Don't let me down.
以前教过大家I'm counting on you. 和I'm depending on you.(我全靠你),都是在有求于人时非常用得着的恭维话,今天多教一句:Don't let me down.(不要让我失望),别人听到你这么说可能会更加为你尽力去办。Let down是‘令人失望’,例如朋友问你How was the movie?(那出电影如何呢?),如果说:It was a big let down. 就是说‘它太令人失望’的意思。
对话
A: How's tomorrow's business presentation going?
B: Our preparation work is almost done. We'll have a rehearsal tonight after dinner.
A: Well, I'll look forward to hearing some good results. Don't let me down.
B: I'll try my best to clinch the deal.
甲:明天的业务发表会怎样?
乙:筹备工作已差不多完成,我们在今晚晚饭后会进行彩排。
甲:好的,我期待听到好消息,不要令我失望。
乙:我会尽力去取得合同。
为了宣传公司的产品、服务,公司职员往往要去其它机构或公开场所示范、讲解等, 这英文叫做presentation,例如:The fund house made a presentation of the new investment funds they were launching.(基金公司举行讲座,介绍新创办的投资基金)。
现在,某乙要为公司争取合同,示范、讲解当然要准备周详。他老板说:Don't let me down.(别使我失望)。Let down 除了解作‘辜负(某人)期望’,还可解作‘使丢脸’或‘破坏(声誉)’,例如:Your misconduct has let down the name of the bank.(你违反职业操守,破坏了银行的声誉)。
Let someone down的反义词是live up to someone's expectations.(不负某人所望)。 某乙的老板其实可以说:I'm sure you'll live up to my expectations.(我相信你会不负我所望)。这有鼓励的意思,比忧心忡忡的一句Don't let me down. 似乎好一点。Don't let me down. 会加重某乙精神上的压力,对他示范、讲解的表现未必有好处。
所以,你是某乙的同事,发觉他赴会前精神紧张,就应该设法消除他的焦虑,例如你可以说:You don't need to worry. I'm sure everything will go well as you're well prepared. You'll make a big hit.(你不必担心。你准备得那么好,相信一切都会很顺利。你会赢得观众赞赏)。Make a hit. 是‘博得好评’、‘大获成功’的意思。