第一， 迷你对话

A: He will only be here for a few minutes.

他就在这儿呆一会儿。

B: So I will be on my toes.

所以，我得随时准备。

A: Yeah, if you want to speak to him.

对，如果你想和他说话的话。

B: Thanks for your news.

谢谢你的消息。

A: That is all right.

没什么。

第二， 地道表达

on one’s toes

1. 解词释义

On one’s toes的意思是“准备行动，灵活机警”。

2. 拓展范例

e.g. The spirited competition kept them on their toes.

激烈的竞争使他们保持警觉。

e.g. The constant threat of danger kept us all on our toes.

我们因随时都会发生危险而保持警觉。

e.g. We stay on our toes in the tower.

我们在指挥塔里提心吊胆。

e.g. The principal keeps students and teachers on their toes with unannounced visits to the classroom.

校长经常事先不通知地去听课, 使得学生、 教师都不敢怠慢。

第三， 咬文嚼字

for a few minutes：一会儿

e.g. He sat silently observing them for a few minutes.

他默默不语地坐在那里观察他们好几分钟。

e.g. He was lost in deep thought for a few minutes.

有一会儿,她陷入了沉思。