[图片来源:Getty Images]
主持人 Neil 试着自己组了水管装书架,不小心把钉子钉进,结果家里搞得一团糟。佳莹用一个地道英语表达 “a botch job” 来描述这个状况。听他们的对话,学习 “a botch job” 的用法。
(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。)
Jiaying
大家好,欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。我是佳莹。唉?Neil 在哪里?
Neil
Sorry, I’m late. I’ve had a bit of a disaster.
Jiaying
Oh, no. What happened?
Neil
I’ve been doing some DIY…
Jiaying
你在 DIY。“DIY” 是 “do-it-yourself” 的首字母缩略词,意思是 “自己动手制作或修理某样东西”。你在自己动手制作、修理家具?听起来有些危险啊!
Neil
Not really. All I was doing was putting up some bookshelves. But I put one of the nails through a water pipe – and water started spraying everywhere.
Jiaying
Disaster! It sounds like a botch job.
Neil
Oh, is that bad?
Jiaying
Very bad! 表达 “a botch job” 指 “一个做得很拙劣、敷衍了事的工作,一个粗制滥造的活儿”,我们也可以说 “make a botch of something(把某事弄得一塌糊涂)”。It looks like you’ll need to call in a plumber, but let’s hear some examples first.
Examples
Oh, no! You’ve made a botch job of the decorating. We’ll have to start again.
My girlfriend made a botch job of the cake – she used the wrong ingredients and then baked it too long. I guess it’s the thought that counts!
Our builder came highly recommended, but when the ceiling fell in, I knew he’d done a botch job.
Jiaying
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。以上,我们介绍了如何用表达 “a botch job” 来指 “一个粗制滥造的活儿”。Neil 在家组装书架的时候没上心,最后把家里弄得一团糟,他这次的 DIY 就是 “a botch job”。So, Neil, did you call a plumber?
Neil
No, far too expensive. I just put some sticky tape over the hole.
Jiaying
Oh, no, you’ve botched it again! 动词 “botch” 的意思是 “把某事搞得一团糟”。Why did you try to do this DIY job in the first place?
Neil
To save money, of course.
Jiaying
Oh, dear. I think your botch job will become an expensive job. Anyway, here’s a book to put on your new bookshelf.
Neil
Oh, thanks! What is it?
Jiaying
‘Your Guide to Better DIY’.
Neil
Quick, where is the section on plumbing?
Jiaying
Ha, ha. Bye, Neil.
Neil
Bye.