1 call a spade a spade 直言不諱,直接稱呼事物
- Let's call a spade a spade. Your performance on the project was subpar and needs improvement.(讓我們直截了當地說吧。你在這個專案上的表現不夠好,需要改進。)
英文小典故:「call a spade a spade」這個俚語起源於古希臘哲學家柏拉圖的著作《饗宴篇》,他用這個比喻表示真誠坦率。這個俚語的含義是直言不諱,直接稱呼事物,不矯飾言語。
2 提出、表達:
call the bluff / call sb's bluff 質疑,看穿虛張聲勢 / 揭穿某人
call the question 提出問題,就某事求決定
- When she said she would quit, I called her bluff, and she ended up staying.(當她說她要辭職時,我挑戰了她的話,最後她還是留下來了。)
- The chairperson called the question, and the committee voted on the proposal.(主席提出決議,委員會對該提案進行了投票。)
3 call the kettle black 五十步笑百步(鍋嫌壺黑)
- It's hypocritical for him to call her lazy when he spends most of his time watching TV. He's just calling the kettle black.(他批評她懶惰,而自己大部分時間都花在看電視上,這真是太虛偽了,就像是在指責水壺是黑的。)
英文小典故:「call the kettle black」源自於一個古老的諺語,最早出現於16世紀,意味著一個人批評別人的缺點或錯誤,卻自己也有同樣的缺點或錯誤,類似於 "鍋嫌壺黑"。它用來形容那些自己也有相同問題的人批評他人,具有一定的嘲諷意味。這個典故強調了人們對於別人的指責是否合理時,應該首先檢視自己是否也有同樣的缺點或行為。這個短語在英語中使用相當廣泛,用來提醒人們要謙虛以對待他人,同時也要自我反省。
4 發動攻擊 或 戰術:
call the play (體育用語) 在比賽中指示球隊的戰術或進攻
call the dogs off 停止攻擊,叫狗狗回來
- The coach called the play for a trick play that caught the opponents off guard.(教練命令進行一個意外的戰術,使對手措手不及。)
- The manager called the dogs off the sales team after they achieved their monthly target.(經理在銷售團隊達到每月目標後命令他們停止進行攻擊。)
5 某種與生俱來的召喚、呼喚:
call of duty 責任感,使命感
call of nature 生理需要,通常指上廁所。
- As a doctor, it's my call of duty to provide medical care to those in need.(作為一名醫生,我有責任為需要的人提供醫療照顧。)
- Excuse me, I need to answer the call of nature.(對不起,我需要去上個廁所。)
Let’s call a spade a spade. This song is absolutely terrible.
我們就實話實說吧。這首歌爛透了。
I knew you would end up borrowing money from me.
我就知道你最後還是會跟我借錢。
Dan got to the department store five minutes after it closed.
丹到百貨公司時,已經打烊五分鐘了。
This charity helps Africans in need eat well and stay warm.
這個組織援助需要幫助的非洲人吃飽穿暖。
A kind woman helped Tina when she was in need.
提娜窮困的時候有一位熱心的女士幫了她。
Excuse me, does this train go south or north?
打擾一下,請問這列火車是往南還是往北的?
Oh! Excuse me. I didn’t know this pen was yours.
喔!對不起。我不知道這支筆是你的。
Excuse me, I need to get off at this station.
不好意思借過一下,我得在這站下車。
I'll give you the money even if you can t pay me back.
即使你沒能力還錢,我還是會給你錢。
When I passed by, Peter pretended not to see me.
我走過時,彼得假裝沒看到我。
Go ahead; we are all ears.
開始說吧!我們正洗耳恭聽。
Dan is too proud to ask for help.
丹太驕傲而不肯向他人求助。
Kate spent two hours doing her homework.
凱特花了兩個小時做回家作業。
We've spent a fortune improving our computer network.
我們花了一大筆錢提升電腦網絡系統。
Terry ran into his ex-wife on the street.
泰瑞在街上偶遇前妻。