[ti:'Rocking the Boat' Upsets Everything] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:08.20]Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories. [00:17.52]On this show we explore common expressions in American English. [00:23.56]Today we take our show on the water on a boat – or at least a make-believe one! [00:32.48]You have probably seen a boat before. [00:35.88]Watching one move through the water can be really fun. [00:40.72]On the water, boats move with a grace similar to that of a plane in the air. [00:47.52]If you are lucky, you may have even sailed in a boat. [00:52.88]That experience -- to feel the wind and water droplets hitting your face, [00:58.40]to be out in the open air -- is so much better than simply watching it from a distance. [01:07.04]However, not everyone enjoys being in a boat. [01:12.00]In fact, many people get sick from the rocking motion of a boat. [01:18.60]When boats are on calm water, the water moves it back and forth, [01:24.12]back and forth, back and forth. [01:27.68]This can cause many people to get seasick. [01:33.64]And that brings us to today's expression: rock the boat. [01:39.80]This means to cause problems for other members of a group. [01:44.07]When you rock the boat, you do or say something that causes change. [01:51.00]Now, we usually "rock the boat" in a negative way. [01:56.00]Used this way, it means to cause trouble usually by changing something. [02:02.80]But you can also rock the boat in a positive way. [02:06.80]Here's how. [02:09.16]Another meaning of "rock the boat" is to question the status quo, [02:13.92]or the usual way of doing things. [02:17.22]So, if a situation is no longer healthy or good [02:22.04]– then making changes is a good thing! [02:26.60]For example, one job of the media is to sometimes rock the government's boat. [02:32.72]You know, shake things up a little. [02:35.27]The expression "rock the boat" has been used since the early 1900s. [02:42.31]And it should come as no surprise that it comes from boating. [02:48.20]Imagine that you and a friend are at sea in a small boat. [02:53.09]Suddenly you get up and start moving your weight from side to side. [02:59.28]Naturally, the boat starts rocking . [03:02.93]Your rocking of the boat does not just affect you. [03:07.52]It also affects your friend. [03:09.88]She starts to feel seasick. [03:12.70]But you don't seem to care. [03:15.26]You just keep on rocking the boat. [03:17.95]And you rock it so hard, that it overturns. [03:21.85]You and your friend end up in the water. [03:27.12]So, you were both fine in the boat before you started rocking it. [03:31.59]Now with both of you in the water, the situation is worse. [03:37.60]It is worth noting that another expression means about the same thing [03:42.35]and has a similar history: to make waves. [03:48.12]The rocking of a boat is caused by waves in the water. [03:53.56]In life when you make waves, you change the usual way of doing things. [03:59.96]Again, this can be good or bad. [04:03.96]So, that is where these expressions come from. [04:07.33]Now, let's hear how to use them. [04:11.44]Two co-workers, Marissa and Thomas, [04:14.72]are heading into a meeting at the chocolate company. [04:18.52]A: That's a big binder. What's in it? [04:21.44]B: This binder has all my suggestions. [04:25.45]A: Suggestions ... on what? [04:27.80]B: Suggestions on how to improve our overall chocolate products, [04:32.37]customer service, production, delivery systems ... [04:36.25]all without increasing our costs! [04:39.26]A: Wow! Those are a lot of suggestions. [04:43.29]You know, now may not be the best time. [04:47.44]The economy is tanking. And everyone here is really happy. [04:52.72]B: What are you saying? [04:55.48]A: Well, maybe now is not a good time to rock the boat. [04:59.81]Things aren't great. But they are pretty good. [05:03.72]B: That's what I mean. Why be okay when you can be great? [05:08.66]Now is a perfect time to rock the boat! [05:11.82]Let's challenge the status quo! [05:15.04]A: Look, Thomas. You've only been here a week. [05:18.55]Why don't you observe and learn a little more before you make waves? [05:23.36]B: You know, that's good idea. [05:26.22]I can always present my suggestions next week. [05:30.01]A: (sighs) Yes, I'm sure you will. [05:37.80]And that is all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. [05:42.08]Until next time ...I'm Anna Matteo! 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM