“船只迷失在茫茫大海中” 的情况启发了一个英语表达——“all at sea”。主持人 Neil 买了一艘新船,在他准备出海之际,亲身体会了这个表达的意思。“All at sea” 的实际意思是什么?听对话,学习这个源自航海的 “地道英语” 表达。
(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。
Neil
… and me, Neil. Hey, Jiaying, have you seen what I’ve bought?
Jiaying
Yes, you’ve bought a boat, and you’ve been bragging about it on social media.
Neil
It’s great, isn’t it? Now I can have fun on the water and sail the seven seas, although there is a problem.
Jiaying
Oh, yes? What’s that?
Neil
It didn’t come with any instructions. I don’t know how the engine starts, how to drive it or even launch it into the water!
Jiaying
Oh, Neil. It seems like you’re all at sea with your new boat.
Neil
I’m nowhere near the sea, or even a river! I haven’t launched it yet.
Jiaying
我不是说你 “在海上”,我是说你 “觉得茫然困惑”。我们用表达 “all at sea” 来形容某人 “感到不知所措,毫无头绪”。Neil,虽然这个表达的本意是 “船在海上迷失了方向”,但现在用来形容某人 “感到糊涂、迷惑”。Here are some examples…
Examples
People are all at sea with this new one-way system in the city. They’re not sure how to get into the centre!
I’ve lost my smartphone and I’m all at sea about how to contact my friends.
I’m all at sea with this new rota – I’m not sure what I am doing today.
Jiaying
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。我们正在介绍表达 “all at sea”,意思是 “感到茫然,不知所措”。And, Neil, you’re all at sea with your new boat!
Neil
I am, but I think I can work it out.
Jiaying
Are you sure? You don’t want to get stranded out at sea!
Neil
Yes! It’s just like driving a car, isn’t it? I’ll take it down to the coast and give it a try.
Jiaying
Oh, dear. I think instead of being all at sea, Neil’s going to just be at sea – forever! Good luck.
Neil
Bye.
Jiaying
Bye!