英语情景对话:
A: How is grandpa doing recently?
最近爷爷身体如何?
B: Not good. The doctor told him not smoke again, but it just rolls off him like water off the duck’s back!
不是很好,一生叫他不要再抽烟了,但是他把它看做耳边风,一点儿用都没有。
A: Maybe I would talk with him someday.
那天我也许得和他谈谈。
B: I hope it will be of some use.
希望这儿有点儿用。
对话精讲
地道表达
【核心短语】
water off duck’s back
【解词释义】
鸭背上的羽毛附有一层油脂,水是不会停在表面上的,会很快留下来,鸭子这样来保持皮肤干燥。该习语从字面意思就是“水从鸭背上滑下来”,比喻为“全然不起作用”。
【例句-1】
I kept telling the boys not to bang doors but is was like water off a duck’s back.
我再三告诫孩子们不要把门关得砰砰响,但我的话对他们来说如同耳旁风。
【例句-2】
The doctors tell us it` s dangerous to smoke, but such good advice rolls off some people like water off a duck's back.
医生都告诉我们抽烟对身体是有害的。可是,这种劝告对于有些人来说就像耳边风一样,毫无作用。
词海拾贝
roll off: 辗轧;轧去;滑离
【例句-1】
The sweat rolled off in great drops.
汗水一大滴一大滴地流下来。
【例句-2】
Put the ball carefully on the table, so that is won't roll off.
球放到桌上时要小心,别让它滚下来。
be of some use:有些用处
【例句-1】
These maps might be of some use to you on your trip.
这些地图你在旅途中也许有些用。
【例句-2】
Perhaps I could be of some use as an interpreter.
或许我可以派点用场,搞些口译。