听播客学英语 248 足球狂热

 　　In less than two weeks time, the football World Cup competition begins in Germany. Football fever is already sweeping¹ the country. There are articles in the newspapers and programmes on television. Many people have placed English flags in the windows of their houses, or on their cars. In a month’s time, we will all be very bored with football (unless England win, of course) but for the moment enthusiasm² for football is everywhere.

　　Which team will win? No, I don’t think it will be England. Brazil, perhaps? My son says that Spain look very strong.

　　Football has its own special words and phrases³. There are two expressions which every football fan needs to know. When you are really pleased about something, you say that you are “over the moon”. “So we’re through to the final, and I am over the moon about it”. And if you are really upset or fed up about something, you can say that you are “as sick as a parrot” or that you are “gutted⁴”. “To loose to Borchester in the first round, well – I’m sick as a parrot”. “Our star player was sent off after only three minutes – I’m totally gutted”.

　　We don’t generally use these expressions except about football. But during the World Cup you can use them as much as you like. When your team wins, you are over the moon. When they lose, you are gutted.

1 sweeping   

adj.范围广大的，一扫无遗的

参考例句：

• The citizens voted for sweeping reforms.公民投票支持全面的改革。
• Can you hear the wind sweeping through the branches?你能听到风掠过树枝的声音吗？

2 enthusiasm   

n.热情，激情；巨大兴趣；热衷的事物

参考例句：

• We set about our task at once with great enthusiasm.我们立刻兴致勃勃地干起来。
• A team which is full of enthusiasm is more likely to win.情绪高涨的球队更可能获胜。

3 phrases   

n.短语( phrase的名词复数 )；成语；说法；乐句

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 gutted   

adj.容易消化的v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的过去式和过去分词 )；取出…的内脏

参考例句：

• Disappointed? I was gutted! 失望？我是伤心透了！
• The invaders gutted the historic building. 侵略者们将那幢历史上有名的建筑洗劫一空。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》