英语中有许多约定俗成的短语,虽然短小却寓意精悍,是为写作增色的好佐料。每天俯拾二三库存起来,关键时刻登台亮相,必令人刮目相看。
1. Been there, done it.
这其实是一个缩略句,完整的句子是:I have been there, I have done it. 意思是:我已经是曾经沧海,司空见惯,啥都见过,啥都干过了。言下之意,就是你甭跟我来这一套,我可是一名老司机呢!例句:
If your attitude toward Las Vegas is been there, done that, perhaps it's time to try a different vacation spot.
(如果你对拉斯维加斯是持这种曾经沧海难为水的态度,那你大概要换个别的度假去处了。)
2. Trial and error.
原意是指一种方法论:尝试错误法。即允许通过在尝试过程中出错,并从中吸取教训继续改进继续尝试,直至最后成功。例句:
There's no instant way of finding a cure - it's just a process of trial and error.
(没有立即可以手到病除的妙方--只能是一个不断试验纠错的过程。)
3. Nature and nurture.
即是我们中文的“先天与后天”了。这两个单词不仅词形相近,发音既有头韵又有押韵,读起来有一种音韵美。例句:
The progress and prospect of the research of nature and nurture controversy in personality development
(人格发展中遗传与教养关系研究的进展与思考)
上面这几朵路边採回来的野花,不能就这么束之高阁,要时时常拂拭,以免惹尘埃。