[圖片來源:Getty Images]
有時(shí)一件壞事情或問題一旦開始,只會(huì)變得更糟,每況愈下,一路下滑。英語里有一個(gè)形象的表達(dá)來描述這個(gè) “滑坡效應(yīng)”。聽 Rob 和菲菲的對話,學(xué)習(xí) “slippery slope” 的用法。
(關(guān)于臺(tái)詞的備注: 請注意這不是廣播節(jié)目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能沒有體現(xiàn)錄制、編輯過程中對節(jié)目做出的改變。)
Feifei
大家好!歡迎收聽 BBC英語教學(xué)的 “地道英語” 節(jié)目。我是馮菲菲。
Rob
…and me, Rob.
Feifei
我們可能聽起來與以往有些不同,這是因?yàn)樵谛鹿诜窝滓咔楸l(fā)期間,我們無法在平時(shí)的錄音間錄制節(jié)目。
Now, Rob, why are you wearing those funny rubber shoes today?
Rob
Well, it’s in preparation for our expression in this programme, Feifei!
Feifei
你穿膠鞋是為了給大家介紹一個(gè)表達(dá)?不過我們要教給大家的這個(gè)表達(dá)和穿膠鞋好像沒有什么關(guān)系!
Rob
Ah, but these are special rubber shoes to stop me sliding down any slippery slopes – that is what we’re talking about today, isn’t it?
Feifei
Umm, well, sort of, but it’s not really about slipping down a slope – only metaphorically.
Rob
Ah, right, so it’s got something to do with easily descending downhill into something?
Feifei
說對了!如果一件壞事情或問題一旦開始,就很可能變得越來越糟糕,如果不加以制止,就愈演愈烈,后果不堪設(shè)想,那么這時(shí)候我們就可以說這個(gè)處境是一個(gè) “滑坡效應(yīng) a slippery slope”。咱們來聽三個(gè)使用了 “slippery slope” 的例句。
Examples
Having a glass of wine with your dinner is a slippery slope. You’ll end up finishing the whole bottle by the end of the evening.
Juan was on a slippery slope to getting the sack when he started missing important meetings with clients.
He’s on a slippery slope to failure if he keeps missing the deadlines for his assignments.
Feifei
這里是 BBC英語教學(xué)的 “地道英語” 節(jié)目。以上我們聽到的例句都用了 “slippery slope” 來描述一旦開始就可能越變越糟糕的壞情況或不良習(xí)慣。說得通俗點(diǎn),“a slippery slope” 就是每況愈下的 “下坡路”。
Rob
OK, so I won’t be needing these slip-resistant shoes, then. Hmm, but they are very comfortable. Do you know what? I might keep wearing them.
Feifei
Oh, no, Rob. It’ll be a slippery slope.
Rob
Why’s that?
Feifei
Well, if you keep wearing them without socks…
Rob
…everyone will laugh at me?
Feifei
No! Your feet will smell and then nobody will want to sit next to you!
Rob
Hmm…charming! Well, it’s a good job I’m self-isolating! Bye, Feifei.
Feifei
Bye, Rob.