Helen 被提名為學校家長會的財務總監，這可是一個重要的職位，可是Helen 還沒上任就已經覺得壓力大，睡不了覺了。這可怎麼辦？Neil 提出了一個建議，在事情成為 「燙手山芋」之前做出決定。
Oct 9, 2019
Neil:
Hello and welcome to Authentic Real English. I'm Neil.
Helen:
大家好，歡迎收聽 BBC 英語教學的《地道英語》。我是 Helen。
Neil:
Oh what's the matter, Helen? You look really tired.
Helen:
Is it that bad?
Neil:
You've got very dark shadows under your eyes.
Helen:
是嗎？我的黑眼圈你都看到了。唉呀，有人想交給我一份工作，可是我是真的做不了。
Neil:
What is it?
Helen:
就是做學校家長協會的財務總監，但是你是知道，我看到數字就頭大！I am hopeless with numbers.
Neil:
Sounds like it could turn into a hot potato for you.
Helen:
現在都什麼時候了，你還讓我吃熱土豆。我可吃不下，急都急死了。
Neil:
I'm not talking about food. I am talking about this job. I can see it's going to be a problem for you.
Helen:
I'm thinking the same.
Neil:
You need to think about it very carefully before it becomes a hot potato. When something becomes a "hot potato", it becomes a problem and difficult to handle.
Helen:
I see. 你說的"hot potato"是中文中常說的「燙手山芋」，也就是非常棘手的問題。的確這個形容非常貼切。如果我做了財務總監，就像是手中拿著一塊燙手的山芋，會把事情搞得一團糟。
Neil:
Exactly, you've got it. A hot potato is a phrase we use to refer to difficult or tricky situations, or even people. Here are a few examples:
The shortage of housing supply is fast becoming a hot potato for the council.
The pay rise issue is a hot potato for management; I don't know how they are going to sort this one out between the staff, the union and the shareholders.
Neil:
Helen, my word of advice is…
Helen:
Please, I'm listening.
Neil:
Tell the school you can't do it. Drop it before it becomes a real hot potato for you.
Helen:
You are right. That's what I will do. Thanks
Neil:
You're welcome.
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