#英語豐富多彩的習語#
還記得習語 cut sb some slack 和 cut the crap 的寓意嗎?今天又帶來一個包含 cut 但寓意又跟它沒關係的習語 cut the mustard,而且跟芥末也沒關係,千萬別翻譯成「切芥末」,可以意為「如期待的那麼好,符合要求,成功」等,經常用於否定句中,寓意:
to succeed
成功
to come up to expectations
達到預期
to be competent enough
足夠勝任
to be adequate enough to participate or compete
足以參加或競爭
to be up to the standard
達到標準
例如:
My neighbor had applied for the post of architect in a big project, but did not cut the mustard.
我的鄰居申請了一個大項目的建築師職位,但沒有成功。
解析:
1、apply for 表示申請什麼東西,通常是以書面形式。
2、apply for 這個動作發生在過去時 did not cut 這個動作之前,所以往過去挪一個時態,就是過去完成時。
That boy wants to be the captain of the team, but does he cut the mustard?
那個男孩想當隊長,但是他符合要求嗎?
I need a bigger knife for these large fruits; this one doesn't cut the mustard.
我需要一把更大的刀來切這些大水果,這把不能用。
His friends and siblings helped him through this studies, but when it came to working, he couldn't cut the mustard.
他的朋友和兄弟姐妹們幫助他完成了這項研究,但說到工作,他卻不合格。
解析:when it comes to (doing) sth 表示「當涉及(做)某事的情況、事情或問題時」。
He was a great player, but he retired sometime ago. We'll have to see if he still cuts the mustard.
他是個偉大的球員,但他不久前退役了。我們得看看他是否還是我們所期待的那麼好。