  
  J: Hey Yang Chen, remember we talked to Edina, the manager of the restaurant where we had Brunch last time.
  
  Y: 没错,我们来听听Edina给brunch下的定义。
  
  实录1 Edina:Brunch is a very special time in American life. It's a time where after a very busy workweek a family or friends have time to actually sit down and enjoy their meal.
  
  Y: 下面我们就让讲一讲他们的顾客最喜欢点什么菜。
  
  实录2 Edina:It's usually French toast, pancakes, omelets, lots of eggs.
  
  Y: 你记不记得我那天就点了omelettes,煎蛋饼,非常好吃。French toast是一种炸面包片,也很受欢迎。哎,你会作吗?
  
  J: Oh, I make a wonderful French toast.
  
  Y:不过我很好奇,它为什么叫French toast,和法国有关吗?
  
  J: I don't think so. We have French fries and French toast 跟法国没有什么关系。
  
  Y: 你说人们是不是只有在周末才会吃brunch呢?
  
  J: Most definitely! And it's usually on Sunday after, you know, you go out with your friends and party a little, have a couple drinks, listen to music.
  
  Y:人们在周末都爱睡懒觉,早上一起来早饭的时间就已经过了,那么乾脆把两顿饭合在一起,尤其在星期天,很多人在星期六晚上已经狂欢了一整夜,星期天和朋友享受一顿美味的brunch,的确是很开心。
  
  J: Remember we spoke with a group of people who were out having Brunch after a fun night together on the town together.
  
  Y: 我们上次碰到的一个女孩Kristine,她是这么说的:

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1123
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3 Kristine: Brunch tradition is usually, I feel, the nice end of weekend to start off the new week. Nice comforting feeling. Usually very relaxed and laidback, late in the afternoon and really just a nice cap to the whole weekend and it is a chance to catch up on, on the week, I think, too.
  
  Y: Kristine 提到了几个很好的词,比如"relaxed," "laidback" ,都有休息,放松的意思。
  
  J: And brunch is definitely a laidback and relaxed meal, because, you know, if you go out drinking the night before you may be a little bit tired the next day.
  
  Y:那人们在吃brunch的时候会喝酒吗?
  
  J: Not everyone. But many people do. In fact, restaurants on their menu, include two particular drinks. You can choose to have either a Mimosas, a mixture of orange juice and champagne or a Bloody Mary, which is a little bit of vodka and tomato juice with spices.
  
  Y: 对,可是喝了酒是不是更觉得没精神呢?
  
  J: No, not really. It's just a small amount of alcohol to take off the edge.
  
  Y: 我曾经听过这么一个习惯用语,叫 "the hair of the dog that bit you."
  
  J: Ha! I can't believe you know that! That is the perfect idiom. "The hair of the dog that bit you" is exactly right. Here's Edina to explain.
  
  实录4 Edina: If you have a weekend to yourself most people go out. You go out Friday night or you go out Saturday night. You enjoy alcohol and you drink as much as you want. You wake up and still have the that sort of taste of the night before. So, something like a Mimosa will give you that sense back. That's what the hair of the dog, the dog is the night before, and the hair is the memories.
  
  Y: 这个习惯用语很难解释。
  
  J: "Hair of the dog that bit you" ... I'm having trouble to explain it too!
  
  Y: 我想可不可以这么打个比方呢,就是说你星期六彻夜的狂欢,灌了一肚子烈性酒,就好像你被一只大狗咬了一口。到第二天早上还有点晕晕呼呼的,那么你呢就少喝一点点酒,好像这样能帮助你恢复正常。那么这一点点酒就好象你从狗身上拔的一根毛一样。
  
  J: I think that's a good explanation. You just need a little hair though. Thanks for joining us on American Cafe!
  
  Y: 好,我们今天的时间到了,欢迎您下次再到美语咖啡屋。再见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1124
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第10课声音
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe. Hey, Yang Chen, guess what this sound is.
  
  (Enter breathing sounds)
  
  Y: 噢,听不大出来,好象是有人打电话恶作剧,是不是?
  
  J: No, no, no! It's not an obscene phone call. It's is the sound of scuba diving.
  
  Y: Scuba diving? 潜水,那一定很好玩吧。哎, Jody, 我一直想学潜水,但是我很怕水。
  
  J: Well, if you want to study scuba diving you better get over that.
  
  Y: 说到scuba diving,我就想到要全副武装,背着那个很重潜水设备。太难了吧。
  
  J: Well, the next time the Scuba Tour comes around you should try it!
  
  Y: Scuba Tour是什么呢?潜水不是要到那种热带或者是靠近海洋的旅游胜地吗?
  
  J: Oh, that's the special thing about the Scuba Tour ... it comes to you! When I went to a Health and Fitness Exposition at the DC convention center. There, they had a Scuba Tour. But, let's hear from Scott Evans who was a member of the Scuba Tour to find out what it is.
  
  实录1 Scott Evans: My name is Scott Evans. We're at the D.C. Convention Center doing the Scuba Tour, which is an experience for non-divers to discover Scuba, basically.
  
  Y: Scuba Tour就是到不同的地方举办活动,教那些初学者体验潜水的乐趣。这到真是个好主意。
  
  J: Oh, it's a brilliant especially if you're in the Scuba business. The Scuba Tour brings it to people who may not have the chance to try it! Here's another diver named John talking about why the Scuba Tour is important.
  
  实录2 John: My name is John, I'm from the Dive Shop in Fairfax, Virginia. There's always people who have always wanted to try it and that's one of the nicest things about an event like this is that they have a chance to try it in a non-threatening environment.
  
  Y: 嗯,太棒了。通过这样的活动能让大多数人不出远门就能学习潜水。
  
  J: Exactly! And I think when John mentioned non-threatening that is really important. The Scuba Tour brought the pool, the equipment, but not the sharks.
  
  Y: 没错。虽然Jody刚才提到有鲨鱼是有点吓唬人,不过第一次学潜水就到海里的确是很惊险,游泳池当然让人觉得安全多了。你那天去的时候人很多吗?
  
  J: Oh, there were many people waiting in line to try out scuba diving.
  
  Y: 哎,说了半天我们是不是先给大家解释Scuba这个词是怎么来的?
  
  J: Well, first we should that Scuba is an acronym. S-C-U-B-A. And it stands for something. Here's John Harmon to give us an explanation.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1125
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3 John Harmon: Okay, my name is John Harmon and SCUBA stands for self-contained, underwater, breathing apparatus.
  
  Y: Scuba这个词在中文里就是水肺,是一种帮助人在水下呼吸的设备。
  
  J: The self-contained, underwater, breathing apparatus or scuba equipment, allows you to stay underwater, like a fish.
  
  Y: 那我们来形容一下它的样子好吗?
  
  J: Let's have John explain the specific equipment used for scuba diving.
  
  实录4 John Harmon: And basically what that consists of is some equipment, which is a tank which contains air; a regulator, which actually is the apparatus that we breathe...to deliver air from the tank to our mouths and a vest which actually allows us to sink under water or float to the surface.
  
  Y: 听他这么一说,这种潜水设备挺吓人的,又是氧气罐,又是呼吸器,还得穿上潜水背心。
  
  J: Oh, exactly. Well think about it. You're going underwater. You need good equipment. There's the air tank, the regulator, that delivers the air from the tank, and the vest for floating or sinking and, Yang Chen, don't forget about the wetsuit. Trusting the equipment for breathing is the hardest thing for a scuba student to learn.
  
  Y: 没错,我觉得对我来说,最难做到的大概就是对你的设备感到放心,特别是在深水里,万一出现意外情况该怎么办呢?
  
  J: Exactly! Your life depends on it. So, let's hear what George had to stay.
  
  实录5 George:You gotta learn to trust the equipment and that's probably the biggest thing for students is to trust the equipment. The equipment is high performance. This is life support equipment.
  
  Y: 我完全同意George的话。
  
  J: I know. Even though he says it's high-performance, life support equipment, I would still be nervous.
  
  Y: 哎,等一等,你说你也会nervous。那说了半天,你自己也不敢下水啊?
  
  J: Well, see the line was really long, Yang Chen. And I wanted to try it... but you know...
  
  Y: 好了, 好了,你不用解释了,反正我知道你没敢下水就是了。
  
  J: Possibly. Okay, thanks for joining us on American Cafe. That's all the time we have for today.
  
  Y: 好, 谢谢大家收听,我们下次节目再见

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1126
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

很多学英语的人都说,最难的就是一个看来简单的词可以有各种各样的含意。而当这个词再组成不同习惯用语的时候,那就更难上加难了。我们今天要讲的就是这样一个词:fair。Fair这个词常常解释“公平的”,或者“光明正大的”。
  
  我们要讲的第一个由fair组成的习惯用语就带有这个意思。这个习惯用语是:fair shake。刚才说过fair这个词的意思常常是“公平正当的”。那么fair shake,是什么意思呢?这个习惯用语很可能出自于掷骰子赌博。赌友中的一个把骰子放在杯子里或者掌心中摇晃,然后把骰子掷向桌面比点数。掷骰子赌博的作弊办法五花八门。老练的赌徒都会提防摇骰子的人做手脚,一定要他正正当当地摇骰子。也就是fair shake。接下来我们要听一个例子,讲的是美国大选总统候选人的辩论。
  
  例句-1: The candidates get a fair shake during the debates. They take turns being asked questions and have the same amount of time to answer and to make a final statement at the end.
  
  这段话说的是:辩论中候选人得到公平待遇,他们轮流被提问,并且有同样长短的时间回答问题,以及在最后作总结性陈述。可见fair shake在这儿意思就是“公平待遇”或者“均等机会”。
  
  ******
  
  你如果听英文天气预报的话,往往会听到fair这个词。它的意思是“晴朗的”当然fair weather就是“好天”。而这组成了我们今天要学的第三个习惯用语:fair-weather friend。 Fair-weather friend意思是不是“天好时候的朋友”呢?从字面看来似乎不错,但是正如我们以前一再提到的那样,不能光从字面意义来理解一个习惯用语。我想通过下面这段话你能体会fair-weather friend这个习惯用语的意思。
  
  例句2: When Joe was rich, everybody in town was his best friend. But after he lost his money, most of them turned out to be fair-weather friends who pretended they didn't even know him.
  
  这说的是:在Joe富有的时候,镇上的人都是他的亲朋好友,但是好多人一到他穷了就都装作不认识他了。这些人原来都是酒肉朋友。
  
  从这段话可以看出fair-weather friend是指那种在顺利的日子里跟你称兄道弟,但是一旦你陷入困境却六亲不认的人。换句话说就是“只会同安乐却不能共患难的人”。所以有人说,患难的一大好处是教会你认识真正的朋友。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1127
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Fair这个词还可以用来形容“金发碧眼”的外貌,有时也有“漂亮俊美”的意思。我们今天要学的最后一个习惯用语是:fair-haired boy。 Fair-haired boy这个习惯用语从字面看来一定是个年轻人,也许还是个漂亮的金发小伙子吧?究竟是不是这个意思呢?请你从下面这段话里好好体会。
  
  例句3: That young guy in the nice private office isn't as good as a lot of other people in the place. But he's the fair-haired boy, because he's the owner's nephew.
  
  这段话说的是:那个年轻人有漂亮的私人办公室,但是他并不如这儿的很多人强,然而因为他是老板的侄子,所以得到额外的关顾。
  
  这段话里可以听出fair-haired boy意思不是金发小伙子,而是一个得到上级垂青的年轻人,但是他靠的不是真材实学,所以就难免引起他人的恼恨。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1128
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天还要讲由很普通的一个词组成的习惯用语。这个词是whole。Go whole hog。这儿有hog这个词。也许有人说因为hog解释“猪”,所以go whole hog意思一定和猪有关。不对。因为hog在好几百年前可能是银币的俗称,所以这个习惯用语是关系到钱的。
  
  让我们通过下面这个例子试着理解go whole hog。它说的是一对克勤克俭的夫妇终于买了一辆豪华的Mercedes牌汽车的事情。顺便告诉大家Mercedes牌汽车是最名贵车子之一。
  
  例句-1: My wife and I worked hard all our lives and put three kids through college. Now we have a little money. We've always wanted a good car so we went whole hog and bought a Mercedes.
  
  这段话说的是:我太太和我一生勤勤恳恳,供三个孩子读完了大学。现在我们手头有了点儿钱,我们一直想要一辆好车,所以我们就乾脆就买了一辆Mercedes。
  
  从这段话里我们可以体会到go whole hog的含义是乾脆彻底地做一件事,常常是不惜重金购买一件朝思暮想的东西。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个习惯用语是:the whole nine yards。Yard,它是长度单位“码”。那么 the whole nine yards是不是整整九码呢?这究竟有什么内在意思呢?关于这个习惯用语的出处人们说法不一。有人认为以前一匹布的长度就是九码。也有人说裁缝制作一套西装就得用上整整九码料子。这个习惯用语不论出处是什么,但是意思都类似于go whole hog。
  
  让我们一起来听有关某篮球队争取篮球明星的一段话,当前篮球大明星的年收入都在好几百万美元。他们的要价之高使篮球队招聘好手很费劲儿。好,让我们边听边体会go the whole nine yards在其中的意思。
  
  例句2: This player wanted three million dollars a year. That's twice as much as the team wanted to pay. But they really needed him so they went the whole nine yards and paid him what he asked.
  
  这段话说:这位球员要三百万美元的年薪。这是球队想付的薪水的两倍,但是他们实在需要那位球员,所以就竭尽全力地满足了他的要求。
  
  可见go the whole nine yards意思就是“为了达到某一目的而竭尽全力”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1129
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的第三个习惯用语是:a whole new ball game。 A whole new ball game是个相当新的习惯用语,大约起始于七十年代初。你当然会想到这个习惯用语起源于体育运动,但是如今却被应用到生活的各方各面,也包括政界。
  
  好,我们来听关于共和党人竞选参议员席位的一段话,体会一下a whole new ball game在其中的意思。
  
  例句3: The Republicans were having a hard time finding anybody to run against this popular senator. But now he's retiring so it's a whole new ball game - many people want to run for the job.
  
  这句话说的是:共和党人原先很难找到人跟这位深得人心的参议员竞争,但是如今他要退休了,局面大为改观,许多人都想竞选这个职位。
  
  起先人们对竞选这个参议员席位退避三舍,后来又趋之若鹜,人们彻底变换行为方针的原因就是他们的劲敌退出竞争了。所以a whole new ball game意思就是形势发生变化,你必须转变策略以适应新情况。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1130
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第11课
  
  Y: 各位听众好,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hi I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 我想我们的听众可能觉得很奇怪,听这声音好象不是在咖啡屋。您猜的没错,我们现在站在一个巧克力店门口。为什么呢?因为今天是情人节。
  
  J: That's right, Yang Chen, it's Valentine's Day. So we left the cafe. We came out on the street to find out what people are buying for Valentine's Day!
  
  Y: 巧克力! 我现在口水要流出来了。
  
  J: And Yang Chen, we've come to the perfect place, Chocolate Chocolate. And you, Yang Chen, I know something about the name Chocolate Chocolate. The chocolate is so good they have to say it twice
  
  Y: 没错。巧克力! 巧克力!!!今天是情人节。你第一个想到的是人们都送什么礼物呢?就是巧克力。确实是,你看里面人那么多,买巧克力的人好象大多数都是男的。
  
  J: Of course, women love chocolate. Men like to send their sweethearts all kind of good stuff, diamonds and flowers and chocolate.
  
  Y: 你说起钻石,等会儿我们还要去一个珠宝店,专门卖钻石,首饰的珠宝店。
  
  J: That's a great idea. But first let's talk to..., oh, let's talk to this guy! Are these chocolates for you?
  
  Man: No, actually one's for my fiancée and one's for my mom.
  
  Yang Chen: That's so sweet!
  
  Jody: So, we were just saying that Valentine's Day is not only to show your love for a special someone but also family and friends. Is that true?
  
  Man: Yes it is. Women like chocolate anytime, next to diamonds.
  
  Jody: You know, there's a diamond store right up the road.
  
  Man: All right, I passed that one on the way. So...
  
  J: What else for Valentine's Day are popular traditions when you guys plan to do?
  
  Man: Probably dinner, roses, maybe some perfume.
  
  J: Oh, look, there's another guy. I bet he's buying chocolate for his girlfriend.
  
  Y: 你错了。你看这个人走进了[维多利亚的秘密],是一个专门卖内衣的商店。
  
  J: We are in front of Victoria's Secret store and the window is full of sexy red underwear just for Valentine's Day!
  
  Y: 我可能不太会去买这种红色的内衣。That's not for me.
  
  J: So, traditional gifts for Valentine's Day include chocolate, sexy underwear, and also flowers.
  
  Y: 我们还是去那边看看玫瑰花吧。我们走吧。
  
  Jody: First your name and why you chose to buy roses for your lovely wife on Valentine's Day.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1131
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 David: Okay, my name is David Pollack and I like to buy the roses for my wife 'cause Valentine's Day it's a sentimental value for her to know that I love her and show some appreciation.
  
  Y: 说起来Valentine's Day,中国翻成情人节。
  
  J: Literally, "Lover's Day."
  
  Y: 其实这个“情人节”不光是说情人之间送礼物。
  
  J: Exactly. Valentine's Day is not just for lovers. Children show their love for their parents. Friends can show their love for each other. So, it's a time of the year to show your feelings, I guess.
  
  Y: 就是你对家人,对朋友的爱。
  
  J: You think the name should be changed to something like "Love Day."
  
  Y: 爱心节!
  
  J: 爱心节!Okay, so we've gone to the flower guy, we've gone to the sexy underwear store, we've gone to the chocolate store. What else is there for Valentine's Day?
  
  Y: Diamonds! 钻石!
  
  J: There's a diamond store?! Let's go!
  
  (Enter sound of running)
  
  Jody: We are here in a diamond store in Washington, D.C. What are your comments about Valentine's Day and its relationship to diamonds in general?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1132
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Mervis: Diamond symbolizes love because for many, many centuries it has always been a tradition of longevity and because demand is pretty much the hardest gem it has a stigma that it lasts forever, which it does. And men and women have always been attracted to its sparkle and brilliance and beauty.
  
  Jody: Yeh, if you have sweetheart what do you plan to do this Valentine's Day.
  
  实录3 Mervis: Well, I have more than just a sweetheart. I have a very beautiful wife and three kids. And believe me, my wife is going be spoiled rotten on this Valentine. I shouldn't be saying this in case she hears and I'll let the cat out of the bag. And I speak a large pair of diamond studs for her ears. And...yeh....
  
  (laughter)
  
  J: Diamonds are a girls' best friends.
  
  Y: Jody, 你觉得今天过得怎么样?
  
  J: Oh, today is so fun! I love hearing what people are doing for Valentine's Day! Thank you for you joining us outside in D.C. visiting all the places where people are buying traditional Valentine's Day gifts. That's all the time we have on American Cafe! See you next time.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家,我们今天的时间到了。Jody,我有一个遗憾,就是在那个巧克力店,他们有让你试吃巧克力。
  
  J: Free samples? Let's go back now! We're so silly.
  
  (Enter "You're My Funny Valentine" by Tony Bennett)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1133
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第12课
  
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe. My name's Jody.
  
  Y: 各位听众,欢迎大家到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hey, Yang Chen, you know our friend down in the music library, Vince...he says "hello" by the way ...
  
  Y: 真的?下次你告诉他我也向他问好。
  
  J: Will do. Anyway, did you know he's a guitar player?
  
  Y: 我知道。他上次还建议我应该多听听他的偶像Jimi Hendrix的音乐呢。
  
  J: Oh, that's weird. That's exactly what we talked about. Wow, he really admires Jimi Hendrix. But who wouldn't. Jimi Hendrix is a music legend.
  
  Y: 等一等,这个music legend我们应该给听众解释一下,就是音乐界的传奇人物。
  
  J: Exactly. And Jimi is not only a music legend, he changed rock-n-roll, 摇滚音乐forever!
  
  Y: 说起摇滚乐,我可以跟你聊一天一夜。
  
  J: Me too! But let's make sure that Vince gets a word in.
  
  实录1 Vince Bonner: My name is Vince Bonner. And I feel Jimi Hendrix is not the father of the modern guitar, but um, he changed the sound so drastically.
  
  Y: Vince说,虽然Jimi Hendrix并不是现代吉他音乐之父,可是他在很大程度上改变了吉他音乐的声音。不过我不太明白他这儿说的是什么意思。
  
  J: We'll let Vince explain that. But before we hear from Vince I want to mention something again. Sometimes when Vince speaks, he drops the "t" at the end of his words. For example, he will say "lef-handed" instead of "left-handed."
  
  Y: Lift-handed中文就是左撇子。
  
  J: Right. I mean, left. I mean that's correct!
  
  Y: 好了,好了,我看你越说越糊涂。我们还是听听Vince的解释吧。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1134
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Vince: Number one he was a left-handed guitarist. So he played the instrument upside down which is even more incredible. Um Jimi was the first to use distortion and reverb, heh, without it sounding like a lot of noise. Everything he was doing he did wrong, technically, he was doing wrong.
  
  Y: Vince刚才说的这段里有两个词比较难懂。Jody,你来解释一下吧。
  
  J: Right. Distortion and reverb are two special terms for music and, especially, for Jimi Hendrix. Reverb is a music term that's short for reverberation or shaking and tremors in the music. But you know what, Yang Chen, we have so many examples from Jimi Hendrix himself ... let's just play that.
  
  Y: 对,让听众从音乐中来体会。
  
  J: Here's an example of distortion and reverb from Jimi Hendrix.
  
  Y: 大家可要坐稳了。下面我们欣赏一段Jimi Hendrix演奏的音乐。
  
  (Enter sample of Jimi Hendrix)
  
  Y: Wow, 他的音乐太有震撼力了。
  
  J: Isn't that amazing! Nobody thought that that could sound good. But Jimi Hendrix was such a great guitar player he made he sound great. And Vince felt the same way, too. In the next quote he talks about what makes the guitar playing of Jimi Hendrix so special. Yang Chen, he didn't just play the guitar. His concerts were the ultimate in showmanship.
  
  Y: 是不是所有的音乐家我们都可以称他们为表演家呢?
  
  J: No way! No, no, no, Jimi was special. He used crazy lights and crazy color shows. He even set his guitar on fire one time.
  
  Y: 这就是他和其他音乐家的不同之处。
  
  J: Right. And he just played the guitar so well. When he played it was true showmanship. Here us Vince.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1135
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3 Vince: For me, and this is what I think makes Jimi so special, is being different, is having your own individuality on the instrument. Everyone right now sounds like everyone else. Everyone else sounds like Jimi Hendrix.
  
  J: I really like how Vince worded it. "Everyone right now sounds like everyone else. Everyone else sounds like Jimi Hendrix."
  
  Y: 现在很多人都在模仿别人,而所有的人都在模仿Jimi Hendrix。
  
  J: Not only was he incredibly individual, but when he played his concerts turned into a spiritual experience. Here is Vince.
  
  实录4 Vince: Jimi once said that when he got on stage and when he started to play he can make the audience do anything. It was like a spiritual revival when he played.
  
  Y: 我觉得音乐的力量的确是非常伟大。如果大家都来听Jimi Hendrix的音乐,这个世界一定会变得更加美好。
  
  J: You are absolutely right. I couldn't agree with you more.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见。
  
  J: Let the spirit of Jimi Hendrix fill the air!!
  
  (Enter Jimi Hendrix music)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1136
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的习惯用语由floor或者ceiling组成。Floor是“地板”,而ceiling解释为“天花板”。好,让我们由下而上来学吧。一栋房子的底层常常叫作the ground floor。在生意场上你很可能会听到这样的说法:get in on the ground floor。Get in on the ground floor并不简单地解释为“从底层进来”。让我们听一个例子来琢磨它的意思。
  
  例句-1: He got in on the ground floor when he bought a lot of stock in a new computer company. People thought he was crazy but the company was a big success and now the stock is worth many times more.
  
  这段话说的是:他不失时机地及早买下一家新电脑公司的大量股票,当时人们认为他简直疯了,但是这家公司随即取得很大的成功。如今他买进的股票价值是原来的好多倍。
  
  听了这段话我们能体会到get in on the ground floor在这句话中的含义是早期入股,取得优先地位。
  
  ******
  
  我们今天学的第二个带有floor这个词的习惯用语是:mop the floor with。听这个习惯用语你脑子里大约会出现这样的景象:用拖把擦去地板上的污迹。实际上mop the floor with描绘的却是对手间的胜负高低。在运动场上常常会用到它。
  
  现在让我们来听电台广播员对一场美式足球赛结局的评论。这是纽约市和华盛顿市之间的美式足球赛。纽约足球队号称Giants。就是巨人队,而华盛顿队叫Redskins,就是红人队。好,我们来听这段体育新闻吧:
  
  例句2: This afternoon the New York Giants mopped the floor with the Washington Redskins. The score was 41-7, the biggest loss the Redskins had suffered in many years.
  
  这段话说:今天下午纽约巨人队把华盛顿红人队打得一败涂地。比分是41比7。这是红人队多年未有的一次惨败。
  
  可见mop the floor with含义就是把对方打得一败涂地。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1137
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下来我们要转移方向,学和天花板ceiling有关的习惯用语。Glass ceiling,玻璃天花板,必然是粗看似乎没有,而实际上却挡在上方的一层障碍。好,我们来听一个例子,有个人在评论六名女律师控告她们所属的律师事务所的事情。
  
  例句3: I think these six women can certainly prove their firm has a glass ceiling: the firm has 19 senior partners and all of them are men. It's hard to believe that they've never had even one woman lawyer qualified for a top spot there.
  
  他说:我 认为这六名妇女一定能证实她们事务所,存在人为的升迁障碍。这个事务所有十九名高级主管,全是男性。令人难以置信的是那里的妇女谁也够不上高升的资格。
  
  从这段话能体会到glass ceiling形像地表达了阻碍某些人升迁的无形障碍。
  
  ******
  
  我们还要学一个带有ceiling这个词的习惯用语:hit the ceiling。想象一下,如果一个人跳得百丈高,甚至碰到了天花板,那他一定是恼怒极了。好,我们来听个例子。
  
  例句4: When I got home and saw what my dog had done , I really hit the ceiling. The dog got up on my desk and chewed up the papers there, including a long report I was writing for my boss.
  
  他说:我回家一看到我的狗都干了些什么,简直气得发疯。它在我的书桌上把纸张都嚼烂了,其中包括我正写给上级的那份长篇报告。
  
  你一定能想象说话人当时火冒百丈,hit the ceiling就是这个意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1138
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的习惯用语都有一个关键词run。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:run like clockwork。 Cclockwork意思是钟表的机件,发条装置。钟表的机构当然该是精确无误的;run like clockwork这个习惯用语起始于十七世纪后期,沿用至今已经有三百年的历史了。那么这个习惯用语含义是不是像钟表一样准确运转呢?
  
  让我们从一个例子来判断这个习惯用语的含义。当今让有些美国家长们头疼的一个问题是学校对孩子管束不严,校内纪律松懈。针对这个问题,不少家庭想到了一条解决途径。下面这段话说的就是这个。请你特别注意里面的习惯用语run like clockwork。
  
  例句-1: Some parents like a military school, because it runs like clockwork. Everything is strict and runs on time from physical training to classes and self-study.
  
  这段话说:有些家长喜欢军校,因为它的运作规律一丝不苟,纪律严明,从体育锻炼到上课和自修时间都掌握得分秒不差。
  
  所以run like clockwork含义就是精确不误,有规律地运作。
  
  ******
  
  我们今天学的第二个带有run这个词的习惯用语是:cut and run。Cut and run这个习惯用语起源于航海。海上的船只如果遇上了紧急情况,例如,突如其来的风暴或者强大的敌舰,船长急于躲避灭顶之灾,往往不像平常那样下令起锚,而会叫船员砍断锚链,尽快地逃走。这就是cut and run这个习惯用语的出处。但是cut and run现在被广泛应用在其它场合。我们接下来要听一个有关房地产业的例子。
  
  例句2: When the price of new houses dropped so fast, a lot of builders simply cut and ran - they abandoned the houses they were building and that started the bad times in the real estate market.
  
  这段话说,当新房子的价格猛跌的时候,许多建筑商弃阵而逃。他们的建筑工程都半途而废。这导致房地产市场的萧条。
  
  从这段话里可以看出cut and run 含义就是急忙退避不利的形势。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1139
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下来我们还要学一个带有run这个词的习惯用语:Dry run。Dry run和我们刚学的两个习惯用语不同,这里的run可以当名词用。为了让你体会dry run这个习惯用语含义,我们要听一个例子。这是一位导演在跟即将参加公演的演员们说话:
  
  例句3: Okay, this is our last dry run - the show opens tomorrow. So come on, people, be serious! This is your last chance to improve before we have a live audience sitting out there.
  
  他说:好,这是我们最后一次排练,明天就要开演,希望各位认认真真地排,因为这是你们和观众见面前,最后一次改进机会了。
  
  我想你已经理解这段话里的dry run就是“排练”,但是dry run除了用在表演艺术方面,还常用来指军事演习。比方说:The plane dry runs就是飞机作模拟投弹、假俯冲,或者空弹演习。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1140
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第13课声音
  
  
  J: Hello everyone and welcome to American Cafe! My name's Jody.
  
  Y: 欢迎大家到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hey, Yang Chen, I have a joke. Do you have a minute?
  
  Y: Uh huh.
  
  J: Okay, did you hear the one about the mushroom who walked into the bar?
  
  Y: 一只蘑菇走进一个酒吧,很好笑啊。
  
  J: Well, a mushroom walked into a bar and the bartender said, "Hey, get out of here. We don't serve your kind."
  
  Y: 为什么?
  
  J: That's exactly what the mushroom asked. "What do mean you don't serve my kind...I'm a fun guy!" Fun-guy. You know, fungus ... See the mushroom's a fungus. Oh, never mind. It's kind of funny. Yang Chen, are you there? Don't you get it? Fungus...Fungi...
  
  Y: Haha ... 是挺幽默的。我相信我们的听众在收音机前已经笑得直不起腰来了。
  
  J: Oh, you know what, don't humor me, Yang Chen.
  
  Y: 不错,你还是挺会讲笑话的。继续努力。
  
  J: You know maybe I should take me friend's comedy class. You know, polish my act a little.
  
  Y: A little?
  
  J: Yeah, you know polish it up a little.
  
  Y: 真的有这种专门教人讲笑话的课吗?
  
  J: Oh sure. My friend Jason teaches a stand up comedy class so I went to check it out.
  
  Y: 怎么样,有什么收获吗?
  
  J: Actually the thing that surprised me the most was how serious the class was. Jason talked a lot about the pain and sorrow in comedy.
  
  Y: 痛苦,悲伤?你确定他们上的是喜剧课?
  
  J: I was surprised too. But let's here from Jason as he describes his philosophy of comedy.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1141
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 Jason: Comedy is actually your pain turned into comedy; that is what it is. It's the things that affect you in your life. Unfortunately the things that most people will laugh at are your pain and your sorrow that actually is actually in their life as well in some sort of fashion, maybe a bad mother, a bad father, bad working conditions, something like that, but they can still identify.
  
  Y: Jason讲的倒是挺有道理的。幽默就是把自己的痛苦经历当笑话讲给别人听。这样既可以引起他们的共鸣,又可以让他们哈哈一笑,忘记了生活中的不愉快。这的确是很深奥的道理。
  
  J: I agree. We all laugh at things we can identify with. As a comic Jason is not afraid of sharing the most painful parts of his life. During our interview as we were driving from his stand-up class Jason talked about how he grew up with a heart condition, his open heart surgery and the connection to comedy.
  
  实录2 Jason: Comedy has always been dear to my heart. Um, I grew up with a heart condition. I had open-heart surgery. Um, I found that comedy was the unique thing that would bring people together. And it was always something I could do to make them laugh and help them enjoy their life and actually take their pain and sorrow of their life, identify it with me ... and actually get some sort of ... maybe a closure or some sort of ending to their saga or their story.
  
  Y: 其实我们每个人在生活中都有这样的经历。 你越是在困难的时候就越想看喜剧片或者听听笑话。
  
  J: Oh, I think so too.
  
  Y: 说到这里,我很好奇,Jason的学生都是些什么人呢?
  
  J: Most of the students in the class were older women. There was only one man. Here's Jason again talking about one of his students.
  
  实录3 Jason: One of my students had brain surgery and she wanted to use it as some sort of healing. Bring out her pain into the public and actually to resolve that and turn her pain into someone else's happiness. And, um, it's a way of putting closure on events.
  
  Y: Jason刚才讲的这个学生做过脑部手术。她想借助喜剧来恢复健康。对这个学生来说,"putting closure on events" 就意味着要忘掉过去的痛苦,开始新的生活。说起来美国的这种 "stand-up comedy" 是一种很特殊的喜剧表演方式,有点类似中国的单口相声。
  
  J: Stand-up comedy is one of the hardest types of performing. It literally means that you stand up in front of people and make them laugh.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1142
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Y: 我有个很严肃的问题:要是没有人笑该怎么办?
  
  J: You know that's a good question. You feel vulnerable. You feel exposed. You feel embarrassed. You feel naked.
  
  Y: 还是广播好,我们可以用音响效果来掩饰你的尴尬。
  
  J: That's right!
  
  Y: 对,要是没人笑,你按一下按钮用音响效果就可以了。
  
  J: Let me tell my joke again and see if it's any better.
  
  Y: 好阿,效果一定很好。
  
  J: We'll finish with my joke. Thanks for joining us on American Cafe.
  
  Y: 好,我们今天的时间到了。谢谢您到美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见。
  
  J: So a mushroom walks into a bar ...
  
  (laughter)
  
  J: ... and the bartender says, "Hey get out of here! We don't serve your kind.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1143
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第14课声音
  
  
  Y:各位听众好,欢迎大家到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe. My name is Jody! Hey, Yang Chen, who's going to join us today on American Cafe?
  
  Y: 明克胜先生。你知道吗,现在中国有学英语热,但是他们不知道其实在美国也有很多人在学中文。所以我们今天请明克胜先生来给我们谈谈他为什么要学中文,还有他在学中文的过程中遇到什么困难。我们今天还有一位神秘的嘉宾。你知道是谁吗?
  
  J: I have no idea.
  
  Y: 就是你。
  
  J: Oh, my gosh!
  
  Y: 好,我们就请明克胜先生谈谈他为什么要学中文,他是怎么开始的。
  
  实录1: Carl: Well, I started a long time ago. First learned a little bit when I was in college. But I probably picked up most of it when I was overseas in Taiwan and also Mainland China for about three years total. Started learning, really learning, when I was in Taiwan.
  
  Y: 那么,Jody你呢, 你是怎么开始学中文的呢?
  
  实录2: Jody: Actually I started studying Chinese when I arrived in China. I don't have Chinese under my belt before that time, Yang Chen. So I arrived in Shanghai when I was 21 years old, not speaking any Chinese. And I arrived at the train station at 3 o'clock in the morning surrounded by people who did not speak my language. And I can tell you it was a little frightening. So, I did the only thing I knew what to do ... I sang a song, "Rain drops keep falling on my head." And everyone started laughing and it made the situation better. Actually, Carl said that he began studying in college while he was in the United States. I did not do that. I got a scholarship to leave the country and go to China and study and I took advantage of it. I really wanted to go abroad to study and China seemed like the most foreign place on the planet.
  
  Y: 我们可以想象美国人学中文一定有很多困难,因为这两个语言实在是相差的太远了。那么下面请你们谈谈你们在学习中遇到过什么困难,首先我们让明克胜先生谈一谈。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1144
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Carl: Two of the most challenging things when you study Chinese, in particular, are the tones and the characters. I think that's just extremely difficult. And it was frustrating to be teaching ... teaching kindergarten students and realizing that their reading was much better than mine.
  
  Y: Jody, 你觉得明克胜谈的这些困难是不是每个学中文的学生都会遇到的困难呢?
  
  实录4: Jody: Oh, most definitely. The tones and the characters, Yang Chen, they're so difficult. We're just not used to it. We're not used to the strict tonal aspect of Chinese. 妈、麻、马、骂。
  
  Y: 没错, 我听到过很多外国人说中文的时候因为四声没有掌握对,所以闹出很多笑话。 比如把一个东西讲成另一个东西。我想学中文也和学其他语言一样,每个人都有一些小的诀窍。那么你们两谈一谈你们在学习的过程中有些什么样的诀窍,或者是技巧啊,或者有什么好的经验介绍给大家。
  
  实录5: Carl: The best thing to do when you're learning Chinese is to be around a lot of four-year olds. And the reason I say that is because their level of Chinese and yours are at the very beginning quite similar. You can have these great conversations like "I'm hungry!" "I like blue." "I want the ball!" And so, I thought it was great to be able do that ... very simple Chinese expressions with four and five-year olds.
  
  实录6: Jody: Yeah. I didn't teach small children. I taught university students and we mostly used English. But I did have the opportunity to make friends with students in the music department and I learned several Chinese pop songs and I was able to perform with them and sing Chinese songs at concerts. And when you're a foreigner living in China you get asked to do television commercials and acting shows.
  
  Y: 所以这个语言环境是很重要的,你和不同行业的人交谈也可以学到很多东西。
  
  J: Not only the language but most importantly, the culture and how people live their lives and make a living and have fun.
  
  Y: 好,我们今天的时间快到了,我想最后请你们二位一人用中文讲一句中国的成语啊, 俗语啊,或者是俏皮话,讲什么都可以。
  
  C:天下无难事,只怕有心人。
  
  J:I like this idiom. I heard it and it stuck with me and here it is 好马不吃回头草。
  
  Y:哇,你们两都说得非常好。好,我们今天的时间到了。谢谢大家收听。我们下次节目再见。
  
  J: See you later!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1145
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的习惯用语都有一个主要的词Lie。我想大家都知道lie有好多不同的意思,但是在我们今天要介绍的两个习惯用语, lie都和“撒谎”这个意思无关。我们今天要学的第一个习惯用语是:lie low。Lie low这个习惯用语大约从十九世纪开始流行的。想象一下:一个猎人低低地伏在树丛草堆中,屏息静待一头大意的鹿走到他枪支的射程范围内。这个猎人是在“打埋伏”或者“潜伏”,也就是lie low。
  
  让我们通过一个例子来体会lie low这个习惯用语的含义。这段话讲的是真人真事。二十多年前美国一名女学生在越战期间参与了反战运动,后来她帮助一个地下组织抢劫银行并杀死了一名警卫,然后她销声匿迹几十年,但是最近她突然向警方自首了。我们待会儿要听她主动投案的道理是什么。在听之前先来学一个生词:guilt。Guilt解释“罪恶”,所以sense of guilt意思就是“罪恶感”。好,我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-1: She changed her name and moved across the country. It would have been easy for her to lie low the rest of her life. Except for one thing - she couldn't get over her sense of guilt over the killing.
  
  大家都听明白了吗?这段话说:她隐姓埋名又远走他乡。原来也许一辈子都可以蒙混过关了。然而瞒得过他人却瞒不过自己;她一直都摆脱不了沉重的罪恶感。
  
  从这段话里我们看出lie low意思是隐蔽,不露形迹。
  
  ******
  
  但是lie low这个习惯用语除了表示隐蔽你的身体之类有形的东西之外,也可以表示隐藏某种无形的东西。让我们再听一个例子。你来猜测一下这里lie low是什么意思。先得学一个生词:announce。 Announce解释“宣布”。好,我们一起来听关于某一位参议员参选的事。
  
  例句2: I know Senator Blank wants to run for president. Right now he's lying low, not saying anything, but he's waiting for the right moment to announce he's in the race.
  
  他说:我知道Blank参议员想要竞选总统。只是目前他不露声色,闭口不谈,但是等到时机成熟,他会宣布自己参选的。
  
  从这个例子我们可以看出lie low不但可以指隐蔽有形的身体,也可以用来说“不露声色”,“隐藏某种意图”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1146
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的第二个带有lie这个词的习惯用语是:let sleeping dogs lie。 Let sleeping dogs lie是个非常非常古老的习惯用语,至少有六百年的历史了。实际上十四世纪的英国伟大诗人乔叟就曾经引用过这句话,可见这个习惯用语影响深远。这个习惯用语形像生动,要是你去惊动邻居睡着的看家狗话,那你简直就是自讨苦吃,自愿被狗咬。
  
  听到这个习惯用语,你很可能会联想起中国那句老话“别打草惊蛇”。它们的确有异曲同工之妙。接下来我们要听一个例子。说的是办公室里的纠纷,有人和一个叫Peter的同事不和,因而打算去老板那儿告状,但是他另一位同事却在劝他。
  
  好,我们一起来听,请注意里面的let sleeping dogs lie。
  
  例句3: Better let sleeping dogs lie. The boss likes Peter so much, and you are just like fish in a big pond. Be smart and stay quiet until your chance comes.
  
  他说:你最好别打草惊蛇,老板很喜欢Peter,而你只是没没无闻的小人物。还是放聪明点儿,别吭声,等待时机。
  
  从这儿可以看出let sleeping dogs lie就是劝告别招惹别人,以免自找麻烦。
  
  ******
  
  接下来我们还要听一个例子,进一步体会let sleeping dogs lie用在什么上下文中。有一个选民和朋友谈论名叫Green的候选人。他希望Green能就堕胎问题发表看法,于是他的朋友向他解释Green保持沉默的原因。好,我们一起来听他的朋友是怎么向他解释的。
  
  例句4: Mr. Green is trying to let sleeping dogs lie. Both sides feel so strongly about this issue that if he stands on either side, he is sure to make a lot of enemies.
  
  他说:“Green 是在努力避免招惹是非,由于双方在这个问题上都固执己见,所以不论他站在哪一边,都必然给自己树敌过多。”
  
  在这段话里,let sleeping dogs lie意思是,不招惹是非。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1147
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的习惯用语属于同一个主题,party,也就是聚会或者宴会。美国有不少人热中于参加party,所以和这些社交场合相关的俗语或者习惯用语也特别丰富多彩。我们今天要学的第一个是:blow-out。 Blow和out之间用连词符号连接。Blow-out是指排场豪华的宴会,主人举办blow-out得花不少钱来款待客人。比方说,盛大的婚宴就是blow-out,很多新娘的爸妈都尽可能光彩地把宝贝女儿送上新生活。我们要听一段关于婚宴的话,但是先得学几个生词:orchestra,这是“乐队”。好。我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-1: Sally's wedding reception was a real blow-out. More than three hundred guests, the best food and drink, a big orchestra for dancing - it must cost her father much money.
  
  这段话说,Sally的婚宴非常豪华,有三百多来宾,最精美的饮食,还请了大型乐队为跳舞伴奏,Sally的爸爸一定为这次婚宴花了好多钱。
  
  从这段话里我们可以体会blow-out是排场豪华的宴会。
  
  ******
  
  我们还要学一个美国人说狂欢聚会的词:wing-ding。 Wing-ding和blow-out 一样也是复合词。它们之间也由连词符号连接。Wing-ding是指兴奋喧闹的聚会。这样的聚会当时令人乐得忘乎。所以,事后又使人回味无穷。Wing-ding这个词的出典已经难以查考,但是它用在日常会话中已经有七十五年以上的历史了。下面我们要听一个例子。说话的人在向朋友描述他公司举办的一次新年晚会。
  
  例句-2: Our company made good money this year so our New Year party was the best wing-ding. There was plenty to eat and drink and most of us stayed later than we ever had before.
  
  他说:我们公司今年收益很好,所以我们的新年晚会是多年来最出色的一次;晚会上有丰盛的饮食,我们多数人都很晚才尽兴而归。所以wing-ding是欢乐尽兴的晚会或者宴会。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1148
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

还有一个词也用来指宴会,它是:Bash。可能有人会说Bash这个词的意思不是“猛击”,“痛打”吗?不错,但是它还可以指宴会,聚会。让我们听一个例子,来体会Bash指的是甚么样的宴会。这是美国东部的一个小伙子在说他们怎样欢送一个即将远行三千英哩,横跨美国去加州上大学的夥伴:
  
  例句-3: More than a hundred people came to the bash we gave for Johnny when he left for the college in California. Johnny had such a good time that he almost missed his plane.
  
  这段话说:有一百多人来参加了我们为Johnny举行的晚会,因为Johnny要去加州上大学了Johnny玩儿得可真痛快,他差点误了飞机。
  
  从这个例子我们可以看出bash特指那种生动活泼、痛快欢乐的聚会,而且常常是青年人的聚会。
  
  ******
  
  我们还要学一个也解释喧闹的宴会的词:Blast。成功的晚会往往会闹声喧天,会吵得邻居睡不着觉,甚至叫警察出面干涉制止吵声。很多人都知道blast这个词通常解释“爆炸”,或者突发的一阵大风,或者喇叭的闹声,也许这就是为什么blast特别用来指喧闹欢乐的聚会。
  
  下面我们要听一个人回忆他去俱乐部参加的一次舞会。舞会上以最大的音量放摇滚乐唱片,直到清晨四点。好,我们一起来听一个参加者的感想,同时体会一下blast是甚么样的聚会活动。
  
  例句-4: Sure, I'm tired but it was worth it - a fantastic blast, at least until the police came and made us turn down the music because people could hear us two blocks away.
  
  他说:我确实非常累,但是很值得,因为这次喧闹的舞会棒极了,唯一扫兴的是后来警察来要我们把音量调低,因为我们的闹声两条街以外都听得到。
  
  从这段话里可以看出blast指那种闹声喧天的聚会。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1149
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第15课
  
  
  Y: 个位听众好!我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Hello, I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe. Hey, Yang Chen, how was your trip down to Florida?
  
  Y: 哎呀,玩得太开心了。我知道你也去了迪斯尼世界,对吧?
  
  J: I did! We drove down too. What a fun time!
  
  Y: 可是玩得时候开心,你知道开车回来的时候开了十几个小时,简直把我累死了。
  
  J: Oh, you're telling me. We drove straight through too and it was a long drive. Hey, on the road did you notice all the motorcycles?
  
  Y: 没错,我正要问你呢,为什么有那么多摩托车呢?
  
  J: Well, it just so happens that we were coming home just as Bike Week was ending in Florida.
  
  Y: 你是说那些摩托车都是要开到同一个地方,参加同一个活动。
  
  J: Yeah, all the bikes were going to Daytona Beach where they have Bike Week. I think this year it ran from Feb 27 to March 7.
  
  Y: 难怪呢。
  
  J: And on the way to Florida I stopped at the headquarters of Bike Week and spoke with a biker named Gino. He told me a little about Bike Week and biker culture.
  
  Y: 好啊,我也正想听听这个Bike Week是怎么回事呢。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1150
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 Gino: Well, my name is Gina Garjulo and I am in St. Augustine, Florida. And we're about 65 miles north of Daytona, which has the second largest Bike Week in the world. This Bike Week here is in its 63rd year. And every year people come from all over the world, literally.
  
  Y: 听Gino这么一解释,这个Bike Week其实就是一种摩托车爱好者或者说摩托车手的大聚会。Gino说这个活动已经有63年的历史,参加者来自世界各地。
  
  J: That's right. People come from all over the world to attend Bike Week at Daytona. A lot of people came and a lot of people spent a lot of money.
  
  实录2 Gino: About 500,000 people descend upon Daytona. It's an impact of about $500 million dollars in about a two-week period all together.
  
  Y: Wow! 不过我很好奇,这些摩托车爱好者都是些什么人?
  
  J: Well, Gino explains that Bike Week is a very interesting look into the diversity of the biker culture.
  
  Y: 你说的diversity是什么意思呢?
  
  J: Okay, some people think that all bikers have long scraggly hair and tattoos and beards. You know, that's the stereotype of a biker.
  
  Y: 没错,一提到骑摩托车的人我们就会联想到那种留长头发,穿皮夹克啊,就是那种比较粗野的形象吧?
  
  J: Yeah, I know. And some bikers do fit that description, that stereotype. But here's Gina again to describe the diversity of people who go to Bike Week.
  
  实录3 Gino: It's a very interesting look into the Biker Culture and you've got people that are what we call "one percenters" that are real hardcore bikers that have the long, scraggly hair and beards and everything and the tattoos all over them. Then you have the doctors and lawyers and everything. There are bikes that run up to $150,000. Lots of women ride, uh ... just all interesting people.
  
  Y: 看来人们对摩托手确实有一些误解,其实他们当中有很多受过良好教育的人。Gino 刚才说的 hardcore bikers指的是那些铁杆分子。你说我可不可以形容他们是爱摩托车如命呢?
  
  J: Right. Gino said "hardcore" and that's the perfect word to describe, you know, people who are really devoted to something to a very serious degree. "Hardcore" is one word and it's spelled H-A-R-D "hard," "core" C-O-R-E. And another example of how to use it would be "That's really hardcore, man," really serious.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1151
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Y: 我很好奇,这个Bike Week都有些什么活动呢?
  
  实录4 Gino: They camp out. They're get here a week or so early. They have camping spots down there. And, uh, they drive all over the place. They have organized rides, contests ...
  
  Y: 我想除了野营,赛车,观赏摩托车之外,一定还有购物活动吧?比方说他们可以购买特制的皮夹克或者说摩托车用品等等。
  
  J: Even tattoos, Yang Chen.
  
  Y: Oh, 别提那个。"Tattoo"中文就是刺青,就是在身上弄得花花绿绿的。我受不了。
  
  J: That's one thing Gina wanted to make sure of ... that not all bikers have tattoos.
  
  Y: 不能划等号。
  
  (Enter motorcycle sounds)
  
  Y: 啊,怎么有人开着摩托车到我们的咖啡屋来了。
  
  J: Let's go outside and check it out. Uh, uh, Sorry, everyone. We gotta go! Thanks for joining us on American Cafe.
  
  Y: 好,各位听众,我们下次节目再见

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1152
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第16课
  
  
  Y: 个位听众好,我是杨陈。欢迎大家到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe! My name's Jody. On a previous show we talked about Bike Week, a long vacation in Florida for people who love motorcycles.
  
  Y: 没错,我们曾经介绍过Bike Week就是摩托爱好者的一次大聚会。
  
  J: Exactly. And people come from all over the world to come to Bike Week.
  
  Y: 对,参加的人来自世界各地。他们的活动丰富多彩。哎,Jody,我觉得这些人已经形成了特殊的摩托车文化,你说对不对。
  
  J: Oh, exactly. There was way too much to cover in only five minutes. So, we're back with our friends Gino and Terry, bikers and motorcycle salesman, to learn more about the traditions of the biker culture.
  
  实录1 Gino: I've been riding for 32 years. Uh I've been in the bike business for about 20 years ... me and my and partner Terry. It's been something I've always enjoyed.
  
  Y: Gino说他玩摩托车的历史已经有32年了,然后他和Terry开业卖摩托车也已经有20年了。
  
  J: Yeah, we talked in the store that he and Terry owned. The store was full of motorcycle gear.
  
  Y: 你说的motorcycle gear,是不是摩托车用品?
  
  J: Right, clothing and helmets, and of course the motorcycles. And Gino described a typical biker. Yang Chen, we should tell everyone that in English "biker," B-I-KE-R", only refers to someone who rides a motorcycle.
  
  Y: 我会骑自行车,我算不算biker?
  
  J: Oh, no, I don't think that counts, Yang Chen.
  
  Y: 我好伤心。
  
  J: Try again next time. Here is Gino to tell us more about the biker culture.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1153
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Gino: They're basically just nice people. They're down-to-earth, hardworking... they'll do anything for anybody.
  
  Y: Gino说的down-to-earth我们可解释为很实在,很朴实,对不对?
  
  J: 对了。
  
  Y: 我听说这些摩托车爱好者之间有很多虽然不是明文规定,但是大家都要遵守的规则,是吗?
  
  J: Exactly. Bikers live by an unwritten code of ethics. You know, they stick together and are very loyal to their friends, family and fellow bikers, even if they don't know them.
  
  Y: 我想这就是为什么人们喜欢聚在一起,因为他们可以找到有共同爱好,可以信任的人。
  
  J: That's such a good point. That's why people join communities like the bikers -- to find that loyalty. Again here is Gino.
  
  实录3 Gino: We all feel akin to each other. You know you see someone broken down on the side of the road there's a biker you always stop to help (th)'em. And traditionally when you see bikers, bikers always wave to each whether you know each other or not just to say hi.
  
  Y:真没想到他们这么团结,比如Gino刚才提到如果他们看到别人的摩托车坏了一定要停下来帮忙。还有呢,如果在高速公路上大家一定要互相招手致意。
  
  J: OK, Yang Chen, I'm going to give you a quick motorcycle quiz.
  
  Y: 你要考我,好啊。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1154
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: What do you think it means when a biker pats the top of his or her helmet?
  
  Y: 如果一个骑摩托车的人拍一拍头盔是什么意思。让我想想。
  
  J: 好。What do you think?
  
  Y: 我知道了。一定是他在提醒对面那个骑摩托车的人前面有一个卖冰激淋的店!
  
  J: Ice cream shop? No, no, no. But I know where you mind is. What it means is to slow down if you are speeding because there is policeman up ahead.
  
  Y: 真的?可见他们骑摩托车经常超速。
  
  J: I don't know. But just in case. Just in case they are speeding. OK, here is another question, Yang Chen. What motorcycle do you think bikers most love to ride?
  
  Y: 这个我知道,一定是本田。
  
  J:No, no, wrong answer. You failed the motorcycle quiz.
  
  Y: 啊, 我又错了?
  
  J: It's the Harley Davidson, a bike named after the two Americans who invented it. Let's introduce Terry, Gino's business partner, as he shows us his pride and joy.
  
  Terry: It's a 2003 Harley Davidson Fatboy.
  
  Y: Wow!
  
  J: Yeah. Wow.
  
  Y: 其实我根本不知道2003年Harley Davidson Fatboy是什么。听起来象一种汉堡包。
  
  J: It does sound like a hamburger. But here is Terry to tell us what it really is.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1155
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4 Terry and Jody:
  
  Terry: It's the oldest American bike in existence.
  
  Jody: What's it like to ride it?
  
  Terry: It's more fun that you could ever imagine.
  
  Jody: I think so.
  
  Terry: You have to ride one. You ride one and you'll know what it's like.
  
  (Enter music ZZ Top "La Grange")
  
  Y: Terry说的没错。你要想知道骑摩托车的滋味,就必须亲身体验一下。好,我们今天的时间到了,谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次再见。
  
  J: See you next time on American Cafe.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1156
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了好几个美国人有关宴会或者聚会的说法。很多美国人确实爱热闹,一有适当的机会大家就会聚在一起乐一下。除了我们上次介绍的几种说法以外,还有其他一些有关聚会场合的习惯用语。我们今天再介绍几个比较常用的。第一个是:stag party。这个短语中stag这个词,它的意思是成年的公鹿。由此可以推测stag party就是由清一色男士们参加的聚会,女性一律谢绝。Stag party的内容可以是打扑克,一起看拳击赛或者足球赛。有时候stag party在新郎举行婚礼的前夜举行,纪念他告别单身生活。这就是我们要给大家的第一个例子。
  
  例句-1: I don't feel so good this morning. I gave my brother a stag party last night because he's getting married today and we stayed out too late and had too much to drink.
  
  他说,我今天早上不太舒服。我昨晚给弟弟举办了个男子汉聚会,因为他今天要结婚了。我们太晚回家,酒也喝得太多了。
  
  Stag party 就是男性的聚会。
  
  ******
  
  stag party 排斥女性,不免引起女性的不快,而妇女们也有针锋相对的一手。这就是我们要学的下一个习惯用语:Hen party。Hen意思是母鸡。我想不少人已经猜出hen party指的是甚么样的聚会,当然是妇女聚会了,换句话说,hen party全是女性参加。下面我们要看一个例子。这是一个丈夫在说他太太将要参加的妇女聚会。
  
  例句2: I'll be home tonight to take care of the kids because Susan has a hen party with the women she went to college with. Friday it's my turn - I'm going to a stag party to play poker.
  
  他说:我今晚得在家照顾孩子,因为Susan要去参加以前大学女同学的妇女聚会。然而星期五将轮到我出去,我要去参加男子聚会打扑克。
  
  这段话里的hen party是妇女聚会的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1157
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上面学的stag party 和 hen party是男女有别的聚会。接下来我们要介绍一种不分男女老幼都可以分享的聚会,它是tailgate party。Tailgate,这原是一种箱形轿车尾部的车门。它可以翻下来暂时充当桌子。你在球场外或者其它运动比赛场外的停车场上时常会看到球迷们在开场前几小时就捷足先登把三明治、热狗或者烧烤肉类等放在这张车尾的临时桌子上举行野餐,在一饱眼福之前,先大饱口福。这就是tailgate party,车尾野餐会。
  
  好,我们来听华盛顿市的一个球迷在谈论一场他们去看的美式足球赛。
  
  例句3:We had a great tailgater party before the Washington Redskins played the New York Giants. But that was the only good part of the day: the Giants beat our Redskins by 21 points.
  
  他说: 我们在看华盛顿红人队和纽约巨人队的球赛前有很精彩车尾野餐会,但这是那一天唯一值得我们高兴的事儿,因为在那场比赛中我们的红人队输给了巨人队二十一分。
  
  Tailgate party就是别具风味的车尾野餐会。
  
  ******
  
  我们还要学另一个饶有情趣的聚会,它是baby shower. Baby shower当然不是给婴儿洗澡的意思,shower这个词可以指大批礼物,或许是因为礼物多得像大雨中的雨点,也可能是由于礼物倾注了亲友的深情厚意。当一个妇女怀宝宝以后,她的亲朋好友会约定日子聚在一起,送她好多衣服、玩具等小宝宝一出世就合用的各种东西。可想而知这是多么欢乐热闹的场面。接下来我们要看一段话,Susan要当妈妈了。这是Susan的爸爸在说话:
  
  例句4:The baby shower will surely be a happy occasion, but it seems like only yesterday that Susan was a little girl herself. Now she'll be a mother. Where does the time go, I wonder?
  
  他说: 为未来妈妈举行的送礼会一定是欢天喜地的场面,然而我觉得好像Susan昨天还只是个小女孩,但是如今她却快当母亲了,岁月不知不觉地过去,真让人不可思议。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1158
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都有一个关键的词: Blanket,毯子。这是寒冷的冬夜最受人欢迎的东西.我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:Wet blanket. 大家都知道wet是潮湿的意思。一条湿淋淋的毯子会受人欢迎吗?当然不。冬天把湿毯子盖在身上可真不好受,会让你全身上下冷得发抖。由此你可以想象要是wet blanket用来比喻一个人,这可绝对不是个受人欢迎的人。你我在日常生活中都可能碰到过这样的人。接着我们要让大家看一段话,说话的人在准备为女朋友的生日热热闹闹地庆祝一番,但是他决定不了究竟该不该把一wet blanket也请来参加生日宴会。
  
  例句-1:I can't decide whether I should invite my girlfriend's brother Tom to the party. After all he is her brother. But he's such a wet blanket I'm afraid he'll spoil the party for all my other guests.
  
  他说:我决定不了要不要请我女朋友的哥哥 Tom 来参加我特地为女朋友举行的宴会。Tom毕竟是她的哥哥,但是Tom又是这样一个令人生厌的家伙,我怕他会弄得其他客人都很扫兴。
  
  你可以体会wet blanket一定是那种让大家都扫兴的家伙;那种人冷淡、孤僻、不合群,不但自己不知如何享受生活的乐趣,还让周围的人也失去兴致。
  
  ******
  
  Wet blanket这个习惯用语可能来自扑灭大火的一种老办法。要是着火了,而你又没有其它灭火用具的话,那就可以用打湿的毯子来扑盖火苗。所以就产生了这样一个习惯说法:throw a wet blanket on。这个说法相当于中文里的一句俗语: 给人当头泼凉水。人们逐渐引伸了这个说法用a wet blanket来比喻把周围兴高采烈的人们都弄得热情冷却的一个人。然而wet blanket并不只是用来说人,也可以指事情。比方说,你打算周末去海滨享受一下阳光、空气和大自然,但是一个坏天气预报却让你彻底扫兴。那你可以用什么词句来形容这个天气预报呢?好,我们来听这段话:
  
  例句2:My friends and I were going to the beach this weekend for some sun and swimming. But the weather forecast threw a wet blanket on our plans - it says it'll be rainy and cold.
  
  他说:我和朋友们原来打算这个周末去海滨晒太阳、游泳,但是天气预报却给我们当头泼了一瓢凉水。据说天要下雨而且很凉。
  
  这段话里的wet blanket显然指天气预报,因为它令人扫兴。可见令人扫兴的东西也可以说是wet blanket。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1159
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语是:Security blanket。Security意思是“安全”。Security blanket这个习惯用语的流行是由于报上连载的一部幽默连环画里的主人公。美国人都爱看这连环画,尤其喜欢其中的主人公小男孩。他从早到晚都带着夜里睡觉盖的毯子,因为他只要一坐到地板上吮吸大姆指或者那条毯子的一角,心里就踏实,觉得特别有安全感。于是人们就把带给人安全感的人或者事物称为Security blanket。说到这个短语也许让你想起另一个相应的习惯用语“保护伞”。这两种说法确实意义相近。 我们来看一个例子,说话的人在回忆自己十岁时候的事情,他其中说到的security blanket是指一个人。
  
  例句3: I was small for my age so I made friends with the biggest boy in my class. He was my security blanket - none of the other kids dared give me any trouble when he was around.
  
  他说:我小时候个子长得特别矮小,所以我班上最高大的男孩交朋友。他成了我的保护伞;只要他在,别的孩子谁也不敢惹我。
  
  从这段话可以看出security blanket就是给你提供安全保证的“保护伞”或者“靠山”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1160
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第17课声音
  
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: And I'm Jody! Thanks for dropping by the American Cafe!
  
  Y: 哎,Jody, 你踢踏舞练得这么样了?
  
  (Sound of tap dancing)
  
  J: Slowly, Yang Chen. Really slowly.
  
  Y:一定很难吧?
  
  J: Um, I would have to say in a word, simply ... YES! It's really hard.
  
  Y: 就是吗。当初我就劝你学点简单的东西。
  
  J: I know.
  
  Y: 不是我打击你的积极性,你这个年龄学踢踏舞是不是晚了一点儿?
  
  J: What's that supposed to mean? What do you mean 我的这个年龄?! What's wrong with my age!? But, actually the ladies in my tap dance troupe, called Young At Heart, are in their late 50s and early 60s. So, I'm pretty young. And most of them didn't start tap dancing until they hit 50 years old.
  
  Y: 还有这么多人50多岁了才开始学跳踢踏舞。Young At Heart这个名字起得真好。它的意思是说一个人身体变老了,可是心灵和思想永远是年轻的。这和中文里的“童心未泯”的意思很接近。
  
  J: And in English the expression "young at heart" is often used to describe older people who have a zest for life. You know, they have a young way of looking at life. Here's Hazel, one of the founders of Young At Heart.
  
  实录1 Hazel Elbert:My name is Hazel Elbert. And ah, I started tapping in 1989. In 1989 I was 52 years old. I've been with Young at Heart since, oh dear, I guess it's been about five, going on about six years now.
  
  Y: Hazel五十二岁才开始学跳舞。你们都在什么地方表演,我下次一定要去看看。
  
  J: Oh, that'll be fun! Young At Heart travels to many nursing homes and senior centers in the area and tap dances for people who don't get to go out very much any more.
  
  Y: 这里的nursing homes指的就是养老院,那么senior centers指的是老年人中心。哎,你们到这些养老院或老年人中心去为老人们表演,这也应该算是一种慈善活动吧?
  
  J: Here's Hazel again.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1161
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Hazel Elbert:And you get a good feeling because the whole purpose of our organization is to provide entertainment to elderly people, actually. It's the elderly people that are in our nursing homes or senior centers and what have you, and that's the main purpose of our organization.
  
  J: And you know, what's better than music, dancing, singing and laughter? Those are the best medicines for anybody.
  
  Y: 没错,没错。对我自己来说,多听音乐,唱歌跳舞都是有益身体健康的活动。
  
  J: And you know, there's another side to the benefits of Young At Heart.
  
  Y:那是什么呢?
  
  J: Well, many of the women have used tap dance to help recover from serious illnesses.
  
  Y: 真的?跳踢踏舞还可以帮助她们恢复身体健康啊?
  
  J: Definitely, definitely. Here's Hazel.
  
  ACT Hazel Elbert
  
  Jody: Out of all the dance forms why did you choose tap?
  
  实录3 Hazel: Because I needed a diversion from a medical problem I was having. And I thought tap would be challenging and it would keep my mind occupied. It required a lot of thought, coordination and that's kinda of what I needed at the time.
  
  Y: 原来Hazel是用跳舞来分散她的精力。这样她就不会老把自己当成一个病人。这真的是一种好办法。
  
  J: Right, because tap dance, like Hazel said, is not only physical it's also mental. It requires a lot of thought, a lot of coordination. Another women in the dance troupe, a friend of mine, has cancer and is undergoing chemotherapy.
  
  Y: Chemotherapy就是疗。
  
  J: And she's still tap dancing. Well, here's Emily. She explains how tap dancing saved her from severe shyness.
  
  Y: 害羞?
  
  J: 非常害羞。
  
  Y: 哇,我很好奇,如果她是个害羞的人,那她怎么敢在很多人面前跳舞呢?
  
  J: 我们让她解释。
  
  实录4 Emily:I choose tap dancing because it is something I've always wanted to do since I was yay high but I was too frightened and too scared, and I was a very shy person, oh horribly shy person. But then when I became 52, I said "Uh oh, I think it's time." 52 or not I was going to do this.
  
  Y: Jody, 你知道吗,我听了Emily的话,真的很受鼓舞,因为我也是个很害羞的人,所以我也应该去学跳踢踏舞?
  
  J: What?! You? Shy?! No way! But come on out and dance with us anyway. Young At Heart would love to have you.
  
  Y: 好,各位听众,我们今天的节目就到这里结束。谢谢大家收听,我们下次节目再见。
  
  (Sound of tap dancing)
  
  J: Thanks for tuning into American Cafe! See you next time!
  
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1162
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第18课声音
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: And I'm Jody. Welcome to American cafe, where you can meet everyday Americans at work and at play. So, come on in and grab a good seat by the window and join us for American Cafe.
  
  Y: 说到这儿啊,我们今天要带您认识两位美国人。他们有一个共同的爱好。
  
  J: That's right. One's a musician and one's a dancer. And they have something in common - they both love bluegrass music!
  
  (Enter "Orange Blossom Special")
  
  J: Yang Chen, did you hear how fast they are playing? It is simply incredible!
  
  Y: Wow, 你说的没错。虽然我看不见他们的手,可是我已经觉得眼花缭乱了。
  
  J: Yang Chen, let's first introduce Bob Carlin, a musician we met at a cultural festival and let him describe this very American type of music; bluegrass.
  
  Y: 好吧。我们首先来认识一下Bob Carlin。他是一位音乐学者,让他给您介绍一下什么是Bluegrass Music, 兰草音乐。
  
  实录1 Bob Carlin: Bluegrass is a form of music in its strictest definition. It's a band of fiddle, or violin, mandolin, five-string banjo, which is an American invention from an African instrument, and, uh, the guitar and string base. And that's the classic bluegrass band.
  
  Y: Jody,Bob Carlin刚才提到了演奏bluegrass的几种基本乐器。我们解释一下这几种乐器好吗?
  
  J: That's a great idea. First he mentions the fiddle, or violin.
  
  Y: 其实 fiddle就是小提琴,在演奏乡村音乐或兰草音乐的时候就称为fiddle。我给它起了个名字,叫“乡村小提琴”,好不好听啊?
  
  J: Very clever. Then there's the mandolin.
  
  Y: 曼陀林琴。
  
  J: Next is the five-string banjo. It is the most important instrument in bluegrass music. What you hear in the background, in fact, is an example of banjo music.
  
  (Enter banjo music)
  
  Y: Banjo就五弦琴或者叫班究琴。您现在听到的就是班究琴。Banjo在兰草音乐里是最重要的一种乐器。
  
  J: Then there's the guitar.
  
  Y: 我想大家都很熟悉吉他。
  
  J: Finally, Yang Chen, there's the string bass.
  
  Y: 最后还有低音琴。解了演奏 Bluegrass 的基本乐器,下面我们听听 Bob Carlin为我们介绍 Bluegrass 的起源和风格。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1163
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Bob Carlin: What separates this from other music groups is that they play in a style that was pioneered by Bill Monroe back in the 1940s. And, um, it's a music that takes its cue or its roots from earlier forms of American string band music, country music and incorporates, uh, some ideas out of jazz, like soloing.
  
  Y: Bob Carlin 刚才谈到的 Bill Monroe 就是兰草音乐之父。还有啊,他提到几个词,我们来解释一下,"jazz" 就是爵士乐。"Soloing" 我想就是某种乐器穿插在乐曲中间的独奏,对吧?
  
  J: That's a perfect definition of soloing.
  
  Y: 谢谢你的夸奖,Jody。你来自西维吉尼亚,可以说你是听着bluegrass 长大的,那么对你来说,bluegrass有什么特别意义呢?
  
  J: You're right. I grew up in West Virginia listening to bluegrass music so it really is in my blood. When bluegrass music is playing, it's very hard to keep my feet still.
  
  Y: 好,那么我们下面就为大家介绍我们今天要认识的第二个美国人。她叫Lynn Masterson。我们听听她为什么喜欢bluegrass。
  
  实录3 Lynn Masterson: Well, it always has a strong beat. For a dancer, a strong beat is very important. Um, it's cheery. It's happy music. It's very, uh, familiar and comfortable music. It's sort of part of who we are.
  
  Y: 我觉得她刚才Masterson女士的这番话很有代表性。 Bluegrass的确很有感染力。她所说的strong beat,也就是节奏感很强,适合跳舞。Jody,bluegrass这个题目要讲的内容实在是太多了。
  
  J: That's true.
  
  Y: 可惜我们没有足够的时间。 不过有一点我觉得非提一下不可,那就是bluegrass对大家熟悉的摇滚乐歌王,也就是猫王Elvis Presley的影响。
  
  J: I knew you were going to bring up Elvis Presley.
  
  Y: 好,下面我们还是听听音乐学者 Bob Carlin 是怎么说的吧。
  
  实录4 Bob Carlin: Of course, Elvis is influenced by bluegrass. You know, Elvis did Bill Monroe's "Blue Moon of Kentucky," and Bill Monroe just did it one speed through.
  
  (Enter Bill Monroe singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky")
  
  实录5 Bob Carlin: Elvis, he did it as a waltz like Monroe and then he sped it up.
  
  (Enter Elvis Presley singing "Blue Moon of Kentucky")
  
  J: Now that we heard both versions, Yang Chen, which one do you like better?
  
  Y: 当然是Elvis Presley了。
  
  J: I knew you were going to say that.
  
  Y: 因为他的演唱速度比较快,而且有摇滚乐的味道。
  
  J: Okay, okay we know how much you like rock-n-roll and Elvis Presley. But you know, I think Bill Monroe's version better. But, I guess we're going to have to talk about that over coffee because that's all the time we have for today on American Cafe.
  
  Y: 好,我们今天就聊到这儿。听众朋友们,我们下次见。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1164
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语有一个共同的词:push. 这个词的意思是“推”。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:push around. Push somebody around这个短语从字面解释就是把一个人推得团团转。你在学校的操场上有时会看到大男孩把小个子男孩当胸一推。他是在寻衅打架。我们也可以说:He's pushing him around. 不知有没有人也在把你push around? 你可能会说没这回事,因为你已经不小了,但是push around并不光是指肢体行动或者动武,有时办公室的上级不必动手也会把下级push around. 他的手段可能是高声喝令,或者为了鸡毛蒜皮的小事动不动就发脾气等等。我们接下来要看的就是这样一个例子:
  
  例句-1: I'm sick of Mr. Jones pushing us around. I'm going to find another job, and when I do, I'll go in and tell him what I think of him and then slam the door on my way out.
  
  他说:我实在讨厌Jones先生这样摆布欺负我们。我要去找新工作,找到后,我会到他办公室去告诉他我对他的为人有什么看法,然后走出来的时候把他的房门重重地关上。
  
  听了这段话里,你可以体会push around有仗势欺人的意思。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个带有push这个词的习惯说法是:pushover. Pushover是复合词。Pushover是指容易接受他人影响或者听从劝告的人。有时pushover也可能是个软心肠又富有同情心的人。例如我们下面要说的Peter就是这样一个人:
  
  例句2: My friend Peter is a pushover for anybody in trouble. Yesterday on our way back from lunch he saw an old man begging. And he immediately handed him a ten-dollar bill.
  
  他说:我的朋友Peter对受苦的人心肠很软。昨天我们吃了中饭回来的路上看到一个老人在乞讨。他马上给了那老人十美元。
  
  从这段话可以看出pushover也可以解释软心肠的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1165
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第三个习惯用语是:when push comes to shove. Shove, 它的意思是使劲猛推,举动往往还带点粗暴。我们刚才说过push意思只是“推”,显然shove动作的强度要大得多,情况也来得严重。那么when push comes to shove是什么意思呢?我们要听有关美国政治生活的一段描述。当选议员们往往在对一些争议激烈的议案投票上举棋不定,因为他们不论投赞成票还是反对票都会招惹是非、得罪一大批选民。
  
  下面这段话就是关于议员Blank对国会和新闻界正在激烈争辩的一个议案在投票前不明确表态:
  
  例句3:Mr. Blank is getting a lot of letters and phone calls from people on this bill and he won't say how he'll vote. But when Congress votes Tuesday and push comes to shove, I think he'll vote in favor of it.
  
  他说:Blank先生收到了好多有关这个议案的信和电话,只是目前他还不愿意表态,然而到星期二国会表决的时候他可就没有丝毫回旋余地了。我认为他将投赞成票。
  
  从这段话可以体会when push comes to shove意思就是面临最后紧要关头、没有任何回旋余地的时刻。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1166
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次学的习惯用语都有push也就是“推”这个词,而我们今天要讲的习惯用语却都有一个动作相反的词pull, 也就是“拉”。我们先要学两个习惯用语,它们分别是:pull for. Pull for是打气、鼓劲,或者声援的意思。Pull through. Pull through是渡过逆境、渡过危机、脱险的意思。接下来我们要听一段话,里面有pull for和pull through两个习惯用语,说话的人是在医院探望一位刚动了大手术的同事。
  
  例句-1: Hi, Jim! You look pretty good today. Everybody at the office says hello - we're all pulling for you to pull through this operation and get back to work as soon as you can.
  
  他说:嗨,Jim!你今天看来不错。办公室里所有的人都向你问好。我们在为你鼓劲,希望你手术后早日恢复健康,尽快回来上班。
  
  Pull for就是打气、鼓励的意思,而pull through在这里的意思是克服疾病、恢复健康。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的下一个习惯用语是:pull your leg. Pull your leg是个古老的习惯用语,至少已经用了一百多年了。人们最初可能是看到有人恶作剧故意把手杖伸在别人的腿脚下使他绊倒摔跤,而得到启发,想出了这个习惯用语。好,让我们通过一个例子来理解这个习惯用语的确切意义。有人一早来上班,发现桌上有一张看来相当正式的通知,于是引起了一段生活中的小插曲:
  
  例句2:This memo told me I was being transferred to Buffalo, where winter is really bad. I was worried when I saw people laughing at me, and I remembered it was April Fool's Day, and I realized my friends are pulling my leg.
  
  他说:这份通知说我要被调往Buffalo去工作。Buffalo那儿的冬天可真糟糕。我正发愁的时候看到人们都在笑我,我这才想起今天是愚人节,原来是朋友们在骗我跟我开玩笑。
  
  从这段话可以看出pull one's leg是跟某人开玩笑,或者是不带恶意的恶作剧。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1167
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们还要学的一个习惯用语:pull the plug. 其中的plug ,这是电线一端的插头,插进墙上的插座就能得到电力。Pull the plug,当然就是把插头从插座上拔出来,那就是切断电源,或者等于是关了某一电器用具。这是从字面上来解释pull the plug,但是这个习惯用语有什么引伸的意义呢?让我们来看一个例子。这是一家商店的店主在说话,由于经济不景气,商店的生意直线下降。
  
  例句3:Business has been terrible for six months and is getting worse every day. I hate to say this but maybe the best thing to do is pull the plug and just close up shop for good.
  
  他说:这六个月来生意很差,而且目前也一天不如一天,出于无奈我不得不说,最好还是结束业务关店算了。 从这段话可以看出pull the plug可以解释结束、中止某一业务或者事业。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1168
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第19课
  
  Y: 各位听众好,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨
  
  J: Hello, I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe. Hey, Yang Chen, how's it going?
  
  Y: 很好啊!
  
  (Sound of table rocking, coffee cup spilling over)
  
  Y: Jody,小心点,你不要晃桌子。 看我的咖啡都洒了。
  
  J: It's not my fault. Look, it's the table. See how crooked it is?
  
  (Sound of table rocking)
  
  Y: Oh, 你说的没错,这桌子好奇怪,一个腿长,一个腿短。 得找人修一修才行啊。
  
  J: No problem! Luckily, I've just come from visiting my favorite hardware store. Here let me...
  
  (Sound of a saw cutting wood)
  
  Y: Jody,你在干什么?
  
  (Sound of a saw cutting wood)
  
  J: I'm fixing ... (grunt) the (grunt) table leg.
  
  Y: 不要再锯了,哎呀,你看别人都在看我们呢!
  
  J: Just ignore (th)'em ... (sawing) just a little bit more (sawing) ... there!
  
  (Piece of wood falling)
  
  Y: 哎呀,现在这桌子更是高低不平了。
  
  J: Oops.
  
  Y: 你现在知道闯祸了。 中国有句成语“班门弄斧”,我看说的就是你。不过你这把锯子到是挺漂亮的。 从那里弄来的?
  
  J: I told you, my favorite hardware store.
  
  Y: 你最喜欢的hardware store ? 什么意思啊?
  
  J: A hardware store. You know, a store that has hardware for fastening things, for fixing things, for...
  
  Y: 我当然知道什么是五金店, 我是觉得奇怪的是,五金店不就是卖工具吗,还分什么喜欢不喜欢的。
  
  J: Well, there is no reason to yell. Maybe some of our listeners don't know. I got an idea. Let's go visit Pfeiffer's Hardware, my favorite hardware store.
  
  Y: 好吧,我们就看看这个五金店有什么特别之处,让你这么激动。
  
  (Background sounds of the Hardware Store. Cash register rings)
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1169
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 Todd Pfeiffer: My name is Todd Pfeiffer and we're standing in Pfeiffer's Hardware. A hardware store usually has hardware for fastening things, for helping build houses, for renovating houses, for repairing things in the house. And also tools, tools that you use with the hardware to fix things.
  
  Y: Ha! 说了半天,他这个五金店不也就是卖点什么拧螺丝,修房子, 装修之类的工具。我还是不明白为什么你要说这是你最喜欢的五金店。
  
  J: Oh, well, that's easy. It's not what he sells. Well, you know, I'll let Todd explain.
  
  实录2 Todd: It's actually a fascinating place (be)cause it's more than just a place to sell things; it's also a place where people come to talk to get the latest the news. Here it's about conversations about the neighborhood, what's going on in people's lives, what's going on in my life.
  
  Y: 真的?
  
  J: It is a fascinating place. Really.
  
  Y: 居然有人喜欢到五金店去聊天,去公园不更好吗?
  
  J: Well, you can always go to a park. But, like Todd said it's a place where people come to talk and to get the latest news. It's a neighborhood hangout. Here's Todd's wife Adriana.
  
  实录3 Adriana: But on Saturdays it's a really fun place to be. The day flies by. You know, so many people come in and you get to talk to folks. And it's fun to spend the day with Todd. It is. It's really fun. We laugh a lot,...so..
  
  Y: 她说的没错the day just flies by,时间过得好快。
  
  J: That's right. It's so much fun that time passes quickly. Time just flies by.
  
  Y: 现在我有点理解人们为什么喜欢到这家店, 因为老板和老板娘态度特别好,人们到这里有一种亲切的感觉。
  
  J: Exactly. Steve, a retired man in the neighborhood, is a regular at Pfeiffer's Hardware.
  
  Y: 你说的"regular" 是什么意思?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1170
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: Oh, a "regular," it's spelled R-E-G-U-L-A-R, is someone who goes to a business frequently. So, you call them a regular.
  
  Y: Wow, 居然有人逛五金店也会上瘾。这大概就和我们逛百货商店一样吧,百去不厌。
  
  J: Here's Steve explaining why he's a regular at Pfeiffer's Hardware.
  
  实录4 Steve: Well, the difference here is Todd and Adriana. They make this a wonderful place to visit. I'm glad a place like this exists in the neighborhood. I'm glad that people like Todd and Adriana are available to visit every week, every day. I come and help. I began helping just to be helpful to them but later I found that I enjoyed it. And it's a great pleasure to be productive.
  
  Y: Steve只是个顾客。他常常来这里帮忙而且还乐在其中,看来他是把自己当成他们的一个家庭成员那样了。
  
  J: Exactly! But back to our problem - our broken table. Look what I bought at Pfeiffer's Hardware!
  
  (Enter drill sound)
  
  J: Now we can fix the table!
  
  Y: Uh oh!
  
  J: Trust me!
  
  Y: Trust you? 我看我还是先走,你自己折腾吧。各位听众朋友,我们下次见了。
  
  J: Wait! Come back, Yang Chen! It's easier than it looks!!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1171
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第20课
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello, I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe.
  
  Y: Jody, 你最近忙吗?
  
  J: Pretty busy.
  
  Y: 你在忙什么呢?
  
  J: You know, work, spending time with my friends, oh don't forget about the tap dance.
  
  Y: 没错。最近我忽然觉得业余时间应该学点什么,你觉得我学跳舞怎么样?
  
  J: That's a great idea. What type of dance?
  
  Y: Flamenco!
  
  J: Flamenco!? Did you say Flamenco?!
  
  Y: 没错。你干吗那么吃惊,是不是觉得我学不会?
  
  J: I'm sure you can learn Flamenco. But Flamenco, F-l-a-m-e-n-c-o. Flamenco comes from the Gypsies, you know.
  
  (Flamenco music)
  
  Y: 吉普赛舞蹈。太好了。
  
  J: Yes, yes. And Flamenco is fiery! Like the Gypsies! And Flamenco, Yang Chen, is full of passion and excitement!
  
  Y: 等一等,你冷静一下,不要这么激动。 不过仔细想一想也许你说的对,我可能真的不适合跳这种舞。我看我还是放弃吧。
  
  J: I have an idea. Listen to what my friend Marlene has to say about Flamenco. Marlene, take it away:
  
  实录1 Marlene: I'm Marlene English and this DC Dance Collective. And I am a Flamenco Dancer. I take classes here at DC Dance. Flamenco is probably different from mostly anything that you ever see. It is very, first, it's very fast. It's very loud. It's very fiery. The clothes alone are wonderful. There are a lot of ruffles and colors and it's very exciting.
  
  Y: 热情、浪漫、自由、奔放。我就向往这样的生活! 哎,这个Marlene学跳舞有多长时间了呢?
  
  J: About six years now. And she began studying Flamenco as an adult. She started out in ballet as a child but was deeply drawn to Flamenco when she saw it perform at the age 14.
  
  Y: 她为什么不在小时候就开始学呢?
  
  J: Let's hear Marlene explain it.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1172
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Marlene: In this country, unfortunately, when I was younger it wasn't available. We did not see much of it. It wasn't very popular and it wasn't well known. I saw it one time when I was 14. And I loved it. But at that time I was in ballet as most American girls are. And I just always wanted to do it. But I wasn't able to ever really find where to do it or how to come to it until I actually was an adult.
  
  Y: 噢,原来她小时候Flamenco并不流行,所以她一开始学的是芭蕾,长大以后才有机会学习Flamenco。
  
  J: Let's listen to Marlene talk more about studying Flamenco:
  
  实录3 Marlene: I have been dancing my entire life. I came to Flamenco about 6 years ago. And I have to tell it's one of the hardest things I've ever done. It's a very difficult dance form. It's physically strenuous. What hardest to learn, however, are the complicated rhythms.
  
  Y: 听她这么一说,我倒真有点担心。Marlene都练了这么多年了,还说很难,她还说这种舞蹈的节奏很难掌握。这是什么意思呢?
  
  J: Maybe the best way to explain is to play some Flamenco music.
  
  (Enter Flamenco music)
  
  Y: 现在我明白了这种音乐的节奏确实比别的音乐要快得多。我觉得我光听这个音乐我的膝盖都要软了。
  
  J: Well nothing worthwhile is easy. Here is Marlene:
  
  实录4 Marlene: The challenge is hard but the rewards are wonderful. It is something that is a complete release of passion. You are so consumed by it that's it worth all of that. It's a wonderful reward for all the hard work.
  
  Y: Marlene说的没错。迎接挑战才能享受成功的快乐。这个大道理我是懂,不过如果要吃太多的苦我可要重新考虑考虑。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1173
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: Wait, Yang Chen. Before you say another word, listen to the advice Marlene gives you about Flamenco:
  
  实录5 Marlene: If you are interested in trying out Flamenco and doing it, it's great fun. There are great challenges but it is so fun and so rewarding. Don't let it scare you, even if you're older and you haven't danced. Do it anyway. Let your soul be free!
  
  Y: Marlene说得太好了。Flamenco。
  
  J: No, Yang Chen, say it louder!
  
  Y: Flamenco?
  
  J: Flamenco! Repeat after me.
  
  J & Y: Flamenco!!!
  
  Y: 请你给我的灵魂装上翅膀,让我自由地飞翔吧!
  
  J: Way to go, my Gypsy Soul Sister!
  
  Y: 哎, Jody, 我怎么受了你的影响,也变得疯疯颠颠了。
  
  J: No more talking, it's time to dance. Thank you for joining us on American Cafe!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1174
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有些美国人干一行、怨一行,讨厌自己的工作,也有更多的人对他们的职业还算满意,然而却不愿意实话直说。这样一来他们都会使用一些带有贬意的俚语来描述自己的工作。我们今天要讲的第一个俚语是:rat race。大家都知道rat是老鼠,race意为竞赛,那么rat race岂不就是老鼠赛跑。想象一下一群饿得发慌的老鼠看到好吃的就一拥而上、争先恐后、你抢我夺的样子。所以要是一个人用rat race来指自己的办公室,那可不是个好地方;一定是人人像老鼠那样争权夺利,唯恐他人多占了便宜。好,让我们来看个例子。这是一位工作繁忙的律师刚和朋友在一家高级餐馆用餐完毕之后说的话:
  
  例句-1:Man, look at the time! Almost two o'clock! Got to get back to the rat race - I've got people coming to see me all afternoon.
  
  他说:咳,看看都什么时间了!快到两点了。我非得回去搏斗了。整个下午都有人要来看我。
  
  他这儿说的rat race当然是指办公室。但是这位律师这样称呼他的办公室究竟是什么意思呢?是因为他讨厌这个争名夺利的地方呢,还是他只是要向朋友显示一下自己实在是个日理万机的要人贵人多忙事而且顾客盈门呢?这两种可能性都有,只有他自己心里明白,但是不论他这样说的真正用意是什么, rat race的意思都指十分激烈的竞争。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二种说法是:treadmill。Treadmill原是一种简单的机械装置,称为踏车,由人或者驴子踩踏可滑动的皮带或者踏板,使它带动机器。想象一下从早到晚没完没了地重复同样的踏步动作,每天走过脚步加起来可能总共长达三十公里,然而实际上你却始终停留在原地。这该是多么单调乏味的活儿啊。怪不得早年是让囚犯来踩踏车,作为惩罚的。如果用treadmill来描述自己的工作。这是甚么样的工作呢?你能想象有多糟糕。好,我们来看个例子。这是一个人过完圣诞假期刚回家,他一边打开行李,一边在说话:
  
  例句2: Well, it was a great holiday. But I'm afraid it's back to the treadmill Monday morning with everybody else. However, I have two more weeks of vacation at summer time.
  
  他说:假期过得可真好。但是我就担心星期一早上又得回去和大家一起干那单调乏味的工作了。然而值得安慰的是夏天我还有两星期的假期。
  
  treadmill 就是指单调乏味、一无乐趣、二无成就感的工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1175
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

******
  
  我们要学的下一个习惯用语是:salt mine。Salt是“盐”,mine是“矿”,所以salt mine就是“盐矿”。不知你有没有看过在盐矿里开采盐的工作,没完没了地挖掘盐块然后装进筐子。这工作跟treadmill一样的单调乏味,更糟的是还得在暗无天日的地下坑道里苦干。盐矿的工作实在太差,所以前苏联政府是把政治犯发配到西伯利亚盐矿去干活的。这样说来,要是一个人把自己的工作称作salt mine,那么他一定认为、或者要说话对象认为这是枯燥而毫无乐趣的事务性工作,简直比关监狱好不了多少。好,我们听一个人怎么说自己的职业。
  
  例句3:I've been working in this place for 29 years. It's a real salt mine and I'm just waiting to finish 30 years and retire and get a good pension.
  
  他说:我在这儿已经干了整整二十九年。这份工作既苦又累,而且枯燥乏味。我就盼着做满三十年退休,能拿到不错的退休金了。
  
  所以salt mine就是指既辛苦又乏味的工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-16#1176
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的惯用语里有个共同的词act。这真是个多义词,但是我们的时间有限说不了那么多,所以今天要说到的act都有“表演”的意思。比方说,我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:class act。 Class这里的意思是first class,第一流的,换句话说就是“优秀的”。那么 class act不就是“卓越的表演”吗?对。但是和别的习惯用语的一样class act也是用来作比喻的。让我们看一个例子。这是一个顾客在夸一家他最爱光顾的百货商店:
  
  例句-1:I always shop there. Not only do they have top goods and fair prices, but sales people who are friendly and helpful. It's a real class act - in fact the best store in town.
  
  他说:我总是去那儿买东西,不仅因为他们货真价实,而且由于那儿的营业员既和气又乐意助人。这家商店实在出色,实际上它是城里最好的店。
  
  可见class act意思不再局限于表演,它可以泛指生活中各方面的出色表现。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个习惯用语是:hard act to follow。 Hard act to follow中间的act也是“表演”的意思。换句话说这个习惯用语也来自表演艺术。一百多年前的轻松歌舞表演由各路歌唱家、舞蹈家、喜剧演员甚至经过训练的小狗出场各显身手,然而最使一些演员为难的事就是被排在深受欢迎的大明星后面表演,因为这一来往往会相形见绌。最精彩的表演一定得排在最后当压台戏,因为接在它后面出场实在太难。这样说来hard act to follow不就是精彩的表演吗?对。其实这个习惯用语和class act意思相近,当然它同样也灵活应用在生活中的各方各面。我们看一个例子来体会hard act to follow用在其它场合的意思。
  
  例句2:Johnson found Kennedy a hard act to follow. Johnson was a master politician but Kennedy was young, handsome, full of vigor, a better speaker with plenty of wit and humor. So it took Johnson a long time to win people's confidence.
  
  
  他说:约翰逊觉得肯尼迪是令人望尘莫及的杰出人才。虽然约翰逊是老练的政治家,但是肯尼迪年轻英俊、精力充沛、更善于词令。他妙语如珠且富有幽默感。所以约翰逊费了很长一段时间才赢得了民众的信任。
  
  可见a hard act to follow是杰出而令人望尘莫及的人物或者作为。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1177
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的下一个习惯用语是:get your act together。 Get your act together这个习惯用语也来自表演艺术。这是对演技差的演员说的话。意思是他必须把自己的表演提高到其他演员的水平,以便能配合他们共同演出。当然get your act together和刚才学到的两个习惯用语一样,它的意思也延伸到生活中的其它领域。例如我们马上要看的一段话就用上了这个习惯用语,说话的人是在催促二十五岁的儿子赶快出去找工作。好,我们来看他怎么说:
  
  例句3:Son, you can't live with us the rest of your life. It's time to get your act together, settle down and get married and start living your own life.
  
  他说:儿子,你不可能一辈子都和我们住在一起。现在是你奋发图强、成家立业、开始独立生活的时候了。
  
  所以get your act together是敦促对方努力上进的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1178
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第21课
  
  Y: 各位听众好,欢迎到美语咖啡屋,我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello. Welcome to American Cafe. I'm Jody. So, Yang Chen, this is a big political year in the United States. The race for the White House is not going to be an easy one.
  
  Y: 你说的没错。今年的竞争非常激烈。现在你只要一打开电视,就能看到竞选广告里民主党和共和党在相互攻击。
  
  J: But Yang Chen, don't forget; it's not only the White House. There are also Congressional races going on in the States that are very important. In fact, our guest today is Richard Martin, the campaign manager for Christopher Turman's congressional challenge in West Virginia.
  
  实录1 Richard Martin: My name is Richard Martin. I'm managing Christopher Turman's Congressional challenge in West Virginia 2.
  
  Y: Oh, Richard是一个竞选活动负责人。他刚才说的West Virginia 2是什么意思?
  
  J: West Virginia 2 means the Second Congressional District in West Virginia. All States are divided into districts and those districts each has their own congressional representation.
  
  Y: 这种选区的划分还挺复杂的。
  
  J: So complicated! That's why I'm not in politics. So, I asked Richard why he is drawn to politics. Here's what he had to say.
  
  Y: 我看我们还是听听Richard来解释他为什么热衷于政治吧。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1179
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Richard Martin: I've been a political professional for about 5 years. I'm drawn to it mostly because I...I...I believe that all too often the government's used as a tool for certain people to get what they want done and it sort of ignores what would be better for most people.
  
  Y: Richard投身政治是要促使政府为大众,而不是为少数人服务。嗯,我觉得他这个理念很崇高啊。
  
  J: Oh, absolutely. Many people believe that government is a tool that is used by huge companies and big business and not everyday people, you know, 老百姓。
  
  Y: 对,我们选国会议员就是要让他们为老百姓服务。
  
  J: Exactly. And Richard believes that the better representatives we elect, the better everyone's lives will be. Now, let's hear from Richard.
  
  实录3 Richard Martin: I think the better representatives we elect the better everyone's lives are gonna be. And we need our government to work for the people and not the huge companies.
  
  Y: 他说得没错。政府就是应该代表人民的利益,所以大家都应该参与政治。那候选Turman先生有没有在集会上讲话呢?
  
  J: Of course, here's the candidate, Christopher Turman, explaining why he is running for office in West Virginia. He also slams, oh, “slams”... Yang Chen, 用汉语怎么讲?
  
  Y:就是猛烈抨击的意思。
  
  J: He slams his opponent, a Republican woman named Shelly Moore Capito by saying that she was only elected on the coattails of President Bush.
  
  Y: 你刚才用coattail这个词,就是上衣或燕尾服的下摆。这让我想起中文里的“裙带关系”,是不是这个意思呢?
  
  J: 就是了!Exactly! Let's first hear Turman use the phrase "to ride on someone's coattails."

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1180
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4 Turman: And this event is my first event and this is the first time I'm going to say publicly why I am running. In 2000 George Bush won the White House by winning West Virginia. And in 2004 he is going to lose the White House by losing West Virginia. And Shelly Moore Capito who came in on his coattails is going to go home with him.
  
  J: Riding someone's coattails to the top is common in politics. Coattail is spelled C-O-A-T-T-A-I-L.
  
  Y: 你是在什么地方采访了Richard?周围好象很吵。
  
  J: Oh, we spoke at a fundraiser for the candidate.
  
  Y: 其实关于竞选筹款也有很多法律条文,不过那些法律条文实在太枯燥,今天我们就不谈了。
  
  J: Well, we won't talk about it today. But, Yang Chen, if you want to pursue your dream of running for office someday, you'll have to know about fundraising. You could run to be the mayor of ... Happyville!
  
  Y: 如果我成为Happyville的市长,我会让所有的街道都干净整洁,Happyville永远鸟语花香,坐taxi不用花钱,买东西不用排队......
  
  J: Yang Chen! Yang Chen, wake up and smell the coffee. You're not running for mayor of Happyville. You're the host of American Cafe. Now, will you say goodbye to everyone.
  
  Y: 噢,对不起,我们下次再见。
  
  J: Vote for Yang Chen!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1181
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第22课
  
  Y: 各位听众好,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋,我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello. Welcome to American Cafe. My name is Jody.
  
  Y: Jody, 我发现你今天头发很漂亮。
  
  J: Oh, thanks so much! But, Yang Chen don't get me started on my hair.
  
  Y: 为什么?
  
  J: I was butchered a couple of years ago by people who just didn't understand how to cut curly hair. Look! I have a picture of what one of them did to my hair.
  
  Y: Oh, oh...
  
  J: I know! It's bad!
  
  Y: 其实也不是很丑了,不过看上去是有点奇怪。
  
  J: I know. Give me that back.
  
  (Enter sound of picture being snatched away)
  
  J: I know it was strange looking. But finally, finally, I found someone who can cut my hair. Garret Johnson at Fiddleheads!
  
  Y: 我倒是很好奇这个Garret是个什么样的人。
  
  J: Well, Garret had a few rocky starts as a young man. He dropped out of college four times and then got kicked out of his parent's house.
  
  Y: 他四次从大学退学,还被他父母赶了出来。这个人一定非常叛逆。
  
  J: Those rocky starts led him to a very successful career. He is known all over Washington, D.C. for his ability to cut curly hair. And now...the famous...Mr. Garrett Johnson!!
  
  (Enter drum roll under)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1182
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 Garret Johnson: Why I got into the hairdressing? Briefly, partially was because of dropping out of college four times and not knowing what to do with my life. And I got kicked out of my parent's house and while I was kicked out I met hairdresser. And I saw that he did really bad hair and the women were giving him a lot of money. And I said, "I can do that and I can do it better. "
  
  Y: 有的人没上过大学也可以有成功的事业。Garrett就是一个很好的例子。
  
  J: Absolutely! Especially for artistic people who don't know what they want to do college can be a terribly boring place.
  
  Y: 你是在告诉我们的听众上学不重要吗?
  
  J: No, no, of course not. Getting an education is very important, of course. But some people find other ways.
  
  Y: 没错。我只是跟你开玩笑。上大学并不一定适合每个人。
  
  J: And I can tell, in high school I wasn't a very good student. But I managed to go to China and study Chinese. So, don't give up! If you are a young person who's in high school or college and you don't like it that much, don't give up! You'll find something that you like. Okay, maybe we should go back to our show.
  
  Y: 他父母为什么要把他赶出来呢?
  
  J: Yang Chen, I don't know! That's none of our business!
  
  Y: Uh oh. 对不起。我不该探听别人的隐私,可是我真的很想知道啊!
  
  J: I know, I asked but he wouldn't tell me.
  
  Y: You are terrible. 说起“terrible”这个词来,你知道上次我的头发就被剪坏了!
  
  J: I remember! Your hair was terrible. I remember that terrible haircut, Yang Chen. ... Well, it was bad.
  
  Y: 有那么回事吗?
  
  J: Oh, you're telling me? You are telling me about a terrible haircut!? You, Yang Chen, are tell... Look at this picture!! Look at this picture!! That is a terrible haircut. And you know what? You know a good hairdresser when you meet them. I asked Garrett "What is the hardest thing about being a hairdresser?" and this is what he had to say.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1183
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 Garret Johnson: In my opinion one of the most difficult things is that if we make mistakes or if something doesn't work out, there's really not much we can do. Whereas in a regular job, for example, if you're typing and you make a mistake you put white out on it and it's gone. If you mess up someone's hair it's there for the rest of ... until it grows out.
  
  Y: 说了半天他的意思是说你的头发剪坏了,他也没法儿补救。
  
  J: But you don't have to worry (be)'cause Garrett very rarely makes mistakes. But everyone makes mistakes. On the other hand, I bet it feels really to make someone feel happy about how they look. Let's hear from Garrett.
  
  实录3 Garret Johnson: Having someone tell you "You're a genius!" that's really nice! But really talking to people and meeting new people is what I like about it the most.
  
  Y: 看来Garrett真的很喜欢他的工作。下次我也应该试试让他给我剪头发。
  
  J: Oh, good idea. Summer's here and you get a short haircut.
  
  Y: 我头发还不够短啊?
  
  J: A really short haircut.
  
  (Enter buzz sound of razor)
  
  J: Thanks for joining us on American Cafe.
  
  Y: 谢谢您到美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见。不过到那时候我的头发就非常非常短了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1184
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的习惯用语里都有这样一个词bang。也许大家都知道这个词。它是突然一声巨响的意思,但是在俗话里bang这个词也常常解释为“激动、欢乐”。举个例子。好多年轻人会这样说:I always get a bang out of Madonna's music.其实,他们的意思就是:I really enjoy Madonna's music. 当bang和其它词一起组合成短语的时候,这个习惯用语从字面或是从比喻意义来理解,几乎总是和喧闹声有关。例如,我们要学的第一个习惯用语:go over with a bang。
  
  接下来我们要听一个例子。说话的人刚去看了一出百老汇舞台剧的首次公演。演出相当精彩,引起在场观众的热烈反响。让我们边听这个例子边琢磨其中go over with a bang是什么意思。
  
  例句-1:This play certainly went over with a bang. In fact, after each act the audience stood up and clapped and cheered for five minutes before anybody could quiet them down.
  
  他说的是:这次演出确实引起轰动。实际上,每演完一幕,全场观众都起立、鼓掌、欢呼,经久不息,五分钟之后才平静下来。
  
  所以go over with a bang在这儿的意思就是:成功地完成,并得到人们的赞赏和雷鸣般的掌声。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个习惯用语是:get a bang out of。Get a bang out of常用来说某人或者某事带给你无比的激情和欢乐。在一首流传已久的情歌里就有这样一句歌词: I get a bang out of you。意思是:你带给我激情。但是,这个习惯用语不仅用来抒发浪漫情怀;它也适用于其它情况。例如,待会儿有个人要告诉我们,他和太太都很喜欢和Green夫妇共同进餐。是什么道理呢?我们来听听他怎么说:
  
  例句2:We always get a bang out of eating dinner at the Green's house. The food is great, and they are always in such good spirits that they make us feel good too.
  
  他说:我们去Green家吃饭总是觉得其乐无穷;不仅饭菜可口,而且他们老是那么兴高采烈。我们在他们的感染下也都乐呵呵的。
  
  所以get a bang out of解释从某人或者某事得到极大的乐趣。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1185
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的下一个习惯用语是:more bang for the buck。Buck是一美元的俗称,所以for the buck就是“花一美元”的意思。换句话说,就是几乎没花什么钱。More bang for the buck是一个最近才流行的习惯用语。它起源于美国军界。原意是通过来自国会的国防开支预算争取得到重型炸弹、速度更高的战斗机等这些威力或者效用更为强大的武器装备。这些军事设备当然相当贵重,但由于是从国防预算支出,所以得到的部门并不支出款项。也就是说几乎不花代价地换得价值昂贵的东西。虽然这个习惯用语出自军界,但是如今却广泛流传在商界。
  
  我们待会儿就要听这样一个例子。说话的人是一家企业的总裁。他正考虑购买甚么样的电脑设备来改进办公室设备。
  
  例句3:I think this other system is a better deal for us. It's faster and has more memory for the same price. It'll give us more bang for the buck.
  
  这位总裁说:我认为另外这种电脑系统对我们说来更合算。它速度比较快,信息储存量也更大,但是价格却并不高。真是价廉物美。
  
  可见在商场上用more bang for the buck表示“价廉物美”的意思。美国人有时也说:a bigger bang来代替more bang,但是意思还是一样

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1186
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美国每年棒球季节的第一场比赛相当于春天来临的信息。说真的,这一百多年来最得美国大众青睐的运动就是棒球,而棒球运动也成了习惯用语的丰富来源。我们今天就专讲一些出自棒球运动的习惯用语。
  
  在棒球运动的大菱形内场上人们注目的焦点在球场下端的角上。这是个十四英寸见方的木块或者橡胶,称为本垒,home plate,也可以简称为垒,plate。击球手就站在这块 plate上面,击打投手向他投掷的球。当一名棒球运动员准备击球的时候,他就拿起球棒踏上本垒。英文的说法就是: step up to the plate。这个说法被借用到日常生活的其它场合已经有多年了。它可以用来表示着手开展某一商务或者政务。让我们来听一个例子。这是一名广播员在报导参议院内有关医疗保险议案的辩论。医疗保险议案的英文是:
  
  例句-1:Senator Smith will be the first to step up to the plate tomorrow to ask other senators to vote yes in favor of the President's Health Care Bill.
  
  他说:参议员Smith将领先发表意见,要求其他参议员对总统的医疗保险议案投赞成票。
  
  在这儿step up to the plate意思就是“开始行动”。
  
  ******
  
  对于home plate,我们已经略知一二。刚才说过它的位置在大菱形内场下端的角上,而这个大菱形的右角、上角和左角,也都各安置一方帆布垫,依次称为一垒、二垒和三垒。击球手一打出球,就立即飞奔前往一垒,如果他比对方接球或者投回一垒的球早一步,他就有可能继续奔向二垒。如果他仍然抢先一步,那又有机会继续奔往三垒,最后回到本垒。这样他就为本队赢得一分。一垒、二垒、三垒和本垒都可以称为base。棒球也因而得到baseball这个名称,而英语里也由此产生了不少以base为中心的习惯用语。例如: get to first base。 Go to first base从字面解释就是“到达一垒”。刚才说过击球手首先得击中投来的球才能向一垒起步飞奔,然后他还得赶在对方接球或对方投向一垒的球之前到达,才算抵达一垒成功,但是这并不意味着得分。换句话说跑到一垒只是向成功迈出了第一步。然而get to first base常常用在否定句中。下面就是这样一个例子。
  
  例句2:Poor Bill, he's been in love with this girl for at least a year but he can't get to first base with her. He can’t even get her to go out and have a cup of coffee with him.
  
  他说:可怜的Bill,他爱上那女孩至少有一年了,但是两人的关系却一无进展;他甚至连约那位小姐一起出去喝杯咖啡都办不到。
  
  在这段话里的not get to first base意思是毫无眉目,也就是连成功的开端都谈不上。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1187
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

棒球运动员从一个base跑向另一个base的过程中,有一个关键就是,他的脚或者身体的任何一个部位必须触及每一个base,否则就会被判出局,得不成份。由这条规则又产生了好几个习惯用语。我们接下来要讲其中的一个: touch all the bases。 Touch all the bases如果按照字面意思直译,就是接触所有的垒。当然和其它习惯用语一样我们不能光从字面意思来理解它。好,让我们通过一个例子来琢磨它的意思。
  
  例句3:This new proposal looks good to me. But before we go ahead, let's touch all the bases to make sure it's okay: our sales manager, our production chief, our accountant, and of courses our lawyers. We don't want any trouble later.
  
  他说:我觉得这个建议很好,但是在我们着手开展之前我们得和所有与业务有关的关键人物进行沟通,包括营业主任、生产主任和会计师,当然也得和我们的律师联系。这样才能确定无误,以免日后麻烦。
  
  通过这段话,你可以体会touch all the bases意思就是和所有与业务有关的关键人物进行联系和沟通。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1188
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第23课
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好! 我是杨晨! 欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello, I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe! Yang Chen, that is a great outfit! You certainly have an eye for fashion. Hey, speaking of fashion have you ever thought about how fashion is connected to politics and society.
  
  Y: 时装和政治的关系?我从来没想过。
  
  J: I never thought about it until I spoke to a woman named Tina. She's lived in Washington, D.C. for many years and she studied fashion.
  
  Y: Tina在华盛顿住了多少年?
  
  J: Let's hear Tina as she answers the question, "How long have you lived in Washington, D.C.?"
  
  Tina: Seven administrations.
  
  Y: Interesting! 她没有说她在华盛顿住了多少年,而是说Seven administrations就是七届政府的意思。哇,她可真是个见过世面的人啊。
  
  J: Oh, I bet she has. And with her background in fashion, Tina has a really interesting view of D.C. that involves the connection between politics, society and fashion.
  
  Y: 说起fashion来,这当然是我最喜欢谈论的题目之一。不过政治和时装真的有那么大关系吗?
  
  J: Oh, let's hear from Tina as she compares the Democrats and the Clinton administration who she feels are more hip, more liberal, with the more conservative Republican Party.
  
  Y: Jody, 你刚才说的hip, 你能给听众解释一下这个好吗?
  
  J: Oh, sure. Hip is spelled H-I-P. If a person if "hip" they are in sync or in step with fashion.
  
  Y: 就是很时髦的意思。
  
  J: 对了!Exactly! Here's Tina.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1189
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 Tina: I'd say, since the Clinton administration it has become much more hip because the Clinton's brought in a much younger, hipper, much more liberal crowd which is much open and less conservative clothing.
  
  Y: 如果我没理解错的话, 她的意思是说,不同政党的政府能够影响人们的行为举止和穿着打扮, 是吗?
  
  J: You got it. The pulse P-U-L-S-E of the city changes overnight.
  
  Y: Pulse在这里是节奏的意思。
  
  J: Talking about the former President Clinton, another difference is that he often had free concerts on the Mall where he brought in bands from all over the world.
  
  Y: 没错,在克林顿执政的时候,在白宫附近的大草坪上经常有免费音乐会,而且那些乐队来自世界各地。
  
  J: Again, here's Tina.
  
  实录2 Tina: You can feel the pulse It just changes overnight. Down to the inauguration Bill Clinton brought in bands from all over the world like Los Lobos and Santana. And these were free concerts on The Mall. Whereas, during the Reagan Administration they banned the Beach Boys. I mean, it's this complete flip flop in culture.
  
  Y: 你得解释一下Flip Flop这个说法。
  
  J: Flip flop is spelled F-L-I-P, F-L-O-P. And flip flop means to change from one thing quickly to the exact opposite.
  
  Y: Flip flop就是突然转变或截然不同的意思。
  
  J: There's also a flip flop in what restaurants are popular. Tina explains that Democrats usually prefer fun and trendy restaurants which is a flip flop from the more expensive, what she calls the "expense account" restaurants that Republicans prefer.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1190
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3 Tina: The restaurants that people go to are more fun. They are less like the expense account restaurants. That's more of a Republican thing to do. Whereas the Democrats tend to bring in people who are working on human rights and the environment. You're not going to take them to a steak house if you're working with PETA. So, there's a direct reflection on not only the clothes but on restaurants and business.
  
  Y: Tina 这个人好玩儿 。不过你得先解释一下PETA是什么意思,要不别人以为你不带他们去吃牛排是因为你小气呢。
  
  J: I'm not cheap. I just don't eat meat very often. But PETA stands for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
  
  Y: 噢,是个动物保护组织。
  
  J: Exactly. So, I don't think they eat a lot of steak. I'm sure of that. But you know Bush is from Texas and Texas produces a huge amount of beef.
  
  Y: 对,这下我知道今年大选我要投谁的票了,我最不喜欢吃牛肉,所以...
  
  J: Hey, what a minute! You're not supposed to say that on the air! You know better than that.
  
  Y: 那好吧,那我等会儿悄悄告诉你好了。各位听众,我们下次节目再见。
  
  J: Thanks for joining us on American Cafe!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1191
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第24课
  
  Y: 各位听众好,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe! I'm Jody. This week, Yang Chen and I go back to the dance hall!
  
  Y: 没错,不过这次我们要学的是交际舞。
  
  J: Today we are going to talk to Sean and Natasha. They are dance partners who compete in a style of ballroom dancing called Latin dancing.
  
  Y: 我告诉你一句悄悄话。
  
  J: What's that?
  
  Y: 其实我不太喜欢交际舞。
  
  J: Why don't you like ballroom dancing, Yang Chen?
  
  Y: 其实也没有什么特别的原因。就是一说起来交际舞我就想到那些跳舞的人,他们的姿势特别强硬,有时候脸上的表情有点奇怪。
  
  J: Well, I think I know what you are talking about. But, Sean and Natasha don't do that kind of dancing. The style of dancing that Sean and Natasha do is Latin style. And it is hot and passionate and dramatic and most of all sexy.
  
  Y: Sexy?
  
  J: Very sexy. When I was watching Sean and Natasha and the way their bodies moved together, 我的脸红了。 They have great chemistry.
  
  Y: 你也会脸红。你刚才说的great chemistry,这里是不是说他们两人搭配得天衣无缝。
  
  J: Exactly. Kind of like the great chemistry between us, Yang Chen!
  
  Y: 现在轮到我脸红了。
  
  J: First, let's hear from Sean.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1192
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 Sean: I'm Sean Murphy and we're standing in the Chevy Chase Ballroom, which is on Wisconsin Avenue. And I'm here with Natasha, my partner. We both compete in international style Latin dancing which is a form of ballroom dance.
  
  Y: 他们两人是不是一块儿跳舞有很长时间了?
  
  J: It seemed like they had been dancing forever so I asked. And Natasha's answer surprised me. Here's Natasha.
  
  实录2 Natasha: Together we've dancing since November of 2003. But separately of course we had different partners previously and danced separately, of course. But then we got together in November and decided to dance together.
  
  Y: 其实他们两在一块儿的时间不是太长。
  
  J: Not long at all. Yang Chen, Some people just click. C-L-I-C-K, which means they instantly, have great chemistry together.
  
  Y: 没错,就好象我们两一样。一见如故。
  
  J: 一见如故。
  
  Y: Yeah.
  
  J: We clicked.
  
  Y: Natasha是从那个国家来的,听她讲话好象有点口音。
  
  J: Natasha is from Russia but her accent is very slight. I think she's been in the States for many, many years.
  
  Y: Jody, 我想学跳舞并不难,但是要达到参加比赛的水平可就不容易了。
  
  J: Most definitely. And according to Sean, if you are going to compete in a dance competition, a good partnership is everything.
  
  Y: 好,我们听听 Sean 是怎么说的:
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1193
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3 Sean: Oh, my gosh, partners ... A partnership is pretty much everything, because when...like right now we're probably slacking a little bit and we're practicing maybe three times a week, maybe six to nine hours a week. And to be really competitive, the top couples do it almost full-time, like 40 hours a week.
  
  Y: 他和Natasha两个人每星期要练习6到9个小时,而且他还说练习这么长时间都不够。
  
  J: And now back to Natasha, that "special something" for her is the fact that Sean is such a good lead on the dance floor.
  
  实录4 Natasha: Sometimes there's just one person, two persons, it's very rarely you can find a person that you can have actually good connection with, very easily you can understand that person's lead.
  
  Y: "Lead" 就是领舞的意思。
  
  J: Right. In dancing, the man is the lead. So, let's hear from Sean.
  
  实录5 Sean: A lead isn't really telling the woman what to do but it's more suggesting "it would be nice if you did this now."
  
  Y: 看来他们真的很有默契。 我相信他们会在比赛中取得好成绩。
  
  J: Oh, I bet they're going to do really well at their next competition. To help them win their competitions, Yang Chen, they work with a coach who gives them choreography, 舞蹈动作的设计。
  
  实录6 Sean: When we compete we have choreography. So, we have these routines that our coach choreographs for us so that each step is kind of predetermined. But, there's still a lot of how we ... how my body moves, how her body moves and how are bodies together. And that's... it's not just choreography, but its how we are, I guess, physically connected.
  
  Y: 看来跳舞真的不光是技巧问题,两个人配合默契更加重要。
  
  J: Exactly. We're back to having great chemistry.
  
  Y: 没错! 你现在说服我了,我也开始喜欢交际舞了。
  
  J: Listen to that music, Yang Chen. It's passionate, sexy! It's hot! Thanks for joining us on American Cafe.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1194
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了几个和棒球赛有关的习惯用语。美国人喜欢棒球,同时也喜爱其它球类运动,所以不仅围绕棒球产生了不少习惯用语,还有更多的习惯用语是以ball - 球,这个词为中心的。这就是我们今天要讲的。第一个习惯用语是:have a ball。根据一些专家的看法,have a ball这个习惯用语来自足球赛或者篮球赛。每当你掌握球的时候,你就有了进攻的主动权,可以射门或者投篮,也就有了得分的机会。但是另一些专家却认为have a ball来自ball这个词的另一种意思,也就是通常备有丰盛饮食的“大型舞会”。你有机会参加舞会,就意味着你可以尽情地吃喝玩乐一下了。不论have a ball这个习惯用语的出典是什么,反正它都有“得其所哉、乐在其中”的意思。好,我们来听一个例子。一位男士为了前晚夫妇俩一起去参加的一个宴会在生气。好,我们来听听他怎样数落他的太太。注意话里用到的had a ball:
  
  例句-1: Well, you sure had a ball at the party, didn't you! Dancing and talking and drinking with all these people I didn't know. Too bad you didn't have any time to spend with me!
  
  他说: 哼,你在宴会上可真够得意的,和所有那些我不认识的人跳舞、聊天、喝酒。糟糕的是你竟然忙得分不开身来顾到我。
  
  从这段话我们可以体会have a ball有“尽情作乐”的意思。
  
  ******
  
  我们还要学一个有ball这个词的习惯用语,ball of fire。Ball of fire指的是像火球一般耀眼的彗星。它在漆黑的夜空熠熠发光,留下光彩夺目的轨迹,就好比一个努力奋进取得光辉成功的人一样。好,我们来听一段话,说的是一个叫Jimmy的人。Jimmy被称作a ball of fire。为什么要给他这样一个称号呢?我们要从下面这段话里找答案。
  
  例句2: Jimmy was just an average student in school and nobody thought he'd do much with his life. But I'm glad to say he turned out to be a real ball of fire in the real estate business.
  
  这段话说:Jimmy在学校的时候成绩平平,谁也不认为他将来会大有作为,但是他出人意料地成了房地产业的一颗闪亮的明星。
  
  从这段话里我们可以看出, a ball of fire是指才智精力过人,而且取得光辉成就的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1195
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Ball of fire虽然其中有ball这个词,但是它却和球赛无关。接下来我们还要学一个由ball这个词组成、却并非出自球赛的习惯用语。Ball up。某些语言学家认为ball up来自在冰封地冻的道路上行走的马匹,结了冰的路面必然很滑,如果马蹄沾上的冰雪又凝结成冰球,也就是ball up,那就更是一步一滑、寸步难行了。想象一下处于这种境地的马匹会如何地不知所措,乱了步伐。Ball up这个习惯用语虽然出自冬天行路的马,但是却沿用到处理事务的人身上。比方说,下面这段话说的是一个电脑操作人员被一种新的电脑软件操作程序弄得晕头转向。
  
  例句3: I'm all balled up about how to use this new software. Three different people have tried to show me how it works, but each one has a different explanation on how to use it.
  
  他说:我实在给弄得稀里糊涂的,三个不同的人来向我显示新软件的使用方法,但是他们对操作程序的说法不一。
  
  可见be balled up意思是给弄糊涂了。这个习惯用语的另一种形式是ball up,例如在下面这句话里:
  
  例句4:The lead singer really balled up the concert.
  
  这句话的意思是:领唱把音乐会搞得一团糟。
  
  所以ball up就解释“搞得一团糟”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1196
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了以ball,球,这个词为主的习惯用语。我们今天还要接着讲几个由ball组成的习惯用语。第一个是: have a lot on the ball。Have a lot on the ball这个习惯用语可能来自棒球赛或者网球赛。你投出或者打出的球得尽可能具有高速度和强大的力度,才能让对方失手,而你才有机会得分。换句话说,你打的球带有的速度高、力度大,就说明你的球艺高超。当然,这句话也被借用到日常生活的其它场合。例如有一位出版商在谈论一位名叫Susan的女作家自从十年前出了一部畅销书以来,没有发表过一部作品。好,我们来听听这段话,体会一下其中have a lot on the ball含义是什么。
  
  例句-1:True, Susan hasn't published a book for ten years. But I believe she still has a lot on the ball as a writer. And I'm sure the critics will see that when her new book comes out this winter.
  
  他说: Susan确实近十年来没有出版过一本书,但是我认为她仍然身手不凡;我确信当她的新作今年冬天问世的时候,那些批评家会看出她的功力来的。
  
  这段话里的has a lot on the ball含义是机敏、干练、有才华,精通胜任某一工作,总而言之是“身手不凡”的意思。
  
  ******
  
  我们还要学一个有ball这个词的习惯用语,keep the ball rolling。这句话的意思并不费解,“让球继续滚动”,你很容易联想到这就是说要让某一活动像滚球一般不停顿地继续进行下去。其实还有一个习惯用语和keep the ball rolling十分相似。它就是: start the ball rolling。这也不难理解, start the ball rolling让球开始滚动。换句话说是就是要开始进行某一活动了。接下来我们要听一个例子。它把这两个习惯用语都用上了。这是说一位学生顾问怎样劝导有酗酒和吸毒问题的学生。
  
  例句2:Mr. Smith starts the ball rolling by telling the group about his own painful experience with drugs. This loosens people up and they tell their own stories and keep the ball rolling.
  
  这段话说:Smith 先生先把自己染上毒瘾后的痛苦经历作为开场白。他的话打开了局面和大家的话匣子,使得气氛活跃了起来,大家都接二连三地说出了自己的经历。
  
  从这段话里我们可以看出,start the ball rolling是“打开局面,开始某一活动”,而keep the ball rolling却是“使得活动不断进行”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1197
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

******
  
  接下来我们再学一个和ball有关的习惯用语: ballpark figure。Ballpark是指棒球场,而figure是数字的意思。大家知道击球手打出的球必须在界内才有得分的机会。也就是务必in the ballpark。In the ballpark也因而有在某一范围或者限度之内的意思。而ballpark figure和in the ballpark一样,意义不再局限于棒球赛的比分。让我们通过一个例子来琢磨ballpark figure是什么意思。这是一个人在跟太太合计他俩有没有能力买下一栋房子。
  
  例句3:According to my ballpark figure the monthly mortgage payment is about $1400. Since both of us work I think we can handle it okay. So, what do you say -- should we go ahead and buy the place?
  
  他说:根据我大略的估计每月得支付1400美元左右来偿还买房借款,既然我俩都工作,我想我们能对付得过。那你觉得怎么样? 我们要不要下手买这房子?
  
  从这个例子可见ballpark figure意思是在某一范围内的数字,也就是“大略的估计”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1198
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第25课
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Welcome to American Cafe and today we're going to meet John who's a carpenter.
  
  Y: 真的?那太好了。我从小就向往当一个木匠。每天都可以闻到木头的清香,可以听到锯子,锤子这些工具悦耳的声音。
  
  (Enter tool sounds)
  
  J: Wow, Yang Chen, I had not idea that you love carpentry so much. I guess we'll have to add that to list of your dream jobs. Let's see. What do we have so far? Fighter pilot, politician and now carpenter.
  
  Y: 开战斗机,作政治家都不错,不过我今天对木匠最感兴趣。你赶快介绍我认识一个木匠吧。
  
  J: Sounds good. Let's get started. Hey, you guys! Turn those tools off back there! We're trying to talk! Yeah, yeah... All right, John is co-owner of a construction company and he and his partner Tony have worked together for about ten years. Here's John.
  
  John: Yeah, we do custom carpentry.
  
  Jody: John, how long have been doing carpentry?
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1199
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1 John: Probably about 15 years. Yeah, about 15 year doing carpentry. Ten years with Tony about five years just, you know, learning from the older guys. You show an interest and they show you the secrets they want to teach you and I learned. My dad was a carpenter too.
  
  Y: 我想啊,John 的父亲也是个木匠,那么对他来说作木匠应该是最好的选择吧。
  
  J: It's a natural choice. But I have a feeling, Yang Chen, it's not an easy job. John said there's long, hard hours with very low compensation。
  
  Y: 你说的low compensation是什么意思啊?
  
  J: You know, compensation. Money! Moulah! Ka-ching!
  
  Y: 我们还是听听John是怎么说的吧。
  
  实录2 John: We wish the money was better. We put in long hard hours and it just doesn't seem like we're being compensated the way we need to be compensated.
  
  J: You heard it from John - long, hard hours and low pay. You know, that just doesn't sound like a Yang Chen type of job.
  
  Y: 你这是什么意思。你是说我就喜欢那种工资高又轻松的工作吗?
  
  J: No, no, no, no. There are personal rewards with work as well. Again, here's a personal reward John gets from building a friend's deck.
  
  实录4 John: Right now, here we are right now sitting in here looking out. It's raining. Just put done a finished product and it looks great. I guess that's the satisfaction. And to know there's gonna (going to) be a lot of parties on this deck. Alright. Good people here. Good friends. And, ah, that's basically what it's about.
  
  Y: 他怎么好象在给啤酒作广告啊。
  
  J: He would approve of that comment. Especially since of us, uh, you know, drank a couple of beers after they worked on the deck that day.
  
  Y: 你也喜欢喝啤酒?
  
  J: Like beer? Yang Chen, you are looking at the 1993 Beer Girl of Kaifeng's best brewery. 汴京啤酒好喝!
  
  Y: 我不知道你曾经有过这么辉煌的成就,居然给河南开封市的啤酒作电视广告。那你当时一定也是个名人吧。
  
  J: 不敢当。Now, I wouldn't go that far. But anyway, back to John. John uses many casual expressions when he talks like "all right" "that's what it's about."
  
  Y: 他说的"that's what it's about." 意思是“这就是重点。”
  
  J: That's what important, right. That's what it's all about. Good friends. Good people. couple of parties, you know.
  
  Y: 看来他不但是个好木匠,而且很关心他的顾客。
  
  J: Yeah, John really wants to do a good job. According to him when you work in someone's home you can't run away from the work that you do. It has to be good, right?
  
  Y: 没错。
  
  J: That can be stressful, I bet.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1200
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4 John: We have great relationships with all of our customers. They're there everyday looking at what you do. So, we try to do the best we can. And, you know, I do the same kind of work I would do in my own house in someone else's house.
  
  Y:他说的没错,在别人家干活, 主人天天监督着你,是挺不好受的。
  
  J: So what do are saying, Yang Chen. Do you still dream of being a carpenter and work in people's homes?
  
  Y:算了吧。我还是放弃我当木匠的梦想吧。
  
  J: I thought so.
  
  Y: 我的又一个梦想破灭了。
  
  J: I'm sure that everyone will learn very soon another dream job that Ms. Yang Chen has. So, stay tuned.
  
  Y: 还是你了解我, Jody。好,各位听众,我们下次节目再见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1201
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第26课声音
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: And I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe! Thanks for dropping in. Summer is just around the corner.
  
  Y: 没错,夏天要来了,我想夏天水上运动应该是最受欢迎的吧。
  
  J: Oh yea! Water sports! I love it! Swimming, rafting, boating...
  
  Y: ...嘿,别忘了潜水。
  
  J: Oh, that's right. I thought you would forget about it, since last time when the topic of scuba diving came up, you sounded kind of ify about it.
  
  Y: Ify? 我才不ify呢! 哎, "ify" 到底是什么意思啊。
  
  J: "Ify" means you're not sure about something. You're full of ifs, "if this happens..." or "if that happens..."
  
  Y: Oh. 就是不太确定的意思。没错,我 是有点ify,因为我怕水。
  
  J: Well, whether or not I'm afraid of the ocean, this year I'm going to try it! I've had a strong feeling lately of wanting to leave the Earth. Do you know what I'm talking about?
  
  Y: 我看你又有点异想天开, 想离开地球可不好办。你又不能去太空,那剩下的选择就只有到水底下了。
  
  J: You got it! So, I thought I should meet some people who scuba dive. Today we're going to meet John.
  
  实录1 John : My name is John. I'm from the Dive Shop in Fairfax, Virginia. Well, I started scuba diving in 1957 so I've been diving longer than most people I know have been alive. I have almost 10,000 scuba dives in my life and this is what I do for a career.
  
  Y: Wow, 他从57年就开始潜水了,那时候我还没出生呢。
  
  J: Me either.
  
  Y: 那你说John 为什么热衷于潜水呢?
  
  J: Let's have John answer the question "Why do you love scuba diving?"
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1202
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2 John: Well, most everyone that you know doesn't dive, so that separates you from most people. What I find is it's an opportunity to go ahead and appreciate a portion of the Earth that most people will never get a chance to see. An opportunity to go out into a relatively pristine and wild environment is quite fascinating.
  
  Y: 他刚才说的pristine这个词很好听,是什么意思呢,Jody.
  
  J: Pristine. Pristine is spelled P-R-I-S-T-I-N-E and it means that something is pure and untouched. Usually, pristine is used to describe a natural environment or landscape.
  
  Y:就是原始,或者说没有被污染的意思。
  
  J: But you know, Yang Chen, simply going underwater is not the end goal of scuba diving. There's much more to it than that.
  
  Y: 那么潜水的真正目的是什么呢?
  
  J: Well, John says that scuba diving is not the end activity. It's all about underwater recreation, you know fun activities. Again, here's John.
  
  实录3 John: Scuba diving itself is not the end activity here; it's underwater recreation whether or not it's exploration, whether or not it's photography, whether or not it's examination of sunken ships, or whether or not it's just simply a walk in the woods.
  
  Y: 听他这么一说,水下还真的有那么多有意思的活动呢。不过对我来说,幻想一下还可以,真要到水底探险,那我还真的先克服怕水的心理。
  
  J: Okay, we're going to try something here. Yang Chen, I want you to join me in a little exercise to get over your fear of water. Okay, close your eyes.
  
  Y: 在这儿?
  
  J: No, really close 'em. Just close your eyes. In fact, everybody out there close your eyes with us.
  
  Y: 哎,你怎么没闭上眼睛啊?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1203
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: Hey, just listen. Okay, just close your eyes, Yang Chen. Trust me.
  
  Y: Okay.
  
  J: First, we're stepping into the cold ocean water.
  
  Y: 我们现在走进了冰冷的海水。
  
  J: We're slowly sinking down, down, down
  
  Y: 沉下去,一直往下沉。
  
  J: You're breathing is relaxed.
  
  Y: 在宁静的大海里你仿佛能听到自己的呼吸声。
  
  J: You hope.
  
  Y: Jody, 不要开玩笑,我们现在可是在水底下呢。
  
  J: Sorry, sorry. Okay, let's go back. Let's go back. Let's go back. Suddenly, a dark image obscured behind a school of fish and seaweed becomes clearer.
  
  Y: 突然之间,你看一个巨大的黑色怪物,越来越清晰地出现在你面前。
  
  J: It's a ship long sunken and long forgotten.
  
  Y: 原来是一艘沉睡了好几百年的船。
  
  J: Forgotten treasures awaits you!
  
  Y: 哇,船上有那么多金银珠宝,我们发财了!!!
  
  J: No, no, no. We have to go back!
  
  Y: 这时候,你还念什么诗啊 。快点帮我拿个大口袋来!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1204
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语里有一个共同的词plug。也许很多人都知道plug是“塞子”或者“插头”,反正是塞住洞孔的东西。但是plug这个词在俗语中还有个挺特别的意思。那就是推荐、捧场或者广告宣传。我们马上就要给大家听个例子,里面plug这个词出现了几次。请大家在体会它意思的同时,也想一想这几个plug之间有什么不同。
  
  例句-1:I have a contract for two million dollars a year to plug these shoes on TV. They've already filmed three plugs and you'll see the first plug next week - I think you'll like it.
  
  他说:我有一份耗资两百万美元为这些鞋子作一年电视广告的合约。他们已经拍了三个广告片。下星期你将会看到第一个。我想你会喜欢的。
  
  ******
  
  刚才他说: to plug these shoes。这里plug是动词,就是“做广告宣传”。他接著又说, three plugs和the first plug。这里plug成了名词了。意思就是“广告”。我们还要学一个有plug这个词的习惯用语,plug away。让我们从一个例子来判断plug away是什么意思。这是一位业余作家在说自己如何不辞劳苦努力创作,如今他写的一部新小说几乎大功告成了。
  
  例句2:I started my novel five years ago. It's been hard to find the time with all my other work, but I've kept plugging away every weekend and yesterday I started the last chapter.
  
  大家都听清楚了吧?这位作家是五年前开始动笔的,但是他平时还得忙于其它事务,很难挤出时间来写作,然而他又说昨天他已经开始写新作的最后一章了。他是怎么写成这本小说的呢,想必是利用周末时间埋头创作了,所以他说的plugging away every weekend就是每个周末都埋头苦干的意思。五年来一直如此。这是需要俱备锲而不舍的精神的。这样说来习惯用语plug away意思就是坚持不懈、排除障碍,努力完成一件困难的工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1205
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个带有plug这个词的习惯用语plug in。我们都知道plug通常可以指电线插头,可想而知,动词词组plug in意思一定是“插进插头”。电器一插上了插头就接通了电源,也就能发挥作用了。然而plug in常常隐含更深的意思,可以转用来说人。让我们来听个例子。两名记者看到一位政界人物刚踏进华盛顿市的一家饭店,于是他俩在私下评论这位圈内人物。请大家注意他的话里用到的习惯用语be plugged in to:
  
  例句3:See that tall man who just walked in. He's a good news source: he's a lawyer who's plugged in to the leaders of both political parties and is really in touch with what's going on.
  
  他说:看,那刚进来的高个子先生是宝贵的消息来源。他是律师,和两党的头面人物都关系密切,所以确实熟知政界内情。
  
  所以plug in如果用来说人,意思就是“和权贵关系密切并熟知内情”,而且这个习惯用语常用在被动语态结构中。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1206
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语都围绕一个关键的词: bear。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: have a bear by the tail。bear是大家熟悉的动物。它粗大笨重而且性情暴烈。在荒山野林碰上大熊你一定会赶快躲得远远的,如果有人斗胆去揪大熊尾巴,那真不亚于拉老虎胡子;简直就是把自己送给大熊去抓咬。那时候真是抓也不是,放也不是。所以 have a bear by the tail生动形像地描绘出一种尴尬棘手、骑虎难下的局面。
  
  我们接下来要给大家听个例子。说话的人在解释他一个朋友怎样好心给姐妹俩劝架,结果反而惹火烧身,给自己招来了麻烦。
  
  例句-1: All Joe tried to do was end the fight between his two sisters, but he ended up having a bear by the tail. The whole family got mad at him and now nobody will even speak to him.
  
  这段话说: Joe只不过想劝说他的两姐妹别再争吵了,但是到头来他自己反倒卷入了纠纷,成了众矢之的。全家人都生他的气,甚至谁都不理睬他。
  
  从这个例子可见have a bear by the tail和中国成语“骑虎难下”意思相仿,解释“不明智地陷入困境”。
  
  ******
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1207
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在美洲的荒山野林里,熊可算是最大也最危险的野兽了。一百五十多年前很多初来美国的居民还处在砍伐森林开辟农场的创业阶段,要吃到肉食就得去打飞禽走兽。他们通常用的是双筒猎枪。如果是打兔子或者鸟儿之类的小动物,只要装上一枪膛的小铅丸就行,但是要是他们发现附近的森林里有熊出没的话,要对付得了熊,他们就得在枪膛里装上有份量的子弹。这就是: loaded for bear。这里loaded是子弹上膛的意思,当然loaded for bear就是为对付熊而子弹上膛的意思。换句话说是为了制服大熊而作好充分准备。这种拓荒生活在美国早已成为过去,但是loaded for bear却沿用至今,保留在日常会话中,只是意思不再限于为了对付熊而子弹上膛。
  
  那么是什么意思呢?你可以通过下面的例子来理解这个习惯用语。这是在讲一场大爆冷门拳击赛。
  
  例句2: Nobody thought the challenger had a chance to win. He looked too small and too slow. But he had trained extra hard and came into the ring loaded for bear. And he knocked out the champ in Round Six.
  
  他说:谁都以为这上台挑战的人根本没有得胜的机会。他看来瘦小迟钝简直不堪一击。然而他是经过特别严格的训练的,上台来作好了对付强敌的充分准备。于是他终于在第六回合击败了冠军。
  
  从这个例子可见loaded for bear意思是作好充分准备以对付最棘手的问题。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1208
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一种通用在世界证券交易市场上的说法。bulls and bears。我们都知道bull 是“牛”,bear是“熊”但是在国际证券市场上bulls and bears却有特定意义。简单地说,认为行情看涨,并以此为根据而作股票买卖的人,就被称作bull 。也就是“买方或者多头”,而认为股市看跌而抛售股票的人却被称为bear, 也就是“卖方或者空头”。
  
  接下来我们要听一段话。这个人在说他在华尔街股票市场上的朋友Green。他把Green称作 bear。为什么呢?请你听其中的原因。
  
  例句3: Most people I know on Wall Street think the market is headed up, but my friend Green is a real bear: he's looked hard at it and thinks it will drop 200 points in the next 30 days.
  
  这段话说:我在华尔街的大多数熟人都认为股市在上涨,但是我的朋友Green却真是个空头。他一向密切注视股市上落。他的预计是在今后三十天里股市将下跌两百点。
  
  所以这里的bear意思是认为股市看跌的人,或者说就是“空头,卖方”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1209
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第27课
  
  
  Y:各位听众好,我是杨晨。欢迎收听美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: And I'm Jody. Welcome to the American Cafe. Yang Chen, you mentioned that you bought a guitar. How's it going?
  
  Y: 我刚开始学。不过我真的有点担心我要是学不好该怎么办呢。
  
  J: Oh, don't worry about it. It's fun just to learn something new. But, on today's show, I have a surprise for you.
  
  Y: A surprise? 你是不是又想出什么新的花招吓唬我。
  
  J: No, no, no, don't worry! You'll like this surprise. Today's guest on the show is a woman who's been in rock-n-roll for the past 17 years.
  
  Y: 真的?她叫什么名字,是那个乐队的?
  
  J: Her name's Mary Huff and the band is called Southern Culture on the Skids, SCOTS, for short. She's the female part of this 3-person rock-n-roll band.
  
  Y: 她演奏那种乐器啊?不会正好是吉他吧?
  
  J: You guess it! She plays the bass guitar, the keyboards and she sings.
  
  Y: 真是不得了。她的专长是低音吉他、电子琴,而且她还会唱歌。这么有才能的人,我一定要认识她。
  
  J: Well, you'll have your chance in a minute. Mary started playing piano when she was quite young. And then her older brother started learning how to play the bass. That's when she decided to one up him and learn the bass herself.
  
  Y: 你可能得解释一下"one up somebody"是什么意思。
  
  J: Oh, that a good idea. To one up somebody means to do better than them; to best them. Now, let's meet Mary.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1210
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Mary Huff: Actually I started playing pretty young, you know. I was the pianist in the family and all that. Then, ah, big brother decided to play bass. And I was like "No way! I'm the musician in the family." So, I had to one up him there.
  
  Y: 开来Mary 的好胜心好象很强,作什么事都想超过别人。
  
  J: Exactly! Mary said, "No way man, no way big brother. I'm the musician in the family."
  
  Y: 我们还是谈谈乐队里的其他成员吧?
  
  J: 好了!Well, there's also Rick Miller, on lead guitar and vocals, and Dave Hartman on drums and vocals as well.
  
  Y: Lead guitar 和bass guitar 的区别是什么呢?
  
  J: Oh, that's a good question. The bass guitar is usually in the background and keeps the rhythm, like the drums. In this song "Smilin' Yeah Yeah Yeah" Mary's bass is in background keeping the rhythm.
  
  (Enter "Smiley Yeah Yeah Yeah")
  
  Y: Oh yeah, 听得出来低音吉他保持着乐曲的节奏。
  
  J: And she sings. And as the only woman in the band she gives SCOTS that feminine touch. Here's a sample of Mary singing "Fire of Love" like only a woman can sing!
  
  (Enter "Fire of Love" featuring Mary Huff)
  
  Y: Mary她唱不错! 那她参加乐队多长时间了?
  
  J: Oh, let's let Mary explain. Here's Mary!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1211
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Mary Huff: I joined when I was nineteen and I'm not even going to tell you how I am now but I've been in the band for 17 years, if you can figure that out.
  
  Y: 她19年加入乐队,经过了17年,19 加上17 一概是36岁没错。
  
  J: I think you're right. She wouldn't exactly tell her age, you know. But she let me do the math and because I'm quick, Yang Chen, I figured it out. 19...17. She tried to be sneaky, but we figured it out, didn't we?
  
  Y: 没错。
  
  J: But that lead me to a question. You know that led me to a question though. Is it easy being in rock-n-roll as a woman?
  
  实录3: Mary Huff: It's fine, you know, until beauty starts to fade then it's a little rough. But um, I don't know. It's fine. It's great. I've never had any problem with it. I've I think it's an assett. Ass-set, that is. Always has been for me. I don't know
  
  Y: 好,Mary加油,我们支持你。本来就是吗,为什么男的五六十岁还可以唱摇滚乐,女的当然也可以。对不对, Jody,
  
  J: Of course! I know a lot of women who are old school rock-n-rollers. And besides, Yang Chen, it's not an age thing, it's more of a lifestyle thing. Don't you agree?
  
  Y: 没错。 因为很多女的后来结了婚,生了孩子要照顾家庭所以没办法跟者乐队到处去奔波。 这可以理解。
  
  J: That's right. But, Mary just chose a different road, the road of rock-n-roll. So, talking about the bass guitar and lead guitar, Yang Chen, which one are you going to play?
  
  Y: 这个问题嘛...
  
  J: Okay, okay, you just started learning so maybe in a couple of months I'll ask you if you're a lead guitarist or a bass guitarist. 你自己选择! You pick it!
  
  Y: 好,六个月以后你再问我这个问题!
  
  J: Okay, okay!
  
  (End with "Fire of Love")

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1212
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第28课
  
  Y:各位听众好,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody and welcome to the American Cafe.
  
  Y: Jody, 听说你下星期是不是要到意大利去?
  
  J: Yes and I can't wait! I just bought some new clothes for the trip but more importantly I'm learning a little Italian. Piacere!
  
  Y: 听着很好听,是什么意思?
  
  (Pause)
  
  J: Um, just a minute, (flipping through a book) hold on...
  
  Y: Jody, 我看你以前一定没好好学你的意大利语。
  
  J: You're absolutely right. I'll try harder.
  
  Y: 我记得你好象是意大利人后裔,是吗?
  
  J: Yes, I am of Italian heritage H-E-R-I-T-A-G-E, and most of my family comes from Italy.
  
  Y: 你是意大利人后裔,可是却不会说意大利语?
  
  J: I know, unfortunately, my father's mother and father...
  
  Y: (Translate)你是说你的爷爷、奶奶...
  
  J: ...right. only spoke English in the home.
  
  Y: 他们在家光说英语。
  
  J: I think during that era, that time period, it was very common for European immigrants to speak English.
  
  Y: 他们那时候都急着要学好英语。
  
  J: But you know the best way to broaden your horizons is to learn a foreign language.
  
  Y: 你说到"broaden your horizons",你记不记得我们上次在意大利文化节上碰见到的那个女孩Diane?
  
  J: Oh right, Dianne.
  
  Y: 她也是这么说的。下面就让大家来认识一下Diane:

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1213
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Diane: I'm Diane Adleberg and I live in Falls Church, Virginia. I'm on my second Italian class and I am not of Italian heritage but I love languages. And I think it's nice for Americans to broaden their horizons and learn a foreign language.
  
  Y: 她说的"Broaden your horizons"就是扩大视野的意思。Diane说的没错,学外语就是一种扩大视野的好方法,因为你学了一种语言以后,就会自然而然地想学习这个国家的文化。
  
  J: Exactly. And also, Yang Chen, traveling is another way to broaden your horizons and it's fun.
  
  Y: 你说的没错。那你这次到意大利去就是很好的机会,可以提高你的意大利语水平。
  
  J: I hope so. (Speaking Italian), what do you think?
  
  Y: 你说得很好。
  
  J: I don't think so, but thanks any way.
  
  Y: Diane说她不是意大利人后裔,可以有那么多外语可以学,她为什么选择意大利语呢!
  
  J: Maybe because it's so romantic!
  
  Y: Sigh. 意大利语的确是非常浪漫。
  
  J: And Diane speaks French already. But she said that she has always wanted to learn Italian because of an opera that she loves very much!
  
  实录2: Diane: Well, I speak French already and I've always wanted to learn Italian because there's a particular opera that I love, La Traviata.
  
  Y: 我想很多人和她一样是为了听意大利歌剧而学习意大利语。
  
  J: Diane gave us an example of her favorite aria in the opera La Traviata ...
  
  J: What is "aria" in Chinese?
  
  Y: Aria就是咏叹调的意思。
  
  J: Again here is Diane.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1214
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Diane: I'll tell you how the aria to my favorite opera goes. It's: "Di provenze il mar il suol" And I've just always loved that aria.
  
  J: "Di provenze il mar il suol" !!
  
  Y: 听起来很好听,是什么意思呢?
  
  J: I asked her to translate and she wouldn't. She said we would have to investigate.
  
  实录4: Diane: You know I'm going to translate it for you because it's very poetic so you'll have to investigate.
  
  Y: Diane说这句话太有诗意
  
  J: Very poetic.
  
  J: If we need to investigate, I guess we have to listen to it first. Here's the aria from La Traviata!
  
  (Enter music)
  
  Y: Jody, 你听懂了吗?
  
  J: Understand? No, not word. But it's so beautiful!
  
  Y: 其实你不需要懂得意大利语来欣赏意大利歌剧。
  
  J: Thanks for joining us on American Cafe.
  
  Y: 我们下次再见。
  
  (Fade music to end)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1215
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语都以deal这个词为中心。Deal作名词的时候意思是“买卖、交易或者协议”。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: cut a deal。Cut a deal意思是达成决定性的协议。接下来我们先要听一个例子。这是一名记者在报导一家美国航空公司和竞争对手一家外国航空公司达成协议合营的事情。这个合营的决定似乎对双方都有利。
  
  例句-1: After six months of negotiations the two airlines announced today they have cut a deal to share their domestic and international routes and increase their traffic to Europe and Asia.
  
  这位记者说: 两家航空公司经过六个月的谈判今天终于宣布他们已经达成最后协议合营他们的国内和国际航线。这样就增加了他们往欧洲和亚洲的运输业务。
  
  这个例子里的cut a deal意思就是最后达成决定性的协议。
  
  ******
  
  刚才说过名词deal可以解释协议或者交易,但是它也可以解释“待遇”,例如在我们马上要学的习惯用语里就这样解释。有一种待遇是人人避而远之的。那就是: raw deal。为什么谁都不愿意得到raw deal? 我们来听一个例子你就知道了。
  
  例句-2 :Old Mr. Green sure got a raw deal from that company where he'd worked for 30 years. When times got hard and they had to cut staff, they fired him with two weeks notice and only two weeks pay.
  
  他们在不景气而不得不裁员的时候,一点都不顾念他三十年来的汗马功劳,拿他开刀,毫不容情地解雇了他,只提前两星期通知了他,而且仅仅付给他两星期的工资。
  
  他们这样做当然不公平,简直是在欺负Green先生。可见raw deal就是冷酷无情而又不公平的待遇。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1216
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

******
  
  我们再来学一个有关交易的习惯用语: shady deal。Shady这个词有“阴暗的、在阴影下”的意思。那么shady deal岂不就是在暗中进行的交易吗? 好,让我们通过一个例子来进一步体会shady deal是什么意思。
  
  例句-3 :They are investigating the man in charge of the road construction. They think he's cut some shady deals with contractors who paid him bribes under the table to get contracts to repair city roads and bridges.
  
  他说:他们正在调查负责修建道路的那个人。他们认为他和承包商达成了不可告人的交易;承包商私下贿赂他,以得到修建城市道路和桥梁的合约。
  
  所以shady deal就是不正大光明的、见不得人的勾当,甚至还有触犯刑律之嫌。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1217
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语都围绕一个中心词汇:penny。Penny是分币。在英美等国的钱币中penny价值最低。如今你几乎想不出一个penny能买到什么东西,所以有人甚至提议不必再铸造penny了,然而即使penny真被取消,围绕penny构成的习惯用语却会长久地保存下去。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: Penny-ante。 Penny-ante来自一种扑克牌游戏。在拿牌前,打牌的人先把赌注扔在桌面上,而penny ante就是小得不能再小、只一分钱的赌注。当然penny-ante在日常生活中有更为广泛的意义。让我们听一个例子来琢磨它的意思吧。
  
  例句-1: This man tells everybody he owns a taxi company, so they all think he's a big boss. But the company is really penny-ante - he only owns one taxi and he drives it himself.
  
  大家一定都听明白了,原来这个人的出租车公司简直小得不能再小;整个公司只拥有一辆车,而老板、雇员、司机统统加在一起也只有一个人,就是他本人。换句话说,他自己就是唯一那辆出租车的司机。从这段话我们看出penny-ante含义是微不足道的小事。
  
  ******
  
  一分钱固然微不足道,但是有些人即使是一分钱也不放松。这就是我们要学的下一个习惯用语: Penny pincher。 Pincher是把一样东西捏在食指和姆指之间的人。如果一个人连Penny这样一个小钱也捏得紧紧的,那他可真是个守财奴了。好吧,我们来听一个例子:
  
  例句-2: That old man retired with 20 million dollars in the bank. But he 's such a penny pincher he still buys his clothes secondhand and drives a car he bought 20 years ago.
  
  这段话说:那老人退休时在银行有两千万美元。可他真是一钱如命的守财奴;他仍在买别人穿过旧衣服穿。他开的车还是二十年前买的。
  
  可见penny pincher意思是守财奴,吝啬鬼。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1218
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

视钱如命的人会千方百计地克扣小钱,但是这种人却不一定善于理财。我们接下来要学的习惯用语说的就是那种人。这个习惯用语是: penny-wise。 Penny-wise里面的wise意思是精明的。那么penny-wise就是在小钱上精打细算的。但是斤斤计较小钱的人到了该用大钱的时候是不是能把钱用在刀口上呢?让我们来听一个例子。这是一个人在议论他们的主管:
  
  例句-3: Our boss is penny-wise: he makes sure that we don't throw away rubber bands and paper clips. But he's not so good when it comes to big things like buying the best computer system.
  
  那位主管专管手下人丢橡皮筋和回形针之类鸡毛蒜皮的小事,但是当面临购买最好的电脑系统之类大事的时候,他反倒不行了。
  
  这样看来这位老板可真是个抓了芝麻、丢了西瓜的人物。换句话说,penny-wise有因小失大的含义。
  
  ******
  
  我们接下来要学的习惯用语是: pretty penny。看了字面意思你也许认为pretty penny是“美好的一分钱”。你先别忙下结论,让我们通过一个例子来判断它的意思
  
  例句-4: Have you seen the new car our neighbor bought? It's a Mercedes and I'm sure it cost a pretty penny - I would guess at least 45,000 dollars.
  
  他说:你有没有看到邻居买的新车?这是一辆Mercedes牌的车,肯定价格昂贵。我猜至少得花四万五千美元。
  
  大家都知道Mercedes是豪华的名牌车,贵得惊人,所以a pretty penny实际上是指一笔数目可观的钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1219
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第29课
  
  Y: 各位听众好。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello and welcome to American Cafe. I'm Jody.
  
  Y: Jody你终于回来了。这次去意大利玩得怎么样?
  
  J: I had a fabulous time in Italy!
  
  Y: 哎呀,好□慕你啊。那是什么给你的印象最深呢?
  
  J: All of it, Yang Chen. I loved all of it. The culture, the scenery, the people ... everything was simply fabulous!
  
  Y: 吃得怎么样?
  
  J: The food was amazing. I think I'm five pounds heavier and I was only there a week.
  
  Y: 一个星期增加了五磅,一天还不到一磅,还不算太严重。
  
  J: Maybe to you.
  
  Y: 很多人都喜欢意大利菜。不过说到品尝意大利食品,其实你根本不用去意大利就可以做到。你记不记得你去意大利之前我们去过一个华盛顿意大利文化节Festive Italiana。哇,当时有那么多好吃的,还有人表演意大利音乐和舞蹈。
  
  J: The food and music that was really a lot of fun! During the summertime there are street festivals like Festive Italiana all over the United States. Let's meet one of the coordinators of the Festive Italiana, Diana Crespi.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1220
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Diana Crespi: My name is Diane Crespi. I am the coordinator - one of the coordinators of Festive Italiana. Um, my involvement is basically just helping to organize this festival that's been going on for six years now.
  
  Y: Diana说这个活动已经进行了六年。我们可以想象,这么大型的活动组织工作一定很不容易。
  
  J: I'm sure that organizing Festive Italiana takes a lot of work.
  
  Y: 当时那条街上有一个教堂当时正在作礼拜,教堂传来的悦耳的钟声给文化节增添了一非常特别的气氛。
  
  J: Yes, it added so much to the atmosphere of the street festival.
  
  Y: 下面就让Diana给我们来介绍一下文化节的丰富内容。
  
  实录2: Diana Crespi: They can expect to see everything Italian! Food, entertainment, dancing, you know, songs, culture. And that's why people come down - they really want to be Italian for a day. Every year this is where you can truly be Italian for a day and learn the beautiful language and learn about the food and the history as well.
  
  Y: Diana说得多好,做一天真正的意大利人,我当时还真有这种感觉呢。
  
  J: So did I!
  
  Y: 可是你本来就是意大利人啊。
  
  J: Yes I am. But it made me feel more Italian. You know, in the U.S. sometimes it's hard to preserve your culture and your heritage.
  
  Y: 你说的没错。不过这种街头文化节就是一种传播文化的好方法。
  
  J: That is right. In this next quote, Diana explains how a street festival can help to preserve your culture and heritage.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1221
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Diana Crespi: Italian-Americans aren't looked on as a separate minority in this country; it becomes harder and harder to preserve your culture and heritage. So Festive Italiana really gives the active Italian-American population something to cling onto and a way to preserve their heritage, to promote the culture, the positive part of their culture.
  
  Y: 她刚才说的cling onto是什么意思?
  
  J: To cling onto something means to hold tightly, either with your hands like clinging onto to a rope or with your mind like clinging onto an idea or your heritage.
  
  Y: 就是抓住什么东西不放的意思,比如用手抓住绳子,或者说对一个想法不愿意放弃。 说到继承文化遗产,对于美国这个多民族的国家, 维护各民族的文化有什么重要意义呢?
  
  J: Now let's hear again from Diana.
  
  实录4: Diana: And it's important to the fabric of the United States It's important for all cultures to do that not just Italian-Americans.
  
  Y: Fabric of the United State,我好喜欢这个说法。
  
  J: So do I. Because fabric of the United States really describes the diversity of the American culture.
  
  Y: 对,用fabric来形容美国是由不同文化组成的国家,真的很形象。你知道我现在在想什么?
  
  J: What's that?
  
  Y:作一天的意大利人是很有意思。不过做一天意大利人还不够。我恨不得明天就飞到意大利去。和我一起去好吗?
  
  J: That's a great idea. But I think we have to wait a little bit. I just came back. But we can play some Italian music in the meantime

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1222
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第30课
  
  
  Y:各位听众好,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: And I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe! Thanks for dropping in.
  
  Y: Jody 我今天好高兴!
  
  J: Why are you so excited?
  
  Y: 因为我刚认识了一位在乔治城大学教红楼梦的教授。
  
  J: Oh, well no wonder you are so happy! I know how much you love Hongloumeng.
  
  Y: 没错,因为《红楼梦》是人类历史上最伟大的小说。
  
  J: Yes, well, to you...it is.
  
  Y: 你那是什么表情啊。你想想世界那里还有一部小说象《红楼梦》那样描写了那么多生动的人物。
  
  J: Really? 那我象红楼梦里的那个人物?
  
  Y: 这个我等会儿再告诉你。我们先来让大家认识一下 Millward 教授,他还有个中文名字,叫米华健。他其实是历史教授。
  
  J: A history professor? Then why he is teaching Hongloumeng?
  
  Y: 我们就让米华健教授亲自来解释一下他为什么在历史课上教《红楼梦》:
  
  实录1: James Millward: Well, I've always taught Chinese history and I thought, well it would be nice to teach something that stresses the cultural side of Chinese history as well. And so I thought why not teach Hongloumeng and I wonder if we could use Hongloumeng as a historical source to understand 18th century China.
  
  Y: 你觉不觉米华健教授很有创意?让学生通过《红楼梦》来了解当时中国的社会。
  
  J: That is much more creative because, you know, history can be pretty boring. yawn!
  
  Y: 没错。如果你一边读《红楼梦》,一边学历史就不会觉得枯燥了。
  
  J: But I wonder what can they learn from Hongloumeng. Isn't it just a love story?
  
  Y: 那我们听听米华健教授是怎么说的:
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1223
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: James Millward: We read about Qing Dynasty government and Qing Dynasty society, and the legal system. There are a lot of court cases talked about in the book, Xue Pan. And we read about gender, history of gender and gender relations and women. We read about poetry and the role of poetry and, in particular, about women writing poetry; we read about art and art history.
  
  J: Wow. So it's not just a boy-meets-girl love story.
  
  Y: 当然不是! 《红楼梦》可不是一部简单爱情小说.它其实是一部社会小说。
  
  J: Well, did the students like the book?
  
  Y:那我们来问问米华健教授:
  
  实录3: James Millward: They liked the book. They did find it long. They were glad when they were done. You know, if you sit down in the summer and read the whole thing from beginning to end, it doesn't feel long; but if you are reading it every week, it's like homework, and so it's not as much fun.
  
  Y: 你听到了吗, 米华健教授也说了,夏天读《红楼梦》是一种真正的享受。
  
  J: Yeah, but how long is it, Yang Chen?
  
  Y: 不太长,只有一百二十回。
  
  J: 不太长? What do you mean!?!? One hundred twenty chapters? Hey, is there a comic book version of Hongloumeng?
  
  Y: 有啊, 我就有一套。不过我建议你先看原著。 也许是因为文化差异,美国学生和中国学生看《红楼梦》会有不同的感受, 我问米华健教授他的学生最喜欢哪个人物.他是这么说的:
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1224
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: James Millward: I know in China as well there is always a big debate about who would you rather have as your wife, Lin Daiyu or Xue Baochai. Generally American students found Lin Daiyu to be kind of whiny, and to be lying there all the time and complaining all the time and they didn't really like her character very much. Some of them liked Xue Baochai, although of them found her a little bit calculating. Many of them actually liked Wang Xifeng because they saw her as a very capable woman.
  
  Y: 非常有意思。这些美国学生觉得林黛玉喜欢抱怨,whiny。
  
  J: Whiny. That's not a good trait for a woman.
  
  Y: 有些人喜欢薛宝钗,可是又觉得她太很有心计,calculating。
  
  J: Calculating? That's another bad quality. Are there any good women to like in Hongloumeng.
  
  Y: 你看他们都喜欢王熙凤。哎,你一开始不是问我你象《红楼梦》里的哪个人物马?我看啊,你就象王熙凤。
  
  J: Why? What's wrong with her?
  
  Y: She's perfect!
  
  J: Oh, okay. I'll have to read the book to find out because, Yang Chen, maybe I don't believe you.
  
  Y: 你最好相信我。
  
  J: Now what about you? Hongloumeng is your favorite book. I know you've read many many times, which character would you like to play?
  
  Y: 贾宝玉!
  
  J: Jia Baoyu. Who's that?
  
  Y: 男主角啊!
  
  J: A man! Well, we're going to have to talk about that later. Thanks for joining us on today's American Cafe.
  
  Y: 好今天的美语咖啡屋就到这里。我们下次节目再见!
  
  J: A man? What do you mean a man?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1225
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上一次讲了由penny 也就是分币组成的几个习惯用语。美国人用的硬币除了penny还有好几种。例如,价值比penny高一点儿的有五分和一毛的硬币。它们是: nickel and dime。不论Nickel还是dime都是零碎小钱,人们通常认为是琐碎而无足轻重的。我们今天要学的第一个习惯用语正是nickel and dime。让我们从下面这个例子来体会这个习惯用语的含义。
  
  例句-1:Joe wanted to be his own boss but he had only enough money to open up a little newspaper stand. Just a nickel and dime business but he hopes it's the start of something bigger.
  
  他说:Joe 想要自己当老板,但是他手头的钱仅够摆一个小报摊。虽然只是小本经营,但是他希望这是大买卖的起点。
  
  可见nickel and dime意思就是“琐碎而微不足道的”。
  
  ******
  
  我们再学一个由dime这个词组成的习惯用语: a dime a dozen。A dime a dozen 按照字面意思就是一毛钱一打。要是一样东西化一毛钱就能买到一打的话,那必定是普通、廉价而且大量供应的物品了。好,让我们听个例子来确定a dime a dozen是什么意思。这个例子讲的是广告业,也就是: ad business。
  
  例句-2:In the ad business good ideas are a dime a dozen. Everybody has them. What you look for is a man or woman who can take an idea and make it come alive in words and pictures.
  
  他说:在广告业中多的是好主意,简直比比皆是、人皆有之。然而难得的却是这样的人才: 他采纳一条主意,并能使它活灵活现于言语和图象之中。
  
  可见a dime a dozen是“容易得到的、比比皆是的”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1226
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们都知道在美金中价值最低的是penny,分币,但是你知道最小的硬币是什么吗?正是我们在讲的dime。我们要学的习惯用语是:eek:n a dime。Dime是那么个小不点儿,所以on a dime真是在一丁点儿的地方了。On a dime通常和动词stop或者turn连用,意思是立刻停止,或者急转弯。让我们听个例子,这段话讲一种sports car。 Sports car是跑车。
  
  例句-3: I wish I had the money to buy a sports car, one of those convertibles with good steering that lets you turn on a dime and good brakes that make you stop on a dime.
  
  他说:但愿我买得起一辆跑车,也就是那种敞篷车。它的转向性能极佳,能让你打小转弯。它的刹车也特灵,能在即刻间刹住。
  
  所以turn on a dime意思是打小转弯,stop on a dime意思是立即刹住。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来学一个习惯用语: get off the dime。Get off the dime常常用来敦促某人采取行动、当机立断。让我们来听一个例子。这是一家企业的经理在打电话给另一家公司的人,催他对所提出的一项业务作出决断。好,我们来听他怎么说,注意里面用到的 get off the dime。
  
  例句-4:Peter, I can't wait any longer for you to decide whether you want to sign the contract. You have to get off the dime today - otherwise we'll go to some other company.
  
  他说:Peter, 我再也不能等你决定要不要签那份合约了;你今天就得当机立断,否则我们就找其它公司了。
  
  所以get off the dime意思是不再迟疑、作出决断。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1227
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都相当新,甚至可能在词典上还查不到。第一个习惯用语是: No brainer。听了这个习惯用语有人可能在想,它的意思是不是“没头脑的”呢?不对。究竟是什么意思让我们听个例子来判断。这是在讲做股票买卖的事儿。
  
  例句-1:Everybody knows it's smart to sell stocks when they start to go down and to buy them when they start to go up. That's a real no brainer - even a little kid can figure that out.
  
  这段话说:在股票开始上涨的时候买进,在股票开始下跌的时候脱手。这是人人皆知的办法,当然也是聪明的做法,然而这是不是费尽脑筋才能想到的主意呢?那倒也不见得,甚至连幼稚的孩子也想得出这个办法。
  
  这样看来no brainer是明智然而却显而易见的做法。也就是不假思索就能想到的好主意。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个习惯用语是: Push the envelope。大家也许都熟悉envelope这个词,知道它的意思是信封。但是在push the envelope这个习惯用语里,envelope可不是信封的意思。它是个技术性的词汇,指机械或其它设备的性能范围,或者功用极限。比方说,如果一辆汽车的设计规格为最高时速一百八十公里,但是你却以一百九十公里的时速驾驶这辆车,那么你就是在push the envelope,超越它的性能范围了,或者是在玩命了。但是push the envelope这个习惯用语的应用范围并不局限于机械工程。它也转用到日常生活中,用来指人际关系的紧张化。请听这个例子:
  
  例句-2:He pushed the envelope when he hit his wife at the party after getting drunk. She asked for divorce the next day.
  
  显然他喝醉酒当众殴打妻子的行为已经超过了他太太的忍耐限度,所以太太第二天就提出要和他离婚。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1228
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

让我们再听一个把push the envelope应用在技术领域的例子,讲的是飞行员试开新飞机:
  
  例句-3:Test pilots often have to put themselves into danger. Sometimes they have to push the envelope to see whether a newly designed plane really can meet the limits the designers planned.
  
  他说:试飞飞行员常不得不冒生命危险。有时候他们必须让新设计的飞机的机件在达到性能极限的情况下运转,以便测试飞机是否符合设计人员所规划的安全范围。
  
  所以push the envelope意思是接近甚至超越安全限度。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来学个习惯用语: Cut to the chase。很多人都知道chase这个词解释“追赶”。Cut to the chase这个习惯用语来自好莱坞电影。很多电影里最精彩的片断是跟踪追击的场面,不论是牛仔英雄纵马追杀恶棍、还是警方飞车追捕逃犯的镜头,都相当扣人心弦,被认作是影片的重要环节。导演说: cut to the chase,也就是把摄影镜头切换到追踪场面。换句话说是进行最重要的摄制工作。但是cut to the chase也被广泛应用在商界。让我们听一个例子来琢磨用在这样的场合这个习惯用语的意思是什么。
  
  例句-4:Okey, I've heard enough about all the details of this deal. Now let's cut to the chase - how much money are you going to want me to pay.
  
  他说:好,有关这笔交易的各项细节我已经听得够多的了,现在让我们言归正传谈关键问题。告诉我你们打算要我付多少费用?
  
  可见cut to the chase在这儿的意思是进入关键时刻或者决定性的一步。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1229
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都相当新,甚至可能在词典上还查不到。第一个习惯用语是: No brainer。听了这个习惯用语有人可能在想,它的意思是不是“没头脑的”呢?不对。究竟是什么意思让我们听个例子来判断。这是在讲做股票买卖的事儿。
  
  例句-1:Everybody knows it's smart to sell stocks when they start to go down and to buy them when they start to go up. That's a real no brainer - even a little kid can figure that out.
  
  这段话说:在股票开始上涨的时候买进,在股票开始下跌的时候脱手。这是人人皆知的办法,当然也是聪明的做法,然而这是不是费尽脑筋才能想到的主意呢?那倒也不见得,甚至连幼稚的孩子也想得出这个办法。
  
  这样看来no brainer是明智然而却显而易见的做法。也就是不假思索就能想到的好主意。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个习惯用语是: Push the envelope。大家也许都熟悉envelope这个词,知道它的意思是信封。但是在push the envelope这个习惯用语里,envelope可不是信封的意思。它是个技术性的词汇,指机械或其它设备的性能范围,或者功用极限。比方说,如果一辆汽车的设计规格为最高时速一百八十公里,但是你却以一百九十公里的时速驾驶这辆车,那么你就是在push the envelope,超越它的性能范围了,或者是在玩命了。但是push the envelope这个习惯用语的应用范围并不局限于机械工程。它也转用到日常生活中,用来指人际关系的紧张化。请听这个例子:
  
  例句-2:He pushed the envelope when he hit his wife at the party after getting drunk. She asked for divorce the next day.
  
  显然他喝醉酒当众殴打妻子的行为已经超过了他太太的忍耐限度,所以太太第二天就提出要和他离婚。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1230
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第31课
  
  Y: 各位听众好。欢迎收听美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe! Except today, we're not in the Cafe.
  
  Y: 没错。我们现在是树林里。不过这都是Jody的主意,如果我有选择,我宁可舒舒服服地呆在咖啡馆里。
  
  J: Aw come on, Yang Chen, this is going to be fun. Out in the woods enjoying a campfire. This is what I call living large! Living the good life! Don't ya (you) think?
  
  Y: 你说得到轻松。Living large活得自由自在。先别自在了,你看我们点的火都快灭了,快拿手电筒来。
  
  J: You said you were bringing the flashlights.
  
  Y: Jody!! 你不是说你要拿手电筒吗? 哎呀,现在怎么办呢。
  
  J: Hey, there's no reason to panic.
  
  (Enter animal sound)
  
  Y: (getting anxious) Jody! 这是什么声音,后面是不是有狼啊?
  
  J: That's not a wolf. It was probably just a raccoon. We're fine, Yang Chen.
  
  Y: 听这声音好象是一个个头很大的动物. 我们在树林里,火又快灭了。都怪你非要到这里来作节目。你赶快想办法让火烧得旺一点好不好!
  
  J: Okay, okay. Calm down. How big do you want the fire, Yang Chen? Do you want it as big as a bonfire?
  
  Y: Bonfire? 是什么?
  
  J: A bonfire? Well, it just so happens that on today's show we have two experts, you could say, on bonfires. Aren't we lucky? Heh heh.
  
  Y: Lucky? 今天我们这么倒霉你还敢说是lucky?
  
  J: Oh, whatever. Let's go to our guests. First let's hear from our good friend CT, a man who claims to have built over 100 bonfires in his life.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1231
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: CT: A bonfire is a large campfire. It is just a bunch of wood you collect from natural surroundings and put into a pile and then you light it on fire. And ideally you have more wood and you keep throwing it on and on, making the flames bigger and bigger and then it burns out.
  
  Y: Bonfire 就是篝火,只不过比普通的篝火要大,Jody, 他刚才说点这种篝火要准备很多木头,不断地往火里扔。
  
  J: Yeah, I heard that. He did say that ideally you have more wood and you keep throwing it on the fire. Heh, what a great idea. Okay, I'll go get some more wood while CT tells how big a bonfire should be.
  
  实录2: CT: Well it depends on your neighbors. If your neighbors like bonfires I would say you could have a nice size fire in a plot of land that is 20 meters by 20 meters. But maybe you want to have something that's 50 meters by 50 meters. Then you can have a big bonfire.
  
  Y: 我们倒是不用担心邻居们会有意见。因为现在除了我们两人附近根本没有人!
  
  J: Yang Chen, you really must calm down. Here, have a beer.
  
  (Enter sound of beer can opening)
  
  Y: 太棒了。你可真行,忘了手电筒,倒是没有忘记带啤酒。
  
  J: Hey, I do have my priorities. But look at all the wood I gathered!
  
  (Enter sound of wood dropping to the ground)
  
  Y: 不错。不过我还是想听听你认识的那两个所谓的专家还有什么高见。
  
  J: Good idea. Here's Marty.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1232
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Marty: Uh...a bonfire is anytime you're burning any lengths of wood. You can throw in trees ... that's a bonfire. When you get a full tree in ... that's a bonfire. The bigger the better.
  
  Y: 我喜欢他说的 "the bigger, the better.",越大越好。
  
  J: And don't forget...it's getting darker and darker. Heh, boy, fire is really important.
  
  Y: 你很聪明。
  
  J: Yang Chen, I bet this is what primitive people, you know原始人, felt like thousands of years ago.
  
  Y: 我真佩服你的想象力。可我们没有生活在原始社会,干吗要没事找罪受呢?
  
  J: Well, I'm just saying that people like fire.
  
  Y: 为什么?
  
  J: It feels good and, I think, it touches part of our primal side. Again here's Marty.
  
  实录4: Marty: I am just watching the flames and burning stuff. It's primal burning things. I mean this is like the original source of heat in the world; it is burning wood so ...It smells good. Radiant heat is just beautiful heat; how it radiates out at you and warms your whole body.
  
  (Enter sound of roaring fire)
  
  Y: Mary 说的primal side就是原始的本能。 我不知道烤火是不是能让一个人看到自己原始本能,不过我觉得篝火散发出来的光和热给了我一种安全感。 你觉得我们两个人点这么大的篝火是不是太浪费木头了?
  
  J: Boy, you are just never happy. Here let's have a drink to a bonfire!
  
  J&Y: Cheers!
  
  Y: 各位听众我们下次节目再见
  
  J: See you next time on American Cafe. Next time I think we'll actually be in the cafe! See you later!
  
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1233
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第32课
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 我是杨晨。欢迎到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: And here we are in the great outdoors for yet another episode of American Cafe. (Deep inhale) Ah! Just smell that fresh clean air! Isn't this great, Yang Chen!!
  
  Y: Yeah, yeah, yeah. 你说的没错。一起都很好。 (Slap) 又一个蚊子。
  
  J: Good. I'm glad you're having fun too. I'm having a ball! I just love camping. Mmm, feel that campfire.
  
  Y: 我就不明白。你为什么怎么喜欢到野外来呢?
  
  J: Because you feel free. Look around. There's nothing but nature. No cars, no traffic, no people bothering you.
  
  Y: 算了,算了。我不跟你说了。那我们下面该干什么?
  
  J: Well, we already built a fire. That was really fun! And we cooked a little dinner. Hot dogs and baked beans, mmm ... a real traditional campfire dinner.
  
  Y: 我肚子倒是饿了,不过你看热狗也烤糊了, baked beans又是冷的。凑合地吃吧。
  
  J: Well, here - have some nuts.
  
  Y: Mmm, 有花生,还有开心果。 Mmm, 这还不错。
  
  J: Mmm ... 不错。 Now, one thing to do when you're camping for fun is to tell stories around the campfire. Let's invite our friend Marty to share a story of his favorite bonfire during a trip he took to Canada.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1234
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Marty: Well, we went up ... we went up to Canada and we went to this humongous national park. It's on this lakes (The Great Lakes) So you canoe, you canoe between the lakes.
  
  Y: 他刚才说的canoe就是独木舟的意思。Humongous这个词很有意思。我想 humongous是巨大的意思把。
  
  J: Exactly. Humongous. H-U-M-O-N-G-O-U-S. Marty uses it quite a lot.
  
  实录2: Marty: And when you're out three days the only way to get back in is to canoe three days back in or get a helicopter, obviously a helicopter could pick you up. But otherwise there's no walking out. It's all ... it's all water and everything. There's no, you know, driving or anything like that. The only way out is to canoe yourself outta (out of) there.
  
  Y: 哇整整三天都在划独木舟啊?
  
  J: Exactly.
  
  Y: They are crazy.
  
  J: That sounds crazy to me. And Marty said the only way out is three days by canoe again or a helicopter.
  
  Y: 要不你就再划独木舟划化三天时间划回去,或者让直升机来接他们,只有这两种方法。
  
  J: Exactly.
  
  Y: 他们是在什么地方? 听上去到蛮好玩儿的。
  
  J: Marty said he was up in Canada by the Great Lakes.
  
  Y: The Great Lakes就是五大湖区的意思,就是美国和加拿大之间的五大湖。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1235
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Marty: And we were on the edge of this humongous lake, huge lake. And ah, the driftwood came up and we pulling up humongous pieces of, you know, trees.
  
  Y: 他们是在大湖的边缘,他们沿路还捡了很多顺流漂来的木头。那么他们捡起这些木头往哪儿放?
  
  J: Well, let's find out. I can't wait to hear how they got the trees out of the lake. Let's hear from Marty again.
  
  Y: 没错。我也想听听他们怎么办把那些树运回去。
  
  实录4: Marty: A big friend of mine who's like a big strong guy, well, we had like four of us and we were pulling in some monster trees.
  
  J: Oh, Marty has a couple big, strong friends. Oh, Marty said something funny that is a good expression in English. He said "we were pulling in some monster trees." Yang Chen, how do you translate that.
  
  Y: I know. "Monster trees" 也是很大的树, 是吗?
  
  J: 对了。
  
  Y: 这个不好翻。
  
  J: I think the English is the best to explain it.
  
  Y: 没错,没错
  
  J: "Pulling in some monster trees" - just really humongous, big trees. And the result ...
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1236
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录5: Marty: And ah, yeah, it was just an awesome bonfire. That's probably the best bonfire ... we burned some trees that were probably a couple hundred years old, you know.
  
  J: So, Yang Chen, what did you think of Marty's story?
  
  Y: Awesome! 我好象觉得自己好象身临其境!他讲的很精彩啊。
  
  J: I felt the same way. I felt like I was right by the lake.
  
  Y: 没错。其实我是一个不太喜欢野外活动的人,可是听他一讲觉得非常刺激!好,各位听众我们下次节目再见!
  
  J: See you next time on American Cafe.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1237
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语里有一个共同的词ace。打扑克的人都知道,最大的牌就是ace。有了ace,你就胜券在握,你轻易不会出ace,而是备而不用,要把好钢用在刀刃上。这样就产生了下面我们要讲的两个习惯用语。第一个是:ace in the hole。Ace in the hole这个习惯用语来自一种扑克游戏。每人发五张牌,四张摊在桌面上。一张是暗牌,只有得牌的人才可以瞄一眼。这张暗牌就叫做the hole card。如果你的hole card是ace,那就意味着你有了秘密的杀手锏,要到一决胜负的最后关头才出。Ace in the hole虽然来自扑克牌游戏,却被沿用到生活的各方面,包括政界。我们马上就要听这样一个例子。
  
  例句-1:Jack will win because he has a real ace in the hole - it's still a secret but the Governor will support him publicly next week and that means a lot more votes.
  
  他说:Jack稳操胜券,因为他有一张目前还不为人所知的王牌。那就是州长即将在下星期公开表示支持他,他因而会得到更多的选票。
  
  所以ace in the hole意思是秘藏的法宝,也就是强大的备用力量。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个习惯用语和刚才学的ace in the hole很相似。它是: an ace up your sleeve。Sleeve意思是袖子。玩牌的人如果把一张好牌塞在袖管里,他的目的是拿这张牌来换牌从而取胜,但是他的手段既不合游戏规则又不光明正大。这就是an ace up your sleeve和ace in the hole不同的地方;ace in the hole 虽然是暗牌,但是合乎游戏规则,而an ace up your sleeve却是暗中藏牌欺骗作弊了。
  
  接下来我们要听个例子。这是律师在跟当事人谈即将开庭的案子。
  
  例句-2:I believe we'll win your case. Unless the lawyer on the other side has an ace up his sleeve and has bribed a witness to give false testimony, or something like that: this man is known for his cheating.
  
  这位律师说:我相信我们会打赢这场官司。除非对方的律师会不择手段,使出收买证人作伪证之类的花招来,而这人也确实有欺诈的名声的。
  
  所以an ace up his sleeve在这儿解释“取胜的手段花招”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1238
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个来自扑克游戏的习惯用语: within an ace of winning。Within an ace of winning从字面解释是要有一张ace就赢了。比方说,你先发到的牌是两张九接着又来了两张ace,形势看来大好。你知道如果再拿到一张ace,你就必胜无疑了,但是事与愿违,你最后到手的是一张四,而对方手头却有三张K。这一来你就功亏一篑,败在他的手下。这就是习惯用语within an ace of winning就出自这儿,但是它被广泛应用在商界等其它方面。让我们听个例子。这是一个中学的女篮教练在全州锦标赛结束后对记者发表的谈话。
  
  例句-3: I'm proud of our girls because nobody thought they had a chance and we came within an ace of winning the game. It was that last-second basket that beat us by just one point.
  
  这位教练说:我为我们那些队员感到自豪,因为起先谁都认为我们没夺标的可能,然而我们居然达到胜利在望的最后一步,如果不是对方在终场前一秒投篮得分,使我们以一分之差功亏一篑,我们就得冠军了。
  
  可见within an ace of winning意思就是功亏一篑,几乎取得成功。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1239
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语的意思都是“谎话”。但是谎话多种多样,人们撒谎的程度也轻重不一,在英语中得用不同的词句来表达。我们今天要讲的第一个是: fib。Fib当然不是实话,然而却是无伤大雅的小小谎言。让我们听一个例子来体会fib的意思。这是一个学生在说他的同学:
  
  例句-1:Johnny tells everybody he got an A for every subject last term. I'm afraid he's telling a fib - I happen to know he got at least one B, but he's too embarrassed to admit it.
  
  他说:Johnny告诉大家自己上学期门门功课都得了A,恐怕他撒了个小谎,我碰巧知道他至少有一个B。他只是不好意思承认。
  
  Johnny虽然得了一个B,但是他还可以算是个优秀生。他撒谎也许是因为别人对他期望过高,认为他样样都该得A,再说他的谎话也不会损害他人。这样看来fib是无关紧要的小谎。
  
  ******
  
  Fib是无伤大雅的小谎,有一种fib的动机甚至更容易被理解,是出于礼貌或者为了别伤害他人的感情。这种清白无辜的谎言就称为:white lie。 White lie是动机善良的谎话。换句话说,虽然没说实话,但是至少有理由这样做。好,我们来听一个例子:
  
  例句-2:I told Sally a white lie when she asked me how I liked her new party dress. I didn't like the color or the design but when I saw how happy she was with it, I told her it looked great.
  
  他说:当Sally问我喜不喜欢她新的宴会服的时候,我对Sally撒了个无辜的谎言,其实我并不喜欢那件衣服的颜色和设计,但我看到Sally对那衣服的满意劲儿,我就告诉Sally那衣服真漂亮。
  
  所以white lie就是出于好意而说的小谎话。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1240
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们刚才学了两种无伤大雅的谎话的说法。接下来要学的习惯说法所表示谎话却和刚才两个性质截然相反。它是: lie through your teeth。我们马上要听一个例子,讲的是一起枪杀案,法庭已经听取了所有的证据和证词,接下来检察官要来总结案情。
  
  例句-3:When the defendant says he didn't shoot the woman, he's lying through his teeth. His fingerprints were on the gun and he was standing over the body when the police arrived.
  
  大家都听清楚了吧? 尽管被告矢口否认开枪杀人,然而铁证如山,枪上有他的指印,而且警察抵达凶杀现场的时候看到尸体就在他脚下。检察官由此得出的结论是他是在昧着良心抵赖。
  
  可见lie through your teeth类似于中文的俗话:红口白牙,当面说瞎话,也就是编造弥天大谎。
  
  ******
  
  我们再来学一个解释谎言的词: whopper. Whopper也是弥天大谎,但是whopper是令人难以置信的胡扯,有时可能不带恶意,而是说着玩的。好,让我们来听下面一个例子,说的是Joe去钓鱼发生的事情。你来判断一下Joe估计别人会相信他事后说的whopper吗?
  
  例句-4:Joe went fishing. He came back all wet without his rod and reel and told us a real whopper. He said he caught a fish so big it pulled him out of the boat and swam off with his rod and reel.
  
  这段话说:Joe去钓鱼,回来的时候浑身上下都湿了,钓鱼竿和绕线轴也丢了。于是他编了个故事,说自己钓上一条大鱼,但是鱼实在太大。反而把他从船上拖下水。那条鱼还带着鱼竿和线轴游走了。
  
  Joe的话实在太离谱,简直是天花乱坠的胡扯。这就是whopper这个词的意思了。Joe的朋友后来发现真实情况,原来Joe边钓鱼边打瞌睡,钓竿和绕线轴掉下了水。他从船上站起身来去捡却翻了船;他只得游泳上岸。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1241
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第33课
  
  Y: 各位好, 我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello everyone! Welcome to American Cafe! Today we are going to celebrate Women's Equality Day that is celebrated on August 26th.
  
  Y: 8月26号是妇女平等日。那是不是说除了这天以外妇女就不能享受平等权力了呢?
  
  J: You had to say it, didn't Yang Chen.
  
  Y: 难道你不觉得我这个问题问得很好吗?
  
  J: It's a good question. But I don't think we'll talk about it today. But we will talk about Sandy Hansen. Sandy owns a business called Women's History Alive!
  
  Y: Women's History Alive! 就是用舞台表演的形式来讲述妇女在历史上的地位。 Sandy一个人要在舞台上扮演好多的人物。
  
  J: That's right. Sandy takes the rich history of women that is often ignored in history classes and in history books and takes it to the stage to really make it alive.
  
  Y: 我们在看完了Sandy表演以后就马上就采访了她。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1242
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Sandy Hansen: I'm Sandy Hansen. I'm from Holland, Michigan. And my business is called Women's History Alive. I do one-women plays on famous women in American history.
  
  J: When Sandy realized that the history of women was overlooked, she created a way to fill the void!
  
  Y: "Fill the void," 就是添补空白的意思。
  
  J: And the void she wanted to fill is an area of women's history. Sandy got her degree in Women's Studies and it was such a new concept that she literally had to design her own major.
  
  Y: 没错。很多大学根本没有妇女历史这门课。其实是不对的,妇女为了推动历史做出这么大的贡献。你看历史上有过那么多伟大的女性,Harriet Tubman.
  
  J: Oh, and don't forget Amelia Earhart.
  
  Y: Susan B. Anthony.
  
  J: Oh, in China, don't forget Jiang Qing.
  
  Y: Okay, Jody, 你不要开玩笑。
  
  J: Sorry. Sorry.
  
  Y: 好,下面我们还是让Sandy解释一下她的目的。
  
  实录2: Sandy Hansen: My mission is to share women's history to give girls confidence that they can go on and do things in their lives and for adult women, as well, to feel confident to try stuff.
  
  Y: Sandy说得非常好,了解历史能让更多的妇女认识到只要有决心她们也可以改变历史。
  
  J: It's just a great idea to increase a woman's confidence that they're able to do whatever we want. Sometimes women may know intellectually that we can whatever we want, but deep down we may not be so sure.
  
  Y: 即使这些历史人物不仅是妇女能从中得到鼓励,对每个人来说都很有教育意义。
  
  J: Exactly. The scope is much larger than just women. Sandy feels that women's history is essential to every single person: boy, girl, male, female... Again here's Sandy.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1243
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Sandy Hansen: I think that women's history is essential to every single person, boys and girls, male, female, adult men and women, because we learn to respect women when we hear of the wonderful things that they did.
  
  J: And Yang Chen, Sandy is great example herself. She started her own business to fulfill her mission in life. I just think that's great.
  
  Y: 对。Sandy把自己对历史的热爱和对舞台的热爱完美地结合了起来。我觉得她天生就是一个做演员的材料。
  
  J: And Sandy seems born for the stage. In this next quote Sandy she calls herself an "extrovert." Yang Chen ...
  
  Y: "Extrovert" 就是外向的人。
  
  J: Oh, right.
  
  Y: 就象你一样。
  
  J: Oh, thank you. 外向的人.
  
  Y: 或者说性格外向。
  
  J: "Extrovert" is a little difficult so I'm going to spell it very quickly. E-X-T-R-O-V-E-R-T. "Extrovert." So, again here's Sandy.
  
  实录4: Sandy Hansen: I love being on stage. And I love making people laugh at my jokes and sharing women's history with people. I'm really an extrovert. I really love to have people looking at me and talking to me and thinking I'm wonderful and being on stage. Even if you do a bad job people clap for you.
  
  Y: Sandy是非常有趣的人。她说她很喜欢在舞台上表演,有的时候即使表演得很差,观众也会为她鼓掌。其实她太谦虚了,我觉得她还是很不错的。
  
  J: She was great. She was very entertaining. You can tell that she really loves women's history.
  
  Y: 不过说到舞台表演,如果是我自己站在舞台上要这样手舞足蹈,而且还要扮演很多人物,我一定会紧张得两条腿直哆嗦。
  
  J: Oh, are you kidding me? That would be incredibly scary. It's hard enough to get on stage in front of an audience. It's even more difficult when you're alone.
  
  Y: 关键一点就是你自己在舞台上表演,如果出了什么差错只能怪自己,不能推卸责任。
  
  J: Take our show for example. There's two of us and I get blamed for everything.
  
  Y: 好了,我们的节目就到这里,谢谢大家收听,下次节目再见!
  
  J: See you later!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1244
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第34课声音
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,欢迎到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe. Hey Yang Chen, you seem pretty deep in thought today.
  
  Y: 我这几天一直琢磨,政治对我们每个人的生活到底有什么重要的意义呢?
  
  J: You know, I think the answer is that politics plays a part in almost every aspect of our lives.
  
  Y: 没错,政治影响我们生活中的每一个方面。
  
  J: And if I remember correctly - you really like politics.
  
  Y: Like politics? I LOVE politics!
  
  J: I'm sorry. I'm sorry. You LOVE politics!
  
  Y: 没错,我特别的关心政治,也喜欢参与政治活动,特别是最近我们庆祝了妇女平等日。这就让我联想到美国这个世界最大的民主国家居然没有出过一个女总统。 你想过这个问题吗?
  
  J: Of course I've thought about. We've never had a female president. Remember the woman we met recently, Sandy Hansen? She's very passionate about encouraging women to enter politics.
  
  Y: Sandy来到华盛顿DC表演她自己创作的节目,让人们了解争取妇女投票权运动的主要人物以及她们的成就。
  
  J: Here's Sandy.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1245
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Sandy: Well, woman got the right to vote in 1919. It was voted in August 26 and then we actually voted for the first time in November 1920. So, there was a year before the next presidential election.
  
  Y: 1920年美国妇女才第一次投票。这个权利真是来之不易啊。
  
  J: It was not easy. It took until 1920. And it took time, blood, sweat and tears of many amazing women for women to finally get the right to vote. Voting is absolutely the cornerstone of our democracy. But you know what, many people still don't vote.
  
  Y: 就是,提起这个来我觉得很失望。这些人太不把投票当回事儿了。
  
  J: I don't get it either. What I mean is, I don't understand. You know, actually, I do understand a little. I think one reason people don't vote is apathy. Spelled with a big old A-P-A-T-H-Y
  
  Y: 就是漠不关心的意思。
  
  J: Besides voter apathy, Sandy has another reason why only about 50 percent of women in the U.S. vote these days.
  
  实录2: Sandy: They say that only 50 percent of women vote right now. And I think that the reason is, is because all we have are male candidates. And we feel that are not speaking to us on a lot of different issues. So I think we need a lot more women out there running for office.
  
  Y: Sandy, 刚才说很多妇女不愿意投票是因为那些候选人不重视妇女们所关心的问题。那她觉得哪些问题是关于妇女的问题呢?
  
  J: Oh, she mentioned issues like child care, equal pay for women, health care for children, you know, issues that relate directly to women.
  
  Y: 没错,这些和妇女有直接的关系,所以我们需要更多的妇女参加竞选。
  
  J: Now, let's hear from Sandy who not only talks the talk, she walks the walk.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1246
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Sandy: I ran for office in '92. So, I'm not just telling you to do something that I haven't done. I ran as a Democrat in an area which was always winning the award for the most Republican County of the Year award. I was screamed at every single day I went out campaigning. Every day.
  
  Y: Sandy好勇敢啊,在一个共和党人占绝对多数的地区以民主党身份参选。真不简单。
  
  J: Sandy is very brave. And running as a Democrat in a Republican area is not easy. I wouldn't do it. No way. Uh uh. You couldn not pay me enough money. (Pause) Well, you probably could, but you know what I'm saying. Very difficult. Sandy was screamed at every single day.
  
  Y: 面对这种情况 Sandy 是怎么应付的呢?
  
  实录4: Sandy: We all knew it was doomed from day one. But that wasn't the reason that I was running. I was running to say we need two parties and we need women out there and um and ... ohhh, maybe it was ego trip ... let's face it. It's okay to have ego trips. (laughter)
  
  Y: 我太喜欢Ego Trip这个说法,Ego Trip就是满足个人虚荣心或者自我表现的意思。
  
  J: E-G-O T-R-I-P. Two words.
  
  Y: 看来一定要脸皮厚的人才能参加竞选。
  
  J: With people yelling at you every day you need very thick skin to run for office. Let's see if yours is thick enough.
  
  Y: 你看我有没有希望?
  
  J: Let me see if your is thick enough.
  
  Y: Ow! Jody你干吗掐我?
  
  J: I don't know your skin seems pretty soft and thin. Thanks for joining us on American Cafe!
  
  Y: 谢谢收听,我们下次节目再见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1247
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯词语都包括这样一个词,button。大家也许已经知道button是纽扣,但是button也可以作动词,意思你也一定猜得到,就是扣上纽扣。我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语是: button your lip。Button your lip意思难道是用纽扣扣上嘴唇吗?当然不是。像许多习惯用语一样,这是比喻的说法。让我们通过一个例子来体会它的含义,说话的人是在跟同事议论办公室里发生的事。
  
  例句-1:Our boss plans to promote Bob, who is neither responsible nor capable. But you'd better button your lip and not say a word against it, because Bob is nobody but the boss's brother-in-law.
  
  他说:老板打算提升Bob这个既不负责责任又不能干的人,然而你最好还是闭口不提反对意见,因为Bob是老板的内弟。
  
  所以 button your lip 意思就是闭口不谈。
  
  ******
  
  我们要学的第二个以button为主的习惯用语是: on the button。 On the button可能来自拳击赛,button是下巴尖的俗称,在拳击赛中如果你一拳正打在对手的下巴尖上,就是on the button,这是正中要害、击败对手的一着。Button这个词也可以解释按钮,要让一个设备发挥某种功能你得准确地按在某一个按钮上,也就是on the button。但是on the button已经被应用在日常生活中的许多方面。让我们从下面这个例子来体会on the button所表达的意思。这是一个人在赞扬如今的天气预报。
  
  例句-2:With all its new technology weather forecasting is certainly more accurate than it used to be. For example the last five days it's been right on the button predicting high temperatures and evening showers!
  
  他说:由于有了种种新技术,如今的天气预报确实比过去准确。例如,这五天来它预告高温和傍晚下雨,百发百中。
  
  所以on the button意思就是百发百中,切中要害。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1248
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个词的习惯用法: buttonhole.Buttonhole 原来的意思是钮扣眼,但是buttonhole也可以作动词,也许有人以为buttonhole作动词一定是把纽扣扣在眼儿里。这个想法没错,但我们要讲的buttonhole却另有其它的意思。如果你要拉住一个人听你说话,一个牢靠的窍门可能是把你的手指扣住他上衣钮孔,这样他不就跑不了了吗?这可能就是动词buttonhole引伸意义的来源。好,让我们来听一个例子,体会一下其中buttonhole是什么意思。这段话讲Dick渡假归来兴奋不已,碰到谁都会喋喋不休地大谈自己旅途上的所见所闻。好,让我们来听Dick一个同事在怎么议论他。
  
  例句-3:Keep away from Dick this morning! He's back from vacation and trying to buttonhole everybody to tell them about what he did. He'll bore you for half an hour if you give him half a chance.
  
  他说:今天上午可得避着点儿Dick。他刚渡假回来,逢人就大谈自己的经历,你只要给他半点机会,他就会滔滔不绝地跟你说上半个钟点。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1249
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯词语有这样一个关键词,nest。Nest这个词有许多不同的解释,最常用的意思是鸟窝,但是虫子、鱼儿、乌龟、兔子之类的动物下蛋、哺育儿女或者歇息安身、遮风避雨的地方,也都可以称为nest。Nest这个词甚至也可以指窃贼等犯罪分子的巢穴。我们要讲的第一个习惯用语是: Foul your own nest。 Foul这个词可以解释“玷污,弄脏”刚才说过nest可以指安身的所在,所以foul your own nest从字面上解释是把自己的安乐窝弄得乌七八糟。
  
  想象一下,如果你把自己的安乐窝搞得脏乱不堪、臭气冲天,那你是在跟自己过不去,让自己不得安宁了。当然foul your own nest是比喻的说法。让我们听一个例子来体会它的含义。说话的人在谈论一名市长。这位市长稳坐江山已经有二十年了;市长的位置似乎已经成了他的终生职业,但是后来却发生了出人意料的变化。好,我们一起来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-1:The mayor could have been elected forever. But he's finished now and may end up in jail. It was discovered that he'd been fouling his own nest by taking bribes and giving city contracts in return.
  
  他说:那个市长原来可能一直会当选,但是他现在可完蛋了,甚至还可能坐牢。人们发现他一向收受贿赂,拿承包市内工程的合同来作交易。这一下他真把自己搞得声名狼籍。
  
  ******
  
  我们可以看出foul your own nest在这段话里的意思是,本人的所作所为毁坏自己的名誉。让我们再听一个例子,说的是一名参议员和他的贤内助Sally。
  
  例句-2:Senator White is lucky to have a wife like Sally, a lovely and smart woman with a good job. When she learned that he had affairs with cheap women, she didn't foul their own nest but still supported her husband to run for senator.
  
  他说:White参议员有Sally这样一位好太太真是运气。Sally才貌双全又有一份好工作。当Sally听说丈夫和不三不四的女人纠缠不清的时候,她不但没把家丑外扬,而且仍然支持她丈夫竞选参议员。
  
  从这个例子可见foul your own nest还有“拆自己人的台”或者“家丑外扬”的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1250
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个以nest为主的习惯用语是: stir up a hornet's nest. Hornet是黄蜂、胡蜂或者马蜂。 Stir up a hornet's nest相当于中文的俗话: 捅了马蜂窝。如果一个人不明智地捅马蜂窝,必然遭到大群马蜂的叮刺围攻。这是自找麻烦。
  
  让我们听一个例子进一步了解stir up a hornet's nest这个习惯用语的意思。这是一个老于世故的人在劝一个思想激进的年轻同事,别去触犯办公室的那些陈规戒律和因循旧习,以免给自己添麻烦。好,我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-3:Why are you trying to stir up a hornet's nest? Our office has been managed this way for the last twenty years. Don't waste time complaining about it; you'll just get in a lot of trouble.
  
  他说:你为什么要去捅马蜂窝呢?我们的办公室这二十年来一向按照这个方式管理。你别浪费时间去提意见了;你会给自己树敌招冤的。
  
  在这句话里, to stir up a hornets' nest意思是自找麻烦,或者成为众矢之的。我们再来听个例子,讲的是美国不久前暴光的一起间谍案,一个深得信任的中央情报局官员居然为莫斯科提供秘密情报达八年之久才被发现。这使美国公众大为震惊,舆论哗然。好,我们来听吧。
  
  例句-4/:The case has stirred up a hornet's nest among the press and the congress. Everyone wants to know how this senior officer got away with stealing all those secrets for eight years before he got caught.
  
  他说:这件案子遭到新闻界和国会的强烈责难,使大家震惊的是这个高级官员怎么会窃取秘密情报长达八年之久才被发现。
  
  这个例子里的stirred up a hornet's nest含义也是触犯众怒引起大量的批评指责。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1251
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第35课声音
  
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: Sigh. Hello. 我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Yang Chen, what's wrong? I've never seen you this down before.
  
  Y: 哎哟,我心情不好啊。 你不知道我前段时间错过了一个赚钱的大好机会。现在后悔不得了。
  
  J: You know, sometimes things happen that you think at the time are...are bad. But actually in the end ... it turns out to be a good thing. Did that make sense to you?
  
  Y: Jody, 我知道你是好心,不过你的长篇大论我现在没有心情领教。
  
  J: I understand. But maybe you'll want to listen to our guest today. Erica. Maybe she can help you.
  
  Y: Erica? 她是个心理学家吗?
  
  J: No, she's not a psychologist. She's a web designer.
  
  Y: 网页设计师。那她能帮我什么?
  
  J: Well, Erica started her own business in web design completely by accident.
  
  Y: 她是由于一个偶然的机会开始自己做生意。我得听听是怎么回事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1252
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Erica: I started my own business by accident really. I was laid off a job that I didn' t really like which was actually perfect for me. It was the best thing that could have happened to me.
  
  Y: Erica 说她被laid off,被解雇了。
  
  J: That's right - no work.
  
  Y: 工作也没有了,她还说这是好事?
  
  J: Well, she was laid off a job that she really didn't like. So, that's not really bad news.
  
  Y: Well, 我知道她不喜欢原来的工作,可她至少还有个工作啊,那总从比失业要好吧!
  
  J: Just hold on to your horses. I mean, take it easy. I mean, wait just a minute. There's more to the story. Here again is Erica...
  
  实录2: Erica: But by getting laid off, I didn't have to feel guilty about quitting a job to start a business. So while I was looking for a new job, I started doing websites for people and then I started to make myself a portfolio, a website, and it just sort of rolled from there.
  
  Y: 她刚才提到一个词Portfolio。在这里就是积累工作经验。
  
  J: Exactly, a collection of your work experience. Something you can actually hold onto for example photographs - or even something you can't hold onto like a website. You know, Erica brought up so many great words related to starting your own business. In the next there's more. We're going to hear "Getting money in the door"
  
  Y: 赚钱的意思。
  
  J: Right. "Pool of clients."
  
  Y: 一批顾客。
  
  J: And "coming out of the woodwork."
  
  J: "Coming out of the woodwork" is a slang expression meaning all of a sudden and from every direction.
  
  Y: 就是你莫名其妙地出现了一堆顾客。
  
  J: Coming out of the woodwork, yes.
  
  Y: 那一定她的幸运特别好,所以人们一个传一个说Erica是一个非常好的 web designer 所以大家都来找她。
  
  J: 等一下,等一下。You're getting ahead of the story. Here's Erica.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1253
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Erica: I did end up getting a fulltime job for a while just to get money in the door because it takes a long time to start your own business. And it took me a long to get clients. It took me about a year to start to get a pool of clients. But the economy picked up again and then it was basically a full-year cycle. And when I hit one-year I had clients coming out of the woodwork. It was amazing.
  
  Y: 你看,我说什么,我猜得不错吧。她的生意非常好所以顾客远远不断地来找她。
  
  J: Again, Yang Chen, you were right. When she hit the one-year mark, clients started coming out of the woodwork. And now she has a large pool of clients. She even has to turn people down.
  
  Y: 就她太忙,忙不过来,有的时候别人来她,她就告诉他们“我实在没有时间接你们的生意。”
  
  J: She has so many clients that she can undercut other businesses.
  
  Y: Erica,生意之所以这么好可能还有一个原因,那就是她的要价比别人底。是不是?
  
  J: Exactly, that means she's undercutting other businesses.
  
  实录4: Erica: To this day I' m still overwhelmed by clients. I'm undercutting a lot of other businesses. I should be charging much more than I am. But you know, I' m working with small businesses and I like working with small businesses.
  
  J: So, Yang Chen, the lesson here is don't worry about a lost opportunity. It could lead to an even better opportunity.
  
  Y: 其实从Erica身上我看到有时候那个机会自己会来找你!机会自己就会来敲门!
  
  J: That's the right attitude. Thanks for joining us on American Cafe!
  
  Y: 谢谢你收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次节目再见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1254
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第36课
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Hello everyone! Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  (Music break)
  
  J: On today's American Cafe we're going to visit my home state - West Virginia. 西维吉尼亚!
  
  Y: Yeh! 说起西维吉尼亚,我们知道西维吉尼亚以风景优美,民风纯朴而著称。是一个旅游的好地方。
  
  J: Exactly! In fact, Yang Chen, I recently went there on a visit. I went to an arts-and-crafts festival in a town called Rennick. And there, I met a woman named Jeannie.
  
  Y: Arts-and-crafts就是工艺美术的意思. 那么Jeannie从事的是那一种工艺美术呐。
  
  J: Well, when I met Jeannie she was sitting at an old fashioned spinning wheel spinning wool.
  
  Y: Wow. 她会纺毛线。Um, 那她还会作什么?纺毛线似乎还不能算是工艺美术啊。
  
  J: Well, you're right. But Jeannie not only spins the wool, she is involved in an amazing process that begins with raising sheep and ends with a piece of art that you can wear. Jeannie from West Virginia.
  
  实录1: Jeannie: My name is Jeannie and I'm from Rennick, WV. I grew up outside of Pittsburgh, but I've lived here for over 30 years now.
  
  Y: Jody, 我记得,你好象说过你小时候也在匹兹堡附近住过?
  
  J: Yeah, you have a great memory. I grew up outside of Pittsburgh just like Jeannie. It is such a small world. Now, back to Jeannie.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1255
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Jeannie: And I had for years a farm with a little flock of Cotswold sheep. And so that's what I'm spinning today. Ah, It's kind of coarse wool compared to some but it's very easy spinning.
  
  Y: Jeannie刚才说的 "Cotswold sheep"是什么?
  
  (Enter sheep sounds)
  
  J: Oh, Cotswold sheep, oh, Yang Chen, that is simply a type of sheep. But that's not the important part. The important part is that the wool is very coarse and therefore it's easy to spin.
  
  Y: 她这种羊毛比较粗,因为粗呢,所以就比较容易纺成毛线。
  
  J: Right. Coarse is spelled C-O-A-R-S-E.
  
  Y:纺毛线一定很难吧?
  
  J: Well, let's hear Jeannie explain.
  
  实录3: Jeannie: Oh man, well, you're taking raw wool and your putting a twist in order to get it hold it together to make yarn which you can then make into hats or sweaters or blankets or whatever.
  
  Y: Jeannie真了不起。她从剪羊毛,到纺毛线,然后织成毛衣,或者帽子、毯子,她全都一手包办了。
  
  J: She's amazing! She does everything. Well, almost everything. In our conversation she said she doesn't wash the wool 'cause (because) it's too difficult. But in her case, she begins by cutting the wool off the backs of the sheep with scissors.
  
  (Enter sound of scissors)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1256
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: Jeannie: Okay, in my case it came off the sheep with scissors. And the sheep stand up like little dogs and I cut the wool off of their backs. And it's a big job. And then it's very dirty so you need to wash it. And after washing it needs to be combed or carded so it's easily spun.
  
  Y: 羊毛剪下来不仅要清洗,她说还要comb。
  
  J: Right comb C-O-M-B.
  
  Y: 噢,就象梳头发那样。
  
  J: Right! To comb your hair. She cuts the wool, sends it someone else to wash it, combs the wool, spins the wool into yarn and then knits the yarn into hats, sweaters or blankets. It's amazing!
  
  Y: 看来除了清洗羊毛这一道程序其他都是她自己做的。哇,那种程序这么复杂。什么时候才能变成一件羊毛衫穿在我身上呐?
  
  J: That's a good question. I asked Jeannie the same thing.
  
  实录5: Jeannie: Well, it takes many many hours. I'd say a hat if you just counted the time for one hat probably takes 6 hours. A sweater I think takes 30-40 hours.
  
  Y: 你想一件毛衣需要30到40个小时才完成。如果是我的话我一定没有这种耐心。
  
  J: But you know, I think that Jeannie really loves the process not really the product.
  
  实录6: Jeannie: I love the process of taking a raw thing like a dirty sheep and raising the babies and then ending up with incredible works of art.
  
  J: Jeannie. She's wonderful. I just love her. Thanks for joining us on American Cafe.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1257
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了两个由nest组成的习惯用语, foul your own nest有破坏自己的名誉,家丑外扬等意思, stir up a hornet's nest意思是树敌招怨,自找麻烦。今天我们还要讲两个以 nest 为关键词的习惯用语。第一个是: Feather your own nest。Feather这个词作动词的时候可以解释铺垫羽毛。那么feather your own nest就是在自己的窝里铺上羽毛了。想象一下垫上松软羽毛的小窝该是多么舒服啊。这可真是为自己的安乐考虑周到了。
  
  当然我们不能只看这个习惯用语的字面意义。让我们听一个例子来体会它的含义吧。这段话说的还是我们上次提到的CIA officer,也就是美国中央情报局的那个工作人员。他为前苏联提供机密情报终于落网。这件事使说这句话的人大为烦恼。
  
  例句-1: I thought security at CIA was good and tight. How come this guy could spy for Russia for so long and feather his own nest with millions of dollars for Moscow? It's really hard to believe.
  
  他原来的想法是中央情报局的安全防卫措施一定既完善又严密,没想到事实却并非如此。否则那个中央情报局官员怎么有机会长年累月地为莫斯科提供机密情报,并得到几百万美元的报酬中饱私囊呢? 这简直令人难以置信。
  
  从这例子我们可以看出feather your own nest意思是中饱私囊。换句话说是谋求个人利益。
  
  ******
  
  好,我们再来听一个例子。这是在说一个律师怎么会遭到法律制裁的。 他受Green先生的委托执行遗嘱,却耍弄了欺骗手段。好,我们一起来听吧。
  
  例句-2:In his will Mr. Green told this lawyer to use his money after he died to build a hospital for the poor. But the lawyer feathered his own nest by using the money to buy two apartment buildings for himself.
  
  他说:Green先生在遗嘱中要这个律师在他身后用他的钱为贫民造一所医院,但是律师却拿这笔资金营私,为自己买了两栋公寓大楼。
  
  在这个例子里feathered his own nest是营私自肥、中饱私囊的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1258
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的第二个习惯用语是: empty nest。 照字面意思来看empty nest是空巢。鸟儿筑巢下蛋孵出一窝吱吱喳喳的小鸟。在鸟爸鸟妈的精心哺育下小鸟羽翼丰满就离开父母纷纷飞去独立生活,留下老爸老妈独守空巢,就是empty nest。然而这个习惯用语常常用来比喻人的生活。例如下面这段话是一个人在跟他的邻居谈孩子离开家去上大学时孤独冷清的感受。好,我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-3:Your only boy is leaving home pretty soon for college, isn't he? It's going to be tough for the first couple of months once you're left alone in an empty nest, I tell you. It was certainly hard for me!
  
  这个邻居的独子快离开家去大学念书了,说话的人以过来人的身份谈自己的亲身体会,所谓empty nest究竟是什么样的感觉呢? 让我们再听一遍用慢速说的这段话。边听边体会empty nest指什么。
  
  他说:你的独生儿子不久要离开家去上大学了是吗?告诉你吧,在你孤零零守在空荡荡家里的时侯头几个月你可不会好受。我亲身体会到那段日子确实很难熬。
  
  ******
  
  可见empty nest是用来形容子女长大成人离开老家后父母的落寞感受。好,让我们再听一个例子。这个例子里习惯用语empty nest加上了后缀-er, 成了empty-nester。这是什么意思呢? 让我们边听下面的例子边仔细推敲。这是一个房屋经纪人在推销他分套出售的新公寓大楼。好,我们来听吧。
  
  例句-4:We get a lot of empty-nesters moving into this area. They sell their big houses they don't need after their children leave and come here. Warm weather, clean air, nice people, no crime, everything! The perfect place for you!
  
  他说:我们这个地区来了好多儿女不在身边的老人。孩子离家后,他们卖了已经多余的大房子,来到这里。这儿气候温和、空气新鲜、民风纯朴、罪行绝迹,俱备一切令人向往的东西,是你最理想的地点。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1259
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天学的习惯用语都有这个词: barrel。 Barrel是大桶,用来载运啤酒、威士忌、食糖、汽油等各种货品。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: scrape the bottom of the barrel。 Scrape是“刮”的意思。 Scrape the bottom of the barrel从字面上看,意思是刮桶底。它的出处可能是酒桶里仅仅剩下桶底那一丁点儿的酒了,实在要喝就只能刮桶底。刮桶底取上来的酒有沉淀甚至还混着木屑,会好喝吗? 想必不行,所以刮桶底是百般无奈才出此下策的。
  
  这个习惯用语在生活中有更为广泛的应用。让我们听一个例子吧。这是一个人在谈论他吝啬的老板想尽可能少花点儿钱来雇用办公室工作人员。好,我们一起听这段话吧。
  
  例句-1:Our boss is cheap and won't pay the standard wage for help in our office. So we have to scrape the bottom of the barrel and end up hiring secretaries who can't type or spell.
  
  他说:我们老板真小气,不愿意按照标准工资水平出钱雇用办公人员,所以我们只好不得已而求其次。最后雇了几个既不会打字,拚写也是一团糟的秘书。
  
  从这儿可见scrape the bottom of the barrel含义是出于无奈,只得滥竽充数将就将就。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1260
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的下一个习惯用语是: have somebody over a barrel。 Have somebody over a barrel这个习惯用语从表面上看,意思是把某人放在大桶上。有些学者认为这个习惯用语来自人们的一个老习惯,以前把溺水的人从水里救上来以后,人们惯常让这个人俯伏在侧放的大桶上,然后来回滚动这个大桶,促使伏在上面的人吐出呛进胸腹内的积水。可想而知,当时这个伏在桶上奄奄一息的人是无能为力、听人摆布的了。
  
  这个习惯用语虽然出自这儿,但是却已经完全超越了原来的意思。让我们通过一个例子来琢磨它的含义吧。这是一个学生在抱怨他的爸爸。
  
  例句-2:I really don't want to work during summer vacation; I'd rather relax myself at home. But Dad has me over a barrel: if I don't take a job he won't pay my tuition to go to college.
  
  他说:我放暑假实在不想去打工;我宁可闲在家里轻松一下。但是我只得听任爸爸摆布。爸爸说,如果我不去打工,他就不为我付上大学的学费。
  
  从这儿可以看出have somebody over a barrel含义是使得某人处于身不由己、任由摆布的地位,特别有扼制经济命脉来支配某人的意思。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1261
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

******
  
  我们还有一点儿时间,再学一个由barrel组成的习惯用语吧: give somebody both barrels。 在give somebody both barrels这个习惯用语里,barrel不再是装东西的大圆桶,而是双筒猎枪的枪管。这种猎枪不是一颗接一颗地发射子弹,而是一枪就能同时射出好多铅弹。如果你用两个枪管发射的话,就是狠狠打击你的射击目标。和其它的习惯用语一样,give somebody both barrels应用在日常生活其它方面的时候是比喻的意思。好,让我们通过一个例子来琢磨它的含义吧。说话的人刚让机械师修好他的车,没想到车马上又抛锚了。
  
  例句-3:The car ran only one mile when it broke down again. I was so mad I went back to the mechanic, gave him both barrels, and made him agree to fix the trouble free.
  
  他说:车子只开了一英里就又抛锚了,气得我立刻赶回机械师那儿,把他大骂一通,迫使他答应我免费排除故障。
  
  看来give somebody both barrels意思就是“大声臭骂,狠狠指责”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1262
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第37课
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨。欢迎到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody, welcome to American Cafe! On this edition of American Cafe we are going to talk to our friend Jeannie from West Virginia.
  
  Y: 好香啊。你是在煮汤吗?
  
  J: No, I am boiling soup. I am boiling brown.
  
  Y: Brown? 你说的颜色里的brown, 棕色吗?
  
  J: That is right. I am boiling the color brown.
  
  Y: Jody, 你真是越来越可爱了。 颜色也能煮吗?
  
  J: Of course, you can boil a color. I got the idea from Jeannie, the woman artist we met who raises sheep and then uses their wool to make stuff.
  
  Y: 对。我认识Jeannie。她非常特别。为什么说她特别呢? 因为她不但自己养羊,还会剪羊毛,织毛衣。 她织的每一件毛衣都是艺术品。
  
  J: That is right. She also dyes the wool herself.
  
  But Yang Chen, you forgot a part of the process.
  
  Y: 她还会给羊毛染色啊?
  
  J: People who dye wool naturally use by-products found in nature like fruit, leaves and bark from trees, vegetables, even bugs!
  
  Y: Bugs? 虫子,我最怕那些小虫子。 你刚才提到的by-product,能不能给大家解释一下?
  
  J: By-product, spelled B-Y-P-R-O-D-U-C-T. A by-product is something that is left over from a process.
  
  Y:对, By-product就是副产品的意思。
  
  J: Jeannie is going to tell us how she is going to use by-product from trees like yellow boxwood elder, osage orange wood and walnut tress to get completely natural color.
  
  Y: 你刚才提到的yellow boxwood elder或者是osage orange wood...
  
  J: Those are just types of trees.
  
  Y: 好。我们就听听Jeannie是利用那些by-products来作染料。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1263
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Jeannie: And in this case I've dyed with yellow box elder to get this nice green-yellow color. And I've got some dyed with osage orange wood and the boxwood was given to me by another friend as a by-product of something he was making.
  
  Y: 我还是不太明白,她到底是用什么方法把这些东西制作出各种颜色的染料呢?
  
  J: The process involves cocking the ingratiates over an open fire like a big pot of soup. Jeannie says that she dyed her wool over an open fire with friends. Doesn't that sound fun?
  
  Y: 嗯...
  
  J: Don't answer that. I had the feeling that boiling bugs over an open flame is not your idea of fun, but for Jeannie...
  
  实录2: Jeannie: Well, we did this outside over an open fire and it took a couple of hours. It was a lot of fun.
  
  Y: 不过我还有一个疑问,如果是利用这些自然界的这些东西来制作颜色,那么颜色的种类是不是很有限呢?
  
  J: Jeannie said that you can get almost any color you want from nature; you can have the whole color span.
  
  Y: 那你这里说的whole color span就是所有的颜色都包括在内。
  
  J: Exactly, and according to Jeannie people who are really into dying wool naturally can get any color they want.
  
  Y: 等一等,我想提醒大家当你说一个人“really into something"就是说这个人某件事特别认真,特别投入。
  
  J: Oh, good point. If you are really into something, you have been doing something for a long time and you really like it. But enough from us, Yang Chen, let's hear how Jeannie uses the expression "really into it" and words like "span..."

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1264
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Jeannie: Yeah, there's natural colors you can get almost anything you want. And people who are really into it -- which I'm not, I'm just a beginner, but with the natural colors -- but you can get browns from walnut. You can get blue from indigo. So you can have the whole span.
  
  J: Jeannie says she is just a beginner, but to me she sounds like a pro.
  
  Y: 没错,我也觉得她听起来很老练。你有没有闻到什么东西煮糊了?
  
  Y: 我知道这种来自大自然的颜色一定有很多好处,但是它们会不会很容易退色呢?
  
  J: Oh, no it's my color brown. It's burning, it is all boiled over. Oh, man, my color brown it the color black. I guess I am the real beginner here. Well, anyway, thanks for joining us on American Cafe...See you next time.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次再见。
  
  J: Where is Jeannie when we need her?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1265
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第38课声
  
  
  J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Yang Chen, our guest today is Mark Boudevaul, from Beverly, West Virginia. And he has several ways that he makes a living.
  
  Y: Mark住在西维吉尼亚的Beverly. 你说他同时有好几种工作,听上去很有意思。那他的主要工作是什么呢?
  
  J: Primarily, Mark is a beekeeper.
  
  Y: Beekeeper?
  
  J: Bee Keeper!
  
  Y: Bee就是蜜蜂,Beekeeper就是养蜂的人。那他另外的职业是什么呢?
  
  J: He's also the host of a bluegrass radio show and is also a musician himself.
  
  Y: Wow. 他还在电台主持兰草音乐节目,还是个音乐家,那他会不会演奏乐器?
  
  J: He plays the steel guitar that you hear in the background.
  
  (Enter samples of steel guitar)
  
  J: ... and the dobro.
  
  Y: 我知道 Steel guitar是夏威夷吉他, dobro好象没有中文翻译,
  
  J: It's common in bluegrass music. Oh, Yang Chen, listen to that lonely, haunting sound.
  
  Y: 没错,这种乐器听起来有一种孤独深沉的味道。
  
  J: Now, let's meet Mark

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1266
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Mark: I'm Mark Boudervaul and I'm from Beverly, West Virginia. Well I'm a beekeeper primarily but I also do a bluegrass radio show and play steel guitar and dobro.
  
  Y: Mark的声音真的很好听,难怪他要主持电台节目呢。
  
  J: I know. He has a great radio voice.
  
  Y: 没错,不过我更感兴趣的是他的另一个职业:养蜜蜂。
  
  J: Raising bees sounds like such interesting work.
  
  Y: 就是啊,那他是什么时候开始养蜜蜂的呢?
  
  J: Mark started bee keeping when he was around 17 years old. He says a guy a couple farms over, meaning a neighbor, had bees and Mark was intrigued.
  
  Y: 对,Intrigued就是产生兴趣的意思。
  
  J: Right. So Mark pestered his neighbor long enough ...
  
  Y: 等一等, "pester" 不是麻烦,打扰的意思吗?
  
  J: Right. To pester means to bother somebody. So, Mark pestered his neighbor to teach him about bee keeping and it worked.
  
  实录2: Mark: I started when I was about 17. I knew a guy a couple farms over from us that had bees and I was pretty intrigued by it. I pestered him long enough for him to show me what to do. And I got my own bees when I was about 18. And I'm 48 now so, that's about 30 years.
  
  Y: 有意思,Mark 想学养蜂,就缠着附近农场的一个人教他, 那个人最后不厌其烦只好帮助他。嗯,pester这个办法不错.
  
  J: Sometimes you have to pester, pester, pester, pester somebody to get what you want.
  
  Y: 没错,Mark说他养蜜蜂到现在已经有30年历史了。 对Mark来说养蜜蜂虽然是他的兴趣,可是养蜂也有淡季和旺季,对吧?
  
  J: Exactly. Bee keeping is definitely seasonal because, of course, bees need flowers and in the dead of winter there are no flowers.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1267
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Mark: It's a seasonal job in that bees are only really working when flowers are in bloom and in the dead of winter there's no flowers.
  
  Y: 到了冬天他就得找点别的事做。
  
  J: Mark goes on to say that bee keeping keeps him going in the summertime. During the winter he finds other things to keep him going.
  
  实录4: Mark: Ahh, it's interesting. It keeps me going in the summer time. You know, I find other things to keep me going through the winter.
  
  Y: Mark 说的keeps him going 就是维持生计的意思。我们知道西维吉尼亚冬天很冷,他能找什么工作呢?
  
  J: To keep himself going through a winter in West Virginia Mark does something very interesting.
  
  Y: 我们来听听是什么。
  
  Mark: I raise donkeys also.
  
  Y: 什么?毛驴?我没有听错吧?
  
  J: You heard it right, Yang Chen! Mark also raises donkeys to give people rides on the trails through the beautiful mountains of West Virginia.
  
  实录5: Mark: Yes, I have donkeys that I take out on trails and this is a good area to come for that. (laughter)
  
  Y: 骑着毛驴沿着西维吉尼亚的山路欣赏风景,听起来很不错,如果我下次要到西维吉尼亚旅游,我一定会去找Mark。
  
  J: Good idea! And also look for Mark if you need any honey or a radio host or a steel guitar player or whatever other wonderful job Mark does. Thanks for joining us today at American Cafe!
  
  Y: 我们下次节目再见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1268
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语都有buy这个词。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: Buy a pig in a poke。Poke在这儿解释口袋。Buy a pig in a poke是个很古老的习惯用语,至少有五百年的历史了。它来自一个滑头的人耍弄别人的一个故事。这个人说他的口袋里有一头小肥猪要出卖,而买主居然笨得不看一眼就买下了,回到家打开袋子,才发现原来里面装的是只猫。他的盲目不仅让他白花钱,还使他不得不承担养猫的责任。像这种骗人上勾的买卖现在还有。比方说,不时有人会打电话来向你推销产品,甚至房地产。他会把你没亲眼目睹的东西说得天花乱坠。例如下面这个例子讲的是房地产经纪人推销在佛罗里达州的地产。
  
  例句-1:My brother bought a pig in a poke. He bought some property in Florida over the phone. It was on the ocean - in fact at high tide it was six feet under water.
  
  大家都听懂了吧?原来他兄弟在电话上就买下了佛罗里达沿海的那块土地。涨潮的时候这块地竟然淹在水面下六英尺。
  
  花钱买下这样一块时有时无的土地等于把钱往水里扔。问题出在他是通过电话买的根本没看过他买的地。所以buy a pig in a poke意思就是没有亲自过目就轻率地买下某些东西。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1269
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Buy a pig in a poke是轻率和盲目地购买商品的意思,有时候买来的东西一文不值。下面要学的习惯用语可有截然相反的意思。这个习惯用语是: buy for a song。Buy for a song可能来自街头卖唱的艺人。他们做的是无本买卖,唱歌来换取生活所需。如果唱一支歌就能得到报酬,也就是没化钱而买到了,言下之意是非常便宜。好,我们听一个例子来琢磨buy for a song含义是什么。他说的是买一辆91年出产的福特牌二手车的事儿。
  
  例句-2:You have to be careful when you buy a used car. But I bought this 91Ford for a song, about half of what I expected to pay. And I've had good luck with it - it runs like a new car.
  
  大家都听懂这段话了吧? 买旧车是得小心谨慎,但是他的运气真好;他买那辆91年福特牌汽车只化了预计中的一半钱,可车开起来就像新的一样。
  
  从而可见buy something for a song含义是花的代价不大,而买到东西却很合算。
  
  ******
  
  我们接着要学的习惯用语里buy这个词意思很特别,不像刚才那样解释“买”,而是“相信或者采纳”。我们来听个例子吧。这个人在议论一个好吹嘘光荣历史的人。
  
  例句-3:He is always telling people how brave he was during the war, but I don't buy his story. I know he never got overseas; he spent the whole wartime working in an army base in US.
  
  这段话说:他老是告诉别人他战时的英勇事迹。我可不信他编的故事。我知道他从来没去过海外;整个战争年代他都在美国本土的军事基地工作。
  
  所以这儿buy意思就是“相信或者接受”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1270
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: buy the farm。听了这个短语你也许以为它的意思是买农场,其实它和购置产业毫无关系。这个习惯用语起源于二次大战,当时许多年轻人都英年早逝,于是就有了buy the farm这个说法委婉地表示突如其来的不正常死亡。好,我们来听一个例子吧。
  
  例句-4:Bill was the best pilot I knew when I was in the air force. But he bought the farm when his plane was hit two days before the end of the war.
  
  他说:我在空军部队的时候据我所知Bill是最出色的飞行员,但是就在大战结束前两天,他的飞机被击中,而他也英年早逝了。
  
  这儿bought the farm意思是突如其来的不正常死亡

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1271
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第39课
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Hello, I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe! So, Yang Chen, I was looking at our web site for American Cafe and we have a problem.
  
  Y: 我们的网页有问题?我觉得挺好的啊。
  
  J: Well, it's okay. But I thought we could find better artwork. Don't you? Our web site is just not very artistic.
  
  Y: 哎呀, 网页只要实用就好了,要那么花哨干什么?
  
  J: A good web site does more than just work. It has to be kind of like a work of art.
  
  Y: Art? 艺术。我觉得电脑是个科学工具,根本没必要弄那些华而不实的东西。
  
  J: Art.
  
  Y: 科学!
  
  J: Art!
  
  Y: 科学!
  
  J: Okay, okay, let's not argue ! Hey, I have an idea. Let's talk to our friend Erica. You remember Erica, don't you?
  
  Y: 没错。我还记得Erica。她自己有一个网页设计公司。
  
  实录1: Erica: Web design is very much an art and a science. It's both together because the artistic side is pretty obvious. You need to have visual design.
  
  J: See, Erica says you need to have visual design, V-I-S-U-A-L visual D-E-S-I-G-N design, the way things look.
  
  Y: 哎呀,你耐心一点! 我敢担保她接下来一定会强调网页设计的科学性。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1272
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Erica: There's a very technical side to it. You experiment. You try things. You test things. They fail. They give you errors. You try again. You keep playing with it.
  
  Y: 你看,我说什么。Erica 也强调设计网页是一项技术性很强的工作。
  
  J: She did say that there is a very technical side to it.
  
  Y: 就是吗。
  
  J: Well, just hold on a minute! Let's spell technical. Technical is spelled T-E-C-H-N-I-C-A-L, technical side to it.
  
  实录3: Erica: So, it's really that marriage between art and technical skills that are so important for web site design.
  
  Y: Erica刚才说的一句话很有意思。她说网页设计是 A marriage between art and technical skills. Marriage 这个词也可以这样用啊?
  
  J: Marriage, M-A-R-R-I-A-G-E, marriage, can be used to mean a union to other things besides a spouse. Maybe the best way is to give an example. Well, like Erica said, "It's really that marriage between art and technical skills." I can also say "I like that idea, but I'm not married to it." Meaning, I like the idea but I'm not committed to it.
  
  Y: 我想在marriage这里的意思就是两者的结合。
  
  J: But Yang Chen, I wonder. Does Erica consider herself an artist or a scientist?
  
  Y: 对, Erica 认为她自己是一个艺术家呢,还是科学家?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1273
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: Erica: I'm really an artist. The reason I'm doing web design is because it gives me an opportunity to do art all the time. Make pretty things and show them to people 'cause (because) I love an audience too.
  
  Y: 听起来Erica更象是一个艺术家,而不是科学家。
  
  J: Erica considers herself an artist. She likes making pretty things and showing them to people and she loves an audience. Sounds like an artist to me.
  
  Y: 以前我倒是从来没有从艺术的角度来看待网页设计!
  
  J: A web site is not just art that you hang up in your house, like a painting. It's art that the whole world can see!
  
  实录5: Erica: It works out perfectly. People actually pay me to do art. But it's not just the kind of art, you know, that you hang up in your house. It's art that the whole world can see. And it's art that's really functional and useful. And actually I'm really proud of the functional part too, the fact that it's very user-friendly and very useful, not just pretty to look at.
  
  Y: 看来我要改变我的想法,网页设计的确包含着很多艺术创作的成份。你觉不觉得Erica的确是在艺术和科学之间找到了一个很好的平衡。她设计的网页真是又漂亮又实用。
  
  J: It really sounds like Erica has found a good marriage between art and science in her web design company. So what do think, Yang Chen? Our web site needs artistic help?
  
  Y: 也许Erica可以帮助我们。
  
  J: Erica would love to help us.
  
  Y: 谢谢您收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见!
  
  J: Thanks for joining us on American Cafe! See you next time!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1274
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次学到了好几个由buy这个词组成的习惯用语. Buy通常解释“买”,而“卖”这个词的英文是sell。今天我们要讲几个包括sell这个词的习惯用语。第一个是: hard sell。很多人知道hard这个词可以解释“硬的”,那么hard sell这个短语什么意思呢?我们来听个例子。它说的是买一辆新汽车的事儿。
  
  例句-1:I wanted a cheap car without a lot of extras. But the salesman gave me a hard sell so I ended up with stuff I didn't need, like leather seats, a sun roof and a lot of other things.
  
  大家都听懂了吗?他原来只想要一辆没什么额外设备的廉价车,但是结果却买下了皮座椅、天窗之类那些并不必需的设备。
  
  什么原因迫使他多花钱买这些装置的呢?那得归究于推销员的硬行推销手段了。所以这儿hard sell意思就是“硬行推销”,也就是硬让别人买东西。
  
  ******
  
  有时候hard sell确实令人难以抵挡、避而不及,但是你更该避而远之的是向你推销a bill of goods。这就是我们要学的下一个习惯用语: sell a bill of goods。A bill of goods意思是进货单。注意,这只是开列货品的单子,不是实物。如果有人要你出钱买的只是货单,他很可能在行骗,因为货单只是一纸空文而已。Sell a bill of goods这个习惯用语多年来已经被广泛应用到商界以外的场合。比方说政界。下面这个例子就是一名政界人物在向选民讲话时攻击他的政敌。好,我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-2:My friends, my opponent is selling you a bill of goods when he promises to spend more on schools and cut taxes too. You ask him how he can spend more money without raising taxes!
  
  他告诉选民:他的对手既保证要给学校多拨款,又答应减税,其实这两者不可兼得。怎么可能做到既多花钱又不加税呢?
  
  这些完全是花言巧语。可见sell a bill of goods意思就是以花言巧语骗取信任。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1275
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的下一个习惯用语是: sell down the river。这个说法得上溯到一百五十来年前美国实行黑奴制度的时代。不少人看过《汤姆叔的小屋》这部小说或者电影,了解当年美国黑奴的悲惨处境。当时一名黑奴的最大悲剧可能就是被转卖给密西西比河下游的另一个主人。因为那意味着妻离子散的命运和在棉花地里累断筋骨的操劳。当年很多黑奴就死于这种非人的待遇。所以sell down the river就是出卖某人、令人陷入厄运的意思。这个习惯用语沿用至今,让我们听个例子来琢磨它的意思。这是一家公司被解雇的职员在指控老板。
  
  例句-3:Our boss promised he'd never sell our company to another firm. But when he got a good offer, he sold us down the river, and the new owners brought in their own people and fired us.
  
  他说: 我们的老板曾经保证绝对不转让我们的公司,但是当别人肯出好价钱的时候,他就出卖了我们的利益。新老板把自己人都拉进公司来,却把我们炒了鱿鱼。
  
  所以sell somebody down the river意思就是出卖某人的利益。
  
  ******
  
  我们再学一个习惯用语: sell somebody short。这个短语的意思很像中国俗语“把人瞧扁了”,也就是没看到某人的长处。好,我们来听个例子。他是在评价一位高明的律师。
  
  例句-4:Don't sell that man short. He's one of the smartest lawyers in town. You'd be wise to hire him if you're in trouble - he seldom loses a case.
  
  这段话说:可别小看了这个人。他是城里最能干的律师之一。你要有麻烦找他才对,他从没输过一场官司。
  
  所以sell someone short意思就是“小看某人。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1276
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第40课
  
  
  Y: 各位听众好,我是杨晨!欢迎您到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe! (sigh) You know, Yang Chen, we are really lucky to work in Washington, D.C.
  
  Y: Lucky? 很幸运,为什么?
  
  J: Well, even though Washington, D.C. is very urban, very city-like, it is what we call a "green city," meaning it has lots of trees, lots of parks and green spaces.
  
  Y: “绿色的城市”,你说的没错。很多人喜欢华盛顿市的原因之一就是因为这里的绿化搞得很好。
  
  J: Take where I live for example. I live in an apartment in the center of the city. You've been to my place before.
  
  Y:我去过,那里很不错。
  
  J: It's very urban as you know. But a short five-minute walk away is the beautiful National Zoo.
  
  Y: 我去过国家动物园,那里面最吸引的人是两只大熊猫。 附近好象还有个很大的公园。
  
  J: You got it. Rock Creek Park. It's a huge park where you can go hiking and biking and picnicking. I just love Rock Creek Park!
  
  Y: Hiking就是徒步旅行的意思。
  
  J: I go hiking in the park a lot. But not biking. Right now I don't have a bike.
  
  Y: 你连自行车都没有?
  
  J: No, I don't. I'm saving up money for a bike. But, Yang Chen, simply hanging out in the park is fun! Rock Creek Park gives me the chance to escape the urban feeling of the city. And it just makes life much more enjoyable.
  
  Y: 没错,没错。住在大城市,如果附近有这么一个公园的确是给生活增加很多乐趣。你可以躲开城市的喧闹,享受大自然的宁静。
  
  J: And there's even horse stable that offer horseback riding!
  
  Y: 真的,还可以骑马!?
  
  J: Yes! And during the weekend some of the roads in the park are closed to car traffic so that people can enjoy the park without having to worry about cars zipping by.
  
  Y: 我想这些都是环保组织的功劳。
  
  J: Yes. The Sierra Club, a national environmental organization, played a big part in making that happen.
  
  Y: 你记不记得我们上次在街头艺术节碰到了Sierra Club在当地的一个负责人。
  
  J: Oh sure, I remember him. His name is Jason Broehm. And during a street festival he was explaining to people the goals and the mission of the Sierra Club.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1277
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Broehm: My name is Jason Broehm. I've lived in D.C for about four years now. I'm a leader in the local chapter of the Sierra Club, an environmental organization. Sierra Club is a national organization with hundreds of thousands of members across the United States and we have 3,000 members located here in the District Columbia.
  
  Y: Sierra Club是个全国性组织,他们在当地就有三千个会员。
  
  J: Jason is the leader of the local chapter in D.C.
  
  Y: Jason说他们作为Sierra Club的一个地方分会, 重点是要解决当地面临的特殊问题。
  
  J: He mentioned things like cleaning up the rivers, improving air and water quality and improving public transportation.
  
  实录2: Broehm: Well, here in the District we're working on a number of main areas including trying to clean up the areas, the rivers, have better water quality. We want to have better air quality and better public transportation. And finally we would like to have a good system of parks where people can get out and enjoy the natural environment.
  
  Y: 我想Jason本人一定是个热爱大自然的人,要不然他就不会为环保组织工作了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-17#1278
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Broehm: I do. I love to bike in Rock Creek Park and all over Washington, D.C. I love to hike and walk. And, so, I do very much.
  
  J: Oh, Jason is definitely an outdoor person.
  
  Y: 其实Jason在Sierra Club只是作义工,他还有另外一份正式的工作。
  
  J: Right. His "day job," as we call it, is with a federal agency.
  
  实录4: Broehm: I have another job with a federal agency, but I volunteer my time with the Sierra Club outside of work hours.
  
  
  Y: 说起作义工,我觉得这是一件非常有意义的事情,不仅可以为社会作贡献,同时也改善了自己的生活。
  
  J: It's good to know there are people like Jason who volunteer their time educating the public and helping to protect the environment...
  
  Y: 就是,如果每个人拿出一点儿时间来做好事,那你想想这个社会该有多么美好呢? 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次节目再见。
  
  J: Thanks for joining us on American Cafe! See you next time!

太极无敌 : 2009-12-18#1279
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢,置顶太好了!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1280
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  今天我们要讲几个包括string这个词的习惯用语。String是线或者绳子、带子。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: pull the strings。各位一定看过木偶戏吧? 大家知道台上木偶栩栩如生的表演靠的是藏在幕后的真演员;是他们牵动观众看不见绳子操纵木偶按照他们的意图举手投足来演戏。Pull the Strings这个习惯用语出典也许就在这儿。当然它的含义和使用范围已经大大超越木偶戏。让我们听个例子来体会它的意思吧。
  
  例句-1:At first, they said I wasn't qualified for the job. However, after my rich uncle who owns stock in the company called there and pulled the strings, I was hired right away.
  
  他说:起先他们说我并不胜任那工作。但是我那个拥有这家公司股票的有钱叔叔的打电话去从中斡旋、幕后牵线,我马上就被雇用了。
  
  可见pull the strings意思是利用影响力或权势,导致合乎心意的后果,而且往往还是在暗中操纵局面的。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1281
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们来学下一个习惯用语: string someone along。在这个习惯用语里string是动词,意思是用绳子拴起来。这个习惯用语可能来自农场,人们有时把一群牲口用绳子拴在一起排成一行,让它们乖乖地一致行动听你摆布跟你走。当这个习惯用语转用到生活其它方面的时候表示什么意思呢? 让我们来听一段话来琢磨它的意思吧。这是一个人在说自己买旧车的遭遇。
  
  例句-2:The salesman assured me that the used car I was buying was in perfect condition. But, on the way home, the car broke down. That man was stringing me along.
  
  他说:那个推销员向我担保我即将买的车一切完好,但是在我开回家的路上车就抛锚了,原来那人在让我上了圈套。
  
  可见string sb. along意思就是欺哄人,给人上圈套。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1282
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 我们要学的下一个习惯用语是: hold the purse strings。Purse是钱包,大约在十五世纪的时候人们通常用布料做成的小口袋装钱币,拉紧袋口的绳子,袋口会合拢,里面的钱就保存得好好的,不往外掉。今天人们都改用皮夹来放钞票,但是hold the purse strings这个习惯用语却沿用至今。让我们听一个例子来体会它的意思。这是一个十多岁的男孩在抱怨他的吝啬的父亲。
  
  例句-3:I can't buy anything without my father's approval. He's the one who holds the purse strings in the family and he's very stingy. I think it's time for me to get a job.
  
  他说:没有我爸爸的允许我不能买任何东西。他是家里掌管财务大权的人,而且他很吝啬,看来我得找份工挣钱了。
  
  所以hold the purse strings解释掌握金钱财务。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1283
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: second string。 String这个词也解释提琴的弦线。Second string原来指备用的弦线。要是第一根弦线断了可以用来替换。但是现在second string常用在运动方面。Second string player是后备队员,往往也是技术略次一等的运动员。我们来听个例子。说话的人在抱怨他最喜爱的篮球队洛杉矶湖人队在这个比赛季节中的表现不佳。湖人队是The Lakers。
  
  例句-4:The Lakers have been forced to use second-string players ever since their stars were hurt early in the season. The team has hardly won a game since.
  
  他说:湖人队的明星队员赛季刚开始就受伤了,他们从此不得不起用后备队员,因而几乎没有赢过一场球。
  
  所以second-string这儿的意思是“后备的,技术较差的”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1284
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第41课
  
  
  Eric, Day Of A Teenager
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 大家好。我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。Jody我们为什么放这个音乐?我现在觉得我到了太空一样。
  
  J: Because, Yang Chen, today we are visiting a different world. The world of teenagers!!
  
  Y: No! 我们能不能谈点儿别的?
  
  J: Calm down, calm down. It'll be okay. Besides we were all teenagers once. Do you remember when you became a teenager?
  
  Y: 不记得了,好象太遥远了。
  
  J: It does feel like a long time ago. But it was only a mere 10 years.
  
  Y: 十年前! 你数学怎么学的?
  
  J: Oh, never you mind. Anyway, today, we're going to revisit that awkward time when you're no longer a child and not yet an adult. So, without further delay let's meet Eric, a student in Virginia who celebrates his birthday on New Year's Day.
  
  实录1: Eric: My name is Eric. I am thirteen. My birthday is January 1st, 1991. And I go to Hayfield Secondary School in Virginia.
  
  J: Eric's is a teenager alright. Can you hear how his voice is starting to change?
  
  Y: 没错,听得出来他的声音好象在变粗。唉,我很好奇一个13岁的男孩每天都作些什么?
  
  J: That's just what we're going to find out. So, here's Eric as he walks us through a normal school day.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1285
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Eric: I shower, get dressed and go downstairs, eat breakfast and get my stuff ready for school.
  
  Y: Eric刚才谈的是他到学校以前先洗澡,然后穿好衣服,然后到楼下吃饭,然后gets his stuff ready for school. "Stuff" 这个词好象特别有用。
  
  J: Very useful.
  
  Y: 那他到了学校以后都作些什么呢?
  
  J: Well, Eric's classes include strings, ah, which means his music lesson for viola.
  
  Y: 中提琴。
  
  J: Right. And Eric must really enjoy his strings class because he has trouble remembering what he has next.
  
  实录3: Eric: First thing I go to strings, then I run off to dra, no, civics, no, let me think real quick ... health or P.E., which will be P.E. when I get out of Winter Break. And then we have homeroom and then lunch. And then I have algebra everyday. And then I have English. And then I jump on a bus and go home and do stuff.
  
  Y: Jody 等一等。你得解释一下什么是P.E.? 什么是homeroom.
  
  J: Oh, right. P.E. stands for physical education. You know, gym class.
  
  Y: P.E. 是体育课的意思。 那homeroom该怎么理解呢?
  
  J: Homeroom is difficult to explain. It's kind like a break. Or a study hall if you have a strict teacher.
  
  Y: 我还是不太明白。那我们就让 Eric 来解释一下,好不好?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1286
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: Eric: Homeroom is where we can do whatever we want. But some teachers are mean and have you like read or do your homework. Oh, they let you do whatever you want; talk loudly, throw stuff things at people.
  
  Y: Eric刚才是不是还说他们有时候会 "throw stuff"?
  
  J: Again stuff. Yes. He did. But I think, Yang Chen, he was just joking. Or maybe not. I don't know how bad kids are these days.
  
  Y: Hmm, "do stuff" ... 上了一天的学,那他回家后都做些什么呢?
  
  实录5: Eric: Well, I like to play video games and I say that about 75 percent of American teenagers play video games.
  
  Y: 说起电子游戏,其实不光是美国的小孩儿,全世界的小孩儿都迷电子游戏。
  
  J: Oh, most definitely. According to Eric, some of the most popular video games these days are role playing video games.
  
  Y: 就是说玩的人可以扮演里面的人物。
  
  实录6: Eric: I like Baten Kaitos. Baten Kaitos is a game where you are trying to save the world from an evil God and find out where the ocean has gone.
  
  Y: Wow, Eric 要从一个邪恶之神手中拯救世界,还要寻找一个迷失的海洋。他可真够忙的啊。
  
  J: Wow, he's a busy teenager.
  
  Y: 那我们就祝他好运吧。好,各位听众,谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次节目再见。
  
  J: See you next time on American Cafe!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1287
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲几个包括bone这个词的习惯用语。Bone是骨头。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: feel in your bones。Feel in your bones这个习惯用语用了有一百来年了。它的起源很有趣,曾经骨折或者有风湿性关节炎的人每逢天气潮湿就会感到骨头酸疼得利害。这时候他就心中有数,快要下雨了,于是他出门会带上雨具。当然这个习惯用语的意思已经不再局限于关节疼痛而对天气变化有预感。让我们听个例子来体会它的意思吧。这是一位教授在评价一名心爱的学生。
  
  例句-1:I feel in my bones that Tim will imprint his name in history. Not only is he brilliant in his own field, but he also has this rare sense of responsibility to all humanity.
  
  他说:我有一种直觉的预感Tim的名字将会铭刻史册,因为他不仅在自己的专业领域内才华出众,而且还对全人类抱有一种可贵的责任感。
  
  可见 feel in my bones 含义是“有直觉的预感”。
  
  ******
  
  我们来学下一个习惯用语: bone up。这儿的bone是动词,可能来自一百多年前大学教科书的撰写人。英国学者Bohn的名字。这位Bohn先生的姓的拼法实际上是Bohn,但是它和bone这个词发音相同。Bone up这个习惯用语起先是上个世纪六十年代的大学生说的俚语。每当大考临近他们就得发奋啃读Bohn先生撰写的教科书,于是他们用bone up来表达专心致志、苦苦攻读书本的意思。让我们来听个例子。这是一个美国学生在评论亚裔学生发奋用功,准备大学入学考试的事儿。
  
  例句-2:I hear how hard those Asian students have to bone up for their college entrance exams. They study a lot more than us with very little time for fun. But I guess the results are probably worth it.
  
  他说:我听说那些亚裔学生为了应付大学入学考试是如何发奋苦读的。他们比我们用功多了,简直没时间玩儿。然而我想为了考试有好结果这还是值得的。
  
  所以bone up意思就是“刻苦用功读书”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1288
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

******
  
  我们要学的下一个习惯用语是: throw someone a bone。Throw someone a bone从字面上看意思是丢给人一根骨头。比方说,你丢一根不带肉的光溜溜的骨头给一只饿得发慌的狗,能满足它的食欲吗? 当然不行,因为它盼望的是一大碗肉。让我们来听一个例子。这个人是在为他的老朋友Bill鸣不平。Bill是一家大公司的资深雇员,辛辛苦苦干了多年就为了在纽约的总部办公室谋求提升。想不到他得到的却并不是他孜孜以求的东西。
  
  例句-3:The company gave another man the promotion Bill expected. But they threw him a bone - they sent him out to head a branch office way off in Iowa. And that's a dead-end job nobody wanted.
  
  他说:这家公司把Bill所向往的升迁机会给了别人,然而他们还是给了Bill一点恩赐,但是这并不合乎Bill的期望,他们派Bill去主持远在依阿华州的分部办公室。这是无人问津、一无发展前途的职位。
  
  所以throw someone a bone意思就是给某人东西,但并不合乎他的期望。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1289
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第42课
  
  
  Liz, Graphic Design to Pastry Chef
  
  J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe
  
  Y: 各位好,我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Our guest today is Liz. She's a friend of mine and also a neighbor in the house where I live.
  
  Y: Jody, 你又采访了你的朋友?我看你快把你的朋友和邻居得罪光了。
  
  J: Oh, no no. They're used to it. And I think they really enjoy it. Anyway, Liz and I we were talking the other day and I found out that she changed her job.
  
  Y: 那她原来是做什么的?
  
  J: Graphic Design. Graphic. G-R-A-H-I-C Design. D-E-S-I-G-N
  
  Y: Graphic Design 就是图像设计。那下面我们就请Liz 介绍一下什么是 graphic design。
  
  实录1: Liz: Hmmm Graphic Design. I guess dealing with visual matter for a specific purpose.
  
  J: Graphic Design pretty much deals with visual matter for a specific purpose.
  
  Y:这听起来挺不错的嘛。她为什么要换工作呢?
  
  J: Well, according to Liz she is not a technology-oriented person. And if you're a graphic designer you really need to like technology and especially computers.
  
  Y: 那她后来换了什么工作?
  
  J: Her current job is a pastry chef! Pastry is spelled p-a-s-t-r-y. Chef, c-h-e-f. Pastry Chef! Everybody loves a pastry chef!
  
  Y: Pastry chef是做糕点的师傅。这很奇怪,作糕点的师傅和图像设计好象没有什么关系啊。
  
  J: Well, not really. There is a connection between graphic design and making pastries.
  
  Y: 你又跟我开玩笑!
  
  J: Well, Liz says that her love of being creative and working with her hands are found in both graphic design and pastry making. Again, here's Liz.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1290
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Liz: I'm not a very technology-oriented person. So, um, I don't know, I just...I love to cook and I thought the creative side of side of pastry would be good, um, mixed with the graphic design past. The love of being creative and just working with your hands ... so, I just decided to do pastry.
  
  Y: 创造力和动手的能力...yeah, 这么说起来图像设计和做糕点是有点关系。 Liz刚才说到 "technology-oriented." 人们常常用它来形容一个人有技术头脑,对技术感兴趣。
  
  J: For example, "I am a very nature-oriented person." Or another example, "He is not very mechanically-oriented." You try it, Yang Chen.
  
  Y: I'm not a very work-oriented person.
  
  J: Okay. I would have to agree with that. That's funny. Um, let's hear more about why Liz chose to become a pastry chef.
  
  实录3: Liz: First of all people have sweet tooth so they need to satisfy that.
  
  Y: 说一个人有a big sweet tooth就是说这个人特别喜欢吃甜的东西。
  
  J: Exactly! I have a big sweet tooth! Again here's Liz.
  
  实录4: Liz: I think a cake can bring people together. 'Cause a cake is kind of a form of a card you can write things on it.
  
  Y: 她说的没错。蛋糕就象是一张卡片一样,人们可以在上面画图画,可以写字,比如生日快乐,或者放一朵花;你可以把它装饰得非常漂亮。说起来甜点,那Liz做这一行赚钱吗?
  
  J: Oh absolutely there's always a celebration or significant event where you need a cake.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1291
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录5: Liz: A wedding, birthday, um ... graduation, um... Oh boy, I'm drawing a blank.
  
  Y: "I'm drawing a blank" 这是什么意思呢?
  
  J: To draw a blank means that ah, well, you know ... it's kind of like when your mind is ... What were we talking about?
  
  Y: 我现在明白了。就象你这样,完全忘了刚才说什么,脑袋一片空白。
  
  J: That is drawing a blank. Thanks for joining us on American Cafe. See you next time!
  
  Y: 谢谢收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次节目再见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1292
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲的习惯用语都包括bone这个词。今天我们还要讲几个由bone这个词组成的习惯用语。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: Bone of contention。 Contention意思是斗争或者争论。也许不少人都看到过两条狗争抢一根骨头,而打得不可开交的场面。这也许就是bone of contention这个习惯用语的出典。在十八世纪早期bone of contention开始被广泛应用。一根骨头固然微不足道,但有时一根骨头却会掀起轩然大波,造成严重后果。让我们听下面这个例子。体会一下bone of contention含义是什么。
  
  例句-1:Who got to use the family car was a bone of contention between Joe and Betty from the day they got back from their honeymoon. In fact it's one of the reasons for their divorce.
  
  原来Joe和Betty从蜜月回来的当天起就为了谁可以用家里那辆车争论不休。实际上,这也是他俩日后离婚的原因之一。
  
  可见bone of contention就是“争论的起因”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1293
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们来学下一个习惯用语: make no bones about it。这个习惯用语沿用已久,所以谁都说不清它的确切起源。有些人说可能是这么回事: 某人在不该有骨头的饭食里发现了骨头,照理他该大惊小怪一番,但是这人却毫不罗嗦,直截了当地挑出骨头来就完了。后来make no bones about it这个说法的意义就发展成直截了当、不加掩饰、不事渲染地对待某事。我们来听个例子,说的是Mary对于自己写的诗相当自豪,可惜有很多人并不赞赏她的大作,也包括说话的人在内。
  
  例句-2:When Mary asked me what I thought of her poetry I made no bones about it - I told her that it's too pessimistic and needs more polish. Now she's mad at me.
  
  他说,当Mary问我对她的诗有什么看法的时候,我直截了当地告诉她,她的诗歌情调过于消沉悲观,而且文字也需多加润色。她很生我的气。
  
  可见make no bones about it含义是不加掩饰地发表看法,或者直截了当地处理问题。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1294
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的下一个习惯用语是: Have a bone to pick。Have a bone to pick是十六世纪流传至今的习惯用语,其中pick意思是在骨头上剔肉。有人说它的出典类似于bone of contention,也是两条狗争着剔一条骨头上的肉吃,那必然是表现“相争”的意思。其实这个习惯用语很像中国俗语“挑骨头”或者“挑刺儿”,意思是挑剔对方的言语行为,或者和某人意见不同产生争论。让我们来听个例子。这是一家大公司的总裁在打电话给广告公司的经理Joe,说他不满意他们最近制作的广告。
  
  例句-3:Joe, I'm afraid I have a bone to pick with you - frankly, I don't like this last ad you designed for us. What's a good time for you to come over to my office to talk about it?
  
  这位总裁说:Joe,恐怕我得挑一下你的毛病了。老实说,我并不喜欢你们最近为我们设计的这个广告。你觉得甚么时间合适,可以到我的办公室来谈一下那广告的问题呢? 所以have a bone to pick with you意思是挑你的毛病。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1295
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第43课
  
  
  Yemi, Musician Poet
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe.
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。 我们今天的客人是Yemi。Yemi是个很有意思的人,您听了我们的节目保证会喜欢上他。
  
  J: Oh, I think you're going to find Yemi very interesting. First of all he's a sound engineer. But that's not all he does.
  
  Y:没错,不过我们首先还是让Yemi来作一个自我介绍吧。
  
  实录1: Yemi: My full name is Yemi... and I'm from Washington, D.C. I was born in 1976. I perform, I produce, and write songs under the name, stage name, Nfact which is N-f-a-c-t. If you'd like more information you can visit my website at Nfactonline.com (http://nfactonline.com/).
  
  Y: 你觉不觉得Yemi 的声音让你一听就知道他很会唱歌。
  
  J: As soon as you hear Yemi, you know he's a singer. He has a great voice.
  
  Y: 实际上他确实是个好歌手。而且他告诉我们他很快就要出唱片了 。
  
  J: That's right. He's soon to release an album, which is a huge step in a musician's career. So we're really happy for him.
  
  J: Way to go, Yemi.
  
  Y: Yemi,加油。
  
  J: Again here's Yemi.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1296
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Yemi: And lately I've been working on my album. We'll probably sell it at our website and other websites.
  
  Y: Yemi刚才说他的唱片在网上就可以买到。
  
  J: That's right. Yemi says that you can buy his album on the Internet. And not only does Yemi record music, but he also writes poems and performs them a local poetry readings here in Washington D.C.
  
  Y: Yemi不仅会唱歌,还是个诗人,所以我说他很有意思。
  
  J: On Wednesdays he performs at a place called the Bohemian Caverns, a famous place in Washington DC.
  
  Y: 每个星期三Yemi都要在一个叫Bohemian Caverns的地方表演诗歌朗诵。
  
  实录3: Yemi: My more recent performances lately have been poetry readings at a place called Bohemian Caverns here in Washington D.C. And every Wednesday they have, ah, local poets come out and read their poetry.
  
  Y: Poetry reading就是诗歌朗诵。
  
  J: According to Yemi the crowd at Bohemian Caverns is really supportive. And he says it's inspiring to have other poets listen to his poems.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1297
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: Yemi: The Bohemian Caverns ... my experience there ... it's more like a lot of poets coming out to hear other poets. Well, I like it because the other poets listen. They actually listen to what I'm saying and, um, it's supportive. And then when I hear some of their stuff it kinda of inspires me to go home and write even better poetry.
  
  Y: 一群诗人聚在一起,讨论诗歌、互相支持、互相鼓励。其实说起来Yemi的诗,他的诗内容都很严肃 。他觉得自己有责任要唤醒年轻的一代人,希望他们更加独立,更加有责任感。
  
  J: He feels a responsibility to wake his generation, which he feels has been bred to be dependent - which means raised to rely on other people too much.
  
  Y: 对,就是太依赖别人,比如太依赖父母,朋友或周围的人。
  
  实录5: Yemi: A lot of the stuff that I write has more to do with waking up my generation. I feel like we've been a generation that's been bred to be dependent.
  
  Y: 下面我们请Yemi来朗读一段他的诗歌。
  
  J: Now, you may not understand all the words in his poem ...
  
  Y: 如果你听不懂不要紧,只要去感觉就可以了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1298
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录6: Yemi:
  
  Nfact, what is this we call rap?
  
  Intertwining words through instruments, instrumentals to your mental.
  
  Weaving and bobbing through notes with verbs,
  
  Is it just that simple?
  
  Oh come come now. Will this ever stop here? Does this ever stop now?
  
  Hallelujah is powerful happiness over the people. But you aint gettin' it.
  
  Y'all too busy searching for a hero.
  
  Yes, Yes. Y'all too busy searching for a hero.
  
  Influenced by high definition reflections,
  
  Raised by idle hands all you found was zero.
  
  'Cause y'all too busy searchin' for a hero.
  
  Y: 希望大家希望Yemi的这首诗,也谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: And now we'll leave American Cafe with the rest of Yemi's poem, "Stop Waiting."
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1299
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录7: Yemi:
  
  Time to get it together, gather them thoughts.
  
  Mike check one, mike check two, mike check...
  
  Now in tune to the central nervous system's main board.
  
  Elevate that mind (stop hating.)
  
  Elevate that mind (stop faking.)
  
  Elevate that mind.
  
  You be the leader, the preacher, the hero.
  
  Stop searching. Stop waiting. J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1300
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 我们今天要讲的习惯用语有一个共同的词: stand。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: stand-out。这儿在stand和out之间有一个连词符号。 Stand-out当名词用。它和形容词outstanding意义相关连。不少人知道outstanding解释杰出的。那么stand-out就必然是鹤立鸡群的人或者物了。我们来听个例子,说的是一个成绩出色的学生Jennifer。
  
  例句-1:Jennifer gets all A's in her courses. In the fall, she's going to Harvard to study chemical engineering. She's a real stand-out.
  
  他说:Jennifer学业成绩全优。今年秋天她将上哈佛大学学化学工程。她真是个杰出人才。
  
  这儿stand-out意思是才华出众的人。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1301
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们来学下一个习惯用语: stand the heat。在这儿stand是动词,解释忍受。Stand the heat来自这样一句俗语: If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen. 这句话如果直译就是:要是你受不了热,就别待在厨房里。谁都知道大热天在火辣辣的炉子旁操作的厨师是多么能吃苦耐劳,所以这句话的含意就是,果你吃不起苦就别干那一行。这句话当然不只是用来说厨师的工作,因为各行各业其中都有苦衷,甚至高高在上的总统也不例外。好,我们来听个说总统的例子吧。
  
  例句-2:The president is always complaining about the way the press treats him. He asked for the job, though, didn't he? What I say is, if he can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
  
  他说:总统老是抱怨报界对他的态度,然而不是他自己要担任总统的吗?我认为他要是受不了批评指责,就别坐总统这个位子。
  
  可见stand the heat有吃苦耐劳、经得起批评和种种考验的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1302
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: stand-up。Stand-up在这儿不是动词短语,不是“站起来”的意思。它是形容词短语,它可以有许多不同意义。我们有时候说,a stand-up guy, 意思是“顶天立地的汉子”。我们有时也说,a stand-up comic。Comic是喜剧演员。A stand-up comic指在夜总会对观众说笑逗乐、表演幽默独脚戏的演员。人们有时还说,stand sb. up。这又是什么意思呢? 让我们来听个例子吧。说话的人很生女朋友Lisa的气。我们来听听为什么。
  
  例句-3:I had a date with Lisa at the movies last Saturday but she never showed up. She said her car broke down, but I think she's lying - I'm afraid she stood me up for some other guy.
  
  他说: 我和Lisa约好上星期六去看电影,但是她根本没来。她说她的车抛锚了,但是我觉得她在撒谎,恐怕她是为了跟别人约会而存心失约的。
  
  所以stand sb. up是存心失某人的约。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1303
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们还要学一个习惯用语: stand pat。Pat是打扑克拿到的一手好牌。Stand pat这句话起源于十九世纪晚期。玩扑克的时候如果轮到你补牌但是你有一手pat, 也就是手上的牌很好,你拿定主意不补牌来换手上的牌。你就说,stand pat。逐渐stand pat被用来表示坚定不移、决不改变主意。让我们听个例子,这是父亲跟他十多岁的儿子说的话:
  
  例句-4:Look, I'm not going to argue with you any more - no, you can't use the car tonight! That's my decision and I'm standing pat on it.
  
  他说:我可不跟你多费口舌了,你今晚绝对不能用车!这已经定了。我决不会改变主意。
  
  所以stand pat意思就是打定主意,决不动摇。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1304
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第44课
  
  Lara & Eric, School Plays
  
  J: Hello, welcome to American Cafe! I'm Jody!
  
  Y: 各位好,欢迎到美语咖啡屋。我是杨晨。
  
  J: Hey, Yang Chen, don't forget to keep next weekend free.
  
  Y: Oh, 对,下个周末我们要去看音乐剧。因为Eric要在里面扮演一个角色。说Eric起来,我觉得他可是够忙碌的,又要上学,又要参加学校剧团的演出。
  
  J: He is a very busy 14 -year old. But you know, all kids sooner or later are in a school play.
  
  Y: 是吗,所有的孩子都有机会参加演出啊?
  
  J: Oh sure. And today we'll hear from Eric and his mom Lara about what it means to be in a school play.
  
  Y: 好啊。那我们就先来认识Eric的妈妈Lara 。
  
  实录1: Lara: It's, I think fairly common, almost every junior high school and high school in the country has some sort of play or dramatic opportunity that kids can participate in.
  
  Y: 原来我以为只有那些将来想进演艺界的小孩才会参加这种演出呢。
  
  J: Oh no, no, no. Everyone tries out for school plays!
  
  Y: "Try out" 就是参加audition,I mean 参加“演员挑选”
  
  J: That's right. Everyone tries out. The nerdy students try out, the artsy students try out and just the plain ol' average students try out. Again here is Lara.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1305
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Lara: Everyone tries out. Anyone who's interested can try out. The more nerdy kids, if you will, the artsy kids, and just plain ol' average kids. Anyone can try out.
  
  Y: 哎, Jody,你来给大家描述一下,如果说个人很nerdy, 那该是什么样子呢?
  
  J: OK. A nerd is anyone who studies too much, never gets into any trouble and carries around lots of pens and pencils. That is a nerdy student.
  
  Y: Nerdy kids 一般来说都是书呆子。 那么artsy呢?
  
  J: Artsy, very creative, artistic students. But no matter if you are nerdy or artsy , being in a play makes you busy.
  
  Y: 没错,特别是对一个14岁的孩子来说。 那他有那么时间吗?
  
  J: Well, Yang Chen, that is the negative side of being in a school play - it can really drain a student's time.
  
  实录3: Lara: The negatives are... it's a very large drain on a kid's time. For an individual play it's several weeks of practice - maybe six weeks of practice.
  
  Y: 要花 6 个星期的时间来排练。 那这样会不会影响他的学习成绩呢?
  
  J: Well, it probably does influence a student's grades. But I also think it's well worth it.
  
  Y: Jody, 你的意思是说参加演出比取得好成绩还要重要吗?
  
  J: Well, it could be. Acting in a play is a wonderful opportunity to develop such things as public speaking abilities, confidence.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1306
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: Lara: Well, the pros are that it's a wonderful opportunity for kids to develop public speaking ability and confidence. That's a definite plus - building a positive self-image.
  
  Y: 说了半天,Eric到底参加的是那一部戏的演出?
  
  J: Eric performed in the Music Man.
  
  实录5: Eric: My name is Eric. And... I was in a play called the Music Man. It's about this man named Harold Hill and he's a con artist. A con artist is someone who tricks people into giving them money. And so Harold is selling boys bands.
  
  Y: Con artist, 就是诈骗犯的意思。
  
  J: In the Music Man boys bands means a marching band with lots of instruments!
  
  Y: Marching band,该怎么解释呢?
  
  J: I've got an idea. Bring in the band!
  
  [Enter music here.]
  
  Y: 哎,我想Eric一定演的是Music Man里面的男主角大骗子Harold Hill,对不对?
  
  J: Well ... not exactly.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1307
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录6: Eric: I was Man #2. I was a non-important character who said three lines and had one musical solo line.
  
  Y: 不过不要紧,我相信Eric下次一定能演主角。
  
  J: Oh, sure! He is very talented. And to a parent it doesn't matter if you're the lead role or Man #2.
  
  实录7: Lara: It doesn't matter if they're in the big part or they're just Man #2; every parent who sees their child on stage feels enormously proud.
  
  J: Lara does sound like a proud parent, doesn't she?
  
  Y: 没错。
  
  J: That's all for American Cafe. Thanks for joining us and see you next time.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1308
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语有这个词: stomach. Stomach可以指胃或者腹部。我们来学第一个习惯用语: eyes bigger than your stomach。这句话直译就是眼睛比胃口大。我们有时看到自己爱吃的东西就贪心地拿了好多,但是我们的肠胃却容纳不下,eyes bigger than your stomach描述的就是这种情况。好,我们来听个例子,说话的人特爱吃意大利烤馅饼,也就是pizza。
  
  例句-1:Every time we have pizza I take too much. Last time I couldn't finish it, but I still ate so much I had to throw up. I guess you could say my eyes are bigger than my stomach.
  
  他说:我们每回吃pizza我总是要得太多。上次我实在吃不下,而我还是吃太多,以至吐了出来。我猜你可能会说我眼睛大胃口小了。
  
  所以eyes bigger than your stomach,思就是想要多吃点儿,但是胃口却容纳不下。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1309
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们来学下一个习惯用语: butterflies in your stomach。Butterflies是蝴蝶,想象一下如果有好几只蝴蝶在你肚子里上下翻飞,那该是什么样的滋味呢?当然是七上八下地折腾,很不好受。蝴蝶是飞不进肚子里的,这显然是比喻的说法。它形容甚么样的心理状态呢? 让我们听个例子来琢磨,说的是Jennifer求职面谈的事儿。
  
  例句-2:When Jennifer went in for the job interview at the law firm, she had plenty of butterflies in her stomach. Luckily, the interview went well and she got the job.
  
  他说:当Jennifer去那家法律咨询公司求职面谈的时候心里七上八下的非常紧张,幸亏面谈顺利,她得到了那个工作。
  
  可见have butterflies in one's stomach是形容由于恐惧、焦虑或者紧张而产生的忐忑不安的心理状态。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1310
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接着要学的习惯说法有belly这个词。Belly和stomach是同义词,都指肚子或者胃,我们首先要学的是: belly ache。很多人知道这个说法的意思是肚子痛或者胃疼。但是我们这儿要学的是把bellyache当动词用。人们闹胃疼的时候往往会哼哼唧唧地呻吟诉苦,于是大约在十九世纪中期的时候人们开始用bellyache表示惯于对一切琐碎小事都唠唠叨叨地抱怨个没完。让我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-3:When I asked Joe to type the report, he complained about sore fingers. Then I asked him to run an errand downtown he said his feet hurt. When I invited him to the office party, he said parties always depressed him. That guy's always bellyaching about something.
  
  他说:当我要Joe打印一份报告的时候,他说手指疼。然后我要他去市中心办点事儿,他却说脚疼。在我请他参加办公室宴会的时候他竟说,宴会老是让他闷闷不乐。Joe这家伙可真有满腹牢骚。
  
  Bellyache意思就是对什么都不满意,有满腹的牢骚。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1311
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: belly up。这个习惯用语最常用的意思来自鱼,你看过水里死鱼的模样吗? 它们都是肚子朝天地在漂浮。这就引出belly up这个习惯用语表达“完蛋”的意思。好,我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-4:I used to work for a company that had always made money so I thought my job was safe. But the company ran into hard times and finally went belly up so now I have to find another job.
  
  他说:我原来为一家连年盈利的公司工作,所以认为自己的职业很稳定。但是那家公司遇到了困难,最后倒闭了,所以目前我只得再找工。
  
  可见belly up可以指企业失败倒闭。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1312
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第45课
  
  Jen, Small Town to Big City
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody and welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 我是杨晨。欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hey Yang Chen, isn't your college reunion coming up soon?
  
  Y: 没错,一想到要和多年没见面的同学相聚,我激动得连觉都睡不着了。
  
  J: You know we have a saying, "The friends you make in college are the friends you have for life." And today we're going to meet Jennifer and Sharrin. They are roommates in my building. But after talking to them I found out just how unique their roommate relationship is.
  
  Y: Unique? 好朋友又成为roommates,分租一个公寓。这有什么特别之处呢?
  
  J: Well, I know it doesn't sound very unique. But wait until you hear their story.
  
  实录1: JENNIFER: OK, My name is Jennifer and I live in Washington D.C. in a neighborhood called Mt. Pleasant. And I live with one other woman, Sharrin, in that apartment.
  
  Sharrin: My name is Sharrin and I'm 26 years old.
  
  Jennifer: And I'm 25.
  
  Y: Sharrin今年26岁,Jennifer今年25岁。 她们和你住在一个公寓楼。那她们俩到底是怎么认识的?
  
  J: Well, they told me they first met their freshman year of college. They were in some freshman tutorial writing class together that all freshmen had to take.
  
  Y: 虽然她们是同一个年级,不过她们不一定每天都上同样的课吧?
  
  J: Exactly. In the States, it's a little different than in China. The real closeness comes from living in the same dormitory or dorm for short. Next, let's hear again from Sharrin.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1313
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: SHARRIN: We first met when we were going to college together. We met our freshman year. And uh we had a freshman tutorial class together that all freshmen had to take to practice writing. And so we met through that class and we also lived in the same dorm. And so we hung a lot through that and we just stayed friends all four years of college.
  
  Y: 说了半天,她们在大学一年级就认识,然后成为室友,毕业后还是朋友,现在还住同一个公寓。我还是不知道这种关系有什么特别之处?
  
  J: The unique part comes after college. Without talking about it together, Yang Chen, both women independently decided to join the Peace Corps.
  
  Y: 真的?
  
  J: Yeah, isn't that amazing?
  
  Y: Wow, 她们两并没有商量,但是各自决定要加入和平队。
  
  J: I know, but that's not all...
  
  Y: 还有啊?
  
  J: They were sent to the same country. Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa
  
  实录3: SHARRIN: And after college we both decided independently to join the Peace Corp. And we ended up in the same country in Cote d'Ivoire in West Africa. So we were there for about a year.
  
  Y: Wow, 真是越来越有意思了。她们不但分别决定要加入和平队,而且还被派到同一个国家,西非的科特迪瓦。
  
  J: But wait, there's more. After a year in Cote d'Ivoire they also lived together for three months in France!
  
  Y: 两个人一起在法国住了三个月?你想想看,如果能和自己最好的朋友一起周游世界,那该多好啊!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1314
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: SHARRIN: After Cote d'Ivoire we traveled to France and we lived together there for about 3 months. And then we moved back to the States and we both lived with our families ... I think we were home for a few months and then we both decided to move to Washington DC. And we're roommates now.
  
  Y: 太不可思议了。这简直就是命运总是能把她们带到一起。 那现在Jennifer 和 Sharrin生活在华盛顿市的Mt. Pleasant这个居民区。她们对这一带有什么感受呢?
  
  J: Jennifer is from the Midwest and both she and Sharrin went to school in a very small town. So, Jennifer really likes the small town community feel of Mt. Pleasant.
  
  实录5: JENNIFER: It's a neighborhood I really like. The neighborhood has a different feel. It has a community feel in a larger city, which is really nice to have that smaller town feel. I'm from the Midwest and I went to school in a town of 9,000 and that included 1,300 of the population from the college. So, it is a small town.
  
  Y: Jennifer在中西部的小城镇长大,所以她很怀念那种小城镇的感觉。Mt. Pleasant正好满足了她的这种需要。
  
  J: And it's even nicer with Jennifer and Sharrin as neighbors! Thanks for joining us today on American Cafe!
  
  Y: 我们下次节目再见! Lara & Eric, School Plays
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1315
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都有这个词: story。也许很多人都知道这个词。它通常解释为“故事”,也可以是新闻报导的意思。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: cock and bull story。我们知道cock是公鸡,bull是公牛。那么cock and bull story岂不就是公鸡和公牛的故事吗?这个习惯用语也确实起源于十七世纪初流行的这样一个童话故事。故事里主角,公鸡和公牛都通晓人类的语言,能说人话来相互交谈。当然连小孩都明白这是不可能发生的虚构的故事。于是就产生了cock and bull story这个习惯用语。那么它究竟表示什么意思呢? 让我们通过一个例子来琢磨它的含义。这段话讲的是一个叫Bill的男子对自己的妻子不忠,有外遇。我们来听听他为了蒙混妻子,编造了怎样一个cock and bull story。
  
  例句-1:After Bill didn't come home for three days he told his wife he was away on a secret mission for the government. But that's just a cock and bull story: he was actually off with some woman.
  
  他说:Bill三天没回家。事后他对妻子编了个令人难以置信的故事说他外出为政府执行秘密使命去了。其实他是在外面和别的女人鬼混。
  
  由此可见cock and bull story就是虚构不实而且近乎荒谬的托词。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1316
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

好,我们来学下一个习惯用语: cover story。Cover通常的意思是盖子或者封面,总之是能够遮盖住什么的东西。杂志的封面叫cover,封面上通常有图片或者照片,往往是这期杂志里最重要的报导中的精彩镜头,于是这篇报导就称为cover story,就是以封面图片为题材的报导。然而cover还可以指用来隐藏遮盖事实真相的幌子。这样cover story就另有其它的意思了。让我们通过一个例子来体会它的含意。这段话是在讲柏林墙倒塌前东德一名秘密警察的事情。东德秘密警察的情报工作的无孔不入是举世闻名的,为了侦察敌情他们使尽了千方百计。
  
  例句-2:In East Germany this secret agent married a woman anti-communist just to get close enough to watch her and her friends. The cover story he told her was that he was a newspaper reporter.
  
  大家都听清楚这段话了吧? 原来这个暗藏的东德特务为了接近那个女反共分子,并且监视她和朋友们的活动而和这名女士结了婚。这个特务为了掩盖真相对太太编造了他的身份,说自己是一份报纸的记者。
  
  他是特务却把自己说成记者。由此可见,cover story是虚假不实的故事。换句话说是为了掩盖真相而编造的谎话。
  
  大家一定记得我们刚才学的cock and bull story不也是虚假不实的谎话吗。那么cover story和cock and bull story有什么区别呢?比较一下刚才的两个例子,能看出其中的不同来。其中一个丈夫突然三天没回家,却骗妻子说,自己执行政府的特殊使命去了;另一个当密探的丈夫说自己是报社记者。两者虽然都是谎言,但是在哪一个例子里说话人更表达出一种对事情感到荒谬不可信的语气呢?是前面的那个例子,因此说话的人用了cock and bull story来表示。
  
  由此可见,虽然cock and bull story和cover story都是虚假不实之词,但是cover story不见得像cock and bull story那样显得那么荒谬。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1317
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第46课
  
  Jen & Sharrin, Life After Peace Corps
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋!
  
  J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe! Hey Yang Chen, what's that you're reading?
  
  Y: 噢!没什么啦!
  
  J: Let me see.
  
  Y:哎呀,你快还给我!
  
  J: The Peace Corps?
  
  Y: 是啊,我正在看一些关于和平队的材料。
  
  J: You're thinking of joining the Peace Corps?
  
  Y: 哎,你干吗那么惊讶呢?
  
  J: Well, I'm not surprised ...Yang Chen, it's really hard work.
  
  Y: 那又怎么样?
  
  J: Don't forget it's volunteer work.
  
  Y: So? 我本来就经常做义工啊!再说了,我现在觉得生活有点平淡,想找点刺激,我想去冒险。
  
  J: Everyone wants excitement and adventure. But before you sign that contract, let's talk to our friends Jen & Sharrin. They were Peace Corps volunteers for one year in Cote d'Ivoire, West Africa.
  
  Y: 噢,对! Jen和Sharrin曾经参加和平队,到过科特迪瓦。咦?可是她们为什么只在那儿待了一年呢?
  
  J: Well, they ran into a little problem in Cote d'Ivoire ... something about an attempted coup d'etat.
  
  Y: 啊?是真的政变啊?
  
  J: A real coup.
  
  Y:哇,是不是就好像电影里演的那样,有军队,还有人打枪什么的。
  
  J: Soldiers, guns - the whole nine yards. Not really what you would call a safe environment.
  
  Y: 听起来好像很可怕噢!
  
  J: In fact, Jen and Sharrin were evacuated to the neighboring country of Ghana.
  
  Y: 真的啊?她们后来还被疏散到加纳。
  
  J: First let's hear from Jen.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1318
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Jen: There was an attempted coup d'etat in Cote d'Ivoire. Peace Corps, of course, took us out. It wasn't a safe environment. So, we were evacuated to a neighboring country - Ghana. From there we waited about two weeks to see if it would blow over. It turned out it wasn't safe enough. So from there we closed out our service for Peace Corp.
  
  Y: Jen说她们当时撤到加纳,还在那儿待了两个星期,因为她们不知道动乱会不会blow over. Blow over我想在这里,就是结束或者消失的意思,是吧?
  
  J: Exactly. After two weeks the danger did not blow over. So, Jen & Sharrin closed out their service with the Peace Corps.
  
  Y: 噢,所以这样她们就提前结束了在和平队的服务。
  
  J: That's right. You know, according to Jen, trouble would pop up frequently and then be fine the next day. But this time trouble popped up and did not blow over. Again here's Jen.
  
  实录2: Jen: Problems would pop up but they would be fine the next day. So everyone thought it'd be fine the next day. When I left, I don't know what Sharrin thought, but when I left I thought I'd be returning back. So, I thought for sure I'd be back later on to say "Bye" for good or just to return and finish my service.
  
  Y: Jen刚才说她们当时匆匆忙忙就离开了,而且呢,她还以为她们很快就能再回到科特迪瓦呢。
  
  J: Actually, for both Jen and Sharrin the hardest part of being evacuated was not being able to say goodbye to people and having a lack of closure. You know, a definite ending. Now, let's hear from Sharrin.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1319
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Sharrin: I think it was really hard just because I had all these plans and everything for what I was going to be doing. And I didn't say goodbye really to anybody; so, there was a definite lack of closure. And I think that was the hardest part of the evacuation - was just no closure at all.
  
  Y: 就是啊!她们在当地一定交了很多朋友,就这样匆匆忙忙离开,没有来得及和这些朋友说再见。我想她们当时心里一定很难过。看来,参加和平队也不是一件那么容易的事。
  
  J: Aw come on! Where's your sense of adventure? I know the attempted coup, the evacuation, not being able to say goodbye to friends - all that would be hard but ...
  
  Y: 等一等,等一等,Jody,我是很喜欢冒险啦!可是这又是要政变,又是要逃难什么的,我可受不了。
  
  J: But think of the all the great memories that comes from being in the Peace Corps. Now let's hear from Sharrin and Jen talk about the rewards.
  
  实录4: Sharrin: I think for me it was just the hospitality and the welcoming of the people in the different communities we lived in. Jen: The hospitality was a big thing, but for me it was also really amazing to be able to go through a training period and become conversational in the language and to become independent.
  
  Y: 怎么样?Jody,咱俩一起去好不好?
  
  J: Yang Chen, joining the Peace Corps is a big decision. You really should think about it a little bit more.
  
  Y: Okay, okay,我会仔细的考虑的。不过我确实是佩服Jen和Sharrin.
  
  J: I admire them as well. Thanks for joining us today at American Cafe.
  
  Y: 谢谢您收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次节目再见!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1320
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了两个由story这个词组成的习惯用语。一个是cock and bull story,意思是虚构不实的托词。另一个是cover story,解释掩盖真相的假话。我们今天还要讲几个带有story这个词的习惯用语。第一个是: inside story。Inside通常解释为内部的,和cover意义相对。如果说cover story是装点门面的表面文章的话,那么inside story就是不得外传的内幕真情了。在一个机构里通常只有几个掌握特权的人物才知晓这些有关隐私或者秘密决策问题的inside story,而这些了解inside story的人就可以称为insider。
  
  让我们来听个例子。这是一位外国分析人士在评论由于北韩政府的封闭政策,外界捉摸不定究竟北韩有没有原子弹。
  
  例句-1:The North Korean government keeps telling the world it's not building an atomic bomb. But this country is so closed off nobody in the outside world knows the real inside story.
  
  这段话说:北韩政府一再对国际社会说,他们并没制造什么原子弹。但是北韩这个国家实在太封闭了,外界对他们的内幕真情是一无所知的。
  
  所以inside story就是内幕消息或者真实情况。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1321
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: fish story。Fish是鱼。Fish story这个习惯用语可能来自捕鱼的人夸夸其谈的习惯。他们好夸耀自己抓到的鱼有多大,也喜欢对人讲述他们的水上奇遇:例如曾经看到过什么巨大无比的鱼或者稀奇古怪的海怪、湖怪等等。于是人们就把诸如此类夸大其词的故事称为fish story。讲述这种故事是为了夸耀自己见多识广,然而通常并没有蛊惑人心的恶意。让我们来听个例子,说的是关于美人鱼的传说。
  
  例句-2:When the fisherman told people in the town he had seen a beautiful mermaid on a rock in the river, they knew it was just a fish story. But the story was so charming that they built a stone mermaid.
  
  他说:那个渔夫告诉镇上的人他曾经看到一条美人鱼。根据一般常识美人鱼并不存在,所以人们心中有数他是在夸口,然而这个夸大其词的故事实在太动人了,所以人们雕塑了一个美人鱼的石像。
  
  可见fish story是夸大其词的说法。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1322
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

好,我们再学一个习惯用语: sob story。 Sob意思是哭泣。那么sob story是什么样的故事呢? 让我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3:This guy told me a real sob story, how he was catching a train to his mom's funeral. But somebody stole his wallet. I don't know whether it was true but I gave him a dollar anyway.
  
  他说:这个人对我描述了他的不幸遭遇。他告诉我他如何赶火车去参加母亲的葬礼,钱包却被扒走了。我虽然不知道他说的是不是真的,但是我还是给了他一美元。
  
  所以sob story是催人泪下、博取同情的故事,也可以解释为悲惨遭遇。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1323
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第47课
  
  
  Heidi, Animal Lover
  
  Y: 大家好,这是杨晨。欢迎到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe.
  
  Y: Jody, 你有没有听到什么奇怪的声音?
  
  J: What noise?
  
  Y: 是不是你的手机?
  
  J: I don't have a cell phone.
  
  Y: Well, 可是我看你的书包里好像有什么东西在动,是不是?
  
  J: Um ... ah ...
  
  Y: Jody, 你说实话,你书包里是不是有只猫啊?
  
  J: Shih, Yang Chen, keep your voice down! No one has to know. What I mean is, don't let the cat out of the bag! hahahaha. Get it?
  
  Y: Jody, 我知道这个习惯用语,let cat out of the bag, 意思是泄漏了秘密。可我要说的这里不允许带动物进来。
  
  J: Look, it's a nice day and Ms. Kitty needs some fresh air.
  
  Y: 我倒奇怪,你为什么这么喜欢小动物。
  
  J: Ms. Kitty is a wonderful companion who gives unconditional love.
  
  Y: Jody, 我实在无法理解你。
  
  J: If you think I'm bad, wait until you meet Heidi Holz. She really loves animals! Now, let's meet Heidi!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1324
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Heidi: My name is Heidi Holz and I love animals! They're just the most wonderful companions. They never ask anything of you. They love you unconditionally. When I come in the evening I know that nobody else in the world will ever be as happy to see me as my dog.
  
  Y: 看来Heidi比你更狂热。不过她刚才说她每天晚上回家都觉得,世界上没有任何人会像她的宠物狗那样热情地迎接她回来。我想那是因为那条狗正好肚子饿了吧。
  
  J: Oh, it's more than an empty stomach. Heidi's pets are happy to see for more than just food.
  
  Y: Pets? 你是说她还有别的宠物啊?
  
  J: Oh yeah! Heidi has a dog, three cats, two gerbils, which are similar to mice, and three fish.
  
  Y: Mice! 老鼠?
  
  J: No, I said gerbils, which are like mice. Gerbils are a very common pet for American children.
  
  Y: 我知道, gerbil就是沙鼠,可是依我看任何像老鼠的东西,它就是老鼠! 不过我想到一个问题, Heidi她养那么多宠物,她不是要花很多钱买食物吗?
  
  J: It costs Heidi about $50 a month and about an hour a day in time. Again here's Heidi.
  
  实录2: Heidi: I have three cats, a dog, two gerbils, they're like mice, and, um, three fish. I would guess it probably costs about $50 a month to feed them and maybe an hour a day taking care of them.
  
  Y: 你说Heidi又是养猫,养狗,养沙鼠,还有鱼,可见她是真的对动物有很深的感情。来你说她是不是从小就和动物打交道啊?
  
  J: Oh, funny you should ask. Heidi grew up on a six-acre farm with all kinds of animals - from common pets like dogs and cats to horses and kangaroos and even monkeys!
  
  Y: 真的? 还有人把袋鼠和猴子当宠物?
  
  J: Now, let's hear it straight from the horses mouth.
  
  Y: 你严肃一点好不好?
  
  J: Okay, okay. I don't want to be accused of beating a dead horse, that's for sure.
  
  Y: Jody ...
  
  J: Okay, I'm sorry. Again, here's Heidi.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1325
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Heidi: I grew up with a lot of pets. When I was small we had six acres in Florida. Um, we had everything from horses to kangaroos. We even had lemurs, which are a type of monkey.
  
  Y: 有一点我的确是可以理解,动物给人的爱是无条件的。
  
  J: Exactly. Unconditional love! But it's so easy to get attached to an animal. Heidi, in fact, got so attached to a cat that she found in China, that she brought it back to the U.S. with her.
  
  Y: 真的?她从中国带回一只猫?
  
  J: Yeah! She found the cat on the street and took it to her university dorm room. Heidi got kicked out of her dorm and had to find another place to live.
  
  实录4: Heidi: When I was living in China I found a kitten on the street and I snuck it into my dorm room. I got kicked out of the dorm and had to find another place to live but I kept my kitten. And I brought him back to the U.S. with me.
  
  Y: 我还真的没有见过像Heidi这么爱动物如命的人。
  
  J: And why not. They are just so loveable and fun. Aren't you Ms. Kitty. Here, do want to hold Ms. Kitty?
  
  Y: Uh uh, put the cat back in the bag, Heh heh. Get it?
  
  J: Hey! You made a funny. Thanks for joining us at American Cafe. See you next time.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1326
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都有fish这个词。大家都知道fish是“鱼”,但是fish可以作动词。例如在下面这个习惯用语中: fish or cut bait。你也许猜得到: 动词fish意思是钓鱼。Bat是系在钓鱼线上的鱼饵。所以这个习惯用语如果直译就是要么钓鱼,要么干脆切断鱼饵。 Fish or cut bait最初出现在十九世纪。一名议员在国会就一项议案进行表决前对与会者说了这句话,敦促大家当机立断,作出是或否的明确表态。
  
  这个习惯用语从此广为流传,用来促使对方作一抉择:要么好好干,不然就干脆别干,尤其用来敦促某人迅速决定究竟是否参与。让我们来听个例子。这是一个作风强硬的商人正试图了断一笔交易。他要求对方迅速拿定主意。
  
  例句-1:Charlie, you've had two weeks to decide whether you want in on this deal. Now it's time to fish or cut bait. I need your answer by six o'clock tonight -- otherwise we'll leave you out of it!
  
  他说:Charlie,对于要不要参与这笔生意你斟酌了有两星期了。现在你务必当机立断。我必须在今晚六点前得到你的答复,否则我们就把你排除在外。
  
  所以fish or cut bait意思是要么全力以赴,不然就干脆放弃。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1327
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个由fish这个词发展而来的习惯用语: Fishing expedition。Expedition意思是“调查、考察”。这个习惯用语可能来自出海探寻鱼群行踪的远征。鱼儿潜游在茫茫大海里,可真是捉摸不定,要找到他们得靠机遇。Fishing expedition像所有的习惯用语一样,意义已经引伸到其它方面。例如为找寻罪证而作的调查。让我们来听一个例子,说的是一名参议员被调查是否有不端行为。他对这一调查作出了反应。
  
  例句-2:The senator says the investigation is a fishing expedition by his enemies to see if they can find anything he has ever done that might hurt his political career.
  
  这段话说:那位参议员声称,这次调查是他政敌的蓄意盘查,目的是搜罗挖掘他是否有不端行为,以便损毁他的政治生涯。
  
  所以fishing expedition是指以搜罗挖掘不利于某人的证据为目的的调查行动。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1328
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: Other fish to fry。Fry是油煎的意思。这个习惯用语从字面来解释就是另有一条鱼要煎。这句话非常口语化,常用在非正式场合。它表达什么意思呢? 让我们通过一个例子来体会。有的人把事业放在生活的首要地位;事业的重要性甚至超越了家庭和亲人。我们要听的例子说的就是这样一个人。
  
  例句-3: I can't believe it! his only son was hurt in an accident and he told his wife he couldn't go to the hospital until later because he had other fish to fry -- a million-dollar deal he was closing.
  
  他说:我实在难以想象! 他的独生子遭到意外受了伤,而他却对太太说,他要晚些时候才能去医院,因为他另有要事得办:有一笔百万美元的大生意在等著他拍板呢。
  
  所以have other fish to fry意思是另有更重要或者更有利可图的事情得办。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1329
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第48课
  
  Erica, Skills For Web Design
  
  J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨,欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hey, Yang Chen, take a look at this logo! I thought we could use it for American Cafe!
  
  Y: 耶,没错,这画的真好,我觉得可以把它放在我们的网页,做我们的logo, 我们的标记。
  
  J: That's a great idea!
  
  Y: 你看它这上面两个人,正在喝咖啡,像不像我们俩啊?一边聊天一边喝咖啡?
  
  J: That's us! I love it! And it really captures the feeling of American Cafe! And that's not easy - using artwork and computers to create a brand for business.
  
  Y: 就是。 现在有成千上万个网页,如果你设计的不好,不吸引人,那你的内容再好都没有人看。
  
  J: Exactly. Hey I have a great idea. Let's invite our friend Erica, the web designer。
  
  Y: 好主意! Erica已经是我们的老朋友了。对于Erica来说,设计一个网页就好比给这个公司或企业创造了一个品牌!
  
  J: And there's much more to it than that. Erica also gives her client a marketing strategy ...
  
  Y: Marketing strategy就是市场策略。
  
  J: She does copyrighting and editing for them...
  
  Y: 她还要负责取得版权以及的编辑工作。
  
  J: She helps them organize all their information. Here's Erica.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1330
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Erica: They hire me give them a website and what I really do for them is give them a brand. I give them a marketing strategy, I do copyrighting and editing for them, I help them organize their information. So, I do so much more than just make a website.
  
  Y: Wow, 听起来,Erica真的是需要具备很多方面的技巧才能胜任她的工作。可是有的时候并不是每一个人都能认识到这一点。
  
  J: You're right, they don't. Her customers who know her and know her process. They appreciate her skills at the end of the day. But the others ... Well, let's hear from Erica.
  
  实录2: Erica: And I think my customers who know me and who have been through the process, they do appreciate it at the end of the day. But I think, a lot of, a lot of people don't really realize all the skills that go into, the skills and time, that go into making a really good professional website.
  
  Y: 她刚才说的 "At the end of the day" 意思是?
  
  J: "At the end of the day" is business slang that means, "When all is said and done." So at the end of the day, most people don't realize all the skills involved in making a really good professional web site.
  
  Y: 我觉得,一个好的web site应该是既方便又实用。
  
  J: To Erica usability, finding information quickly, is a really important aspect of web design. Again here's Erica...

故乡的云 : 2009-12-18#1331
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Erica: Usability is a really important aspect of web design. You know, the whole idea of usability is designing a web site with the user in mind. Um, helping somebody find their way through a page, helping them get their information quickly. Basically it's those two things, finding information - quickly. When I'm designing something, I'm always thinking about my user.
  
  Y: Erica说的没错,设计网页的时候要首先考虑顾客的需求。你觉不觉得Erica的特点就是她能够耐心听取别人的意见,所以她才会那么成功。
  
  J: Erica is a great listener. In fact, her listening skills are so good that she often gets compliments on her ability to talk to a small business owner and capture the feeling of that small business.
  
  Y: 对,你说的small business就是小企业。那么,Erica不仅能够准确地理解这种小企业的精神,而且能够把它转化成一个好的网页。
  
  实录4: Erica: People have complimented me that I have the ability to talk to a person who owns a small business and really get a sense of who they are, the audience that they're trying to reach and transform that feeling into a visual thing and put it up there on the web. Then people from all over the world can go there and get that same feeling. So, yes, it's ... it's about a feeling. Web site design is emotional.
  
  Y: Emotional?设计网页也可以是emotional的吗?
  
  J: To Erica web site design is all about emotion and, like I've been saying, capturing the feeling of a small business.
  
  Y: 你说的没错,你再回头看看我们的logo, 你能联想到什么?
  
  J: When I see that logo I think of two women who like coffee and like to talk! That's us! Thanks for joining us at American Cafe! See you next time!
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋,我们下次节目再见!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1332
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都有air这个词。大家都知道air是“空气”。早在十七世纪,意大利科学家伽利略发现空气似乎没有实质却有重量。后来人们进一步发现高山顶上的空气要比海平面上的空气轻,于是人们就说高处的空气稀薄,也就是thin air。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是由thin air发展而来的。它是: pull something out of thin air。
  
  Pull something out of thin air按照字面意思就是从稀薄的空气里抽取什么东西。你想空气本就是看不见摸不着的,要从稀薄的空气里抽取东西岂不更是难上加难吗。
  
  让我们来听个例子。说话的人是一家公司的雇员。他很担心自己会失业,因为这家公司付不出欠帐即将破产。
  
  例句-1:The company is flat broke. Unless the boss can pull something out of thin air and borrow a lot of money by Friday, we'll have to go into bankruptcy and I'll have to look for other work.
  
  他说:这家公司现在已是财源枯竭,除非老板神通广大能在星期五之前筹措到大笔钱款摆脱困境,否则我们就只得陷入破产的境地,而我也必须另找工作了。
  
  这儿pull something out of thin air意思是要解决问题脱离困境就得勉为其难地想方设法甚至得神通广大了。
  
  我们再听个例子。这段话说的是一个创作电视剧的天才作家Susan。她的创造力丰富,一无是处的底稿经过她的神来之笔略加修改,就能拍成一鸣惊人的好戏。好,我们来听这段话吧:
  
  例句-2:Susan is one of the best TV script writers. She'll take an absolutely hopeless script by somebody else, pull some new ideas out of thin air, and end up with a first-class show.
  
  他说: Susan是最优秀的电视剧作家之一。她会设法从别人写得一无是处的原稿中挖掘发展出新意,而拍成第一流的节目。
  
  这样看来,Susan的生花妙笔简直有妙手回春的功力,能在枯燥乏味的文章里挖掘灵感,这就是这儿pull some new ideas out of thin air所表达的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1333
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个带有air这个词的习惯用语, come up for air。 Come up for air这个习惯用语对游泳的人说来很熟悉,你在水里的时候必须时时把头伸出水面来换气。即使是深海作业的潜水员,到一定时间也必须升上水面呼吸新鲜空气,休息一下。当然come up for air已经被广泛应用。我们知道美国人得纳税,而每年四月十五号是美国人递交税表的最后限期。在这个日子迫近的时候,不少美国人都会为了准备那一大堆表格文件而忙得焦头烂额。说话的人就是其中之一。
  
  例句-3:Oh, boy, I've spent the whole day on my tax return. I still have more to do, but I simply have to come up for air. Let's go out for dinner so I can forget about taxes for a little while.
  
  他说: 咳,我整整一天都在埋头做我的报税单,我还有不少没完成,但是我可真得喘口气歇一下了。我们出去吃顿饭吧,这样我至少可以暂时把报税的事儿丢在脑后。
  
  所以come up for air意思是“喘口气、调节一下精神”。
  
  让我们再听个例子。这是个学生在评论念书特别专心致志的同学,而跟我们说话的那位显然在这方面和他的同学不一样。好,我们来听他怎么说吧。
  
  例句-4:My classmate can sit and study for three or four hours without coming up for air. Not me! After an hour I have to get up and get a coke or a snack or just walk around for a while.
  
  他说:我的同学能马不停蹄地一口气学习三四个小时,我可不行,读了一小时的书我就必须起来拿杯可乐、吃块点心,或者只是逛一圈歇口气。
  
  这里coming up for air也是歇口气的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1334
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第49课
  
  
  Ann & Bella
  
  Y:大家好。我是杨晨。欢迎到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello everyone! I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 我们今天要为您讲一个非常感人的故事。
  
  J: It is a very moving story about two characters: Ann Jones, from Washington D.C. and her friend, Bella.
  
  Y: 里面的主人公一位是Ann Jones一位是Bella.
  
  J: Now, I think it's important to tell people that Bella is a dolphin.
  
  Y: 原来Bella是一只海豚。那Ann和Bella怎么会成为好朋友。
  
  J: Well, it started about four years ago and recently Ann made a trip to see her old friend. Now, it's my pleasure to introduce Ann Jones as she explains the purpose of this special reunion trip.
  
  实录1: ANNIE: I'm Ann Jones and I'm from Washington D.C. in the United States, the capital. The purpose of the trip was to go back and swim again with a dolphin that helped save my life almost four years. It was wonderful. It was very emotional. I cried a lot. I don't know if dolphins cry or not but she was ... she was just so excited.
  
  Y: 四年前海豚Bella挽救了Ann的生命,所以Ann每次提到Bella都非常动感情。我想大家一定很想知道这到底是怎么一回事。
  
  J: It's a wonderful story. And it starts with the fact that a dolphin is very sensitive and can see everything in your body with their sonar.
  
  Y: 是吗?我听说过海豚都很聪明。可是我不知道它们还能用声纳来诊断一个人是否有病。这太神奇了!
  
  J: And also when given a choice between a sick or well person, a dolphin will swim with a sick person. Again here's Ann.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1335
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: ANNIE: The dolphin's very sensitive and, um, they can see everything in your body. And they know if you're sick or if you're well. And almost four years the one dolphin, Bella, swan with me all the time to let me know - she was protecting me - that I was sick.
  
  Y: Jody, 那么说Bella选择在Ann的身边游泳。这就说明 Ann 的身体出了毛病,对不对?
  
  J: That's right.
  
  Y: Ann在这之前有没有去看过医生呢?
  
  J: Oh, of course. For years she complained to her doctor about a pain in her chest. And the doctor kept telling her to go home.
  
  实录3: ANNIE: Before I went to swim with the dolphin, I went to a doctor and they told me I was well. I kept telling them I had a pain in my chest. And the doctor kept saying go home. And this went on year after year.
  
  Y: Wow, 真的很难相信。 这个医生一直坚持说Ann没有生病,叫她放心地回家去。
  
  J: Can you believe it? That's why Ann turned to the dolphins. When she came back from swimming with Bella on the first trip, she immediately had - what she calls a medical miracle - a body scan.
  
  Y: Body scan就是全身扫描。那通过这种全身扫描发现了什么问题呢?
  
  J: The body scan revealed that Ann had a cancerous tumor in her lung the size of an egg.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1336
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: ANNIE: And it was the dolphin that tried to tell me that something was wrong. When I came back I had one of these new medical miracles called a body scan and there was this tumor, large as an egg, sitting in my lung. And I would've died within possibly six months and Bella the dolphin helped save my life.
  
  Y: 这么说,Ann的第一个医生诊断失误,而Bella是对的。Ann确实有 病,而且是严重的肺癌。 我觉得海豚不仅可爱,聪明,而且非常有爱心,真可以说是人类的好朋友。这个故事最后的结局是什么?
  
  J: Well, I think we should hear that straight from Ann.
  
  实录5: ANNIE: I'm doing great! I've passed all my cancer tests and I go for tests every three months. And I'm doing great. And I think I may make it forever! (laughter) So, that's it. Thanks to Bella the dolphin!
  
  J: Isn't that great! Ann has passed all her cancer tests! I'll tell you what, she is one tough cookie.
  
  Y: 没错,我真的是替Ann感到高兴。她是一位非常坚强的女性,而且这个故事不仅感人,还是一个happy ending!
  
  J: And don't forget, a big "Thank You!" goes out to Bella the dolphin. And thanks to all of you for joining us on American Cafe!
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次再见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1337
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国习惯用语第321讲
  
  
  今天我们要讲的习惯用语的关键词是pot。我想大家都熟悉pot这个词。它可以解释煮东西的锅子。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: go to pot。 Go to pot这个习惯用语来自牧场。牧场上的牲口随着年龄的增长而每况欲下,最后在老得不中用的时候就难逃被屠宰的命运,然后人们会把它们切成小块扔进锅里煮了吃。这就是go to pot这个习惯用语的出典,当然现在它通用的意思和描述的对象已经有所转化。
  
  让我们来听个例子。这个人在说自己的弟弟Freddy,曾几何时Freddy是运动健将,而如今他却放任自流、每况愈下。
  
  例句-1:My brother Freddy used to be a star athlete, but he's really let himself go to pot. In high school he ran eight miles every day but now he just sits in front of the TV eating potato chips.
  
  大家都听清楚了吧? 他的弟弟Freddy原是个运动明星。在中学时代每天坚持长跑八英哩,但是如今他不但不锻炼还成天懒懒散散地呆在电视机前大嚼炸薯片....大家知道光看电视不运动已经有损健康,还要吃好多炸薯片之类油腻而不健康的食品,就更有害身体,所以说Freddy has let himself go to pot。也就是说他放任自流,每况愈下。
  
  可见go to pot意思就是情况越来越糟糕。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1338
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语:sweeten the pot. Sweeten是加糖弄甜的意思。厨师烹调的时候常有一个秘诀就是在锅里加上点儿糖或者蜂蜜来调味。这样往往会使菜肴色香味俱增,更合口味。习惯用语sweeten the pot就这样流传开来了,同时这个习惯用语也有了更广泛的意义。让我们听个例子来体会它的含义。
  
  例句-2:The job wasn't very interesting, but I decided to take it anyway after they sweetened the pot by promising me four weeks of paid vacation, a company car and a big bonus. How could I say no?
  
  大家一定都听明白了。他原来觉得那工作不太有意思,但是他们对他作了几个诱人的许诺,包括四个星期的带工资假期,公司配给汽车,还有大笔奖金。当然这些优惠使得这份工作十分合人心意,因而具有难以抗拒的吸引力了,所以他还是接受了那工作。
  
  可见sweetened the pot含义是改善条件,使之更合人心意。有时候sweetened the pot也用在业务交易方面,含义是添加某些优惠条件使得一笔交易更有利可图,并因而有更大的吸引力。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1339
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们还要学一个习惯用语: pot calling the kettle black。 Kettle是水壶。这个习惯用语来自十七世纪用炉子里生火煮饭的年代。那时侯无论是Pot还是Kettle ,长年累月经炉火烧烤都会变得一样的焦黑,要是锅子数落水壶黑的话,其实它自己也半斤八两,好不到哪儿去。好,我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3:My sister Susan always lies to our parents about her grades in school. One time I forgot to tell Mom and Dad I'd failed my English exam, and Susan accused me of lying all the time. If that's not the pot calling the kettle black I don't know what it is!
  
  他说:我姐姐Susan老是对爸妈谎报学习成绩,而当我仅仅一次忘了告诉爸妈我英文考试不及格的时候,她竟然指责我也一直撒谎,她要数落我也不看看自己的缺点有多大。
  
  其实中国也有句类似的俗话:要说别人不干净,除非自己的锅底没黑! 换句话说是:自己有同样的缺点,反倒去批评别人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1340
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第50课
  
  Shannon, Acupuncture Student
  
  J: Hello I'm Jody. Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 大家好!我是杨晨,欢迎到美语咖啡屋!Jody, 你知道吗?我昨天搬东西,脖子今天特别疼!
  
  J: You look like you're in pain.
  
  Y: 没错!
  
  J: You have to be careful when you're moving stuff. What have you done to make it feel better?
  
  Y: 我吃了两颗止疼片儿。不过好像没什么用!
  
  J: Maybe you should think about getting some acupuncture?
  
  Y: No, no, no! 我最害怕针。
  
  J: Well, don't worry. On today's show our guest is Shannon and she is an acupuncture student. And she used to be afraid of needles too.
  
  Y: 好,我们来认识一下Shannon.
  
  实录1: Shannon: Hi, my name is Shannon and I'm currently studying acupuncture in the Washington DC metro area. And it's really different from anything else I've ever done before. And I love it.
  
  Y: Shannon是什么时候开始对针灸感兴趣的呢?
  
  J: Well, she lived in China a number of years ago and there she watched people get acupuncture often.
  
  Y: 没错,因为针灸在中国是很普遍的。所以很多外国人到中国以后就开始对针灸产生了兴趣。
  
  J: That's what happened with Shannon and that's where she got over her fear of needles. Let's hear more from Shannon.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1341
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Shannon: Um, I lived in China a number of years ago and I'd watch people get acupuncture. But I was very scared of needles then. So, it took me a couple of years before I wanted to try, um, getting acupuncture myself. And I had some incredible experiences with it.
  
  Y: 她刚才说的incredible experiences是什么呢?
  
  J: One of Shannon's incredible experiences was after a car accident. She was very shaken up. So she went in and had an emergency acupuncture appointment. Shannon says that it only took five minutes for the seven needles to help her feel like herself again and help her deal with the accident.
  
  Y: Shannon在接受针灸治疗之前是不是就not feeling like herself?
  
  J: Right. She wasn't feeling normal. She didn't feel right. She was crying, shaking and generally just freaking out.
  
  Y: Freaking out在这里是情绪失控的意思。
  
  J: Again here's Shannon.
  
  实录3: Shannon: I was in a car accident a while ago and feeling very shaken up after the car accident. And I went to an emergency acupuncture appointment. And they put just like seven needles in my back. I felt everything swish in and out of me. I had felt very scattered before, and after these seven needles and five minutes I felt like myself again ... I stop crying. I stopped shaking ... stopped freaking out. I felt much more like myself.
  
  Y: Jody 我听说针灸在美国开始流行起来, 不过没有进入主流医学领域。
  
  J: Acupuncture in the United States is not yet considered mainstream. But it definitely is becoming more and more common. According to Shannon, people in the United States are more intrigued than skeptical about acupuncture. Again, here is Shannon.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1342
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录4: Shannon: I think they're more intrigued than skeptical. Um, so many people I've talked to here know of somebody who has been to acupuncture, or they're in it or their child's in it or they want to go. Um, so I think there's definitely high demand in the States for that.
  
  Y: 现在人们对针灸的兴趣的确越来越大了。那从事这一行赚不赚钱?
  
  J: That's the good part. According to Shannon, the medium, or average, salary right out of school is about $70,000 a year! And that's just for a normal, regular schedule!
  
  Y: 真的?一出学校一年就能赚七万美元? 很不错!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1343
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录5: Shannon: I guess the medium salary right out of acupuncture school is like $70,000 a year. And that's not, you know, that much overtime...that's just kind of like a normal schedule.
  
  Y: 针灸现在很热门收入也恨不错。 你说我也去学针灸怎么样?
  
  J: Yang Chen, you faint at the sight of needles!
  
  Y: 这个很容易克服。
  
  J: Yang Chen, I think you should do whatever you are passionate about.
  
  Y: 那Shannon是不是对针灸有很大的热情呢?
  
  J: Let's hear from Shannon.
  
  实录6: Shannon: I've been wanting to do it for years. And now I think this is where I'm going professionally. I had thought I would study acupuncture after having the, like, logical career in Chinese Studies. And then a couple of years ago I had that realization of life is short so why don't I do what I'm really passionate about right now.
  
  Y: Shannon 说的没错,"Life is short."生命是短暂的。所以你想做什么就做什么,千万不要犹豫。好,谢谢大家收听没语咖啡屋,我们下次节目再见!
  
  J: See you next time on American.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1344
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

属于同一文化的人们必然会形成共同的特定用语和用词,例如今天我们要讲的就是美国人用来描述人神志不佳、举止不正常的习惯用语。这几个习惯用语都十分口语化,是用在非正式场合的,在使用这几个习惯用语的时候你可得小心,免得无意中伤害了他人的感情。
  
  我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: Not playing with a full deck。Deck这里指的是一付扑克牌,所以not playing with a full deck从字面解释就是在打一付缺牌的扑克。你想一付缺牌的扑克打得成牌吗? 当然不成,这就跟缺心眼的人办不成事儿一样。当然,not playing with a full deck这个习惯用语是用作比喻意义的,表示不是处于完好无缺的状态。好,我们来听个例子,边听边想这个习惯用语的意思。
  
  例句-1:Have you noticed that old man who sits on a park bench all day talking to himself? I overheard him today and he's just talking nonsense. I'm afraid the poor guy isn't playing with a full deck.
  
  他说:你有没有注意到整天坐在公园长凳上喃喃自语的那个老人?我偶然听到他说的全是毫无意义的废话,恐怕那可怜的家伙有点神志迷糊了。
  
  当然,从早到晚自言自语,翻来复去地讲一些废话可能是老年性痴呆症的症状,也可能是失魂落魄的缘故,所以not playing with a full deck意思就是失魂落魄、神志不清的样子。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1345
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个也用来形容人举止显得不平衡、不正常的习惯用语: Not having both oars in the water. Oar是划船的桨。大多数非机动船都需要在水里划动双桨来推进。如果划船的人没把双桨都放下水中一齐划动,只有一把桨下水地乱划一气,那只船就会在原地团团转,进退不得,可见这个划船人有多笨拙。当然not having both oars in the water这个习惯用语现在不只是用来说笨拙的划船人,它的应用范围扩大了。让我们来听个例子。它说的是一位日常心不在焉、丢三拉四的教授先生,他的名字是Blank。
  
  例句-2:Professor Blank is so absent-minded you think he doesn't have both oars in the water. But when you go to his class and listen to his lecture, you know why everybody says he's a genius in his field.
  
  他说: Blank教授老是那么心不在焉、丢三拉四的,你会觉得他头脑不正常。但是如果你去上他的课,听他的讲座的话,你会发现他在自己的学术领域内可真是才华出众。
  
  这位教授在学术界是聪明过人的天才,而在实际生活中却判若两人,反应似乎很迟钝,也许正象中国老话说的“大智若愚”的缘故吧。这样的书呆子在学术界并不少见。所以习惯用语not having both oars in the water就是举止笨拙、头脑不平衡的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1346
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第51课
  
  Rick, Lead Singer of SCOTS
  
  Y: 大家好,我是杨晨。 欢迎您到美语咖啡屋。
  
  J: Hello everyone, I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: Jody,我们现在听的是什么音乐?
  
  J: What? I can't hear you?
  
  Y: 我在问你这是什么音乐?
  
  J: Wait a minute. Let me turn the music down. What did you say?
  
  Y: 我问你这是什么音乐,听上去有点儿象乡村音乐,又有点儿象摇滚乐。
  
  J: It's a band called Southern Culture on the Skids. SCOTS for short. And you're right. They mix many styles of music together to make their own original sound. Isn't it great?
  
  Y: 这是他们自己创作的音乐?能不能给我们介绍这个乐队是什么时候成立的?
  
  J: Oh, sure. SCOTS started out in 1984 down in North Carolina at the University of North Carolina - UNC for short.
  
  Y: 我想他们一定是因为非常热爱音乐才成立了这个乐队。是不是?
  
  J: Well, actually Rick, the lead singer, said it was a great way to get free beer and meet girls in college. But I'm sure they love music. Now, let's welcome Rick, the lead singer of SCOTS.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1347
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录1: Rick Miller: SCOTS started out in 1984 as just a way to make, ah, well, actually a way to get free beer and meet some girls while we were in college. Practicing, actually, at the Art Lab at UNC (un)'til the dean of students kicked us out. So, right away, rock-n-roll!
  
  Y: 这帮人,太不像话了。原来是因为喜欢喝啤酒,勾引女孩子才成立了一个乐队。哎,Jody, 这个SCOTS到底是一个什么样的乐队呢?
  
  J: SCOTS is like a garage band that sometimes comes out of the garage to perform around the world.
  
  Y: Garage band, 我喜欢这个名字。Garage Band就是车库乐队。你得解释一下这个什么叫做车库乐队呢。
  
  J: See, many teenagers want to be a rock-n-roll star or any music star. But parents don't want to hear bad music playing in the house.
  
  Y: 没错, 一个初学者他技术肯定不太好;没人想听他们练习的时候那种很刺耳的声音。
  
  J: Exactly, they're just beginning. So, the family garage outside of the house where the car usually goes becomes the place where teenagers practice being a musician without bothering the parents.
  
  Y: 对,车库是一个练习音乐的好地方。这样你就不会吵到你们家里人,因为车库就是停车的地方。
  
  J: Garage band has come to mean amateur, not professional, music.
  
  Y: 对, 一般说起来这个garage band就说他们是业余也不是专业的乐队。这么说起来,这个SCOTS一开始的时候是典型的garage band, 后来他们慢慢儿发展成一个专业的乐队。
  
  J: Exactly. But the members of SCOTS still feel that they are a garage band at heart. The true essence of rock-n-roll. Again here's Rick.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1348
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录2: Rick: We never really got out of the garage. And when we get out of the garage it's, like you know, to drive around the world, you know, to go play. No, I love garage music. I think that's the true essence of rock-n-roll.
  
  Y: Rick刚才提到garage music. 我想我们应该举个例子来说明什么叫做garage music.
  
  J: Sounds good to me! Let's hear a bit of "Soulful Garage," a song Rick calls "a great garage soul song."
  
  Rick: "Soulful Garage" is great 'cause that's a real mix when you think of what we are. It's kinda ... that really is a garage soul song.
  
  Y: 对了,听他们的音乐以后,能更好帮助人们理解什么叫做garage music.
  
  J: I think so.
  
  Y: 那Jody你喜欢他们的 音乐吗?
  
  J: I think it's great especially because it's so fun. It screws with the usual formulas. You know, messes them up. You don't know what to expect!
  
  Y: 对,他们的音乐听起来摇滚的味道、乡村音乐的味道、还有流行音乐的味道,可以说是很多音乐风格融合在一起。
  
  J: And SCOTS takes traditional country sounds and rock sounds and morphs them, or changes them, into something original, something Rick calls "hillbilly surf sound." Again here's Rick.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1349
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Rick: What I like to do is just kinda (of) screw things up a little bit. You know, you gotta screw with the formula and it becomes something else. You know, it morphs into something else. Something that we can kind of call our own. You know, it's that hillbilly surf sound.
  
  Y: Hillbilly surf sound, 这个没法儿翻成中文。我想着一定是Rick自己独创出来的一个名词。
  
  J: You got that right. I think the best way, Yang Chen, is just to play more music.
  
  Y: 喜欢大家喜欢他们的音乐。好,谢谢大家收听美语咖啡屋。我们下次节目再见!
  
  J: Thanks for joining us at American Cafe!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1350
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都用了一些普通水果的名字,像香蕉、苹果和橘子等。不生活在美国的人往往会被这样的习惯用语难倒,因为它们看来眼熟,却不知所云。好,让我们来为你排忧解难吧。
  
  我们要讲的第一个习惯用语是: go bananas。Bananas是香蕉,又香又甜的香蕉几乎人人爱,但谁对香蕉爱得最疯狂呢? 可得数猴子了。猴子见了一串香蕉会兴奋得忘乎所以,又叫又跳。Go bananas这个习惯用语就来自这儿。当然它不只是用来说猴子,也可以说人。如果一个人像猴子看到香蕉那样激动得上窜下跳、又喊又叫,那这个人必定是情绪失控了。我们要听的例子就说到这样一个人在高速公路塞车时候的反常表现。好,我们来听这个例子吧。
  
  例句-1:I was on the highway yesterday in a terrible traffic jam. Suddenly, the man in the next car to me went bananas. He was screaming and yelling and then he crashed his car into mine! Totally out of control.
  
  他说:昨天他在告诉公路上碰到塞车。突然紧接在他后面的那辆车上的人情绪完全失去控制;他不耐烦地大喊大叫,又把他的车撞上了我的车。
  
  所以go bananas意思是焦急烦躁而情绪失控。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1351
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: compare apples and oranges。Compare意思是比较,apple是苹果,而orange是橘子。这是色香味毫不相同的两种水果,没法放在一起作比较。我们来听个例子,说的是流行歌手Madonna和古典大提琴曲演奏家马友友。流行歌手的英文是: pop singer, 而大提琴手的英文是: cellist。演奏古典音乐的大提琴手就是: classic cellist。好,我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-2:David says Madonna is the greatest artist but Lucy thinks Yo-yo Ma is the best. I say they're comparing apples and oranges. Madonna is a pop singer and Yo-yo Ma is a classical cellist.
  
  他说:David 认为Madonna是最伟大的艺术家,但是Lucy却觉得马友友最优秀。我的看法是他们把两个截然不同的人硬凑在一块比较,因为Madonna是流行歌手,而马友友却是古典大提琴曲演奏家,他们无法相比。
  
  所以compare apples and oranges意思就是把毫不相干的人或物硬凑在一起作比较。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1352
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: Hear through the grapevine。Grapevine是葡萄藤。这个习惯用语来自还没有发明电话的年代,当时最快速的通讯途径是电报。有人把交错缠结的电报线路比作葡萄藤。换句话说,葡萄藤象征传递消息的途径,渐渐hear through the grapevine被用来指听到非正式的小道消息。这些传闻的来源往往是亲朋好友间的私房话。好,我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3: I heard through the grapevine that Mark and Julie just broke up. I can't believe it - I thought they were going to get married. Julie's sister called this morning to give me the bad news.
  
  他说:我今天得到小道消息说Mark和Julie分手了。我简直不敢相信。我原以为他们快要结婚了。是Julie的姐姐今天早上来电话把这坏消息传给我的。
  
  所以hear through the grapevine意思是听到小道传闻。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1353
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学一个词的特别意思: lemon。 Lemon是柠檬,但是在俗语中可以指质量低劣的骗钱货色。我们来听个例子。说话的人买了一辆毛病百出的车。他是上经销商的当了。好,我们来听这段话。
  
  例句-4:Only three weeks after I bought my new car, problems started. First the doors wouldn't close, then the brakes failed. I should have known the car was a lemon when the dealer gave me five hundred dollar discount.
  
  他说:我的新车买了才三星期就出毛病了。先是门关不上,接着煞车又不行。在那个经销商给我降价五百美元的时候,我就该知道这是质量低劣的骗钱货色。
  
  所以lemon在这儿的意思是质量低劣的骗钱货色。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1354
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美语咖啡屋第52课
  
  Jason, A Cafe Visit
  
  J: Hello, I'm Jody! Welcome to American Cafe!
  
  Y: 大家好!我是杨晨,欢迎到美语咖啡屋!我们今天要来到了街对面的那架咖啡馆。 我们今天要采访Jason他是这架咖啡馆的一个雇员。我们先谈谈咖啡文化对美国人来说意味是什么。
  
  J: Now we're here with Jason who works at a cafe. And we're to talk to him about what he sees in the Cafe culture in American.
  
  实录1: Jason: My name is Jason and we are in Rockville, Maryland, which is a suburb of Washington, D.C. - the nation's capital actually.
  
  Jody: So, Jason, what do you see people doing when they come into this cafe?
  
  实录2: Jason: There are all sorts of things. We have people that just come in get a cup of coffee and go. We have people that, that linger and talk. Some that read and do crossword puzzles, read books. It's really a wide, wide ... portrait of the community. It's all different kinds of people really. But it gives people vibrancy, friendship, and community. It's a local outreach. It's many many different things to many people.
  
  Y: 就是,我觉得很多人来咖啡馆不仅是来喝咖啡。有的是来跟人聊天儿,还有的人坐在那儿看书,看报纸。其实他们是绝对要享受咖啡馆的气氛。
  
  J: The atmosphere is so important. It's just a great place to hang out. Jason explains that he's only worked here two months after leaving a high-stress consulting job. Let's hear about the reason why he chose to work at a cafe over a high paying, high stress job.
  
  Y: 对,他原来在一家咨询公司工作。工资很高,但是他也说工作是 "high stress" - 就是压力非常大。那么我们就听听在咖啡馆工作有什么享受。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1355
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录3: Jason: You know, I've actually only worked here about two and a half months. And for about 15 years I worked in a very high stress consulting environment. And decided to make a change to specifically come into a cafe atmosphere. You know, while I don't make as much money as I once did, my quality of life and happiness level have certainly increased exponentially.
  
  Y: 我得问问Jason是不是有的人常常到这个咖啡馆来,叫他们是 "regular customer."
  
  J: "Regulars" are people who come everyday or sometimes many times a day. Again, here's Jason.
  
  实录4: Jason: Oh, ab...absolutely! One of the joys of working here is getting to know people. And we have people that come in daily and sometimes multiple times a day. So, it's very fun. It's more than a place to come and get a drink and a muffin. It really is community-oriented in many ways and...and person-oriented. It's more personable than a normal commerce situation.
  
  Y: 我想一定有很多人,特别是在周围工作的人,他们常到这个咖啡馆来。一个是方便,再一个这里给他们一种亲切的感觉。那么这些顾客我们叫他们是regulars。
  
  J: It's a great feeling to become a regular at a place, especially a coffee shop, because the people who work there know your name and they know what you like. And it's easy to become friends.
  
  Y: 对他刚才说有的人一天来好几次。我想这些人一天来好几次,那他们的目的恐怕不光是为了一杯咖啡,可能是想来跟Jason聊聊天儿。
  
  J: And community which is something Jason also talked about - having a place to go where people know your name. That's a great feeling. Now, let's here again from Jason
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1356
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实录5: Jason: I think it's very important because there's something about a hot cup of coffee, or even a cold one, but especially a hot coffee or hot tea that ... that brings people to just slow down maybe for a few minutes during the day and sit down without guilt and be able to just relax and read the paper or talk to a friend or even a stranger.
  
  Y: 到一个咖啡馆有一种让人轻松的气氛就是Jason刚才谈一谈到- "slow you down." 那到咖啡馆坐一会儿喝一杯自己喜欢的咖啡是一件很惬意的事。
  
  J: Cafes are just a great place to start your day, to come in the middle of your day or to end your day. You can hang out with friends, relax, read a book ... they're just great places.
  
  Y: 没错,这个咖啡馆你可以早上来,你可以午休的时候来,也可以在下午下了班以后回家之前在来,任何时间来都会让你放松。你喝一杯又香又浓咖啡和你的朋友在咖啡馆聊天儿,看一本书,读一读报纸,非常的享受。
  
  J: If you have a cafe, you have community and you a place where you can slow down.
  
  Y: 对,生活是很紧张的。那么这个咖啡馆是一个让你放松的地方。
  
  J: Well, that's it for American Cafe. Thank you so much for visiting our American Cafe.
  
  Y: 谢谢大家收听我们的美语咖啡屋。希望我们有一天能在咖啡馆碰见你!
  
  J: Hope to see you next time at American Cafe

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1357
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国很多人都喜欢狗,还说狗是人类最忠实的朋友,人和狗在日常生活中相处密切,也因而形成了好多以“狗”也就是dog这个词为主的习惯用语。这就是我们今天要学的内容。第一个习惯用语是: dog tired。不知你有没有注意到不论周围环境多嘈杂吵闹也吵不醒一只沉沉酣睡的狗。狗为什么睡得那么熟呢? 也许狗是累得筋疲力尽才睡着的。这就是dog tired这个习惯用语的出典。让我们来听个例子,说话的人是个开夜车的学生。
  
  例句-1:I stayed up all night last night to finish a history essay and this morning my coach made me run five miles in the summer heat. I'm so dog tired I can't even walk.
  
  他说:我昨晚整夜都在赶写一篇历史课的短文,今天上午我的教练还要我在炎炎夏日下长跑五英里。把我给累得连路都走不动了。
  
  他先是一夜不睡开夜车赶文章,第二天早上又长跑五英哩路,这样大量消耗脑力和体力可真会把人给累垮的,所以dog tired意思是“累得动弹不得的,”或者是“筋疲力尽的。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1358
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个由dog这个词组成的习惯用语: go to the dogs。Go to the dogs这个习惯用语来自这样的概念:人们吃剩下的残羹冷饭可以拿去喂狗。换句话说,到狗那儿去的总是比较次等低劣的东西。当然这个习惯用语是用来作比喻的。好,让我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义。这是一个孩子在描述他的父亲近来状态不佳。
  
  例句-2:My dad has really gone to the dogs since he lost his job. All he does now is hang around the house, watch TV and drink beer.
  
  他说:我的爸爸自从失业后情况很糟,他现在每天除了看电视、喝啤酒之外,就是在家无所事事地闲荡。
  
  他的爸爸从天天上班到在家游手好闲,日见消沉堕落。所以go to the dogs意思是越来越糟,有时甚至有日渐堕落,以至毁灭的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1359
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个有dog这个词的习惯用语: rain cats and dogs。研究语言的学者们对于rain cats and dogs这个习惯用语的来源各持己见,看法不一。有一种说法是这个习惯用语来自十七世纪的英国,当时滂沱大雨能把城镇的大街小巷变成河流溪道,大水沿著街巷滔滔而下,随波漂流的是街上无家可归的猫和狗,于是人们就开始用rain cats and dogs来形容倾盆大雨了。
  
  让我们来听个例子。它说的是按照美国人的风俗在室外的花园内举行的结婚仪式。
  
  例句-3:Bob and Susan were just about to exchange marriage vows when there was a crack of thunder and it started to rain cats and dogs. Everyone at the wedding was soaked and the cake was ruined.
  
  他说:正在Bob和Susan互立结婚誓言的当口上,随着一声霹雳下起了倾盆大雨,在场的每个人都淋成了落汤鸡,而结婚蛋糕成了一摊稀泥。
  
  这场雨把大家都淋得湿透,而且还冲坏了结婚大蛋糕,看来雨势还真大,从而可见rain cats and dogs是大雨倾盆的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1360
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语001讲
  
  Ann. 陈豪刚从大学毕业就在北京的一家美国公司找到了一份工作。今天他收到一张通知,可是里面有一个词他不懂,他只知道让他去参加一个什么训练班。所以他就去请教公司里的美籍华人Mary 。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Excuse me, Mary, 请问通知上这个词是什么意思呀?E-t-i-q-u-e-t-t-e。
  
  M:Oh, etiquette, 原来是法文,意思是礼节。
  
  C: 噢,原来是要我去参加礼节训练班。 Mary,这词是怎么发音的?
  
  M:E-ti-ket。Q-u是发k的音,而不是发q的音,e-ti-ket。
  
  C:我们来公司工作,又不是来社交,为什么要讲礼节呀?
  
  M:Etiquette is very important to business。一个公司的雇员对客户是不是很客气,有礼貌,这对经营有很大关系。
  
  C:具体地说,这儿说的etiquette指些什么呢?
  
  M:Etiquette is a set of rules that allow us to interact with others in a civilized manner。
  
  C:以文明的方式对待别人的一些原则。
  
  M:具体地说就是treating other people with courtesy and respect and making them feel comfortable with you.
  
  C:嗯,(若有所思地) 对人要有礼貌,要尊敬别人,还要让人觉得和你在一起很自如。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1361
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这没问题,I'm always polite and courteous to others。
  
  M:但是,训练班讲的是西方礼节 - western etiquette,和中国的礼节还不完全一样,因为两国有文化差异。
  
  C:这礼节还有文化差异?我得去训练班听听再说。
  
  ******
  
  C:嗨, Mary,我的训练班结束了,你那天说的文化差异一点也没错。
  
  M:听起来训练班好像让你开窍啦?
  
  C是啊。我那天跟会计室的那金发女郎聊天,聊得很愉快。 结果我问她多大年纪了,她一下子就变得很不高兴,支支吾吾没有回答就走了。
  
  M:Asking someone's age is offensive to an American.
  
  C:参加了训练班才知道不能问美国人年龄的。
  
  M:你办公室里的小王今天早上突然问年薪有多少。美国人认为打听这种私人的事是不礼貌的。我想对有些中国人来说也是不礼貌的。
  
  C:没错。
  
  M:既然你训练班已经结束,我来考考你: Tell me what is etiquette?
  
  C:我来试试。 Etiquette is a set of rules that allow us to interact with others in a civilized manner。
  
  M:And treating other people with courtesy and respect and making them feel comfortable with you.
  
  C: Mary,以后我有问题还会来请教你哟!
  
  M:No problem。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1362
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都有rope这个词。你可能知道rope是又粗又结实的绳索。我们要讲两个习惯用语。它们是: learn the ropes。一般人认为learn the ropes和know the ropes这两个习惯用语都出自水手,因为他们成天得和桅绳打交道。以前航船上的新手要成为合格的水手首先得学会怎样摆弄好几十根桅绳,把船帆升上桅杆,并固定在一定的位置上。在新手终于学会操作那一大堆桅绳后,也就是说,after he learns the ropes, 那么他就是熟知桅绳操纵的老手了。换句话说就是,he knows the ropes. Learn the ropes和know the ropes这两个习惯用语随着时日的推移,也扩展了它们的意义。
  
  让我们来听个带有learn the ropes这个习惯用语的例子。这是个老于世故的政界前辈在指点急于打入政界毛头小伙子。
  
  例句-1:The best way to learn the ropes about politics is to do volunteer work for a candidate for city office. You'll do everything from passing out campaign leaflets to arranging political rallies.
  
  他说:摸熟政界门路的最佳途径是给市政府办公室的一名候选人当义工,从发竞选传单到安排群众政治大会这一切工作你都得做。
  
  其实这位政界前辈的忠告包含着民主政治进程的关键步骤,也就是如何联系选民。这是初出茅庐的小伙子取得从政经验的钥匙,所以这儿的习惯用语learn the ropes意思是摸熟门路、找到窍门。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1363
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

让我们再听个例子。它不再有关政界仕途而是商界的发展。某人在联锁企业内的一家小店工作,相当勤奋而得到赏识并即将被提升到经理的职位。我们来听听他的上司跟他怎么说。
  
  例句-2:You've worked here ten years now and you've certainly learned the ropes of running a chain store. You're ready now to be trained as manager for all our stores in the state.
  
  他说:你在这儿工作十年了,也确实掌握了管理联锁店的诀窍,现在你已经够格学当经理,来管理我们在这个州的所有分店。
  
  这段话里的learned the ropes意思也是掌握窍门。
  
  ******
  
  我们接着要听两个例子里面用了know the ropes。第一段话是一名政府雇员对他精明却不厚道的上司大为不满。我们要听听他在发什么牢骚。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1364
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接着要听两个例子里面用了know the ropes。第一段话是一名政府雇员对他精明却不厚道的上司大为不满。我们要听听他在发什么牢骚。
  
  例句-3:The guy knows all the ropes of bureaucracy. He usually writes better performance reports about his favorites than they really deserve just to keep them loyal to him personally.
  
  他说:这人熟稔官场手腕,长袖善舞。他为自己的亲信写的工作表现报告通常是言过其实的,目的正是让他们效忠于他。
  
  从这儿可见knows the ropes含义是熟悉内幕。我们再来听个例子,说话的人在谈论他的叔叔Joe。
  
  例句-4:Nobody knows the ropes about the auto business better than my Uncle Joe. He's been selling cars for thirty years and he's become an expert at closing deals with customers.
  
  他说:做汽车生意没人能比Joe叔叔更在行。他销售汽车有三十年了,已经成了和顾客讲价成交的专家。
  
  这里know the ropes意思还是熟知内情、掌握秘诀。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1365
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语002讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的一家美国公司工作了一个月。今天下午他有机会见到公司总裁。第一次见面怎么才能给美国老板留下一个好印象呢?他决定去和Mary谈谈。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  陈:Mary,我下午会见到总裁,这是第一次见面,你说我要注意些什么事呀?
  
  M: 第一次的印象,first impression,是很重要。美国人说,You never get a second chance to make a first impression。 最初的印象只有一次,决没有第二次机会。
  
  陈:第一次印象的重要性我知道,问题是怎么才能给人留下好印象。
  
  M:根据一项研究,人们在初次见面时对一个人的评价有55% 是根据他所看到的。
  
  陈:这不是只看表面嘛?打扮漂亮就行了吗?
  
  M:不是打扮漂亮,而是打扮得体。你今天不是会见到总裁吗?我们就来看看你有什么地方需要改进的吧
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1366
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: 首先,hair should be well maintained。嗯,你的头发梳得很整齐美观。 有的人既不洗头,也不梳头,那是非常不礼貌的。
  
  陈:对了,我注意到我们办公室里的美国男同事好像天天剃胡子。我不是天天剃胡子的。我年纪轻,没多少胡子,人家看不出来。
  
  M:我就看出来你今天没有剃胡子。 Unshaved look does not work for others。对了,我早上看你带着领带,怎么没有啦?你要去见总裁,领带一定要带。
  
  陈:噢,我到了办公室,我把它取下来了。
  
  M:在办公室里放松一会儿是可以的,但是要去见某人或出去办事,ties should be correctly tied。你一会儿千万别忘了把领带带上。
  
  陈:行,行,我一会儿剃一下胡子,带上领带就齐了。
  
  M:等等,一般人还会看你的腿和鞋子。哎,你的裤子太长,裤腿都拖在地上了。Pants should not drag on the floor。
  
  陈:啊呀,我知道,可我妈没时间给我改短嘛。
  
  M:你这双鞋是新的吧,很干净,擦得很亮。Shoes should be polished and in good condition。
  
  陈:哟,那我裤子太长,怎么办哪?
  
  M:别着急,你不是下午才见总裁吗?赶快回家去换条裤子。还有,千万把白袜子给换了。Never wear white sox。
  
  陈:啊呀,还不让穿白袜子,规矩还真多。你看,我一紧张把你刚才说的都忘了。快,再说一遍。
  
  M:Hair should be well maintained; face well shaved; ties properly tied; pants should not drag the floor; shoes should be polished. And no white sox, please.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1367
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了两个由rope这个词组成的习惯用语:learn the rope和know the rope。我们今天还要讲两个以rope为关键词的习惯用语。你已经知道rope作名词意思是“绳索”,但你知不知道rope也可以当动词,解释“用绳子捆绑束缚”呢? 例如在下面这个习惯用语里rope就是个动词: rope someone in。
  
  你也许看到过这样的镜头:骑手看准一匹奔驰的烈马趁其不备飞投绳索把它套住,令其就范。这个习惯用语也许就出在这儿。那么这个习惯用语的象征意义是什么呢? 让我们通过例子来揣摩。有一则新闻报导说,一家健康俱乐部的老板被警方逮捕后招认,他花言巧语拐骗越南少女来美国当应召女郎。
  
  例句-1:The health club roped in young girls with ads in Asian papers saying they could earn $1000 a week here with free airline tickets! But it was all a trap to turn them into call girls.
  
  他说:这个健康俱乐部在亚洲的一些报刊上登广告说那些少女在美国每星期可以赚一千美元,还给她们免费机票,实际上这是骗少女当应召女郎的陷井。
  
  这个健康俱乐部花言巧语骗少女上当,跳进卖淫的火坑。这是给无知少女设下的圈套,所以rope someone in意思就是设圈套诱骗某人上当。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1368
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来听一个例子。这是一个爸爸在对老朋友倾吐他一肚子的苦恼。他实在不中意女儿看上的未来女婿。我们来听听他的牢骚吧。
  
  例句-2: I'm afraid she's been completely roped in by that young man! He's got no job no family background! How can I accept such a marriage! I always believed she was smart. I'm so disappointed in her!
  
  他说:我担心她完全是中了那年轻人的圈套。那人一没工作、二没家庭背景。我怎么能同意攀这样一门亲呢? 我一直以为女儿很聪明。 她实在让我太失望了。
  
  这儿she's been roped in,意思是她上当受骗了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1369
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: at the end of one's rope。你一定看过人们把狗或者别的牲口系在绳子的一端,另一头系在柱子上,这条狗就束手无策,没法东游西逛了。At the end of one's rope常用来说处于某种境地的人。我们要听个例子,说的是Tom的奇妙经历。
  
  例句-3:With his savings gone, and bills piling up, Tom was at the end of his rope. Then the good news arrived! A lawyer told him he was heir to one million dollars belonging to his late uncle.
  
  他说:Tom原来已经化完了所有的积蓄,积欠的帐单也越来越多;他到山穷水尽的地步了。这时侯福从天降,一个律师说他继承了已故叔叔留下的一百万美元。
  
  所以at the end of his rope意思是他处在山穷水尽、才智枯竭的地步。Tom原本一文莫名、债台高筑,摇身一变成了百万富翁,真是福从天降。然而下一个例子里的Mary不但没那份福气,还祸不单行。我们来听听Mary的不幸遭遇。
  
  例句-4:Mary is at the end of her rope. After her husband lost his job last year she's been the only breadwinner for her family. And now the doctor says she has cancer. What in the world can she do?
  
  他说:Mary可真是束手无策了,自从她丈夫去年失业以来,就她一人在养家糊口,但是现在医生又说她得了癌症;她简直是走投无路了。
  
  Mary的丈夫失业已经够呛,而她自己又得了癌症,简直是雪上加霜,今后的日子怎么过呢?所以at the end of her rope意思还是山穷水尽,束手无策。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1370
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语003讲
  
  Ann: 陈豪在美国公司已经工作了一段时间。今天老板要找他谈话。老板找谈话会有什么事呢? 陈豪心里有点不安,所以急着去请教美籍华人Mary。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  陈:(很着急地)Hey, Mary,快,我有事问你。
  
  M:What's the matter?
  
  陈: 老板的秘书通知我老板过一会要找我谈话,可说的话我没听懂,说是为了什么punc...punc... 那个词我不知道...
  
  M: Punctual?
  
  陈:对,有点像,不过那个词最后的音好像是什么ty 来了。
  
  M:Punctuality?
  
  陈:Yes, yes. Punctuality. Punctuality是什么意思呀?哟,不好了,时间到了,我得去了。
  
  (Sound of knocking on the door; opening the door)
  
  Mr. Jones: Mr. Chen, it has been brought to my attention that you are frequently late for meetings. I want you to know that punctuality is important in American business and in our company too.
  
  C: Sorry, Mr. Jones, I am not sure I understand. What exactly do you mean by punc... punctuality?
  
  Mr. Jones: Punctuality simply means being on time. If a meeting is scheduled for one o'clock, everyone is expected to be in the meeting room and ready to start.
  
  C: (自语:噢,开会要准时!) Mr. Jones, now I understand. I'll be on time for meetings from now on.
  
  Ms. Jones: Good.
  
  (Sound of pushing chairs and walking)

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1371
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M: 嗨,陈豪,刚才我要告诉你 punctuality就是准时,你匆忙走了,大概没有听见。哎,老板找你干什么呀?
  
  C:他批评我开会不准时。他不懂,可我又没法和老板争。你知道有的时候我专心工作忘了时间!
  
  M. 那不行,上星期开会讨论财务,可数据全在你手上。你不到,会没法开。There's no way to have the meeting without you,所以你浪费了大家的时间。Being late is a sign of disrespect。
  
  C: 我不是有意没礼貌,有的时候是没法控制的。那天我刚要去开会,电话铃响了。
  
  M:That's simple. Don't answer it。 打电话的人要是有重要事情他会留言。你开完会可以打回电。
  
  陈:还有一次,开会的时间到了,可是一个客户来看我。我总不能不见吧?
  
  M:实在没有办法的时候,inform others that you are delayed。这样别人就会觉得你是尊重他们的。
  
  陈:行,知道了。哎,Mary,你再给我总结一下吧,免得我忘了。
  
  M:Punctuality simply means being on time; punctuality is important in American business; Being late is a sign of disrespect。
  
  C:谢谢,Mary! 今天又学会一个词 -- punc-punctua-punctuality! punctuality!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1372
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

由rope这个词发展而来的习惯用语还真不少。前两次已经学了好几个。今天让我们再来讲两个用法。第一个是: on the ropes。这个习惯用语可能来自拳击赛。频频挨打的拳击手在对方的步步相逼下,退到赛台边缘,只能靠在赛台四周的绳索上;也就是on the ropes, 尽量避免被击倒甚至被击败。要是一名选手on the ropes,那他就是被逼到十分窘迫的地位、濒临失败了。
  
  大约从六十年代起人们开始把on the ropes应用到生活中的其它场合。我们马上要听个例子。它说的是某地区新开一家大超级市场,附近小杂货铺的生意因而大受影响。好,我们来听这段话吧。注意里面用的 on the ropes 是什么意思。
  
  例句-1:When this big market opened, it cut prices and offered more variety of foods. Most of the small shops were on the ropes in a short time and some have already closed.
  
  大家都听清楚了吗?这家超级市场开门后就降低价格并增加食品品种,可想而知这必然吸引顾客。这一来附近小店的生意一定都被抢走,他们的处境岌岌可危,有些店甚至已经被彻底打垮而倒闭了。
  
  所以on the ropes意思是处境岌岌可危。我们再来听个例子。这是个好心人想对处境不佳的Bob伸出友谊之手。
  
  例句-2:We ought to do something to cheer Bob up. He's really on the ropes these days. He didn't get a promotion, and a few days later his wife fell ill and is still in the hospital.
  
  他说: 我们该去给Bob打打气。他最近可真不顺利,先是没得到提升,过几天他太太又病倒了。
  
  这儿on the ropes意思还是处于极不顺利的境地。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1373
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: Give one enough rope to hang oneself。 Hang在这儿的意思是上吊,give one enough rope to hang oneself 照字面意思来说是给某人够长的绳子让他去上吊,也就是促使某人自取灭亡。当然在现实生活中应用这个习惯用语是取它的象征意义。
  
  让我们来听个例子,这段话说到的Sally在办公室相当不得人心;同事们都不愿意和她合作搞一个新项目。我们来听听他们是如何处置Sally的。
  
  例句-3:We all agree we don't want Sally on this new project. But instead of firing her directly, let's let her struggle with all the problems. Maybe we'll give her enough rope to hang herself.
  
  你们都听明白了吗?原来这些同事虽然谁也不要Sally参与这个新课题,但是他们并不直截了当地排斥Sally,而是让她陷于那一大堆问题之中穷于应付,等待Sally自己最后不得不知难而退。
  
  所以give one enough rope to hang oneself意思就是促使某人自己败下阵去。这种以逸待劳,令对方充分暴露缺点以至不战自败的策略也是政界人物的惯用技俩。例如有一种手法是让政敌在会上大谈特谈,使其漏洞百出、不击自破。
  
  接下来我们就要听这样一个例子。这是一个议员在州议院会议前和他的夥伴商讨如何击败对方。
  
  例句-4:We could ask the chairman to limit debate. But let's give this guy enough rope to hang himself. Let him talk as long as he wants - the longer he talks the more votes he'll lose.
  
  他说:我们可以要求主席限制辩论时间,但是我们还是让那家伙自取灭亡吧。随他去大放厥词。他言多必失,话越长,失去的支持票数就越多。
  
  所以这儿give this guy enough rope to hang himself意思是让那家伙自我暴露弱点、不击自破。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1374
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我想大家都熟悉fight个词。它的意思是斗争、搏斗或者奋斗。你也许还听过这样一个谚语: he who fights and runs away will live to fight another day。这个谚语显然是说:生活中斗争是无可避免的。既然人生本是一场搏斗,fight这个词组成的习惯用语当然就特别多。我们从今天开始要选几个常用的一一介绍。第一个是:fight tooth and nail。Fight tooth and nail其实是fight with teeth and nails这个习惯用语的简略形式。大家可能已经知道tooth是牙齿,nail是指甲。 要是打架的时候又咬又抓的,那可真是使尽浑身解数的一场恶斗。
  
  下面有个例子是说明fight tooth and nail怎样应用在实际生活中的。这段话说Susan由于是女性而在公司里不得重用,她据理力争,控告这家公司性别歧视。
  
  例句-1:When Susan took her case against the company to court, people in the office were afraid to testify on her behalf. But she went ahead anyhow, fought tooth and nail, and she won.
  
  他说:当Susan上法庭控告这家公司的时候,办公室的人都不敢为她作证,然而她仍然挺身而出,全力拼搏,并取得了胜利。
  
  所以fight tooth and nail是全力拼搏的意思。我们再来听个例子,这段话说的是一个小城镇对抗强大的中央政府旨意,反对在他们附近建造核能发电厂的规划。
  
  例句-2:The townspeople fought tooth and nail against the government's plan to build the plant. They won the fight. The government had to give up the plan.
  
  他说:镇上的人奋力抵制政府造发电厂的规划。他们赢得了这场斗争,中央政府不得不放弃了这项规划。
  
  这儿fight tooth and nail是拼命抵制的意思。这个习惯用语往往用来说在势单力薄的情况下竭尽全力拼命奋战。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1375
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: fight to the bitter end。Bitter end有一种特殊的意义。船员把船尾系锚绳的柱子叫bitt。系在这柱子上的锚绳的尽头称为bitter end。所以to the bitter end就是到了尽头,再没有多余的绳索了。我们来听个例子,说的是一位老太太和开发商苦苦纠缠好几年,坚持要保住自己的房子,不肯拆迁。
  
  例句-3:Mrs. Brown fought to the bitter end to keep her house, the only one left after the developers tore down all the others. But after five years she gave up and took the money.
  
  大家都听清楚了吧?那位布朗太太为了自己的房子可真有斗争到底的精神,开发商把周围所有的房子都拆光了,她还不动摇。但是她苦熬了五年之后,不得不改变初衷,接受拆迁费,搬家了。
  
  从这个例子看来fight to the bitter end意思是历尽艰辛、苦斗到最后关头。
  
  其实这个习惯用语正恰如其份地描绘出二次大战期间许多美国人为阻止美国参战而作的那种努力。这就是我们接下来要听的例子。
  
  例句-4:A lot of Americans fought to the bitter end to keep the country from getting into World War Two. But after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, America had no choice but to go to war.
  
  他说:许多美国人为了阻止本国卷入二次大战坚持不懈地斗争到最后关头。但是在日本袭击珍珠港之后,美国就再也没有选择余地,而只能走上战场。
  
  这儿fought to the bitter end还是解释坚持不懈、斗争到最后关头。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1376
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  我们上次讲了两个以fight为关键词的习惯用语:fight tooth and nail意思是全力拼搏;fight to the bitter end,解释坚持斗争到底。我们今天再讲两个。第一个是: you can't fight city hall。City hall意思是市政府。在这个习惯用语里city hall就代表地方官僚机构,或者泛指层次较低的行政机构。
  
  这个习惯用语的发源地显然是美国,因为在美国市政府办公的地方称为city hall。接下来我们要听个例子。它说的是Mark注意到他上个月电费比通常高了很多。他发现帐单有错,于是到有关机构去更正。我们一起来听听有什么结果。
  
  例句-1:Mark spent a whole morning trying to straighten out the fifty dollar mistake. But after four hours he finally got fed up and simply paid it. I guess you can't fight city hall.
  
  这段话说:Mark 化了整个上午试图更正五十美元的电费帐目错误,但是经过整整四小时的努力还没有眉目。他实在不耐烦了,最后决定不如干脆付款算了。这大概说明老百姓是斗不过官府的。
  
  You can't fight city hall这个习惯用语的含意是老百姓斗不过官老爷,就象胳膊扭不过大腿一样。Mark的亲身经历就是个好例子。
  
  然而也并不尽然,比方说Lucy向市政府争取在她居住的街区增设指挥交通的红绿灯。她的斗争却取得了成功。我们来听听是怎么回事。
  
  例句-2:Lucy tried to get a traffic light put in at this intersection after so many accidents. People laughed and said you can't fight city hall, but she kept asking the council to do it and finally got her light.
  
  他说:在这个十字路口发生多次事故之后,Lucy力争在这里安设交通红绿灯。别人都笑她说,老百姓和官老爷打交道是不会成功的。但是她却毫不气馁地不断要求有关部门,最后终于如愿以偿。
  
  这儿的you can't fight city hall意思仍然是平民百姓和官僚打交道似乎取胜无望。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1377
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: spoiling for a fight。Spoiling for通常的意思是急切盼望,所以spoiling for a fight必然是很想打架的意思。我们来听两个例子吧。第一个例子说的是一家公司的经理败在竞争对方的手下,没争取到一个大项目的合约。他怒气未消地回到办公室,于是他的副手在告戒同事们说话小心,因为老板的脾气正是一触即发。我们来听听他对部下的忠告:
  
  例句-3:Be careful! The boss is still mad about losing the contract. I can tell you he's spoiling for a fight, so don't say anything that will give him an excuse to start yelling at everybody in sight.
  
  他说:当心啊! 老板丢了合约怒气未消。告诉你们吧,他正一心想找人吵架呢! 你们千万别吭声;一说错话他可不就能借题发挥,对眼皮底下所有的人大吼大叫了吗?
  
  从这个例子可见spoiling for a fight是说怒气冲冲一心找碴吵架的样子。我们再听个例子。这次说的是参议员Blank在选举中仅以几票之差输给政敌,感到忿忿不平,于是千方百计搜罗对方在选举中的纰漏,准备大闹一场。
  
  例句-4:Senator Blank came back from the election spoiling for a fight. He thinks the other party used unfair tactics trying to beat him so he can't wait to make trouble for them.
  
  他说:Blank参议员参选回来就磨拳擦掌急于争斗一番。他认为对立党派企图以不公正的手段击败他,所以他一心想闹得他们鸡犬不宁。
  
  这里的spoiling for a fight意思当然也是一心斗一场。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1378
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们前两次已经讲了好几个以fight为关键词的习惯用语。我们今天还要再讲两个。第一个是: knock-down drag-out fight。Knock-down意思是击倒,而drag-out可以解释拖出来。听了这个习惯用语你很可能会联想到美国西部电影里大打出手的场面。在十九世纪二十年代的美国西部这种竖着进来、横着出去的殊死搏斗确实是常有的事儿。我们要听的第一个例子说的就是回顾当年西部牛仔生活的电影。
  
  例句-1:Every cowboy movie I've seen has had a knock-down drag-out fight. It's usually in a bar with everybody jumping in, knocking each other down and breaking up the furniture.
  
  他说:我看过的每一部牛仔片总有一场殊死搏斗。这通常发生在酒吧。一夥人冲进来挥拳斗殴、击倒对方,还把家俱砸个稀巴烂。
  
  Knock-down drag-out fight这个习惯用语在这段话里的含义是殊死搏斗,但是这个习惯用语并不只用在诉诸武力的格斗。它也可以用来指争辩激烈的舌战。例如在下面这段话里。它说的是总统的预算规划在国会引起的反应。
  
  例句-2:The battle to pass the President's budget plan through Congress turned out to be a real knock-down drag-out fight, with loud arguments, hot tempers and a very close final vote.
  
  原来总统的预算规划在国会通过的时候引起了激烈万分的论战。参与者情绪激愤地大声争辩,表决的票数也十分接近。
  
  在这段话里knock-down drag-out fight是指激烈的论战。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1379
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个由fight这个词组成的习惯用语: can't fight one's way out of a paper bag。 Paper bag是纸做的口袋;该是一撕就破的东西。如果谁连个纸袋也无法挣脱的话,那他简直就像小虫子一般软弱无力了。当然can't fight one's way out of a paper bag这个习惯用语是用作比喻的。
  
  我们来听个例子,说的是Larry聘用律师控告他的上司种族歧视。
  
  例句-3:Larry has almost no chance to win his case, I'm afraid. The company lawyer is shrewd and very tough. And the young lawyer Larry hired looks like he can't fight his way out of a paper bag.
  
  他说:恐怕Larry几乎没有机会打赢他的官司。公司的律师非常精明强干,而Larry聘用的年轻律师却显得如此软弱无力。
  
  从这个例子可见can't fight one's way out of a paper bag这个习惯用语是形容一个人的软弱无力。
  
  我们再来听个例子。它说的是一场拳击赛。一般人都认为这是一场令人永世难忘的比赛,但是说话的人却看法不同。我们来听听他的意见。
  
  例句-4:They said this match will be the fight to remember for a long time. I don't think so! Smith is quick on his feet but he can't punch hard. In fact I don't think he can fight his way out of a paper bag!
  
  他说:别人声称这是一场令人难忘的比赛,我却觉得没什么了不起。Smith固然腿脚灵活,但是他出拳不重。我觉得他简直是软弱无力。
  
  在这段话里can't fight one's way out of a paper bag意思还是软弱无力。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1380
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人好法律诉讼是举世闻名的。应运而生的是大批大批的律师,当然律师善恶优劣各不相同,由此也产生了代表律师的多种多样习惯用语。这就是我们今天要对各位讲的内容。先讲的两个习惯用语是说受人欢迎的律师的。第一个是:legal eagle。 Legal意思是“法律的”,而eagle是老鹰。鹰是勇猛有力、机智敏锐、高瞻远瞩的鸟儿。所以用鹰来比拟律师想必是对他赞誉有加。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-1:We never thought much of Bill in law school because he only got average grades. But he turned out to be a legal eagle. In fact he wins most of his cases.
  
  Bill在法学院成绩平平,在司法界却表现卓越。实际上他几乎无往不胜;他接手的案子差不多件件都赢。
  
  可见legal eagle是无往不胜的杰出律师。但也有人说legal eagle是两词押韵而组成习惯用语,带有幽默感,有时也含有挖苦的意味。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1381
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学一个能干律师的说法: rain maker。 Rain maker这说法原指古时候有神奇力量的巫师。他祝祷、吟唱并伴以灵舞,能召来及时雨。律师当然没呼风唤雨的法术。那么用rain maker比拟律师是什么意思呢?下面有个例子。一家律师事务所的雇员说他的新同事是rain maker。我们来听听这是怎样一位律师。
  
  例句-2:We needed more business so we got Mr. Lee as our rain-maker. He is a successful lawyer who has so much influence with powerful people. You know, he doubled our income and we have so much work now that we hired four more lawyers.
  
  他说,我们需要扩展业务,所以聘用了能通天的李先生。他是个成功的律师,在要人之间颇有影响力。可不是吗,他一来就把我们的收入增加了一倍,如今我们业务多得忙不 过来,只能增聘四名律师。
  
  Rain-maker显然指有通天本领的名律师;他为事务所带来的是如及时雨一般的大量收益。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1382
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才说了成功的律师,我们接着学两个指糟糕律师的习惯说法。第一个是: ambulance chaser。 Ambulance是救护车,chaser是追赶什么的人,所以ambulance chaser照字面意思说就是追赶救护车的人。救护车用来救死扶伤,出事故的时候第一赶到现场的该是救护车。换句话说哪儿有救护车哪儿必然有意外事故的受害人。
  
  有些律师急于劝说受害人诉讼索赔,就会追赶救护车以便抢先一步得到当事人的委托,一旦打赢官司,律师就能得到赔款的三分之一。所以追赶救护车的律师追求的是金钱。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3:Since Sally got hurt in the accident, she's had so many calls from ambulance-chasers wanting to help her sue the company that she had to change her phone number.
  
  他说:自从Sally在事故中受伤后,好多事故律师都打来电话想帮她告那家公司。她实在不胜其烦只得换了电话号码。
  
  所以ambulance-chaser就是那种想帮事故受害者打官司索赔以便从中渔利的律师。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1383
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后要学一个词表示“讼棍”或者手段卑劣的律师: shyster。 我们听个例子。这是一个倒霉蛋发现他聘用的律师原来只是个讼棍。
  
  例句-4:This lawyer I hired to sue my partner for stealing my share of our profits turned out to be a shyster. Not only did I lose the case but he overcharged me.
  
  他说:我为了告我的合伙人侵吞我应得的利润而雇用的这个律师结果是个讼棍;他不仅使我输了官司,还敲了我的竹杠。
  
  所以shyster就是卑劣的讼棍。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1384
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

对多数人来说舌头是身体最忙碌的部分之一。我们既用舌头来品味也用它来说话。难怪舌头,也就是tongue会组成许多习惯用语。这就是我们今天要谈的内容。我们首先要讲的是: tongue-lashing。 Lashing原意是鞭打,但是在这儿当然不是这个意思。让我们从例子中来体会tongue-lashing是什么意思。这个人在说他小时候一段不愉快的回忆。
  
  例句-1:When I was ten years old, mother caught me smoking a cigarette in the backyard. She gave me such a tongue-lashing that I've never touched another cigarette all my life.
  
  他说:在我十岁的时候,我躲在后院抽香烟给妈妈抓到了。她狠狠地训了我一顿,使我一生一世都再也没碰过另一根香烟。
  
  他说妈妈给了他a tongue-lashing,使他终生不忘,可见当时妈妈是如何严厉地训斥了他,所以tongue-lashing意思就是狠狠训斥。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1385
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

你的唇枪舌剑可以用来痛斥他人,但是有时也会给自己带来麻烦。例如在下面这种情况: a slip of the tongue。 Slip可以解释“溜”或者“失误”,所以a slip of the tongue意思显然是“说溜嘴”或者“失言”。有时候你想说的是一回事,但是嘴上说出来的却是另一回事,在你不经意的情况下错误就溜出口来了。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-2: I'm in trouble at home. I called my wife "Susan" last night instead of "Betty." Susan is my old girl friend. Just a slip of the tongue, but Betty is so mad she won't speak to me.
  
  他说:我在家里碰上麻烦了。我昨晚叫错了太太的名字,我叫她 “Susan”,而她的名字是 “Betty”。 Susan是我以前的女朋友。这实在只是个口误,但是Betty却光火得再也不理我了。
  
  把太太叫成女朋友的名字当然是大错特错,然而他是在无意中犯这样的错误的。所以a slip of the tongue含义是口误,或者说溜了嘴。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1386
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 我们再来学个以tongue这个词为主的习惯用语: forked tongue。 Forked意思是分叉的。想一想谁的舌头是分叉的呢? 当然是蛇,蛇在人们的脑子里总是阴险恶毒的象征,而它的舌头常用来咬人,甚至置人于死地。要是说某人的舌头是forked tongue,可想而知,这人说话有多阴险了。好,我们来听个例子,说话的人在提醒他的朋友跟某人打交道可得小心防备,因为这人有forked tongue。我们来听听这人是怎么说话的。
  
  例句-3: Don't trust the guy. He usually speaks with a forked tongue. He'll promise you to do one thing but more often than not he'll turn around and do exactly the opposite.
  
  他说:可别信任那家伙,他老是说假话。他会答应你去做一件事情,但是通常却阳奉阴违干出适得其反的事儿来。
  
  这个例子里那个用forked tongue说话的人不仅言而无信,而且出尔反尔,老是骗人,可见forked tongue意思就是欺骗人的假话。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1387
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实际上我们日常说到的各种各样不同的tongue还真不少,除了刚才提到的forked tongue之外,我们说雄辩的政治家有三寸不烂之舌。这用英文来表达就是: silver tongue。有些能干的推销员能说动人们买下他们并不需要的东西。他们具有说花言巧语的油嘴滑舌,油嘴滑舌的英文是: smooth tongue。有的人说话尖酸刻薄、出口伤人,我们就说这人说话用的是: acid tongue。 Tongue这个词组成的习惯用语还有不少,但是今天已经来不及一一列举了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1388
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

很多学英语的人都常抱怨说,最令人困惑的问题是一个看来眼熟的英语单词,用在不同的地方会产生许许多多不同的含义。比方说我们今天要讲的shake就是这样一个词。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: shake-up。Shake-up这个短语有几种不同的意思,而且它既可以当名词也可以当动词。Shake-up作名词的时候,它的意思可能来自乡村的扬场。人们在那儿用机器或者木掀把打下来来的谷物或者豆类扬起来,借助风力吹去壳儿和尘土,留下干净的子粒。
  
  这个去粗存精的过程很形像地表现了组织机构内吐故纳新的人员变动。这就是如今名词shake-up的意义。让我们来听个例子。这是在说美国政界上层的人事变动。
  
  例句-1:When the President appointed a new White House Chief of Staff, everybody expected a big shake-up and that a lot of heads would roll. But so far nobody important has been fired.
  
  他说:当总统任命新的白宫办公厅主任的时候,大家都猜测将有人事大改组;好多人会丢饭碗,然而到现在为止还没有要人被革职。
  
  所以这儿的shake-up意思就是人事改组。这种人员调动往往还牵涉到吐故纳新,辞退某些人员,以便吸收新人员。Shake up还可以用作为动词,意思是震撼,或者震惊。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1389
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来听个例子。
  
  例句-2:The part of town where I live has always been safe and quiet. But last week's murder of a man out walking his dog at night has shaken up everybody in the whole neighborhood.
  
  他说:我住的地段向来既安全又安静,但是上星期有人晚上出外遛狗的时候被谋杀了。这件事情使得本地所有的居民都大为震惊。
  
  动词shake up意思是“震撼”或者“震惊”,总之是令人担惊受怕、情绪波动。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1390
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上面我们学了习惯用语shake up,下面我们再学一个由shake组成的习惯用语: shake down。Shake down和shake up一样也有几种不同的意思。首先shake down作动词的时候可以表示的是某种令人讨厌的行为,就是敲诈勒索。我们要听个典型例子。
  
  例句-3:This gang tried to shake down the shopkeeper for $ 500 a month with a threat to set fire to his shop. But two cops hiding in the back came out with guns and caught them all.
  
  他说:这伙歹徒试图敲诈老板每月五百美元:他们威胁说否则就烧毁他的店铺。但是两名埋伏在后面的警察持枪出来把他们一网打尽。
  
  Shake-down另外还有一种意思,是某种新设备器材的试用以及操作人员的培训。这个说法起源于海军。一艘新船在投付日常使用前,先得经过试航,叫做shake-down cruise。这是因为新船在海洋上乘风破浪的时候,海员首先必须把船上所有的设备装置都牢牢地固定,也就是fasten down, 以免在风浪颠簸中松动,就是shake loose, 以至损坏,由此产生了shake-down cruise这说法。而shake-down已经逐渐被广泛用来表示一切器械的试用了。例如在下面的例子里shake-down表示一架喷气式客机的试飞。
  
  例句-4:Two test pilots and some aircraft engineers are flying that new plane on a shake-down flight. If everything is OK, it'll be put into regular passenger service.
  
  他说:两名试飞员和几位飞机制造工程师在为那架新飞机作试飞,如果飞机运作一切正常,它将被投入日常航运。
  
  这里shake-down意思是试飞。实际上,shake-down可以泛指电脑、汽车、机器等一切新产品的试用。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1391
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在生活中我们常会在等待盼望一些事情的结果。无论是一场精彩的足球赛,还是一次重要的考试,或者是正在谈判中的一笔大生意,你都会提心吊胆地等待它们的结果。我想这种悬念心理大家都有亲身体验。所以描绘等待企盼心理状态的习惯用语也不少。我们今天专门介绍这些习惯用语。第一个是: wait for the other shoe to drop。 Wait for the other shoe to drop,这个短语按照字面意思来解释是: 等另一只鞋子掉下来。
  
  这个习惯用语可能来自这样的情景: 一位旅馆客人正在迷迷糊糊进入梦乡时,被头顶上沉闷的一声响惊醒了。他回过神来一想,哦,一定是楼上的旅客上床脱鞋一只皮鞋掉地板上的声音,于是他再也合不上眼了,屏息静气地等待另一只鞋再掉下来,才能安心入睡。让我们来听听wait for the other shoe to drop可以用在什么场合。
  
  例句-1:Business is bad so the firm has to fire 100 employees. They've already announced the first 50, and now the rest of us are waiting for the other shoe to drop.
  
  他说:业务不景气,所以公司不得不辞退100名雇员。他们已经宣布了首批五十名解雇人员的名单,目前我们留下来的这些人都在提心吊胆地等待最后结果。
  
  Wait for the other shoe to drop这个习惯用语的意思就是提心吊胆地等待最后结果。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1392
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语是: the jury is still out。 Jury是陪审团。美国的司法程序是陪审人员组成的陪审团须列席法庭。在听完原告和被告的证词之后退出法庭商议,被告是否有罪。作出裁决后,陪审团回法庭由法官宣读他们的裁决。所以the jury is still out,就是陪审团还在庭外商议,尚未作出谁是谁非的决断。
  
  在审理案情复杂的大案时常有这样的情形:大家都焦急地等待陪审团的裁决。陪审团的商议时间却久得异乎寻常,于是法官差遣一名信使去陪审团议事的房间观察动静。这个信使的回话是:The jury is still out。也就是说他们还没商量出结果来。这句话逐渐被广泛应用。我们接下来要听的例子就把这个习惯用语用在商界。企业主管在询问下属: 一种新产品是否已经试销成功。
  
  例句-2:Well, the first sales figures from New York look good. But we're waiting to hear the figures from Chicago and Los Angeles so I have to tell you the jury is still out.
  
  他说:根据第一批来自纽约的销售数据来看情况很好,但是他们还在等待芝加哥和洛杉矶两地的数据,所以目前还不能得出结论来。
  
  这儿习惯用语the jury is still out意思就是最后结论还有待分晓。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1393
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们还要学一个表示结局未明的习惯用语: not over till the fat lady sings。 Not over till the fat lady sings,这话按照字面意思来说就是:不到那位胖女士唱的时候就还没完。
  
  古典大歌剧的格局比较严谨,往往以女主角的唱段来结束全剧。唱主角的歌剧演员虽然并非都是大胖子,但是一出歌剧长达几小时,当主角的得从头到尾一连几小时地唱,要是没有健壮的体格是难以胜任的。他们多半得比一般人吃得多,体力才支撑得住。所以挑大梁的歌剧演员常会发福。这样一来歌剧就往往是一位胖女士在最后压台了。
  
  第一个使用not over till the fat lady sings这句话的是华盛顿职业篮球队的一位教练。十多年前这个球队在参加锦标赛中一度处于劣势。按照规定在那一系列比赛中第一个打赢四场比赛的球队可以得到冠军,但是华盛顿队却输了两场,一场也没赢。然而华盛顿篮球队的教练并没因此而打退堂鼓。他接受记者采访的时候表示,他的球队还是大有希望。他说: "It's not over until the fat lady sings." 这个习惯用语从此广为流传,如今不但应用在体育界,也用在争名逐利的商界。但是我们听的例子还是有关运动的。这是一位足球教练在谈本球队赢得联赛冠军的可能性。
  
  例句-3:You guys know we're only two games behind the leader with eight games left to play. We still have a chance to catch up: remember it's not over till the fat lady sings.
  
  他说:要知道我们比领先球队仅仅落后两场球,而且我们还有八场比赛要打。所以我们有希望后来居上。记住还没到定局的时候呢!
  
  可见not over till the fat lady sings含义是事情还没定局,仍然有得胜的转机。这话往往用在形势似乎不好的时候,表示对于成功仍抱着乐观的希望。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1394
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语其中的关键词都是kiss。 Kiss可以解释接吻。根据西方习俗,接吻可以表达亲密、喜爱的情感,也可能表示友好的致意。但是当kiss这个词和其它词汇组成短语的时候,它的意思就起了变化。例如,我们要学的第一个习惯用语: kiss something goodbye。Kiss something goodbye从字面来理解就是“吻别某事”。我们知道吻别某人是通常的礼节,尤其是在即将久别的时刻,那么“吻别某事”表示什么呢? 让我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义。
  
  例句-1:When Joe heard one night his best friend had died of lung cancer, he kissed his own cigarette habit goodbye the very next morning. And, you know, he's never smoked another cigarette since.
  
  他说:一天晚上Joe听说他最知心的朋友患肺癌去世了。他第二天一早就戒绝了抽烟的习惯,而且从此再也没碰过一枝香烟。
  
  抽烟的最大危害性是可能导致肺癌,知己好友的去世促使Joe下定决心戒烟,并且从此一枝也不抽。可见Joe是彻底弃绝烟瘾了。所以这儿kissed his own cigarette habit goodbye意思是“弃绝烟瘾”。Kiss something good bye往往带有永远放弃某事的意思。Joe做到了决不再碰香烟,但是我们接下来要说的谈先生就不如Joe那样坚定。我们来听听谈先生戒烟了吗:
  
  例句-2:Mr. Tan is a very organized, practical kind of guy -- except when it comes to taking care of his own health. Somehow he just can't manage to kiss cigarettes goodbye.
  
  他说:谭先生是个有条理、讲实际的人,只是在养身之道上却一反常态了。不知怎么的他总是无法彻底戒烟。
  
  这儿kiss cigarettes goodbye意思是戒绝香烟。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1395
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: kiss off。Kiss off可以当动词用也可以当名词。我们先要听个例子把它作名词用。这是一个老纽约在告戒初来乍到的客人,该怎么应付纽约街头成群的乞丐。我们来听听他是劝他有求必应呢,还是置之不理。
  
  例句-3:When they ask for money, better just give them the kiss-off. Otherwise you'll run out of money in a hurry. Most of these guys are professionals beggars -- too lazy to work.
  
  他的忠告是:乞丐问你要钱的时候,最好置之不理,否则你手头的钱很快就会花光。这批人多半是职业性乞丐;他们是懒得做工才乞讨为生的。
  
  不知你有没有注意到他这儿说的是: give them the kiss-off, 所以kiss-off是当名词用。这里在kiss和off之间用连词符号连接。名词kiss-off意思是拒绝或者不理会。刚才说过kiss off也可以当动词。比方说在下面的例子里。这段话说的是一位在海外执教的教授终于落叶归根,回本乡本土去了。
  
  让我们先来熟悉一个表达法。在美国大学制度中,教授可以获得终身执教的职位。这种职位叫作: tenured teaching position。要取得大学的tenured teaching position并非易事,往往得在与同行的激烈竞争中脱颖而出。 好,我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-4:Secretly Prof. Lee longed to kiss off the tenured teaching position he held. So he left in a hurry when he got an offer from the new university in his own native country.
  
  他说:李教授有大学教授的终身职位,但是一得到本国一所新大学提供的工作机会就赶紧离开原来的职位。
  
  他放弃难能可贵的终身教职也在所不惜,可见他去意已定。所以kiss off意思就是放弃、离开。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1396
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

从今天起我们要讲由shoot这个词发展而成习惯用语。大家知道shoot通常解释射击,但是它在习惯用语里表达的意思可不同。例如在我们要学的第一个习惯用语里: shoot down。Shoot down这个习惯用语来自七、八十年前第一次大战的年代。人们说shoot down意思是击落消灭敌机。但是人们日常把这个习惯用语应用在和飞机无关的地方。例如下面这段话说的是纽约一个企业界人士想要在香港开设办公室。我们来听听他的主意有什么下场,体会一下其中shooting down意思是什么。
  
  例句-1:At the meeting this morning they didn't waste time shooting down my idea. They decided the cost of opening the offices was too high and the chances of making a real profit too small.
  
  早上参加会议的人认为开设那个办事处的费用太高,而真正赢利的机会又太小。根据这样的判断,他们当然会毫不迟疑地否决开设那个办事处的主意。
  
  所以shoot down在这儿表示放弃或者否定某种想法或者方案。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1397
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语是: shoot for。Shoot for这个习惯用语可能来自游艺场上射击得奖品的游戏。你瞄准某一目标开枪,是为了得到特定的奖品。于是 shoot for 就被用来表示试图达到某一目的或者取得某种结果。我们来听个例子。这段话在说美国国会在定期休会前的情形。
  
  例句-2:Congress is rushing to finish work on new laws. They're shooting for adjournment in two weeks so all the members can hurry home and start campaigning for the election.
  
  他说:国会目前正赶着完成新立法的制定。他们的目标是在两星期后休会,以便所有的议员都能赶回家乡去开展竞选活动。
  
  这里的shoot for意思是试图达到某一目标或者取得某种结果。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1398
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们还要学一个习惯用语: Shoot one's wad。Wad在这儿的意思是下大赌注的人身边得带的厚厚的一叠钞票。Shoot one's wad就是把那一大叠钱通通押作一场赌局的赌注。现在人们把这个习惯用语广泛地应用在赌局以外的其它方面。我们来听个例子。它说的是Larry花钱的方式。
  
  例句-3:Larry shot his wad on his new car. He got the biggest model with all the extras he could think of, like leather seats and sun roof. Now he rarely has enough money to buy lunch.
  
  他说:Larry买了一辆最大型的新车,而且里面各种豪华设备应有尽有。例如皮座椅、天窗等。可想而知得化一大笔钱才能买下这样一辆豪华车。结果是Larry手头的钱常连买午饭也不够。
  
  可见Larry几乎把全部家底都花在这辆车上了。所以这儿shot his wad意思就是竭尽全部财力。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1399
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个意义相近的习惯用语: shoot the works。Shoot the works意思类似于shoot one's wad,也是竭尽全力。我们来听个例子。一名汽车制造商要介绍一项新产品。他对属下人员说要竭尽全力地为这种新型汽车作广告宣传。
  
  例句-4:This time we'll shoot the works. I want the best agency we can find no matter what they cost. And all the ad time on TV and radio they recommend: again, let's shoot the works!
  
  他说:这次我们可得不惜一切代价。不论费用多高我都要尽可能找最好的广告机构,也要买下他们推荐的所有的电视和广播时段。再说一遍,让我们竭尽全力。
  
  找最好的广告商,买下电视和广播黄金时段,不用说得花很多费用,所以shoot the works意思就是为了成功或者达到更高的目标而不惜代价、竭尽全力。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1400
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们还要讲几个由 shoot 这个词发展而成习惯用语。第一个是: shoot from the hip。Hip是臀部也是髋关节的部位。这个习惯用语让我们想起当年粗旷甚至野蛮的美国西部生活。
  
  当时人不离枪、枪不离人,多数人除了睡觉,腰带上都插着枪。而那些老练的枪手在急于射击时根本不把枪举到齐肩高来瞄准。他们拔出手枪在腰下髋关节的部位就发射了,就是shoot from the hip。只是这样射击准确度难免受影响,往往不能命中目标。这就让敌手足以能举枪瞄准狠狠还击了。
  
  当然这样的生活早已成为电影的镜头,所以shoot from the hip如今也不再指开枪射击。我们来听个例子。这是一名律师找不到一些文件而鲁莽地斥责秘书,之后发现是自己的错,于是他正在窘迫地向秘书道歉。
  
  例句-1:Miss Lee, I have to apologize for shooting from the hip and yelling at you for losing the papers. I was in a big hurry and forgot I left them right here in my drawer.
  
  他说:李小姐,我必须向你道歉。我由于找不到文件而对你发火太鲁莽了。当时我实在着急,没想起是我自己把文件放在这儿抽屉里的。
  
  可见shoot from the hip这里是指鲁莽仓卒地说话行事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1401
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语是: shoot off one's mouth。 Shoot off原意是发射子弹、炮弹。所以shoot off one's mouth按字面意思就是从咀里里发射炮弹、子弹。那岂不相当于中文的说法: 连珠炮似地讲话。这个习惯用语也带有信口开河、夸夸其谈的意思,意思是那些哇啦哇啦像连珠炮似地发表意见的人似乎振振有词,实在是在放空炮,不懂装懂。让我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-2:The one guy I definitely won't invite to our big party is Harry. He's always shooting off his mouth about things he knows nothing about and I can't stand that loud voice.
  
  原来他唯一不想请来参加大型宴会的人是Harry,因为Harry老是对自己一无所知的事情高谈阔论,而且他也受不了Harry那大嗓门。
  
  可见shooting off his mouth意思是言无其实地高谈阔论,或者是大声地夸夸其谈。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1402
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们还要学一个习惯用语: shoot the breeze。Breeze是令人清新、合人心意的微风,几乎人人都时常会shoot the breeze,也就是和一两位知己清清静静地坐着闲聊,正好比享受微风吹拂一般地轻松如意。
  
  这里有个例子,说话的人是刚上完课的学生看看时间还早。我们来听听他对同学怎么说。
  
  例句-3:Tom, we don't have another class until 11:30. Let me buy you a cup of coffee and we'll sit down and shoot the breeze for a few minutes. What do you say?
  
  他说:Tom,下堂课要到十一点三十分才开始。我来请你喝杯咖啡,让我们坐下来聊一会儿。你觉得怎样?
  
  所以shoot the breeze意思就是清静地闲聊。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1403
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: shoot oneself in the foot。 Shoot oneself in the foot按照字面意思是开枪打中自己的脚。想象一下一个粗心大意、笨手笨脚的牛仔正从腰上拔出手枪,却不留神扳动了扳机。他什么也没射中,就是打中了自己的脚。这个习惯用语现在是用来比喻什么样的情况的呢? 让我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-4:Bob tried to hire two guys he met in a bar to beat up the man he hated. But he shot himself in the foot; one of the two was an undercover cop who sent him to jail.
  
  Bob雇用了在酒吧碰到的两人,要他们去把他的眼中钉揍一顿。但是没想到两人中的一个竟是便衣警察。这就惹上麻烦了,结果Bob想害人不成,自己反倒被这警察送进了监狱。
  
  这儿shot himself in the foot意义很像中国俗语“搬起石头砸自己的脚。”换句话说是,由于粗心笨拙而打击别人不成反给自己惹来麻烦。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1404
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天起我们要讲由knock这个词发展而成习惯用语。它原意是“敲打,” 但是knock用在习惯用语里却表达各种不同的意思。我们先谈这样一个习惯用语: knock around。Knock around有几种不同的意思。我们先听的例子是一个人在说他想去加州避寒。加州地方不小。我们来听听他有没有确定目的地。
  
  例句-1:I think I'll go and knock around in California. Hit the beach, maybe a little surfing, you know. Just take it easy, maybe spend some time at Disneyland.
  
  原来他去加州没有明确的目的。他可能会去海滨、可能会去作冲浪运动、也可能去迪斯尼乐园玩儿。总之他想轻松一下。
  
  可见这里knock around意思是漫游。Knock around有时意思会引伸到其它方面。我们再听个例子。这是纽约一家广告事务所的总经理在说话。他想让手下职员出出点子,怎样为一家大型肥皂公司的一项新产品打进市场作广告。我们来听这位总经理怎么说:
  
  例句-2:I'm ordering in lunch for our writers and artists so we can take some time to knock around some ideas for TV ads for this new soap they say is so good for a woman's skin.
  
  他给手下的写作班子和艺术设计人员叫午餐来办公室吃。这样他们能边吃边漫谈怎样为据说非常有益于女性皮肤的一种新型肥皂作电视广告。
  
  他们是利用午休时间边吃边谈,当然不是严肃的会议,只是非正式地围绕一个主题作一些探讨,所以knock around可以解释为作尝试性地探讨、漫谈。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1405
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语也有几种不同的意思。它是: knock off。 Knock off在口语中,有时可以解释收工下班。例如在下面的例子里。这是一个汽车机械师在跟他修车厂的同事说话。
  
  例句-3:Joe, I'm going to knock off work early this afternoon. Last night I worked overtime to put a new engine in that old white car and didn't knock off until nine o'clock.
  
  他说: Joe, 我今天下午要提前下班了。昨晚我为那辆旧白车安装新的引擎而加班干到九点才下班。
  
  这段话里的knock off是收工下班,但是它用在别的场合却会表示别的意思,可以表示不费力地迅速完成。例如下面的例子。这是一个出版商在谈和他有合约的专写谋杀案侦探小说的一位女作家。
  
  例句-4:The woman really has a talent. She can knock off a new book at least once a year and we can count on it to be a best-seller.
  
  他说:那位女士确实有才气。她一年至少能完成一部新书,而且还必然畅销。
  
  这里的knock off是轻而易举地完成。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1406
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: the school of hard knocks。这里的school可不是什么提供正规教育的学校,而是指从实践的磕磕碰碰中成长,从现实的锤炼中成功。例如下面说话的人很小双亲就去世了,没留下一分钱,但是他勤奋、勇往直前,终于升上一家大公司的领导职位。我们来听听是什么样的学校把他教育成才的:
  
  例句-5:I had to go to work when I was twelve, so the only school I graduated from was the school of hard knocks. But I worked my head off and learned from my mistakes and I did just fine.
  
  他说:我十二岁就得去工作了。我根本没从学校毕业。但是我拼命地干,而且从错误中吸取教训,就是这所现实生活学校 培养我成才的。
  
  所以the school of hard knocks意思是逆境把人锤炼成才

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1407
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要继续讲由knock这个词发展而成习惯用语。我们先要谈的习惯用法是: knockout。 Knockout最常用的意思是把一个人打倒在地、不省人事,但是knockout在俚语中却可以解释叫人心醉神迷的人或物,可能是一幅美不胜收的画,也可能是一部扣人心弦的电影,但更可能是俊男美女。比方说,在下面的例子里。这是在大学毕业十年后举行的同学会上一个人在跟老同学聊天。我们来听听他说什么:
  
  例句-1:Do you remember how shy our classmate Mike was around girls back in school? Well, he just married a real knockout, one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen!
  
  他说:你记不记得我们的同学Mike从前在校时看到女孩有多怕羞吗? 可是他刚娶了个大美人。我还没见过有比她更漂亮的女人!
  
  这里的knockout是令人神魂巅倒的美女。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1408
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: knock your socks off。 Sock是袜子。这个习惯用语的出典可能是什么特别精彩的事情让你兴奋得上蹦下跳,以至脚上袜子也跳得掉了下来。我们来听个例子。这人在向朋友荐一部好电影。
  
  例句-2:I tell you that movie I saw last night is fantastic, the best I've seen in years. Go see it - I guarantee it'll knock your socks off!
  
  他说:告诉你我昨晚看的那电影棒极了。我有好几年没看过这样精彩的片子。你得去看,保证会让你激动万分。
  
  可见knock your socks off用来描述令人兴奋不已的好事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1409
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语。它和knock your socks off意义相似。Knock them in the aisles。Aisle这儿指剧场内座位之间的通道。这个习惯用语的用意可能是这样的:台上的表演如此精彩、如此令台下观众倾倒,以至他们都倒在座位旁的走道上了。当然这是夸张。总之Knock them in the aisles描述精彩绝伦、令人倾倒的事情。我们来听个例子。他说的是百老汇剧院演出莎士比亚名剧《李耳王》。
  
  例句-3:Shakespeare lived four hundred years ago but he was the best who ever lived. One of his greatest works, King Lear, is playing now and it still knocks them in the aisles!
  
  他说:莎士比亚生活在四百年前,但是他是有史以来最伟大的戏剧家。他的杰作之一《李耳王》目前正在上演,仍然令观众为之倾倒。
  
  这里的knock them in the aisles用来描述令人倾倒的精彩事物。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1410
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后要学的是: knock someone dead。Knock someone dead跟刚才学的两个习惯用语一样,都用来描述令人赞佩得五体投地的绝妙东西。我们来听个例子。这是一家电视广告制作人在对他的主顾,一家汽车制造公司的总裁,夸耀自己为促销新型豪华车所作的电视广告:
  
  例句-4:My people did a great job: the ads are clever, entertaining and make the car look fantastic. I promise you they'll knock people dead the first time they see them.
  
  他说:我手下人干得太好了。广告构思巧妙、又生动有趣,使得那车显得非常出色。我向你保证,人们一看广告就会喜欢得要命。
  
  所以knock someone dead用来描述什么东西令人赞赏到无以复加的地步。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1411
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语有一个共同的词: end。 End这个词大家都熟,它解释末端、终点。End这个词虽然又短又小,却是短小精悍、勤奋活跃。它参与组成的习惯用语至少有十多个,在日常生活中时常用到。我们今天要学的第一个是: go off the deep end。Go off the deep end这个习惯用语可能来自游泳池。
  
  大家知道游泳池一端是深水,另一端是浅水。如果一个人不知天高地厚,从深水那边一头跳进池里,那他可就是跳进了没顶的深水中。如果这人又不识水性,那么他想必是相当莽撞冲动的人。让我们听个例子来体会go off the deep end这个习惯用语用来比喻什么样的行为。这是爸爸在为热中于一种跳伞运动的儿子Bob担心。作这种跳伞运动的人在空中尽量延缓张开降落伞的时间。
  
  例句-1:Bob has gone off the deep end about skydiving. We tell him it's a dangerous sport but he goes up and jumps every weekend. We're really worried sick until we see him safely back home.
  
  他说:Bob去作那种跳伞运动可真是莽撞冲动。我们跟他说这种运动很危险,但是他还是每个周末登高去跳。我们担心得要命,直到见他回家才把悬著的心放下。
  
  显然这里go off the deep end是指“莽撞冲动地行事”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1412
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语可比刚才那个习惯用语go off the deep end来得合人心意得多。它是:living end。Living end是优秀杰出的人或事。我们来听个例子。这是一个学生在对同学推荐他非常喜欢的一部电影。
  
  例句-2:I'm telling you, you have to go see it -- it may be ten years old but it's really the living end, one of the top pictures I've ever seen in my life.
  
  他说:我跟你讲,你得去看那部片子。虽然它上演可能已经十年,但是那确实是部杰作,是我有生以来所看过的最好的电影之一。
  
  可见living end这儿的意思是“杰作”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-20#1413
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语。它是: at loose ends。 Loose意思是松动的、没系住的。如果用绳索系个活结,只要在绳索可松动的头上,也就是at loose ends,拉一下,结子就散开了。所以at loose ends常用来比喻可灵活松动的、不固定的、不受约束的情况。比方说,at loose ends可以指某人没有工作,所以能不受约束、自由活动。但是at loose ends更常用来指觉得百无聊赖、闲得慌,而想消遣一下打发时间。
  
  例如在下面的例子里这个人在跟朋友Tom说话。他很惦念女朋友Sally,同时希望做些什么来排解寂寞之情。我们来听听他想出什么办法来了:
  
  例句-3:Tom, how about you and me going fishing this weekend. Sally is out of town for a few days and I'm at loose ends until she gets back on Monday.
  
  他说:Tom,你和我这个周末一起去钓鱼好吗? Sally去外地了,要到星期一才回来。她不在我闷得慌。
  
  这儿的at loose ends意思是百无聊赖、烦闷不安。

太极无敌 : 2009-12-21#1414
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢兄弟!

byw65 : 2009-12-24#1415
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)


故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1416
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了几个由end组成的习惯用语。今天要继续讲两个。第一个是: the short end of the stick。Stick是枝条或者棍子。从本世纪初开始美国人惯于把任何处于劣势的称为the short end。这可能来自拔河比赛。嬴家手上掌握著长的一头。就是the long end, 而输家则是短的一头。也就是the short end。到了三十年代末这个短语后面添加了the stick,成了今天的the short end of the stick。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是一名记者对一个非洲国家最近发生的政变能否改变国内贫苦大众的命运表示悲观。
  
  例句-1:I'm afraid the poor people will end up getting the short end of the stick again. Only a small part of the population has enjoyed everything from power to wealth.
  
  他说:恐怕那儿的穷人还会再次吃亏。只有一小部分人才会有财有势得到一切。
  
  所以这儿getting the short end of the stick意思是吃亏。换句话说是得到不公平的待遇。
  
  我们再来听个例子,这是John在和律师商议,想控告他受雇的公司在工作上有徇私偏袒行为。我们来听听他怎么说:
  
  例句-2:I've received the short end of the stick too many times during the last ten years. Only the inexperienced and least qualified get promoted because the boss likes pretty young women.
  
  他说:这十年来我受到的不公平待遇太多了。只有那些既无经验又不合格的人得到提升,原因是老板喜欢年轻貌美的女郎。
  
  这里的the short end of the stick意思还是不公平的待遇。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1417
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语是: make both ends me。Make both ends meet这个习惯用语里的ends可能指的是帐目一端的总收入,和另一端的开支总数。这里的meet意思是互相符合。想一想使得收入和支出互相符合。这意味著什么呢? 让我们通过两个例子来体会。这两段话说的都是妻子持家的事情。第一位妇女很成功。第二位却相当不走运。
  
  例句-3:It's a miracle she could make both ends meet and hold the family together all these years without her husband having a steady job. Somehow she's even managed to send four kids to college.
  
  这位妇女在丈夫没稳定工作的条件下简直创造了奇迹。她不仅做到家庭收支平衡、维持了一个完整的家,甚至还送四个孩子上了大学。
  
  大家一定都明白了make both ends meet意思是收支平衡。
  
  这当然是一位贤妻良母,然而这种出色的典范也不多见,例如下面要说的Smith太太就不是那么回事儿了。Smith太太的丈夫是著名的企业家。我们来听听她的景况如何。
  
  例句-4:With her extravagant tastes, Mrs. Smith couldn't make both ends meet. Finally her rich husband couldn't stand it any more and left her when she insisted on buying a ten-million dollar house.
  
  Smith太太惯于奢侈铺张,所以总是入不敷出。她那位有钱的丈夫实在受不了她了。最后在她坚持要买一栋价值一千万美元的豪宅时毅然离开了她。
  
  这里的couldn't make both ends meet意思是收支不能平衡。换句话说就是入不敷出。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1418
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在日常会话或者写作中恰到好处地使用习惯用语能让您的语言别有风味。我们今天要学的习惯用语都包括这个词: nail。它的意思是钉子。但是nail也可以作动词,意思是用钉子钉。例如,我们要学的第一个习惯用语: nail down。这里nail就是动词,从字面上看,nail down意思是钉下去或者钉牢。如果把什么东西往下钉在地板上的话,那它的位置就固定不变,成了定局。当然习惯用语nail down是作比喻用的。让我们听个例子来琢磨它的意思。这是一个出差到外地的人在电话上向老板汇报谈妥了一笔生意的合约。
  
  例句-1:I have good news: I nailed down a contract to sell a thousand cars. The customer signed all the papers and I've already faxed them back to you.
  
  他说:我有好消息:我敲定了出售一千辆汽车的合约。那位顾客签了所有的文件。我也已经把文件用传真发回给你了。
  
  既然顾客已经在所有的文件上签了字,那意味著这笔生意的合约已经谈成了,所以这儿nail down意思是达成协议,或者做成生意。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1419
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的下一个习惯用语是: as hard as nails。 As hard as nails解释“像钉子一样硬”。我们知道钉子是用铁或者其它非常坚硬的材料做成的。如果一个人像钉子一样硬的话,那人想必既顽固强硬又无情无义,是个相当难相处的人。我们来听个典型例子:
  
  例句-2:They offered me a good job at that company but I hear that the boss is as hard as nails: one little mistake and you're out on the street the next day looking for a new job.
  
  他说:他们向我提供那家公司的一个很好的职位,但是我听说他们的老板是个毫无情义的人;只要你犯一个小错,他就马上把你一脚踢出公司大门,让你另谋生路。
  
  这个老板不能容忍下属的一个小小错误,一有错就开除革职,可见他是个硬帮帮、无可通融的人,所以as hard as nails意思是毫无情义、难以相处的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1420
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: another nail in your coffin. Coffin是棺材。这个短语直译就是“又一根棺材钉子”。棺材在死者入殓后才用钉子钉上,所以棺材钉子是送人去地下长眠的。让我们来听个例子。说话的人为自己朋友的健康非常担心,因为那朋友一天要抽一包香烟。好,我们来听这段话:
  
  例句-3:Jim, you really ought to stop smoking. Every cigarette you light up is another nail in you coffin. I realize stopping is hard, but if I did it you can too.
  
  他说:Jim, 你一定得戒烟,你每点上一枝香烟,等于往末日跨近一步。我知道香烟难戒,但是如果我能做到你也能。
  
  这里的another nail in you coffin相当于中文的催命符。意思是有害健康、危及生命的东西。实际上人们给香烟起的绰号就是coffin nail.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1421
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学一个习惯用语: hit the nail on the head。木工敲钉子得正敲在它扁平的顶上,才能钉得恰到好处。当然hit the nail on the head是用来作比喻的。我们要听的例子里说话的人正感谢他的朋友在股票买卖上给了他十分中肯的劝告。
  
  例句-4:Thanks, Joe - you hit the nail right on the head when you warned me to sell the stock right away. Just in time I sold it at $ 60 a share before it dropped down to 18.
  
  他说:Joe多谢,你提醒我赶快抛售那股票的话真是恰到好处。我刚以六十美元一股抛出。它的价格马上就下跌到十八美元一股了。
  
  所以hit the nail on the head用来表示说话行事恰到好处、正中要害或者十分中肯。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1422
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都包括这样一个词: name。大家知道name是名字。我们要学的第一个习惯用法是: name-dropper。 Dropper可以解释随口说出什么的人,而name-dropper说的是那种在言谈中故意以亲密随意的口吻提到显贵人物的大名以抬高自己的身价。这种人往往是在说大话,甚至在胡说八道,所以人们早晚不会信他的。好,我们来听一段话。它描绘一个name-dropper:
  
  例句-1:Harry is a real name-dropper. He keeps talking about being a good friend of the president. The truth is that he shook hands with him once at a political rally along with 500 other people.
  
  他说:Harry真爱吹嘘和大人物交情。他老说自己跟总统很知己。实际他只是在一次政治集会上和在场的五百人一起跟总统握过一次手而已。
  
  Harry仅仅在大会上和五百来人一起和总统握过一次手就老称总统为知己,可见他是个 name-dropper,也就是好提显贵大名来胡弄别人、炫耀自己的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1423
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: name-calling。 Name-calling如果按照字面来解释就是指名道姓,但是在英文中这个说法还另有意思。它说的是拿各种各样带有侮辱意味的名字来称呼某人。人们在和人争吵时会这样谩骂对方,所以name calling在英文中的意思是谩骂。我们来听个例子。它说的是两个政敌在竞选参议员时相互攻击:
  
  例句-2:There was more name-calling in the campaign for senator than I ever heard before. If you believed all the nasty names they called each other, you wouldn't vote for either one.
  
  他说:在那次参议员竞选中相互谩骂之多是我闻所未闻的。如果你对他们那些污蔑对方的话信以为真,那么你就谁的票也不会投了。
  
  这里的name-calling意思是“谩骂”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1424
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: your name is mud。 Mud是稀泥等没价值的东西。如果一个人的名字和mud等同,可想而知,这人是名誉扫地了。这也许就是your name is mud这个习惯用语的含义所在。但是关于这个习惯用语的来历还有一种说法。
  
  有些学者认为它起源于1865年美国总统林肯被演员Booth刺杀的案子。Booth在仓皇逃窜中断了腿。据说当时是Mudd医生为他治疗腿伤的。医生的姓Mudd拚法是Mudd。虽然这始终是没能证实的谜,但是林肯遇害大大震动了美国公众。Mudd这姓从此触犯众怒,为人不齿,于是人们说your name is Mudd表示你是个犯了大错而遭人厌恨、甚至被人唾骂的人。久而久之人们去除了Mudd拚法中最后一个字母d,就成了今天的习惯用语your name is mud。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是爸爸在责骂儿子,因为儿子答应晚上十一点前回家,却弄到凌晨三点半才进家门,真让老爸火冒百丈。
  
  例句-3:I gave you one more chance. But you came back late again, your name is mud - you can't use the car for a whole month!
  
  他说:我再给了你一次机会,但是你又晚回家了。你完全没有信用,在这整整一个月里不准你再用汽车。
  
  Your name is mud意思是你实在不可信任,或者你的声名狼籍。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1425
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: the name of the game。这个习惯用语从六十年代开始流行。它的意思是事情的本质或者根本目标。The name of the game也可以是荣誉、金钱、地位、或者权力,在运动比赛中the name of the game就是赢得胜利。正如我们要听的例子里那位足球队新教练跟他球员们初次见面时所说的那样:
  
  例句-4:OK, you guys, I tell you winning is the name of the game for this team right now. I'm going to be tough on you, nice guys finish last, and I'm not a nice guy.
  
  他说:好吧,各位,我告诉你们从现在起我们的根本目标就是赢球。我要对你们严格要求。好好先生只会落到末了一名。我可不是什么好好先生。
  
  这里的the name of the game意思是问题的实质、事情的根本目标。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1426
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

从今天起我们要讲由account这个词发展而来的习惯用语。Account有好多不同的意思,而且既可以作名词也可以当动词。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: bring somebody to account。 Account作名词的时候可以解释说明,bring sb. to account意思就是“要求某人说明”,或者“唯某人是问”,带有要某人负责,或者怪罪批评某人的意思。
  
  有时候我们可以用call这个词来代替bring somebody to account中的bring,成为call somebody to account,意义不变。我们来听个例子,说的是美国情报机构内一件间谍丑闻。
  
  例句-1:Why can't they bring the responsible officers to account for the spy case? Something must be terribly wrong if they let one of their own people spy on them for eight years!
  
  他说:他们为什么不追究那批负责官员在那起间谍案中的罪责呢?他们任凭一名内奸刺探他们的秘密情报达八年之久居然浑然不觉。这之间一定有很大失误!
  
  这里bring the responsible officers to account意思就是追究负责官员的罪责。我们再听一个例子。它说的是海外发生的一起恶性事故夺取了许多无辜生命。
  
  例句-2:The opposition parties asked that the new mayor be called to account for the falling of a bridge. They say he paid no attention to a report warning that the bridge might not be safe.
  
  他说:反对党认为新市长要为那起桥梁倒塌事故担当罪责。他们说他无视一份说桥梁可能不安全的报告。
  
  这里the new mayor be called to account意思是新市长得担当罪责。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1427
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接著学第二个习惯用语: square an account with someone。Square在这里是动词。意思是结清。Square an account with someone意思显然是和某人算清帐目。换句话说是把该偿付的钱付清。这个习惯用语常用作比喻意义。我们来听个例子。他说的是和有线电视公司了结一宗纠纷的事。
  
  例句-3:I'm trying to square my account with the cable TV company. I believe they billed a wrong monthly charge. Instead of $16.75, they want me to pay $33.75 a month for six months.
  
  他说:我正设法解决和有线电视公司的纠纷。我肯定他们收错了月费,有六个月他们要我每月付三十三美元七毛五,而不是十六美元七毛五。
  
  所以square my account with the cable TV company意思是解决和有线电视公司的纠纷。
  
  我们再听个例子。人们说美国的特殊现象之一是业务交易效率高。消费者可能对此体会更深。例如跟信用卡公司算清帐目十分简单便利。
  
  例句-4:It's unbelievable how easy it is to square an account with a credit card company in America once you present a receipt. It certainly wouldn't be like that back home!
  
  他说:在美国你只要拿出收据,你和信用卡公司结一笔账方便得令人难以置信。在我们国家里可绝不那样简单。
  
  这里square an account with a credit card company意思就是和信用卡公司结清一笔账。这很可能是发生在用信用卡购物,随后又退还的情况中。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1428
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要继续讲以account这个词为中心的习惯用语。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: take into account。这里account解释“考虑”,所以这个习惯用语的意思想必是把什么纳入考虑范围之内,或者是注意什么。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人认为务必注意是哪些人在支持某一个候选人竞选一个大城市的市长职位。
  
  例句-1:We need to take into account who's behind this candidate -- the same corrupt people who've controlled City Hall for 20 years and want to keep on cheating us.
  
  他说:我们务必注意是谁在支持这名候选人:就是那批狐群狗党。他们控制市府已经有二十年了,还企图继续欺骗我们。
  
  这里take into account意思是注意。我们再听个例子。这是筹备一家新饭店的几个合伙人在商讨要不要接受Mary合伙。我们来听听为什么他们对Mary的加入十分犹豫。
  
  例句-2:Let's take into account her record before we ask her to come in as our partner. Remember the last two places she managed went bankrupt in a year! And that really scares me!
  
  他说:我们同意她来跟我们合伙前先得考虑她过去的经历。记不记得她前两次经营的地方在一年内都破产了吗? 这可真让我胆寒哪!
  
  这里的take into account意思是“考虑”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1429
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: have an account to settle。Settle有算清、了结一笔帐的意思,所以这个习惯用语从字面来看就是有一笔账得算。但是have an account to settle往往用在和帐目无关的地方。正如在中文里我们说要跟某人算帐,其实意思往往是过去吃了某人的亏,对他仇恨未消,要伺机报复。我们来听个例子,说话的人对Tom几年前为了跟他争一份工作而做手脚的事耿耿于怀。
  
  例句-3:I still have an account to settle with Tom. I can't forget how he spread nasty rumors about me when we were after the same job. Sooner or later I'll pay him back for that.
  
  他说:我还有笔账没跟Tom算呢!我忘不了我们一起申请同一份工作的时候他是怎么造我谣言的。我早晚得报他那一箭之仇。
  
  所以 这里的have an account to settle意思是对某人仇恨未消,而要伺机报复。
  
  我们再听个例子,说的是一个有钱的孤寡老人,儿女和妻子都在飞机失事中丧生。他在这个世界上的亲人只剩下他曾经无微不至照顾的那些侄儿女们,但是他们却忙于各自的生活,从来也不来探望这孤独的老人。他孤寂凄凉地结束了终生。我们来听听他是怎么安排自己的身后事的。
  
  例句-4:That old man certainly settled accounts with those nephews and nieces who never came to see him. When he died, he left all his money to cancer research and they never saw a penny of it.
  
  这段话说:那个老人确实和他的侄儿女们扯平了。他们从来也不来看望他。在他去世的时候他把全部财产都捐赠给癌症研究工作,一个子儿都没给那些侄儿侄女。
  
  侄儿女们对他漠不关心,而他也把他们视作陌路人,剥夺了他们的继承权,所以老人和他们的恩怨一笔勾销了。这就是这里settled accounts with those nephews and nieces所表达的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1430
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都有这样一个词nerve。Nerve通常解释为“神经”,但是有时它的意思是“勇气”。例如在我们要学的第一个习惯用语里: get up the nerve。我们来听个例子。
  
  这是一名职员认为领导忽视了他的业绩。他的工作该得到更高的报酬。我们来听听他有什么打算。注意里面get up the nerve是什么意思。
  
  例句-1:I'm trying to get up the nerve to walk in and tell my boss I want a 20% raise or I'll look for another job where they'll pay me what I'm really worth.
  
  他说:他打算到老板的办公室去要求加薪百分之二十,否则他要另谋高就,到愿意付给他应得报酬的地方去工作。
  
  可想而知,他得鼓起勇气才能这样做,因为他可能会冒犯老板甚至失去目前工作,所以这里get up the nerve意思是鼓起勇气。
  
  有时候这个习惯用语用work代替get,成为work up the nerve。我们再听个例子。说话的人很希望向他所钟情的女孩求婚,但却一直怯于启齿。我们来听听他是怎么说的:
  
  例句-2:I've been going with Susan three years and I'm crazy about her! For six months I've been trying to work up the nerve to ask her to marry me, but I'm afraid all she'll do is laugh.
  
  他说:我和Susan约会已经有三年了,我对她一往情深。最近六个月来我一直想鼓起勇气开口向她求婚,但却老觉得难以启齿,因为我怕她会一笑了之。
  
  这里用的习惯用语是work up the nerve,它的意思还是鼓起勇气。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1431
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学个习惯用语: have got a lot of nerve。在这个习惯用语里,nerve不再解释为“神经”或者“勇气”,而是“鲁莽”。我们来听个例子。这是一对夫妻为了各自的花费在吵架。我们来听听丈夫怎么指责他太太。注意里面用的习惯用语have got a lot of nerve是什么意思。
  
  例句-3:You've really got a lot of nerve telling me I spend too much money! Remember, you are the one who goes up to New York every month and brings back a thousand dollars worth of stuff.
  
  那丈夫对妻子的指责非常冒火,因为这位太太每个月都得去一次纽约,而且每次去总要买回来价值一千美元的东西。
  
  这样听来这位太太自己才真是奢华,然而她却反而责备丈夫花钱太多。这当然使得丈夫相当愤愤不平,于是说太太: you've really got a lot of nerve telling me I spend too much money..., 意思是你竟胆敢说我花钱太多..., 所以have got a lot of nerve是用来指责对方厚脸皮,或者太鲁莽的说法。
  
  这个习惯用语通常是争论中用的。还有一个习惯用语和这个说法意思一样,而且也常用在争吵的时候。它是: of all the nerve。Of all the nerve和have got a lot of nerve都可以用来说对方太莽撞甚至厚颜无耻。让我们来听听办公室里一个人怎样责骂他的同事。
  
  例句-4:Of all the nerve! How dare you criticize me for being late in the morning. You're the one who sneak out half an hour early - at least I work a full eight hours every day!
  
  他说:你可真蛮横! 竟然敢说我早上迟到。你自己才提早半小时溜出去呢。我至少每天都做足八小时。
  
  所以这里of all the nerve也是用来说对方说话莽撞、蛮横的。此外美国人还喜欢借用依地语中的一个词汇代替nerve这个词来指责别人蛮横或者厚颜无耻。这个词是: chutzpah。最有名的一个例子是说一个谋害双亲的杀人犯的:
  
  例句-5:The man murdered his father and mother, but at his trial he had the chutzpah to tell the judge that he shouldn't be sent to prison because his parents were dead and he was an orphan.
  
  这人谋害了他的父母,但是在审判中他竟然恬不知耻地对法官说,他不该坐牢,因为他父母双亡,是个孤儿。
  
  这里had the chutzpah to tell the judge意思是“恬不知耻地对法官说”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1432
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了几个以nerve这个词为主的习惯用语。Get up the nerve或者work up the nerve,它们解释鼓起勇气去做艰难甚至危险的事情。我们还学了have got a lot of nerve和of all the nerve这两个习惯用语都用来指责别人骄横甚至厚颜无耻。我们今天还要说几个由nerve这个词发展而来的习惯用语。第一个是: A bundle of nerves。 Bundle意思是“一束”或者“一捆”。A bundle of nerves如果直译就是一束神经。当然这不是这个习惯用语的意思。它是用来说某一种人的。让我们听个例子来琢磨那是什么样的人。
  
  例句-1:I've been a bundle of nerves since the company told us it's losing money and will have to lay off 20 percent of our staff. I don't know if I can hang on to my job or not.
  
  原来他工作的那家公司告诉他们:公司亏损,所以不得不裁员百分之二十。而他对自己能否保住工作也心中无数。可想而知,他必然是神经紧张、惶惶不可终日。
  
  所以这里a bundle of nerves是指神经紧张、担惊受怕的人。我们再听个例子。说话的人在为自己的好朋友Sally担心,因为Sally近来成了a bundle of nerves:
  
  例句-2:I'm worried about Sally - she's a real bundle of nerves these days. I don't know why: maybe it's because she drinks a dozen cups of coffee a day. That would make me nervous too.
  
  他说:我为 Sally 担心,她近来老是很神经质。我不懂她怎么会这样,可能是她每天喝十几杯咖啡引起的。我要是喝太多咖啡也会变得神经兮兮的。
  
  这里a bundle of nerves意思也是神经紧张不安的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1433
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们刚才听的例子里有nervous这个词。它是从名词nerve派生而来的形容词,意思当然是”神经的“,或者”神经质的“。我们接下来要学个由nervous组成的习惯用语::nervous Nellie。Nellie是女人的名字,但是nervous Nellie却既可以用来指女人也可以说男人。这个习惯用语从本世纪二十年代开始流传,现在已经不清楚Nellie这个名字的出典。用这个名字也可能只是因为Nellie和nervous都以字母n起头,读起来很顺口。
  
  美国政界人物有时会用nervous Nellie这个说法来贬低政敌。例如美国前总统Lindon Johnson当年曾经把一些反对越战的人称为nervous Nellies, 意思是他们胆小怕事。
  
  我们来听个例子。这也是个政界人物在攻击他的政敌:
  
  例句-3:Yes, I know the nervous Nellies in the other party are saying in the papers and on TV that our bill will cost taxpayers more money than it will save, but they're scared of any new ideas!
  
  他说:他知道反对党的那些人在报纸和电视上宣传他们的提案使纳税人增加的花费比省下的钱多,可是他却认为那些反对派是对任何新设想都胆战心惊的人。
  
  可见他在这儿把那些反对党人物称为nervous Nellies,其实在说他们是一些草木皆兵的胆小鬼。我们再来听个例子。这回我们要从政界转向商界。这是一家公司的一个副经理在跟另一个副经理说话。
  
  例句-4:Joe, I don't like to sound like a nervous Nellie, but I've got to tell you I'm a little scared about whether our company can stay in business the way things are going right now.
  
  他说:Joe, 我可不喜欢说那些杞人忧天的话,可是我得告诉你照目前的发展情况看来,我有点害怕我们的公司是否站得住脚。
  
  这里的nervous Nellie意思还是那种杞人忧天的胆小鬼。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1434
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都有flesh这个词。Flesh是人或者其他脊椎动物的肉。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: flesh out。在flesh out这个习惯用语里,flesh是动词。如果按照字面意思来解释,flesh out是在骨骼外附上肌肉。当然习惯用语flesh out意义已经转化。它相当于中文说法“赋予血肉”。想象一下,一付骨架子看来当然死气沉沉,一待有血有肉,就变得生气勃勃、充实饱满。
  
  我们来听个例子。一家汽车配件厂要向一家著名的汽车制造公司提出为他们供应前灯。汽车配件厂的领导正在研究职工写的一份建议书提纲。我们来听听他作出什么评价。
  
  例句-1:The outline looks pretty good to me. Now take it back and flesh it out with the budget figures and the delivery dates and we'll look at it again to see if it's good enough.
  
  这位厂长说:我看这份提纲相当好,现在把它拿回去,加上预算报价和发货日期,使内容更充实具体,然后我们再来看一看它是否完美。
  
  把建议提纲加上预算报价和送货日期这些具体细节,内容必然更充实完整,所以 flesh out含义是使之更充实并具体化。刚才的例子是以具体数据和资料来充实提纲。再举个例子,我们也可以把一部电影的情节梗概,加上具体场景和对话,那就成了电影剧本。我们说: flesh out the plot outline with actual scenes and dialogues.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1435
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: pound of flesh。 Pound是重量单位“磅”。所以pound of flesh直译就是“一磅肉”。这个习惯用语的含义当然不是这样。它来自莎士比亚的一部名作,《威尼斯商人》。一个高利贷商人痛恨Antonio,但却借给给他一大笔钱,条件是要是不能按期偿还就要割下Antonio身上的一磅肉作为代价。Antonio果然中了高利贷商人的暗算,到期却筹不齐债款。那奸商把Antonio告上法庭,名正言顺要割他的肉。在这生死关头Antonio的律师救了他。她说放高利贷的固然可以根据契约取Antonio的肉,但是绝不能带上一滴血,因为契约写明只是以肉来偿还借款。
  
  莎士比亚的这部名作流芳百世,因而产生了用pound of flesh这个习惯用语来形容以借款人的惨重损失和痛苦为代价的债务。也可以说是合法却极不合理的要求。让我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-2:My business is closed and my wife has cancer, and still the bank wants its pound of flesh; they'll take my house if I can't pay back what I borrowed for my wife's hospital bills.
  
  他说:我的企业倒闭了,我妻子又得了癌症,而银行却还要不合情理地催逼债务。如果我不能偿还我为付妻子的医院帐单而借的款子,他们就要没收我的房子。
  
  听来他真是祸不单行,然而银行却在这当口来催逼债款,还要没收房子,似乎太不合情理,所以这儿的pound of flesh就是虽合法却不合理的要求。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1436
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: press the flesh。Press意思是“摁、压”。Press the flesh是较新的习惯用语。它的意思是“握手”。这个说法可能来自政界,想要进入政界的人物得参加竞选。例如竞选国会议员就得去选区和成千上万选民握手。那经历就好比按摩手掌肌肉一样,于是政界人士就把握手称为press the flesh。我们来听个例子。这是一名竞选干事在为他的上司筹划一天的活动日程。我们来听听他怎么说:
  
  例句-3:First thing in the morning we take him outside the auto factory to press the flesh with everybody who's going inside to work. You know the labor vote is important in this town.
  
  他说:我们早上第一件事就是把他带到汽车制造厂门外,和每个进厂去工作的人握手。要知道工人的选票在这个城里相当举足轻重。
  
  这里press the flesh意思是“握手”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1437
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲由neck这个词组成的习惯用语。大家也许已经知道neck是脖子。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: pain in the neck。 Pain是疼痛的意思。Pain in the neck,一听就知道是“脖子疼”,但是它的比喻意义是什么呢? 脖子也许是身体上活动最多的部位。我们时常必须转动脖子,所以要是脖子疼而不能动,可想而知会给人带来多大的不便和麻烦,令人不胜其烦。好,我们从一个例子来琢磨pain in the neck究竟含义是什么。这个人在说他的近邻:
  
  例句-1:Listening to that guy in the apartment next door play his stereo as loud as he can every night until two am is getting to be a pain in the neck for my wife and me.
  
  原来隔壁那位老兄每天晚上都把他的立体声收录机开到最大音量直到凌晨两点才停,可想而知住在他的近边听这噪音该有多烦人。
  
  所以pain in the neck用来指令人讨厌的人或事。
  
  Pain in the neck一般是说较为琐碎的烦扰。我们再来听个通常发生在电影院里的例子:
  
  例句-2:Different things annoy different people. To me, for example, the worst pain in the neck is somebody who sits behind me in a movie theater and talks to his friends all the time the picture is on.
  
  他说:困扰因人而异。例如对我来说,最令人生厌的事儿就是在电影开演的时候坐在我后面的人跟他同伴老聊个没完。
  
  这儿the worst pain in the neck是最令人生厌的事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1438
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: break one's neck。Break在这儿意思是“折断”。Break one's neck是夸张的说法,出处可能是成年累月地埋头苦干,几乎累断了脖子。这句话相当于中文说的: 累断了腰干。总之都是指竭尽全力地苦干。我们来听听一个父亲怎么责骂他那些不争气的孩子:
  
  例句-3:I broke my neck trying to raise you kids and look at the way you pay me back! One son in jail, the other too lazy to work and my daughter ran away with her hairdresser.
  
  他说:为了把你们抚养成人我累断了腰干,看看你们是怎么报答我的? 一个儿子坐牢,另一个偷懒不做工,女儿竟然跟理发师私奔。
  
  这里broke my neck意思是我拼命苦干。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1439
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个和break one's neck似乎相象的习惯用语: wring one's neck。Wring意思是“使劲拧”。Wring one's neck可能来自杀鸡的一种办法: 把鸡脖子拧断,鸡就丧命了。Wring one's neck直译是拧断某人的脖子,就是杀了某人。当然这只是一句威胁。我们来听个例子。这是父亲在严厉警告儿子:
  
  例句-4:If I catch you one more time sneaking in and drinking my whiskey, I promise you I'll wring your neck. I don't want to see you even looking at a bottle till you reach 21.
  
  那位父亲说:要是我再看到你溜进来偷偷喝我的威士忌的话,我可饶不了你!在。你没到二十一岁前我连酒瓶子都不准你看一下。
  
  这里的I'll wring your neck意思是“看我不拧断你的脖子”,其实是说要重重处罚你。
  
  我们再听个例子,说的是一个倒霉的老师。
  
  例句-5:I feel sorry for Miss Jones who teaches that second grade class. She has such noisy, unruly kids that she must feel like wringing their necks every day.
  
  他说:我可真同情教两年级那个班的Jones小姐。她那些孩子这样吵吵闹闹、无法无天,我想她每天简直都恨不得掐断他们的脖子。
  
  当然这里的wringing their necks也是夸张,绝不真会出手伤人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1440
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们还要讲两个由neck这个词组成的习惯用语。第一个是: stick one's neck out。在这个习惯用语里stick是个动词,意思是“伸”。这样看来stick one's neck out就是伸出脖子来。这个习惯用语很可能来自宰鸡的时候鸡伸长脖子叫唤,反倒正好给人下刀的机会。当然这个习惯用语是作比喻用的。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人同意帮他同事一把,因为这位同事年轻莽撞,老跟他们的老板闹别扭。这回又跟老板闹僵了。
  
  例句-1:Okay, I'll stick my neck out one more time and ask the boss to give you another chance, but if you get yourself in hot water again, you'll have to find your own way out - understand?
  
  他说:好吧,我就再冒险为你出一回头,去要求老板再次给你机会,但是如果你再惹上麻烦的话,那我可就帮不了你了;你得自己解决,懂吗?
  
  从这段话里可以听出这个同事和老板关系相当紧张,而且似乎常会跟老板闹别扭,所以到老板面前为他求情并不容易,弄不好惹火了老板连为他说话的人都一起遭殃。所以这里他说,stick my neck out意思带有”做难免给自己招惹麻烦的事。
  
  我们再听个例子。这段话在回顾美国前总统布什不慎失言,日后给自己惹上了麻烦。
  
  例句-2:During his campaign in 1988 Mr. Bush really stuck his neck out when he promised he would never raise taxes. Then, two years later it hurt him politically when he had to raise them.
  
  布什在1988年竞选时保证决不增加税收。这真是不慎失言。两年后他却不得不提高税率。他的失言在政治上对他很不利。
  
  这里的stuck his neck out意思还是“不明智的举动给自己惹上麻烦”。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1441
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: neck of the woods。 Woods是树林,neck虽然通常解释脖子,但是却也可以解释狭长的地带,所以neck of the woods字面意思就是一片树林地带。但是习惯用语neck of the woods通常指大城市以外的某特定地方。
  
  我们来听个例子,美国许多居民区都有志愿人员组成“社区纠察队”,来帮助维持本地治安,使之不受不良分子的骚扰。在这样的制度下,邻居们看到形迹可疑的人在附近闲逛,就会互相告知,而社区纠察队员也会盘问可疑对象。这就是我们要听的例子:
  
  例句-3:I don't think I've ever seen you around here, stranger. Tell me, what neck of the woods do you come from?
  
  这个纠察队员对那陌生人说:我觉得在这一带从没见过你。告诉我你是打哪儿来的?
  
  这里neck of the woods意思就是某一地方。刚才这名纠察队员的口气似乎不那么友好。
  
  我们再听个例子,说话的人可就友善多了。这段话发生在美国西部的一家加油站。两辆汽车在这儿相逢,巧的是他们的车牌显示他们都来自中西部的农业地区依阿华州。其中一名驾驶员首先发现了这一点。于是他在招呼另一辆车上的司机。
  
  例句-4:Friend, I see you come from Iowa. You know, I'm from Iowa too! What neck of the woods do you come from back home? - Anywhere near Oscaloosa? I live on a farm near Oscallosa myself.
  
  他说:朋友,我看你是从依阿华州来的。你知道吗,我也打那儿来。你的家乡在什么地方?是不是靠近Oscaloosa? 我就住在Oscallosa近边的一个农场上。
  
  这儿neck of the woods也是指特定地点。 Neck of the woods通常不指大城市内的地点,一般用来说乡镇地区的某一地方

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1442
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的几个习惯用语里面都有number这个词。大家一定知道number是数字。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: his number is up。这个习惯用语起源于一次大战期间军队里的行话,说"His number is up," 意思就是他阵亡了。这里的number是指军人的番号。现在我们用这个习惯用语当然不再是说某人死了,到底是什么意思,让我们通过一个例子来琢磨。它说的是一个国会议员的政治生涯。
  
  例句-1:For 30 years our congressman has done a pretty good job in Washington. But this time I think his number is up - he has a smart young man running against him with a lot of new ideas.
  
  原来那人当选国会议员已经三十年了,他这些年的政治生涯风平浪静,但是这次他却遇上了劲敌,一个干练又富有创新思想的年青人和他争夺竞选议员,看来后生可畏,老将这次要下马了。
  
  所以这段话里his number is up意思是他的政治生涯完蛋了,这句话相当于中文的说法: 他劫数难逃,换句话说就是他大难临头了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1443
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语: do a number on sb。Do a number on sb 这个习惯用语是什么意思呢?让我们听个例子来推敲它的含义。说话的人在抱怨包工修理他家屋顶的人。我们听听他怎么说:
  
  例句-2:The man who came to fix my roof certainly did a number on me. He said he'd do the work for fifteen hundred dollars but when he finished, he charged me more than three thousand!
  
  来为他修屋顶的人起先开价1500美元,但是完工后却要他付三千美元,比原来多了一倍,可见这人是存心骗他的。
  
  在这个例子里did a number on me意思是耍弄手腕欺骗我。Do a number on sb也带有伤害某人的意思,比方□b下面的例子
  
  例句-3:The boss did a number on child laborers by paying them nothing but poor meals.
  
  老板显然是欺负那些童工,不付给他们工资只供应粗劣的饭食。
  
  这儿did a number on child laborers意思就是欺负那些童工。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1444
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: hot number。 Hot是热的意思,在hot number这个习惯用语里hot这个词可以联想到刚出炉的面包,热乎乎、香喷喷、松松软软的面包人见人爱,想必 hot number这个习惯用语说的像出炉面包一样既新又好而受人欢迎的人或物。
  
  我们来听个例子,说的是一辆崭新的赛车,赛车在美国年轻人中非常吃香。
  
  例句-4:A friend let me drive his sports car and now I know why it's such a hot number. It handles like a dream, it gets up to 60 before you know it and it looks like an airplane ready to take off.
  
  他说:一个朋友让我开他的赛车,而我也终于体会到为什么赛车如此招人喜爱。它开起来犹如腾云驾雾令人心旷神怡,在不知不觉中速度就升上每小时六十英里,而且车子看来就像一架振翅欲飞的飞机。
  
  可见hot number用来指新颖出色的大众宠儿。在刚才的例子里指的是赢得年轻一代青睐的赛车,它也常常可以用来说一个漂亮姑娘,举个例子:
  
  例句-5:Lucy is a hot number in her high school, boys will try all they can for a date with her.
  
  这句话说Lucy在她的中学里很出风头,男孩都千方百计地想跟她约会。这句话里的hot number当然是漂亮姑娘。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1445
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都包含fit这个词。这个词看来短短小小,但是作用却不少。它既可以当形容词,也可以当动词或者名词。它当形容词的时候有好几种解释。最常用的意思是“适合的”,“恰当的”。例如在我们要学的第一个习惯用语里fit就是这个意思。这个习惯用语是: fit to be tied。
  
  Tied意思是“捆绑”或者“系住”。如果按照字面意思直译,fit to be tied可以解释为“被捆起来才恰当”,也就是“该被捆住的”。
  
  让我们想一想处于什么状态的人才该被捆起来呢?也许你先会想到狂暴型的精神病患者。他们举止暴躁,在危及安全的时候就只能把他们捆绑起来,以防万一。
  
  当然习惯用语fit to be tied说的不真是精神病患者。这个习惯用语是带有夸张意味的。它来由已久,在一个世纪前就开始流传。著名的爱尔兰作家 James Joyce在他于1922年问世的名作 Ulysses里面曾经应用fit to be tied这个习惯用语。让我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义究竟是什么。
  
  这是个十多岁的男孩儿在描绘当自己触犯了家里立下的头条清规戒律时,爸妈有多生气。好,我们来听听他说什么。请大家特别注意里面用到的fit to be tied。
  
  例句-1:I have to be awfully careful today. My parents were fit to be tied last night when I came home after midnight. They just don't realize how much things have changed since they were sixteen.
  
  他说:我今天可得倍加小心。我昨晚半夜以后才回家,进门时我爸妈简直气得发疯。其实他们不明白当今时代和他们自己十六岁时已经大不相同了。
  
  显然他家定下的严格规矩是孩子必须在半夜前回到家,而他却打破了父母心目中至关重要的传统,可以想象爸妈在他进门那一刻是如何地暴跳如雷!所以这里习惯用语fit to be tied夸张地表现了愤怒的发作。意思是暴跳如雷的,或者愤怒得发狂的。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1446
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才说过fit当形容词的时候可以有好多不同的解释,有时它的意思是“健康的”。在下面的习惯用语里,fit就是这个意思: fit and trim. Trim当形容词用的时候可以解释“整齐的”,“整洁的”。如果按照字面意思来解释,fit and trim不就是“健康整齐的”吗?这样解释听来似乎不太通顺,让我们听个例子来体会fit and trim究竟是什么意思吧。
  
  这段话说的是胖子Tom减肥的事情。
  
  例句-2:My friend Tom was quite overweight. But he has been on a diet and never touches the junk food he used to love. And what is more, he has been doing regular exercises and running ten miles each morning ever since he joined a health club. Now he has lost thirty pounds and is looking very fit and trim.
  
  他说:我的朋友Tom曾经一度超重。但是他坚持节制饮食而且戒绝过去好吃零食的习惯。他参加健康俱乐部以来每天都做体操,天天清晨还坚持长跑十英里。如今他体重减轻了三十磅,看来健康而匀称。
  
  Tom以前超重,但是由于他坚持不懈地控制饮食,并锻炼身体,他减去了三十磅赘肉,就象一棵经过修剪的树一样茁壮匀称,所以fit and trim是用来描绘健康而匀称的体格的。Fit这个词常用来表示“健康的”。例如我们还常说这样一个习惯用语: as fit as a fiddle. Fiddle原意是拉提琴的弓,as fit as a fiddle意思就是健康而神采弈弈的。例如在这句话里:
  
  例句-3: In spite of his old age he is still as fit as a fiddle. 这句话是说他老当益壮。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1447
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  我们上次讲了两个个带有fit这个词的习惯用语fit to be tied和fit and trim。今天还要学几个由fit发展而成的习惯用语。第一个是: fit to a T。这里的T是大写英文字母T。Fit to a T是个相当古老的习惯用语,从十七世纪后期开始就流传了。在这个习惯用语里最令人困惑不解的可能就是字母T究竟代表什么。
  
  有人说这里的T指人们制图用的确保绘图精密准确的丁字尺。但是也有人说这个习惯用语的出典在人们写小写字母 t 的时侯最后要把一横恰到好处地划在竖勾上和它相互交叉。让我们通过一个例子来体会fit to a T含义是什么。
  
  例句-1:The roast turkey was cooked fit to a T. We were amazed - Mary's such a hard-working business executive that we never thought she could make such a good meal.
  
  他说:火鸡烤得恰到好处,我们都大为吃惊,因为 Mary 是如此辛勤工作的企业总裁,我们从没想到她竟能制作这样的美味佳肴。
  
  可见was cooked fit to a T在这里的意思是火鸡的调味和火候等都掌握得恰到好处。习惯用语fit to a T就解释“恰到好处的”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1448
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  
我们再来学个习惯用语: fit for a king。King是帝王,可想而知,帝王的生活有多养尊处优、安逸奢华,那么fit for a king,即“适合于帝王的”,这该是什么样的待遇呢?让我们通过下面这段话来体会。这是一个美国人在比较两个不同国家的旅馆服务。
  
  例句-2:If you have the money, the luxury hotels in that country are fit for a king - they wait on you hand and foot. Here, it's different - you have to do a lot of things for yourself, no matter how much money you have.
  
  他说:你要是有钱,那个国家的豪华旅馆能把你当帝王一般地侍候,但是这儿的情况不同,不管你多有钱,你也得亲自动手料理很多事情。
  
  所以fit for a king用来描绘享受和待遇是“极尽奢华的”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1449
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在刚才学的几个习惯用语里,fit都是形容词,意思是“适于”或者“合适的”。但是fit有时会当名词,可以解释象愤怒、失望之类的情绪反应或者发作。例如在下面这个习惯用语里,fits就是这个意思,fits是就是fit加上s, give someone fits。让我们听个例子来体会give someone fits确切含义是什么。这是一个老师在为一个叫Tom的捣蛋学生调出班级而庆幸。
  
  例句-3:We were glad to see Tom transfer to another class. His loud noise and rude behavior was disruptive and gave the teacher and most of the students fits every time they had a special meeting.
  
  他说:我们很高兴看到Tom调到另一班去了。他的大声吵闹和粗暴行为在班里起了破坏作用,每当老师和学生开特别会议的时候,他总是把多数学生都惹得冒火。
  
  显然这儿gave the teacher and most of the students fits意思是惹火了老师和多数学生,所以give someone fits就解释“令某人恼怒”。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1450
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都包括pan这个词。它最常见的意思是平底锅或者盘子。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: out of the frying pan into the fire。 Frying意思是“油煎”或者“油炸”,所以frying pan就是煎东西的平底锅。
  
  这个习惯用语由来已久,最早出现在十六世纪早期一名英国作家的笔下。他把情况越来越糟比喻成放在平底锅上油煎的一条活蹦乱跳的鱼,跳出煎锅却掉进了熊熊炉火中。这个比喻非常形像生动。我们来听个例子。这是个男孩在责怪他弟弟把事情弄糟了。
  
  例句-1:Sure, you convinced Mom to stop those boring violin lessons! But that makes it easier for her to send us to Sunday school. Don't you realize we've jumped out of the frying pan into the fire?
  
  他说:你的确说服了妈不让我们上那些枯燥乏味的小提琴课了,但是这只会让她更有可能送我们去主日学。你难道不明白我们这是跳出了油锅却掉进火坑了吗?
  
  所以jumped out of the frying pan into the fire,解释跳出油锅却掉进火坑,用来夸张地描绘逃脱小难,更遭大难。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1451
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 我们再学一个单词的习惯用法: panhandle。刚才我们说过pan可以解释平底锅。平底锅都有柄,就是panhandle。这是这个词当名词时的解释,然而panhandle也可以作动词。这时就取这个词的形像比喻意义了,表示的意思是在街上伸出手来向行人乞讨。
  
  这个习惯用法从十九世纪开始沿用至今,用panhandle来说伸手乞讨可能是由于伸出的手臂很像平底锅柄。我们'听个例子:
  
  例句-2: I love to travel by subway, but I'm afraid of those homeless people outside who often panhandle! Once one of them followed me until I gave him a dollar.
  
  他说:我爱乘地铁,但是又怕地铁站外那些无家可归的人。他们常常伸手讨钱。有一次一个人紧跟我不放直到我给了他一块钱才走。
  
  动词panhandle意思是伸手乞讨

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1452
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

前面说过pan这个词也有盘子的意思。十九世纪的加州是人们实现黄金梦的宝地。淘金的人纷涌而至,他们用铁盘从河床上带水舀起泥砂,晃动盘子,泥砂随水流去之后,如果运气好盘上会出现留下的金灿灿的颗粒。那就是淘金成功了。由此而产生了这个习惯用语: pan out。 Pan out是当动词用的。我们听个例子来体会它的确切含义。
  
  例句-3:Most Americans dream of saving enough to buy a house and let their kids go to college. But that pretty much depends on how things pan out in life.
  
  他说:美国人多半梦想存钱买房子并送孩子上大学,当然这两笔钱不是小数,所以能不能做到当然得取决于你生活中是否能成功地赚到钱。
  
  可见pan out意思就是取得成功,或者赚到钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1453
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Pan还有一种解释是火枪的药池,就是老式火枪上装火药的洞孔。装上的火药起引发作用,首先用火石打出的火星点燃药池内的火药,如果一切正常点上的火药会引发中心炸药,火枪就开火了。但是在十七世纪的时候,火枪的发火装置不怎么可靠,往往引燃的火焰在药池内一闪即逝,并不能成功地引发火枪的发火装置,由此而产生了这个习惯用语: flash in the pan。 Flash在这儿就是一闪即逝的火光,所以flash in the pan直译就是药池内一闪即逝的火光。换句话说是它没成功地使火枪开火。
  
  这个习惯用语用来比喻什么意思呢? 我们听个例子,说的是Jim的事业在大有希望的起步之后遭到失败。
  
  例句-4:We all thought Jim would be a great success in business. But he was only a flash in the pan; he made a lot of money the first year but lost it all quickly and now he's out of a job.
  
  他说:我们原以为Jim会在企业界出人头地。但他却只是昙花一现。他第一年确实赚了一大笔钱,但是很快就蚀光了;他目前连工作也没有。
  
  所以a flash in the pan用来比喻为时短暂的成功,和中国成语“昙花一现”有类似的意思。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1454
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲几个在美国总统大选的竞选阶段常会用到的习惯用语。美国总统大选每四年举行一次。在大选年的前一年,准备竞争本党总统候选人提名的人士就已经在各州积极展开竞选活动了,为大选年早春开始的初选作准备。
  
  各州的初选时间不一,在大选年上半年的五个月时间内陆续举行,选拔出各州参加党的全国大会的代表。而两党的全国大会往往都在大选年的夏天举行。在这个大会上正式确定出本党的一位总统候选人。然后各党派的总统候选人要从夏天一直竞选到11月初的大选日。
  
  这样看来总统竞选过程相当漫长,而有志竞选总统的人得奔波于各大城市间,出席政治性的餐会,寻求支持,并为竞选募款。这些餐会场面浩大,但是菜肴通常毫不出色,主菜往往是煮过头的鸡。鸡肉就像橡皮一样,嚼之无味而且百嚼不烂。于是就产生了这个习惯用语: the rubber chicken circuit。
  
  Rubber意思是橡皮,circuit解释巡回旅行,显然指那些候选人为竞选而往返各地的旅行。他们每到一处就举行募款餐会,主菜老是那些老而无味橡皮似的鸡,当然醉翁之意不在酒,要紧的是候选人的即席讲演,能说动与会者心甘情愿为他出钱出力。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-1:The last stop for the senator on the rubber chicken circuit was Seattle, where 1200 supporters wrote checks for almost $500, 000 in campaign contributions for his presidential race.
  
  他说:那位参议员举行竞选募款餐会行程上的最后一站是西雅图。在那里有一千二百名支持者开了支票,为赞助他竞选总统捐赠了几乎五十万美元。
  
  这里的the rubber chicken circuit是去各地举办竞选募款餐会的行程。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1455
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个在有关竞选的习惯用语: launch pad。 Launch是发射,pad这里是指平台。所以launch pad就是发射台。火箭是从地上的厚厚的水泥台上发往太空的。这筑起的水泥台就是launch pad。但是launch pad被转用到大选中,用来指开展某种活动吸引电视新闻界,以便当候选人在活动中宣布参选时有电视新闻记者为他大造声势。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-2:The new candidate made his announcement during a speech to a war veterans group. He thought this was a good launch pad because he himself served as a soldier in the Vietnam war.
  
  他说:这名新候选人在一个退伍军人团体中讲演的时候宣布自己将竞选总统。他认为这是他参选的理想起步点,因为他本人是打过越战的老兵。
  
  他作为一名老兵在退伍军人团体中讲演既得体又能显示他为国效劳的光荣经历,而且也必然引起媒体注意。他选择这个时机宣布参选总统确实是一举数得,有助于促进他的竞选活动。这儿launch pad意思就是宣布参选的活动。这一活动能为竞选作铺垫。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1456
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个竞选中用的习惯用语: dark horse。在赛马中dark horse是一匹默默无闻、得胜希望渺茫的马。那么dark horse用在竞选中指什么呢? 我们听个例子来琢磨它的意思。
  
  例句-3:This young governor is a dark horse, because he comes from a small state and many voters in other states have never heard of him; he has a hard uphill road ahead of him.
  
  他说:这位参选的州长年纪轻轻,而且来自一个小州;外州的许多选民根本从来没听说过他,所以他的竞选前途该象走上坡路一般地艰难吃力。
  
  这样看来这里的dark horse是指默默无闻、成功希望渺茫的候选人,在竞选中一名dark horse更是需要好的launch pad,来为他造就声势,扩大他的知名度。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1457
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语有一个共同的词: hand。这个词大家都熟,解释手。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: hand in glove。 Glove是手套。手套一般都制做得很合手,套在手上伏伏贴贴,手套和手紧密相连,之间几乎没有空隙。习惯用语hand in glove究竟用来比喻什么呢? 让我们来听个例子。他说的是本州内的两名参议员。
  
  例句-1:Our two senators belong to different political parties. But I'm glad to say they always work together hand in glove when it comes to getting federal money for our state.
  
  他说:我们的两位参议员虽然属于不同政党,但是令人欣慰的是在为本州争取联邦资助时他俩总是密切配合。
  
  可见习惯用语hand in glove用来比喻密切配合的协作关系。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1458
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: hand over fist。 Fist是握紧的拳头。Hand over fist这个习惯用语来自帆船航运的年代。当年的水手得学会攀援绳索去摆弄高高挂在桅杆上的船帆。他们两手交替,一手放在另一只紧抓绳索的拳头上方一把一把往上攀援,像猿猴一般迅速利落。 Hand over fist出典就在这儿。如今人们借用它来说快速而稳当地做某件事情。我们来听个例子,说的是很快赚到大笔大笔的钱。
  
  例句-2:Bill is making money hand over fist these days -- he invented a pill that wives can give their husbands to stop them from snoring.
  
  他说:Bill近来赚进了大笔大笔的钱,因为他发明了一种药片,妻子可给丈夫服用使他不打鼾。
  
  这里hand over fist意思是快速地做某事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1459
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: hands down。人们在上个世纪五十年代时就用hands down这个习惯用语了。这句话起源于赛马,遥遥领先的骑马师明知自己必胜无疑,就不再勒紧缰绳,而轻松自如地垂下双手跑完赛程的最后一段。当然hands down已经被转用到其它方面,例如政界。让我们听个例子来推敲它的比喻意义。
  
  例句-3:I'm sure Senator Blank will be elected again hands down. Most people think he's done a good job in Congress and nobody has ever heard of the man who's running against him.
  
  他说:多数人都认为Blank参议员在国会工作出色,而他的竞选对手却是无名之辈。Blank参议员想必能轻而易举在这场角逐中取胜,再次当选。
  
  所以这儿的hands down含义是不费举手之劳地做成某事。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1460
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学一个习惯用语: hand to mouth。 Hand to mouth沿用至今差不多有五百年了。想象一下一个饥肠辘辘的人,手上一抓到吃食,就急忙往嘴里送,hand to mouth出典就在这儿。这个习惯用语意义虽然逐渐有所扩展,但是基本上还是用来描绘这种仅能糊口的景况,有时也用来指现挣现吃的局面。我们来听个例子,说的是抽彩中奖的事儿。
  
  例句-4:The poor woman who won 10 million in the lottery yesterday must feel pretty good; she's been living hand to mouth with eight kids and a husband out of work for three years.
  
  他说:这个穷困的妇女中了一千万美元的彩票。这对她说来真不亚于雪中送炭。她得养活八个孩子和一个已经失业三年的丈夫,所以她一向是现挣现吃,仅够糊口。
  
  这可怜的女人一双手支撑著十口之家,想必是做一天吃一天过著不得温饱的日子。所以hand to mouth是用来描绘这种现挣现吃,仅够糊口的生活状况的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1461
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

们今天要学的习惯用语有相同的结构;都是两个单词中间用and连接起来。 我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: touch and go。 Touch是触碰的意思。习惯用语touch and go沿用至今几乎两百年了。
  
  有些专家认为它的出典可能是在浅水中航行的船只碰上了隐伏水下的沙堤,船只在船底磨擦沙堤的情况下行进。这相当危险,因为船只随时可能被卡住甚至船底破损下沉。这个习惯用语现在用来描绘什么情形呢? 让我们听个例子来体会,说的是夫妇俩经营饭店的经历。
  
  例句-1:My wife and I had a tough time when we started our restaurant. In fact, it was touch and go for two years -- several times we were ready to go bankrupt. But now we're making money.
  
  他说:饭店刚开张时我太太和我处境艰难;实际上在头两年里我们处于摇摇欲坠的局面,几度濒临破产边缘,但是如今我们有盈利了。
  
  他们刚起步的两年几次都面临破产的危险。那是一种摇摇欲坠或者一触即发的形势,所以touch and go用来描绘那种危在旦夕的局面。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1462
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: hard and fast。这两个词都有几种不同的解释,但是在这里hard意思是严格的,而fast解释固定的。习惯用语hard and fast最初出现在1850年前后,用来描绘一艘搁浅的船或者在码头上待修的船,无论哪种情况这艘船反正是动弹不得、毫无回旋余地了。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-2:Sorry, we have a hard and fast rule in this shop. You can't pay here with a personal check -- we've had too many bad ones. So you have to pay cash or use a credit card.
  
  他说:抱歉,我们店里有一条不可通融的规矩:你不能用个人支票来付款,因为我们曾经收到的空头支票太多了。所以你必须付现金或者用信用卡。
  
  这里hard and fast意思是严格、不可松动而且毫无通融余地的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1463
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的下一个习惯用语是: fast and loose。这里的fast和刚才意思不同。它解释仓促的,而 loose 在这儿的意思是放纵的。习惯用语fast and loose已经有四百来年的历史了,起源无从查考,可能来自骗乡下人的一种赌博游戏。一根绳带一端系根小棍子,绳带上穿着好几个小圆环,玩儿的人抛起绳带然后得用棍子接住圆环,让它们都套在棍子上。这很难成功,十之八九会落空。Fast and loose如今常用来描绘男女间反复无常、朝三暮四的爱情纠葛。我们听个例子。
  
  例句-3:That man married this rich girl, then played fast and loose with her. After he spent her money he left her and now he's marrying another rich woman.
  
  他说:那人和这个有钱的女孩结婚,然后就反复无常地玩弄她的感情。在他花完了女孩的财产之后,就移情别恋。如今他要和另一个阔女人结婚了。
  
  所以play fast and loose意思是反复无常、朝三暮四。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1464
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学一个习惯用语: cut-and-dried。组成cut-and-dried这个习惯用语的三个单词一般都由连词符号连接。这个习惯用语用了两百来年了,很可能来自伐木业。砍下的木材通常切成统一规格的标准尺寸,待干,以便建房,但是如此一样长短、一般大小又干又硬的木材看着不免叫人觉得单调乏味。如今这个习惯用语用来描绘什么呢? 让我们通过一个例子来体会。这是个学生在批评一位教授。
  
  例句-4:I don't understand why he is so well-known. His lectures are so cut-and-dried that I have trouble staying awake -- he sounds like he's been giving the same speech for twenty years!
  
  他说:我实在不懂为什么他这么有名望。他的讲课既枯燥又单调。我听他的课老要打瞌睡。他的课听来好像是老生常谈地反复讲了二十年了。
  
  根据这个学生的描述,那位教授的讲学正好比一成不变、既干又硬的木材,所以 cut-and-dried意思就是枯燥、单调。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1465
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语都带有同一个词,fool。 这是个很普通的词。通常的意思是“傻瓜”,然而实际上fool这个词有好多不同的意思,用在不同场合词性也不同。我们首先要学的习惯用法是个复合词: foolproof。这个词由fool和proof合成。Proof有经得住某种考验的意思。例如waterproof就是能经得起浸水考验的。换句话说就是防水的,或者不漏水的。我们也说heatproof,解释能耐高温的。 那么foolproof是什么意思呢? 这是个形容词。它用来说某种器械或者机制由于设计特殊而且完备,以至在任何情况下都不会出毛病,即使无知的使用者犯了愚蠢的错误,它依然保持良好功能。所以foolproof解释“傻瓜也会用,”“傻瓜也明白”或者“有安全装置的。”
  
  我们来听个例子。这是一个电脑软件推销员在向一家企业经理推销一种新产品,而令这位经理犹豫的原因是这种产品使用起来是否得心应手。
  
  例句-1:I tell you, my friend, this is so well-designed that it's almost foolproof -- any worker in your office can handle it perfectly if he's smart enough to count from one to ten.
  
  他说:朋友,告诉你吧,这种产品的设计实在完美,简直连傻瓜用起来都错不了!你办公室所有的工作人员全能应用自如,凡是能从一数到十的人都会用。
  
  所以foolproof意思是“傻瓜也会用的”或者“有安全装置的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1466
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Fool这个词也可以作动词用,解释游手好闲。例如在下面习惯用语里: fool around。 Fool around显然解释东游西逛。换句话说是在漫无目的地浪费时间,可以指寻欢作乐,也可以用来说心猿意马地追求好多异性伴侣。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-2:My brother used to spend his time and waste his money fooling around with a bunch of girls. But he met the one he really liked. And now he's settled down into married life.
  
  他说:我的兄弟过去老浪费他的时间金钱跟一大帮子女孩鬼混,后来他终于遇见了真心相爱的一个。现在他已经安定下来结婚成家了。
  
  这里fool around解释和异性鬼混,或者东游西逛。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1467
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: nobody's fool。 Nobody通常的意思是“没有人,”而fool在这儿的意思是受人愚弄欺骗的人。那么nobody's fool是什么意思呢?可不就是谁也骗不了的人吗? 换句话说必然是个精明、老练、明智的人。不久前有一部美国电影片名就是Nobody's Fool。主角是个我行我素的建筑工人。他固然有他的问题和缺陷,但是他从来之不易的人生经验中获益不浅。所以如果说某人是nobody's fool。这是赞美之词或者一句恭维话。我们来听个例子。这人在回忆他的父亲。他认为父亲是nobody's fool。
  
  例句-3:When Dad was young, he was so poor he didn't even graduate from high school. But he was nobody's fool: he worked hard, used his head, and became one of the most successful men in our town.
  
  他说:当父亲年轻的时候,他穷得连中学都没毕业就不能上学了。但他可是个精明强干的人;他勤勤恳恳地工作,又会动脑筋,终于成为本城最有成就的人物之一。
  
  一个连中学学历都没有的人却在当地出人头地,那可不简单;不经奋斗没有头脑和世故决不可能走到这一步。所以nobody's fool意思是精明强干、阅历丰富的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1468
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语都来自飞机的航行。五十年前乘飞机是件惊天动地的大事,但是今天坐飞机旅行已相当于家常便饭了。美国各航空公司每天都要载运一百多万名旅客。航空事业如今这样发达的一个原因是有了无线电导航系统,但是过去在没有无线电航空信标、雷达和空中交通管制人员的时候,飞行员是怎么寻找航线的呢?他是观看地面上的铁路轨道、河流和其它陆地标记来决定航线和航向的。但是如果他穿入云层或者雨区,地面上的东西被云雾遮挡什么都看不清了,那又怎么办呢?这时飞行员就只得根据自己的直感来猜测他座下的飞机该是在什么方位了。由此而产生了这个习惯用语: fly by the seat of one's pants。
  
  大家也许早就知道pants是裤子,而seat在这儿是指裤子接触座位的部分。也就是裤子的臀部。飞行员的裤子当然不能为他的航向提供指点,fly by the seat of one's pants其实是说他在茫无依据的情况下只得凭直觉猜测他座下的飞机该往哪儿开。这个习惯用语如今被用作比喻意义。我们来听个例子。这是个美国企业家在说他去越南开办企业的经历。
  
  例句-1:When I set up business in Vietnam I had to fly by the seat of my pants. I didn't know anybody, couldn't speak the language and had to learn the local business situation in a hurry.
  
  他说:他在越南开办企业的时候,既不认识任何人,也不会说越南话,还得在短促的时间里了解当地的商业形势。
  
  换句话说他是在毫无客观依傍、茫无头绪的情况下硬著头皮上马,摸索行事的。所以to fly by the seat of one's pants解释在没有客观依据、茫无头绪的情况下只得摸索行事。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1469
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有时候fly by the seat of one's pants实在困难重重,要是飞行员正在云雾中晕头转向的当口上汽油又消耗完了,或者引擎偏偏在半空中又出了故障。这时这架飞机会发生什么情况呢?很可能会这样: nose dive。大家也许能猜出nose dive意思是飞机急速下降。这里的nose是机首,也就是飞机头部,dive这里的意思是急降,所以nose dive就是机首向下的急降。换句话说是俯冲。这个习惯用语被广泛应用在航空之外的其它方面。例如股票市场或者商业贸易。我们听个例子来琢磨nose dive可以用来比喻什么。这是一家公司的负责人在谈论他们企业的业务倒退:
  
  例句-2:It's not good news -- our profits took a real nose dive the last couple of months. In fact they're down about 50 percent from the same time last year.
  
  他说:这可不是什么好消息。这几个月来我们的盈利确实直线下降,和去年同期相比下降了几乎百分之五十。
  
  由此可见,nose dive这里可以用来比喻盈利或者价格的直线下降或者暴跌。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1470
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

如果一名飞行员无法控制急速下降的飞机、不能令它重新升空,或者在半空中飞机的引擎突然停止运作的话,在这生死关头飞行员要是不想和飞机同归于尽,就得采取什么行动来保全生命呢?他只得这样做了: bail out。你也许已经猜到bail out是跳伞的意思。但是如今bail out用途已经相当广泛,再也不局限于飞行员为了生命安全而弃机跳伞了。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人在谈论他有钱的叔叔。
  
  例句-3:My uncle has made millions playing the stock market. But he says it's time to bail out and sell his shares -- the market is as high as it will go, and prices will nose dive by fall.
  
  他说:我叔叔辗战股票市场赚了好几百万,但是他说目前是采取紧急措施、抛出股份的时候了,因为行市已上涨到顶峰,价格到秋天就会暴跌。
  
  大家一定听到这段话里除了用习惯用语bail out之外,还用了nose dive来说股市暴跌。他叔叔是个大玩家,看出股票市场有即将暴跌的危险,就及时撤退,抛出股票,以保住财产,所以这里的bail out意思是采取紧急措施及时脱离困境,或者临危脱险。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1471
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的几个习惯用语都包括rain这个词。大家知道rain是下雨的意思。雨水是地上万物赖以生存的东西;生命少不了它。但雨水并不老是受人欢迎的,有时天公不作美,在不该下雨的时候偏偏下起雨来了。这就产生了我们要学的第一个习惯用法: raincheck。
  
  Raincheck这个习惯用法来自美国的棒球比赛。如果在棒球正赛到一半的时候下起雨来了,球员和球迷们都只得赶忙找地方躲雨。要是这场雨下个没完没了,那就只好取消比赛了。在球迷们离开赛场的时候,他们会拿到一种特殊的票子,叫做raincheck, 凭这张raincheck他们可以免费再一次入场观看比赛。
  
  Raincheck虽然来自棒球赛,但是逐渐被广泛应用到其它地方去,例如商界。比方说,一家商店减价出售电视机,由于价廉物美,那家店的电视机很可能特价期还没结束就已被抢购一空了。在这种情况下商店会给那些惋惜失之交臂的顾客rainchecks,答应在商店进货后以同样的低价卖给他们电视机。换句话说是给顾客第二次享受特价的机会。
  
  Raincheck这个习惯用法也适用于社交生活。举例来说,一个人邀请一位朋友出去吃饭,但是被邀的那位今晚不巧另有约会,而他却相当喜欢请客的这位,也希望能再有和他交往的机会。那么他就可以这样说:
  
  例句-1:I'd love to go out with you, Ben. I'm sorry, I'm busy tonight but I hope you'll give me a raincheck.
  
  他说:Ben,我很想跟你一块儿出去,真抱歉我今晚没空,但是我希望你能推迟我们的约会。
  
  可见这儿的you'll give me a raincheck,意思是你会过些时候再次约我。Raincheck就是延迟到下一次再进行他们的约会。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1472
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个由rain这个词组成的习惯用语: right as rain。Right不是生词。它解释正确的。Right as rain这个习惯用语来自英国。英国是湿润的海洋性气候,所以一年到头'能指望有充沛的雨水。换句话说,在那儿雨水是最丰富充实,担保不会短缺的东西。那么right as rian是什么意思呢?我们听个例子来推敲,说话的是刚出院回家的人。
  
  例句-2:I was in the hospital for two weeks after the operation. I felt pretty sick but now I'm back home and this morning I woke up feeling right as rain for the first time in years.
  
  他说:他在手术后住了两星期医院,当时只觉得病恹恹的。但现在他已经出院回家。今儿早上一觉醒来他觉得一切正常、精力充沛,几年来从没有过这样良好的感觉。
  
  他出院回家身体康复,一反以往病病歪歪的状况,可见这里的right as rian意思是一切正常、状况良好。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1473
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学个由rain组成的习惯用语。刚才说过rain虽然是万物生长之本,但是下雨天却也会令人不胜烦恼,给人带来不少麻烦。由此而产生了这个习惯用语: rainy day。Rainy是由rain发展成的形容词。意思是“下雨的,”所以rainy day当然是下雨天。但是习惯用语rainy day是用作比喻意义的。
  
  人生的道路不会总是阳光普照。中国俗话说天有不测风云、人有旦夕祸福。意思是生活难免像天气一般变化无常;有时会乌云密布、阴雨连绵,也就是发生挫折和患难。而rainy day指的就是这种艰难困苦时期。让我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3:When I got a big bonus from the office, I thought about taking a long vacation in California. But I decided instead to put the money in the bank for a rainy day when I really need it.
  
  他说:当我从办公室得到一大笔奖金的时候,我原来想去加州度一次长假,但是后来决定把钱存进银行以防万一,有急难的时候会用得着的。
  
  所以这儿的rainy day指的是困难时期。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1474
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有很多美国习惯用语都提到人们从头到脚穿戴的东西,就是帽子、衣裤、鞋袜等。例如我们今天要学的习惯用语都关系到脚上穿的东西。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: sock away。 Sock是短袜,而且一般后面总带著复数s,因为袜子总是一双双的,所以大多是复数形式,但是在这个习惯用语里sock末尾没有s,而且这里的sock不是名词,是动词。
  
  Sock away这个习惯用语也许来自银行还不那么普遍的以往年代。当时有些人会把积攒的钱款藏在一只旧袜子里,然后压在床垫下面,以备急用。于是就产生了sock away这个说法来泛指积存一点钱,备作他用。当然现代人积蓄的款子很少还会放在袜子里,人们多半会存进银行。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-1:I don't make a lot of money but every two weeks when I get paid I try to sock away twenty dollars in my savings account at the bank to buy a ring for the girl I want to marry.
  
  他说:我挣钱不多,但是每两星期发工资的时候我总是设法把二十美元存进我在银行的储蓄存款帐户,为的是给我的结婚对象买一只戒指。
  
  可见这里的sock away意思就是存钱备用。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1475
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

脚上穿的除了袜子以外当然还有鞋子,就是shoe。接下来我们要学带有shoe这个词的习惯用语。第一个是: the shoe is on the other foot。 The shoe is on the other foot这个习惯用语从150年前流传至今。要理解它的用意其实很简单,你只要把左脚的鞋子套到右脚上,而把右脚的鞋子穿在左脚,试试看处于这种颠来倒去的状况你有多难受。好,让我们再通过一个例子来体会它的确切含义,说话的人在回忆自己二十年前的同班同学Jones:
  
  例句-2:Back at school we all laughed at Jones because we thought he was stupid. Now the shoe is on the other foot -- he's made lots of money and we barely make enough to feed our families.
  
  他说:从前在学校的时候我们都取笑Jones,因为我们觉得他很蠢。然而今非昔比,情况完全颠倒,如今他挣了好多钱,而我们却相反只能勉强维持家庭生计。
  
  当初被他们大夥儿瞧不起的人如今却出人头地比谁都强,可见the shoe is on the other foot意思是情况彻底改变,而这种翻来复去的变化也使说话人的心态有点儿失去平衡,因为当年他眼中的一个笨蛋如今却大大超越了他,难免令他感到不舒坦。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1476
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学一个习惯用语: on a shoestring. Shoestring是鞋带,鞋带当然是价格低廉、微不足道的东西,而on这个词有时可以用来说以什么来维持生活或者经营企业,所以on a shoestring,可以解释为以相当于鞋带价值的那点钱来维持或者经营什么。
  
  谁都清楚以那一丁点儿钱是绝对维持不了生活,也不可能经营一家企业的,on a shoestring当然是夸张的说法。让我们听个例子来体会它的确切含义吧。这段话说的还是刚才提到的那个小时被人瞧不起但是长大后发迹的Jones.
  
  例句-3:Jones started a little restaurant on a shoestring, but he ran it so well and the food tasted so good that he now has 300 eating places across the United States.
  
  他说:Jones 最初以微薄的资金开了一家小饭馆,但是他非常善于经营,饭菜又做得十分可口,所以如今他已经在全美各地拥有三百家饭店了。
  
  这段话里的on a shoestring意思就是小本经营。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1477
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲几个用到laugh这个词的习惯用语。 大家也许早就知道它的意思意思是“笑。” 在日常交谈、讲演或者非正式的书面语言中时常会听到用laugh这个词组成的习惯用语。例如人们常会说做什么事情的目的是: just for laughs。Just for laughs用来说做什么事情的目的就是想要轻松一下。例如有个大学生刚考完试,听听他跟同寝室的朋友怎么说:
  
  例句-1:Hey,Joe! Come on and grab your jacket -- let's go out and have a couple of beers just for laughs.
  
  显然这个大学生要松弛一下紧张的神经,想出去乐一下,所以他约室友去喝两杯啤酒。
  
  他话里的just for laughs解释“就为了轻松一下。”当然这是无可非议的,然而有时just for laughs却会用来说某种低级趣味甚至是损害他人的恶作剧。
  
  比方说就是刚才那大学生一次去参加游泳聚会,想不到他是高兴而去,败兴而归。某些人的恶作剧完全破坏了他的兴致。我们来听听是怎么回事:
  
  例句-2:Just for laughs these guys threw Mary into the pool with all her clothes on. But she didn't know how to swim. So I had to jump in and pull her out before she drowned.
  
  他说:这些人就为了取乐,竟然把Mary连人带衣服的一起扔进游泳池里。可是Mary压根儿不会游泳。我只好跳进水里把Mary拖上岸来。她差点淹死。
  
  这些人为了自己逗笑,竟然不顾他人的生命安危。这真是把自己的欢乐建筑在他人痛苦之上的行为,所以这段话里的just for laughs意思是就是为了取笑,而且往往是带有恶意的取笑。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1478
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: laugh out of the other side of your mouth。让我们听个例子来体会习惯用语laugh out of the other side of your mouth是什么意思。他说的是一钱如命的Bill自作聪明地问一个人低价买进一辆汽车。
  
  例句-3:Bill thought he got a real bargain because the car was half the normal price. Now he's laughing out of the other side of his mouth. The police came to tell him the car was stolen. So he loses both the car and the money.
  
  原来Bill是杀到半价买进这辆车的。他当时真是高兴,以为自己占了大便宜,但是想不到警察来对他说这辆车是赃货。这一来Bill既没了车又丢了钱。
  
  刚才说过Bill是一钱如命的家伙。起初买了便宜货想必得意扬扬,但是后来面临这种赔了夫人又折兵的局面,他必定会捶胸顿足、懊丧万分。可见laugh out of the other side of his mouth这个习惯用语是用来描绘这种乐极生悲的局面的。它的含义是意外打击使人哭笑不得、转喜为忧。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1479
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才的习惯用语使人连想起一句老话: 别高兴得太早。人们常规劝别人说: 得意莫忘形,失意别消沉。英语里有一句习惯用语有类似的含义,这个习惯用语是: have the last laugh。 Have the last laugh看来意思很明白,就是笑在最后,谁能在最后笑呢?当然是取得最终胜利的一方,所以have the last laugh说的是获得最后胜利。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-4:The boys thought they had tricked the girls by locking them in the kitchen. But the girls had the last laugh when the boys got hungry and realized they couldn't get into the kitchen for food.
  
  他说:男孩儿们把女孩锁进了厨房自以为得计,但是实际上最后胜利者却是女孩;男孩饿了想吃东西的时候才想起这一下他们可就进不了厨房拿吃的了。
  
  Have the last laugh这个习惯用语来自谚语: He laughs last who laughs best. 笑到最后的人才笑得最好。 Have the last laugh这个习惯用语言简意赅,含意是取得最后胜利才是真正的胜利,所以大可不必为最初的成败而情绪波动。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1480
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都有这样一个词: tune。Tune常用作名词,解释曲调,但是有时tune也当动词。例如在下面的习惯用语里: Tune in, 原来的意思是把收音机或者电视机调拨到某一频率或者频道,收听或者收看节目。但是作为习惯用语,tune in却另有意思,而且后面还往往跟著on这个词。让我们听个例子来体会它的含义。
  
  这是一个父亲在对近来美国青少年迷恋的绕舌音乐表示不满。Rap music是流行音乐的一种。它由节奏快速强烈的语句构成,往往不伴有音乐旋律。它和中国的快板有相似之处。好,我们来听这段话吧,注意那位父亲喜不喜欢绕舌音乐。
  
  例句-1:I can never tune in on rap music. To me it’s just a noisy waste of time. Can you tell what in the world they’re singing about? It sounds like some strange foreign language to me.
  
  那位父亲认为绕舌音乐吵吵闹闹毫无意义,简直就听不懂他们在唱些什么。绕舌音乐对他说来就象稀奇古怪的外国话一样一窍不通。
  
  显然那位父亲是不喜欢绕舌音乐的,所以这里的never tune in on意思是向来不喜欢,而习惯用语tune in就解释喜欢或者欣赏。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1481
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

前面说过tune in可以解释把收音机或者电视机调拨到某一电台收听他们的节目,如果你不想收听这个电台的节目了,那么你就可以把收音机或者电视机调出这个电台的波段,或者干脆关掉。这时候你可以说tune out,但是我们要学的习惯用语是: tune someone out。既然tune out可以解释不收听某一电台的节目,推想起来tune someone out这个习惯用语的意思一定是不听某人所说的话了。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是一位职业咨询顾问在帮助一名职员分析为什么他的老板对他的建议充耳不闻,试图帮这名职员挖掘他和上级之间的问题症结所在,并且为他指点出路。
  
  例句-2:Try to think exactly what you did to make your boss tune you out. Unless he respects you again, you can’t put good use to your talents. Either try harder to get back his confidence or start looking for another job.
  
  顾问建议那个职员努力回想自己究竟做了什么才使得老板把他的话当耳边风的。他说除非你重新获得老板的重视,否则你没法施展你的才能。你只有两种选择。不是努力再次取得老板的信任,就是另谋出路。
  
  显然这段话里的tune you out意思就是不听你的话,或者不重视你。习惯用语tune someone out解释漠视某人的意见。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1482
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个带有tune这个词的习惯用语在这个习惯用语里tune不再是动词而是名词。这个习惯用语是: out of tune。 Tune当名词的时候解释曲调,所以out of tune从字面意思来看就是不入调,或者说是走调。例如: The piano is out of tune. 这句话是在说钢琴琴键的音调偏高或者或者偏低。也就是钢琴走音了。但是out of tune这个习惯用语其实有更广泛的意义,可以解释不和谐一致,out of tune要表示和什么不协调、不合拍,通常后面得跟with,就成了out of tune with...好,我们来听个例子。它说的是一位人老心不老的老人:
  
  例句-3:He’s 76 years old, so it’s amazing he never seems to be out of tune with the changing times. He spends a lot of time with young people and always talks about what’s important to them.
  
  这段话说:他有七十六了,然而他显得从不落后于日新月异的形势。这真令人不可思议。他常常和年轻人作伴,并且老是谈论青年关心的那些问题。
  
  所以这里的never out of tune with意思就是和什么从来都很协调,而out of tune含义就是格格不入。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1483
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了几个由tune这个词组成的习惯用语。今天要讲的习惯用语也都有tune这个词。上次说过tune作名词的时候解释曲调。例如在下面的习惯用语里: change your tune。 Change your tune按照字面意思来解释就是改换曲调。它和其它习惯用语一样,应用范围大大扩展。Change your tune作为习惯用语由来已久。实际上它最初出现在近四百年前的一首民谣里,咏唱侠盗罗宾汉劫富济贫的故事。
  
  那么这个习惯用语究竟表达什么意思呢。让我们通过一个例子来琢磨。这段话说的是Tom原来打算辞职,后来又决定留下。我们来听听是什么原因促使他改变主意的。
  
  例句-1:Tom almost resigned from VOA but changed his tune in a hurry when he learned he’ll get a promotion soon. But I still wonder how much longer he can put up with his domineering boss.
  
  他说:Tom原来乎已经辞去了美国之音的工作,但是他说自己即将被提升就忙改变主意留下来了。然而我还是拿不准他对那位飞扬跋扈的上级能忍受多久。
  
  他原来决意辞职,后来又留下没走,是即将要提升他让他改变主意的。所以这里的changed his tune意思就是他改变了主意或者决定。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1484
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Change one’s tune意思是改变主意或者决定。还有一个习惯用语也表示类似的意思。它是: sing a different tune。 Sing a different tune按照字面意思是唱不同的调子。它和change one’s tune都可以用来表示改变主意或者决定,但是sing a different tune作为习惯用语更为古老,来自十四世纪的年代。Sing a different tune往往还含有某人的言行一反既往的意思。例如在我们将要听的例子里就是这样。这段话说的是在政治舞台上再三重演的一段老故事。
  
  例句-2:Now that he’s been elected governor, he certainly sings a different tune about big business. Now he refuses to tighten regulations on chemical wastes although he promised to during the campaign.
  
  他说:如今他已当选州长,对待大企业当然就改变了论调。虽然他在竞选时曾经答应要对大企业的化学废料处理严加规定,但是现在他却拒绝这样做。
  
  所以这里的sings a different tune意思就是改变论调。我们也可以说sing another tune或者sing another song来表示同样的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1485
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个意义相近的习惯用语: dance to another tune。 Dance to another tune如果直译就是: 跟著另一支曲子起舞。大家也许猜得到这个习惯用语跟刚才学的几个习惯用语一样也是用来比喻改变以往的作为和态度的。
  
  让我们来听个例子,说的是一个名叫Joe的小伙子。他原来象个浪荡公子,但是现在却面目一新。我们来听听是什么因素使得他痛改前非的。
  
  例句-3:Before he got married, Joe used to be really wild. he spent all his salary going out and having a good time. But he’s dancing to another tune now with his beautiful wife Sally and two kids.
  
  他说:Joe结婚成家前可真是荒唐。他出外寻欢作乐把工资花得一干二净。但是如今他有了漂亮的太太Sally和两个孩子,彻底改过自新。
  
  Joe从一个浪荡公子变为安于家庭生活的人。这是个很大的改变,所以dance to another tune解释一改以往作风。它的意思相当于中国成语“改弦易辙。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1486
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

枪在美国历史上曾经起了重要的作用。枪是探险家、垦荒者和牛仔必不可少的伴侣。这固然已经是陈年往事,但是这段流逝的岁月却在语言中留下了自己的脚印;美国英语里至今还有不少习惯用语都和枪或者开火射击有关。
  
  我们今天要讲几个这样的习惯用语。第一个是: go off half-cocked。这个习惯用语来自两百年前。当时人们使用的步枪是从前枪口上子弹的,开火前必须先打开保险装置,也就是准备开火的扳机。Cock作动词用的时候就解释扳上枪上的扳机,所以half-cocked意思是准备开火的扳机还没完全扳上,或者说是枪上的开火保险装置还没完全打开。
  
  而短语go off就是“开火”的意思,所以这个习惯用语从字面上看来是枪的保险扳机还没扳上就发火了,而当时的步枪由于开火装置上的缺陷,时常会出这样的毛病。但是现在人们用这个习惯用语时含意是什么呢?让我们听个例子来体会。
  
  例句-1:My boss went off half-cocked today when I came in late. He gave me hell until he stopped for breath and I had a chance to tell him I had to rush my wife to the hospital to have our baby.
  
  原来他上班迟到了。他老板一见他二话不说就给他连珠炮般的一顿训斥。他在老板停下来喘口气的当口上才有机会插嘴说:刚才他必须送太太上医院去生他们的宝宝。
  
  他是由於太太分娩这种紧急情况才迟到的,而老板一见他就不问情由地斥骂,可见习惯用语go off half-cocked如今用来指不了解情况莽撞行事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1487
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学个习惯用语: stick to one’s guns。Stick这个词作动词用的时候可以解释坚持、坚守不离开,而且后面往往跟著to。这样看来stick to one’s guns意思是坚守自己的枪炮。想象一下当敌军步步紧逼、杀上前来的时刻有人却临危不惧,坚定不移地装上子弹炮弹射向敌军。这确实需要坚强的毅力。那么stick to one’s guns用在日常生活中表示什么意思呢?我们来听个例子。这是一位父亲叮嘱将要离开家去上大学的女儿。
  
  例句-2:Honey, I hear some students at this school are fooling around with drugs. But I know that you’ll stick to your guns and keep saying no to people who want you to try the stuff.
  
  这位父亲说:我听说这所学校里有些学生在滥用毒品。但是我知道你有坚定的毅力会坚持到底,拒绝那些想要引诱你试毒品的家伙的。
  
  在年轻人之有时确实存在迫使你随大流的压力,置身于吸毒之类的坏风气中要做到坚持自己的原则不为所动,需要坚定不移的毅力,所以这儿stick to one’s guns意思就是坚持立场不动摇。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1488
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: a shot in the dark。 Shot在这儿显然是名词。它的意思是开枪射击。A shot in the dark从字面解释就是在黑暗中放的一枪。想象一下在伸手不见五指的黑暗中根本不可能知道目标在哪里就开了一枪。这一枪想必是凭瞎猜来放的了。其实习惯用语a shot in the dark说的并不是开枪射击。让我们听个例子来琢磨它的意思。
  
  例句-3:Man, I know I flunked that exam! I didn’t know even half of the answers. All I could do was take a whole lot of shots in the dark and hope I made some lucky guesses.
  
  他说:咳,我知道那次考试准不及格。那些考题我甚至连一半都答不上。我除了作一大堆的胡乱猜测之外别无他法,只能巴望自己运气好猜中了。
  
  对那些考题他有一半都心里没底,就只好乱猜了,所以这里的take a whole lot of shots in the dark意思是作一大堆的胡乱猜测,习惯用语a shot in the dark含义就是漫无目标地瞎猜。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1489
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都包括table这个词。它最普通的意思是桌子。第一个习惯用语是: lay all your cards on the table。Lay可以解释“放、搁”;cards是纸牌,所以从字面意思来解释,lay all your cards on the table就是把你所有的牌都放到桌面上来。
  
  换句话说是摊牌,也许对中国听众说来这个习惯用语的比喻意义是显而易见的,因为中文说“摊牌”含义就是亮出底细,也就是毫无保留地坦诚相见。
  
  这个习惯用语的出典显然是纸牌游戏。按照规则某一方在一定的时候得把手上的牌翻开来摊在桌面上。这样他就是把自己的底细都明明白白地告诉别人了。这个习惯用语沿用至今已经四百多年了。
  
  让我们来听个例子。这是一家贷款公司的业务代表在跟一个想购买房屋要借房屋贷款的人面谈。我们知道要做成这样一笔交易,借款人首先得毫无保留地向贷款公司公布自己一切财务情况,包括收入、储蓄以及债务等。
  
  例句-1:First, why don’t you lay all your cards on the table? I mean all of your income, debts and savings so we can figure out what to do about buying this house. You’ll need a lot of cash up front.
  
  他说:首先你为什么不把你的财务情况和盘托出呢?我的意思是你一共有多少收入、债务和储蓄。这样我们才能合计购买这栋房子的步骤。你先得有好多现款然后才能买房。
  
  这里的lay all your cards on the table意思是把所有情况和盘托出,也就是毫无保留地说出一切。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1490
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: under the table。Under the table照字面意思来解释就是“在桌面底下。” Under the table和刚才学的习惯用语lay all your cards on the table意思刚好相反。在中文里也有类似的说法。也就是“不上台面的,”“暗地里的,”可以指偷偷摸摸的暗中交易。其实under the table这个习惯用语的出典就是在桌面底下把现金偷偷塞给洽谈生意的对方代表,贿赂他,以便于在台面上达成有利于自己的交易。所以人们说under the table指的是贿赂等不光明正大的暗中交易。
  
  二次大战期间由于食品短缺,而不得不配给供应很多主要食品,而食品店的掌柜往往把一些配给的紧张商品藏在柜台底下,留给关系好的顾客。于是人们也说under the table来指这种开后门的小动作。
  
  让我们来听个例子,里面有曾经学过的一个习惯用语making ends meet,意思是收支平衡。好,我们一起来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-2:In certain countries nothing can be done without money changing hands under the table. This is especially true in places where officials get paid so little they have trouble making ends meet.
  
  他说:在某些国家你要是不偷偷塞钱贿赂,就什么也办不成。在那些办事人员收入微薄、收支难以平衡的地方更是如此。
  
  所以这里under the table意思是偷偷摸摸地、暗中进行地。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1491
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学一个习惯用语: turn the tables。Turn the tables字面意义是“转桌子。”这个习惯用语的出典也许是棋赛。在桌子两边下棋的对手在一局结束后,必须转到桌子的另一边和对方交换位置,用意是给输的一方绝对公平的机会去扭转局面、转败为胜。让我们听个例子来体会turn the tables用来说明什么意思。
  
  这是一个足球队员为他们球队终于击败了多年的劲敌而得意扬扬。
  
  例句-3:Until this year my college had lost ten football games in a row to our strongest rival. But last Sunday we finally turned the tables on them and crushed them 35 to nothing.
  
  他说:在今年比赛前我校已经输给我们最厉害的劲敌一连串十场足球赛了。但是上星期天我们终于反败为胜,以三十五比零的比分把他们打得落花流水。
  
  他们一连十次都败在对方手下,但是今年他们却扬眉吐气,以35比零的成绩把对方打得一败涂地。可见turn the tables含义是扭转局面,反败为胜。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1492
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学几个用来说带头人的习惯用语。这里的所谓“带头人”可能是企业主管,也可以是政府领袖,也许只是一家之主,反正任何群体多半总得有个大权在握的,而这样的人在英文里可以被称作: top dog。
  
  Top意思是“最高的。” 由此可见top dog就是狗群里地位最高、领头的那一只,也许是因为这条狗体格最高大强壮,也可能由于它最灵敏。
  
  中文里“狗”往往带有贬义,要是把某人比作狗,这人会给气得发昏,但是,英文的习惯却不同,“狗”常常不带有贬义,有时还是褒义的。Top dog就是一个例子。这个习惯用语说的是居支配地位的、有最高权力的人。
  
  我们来听个例子,说话的人是一家公司的销售部主任在为本公司的前景担忧。
  
  例句-1:Yes I’m worried. Mr. Brown has been our top dog for 25 years, but he’s retiring. Three of our senior executives are fighting for his job and nobody knows who’ll end up as new top dog.
  
  他说:我可真担心,Brown先生主导公司达二十五年之久,却要退休了,而企业的三名高级主管为了争夺他的职位正打得不可开交,如今没人知道掌管公司的大权会落到谁的手里。
  
  这里的top dog就是掌权人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1493
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个有关掌权的习惯用语。它和top dog一样 ,也来自动物: rule the roost。 Rule在这儿是动词,解释“统治、管制,” roost是鸡棚或者鸡栅栏。住在同一个鸡栅栏的鸡群里往往有一只雄纠纠的公鸡管著好多母鸡,正好比皇帝和一群嫔妃一般。换句话说,这只公鸡rule the roost。
  
  几乎四百来年以前人们就开始借用这个说法来比喻人高居首位了,而且习惯用语rule the roost一直沿用至今。这个习惯用语不分性别,不仅可以用来指男的也可以说女的。让我们来听个例子。这段话说的恰恰是一名妇女,她担当市教育委员会主席的职务。好,我们来听这段话吧。请注意里面用到的习惯用语rule the roost。
  
  例句-2:Mrs. Green rules the roost on the school board because day after day she works so hard for the students and parents and wins the biggest vote in the elections every two years.
  
  他说:Green太太是市教育委员会的第一把手,由于她日继一日地为学生和家长辛勤操劳,她在每两年举行一次的选举中赢得的选票总是最多。所以动词短语rule the roost意思就是“高居首位。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1494
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学一个习惯用语: wear the pants。大家一定知道pants是裤子,那么wear the pants,岂不就是“穿裤子”吗? 这个习惯用语已经非常古老了。它也起源于四百来年前,当时的民俗穿裤子的都是男人,妇女得穿裙子,而养家活口、当家作主的也多半是穿裤子的男子汉大丈夫。然而在有的家庭里母亲必须又当妈又当爸,担当起丈夫的责任,当家作主。这时人们就会说这位妇女wear the pants,因为她承当了男人的义务和权力,渐渐地人们就用wear the pants这个短语来指当家人了。随著时代的变迁,如今妇女日常穿裤子的大有人在,而习惯用语wear the pants也不光是指替代丈夫当家作主的妇女了。它’可以用来表示主管事务的男性。比方说在待会儿要听的例子里,它说的就是一位男士。
  
  例句-3:The old man still owns the shop and comes to work. But his son wears the pants now -- he decides what goods to buy, signs the paychecks and hires and fires the people who work there.
  
  他说:尽管那位老人还是这家商店的店主而且他也来店里上班,但是如今可是他儿子在当家管事了,是儿子决定进什么货、签发工资单、雇用或者开除什么工作人员这些具体业务的。
  
  进货、发工资以及雇人等都是店里的首要业务,得由当家作主的人来掌管,所以这里wears the pants意思是当家作主。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1495
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学几个有turn这个词的习惯用语。Turn是个很普通的词。它当动词的时候意思就是转动。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: turn tail。 Tail是尾巴,猫或狗在面临什么威胁的时候,往往会调头就走。换句话说是把尾巴转向令它害怕的一方,逃之夭夭。
  
  这也许就是turn tail这个习惯用语的出典。让我们听个例子来体会turn tail究竟是什么意思。这是个男孩儿在说当校里的小霸王威胁要揍他一顿的时候发生了什么。
  
  例句-1:When this bully saw my big brother, Tom, he turned tail and ran. I don’t think he’ll bother me again. You know, I’m really proud of Tom -- some day I hope I’ll be as big and strong as he is.
  
  他说:这个小霸王一看到我的老大哥Tom掉转头来就一溜烟地逃走了。我想他再也不会来找我麻烦了。你知道我可真为Tom大哥骄傲,但愿我有一天也能像他那样高大强壮。
  
  小霸王看到高大强壮的Tom自知不是他的对手,为了别招惹麻烦灰溜溜地转身逃走了,所以这里的turn tail意思就是逃避麻烦或者困难。这个习惯用语有点像中文的俗话:夹著尾巴逃跑了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1496
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: turn one’s head。在这儿turn意思是转变,head指的是头脑思想,所以turn one’s head直译就是改变人的头脑思想。好,让我们通过一个例子来体会turn one’s head含义究竟是什么。
  
  例句-2:Her big inheritance really turned Mary’s head. She used to be very friendly and modest. But now she’s changed a lot. She snubs old friends and only mixes these days with other rich people.
  
  他说:Mary以前为人友善谦和,但是自从继承一大笔遗产之后一反既往,她冷落老朋友,只跟那些有钱人交往。
  
  Mary向来平易近人,而发财后却变得虚荣势利。这是金钱在作怪:利令智昏;所以这里的turn one’s head解释被某种好运冲昏了头脑。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1497
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: turn over a new leaf。 Leaf在这儿解释书本的一页,所以turn over a new leaf,按照字面意思来解释就是“翻开新的一页”。其实这个说法在中文里也比较常用,所以中国听众并不难以理解这个习惯用语的比喻意义。它用来说“有焕然一新的开端”,也可以指某人改过自新,或者思想观念上的破旧立新。
  
  这是一个相当古老的习惯用语。人们从十六世纪起就开始使用这个习惯用语了。我们来听个例子。这是一位老师在为调皮捣蛋的学生George近来大有进步而感到惊喜。
  
  例句-3:I really hope this is the real thing! George turned over a new leaf this week, and stopped disturbing the class -- no more fighting or bothering the other students! I only hope it lasts!
  
  他说:我可真盼望这回George确实改过了。这星期来George面目一新;他再也不在班级里惹是生非,他竟然不再打架,也没有招惹其他同学!我唯一的愿望是这种好现象能长久维持下去。
  
  George的品行发生了令人惊讶的变化。他过去老是在班上捣乱,跟同学吵架,到处惹事。但是这星期来他却一反既往,乖乖地不吵也不闹。所以老师说他turned over a new leaf, 意思是行为改过自新。可见习惯用语turned over a new leaf含义就是有一个崭新的开端。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1498
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语都用了同一个词,fiddle。Fiddle当名词的时候是violin,也就是小提琴的别名,但是fiddle也可以当动词用。例如在我们要学的第一个习惯用语里fiddle就是个动词: fiddle around。 Fiddle当动词用的时候可以解释虚度时光或者鬼混,所以fiddle around想必意思是东游西逛。大家可能已经想到了以前学过的一个很相似的习惯用语: fool around。它的意思似乎和fiddle around 一样,但是fiddle around更常用来说不务正业,把时间浪费在一些琐碎无聊的事情上。让我们来听个例子。这是个爸爸在为孩子晚上只顾玩儿不做功课而发脾气。我们来听听他是怎么指责那些孩子的。
  
  例句-1:Come on, you kids! Stop fiddling around with that stupid video game. Right now, I say! You have plenty of homework tonight and I want you to go upstairs and start doing it.
  
  那爸爸说:嗨,孩子别再吊儿郎当地玩儿电子游戏了。马上给我停下来!今晚你们有好多功课得做,我要你们马上去楼上开始做作业。
  
  这儿的fiddle around意思就是吊儿郎当、不务正业。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1499
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: play second fiddle。 在play second fiddle这个习惯用语里fiddle是名词,刚才说过它的意思就是小提琴。要理解这个习惯用语你先得联想一下有很多名小提琴手在内的交响乐团。
  
  在乐团里要有领奏的首席小提琴手,也叫第一小提琴手。担任小提琴首席用英文来表示就是play first fiddle。乐团里也一定要有一位仅次于第一小提琴手、也担任领奏职责的第二小提琴手,顾名思义他的作用位居第二,用英文来表示就是play second fiddle。
  
  逐渐地play second fiddle这个说法意思不再局限于演奏音乐了;它的应用由音乐扩大到其它领域。让我们听个例子来体会play second fiddle意义是什么。它说的是在美国地位最最显要的那位second fiddle。
  
  例句-2:The vice president will become leader if the president dies. But unless this happens, people expect him to play second fiddle and do what the president wants him to do.
  
  他说:副总统在总统去世的情况下会成为总统,但是除非这种情况果真发生,否则副总统就该当第二把手,听从总统的指令。
  
  这段话在比较副总统和总统的地位,大家知道,副总统虽然在万人之上,却在总统一人之下,充当总统的配角或者助手,所以play second fiddle意思就是当第二把手,或者说是当副手。
  
  刚才说过交响乐团内不止一、两把小提琴,所以除了play first fiddle, play second fiddle,这两种说法之外,还有play third fiddle。我想大家一定能猜到它的意思,就是“当第三把手,”换句话说是“当配角。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-24#1500
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: pay the fiddler。既然fiddle可以解释为小提琴,可想而知fiddler就是拉小提琴的人了,或者说是小提琴手。
  
  Pay the fiddler这个习惯用语可能来自早年美国乡间的一种民俗:雇一名提琴手拉琴让大家随著音乐跳方块舞,但是曲终人散之际总得有人掏腰包付钱给那位乐师,否则他下次就再也不肯来为你助兴了。这是在为先前的寻欢作乐付出代价。然而当代人说pay the fiddler可不再是指付钱给演奏小提琴的人了,而且往往用在带有负面意思的场合。
  
  让我们来听个例子,来琢磨现在pay the fiddler是什么意思。
  
  例句-3:That bank robber had a good time with the ninety thousand dollars he stole. But the cops caught him down in Texas and brought him back to pay the fiddler -- thirty years in prison.
  
  原来那个强盗用抢银行得来的九万美元不义之财恣意享乐,但是警察追捕到得克萨斯州,把他捉拿归案。他罪有应得被判处了三十年徒刑。
  
  这个人抢来九万美元大肆享受,但是到头来却得承担罪责,蹲三十年监狱;一时的欢乐换来了多少年的痛苦。所以这里pay the fiddler意思是承担后果,而且往往指惩罚性的后果。但是有时pay the fiddler也可以纯粹指负担玩乐的费用。
  

太极无敌 : 2009-12-25#1501
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

辛苦了,兄弟!!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1502
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的几个习惯用语都有这个词horse。 Horse大家都熟,是几乎遍布世界各地的“马。” 早在四千五百年前,居住在中亚地区的游牧民族就已经开始驯服野马供人坐骑或参与战事了。直到一百来年前马匹还在世界各地被普遍应用于耕作、运输和战争,但是如今在美国马匹却主要用在运动项目中了。
  
  由于马匹在人类历史上发挥的作用很大,因而产生了不少由horse组成的习惯用语。我们要学的第一个是: be on one’s high horse。 High horse如果直译就是高头大马。早在十四世纪的时候地位高高在上的人骑的马匹得尽可能地高大,以显示他们高人一等的身份地位。他们骑上了这样的马匹就能居高临下地俯视他人了。
  
  习惯用语be on one’s high horse如今表达什么意思呢?让我们听个例子来琢磨。这是在说老朋友Bob近来的反常行为:
  
  例句-1:Since Bob was elected president of the club, he’s been up on his high horse, ordering the rest of us around as if we were his personal servants.
  
  他说:自从Bob当选为俱乐部主席以来,他就趾高气扬起来了,把朋友们差遣得团团转,就好像这些人都是他雇的佣人一样。
  
  Bob把周围的朋友当自己的佣人一般地差使,可见他自以为高人一等,不尊重他人。所以be on one’s high horse意思就是趾高气扬、渺视他人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1503
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: beat a dead horse。一匹死马你再怎么抽打也不会站起来往前奔跑了,所以beat a dead horse实际上是在做无用功,当然这个习惯用语是用来作比喻的。让我们听个例子来体会它的意思吧。说话的人是在劝告一位政界人士。
  
  例句-2:You’re only beating a dead horse when you talk about your opponent stealing the last election. That’s over and done with; it’s much better to talk about his record after he got elected.
  
  他说:如今木已成舟你再谈政敌窃取上届选举成果也是徒劳无益、于事无补的了;你还是谈谈他当选后的政绩如何为好。
  
  当然,在选举已成定局之后,讨论对手在选举中是否弄虚作假已经太晚,再也也改变不了选举结果了,就等于在白花力气地抽打一匹死马一样改变不了局面,所以beat a dead horse,意思是在已经失去意义的问题上白花力气,或者说是事后再作无效的努力,换句话说是徒劳无益。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1504
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学一个习惯用语,里面的horse意思可不同:clothes horse。 Clothes是衣服的总称,clothes horse原来是指那种晾晒衣服的架子。既然是晾衣架,上面必然会披挂各色各样的衣服,而且人们还时时会从晾衣架上取下干的、挂上潮的,也就是说架上的衣服时时在更换。但是clothes horse作为习惯用语的时候是什么意思呢?让我们听个例子来体会clothes horse比喻什么样的人。
  
  例句-3:Sally is a real clothes horse: she pays an awful lot for all the new outfits she wears, and she looks like a million bucks. But she earns a good salary and can afford nice things.
  
  Sally花费好多钱来给自己买新衣服。她的穿戴相当奢侈华丽,但是她的工资待遇优厚,所以能买得起贵重的东西。
  
  既然Sally收入丰厚,又愿意把好多钱花在新衣服上,想必Sally打扮入时,所以说 Sally 是a real clothes horse,意思是爱打扮、好赶时髦的人,这可以指女人,也可以用来说男的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1505
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了几个包括horse这个词的习惯用语。尽管如今马匹的重要性已经大大不如十九世纪的年代,但是马匹在历史长途上的足迹却至今还印证在语言里,所以由horse组成的习惯用语可真不少。我们今天再来学几个。第一个是: a horse of a different color。
  
  习惯用语a horse of a different color起源于四百来年前。往往有这样的情况:第一眼瞥见一匹马的时候在印象中这匹马是某种颜色,但是后来细看之下却会发现颜色根本不同,完全是另一回事。
  
  我们听个例子来体会这个习惯用语的含义吧。说话的人惊喜地发现某一情况完全不是他当初所想象的那样。
  
  例句-1:You mean to say that guy with that beautiful girl is her brother! I thought he was her boy friend. Hey, that’s a horse of a different color -- I’ll go ask her for her phone number!
  
  他说:你意思是说和那漂亮姑娘在一块儿的是她的兄弟!我原以为那是她的男朋友呢!嗨,这样就情况完全不同了。我可得去问她要电话号码!
  
  他先把他们看作一对恋人,后来发现他俩是兄妹,情况当然完全不同,于是燃起了他追求这女孩儿的希望,准备大胆地去要电话号码以便约会。所以a horse of a different color意思是“完全是另一会事,” 或者情况全然不同。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1506
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接著要学的两个习惯用语都在回顾遥远的过去年代。第一个是: one-horse town。 One-horse town: 只一匹马的村镇,想必是个既小又落后的地方,以至整个村子仅有一匹马。当然现代村镇的规模大小也许不会再以马匹的多少来衡量。一个镇小得也许街上只需要一盏红绿灯,但是人们还是习惯用one-horse town来说这样一个落后的小乡镇。
  
  我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-2:I come from a one-horse town in the west. I’ve lived here in New York for 30 years, but I often think about going back to the simple life there.
  
  他说: 我来自西部的一个小乡镇,在纽约已经住了三十年了,但是我还常常向往回老家去过那纯朴的日子。
  
  这里one-horse town就指规模很小的乡镇。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1507
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个回忆过去岁月的习惯用语: horse-and-buggy days。 Buggy是四轮的轻便马车。在火车、汽车和飞机还没发明之前,美国人运输通常就靠这种马拉的车子。从大约1790年起人们开始用horse-and-buggy days来指以往的岁月。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-3:Some people look back to the horse-and-buggy days as a better time than now. But remember those were the days before we had movies, TV, modern medicine and all the other things that make life a lot easier.
  
  他说:有些人怀旧;老是觉得今不如昔,但是你可别忘记那时人们是没有电影、电视、现代医药以及种种生活便利设施的。
  
  Horse-and-buggy days意思就是以往岁月。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1508
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学个习惯用语: hold one’s horses。 Hold one’s horses从字面意思来解释就是勒住你的马,停步不走。这个习惯用语是十九世纪马匹作为重要交通工具时的一个口令,用来要求赶马车的停下他的那些马匹。但是现在hold one’s horses被广泛应用在各种场合。让我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义。这是个儿子跑回来告诉爸爸: 他开家里的那辆车闯了祸,但是他要求爸爸先别发火,耐心听他把事情说明白。
  
  例句-4:Dad, please hold your horses before you get mad at me. It was the other guy’s fault -- the cop said so -- so his insurance company will have to pay for having the car fixed.
  
  他说:爸爸一听儿子撞坏了家里的车子必然火冒百丈,马上要对儿子发作,但是儿子却要他先按捺一下火气听他说明白原委。原来警察说车祸的责任在对方,所以对方的保险公司得承担汽车的修理费用。
  
  这样看来hold your horses是用来要求对方忍耐、镇静,别冲动的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1509
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲几个和电影业有关的习惯说法。第一个:flashback。Flash意思是闪光。Flashback这个说法是1915年前后开始出现在好莱坞制片过程中的。凡是电影里穿插的回顾过去的场景就称为flashback。
  
  比方说在一部描述一个老人的电影里时而会复现老人二十时发生的事情。那么这段回忆镜头就是flashback。如今flashback这个词被广泛应用在日常语言中。让我们听个例子来体会它的含义。说话的人在机场巧遇二十五年没见面的老同学。我们来听听他怎么说。
  
  例句-1:As soon as I saw Charley, I had a flashback to that day at the swimming pool when I was only seven. By accident, I fell into the deep end and Charley jumped in and saved my life.
  
  他说:我一看到Charley就立刻回想起游泳池边上的那一天。当时我还只七岁,一不小心掉进了深水里,是Charley跳进水里救了我的命。
  
  刚才说过他和Charley有二十五年不见,但是机场巧遇却促使七岁时的往事在眼前闪现,可见flashback用来描述对往事的回忆突然在心头浮现。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1510
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯说法: slapstick。 Slapstick是个复合词。其中slap是啪嗒啪嗒的敲击声,而stick是棍棒。 Slapstick出典是这样:每当舞台滑稽戏里小丑摔跤或者挨打的时候,后台就敲击棍棒发出响亮的啪嗒声加添现场效果来逗笑。
  
  这种趣味低俗的滑稽戏多的就是这一套纯粹以肢体动作来逗乐的笑料,于是人们用slapstick来指品位不高的滑稽戏了。
  
  后来电影也用slapstick这个词指那种庸俗喧闹的闹剧。有些人讨厌这种玩意儿,觉得它毫无幽默感,但是也有人却不以为然,就爱看闹剧放松一下神经。比方说这个人。
  
  例句-2:Maybe I shouldn’t, but I admit I love slapstick comedy: it’s stupid, but I laugh my head off at those silly people falling all over each other and breaking things.
  
  他说:可能我不该这样,但是我承认自己爱看闹剧。那种表演确实愚蠢,然而我看到那些傻瓜蛋们摔成一团,还把东西都摔破,就乐得哈哈大笑。
  
  这里slapstick就指那种喧闹而趣味不高的滑稽电影。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1511
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个电影界从舞台表演中借用来的习惯用语: ham actor。 Ham actor这个习惯用语可能来自从前剧团里担任小角色的演员是用火腿上的肥肉来擦去脸上的油彩化妆的,因为火腿肥肉价格便宜,只有那些挑大梁的头牌演员才有资格使用比较贵的冷霜来卸妆。于是人们用ham actor来指二流演员了,而且还时常省略actor,只用ham一个词。这样的演员往往表演过分夸张、矫揉造作。Ham也可以当动词。我们要听的例子里用了两次ham,一次是动词。
  
  例句-3:I can’t stand watching this actor. He is the worst ham I can think of. He hams up his part so much that he couldn’t act naturally like a real person.
  
  他说:我可受不了看这位演员演戏。我实在想不出还有哪个二流演员比他的演技更差了。他的表演这样夸张又矫揉造作,以至那角色都不像一个真人了。
  
  这里的ham是演技拙劣的二流演员,而动词短语ham up意思是夸大其实地演戏。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1512
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个从电影转用到日常生活的习惯用语: 男: cliffhanger。 Cliff是悬崖峭壁,hanger这里指悬挂著的人,所以cliffhanger就是双手攀在悬崖边上双足悬空的人。
  
  三十年代很流行在正片前加映惊险系列短片,每集十分钟,为了造成观众的悬念使得他们非回来再看下集不可,每集结束时主人公老是处于千钧一发的险境:不是被印第安人穷追不舍,便是单靠十根手指头的力气悬挂在万丈深渊的上空,于是人们就把这种结局要到最终才见分晓的惊险片称为cliffhanger。 Cliffhanger后来被借用到体育界、商界或者政界,来指到最后关头方知胜负的局面。我们来听个例子,说的是参议院通过一项提案的事情。
  
  例句-4:The senate vote on this bill was very close. In fact it was a real cliff-hanger -- it finally got passed by one vote, 50 to 49!
  
  他说:参议院对这项提案的表决竞争激烈。实际上,最后仅以一票之差才得以通过,是五十对四十九票。
  
  所以cliff-hanger用来泛指到最后关头才决定的局面。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1513
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的几个习惯用语都表示这样的意思:地位优越、或者境遇良好。第一个是: sitting pretty。 Pretty不是个生词,它解释“漂亮的。” 但是习惯用语sitting pretty可不是“坐著很漂亮”的意思。让我们听个例子来体会sitting pretty这个习惯用语的确切含义:
  
  例句-1:My friend Joe has been a poor farmer working hard all his life. But he’s sitting pretty now on: a big oil company found a big pool of oil under his land and today he’s a millionaire.
  
  他的朋友Joe向来是个辛劳耕作、勉强维生的穷苦农民,然而一家大石油公司在他的土地下发现了一大片油田。他顿时成了百万富翁,当然从此就不愁吃穿,安享清福了。
  
  既然他的地下有丰富的石油蕴藏,石油公司必然要出高价买他的地。他顷刻间家产百万,再也不必终年操劳,就能坐享其成了。所以这里的sitting pretty描绘某人处于不愁吃穿、经济宽裕的地位。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1514
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: in the catbird seat。 Catbird是美国的一种鸟,它的啼声有点像猫叫因而得到这个名字。美国一位有名的体育节目广播员Red Barber在五十年前起用了这个习惯用语in the catbird seat,并且令它家喻户晓。
  
  这位广播员的家乡在美国的南端。那儿多的是catbirds。这种鸟儿喜欢在高高的树顶上唱歌。这一方面因为在高不可攀的树顶上没人能侵犯到它的安全,同时也为了让自己的歌声能传向四面八方。
  
  让我们听个例子来体会sitting in the catbird seat比喻意义是什么。这段话在说打扑克。
  
  例句-2:All the players seemed to have good cards because they kept raising the bet. But Helen just tried hard not to smile: she was sitting in the catbird seat with a royal flush nobody could beat.
  
  他说:几个打牌的手上似乎都有好牌,因为他们在不断提高赌注。但是Helen却在使劲儿憋住不笑出来,因为她手上握著五张最大的同花顺子,几乎必胜无疑。
  
  会打牌的人都知道大同花顺子是所向无敌的,虽然每个人手上牌都不错,但是强中还有强中手,更有强人在后头。Helen握著这样一手好牌,她就处于必胜的优越地位了。所以习惯用语sit in the catbird seat意思是处于必胜无疑的地位。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1515
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个表示境遇良好的习惯用语: happy as a clam。 Clam是蚌。蚌都把自己埋藏在河床或者海滩的泥砂里。
  
  这个习惯用语来自北大西洋沿岸地带。蚌最喜欢涨潮的时候,因为好多水掩盖了它居住的洞穴。它就更安全了;人们既找不到它,也不可能把它挖掘出来当美餐了。
  
  习惯用语happy as a clam说的就是被水和泥砂掩盖著而乐滋滋的蚌。当然,窝在水底下泥砂里也不见得有多么美好,然而蚌却就是乐在其中。那么习惯用 happy as a clam用来比喻什么呢?让我们听个例子来体会。
  
  例句-3:My uncle is retired now and happy as a clam. He’s not rich by any means but his pension is just enough to let him live quietly and visit his daughter in California every winter.
  
  他说:我叔叔现在退休了,倒也满自得其乐的,当’他绝对不算有钱,但是他的退休金却刚够他过安闲日子,每年冬天还能去看看他在加州的女儿。
  
  他叔叔的退休金刚够他过安闲日子,每年还可以去加州探一次亲。他的生活水平当然和有钱人的奢华没法比,但是他叔叔却也自得其乐。这样看来happy as a clam,用来描绘虽境遇平常、却怡然自得的心境。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1516
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第270课
  
  
  
  李华告诉Larry说,情人节那天,她班上的一个男生收到了很多女孩子送的花。李华今天要学两个常用语,heartthrob和gaga.
  
  LL: So, this student walked into your classroom on Valentine’s Day and THREE different girls gave him flowers? He must be the campus heartthrob.
  
  LH: 如果你说的heartthrob, 是指让人迷恋的对象,那没错,他可以校园名人,学校里喜欢他的女孩子一大堆。
  
  LL: A heartthrob is a male that is adored by women. Someone who is a heartthrob, literally makes women’s hearts throb.
  
  LH: 这种说法真形象!让人心跳的男人就是heartthrob. 送花的那三个女生迷他迷得不行,我真担心会影响到她们的成绩。
  
  LL: What makes this heartthrob so attractive to these girls? Is he handsome? Is he friendly? Is he a good student? Is he an athlete?
  
  LH: 他确实各方面都很出众,不仅长得一表人才,而且很随和、学习成绩优秀,而且还是校队橄榄球队的队长。
  
  LL: Well, it is no wonder he is such a heart throb. He sounds like the perfect guy.
  
  LH: 差不多吧。不过还是不如布拉德.皮特完美。Brad Pitt is a real heart throb.
  
  LL: You are not the first woman who has told me Brad Pitt is the perfect man. I guess I don’t understand why he is such a heart throb.
  
  LH: 这有什么难理解的。(Dreamily)你看他那金发碧眼,他的微笑能让人溶化,还有他的身材和肌肉....
  
  LL: Okay, okay. That’s enough, Li Hua. I get it! I understand why Brad Pitt is such a heartthrob.
  
  LH: 对不起,Larry,一提起Brad Pitt,我就无法控制自己。
  
  LL: So, Brad Pitt is a big heartthrob in America. How about in China? Who is the biggest Chinese heart throb?
  
  LH: 那可能要算香港的电影影星刘德华了。
  
  LL: I have heard of Andy Lau. Isn’t he too old to be a heart throb?
  
  LH: 年轻的也有,不过我已经赶不少潮流了。
  
  LL: Well, it must be hard to be a heartthrob with girls following you everywhere. I’m glad I don’t have that problem. I mean, I’m not much of a heartthrob.
  
  LH: 肯定有什么女孩子为你心动的,你不知道罢了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1517
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, let’s talk about these girls in your class some more, Li Hua. When they go gaga over this heart throb in class, what do you do to get their attention?
  
  LH: Gaga是什么意思?听起来不象英文啊?
  
  LL: Gaga is, in fact, a French world borrowed into English, Li Hua. "Gaga" is a word that suggests some one who is mentally confused or silly.
  
  LH: 我班上那几个女孩子可都是好学生,她们的脑子可没问题。
  
  LL: "To *go* gaga" means to like something so much that you act like an idiot. It means you can’t think of anything else besides the thing you are "gaga" over.
  
  LH: 噢,to go gaga是被弄得晕头转向的意思。要是这么说,I guess the girls do go gaga over him.
  
  LL: What about the boy students in your class? Is there a girl in class that they go gaga over?
  
  LH: 我们班上倒是没有什么特别招人的女生,但是学校里所有男生都围着啦啦队的女孩子们转。
  
  LL: Well, cheerleaders are usually very attractive and physically fit. It’s no wonder guys go gaga for cheer leaders.
  
  LH: 那你呢,Larry? 有什么人让你晕头转向的吗?
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, I’m not really dating any one right now, so there is no one I am really gaga over, but there is something I’m really gaga for.
  
  LH: 什么东西让你gaga for?
  
  LL: I’m really gaga for computers. I think working with computers is so interesting, and I love playing computer games.
  
  LH: 我对电脑可没兴趣。每天坐在电脑前面写论文,我恨不得离电脑远远的。
  
  LL: Well, what do you go gaga over, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我呀,喜欢看八卦杂志,了解象Brad Pitt这些明星的最新动向。
  
  LL: We’re back to Brad Pitt again?! Fine. You can go gaga over Brad Pitt, Li Hua. I’ll stick with my computer.
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是heartthrob, 指让人心动的男人。另一个是gaga, 指被什么人或是什么事弄得晕头转向。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1518
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲几个专门用来描绘心情非常快乐的习惯用语。第一个是: walking on air。 Walking on air,要是直译就是在空中漫步,想象一下如果能踩著洁白的云朵,在碧蓝的空中徜徉,该有多心旷神怡,而walking on air表达的就是这种令人陶醉的意境。
  
  这个习惯用语常用来描绘一些喜事。例如有情人终成眷属,踏上了蜜月的旅途,也可能是得到十全十美的提升机会。比方下面例子里说的Bennie就是这样的情况。
  
  例句-1:You know, Bennie is still walking on air about getting that promotion to head our new San Francisco office. He loves San Francisco and he’ll make twice the money he gets paid here.
  
  他说:Bennie还在为他的晋升而乐不可支。他平步青云当上了我们新设的旧金山办公室的领导。他非常喜欢旧金山,而且他的收入是在这儿工作的两倍。
  
  所以习惯用语walk on air意思就是快乐得简直像在腾云驾雾一般。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1519
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: in seventh heaven。 Heaven是天堂,seventh heaven当然是第七层天堂了。这个习惯用语用了有两百来年了。它的出典可能是犹太人或者穆斯林的古老信仰:说是天堂分为七层,而至高无上、尽善尽美的就是那第七层,惟有上帝和身居高位的天使才能住在七重天上美伦美奂的天宫里。
  
  这样看来要是你能在七重天,in seventh heaven, 所享受的福份比起walk on air是有过之而无不及的。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-2:Mary and Bob are still in seventh heaven a year after their wedding. They were sweethearts all through college and never looked at anyone else -- they ’re the happiest people I know.
  
  他说:Mary和Bob在结婚一年后的今天仍然极其幸福美满。他们整个大学时代就是始终如一的情人。他俩在我认识的所有人中是最幸福的一对。
  
  Mary和Bob这两位心心相印的校园情人终成眷属。在结婚一周年的时候生活必然美满,所以这里in seventh heaven用来描述幸福完美的状况。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1520
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才说到in seventh heaven来自犹太人或者穆斯林的信仰,认为七重天是至高无上的极乐世界,可能有些人会联想到中国人有“九重霄、”“九霄云”或者“九天”的说法。在中国传统中它们都指至高无上的天空。巧的是英文也有类似的说法,就是: on cloud nine。 On cloud nine这个习惯用语里cloud是云。那么从字面解释就是“在九霄云上,”显然on cloud nine和in the seventh heaven意思相同,都用来描绘处于尽善尽美的境地,只是on cloud nine比较新,沿用至今只五十来年。好,我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3:Want to see somebody who’s really on cloud nine? Look at Sally. She just heard a New York publisher will buy her first novel. She’s so happy she doesn’t know whether she’s coming or going.
  
  他说:你要是想看看欢天喜地的人什么样,那只要看Sally好了。纽约的一个出版商准备买下她的第一部小说。她高兴得简直是飘飘然不知所以了。
  
  可见习惯用语on cloud nine也表达极端喜悦的心情。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1521
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第271课
  
  
  Larry跟李华一起吃中饭,他发现李华心情很糟糕。李华今天要学两个常用语,glum和chum.
  
  LL: Hey, Li Hua. You haven’t eaten any of your food. Why so glum?
  
  LH: 如果你说的glum, 是沮丧的意思,那没错,我这两天心情确实很糟糕。
  
  LL: Yes, glum means sad. So, what’s wrong?
  
  LH: 我上星期去面试,本来以为那家公司肯定会要我,结果他们却选择了别人,害得我这两天一点儿食欲也没有。 Glum可以用来形容我现在的情况吗?
  
  LL: Yes, but I’m sorry to hear that you didn’t get the job. We use the word ’glum’ when we are sad and disappointed about something, but not something extremely serious, such as a death in the family.
  
  LH: 我知道了,glum是用来形容情绪低落或是失望,但如果是特别严重的事情,就不能用glum了。这两天烦心事太多,老天爷也不帮忙,连着这么多天的阴雨天气。
  
  LL: Don’t worry - this will all pass eventually. Everybody gets glum at times.
  
  LH: 你呢Larry? 有什么事会让你心烦意乱吗?
  
  LL: Well, rainy days can definitely have an effect on me, but I’d have to say that beating the gloominess is more important than what makes me feel glum.
  
  LH: 要想换个好心情可没那么容易,有人吃东西会感觉好起来,可是食物对我不起作用。
  
  LL: Well, a lot of times, people resort to things or people they can count on when they’re glum. For instance, I take a walk and listen to my favorite music, but I do this on my own. Others prefer to confide in friends and family.
  
  LH: 我就是;我往往会向朋友倾诉,或是看电视转移一下注意力,不过你说的出去走走,听听音乐好像也不错,而且还可以锻炼身体。
  
  LL: That’s true! I never thought of that! Maybe I should run and listen to music the next time I’m glum.
  
  LH: (Laughing)只要能让心情好起来就行!跟你说说我感觉好多了,胃口也好起来了。不好,这饭菜都凉了,我得让他们帮我热热。(To waiter) Excuse me - do you mind heating this up for me? Thanks!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1522
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我以前听别人说,"Why so glum, chum." 就是问别人为什么看上去心情很不好的意思吧?
  
  LL: Oh yes! We use that when we are asking a friend, ’hey, what’s wrong.’ ’Chum’ means ’friend’ or ’buddy,’ especially when one male is speaking to another male. It’s very informal.
  
  LH: 哦,一般是男孩子之间说的,chum就是哥们儿,兄弟的意思。
  
  LL: We say it this way because it rhymes, and it’s intended to cheer people up!
  
  LH: Why so glum, chum. 确实押韵。你知道吗Larry, 我真的很喜欢这次没有被录用的那份工作,我事先准备了好几个小时呢。
  
  LL: So tell me what went wrong. Maybe if we talk about it you won’t be so glum.
  
  LH: 我当时特别紧张,可能是话太多了。我到得很准时,还带去了自己的简历和推荐信,现在回想起来,可能是显得太想得到那份工作了。
  
  LL: Were you friendly with the people who were interviewing you? Were you all ’chummy’ with them?
  
  LH: 我跟他们很客气。你说的"chummy"是拉近乎的意思吗?
  
  LL: Yes. It depends. Some interviewers like that, and others don’t. A lot of it can depend on personality.
  
  LH: 那Larry, 我们一起吃午饭,你帮我排解郁闷的心情,那咱们俩儿算不算是"acting chummy"呢?
  
  LL: Good question. Since we are already friends, our friendliness comes naturally. Being ’chummy’ is somewhat artificial, because it’s between two people who don’t know each other that well. So, we’re not being ’chummy.’
  
  LH: 所以说chummy是指本来不熟的人,好像显得关系很好,那用在咱们这种老朋友的身上,就不合适了。
  
  LL: That’s right. So, did you act chummy with the interviewer?
  
  LH: 要这么说,我跟面试的人还真没有acting chummy. 我没有象老朋友那样,把自己的事情告诉他。Actually, he looked quite glum.
  
  LL: It’s a good thing you didn’t say, ’why so glum, chum?’ I don’t think that would have helped you get the job!
  
  LH: (Laughing)没错!你可真厉害,Larry, 被你这么一说,我的胃口马上就好起来了。我真得好好谢谢你!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是glum, 指情绪低落。另一个是chum, 指好朋友。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1523
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  
  
  
  我们今天要讲的几个习惯用语都带有同一个词: nose。各位早就知道nose是鼻子。它在我们的脸上占了引人注目的中心位置,难怪人们会围绕nose这个词组成了不少习惯用语。今天要讲的第一个是: pay through the nose. Pay解释“付钱。” 让我们通过一个例子来琢磨习惯用语pay through the nose含义是什么。
  
  例句-1:Bob was so desperate for cash to pay six months overdue rent that he borrowed money at the interest rate of 5% a week. And now he’s paying through the nose: every week he’s late he has to pay an extra 5%.
  
  Bob由于拖欠了六个月的房租而不得不借了一笔利率很高的款子:每星期得付百分之五的利息,如果有一个星期逾期未付他还得额外再多交百分之五。
  
  这种每星期百分之五的利率是大大高于一般利率的。所以说he’s paying through the nose, 意思是他在付过高的代价。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1524
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face。 Spite意思是故意伤害,cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face听起来就觉得这样做的人很可悲,想象一下割下了自己的鼻子,伤害的不正是自己的脸吗? 好,我们听一段例子来体会它的含义。这段话说的是Mary一时冲动的举止给自己造成了什么后果。
  
  例句-2:Mary got so mad at her boss she shouted at him in front of the whole staff. But she really cut off her nose to spite her face -- after that he blocked every chance she had for promotion.
  
  他说:Mary对老板大为生气,因此当众把老板大骂一通来泄恨,但是她的一时冲动反而伤害了自己,老板从此封闭了Mary所有的晋升机会。
  
  Mary当著全体雇员的面对老板大吼大叫。她原意是想让老板当众出丑,但是后果是老板利用职权封杀了她的一切升迁机会,受害的反而是Mary自己。这样看来习惯用语cut off one’s nose to spite one’s face含义是一时冲动做了损害自己的事。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1525
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接著学下一个习惯用语: plain as the nose on your face。 Plain在这儿的意思是显而易见、一清二楚的,鼻子竖在脸蛋儿的中央,当然是显而易见的。这就产生了这个作比喻用的习惯用语。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-3:It’s plain as the nose on your face that Mark is better educated and more intelligent than most other people. His trouble is, he doesn’t try to hide this and scares away bosses who aren’t as smart.
  
  他说:Mark学历才智都相当出众。这是一清二楚、显而易见的,但是他的问题在于锋芒毕露,以至把那些能力平庸的老板都吓跑了。
  
  所以plain as the nose on your face意思是“一清二楚、”“显而易见的。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1526
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学一个习惯用语: keep one’s nose clean。这是个相当常用的习惯用语。我们听个例子来体会它的含义。这是个怒气冲冲爸爸在对儿子发火,因为他刚去警察局把老闯祸的儿子保了回来。
  
  例句-4:Young man, this is the last time I’m going to bail you out of trouble! From now on, keep your nose clean or I’ll just stand back and let you get fined and maybe get sent to jail.
  
  他说:这可是我最后一次保你了。从今以后你别再惹麻烦,我再也不会出面帮你;我就让你付罚款,或者去坐牢。
  
  显然这里习惯用语keep your nose clean意思是不招惹麻烦。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1527
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第272课
  
  
  Larry跟李华一起去逛商店。李华今天要学两个常用语,burn a hole in one’s pocket和burned.
  
  LL: Wow, Li Hua - check out this new flat-screen TV! Too bad it’s so expensive!
  
  LH: 是啊,现在物价这么贵,美元又一个劲儿贬值,真不知道还有什么人愿意买这么贵的电视。
  
  LL: You’re right, Li Hua. Spending money on things like that can really burn a hole in your pocket.
  
  LH: 什么?把我的口袋烧个洞!这可太危险了。你说It can burn a hole in my pocket肯定还有别的意思吧?
  
  LL: You guessed it! The phrase means that an item or expenses such as bills consume a lot of a person’s earnings.
  
  LH: 那跟在口袋里烧个洞有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: Since money is traditionally carried in our pockets, the saying ’burn a hole in your pocket’ symbolizes such high expenses.
  
  LH: 要这么说,living in the big city can burn a hole in your pocket. 除了电视,还有房租、电费和食物,光是日常花销就能在“我的口袋里烧个大洞”。
  
  LL: Well said, Li Hua! If you have the same salary but move to a more expensive city, the daily cost of living can burn a much bigger hole in your pocket than before.
  
  LH: 这就是为什么花钱要有计划,不能想买什么买什么,否则肯定入不敷出。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1528
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Gas prices have climbed to new highs. I only drive to work twice a week to save money, because it was really beginning to burn a serious hole in my pocket.
  
  LH: 最近油价确实贵得吓人,还好我坐地铁上班,既省钱又环保。
  
  LL: There are so many things that can potentially burn a hole in your pocket. Expensive habits can really hurt you, which is why I’m glad that I quit smoking.
  
  LH: 是啊,你戒烟一年省的钱够加好几箱油的!
  
  LL: Soaring gas prices and cigarette taxes were burning such a big hole in my pocket that I basically gave up driving and smoking!
  
  LH: 你知道还有什么花销最多吗?
  
  LL: Let’ me guess. Going out to eat!
  
  LH: 没错!跟朋友、同事、家人出去吃饭也是一笔不小的开销。
  
  ******
  
  LH: 说起现在的开销。我前两天出去看房子,才发现这里的房价原来这么贵!
  
  LL: It really is! Didn’t you want to continue renting?
  
  LH: 我本来也是要继续租公寓住的,可是,说来话长。
  
  LL: What happened? Did you get burned?
  
  LH: Get burned? 被烧伤?
  
  LL: ’Getting burned’ is when you commit to something or personally invest in something with your emotions or money and you basically get nothing in return.
  
  LH: 噢,getting burned是吃亏的意思啊。那真让你说着了。我跟另外两个人一起签了约,结果她们最后一刻反悔了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1529
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Did you put down a deposit?
  
  LH: 我交了两个月的租金,其中一半是押金,结果因为违约,押金没要回来? I definitely got burned!
  
  LL: That’s terrible! Did the two other roommates have another option, or did they end up getting burned, too?
  
  LH: 那两个人的押金也没要回来。但是她们决定一起到另外一个地方去租房子,起码她们还有个伴儿。
  
  LL: So, they kind of burned themselves on violating the terms of the contract, but you were burned worse because what happened was a result of their actions and not yours.
  
  LH: 没错。她们自己反悔,押金被扣还说得过去,我可是被她们连累的。
  
  LL: It sounds like you know what ’getting burned’ means. Now the next step is ensuring that it doesn’t happen again! Did you learn any lessons from getting burned?
  
  LH: 要说教训,那就是,下次一定不能轻信别人。这就是为什么我在四处看房子,我准备咬咬牙,自己买个公寓。
  
  LL: Well, it looks like you’ve got it figured out. Hopefully you won’t burn a hole in your pocket for a price.
  
  LH: (Laughing) 听上来真滑稽。我为了下次不再吃亏上当,宁可准备倾囊而出,自己花钱去买个公寓。
  
  LL: I know. You will probably end up burning a hole in your pocket so that you don’t get burned again. How ironic!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是burn a hole in one’s pocket, 指价格昂贵。另一个是 burned, 指吃亏上当。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1530
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语有一个共同的词: top。大家一定早知道这个词。它解释顶端。一般说来高高在上的总比压在底层的来得优越。这正反映在我们先学的两个习惯用语里: top gun. Gun是枪。Top gun来自美国西部刚开拓的年代。当年枪手你死我活地血战拚杀,就为了争个top gun的称号,意思是头号枪手。
  
  Top gun这个短语沿用至今,但是如今它所表示的人物可比杀气腾腾的枪手显得温和,而且可以用来指和刀枪根本沾不上边的各界人物。我们来听个例子,说的是一个体育明星被控杀妻案件的审判。
  
  例句-1:The football star hired several of the top guns among defense lawyers all over America. They managed to convince the jury that he was not guilty.
  
  他说:那位足球明星网罗了美国辩护律师中几名高手。这些人设法使陪审团相信被告无罪。
  
  被控谋杀妻子是有可能被判死刑的重案。而那些辩护律师却能说服陪审团作出被告无罪的裁决,可见他们手段高超,辩才出众。
  
  所以这里的top gun指的是某领域内的高手。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1531
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才说的那些高明的律师也可以这样称呼: top drawer。 Drawer是抽屉,top drawer从字面意思来看是顶上抽屉。人们通常把最宝贵的物件,像首饰之类,放在五斗橱的顶格抽屉里。这也许就是用top drawer来指“高手”的出典,但是top drawer和top gun不同;top drawer不仅指人也可以用来说珍贵的东西。例如在下面的这段话里。这是一个时装首饰推销员在向顾客推荐商品。
  
  例句-2:Sure, our main competitor is cheaper, but their goods look cheap: I wouldn't want my daughter to wear them. But we make only top drawer merchandise that any woman is proud to wear.
  
  他说:我们的主要对手开价确实比我们低,但是他们的货看来质量差。我可不要我女儿去戴这种货色。然而我们制作的全是第一流的高档商品,谁戴上都觉得自豪。
  
  这里的top drawer意思是“高档。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1532
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接著要学的习惯用语意义完全不同。第一个是: off the top of one's head。 Off the top of one's head从字面意思看来就是在头脑外。换句话说是没经过大脑。我们听个例子来揣摩它的含义吧。这是个参议员在答复另一名参议员。后者要求他对一项提案投赞成票。
  
  例句-3:Senator, off the top of my head, I think I can vote for your bill. But before I decide, I want to talk to my staff and some voters back home to see how they feel about it.
  
  他说:参议员,在未经思考的情况下我觉得我可以投票赞成你的提案。但是我在决定前还必须跟手下人和选民商谈,看看他们对该提案的反应。
  
  思考问题得通过头脑里的大脑,所以off the top of my head意思是“尚未经过思考的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1533
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个习惯用语: blow one's top。 Blow解释吹气。这个习惯用语出典是这样:当年以煤炭作燃料的轮船不时得把烟灰通过船顶的烟囱排放出去。烟灰冲上烟囱时响声震耳欲聋。于是人们就把这比作气得七窍生烟、大发雷霆的人了。我们来听个例子。这是哥哥在跟成绩报告单很糟的弟弟说话。
  
  例句-4:Dad is certainly going to blow his top when he sees this! You're failing in both English and Math and barely passing most of your other courses.
  
  他说:爸爸看到这张成绩单一定会大发脾气。你英文、数学都不及格,其它科目也多半勉强及格。
  
  所以blow one's top意思是大大发火。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1534
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第273课
  
  
  
  Larry昨天完晚上跟同事聚会,喝多了。李华今天要学两个常用语,hangover和tipsy.
  
  LL: Ugh. I feel terrible today, Li Hua. I have such a bad hangover from the drinking I did last night.
  
  LH: Larry, 什么是hangover?你昨天不是跟同事聚会吗?
  
  LL: A hangover is the way you feel after you have had too much alcohol to drink at a party. Right now I have a head ache, my stomach hurts, and I'm very tired.
  
  LH: 哦,hangover就是中文里说的“宿醉”。头痛、恶心、还有四肢乏力都是宿醉的症状,是前一天晚上喝酒的后遗症。
  
  LL: Except that a hangover isn't as fun as the drinking I did the night before. Oooh. My head really hurts.
  
  LH: Larry,你经常会有hangover吗?
  
  LL: No, I don't, Li Hua. I really don't drink alcohol that much.
  
  LH: 那昨天是什么重要的日子吗?
  
  LL: My office was holding a party to celebrate the completion of a project. I lost track of how much I was drinking, and now I'm hung over.
  
  LH: Larry,有没有什么办法能让你舒服一些吗?
  
  LL: Well, to help myself feel better, the first things I did when I got up this morning were to take some aspirin and eat a simple breakfast.
  
  LH: 啊,你这么不舒服,居然还能吃得下东西?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1535
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, it is true that since I am hung over, I don't have much of an appetite - but I did eat a plain piece of toast.
  
  LH: 我觉得你今天应该好好在家里休息。
  
  LL: Yeah, I plan to get lots of rest today. Fortunately, it is the weekend, and I have two days to recover from my hangover.
  
  LH: 我听朋友说,一边喝酒,一边吃东西喝水,就能避免宿醉。
  
  LL: Really, Li Hua? I'll have to try that the next time I'm drinking a lot at a party. I'd do anything to avoid getting another hangover.
  
  LH: 其实啊,要想避免宿醉,最好的办法就是不喝酒。
  
  LL: Of course, Li Hua, but how much fun would that be?
  
  ******
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, I've never seen you drink very much, but I remember at my New Year's Eve party last year you got a little tipsy.
  
  LH: Tipsy? 你是说我上次有点儿醉醺醺的吗?
  
  LL: Yes, tipsy is the feeling you have when you have had a little to drink, but you haven't yet had too much to drink. You feel relaxed, laugh a lot, and may do things that are a little silly.
  
  LH: 我记得,去年元旦聚会,我确实有点儿喝多了,但没醉。那种感觉轻飘飘的。我每次喝到tipsy就会脸红,然后就开始讲笑话。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1536
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Actually, when you started telling jokes that is when I knew you were tipsy, Li Hua. You don't tell jokes that often.
  
  LH: 没错,我平时挺严肃,不太讲笑话,大概只有喝过酒以后,特别放松的时候,才会讲笑话。
  
  LL: You know, when I get tipsy, Li Hua, I get a little clumsy. I might spill my drink, bump into some one near me, or drop my napkin.
  
  LH: 这么说元旦聚会时你也有点儿喝多了?我还记得你把酒了一地。当时大家都有说有笑,所以没有人注意到。
  
  LL: That's right. I guess we were both tipsy that night, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 虽说有点晕,但我还是很清醒。我一直告诉自己,千万不能喝多了。
  
  LL: And that is a good thing, Li Hua. Being tipsy at a party is fine, but drinking too much can lead to problems.
  
  LH: 是啊,有的人喝多了就会找碴生事,扫大家的兴。
  
  LL: And some people get really sad when they drink too much. I think it is probably best to stop drinking when you feel tipsy and are just having a good time.
  
  LH: 不过,即使光是有些tipsy, 没有醉,也不能自己开车回家,美国有关醉酒驾驶的法律是非常严格的。
  
  LL: That's right, Li Hua. If I notice my guests are a little tipsy, I ask them to wait until they are completely sober before they leave - or I find some one who hasn't been drinking to drive them home.
  
  LH: 你真够意思。不过别忘了,喝多了酒还有另外一个非常严重的问题!
  
  LL: What's that?
  
  LH: 你忘了?宿醉啊!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是hangover, 指宿醉。另一个是tipsy, 指有些醉意。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1537
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了几个由top组成的习惯用语。今天我们承上启下要讲几个由bottom这个词发展而来的习惯用语。 大家知道它的意思和top正相反,解释底部。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: top to bottom。 Top to bottom意思不难理解,就是从头到底。换句话说是完全彻底地。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是爸爸在责骂儿子,因为他没把脚上的泥巴擦干净就踏进家门来了。
  
  例句-1:Wait until your mother sees that mud on the floor, young man! She spent all day cleaning the house from top to bottom for our party tonight. Better clean it up and be quick about it!
  
  他说:嘿,等著瞧吧,你妈看到地板上那些泥巴会怎么样!她化了一整天时间把整栋房子彻底打扫干净,就为了今晚的宴会。你可得马上动手把它擦干净才好!
  
  这里的top to bottom意思是完全彻底地。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1538
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接著要学的习惯用语是: rock bottom。 Rock是岩石。如果往地下钻探,穿过表土层,到最底下才是坚硬的岩层,就是rock bottom。换句话说是最底层的。
  
  Rock bottom常用来说价格跌落到最低限度。例如我们会这样说股票市场:The stock market hits the rock bottom, 股市已跌到最低限度。言下之意是股票价格下跌到不能再低的程度,可能要反弹了。我们再听个例子,说话的人在对朋友介绍省钱的门道。
  
  例句-2:Bill, if you need furniture, I can tell you where to get it cheap. That store on Main Street is going out of business and they're selling everything they have at rock-bottom prices.
  
  他说:Bill, 你如果需要家俱我可以告诉你哪里能买到便宜货。中心大街上那家店要终止营业了;他们正以最低价格出售所有的货。
  
  这里的rock-bottom解释“最低的。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1539
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: bottom dollar。 大家早知道dollar是美元,如果你口袋里只剩最底下的那一美元了,你手头一定相当拮据。我们要听的例子里说到的那个人就曾经处于这种经济窘迫的景况。
  
  例句-3:Thank God I finally found a job - I've been out of work for more than a year and I was almost down to my bottom dollar. I can tell you, I never want to be like that again!
  
  他说:谢天谢地我总算找到工作了。我失业有一年多了,几乎花完了所有的钱。我跟你讲,我可万万不想再过那种日子。
  
  所以down to one's bottom dollar意思是几乎到了手无分文的地步,也就是景况窘迫。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1540
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个习惯用语: bottom line。 Bottom line这个短语出自商界。会计在做公司财务报告的时候得把各项收入和各项支出分别相加,然后在报告的最后一行也就是bottom line从收入总数里减去支出总数,得出净利或者是亏损金额,所以bottom line是全报告里最重要的结论性数据。
  
  Bottom line这个说法逐渐从商界被转用到日常生活中,尤其常用在政界或者政体中。让我们通过一个例子来体会这个习惯用语的转用意义。这是两个记者在国会旁听两党就一项提案展开的辩论。
  
  例句-4:Joe, they've been debating the farm bill for two weeks now. When they finish all the arguing, what do you think will be the bottom line: will the Republicans or the Democrats win?
  
  他说:Joe, 他们就有关农业的提案展开辩论已经有两个星期了。你认为到他们结束一切争论的时候会有甚么样的最终结果呢?究竟是共和党人还是民主党人会赢得胜利呢?
  
  议员们经过旷日持久的论战之后要投票表决议案,得出决议,所以这里的bottom line就是最终结果或者决定。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1541
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语004讲
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  Ann. 在美国公司工作的北京青年陈豪今天早上一边喝着星巴克咖啡一边看纽约时报。公司里的美籍华人Mary刚好走过他的办公室。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  M:Good morning, Chen Hao。看纽约时报呀?
  
  陈:早,Mary,你来得正好。你看这文章说一个在纽约的年轻人因为不愿意和老板握手而被开除。拒绝跟人握手的人的确不多,仅仅因为不愿意握手而被开除?美国老板就那么小心眼?
  
  M:那倒也不见得。不过拒绝和人握手确实是对人的一种侮辱 -- To refuse to shake hands is extremely insulting。
  
  陈: 你看,报上说这人不是拒绝和老板握手,而是他不喜欢和任何人握手。
  
  M:老板可能担心这个年轻人会用同样的态度对待客户或同事。He can't afford to have his employee insulting their clients or colleagues.
  
  陈: 我是不会拒绝跟人握手的,and I definitely don't want to be fired。 Well, I have to visit a client. See you later。
  
  M:See you。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1542
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:哎,陈豪,回来啦?
  
  陈:回来了。Mary,你记得我们刚才在说握手的事吗?
  
  M:Yes. Why do you ask? 有谁拒绝跟你握手?
  
  陈:这回是老板。他说:"Mr. Chen, excuse me for not shaking your hand today. I have a bad cold and don't want to give it to anyone else."
  
  M:噢,老板是因为他感冒而不跟你握手,生怕把病菌传给你。他这样作是很有礼貌,也很体谅别人,绝对不是要侮辱你。He's not insulting you。
  
  陈:我可有点担心,开会的时候一直在想是不是老板对我不高兴而不跟我握手。
  
  M:I'm sorry, I should have explained。我应该告诉你有的时候是不能握手。比如说生病的时候,就像你老板那样。The key is to explain and apologize right away.
  
  陈:对了,我想起来了,我爸爸有一个老朋友在二次世界大战中手臂受了伤,连拿笔和筷子都不方便,所以他也没法和人握手。
  
  M:对,我表哥上星期去滑雪,把手腕骨摔断了,还挂上了绷带。他当然没法握手。
  
  但是在这种情况下,必须马上解释和道歉 -- an apology and explanation should be offered immediately.
  
  陈: 那就是说,除了生病或受伤,在一般情况下都不能拒绝和别人握手,对吗?
  
  M:You're right! Exchanging handshakes is a vital part of doing business. Refusing to shake hands is an insult. If you are unable to shake hands because of illness or injury, apologize and explain immediately.
  
  陈:Thank you Mary. Let's shake hands!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1543
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语有一个共同的词,monkey。也许大家都熟悉这个词。它的意思是猴子。说到猴子人们就会想到它上窜下跳、好动不安分的样子。我们要学的第一个习惯用语跟猴子这个特点有关: monkey around。 Monkey around这个习惯用语里monkey是当动词用的。我们见到猴子老在东蹦西跳、攀上爬下似乎忙得不亦乐乎,却又搞不出个名堂来。这个习惯用语的出典就在这儿。它可以用来指有些人老爱干些无聊的事儿;他们乐在其中,却是徒劳无益。例如有这样一个小伙子Bob:
  
  例句-1:Bob spends his time monkeying around with his friends in a shopping mall, just standing there talking and watching the girls walk by.
  
  Bob这人够无聊的,老是跟朋友一块站在商场里闲聊,并张望走过的那些女孩儿。
  
  这里的monkey around意思就是做无聊事儿。但是有时候monkey around表示的意思比无聊还要严重。比方说在下面的例子里。这是一个朋友在忠告他的大学同学:别追错了女朋友。
  
  例句-2:Pete, I've got to tell you: you're asking for big trouble when you monkey around with that girl -- you know she's engaged to that tough football player, and I hear he has a hot temper.
  
  他说:Pete, 我得告诉你:你围著那女孩团团转可是在自找麻烦。知道吗?那女孩已经跟那厉害的足球运动员订了婚,听说她未婚夫是个火爆性子。
  
  那位小姐已经名花有主,跟足球队员订了婚,但是Pete却还对她献殷勤,看来这不仅徒劳无益处,还会惹麻烦。可见这里的monkey around含义是所作所为不仅毫无意义,而且还会惹是生非。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1544
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接著要学的习惯用语和monkey around意义相互关连。它是:monkey business。 Monkey business常常指那些毫无意思的胡闹行为,但是有时它还可以用来说一些性质更为严重的行为。例如在下面的例子里:
  
  例句-3:The newspapers say there's a lot of monkey business going on at City Hall these days with officials getting money under the table from people who want the contract to build the new airport.
  
  他说:报界揭露了市府近来发生的欺诈勾当,官员暗中从那些想承包新机场建筑工程的人手里收受贿赂。
  
  这里的monkey business指的是市府官员受贿的事情,可见monkey business不仅可以用来说胡闹举止,也可以指包括受贿、贪污等不法行为在内的胡做非为。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1545
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学个习惯用语: monkey wrench。 Monkey wrench是活动扳手;一种手工工具。那是一副可以调节的钳子以便夹住不同尺寸的螺帽把它旋到相配的螺钉上去。而习惯用语monkey wrench另有一层特殊意思,就是破坏一项计划或者行动的东西。为什么会用monkey wrench来表示这样的意思呢?
  
  有一种说法是想破坏机器的人把monkey wrench丢进机器里,机器当然就卡住不能运转了, monkey wrench起了破坏作用。这也许就是这个习惯用语的出典。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是个办公室工作人员在告诉他的朋友发生了什么出乎意料的情况破坏了他先前的安排和打算。好,我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-4:All week I'd planned to leave work early to go to the ball game. But the boss just threw a monkey wrench into my plans -- he asked me to stay late to finish up a special report for him.
  
  他说:整整一星期我都在打算要早点儿下班去看那场球赛。但是我那老板却把我的全盘计划都打翻了;他要我加班为他写完一份特别报告。
  
  这里threw a monkey wrench into my plans意思是破坏了我的计划,而monkey wrench就是造成破坏的事情。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1546
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语005讲
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
   
  
  Ann. 陈豪在北京的一家美国公司工作。今天他正在往自己的办公室走,突然看见了公司里的美籍华人Mary。他正好有个问题要请教她。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  陈:哎,Mary, do you have a minute?
  
  M:Sure. What is it?
  
  陈: 记得上星期我们谈到一个人拒绝跟老板握手的事吗?
  
  M: Yes. Did someone refuse to shake your hand?
  
  陈:Oh, no. 我这两天开了好几次会,跟好多人握了手。可是我发现每个人握手的方式都不一样,有没有正确的握手方式呀?
  
  M:Absolutely. There is only one proper handshake and that is a firm handshake.
  
  CH: 嗯,(若有所思地)... firm就是坚定的意思。 A firm handshake就是紧紧地跟人握手。昨天有个人跟我握手的时候把他那两个冰凉的手指在我手上轻轻点了一下。我当时想这也算是握手?
  
  M:我也碰到过这种情况。我觉得那冰凉的手指就像一条死鱼一样,like a dead fish。这样握手的人给人的印象就是胆小,缺乏信心。
  
  CH:可今天早上碰到的一个人恰恰相反。他使劲地握我着的手不放。当时给我的印象就是这个人肯定很厉害,就想控制别人。
  
  M:You see, people form opinions about a person from his handshake。
  
  CH: 嗯,握手还能反映一个人的个性。那什么样的握手才是a firm handshake?
  
  M: 我一回儿告诉你,我现在得先去开一个会。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1547
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:Hey,陈豪,我刚才去开会见到一位客户, he gave me a firm handshake。
  
  陈:Mary,你快告诉我,怎么样才算是a firm handshake。
  
  M: OK。 Extend your hand, make sure the web of your hand makes contact with the web of my hand。
  
  陈: Web-w-e-b? Web不是鸭子脚上的蹼吗?
  
  M: 我在讲人,不是讲鸭子。这里的web是指手掌。
  
  陈:你是指我的手掌必须碰到你的手掌。
  
  M: 对,然后把你的大拇指扣在我的手背上,同时用其他手指轻轻地握紧我的手,很快地上下摇动两下后就松手。
  
  CH: 知道了。好,Mary, 我们再来试一试。
  
  M:Very good. Try once more. 哟,你把我手都弄痛了。
  
  CH:对不起,跟你开玩笑的。Mary,你再用英文讲一遍怎么样才是正确的握手。
  
  M:OK。 Extend your hand, make sure the web of your hand makes contact with the web of my hand, close your thumb over the back of his hand; give a slight squeeze with your fingers; two quick pumps and let go.
  
  CH: Hm...知道了,谢谢,Mary!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1548
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 今天我们要讲的习惯用语都有这样一个词,hair。大家一定都熟悉hair这个词。它的意思是头发。男男女女每天都得在整理自己的头发上花一些心思和工夫,因为头发对人的仪表很重要,难怪从hair这个词会产生不少习惯用语。
  
  这个节目的老朋友可能还记得我们以前说到的一个习惯用语let your hair down。它的意思是毫无拘束地以本来面目出现,或者是毫无顾忌地说出实话。这个习惯用语既可以用于女性也可以说男性。
  
  我们今天先来说几个表示烦恼或者愤恨情绪的习惯用语。第一个是: tear one's hair。这里tear意思是“扯出”或者“拔出。” 那么tear one's hair从字面上看意思就是“拉扯”头发了。
  
  这个说法有悠久的历史渊源。两千多年前在希腊古典剧场里,演员往往假作把头发一把把地扯下来以表达不胜愤怒或者痛苦不堪的感情。如今在现实生活中人们当然不至于会愤恨得去拔自己的头发,但是我们还是用这个习惯用语来表示勃然大怒。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是个父亲让儿子开家里的汽车出去约会,儿子却闯了祸。我们来听听那位父亲告诉我们究竟发生了什么事情。
  
  例句-1: I told the kid a hundred times to be careful with the car, so when I saw him come back with the front all bashed in, I tell you I was mad enough to tear my hair.
  
  他说:我不下一百次地告戒那孩子:要小心开车,所以当我看到他开车出去把车头全撞坏了回来,简直把我气得要发疯。
  
  这里的tear one's hair用来描绘愤怒到极点的情绪。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1549
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

还有一个习惯用语也用来表示恼恨: get in one's hair。 要理解这个习惯用语只要想象一下虱子钻进头发里的滋味多不好受,该有多恼人,所以get in one's hair意思就是令人不胜其烦。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-2:That kid practicing the drum next door every night is really getting in my hair. I'm just about at the end of my patience; one of these days I'm going to call the cops and complain.
  
  他说:隔壁那孩子每晚都在练习打鼓。这真使我不胜其扰。我几乎到忍无可忍的地步了;这两天里我就会去找警察申诉。
  
  每天晚上都有人在耳边发出噪音让你不得安宁,想必是十分恼人的,所以这里getting in my hair意思就是令我不胜其烦。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1550
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接著要学一个词的习惯用法。它是: hairy。 Hairy就是在hair后面加上了后缀y。一般说来名词加后缀y,就成了形容词,既然hair是毛发,那么hairy意思想必是“多毛的。” 然而hairy在美国俗语中还另有意思,就是“十分艰难的”或者“非常危险的。”
  
  说到这里也许有人会想起中文口语有时会说“发毛”或者“令人发毛的”来表示令人惊慌害怕的意思。中文“令人发毛的”这说法和美国俗语中的hairy不谋而合。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是个飞行员经过一次千辛万苦的航行后回到家来向太太述说他的历险记:
  
  例句-3:Honey, it was a hairy flight back from Chicago. One engine quit on me, my radio wouldn't work, it was snowing hard -- really hairy! To tell you the truth I was scared to death.
  
  原来这位飞行员从芝加哥飞回来的时候飞机上的一个引擎功能失灵,无线电也失效了,偏偏再碰上下大雪。这可真人胆战心惊,难怪这位飞行员'说自己给吓得半死。
  
  他这段'里两次用hairy这个词来描绘这死里逃生的经历,可见hairy意思是“令人发毛的”或者“令人胆战心惊的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1551
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语006讲
  
  Ann. 陈豪是在北京的美国ABC公司工作的年轻人。他今天到外面办事刚回来。一回到办公室就急着去找美籍华人Mary 。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:嗨,Mary,我刚才去我们的会计公司。接待我的那位先生身上有股味道。我得跟他凑近在一起看报表。真是受不了。
  
  M:我们总以为每个人都知道如何保持清洁卫生。可是在实际生活中并不如此。
  
  Personal hygiene在美国,特别在公司里是很重要的 。
  
  C:我知道personal就是个人,那么hygiene就是卫生,对吗?
  
  M:对,Hygiene - H-Y-G-I-E-N-E就是卫生。Personal hygiene就是一个人要保持清洁。
  
  C:我猜想会计公司的那人恐怕好几天没洗澡了。
  
  M:在保持个人卫生方面,bathing is key and it needs to be done on a daily basis。
  
  C:那个人呀,穿的衣服皱得像豆腐皮一样,好像是在一堆赃衣服里找出来的。
  
  M:That's awful! 赃衣服那当然有味道了。You have to wear clean pressed clothes。
  
  C:我注意到我们公司的同事们每天都西装笔挺,衬衫烫得好好的,很有气派。
  
  M:这会给客户造成很好的印象。
  
  C:Mary, 你看...我在清洁卫生方面没有问题吧?
  
  M:没问题。 You're fine!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1552
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:哟,陈豪,你今天怎么啦?
  
  C:我怎么啦?
  
  M:你身上有一股味道。你肯定昨晚在跟朋友一起大吃大喝,还抽烟,对不对?
  
  C:你怎么知道的呀?
  
  M:你难道不知道,晚上喝很多酒,再加上不断抽烟,第二天早上你身上就会发出一股馊味。Over-indulgence in drinking and smoking the night before will make you smell bad next morning。
  
  C:我早上还洗了澡呢!看来周日晚上不能去喝酒了。不过,Mary,我还有一个问题。有的人可能没好好刷牙,有口臭,碰到这种情况那你怎么办?
  
  M:我有一个很好的办法。你身边老带一盒薄荷糖。发现对方有口臭时,拿出来请他吃一颗,你自己也吃一颗。
  
  C:What a good idea, Mary!你给我用英文把刚才说的要点总结一下,好吗?
  
  M:Of course, Personal hygiene can affect the whole office and what people think of you. No short cuts when it comes to bathing, shaving and wearing clean clothes. Avoid over-indulgence in drinking and smoking on weekday nights.
  
  C:哟,我和朋友约好今晚去聚会的。那,我得马上去打电话改期。我走啦,Mary!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1553
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都有这样的意思: 直言无讳,也就是把事实一五一十地都说出来,甚至不顾真情伤人。
  
  我们先要学的两个习惯用语都来自拳击赛。第一个是: straight from the shoulder。 Shoulder是肩膀,straight from the shoulder原来指拳头直接从肩膀瞄准对方打出去。这是既狠又重的打击,因为这样出拳使出了全身力气。
  
  大约一百年前straight from the shoulder成为习惯用语,用来指直截了当、开诚布公的说话方式,而且这样说话是不顾虑是否会伤害对方感情的。我们来听个例子。这是哥哥在为妹妹的事情烦恼。
  
  例句-1:Boy, Nancy is sure mad at me! I told her straight from the shoulder this man she wants to marry is no good and she'd be making a terrible mistake. Now she won't even speak to me.
  
  他说:真的,Nancy一定生我的气了!我直截了当地对她说她想嫁的那人一无是处,她会铸成大错的。现在她连理都不理我了。
  
  谁都不爱听旁人数落自己的心上人。这里的straight from the shoulder用来描绘直截了当、一针见血的说话方式。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1554
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也来自拳击赛的习惯用语: pull no punches。 Punch意思是“拳打。”有时拳击手会因为手骨受伤之类的原因不用力击拳。这就叫做pull the punches,但是通常拳击手在比赛时出拳一定会竭尽全力。那就是pull no punches。逐渐人们用pull no punches来比喻尽管忠言逆耳也毫无保留地说出真情。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-2:When I saw my brother Joe turning into an alcoholic, I pulled no punches -- I told him to think of his wife and kids, stop drinking and go out and find a job.
  
  他说:我看到兄弟Joe成了个酒鬼,立刻毫不容情地正告他,为妻子和孩子着想得戒酒并出去找个工作。
  
  酒鬼Joe一定觉得他的话不中听,但是他为了他们全家的命运却不遗余力地正言规劝。这里pull no punches意思是毫无保留地说出真心话。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1555
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个有类似意思的习惯用语:lay it on the line。 Lay it on the line出典可能是这样,把一大笔赌注放在赌台上,孤注一掷,尽其所有地作最后较量,就叫做lay it on the line。
  
  这个说法逐渐成为习惯用语,意思是言无不尽地把话都放到桌面上来了。我们来听个例子。这是商店老板在跟他的合作经营人谈论一个工作不力的店员。
  
  例句-3: I'm fed up with George -- he doesn't do half as much work as the others. So I called him in and laid it on the line -- either he starts doing his work like anybody else or we fire him at the end of the month.
  
  他说:我可受够了George,他干的活还没旁人一半多。所以我叫他来跟他话都说明白了,如果他不开始跟别人一样地工作,我们就在月底请他走路。
  
  这里lay it on the line意思是把话都说明白了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1556
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个意义相近的习惯用语:let it all hang out. Hang是挂的意思,let it all hang out如果直译就是“把什么都挂出来。” 换句话说就是“把什么都挑明了。”
  
  这个习惯用语是六十年代开始在年轻人中流行开来的。我们来听个例子这是一对年轻夫妇在婚姻生活中闹别扭,于是一天晚上他俩决定开诚布公地谈一次:
  
  例句-4:We agreed to forget our feelings and let it all hang out. Susan told me everything she didn't like about me and I told her what annoyed me about her. You know, it really cleared the air for both of us.
  
  他说:我俩同意心平气和地把话都挑明了说。Susan说出我所有那些她不顺眼的事情,而我也说出她怎么会令我不快的。知道吗,这可真使我们之间的误会烟消云散了。
  
  这里的let it all hang out意思就是开诚布公,把话都挑明了说。看来这对小夫妇重归于好,有了圆满的结局,正巧我们节目结束的时间也马上到了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1557
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语007讲
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  Ann. 陈豪去年大学毕业以后,就到北京的美国ABC公司工作。今天他去出席了一个午餐会以后回到公司,还没有走进自己的办公室,就被同事Mary叫住了。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  M:Hey, Chao Hao, I need to talk to you。
  
  C:What's wrong?
  
  M:Did you offer John in the Technology Department a ride to the lunch today?
  
  C:(恍然大悟) 哎哟,我忘得一干二净了。
  
  M:He waited a long time for you today!
  
  C:啊呀,害他等我半天。Oh dear, what should I do?
  
  M:Find him immediately and apologize!
  
  C:你说什么?Apologize?
  
  M:Apologize, A-P-O-L-O-G-I-Z-E, 就是道歉!
  
  C:我可不能对他说我忘了,总得找个理由吧!
  
  M:不要找出种种理由来解释。 It's always best to be truthful and sincere when you apologize。
  
  C:也是。要道歉嘛还是老老实实,找借口让人听起来不诚恳。好,我这就去找John。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1558
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:行了,没事了。
  
  M:你跟他道歉了?
  
  C:不,John已经走了,我给他写个email就行了。
  
  M:写email 不太好。Email is too impersonal when you need to ask forgiveness。你要道歉最好还是当面说好,更正式一些。
  
  C:那,我给John的手机打个电话,好吗?这样不是又快,又能直接讲话嘛!
  
  M:That's a good idea。
  
  (Making cell phone call)
  
  C:Mary, John没接电话,所以我给他留了言,说今天忘了带他去午餐会,我感到很抱歉。这下总算结束了这件事。I'm glad that's over。
  
  M: Over? No way! 留个言就算完啦?不行, 你得做得更慎重一些。
  
  C:哎,我去找他,他不在。我打手机,他不接。我留了言,道了歉。这还不行呀?
  
  M:你最好今天在他桌上留个条。亲自写个条表示道歉会让他感到你很有诚意。要更地道的话,你还可以给他留个小礼物。A small gift as a sign of your sincerity。
  
  C:我哪知道他喜欢什么呀?
  
  M:他喜欢看篮球。
  
  C:OK, I have an idea! 我去买两张篮球比赛的票。我跟他一起去.....当然,要是他不再生我气的话。
  
  M:Great! So remember: when you make mistakes, the best thing is to apologize immediately. When a verbal apology is not enough, write a note and give a small gift.
  
  C: 知道了,知道了。我这就去买票。谢谢Mary.
  
  M:You're welcome!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1559
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都出自美国最流行的一种赌博游戏:扑克。扑克就像牛仔裤一样具有典型的美国风味。打扑克似乎是牛仔生活中不可缺少的部分,因此西部电影里不少场景都是在扑克牌桌边上,而打牌的人摊牌那一霎那往往是最扣人心弦的时刻,因为对手们一决胜负在此一举,而且紧接而来的很可能是一场你死我活的枪战。摊牌的英文就是:showdown。
  
  Showdown原意是打牌的人下完赌注后把手上的牌翻开放到桌面上决一胜负看谁赢钱。这是牌局的最后关头。如今习惯用语showdown意义不再局限于牌桌。我们听个例子来揣摩它的意思吧。这是一个电台政治评论员在谈华盛顿一个重要政治事件。
  
  例句-1:The White House and Congress are heading toward a major showdown later this week when the Senate votes on whether to approve the money the President wants for his most important program.
  
  他说:这星期晚些时候参议院要投票表决是否批准为总统最重要的规划拨款。
  
  白宫是美国总统宅邸,代表总统为首的美国政府,而参议院则是美国国会的上院,所以参议院表决是否拨款给总统提出的方案,实际上是白宫和国会决一胜负的关键,因此习惯用语showdown就是一决雌雄的最后较量。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1560
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语: ante up。赌过扑克的人知道:每打一付牌参加者在没发牌前先得把相互说定的头注扔到桌面中间。这下头注的钱就叫做ante。这个词可以作动词。例如在ante up这个短语里,它就是动词。 Ante up原意是拿出说定的头注钱来。但是这个短语逐渐被广泛应用成为习惯用语。
  
  我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义,说的是一个离婚的男子由于不付给前妻离婚协议内商定的子女赡养费而被逮捕并审判。
  
  例句-2:After hearing both sides, the judge decided that Jones must pay his wife the child support she was supposed to get and said he would have to go to jail if he didn't ante up.
  
  他说:在听取了双方的证词之后法官决定Jones必须付给妻子她应得的子女赡养费。法官还说要是Jones不付清他所欠款项的话,他就得坐牢。
  
  所以习惯用语ante up意思是付清该付的钱。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1561
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语: poker face. Poker就是扑克。打扑克的人既不能在拿到好牌的时候喜形于色,也不能在手上牌糟糕的时候神情沮丧。总之,打扑克的人得不动声色,喜怒不溢于言表。这就是poker face. Poker face逐渐被广泛用来指喜怒哀乐不形于色的人。我们来听听一个办公室工作人员怎样评论他的上司:
  
  例句-3:I never know whether my boss likes my work or not - he was a real poker face, which never shows other people how he feels!
  
  他说:我从不知道老板是否满意我的工作,因为他始终面无表情,令人莫测高深。
  
  所以poker face是不显示内心情感的脸。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1562
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个习惯用语: stack the deck。 Stack是堆成一堆的意思,而deck这里就指一付扑克牌,stack the deck从表面看来意思就是砌牌,但是在打扑克的时候stack the deck专指耍弄欺骗手腕砌牌,使好牌都发到自己手上来。换句话说就是做牌。Stack the deck现在已经被转用在日常生活中。我们听个例子来体会它的含义:
  
  例句-4:Our boss said that we'd all be considered for the promotion. But we suspected that the deck was stacked against us. And sure enough the boss gave the promotion to his wife's cousin.
  
  那位老板咀上一套冠冕堂皇的话是考虑提升时对所有的人都一视同仁,而实际上老板却把提升的机会给了他太太的表亲,可见大家原先怀疑他弄虚作假以谋私利一点没错。
  
  这个老板先说一套貌似公正的话来稳定大家的情绪,结果却把提升的机会开后门给了自己的亲戚。所以这里the deck was stacked against us意思是作手脚造成不利于我们的情况,而习惯用语stack the deck意思就是弄虚作假、以谋私利。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1563
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语008讲  
  
  陈豪在ABC美国公司工作了几个月。今天他要第一次去参加财务委员会的定期会议。在走廊上,他见到公司的美籍华人Mary。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  M:Good morning, 陈豪。嘿,你一手拿著咖啡,一手拿著面包上哪儿去呀?
  
  C:我去参加财务委员会的定期会议。这是我第一次参加。早上没时间吃早饭,所以把早饭带去。
  
  M:等等。这个会议是由负责财务的副总裁召开的,Do you know the protocol of the meeting?
  
  C:Protocol? 你是说P-R-O-T-O-C-O-L, 那外交部礼宾司那个词里边有这个字。
  
  M:没错,但是我这里说的是公司内部大家都遵循的一些做法。Protocol refers to the unspoken rules you follow to show courtesy and respect to other people。
  
  C:嗯...unspoken rules you follow!这跟我的咖啡有什么关系呀?
  
  M:你要知道有的老板每次开会都备有咖啡和点心。It won't be polite to bring your own。
  
  C:That's true。不过今天的会议是Mr. Smith召开的,你知道有没有咖啡点心呀?
  
  M:不知道。要是你不知道,会议通知也没提, you'd better leave your breakfast behind。
  
  C:看来只好饿肚子了。好,我走了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1564
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:陈豪,会开完啦?I'm going out lunch, want to join me?
  
  C:不行,我开会时吃了好多点心,水果,午饭吃不下了。Besides, Mary, something made me very embarrassed today。
  
  M:什么事呀?
  
  C:我在吃得高兴的时候,他们要我让座位。
  
  M:Oh, I'm sorry, I forgot to warn you。这种比较高层的会议,定期参加会议的人一般都有固定的座位。你第一次去,进了会议室最好先问一下。Ask where to sit before you take a chair。
  
  C:可是我不知道嘛!一进会场看见有吃的我就很高兴。拿了咖啡,点心就近找个位置上就坐下了。谁知道那是Mr. Smith的助手Laura的位置。
  
  M:Laura asked you to change the seat?
  
  C:No, no! Laura当时还没到。可是,后来会计室新来的Sarah一进会议室就往那位置上坐。
  
  M:She has to change her seat too, right?
  
  C:Of course。她很难堪。
  
  M:没关系,你和Sarah下回就知道了。So remember: Protocol refers to the unspoken rules you follow to show courtesy and respect to other people. Any time you don't know the protocol for a meeting, it's best to ask, just to make sure if it's OK to bring you own coffee and which seat is appropriate for you.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1565
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了几个来自扑克牌桌的习惯用语。今天我们还要讲几个。第一个是:pass the buck。 Buck原意是雄鹿,但是这里指刀柄是鹿角做成的猎刀。
  
  在早年美国西部这种猎刀几乎人手一把。牌桌的规矩是轮流做庄发牌。打完一付牌就轮到坐在发牌人左边的那位发。为了不搞错,人们就在牌桌上传递一把猎刀帮助记忆。每人发完牌就把猎刀传给下一个发牌人。也就是pass the buck,意思是把发牌的责任交给他了。
  
  如今习惯用语pass the buck意义有了发展,不再指牌桌规矩。我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义吧。这是个企业主管在为手下人工作不力而生气。
  
  例句-1: When I asked my secretary Miss Brown why she hadn't mailed out these very important letters to customers, she passed the buck to our office boy for not having enough stamps ready.
  
  他问秘书Brown小姐为什么还不把那些至关重要的信件寄给顾客,而秘书却怪办公室的勤杂员没备足邮票。
  
  显然秘书是要把疏忽寄信的责任推到勤杂员身上。所以习惯用语pass the buck意思是“推卸责任。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1566
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国总统杜鲁门非常爱打扑克,他在白宫的办公桌上贴着这样一条标语:the buck stops here。刚才说过习惯用语pass the buck意思是推卸责任。换句话说就是把责任推到别人身上。从pass the buck我们可以推测习惯用语the buck stops here是什么意思。如果直译是:这把猎刀就留在我这儿不传给别人了。也就是说责任或罪责由我一人承当。
  
  杜鲁门总统的这句警句广为流传成了习惯用语。我们听个例子。说话的人参选国会议员,这是他在竞选运动中的讲话。
  
  例句-2: The difference between my opponent and me is that he's built his whole career on blaming others when things go wrong. I promise you, friends, that if you elect me the buck stops here!
  
  他说:我跟对手间的不同在于他发迹靠的是出问题时把罪责全归究于他人。朋友们,如果你们选我,我向你们保证一定一人做事一人当。
  
  习惯用语the buck stops here意思是自己承当一切责任甚至错误。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1567
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语:blue chip。 Chip可以指打牌用的筹码。打扑克的人都觉得用筹码代替现金下赌注或作输赢要方便得多。筹码一般有蓝、红、白三种颜色。每一个某种颜色的筹码代表大家说定的钱数,但是蓝筹码。也就是blue chip代表的价值总是最高。Blue chip这说法逐渐被广泛应用。
  
  例如在证券交易市场上投资人说blue-chip stocks指长期以来价值一贯上升的股票。这当然是最好的股票了,而且这儿blue-chip是形容词,修饰名词stocks。Blue-chip还用在其它场合。它是什么意思呢?我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3: Bill, if you're looking for a good lawyer for that important case, you ought to talk to my cousin Bernie -- he's a partner in a real blue-chip law firm, one of the best in town.
  
  他向Bill建议如果要找好律师来办这重要案件就得跟他表兄Bernie谈谈,因为Bernie是城里最好的一家律师事务所的合伙人。
  
  他说这是一家blue-chip law firm,又说这家事务所是one of the best in town, 可见blue-chip意思就是“最好的。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1568
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个习惯用语:close to the vest。 Vest是背心。过去人们常在衬衫外穿件背心。扑克老手是绝对不让别人有机会看到他手上牌的,所以他拿着的牌总是紧贴自己的前胸,在靠近背心的部位。也就是close to the vest。这样谁也没法偷看他手上掌握的秘密了。习惯用语close to the vest出典就在这儿。让我们听个例子来揣摩这个习惯用语的含义。
  
  例句-4:Everybody is wondering who the president will appoint to the vacant chair on the supreme court. But he's playing his cards close to his vest and nobody really knows who it will be.
  
  他说:大家都在猜测总统会任命谁填补最高法院内的空缺,然而总统却严守机密,谁也无法探知他心目中的人选。
  
  可见习惯用语close to the vest意思是“严守机密。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1569
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的习惯用语都包含ship这个词。大家知道ship是船。水手当然是跟船关系最密切的人。水手间自有一套行话,然而这些原在船上通用的语言却逐渐流传到和船毫不相干的普通人中了。今天学的就是这样几个习惯用语。第一个是:shipshape。
  
  Shipshape原来指船上设备的性能状态。船长在启航前得要求船上的一切都必须处于最佳状态,用船长的话来说就是shipshape。如今shipshape这个说法不再局限于水上的船只,可以用来说陆地上的种种事物,能指房子、办公室,也可以说公司企业。比方在下面这段话里:说话的人在向太太夸耀自己多么深得老板信任。
  
  例句-1:Honey, I learned today the boss really trusts me a lot. He told me he's leaving me in charge while he goes away on vacation because he knows I'll keep things shipshape and running smoothly.
  
  他说:亲爱的,我今天才知道老板可真器重我,他要我在他渡假时主管业务,因为他知道我会把一切管得井井有条、顺顺当当的。
  
  这里的shipshape是指公司业务井井有条。所以习惯用语shipshape意思是“井然有序的。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1570
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

女: 有时候水手们把船只整顿得shipshape,也就是井然有序的,是因为他们的船长有这样的工作作风:run a tight ship。 Tight在这儿是管得很紧很严的意思。说船长runs a tight ship,意思是船长对手下水手要求很严格。如今这个说法已在日常生活中通用,我们来听听runs a tight ship这个习惯用语的转用意义是什么。
  
  例句-2:My sister works for a boss who runs a tight ship. Come five minutes late and you lose a whole hour's pay. The men all have to wear suits and the women must wear dresses below the knees.
  
  听来他姐姐的老板对雇员要求很严格,只要晚到五分钟就得扣整整一小时的工资,男士都必须穿西装,而女士裙子的长度也必须在膝盖以下。
  
  所以习惯用语run a tight ship意思是严加管束。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1571
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Ship这个词有时可以作动词,例如在下面的习惯用语里:ship out。习惯用语ship out是在二次大战期间开始流行的。当时舰艇上的军官会对手下工作不力的水兵这样说: shape up or ship out,意思是:要是不好好干,就把你调到别的地方去。而这“别的地方”往往是人们不想去的岗位。
  
  这个说法逐渐被沿用到和平生活中的各个领域,意思和那个行伍用语相似,用来告戒吊儿郎当的工作人员尽快改正,不然就要被解雇了。我们来听个例子,这是某机构的主管在正颜厉色地警告一名懒散的雇员:
  
  例句-3:Look, George, you come here late and leave early, and you don't do half as much as other people. I'm warning you right now: in the next 30 days either shape up or ship out.
  
  他说:George, 你迟到早退,干的活儿还没别人一半多。我现在警告你:在今后三十天内再不好好干的话,就得把你解雇了。
  
  所以习惯用语shape up or ship out意思是尽快改进工作表现,不然就把你解雇。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1572
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们最后再学个习惯用语:jump ship。 Jump是跳的意思,那么jump ship岂不就是“跳船”吗?这也正是这个习惯用语的出典。船上的生活常常单调乏味,有时接连几个月不见陆地,一眼望去除了海还是海,加上伙食糟糕,某些长官又苛待手下人,难怪好多海员一有机会就会跳船,就是从船上跳上岸去逃走,有时甚至从船上跳到海里然后游泳上岸另谋出路。
  
  如今jump ship被广泛应用。意义不再局限于海员跳船。我们听个例子来体会jump ship这习惯用语的含义。这是一家企业的总裁在谈他公司发生的 jump ship 事例:
  
  例句-4:We were sure surprised when our vice president jumped ship to work for our biggest competitor. But I can't blame him too much: I hear they're giving him twice the salary he got here.
  
  他说:当副总裁投靠我们最大竞争对手的时候我们确实很吃惊。但是也难怪他会那样做:听说他们给他比这儿多一倍的薪水。
  
  这里习惯用语jump ship泛指放弃原先所属机构、投奔另一机构的行动;也就是中文有时候所说的“跳槽。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1573
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了好几个来自海员生活的习惯用语。今天我们还要讲几个来自海员却被一般人采纳的习惯用语。过去,船只前进靠的不是发动机而是风吹船帆。船帆是sail,所以水手跟船帆结下不解之缘。
  
  水手之间也因而流行不少从sail发展来的习惯用语。尽管帆船航运已是陈年往事,但是这些习惯用语却流传至今。
  
  我们先要学的是:trim one's sails。 Trim在这里的意思是调整船帆以适应风向变化。如今这个习惯用语已经被用在跟操纵船帆不相干的各种事务。我们要听的例子把它用在竞争激烈的竞选活动中:
  
  例句-1:First this candidate said he wanted to cut social security. But when he saw most voters were against such cuts, he quickly trimmed his sails and completely changed his position.
  
  这位候选人起先要削减社会福利,但是当他看到大多数选民都反对这样做,他的立场就立刻来个一百八十度的转向。
  
  他显然是为了顺应人心而改变立场以便争取更多选票,所以习惯用语trim one's sails, 意思是为适应不同情况而改变观念行动,其实中国有一句类似的成语就是“见风使舵。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1574
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个由船帆发展而来的习惯用语:take the wind out of one's sails。 Take the wind out of one's sails这个习惯用语的出典是故意用自己的船去挡敌船的风。敌船上的帆吃不到风,速度当然就会减慢。
  
  这个习惯用语同样也被广泛应用在其它场合。我们听个例子来体会它的含义。这是有关谋杀案嫌疑犯的审判的:
  
  例句-2:This man's lawyer claimed he'd been out of town that day. But the prosecutor took the wind out of his sails by calling witnesses who saw him at the scene just before the killing.
  
  这人的律师申辩说:他案发那天不在当地。但是检方传唤证人作证,在谋杀发生前不久还见到他在现场。
  
  这当然把被告置于不利地位,使他无可抵赖了。所以习惯用语take the wind out of one's sails意思是把某人置于不利地位,或者使他无可申辩。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1575
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个词的习惯用法:scuttlebutt。 Scuttlebutt原来是船上装供船员饮用的淡水的大桶或者甲板上的饮水柜台。水手们往往聚集在scuttlebutt周围边喝水边说长道短地闲聊。
  
  现代化的办公室也一样。饮水池周围常常是小道新闻或者谣言的发源地。Scuttlebutt这个词逐渐被用来指闲话或谣言了。我们来听个例子吧:
  
  例句-3:Say, have you heard the latest scuttlebutt? Somebody upstairs has this rumor that we didn't get that new contract so the company is going to have to lay off at least fifty people.
  
  他说:嘿,你听到最新小道消息了吗?来自高层的谣言说,我们没争取到那新合同,所以至少必须解雇五十个人。
  
  这里的scuttlebutt就是流言蜚语。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-26#1576
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学一个出自水手的习惯用语:loose cannon。 Cannon是炮,以前航船上的大炮是安在下面有轮子的炮座上的,以便移动方位。炮座通常用绳子固定在甲板上,但是一旦绳子在作战时或者风暴中断了,松动的大炮,也就是loose cannon会在甲板上四处滚动,给甲板上所有的人带来严重危险。现在loose cannon已被用在日常生活中。
  
  我们听个例子。一位参议员想录用一名新闻发言人,但是深得他信任的一位顾问却向他提出忠告:
  
  例句-4:I don't think Bob is the right man for the job. He's smart but he's a loose cannon -- he opens his mouth without thinking, and you never know what he might say.
  
  他认为Bob不适合当新闻发言人; Bob虽然聪明但是说话不加思考,你永远吃不准他会说出什么话来。
  
  当然像这样口没遮拦的人要是去向记者发表谈话,随时可能把事情搞砸;尽管他并非别有用心,却构成了潜在危险。所以loose cannon用来指那种由于口没遮拦,所以会在无意中造成损害的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1577
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经连续几次谈了出自水手却在日常生活中被常人采纳的习惯用语。今天要讲的习惯用语都跟水有某种关联。
  
  第一个是: rock the boat。 Rock在这儿当动词,意思是摇动。那么rock the boat可不就是左右晃动船只了吗?划过船的人都知道这不是什么开玩笑的事儿,弄不好就会翻船。这一来不仅你本人,同船的其他人都得遭殃。那么习惯用语rock the boat含义是什么呢?我们听个例子。一位州长正展开竞选活动争取再次当选。他的首席顾问提醒他务必回避一个引起反感的问题。
  
  例句-1:Governor, the state is running out of money, but let's not talk about raising taxes until the election is over -- you'll just rock the boat and get the voters upset with you.
  
  顾问说:虽然州内资金短缺,但是我们在选举没结束前可别提出加税,不然你会激怒选民把事情搞糟的。
  
  候选人在竞选中时常会以甜言蜜语取悦选民争取选票,如果在这当口上反而提出加税,触犯众怒一定会把竞选计划全盘打翻。所以rock the boat意思就是把事情打乱搞糟。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1578
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个意义相似的习惯用语:make waves。 Wave是波浪。听到这个习惯用语,有人也许会联想起中国成语“兴风作浪。” Make waves也确实是这个意思,正好比把一块大石头扔进平静的湖水里激起层层波浪一样,make waves用来表示把现状打乱、掀起风波。我们来听个例子。这是办公室的一位老前辈在好心告戒一名新同事:
  
  例句-2:Look, you may see things here you don't like. But it's better not to make waves -- the big boss doesn't like complaints, and the last guy to make waves got fired the very next day.
  
  他说:哎,你可能会觉得这儿有些事情看不顺眼,但是你最好别声张。我们的大老板可不爱听怨言。上次兴风作浪的那人第二天就给解雇了。
  
  习惯用语make waves意思是掀起风波、打乱现状。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1579
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学一个习惯用语:hold water。 Hold water是个相当古老的习惯用语,有四百来年的历史了,原来是指坛坛罐罐装水一点儿不漏,后来hold water被转用来表示确实可靠、经得起严密审查,跟中文成语“滴水不漏”的意思正相吻合。我们来听个例子,说的是谋杀案的审判,被告被控在抢劫时扣住并枪杀店员。我们听听是怎么会事。
  
  例句-3:The accused said he was out of town at the time of the murder. But his story didn't hold water after the prosecutor showed a videotape of him pointing a gun at the victim.
  
  他说:被告声称谋杀案发生那天他不在本地,但是检方放出一段他拿枪指着被害人的录象,这一来他的说辞就漏洞百出了。
  
  这里的not hold water意思是漏洞百出,习惯用语hold water解释“滴水不漏”比喻确实可靠经得起严密审查。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1580
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学一个习惯用语: high and dry。 High and dry来自这样的情况:如果你乘坐的船航行时给水下的礁石或者沙堤卡住了,到退潮水位低的时候这艘船就被高高地架在干干的沙石上动弹不得,因为接触不到水,也就无法借助水流的浮力和动力来让你摆脱困境。
  
  High and dry逐渐被广泛应用成为习惯用语。我们听个例子来体会它的意思。这段话里说的Bill没充分考虑应付意外不测情况。
  
  例句-4:Bill made good money, but he spent every dollar he made. When he was killed in a car crash, his family was left high and dry with no insurance and not enough money to pay the rent.
  
  他说:Bill以前收入不错,但是却挣多少花多少,没有积余。所以他在车祸中丧生后,他的家人就陷于一筹莫展的困境,没有保险,甚至连房租也付不起。
  
  显然Bill在世时是家庭的主要收入来源,他虽然挣钱很多,但是却没防到命运不测,既没积蓄也没买保险,所以他一出事,家人就一无依靠生活没着落了,可见习惯用语high and dry是用来描绘处于一筹莫展的困境的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1581
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲两个由paper发展而来的习惯用语。大家知paper是纸。Paper也可以作动词。例如在下面的习惯用语里:paper over。 Paper作动词的时候解释用纸复盖,所以paper over就是用纸遮掩什么了。
  
  这个习惯用语来自糊贴墙纸来掩盖墙上的裂缝、污迹等缺陷,使房间美观。实际上paper over这个习惯用语在一百多年前开始出现的时候曾经是这样的:paper over the cracks,但是随着时日的推移人们省略the cracks成为今天的paper over。
  
  我们听个例子来体会习惯用语paper over表示什么意思。这段话在说大选前两党举行初选选拔参加本党全国代表大会的代表,在初选基础上进一步确定本党的总统候选人:
  
  例句-1:Before a primary the candidates inside the party fight hard against each other. But later they usually paper over their disagreements to help the party in the general election.
  
  他说:初选前,党内候选人竞相角逐、打得不可开交,但是事后他们一般会掩饰分歧,以协助本党取得大选胜利。
  
  每一党的候选人都想得到代表本党竞选总统的机会,所以在初选中会争得你死我活。但是一旦初选尘埃落定,他们便放眼大选,这时党内矛盾就让位给两党间的斗争了,当然就得掩盖调和内部分歧一心对外,所以这里的paper over意思是掩饰分歧、隐藏矛盾。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1582
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Paper over也可以用来表示掩盖某种错误甚至不良行为。比方说下面的例子。一名高级主管听说他的部门内发生一件丑闻,正在谈论该如何处置。
  
  例句-2:This is a scandal we can't paper over. Let's get all the facts, then make them public. Sure, we'll get some bad publicity but this is the only way to handle it.
  
  他说:这件丑闻是纸包不住火了;我们得查明事实然后公布于众。当然这一来有点损坏我们的名声,但这是唯一可行的处置办法。
  
  这里的can't paper over意思是纸包不住火,也就是掩盖不了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1583
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也有paper这个词的习惯用语: paper tiger。 Tiger是老虎,paper tiger当然是“纸老虎。” 中国听众对这个习惯用语一定耳熟能详,因为冷战时代的中国领导人曾经称美国为“纸老虎,”言下之意是美国外强中干。当年社会主义阵营各国也都口径一致,齐声把西方国家统称为“纸老虎”
  
  有趣的是美国人居然不以为怪,采纳了paper tiger这个习惯用语泛指任何貌似强大,实则不堪一击的人、集团或国家。我们来听个例子,这人在说他的上司:
  
  例句-3:My boss is a paper tiger and likes to pound on his desk and yell at us when he's mad, but the truth is he's scared of us. If you stand up to him, he backs down right away and won't bother you.
  
  他说:我的老板是纸老虎,发起火来爱拍着桌子对我们吼叫,但实际上他怕我们,只要你不向他低头,他就马上退缩,再也不找你麻烦了。
  
  这段话说的是日常生活里虚张声势的纸老虎。我们再听个例子,说的是1991年由于伊拉克侵略科威特而爆发的海湾战争,当时美国及盟国出兵帮助科威特恢复自由。
  
  伊拉克领导人曾经夸口他将一举击溃盟军救援科威特的军事行动。
  
  例句-4:When the Allied forces went into action to free Kuwait, the Iraqi forces gave up after only four days and the Iraqi leader turned out to be a paper tiger.
  
  他说:盟军发动救援科威特行动仅仅四天伊拉克军队就投降了,可见伊拉克领导人是纸老虎。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1584
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上次我们已经讲了两个由paper这个词发展而来的习惯用语,今天我们继续讲两个。千百年来人们书面交流必须依靠纸张。不论是报章杂志还是书籍文件用的都是纸。纸的功劳不可抹煞,然而近年来人们也意识到纸张的问题:文件往来的繁多几乎要把人埋在文纸堆里了。
  
  这种情况也许在政府机构更显著。不少工作人员从早到晚所干的就是摆弄不知其数的文件。由此而产生了我们要学的第一个习惯用语:paper-pusher。 Pusher意思是推移或者摆布什么东西的人,而这里的paper专指文件。从字面看来paper pusher可不就是推文件的人或者专摆弄文件的人吗。
  
  一些不满意官僚机构办事作风的人常会把那里的工作人员称为paper pusher,意思是他们人浮于事,只会行公文。
  
  下面例子里说话的人正为了他按月收到的社会福利支票有错而恼火,于是找上了有关政府部门办公室正对着一名接待人员在发火。我们来听听他怎么说:
  
  例句-1:Look, let me talk to your boss! I'm wasting my time talking to a paper-pusher like you with no power. I want to see the guy in charge and I want to see him right now.
  
  他说:嘿,让我跟你的上级谈!跟你这种除了处理公文没别的能耐的人说话是浪费时间。我现在立刻得见负责人。
  
  显然这里的paper-pusher指那些只会摆弄官样文件却不能了断事务的官僚机构办事人员。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1585
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Paper-pusher这个说法不仅可以指官僚机构的工作人员也可以用来说私人企业即商界的行政工作人员,因为这些人每天也得和堆积如山的文件打交道。他们似乎碌碌无为,但是在私人企业里的一位paper-pusher为自己申辩说:实际上他的工作也是必不可少的。我们来听听他是怎么说的:
  
  例句-2:Hey, I may look like I'm just a paper-pusher sitting all day moving papers from one box to another. But those papers are the vouchers I have to okay before they write your pay check.
  
  他说:咳,我可能看来象个无所事事只会摆弄文件的人,整天就是坐在那儿把文件从一个盒子搬到另一个盒子去,但是这些文件都是工资凭单,只有经我核准之后才能发工资。
  
  这里的paper-pusher是指在私营企业中做行政文书工作的人,看来paper-pusher倒也不可缺少。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1586
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个由paper组成的习惯用语:walking papers。 Walking papers可不是什么好事情,首先它可以指解雇通知单,出典可能是收到了walking papers你就只得开路了。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-3:You know that guy in personnel who growls at you if you want help? Well, he finally got his walking papers. He made the mistake of getting nasty with his own boss so he's out of here.
  
  他说:你知道人事部那个每当别人有求于他就对人大吼大叫的家伙吧。他终于被辞退了。他竟然发脾气发到自己上级头上了。这一来就给炒尤鱼了。
  
  这里的walking papers是解雇通知单,因为接到walking papers就意味着你得走路,离开工作岗位了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1587
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Walking papers不仅可以指解雇通知,也可以指司法机构通知你配偶已与你离婚的公文。其中的含意可想而知,就是接到这份通知的人便得从原有的家庭出走了。我们听个例子:
  
  例句-4:My sister Rose finally got a divorce from this man. She really should have handed him his walking papers years ago - he was unfaithful, drank too much and even beat her if she said anything.
  
  他说:我姐姐Rose终于和这男人离婚了。其实她几年前就该跟他一刀两断的。这个人既不忠实又酗酒,甚至姐姐一有怨言他还动手打姐姐。
  
  这里的walking papers是正式的离婚通知书。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1588
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲两个由hour这个词发展而来的习惯用语。大家一定知道hour就是钟点小时。究竟是谁把一天的时间划分成二十四小时的呢?由于这实在是发生在太遥远的过去的事请,所以已经无从查考。但是无论如何这种划定时间的方法确实是人类一大聪明创举。我们先要学的习惯用语是: the eleventh hour。 The eleventh hour意思当然是十一点。这里是指夜里十一点。换句话说是一昼夜的最后一小时。那么习惯用语the eleventh hour含义是什么呢?
  
  我们听个例子来琢磨。说话的人在申请一份工作之后感到似乎希望渺茫。我们听听他怎么说。注意他话里用到的the eleventh hour。
  
  例句-1:I thought I had lost out because I didn't hear from the company after my interview. But at the eleventh hour, when I was packing to go back home, they called and said they wanted to hire me.
  
  他说:起先我以为我已经失去机会了,因为我在面谈之后一直没听到公司方面的回音。但是直到我在整理行装准备回家的最后一刻,他们才打电话来说想要雇用我。
  
  他们起先一直没给他消息,直到他等待得失去信心,已经在打点行李马上要启程时才打电话来,可见这里的the eleventh hour意思是最后时刻。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1589
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  我们再听一个例子。这是一个商人在担心来不及准备好顾客的一份合同。
  
  例句-2:Look, it's the eleventh hour for getting this contract signed! If we don't deliver it to the customer by ten am tomorrow, we lose the whole deal, so we'll work all night if we have to.
  
  他说:看,现在已经到了签订这份合同的最后时刻了。如果我们不能在明天早上十点以前把合同发送给顾客的话,那这笔生意就全丢了,所以必要的话我们开夜车也得把合同赶写出来。
  
  这里的the eleventh hour也解释最后时刻。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1590
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个由hour组成的习惯用语: zero hour。 Zero是零,可见zero hour是零点。这个习惯用语起始于1917年一次大战期间。它被用来说发动某一军事行动的时刻。在这关键性时刻迫近时,战壕里的军官便看着手表上的分针秒针倒数计时直到预定时刻,也就是零点,就立即对部下发出信号,命令大家跃出战壕扑向德国人的阵地。
  
  如今军队里还用zero hour来指发动军事行动的时刻,但是这个说法现在也被用在日常生活中和军事不相干的各种场合,包括运动项目或者国会内决定性的表决等等,zero hour用在日常生活中又是什么意思呢?我们听个例子来琢磨。它说的是大学篮球赛季即将告终时争夺全国冠亚军的那场球赛。
  
  例句-3:All the waiting is over - it's zero hour for the game we're all waiting for, the players are out on the court and the referee is ready to throw the ball up and start the game.
  
  他说:一切等待终于结束。我们盼到了久久等候的这场关键性的比赛。球员们都已经在场上,裁判正要抛起球来准备开场。
  
  赛季末决定冠亚军的那场比赛当然最最紧要,而说话时正是拉开战幕的那一刻,所以这里的zero hour意思是关键性或者决定性时刻。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1591
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这是有关政界的,说的是参议院即将就一项提案举行关系重大的表决。这次表决的结果将直接影响到政界在秋季展开的竞选活动。我们来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-4:The result is expected to be very close so both sides are working hard to get every last vote before the zero hour at ten o'clock tomorrow morning when the final voting will start.
  
  他说:预计表决的结果将十分接近,预定明天上午十点举行决定性的最后投票,所以双方在关键时刻来临前夕正在竭尽全力地争取每一张投票。
  
  这里的zero hour意思也是决定性或者关键性的时刻。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1592
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上次我们学了两个由hour这个词组成的习惯用语,the eleventh hour解释“最后时刻,” zero hour意思是“关键时刻。” 今天我们再讲两个也是从hour发展而来的习惯用语,但和上次不同的是今天学的都表示欢快如意的时光。
  
  第一个是,happy hour。 Happy hour从字面上看意思显然是快乐时光。习惯用语happy hour起源于四十多年纽约的一家酒吧。一天店主在玻璃橱窗上贴了一张广告说,这家酒吧把每天下午五点到六点定为happy hour。在这段时间,半价出售饮料。这一小时正是人们离开办公室在回家路上的时候。
  
  这张happy hour广告立即吸引了街上熙来攘往的人群。这家酒吧马上生意兴隆,而其它酒吧和饭店看了也争相仿效,不久之后happy hour这股风吹到别的城市甚至其它国家,有的地方还把happy hour从五点延长到七点,长达两小时。
  
  总之happy hour是指饮食店为了吸引顾客而提供减价饮料的时段。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-1:The food in that new Italian restaurant across the street is pretty good, but business is slow. So they've started a happy hour in the hope people will stay on and order dinner.
  
  他说:街对面的那家意大利餐馆饭菜味道不错,但是生意不好。所以他们开始用幸运时刻的办法招徕顾客,并希望那些顾客会继续留下来吃晚饭。
  
  这里的happy hour特指饮食店为了招徕顾客而减价供应饮料的时间。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1593
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

顾客在工作之余的happy hour喝喝饮料,跟知己聊聊,有多舒心。有些店在happy hour甚至还为喝饮料的顾客免费提供点心。这一来顾客就更是皆大欢喜了。这就是下面例子里说到的事情。
  
  例句-2:Let's go to that bar on the corner for happy hour after work. One beer is always enough for me, but I love those little spicy meat balls and other snacks they put on the table free.
  
  他说:我们下班后在幸运时刻去拐角上那家酒吧喝一杯吧。我总是喝一杯啤酒就够了,但是放在桌上的那些免费供应的香喷喷的小肉丸子和其它点心我可真爱吃。
  
  这里的happy hour又是指饮食店减价供应饮食的时间,一般是下午五点到六点。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1594
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个由hour发展来的习惯用语: banker's hours。 Banker是银行家。三十来年前银行开门营业的时间特别短,从早上十点到下午两、三点就结束了。这样看来银行家的上班时间每天只四、五个小时,可真让不少人眼红,于是人们就开始流行用banker's hours这个说法来指特别安逸舒适的工作了。
  
  我们来听个例子,说话的人正在叫醒他的弟弟,因为今天是弟弟去一家加油站上任的第一天。这也是他有生以来的第一份工作。
  
  例句-3:Joe, come on and get out of bed! You won't be working banker's hours, you know - you've got to be there bright and early at seven am ready to pump gas for the customers.
  
  他说:Joe, 快快起床! 要知道你干的活儿可没那么轻松自在。每天一早七点你就得精神饱满地在那儿给顾客加油了。
  
  这里的banker's hours是指上班时间短、工作轻松的职业。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1595
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的习惯用语都带有这个词horn。 Horn这个词有几种不同意思。首先它可以指象公牛之类大型雄性动物头上长的角。在我们今天学的第一个习惯用语里horn就是这个意思: take the bull by the horns。 Bull是公牛。公牛有时是一种危险的动物。它野性发作时,会挺着头上尖锐坚硬的牛角向人直冲过来。那对锐不可当的牛角可是致命武器。历年来不知有多少西班牙斗牛士是在牛角下丧命的。
  
  习惯用语take the bull by the horns要是直译就是手执牛角制服公牛。这是个相当古老的习惯用语,流传至今有两百多年了。它的确切出典已经不清楚。有一种说法是这个习惯用语起源于牧牛场。当一头怒气冲天的公牛直冲你而来的时候,你自卫反击的办法之一就是迎它而上,双手果断利落地紧紧抓住它头上两角,然后竭尽全力扭转牛头,使公牛失去平衡摔倒而被你制服。
  
  当然这样做是需要临危不惧,迎着困难而上的勇敢精神的。我们来听个例子。说话的人终于鼓起了勇气准备去上级办公室要求加工资了。
  
  例句-1: I'm not waiting any longer for the boss to give me the raise I deserve. I'm going to take the bull by the horns, march in and tell him I want more money or I'm leaving for another job.
  
  他说:我再也不乖乖地等着老板来给我加工资了。我该得到更高的报酬,我要鼓足勇气迎困难而上;我打算去老板办公室直截了当地对他说:要不给我更高的报酬,我就辞职另谋出路了。
  
  他决定不再听任老板的摆布,而要采取主动、据理力争,所以这里的take the bull by the horns含义是不畏权势,迎着困难而上。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1596
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这回是老板在谈论一个懒懒散散、工作不力的雇员:
  
  例句-2: I've been patient with Dick because he's my wife's cousin. But he does less work than anybody else. Today I'm going to take the bull by the horns and tell him he's fired.
  
  他说:我一向都很容忍Dick, 因为他是我太太的表亲。但是他活儿干得比谁都少。今天我打算虎口拔牙,单刀直入地对他说他被解雇了。
  
  由于Dick是他太太的亲戚,尽管Dick工作不力,但有碍情面他一向都对Dick相当包容,而今天他却打破情面,正视问题,干脆要辞退Dick。所以这里的take the bull by the horns含义还是克服困难、解决问题。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1597
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Horn这个词还可以指号角或者喇叭。例如在下面这个习惯用语里:blow one's own horn。 Blow one's own horn从字面解释就是吹自己的喇叭。那么习惯用语 blow one's own horn含义是什么呢? 我们先听下面这个例子来琢磨,特别注意里面的习惯用语blow one's own horn。
  
  例句-3:I can't stand the guy - he's always blowing his own horn about how much money he makes, how good he is at sports, even how the grass on his lawn is greener than his neighbor's.
  
  他说:自己实在受不了这个家伙,因为他老吹嘘自己赚了多少钱,又夸自己如何擅长运动,甚至还说自家的草地比邻家来得绿。
  
  这家伙满口说的都是夸耀自己的话,可见习惯用语blow one's own horn含义是自吹自擂。这个习惯用语历史悠久。最初起源于两千年前的古罗马人,约莫是150年前流传到英语中来的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1598
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

象这种好吹嘘自己的人并不少见,大家也许都碰到过。接下来我们再听个例子,说的可是个截然相反的人了。
  
  例句-4:You'd never know that Jack has written eight successful books unless someone else tells you - he's a quiet, modest sort of man who doesn't believe in blowing his own horn.
  
  他说:如果旁人不告诉你的话,你可不会知道Jack已经写了八部成功之作。Jack为人安详谦和,从来都不好自吹自擂那一套。
  
  这里的blow one's own horn意思还是自吹自擂。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1599
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学两个习惯用语有共同的关键词:house。大家知道house是房子。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:put one's house in order。 Put one's house in order从字面来看是整理自己的住房,但是习惯用语put one's house in order意思要广泛得多,不局限于房子。
  
  我们来听个例子。说的是一位相当顾家的叔叔对身后的遗产作出妥善安排,以免却亲人在他去世后理财的烦恼。
  
  例句-1:Before he died Uncle Bob put his house in order; he paid all his debts, and left his insurance policies, his will, and other important papers in a big envelope on his wife's desk.
  
  原来Bob叔叔在去世前付清了所有的欠款,还把他的保险单、遗嘱和其它重要文件都归总放在他太太书桌上的一只大信封里。
  
  这位叔叔所做的显然都是清理个人财务的事情,不直接关系到房子,可见这里的习惯用语put one's house in order泛指清理个人事务。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1600
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Put one's house in order有时也可以用来说非个人的事务。我们再听个例子,说话的人是纽约一家公司设在芝加哥的办公室的经理。他正在动员手下工作人员积极准备,迎接纽约总部的领导人来访。
  
  例句-2:We have to put the house in order in two days: I want desks clean, the whole place looking good. And we need our accounts balanced up to date by five o'clock tomorrow afternoon.
  
  他要求大家把办公桌整理干净,使整个办公室显得整洁美观。然后还要大家在明天下午五点前把最近的帐目都结清。
  
  显然这一切不是他的私人事务,都是在整顿公司的业务以弥补过去的疏忽之处。这就是put the house in order这个习惯用语的第二种意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1601
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个意义相近的习惯用语:clean house。 Clean house和put one's house in order一样,通常可以用来指擦地板、吸尘、抹灰等作室内大扫除。但是clean house和put one's house in order在作习惯用语的时候就不再指家务琐事,而有更深的含义了。
  
  我们来听个例子。这段话来自竞选运动。参选者的惯用策略是攻击在华盛顿掌权的官僚们。我们来听听一名参选人的一段竞选演说:
  
  例句-3:Folks,send me to Congress and I promise the first thing I'll do is clean house - I'll get rid of all those bureaucrats who sit around all day doing nothing but wait for quitting time.
  
  他说:他要是被选进国会去的话,他要做的第一件大事就是驱逐国会内所有那些终日无所事事、只等下班的官僚。
  
  所以这里的clean house显然是进行人事大调动,剔除不称职的工作人员,以提高工作效率。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1602
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有时clean house还可以用来指铲除某些错误更严重的不良分子。我们再听个例子,说话的是一个大城市的市长。他刚发现某市政机构内官员弄虚作假,制造假账,贪污公款和公家设备。
  
  例句-4:I want our citizens to know I never tolerate corruption. I'm going to clean house and fire everybody who was involved. And we'll do our best to send the worst ones off to jail.
  
  他说:我要向市民表明我决不姑息腐败。我将清查这一机构人员,开除所有参与者,而且要竭尽全力把首恶分子送监狱法办。
  
  这里的习惯用语clean house是整顿机构,清除不良分子。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1603
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了两个由house发展而来的习惯用语。今天继续学两个。第一个习惯用语有两种略有差异的形式。它们是:bring down the house or bring the house down。 Bring down the house和bring the house down,尽管形式不同但是意义完全一样。 Bring down意思是“使...倒下,” 可能有人因而以为bring down the house 就解释“推倒房子”了。这想法也有点道理。
  
  一百来年前有个滑稽演员在剧场说了个笑话,但是全场观众却无动于衷,于是他只得自我解嘲地这样说:Don't laugh so hard! You'll bring the house down - it's an old building, you know。他说:可别笑得太厉害了。要知道这是栋老房子,笑声太大会把它震坍的。这也许是bring the house down这个习惯用语的出典,但是久而久之bring the house down有点偏离原意了。它解释赢得雷鸣般的掌声和震耳欲聋的喝彩声;总之是得到了高度赞赏。
  
  既然这个习惯用语出自剧场,我们就先来听个有关纽约百老汇剧场歌舞喜剧的例子吧,里面number这个词有特殊意思,解释歌舞剧的部分。
  
  例句-1:That musical number at the end of the first act always brings down the house -- the dancers wear beautiful costumes, the song itself is really catchy and the singer has a terrific voice.
  
  他说:在第一幕结尾的歌舞场面总是让全场观众为之倾倒:舞蹈演员穿着漂亮的服装,歌曲本身已经够迷人的了,而歌手又有一付美妙的好嗓子。
  
  这里的brings down the house意思是令观众为之倾倒。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1604
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Bring down the house不仅用来说艺术表演引起轰动,也可以指精彩的运动比赛。下面就有个例子。这段话说的是一次扣人心弦的网球锦标赛。
  
  例句-2:The match lasted three hours and it was the best tennis I've ever seen. It brought down the house: after the last point the crowd stood up to applaud both players as hard as they could.
  
  他说:比赛延续了三小时。这是我有生以来看过的最精彩的一次网球赛。它令全场轰动。在最后一分之后观众都起立竭尽全力地为两位选手鼓掌。
  
  这里的bring down the house意思还是令人倾倒。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1605
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也有house这个词的习惯用语:like a house on fire。 习惯用语like a house on fire已经有两百多年的历史了。归根溯源,它是来自早年美国西部的拓荒生活的。当年垦荒的人们砍伐树木开辟农场,并就地取材用伐下的原木搭房子。
  
  这些原木没经过木材处理还带着树脂所以一点就着。原木造的房子一旦着火,那就来势迅猛,一栋房子一眨眼就化为灰烬。
  
  奇怪的是人们却没在意这种意外事件的灾难性后果,倒是对这种迅雷不及掩耳的火势印象深刻,于是就采用like a house on fire来比喻迅速地一举成名。我们来听个例子,说的是一部杰出的新电影。
  
  例句-3:This movie has everything: an exciting story, fantastic special effects and top popular stars. So it's going like a house on fire: the first week it was out it took in 25 million dollars.
  
  他说:这部电影万事俱备:扣人心弦的故事情节,奇妙逼真的特技效果,再加上光彩夺目的明星阵容,所以这部片子立即引起轰动;上映第一周就创收二千五百万美元。
  
  这里的like a house on fire用来比喻迅速成名。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1606
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Like a house on fire也可以带有浪漫情调。下面就有这么个例子。说话的人把Sallie小姐介绍给了弟弟Joe。我们来听听进展怎样。
  
  例句-4:I was worried that Joe and Sally are so different they wouldn't like each other. But they're getting along like a house on fire and tonight Joe says he's going to ask her to marry him.
  
  他说:我起先担心Joe和Sally全然不同,可能不会相互爱慕,但是他们的爱情却如同野火春风般地迅速发展。Joe说今晚他要向 Sally 求婚了。
  
  这里的like a house on fire用来描述爱情的迅速发展。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1607
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 我们今天要讲的习惯用语有这样一个关键词: shirt。大家一定熟悉这个词。它的意思是“衬衫”。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:keep your shirt on。 Keep your shirt on表面意思是“穿着你的衬衫。” 这听来象是关心儿子的妈妈常唠叨的一句忠告。但实际上习惯用语keep your shirt on有更深的含义。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人要开车送朋友Charley去机场搭飞机,但是他去Charley那儿接他的时间稍晚了一些,所以Charley正在着急会不会赶不上他的航班了。我们来听听他怎么跟Charley说:
  
  例句-1:Come on, Charley, keep your shirt on! This time of day there isn't much traffic so we have plenty of time to get to the airport and catch your plane.
  
  他认为由于这个时候路上车辆不多,所以他和Charley有充裕的时间,能及时到达机场并赶上航班。
  
  这样看来他对Charley说keep your shirt on意思是让他放心,别着急。这就是这个习惯用语的含义。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1608
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Keep your shirt on这个习惯用语差不多来自两百年前美国刚开发的年代。当时人们到新大陆开天辟地创造新生活;他们在一片荒原上白手起家,生活艰辛当然不在话下,而在这天高皇帝远的地方是没什么行政司法机构的,解决人与人之间的争端靠的是拳头。大打出手的场面时时会有,但是人们在动粗前一定先脱下衬衫,免得它弄脏甚至扯破,因为好多人只有一件宝贵衬衫,得倍加爱惜。 这一来脱衬衫成了打架的前奏,而keep your shirt on其实就是劝人按捺一下火性。现在当然人们不会轻易动手,但是keep your shirt on却流传至今,常用在争吵即将爆发时来开导对方耐住性子别发火。
  
  下面有个例子。这人回家晚了三小时,进门看到太太的脸色知道情况不妙。我们听听他说些什么来挽回这风雨欲来的局面。
  
  例句-2:Honey, keep your shirt on, please. I'm sorry but the boss made me work late at the office. Come on, I'll take you out to dinner so you don't have to cook anything for me.
  
  他说:亲爱的,你别发火。我很抱歉,但是老板要我在办公室加班。来吧,我请你出去吃饭,你就不必为我做饭了。
  
  这里的keep your shirt on用来劝对方别动怒。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1609
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个包含shirt这个词的习惯用语:lose one's shirt。 要是一个人lose his shirt, 连一件衬衫都保不住,那他可真是陷于困境了。这个习惯用语起源于三十年代美国经济大萧条时期,当时股票市场崩溃,银行倒闭,工厂关门,农民失去了田地,好多人真是穷得一无所有,连件衬衫都没有。我们听个例子,来琢磨习惯用语lose one's shirt含义是什么:
  
  例句-3:Did you hear what happened to Joe? He's lost his shirt! The poor guy invested all his money in a new restaurant. But it was in a poor location and it just went out of business.
  
  原来可怜的Joe把自己所有的钱都投资到一家新饭店去了,但是由于饭店所在的地段不好,所以刚刚倒闭。这一来Joe可不就分文不剩了吗?
  
  可见这里说He's lost his shirt! 意思是他失去了一切财产。这就是这个习惯用语的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1610
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

如今当然有不少安全措施来帮助人们保护他们的积蓄。例如多数银行的储蓄存款都有政府机构的保险。但是还是会有些阴险毒辣的小人专门算计旁人口袋里的每一分钱。在下面例子里说话的人在奉劝朋友这种小人不可不防。
  
  例句-4: You say this man promises to double your investment in six months? I'd think twice before I'd give him any money: this sounds like a deal where you can lose your shirt in a hurry.
  
  他说:你说这个人答应在六个月内把你的投资翻一倍吗?换了我的话要考虑再三才把钱交给他,听他的话似乎是会很快把你的钱骗得精光的滑头交易。
  
  这里的lose your shirt意思也是倾家荡产变得一无所有。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1611
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第274课
  
  
  李华气喘吁吁地来接Larry 。李华今天要学两个常用语,off the hook和taken aback.
  
  LL: Hey, I was about to call you. I was worried something happened to you, because you're really late!
  
  LH: 实在对不起Larry, 路上出了点事。
  
  LL: What kind of trouble? Was it a family matter? Are you ok?
  
  LH: 没什么。我因为怕迟到,所以开得快了点。谁知道...
  
  LL: Uh oh. Did you get into an accident? I see you left your car running. Do you have engine trouble?
  
  LH: 车倒是没什么状况,可以被警察拦了下来,说我超速。
  
  LL: Did he give you a ticket?
  
  LH: 奇怪的是,警察没给我开罚单,但我的驾驶记录上恐怕已经有污点了。他还说,"he would let me off the hook."那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Oh, that's a good thing in your case! In this situation, "off the hook" means that you will not be punished for a rule or agreement you violated. The phrase "off the hook" can also mean that a person is relieved of an unwanted responsibility.
  
  LH: 哦,我明白了,off the hook就是脱身,或是摆脱责任的意思。怪不得那个警察说,"I'll let you off the hook with a warning."就是说警告一下,下次注意就行了。
  
  LL: Yeah. Let's get in the car. Don't speed, because you might not be let off the hook this time if an officer catches you!
  
  LH: 一定一定。哦,Larry, 我来晚了,你没生气吧?You will let me off the hook for being late, right?
  
  LL: Sure! You're doing me a favor anyway. Let's get to the car mechanic's shop and see if he fixed the company car my boss lent me for this weekend's business trip.
  
  LH: 对啊,最好别让你老板知道公司的车现在正在修车铺里。You'll be off the hook if your car is fixed.
  
  LL: Can you think of any other time that you've been let off the hook? The last time my boss let me off the hook was... hmmm... Never!
  
  LH: Hahaha! 别急,Larry, 五点以前我们肯定能赶到修车行。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1612
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, it looks like I'm NOT off the hook. My car won't be ready until next Monday.
  
  LH: 要到星期一才能修好?修车工是怎么跟你说的?
  
  LL: He ignored me for five minutes, and then I finally yelled... excuse me, could I have some service, please? I was really taken aback by his rudeness.
  
  LH: Taken aback? 他干嘛推你啊?我们可以告他们!
  
  LL: No. 'Taken aback' means surprised or shocked by something. I was really surprised by his rudeness, because he ignored me even though I was the only customer in the store.
  
  LH: 什么?只有你一个人,他还让你等那么久?太过分了。I am taken aback too. 我也觉得很吃惊。而且车也没修好!
  
  LL: It's ok. He told me that the car's engine needs to be completely redone. It doesn't matter how fast he goes, because he needs to order new parts for replacement.
  
  LH: 哦,原来是发动机坏了,要先去买零件,怪不得要那么长时间。Well, I'm taken aback by this whole situation.
  
  LL: I'm taken aback by the mechanic's behavior AND the terrible situation I'm in.
  
  LH: 我有个主意。要不咱们去租辆车。这样一来,等你老板发现后,就不会那么生气了。
  
  LL: That's true. He'll still be taken aback, but not as much, because I'll still have a car to use for my business trip this weekend.
  
  LH: 快五点了,我们赶紧去租车。
  
  LL: Thanks a lot, Lihua. I'm really taken aback by your kindness!
  
  LH: (Laughing) 你是说我平时对你不好吗?
  
  LL: (Laughing) No, it's just that you have gone to a lot of trouble today to help me get out of this horrible situation!
  
  LH: 别客气。那我在车里等,你快进去租车吧!
  
  LL: (Out of breath) Ok. It looks like I'm off the hook for the weekend - I got the last rental car available.
  
  LH: 太棒了,周末开车出去要注意安全噢!
  
  LL: You have a safe weekend too. And don't go over the speed limit. I'd be taken aback if the same officer caught you speeding again. He'd be so taken aback that you may get TWO tickets!
  
  天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是off the hook,指摆脱困境和责任。另一个是taken aback,指感到吃惊

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1613
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这个节目已经持续了很长时间了,在不断学习习惯用法的同时我们偶而也不妨停下来思索一下这个问题:为什么习惯用语时常让外国学生感到困惑难解呢?原因之一是习惯用语的含义跟它所包括的各个单词的意思往往是风马牛不相干的。
  
  我们今天就特意要谈这样两个典型例子。第一个习惯用语是: lock, stock and barrel。 Stock在这儿解释枪托,而barrel则是枪管。这儿的lock意思是枪的扳机。这个习惯用语起源于两百年前。当时枪支是由枪管、枪托和扳机三部分组成的。换句话说,lock, stock and barrel就是整个一支枪了。那么这个习惯用语意思究竟是什么呢?我们听个例子来琢磨吧:
  
  例句-1:In the old days the bell Telephone Company became the biggest in the world by buying up a lot of local phone companies, lock, stock and barrel and merging them into one giant corporation.
  
  他说:Bell电话公司当初收购了许多地方电话公司,把这些小公司统统合并成一家庞大的企业,Bell公司这才跃居世界首位。
  
  Bell公司一古脑儿地网罗了那些小公司,以成为规模巨大的企业,所以这里的 lock, stock and barrel 显然解释“统统地、一古脑儿地。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1614
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Lock, stock and barrel用途比较广泛。我们再来听个例子。这回它用在完全不同的场合,是说一栋房子着火了。
  
  例句-2:The firemen did their best, but the house burned right down to the ground, lock, stock and barrel -- nothing left but ashes.
  
  他说:消防队员尽了一切努力,但是那房子还是彻底化为灰烬了。
  
  这里的lock, stock and barrel仍解释“完全彻底地。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1615
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用语是: hook, line and sinker。 Sinker这里是指钓鱼的钓丝上铅做的坠子。它使钓丝深深下垂到水里。依此类推,hook一定是挂鱼饵的钩子,而line就是钓丝了。
  
  这个习惯用语的出典是一条愚蠢上钩的鱼饿得吞吃鱼饵时把挂鱼饵的钩子、钓丝和坠子都一并吞进肚里了。这个习惯用语跟刚才学的习惯用语lock, stock and barrel意思相近,都解释“统统地、一古脑儿地,” 但是它们的用途不同。Hook, line and sinker特别用来指象鱼那样愿者上勾的受骗上当的傻瓜,听了骗人的假话全盘接受信以为真。
  
  下面的例子是一个复员回乡的军人Joe在老朋友面前吹嘘自己如何骁勇善战,屡建战功而赢得勋章。我们来听听实际上是怎么回事:
  
  例句-3:When Joe came back we swallowed hook, line and sinker his stories of all the overseas battles he'd been in. Later we found he'd spent the whole time as an army cook at a base here in America.
  
  他说:当初Joe复员回乡时我们听了他在海外作战的故事全都信以为真。后来我们才发现原来Joe一直在美国本土的一个基地当部队炊事员。
  
  既然Joe是在美国的军事基地炊事员,所以他根本没去海外,也没上前线打仗。他说的那些英勇战斗故事全是胡编的,而他的朋友们起初都信以为真,可见这里的hook, line and sinker用来说全盘听信旁人的谎言。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1616
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Joe胡编那些炫耀自己战功的故事尽管虚假倒也不至于害人。但有时误信谎话就情况严重了。下面就是这样一个例子。说的是二十年代的一宗大诈骗案使成千上万人一生的积蓄付诸东流。当时有个叫Ponzi的人声称只要投资他所谓国际邮汇票证规划,就能在三个月内把原有的钱翻一倍。结果是他把收到的两千万美元投资款项中的一部分来偿还首批投资人,取得广大民众信任,却把大部分款项中饱私囊:
  
  例句-4:When people heard the early investors were getting money back, they believed Ponzi hook, line and sinker. But when Ponzi was exposed as a fraud they learned their money was gone.
  
  他说:人们听说捷足先登的投资人已经赚到钱了,他们就死心塌地地相信Ponzi 。直到Ponzi的骗局被揭穿,他们才发现自己的钱全泡汤了。
  
  这里hook, line and sinker也用来说彻底上当。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1617
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第275课
  
  李华和Larry一起去骑马。李华今天要学两个常用语,mean streak和soft spot.
  
  LL: If this is your first time riding a horse, Li Hua, I think you shouldn't ride that black one over there. That horse looks like he's got a mean streak.
  
  LH: A mean streak? 你说那匹黑马吗?如果我没理解错, mean streak就是mean, 坏脾气的意思吧。
  
  LL: That's exactly what I am saying, Li Hua. A mean streak is the potential for meanness.
  
  LH: 那如果马的脾气太烈,会伤害骑手吗?
  
  LL: A horse with a mean streak might refuse to let a rider get on - or even worse might try to throw a rider off their back.
  
  LH: 我在电影里看过,有的马性情暴躁,会把骑手从马背上摔下来,看来真得小心。那匹灰色的小马看着挺随和的。那我就骑它吧。It can't possibly have a mean streak.
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, it isn't only horses that can have mean streaks. People can, too.
  
  LH: Mean streak也能用在人身上?
  
  LL: Do you remember the super model Naomi Campbell? She was in the news for throwing her cell phone at her housekeeper.
  
  LH: 我记得,那个英国名模,我们叫他黑珍珠,她还有一次因为行李丢了,大发雷霆,还动手打了警察呢!
  
  LL: That super model reminds me of a famous basketball coach in the U.S. who also had a mean streak.
  
  LH: 篮球教练?你说谁?
  
  LL: The former coach of the Indiana University basketball team Bobby Knight was famous for his mean streak.
  
  LH: 我知道印第安纳大学校队很厉害,可是没听说过他们教练的故事。那你赶快告诉我!
  
  LL: There was one time he got so mad, Li Hua, he threw a chair out on the basketball court during a game!
  
  LH: 他竟然在比赛的时候把椅子扔到赛场上?太暴躁了!Boy, that coach really did have a mean streak.
  
  LL: Well, it is time to get on our horses, Li Hua. You can take the nice gray horse, and I'll try the black one with the mean streak.
  
  LH: 小心点,Larry.
  
  LL: Don't worry, Li Hua. I'll show that horse who is boss! I have a mean streak, too!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1618
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: So, now that we have been riding for a while, Li Hua, I don't think this black horse is so bad. I am actually developing a soft spot for him.
  
  LH: A soft spot? 什么是soft spot啊?
  
  LL: A soft spot is a feeling of tenderness or affection for a person or thing.
  
  LH: 你不会是喜欢上这匹黑马了吧?你忘了,刚才它还对你又踢又咬呢!
  
  LL: I know it may seem funny, but, yes, even though this horse tried to bite me and throw me off his back, I do have a soft spot for him.
  
  LH: 这么烈的马,你怎么会喜欢呢?真搞不清楚!
  
  LL: Well, ever since I showed him I was in control, he's been very good. And he's a handsome horse, too. It's hard to explain, but sometimes you end up having a soft spot for a thing or a person that isn't perfect.
  
  LH: 我有点儿明白了。像是我中文班里有几个特别好的学生,可是不知道为什么,反而是一个学得不怎么样的孩子最让我挂心。
  
  LL: So, why do you have a soft spot for this particular student, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 人跟人不一样,有人就是不擅长学语言,那个学生发音不够标准,而且总也记不住中文方块字的模样。
  
  LL: This person doesn't sound like the kind of person I'd have a soft spot for if I were a teacher, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 他虽然不是个天才型的学生,可是每天上课都特别努力。我想喜欢他,大概是因为希望他能学好吧。
  
  LL: You are such a dedicated teacher, Li Hua. I know there are students who have a soft spot for you.
  
  LH: 那可不一定,我那些学生肯定觉得我很厉害。
  
  LL: Oh, I don't believe that. Say, why don't we ride back to the ranch now, Li Hua. I'm getting a little thirsty and could use a drink.
  
  LH: 好啊。哎?我的马怎么不走了?
  
  LL: It looks like your horse is hungry, Li Hua. He apparently has a soft spot for that clump of flowers!
  
  LH: 这下可惨了,谁它要吃到什么时候。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是mean streak, 指坏脾气。另一个是soft spot, 指为什么事情动心。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1619
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国总统每四年得改选一次。在总统大选年里同时也重选联邦和各州政府的官员,所以举国上下的政坛热闹非凡,从而也产生了不少习惯用语。我们从今天开始要专门介绍用在竞选运动中的习惯用语或者习惯说法。第一个要介绍的是: stump。
  
  Stump原来的意思是树桩。也就是树木被砍伐后留在地面上的部分。Stump这个习惯用法可以追溯到两百年前美国刚开发的时代。
  
  早年垦荒的人首先得砍除茂密的森林,在空地上开辟农场并建造城镇。那些政坛候选人往往会骑着马到一个又一个的新开发地区去争取选民的支持,而到了那儿他们常常会高高地站在空地的树桩上发表他们的竞选演说,让人们都能看得到并听得到他们。于是人们就把这样的演说称为stump speech。
  
  久而久之人们进而把stump用作动词,表示参加竞选的候选人骑着马前往各地串联,向民众发表谈话了。Stump这个习惯用法沿用至今,尽管现代的候选人不再骑马,而是用飞机汽车代步,他们也不会在树桩上发表什么竞选讲话,而是在讲演台上了。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-1:The governor is running for re-election. And he's working hard for votes -- he'll stump the whole state next month, to try to win voters to his side in more than fifty towns and cities.
  
  他说:州长正在为重新当选展开竞选活动。他在尽一切努力争取选票。下个月他要走遍全州,努力争取五十多个城镇的选民都站到他这边来。
  
  这里的stump显然是指前往各地发表竞选演说。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1620
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学个也用在竞选运动中的习惯用语:change horses。 Change horses出自美国总统林肯之口。
  
  林肯在许许多多美国人心目中是最最伟大的美国总统,但是他的政治生涯也比并不始终一帆风顺。他在1864年争取再次当选的竞选运动是一场艰苦卓绝的政治斗争,因为当时正处于美国的南北战争时期,民众十分厌恨旷日持久的流血战争,也难免借大选的机会来发泄对当权执政的人所怀的怨恨和反感。
  
  于是林肯总统说了这样一句金玉良言来谆谆开导民众:Don't change horses in the middle of the stream.
  
  从字面来看这句话是说别在河中间换马。当然,骑马渡河时要是偏偏在水深流急的河中央换马,那是极其不明智的举动;你骑的马匹再不好,这也不是换马的时候。林肯总统言下之意是:当前国家正处于非常时期,撤换我这个在任总统是不明智的。
  
  林肯总统的这句名言流传后世,不知有多少当政的官员在争取连任的时候都引用过这句话。大家一定记得我们刚才提到的争取再次当选的那位州长吧?他在州内各地五十多个城镇游说时是这样对选民说的:
  
  例句-2:Maybe I've made a few mistakes the last four years. But, my friends, let me tell you this -- with all the problems we have these days this is no time to change horses in the middle of the stream.
  
  他说:也许我这四年来有过一些失误,但是,我要奉劝各位:鉴于当前我们面临的种种问题,现在可实在不是调换人员的时候。
  
  这里的change horses意思是撤换现任官员。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1621
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天学了两个用在竞选运动中的习惯用语。第一个是:stump。Stump当动词用的时候,它的特殊意义是前往各地开展竞选运动发表演说。而stump speech就是竞选演说。我们还学了:change horses。 Change horses解释撤换现任官员。
  
  Stump和change horses这两个习惯用语都有一点古色古香的韵味,因为它们都来自美国还没有汽车飞机的往日岁月。尽管如此这两个习惯用语却由于形像生动而至今仍然流行。
  
  有些古旧的成语俗语就没有这样旺盛的生命力了。它们会因为年代久远而逐渐被人们淡忘。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1622
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语009讲
  
  陈豪是在北京ABC美国公司工作。今天他下班后和公司里的美籍华人Mary一起去参加了一个招待会。现在两人正在往地铁站走。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Mary,非常抱歉,我刚才没有给你介绍在跟我讲话的那位女士。I met her last week in the cafeteria, but forgot her name。
  
  M:我看得出来你忘了她的名字,所以没给我介绍。That's why I introduced myself。
  
  C:是啊,你自我介绍后,她接著就自我介绍。谢谢你给我解了围。
  
  M:I'm glad I got you out of a tight spot。谁都有忘记别人名字的时候。
  
  C:嗨,别说了,有时见到一个我忘了名字的人,我就设法躲开,要不多尴尬。
  
  M:这可不是好办法。下回你要见到一个人想不起他的名字,introduce yourself right away。你介绍了自己后,对方一般也会自我介绍。
  
  C:How do I know it's going to work? 要是她不自我介绍,那我怎么办哪?
  
  M:要是他不自我介绍,那你就得马上承认你记不得他的名字 - confess right then that you can't recall his name。
  
  C:那怎么说呀?多不好意思呀!
  
  M:You can say, "Please forgive me. I have forgotten your name. Would you remind me of it?"
  
  C:这么说倒是不错。对了,我还可以说我记得上星期在餐厅里见到她的。这样也许更好一些。
  
  M:对,这样他就知道你没有全忘了他
  
  C:谢谢你,Mary! 明天见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1623
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Mary,我还是第一次在这餐厅吃午饭,饭菜真不错,价廉物美。哟,不好了。
  
  M:What?
  
  C:你看,那正在往这儿走的女士,昨天在Mr. Jones的办公室里见到她,可我现在记不得她的名字了。看看我能不能按照你昨天说的去做。
  
  Hi, I'm Chen Hao. I met you yesterday in Mr. Jones's office.
  
  Jenny: Yes, I remember. I'm Jenny Brown.
  
  C:Jenny, I'd like to introduce a friend of mine, Mary Thomas. We work in the same department. Would you like to join us for lunch?
  
  Jenny:Thank you, but I need to get back to my desk. Bye!
  
  M:Hey, Chen Hao, congratulations! You handled that situation very well.
  
  C:I did exactly what you told me yesterday.
  
  M:Basically, just give your name immediately when you see someone whose name you can't remember. And hope they respond in kind. When you see someone whom you DO know but who may not remember YOU, introduce yourself again.
  
  C:要是我知道对方的名字,可怀疑对方记不得我的名字,我也该先自我介绍。嗯...想得真周到。
  
  M:That's what we call etiquette.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1624
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

如今的竞选意味着花费几百万美元作电视广告,邮寄宣传印刷品。候选人也得和数以千计的志愿工作人员日以继夜地四处奔波。今天先学两个表示现代助选人员的习惯用语。第一个是:advance man。 Advance解释“预先的、先头的”所以advance man意思就是“先遣人员”了。
  
  那么竞选运动中的advance man是什么样的人呢?他当然是候选人的先遣人员。也就是说每当候选人要前往某地开展竞选活动的时候,他总是先行一步首先到达这一地点,为候选人作准备,为他在当地寻求选民的支持。
  
  先遣人员和他的工作小组首先会接触当地的党派领导人,安排个人亮相,以吸引公众的注目。他也要前往地方电视台和广播电台,为那位候选人安排大众宣传。总而言之,他得做千头万绪、细致入微的工作。好,我们听个例子。这段话告诉我们怎样才能成为成功的竞选先遣人员。
  
  例句-1:An advance man has to make friends quickly with people he's never met before. He also must remember a hundred details and learn to live on hamburgers and four hours of sleep a night.
  
  他说:竞选先遣人员必须善于跟初次相识的人交朋友。他也得牢记千头万绪的细节问题。同时要能适应靠汉堡包填肚子、每天只睡四小时的生活。
  
  这就是当一个advance man也就是竞选先遣人员的苦衷。看来要当好advance man是不容易的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1625
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语。它也表示候选人的一个得力助手:spin doctor。 Spin原来的意思是旋转。要理解spin doctor指什么样的人物,我们可以联想一下网球高手。他以特殊的旋转动作击出的球,往往使得对手无法回球。
  
  竞选运动像激烈的网球赛。候选人在公众场合得应付新闻媒体或者选民连珠炮似的发问,就像网球接二连三地向他发来。他的应对能力得象网球高手的击球技术那样高超。所以候选人常常雇用一名可靠的助手,专门协助他处理公共关系,努力为他树立良好的公众形像。而这个公共关系助手就称为spin doctor。他务必是个随机应变、善于周旋的人物。请听一位主持竞选工作的人在谈论他们支持的候选人存在的一个主要问题。
  
  例句-2:Our man gets in trouble every time a TV reporter asks him how he stands on abortion. I guess we'd better hire a good spin doctor to come in and give him some quick coaching.
  
  他说:我们的那位候选人,电视记者一问到他在堕胎问题上的立场就显得很狼狈。我想我们最好聘请一位擅长于公共关系的专家,来参与我们的竞选工作并且对他进行一些速成的辅导。
  
  这里的spin doctor是指擅长于公共关系的竞选助手。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1626
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

现代的总统大选不仅规模浩大而且历时又久。尽管投票是在十一月而竞选活动至少在一年前就开始了。在两大政党分别举行全国代表大会之后竞选活动真正进入高潮。
  
  两党的全国大会不仅正式确定本党的总统候选人提名而且也是动员本党一切支持力量的誓师大会。从那时起竞选进入最后决胜阶段。人们时常会这样说这一阶段的竞选工作: full steam ahead full。
  
  Steam是蒸气full steam ahead这个习惯用语来自用蒸汽机发动火车头的年代。火车头即将起动时,它的蒸汽机锅炉下炉火正旺锅,炉里充满了火热的蒸汽。这样火车头才有足够的动力带动列车全速奔驰。我们听个例子来体会 full steam ahead 含义是什么。
  
  例句-3:Now the convention has settled the arguments about its platform and nominated its candidate. Tonight it moves full steam ahead and is ready to roll at top speed toward November.
  
  他说:如今大会已经解决了关于竞选纲领的争论,也确定了总统候选人。今晚的大会推动全党开足马力向十一月的大选胜利奋力前进。
  
  这里的full steam ahead意思是一鼓作气、奋力前进地 。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1627
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上一次我们讲了几个在选举中时常会用到的习惯用语。最后说到的一个是full steam ahead。人们说大选年两大政党的全国代表大会举行后,竞选运动就move full steam ahead。 意思是全党上下都鼓足士气、全力以赴。
  
  人们说到全党大会后的竞选工作人员时还常会用这个习惯用语:hit the ground running。要理解习惯用语hit the ground running, 我们可以联想一下跳出机舱张开降落伞空降到敌占区去的伞兵。他们一着陆就得尽快脱离降落伞,立即带上武器冲向他们的目标。
  
  伞兵着陆后飞速执行重要使命和参选人员在全党大会后争分夺秒积极从事竞选最后阶段的工作很相似,因为他们都是一旦到位就快马加鞭地开展重要行动。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是一个竞选干事在向为候选人的访问作准备的先遣人员发号施令。这些先遣人员已经抵达某城市。他们有一大堆的事情得安排,因为候选人本人在这个城里将只待几个小时,而他们必须妥善安排充分利用这几个钟点内的每一分每一秒。
  
  例句-1:Listen, guys, we have to hit the ground running here. We want interviews with three TV stations, and visits to a school, a hospital and a factory. Plus dinner with big contributors. Okay, let's get moving.
  
  这位竞选干事指挥先遣人员去和三家电视台联系专访节目,还要安排参观一个学校、一家工厂和一所医院。除此以外,还得约主要的竞选赞助人一起用餐。得安排处理的事情显然有好多,他要他们立即行动起来。
  
  可见这儿的hit the ground running意思是立即快马加鞭地开展重要工作。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1628
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学两个政坛常用的习惯用语,尤其在竞选中更是耳熟能详。这两个习惯用语都来自动物。第一个是:sacred cow。 Sacred, 意思是神圣的,所以sacred cow就是圣牛。这个说法的起源地是印度。印度人由于古老的宗教信仰而把牛抬举成神;牛可以在拥挤忙碌的闹市大街上慢条斯理地东游西荡,车辆行人都得给它让道,谁也碰它不得,更别说吃牛肉了。
  
  Sacred cow这个说法在1910年左右传到美国。我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义。
  
  这段话是在说美国保障老弱病残福利的社会保险制度:
  
  例句-2:One sacred cow is the national social security system that provides many retired people with a pension. This program gets increasingly expensive every year and has become a social burden. However, no politician wants to touch it because older people mean a lot of votes.
  
  他把向退休人员提供养老金的美国社会安全制度称为“圣牛,”虽然这个方案的花费日益浩大,成为社会负担,但是政界人士却都不敢对它轻举妄动,因为老年人的投票票数相当可观。谁胆敢改变这一体制,就会失去民心和大量选票。
  
  可见这里的sacred cow指的是那种受到人为保护而碰不得的人或事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1629
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个也来自动物并常用在政界的习惯用语:fat cat。 习惯用语fat cat意思当然不会是肥猫;它通常指大富翁,而在政界,fat cat时常用来说候选人的经济靠山,也就是说候选人能指望从fat cat那儿得到大笔竞选经费。好,我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3:This year the other party is way ahead of us when it comes to campaign money. They have all the fat cats on their side. And that means they can buy twice the TV time we can afford.
  
  他说:今年对方党派在竞选经费方面大大超越了我们,因为那些有钱的赞助人都在他们那边。那就意味着他们能买下的电视亮相时间比我们多一倍。
  
  这里的fat cat意思是能提供大笔竞选经费的赞助人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1630
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲几个在美国年轻人中间流行的习惯用语。第一个由两个数字组成:24/7。习惯用语24/7是二十四小时和七天的简称。知道了这个来源它的意思就很明显了。我们知道一天一共二十四小时,而一星期总共七天,所以24/7把一星期里的每一天、一天里的每一小时都包括在内了。换句话说就是全部时间,或者每时每刻。
  
  我们来听个例子。这个小伙子在谈论他的朋友Susan:
  
  例句-1:Susan has been dating Gary for about a week, and she likes him a whole lot. It's difficult to get in touch with her because she's with him 24/7.
  
  他说:Susan和Gary开始谈恋爱差不多有一星期了。她非常喜欢Gary。最近Susan特别难找,因为她一天到晚都跟Gary在外面约会。
  
  这里的24/7意思是“全部时间”或者“时时刻刻。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1631
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

24/7尽管来自年轻人之间,但不少略微年长的人受了年轻人的影响也在用这个说法。我们来听听一个当爸爸的也用上了这个俚语。
  
  例句-2:Taking care of babies is very difficult because they can't tell you what they want. My baby cries when he wants food, sleep, toys, or to be changed - everything. It seems like he is crying 24/7.
  
  他说:照顾婴儿可真难,因为他们不会对你说自己想要什么。我那孩子一不对劲就哭,要吃了,要睡了,要玩具或者要换尿布了,都会哭。他似乎老在那儿没完没了地哭。
  
  这儿的 24/7 意思还是“每时每刻。”
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1632
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

许多人认为年轻人使用的语言自有一套,有时候爸妈甚至都不知道自己的孩子在说些什么。今天的青少年是电视和流行乐哺育长大的。他们的语言也在很大程度上受到这些大众文化的影响。例如,在美国青少年中流行这样一个词:dis。 Dis其实是disrespect这个词的简略形式, 意思是不尊重。
  
  这个词起先用在rap music, 就是绕舌音乐。演唱的人以快速强烈的节奏说唱词。近年来青少年中风行绕舌音乐,于是他们就在日常交谈中借用了dis这个词。我们来听个例子。
  
  例句-3:I was supposed to meet these guys in front of MacDonald's at noon, but nobody showed up. What happened I don't know but maybe they dissed me by going someplace else without telling me.
  
  他说:我和这些人约定中午在麦当劳快餐店门前碰头,但是他们连影儿都不见。我不清楚他们究竟是怎么回事。他们可能根本没把我放在眼里,所以去了别的地方都没跟我说一声。
  
  这里的dis意思是不尊重、不重视。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1633
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也是在青少年中间常用的习惯用语,它正好是dis这个词的反面:props。 Props意思是尊重,正如dis来自disrespect一样, props来自proper respect,是它的简略形式。 Proper respect解释应有的尊重。青少年常用props 这个词来恭维某人或者某人的作为,要注意的是刚才学的dis通常当动词,而props却是名词。
  
  我们来听个例子。这个人在赞扬他的同学:
  
  例句-4: I really have to give you a lot of props. No one could have done a better job with this assignment. Our professor has to be more than impressed. You'll get an A for sure I think.
  
  他说:我可真佩服你。这个作业谁也不可能比你做得更出色的了。我们那位教授一定大为赞赏。我肯定你将得到A。
  
  这里的give you a lot of props意思是非常佩服你。我们再听个例子,说话的人对他朋友仗义执言表示敬佩。
  
  例句-5:I sure want to give you props for speaking up at the meeting. A lot of people felt the same way, but were too scared to say anything. You were the only one brave enough to speak you mind
  
  他说:我可真敬佩你在会上大胆执言。好多人虽然有同感却吓得不敢开口。只有你勇敢地把心里话说出来。
  
  这里的give you props意思是敬佩你。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1634
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上次我们讲了几个美国青少年中流行的习惯说法。今天我们还要讲两个。它们分别用来描述好或者坏。也许有人认为说好坏的词汇已经太丰富了,难道还不够用吗?但是好标新立异的年轻人却喜欢创造一些词汇的新用法,以便让自己的谈吐比年长的一辈更别致一些。
  
  我们今天要学的第一个习惯用法是:sweet。这个词对大家说来并不陌生,很多人知道它的意思是“甜的。”它是sour,酸,或者bitter,苦的反义词。反正sweet通常用来描述可口或者给人好感的事物的。
  
  我们来听听一个小伙子在描述电视转播的篮球赛时怎么应用sweet这个词:shot在这段话里解释投蓝,所以last shot意思是最后一次投篮。
  
  例句-1:That game was terrific! I love watching Chicago and New York play against one another because they play so hard. For the final play, the crowd went crazy because the last shot was so sweet.
  
  他说:这场球赛精彩极了。芝加哥队和纽约队打球都非常卖力,所以我特别爱看他们的比赛。最后一场使观众都兴奋得发狂;最后一球投得棒极了。
  
  这里的sweet用来描绘轰动全场的最后一次投蓝,可见这里的sweet和味道无关。它的意思是棒极了、精彩极了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1635
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才那个醉心运动的小伙子用sweet这个词来描绘精彩篮球赛中的投篮。其实sweet这个词也可以用在其它类型的活动上。
  
  下面我们来听听另一个男孩谈起参加首都华盛顿独立节晚上庆祝活动的情况。他也用了sweet这个词。
  
  例句-2:We got a good spot near the front and had the sweetest view of the fireworks. We were able to see all the different shapes, sizes and colors. It was fantastic, just fantastic!
  
  他说:我们在靠近前面的地方找到了看焰火的最佳位置。在那儿我们能把各种不同形状大小的五彩缤纷的焰火都看得一清二楚。
  
  这里的sweetest用来描绘看焰火的好位置。它的意思就是“最好的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1636
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用法意思跟sweet正相反。它是: lame。这个词并不陌生。它通常解释跛腿的,当然lame用在俚语里就不是这个意思了。我们来听个例子。说话的人在谈论朋友说的一个笑话:
  
  例句-3:That joke Karen told me was so lame. I couldn't believe it. She tried to be funny, but the punch line didn't make anybody laugh. I think her sense of humor is really weird.
  
  他说:Karen讲给我听的那个笑话真糟糕,简直令人难以置信。她拼命想说得滑稽,但是她那句逗笑的话却一点没引人发笑。我觉得她的幽默感有问题。
  
  Karen讲的笑话一点不能引人发笑,显然这是个很糟糕的笑话,所以这里的lame和肢体残缺无关。它的特定意义是“糟糕的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-27#1637
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

实际上lame可以用来描绘各种不同性质的糟糕的或者令人生厌的情况。我们再来听听一个学生和他的同学谈论自己正在上的一门经济学导论课:
  
  例句-4:The Introduction to Economics class is so lame! The professor puts us all to sleep with his boring lectures. He doesn't teach anything practical or interesting. I want to switch classes.
  
  他说:经济学导论可真差劲!那位教授枯燥的讲课听着叫人都睡着了。他教的东西一点都没实用意义。我可要换班了。
  
  这里的lame用来说糟糕的课程。它的意思还是“糟糕的”或者“差劲的。”

太极无敌 : 2009-12-28#1638
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢兄弟!

cindyycm : 2009-12-28#1639
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语010讲
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  Ann. 陈是在北京ABC美国公司工作的年青人。今天,他收到一张请帖。可是他不懂请帖上RSVP这几个字母的意思。所以他就去问公司里的一位美籍华人Mary。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  陈:Mary,美国公司三星请我12月1号去吉祥餐馆参加晚宴。可是请帖上这RSVP几个字母是什么意思?
  
  M: 噢,RSVP就是Please reply。也就是“请答复”的意思。RSVP来自法文,但是现在美国人普遍在请帖上用RSVP,也就是请被邀请的人收到请帖后告诉主人你是不是能去。
  
  陈:原来RSVP就是要答复你能不能去。嗨,请我吃饭! Of course I can go。不过,12月1号离现在还有两个星期。我过了下星期再给他们打电话。
  
  M:哎,不行,等到最后一天答复或根本不答复都是不礼貌的。你决定了,就打电话答复。Reply immediately。
  
  陈:那要是我不能去,我就可以不答复吧?
  
  M:No,you have to。 RSVP的意思是,不管你能不能参加,收到请帖的人都应该答复。这样主人才知道人数有多少嘛!
  
  陈:OK, I'll reply immediately。 谢谢Mary,我又学到了一个词RSVP.....RSVP

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1640
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈:Mary,我明天不想去去吉祥餐馆吃饭了!
  
  M:怎么啦?你不是已经打电话告诉他们你去吗?
  
  陈:是呀,可上星期我又接到一张请帖,请我去一个五星大饭店吃饭。两个晚餐是同一天,那,我当然要去五星级的大饭店啦。
  
  M:No, you can't do that。你不能因为有了更好的邀请就改变主意。这是很不礼貌的。
  
  陈:那万一我有紧急的事,我怎么办哪?发生天灾人祸,我也得去呀?
  
  M:真的有紧急的事,你也得及早打电话去说明你不能去了,还要表示抱歉。
  
  陈:那好,我告诉他们我丈母娘要来,这不就行了吗!
  
  M:嗨,你怎么骗人呀!万一被人发现,你非但会成为同行的笑话,而且以后恐怕也没有人会请你了。
  
  陈:哎哟,这吃个饭这么麻烦哪。
  
  M:其实很简单:When you see RSVP, respond immediately, say what you plan to do and do what you say。In an emergency, call immediately and apologize。
  
  陈: 嘿,你这么一总结倒是很简单。看见RSVP就马上答复,告诉对方你去不去,说去就得去。说不去就不去。遇到紧急情况马上打电话说明情况表示道歉。
  
  M: That's right。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1641
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们已经连续两次讲了美国青少年中流行的习惯说法。今天我们再来讲两个。生活在当今世界上的人们一般生活节奏都相当快,好多人都是日理万机的,正当壮年的人当然更得如此,然而也不可否认年轻一代的生活也相当紧张,他们也面临很大的压力,年轻人自然也需要放松一下的机会。于是在他们中间流行着一些专门用来表示放松休闲的词汇,这就是我们今天要学的内容。第一个是: veg。
  
  Veg显然来自vegetable。 Veg是vegetable这个词的简略形式。 Vegetable是蔬菜,长在地上的蔬菜是不能自由活动的,它静静地呆在原地不动。表面看来蔬菜被动呆板,但换个角度来想它们倒也活得悠闲自在。
  
  这也许就是veg这个说法的出典。让我们听个例子来体会veg这个词的确切含义。说话的这个小伙子在说他这个周末将做什么。
  
  例句-1:I'm so glad that the week is almost over! I've had too much work to do. So I'm staying home and vegging this weekend. I won't do anything not even think about my deadlines next week.
  
  他说:我真高兴这个星期总算快过完了,我得做的事儿实在太多。所以这个周末我准备待在家静静地休息,我什么也不干,甚至连下星期那些截止日期都不去想。
  
  他准备这周末足不出户,什么也不干,什么也不想,完完全全地放松休息,这就是veg这个词的意思,这儿他是用了veg这个词的现在分词形式vegging。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1642
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有时候人们甚至等不到周末就想彻底地放松一下自己,因为一天工作下来确实令人精疲力尽了。我们来听听一名年轻职员下班后晚上的时间打算怎么渡过。
  
  例句-2:I've run around the office all day. I'm exhausted! A whole pot of coffee couldn't keep me awake. I'm going straight home to veg -- maybe watch a little television, then go to bed.
  
  他说:我一整天都在办公室里东奔西走,实在困极了。一整壶咖啡都没法让我提神不瞌睡。我要直接回家去休息,可能看一下电视就上床睡觉了。
  
  他要直接回家去,看一下电视就上床睡了,可见这里的veg就是指静静地休息。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1643
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学的第二个习惯用法是: chill。 Chill这个词通常跟冷有关,既可以是身体上的冷感也可以是情绪上的冷静,但是在习惯用法中 chill 这个词和veg一样有安静休息的意思,只是chill比veg更多一层意思,就是chill也能指抑制情绪激动。
  
  我们来听个例子, 说话的男孩儿正努力控制自己的情绪,以便头脑清醒地考虑问题。请特别注意里面用到的chill这个词。
  
  例句-3:Oh, no! Mom's going to be so mad that we broke the window, and we'll be in deep trouble. We've got to chill and think about what story we can tell her, so she won’t get too angry.
  
  他说:啊,糟了!妈妈看到我们打破玻璃窗会大发脾气的,那我们就得倒霉。我们一定要冷静下来好好想一想,可以编出一套什么话来跟她说,让她别那么生气。
  
  这里chill显然解释控制慌乱情绪、冷静头脑。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1644
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当然chill这个词也可以用来指纯粹放松休息。我们再听一个小伙子在回忆他昨天做了些什么,特别注意他的话里用到的chill跟刚才那个例子里的chill有什么不同:
  
  例句-4:We didn't do much yesterday. Tim came over to my house, and we pretty much chilled there all day. We watched TV, played a few video games, and had some snacks -- nothing special.
  
  他说:我们昨天没做什么,Tim来我家,我们整天就在家里闲待着,我们看了会儿电视,再玩儿了几盘电子游戏,然后吃了点儿点心,没什么特别的活动。
  
  这里的chill显然指从事一些轻松悠闲的活动,或者就是放松休息。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1645
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

从这次开始我们要讲流行在美国政坛的一些习惯用语。今天先讲的两个起源于五十年代宇宙探索事业。第一个是:countdown。 Countdown原意是倒数计时。曾经从电视上看到火箭发射现场转播的人一定都听到过在发射前如何倒数秒数:5,4,3,2,1,直到火箭从发射台升空那一瞬间。
  
  航天专家把这倒数计算秒数称为countdown,不久这个说法就进入日常生活,用来指某一事件正式开始前的最后准备阶段。比方说是航天飞机升空前,也可以是奥林匹克开幕前,或者是大选日投票开始前的最后阶段。我们来听个例子,特别注意里面用到的countdown是什么意思。
  
  例句-1:Tonight only four days are left in the countdown toward election day and the candidates are busy campaigning as hard as they can -- it's their last chance to get support from the voters.
  
  他说:今夜离大选日只有最后四天了。候选人正竭尽全力地开展竞选活动,因为这是他们赢得选民支持的最后机会。
  
  这里的countdown指投票前竞选的最后阶段。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1646
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也来自航天事业但应用于政界的习惯用语:all systems are go。 System,在这个短语里原来指机械设备装置,就是电脑和其它各种控制设备。All systems are go这句话是控制部门的负责人在下令发射火箭前最后收到的报告,意思是一切有关设备装置都已启动并且运行正常。
  
  换句话说是一切准备就绪就等发射了。All systems are go随即在日常生活中流行,也包括政坛。我们来听个例子,说话的是某主要总统候选人的竞选先遣人员。他已经为候选人安排好明天在芝加哥的演说,现在正向在华盛顿的上级汇报有关情况。
  
  例句-2:Joe, tell everybody back there all systems all go for the speech tomorrow. I've checked the auditorium, the TV setup, and we'll have a big crowd -- everything is all ready for our man.
  
  他说:Joe, 告诉你那儿的所有人:明天的讲演一切准备就绪。我已经检查了大礼堂和电视装置。我们也会有大群听众,一切都为我们的候选人安排妥当了。
  
  既然候选人要作讲演的场所、听众以及电视摄像转播设备都已经安排好了,可说是讲演的准备一切就绪,所以这儿all systems are go含义就是一切准备就绪。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1647
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下来要学的习惯用语是说在政界周旋的老手惯用的一种技俩的:baby-kissing。 Baby-kissing,亲吻小孩,可是美国政界人士有悠久传统的习惯,好多参选的人在接触选民、联络感情的时候,时不时会从人群里抱起一个可爱的孩子,逗逗他,亲亲他,跟他妈妈说:这孩子多讨人喜欢。
  
  有时候选人也不一定非得亲吻孩子,只是把孩子亲亲热热地抱在怀里,只要孩子没被吓哭,他和那孩子就可以成为在新闻媒体亮相的好镜头,并且这样他又跟民众拉近了距离,向民众显示自己充满着温暖的人情味。我们来听个例子。它说的是一位精于此道的政界人物。
  
  例句-3:Old Senator Blank has nine grandchildren of his own and enjoys baby-kissing. Kids trust him: a baby will smile and gurgle in his arms and the proud parents see this and are really thrilled.
  
  他说:老参议员Blank家里有九个孙儿女。他最喜欢用抱孩子这一手来接近民众。小孩也信赖他,抱在他手上总是乐得咯咯直笑。这使那些充满自豪的爸妈也激动万分。
  
  这里的baby-kissing用来泛指政界人物通过跟小孩亲热来博取民心的手段。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1648
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语011讲
  
  
  
  
  
   
  
  陈豪今天晚上要参加公司举行的正式晚宴。他想起在电影上看到的这种场合,桌上放满了刀叉。这些刀叉该怎么用?他决定去请教公司里的美籍华人Mary。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Mary,今晚公司为美国来的总裁举行晚餐会,我也被邀请出席,可我很紧张。
  
  M:It's only a dinner, why are you so nervous?
  
  C:不说别的,就桌上那些刀叉就够让我糊涂了。我担心会出洋相。
  
  M:那倒是,因为table manners are important。
  
  C:嗯...Table manners。就是饭桌上的规矩和礼貌。
  
  M:对,吃西餐的时候每道菜都用不同的餐具,整套餐具就是:a place setting。
  
  C:要是一顿饭有汤,有沙拉,有主菜和甜点,那该有些什么餐具,每个餐具又该怎么用呢?
  
  M:那就应该在左手边有两把叉子,右手边有一把刀和一个汤勺。对了,喝汤的时候千万不要出声。其实很简单,你只要记住先用外边的就行了。Take utensils from the outside of the place setting to the inside。
  
  C:由外及内。喝汤先用右手拿靠外边的汤勺。吃沙拉就用左手外侧的叉,对吗?
  
  M:Absolutely! 把用完的刀,叉放在盘子右边,服务员会把它们收走。No, never put used knives, forks or spoons back on the table。
  
  C:那就是,吃完汤和沙拉后,我还剩下左边一把叉,右边一把刀,对吗?
  
  M:没错。在盘子前面还有吃甜点的小勺和叉。对了,你要不清楚的话,follow what other people do。陈豪, 对不起,I got to go, good luck tonight!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1649
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:Good morning, Chen Hao. How did the dinner go last night?
  
  C:幸亏你昨天教我刀叉的用法,I had no problems at all,只有一个小小的惊慌。
  
  M:What's that?
  
  C:那沙拉里有一个小番茄,我用刀切了一下。把刀留在盘子里被服务员收走了。我担心一会儿吃主菜的时候没有刀,不过后来服务员给我拿来一把干净的刀。
  
  M:Did you have any other problems?
  
  C:我喝完汤后不知道把勺放哪里。我看我们的总裁把勺放在汤碗下面的盘子右侧。我就照他那么做了。
  
  M:Perfect. It's not that complicated, right? Just remember: Always work from the outside in when deciding which knife, fork or spoon to use. Once used, the utensil never goes back on the table. At the end of the meal, you should have used all the utensils at your place.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1650
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语012讲
  
  
  
  
   
  
  陈豪在美国ABC公司工作。他经常要用电子邮件和公司内外的人联系。今天他见到了一个他不认识的英文词,所以就去请教美籍华人Mary。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hey, Mary,我知道etiquette这个词的意思是礼节,礼貌。可是,什么是netiquette? NETIQUETTE。
  
  M:Netiquette是人们新创造的一个词。意思是网上礼节,也就是good behavior on the Internet。
  
  C:网上还有礼节!Why don't you give me an example.
  
  M:比如说,你最好不要全用大写来写email。If you type in all capital letters, people would think you are shouting your message。
  
  C:噢,怪不得那天销售部的Robert问我:Why did you yell at me? 可有的人给我email全用小写,那是什么意思呀?Whisper?说悄悄话呀?
  
  M:No。 那天财务部的Kevin不是给我们俩写的email都用小写吗?全用小写一般是不正式的,like chatting with your friends。
  
  C:Email本身就是不正式的。
  
  M:That's true, but that does not mean you can ignore appropriate etiquette。我得去开个会,午饭时再接著谈吧!
  
  C:Fine! See you at the cafeteria at 12:00pm.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1651
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:哟,陈豪,你怎么吃那么快呀!
  
  C:我刚才真是饿死了,不过我很想知道还有哪些网上礼节。
  
  M:首先,在你送出e-mail 之前,check if there are mistakes such as spelling, grammar, punctuation and word choice. If your e-mail is sloppy, you will be perceived as sloppy and disrespectful to the recipients.
  
  C:我有两次发e-mail给客户时忘了附件。几个客户马上回e-mail问我:What attachment?
  
  M:是呀,一旦e-mail发出去以后,你就没法收回了。发现错误后最好的办法就是纠正错误,再重新发一次。你应该在subject line里写:corrected version with attachment included。
  
  C:下回我一定这样做。
  
  M:最好是不要出这样的差错。Before you hit the send button, check your spelling, grammar, punctuation and word choice. Sloppiness gives people a bad impression and is disrespectful to others. When mistakes are found, correct them and resend the e-mail. Typing in all capital letters seems that you are shouting, or typing in all lower keys are like chatting with your friends.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1652
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要继续讲几个常用在美国人政治生活中的习惯用语。先要学的两个都跟惊险行动有关。第一个是:take the point。 Take the point也可以说成walk the point。 Point原意是尖端,take the point这个短语来自军事用语,意思是担任前哨或尖兵。每当巡逻队出动执行任务的时候,总会有一名士兵远远走在前面。
  
  这名士兵就是take the point或者walk the point。 不管是谁take the point担任前哨或尖兵,可得有勇气和胆量,如果前面有埋伏的敌人,子弹肯定会首先射向他。但是这样就等于是给后面的战友发出了警报,让他们知道前面有敌军埋伏。如今,take the point 已作为习惯用语被政界和商界借用。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人是一名参议员争取连任时的竞选班子成员。他和同事都清楚这位参议员在发表有关妇女问题的讲话时务必言词得当,但是这位议员大人性情暴燥,动不动就会大发雷霆,弄得谁都不敢向他进言,只有Betty是例外。好,我们一起来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-1:Everybody was afraid to bring the subject up. But Betty volunteered to take the point and talk to him for us all. I'm afraid she has more courage than the rest of us combined.
  
  他说:大家都不敢开口提这事,但是Betty却自告奋勇,要代表我们大家一马当先向他进言。我们所有人的勇气合在一起恐怕都赶不上Betty。
  
  这里的take the point意思是敢于一马当先为众人出面。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1653
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也跟走险路有关的习惯用语:walk a tightrope。 Tightrope专指杂技演员表演走钢丝时用的钢缆。可见walk a tightrope就是走钢丝表演了。杂技演员手握平衡木在悬挂半空、又细又长的钢缆上行走可真让观众为他捏一把汗,稍有失误他就会从高空摔到地上。
  
  走钢丝的演员得掌握纯熟的技巧、俱备绝佳的平衡能力。从政的人虽然不靠走钢丝养家糊口,但是为人处事却也像在走钢丝一样,得有巧妙和出众的平衡手腕,每当出现有争议的问题他就得采取恰到好处的立场,设法保持对立两方的选民对他的支持。
  
  近年来美国政界争议最激烈的问题之一是堕胎,双方各持己说、争论不休。我们来听个例子,说的就是那位Blank参议员如何处置堕胎问题:
  
  例句-2:So far Senator Blank has been able to walk a tightrope and keep support from both voters who favor the right to abortion and people who oppose it. But he'll have to pick a side soon.
  
  他说:到目前为止 Blank 参议员还能左右平衡,保住了赞成和反对妇女堕胎权的两方选民的支持。但是他很快就不得不明确表示自己站在哪一边了。
  
  选民在堕胎问题上立场截然相反,要做到双方都不得罪实在不容易,就像走钢丝保持身体平衡一样难,所以这里的walk a tightrope意思就是四面兼顾、平衡局面。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1654
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

从政的人要善于平衡局面,就得懂得在斗争形势尚未明朗之前采取中立观望态度,不忙于倚重任何一方。这就是我们今天要学的第三个习惯用语:fence-sitter。 Fence是用来分隔场地的栅栏、篱笆,fence-sitter是骑在栅栏上的人,也就是还没决定究竟打算立足于栅栏的哪边、采取观望态度的人。
  
  Fence-sitter这个习惯用语其实相当于中文里的“骑墙派”或“脚踩两头船的人。” 在政治领域,人们谈到那些态度暧昧、遇事不置可否的人或者团体时就可以用fence-sitter这个词来代表他们。
  
  我们来听个关于工会的例子。美国的工会向来倾向于民主党候选人,因为民主党比较照顾他们的利益,所以总的说来工会领导人会要求会员投民主党的票,但是有时候工会在两党竞选中会一反常态,采取中立观望态度。
  
  例句-3:Here our Unions are fence-sitters on the vote for Congress. The incumbent is a Republican, but he's been a pretty good friend of the working man. So they would just as soon see him win again.
  
  他说:当地工会在议会选举中脚踩两头 船。现任议员是共和党人,但是他一向跟职工阶层关系融洽,所以工会宁愿他当选连任。
  
  有时不表态反能取得意想中的效果。这里的fence-sitter就指采取中立观望态度的人或组织。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1655
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语013讲
  
  
  
  
   
  
  陈豪是个勤快的年轻人,ABC美国公司的总裁很喜欢他, 正在逐渐给他增加一些任务。陈豪也很机灵,凡是没有把握的事都去请教美籍华人Mary。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  M:陈豪,你好象很激动,What happened?
  
  C:啊呀,我们的总裁,Mr. Moore,让我明天请两位客户吃晚饭。我知道, 我过去一直是当陪客的,never been a host。I don't even know what to do!
  
  M:Don't worry。当主人主要是要保证晚餐进行得顺顺当当,让客人感到舒适满意。
  
  C:可问题是怎么做。Tell me specifically what to do first。
  
  M:First, of course, choose a restaurant, 找个合适的饭馆呀!
  
  C:哎,我们公司附近不是最近开了一个新饭馆吗? I'll take them there。
  
  M:你呀,最好找一个你熟悉的饭馆,so you can be sure that the food and service will be good。
  
  C:那倒是,否则太危险。I did hear that new restaurant is quite noisy。
  
  M:太吵闹可不行,You need an atmosphere that is suitable for business conversation。
  
  C:有了,我想起了一个非常合适的饭馆。 Mary, would you like to have lunch there with me today to check it out?
  
  M:Thank you. I'd love to be your guinea pig for lunch。我就做一回你的试验品吧!
  
  C:Guinea pig! 请你吃饭还说做我的试验品!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1656
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:So, Mary, what do you think? Will this work for the business dinner?
  
  M:It's perfect。对了,既然你现在在这里,你可以认识一下那head waiter,把明天的帐先付了,take care of the bill for tomorrow night。
  
  C:饭还没有吃,吃什么都还不知道,就付钱?
  
  M:没有关系的。你先把信用卡给他,让他印一份,告诉他你要给多少小费,然后签个字,让他们把账单的副本寄给你。
  
  C:But isn't it risky to give someone your credit card?
  
  M:像样的饭馆都有信誉,so it's not risky and it's done all the time。要是你不想先付帐的话,那你当天就先告诉服务员吃完饭后把账单交给你。That will eliminate any confusion over who is paying.
  
  C:That's a very good idea。对了,Mary,既然我们在这里,那我就先定一个比较安静,景色比较好的桌子吧。
  
  M:A wonder idea to request a specific table for tomorrow.
  
  C:Mary,Thank you so much.
  
  M:You're welcome. Next time you'll know that as a host, it's your responsibility to choose an appropriate restaurant, taking care as much as possible ahead of time such as arranging for how to pay the bill and requesting a nice table. Then it will be an enjoyable evening for all.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1657
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们继续学几个流行在美国政界的习惯用语。先讲的两个常被政坛人士用来攻击政敌。第一个是:blow smoke。 Blow smoke从字面解释就是喷吐烟雾。这个习惯用语来自军界。军队有时会放烟幕弹来掩护自己的行动,不让敌军察觉。有时军舰也会以烟雾来掩护自己,使敌舰的炮火难以射中他们。
  
  Blow smoke这个习惯用语被很多政界人士借用。他们这样说的含义是什么呢?我们听个例子来琢磨。这是一个候选人在向选民发表攻击政敌的谈话。我们来听听他怎么说。请特别注意里面用到的习惯用语blow smoke:
  
  例句-1:My opponent keeps talking about cutting our taxes by 20 percent. But, my friends, he's just blowing smoke at you; he knows as well as I do that Congress will never ever approve it.
  
  他说:我的对手老说要削减百分之二十的税,但是,朋友们,他这是在说蒙混你们的空话,其实他和我心里都明白,这在国会是绝对通不过的。
  
  他指出他的对手既然心里明白国会不会同意减税,却老提出要减。这分明是故意说空话来取悦选民。可见blow smoke含义是说空话蒙混他人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1658
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也是政界人士常用来攻击政敌的习惯用语:mudslinging。我们都知道mud是泥巴,而sling是投掷的意思,所以mudslinging可不就是扔泥巴吗?这个习惯用语的含义似乎不用多说就猜得到。往人身上扔泥巴,或者给人脸上抹黑,不就是污蔑那人吗?政客时而会在选民中说污损政敌信誉形像的话,而遭到攻击的那方也会针锋相对,指控那些话是mudslinging, 也就是无中生有的诬陷不实之词。
  
  好,我们来听个例子,说话的人受到了对方攻击,正在为自己辩解。请注意他是怎么使用mudslinging这个词的。
  
  例句-2:Folks, these nasty lies the other side keeps telling about my past life are nothing but mudslinging -- they just show how desperate they're getting because they're so far behind us.
  
  他说:各位,对方反反复复地在讲有关我过去生活的一些可恶的谎话。这些话纯粹是恶言中伤。它们只能说明那些人处于绝境而不择手段了,因为他们已经大大落后于我们。
  
  这里的mudslinging意思是恶言中伤的话或者污蔑不实之词。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1659
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下要再学个政坛选举中常用的习惯用语:homestretch。 选举在大选年的十一月举行,而过了十月中旬,人们常会说竞选运动已经处于homestretch,也就是最后阶段。 Homestretch这个说法来自赛马运动。人们习惯把赛程上末了一个拐弯和终点线之间的那段距离称为homestretch。政坛人物借用这个说法,来指最后阶段的竞选工作,尤其是临投票前一两星期里的竞选运动。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是个广播电台记者在谈论一次竞选运动已经开展多长时间了。
  
  例句-3:The campaign started over a year ago when candidates warmed up for the early primaries. But folks, now we're in the homestretch -- only a couple of weeks until it's all over.
  
  他说:竞选运动早在一年多前就开始了,最初是候选人为早期的初选在作准备。但是,各位,如今我们已经处于竞选的最后阶段,只有一两个星期就一切都过去了。
  
  这里的homestretch指最后阶段的竞选工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1660
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语014讲
  
  
  
  
   
  
  在陈豪工作的ABC美国公司,大多数人都在各自的小隔间里工作。可是今天陈豪没法集中精神工作。为什么呢?你听了他对美籍华人Mary的对话就知道了。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Good morning, Mary, do you have a minute to talk?
  
  M:Yes, what is it?
  
  C::我们都坐在各自的小隔间里工作...英文叫什么来啦?
  
  M: 你是说我们工作的地方,就象我这里有三快矮墙把我和别人隔开。这不就是 cubicles吗?CUBICLES.
  
  C:That's it, cubicles. 在cubicles里工作平时一点问题都没有,可有时...
  
  M:What happened?
  
  C:刚搬到我隔壁来坐的那位同事今天一早来就打电话,说话声音还特别大,I can't work anymore!
  
  M:我知道,在隔间的情况下,说话都得小声。Whether you are on the phone or have someone in you cubicle, speak softly.
  
  C:隔间没有门,但这并不等于谁都可以随时闯进来呀!
  
  M:No, no one should think they can barge in whenever they want. 每个人都应该象你刚才那样,先问我有没有时间后才进来。I wish everyone was as courteous as you。
  
  C:Thank you,Mary。我知道要是有人打断我的工作,我应该对他们说明,但是我又不想让人认为我很不友好。
  
  M:不会的。要是正在你忙的时候有同事来找你,你可以说你现在正忙,和他约好一个时间再谈。
  
  C:That's a good idea。Thank you, Mary。我得回去工作了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1661
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:Hi, 陈豪。好几天没见你啦。还有人来打搅你吗?
  
  C:我按照你说的去做,一切都很好。 可是还有....
  
  M:还有什么呀?
  
  C:有时候有人来找我,我正在打电话,可来人居然站在旁边不走。That's annoying and distracting to me。
  
  M:对这样的人,我有个办法,就是只当没看见他;背对著他。 That usually does the trick and they leave。
  
  C:好,我下回试试。哟,Mary,那是什么声音呀?好象谁在啃黄瓜,或胡萝卜!
  
  M:I think my neighbor is munching on potato chips。陈豪, let's go lunch!
  
  C: 在cubicles里工作看来真是要十分小心。
  
  M:Right. Working in cubicles can be challenging. Just because an office doesn't have a door does not mean you can barge in anytime you please. You need to ask permission before entering someone's cubicle. If a colleague is on the phone, you should come back later. It is a simple matter of respecting the privacy of others.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1662
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们继续学几个美国人常用来说政界动态的习惯用法第一个是:bandwagon。 Bandwagon是奏乐彩车。早在无线电和电视问世以前政界人士向民众作宣传的手段之一是雇几名乐师让他们在装点着各色旗帜、张贴着标语口号的马车上穿大街过小巷一路演奏响彻云霄的乐曲引起公众的注意。
  
  这时同在车上的那位要人就可以向凑热闹的人群发表演说宣传他的政见了。如果车上的那位是个深得民心的大人物的话,那些地位略低的政客就会设法跳上这辆奏乐彩车站在那位大人物身边,向公众显示自己和大人物的关系密切。目的是沾点儿光。
  
  马拉的bandwagon虽然早已进了历史博物馆,但是人们至今还常借用bandwagon这个词的比喻意义。那么用它来表示什么意思呢?我们听个例子。这是个电台记者在评论近来的政治形势。
  
  例句-1:When the President enjoyed high ratings candidates for Congress joined his bandwagon in the hope that some of his popularity will help them. Now that the President's ratings are dropping some of them are jumping off his bandwagon.
  
  他说:当总统在民意测验中看好的时候,议员候选人都趋炎附势希望借总统声望的光。但是近来总统在民意测验中显露出颓势,许多人又纷纷弃之而走。
  
  可见这儿的bandwagon指的是得人心的声势。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1663
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

趋炎附势、依靠官运亨通的大人物势力高升是政客的惯用手腕。我们来听听英文里用来表达这个意思的说法:ride on the coattails。 Coattails原来指燕尾服。这是老式的礼服过去政界人士到各地去开展竞选运动时,往往要穿coattails。 On the coattails字面上的解释是依附在他人礼服的燕尾上。意思是借助他人的政治声望得益。
  
  这个短语经常与动词ride搭配构成一个形像生动的画面:穿燕尾服的大人物青云直上而骑在燕尾上的小仆从们也像搭便车一样毫不费力地飞黄腾达起来了。我们来听个例子。它说的是一个竞选中得势的州长。
  
  例句-2:Now that Governor Smith appears to be way out ahead candidates for county offices are flocking to ride on his coattails and improve their chances of winning their own races.
  
  他说:由于史密斯州长看来遥遥领先争取县级官职的人都纷纷依附在他的氅下,想沾他的光为自己创造当选的机会。
  
  这儿的ride on his coattails意思就是依附于他人、沾他的光得个一官半职。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1664
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才说到的史密斯州长看来竞选胜利在望,但是政坛风云是变幻不定的,所以那位州长嘱咐他的竞选班子万万不可大意;还得全力以赴地去争取最后胜利。他要求助选人员这样做:run scared。 Run scared含义是彷佛处在失败的恐惧之中而拼命努力。我们来听个例子。这是一位深得人心的参议员在争取连任。他的竞选主管刚跟他谈了话转身向他的竞选班子发出指示。
  
  例句-3:Listen people -- the Senator is 25 points ahead in the polls but he wants us to keep running scared like we're way behind. So Let's keep working hard as we can until the polls open election day.
  
  他说:各位听着,参议员的民意调查结果领先二十五分,但是他要求我们毫不懈怠地继续努力,就当我们大大落后于他人一样。所以我们得全力以赴地工作直到选举日投票站开始投票那一刻。
  
  所以这儿的run scared含义是全力以赴地努力工作彷佛处于失败的威胁中一样 。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1665
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语015讲
  
  
  
  
   
  
  陈豪这个小伙子在ABC美国公司做得不错。今天老板又给他一个重要的\任务。 是什么任务呢? 你听听就知道了。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi, Mary. Do you have a minute? I need your help.
  
  M:Sure. What is it?
  
  C:公司的部几位高层领导人这星期从美国到这里来访问。我的老板让我今天晚上陪其中的一位,Mr. Johnson去参加我们客户举行的招待会。
  
  M:Well, aren't you flattered that your boss asked you to do that?
  
  C:Yes, I am. 不过,去招待会我就得把Mr. Johnson介绍给我们的客户和在场的其他公司的同事。 I 'm not confident that I can do it correctly.
  
  M:It's simple. You need to remember three rules. Rule #1: always introduce people of lesser rank to people of greater rank.
  
  C:把级别低的人介绍给级别高的人。OK, rule #2。
  
  M:Rule #2 is to say the name of the most important person first.
  
  C:噢,先说最重要的人的名字。那Mr. Johnson今天就是最重要的人物了。
  
  M:No, 在你把他介绍给我们客户的时候,他就没有客户那么重要了。
  
  C:那倒是。Without clients we would have no business。所以我得先说客户的名字,再把Mr. Johnson介绍给他们。Mary, 让我先回去练练。一会儿我再来找你。
  
  M:No problem。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1666
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

M:陈豪,你刚才急忙走了,我还没说Rule #3呢!
  
  C:Rule #3是什么呀?
  
  M:在说了最重要的人的名字后,你该说:I would like to introduce so and so to you。
  
  C:让我试一试。要是客户的名字是Smith,我该说:Mr. Smith, I would like to introduce you to Mr. Johnson。对吗?
  
  M:No, 不对。你应该说:Mr. Smith, I would like to introduce Mr. Johnson to you。要是你把我介绍给Mr. Johnson你该怎么说?
  
  C:我该说:Mr. Johnson, I would like to introduce Mary to you.
  
  M:That' correct。这里的差别似乎很微妙,但是很重要。我们再来复习一遍。
  
  C:OK。 Rule #1,always introduce people of lesser rank to people of greater rank。
  
  M:对,要是我把你陈豪介绍给Mr. Johnson, 我该说:Mr. Johnson, I would like to introduce Chen Hao to you。
  
  C:这已经符合Rule #2: say the name of the most important person first。
  
  M:Rule #3刚才已经说了。OK, you're all set. Good luck tonight and enjoy!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1667
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们再学几个美国政坛常用的习惯用语。第一个是:landslide。 Landslide,原来的意思是山崩、塌方,是由于大雨或者地震而导致大量的泥土石块从高处崩塌下来。这样由泥石汇成的巨流有排山倒海之势。政坛常借用landslide这个词来比喻选举结果。
  
  它究竟指什么意思呢?我们来听个例子。这是一名历史教授在评论美国现代史中的总统选举。请特别注意里面的landslides含义是什么:
  
  例句-1:What are the biggest election landslides in modern history? President Lyndon Johnson in 1964, Nixon in 1972 and Reagan in 1984. Each beat his rival by more than 15 million votes.
  
  他列举了美国现代史上三位总统的大选成绩。它们分别是约翰逊总统1964年的大选,尼克松1972年的大选和里根1984年的大选。他说这三人在上述大选中所得票数大大超过他们的对手,多了一千五百万票以上。他们的优势十分明显,他们显然是取得了压倒性的胜利。
  
  所以landslides在这里是指选举中的压倒性胜利。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1668
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

政坛还常用另一个习惯用语来说辉煌胜利。它是:clean sweep。 Sweep原意是“扫除。” 那么从字面上看clean sweep就是“一扫而空”了。例如,在田径赛中某田径队囊括了各项比赛的奖牌,彷佛有一把无形的扫帚把所有的奖牌都扫进了他们的怀抱。我们就可以说:They make a clean sweep. 政界也借用clean sweep来表示某种胜利。那是什么样的胜利呢?
  
  我们听个例子来体会。他说的是他们州竞选国会众议院席位的事情。他们州可以有八个众议院席位。而众议院席位是每两年改选一次的。民主党和共和党都在争取这八个席位。
  
  例句-2:Now five seats belong to Democrats and three to the Republicans. Democrats hope to make a clean sweep of all eight this year. But the voters have different ideas so we'll have to wait and see.
  
  他说:目前情况是五个席位属于民主党,三个属于共和党。民主党人盼望今年能席卷八个席位,取得全面胜利,但是选民却各有主见,所以选举前程未卜。究竟鹿死谁手还得等著瞧。
  
  这个州总共只有八个众议院席位,而民主党人盼望席卷全部席位,可见这里的clean sweep是指一扫无遗的彻底胜利。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1669
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才学到的两个习惯用语都用来说具有显著优势的胜利,但是在政治角逐中绝不可能所有的胜利都那么完全彻底,棋逢对手杀得难解难分也是常有的事。我们接下来就学个表示这种竞争激烈的政治斗争的习惯用语:win by a nose。
  
  Win by a nose来自赛马,有时遥遥领先的两匹骏马并驾齐驱冲向终点,速度不分上下,但是就在到达终点线的一霎那,其中一匹马脖子尽力前伸,鼻子也随即比另一匹前挺了一、两英寸,于是它仅以一鼻之差获得了最终胜利。
  
  Win by a nose出典就在这儿。 Win by a nose被政界借用来指什么样的胜利呢?我们通过一个例子来琢磨一下。这段话说的是一个默默无闻的女士居然击败了一名实力雄厚的议员赢得选举胜利。
  
  例句-3: Nobody gave Mrs. Green a chance. She was new to politics and up against a popular politician. But she worked hard to persuade voters and surprised us all when she won by a nose.
  
  他说:大家原来都以为Green夫人不可能获胜,因为她作为政坛新手却得跟颇得人心的一位政界人物对阵。然而她不辞辛劳地说服了选民,并且出人意料地以微弱的优势赢得胜利。
  
  可见win by a nose的含义是以细微的差别赢得险胜。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1670
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语跟我们日常生活中一件少不了的东西有关,就是我们既爱又恨的时钟。大家一定知道钟的英文是: clock。 我们的日常活动都得受钟的管束,什么时候起床、什么时候上班、什么时候吃饭、什么时候睡觉都由它说了算。有时我们恨不能让时光倒转,回到往昔令人留恋的岁月。这就产生了今天要学的第一个习惯用语: turn back the clock. 光阴一去不复返,这让任何人都无可奈何。也许正是因为这样人们才非常喜欢用倒拨时钟的比喻来表达自己留恋过去的心态。这位老人跟几个小伙子说了这样一段话:
  
  例句-1:You know life was simpler then. I was young and healthy -- the whole world was waiting for me. I sure wish there was some time machine I could use to turn back the clock to the 1940's.
  
  他说:你知道,当年的生活比较简单。那时我也年轻力壮、前程无量。我真希望能使用一种时间机器回到四十年代去。
  
  这里turn back the clock直译是倒拨时钟,意思显然是回返从前的日子。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1671
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

然而老先生在这番感慨之后再仔细想想又觉得刚才的念头不尽合理。我们来听听他接着说了些什么:
  
  例句-2:I don't know. Back then we didn't have jet planes, computers, modern medicine, a lot of things that make life better. Maybe it's just as well that we can't turn back the clock after all.
  
  他说:我也吃不准。在那个时候我们可没有喷气式飞机、电脑、现代化医药现在这么多让我们的生活更舒适的东西,也许我们还是根本不可能重返过去更好。
  
  这段话里的turn back the clock意思也是让时光倒转、回复过去的情况。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1672
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也是由clock这个词发展而来的习惯用语: kill the clock。 Kill the clock听了这个习惯用语你要是以为它的意思就是把时钟砸烂摔坏,那你就大错特错了。虽然有时我们也确实恨不得砸烂那把你从甜蜜的睡梦中叫醒的闹钟,但是kill the clock表示的却绝对不是这种意思。
  
  Kill the clock常用在球赛中。当一个球队在一场球赛即将结束前得分处于领先地位,那他们就会尽量拖延时间,不紧不慢地发球、不紧不慢地传球,以减少对方得球进球的机会,保住他们的领先地位并取得最后胜利。
  
  这种磨蹭时间保住领先地位的战术就叫做kill the clock。这种战术有时奏效,有时却造成适得其反的结果。例如在下面的例子里,说话的人要告诉我们他们刚结束的一场美式足球赛。
  
  例句-3:Our team was two points ahead with only three minutes to go. We tried to kill the clock, but we fumbled the ball. And the other team got lucky; they kicked a field goal and won by one point.
  
  他说:在比赛只剩三分钟时间的时候我们球队领先两分。我们试图采取拖延战术,但是不幸失球。对方球队可交了好运;他们一脚踢进定位球得分,结果领先一分赢得胜利。
  
  这里的kill the clock是指在球赛将结束时领先球队采取拖延战术以保住胜利。刚才说的是美式足球赛。我们再说一场篮球赛。那也是一次比分接近的比赛。
  
  例句-4:We only had a one point lead in the last 30 seconds. Then after the other team missed a shot, our center grabbed the ball so we could pass it around to kill the clock until all the time was gone.
  
  他说:在赛到最后三十秒的时候我们仅领先一分。这时对方球队投篮不中,我们的中锋随即抢下球来,于是我们就传球直到拖完全部时间。
  
  这里的kill the clock意思也是在球赛最后阶段领先球队采取拖延战术。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1673
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪这小伙子正在和他的同事美籍华人Mary在一个美国餐馆吃午饭。两人正在点菜。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Mary, 看到菜谱上的汤就让我想起一句英文:"As the ships sail out to sea, I spoon my soup away from me." 不过,我一直没有弄懂这句话究竟是什么意思?
  
  M:Oh, that's a little rhyme that helps children remember the correct way to eat soup.
  
  C:喝汤还有正确不正确的呀? 不就是一勺一勺舀了往嘴里放吗?
  
  M:美国人在正式场合喝汤时有一定之规。"I spoon my soup away from me" means you spoon the soup toward the front of the bowl and then bring the spoon back to your mouth.
  
  C:(若有所思地)用调羹往汤碗的外边舀,然后再把调羹收回来送到嘴边。Why so complicated?
  
  M:这样可以避免勺下面的汤滴在桌布上或衣服上。
  
  C:Mary,let's each order a soup and try it out. I'm hungry, I want a clam chowder.
  
  M:Clam chowder with sea food and meat. It's too filling. 我不饿,要个清汤就行了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1674
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

(Soup arrives and they start to eat. Sounds of slurping)
  
  M:陈豪,你吃得好香呀! It sounds as if you're enjoying your soup..
  
  C:It's delicious! 味道真好。
  
  M:But I'm sorry to say that slurping is considered bad manners in Western etiquette.
  
  C:听说过西方人喝汤不能有声音。这汤也太烫了。我吹吹再吃。
  
  M:不要吹。 If your soup is too hot, stir it slightly or simply wait.
  
  C:又不能出声,又不能吹。那我就用勺搅动搅动,等它凉一点。
  
  M:陈豪,你注意到没有,我喝的是清汤。我在勺的边上往里喝。而你的clam chowder 里面有肉,土豆等,没法从边上往里放。
  
  C:That's right。我的杂烩里好多东西,没法象清汤那样往嘴里喝。
  
  M:This is a good restaurant. The soup is wonderful, we should come more often.
  
  (Sound of spoon scraping the bowl)
  
  M:Chen Hao,don't scrape your bowl. Just tip your bowl away from you to retrieve the last spoonful of soup.
  
  C:把碗往外抬起一点,让汤都到一边去。Mary, what are the main points that I need to remember?
  
  M:Spoon the soup toward the center or front of the bowl and then bring the spoon back to your mouth; slurping is considered bad manners in Western etiquette; if the soup is too hot, stir it slightly or simply wait; tip your bowl away from you to retrieve the last spoonful of soup.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1675
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语017讲
  
  
  陈豪昨天晚上陪一位总裁去出席晚宴,可是他还个问题不太清楚。为了请教美籍华人Mary,他约她今晚一起去美国餐馆吃晚饭。
  
  (Restaurant ambience)
  
  M:嗨,陈豪,how's last night's dinner? Everything OK?
  
  C:你告诉过我怎么喝汤,各种刀叉的用法。可是,It may sound silly,昨晚我发现我不太清楚该怎么吃面包。美国人好象跟我们的吃法不一样。
  
  M:别着急。你看服务员给我们送面包来了。The first thing is that your bread goes on your bread and butter plate.
  
  C:面包放在面包和黄油的盘上。Which one is my bread and butter plate?
  
  M:It's the one on your left above the forks。
  
  C:噢,就是这个。
  
  M:Just remember: Bread and butter on the left; water or coffee on the right and meat goes in the middle. 你就记住德国的名牌汽车BMW就行了。
  
  C:What has BMW to do with eating bread?
  
  M:B代表bread, 在左边, M代表meat, 在中间,W代表water,在右边。
  
  C:BMW!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1676
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Mary,你还没有告诉我究竟该怎么吃面包呐。我们中国人都是一口一口咬的,可是美国人好象是用手掰的。
  
  M:Yes, I noticed that too. 我给你示范一下。Tear off a small piece, butter it if you like and eat it. Then tear off another piece and continue until you are satisfied or have eaten the whole thing。
  
  C:That's the way I saw Americans eat their bread last night. 现在你证实了,我以后就没问题了。
  
  M:So everything is clear? 没问题了吧?
  
  C:等等,我还有一个问题。昨晚的面包很松,面包渣很多。我是不是应该把面包盘放到我面前。这样面包渣就不会撒在桌上。
  
  M:No, the bread plate remains in its place. Just break the bread and butter it over the plate and let the crumbs fall where they may.
  
  C:噢,面包盘是不能搬动的,一直放在左上方。然后掰面包,图黄油都在盘上面。So the bread crumbs would fall into the bread plate。
  
  M:That's right. Now, let me sum up the main points: bread goes on your bread and butter plate which is on your left above the forks; to eat bread, don't bite, but tear off a small piece, butter it if you like and eat it and continue until you are satisfied or have eaten the whole thing.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1677
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语018讲
  
  
  陈豪工作的公司里有一个公用的厨房,里面有冰箱,咖啡壶,微波炉等供工作人员使用。还有美籍华人Mary刚走进厨房,看见陈豪有点不知所措的样子。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  M: Hey, Chen Hao, what happened?
  
  C: Someone ate my lunch! 早上我买了一盒土豆沙拉放在冰箱里。现在没了!
  
  M:Gone? Did you have your name on it?
  
  C:Write your name on the box?是不是自己的饭还不知道呀?
  
  M:外面买的饭,盒子看起来都差不多不少。If you don't have your name on it, 别人拿错是很有可能的呀!
  
  C:那倒是。不过,发生了今天的事, I don't think I'll ever forget to put my name on my lunch.
  
  M:不过这冰箱确实是个大问题。 Sometimes people bring their lunch, and later decide to go out to eat and forget about their food in the frig until it starts to smell.
  
  C:是呀,有两次我看到有东西都发霉了。I just have to throw them out. 得了,别说了,真恶心。
  
  I have to find some lunch.
  
  M:See you later.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1678
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Hi, Mary, ready to go home? Can I walk with you?
  
  M:Sure. By the way, did you find out who ate your lunch?
  
  C:Oh, yes, I did. It was all a mistake. Brian太忙,让William给他带个沙拉回来放在冰箱里。Brian 去冰箱拿沙拉的时候William还没有回来。他以为我的沙拉就是William替他买的,所以就吃了。
  
  M:原来如此。 But we do need to remind people to observe simple kitchen courtesies.
  
  C:Simple kitchen courtesies? 厨房里还有礼貌呀?
  
  M:当然有呀!For example, if you drink the last cup of coffee, you should fix a new pot for others.
  
  C:我同意。有两次,我想喝咖啡,可是到了厨房看见的是空咖啡壶。I have to make a new pot and wait for a long time to get the coffee ready。
  
  M: Also, it's just good manners to clean up after yourself such as wiping off the counter and throwing away the trash.
  
  C:噢,擦桌面和扔垃圾!这我倒是没有想到,因为在家里这些不是我妈,就是我姐姐做的。不过,Next time, I should pay more attention to it.
  
  M:You also have to remember: keep the refrigerator clean -- put your name on your food and throw away any unwanted food; make a new pot of coffee when you drink the last cup. Throw away the trash, and clean the counter.
  
  C:Thank you, Mary.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1679
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。每当有什么礼节方面的问题,他都去问美籍华人Mary。现在他正在打电话约Mary去吃午饭。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  M:Hello, Human Resources Department, this is Mary.
  
  C:Hi Mary. How would you like to go to lunch at the new Italian restaurant in our building? 我有一张优惠券,买一送一。Sounds good?
  
  M:Excuse me. Who's this?
  
  C:是我呀!陈豪!你连我的声音都听不出来呀?
  
  M:噢,是你呀!陈豪,You really should identify yourself every time you call someone.
  
  C:嗨,都是熟人还要报自己的名字?
  
  M:Not every one has the ability to recognize voices. Sometimes, there is background noise or a bad connection. 而且有的人的声音听起来很像的。
  
  C:That's right。我有个朋友,他儿子的声音跟他的非常像。每次我朋友接电话时,我都以为是他的儿子,所以我就问:你爸爸在家吗?
  
  M:How did your friend react?
  
  C:开始他有点生气地说:我就是他爸。可有一次他回答说:我爸早死了。
  
  M:It would not have happened if you identify yourself first. (Telephone rings...) Hello, this is Mary.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1680
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Hi Mary. 早上我看你有电话,所以就走了。
  
  M:You did the right thing. 美国人打电话时一般不喜欢别人站在一旁听。
  
  C:不过我还有个问题要问你。
  
  M:What is it?
  
  C:我有一次打电话给一个很重要的客户,他的秘书接的电话。那秘书就问我:"May I ask who is calling?" 等我告诉她我的名字后,她又说:"I'm sorry. Mr. Moore is in a meeting." 你说他是真的在开会,还是不想跟我说话?
  
  M:这我可不知道。但是要是你先报了名字,接电话的人说某某人不在,你就不会有这种疑问了。
  
  C: 那倒也是。Mary, is there any time when I wouldn't need to say who I am?
  
  M:Well...If you call your girlfriend three or five times a day, I don't think you need to identify yourself. 你可以说:"Hi honey...", or "Hi sweetheart..."
  
  C:你开什么玩笑呀! I don't even have a girlfriend. 我连女朋友还没有呐!
  
  M:Yes, I WAS kidding. 因为在商业场合是不可能,也不允许这样说的。
  
  C:Mary, 请你把我们谈到的电话礼节总结一下吧!
  
  M:It's simple: always identify yourself when you call someone; step away when someone is on the phone; be aware that business phone calls should be formal and are different from private calls.
  
  C:Thank you Mary!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1681
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语020讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作了几个月,从美籍华人Mary那里学到很多西方礼节。今天Mary有件重要的事要告诉陈豪,现在正在给他打电话。
  
  (Office ambience, telephone rings....)
  
  (CH's Voice mail): "This is Chen Hao. Leave a message."
  
  M:(After the beep). Hi Chen Hao. This is Mary. Please call me back when you have a minute.
  
  M:(CH passing by Mary's cubicle) Hey, Chen Hao. 来, 来, 来。 I'm looking for you. I just left a telephone message for you。
  
  C:找我? 有事吗?
  
  M:有事。But let me tell you first that your telephone greeting sounds too abrupt。
  
  C:不够客气?What's wrong with:"I'm Chen Hao. Leave a message". 我觉得干脆利落,no nonsense.
  
  M:You know that other people will judge you by the greetings you recorded.
  
  C:那你说该怎么说才有礼貌呀?
  
  M:You should have offered a welcome like "Hello" first.
  
  C:噢,这不是很简单吗,加一个词就行了。对,这样听起来是比较客气。
  
  M:你在录音里把自己的姓和名都说了,这很好。But you should have said, "Please leave a message." Saying "please" is a simple but necessary courtesy.
  
  C: OK, Mary, but I got to go, my boss is waiting for me...
  
  M:Hey Chen Hao, I have something to tell you...

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1682
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Hi Mary. Sorry I was in a hurry this morning. You have something to tell me?
  
  M:I have good news. I am leaving ABC company and will start working next week for D&E Company in Beijing as the head of the Human Resources Department.
  
  C:Oh, congratulations! But... it's bad for ME. 我要有问题问谁呀,能打电话给你吗?
  
  M:Sure. 不过,到了D&E我会经常出差的。
  
  C:那我怎么知道你出差了,什么时候才能跟你通话呀?
  
  M:I will record a greeting that says I am away from the office, when I will return and who you can contact if you can't wait for my return. 陈豪,你出差的时候也应该这样做。
  
  C:是啊,有的客户是有意见,说给我打了电话好几天都没有回音。看来,我得先把平时的greeting改成:“Hello, I'm Chen Hao. Please leave a message."
  
  M:That's good! When you're away from office for a few days, re-record the greeting to tell
  
  callers that you are away, when you will return and who they should contact in case they need immediate attention.
  
  C:Oh Mary, I am so happy for you, but I will miss you.
  
  M:Don't worry. We still can have lunch together!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1683
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语021讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,美籍华人Mary离开后,他马上结识了公司新来的美国同事Amy。看,他们正在喝下午茶。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C: Hi, Amy. 你在这儿太好了。我正好有个问题要请教你。
  
  A: What is it?
  
  C: 我开始在这儿工作以来,结识了不少人,到哪儿都会碰上,但却记不住他们的名字。
  
  A: I have a simple way to remember names.
  
  C: 那你快教教我,什么好办法。
  
  A: I have an acronym that helps me.
  
  C: 那是什么?
  
  A: An acronym is an abbreviation formed by using the first letter of words in a phrase or name.
  
  C: 我知道了,就是几个单词的英文首写字母的缩写。
  
  A: The acronym I use to remember names is FACE. F stands for focus。 你第一次见到一个人,首先要注意他的名字。
  
  C: 说起来容易,可我就是做不到。我总想着下面该说点儿什么。那你再说,A代表什么呢?
  
  A: The "A" is for ask. Repeat the name in the form of a question. For example, if you are introduced to Bill, 你就可以问, "Bill?"
  
  C: 听起来不奇怪吗?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1684
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

A: 当然不了. It is natural that you would want to verify the name and make sure you heard correctly. 越是不常用的名字,就越应该问清楚。
  
  C: 你说得确实有道理。别人让我重复自己的名字,是希望不会叫错,我会觉得别人这样做是尊重我。那C呢?
  
  A: The "C" is for comment. Make a comment about the person's name - a comment that connects the name to someone or something that you can recall later.
  
  C: 你是说如果有人叫Bill,我就可以说"Bill? As in President Bill Clinton?"
  
  A: 你真是一点就通。It is also a conversation starter so now you see why you don't need to worry about what to say next. It comes naturally.
  
  CH: 对呀。这样接下来就有话题了。那最后一个字母E呢?
  
  M: "E" stands for employment. Employ means to use the name in conversation with the person. Using the name helps you remember it.
  
  C:没错。有的时候多叫几次就记住了,而且还能让别人感觉你重视他。Amy,你能不能再重复一下FACE的用法。
  
  A:I am happy to repeat it. First you focus and think only of the other person's name. Next you ask or repeat the name in the form of a question. Then you make a comment about the name. Finally you employ or use the name while you are speaking with the person.
  
  C: Thank you. 今天晚上我刚好有一个工作宴会,到时候一定要试试这个窍门。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1685
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要继续讲几个常用在美国人政治生活中的习惯用语。先要学的两个都跟惊险行动有关。第一个是:take the point。 Take the point也可以说成walk the point。 Point原意是尖端,take the point这个短语来自军事用语,意思是担任前哨或尖兵。每当巡逻队出动执行任务的时候,总会有一名士兵远远走在前面。
  
  这名士兵就是take the point或者walk the point。 不管是谁take the point担任前哨或尖兵,可得有勇气和胆量,如果前面有埋伏的敌人,子弹肯定会首先射向他。但是这样就等于是给后面的战友发出了警报,让他们知道前面有敌军埋伏。如今,take the point 已作为习惯用语被政界和商界借用。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人是一名参议员争取连任时的竞选班子成员。他和同事都清楚这位参议员在发表有关妇女问题的讲话时务必言词得当,但是这位议员大人性情暴燥,动不动就会大发雷霆,弄得谁都不敢向他进言,只有Betty是例外。好,我们一起来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-1:Everybody was afraid to bring the subject up. But Betty volunteered to take the point and talk to him for us all. I'm afraid she has more courage than the rest of us combined.
  
  他说:大家都不敢开口提这事,但是Betty却自告奋勇,要代表我们大家一马当先向他进言。我们所有人的勇气合在一起恐怕都赶不上Betty。
  
  这里的take the point意思是敢于一马当先为众人出面。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1686
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也跟走险路有关的习惯用语:walk a tightrope。 Tightrope专指杂技演员表演走钢丝时用的钢缆。可见walk a tightrope就是走钢丝表演了。杂技演员手握平衡木在悬挂半空、又细又长的钢缆上行走可真让观众为他捏一把汗,稍有失误他就会从高空摔到地上。
  
  走钢丝的演员得掌握纯熟的技巧、俱备绝佳的平衡能力。从政的人虽然不靠走钢丝养家糊口,但是为人处事却也像在走钢丝一样,得有巧妙和出众的平衡手腕,每当出现有争议的问题他就得采取恰到好处的立场,设法保持对立两方的选民对他的支持。
  
  近年来美国政界争议最激烈的问题之一是堕胎,双方各持己说、争论不休。我们来听个例子,说的就是那位Blank参议员如何处置堕胎问题:
  
  例句-2:So far Senator Blank has been able to walk a tightrope and keep support from both voters who favor the right to abortion and people who oppose it. But he'll have to pick a side soon.
  
  他说:到目前为止 Blank 参议员还能左右平衡,保住了赞成和反对妇女堕胎权的两方选民的支持。但是他很快就不得不明确表示自己站在哪一边了。
  
  选民在堕胎问题上立场截然相反,要做到双方都不得罪实在不容易,就像走钢丝保持身体平衡一样难,所以这里的walk a tightrope意思就是四面兼顾、平衡局面。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1687
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

从政的人要善于平衡局面,就得懂得在斗争形势尚未明朗之前采取中立观望态度,不忙于倚重任何一方。这就是我们今天要学的第三个习惯用语:fence-sitter。 Fence是用来分隔场地的栅栏、篱笆,fence-sitter是骑在栅栏上的人,也就是还没决定究竟打算立足于栅栏的哪边、采取观望态度的人。
  
  Fence-sitter这个习惯用语其实相当于中文里的“骑墙派”或“脚踩两头船的人。” 在政治领域,人们谈到那些态度暧昧、遇事不置可否的人或者团体时就可以用fence-sitter这个词来代表他们。
  
  我们来听个关于工会的例子。美国的工会向来倾向于民主党候选人,因为民主党比较照顾他们的利益,所以总的说来工会领导人会要求会员投民主党的票,但是有时候工会在两党竞选中会一反常态,采取中立观望态度。
  
  例句-3:Here our Unions are fence-sitters on the vote for Congress. The incumbent is a Republican, but he's been a pretty good friend of the working man. So they would just as soon see him win again.
  
  他说:当地工会在议会选举中脚踩两头 船。现任议员是共和党人,但是他一向跟职工阶层关系融洽,所以工会宁愿他当选连任。
  
  有时不表态反能取得意想中的效果。这里的fence-sitter就指采取中立观望态度的人或组织。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1688
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要继续讲几个常用在美国人政治生活中的习惯用语。先要学的两个都跟惊险行动有关。第一个是:take the point。 Take the point也可以说成walk the point。 Point原意是尖端,take the point这个短语来自军事用语,意思是担任前哨或尖兵。每当巡逻队出动执行任务的时候,总会有一名士兵远远走在前面。
  
  这名士兵就是take the point或者walk the point。 不管是谁take the point担任前哨或尖兵,可得有勇气和胆量,如果前面有埋伏的敌人,子弹肯定会首先射向他。但是这样就等于是给后面的战友发出了警报,让他们知道前面有敌军埋伏。如今,take the point 已作为习惯用语被政界和商界借用。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人是一名参议员争取连任时的竞选班子成员。他和同事都清楚这位参议员在发表有关妇女问题的讲话时务必言词得当,但是这位议员大人性情暴燥,动不动就会大发雷霆,弄得谁都不敢向他进言,只有Betty是例外。好,我们一起来听这段话吧。
  
  例句-1:Everybody was afraid to bring the subject up. But Betty volunteered to take the point and talk to him for us all. I'm afraid she has more courage than the rest of us combined.
  
  他说:大家都不敢开口提这事,但是Betty却自告奋勇,要代表我们大家一马当先向他进言。我们所有人的勇气合在一起恐怕都赶不上Betty。
  
  这里的take the point意思是敢于一马当先为众人出面。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1689
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

从政的人要善于平衡局面,就得懂得在斗争形势尚未明朗之前采取中立观望态度,不忙于倚重任何一方。这就是我们今天要学的第三个习惯用语:fence-sitter。 Fence是用来分隔场地的栅栏、篱笆,fence-sitter是骑在栅栏上的人,也就是还没决定究竟打算立足于栅栏的哪边、采取观望态度的人。
  
  Fence-sitter这个习惯用语其实相当于中文里的“骑墙派”或“脚踩两头船的人。” 在政治领域,人们谈到那些态度暧昧、遇事不置可否的人或者团体时就可以用fence-sitter这个词来代表他们。
  
  我们来听个关于工会的例子。美国的工会向来倾向于民主党候选人,因为民主党比较照顾他们的利益,所以总的说来工会领导人会要求会员投民主党的票,但是有时候工会在两党竞选中会一反常态,采取中立观望态度。
  
  例句-3:Here our Unions are fence-sitters on the vote for Congress. The incumbent is a Republican, but he's been a pretty good friend of the working man. So they would just as soon see him win again.
  
  他说:当地工会在议会选举中脚踩两头 船。现任议员是共和党人,但是他一向跟职工阶层关系融洽,所以工会宁愿他当选连任。
  
  有时不表态反能取得意想中的效果。这里的fence-sitter就指采取中立观望态度的人或组织。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1690
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们继续学几个流行在美国政界的习惯用语。先讲的两个常被政坛人士用来攻击政敌。第一个是:blow smoke。 Blow smoke从字面解释就是喷吐烟雾。这个习惯用语来自军界。军队有时会放烟幕弹来掩护自己的行动,不让敌军察觉。有时军舰也会以烟雾来掩护自己,使敌舰的炮火难以射中他们。
  
  Blow smoke这个习惯用语被很多政界人士借用。他们这样说的含义是什么呢?我们听个例子来琢磨。这是一个候选人在向选民发表攻击政敌的谈话。我们来听听他怎么说。请特别注意里面用到的习惯用语blow smoke:
  
  例句-1:My opponent keeps talking about cutting our taxes by 20 percent. But, my friends, he's just blowing smoke at you; he knows as well as I do that Congress will never ever approve it.
  
  他说:我的对手老说要削减百分之二十的税,但是,朋友们,他这是在说蒙混你们的空话,其实他和我心里都明白,这在国会是绝对通不过的。
  
  他指出他的对手既然心里明白国会不会同意减税,却老提出要减。这分明是故意说空话来取悦选民。可见blow smoke含义是说空话蒙混他人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1691
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也是政界人士常用来攻击政敌的习惯用语:mudslinging。我们都知道mud是泥巴,而sling是投掷的意思,所以mudslinging可不就是扔泥巴吗?这个习惯用语的含义似乎不用多说就猜得到。往人身上扔泥巴,或者给人脸上抹黑,不就是污蔑那人吗?政客时而会在选民中说污损政敌信誉形像的话,而遭到攻击的那方也会针锋相对,指控那些话是mudslinging, 也就是无中生有的诬陷不实之词。
  
  好,我们来听个例子,说话的人受到了对方攻击,正在为自己辩解。请注意他是怎么使用mudslinging这个词的。
  
  例句-2:Folks, these nasty lies the other side keeps telling about my past life are nothing but mudslinging -- they just show how desperate they're getting because they're so far behind us.
  
  他说:各位,对方反反复复地在讲有关我过去生活的一些可恶的谎话。这些话纯粹是恶言中伤。它们只能说明那些人处于绝境而不择手段了,因为他们已经大大落后于我们。
  
  这里的mudslinging意思是恶言中伤的话或者污蔑不实之词。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1692
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下要再学个政坛选举中常用的习惯用语:homestretch。 选举在大选年的十一月举行,而过了十月中旬,人们常会说竞选运动已经处于homestretch,也就是最后阶段。 Homestretch这个说法来自赛马运动。人们习惯把赛程上末了一个拐弯和终点线之间的那段距离称为homestretch。政坛人物借用这个说法,来指最后阶段的竞选工作,尤其是临投票前一两星期里的竞选运动。
  
  我们来听个例子。这是个广播电台记者在谈论一次竞选运动已经开展多长时间了。
  
  例句-3:The campaign started over a year ago when candidates warmed up for the early primaries. But folks, now we're in the homestretch -- only a couple of weeks until it's all over.
  
  他说:竞选运动早在一年多前就开始了,最初是候选人为早期的初选在作准备。但是,各位,如今我们已经处于竞选的最后阶段,只有一两个星期就一切都过去了。
  
  这里的homestretch指最后阶段的竞选工作。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1693
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们继续学几个美国人常用来说政界动态的习惯用法第一个是:bandwagon。 Bandwagon是奏乐彩车。早在无线电和电视问世以前政界人士向民众作宣传的手段之一是雇几名乐师让他们在装点着各色旗帜、张贴着标语口号的马车上穿大街过小巷一路演奏响彻云霄的乐曲引起公众的注意。
  
  这时同在车上的那位要人就可以向凑热闹的人群发表演说宣传他的政见了。如果车上的那位是个深得民心的大人物的话,那些地位略低的政客就会设法跳上这辆奏乐彩车站在那位大人物身边,向公众显示自己和大人物的关系密切。目的是沾点儿光。
  
  马拉的bandwagon虽然早已进了历史博物馆,但是人们至今还常借用bandwagon这个词的比喻意义。那么用它来表示什么意思呢?我们听个例子。这是个电台记者在评论近来的政治形势。
  
  例句-1:When the President enjoyed high ratings candidates for Congress joined his bandwagon in the hope that some of his popularity will help them. Now that the President's ratings are dropping some of them are jumping off his bandwagon.
  
  他说:当总统在民意测验中看好的时候,议员候选人都趋炎附势希望借总统声望的光。但是近来总统在民意测验中显露出颓势,许多人又纷纷弃之而走。
  
  可见这儿的bandwagon指的是得人心的声势。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1694
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

趋炎附势、依靠官运亨通的大人物势力高升是政客的惯用手腕。我们来听听英文里用来表达这个意思的说法:ride on the coattails。 Coattails原来指燕尾服。这是老式的礼服过去政界人士到各地去开展竞选运动时,往往要穿coattails。 On the coattails字面上的解释是依附在他人礼服的燕尾上。意思是借助他人的政治声望得益。
  
  这个短语经常与动词ride搭配构成一个形像生动的画面:穿燕尾服的大人物青云直上而骑在燕尾上的小仆从们也像搭便车一样毫不费力地飞黄腾达起来了。我们来听个例子。它说的是一个竞选中得势的州长。
  
  例句-2:Now that Governor Smith appears to be way out ahead candidates for county offices are flocking to ride on his coattails and improve their chances of winning their own races.
  
  他说:由于史密斯州长看来遥遥领先争取县级官职的人都纷纷依附在他的氅下,想沾他的光为自己创造当选的机会。
  
  这儿的ride on his coattails意思就是依附于他人、沾他的光得个一官半职。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1695
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才说到的史密斯州长看来竞选胜利在望,但是政坛风云是变幻不定的,所以那位州长嘱咐他的竞选班子万万不可大意;还得全力以赴地去争取最后胜利。他要求助选人员这样做:run scared。 Run scared含义是彷佛处在失败的恐惧之中而拼命努力。我们来听个例子。这是一位深得人心的参议员在争取连任。他的竞选主管刚跟他谈了话转身向他的竞选班子发出指示。
  
  例句-3:Listen people -- the Senator is 25 points ahead in the polls but he wants us to keep running scared like we're way behind. So Let's keep working hard as we can until the polls open election day.
  
  他说:各位听着,参议员的民意调查结果领先二十五分,但是他要求我们毫不懈怠地继续努力,就当我们大大落后于他人一样。所以我们得全力以赴地工作直到选举日投票站开始投票那一刻。
  
  所以这儿的run scared含义是全力以赴地努力工作彷佛处于失败的威胁中一样 。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1696
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语跟我们日常生活中一件少不了的东西有关,就是我们既爱又恨的时钟。大家一定知道钟的英文是: clock。 我们的日常活动都得受钟的管束,什么时候起床、什么时候上班、什么时候吃饭、什么时候睡觉都由它说了算。有时我们恨不能让时光倒转,回到往昔令人留恋的岁月。这就产生了今天要学的第一个习惯用语: turn back the clock. 光阴一去不复返,这让任何人都无可奈何。也许正是因为这样人们才非常喜欢用倒拨时钟的比喻来表达自己留恋过去的心态。这位老人跟几个小伙子说了这样一段话:
  
  例句-1:You know life was simpler then. I was young and healthy -- the whole world was waiting for me. I sure wish there was some time machine I could use to turn back the clock to the 1940's.
  
  他说:你知道,当年的生活比较简单。那时我也年轻力壮、前程无量。我真希望能使用一种时间机器回到四十年代去。
  
  这里turn back the clock直译是倒拨时钟,意思显然是回返从前的日子。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1697
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

然而老先生在这番感慨之后再仔细想想又觉得刚才的念头不尽合理。我们来听听他接着说了些什么:
  
  例句-2:I don't know. Back then we didn't have jet planes, computers, modern medicine, a lot of things that make life better. Maybe it's just as well that we can't turn back the clock after all.
  
  他说:我也吃不准。在那个时候我们可没有喷气式飞机、电脑、现代化医药现在这么多让我们的生活更舒适的东西,也许我们还是根本不可能重返过去更好。
  
  这段话里的turn back the clock意思也是让时光倒转、回复过去的情况。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1698
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也是由clock这个词发展而来的习惯用语: kill the clock。 Kill the clock听了这个习惯用语你要是以为它的意思就是把时钟砸烂摔坏,那你就大错特错了。虽然有时我们也确实恨不得砸烂那把你从甜蜜的睡梦中叫醒的闹钟,但是kill the clock表示的却绝对不是这种意思。
  
  Kill the clock常用在球赛中。当一个球队在一场球赛即将结束前得分处于领先地位,那他们就会尽量拖延时间,不紧不慢地发球、不紧不慢地传球,以减少对方得球进球的机会,保住他们的领先地位并取得最后胜利。
  
  这种磨蹭时间保住领先地位的战术就叫做kill the clock。这种战术有时奏效,有时却造成适得其反的结果。例如在下面的例子里,说话的人要告诉我们他们刚结束的一场美式足球赛。
  
  例句-3:Our team was two points ahead with only three minutes to go. We tried to kill the clock, but we fumbled the ball. And the other team got lucky; they kicked a field goal and won by one point.
  
  他说:在比赛只剩三分钟时间的时候我们球队领先两分。我们试图采取拖延战术,但是不幸失球。对方球队可交了好运;他们一脚踢进定位球得分,结果领先一分赢得胜利。
  
  这里的kill the clock是指在球赛将结束时领先球队采取拖延战术以保住胜利。刚才说的是美式足球赛。我们再说一场篮球赛。那也是一次比分接近的比赛。
  
  例句-4:We only had a one point lead in the last 30 seconds. Then after the other team missed a shot, our center grabbed the ball so we could pass it around to kill the clock until all the time was gone.
  
  他说:在赛到最后三十秒的时候我们仅领先一分。这时对方球队投篮不中,我们的中锋随即抢下球来,于是我们就传球直到拖完全部时间。
  
  这里的kill the clock意思也是在球赛最后阶段领先球队采取拖延战术。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1699
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

将近一百五十年前有人在美国加州的一条河里发现了光灿灿的金块。这条消息立即传向四面八方,掀起了一股淘金热。发财梦促使八万多人跋山涉水争先恐后地涌到加州的旧金山。
  
  这段被称作1849年淘金热的历史插曲早已载入美国史册,而这股热潮中出现的一些习惯用语也流传至今。我们今天就来讲这样两个习惯用语。第一个是:stake out a claim。 Stake在这儿当动词,stake out在这里的意思是立桩标出地界,而这儿的claim是名词。它的意思是土地所有权。
  
  1849年间蜂拥而至的淘金者抵达目的地后做的第一件事,就是尽可能在金块发现地附近占有一片土地。他们的具体做法是在自己选中的土地的四角敲进木桩,说明这里是某人的地界,然后向政府管理土地的部门递交一份claim,也就是要求这块土地所有权的文书。这就是stake out a claim。
  
  久而久之, stake out a claim被用来表示更广泛的意思了。下面有个例子。我们来听听说话的小伙子要求大家把什么东西留给他。
  
  例句-1:Boy, this apple pie is great! And I'm still hungry -- I think there's a piece left in the kitchen. I'll stake out a claim for it, if you guys don't mind.
  
  他说:哇,这苹果排真好吃!我还没吃够呢,你们要不介意的话,厨房里剩下的那块就归我了!
  
  他要求归他所有的可不是一大片土地,只是剩下的一小块苹果排,可见stake out a claim用来表示坚持要求获得的东西可以是不同种类的,既可能是要求土地所有权,也可能是要求得到像一块苹果排那样微不足道的东西。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1700
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们来听听另外一个例子。一位老太太去世了,她的子女和孙儿女在讨论怎么分她留下的家用什物。好,我们来听听儿子怎么说。
  
  例句-2:Okay, Sally, you get mother's Chinese tea set. But I want to stake out a claim to those old dishes from France: I've always loved them and they fit in fine with the dishes I have now.
  
  他说:好吧,Sally, 你就拿妈妈的中国茶具吧。我可得要那些法国来的旧盘子了我向来喜欢这些盘子,而且它们跟我现在有的那些盘子又很相配。
  
  这儿他提出要的也不是什么了不起的东西,只是一些旧盘子而已,可见如今人们可以用stake out a claim这个习惯用语来说要求获得大大小小各种不同类型的东西,并且所表示的愿望是比较强烈的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1701
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当年千千万万个淘金者中确有那么几个幸运儿果真找到了金子成为百万富翁。这时其他来探寻金矿的人就会说他们是:strike it rich。 Strike it rich原意是挖到金矿发大财了。虽然如今人们不会再去加州开采金矿了,但是这个说法却被大家借用到日常生活中。它表示什么意思呢?我们通过两个例子来推敲。第一个例子说的是Jim买彩票中奖。
  
  例句-3:Did you hear about Jim? -- what a lucky guy! He bought a lottery ticket last week. You know the odds of winning -- millions to one against you. But he struck it rich -- he won ten million dollars!
  
  他说:你听说Jim的事儿了吗?他可真走运!他上星期买了张彩票。你是清楚中奖机会有多渺茫的,是好几百万分之一,但是他居然中奖得了一千万美元,转眼成了大富翁。
  
  这里的struck it rich虽然并不表示找到了金矿,却也是突然发大财的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1702
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Strike it rich不一定用来说发财,有时也可以指和钱财无关的幸运。例如取得重大科研成果。下面的例子说的就是一位医学研究工作者如何发现了预防小儿麻痹症的疫苗。
  
  例句-4:Dr. Jonas Salk worked years to find a way to protect children from the dread disease of polio. And 40 years ago he struck it rich; he found a vaccine that has almost wiped out this killer.
  
  他说:Salk医生多年来努力研究如何保护儿童不受可怕的小儿麻痹症的侵袭。四十年前他作出重大突破;他发现了一种疫苗几乎根除了这种致命疾病。
  
  这里的struck it rich指工作取得了重大成果,而且带有幸运地获得成就的含意。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1703
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

美国人似乎好把两个押韵的词连在一起组成习惯用语。今天我们首先来讲一个这种形式的习惯用语:nitty-gritty。 Nitty-gritty这个习惯用语约莫在1965年间开始在美国人的日常交谈中流行。谁也不清楚它的出典究竟是什么,但是大家都知道nitty-gritty指事情的要点、细节。
  
  我们先听个例子。这是一位国会议员在跟他的幕僚会面,讨论他明天要投票表决的一项议案。
  
  例句-1: All right, I've heard what you all think. Now let's get down to the real nitty-gritty: what do voters back home think about the bill and what will it mean for my election campaign?
  
  他说:好,我已经听到了各位的想法。现在让我们进一步讨论根本问题:我们本州的选民对这项议案的意见究竟是什么?还有这一议案对我的竞选活动会产生什么影响?
  
  这里的nitty-gritty意思就是事情的本质。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1704
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Nitty-gritty这个习惯用语也常常被用来表示说话的人急于解决问题,类似于中文的“闲话少说,言归正传。” 我们再听个例子。这是个商界人士急于要敲定一笔悬而未决的交易。这笔交易迟迟未决使他万分焦急,以至出言不逊了。
  
  例句-2: All right, enough talk! Let's get down to the nitty-gritty. I want you to tell me whether you want to sell your company and how much money it'll cost me to buy it.
  
  他说:好了好了,闲话少说,我们还是言归正传吧!我希望你告诉我:你究竟要不要卖你的公司,我得出多少钱买下它。
  
  显然这位先生对旁敲侧击的空话已经很不耐烦;他希望开门见山地谈要害问题,所以这里的get down to the nitty-gritty意思就是言归正传。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1705
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

还有个习惯用语和nitty-gritty意思很接近。它是:nuts and bolts。 Nuts在这儿指螺帽,而bolts是螺栓。我们知道nuts and bolts虽然微不足道,但是却不可缺少,因为庞大的机器或者高楼大厦全靠着nuts and bolts才维系成为整体。
  
  大约在四十年前人们开始把nuts and bolts作为习惯用语。这个习惯用语至今仍然流行,当然习惯用语nuts and bolts不再指螺帽、螺钉了。它的比喻意义究竟是什么?我们听个例子来琢磨。
  
  这是一家大公司的总裁正要带儿子出道参与自己的事业。他很可以为宝贝儿子安排个坐办公桌的闲差,但是他觉得那是错误的做法。我们来听听他的打算,请特别注意里面用到的nuts and bolts.
  
  例句-3: Son, some day the company will be yours. So I want you to start as an ordinary worker in the factory to learn the nuts and bolts -- you'll know the business a whole lot better.
  
  爸爸对儿子说:这家公司终将归你所有,所以我希望你从头做起,去工厂当一名普通职工,来学习基本的具体工作。这样你对业务的了解就会透彻得多。
  
  这位明智的父亲不让儿子高高在上地坐办公室,却要儿子去底层工厂当一名普通职工,因为这样能学到公司业务中最基本的东西。可见nuts and bolts 指的是基本的却也是重要的组成部分。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1706
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。它也用习惯用语nuts and bolts。这是个老师在写作课上谈短篇小说的创作方法。
  
  例句-4: We'll get to things like plot and character later. First we'll study the nuts and bolts of writing: how to write a good English sentence and how to organize your ideas first.
  
  他说:我们以后再谈情节和人物之类的事情。我们首先要学习写作基本技能: 就是怎样写出通顺的英文句子以及怎样组织思路。
  
  语句通顺和思路有条理都是写作的基本功。可见这里的nuts and bolts意思也是基础部分东西。Nitty-gritty和nuts and bolts都可以用来指根本而且重要的东西,但是它们的差别在于nuts and bolts所指的东西往往是基本的细节,难免繁琐,然而却又有缺之不可的重要性。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1707
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语有同样的意思。它们都用来说某一个人非常像另一个人。第一个习惯用语是:dead ringer。 Ringer原来意思就是酷似某人的人或者很像某物的东西. Ringer有时可以指冒名顶替某人去应考或者参赛的人,或者顶另一匹马上阵赛马的马匹,但是dead这个词用在这儿意思可决不是“死的,”而是“确切的、”“确实的、”“丝毫不差的。” 就好比dead right这个短语解释“完全正确,” 里面的dead意思是“一丝不差,”而dead shot是神枪手,里面的dead用来说枪法百发百中的准确性。
  
  这样看来dead ringer一定是用来说某人酷似另一个人;简直维妙维肖了。 Dead ringer既可以说人也可以说物。我们先听个说人的例子。它说的是美国一位喜剧明星在电视上表演模仿美国总统,几乎达到以假乱真的地步。
  
  例句-1:You have to see this guy: he's amazing. His make-up is so good he's a dead ringer for Mr. Clinton. In fact I'd guess even the first lady might have trouble telling them apart.
  
  他说:你真得去看看这个人的表演,他简直妙极了。他的化装几可乱真,看来跟克林顿维妙维肖。说真的,我猜连第一夫人都可能会真假难辨。
  
  这里的dead ringer显然是指容貌特征和另一人维妙维肖的人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1708
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们刚才说过,dead ringer不仅可以用来说人,也可以用来说物。我们接下来要听的例子就是用它来指东西的。说话的人在和朋友出去散步的时候告诉朋友这样一件事情:
  
  例句-2:Mary was really upset last night at the dance -- she walked in and saw another woman wearing a dress that was a dead ringer for hers. I'm afraid it spoiled her whole evening.
  
  他说:Mary在昨晚的舞会上心情不好。她一来就看到另一位女士穿的衣裙跟她的一模一样,恐怕这件事情破坏了她整个晚上的情绪。
  
  显然,这里的dead ringer指的是两位女士身上穿的一模一样的衣裙。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1709
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要学的第二个习惯用语是: spitting image。 Spitting这个词通常解释吐唾沫。很多人以为在spitting image这个习惯用语里spitting就是这个意思。
  
  其实不然,在几百年前spit还可以用来解释一模一样的形像或者肖像,而image这个词也有形像或者肖像的意思。
  
  这两个词合在一起组成spitting image更加强了语气,意思和dead ringer一样,也指一模一样的形像,但是spitting image和dead ringer所不同的是spitting image一般只用来说人不指物。我们来听个例子,说的是一对兄弟Joe和Billy:
  
  例句-3:Joe's younger brother Billy is the spitting image of Joe -- the first time you see them together you think they must be twins. But the fact is, Billy was born five years later than Joe.
  
  他说:Joe的弟弟Billy跟Joe长得一模一样。第一回见到他俩你一定以为他们是双胞胎,但是实际上Billy比Joe小五岁。
  
  这里的spitting image意思是一模一样的面容形像。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1710
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再一起听个例子。请注意这段话把今天学的两个习惯用语都用上了。这是一个充满自豪的新爸爸在说自己才满月的儿子:
  
  例句-4:It's a funny thing -- all my relations say the baby is the spitting image of me. But my wife's relatives say the little boy is a dead ringer for her. Tell me what do you think?
  
  他说:真奇怪,我家的亲戚都异口同声地说这孩子跟我长得一模一样,而我太太那一方的人却说小宝宝活像她。告诉我你的看法是什么。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1711
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

由于医药事业的发展如今人的寿命普遍延长。这一来老年人也越来越多。老年人成为人口中举足轻重的群体。商界发现老年顾客是他们市场上的大主顾。政界也因为老年选民队伍的壮大而深感老年人的需求和呼声不可怠慢。
  
  另一方面,这些年逾花甲的先生女士们迈过了生命的顶峰正走在下坡路上。这条自然规律让好多老人感伤却无可奈何。不少人对自己年华老去的事实敏感而又避讳。这一来美国人更得在如何称呼老人而不致刺伤他们这一点上煞费苦心了。
  
  我们今天就来学美国人对老人的几个称谓。第一个是:golden years。 Golden years,你听了这个说法也许会想不通怎么把老年称为黄金时代呢?想出这条高见的人言下之意是退休展开了人生最轻松如意的岁月,因为子女都已长大成人,不再需要为他们操劳,从此可以随心所欲地享受自己的人生了。
  
  我们有时会从面向老人的广告里听到golden years这个说法。好,我们来听一则航空公司的电视广告吧。
  
  例句-1:Always too busy to see Paris in the spring? If you've reached your golden years come fly with us to France -- until June 1, it's 20 per cent off the regular fare if you're over 60.
  
  这个广告鼓励一向忙得没机会欣赏巴黎的春天的老人在他们的黄金岁月乘飞机去法国一游,六十岁以上的人买机票可以比原价低百分之二十。
  
  这里的golden years显然是指六十岁以上的老年。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1712
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

尽管创作golden years这个说法的人用心良苦,这个短语却并没赢得人们的广泛赞赏和共鸣;有时反而被人用来开玩笑地指在老年慢性病缠绕下、以微薄的退休金勉强度日的风烛残年。于是又有人想出了另一个词组:senior citizen。 Senior这个词听来很顺耳,因为它可以用来说资历深、职位高、地位显要的人。在美国被称作senior citizen的老人能得到种种优待,去商店购物、上电影院看电影都可以打折,坐公共交通车享受半价,那么senior citizen是不是个皆大欢喜的称号呢?也不见得!我们听听这位美国先生怎么说他的妈妈:
  
  例句-2:My mother never asks for a senior citizen discount or a half price ticket. The whole problem is she hates to admit she's over 60, even if it saves her money.
  
  他说:我妈妈从来不要老人优待减价或者半价票,问题是她压根儿讨厌承认自己已经过六十了,即使那样能省钱她也不乐意。
  
  这儿的senior citizen是美国称老人的委婉说法,显然它也并不能赢得每个人的欢心。说真的,可能任何对老人的称号都无法博得老人的欢心,因为谁都不愿意被提醒自己青春不再的现实,要是可能的话他们也许宁愿放弃种种老人福利优待,来买回二十年的青春。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1713
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

既然这些费心取悦老人的称号也不见得都能讨好,那么另一些对老人带有不敬的称呼就更会让他们恼火了。有这样一个说法:old codger。 Old codger相当于中文的老家伙。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-3:Gee, I sure wish that old guy who lives next door would buy himself a hearing aid -- he's a nice old codger but he's deaf as a post and I have to yell every time I talk to him.
  
  他说:嗨,我真希望隔壁那老头儿能给自己买个助听器。他是个和气的老家伙,只是耳朵聋得不行;我每回跟他说话都得大喊大叫。
  
  这里的old codger意思是老家伙。注意这个说法对老人不太礼貌,通常只是用在背后议论的时候。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1714
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

还有个指老人的说法也是不够尊重的。它是:geezer。 Geezer解释老家伙、老头儿。我们来听个例子:
  
  例句-4:I know it wasn't polite but I had to laugh when I saw that old geezer with his false teeth eating corn on the cob. He looked just like an old dog gnawing on a bone.
  
  他说:我知道这样不礼貌,但是我看到那老家伙用假牙啃玉米棒子的样子就忍不住要笑。他看来活像啃骨头的老狗。
  
  这里的geezer意思也是老家伙或者老头儿。请特别注意old codger和geezer都是不礼貌的称呼,得谨慎使用。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1715
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家一定知道kill这个词意思是“杀死,” 大家也许觉得kill是个杀气腾腾的词,给人不祥的感觉,没想到在某些习惯用语里kill竟然跟一些令人高兴的事儿沾上边了。我们今天就来讲这样两个习惯用语。第一个是:make a killing。
  
  一般说来killing意思就是“杀,” 但是killing前面加上了make就完全改变意义了。那么make a killing表示什么呢?我们听个例子来揣摩它的意思。它说的是能在片刻间给人带来万贯家财或者让人倾家荡产的华尔街证券交易所。
  
  例句-1:Last week my brother made a killing on Wall Street. In two days this stock he bought doubled in price so he sold it off quick at a 100 percent profit just before it went down again.
  
  他说:他兄弟上星期买下股票才两天价格就上涨了一倍,所以他不失时机地抛出,得到百分之百的盈利,结果刚脱手股价就发生回落。这样说来他兄弟在两天内就从华尔街赚了一大笔钱。
  
  这里的made a killing意思显然是在短短时间里大大地赚一笔,在纽约华尔街证券交易所常会听到make a killing这个说法。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1716
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实人们除了在股票市场上能make a killing,他们还有其它不少生财之道。下面的例子说的就是一条出奇制胜的发财门道。
  
  美国人往往不能抵制时髦风尚,有时一股流行风气会犹如一阵飓风席卷全国上下,而人们的狂热劲儿一过,这股时尚也马上烟消云散了。例如在1975年间有人灵机一动想出点子来出售宠物石头。我说宠物石头你可别以为自己的听觉有问题;他卖的的的确确是石头。
  
  他从海滩上收集光滑的石头,放在做得象装动物的那种有孔的箱笼里,似乎要让石头能呼吸那样,然后他在箱笼外贴上宠物石头的标签,在商店出售给大家。他打出的广告是养这样的“宠物”既不须喂食,又不必清理粪便;它们既不打扰你,又不会逃跑。真十全十美了。我们来听听他的鬼主意奏效了吗?
  
  例句-2:It was a joke, of course, but five million Americans were amused enough to pay five dollars a piece for the rocks. And the man who dreamed up the idea really made a killing.
  
  他说:当然销售宠物石头是个逗乐的笑话,但是有五百万美国人竟然给逗得乐于花钱去买五美元一个的宠物石头。而那忽发奇想的人也着着实实赚了一大笔。
  
  这里的made a killing意思也是一下子赚了一大笔钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1717
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们接下来要学的习惯用语是:dressed to kill。 Dressed to kill意思当然不是穿上蒙面的紧身衣去干杀人的勾当; dressed to kill用来指穿上了华丽讲究或者时髦新颖的服装大出风头,可能有人会想不通这个习惯用语的来历。
  
  一种解释是如此漂亮的打扮让人见了倾倒销魂。人们说某人dressed to kill通常的含义是这人精心打扮为了吸引异性的注意。比方说在下面的例子里说话的人在说他兄弟Pete去跟女朋友约会时的穿着打扮。
  
  例句-3:Pete usually wears jeans and a T-shirt. But last night it was hard to recognize him -- he was dressed to kill because he finally got a date with that blond he’s admired for so long.
  
  他说:Pete通常老穿牛仔裤和汗衫,但是昨晚你简直就认不得他。他打扮得帅极了,因为他倾心已久的那位金发小姐终于同意跟他出去约会了。
  
  这里的dressed to kill意思就是打扮得漂亮入时。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1718
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

让我们再听一个用dressed to kill这个习惯用语的例子,但是这个例子说的是个女孩。说话人的妹妹Mary为参加毕业舞会而精心打扮:
  
  例句-4:It took Mary two hours to get ready, but it was worth it -- she was dressed to kill and the center of attention. Everyone was saying she was the most beautiful woman at the prom.
  
  他说:Mary为参加毕业舞会化了两个钟头打扮。然而工夫不负有心人,她穿戴得美丽动人,成为大家的注目中心。谁都说她是毕业舞会上最漂亮的小姐。
  
  这里的dressed to kill意思就是打扮得漂亮出众的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1719
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家不知有没有注意到英语中常会用一些说色彩的词来表示不同的情绪。我们今天就要跟大家谈这样几个习惯用语。第一个是:feel blue。 Blue蓝色,属于低沉的冷色调,所以常常用来比喻低落忧郁的情绪。
  
  这样看来feel blue一定解释心情闷闷不乐了。人的情绪时起时伏,有时甚至连自己也弄不清原委。比方下面的例子就在说自己莫名其妙地感到情绪低落:
  
  例句-1:I woke up feeling blue and I’ve been feeling blue all day. I don’t know why: everything’s okay with me. Maybe it’s this terrible weather -- cold and rainy for five whole days in a row!
  
  他说:我一早醒来就心情不好,接着一整天都闷闷不乐。我都不知道是什么缘故,因为我的一切情况都正常。也许是由于这讨厌的气候;整整一连五天都是这种下雨下个没完没了的阴冷天气!
  
  这里的feeling blue意思是情绪郁郁寡欢。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1720
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有一种情调感伤的美国黑人歌曲,就称为the blues,蓝调,由此而产生了和习惯用语feel blue有相关意义的两个习惯用语:sing the blues; cry the bluses。习惯用语sing the blues或者cry the blues不能按照字面意思解释为吟唱蓝调、或者大唱蓝调。我们听个例子来体会它们的意思吧
  
  例句-2: I just spent two hours listening to Bill sing the blues about his girl friend leaving him for some other guy. I feel sorry for him but he ought to forget it: after all, it happened two years ago.
  
  他刚化了整整两小时听Bill诉说女朋友怎么甩掉他跟了别人的这件伤心事。他当然为 Bill 感到难过,但是他觉得Bill该把这事丢在脑后了,因为这毕竟是两年前的往事了。
  
  他用了sing the blues这习惯用语来说Bill诉说自己的失恋悲剧,可见sing the blues意思就是“诉苦,” sing the blues和cry the blues意思都是诉苦,一吐胸中的愁闷,而feel blue和它们不同的是烦恼压抑在胸中。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1721
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

粉红色可以和蓝色形成对比,它属于明亮的暖色调,通常给人喜气洋洋的良好感觉。因此由pink构成的习惯用语表达的意思完全不同于由blue发展成的习惯用语。
  
  例句-3:Today I sure feel in the pink! I had a good night’s sleep, a walk in the fresh air this morning, a good breakfast, and I feel like I can get a whole lot accomplished today!.
  
  他说:他昨晚睡了个好觉,一早又在清晨的新鲜空气里散了步,然后好好吃了顿早餐,所以觉得自己今天一定能完成好多工作。
  
  刚才说到的这一切可见他是处于精神饱满、生气勃勃的良好状态,所以他说自己feel in the pink意思显然是感觉精力充沛。
  
  这个短语的出典可能是健康人的脸颊往往是红扑扑的,而脸色苍白却是虚弱无力的迹象,所以人们用in the pink来表示健康有力的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-28#1722
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个由pink组成的习惯用语: tickled pink。 Tickled原来的意思是被弄得发痒或者咯咯笑,但是tickled也有给逗得高兴的意思。让我们听个例子来体会tickled pink是什么意思。这段话在说他的两个好朋友有情人终成眷属:
  
  例句-4:I’m tickled pink to hear that Bob’s asked Susan to marry him. They’re both my good friends and I’ve always thought they were made for each other. I know they’ll be very happy together.
  
  他说:听说Bob向Susan求婚了我感到万分高兴。他俩都是我的好朋友,而且我一向觉得他们是天生的一对。我知道他们必然是美满的终身伴侣。
  
  他的两个好朋友要结婚了,而且他俩又是他心目中天造地设的一双。这好消息必然带给他极大的快乐,所以tickled pink意思就是感到万分高兴,乐得都合不拢嘴了。

太极无敌 : 2009-12-29#1723
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢啦,兄弟!!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1724
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲带有bit这个词的习惯用语。 Bit有好多不同的意思,但是在今天要讲的习惯用语里bit解释马嚼子,就是连着缰绳上套在马嘴巴上的金属部分。骑手一拉缰绳,马嚼子就被拉进马嘴巴里,骑手就这样来控制马匹的行进速度或者让马停步。
  
  我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:chomp at the bit。 Chomp意思是大声地嚼、咬。在赛马即将开始的时候,我们会看到参赛的马匹在起跑线上急不可耐地咬马嚼子,跃跃欲试,急于起步飞奔。这就是这个习惯用语的出典。习惯用语chomp at the bit用处当然不局限于马匹;它可以描绘人,比方下面的例子说的是一个拳击运动员。说话的人在谈电视上看到的一场拳击赛。我们来听听他用chomp at the bit来描述运动员处于什么状态:
  
  例句-1:I saw the champion was ready to defend his title -- he was jumping up and down in his corner, chomping at the bit to rush out and start punching as soon as he heard the bell.
  
  他说:我看见那位冠军正准备开始他的卫冕拳击赛。他在自己等开场的角落里跃跃欲试、急不可耐,只等铃声一响就冲出去开始挥拳猛击。
  
  这里的chomp at the bit显然用来描绘跃跃欲试、急不可耐的样子。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1725
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Chomp at the bit不只是用来描绘人们比赛前急不可待的状况,也可以用在其它场合。我们来听一个爸爸告诉我们他孩子在学期将结束前,已经迫不及待地想去夏令营了,但是心情这样迫不及待的不只是孩子。我们来听听还有什么人。请大家特别注意里面用到的习惯用语chomp at the bit:
  
  例句-2:Our four kids are chomping at the bit to finish school and go to summer camp. And you know, we’re chomping at the bit ourselves to get them off for a month and give us some peace and quiet.
  
  原来不光是四个孩子迫不及待地想去夏令营,而且他们的爸妈也在急切地盼望着把孩子送走一个月,以求得一段时间的太平和安宁。
  
  刚才那段话里两次用到习惯用语chomp at the bit都是用来描绘人迫不及待的状态的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1726
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

马匹有时会对主人的命令很腻烦,产生抵触情绪,不愿听任骑在它背上的人摆布。这时,它就会把马嚼子紧紧咬在上下齿中间,使得骑手没法拉缰绳控制它的速度。这一来它就可以像脱缰的野马一样毫无拘束地任意奔跑了。
  
  由此而产生了这个习惯用语:take the bit in one’s teeth。让我们听个例子来琢磨习惯用语take the bit in one’s teeth表示什么意思。这又是个父亲,说的是他女儿Betty一心一意要嫁给一个父母都看不上眼的人:
  
  例句-3:We told Betty she shouldn’t marry Joe, but she took the bit in her teeth and ran away with him. Well, things came out okay. Joe turned out to be a good husband so we had a happy ending.
  
  原来爸妈都劝Betty别嫁给Joe,但是Betty反其道而行之,竟跟着Joe离家出走了。出乎意料的是情况还不错,Joe居然是个好丈夫。他们一家总算有了美满的结果。
  
  Betty不遵从从父母的旨意,而且为了摆脱他们的束缚独断独行跟Joe私奔了,可见这里的took the bit in her teeth意思是摆脱他人的控制,按照自己的意志行事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1727
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

习惯用语take the bit in one’s teeth不仅用来说不受他人的控制,还可以有进一步的意思:就是独立自主,我们再听个例子。它说的是Bill厌倦了日复一日的刻板工作,而采取果断行动。我们来听听他做了什么,后果如何:
  
  例句-4:Bill got bored with his job, so he took the bit in his teeth, walked out one day and started his own company. He had a tough time at first, but then he started making money and now he’s doing fine.
  
  他说:Bill对自己的工作感到厌倦,于是决定独立自主。一天他毅然辞退工作,自己开公司了。他起初处境艰难,但是后来逐渐有了盈利,如今他做得很好。
  
  这里的take the bit in one’s teeth意思是独立自主。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1728
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的两个习惯用语都来自美国的一种赌博游戏,craps,掷骰子赌输赢。玩儿craps就用两颗是正方体的普通骰子。骰子的每一面上分别刻有一到六的不同点子。掷骰子的人如果第一把掷出的点数是七或者十一,就赢得全部赌注,但要是第一把掷出的点数是二、三或者十二,那就输。
  
  要是你第一把掷出的点数是从四到十,你就得再掷骰子,但是你得掷出同样的点数才能赢。你可以一而再、再而三地掷骰子,但是如果掷出的点数是七,那你就输了;不能继续掷骰子了。
  
  从这样的规则可见玩儿craps输赢多半靠运气而不像某些扑克游戏那样得运用头脑跟对手斗智。这就产生了我们要学的第一个习惯用法:crapshoot。 掷骰子叫做shoot craps, 所以crapshoot原来的意思就是掷骰子赌博。刚才说过玩儿这个不必多费心思,主要是碰运气,也必然得承担结果难以逆料的风险。
  
  人们习惯用crapshoot比喻某种生意。我们来听个例子。说话的人正在逛街,他走过的地段到处都是东方餐馆,有中国的、越南的、韩国的,也有泰国餐馆。好,我们来听听他怎么说:
  
  例句-1:Look, there’s a new Thai cafe open. I’m afraid it’s a real crapshoot -- it’s got three others close by. But if the food is good enough, the owner might get lucky and win his gamble.
  
  他看到那儿又新开了家泰国餐馆,而附近已经有了三家,可想而知竞争必然相当激烈。新餐馆的前景难以预料,只有在他们的食品相当出色的情况下,店主的生意才会幸运地赢得成功。
  
  在已经有好多竞争对手的地段再开一家同类餐馆,这种你争我夺的生意可不好做。这家店的经营前程未卜、风险实在很大,可见这儿的crapshoot意思就是风险大、前途难以预料的生意。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1729
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有人说做股票买卖除非是精于此道,否则正象危险的赌博,所以股票生意也可以称为 crapshoot。在下面的例子里这人正在犹豫不决,不知该不该买股票。我们来听听他是不是太胆怯了:
  
  例句-2:Should I buy more stocks? With the market so high I’m sure tempted. But I’m afraid it would be a crapshoot. It’s so high now, I’m scared it might take a big drop almost any time.
  
  他说:我该不该再买些股票呢?看到股票价格这样上升我确实心动,但是又怕股票生意风险太大,目前价格这样高,我怕随时都有暴跌的可能。
  
  这里的crapshoot就用来指风险很大的股票生意。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1730
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

大家一定记得我们刚才说过要是你玩儿craps,掷骰子的点数是二、三或者十二,那你就输了;要是你的点数是除七以外的从四到十,你可以再掷。必须掷出同样的点数才能赢,但如果掷出七就输。
  
  玩儿craps的人把这叫做: crap out。 习惯用语crap out可以有几种不同意思。首先当然可以解释为“失败。” 这个意思直接来自craps赌博。
  
  我们下面听个例子,里面的crap out有不同的解释。这段话说的是三个朋友合股买一家鞋店的事儿:
  
  例句-3: It looked like a great deal. But one friend, Joe, got scared and crapped out on us at the last moment. And my friend Bob and I didn’t have enough money to buy the store without him.
  
  他说:这看来是个好买卖,但是其中一个朋友Joe由于害怕而在最后关头打退堂鼓不跟我们合伙了。我朋友Bob和我两人少了他又没有足够的钱买下这家店。
  
  看来他们的这笔交易告吹是由于Joe反悔当初的协议退出不干,所以这里的crap out意思是“退出交易”或者“没遵守诺言。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1731
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

近来crap out又有了一种新的意思,跟刚才两种解释相比要令人愉快得多。我们听个例子来揣摩它的意思吧。说话的人是个刚考完一场大考的学生。他觉得自己考得比预期的要好得多。我们来听听他打算做什么:
  
  例句-4:Hey, I did great on that math exam. So I’m going to crap out tonight and take it easy instead of studying English -- I think I’ve earned a little time off for myself.
  
  他说:嗨,我数学考得真棒,所以我今晚不打算学英文了,得轻松一下。我觉得我已经为自己换来了松口气的机会。
  
  他数学考得很好,想必是考试前的发愤用功有了成果,于是他决定劳逸结合,今晚不学英语休息一下,可见这里的crap out意思就是闲散一下、松口气。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1732
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲的习惯用语都来自一种赌博craps。玩儿craps要掷两颗骰子,根据骰子落地的点数来决定输赢,而骰子的英文是dice。
  
  我们今天就来学由dice发展而来的两个习惯用语。第一个是: loaded dice。 骰子可以用来玩儿游戏,也可以作赌博。要赌就涉及金钱,而参加的人总得担输钱的风险,时常还有遭人诈骗暗算的可能。比方说,有些不老实的赌徒会在骰子的某一面里稍许灌点儿铅。由于这一面比较重,骰子落地时和它相对的那一面就有更多的机会往上。
  
  这种加铅的骰子就称为loaded dice。这一来这个在骰子里做手脚的人心中有数哪个点数出现的机率会更高;他在玩儿craps的时候就可以根据这个不公平地占对手的便宜了。逐渐地人们在业务交往中也用上了loaded dice这个说法。它的含义是什么呢?让我们通过一个例子来体会。说话的人要告诉我们loaded dice如何阻碍他得到一份工作。
  
  例句-1:This firm told me I was best qualified for the job. But I lost out; later I found out why. I was playing against loaded dice -- the big boss insisted they hire his nephew instead.
  
  这家公司起先说他最有资格担当那个职务,但是结果他却失去了那个机会。后来他才发现其中的内幕,原来是大主管非得把自己的侄子安插在这个职位上不可。
  
  这完全不是公平竞争;根本就是滥用职权、任人惟亲的做法。可见他说: I was playing against loaded dice,意思是他们用不正当手段占了我的上风,或者他们的不正当手段把我给坑了,而loaded dice这儿就指占人便宜的不正当做法。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1733
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子,里面也用了习惯用语loaded dice。这人的朋友Mike即将作一项投资,而他在给Mike一个忠告。
  
  例句-2:Mike, be careful about investing money in that outfit -- they play with loaded dice. Put money in with those guys and you’ll end up taking all the risk while they grab most of the profit.
  
  他说:Mike, 你把钱投给那个集团得小心啊。他们玩弄的手腕可不光明正大。把钱投给这伙人的结果会是你承担所有的风险,而他们却攫取大部分的盈利。
  
  这里的loaded dice也用来指不光明正大的生意手腕。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1734
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个包括dice这个词的习惯用语:no dice。习惯用语no dice有几种不同的意思。首先它可以用来表示你努力地试着去做一件事儿,却遭到彻底失败。
  
  比方说,下面例子里的男孩儿想借用爸妈的新车出出风头。他觉得自己的要求完全在理。当然了,你要是个十六岁男孩儿的话也会觉得他有理的,但是他的爸妈也这样想吗?我们来听听。请特别注意里面说到的no dice:
  
  例句-3:I was taking this gorgeous girl out for the first time and really wanted to impress her with my patents’ new car, but it was no dice -- Dad told me I was too young. He said to use the subway or take a bus.
  
  这男孩儿第一次跟一位漂亮姑娘出去约会,非常想开一辆崭新的汽车炫耀一下,给小姐留下深刻的印象,但是他说了也没用,爸爸认为他年令太小不能开车,要他坐地铁或者搭公共汽车。这一来他的打算落空了。所以这里的no dice意思是白搭,没用。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1735
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

人们还用no dice来表示断然拒绝,就等于是加强语气的’no’。我们来听个例子。说话人的表弟老问他借钱老不还。这回又向他开口借了。我们来听他怎么答复这位表弟。听听他的态度坚决吗?
  
  例句-4:What makes you think I’d loan you money when you never paid back what I gave you three years ago? No dice, cousin! After you pay me back, I’ll be glad to help you out again.
  
  他说:你连我三年前借给你的钱都还没还,怎么竟然觉得我会再借给你?我的表弟,这回绝对不行!我要等你把欠款还清了才会再乐意帮你。
  
  这里的no dice相当于“绝对不行。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1736
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry陪李华一起找公寓。李华今天要学两个常用语,Up for grabs和psyched.
  
  LL: Wow! Check out the price for this place...
  
  LH: 很便宜吗?多少钱?
  
  LL: Wait...what’s your budget? I forgot - $2000 per month? Hahaha! How much you should be able to afford after getting that new job!
  
  LH: 两千块的房子我可住不起。我的标准是,房租不能超过一千美金!
  
  LL: Well...it’s $1200 per month. I guess I’ll keep looking...oh - hey - this one looks tempting - "one bedroom in group house for $675 up for grabs.
  
  LH: 跟别人合租,675美元一个月,价钱倒是满便宜的,可是 Larry, 广告上说的up for grabs是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: "Up for grabs" is a casual, informal way of saying that something is available - but you have to compete for it!
  
  LH: 啊?还要跟别人争啊,是不是看谁出价高呢?
  
  LL: In this case, it means that the room is available to the first suitable person who is willing to take the room and pay for it.
  
  LH: 哦,那咱们下手为强。太好了,我们现在正好有时间。快打电话给他们。
  
  LL: (Calling) Hello? Hi there. Is your room still available? Ok, if it’s still up for grabs, we’ll be there in half an hour.
  
  LH: 太好了,Larry, 你看。那一带还有好几处价格比较合适的房子,咱们正好一块看了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1737
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 你觉得这个公寓怎么样?
  
  LL: Well, I can understand why it’s still up for grabs...the bedroom is small, the house smells of cigarette smoke, and the housemates seems strange!
  
  LH: 就是,怪不得没人愿意租,不仅地方小,屋里都是烟味,而且那两个室友也都怪怪的。我们还是去看下一家吧,就在街对面。
  
  LH: WOW! 这里简直太棒了,而且还配家具,价钱只稍微贵一点。Excuse me, is this room still up for grabs? It is? Fantastic! I’ll take it!
  
  LL: You should see the expression on your face, Lihua! You seem totally psyched!
  
  LH: 简直难以相信!哎,Larry,我刚才是不是特不正常?
  
  LL: Well - ’psyched’ in this situation means that you are really excited because you’re happy.
  
  LH: 能找到这么好的房子,我当然高兴了。I am totally psyched! 这个周末就搬家。
  
  LL: I’m glad that you’re psyched. I was worried that you wouldn’t find a new place for a reasonable price that is close to your new office.
  
  LH: 现在想想,搬家又要打包,高兴劲儿一下少了一半。不过有些家具我不打算要了。Any extra furniture I leave behind is up for grabs.
  
  LL: I’d be psyched if you left behind that new leather couch you got for Christmas last year. I’ll take that one off your hands!
  
  LH: 原来你在惦记我去年圣诞节买的新沙发。我还想让你帮我搬过来呢!哈哈!
  
  LL: Well, it was worth a try! You’ve got so much to be psyched about, Lihua - you’ve got your new, cool job, a new place, and the best friend in the world to help you move your stuff!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1738
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 还真是,好事都让我赶上了。
  
  LL: I’m psyched for you.
  
  LH: 那我们得庆祝庆祝。Now. What is something Larry would get psyched for...ah yes, - a free dinner! 晚上我请客。
  
  LL: Larry certainly would be psyched about that! In fact, he’s so psyched that he can’t wait! This apartment hunting makes me really hungry.
  
  LH: (Laughing) 别说,我肚子也开始叫了。那你想吃什么?
  
  LL: I’d be the most psyched for some Burger King! Their new triple cheeseburger sounds delicious! What do you think?
  
  LH: 汉堡王?太不健康了。这样好了,我点一份中餐,带到汉堡王去陪你一起吃。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是 Up for grabs, 可以得到的,待价而沽的。另一个是 Psyched, 指特别高兴。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1739
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在图书馆里埋头读书,为下个月的博士资格考试做准备。她今天要学两个常用语,quals和in the bag.
  
  LL: So, Li Hua, how is the studying for your quals going? I can hardly see you behind those stacks of books.
  
  LH: My qual? 你是说我的资格考试吗?
  
  LL: That's right - Quals is short for qualifying examinations.
  
  LH: 还可以吧,不过马上就要考试了,我特别紧张。
  
  LL: Oh? When exactly are your quals, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 下个月!我只有不到一个月的准备时间了。
  
  LL: One month is still quite a bit of time, Li Hua. What do you have left to do to get ready for your quals?
  
  LH: 让我想想....我还有好几本书要读,而且还要做一些模拟试题。
  
  LL: I know you'll study hard, Li Hua, and you will have no trouble passing your quals.
  
  LH: 谢谢你,Larry。我现在特别需要鼓励。
  
  LL: Say, Li Hua, you know, doctoral students aren't the only people who have quals.
  
  LH: 什么,不光是博士生要通过资格考试,难道还有其他人吗?
  
  LL: Athletes have quals, too. For example, if an athlete wants to be part of the Olympic team, he has to make the quals.
  
  LH: 哦,你是说运动员啊。他们那叫资格选拔赛,比如说要想代表美国去参加奥运会,就要先过选拔赛这一关。
  
  LL: You are right. The quals that athletes participate in are generally qualifying races or qualifying rounds of sporting events.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1740
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你知道吗,最近中国队在世界杯预选赛中输给了伊拉克。
  
  LL: That's too bad. I didn't know China had lost. Who made it through the quals?
  
  LH: 我知道入围的队有沙特阿拉伯-、伊朗、日本和韩国。
  
  LL: See, you just have to work hard like these winning athletes, Li Hua, and you'll have no problem with your quals.
  
  LH: 好在我的资格考试在教室里就能完成了,我不用去跑马拉松。
  
  ******
  
  LL: You really shouldn't worry about the quals, Li Hua. I tell you, you have it in the bag, Li Hua.
  
  LH: Hmmm....我皮包里只有钱夹、钥匙、墨镜、手机,怎么会有资格考试呢?
  
  LL: Ha, ha. I didn't mean you *really* had the qualifying exam in your bag, Li Hua. To have something "in the bag" means that you are guaranteed of success.
  
  LH: 我懂了,你说I have the quals "in the bag" 意思就是说没问题,我肯定能通过。
  
  LL: That's right, Li Hua. You always study so hard. I know you've got it in the bag.
  
  LH: 你真够朋友!不过,我对这次考试可没有百分之百的把握。可不是所有人都能考过的。
  
  LL: Don't think that way, Li Hua! You are going to do great!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1741
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 可是你看看中国足球队。他们原以为稳操胜券,结果却败在了伊拉克队的手下。
  
  LL: Well, it is sometimes true that people *think* they have something in the bag and it doesn't quite turn out the way they thought it would.
  
  LH: 就是说啊。所以,我绝对不能掉以轻心。
  
  LL: But I don't think that is the case with you, Li Hua. Say...I've got some news I've been meaning to share with you.
  
  LH: 有什么好消息吗?你是不是升职了? is your promotion in the bag?
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, I think it is in the bag. My boss called me into the office and told me I was first in line for a promotion and that he was very pleased with my work.
  
  LH: 恭喜你!Larry, 看起来你又要请客了。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua. I tell you what, after I find out my promotion is in the bag - and you find out your quals are in the bag, let's go out for a big celebration!
  
  LH: 好,一言为定。
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是quals, 是资格考试,或是资格选拔赛的意思。另一个是in the bag,,意思是有百分之百的把握。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1742
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华通过了博士生的资格考试。Larry涨了工资。两人一起去吃饭庆祝。李华今天要学两个常用语,go out和more than friends.
  
  LL: It is so nice to be celebrating such happy events with you, Li Hua! And on such a wonderful evening, I have an important question to ask you.
  
  LH: 重要问题?好,有什么问题尽管问!
  
  LL: (Nervously) Uh...Well...I was wondering if you wanted to....go out with me.
  
  LH: 出去干嘛?我们还没吃完饭呢?再说,外面又那么闷热。
  
  LL: (A little embarrassed) Uhhh...Noooo. I don't actually mean for us to go outside *right now*, Li Hua. By asking if you wanted to go out with me, I meant: Would you date me?
  
  LH: 哦,原来go out with you是约会的意思。
  
  LL: (Hopefully) Yes...So, would you like to go out with me, Li Hua?
  
  LH: Larry, 我们做朋友这么久了,你现在要跟我谈恋爱,我还真觉得有些突然。
  
  LL: We *have* been friends for a long time, Li Hua, and I realized that there isn't anyone else I enjoy doing things with as much as you. That's why I decided to ask you to go out with me.
  
  LH: 我得考虑一下,因为这样一来,我们的关系就全变了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1743
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, it wouldn't change things that much. If we are going out, we will still do all the things we do now: go to restaurants, see movies, and take trips to fun places.
  
  LH: 你说得没错,那我们就不能跟别人约会了吧?
  
  LL: That is generally the idea, Li Hua. When you go out with someone, you don't usually date other people.
  
  LH: 我现在倒是没跟什么人约会,可是...
  
  LL: What? Is it that you don't want to go out with me, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 不是。我很喜欢你,我就是希望我们永远能象现在这么好。
  
  LL: So, you will go out with me?
  
  LH: 好,我愿意!
  
  ******
  
  LL: This is so great! You've made me so happy, Li Hua. I was worried you were going to say you wanted to be "just friends."
  
  LH: 我知道,如果女孩子不接受男子的追求,就可以说She wants to be "just friends." 只做普通朋友。
  
  LL: How do you know about being "just friends", Li Hua?
  
  LH: 以前我跟两个室友住在一起,经常说起交男朋友的事。
  
  LL: So, what did your roommates tell you?
  
  LH: 有个男孩约Nancy出去,可Nancy并不喜欢他,所以她就打电话给那个男孩,说更愿意做普通朋友。
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, it takes a lot of courage for a guy to ask a girl out on a date - and there is nothing worse than hearing a girl say she wants to be "just friends."
  
  LH: 这我可不信。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1744
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I guess you are right, Li Hua. A girl could say worse things!
  
  LH: 不过我可以想象,被谢绝的男孩子的自尊心肯定会受到打击。
  
  LL: That's right. And that is why I am so glad you didn't say you wanted to be "just friends", Li Hua, just a moment ago. I would have been sad.
  
  LH: 如果不是"just friends"普通朋友,那我们是什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, when a girl says she would like to go out with a guy, she and the guy become "more than friends."
  
  LH: 也就是说我们原来是普通朋友,那现在开始约会,所以我们的关系已经不只是朋友,超越了朋友的界限了?
  
  LL: Right, being "more than friends" is a way of saying you are dating someone. So now we are "more than friends."
  
  LH: 两个"more than friends"的人做的事情,一定跟"just friends"的人做的不一样喽?
  
  LL: Like date each other.
  
  LH: 还有拉手,拥抱...
  
  LL: Oh, look! It's the waiter with our bill, Li Hua. Maybe we can continue this conversation later...
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是go out, 是约会的意思。另一个是just friends做普通朋友,和more than friends, 恋爱的关系。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1745
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语022讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,惊天是星期五下午,陈豪正在跟美国同事Amy聊天。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A: 陈豪,do you have any plans for the weekend?
  
  C: 这个周末还真有活动。我们老板夫妇请我到他们家去玩儿,我没告诉你吗?说实话,I am a little nervous.
  
  A:What are you nervous about?
  
  C: 我怕自己会有失礼的地方。唉,你给我讲讲,在西方,去别人家作客有什么需要注意的吧。
  
  A: Do you have gift for your hosts?
  
  C:礼物,可我不知道买什么呀。
  
  A:Here's what I do. I take a gift with me when I know my hosts' taste and hobbies.
  
  C:那要是不知道他有什么爱好呢?
  
  A:When I don't have a clue, I pay attention to what they like while I am there. Then I send a special gift after the visit.
  
  C:我怕吃不惯他们家的饭,所以准备自己带饭去。
  
  A: Unless you have food allergies or need to follow a special diet that would be rude. The rule is to "make do".
  
  C:我倒是没有食物过敏。那要是不爱吃呢?
  
  A: If there is something you don't like, don't let your hosts know. Have a little bit of everything to be polite but fill up on the things you like.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1746
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C: 你说得有道理,我可以每样儿都尝点,哪个合胃口就多吃点儿。你放心,不好吃我也不会告诉他们的。还有Amy, can I take my dog Freckles?
  
  A:绝对不行. Unless they invite Freckles, ask your neighbors if they could look after him.
  
  C:那我到他们家能看电视吗?
  
  A:They may ask if you want to watch television and if you have any favorite shows. 不过,要是没人问你,那他们看什么,你就应该跟着看什么。
  
  C:他们睡觉以后我能看吗?
  
  A:I hate to disappoint you, but if your hosts go to bed, you should retire to your room.
  
  C:我要是不困呢?
  
  A:Take something to read. It's much more courteous to read quietly in your room than to stay up with the televising blaring.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1747
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Amy, 我还有什么地方需要注意吗?
  
  A:Don't forget when the visit is over to send a handwritten thank you note?
  
  C:一定要手写吗?我能不能写个e-mail,表示感谢呢?
  
  A:绝对不行。E-mail is too impersonal.
  
  C:可我没有像样的卡片和信封呀。
  
  A:Then buy some and take it with you along with a pen and some stamps. You can write the note before you leave their house and mail it on your way back home.
  
  C: 我还以为这个周末可以好好放松一下呢。看来我得随时注意,做个好客人,可别闹什么笑话。
  
  A:没错。还有就是要enjoy yourself.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1748
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语023讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他和美国同事Amy刚刚开完会。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:陈豪,Do you have a few minutes to talk?
  
  C:Sure, 有什么事吗?
  
  A:I noticed something in our meeting just now. 做为朋友,我觉得应该告诉你。It has to do with good etiquette.
  
  C: 我有什么地方做得不对吗?西方礼节对我来说还有些陌生,你可得随时提醒我。
  
  A: It has to do with body language, specifically eye contact.
  
  C:肢体语言?Amy, 你能说得具体点儿吗?
  
  A:We send nonverbal messages with our arms, our legs, our posture, our gestures and most often with our eyes.
  
  C:你是说能从我眼睛里能看出我的想法吗?
  
  A:没错。比方说,今天开会时,your eyes said more than your words or your facial expression. Todd 介绍提案时,我能看出你不同意他的意见。
  
  C:奥, 你从我眼睛就能看出来?我真的是有异议。可你看出来的?我可是一字都没说呀。
  
  A: You didn't have to. You rolled your eyes.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1749
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C: 我翻眼睛了吗?我怎么一点儿都没觉得。
  
  A:你是下意识的。You were not aware, but several people at the meeting noticed.
  
  C:那就是说虽然我嘴上没表示反对,其它人还是能够看出来。Was there anything else that I did with my eyes?
  
  A:Unfortunately, yes. You looked away several times while Todd was speaking.
  
  C:这有什么不好吗?他说的我都听过好几遍了。
  
  A:没错。By not looking at Todd, you gave the impression that you had heard it all before and were not the least bit interested in hearing more.
  
  C:这我可没想到。我一直在努力管住自己的嘴巴,不要乱讲话。
  
  A:Well, your eyes did that for you.
  
  C: Amy, 你还从我的眼神儿里看出什么了?
  
  A:When you lost complete interest in what Todd was saying, you just stared at him blankly. It was that old "deer in the headlights" look.
  
  C:“车前灯里的鹿”是什么意思啊?
  
  A:For the deer facing the headlights of an oncoming car, its expression is one of looking, but not seeing.
  
  C:你是说我的眼睛虽然看着Todd,但是别人能看出来,我其实并没有听进去?
  
  A:That's right. The courteous professional is as conscious of his body language as he is his spoken language.
  
  C: Amy, 你能不能再提醒我一下,以后要怎么做,省得我的眼睛把我的想法都泄漏出去了。
  
  A:记住,眼睛是心灵的窗口。Learning to control the message that your eyes send is the key to courteous communication.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1750
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语024讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他在公司餐厅里遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi, Amy. 我有几个问题想请教你。
  
  A:Of course, what about?
  
  C: Table manners. 具体说,我想知道用刀叉有哪些讲究。
  
  A: So you are having trouble figuring out the correct way to eat Western style?
  
  C:没错。每次出去吃饭,我都会犯怵,总要等别人先动手,然后跟着学,可总是不得要领。
  
  A:Well, for one thing, there are only two correct styles of eating that the Americans use, but some people eat however it suits them.
  
  C:既然美国人都那么随便,那我怎么用刀叉,是不是也就无所谓了呢?
  
  A: 你要是想成功,还是应该注意饭桌上的规矩,because how you handle getting food to your mouth is a big part of your professional image.
  
  C: 你说得也对,那到底该怎么使用刀叉呢?
  
  A:The two correct styles of eating are the American and the Continental style.
  
  C:一种是美国式,一种是大陆式。你就地给我演示一下行吗。等我去借几把刀叉来。
  
  A:Better yet, let's go to the New York Grill after work and practice in an authentic American restaurant.
  
  C:好主意,那咱们下班见。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1751
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Amy,先教我美式吧。
  
  A:With the American style, you hold the fork in your left hand and the knife in your right hand to cut your meat or vegetables.
  
  C:左手拿叉...右手拿刀切...
  
  A:Then you place the knife on the top of your plate with the blade facing in. Next you transfer the fork to your right hand.
  
  C:等等,切完了把刀放在盘子上,刀刃儿冲里,然后再把叉子从左手换到右手上。
  
  A:Now with the fork in your right hand, you take the food to your mouth with the fork tines up.
  
  C:Tines是什么?
  
  A:Times是叉子的尖。
  
  C:噢,就是吃的时候叉子的尖儿要冲上。那大陆式的用法呢?
  
  A:切食物的方法是一样的。The difference is that you keep the fork in your left hand to take the food to your mouth but with the tines down.
  
  C:所以说唯一的区别是,叉子不换到右手上,一直是左手拿叉,吃的时候叉子的尖儿冲下。What do I do with my knife?
  
  A:You can continue to hold it in your right hand since you aren't switching the fork over. Just keep it close to your plate.
  
  C:如果想放下,是不是也要刀刃冲内,放在盘子上呢?
  
  A:没错。Food is cut the same way for both American and Continental styles, fork in the left hand and knife in the right hand.
  
  C:我记住了,谢谢你Amy.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1752
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语025讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在走廊里遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  C:Amy,你有时间吗?
  
  A:Sure,什么事?
  
  C:Todd这个人真是很奇怪。有时候,我打电话给他,他明明在办公室里,而且也不忙,可他就是不接电话。我只好在电话里给他留言,可他好几个小时才回电话,有时根本就不回。
  
  A:How does that make you feel?
  
  C:让我觉得自己无足轻重。我不愿意跟他共事。
  
  A:That happens when we use voice mail to hide from other people. Voice mail makes it easy to ignore callers.
  
  C:我有的时候也不接电话,让打电话的人留言,比如手头工作急着要完成的时候。Is that wrong?
  
  A:No. That's a perfect reason to use voice mail. All of us have times when we need to work without interruption.
  
  C:可是有些人从来不接电话,电话打过去,一定是留言。这样下次谁还会找你呢?
  
  A:没错。It doesn't take long for people to determine who is responsive and values their callers, and they call those people instead.
  
  C:他们这样做不仅会得罪人,还会失去很多机会。我倒要看看,这个Todd什么时候才会回我的电话。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1753
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Amy第二天午饭时间又遇到了陈豪。
  
  A:CH, I am curious. Did Todd ever call you back yesterday?
  
  C:NO. 他一直没给我回电话。我觉得他这样做非常不礼貌。
  
  A:Totally rude. It is quite one thing to use your voice mail when you can't be interrupted, but to use it
  
  all day for your own convenience is disrespectful of other people and their time.
  
  C:这确实是对我的一种不尊重。说实话,如果能从别人那里得到我需要的信息,我以后是不会再去找他的。我觉得Todd不是那种能愉快共事的人。
  
  A:There are people who think that they are too important to answer their own phone and always use voice mail or someone else to answer for them.
  
  C:不过,据我所知,一些非常成功的人士反倒有时间亲自接电话。Amy, 一般情况下,我们什么时候可以让别人留言而不失礼呢?
  
  A:Send your calls to voice mail when you have someone in your office, when you need to concentrate on a project or when you are away from your desk.
  
  C:噢,办公室里正好有人在谈事儿的时候,手头有工作赶着要完成的时候,或是不在办公室的时候,这些时候都可以让别人在电话上留言。
  
  A:Otherwise, if your job or your business depends on relationships with other people, make yourself available.
  
  C:对呀,不管是谁,打电话都希望能找到自己要找的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1754
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们前两次讲的习惯用语都和赌博有关,玩儿赌博得有筹码也就是chip。今天我们来讲几个由chip这个词发展而来的习惯用语。第一个是:the chips are down。习惯用语the chips are down来历已久。它来自扑克牌桌。描绘的是下赌注的筹码都已经放在桌面上而打扑克的人即将摊牌一决输赢的当头。
  
  这是最让人提心吊胆的时刻,因为结果未见分晓。后来人们把这个习惯用语广泛地应用在其它场合。我们听个例子来体会它的意思吧。说话的人在回忆自己的一段艰难时光。当时他被解雇,但是又急需一份工作来养家糊口。我们听听他是怎么说的:
  
  例句-1:I had a wife and kids to support, so the chips were really down. But I found out who my real friends were. Pete started phoning people with connections and got me a new job in a week.
  
  他得负担妻子儿女的生活,所以失去工作全家人的生计就没了着落。在这当口上最能看出谁是真正的患难之交。好朋友Pete马上开始打电话和关系多的人联络。只一个星期就为他找到了一份新工作。
  
  他的工资是全家大小的生活来源。在没找到新工作前,他失业等于断了全家的生计,所以这里的习惯用语the chips were down描绘令人担忧悬念的局面。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1755
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。竞选一个大州的州长位置的候选人,在投票前两星期的民意测验中看到自己的得分大大落后于对手。这让他很担心。这会儿他在跟手下的募款人员讲话:
  
  例句-2:Look, with my support slipping, the chips are down. If you don't raise another million this week for more TV ads, I don't think I have a ghost of chance to get enough votes to win!
  
  他说:看,我的支持率下滑。这种形势令人忧虑悬念。你们务必在这星期内筹款一百万美元,用来作更多的电视广告,否则我赢得选举胜利的希望就全完了。
  
  这里的the chips are down意思也是情况不妙、令人担心。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1756
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个包括chip这个词的习惯用语:chip in。 在习惯用语chip in里, chip是个动词,它的来源是在牌还没发下前每个打扑克的人得把同等数目的筹码扔到桌面中央下头注。这就叫chip in。头注和打牌过程中下的赌注最后都归这付牌的赢家。Chip in已被用到日常生活的各方面,在收钱凑分子买一样东西送人的时候时候你常会听到人们说chip in。我们听个例子:
  
  例句-3:Bill, you know Sally in accounting. Well, her mother died last night. We'd like to send flowers. Most people are chipping in five dollars. Would you like to chip in too?
  
  他说:Bill, 你认识会计处的Sally 吧。她母亲昨晚去世了。我们想送鲜花。多数人都凑分子出五块钱,你要不要也凑一份?
  
  这里的chip in意思是为了同一个目的每人出一份钱,凑在一起。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1757
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后还有点儿时间,我们再学个也用chip这个词的习惯用语:cash in one's chips。 Cash作名词的时候指“现金,” 但是在短语cash in里面cash是动词。 Cash in原来的意思是赌局完结时去帐房把自己手上的筹码交进去换成现金,作个了断。 Cash in one's chips被人们沿用到日常生活中,指的不是赌局完毕,而是人生的终点。换句话说就是如一场赌博般的人生收场了。我们来听个例子。说话的是个退役军人。他刚刚得到一个怀消息。
  
  例句-4:I just heard that Charley, my best friend in the army, cashed in his chips last week in Chicago. I haven't seen him in 25 years but back then we were as close as any two men could be.
  
  他说:我刚听说我服役时最好的朋友Charley上星期结束了他的一生。我跟他虽然有二十五年没见面了,但是在当年我俩可是比谁都要好。
  
  这段话里的cashed in his chips含义是结束了他的一生。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1758
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语026讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他来到美国同事Amy的办公室。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi Amy.
  
  A:Hey, Chen Hao, what's up?
  
  C:我晚上下班有活动,我去多认识一些生意上的人。
  
  A:That's called a networking event.
  
  C: Networking是什么意思啊?
  
  A: 很简单。Networking in business is connecting with other people who might be of help to you or whom you might be able to help.
  
  C:换句话说,就是带有商业目的的社交活动。
  
  A:没错。The point is to go and meet as many people as possible to expand your circle of business friends and associates.
  
  C:我最不擅长跟陌生人打交道了。Amy, 你有什么好的建议吗?
  
  A:Sure. The first thing you need to be able to do is to introduce yourself with confidence.
  
  C:你能不能说得再具体点儿?
  
  A: You look for the approachable people. Those are people who are standing by themselves or who are in groups of three or more.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1759
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C: 只能去找那些独自一人,要不就是三五成群的。两个人为什么不行呢?
  
  A:You never walk up to two people who are in conversation because you risk interrupting a private conversation.
  
  C:有道理。人家两个人在一起聊天儿,很可能是在谈私事,我上去打招呼,一定很不礼貌。
  
  Amy, 自我介绍的时候有什么需要注意的地方吗?
  
  A:You start with "Hello" and then you say who you are, using both your first and last name.
  
  C:除了介绍自己的名字,还要说些什么?
  
  A:You need to offer a handshake and some information about yourself, such as your job title and organization.
  
  C:那我可以说,“你们好,我叫陈豪,我是北京ABC公司的销售部经理。”这样行吗?
  
  A:没问题。
  
  CH: Thanks. I'll see you tomorrow.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1760
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

MC:第二天,陈豪又遇到了Amy。
  
  A:How did it go last night? Did you make lots of new contacts?
  
  C:还不错。我至少认识了十几个人,其中一些人对我以后扩展业务很有帮助。不过,我也遇到了一个很尴尬的场面。
  
  A:What happened?
  
  C:我刚认识了一位女士。她的一个朋友走了过来。她没给我们做介绍,我不知道该怎么办,就干站在那儿。他也是,感觉特别尴尬。
  
  A:When someone you don't know approaches you, don't wait for anyone else to introduce you. Take the responsibility for introducing yourself immediately.
  
  C:有了这次的教训,我下次一定会主动自我介绍。
  
  A:Right. Find the approachable people, start with a greeting, give your name, and say something about yourself. Don't wait for other people to introduce you.
  
  C:我记住了。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1761
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语027讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他的美国同事Amy来找他谈事儿。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao, have you got a minute?
  
  C:Amy, 刚才你过来的时候,我正在电话上。
  
  A:It's not polite to hang around when someone is the phone so I decided to come back.
  
  C:嗨,别提了。我刚才一直在电话上等。想挂,可是好不容易才打通,挂了又得从头来,我就在那儿傻等着,烦死了。
  
  A:I know what you mean. Putting callers on hold for more than thirty seconds is bad for customer relations.
  
  C:半分钟,别说半分钟;我刚才足足等了半小时。不过,Amy, 说实话,我让别人等的时候,有时候也容易把时间忘了。What can I do?
  
  A:Watch the clock. Time passes quickly for the person who is busy with other callers or issues, but for the person on hold, time creeps by.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1762
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:就是这么回事。在电话上等,确实觉得时间过得特别慢,所以越等越不耐烦。
  
  A:Since your job doesn't involve answering other people's calls, I would guess that your callers are waiting for you to look up information while they hold.
  
  C:没错,一般情况下,我都会让客户在电话上等着别挂,我马上设法帮他们解决问题。
  
  A:There is a difference in holding for someone to answer the phone and holding for someone to look up information for you.
  
  C:在线上等别人接你的电话和等别人去帮你查资料有什么不一样呢?
  
  A:If you ask people to hold while you are looking up information or trying to help them in some way, they are willing to wait.
  
  C:我怎么还是不明白?
  
  A:People are happy to wait while you work on their behalf.
  
  C:噢,他们知道对方是在为自己解决问题,所以等得心甘情愿。那些等着别人接听电话的人呢?
  
  A:When you take your time getting to the call, the caller starts to imagine all sorts of scenarios.
  
  C:没错,我就经常怀疑对方是把我给忘了。
  
  A:The caller may suspect you don't think the caller is important.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1763
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:还有呢?
  
  A:Maybe you don't value the caller's time?
  
  C:对呀,在线上等电话是越等越急,越急就容易胡思乱想。
  
  A:Yes, and the result is that your caller is pretty annoyed when you finally answer the phone.
  
  C:没错,那客户肯定很不高兴,觉得我没有礼貌。
  
  A:Exactly. So if you want to avoid making people feel unimportant or ignored, pick up your phone as soon as you know you have a caller waiting.
  
  C:如果没办法马上接电话,我通常都会让秘书请客户决定,是在线上继续等,还是在电话信箱里留言。
  
  A:Exactly, good business etiquette as usual is to be considerate of the other person.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1764
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语028讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他上班中间休息,跟美国同事Amy一起下楼喝茶。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 你干嘛老看我的脚啊?
  
  A:I'm sorry. I just couldn't help noticing that you aren't wearing socks today.
  
  C:天儿太热了,不穿袜子还凉快点儿。
  
  A:Personally, that might be all right, but professionally that's a bad decision.
  
  C:为什么?我见过很多人上班都不穿袜子的。
  
  A:However, at ABC Company, professional dress is important for our corporate image.
  
  C:我上班穿西装,打领带,这还不够吗?
  
  A:No. Would you consider not wearing a shirt with your coat and tie?
  
  C:我当然不会光着膀子穿西装打领带了。
  
  A:Then you shouldn't consider wearing your shoes without socks. If your boss Mr. Jones sees you, he will not be pleased.
  
  C:那可坏了。我可我没带袜子。这怎么办呀?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1765
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

A:Avoid Mr. Jones at all cost. Then buy some socks when you go out for lunch today. There's a department store right around the corner.
  
  C:你说得对,我得先躲着点儿老板,中午吃饭的时候赶紧去商店买袜子穿上。I will see you later.
  
  ******
  
  MC:午饭后,陈豪找到Amy.
  
  A:Chen Hao, did you find any socks?
  
  C:我正准备穿上呢!天儿热,所以我买了两双白袜子,起码比深颜色的袜子凉快点儿。
  
  A:Oh dear.
  
  C:怎么了?
  
  A:White socks are inappropriate for corporate dress. They are more for athletic wear and outdoor attire.
  
  C:啊?白袜子是跑步打球穿的,不是上班穿的。怎么这么多讲究呀!好在我还买了一双深色的。服务员一直向我推销高腰儿的,就是可以拉到小腿肚儿上来的那一种。我觉得太热,没买。
  
  A:Oh dear.
  
  C:又怎么了?
  
  A:You should have listened to the salesman. Short socks just won't do in the business environment.
  
  C:那为什么?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1766
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

A:It's because when you sit down and cross your legs in short socks, you expose everyone around you to the sight of your hairy legs.
  
  C:Amy, 我从来没想到穿袜子还有这么多讲究。
  
  A:Your business attire is extremely important "right down to your socks".
  
  C:这么说,我穿成什么样儿也会影响到公司形象了。看来我下班还得再去买袜子,Amy,你陪我去吧,完了事儿我请你吃饭。
  
  A:Thank you. I'll look forward to that.
  
  C:Amy,你能不能再告诉我一下上班要穿什么样的袜子。这样我心里就有数了。
  
  A:Avoid white socks and short socks. The right sock in business is the one that covers your calf and matches your shoes and pants.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1767
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语029讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在走廊上远远地看到美国同事Amy,连忙赶了过去。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 我有点儿急事想请教你。
  
  A:OK, What is it?
  
  C:跟我一个办公室的Todd, 他妈妈在美国去世了。
  
  A:I don't know Todd, but I am sorry to hear that.
  
  C:他要回美国奔丧。我想为他做点儿什么,但又不知道怎样做才符合西方的礼节,所以今天早上我一直在躲着他。
  
  A:That's a perfectly natural response. May I suggest a few things?
  
  C:太好了,你快告诉我。
  
  A:First of all, don't avoid him. Make a point of going to him immediately and offering your condolences.
  
  C:什么是condolences?
  
  A:Condolences就是表示同情、慰问。
  
  C:我唯一能想到的就是 "I'm sorry to hear about your loss." 就这么一句好像不太够吧?
  
  A:Sometimes that's all you can say. If you try to say more, it may be the wrong thing.
  
  C:是呀,我也是怕说多了反而坏事。
  
  A:If you can, follow your statement of condolence with an offer to help.
  
  C:帮忙, 可我能帮什么忙呢?
  
  A:Think of what he may need that you can do. You might offer to take him to the airport.
  
  C:开车送他去机场确实是个好主意,可惜我没车。
  
  A:What about work issues? Are there things you can help him with while he is away?
  
  C:对呀,我们是一个组的,他请假,我可以承担一部分他的工作。我这就去跟他说。谢谢你,Amy.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1768
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

MC:午饭时陈豪又看见了Amy.
  
  A:Chen Hao, How did things go with Todd?
  
  C:你说得没错。我说可以承担他的工作,Todd显得如释重负。另外,我还想到了其它可以出力的地方。
  
  A:What was that?
  
  C:Todd是我的邻居,他养了一只猫,叫Fluffy. 我告诉他说,他离开这段时间,我可以照顾Fluffy, 他听了以后特别高兴。
  
  A:It is important to be specific at times like these. So often people simply say, "Let me know if there is anything I can do to help."
  
  C:Amy, 你觉得我还需要送花和卡片吗?
  
  A:You can, but that's not necessary since you are expressing your sympathy in a concrete way.
  
  C:Todd还让我帮他取信。我有他公寓的钥匙。他回来之前,我还可以帮他买点儿新鲜蔬菜和水果。
  
  A:You see how easy it is to think of acts of service for people who are grieving?
  
  C:是啊,我们总是不好意思求别人办事,要是能主动提出来,那是再好不过的了。
  
  A:That's right. Too often when people don't know what to do at a time of loss, they end up not doing anything.
  
  C:幸亏有你,Amy.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1769
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语030讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他到美国同事Amy的办公室去找她。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 你有时间吗?
  
  A:I can always make time for you, Chen Hao. What's the matter?
  
  C:我有个客户,听说我搬家,专门送了我一幅画儿。
  
  A:That doesn't sound like a problem. It sounds more like a nice gesture.
  
  C:可是那画的颜色和风格跟我的公寓格格不入。
  
  A:That's too bad. He probably chose something he would like to have and didn't consider your taste. I hope you thanked him for it anyway.
  
  C:我觉得也是,给别人买东西,应该买别人喜欢的才对。不过我还是打算发个电子邮件,谢谢他,但是不知道怎么写,所以来请教你。
  
  A:Well, first of all, you shouldn't use e-mail to thank someone for a gift. A proper note of gratitude should be handwritten.
  
  C:什么是 gra--ti--tude?
  
  A:Gratitude is the same as thanks or appreciation.
  
  C:那一定要手写吗?
  
  A:E-mail is impersonal and lacks warmth. The effort you make to show your gratitude should match the effort that your client expended in sending you the gift.
  
  C:我能不能买张现成的感谢卡,在上面加上一句,然后签个字呢?
  
  A:I'm sorry, but that won't do either. You need to demonstrate your good manners by composing a personal note in your own words on the appropriate stationery.
  
  C:你能陪我去买合适的卡片吗?
  
  A:I don't have time now. But let's meet at the stationery store at noon.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1770
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  MC:中午,陈豪和Amy一起到卡片专卖店。
  
  C:Amy, 这种可以折叠的感谢卡挺大方的。
  
  A:They are acceptable, but not as classy as these correspondence cards that are made of heavier stock paper.
  
  C:噢,correspondence cards,就是回复卡。
  
  A:You should order some with your name engraved across the top for future use.
  
  C:我说有时候收到别人的卡片,上面还有名字的缩写,原来是可以订做的呀。好,就买这个。不过我还是不知道怎么写。
  
  A:It's not so hard, and you don't have to be dishonest.
  
  C:你启发启发我。
  
  A:You can tell your client how much you appreciate his thoughtfulness and generosity in sending you a painting by this artist.
  
  C:有了。我就说“你怎么知道我家到处都是白墙的?画儿是我最需要的。”这样写,他也不知道我是不是喜欢那幅画。
  
  A:And you have all the elements of a proper thank you note.
  
  C:Amy, 你能再重复一下写感谢卡的注意事项吗?
  
  A:A note of thanks is hand written on quality notepaper. It begins with a specific reference to the gift, remarks about its quality, why you appreciate it and how you will use it.
  
  C:这么说,其实也不难嘛。谢谢你,Amy.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1771
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语031讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他和美国同事Amy晚上要一起参加同事James的告别晚宴,由公司北京办事处主任戴维斯主持。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Chen Hao, you need to be prepared for a lot of toasting tonight.
  
  C:Toasting? 烤面包?
  
  A:No, I am talking about honoring someone at a meal or reception by raising a glass of wine, champagne or water and offering a few kind words about that person.
  
  C:噢,你是说祝酒啊。西方人祝酒有什么规矩吗?
  
  A:There are two kinds of toasts. There is the informal toast that the host offers at the beginning of the meal to welcome his guests.
  
  C:那是戴维斯的事吧。我们有什么要做的吗?
  
  A:Mr. Davis will stand, raise his glass and thank everyone for coming. He will take a sip of his wine. Then the guests, who remain seated, raise their glasses in response and take a sip.
  
  C:就是说我们都不用站起来,只要举起杯,然后抿一口酒就行了。那另外一种呢?
  
  A:The other is more formal and comes near the end of the meal, usually during dessert. Champagne will be served. After each toast, everyone raises a glass and takes a sip of champagne.
  
  C:是不是每个人都要说祝酒辞呢?
  
  A:Not necessarily, but you will be expected to toast James since you worked closely with him.
  
  C:幸亏你事先告诉我。不过那我该说些什么呢?
  
  A:You could say how good James was to work with, tell a funny story about him, wish him success in his new position or use a favorite quote.
  
  C:讲笑话是我的长项。不过我还是得赶紧去准备准备,一会餐厅见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1772
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

宴会结束后,陈豪和Amy一起搭出租车回家。
  
  A:Chen Hao, Your toast was excellent and you seemed completely at ease. You obviously practiced your remarks.
  
  C:这可得谢谢你。还有啊,幸亏你特别提醒我每次只要抿一小口,我真没想到有这么多人祝酒,不然非喝醉了不可。
  
  A:It is acceptable etiquette to raise your water glass instead of the champagne flute. I usually just raise my glass to my lips so it appears that I am drinking when I am not.
  
  C:怪不得,我还以为你酒量过人呢!不过Amy,我还有个问题。别人为他祝酒,James好像从来不举杯,也不喝。这样做会不会不礼貌?
  
  A:Not at all. That was correct etiquette. You never drink to yourself. Only to other people.
  
  C:噢,所以被别人祝酒的人自己是不喝的。幸亏被祝酒的人不是我,否则我肯定会闹笑话。
  
  A:No you wouldn't. I would have warned you about that.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1773
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语032讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他今天在走廊里遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Chen Hao, you look pleased about something. What is it?
  
  C:我刚才发现电话上有个叫speaker的键,只要按下去,就不用再拿着话筒说话了。
  
  A:It is called a speaker or speaker phone, 中文可能是叫免提功能。
  
  C:这真是太方便了。我可以一边打电话,一边干别的事。
  
  A:Speakerphone is a great convenience, but you need to be careful about when and how you use it.
  
  C:不能随时用吗?
  
  A:You need to consider whether the person to whom you are speaking is comfortable being placed on speaker phone.
  
  C:这跟他们有什么关系啊?
  
  A:Because it is like broadcasting your entire call to other people who might be listening.
  
  C:Broadcast?我还是不太明白。
  
  A:When you place someone on speaker, anyone passing by or in close proximity can hear both sides of the conversation.
  
  C:对呀,那又怎么了?
  
  A:The person on the other end may not be comfortable with other people overhearing what he is saying, especially if he isn't aware that he is on speaker.
  
  C:噢,你是说对方可能不想让别人听见他跟我说些什么。
  
  A:Exactly. Always ask permission before putting people on speaker phone.
  
  C:谢谢你的忠告,免得我得罪人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1774
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下午下班得时候,Amy又遇到了陈豪。
  
  A:Chen Hao, how was your day?
  
  C:还记得我们说的speaker phone吗?有个客户打电话给我问资料,我就问他能不能把电话放在speakerphone上,这样我就可以一边找资料,一边跟他通话了。
  
  A:What did he say?
  
  C:他说没问题,还谢谢我征求他的意见。可是我隔壁的Joe很不高兴,因为我们的谈话干扰了他的工作。
  
  A:That is another point you need to be aware of regarding speaker phones. Using them in your cubicle when others are working in adjacent cubicles is inconsiderate.
  
  C:既然有这么多限制,那这种功能不是白费了吗?
  
  A:You can use it, just be thoughtful. Another reason that people use speaker phones is to be able to have a conversation or phone meeting when everyone involved cannot be present physically.
  
  C:就是说,销售部主任正好出差,而咱们俩要是用一个电话跟他开电话会议就可以用speaker phone了吧?
  
  A:Yes, with speaker phones, not everyone has to be in the same room to have a meeting.
  
  C:Amy,你再提醒我一遍,什么时候该用speaker phone, 什么时候不该用?行吗?
  
  A:It's really simple. Don't put people on speaker phone without asking permission and don't use speaker phone when it may disturb others.
  
  C:好,我记住了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1775
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语033讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他今天有事去找美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hi, Chen Hao. How are you today?
  
  C:还好,不过,我有点儿事想请教你。
  
  A:How can I help you?
  
  C:今天下班,我又要去参加公司的社交活动。
  
  A:Where the point is to make business contacts and develop relationships with current or potential clients?
  
  C:没错,就是要多认识点儿人,跟客户搞好关系。不过,我还是不太习惯这种活动。
  
  A:What's the problem?
  
  C:自我介绍完,我就不知道该说什么了。
  
  A:Well, The first thing is to prepare your conversation starters ahead of time.
  
  C:怎么准备啊?
  
  A:Find out who will be there so you will know whom you will be seeing.
  
  C:然后呢?
  
  A:Find out as much as you can about the guests. The more information you have about them and their business, the easier it will be to talk to them.
  
  C:可我根本不知道谁会去啊?
  
  A:I suggest you go ask your boss' assistant right now.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1776
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 一个小时过后,陈豪和Amy又见面了。
  
  C:Amy, 今天的活动是Jepson公司主办的。
  
  A:I happen to know that Mr. Jepson, the president of the company, loves airplanes. He is a licensed pilot and owns quite a number of small planes.
  
  C:Mr. Jepson自己有飞机,还有执照?太好了,我也喜欢飞机。
  
  A:Well, see, you have something in common so you shouldn't have any problems talking to him.
  
  C:那其它人呢?
  
  A:Be ready to ask people about themselves. Start your conversations with open-ended questions.
  
  C:Open-ended questions, 那是什么样的问题啊?
  
  A:Those are questions that begin with "how" and "why?" The kinds of questions that people almost have to answer with more than one word.
  
  C:就是要问为什么,怎么样这类的问题, 是吗?
  
  A:Right. Stay away from "when," "where" and "what" since it's easy to give short answer to those questions.
  
  C:不要问什么时候,在哪儿,哎呀,太复杂了。我恐怕记不住。
  
  A:Oh, yes, you can. People like to talk about themselves so long as you continue to listen and act interested, they will continue to talk.
  
  C:做个好听众当然没问题。我难道就不需要说话吗?
  
  A:All you really need to do is repeat or comment on something the other person has said. Like with Mr. Jepson, you could ask how many planes he has?
  
  C:他要是说25架呢?
  
  A:Then you respond, "So you have 25 of your own airplanes?" That's interesting. Tell me about them." And he'll continue to talk.
  
  C:好主意。我试试看。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1777
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语034讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他这两天遇到了感情困扰,去找美国同事Amy讨个主意。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 我有点私事儿想请教你。
  
  A:What is it, Chen Hao?
  
  C:销售部来了一个新的女同事,叫Kate. 我想请她出去约会。
  
  A:Then why don't you?
  
  C:因为我不知道咱们公司是不是允许同事谈恋爱。在我原来那家公司是绝对不行的。
  
  A:You're smart to check it out first. We used to have that policy, but our management decided that we spend so much time at work and with co-workers that it wasn't fair to impose that restriction.
  
  C:太好了,那我就准备约她今天晚上出去吃饭。
  
  A:But there are a few issues you should consider if you are going to date Kate or any other co-worker.
  
  C:你快说说。
  
  A:Before you get serious, you need to discuss what you will do if things don't work out. You will want to avoid any bad feelings between you.
  
  C:是啊,我也是希望万一不行的话,彼此都能妥善处理,不要在工作上相互拆台。
  
  A:That's exactly what I mean. I have seen it happen. When co-workers stop dating, one or both will often try exact some sort of revenge in the office.
  
  C:哎,先别想那么多了,人家还没同意晚上跟我出去吃饭呢。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1778
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

MC:Amy第二天早上遇到了陈豪.
  
  A:So how did your date go? Kate did accept, didn't she?
  
  C:挺好的,我们俩儿特别投机。不过,Kate说,跟同事谈恋爱,她也有不少顾虑。
  
  A:What did she say?
  
  C:她觉得,最好不要在办公室里谈我们的关系,如果别人问,我们也不否认谈恋爱,但是不会说得更具体。
  
  A:Even if they pressure you? Some people can be pretty nosy and persistent. They'll want to know every detail of your relationship.
  
  C:我们会婉言拒绝。
  
  A:I guess you'll be seeing her again.
  
  C:不瞒你说,我已经被她迷住了,老想找个借口往她办公室跑。
  
  A:That is another danger of dating a co-worker.
  
  C:你是说工作的时候容易分心吗?
  
  A:That's right. If your productivity and performance begin to suffer, others will notice and you will jeopardize your position.
  
  C:对呀,如果真的影响到工作,对我们在公司的发展不利。这一点我倒是没想到。Amy, 你再提醒提醒我,都要注意些什么?
  
  A: The first thing is to know the company policy. Decide how you will handle the relationship around the office and what you will do if things don't work out.
  
  C:我知道了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1779
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语035讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他在走廊上遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 你有两分钟时间吗?我有点事儿想请教你。
  
  A:Yes, but let's step into my office so we don't disturb anyone else. What is it?
  
  C:今天,信息技术部的一个同事被老板叫去训了一顿,说他整天聊天儿。老板还说,你是来工作的,不是来社交的。
  
  A:I agree. After all, that is what we are paid for and people who misuse company time are wasting company money.
  
  C:可是,我记得你告诉过我,应该跟同事搞好关系。
  
  A:I did. And one of the ways to do that is to engage in small talk or "chit-chat," as we say. You need to talk to your colleagues about things other than work.
  
  C:聊工作以外的事儿?那我就更糊涂了。可老板说这是浪费工作时间啊。
  
  A:It's not wasting time if you do it at the appropriate times.
  
  C:那什么才是合适的时间呢?
  
  A:Basically, at the beginning of the day when everyone is getting their tea or coffee and starting to settle in; during breaks and at lunch. The end of the day is another good time to chat.
  
  C:早上上班和中午吃饭的时候还好,可下班前大家都赶着回家,根本没人理我啊。
  
  A:Chen Hao, I know this is important, but can we talk after work? I have a project to complete before the end of the day.
  
  C:那好,一会儿见。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1780
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

MC:陈豪跟Amy同路回家。
  
  C:今天我特别注意了一下,发现很多人上班时间都在聊天。
  
  A:Often people who have just competed a project or an assignment, need a break. They don't always consider that their colleague may be in the middle of something and doesn't have time to talk.
  
  C:在这一点上,我自我感觉做得还不错。每次来找你,我都会先问你有没有时间。还有其他什么要注意的吗?
  
  A:Location is important. Pay attention to where you are so that you don't disturb the people who are working.
  
  C:什么地方才不会干扰到别人呢?
  
  A:A place like the break room or an office with a door will give you privacy as well as prevent others from being distracted by your conversation.
  
  C:还有其他注意事项吗?
  
  A:Yes. We haven't talked about one of the most important - what you talk about.
  
  C:聊天的内容还有规矩啊!
  
  A:Small talk should not be viewed as a time to get personal and pry into people's private lives. Nor should it be a time to spread gossip.
  
  C:所以一是不能打听别人的隐私,二是不要散布小道消息。好,我知道了。谢谢你,Amy.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1781
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语036讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他正在跟美国同事Amy讲话。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Amy, 你有时间吗? 我又遇到了点儿为难的事。
  
  A:Well, tell me what the problem is and I'll try to help.
  
  C:有个很重要的客户,今天下午要来公司见我。
  
  A:Why is that a problem?
  
  C:你也知道,我的办公室特别小,看了也不是很体面。我怕会让客户小看我,以后不好打交道,所以有些紧张。
  
  A:I see what you mean, but you have some options.
  
  C:真的?那你快告诉我。
  
  A:First of all, you can check with Mary Ann to see if the conference room is available.
  
  C:是啊,我怎么就没想到呢!我可以把客户请到公司的会议室。这下问题就迎刃而解了。
  
  A:That's right. Your client never has to see your office space or what is basically a cubicle.
  
  C:好,就这么办。
  
  A:Not so fast. Call Mary Ann first. It may not be available. If not, we'll have to come up with another plan.
  
  C:那好,我马上给Mary Ann打电话。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1782
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

不一会儿,陈豪很扫兴地回到Amy的办公室。
  
  A:So how did it go? Is the conference room available?
  
  C:别提了,会议室两个星期前就被人预定了。
  
  A:Don't worry. This is not the end of the world.
  
  C:那我该怎么办呢?
  
  A:He won't even notice the surroundings if you pay attention to the details that make him feel comfortable and welcome.
  
  C:我怎么做才能让他觉得宾至如归呢?
  
  A:It's been raining so much that he may show up with an umbrella or a raincoat. Offer to take them right away and hang them up.
  
  C:可是我的办公室里没有衣架呀!
  
  A:you can ask one of your colleagues ahead of time to help you by taking them for you.
  
  C:那我就先跟Jenny打好招呼,让她帮我把客户的雨具保存起来。还有什么吗?
  
  A:Be sure you have a comfortable chair in your office.
  
  C:还有呢?
  
  A:Most important, ask the receptionist to call you when your client arrives so you can go down and greet him in the lobby. Making the effort to meet him and show him to your office will make him feel valued.
  
  C:对呀,我每次出去见客户,人家也都会到大厅里来迎我,然后带我到办公室里去。还有给我倒水喝。Amy, 你能再从头说一遍,我都应该注意些什么吗?
  
  A:Meet him in the reception area and escort him to your office. Take his hat, coat or rain gear so he doesn't have to worry about where to put them. And finally, never be late or keep your client waiting.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1783
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语是由同一个词发展而来的,就是sweat。它的意思是汗水。我们先要学的习惯用语是:no sweat。我们通常在觉得热了或者用力做什么的时候会流汗。有时担惊受怕、紧张不安的时候也会出汗,但是在轻松悠闲、镇定自若、满怀自信的时候却不大会出汗。
  
  我们听个例子来体会习惯用语no sweat含义是什么吧。这段话说的是个年轻妇女Jill在一条偏僻的路上开车轮胎突然瘪了。天色将晚,她孤零零一个人站在空荡荡的路边,万分焦急地等待哪个救星出现来帮她一把。正在她一筹莫展的时候有个叫Jack的小伙子开车走过。他看到了Jill马上停下车来帮忙。我们来听听他对Jill说什么。
  
  例句-1:Don't worry about the flat tire. No sweat! I have a car phone and a set of tools in back. Just let me get my jack and tire iron, and I'll change the tire and have you back on the road in no time!
  
  对于Jack说来轮胎瘪了显然不是大问题,因为他有汽车电话,而且车箱里还放着一套工具。所以他要Jill别担心,换个轮胎一点儿都不费劲儿。他只要取出车后面的千斤顶和铁扳手,没一会儿工夫就会把轮胎换好,让Jill开车上路。
  
  这里的no sweat显然表示这是轻而易举、不费吹灰之力的事儿。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1784
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们有时也可以用no sweat来鼓励别人,让他对自己正努力尝试的事情产生成功的信心。我们来听个例子。它说的是Jack的朋友 Bill 申请一家大公司内的一份工作,明天要去面试。Bill很紧张,因为公司只录用几个人。他怕自己没机会。我们来听听热心的Jack怎么鼓励他:
  
  例句-2:Come on, Bill, relax! You have a lot of experience and fine references and your college work is ideal background for them. It'll be no sweat. So go in believing in yourself -- I'd bet good money they'll hire you.
  
  他说:Bill, 放松一点!你有很多经验,又有有力的介绍推荐。你的大学学历正是他们所理想的教育背景。放心吧,你尽管充满自信地进去面试。我肯定他们会录用你的。
  
  这里的no sweat用来要人别担心,树立自信。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1785
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个有类似意义的习惯用语:Don't sweat it. Don't sweat it和no sweat意义接近,但是显然里面的sweat词性不同。Don't sweat it. 里面的sweat是个动词,解释流汗,而no sweat里面的sweat却是名词“汗水。” 这两个习惯用语有时可以互相换用。例如在下面的例子里,这段话说的是Jack另一个朋友Jim。 倒霉的Jim失业了,而他的妻子偏在这当口上怀了孕。Jim一直没找到工作,于是他也找上了助人为乐的Jack,问他借钱来付太太的医疗费,并且告诉Jack他一时还不出那笔钱。我们来听听Jack怎么答复他。
  
  例句-3:Hey, don't sweat it! You're a good friend and you've loaned me money when I needed it. You can pay the money back after you find work and get on your feet again. I know I can trust you for it.
  
  他说:嘿,别挂在心上。你是个好朋友。我缺钱用的时候你也借过钱给我。你可以在找到工作能自力更生以后再把钱还我。我知道你是信得过的。
  
  这里的Don't sweat it.意思也是别担心。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1786
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有时Don't sweat it.还可以用来说一件事没什么大不了。例如,有人给你的压力太大,而你希望以温和的方式来制止他,这时你就能用上Don't sweat it.这句话了。让我们听个例子,说话人的朋友提醒他该到了吃降压片的时候了,而他对这一类的提醒很不耐烦,因为太太、妈妈和朋友们都老跟他罗嗦同一件事,让他忍无可忍。我们听听他怎么发作。
  
  例句-4:Hey, I'm not a baby! Man, don't sweat it! I keep an eye on my watch and still have 30 minutes before taking my pill. I appreciate you worrying about it, guys. But I'm sick and tired of being reminded.
  
  他说:嘿,我不是孩子!得了,别大惊小怪的。我看着表呢 -- 离吃药时间还有三十分钟。我感激你们为我担心,但是时时刻刻地提醒实在让我烦透了。
  
  这里的Don't sweat it.相当于“别大惊小怪。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1787
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们前三次讲了几个由骰子和筹码等赌博用具发展而来的习惯用语。今天我们接着谈同纸牌游戏相关的两个习惯用语。这两个习惯用语中都有一个词:card。相信很多听众朋友对card这个词都不陌生。它的一个基本意思是“卡片。” 有人说,中文“卡片”中的“卡”字同英文card的发音有关。Card还有纸牌的意思。
  
  我们今天讲的第一个习惯用语就是同纸牌有关的:wild card。 这个用语的第一个词,wild,常用意思是:野生的。但是两个词放一起用的最早基本含义是美国扑克游戏中的“百搭牌。”所谓“百搭牌”就是可以由持牌人随意决定牌值、代替任何其它的牌张。
  
  一般被用做“百搭牌”的是中国人称为“大王”和“小王”的牌,但是也可以是在发牌之前任意指定的任何牌。比方说,如果规定所有花色的2都是“百搭牌”wild cards,那么打牌的人就可以用2来代替自己缺少的10、王后、或者K,组成一手好牌,在游戏中击败对手,赢得胜利。Wild cards对拥有它的人来说,等于增添了获胜机会。而对没有它的人则是无穷的烦恼,因为只知道对手有更多的组牌可能,而无法知道他到底在做什么打算。
  
  现在,wild card在牌桌上的含义已经被沿用到日常生活之中。人们用这个词组形容事先难以预测、但是却对局势发展至关重要的决定性因素。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1788
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们通过两个具体的例子来体会这个词组的应用。第一个例子有关纽约市长的竞选。在这场竞选中,有一位不属于美国两大政党、也就是共和党和民主党的独立候选人,同两大党的候选人进行较量。
  
  例句-1:Normally an independent doesn't have much chance. But this man's a popular TV newsman who's raised money for a big campaign. He's a wild card who might have a real chance to win.
  
  这段话是说:通常,独立候选人在竞选中获胜的希望相当渺茫。但是这位独立候选人是家喻户晓的电视新闻主播。他还筹集了可观的捐款,准备轰轰烈烈地大干一场。虽说最后结果现在还难以预测,但是他可能有获胜的机会。
  
  在这段话里,竞争纽约市长职位的独立候选人被称为wild card,形容很难预测他最后是否能出奇制胜。另外,wild card也是一个经常出现的体育用语。下面我们再听有关体育的一段英文,进一步了解wild card的用法。
  
  例句-2:The Redskins didn't get to the playoffs last year, but they're supposed to be better this season. In fact, some hopeful fans think they are a wild card to win the Super Bowl this winter.
  
  红人队虽然去年正规赛季之后的夺标决赛都没有进入,但是人们觉得它在今年的赛季中会有更好的表现。一些球迷还满怀希望,认为红人队今年冬天说不定还能在超级杯大赛中夺冠称雄呢。
  
  换句话说,有几支球队都比红人队看好,但是红人队也没准儿能出人意料地脱颖而出。这里,wild card仍然是有出奇制胜的可能, 但也难以预料。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1789
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下来我们再学一个包含card这个词的用语:drawing card。先看drawing这个词。Drawing这个词有吸引的意思。Drawing card是指吸引人的人或物。下面我们听一段谈到好莱坞明星的英文。
  
  例句-3:The stars who make the biggest salaries are the ones who are always a drawing card for any movie they appear in. There aren't many so they're always in great demand by the studios.
  
  片酬丰厚的明星不管在什么电影里露面都能吸引大批观众。但是这样的明星实在为数不多,所以他们成了所有电影制片厂的大红人。
  
  在这里,drawing card是形容那些能吸引观众的叫座明星。最后我们再举一个例子,帮助大家了解drawing card这个词的用法。话题又回到了体育。讲的是几年前开始驰名的高尔夫球界的新星:泰格尔.伍德。
  
  例句-4:This year Tiger Woods has become the biggest drawing card in professional golf in a long time. Big crowds follow him from hole to hole in each tournament he enters.
  
  今年,泰格尔.伍德成为长时间以来职业高尔夫球界最吸引人的明星。不管他参加哪一场比赛,也不管他打到第几洞,他走到哪里,人群就跟随到哪里。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1790
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲的两个习惯用语都同,card,纸牌有关。今天我们再学习两个同card这个词有关的习惯用语。我们先学:in the cards。如果您听见有人说某一件事情的时候使用了这个习惯用语,您就知道,说话的人认为这件事情十有八九要发生。这个用语虽然有纸牌card这个词,但是却同赌博无关,而是来自于用纸牌推测人命运的算命先生。
  
  算命先生在桌子上摊开一付牌,然后根据其中包括的一张或几张关键牌算来人今后的命运。短语in the cards,如果按字面的意思直接翻译,就是“在这付牌中,”也就是说,它预示著命运中将发生的事情。
  
  久而久之,人们就用in the cards这个短语来形容将来非常可能发生的事。下面请听众朋友根据这个习惯用语举一反三,猜一猜如果要想表示某一件事将来不可能发生,应该怎么说呢?好,一些听众朋友大概猜到了。表示“不可能发生,” 可以说:not in the cards。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1791
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下来我们举两个例子。第一个例子是有关1996年总统选举的。当时在任总统克林顿争取连任,他的竞争对手是曾经担任参议院多数党领袖的共和党议员多尔。美国的媒体对克林顿和多尔到底将谁胜谁负纷纷做出预测评论。我们要听的是当时的一篇电台报导。报导中提到的:public opinion polls,这是”公众民意测验“的意思。下面听一下这篇报导:
  
  例句-1:With a week to go, the public opinion polls have Clinton running over 15 points ahead of Dole; right now it certainly looks like a second term is in the cards for the president.
  
  这篇电台报导说,离投票只有一个星期了。民意测验显示,克林顿的支持率超过多尔15个百分点以上。目前看来,克林顿连任总统看来已经是十拿九稳的事了。
  
  在选举中,要想在一个星期这么短的时间内消除15个百分点的差距绝对不是轻而易举的。所以这家电台的记者使用in the cards这个短语来形容在任总统克林顿已经稳操胜券。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1792
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再来听一个例子。里面有短语not in the cards。跟刚才大家听的一样,这个例句也是一篇记者报导,讲的是连续数次获得美国全国职业篮球比赛冠军的芝加哥公牛队。
  
  例句-2:It's probably not in the cards for Chicago to win the national title again this year. They depend too much on their superstar Michael Jordan, and even superstars get old, you know.
  
  这名记者说:芝加哥公牛队今年恐怕难以再次夺得全国冠军。他们过分依赖超级明星乔丹。不过,你要知道,即使是对超级明星,岁月也照样丝毫不饶人的。
  
  当然,芝加哥公牛队不但1997年力挫群雄、一举夺冠,而且在1998年的大赛中保持了冠军称号。所以,not in the cards只是人们认为不可能发生的事情,而并非绝对不能发生。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1793
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们学习的第二个习惯用语是:play your cards right。 直译的话,这个短语的意思是:要出正确的牌。现在它的意思已经延伸为:办事高明、做事有心计。
  
  好,下面我们听一段话,加深对play your cards right这个短语的理解。说话的人讲的是他的兄弟Pete,如何把握机会、扬长避短,最后终于发财致富。
  
  例句-3:We never thought Pete would amount to much but he's a good salesman with a smooth tongue. He played his cards right and now he's rich with more money than he knows what to do with.
  
  我们从来没觉得彼特能成什么大器,但他是个能说会道的推销员。他做事用心、恰到好处,最后发了大财;现在钱多得简直不知道怎么花了。
  
  你们听出来没有,彼特的兄弟好像真还有些忌妒呢!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1794
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学习的两个习惯用语中都包括下面这个词:flip。Flip作动词的时候意思是:轻轻地投掷和抛出、转动、和挥动。我们今天要将的第一个习惯用语就是flip out。这个习惯用语的意思是过分激动、甚至失去控制。我们先听一个例句:
  
  例句-1: They had an argument and George flipped out.
  
  意思是:他们争论起来,乔治有些激动。
  
  这个习惯用语后来又衍生出了另外一个意思相近的词组:flip your lid。 Lid是茶杯和水壶的盖。在烧开水的时候,如果水壶里的水过满,水沸腾的时候会把壶盖顶掉。所以人们用这种现象来比喻人大发脾气。
  
  这两个短语从40年代开始在电影和杂志里出现,后来成为人们在日常生活中经常使用的词汇。下面我们再听一个带有flip out短语的例句。说话的人是一位大学生,他刚刚得到了英文课的作业成绩,正在发泄心中抑制不住的不满。
  
  例句-2: Look at this! I spent days on this paper and even paid a graduate student to help me and this stupid professor still gives me a "D"! Man, I'll flip out if I can't get at least a "C" in this course.
  
  这名大学生说:看呀!我花了那么多天的时间准备这篇作业,甚至还出钱请研究生给我作辅导,结果这个傻教授仍然只给我一个"D"!等著瞧吧,要是这门功课连个 "C"都得不到,我非得大闹一番不可。
  
  大学生提到的分数"D"是美国学校评分标准的第四等。美国学校一般用A、B、C、D、E来表示评分等级。E表示不及格,D则是勉强及格。难怪这名学生感到大为不满呢。另外,man、也就是英文中男人这个词在口语中经常被用来加强语气,往往没有具体的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1795
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在生活中,如果有人flip out、或者flip his lid,有时候并不仅仅是生气、发脾气而已,而且可能相当暴力。我们再听含有flip out这个词组的一段话。说话的人讲的是一个名叫“米奇”的人。“米奇”走出家门,发现自己的汽车不翼而飞,结果他自然怒发冲冠。我们听听看,“米奇”到底是什么反应。
  
  例句-3: Did you see Mickey when he saw his car was gone? He totally flipped out -- he was hopping around like a crazy man, screaming and yelling out in the middle of the street.
  
  你看见“米奇”发现他的汽车被偷以后的模样了吗?他怒火万丈,像个疯子一样在街上乱吼乱叫、暴跳如雷。
  
  接下来我们来看看也包括flip这个词的第二个习惯用语:flip side。 这是一个名字词组,最早经常用来表示留声机唱片的反面。在现在已经司空见惯的激光唱盘流行以前,人们欣赏音乐的主要形式之一就是听唱片。唱片的正面一般都是深受欢迎的走红歌曲或乐曲,而反面往往都是一些不大有名的作品。不过现在flip side通常用来表示“另一方面。”
  
  例句-4: It's fantastic that the president has planned to balance the budget and give Americans a tax break. But the flip side is that students just coming out of college are getting the least tax break of all.
  
  总统计划平衡收支、同时给美国人民减税。这当然是再好不过的事情。但是另一方面,刚从大学毕业的学生得到的减税幅度却最小。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1796
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要学习两个新的习惯用语,都同自然界里的动物有关。第一个同百兽之王狮子有关:lion's share。这个习惯用语的第一部分是名词的所有格,就是名词加上撇号和s。 Lion's, 意思呢,是“狮子的。”这个习惯用语的另一部分是单词:share。 Share在这个词组中作名词,意思是一份、份额。它作动词时的意思是分享。把这个习惯用语直译,就是:狮子的那份儿。
  
  这个习惯用语的使用至少有两百年的历史,但是如果追根寻源的话,可以追溯到两千年前的古希腊寓言。这个故事说,一只狮子和其它一些野兽一起猎取食物,后来终于捕到了一只鹿。在商量如何分食物的时候,狮子提出,它要得到它的那一份儿,也就是一整只鹿。同百兽之王狮子一块分东西,其它野兽还有什么话说呢?只好听之任之。你们猜到这个习惯用语的意思了吗?对了,意思是:最大、最好的那份儿、甚至完全独吞,而不管这样做对其它有关的人是否公平。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1797
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们听一段话,进一步理解这个短语的用法。
  
  例句-1:The angry old man changed his will. And his family was shocked to discover he had left the lion's share of all his money to a distant cousin most of them had never even heard of.
  
  愤怒的老人修改了他的遗嘱。他的家人发现,老人把他大部分钱财都留给了他的一个远亲,而他的家人中几乎没人听说过他还有这么一位亲戚。老人的所有家人对此目瞪口呆。
  
  这个用语除了可以形容钱财和物品之外,还可以形容功劳等抽象的概念。我们再听一段话。这段话讲的是一家汽车公司的总裁。他坚决反对生产一种新型跑车,但是董事会否决了他的反对意见,决定把新型跑车投入生产。结果怎么样了呢?请听众朋友仔细听听这段话:
  
  例句-2:Well, to his surprise the car was a great success. And although he'd been opposed, he tried to take the lion's share of the credit by claiming it was his own idea all long.
  
  公司总裁惊奇地发现,这种汽车取得了巨大的成功。虽然他过去一直持反对意见,但是现在却试图贪天功为己有,宣称这始终是他自己的主意。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1798
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天学的第一个习惯用语是用狮子做比喻。接下来我们要学的第二个习惯用语是用老虎打比方:have a tiger by the tail。 这个短语的字面意思是:抓住老虎的尾巴。这是非常危险的局面,如果松开手,肯定对付不了凶猛的老虎。但是抓住老虎尾巴不放,看来也是凶多吉少,因为实际上本来也没有任何制服老虎的可能。中文所说的“骑虎难下”其实同这个短语的意思非常接近。不过,英文里也有用“骑在老虎背上”的说法。下面听一段例句。
  
  例句-3:Once you start using heroin, you'll have a tiger by the tail. If you get hooked, you'll need more and more, it'll cost you more money, and you might have to steal to support the habit.
  
  你一旦开始用海洛音,就很难找到退路。上瘾之后,需要量越来越大,需要更多的钱,甚至还要为了满足毒瘾去偷窃。
  
  毒品是老虎尾巴,说话不算话也可以是老虎尾巴。乔治.布什在竞选美国总统成功以后就有这样的教训。他1988年竞选的时候许诺说,当选后绝不增加征收联邦税。但是他登上总统宝座之后怎么样了呢?请听下面这段话:
  
  例句-4:He found he had a tiger by the tail. Despite his promise he had to raise taxes to cope with the deficit. And this helped Bill Clinton beat him in his try for re-election in 1992.
  
  布什打破自己的许诺,增加征税,结果最终在连任竞选中被克林顿击败。也许老虎尾巴还是不抓为好。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1799
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

们的情绪是经常变化的。喜、怒、哀、乐我们都体验过。在这一个讲里,我们就给大家介绍四个表达愤怒的习惯用语。第一个习惯用语:是 lose your cool。Lose是失去的意思,cool在这里是名词。意思是“凉爽”或“冷静。” 我们把这几个字连起来得到的直接意思是“失去你的冷静。”人在生气,特别是愤怒的时候,往往都是没有办法控制自己的情绪,失去了冷静,就要发脾气。我们举个例子听听。
  
  例句-1:The first time Joan went to the store, they overcharged her. The second time they charged her double. The third time they did this she lost her cool and made a nasty scene with the manager.
  
  上面这段话是说:名叫Joan的这位女士第一次去这个商店,商店就多收了她的钱。第二次多收了她一倍的钱。第三次商店又多收她的钱的时候,Joan就大发脾气,找商店的经理大吵了一番。
  
  刚才这个例子是描述一般的发怒的情况。还有些时候,人非常愤怒,光说lose your cool就不够劲了。英语里还有一个说法,语气要强烈得多。这就是go ballistic。动词go的本意大家都知道,有“变为、”“成为”的意思,如go mad, go crazy, 就是发疯的意思。Ballistic是研究子弹或导弹弹道学问的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1800
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们在读报的时候常常看到“弹道导弹”的说法。英文呢,就是ballistic missiles。go ballistic是制造携带核弹的大型火箭的技术人员使用的一个说法。火箭达到一定高度的时候,推动器关闭,导弹继续沿着弹道飞行,直到击中目标。
  
  如果一个人go ballistic,是说,他的怒火被点燃起来,像火箭一样发射出去,进入弹道飞行的状态。可想而知,他这个时候一定是怒不可遏了。下面我们来看一个例子。
  
  例句-2:Our professor went ballistic as soon as he found out at least three people had cheated on the exam. Just for that he made everybody in the class take the exam over again.
  
  这句话是说:我们的教授发现至少有三名学生考试作弊,怒气冲天。就因为这个原因,教授要求全班重新考一次。
  
  我们学习的下一个习惯说法是go zonkers。 Zonkers来自一个俚语zonked一词,意思是“因为吸毒,或酗酒而昏昏沈沈,或酩酊大醉。” 我们这就给大家举个例子,看看go zonkers这个说法是怎么使用的。
  
  例句-3:When the team from New York fouled our player in the final minute of the game, everybody in the stadium went zonkers and started to throw cans and bottles at them.
  
  这句话整个翻译过来是这样的:纽约队在这场比赛的最后一分钟对我们的一个队员犯规,体育馆全场观众怒不可遏,开始朝纽约队投掷饮料罐和瓶子。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-30#1801
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天最后要讲解的一个表达愤怒的习惯用法是blow a fuse。Blow这儿的意思是“烧断。” Fuse是“保险丝。”如果电线上的电流太大,保险丝就会被“烧断”。一个人理智的保险丝要是被怒火烧断了,就会像保险丝被烧断的情形那样,冒出火花,造成破坏。所以,blow a fuse的意思也是愤怒的情绪超出了理智控制的程度。好,我们来看一个例子。
  
  例句-4:When the restaurant owner found out that his employees were stealing food from the back room, he blew a fuse -- he fired them on the spot and chased them out of the building.
  
  这段话整个是说:餐馆老板发现他的员工从厨房偷食物,火冒三丈。当场解雇了这些员工,把他们都赶出了餐馆。
  
  顺便再提一下,跟blow a fuse变换使用的还有一个说法是,blow one's top。 Top这里是指“头顶。” 想一想,怒火能把头顶给炸掉了,可以说是愤怒至极了,这跟中文里的“怒发冲冠”可以说是不仅神似,而且形似。
  
  今天我们总共学了四个形容愤怒的短语:lose your cool, go ballistic, go zonkers和blow a fuse。在这四个短语中,除了第一个lose your cool形容的愤怒程度低一些,其他几个都差不多,表示愤怒之极的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1802
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们学习过许多英语的习惯用法。有些听众可能发现,越是生活中经常发生的事情,表达或者反映这些事情的习惯用法就越多。“失业”在现代社会里可以说是司空见惯,所以英语里表达失业的用法也有很多。
  
  今天我们就给大家介绍四个。就是pink slip, get the boot, the heave-ho, downsized. 我们现在学习第一个,pink slip。Pink是“粉红色的”。Slip的意思是小纸条。“粉红的小纸条”跟失业有什么关系呢?
  
  将近一百年前,美国不知道从哪一位老板开始用粉红纸条写的解雇通知夹在雇员的工资袋里,告诉他们不用再去上班了。反正从1910年就有了pink slip的说法,一直沿用下来。美国公司老板如果要解聘员工,就在员工的工资袋里加一张“粉红纸条,”说明雇员被解雇的原因。
  
  当然了,现在的解雇通知不一定是粉红色,也有别的颜色。但是,pink slip已经约定成俗,成为解雇通知书的同义词了。好,现在,我们就来听一个例句。
  
  例句-1:Honey, I have bad news. I got a pink slip in my pay envelope today. The boss says I'm a good worker, but our business is way down and he just can't afford to keep us all working.
  
  这段话的意思是:亲爱的,我带来了消息。今天,我的工资袋里加了一张解雇通知书。老板说,我工作表现不错,不过,公司生意大幅度下跌,他雇不起这么多人了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1803
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这里我们知道,雇员被解雇并不一定是因为有什么过错。如果是工作表现不好或得罪了老板而被解雇,英文应当怎么说呢?
  
  这就是我们要学的第二个用法: get the boot。 Boot的意思是“靴子”或“长筒靴”。 Get是得到的意思。这跟解雇有什么关系呢?Boot在这里实际上是指用靴子“踢”人的动作。
  
  Get the boot这个习惯用法的意思是,雇员做错了事情,至少是让老板不高兴,结果被老板“踢”了出来,也就是中文里的“炒尤鱼。”下面请听一个例子。
  
  例句-2:The boss kept warning Bill he had to get to work on time. But Bill didn't listen; he kept arriving up to an hour late. So the boss finally lost patience and gave him the boot.
  
  这一段的意思是:比尔的老板多次警告他,要准时上班,但比尔不听,总是迟到,有时甚至迟到一个小时。老板最后烦了,让比尔开路了。
  
  如果雇员因自己的问题被老板解雇,英语里还有一个表达方法,就是:get the heave-ho。Heave的意思是举起、用力拉或抛弃的意思。Heave-ho是水手用语。水手们在把铁锚从海底拉起来的时候就会喊heave-ho,也就是“用力拉呀。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1804
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

从40年代起,人们开始用它来表示解雇,或“炒尤鱼。”我们听一个例句。
  
  例句-3:Our company had to give our accountant the heave-ho after we had an audit that found out over 75,000 was missing from our bank account and the accountant couldn't explain why.
  
  这段话的意思是:我们查帐时发现我们银行帐户里少了七万五千美元,会计也说不清原委。公司只好把这个会计解雇了。
  
  我们今天要学习的最后一个用语是downsized。 它的使用频率非常高。原因嘛,可能是这个词听起来要比a pink slip或者直接说“解雇”要婉转一些。
  
  Downsize是一个合成词,由down和size两个词组成。Size是规模,down是往下或缩小,合起来意思是缩小规模。
  
  最近几年,许多公司都缩小规模,常常是砍掉公司那些不盈利的部门。这就意味着需要裁掉部分雇员。比方说,你现在工作的工厂生产冰箱、电视机和空调机,目前市场有些不利的变化。我们来看看下面这个例子。
  
  例句-4:Our TV sets just couldn't compete with others on the market. So we closed down that operation and downsized about 600 people who'd been working in that part of the factory.
  
  这个例句的意思是:我们的电视机在市场上竞争不过其它电视机。所以,我们关闭了生产线,裁减了大约六百名在那条生产线工作的工人。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1805
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学习的两个新习惯用语和kiss这个词有关。Kiss意思是“亲吻。”下面来学习用kiss这个词组成的美国习惯用语:kissing cousin。 Kissing cousin这个用语的本意是:在大家庭团聚的时候,关系近到可以在见面时相互亲吻的任何亲戚。
  
  说起来,这个用语诞生在有大家庭传统的美国南部。在过去的美国南部,家庭结构有点像中国农村。人们都有记家谱的习惯,有的家庭第第四、五代人之后的亲戚仍然对他们同其他家庭成员的关系清清楚楚、明明白白。
  
  当然了,到了这个层次的亲戚仍然算得上是kissing cousin。但是从40年代开始,这个短语有了新的含义,人们用它来形容比较相近的事物。我们下面通过一个例句来进一步理解这个用语的用法。
  
  例句-1:These man-made fibers like rayon and nylon are kissing cousins - they're made to look and feel like silk. But I have to tell you, I still prefer the feel of the real thing.
  
  这段话说:像人造丝和尼龙等人造纤维其实都是大同小异:看上去或者是用手摸很像是丝绸。不过我必须得说,我还是更喜欢真材实料的丝绸的那种感觉。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1806
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下面我们再听一个例句,以便帮助听众朋友更好地掌握美国习惯用语kissing cousins的用法。这段话讲的是每年出产上千万辆汽车的几家美国汽车制造公司。
  
  例句-2:Each company puts out cars in different models with different names and prices. But inside they are really kissing cousins: most of the parts are the same no matter what the name.
  
  这段话说:每一家公司都生产很多种类型、牌名、以及价格各不相同的汽车。但是从内部基本结构上看,这些汽车大同小异。不管汽车是什么牌子,它们的大部分零部件完全一样。
  
  接下来我们学习今天要讲的第二个包含kiss这个词的习惯用语:kiss up。这个短语的意思是:通过各种方式从上司或其他重要人物那里获得恩惠和好处。比如说,常见的方式包括阿谀奉承、溜须拍马、当差跑腿、有呼必应、以及对上司唯唯诺诺。
  
  也许不少听众周围就有、或者至少以前见过符合以上描述的人。这种人通常和同事的关系不好。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1807
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们下面听的例句就是一个人讲他办公室里一位这样的同事。
  
  例句-3:Nobody liked Jake because he spent all his time trying to kiss up to our boss. So we were delighted when Jane Brown got the promotion Jake was after with all his kissing up and flattery.
  
  这段话说:没有人喜欢杰克,因为他无时无刻不在努力讨好上司。所以,当珍妮.布朗被提升到杰克一直希望通过讨好上司而得到的那个职位时,大家都非常高兴。
  
  我们刚才谈到,讨好上司的方法之一是唯命是从,即使上司错了也照样唯唯诺诺。下面我们再来听一段话,看看以这种方式取悦上司的人到底能走多远。
  
  例句-4:Pete goes further than anybody else in kissing up to the big boss. If the boss ever told us, "No matter what everybody thinks, the world is flat." Pete would say, "Yes, sir. It sure looks flat to me!"
  
  要是说到奉承大老板,没有人能赛得过彼得。要是老板对我们说:"我不管别人怎么想,反正地球是平的。“彼得保准说:"您说的太对了。我看地球就是平的。”
  
  也许听众朋友已经注意到了,这段话里的if从句:if the boss told us以及主句:Peter would say,他们都使用了虚拟语气,表明这是假设,并不是真地发生了这样的事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1808
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学习两个同nothing这个词有关的习惯用语。 Nothing基本意思是“没有任何东西、没有什么。” 但是需要注意的是,中文里没有能完全同它对应的词。Nothing这个词汇本身具有否定的意思。
  
  换句话说,如果在陈述句中使用了这个词,那么整个句子的意思就是否定的,尽管动词是肯定形式。比如说: there is nothing in the room,房间里什么都没有。这句话的句型结构there is是肯定形式,但是由于有nothing这个词汇,结果意思却是否定形式:房间里什么都没有。
  
  好,下面我们学习习惯用语: nothing to sneeze at。 Sneeze这个词的意思是“打喷嚏,”既可用作名词,也可用作不及物动词。把这个词用作不及物动词时,后面再加上介词at,构成成语动词sneeze at,意思是:看不上、哧之以鼻。而nothing to sneeze at的意思是:绝非让人哧之以鼻的东西,指那些虽然算不上是最好的、但也相当不错的事物。
  
  下面我们听一段话,来体会一下这个习惯用语的用法。
  
  例句-1:So you didn't win the million dollars! But you did win ten thousand, didn't you? Let me tell you, friend, ten thousand dollars is certainly nothing to sneeze at!
  
  这个人说:不错,你的确没有赢到那一百万美元。但是你赢了一万美元,是不是?朋友,听我说一句,一万美元绝对不是可以等闲视之的一笔小钱!
  
  在这里,nothing to sneeze at在比较一百万美元和一万美元的时候被用来形容一万美元,虽然没有一百万美元那么多,但是得到一万美元无论如何也算是相当不错了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1809
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在生活中,经常会发生类似的情况,让人有美中不足的感觉,比如在争夺冠军的时候只得到了亚军。但是细想一下,即使是亚军,也是nothing to sneeze at。
  
  好,我们再来听一段话。讲话的人是父亲,正在安慰女儿。女儿在全州的高中田径运动会上没有取得预期的成绩,正在生自己的气。
  
  例句-2:Okay, honey, you came in second in the 400 meters, not first. But you won the silver medal and you're the second fastest runner in the state. I'd say that's nothing to sneeze at.
  
  我来给大家翻译一下这段父亲对女儿说的话:宝贝儿,就算你在400米赛跑中只得了第二,没争上第一,但是你获得了银牌,是全州跑第二快的人。依我看,这是谁也不能小看的成绩。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1810
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才我们新学了习惯用语nothing to sneeze at。接下来我们再学一个包含nothing这个单词的习惯用语:nothing to write home about。 Write home是给家里写信、或者说写家信。Write home about就是:给家里写信的时候谈到某件事。不过nothing to write home about不只局限于给家里写信。它指的是:任何不值得大书特书的事情。
  
  换句话说,这种事情不值得向朋友推荐,也没有必要在人前眩耀。据一些专家和学者考证,这个用语最早可能是一百年前从出国作战的军人和远航的水手那里流传出来的。当时的邮政系统相当不发达,需要很长时间才能把信送到,所有才有“家书抵万金”的说法。正因为如此,人们写信才有所选择,只谈家乡亲人关心的重要事情。
  
  好,我们现在来听一段话,看看这个习惯用语在日常生活中的实际用法。说话的人昨天晚上在朋友的劝说下刚刚看了一部电影。他对这部电影的感想如何呢?请听众朋友听完这段话之后自己做出回答。
  
  例句-3:The story was hard to believe, and the acting wasn't very good either. It was awfully slow. It didn't quite put me to sleep but this movie's sure nothing to write home about.
  
  下面我来把这段话翻译一下。大家可以对照自己的翻译,看看理解的是否正确。
  
  他说:故事情节令人难以置信,演员的演技也相当平庸,剧情发展慢的要命。这部电影虽然没有把我催入梦乡,但是实在没有什么可取之处。
  
  接下来我们再听一段话,帮助大家理解习惯用语nothing to write home about的用法。
  
  例句-4:The only job Pete could find was selling magazine subscriptions by phone. But it's nothing to write home about -- long hours, low pay and most people are pretty rude when he calls them.
  
  彼得唯一能找到的工作就是打电话推销杂志的订阅。不过这个工作的工作时间长,工资低,而且大多数接电话的人都很不礼貌,实在无足挂齿。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1811
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上一讲学习了两个同nothing这个词有关的习惯用语。一个是:nothing to sneeze at。另外一个是:nothing to write home about。我们在上一次节目里讲过,这两个习惯用语的意思正好相反。一个是不可小看,一个是不值一提。但是它们当中都包含nothing这个词。
  
  今天,我们再学习几个其中含有nothing的用语。第一个是:sweet nothings。这个用语由nothing和sweet两个词组成。当sweet在作形容词用的时候,意思是“甜的,甜蜜的。” Sweet nothings这个习惯用语是指那些情人之间经常说的甜言蜜语和悄悄话,通常都有些夸张。
  
  下面我们来听一段例句。说话的人在警告他的妹妹,在同人约会的时候要倍加小心。
  
  例句-1:Sis, be careful of that guy Peter you have a date with tonight. I hear he’s expert at using sweet nothings to get his way with a girl. Later she find out that’s what they mean -- nothing!
  
  这个人说:妹妹呀,你要提防今天晚上和你约会的那个彼得。我听说他非常擅长用甜言蜜语把姑娘骗到手。到后来,被骗的姑娘才发现,他的那些山盟海誓其实一文不值!
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1812
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下来我们再学一个有nothing这个词的习惯用语。Here goes nothing。这个习惯用语是人们在开始做没有成功把握的事情前说的话。中文里很难找到完全对应的说法,有点像: “不管能成功与否,都只好这样凑合了。”
  
  比如,当人们第一次从10米跳台上跳水,或者第一次从陡峭的山坡上滑雪下来的时候,往往会说这句话。好,下面我们来看一个例句。说话的人正要做一件他最不愿意做,也做不好,但是却又非做不可的事情 - 发表演讲。我们听一听他是怎么对朋友说的。
  
  例句-2:Well, Jack, here goes nothing! Right now I wish I’d spent a lot more time preparing. It’s a tough audience I hear -- Right now I’d rather be anywhere else, even at the dentist!
  
  他说:算了吧,杰克,只能如此了。我现在真希望过去花了更多的时间做准备。听说这次的听众不好对付。我现在除了会场之外,在哪里都行,哪怕是在牙医诊所。
  
  宁愿在牙医诊所让牙医在自己的牙齿上大动干戈,也不愿意演讲,可见不情愿的程度之深。然而又有什么办法呢?只能在说一句Here goes nothing之后,硬着头皮向前闯。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1813
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

接下来我们再学两个同nothing有关的习惯用语:nothing doing。 听众朋友一定再刚开始学习英文的时候就知道了no这个词。当别人提出一个要求的时候,如果不同意,就可以说no。Nothing doing其实也是一种说“不”的方式,只不过再语气上更为坚决。它实际是再说:不行,我不答应,肯定不行。
  
  下面我们听一个例句。说话的人是一个父亲。他的十几岁的儿子刚刚问他,能不能用一下他的汽车到他想约会的女孩子面前炫耀一下。
  
  例句-3:I tell you, nothing doing! I just paid $900 to fix my car after that accident you got into last week. Didn’t I tell you you can’t drive my car again until you lean to be a safe driver!
  
  在美国,驾驶汽车的最低年龄由各州政府决定,一般都在十七,八岁左右。除了一些富有家庭之外,大多家庭不会这么早专门给孩子买汽车。不过,孩子向父母借汽车用是常见的事情。在刚才的例句里,大家听到父亲说了nothing doing,断然拒绝了儿子的要求。
  
  我们现在翻译一下这位父亲说的话:我告诉你,绝对不行!上星期你闯的那场车祸,害得我刚刚花了九百美元修理汽车。我不是跟你说了吗?在你能安全驾驶汽车之前,休想再动我的汽车!
  
  除了nothing doing之外,人们有时候也用其它的说法:no way。还有:forget it。这后两种说法同nothing doing一样,都是坚决拒绝他人要求的时候说的话。但是,要注意的是,这三种说法都不太礼貌。所以,只能在某些适当的时候说,而不能随便使用。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1814
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

好,接下来我们学习今天最后一个习惯用语:in nothing flat。Flat的原意是:平坦的。同nothing用在一起的意思是:一点不差,不多不少。比如,在赛跑比赛的时候,如果说获胜者的成绩是一分钟,one minute flat,那就意味着时间是整整一分钟,一秒不多,一秒不少。同nothing放在一起,nothing flat这个短语的意思是:马上,立即。
  
  我们听听下面的例句,看看一位因为在办公室加班而没有按时回家吃晚饭的丈夫在给妻子打电话解释的时候是怎样使用in nothing flat这个短语的。
  
  例句-4:Darling, I had to stay overtime to finish up writing that contract. But I just finished and I’ll be there for dinner in nothing flat. Sorry to keep you waiting.
  
  这个男人在电话上对妻子说:亲爱的,我不得不加班赶写那份合同。我刚刚把它写完,现在立即回家吃晚饭。对不起,让你久等了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1815
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语有同一个词: dirt。大家也许早知道dirt这个词。它意思是脏东西或尘土;总之是那些令人不快的东西。我们要学的头两个习惯用语和dirt这个词的原意有关。但是用在习惯用语里它的意义转化成“不利情况, 不利消息”甚至“丑闻”了。
  
  我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: dig up dirt on。从字面来看dig up dirt on就是把脏东西挖掘出来。不说你也想得到, 这儿的脏东西一定指那些见不得人的丑事。政界惯用的伎俩就是深挖细查政敌的隐私, 把他那些不为人知的丑闻揭露在光天化日之下, 污损他的形象。我们要听的例子说的就是那么回事。那是个搞政治的老手在谈他们的打击对象。
  
  例句-1:We spent weeks trying to dig up dirt on this guy. We've talked to his enemies and looked at court records. The only dirt we found is two traffic tickets for speeding. I hate to say it, but the guy looks clean.
  
  他说:他们几星期来都在竭力挖那人的丑事。他们向他的仇人打听, 又查看法庭档案, 但是找到的只是两张超速驾驶的交通罚单。他不得不承认, 那人看来是清白的。
  
  他们找那人的冤家打听, 又去查法庭档案, 看来是费尽心机在挖掘不利于那人的资料。所以dig dirt on somebody意思是查找某人的丑事。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1816
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个也包含dirt这个词的习惯用语: sweep the dirt under the rug。 Sweep意思是清扫, 而rug就是地毯。地板上的灰尘垃圾当然有碍观瞻, 而懒得做家务的人会把那些脏东西扫到地毯底下遮人耳目。这就是sweep the dirt under the rug这个习惯用语的出典。我们听个例子来琢磨它的意思。
  
  例句-2:The mayor tried to sweep the corruption dirt at city hall under the rug. But a smart TV reporter dug the dirt up anyway and now these top city officials face criminal charges and maybe jail.
  
  他说:市长试图掩盖市府的腐败丑闻, 但是瞒不过一位电视记者的敏锐眼睛。他还是挖出了这一丑闻。如今市府的那些高级官员面临刑事起诉甚至可能服刑。
  
  这段话里的sweep the corruption dirt at city hall under the rug意思是“掩盖市府腐败丑闻的真相。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1817
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个习惯用语, 里面dirt这个词回到了它的原意: dirt cheap。 Cheap解释为便宜的, 不值钱的。地球陆地的大部分都复盖着泥土。我们很难想出有什么东西比泥土更普遍寻常, 更不值钱的了。可想而知dirt cheap意思一定是极其便宜的, 或者如泥土般一文不值的。我们来听个例子, 说的是Bill以极其低廉的价格买下一栋房子。
  
  例句-3:Bill bought it dirt cheap, or so he thought. Then he heard it was haunted by the ghost of a murdered young woman. Now he and his wife lie awake all night listening for strange noises.
  
  他说:Bill以极便宜的价格买下了这栋房子, 至少他当初是这么认为的。不久他就听说这房子常有个被谋杀的年轻女人的冤魂出没。如今他和太太整夜不敢合眼, 竖着耳朵在听有没有什么古怪的声音。
  
  这段话里的dirt cheap意思是价格极其低廉的。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1818
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上次我们学了由dirt这个词发展而来的习惯用语. Dirt加上后缀y就构成形容词dirty。今天我们要讲的习惯用语都带有dirty这个词。大家一定知道dirty解释为“肮脏的,” 但是在习惯用语里意思转化了, 常用来描述卑鄙的, 不正当的手腕。例如, 我们要学的第一个习惯用语: dirty pool。 Pool在这里指台球。这是一种风行的游戏。玩儿的人在特制的球台上用球竿击打母球来分别撞击十五个彩色的球。有些人在玩台球作赌博时会做手脚欺骗。这就叫做dirty pool。人们逐渐把dirty pool用到其它各种场合, 指任何不正当的行为。
  
  我们来听个例子。它说的是各建筑工程公司在投标争夺承包修筑一条新高速公路的工程。
  
  例句-1:Some company we'd never heard of won the bid although their price was higher than most. Everyone thinks they played dirty pool and bribed the officials who awarded the contract.
  
  他说:一家我们从没听说过的公司中了标, 尽管他们出价高于其他多数公司。大家都认为他们作了不正当交易, 贿赂了授与合同的官员。
  
  这里的dirty pool解释为“不正当手段。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1819
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个含有dirty这个词的习惯用语: down and dirty。这里的dirty还是解释为不正当的, 卑鄙的, 而down在这儿的意思是下流阴险的。所以down and dirty表示的意思类似于dirty pool, 都指正派人不屑于做的卑鄙勾当。
  
  我们听个例子, 说话的人是竞选工作人员, 他在数落他们的对手为了当选而不择手段。
  
  例句-2:This guy ran a real down and dirty campaign; every day he started more rumors about our man's honesty and personal life. But the voters saw he was lying so we easily beat him.
  
  他说:这家伙搞竞选真不择手段。他每天都散布谣言中伤我们候选人品德和私生活。好在选民看透了他在撒谎, 所以我们轻而易举就把他击败了。
  
  这里的down and dirty意思是“卑鄙下流的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1820
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学一个带有dirty这个词的习惯用语: dirty crack。 Crack可以解释为俏皮话或者幽默的玩笑, 但是前面加上dirty意思可就不同了。我们听个例子来琢磨它的含义是什么。这段话说的是Bob在看一场高中橄榄球赛的时候发生的事情, 当时他的球队输了, 他按捺不住站起身来对着场上的四分卫大叫。
  
  例句-3:Finally Bob made a dirty crack about the quarterback -- he called him so dumb he couldn't add up two and two. At this the man next to him got up and hit him in the eye: it turns out the quarterback was his son.
  
  Bob对着那名四分卫叫喊说,他笨得连二加二是多少都算不出来。他身边那人听了这话站起身来就一拳击中Bob的眼睛。原来那名四分卫正是他的宝贝儿子。
  
  在大庭广众间大声责骂别人蠢得连最简单的加法都不会, 这种说法可不是什么无伤大雅的俏皮话, 而是带有侮辱意味的挖苦, 难怪那个父亲听了受不了。可见dirty crack是刺伤人的挖苦话。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1821
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语是包罗万象。当然, 这不是说这一课要把所有的习惯用语都包括在内, 而是说今天要谈的习惯用语的意思都是“一古脑儿统统在内,”而且它们有个共同的词: whole。大家一定知道, whole这个词就解释为“全部的。” 我们要学的第一个习惯用语是:the whole shooting match。 Shooting match原来的意思是射击比赛。
  
  打枪是早年在美国新大陆谋生所必不可少的本领, 因为他们既需要猎取野物, 又得用枪防身。而且在当年的荒山野地里射击还是唯一的消遣娱乐活动, 人们常常会集到一块儿来进行shooting match, 看谁的枪法最准, 而奖品则往往是火鸡或猪。所以shooting match还是当年拓荒生活的一大盛举。然而我们不清楚为什么the whole shooting match被用来表示“全部, 一切,” 只知道从 1750年前后起, 人们就这样说了。
  
  听个例子吧。这段话说的是个有钱的老人。他的亲戚们眼巴巴地盼望着分他的遗产。我们要听听当他果真去世后, 却发生了什么。
  
  例句-1:At least a dozen relatives with smiles on their faces came to hear the lawyer read the will. Imagine their shock to hear he'd left the whole shooting match to a young lady friend.
  
  他说:至少有一打亲戚都满面笑容地赶来听律师宣读遗嘱, 当听到他把遗产一古脑儿全给了他那年轻的女朋友时候, 他们简直象遭到晴天霹雳一样。
  
  The whole shooting match意思是“全部, 一切。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1822
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个意义相似的习惯用语: the whole kit and caboodle。 习惯用语the whole kit and caboodle存在至今有一百五十来年了。 Kit解释为一套设备, 而caboodle可能来自一个古老的荷兰语词汇。原意是“产业、财产。”在口语中有“一整套”的意思。所以the whole kit and caboodle组成短语就是“一切所有”了。
  
  接下来我们要听个例子。说话的人在回忆自己和妻子的年青时代, 当时他们虽然一贫如洗, 但是勇于冒险, 富有闯劲, 有四海为家的精神。
  
  例句-2:Moving was easy back then. We decided to move to California, so we loaded everything we owned - the whole kit and caboodle - in our old car and we drove all the way across the USA.
  
  他说:当年搬家可真方便。我们决定要搬到加州去, 于是把自己的一切所有往我们那旧车上一装, 就开车上路横跨整个美国了。
  
  这段话里的the whole kit and caboodle意思是“一切所有。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1823
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个同样意思的习惯用语: the whole shebang。专家认为shebang这个词来自爱尔兰。原来指一种简陋的小房子, 人们专门在那儿私下酿造和出售whisky。至于the whole shebang怎么会被借用来表示“全部”的呢? 这已经无从查考了。实际上很多习惯用语都是普通民众创造的。他们别出心裁, 寻求新颖的方式来表达日常的老生常谈, 使得语言更有趣味, 而一旦这个新说法迎合大众的心意, 它就广为流传, 逐渐汇入日常生活中的语言主流了。所以学术专家们往往找不到那些习惯用语的出典。
  
  我们还是听个例子吧。它用了the whole shebang这个习惯用语。说话的人要告诉我们他叔叔服装店发生的一场火灾。火灾中发生了什么事情, 请特别注意其中的习惯用语the whole shebang。
  
  例句-3:The fire got out of control, and burned everything: the goods, the furniture, the records - the whole shebang. It was a total loss - a good thing uncle had plenty of fire insurance.
  
  他说:大火来势凶猛无法控制, 货物, 家具, 帐本等全都化为乌有。幸亏叔叔买了数额不小的火险。
  
  这里的the whole shebang意思也是“全部, 一切。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1824
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第279课
  
  
  
  李华到中国去做研究,要走三个月,热恋中的Larry十分思念李华。李华的好友王小燕打电话给Larry安慰他。
  
  (Phone Rings)
  
  LL: Hello.
  
  XY: Hi, Larry. 我是李华的朋友小燕。你好吗?
  
  LL: Well, Gee whiz! Xiaoyan, I haven't heard from you in a long time! What a surprise!
  
  XY: (笑)。是啊,Larry, 好久没联系了,不过,我的名字是王小燕,不是“Gee Whiz Xiaoyan”。
  
  LL: Oh, "Gee whiz"is an expression of surprise or amazement in English, Xiaoyan. I was so surprised to hear your voice, that I said "gee whiz" without really thinking about it.
  
  XY: 哦,gee whiz是感到意外,表示吃惊的意思。我希望接到我的电话是一个意外的惊喜!
  
  LL: Oh, it is definitely a good surprise, Xiaoyan. "Gee whiz" is often used in good situations when something really amazing happens.
  
  XY: 我那天听李华说,她要回中国去做研究。
  
  LL: That's right. Li Hua was awarded a scholarship to do her research.
  
  XY: Gee whiz, 李华这家伙,怎么没告诉我奖学金的事!这可是个好消息。
  
  LL: You are right. It is great news. But, you know, Xiaoyan, I'm really going to miss Li Hua. She will be gone for three whole months!
  
  XY: Gee whiz! 三个月确实不短,不过你放心,一眨眼就过去了。
  
  LL: That's true. So, Xiaoyan, how are you doing?
  
  XY: 挺好的。我现在是中国城一家餐馆的领班了。
  
  LL: You got a new job? Gee whiz, that is great news, Xiaoyan. I'm really happy for you.
  
  XY: 我也很高兴。你知道吗?老板对我很好,餐馆的饭菜也很好吃。
  
  LL: So, which restaurant are you working at, Xiaoyan?
  
  XY: 你听说过金龙吗?
  
  LL: Gee whiz, the Golden Dragon is one of the best Chinese restaurants in New York City! I'll have to come sometime when you are working.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1825
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

XY: 现在李华不在,你过得怎么样,Larry?
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua left for China three days ago. I'm feeling a little sad, but I am holding up.
  
  XY: Holding up? 李华走了,你再伤心也不用去抢银行啊!
  
  LL: Gee whiz, Xiaoyan, your English is really good! We do say that bank robbers "hold up" a bank. But I didn't mean when I said I was "holding up" that I was going to go and rob a bank.
  
  XY: 不是抢银行?那你说的holding up是什么意思?
  
  LL: I meant that I was doing okay. When a person says they are "holding up," they mean that while they are sad or times are tough, they are going ahead with their daily life as best as they can.
  
  XY: 这么说你过得还可以喽?那我就放心了。
  
  LL: But you know, Xiaoyan, it has only been three days since Li Hua left. I am not sure how long I can hold up before I start really missing her.
  
  XY: 最好的办法就是给自己找事做,千万不能闲下来。我那天跟John就是这么说的。
  
  LL: John Smith? I know John, too. What is going on with John?
  
  XY: 公司裁员,他因为资历浅,所以第一批就走人了。
  
  LL: Oh that is too bad! How is John holding up, now that he doesn't have a job?
  
  XY: 我想,还可以吧,他现在正到处找工作呢!
  
  LL: I'm glad John's holding up, and I hope he finds a new job soon.
  
  XY: 他那么聪明,肯定很快就能找到新工作。
  
  LL: Hearing about John's situation makes me a little embarrassed that I'm worried about holding up while Li Hua is gone.
  
  XY: 虽说John的处境比你更糟糕,但是思念自己的女朋友,也没有什么可不好意思的。
  
  LL: You know, Xiaoyan, I wonder if Li Hua is missing me?
  
  XY: Gee whiz, Larry! I wonder how she is holding up in China without you? 她会不会跟你一样度日如年呢?
  
  LL: Li Hua can really take care of herself. If I know Li Hua, she's holding up just fine!
  
  我们今天学习了两个常用语。一个是gee whiz, 是表示惊讶的意思。另一个是holding up 是勉强,凑合的意思。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1826
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry到小燕工作的“金龙”餐馆去找她,发现餐馆里很忙。今天我们要学两个常用语,一个是jumping, 一个是joint.
  
  (Sound of a busy restaurant)
  
  LL: Hi, Xiaoyan. I was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop and say "Hi." -- Wow. This place is jumping!
  
  XY: 没错,真是忙死我了,今天是星期五,每到星期五和星期六晚上,这是餐馆最忙的时候。
  
  LL: So, Xiaoyan, you obviously know that when a person says a place is "jumping" - they mean it is very busy.
  
  XY: 这我还能不知道,别忘了,我可是餐馆的领班。我早就知道,说什么地方jumping就是客人特别多,生意特别好的意思。
  
  LL: Say, Xiaoyan, I'd like to stay and chat with you, but I know you have a lot of work to do. Is there a time when the restaurant isn't jumping?
  
  XY: 你也知道,金龙是中国城生意最好的餐馆,从来就没有闲的时候。
  
  LL: But surely there are times when "The Golden Dragon" is not as jumping as it is tonight.
  
  XY: 相对来说,星期二晚上客人少一些,你要来吃饭,最好是星期二来。
  
  LL: Okay, I will. See you later, Xiaoyan.
  
  XY: 哎,别急着走啊!虽然客人多,但我还是可以休息一小会儿。你等等啊,我跟同事交代一下。(用中文跟另外一位带位小姐交代,对方用中文回答说,没问题。)
  
  LL: Are you sure she doesn't mind working for you when the place is jumping, Xiaoyan?
  
  XY: 没关系,就几分钟的时间,我怎么说也不能让你白跑一趟啊!
  
  LL: That's nice of you, Xiaoyan. You know, I was hoping to have dinner here at "The Golden Dragon", but I didn't expect that it would be jumping like this. How long is the wait for a table, anyway?
  
  XY: 现在来,差不多要等半个小时,再过一会儿,可能就要等上一个小时才有空位了。
  
  LL: Thirty minutes to an hour? That's too long. Is there anyplace nearby I can have dinner that isn't jumping?
  
  XY: 我听说街对面那家德国饭馆挺不错的,而且随时有空位,要不然你去那边试试看?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1827
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, I guess I will have to try the German joint, Xiaoyan.
  
  XY: 你刚才说joint, 我以前也经常听人这么说,joint到底是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: "Joint" is a slang for "place" - and it is often used to refer to restaurants, clubs or other places of entertainment.
  
  XY: 哦,我明白了,joint指的是饭馆、酒吧和夜总会这类地方。我今天又学了个新词。You should go to the German joint then.
  
  LL: I'm just sad I can't eat at your joint, Xiaoyan. After all, the Golden Dragon is the best Chinese restaurant in town.
  
  XY: 金龙确实是这里最好的中餐馆,但是我听说,对面那家德国餐馆真的很不错,不仅味道正宗,价格也很合理,你不会失望的。
  
  LL: Say, Xiaoyan, maybe I can come back after I have dinner and you get off work, and we can go grab a beer at some joint nearby. What do you think about that?
  
  XY: 好啊,你吃完饭再回来找我,如果到时候,客人没有那么多了,我就提前下班,怎么一起去喝两杯。
  
  LL: Okay. See you later!
  
  (Incidental music, door opening sound)
  
  LL: Hello, Xiaoyan.
  
  XY: Larry, 你回来了!Good to see you again.
  
  LL: Good to see you, too, Xiaoyan. So, is this joint still jumping or has business slowed down since earlier this evening?
  
  XY: 现在客人少多了,你等一下,我跟老板打个招呼,就可以走了。
  
  LL: Do you know of any good joints nearby, Xiaoyan, where you can have a beer and listen to music?
  
  XY: 我知道附近有一个爱尔兰酒吧,可以一边喝酒一边听爱尔兰音乐,气氛特别好。
  
  LL: That does sound like fun, Xiaoyan. How do we get to this Irish Pub from here anyway?
  
  XY: 走过去,三条街就到了。
  
  LL: Well, let's hurry over to the Irish joint, Xiaoyan. I could really use a beer!
  
  我们今天学习了两个常用语。一个是jumping, 是指一个地方客人多,生意繁忙。另一个是joint, 是指餐馆、酒吧、夜总会和俱乐部等消遣的地方。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1828
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第281课
  
  
  
  小燕下班后,跟Larry到一家爱尔兰酒吧去喝酒。今天我们要学两个常用语,一个是tough call, 一个是tone it down.
  
  (Sound of a bar and Irish music in the background)
  
  LL: Wow, Xiaoyan, you must be exhausted. Did you work a full shift?
  
  XY: 我今天连着当了两班,double Shift, 快累瘫了。好在这是纽约,能赚不少小费。
  
  LL: So let's eat and drink, shall we? Here's the menu.
  
  XY: 好啊,我饿极了。你觉得点点儿什么好?
  
  LL: It's a tough call, Xiaoyan. There are a lot of great choices, so it's difficult to say that one in particular is the best.
  
  XY: 这有什么好难的!我告诉你什么叫难吧,我的日子才叫难呢!
  
  LL: You know? You are different than Li Hua when you don't understand something. She's so sweet...and you're...
  
  XY: 我怎么样?你是不是觉得我太张扬,不够温柔?我跟李华可不一样。(语气中带有一丝嫉妒)
  
  LL: 'A tough call' is a difficult decision to make, especially when there are so many choices or when something is not clear. For example, choosing the best meal on this menu is a tough call, because so many choices are good!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1829
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

XY: 我知道了,tough call是说很难选择。你是说菜单上很多东西好像都不错,所以很难决定,it's a tough call. 你看,这还有这么多种啤酒,我真不知道该点哪种。It's a tough call too.
  
  LL: Not for me! Excuse me, waiter, I'll have a Guinness please. Make that two Guinnesses, because my friend here is battling a tough call on what beer to order. So have you had to make any other tough calls in your life recently, Xiaoyan?
  
  XY: 有啊。我正拿不定主意,不知道该回去读书,还是再在金龙干一年,多赚点钱。It's really a tough call!
  
  LL: Yeah, especially since you live in New York, where there are lots of opportunities, yet high costs of living. Ah, here come our beers!
  
  XY: 来,让我们为年轻和机会干杯。
  
  *******
  
  LL: The beers are good! How do you like your food, Xiaoyan? Is it better than Golden Dragon's food?
  
  XY: Ha! That's not a tough call at all. 金龙的菜是最好的!
  
  (Cut off due to blaring music音乐声音放大)
  
  LL: (Shouting over the music)Wow that's loud! I wish they'd tone it down!
  
  XY: 什么? Tone it down? 你是想说 turn it down 吧。
  
  LL: Just a minute. (to the waiter) Hey, could you turn down the music, please? We're trying to have a conversation, and we can't hear each other's voices. Thanks!
  
  (音乐声音变小)
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1830
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

XY: Larry, tone it down和turn it down的区别到底在哪里啊?
  
  LL: Well, 'turn it down' means to reduce the noise level of things like music and overall voice level. 'Tone it down' means to cool the overall tone or attitude that someone or someplace has.
  
  XY: 我有点明白了。Turn it down是降低音量。Tone it down是降低声调、语气、改善态度、变得更为和缓的意思。Tone it down能用来指行动吗?比如说,我想请你吃饭,因为我觉得你...
  
  LL: Oh my, Xiaoyan. I think you DO need to tone it down. Perhaps you've had too many beers, haha!
  
  XY: 那其他情况呢?比如说生活习惯和穿着打扮,can we use 'tone it down' for that, too?
  
  LL: Yes. If people are acting out of control, or if they are wearing obnoxious clothing to a formal party, then they need to tone it down.
  
  XY: (生气地) 你是说我的穿着、举止不得体吗?
  
  LL: Hey, Xiaoyan, tone it down. There's no reason to get excited and upset at me. I don't mean YOU specifically. I'm talking about a situation in general.
  
  XY: 那好,这次原谅你。啊,你看那个男的,怎么穿了一件粉红色的外衣,太离谱了。Now, HE needs to tone it down. 不好,他好像冲我们走过来了。
  
  LL: It's your lucky day, Xiaoyan. He's coming over here to buy you a drink!
  
  XY: 不好,三十六计走为上!我们赶快买单吧。
  
  LL: Absolutely. Check please!
  
  我们今天学习了两个常用语。一个是tough call, 意思上很难做的选择。另一个是tone it down, 是指降低语音、语调,让举止、态度变得更加和缓的意思。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1831
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语037讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他接到公司晚宴派对的邀请,但是不想去。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Hi Amy, 我刚刚收到邀请,老板请我们去吃饭。
  
  A:I received one, too.
  
  C:你去吗?
  
  A:Of course. Aren't you?
  
  C:我不太想去。
  
  A:Why not? It's going to be a nice party at an upscale restaurant.
  
  C:我不想跟同事出去玩儿;他们跟我关系虽说都不错,但大家毕竟不是朋友。
  
  A:I'm afraid that doesn't matter. Part of the reason for inviting everyone is to build rapport among all of us who work together.
  
  C:Rapport是什么意思啊。
  
  A:Rapport means building relationships between people, establishing trust and mutual understanding.
  
  C:跟同事搞好关系也不一定非得出去玩儿啊。
  
  A:Attendance at the office party is a part of your job. To go or not to go is not a choice. The boss expects you to be there.
  
  C:这么说是不能不去了。我要是有其它事呢?
  
  A:It better be something important for you to forego the office party and risk offending the boss.
  
  C:我可不想得罪老板,让我再想想吧。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1832
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

到了第二天....
  
  A:Well, CH, did you decide to go to the party?
  
  C:去,不过我要带个朋友。
  
  A:I hate to tell you this, but that would not be acceptable.
  
  C:星期六晚上出去应酬,带个朋友还不行吗?
  
  A:Unless your invitation says "and guest, " it would be poor etiquette to take someone with you.
  
  C:那好,我打个照面,待一会儿就走。
  
  A:That's not going to work either. This is a seated dinner party so you have stay the entire time.
  
  C:晚餐完了我总可以走了吧?
  
  A:You must stay until our host, the boss, stands to indicate that dinner is over. Then good manners dictate you don't leave before your thank him for the evening and tell him good-bye.
  
  C:Amy, 我真没想到,公司派对还会这么郑重其事。还有什么要注意的吗?
  
  A:Just a word of caution. If you drink alcoholic beverages, do it in moderation. Some people forget that rule and overdo it. Not only is it embarrassing, you could jeopardize your job.
  
  C:这我知道,一定注意不会多喝。你能不能再总结一下,看看都有哪些注意事项。
  
  A:Attendance is required. Read your invitation carefully so you know what the occasion is and if guests are included.
  
  C:我知道,还有就是晚宴结束前不能告退。
  
  A:That's right. Don't forget to say your good-byes. And go easy on the alcohol.
  
  C:谢谢你,Amy,我一定照办。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1833
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语038讲
  
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他的美国同事Amy好像显得不太高兴。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Hi Amy, how are you?
  
  A:I'm fine.
  
  C:听上去你好像不太高兴?出什么事了吗?
  
  A:As a matter of fact there is. I consider you a good friend as well as colleague. You know I have tried to help you as much as I can since you came to work at ABC.
  
  C:是啊。这几个月来,你确实帮了我很多忙,我特别感激。
  
  A:Unfortunately we have a problem right now. As we say in the United States, "I have a bone to pick with you".
  
  C:"A bone to pick with me?" 这是什么意思啊?
  
  A:It means that I have a complaint about something that involves you.
  
  C:我什么地方得罪你了吗?
  
  A:Forgive me - I may be wrong, but I think you used my office while I was away last week.
  
  C:没错,你出差的时候。我以为你不会介意呢。
  
  A:I would not have minded if you had asked me first.
  
  C:你走后我才想起来的。正好有个项目快到期了,我需要个安静的地方工作,所以就借用了你的宝地。
  
  A:I understand, but you need to be aware that you shouldn't make yourself at home in someone else's office without first asking permission.
  
  C:对不起,可你是怎么知道的呢?
  
  A:We will have to continue this later. I have a meeting in five minutes.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1834
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当天下午陈豪和Amy又碰面了。
  
  A:Chen Hao, you deserve to know what bothered me about your using my office without asking me first. You were not very considerate in some of the things you did.
  
  C:你能说具体点儿吗?
  
  A:It appears that you ate your lunch in my office.
  
  C:你怎么知道的?
  
  A:There were crumbs all over my desk.
  
  C:那是我不对,应该打扫干净。
  
  A:And how do you explain the missing paper clips? I was down to my last few, and when I came back, there weren't any left.
  
  C:对不起,最后几个回形针用了。
  
  A:And that means that you went through my desk to find them.
  
  C:可大家不都这样吗?我以为可以这样做呢。
  
  A:Well, it's not. Even with good friends. Just because people are not at their desk, doesn't mean that you can make your self at home when they are not there.
  
  C:你说得没错。不过我确实不是有意得罪你。
  
  A:I accept your apology. In the future remember to ask permission before you use a coworker's desk, office equipment or supplies. When you do receive permission, leave everything as you found it.
  
  C:我以后知道了,谢谢你告诉我。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1835
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语039讲
  
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他去找美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Amy, 你在,太好了。你看没看见Marshall, 他简直气死我了。我得马上找到他,把话说清楚。
  
  A:I'm glad he is not around. I don't know what he did, but you need to calm down before you talk to him.
  
  C:冷静?
  
  A:When we are angry, we say things that we don't necessarily mean; but we can't retract them after they are said.
  
  C:我才不管呢!
  
  A:Remember, you are going to have to work with him for a long time unless you plan to leave. If you chew him out now, you will have a difficult, if not impossible, time, rebuilding your relationship. Now tell me what the problem is.
  
  C:他有个项目,要我帮忙。
  
  A:So you agreed?
  
  C:是啊,可以没成想,他错过了最后期限,反而跟老板说是我没有把数据给他,可他压根就没告诉我有什么限期。
  
  A:I understand why you are upset, and rightfully so. I still suggest that you take time to calm yourself and then plan when and how you will confront him. You can't simply run him down in the hall and have it out.
  
  C:我就是要让大家都知道,来评评理。
  
  A:It will only make matters worse. Let's talk after work today and try to avoid Marshall in the meantime.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1836
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下班以后陈豪又见到了Amy。
  
  A:Chen Hao, how are you feeling now? Still angry?
  
  C:我还是不高兴,但已经不那么气了。不过,明天一大早,我还是要让他知道,我很不痛快。
  
  A:May I suggest that you choose a time and place to talk to him?
  
  C:那有什么区别吗?
  
  A:First of all, don't interrupt him when he is working. If the time is not right for him, he may resent your interruption and won't be agreeable to hearing you out.
  
  C:那应该选在什么地方呢?
  
  A:Choose a place to meet with him where others cannot overhear your conversation. This issue is between you two, so keep it private. You don't want to expose your problem to office gossip or draw anyone else in.
  
  C:行。不过,除了昨天的事儿,我得一气儿都告诉他。他讲电话、吃东西声音都太大,纯属扰邻。
  
  A:This will not be the time to take up all sorts of issues with him. Stay focused on what is bothering you now. Otherwise, he will just think that you are whining.
  
  C:Amy, 你能不能再告诉我一遍,要怎么处理跟同事的纠纷?
  
  A:First, take time to calm down. Select a private spot to talk. Plan what you will say and know what you want the outcome to be.
  
  C:谢谢你,Amy.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1837
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都由同一个词发展而来: steal。大家也许知道steal解释为“偷,”是以不正当手段取得原本属于别人的东西。我们要学的习惯用语都跟这个意思有关。第一个是:steal someone's thunder。 Thunder这个词的意思是雷电。习惯用语steal someone's thunder,指的是剽窃某人尚未发表的想法观点或发明创造。这种行为往往出于嫉妒或者企图攫取他人的成果和荣誉。
  
  我们听个例子。说话的人是一位科学家。正当他准备宣布自己和手下的研究人员发明了一种有可能治愈癌症的新药, 却发现刚进他那研究小组的一名成员已经把这项研究成果窃为己有了。那是怎么回事呢? 他马上要告诉你。
  
  例句-1:I couldn't believe how he stole our thunder - he told a reporter about the new drug, so the papers gave him the credit but not all the people who actually did the work.
  
  原来这个人抢先一步对记者宣告这种新药。这一来报刊就把功劳都归给他, 却忽略了真正为此付出辛劳的人。
  
  刚才说过这家伙刚加入研究小组不久, 却把小组其他成员长期研究的成果拿去宣扬, 并且居他人之功, 可见stole someone's thunder意思是: 窃取他人的尚未发表的观点或发明, 居他人之功。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1838
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实刚才那位科学家还可以那样描述这个窃取他们成果的人: steal the spotlight。Spotlight是聚光灯, 舞台上的聚光灯时常对准了大明星, 因为他是重要人物, 但是有时候一个配角却会硬挤到中心位置来, 想把观众的注意力从主角转移到自己身上来。我们就说他steal the spotlight。
  
  这个习惯用语已经从演艺界流传到其它领域。 例如, 在竞选中政敌之间也会steal the spotlight。
  
  我们来听一位竞选干事诉说一次失败的经历。他在帮一位大都市的市长争取州长职务。为了收到最佳宣传效果, 他精心策划款待全州大人物的餐会, 让市长在要人济济一堂时当众宣布参选。想不到政敌耍弄手腕破坏了他的巧妙安排。我们来听听政敌使出了什么计谋。
  
  例句-2:Our rival called a surprise press conference that night to announce his plan to cut state taxes 25 percent. So he stole the spotlight from us on TV that night and in the papers the next morning.
  
  他说:我们的政敌那天晚上出乎意料地召开记者招待会, 宣布他要把州税削减百分之二十五的计划, 于是他在当天晚上的电视和第二天早上的报上都抢走了我们的风头。
  
  他们的政敌通过记者招待会宣布减税引起新闻界的注目和轰动, 使人们的注意力集中到这个政敌身上而忽略了他们的餐会。政敌使的是转移注意力的一招, 所以steal the spotlight from someone意思是施展手腕抢他人的风头。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1839
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才学到的两个习惯用语都带有负面的意思, 不论是剽窃他人的研究成果,还是耍手段抢他人的风头都不是光明正大的行为。但是我们接着要学的习惯用语有所不同。它是:steal the show。 Show原本的意思是表演。有些配角的演技实在精彩, 深深地吸引观众, 以至配角的光彩使得主角黯然失色, 这就是steal the show这个短语原来的意思, 但是它不仅可以用在戏剧界也能用于商界或运动场等其他场合。
  
  比方说, 一名默默无闻的球员在一场足球赛中以出色的球艺一举成名, 就可以说: He steals the show。然而我们要给大家的例子说的还是表演艺术。这是在评论一部以家庭关系为主题的新电影。剧中有个十多岁的儿子对生活困惑不解, 不理解人生的意义何在。
  
  我们仔细听这个例子, 特别注意其中的习惯用语steal the show和刚才的steal the spotlight有什么不同。
  
  例句-3:The two stars who play the father and mother are good in the lead roles but this young man who plays the son steals the show. I never heard of him before, but I predict he'll be a real star.
  
  他说:扮演剧中的主角, 父亲和母亲的两位明星都相当称职, 但是扮演儿子的这位青年却崭露头角, 虽然他原来没什么名气, 但是我预计他会成为真正的明日之星。
  
  电影中的儿子虽还不是明星, 但是演技崭露头角, 甚至令头牌明星黯然失色,所以steals the show意思是崭露头角, 令他人相形失色。这位青年演员依靠自身的才华压下了他人的光彩;他没有耍弄任何计谋手腕去不公平地占别人的便宜。他跟刚才的那个政敌不同。那名政敌通过政治手腕来steal the spotlight。所以steals the show是褒义的说法, 而steal the spotlight是贬义的说法。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1840
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语040讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他看见美国同事Amy正跟办公室另外几个人一起出去。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Amy, Are you guys going to lunch?
  
  A:Yes. Would you like to join us?
  
  C:好啊。我跟你们一起去。
  
  A:I have to make one phone call before I leave. Would you like to wait for me or go ahead with everyone else?
  
  C:我等你。
  
  A:Thank you.
  
  C:No problem.
  
  A:Say, Chen Hao, my phone call can wait a few minutes. I need to tell you something while it is on my mind.
  
  C:Uh-oh. 我做错什么事了吗?
  
  A:No, you said something wrong. Actually you said two things that caught my attention.
  
  C:嗯....可我刚才没说什么啊?
  
  A:First, you used the expression "You guys."
  
  C:我那些同事经常把you guys挂在嘴边上,我这可是跟美国人学的。
  
  A:I know they do, but that doesn't mean it's correct or polite.
  
  C:为什么不对呢?
  
  A:Because the word "guy" is an informal term that refers to a man or boy. People today use the plural "guys" without regard for gender. That is not correct usage of the word and it demonstrates a lack of polish.
  
  C:那要是有男有女应该怎么说呢?
  
  A:You could have simply asked, "Are you going to lunch?" Or you could have said, "Are you ALL going to lunch?"
  
  C:我知道了。
  
  A:Now please excuse me while I make that quick phone call. Otherwise we'll miss lunch altogether.
  
  C:No problem.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1841
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Amy打完电话跟陈豪一起去吃午饭。
  
  C:Amy, 你刚才不是还要纠正我另外一个错误吗?
  
  A:Yes. I have noticed that when someone says "thank you", your response is always "no problem."
  
  C:我经常听别人这么说啊,难道这也不对吗?
  
  A:Lots of people say that in response to "thank you." However, that is not the correct reply. The correct response to "thank you" is "You are welcome."
  
  C:Amy, 你是不是太挑剔了?
  
  A:No, it's being polite and polished. "You guys" and "no problem" are slang phrases which are not formal.
  
  C:俚语?
  
  A:That's right. Slang expressions will detract from your professional image. "You guys" is only acceptable with a group of men in a very informal setting like the locker room.
  
  C:那"no problem"呢?
  
  A:It is only acceptable when someone asks if you have problem with something.
  
  C:我明白了,就是说一定要注意区分俚语和正规语言,特别是不能在正式场合乱用俚语。
  
  A:You got it! Now let's eat. I am starving.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1842
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语041讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。美国同事Amy今天来找他。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Chen Hao, how is everything going with your new responsibilities? I heard that you have been asked to handle our customer complaints.
  
  CH:这个差事可真不好干。不知道老板干嘛让我跟投诉的顾客打交道。
  
  A:I think you were asked because you are concerned about being courtesy and polite.
  
  C:可是顾客在电话里大吵大闹的时候,要继续保持礼貌,还真需要训练有素才行。
  
  A:What kind of challenges have you had?
  
  C:很多时候,投诉的人打电话过来,其实我已经知道该怎么解决他们的问题了,可他们就是不听我讲话,没完没了地抱怨。
  
  A:You need to let them vent.
  
  C:Vent? 什么是vent?
  
  A:It means to let people express their feelings or emotions.
  
  C:那我就得耐心等他们把怨气全都发泄出来吗?
  
  A:That's right. Don't interrupt them even when you understand the problem and the solution.
  
  C:那不是浪费时间吗!
  
  A:When people are angry or upset, they need to talk about it. If you listen patiently, by the time most people get to the end of their tirade, they feel better and are not nearly so upset.
  
  C:我要是中途打断他们呢?
  
  A:They think you are not listening to them. And when you interrupt, you may miss an important detail that will help you deal with the problem.
  
  C:那倒是。有时候我没听完就下结论,往往都是错的。
  
  A:When your customers realize that you are listening and caring about their problem, they often calm down.
  
  C:你在这方面好像很有经验,下午有时间再给我讲讲!
  
  A:Sure.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1843
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下班后,陈豪又碰到Amy。
  
  C:Amy,今天天气真好,咱们走路回家吧!
  
  A:That sounds good to me. So what other questions do you have about handling difficult situations with good manners and customer service?
  
  C:有时候顾客蛮不讲理,就好像一切都是我的错。
  
  A:You need to realize that the customer does not care whose fault it is. It's ABC's fault and you represent ABC to them.
  
  C:那我该怎么跟他们解释呢?
  
  A:Simple. You apologize.
  
  C:Apologize? 明明不是我的错,我还得道歉。这不是替人受过吗!
  
  A:And be sure that you sound sincere. People can tell by your tone of voice if you mean it or not.
  
  C:还有什么其他建议吗?
  
  A:Let them know exactly what steps will be taken to correct the situation and whom to contact if it is not resolved.
  
  C:需要注意的事情真是太多了。Amy, 你能总结一下吗?
  
  A:Listen patiently to your customers. Apologize and take responsibility. Let them know how the problem will be resolved.
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1844
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语有一个共同的关键词: powder。大家也许知道powder是粉末。有各种各样的粉末, 例如女士化妆用的香粉, 还有火药或者病人用的药粉等等。
  
  在我们要学的第一个习惯用语里的powder指化妆的香粉: powder-puff。 Powder-puff是粉扑。粉扑松松软软, 是美容化妆用品, 但是powder-puff作为习惯用语却另有两种不同的意思。我们听个例子来琢磨它指什么。这是位男士在评论女子篮球运动。
  
  例句-1:I thought women's basketball was a powder-puff sport until I went to see my sister play. I was wrong - they dribble and pass better than men and they play tough defense too.
  
  原来他看了妹妹打篮球后才知道自己过去对女篮的看法错了, 其实女篮运动员的运球和传球技术胜过男运动员, 而且她们的防守也很过硬。
  
  既然他现在有这样的看法, 想必过去他一定认为女篮运动员的球艺不如男子。所以他说: I thought women's basketball was a powder-puff sport,而powder-puff sport的意思是妇女参加的体育运动, 言下之意是难度低,竞争无力的, 含义类似于中国成语“花拳绣腿。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1845
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

习惯用语powder-puff还有一种意思。人们谈生意经的时候会用到它。我们再听个例子来体会它的意思。说话的人在对朋友评论一家公司。
  
  例句-2:If you're smart, don't invest any money in that business. They talk big but it's just a small powder-puff company; they don't have enough capital and their marketing program is a joke.
  
  他对朋友说:你要是明智就别向那家企业投资。他们只会夸海口,但不过是个不起眼儿的小公司;他们没有足够的资本,他们的销售方案简直是块笑料。
  
  可见powder-puff在这儿的意思是微不足道, 无足轻重的。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1846
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个有powder这个词的习惯用语, 但是里面的powder不再是香粉而是老式枪炮里用的黑色火药。这个习惯用语是: powder keg。 Keg是小木桶, 过去人们用它来装运火药。 Powder keg当然就是火药桶。它在当年可真是危险品, 尤其对长年靠近火药桶的士兵说来更是如此。要是把点烟的火柴随手一丢, 而火药桶盖子又是开着的话, 那么不仅自己会粉身碎骨, 连带旁边的人也同归于尽。所以至少在150来年前, powder keg就被用来描绘危险一触即发的局势了。虽然当今的keg里面装的不再是火药, 而是啤酒之类, 但是习惯用语powder keg仍然流行。新闻记者常会用它来比喻紧张的局势。我们来听个电视记者怎样描绘南斯拉夫的局面。
  
  例句-3:Despite all the diplomatic efforts to achieve peace, Yugoslavia is still a powder keg waiting for a match to set off another round of fighting between the warring factions.
  
  他说:尽管人们在南斯拉夫作了种种外交努力希望实现和平, 但是那里的危局仍会一触即发;星星之火就能使交战各方间再次爆发战斗。
  
  这里的powder keg用来比喻一触即发的危局。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1847
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实powder keg可以用来指任何隐伏的危机。我们再听个例子。这是个竞选干事在跟共事的伙伴商谈。他们的侯选人有过一段不为人知的丑闻。我们听听他怎么谈论他们面临的危机。
  
  例句-4:Joe, we're sitting on a powder keg. If the media find out about this messy scandal, it'll blow our campaign sky-high! Our candidate will be finished and so will we.
  
  他说:Joe, 我们就像坐在火药桶上那样危险。万一新闻界发现这段不光彩的丑事, 我们的竞选班子非得被他们闹个天地覆。侯选人连带我们都会统统完蛋。
  
  这里的powder keg用来比喻隐伏的危机。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1848
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语里有这样一个词: poop。 Poop有好多种不同的解释。在今天我们要学的习惯用语里poop是俚语, 指真实可靠的消息或者情报。 Poop作这种解释的时候前面往往有real ,或者straight之类的形容词。
  
  例如今天的第一个习惯用语: the real poop。我们听个例子。说话的人听到了关于一对夫妇的流言,正在跟朋友打听虚实。
  
  例句-1:Hey, I heard Bill and Mary are splitting up because Bill's seeing another woman! Do you know the real poop - is it true or is it just one of those nasty rumors we hear all the time?
  
  他说:嘿, 我听说Bill和Mary要分手了, 因为Bill另有新欢。你知道可靠消息吗?这传闻究竟是真的, 还只是常年少不了的流言蜚语?
  
  这里的the real poop意思是真实可靠的消息。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1849
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Poop这个词约莫在二次大战期间开始成为军队内的俚语,指可靠情报,因为当时快速精确的情报是军事行动成败的一大关键。我们来听一位参战陆军上校在命令一名陆军中士侦察一列德军坦克队是否正冲他而来。
  
  例句-2:Sergeant, we have a report a column of German tanks is only 15 kilometers up that road. We need the straight poop right away - send a patrol up the road to find out if it's true.
  
  这位上校说:中士,我们得到报告一列德国坦克队在那条路上和我们相距仅十五公里的地方。我们立即需要确切情报,你派遣一支侦察队去那条道路查明这一情报是否确实。
  
  你注意到吗?他在poop前面用了straight, straight poop和real poop都强调情报的确实可信。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1850
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个由poop发展而来的习惯用语: poop sheet。 Sheet是纸张,所以poop sheet就是印着信息的文纸,也就是打印成文的信息,或者书面信息。可能是书面通知,也可能是书面指令或指示之类的东西。跟我们刚学到的the real poop一样, poop sheet也可能起源于军方。
  
  我们要听的第一个例子说的就是军队内的事儿。说话的是个海军士兵,他刚在军舰的布告栏读到了舰长的通知,令他十分扫兴。现在正告诉他的伙伴。
  
  例句-3:Did you see the latest poop sheet from the captain? It has ordered us to shave off all moustaches. Hey, I spent six months growing mine. But I guess I don't have much choice.
  
  他说:你看到舰长发出的告示了吗?他命令所有的人都得把胡子刮干净。唉,我花了六个月时间才留起这些胡子,但是我想我也没多少可选择的余地。
  
  这里的poop sheet是书面告示。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1851
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子,里面的poop sheet不是书面告示,而是书面指示。当前美国有好多生产商经销的商品都是需要顾客买回家后自己动手进行组装的。这便于运输而且对顾客说来也经济实惠。我们来听听一个父亲说自己给儿子组装一辆新自行车的事。他碰到问题了。这就要告诉你问题是什么。
  
  例句-4:When I finished, I had two pieces left over and I'd already thrown away the poop sheet that tells where they go. But the funny thing is the bike seems to work okay without them.
  
  那个爸爸说:我装好后还剩下两个零件没处安,但我已经把组装说明书扔掉了。奇怪的是这辆自行车少了两个部件却好像一切正常。
  
  他话里的poop sheet是组装说明书。他遇上了个时常会发生的问题。他可能还在担心: 这自行车要是有一天正在他儿子骑着的时候突然散架可不得了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1852
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第282课
  
  
  
  Larry早上起来正在看报纸,忽然接到小燕的电话。今天我们要学两个常用语:short fuse和out of this world.
  
  LL: Hello?
  
  XY: Hey Larry! 你起床了?昨天玩到那么晚,我不会把你吵醒了吧!
  
  LL: Hey no problem. I was just reading the newspaper and drinking a lot of water. I have quite a headache. I can't believe you bought so many beers for me last night!
  
  XY: 我愿意!昨天我可能也喝多了点,当着你的面跟酒吧里的服务生吵架,真不好意思,对不起了。
  
  LL: Well, Xiaoyan, it's not really a problem at all. I mean, you tend to have a short fuse anyway.
  
  XY: Short fuse这是什么意思啊?你每次都说这些我听不懂的话,真是急死我了。
  
  LL: There's a perfect example! When a person has a "short fuse," it means that they have a short temper - they get angry very easily! Now don't get mad because I said this, or you will further prove my point - haha!
  
  XY: 噢,你是说我急脾气啊。这我承认。不过,我更愿意听人家说我是一个“充满激情”的女人。
  
  LL: Having a short fuse can be a good thing, sometimes, but most of the time, I must admit that it can be a bit intimidating or scary. It's why I try my best to keep you from blowing your fuse - or erupting in anger. It's ok, my new boss is like this - and I can handle it.
  
  XY: 你真觉得我的脾气有些吓人吗?那我一定改正。对了,你下午有空吗?我请你吃午饭,而且还有新车接送。不是我吹,买车的时候讨价还价,我可是镇定自若,没发脾气。I did not blow my fuse!
  
  LL: I'm impressed, Xiaoyan! Number one, you have a new car. Number two, you didn't blow your fuse! So what time were you thinking, since you have the car?
  
  XY: 下午一点怎么样?这样你还有时间“梳妆打扮”,以帅哥的形象出现在我的面前。(笑)
  
  LL: Ok. Do you need directions?
  
  XY: 不用,我有全球定位系统。我保证,就算走丢了,我也不会打电话跟你发脾气。
  
  LL: OK, just call me if there's a problem!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1853
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Wow. Nice car! You must have saved your tip money for YEARS to get such a nice one....
  
  XY: 勤俭节约可是我最大的优点。
  
  LL: Since you're driving, I'll pick the joint we'll go to. There's a diner just down the street that's good.
  
  XY: 这家餐馆从外面看起来好象不错,我们进去吧。
  
  LL: So here's the menu. Their sandwiches are absolutely out of this world.
  
  XY: out of this world? 你吃他们的外星三明治吧。我只要个色拉就行了。Larry, 有的时候,我真怀疑你是不是有点疯狂,也许这就是你吸引人.....
  
  LL: Xiaoyan. "Out of this world" means really, really good. Excellent. Superb. Delicious. The best.
  
  XY: 哦,out of this world意思是好吃得不得了,简直非人间食物。那我可得来一个。既然你对吃的东西这么在行,我能不能说你的品味也是"out of this world" 呢?
  
  LL: Ha ha. Yeah, but you're the first person to ever tell me that!
  
  XY: 真的吗?那我再告诉你个秘密:我觉得你这个人也不是一般男人能比的: You are out of this world!
  
  LL: Um... (embarrassed) hey hey... now, anyway, with the sandwiches...
  
  XY: 服务生!给我们来两个你们这儿最好的三明治,外加两杯咖啡。希望你们的咖啡也是香浓美味, out of this world!
  
  LL: So, Xiaoyan, I wanted to tell you something...
  
  XY: 你先听我说,我有个绝妙的主意,就是不知道你明天晚上是不是有空?
  
  LL: That depends, Xiayan, because...
  
  XY: 我想带你去见我父母。他们在这里的侨界非常活跃,我想让他们认识一下你。
  
  LL: Are you sure this is a good idea?
  
  XY: (严肃地)当然是个好主意喽!怎么会不是好主意呢?
  
  LL: Well, perhaps they'd get the wrong impression. Perhaps I'm getting the wrong impression from you, too.
  
  XY: 误解?不会有什么误解的。怎么样,星期天下午五点我开车来接你。咱们就这么定了。
  
  LL: (Reluctantly) Ok, Xiaoyan. I must admit - your powers of persuasion are out of this world, as well.
  
  XY: 没错,我最能说服人了,你就听我一次吧!
  
  我们今天学习了两个常用语。一个是short fuse, 意思是急脾气。另一个是out of this world, 意思是极其美妙。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1854
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语042讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他去找美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Amy, 我有个问题请教你。
  
  A:I'll be happy to try to answer your question, but I don't have a lot of time. I have a meeting in a few minutes.
  
  CH:就几句话,是关于回电子邮件的。
  
  A:Can you explain what you mean?
  
  C:今天早上,我收到通知,说要开会,让大家回个email, 看能不能参加。我就"reply to all"说能来。
  
  A:What happened?
  
  C:先后有三个人发电子邮件给我,叫我不要把回复的电子邮件寄给他们,好像挺不高兴的。
  
  A:They have a very good point. When you get a message by e-mail to announce a meeting, you should not reply to everyone else who received the e-mail. Your response should go only to the sender.
  
  C:可我也经常会收到没用的电子邮件,我就觉得无所谓。
  
  A:Your reaction may have to do with your laid-back personality.
  
  C:Laid-back personality?
  
  A:Laid-back means easy-going. No one wants to get unnecessary e-mail like the one you sent. You are not being thoughtful of other people's time.
  
  C:我真没意识到别人会介意。
  
  A:In the future think before you reply to all. Oh, I'm sorry, Chen Hao, but I've really got to go.
  
  C:谢谢你,Amy. 我还有个小问题,你散会能给我打个电话吗?
  
  A:Sure. I call you after the meeting.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1855
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下午陈豪在办公室写报告。
  
  Telephone rang....
  
  C:Good afternoon. Accounting department. This is Chen Hao.
  
  A:Hi CH. I am out of my meeting and wanted to call you before I go home.
  
  C:太好了。我的问题是,我不知道回复电子邮件,什么时候用CC, 什么时候用BCC.
  
  A:You are not alone. Lots of people have the same issue. "CC" means "courtesy copy." You use "CC" whenever you need to inform someone of what is being done but they are not responsible for doing it.
  
  C:你能举个例子吗?
  
  A:When your colleague needs to be sure that you know your duties, he sends the e-mail to you. However he sends a copy to your boss so he knows what is going on. You can see that your boss got the e-mail, too.
  
  C:就是说,如果Kevin让我在星期五之前把报表做完,他可以写个电子邮件给我,然后CC给我老板。那BCC呢?
  
  A:"Bcc" stands for "blind "courtesy copy." It's used when you don't want the receiver to know who else got the message.
  
  C:你是说不让收件人知道还有其他收件人吗?
  
  A:That's right. The only time I find "Bcc" acceptable is when you don't want to reveal all the e-mail addresses of the people you are mailing to for security purposes.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1856
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语043讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他在休息室里遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Hi Amy, how are you?
  
  A:I'm fine, thank you. And you?
  
  CH:还好。
  
  A:So why the puzzled look on your face?
  
  C:今天早上接到我的同事Sue的电子邮件,说想给另外一个同事Lyn开40岁的birthday party,生日派对。
  
  A:Oh, how nice. What are the details of the party?
  
  C:Sue要组织大家星期五在楼下的意大利餐馆吃饭,而且还得带个礼物去。
  
  A:How do you feel about that?
  
  C:我觉得有点尴尬。我跟Lyn并不熟,不知道该给她买点什么,另外我也不知道花多少钱合适。
  
  A:I agree that these occasions can be uncomfortable, especially when you don't know the person well or you are asked to buy a gift.
  
  C:那我是不是应该给Sue发个email回绝算了呢?

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1857
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

A:This is not the time to send an e-mail. Your words might be misunderstood. You need to discuss this and e-mail does not lend itself to discussion.
  
  C:要不我就说星期五已经安排了其他事儿?
  
  A:That's not a good idea, especially if everyone else in your department is participating. Talk to Sue.
  
  C:那好吧。
  
  ******
  
  第二天,陈豪在办公室走廊上遇到了Amy.
  
  A:Hi, Chen Hao. How did it go? Did you talk to Sue?
  
  C:我昨天下午去找Sue,跟她说了我的顾虑。
  
  A:I'm curious to know what happened.
  
  C:谈得还不错。她说另外还有几个人找过她,提出了各种问题。
  
  A:Like what?
  
  C:有的人说跟Lyn不熟, 买礼物好像不太合适。但是大家并不介意凑份子,一起给Lyn买个像样的礼物。
  
  A:Sometimes with these events, people aren't sure how much to spend, like you, and they don't want to come off looking stingy or cheap. Occasionally someone just doesn't have any extra money to spend on an unanticipated expense.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1858
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

 C:其实我手头也有点紧。
  
  A:So did you work things out?
  
  C:Sue决定大家一起凑钱给Lyn买礼物,每人只要交几块钱就行了。她还说,如果有人不愿意,也没有关系。
  
  A:That sounds like you all came up with the perfect solution. It is always nice to recognize special occasions in the office, like birthdays, weddings and the arrival of babies.
  
  C:不过我觉得,办公室里遇到这种事情,应该有一个大家都觉得合适的做法。
  
  A:I agree. These occasions are opportunities to build relationships with our co-workers, get to know each other outside the office and have some fun together. B if everyone is not in agreement, you'll create ill will instead of good will.

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1859
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语044讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他有个问题要请教美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi Amy. 你有一点儿时间吗?我有个问题想问你。
  
  A:Sure, I need a little break.
  
  C:我听说最近从美国西岸调过来的几个同事在要求什么"business casual", 什么是"business casual" 啊?
  
  A:Business casual is the term given to dressing down at work.
  
  C:Dressing down?
  
  A:Yes. If you usually wear a suit and tie to work, dressing down means wearing a sport jacket and tie. If you normally wear a sport jacket and tie, to dress down, you leave off either the jacket or the tie.
  
  C:我们不是周一到周五都应该穿西装打领带。为什么又要休闲呢?
  
  A:It's an American phenomenon that started on the west coast of the US years ago. Some people believe that they are more productive when they are dressed in comfortable relaxed clothing.
  
  C:那你觉得穿着舒适休闲会提高工作效率吗?
  
  A:Personally I do not feel as confident or professional when I dress down. I believe that I lose some of my credibility.
  
  C:我们的新老板会不会考虑放松我们的着装要求呢?
  
  A:Well, I have heard a rumor that he might, but only once a week - on Friday.
  
  C:哦,怪不得我听大家都在说casual Friday, 休闲星期五呢!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1860
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

MC:第二天,陈豪在饭厅里遇到了Amy.
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao. Did you hear the news about Casual Friday? The boss has agreed to try it for three months to see how it works.
  
  C:这么说以后星期五我们愿意穿什么就穿什么喽?
  
  A:Not at all. True business casual means dressing down just one notch from business professional. You don't have to wear a suit and tie, but it doesn't mean that your old jeans and a T-shirt are acceptable.
  
  C:怎么还那么多讲究啊?
  
  A:Yes, this is business casual. Think of it as a merger of professional and casual clothing. Professional clothing is tailored, consists of suits and ties, dark to medium colors and fine fabrics.
  
  C:职业性装束要求穿西装、打领带。那休闲服装呢?
  
  A:Casual clothing is loose, relaxed, and made of softer fabrics and includes things like jeans, shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes.
  
  C:Business casual就是介于二者之间喽?换句话说,我不用穿西装,但是也不能穿T-恤衫和球鞋上班了。
  
  A:That's right. We need to combine the business credible look with the comfortable creative look.
  
  C:看来我要出去买衣服了!

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1861
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次学了由poop这个词发展而来的习惯用语,the real poop和poop sheet,里面的poop都有信息的意思。今天我们还要讲两个由poop组成的习惯用语,但是今天说到的poop含义完全不同。它是筋疲力尽的,无精打彩的意思。
  
  我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: pooped out。 你注意到了吗? 这里的pooped是当形容词用的过去分词。 我们来听个例子。这是个刚从办公室下班回家的丈夫,太太想要和他一起出去吃晚饭。我们听听他意下如何。
  
  例句-1:Honey, I'm sorry, it's been a long, hard day and I'm really pooped out tonight. How about just eating a bite of something, watching a little television and then going to bed early?
  
  他说:亲爱的,今天这一天可真够受的。今晚上我实在是精疲力尽了。我们要不要就随便吃点儿, 看会儿电视,然后早点睡觉?
  
  这位先生忙了一整天,到晚上回家经累得都不想动弹了,所以习惯用语pooped out含义是“筋疲力尽的。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1862
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这回觉得筋疲力尽的是妻子了。这位太太是个医生,每天在医院的工作时间长达十小时,难怪她会累。现在是她的丈夫在描述他家的情况。
  
  例句-2:Linda comes home every night all pooped out. I'm a writer and work at home. So I cook supper for the kids and help with their homework. We're busy but we manage all right.
  
  他说:Linda 每晚回家都累得筋疲力尽的,而我是个作家,在家里工作,所以由我来给孩子做晚饭,还帮他们做作业。我们很忙,但是还能对付。
  
  这段话里的pooped out意思也是筋疲力尽的。在当今的美国,像这样的双职工家庭已经越来越普遍。这当然为家庭带来了双份的收入,使家里经济更为宽裕,但是家长也得想方设法料理家务并照顾孩子,于是家长们往往会觉得pooped out。我们有时也可以只用pooped来表示“累。”比方在下面这句话里: I just played five sets of tennis and I'm too pooped even to go take a shower。他刚打完五局网球, 累得甚至都不想去洗澡了。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1863
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯用语,里面有pooper这个词: party-pooper。 这里的party指社交聚会。 Party-pooper是有时在party里会碰到的一种人。我们听个例子来琢磨party-pooper指什么样的人。
  
  一对夫妇打算节日请亲朋好友来聚聚。他们正在商量请哪些人。他们不想请Bill,因为他是party-pooper。好,我们听听为什么Bill是party-pooper。
  
  例句-3:Let's not invite Bill; he's a real party-pooper. He sits around looking bored and looks at his watch every five minutes like he can't wait to go home.
  
  他提议别请Bill, 因为他真是个party-pooper. 他坐在边上看来厌烦不堪,而且每五分钟就看一次手表,似乎急不可待地要回家。
  
  Bill显然对这种社交场合缺乏兴致,跟这样的人一起参加party必然很扫兴,所以party-pooper就是在社交场合令人扫兴的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1864
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Party-pooper往往是性格孤僻的人,但是有些人只是因为个人生活的变化或者年老体衰而成为party-pooper。待会儿你听到的就是这样一个例子。说话的人的老朋友Joe约他晚上参加扑克聚会。他表示谢绝。我们听听那是为什么
  
  例句-4:Joe, I'm afraid getting married has turned me into a party-pooper. The truth is I'd rather have a quiet evening home in front of the fire with Sally than be out anywhere else.
  
  他说:Joe,恐怕结婚成家使我成了个不爱交际的怪僻。说真的,晚上我只想跟Sally一起安安静静地坐在壁炉前,别的地方哪儿也不想去。
  
  这里的party-pooper也是对社交活动不感兴趣,不爱交际的人。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1865
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语都含有end。这是个大家都熟悉的词。它通常解释为末端,但是用在习惯用语里可以有很多不同的意思。例如在下面的习惯用语里ends指对立的两方。Play both ends against the middle。要是某人play both ends against the middle,这人就是在对立双方间玩弄手腕,造成双方相争,使自己得利。
  
  据说这个习惯用语来自一种一百多年前几乎跟poker一样风行的纸牌赌博游戏,叫做faro。不过,它究竟是怎么来的众说纷纭。有一种说法是play both ends against the middle其实就指发牌的庄家让玩牌的人同时下两笔赌注。
  
  另一种说法是它指发牌的庄家做手脚,把某些关键牌的两端削短。这样在必要时庄家就能从一堆牌里认出这些关键的牌来了。我们来听个例子。在竞选公职的时候,有时你会有两个对手跟你竞争。一种取巧的计策就是让这两名对手蚌鹤相争。这样他俩就无暇把你作为攻击对象了。
  
  我们要听的就是那样一个例子。它说的是Ed Green竞选美国东部一个大城市的市长职位。
  
  例句-1:Ed Green won by playing both ends against the middle: one opponent was conservative, the other liberal. So he let them fight it out with each other while he told everybody he was a moderate who could see both sides of a question.
  
  他说:Ed Green在对立两派间耍弄手段而赢得了选举胜利。他的两个竞争对手分别是保守派和自由派,他让他们斗得不可开交,而他却从中渔利,到处宣扬自己是温和的中间派,看问题能两面兼顾。
  
  这里的play both ends against the middle含义是在对立两派间耍弄手段,从中渔利。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1866
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实像这样玩弄手腕的事例不只是政界才有,日常生活中也常有所闻。我们接下来要听的例子就发生在一家大企业要提升雇员的时候。有三个人在竞争这个提升机会,其中一个名叫Smith,他分别到另外两人面前说,在他心目中那个人最适合被提升,然后又加油添醋地说另一个人如何如何说那人的坏话;结果那两人在大庭广众面前吵得天翻地复。后来呢? 我们一起来听。
  
  例句-2:Smith got the job by playing both ends against the middle. The directors picked him because they thought the other two were too bad-tempered to get along with the office staff.
  
  他说:Smith耍弄两面手腕而谋得这个职位。董事会选中了他是因为觉得另外两人脾气太暴躁,不能与工作人员和睦相处。
  
  这里的play both ends against the middle意思还是玩弄手腕,在他人之间挑起事端,使自己得利。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1867
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个从end发展而来的习惯用语,里面的end不是对立两派,而是协议或者合同契约中的某一方所要做的事情: hold up one's end。这里的one's end是协议中某一方当尽的责任和义务,那么整个习惯用语hold up one's end是什么意思呢? 我们听个例子来琢磨。说话的是个父亲。他在跟朋友商量,自己和儿子Randy有过协议,要是儿子大学毕业成绩好的话,他答应给儿子买辆汽车。好,我们听这位父亲怎么说。
  
  例句-3:Well, Randy graduated with high grades. So I have to hold up my end and dig up the money to get him his first car. Say, you know any dealer where I can get a good price?
  
  原来儿子毕业成绩优秀,所以父亲必须掏钱给儿子买第一辆车,他这是在跟朋友打听知不知道哪个价钱比较好的经销商。
  
  既然父亲给儿子打过成绩好就买车的保票,所以父亲现在是在履行当初自己所作的承诺。这样看来习惯用语hold up one's end就是履行自己在协议中的承诺。
  

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1868
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这回说的可是更为正式的协议了。说话的人和表兄讲妥合股开一家钟表修理店。他遵守协议付了店面的租金。协议规定他表兄得出钱买店内家具设备,但是表兄却迟迟不履行承诺。这使他经济窘迫,甚至面临破产。好,我们听听他打算怎么办。
  
  例句-4:I tell you, unless my cousin puts in his share, I'll be broke. I'm afraid I may have to hire a lawyer and go to court to make the guy hold up his end of the deal.
  
  他说:我跟你说吧,要是我表兄再不出他那份钱的话,我就会变成穷光蛋了。恐怕我得雇律师上法庭,迫使那家伙履行他在契约中承担的义务。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1869
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语里都有这样一个关键词汇:hog。美国人常用hog代替pig这个词来指猪。据说猪是最聪明的飞禽走兽之一,然而它们在人们心目中却形象欠佳,人们往往觉得hog肮脏,贪馋,而且坏脾性。比方说,你说某人是hog,那你就是在嘲笑他的吃相难看,或者长相粗俗,举止不雅。然而并不是所有带有hog这个词的短语都有负面的意思。
  
  例如我们要学的第一个习惯用语的含义就是好的:live high off the hog。说某人live high off the hog,是什么意思呢? 我们听个例子。它说的是Green先生。我们体会一下Green先生日子过得怎么样。
  
  例句-1:That man Green has never been able to hold a job more than six months. But he's been living high off the hog ever since his rich aunt died and left him all her money.
  
  他说:Green那人从没有过一份工作能做满六个月的。但是Green那有钱的姑妈去世了,把全部钱财都留给了Green。
  
  可想而知,打那以后Green一定生活宽裕。所以这里的live high off the hog,意思是生活过得很阔气。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1870
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

High off the hog这个习惯用语起源于美国南方。本意是上好的肉类食品,像火腿,排骨之类,都来自猪身的上半部分。
  
  我们再听个例子。这回说的是一对终生克勤克俭的老夫妇用积攒的辛苦钱培养四个子女上完了大学。如今孩子们都成家立业,于是老夫妇俩决定用余下的存款自己享受余生了。
  
  例句-2:With the kids out of the nest, at long last they can live high off the hog. First they'll take a long tour around the world and then buy a house in Florida near the beach.
  
  他说:孩子们都离家独立,他俩终于可以过上宽裕舒心的日子了。首先他们要作环球旅行,然后再在佛罗里达海滨买栋房子。
  
  这里的live high off the hog意思也是过宽裕舒服的日子。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1871
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个带有hog这个词的习惯用语: go whole hog。 Whole意思是“全部的。” 惯用语go whole hog是竭尽全力干到底的意思。关于这个习惯用语的出典众说不一。有一种讲法是很久前在爱尔兰俚语中hog是最大最重的钱币,就是大洋。在当时也算是一大笔钱了,而go whole hog就是把整块大洋一下子花完。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人第一次带上全家人去纽约度假。
  
  例句-3:Sure, it's expensive but I decided to go whole hog. We ate in the best places and saw the top Broadway Shows. Okay, I spent all my money but the family had a wonderful time!
  
  他说:那次度假花费很大,但是我决定一不做,二不休:我们在最豪华的饭馆吃饭,还看了第一流的百老汇歌舞剧。我的确把钱都花了个精光,但是全家玩儿得可真痛快。
  
  这里的go whole hog含义是不惜代价地用上了全部金钱。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1872
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再听个用go whole hog这个习惯用语的例子。说话的人去商店买台电视机,他原打算只买个小的就行了,但是刚巧看到四十英寸大屏幕电视机在减价,他马上联想到在大屏幕上看足球赛该有多过瘾。好了。我们听听他顶得住大电视的诱惑吗?
  
  例句-4:Yes, I went whole hog and bought the big set. My wife was pretty upset when she saw the bill. So I had to take her out to a fancy restaurant for an evening of dining and dancing.
  
  他说:我真是不惜倾囊地买下了那台大电视机。我妻子看到帐单时很不高兴,所以我晚上不得不请她出去吃饭跳舞了。
  
  这里的go whole hog意思也是“花费全部金钱。”

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1873
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了由hog这个词发展而来的两个习惯用语,今天再学两个。大家一定记得hog就是猪。到过猪圈看过喂猪食的人一定知道猪看到饲料会怎么样地争先恐后,兴奋得发狂。今天要学的第一个习惯用语就来自这种场面:go hog wild。 习惯用语go hog wild流传已久,差不多有一个世纪了。它既可以描述高兴得发疯的样子,也可以表示万分激怒。
  
  我们听个例子,想想这里的go hog wild说的是哪一种心理状态。说话的是个爸爸。他在描述自己带一条小狗回家给孩子们一个惊喜。你能想象孩子见了小狗时的情景吗?
  
  例句-1:The kids went hog wild, chasing the poor puppy all around the house, then fighting over who got to hold it, pet it and give it a bowl of dog food.
  
  他说:孩子们简直高兴得发疯,把可怜的小狗追赶得满屋子团团转,接着又争着抢着要抱它,抚摸它,并给它吃一碗狗食。
  
  这里的went hog wild显然表示高兴得发疯。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1874
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

然而养一条可爱的小狗并不老是那么逗乐的。这位爸爸有一天下班回家发现小狗把家里面垃圾撕得满地都是。更气人的是它还在津津有味地大啃爸爸那双最心爱的皮鞋。
  
  例句-2:I went hog wild when I saw this mess, I chased him around, cornered him and was about to spank him when he wagged his tail and licked my hand and I couldn't be mad any more.
  
  他说:我看到这一团糟气得简直发疯。于是我到处追小狗,把它赶到角落里没处逃的地方正要打它,它却又摇尾巴又舔我的手,让我再也生不起气来了。
  
  这段话里的went hog wild意思是气得发疯。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1875
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再来学个带有hog这个词的习惯用语: hog heaven。 Heaven是天堂,但是可以用来泛指任何带来极大快乐的地方。想象一下在泥塘里打滚的猪有多自得其乐。这泥水塘可说是它的天堂了。这可能就是hog heaven这个习惯用语的出典。我们听个例子来体会hog heaven含义是什么。
  
  例句-3:Have you tried that new restaurant that serves all you can eat for seven dollars? It's hog heaven if you like nothing better than to stuff yourself until you can't eat one more bite.
  
  他说:你去过那家新餐馆了吗? 那儿供应每人七美元,吃饱为止的自助餐。这地方对好吃又喜欢把自己塞得涨破肚子的人说来是天堂。
  
  好吃胃口又大的人去这样的餐馆是得其所哉,然而这并不配合每个人的胃口,可见hog heaven是某些人乐在其中的地方。这些人在那儿得到的往往是物质方面的满足。

故乡的云 : 2009-12-31#1876
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

人各有所好。我们接着要听人说他大学同学Jerry的hog heaven. Jerry最喜欢去健身房练举重,练就一身发达的肌肉。
  
  例句-4:Jerry gets so tired lifting weights that he barely has the strength left to get home. But then he's in hog heaven down at the beach when the girls crowd around to admire all his bulging muscles.
  
  他说:Jerry举重累得几乎连回家的力气都没了。但是在海滨当一群姑娘围着观赏他鼓鼓的肌肉的时候,他就觉得飘飘然而忘乎所以了。
  
  这里的be in hog heaven意思是处于自我陶醉的境地。尽管苦练身体或大吃大喝让某些人觉得其乐无穷,是某些人的hog heaven,但都只是让某些人乐在其中;不是每个人,因为人各有所好。此外, hog heaven不同于宗教信念中的天堂。首先正如刚才所说的那样,hog heaven描述的是给某些人极大快乐的地方或场合,其次那种快乐往往是非精神上的肉体享受。

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-31#1877
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第284课
  
  
   
  
  
  
  
  
  Larry跟小燕和小燕的父母吃完饭。今天我们要学两个常用语:at a loss和move on.
  
  XY: 怎么样,我说不用紧张吧!
  
  LL: Well, the food was good! But I think...
  
  XY: 我爸妈好象挺喜欢你的。这可是个好消息,这就意味着....
  
  LL: Means what? Does it mean that they think we'll be together? If so, we have a problem on our hands, Xiaoyan!
  
  XY: 不用担心。我妈觉得你特别可爱,说你将来肯定会是个好老公。
  
  LL: Xiaoyan.... I'm at a loss for words. I really don't know how else I can explain this situation to you.
  
  XY: At a loss? 我没走丢啊,这就是送你回去的路吗?
  
  LL: 'At a loss' means that I don't know the words to say to show you how I feel. I cannot find the right words - and I am completely frustrated because of it - so I am at a loss.
  
  XY: 无法表达你的感受?不知道说什么好。Larry, 你到底什么意思啊?我费了这么大的劲,难道,难道你真的不愿意做我男朋友吗?
  
  LL: Xiaoyan, you knew that Lihua and I were dating when she left for China, and you knew that we are just friends, right?
  
  XY: 我知道你跟李华的关系,可是我以为...

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-31#1878
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Thought what? Please, tell me. Or are you also at a loss for words?
  
  XY: 我真是不知道说什么好了,我以为李华去中国,不会再回来了。
  
  LL: Xiaoyan. We are good friends, right?
  
  XY: 那当然了,我们俩比好朋友还要好。
  
  LL: Don't take this the wrong way, but we are ONLY friends. This is why I am uncomfortable meeting your parents, and this is why I disagree with you when you were talking about our future.
  
  XY: 只是朋友?你太让我伤心了。我真不知道说什么好了,怪不得你一直不愿意见我父母,也不愿意讨论我们的将来。我真是太傻了。
  
  LL: If it makes you feel better, I'm at a loss for words, too. Let's get in the car, and we can talk about this more at the cafe near my place.
  
  XY: 好吧,不过,我现在可什么都吃不下去。
  
  ******
  
  LL: I'm so sorry to tell you all of this. I really hoped that you would realize on your own, but it seems that you were misled.
  
  XY: 哎,至少你没当着我父母的面说,还算给我留了些面子。可能是我误会了你的意思。这一切太突然了。我难过死了。
  
  LL: Well that is understandable. But you will be ok! You will move on!
  
  XY: Move on? 去哪?你以为搬走我就不会难受了吗?
  
  LL: 'Move on' means to start the next part of your life and put a bad incident in your past. So, you will be able to move on from this experience!
  
  XY: 噢,你是要我走出失恋的阴影,可能吗?我的心都碎了。
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-31#1879
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, it helps to think about all of the positive things you have in your life and all of the good things that are in your future.
  
  XY: 我现在脑袋里乱糟糟的,什么也想不了。我没救了。
  
  LL: You can't think this way. You have good job prospects, you have great parents, and you just got a new car!
  
  XY: 好工作、好家庭、还有新车。这些对我来说都不重要,我的心情糟透了。
  
  LL: It's difficult to move on from difficult experiences. Trust me. But you will be OK! There are so many great people to meet, especially in the wonderful city of New York!
  
  XY: 我现在唯一的希望就是集中精力去找个好工作。现在有好几家公司都愿意雇用我,可我眼下最想要的,不是什么工作,而是找个男朋友。哎!
  
  LL: The first difficult relationship experience for me was tough. I had to find something to take my mind away from things. So I applied to a bunch of different companies. I became so busy that I temporarily forgot about my pain!
  
  XY: 你说,我真能摆脱失恋的痛苦,向前走吗?
  
  LL: Moving on is an action - mentally and sometimes physically - and different people take different measures to do so.
  
  XY: 哎,至少我现在还有一份好工作。
  
  LL: See? You're looking on the bright side of things now! Continue to do this, and continue to focus on the future - and then you will move on before you even realize it!
  
  XY: 也只有这样了。你最近不要来找我,也许这样我才能慢慢把你忘掉。
  
  我们今天学习了两个常用语。一个是at a loss, 意思是无话可说。另一个是move on, 意思是忘记痛苦的往事,向前走。
  
  

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-31#1880
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第285课
  
  
  李华结束了在中国的短期研究,返回美国,跟Larry一起在公园里散步。今天我们要学两个常用语:deal和let go.
  
  LL: Wow, Lihua. Not only am I glad that you are back, I'm grateful that we can spend some time together in this warm weather!
  
  LH: 是啊,今天天气真是太好了。你看,对面快餐店门口的那个不是小燕吗?我们过去打个招呼吧!
  
  LL: Ummmm. We can meet up with her later, but I'd rather stay here and talk with you.
  
  LH: 怎么啦?你好象显得很不自在。
  
  LL: Ok Lihua, it's best that we don't go over there. She's - well - it's best you don't know what her deal is, you know?
  
  LH: Her deal? 你说小燕走私毒品?那怎么可能!
  
  LL: 'The deal' refers to someone's situation, mental state, or attitude problem. So, it's best that you not know what happened with her. But I should tell you.
  
  LH: 我知道了,the deal是说一个人有问题。Tell me what her deal is. 还有啊,你也得好好解释解释,What YOUR deal is! 这次回来,你好象老是遮遮掩掩的。
  
  LL: I'm sorry, but here's the deal: She took me out several times for dinner, and I -
  
  LH: 真的吗?你们俩人没有怎么样吧?

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-31#1881
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Please let me finish. The deal is - she wanted to try to start dating, and I tried the most polite way possible to let her know what MY deal was - which was that I'm not interested, but -
  
  LH: So THAT's the deal! 我真没想到小燕会做出这种事来!What's her deal? 你干嘛不早告诉我!
  
  LL: Ok, so the deal is - I was hoping to avoid this whole situation - to avoid this whole deal - but it's best that you know now.
  
  LH: 我确实不太高兴,但我相信你。我也很了解小燕,I know her deal.
  
  LL:If only I had known, I could have avoided the whole deal altogether!
  
  LH:算了,不说这些,我做了些三明治,还有茶,我们去野餐。
  
  ******
  
  LH: 怎么样,我做的三明治好吃吗?
  
  LL: Delicious, Lihua! Where did you learn to make these... during your time in China? Hahah!
  
  LH: 别逗了,小燕那桩事,还是让我心烦意乱的。她毕竟是我的好朋友,如今,她一定是伤透了心。
  
  LL: Don't worry. She just needs some time to let it go.
  
  LH: let what go? 放手?你难道有什么东西在小燕那里吗?
  
  LL: 'To let it go' means to forgive and continue with your life after something bad happens. She is upset about what happened. After some time, she will let it go.

生命的狂想 : 2009-12-31#1882
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我明白了,let it go是忘记不愉快的事情,向前走的意思。你是说,只要待以时日,小燕就会把这段感情忘掉?你要知道,Larry, 心灵的伤痛可是很难愈合的。
  
  LL: I agree, but everyone is different. Sometimes it takes a long time for people to let things go. And sometimes, people never let things go.
  
  LH: 没错,很多人都有过类似的经历。
  
  LL: I recall the first time I was rejected for a job that I applied for in college. It took me years before I could let it go!
  
  LH: 还看不出来,你原来这么容易受到伤害。
  
  LL: So, was there anything that took you a long time to let go?
  
  LH: 那可能要算结束我的初恋了。
  
  LL: Your first breakup? Who took longer to let it go? You or him?
  
  LH: 当然是他了。说实话,我们两个本来就不是一路人。分手后,我的第一任男友整整给我打了一年的电话,希望能破镜重圆。He just recently let it go.
  
  LL: Letting go can be the key to moving on with one's life. Sometimes people need to see a mental health specialist to help overcome such a difficult thing.
  
  LH: 看心理医生?有那么严重?对了,你要不要再加点茶?
  
  LL: Ah, great. Thanks, Lihua! I won't let go.
  
  LH: Let go? 你在说什么呀?
  
  LL: Nothing. I mean I won't let go of the tea cup. It's very expensive! Haha!
  
  LH: 你又闹!有时候,我真搞不懂你。正经事说到一半,你就开玩笑。一点没正经。
  
  LL: You know that's not true. I think we should let it go.
  
  LH: What??? Let WHAT go?
  
  LL: This topic, of course!
  
  今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是deal, 意思是某个人的状况和问题。还有一个是let it go , 意思是忘记不愉快的往事,走出阴影。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1883
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语045讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在去吃午饭的路上遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi Amy,你也去吃饭吗?
  
  A:As a matter of fact, I am. Would you like to join me?
  
  C:好啊。Amy, 圣诞节马上就要到了,你说我是不是应该对客户表示表示呀?
  
  A:Time is short for the American holidays, but it's not too late if you start on it now.
  
  C:我该做些什么呢?
  
  A:You should send holiday cards to all your clients and colleagues.
  
  C:我那天在文具专卖店里看到有卖贺卡的,还能把自己的名字印在上面,然后用电脑把地址一打,就齐了。
  
  A:Before you get too carried way with relief, it's not that simple. You need to personalize your cards or you have wasted your time and money.
  
  C:我怎么样才能让客户觉得贺卡是专门寄给他们的呢?
  
  A:By writing a short note on each one and signing your name.
  
  C:啊?还要自己写祝词!卡上不是已经有“节日快乐”了吗,而且还印了我的名字。
  
  A:Here we are at the restaurant. Let's continue our conversation over lunch.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1884
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Amy和陈豪在餐馆里买了午饭坐下一起来吃。
  
  C:刚才你说我还是应该在贺卡上写点儿祝词,然后再签上名字,这是为什么呢?
  
  A:Because you want each client to feel special. You do that by taking the time to write a few words, and by adding your name in your own handwriting.
  
  C:我要写点儿什么呢?
  
  A:You can say, "Thank you for your business this past year" or "I look forward to working with you again in 2008."
  
  C:我知道了,大致上就是说去年合作很愉快,希望来年继续合作。
  
  A:You can be more creative or specific, like saying, "It was great to work with you on the project in Washington DC" or whatever is special in your dealings with your client...
  
  C:不过幸好有电脑,至少我不用手写客户的地址了。
  
  A:Sorry to tell you this, but computer-generated labels would ruin the effect and your effort to personalize your cards. Believe me, it's worth the effort.
  
  C:没想到这么麻烦。看起来我得加班赶写贺卡了!
  
  A:Good point. Holiday cards that arrive after the fact are detrimental to your professional image.
  
  C:Amy, 你能不能再重复一下寄贺卡的注意事项呢?
  
  A:Of course. Buy the best quality that your budget allows. Write a few words by hand and sign your name. Make sure your greeting arrives at least a week before the holiday.
  
  C:谢谢你,Amy, 看来我得赶紧动手了。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1885
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都包含这个词,hold。 Hold通常解释为“拿住,握住,” 但是也有把守的意思。例如在我们要学的第一个习惯用语里: hold down the fort。 Fort是堡垒,要寨。Hold down the fort从字面上看是个军事用语: 把守要寨,但是现在这个短语却被广泛应用在军队以外的各种场合,像办公室、商店、企业、学校的课堂等。
  
  这个习惯用语用在非军事场合是什么意思呢? 我们听个例子来琢磨。一家百货公司的经理周末得了感冒,觉得自己会有几天去不了办公室,于是他往副经理Sally家里打电话,他请Sally帮什么忙呢?
  
  例句-1:Sorry to call you on Sunday, Sally. But I have the flu and won't be able to work tomorrow. Could you hold down the fort for me a couple of days? You will? Great - thanks!
  
  这位经理说: Sally,对不起,星期天还打电话来打扰,只是我得了感冒,明天上不了班了。你能帮我顶几天吗? 你行?好极了,谢谢。
  
  这位经理要请几天病假,要求他的副手hold down the fort for him,显然是要副手暂时为他掌管一下业务。这就是这个习惯用语的意思。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1886
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再听个例子,这回是个大学老师在跟同事Ben交谈。
  
  例句-2:Ben, I'm really busy this week. Ann Green is off at an academic conference in Chicago so I'm holding down the fort for her and teaching her freshman English classes on top of my own.
  
  他说:Ben,我这星期真是忙。 Ann Green去芝加哥参加学术会议了,所以我得为她顶班,除了教我自己的课,还得去上她的大学一年级英文课。
  
  这段话里还有个短语on top of my own,用在这儿的意思是除了我自己的工作以外。这里的习惯用语hold down the fort也是指暂时承担他人的工作。这个习惯用语也可以说成hold the fort,少了down这个词,但是意思不变。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1887
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个带有hold这个词的习惯用语: left holding the bag。 Left holding the bag是相当古老的习惯用语,少说也是从1760年起就流传了,但奇怪的是没人能说出它的确切出典。有一种猜测是这里的bag可能是装赃款,赃物的袋子。
  
  想象一下几个人结伙去银行保险库偷钱,其中一人在窗口望风,“望风的人”用英文说是: lookout. 另一个在保险库内往袋子里塞钱,而第三个则等候在门外车上准备事成溜之大吉。突然望风的那个听到了警车的警报声。
  
  例句-3:The lookout ran out and escaped in the getaway car. But the man inside the safe didn't hear the sirens and was left holding the bag when a dozen cops burst in with their guns ready.
  
  他说:望风的人跑出去跳上那辆车就逃走了。但是在保险库里的那个没听到警报声,十多名警察举着枪冲进来人赃俱获,把他捉拿归案。
  
  三人合伙抢银行却剩下拿着赃款的一个被警察逮住。这里的left holding the bag可以从字面意思来理解,就是拿着赃物没逃脱,而一人承担罪责。其实这个习惯用语的含义更为广泛,可解释为一人为许多人的错误和罪行承担责任。
  
  还是拿刚才的抢银行团伙作例子吧。警察逮捕了拿赃款袋子的人,却再也没抓到另外两个帮凶,结果这人被判了十年徒刑。他又可说是left holding the bag,尽管这回他手上没袋子。 Left holding the bag,在这儿的意思是一人为大家承担罪责。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1888
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再听个例子,这位先生说的是一群孩子在空地上打棒球。他的儿子Danny是其中之一。另一个孩子打出的球击中了Brown家的玻璃窗。我们听听随后发生的情况。
  
  例句-4:Mr Brown ran out of the house boiling mad. All the kids except Danny ran off and left him holding the bag. Well, I agree to pay for the window although another boy had hit the ball.
  
  他说:Brown先生怒火百丈地冲出门来,所有的孩子都逃之夭夭,只剩下Danny一个背黑锅,于是我同意赔那扇窗户,尽管打破窗户的是另一个孩子。
  
  他说: Danny was left holding the bag,你一定清楚Danny可没拿着袋子。这句话的意思是只有Danny成了替所有打棒球的孩子背黑锅的人。这就是left holding the bag这个习惯用语的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1889
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第286课
  
  
  李华和Larry一起开车去参加人材招聘会。今天我们要学习两个常用语: butterflies in one's stomach和go overboard.
  
  LH: Larry, 我心里特别紧张。你怎么样?
  
  LL: Yeah, I have to admit that I'm a bit nervous as well. Every time I have to go to one of these events, I get butterflies in my stomach.
  
  LH: 肚子里面有蝴蝶?真有意思。你不是说真的吧!
  
  LL: The expression 'butterflies in my stomach' describes the feeling you get in your stomach when you are nervous. That fluttering feeling that can make your stomach feel a bit unsettled is a result of such nervousness.
  
  LH: 这种说法真形象。就是形容心里紧张,七上八下,好象在打鼓。Well, Larry, I've definitely got butterflies in my stomach right now!
  
  LL: I'd tell you not to worry, but I'm worrying myself. Ok, let's take a deep breath, exit the car, and go into the job fair!
  
  (Sound effect - Inside the job fair building)
  
  LH: Wow,你看,这次来参加招聘的公司还真不少呢!看来我们有机会。可我怎么好象越来越紧张了呢?
  
  LL: Me too! Let's start off together, and then we'll split up if we see other things that fit our taste. Did you bring your resume?
  
  LH: 我带了三十份简历。你觉得够不够?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1890
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I brought 20 resumes, so I think you definitely have enough. But, are you mentally prepared to make a good impression? You don't want to show that you've got butterflies in your stomach.
  
  LH: 我知道。虽然心里七上八下的,可表面上还得装得镇定自若。哎呀,你怎么紧张得手都在抖啊。别抖,你看,简历撒了一地。
  
  LL: (Flushed) Well, I guess that's a fast way to get my name and experience out there! Thanks for helping me pick these up. Ok, so how do I look?
  
  LH: 你看起来特专业。来,放松点,喝口水,深呼吸,We need to get those butterflies out of our stomach.
  
  LL: Thanks! You look fine, too. Let's go to the first company booth over there!
  
  ******
  
  LH: 这些人真有礼貌。他们说"keep in touch"保持联络,是不是有希望啊?
  
  LL: I'm not sure, Lihua. You may have gone overboard.
  
  LH: Gone overboard? 这是什么意思啊!
  
  LL: I mean - you may have said and done too much to them. 'Going overboard' means putting too much effort or action into something.
  
  LH: 我想起来了,go overboard不是从船上掉下去的意思吗?
  
  LL: It stems from the meaning of when a person walked too far on the edge of a ship - so far that they fall off of the boat and into the water!
  
  LH: 你意思是说我表现得很差吗?
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1891
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: No, I mean that you said and did too much. Perhaps you can keep your answers shorter - more direct. And how many resumes did you give them?
  
  LH: 我怕他们u会丢,所以给了他们一人两份。
  
  LL: See - one resume is enough. What you did is called 'going overboard.' Understand?
  
  LH: 明白了,我以后一定注意分寸,除了工作经验,什么都不提。
  
  LL: Yes! That's it! See, the first booth, you talked about your family and even your dog!
  
  LH: Hey! 我可不许你说我狗宝宝的坏话。
  
  LL: Ok. Watch me on this one. I'll try not to go overboard, so you can watch and learn, Li Hua.
  
  LH: 好,我就在这观摩。Good luck! You need it. Haha
  
  LL: Hi there, my name's Larry. I've heard a lot about your company and... (声音变弱)
  
  LH: 这么快!你留下简历了吗?
  
  LL: Ah! I forgot! (to booth) I'm sorry, here's my resume, sir.
  
  LH: So, did you go overboard? (laughing)
  
  LL: Funny, Li Hua. Very funny!
  
  LH: 你连名字都忘了告诉人家。他们谈到你,肯定会说,“就是那个不留姓名、不留简历的神秘人”。
  
  LL: Enough about me! I failed miserably. Let's see how you do this time. Let's see if you go overboard.
  
  LH: 一、二、三 (数简历)
  
  LL: Lihua...Why are you taking so many resumes with you?
  
  LH: 我宁可go overboard, 我也不愿意忘记递简历。Wish me luck!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是butterflies in one's stomach, 意思是心里紧张,七上八下。另外一个是go overboard,意思是做事过份,走极端。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1892
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语046讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他走出电梯,刚好遇到美国同事Amy.
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao, you look upset. What's wrong?
  
  C:电梯太挤了,我差点就没下来。
  
  A:Why couldn't you get off?
  
  C:我从一楼大厅上电梯的时候是第一个,所以就站到了最里面,到了三楼后,很多人挤进来,就把我堵在了里面。
  
  A:Sometimes people on elevators can be quite rude and treat others with sheer indifference. They don't seem to realize that the rules of manners apply to elevators as well.
  
  C:坐电梯都有些什么规矩呢?
  
  A:To start with, if you had waited to get on the elevator, you would have been near the front and not had to push your way through the crowd to exit.
  
  C:我是怕人多,挤不上去,所以上电梯的时候总是抢在最前头。
  
  A:There's always another elevator.
  
  C:你说的对,我只上两层,以后不用第一个就挤进去。
  
  A:When you got on, you should have stepped to the side near the door so you would be out of the way of others trying to follow.
  
  C:但是如果是到顶楼设计部去,就应该站到最里面了吧?
  
  A:You reminded me. I am planning to see the new media exhibit on the 20th floor this afternoon. Would you like to go with me?
  
  C:我也正打算去呢。那咱们下午见。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1893
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Amy和陈豪下午一起坐电梯上楼去看展览。
  
  C:挤死我了,有些人坐电梯真是不讲礼貌。
  
  A:At the least the man at the front of the elevator who was not getting off until the top floor was polite.
  
  C:我也注意到了。他每到一层都会走出去,帮下电梯的人拦着门。
  
  A:Another polite move when you are standing by the elevator panel is to figure out which buttons hold the doors open and which ones close them.
  
  C:对啊,有一次我赶到电梯门口时,门几乎已经关上了,里面的人看到我,马上按了Open的键,才让我开会没迟到。
  
  A:As an added courtesy, offer to push the appropriate floor for the people who can't reach the buttons.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1894
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语047讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他刚好遇到美国同事Amy.
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi Amy, how are you?
  
  A:I am fine, thank you. And you?
  
  C:有件事一直让我摸不着头脑。
  
  A:About what?
  
  C:我的新同事Carol很奇怪。每天早上,如果我不主动跟她打招呼的话,她肯定不会主动理我。
  
  A:You mean she doesn't say, "Good Morning" unless you say it first?
  
  C:没错。我昨天就没主动跟她说早安,结果不出所料,她真的没有主动理我。
  
  A:Does she talk to you during the day?
  
  C:谈工作的时候她倒是跟我讲话,就是从来不主动问好,或是打招呼。
  
  A:She sounds rude. It must be difficult to work with someone like that.
  
  C:是啊,跟她相处让我觉得挺不自在。
  
  A:You need to talk to her. Otherwise things are going to get worse.
  
  C:其实现在已经影响到我的工作了。我们天天在一起工作,但她却好像没我这个人似的。
  
  A:An unfriendly co-worker is bad for morale and productivity.
  
  C:我今天得找机会跟她谈谈。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1895
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪下班后在车站遇到了Amy,两人一起等车。
  
  A:Chen Hao, how did it go? Did you get a chance to talk to Carol today?
  
  C:我专门等周围没人的时候去找了她。
  
  A:That was good that you waited until no one else was present. You wouldn't want to talk about a sensitive issue in front of others.
  
  C:我记得你以前提醒过我,这种敏感的事情最好是等周围没人的时候谈。
  
  A:Tell me what happened? What did you say?
  
  C:我问她为什么早上从不主动跟我打招呼,是不是我有什么地方得罪她了。
  
  A:What did she say?
  
  C:她显得很吃惊。她说自己总是第一个来上班,因此后来的应该主动跟先来的打招呼。我不主动向她问好,会让她觉得受了冷落。
  
  A:You're kidding. That's the silliest thing I ever heard.
  
  C:我当时也是这么想,但是没敢直说,只是说谁主动跟别人打招呼跟先来后到没关系。
  
  A:You are absolutely right. No one should wait for anyone else to speak first, smile first or even make eye contact before acknowledging the other person.
  
  C:对呀,如果真那样的话,办公室里干脆谁也别理谁算了。我希望这次谈话能有助于改善跟Carol的关系。
  
  A:So how did you leave the situation?
  
  C:她最后向我赔礼道歉,说没想到会让我觉得不自在。我想,明天早上上班就知道今天的谈话有没有效果了。
  
  A:You were right to discuss it with her. You don't have to be best friends with all the people you work with, but you should treat each one of them with courtesy and respect.
  
  C:是啊,有的时候,一句“早上好”就能给一天带来一个好的开端。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1896
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第288课
  
  
  李华和Larry在公园散步。最近全球性的经济衰退,让Larry忧心忡忡。今天我们要学两个常用语: do-or-die和 to crater.
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, I'm glad to hear that you are enjoying your job. But I can't help worrying about the overall economy. Last night I was out with my friend, Tom, you know.
  
  LH: 我记得Tom, 他还在那家电脑公司上班吗?
  
  LL: Tom lost his full-time job last month, and now he has only a part-time job at his local gym.
  
  LH: 好可怜,谁会想到做电脑这一行的也会失业。
  
  LL: That has happened just as his relationship with Sarah, his girlfriend, is reaching a crucial stage. Sarah is about to get her degree this June. For Tom, this is a "do-or-die" year.
  
  LH: Do-or-Die? Tom生重病了吗?那他可真是太倒霉了。
  
  LL: No, "Do or die" just means that Tom faces a key moment. He has to decide how he wants to handle his relationship with Sarah.
  
  LH: 哦,你是说Tom要决定跟女朋友Sarah的关系。这跟他被公司裁员有什么直接关系吗?
  
  LL: If he does nothing, Sarah may find a job and move to another city. If he wants to keep their relationship, he might decide to propose to her, but how can he, with only a part-time job?
  
  LH: 我明白了,如果Tom现在不求婚,Sarah毕业会可能会在外地找到工作搬走,如果求婚,Tom现在又刚失业,没有经济财力。
  
  LL: That's it exactly. Tom's situation is one of "do or die."
  
  LH: 那你觉得,Tom在这种do or die的情况下,该怎么做呢?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1897
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: That's a tough call. Tom is doing everything he can to get a new job, but the job market is really tight now.
  
  LH: 是啊,现在找工作真的很难,就连很多华尔街原来年薪十几万的经纪人都屈尊去做一些低酬劳的工作了。
  
  LL: If Tom keeps his part-time job, perhaps he can slowly save up enough for an engagement ring by the time Sarah graduates.
  
  LH: 这可能是最好的权宜之计了。不行,外面太冷,我们到对面的咖啡厅去坐坐吧。
  
  LL: That was a good idea.
  
  ******
  
  LH: 啊....一杯热咖啡下肚,我才慢慢暖和过来。你继续说,Tom怎么会被公司裁员的呢?
  
  LL: Last November, business at Tom's company began to slow down. They tried to cut costs, first by not hiring new workers, then by asking the employees to take off every Friday, without pay.
  
  LH: 公司让雇员每周五休息,这么说,Tom不是还能工作四天吗?
  
  LL: That right, Tom still had his job at first, even if he was earning less. But it didn't work out. The company finally cratered and had to let everybody go.
  
  LH: Cratered? 什么叫cratered?
  
  LL: It means that the company went bankrupt. You see, a "crater" is a hole or pit in the ground, such as is caused by a bomb or a mine that has exploded.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1898
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 哦,crater就是中文里说的弹坑。这跟公司倒闭有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: If the company fails, it may be said to have a crash landing. And if the landing is uncontrolled, only a crater may remain.
  
  LH: 我明白了。说公司倒闭,就好象是飞机硬着陆,如果控制不好,最后就只剩一个大坑了。I hope my company never craters. 哎,Larry, 你们公司现在情况怎么样?有可能会crater吗?
  
  LL: I hope not. Usually there are warning signs before a company fails, such as cost-cutting measures.
  
  LH: 对啊,倒闭也有先兆。我听说,去年美国很多大公司为了削减开支,取消了年底的圣诞派对,甚至减少了超级杯的广告经费。
  
  LL: I'm afraid that this year and next will bring very tough times for many people, and companies, too. Even big car companies like GM and Chrysler face major problems. For them, it's also "do or die."
  
  LH: 那政府雇员呢?他们应该没事吧。
  
  LL: Generally, Americans believe that government jobs are stable, because the government will never "crater."
  
  LH: 可我怎么听说加州政府为了省钱,要求雇员每个月第一个和第三个星期五不要来上班呢?这就损失了十六个小时的工资啊。
  
  LL: Yes, but they still have their jobs.
  
  MC: 各位听众,今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是do or die, 意思是生死关头。另一个是to crater,意思是公司倒闭。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1899
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,今天他开完会出来,刚好遇到美国同事Amy.
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi Amy, 你有时间吗?
  
  A:Sure. Come into my office and tell me what's on your mind.
  
  C:刚才开会的时候,我们的老板Mr. Jones对年终报表上的数字大发雷霆,说财会部门没有好好追查公司的欠款。
  
  A:I can understand why Mr. Jones was upset. What did he say?
  
  C:他说的不少词我都没听懂,后来Todd告诉我,这些都是American obscenities, 是不是就是英语里的脏话啊?
  
  A:That's right. Obscenities are not nice words. They are curse words. When some people get mad, they resort to using bad language to express their anger.
  
  C:在办公室里骂人可不怎么样,结果弄得大家特别不自在,低着头都不说话,特别是不敢看那个挨骂的人。
  
  A:Swearing, which is another word for cursing, is never effective. It only makes the person who is cursing look badly and is awkward for everyone else.
  
  C:我们下午还要开会,希望Mr. Jones能冷静下来。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1900
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪下午在走廊上又遇到Amy。
  
  A:How did it go this afternoon at your meeting?
  
  C:Mr. Jones不仅冷静了下来,而且还跟我们所有人道歉。他承认自己上午开会时非常失态。
  
  A:What did he say?
  
  C:他说自己这么做很不得体,冒犯了大家。
  
  A:Did he say anything else?
  
  C:说啦。他说,在任何情况下,所以他也不准备为自己的错误提出什么辩解。
  
  A:Cursing has become all too common these days. So much so that some people think nothing of it.
  
  They don't realize the negative effect it can have on their careers or business relationships.
  
  C:那如果不是骂人,能用这些字眼吗?我上次去看球,那些球迷都是满嘴脏话,也没人介意。
  
  A:No, it is never appropriate to curse in public. You have no idea of the effect you'll have on others. Besides you can't predict who may be present and will recognize you later as the foul-mouthed person at the baseball game.
  
  C:如果别人当着我的面说脏字,我该怎么办呢?是表现得无所谓,还是表现得受了冒犯呢?
  
  A:If you are around total strangers whom you are not likely to see again, ignore them and move on. If you are with co-workers, suggest that you are willing to meet with them and discuss issues with them, but not when they use obscene language.
  
  C:我可以让他们消了气再来找我。
  
  A:That's a good idea.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1901
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们上次讲了以hold为关键词的两个习惯用语。第一个是: hold down the fort。 Hold down the fort意思是暂时承担,顶替他人的工作。我们还学了个习惯用语: left holding the bag。 Left holding the bag含义为别人承担罪责,背黑锅。
  
  今天我们还要讲几个由hold发展而来的习惯用语。大家知道hold这个词最基本的意思是“拿着。”例如在下面的习惯用语里: can't hold a candle to somebody。 Candle是蜡烛,所以hold a candle就是手持蜡烛。
  
  习惯用语can't hold a candle to somebody来自四百多年前还没电灯,用蜡烛照明的年代。当时人们如果必须在黑夜步行前往某地就会在街上雇佣个小伙子为自己拿蜡烛在前面照明引路。而剧场的舞台四周也有人手持蜡烛照明。这样人们才看得见台上演员的表演。
  
  手持蜡烛为他人照明的工作被看作是不用脑筋而低人一等的差事。这就是can't hold a candle to somebody这个习惯用语的出典。
  
  那么它作为习惯用语含义究竟是什么呢?我们听个例子来琢磨。说话的人狂热地崇拜风靡六十年代的The Beatles摇滚乐队。也有人把这个乐队称为“披头士”乐队。
  
  例句-1:Right - the Beatles were fantastic. Their music is still popular now. They were the greatest! Nobody has come along afterwards who can hold a candle to them.
  
  他说:对,甲壳虫乐队实在棒极了。他们的乐曲至今仍然流行。他们是登峰造极的,后来一直没人能跟他们比美。
  
  这位忠实的Beatles乐迷认为Beatles是最伟大的摇滚乐队,后来的任何乐队简直都不配当为他们举烛照明的小厮。所以can't hold a candle to somebody意思是比某人差多了。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1902
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这回是个球迷在赞誉他心目中最伟大的篮球明星乔丹。
  
  例句-2:I'm talking about Michael Jordan,Number 23,who played for the the Chicago Bulls. He set all sorts of records and won four world titles. Nobody can hold a candle to him.
  
  他说:我说的是Michael Jordan,就是以前芝加哥公牛队的二十三号。他创下各种各样的记录,并且四次夺取世界锦标。任何人跟他相比都望尘莫及。
  
  这段话里的nobody can hold a candle to him,意思也是任何人都跟他差得很远。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1903
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

不知大家记不记得我们以前学过的一个习惯用语hold one's horses? 它用来要求对方耐一下性子,别着急或者发火。
  
  这个习惯用语来自久远的年代,当时最快速的交通工具是马拉的驿车。现代人的交通来往当然便利快速得多了。电话是人们最方便的联系方式之一,因为通过电话人们能立即交换信息,于是就产生了另一个与hold one's horses意义相仿的习惯用语: hold the phone。习惯用语hold the phone可不是指拿着电话。它跟打电话无关。
  
  刚才说过它的意思和hold the horses差不多,也用来要求某人耐心点儿,别急着说什么或赶着做什么。
  
  我们听个例子。说话的人正在办公室会议上作工作汇报,但是边上有个同事一而再,再而三地打断他的谈话。他实在忍无可忍了,于是说了这样几句话表示抗议。
  
  例句-3:Look,could you hold the phone and stop interrupting me! Do me a favor and listen to what I have to say - let me finish the report before you ask any more questions.
  
  他说:瞧,你按捺一下别再打断我好不好?帮我个忙,让我把该说的话说完,听完我的汇报之后,你再问你的问题。
  
  这段话里的hold the phone含义是按捺一下,别急着发表高见。这个说法比较随便,通常用在相当熟悉的朋友,同事或家人间,要是对上级领导说话,可能就不会用上它了。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1904
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲两个由hair这个词发展而来的习惯用语,大家一定早就知道hair是头发。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: win by a hair。 Win意思是赢得。我们常说“细如发丝。”头发在日常所见各物中也许算是最细的了,所以你一定能想象如发丝那点宽度有多么细微。习惯用语win by a hair就出自这里。
  
  我们听个例子来体会win by a hair含义是什么。这段话在说争州长职位的竞选。其中的对手势均力敌,票数非常接近。
  
  例句-1:It was as close as an election could be. A million people voted and the candidate I voted for won by only 350 votes. She only won by a hair but that still makes her our new governor.
  
  他说:这次选举竞争空前激烈,有一百多万人投票。他选的侯选人仅仅领先三百五十票而赢得胜利,当上了州长。
  
  领先票数三百五十和总票数一百多万相比是微乎其微的,所以他说,won by a hair,意思是以毫厘之差取得险胜。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1905
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

既然有人以毫厘之差取胜,就必然有人失之毫厘。这就是我们要学的第二个习惯用语: lose by a hair。我们来听个例子。说话人的女儿Nancy在全州中学田径锦标赛中参加四百米赛跑。我们来听听比赛的结果是什么。
  
  例句-2:Nancy ran faster than ever before but she lost by a hair. She and the other runner had the same time, but the judges thought the other girl was just a hair in front.
  
  他说:Nancy比以往任何时候都跑得更快,但是她以毫厘之差败北。她和另一名选手跑完全程的时间完全相同,但是裁判认为那个人比Nancy领先一线的距离。
  
  Nancy仅仅比对手落后了一丝一毫,所以lose by a hair意思是以毫厘之差失败。有好几个习惯用语都表示类似的意思。例如: lose by a whisker。 Whisker是胡须,胡须和头发相比所差无几,可想而知lose by a whisker和lose by a hair意思一样。
  
  还有两个来自赛马的习惯用语也有同样的意义。它们是lose by a nose和photo finish。 Lose by a nose原指赛马到达终点线时仅以一鼻之差而失利。Photo finish原来是赛马前后不分上下,肉眼难以判断,所以裁判必须根据马匹跑完全程那一霎那间摄下的照片才能决定胜负。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1906
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个带有hair这个词的习惯用语: hair-raising。 Hair-raising和中国俗语“寒毛直竖”很相像。据说巨大的恐惧能使人体的毛发或者猫身上的毛往上竖立起来。这也许就是这个习惯用语的出典。我们听个例子,但是先得学个生词: cub。 Cub是食肉动物的幼仔。在我们的例子里指小熊仔。
  
  例句-3:My daughter and her boyfriend had a hair-raising time hiking in the mountains -- they met a black bear with her cub. But they stopped, stayed quiet and finally the bears went away slowly without bothering them.
  
  他说:他女儿和男朋友在山里徒步旅行时跟带小熊的黑熊狭路相逢。这可真是段令人毛骨悚然的经历。他们当时停下脚步,屏息静气,黑熊终于慢步走开了,没打扰他们。
  
  可以想象他俩和熊对峙的那段经历有多可怕,所以这段话里的hair-raising就是令人毛骨悚然的。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1907
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Hair-raising常用来描绘万分惊险的处境。我们再听个例子,这回说的是遇上龙卷风时的险境。当龙卷风刮起的时候,会有漏斗状乌云直压地面。乌云随即挟带着旋风横扫大地,风速高达每小时二百公里,所到之处危及生命财产。
  
  例句-4:It was hair-raising! There was a terrible rushing sound, the windows blew in and I saw tree-limbs sailing by. I heard loud bangs and crashes -- I thought my house would blow away!
  
  他说:这真是惊险万分。随着那可怕的冲击声,窗户都被刮下来掉进屋里。我看到屋外飞过的树干,又听到震耳欲聋的碰撞击毁的声音。我想我那房子也要被刮走了。
  
  这里的hair-raising意思也是万分惊险可怕的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1908
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第289课
  
  
  Larry带李华去打保龄,李华以前从来没打过。今天我们要学两个常用语: put your best foot forward和break a Leg.
  
  LL: Lihua, I feel a little dorky admitting this to you, but bowling is my favorite sport.
  
  LH: 保龄是你最喜欢的运动? 为什么?
  
  LL: Bowling is the best sport to play with friends because you can drink beer and eat pizza while you play! That can’t be said for any other sport.
  
  LH: 这倒是真的,打保龄运动强度小,还可以一边玩一边吃。
  
  LL: I know it’s your first time bowling, and if you just "put your best foot forward" you’ll be a great bowler.
  
  LH: 我一直不明白,怎么才能把保龄球直直地扔出去,不让它掉进球沟里去呢!还有,你让我put my best foot forward, 哪只脚是best foot? 左脚还是右脚?
  
  LL: When you’re told to "put your best foot forward," someone is giving you support to step up to the task and do your very best. Now, here is an 8-pound bowling ball, you should be able to do well with this.
  
  LH: 哦,你是在鼓励我加油。好,把球给我!我先试试左脚。
  
  (LH takes ball from LL and drops it on her foot)

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1909
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Ouch! 疼死我了。真倒霉,还没开始打,脚却先被球砸了。How can I "put my best foot forward" now? 看起来,左脚肯定不是我的“best foot.”
  
  LL: Let me help you, Lihua. Take a seat right here and rest a while. You know, "put your best foot forward" is confusing to some people because one would think that "put your best foot forward" means to choose one foot and declare it the stronger one of the two. But that’s not true.
  
  LH: 我好象有点明白了。你鼓励我"put my best foot forward"其实不是真让我选择左脚还是右脚。
  
  LL: No, to "put your best foot forward" while you’re bowling, or in any other situation, is a way of encouraging someone to try hard and do a good job.
  
  LH: 不管怎么说,现在脚疼得站不起来,看来今天我是打不了了。
  
  LL: No problem. Just rest here for a while. Our pizza and beer should be here soon. Once we’ve eaten a little pizza and had a few beers, you’ll be ready to "put your best foot forward" and bowl your first game.
  
  LH: 好,我就听你的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1910
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Lihua, I can’t believe we ate so much pizza, and the beer is almost gone. Are you ready to bowl your first game?
  
  LH: 我的脚感觉好多了。酒足饭饱,我们开始吧!
  
  LL: We’ve had a nice rest and a delicious meal. Go ahead and throw your first bowling ball down the alley! Break a leg!
  
  LH: Break a leg? 你怎么能说出这种无情无义的话来?我砸了脚还不够,你还咒我摔断腿?没想到,打保龄原来这么危险!
  
  LL: No, Lihua, I didn’t mean that you should literally break your leg. This is just a slang term that is used to encourage someone.
  
  LH: Break a leg, 摔断腿怎么会是好运气呢?你应该祝别人“别摔断腿”才对啊!
  
  LL: It is a very popular phrase that entertainers like to use. Although "break a leg" is typically used to support actors or singers before they perform on stage, "break a leg!" can also be used generally when wishing someone good luck.
  
  LH: 我还是想不通。我朋友登台表演之前,我居然要说"break a leg"?这种说法是怎么来的呢?
  
  LL: The term "break a leg" is an expression created by a superstition that all kinds of performers have. They believe that it is actually bad luck to wish someone good luck. If you tell someone to "break a leg," wishing them bad luck, this should actually create good luck for the performer on stage.
  
  LH: 所以说,祝别人好运气会带来坏运气,坏运气反而会带来好运气。看来,语言这东西有时候还真不能深究。OK, I am ready. wish me luck!
  
  LL: Break a leg!
  
  LH: (Throws the ball down the alley, and knocks down all of the pins) Wow I got a strike! 全中。
  
  LL: Congratulations, Lihua! You see? The phrase "break a leg" really gave you good luck!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是put your best foot forward, 意思是尽最大努力。另一个是break a leg,意思是祝你好运。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1911
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上次我们学了几个由hair发展而来的习惯用语: win by a hair, lose by a hair, hair-raising。今天我们再要讲两个。第一个是:split hairs。 Slit意思是剖分。头发原本就相当纤细,再去剖分,那就不知有多繁琐了。
  
  Split hairs作为习惯用语当然有它的比喻意义。我们听个例子来体会它的含义。这是个不耐烦的企业主管在开导正跟他谈一笔百万元大生意的另一方,劝他别再为细枝末节问题纠缠争辩,赶快在双方律师争论个没完的合同上签字吧。我们听听他是怎么说的:
  
  例句-1:Look, let’s tell our lawyers to stop splitting hairs on things like whose name comes first in our ads. I don’t care! I’m ready to sign the contract right now if you feel the same.
  
  他说: 哎!我们去跟各自的律师说说吧,别再纠缠广告上把谁的名字排第一之类的细枝末节的问题了。我才不在乎呢!要是你同意我的看法的话,我现在就准备在合同上签字了。
  
  广告上名字排前排后跟这笔百万元的交易相比只是枝节问题,而双方的律师却在诸如此类的问题上争论不休,所以这里的splitting hairs含义就是缠住细枝末节问题不放。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1912
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这段话说的是全家人在老奶奶去世后聚在一起商量不再保留奶奶的住房;大家公分她屋子里的遗物。某些家庭成员开始为自己喜欢什么,想得到奶奶的哪些纪念品而争论起来了,于是一个家庭成员为了避免争吵提出一条合情合理的建议。我们听听他觉得怎么做才公平。
  
  例句-2:Look, Granny would be upset to hear you arguing like this. Let’s not split hairs. We’ll take turns putting our names on plates, books, pictures. That’s the fair way.
  
  他说:诸位!奶奶要能听到你们这样争吵也会生气的。我们别为这些小事争来争去纠缠不休了。还是大家轮流把自己的名字贴到自己想要的盘子,书和照片上吧。这样分才公平。
  
  奶奶留下的是盘子之类的日用杂品或者书本照片等东西,听来并非贵重物件,而那些亲戚为了分这些东西而争吵,这近乎split hairs。所以这里的split hairs意思也是为区区小事斤斤计较。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1913
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个由hair这个词发展而来的习惯用语: bad hair day。 Bad hair day从字面解释是发型糟糕的一天。我们知道特别潮湿,或者刮大风又非常干燥的气候会破坏女士们的发型美观,于是人们就把这样的日子称为bad hair day。这就是这个习惯用语的出典。
  
  Bad hair day近年来流传应用到和发型毫无关系的其它场合,并且也不限于说女性,也能说男性。我们要听的例子就是关于一位男士的。我们通过这个例子来体会bad hair day是什么意思吧。说话的人在一家企业工作。我们听他说说自己一个典型的bad hair day。
  
  例句-3:Did I have a bad hair day! First, my car wouldn’t start so I was late for work. Next my computer crashed. Then I forgot a lunch date with an important client. So I went home with a terrible headache.
  
  他那天真是处处碰壁。第一件倒霉事是车子发动不了,于是上班迟到了。接着他的电脑出了故障。随后他又忘了跟一位重要顾客有午餐约会,所以回家时他头疼得要命。
  
  听到他一天的倒霉事儿接二连三,你一定明白bad hair day是什么意思了,就是事事不顺遂的一天。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1914
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Bad hair day可以说各种年龄身份的人,也包括年轻的学生。这就是接下来要听的例子。
  
  例句-4:I knew it would be a bad hair day when I learned I’d failed my English exam. In history class I found I’d left the paper at home that was due today. At lunch I spilled a cup of coffee all over myself with no time to go back and change.
  
  他说:当我听说自己英文考试不及格的时候,就知道今天是个倒霉的日子。在历史课上我发现把今天得交的作业拉在家里了。吃午饭的时候我又打翻了一杯咖啡,溅得满身都是却没时间回家去换衣服。
  
  这段话里的bad hair day意思还是不顺利的倒霉日子。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1915
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语050讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他跟美国同事Amy约好一起吃午饭。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:对不起Amy,让你久等了,办公室有点事。
  
  A:Nothing big, I hope.
  
  C:一个客户在电话里给我留言,但她说得太快了,我反复听了五遍,才把她的电话号码记下来。
  
  A:Many people don’t realize that they need to slow down when they are leaving their phone number on voice mail.
  
  C:就是, 而且往往越是到最后讲电话号码的时候,有些人讲话的速度越快,真不知道他们是怎么想的。
  
  A:Neither do I, but it is all too common. There is a simple solution which shows courtesy on your part.
  
  C:What’s that?
  
  A:You should give your name and phone number at the beginning of the message and repeat your number at the end.
  
  C:你是说上来先说一遍电话号码,到留言结束前再重复一遍?这样做有什么好处呢?
  
  A:If the person you are calling has trouble understanding the phone number, he gets a second chance at the end of the message. If that doesn’t help, he only has to replay the beginning of the message to hear it again.
  
  C:没错,今天我反复听那个留言,就是因为留言太长了,要从头听到尾才能等到回电号码的部分。
  
  A:Uh-oh, it looks as if we should start back to the office. I have a meeting in twenty minutes.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1916
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪跟Amy一起走回办公室。
  
  A:After all the trouble you had understanding the number, were you able to reach your client before you came to lunch?
  
  C:别提了。她肯定是留完言就走了。我打过去已经没人了。
  
  A:I find that very inconsiderate. If you know you are leaving your office as soon as you hang up, the polite thing to do is to let others know you are going to be away from your desk and tell them when you will return.
  
  C:对呀!我发现,很多人离开办公室的时候都会修改语音信箱的问候词。
  
  A:That’s a good idea. It not only lets other people know when you will be available, it sends a clear message that you are thoughtful as well as efficient.
  
  C:上次休假,我也特别录制了语音信箱的问候词,告诉来电话的人我什么时候回来,结果回来后忘了改回去。最后还是客户告诉我说,你的留言过时了。
  
  A:Listen to your own greeting from time to time so that doesn’t happen. In fact I recommend you change your greeting whenever you are out of the office for more than a few hours. Then make it a habit to change it again when you return.
  
  C:我现在就是这样,每次出差或是休假,只要是半天以上,我都会修改留言。我发现,如果养成习惯,这样做其实并不麻烦。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1917
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语都是从音乐界流传到日常生活中的。 第一个是: pull out all the stops。 这里的stops指管风琴上的圆纽,用来控制琴上的那些笛管是否奏乐。按下 stops,笛管就停止奏乐,而演奏者得拔起他要用的笛管上的stops,让气流进入,才能奏出他需要的乐声。所以如果演奏者pull out all the stops,那么这架管风琴上所有的笛管就是在齐声共鸣了。Pull out all the stops大约在一百五十多年前被转用到日常生活中。
  
  我们听个例子来体会它表达什么意思。说话的人主办一家电脑软件公司。他有一种新产品要打入市场。这会儿正跟他的销售部主任Harry在商谈怎样推出这个产品。
  
  例句-1:Harry, let’s pull out all the stops. We’ll use our whole advertising budget this year to sell this. Tell everyone it’s cheaper and better than anything our competitors can offer.
  
  他要求销售部主任把他们全年的广告预算都花在推销这种产品上。他要告诉每一个人这个产品比一切竞争者所能提供的任何商品都更价廉物美。
  
  既然他要动用整个公司全年的广告费用来为这一件产品作促销,让产品的优点家喻户晓,所以他说: Let’s pull out all the stops。意思显然是: 我们要不遗余力。这就是这个习惯用语的含义。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1918
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这回说话的是个篮球教练。他的球队即将上阵打一场重大的比赛,而这位教练正努力振奋球员的士气。
  
  例句-2:Okay, men, we’re playing the champions, but we can beat them if you pull out all the stops. You all have to play the best you’ve ever played - don’t hold anything back. Let’s go!
  
  他说:好吧,各位,我们要跟冠军队比赛了,但是只要你们全力以赴,一定能击败他们。你们全得打出自己的最高水平来。要不遗余力。上阵吧!
  
  这里的pull out all the stops意思就是“全力以赴。”

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1919
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个也是来自音乐的习惯用语: beat the drum for。 Drum是鼓。鼓是古来就有的乐器,而且虽然不同的国家有各种不同的乐器,然而鼓却几乎是各国共有的最为普遍应用的乐器。
  
  人们在战场上击鼓助阵,在喜庆中打鼓助兴,在游行时也擂鼓吸引大家的注意。难怪beat the drum for会成为日常通用的习惯用语。那么作为习惯用语它是什么意思呢?
  
  我们通过一个例子来琢磨。这是个学生在说自己和伙伴们怎么为大学戏剧俱乐部演出的一台戏作宣传。
  
  例句-3:A few of us club members took a bunch of tickets out and beat the drum for the play with our friends. And we sold enough to fill all the seats, the first time in history.
  
  他说:我们俱乐部的几个成员把一大把票子拿到外面去和我们的朋友一起作推销宣传。而且卖出的票足以使剧场座无虚席。这是有史以来第一次。
  
  这里的beat the drum for the play意思显然是为这场戏作宣传,beat the drum for类似于中国成语: 为什么摇旗呐喊。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1920
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有时beat the drum for里面的drum也可以是复数形式。这样,这个习惯用语就成了beat the drums for,但是它的意思不变。
  
  我们再听个例子,里面有beat the drums for。这是几名记者正谈论一个州长在竞选连任的过程中获胜的阻力很大,所以州长不得不竭尽全力地开展竞选。好,我们来听听这名记者的话。
  
  例句-4:He’s in real trouble; people don’t like him much. So he’s out early beating the drums for himself, trying to raise campaign money and find groups to support him.
  
  他说:他可真是困难重重,因为人们都不怎么喜欢他。所以他赶早开展宣传为自己大吹大擂,尽力募集竞选资金并寻觅支持他的团体。
  
  这里的beating the drums for意思也是为作宣传。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1921
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他在走廊里遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:碰到你可真是太好了,Amy。
  
  A:It’s nice to see you, too, Chen Hao. What’s going on?
  
  C:我们刚换了新的电话系统,我昨天去参加培训,但是转接电话的时候还是有些问题。
  
  A:Well, I am not much of a techie, but let me see what I can do to help.
  
  C:我不是不知道怎么用,而是不知道怎样做最礼貌。
  
  A:Well that I can help with. Where shall we start?
  
  C:昨天有个客户打电话询问一件商品的情况,我只知道那个部门的经理是Mary Jo, 所以就把电话转了过去。
  
  A:What happened?
  
  C:没过几分钟,那个客户又打了回来,特别生气,因为Mary Jo没在办公室,客户只能电话留言。她说一定得找到管事的人,不愿意对着留言机讲话。
  
  A:I don’t blame her, do you?
  
  C:我能理解她为什么会那么生气,但今后我要怎么做才能避免这种情况的发生呢?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1922
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

A:It is simple. Before you transfer a call, you need to put the caller on hold, and contact the person whom you believe can help. When you do that, you learn two things.
  
  C:What are the two things then?
  
  A:First, you find out if the person you need is in the office and is answering the phone. Next you ask if that person, in this case, Mary Jo, can assist the caller.
  
  C:对呀,有时候大家都不知道管事的人是谁,把客户象皮球一样踢来踢去的。
  
  A:There are a few other suggestions I have to help you handle transfer calls courteously and efficiently, but I don’t have time to explain right now.
  
  C:我们下午一起喝咖啡吧!
  
  A:See you then.
  
  ******
  
  下午陈豪和Amy一起在餐厅里喝咖啡。
  
  C:Amy, 上午说到一半,转接电话的时候,还有其他要注意的吗?
  
  A:Before you transfer the caller, let the person know to whom you are sending the call. Give the person’s name, title and direct line to the caller.
  
  C:好主意。我们把负责人的姓名、头衔和直线电话号码都告诉来电话的人。这样万一电话中途断掉,他们就可以直接打回去了。还有别的吗?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1923
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

A:In addition to giving the caller the name and number of the person to whom you are connecting the call, give your name and repeat your number as well.
  
  C:还要把我的名字和电话告诉他们。那又是为什么呢?
  
  A:You do that to assure the caller that if anything goes wrong or if the caller does not get the help she needs, she can get in touch with you and you will do all you can to help.
  
  C:噢,我知道了。这样一来,客户就会觉得,不管怎样,最终总会有人帮助他们解决问题的。
  
  A:Not only that you have a client who feels valued by the company.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1924
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的两个习惯用语所描绘的境地想必是谁都不想置身其中的,因为它们说的都是难以脱身的险境。
  
  第一个习惯用语是: behind the eight ball。 Behind the eight ball,这个习惯用语来自台球。这是两个人击打在绿绒台面球桌上的彩色硬球的游戏。参加者用球竿击打白色母球,母球分别撞击十五个彩球,使它们掉进球桌的球囊内。
  
  彩色台球上有一到十五的编号。有一种玩法是必须按照编号顺序把球击入球囊,但是黑色的八号球,也就是eight ball例外。 Eight ball得最后被击入球囊。即使是打出的母球过早碰撞了eight ball,打球的人也得失分,甚至会输。
  
  要是在打球的时候你的母球不巧正滚到eight ball背后,也就是behind the eight ball,那你就凶多吉少了。
  
  大约在1920年左右behind the eight ball被人们广泛用来描述任何得胜希望渺茫的境况。我们来听个例子。他说到一个职业足球队的教练,因为他的球队前四个赛季以来一而再,再而三地输,而从今年起他的球队又已经一连串输了五场比赛。他的处境如何可想而知:
  
  例句-1:Coach Jones is behind the eight ball this season. He’s got to win more than he loses or he’ll get fired for sure, and the team has already lost the first five.
  
  他说:Jones教练这个赛季处于岌岌可危的境地。他务必赢多输少才行,否则他一定会被解雇,更何况他的球队已经输了头五场比赛。
  
  这段话里的behind the eight ball意思是处境岌岌可危的。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1925
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

习惯用语behind the eight ball常常用来说紧迫的经济拮据局面,比方说在下面的例子里:
  
  例句-2:My friend Pete has been out of work six months and he’s really behind the eight ball. He’s used up his savings and can’t pay his rent or the payments he owes on his car.
  
  他说:我的朋友Pete失业有六个月了,可真是山穷水尽。他已经用完了手头所有积蓄,连欠的房租和汽车贷款都付不出了。
  
  这里的behind the eight ball意思是手头拮据的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1926
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个意义相近的习惯用语: up the creek。 Creek是溪流,以前这个习惯用语是up the creek without a paddle。 Paddle是桨,可以想象如果有人乘小船逆流而上手头却没有桨,处境该有多难。使用这个习惯用语的人很快就省略了without a paddle,只是说up the creek来表达同样的意思。我们听个例子来体会它的含义吧。这是个小伙子在说他跟女朋友Mary的关系陷于僵局。
  
  例句-3:I’m sure up the creek with Mary. I took this new girl in the office out to dinner just to get acquainted. And Mary happened to see us. Now she won’t even answer my calls.
  
  他带办公室新来的女孩出去吃饭,其实只想彼此熟悉一下,但是让Mary撞见,这可惹出麻烦来了,现在Mary连他的电话都不肯接。
  
  所以他说: I’m sure up the creek with Mary.
  
  意思是我和Mary真是处于僵局。Up the creek意思是处于僵局的,或者陷于困境的。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1927
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听个例子。这回说话的是个自讨苦吃的大学生。他一心贪玩,学习松懈,成绩直线下降,以致保不住减免学费的奖学金了。我们听听他的尴尬处境
  
  例句-4:I sure had a good time last semester - I didn’t have much time to study. But now I’m up the creek; I certainly don’t have the tuition money and I hate to ask dad to pay it.
  
  他说:我上学期玩儿得可真痛快,简直没时间念书了。 但是现在我可进退两难了:我自己当然没钱交学费,而我实在不愿意向爸爸开口要。
  
  这里的up the creek用来描绘进退两难的困境。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1928
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语有这样一个关键词: lick。大家一定知道lick是舔,但是在习惯用语里它的意思可以大不相同,首先它有克服,制伏的意思。例如在这个习惯用语里: lick the habit。 Habit是习惯,所以lick the habit意思想必是克服或者戒除这个习惯。
  
  我们来听个典型的例子。说话的人刚看完医生回家。医生告诉他他的血压在升高,慢性咳嗽也更严重了,所以嘱咐他一定得戒烟,因为抽烟显然损害了他的健康。现在他正向太太传达医生的指示。
  
  例句-1:Honey, I know I’ve tried to stop before. And I didn’t have the willpower to stop for more than a month or two. But this time I’m going to lick the habit even if it kills me!
  
  他说:亲爱的,我知道我以前也试过戒烟,却从来没有坚强的意志足以坚持到一两个月以上,但是这一次我是拼了命也得把烟戒了。
  
  这里lick the habit意思是克制戒除这习惯。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1929
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在习惯用语lick the habit里面, lick的意思是克制。在下面的下面的习惯用语里,lick有类似的意思: lick somebody good。 Lick somebody good常常用在运动比赛中,说击败某人。我们听个例子。这是一所大学的足球队教练比赛开始前正在振奋他球队的士气,对方球队跟他们积怨很深,他鼓励队员击败他们。
  
  例句-2:Okay, listen to me, men. If we use our heads and hit those guys as hard as we can, we’ll lick them good today and get even for the way they beat us last year.
  
  他说:好吧,各位,听我说,要是我们开动脑筋,全力冲撞,我们今天会把他们打得落花流水,为去年我们在他们手下惨败报仇雪恨。
  
  这里的lick them good意思是狠狠打败他们。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1930
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Lick一词多用。它在很多词组里的意思是微乎其微的少量。我们来听两个例子。我们来听这位先生数落他的妹夫Joe。
  
  例句-3:I hate to say it but Joe isn’t worth a lick. He can’t hold a job, so he just lies around home all day drinking beer, watching TV and complaining about the rest of the world.
  
  他说:Joe什么工作都保不住,所以整天躺在家里喝喝啤酒,看看电视,再不就发表些愤世嫉俗的言论。
  
  听来Joe是个懒散,不思上进,无所事事的人,所以他说: Joe isn’t worth a lick。意思是他这人毫无价值。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1931
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Not worth a lick解释为“毫无价值,” 那么下面的词组是什么意思呢? not have a lick。刚才那位先生要告诉我们他的另一位妹夫Oscar。这位妹夫跟前一位大不相同,Oscar学识过人,是个原子物理学博士,名牌大学的教授,但是在日常琐事上却笨得出奇,既不会上街购买食品,也不能修理家用器具,更不善管理个人帐目。总之极端缺乏生活常识。好,我们听他说说这位Oscar。
  
  例句-4:Sure, Oscar has all this education. But he doesn’t have a lick of common sense -- he can’t change a flat tire on his car or drive a nail straight through a board to save his life.
  
  他说:Oscar确实受了那么多的教育,但是对常识却一无所知,即使是要他的命,他也换不了汽车轮胎或把钉子敲进木板而不敲歪。
  
  从Oscar不会处理那些日常事务的例子听来,他极其缺乏生活常识,所以说: he doesn’t have a lick of common sense。意思是他一点儿生活常识都没有。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1932
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry跟李华一起去麦当劳吃早饭。今天我们要学两个常用语: full ride和chill out.
  
  LL: Hey Lihua, I’m so happy I got to meet your sister Lijia this weekend. She’s such a talented musician, it’s no wonder she got a full ride to Julliard.
  
  LH: 李佳上周末在DC玩得开心极了,可惜她要回纽约去上学,不能天天跟我在一起。哎,你刚才说,"She got a full ride to Julliard?“ 她没告诉我她每天坐校车上学啊!
  
  LL: Lihua. A full ride is another name for an all-expenses-paid scholarship.
  
  LH: 没错,李佳曾经获得全国小提琴少年组第二名,所以就因此拿到了朱丽亚音乐学院的奖学金,可我还是不懂,奖学金跟搭车有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: A full ride means that all expenses are paid for her education at Julliard. A full ride covers everything from tuition to room and board.
  
  LH: 哦,我终于明白了,full ride跟坐车一点关系都没有,而是指全额奖学金。学校同意负担李佳的学费、食宿和交通。Is that a full ride scholarship?
  
  LL: Yes. A full ride scholarship is awarded to extraordinary students who are very intelligent and talented, and Julliard honored Lijia with a full ride scholarship because she has an exceptional academic record and she is a superb violin player.
  
  LH: 不过,李佳告诉我说,她必需保持优异成绩,才能继续拿全额奖学金,不然,奖学金就会被取消。
  
  LL: Yes, with full ride scholarships, the student is usually required to maintain a high grade point average, like 3.5 or above.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1933
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你是说,拿全额奖学金的学生平均成绩一定要保持在3.5以上,那要是掉到3.0以下怎么办呢?
  
  LL: If the student didn’t have a 3.5 grade point average or above, the college might suspend the full ride scholarship, and the student would be required to pay for that semester’s tuition and living costs.
  
  LH: 如果成绩不够好,就要自己出学费?不行,我得赶紧告诉李佳加倍努力,朱丽亚音乐学院的学费那么贵,自己出可出不起。She cannot afford to lose her full ride scholarship.
  
  LL: Oh, Lihua, don’t worry. We both know Lijia is very hard working, and she enjoys what she’s studying. She shouldn’t have a problem keeping her full ride scholarship.
  
  LH: 我毕竟是姐姐,有义务督促她努力学习,千万不能丢掉奖学金。
  
  LL: You’re such a good example Li Hua, because you got a full ride scholarship for your PhD program, right?
  
  LH: 多亏有这份全额奖学金,我才能继续念书呢。今年六月论文答辩一过,我就正式毕业了。Once I receive my PhD degree, my full ride will end. 我得抓紧时间,赶紧找到工作。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1934
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Lihua, I know the economy is pretty bad right now, but I don’t think you should rush to find a job. You’ve been working so hard on your PhD. - I think you deserve take some time off and just chill out.
  
  LH: 给自己放假?现在就业市场这么不好,失业的人比新就业的人还多,我可不敢掉以轻心!再说了,现在天气越来越暖和,How can I chill out if it’s hot outside? 大热天,怎么能凉快呢!
  
  LL: No, Lihua, chill out means to relax. It has nothing to do with the temperature outside.
  
  LH: 我明白了。你的意思是说,我毕业以后应该好好放松一下自己。你觉得这样能行吗?
  
  LL: Of course I think it’s a good idea to chill out. A lot of students take some time off after graduation to unwind. Some even travel for the entire summer and go backpacking through Europe.
  
  LH: 有人用整整一个夏天去旅行,太过瘾了。不过,我恐怕走到半路,我就口袋空空了。Larry, 你说我该怎样去chill out呢?
  
  LL: I think we could both chill out for a week and drive down to Virginia Beach to lounge on the sand and swim in the ocean with some friends.
  
  LH: 不用写论文,不用准备面试,沉浸在阳光和海水中,还有温暖的沙滩,太美了。
  
  LL: My uncle lives nearby, we could all stay at his house for a few nights.
  
  LH: Oh Larry, chilling out sounds like so much fun! 从海边回来,我还可以到纽约去找李佳,chill out some more!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是full ride, 意思是全额奖学金。另一个是chill out,意思是放松放松。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1935
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语052讲
    
    
    
    陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他兴冲冲地打电话给美国同事Amy。
    
    (Office ambience)
    
    A:Good Afternoon, this is Amy.
    
    C:你好,Amy, 我是陈豪,你现在有几分钟的时间吗?
    
    A:Yes. I was just about to start a new project, but it can wait.
    
    C:我有好消息告诉你。
    
    A:What is it?
    
    C:我升职了,要到销售部去。
    
    A:Oh, That’s wonderful. Tell me about it.
    
    C:我的上司觉得我到公司以来,社交能力大有长进,所以决定把我调到销售部去。
    
    A:How do you feel about that?
    
    C:当然高兴了,不过也有点紧张。
    
    A:I agree that it is always a bit scary when you start a totally new job, working with people and processes that you don’t know.
    
    C:Amy, 我想一上来就让他们对我刮目相看,你能不能告诉我,应该怎么做啊?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1936
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

A:First of all, I would be careful about how I’d impress them.
    
    C:你这话是什么意思啊?我得让他们看看,我非常了解销售部的作业流程。这样他们才会觉得我是合适的人选。
    
    A:My advice to you is to go slowly at first. Understand that there may be people in that department who think they should have gotten the job instead of you.
    
    C:对呀,那我怎么做才既能让别人觉得我确实很有能力,又不得罪人呢?
    
    A:Ask intelligent questions about projects and processes. Let your co-workers share their knowledge and experience with you.
    
    C:可如果我问一大堆问题,别人会不会觉得我不胜任呢?
    
    A:Not at all. Listening to other people is the best way to learn what you don’t know and how to do your job well. The other benefit is that you will get to know your colleagues.
    
    C:好了,我不能再耽误你时间了,过几天有问题我再来向你咨询。
    
    A:That sounds good.
    

故乡的云 : 2010-01-01#1937
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

两天后,陈豪Amy一起吃午饭。
    
    A:How do you like your new job?
    
    C:挺好的,我适应得很快。同事们也都很帮忙。
    
    A:I’m glad to hear that you are getting off to such a good start.
    
    C:但是也有一、两个人,让我觉得有些不自在。
    
    A:What’s going on with them?
    
    C:他们好像是故意的,没完没了地给我讲办公室的各种小道消息。我真不知道拿他们怎么办好。
    
    A:The best way to deal with those people is to tell them that you feel you need to spend your time learning your job.
    
    C:如果他们不听劝告呢?
    
    A:As we Americans say, "Let it go in one ear and out the other."
    
    C:好主意!我们中国人也说一个耳朵进,一个耳朵出。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1938
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第291课
  
  
  Larry跟李华一起开高速,去李华亲戚家过周末,由李华开车。今天我们要学两个常用语: take the fall和tough it out.
  
  LH: Larry, 今天路可真不好开,我有一种不好的预感。
  
  LL: What do you mean? Are you talking about your relatives, or are you referring to the possibility of an accident?
  
  LH: 快别说“出事”这个字,多不吉利!不过,我还真有点儿怕,更何况,这辆车不在我的名下。
  
  LL: If there’s an accident, I may have to take the fall, Lihua.
  
  LH: 什么叫take the fall?
  
  LL: When someone ’takes the fall’ for something, they are accepting responsibility for another person’s mistake.
  
  LH: 哦,take the fall原来是替别人承担责任的意思。
  
  LL: Yes. For example, if a company has a bad performance, the CEO may take the fall - basically accepting responsibility and making himself the center of the blame, so that the company can continue.
  
  LH: 这么说,如果真出了车祸,你就要替我承担责任了?
  
  LL: That’s right, Li Hua. I’ll take the fall for you. This is my car, after all. It’s registered in my name. So, I’ll HAVE to take the fall!

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1939
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我看咱们还是停下来,由你开好了,否则真出了事,要你替我背黑锅,那多过意不去!
  
  LL: Hey, don’t worry. Let’s drive for a little longer, because I want to take a nap. I worked really late yesterday, remember?
  
  LH: 我怎么会忘!哪天咱们有了孩子,你这个工作狂要是整天不在家,I will have to take the fall.
  
  LL: Don’t worry - you wouldn’t have to take the fall for that. I’d be a responsible father and tell them myself, and I would accept full responsibility!
  
  LH: 说真的,Larry, 什么样的情况下你愿意替我背黑锅呢?
  
  LL: OK, let me think. If you made your father angry, I would take the fall.
  
  LH: 那不算,我爸本来就不太喜欢你!
  
  LL: I know. So I have nothing to lose if I take the fall for you for this! Hahah!

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1940
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 还有一英里就可以下高速了,天好象也要放晴了。
  
  LL: Yeah, it appears to be that way. We should be at your relatives’ house in a few minutes.
  
  LH: 哎呀!Whoa (车打转).... (轮胎刹轧声,汽车打火声) 不好,车熄火了。
  
  LL: Let me take a look. Oh wow. Total engine failure. Let’s see. You know what? We could just tough it out and walk to your relatives’ place.
  
  LH: 什么?走去我亲戚家?你疯了吧?还有你说的tough it out, 那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Tough it out means to complete a task under difficult circumstances. For example, we need to complete our journey to your relatives’ house. But because the car is broken down, we have to walk outside in the cold to finish the journey.
  
  LH: 可你还是没有说明白什么叫tough it out 啊。
  
  LL: It’s cold, and it will take longer, and we have to exert more strength to do it. Because of this, it’s tough - so we call it ’toughing it out.’
  
  LH: 你要做硬汉,可以自己去tough it out. 我可不愿意。
  
  LL: If you stay in the car, two things can happen: you can get even colder because there is no heat, and something bad could happen to you. It’s dangerous to be alone off the highway.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1941
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你是说会有坏人?那我只好跟你一起走了。
  
  LL: I think it’s our only choice. If we tough it out together, we can get to your relatives’ house in about 15 minutes. We can get some exercise!
  
  LH: 那车怎么办?就扔在这儿吗?
  
  LL: We’ll bring our valuables, and I’ll use the cell phone to call a tow truck. If we just stand here to tough it out, we risk getting too cold.
  
  LH: OK. Let’s tough it out together, Larry!
  
  LL: Yeah! Let me grab our luggage. Just in case. But I’ll carry it. I can tough it out.
  
  LH: Larry, 你告诉我,咱俩在一起,你有没有在精神上觉得受不了的时候?
  
  LL: As a matter of fact, yes. When you went to do research in China for three months, I had to tough it out.
  
  LH: 是啊,那段日子我也觉得挺难熬的!I had to tough it out too. 现在好了,一切都过去了。
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是 take the fall, 意思是替别人承担责任。另一个是 tough it out,意思是坚持到底

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1942
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要说的三个习惯用语都用来描绘人的忠诚可靠,不偏不倚和品行端正。第一个是: straight arrow。 Straight是直的,而arrow是箭,straight arrow从字面上看是笔直的箭,straight arrow,宁折不弯,当然它作为习惯用语有它的比喻意义。
  
  Straight arrow早年曾经专指白人信赖的刚直的印第安勇士,现在straight arrow被用来泛指任何值得信赖,道德高尚的人。
  
  我们听个例子,说话的人跟朋友谈起了国会选举。他正告诉朋友自己这回打算选谁当议员:
  
  例句-1:I’ve decided to vote for Mary instead of that old guy who has been in Washington so long. Mary tells the truth and she keeps her promises - she’s a straight arrow all right.
  
  他说:我已经决定投票推选Mary,不再选已经在华盛顿呆了这么久的那个老家伙了。Mary忠诚老实,而且说到做到。她真是个正直坦率的人。
  
  这里的straight arrow指正直坦率的人。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1943
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有时候straight arrow也可以说那种一板一眼,过于死板的人。这种人虽然正派可靠,但是也不怎么讨人喜欢。比方说Bob就是这样一个小伙子。
  
  例句-2:Bob is a real straight arrow: he doesn’t smoke, drink or chase girls. I guess I should admire him. But I have to tell you one thing: he sure isn’t much fun at a party.
  
  他说:Bob真是个古板的人。他烟酒不沾,又不追女朋友。我想我该赞赏他的为人,但是我得告诉你一件事: 要是让他参加个聚会可真叫人腻味。
  
  这里的straight arrow指过于古板而不合群的人。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1944
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个有类似含义的习惯用语: straight shooter。 Shooter是射手,枪手,而straight在这儿的意思是“正直的。” Straight shooter这个习惯用语把我们带回美国西部的拓荒生活,人不离枪的西部英雄除暴安良,最讲究信义。开发西部的年代早已成为过去,但是这些腰上佩着手枪专打抱不平的好汉: straight shooters, 却留在人们的记忆里,于是人们用straight shooters指那些刚直公正,仗义助人的人。
  
  我们听个例子,有人问他喜不喜欢他工作的银行里新来的那位主管。我们听听他怎么说。
  
  例句-3:Well, he makes sure we do our work right, but I think he’s a straight shooter. He tells us the truth, he’s very fair and he’s always ready to help if someone has a problem.
  
  他说:当然,他对我们的工作钉得很紧。 但是我觉得他是个仗义的人,他口无虚言,极其公正,而且不论谁有问题他都大力相助。
  
  这里的straight shooter指正直仗义的人。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1945
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个意义相近的习惯用语: true blue。 True blue原意是纯蓝色,或者说是不褪色的蓝色。这个习惯用语来自五百来年前英国的一个城镇。那里用特殊的蓝色染料印染的布无论经过多少次洗涤都不会褪色,于是人们就借用true blue来指久经考验而忠诚不渝的正人君子了。
  
  好,我们听个例子。这是一位公司总裁在答复他的人事部主任的请示。人事部主任想要解雇老员工 Ed,因为他年迈退化而工作不力。
  
  例句-4:Look, when we met rough times and our other workers were deserting us, Ed was true blue. He stayed loyal and worked hard for us. I say he can stay here as long as he wants.
  
  他说:瞧,在我们的困难时期当别的职工都纷纷离弃我们的时候,Ed却对我们忠心耿耿。他坚守岗位为我们兢兢业业地工作。我认为只要他愿意他可以一直留在公司里。
  
  这段话里的true blue用来说忠心耿耿,始终如一的人。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1946
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都由talk这个词开头。大家一定知道talk是谈话,所以这几个习惯用语都关系到谈话。
  
  我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: talk one’s ear off。 Talk one’s ear off要是按照字面意思来解释就是: 跟一个人说话说掉了他的耳朵。你一定明白这是夸张的说法,就好比中文俗语:这话听得我耳朵都长茧了。这其实是在形容没完没了反反复复地对你说这话。那么talk one’s ear off究竟是什么意思呢?
  
  我们听个例子来琢磨。这个人要告诉我们他在火车上跟一个人相处时的经历。我们听听他这位火车旅伴说话有什么特别的地方。
  
  例句-1:On the train to New York I sat next to a man who talked my ear off about himself. He didn’t even stop to catch his breath. It was the longest three hours I’ve spent in my life.
  
  他说:他在去纽约的火车上身边的旅伴跟他大谈特谈自己,而且说个没完没了,甚至连喘气的工夫都没有,使他觉得在车上渡过的那三小时简直长得漫无止境。
  
  这个偶然相遇的人竟然一口气跟他谈了三个钟头,所以他说: talked my ear off,意思一定是对我喋喋不休地说个没完。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1947
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Talk one’s ear off是没完没了地长谈。我们再学个习惯用语。它虽然有相近的意义,但是却不完全一样: talk a blue streak。 A blue streak,原来指闪电,闪电一闪即逝,是非常迅速的过程,所以常用来描述快速的行动。例如在这个习惯用语里描述是说话其快无比。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的小伙子好不容易鼓起勇气约了他班上的漂亮姑娘Susan出来吃饭,结果却很失望,小伙子也不打算再接再厉了。我们听他说说那是为什么。
  
  例句-2:Susan is lovely, but she has one problem - she talks a blue streak. At dinner she chattered away so fast I couldn’t get in a word edgewise. I doubt I’ll ever ask her out again.
  
  他说:Susan长得虽然可爱,但是她有一个问题: 说话快得像放连珠炮。吃饭的时候,她劈里啪啦一个劲儿地说,快得叫我半句嘴都插不上。我想我再也不会约她出来了。
  
  这段话里的talk a blue streak意思一定是说话又快又多叫人招架不住。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1948
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个习惯用语。它也表示没完没了地说话,但是还另有一层意思。这个习惯用语是: talk till you’re blue in the face。 Talk till you’re blue in the face,按照字面来解释是: 一直说到脸色发青。
  
  不知你有没有见过闹脾气的小娃娃直着嗓子大哭,直哭喊到接不上气来脸色发紫,才算罢休。这也许就是这个习惯用语的出典。因为有时成人也会滔滔不绝地谈,直讲得口干舌燥,声嘶力竭。
  
  听个例子吧。这是个父亲在说自己怎样规劝儿子。
  
  例句-3:I talked to my son until I was blue in the face about how he needed to make good grades in high school to get into college. But his grades show that he wasn’t really listening.
  
  他说:我劝导儿子为了进大学就必需在高中拿好成绩,直说得筋疲力尽,但是儿子的分数却说明他没真的听进去。
  
  这里的talked to my son until I was blue in the face,意思是跟儿子直谈得筋疲力尽。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1949
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

流行美语第292课
  
  
  Larry跟李华一起在超市购物。今天我们要学两个常用语:check out和max out.
  
  LH: OK. 让我看看购物清单。今天晚上开party的东西就差奶酪了。
  
  LL: OK, wow! Check this out! What a great price!
  
  LH: 你是说要买这种奶酪吗?
  
  LL: No, I mean that I want you to check this out! And yeah, if you agree that it’s good, we should buy it!
  
  LH: Check out在英语里,不就是交钱的意思吗?你越说我越糊涂了。
  
  LL: Oh, my mistake. ’Check out’ has a few different meanings, depending on the situation. For example, when I just said ’check this out’ I mean - take a look at it.
  
  LH: 哦,你是让我看看这种减价奶酪,那你说’Hey, take a look at this cheese’. 不就完了。
  
  LL: It’s just our way of saying ’look at’ or ’inspect’ in American slang.
  
  LH: 我明白了。可是美国超市里交钱的地方不是也叫checkout吗?你看,那边还挂了个大牌子,上面就写着 Checkout.
  
  LL: Oh, I see why you’re confused. ’Checkout’ is a noun - and you’re right - it means the area where you pay money for the things that you buy. And ’to check out’ - in this case a verb, is when you return your key and leave a hotel room.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1950
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 所以说,checkout连在一起,是名词,指交钱的地方.那如果分开,就是动词,指交钱的行为,在旅馆说to check out就是退房结帐。那现在,我们要check out the cheese prices,那是看看奶酪的价格,如果决定买,就去交钱go to the checkout to buy them.
  
  LL: Exactly! And one more thing. We can also use ’check out’ as a verb to describe the action when a male or female is looking at a person they are physically attracted to.
  
  LH: 你是说,看到吸引人的异性多看几眼也叫check out? How come you never check ME out!
  
  LL: Oh, trust me. I check you out, but I only do it when you’re not looking. Us men have a special talent for that, haha!
  
  LH: 够了够了,你又贫嘴。我们还是赶紧买奶酪吧。
  
  LL: Haha, ok. Wait. Check this out! And that! And...
  
  ******
  
  LH: 东西都买全了吗?奶酪、面包、葡萄酒、水果.....
  
  LL: And this box of chocolate! Now we’re ready. Let’s go to the checkout.
  
  LH: 我们今天用现金还是刷信用卡?
  
  LL: Let’s go ahead and use cash. I actually maxed out my credit card the last time I used it.
  
  LH: Maxed out? 是什么意思?
  
  LL: It means I used up all the available credit on the card. I reached the maximum amount last month. So, in American slang, we just say ’max out.’
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1951
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 怎么可能。你卡上的信用额度不是很高吗?怎么会max out用光了呢?
  
  LL: I maxed out the card because I booked our vacation to Hawaii last month. Don’t worry. I intend to pay if off over the next few months.
  
  LH: 难怪。原来去夏威夷渡假的开销你全都放在了信用卡上。那max out还能用在其他地方吗?
  
  LL: Well, you can use it when you have reached or exceeded the maximum quantity of something that you are capable of. Some other things I can think of are vacation time and allowed overtime hours.
  
  LH: 我明白了。公司一般对年假和加班都有限制,所以要说假用光了,就可以说max out.
  
  LL: Exactly. So regarding our trip to Hawaii - I managed to max out my credit card AND my vacation time. Haha! It better be worth it!
  
  LH: Larry, 我还听说如果把信用卡上的额度全都用光的话,对你的信用记录不好,是这样吗?
  
  LL: Oh, it’s true. You have to be very careful with the amount of credit you have. But as long as you pay all of your bills, it’s ok. Constantly maxing out your credit card is not something you want to do, however.
  
  LH: 你上个月把卡刷爆。这完全可以理解,一趟夏威夷,又是机票、又是渡假村,还要租车,一定很多钱。
  
  LL: Yeah. It’s why I didn’t tell you, because I just thought it wasn’t a major issue. I’ll let you know next time, but I’m hoping that there won’t be a next time.
  
  LH: OK. 我们去交钱吧!这巧克力还买吗?
  
  LL: Perhaps I can put those back on the shelf. I need to watch my spending a little more.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是check out, 瞧一瞧。另一个是max out,意思是用到极限。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1952
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语053讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在走廊上遇见了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 我找了你一整天。
  
  A:What is it?
  
  C:我有个关于电子邮件的问题。每次我回信,都是点击Relpy, 保留原来的内容,然后把我的答复加上去。
  
  A:That’s not unusual.
  
  C:今天有个同事告诉我,说我不应该保留电子邮件里原来的内容。可我不明白,如果删掉原来的内容,她怎么能知道我在说些什么呢?
  
  A:She no doubt would have preferred that you take the time to paraphrase her message in the body of your reply.
  
  C:什么叫paraphrase啊?
  
  A:To paraphrase means to rephrase or restate what someone else has said or written.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1953
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:你能举个例子吗?比如说,她发电子邮件给我,问我星期三上午11点有没有时间开会讨论新产品。
  
  A:In that case, instead of hitting "Reply" and responding, "Yes, I am available;" you should write, "Yes, I am available to meet on Wednesday at 11 AM to discuss the new product."
  
  C:就是把话说完整。
  
  A:Yes. By restating her message, you have confirmed that you will be at the meeting on the right day at the right time.
  
  C:照你的话说,出于礼貌,我在回复电子邮件的时候,都应该把原来信里的核心内容重复一遍了?
  
  A:Yes, In that case you can delete the original at the bottom of your response. I have to go now. Do you want to continue this discussion at another time?
  
  C:好。下次再聊吧。
  
  ******
  
  MC:第二天早上陈豪和Amy一起喝咖啡。
  
  C:昨天那个同事还说,如果电子邮件的内容变了,用回复的功能,就不能保留原来的题目。是这样吗?
  
  A:She is definitely right. It is very confusing to receive a message from someone who changed the subject in the e-mail and not in the subject line.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1954
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:你能不能解释一下。
  
  A:If I send you a message about a project we are working on and I use "Project A Summary" as the subject line, you have a clear expectation about what information is contained in the e-mail.
  
  C:我用回复的功能,告诉你我收到了报告。
  
  A:Right. Now let’s say that I need to send you a message about our next team meeting. If I use your reply to me - which you recall has the subject line, "Project Summary"; you expect to read more about the project.
  
  C:对啊,我会以为里面是关于这个项目更详细的内容,但打开却发现是截然不同的内容。好,我以后一定记住改掉电子邮件的题目。
  
  A:Better yet, if you are sending e-mail on a new topic, start a new message with a new subject header.
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1955
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语054讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他的同事Amy在陈豪新换的办公室门口敲门。
  
  (knock on door)
  
  C:Come in.
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao, am I interrupting you?
  
  C:没事,我就是处理一下邮件。
  
  A:I was afraid I might disturb you when I saw your door was shut.
  
  C:不会打扰的!我现在总算有办公室了,所以喜欢把门关上。
  
  A:It is good to have some privacy every now and then, especially when you need to concentrate on something, but I think you should reconsider keeping it shut all the time.
  
  C:我不应该关门吗?
  
  A:It can give a bad impression to your colleagues, some of whom don’t have the luxury of an office with a door.
  
  C:我不懂。办公室有门,不就是为了关的吗?
  
  A:When people see your door shut, they assume that you are not to be disturbed. I was reluctant to knock, but I needed to deliver a report to you so I decided to take a chance.
  
  C:噢,我明白了,办公室的门关着,别人就会觉得我不愿意被打扰。
  
  A:A closed door implies that you might have someone in your office or that you are working on an important project and don’t want to be disturbed. You might also be having a confidential phone conversation and don’t want to be overheard.
  
  C:我怎么没想到呢!别人会以为我是在会客、赶着完成工作,或是在讲电话,不愿意被外人听到。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1956
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当天晚些时候,Amy又来到陈豪的办公室,门开着,陈豪正在跟同事Todd讲话。
  
  C:(To the co-worker) Todd, I am really disappointed in your work on this project. Please take it back and rework it using the correct data. Hi Amy, come in. Todd was just leaving.
  
  A:Bye Todd, see you later. (Amy hesitates a minute) Gee, that was embarrassing.
  
  C:觉得尴尬,为什么?
  
  A:Well, walking up while you were criticizing Todd was embarrassing, because I am sure that made him feel uncomfortable to have you reject his report and especially when other people walking by could hear your conversation with him.
  
  C:怕别人听见?可他的报告实在让我无法接受,我只能把报告打回去,让他重写。你觉得我应该怎么做呢?
  
  A:You should have shut your door while you were talking to him so no one else would overhear you.
  
  C:你不是说办公室应该开着门的吗?
  
  A:I did, but I didn’t say that you should have it open all the time.
  
  C:刚才Todd 进来的时候门就是开着的,所以我就没关。
  
  A:You needed to get up from your desk and shut the door. Or you could have asked Todd to close the door. Then you could have had your talk in private.
  
  C:我明白了,谢谢你,Amy.
  
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1957
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry跟李华开车去朋友家参加派对。今天我们要学两个常用语:BFF和Take the wheel.
  
  LL: Lihua, we got a really good deal on these gifts for the party. I know my BFF very well, and I’m certain that this type of wine and this kind of cheese are his favorites.
  
  LH: 太好了。BFF一定是你朋友名字的缩写吧。他全名叫什么?
  
  LL: No, Lihua. BFF is not my friend’s name. BFF is an acronym. Do you know what an acronym is?
  
  LH: Acronym不就是首写字母的缩写吗?我经常说FYI,意思是for your information. 没错吧?
  
  LL: Well, Lihua, for your information, BFF is an acronym that stands for "Best friend forever."
  
  LH: 我明白了,BFF不是你朋友的名字,而是"Best friend forever"的缩写,用中文说,就是一辈子最铁的哥们。
  
  LL: Exactly. We’re BFF’s because we went to elementary school together and have been friends for almost 20 years. It’s common for young Americans to refer to that kind of long-time friend as a "BFF."
  
  LH: Larry,你太让我失望了,我还以为我是你的BFF呢!I didn’t even know you had another BFF! BFF能有好几个吗?
  
  LL: Of course you can have more than one BFF, Lihua. But our relationship is different because you’re my girlfriend, which can be turned into an acronym too, the word "girlfriend" can be shortened to "GF."

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1958
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我是你的女朋友,girlfriend, 简称GF;那你是我的男朋友,boyfriend, 就是BF喽?
  
  LL: That’s right, Lihua. I’m your BF. You’re my GF. And we’re going to my BFF’s party.
  
  LH: 慢点,你说得我都快糊涂了。我是你的女朋友,GF;你是我的男朋友,BF; 我们一起去你最铁的哥们家,他是你的BFF.
  
  LL: You’re a quick learner, GF!
  
  LH: Thanks, BF!
  
  LL: So, Lihua, do you have a BFF, best friend forever?
  
  LH: 有啊。她的名字叫郭小倩,我们俩的妈妈就是BFF。我们同一年出生,一起长大,经常在一起玩,自然也就成了BFF。
  
  LL: Where does your BFF, Guo Xiaoqian, live now?
  
  LH: 小倩现在也在美国,是一家公关公司的部门经理。
  
  LH: Well, after you meet my BFF tonight at his party, I look forward to meeting Guo, your BFF.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1959
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, Lihua, we’re almost at the party. You know I’ve realized that I’m the one who ends up driving when we go out together. When are you going to get behind the wheel?
  
  LH: 站到车轮子后面,那不是很危险吗?你要轧到我,那我怎么办?
  
  LL: No, Lihua, that’s not what I mean. "Get behind the wheel" means to get behind the car’s steering wheel and drive. I think you should practice driving more often since you just recently got your driver’s license.
  
  LH: 哦,你说的get behind the wheel意思是开车。是啊,新考下来驾照,每次开车我都是一手冷汗,恐怕是得多练练。
  
  LL: Exactly. And that reminds me of another similar phrase, which is "take the wheel."
  
  LH: "Get behind the wheel"和"take the wheel"不是一个意思吗?
  
  LL: No. Those two phrases are completely different. You already know that "get behind the wheel" means "to drive." But the phrase "take the wheel" means "to start taking responsibility for something."

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-01#1960
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我还是不懂,方向盘跟承担责任有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: I’ll give you an example for "take the wheel." A few of my co-workers were laid off this week, so until we can afford to hire more employees, I have to "take the wheel" on finishing the work they left behind.
  
  LH: 最近我们学校也有好几个老教授退休,所以剩下的老师只好接管了他们带的博士生的论文。这也是take the wheel吧?
  
  LL: That’s right. "Take the wheel" is just another way to say someone is expected to take responsibility.
  
  LH: 我还记得小时候,父母经常加班,不在家,我只好take the wheel,照顾妹妹,还要给我们俩人煮饭吃。
  
  LL: I didn’t know you could cook! I wish you would "take the wheel" on making dinner for me every once in a while!
  
  LH: 给你煮饭吃?可以考虑考虑。不过条件是,吃完饭你也要take the wheel请我出去看电影才行!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是BFF, 一辈子最要好的朋友。另一个是take the wheel,意思是承担起责任来
  

太极无敌 : 2010-01-03#1961
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢!我学习了!
你辛苦了!

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1962
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry跟李华一起去参加派对。今天我们要学两个常用语:crash and burn和wipe the floor with.
  
  LL: This is a pretty cool party, don’t you think? The music is really good, everyone here is really friendly and it gives me the chance to show off this great new Britney Spears shirt I bought.
  
  LH: 你这件布兰妮.斯皮尔斯的衬衫确实挺抢眼的。我好象很久没来过这么热闹的派对了。
  
  LL: You know what I love to do at parties? I like to just look at all the people and see how they interact. See that short bald guy walking over to talk to that beautiful woman? I bet he’s going to crash and burn.
  
  LH: 什么人?crash and burn? 撞车起火? 你快去救他。我马上去找灭火器。
  
  LL: No, wait! I didn’t mean that literally. When you say that someone is going to crash and burn, it means that they are going to fail, usually in a very spectacular or embarrassing way.
  
  LH: 哎,你怎么不早说,害我这么紧张。我明白了,你是说那个小个子秃顶男人上前去跟那个漂亮美眉搭讪一定是自讨没趣,会很丢脸。那可不一定,Larry, 你这是以貌取人。
  
  LL: That’s true, but there’s no way he would crash and burn if he had a great-looking shirt like me.
  
  LH: 你快别臭美了。对了,明天你上课不是有一个很重要的期末展示要做吗?今天是不是应该早点回去准备啊?
  
  LL: Yeah, I do have a presentation tomorrow, so I have to go home early to prepare. If I forget what I’m supposed to say in front of the entire class tomorrow, I’m going to really crash and burn.
  
  LH: 所以还是早点回去准备,才不会crash and burn。不过,今天你还没唱卡拉OK呢,要不要唱一首再走呢?
  
  LL: Not tonight. I’ve been sick recently and I would probably lose my voice and start coughing. And I definitely don’t want to get up on stage and crash and burn with all these people watching.
  
  LH: 没想到你今天居然这么羞涩。那起码咱们得跳一会儿舞再走,你也看看我最近学的一些最火爆的动作。
  
  LL: Haven’t you seen my shirt? I practice my dance moves to Britney Spears songs every night. If you think you’re going to dance better than me, I’m afraid you’re going to crash and burn.
  
  LH: 你以为穿着布兰昵的衬衫就能在舞池里称王称霸吗?别说那么多了,是骡子是马,拉出来遛遛就知道了。Let’ go!
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1963
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Wow Li Hua, I had no idea you were such a great dancer! You really wiped the floor with me.
  
  LH: Wipe the floor with you? 用你擦地板?我可不敢,万一把你的布兰妮的新衬衫弄脏了,你肯定得跟我急。
  
  LL: Actually, when you say that you wipe the floor with someone, it means that you did something much better than them, or beat them in a competition.
  
  LH: 哦,原来你是承认自己甘拜下风啊。其实你跳得也不错啊。我只是觉得,disco早就过时了。
  
  LL: Trust me, disco dancing will never go out of style. You know, I’m really happy we came to this party. Today I was sad because my favorite professional baseball team, the Washington Nationals, lost to their biggest rivals.
  
  LH: 华盛顿的棒球队输了?怎么会,他们今年不是很厉害吗?
  
  LL: I thought we would wipe the floor with them, but we ended up crashing and burning.
  
  LH: I am so sorry. 不过你要有信心,他们明天肯定赢!啊,时间不早了,我们该走了,你回去再准备一下你的期末展示,免得明天crash and burn.
  
  LL: That’s right, I want to give the best presentation and really wipe the floor with all the other students.
  
  LH: 你知道吗?最近我表妹菲菲考大学。没想到,现在中国考大学竞争还这么激烈。You have to get the best grades and really wipe the floor with the other students,这样才能被名牌大学录取,否则就会crash and burn.
  
  LL: It can be that way in America too, which is why I should probably get back and start preparing for my presentation. I don’t want the other students to wipe the floor with me when our grades are announced.
  
  LH: Larry 你看,刚才那个小个子秃顶男人逗得那个漂亮美眉笑弯了腰,It doesn’t look like he crashed and burned after all. Haha....
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是crash and burn, 意思是输得很惨。另一个是wipe the floor with,意思是比别人强,打败别人。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1964
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天来讲几个描绘不同言谈方式的习惯用语。第一个是: talk in circles。 Circle意思是园圈,中文也有“说话绕圈子”的说法,意思是说话不直截了当,迷惑听话的人。
  
  我们通过个例子来体会英文talk in circles是不是含义相同。我们知道要是一名辩护律师承办证据不利于当事人的案子,那他作辩护时就可能会采取迂回战术,以混淆法官和陪审团的视听。下面这段话正是这样的例子。
  
  例句-1:He was caught standing over the victim with a smoking gun. His lawyer talked in circles trying to confuse the jury. But they still remembered that smoking gun and found him guilty.
  
  他说:他被逮住的时候脚下就躺着被害人,手上还握着冒烟的手枪。他的律师绕着圈子说话,试图把陪审团弄糊涂,但是陪审团还是忘不了那把冒烟的手枪,仍然判定他有罪。
  
  他的罪证确凿,所以律师想为他开脱罪责就不能实话直说了,只得转弯抹角地误导听众。这就是talk in circles这个习惯用语的意思。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1965
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个习惯用语表示又一种说话方式: double talk。 Double有两面、双重的意思,手腕高强的政客在被问及引起争议的问题时,时而会采用double talk,让听的人摸不着头脑。下面就是个例子:
  
  例句-2:Someone asked the candidate whether he’d vote to cut our taxes. He gave the crowd a lot of double-talk which left us arguing afterwards whether his answer was yes or no.
  
  他说:有人问侯选人他是否会投票赞成为我们减税。他说了一大堆模棱两可,含糊其辞的话,叫大家事后不断争论他究竟回答了“是”还是“否。”
  
  听他话的人都弄不清他究竟赞成还是不赞成,可见他说的是不置可否,模棱两可的话。这就是double-talk这个习惯用语的含义。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1966
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个带有talk这个词的习惯用语: shop talk。 大家也许知道shop是商店,但是在这儿,它是包括法律事务所、汽车制造厂、政府部门等等在内的任何企业机构。Shop talk是指两三个同事在办公室之外的社交场合见面时谈论他们的工作。当然这样的谈话很可能叫其他人觉得腻味甚至恼火。
  
  我们听个例子,说话的人在聚会上碰见同事Joe。 Joe拉着他谈办公室的事儿,而他心里另有打算。
  
  例句-3:Joe, we get enough shop talk at the office, so let’s just relax tonight, okay? Now excuse me: I’m going over and get acquainted with that lovely girl in the green dress.
  
  他说:Joe,咱们在办公室里谈工作谈得够多的了,所以今晚轻松轻松,好吗? 对不起,我要去那边跟那穿绿裙子的漂亮姑娘认识一下了。
  
  这里的shop talk是在非工作时间谈论本行的话。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1967
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

显然很多人都会同意他的话。他们会说: 谈工作得在该谈的地方,也就是办公室里谈。最后再学个说又一种谈话的习惯用语: talk of the town。大家也许都熟悉town这个词。它是城镇,要是某个话题传得沸沸扬扬,满城风雨,那一定是件激起人们强烈好奇心的事儿了。
  
  我们听个例子来体会talk of the town这个习惯用语的含义是什么。说话的人正打长途电话给一个搬到外地去住的老朋友,Pete。
  
  例句-4:Pete, want to hear the talk of the town these days? The president of out bank ran away with a pretty young cashier and two million dollars of the bank’s money. It’s all people talk about.
  
  他说:他的特大新闻是本地银行经理和年轻貌美的出纳偷了银行的两百万美元私奔了。这是眼下人人议论的话题。
  
  所以他说的talk of the town一定是指闹得满城风雨的街谈巷议。 Talk of the town的话题是激起人们强烈兴趣或好奇心的事件,丑闻,或者桃色新闻,而且往往是流言蜚语。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1968
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语都是用来描述刚接手完全生疏的任务,因而急需培训的工作人员。第一个是:greenhorn。 大家也许知道horn是动物头上长的角。像鹿和牛之类的动物都有角,而这些动物在刚出生的时候,它们的角还没有长成,只是头上有日后会长成角的基部,带有不久便会消退的绿色,所以greenhorn是初生动物的标志。
  
  大约在二百五十年前,人们开始用greenhorn来指刚入伍的年轻新兵。他们当然对军事技能一无所知。若干年后,人们又用greenhorn来描述刚下船来到纽约的新移民,被嘈杂纷乱的大都会弄得晕头转向。而如今greenhorn指的是什么样的人呢? 我们听个例子吧。
  
  例句-1:This new kid is a real greenhorn so I asked him to go get me a left-handed hammer. It sure was funny: he went around asking everybody for such a tool. It took him two hours to realize there isn’t any such thing.
  
  他说:他要那新来的小伙子为他取一把左手用的锤子。他说好笑的是那小伙子到处找人打听这样的工具。他整整花了两小时才弄清根本就没什么左手用的锤子。
  
  可见这孩子是个毫无经验的新手,所以才会中了老工人的圈套。这里的greenhorn是指毫无工作经验的新手。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1969
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个有类似意思的习惯用语: tenderfoot。 Tender有软弱的意思,所以tenderfoot要是直译就是脚软的。
  
  这个习惯用法来自1849年加州的淘金热时代。当时东部城镇的大批各种行业的人都纷纷横跨美国,蜂拥到加州去圆他们的发财梦。这些城里人压根儿不了解当年西部荒野的生活。他们更没想到去加州的路上必须跋山涉水,日复一日地徒步翻越崎岖的山路,简直得走断了腿脚。
  
  当他们终于到达到目的地时多半已经累得走路又瘸又拐的了。本地人看到这些外来客这付双脚无力的狼狈相,就把他们称为tenderfoot,逐渐tenderfoot成了初来乍到还不适应环境的人的代号。
  
  我们听个例子,这人在说带邻居去野外山地的河上钓鱼的经历。
  
  例句-2:A big mistake - all he did was complain about cooking over a campfire and sleeping in a tent with no electricity and no television. This guy turned out to be a real tenderfoot.
  
  他说:我犯了个大错,他除了抱怨篝火上做饭,睡没电没电视的帐篷之外,什么都没干。这家伙原来真是对野外生活毫无经验。
  
  这里的tenderfoot是指对某种环境毫无经验的生手。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1970
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再来学个意义相近的习惯用语: wet behind the ears。 Wet behind the ears如果直译: 耳朵背后是潮的。这个习惯用语流行至今差不多有一个世纪了。它可能来自这样的说法: 小马、小牛刚生下来的时候全身湿漉漉的;别的地方很快会干,但是耳朵背后却还是湿的。所以说某人耳朵背后是潮的,是把这人比作刚生下不久的婴儿了。
  
  换句话说就是他简直像新生儿一般幼稚无知。我们来听个例子。这回是一位电脑软件专家在对上级说他不能使用他们专为一个重要项目雇佣的那名新员工,因为那人毫无工作经验。
  
  例句-3:I’m telling you, Ed, this guy is still wet behind the ears - he has no idea of how to even start the job. Why, my nine-year old daughter knows more about computers than he does!
  
  他说:我跟你说,Ed,这个人简直乳臭未干,他甚至连这工作怎么着手干都不知道。嘿,我九岁女儿对电脑的了解都比他要多。
  
  这里的wet behind the ears,相当于中文里的“乳臭未干的,” 用来形容某人幼稚无知。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1971
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语055讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他跟美国同事Amy一起在北京的一间酒店开会。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Chen Hao, did you pay attention to what you did when you went through that door?
  
  C:你是说刚才那个旋转门吗?
  
  A:There was an elderly man approaching just as we arrived. You stood back to let him go first.
  
  C:没错!应该让年长的人先走呀。这有什么不对吗?
  
  A:Not when it comes to revolving doors. If the door had been moving and someone else had been ahead of him pushing, you should have waited. However, the door was not moving, which means that you needed to have gone ahead and set the door in motion for him.
  
  C: 你的意思是,如果旋转门已经在转动了,那就应该让老人先走,如果门停在那里,我就应该先去推门了?
  
  A:You could say something like, "Please, allow me to get this door." He would most likely have appreciated your consideration and understood what you were doing.
  
  C:那我刚才让你先走肯定是没错的吧?
  
  A:That was the appropriate thing to do since the door was already moving.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1972
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

C:Amy, 男士和女士在一起的时候,有哪些规矩呢?
  
  A:Well, I am considered the less-able bodied of the two of us, you know, the weaker sex, so you were right to let me precede you. Then your job was to assist me by pushing the revolving door behind me.
  
  C:我没做错吧?
  
  A:To be perfectly honest, I didn’t feel that you did. Every able-bodied person needs to do their share, but being carefully not to send those in front on a wild ride.
  
  C:真糟糕,过个旋转门原来还有这么多规矩。开完会我们还是别走旋转门了。
  
  A:I’ll agree, but you ought to practice doing the correct thing when you use revolving doors.
  
  ******
  
  陈豪和Amy开完会一起往回走。
  
  C:Amy, 我来开门。
  
  A:Thank you. That was very nice, but did you notice the woman who was coming up behind us.
  
  C:好像是有个人,我没太注意,怎么了?
  
  A:You practically let the door slam in her face.
  
  C:哎哟,我光顾着给你开门了。
  
  A:You ought to give a glance over your shoulder to see if anyone else is approaching from behind and hold the door for that person.
  
  C:原来还要给后面的人开门!这我真没想到。还有其他什么要注意的吗?
  
  A:When people are heading for the same doorway at the same time but are approaching from opposite directions, the people who are exiting the building or room should be allowed to leave before those who are on their way in attempt to enter.
  
  C:这个我知道,要讲究先上后下,先出后入。谢谢你,Amy
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1973
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry跟李华一起去外面散步。今天我们要学两个常用语:in the mood和go with the flow.
  
  LL: Hey, Lihua, it’s so beautiful outside, the sun is shining and I am so happy it is Saturday because we can go out and enjoy the perfect spring weather.
  
  LH: 是啊,真是鸟语花香。这种天气去外面走走简直是超级享受。
  
  LL: You know, I’m really "in the mood" for taking a long stroll and eating brunch at a cafe with outdoor seating.
  
  LH: 什么叫"in the mood"? 你怎么啦,心里有什么不高兴的事吗?是不是压力太大了。在外面散步是件很惬意的事啊,怎么会让你moody心情不好呢?
  
  LL: No, "in the mood" means that I really want to do something, and it can be said in a few different situations.
  
  LH: 所以你刚才说you are in the mood to go for a stroll and eat brunch outside, 意思其实是,你有兴致在外面走走,吃点东西喽?
  
  LL: Exactly. Are you "in the mood" to go for a walk and eat brunch outside?
  
  LH: 只要天气好,我随时有兴致出去走走,I am always in the mood to take a walk outside.
  
  LL: Well, since we’re walking to brunch, what kind of food are you "in the mood" for?
  
  LH: I am in the mood for a tasty sandwich with extra cheese, 我现在最想吃一个可口的三明治,里面加很多奶酪。
  
  LL: I’m in the mood for a salad and a glass of iced tea.
  
  LH: 那一会你有没有兴致去看场电影呢?Are you in the mood to catch a movie after we eat?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1974
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: No, Lihua, I’m not in the mood. Today is such a beautiful day, I want to spend time outside soaking up the sun.
  
  LH: 这么说,如果我要表达自己不想干某件事情,只要说not in the mood就可以了?
  
  LL: Yes. You can simply say you’re "not in the mood" whenever you want to express that you’re not interested in doing something.
  
  LH: 虽然天气好,可是我还是不愿意一整天待在外面晒太阳。That’s bad for your skin, Larry! 对皮肤不好。
  
  LL: Oh, don’t worry, I brought some sun screen lotion. If you put this on your skin it will protect you from getting sun burned.
  
  LH: 天气预报说明天会下雨,will you be in the mood to see a movie then?
  
  LL: Of course, I’m always in the mood to see a movie on a rainy day.
  
  ******
  
  LL: Lihua, don’t worry about directions or picking a place to eat brunch, we’re walking down to Eastern Market, so we’ll find a place to eat when we get there, just go with the flow, ok?
  
  LH: Go with the flow? 你是说我们应该跟着人流走吗?我们要去的是Eastern Market,这些人可是往相反方向,去城里上班的!
  
  LL: No, "go with the flow" means to accept things as they happen and participate in the current activity.
  
  LH: 可是Larry, 去哪里一定要有计划才行啊!不然会迷路的。
  
  LL: That’s the point of the phrase, Lihua. "Go with the flow" means to go in one direction without any prior planning.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1975
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 那你刚才说"go with the flow"意思是往Eastern Market的方向走,随便找个地方吃东西喽?
  
  LL: That’s exactly what I mean. It’s spontaneous to "go with the flow." There are so many places to eat brunch in the Eastern Market area, so we can just "go with the flow" and choose a place that looks good when we get there.
  
  LH: "Go with the flow"可不是我的习惯。我去一个没去过的地方,出发前一定要把路线图查好,否则绝对不敢出门。
  
  LL: Well, "going with the flow" today will be an exciting experience for you, Lihua.
  
  LH: 你说的有道理,我太依赖互联网了。如果漫无目的地随便走走,没准能找到不少有趣的地方呢!
  
  LL: You know, Lihua, you can also shorten the phrase "go with the flow" by saying "go with it."
  
  LH: 所以说"go with the flow"和"go with it."两种说法可以通用喽?
  
  LL: That’s right Lihua. If I tell you to "go with the flow" or to "go with it" both sayings mean to be spontaneous and accept things as they happen.
  
  LL: 在中文里这叫顺其自然。好,我肚子开始叫了。Let’s go with the flow and eat brunch!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是in the mood, 意思是有心情做某件事。另一个是go with the flow,意思是顺其自然。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1976
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语056讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在上班路上遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:How was dinner last night? Didn’t you go out with upper management to entertain some new clients?
  
  C:没错,我跟老板一起请新客户到街对面新开的餐馆去吃饭,饭菜很棒,但是安排上出了一些小问题。
  
  A:What happened?
  
  C:老板Mr. Brown让我去安排。我通知了所有人,但是没跟餐馆预约,结果等了很久。
  
  A:I’m sure that didn’t go over well.
  
  C:能看出来,Mr. Brown很不高兴。
  
  A:Anytime you invite people to a business meal, whether the group is large or small, call the restaurant and make reservations.
  
  C:其实我打电话了,但是他们因为新开张,还没有订座的服务。
  
  A:Did they know how many people you were bringing?
  
  C:我说了,一共有12个人。
  
  A:You should have asked Mr. Brown if he wanted to choose another restaurant.
  
  C:我就是没想到要换餐馆。等大家到齐了,所有人都已经饥肠辘辘了。
  
  A:When that happens, you end up with a group of cranky people. That’s not good for business.
  
  C:是啊,下次你得好好给我讲讲请客吃饭时需要注意些什么。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1977
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当天下班后,陈豪和Amy有见面了。
  
  A:What did you do while you waited for your table last night?
  
  C:开始的时候,服务员让我们在门口的大厅里等。
  
  A:Did you ask if you could wait in the bar and order everyone a drink and some hors d’oeuvres?
  
  C: Mr. Brown很懂行,他提议先到酒吧去,还问服务员能不能给我们每人一杯免费的酒水。
  
  A:That was the thing to do since the restaurant made a mistake in not taking a reservation for the large group. Even with reservations, if your group has to wait long time, you should politely ask for some sort of compensation.
  
  C:最后我们可以上桌的时候,酒还没喝完,大多数人都自己把酒拿到了桌上。
  
  A:You should have requested the bartender or his staff to carry the drinks, considering the kind of restaurant it was. At a casual place, you are expected to take your own.
  
  C:除了免费的酒水以外,不少人还点了第二杯第三杯,大家走后,我只好留在吧台结帐。
  
  A:Next time ask the bartender to add the bar bill to your dinner tab.
  
  C:Amy, 你能不能最后总结一下,请客户吃饭有哪些注意事项呢?
  
  A:Whenever you entertain people over meals, insist on reservations. If your table is not ready, offer your guests a drink at the bar. Ask the bar staff to carry your unfinished drinks to the table and to add the bar bill to your final tab.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1978
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们来讲几个由clock这个词发展而来的习惯用语。大家一定熟悉clock这个词,它是钟。我们要学的第一个习惯用语已经流传了很久了。它是: like clockwork。 Clockwork是钟表的机件装置。钟表能精确无误地运转,分秒不差,靠的就是clockwork。
  
  人们用like clockwork来比喻什么样的人呢?我们听个例子来体会。说话的人每天一早上班顺道去一家咖啡店吃早点。这时他就会看到每天都在同一时刻来咖啡店的一位老人。我们听听这老先生有什么特点。
  
  例句-1:He comes in at 7:30 like clockwork. He always gets coffee and a jelly doughnut, then sits and reads his paper. Right at 8:30, he leaves - you can set your watch by him!
  
  他说:他七点三十分准时进来,老是买咖啡和一个果冻面饼圈吃,然后坐着看报,到准八点三十分一定离开。你可以根据他的行动来对表。
  
  这位老人的生活规律一板一眼,精确无误,所以说他like clockwork,是形容他的生活有精确无误的规律。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1979
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Like clockwork说人生活一板一眼地有规律,含义还是好的,但是下一个习惯用语就不同了: clean someone’s clock。 Clean someone’s clock意思是狠狠地揍某人或者把某人打得落花流水。
  
  这个习惯用语五十来年前首先出现在军队内,意思是狠狠揍打某人,或者是用拳头击败某人。有些语言学家认为clean someone’s clock来自意思是打垮某人的一个俚语clean up on someone,而在clean someone’s clock这个习惯用语里clock是指人的脸,因为在英文里钟面就是face。要是你碰巧在街上看到打群架,你很可能会听到这种恐吓的话: Watch out or I’ll clean your clock! 这句话里的clean your clock当然是“把你揍扁了!”
  
  但是如今这个习惯用语却多半用在运动比赛方面。我们听个例子,说话的人在跟他的好朋友Phil争论哈佛大学和耶鲁大学每年一度的橄榄球大赛。他是哈佛学生,而他的朋友却在耶鲁求学。
  
  例句-2:Sure, Phil, I know Yale has won six years in a row. But we have a great team at Harvard this year. I tell you, we’re going to clean your clock Saturday afternoon!
  
  他说:当然,Phil,我知道耶鲁已经一连赢了六年了,但是今年我们哈佛有个了不起的球队。告诉你吧,星期六下午我们会把你们打得一败涂地的。
  
  这里的clean your clock,意思是彻底打垮你们。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1980
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个带有clock这个词的习惯用语: biological clock。 Biological解释为“生物的,” biological clock这个说法是五十年代产生的。原先用来指人体内的某种系统,专门调节像入睡、苏醒这些基本活动的节奏和时间。这也是习惯用语biological clock在一般字典上的解释。
  
  然而如今要是在日常交谈中说biological clock,通常是指妇女一生中育龄期的始末。 Biological clock对急于要孩子的夫妇说来至关重要,当代妇女出外工作的人数比以往任何时代都多,所以你很可能会在办公室听到诸如此类的交谈。我们来听一位急与当爸爸的怎么跟同事商谈。
  
  例句-3:Mollie and I have been married over 25 years and her biological clock is ticking fast. We’re not getting younger, so she’ll take some time off her job so we can have a baby.
  
  他说:Mollie和我结婚有二十五年多了。她的育龄期正在飞快流逝。我们可不会返老还童,所以她准备请一段时间的假。这样我们就可能有个孩子。
  
  这里的biological clock指妇女的育龄期。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1981
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry准备跟李华一起出去吃饭。今天我们要学两个常用语:at my wit’s end和give somebody a piece of your mind.
  
  LH: Larry, 你最好快点。我们预约的时间是七点半,现在已经七点一刻了。如果再不走的话,肯定要迟到了。
  
  LL: I know, but I can’t find my wallet! Oh, and I forgot that I have to feed my neighbor’s dog tonight!
  
  LH: 你今天这是怎么了,钱包找不到,又忘记帮邻居喂狗,这样下去,以后鞋带也要别人给你系了!
  
  LL: No, I just had a really busy and stressful day today. I’m telling you, I’m really at my wit’s end.
  
  LH: The end of what? 我知道你今天很忙,可也不至于语无伦次啊。
  
  LL: I said I’m at my wit’s end. When you are at your wit’s end, it means that you are completely overwhelmed with problems, or you are experiencing a lot of stress.
  
  LH: 哦,我知道了,at my wit’s end意思就是因为压力太大,事情太多,而毫无头绪,不知所措。Larry, 你别急,深呼吸... 再来一次,吃饭晚几分钟不要紧。你刚说,要帮邻居喂狗,她又出差了吗?
  
  LL: Tonight she’s going to the hospital to visit her sick father. On top of that, she just lost her job and her boyfriend broke up with her. She’s really at her wit’s end, so I’m trying to help out.
  
  LH: 怎么这么可怜。爸爸生病住院不说、同时又被炒鱿鱼,还跟男朋友分手。难怪她会at her wit’s end. 跟她比,你这点困难简直就是小巫见大巫。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1982
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: It’s not just that I’m missing my wallet. I’m also at my wit’s end at work. My boss has given me five new projects to do next week, and I haven’t even finished the old ones yet.
  
  LH: 啊?老板分配给你五个新项目,难怪你会一脸官司。我也一样,每次周末去看我父母,他们都没完没了地叮嘱我,该穿什么衣服,如何待人接物,赶紧换个更好的男朋友。一天下来,I feel like I’m at my wit’s end.
  
  LL: Wait, what is that last thing that they tell you?
  
  LH: Huh? ...没什么重要的。告诉你个诀窍,每次我事情多得忙不过来的时候,我就会列个单子,把所有要干的事情都写下来。
  
  LL: That’s a good idea, but I have a better one. Since I can’t find my wallet I’ll just let you pay for dinner, and we can just bring back some leftovers to feed to my neighbor’s dog. OK?
  
  LH: Hmm ... 也就是说,如果我花钱把你和邻居家的狗喂饱,你的问题就迎刃而解了,you won’t be at your wit’s end anymore? 听起来好象不太划算。不过算了,请客就请客,我都快饿疯了。
  
  ******
  
  Larry和李华在餐馆里。
  
  LH: 怎么这么久还不上菜?我们都点了一个小时了。饿死我了。
  
  LL: Me too. If it doesn’t come soon, I’m going to find the manager and give him a piece of my mind.
  
  LH: Give him a piece of what? 向经理投诉我支持,给他东西就不必了吧。
  
  LL: Actually, when you give someone a piece of your mind, it means that you tell them how angry you are at them.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1983
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 原来你是说,给餐馆经理a piece of your mind意思就是让他知道我们对他们的服务有多么的不满意。
  
  LL: Exactly. And if after this long wait the food is really bad, I just might go back into the kitchen and give the cook a piece of my mind too.
  
  LH: Wow, Larry, 看来你真是需要好好休息一下了。来,深呼吸,再吃块面包。
  
  LL: You’re right Lihua. I would love to go on vacation, but my boss just gave me a lot of work to do, remember? I’d like to give her a piece of my mind, but I don’t want to get fired.
  
  LH: 你可千万不能跟老板发火。万一被炒了鱿鱼,You would really be at your wit’s end.
  
  LL: Well at least then I could take a vacation.
  
  LH: 菜怎么还不来!都是因为你说喜欢在这家餐馆的儿童菜单上画画,我们才会到这儿来。幸好我现在心情还不错,否则,I might give you a piece of my mind.
  
  LL: Lihua, I would rather wrestle a tiger than face your anger.
  
  LH: 你是说我比熊还凶吗?
  
  LL: Haha ... Look, the waiter is coming over with our food.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是at my wit’s end,意思是束手无策,黔驴技穷.另一个是give somebody a piece of your mind,意思是直言不讳地指责别人。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1984
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语057讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他到办公室去找美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 今天晚上的表演你去吗?
  
  A:Yes, I’m looking forward to it. Our new boss, Mr. Brown, is being kind to take us all to celebrate the success on our last project. Are you going?
  
  C:去。可我从来没去过剧院。你给我讲讲要注意些什么。我可不想在老板面前丢人。
  
  A:The first thing you should know is to be on time. Mr. Brown is picking up our tickets and will meet us in front of the theater at 7 o’clock.
  
  C:我本来约好了跟朋友吃饭,然后再去。既然老板已经买了票,我们为什么还要提前到呢?
  
  A:First of all, you do as the boss requests. Secondly, it is inconsiderate to arrive just as the curtain goes up.
  
  C:反正已经有票了,表演开始前到不就行了吗?
  
  A:That is exactly the point. If your seat happens to be in the middle of the row, you will have to climb over everyone else.
  
  C:如果我坐在边上,里面的人后到,我该怎么做呢?
  
  A:You might want to remain standing until those people turn up. Once the lights go down to signal that the show is beginning, take your seat.
  
  C:如果表演开始后,坐在里面的人才到呢?
  
  A:Ushers generally will not seat people after the performance has begun until there is an appropriate break. Be courteous and stand to make it easier for them to get by.
  
  C:谢谢你,Amy, 我们晚上见。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1985
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

晚上表演中场休息。
  
  C:Amy, 你觉得今天的表演怎么样?
  
  A:The play is excellent, but I am having trouble seeing and hearing.
  
  C:为什么?
  
  A:Well, the woman in front of me has on a big hat. I am having trouble seeing. She wasn’t being thoughtful when she decided to wear that monstrosity.
  
  C: 什么叫monstrosity?
  
  A:The word relates to monster. I suppose she wanted to dress up, but she overdid it. And by the way, what were you thinking when you decided to dress casually?
  
  C:去剧院看表演还要穿西装打领带吗?
  
  A:Absolutely, the theater is a special event and people should dress up for the occasion. You should at least have worn a coat and tie.
  
  C:可我去看电影的时候,从来都穿得很随便的呀!
  
  A:This isn’t the movies. It is a sign of respect to the actors and the other theater goers to look your best.
  
  C:其实,我去之前也犹豫了一下。
  
  A:I wish you had asked me. Since you didn’t, keep in mind that it is always better to dress up rather than dress down.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1986
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语有共同的关键词,happy。大家也许早就知道happy意思是“快乐的。”我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: happy-go-lucky。 Lucky是“幸运的。” Happy-go-lucky是个相当古老的习惯用语,沿用至今有三百来年了。听到这个习惯用语包含happy和lucky这两个词,你也许在揣摩它一定用来描绘一个无忧无虑的幸运儿。你这是只猜对了一半。
  
  我们听个例子来进一步体会happy-go-lucky,这个习惯用语的含义究竟是什么吧。他要告诉我们他朋友Bob的事儿。Bob可不是什么幸运儿。恰恰相反,Bob刚丢了工作,女朋友又跟他吹了,如今连房租都付不起,到处欠人的钱。然而他却说Bob is happy-go-lucky,你听听他为什么这样说。
  
  例句-1:In Bob’s place I’d never get out of bed. But he’s happy-go-lucky as ever, greets you with that big smile, tells a few jokes, then invites you for a drink. What a guy!
  
  他说:要是我处在Bob的地位我管保消沉得都不想起床了。但是Bob仍然是一如既往的乐天派。他满面笑容地跟你打招呼,说说笑笑,再请你喝上一杯。 可真有他的!
  
  刚才说过Bob遇上了一连串的倒霉事儿,但是他却还是兴高采烈的,可见他是个乐天派。这种人即使在困境中也无忧无虑,因为老确信自己会时来运转。所以happy-go-lucky这个习惯用语的意思就是乐天知命,随遇而安的。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1987
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当然一个人要是happy-go-lucky,他难免会是盲目乐观。我们再学个用来描绘另一种乐呵呵的人的习惯用语: slap-happy。 Slap是用巴掌拍击。Slap happy原来出自拳击运动,说脑袋多次遭到打击因而晕头转向的那种人。Slap happy现在也常用来指人昏头昏脑的,但是却不是因为受到某种打击。是什么原因呢? 我们来听个例子,这段话说的是Mark,他太太刚为他生下了第一个宝贝。注意里面用到的习惯用语slap happy。
  
  例句-2:The baby was born a month ago but Mark is still slap-happy about it. He keeps telling everybody all the smart things his kid does - to tell the truth, he’s getting pretty annoying.
  
  他说:小宝宝是一个月前生的,但是Mark至今还乐得晕呼呼地。他逢人就谈孩子的那些聪明举动。 老实说吧,他可真叫人腻烦。
  
  Mark为自己有了小宝贝而乐得忘乎所以,老跟人谈才一个月大的小孩有多聪明,叫人不胜其烦,可见Mark是给自己的幸福冲昏头脑了。所以slap-happy用来描绘被幸福或者胜利冲昏头脑的人,是高兴得晕头转向的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1988
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个由happy发展而来的习惯用语: happy-camper。 Camper是野外露营的人,每年夏天成千上万美国人都爱带上孩子去野外山林间露营。露营是老少咸宜的度假方式。它既给爸妈一个休闲轻松的机会,也让孩子能跟小伙伴朝夕相处玩耍。
  
  多数去露营的人回家时都兴致勃勃,觉得山河田野间的大自然生活多么清新宜人。从八十年代起happy camper开始成为习惯用语,用来描绘对自己的日常生活状况心满意足的老老少少。
  
  奇怪的是如今人们常常会在否定句中用习惯用语happy camper。下面就是个典型例子。它描绘一次糟糕的飞越美国的旅行。
  
  例句-3:It was an awful trip! We took off late, the air was bumpy, the plane was jammed, the toilets got stopped up, the food was terrible - we sure weren’t happy campers when we landed.
  
  他说:这次旅行糟糕透了!我们起飞就晚点,空中气流不稳飞机因而颠簸得厉害。这次航班挤满了乘客,抽水马桶偏又阻塞不通,而且机上供应的饭食难以下咽。到着陆时我们都怨气冲天。
  
  这里的weren’t happy campers含义是对所处的境遇非常不满意。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1989
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语058讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在上班路上遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Hi, Amy. How are you?
  
  A:I’m fine, thank you, and you?
  
  C:我感觉很疲惫。昨天晚上我跟老板Mr. Brown一起请客户吃饭,很晚才到家。
  
  A:Did everything go all right?
  
  C:我觉得有个客户的举止很不得体。
  
  A:What did he do?
  
  C:我们一入座。他就把西装外衣脱下来,搭在椅子背儿上。当时饭店里确实有点热,可Mr. Brown没脱西装,所以我也就没脱。
  
  A:That’s a good thing because unless your host, in this case, Mr. Brown, removes his jacket, you should not remove yours.
  
  C:那个客户显然没有想到这一点。不过Amy, 我记得你告诉过我,应该尽量让客户觉得自在。
  
  A:Yes, I did. That’s all part of good manners. Why do you ask?
  
  C:因为过了一会儿,那个客户也发现,只有他一个人没穿上衣,所以觉得很尴尬。如果我是主人,我肯定会主动跟着他把西装脱下来。
  
  A:I agree with you. Sometimes you need to do things that you wouldn’t ordinarily do to put other people at ease.
  
  C:如果我是Mr. Brown, 看到客户脱西装,我肯定会说,“是挺热的,我也穿不住了”。
  
  A:Absolutely. That would have made your client feel comfortable and given everyone permission to do the same.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1990
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

中午陈豪和Amy一起吃饭。
  
  A:Tell me what else happened at dinner. It sounds like a quite interesting night.
  
  C:还有,汤上来的时候,刚才脱西装的那个客户一下子把领带甩到了肩膀上,可能是不想把领带弄脏。
  
  A:That is definitely not acceptable under any circumstances. Most men have forgotten that ties were originally created to protect the shirt. Not only is it out of place to toss your tie over your shoulder at the table, it runs counter to its purpose.
  
  C:原来男人戴领带,是为了保护衬衣不被弄脏。那我们能不能把餐巾掖在脖子下面呢?
  
  A:Good heavens, no. Your napkin should be laid in your lap - never tucked in anywhere.
  
  C: 哦,餐巾一定要搭在腿上。我以前见过不少人把餐巾掖在脖子下面,我昨天差点没那么做。
  
  A:Thank goodness you did not.
  
  C:Amy,你能不能总结一下刚才说的,跟客户吃饭的注意事项呢?
  
  A:If you are wearing a coat or jacket to dinner, you don’t remove it, no matter how uncomfortable you are, unless your host takes his off first and asks if you’d like to do the same. And your tie stays in place throughout the meal and your napkin rests in your lap.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1991
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们来学几个由bird这个词发展而来的习惯用语。你一定知道bird就是鸟。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: bird-brain。 Brain是头脑。鸟儿有个小小的脑袋,所以里面的脑子也必然是小小的。要是一个人的头脑像鸟脑袋一般大,那这个人几乎等于没什么头脑了。
  
  我们听个例子来体会人们用bird-brain说什么样的人。这是个父亲在数落自己的女婿。
  
  例句-1:My daughter is a very smart young woman. But love does strange things to people. She married this worthless bird-brain who has trouble adding up two and two and getting four.
  
  他认为女儿是个聪敏能干的年青妇女,但是被爱情冲昏头脑嫁给这一无是处的女婿。他说女婿甚至连二加二等于四都弄不清。
  
  这当然是他在夸张地描述女婿的蠢笨,可见他说女婿是bird-brain,意思是他是个没头脑、愚蠢的人。这就是bird-brain这个习惯用语的含义。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1992
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实,说句公道话,鸟儿并不蠢,只要看它每年秋天能南飞数千里去温暖地带过冬;春天又能千里迢迢地重返老家,就知道它认路的能力比人强多了。我们再来学第二个带有bird这个词的习惯用语:early bird。 Early是早的意思。这个习惯用法来自一个谚语: the early bird catches the worm, 早起的鸟儿抓得到虫子,含义相当于中国成语“捷足先登。”
  
  这是个人们常用的谚语,在日常使用中它逐渐简化成early bird。比方说,某企业家会自夸是early bird,因为他每天清晨到办公室的时间比下属早一小时。
  
  Early bird也可以是在商店大减价的时候开门前两小时就等在店门外、以便第一个进店去挑选中意商品的顾客。然而如今最常有的一个说法是early bird special。
  
  Early bird special指早来的顾客可享有的特价。例如饭店会给早于通常时间来临的顾客特价。比方说在下午四点到六点之间来饭店用餐的顾客可享受优惠价格。一般都是退休的领养老金的老人才有空也需要去享受这样的优惠。我们听这个人在说他的父母。
  
  例句-2:Mom and dad are over 70 and living on pensions. When they eat out, they always go to this seafood place before six when they can have early bird special dinner for eight dollars. That’s too early for me: I don’t even get home from work until seven.
  
  他说:爸妈七十多了,靠养老金过日子。他俩要是出去吃饭就老是六点前去这家海鲜店,因为那时候这家店有早客优惠,吃一顿晚饭只八块钱。 而对我说来那时间太早。我甚至要到七点才下班回家呢。
  
  这里的early bird special指商家招徕顾客的一种手段: 早客优惠。
  
  ******

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1993
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个由bird这个词组成的习惯用语: for the birds。 For the birds这个习惯用语的意思是毫无价值的、荒唐可笑的、令人生厌的。它的出典可能是这样一个事实: 鸟类吃的往往是人所不欲的东西。例如高速路边上被汽车压得血肉模糊的小动物尸体。有些人见了甚至想吐,但是鸟儿却争着把它啃个精光,所以人们就开始用for the birds来表示“讨厌的,” “令人作呕的。”
  
  有时人们为了加强语气还这样说: strictly for the birds。 Strictly for the birds意思是实在叫人讨厌。 我们听个例子。说话的人有一次带女朋友Betty去看一场电影,但是没等看完就中途退场了。我们听听那是为什么。请注意里面用了两次习惯用语for the birds,第二次加上了strictly。
  
  例句-3:Ten minutes after the film started, Betty whispered, "Honey, this is for the birds." I agreed. So we got up and walked out. Believe me, it was awful - strictly for the birds!
  
  他说:电影开场十分钟后,Betty悄悄对我说: “亲爱的,这部片子真糟糕。” 我和她有同感,于是我们站起身来就走。相信我,这电影实在糟糕,简直令人作呕。
  
  这里的for the birds或者strictly for the birds意思是“糟糕的,” “实在令人作呕的。”
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1994
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华陪Larry一起去看房子。今天我们要学两个常用语:tip your hand和poker face.
  
  LH: Larry, 这间公寓简直太理想了。两个卧室,一个大厨房,后面居然还有个小院子。我看就是它吧!
  
  LL: Yeah, I know. And best of all, the second bedroom will be a great place for me to keep my collection of Chia pets.
  
  LH: 你心里只有你那些草头娃娃!不过话说过来了,这是你办公室附近唯一的一家高档公寓楼,你也没有别的选择。
  
  LL: Shhh! Don’t let the landlord hear that I don’t have any other options. I don’t want to tip my hand when we negotiate over the price.
  
  LH: Tip? 难道租房子还要给房东小费吗?
  
  LL: No no, tip my hand. When you tip your hand, it means that you give someone else secret information.
  
  LH: 我明白了,tip your hand是露底牌的意思。你是怕房东知道你没有其它选择,在租金上就会狮子大开口。所以你不愿意tip your hand,让他知道你的底细。
  
  LL: Exactly. You can remember it by thinking about playing cards. If you tip your hand forward so that other people can see your cards, you give the other players an advantage.
  
  LH: 对啊,打牌的时候一定要拿好自己的牌,让别人看见了你的牌,还能不输?哦,怪不得我老输。一定是你偷看我的牌。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1995
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Say, what are you going to get me for a house-warming present? Maybe that new Barack Obama Chia pet that just came out?
  
  LH: 你别想套我的话,暖房的礼物要给你个惊喜,我绝对不会提前tip my hand.
  
  LL: Fair enough.But just in case you were wondering what I want, I’ll tip my hand a little bit and tell you that I love Chia pets, and I also love Barack Obama.
  
  LH: 我就知道你看中了新上市的奥巴马草头娃娃。说正经的,这公寓唯一的问题就是租金太贵。你老板最近会给你涨工资吗?
  
  LL: Well I asked my boss for a big raise last week, but so far she hasn’t said whether she will accept my offer. I bet if I threaten to quit she will be forced to tip her hand.
  
  LH: 你可千万要三思而行。你要是真丢了饭碗,就别想住进这样的“豪华”公寓了!
  
  ******
  
  LL: OK, Lihua. It’s time to try to negotiate over the price with the landlord. We don’t want to tip our hand, so remember to put on your poker face.
  
  LH: Poker? 谈价钱跟打扑克牌有什么关系?
  
  LL: No, it’s an expression. When you put on your poker face, it means that you don’t show any emotion.
  
  LH: 我明白了,poker face就是中文里说的不动声色。你是担心如果表现得太积极,房东就会提高租金,但是如果不动声色,房东就没办法揣摩你的心理,反而会提供一些优惠把你留住。
  
  LL: That’s exactly right. It’s like when you play poker.You don’t want the other players to know if you have good or bad cards by acting happy or sad, so you put on your poker face.
  
  LH: 换句话说,如果你不put on your poke face, 你就会tip your hand.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1996
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: That’s right. My boss has a really good poker face. When I asked for that raise, she didn’t show any reaction. Now I don’t know if she is going to accept it or not.
  
  LH: 那poke face跟straight face是不是一个意思呢?
  
  LL: They’re similar, but keeping a straight face usually refers only to not laughing when you think something is funny. It doesn’t usually apply to other emotions.
  
  LH: 我知道了,straight face是说故意绷着不笑。哦对了,我已经去过草头娃娃专卖店,奥巴马草头娃娃已经脱销了。
  
  LL: Oh no! That’s terrible news! My life is over!
  
  LH: Haha, gotcha! 逗你的! I told you I can really keep a straight face.
  
  LL: Oh Lihua, please don’t joke about something as important as Chia pets. But you did keep a straight face. You didn’t smile at all, even though you were making a joke.
  
  LH: 我可是专业水平的!怎么样,要不要我替你跟房东砍价啊?
  
  LL: Sounds good to me. It’s pretty clear that you have a much better poker face than I do.
  
  LH: 忘了告诉你,我的砍价费是每小时一百美元。
  
  LL: What? You won’t do it just to be a good friend?
  
  LH: Haha, got you again! 又上当了。
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是tip your hand意思是露底牌。另一个是poke face,意思是不动声色。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1997
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华帮Larry收拾东西,准备搬家。今天我们要学两个常用语:the last straw和loose ends.
  
  LH: Larry, 你怎么存了这么多垃圾!我看干脆都扔了,别搬走了。
  
  LL: Junk? Throw it away? These are all precious! How could I ever throw away my math book from third grade, or my Halloween costume from five years ago? I looked really great as Michael Jackson.
  
  LH: 那好,三年级的数学作业本和五年前的鬼节服装都收在这个箱子里面,别忘了!不过我还是决定把你这几个旧鞋盒和衣架扔掉,你要坚强,不要流泪。
  
  LL: Fine, but if you go after my Star Trek dolls, that will be the last straw.
  
  LH: The last what?
  
  LL: The last straw. When a series of bad things happens to you, the last straw is the final bad thing that you cannot tolerate.
  
  LH: 你是说,the last straw是说一系列不愉快的事情中最令人无法接受的。所以,对你来说,star Trek dolls是你最难以割舍的东西。
  
  LL: Exactly. Or, take this apartment for example. This year the air conditioning broke, the bathroom flooded, and some noisy neighbors moved in next door. But the last straw was when I found a mouse in the kitchen. That’s when I decided to move.
  
  LH: 我知道你最怕老鼠,所以空调失灵、厕所漏水、邻居吵闹都可能忍受,但是老鼠的出现是“最后一根稻草”。我最受不了邻居大吵大闹了,你夜里怎么能睡觉呢?
  
  LL: I didn’t. It was bad enough when they played loud music during the day, but when they started playing it at 3am, that was the last straw.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1998
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 太过份了。对了,Larry, 你那些狐朋狗友不是要来帮你搬家吗?
  
  LL: Yes, but they’re not very dependable. It was bad enough when they forgot about my birthday last week, but if they don’t bother to show up and help move, that will be the last straw.
  
  LH: 你看吧,你当初就该听我的,找个搬家公司。
  
  LL: I was thinking about it, but the price was quite expensive. And when they told me that I would have to pay for the gas that the truck used, that was the last straw.
  
  LH: 幸亏我最近一直在健身,浑身是劲!走,我们去打扫厨房。别担心,有我在,老鼠一定不敢骚扰你。
  
  ******
  
  Larry和李华在Larry的新公寓楼里。
  
  LH: Larry, 这箱书放哪?放在卧室吗?
  
  LL: Sure. Is there anything left to bring in from the truck?
  
  LH: 没了,这是最后一个箱子。
  
  LL: Great. Thanks for your help, Lihua. I can probably tie up all the loose ends by myself.
  
  LH: Tie the what?
  
  LL: Loose ends. When you are about to finish doing a project, but there are still a few small things left to do, you can call them the "loose ends."
  
  LH: 哦,loose ends就是中文里说的最后剩下的零星工作。比如说把钥匙还给原来的房东,把租的卡车还回去这些事情。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#1999
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Exactly. Or, if I want to go on vacation, I have to make sure I tie up all the loose ends at work before I go. Otherwise they could become big problems while I’m gone.
  
  LH: 说起渡假,你不是说准备夏天到海边去玩吗?
  
  LL: Yes, I’m almost finished. I have the hotel reservations and airplane tickets. There’s just a few loose ends I still have to take care of, like finding my bathing suit and buying sun screen.
  
  LH: 太好了,我也得把中文课的考卷改好,渡假的时候我可不愿意去担心这些loose ends.
  
  LL: Well after all this hard work moving we’re both going to need a vacation. I sure hope we get good weather. After all the problems with my last apartment, if we get to the beach and it’s raining, that will really be the last straw for me.
  
  LH: 我帮你搬家,你还没说怎么谢我呢!今天干脆别拆包了,你请我吃饭吧!
  
  LL: Wow, all that work for one meal? What a bargain! I’ll go get the car while you call for reservations. Have we forgotten any loose ends?
  
  LH: 别忘了带钱包,今天可是你付帐!
  
  LL: Oh right. The only problem is that I packed it away in one of these boxes and I’m not sure where it is. Do you mind paying?
  
  LH: Larry, 你要是没有我可怎么办啊!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是the last straw意思是最令人无法忍受的事情。另一个是loose ends,意思是还没有处理的零星事情。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2000
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语059讲
  
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他跟美国同事Amy一起喝下午茶。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Chen Hao, you've been attending a lot of business dinners lately. Didn't your team go out again last night with the clients?
  
  C:没错。我老板Mr. Brown决定请客人到附近刚开张的那家法国餐馆去吃饭。
  
  A:How did it go?
  
  C:饭菜的味道确实不错,但是有个客人很失态。
  
  A:What do you mean?
  
  C:首先,她点的菜都是菜单上价钱最贵的。
  
  A:What did the others do?
  
  C:其他人点的都是中等价位的,我也一样。
  
  A:This client sounds as if she could use some business etiquette training. Unless Mr. Brown suggested that you all order certain pricey dishes, she should have chosen something moderately priced.
  
  C:我觉得也是。除非主人坚持,否则客人应该点一些普通的菜才对。
  
  A:It's rude to take advantage of your host like that. This client is not very savvy about business dining.
  
  C: Savvy是什么意思啊?
  
  A:Savvy means having knowledge and experience.
  
  C:这个客户确实不懂礼貌,而且还不只这些呢!
  
  A:Let's head back to the office now. You can tell me on the way.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2001
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪和Amy两人一起往回走。
  
  A:So there is more to this story?
  
  C:那个客人不仅点的都是最贵的,而且一道菜都不拉。
  
  A:Like what?
  
  C:从汤开始,然后是头台、沙拉,主菜,最后还有特制的甜点,一样不少。
  
  A:What did everyone else do?
  
  C:Mr. Brown虽然吃得很少,但也只好跟着她一道菜一道菜地点。
  
  A:He was doing the correct thing as host by ordering the same as the client.
  
  C:作为主人,一定要这么做吗?
  
  A:When someone orders appetizers or other dishes in addition to the entrée, it is polite for others to order the same courses.
  
  C:那又是为什么呢?
  
  A:That keeps the pace of the dinner even and avoids the awkwardness of one person eating a course by herself.
  
  C:如果没有别人点汤的话,那个客户自己吃的时候一定会觉得很尴尬。
  
  A:At an informal dinner, some people have soup while others may select a different appetizer to have at the same time. Everyone should have an equal number of courses.
  
  C:那作为请客的主人,在饭桌上能做些什么呢?
  
  A:Simple. The host can say, "Why don't we all have an appetizer?" Or he could ask, "Would anyone like something to start with?"
  
  C:这样一来,你就能知道自己是不是唯一想点头台的人了。
  
  A:Right. If no one else has a starter course, then you don't either.
  
  C:你真应该给昨天那个客人好好上一课。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2002
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上一次我们讲了三个带有bird这个词的习惯用语。它们是: bird brain。 Bird brain指没头脑、愚蠢的人和early bird special。 Early bird special是给早来顾客的特价优惠。还有strictly for the birds。 Strictly for the birds意思是毫无价值的、荒唐可笑的、令人作呕的。 Bird是个常用词,由bird发展而成的习惯用语也不少。
  
  今天再来学几个。第一个是: bird-dog。 Bird-dog虽然由bird和dog这两个名词组成,中间用连字号联接,但是它却可以作动词用。确实有一种狗叫做bird dog,专门被训练来帮助猎人发现野鸡、鹌鹑之类的飞禽猎物。 Bird dog有特别敏锐的眼力和嗅觉,每当它发现躲藏在树丛草堆里的猎捕对象时,就全神贯注地静止不动,把眼睛鼻子直指向猎物的藏身之处。这一来就引起了猎人的警觉,帮他们发现猎捕对象。这可能就是bird-dog这个习惯用语的出典。
  
  按字典的说法,大约在1930年前后, bird dog这个词组成为习惯用语,用来指被委派观察某一活动以便随时发现问题的人。这时bird dog当然是个名词词组。这个名词词组中间加上连字号就变成动词了,常用来表达严密监视、密切注意、搜索情况的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2003
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们听个例子。一家小公司的经理要来告诉我们经过一番辛苦拼搏,他那摇摇欲坠的生意终于有了转机;他们争取到一家大公司为期五年的承包合同。这可是个让他的企业起死回生的关键项目,不能出丝毫差错。我们听听他采取了什么防范措施。他要求自己最信得过的职员Joe做什么?
  
  例句-1:I want to make sure we do a good job. So I'm asking Joe here to bird-dog the whole project and catch any trouble. If he sees any, he'll report it directly to me.
  
  他说:我要确保我们做好这项工作,所以我委派Joe严密监促整个项目,查找任何问题。他一旦发现差错,就会直接向我汇报。
  
  这段话里的bird-dog含义是严密监督、仔细查找问题。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2004
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个带有bird这个词的习惯用语: the birds and bees。 Bee是蜜蜂。习惯用语the birds and bees已经有一百五十来年的历史了,人们用the birds and bees委婉地表示人的生殖繁育和性活动,以避免难以启齿的窘迫境地。
  
  它的来源可能是这样的。许多父母常常试图用鸟类和蜜蜂的繁殖活动来比喻人类如何生儿育女,以便向孩子解释爸妈是怎么会有他们的。问题在于鸟儿和蜜蜂的繁殖行为跟人类大不相同,所以实在难以借用这个来说清楚男女间的性关系。我们听一个人来说说自己十岁时的一段经历。
  
  例句-2:Dad got all red in the face telling me about the birds and bees. And it only mixed me up - I had to learn about girls from friends my age who didn't know much more than me.
  
  他说:爸爸试着借用比喻迂回委婉地向我说明人类的生殖活动,直讲得满脸通红,可还是让我困惑不解,于是我不得不找同年龄的伙伴去了解女孩究竟是怎么回事,而我的小伙伴也并不比我懂多少。
  
  这里的习惯用语the birds and bees是对人类的生殖繁育活动所作的迂回委婉的解释。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2005
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实由bird这个词发展而来的习惯用语还有不少。不知大家是否记得我们以前学过的一个习惯用: sit in the catbird seat。 Catbird是美国和澳洲特有的一种大鸟。由于鸣声像猫叫而得到这个名称。它专门把窝筑在大树高高的顶端以避免遭受侵犯和其它各种威胁。所以sit in the catbird seat意思是处境安稳, 可以高枕无忧了。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2006
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华教Larry做中国饭。今天我们要学两个常用语:up in smoke和burst somebody's bubble.
  
  LH: Larry, 你想学做什么菜,尽管说!我最拿手的是麻婆豆腐,如果你想学难点的,我可以做你烤北京烤鸭。
  
  LL: No no, Lihua. I want to learn how to make REAL Chinese food. You know, like fortune cookies. How do you keep the paper inside from getting burned in the oven?
  
  LH: 告诉你可别失望,其实中国根本没有什么fortune cookie幸运签饼。这是美国的原创。
  
  LL: What? All these years I've dreamed of going to China to have a real Chinese fortune cookie, and you're telling me they don't exist? All my dreams are going up in smoke!
  
  LH: Up in smoke? 我还没烧菜呢,哪来的烟啊?
  
  LL: When you say that something goes up in smoke, it means that it disappears or is no longer possible.
  
  LH: 我明白了,up in smoke是说一件事情希望破灭。换句话说,你想到中国吃正宗幸运签饼的梦想已经成了泡影,your dream went up in smoke.
  
  LL: That's right. Usually you use this expression for something you have been planning for a long time. For example, I always wanted to go to Harvard, but that dream went up in smoke when I found out how much it costs.
  
  LH: 你原来梦想去哈佛上学?这我还是第一次听说。那我一直梦想去巴黎工作,结果拿不到签证,也可以说my plan went up in smoke喽?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2007
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: That's right.
  
  LH: 虽说“幸运签饼”不是中国的产物,可你也不用让自己去中国的梦想破灭啊!
  
  LL: I know, it's just disappointing. Last week I got a fortune cookie that told me that all my dreams would come true. I thought it was a sign from heaven.
  
  LH: 你还真信,签饼里纸条上的话可不是上苍的“意思”,而是签饼公司的“意思”。
  
  LL: This is no time for jokes, Lihua. My life has just come tumbling down around me. No fortune cookies in China! Who would have known?
  
  LH: Poor Larry. 为了不让你的梦想彻底破灭,我一定毫不保留地把自己的厨艺全教给你。说吧,你要学什么!
  
  LL: Well, I really want to learn how to make the little white boxes that you put the food in.
  
  ******
  
  LL: Wow, Lihua. I can't believe that I made such great Mapo Dofu on my first try! Isn't it great?
  
  LH: Yeah, it's ... umm ... 可以说是你的独创。正宗的麻婆豆腐里面是不放意大利面条和花生酱的。
  
  LL: Oh c'mon, Lihua, don't burst my bubble. I think you're just jealous that I'm such a natural cook.
  
  LH: Burst your what?
  
  LL: Burst my bubble. When someone is really excited or confident about something, you burst their bubble when you say something to disappoint them.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2008
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你是说,burst your bubble,捅破你的肥皂泡,就是让你希望破灭。你本来对自己做的麻婆豆腐特骄傲,结果我却给你泼冷水。So I burst your bubble.
  
  LL: Exactly. Or for example, I have a friend who really wants to be a famous singer. I should tell her to give up that dream because she has a really bad voice, but I don't want to burst her bubble.
  
  LH: 如果你朋友真的没有唱歌的天份,即使你不去burst her bubble, 到头来,her plan will go up in smoke,她的梦想最终也会成为泡影。
  
  LL: That's true.You know, to thank you for teaching me how to make Mapo Dofu, I'm going to teach you how to make my special recipe: a deep-fried hot dog topped with chocolate sauce and broccoli.
  
  LH: I hate to burst your bubble, 不过你这个独家菜还是自己留着享用吧,油炸热狗,加上花菜和巧克力酱,听上去就没胃口。
  
  LL: Are you crazy? It's delicious! You know, I hate to burst YOUR bubble Lihua, but I don't think you are such a cooking expert as you think.
  
  LH: 你怎么说都可以,我本来也没自称是什么烹调专家。但起码我知道,麻婆豆腐里不能放薯条。
  
  LL: Well, maybe we should just agree to disagree.
  
  LH: 不过,火腿肉炒花菜倒可以说是一道中国菜,但是不能放巧克力酱。
  
  LL: See! I knew I was a natural Chinese chef. I've been making a traditional Chinese dish without even knowing it!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是up in smoke意思是希望破灭。另一个是burst somebody's bubble,意思是打破某人的幻想。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2009
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲的习惯用语有一个共同的词slap。 这个词的意思是用巴掌拍击。我们先要学的两个习惯用语从字面上看都是在说拍打身体的某一部位。我们先从比较容易理解那个习惯用语说起吧: a slap on the back。 A slap on the back要是直译就是在背上拍一下。
  
  在美国,男士间常用这样的动作来向对方表示祝贺、赞许,也可能仅仅表示友情。某些政界人士也往往会故意用拍背的动作向选民显示自己多么平易近人。我们听个例子来体会a slap on the back究竟是什么意思。
  
  说话的人正和一群好朋友在酒吧喝酒言欢,另一位老朋友Freddie走进来了,于是他招呼Freddie过来和他们共同庆祝一个伙伴,Bill,的喜事。
  
  例句-1: Hey, Freddie, come over and give Bill here a good slap on the back. He's a proud man today; his wife gave birth to twin boys last night so he's buying us all drinks!
  
  原来是他们中间的一个朋友,Bill,前一天晚上得了一对双胞胎儿子。这个充满自豪的新爸爸要请朋友们喝酒,所以他叫Freddie过来参加他们的庆祝,向新爸爸表示祝贺。
  
  这里的give him a good slap on the back意思是“好好地祝贺他一下。”

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2010
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个似乎也是在说拍击身体某一部位的习惯用语: a slap in the face。 A slap in the face,看来好像跟a slap on the back结构相像,但是它们的意思却相差很远。A slap in the face,如果直译就是一记耳光。打耳光是既伤人又侮辱人的行为,但是作为习惯用语却绝对不是巴掌打在脸蛋上的意思。我们通过一个例子来体会习惯用语a slap in the face含义究竟是什么。
  
  这段话说的是某市一个地区的居民发现他们住处附近的街道年久失修,市府却一再拖延整修,于是他们开会选出三名代表去向市长反映。这三人通过电话和市长预定了会面时间,并准时到达市府恭候市长大人接见,他们耐心地等了又等,我们听听结果发生了什么
  
  例句-2: He kept us waiting three hours and then sent a clerk out to tell us he was too busy and to come back another day. A real slap in the face - the clerk didn't even say sorry! Okay, we'll remember this at election time this fall.
  
  他说:他让我们等了三个钟头,然后派一名文书出来告诉我们他太忙,叫我们改日再来。这名文书甚至连一声道歉的话都没说。真是欺人太甚!好吧,今年秋天改选的时候我们可忘不了这事。
  
  这个市长大人跟他们约定了会面时间却失约,而且让他们干等了三小时都不道歉,所以这里的习惯用语a slap in the face是指敌对和侮慢的断然拒绝或者尖锐指责。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2011
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个带有slap这个词的习惯用语: slap together。 Slap together意思类似于我们以前学的习惯用语: slapdash,意思是由于时间紧迫而匆忙行事,但是slap together还是有跟slapdash不同的地方: slapdash带有急匆匆而草率从事的含义,而slap together却绝对没有因快就马虎的意思。
  
  我们听个例子来探究slap together这个习惯用语的意思。这段话说的是美国历史上的一次无人不知的演讲。一百四十多年前的美国,惨烈的南北战争几乎把国家一撕为二。有一天,忙于战事的林肯总统必需去宾西法尼亚州葛底斯堡镇为葛底斯堡国家公墓的落成典礼献词。
  
  这个国家公墓是为那些在葛底斯堡战役中的阵亡将士修建的。当时林肯只有坐火车的那几分钟时间作准备。那天的主要演讲人是一位著名的演说家,林肯要在他之后讲话,于是林肯在一个信封的背面匆匆写下了自己的讲话稿。我们听听后来发生的一切:
  
  例句-3: The little speech Lincoln slapped together was no more than three minutes long. But even today many Americans know it by heart, and it still echoes in the heart of the nation.
  
  他说:林肯匆匆写成的简单演讲还不到三分钟长,但是至今还有不少美国人能背诵这篇讲话,它仍然在举国上下的心灵中回响。
  
  和林肯同时演讲的那位著名演说家滔滔不绝谈了一小时,如今却没人记得他说了些什么,甚至连他的姓名也已经被人遗忘。然而林肯给大家的那三分钟却流芳百世,其中论及美国政府的名句画龙点睛: by the people,of the people and for the people,他呼吁要使这个民治、民有和民享的政府永世长存。这就是永垂青史的《葛底斯堡演说》。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2012
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要讲的习惯用语涉及人们常常谈到的一个词: money,金钱。我们要学的第一个习惯用语: right on the money。大家一定知道right这个词的意思是“对的,” “正确的。”也许有人因而认为right on the money就是钱数正确的意思,然而实际上right on the money这个习惯用语的含义要广泛得多;不一定限于金钱方面。
  
  它可以用来说任何成为现实的谈论和预计。我们来听个例子。这段话说的是政局分析专家。美国首都华盛顿多的是这一类高谈阔论的政论家,说话的人要告诉我们在这些人中他最信任的一位是Harry Temple。
  
  例句-1:I always listen to Harry Temple on the weekend TV talk shows. He really knows politics; when he predicts how some political fight will turn out, he's usually right on the money.
  
  他说:我老是收看Harry Temple的周末‘脱口’电视节目,他对政局了若指掌,他所预测的政治斗争结果往往都毫无偏差。
  
  这里的习惯用语right on the money含义是没有偏差、完全正确的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2013
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个带有money这个词的习惯用语: a run for the money。 Run这个词最基本的意思是奔跑,但是也可以解释为某事的进行,a run for the money这个习惯用语虽然包括money这个词,但是它和习惯用语right on the money一样,并不一定涉及金钱。习惯用语a run for the money起源于1870年前后。
  
  有些专家认为它来自赛马。许多人都把赌注下在自己看中的马匹上,要是在比赛时马匹你追我赶,竞争激烈,几乎不差前后地到达终点线,那么赌赛马的人即使自己心爱的马匹败阵让他输了钱,也觉得他选中的马匹已尽到了最大的努力,所以自己不虚此行,没白花钱。人们逐渐把a run for the money这个习惯用语广泛应用在竞选和商贸事务上,尤其常常用到体育比赛中,用来说在竞争中尽力而为,使得对方以取得尽可能好的,令人满意的结果。
  
  我们这就来听个说体育比赛的例子吧。这是个篮球队教练在一次重大比赛的前一天向记者们发表谈:
  
  例句-2:That other team is tough - after all they were the champions last year. But our guys are ready, and I tell you,win or lose we'll give those guys a real run for the money.
  
  他说:对方是个强队 - 他们毕竟是去年的冠军队。但是我们的队员们作好了准备。告诉你们吧,不论胜败,我们都会全力以赴,非让对方竭力拼搏一番才行。
  
  这里的a real run for the money含义是竭尽全力。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2014
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个也包含money这个词的习惯用语: money in the bank。 Bank是银行,所以money in the bank要是按照字面意思直译就是“银行里的钱。”
  
  钱放在银行里一般总是非常稳当的。如果有人告诉你一笔交易或者为某运动项目下的赌注是money in the bank,那么他的意思就是这是稳操胜算的,你的赢利几乎像放在银行保险库里的钱那样万无一失。
  
  经纪人时常会用money in the bank这个习惯用语向潜在的投资人推荐似乎有风险的企业股票或其它投资项目。
  
  比方说,你待会儿就会听到有个人在劝朋友Dave买他哥哥新开张的饭店的股份。
  
  例句-3:Dave, it's a sure chance to make some money. The location is perfect,my brother has found a great chef and a real bargain on equipment - hey, believe me, it's money in the bank.
  
  他说:Dave,这是个准保赚钱的好机会。饭店的地段再好也没有了,我哥哥又请到了一位了不起的厨师,他还买到了廉价合算的设备 - 嘿,信我这句话: 你稳赚!
  
  根据他的介绍他哥哥的饭店几乎具备各种有利条件,听来必然会大有赢利,所以这里的money in the bank含义是稳有的赢利或者必然的成功。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2015
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他在走廊上遇到了刚吃完中饭回来的美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 吃过饭了吗?
  
  A:I did. A group from the office went out together. We missed you.
  
  C:我今天特别忙,所以从家里带了便当。
  
  A:You have a worried look. Is anything wrong?
  
  C:你可真是好眼力。我们部门昨天来了位新同事,是坐轮椅的残疾人。今天中午大家都出去吃饭了,办公室只有我们两个人。
  
  A:That was a good opportunity for you to make her feel welcome. Was there a problem?
  
  C:跟她在一起,我觉得很不自在,不知道怎样做才得体。
  
  A:What happened?
  
  C:因为只有我们两人,所以我上来先自我介绍。
  
  A:That's exactly right. Why was that a problem?
  
  C:我记得你说过,自我介绍的时候应该主动跟别人握手。
  
  A:That's correct.
  
  C:但是我不知道她能不能握手,所以就没有把手伸过去。
  
  A:What happened?
  
  C:结果她也介绍了自己,然后主动跟我握了手。
  
  A:You handled that exactly right. If she had not been able to shake hands, she would not have offered hers.
  
  C:那以后遇到残疾人,是不是都要等他们先伸手呢?
  
  A:Yes. You never want to make assumptions about what someone in a wheelchair can or cannot do.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2016
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当天下午下班前,陈豪来到Amy的办公室。
  
  C:Amy, 你现在有时间吗?
  
  A:Come on in. Tell me what else happened with your wheel-chair bound co-worker.
  
  C:她在我后面热饭。微波炉的位置挺高的,我不知道她需不需要帮忙。
  
  A:What did you do?
  
  C:后来看她要把饭盒放进微波炉里确实很吃力,所以我就说,“May I help you?”需要帮忙吗?
  
  A:Your instincts were on target. You were right to ask her before you took action.
  
  C:可是当时我就傻傻地站在那儿,挺别扭的。
  
  A:What happened next?
  
  C:她表示了感谢,然后让我帮她把饭盒放到了微波炉里。
  
  A:By asking her if you could help, you gave her the option to accept or reject your offer. Persons with disabilities are accustomed to doing things for themselves.
  
  C:我也是这么想,残疾人其实都是很独立的,而且能到咱们公司来工作,一定很有能力。
  
  A:People with disabilities appreciate offers of help, but don't like others to make assumptions about what they can or can't do.
  
  C:下次再遇到残疾人,我该怎么做呢?
  
  A:It is quite simple, when you introduced yourself, you let her instigate the handshake. When it appeared that she might have difficulty with something, you asked her if you could help.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2017
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语062讲
  
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他跟美国同事Amy一起走出会议室。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 今天我第一次主持会议。你觉得怎么样?
  
  A:I thought you did well considering that you have not been in that position before.
  
  C:可我自己觉得挺糟糕的。虽然来开会的人并没说什么,但是我能感觉到,有好几个人并不欣赏我的报告,或者是根本不感兴趣。
  
  A:What made you think that? Anyone in particular?
  
  C:比如说吧,会开到一半的时候,Ken把笔记本一合,双手抱臂,往椅子上一仰。
  
  A:How did you feel when he did that?
  
  C:我立刻很紧张,觉得他认为我的发言很糟糕。
  
  A:I noticed that, too. In fact it was pretty obvious to everyone.
  
  C:你觉得他是故意这样做的吗?
  
  A:Knowing Ken, I would say yes and I would add that he wanted to make sure you got the message.
  
  C:如果他对我有什么意见,我宁可他告诉我。
  
  A:What he did was use his body to send his message. It's a discourteous tactic that many people use in business to express their feelings without putting them in words.
  
  C:你是说在商业界很多人都会用这种方式表达自己的看法,而不是直接把意见说出来,那又是为什么呢?
  
  A:Sometimes people feel safer using body language to intimidate or humiliate others.
  
  C:他们为什么会觉得用肢体语言去羞辱别人更安全呢?
  
  A:I am sorry, Chen Hao. Can we continue this later? I need to meet my boss in five minutes.
  
  C:那你先忙。我们一会儿见。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2018
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

当天下午陈豪和Amy一起喝咖啡。
  
  C:Amy, 你上午说有人更愿意用肢体语言表达自己的看法。这是为什么呢?
  
  A:People can always refute or deny the meaning of their body language.
  
  C:噢,如果有人事后指责他们表现消极,他们可以矢口否认,说这是误会。那所有人都是有意这样做的吗?
  
  A:A lot of people aren't even aware of their body language. I think that it is often unintentional.
  
  C:很多人都是无意的?你能举个例子吗?
  
  A:Like Sue. Did you notice that she came to our meeting for the first time today?
  
  C:我注意到了,Sue是第一次来参加会议,但是她坐在后面的角落里,从头到尾一言不发。
  
  A:I think she felt left out.
  
  C:你为什么说Sue觉得自己被忽视了呢?
  
  A:Because the two people closest to her kept moving their chairs with their backs turned more and more to her. I don't think it was intentional - they were just trying to see and hear better.
  
  C:Sue 一定是误会了,觉得别人不欢迎她。
  
  A:That's right. So she withdrew as well.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2019
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华跟Larry一起去看美式足球赛。今天我们要学两个常用语:get with the program和cost an arm and a leg.
  
  LH: Larry, 你干嘛不穿衬衣,光着膀子,还把身上涂成这样?吓我一跳。
  
  LL: Do you like it? I spent all morning painting myself the colors of my favorite football team, the Washington Redskins.
  
  LH: 支持红人队也不用把自己糟蹋成这样啊,戴顶帽子,穿件球衣不就得了。
  
  LL: Oh come on, Lihua. Get with the program. Anybody can wear a hat. Only REAL fans paint their entire bodies.
  
  LH: 等会儿,你说get with the what?
  
  LL: Get with the program. If somebody doesn't understand something that you think should be obvious, you can tell that person to "get with the program."
  
  LH: 我明白了, 如果你觉得是明摆着的事,而别人却不明白,你就可以告诉对方,get with the program. 那你是说,你光着膀子,把自己画成这样,我不该大惊小怪了?
  
  LL: Exactly. Don't spectators at ping pong tournaments in China paint their chests and drink beer and scream at the players from the stands?
  
  LH: Larry, I think YOU need to get with the program. 看乒乓球的人是绝对不会光着膀子,一边喝啤酒一边呐喊助威的,能让中国球迷如此疯狂的可能只有姚明了。
  
  LL: Ok, ok. Well are you ready to go to the parking lot. I'm starving!
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2020
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我们难道就在停车场里吃东西吗?还是进到球场里面去买点吃吧。
  
  LL: C'mon Lihua, get with the program. Everybody knows that the food in the stadium is too expensive. So before the game everyone brings a BBQ grill and cooks food out in the parking lot. We call it "tailgating" because you sit on the tail gate of your truck while you eat.
  
  LH: 真的吗?大家就坐在皮卡后面,一边烧烤一边聊天?太好玩了。不过,这好象跟你答应我的浪漫约会差得远点儿。
  
  LL: You don't find eating hot dogs in a parking lot romantic?
  
  LH: Larry, I think you need to get with the program. 大多数女孩子都不会觉得在停车场里坐在车尾巴上啃热狗有多浪漫的。
  
  LL: Lihua, I think you need to get with the program too. By now you should know that dates with me may not be romantic, but at least they aren't boring.
  
  ******
  
  李华和Larry进场看比赛。
  
  LL: Oh Lihua .. I think I may have eaten too many hot dogs in the parking lot. I'm not feeling so well.
  
  LH: 谁让你不听我劝,非要跟那个人比赛吃热狗,现在肚子痛了吧!
  
  LL: I know ... but he was rooting for the other team, so I had to accept his challenge. I had to do it for my team's pride.
  
  LH: 唯一值得庆幸的是,你最后赢了,还免费吃了那么多热狗。
  
  LL: That's true. If I had tried to buy all those hot dogs in the stadium it would have cost me an arm and a leg.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2021
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 要花一条胳膊一条腿?真形象。这是一种很常用的说法吗?
  
  LL: Whenever you buy something that is unreasonably expensive, you can say that it cost you an arm and a leg.
  
  LH: 在中文里,这叫吐血。那我问你,我们坐在最后一排,什么都看不见,这个位子的票价一定没有让你损失一条胳膊一条腿吧?
  
  LL: Hey, they were the best I could get. But you're right, I can barely see the players. I would give my right arm for some binoculars.
  
  LH: 你要用右胳膊换望远镜?要这么个换法,我看,用不了多久,你身上的零部件就要用光了。不过说真的,你刚才说的give my right arm跟cost an arm and a leg是一个意思吗?
  
  LL: Kind of. When you say that you would give your right arm for something, that means that you really want it.
  
  LH: 我明白了,说愿意用右胳膊换,意思就是特别想要。Larry, 这比赛看得我真是一头雾水。I would give my right arm to know what the rules of football are.
  
  LL: And I would give my right arm for a jacket. It's freezing out, and it turns out that this paint doesn't provide any warmth at all!
  
  LH: 我可以把外衣借给你穿,而且it won't even cost you an arm and a leg.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是get with the program意思是这是明摆着的。另一个是cost an arm and a leg,意思是价钱贵得离谱。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2022
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要学的习惯用语有一个共同的关键词: handle。 Handle当动词的时候有触摸、处置、操作、管理的意思。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: too hot to handle。 Too hot to handle要是直译就是烫得碰一下都不行。
  
  这个习惯用语来自美国的棒球运动。六十年来,人们一直用too hot to handle指击球手大力挥棒击出的球迅猛无比,让防守队的球员难以接住,他即使戴着又厚又大的手套接了球,手也会被撞痛。
  
  其实too hot to handle作为习惯用语意思也不难理解,一定是描绘那种叫人不知如何是好的难题的。我们听个例子。它说的是如今在美国引起很大争议的妇女是否有权选择堕胎的问题。这已经成了敏感的政治问题,因为美国公众对于究竟妇女有没有选择堕胎的权利,是否应当立法禁止堕胎等问题的看法大相径庭。说话的人要告诉我们有关堕胎的问题如何让政界人士头疼。
  
  例句-1:This issue can be too hot to handle. If a candidate supports the right to abortion, he angers voters opposed to it. If he's against it, he angers voters who support the right.
  
  他说:这可能是个叫人左右为难的棘手问题。侯选人如果支持堕胎权,就会激怒反对堕胎的选民。 而侯选人要是反对这个权利的话,他又会让支持这项权利的选民恼火。
  
  这里的习惯用语too hot to handle用来描绘叫人左右为难的棘手事儿。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2023
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  再学个由handle组成的习惯用语: handle with kid gloves。 Glove是手套,而这儿的kid指羊羔,所以kid gloves就是羊羔皮手套。这种手套十分柔软细滑,而得戴着羊羔皮手套才能触摸摆弄的想必是那种碰不得的、务必倍加小心的物件。当然handle with kid gloves作为习惯用语是作比喻的。我们听个例子来体会它的含义吧。说话的人在给一位新同事一个忠告。
  
  例句-2:Bob Lee is your boss. He's okay except for his hot temper. If you see him angry, do your best to handle the man with kid gloves - otherwise he can bite your head off.
  
  他说:Bob Lee是你的上司。他人还可以就是脾气暴躁。你要是看到他在火头上,可千万得小心翼翼地应付他,否则他简直会一口咬下你的脑袋!
  
  这里的handle with kid gloves意思是小心翼翼地对付处理什么。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2024
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在刚才学的两个习惯用语里都是动词,但是handle也可以是名词,通常解释为“把柄。”当然在习惯用语里它的意思会转化。例如在这个习惯用语里: love handles。大家一定知道love是“爱”的意思。
  
  Love handles是个比较时新的习惯用语,沿用至今不过二十来年。人们开玩笑地用love handles指腹部长的那一圈圈肥肉。 Love handles这个习惯用语可能出于这样一个事实: 你是由于太爱吃而有肚子上鼓起的肥肉的。
  
  这个习惯用语的出现说明如今美国人加强了健康意识,比过去任何时候都更注意减肥。我们听个典型例子。说话的人正跟同事一起吃午饭。他在解释自己为什么缩减饭量:
  
  例句-3:Yes, I only want a salad. Last night my wife laughed at me and said, "Bill, you're getting love handles! Better cut down on those big lunches you love to eat every day."
  
  他说:对,我只想吃份salad。昨晚我太太取笑我说:“Bill,你肚子上在长肥肉了! 你午饭得节食,别再每天好吃那些丰盛的饭菜了。”
  
  这段话里的习惯用语love handles指人的腹部鼓起的肥肉。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2025
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个有handle这个名词的习惯用语: get a handle on。 刚才说过名词handle指“把柄,” 在东西、物件上安装把柄是为了让人操作或控制这东西的。
  
  根据这个你也许能推测习惯用语get a handle on是什么意思。我们再听个例子进一步体会它的含义吧。这是个丈夫在跟妻子说该怎样安排家里的生活费用。
  
  例句-4:You know, honey, the more money we make, the deeper we go into debt. Let's get a real handle on our budget so we can cut down our spending and start saving some money.
  
  他发现他们钱挣得越多负债却越重,显然他们没能控制用度,所以他建议他们得削减支出,开始省下一些钱储蓄起来。当然这样他们就能量入为出控制掌握家庭预算了。所以这段话里的get a real handle on our budget意思是好好掌握我们的家庭开支预算。可见习惯用语get a handle on 含义是控制掌握某事。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2026
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语063讲
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他遇到美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao, how are you today?
  
  C:还不错,你呢?
  
  A:I'm fine, just taking a quick break.
  
  C:我刚才看到一件怪事。
  
  A:What?
  
  C:我在走廊上遇到Todd, 他正拿着牙刷和牙膏往洗手间走。
  
  A:He does it often, several times a day, I think. What struck you as odd?
  
  C:上班时间刷牙,还那么明目张胆的,你不觉得奇怪吗?
  
  A:I have wondered why he doesn't carry his toothbrush in a small travel case or his pocket.
  
  C:上班时间刷牙,让我觉得很奇怪。
  
  A:I actually applaud the idea and wish that more people did it. I keep a toothbrush and toothpaste in my desk all the time so I can brush after meals and breaks.
  
  C:牙医告诉我,一天早晚刷两次牙就行了。
  
  A:That's enough if your only goal is good dental care and the prevention of problems. Brushing on the job has a different purpose.
  
  C:除了保护牙齿,刷牙还有其他目的?一会儿吃饭时你一定要告诉我!
  
  A:Sure. I'll see you at the China Café.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2027
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

中午吃饭时。
  
  C:Amy, 上班时刷牙还有其他目的吗?
  
  A:It's important for the simple reason that bad breath is offensive. Sometimes we don't realize when our mouth odor is unpleasant.
  
  C:噢,原来是为了防止口臭。别人真能闻到吗?
  
  A:I had a colleague once who lost his job because of his bad breath. His clients were continually offended and several asked his boss to tell him.
  
  C:老板有没有找你那位同事谈话呢?
  
  A:The boss was not eager to have that kind of conversation with an employee, but he knew that it was his responsibility.
  
  C:那还是谈了。那谈话没有效果吗?
  
  A:When the complaints kept coming, my colleague was asked to resign.
  
  C:去刷牙太麻烦了,我嚼口香糖行不行呢?
  
  A:That might help freshen your breath, but it is far from professional.
  
  C:那薄荷糖呢?
  
  A:Breath mints don't turn people off, but they also don't do the job as well as brushing.
  
  C:那我用漱口水?
  
  A:Same thing. Mouthwash is harsh and can make you smell as if you are covering up something.
  
  C:可我也不能一天到晚老是刷牙啊!
  
  A:You don't have to be obsessive about it. Just pay attention to the foods you eat during the day. The garlic in our lunch is definitely going to be obvious to other people when we get back to the office.
  
  C:那吃完午饭刷一遍牙,就足够了吧?
  
  A:You've started drinking a lot of coffee. Coffee leaves an odor that can be a real turn-off.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2028
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们今天要讲的几个习惯用语表示同一种社会行为: 为了社交或开展业务的需要而与他人交际。我们要学的第一个习惯用法是: hobnob with。 Hobnob不是个新词。它在四百来年前就已经有了。当初的意思是和他人开怀对饮,但是现在hobnob with这个习惯用语的意义广泛多了,不只是喝酒,也可以指跟好朋友一起谈心,看电影或者吃饭等等,总之是进行各种密切交往的活动,包括那些熟不拘礼的非正式的交往活动。
  
  我们听个例子。说话的人和太太的社交生活相当活跃。出于业务上的需要他经常得款待顾客,所以他们夫妇俩每星期得外出应酬三四回,有时甚至更多。好,我们听他怎么描述自己的社交生活。注意里面用到的习惯用语hobnob with。
  
  例句-1:We're out all the time but most of it is just business. But I save time to hobnob with my old classmates: we try to get together every Tuesday night for dinner and a few drinks.
  
  他说:我们经常在外面交际,但多半是业务方面的应酬。然而我还是挤出时间来跟老同学碰碰头。我们设法安排每星期二晚上见面,一起吃饭并喝上几杯。
  
  这里的hobnob with意思是跟什么人交往,而且往往指比较不拘礼节地相聚。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2029
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

年轻人一般不大用hobnob with这个说法。他们往往使用一个更新颖的习惯用语: hang out with。 Hang out with意思其实跟hobnob with差不多,也是指跟人碰头聚会,只是比较时新,更合年轻人的口味。听个例子吧。这是个大学生在跟同学Bill说自己今晚空余时间的安排。
  
  例句-2:Bill, there's nothing else to do tonight so I think I'll go to MacDonald's for a burger and a coke and hang out with a couple of English majors I know.
  
  他说:Bill,今晚没什么别的事情得做,所以我想要去麦当劳吃个汉堡包、喝杯可乐,然后再跟我认识的几个英语专业的学生聚一聚。
  
  这段话里的hang out with常出现在年轻人的口语中。它也用来说跟朋友相聚。这种聚会通常是比较随便的。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-03#2030
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个也表示交往相聚的习惯用语: schmooze with。 Schmooze这个词来自依地语,也就是犹太人使用的国际语言。十九世纪到美国来的犹太裔移民把这个词带进了美国。在依地语中schmooze解释为“传闻,” 其实这正恰如其分地表现了英语中schmooze这个词的含义,因为英语schmooze with表示悠闲地跟人聊天,而且往往是说长道短,传播最新消息的意思。
  
  我们听个例子。说话的人要告诉我们他叔叔的事儿。这位叔叔名叫Milt。他是批发商。他几乎一生都在走南闯北,专向各地零售商推销女装。他热情友善,富有幽默感,而且特别擅长于跟人攀谈。我们听听他当年的生意为什么如此成功。
  
  例句-3:Yes, Uncle Milt was the best there was. His customers loved to see him walk in. He'd sit and smoke a cigar, schmooze for an hour and walk out with bigger orders than anybody else.
  
  他说:是的, Milt叔叔当年是同行中的佼佼者。他的顾客们特别喜欢看到他来。他会坐下来抽枝雪茄聊上一小时,而他走的时候得到的订货量比谁都多。
  
  这位叔叔的人际交往能力高强,特别表现在善于跟人攀谈上。这段话里的schmooze意思就是说东道西地聊天。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2031
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他跟美国同事Amy一起往办公室走。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao. How are you today?
  
  C:还可以,不过工作上有点烦心事。
  
  A:Anything I can help you with?
  
  C:我们组来了个新同事,叫Sue. 她很有创意。
  
  A:Why is there an issue?
  
  C:虽然她很有能力,但是靠不住。
  
  A:In what way?
  
  C:每次来开会,她事先都不做准备。
  
  A:Does she know what is expected?
  
  C:那当然,我们每次都提前公布议事日程,布置每个人的任务,但是Sue每次都空着手来。
  
  A:Does she have a reason for coming unprepared?
  
  C:她觉得没什么大不了。一开会,就会提出一大堆创意。
  
  A:Tell me why this is a problem.
  
  C:问题是,为了她,我们每次上来还要重复开会的议题。她不做准备,结果是让我们大家浪费时间。
  
  A:I hate to cut this short, but we are both going to be late. Can we continue this conversation later?
  
  C:好,一会儿见。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2032
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

中午吃饭时。
  
  A:Tell me about your problem with Sue. You are the team leader. Have you talked to her about arriving unprepared?
  
  C:我作为小组组长,也找她谈过,但是没用,她找出各种理由,而且她确实很有工作能力,我也不想失去她。
  
  A:Sounds to me as if you need to talk to your boss now.
  
  C:告诉老板?那不成打小报告了吗?
  
  A:If you have handled things right up to this point and given Sue a chance to correct her behavior, you need support from upper management.
  
  C:有没有两全其美的办法,既能解决问题,又不对Sue构成伤害呢?
  
  A:Do it as quickly as possible before the situation gets worse.
  
  C:去找老板之前,我需要征求其他同事的意见吗?
  
  A:That will only create more conflict and conversation plus cause additional trouble for you and Sue.
  
  C:具体该怎么做?
  
  A:Gather all your facts and documentation, making sure to separate any personal feelings from your professional opinions.
  
  C:这我知道,要如实说明情况,不能搀杂个人色彩。
  
  A:When you approach your boss, give Sue credit for her talent and expertise before you mention her approach to team issues.
  
  C:好,还有呢?
  
  A:Let your boss know what you have done to try to correct the problem and your ideas to correct the situation without losing Sue.
  
  C:我如果不去管它,情况会不会自己好起来呢?
  
  A:It rarely does. You need to face the issue with your associate first as you already have. Since that has not worked, approach your boss and seek advice to resolve the issue to the benefit of all.
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2033
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语065讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他中午去吃饭,正好遇到美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 你去吃饭吗?
  
  A:As a matter of fact, I am.
  
  C:我准备到楼下的商店去随便买个汉堡。一起去吧?
  
  A:OK. I am looking for a quick bite myself. I would be delighted to join you.
  
  C:我刚好有个问题要请教你。
  
  A:What is it?
  
  C:现在很多人都在格间里工作,我还记得你告诉过我,工作时应该尽量设法不要影响到别人。
  
  A:Right. We have discussed keeping your voice down in your cubicle, not using a speaker phone or holding a meeting in your cube.
  
  C:对,除了声音不要太大以外,还有不要吃味道特别重的食物。不过Amy,我最近还注意到了另外一个问题。
  
  A:I'm interested to hear what it is.
  
  C:主要是个人对工作格间的装饰。I call it "cubicle decor."
  
  A:Here we are at the sandwich shop. Let's get seated and then continue our conversation.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2034
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪和Amy坐下吃饭。
  
  A:You were talking about cubicle décor. What do you mean?
  
  C:有人的格间很整齐,没有任何私人物品,但有的人却好像是把家都搬来了。
  
  A:Can you be more specific?
  
  C:他们的工作间里到处是家人的照片、小装饰品、孩子的手工作品、出去玩买的纪念品,还有各种奖状。
  
  A:That bothers you?
  
  C:我确实觉得有点儿过份。
  
  A:Well, I agree with you. People need to add a personal touch to their office or cubicle without overdoing it.
  
  C:我觉得应该定个规矩,一律不许用私人物品来装饰办公室?
  
  A:I disagree. Putting personal touches around your desk reveals a dimension of your personality to your co-workers and associates. It's as important as small talk in the office.
  
  C:这么说也有道理,其实我就挺喜欢看同事们桌子上的照片的。但是你不觉得应该适当控制一下吗?
  
  A:People need to understand the limits of how much memorabilia to display as well as what is appropriate.
  
  C:那你觉得什么样的限制比较合理呢?
  
  A:Keep the number of family photos to one or two, no more than 5x7 inches each. Display a favorite art piece, knick-knack or a plague that expresses a personal philosophy, but not a collection.
  
  C:你的意思是可以放一、两张5x7的照片,外加一件小装饰品。还有些同事喜欢在办公室里养花,你觉得合适吗?
  
  A:It's OK to add a live plant or two. The bottom line is to make your work area represent you without diminishing your professionalism.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2035
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry排队买票看电影。今天我们要学两个常用语:rope somebody into something和spot.
  
  LH: 我真是太想看这部电影了,自从Sex and City《欲望都市》电视系列结束以后,我就一直眼巴巴地等着电影版上映。
  
  LL: Yes, I remember. I think you were addicted to that show. In fact, I might even call it an unhealthy obsession.
  
  LH: Unhealthy obsession? 你才病态呢!你每天都看Oprah的脱口秀,雷打不动,居然还说我病态。不过话说回来,你能陪我看这么女性化的电影,我还真没想到。
  
  LL: Actually, you didn't have to rope me in at all. I love Sex and the City even more than Oprah.
  
  LH: 你说的rope you in是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: When you rope someone into something, it means that you convince them to do something they don't want to do.
  
  LH: 也就是说,如果你本来不想看这个电影,但是经不起我软磨硬泡,最后只好同意,就是被我rope into it.
  
  LL: Yup. But even if I didn't want to see this movie, I would have gone anyway. I owed you a favor after I roped you into going to the national Chia Pet convention with me.
  
  LH: 一个人情?我陪你去参加草头娃娃展览大会,你至少欠我五个人情。我到现在都不知道自己为什么会同意干这么傻的事!
  
  LL: Well what about the time you roped me into house-sitting your dog? I knew that was going to be a bad idea.
  
  LH: 你帮我照看snoopy难道不开心吗?它那么可爱!

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2036
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: He would have been more adorable if he were house trained.
  
  LH: 我正在加紧训练它不要随地大小便,下星期还要麻烦你照顾它。
  
  LL: No way, you're not roping me into that again. But you know, you can also use that phrase when you play a trick on somebody.
  
  LH: Oh really?
  
  LL: Yes. For example...Wait a minute. Oh no! There's a sign that say Sex and the City is sold out!
  
  LH: Oh No! 我今天晚上看不成一定会急死的。
  
  LL: Wow. You are really gullible. I can't believe I roped you into that joke so easily. It's not sold out.
  
  ******
  
  LL: Uh oh Lihua, I think I forgot my wallet.
  
  LH: 不会吧?为什么我们每次出来你都“忘记”带钱包呢?
  
  LL: I'm sorry. I was just so excited to find out what happens with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda that I completely forgot. Can you spot me?
  
  LH: Spot you? Spot you是什么意思啊?哦,我知道了,你一定是在请求我的原谅。
  
  LL: Actually, no. Spotting somebody is like loaning somebody something, usually money.
  
  LH: 所以你是要跟我借钱买电影票?
  
  LL: Er... yes. But I think you owe me that favor. Remember last week when you were going to the store to buy some Chia Pets and I spotted you the money?
  
  LH: 那不算,因为草头娃娃本来就是买给你的。那你说,spotting somebody跟picking up the tab意思一样吗?

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2037
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: "Picking up the tab" is usually only used to refer to paying the bill at a restaurant. "Spotting" is used mostly for small things and favors. You wouldn't use it for something big.
  
  LH: 你说spot只能用在小事上,那什么样的事才算小事呢?
  
  LL: Well, for example, since my car is broken, I might need you to spot me a ride home after the movie.
  
  LH: 你是说我不仅要买票请你看电影,看完电影还要开车送你回家,你这个男朋友还真挺难伺候的。
  
  LL: Maybe, but it's worth it. You know, if you want to get really colloquial, you can also "bum" something off somebody.
  
  LH: 那bum可以用在什么事情上呢?大事还是小事?
  
  LL: "Bum" is only for little things. If I smoked and was out of cigarettes, I could ask to bum a cigarette off someone. But since my only addiction is gummy bears, I will need to bum a dollar off you to buy some candy in the theatre.
  
  LH: 什么?你还要买糖吃。你看人家《欲望都市》里的男人多绅士,从来不让女人花钱。你得好好学学。
  
  LL: Well, you can't believe everything you see on TV, Lihua.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是rope somebody into something,意思是说服某人去干本来不愿意干的事。另一个是spot,意思是借东西,往往是借钱。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2038
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语有共同的关键词: lip。大家都知道lip是嘴唇。嘴唇可是我们身上忙碌的器官,我们说话,吃喝都得靠嘴唇帮忙。嘴唇还帮我们传情达意。难怪由lip这个词发展而来的习惯用法还真不少。
  
  首先lip自身在俚语里就有特定的意思。它指粗鲁莽撞的话语。我们听个例子。这是个发火的爸爸在训斥他十多岁的儿子Billy,因为他要求儿子在半夜十二点前回家,儿子却强词夺理地不服气。我们听听这位父亲怎么管教儿子。注意话里的lip这个词。
  
  例句-1:Look, Billy, that's no way to talk to your dad; don't give me anymore lip, son. You better be home by midnight or you can't use the car for a month. Do you hear me?
  
  他说:瞧,Billy,你不能这样跟爸爸说话,别再跟我强嘴了,你得半夜前回家,否则一个月都不可以用车。听到了吗?
  
  这位父亲显然认为儿子不听他的话,不愿意半夜前回家还要跟他争辩是不合情理的顶撞,所以他说lip就是指这种顶撞的话。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2039
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个包括lip这个词的习惯用语: keep a stiff upper lip。 Stiff,在这儿的意思是绷紧不动的,所以keep a stiff upper lip要是直译就是: 绷紧上唇保持不动。不少人认为这个习惯用语来自英国,但是语言学家却说它起源于1830年前后的美国,随即传往英国伦敦,然后在英国军中流行,最后再传回美国。
  
  我们知道处于危急情势而万分惊恐的人嘴唇往往会不由自主地哆嗦。忧伤悲痛强忍眼泪的人有时双唇也会抖动。然而上下唇中上唇没下唇抖动得厉害,而在1830年的时候,美国男士几乎人人都留八字胡,这就使上唇的抖动更显眼。
  
  难怪人们要费劲地保持上唇不动,来掩饰自己的惊慌或悲痛。我们听个例子来体会keep a stiff upper lip这个习惯用语的含义。说话的是位公司总裁,他的企业面临倒闭的危机。他的副手John由于自己随时可能失业而忧心忡忡。我们听听这位总裁怎么向副总裁面授机宜。注意他话里的习惯用语,Keep a stiff upper lip。
  
  例句-2:John, you and I just have to keep a stiff upper lip. Our best chance of survival is to keep from showing how scared we really are about going out of business.
  
  他认为他们争取使企业生存下去的最佳办法是他俩都不显露出自己有多担心企业会倒闭。所以他嘱咐副总裁得keep a stiff upper lip,意思是: 镇静自若,不动声色。 Keep a stiff upper lip这个习惯用语的含义就是: 保持镇定自若的神态,不动声色。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2040
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个由lip组成的习惯用语: read my lips。人们常常加重语气来说: read my lips,使得这句话听来似乎像一道命令,其实这个习惯用语可以有几种不同的含义。
  
  1988年美国前总统布什赋于这句话它最通用的意思: 郑重其事地许愿或言之凿凿地保证。当时的副总统布什在竞选总统职位时最深得人心的一项保证是绝不增加课税,然而他的政敌一再告诫民众这是决不会兑现的空话。所以在当年夏天共和党选定他为本党总统侯选人时,他极力郑重保证决不增收税金。我们听听他当时是怎么说的。
  
  例句-3:The Congress will push me to raise taxes, and I'll say no, and they'll push and I'll say no, and they will push again. And all I can say to them is read my lips - no new taxes!
  
  他说:国会将催促我加税,我会拒绝; 然而他们还会施加压力,我仍然会拒绝; 但是他们将一而再,再而三地施加压力,我所能说的只是一句话: 看准我是怎么说的,绝对不能增税。
  
  这里的read my lips用来加重保证的语气,表示这话说得非常郑重。当年公众听信了布什的郑重保证,使他在总统大选中赢得了压倒性的胜利。但是他不久就不得不改变初衷,同意国会增收税款。
  
  这一改变遭到人们的尖锐指责。有些政治评论人士认为: 他要人们'read my lips'向人们郑重许诺,却未能兑现,这个空头保证是他1992年败在克林顿手下的部分原因。其中可借鉴的经验教训是: Don't tell people 'read my lips', unless you are sure you can keep your promise!

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2041
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

上次我们学了几个由lip这个词发展而来的习惯用语。今天再学几个,第一个是: bite one's lip。 Bite意思是“咬,” 想一想人在什么情况下会咬嘴唇呢? 常常是竭力克制自己的时候。而且如果咬住了嘴唇,就说不出话来了。所以bite one's lip用来表示极力克制自己不冲口而出,忍住不说会给自己招惹麻烦的话。
  
  例如,你的上级把曾经向你许诺的升级机会给了别人。一时冲动之下你简直想马上冲进他的办公室发泄你的满腔怒火,并告诉他你辞职了,但是冷静思考之后你却觉得也许还是先找好另一份工作再辞工更妥当,so you bite your lips and wait,意思是你克制自己,保持沉默。等待时机。
  
  我们来听一位父亲说说自己第一次教十六岁的儿子开车的经历,这堂驾驶课使他心惊肉跳。
  
  例句-1:It was scary. A dozen times I wanted to yell 'Not so fast! Not so fast!' or 'Look out for that car!' But I managed to bite my lip and we got through it without an accident.
  
  他说:那真吓人。有好多次我都想大叫:“别开那么快! 别开那么快!”或者“当心那辆车!”但是我竭力忍住了没开口。我们总算平安无事地开完了这趟车。
  
  这里的bite my lip意思是竭力忍住不说话。其实还有一个习惯用语意思相同: bite one's tongue,要是你咬住自己舌头的话,你当然也说不出话来了,所以bite one's tongue也表示尽力忍耐保持沉默。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2042
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个以lip为关键词的习惯用语: smack one's lips。 Smack,有很多不同的意思,但在这儿,意思是“咂嘴。” 有些人在享用美味的时候会不由自主地咂嘴,但是smack one's lips作为习惯用语却跟吃无关。我们听个例子来体它的意思吧。说话的人在告诉朋友他和太太Sally打算在夏威夷度假时做些什么。
  
  例句-2:Sally and I will fly to Hawaii for two weeks. I smack my lips every time I think about us lying on a white sand beach with the waves rolling in and palm trees rustling around us, or luau feasts and hula dancers and that beautiful scenery.
  
  Sally和他要去夏威夷度假两星期。现在他想象他俩躺卧在白沙海滩上,层层细浪席卷而来,四周棕榈树沙沙作响。他还想到夏威夷的欢乐宴会和草裙舞娘,更想到了美不胜收的风景,这一切都无限美好。
  
  所以他说自己每想到这一切就smack my lips意思是不胜向往未来的欢乐。这就是smack one's lips这个习惯用语的意思。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2043
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个习惯用语,其中的关键词也是lip。Lip service。 Service这个词的意思是服务。为人服务或者帮人得有实际行动,光动口不行,但是有些人却把服务或者支持停留在嘴巴上,只说空话,不办实事。在政界这种人更是常见。
  
  比方说,他们虽然嘴上表示拥护某侯选人,实际上却袖手旁观他的竞选,什么忙也不帮。我们例子里的Green就是这种人。 Green野心勃勃,和说话的人属于同一党派。我们听听Green在本党侯选人本年度竞选中的作为。
  
  例句-3:Green says he's supporting us this fall. But that's just lip service: he's doing nothing to help. He really hopes we'll lose so we'll pick him to run next time. He's fooling himself though: we won't use a candidate we can't trust.
  
  Green说,在今年秋天的竞选中他会支持他们,但是他光是说,却不帮任何忙。他其实希望他们会失败,这样他们下次就会挑选他当侯选人了。然而他这是在自欺欺人,他们才不会起用一个他们信不过的侯选人呢。
  
  这个Green说是支持他们却没有任何实际行动,可见他是只说空话,不办实事,这就是lip service这个习惯用语的含义。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2044
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语066讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他下班后跟美国同事Amy一起去参加应酬。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:谢谢你陪我来,Amy, 每次公司有这种应酬,我都特别不自在。
  
  A:Why not? They are usually upscale events held in attractive places with good food.
  
  C:吃的倒是不错,可我不习惯跟陌生人接触。
  
  A:That's one of the reasons we go, to meet other business people and build productive relationships.
  
  C:那除了多认识人,还有其他原因吗?
  
  A:Yes, reconnecting with people to maintain professional contacts.
  
  C:遇到熟人还好,不过我最怕的就是跟陌生人打交道,老觉得特尴尬。
  
  A:We talked a while back about being prepared, finding out about the people who will be at the event and planning what you will talk about.
  
  C:我每次都准备得挺好,可一到现场,就不知所措了。怎样做才能不让人觉得鲁莽呢?
  
  A:To be courteous, you need to know which people are approachable and which ones are not.
  
  C:我怎么知道什么人愿意理睬我呢?
  
  A:Let's find a quiet spot where I can give you a few tips.
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2045
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪和Amy走到一个人少得地方。
  
  C:Any, 你快告诉我,什么样的人我可以主动走过去搭讪呢?
  
  A:The most approachable ones are standing alone. They are probably looking for someone to talk to.
  
  C:如果他们不想说话呢?
  
  A:There are signals you can use to see if the person standing alone is friendly or not.
  
  C:你是说肢体语言吗?
  
  A:That's right. Look the other person in the eye as you approach. If he looks away or ignores you, that's a clear message that he is not interested in meeting you.
  
  C:如果他避开我的目光,就是没兴趣。那你刚才说的微笑呢?
  
  A:After you have made eye contact, smile at the person. If he returns your smile, you have a non-verbal invitation to approach.
  
  C:如果从对方的肢体语言能看出,他不愿跟别人交谈呢?
  
  A:Move on and look for someone else.
  
  C:那如果大家都在交谈,我就只好能别人来找我了?
  
  A:That would be a waste of time. Look for a group of three or more people and try the same tactic.
  
  C:那我是不是要立刻进行自我介绍?
  
  A:Walk up to the group, stand slightly back, make eye contact with each one and smile. A soon as they acknowledge you, introduce yourself.
  
  C:如果他们对我不理不睬呢?
  
  A:Same as before. Keep moving until you find welcoming people.
  
  C:那 是不是只有有两个人在交谈,应该更容易加入吧?
  
  A:Absolutely not. Those are the people you want to avoid.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2046
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学的习惯用语有类似的意思,都表示平静下来,松驰一下,或者过得悠闲自如。这几个习惯用语是年轻一代的美国人创造的,如今使用的人多半不到四十岁。
  
  第一个是: hang loose。 Hang原来的意思是“悬挂,” 而loose是松散的意思。从字面看来这个短语是说松松地挂着,当然这个习惯用语不作这样的解释。
  
  五十年代时一些十多岁的毛头小伙子爱拆卸旧汽车,把它装上马力大的新引擎和大号轮胎,然后风驰电掣般地超速驾驶这种改装的汽车。
  
  就是这些人发明了hang loose这个说法来描绘自己无拘无束,碰到什么都满不在乎,镇定自若的形象。他们喜欢在别人面前尤其是姑娘面前露一手,即使车速快得吓坏人或者车在路上出了故障,他也要轻松自如,面不改色,不慌不忙。这就是hang loose这个习惯用语的出典。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2047
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们听个例子来体会hang loose使用在什么地方。说话的人是个学生,刚考完一场十分艰难的考试,正和两个朋友一起走出考场。他们都觉得这次考试真够折腾人的。
  
  例句-1:Oh man, that was sure tough! Let's forget it, we'll go to the student union and just hang loose; have a beer or two and watch the ball game on TV - I don't feel like studying tonight.
  
  他说:喔,那真够难的! 别再惦记着这个了。我们去学生会轻松一下,喝上一两杯啤酒,看看电视上的球赛。今晚我可不想再用功了。
  
  显然他在绞尽脑汁之后想松驰松驰紧张的神经,轻松一下。这就是hang loose这个习惯用语的意思。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2048
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个意义相仿的习惯用语: chill out。 Chill原来是冷的意思,但是chill out这个习惯用语却也表示轻松一下,有时还可以用来叫人冷静息怒,丢开心中的烦恼。Chill out比hang loose更时新。它是从八十年代的青少年中流行起来的。
  
  我们听个例子。说话的人正在宽慰朋友Joe。 Joe的老板为没争取到一项庞大的政府工程的承包合同而在怪罪Joe。 Joe气得想辞职不干了,然而说话的人认为这可是个愚蠢的错误。我们听他怎么开导Joe。注意里面用到的习惯用语chill out。
  
  例句-2:Joe, don't be foolish. You're the best man the boss has, and he knows it. So just chill out until he gets over being mad; it doesn't really sound like your fault anyhow.
  
  他说:Joe,你别犯傻了。你是你们老板手下最得力的人,他心里也有数。所以你得冷静一下想开点儿,等老板过了这火头上再说,其实这本来也不是你的错。
  
  这里的chill out意思是冷静下来别冲动。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2049
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

最后再学个有类似意思的习惯用语: kick back。注意这里的kick back是分开的两个词。我们以前学过习惯用法kick-back是连在一起的一个词。那时候kick-back解释为交付回扣之类的贿赂,但是今天学的由kick, back这两个分开的词组成的短语表示的意思跟“付回扣”完全是两码事,却和hang loose或者chill out意义相似,也表示轻松一下。然而kick back更有的确乐在其中的意思,而且kick back在今天学的三个习惯用语中是最近流行的一个。
  
  我们听个例子。这是个大学生在告诉我们那次使他心旷神怡的暑假。
  
  例句-3:It was great! I went to Ocean city for two weeks to kick back; to swim, sun, eat good seafood, sleep late. I met some great new girls. Man, I loved every minute of it!
  
  他说:这次假期可真棒! 我去大洋城过了两星期的休闲生活。我游游泳,晒晒太阳,吃吃美味的海鲜,再睡睡懒觉。我还结识了一些可爱的女孩儿。嗨,我每时每刻都觉得其乐无穷!
  
  这里的kick back意思显然是享受轻松悠闲的时光。这个例子里的kick back用得恰到好处,因为有些语言专家认为kick back这个习惯用语就来自游泳时向后踢腿的动作。游泳高明的人向后踢腿得法,因而产生的反冲力使他仿佛如鱼得水,进退自如。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2050
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要学的习惯用语都有这样的意思: 你原来担心会相当难办的一件工作或者一项行动没想到结果却是轻而易举的。凑巧的是这几个习惯用语还都和吃的东西有关。第一个是: a snap。 Snap这个词有好多不同的意思。其中之一是带有姜汁味的小薄脆饼干。这种饼干香甜可口,而且吃起来又不费事,很多语言学家认为a snap之所以被用来指轻而易举的成功,就是因为这种成功就像吃一块薄脆饼干一样得来不费工夫却又给人甜美的感受。
  
  我们听个例子来体会习惯用语a snap可以用在什么场合吧。说话的是个大学生。他刚考完本学期的数学大考,听听他考得怎么样。
  
  例句-1:I worried about this exam for a month. But it turned out to be a real snap. In fact, I wouldn't be too surprised to get an 'A' out of it.
  
  他说:我为这次考试整整担心了一个月,但没想到考题真是容易,实际上,我这次即使考到 ‘A’,也不觉得出乎意料。
  
  这里的a real snap解释为确实轻易的成功,而习惯用语a snap意思就是容易到手的成功。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2051
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个习惯用语。它也有类似的意义: 轻而易举的。Easy as pie。 Pie是馅饼,水果馅饼是美国人最爱好的甜食之一,苹果、桃、南瓜、葡萄干、樱桃等等几乎各种果实都可以用来作馅。人们可以在午餐或者晚餐后享用馅饼,也可以把馅饼当早餐。
  
  美味的馅饼是很容易下肚的东西。你可以就着一杯咖啡或者牛奶来品尝馅饼。不用说,一眨眼工夫可口的馅饼就已经进入你的胃腹之中了。
  
  我们来听个例子。这回说话的是一家企业的总裁。他说定在下星期一必须把一份建议书呈交一位新顾客,但是在上班时间内他实在忙得无法分身去写好它,所以星期五下班时只好把这个工作带回家去做了。我们听听完成这份建议书是不是个沉重的负担。
  
  例句-2:I thought it would take all weekend. But writing it was easy as pie; I finished it Saturday noon and got the rest of the weekend to spend with my wife and daughter.
  
  他说:我原以为这建议书要占去我整个周末的时间,但是写起来却一挥而就。我星期六中午就已经写完了,还留下大半个周末的时间跟太太和女儿一起度过。
  
  这里的习惯用语easy as pie含义是不费吹灰之力的,用来形容容易办成的事。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2052
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实还有不少习惯用语有办成什么事只是举手之劳的意思,而且也都涉及吃的东西。例如我们以前曾经学过的这个习惯用语: a piece of cake。 A piece of cake是一块蛋糕,但是作为习惯用语却指举手之劳的事情,而且是容易得出乎意料。例如刚才那个数学大考很顺利的大学生也可以这样描述那次考试:
  
  例句-3:I was scared to death, but the math exam turned out to be a piece of cake!
  
  他是说原先让他吓得半死的数学考试结果却容易极了。
  
  这里的a piece of cake当然不真的是一块蛋糕,而是用来比喻轻而易举的事情。我们以前还学过另一个类型相似的习惯用语: take candy from a baby。 Candy是糖果。很多美国人都用easy as taking candy from a baby来形容办成某事易如反掌。
  
  这个习惯用语的出典一定是孩子年幼无知,孩子的东西很容易骗到手。例如刚才那位写建议书一挥而就的企业家可能会这样说: getting the contract from this customer is as easy as taking candy from a baby.
  
  他可能因为写那份建议书得心应手,而大受鼓舞,所以进而认为从那顾客那儿得到合同也一样容易办成。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2053
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华陪Larry去买车。今天我们要学两个常用语: caught dead和deal breaker.
  
  LL: Thanks for helping me shop for a car, Lihua. It's always good to have advice from someone you trust when making a big purchase.
  
  LH: 别客气。你昨天上网给我看了你要买的车,我就知道你需要有人给你出谋划策。
  
  LL: You didn't like the pictures? I think that bright purple pickup truck would have been great!
  
  LH: 那辆皮卡是不错,可你要开亮紫色的车,先得换个女朋友才行。
  
  LL: What do you mean? You wouldn't be caught dead riding in a purple pickup truck?
  
  LH: Caught dead? 我的意思是说那辆车颜色太丑,难道安全也有问题吗?
  
  LL: Actually, no. When you say you wouldn't be "caught dead" doing something, it means that you would never do it, because it would be really embarrassing if someone saw you.
  
  LH: 没错,我绝不会坐那么难看的车。I wouldn't be caught dead riding in a purple pickup truck. 要是让别人看见,那我可真是没脸见人了。
  
  LL: Oh come on...I do lots of things with you that normally I wouldn't be caught dead doing for you.
  
  LH: Oh yeah? Like what?
  
  LL: Well normally I wouldn't be caught dead singing in public, but last weekend I agreed to go to the karaoke bar with you.
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2054
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 别装了,我从来没见有人唱Ricky Martin的歌唱得那么投入的。
  
  LL: Alright, maybe I enjoyed it a little bit. But don't tell anyone. I wouldn't be caught dead doing that in front of my male friends.
  
  LH: 言归正传,你不如买辆双人自行车,咱俩可以一起骑?
  
  LL: Are you kidding? Two-person bikes are so lame. I wouldn't be caught dead riding one of those.
  
  LH: 你什么时候变得这么没情趣了!不想唱卡拉OK,不想骑自行车...you know, normally I wouldn't be caught dead with such a boring guy. 我一般情况下是绝不会跟这么乏味的男孩子交往的。
  
  LL: Are you kidding? Nobody who has a purple pickup truck can be considered boring.
  
  ******
  
  LH: Larry, 你觉得这辆车怎么样,又省油,又安全。
  
  LL: Yeah, but just look at how boring it is. It's plain white, and it's not a convertible.
  
  LH: 买车可是件大事,你不能光看车的外表,还得考虑实用性。
  
  LL: Yeah, but look. It doesn't even have a sunroof. I would still buy it even though it's not bright purple, but I'm afraid the sunroof is a deal breaker.
  
  LH: 什么是deal breaker?
  
  LL: A deal breaker is a critical condition that must be met in order for you to do something.
  
  LH: 你的意思是,不是敞篷车没关系,不是亮紫色也没关系,这些都可以凑合,但是如果没有天窗,那就绝对没商量喽?
  
  LL: That's right. Or say you were thinking of dating a guy. He might be really nice, good looking and funny, but if he lived with his parents, that would probably be a deal breaker

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2055
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 在中国,男朋友跟父母住在一起是很常见的。这我可以接受,但是如果他开的是一辆亮紫色的汽车,那干脆免谈。That would definitely be a deal breaker.
  
  LL: Really? Well in my case, I'm afraid a poor taste in cars would definitely be a deal breaker for me.
  
  LH: 你生气了?我是开玩笑的。虽然我不愿意坐紫颜色的车,但你自己开,我还是没意见的。
  
  LL: Well that's good. I need a car that can fully express my individuality. I wouldn't be caught dead in one of these boring, ordinary cars.
  
  LH: 你如果真的这么喜欢紫色的话,那就买,我支持你。
  
  LL: You know what Lihua, I think you're right.
  
  LH: 不过你可想好了,一定要能负担得起保修费用才行。
  
  LL: If it breaks down, I will just live in the back. That's how much I love that purple truck.
  
  LH: 好,那咱们可得讲清楚,我的男朋友可以住在父母家,但绝不能睡在车里。That is definitely a deal breaker!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是caught dead意思是打死也不愿意。另一个是deal breaker,意思是不能通融的条件。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2056
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要讲常会用在总统大选的竞选活动中的几个习惯用语。在人们从事的各种各样的活动中,体育运动为我们日常使用的语言所提供的习惯说法可能最多。比方说,我们今天要学的几个习惯用语都来自体育运动,说得更具体些是出自篮球运动的。
  
  第一个习惯用语是: slam dunk。 Slam是猛击的意思,而dunk这个词可以指“扣篮。”爱看篮球赛的人一定看到过某些篮球运动员的这一手绝招: 手举篮球高高跃起,等球和手的高度超过篮框后,由上而下地猛力把篮球塞进篮框。而短语slam dunk原来的意思就是“大力扣篮。”
  
  Slam dunk是篮球运动员在1975年前后创造的篮球术语,比赛中球员这漂亮的一手会让会让全场轰动,十分扣人心弦,于是人们很快就把slam dunk这个篮球运动术语借用到其它场合去了。例如争取2000年民主党总统侯选人提名的参议员Bill Bradley曾经是篮球名将,他进行了一次别出心裁的竞选募款活动。在纽约一个知名的体育场举行政治募款会,遍请昔日的篮球大明星到场助威,结果有七千五百名篮球迷踊跃参加这次活动,慷慨解囊,共捐赠了一百五十万美元的款项作为参议员Bill Bradley的竞选经费。
  
  《华盛顿邮报》事后一语双关地把Bradley的募款成功称为slam dunk。意思是“精彩的一手”或者“漂亮的成功,” 就像他当年在球场上精彩的扣蓝一样。Slam dunk用途广泛,可以指争得赢利丰厚的承包合同,也可以用来说在大学考试中成绩优异,等等。总之可以是任何令人惊叹的成功,当然也包括在政坛上打了漂亮的一仗。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2057
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们要听的例子就是在回顾1996年大选中克林顿如何击败多尔参议员,赢得了a slam dunk。 我们听听克林顿当年得到了什么样的辉煌战果。
  
  例句-1:Mr. Clinton scored a slam dunk in his race with Senator Dole. He won in 31 states,including all the biggest states except Texas, and Mr. Dole only took 19.
  
  他说:克林顿在跟多尔参议员的竞选角逐中赢得了辉煌胜利。他在三十一个州的选举中都取胜,包括美国所有的大州,只有德克萨斯州是例外,而多尔却只取得了十九个州的胜利。
  
  这里的slam dunk意思是辉煌胜利,或者惊人的成功。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-04#2058
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个也来自篮球运动的习惯用语: full court press。这里的court是篮球场,所以full court在这里是“整个篮球场”的意思,而press这个词再这里是pressure的简写,意思是压力。篮球比赛时full court press指全场紧逼战术。换句话说是既严密防守,又大力进攻的打法。比方说一方球队投蓝得分后,这个球队的队员一方面紧追猛打。另一方面满场紧钉对方球员,使得对方球员很难运球靠近这一边的篮架。
  
  原本是篮球术语的full court press很快被应用到生活中的各方各面,用来指“全面出击”或者“尽力压制,” Full court press常用在政界。
  
  我们就来听个政坛斗争的例子吧。说话的是某党在佛罗里达州的干事,由于对立党派的总统侯选人正在当地的呼声日渐高涨,他因而觉得非常担心,所以嘱咐手下的工作人员要更加积极主动,加倍努力。我们听他怎么说。
  
  例句-2:We thought Florida was safe for us but it's not. Starting now I want you to put on a full court press: do everything you can to stop this guy from gaining any more.
  
  他说:我们原来认为自己在佛罗里达州的地位稳若泰山,现在看来并非如此。我要你们从立即全力出击,尽自己的一切努力不让这个家伙再进一步扩展势力。
  
  这里的put on a full court press意思是全面发动进攻,而习惯用语full court press含义就是“全面出击”或者“尽力压制。”

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2059
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他午间休息遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 你看见副总裁布朗先生有关公司野餐的电子邮件了吗?
  
  A:Yes, I read it this morning. It sounds like fun. I think the committee is planning a full day of activities.
  
  C:没错,要整整一天,而且还是个星期六。
  
  A:You sound as if you have a problem with all this.
  
  C:我是有点儿不高兴。我这是第一次听说公司还要开野餐会。
  
  A:It's become a tradition, and it is always held on the same weekend each year. We have a great time.
  
  C:可我一点儿兴趣也没有,尤其是要浪费一天周末时间。我打算告诉布朗,说我那天正好有事。
  
  A:Chen Hao, That is not a good idea. Everybody is expected to be there. It's really not an option unless you have a legitimate reason for your absence.
  
  C:什么?非去不可?可我觉得,周末是自己的时间。公司没有权利要求我用自己的业余时间去参加工作上的活动。
  
  A:You need to understand how these events are part of your job. Let's take a minute and sit over there in the park to discuss this.
  
  C:我倒是想听听,为什么公司野餐非去不可!
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2060
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Amy和陈豪在公园的椅子上坐下。
  
  A:Let me see if I can explain this to you. If you want to be a successful member of the team, you have to do more than just show up for work every day and do your job.
  
  C:这太可笑了。参加社交活动跟做好本职工作又有什么关系呢?
  
  A:First of all, they are a way to build relationships with our colleagues and co-workers. You get to see another side of people when you do things together outside of work. You establish friendships on another level.
  
  C:加深对同事的了解?跟他们做朋友?可我为什么要跟他们做朋友呢?
  
  A:Having good relationships with co-workers can make daily work life more pleasant and make shared assignments go more smoothly.
  
  C:好吧,我去就是了,可为什么还要主动承担组织筹备的工作呢?
  
  A:By serving on a committee and helping out with the event, you have the opportunity to reveal leadership skills and to express a spirit of cooperation.
  
  C:我注意到,野餐会上还有不少家庭活动。
  
  A:That's right. There are events for adults and children. Everyone brings their family so it is all quite lively.
  
  C:我们有必要去认识同事的家人吗?
  
  A:Of course you do. Displaying an interest in their family says that you value more than just your workplace relationship with your co-workers.
  
  C:那好吧,我回去就报名参加野餐组织委员会。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2061
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语069讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他有事去找美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao, how are you?
  
  C:我有个问题,要请教你。你有时间吗?
  
  A:Sure. I don't have anything on my calendar for another hour. What's the matter?
  
  C:我们正在做一个新项目,宣传最新的客户服务计划。
  
  A:That sounds like a good idea. We can always improve customer service. Why is that a problem?
  
  C:我们成立了一个小组,包括三男三女,以前互不相识,结果沟通上出现了问题,影响了项目进度。
  
  A:What kind of communication issues?
  
  C:事先声明,我可没有大男子主义,但我觉得那三个女的浪费了很多时间。
  
  A:How?
  
  C:她们喜欢谈私事。好不容易谈到主题了,她们又没完没了,直到大家都对方案满意了才肯罢休。
  
  A:It's good to be sure that you are all in accord.
  
  C:可凡事都要有节制啊。有几次我为了推动进度,打断了她们,结果她们特不高兴。
  
  A:I understand what is happening. You have a gender issue.
  
  C:什么?性别问题?
  
  A:This is going to take a bit more time to explain. Can we continue our conversation over lunch?
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2062
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Amy和陈豪午饭时继续上午的话题。
  
  C:我想了一上午,怎么也想不通早上我们说的事怎么会跟性别有关。
  
  A:Remember that you started off by telling me that there were some problems in the group and you immediately zeroed in on the women.
  
  C:没错,进度慢,就是那几个女同事的责任。
  
  A:Men and women have different approaches to communication that both need to understand.
  
  C:男性和女性交流的方式,可能是不一样。我们几个男的都觉得可以行动了,但那几个女的老觉得太仓促。
  
  A:As with all conflict, you need to take time to address this. You should talk about what is happening, attempt to understand each other and resolve the issue in a cooperative manner.
  
  C:加深相互理解?那具体该怎么做呢?
  
  A:Tell the women you appreciate their opinions and expertise. Ask them to focus more on business conversation and less on personal. Next consider how you men are behaving.
  
  C:难道说我们这些男的也有做错的地方吗?
  
  A:You admitted that you interrupted in an effort to move things along. I bet that you are also trying to dominate and give the women as little chance as possible to speak up.
  
  C:我承认,我们确实有控制会议之嫌。一般情况下,听完她们的意见,我们就不再去看她们,生怕她们没完没了地说下去。
  
  A:To avoid additional strife and accommodate each other, you need to stop interrupting and trying to dominate.
  
  C:我知道了,男性希望马上找到解决问题的办法,而女性喜欢先花时间,建立关系,因此双方就会出现矛盾。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2063
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语070讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他开完会,跟美国同事Amy一起往外走。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:You seemed uncomfortable at our meeting. Was something wrong, Chen Hao?
  
  C:我是有点不自在。你是怎么看出来的?
  
  A:I can recognize the signs when you are troubled. Why were you ill at ease?
  
  C:这次开会人太多了,很多都是其他部门的,他们根本不理我,让我觉得自己是局外人,真后悔,还不如不来呢!
  
  A:It didn't have to be that way.
  
  C:不用这样?你能不能说得具体点?
  
  A:There are plenty of things you can do in those situations to be noticed.
  
  C:怎样才能让别人注意到我呢?难道要故意把咖啡撒在身上吗?
  
  A:Not exactly. I am talking about positive ways to make an impression. If you want to get ahead in the company, people need to recognize you and know who you are.
  
  C:我本来是要自我介绍的,可我到的时候,别人已经都在聊天了。
  
  A:I saw you come in and you were one of the last to arrive.
  
  C:这有什么关系吗?我又没迟到。
  
  A:If you are one of the first to arrive, you are in position to greet other people as they come in. You can introduce yourself before they get into conversations with others.
  
  C:不管怎么说,跟素不相识的人聊天我还是觉得很别扭,不知道说什么好。
  
  A:I have a couple of suggestions. Let's talk about them after work. I need to get to my desk.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2064
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

下班后。
  
  C:Amy, 你快告诉我,下次开这种会,我该怎么做。
  
  A:It's not as difficult as you think, especially if you find out ahead of time who is going to be there.
  
  C:可我怎么才能知道谁来开会呢?
  
  A:A couple of ways. If the notice is sent by e-mail, the names of everyone who received the communication are usually listed.
  
  C:如果从电子邮件里看不出来呢?
  
  A:Then you pick up the phone and call the person who sent out the notice and ask who will be there.
  
  C:既然不认识人家,知道会议名单又有什么用呢?
  
  A:Once you have the names you can inquire about who they are and gather information about them. When you meet them, you'll know enough to engage them in conversation.
  
  C:好是好,提前了解一下与会者的情况,就可以找到合适的话题了。可要这么做,没有几天的时间绝对不够。
  
  A:In that case, you do what successful people do to be impressive - you look at the list of who will be at the meeting, find out something about them and then focus on at least three people you'd like to meet.
  
  C:这还比较可行。我可以挑出三个最想结识的人,开会之前着重了解一下他们的情况。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2065
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们来学几个在总统大选中常会用上的词汇和习惯用语。在大选举行前,几乎隔一天就会公布一次民意调查结果,衡量那些希望得到共和党或民主党总统侯选人提名的人在选民中支持率的高低。
  
  民意测验的结果往往起伏波动很大,一次测验的结果绝对说明不了问题,而在这“备战阶段”最先让人略见选情眉目的是大选年初的冬天在爱奥华州举行的政党基层会议和在新罕普什尔州举行的初选。有一个特别的词表示政党基层会议: caucus。
  
  Caucus是由州内的政党领导人召开的基层会议,讨论竞选策略,并挑选出他们在政党的全国代表大会上所支持的侯选人。Caucus这个词来自阿尔冈昆印第安语原意是“部落里的贤者,” 也就是专门为他人指点迷津的人,相当于现代社会的咨询顾问。当然召开政党基层会议的当地政党领导人确实是基层民众的政治顾问。这可能就是用caucus来指政党基层会议的缘由。而初选的英文是:primaries。大多数州都要到大选年的春天才决定两党的总统侯选人提名。我们分析这两个州现行一步的道理。
  
  例句-1:One reason that the Iowa caucus and New Hampshire primary are held so early is the two states take pride in being first to let voters of both parties express their support for the candidates in some official way.
  
  And maybe it's also because they enjoy the national attention the early caucus or primary brings them for a few months once every four years.
  
  After all they seldom get any other national notice.
  
  他说:爱奥华州和新罕普什尔州这么早就举行政党基层会议和初选的一个原因是能领先一步让投票人通过正式途径表达对两党侯选人的支持使这两个州引为自豪。
  
  与此同时,他们可能也高兴由于政党基层会议和初选他们每隔四年就有几个月的时间成为全国瞩目的地方。这种全国性的关注对他们说来毕竟是难得的待遇。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2066
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

新罕普什尔州和爱奥华州在全国地位类同,所以在意识观念方面也有相似的地方:他们都争着要成为四年一度的大选的揭幕人,于是这两个州的政坛领袖于八十年代中达成协议,既然爱奥华州最先举行政党基层会议,就由新罕普什尔州第一个举行初选。这样两个州就平分秋色了。
  
  于是新罕普什尔州和爱奥华州每到大选年初的冬天就分外热闹:跃跃欲试的两党竞选人蜂拥而至,马不停蹄地奔波于州内大小城镇之间,尽可能多多地跟选民握手,并且四处举行公开辩论,吸引广大新闻媒体的注目和报道,而投票一结束这两个州就又重返往常宁静平缓的步调。
  
  那么究竟the New Hampshire Primaries是否侯选人日后入主白宫的关键呢? 我们再听听唐本森先生的看法吧。
  
  例句-2:New Hampshire calls itself 'the maker of presidents' with the claim that winners in the New Hampshire primaries get a head start on the run for the White House. Is this so? To tell the truth, winners in New Hampshire often drop out later and never get nominated by their party's National Conventions, or if they do, never make it to the White House. But at least the New Hampshire Primaries together with the Iowa Caucuses tell how well candidates are doing with grassroots Americans.
  
  他说:新罕普什尔州自称为“总统的缔造者。” 他们声称在新罕普什尔州初选取胜的人在向白宫进军的道路上会领先一步。果真如此吗? 说实话,这些胜利者日后往往退出竞选,也从来没有在本党全国代表大会上得到总统侯选人提名,即使得到提名也从未入主白宫。然而新罕普什尔州初选和爱奥华州政党基层会议至少说明了侯选人在基层美国人中有多少威信。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2067
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语071讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他中午吃饭在餐厅找到美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:Amy, 能找到你,太好了。
  
  A:Will you join me?
  
  C:好啊,我正好有事问你。
  
  A:What is it?
  
  C:我有个同事两个星期后结婚。
  
  A:Where is the wedding going to be held?
  
  C:婚礼在北京举行,但是因为新郎和新娘都是美国人,所以要按美国的方式。
  
  A:How interesting!
  
  C:他们不回美国去结婚,是因为家里人想到中国来玩。
  
  A:I can't blame them for wanting to see this beautiful part of the world where their relatives live and work.
  
  C:这下我有机会体验一下美国式的婚礼了,不过我也遇到了一些问题。
  
  A:I can probably guess what some of them are.
  
  C:我记得你说过,要RSVP,就是不管能否出席,都要尽快跟人家说一声。
  
  A:So did you?
  
  C:邀请函里夹了回执卡和信封,我已经填好寄出去了。
  
  A:Sounds as if you have it all figured out, Chen Hao.
  
  CH:可我不知道应该送给他们什么礼物。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2068
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪和Amy坐下边吃午饭。
  
  C:我想知道美国人结婚,一般送些什么。
  
  A:It is a tradition in change so you need to pay attention to what the bride and groom want.
  
  C:我怎么能知道新郎新娘需要什么呢?
  
  A:In today's wedding world, couples often register for gifts with an online registry.
  
  C:什么叫Online Registry ?网上注册?
  
  A:It's a wedding site on the Internet. Couples use registries to indicate gifts they like or need. You just go to the site they indicate and order.
  
  C:哦,结婚的人可以上网注册,把需要的礼物列出来,供亲朋好友参考。可我怎么找到那个网站呢?
  
  A:If the bride and groom have registered, they will send you the website as part of the invitation or in a follow-up e-mail.
  
  C:邀请函上好像是有个网址,不过我当时没太注意。好,我回去先看看他们注册的礼品单子上都有些什么。
  
  A:That's the idea.
  
  C:我买好了礼物,婚礼那天一块儿带去。
  
  A:Oops. Bad idea.
  
  C:为什么?我想看着他们打开礼物时高兴的样子。
  
  A:Chen Hao, they will not open presents during the wedding ceremony or reception.
  
  C:干嘛不拆礼物?
  
  A:It is not part of the American tradition and it only complicates things.
  
  C:我不太明白。
  
  A:When the bride and groom have left the event, a family member or friend has to gather any gifts that were brought to the wedding and be responsible for keeping them for the newly-weds until they return from their honeymoon.
  
  C:那不是很麻烦吗?
  
  A:It could be a lot to manage.
  
  C:我知道了,所以最好是事先买好礼物寄过去。
  
  A:You got it!

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2069
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在Larry办公大楼门口遇到他。Larry看上去十分疲倦。今天我们要学两个常用语: back to square one和hankering.
  
  LH: Larry, 你昨天晚上是不是又熬夜加班了?看上去一脸疲惫。
  
  LL: Did I ever! I was here all night doing work on this new marketing project, but ultimately I did not get anywhere. I may have to change the ad's concept completely, even though that would mean going back to square one.
  
  LH: 你要去square one出差?远吗?
  
  LL: Square one is not an actual place. It means going back to the beginning.
  
  LH: 我明白了,square one就是从头开始的意思。那上星期我写论文忘了存盘,结果电脑死机全丢了,只好从头再来,这种情况就可以说I was back at square one. 对不对?
  
  LL: Yes, that's right, Li Hua. Because you had to go back to the beginning and all of the earlier work was deleted, you had to go back to square one.
  
  LH: 我手里还有一篇论文要写,但是还没有下笔,能不能说I am only at square one?
  
  LL: You can use "square one" that way, but usually people say, "back to square one." This means that they did a lot of work, but it did not help them get any closer to their goal.
  
  LH: 这么说,我可不愿意go back to square one.
  
  LL: Exactly, I'm very frustrated that all of my work last night did not get me anywhere. Even though I was here all night, I'm back to square one.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2070
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 这么说,你的新市场营销计划如今又回到了起点,要从头开始,你下一步打算怎样办?
  
  LL: You know, to be honest, I am really not sure. I think maybe I need some sleep to help clear up my head.
  
  LH: 我对你深表同情。不过我比你还惨。上星期论文都快打完了,结果没存,I got sent back to square one. 更糟糕的是,第二天就要交。
  
  LL: That does sound stressful, luckily I have still got a few weeks before this project is due, so I think that I am going to go home and get some sleep before starting again at square one.
  
  LH: 你重新开始之前要不要一起吃点东西?
  
  LL: That sounds great Li Hua, but first I need to get some rest. How about we meet here at noon, grab something to eat and then I get back to work?
  
  LH: Sounds great!
  
  ******
  
  LH: Larry, 你一觉醒来,一定是精神饱满,干劲十足。
  
  LL: Yes, I had a very good nap, and now I have a hankering for some Italian food.
  
  LH: A hankering? 你是说你想吃意大利饭吗?
  
  LL: Exactly, Li Hua! To have a hankering, for something means that you want that thing. Usually someone would say they have a hankering for a type of food or drink.
  
  LH: 意大利饭也有很多种啊,你想吃意大利面,比萨饼,还是肉酱千层面?
  
  LL: You know, lasagna sounds really good to me, but what do you have a hankering for Li Hua? What are you in the mood to have for lunch?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2071
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我也说不清楚想吃什么。要不吃个三明治,还是去吃中国饭?
  
  LL: It doesn't really sound like you have a hankering for anything in particular at all.
  
  LH: 肚子饿的时候,当然是吃什么都香。
  
  LL: Maybe you should compare the types of food that you have a hankering for to decide what you want to eat.
  
  LH: 一方面,我特别想吃辣的,可另一方面,我又怕麻烦。
  
  LL: Either food that you choose is fine by me. Italian, Chinese, sandwiches...
  
  LH: 现在听起来,我好象又都不那么想吃了。
  
  LL: No? Then it looks like we are back at square one then.
  
  LH: Yes, we are back at square one. 不过,我已经知道要吃什么了。
  
  LL: Well what do you want to have for lunch?
  
  LH: Sushi! 快走吧,我已经在流口水了。
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是back to square one意思是回到起点。另一个是hankering,意思是特别想要。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2072
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们还要学几个美国总统大选中常用的习惯用语。我们曾经说过,英语词汇很多都来自体育运动。今天要学的第一个习惯用语就来自号称“皇家运动”的赛马: down to the wire。这里的wire指赛马跑道终点拉的终点线。它在几乎不相上下的竞赛中有助于判断究竟谁先谁后。我们观看赛马时有时会见到领先的几匹马几乎不分前后,要直到冲过终点线的一刹那才定胜负。这就是这个习惯用语的出典。Down to the wire如今常用在政界,尤其是竞选运动中。
  
  我们来听一名电台记者在评论在2000年大选中希望得到民主党总统侯选人提名的两个竞争对手戈尔和布拉德利。他还用了也来自赛马运动的另一个习惯用语: neck and neck。 Neck to neck意思是不分前后。好,我们来听这位电台记者怎么评论新罕普什尔州初选即将举行前这两名对手间的战况:
  
  例句-1:With only a week to go, the polls show that the two candidates are running neck and neck. The race is still so close it may go right down to the wire.
  
  离开选举只有一星期了,民意测验结果显示两名侯选人不相上下,竞争如此激烈,所以可能要到最后一刻结果才见分晓。
  
  这里的down to the wire用来描绘到最后一刻方见胜负的激烈竞争。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2073
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

再学个常用在竞选运动中的习惯用语: blow out。 Blow out这个短语有许多不同的解释。我们以前学过它可以指轮胎爆了,或者吹灭蜡烛火焰,也能用来说一个讲究排场的盛大宴会。但是blow out用在政坛斗争中有完全不同的意思。也许很多人都领教过强大台风的威力。它所到之处吹倒房屋,拔起大树,几乎是无坚不摧,扫清一切障碍,
  
  Blow out这短语令人联想起台风这种压倒一切的威势。我们听个例子。说话的人在谈本州州长的竞选运动。
  
  例句-2:I think our governor will blow out his opponents. He's done a good job and people like him. Besides, the man running against him is someone voters never heard of.
  
  他说:他们州长的工作很有成效,得到民众的爱戴。而他的竞争对手却是个默默无闻的人,可见州长会以压倒优势击败对手。
  
  所以这里的blow out这个习惯用语的意思一定是以压倒优势击败对手,或者说是所向无敌。其实blow out这个习惯用语还有个比较长的形式: blow out of the water。 Blow out of the water来自海战:军舰被猛烈的炮火击中后,炸飞上天,随即沉入海底,无影无踪地从水面上消失了。这是blow out of the water这个习惯用语的出典。听个例子:
  
  例句-3:Most experts in newspapers and TV are predicting our party will blow the other side out of the water in most of the country this fall.
  
  这句话说: 报界和电视界的多数专家预计今年秋天我们的党将在全国大部分地区把对方打得一败涂地。
  
  习惯用语blow out of the water是彻底击败的意思。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2074
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个习惯说法。它只包括一个词: clobber。在二次大战中英国飞行员去德国执行轰炸任务凯旋而归时,常用clobber这个词来汇报自己如何命中攻击目标,并造成敌方严重损失。逐渐政界也借用clobber这个词了,表示什么意思呢? 我们听个例子吧,这是某党派的竞选干事在归纳目前的选战形势。
  
  例句-4:In South Carolina our candidate clobbered the opponent. But in a couple of days, our opponent turned the table and clobbered our candidate in Michigan to stay in the race.
  
  他说:在南卡罗莱纳州我们的侯选人重挫对手。但是几天后在密西根州,我们的对手却反败为胜沉重打击我方侯选人,保住了继续参选的地位。
  
  这里的clobber意思就是沉重打击。 Clobber这个词不仅在选战中相当流行,它还常用在运动比赛里。大家一定知道一个习惯说法往往会有多种用途。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2075
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语072讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在餐厅里找到美国同Amy 。
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hello Chen Hao. How are you?
  
  C:还行。不过,我有点事想征求一下你的意见。
  
  A:What is it?
  
  C:你认识我们办公室的Sue吗?
  
  A:I've worked on a couple of projects with her. Why?
  
  C:我告诉你,你可得保密,Sue正在找工作。
  
  A:Why is that a problem?
  
  C:她让我做她的推荐人。
  
  A:That bothers you?
  
  C:Sue工作不是很靠谱,推荐她,那不等于说瞎话嘛!
  
  A:What did you say when she came to you?
  
  C:我没直接回答她。我说那份新工作听上去是个不错的机会,然后就假称要开会,逃掉了。
  
  A:I have a couple of suggestions for you.
  
  C:太好了,你快告诉我。我今天一天都躲躲藏藏的,生怕遇到Sue。
  
  A:Let's sit down over there.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2076
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

两人坐下,边吃边聊。
  
  C:Amy,你快说说,我该怎么办。
  
  A:Sue must have some positive traits or she wouldn't be working here.
  
  C:优点肯定是有,不过我得仔细想想。
  
  A:I suggest that you make a list of her strengths.
  
  C:可她的缺点要比优点多得多。
  
  A:Try not to focus on her shortcomings, but list them out, too. You can call them areas where she needs to grow.
  
  C:需要改进的地方?那人家给我打电话,了解Sue的情况,我该怎么说呢?
  
  A:You begin by saying that she is a good team player, but could benefit from the opportunity to work independently and grow professionally. That makes you honest.
  
  C:有道理,我就说她很容易相处,但是如果有一个独立工作,需要精湛技能的机会,将对她有帮助。可是Amy,我怎么才能不去提她的缺点呢?
  
  A:Let the interviewer know that you have worked with Sue on a limited basis so you can only speak about your experience on the team.
  
  C:就说,跟Sue共事机会不多,有些情况没有发言权。Amy, 我有个更简单的办法,要不我这段时间干脆不接电话了,留言也不回。
  
  A:That's cowardly. Besides it will reflect poorly on you.
  
  C:要这么说,不回电子邮件也行不通了。
  
  A:You have another choice. You can tell Sue that you aren't comfortable in giving references to her because you are afraid of saying the wrong thing.
  
  C:这样好。我就说自己英语不好,搞不好词不达意,再说错了话。
  
  A:It is difficult when a colleague who is not a good worker asks you for a reference.
  
  C:你能在重复一遍,我都有哪些选择吗?
  
  A:If you agree to be a reference, rehearse what you plan to say. Don't allow yourself to be drawn into areas where you are not comfortable.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2077
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们继续讲在竞选活动中时常会听到的习惯用语。人人知道竞选总统需要大笔资金;你得雇佣大批竞选工作人员,要租用飞机以供你和手下人员前往各地开展竞选,还必需在广播和电视上花昂贵的广告宣传费,更得邮寄不计其数的宣传材料。而且竞选工作还不是一两个月就能完事的,往往得延续一年甚至一年以上,所以非得有千百万美元的资金不可。而这笔竞选经费的来源大部分是向个人、企业、工会组织以及各种各样的团体进行不遗余力的募款工作所得。
  
  美国政府设立了一个机构: 联邦选举委员会,专门为募集竞选款项制定规则。这个机构的英文名称是Federal Election Commission。根据Federal Election Commission的规定,竞选捐款分为两类。
  
  第一类是: hard money。 Hard money通常可以解释为硬币,或者硬通货,但是在竞选募款中是指直接归入某侯选人竞选经费的钱。换句话说是直接支持某侯选人的捐款,可称为硬性捐款。根据法律,这类捐款的金额限制是每人不超过一千美元,而且务必向联邦选举委员会汇报捐款人姓名及捐款金额,有关情况还成为公开记录。
  
  还有一类竞选捐款称为: soft money。 Soft money通常可以指纸币,但是在竞选运动中是指不直接给某一候选人,而是给与某政党的捐款,可以翻译成软性捐款。 Soft money不受和hard money相同的限制,所以soft money能引进大宗捐款。例如来自著名公司、工会等大型组织的赞助款项,或者像商界巨头、电影明星之类富豪们的捐款。照道理,软性捐款是不该资助个别侯选人的,而应当用来支持政党的总体方针和全党的活动。我们听听贯彻这条规定的具体做法。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2078
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句-1:Hard money can be used to support an individual candidate's campaign, but soft money is not supposed to help individual candidates but instead to support the party. For instance, soft money can be used for TV ads advocating the party platform but cannot ask viewers to vote for any candidate by name.
  
  他说:硬性捐款可以用来支持个别侯选人的竞选,但是软性捐款不得资助个别侯选人,而得用来支持政党。例如,软性捐款可用在宣扬党的施政纲领的电视广告上,但是这个广告却不能点侯选人的名,要求电视观众投票选举他。
  
  话虽如此,硬性和软性捐款的用途却还是竞选中的焦点问题,因为竞选募款人老是找到规章条例间的缝隙钻空子,于是有些侯选人大声呼吁要改革有关竞选募款的规定,杜绝漏洞,许多选民也响应他们的呼声。这个要求改革的热门问题给竞选运动带来了一些别开生面的景象。我们听听是什么。
  
  例句-2:On the stump in New Hampshire we saw a rare sight: a Republican candidate and a Democratic candidate standing together to pledge they would push for reform and not touch soft money themselves.
  
  他说:在新罕普什尔州的竞选活动中我们看到了一个少见的情景:一位共和党侯选人和一位民主党侯选人并肩作出保证。他们要促进有关竞选经费的改革,而他们本人也决不会碰软性捐款。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2079
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

有关Hard money and soft money专款专用的问题其实只触及了竞选经费问题的表层。这个问题相当复杂。一次大选中的总统侯选人的募款总和高达几亿美元。这谈何容易,然而募集竞选经费却又至关重要,难怪募款人员时而会抵制不了金钱的诱惑,违反了规章。我们再听听有关竞选经费还有什么深埋在表层之下的问题。
  
  例句-3:The issue of hard and soft money is only scratching the surface of this complicated subject of campaign money. For example, there are rules against accepting soft money from foreign sources, but sometimes the fund raisers don't follow these rules and accept such contributions. The violators whom the Federal Election Commission detects may land in trouble.
  
  他说:硬性和软性捐款问题还只触及竞选经费这个复杂问题的表面。例如,有规定禁止接受来自外国的软性捐款,但是募款人员有时却不遵守这些规定接受了国外的赠款。这些违规的人被联邦选举委发现可就麻烦缠身了。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2080
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华打电话给Larry,问他想不想一起去看棒球比赛。今天我们要学两个常用语: I'm down和sky-high.
  
  LL: Hello?
  
  LH: Hi, Larry!
  
  LL: Hi Li Hua, how are you doing?
  
  LH: 我挺好的,你呢?忙不忙?
  
  LL: I'm also pretty good. I just finished up my project at work and my boss seemed really impressed.
  
  LH: 恭喜你!我们得好好庆祝一下。一起去看棒球赛怎么样?
  
  LL: I'm down.
  
  LH: You are down? 你心情不好吗?你不是刚完成了手里的项目,而且老板特别满意吗?Why are you down?
  
  LL: Well you're right in that sometimes down can be used to mean sad, but in this case, "I'm down,"means I would like to go along with that plan.
  
  LH: 那你刚才说I am down. 意思是愿意跟我一起去看棒球赛喽?
  
  LL: That's exactly right, Li Hua. Now which game would you like to go see?
  
  LH: 都可以。I am down for anything. 最近哪个队来华盛顿?
  
  LL: Well I've got the schedule for the Washington Nationals here. It looks like on Tuesday they are playing the New York Mets, and on Thursday they are playing against Philadelphia and Saturday they are playing against the LA Dodgers.
  
  LH: 我无所谓。I would be down for going to see any of those games. 不过,如果让我选,我更愿意周末去。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2081
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: I am down for the weekend game as well. You never know how late it might run, and I can sleep in on Sunday.
  
  LH: 那就一言为定,我们去看星期六那一场。
  
  LL: Li Hua, would you be down for getting dinner before the game with me?
  
  LH: 好啊!咱们先吃点儿东西,比赛可能会到很晚才结束呢。
  
  LL: That's probably a good idea. You never know how long the game could last.
  
  LH: 比赛几点开始?
  
  LL: According to this schedule, the game starts at 7:00. So maybe we can meet around 5:30 and get some food then?
  
  LH: I'm down for that.
  
  ******
  
  LH: 星期六因为有比赛,路上特别塞车。
  
  LL: I'm sorry Li Hua, I don't think we will be able to make it to both the restaurant and the game on time.
  
  LH: 没关系,Larry。说实话,我这是第一次去看棒球赛,其实特别想尝尝赛场里卖的各种好吃的东西:热狗、爆米花什么的,real American ball-park food.
  
  LL: Yes it is definitely a very American experience, though the prices on food in the stadium are sky-high.
  
  LH: Sky-high? 比天还高?那是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: Li Hua, sky-high just means that the prices are very expensive.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2082
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 哦,我明白了,就是中文里说的天价。也是,我发现,在美国,电影院、游乐场里卖的食物起码要比外面贵三倍,看来球场也是一样。反正他们知道你饿了就一定要买吃的,所以就可以漫天要价。难怪the food prices are sky-high.
  
  LL: That is exactly right! Do you know where we are sitting in the stadium?
  
  LH: 大约在中间部位。我本来想买最下面的好位子,结果发现the ticket prices were sky-high.
  
  LL: Yes, tickets can be very expensive, especially on a Saturday night.
  
  LH: WOW, Larry,怎么这么多人!
  
  LL: I'll say, I bet their ticket revenue from tonight is sky-high.
  
  LH: 他们今天晚上一定能赚很多钱。这么多人,也不知道咱俩能不能找到座位。
  
  LL: I don't think it will be a problem. The location is printed right on the ticket.
  
  LH: Larry, 你新换了工作,薪水可是sky-high, 请我吃热狗怎么样?
  
  LL: Haha, my income is not quite sky-high, but sure, I'll buy you something to eat.
  
  LH: 谢谢。你这个项目做得这么漂亮,老板会不会给你发奖金?
  
  LL: The hope for the marketing campaign looks like it will bring in sky-high profits for the company, so maybe in a few months I will be given a raise.
  
  LH: 这儿的东西这么贵,你不会心疼吧?
  
  LL: Well the prices may be sky-high but I would rather pay a lot than starve in the stadium.
  
  LH: Fair enough. Alright, here we are!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是I'm down意思是我愿意。另一个是sky-high,意思是特别贵。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2083
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华来到Larry的公寓,两人一起吃晚饭。今天我们要学两个常用语: out of whack和such a wreck.
  
  LL: -Achoo- I have been sneezing all day.
  
  LH: 你没生病吧?
  
  LL: No, I don't think I'm sick. I think I have allergies. All the pollen in the air has got me feeling really out of whack.
  
  LH: Out of whack? 你是说自己不舒服吗?
  
  LL: Yes, Li Hua, out of whack means that I feel somewhat unwell, but it does not necessarily mean I feel sick. Out of whack means feeling not quite right.
  
  LH: 这么说,上星期我眼镜找不到了,看东西模模糊糊的,就可以说 I felt out of whack?
  
  LL: Yes, you very well may have been feeling out of whack. - Achoo-
  
  LH: 你没完没了地打喷嚏,为什么不吃点儿治过敏的药呢?
  
  LL: I hate taking those medicines. They always leave me feeling out of whack. I feel like I cannot even string together a thought when I take them.
  
  LH: 没错,我也不喜欢吃治过敏的药,会觉得昏昏欲睡,所以我宁可象你一样,没完没了地打喷嚏。
  
  LL: That makes sense. What would you like to have for dinner, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 我找到了一个鱼香茄子的菜谱,好象不错,要不咱们试试看?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2084
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: That sounds great, let's take a look at it.
  
  LH: 在我电子邮件信箱里,我得上网打印出来。
  
  LL: Go right ahead.
  
  LH: Hmmm. Larry, 你来看看,怎么印不出来啊?
  
  LL: It looks like the printer is out of whack.
  
  LH: 打印机也会不舒服,out of whack?
  
  LL: Yes, in addition to a person feeling out of whack, a machine can also be out of whack. This means that the machine is not working properly.
  
  LH: 太糟糕了,打印机坏了,那菜谱印不出来怎么办?
  
  LL: How about you just read out the ingredients from the computer. That way we don't need to print anything. We will even save some paper.
  
  LH: 只好这样了。那你听好了,我们需要茄子一个、肉馅半磅、还有,葱、姜、蒜....
  
  ******
  
  酒足饭饱,Larry还在回味鱼香茄子的美味。
  
  LL: Mmm, that was a delicious dish Li Hua, thank you for finding it.
  
  LH: 一点儿也不费事,只要你喜欢吃就好。
  
  LL: That was really good. Did you have enough to eat?
  
  LH: 我都快撑死了。你还要吗?
  
  LL: No, thank you, I can't eat another bite. I guess I should clean up. This kitchen is such a wreck.
  
  LH: A wreck? 是什么意思啊?
  
  LL: "What a wreck", means it is a complete mess.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2085
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我明白了,what a wreck就是乱七八糟的意思。那这么说,your apartment is often a wreck. 你的公寓永远都是a wreck.
  
  LL: Yes, Li Hua, that is true, my apartment does often need cleaning, but I do try to keep it from becoming a total wreck.
  
  LH: 可以理解,一忙起来就顾不上收拾房间了,我那儿可能还不如你了,我最近都不敢让朋友去。
  
  LL: When you are busy it is very easy for your home to become a wreck.
  
  LH: 没错。
  
  LL: You should see my desk after I've just worked on a large new project. It is a huge wreck.
  
  LH: 这我相信,那你不忙的时候,办公桌上是不是特别干净整齐?
  
  LL: Well, no I can't say it is much better most of the time.
  
  LH: 跟你公寓现在的样子差不多。
  
  LL: Ouch! It's not that bad in here, Li hua, though I do admit it could use a good cleaning.
  
  LH: 别当真,我跟你开玩笑呢!说真的,我的公寓现在才是a bit of a wreck.
  
  LL: With all the papers you have been writing lately, I am not surprised that you have not had much time to clean up.
  
  LH: Larry, 咱俩互助怎么样?现在我帮你整理房间,正好活动活动,消消食,明天你来我家,帮我打扫。
  
  LL: That sounds like a great idea.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是out of whack,意思是身体不舒服,或者是说什么东西坏了。另一个是such a wreck,意思是乱七八糟。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2086
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语073讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在走廊上遇到美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Good Morning Chen Hao. How are you?
  
  C:I am fine, 不过,我正找你呢。 我有点急事要请教你!
  
  A:What's going on?
  
  C:老板昨天晚上打电话,通知我说,总部有一个高级主管今天要到北京来,让我早上去机场接机,然后下午陪她去天津考察。
  
  A:That sounds like a good opportunity for you. I wonder what you did to be selected.
  
  C:我也不知道老板为什么让我去。不过啊,我宁可他挑的是别人。
  
  A:Why?
  
  C:我是一行人等中职务最低的一个,也不知道应该做些什么事情。
  
  A:I suggest that you clarify this with... I'm sorry, what is this woman's name?
  
  C:Ms. Rose.
  
  A:Ask Ms. Rose, when you meet, what you can do to be helpful to her?
  
  C:那你觉得她可能需要我做些什么呢?
  
  A:When a junior executive is traveling with a senior executive, the junior person generally attends to the logistical details.
  
  C:什么是 Logistical 方面的细节啊?
  
  A:Logistical refers to the organizational details of the trip.
  
  C:噢,Logistical就是后勤保障的意思。
  
  A:Your help may be required when you check in and out of the hotel, tipping, seeing that luggage is handled correctly and taking care of any special needs of the executive team.
  
  C:什么?饭店、小费、行李,这些都是我的事?不好不好,来不及了。我得赶紧去接Ms. Rose. 我去天津之前再来请教你!
  
  A:Anytime.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2087
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪中午去找Amy.
  
  A:What did you find out?
  
  C:你说的一点没错。所有杂事都归我管,包括行程、时间、账单、小费等等。
  
  A:It's your job to see that things run smoothly. Ms. Rose does not have to take her mind off business to handle any little annoyances.
  
  C:是啊,简单说,就是这样。
  
  A:I guess you are "good to go," as Americans like to say.
  
  C:我还有个问题,你可别笑话我!我从来没坐过豪华轿车。你说,在这种情况下,我应该坐在哪个位子呢?
  
  A:The first thing to do when the limo arrives is to ask Ms. Rose, "Where do you want me to sit?"
  
  C:如果她说随便呢?
  
  A:Then as the junior executive, you take the least desirable seat. That all depends on how many people are traveling with you.
  
  C:同行的至少会有五名高级主管。
  
  A:You could well end up in the jump seat or worse, in the middle of the back seat.
  
  C:啊?看来跟上司一起出去,真不是什么好差事。
  
  A:Think of it as an opportunity. You could end up being the senior person one day.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2088
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们还是继续讲在大选年中时常用到的习惯用语。多数参选的侯选人在选战刚拉开序幕时常常会作承诺。例如,他们会信誓旦旦地保证绝不向竞争对手进行人身攻击,也决不信口诋毁对手所鼓吹的方针政策。然而在选战进行到如火如荼的阶段,他们却往往会忘记自己的保证。
  
  这时他们的所作所为就是我们今天要说的头两个习惯用语了。第一个是: low blow。 我们听个例子来体会low blow指什么样的手段。这是一名参议员在辩论中指责他的对手歪曲他对全国保健计划的支持。
  
  例句-1:Sir, that is a real low blow. It's either a deliberate lie or shows you simply don't know much about the whole issue of national health care plan for all Americans.
  
  这位参议员声称,对手的指控不是存心撒谎,就是对为所有美国人提供全国保健计划这问题缺乏全面的了解。
  
  可见他说对手的批评是a real low blow,是信口雌黄的指控。 Low blow的出典是拳击比赛中打击对方腰部以下的部位。这是违反拳击赛规则的动作。其实还有一个说法意思雷同: hitting below the belt。 Hitting below the belt要是直译就是击打裤腰带以下的部位。换句话说就是low blow,所以刚才那位参议员还可以这样说,意思不变:
  
  例句-2:Sir, this is hitting below the belt. It's either a deliberate lie or shows you simply don't know much about the whole issue of national health care plan for all Americans.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2089
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

还有一个习惯用语也跟low blow有同样的意思: cheap shot。 Cheap shot来自另一种运动: 美式足球,或者美式橄榄球。这是动作相当粗放猛烈的运动,在秋天的橄榄球赛季,观看比赛的球迷们几乎每个周末都会听到球赛评论员在说某某球员如何挨了a cheap shot,可能造成腿骨骨折之类的严重伤势。
  
  球员们大约在五十年前创造了cheap shot这个短语,来指比赛中暗算其他球员的粗野犯规行为。 Cheap shot随即被政界借用,来说阴险毒辣的诽谤。
  
  其实cheap shot还被美国人应用到许多其它方面。例如商界的勾心斗角、人与人的纠纷、甚至夫妇间的争执。然而在政界,尤其在正当大选的政坛上, cheap shot往往是指把对手往日的丑闻秘史发掘出来,并有意向新闻界泄漏。
  
  我们要听的例子说的就是一名正在竞选高级公职的侯选人,一天早上意外地看到报纸报道说: 查有实据他在大学里经常吸毒。于是他愤然向记者澄清事实。
  
  例句-3:This is just another cheap shot from my opponent. In college I tried marijuana twice at parties. I didn't like the stuff and it happened 40 years ago.
  
  他说:这只是我对手的又一次恶意中伤。我在大学里的聚会上确实有两次试抽过大麻,然而我并不好抽那玩意儿,而且这都是四十年前的事了。
  
  这段话里的cheap shot意思是恶意诽谤。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2090
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚学的两个习惯用语都是上不了台面的卑鄙手段,然而在选战中更常用的是在场面上取悦大众的做法。比方说侯选人在大庭广众间常会这样做: glad-hand。 Glad-hand是当动词用的,它的意思是跟人热情友好地握手。
  
  我们听个例子。这是个老经验的记者在描述一位擅长取悦民众的政界人士。
  
  例句-4:He's the best! He'll go into a crowd to glad-hand anyone he can reach. They all break into delighted smiles, glad that a famous man actually shook hands with them.
  
  他说:他最行!他会走到人群中去热情友好地跟任何够得着的人握手。这一来人人脸上都展开了笑容。大家都为自己果真能跟这样一位名人握手而满心欢喜。
  
  这里的glad-hand含义是热情友好地跟人握手。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2091
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语074讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。同事Amy在复印间里找到他。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Hi Chen Hao. May I talk to you for a minute after you finish copying those documents?
  
  C:我马上就印完了。什么事?
  
  A:It seems that you sent an e-mail to one of your colleagues last week. You said some uncomplimentary things about a co-worker.
  
  C:什么电子邮件?我怎么不记得。
  
  A:The one you sent to Bill complaining about Sue's work on your current project.
  
  C:哦,我想起来了,上星期我确实给Bill发过一个电子邮件,因为Sue太气人了。
  
  A:It seems that you criticized her failure to meet deadlines, her inattention to detail and her inability to work with others.
  
  C:是啊,当时我们刚开了一次特别重要的小组会议,确定项目提案的终稿。
  
  A:I imagine there was a lot of pressure.
  
  C:对啊,我是组长,所以压力特别大。Sue不仅没有按时完成工作,而且粗枝大叶,又不合作,所以我才发电子邮件给Bill抱怨。
  
  A:Why Bill?
  
  C:Bill做过这类项目,又跟组里很多人共过事。其实啊,我就是想找个人,发泄一下。
  
  A:It is understandable that you needed to vent to someone and get advice on how to handle the situation, but e-mail was the wrong way to do it.
  
  C:不应该发电子邮件?可是当时你出差,Bill在开会,我没有别的办法。
  
  A:Let's talk more about this later on. I have a meeting in five minutes.
  
  C:好,一会儿见。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2092
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

几小时后,在陈豪办公室里。
  
  C:Amy, 你刚才说我不应该发电子邮件给Bill, 为什么?
  
  A:After Bill read your e-mail, he forwarded it to Lee who has also worked with Sue. I don' think Bill meant any harm. He wanted to know if Lee had had any of the same issues.
  
  C:Bill 看完电子邮件后,转寄给Lee, 那也没什么啊。
  
  A:Wait. There' more. Lee and Sue are friends so Lee sent a copy of your message to her.
  
  C:什么?Lee和Sue是好朋友?这下可糟了。
  
  A:You don't know how bad it is. Sue was upset and passed your e-mail on to several friends in her department. In short you email has created something of an office war. People are taking sides.
  
  C:什么?不过这可不是我的本意。你说我现在该怎么办呢?
  
  A:You need to go directly to Sue and talk to her.
  
  C:去找Sue当面说清楚?
  
  A:That's right. You owe her an apology for your bad judgment in involving Bill and not discussing your issues with her first.
  
  C:一封短短的电子邮件,会把事情搞到这种田地。
  
  A:The point is that e-mail should not be used to send messages that are sensitive or confidential.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2093
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们要学几个在大选年的时候新闻界常会用上的习惯用语。正象我们以前曾说过的那样,很多习惯用语都借用了体育运动中的词语。
  
  今天要学的两个习惯用语都来自棒球运动,而且带有同一个词: ball。棒球是用牛皮制成的硬硬的小球。它体积虽然不大,但是投手大力投掷的球,或者击球手用球棒猛击的球却既快又猛,速度能超过每小时一百英里。
  
  球员得戴上有厚厚衬垫的手套来接球,因为这球有很大的力度。这就是我们要讲的第一个习惯用语的出典。这个习惯用语是: lots on the ball。 Lots on the ball最初出现的时候是指投手投出特别有力的球,但是随着时日的推移,这个习惯用语被人们应用到日常生活的各方各面,指工作勤奋、能力高强的人。我们也时常会听到习惯用语lots on the ball用来指政界人士。
  
  究竟是什么样的政界人物呢? 我们听个例子吧。这段话描述一位能干的妇女Mary Green,尽管她身为共和党选民占多数的一个州里的民主党人,却一再当选议员。
  
  例句-1: Mary Green is remarkable. Republicans like her as much as Democrats. She's been elected to Congress five straight terms; voters have learned she really has lots on the ball.
  
  他说: Mary Green可真了不起,共和党人跟民主党人都同样地爱戴她。她已经一连五个任期当选为国会议员了。选民了解她确实是个勤奋而有作为的政界人物。
  
  刚才那段话里的 has lots on the ball 用来描述勤奋并有作为的政界人士。 其实我们以前学过一个相同的习惯用语: have a lot on the ball,也用来描绘工作勤奋,能力高强的人。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2094
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个在选举中时常会听到的习惯用语: ballpark estimate。 Ballpark是棒球场或者垒球场,而estimate这个词的意思是“估计。” 每个棒球场都必定有菱形的内场,而且一切棒球场内场的大小尺寸都一样,全是每边长六十英尺的菱形,所以内场的大小是统一不变的,但是各棒球场的外场或者外野的面积大小就大不相同了,因为外场包括内场以外到棒球场边墙之内的所有地方。
  
  不同的棒球场外场的大小会相差很多,所以人们说到整个棒球场的大小往往会用大致估计的方法。这也许就是ballpark estimate这个习惯用语的出典。它用来说一个大致的估计。这个估算虽然并不精确,但是却能给人一个大致对头的概念。
  
  我们听个例子。这是个竞选干事在接受电视记者的访谈。这位竞选干事正告诉记者,在他的预计中他的侯选人大致会超过对手多少个百分点而赢得选举。
  
  例句-2: How much? I can only give you a ballpark estimate. But right now I think our man will win by six to eight points; He's always been very popular here in this state.
  
  他说:你问会赢多少点数? 我只能给你一个大略的估计。然而我目前认为我们的那位会超过对方六到八个点数,因为他在本州的声望一向很高。
  
  这位竞选干事根据侯选人在当地向来享有威望而作出了一个大致对头的估计。这就是ballpark estimate这个习惯用语的意思。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2095
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

不知大家记不记得我们以前学过一个类似的习惯用语: ballpark figure。它的意思也是大致正确的估计数字。例如这位竞选干事也可以这样说: I can only give you a ballpark figure. That is our man will be six to eight points ahead.
  
  他的意思还是: 我只能给你个大致估计的数字。那就是我们的那位会领先六到八个点数。
  
  其实还有一个类似的习惯用语: in the ballpark。 In the ballpark意思也是“大致正确的”或者“差不多。”
  
  我们再听刚才那位竞选干事如何估计选举形势。
  
  例句-3: What will the margin be here? I'd say that six to eight points would be in the ballpark. Actually we might win by more, but I'll say six to eight points would be about right.
  
  他说:这次选举结果的差数会是多少?我想差不多是六到八个点数。实际上我们可能会赢得更多的点数,但是我说六到八点大致是正确的。
  
  这里的in the ballpark意思是“大致正确的,” 或者“八九不离十的。”

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2096
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在咖啡馆跟Larry见面。今天我们要学两个常用语: taking stock和dead tired.
  
  LH: Larry, 这两天还好吗?
  
  LL: I'm doing pretty well. How are you?
  
  LH: 还可以,就是这个周末有好多功课要做,肯定会忙得不得开交。
  
  LL: I know how that goes. I am taking stock of all the errands I need to run this weekend.
  
  LH: Taking stock是什么意思?
  
  LL: Taking stock means to step back from a situation and try to look at the whole picture. In this case it means the same thing as collecting one's thoughts.
  
  LH: 我知道了,taking stock就是纵观全局,全面考虑。你是说我应该从整体出发,安排所有要做的事情。
  
  LL: Exactly! When you take stock of a situation, you think about it more clearly as a whole.
  
  LH: 你刚才说,这个周末你也有一大堆事情要做。What things are you taking stock of?
  
  LL: This weekend I have to go to the dry-cleaners; drop off some mail at the post office; wash my car; and pick up some groceries. I don't think it will take too long.
  
  LH: 看起来,你已经taking stock of the situation,把所有要做的事情都安排好了。
  
  LL: Yes, taking stock of what I need to do certainly helps put things in perspective and lets me realize how to best go about getting things done.
  
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2097
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 下星期上课前,我要完成两篇论文,有三篇文章要读,还要借同学的笔记,把上星期生病缺席的功课补上。
  
  LL: It certainly sounds like you have quite a bit of work to do.
  
  LH: 不过,我肯定能完成,特别是如今在你的帮助下,把思路全部整理清楚了,我准备在图书馆泡上一整天,不完成作业绝不出来。
  
  LL: That's the spirit.
  
  ******
  
  星期天晚上,Larry和李华一起吃晚饭。
  
  LL: So Li Hua, did you get everything done?
  
  LH: 做是做完了,可我现在连说话的力气都没有了。
  
  LL: Yeah, I did a lot today too, and now I'm dead tired.
  
  LH: Dead tired? 意思应该是特别累吧?
  
  LL: I am so tired it feels like I'm dying. Chinese has similar expressions, right?
  
  LH: 有啊,可以直接翻译成“累死了”。
  
  LL: Since I am dead tired, what do you say we just order a pizza for dinner?
  
  LH: 双手赞成!我整整一个周末都是在图书馆里度过的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2098
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: That sounds exhausting, but are you done now?
  
  LH: 总算是把功课都做完了,今天晚上可以好好休息一下,明天早上去上课就好了。
  
  LL: That sounds like a smart idea. Here let me call in the order.
  
  ******
  
  LH: Larry, 你说,这么热的天,烤比萨饼的人多辛苦,they must be dead tired from working in the heat.
  
  LL: The person who answered the phone did sound dead tired. At least we will be able to eat soon though.
  
  LH: 这个周末可真是一个名副其实的工作的周末。
  
  LL: I agree, there sure was a lot to do. Hopefully I can get a good night's sleep tonight so that I am not dead tired at work tomorrow.
  
  LH: Yes, me too. 上次熬夜复习功课,第二天虽然dead tired, 但还是硬挺着去上课,结果整堂课都是睡过来的。
  
  LL: Oh, I've experienced that before. I guess that's the result of exhaustive research.
  
  LH: 还说呢,这个周末我在图书馆里看到好多人都累得不行,索性趴在图书馆的桌子上呼呼大睡。
  
  LL: I believe it. There have even been meetings at work where someone is so dead tired that they drift off to sleep.
  
  LH: 老实说,你开会睡没睡过觉?
  
  LL: No, definitely not. I've been dead tired before, but I avoid falling asleep in a meeting no matter what.
  
  LH: 说起来容易,我也不想上课睡觉,可有时候实在是太累了,一闭眼就睡着了。
  
  (Door Bell)
  
  LL: It sounds like the pizza is here!
  
  LH: Great!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是taking stock,意思是全面考虑。另一个是dead tired,意思是累死了。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2099
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语075讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他和同事Amy散会一起往外走。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Chen Hao, I can’t believe what you were doing during that meeting.
  
  C:开会的时候?我没干什么啊?
  
  A:You were using your cell phone to send text messages.
  
  C:噢,不就是用手机发发短信吗,Joe就坐在我旁边,他也一直在发啊。
  
  A:He was out of line, too. It’s rude to send and receive text messages during a meeting.
  
  C:今天会上说的都是Todd的项目,本来就跟我没什么关系,真不知道他干吗让我来参加。
  
  A:Even if you felt it was a waste of your time, you needed to give the meeting and everyone there your full attention.
  
  C:别人可能根本没注意到我在开小差。
  
  A:Several people were aware that you were texting and they didn’t look happy about it. What if your boss had been there? Would you have done the same thing?
  
  C:如果老板在,我可不敢。
  
  A:That should tell you something. He would have called you down for that.
  
  C:好,我知道了,这样做是不太礼貌,我下次一定注意。12点了,我们去吃点东西吧。
  
  A:Ok, let’s go to that little sandwich shop around the corner.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2100
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

午饭时,陈豪的手机响了。
  
  C:是我的电话,对不起,Amy。Hello, Oh, hi Sue. What’s up? You can’t find the report? It’s in a green file folder. Call me back if you don’t see it. Bye.
  
  A:That was rude.
  
  C:难道我不应该接Sue的电话吗?
  
  A:It’s discounting to others when you take calls and have conversations with people who are not present.
  
  C:手机不就是干这个用的吗,这样别人才能随时随地找到我啊。
  
  A:You don’t have to be available every minute of every day to whoever calls. When you are in meetings or at meals with other people, you should turn off your phone or put it on silent ringer.
  
  C:照你说的,开会或是吃饭的时候关上手机,那误了电话怎么办?
  
  A:You can always check your voice mail afterwards and return calls later when you are alone.
  
  C:如果要是急事呢?
  
  A:In that case, you explain to the person or group that you are expecting an important call and ask them to excuse you to answer if it comes in. Then you go to a private location to talk.
  
  C:你是说,我应该事先告诉别人,我在等一个重要电话,然后到旁边去接。可是Amy, 其他人好像并没有这么做啊。
  
  A:That doesn’t mean its acceptable behavior or good manners. When you talk on the phone in front of other people, you send a message that the person you are with is not as important as the one on the phone.
  
  C:所以说,出于对别人的尊重,能不接的电话就不接,一定要接,就应该事先跟别人打个招呼。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2101
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华在咖啡馆跟Larry见面。今天我们要学两个常用语: don’t put all your eggs in one basket和seeing red.
  
  LL: How’s it going Li hua?
  
  LH: 还可以,我这两天正琢磨着毕业以后找工作的事情。
  
  LL: Have you had any luck so far?
  
  LH: 我找到了两个比较合适的,我觉得自己能够胜任,而且起薪也不错。
  
  LL: That’s great Li Hua, but don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
  
  LH: 鸡蛋?我看中的工作跟养鸡一点关系都没有。
  
  LL: Haha, no Li Hua, "don’t put all your eggs in one basket" is a saying in English. It means don’t put all of your hopes on one thing, or in other words, have a backup plan if things don’t turn out the way you imagine.
  
  LH: 噢,我明白了,别把所有鸡蛋都放在一个篮子里,就是中文里说的别孤注一掷,别在一棵树上吊死。你是说我最好应该多申请几个。你放心,我会尽可能多寄一些申请表,我一定不会put all my eggs in one basket.
  
  LL: That’s a very good idea.
  
  LH: Larry, 你这两天忙什么呢?
  
  LL: Well, Li Hua, I have been thinking of moving, so I have been looking at the classifieds for a new place. I am looking all over town and compiling a list, that way I will have a back up if my first choice falls through. I’m not putting all my eggs in one basket.
  
  LH: 好主意。我的租约也快到期了。到时候你要帮我,多找几个合适的公寓,看看哪里有空的,按你的话说,I cannot put all my eggs in one basket.
  
  LL: Exactly. Now what shall we do tonight?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2102
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我们可以去看今天上映的那部新片。不过,也有可能买不到票,所有我们要做两手准备。We don’t want to put all our eggs in one basket.
  
  LL: That is a good point, Li Hua. Do you have any ideas of other things to do to avoid putting all our eggs in one basket?
  
  LH: 电影院旁边就有个保龄球馆,万一买不到电影票,我们就去打保龄球。
  
  ******
  
  李华和Larry没看上电影,只好去打保龄球。
  
  LH: 真倒霉,被我不幸言中,电影票还真卖光了。
  
  LL: That’s OK, Li Hua, now I can awe you with my bowling skills. Here I go.
  
  (Sound of gutter balls)
  
  LH: 哈!上来就是一个落沟球,演砸了吧。
  
  LL: (Sign) Oh Boy, I am seeing red about having bowled so poorly.
  
  LH: 眼前都是红色?你别吓唬我。
  
  LL: No, Li Hua, seeing red means I’m really mad about something.
  
  LH: 噢,seeing red是特别生气的意思。那我们没买到电影票,你有没有seeing red?
  
  LL: Well, no Li Hua, I was a little annoyed but I was not quite seeing red. Seeing red means that you are really angry.
  
  LH: 那两个月前,我的手提电脑被偷,我就可以说I was seeing red.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2103
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Yes, Li Hua, that’s exactly right, if somebody stole my laptop, I would certainly be seeing red.
  
  LH: 对了,昨天早上我在餐厅里把番茄酱洒了一身。I was really seeing red.
  
  LL: Was it because you were angry or because the sauce is literally red?
  
  LH: 你还开我玩笑!我昨天穿了件新衬衣,真心疼死我了。
  
  LL: I’ve done that in the past. It is pretty bad.
  
  LH: 你听说了吗,图书馆为了节省经费,要缩短开放时间。
  
  LL: Oh really? How do the students feel about that?
  
  LH: The students are really seeing red. 很多人都在校报上发表文章骂学校,还有不少人在校长办公室门前示威抗议。
  
  LL: Yes that does sound like something that would really make students mad. I would be seeing red too.
  
  LH: 不过话说回来,学校要节省开支,就一定要减少服务,不管减的是哪个部门,都会有人受到影响。Someone will be seeing red.
  
  LL: That is a very good point Li Hua. Now hopefully I’ll start bowling better, or I won’t be seeing red, I’ll be red with embarrassment.
  
  LH: 好啊,该你了,good luck!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是don’t put all your eggs in one basket,意思是不要孤注一掷。另一个是seeing red,意思是气死了。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2104
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天我们还是要讲几个和美国总统大选的竞选运动有关的习惯用语。打许许多多的电话给四面八方的选民进行宣传游说是美国政坛竞选的一个关键手段。它的重要性几乎跟电视和电台广告一样。
  
  全国性的竞选运动是美国各地电话公司从中渔利的大好时机,因为在这一时期各侯选人都装备了这样一个联系广大选民的特别设施: phone bank。
  
  Phone bank究竟是什么呢? 实际上是装有好多电话的房间,在那里,竞选工作人员或者义务工作人员手持注册登级的选民名单,打电话跟尽可能多的选民连络,推荐他们所代表的侯选人。
  
  他们可能会根据选民登记记录,只是打电话给和他们同一党派的选民,敦促这些人前来投票。他们也可能会打电话给其他选民,为他们的侯选人歌功颂德。
  
  有时phone bank还应用现代化技术的自动装置,不用工作人员自己一个接一个地给选民打电话,而是使用自动拨号装置拨号,接通对方后再通过电话录音向选民游说。
  
  Phone bank和其它宣传手段相比有它的优越性;它不像电视广告或者电台广告那样得花不少时间去准备和制作。它还能直接和宣传对象联系交流,而且有些选民还因为侯选人跟自己有直接的接触,而感到备受重视,即使跟他通话的只是电话录音,也会使他觉得自己得到了特殊待遇。这一来他就决不会让那位侯选人失望。
  
  话虽如此,还是有不少人会讨厌这种电话宣传手段;觉得那种电话相当烦人。下面你就会听到有这样一个人来告诉你他的感受,以及他为什么有这种反感。
  
  例句-1:A call from a phone bank when I’m eating dinner or watching TV makes my blood boil! I say, ’Not interested’ and hang up the receiver good and hard.
  
  他说:在我吃饭或者看电视的当口上他们打电话来摇唇鼓舌可真让我怒火中烧。我回一句 ‘没兴趣’然后就干脆地把听筒重重地挂上。
  
  这里的phone bank指从事电话宣传的班子。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2105
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Phone bank有时也被用来玩弄一些不光明磊落手腕。我们听个例子。
  
  例句-2:Phone bank callers sometimes will pretend to be conducting an objective public opinion poll by phone. But after a harmless question or two they start to ask such questions as: ’do you know this man uses cocaine’ or ’do you know he takes bribes for the votes he casts in Congress?’ intending to plant false stories about the opposing candidate.
  
  他说:通过电话拉选票的人有时会假装打电话来作客观的民意调查,但是在问了一两个无关痛痒的问题后,他们会别有居心地问: “你知道这个人吸毒吗?”或者“你知道吗?他在国会表决中那样投票是因为从特殊利益集团收受了贿赂。” 诸如此类问题的目的是散布有关对立派侯选人的谣言。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2106
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才说的是一种制造公众舆论的方式。这是竞选的常用手腕。人们创造了个新的习惯用语来描绘诸如此类的做法: push-polling。 Push这个词有“推行”或者“强求”的意思,而polling是“民意测验”或者“民意调查。”
  
  Push-polling的意思是推离式民意调查,其目的是了解某些信息是否能将选民推离对方候选人或把尚未做出决定的选民拉向出钱进行民意调查的人所中意的候选人。作法往往是问一些别有用心的问题,以散布有关政敌的流言蜚语。这在竞选中并不少见,但是侯选人却往往矢口否认自己参与了这种不择手段的卑鄙勾当。
  
  下面你就会听到这样一个例子。
  
  例句-3:Some reporters believe the push-polling was the work of obscure groups friendly to certain candidates, but with no help from regular staff. The question is: who paid for this?
  
  他说:有些记者认为推离式民意调查是跟某些侯选人关系密切的一些来历不明团体的所作所为,而跟这个侯选人手下的正式工作人员无关。然而问题是: 解囊资助这种活动的是谁。
  
  这里的push-polling是指以民意调查为幌子来误导民意的手段。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2107
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语076讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他在走廊上遇到同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  C:早上好,Amy. 我刚听到一条办公室的小道消息。
  
  A:小道消息?
  
  C:是关于销售部那个金发美女Sally的。
  
  A:I know a Sally Smith in Marketing. I don't know anything about her except that she appears to be quite talented.
  
  C:我从来没有跟她共事过,听说挺能干的,不过这件事跟工作无关。
  
  A:Then why are you talking about her?
  
  C:我听说她结婚刚刚几个月,就在闹离婚了。
  
  A:I'm sorry, Chen Hao. What does this have to do with work?
  
  C:当然跟工作无关了,说说罢了。
  
  A:This is gossip. How did you come to know this?
  
  C:会计部的Tim跟Sally是朋友,他告诉了Melissa, Melissa又告诉了我。
  
  A:So, is everyone talking about this now?
  
  C:大家都在传。Amy, 你干嘛那么不高兴,是因为Sally要离婚,替她觉得惋惜吗?
  
  A:No. Well, yes, I am sorry to hear that kind of news, but that is not what is bothering me. Let's talk about this over lunch.
  
  C:好,那我们中午在餐厅见。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2108
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪和Amy一起吃中饭。
  
  C:Amy, 你早上干嘛那么生气,是我说错话了吗?
  
  A:You got into a conversation that you shouldn't have at work.
  
  C:你什么意思,我怎么听不懂啊?
  
  A:We need to have boundaries in the office.
  
  C:Boundaries,界限?
  
  A:Yes. Boundaries or limits on what we talk about in the workplace.
  
  C:你的意思是说Sally的私事不应该拿到办公室里来说?
  
  A:Talking about Sally's private life has nothing to do with our work. Whoever started this kind of gossip overstepped the bounds of office friendship.
  
  C:我不是告诉你了吗,是Tim最早开始传的?
  
  A:If that is the case, then Sally should have been more careful about choosing her office friends and about what she confided in them.
  
  C:难道Sally也有错吗?
  
  A:We need to be careful about what we confide to our colleagues. Unless you can trust someone completely and unless you want your private life to become public, be careful what you say to whom.
  
  C:我以为同事间应该经常交流,才能有利于搞好关系啊!
  
  A:That's true. It's called "small talk." You talk about the weather, what movie you saw last night, your favorite restaurant, where you are going on vacation, but not the personal details of your life.
  
  C:可以谈天气、谈电影、谈出去渡假,就是不能谈私生活。
  
  A:Be careful about what you tell your colleagues. Those who talk to you about others will also talk to others about you.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2109
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: Larry, 晚上你想干什么?
  
  LL: I'm not sure Li Hua, did you have anything in mind?
  
  LH: 我想去看新上映的喜剧片,讲好几个俄亥俄单身女子的那个。
  
  LL: That movie? It looks like a total snoozefest! There's no way you'll get me in there!
  
  LH: Snoozefest? 我猜snoozefest是无聊的意思吧?
  
  LL: Yes, Li Hua, snooze is another word for sleep, and fest means party. So a snoozefest is something that's so boring it puts everyone to sleep.
  
  LH: 我可不觉得这个电影无聊。要不你说,看什么电影?
  
  LL: I would like to see that new action movie about a spy in Russia.
  
  LH: 啊?你想看那个俄罗斯间谍片?光看介绍就知道,绝对是俗套的snoozefest!
  
  LL: I don't think it sounds like a snoozefest to me. I find action movies to be very exciting.
  
  LH: 看起来,我们两人对电影的品味完全不同。
  
  LL: Yes, that sounds exactly right. So how are your classes going?
  
  LH: 别提了,我刚完成的那篇文章枯燥极了。It is a total snoozefest. 题目是七十年代加拿大的经济和不列颠哥伦比亚省的捕鱼业。
  
  LL: (Yawn) You're putting me to sleep just explaining it.
  
  LH: 你还没去上过课呢!那位老先生讲起课来循循善诱,徐徐道来,经常说着说着就跑题了。It truly is a snoozefest.
  
  LL: How do you deal with it?
  
  LH: 一个字:coffee.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2110
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: That seems like a good plan. The other day I had a meeting at work that was also a total snoozefest. It took all of my energy to stay awake.
  
  LH: 言归正传,咱们晚上到底看什么电影?赶快决定吧。
  
  LL: Well, I guess we can see the movie you want to see.
  
  LH: Thank you. 你怎么会改变主意的?
  
  LL: I need to catch up on my sleep.
  
  ******
  
  MC:李华和Larry看完电影后走出电影院。
  
  LH: Larry, 你觉得那个电影怎么样?特别好看吧!
  
  LL: Great? I don't Li Hua, I thought that movie was really passé .
  
  LH: Passé. Passé 是什么意思?
  
  LL: Passé Pass-AY, is a word borrowed from French that means lame or uncool when used in English.
  
  LH: 什么?你居然会觉得这么好的电影没劲?Your taste in movies is so Passé 不说这个了,现在时间还早,咱们干点什么?
  
  LL: We could go out to a club and go dancing.
  
  LH: 好啊,去哪里跳舞?
  
  LL: The one on 9th street is cheap.
  
  LH: 你说九街上那间舞厅?But that place is so passé 那里的音乐都是老掉牙的。
  
  LL: Yes, I'll admit it is a little passé.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2111
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 咱们去市中心新开的那个舞厅怎么样?听说里面特别棒,It's not passé at all.
  
  LL: I heard it's pretty cool, but it's kind of far away.
  
  LH: 这倒是真的。那我们还是去九街上的那间吧。
  
  LL: That sounds good to me. Say, did you ever finish that book I loaned you?
  
  LH: 刚看完。
  
  LL: What did you think of it?
  
  LH: 还可以。我觉得it was a little passé作者在书里并没有提出什么新论点,都是别人提过的。
  
  LL: Really? I did not think it was passé at all. I thought that the author made some interesting points.
  
  LH: 书里只有个别片段让我感兴趣,但是总的来说,I thought it was a snoozefest.
  
  LL: Well I for one liked it. Did I tell you that a new restaurant opened down the street from my job?
  
  LH: 你们公司附近又开新餐馆了?How is it?
  
  LL: I haven't been yet, but I read a review of it. It said the decorations are somewhat passé but the food is supposed to be delicious.
  
  LH: 真的?什么风味的?
  
  LL: I think it is a Moroccan restaurant.
  
  LH: 我们下次去吃吃看。
  
  LL: Sure, I think that sounds like a great idea Li hua.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是snoozefest, 意思是无聊得只会让人睡觉。另一个是passé, 意思是落伍的,过时的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2112
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天还是要讲两个在总统大选年中新闻界常会用来报道选举情况的习惯用语,而且这两个习惯用语也来自美国的传统运动: 棒球。
  
  大家都知道在棒球赛中击球员是用木制的球棒来击打投手投掷的球的。球棒的英文是: bat。 今天要说的两个习惯用语都和bat有关。
  
  第一个是: go to bat for。 老听众可能记得我们以前曾经学过go to bat for这个习惯用语,然而今天我们再一次学这个习惯用语是为了看看它怎么应用在政界的选举中。
  
  打棒球时击球手踏上本垒准备击球。我们就说他'goes to bat,' 而当一名击球手受伤或者表现欠佳时,另一名球员就得上阵替换他。这就是'goes to bat for him.' 这是这个习惯用语的出典, 'goes to bat for him,' 运用到棒球场外日常生活中去的时候意思是为某人出力,帮他承当责任。
  
  政界要人扶持一把本党的成员可以说是政界的惯例之一。换句话说,那些大人物时常得go to bat for a member of his own party.
  
  我们下面要听的例子说的就是那样一件事。那是个总统侯选人在告诉他的竞选班子: 他在竞选旅途上得在俄亥俄州逗留一天,虽然他心中有数自己在俄亥俄州已经能稳稳当当地得到所必需的选票,但是那里有两位本党的国会议员在选举中争取连任遇到了困难,正在向他求援,而他也在所不辞地要前去助一臂之力。
  
  例句-1:They're two old friends of mine, so I really want to go to bat for them and make some personal appearances with each. I'm sure they'll return the favor back in Congress.
  
  他说:他俩是我的两个老朋友,所以我非常想去为他们出力。我要分别跟他俩在公开场合露面。我确信他们将来也会在国会内帮我的忙,报答我的。
  
  这里的go to bat for somebody意思是为某人出力,帮某人一把。政界的头面人物跟某一政坛人士共同在一些公开场合出现,也就是make personal appearances。这是不言而喻地向公众显示这位要人对他的支持。这在正当选举的敏感时期尤其会产生助选的效果。这就是这位总统侯选人要在俄亥俄州逗留一天的目的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2113
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

还有个来自棒球赛的类似的习惯用语也常应用在政界: right off the bat。 不知老听众还记不记得我们以前也学过right off the bat这个习惯用语,但是今天是要看它怎么应用在政界,尤其是它在选举中的应用。
  
  在球棒猛击棒球打个正着时,棒球立刻像离弦的箭一般飞出去,速度比鸟还快,所以right off the bat,用来表示“立即,即刻”的意思,或者描述飞快的速度。我们听听right off the bat怎么用在一个真实的例子里。
  
  纽约市的市长Rudolph Giuliani一度跟第一夫人Hillary Clinton角逐纽约州参议员的席位。这两位竞争对手旗鼓相当、胜负难定,但是正在这当口上事情却有意外转折: Giuliani发现自己罹患前列腺癌。他立即公布自己的病情。当然这消息震动了新闻界。记者们最关注的是这是否会影响他的竞选运动,Giuliani究竟会继续参选还是会退出这场角逐。
  
  我们听听他当时怎么答复记者那一连串的提问。注意,这是他在刚发现病症后立刻召开的记者招待会上。
  
  例句-2:Sorry, I can't tell you right off the bat. I'll know better after more tests and after I decide about treatment. Next week I hope to be able to tell you more.
  
  他说:抱歉,我不能立刻答复你们。我得在作了进一步的试验并决定了治疗方针后,才能更好地掌握情况。我希望下星期能向你们提供更多的消息。
  
  这段话里的right off the bat意思是“立刻,马上”。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2114
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

习惯用语right off the bat还可以用在一个完全不同的情况中;可以用在一开始马上向对方表示你不赞同他的意见的那种情形。
  
  下面这位先生要对自己所支持的那位国会议员提意见。这位议员提出今年减税的建议,而他认为这是个大错。
  
  例句-3:Mr. Congressman, I have to tell you right off the bat. I think it's wrong to push a tax cut now. We don't need it and it looks like you're just trying to win a few votes.
  
  他说:议员先生,我必须直截了当地告诉你,我认为现在推行减税是失策的。我们并不需要那样做;那只会使你看来像是企图拉几张选票。
  
  这里的right off the bat含义是马上断然地,或者直截了当地。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2115
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语077讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他散会后跟同事Amy一起往外走。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:CH, What happened to you during your presentation?
  
  C:你注意到什么了吗?
  
  A:You were doing a great job. You obviously had done extensive research. You had good materials. You were completely confident until half-way through.
  
  C:这么说你能看出我后半截很不自在?
  
  A:Yes. You suddenly became unsure of your self.
  
  C:唉,都是因为Mr. Stone, 上个月从纽约来的副总。
  
  A:What about him?
  
  C:他根本没看我,一直在看其他文件。
  
  A:Did you try to ignore that?
  
  C:我也试着不去管他,可注意力就是集中不起来。
  
  A:Did Mr. Stone do anything else?
  
  C:他还在椅子上转来转去,不断看窗外。
  
  A:He's the key decision maker these days.
  
  C:是啊,现在公司一切都是他说了算,更糟糕的是,他刚刚让秘书通知我,要找我谈话。
  
  A:Try not to let this upset you too much until you meet with him. Let me know what happens, will you?
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2116
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪下午去找Amy。
  
  A:How did things go with Mr. Stone?
  
  C:完全是虚惊一场。Mr. Stone还表扬我,说我工作很有成绩。
  
  A:That's great.
  
  C:看他早上开会时的表现,难道我的担心是多余的吗?
  
  A:You were reading his body language this morning and he clearly wasn't sending a positive message.
  
  C:Body language? 肢体语言?
  
  A:Words aren't the only way we communicate. We send messages with our bodies.
  
  C:那Mr. Stone的肢体语言为什么跟他的想法不一样呢?
  
  A:Perhaps he was distracted or had something else on his mind. Evidently he was listening to you, but that is not the impression you got.
  
  C:下次再遇到这种情况,我应该怎么办呢?
  
  A:Normally, you could have stopped at that point and asked for questions or opinions, specifically addressing the person who didn't seem to be involved.
  
  C:停下来征求意见和问题?可Mr. Stone是老板啊?
  
  A:In this case, you were in a tough spot since he is the vice-president.
  
  C:你别说,有了这件事,我今后肯定会特别注意自己的肢体语言。
  
  A:That's a good lesson for all of us. Too often we send nonverbal messages without being aware of how others interpret them.
  
  C:这么说来,很多误解都是在不知不觉之中产生的。
  
  A:Body language can be used to impress people or to turn them off. It is directly related to good manners if you think about it.
  
  C:肢体语言怎么会跟一个人的礼貌和修养有关系呢?
  
  A:Positive body language like giving someone your full attention and having a pleasant expression on your face are all part of showing courtesy and respect.
  
  C:注意听别人讲话本身就是对别人的尊重。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2117
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

华来公司找Larry,两人一起去吃午饭。今天我们要学两个常用语: icy和warmed up to.
  
  LH: Larry, 今天上班忙吗?
  
  LL: Well it has been alright all morning, but I am kind of nervous about this presentation I have to make this afternoon.
  
  LH: 不就是做个演示吗,又不是第一次,你有什么好紧张的?
  
  LL: The client who I am presenting to is somewhat icy towards me.
  
  LH: Icy? 你是说那个客户对你特别冷淡?
  
  LL: Yes, she is very cold and icy to me. I hope that I can impress her with my presentation.
  
  LH: 别担心,有些人生性冷淡,可能并不是针对你。上学期跟我一起做项目的一个男生就特别icy.
  
  LL: And...in what ways is he icy?
  
  LH: 他从来不笑,就连他在脸谱网页上的照片都是一脸苦相,好象别人欠了他的钱。别人跟他说话,他就瞪着别人,没有一丝表情。
  
  LL: That guy sounds like an icy character. How did you deal with having to work with him?
  
  LH: 还好我们是一组人,不光我们两个。大家分配好工作,他用了一个周末,就把自己份内的事情做好了。
  
  LL: That's good. He may have been icy, but he sure was efficient.
  
  LH: 一个学期下来,他脸上总算有了笑容,but for a long time he was very icy towards us.
  
  LL: Hopefully my presentation will get through to today's client

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2118
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 肯定没问题。我发现,有些人对人冷淡,其实是因为他们自己不擅长社交。
  
  LL: I hope you're right. The last thing I want to do is offend one of our clients.
  
  LH: 你唯一能做的就是做好份内工作,对客户格外客气。这样,即使她对人冷淡,可能还是会对你有个好印象。
  
  LL: Thanks, Li Hua, that is great advice. I am going to go now, wish me luck.
  
  LH: 加油!
  
  ******
  
  MC:李华和Larry晚上一起吃饭。
  
  LH: 你今天下午的展示做得顺利吗?
  
  LL: It went really well! I was nervous that the client would be icy towards me, but she seemed to really enjoy the presentation. I think she really warmed up to me.
  
  LH: Warmed up to you? 你是说那个客户已经对你不再冷淡,开始喜欢你了吗?
  
  LL: Yes, that is exactly right.
  
  LH: 你觉得她逐渐对你热情起来,是因为你今天下午的表现吗?
  
  LL: I don't know Li Hua. I hope so. I think it went really well. She really seemed to be enjoying it by the end. At first she seemed very icy, but when I was done she had warmed up and was smiling.
  
  LH: 太好了!我就说过吧,她冷淡不是针对你。就象我们项目小组的那个男生,经过一个学期的合作,熟了以后就从冷淡变得热情了。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2119
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Often when someone seems icy, it just takes a little time for them to warm up to you.
  
  LH: 没错。那个客户对你的表现很满意,是不是说订单有戏了?
  
  LL: I hope so. That would definitely make the executives warm up to the idea of me being on the team.
  
  LH: 是啊,没准老板一高兴,还会给你涨工资呢!
  
  LL: It's possible. Say, Li Hua, have you seen this show called "The Street"?
  
  LH: 我特别喜欢看。What do you think?
  
  LL: Well at first I didn't really like it, but after watching it a few times, I have warmed up to it.
  
  LH: 这么说,不仅可以warm up to一个人,还可以warm up to一件事情喽?
  
  LL: Yes Li Hua, because I gradually came to like the show, I warmed up to it. This is just like how the icy client warmed up to my presentation.
  
  LH: 我明白了。那你开始的时候为什么会觉得这个剧没意思呢?
  
  LL: When I first started watching it, I found the characters to be a little bit annoying, especially that one icy man. Over time, though, I have warmed up to them.
  
  LH: 我同意,戏里面的一些角色是不太招人喜欢,可以剧本写得很棒,扣人心弦。
  
  LL: The plots of the episodes are what caused me to warm up to the show.
  
  LH: 你看,快八点了,今天是星期三,正好要播出一集新的。
  
  LL: Let's watch it then!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是 icy, 意思是冷若冰霜。另一个是warm up to, 意思是逐渐开始接受和喜欢。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2120
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天再要讲两个新闻记者在有关选举的报道中常常会用到的两个习惯用语,而且这两个习惯用语也都来自美国最风行的棒球运动。它们还包括同一个关键词: strike。
  
  Strike有很多不同的意思,但是在棒球运动中是指投手投出的正球或者好球。那么在棒球赛中怎样才算是正球或者好球呢?那就是投在好球区或者好球部位内的球。好球区或者好球部位的英文是: strike zone。
  
  Strike zone有很明确的界限,就是从站在本垒上的击球员的肩膀到膝盖之间的部位。
  
  根据棒球赛的规则,投手把球投向好球部位,而击球员必须立即用球棒把这球稳稳当当地击打到棒球场上,如果击球员没能击中投手投出的好球。换句话说是投手投出的球穿越了好球部位,投手会再次投球,而击球员也再次挥棒击球。这回击球员要是又落空,他还有第三次也是最后的击球机会。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2121
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

要是他第三次还是错过投手投来的好球,那么这名击球员就只得垂头丧气地放下手里的球棒,走下本垒去坐球场边上的冷板凳了,也就是说他出局了。
  
  “出局”用英文来表示就是: strike out。一名击球员要是strikes out,他就没机会跑向一垒,更失去了跑遍各垒为本队争得一分的机会,其实就是败阵了。 Strike out这个棒球用语很早以前就被人们借用到棒球场外的日常生活中了。
  
  Strike out可以当动词用,来指在经商或者从政的过程中遭到失败。也可以说在个人生活上遇到挫折。各位马上要听一位先生向你诉说自己在政界境遇不顺,然而他仍然雄心不减,锲而不舍地竞选国会议员的席位;尽管一再败北,却还是没有灰心失望。
  
  例句-1: I know I've struck out twice. But I expect the third time will be the charm; I'm better known to the voters, I've raised more money and this year I have a better chance to win.
  
  他说:我知道自己已经两度败阵,但是我预计第三次会时来运转,因为我在选民中的知名度提高了,我还募集了更多的资金,所以我今年成功的希望比较大。
  
  这段话里的struck out是strike out这个习惯用语的过去分词形式,意思是“失败,”或者“败阵,”这里特指在选举中落选。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2122
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才习惯用语strike out是当动词用的,然而strike out也可以当作名词。这时strike和out这两个词之间就得用连词符号相连。名词strike-out在棒球赛中的意思仍是出局,但是也能转用到棒球场外的日常生活中去表示“失败。”
  
  例如一个生意失利的商人会这样说: I've scored a strike-out in business. I've scored a strike-out in business. 意思是: 我生意失败了。注意这句话里的strike-out当名词用了。
  
  而刚才那位政界人士说的那段话也可以这样说,意思不变,注意他话里的strike-out是名词:
  
  例句-2: I know I've scored two strike-outs. But I expect the third time will be the charm; I'm better known to the voters, I've raised more money and this year I have a better chance to win.
  
  他说: I’ve scored two strike-outs. 意思还是: 我已经有过两次失败。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2123
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这位政界人物的乐观豁达确实值得赞赏。现在我们再设身处地想一想棒球赛击球员的处境,假定他已经两棒落空,两次错过了投来的好球,只剩下最后一次机会,击球员很可能会再次击不中球,即使击中,那球也可能直接被外场手接住。
  
  发生这两种情况的任何一种,击球员都得出局。所以错过两球对击球员说来形势严峻。这就产生了又一个习惯用语: two strikes against sb.。 Two strikes against sb.在棒球赛中是已经失败两次,只剩最后一次机会,但也很可能会再次失败而出局。这是岌岌可危的局面。
  
  我们听听这个习惯用语怎样转用到政界的选举中。说话的人要告诉我们他好朋友在竞选国会议员的席位,但是形势不容乐观,我们听听他的朋友处于什么不利情况:
  
  例句-3: My friend has two strikes against him. First, he's running against a very popular man who's been in Congress six years. Second, my friend has had trouble raising the funds he needs for election costs like TV and printing.
  
  他告诉我们他朋友的竞争对手深得人心,而且在国会内已经有六年之久了。其次,他的朋友还难以募集电视和印刷之类的宣传工作所必需的竞选经费。
  
  这样看来这位朋友必然是强敌的手下败将,所以他说他的朋友has two strikes against him意思是他处于不利地位,也就是他面临严峻的形势。这就是这个习惯用语的含义。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2124
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语078讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。他到办公室去找美国同事Amy 。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Hi Amy. 几天不见,来看看你。
  
  A: That's nice of you. I'm fine.
  
  CH: 你有几分钟的时间吗?
  
  A: Certainly. Have a seat, please.
  
  CH: 你要不要口香糖?
  
  A: Thank you, Chen Hao, but I don't believe so.
  
  CH: 这是一种新口味。我今天早上去买咖啡的时候顺便买的。
  
  A: I personally don't like chewing gum.
  
  CH: 真的吗? 为什么呢?
  
  A: Chewing gum is a personal preference. Where and when you chew it is NOT. I see too many people chewing gum at inappropriate times and places.
  
  CH: 嚼口香糖还有规定的时间和地点吗?我不太明白你的意思。
  
  A: I'll be happy to explain what I mean later. Right now I have to prepare for a meeting.
  
  CH: 那我们下班后一起走?
  
  A: OK. I'll meet you at the exit at 5:30

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2125
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

两人下班后一起去地铁站。
  
  CH: Amy, 你上午说嚼口香糖还有规矩?
  
  A: Yes. If you like to chew gum, that is your business, but chewing gum does not belong in the workplace.
  
  CH: 为什么不?
  
  A: It is totally unprofessional anywhere in the business environment.
  
  CH: 我在电脑前面工作的时候最喜欢嚼口香糖。这样可以让我放松。
  
  A: I understand, but what if the boss walks up at that moment and starts a conversation with you?
  
  CH: 那我就装作嘴里没有口香糖。
  
  A: Why would you hide it if you think its okay?
  
  CH: 我想老板看见我嚼口香糖,心里一定不高兴。
  
  A: See. You already know that chewing gum is not a good idea in certain professional situations.
  
  CH: 可我还是不明白为什么我独自工作的时候就不能嚼口香糖。
  
  A: You never know who will walk up to your desk or call you on the phone. If you are caught smacking, it could affect your current job or the career move you had planned for.
  
  CH: 影响前程?你说得太严重了吧?
  
  A: I don't think so. Chewing gum is a leisure activity at best. At its worst, it can make you look sloppy and incompetent.
  
  CH: 我知道你说的有道理,可我还是觉得独自工作的时候可以嚼口香糖。
  
  A: Well good luck. If it gets to be a habit, consider this. One day you will have gum in your mouth when you walk into a meeting. I've seen it happen.
  
  CH: 有过先例?那结果呢?
  
  A: The poor fellow who forgot about his gum got stuck. Every time someone asked him a question, he tried to hide his gum in his cheek. Finally he decided to swallow it.
  
  CH: 我也听说过这件事,后来成了全公司的笑料。我以后一定注意,在办公室里绝不再嚼口香糖。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2126
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry下班后跟李华一起吃晚饭。今天我们要学两个常用语: hothead和even keel.
  
  LH: Larry, 今天上班忙吗?
  
  LL: Well, to be honest Li Hua, it was a bit stressful. One of our ad campaigns was not successful and my boss had a total meltdown. He is such a hothead.
  
  LH: A hothead? 你是说老板性情急躁,动不动就发脾气吗?
  
  LL: Yes, exactly, a hothead means someone who gets very angry very quickly. When something makes a hothead mad, you absolutely do not want to be around him.
  
  LH: 没错,急脾气的人要是生气了,最好是离他们远点,否则一不小心就成了出气筒。
  
  LL: That is exactly right, a hothead can really be dangerous sometimes, though often they'll just throw a tantrum and be done with it.
  
  LH: 他们倒是出气了,可旁边的人却要跟着倒霉。快说说,你们老板当时什么反应?
  
  LL: Well, when he heard that the campaign was not successful, he blamed ME. He was such a hothead, he slammed down his coffee mug and broke it.
  
  LH: 那咖啡还不洒得到处都是?
  
  LL: It got all over his shirt. This got him even angrier.
  
  LH: 太可怕了。我有个同学,就是典型的hothead。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2127
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: In what way, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 比方说吧,前不久他的一篇作文,教授只给了C,他气得脸红脖子粗,竟然把课本一下子扔到地上。He is such a hothead.
  
  LL: Wow, what did your professor do?
  
  LH: 教授当时已经走了,可教室里还有很多人,大家都没想到他的脾气如此暴躁。对了,刚才说到一半,那你们老板是什么时候消的气呢?
  
  LL: He didn't talk to anyone for the rest of the day. He just stormed off to his office. Because he was such a hothead, no one dared to knock on his door.
  
  LH: 可想而知,办公室里的气氛肯定一天都好不了。
  
  LL: Well, the afternoon actually turned out alright.
  
  LH: Oh? And why was that?
  
  LL: Once he stormed off, the boss was out of everyone's hair for the rest of the day. It was pretty relaxing from there on out.
  
  ******
  
  LH: Larry, 广告没做好,你那些同事是不是也特别气馁?
  
  LL: No one was happy, of course, but I would say that everybody managed to keep an even keel.
  
  LH: An even what?
  
  LL: Even keel. It means to stay calm or keep your cool, like a boat on calm water.
  
  LH: 我明白了,even keel就是情绪稳定。老板发那么大的火,换成我,肯定没法保持even keel.
  
  LL: I'll admit I was pretty nervous when my boss became such a hothead, but I was able to maintain an even keel.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2128
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 还好你没有过于激动,在这种情况下,是很容易说错话的。
  
  LL: Exactly, I find that when I'm at work, the best policy is to always try to keep an even keel. That way I can speak clearly and be focused on what I have to do.
  
  LH: 我觉得,你们老板真应该去上Anger Management控制情绪的课。
  
  LL: That's right. He was such a hothead.
  
  LH: 你发现没有,身边有个脾气急躁的人,自己也容易受影响。
  
  LL: That's true, Li Hua, sometimes being around someone who is worked up can get you feeling pretty tense as well.
  
  LH: 反过来说,周围人都保持镇静,发脾气的人也容易冷静下来。
  
  LL: Yes. It was good that only my boss lost his cool and everyone else kept an even keel. It would have been a very stressful afternoon otherwise.
  
  LH: 一点没错。
  
  LL: What about you, Li Hua? When your classmate became such a hothead, were you able to keep an even keel?
  
  LH: 我跟本没想到that guy was such a hot head. 吓得我赶快收拾东西开遛。不过说实话,作文得低分,是挺让人沮丧的。
  
  LL: I thought you always did well on papers.
  
  LH: 我上个月宏观经济学的作文就得了C+。
  
  LL: You seem to have recovered from the shock though.
  
  LH: Yes, now I am keeping a pretty even keel.
  
  LL: That's good. I don't want to have to deal with a hothead.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是 hothead, 意思是脾气急躁的人。另一个是even keel, 意思是情绪平静。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2129
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天又要学两个在总统大选年里新闻界时常会用到的习惯用语,而且这两个习惯用语还是从美国人最心爱的消遣活动: 棒球赛中借用来的。
  
  这两个习惯用语都和用牛皮制成的结结实实的棒球有关。第一个是: beanball。 Beanball是由bean和ball合成的复合词,大家也许知道bean这个词的意思是豆子,但是它在俚语中却指人的脑袋,不是豆子,而beanball在棒球运动中是指投手故意往击球员脑袋上扔的棒球。
  
  把硬梆梆的像飞弹一般的棒球往人脑袋上丢,不用说,这是充满敌意的动作。这样做的投手很可能会被罚下场。
  
  那么投手为什么要干这种缺德事儿呢? 不外乎两种动机。第一,投手是想吓唬击球员,使他紧张不安,不敢靠近投手板,而躲躲闪闪的击球员很可能因此挥棒不力或者一棒打偏。这样他可不就处于劣势了吗?
  
  投手有时也可能是出于报复心理而要拿球去砸对方的击球员。棒球砸人脑袋可以造成严重伤害。在棒球史上确实发生过几次悲剧。棒球运动员由于头部遭到球击而受重伤并因此断送棒球生涯甚至与世长辞。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2130
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

如今棒球赛有一条规则规定击球员必须戴上硬塑料制成的头盔,主要原因就是防备beanball。
  
  头盔固然能防止beanball造成严重的头部伤害,但是beanball引起的双方球员大打出手的场面却防不胜防。要是击球员被投手一球打在头上,他往往甩下球棒就跳出本垒扑向投手,一眨眼球场边的板凳都空了,因为所有的队员都冲进场内为本队球员助威,接下来是一场混战,所以beanball杀伤力还是很大。
  
  近一百年来, beanball被人们借用来指猝不及防的恶意中伤。政界侯选人必然会成为beanball的攻击目标。现在有一位侯选人要来告诉我们自己的经历。
  
  例句-1:I've just learned that the other side has found old court papers about me being convicted for drunken driving forty years ago in college. They'll use this as a beanball, even though I never had any trouble since.
  
  他说:我刚听说对立派从法院的旧文件中找到了我四十年前上大学时由于酒醉驾车而被定罪的记录。他们将利用这个来打击我,尽管从那以后我没惹过任何麻烦。
  
  这里的beanball指阴险的暗算和恶意中伤。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2131
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要学的第二个习惯用语是: throw a curve。 Curve在这里指棒球的曲线球,所以这个习惯用语也可以那样说,意思不变: throw a curve ball。 棒球赛中,一名出色的投手不是单靠投掷飞快的好球才难倒击球员,使他跑垒不成的;他们的另一个拿手好戏是投曲线球,就是投a curve ball,其实曲线球也可以单用curve这一个词来表示,所以可以这样说“投曲线球。”
  
  投手投出的有一种球会急速下斜,而正当击球员挥棒击球时,这球又会突然转向左方或者右方,使得击球员扑个空。这就是曲线球。当然这种令人捉摸不定的球一定让击球员头疼。人们逐渐把throw a curve借用到日常生活中,指出其不意地刁难人。例如一个学生刚考完试。他被出乎意料的考题难住了,于是这样埋怨教授:
  
  例句-2:The professor threw us a curve: half of the questions were from the reference book he asked us to read but we never did since he didn't cover the book in class.
  
  那个学生说:教授刁难我们。有一半试题都来自他要我们看的参考书,然而我们却从来没读过,因为他在课上没讲到那本书的内容。
  
  也许有听众在说,这个习惯用语不是已经学过了吗? 不错,但是今天我们要看看它怎么应用在政界。我们马上要听一名政坛侯选人在埋怨电视访谈节目的一个主持人。我们听这主持人怎么给他一个冷不防的突然袭击。
  
  例句-3:He said he'd just ask me about my proposal to cut taxes. But instead he threw me a real curve ball - he asked a lot of questions about where I got so much money for my campaign.
  
  那主持人原本说自己只是想问侯选人的减税提议,但是他问的许多问题却都是关于侯选人从哪里得到了这么多的竞选经费。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2132
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

可见这个主持人是想出其不备地刁难侯选人。所以throw somebody a curve ball含义是出其不备地刁难某人。其实throw a curve还可以解释为“欺骗。” 我们听一个人说自己买照相机上当的事儿:
  
  例句-4:The salesman threw me a curve when he told me it was a real bargain, but he didn't say that the camera was a discontinued model because of its inbuilt defect.
  
  那售货员骗他说照相机真是价格低廉,但是他却没说那相机由于构造上的缺陷所以是停产型号。
  
  他话里的threw somebody a curve 意思是耍花招骗人。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2133
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语079讲
  
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作。美国同事Amy来办公室找他。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Hi Amy. How are you?
  
  A: I'm fine. Do you have a moment to talk? There is something I'd like to discuss with you.
  
  CH: 坐下说。
  
  A: This is a bit awkward, but important to talk about.
  
  CH: 是什么要紧事吗?
  
  A: It has come to my attention that you have been discussing salaries with some of your co-workers.
  
  CH: 这个,是啊,谁告诉你的?
  
  A: Marie in Marketing came to me yesterday. She was upset. She said that you asked her how much money she was making after the new raises were given out.
  
  CH: 没错,我是问过她工资涨了以后赚多少钱。我问了不少人呢。这有什么不对吗?
  
  A: There are a number of reasons not to talk about money with co-workers or acquaintances.
  
  CH: 我真的不知道。跟同事为什么不能谈工资的事呢?
  
  A: I realize that you didn't intend any harm, but discussing salaries with your co-workers can create problems.
  
  CH: 会有什么问题呢?
  
  A: Unfortunately I just remembered a conference call that I have to take in five minutes. Would you like to continue our conversation over lunch?
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2134
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

两人中午一起在餐厅吃饭。
  
  CH: Amy, 你上午说最好不要打听别人的工资,这是为什么?
  
  A: It can cause dissension among co-workers.
  
  CH: 引起矛盾?
  
  A: For example, if you and Marie have the same job title and job description and you find out that she is making more money, you might resent that and resent her.
  
  CH: 言之有理。我其实没有别的想法,我就是想知道,等我干到Marie那个资历,能赚多少钱。
  
  A: That is a subject that you should ask your boss or someone in Human Resources.
  
  CH: 其实啊,我问了好几个人,只有一个人告诉我说,他不愿意讨论工资的问题。
  
  A: That is exactly what everyone else should have said.
  
  CH: 不瞒你说,他们还想从我这儿打听别人都赚多少呢?我就把Marie的工资告诉他们了。
  
  A: It's bad enough that you asked Marie, but you should never have mentioned her salary to anyone else.
  
  CH: 我真的没有恶意。Marie不会告到老板那儿去吧?
  
  A: I think you should apologize to Marie and assure her that you meant no harm. Then go to other people and ask them to keep the information about Marie to themselves.
  
  CH: 好,我马上去向Marie道歉。除了不能谈工资,还有什么不能谈的吗?
  
  A: Stay away from all private matters. Keep professional and personal conversations separate. And never talk about one co-worker with another unless what you are discussing is common knowledge.
  
  CH: 我知道了,以后一定不在办公室里谈私事。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2135
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华和Larry星期六早上一起去吃午饭。今天我们要学两个常用语:get a leg up on和crush.
  
  LH: Larry, 一星期没见,你最近是不是特别忙?
  
  LL: Hi Li Hua. It has been a busy week.
  
  LH: 下星期是不是就没事了?你陪我去看Disney On Ice冰上迪斯尼怎么样?
  
  LL: Unfortunately I think next week might be even busier. We are bidding against our top competitor for a huge advertising contract, so everybody is going to have to work especially hard to win it.
  
  LH: 那家公司不是特别厉害吗?不过没关系,我相信,你们公司一定能赢。
  
  LL: Yes, although they have a lot of talent, I think we'll be able to get a leg up on the competition.
  
  LH: A leg up一条腿在上?这是什么意思?
  
  LL: Haha...A leg up on the competition means that we have an advantage over them.
  
  LH: 噢,a leg up就是具有优势。
  
  LL: Yes exactly. Because we have got a leg up on our competitors, I'm pretty confident that we'll be able to win the contract.
  
  LH: 这份合同是做什么的?
  
  LL: It's a contract to advertise soda.
  
  LH: 你为什么觉得自己have a leg up on the competition比对手有优势呢?
  
  LL: Although the other company has worked with them in the past, their last ad campaign was not so successful. We on the other hand have been very successful with similar products, so I think we have got a leg up on them.
  
  LH: 那太好了。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2136
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: It is VERY good, especially because if we win this contract, we might all be able to get a bonus this year.
  
  LH: 拿到合同就发奖金?那你们还不得使出吃奶的劲儿来。
  
  LL: What's new with you Li Hua?
  
  LH: 好消息,我们排球队刚刚杀进小组前四名,下一场比赛是这星期五晚上。你一定要来。虽然对手很厉害,可我们还是有优势。We have a leg up on them.
  
  LL: Why do you say that Li Hua?
  
  LH: 虽然他们球员的个人技术都不错,但整体配合不如我们有默契。
  
  LH: That's great. What time is the game?
  
  LL: 星期五晚上七点一刻。
  
  ******
  
  星期五晚上,Larry来看李华比赛。
  
  (Whistle Sound)
  
  LL: Congratulations!
  
  LH: Hooray! We won!
  
  LL: Won? You crushed them!
  
  LH: Eh? crushed them? 那是什么意思?
  
  LL: Crushed them, it means you beat them severely.
  
  LH: 你是说我们狠狠地打败了他们。太夸张了,比分还是挺接近的。
  
  LL: I don't know, Li Hua, your team was clearly on top. I'd say you crushed them.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-04#2137
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你别忘了,刚开始的时候,她们可是一路领先,I thought they would really crush us.
  
  LL: Well it certainly seems like you were able to come back from behind then for the victory.
  
  LH: 是啊,她们耐力不够,比赛一开始劲头十足,可没多久主力队员就累得不行了。
  
  LL: I guess that is when you were really able to start crushing them.
  
  LH: 是啊,我们今天超水平发挥。
  
  LL: It was a really good game to watch. You were on fire out there.
  
  LH: 我的表现只能说一般,还是大家的功劳。对了,你最近忙吗?
  
  LL: Have I ever! You remember that account I told you about? The ad campaign that we were competing for?
  
  LH: 当然记得,结果怎么样,合同拿到手了吗?
  
  LL: We got the contract! We crushed our competitors and now we'll be in charge of this huge new account.
  
  LH: 太棒了,I'm glad to hear that you crushed them.
  
  LL: We were able to show our past successes, and our rates were much lower than their old company. We really crushed them.
  
  LH: 这个合同由谁来负责呢?
  
  LL: Well the boss is still trying to decide who to put in charge of the project, but I am hoping it will be me.
  
  LH: 那你是不是会忙上加忙呢?
  
  LL: It will mean a bit more responsibility, but no real change in the hours.
  
  LH: 我们得好好庆祝一下。去吃饭?
  
  LL: Sounds good to me!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是get a leg up on, 意思是占据优势。另一个是crush, 意思是彻底打败。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2138
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天又要讲两个大选年里新闻界常会用来报导选情的习惯用语。但是今天的两个习惯用语不再是来自体育运动的,而是来自美国文化的另一个侧重面: 宗教。
  
  我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: not have a prayer。 Prayer是祷告,也就是人对所敬拜的上帝作出的呼求。要是某人not have a prayer,那就是说甚至求告上帝也帮不了他从面临的困境中解脱出来,可见形势相当糟糕,希望渺茫。
  
  人们在日常生活中时而用not have a prayer来表示缺乏希望的事情。比方说,有人这样评论一名才貌平庸却又十分挑剔的妇女:
  
  例句-1:She is now forty, and doesn’t have a prayer of getting married.
  
  他说,这位女士如今年届四十,已经没希望出嫁了。
  
  Not have a prayer在这句话里的意思是毫无希望。这是not have a prayer应用在日常生活中的例子。这个习惯用语还常用在政界的选举中。我们听一位新闻记者在评论本州州长在这次选举中有没有连任的机会。
  
  例句-2:I don’t think the governor has a prayer of being elected again. He simply has had too many scandals the last four years, and people are just fed up with them. It’s time for a change.
  
  这位记者告诉我们:这个州长这四年来出的丑闻实在太多了,人们因而忍无可忍,如今该是更新换代的时候了。
  
  从选民对州长普遍反感,迫切希望改变领导层的情况来看,这个州长再次当选的希望是渺茫的,所以记者说: I don’t think the governor has a prayer of being elected again. 意思是我认为州长没有希望再次当选。
  
  Not have a prayer这个习惯用语从宗教流传应用到人们生活中的各方各面已经有四十来年了。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2139
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要学的第二个习惯用语也和宗教有关,只是比刚才not have a prayer这个习惯用语的构成更复杂一些。它是: Hail Mary pass。 Hail是欢呼赞美的意思,而Mary是耶稣的母亲圣母马利亚的名字。
  
  罗马天主教徒向圣母祈祷的传统祷告词都是以Hail Mary开端的,意思是万福,马利亚。这个习惯用语后面还有一个词: pass。这是什么意思呢? 你一定想不到pass在这里是指美国人足球赛中的传球。
  
  习惯用语Hail Mary pass大约四十来年前来自职业足球联合会甲级队,用来说比赛到了最后关头,某一方在落后几分的情况下不顾一切而作的传球,希望搏得反败为胜的机会。
  
  这种传球的距离往往很远,有时甚至长达六十米以上,反正是球队里的四分卫能投多远就投多远了。
  
  这种莽撞的传球往往不能扭转败局,因为球常常会落在双方交混一群球员中间,接球相当困难。然而不能否定偶尔也有传球成功的机会,所以这种挺而走险的最后一着还是值得一试的。
  
  而球员在这样传球的时候心里往往会念念有辞地求告圣母马利亚保佑他传球成功使得他的球队化险为夷。这也许就是这个习惯用语的出典。
  
  如今hail Mary pass已经被人们转用到商界和政界,来指挺而走险的最后手段或者背水一战的最后机会。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2140
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

如今hail Mary pass已经被人们转用到商界和政界,来指挺而走险的最后手段或者背水一战的最后机会。
  
  我们来听个例子吧。有一位主要的总统侯选人要来告诉你自己岌岌可危的处境。离开投票选举的日子只剩下两天了,而他在民意调查中的得分却还落后于他的政敌五分。老实说要在仅仅两天的时间里采取行动扭转局面实在很难,因为时间仓猝做不了多少事,但是如果他不最后拼一下的话,那就注定要失败了。
  
  在这简直是生死存亡的关头,这位侯选人召集他的高级顾问和演说撰稿人开紧急会议,让这些人帮他出谋划策,怎样才能迅速吸引选票。
  
  例句-3:Look, you know the bad news. We need to try a Hail Mary pass, an idea that’s bold and drastic, I don’t care what it is as long as it get us more votes. If we can’t, my friends, we simply don’t have a prayer of winning.
  
  他说:瞧,你们知道那坏消息了。我们必需尝试不顾一切的最后手段,得想出既大胆又果断的主意来,只要能为我们争取到更多的选票,别的我什么也顾不上了。朋友们,要是做不到的话,我们简直毫无得胜的希望。
  
  这里的a Hail Mary pass是指不顾一切的最后手段,而not have a prayer意思是毫无希望。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2141
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华打电话给Larry,提醒他说好了晚上一起看电影。 今天我们要学两个常用语: space cadet和running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
  
  LL: (Pick up phone) Hello?
  
  LH: Hi, Larry.
  
  LL: How are you, Lihua?
  
  LH: 我挺好。你别忘了,说好了一起看电影,还有半个小时开演。
  
  LL: Oh shoot. I’m so sorry Li Hua. It completely slipped my mind. I feel like such a space cadet.
  
  LH: Space cadet? 太空学员?太空学员常忘事儿吗?
  
  LL: Well not real space cadets, but as a saying "space cadet" means someone who is off in space, or often forgets things that they need to do.
  
  LH: 噢,Space Cadet原来是说心不在焉,爱忘事儿的人。那你绝对合格!不然怎么会忘记约好跟我一起看电影呢。
  
  LL: I guess I just got caught up with this project for work. My space cadet coworker forgot to save it earlier, so we are back to square one.
  
  LH: 啊?你们的项目白做了,要从头开始?我以前写论文也出过忘记存盘的事。I’ve acted like a space cadet before. 那你们要怎么办呢?
  
  LL: It hopefully won’t be too big of a problem, but because he was a space cadet we will have to work a bit late tonight.
  
  LH: 就算是这样,你也不能忘了陪我看电影的事儿啊?This is no excuse for you being a space cadet!
  
  LL: I know. I am sorry.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2142
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 没关系,谁都有这种时候,我们教授星期一来上课,居然说把我们的作文落在了地铁上。Talk about a space cadet!
  
  LL: I’ll say! What did he do?
  
  LH: 最后他找到地铁总站才找到。
  
  LL: Wow, he is lucky that he was able to find them again.
  
  LH: 可他还是很不好意思,所以给我们所有人一律加分。
  
  LL: That sounds like a pretty good trade off to me.
  
  LH: 是不错。看来有个做"space cadet"的教授,也不一定是坏事。言归正传,电影到底还看不看?
  
  LL: Let’s shoot for the 8:30 showing. I think I will have the work done by then. Meet you at the theater?
  
  LH: 好,一言为定。
  
  ******
  
  Larry和李华在电影院大厅里碰头。
  
  LH: Larry, 你来得正好,电影马上就要开演了。
  
  LL: Yes, though I’ve been running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
  
  LH: What? 你为什么要说自己象没头公鸡一样跑来呢?
  
  LL: Running around like a chicken with its head cut off means I have been running around frantically all over the place.
  
  LH: 噢,你是说自己忙得跑来跑去,中文里我们说,象没头的苍蝇一样,英文里说象没头的鸡,真有意思。你忙什么?
  
  LL: It turned out that there was more to the project than I originally thought, but I really wanted to come see this movie. I had to rush and wound up running around like a chicken with its head cut off.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2143
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 那Larry, 你说鸡真的会砍掉脑袋还跑来跑去吗?
  
  LL: I am not sure Li Hua. But the point is that if they do run around, it is chaotic. Similarly I was running all over the place at my office to try and get this project done.
  
  LH: 这倒让我想起我同学Carrie. 她星期天才知道星期一有项目展示,所以一整天都忙得昏天暗地。She was running around like a chicken with her head cut off!
  
  LL: What do you mean, Lihua?
  
  LH: 她一直在自习室和图书馆之间跑来跑去,手忙脚乱的。
  
  LL: That certainly does sound right. After running around like a chicken with its head cut off, I feel pretty flustered too! How did Carrie’s presentation turn out?
  
  LH: 说实话,我还真不知道,整个过程,我都在开小差儿。
  
  LL: It sounds like you were a total space cadet. What about you, have you ever had to run around like a chicken with its head cut off because you left something to the last minute?
  
  LH: 我?怎么可能!我做事从来都是井井有条,绝不会临时抱佛脚。
  
  LL: Sure. Well let’s get our tickets and watch this movie.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是space cadet, 指心不在焉,爱忘事的人。另一个是running around like a chicken with its head cut off, 意思是忙得象没头的苍蝇一样。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2144
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语080讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,他在餐厅里遇到了美国同事Amy。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Hi Amy. 坐下一起吃吧!
  
  A: I’d love to.
  
  CH: 最近有什么新鲜事吗?
  
  A: Well, I can tell that word got around about our being able to dress more comfortably during these hot days.
  
  CH: 是啊,天太热了,公司宣布放松着装要求。你看我,就只穿了长袖衬衣,把西装和领带放在办公室里,万一要见客户再穿。
  
  A: Your dress shirt is fine, except that you are not wearing an undershirt.
  
  CH: 什么?里面还要穿汗衫?那不是更热了嘛!
  
  A: Still it is necessary. When a man isn’t wearing an undershirt, it is obvious and he looks unprofessional.
  
  CH: 你能说说男人一定要穿汗衫的理由吗?
  
  A: For one it adds polish. Neither men nor women need to be dressed in see-through clothing in the business world.
  
  CH: 上班不应该穿透心的衣服。还有呢?
  
  A: An undershirt adds a layer of protection.
  
  CH: 多穿一层不是很热吗?
  
  A: It’s because of the heat that you need the layer of protection.
  
  CH: 我还是不明白,有什么可保护的啊?
  
  A: When you perspire, the undershirt protects the dress shirt from showing the moisture and causing stains. It also absorbs some of the odor if you perspire heavily.
  
  C: 哦,我明白了,汗衫可以吸汗,这样外面就看不出来汗渍了。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2145
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

陈豪第二天在办公室遇到Amy.
  
  CH: Hi Amy, 我今天穿得如何?
  
  A: You mean the undershirt?
  
  CH: 是啊,这回总行了吧!
  
  A: I guess I didn’t explain myself completely. You are wearing a crew-neck undershirt.
  
  CH: 穿高领衫难道不行吗?
  
  A: It would be fine if your shirt was buttoned at the neck, but you are wearing it open and I can see your undershirt.
  
  CH: 我以前也见过别人这么穿,所以才觉得没问题的。
  
  A: People shouldn’t see your undergarments. If you want to wear a shirt that is open at the collar, choose a v-neck style.
  
  CH: 那好,我中午出去买两件V型领口的汗衫。
  
  A: Good idea. And while you are at it, you might want to buy some socks to match your slacks and your shoes.
  
  CH: 不能穿白袜子吗?
  
  A: They don’t belong at work. Socks should always match your shoes or your slacks. Besides, white socks are far too casual.
  
  CH: 那我能不能不穿袜子呢?今天会计科一个新来的就没穿袜子,这样就不存在搭配的问题了。
  
  A: I suspect he will hear about that and you’ll see him with socks on tomorrow.
  
  我知道了,虽然因为天气炎热,公司宣布放松着装,但还是要穿长袖衬衣,里面穿汗衫,如果不系领口,就应该穿V型领口的汗衫,不能让别人看见。谢谢你,Amy.
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2146
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天还是要讲在大选年里新闻界常会用来报导有关选举的情况的两个习惯用语。我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: pork barrel。 Pork是猪肉,而barrel是木头制成的圆桶pork barrel要是直译就是装猪肉的木桶,但是一百五十年来pork barrel却被用作俚语,指受政府资助的地方产品或者工程项目。这往往是代表某地区的国会议员为这个地区争取来的福利待遇,而这位国会议员也因此能笼络人心,得到当地选民的拥护和选票。
  
  批评人士往往会抱怨说: pork barrel,也就是这种依靠公款发展的生产项目,既浪费钱财又没有必要。但是pork barrels却是政界人物得心应手的政治手腕。立法人员会相互帮忙在议院内通过这种带有政治目的的拨款,因为他们心中有数,今天为他人行了方便,日后自己也有类似的提案要他人帮忙通过。
  
  那么选民对pork barrel有什么看法呢? 这常常取决于他们住在什么地区。比方说,这笔拨款是用来修筑一条新的道路,便利他们所居住地点的交通,或者要用这笔款子在他们家附近建造一个邮局,那么他多半会赞成。而不住在当地的选民则很可能会站在对立的立场,反对这笔支出。可想而知,这种政治拨款手段必然会成为竞选中的焦点问题。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2147
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们听一位电台新闻播音员在报道2000年大选中的共和党侯选人George W. Bush打算采取什么行动来反对政治拨款的做法。
  
  例句-1:To quote from a Washington paper: Mr. Bush wants to "clean up some pork-barrel spending practices" that have soured the public on politicians from both parties.
  
  他说:华盛顿的一份报纸说: 小布什想要清除某些政治拨款的做法,因为类似的作为引起民众对两党政界人物的反感。
  
  这里的clean up some pork-barrel spending practices意思是清除某些政治拨款的做法,而这段话里的pork-barrel意思是“政治拨款的,” 用来修饰名词词组 spending practices,当形容词用了,所以在pork和barrel之间用连词符号连接。
  
  Pork barrel也能作名词词组,例如刚才那句话也可以这样说,表达类似的意思,注意在下面的话里pork barrel是名词词组:
  
  例句-2:Mr. Bush wants to clean up some of the election-year pork barrels that have soured the public on politicians from both parties.
  
  这句话还是说: 布什想要清除大选年的政治拨款,因为这种作为引起民众对两党政治人物的反感。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2148
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要学的第二个习惯用法是: gridlock. Gridlock这个说法在大选年里耳熟能详。Gridlock这个词刚诞生的时候是指十字路口的来往车辆一辆紧接一辆,拥挤得水泄不通,造成四面八方的交通完全堵塞,处于停滞状态。
  
  我不说你一定也猜得到,现在gridlock常用来描述任何一种无法通行的僵持状态或者遭到封锁的行动。近年来华盛顿的政治僵持局面对美国选民说来已经是家常便饭,几乎天日有所闻。我们听一位政治评论员说说是什么造成了华盛顿的political gridlock.
  
  例句-3:The political gridlock in Washington has slowed down action on some key issues. Republicans blame Democrats and Democrats blame Republicans, but the main cause of delays is the fact that the Congress is controlled by Republicans while a Democrat controls the White House.
  
  他说: 华盛顿的政治僵持局面造成了一些重大问题的延误。共和党和民主党都相互把对方指责为罪魁祸首,其实主要问题出在目前是共和党人控制着国会,而掌管白宫的却是个民主党人。
  
  这段话里的gridlock指政治僵持局面。两党一方面都在怪罪对方,另一方面却异口同声地向选民提出了一个解决办法。我们听他们各自怎么开导选民。
  
  例句-4:If you want to end this gridlock mess in Washington, the only way to do it is send our candidate to the White House and vote for our people in both Houses of Congress.
  
  他们都说: 结束华盛顿僵持局面的唯一途径是把他们党的侯选人选进白宫和国会的参众两院去。
  
  这一着果真见效吗? 那还得等大选尘埃落定之后才能见分晓。这段话里的gridlock还是指僵持对峙。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2149
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语081讲
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,下班后跟美国同事Amy一起往外走。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  CH:Hi Amy. 碰上你太好了!
  
  A: I haven’t seen you all day. Is there something on your mind?
  
  CH: 你还记得不久前,我们那儿来了个坐轮椅的新同事吗?
  
  A: Yes, and we talked about your being uncomfortable around her because you weren’t sure what to do.
  
  CH: 现在好多了,我们已经成了好朋友。要是我什么地方做得不得体,她会直截了当地告诉我。
  
  A: What do you mean?
  
  CH: 比如说那天,我们一起聊天,她就很客气地告诉我,不应该把她的轮椅当家具,倚在上面。
  
  A: It soun ds as if you are handling this issue well.
  
  CH: 可是,有时候遇到其它handicapped的人,我还是有点儿不知所措。
  
  A: First of all, you shouldn’t refer to those people as handicapped. That is something of an old-fashioned term that is demeaning to many.
  
  CH: 不说handicapped残疾人,那要怎么说呢?
  
  A: Refer to these employees as having a disability. It shows more respect.
  
  CH: 这么说是不是太笼统了?别人会问,是什么样的残疾。比如说,我们办公室的Mary就是个聋子。
  
  A: If someone asks you what kind of disability, your response is not "She’s deaf." Instead you say, "She has a hearing impairment or a hearing problem.
  
  CH: 听力有障碍?那不就是聋子嘛!这不是一回事吗?
  
  A: I’ll explain it tomorrow. I have to meet some friends for dinner now.
  
  C: 那好,明天见。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2150
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

第二天在办公室。
  
  CH: Hi Amy, 昨天你说,不应该说Mary聋子,应该说Mary听力有缺陷。这是为什么?
  
  A: Because then you are describing her by her disability. If she had a disease, you wouldn’t identify her by that. For example, if she had measles, you wouldn’t say, "She’s measles."
  
  CH: 这倒也是。那除了耳朵聋要说听力有缺陷,其它身体残碍是不是也不能直说呢?
  
  A: Nowadays, you wouldn’t say that a person is blind today. You would use the term visually impaired to describe the person.
  
  CH: 不说盲人,要说视力有缺陷。要是瘸子呢?
  
  A: Just say that he has a disability.
  
  CH: 看来,在这方面,我还真得注意,否则一不小心就会冒犯别人。Amy, 你能再重复一下吗?
  
  A: Sure. We say visually-impaired, not blind. It’s hearing-impaired, and not deaf. Use person with a disability rather than crippled, and person who uses a wheelchair, rather than wheelchair bound.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2151
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry来找李华玩。今天我们要学两个常用语: the ball is in your court和happy hour.
  
  LL: Hi Lihua, How’s it going?
  
  LH: 还不错,就是特别忙,一整天都在寄简历找工作。
  
  LL: Oh yeah? How’s that going?
  
  LH: 挺烦的,不过今天终于有公司给我回电话了。
  
  LL: That’s great Li Hua, what did they say?
  
  LH: 我当时正在上课,所以没接到,听的也是留言。
  
  LL: Ah, it sounds like the ball is in your court now.
  
  LH: 找工作可不是闹着玩的,什么球不球的。
  
  LL: No, Li Hua, the ball is in your court means that it’s your responsibility now to call them back.
  
  LH: 哦,原来你是这个意思,那倒没错,the ball is in my court. 不过我心里特紧张,又想要这份工作,又害怕打电话。
  
  LL: Why is that Lihua?
  
  LH: 我不知道拿起电话来要怎么说。
  
  LL: Well the important thing is to research the company before calling and remember what position you applied for.
  
  LH: 好主意,打电话之前先要了解一下这家公司的情况

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2152
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, the ball’s in your court, so you can call them back when you feel comfortable. At least now they aren’t catching you off guard.
  
  LH: 这倒是真的,我可以做好充分准备后,再给他们回电话。不说我了,你最近工作还顺心吗?
  
  LL: Well the boss just told me that a large client just dropped their old advertising agency, so they might go with us. Now the ball’s in my court to come up with a good proposal and win them over.
  
  LH: 太好了,你又有表现的机会了,一定要写好这个广告创意,把这个大客户争取过来。
  
  LL: It sure is a good opportunity, but to be honest I’m pretty nervous about this. It’s the first time I’ve gotten this much responsibility.
  
  LH: 你一定没问题。
  
  LL: Thanks Lihua.
  
  LH: 对了,那家公司是做什么生意的?
  
  LL: It’s an ad for sneakers. Their sales have been down lately.
  
  ******
  
  李华给Larry打电话,问他下班后要不要一起去酒吧。
  
  (Ring...)
  
  LL: Hello, Larry London speaking.
  
  LH: Hi Larry!
  
  LL: Oh hi Lihua, how’s it going?
  
  LH: 没什么事。就是想问你下班后要不要一起去喝点东西。
  
  LL: You mean go to happy hour together?
  
  LH: Happy? 跟你出去,我当然高兴了。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2153
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Right, but happy hour means the hour after work when people often go out for a drink or some snacks.Usually the bar or restaurant will have some sort of discount.
  
  LH: 哦,原来happy hour是说同事下班后一起去酒吧喝酒,而且酒吧为了促销,这段时间酒水往往比一般价格便宜。我以前好象听过这种说法。
  
  LL: Yes, it is a pretty common phrase.
  
  LH: 那你到底要不要跟我一起去happy hour呢?
  
  LL: Sounds good to me.
  
  LH: 我们去哪儿Happy hour?
  
  LL: Wherever you want is fine with me.
  
  LH: 我去找你怎么样?你公司附近有什么可以去happy hour的酒吧吗?
  
  LL: There are a few places that have a happy hour, and that would be very convenient for me.
  
  LH: 那好,一言为定。你几点钟下班?
  
  LL: Well I get out of work at five. We can go to the place across the street where they have a happy hour. Does that sound alright to you?
  
  LH: 没问题,那我们就在酒吧里见!
  
  LL: Excellent. I will see you for happy hour.
  
  LH: 我今天有重要的事情告诉你。
  
  LL: Important news? What sort of news?
  
  LH: 天机不可泄露。You will just have to wait until we meet at the happy hour.
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2154
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

  LL: Oh come on, you can’t call me up and tell me you have news and then leave me hanging all afternoon. We’re not meeting for a happy hour until 5:00, that’s a long time from now.
  
  LH: 哈哈,我就是要调调你的胃口。
  
  LL: It’s cruel! What about the topic at least?
  
  LH: 跟我有关。
  
  LL: You and ....?
  
  LH: 跟我和学校有关,我只能告诉你这么多了。
  
  LL: Ok, that’s fine. I’ll see you for happy hour at five?
  
  LH: See you then!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是the ball is in your court意思是现在该你采取行动了。另一个是happy hour意思是酒吧傍晚前后的减价时段,同事朋友可以一起去喝东西。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2155
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

天还是要讲在总统大选年里你常常会听到的两个习惯用语,而且这两个习惯用语都和侯选人的当选机会和希望有关。
  
  第一个习惯用语是从射击或者赛马这两种体育运动中借用来的。它是: long shot。 Long shot在射击运动中是指非常遥远的目标,以至于拿枪瞄准这目标射击的射手很可能会打不中。
  
  Long shot也可以用来描述赛马中奔跑速度太慢跟其它赛马拉下了一长段距离,几乎没有得胜希望的那一匹马。
  
  老听众也许记得我们以前学过这个习惯用语:在1976的大选中人们曾经把卡特称为long shot因为他师出无名,只是个种花生的农民,但是这个当年的long shot后来却出乎意料地入主白宫,而且即使离开白宫以后也仍然在国际政坛上扮演举足轻重的角色。
  
  再听听对卡特这段不平凡人生历程的描述:
  
  例句-1:Back in 1976, Jimmy Carter had been a real long shot. Nobody had given him a chance but he came up nowhere and won the race for the White House. And he has still been playing major roles in the international political circle since he left the White House.
  
  人们原来普遍认为卡特是得胜无望的小人物, 但是他却出人意料地崭露头角,这在政坛也许是相当难得的例子。政坛观察家的预测多半八九不离十。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2156
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再听最近有一位政治观察家怎么谈论一个宣布竞选参议员席位的人。注意他也用了习惯用语long shot, 可见这个习惯用语的流行经久不衰。
  
  例句-2:He’s a good man but he’s a long shot. Most voters have never heard of him; he can’t raise much money; he has no political experience. I’d say his chances are very small.
  
  这位观察家说:这位侯选人是好人,但是他在大多数选民中是个默默无闻的人物; 而且他募集不到多少经费,更没什么从政经验。所以他几乎不大可能当选。
  
  观察家因而说他成功希望渺茫。这就是long shot这个习惯用语的含义。
  

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2157
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要学的第二个习惯用语也用来描述成功希望的大小,但是它正是long shot这个习惯用语的反面,用来指必胜无疑的人。这个习惯用语是: shoo in。 Shoo和in两个词合成的中间用连词符号相连,似乎没人能确定这个习惯说法究竟是怎么来的,然而有一种猜想是shoo这个词来自sure。
  
  这个猜想有它的道理,要是shoo-in是从sure in演变来的话,可见它的意思是“必定入围”或者“一定中选。”
  
  我们听个例子。这是新闻评论员在谈论2000年大选的共和党侯选人得克萨斯州州长George W. Bush。
  
  政治分析家在1999年秋天的时候都一致公认他稳操胜券,必然会赢得他的政党,共和党的总统侯选人提名,因为他募集的竞选经费最多,在民意测验中的得分也遥遥领先;他看来是立于不败之地了。但是事情却并不像想象中那样一帆风顺,过后一段时间在新罕普什尔州的初选之前,他的本党竞争对手John McCain在民意测验中的成绩却意想不到地急起直追。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2158
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们听听当时一名新闻评论员发表了什么看法。
  
  例句-3:When the expert saw Mr. McCain began to move up in the polls and drew even in some of them before the New Hampshire Primary, they began to admit that maybe Mr. Bush wasn’t the shoo-in they’d been telling us earlier.
  
  However, this doesn’t actually mean Mr. Bush won’t look like a shoo-in again, for other states will hold their primaries before the national convention in the summer of 2000.
  
  他说:当专家看到McCain先生在新罕普什尔州初选前民意调查中的得分上升,而且在某些调查中的得分跟Bush先生拉成平局,他们开始承认Bush先生可能并不像他们向来所说的那样必胜无疑。
  
  然而这并不真的意味着再也不会出现Bush先生稳操胜券的局面,因为其它各州也将在2000年夏天的全党代表大会前举行初选。
  
  既然别的州要在2000年夏天决定本党总统侯选人提名的全党代表大会前陆续举行初选,挑选参加全党大会的代表,而共和党和民主党内有希望成为本党总统侯选人的人选还得在激烈的辩论中崭露头角,才能最终中选。这是条漫长曲折的道路,Geroge W. Bush是不是shoo-in,也就是他是否必胜无疑还有待分晓。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2159
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语082讲
  
  
  陈豪在北京的ABC美国公司工作,美国同事Amy到办公室去找他。
  
  (Office ambience)
  
  A:Good morning, Chen Hao..
  
  CH:Hi Amy.
  
  A: I heard your best friend Brad got a promotion. Is that true?
  
  CH: 没错。Brad如今是我的老板了。
  
  A: That can make things awkward.
  
  CH: 是啊,我们俩儿从好朋友一下子变成了上下级的关系,还真不好办。
  
  A: I think you will be able to work it out since you already recognize that things will be different.
  
  CH: 人事处昨天才通知的他,所以我们还没有机会谈起这件事。
  
  A: That’s one of the first things you need to do and soon.
  
  CH: 急什么呀,他现在肯定特别忙。
  
  A: Everyone knows that you and Brad are close friends. They are going to be watching to see what happens.
  
  CH: 别说别人了,连我都不知道要怎么处理这种关系。
  
  A: It could go two entirely different ways.
  
  CH: 两种完全不一样的可能?哪两种?
  
  A: Because you are his best friend, he might be tempted to give you special treatment by offering you the best assignments and according you unusual favors.
  
  CH: 如果因为私人关系好,他就在工作上照顾我,那其他人肯定会有意见。
  
  A: Yes. It would affect the way everyone views Brad. He could lose the respect of everyone who works with him.
  
  C: 另外一种可能性呢?
  
  A: I don’t have time to talk about that right now, Chen Hao. Shall we meet for tea this afternoon and continue our conversation?
  
  C: 好,那我们下午见。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2160
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Mary和Chen Hao两人下午一起喝茶。
  
  CH: Amy, 我们上午说,如果Brad特别关照我,那对我们两人都不利。你说的另外一种可能是什么?
  
  A: He might go out of his way to avoid any hint of giving you special treatment and treat you more rigidly than the others.
  
  C: 你的意思是,他为了避嫌,可能对我的要求会格外严格?
  
  A: He might pass you over for assignments that you might otherwise have gotten.
  
  CH: 这听起来可不太妙。那下班以后呢?我们以前总是一起去打乒乓球,或是一起去喝酒。
  
  A: I know that and I have heard you share some funny stories about each other. You’ll have to be more careful about the tales you tell about your adventures.
  
  CH: 不能再跟同事讲Brad的故事?为什么?
  
  A: Others might misunderstand and think that you are trying to impress them with the fact that you and the boss are best friends.
  
  CH: 要把工作和私人关系分开,还真不简单。你觉得我有必要换到别的部门去吗?
  
  A: That’s a possibility if things don’t work out. If you can’t accept Brad as your boss or he can’t make the leap to being your supervisor, a change might be the only solution.
  
  CH: 我想我们两人一定能做到公私分开。

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2161
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

李华跟Larry一起去吃晚饭。今天我们要学两个常用语: squared away和temporary fix.
  
  LH: Larry, 怎么样,今天上班忙不忙?
  
  LL: Oh it was a bit stressful. I had a relatively large report due that I was too busy to start until the last minute, but it looks like I got it all squared away.
  
  LH: Squared away? 你是说虽然等到最后一分钟,但还是赶出来了?
  
  LL: Yes, Li Hua, squared away means I took care of it, or finished the job.
  
  LH: 太好了,那你现在可以好好放松一下了?
  
  LL: Yeah. Now I just feel relieved to have gotten the report squared away.
  
  LH: 那份报告是关于什么的?
  
  LL: It was just about the logistics of a new advertising campaign that ships out next week. It wasn't too hard, just tedious, but now it is all squared away.
  
  LH: 我明白你的感受,处理掉手头的一件大事,肯定是如释重负。
  
  LL: Exactly. It's hard to relax with a report hanging over your head.
  
  LH: 没错。我经济选修课的期中论文上星期交,老师规定要写二十页,而且还要进行很多复杂的数据分析。
  
  LL: How did it turn out?
  
  LH: 我在学校电脑房里整整泡了两天,I finally got it all squared away. 总算是搞定了,竟然还提前了一天。
  
  LL: That's excellent.

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2162
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 可我一点也不敢放松,这篇论文写完了,可还有另外三篇等着我呢!
  
  LL: Well, at least you got one squared away.
  
  LH: 那倒也是。你完成了这份报告,是不是可以喘口气了?
  
  LL: Well now that I've got that report all squared away, I'm pretty much in the clear. I guess I will wait until they give me a new assignment.
  
  LH: 真羡慕你,可惜我还有三篇论文要写,不然我们周末可以去秋游。
  
  LL: I wouldn't worry too much Li Hua, I'm sure you'll get all of your papers squared away in no time.
  
  LH: I know, I just wish that they were already squared away and I didn't have to deal with them. 好,酒足饭饱,我又得去泡图书馆了。
  
  ******
  
  李华 Larry第二天下午一起去喝咖啡。
  
  LL: How'd the paper writing go?
  
  LH: 别提了,论文倒是写完了一篇,可是电脑房里的打印机坏了,我又没带USB, 所以只好把文章寄到我自己的电子信箱里。
  
  LL: That's a good temporary fix.
  
  LH: A temporary what?
  
  LL: Temporary Fix it means a good short term solution for a problem. In this case, emailing the paper to yourself is a good fix until you can print the paper.
  
  LH: 噢,temporary fix就是临时解决办法。我一看打印机坏了,差点儿没得心脏病,还好灵机一动,把论文寄给了自己。
  
  LL: It's good that you found that temporary fix then!
  
  LH: 可不是吗,要不然,我还真是不知道要怎么办了

生命的狂想 : 2010-01-05#2163
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: The other day at work we had to come up with a temporary fix because our usual print-shop was closed for vacation, and the one we hired instead completely botched the job.
  
  LH: 怎么回事?不会是把你们的广告印刷品都印坏了吧?
  
  LL: Well the whole thing came out backwards and none of the words went with the pictures, plus we had a client coming in only an hour afterwards.
  
  LH: 那你们最后是怎么办的?
  
  LL: Ultimately we just cut the words out of each picture and switched them with scissors and glue. It held together through the meeting. It didn't look perfect but at least it was a temporary fix.
  
  LH: 客户有没有看出什么破绽?
  
  LL: I think we made an alright impression on the client. I'm not sure that they noticed that anything was wrong.
  
  LH: That's great.
  
  LL: Yeah, what about you, how did your paper turn out?
  
  LH: 最后我还是在导师的办公室里把论文印出来的。
  
  LL: So your temporary fix was successful.
  
  LH: 没错,我现在只剩一篇论文就万事大吉了!
  
  LL: Well, you're almost there.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是squared away 意思是处理完了。另一个是temporary fix意思是临时的解决办法。
  
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2164
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天的两个习惯用语都来自华盛顿的一份报纸上的同一篇文章,谈论的是2000年夏天民主党以及共和党各自召开的全国代表大会。这种大会的目的是为同年十一月份的大选确定本党总统侯选人的提名。
  
  我们要学的第一个习惯用语是: suck up。 Suck这个词原来的意思是吸收,但是动词短语suck up却有另外的意思。我们听个例子,想一想suck up表示什么样的行为。
  
  例句-1:Mary sucks up to her boss by telling him often how much she admires his talents and how lucky she is working for him.
  
  这句话的意思是: Mary真是马屁精,她常常对上级说自己如何佩服他的才干,还说自己在他手下工作有多幸运。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2165
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

习惯用语suck up也常用来描述政治活动。例如刚才说到的报导两党的全国代表大会的文章提到在会场内外各有千秋,场内是群情激昂,团结一致的誓师大会,而场外却在举行多彩多姿的款待嘉宾的活动,专门为了取悦那些巨额捐款人。我们听听文章怎么报导这种向赞助人献殷勤的活动。
  
  例句-2:The two parties will suck up to their big contributors with special affairs outside of official convention meetings. Delegates and guests who have already made large contributions will be invited to golf tournaments, lunch with famous sports heroes and dinner with movie stars at a Hollywood studio.
  
  他说:两党将通过会场外的特殊活动使劲巴结讨好他们的巨额捐款人,与会代表和嘉宾都将被请去看高尔夫球比赛,和运动名将共进午餐,还要在好莱坞电影制片厂跟电影明星一起共享晚宴。
  
  这里的suck up是巴结讨好的意思。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2166
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

不用说,这些动用了运动名将和电影明星的特殊活动都得花费大笔大笔的资金。这一来侯选人岂不更缺钱了吗? 那么经办这些劳民伤财的活动有什么意义呢? 其实很简单,他们的目光还是集中在那些大款的腰包上。
  
  虽然这些大款已经慷慨解囊支持了他们的竞选,但是他们还想争取大款更多的捐款,于是就使出这种种软功促使大款不得不掏钱。这就产生了今天要学的第二个习惯用语: shake down。 Shake down原本有勒索钱财的意思,但是刚才说过政党是使用讨好大款的软功来换取他们的钱财的,所以shake down这个习惯用语也有把人奉承得团团转,使他不得不掏腰包的意思。 Shake down可以联想到中文里的摇钱树,一摇晃钱就往下掉。
  
  好,我们来听一位竞选经费募款人在简要汇报他的工作计划,注意他话里用到的习惯用语shake down。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2167
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句-3:We'll have a lunch with the candidate for supporters who have given at least $5,000 so far, and shake them down for a check of $2,500 right on the spot. Most of them will do it too. Because we have one advantage: we already know that they support our party and that they have money.
  
  他说:我们和侯选人将跟迄今为止已捐款五千美元或以上的赞助人共进午餐,并且就在午餐会当场施展招数敲他们一笔,让他们再各自拿出两千五百美元的支票来。他们多半会这样做。因为我们的有利因素是既知道他们支持我们的党,又知道他们手头有钱。
  
  这段话里的shake them down意思是“敲他们一笔。” 现在我们再回到华盛顿邮报那篇说全党代表大会的文章上来,里面有一句话把今天学到的两个习惯用语都用上了:
  
  例句-4:This summer's political conventions will be a super bowl of sucking up and shaking down.
  
  这句话里的super bowl原来是指美国一年一度最盛大的运动项目: 全国美式足球联合会锦标赛,这里用来比喻全党代表大会全力以赴,向赞助人大献殷勤,努力争取他们捐款的激烈场面。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2168
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

公关部主任Janet Liu召集下属开会,询问中东代表团的活动安排。
  
  Janet Liu: Good morning, Silvia. Good morning, Pete. How is my public relations team doing today?
  
  Silvia Kranson: Morning, Ms. Liu.
  
  Pete Chan: Very well, thank you.
  
  J: I called this meeting to check up on preparations for the upcoming visit by the delegation from the Middle East. Any progress?
  
  S: Actually the delegation has been scaled back to just two groups, one from Saudi Arabia and another from Israel.
  
  J: OK...I assume accommodations have been taken care of?
  
  P: Yes, the group from Saudi Arabia will stay at the Golden Palace while the team from Israel is booked at the Twin Oaks Resort.
  
  Silvia告诉Janet说,中东代表团规模减小了,只剩下两组人,分别来自沙特阿拉伯和以色列。Silvia说的Scale back。 Scale back是缩小规模。
  
  Pete报告说,旅馆也定好了。Their accommodations have been taken care of. Accommodations。
  
  让我们继续听一下代表团的日程安排。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2169
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

J: Can you give me a quick rundown of the schedule for when they're here?
  
  S: The first day is free as they adjust to the time difference. We're planning a trip to our factory on day two, a cultural tour on day three and days four through six are at the seminar and workshop.
  
  P: On the last day we've planned some great meals and we'll top off the evening with some fun at a karaoke bar.
  
  简单说一下日程安排:A quick rundown of the schedule。第一天倒时差,adjust to the time difference. 第二天参观工厂,第三天文艺活动,第四天到第六天办学习班。最后一天吃饭卡拉OK。让我们听听Janet为什么不满意。
  
  S: Yeah, we're taking them to Sam's Super Pork Restaurant for lunch and dinner is at Wang's Seafood Paradise.
  
  J: Um...that could be a problem. Have you considered that they might have special dietary needs? Most people in Saudi Arabia are Muslims, and Muslims don't eat pork. In fact, they might only eat Halal food.
  
  Janet提醒说,沙特主要是穆斯林,不吃猪肉。
  
  P: Halal?
  
  J: Yes, Halal means food, especially meat, that's been prepared according to Islamic religious laws. The Israeli group could also be a problem as many of them might be Jewish and keep Kosher.
  
  S: Kosher?
  
  J: It's similar to the Muslim rules, but Kosher is a Jewish system of dietary laws. People who keep Kosher don't eat pork, shrimp or crab.
  
  S: So I guess we will have to reconsider the meals.
  
  Halal是按照伊斯兰教规准备的肉。Janet还说,以色列是犹太人,要吃Kosher,不吃猪肉、虾和蟹。Silvia和Pete还犯了一些什么错误,我们下次继续听。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2170
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry下班后,跟李华一起去喝咖啡。今天我们要学两个常用语:brutal和rager.
  
  LH: Larry, 怎么样,今天上班忙不忙?
  
  LL: Oh it was way brutal.
  
  LH: Brutal? Brutal 不是粗暴、残忍的意思吗?
  
  LL: Here it means harsh. You know, like a hassle. It was way brutal.
  
  LH: 噢,你说今天上班was way brutal 就是特别麻烦,不顺的意思。你说具体点儿,In what way was it brutal?
  
  LL: Well for one thing, the coffee machine in my office was broken, so that was lame.
  
  LH: 咖啡壶坏了顶多也就是不方便,也谈不上brutal啊。
  
  LL: Well on top of that they were doing some sort of maintenance in the hall, so all day there was this high pitched drilling noise. I have a pounding headache.
  
  LH: 一整天都有人在楼道里修房子,那可是够吵的。It IS brutal!
  
  LL: Yeah it was totally brutal.
  
  LH: 我这两天正在申请一家大公司的实习机会。Let me tell you, it's so brutal.
  
  LL: How is it brutal, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 这家公司要我证明身份,结果害得我跑了四趟大使馆,腿都跑细了。
  
  LL: Woah, brutal. Are you at least done with the application process now?
  
  LH: I wish! 我现在还要到学校的工作许可办公室去开证明,最后还不知道到底是不是能拿到这个实习的位置。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2171
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Is it paid?
  
  LH: 没有,是没有报酬的那种实习。
  
  LL: Brutal. I did an unpaid internship once. It was alright though.
  
  LH: 申请实习的手续麻烦点儿也就算了,我现在唯一的希望是,真开始实习了,工作上不要更加brutal。
  
  ******
  
  李华第二天中午兴高彩烈地打电话给Larry。
  
  LL: Hello? This is Larry London speaking.
  
  LH: Larry?
  
  LL: Hi Li Hua, how's it going?
  
  LH: 告诉你一个好消息,我拿到那个实习的机会了。
  
  LL: That's great Li Hua!
  
  LH: 公司人事部门打电话通知我,我简直高兴死了。
  
  LL: We have to celebrate, we should throw a rager.
  
  LH: Rager,那是什么?听起来好象挺可怕的。
  
  LL: No, a rager means a huge party. A raging party.
  
  LH: 哦,我知道了,a rager就是一个特别疯狂的派对。好啊,我同意,咱们把朋友都叫来,开个rager.
  
  LL: My friend Jack the DJ has been looking to find some more work. I'm sure he'd be willing to set up his turntables at our rager.
  
  LH: 你是说你那个做职业DJ的朋友Jack吗?太棒了,要真能把他找来,It is bound to be a killer rager.
  
  LL: I think it should be pretty good. We can have it at my place.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2172
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 在你那儿开?你可想好了,那些人一定会把你家搞得一团糟。
  
  LL: Eh, it's fine. I don't have anything nice that can be damaged anyhow.
  
  LH: 你在家大吵大闹地开派对,邻居会不会有意见?
  
  LL: Probably not, there are a lot of young people around here anyhow. I feel like somebody is always throwing a rager on this street.
  
  LH: 太好了,那你说,咱们都请谁?
  
  LL: Well you should tell friends in your classes, and I'll send out a Facebook invitation. Oh, When will we hold our rager?
  
  LH: 这个星期五晚上怎么样?
  
  LL: Mmm, this Friday isn't good. I told my friend Kevin I'd help him fix the bike. How about Saturday?
  
  LH: 星期六好。星期六大家精神头更足。
  
  LL: Exactly, you want people to be high energy if you are going to throw a rager. Do you think a lot of people will come?
  
  LH: 那还用说,I think it will be a huge rager. 你说咱们的派对应该几点开始?
  
  LL: We can say nine o'clock and no one will likely show up until 10:30 at the earliest.
  
  LH: 十点半?那么晚啊?
  
  LL: That tends to be how it goes.
  
  LH: 好,就听你的,拿到这个实习的机会,我真是高兴死了。
  
  LL: Congratulations! You earned it.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是brutal意思是很糟糕,很麻烦。另一个是rager指特别疯狂、特别热闹的派对。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2173
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在大选年里新闻界时常爱用一些习惯用语来报道选举形势的发展。今天再谈两个常会用到的习惯用语。例如,在最近一份华盛顿的报纸上有这样一个大标题: Candidates Duke it out over Fuel。
  
  这里的fuel指汽车燃料: 汽油,而candidates是指总统侯选人。这个标题包括这样一个习惯用语: duke it out。 Duke这个词通常作名词用,意思是公爵或者大公。它在俚语中的意思是拳头。 Duke it out这个习惯用语里duke显然当动词用了,表示搏斗、打架,是说拳打脚踢、大打出手的肉搏。
  
  那么duke it out用在这个标题中究竟是什么意思呢?我们从标题下的文章报道了什么可以得到启发。这篇文章说的是2000年大选的两名主要总统侯选人 - 克林顿政府的付总统戈尔和得克萨斯州州长布什,在有关汽油的问题上发生争论;彼此都责怪对方该为近期内汽油价格飞涨负责。
  
  汽油价格直线上升在2000年夏天成了引发激烈争辩的政治问题,因为油价暴涨影响到千家万户的生活。这样一说,你也许对duke it out这个习惯用语的含义有点眉目了,是不是激烈争辩呢?
  
  我们再听听描述戈尔和小布什的争论的一段话,以便确切理解这个习惯用语。
  
  例句-1:The two really duked it out. Mr. Gore charged Mr. Bush with being too close to the oil companies, and Mr. Bush hit back by claiming that Mr. Gore wanted to give ’big oil’ a huge tax break.
  
  戈尔指责小布什跟石油公司的关系过于密切,而小布什也反击戈尔,声称戈尔想要给与大石油公司巨额免税优惠。
  
  可见他俩在各不相让地争辩究竟是谁跟石油公司有特殊关系,是谁在纵容石油公司抬高油价。所以duke it out这个习惯用语在这儿的意思是进行唇枪舌剑的争辩。
  
  习惯用语duke it out虽然原先在俚语中的意思是拳打脚踢地搏斗,但是久而久之它不再指拳脚相对地打架了,而是说言词激烈的相互攻击和争辩。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2174
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

只要汽油价格不下跌,戈尔和小布什有关汽油问题的相互攻击就会没完没了地继续下去。我们再来学个表示同样意思的习惯用语: come out swinging。 Swing这个词在这里是挥动的意思。Come out swinging和duke it out一样起初也用来指挥臂抡拳地搏斗。 Come out swinging最初起源于拳击比赛,有一种拳击选手很厉害,一出场就挥动双拳如同猛虎般地直扑对方,发动猛烈的进攻。人们把这种猛攻对方的拳击方式称为come out swinging.
  
  然而习惯用语come out swinging逐渐地也像duke it out一样,不再指挥动双拳相斗,而用来说口头攻击了。
  
  在大选年里,当春天各州挑选民主党和共和党侯选人的初选结束以后,往往两党有一个政治斗争的相对平静阶段。这时候,两党的侯选人都乘机缓一口气,与此同时还要为自己筹集更多的竞选基金。然而这个相对平静阶段长得了吗?我们听听唐本森先生怎么说,注意他话里用了charge这个词的名词形式。名词charge意思是攻击,而反击的英文是: counter-charge。
  
  例句-2:After the party conventions things heat up again. In September and October the candidates come out swinging with charges and counter-charges just about every day of the week.
  
  唐本森告诉我们: 在政党全国代表大会之后,形势又逐步加温,到了九十月间侯选人都毫不间断地大举声讨并回击对方。
  
  唐本森说的come out swinging显然是指进行猛烈的口头攻击。实际上九十月间不仅是注目白宫的侯选人在不遗余力地进行政治斗争。我们听听还有哪些人也发动猛烈的攻势:

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2175
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句-3:The last two months before General Election Day the air waves will be heavy with politics. Politicians come out swinging contending for the seats in the House of Representatives and one-third of those in the Senate of the US Congress, plus positions in many state houses and state legislatures and mayors’ offices all over the country.
  
  他说,在大选日前的最后两个月政治空气浓厚。政界人士发动强烈攻势角逐国会众议院席位和三分之一的参议院席位,再加上全国各地许多州的众议院和参议院以及市长的位置也都是他们竞相争取的目标。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2176
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语084讲
  
  
  公关部主任Janet Liu召集下属开会,询问中东代表团的活动安排。上次说到,不同宗教有不同的饮食习惯:穆斯林吃Halal, 犹太人吃 Kosher。让我们听听Janet还有什么建议。
  
  Janet Liu: And you might also want to reconsider the trip to the Karaoke bar. Muslims are forbidden to drink alcohol, although Jewish people can.
  
  P: Wow, thanks for the info. We almost committed quite the social faux pas!
  
  Janet提醒Silvia和Pete,穆斯林不喝酒,所以去酒吧唱卡拉OK恐怕有问题。Pete说自己差点儿犯了social faux pas社交错误。
  
  J: I did the same thing early in my career when I took a group of Indian businesspeople to a Chinese restaurant. It turned out half of them were vegetarian Hindus.
  
  S: I’ll fire off an email to both groups today to inquire about their dietary preferences.
  
  P: And I’ll try to find a nice piano lounge where they can either drink alcohol or other beverages.
  
  Janet承认,自己刚出道的时候也犯过错误,把印度人带到中国餐馆去吃饭,结果发现其中一半人是印度教徒,吃素。Silvia说,她会发电子邮件,fire off an email 给客人,询问他们有什么特殊的饮食要求。Pete说,会重新找个既能喝酒,也有其他饮料的地方。
  
  J: For future reference, you should always consider the culture of your visitors and try to adapt as much as possible to them. These people are our honored guests and it would have been terrible to offend them.
  
  S: Absolutely, boss.
  
  P: Yes, good points.
  
  S: But what if we can’t find a restaurant with Halal or Kosher food?
  
  J: Check with them first, but one way to make sure everything is OK is to go to a vegetarian restaurant. Can’t go too wrong with vegetables.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2177
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Janet建议说,实在不行,就找一家素食馆,肯定不会错。
  
  P: I was just thinking: maybe I should check if the hotels allow smoking in the rooms or not. I’ll send an email to ask if any of the group are smokers.
  
  J: Good thinking. OK, I got to run. Keep me posted on the restaurant issue.
  
  S: We were thinking of a pen set made of jade with a gold trim. The set is embossed with the name of the seminar and each participant’s name.
  
  P: Absolutely.
  
  S: Wow, Pete. We really dodged a bullet there!
  
  P: Well, as the old saying goes, "You live and you learn."
  
  Pete忽然想到,客人里可能有人抽烟,所以要问问旅店是否允许吸烟。Janet临走时说I got to run. 我得赶紧走了。她还说,Keep me posted.有消息随时告诉我。
  
  Janet走后,Silvia说,We really dodged a bullet. 躲过了一个枪子儿,意思是真悬,差点出错!Pete的回答是 "You live and you learn." 活到老学到老。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2178
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry下班后,跟李华一起去喝咖啡。今天我们要学两个常用语:brutal和rager.
  
  LH: Larry, 怎么样,今天上班忙不忙?
  
  LL: Oh it was way brutal.
  
  LH: Brutal? Brutal 不是粗暴、残忍的意思吗?
  
  LL: Here it means harsh. You know, like a hassle. It was way brutal.
  
  LH: 噢,你说今天上班was way brutal 就是特别麻烦,不顺的意思。你说具体点儿,In what way was it brutal?
  
  LL: Well for one thing, the coffee machine in my office was broken, so that was lame.
  
  LH: 咖啡壶坏了顶多也就是不方便,也谈不上brutal啊。
  
  LL: Well on top of that they were doing some sort of maintenance in the hall, so all day there was this high pitched drilling noise. I have a pounding headache.
  
  LH: 一整天都有人在楼道里修房子,那可是够吵的。It IS brutal!
  
  LL: Yeah it was totally brutal.
  
  LH: 我这两天正在申请一家大公司的实习机会。Let me tell you, it’s so brutal.
  
  LL: How is it brutal, Li Hua?
  
  LH: 这家公司要我证明身份,结果害得我跑了四趟大使馆,腿都跑细了。
  
  LL: Woah, brutal. Are you at least done with the application process now?
  
  LH: I wish! 我现在还要到学校的工作许可办公室去开证明,最后还不知道到底是不是能拿到这个实习的位置。
  
  LL: Is it paid?
  
  LH: 没有,是没有报酬的那种实习。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2179
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Brutal. I did an unpaid internship once. It was alright though.
  
  LH: 申请实习的手续麻烦点儿也就算了,我现在唯一的希望是,真开始实习了,工作上不要更加brutal。
  
  ******
  
  李华第二天中午兴高彩烈地打电话给Larry。
  
  LL: Hello? This is Larry London speaking.
  
  LH: Larry?
  
  LL: Hi Li Hua, how’s it going?
  
  LH: 告诉你一个好消息,我拿到那个实习的机会了。
  
  LL: That’s great Li Hua!
  
  LH: 公司人事部门打电话通知我,我简直高兴死了。
  
  LL: We have to celebrate, we should throw a rager.
  
  LH: Rager,那是什么?听起来好象挺可怕的。
  
  LL: No, a rager means a huge party. A raging party.
  
  LH: 哦,我知道了,a rager就是一个特别疯狂的派对。好啊,我同意,咱们把朋友都叫来,开个rager.
  
  LL: My friend Jack the DJ has been looking to find some more work. I’m sure he’d be willing to set up his turntables at our rager.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2180
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你是说你那个做职业DJ的朋友Jack吗?太棒了,要真能把他找来,It is bound to be a killer rager.
  
  LL: I think it should be pretty good. We can have it at my place.
  
  LH: 在你那儿开?你可想好了,那些人一定会把你家搞得一团糟。
  
  LL: Eh, it’s fine. I don’t have anything nice that can be damaged anyhow.
  
  LH: 你在家大吵大闹地开派对,邻居会不会有意见?
  
  LL: Probably not, there are a lot of young people around here anyhow. I feel like somebody is always throwing a rager on this street.
  
  LH: 太好了,那你说,咱们都请谁?
  
  LL: Well you should tell friends in your classes, and I’ll send out a Facebook invitation. Oh, When will we hold our rager?
  
  LH: 这个星期五晚上怎么样?
  
  LL: Mmm, this Friday isn’t good. I told my friend Kevin I’d help him fix the bike. How about Saturday?
  
  LH: 星期六好。星期六大家精神头更足。
  
  LL: Exactly, you want people to be high energy if you are going to throw a rager. Do you think a lot of people will come?
  
  LH: 那还用说,I think it will be a huge rager. 你说咱们的派对应该几点开始?
  
  LL: We can say nine o’clock and no one will likely show up until 10:30 at the earliest.
  
  LH: 十点半?那么晚啊?
  
  LL: That tends to be how it goes.
  
  LH: 好,就听你的,拿到这个实习的机会,我真是高兴死了。
  
  LL: Congratulations! You earned it.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是brutal意思是很糟糕,很麻烦。另一个是rager指特别疯狂、特别热闹的派对。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2181
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天还是要讲在斗争尖锐的大选年里新闻界常用来报导选战的两个习惯用语。人人都知道各不相让的口头辩论是竞选运动的一大特色,所以上次我们学的两个习惯用语都是用来描述在言论上大力抨击政敌的。它们是duke it out和come out swinging。
  
  我们今天还要讲两个有类似意思的习惯用语。第一个习惯用语是: bang heads。 Bang这个词可以解释为猛烈地碰撞。大家一定知道head是“头,”所以听了bang heads这个习惯用语,你脑子里很可能会浮现这样一幅画面: 两头牛气势汹汹地用头相互顶撞,怒目相视地相互对峙。
  
  据信,先用头去顶撞对方的那头牛必定以为自己的头角比对方强硬。当然习惯用语bang heads所表达的意思不再局限于斗牛,它被转用到人们的日常生活中,也常用在大选期间的政界。
  
  我们听个例子。这是一位政治观察家在预计2000年大选的发展前景。我们听听他对这次大选的两个竞争对手戈尔和小布什的下次辩论作了什么样的预测。
  
  例句-1:I expect them to bang heads on issues like tax cuts, saving Medicare Health Insurance and abortion. They have differences on many issues, so there’s a lot to bang heads about.
  
  他预计两位侯选人会在削减税款、挽救老年保健医疗制度以及堕胎之类的问题上相互冲突。他俩在许多问题上有分歧,所以会各不相让地争辩很多问题。
  
  这里的习惯用语bang heads是指相互顶撞,展开各不相让的辩论。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2182
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学个意义相近的习惯用语: go toe-to-toe。 Toe,是脚趾。 要理解Go toe-to-toe这个习惯用语的意思,可以先想象一下两名拳击选手对阵,争夺世界冠军的称号。
  
  这两个跳上擂台的拳击手相互虎视眈眈地步步紧逼对方,直到一人的脚趾抵触到另一人的脚趾,下一步即将发生什么呢? 他俩当然马上要竭尽全力地抡拳猛击对手了。所以go toe-to-toe当初是指拳击赛中进入短兵相接,一触即发的局面。
  
  但是在四十年代go toe-to-toe开始被用来表示商界或者政界甚至是个人生活中的任何一种毫不容情的竞争或者冲突,几乎适用于日常生活的各方各面。
  
  例如,我们可以这样描述一对夫妇的紧张关系:
  
  例句-2:The husband and wife often go toe-to-toe about money and how to raise the kids.
  
  这句话里的go toe-to-toe是指这个丈夫和妻子时常为了金钱以及如何抚养子女的问题反目,发生争吵。
  
  当然人们也常会用这个习惯用语来描述大选年的形势。我们听一位政治评论员描述接近选举日那一段时期的形势发展。他要告诉我们在九十月间选战进入最后阶段,空气日益紧张。
  
  例句-3:In September and October campaigns are in the home stretch and get more intense. Voters pay more attention in the fall, because Election Day is November 7th, so candidates really go toe-to-toe attacking opponents’ policies and praising their own.
  
  他说:到九十月间,竞选运动进入最后阶段,日益紧张。选民在秋天都加倍注意形势,因为选举日是十一月七号,所以侯选人之间要展开真正激烈的短兵相接的斗争,大力攻击政敌的方针,又高度赞扬他们自己的政策。
  
  这里的go toe-to-toe用来描述紧张对峙和针锋相对的斗争。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2183
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

其实还有不少习惯用语也像go toe-to-toe一样来自拳击赛或者摔交运动,而被转用到生活中的其它方面,来指展开激烈的争斗。
  
  今天还有一些时间,请唐本森先生再告诉我们几个这一类的习惯用语: square off。
  
  Square off原来是指拳击运动员把双拳摆布到准备开斗的架势,现在被人们通用来指随时准备投入任何斗争中去。
  
  Go to the mat。 这里的mat是指摔交运动用的垫子,go to the mat原来指摔交运动员上场角力,如今泛指开展任何方面的争斗。
  
  Put on the gloves。 Put on the gloves原先是拳击运动员戴上拳击手套准备上场比赛,现在也用来说准备投入各种各样的斗争。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2184
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语085讲
  
  公司老板Joe找员工Sam和Lucinda谈话。
  
  Joe Tan: Hi Sam, please take a seat. Good morning, Lucinda. Please sit down. How are you both this morning?
  
  (Together) Sam and Lucinda: Good, thanks.
  
  Joe: I asked you both to come in this morning because there's been rumors floating around that you two are involved in a personal relationship. Now I know these kinds of things can be sensitive, but I do feel we have to discuss it.
  
  Joe开门见山,说找他们两人谈话,是因为公司里有传言,there has been rumors floating around...说Sam和Lucinda在谈恋爱。
  
  Lucinda: Yes, the rumors are true. Sam and I are in love!
  
  Sam: It's true, I feel the same way about Lucinda!
  
  Joe: Well, let me be the first to congratulate you! Falling in love is great and I'm very happy for both of you.
  
  S: But?
  
  J: Well, our company does have some guidelines for internal relationships.
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2185
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Lucinda和Sam两人都承认,they are in love. 他们确实在恋爱。Joe首先向他们表示祝贺。但随即承认,公司在员工谈恋爱方面有guideline指导原则什么guideline呢?
  
  L: The company frowns on co-workers dating each other, right?
  
  J: Let's just say such relationships are not actively encouraged.
  
  S: But why? We are in love!
  
  J: Well, there are many reasons, but one of the main downsides to interoffice relationships is that they can be a big distraction from work. Other employees can sometimes see such relationships as unfair. The end result can be jealousy, hurt feelings and a loss of productivity for the company.
  
  Joe解释说,公司之所以不鼓励公司员工之间的恋爱关系,最主要的原因是干扰工作。其他员工会觉得不公平,最后造成a loss of productivity for the company. 公司生产力的下降。
  
  L: But in today's modern working world, I feel like there is very little opportunity to meet people. Bars are smoky and loud. Internet dating can be very scary...it seems like I spend most of my time working at the office, so isn't it natural to find a co-worker as a partner?
  
  S: I have to agree. Lucinda and I work on the same projects so we have a lot in common. I even think our productivity has increased as a result of our relationship.
  
  Lucinda说,她觉得,酒吧烟雾弥漫、人声鼎沸,网上交友又不安全,既然一天到晚待在公司,在办公室找对象不是很自然吗。Sam说,他们两人是同一个项目组的,we have a lot in common. 说到这儿,老板Joe是不是理屈词穷了呢?我们下次继续听。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2186
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry真准备跟李华一起出去吃饭,外面突然下起了瓢泼大雨。今天我们要学两个常用语:it's raining cats and dogs和I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
  
  LH: Larry, 我好象从来没见过这么大的雨。
  
  LL: I know, it's really raining cats and dogs.
  
  LH: Cats and dogs? 什么猫啊狗啊的,明明是在下雨啊。
  
  LL: No, it's raining cats and dogs out means that it is really pouring outside.
  
  LH: 噢,原来说it's raining cats and dogs就是中文里说的瓢泼大雨。真奇怪,下雨跟cats and dogs有什么关系呢?
  
  LL: You know, Li Hua, I have no idea.
  
  LH: 既然能下猫下狗,能不能下狮子,下老虎呢?
  
  LL: No, I'm pretty sure cats and dogs are it.
  
  LH: 糟糕了,我把雨伞落在学校了。没有伞,怎么出门呢?有了!我可以头上顶着报纸,冲到车上去。
  
  LL: Come on, Li Hua! The newspaper won't keep you dry, it's raining cats and dogs! Maybe we could share my umbrella and stay dry.
  
  LH: 就你这把小伞,八成咱俩一出去就湿透了。
  
  LL: It really is coming down out there. You'd better hang on to me, otherwise you'll be washed away.
  
  LH: 没问题,我可是游泳健将。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2187
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: You know, I haven't seen it rain cats and dogs like this in a very long time.
  
  LH: 还好我们现在是在家里,要是半路赶上下暴雨,那才倒霉呢!
  
  LL: Yes, we'd be a couple of drowned rats.
  
  LH: 落水的老鼠?I wouldn't want to be with cats and dogs if I were a rat. 我如果真是老鼠的话,一定不愿意跟这些猫啊狗啊的在一块儿。
  
  LL: Never mind, we've had enough animal phrases today.When do you think the storm will start to let up?
  
  LH: 既然是雷阵雨,那用不了多久可能就会停了。
  
  LL: I sure hope it will let up soon, because I'm getting hungry!
  
  LH: Larry, 看,雨小了。
  
  *******
  
  LL: I'm glad it stopped raining, I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.
  
  LH: Horse? 你当真要吃马肉?这里恐怕没有马肉!
  
  LL: No. I don't mean that I actually want to eat a horse, I'm just so hungry I could eat one.
  
  LH: 你刚才不是说,今天不再提动物的话题儿了吗?
  
  LL: I couldn't help myself, just like I won't be able to help myself from gorging on food right now.
  
  LH: 我明白了,I am so hungry I could eat a horse,意思是饿极了,能吃掉一匹马。Well me too. 咱们点些什么呢?
  
  LL: How about we get two orders of the steamed dumplings, sweet and sour soup, eggplant, cashew chicken, green beans, some spicy squid....
  
  LH: 等等等等,我们就两个人,吃得了这么多吗?
  
  LL: I wasn't kidding when I said I'm so hungry I could eat a horse.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2188
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 你这种人,在中文里叫眼大肚子小。
  
  LL: That's probably right, Li Hua. What do you say we order?
  
  LH: 别急,我还没决定要点什么呢。肚子饿的时候,看什么都香。
  
  LL: Yes, when you are hungry enough to eat a horse, it can be pretty difficult to decide what to eat.
  
  LH: Larry, 你记不记得,上次我们登山回来,饿得不行,结果点了一桌子菜,结果连一半都没吃掉。
  
  LL: I cannot believe you remember that. It was raining cats and dogs on our way down the mountain and both of us were drenched.
  
  LH: 哈哈,怎么跟你在一起不是淋个精湿,就是饿肚子。
  
  LL: Very funny, Li Hua. At least this time you are not wet AND hungry.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry. 你那把小伞也该换换了吧!
  
  LL: I know I do. The problem is I never remember to get one when it's nice out, and then when it starts raining cats and dogs, I need one, and I don't have it.
  
  LH: 好了好了,服务员来了,我们赶快点菜吧!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是it's raining cats and dogs意思是瓢泼大雨。另一个是I am so hungry I could eat a horse意思是肚子饿极了,可以吃掉一匹马。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2189
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天还是要继续讲在大选期间新闻界常用来报道竞选运动的两个习惯用语,而且今天要说的习惯用语包含一个共同的词:loop。
  
  Loop通常有好几种不同的意思。其中之一是用绳子打成的环、圈。另一种解释是电路的回路。今天要学的第一个习惯用语是:in the loop。 在这个习惯用语里的loop,它的意思是圈子,但是那可不是绳子系成的圈子,而是指圈内人物,具体说是互通重要情报、共同参与决策的一个群体。
  
  如果有人说你在办公室内是in the loop,那么他的意思是你的地位比一般人更为重要一些。换句话说,你是接近领导中心的内围人物。 In the loop这个习惯用语也常用在政界的竞选运动中。
  
  我们来听个例子。说话的人要向我们描述他的表兄弟。这位表兄弟是某总统候选人竞选班子里的首要人物。然而他与众不同的是,他尽量低调处理自己的形象,避免他个人在公众间扬名。这个意思用英文来表达就是:avoid personal publicity for himself。 Avoid personal publicity for himself意思就是避免为他个人扬名。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2190
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们来听关于这位表兄弟John的事儿,特别注意里面用的习惯用语in the loop。
  
  例句-1:Unlike a lot of people, John tries to avoid personal publicity for himself. He doesn't like his name in the papers. But he's certainly in the loop: the candidate keeps him fully informed and listens to his advice before he makes a decision.
  
  他说: John与众不同的是他尽量避免为自己扬名。他不喜欢他的名字见报。然而他确实是内围人物:总统候选人跟他推心置腹,言听计从,在作决策前总是先听取他的意见。
  
  这里的习惯用语in the loop意思是处于接近领导核心的重要的内围地位。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2191
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天要学的第二个习惯说法和in the loop有一个共同的词:loop。它是:loophole。根据字典,约莫七百多年前,loophole指城堡上的洞眼,是卫士窥视进攻城堡的敌人并向他们发射弩箭用的。
  
  在现代生活中,人们常用loophole这个词来描述某种律法规定中的漏洞,给某些人或者某组织造就机会,可以利用这个漏洞回避或不遵守有关条令。
  
  在美国的2000年的大选中,选民们对loophole这个词可说是耳熟能详,因为在谈到募集竞选经费和政治捐款的时候常常会用到loophole这个习惯说法。
  
  联邦选举委员会立法限制个人或者团体向某一政党的竞选运动提供的捐款金额。有些立法规定这类捐款的来龙去脉要公布于众,就是得告示民众是哪一个捐款人把多少金额的款项捐赠给哪些候选人使用。但是这些法律十分繁复,而且往往有不严密的漏洞。
  
  这就让善于钻营的律师有机可乘;他们想方设法帮自己的主顾得以巧妙地回避某些立法的规定, 但又不犯法。于是美国两党的改革派人士大力推进修改有关立法,以便杜绝这些漏洞。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2192
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这给竞选的两党造就一个 不断引发争论的新问题,也给选民带来不少困惑。我们马上听一位选民怎样表示自己难以理解究竟谁是谁非。
  
  例句-2:Reformers in both parties are pushing for changes in the laws to get rid of the loopholes, but each party is charging that the other side wants to keep them.
  
  For months I've heard the parties blame each other for the laws having these loopholes. The Republicans blame the Democrats, and vice versa.
  
  这位选民说:两党的改革派都在大力推进改革立法,以便杜绝其中的漏洞,但是每一党派都在指责对方想要保存这些可钻的空子。我几个月来一直听到两党把有关立法的弊端归咎于对方。共和党责怪民主党,而民主党也反过来责难共和党。
  
  这段话里的loophole是指法律规定中的漏洞。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2193
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry本来说好晚上到李华家吃饭,但是迟迟不到,李华不知道是怎么回事,打电话到Larry家。今天我们要学两个常用语:comatose和mobbed.
  
  LL: (Tired sounding) Hello?
  
  LH: Larry, 你怎么还在家里,不是说好六点钟到我这儿来吃饭吗?
  
  LL: What? What time is it?
  
  LH: 现在已经快七点了!
  
  LL: Oh man, I'm sorry Li Hua. I fell asleep when I got home from work. I was comatose.
  
  LH: Coma what? 你昏迷了吗?没出什么事儿吧?
  
  LL: No, I was just exaggerating, but it was like I was in a coma. I've been asleep for 2 hours.
  
  LH: 你这两天是不是又因为赶项目熬夜了?
  
  LL: It wasn't that bad. I just didn't sleep that well last night. My neighbor's dog was barking all night about something. I was out of it all day, and when I got home, I just passed out, comatose.
  
  LH: 我前天晚上在图书馆查资料,实在太累,趴在桌上就睡着了,I was totally comatose for an hour. 最后还是图书馆的工作人员把我叫醒的,因为人家要关门了。
  
  LL: I remember the college library being a fine place to take a nap.
  
  LH: 是啊,图书馆里的椅子都特别舒服,而且又安静,最合适睡觉。
  
  LL: So what we are doing tonight? What is the plan? I feel refreshed after two hours of comatose.
  
  LH: 我本来计划你过来以后一起吃点儿东西,然后出去看个电影的。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2194
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well it might be a little late to go out to a movie since I was comatose and slept for so long. But I've got a better idea.
  
  LH: 快说,什么好主意?
  
  LL: The movie Top Mission is coming out on DVD today. How about I stop by the rental store to borrow one and bring it over to your place to watch after dinner?
  
  LH: 确实是好主意。不过Larry,我怎么没听说这部电影呢?讲什么的?
  
  LL: It's about an undercover agent.
  
  LH: 又是间谍片!You'll put me in a coma.
  
  LL: OK....Well how about I just come by and we'll worry about our plans after we eat, I'm starving.
  
  LH: 好吧,那你马上过来,我去把菜热一下。
  
  ******
  
  Larry四十分钟后来到李华的公寓。
  
  (Doorbell)
  
  LH: Larry, 你不是说马上过来吗?怎么这么长时间?
  
  LL: I'm sorry Li Hua, the roads were mobbed.
  
  LH: Mobbed? 我不懂,难道路上有人聚众闹事吗?
  
  LL: Not the Mafia Li Hua, mobbed means extremely crowded.
  
  LH: 哦,mobbed是拥挤的意思。这么说,今天路上车特别多喽?
  
  LL: Was there ever, it took me 15 minutes just to get two blocks forward.
  
  LH: 中文里这叫车水马龙,水泄不通。
  
  LL: Yeah, it was a total mob-scene.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2195
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 我最受不了堵车了。一堵车我就心急如焚的。I'm glad I'm not driving right now if it is mobbed.
  
  LL: Knowing you, I don't think you would do too well out there tonight.
  
  LH: 今天下午我去图书馆借书,现在正赶上期中考试,图书馆里人山人海,不知道的,还以为有人发免费午餐呢!
  
  LL: I'll bet the library was mobbed. Was there anywhere to sit?
  
  LH: 座位早被占光了,很多学生索性坐在地上看书。
  
  LL: That sure sounds like it sure was mobbed. Did you get what you were looking for at least?.
  
  LH: 真是万幸,我要借的书,书架上只剩下一本了,就被我抢到了手。
  
  LL: Good for you. Now that I've fought through the mobbed streets to get here, what's for dinner?
  
  LH: 我按照新食谱做了酸辣汤,还有你最爱吃的花菜和烤鸡。
  
  LL: Sounds great Lihua. After all that sitting in traffic, I'm famished.
  
  LH: 如果换了我,先是comatose for two hours, 然后又braved the mobbed streets, 我也一定肚子饿得咕咕叫了。快吃吧!
  
  LL: Thanks Li Hua. This looks absolutely great.
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是comatose指睡得不省人事。另一个是mobbed意思是特别拥挤。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2196
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语086讲
  
  
  Sam和Lucinda在公司谈恋爱,被老板Joe找来谈话。Sam和Lucinda保证,两人的恋爱关系不会影响工作。让我们听听老板Joe是怎么说的。
  J: I understand your position completely. And let me say: our company doesn't have a blanket ban on interoffice relationships. We are just concerned about possible ramifications. When you first fall in love, of course you don't think about what would happen if you broke up, but let's face it...break-ups are very common. Have you considered what it would be like if the relationship didn't work out?
  
  Joe说,公司并不一律禁止内部的恋爱关系,a blanket ban一概而论,全部禁止。但他 同时提醒他们,万一两人吹了,该怎么办。Joe说,Break-ups are very common. Break-up意思就是恋爱关系的中断。
  
  L: That's true. It would be very awkward to work with an ex-boyfriend every day.
  
  S: But there must be some way we can continue dating and working together. We are adults after all.
  
  J: Yes, I think there are ways you can continue a relationship while working together. Relationship experts say the first rule when co-workers decide to date each other is to plan an 'exit strategy.'
  
  Lucinda承认,万一两人吹了,会十分尴尬,但是Sam表示,总该有个让恋爱工作两不误的好办法,毕竟大家都是成年人。Joe告诉他们,专家说了,跟同事谈恋爱,首先应该想好 'exit strategy'. 退出战略。
  
  L: Exit strategy?
  
  J: Yes. What would you do if the relationship isn't successful? You should think about that. I think the biggest issue is that if it doesn't work out, you still have to face that person every day...and that can be tough.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2197
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

S: I think you've given us some good points we should talk over. Let me assure you that Lucinda and I will be as discreet as possible around the office.
  
  Joe所说的exit strategy退出战略,其实就是想好后路的意思,万一吹了,该如何彼此面对。Sam保证说,他和Lucinda一定会尽量注意影响。
  
  J: One option is for one of you to transfer to a different department so you can still work together, but not in such an intimate way.
  
  L: Yes, that's a possibility we should think about. Let me also say that we recognize that when we are working, the job comes first. There will be no drop in productivity, I can guarantee that!
  
  J: Well, I think you both are handling this situation in a mature way. Let's just take it from here and see how it goes, OK? Thanks for talking with me and being honest and open. I really appreciate that.
  
  S: Thanks, boss!
  
  Joe建议说,Sam和Lucinda其中一人不妨考虑换个部门工作。Lucinda再次保证,不会影响工作,Job comes first. 一切以工作为重。谈话结束前,Joe称赞两人处事成熟,Let's just take it from here and see how it goes. 意思是走一步看一步吧。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2198
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天还是要继续讲在大选期间新闻界常用来报道竞选运动的两个习惯用语。今天要学的第一个习惯用语是:in cahoots with。不少语言专家认为cahoots这个词可能来自法语中的一个词:cahute。 Cahute这个词的意思是小屋或者小房间,而用法语单词cahute来表示小屋,小室可能出自路易斯安那州,因为路易斯安那州曾经一度在法国人的管辖之下。In cahoots with...如果直译就是跟什么人同处一个屋檐下,言下之意是跟什么人同屋谋划,而且往往是策划于密室之中;几个人躲在小小的密室内商谈,想必有不可告人之处, 甚至还有不法的嫌疑。
  
  比方说, 人们会这样说:The gangsters are in cahoots with each other to rob a bank. 他是说:匪徒们狼狈为奸, 图谋抢劫银行。人们也可以这样说毒品贩子:The drug dealers are in cahoots with each other to sell illegal drugs. 这句话的意思是:毒品贩子们阴谋勾结贩运毒品。
  
  从这两句话可见in cahoots with可以用来说不法的勾当,但是习惯用语in cahoots with时而在政界也能听到,政界人士常用它来指责政敌跟某些大型企业,首要的工会组织或者特殊利益团体同谋。例如,2000年的两位总统候选人互相指控对方和大制药公司关系密切,以致药品价格居高不下。
  
  例句-1:Mr. Gore claims Mr. Bush is in cahoots with the drug makers to keep the cost of medicine high for older people. But Mr. bush says, no, it's Mr. Gore who's in cahoots with the drug makers.
  
  他说:戈尔声称小布什和制药公司勾结使得老年人的药品价格居高不下,而小布什却否认说,跟制药公司同谋的正是戈尔。
  
  这里的习惯用语in cahoots with意思是“跟...同谋,从中牟取利益。”

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2199
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

我们再学今天的第二个习惯用语。它是:lock, stock and barrel。 要明白lock, stock and barrel这个习惯用语的含义,先得了解它的出典。这是个相当古老的习惯用语;流传至今至少有两百来年了。当年的老式枪支只有三个组成部分:lock, stock和barrel。 Lock是枪上的发火装置,stock是枪托,而barrel是枪筒。所以把lock, stock, barrel放在一起就是完完整整的一 枝老式枪了,于是两百来年前人们开始用lock, stock, barrel来表示“全部, 完全”的意思。比方人们这样说迁居到西部去的一家人:Before they moved to the West, they sold all their things, lock, stock and barrel, 这句话说:在他们迁居到西部去之前,把家当全部都卖了。
  
  老听众可能会记得我们以前也曾经学过这个习惯用语, 但是lock, stock, and barrel这个习惯用语经久不衰。当政界的候选人要指控对手完完全全地被某些企业或者政治团体或其他利益集团所利用的时候, 他们会觉得习惯用语lock, stock, barrel用来相当得心应手,能充分表达他们的意思。
  
  例如, 2000年大选的候选人之一, 副总统戈尔,夏天在密苏里州的一次讲话中指责他的竞争对手布什州长和大石油公司的关系过于密切, 因为布什州长本人曾经一度是一家石油公司的总裁。
  
  例句-2:Mr. Gore says he's independent of the oil companies, but not Mr. Bush. In his words, "they support him lock, stock and barrel. He supports them lock, stock and barrel."
  
  他说: 戈尔说,他自己和石油公司没有连带关系, 但是小布什可不是那样。照戈尔的话说就是:“他们完完全全地拥护他,而他也全心全意地支持他们。”
  
  这里的习惯用语lock, stock and barrel意思是完完全全地。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2200
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

礼节美语087讲
  
  
  Kim跟朋友Anita一起出去吃饭。
  
  K: Hey, Anita! Great to see you!
  
  A: Long time no see! I'm so glad you had time to meet for lunch!
  
  K: I've missed you. How have you been?
  
  A: Pretty good. The boys are doing well in school and John is enjoying his new job. You?
  
  K: Pretty much the same. Still working killer hours and still angling for that promotion. I have a hunch I'm going to move up to vice president this year.
  
  A: That's great!
  
  Kim和Anita显然是很久没见了,互相询问近况。Kim说,自己还是没日没夜地干,work killer hours;争取提升,angle for the promotion. Kim还说,I have a hunch, 有直觉,今年能升成公司副总。
  
  K: How's your career going? Last time we spoke you said you were trying to get a raise.
  
  A: Yep. That's the plan. I mean, I've certainly put in the hours. I'm definitely one of the most productive members of the company and I feel I contribute a lot.
  
  K: So? What's the problem? Why haven't you gone in there and demanded a raise?
  
  A: I just can't work up the confidence to do it. I know I need to, and I know I need it, but it's tough.
  
  Anita想涨工资,可又不知道怎么开口。她说自己就是鼓不起勇气。I just can't work up the confidence to do it. Kim是怎么指点她的呢?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2201
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

K: OK sister, we are going to figure this out together. If there's one thing I'm good at, it's asking for what I need.
  
  A: I don't even know where to begin. My son needs braces and his school tuition has just gone up. We really need to get a new car and even the dog has needs we can't pay for.
  
  K: OK, stop right there. You can't base your salary request according to your needs. The company isn't a charity and if you go in and say, "I need" it's not going to work.
  
  第一,不能跟老板说,我缺钱,因为公司不是慈善机构。Anita说,儿子需要整牙,学费涨价,家里需要换新车,结果被Kim叫停。
  
  A: I could probably make more money if I changed companies.
  
  K: There you go...that's a powerful argument. But leave any threats till the last minute. What you need to do is stress your value.
  
  A: I do have to consider the current global economic slowdown. Our company has been taking quite a hit.
  
  K: That's true. You have to take those factors into account. But you also have to get paid at a fair rate.
  
  Anita说,如果换个工作,工资肯定会增加。Kim觉得这是一个很好的理由,但建议说,leave any threats till the last minute. 威胁是最后的杀手锏。Kim说,what you need to do is stress your value. 要强调自己对公司的价值。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2202
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

Larry周末去找李华。今天我们要学两个常用语:the cat is out of the bag和kick the bucket.
  
  LL: Hi Li Hua, how's it going?
  
  LH: 挺好的,总算又考完了一门。你怎么样?
  
  LL: I'm doing pretty well. There's something I've been meaning to ask you...
  
  LH: 你先别说,让我猜猜,你要带我出去渡假?
  
  LL: What?How'd you know?! Who let the cat out of the bag?
  
  LH: What? 什么叫"let the cat out of the bag?"
  
  LL: Who told you?
  
  LH: 哈哈,当然是你妹妹Susie.
  
  LL: I can't believe she told you!
  
  LH: Well. I guess she let the cat out of the bag.
  
  LL: Did she ever! I can't believe she let the cat out of the bag!
  
  LH: 你还不了解Susie吗,她肚子里什么事情也藏不住。
  
  LL: I see that now.
  
  LH: 你以后有什么要保密的事,千万不能告诉她。
  
  LL: I guess Susie is not a good candidate for being a spy.
  
  LH: 她要当间谍,第一天就把自己先出卖了!
  
  LL: Oh well, so the cat is out of the bag, I want to take you on a vacation.
  
  LH: 好啊!带我去渡假我当然愿意,可总得有点儿理由吧?

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2203
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LL: Well, that project just finished and my boss offered me a few weeks off to relax since we all worked so many hours on it. Plus I just got a bonus for the work.
  
  LH: 又放假,又发奖金。这可真是双喜临门。
  
  LL: It's pretty good. I'm just glad that now I have some time to relax.
  
  LH: 那你有没有想好去哪里呢?
  
  LL: I was thinking that we could go down to Miami, you know, just relax by the beach. I think it would be a pretty good way to get away from it all for a little bit.
  
  LH: 迈阿密的阳光,我来了!
  
  LL: It's a shame you weren't surprised though, now I know not to tell someone who might let the cat out of the bag next time.
  
  ******
  
  李华第二天见到Larry. Larry看上去情绪十分低落。
  
  LH: Larry, 你怎么了,脸色这么难看,发生什么事情了吗?
  
  LL: My second grade teacher apparently just kicked the bucket.
  
  LH: 你小学二年级老师kicked the bucket? 她的脚没受伤吧?
  
  LL: No, kicked the bucket means she died.
  
  LH: 哦,原来kick the bucket是去世的意思。对不起,你一定很难过吧?
  
  LL: Well, She always had some health problems. To be honest, I'm surprised she lived to be as old as she did. She was probably in her 60s when I had her.
  
  LH: 不管怎么说,自己以前的老师去世,心里一定还是很不好受。
  
  LL: Yeah, it is a little sad, and a little strange. I hadn't thought of her in years.
  
  LH: 那你是怎么听说她去世的消息呢?
  
  LL: Someone from my hometown posted it on my facebook wall.

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2204
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

LH: 没想到,脸谱网还能起到发讣告的作用。
  
  
  LL: Yeah, it is kind of weird that someone would use facebook as an obituary. Usually people like to write about having kids online. But this is the first time I heard about someone kicking the bucket.
  
  LH: 不说这些不高兴的事了。Larry, 晚上要不一起去看电影?
  
  LL: OK. Anything in particular?
  
  LH: 我随便,听你的。
  
  LL: I guess I'd like to see a comedy or something light.
  
  LH: So you don't think about your teacher having kicked the bucket?
  
  LL: Well I guess, but also just because I feel like seeing a comedy.
  
  LH: 对了,Larry, 要不要听个小秘密?
  
  LL: A secret? Of course.
  
  LH: Jenny和Mark订婚了。
  
  LL: WOW! That's great news!
  
  LH: 别嚷别嚷。他们还没有正式宣布呢。You have to promise you won't let the cat out of the bag!
  
  今天李华学了两个常用语。一个是the cat is out of the bag, 意思是泄露秘密。另一个是kick the bucket意思是去世。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2205
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

今天还是要讲两个在大选期间新闻界常用来报道竞选活动的习惯用语。这两个习惯用语我们以前学过, 而近来时而会出现在新闻记者的口中笔下。
  
  这两个习惯用语的意思相互关联。我们先讲一个例子。有一天,一位记者向一位消息灵通人士提问题, 希望了解某一工会组织的领导人是否会支持总统候选人戈尔。
  
  这位消息灵通人士说,这个问题难以回答,因为很难预测这位工会领导人的行动,而且他很容易发怒。这位消息灵通人士答复记者的原话是这样的: He's more than a wild card; he's a loose cannon!
  
  注意他的话里用了两个习惯用语。第一个是:wild card。 Card这里是指扑克牌,打扑克的时候, a wild card原来是指可以由庄家在发牌前命定的百搭牌。
  
  例如他可以说:threes are wild. 那么所有的‘三’都成了百搭牌, 凡是拿到‘三’的人可以把‘三’代替任何一张牌来用,出奇制胜,让对手防不胜防。
  
  这种令人难以预料的wild card使玩儿扑克的人觉得更兴奋刺激,而美国人随着年月的推移也逐渐把wild card推广应用到生活的各方各面。
  
  这时候wild card当然就不是一张纸牌了。比方说在美国大选年间,一些次要的小党往往被称作wild cards。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2206
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

例句-1: The minor party candidates can't win, but they are wild cards. If the election is close they might take enough votes away from Mr. Bush or Mr. Gore to help the other one win.
  
  他说:小党的候选人没有可能赢得竞选胜利,但是他们对选举结果的影响却难以预计。如果小布什和戈尔之间的得票数目相当, 那么小党候选人就可能从他们俩人中的某一个人那里夺走相当数量的选票,从而帮助另一个人赢得胜利。
  
  从这个例子可见小党的候选人成本人事不足,却败他人事有余。他们本人虽然得不到足够的票数当选,但是他们分走的票数却能让某一位主要候选人落选。
  
  不过他们究竟会从哪一个手上夺去多少票数以致造成他的败选却都是无法预计的事情,所以说那些小党的候选人是wild cards, 也就是说那些人没有办法按常规推理来预测他们的作用。这就是wild cards这个习惯用语的意思。
  

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2207
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

刚才那位消息灵通人士的话里用的第二个习惯用语是:loose cannon。 Cannon是大炮, 而loose是没系牢的意思。
  
  这个习惯用语来自使用帆船的年代,当时战船上的大炮下面装有轮子,以便在打炮时把它推出到船侧,然后再拉回来重新填装炮弹。
  
  当海上起风浪的时候,这些大炮就用铁链固定在船甲板上,不这样的话,船只在风浪中颠簸摇荡会使这些笨重的庞然大物在甲板上四处乱滚,水兵们的血肉之躯可经不住这些坚硬、沉重的铁家伙碰撞。
  
  然而有时惊涛骇浪的翻腾使这些大炮挣断了锁链, 成了loose cannons, 对水兵构成了无法控制的巨大威胁。颠簸的船只使得loose cannons成了脱缰的野马,谁要是被它们撞上了,不送命也得受重伤。
  
  水兵们对于loose cannons心有余悸, 逐渐把这个说法带到了日常生活中,用来描述无法控制并难以预料的威胁。如今习惯用语loose cannon不只是水兵们的语言,各行各业的人都会使用它,包括政界人士。

故乡的云 : 2010-01-05#2208
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

在政坛人们常用loose cannon来指那种不听从政党领导指挥、自行其事的人。我们听个例子。这段话说到的一名候选人具备多种有利条件, 然而却偏偏败选了。我们来听听那是什么道理。
  
  例句-2: This candidate had appealing ideas, was a good speaker, and had an impressive record. But he lost. Too many voters were afraid he was a loose cannon who'd go his own way.
  
  他说:这位候选人的政见受人们欢迎,他也很善于词令,同时还有光彩傲人的经历。 然而他却败选了,因为有太多的选民担心他一意孤行,为所欲为,有难以预料的潜在危险。
  
  这段话里的习惯用语loose cannon意思是不听从领导指挥,自行其事的人。这种人由于不按常规办事,因此构成难以预料的潜在危险。
  
  说到这里我们已经详细解释了那位消息灵通人士的话里用到的两个习惯用语。让我们再听一次他对工会领导人的评论, 看看你现在是否充分理解他的话是什么意思了:
  
  例句-3: He's more than a wild card; he's a loose cannon!
  
  我想这回你一定清楚他是什么意思了:他认为那位工会领导人不仅言行难以预料, 而且还是个一意孤行的危险人物。

昆虫国际 : 2010-01-07#2209
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

收藏

太极无敌 : 2010-01-07#2210
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢版主!

sonia2007 : 2010-01-24#2211
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢,收藏了

太极无敌 : 2010-02-04#2212
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

继续支持!

我是游客 : 2010-02-23#2213
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

这么多,学死人 了

0430leyou : 2010-03-08#2214
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

强人~!
好心人~!
谢谢~!
回去学习~

畏光症 : 2010-03-18#2215
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

哈老,好啊有

太极无敌 : 2010-04-14#2216
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

向勤劳的兄弟致敬!

carolchen : 2010-07-23#2217
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

thanks

schenvan : 2010-08-06#2218
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

also mark and read bit by bit.

太极无敌 : 2010-08-09#2219
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

谢谢

farewell2008 : 2011-01-25#2220
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

对于这样的精华帖

义不容辞的顶上去!

情系枫叶国 : 2011-01-25#2221
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

不错

jiayi22 : 2011-03-14#2222
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

强贴,写得非常的好,
我灌水,我快乐:wdb20::wdb45:鲜花送上,谢谢楼主的分分,:wdb17:使我一跃成为富人。

Soft Kitty : 2012-01-26#2223
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

学习ing

逆水行舟 : 2012-01-27#2224
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

值得学习!谢谢!

46444774 : 2012-01-27#2225
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

鲜花送上

琼琚琇阁 : 2012-02-28#2226
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

听voa, 感受英语世界。

ErickZhou : 2012-12-28#2227
回复: 美国之音--习惯用语(给想看而看不到的人)

good.
下面我们要讲两个和吃东西有关的俗语。第一个是: “Greasy spoon.”Greasy是油腻的意思, spoon是指调羹,也就是汤勺。Greasy和spoon这两个字合在一起就是指那些有点像夫妻老婆店那样的小饭馆。这些小饭馆一般来说菜谱上花色品种并不多,碗筷也好像不那么干净,装潢也不讲究,但是菜的味道倒不错,价钱也很公道。
  
  下面我们来举个例子。这是一个丈夫在对他的的妻子讲话:
  
  例句-1: Honey, let me take you out to dinner. But you know I don’t feel like dressing up to go some place fancy. How about just going down the street to the greasy spoon and getting hamburgers?”
  
  丈夫说:“亲爱的,让我带你去外面吃晚饭吧。不过,我实在不想穿得必恭必敬的去那些大饭馆。咱们就上街那头那个小饭馆去吃汉堡包怎么样?”
  
  下面我们再举一个例子,这是一个人在和朋友说话:
  
  例句-2: Mike, you ought to try the potstickers at that little Chinese joint on New York Avenue. It looks like a greasy spoon but the potstickers are great and the price is cheap.
  
  他说:“麦克,你得上纽约大街那个中国小饭馆去尝尝他们的锅贴。那饭馆看起来不像样,可是他们的锅贴味道真好,价钱又便宜。”
  
  ******