流行美语.doc

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 shouldnt ride that black one over there. That horse looks like hes 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: Thats 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 cant possibly have a mean streak. LL: You know, Li Hua, it isnt 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 Ill try the black one with the mean streak. LH: 小心点，Larry. LL: Dont worry, Li Hua. Ill show that horse who is boss! I have a mean streak, too! * LL: So, now that we have been riding for a while, Li Hua, I dont 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, hes been very good. And hes a handsome horse, too. Its hard to explain, but sometimes you end up having a soft spot for a thing or a person that isnt 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 doesnt sound like the kind of person Id 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 dont believe that. Say, why dont we ride back to the ranch now, Li Hua. Im 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。本文来自: 恒星英语学习网(www.H) 详细出处参考：/englishlistening/meiyu/liuxingmeiyu/2008-09-07/51549.html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 youre 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, thats 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，Ill let you off the hook with a warning.就是说警告一下，下次注意就行了。 LL: Yeah. Lets get in the car. Dont 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! Youre doing me a favor anyway. Lets get to the car mechanics shop and see if he fixed the company car my boss lent me for this weekends 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。Youll be off the hook if your car is fixed. LL: Can you think of any other time that youve 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。 * LL: Well, it looks like Im NOT off the hook. My car wont 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: Its ok. He told me that the cars engine needs to be completely redone. It doesnt 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, Im taken aback by this whole situation. LL: Im taken aback by the mechanics behavior AND the terrible situation Im 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: Thats true. Hell still be taken aback, but not as much, because Ill 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. Im really taken aback by your kindness! LH: (Laughing) 你是说我平时对你不好吗？ LL: (Laughing) No, its 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 Im 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 dont go over the speed limit. Id be taken aback if the same officer caught you speeding again. Hed 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。本文来自: 恒星英语学习网(www.H) 详细出处参考：/englishlistening/meiyu/liuxingmeiyu/2008-09-07/51550.htmlLarry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 Im 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 isnt 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 dont, Li Hua. I really dont 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 Im 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？ LL: Well, it is true that since I am hung over, I dont 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? Ill have to try that the next time Im drinking a lot at a party. Id 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, Ive never seen you drink very much, but I remember at my New Years 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 havent 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。 LL: Actually, when you started telling jokes that is when I knew you were tipsy, Li Hua. You dont 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: Thats 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: Thats 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 hasnt 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: Whats 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。本文来自: 恒星英语学习网(www.H) 详细出处参考：/englishlistening/meiyu/liuxingmeiyu/2008-09-07/51551.htmlLarry跟李华一起去逛商店。李华今天要学两个常用语，burn a hole in ones pocket和burned. LL: Wow, Li Hua - check out this new flat-screen TV! Too bad its 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: Youre 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 persons 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。 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 Im 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! Didnt 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。 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: Thats 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 doesnt 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 youve got it figured out. Hopefully you wont 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 dont get burned again. How ironic! 今天李华学到了两个常用语。一个是burn a hole in ones pocket, 指价格昂贵。另一个是 burned, 指吃亏上当。 本文来自: 恒星英语学习网(www.H) 详细出处参考：/englishlistening/meiyu/liuxingmeiyu/2008-09-07/51552.htmlLarry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 havent 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, whats 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 Im sorry to hear that you didnt 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: Dont 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 Id 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 theyre 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: Thats true! I never thought of that! Maybe I should run and listen to music the next time Im 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! * 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, whats wrong. Chum means friend or buddy, especially when one male is speaking to another male. Its 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 its 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 wont 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 dont. 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 its between two people who dont know each other that well. So, were 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: Thats 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: Its a good thing you didnt say, why so glum, chum? I dont 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。 本文来自: 恒星英语学习网(www.H) 详细出处参考：/englishlistening/meiyu/liuxingmeiyu/2008-09-07/51553.html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 Valentines 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 womens 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 dont 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. Thats 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. Isnt 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. Im glad I dont have that problem. I mean, Im 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。 * LL: So, lets talk