英语听力精选进阶版 20136

A bitter pill to swallow 不得不吞的苦药

图片1

内容简介

菲菲因为晋升不成功而有些沮丧。Rob 试图开导菲菲，但他用了一个奇怪的成语，字面意思是“难以下咽的药片”。听节目，看 Rob 用这个成语安慰菲菲到底是什么意思？

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。）

Feifei

大家好，欢迎收听《地道英语》。我是冯菲菲，还有我的同事 Rob。

Rob                                                    

Hi everyone… errr, Feifei, are you OK? You don't sound as cheerful as normal.

Feifei

I feel terrible today – I've got a headache, I feel really tired… I think I'm developing flu. 我看我还是吃点儿药吧。

Rob

Hold on Feifei. Are you sure you're getting flu? This hasn't got anything to do with that job promotion¹ that you didn't get?

Feifei

Of course not… well maybe a little.

Rob

Hmm, I know you wanted that promotion so much but Daisy got it instead.

Feifei

Exactly – and I've been working here much longer than her and I have loads more experience. It's so unfair!

Rob

I know… it's a bitter pill to swallow.

Feifei

我知道这些药片苦，不过我们都知道“良药苦口利于病”。我说，我升值不成功，这又病了，你能同情一下我吗？

Rob

I was Feifei! When I said 'it's a bitter pill to swallow' I really meant it's a situation that’s unpleasant and difficult to accept.

Feifei

OK, I see! You're saying I'm finding² Daisy's promotion hard to accept?

Rob

It's tough Feifei but that's the way things are. Let's hear some more examples of this phrase in action.

Examples

When John found out about his wife's affair with his best friend, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

It was a bitter pill to swallow knowing that my older sister finished the race quicker than me.

My friend has booked the same flights as me for half the price – it's a bitter pill to swallow!

Feifei

在英语里，表达 a bitter pill to swallow 的意思是“不得不吞的苦药、苦果，必须接受的严酷现实”。也就是说，就算不喜欢、不同意、不赞同也没办法，只能接受。Hmm, I like the phrase but it doesn't make me feel any better.

Rob

You'll just have to swallow the decision Feifei! Daisy is going to be your boss from now on.

Feifei

Oh dear… I think my flu might be getting worse now… 我还是把药吃了吧。Yuk, that really was bitter!

Rob

I think two tablets³ are enough for now Feifei. Maybe you should take tomorrow off work.

Feifei

What a great idea, Rob! See you later.

Rob

1 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

2 finding   

n.发现，发现物；调查的结果

参考例句：

• The finding makes some sense.该发现具有一定的意义。
• That's an encouraging finding.这是一个鼓舞人心的发现。

3 tablets   

n.药片( tablet的名词复数 )；（木、竹）简；碑；一块肥皂

参考例句：

• The tablets may make you feel drowsy. 这药片可能会使你昏昏欲睡。
• Take two tablets with water before meals. 每次两片，饭前用水冲服。