慣用語
R = Rita G = Gary
R: How many people will attend the French club meeting?
G:I’m not sure.
R: Come on, Gary. Don’t you have a ballpark figure? After all, you’re the club president.
G:Maybe 10 or 20.
R:That’s a big difference.
G:Actually, only two people, you and me, have signed up for it so far.
a ballpark figure
ballpark(或 ball park)指「棒球場」,figure 是「數字」。 球場的播報員通常會宣布當天的觀眾人數,不過大多是粗略估計的數字而已,所以 a ballpark figure 就是指「大約的數 目」,也可以省略說成 a ballpark。
• Tom said the project would cost US$10,000, but it was just a ballpark figure.
湯姆說這個計畫要花一萬美元,不過那只是大約的數目而已。
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You should forgive Laura. She is your sister after all.
你應該原諒蘿拉。她終究是你的妹妹啊。
I’m going to sign up for a course on English literature this semester.
這學期我準備選修一門英國文學課程。
I’m planning to sign up for that course this semester.
我這學期計劃要修那門課。
美式英語中有許多俚語是從球類運動衍生而來的,以下介紹一些和 ball 相關的俚語:
keep many / several balls in the air
同時應付許多事
• Janet’s job required her to keep many balls in the air. That was why she was burned out in the end.
珍妮特的工作需要她同時應付許多事。那就是她最 後累壞的原因。
start / set to get the ball rolling
帶頭開始(某活動或談話)
• Once John started to get the ball rolling, all of his classmates wanted to join the club.
約翰帶頭行動後,他班上的同學全都想要加入這個社團了。
behind the eight ball 處境危險
本俚語源自花式撞球,eight ball 就是上面 標有數字 8 的黑色球,必須留在最後打,若在過程中不小心碰到 8 號球就算犯規。所以 當目標球在 8 號球後方時,對擊球者非常不 利。因此 behind the eight ball 就被引申為 「處境危險」。
• You’re putting yourself behind the eight ball if you take a job overseas without researching it first.
如果你在接受海外工作機會時沒有先做功課,那麼你就會讓自己陷入險境。
be on the ball 有警覺性的;很機靈
我們如果站在球上,就會隨時謹慎,保持高 度的警覺性,以免掉下來。故以此用語表示 某人「有警覺性的」或「機靈的」。
• Calvin is on the ball and always does his job well. 卡文很機靈,總是把工作做得很好。
麗塔:有幾個人會來參加法語社的聚會?
蓋瑞:我不確定。
麗塔:拜託,蓋瑞。難道你沒有一個大概的數字嗎?畢竟 你是社長呀。
蓋瑞:大概十個或二十個吧。
麗塔:這兩個數字還差真多。
蓋瑞:講真的,目前為止只有妳和我兩個人報名而已。