Lesson 6 - HOLD WATER / WATER OFF A DUCK'S BACK...
时间:2018-12-01 作者:英语课 分类:美国习惯用语
to hold water
water off a duck's back
it makes my mouth water
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 1 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 2 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。
好,「美国习惯用语」第五讲就到里。欢迎下次再一起来学习美国习惯用语。再见。