The english we speak(BBC教學)第257期:A bitter pill to swallow 難以下嚥的苦果
Helen's not happy about a decision that's been made and Rob tries to offer some sympathy with a strange idiom that involves swallowing something that doesn't taste very nice. Find out what he means in the programme.
海倫對一個決定感到不滿,羅布試圖用一個涉及吞嚥某些味道不好的東西的奇怪習語表達同情。請收聽本期節目,理解羅布的意思。Feifei: Hello and welcome to The English We Speak. I'm Feifei and joining me today is Rob.
菲菲:大家好,歡迎收聽地道英語節目。我是菲菲,今天和我一起主持節目的是羅布。Rob: Hi everyone... errr, Feifei are you OK? You don't sound as cheerful as normal.
羅布:大家好……額,菲菲,你還好嗎?你的聲音聽起來不像平常那麼愉快。
Feifei: I feel terrible today — I've got a headache, feel really tired.. I think I'm developing flu. I'm going to take these paracetamol tablets.
菲菲:我今天感覺很糟糕,我頭疼,感覺非常累。我想我患流感了。我要吃些對乙酰氨基酚片。Rob: Hold on Feifei. Are you sure you're getting flu? This hasn't got anything to do with that job promotion you didn't get?
羅布:等一下,菲菲。你確定你是要感冒嗎?和你沒能晉升沒有關係?Feifei: Of course not.. well maybe a little.
菲菲:當然沒有關係了……可能有一點兒關係吧。Rob: Hmm, I know you wanted that promotion so much but Daisy got it instead didn't she?
羅布:嗯,我知道你非常想獲得晉升,不過升遷的是黛西,對吧?Feifei: Exactly — and I've been working here much longer than her and I have loads more experience. It's so unfair!
菲菲:沒錯,我在公司工作的時間比她長,我的經驗更多。這太不公平了!Rob: I know... it's a bitter pill to swallow.
羅布:我知道……這是難以下嚥的苦果。Feifei: Thanks for the advice but even if these tablets — or pills — are bitter, they'll make me feel better — now can you show me some more sympathy about my promotion please?
菲菲:謝謝你的建議,不過雖然這些藥片很苦,但是它們能讓我感覺好些,現在請你對我沒有晉升表達下同情,好嗎?Rob: I was Feifei! When I said 'it's a bitter pill to swallow' I really meant it's a situation that is unpleasant and difficult to accept.
羅布:我有啊,菲菲!我剛纔說it's a bitter pill to swallow的意思就是說這是很難接受的情況。Feifei: OK, I see! You're saying I'm finding Daisy's promotion hard to accept?
菲菲:好,我明白了!你是說我覺得戴西的晉升很難接受?Rob: It's tough Feifei but that's the way things are. Let's hear some more examples of this phrase in action..
羅布:菲菲,是很難,不過現實就是這樣。我們來聽些例句,看看這個短語如何應用。Examples
例句When John found out about his wife's affair with his best friend, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
約翰發現他的妻子和他最好的朋友有染,這真是難以下嚥的苦果。It was a bitter pill to swallow knowing that my older sister finished the race quicker than me.
知道我姐姐比我更快完成比賽,真是令人難以接受。My friend has booked the same flights as me for half the price — it's a bitter pill to swallow!
我朋友以一半的價格定了和我一樣的航班,這真讓人難以接受!Feifei: So 'a bitter pill to swallow' means I don't like what's happened but I will have to accept it? Hmm, I like the phrase but it doesn't make me feel any better.
菲菲:所以這個短語的意思是我不喜歡所發生的事情,但是我也要接受?嗯,我喜歡這個短語,不過這並不能讓我好過些。Rob: You'll just have to swallow the decision Feifei! Daisy is going to be your boss now.
羅布:菲菲,你必須要接受這個決定!戴西將成爲你的上司。Feifei: Oh dear.. I think my flu might be getting worse now.. I'm definitely going to take these paracetamol now.. Yuk, that really was bitter!
菲菲:哦,天哪……我想我的流感可能嚴重了……我一定得吃些對乙酰氨基酚片。這藥片太苦了!Rob: I think two tablets are enough for now Feifei. Maybe you should take tomorrow off work.
羅布:菲菲,我想你現在吃兩片藥就行了。也許你明天應該休假。Feifei: What a great idea Rob. See you later.
菲菲:羅布,這真是個好主意。再見。Rob: Bye!
羅布:再見!
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重點講解:
1. be happy about (對情況或安排)滿意的,放心的;
例句:I'mquitehappy aboutit.
我對此相當滿意。
2. hold on 稍等;等一下;
例句:Tell him tohold ona moment; I'll come soon.
告訴他等一等,我一會兒就來。
3. even if 即使;儘管;縱然;
例句:Don't utter hard wordseven ifyou feel angry.
即使是生氣也不要罵人。
4. find out (尤指特意通過努力)發現,找出,查明;
例句:We shallfind outthe truth early or late.
我們遲早會查明事實真相。
5. be going to do sth. 將要,即將(發生);
例句:Theyare going tomove to a new house next week.
下星期他們將遷入新居。