我们上次讲了几个由tune这个词组成的习惯用语。今天要讲的习惯用语也都有tune这个词。上次说过tune作名词的时候解释曲调。例如在下面的习惯用语里: change your tune。Change your tune按照字面意思来解释就是改换曲调。它和其它习惯用语一样,应用范围大大扩展。Change your tune作为习惯用语由来已久。实际上它最初出现在近四百年前的一首民谣里,咏唱侠盗罗宾汉劫富济贫的故事。
例句-1:Tom almost resigned from VOA but changed his tune in a hurry when he learned he'll get a promotion soon. But I still wonder how much longer he can put up with his domineering boss.
他原来决意辞职,后来又留下没走,是即将要提升他让他改变主意的。所以这里的changed his tune意思就是他改变了主意或者决定。
Change one's tune意思是改变主意或者决定。还有一个习惯用语也表示类似的意思。它是: sing a different tune。Sing a different tune按照字面意思是唱不同的调子。它和change one's tune都可以用来表示改变主意或者决定,但是sing a different tune作为习惯用语更为古老,来自十四世纪的年代。Sing a different tune往往还含有某人的言行一反既往的意思。例如在我们将要听的例子里就是这样。这段话说的是在政治舞台上再三重演的一段老故事。
例句-2:Now that he's been elected governor, he certainly sings a different tune about big business. Now he refuses to tighten regulations on chemical wastes although he promised to during the campaign.
例句-3:Before he got married, Joe used to be really wild. he spent all his salary going out and having a good time. But he's dancing to another tune now with his beautiful wife Sally and two kids.