英语听力精选进阶版 19575（在线收听）

Not enough room to swing a cat 空间极其窄小

(Li is accompanying Finn as he goes flat hunting)

Finn: And this is flat number five, Li. I'm happy you came along to help me find a nice place to live.

Li: Renting a new place is a big step, Finn. And this one looks good. Look here. Big windows, lots of light coming in. Isn't it nice?

Finn: Yeah. This is good but…

Li: It's been painted recently. Look, the wooden floor is lovely!

Finn: Yes, it's lovely but… Li… there's not enough room to swing a cat!

Li: A cat? Are you sure? No problem. I saw one outside. I'll be back in a minute. 

Finn: Li, what is this?! 

Li: It's a cat, Finn. I didn’t know you liked swinging cats around but … well, this cat was just outside and you can try swinging it… well, just be gentle with it. 

Finn: Oh, no, Li. I don't swing cats. In English, you use the expression "there is not enough room to swing a cat" when you want to say that a place is much too small. 

Li: What a relief! 这么说 "there is not enough room to swing a cat" 这个短语的是用来形容一个地方太小了，连转身的余地都没有。 

Finn: "Not enough room to swing a cat" is today's expression in Authentic Real English. Let's hear some examples of how to use it.

The library at my college was really small - there wasn't enough room to swing a cat!

I can't work in this office. There's not enough room to swing a cat! Where will I put my books and my computer?

Finn: So, not enough room for me in this flat, Li. But thanks for coming with me all the same. 

Li: So what are you going to do, Finn? 

Finn: I think I will just move in with my brother. 

Li: Is his flat small... could you swing a cat there? 

Finn: In my brother's house cats rule! He loves furry little animals. 

Li: Well, I think this cat might join you there. Let's go, Finn. Bye. 

Finn: Bye. And no cat was harmed in the recording of this programme. Isn't that right, Tubby? 

Cat: Meow.