可可英语的网友朋友们大家好。我是Rose。我们先来看下面这幅漫画,然后猜测the ball is in your court的含义。
Court,球场。球到了你的这一方,也就意味着,该你来出手打球。The ball is in your court意思就是“看你的决定了;是你决定的时候了”。比如:
I have done my best to explain my position; now the ball is in your court. 我已经尽量表明我的立场,现在该你采取下一步行动了。
决定不好做。面临做决定的时候,有些人可能Sit on the fence“骑墙;保持中立”。有些人可能不忙着做决定,打算play it by ear “见机行事;到时候再说”;还有人坚决stick to his guns “坚持最初的计划”。
让我们分别在具体语境中体会这几个习语的用法。
Sit on the fence
He considered that it was better for him to sit on the fence during the quarrel. 他认为在这场争吵中自己还是保持中立为好。
In order not to offend either of them, Mary preferred sit on the fence. 由于不想冒犯他们其中任何一个人,Mary决定选择中立观望态度。
Play it by ear
I don't know what to say when he comes and play it by ear. 我不知道他来的时候说什么。到时候见机行事吧。
Kate doesn't like to make plans. She prefers to play it by ear. Kate不喜欢制定计划。她更喜欢视情况而定。
Stick to one's guns
Set your goals and stick to your guns. 确立目标;坚持己见。
You must stick to your guns when you're negotiating with your landlord. 你在和房东协商的时候一定不能够让步。
上面介绍的都是知道自己要怎么做,那么不知道该怎么做,“犹豫不决,三心两意”的情况就要用到in two minds了。我们来看个例子:
I am in two minds where to put my new TV. 我下不了决定该把新电视放在哪里。
I'm in two minds about which dress to wear for the party. 我还没决定穿哪件礼服去参加聚会。
好了。看到这幅画,您会想到哪个习语?它在什么情况下使用呢