“单词背后的故事”是一个电台节目,通过讲故事和举例子,让英语学习者更系统地了解到英语习语的意思与用法。当然,要学以致用才能真正掌握这些习语哦。暑期的世界杯让大家过足瘾了吧?体育活动不仅能增强体魄,而且能增进感情、提高团队精神——还能衍生出许多习语哦。本期给大家带来与棒球有关的习语,一起来个全垒打吧。Ready? Go!
Baseball is America’s national sport. So it is not unusual that many popular expressions come from baseball. But first, let me explain a little about the game.
Each baseball team has nine players. The pitcher[投球手] of one team throws the ball to a batter[击球手] from the other team. The batter attempts to hit the ball. If he misses, it is called “a strike[击球未中,好球].” If a batter gets three strikes, he loses his turn at bat and is called out. The batter also is out if he hits the ball in the air and an opposing player catches it. But if the batter hits the ball and it is not caught, the batter tries to run to one or more of the four bases on the field. The batter can run to all four bases if he hits the ball over the fence or out of the ballpark. Such a hit is called “a home run[全垒打].”
Now, here are some common expressions from baseball: someone who is “1)on the ball” is intelligent and able to do a good job. But a person who “2)threw a curveball” did something unexpected. Someone who “3)steps up to the plate” is ready to do his or her job. A “4)pinch hitter” takes the place of someone else at a job or activity.
A person who “5)strikes out” or “6)goes down swinging” attempted something but failed. We also might tell the person that “7)three strikes and you are out.” But someone who “8)hit a homerun” or “9)hit it out of the park” did something extremely well.
Sometimes I have to give information quickly, without time to think it over. Then I would say something “10)right off the bat.” If someone is doing an extremely good job and is very successful, you might say he or she is “11)batting one thousand.”
If I say I want to 12)touch base with you, I will talk to you from time to time about something we plan to do. I might say, “I touched all the bases” if I did what is necessary to complete a job or activity.
And if I “13)covered my bases”, I was well prepared. However, someone who is way “14)off base” did something wrong or maybe even dishonest or immoral. A person with strange ideas might be described as “15)out in left field.”
Let us say I want to sell my car but I do not know exactly how much it is worth. If someone asks me the price, I might give 16)a ballpark figure or a ballpark estimate.
If someone offers me an amount that is close to my selling price, I might say, “The amount is 17)in the ballpark.” However, if I say, “We are 18)not in the same ballpark,” I mean we cannot agree because my ideas are too different from yours.
Finally, when a situation changes completely, we say, “That is 19)a whole new ball game.”
Notes
1) (be) on the ball 机灵的,高明的,内行的
2) throw a curveball 使惊奇,尤指使人不悦地
3) step up to the plate 开始行动
4) pinch hitter 代替者
5) strike out 失败,砸锅
6) go down swinging 虽败犹荣,体面下场
7) three strikes and you are out 三振出局
8) hit a home run 击出全垒打,比喻非常成功
9) hit it out of the park 出色地完成某事
10) (right) off the bat 立刻,毫不犹豫
11) bat one/a thousand 工作出色,很有成就
12) touch base (with sb.) 和……联系
13) cover one’s bases 做好充分准备
14) off base 完全错误
15) (be) out in left field (美俚)发疯,神志错乱
16) a ballpark figure/estimate 大约的数目
17) in the ballpark 在某一范围或者限度之内,大致正确
18) (be) in the same ballpark 意见相符,数额相等
19) a whole new ball game 完全不一样,情况完全改变