地道英語
Clutch at straws 抓救命稻草
內(nèi)容簡介
“Clutch at straws（抓救命稻草）” 并不是指真的用手 “clutch（緊握）” 一束 “straws（稻草）”，而是比喻為擺脫困境，選擇并不可靠的解決方法的行為。“Clutch at straws” 在口語中還可以用來表示某人的觀點缺乏說服力，顯得只是急于表達自己的想法。聽節(jié)目，學(xué)習(xí) “clutch at straws” 的用法。
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, and I'm joined by Georgie.?
Georgie
Hi everyone.
Feifei
在這期節(jié)目中，我們要來學(xué)習(xí)一個成語 “clutch at straws”。我和 Georgie 將先用英語為大家講解 “clutch at straws” 的用法，最后再由我用漢語進行歸納總結(jié)。?
Georgie
So, Feifei, how are you doing?
Feifei
I'm very well, thank you. What about you?
Georgie
Yes, I'm good, thank you. Now, in this programme we're looking at the idiom 'clutch at straws'. Ever heard of this one, Feifei??
Feifei
Yes, I have, it's actually quite common. So, the verb 'clutch' means to hold something tightly with your hands. And 'straws' – Georgie, are we talking about the long, hollow tubes we use to drink things?
Georgie
No, this idiom comes from an old proverb where 'straws' is actually a thin plant that grows near a river. If you're clutching at straws, you're trying to save yourself from drowning in the river.
Feifei
I didn't know that! But that helps us to understand its metaphorical meaning. We use 'clutch at straws' when someone is trying to improve a difficult situation, using methods that are a bit desperate and don't seem likely to work. Let's hear some examples.
Examples
I was doing a marathon, and I needed some people to sponsor me, but no one was giving me money, so, I was really clutching at straws, and I had to go to my neighbour instead.
So, in my French class, we had to give a presentation on something interesting, and everyone had really good ideas, and I couldn't think of anything. So, I was really clutching at straws.
It was one day before Christmas Eve, and I had nothing in my fridge! In the end I had to serve everyone with beans on toast… I was really clutching at straws there.
Feifei
So, we've heard examples of people trying to fix a situation by doing something desperate or extreme, but we also often use it when people say things that are a bit desperate, usually during an argument. If their reasons for something are weak and a bit desperate, we can say they are clutching at straws.?
Georgie
Yes, and Feifei… I know I've only been at work for an hour, and I haven't done much, but I already need a break. Do you think I deserve one?
Feifei
I think you're clutching at straws a bit there, Georgie. Here is another example. My son ate all his vegetables at dinner last night, and afterwards, he asked me whether he could delay his bedtime till midnight!?
Georgie
Oh, sounds like he was clutching at straws, but it was worth a try!
Feifei
It was. OK, let's recap.?
成語 “clutch at straws” 的意思是 “抓救命稻草”。這個成語用來比喻在非常困難的情況下其實已經(jīng)走投無路，但為了擺脫困境開始選擇看似有效卻并不靠譜的做法和解決方案，就像不小心掉進河里的時候想靠岸邊纖細的稻草 “straws” 來把自己拉上岸。比如，你的電腦打不開了，寫好的論文沒法提交，于是你打算自己拆開電腦來修理，你的朋友就可能勸你 “Hey, stop clutching at straws, you are going to break it!” 意思就是 “別病急亂投醫(yī)，你可能會徹底弄壞電腦的！” 除此之外，“clutch at straws” 還可以用來形容某人拋出的論點經(jīng)不起推敲，顯得只是急于找到借口。
OK, remember to come back next time for another useful English phrase.
Georgie
Thanks for joining us. Bye!?
Feifei
Bye-bye!
