今天要讲的一个俗语是to stick to one’s guns。对于士兵来说,在被很多敌人包围的情况下还要能持续装炮弹发射的话,他们肯定需要很多勇气。这种精神在英文里就是to stick to one’s guns.
To stick to one’s guns从字面上来解释是指枪。但是这个俗语现在几乎和枪没有什么关系,它的意思就是:在日常生活中坚持原则,稳步前进,不屈服外界的压力。比如说,一个爸爸对他在大学念书的女儿讲话:
例句-1: Pumpkin, I hear that some of the students at your school are fooling around with drugs. But I hope, young woman, that you stick to your guns and keep saying no!
这位爸爸说:“小鬼,我听说你们学校的学生里有吸毒的现象。我希望你坚持正道,坚决抵制这种恶习!”
事实上,世界上有许多事都是靠坚忍不拔的精神才能办成的。下面我们再来举个例子:
例句-2: I have to admire the ladies who fifty years ago worked so hard to get women the right to vote. People laughed at them at first but they stuck to their guns and got the congress to pass the 19th Amendment back in 1920.
这个人说:“我很钦佩以前那些女士们,她们五十年前努力为妇女争取选举权。开始,许多人都笑话她们。但是,她们坚定不移,最后在1920年终于促使国会通过了美国宪法的第十九项修正案。”
We have a hundred things to do.
我们有许多事情要做。