Don't let the grass grow under one's feet
今天大家再来讲两个和 foot 或 feet 有关的俗语。大家过去说过: to stand on one's own two feet,这是独立自主,依赖我们的意思。大家还说过: to throw oneself at someone's feet,这是公开表示对某人的爱慕之情,或是拍马奉承、百般讨好某人。可是,被爱慕或讨好的对象总是会忽然感到很开心而不由自主地变得飘飘然起来。这种情景在英文里是这么说的: to be swept off one's feet。下面大家要举的一个例子就能看出一个人在 throwing himself at someone's feet 将来所可能产生的后果:
例句-1: Dick was so crazy about Jane that he threw himself at her feet. Jane was swept off her feet and they're getting married next Tuesday.
这句话的意思是:迪克实在是爱简,他完全拜倒在她的石榴裙下。这一下使得简感到飘飘然,不由自主了。他们居然决定下星期二就结婚。
这种闪电式的结婚确实有点过于匆忙。下面一个例子就是一个人在劝他的朋友不要草率从事。这也说明 to be swept off one's feet 这个俗语不肯定完全适用于被爱慕的人,也可以用在其他场所:
例句-2: Hal, I know how anxious you are to get married and start a family. But don't let yourself get swept off your feet by a pretty face: think about what you are doing before you get caught.
他说:海尔,我了解你是很急于结婚成家。但,你不要被一张好看的脸弄得昏昏然的。在问题还没发生前,你得脑子了解一些,了解自己到底在做什么。
像结婚如此的事确实应该慎重考虑,不可以操之过急。但有些时候,大家处置事情也不可以拖拖拉拉,费时。这在英文里就是: Don't let the grass grow under one's feet。 Grass 是指草。 Don't let the grass grow under one's feet 从字面上来讲解,这句话的意思是:不要让草在你脚底下长出来,事实上也就是说,你不要啥事也不干,费时。大家来举一个例子吧:
例句-3: Right now the house is a real bargain. Don't let the grass grow under your feet -- sign the agreement today before somebody grabs it.
这是一个房地产经纪人在对一个买主说话。他说:目前房地产价格实在是很实惠。你不要费时,最好今天就签协议,免得给其他人把这栋房屋抢走。
Don't let the grass grow under your feet 是营销推广商品的人常常说的话。下面的例子是一个汽车商在对客户说话:
例句-4: I tell you, don't let the grass grow under you feet -- this is the last day of this sale and the price on this model goes up a thousand dollars tomorrow!
他说:我对你说,今天是这次减价的最后一天。这种型号的车子,明天就要上涨一千USD。所以你不要优柔寡断,费时。
上面大家给大伙介绍了两个和 foot 或者 feet 这个字有关的习惯用语。第一个是: to be swept off one's feet,这是指一个人因为一件使他开心的事而感到不由自主。今天大家讲的另一个习惯用语是: Don't let the grass grow under one's feet,这是劝人不要停止不前,费时。