本集節目中要介紹的表達 "barking up the wrong tree" 形象地用「喊錯了樹」來描述一個人在尋找事情發生的緣由時捕風捉影,找錯了原因,攻擊錯了對象。在節目中,Rob 是為了什麼事情說菲菲 "barking up the wrong tree"?
April 2, 2019
Feifei:
大家好,歡迎來到 BBC 英語教學的《地道英語》節目。我是馮菲菲。
Rob:
And I'm Rob. Hello. Errr, Feifei, you're looking a bit angry.
Feifei:
我怎麼能不生氣呢?I am angry.
Rob:
Oh no, what's the problem?
Feifei:
I think you know Rob. Somebody told the boss that I spilt coffee over his computer yesterday — and now he's angry with me.
Rob:
Oh no. What kind of mean and horrible person would try and get you into trouble?
Feifei:
說的就是啊,到底是誰給我栽贓?You and the boss were the only people left in the office last night. Hmmm?
Rob:
Whoa — hold on Feifei. If you are implying it was me who told the boss, then you are barking up the wrong tree.
Feifei:
Please don't make me any angrier by saying that I am like a dog!
Rob:
No, no Feifei. Just calm down, I should be angry because you are making the wrong assumption about who told the boss, ok? That's what I mean by barking up the wrong tree — you want to blame someone but you got the wrong person. I didn't even know you'd done it.
Feifei:
OK, I'm sorry. 原來英國人在對話中用表達「barking up the wrong tree 喊錯了樹」來描述一個人在尋找一件事的緣由時,找錯了原因,攻擊錯了對象。我想知道是誰告訴老闆我把咖啡灑在他的電腦上,但我錯怪了 Rob,所以我 "barked up the wrong tree"。 Shall we listen to some examples while I make you a coffee to say sorry?
If you think I have enough spare cash to pay for your holiday, then you're barking up the wrong tree.
You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I was the one who said you were leaving. It wasn't me!
You're barking up the wrong tree if you think I'm going to lend you my car. I've seen how you drive!
Feifei:
這裡是 BBC 英語教學的《地道英語》節目。在這集節目裡,我們正在一起學習表達 "barking up the wrong tree"。它被用來指一個人捕風捉影,找錯了對象,錯怪了別人。
Rob:
The phrase can also mean "doing something in a way that will not work" — you're basically wasting your time. Like a detective trying to solve a crime by obviously arresting the wrong man — he's barking up the wrong tree.
Feifei:
OK Rob, understood. Here's your coffee to say sorry for barking up the wrong tree.
Rob:
Thanks — make sure you don't spill it this time — the boss would be really angry! Oh, what did I say?
Feifei:
If I find out you did tell the boss, I'll make sure to bark up the right tree, ok?
Rob:
OK Feifei, I hope your bark is worse than your bite. Bye-bye.
Feifei:
Bye.
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