ESL Podcast 571 – Assigning Blame in a Car Accident

Tarik: Are you okay?

Stacey: Yeah, I think so. I’m just a little shaken up, but look at my car!

Tarik: Mine is in pretty bad shape, too. Good thing, though, it wasn’t totaled.

Stacey: Okay, let’s exchange insurance information, so we can both get out of here.

Tarik: Right. I’ll put in a claim today and your insurance should pay to repair both of our cars.

Stacey: What? This accident wasn’t my fault. You crashed into me! You rear ended me!

Tarik: That’s only because you swerved¹ in front of me and slammed on your brakes!

Stacey: I did no such thing. I changed lanes and you began tailgating me. That’s why you rear ended me. I’m not to blame here.

Tarik: That’s your account of what happened, and it doesn’t jibe² with mine. I say we each call our respective insurance companies and let them battle it out.

Stacey: Fine. There’s no point in arguing with someone who won’t own up to his mistakes.

Tarik: Those are my thoughts exactly.


Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 swerved   

v.（使）改变方向，改变目的( swerve的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• She swerved sharply to avoid a cyclist. 她猛地急转弯，以躲开一个骑自行车的人。
• The driver has swerved on a sudden to avoid a file of geese. 为了躲避一队鹅，司机突然来个急转弯。 来自《简明英汉词典》

2 jibe   

v.嘲笑，与...一致，使转向；n.嘲笑，嘲弄

参考例句：

• Perhaps I should withdraw my jibe about hot air.或许我应当收回对热火朝天的嘲笑。
• What he says does not jibe with what others say.他所说的与其他人说的不一致。