李華請(qǐng)Larry到家來(lái)幫她修理堵塞的澡盆。今天李華會(huì)學(xué)到兩個(gè)常用語(yǔ):gross和in a pinch。
LL: Oh, Li Hua, look at the hair clogging your drain. How gross!
LH: 我知道是頭發(fā)把澡盆給堵死了。不過(guò), Gross是什么意思哪? 你是說(shuō)這里有很多頭發(fā)?。?/p>
LL: No, I'm not referring to the quantity. I mean it is disgusting and sickening!
LH: 原來(lái)gross在這里是指讓人看到難受,令人惡心,不舒服的意思。堵住下水道的東西當(dāng)然都是很臟的,看見(jiàn)了讓人惡心。不過(guò),上回我在你家看到你的冰箱,那才叫惡心呢!
LL: What do you mean?
LH: 我是說(shuō),你冰箱里的食物有的已經(jīng)發(fā)霉了。That was gross!
LL: I've cleaned out my refrigerator since then, and I don't think it is that gross any more.
LH: 你清理過(guò)你的冰箱啦?過(guò)兩天我去看看。還有,你把臟衣服到處亂丟,that's gross, too!
LL: All right, Li Hua, I'm the first to admit that I'm not the best housekeeper. I've been so busy lately, that my whole apartment is pretty gross right now, to tell you the truth.
LH: 你能老實(shí)承認(rèn)自己不會(huì)理家。那還算不錯(cuò)的。一般男生都不會(huì)整理家。這樣吧!Larry,過(guò)兩天我去你家?guī)湍愦驋咔瑑?,作為?duì)你今天的幫忙表示感謝。請(qǐng)人來(lái)修要花好多錢(qián)哪!
LL: Yeah, the amount the plumber will charge you will be pretty gross, I am sure. What tools do you have?
LH: 讓我看看,工具可能都在水槽下的柜子里。Ooh, gross! 有只大蜘蛛!
LL: Oh, Li Hua, it is a tiny spider, and I think it is cute. I don't think it is gross at all.
LH:哎喲,你還說(shuō)那只大蜘蛛看起來(lái)挺好玩吶!It is gross, Larry。
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LH: Larry, 我找到那個(gè)通馬桶的工具了!用這個(gè)來(lái)清除這些頭發(fā)行嗎?
LL: It will have to do in a pinch.
LH: In a pinch? 那是什么意思?
LL: You know, a pinch is a tight spot in which you can't move around or a difficult situation in which you don't have many options.
LH: Pinch就是很小的地方,沒(méi)有什么周轉(zhuǎn)余地,或者是處于困難的情況下,沒(méi)什么選擇余地。我的廁所是很小,可是也足夠你站在里面修澡盆呀!
LL: I meant that we don't really have a choice about whether or not I use the plunger. I'll either have to use your plunger, or call the plumber.
LH: 噢,原來(lái)你說(shuō)的in a pinch是指我們別無(wú)選擇的意思,要就用這個(gè)工具,否則就得請(qǐng)人來(lái)修。那你就用這個(gè)工具試試看哪!
LL: Well, then let me try to get us out of the pinch we're in. Let me use the plunger.
LH: 對(duì),用這個(gè)工具試試,沒(méi)準(zhǔn)你能解決這個(gè)難題!
LL: Yes, it is working. The tub is draining now.
LH: 水開(kāi)始流啦?哇!太棒。太謝謝你了,幫我解決了這個(gè)大麻煩。You really get me out of this pinch!
LL: It is my pleasure. I am always glad to help a friend in a pinch.
LH: 我們都知道你是樂(lè)于幫助朋友解決困難的。好,現(xiàn)在要想辦法解決你的問(wèn)題了。
LL: Yes, if I don't get that apartment cleaned before my parents come to visit, I am going to be in a real pinch.
LH: 你要在你爸媽來(lái)之前打掃乾凈你的公寓,否則你也只好讓他們看到你那骯臟惡心的家了。
LL: Exactly, so now it is your turn to help me out of the pinch I am in.
LH:我一定幫你打掃乾凈。
今天李華學(xué)到兩個(gè)常用語(yǔ)。第一個(gè)是gross,這是指看到的東西讓人感到很惡心,很不舒服。另一個(gè)常用語(yǔ)是in a pinch,這是指陷入困境,沒(méi)有選擇余地。