fofor 发表于 2001-11-21 14:28:03

容易混淆的口语(2)

5. talk shop 与talk sharp :

talk shop 意思是谈论公事( talk about business )。
例如: Most executives like to talk shop while golfing. (许多主管喜欢在打高尔夫球时谈论公事。)

但是talk sharp 系指说话刻薄或苛刻( say something mean or bad )。
例如:He tries to talk sharp when a controversial issue arises. (他对争论性的问题总想说得很刻薄。)

6. out of touch 与out of reach :

out of touch ( = out of tune )是指一个人对某方面的实际情形不是想像中那麽了解。( don't understand the real situation or wrong perception )。
例如: He is out of touch ( with reality ) . (他与现实脱节。)(生活在自己的圈子里,对外界存著幻想。)

但是out of reach 是指难以接触或亲近。( not approachable )。
例如:Most of high   ranking officials are out of reach to the general public. (一般老百姓不容易与高官接触。)

7. low key 与low profile :

low key 指人时,表示个性镇静,能克制,不易激动 (not easily excitable ; calm personality) 。
例如: My boss is a low key person.

反之,如果说他是容易激动的人 (emotional) ,那麽应该说:
He is a high strung person. (不是 high key person )(动词时态: string, strung, strung) 。

low key 对事时,也有低姿态、低调的意思, (low intensity or quiet manner) ,但多半後面跟approach. 例如:
The U.S. sometimes takes a low key approach for the Taiwan issue. (美国有时对台湾问题采取低调姿态。)

但是low profile 是指锋芒不外露或不愿被人当作注意的目标(dont want to be spot-light; don't like others to know) 。例如:
I have been keeping a low profile my entire life. (我一生行事低调。)

反之,也可用high profile. 例如:
Mr. Lee is a man who always likes to keep a high profile. (李先生是位喜欢锋芒外露的人。)

8. keep (one's) eyes open 与keep an eye on :

这两句片语,虽然意思都是「留心」「注意」,但前者指的范围较广(wider range) 而後者范围较小(more narrow situation) 。
例如:
You have to keep your eyes OPEN for any job openings. (你要为谋职的机会多加留意。)(留意范围较大)

He will keep an eye ON your husband during your absence. (你不在时,他会注意你老公。)(以免拈花惹草。)

这两个词你们可千万不能用错了: son of a gun 与son of a bitch ,知道为什么吗?:D
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