Reading Speak English Like an American(2) Bob Returns Home with

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�；說起來容易做起來難

(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
在最糟糕的情況下，如果有必要的話…

(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；生活拮據

(to) look on the bright side – to be optimistic; to think about the positive part or aspect of a situation
樂觀看待；考慮積極的方麵

(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；鬆了一口氣

(to) think big – to set high goals
製定遠大目標

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    

Susan: What’s the matter, dear?
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!

[林貝卡]

喜歡《Speak English Like an American》這個係列，學到了許多有用的短語和習慣用語，感謝你聲情並茂的英語朗誦。

祝你周末快樂。