LECTURE 56 基本动词 GIVE 3

LECTURE 56 基本动词 GIVE 3

词组讲解

1. give it to sb. straight / give it to sb. ** 对某人直言；责骂某人

解 〈口〉习语；词义溯源：将［它（it）］［直接地、坦率地（straight）］告诉某人

例 I think it would be better to just give it to Bob straight. If we try to conceal anything, he'll find out what the truth is later and then he'll never trust us again.

2. give one an inch, and one will take a mile / if you give one an inch, one will take a mile ** 得寸进尺，贪得无厌

解 习语；词义溯源：给了［一寸（an inch）］还想要；表示在某方面已经得到一小部分的人，就会希望得到更多

例 Girls, you have to be careful when you're out on a date. If you don't know the boy well, make sure you go only to public places with him. Remember this rule: Give him an inch, and he will take a mile!

3. give one one's walking papers ** 解雇

解 〈口〉习语；词义溯源：给某人［解雇通知（walking papers）］；参照give sb. the sack

例 The two employees of Alert Security Service who were on duty at the Royal Museum on the night of the burglary were given their walking papers. Electronic records show that the two ignored an alarm for over 15 minutes before going to check it out.

4. give one's right arm for sb. or sth. / give one's right arm ** 乐意献出极为贵重的东西，不惜任何代价

解 习语；词义溯源：为了某人或某物而给予［右臂、心腹（right arm）］

例 I'd give my right arm to have that bike again. I never should have sold it. Without it, I can't go anywhere conveniently.

5. give oneself airs ** 摆架子，装腔作势，耀武扬威

解 习语；词义溯源：给自己［神气的样子、装腔作势的模样（airs）］

例 I don't bother to attend my high school class reunion anymore. I used to, but I got tired of seeing all my old classmates giving themselves airs as though they were important or wealthy or something.

巩固练习

(A) give it to...straight

(B) Give them an inch and they'll take a mile

(C) gave...his walking papers

(D) give my right arm

(E) give himself airs

1. A: I don't think Jim is the type to start behaving like he's greater than he really is just to impress people. Sure, he's a Yale University graduate now, but he won't forget that he's still from a poor family. B: You're right. He doesn't need to ______. He'll be the same—but smarter now!

2. A: Are you afraid to ______ me ______, Wilson? B: If it's something bad about you, yes. I'm afraid to be frank with you. A: Then let me tell you this: I'll respect you more if I think you're being honest and frank when you evaluate my work. That's what I hired you for—an honest opinion, nothing held back.

3. A: I granted their demand for better cafeteria food, now they want new cafeteria furniture and longer lunch hours. ______. B: I've been teaching here for 22 years and it's always been that way with them. When we yield, they use that to make even greater demands.

4. A: Harrison got the boot yesterday. The director dismissed him. B: So they finally ______ him ______. It's about time. He's an incurable alcoholic and he often comes to work drunk.

5. A: He's indicated he'd be willing to sacrifice quite a bit to get control of Ewing Oil. His exact words were “I'd ______. ” B: I'm sure he would. He'd pay a lot to take Ewing Oil away from Bobby.

■ ANSWER

1. (E)

2. (A)

3. (B)

4. (C)

5. (D)

参考译文

I. 1. 我觉得我们最好跟鲍勃直说。如果试图隐瞒的话，他早晚会知道真相，到时候他再也不会信任我们了。

2. 女孩们，出去约会的时候，你们可得小心了。如果跟对方不太熟的话，就一定只跟他去公共场所。并且要记住这一条：对他让一点点步，他就会得寸进尺！

3. 盗窃发生当晚，在皇家博物馆执勤的警觉安保公司的两名员工收到了解雇通知。电子记录显示，他们在警报发出后超过15分钟才去查看。

4. 我会不惜一切代价再买下那辆自行车。我真不应该把它卖掉。没有它，我去哪里都不方便。

5. 我再也不会费心去参加我的中学同学聚会了。我以前经常参加，但是我逐渐厌倦了看那些老同学们装腔作势的样子，好像他们自己很重要或很有钱或怎么样似的。

II. 1. A：我觉得吉姆不是那种装得很牛来给别人留下印象的人。没错，他是从耶鲁大学毕业了，但他不会忘记他来自贫困家庭。B：你说得对。他不需要装腔作势。他还是他——只是现在更聪明了！

2. A：你害怕跟我直说吗，威尔逊？B：如果是关于你的不好的事情，我确实不敢直言。A：那我告诉你：如果我认为你评估我的工作时足够诚实和坦白，那么我会更加尊重你。这也是我聘用你的原因——会提出诚恳的意见，无丝毫隐瞒。

3. A：我已经答应为他们提供更好的餐厅食物了，现在他们又想要新的餐厅设备以及更长的午餐时间。真是得寸进尺。B：我在这里教了22年书，他们一直都是这样。如果我们让步的话，他们会以此提出更多要求。

4. A：哈里森昨天被解雇了。经理把他开除了。B：这么说他们最终还是把他解雇了。是该这样了。他是个无药可救的酒鬼，经常醉醺醺地来上班。

5. A：他暗示为了得到尤因石油公司的控制权，他可以作出牺牲。他的原话是这样说的：“我要不惜一切代价。” B：他肯定会。想从博比手中买走尤因石油公司，他肯定得支付一大笔钱。