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地道英语
Be at a loss 不知所措
内容简介
有时我们在遇到事情的时候可能会感到茫然无措、困惑不已、不确定该说什么或做什么才好。地道英语表达 “be at a loss” 就可以用来形容这种 “不知所措” 的感觉。听节目，学习这个表达的含义和用法。
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。）
Neil
Welcome to Authentic Real English, with me, Neil.
Feifei
And me, Feifei.
Neil
We've got an expression which describes that feeling you get when you're not sure what to say or do. It's 'to be at a loss'.
Feifei
To be at a loss. 我们可以从这个表达中的名词 “loss” 看出它的大致意思。Imagine you don't know where to go or what to say! You are lost.
Neil
Exactly, so in the case of 'at a loss', we are trying to say that we have no idea what to do or say in certain situations – for example, when we're trying to help someone. So, Feifei, I heard you're going to Spain next week from the UK.
Feifei
是的，你能帮我给酒店打电话预订房间吗？
Neil
Well, I can try, but I'd be at a loss. I don't speak Spanish!
Feifei
Great example. 如果酒店的工作人员对你说西班牙语，你可能会 “be at a loss（不知说什么才好）”。再举一个例子：Neil 喜欢打电子游戏，但我却不怎么玩，所以每次玩的时候都会感到茫然、困惑：“I'm at a loss when I try to play video games.”
Neil
Well, maybe I should teach you some time! Let's hear some examples.
Examples
Ahmed was at a loss as to what to do for his wife's birthday.
Kevin didn't know how to operate the new computer system. He was at a loss.
I was at a loss as to what to say to him after his girlfriend left him.
Feifei
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。以上，我们学习了表达 “be at a loss” 的意思和用法。它用来形容 “（一个人在某些情况下）不知所措或不知说什么才好”。
Neil
Yes, so 'at a loss' is nearly always used with the verb 'be' – 'I am', 'he is' or 'she is at a loss'. And it's commonly followed by the words 'as to'.
Feifei
你解释得很到位。I'm at a loss to explain it better. So, what are you doing this weekend?
Neil
My wife and I are going to a restaurant near our house on Friday! What about you?
Feifei
I'm not sure. I'm at a loss as to what to do!
Neil
Well, maybe you can join us at the restaurant – and after that, we can teach you how to play our favourite video game, so you won't be at a loss in future!
Feifei
Thank you. Bye.
Neil
Bye.
