成长环境上的不同,文化上的差别影响了大家语言表达上的差别。学英语口语的时候经常按中文基本思路,直接翻译每一个词汇的意思。比如说我接下来要讲到的这个英语单词“word”,我想大家都不陌生,“字”“词”的含义!但是由“word”所组成的短语,意思就真没那么简单了!好了,大家一起来学习一下吧!
1.Eat one's word什么意思?
Eat one's word并不是真的把文字吃下去!
其实真正的意思是:
“收回前言,承认自己说错了话”
举个例子:
What he said proved wrong,
so he had to eat his words.
事实证明他说错了,所以他只好收回前言。
I never thought Clare could handle this job, but I have to eat my words now.
我一直以为Clare无法胜任这份工作,看来我错了。
2.A word什么意思?
A word中的“Word”是“词、字”没错,
但是连起来“A word”就不是“一个单词”。
“A word”是“私下里沟通,悄悄话,
也可指商谈,谈话”的意思。
举个例子:
Can I have a word with you?
可以借一步说话吗?
Tom, can I have a word with you? It won't take long.
Sure. I'll be with you in a minute.
汤姆,我能和你说句话吗?
不会占用你太多时间。
好的,我一会儿过来。
3.Have words什么意思?
Have words难道是“有话说”?
如果你这么理解,那就错了。
Have words是“拌嘴,争论,吵架”的意思。
举个例子:
Parents had words last night.
爸妈昨晚吵架了。
4.In a word什么意思?
“总之、总而言之”是“In a word”或者“All in all”的意思。
举个栗子
In a word, they can do everything they like with, money.
总之,他们用金钱能做到他们喜欢做的一切。
In a word, I am tired of everything.
总之,我对一切都很烦。
5. What's the good word?
What's the good word?
并不是“有什么好话”!
What's the good word?
等同于How are you,
是一种更加地道的美式口语!
举个例子:
Haven't seen you for a long time.
What's the good word?
好久不见, 你近来好吗?
6.From the word go
From the word go不是“从这个单词走”,
“From the word go”是指“始终,
从一开始;完全,彻底”的意思!
举个栗子
Again, your readers will have to buy my book for the whole story,
but there is no question that Dumbledore took an unnatural interest in Potter from the word go.
读者也需要购买我的书才能知道全部故事,
但是毫无疑问,
邓布利多从一开始就对波特有一种不正常的兴趣。
Yes,it was love from the word go.
是的,我们从一开始就互相爱上了。