今天要介绍的是以break为主的习惯用语。Break有许多意思,但做动词用时,主要指打破,或用力把什么东西一分为二。Break也可以当做名词,如:Give me a break! Give me a break是非常口语化的说法,在不同的场合有不同的解释,可以译为:你得了吧!或你算了吧!下面是一个人在跟他的朋友争论:
You really think Jennifer is the prettiest girl in our class? Give me a break! There're several girls in our class who are better looking than she is. To my mind, Lisa is tops. She not only has looks, she also has brains.
你真的认为詹尼弗是我们班上最漂亮的女生?你算了吧!我们班上有好几个女生都比她好看。在我的心目中,利萨比谁都强。她不仅漂亮,而且脑子还很聪敏。
下面是一个哥哥在对他的小弟弟讲话。在这个例句里give me a break的意思又不同了:
Look, kid, I'm working on a term paper that's due tomorrow. I promise to play the video game with you after dinner, OK? Come on, give me a break so I can finish this!
喂,小鬼,我正在写一份明天要交的学术报告。我保证吃完晚饭后就跟你一起玩电子游戏,行不行?得啦,你别烦我啦!让我把报告写完吧。