正在考虑选择一种新的爱好或转向一个新的职业吗?如果你跟美国人谈起来,他们可能会告诉你先“试试水”(test the waters)。别担心,这不是说你要把自己弄湿。这是美国人的一个习惯用语,意思是在决定做某事之前,更多地了解一下。

以下是另外六个与“水”有关的习惯用语:

Water under the bridge (桥下流水)

含义:  发生在过去且无法改变的事,但已不会再造成影响。
对话举例: “Maria and Janice did not like each other in high school, but that’s water under the bridge. Now, they are good friends.” (玛利亚和简妮丝上高中时相互没有好感,但那已经是过去的事了。现在她们是好朋友。)”

Illustration of two people shaking hands on bridge with water beneath (State Dept./Doug Thompson)
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)

Troubled waters (波涛汹涌的水域)

含义:  感情上的艰难时刻或混乱不安的状态。
对话举例: “I’ve noticed that you and your parents have been fighting a lot these days. I would like to help calm the troubled waters if I can.” (我注意到你和你父母最近常常争吵。如果可能的话,我愿意帮助平息一下。)

Like water off a duck’s back(犹如从鸭背上落下的水珠)

含义: 对某人不产生影响,若无其事。
对话举例: “Patricia never takes criticism personally. She accepts it and doesn’t feel hurt — it’s like water off a duck’s back.”(帕特丽夏从来不介意批评。她接受,不难受,好像若无其事。)

Illustration of a duck standing under a spray of water (State Dept./Doug Thompson)
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)

Keep (one’s) head above water(坚持让头露出水面/避免没顶)

含义: 在财务、工作或者责任等方面勉强维持。
对话举例: “Peter is having a difficult time at the university because he wasn’t very well prepared academically, but he is somehow managing to keep his head above water.”(彼得因为学业基础比较差,在大学里学得很吃力,但是他居然一直坚持住。)

In hot water(在热水中)

含义: 陷入麻烦。
对话举例: “Cheryl borrowed her mother’s best silk blouse without permission and spilled soda on it. She knew she’d be in hot water when she got home.”(谢丽尔未经许可把妈妈最好的丝绸上衣拿去穿,可不小心将汽水洒在上面。她知道回家后会遇到大麻烦。)

Hold water(不漏水)

含义: 可信可靠的;经得起检验;有道理。这个短语用于指论点或观点,不用于指人。
对话举例: “Two scientists claimed that they had achieved fusion at room temperature. Other scientists wanted to test the theory to see if it would hold water.”(两位科学家声称他们在常温下完成了熔合。其他科学家想测试他们的说法,看看是否成立。)

Illustration of water leaking from a bucket (State Dept./Doug Thompson)
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)

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