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A：Why did the boss come down on Joe like a ton of bricks.  

为什么老板对Joe百般刁难。

B：He spoke evil behind his back.  

他在背后说老板的坏话了。

A：How did he know that he had bad mouthed him?  

老板怎么知道他说他的坏话的？

B：Someone told Joe off.  

有人告状了呗。

A：He is then in a very difficult situation.  

那么这是他处境很苦难啦。

B：Sure. He’ll get the bag,I think.  

是的。他可能要被解雇吧。

 

注释:

1.behind one's back：背着，在......的背后

back在这里是名词，即“脊梁”。Behind someone’s back意思为“在......的背后”，即“背着某人”，多用于贬义

2.come down on：申斥, 惩罚, 责备

3.a ton of：许多

4.like a ton of bricks：气势汹汹，勃然大怒，来势凶猛

5.speak evil：说坏话

6.tell sb off：告状，像某人透露消息

7.in a difficult situation：处于艰苦的处境