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Are You in the 'Driver's Seat' or 'Asleep at the Wheel'?

时间:2017-12-17 16:41:42

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(单词翻译)

 

Now, it's time for Words and Their Stories.

On this program we explore common expressions in American English.

Today, we talk about expressions that began behind the wheels of automobiles2. Now they are common expressions that we use in everyday conversations.

Well, let's not delay any longer. Let's get this show on the road!

"To get the show on the road" means to begin something as soon as possible. It's a casual3 expression that we use when we want to start something, anything -- an activity or project or an actual road trip.

Well, not any activity. You would not likely use this expression to begin something sad, such as a funeral. It is a lighthearted expression.

Word experts say that the phrase comes from traveling circuses and other shows of the early 1900s in the United States. These entertainers would travel from town to town bringing their performances to people not able to travel to big cities for entertainment.

So, the person who says "hey, let's get this show on the road!" is taking charge. They want to start things. They want to get things going. You could say they are in the driver’s seat. Just as the driver is in control of their vehicle, the person in the driver's seat of an activity, event or project is also in control. They are the leader. Feel free to use this phrase in any situation, formal or informal.

Speaking of free, most rides are not. They cost money. When you take a taxi you must pay for it. If you drive a car, you must pay for gas, repairs and insurance. It is great when you get a free ride to where you are going.

However, in life, to get a free ride means to gain from something without having to do anything in exchange. It can be annoying to have a friend or co-worker who is always trying to get a free ride. They do not give. They just take, take, take!

Now, when we are actually driving, the phrase go down that road simply means to drive down a road. We would say this when we give directions. "Go down that road for about a mile and you'll see your destination on the right."

But in conversation it has an interesting meaning.

To go down that road means to make a decision. But it's more than that. It also means that this decision may bring trouble or leave you in a difficult place. We often use this phrase as a warning or when we give advice to someone.

Let's say a good friend, Veronica, has a neighbor who likes causing trouble. He has loud parties every weekend until the wee hours of the night. The trash from his parties often spills out into her lawn4. Veronica tells you she is going to get even with this neighbor. She plans to play opera music very loudly very early every morning until his late, loud parties stop!

You might tell her, "Are you sure you want to go down that road? It could lead to trouble."

Maybe you have made the same mistake. You could advise your friend, "I've been down that road before and it did not go as I had planned!"

Where the rubber meets the road is another interesting phrase.

Here rubber refers to the tires of a vehicle. Where the rubber meets the road is the point of contact between automobile1 tires and the road. It’s when and where the car actually moves. It’s also when you find out how the car performs.

So the expression rubber meets the road means the point at which a product, idea or method is tested.

Imagine you have been studying different methods of teaching5 people English. So far, it has all been theories. Where the rubber meets the road will be in a class full of students. That will be the real test! Will those theories actually help your students learn English? We shall see!

Some driving behaviors are really dangerous and can lead to accidents.

For example, when you cut someone off in traffic you turn your car into their lane6 in a dangerous way, nearly hitting them!

You can also cut people off in conversation. Used in this way, to cut someone off (or cut off someone) means to interrupt what they are saying. It is not dangerous but it is extremely annoying.

Driving in the middle of the road is really dangerous. You could crash into oncoming traffic! But in conversation, being in the middle of the road is actually a really safe place. It means you are taking a moderate7 position on some issue. You are not at or near one extreme or the other.

The most dangerous driving behavior is not paying attention to the road. Many wrecks8 happen when people do not pay attention. The worst thing, by far, is to fall asleep at the wheel.

We also use this expression in our conversations. To be asleep at the wheel means you are not paying attention to something that should have your attention. If the leader of a project is asleep at the wheel it means she's not paying attention to the project. Something bad will probably happen.

We here at Learning9 English are definitely10 not asleep at the wheel.

That’s right. We pay very close attention to our audience!

And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories!

I'm Bryan Lynn.

And I'm Anna Matteo.

When have you been in the driver's seat or when have you been asleep at the wheel? Let us know in the Comments Section -- or simply practice with one of the expressions you heard here today.

Words in This Story

casual – adj. designed for or permitting ordinary dress, behavior, etc. : not formal

actual – adj. real and not merely possible or imagined : existing in fact

formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing

informal – adj. having a friendly and relaxed quality

annoying – adj. to disturb or irritate11 especially by repeated acts

wee hours – n. the very early hours after midnight

get even – v. to get revenge


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1 automobile rP1yv     
n.汽车,机动车
参考例句:
  • He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
  • The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。
2 automobiles 760a1b7b6ea4a07c12e5f64cc766962b     
n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • When automobiles become popular,the use of the horse and buggy passed away. 汽车普及后,就不再使用马和马车了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Automobiles speed in an endless stream along the boulevard. 宽阔的林荫道上,汽车川流不息。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
3 casual QnMyh     
adj.漠不关心,冷漠的;随便的,非正式的;偶然的,碰巧的
参考例句:
  • He earns a living by casual labour.他靠做临时工为生。
  • The guests wore casual clothes.客人们穿着便服。
4 lawn u9Bz4     
n.草地,草坪,上等细麻布
参考例句:
  • The lawn was crawling with ants.草坪上爬满了蚂蚁。
  • They are lying on a grassy lawn.他们躺在绿草如茵的草坪上。
5 teaching ngEziT     
n.教学,执教,任教,讲授;(复数)教诲
参考例句:
  • We all agree in adopting the new teaching method. 我们一致同意采取新的教学方法。
  • He created a new system of teaching foreign languages.他创造了一种新的外语教学体系。
6 lane i2kxH     
n.(乡间)小路(巷);车(跑,泳)道;航道
参考例句:
  • There is a shop at the end of this lane.这条胡同的顶头有一家商店。
  • The champion is running in lane five.冠军跑在第五跑道上。
7 moderate N69zs     
adj.适度的,稳健的,温和的,中等的;v.节制,使...稳定,使...缓和;n.稳健的人
参考例句:
  • You should moderate your language when children are present.在孩子面前,你说话应该有节制。
  • The wind is moderate today.今天的风很柔和。
8 wrecks 8d69da0aee97ed3f7157e10ff9dbd4ae     
n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 );(事故中)遭严重毁坏的汽车(或飞机等);(身体或精神上)受到严重损伤的人;状况非常糟糕的车辆(或建筑物等)v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 );使(船舶)失事,使遇难,使下沉
参考例句:
  • The shores are strewn with wrecks. 海岸上满布失事船只的残骸。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》
  • My next care was to get together the wrecks of my fortune. 第二件我所关心的事就是集聚破产后的余财。 来自辞典例句
9 learning wpSzFe     
n.学问,学识,学习;动词learn的现在分词
参考例句:
  • When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时,常会从车上掉下来。
  • Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。
10 definitely RuJzx0     
adv.一定地,肯定地;明确地,确切地
参考例句:
  • The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛,这个队肯定会输。
  • I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前,我一定回家。
11 irritate Nafzg     
vt.使恼怒,使烦燥,使不适,使疼痛
参考例句:
  • Don't irritate her,she's on a short fuse today.别惹她,她今天动不动就发火。
  • These tight shoes irritate my toes.我的鞋太紧,夹痛我的脚趾。

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