地道英語
Peaks and troughs 沉浮波折，起起落落
內(nèi)容簡介
每個人在人生中都會經(jīng)歷 “peaks（高峰）” 和 “troughs（低谷）”。英語表達 “peaks and troughs” 就可以用來比喻 “人生經(jīng)歷中的沉浮波折，起起落落”。主持人菲菲和 Neil 在節(jié)目中分享他們經(jīng)歷過的 “peaks and troughs”，教大家如何使用這個 “地道英語” 表達。
文字稿
（關(guān)于臺詞的備注: 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。在每期節(jié)目中，我們都會介紹一個英語母語人士或講英語流利的人會用到的表達。I'm Feifei.
Neil?
Hi there. I'm Neil.
Feifei?
這期節(jié)目中要介紹的表達非常實用，也十分貼近生活：“peaks and troughs”。首先我和 Neil 將用英語來講解 “peaks and troughs” 的用法，在節(jié)目最后，我會用漢語進行歸納總結(jié)。So, Neil, have you ever experienced the peaks and troughs of life?
Neil?
Oh, yeah, of course! Life is full of peaks and troughs, isn't it? Highs and lows. But what exactly do we mean by that expression, 'peaks and troughs'??
Feifei?
Well, in this expression, 'peaks' refer to the high points in life – moments of success, happiness or achievement. I suppose that comes from the top of a mountain which is called a 'peak', while 'troughs' are the low points. So, moments of difficulty or challenges.
Neil?
Yeah. So, we're talking about the ups and downs of life.
Feifei?
That's right. Life is like a rollercoaster with its peaks and troughs. You said you've experienced the peaks and troughs of life. Would you mind sharing?
Neil?
Oh, yes, OK. So, I did a master's degree as an adult when I had a young family. That was really challenging, but I managed to do it, so that felt good. That was a good peak. Um… a trough – I lived abroad for a long time, and then when I came back home, it was difficult to adjust. So, that was a trough, I'd say.?
Feifei
Well, good examples. Thanks for sharing, Neil. Here are some more examples of people using 'peaks and troughs'.??
Examples?
My boyfriend is self-employed, and he doesn't have any work at the moment, but it's peaks and troughs. Something will come up soon.
I went to a play the other day, and it was alright. I liked some of it. There were real peaks and troughs.
I went to an amazing restaurant the other day, but it was really expensive, and it took me ages to get there. But that's living in London – it's peaks and troughs.
Neil?
So, we have lots of different ways, actually, to describe the ups and downs of life. We have 'ups and downs', 'highs and lows', 'ebb and flow' – that's a good one – it's about the ocean tides and how they come in and out. But what kind of situations can we use 'peaks and troughs' in, Feifei? Is it flexible?
Feifei?
It is, actually, as we've seen in the examples. It can be used to talk about everyday life, but you can also use it in any situation where there are highs and lows. So, for example, if we worked in a field like economics and we probably will use a graph with a line going up and down to monitor the financial market. Or, for example, if you are a doctor, you might monitor your patient's glucose levels on a graph seeing it going up and down.??
Neil?
Yeah, that's right. So, to recap, we've learnt the phrase 'peaks and troughs' which we can use when we talk about the high and the low points in life.
Feifei
“Peaks and troughs” 的字面意思是 “高峰與低谷”，就像一張數(shù)據(jù)圖表中的波線會上下波動。我們可以用 “peaks and troughs” 來比喻 “人生中的起起落落 peaks and troughs, highs and lows”；還可以比喻 “工作中的成功和失敗 peaks and troughs, successes and failures”；“peaks and troughs” 還能用來比喻 “金融市場的繁榮期和蕭條期”。下次當你想要描述人生中的沉浮波折或者職場上的跌宕起伏的時候，記著用這期節(jié)目中學(xué)習的表達 “peaks and troughs”。
OK, we'll be back next week with another useful English phrase. See you next time!?
Neil?
Goodbye.
