(点击右边三个点，可调整速度，电脑上可下载)

听力参考原文 ↓↓↓

[00:00.72]And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

[00:14.96]On this program,

[00:21.24]we explore words and expressions in the English language.

[00:25.72]We give examples, notes on usage,

[00:29.16]and sometimes we use them in short stories.

[00:34.12]Today we talk a great about a great activity to keep healthy and cool.

[00:41.04]In hot weather, there is nothing better than swimming in cool water.

[00:46.84]Swimming is a great way to beat the heat and get exercise.

[00:53.00]But swimming is not only for fun.

[00:56.48]Knowing how to swim can save your life.

[01:00.60]If you do not know how to swim, you could sink in the water.

[01:05.08]And it can happen fast.

[01:07.44]So, today we talk about the idiom to sink or swim.

[01:13.68]To sink or swim means

[01:16.08]you either quickly succeed at something or quickly fail.

[01:21.96]To sink or swim suggests

[01:24.64]that you will either succeed or fail based on your own skills.

[01:30.32]Others may have taught you or helped you to prepare for something.

[01:34.92]But, the final responsibility is yours.

[01:40.76]So, we use this idiom to describe a high-pressure situation

[01:45.92]where your success or survival depends on your ability to perform.

[01:53.20]We sometimes pair the idiom sink or swim

[01:56.88]with the expression to be thrown into the deep end --

[02:01.00]as in the deep part of a pool.

[02:05.16]A parent, teacher, or coach could throw a child into the deep end

[02:09.88]to see if the child will sink or swim,

[02:13.12]although it is not likely.

[02:16.60]Usually, it means to put someone in a situation to see how they do.

[02:23.08]For example, let's say you have been preparing

[02:26.76]for an English test for many weeks.

[02:29.88]If you pass it, you may be able to get a better position at your job.

[02:36.48]You had a great teacher who helped you.

[02:39.08]But on test day, it's sink or swim.

[02:43.20]Success if up to you.

[02:47.00]Sink or swim can also describe a situation

[02:50.40]where you must succeed quickly or you will fail fully.

[02:54.96]There is no middle ground. It is a win or lose situation.

[03:02.52]In these situations, we can also say, "it's now or never."

[03:07.96]This means the time to prove yourself is ... now.

[03:12.56]You will not have another chance.

[03:16.44]All your preparation has come to this moment ...

[03:19.64]whatever that moment is. You need to rise to the occasion.

[03:26.76]Sink or swim situations can also be called make or break events.

[03:32.64]They can either make you better. Or they can break you.

[03:38.36]If the situation is very serious and the risks are very great,

[03:43.76]you can also say do or die.

[03:47.40]You either take action or you will definitely fail.

[03:53.32]Luckily learning English is not a do or die situation.

[03:57.80]And VOA Learning English will be here to help you grow your English skills --

[04:03.44]so you can swim, instead of sink, in the test pool!

[04:09.08]And that's all the time we have for Words and Their Stories.

[04:13.60]Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.

_____________________

Words in This Story

idiom –n. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but must be learned as a whole

pool –n. a swimming pool : a small deep body of water

middle ground –n. standpoint or area midway between extreme or opposing positions, options, or objectives

occasion –n. a need that arises : a time at which something happens