有時一件壞事情或問題一旦開始，只會變得更糟，每況愈下，一路下滑。英語裡有一個形象的表達來描述這個「滑坡效應」。收聽今天的《地道英語》，學習新的英語表達。
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei...
大家好，歡迎來到BBC《地道英語》，我是菲菲。
...and me, Rob.
我是羅伯。
We may sound a little different - that's because we are not able to record in our normal studios during the coronavirus pandemic.
我們可能聽起來與以往有些不同，這是因為在新冠肺炎疫情爆發期間，我們無法在平時的錄音間錄製節目。
Now, Rob, why are you wearing those funny rubber shoes today?
羅伯，你今天為什麼穿那雙可笑的膠鞋？
It's in preparation for today's phrase, Feifei!
這是在為今天的短語做準備，菲菲！
What?
什麼？
Our English expression today has nothing to do with wearing shoes!
我們今天的英語表達與穿鞋無關！
Ah, but these are special rubber shoes to stop me sliding down any slippery slopes - that is what we're talking about, isn't it?
啊，但這是一雙特殊的膠鞋，可以防止我在任何滑坡往下滑——這就是我們要講的，不是嗎？
Hmm, well sort of but it's not really about slipping down a slope - only metaphorically.
嗯，算是吧，但這並不是說滑下斜坡——只是個比喻而已。
Right, so it has got something to do with easily descending downhill into something?
對吧，所以這跟很容易下坡就有關係？
Yep.
是啊。
We describe a situation that is getting worse and will end in disaster unless it is stopped,
我們描述的是一種不斷惡化的局面，如果不加以制止，就會以災難告終，
as a slippery slope.
像滑坡路一樣。
Listen to these examples...
來聽幾個例句……
Having a glass of wine with your dinner is a slippery slope - you'll end up finishing the whole bottle by the end of the evening.
晚餐時喝一杯葡萄酒會產生一種「滑坡效應」，到了晚上你就會喝完整瓶酒。
Juan was on a slippery slope to getting the sack when he started missing important meetings with clients.
當胡安開始錯過與客戶的重要會議時，他正面臨被解僱的危險。
He's on a slippery slope to failure if he keeps missing the deadlines for his assignments.
如果他老是錯過任務的最後期限，他就有失敗的危險。
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we're talking about the expression 'a slippery slope',
歡迎收聽BBC《地道英語》，我們討論的是短語「slippery slope」，
which describes a situation that is only going to get worse.
描述一種只會變得更糟的情況。
It's basically a situation or problem that is going downhill!
這基本上是一種正在走下坡路的情況或問題！
OK, so I won't be needing these slip-resistant shoes, then.
好吧，那我就不需要這雙防滑鞋了。
Hmm, but they are very comfortable - I might keep wearing them.
嗯，但它們穿著很舒服，我可能會一直穿。
Oh no, Rob - it'll be a slippery slope.
哦，不，羅伯，這會是個「滑坡效應」。
Why's that?
為什麼這麼說？
Well, if you keep wearing them without socks...
如果你一直不穿襪子的話……
...everyone will laugh at me?
……每個人都會嘲笑我？
No - your feet will smell and then nobody will want to sit next to you!
不，你的腳會聞起來很臭，然後沒人願意坐在你旁邊！
Charming!
真是太好了！
Well it's a good job I'm self-isolating!
這可不錯，我在自我隔離的！
Bye, Feifei.
再見，菲菲。
Bye, Rob.
再見，羅伯。
英文來源：BBC Learning English