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地道英语
Slippery slope 滑坡效应
内容简介
有时一件坏事情或问题一旦开始，只会变得更糟，每况愈下，一路下滑。英语里有一个形象的表达来描述这个 “滑坡效应”。听 Rob 和菲菲的对话，学习 “slippery slope” 的用法。
文字稿
（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）
Feifei
大家好！欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。我是冯菲菲。
Rob
…and me, Rob.
Feifei
我们可能听起来与以往有些不同，这是因为在新冠肺炎疫情爆发期间，我们无法在平时的录音间录制节目。
Now, Rob, why are you wearing those funny rubber shoes today?
Rob
Well, it’s in preparation for our expression in this programme, Feifei!
Feifei
你穿胶鞋是为了给大家介绍一个表达？不过我们要教给大家的这个表达和穿胶鞋好像没有什么关系！
Rob
Ah, but these are special rubber shoes to stop me sliding down any slippery slopes – that is what we’re talking about today, isn’t it?
Feifei
Umm, well, sort of, but it’s not really about slipping down a slope – only metaphorically.
Rob
Ah, right, so it’s got something to do with easily descending downhill into something?
Feifei
说对了！如果一件坏事情或问题一旦开始，就很可能变得越来越糟糕，如果不加以制止，就愈演愈烈，后果不堪设想，那么这时候我们就可以说这个处境是一个 “滑坡效应 a slippery slope”。咱们来听三个使用了 “slippery slope” 的例句。
Examples
Having a glass of wine with your dinner is a slippery slope. You’ll end up finishing the whole bottle by the end of the evening.
Juan was on a slippery slope to getting the sack when he started missing important meetings with clients.
He’s on a slippery slope to failure if he keeps missing the deadlines for his assignments.
Feifei
这里是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。以上我们听到的例句都用了 “slippery slope” 来描述一旦开始就可能越变越糟糕的坏情况或不良习惯。说得通俗点，“a slippery slope” 就是每况愈下的 “下坡路”。
Rob
OK, so I won’t be needing these slip-resistant shoes, then. Hmm, but they are very comfortable. Do you know what? I might keep wearing them.
Feifei
Oh, no, Rob. It’ll be a slippery slope.
Rob
Why’s that?
Feifei
Well, if you keep wearing them without socks…
Rob
…everyone will laugh at me?
Feifei
No! Your feet will smell and then nobody will want to sit next to you!
Rob
Hmm…charming! Well, it’s a good job I’m self-isolating! Bye, Feifei.
Feifei
Bye, Rob.
