大熱倒灶 (To be a major upset)

奧斯卡的得獎名單揭盅，有人歡喜有人愁。

我們當然不會錯過這個學英文的好機會，讓我們看看各地的新聞吧！

先來的是「大熱倒灶」

He was upset in the primary. (他在初選中大熱倒灶。) {m-w}

In a major upset, he took the gold medal. (他擊敗大熱，奪得金牌。) {m-w}

Her victory in the election was a big upset. (她在選舉中勝出，使大熱倒灶。) {m-w}

接下來是有關奧斯卡的新聞︰

Daniel Day-Lewis, who has a reputation for (1) immersing himself in his roles, made Oscar history and won (2) a long standing ovation on becoming the first man to win three best actor Oscars. 

(1)    To immerse oneself in︰全心投入/ 完全沉浸於

Since then I've lived alone and immersed myself in my career. {iciba}

自那以後,我一直一個人生活,全身心投入我的事業當中。

(2)    A long standing ovation: 長時間的起立鼓掌

To give someone a huge/rapturous/rousing ovation {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

Taiwanese director Lee beat (3) front-runner Steven Spielberg in the directing race. Lee, who previously won best director in 2006 for "Brokeback Mountain", was typically (4) low-key and (5) self-deprecating in victory. 

(3)    Front-runner︰領先者/ 大熱 (the person who seems most likely to win) {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

He is one of the front runners in the presidential election. {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

(4)    Low-key︰低調

He wanted to keep the wedding low-key.

(5)    Self-deprecating︰自嘲/ 自貶

Self-deprecating jokes {Oxford Online}

Amour, the (6) heart-rending tale of an elderly couple coping with the wife’s (7) debilitating stroke, gave Austria the best foreign language film …

(6)    Heart-rending︰令人揪心的/ 使人悲痛的

Heart-rending pictures of refugees... {iciba}

令人心碎的難民照片

(7)    Debilitating︰使衰弱的 (to make someone's body or mind or something weaker)

She found the heat debilitating. {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

The economy is now strengthening after a long and debilitating recession. {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

The host is always the (8) lightning rod…the Oscars … is just an awards show. Nothing more. And that's why those who hosts, no matter the praise or the outcry, will live another day … It's why the modern-day (9) nadir --James Franco and Anne Hathaway -- means nothing (10) a couple of years removed from the debacle. It means that as much as everybody loved Billy Crystal in his (11) heyday, history also will forget the fact that he came back last year and seemed painfully out of place and out of time and the absolute wrong (12) knee-jerk replacement to Eddie Murphy

(8)    Lightning rod︰避雷針/ 招引批評的人 (a person or thing that attracts criticism, sometimes as a way of protecting someone else) {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

He is a lightning rod for controversy. {iciba}

他是個爭議性人物。

She has become a convenient lightning rod for voters' discontent. {m-w}

(9)    Nadir︰低谷/ 最低點 (the lowest or most unsuccessful point in a situation) {Oxford Online}

This failure was the nadir of her career. {iciba}

這次失敗是她事業上的低谷。

(10) A couple of years far removed from the debacle

Far removed︰隔了好一段時間 (adj., distant in time and space) {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

Far removed from the war era

遠離戰爭的年代

Debacle︰慘敗

His first performance was a debacle: the audience booed him off the stage. {iciba}

他的首場演出一敗塗地，觀眾發出噓聲把他轟下了台。

(11)Heyday︰全盛時期 (The period of greatest popularity, success, or power; prime.) {Oxford Online}

The paper has lost millions of readers since its heyday in 1964. {Oxford Online}

(12)Knee-jerk︰靠本能反應思考出來的 (responding to situations in an automatic and unthinking way) {Oxford Online}

The knee-jerk reaction to this is to call for proper security in all hospitals. {iciba}

對此類狀況的第一反應會是要求所有醫院都採取適當的安全措施。

參考文章 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-21570004 http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/bastard-machine/tv-review-seth-macfarlane-wins-424058 http://news.yahoo.com/argo-wins-best-picture-scattered-oscar-night-092941224.html

好心人 (Good Samaritan)

今天跟大家分享一齣美國的電視節目，名字是「What Would You Do? 」。節目環繞社會熱話，如種族歧視、家庭暴力、少年酗酒、醫療事故等，讓演員會在人多的地方故意演譯有關的事件，吸引途人注意，同時攝製隊會觀察他們如何反應。大家可以在YouTube搜到What Would You Do的短片，每次只有七分鐘，當中的英文對話也不深，不妨一看。

以下是我覺得最令人感動的一幕，有些地方我不太肯定，有錯請更正︰

0:29

Hospital staff ignore her for an (1) agonizing 45 minutes

(1)    Agonizing︰痛苦難忍的 (causing great physical or mental pain) {Oxford Online}

He faced an agonizing decision about his immediate future. {Iciba}

他面臨著一個關係到他不久將來的痛苦抉擇。

1:19

(2) Good Samaritan Diane Coward stops to call 911.

(2)    Good Samaritan︰好心人/ 仁慈熱心的人 (a charitable or helpful person) {Oxford Online}

A good Samaritan eventually came to her rescue. {Iciba}

一位好心人最終救了她。

3:20

He lies on the street (3) unaided

(3)    Unaided: 無人幫助的 (needing or having no assistance; without help) {Oxford Online}

She can no longer walk unaided. {Oxford Online}

3:50

And (4) God forbid they are holding a beer can.

(4)    God forbid︰但願…不會發生 (used to express a fervent wish that something does not happen) {Oxford Online}

God forbid that war should break out. {Iciba}

但願戰爭不會爆發。 

God forbid that I should ever have to work with him again. {Iciba}

但願我不必再與他共事。

4:29

We are beginning to think no one will (5) step up to the plate.

(5)    To step up to the plate︰付諸行動/ 開始行動 (to take action in response to an opportunity or crisis) {Oxford Online}

It's time for businesses to step up to the plate and accept responsibility. {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

5:53

Finally Linda Hamilton’s courageous example (6) turns the tide.

(6)    To turn the tide︰扭轉形勢 (a change in someone's luck or in how successful they are being) {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

This contract is probably our last chance to turn the tide. {Oxford Adv. Ame.}

6:17

This man (7) improvises a pillow

(7)    To improvise︰臨時做

An improvised stone shelter. {iciba}

臨時搭起的石頭庇護所。

7:07

Amidst the (8) hubbub of getting releases ( = legal release 授權電視台可播出途人的影像或聲音片段) signed and interviewing passers-by

(8)    Hubbub︰人群的喧嚷聲 (a noise made by a lot of people all talking or shouting at the same time) {Oxford}

The hubbub of voices drowned out the host's voice. {Oxford}

嘈雜的聲音淹沒了節目主持人的聲音。

7:10

Our (9) savior Linda slowly taps away

(9)    Savior︰救命恩人/ 救世者

They regarded him as the savior of their country. {Iciba}

他們把他看成國家的救星。

好心有好報 (What goes around comes around)

(1) Well-wishers from around the world are opening their wallets to a homeless man who returned a diamond engagement ring to its (2) rightful owner, after she accidentally dropped it in his (3) donation cup

(1)    Well-wisher: 祝福者 (a person who desires happiness or success for another)

He received plenty of advice from well-wishers

His well-wishing supporters

(2)    Rightful owner: 真正的主人

She's inherited the money which is rightfully hers...

她繼承了本應屬於她的錢。

(3)    Donation cup (= collection cup)

To show their appreciation, Darling and her husband set up an online fundraiser for Harris. The donations and praise (4) have poured in.

(4) To pour in: 陸續有來 ( to arrive or go somewhere quickly in large amounts)

Money now began to pour in.

錢現在源源而來

Election results are beginning to pour in.

"In life (5) what goes around comes around... Billy - your sweet actions, despite being (6) in dire straits yourself, prove that there is humility in the world... you are one shining example. Lots of love from across (7) the pond," wrote Chris and Mel, from Brentwood, England, on the giveforward.com site, which is collecting money. They gave $20.

(6) To be in dire/ desperate straits: 陷入困境 ( in a very difficult situation, usually because they do not have much money)

The company's closure has left many small businessmen in desperate financial straits.

該公司的倒閉讓很多小商戶陷入了經濟困境。

(7) The pond: 大西洋 (美國和英國的中間隔著大西洋)

Tourist numbers from across the pond have dropped dramatically.

來自大西洋彼岸的遊客數量已急劇減少。

原文︰

http://edition.cnn.com/2013/02/22/us/missouri-diamond-ring-returned/index.html

暴飲暴食(Binge eating & drinking)

她被男友拋棄了(to be jilted/ to be dumped)，她變得自暴自棄(to abandon herself to despair)，更暴飲暴食(to go on a binge)。眼見她天天以淚洗面 (to cry buckets)，身邊的人都不敢提起這個敏感話題(to broach this sensitive subject)。

她看看鏡子，胖得連自已也看不慣(can't stand/bear the sight of herself)。他倆剛分手(to break up/ to split up)，她又收到前男友快要結婚的消息，對她來說簡直是晴天霹靂(the news hit her like a thunderbolt/ the news came as a bombshell)。這壞男人還邀請她做伴娘(bridesmaid)。原來自已只是一廂情願(it was a one-sided relationship)，還一直被蒙在鼓里(to be kept in the dark)。他心懷怨恨(to be embittered) ，準備要向舊男友報復(to square/ settle accounts with him)

她決定以最佳姿態出席婚禮(to attend the wedding in her best shape)，實行搶盡新娘子的風頭(to steal the spotlight)。她開始了減肥大計。其實她曾多次試過地獄式減肥(intense/ extreme diets)，但總是半途而廢(to give up halfway)。她開始節食(to go on a diet)，奉行每次少食多餐的原則(to adopt a little-and-often approach/ to eat little and often)，並堅持每天跑步，以減走身上的贅肉(flabby muscles)。她吃得很清淡(to have a light diet/ a lightly seasoned diet)，每餐都是以白焯為主，而且無糖無油(sugar-free and oil-free)。最初吃起來淡而無味(to taste bland/ insipid)，使她萌生放棄的念頭，但她咬緊牙關(to grit her teeth)，終於看到成效(to take effect)，她足足減掉了20磅(to lose a staggering 20 lbs)！

總結︰

1.      被情人拋棄 (to be jilted/ to be dumped)

2.      自暴自棄(to abandon herself to despair)

3.      暴飲暴食(to go on a binge)

4.      以淚洗面/ 淚流成河 (to cry buckets)

5.      提起這個話題(to broach this subject)

6.      看不慣(can't stand/bear the sight of)

7.      晴天霹靂(to hit somebody like a thunderbolt)

8.      一廂情願(it was a one-sided relationship)

9.      蒙在鼓里(to be kept in the dark)

10.   心懷怨恨(to be embittered) 

11.   秋後算帳 (to square/ settle accounts with somebody)

12.   搶風頭 (to steal the spotlight)

13.   少食多餐 (to adopt a little-and-often approach/ to eat little and often)

14.   淡而無味(to taste bland/ insipid)

15.   咬緊牙關(to grit her teeth)

參考︰

A little-and-often approach

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-53111/Why-eating-little-best.html

臭氣熏天 (To smell to high heaven)

家是每個人的安樂窩(cozy nest)，但試想有一天你回到家，聞到一陣惡臭(to sniff an overpowering stench)，又不知從何散發出來(to emanate from)。為免臭氣沖天(to stink/ smell to high heaven)，你一定會設法找出「元兇」。以下十種除臭(deodorizing)良方可幫到你︰

1. Sprinkle baby powder on every inch of your floor (The powder is cheap so there is little reason to skimp.)

Baby Powder: 爽身粉 (= talcum powder)

To skimp: 節省著用 (to skimp on fuel in winter︰冬天時節省著用燃料.)

2. Put your shoes on the windowsill to air them out.

Windowsill: 窗台

To air out: 使通通風 (To air out the smoke-filled room)

3. Use air freshener to mask the pervasive smell of cigarette smoke

Air freshener: 空氣清新劑

To mask the smell: 蓋住氣味

Pervasive:

i. 四處彌漫的 (the pervasive odor of garlic)

ii. 無處不在的 (the pervasiveness of computer technology︰電腦技術的普及)

4. Put citrus fruit skins around the inconspicuous areas that harbor odors

Citrus fruit: 柑橘屬水果(如橘子、檸檬、西柚) 

Inconspicuous︰不顯眼的 (an inconspicuous grey building)

To harbor︰

i. 使源起 (patients who may have been harboring the disease)

ii. 窩藏 (罪犯) (to harbor an escaped prisoner)

5. Burn some incense to give off a lovely fragrance

Incense (香，可用作芳香療法 aromatherapy，非宗教用途)

To give off: 散發出 (The flowers give off a heady scent︰這些花散發出醉人的芳香)

6. Spritz a few drops of your favorite perfume or an eau de toilette into your washing machine in its final rinse.

To spritz︰噴 (to spritz water on a surface)

Rinse: 沖洗 (the removal of soap with clean water in the final stage of washing)

7. Place a bar of sweet-smelling soap in your closet.

8. Install an exhaust fan to ventilate the room

Exhaust fan︰抽氣扇

To ventilate: 使通風 (badly ventilated rooms)

9. Make sure there are is no mucky washing strewn around.

Mucky: very dirty (My hands are all mucky)

Washing: 待洗衣物 [不可數名詞]

To be strewn: 散佈滿地的 (a litter-strewn street. 垃圾遍地的街道)

10. To dissipate the odor of moth balls from your closet.

Moth balls︰樟腦丸/ 臭丸

To dissipate︰消散 (The tension in the room dissipated.︰房間裡的緊張氣氛消失了。)

British Politeness

停車! (Pull over!)

To pull over

1.       (of a vehicle) move to the side of or off the road:

 The tourists signaled the driver to pull over.

遊客們示意司機把車開到路邊。

2.       (of the police) cause a driver to pull off the road:

The officers pulled him over after a high-speed chase...

警員們一路狂追後截住了他。

其他相關生字︰

Siren (警笛)

To section off part of the road with traffic cone (用錐形路標把部分路面分隔開來)

To divert traffic (分流交通)

To cordon off the road (封鎖道路)

To receive a ticket for speeding (因超速駕駛而被發傳票)

To be choked with traffic. (擠滿了車輛)

The streets were clogged with people. (人們把街道圍得水泄不通)

The streets were thronged with  vehicles (街上擠滿車輛)

The car weaves his way through the traffic.

(車輛在車流中迂迴前行)