英语情景对话：
A: Jane’s mother always wants her to marry a bigshot.
Jane的妈妈一直想让她嫁给有钱人。
B: That is just wishful thinking. The cost of highereducation has increased in recent years of fasterthan the cost of living. So she wants Jane’s brother to go on studying and earn his doctorateby means of it
那只是她的如意算盘。近年来，高等教育费用增长速度比生活费用增长快，所以她想通过这种方式让Jane的弟弟取得博士学位。
A: But it’s unfair for Jane.
这对Jane太不公平了。
对话精讲
道表达
【核心短语】
wishful thinking
【解词释义】
该短语源于奥地利心理学家兼精神病学家弗洛伊德（Fred）的精神分析。这一术语指“一个人对他所希望而难以实现的事物不理智的表达。”后来比喻“打如意算盘”“一厢情愿的想法”“痴心妄想”等意思。
【支持范例1】
I think her condition is improving but it may just be wishful thinking on my part.
我认为她的情况正在改善, 但这也许是我一厢情愿的想法。
【支持范例2】
It's wishful thinking to expect Phil to help you, he's a goldbrick.
希望菲尔帮助你那是梦想,他是个懒汉。
【支持范例3】
Without possessing the necessary skills, strategic intent is merely wishfulthinking.
如果不具备必要的技能，战略意图只是美好的愿望。
【支持范例4】
Maybe it is only your wishful thinking to be close friends with him. After all, thetime is too short for you to really know each other.
或许这只是你的如意算盘和他成为密友。毕竟时间太短了，他们没法深入了解彼此。
词海拾贝
1. a big shot：大人物，具有影响力的人；要人；大亨
【典型范例1】
He acts like a big shot, but he is just a small potato.
他行事象个大人物,但实际上他却微不足道。
【典型范例2】
John is a big shot in merchant banking.
约翰是商业银行界的大亨。
【典型范例3】
I saw him there acting like a big shot.
我看见他在那儿，活象个大人物似的。
2. by means of ：用，依靠，借助
【典型范例1】
By means of a clever trick, he made it disappear.
他用了个巧妙的手法，把它变没了。
【典型范例2】
We lifted the load by means of a crane.
我们用起重机吊起重物。
【典型范例3】
These ideas can be clarified by means of an example.
可用一个实例来阐明这些概念。
【典型范例4】
I got him back for you by means of the girl.
我通过那个姑娘为你把他找了回来。
句海拾贝
1. Somebody go on doing something.
【释义】
某人继续做某事。
【范例1】
Unemployment is likely to go on rising this year.
今年的失业人数可能会继续上升。
【范例2】
Tony had to push himself to go on doing such dull work.
汤尼不得不驱策自己继续做这种单调无趣的事。
2. Something is unfair for somebody.
【释义】
某事对某人来说不公平。
【范例】
It is unfair that he gets very little in reward for his hard work.
他工作很辛苦,报酬却很少,这不公平。
