Lesson Two Bob Returns Home with Bad News
Bob tells his wife Susan that he lost his job. Susan suggests that he start his own business.
Idioms – Lesson 2 |
(to) change one’s mind – to change one’s opinion or decision
改變主意或決定
easier said than done – more difficult than you think
比想像中困難得多�；说起来容易做起来难
(to) get canned [slang] – to lose one’s job; to get fired
[俚語] – 丟掉工作；被解雇
(to) hang in there – to persevere; to not give up
堅持；不放棄
if worse comes to worst – in the worst case; if absolutely necessary
在最糟糕的情况下，如果有必要的话…
(to) keep one’s chin up – to stay positive
保持積極的態度
last resort – if there are no other alternatives left; the last solution for getting out of a difficulty
如果別無他法；走出困境的最後手段
(to) live from hand to mouth – to barely get by; to be poor
勉強糊；生活拮据
(to) look on the bright side – to be optimistic; to think about the positive part or aspect of a situation
樂觀看待；考慮積極的方面
(to) make ends meet – to manage one’s money so as to have enough to live on; to be okay financially
量入為出
out of work – unemployed; not working
失業；
right-hand man – the most helpful assistant or employee
（左右手）– 最得力的助手或雇員
(to) set eyes on – to look at; to see for the first time
看
(to) stab someone in the back – to betray someone
（背後捅人一刀） – 背叛某人
(to be) stressed out – under severe strain; very anxious
承受極大壓力；十分焦慮
(to) tell off – to scold; to tell someone what one really thinks
責備；以強硬口吻將真實想法告訴某人
thank goodness – I’m grateful; I’m relieved
謝天謝地；松了一口氣
(to) think big – to set high goals
制定遠大目標
What’s the matter? – What’s the problem?
發生什麼事情了？
When pigs fly! [slang] – never
[俚語] – 不可能的事
Bob: Susan, I got canned today at work.
Susan: But Bob, you were Peter’s right-hand man!
Bob: Yes, and he stabbed me in the back.
Susan: Keep your chin up. Maybe he’ll change his mind and take you back.
Bob: When pigs fly! Once he makes up his mind, he never changes it. Besides, I told him off.
Susan: Look on the bright side: you won’t have to set eyes on Peter ever again.
Bob: Thank goodness for that!
Susan: Hang in there. I’m sure you won’t be out of work for long.
Bob: In the meantime, we’ll have to live from hand to mouth.
Susan: Don’t get too stressed out, Bob. We’ll make ends meet.
Bob: I can always get a job at McDonald’s as a last resort.
Susan: I don’t think they’re hiring right now.
Bob: If worse comes to worst, we can sell our home and move into a tent.
Susan: Let’s think big! Maybe you can start your own business.
Bob: Easier said than done!
