872 have a soft spot for

周末朋友从外地来华盛顿玩,我陪他们去参加一日游。那个可怜的导游,一看就是新手,被七嘴八舌的游客问得难以招架。我年轻的时候也当过导游,所以感同身受,深知她的苦衷。

这也让我想起一个习惯用语可以跟大家分享。那就是:have a soft spot for. To have a soft spot for something or someone, 意思是因为喜爱,所以对某个人或是某件事心软。

比如说,Grandpa has a soft spot for Jimmy, his first grandson. 爷爷偏爱长孙Jimmy. 在刚才的例子中,正因为我以前做过导游,所以很能理解那个年轻导游的感受,you have a soft spot for tour guides.

下面例子中的这个人谈到了自己一个表面冷酷无情、其实内心善良的叔叔。让我们听听他是怎么说的。

例句-1:Uncle Phil has a reputation as a tough guy who's unfeeling. But what most people don't know is that he can be quite caring. He's donated a lot of time and money to charities that help those less fortunate than him. Clearly, he has a soft spot for the underprivileged.

这个人说:菲尔叔叔一直以冷酷无情的硬汉形象著称。可是,大多数人并不了解的是,他是一个很关心别人的人。他向一些慈善机构捐赠了很多时间和金钱,帮助那些不如他幸运的人。显然,他很同情那些弱势人群。

这也让我想起2009年刚去世的美国政治家泰德.肯尼迪。他是美国前总统约翰.肯尼迪的弟弟,在国会参议院当了46年参议员。虽然他生长在一个富有的政治世家,Ted Kennedy had a soft spot for people who didn't grow up with the advantages he had. 泰德.肯尼迪对生长环境不如他优越的人格外关心。他将自己毕生的精力用于争取民权、消费者利益和医疗保健。

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美国人非常关心动物。在下面的例子中,一位妇女开办了一个服务中心,为狗寻找温暖的家。让我们听听她先生是怎么说的。

例句-2:My wife started an adoption service for dogs. What started out with finding a home for one unwanted puppy became a full-time occupation. Thanks to her, over 200 dogs have been rescued. She could have chosen a job that's easier and higher paying. But she has a soft spot for dogs in need. It's very fulfilling.

他说:我太太办了一个狗收养中心。最初只是要给一只没人要的小狗找个家,后来居然变成了全职工作。在她的帮助下,已经有两百多只狗被救。她本可以选择一个更容易做、工资更高的工作,但是她看见那些需要帮助的狗就会心软。这份工作让她很充实。

我一直想去动物收容所做义工,可我老公不同意,因为他知道,I have a soft spot for kittens. 我特别喜欢小猫咪,一定会带一堆回家。不过,如果我女儿提出养猫,那就另当别论了。Doug你知道为什么吗? Your husband has always had a soft spot for your daughter. 你说得太对了。我老公特别疼爱女儿,对她百依百顺。