口语进阶05 | 美国常用idioms及表达方式

　　访问学者、博士后初到美国，在沟通和交流方面往往会遇到各种问题，正如中国有各种成语谚语，美国人日常生活中也有很多常用俗语和词组搭配。提前掌握这些知识点可以让各位学者更容易理解美国人的日常对话，融入当地工作生活环境。知识人网整理相关情景对话，介绍美国人常用惯用语（idiom）及表达方式，希望能对大家有所帮助。请看Lesson 05：

　　MARK CALLS CINDY BACK

　　Mark gives Ron the information he got from Cindy regarding Grand Foods. Ron wants more information and orders Mark to call Cindy back. Mark calls her back and agrees to take her out on Saturday night.

　　Mark:             I got the scoop on Grand Foods. They're buying a food company in China and coming out with two products: Moo Shu Pork and Princess Chicken.

　　Ron:               How will they be packaged?

　　Mark:             Cindy didn't say.

　　Ron:               Stop futzing around! Call Cindy back and pick her brain.

　　Mark:             But it's really difficult to get information from Cindy.

　　Ron:               Then turn on the charm! Do what you have to do to get the information.

　　Mark:             I really don't know why you're pushing me so hard.

　　Ron:               Do I have to spell it out for you? The future of our company is at stake!

　　Mark:             I wouldn’t go that far!

　　Ron:               I would. Time is of the essence here.

　　(Mark makes a phone call)

　　Mark:             Cindy, it's Mark calling again. I've cleared my calendar for Saturday evening.

　　Cindy:           I knew you'd come around!

　　Mark:             By the way, do you know how Grand Foods is packaging these new products?

　　Cindy:           Sure, I'll fill you in on Saturday.

　　IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS

　　Vocabulary

　　(to) get the scoop – 获得独家信息或者一手信息

　　Example: “Do you know why Rich got fired?” — “No, but I'll try to get the scoop.” “你知道Rich为什么被开除吗？” ——“不知道，但是我会尽快搞明白原因的。”

　　(to) futz around – 虚度光阴

　　Example: The sales clerk at the store was not very good. He futzed around for half an hour before giving me my purchase. 这家店的售货员服务不好。结账的时候浪费了我半小时时间。

　　注意：有时候也会用“to fart around”代替。

　　(to) pick someone’s brain – 获得信息；听取某人的建议（尤指擅长某方面的人的建议）；

　　Example: If you're thinking about buying a new stereo system, you should pick Sam’s brain. He writes for Stereophile magazine. 如果你想买一套新的音响系统，你可以采用Sam的建议。他是音响杂志Stereophile的撰稿人。

　　(to) turn on the charm – 施展魅力（与平常表现略有反差）

　　Example: Tina really turned on the charm when she was visiting her new boyfriend's parents. Tina在见自己新男朋友的父母时真是秀足了一把。

　　Do I have to spell it out for you? – 还需要向你解释吗？（表示彼此都已经很清楚了，不需要再解释了。）

　　Example: Do I have to spell it out for you? If you don't start doing better in school, you're not going to get into college. 还需要我再说什么？如果你现在在学校不好好学习，以后就考不上大学。

　　at stake – 有风险；处于紧急关头；

　　Example: When Jill started a new business, she had $250,000 of her own money at stake. Jill新开了一家公司，她是在拿自己的25万美元做赌注。

　　I wouldn’t go that far! – 情况远没有那么糟糕（或乐观），太夸张了；

　　Example: “If Todd takes over as CEO of this company, we're going to go out of business.” — “I wouldn’t go that far!” “如果Todd接任这家公司的CEO，我们就要歇业了。——“没那么糟糕吧，你太夸张了！”

　　Time is of the essence – 时间是最重要的

　　Example: Time is of essence in addressing global warming.解决全球变暖问题迫在眉睫。

　　(to)clear one’s calendar −把某人的日程安排妥当

　　Example: The head of our Japanese office is coming to the office next Tuesday. Please clear your calendar for his visit.日本部办公室负责人下周二会来我们办公室。为迎接他的来访请安排好你的工作。

　　(to)come around −改变观点;改变看法（以接受）

　　Example: Your parents won't let you have your own computer? Maybe when they realize you need it to do your homework, they'll come around.你的父母不希望你拥有属于自己的电脑吗？或许等你需要用电脑做作业的时候，他们就改变主意了。

　　(to)fill someone in −向（某人）详述；告诉某人一些事情(内幕、消息等), 让对方可以对一些事情的情况有所了解

　　Example: I missed the meeting this morning, so can someone fill me in on what was discussed? 我错过了今天的晨会，谁可以告诉我会议都说了什么？

　　Quick Review

　　Choose the most appropriate response to each sentence:

　　1) Please call a lawyer. Time is of the essence.

　　a) Okay, I'll call one next month.

　　b) Okay, I'll call one right away.

　　c) Okay, I'll call one when I have time.

　　2) Many people have lost their jobs at my company, and now I worry my job is also at stake.

　　a) I hope you don't lose it.

　　b) I'm glad your job is secure.

　　c) You have an important job.

　　3) Mark can turn on the charm when he wants to.

　　a) Yes, he's always very nice to everybody.

　　b) Yes, he knows how to be nice when he needs to be.

　　c) Yes, he's got no manners at all.

　　4) Let me fill you in on the day's events.

　　a) No thanks. I'm already full.

　　b) Thanks, I'd like to know what happened.

　　c) I don't have time to tell you what happened.

　　5) Why are you futzing around making tea? We're going to be late for the party!

　　a) Sorry, I didn't realize how late it was.

　　b) Okay, I'll finish making the tea and then we can drink it.

　　c) Sorry, I know you want to have tea before we go.

　　6) Before buying a new computer, be sure to pick Ted's brain.

　　a) Okay, I'll tell Ted which one I bought.

　　b) Thanks, but I already have a brain.

　　c) Okay, I'll get Ted's advice before I buy one.

　　7) At first Rick's parents said he couldn't study abroad in London, but then they came around.

　　a) Maybe they'll change their minds.

　　b) I'm sure they'll enjoy their visit.

　　c) I'm sure Rick will enjoy it in London.

　　8) Did you get the scoop on why Debbie lost her job?

　　a) Yes, she called me and told me everything.

　　b) No, but her boss told me what happened.

　　c) Yes, she called me, and we talked all about her love life.

　　9) You thought Atonement was the best movie ever made? I wouldn't go that far!

　　a) Okay, but it was an excellent movie.

　　b) Okay, it was a bad movie.

　　c) You're right. It was excellent.

　　10) Please clear your calendar for Monday morning. We're having an important meeting.

　　a) Okay, I won't be here on Monday morning.

　　b) Okay, I'll be available on Monday morning.

　　c) Okay, I'll make other plans for Monday morning.

　　ANSWERS: 1. B;   2. A;   3. B;   4. B;   5. A;   6. C;   7. C;  8. A;   9. A;   10. B