每日习语 英语习语 英语谚语
2008-10-09来源:和谐英语
Down and out
现在我们来讲的这个习惯用语跟昨天讲的只差一个字。那就是:Down and out.Down and out就是一个人不仅没有工作、没有钱,而且也没有朋友帮忙。也就是中文里说的穷困潦到。
美国人的生活方式跟中国人的生活方式很不同。他们对理财的观念似乎也跟中国人不一样。
也许跟美国历来的经济繁荣有关;美国人往往不在乎借钱。
在美国,借钱买东西、出去旅行、装修和美化住房,然后再分期连本带利地还。这是很普遍的作法。
例句3: Jeff used to have a very good job making enough money for a comfortable life. But he is a big spender and has never saved a penny. Last year, his company went broke and he lost his job. Now he's down and out.
这句话的意思是:杰夫以前有一个很好的工作,收入足够他舒舒服服地过日子。但是,他手脚很大,从来没有攒过一分钱。去年,他的公司破产了,他也丢了工作。现在,他是一贫如洗,什么也没了。
例句4: My friend Daniel has no education so it's hard for him to find a decent job and earn enough money for his family. Right now the poor guy is really down and out . I hope his children will help him out when they start working.
这句话的意思是:我的朋友丹尼尔没有受过教育,所以很难找到一个像样的工作,有足够的钱来养家活口。现在,可怜的旦尼尔真是处于穷困潦到的境况。但愿他的孩子开始工作后可以帮他一点忙。