[ti:Be Careful When You 'Pin Your Hopes on Something!'] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:07.60]And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. [00:16.80]On this program we explore everyday words and expressions. [00:22.76]We give examples on how to use them. [00:26.08]And sometimes we give you the origin [00:29.64]– where the expression comes from. [00:33.36]Today we are going to talk about a very small, [00:36.96]sharp and useful object: a pin. [00:42.28]We use pins when we sew clothes. [00:45.52]We also use pins in some art projects. [00:50.44]And we use pins to attach things to our clothing. [00:56.36]The sharp point easily goes right through most kinds of cloth. [01:02.48]And pin gives us our expression for today: [01:06.68]To pin your hopes on something. [01:10.88]If you pin your hopes on something, [01:13.44]you hope very much that it will help you succeed. [01:17.44]You attach your hopes to it. [01:21.16]When we pin our hopes on something, we really want it to happen. [01:27.24]It can also mean to have expectations connected [01:31.64]to the success or performance of a person or thing. [01:38.00]For example, a friend of mine really wanted to attend a well-known college. [01:45.32]But the tuition cost a lot and she did not have much money. [01:51.72]So, she pinned her hopes on winning a scholarship. [01:56.56]When the scholarship fell through, she was pretty upset. [02:01.80]On the same day, she got more bad news. [02:05.48]A very old and very distant uncle had died. [02:10.12]It was sad news, but there was a silver lining. [02:16.04]You might ask, "What good could come from that?" [02:20.76]Well, this uncle left her a lot of money. [02:26.48]Some word experts say the expression dates from the 1500s. [02:33.20]It may have come from soldiers [02:35.68]pinning their leader's insignia on their sleeves. [02:40.44]This showed where they belonged and who they supported. [02:46.24]By the 1800s, however, it took on its current meaning. [02:52.32]Here is example. Listen to these two friends [02:56.52]talk about saving money for the future. [03:00.12]So, how much money have you saved so far. [03:03.40]You know, for your retirement? [03:06.04]None. But I play the lottery every day! [03:10.72]I don't think it's a good life plan [03:12.80]to pin all your hopes on winning the lottery. [03:15.92]You're right. I should have a Plan B. [03:19.32]I know I will get on a game show and win a lot of money! [03:23.24]I think you should talk to an expert. [03:27.12]There are game show experts?? [03:30.00]No. I mean a financial planner. [03:33.12]Oh. THAT kind of expert. [03:37.04]Yeah, it is not a good idea to pin your financial hopes on a lottery. [03:44.12]And in life it is probably not a good idea [03:48.32]to pin all your hopes and dreams on other people. [03:52.44]Instead, pin your hopes on you [03:55.28]and what you can do to make things better. [03:59.04]And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. [04:03.04]Until next time ... [04:04.76]I'm Anna Matteo. 更多听力请访问51VOA.COM