英语习语趣谈【21】生死有命,富贵在天 Have deep pockets & In someone’s pocket

本栏目由李福兵原创编写,Eyre绘图。

许多人虽然没有太多的钱,但当他们看到别人处于十分困难的境地时,会毫不犹豫的伸出援助之手。而有些人虽然很有钱(have deep pockets),但他们却从不施舍一点给别人。

Although Jim doesn’t have deep pockets, he’ll give you his shirt off his back when you are in serious trouble.
 (译文:虽然Jim 不是很有钱,但当你处于困难时他会竭尽所能的帮你。)

在上面这个句子中,我们看到一个片语:have deep pockets, 它的意思是“有钱,财力雄厚。”从字面上看,这个片语的意思是指“有一个深深的口袋,”试想,如果用这样的口袋装钱,数目肯定不会少,所以人们常用它来形容一个人很有钱,财力雄厚。To have deep pockets means to have a lot of money. For example:

“I don’t have deep pockets, son. You have to pull up your sockets and tighten your belt in order to take off your career.”
(译文:“我不是很有钱,儿子。你必须奋发图强,勒紧腰带才能使你的事业腾飞。” )

下面我们来看一看今天要学习的第二个片语:be in someone’s pocket. 从字面上看,这个片语的意思是“在某人的口袋里”,演变为“被某人掌控、控制。”什么情况下可以用上这个片语呢?比如别人叫你泄露你公司的秘密并给了你许多钱,说只泄露一次。你照做了,并收了钱。不久他又叫你再做一次,不然的话就要告诉你的公司。这下你不得不做,你就be in his pocket了。Be in one’s pocket refers to someone who is controlled or strongly influenced by others in authority, and willing to do whatever they want.

先看看下面的例子,之前,先看一个生词:badger hat,它的意思是:腐败分子。

They gave the badger hat more money. He did anything they called him to. He was totally in their pocket.
(译文:他们给了这腐败者许多钱,他做了他们叫他做的所有事。他完全被他们掌控了。)

这样的人我觉得很悲哀,俗话说不做亏心事,不怕鬼叫门。只有做诚实的人,干诚实的事我们才能活得自在,活得潇洒。所谓生死有命,富贵在天说的就是这个道理。所以做自己该做的事,就不怕be in others’ pocket了。

Venn had set a trap for Gord. Now Gord was in Venn’s pocket and had to do whatever Venn wanted to.
(Venn设了一个圈套给 Gord, 现在Gord被控制了,不得不做Venn想象要他做的所有事情。)

结束语:今天我们一共学习了两个片语。一个是have deep pockets, 它的意思是“有钱,财力雄厚。”另一个是in someone’s pocket, 从字面上理解,它的意思是“在人家口袋里,”这不就是任人宰割的意思吗?所以我们翻译为“被某人完全控制着。”另外,在例句中我们还巩固了前面几讲所涉及的片语:pull up one’s socks的意思是“奋发图强,”tighten one’s belt的意思是“勒紧腰带。”

Lesson 41: Teamwork Works Best With a Team

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Hi. I am walking to work. Today my boss will tell me what she thinks of my work. Is it good? Or is it bad? Okay, time for work. I am going right now. Okay, okay, I’m going!

Ms. Weaver: Anna, hello.
Anna: Hello.
Ms. Weaver: Sit down. As you know, at the start of a new year we have a work review.
Anna: Yes. It’s time for mine.
Ms. Weaver: Yes. Anna, this chart shows the audience of The Time Traveling Treehouse. If you look at it, you will see something bad. Your audience is going down, down, DOWN!
Anna: Ms. Weaver, I think the chart is upside down.
Anna: Here, let’s flip that around. Now, it’s right-side up.
Ms. Weaver: Oh. If you look at this chart, you will see something good. Your audience is big.
Anna: Good!
Ms. Weaver: But not big enough.
Anna: Not good.
Ms. Weaver: I want to see these numbers go up, and up, and UP!
Anna: How?
Ms. Weaver: I have something — idea posters!
Anna: (whispers) Idea posters.
Ms. Weaver: You really ought to think seriously about them. I like this one. Please read it.
Anna: “If at first you SUCCEED; you will be a success.” Well, it’s a cute cat.
Ms. Weaver: Here’s another one. I like it.
Anna: “WORKING HARD looks hard because it really is hard.” I see. It’s another cute cat.
Ms. Weaver: This is my favorite.
Anna: “TEAMWORK works best with a team.” A team of cats. Look at all those cats!
Ms. Weaver: So, Anna, do you understand what I want?
Anna: Yes, Ms. Weaver. I understand.
Anna: Okay, team. There is a problem in the Treehouse.
Amelia: Problem? What’s the problem?
Anna: Our audience is big.
Bryan: But that’s a good thing.
Anna: No, it is not big enough.
Anna: Please don’t worry. I know what Ms. Weaver wants. Here’s the plan. (whispers)
Bryan: Is that what she wants?
Amelia: Are you sure?
Anna: Yes. Let’s get to work!
Anna: Good job, team. This is exactly what Ms. Weaver wants!
Anna: Welcome to The Time Traveling Treehouse! Today you will learn about a very popular pet … cats!
MINDY: Anna. Did I give you enough cats?
Anna: I don’t know, MINDY. I think we need more cats!

Lesson 40: The Woods Are Alive

Speaking

Pronunciation

Conversation

Anna: Happy New Year! Some people, at the start of a new year, make a resolution — a promise to yourself to be better. I thought about my resolution carefully. I want to be an actor on the stage! Today I will audition for a show called “The Woods Are Alive!” Wish me luck!
Director: Next! What is your name?
Anna: My name is Anna Matteo.
Director: Are you ready to audition?
Anna: (warms up voice) Yes.
Director: Great. Let’s begin on page 1. Here is the story. You are lost in the woods. You are searching desperately for a way out. Suddenly, you hear something.
Director: Now, say your line.
Anna: ‘What was that? Hello. Is someone there?’
Director: Anna, you are speaking too softly. Can you speak more loudly and a little more, um, seriously?
Anna: Yes, of course I can. ‘What was that? Hello. Is someone there?’ Is that loud enough?
Director: Yes, that is loud enough. Let’s turn to page 25. In this scene, you are moving slowly and quietly through the woods.
Director: Anna. Anna! You are walking quickly and loudly. Walk slowly and quietly.
Anna: I’m walking slowly and quietly. I am walking…
Director: Anna. Anna. You don’t need to say “slowly” and “quietly.” Alright, let’s try the last scene. Turn to page 48. I say my line first, then you say your line.
Director: ‘You will never get out of these woods alive! Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha Mwa-ha-ha-ha-ha!’
Anna: ‘Yes, I will.’
Director: Okay, Anna, you said that line — you said that line really late. You need to say it earlier.
Anna: Sorry. Sorry. Let me try again.
Director: ‘You will never …’
Anna: ‘Yes, I will.’
Director: ‘… get out of the woods alive.’
Anna: I was too early, wasn’t I?
Director: Yes. Yes, you were.
Anna: Director, how am I doing?
Director: You know, Anna. I think that I have the perfect part for you.
Director: The costume is in the back. Please go try it on.
Anna: Awesome! (Anna returns as a tree.)
Director: Oh, Anna, that fits you perfectly!
Anna: I’m a tree. I’m a tree in … “The Woods Are Alive!” Yes!
Anna: My new year is starting awesomely! Excuse me, Director! I have a great idea for my tree. Oh, wait! Until next time!