「收回自己的話」用英語表達可以是 eat one's words,注意是 words,而不是 word。無數的經驗告訴我們,若一個短語的意思很奇怪或是沒有任何意義,那麼它就是一個習語了,特別是在閱讀理解的時候,eat one's words 寓意:
1、to take back what was said
收回所說的話
2、to admit that you were wrong
承認你錯了
3、to force someone to retract what they have said
強迫某人收回他們所說的話
4、to admit that a statement you made before is wrong
承認你之前的陳述是錯誤的
5、to feel foolish about something that you have said
對你說的話感到愚蠢
例如:
1、I can't believe that he didn't trust that we could win. He will have to eat his words.
我不敢相信他不相信我們能贏。他將不得不收回他的話。
2、You said that I would never finish this race. You will have to eat your words.
你說過我永遠也跑不完這場比賽。你得收回你的話。
3、I can't believe that my husband remembered to bring home sugar. I will have to eat my words.
我相信我丈夫不會記得帶糖回家。看來我得收回自己說過的話。
解析:remember to do sth 表示記得要做某事(還沒做)。
4、I didn't think that you could do it. I will have to eat my words.
我認為你不能做到。我不得不收回自己說過的話。
解析:此句是否定轉移的用法,形式上否定主句的謂語 think,實際上是否定從句的謂語 could,翻譯的時候要按實際的否定來翻譯。
5、You think I can't get an A in this class, but I'll make you eat your words when we get our report cards!
你以為我在這門課上得不到A,但等我們拿到成績單的時候,我會讓你收回你的話的!