46.be short of hands 缺乏人手,人手不够
short作表语时指“某物不够,缺乏某物”的意思,常与介词of搭配使用,既短语be short of something。
A: You look worried about something. What’s the matter? 你好像很着急,怎么了?
B: My computer isn’t working and I have got an important contract to type. 我的电脑坏了,可我还有一份重要合同要打出来。
A: Why don’t you call the computer company? 你为什么不给计算机公司打个电话?
B: I did, but they said the company was short of hands and couldn’t send any man today. 我打了,可他们说人手不够,今天不能派人来。
A: What should I do? 我该怎么办呢?
47.be supposed to 认为应该,必须;认为可以
此语用被动语态表示“被许多人相信”,如:The castle is supposed to be haunted.(人们都说那座城堡闹鬼。)此语在口语中表示“认为可以做某事”,如:None of us girls is supposed to smoke.(我们女孩子都不吸烟。)此语中的supposed是动词的过去式,supposed作为形容词,意指“假定的,被信以为真的,想象中的”。
A: The train was supposed to get to Beijing at eight o’clock. 火车该八点钟到北京。
B: Eight o’clock? It’s already eight-thirty. 八点?现在都八点半了。
A: What if he didn’t see us? 要是他没看见我们怎么办?
B: He would take a taxi, I think. 他会打出租车的。
A: Maybe the train is late. 不会是火车晚点了吧。
B: It is impossible. I have heard the broadcast. 不可能。我已听见广播了。
48.be too quick on the trigger 操之过急,行动过于仓促
trigger指枪的“扳机,触发器”。该习语直译为“过早地扣动扳机”,引申为“行动过于仓促,操之过急”。
A: You shouldn’t have had Bob do that job. He is still a green hand. 你不该让鲍勃做那项工作,他毕竟还是一个新手。
B: But he needs to be given a chance. 但是他也需要机会呀!
A: You should not have been too quick on the trigger. 可你不该太性急呀!
49.bear down 加倍努力
该习语本身就有“竭尽全力、加紧努力”的意思。例如:You will bear down if you expect to pass the exam. (你要是指望考试及格的话,就得加一把劲。)
A: If we can’t finish the work before deadline, we will be fined according to the contract. 如果我们不能在规定的期限内完成工作,根据合同,我们将会被罚款。
B: We are already bearing down to do the work. 我们已经在很努力地工作了。
A: I know. What I mean is that we should improve our efficiency. 我知道。我的意思是我们必须提高效率。
50.beat someone at his own game 将计就计地惩罚某人
习惯用语beat someone at his own game直译为“以某人自己设计的把戏打击某人”,与汉语的“将计就计”近似。
A: You seem to be worried about something. 你看上去很担心。
B: Yeah. I don’t know how to deal with that smart businessman. 是呀。我不知道该怎么对付那个狡猾的商人。
A: Don’t worry. Let’s beat him at his own game. 别担心,我们可以将计就计。
B: A good idea. 好主意。
adj. 不可能的,做不到的
adj.