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(单词翻译)
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning1 English.
On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language a little more closely2.
Often, our expressions come from everyday objects.
Today we talk about a candle. Sometimes we use candles to create a feeling of calm or some other sort of feeling. We call that an ambiance. For example, dinner by candlelight is a lot more romantic than dinner under fluorescent3 lights.
Often candles smell nice, too. We can buy our favorite scents4, or kinds of smells. This makes them even more calming.
But candles are useful as well. If the electricity goes out, candles can light a dark night. In the days before electricity, candles were a main source of light for work.
And that brings us to today's expression — "to burn the candle at both ends."
This expression is used several ways.
Usually, it means that we are busy with work but not always. Let's say I spent all of last year working on two very important goals at the same time. Friends could say that I burned my candle at both ends for a whole year. Finally, I got burned out, which means I was really tired.
If we use up all of our energy by leading a busy life with work, friends, and seemingly5 endless activities, we can say we are burning the candle at both ends. We are busy from early morning until late at night.
Here is another example. Ever since starting a new job and getting her master's degree, my friend Annette has been burning the candle at both ends. She has been doing a lot.
The expression also appears in creative forms of writing.
In her poem, "Figs6 from Thistles: First Fig," poet Edna St. Vincent Millay wrote about it this way:
My candle burns at both ends; it will not last the night; but ah, my foes7, and oh, my friends -- it gives a lovely light!
Now, let's hear how these two friends use the expression in this short exchange.
Where have you been? I haven't talked to you weeks!
I know. Sorry about that. I got a book deal last month. So, I've been kind of busy with that.
Congratulations. But I thought you were still in school?
I am. That's why I've been burning the candle at both ends for the past...what month is it?
It's February. Wow! You have been busy.
At VOA Learning English, we work really hard to bring you informative8 programs. Sometimes we even burn the candle at both the ends to get the job done. Thankfully, though...not every week!
And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories.
Words in This Story
romantic –adj. related9 to or involving a feeling of love
fluorescent lights –n. lights that get bright when electricity passes through a tube filled with gas
source –n. the cause of something
master's degree –n. a degree that is given to a student by a college or university usually after one or two years of additional study following a bachelor's degree
1 learning | |
n.学问,学识,学习;动词learn的现在分词 | |
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2 closely | |
adv.紧密地;严密地,密切地 | |
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3 fluorescent | |
adj.荧光的,发出荧光的 | |
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4 scents | |
n.香水( scent的名词复数 );气味;(动物的)臭迹;(尤指狗的)嗅觉 | |
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5 seemingly | |
adv.从表面上看起来,似乎是 | |
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6 figs | |
figures 数字,图形,外形 | |
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7 foes | |
敌人,仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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8 informative | |
adj.提供资料的,增进知识的 | |
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9 related | |
adj.有关系的,有关联的,叙述的,讲述的 | |
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