地道口语—Lesson 2 Bob Returns Home with Bad News

Bob tells his wife Susan that he lost his job. Susan suggests that he start his own business.

Susan: What’s the matter, dear?

Bob: Susan, I got canned today at work.

Susan: But Bob, you were Peter’s right-hand man!

Bob: Yes, and he stabbed me in the back.

Susan: Keep your chin up. Maybe he’ll change his mind and take you back.

Bob: When pigs fly! Once he makes up his mind, he never changes it. Besides, I told him off.

Susan: Look on the bright side: you won’t have to set eyes on Peter ever again.

Bob: Thank goodness for that!

Susan: Hang in there. I’m sure you won’t be out of work for long.

Bob: In the meantime, we’ll have to live from hand to mouth.

Susan: Don’t get too stressed out, Bob. We’ll make ends meet.

Bob: I can always get a job at McDonald’s as a last resort.

Susan: I don’t think they’re hiring right now.

Bob: If worse comes to worst, we can sell our home and move into a tent. Susan: Let’s think big! Maybe you can start your ownbusiness.

Bob: Easier said thandone!

Notes on Idioms:

(to) change one’s mind - to change one’s opinion or decision改变主意

easier said than done — more difficult than you think说来容易做时难

get canned [slang] - lose one’s job; to get fired被炒鱿鱼

SYNONYMS同义词: to get sacked; to be given the ax

(to) hang in there — to persevere; to not give up坚持下去

if worse comes to worst - in the worst case; if absolutelynecessary如果事情越来越糟；实在不行

 (to) keep one’s chinup - to stay positive别气馁

last resort - if there are no other alternatives left; the last solution for getting out of a difficulty 最后手段

 (to) live from hand tomouth - to barely have enough money to survive勉强糊口

 (to) look on thebright side - to be optimistic; to think about the positive part or aspect of asituation往好处想

 (to) make ends meet —to manage one’s money so as to have enough to live on; to be okay financially量入为出

right-hand man - the most helpful assistant or employee得力助手

 (to) set eyes on - tolook at; to see for the first time看到

 (to) stab someone inthe back - to betray someone 暗箭伤人

 (to be) stressed out -under severe strain; very anxious紧张的

 (to) tell off — to scold; to tell someone in strong words what one really thinks责备

 (to) think big - to set high goals设立高目标

When pigs fly! [slang] — never绝不可能

SYNONYMS同义词: when hell freezes over; never in a million years

翻译服务热线：

微信：563730218

QQ：563730218

手机：[phone]

新浪微博：北极光翻译赵小贤  http://weibo.com/weiyifanyi