今天我们再来给大家讲解两个以short这个字为主的习惯用语。In short order. In short order就是立即,马上的意思。许多美国孩子都不喜欢打扫房间。这也是父母经常训孩子的主题之一。下面这个例子里说话的爸爸倒是找到了一个办法,让他的儿子把房间立即打扫干净。他说:
例句-1: For weeks I've been trying to get Jack to clean up his room. He finally did it in short order today after I told him he wouldn't get his allowance this week until he did.
例句2: I've gathered all the information I need for my speech at the seminar. I'll be able to have it written in short order. So, don't worry! In fact, there's plenty of time for me to get things ready.
今天我们要讲的第二个习惯用语比较长,请大家注意听。To get the short end of the stick. End就是末端,stick就是一根棍子。To get the short end of the stick,作为俗语,它的意思就是:你在某一件事上吃了亏。我们来举一个例子就能说明这个习惯用语的真正含义。有一次,一个朋友工作的公司要举行新年联欢会,每人出五个美元买食品和饮料,大家还推举这位朋友负责为联欢会安排食品供应。联欢会结束后,他拖着疲乏的步伐回到家里对自己的太太说:
例句3: I was so busy taking care of the food during the party. Everybody seemed to be enjoying. But by the time I tried to find something to eat, the only thing left was a handful of peanuts. I sure got the short end of the stick.
例句4: My two partners and I each put up one-third of the money to start our business. But I was the only one to lend the company more money. So when it went bankrupt, I was left with the short end of the stick.