English 中文网 漫画网 爱新闻iNews 翻译论坛
中国网站品牌栏目(频道)
当前位置: Language Tips> Audio & Video> 新闻播报> Special Speed News VOA慢速

Words and their stories: easy as falling off a log

[ 2010-08-30 14:47]     字号 [] [] []  
免费订阅30天China Daily双语新闻手机报:移动用户编辑短信CD至106580009009

Now, the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES.

Every people has its own way of saying things, its own special expressions. Some of these expressions are easy to understand. The words create a picture in your mind.

"As easy as falling off a log" is one such expression. It describes a job that does not take much effort.

If you ever tried to walk on a fallen tree log, you understand what the expression means. It is easier to fall off the log than to stay on it.

The expression is often used today. For example, you might hear a student say to her friend that her spelling test was "as easy as falling off a log."

There are several other expressions that mean the same thing. And their meaning is as easy to understand as "falling off a log." One is, "easy as pie". Nothing is easier than eating a piece of sweet, juicy pie. Unless it is a "piece of cake."

"Piece of cake" is another expression that means something is extremely easy to do. A friend might tell you that his new job was a "piece of cake."

Another expression is "as easy as shooting fish in a barrel."

It is hard to imagine why anyone would want to shoot fish in a barrel. But, clearly, fish in a barrel would be much easier to shoot than fish in a stream. In fact, it would be as easy as "falling off a log."

Sometimes, things that come to us easily, also leave us just as easily. In fact, there is an expression – "easy come, easy go" – that recognizes this. You may win a lot of money in a lottery, then spend it all in a few days. Easy come, easy go.

When life itself is easy, when you have no cares or problems, you are on "Easy Street." Everyone wants to live on that imaginary street.

Another "easy" expression is to "go easy on a person". It means to treat a person kindly or gently, especially in a situation where you might be expected to be angry with him. A wife might urge her husband to "go easy on" their son, because the boy did not mean to wreck the car.

If it is necessary to borrow some money to fix the car, you should look for a friend who is an "easy touch". An "easy touch" or a "soft touch" is someone who is kind and helpful. He would easily agree to lend you the money.

And one last expression, one that means do not worry or work too hard. Try to keep away from difficult situations. "Take it easy" until we meet again.

(MUSIC)

You have been listening to the VOA Special English program WORDS AND THEIR STORIES. I'm Bob Doughty.

easy street: a state of financial comfort or security 顺境

go easy on sb.: 对某人温和(或宽容)些

easy touch: (捐款或借钱等)有求必应的人

Related stories:

Words and their stories: Down to earth

Words and their stories: Belittle

Words and their stories: get your act together

Words and their stories: put your heart at rest

(来源:VOA 编辑:陈丹妮)

 
中国日报网英语点津版权说明:凡注明来源为“中国日报网英语点津:XXX(署名)”的原创作品,除与中国日报网签署英语点津内容授权协议的网站外,其他任何网站或单位未经允许不得非法盗链、转载和使用,违者必究。如需使用,请与010-84883631联系;凡本网注明“来源:XXX(非英语点津)”的作品,均转载自其它媒体,目的在于传播更多信息,其他媒体如需转载,请与稿件来源方联系,如产生任何问题与本网无关;本网所发布的歌曲、电影片段,版权归原作者所有,仅供学习与研究,如果侵权,请提供版权证明,以便尽快删除。
 

关注和订阅

人气排行

翻译服务

中国日报网翻译工作室

我们提供:媒体、文化、财经法律等专业领域的中英互译服务
电话:010-84883468
邮件:translate@chinadaily.com.cn