LECTURE 182 基本介詞 AT 2

LECTURE 182 基本介詞 AT 2

詞組講解

1. at odds with sb. or sth. / at odds ** （與…）對立，（與…）發(fā)生沖突；（與…）產(chǎn)生糾紛

解 習(xí)語；詞義溯源：處在與某人［有差別、不和（odds）］的狀態(tài)

例 “Any manufacturer who continues to use the river for dumping pollutants will find themselves at odds with the local chapter of Greenpeace.” warned Mr. Wu, standing on the banks of the Xiangjiang River at yesterday's rally.

2. at one's wits' end ** 絞盡腦汁，束手無策

解 習(xí)語；詞義溯源：處于［才智的盡頭（wits' end）］

例 The senior officer in charge of the police in this rural province was at his wits' end trying to come up with an explanation for how the burglars were able to enter the police headquarters' weapons room and make away with an armful of rifles without one of the twelve officers on duty that night seeing them.

3. at random ** 隨意地，隨機(jī)地

解 習(xí)語；詞義溯源：處于［隨機(jī)（random）］的狀態(tài)

例 One of the rifles stolen that night showed up in the hands of a mentally ill office worker who, only ten days later, purchased it in an illegal market, and went on a rampage in downtown, shooting passersby at random. Three innocent people died that day.

4. at stake 〔risk〕 ** 有風(fēng)險；在危險中

解 習(xí)語；詞義溯源：處于［打賭（stake）或危險、風(fēng)險（risk）］中

例 I hope you realize we're putting our reputation on the line . If Thompson is found guilty of bribery charges, the public will find us guilty as well for standing by him. With so much at risk, I sure hope he has a good lawyer.

5. at the latest ** 最遲，最晚

解 習(xí)語；詞義溯源：在［最晚的（the latest）］時候

例 Notice: All expense reports must be turned in to Mrs. Smith in the accounting department by close-of-business Friday at the latest if you want to be paid for them on the next payday.

鞏固練習(xí)

(A) at odds with

(B) at your wits' ends

(C) at random

(D) at risk

(E) at the latest

1. A: The two different parties always disagree over what environmental protection policies the government should adopt. B: You're probably right. Unfortunately, as long as they're ______ each other, no environmental legislation is going to pass. While they're quarreling, the nation's plant and animal life is dying.

2. A: I had no definite plan or purpose when I chose the colors I used to paint my rooms. I just went to the paint store and picked them ______. B: You didn't have to tell me there was no pattern or method to your choice. I can see that already! Pink bedroom and yellow living room?!

3. A: Do your best—and don't forget that our $200,000 contract with his company is ______. Do whatever you have to do to calm him down. B: Why is it that every time a contract is in danger of being lost, I have to go out and fix the situation? Okay—I'll do what I can. But next time...

4. A: The money must be deposited at or before midnight on July, 24th. After that it is too late. Understand? B: No later than that? A: Midnight on July, 24th—______. Sooner is okay, but later is not.

5. A: I've tried everything to make him happy: I've given him a home, a car, membership in the club and a good job at a prestigious investment firm. Still he complains. I don't know what to do next. I'm thoroughly perplexed. B: Why don't you tell him exactly what you just told me—that you're ______? Maybe your idea of happiness is different from his.

■ ANSWER:

1. (A)

2. (C)

3. (D)

4. (E)

5. (B)

參考譯文

I. 1. 昨天在湘江河岸舉行的集會上，吳先生警告大家說：“任何繼續(xù)向河里傾倒污染物的廠商將會發(fā)現(xiàn)他們與‘綠色和平組織’的本地章程相悖。”

2. 負(fù)責(zé)這個農(nóng)業(yè)大省警察事務(wù)的高層官員目前束手無策。他想不出如何解釋為何盜賊能夠進(jìn)入警察局總部的武器室，偷走大批步槍，而當(dāng)晚值班的12名警察中無一人發(fā)現(xiàn)他們。

3. 在那晚失竊的步槍中，有一把出現(xiàn)在一位患精神病的工作人員手中。他是步槍失竊僅10天后在非法市場上買到的，之后他在市中心橫沖直撞，肆意向行人開槍。當(dāng)天有3名無辜的市民喪生。

4. 我希望你能了解，我們在拿我們的信譽冒險。如果湯普森被發(fā)現(xiàn)犯受賄罪，而我們又支持他，公眾就會發(fā)現(xiàn)我們也有罪。有這么多風(fēng)險，我當(dāng)然希望他有一名好律師。

5. 通知：如果希望能在下個發(fā)薪日收到報銷款，所有報銷單最晚于周五下班前交給會計部的史密斯女士。

II. 1. A：這兩個政黨對政府應(yīng)該采取的環(huán)境保護(hù)政策總是意見不一。 B：或許你說得對。不幸的是，只要他們相互對立，任何環(huán)境保護(hù)法律都不能通過。他們在爭論的同時，我們國家的動植物正在死亡。

2. A：對于選哪種顏色來粉刷房間，我毫無計劃或目標(biāo)。我只是去了顏料商店，隨意地挑選了幾種。 B：你不用告訴我你的選擇沒有方案或方法。我已經(jīng)看出來了！你居然用粉色刷臥室，用黃色刷客廳？！

3. A：要盡力去做——不要忘了我們與他的公司那20萬美元的合同危在旦夕。盡你所能讓他平靜下來。 B：為什么每次面臨失去合同的風(fēng)險時，我就得出來挽救局面呢？好吧——我會盡力。但是下次……

4. A：資金必須在7月24日零點或零點前存入。之后就太晚了。知道嗎？ B：不能晚于7月24日？ A：7月24日零點——最晚的時間。早些可以，但是晚了不行。

5. A：我已經(jīng)盡力讓他幸福了：我已經(jīng)給他提供了住房、一輛車、俱樂部的會員身份、著名投資公司的工作。但是他仍然抱怨。我不知道下一步該做什么。我徹底困惑了。 B：你為什么不把你剛才和我說的話——你束手無策了，原原本本地告訴他？也許你的幸福觀和他的不同。