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And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。
In many places, the holiday season in December can be a magical time.
在许多地方，12月的假日季节可能是一段神奇的时光。
During this month, many cultures celebrate with festivals of lights.
在这个月里，许多文化都通过灯节来庆祝。
From Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Sydney, Australia; from Lyon, France to many cities in Japan -- lights are used to lift the spirits and to celebrate.
从荷兰的阿姆斯特丹到澳大利亚的悉尼；从法国的里昂到日本的许多城市——人们用灯光来振奋精神和庆祝。
So, today we will talk about a few expressions that use the word "light."
所以，今天我们将讨论一些使用“light”这个词的短语。
The first is to be a beacon of light.
第一个短语是“a beacon of light（指路人）”。
A beacon of light gives hope and happiness to others.
“指路人”给别人带来希望和幸福。
If you have ever been called a beacon of light, take it as a big compliment.
如果你曾经被称为“指路人”，那就把它当做一种极大的赞美吧。
A person who is a beacon of light makes things better for everyone around them.
充当“指路人”的人会让周围的每个人的生活变得更美好。
A beacon of light can be a person who helps guide others to safety, much like a lighthouse does for ships and boats.
“指路人”可以帮助指引他人到达安全的地方，就像灯塔指引船只一样。
These people can even cast light on the darkness in our lives.
这种人甚至可以照亮我们生活中的黑暗。
When we cast light on something, we make it better.
cast light on的意思是让某事物变得更好。
The expression can also mean that we explain something more fully or expose some unknown parts of an issue or problem.
这个短语还可以表示我们更全面地解释某事，或者揭露某个问题的一些未知部分。
Some people like to say, "Let me cast a little light on the subject," before they explain something.
有些人在解释某件事之前喜欢说，“让我来解释一下这个问题”。
After someone casts light on a complex or difficult issue, you might begin to see the light.
在有人对一个复杂或困难的问题给出解释后，你可能会恍然大悟。
If you see the light, you understand something.
“see the light”的意思是明白了某些事情。
Often, you have realized a difficult truth.
通常指明白一个难以理解的事实。
For example, years ago my friend refused to believe that her boyfriend had a drinking problem.
例如，几年前，我的朋友拒绝相信她的男朋友有酗酒问题。
But when he was arrested for drunk driving, she began to see the light.
但当他因酒后驾车被捕时，她恍然大悟。
She got him help and now he has been alcohol-free for many years.
她帮助他戒酒，现在他已经戒酒很多年了。
So, he saw the light, too.
所以，他也恍然大悟了。
This expression is very different from seeing the light of day --although they sound similar.
这个短语与“see the light of day”非常不同，尽管它们听起来很相似。
When something sees the light of day, it is made available to others.
“see the light of day”的意思是公之于众。
For example, some people write stories and poems.
例如，有些人写故事和诗。
But these works never see the light of day.
但这些作品从未公之于众。
They stay hidden in a desk drawer or notebook.
它们一直被藏在书桌抽屉或笔记本里。
To see the light of day can also mean to be born or to come into existence.
“see the light of day”也可以表示出生或出现。
Let's say you worked on a big project for many months or even years.
假设你花了几个月甚至几年的时间做一个大项目。
You will probably feel very excited when it finally sees the light of day.
当它终于问世时，你可能会感到非常兴奋。
Now, let's talk about "bad light."
现在，让我们来谈谈“bad light”。
Bad lighting can make even the most beautiful person look bad in a picture or video.
糟糕的灯光会让最漂亮的人在照片或视频中看起来很糟糕。
So, it is not surprising that seeing something in a bad light means to form a bad opinion of something or someone.
因此，“see something in a bad light”的意思是对某事或某人形成不好的看法也就不足为奇了。
Sometimes our habits and attitudes can be seen in a bad light.
有时，我们的习惯和态度可能会被认为是不好的。
For example, a scientist was seen in a bad light by her coworkers.
例如，一位科学家的同事对她的看法不好。
They said she was not a team player.
他们说她不善于团队合作。
Now, let's hear these some of these expressions used in a discussion between two friends.
现在，让我们来听一下两个朋友是如何在对话中使用这些短语的。
Wow, you look awful. Are you sick?
哇，你看起来糟透了。你生病了吗？
No. I haven't slept in a week.
没有。我已经一个星期没睡了。
Why? What's wrong?
为什么？怎么了？
My roommate started playing the bag pipes. They are SO loud. And she plays late at night!
我的室友开始吹风笛。风笛太吵了。而且她吹到深夜！
The bag pipes?! Oh, that's too bad. Well, have you told her to stop?
风笛？！哦，那太糟糕了。你让她停下来了吗？
No. She's a really nice person. So, I don't want her to see me in a bad light. I mean, we all do annoying things, right?
没有。她是个很好的人。所以，我不想让她对我产生不好的看法。我是说，我们都会做让人讨厌的事，对吧？
Yes. But, we all don't play the bag pipes late at night. Look, you need to do something. You need your sleep! You could hide her bag pipes. Hide them somewhere so they will never see the light of day again!
是的。但是，我们都不会在深夜吹风笛。听着，你得做点什么。你需要睡眠！你可以把她的风笛藏起来。把风笛藏在某个地方，让它们再也见不到天日！
You are so mean! But you are also right. I'm beginning to see the light. I'll say something later. But for now (yawn) can I crash on your couch. I'm beat!
你太坏了！但你也是对的。我恍然大悟。我待会再说。但现在（打哈欠）我可以在你的沙发上睡觉吗？我太累了！
And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time … I'm Anna Matteo.
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。下次见……我是安娜·马特奥。
译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
