B: 我是Mike! 杨琳，来告诉大家今天都要学什么?

　　A: 没问题! 今天，我们要跟着电脑达人学学怎么自己修电脑，聊聊怎么用合适的方法炒别人鱿鱼，还要告诉你怎么说料事如神!

　　B: Fixing computers? Sounds like you need a professional! It just so happens that I know a guy who is quite handy with computers....me!

　　A: Well, I thought people good with computers usually have high IQ? 哈哈，好了，不开玩笑了! 我们言归正传，赶快先来进入第一个单元，Learn a Word!

　　Learn A Word - 1577 see something coming

　　今天我们要学的词是 see something coming. See is spelled s-e-e; and c-o-m-i-n-g; coming; see something coming.  See something coming是预料到某事会发生。I wasn't surprised when the company closed down. You could see it coming. 公司关门我并不吃惊。这是意料之中的事。研究发现，美国的二氧化碳排放量降到了近20年来的最低点，Many of the world's leading climate scientists did not see the drop coming. 大部分权威气象学家都没料到会出现这个情况。

　　After last year's dry winter, forecasters see big snows coming to cities from New York to Washington, D.C. 继去年干燥的冬天之后，天气人员预测，今年冬天，大雪会席卷从纽约到华盛顿的多座城市。好的，今天我们学习的词是 see something coming, see something coming, see something coming...

　　A: Ok, so Mike, how was the party last weekend? Did you meet anyone interesting? Did you...meet the future Ms. Bond?

　　B: Hahaha, you know what? Actually I found this totally cool, cute....

　　A: 啊? 什么什么? 快说!

　　B: Dog. OMG it's a basset hound and he was so friendly!

　　A: Ah....I didn't see that coming....

　　B: Well, it's probably because you're not the sharpest tool in the shed......

　　A: You'd better watch out, you're about to be on the firing line. You do understand that I know Kongfu, right?

　　B: Hahaha, really? what style? 吃饭吃得快的方式吗? But you did just mention a really good term:  on the firing line. Let's listen to today's Words and Idioms and find out what it means!

　　Words and Idioms - 985

　　现在播送美国习惯用语第 985讲。我是杨琳。

　　M：我是Steve Baragona.

　　最近，我们的一个制片人制作的短片引起了轩然大波。短片谈的是环境保护问题，而其中一位科学家认为全球变暖只是一个噱头，这种说法马上引起了其他很多科学家和公众的不满，很多人表示了对这个观点的反对，制片人也被批评报道偏颇，不够严谨。她的处境让我想到一句习惯用语， 那就是:

　　M: On the firing line. Firing is spelled f-i-r-i-n-g, and line; l-i-n-e, line. On-the-firing-line. On the firing line.

　　Firing line, 是射击线，开火线的意思，那么on the firing line, 在火线上，引伸出来意思就是处于容易被攻击的位置上。就像上面提到的例子：The producer of the show ended up ON THE FIRING LINE for presenting only one side of the argument. 制片人因为只介绍了对全球气候变暖的一种看法而受到批评。 在下面的例子里，一系列的问题食品带来了公众恐慌。我们来听一听：

　　M: "Last month, there was an terrible outbreak of people getting sick from contaminated spinach. Some Americans even died. Not long before, a similar incident happened with peanut butter. That's why the public became very angry at government officials. They'll probably remain ON THE FIRING LINE until citizens can be assured of the safety of our food. "

　　[这段话是说: 上个月，出现了一轮公众因食用受污染的菠菜而患病的事件，这些蔬菜甚至导致有些人死亡。不久前，市面上还出现过有问题的花生酱。这激起了公众对政府官员的愤怒情绪。在市民们重新对食品安全感到放心之前，这些政府官员可能会一直是大家批评的对象。]

　　食品安全可不是小问题，政府确实应该对这种问题负责! 想起我租的公寓，租赁办公室一直在提高租金。在租户会议上，They were clearly on the firing line; they were grilled about why the renters had to pay more. 他们显然变成了租户的众矢之的，人们纷纷质问为什么要没完没了地上涨租金。好的，我们再来听听刚才那段话:

　　M: "Last month, there was an terrible outbreak of people getting sick from contaminated spinach. Some Americans even died. Not long before, a similar incident happened with peanut butter. That's why the public became very angry at government officials. They'll probably remain ON THE FIRING LINE until citizens can be assured of the safety of our food. "

　　一般在中国家庭里，财政大权都掌握在妻子手里。其实很多美国家庭也一样。下面例子里的这个人就要讲讲他妻子是怎么控制家庭预算，降低生活开支的。咱们一起来听一听:

　　M: "My wife controls the budget in the house. She says we have to cut down on spending. That means buying new clothing, going out to restaurants and taking a summer vacation are all ON THE FIRING LINE now. She's against any purchases until there's enough money to pay for them. "

　　[这段话是说：我妻子掌握家里的财政大权。她说我们得减少开支。这就意味着买衣服，下餐馆，和夏天出去渡假全都可能被取消。她觉得在有足够的钱以前，不应该再有任何不必要的消费。]

　　大家注意，on the firing line可以用来形容人的情况，也可以用来形容事，形容事的时候意思就是可能被取消。比如说，Because of the huge tax bill, my plan to purchase the New iPad is on the firing line. 因为得交好多税，买最新版 iPad 的计划很可能泡汤。好的，我们再来听听刚才那段话:

　　M: "My wife controls the budget in the house. She says we have to cut down on spending. That means buying new clothing, going out to restaurants and taking a summer vacation are all ON THE FIRING LINE now. She's against any purchases until there's enough money to pay for them. "

　　今天我们学习的习惯用语是on the firing line, 意思是处于被攻击的位置。好的，这次[美国习惯用语]就到此结束，我是杨琳，我是Steve Baragona。谢谢各位的收听。

　　A: Speaking of which, my old computer is on the firing line.

　　B: Wait...what's wrong with your old computer?

　　A: My old Mac is super slow now. It takes about 3 minutes to just start it and always freezes in the middle of a show!

　　B: You know what? You should just consult me...I'm a computer expert. Maybe I can even offer you a discount on my consulting fee if you agree to cook me some Chinese food...Hmmm...

　　A: 好的听众朋友，我们可以直接忽略Mike了。(B: What?) 今天的美语三级跳里，我们就要跟着电脑达人去诊断一下电脑问题。一块来听吧!

　　Computers: Beginner

　　今天我们为您播出“美语三级跳”节目“电脑”单元的初级课程。

　　Chloe 的电脑出了点毛病，她打电话给朋友Matt，让他帮忙看看。

　　Professor: That's right, Winnie. Isn't it good to have friends who understand computers?

　　那可不，有电脑达人当朋友真不错!

　　Chloe: Hi Matt, thanks for coming over to help me fix my computer.

　　Matt: No problem. I know everything about computers. What's the problem?

　　Chloe: I can't surf the Internet. What do you think the problem is?

　　Matt: Well it could be a software problem, or it could be a hardware problem.

　　Matt说，只要是有关电脑的东西，没他不懂的，口气还真大，希望他不是吹牛。

　　Professor: Well, we will see. Winnie, what is wrong with Chloe's computer?

　　她说，她不能 "surf" the Internet. Professor Bowman, surf 不是冲浪的意思么？

　　Professor: Yes, but you can also use it to talk about browsing the Internet.  For example, I spend three hours every day surfing the Internet.

　　我明白了，surf the Internet 就是上网。Matt 说，Chloe的电脑不能上网，这不是hardware problem--硬件的问题，就是software problem - 软件的问题。

　　Professor: That's right! Let's see if Matt can help fix the computer.

　　Matt: Well, let's see if the computer can turn on. Here, I'll just press the power button.

　　Chloe: Uh ... Matt? That's not my computer. That's my TV.

　　Matt: Huh? Oh yes, of course. Where is your computer?

　　Chloe: My computer is over on the desk. See? It is turned on, but when I try to open the browser, there is no connection to the Internet.

　　这个Matt，怎么连电脑和电视都分不清！他说开电脑，却伸手去按 TV 的 power button--电视开关!

　　Professor: He doesn't sound like a computer expert at all.

　　可不！不过 Professor, Chloe说，她想打开 browser的时候，没法连接网络。Browser就是上网用的浏览器吧？

　　Professor: Correct. You can also say you opened a browser window.

　　哦....open a browser window 就是打开一个浏览窗口。我倒真想看看Matt是不是真懂电脑。

　　Matt: Hmm .... have you tried re-starting your computer?

　　Chloe: Matt, of course I tried re-starting my computer. That was the first thing I did!

　　Matt:  Really? Well if that didn't work, I don't know what to do.

　　Chloe: That's your only idea? You said you know everything about computers. I should have just called technical support.

　　Matt: Well re-starting the computer always works for me.

　　我猜的没错！Matt 唯一的办法就是re-start the computer，重新启动电脑，这谁不会啊！对了，重启电脑是不是也可以说 re-boot the computer？

　　Professor: That's right. Re-start and re-boot mean the same thing.

　　看来，Chloe对Matt很失望，觉得自己还不如打电话给电脑公司的technical support--技术服务部门呢。

　　Professor: Matt has one more idea to fix the computer. Let's listen.

　　Matt: Wait! I know how to fix the problem!

　　Chloe: Great! What should we do?

　　Matt: We should contact the Internet company to see if their service is down. Let's log on to their website to find their phone number.

　　Chloe: Uh, Matt? The Internet isn't working. How can we log on to the website?

　　Matt: Oh yeah.

　　Professor: So Winnie, what is Matt's solution for fixing the computer?

　　Chloe: 他出馊主意说，去网络公司的网站找他们的联络电话，然后打过去问问是不是网络出问题了！

　　Professor: Exactly. But that's impossible because the Internet is down.

　　就是！Chloe的问题就是不能上网，Matt却要上网查东西，这不是瞎出主意么！对了，Professor, Chloe说 Internet is down, 就是说网坏了吧？

　　Professor: Yes.  For example, you can say "I couldn't go to work today because the subway is down." You can also say that your E-mail or phone service is down.

　　我明白了。希望Chloe不是因为什么急事需要上网，要不然都让这个假行家Matt给耽误了!

　　Professor: Well, let's listen next time to find out!

　　A: 原来，    Chloe can't surf the Internet, 上不了网，请了她的好朋友Matt来帮她看看。Matt说，这不是hardware problem,硬件问题，就是software problem，软件问题。Matt让她reboot the computer,重启电脑，然后就没招啦! 这个Matt，根本就是个水货嘛!

　　B: Yeah, not everyone has the same level of expertise as I have....(A: ugh...)  seriously though, people who pretend to know things just irritate me. I knew this guy in college, he looked great on paper, but he constantly got fired after being hired for just two to three months. It turns out the only real skill he had was to interview well and brag about himself on his resume.

　　A: Yep. 不懂装懂最烦人了! 不过虽然被炒鱿鱼是很惨，炒别人的鱿鱼其实也不容易! 今天的Business Etiquette里，部门经理Peter就得开除一名雇员，这不，他正在跟同事讨论该怎么办，咱们一起去听听吧!

　　礼节美语 - You're Fired - Part I

　　部门经理 Paul Chen 和他的上司 Sue Krammer 要开除一名雇员。

　　P: Sue, I really need your help with this one.

　　S: Oh? What's the problem?

　　P: I've been asked to fire Tom Smith.

　　S: Oh...yeah...firing someone is hard. I've had to do it many times.

　　P: I hate it. It's probably the worst part of my job as a manager.

　　S: But...it has to be done and somebody's got to do it. In this case...you.

　　Paul 要解雇 Tom Smith, 问 Sue 该怎么做。Sue 说，开除手下确实是一件头痛的事情，但 Somebody's got to do it. 总要有人去做。

　　P: I know...I just want some advice on how to do this properly.

　　S: Well, let's review Tom's case, shall we? First question: Have you given him fair warning?

　　P: I believe so. I spoke to Tom in March and in May. I informed him he was on probation.

　　S: OK...so he knows he's on thin ice. So this action isn't going to be a complete surprise to him, right?

　　P: No. He should understand by now that the company is not really happy with his performance.

　　Paul 说，他事先警告过 Tom. I informed him he was on probation. on probation 意思是留职查看。换句话说，He knows he's on thin ice. on thin ice 如履薄冰，在这的意思就是他知道公司对他的表现不满意，知道自己可能会丢饭碗。

　　S: I think you should simply give Tom a list of behaviors the company has found unacceptable and then fire him. You can't allow him to drag you into an argument or debate. In this case you are merely the messenger and it's really not personal.

　　P: And if he promises to change and do better?

　　S: You have to firmly but politely let him know that the time for improvement has passed.

　　Sue 建议，可以列举Tom种种令人不满的表现，然后告诉他被解雇了，不给他争辩的机会。You can't allow him to drag you into an argument or debate。因为Paul只是传达上级的决定，you are merely the messenger。你只不过是个传信的，It's not personal. 不是针对个人，只是公事公办而已。如果Tom保证改过自新呢？Sue 建议，要 firmly but politely 既坚定又客气地告诉他，没有机会了。

　　S: Are you planning on asking him to sign a release form?

　　P: Yes. The policy is if you voluntarily sign a paper accepting your termination, you get 6 weeks of severance pay. Otherwise, if you wish to challenge the decision, you get just two weeks.

　　S: Ok...good. So go ahead and call him in. Remember: keep it simple. Inform him of the decision and tell him why, then explain the severance deal.

　　P: Ok...here goes. (Picks up phone) Kathy, please ask Tom to come in...thanks.

　　公司规定，如果员工自愿 voluntarily, v-o-l-u-n-t-a-r-i-l-y, voluntarily 签字接受解雇的决定，就可以得到六个星期的遣散费 severance pay, severance is spelled s-e-v-e-r-a-n-c-e, 否则只有两周。Sue 最后提醒 Paul, 要 keep it simple. 越简洁越好。

　　A: Paul解释说，他已经告诉Tom: he was on probation, 留职查看，he knows he's on thin ice, 如履薄冰。Sue说，解雇他的时候要keep it simple,越简洁越好，让他知道这是上级的意思，you are merely the messenger, 你只是传信儿的。最重要的是: You can't allow him to drag you into an argument or debate. 不给他争辩的机会。

　　B: That's why I think I can never be a manager.

　　A: Ehmm?

　　B: It's awful to have to fire someone and take away their livelihood. I just don't think I can do that.

　　A: Yep. 领导可不好当啊! Paul终于把Tom叫到了办公室，准备动手了! 咱们赶快接着去听听吧!

　　礼节美语 - You're Fired - Part II

　　Tom Smith 被叫到部门经理 Paul Chen 的办公室。

　　Tom: Good morning, Paul. How are you?

　　P: I'm well, thanks. Take a seat. This is Sue Krammer from the head office.

　　T: Hi, Sue.

　　S: Hi.

　　P: Tom, there's no easy way to say this so I'm just going to say it. We are letting you go.

　　Paul 开门见山，告诉 Tom 公司决定解雇他。在这种情况下，要说 We are letting you go, 不能说 you're fired。

　　T: Go where?

　　P: Um...we mean we are terminating your employment here.

　　T: You mean you're firing me?

　　P: Um...yes.

　　T: Wow! Mind telling me why?

　　P: We've warned you about some of your unacceptable behaviors several times now. Also, we feel you are under performing or not up to the standards we demand here.

　　T: (belligerent) Really? How so?

　　Tom 显得很意外，气愤地质问道，Mind telling me why? 能告诉我为什么吗？Paul 解释说，公司觉得 you are underperforming, underperform, u-n-d-e-r-p-e-r-f-o-r-m, 意思是工作表现不佳，not up to the standards 不符合要求。Tom 很不客气地让 Paul 举例，这时候 Sue 说话了。

　　S: If I might interject, here. Tom, your file says that last month you called up a client and chewed him out...without authorization. Tom, that is simply unacceptable.

　　P: You are frequently late and we've received more than a few complaints about your abrasive style with co-workers.

　　T: All right...but I have good explanations for all of that. You see......

　　S: I don't want to interrupt, Tom, but it's important that you understand that this decision comes down from the top. Paul and I are just the messengers. It would be best if you understood that this decision is final.

　　Tom 上个月在电话里 chewed a client out 痛骂客户。chew someone out 是严厉责骂的意思。此外，他上班还经常迟到，对同事态度粗鲁，he has an abrasive style with co-workers. Tom 想争辩，Sue 果断地说，这是上头的决定，the decision comes down from the top, and the decision is final. 是不可改变的。

　　T: So I'm fired and that's that?

　　P: Yes, you are being let go. But we would be happy to help you in any way we can.

　　S: If you need a general reference letter we can provide one, but if they call and ask if you were fired we will have to tell the truth. That's the law.

　　P: We can offer a six week severance package if you accept your termination.

　　T: Fine. I'll pack up my stuff and be out of here by Wednesday.

　　S: Thanks for understanding, Tom. We wish you well.

　　P: Yeah. Please do email me if you have further questions.

　　Tom 无可奈何地问，so I'm fired and that's that? 我就这么被开除了？回答当然是肯定的。公司愿意给他写例行推荐信，但如果用人单位打电话了解情况，公司也不能隐瞒他被解雇的事实。Tom 同意在解聘书上签字，收拾东西走人 pack up and be out of here。

　　A: See Mike, you really need to listen to your supervisor, me, otherwise you run the risk of being fired! For example, I really like cupcakes...

　　B: (sarcastically)  Really? I would have never guessed........

　　A: a 好了同学们，这次节目时间就到这里了。