美語訓練班117
B: Welcome to American English Mosaic, I'm Mike Bond!
A: And I'm Lin Yang.
B: We have a great lesson prepared for you today. First we will take you to see how to effectively build your social network.
A: 我們還要帶你去探索美國人對節(jié)食的看法，還有相關的有趣說法!
B: Then in words and idioms we will learn what "pull one's weight" and "when push comes to shove" means!
A: All coming up on American English Mosaic!
B: Now let's go into our first segment, Learn a word!
Learn A Word 1800 diet
今天我們要學的詞是diet. Diet is spelled d-i-e-t, diet. Diet 名詞，意思是飲食。對人類早期的牙齒化石進行的研究發(fā)現，About 3.5 million years ago early humans expanded their diet to include grasses and possibly animals。 古人類在大約350萬年前急劇擴大飲食結構，開始食用草類，甚至是動物。你是素食主義者嗎?最新研究顯示，A vegetarian diet has been linked to lower death rates when compared to meat-eaters. 素食者跟吃肉的人相比，同期死亡率偏低。另外一項有趣的研究發(fā)現，Obese patients trust diet advice from overweight doctors more than advice from normal weight doctors. 跟正常體重的醫(yī)生相比較，肥胖病人更相信體重超重醫(yī)生提供的飲食建議。今天我們學習的詞是 diet, diet, diet...
A: I know there's a lot of health benefit to being a vegetarian, but...I just can't give up meat. I mean, chicken wings might be bad for you, but it's soul food! 雞翅最能慰藉我的心靈。
B: Haha, I hear you. Keeping a good diet doesn't mean you need to limit the kinds of food that you take in. You just need to watch your overall calories. I think the best way is to keep your intake to a modest amount.
A: That's true. 都說吃8分飽最好，聽見了嗎Mike? 8分飽....
B: Right, it only takes 60 dumplings to make me feel 80% full!
A: You certainly pulled your weight at the Korean BBQ restaurant last weekend!
B: You bet! Well, let's check out today's words and idioms, and learn the meaning of "pull one's own weight"!
Words and Idioms 855 Pull One's Own Weight
美國習慣用語第 855
講我最喜歡參加的志愿活動就是翻修房子，為低收入的人提供住處。親手讓一棟破破爛爛的老房子煥然一新，會有一種難以言表的成就感，不過，這份工作也很辛苦，每個志愿者都不能偷懶。我們今天要學的習慣用詞就與此有關，叫：
M: Pull one's weight. Pull is spelled p-u-l-l, and weight; w-e-i-g-h-t. Pull-one's weight.
Pull 是拉的意思;Weight 是體重。pull one's weight 意思是完成自己那份工作。就象我剛才說的，整修房子工作艱巨，每個志愿者都要 pull his weight 齊心協力，才能順利完成工作。
現在的美國社會，男人主外賺錢，女人主內持家已經不再是慣例。讓我們聽聽下面這個例子里家庭成員的分工。
M: "For the last two years, I've been a stay-at-home dad while my wife has continued her law practice. Anyone who thinks I'm not doing my share of work is wrong. In addition to taking care of our two kids, I'm busy grocery shopping, running errands, doing the laundry, cleaning the house and maintaining the yard. I'm definitely PULLING MY WEIGHT."
這個人說：過去兩年，我太太繼續(xù)在律師事務所上班，而我卻待在家里。不過，如果有人覺得我沒有盡到自己那一份家庭義務的話，那可是冤枉了我。除了要照顧兩個小孩外，我每天還忙著買菜、處理雜事、洗衣服、打掃房間、收拾院子。我絕對盡了自己的那一份義務。
有趣的是，這種家庭分工模式如今在美國已經越來越普遍。我個人覺得這樣很好，讓男人們也有機會去體會一下女人持家的辛苦。We've been PULLING OUR WEIGHT for centuries. 好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "For the last two years, I've been a stay-at-home dad while my wife has continued her law practice. Anyone who thinks I'm not doing my share of work is wrong. In addition to taking care of our two kids, I'm busy grocery shopping, running errands, doing the laundry, cleaning the house and maintaining the yard. I'm definitely PULLING MY WEIGHT."
在下面這個例子里，Carla 工作非常努力。讓我們一起聽聽老板對她的評價。
M: "Don't underestimate Carla. She may have a lot less experience than other employees. But she contributes just as much as anyone on our team. There's no doubt in my mind that she PULLS HER WEIGHT around this office."
他說：千萬不要低估 Carla. 也許她沒有別的員工那么豐富的經驗，但是她的貢獻跟組里其它成員一樣多。我絲毫也不懷疑，她盡了自己的那份力量。
我老公那兒剛剛開除了一個新員工。從簡歷上看，此人非常優(yōu)秀，但是沒用幾個月的時間，老板就發(fā)現，他非常懶惰。He hadn't PULLED HIS WEIGHT. 好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "Don't underestimate Carla. She may have a lot less experience than other employees. But she contributes just as much as anyone on our team. There's no doubt in my mind that she PULLS HER WEIGHT around this office."
在英語里，專門有個詞，用來指工作特別懶的人，叫 slacker, s-l-a-c-k-e-r, slacker。
Pull one's weight 這個習慣用語最早是從劃船來的。大家都知道，劃船的時候大家要齊心協力，每個人都要出力，船才會前進。
Pull one's weight 這個詞的來歷和用法我已經傾囊相贈，接下來就靠大家自己去練習了。You have to PULL YOUR WEIGHT.
M: Until next time.
下次節(jié)目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: 確實，學習外語很多程度在于自身的堅持和努力。俗話說，師父領進門，修行在個人。
B: That's for sure. It also helps a lot if you immerse yourself in the environment. My Chinese was way better when I lived in Qingdao. Now I try to hang out with other people here in DC who speak Chinese to keep up my fluency.
A: So that's the reason you hang out with me?
B: Duh. You think I really want to hang with you? (awkward silence) I'm kidding, kidding! All I'm saying is, I love to meet new people, and networking is very important in this town.
A:哼，饒了你! 沒錯，建立自己的人際網非常重要，不過如果你天性比較內向，不愛社交怎么辦呢?
B: We can offer you some tips! Let's check them out in today's Business etiquette!
禮節(jié)美語 Social Networking I
Brad 和 Pam 邀請同事 Jimmy 下班后一起去酒吧，可 Jimmy 一再推辭，我們聽聽為什么。
Brad: Hey Jimmy, a couple of us are going out to Sam's Bar after work. Care to join us?
Jimmy: Oh, um...thanks for the invitation, but I'm pretty tired. I think I'll take a rain check.
Pam: But you took a rain check last time!
J: Yeah, I know. I'm just not so fond of bars.
Brad 說他們幾個人下班準備一起去酒吧，問 Jimmy 要不要一起來， Care to join us? Jimmy 推辭說很累，還說 I'll take a rain check. 意思是這次算了，改天吧。比如說，朋友約你去逛街，可你已經說好跟男朋友吃飯，就可以說 I'll take a rain check. 下次吧!
P: Well, how about joining the company picnic next Saturday? We're playing beach volleyball and you could join our team! Come on! It'll be fun!
J: Um...you're so kind, but...I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it.
B: Hey! I've got the perfect idea! We're making plans for a dinner appointment with all the department heads this Sunday...you should definitely come!
Pam 不肯放棄，問 Jimmy 要不要參加下星期六的公司野餐，company picnic, 還可以加入他們的沙灘排球隊。 Jimmy 再次推辭，說自己可能去不了。I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it. 這里說的 to make it 就是參加、出席的意思。比如說，朋友請你參加生日派對，可你那天已經有了安排，你就可以說 I'll try to make it. 我一定爭取來。
J: Uh...guys, I really appreciate what your trying to do, and I don't mean to be a wallflower. I'm just a bit shy. Plus, I really don't like loud bars or clubs.
B: Let me tell you a secret. I hate bars and clubs too! But, I know that going out and being seen is a big part of networking.
J: You mean like on a computer?
P: No, Brad means social networking.
B: Basically, it means going out and meeting people. It really can mean the difference between success and being stuck at a career dead-end.
Jimmy 知道 Brad 和 Pam 的好意， 說自己 I don't mean to be a wallflower. 這里所說的 wallflower 壁花，指的是因為天性靦腆，或是不招人喜歡、所以很不合群的人。Jimmy 承認，自己不愿意參加這些活動，主要是因為害羞。Brad 馬上說，其實他也很討厭酒吧、夜總會這種地方，但是 I know that going out and being seen is a big part of social networking. 經常出去，跟人接觸是建立社交關系網的一個重要部分。這里所說的的 social networking 就是多結識一些人，擴大社交關系圈子。Social networking 對事業(yè)發(fā)展很重要，可能會決定一個人的成功，還是 being stuck at a career dead-end 在事業(yè)上走進死胡同。
A: Brad和Pam約Jimmy出去跟大家一起social networking, 社交，但是Jimmy說，他不想做wallflower, 不合群的人，但是自己生性靦腆，not fond of bars, 不喜歡酒吧。Brad說，社交很重要，認識各個領域的人，這樣你才不會being stuck at a career dead-end, 在事業(yè)上走進死胡同。
B: Yeah, networking seems like no problem for extroverts, but for introverts it's often a burden. Actually, I used to be really shy because I was afraid people would judge me if I said something wrong.
A: How did you overcome your fear?
B: I realized that most people don't judge! Once I overcame that psychological obstacle, networking becomes a piece of cake.
A: Good for you! Let's keep listening to Brad and Pam and see what advice they can offer Jimmy!
禮節(jié)美語 Social Networking II
Jimmy 因為天性靦腆，所以每逢社交活動，一律能推就推。同事 Brad 和 Pam 努力說服 Jimmy, 因為 social networking 是事業(yè)發(fā)展一個不可缺少的環(huán)節(jié)。Pam 說，
P: You know, I'm not such a big fan of company events myself. I don't like all the organization involved. I don't like being told when and where to do things. In fact, I don't even like big crowds of people.
B: But, in today's society these are the ways we connect. Social networking has boosted my career in so many ways.
J: Such as?
B: Well, take last week for example. I was at a club when I saw this guy I hadn't seen in a long time. He starts talking about his friend who is looking for a computer programmer.
Pam 說，其實她也不是特別喜歡公司舉辦的各種活動。I'm not such a big fan of company events myself. 這里說的 a big fan of something 意思就是對某件事情非常熱衷。比如說，I'm a big fan of sushi. 我特別愛吃壽司。I'm a big fan of hip hop. 我特別愛聽嘻哈歌曲。I'm not a big fan of horror movies. 我不喜歡看恐怖電影。
Brad 補充說，參加社交活動為他提供了不少機會，上星期他去夜總會，遇到一個很久不見的熟人，這個人的朋友正好在找電腦編程師。
J: And you got the job?
B: Yeah! The next day his friend called me and yesterday we signed a contract. I'm going to be setting up their company website, and the money is pretty good.
P: So I guess what Brad's saying is that if you don't get out there and be seen, people might forget about you.
J: Yeah, I can sort of understand your point. But how do I overcome my shyness? I'm just not very good with people.
結果，Brad 還真拿到了這份工作，幫一家公司 set up their company website 設計網站，而且 the money is pretty good. 報酬也很好。看來，有熟人介紹就是不一樣。Jimmy 聽后表示，I can sort of understand your point. 我大約明白你的意思了。這里所說的 point 是指問題核心。我們經常聽人說 The point of the matter is....問題關鍵是。。。言歸正傳，就算真愿意出去社交，Jimmy 要如何克服性格靦腆的障礙呢?按他的話說，I'm just not very good with people. 我就是不擅于跟人打交道。
P: I was super shy for years! Then one day I finally realized that the world isn't looking at me.
J: What do you mean?
B: In other words, sometimes we feel shy because we think people are looking at us and judging us. But in reality, that's almost never the case.
Pam 說，自己以前也特別靦腆，I was super shy for years! 這里所說的 super 是特別的意思，用來加重語氣。我們可以說，Her boyfriend is super sweet. 她男朋友特別溫柔體貼，或是 It's super hot in here. 這里簡直熱死了，還可以說 I have been super busy this week. 我這個星期忙得兩腳朝天。
Brad 也說，很多人天性靦腆，是因為覺得大家都在注意自己，但事實上 that's almost never the case. 根本不是這樣。Pam 跟 Brad 能說服 Jimmy 嗎?我們下次繼續(xù)聽。
A: Jimmy說，他不是a big fan of company events, 不是很喜歡公司的活動，又說自己not so good with people, 不善于和別人交往，Brad說，社交can boost up your career, 是事業(yè)發(fā)展的推動力。
B: Sometimes good networking skills mean the difference between success and being stuck at a dead-end job.
A: Networking is easy for me, I love to hear other people's stories, sometimes it can be inspiring for your own life!
B: Good Point! We will continue talking about social networking in our next class. For now, let's take a break from this topic.
A: 好，來聽接下來的learn a word!
Learn A Word 1801 hold true
今天我們要學的詞是hold true. Hold is spelled h-o-l-d, hold, and true, t-r-u-e, true, hold true. To hold true 意思是證明是對的，正確的，過去時是 held true。最新研究顯示，每天睡眠不足六小時會加重心臟病，增加心臟病突發(fā)的機率。不過，The findings only held true for women. 研究結果只適用在女性身上。另外一項有趣的研究發(fā)現，臉書網站有利于提高申請大學的高中生的信心。However, the study only held true for first-generation college students. 不過，這項研究只適用于第一代大學生，也就是父輩從來沒有人上過大學的孩子。今天我們學習的詞是 hold true, hold true, hold true...
A: Going on facebook can boost your confidence? I think it's the opposite! People only post the best moments of their lives on facebook.
B: I feel the same way, whenever I'm on facebook, I feel like my life is not as awesome as my friends'.
A: That's because your life IS not as awesome as your friends'...
B: You...
A: Kidding kidding! I think there is some scientific study that proves that logging onto facebook all the time can actually leads to symptoms of depression because you are constantly comparing yourself to others.
B: That's true. I guess, if push comes to shove I will just delete my facebook account.
A: Yeah, as if. (laugh) 哎，你剛提到了一個俗語:when push comes to shove, let's check it out!
Words and Idioms 856 When Push Comes to Shove
美國習慣用語第 856 講我叔叔一家來華盛頓玩，最后一天本來說好我?guī)麄兂鋈⒂^景點，我妹妹請他們在家吃飯。誰知到下午，我妹妹突然打電話說她不舒服。我只好趕快訂餐館，帶叔叔一家去吃飯，好在一切都很順利，這倒讓我想起一個今天要學的習慣用詞，叫：
M: When push comes to shove. Push is spelled p-u-s-h, and shove; s-h-o-v-e. When push comes to shove.
Push 是推;shove 是猛推。When push comes to shove 一般的推變成了猛烈的推，意思就是情況變得緊急時，迫不得已的時候。就象剛才所說的，我妹妹突然身體不舒服，只好由我來招待叔叔一家吃飯。When push comes to shove 出現緊急狀況時，出面解決問題的總是我。
在下面這個例子中，一位公司總裁雖然公務繁忙，經常出差，但還是堅持鍛煉身體，讓我們一起聽聽他是如何做到這一點的。
M: "Normally I work out every day. But sometimes I have to travel out of town for work and I don't have access to a gym. So I run up and down the stairs at the hotel where I'm staying and use the room's furniture for doing sit-ups and dips. WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, I find ways to exercise."
這個人說：我通常每天健身，但有時出差，旅館沒有健身房，我就在旅館的樓梯上跑上跑下，借助旅館房間里的家具，做仰臥起坐，做支撐臂屈身推起，條件雖然不好，我也能想辦法堅持健身。
這個人還真挺會隨機應變的。其實，為了滿足這些人的健身要求，現在越來越多的旅館都開始增設健身中心，里面至少會有幾臺跑步機和一些啞鈴。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "Normally I work out every day. But sometimes I have to travel out of town for work and I don't have access to a gym. So I run up and down the stairs at the hotel where I'm staying and use the room's furniture for doing sit-ups and dips. WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, I find ways to exercise."
在美國，貸款是常事，不論是買房還是買車，跟銀行借錢都是少不了的。不過，跟別人聯合貸款必須十分謹慎，為什么呢?讓我們一起來聽聽。
M: "Has a friend or relative ever asked you to co-sign for a loan? Although it sounds like an innocent request, be careful. In the event that person isn't able to make regular payments, it will be you who's legally responsible. That means you could have your salary or property taken away. IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, the lender will do whatever is necessary to be repaid."
他說：你遇到過親戚朋友求你跟他聯名，一起向銀行貸款的事情嗎?雖然這個要求聽起來沒什么錯，可你一定要小心。一旦這個人無力還錢，還錢的法律責任就會落到你的頭上，也就是說，你的工資和財產都會面臨被沒收的風險。如果迫不得已，銀行會不惜一切代價，把欠款要回來。
大家一定注意到了，這個例句里用 IF 取代了 WHEN。這個習慣用語是從英式橄欖球來的，交戰(zhàn)雙方隊員有時擠做一團，相互推搡，直到哪個隊員把球搶走為止。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "Has a friend or relative ever asked you to co-sign for a loan? Although it sounds like an innocent request, be careful. In the event that person isn't able to make regular payments, it will be you who's legally responsible. That means you could have your salary or property taken away. IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, the lender will do whatever is necessary to be repaid."
M: Until next time.
下次節(jié)目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: If push comes to shove 領導 would totally fire you first!
B: And if push comes to shove I would totally rat you out for not coming to work that week 領導 was on vacation. Nothing personal, but I've got bills to pay!
A: Yeah, as if. 好了同學們，這次節(jié)目時間就到這里了。
B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
A: See you next time!
A: And I'm Lin Yang.
B: We have a great lesson prepared for you today. First we will take you to see how to effectively build your social network.
A: 我們還要帶你去探索美國人對節(jié)食的看法，還有相關的有趣說法!
B: Then in words and idioms we will learn what "pull one's weight" and "when push comes to shove" means!
A: All coming up on American English Mosaic!
B: Now let's go into our first segment, Learn a word!
Learn A Word 1800 diet
今天我們要學的詞是diet. Diet is spelled d-i-e-t, diet. Diet 名詞，意思是飲食。對人類早期的牙齒化石進行的研究發(fā)現，About 3.5 million years ago early humans expanded their diet to include grasses and possibly animals。 古人類在大約350萬年前急劇擴大飲食結構，開始食用草類，甚至是動物。你是素食主義者嗎?最新研究顯示，A vegetarian diet has been linked to lower death rates when compared to meat-eaters. 素食者跟吃肉的人相比，同期死亡率偏低。另外一項有趣的研究發(fā)現，Obese patients trust diet advice from overweight doctors more than advice from normal weight doctors. 跟正常體重的醫(yī)生相比較，肥胖病人更相信體重超重醫(yī)生提供的飲食建議。今天我們學習的詞是 diet, diet, diet...
A: I know there's a lot of health benefit to being a vegetarian, but...I just can't give up meat. I mean, chicken wings might be bad for you, but it's soul food! 雞翅最能慰藉我的心靈。
B: Haha, I hear you. Keeping a good diet doesn't mean you need to limit the kinds of food that you take in. You just need to watch your overall calories. I think the best way is to keep your intake to a modest amount.
A: That's true. 都說吃8分飽最好，聽見了嗎Mike? 8分飽....
B: Right, it only takes 60 dumplings to make me feel 80% full!
A: You certainly pulled your weight at the Korean BBQ restaurant last weekend!
B: You bet! Well, let's check out today's words and idioms, and learn the meaning of "pull one's own weight"!
Words and Idioms 855 Pull One's Own Weight
美國習慣用語第 855
講我最喜歡參加的志愿活動就是翻修房子，為低收入的人提供住處。親手讓一棟破破爛爛的老房子煥然一新，會有一種難以言表的成就感，不過，這份工作也很辛苦，每個志愿者都不能偷懶。我們今天要學的習慣用詞就與此有關，叫：
M: Pull one's weight. Pull is spelled p-u-l-l, and weight; w-e-i-g-h-t. Pull-one's weight.
Pull 是拉的意思;Weight 是體重。pull one's weight 意思是完成自己那份工作。就象我剛才說的，整修房子工作艱巨，每個志愿者都要 pull his weight 齊心協力，才能順利完成工作。
現在的美國社會，男人主外賺錢，女人主內持家已經不再是慣例。讓我們聽聽下面這個例子里家庭成員的分工。
M: "For the last two years, I've been a stay-at-home dad while my wife has continued her law practice. Anyone who thinks I'm not doing my share of work is wrong. In addition to taking care of our two kids, I'm busy grocery shopping, running errands, doing the laundry, cleaning the house and maintaining the yard. I'm definitely PULLING MY WEIGHT."
這個人說：過去兩年，我太太繼續(xù)在律師事務所上班，而我卻待在家里。不過，如果有人覺得我沒有盡到自己那一份家庭義務的話，那可是冤枉了我。除了要照顧兩個小孩外，我每天還忙著買菜、處理雜事、洗衣服、打掃房間、收拾院子。我絕對盡了自己的那一份義務。
有趣的是，這種家庭分工模式如今在美國已經越來越普遍。我個人覺得這樣很好，讓男人們也有機會去體會一下女人持家的辛苦。We've been PULLING OUR WEIGHT for centuries. 好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "For the last two years, I've been a stay-at-home dad while my wife has continued her law practice. Anyone who thinks I'm not doing my share of work is wrong. In addition to taking care of our two kids, I'm busy grocery shopping, running errands, doing the laundry, cleaning the house and maintaining the yard. I'm definitely PULLING MY WEIGHT."
在下面這個例子里，Carla 工作非常努力。讓我們一起聽聽老板對她的評價。
M: "Don't underestimate Carla. She may have a lot less experience than other employees. But she contributes just as much as anyone on our team. There's no doubt in my mind that she PULLS HER WEIGHT around this office."
他說：千萬不要低估 Carla. 也許她沒有別的員工那么豐富的經驗，但是她的貢獻跟組里其它成員一樣多。我絲毫也不懷疑，她盡了自己的那份力量。
我老公那兒剛剛開除了一個新員工。從簡歷上看，此人非常優(yōu)秀，但是沒用幾個月的時間，老板就發(fā)現，他非常懶惰。He hadn't PULLED HIS WEIGHT. 好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "Don't underestimate Carla. She may have a lot less experience than other employees. But she contributes just as much as anyone on our team. There's no doubt in my mind that she PULLS HER WEIGHT around this office."
在英語里，專門有個詞，用來指工作特別懶的人，叫 slacker, s-l-a-c-k-e-r, slacker。
Pull one's weight 這個習慣用語最早是從劃船來的。大家都知道，劃船的時候大家要齊心協力，每個人都要出力，船才會前進。
Pull one's weight 這個詞的來歷和用法我已經傾囊相贈，接下來就靠大家自己去練習了。You have to PULL YOUR WEIGHT.
M: Until next time.
下次節(jié)目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: 確實，學習外語很多程度在于自身的堅持和努力。俗話說，師父領進門，修行在個人。
B: That's for sure. It also helps a lot if you immerse yourself in the environment. My Chinese was way better when I lived in Qingdao. Now I try to hang out with other people here in DC who speak Chinese to keep up my fluency.
A: So that's the reason you hang out with me?
B: Duh. You think I really want to hang with you? (awkward silence) I'm kidding, kidding! All I'm saying is, I love to meet new people, and networking is very important in this town.
A:哼，饒了你! 沒錯，建立自己的人際網非常重要，不過如果你天性比較內向，不愛社交怎么辦呢?
B: We can offer you some tips! Let's check them out in today's Business etiquette!
禮節(jié)美語 Social Networking I
Brad 和 Pam 邀請同事 Jimmy 下班后一起去酒吧，可 Jimmy 一再推辭，我們聽聽為什么。
Brad: Hey Jimmy, a couple of us are going out to Sam's Bar after work. Care to join us?
Jimmy: Oh, um...thanks for the invitation, but I'm pretty tired. I think I'll take a rain check.
Pam: But you took a rain check last time!
J: Yeah, I know. I'm just not so fond of bars.
Brad 說他們幾個人下班準備一起去酒吧，問 Jimmy 要不要一起來， Care to join us? Jimmy 推辭說很累，還說 I'll take a rain check. 意思是這次算了，改天吧。比如說，朋友約你去逛街，可你已經說好跟男朋友吃飯，就可以說 I'll take a rain check. 下次吧!
P: Well, how about joining the company picnic next Saturday? We're playing beach volleyball and you could join our team! Come on! It'll be fun!
J: Um...you're so kind, but...I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it.
B: Hey! I've got the perfect idea! We're making plans for a dinner appointment with all the department heads this Sunday...you should definitely come!
Pam 不肯放棄，問 Jimmy 要不要參加下星期六的公司野餐，company picnic, 還可以加入他們的沙灘排球隊。 Jimmy 再次推辭，說自己可能去不了。I'm really not sure if I'll be able to make it. 這里說的 to make it 就是參加、出席的意思。比如說，朋友請你參加生日派對，可你那天已經有了安排，你就可以說 I'll try to make it. 我一定爭取來。
J: Uh...guys, I really appreciate what your trying to do, and I don't mean to be a wallflower. I'm just a bit shy. Plus, I really don't like loud bars or clubs.
B: Let me tell you a secret. I hate bars and clubs too! But, I know that going out and being seen is a big part of networking.
J: You mean like on a computer?
P: No, Brad means social networking.
B: Basically, it means going out and meeting people. It really can mean the difference between success and being stuck at a career dead-end.
Jimmy 知道 Brad 和 Pam 的好意， 說自己 I don't mean to be a wallflower. 這里所說的 wallflower 壁花，指的是因為天性靦腆，或是不招人喜歡、所以很不合群的人。Jimmy 承認，自己不愿意參加這些活動，主要是因為害羞。Brad 馬上說，其實他也很討厭酒吧、夜總會這種地方，但是 I know that going out and being seen is a big part of social networking. 經常出去，跟人接觸是建立社交關系網的一個重要部分。這里所說的的 social networking 就是多結識一些人，擴大社交關系圈子。Social networking 對事業(yè)發(fā)展很重要，可能會決定一個人的成功，還是 being stuck at a career dead-end 在事業(yè)上走進死胡同。
A: Brad和Pam約Jimmy出去跟大家一起social networking, 社交，但是Jimmy說，他不想做wallflower, 不合群的人，但是自己生性靦腆，not fond of bars, 不喜歡酒吧。Brad說，社交很重要，認識各個領域的人，這樣你才不會being stuck at a career dead-end, 在事業(yè)上走進死胡同。
B: Yeah, networking seems like no problem for extroverts, but for introverts it's often a burden. Actually, I used to be really shy because I was afraid people would judge me if I said something wrong.
A: How did you overcome your fear?
B: I realized that most people don't judge! Once I overcame that psychological obstacle, networking becomes a piece of cake.
A: Good for you! Let's keep listening to Brad and Pam and see what advice they can offer Jimmy!
禮節(jié)美語 Social Networking II
Jimmy 因為天性靦腆，所以每逢社交活動，一律能推就推。同事 Brad 和 Pam 努力說服 Jimmy, 因為 social networking 是事業(yè)發(fā)展一個不可缺少的環(huán)節(jié)。Pam 說，
P: You know, I'm not such a big fan of company events myself. I don't like all the organization involved. I don't like being told when and where to do things. In fact, I don't even like big crowds of people.
B: But, in today's society these are the ways we connect. Social networking has boosted my career in so many ways.
J: Such as?
B: Well, take last week for example. I was at a club when I saw this guy I hadn't seen in a long time. He starts talking about his friend who is looking for a computer programmer.
Pam 說，其實她也不是特別喜歡公司舉辦的各種活動。I'm not such a big fan of company events myself. 這里說的 a big fan of something 意思就是對某件事情非常熱衷。比如說，I'm a big fan of sushi. 我特別愛吃壽司。I'm a big fan of hip hop. 我特別愛聽嘻哈歌曲。I'm not a big fan of horror movies. 我不喜歡看恐怖電影。
Brad 補充說，參加社交活動為他提供了不少機會，上星期他去夜總會，遇到一個很久不見的熟人，這個人的朋友正好在找電腦編程師。
J: And you got the job?
B: Yeah! The next day his friend called me and yesterday we signed a contract. I'm going to be setting up their company website, and the money is pretty good.
P: So I guess what Brad's saying is that if you don't get out there and be seen, people might forget about you.
J: Yeah, I can sort of understand your point. But how do I overcome my shyness? I'm just not very good with people.
結果，Brad 還真拿到了這份工作，幫一家公司 set up their company website 設計網站，而且 the money is pretty good. 報酬也很好。看來，有熟人介紹就是不一樣。Jimmy 聽后表示，I can sort of understand your point. 我大約明白你的意思了。這里所說的 point 是指問題核心。我們經常聽人說 The point of the matter is....問題關鍵是。。。言歸正傳，就算真愿意出去社交，Jimmy 要如何克服性格靦腆的障礙呢?按他的話說，I'm just not very good with people. 我就是不擅于跟人打交道。
P: I was super shy for years! Then one day I finally realized that the world isn't looking at me.
J: What do you mean?
B: In other words, sometimes we feel shy because we think people are looking at us and judging us. But in reality, that's almost never the case.
Pam 說，自己以前也特別靦腆，I was super shy for years! 這里所說的 super 是特別的意思，用來加重語氣。我們可以說，Her boyfriend is super sweet. 她男朋友特別溫柔體貼，或是 It's super hot in here. 這里簡直熱死了，還可以說 I have been super busy this week. 我這個星期忙得兩腳朝天。
Brad 也說，很多人天性靦腆，是因為覺得大家都在注意自己，但事實上 that's almost never the case. 根本不是這樣。Pam 跟 Brad 能說服 Jimmy 嗎?我們下次繼續(xù)聽。
A: Jimmy說，他不是a big fan of company events, 不是很喜歡公司的活動，又說自己not so good with people, 不善于和別人交往，Brad說，社交can boost up your career, 是事業(yè)發(fā)展的推動力。
B: Sometimes good networking skills mean the difference between success and being stuck at a dead-end job.
A: Networking is easy for me, I love to hear other people's stories, sometimes it can be inspiring for your own life!
B: Good Point! We will continue talking about social networking in our next class. For now, let's take a break from this topic.
A: 好，來聽接下來的learn a word!
Learn A Word 1801 hold true
今天我們要學的詞是hold true. Hold is spelled h-o-l-d, hold, and true, t-r-u-e, true, hold true. To hold true 意思是證明是對的，正確的，過去時是 held true。最新研究顯示，每天睡眠不足六小時會加重心臟病，增加心臟病突發(fā)的機率。不過，The findings only held true for women. 研究結果只適用在女性身上。另外一項有趣的研究發(fā)現，臉書網站有利于提高申請大學的高中生的信心。However, the study only held true for first-generation college students. 不過，這項研究只適用于第一代大學生，也就是父輩從來沒有人上過大學的孩子。今天我們學習的詞是 hold true, hold true, hold true...
A: Going on facebook can boost your confidence? I think it's the opposite! People only post the best moments of their lives on facebook.
B: I feel the same way, whenever I'm on facebook, I feel like my life is not as awesome as my friends'.
A: That's because your life IS not as awesome as your friends'...
B: You...
A: Kidding kidding! I think there is some scientific study that proves that logging onto facebook all the time can actually leads to symptoms of depression because you are constantly comparing yourself to others.
B: That's true. I guess, if push comes to shove I will just delete my facebook account.
A: Yeah, as if. (laugh) 哎，你剛提到了一個俗語:when push comes to shove, let's check it out!
Words and Idioms 856 When Push Comes to Shove
美國習慣用語第 856 講我叔叔一家來華盛頓玩，最后一天本來說好我?guī)麄兂鋈⒂^景點，我妹妹請他們在家吃飯。誰知到下午，我妹妹突然打電話說她不舒服。我只好趕快訂餐館，帶叔叔一家去吃飯，好在一切都很順利，這倒讓我想起一個今天要學的習慣用詞，叫：
M: When push comes to shove. Push is spelled p-u-s-h, and shove; s-h-o-v-e. When push comes to shove.
Push 是推;shove 是猛推。When push comes to shove 一般的推變成了猛烈的推，意思就是情況變得緊急時，迫不得已的時候。就象剛才所說的，我妹妹突然身體不舒服，只好由我來招待叔叔一家吃飯。When push comes to shove 出現緊急狀況時，出面解決問題的總是我。
在下面這個例子中，一位公司總裁雖然公務繁忙，經常出差，但還是堅持鍛煉身體，讓我們一起聽聽他是如何做到這一點的。
M: "Normally I work out every day. But sometimes I have to travel out of town for work and I don't have access to a gym. So I run up and down the stairs at the hotel where I'm staying and use the room's furniture for doing sit-ups and dips. WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, I find ways to exercise."
這個人說：我通常每天健身，但有時出差，旅館沒有健身房，我就在旅館的樓梯上跑上跑下，借助旅館房間里的家具，做仰臥起坐，做支撐臂屈身推起，條件雖然不好，我也能想辦法堅持健身。
這個人還真挺會隨機應變的。其實，為了滿足這些人的健身要求，現在越來越多的旅館都開始增設健身中心，里面至少會有幾臺跑步機和一些啞鈴。好的，讓我們再來聽聽上面那段話。
M: "Normally I work out every day. But sometimes I have to travel out of town for work and I don't have access to a gym. So I run up and down the stairs at the hotel where I'm staying and use the room's furniture for doing sit-ups and dips. WHEN PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, I find ways to exercise."
在美國，貸款是常事，不論是買房還是買車，跟銀行借錢都是少不了的。不過，跟別人聯合貸款必須十分謹慎，為什么呢?讓我們一起來聽聽。
M: "Has a friend or relative ever asked you to co-sign for a loan? Although it sounds like an innocent request, be careful. In the event that person isn't able to make regular payments, it will be you who's legally responsible. That means you could have your salary or property taken away. IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, the lender will do whatever is necessary to be repaid."
他說：你遇到過親戚朋友求你跟他聯名，一起向銀行貸款的事情嗎?雖然這個要求聽起來沒什么錯，可你一定要小心。一旦這個人無力還錢，還錢的法律責任就會落到你的頭上，也就是說，你的工資和財產都會面臨被沒收的風險。如果迫不得已，銀行會不惜一切代價，把欠款要回來。
大家一定注意到了，這個例句里用 IF 取代了 WHEN。這個習慣用語是從英式橄欖球來的，交戰(zhàn)雙方隊員有時擠做一團，相互推搡，直到哪個隊員把球搶走為止。好的，我們再來聽一下上面那個例句。
M: "Has a friend or relative ever asked you to co-sign for a loan? Although it sounds like an innocent request, be careful. In the event that person isn't able to make regular payments, it will be you who's legally responsible. That means you could have your salary or property taken away. IF PUSH COMES TO SHOVE, the lender will do whatever is necessary to be repaid."
M: Until next time.
下次節(jié)目再見。
M: This has been Words and Idioms.
A: If push comes to shove 領導 would totally fire you first!
B: And if push comes to shove I would totally rat you out for not coming to work that week 領導 was on vacation. Nothing personal, but I've got bills to pay!
A: Yeah, as if. 好了同學們，這次節(jié)目時間就到這里了。
B: Tune in next time for American English Mosaic!
A: See you next time!
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