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菲菲在學游泳,Rob 在做復雜的報表,兩個人都遇到了問題。但是他們的問題為什么都和 “out of your depth” 這個表達有關(guān)系呢?聽他們的對話,學習這個 “水沒頭頂,無法駕馭” 的形象比喻。
(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,歡迎來到 BBC 英語教學的《地道英語》節(jié)目。我是馮菲菲。
Rob
…and hello, I'm Rob. Feifei, why's your hair wet – it's not raining, is it?
Feifei
No, Rob. I've just been for my swimming lesson. It was a bit scary actually.
Rob
Why's that?
Feifei
今天游泳課上,我第一次游到深水區(qū),腳踩不到地,所以慌了神,最后救生員跳進池子,拉了我一把。
Rob
Oh dear, Feifei. It sounds like you were out of your depth!
Feifei
“Out of my depth 水深超過了我的身高”?Yes, I suppose I was.
Rob
Well I'm out my depth too.
Feifei
What - you're learning to swim too?
Rob
No, I'm struggling to complete this project about statistics that the boss has asked me to do. I know nothing about statistics and numbers – it's just too difficult and I just can't do it. So I am out of my depth.
Feifei
我明白了。表達 “out of one’s depth” 可以描述一個人因為知識或能力不足,而無法勝任某項工作。就像水深超過身高,沒過頭頂一樣。當然,這只是個比喻。
Rob
Exactly. Let's hear some examples.
Examples
I'm so out of my depth in this new job. I haven't got a clue what to do!
When everyone started talking about politics, I knew I was out of my depth. So I politely made my excuses and went home.
He was clearly out of his depth in the match – he lacked any skill and couldn't even pass the ball!
Feifei
這里是 BBC 英語教學的《地道英語》節(jié)目。這集節(jié)目中介紹的表達是 “out of one’s depth”,用來描述一個人因能力有限,無法駕馭或不能勝任工作。Well, Rob, I may be able to save you! I love statistics and can help you out.
Rob
Oh that's great. And I can help you improve your swimming.
Feifei
Oh yes? How can you do that?
Rob
You can borrow my armbands so you'll never sink, even in the deep end. You'll never be out of your depth again!
Feifei
Thanks, but I think I should learn to swim properly. Anyway, when do you need to complete this project for the boss by?
Rob
Errr… now.
Feifei
Oh. Come on then. We had better go and get on with it, otherwise the boss will throw you in deep end! Bye.
Rob
Bye.