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VOA慢速英语2018--Cheer Up! Phrasal Verbs and Emotions

时间:2018-08-09 23:19:36

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(单词翻译)

 

When was the last time you experienced1 a wide range of emotions over something – from sadness to happiness, or even a sense of relief when a problem was solved?

Perhaps you moved to a new city or returned home. Maybe you lost or gained something valuable. Or you may have overcome a serious personal issue or enjoyed success after defeat.

If you are like most people, there are things in life that can take your emotions in many directions. And, in English, there are a lot of phrasal verbs to help express those emotions. Today we will tell you about some of them.

You will remember that a phrasal verb is a verb made of two or more words: a verb and a preposition2 or adverb, or both.

Phrasal verbs for emotions can be used in many different situations. But let’s begin with a situation that is very relatable: a family gathering3.

In many countries, extended4 families gather only a few times each year. Children and their parents join up with one or more grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives. They often gather in one place, perhaps someone’s home, to enjoy a special dinner and quality time as a family.

And, with everyone together, things are not always perfect. There are almost guaranteed to be many reactions -- laughter, smiles, maybe even some crying.

Get to

Loosen5 up

OK, now imagine that a large family is seated together at a dining table. They are having that special meal.

As they eat, predictably, the talk turns to work and careers. Everyone praises one of the youngsters6 for getting accepted to a university. They praise another family member for landing7 a job they worked hard to get.

But then, the talk turns to a young man and his sister. The brother has some interesting words about her career. Listen to this short exchange:

Brother: Next month, Zadie is going to culinary school! Haha, culinary school! Let us know how that goes.

Zadie: You know, your jokes are really getting to me. Maybe you should loosen up. Not everyone wants to be an engineer. And, by the way, I’m planning to become an executive8 chef!

Zadie’s brother’s words got to her. If something “gets to” you, it bothers you and fuels anger. She tells her brother to “loosen up” – to be more easy-going, to lighten9 up – about her personal choices.

A few other family members then show support for Zadie’s decision. They tell her how much they wish they had followed their dreams at her age.

Calm down

Lash10 out at

Now, at the other end of the table, a heated exchange is taking place.

Uncle Louis has strong opinions and loves to speak his mind at family dinners. Some family members like his openness. Others find him obnoxious11. They think he is being a pain.

Listen to a short exchange:

Uncle Louis: …And that’s why, even though the lamb roast looks great, I’m not having any. Red meat is bad for the climate. Starting tomorrow, all of you should make a plan to--

Niece: Uncle Louis, you’re giving me a headache! You always say things at the wrong time! Let the rest of us enjoy the meal, please.

Uncle Louis: OK, OK, but calm down. It’s fine that you disagree. But that’s no reason to lash out at me. Now, can we shake hands and agree to disagree?

Niece: Uh...OK, sure.

Uncle Louis had told his niece to calm down. To "calm down" means become less emotional12 or excited – or to help someone else to feel this way.

“Calm down” is often used in imperative13 statements: It is used as a command. In imperative statements, we usually do not separate the words "calm" and "down." But in other kinds of statements, the verb may be separated by an object.

You may recall14 that some phrasal verbs are separable – they can be separated by objects.

We could, for example, say, “The father calmed his baby down by singing to her.” The words “his baby” are the object.

Uncle Louis also tells his niece not to lash out at him. Did you understand the meaning of “lash out at”? Listen to the sentence again:

It’s fine that you disagree, but that’s no reason to lash out at me.

To “lash out at” someone means to make a sudden and angry attack on them.

Get over

Cheer up

Back at the center of the table, Grandpa is remembering the way things used to be. Let’s listen in:

Grandpa: I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that I only see you all a few times every year. I remember when we all lived in the same state. (sighs)

Michelle: Aww, Grandpa, cheer up. You are always welcomed to stay with us in Washington. We have an extra bedroom…with a television. And don’t forget, there is video chat! I talk with Zadie on video all the time.

Michelle tells her grandfather to cheer up. To “cheer up” means to become happier or to make someone else happier. In most imperative statements, we do not separate the words “cheer” and ”up.” But in other statements, the verb can be separable. For example, one could say, “I’m cheering Grandpa up.” The word “grandpa” is the object.

Choke up

Now, it’s time for the big news of the family gathering. Let’s listen:

Shawn: I have an announcement to make: We’re having a baby! A little girl. She’s due in late June.

Aunt: Oh my goodness15, Shawn. That’s exciting. I’m so happy for you that I could cry. See, now I’m choking up.

To “choke up” means to have difficulty speaking because of strong emotions. In American English, we often put the verb “get” before “choke up.” We also often add the word “all.” Let's hear how that sounds:

See, now I’m getting all choked up.

When we say it this way, the words “choked up” act as an adjective16.

There are a lot of ways to express emotions in English. And phrasal verbs can help us express them more fully17.

I’m Alice Bryant.

Words in This Story

range – n. a group or collection of different things or people that are usually similar in some way

culinary – adj. used in or relating to cooking

chef – n. a professional cook who usually is in charge of a kitchen in a restaurant

roast – n. a piece of meat that is cooked with dry heat in an oven18 or over fire

headache – n. an ache or pain in the head

aww – interjection. used to express sympathy

due – adj. expected to be born


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点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 experienced ntPz2t     
adj.有经验的;经验丰富的,熟练的
参考例句:
  • Experienced seamen will advise you about sailing in this weather.有经验的海员会告诉你在这种天气下的航行情况。
  • Perhaps you and I had better change over;you are more experienced.也许我们的工作还是对换一下好,你比我更有经验。
2 preposition LQmxx     
n.介词
参考例句:
  • You should cancel this preposition in the sentence.你应该删去句子中的这个介词。
  • We use different preposition to talk about time,days,months and seasons.我们用不动的介词来谈论时间,日,月和季节等。
3 gathering ChmxZ     
n.集会,聚会,聚集
参考例句:
  • He called on Mr. White to speak at the gathering.他请怀特先生在集会上讲话。
  • He is on the wing gathering material for his novels.他正忙于为他的小说收集资料。
4 extended Utcz1H     
adj.延伸的;伸展的;延长的;扩大的v.延伸(extend的过去式和过去分词);伸展;延长
参考例句:
  • an extended lunch hour 延长了的午餐时间
  • France has greatly extended its influence in world affairs. 在世界事务中,法国的影响已大大地扩大了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
5 loosen g0xxU     
vt.放松,松开,解除(便秘等),放宽;vi.变松,松弛
参考例句:
  • I must take some exercise and loosen up my muscles.我必须活动活动使肌肉放松些。
  • The medicine may loosen your cough.这种药能减轻你的咳嗽。
6 youngsters 9d413e799253048dc5ebe7d07ff8dd5f     
n.孩子( youngster的名词复数 );少年;青年;年轻人
参考例句:
  • We followed the youngsters at a more sedate pace. 我们跟在年轻人后面,步子稍慢一点。
  • The camp is for youngsters aged 8 to 14. 这次夏令营是为8至14岁的少年儿童安排的。
7 landing wpwz3N     
n.登陆;着陆;楼梯平台
参考例句:
  • Owing to engine trouble,the plane had to make a forced landing.由于发动机出了毛病,飞机不得不进行迫降。
  • When are we landing?我们什么时候着陆?
8 executive Ymlxs     
adj.执行的,行政的;n.执行者,行政官,经理
参考例句:
  • A good executive usually gets on well with people.一个好的高级管理人员通常与人们相处得很好。
  • He is a man of great executive ability.他是个具有极高管理能力的人。
9 lighten P1UxT     
vt./vi.减轻,变轻;照亮,变亮
参考例句:
  • The sky began to lighten after the storm.暴风雨后天空开始放晴。
  • They decided to lighten taxes.他们决定减轻税收。
10 lash a2oxR     
v.系牢;鞭打;猛烈抨击;n.鞭打;眼睫毛
参考例句:
  • He received a lash of her hand on his cheek.他突然被她打了一记耳光。
  • With a lash of its tail the tiger leaped at her.老虎把尾巴一甩朝她扑过来。
11 obnoxious t5dzG     
adj.极恼人的,讨人厌的,可憎的
参考例句:
  • These fires produce really obnoxious fumes and smoke.这些火炉冒出来的烟气确实很难闻。
  • He is the most obnoxious man I know.他是我认识的最可憎的人。
12 emotional 3pDxl     
adj.令人动情的;易动感情的;感情(上)的
参考例句:
  • Emotional people don't stop to calculate.感情容易冲动的人做事往往不加考虑。
  • This is an emotional scene in the play.这是剧中动人的一幕。
13 imperative BcdzC     
n.命令,需要;规则;祈使语气;adj.强制的;紧急的
参考例句:
  • He always speaks in an imperative tone of voice.他老是用命令的口吻讲话。
  • The events of the past few days make it imperative for her to act.过去这几天发生的事迫使她不得不立即行动。
14 recall mtByJ     
n.回忆,召回,取消;vt.回想起,召回,与...相似,恢复
参考例句:
  • As you may recall, he was in the army then.你可能记得当时他正在从军。
  • We demand that you recall your army from our border.我们要求你们撤回在我们边境的部队。
15 goodness xfgxm     
n.善良,善行,美德
参考例句:
  • Would you have the goodness to turn off the radio?劳驾,请你把收音机关上好不好?
  • Thank goodness,we've found a cure for the disease.好了,这病有救了!
16 adjective UJpyR     
n.形容词;adj.形容词的,用作形容词的
参考例句:
  • Don't apply that adjective to me.不要用那个字眼来形容我。
  • The adjective loose has several senses. 形容词loose有几个义项。
17 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
18 oven iJuxQ     
n.烤炉;烤箱
参考例句:
  • You put food inside an oven to cook it.你把食物放进烤箱里热一下。
  • She baked bread in an oven.她用烤炉烤面包。

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