今天我们要讲的美国习惯用语是:Strike while the iron is hot. Strike就是打击, iron是铁。Strike while the iron is hot, 这个习惯用语和中国人说的趁热打铁的意思是完全一样的。
比如说,有个孩子考试成绩很好,父母看了成绩单非常高兴。这孩子就抓紧时机要求父母买玩具或是增加零用钱, 在这种情况下成功的机率是很大的。这就是strike while the iron is hot。
我们来举一个例子。这是一个人在犹豫是不是要和一个女孩子约会。下面是他的朋友在给他出主意。
例句-1:If I were you, I wouldn't wait till school starts again when all her friends get back. I'd ask her out on a date right now while she's by herself and feeling a little lonely. Strike while the iron is hot or you may never get another chance!
这个朋友说:我要是你的话,我会乘她现在一个人,感到有点孤单的时候就约她出去玩,不要等到开了学,她的朋友们都回来以后再约她。你要抓紧机会,不然你可能就再也没有机会了。
有些人认为美国年轻男子都很大胆,都很善于接近女孩子。其实不然,有些男孩很害羞,需要朋友在旁边出主意。
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Strike while the iron is hot往往有鼓励的意思。不过这个习惯用语在14世纪最初出现的时候毫无这个意思。当时惩罚盗贼的方法就是把他们的双手砍掉。Strike while the iron is hot指的是趁着刀刃火热的时候把手砍掉,免得伤口大量流血。
不过,这个习惯用语现在已经完全没有它的原意了。我们再来举一个例子。这是一个人在说要抓住贷款利息很低的时机。
例句-2:Now that no one is buying anything, the banks are offering good terms on business loans. I think we should strike while the iron is hot. The rates are not going to be this low forever. It may be our last opportunity to buy our building.
这个人说:现在人们什么都不买,银行给商业贷款很优惠的条件。我认为我们应当利用这个机会。利息不会永远这么低。这可能是我们买下这栋楼的最后机会了。
最近几年美国房屋和商业贷款的利率曾经到达多年来的最低点。
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752 strike while the iron is hot
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