很多人都會攢一筆錢,以備不時之需。在英語中,我們用a nest egg “一顆窩里的蛋”特指為將來某種用途存下的備用的錢。
例句
I want to build up a nest egg for my retirement so I always save whatever I can every month.
Without our nest egg I don't know how we would have been able to afford to get the roof fixed.
I've got some money set aside as a nest egg, in case of emergency.
請注意
另一個和雞蛋有關的表達 put all your eggs in one basket “把所有的雞蛋都放到一個籃子里”的意思是將一切希望或錢財都寄托在一個項目或計劃上,孤注一擲。一旦籃子倒下,雞蛋將會全被打破,一切則付諸東流。我們常用這個習語警示人們不要為某一件事冒險。
例句
Don't invest all your money in one company. It's never a good idea to put all your eggs in one basket. What would you do if the company crashed?
I get a lot of work form this company, but I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket so I'm taking time off to look for work elsewhere.