還記得跟 flame 有關的習語 add fuel to the flames 的寓意嗎?今天再介紹一個跟 flame 有關,且跟 add fuel to the flames 的寓意類似的習語 fan the flames,可以意為「煽風點火,煽動情緒,火上澆油,激起仇恨」等,寓意:
make a bad situation even worse
使情況更糟
say or do something to make someone angrier or more incensed than they already are
說或做某事使某人比現在更憤怒
stir up, create or inflame strong feelings (anger, hate, love)
激起、製造或煽動強烈的感情(憤怒、仇恨、愛)
exacerbate or aggravate an explosive reaction
加劇或惡化爆炸性反應
cause or incite strong emotions (usually negative but not always)
引起或激起強烈的情緒(通常是消極的,但不總是)
例如:
The president's racist comments are really going to fan the flames of hatred among the crowd.
總統的種族主義言論真的會在人群中激起仇恨的火焰。
She had fancied Karl for ages, and when he smiled at her, he fanned the flames even more.
她很喜歡卡爾很久了,當他對她微笑時,更加煽動她的情緒。
The fat cats at the bank get a massive yearly bonus, and it fans the flames of anger amongst the customers who lost money in the crash.
這家銀行的大亨得到了巨額的年終獎,這激起了在車禍中賠錢的顧客們的憤怒。
解析:
1、fat cat 意為「大亨;闊佬」。
2、who 引導的定語從句,修飾先行詞 the customers.
He said this fanned the flames of separatism into a raging fire.
他說,這把分離主義的火焰煽成熊熊大火。
解析:現在分詞 raging 作定語,表示 fire 的狀態。
The pandemic has fanned the flames of hate among communities.
這一流行病在社區中激起了仇恨的火焰。
解析:pandemic 涉及的通常是多國性的疾病。