VOA慢速英语2012--Words and Their Stories: Back, Shoulders and Chest

Words and Their Stories: Back, Shoulders and Chest

词汇典故：和背、肩、胸有关的短语

Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.

现在是美国之音慢速英语词汇典故节目。

There are many American expressions that use parts of the body. These include the eyes, ears, nose, mouth and even the heart. Today we will tell you some expressions that use other body parts – the back, shoulders and chest.

美语中有许多用到身体部位的短语，其中包括眼睛、耳朵、鼻子、嘴巴乃至心脏。今天我们将讲述一些用到身体其它部位的短语--背，肩和胸。

When I am facing a lot of pressure at work, my back and neck will start to hurt. Sometimes, this tension is the result of too much work. I have too many things to do because my supervisor 1 is on my back all the time. In other words, my employer is always telling me to do things.

当我在工作中面临很大压力时，我的背部和颈部就会开始疼。有时，这些压力是由于工作太重。我有太多的事情要做，因为我的上司总找我的茬(on my back )。换句话说，我老板总指挥我干这干那。

Sometimes, I want my employer to get off my back! I want her to stop criticizing me and making too many demands on my time. I can not say this, however. I would never turn my back on her and refuse to help when there is a need. If I did refuse to help, my supervisor might say bad things about me behind my back. She might criticize me when I am not present. This would surely be a stab in the back. It is never kind to unfairly harm or say bad things about other people.

有时我希望我老板少跟我啰嗦(get off my back)。我希望她不要总批评我，不要总提一堆要求。然而我不能这样说。我不能对她置之不理(turn my back on her)，拒绝在有需要给予帮助。如果我真的拒绝帮忙，我的上司会在背后说我坏话。她可能在我不在场的时候批评我。这绝对是背后捅刀子(stab in the back)。不公正地伤害或说别人坏话是不厚道的。

Sometimes, when I am very productive in my job, my employer gives me a pat on the back. She praises my work. She might even say “I will scratch your back if you will scratch mine.” This means she will do something for me, if I do something helpful for her in exchange. Such an offer usually comes straight from the shoulder. My supervisor has a very direct, open and honest way of speaking.

有时当我工作非常富有成效时，我老板会表扬我(pat on the back)。她甚至会说“你敬我一尺，我还你一丈。（或礼尚往来。）”意思是，如果我做一些对她有帮助的事，她也会做一些事作为回报。这种提议通常会开诚布公地（straight from the shoulder）提出来。我的上司说话非常直接、开放和真诚（即前句提到的开诚布公、直截了当）。

I know that my employer carries a lot on her shoulders. She is responsible for many things at the office. And because she is so important, she sometimes gets to rub shoulders with the top officials. She gets to spend time with some very important people.

我知道我老板重任在肩，负责办公室很多事情。因为她如此重要，她有时会接触到高层官员。

I believe the top official values my superior. He never gives her the cold shoulder. He is never unfriendly to her. He always treats her like she is an important part of the organization.

我相信高层官员非常器重我上司。他从不怠慢她(gives her the cold shoulder)。他总把她当成组织中的重要一员。

I also value my supervisor. In fact, I think she is very effective in her job. Of course, I could yell my opinion at the top of my lungs, or as loudly as I possibly could. It might even feel good to get my emotions off my chest. It is always helpful to tell people how you feel so that your emotions do not trouble you.

我也很尊重我的上司。实际上，我认为她工作效率很高。当然，我可以声竭力嘶地说出（at the top of my lungs）我的观点。把我的想法一吐为快可能会更好。

But it is not necessary for me to praise my superior. Most of my co-workers feel the exact same way about her. So, I think I will just save my breath. I will keep silent because talking or repeating myself will not do any good.

但我没必要赞扬我的上司。我的同事多数也和我有一样的感觉。所以我认为我会默不作声(save my breath)，因为多说无益。

(MUSIC)

WORDS AND THEIR STORIES, in VOA Special English, was written by Jill Moss 2. I’m Faith Lapidus.