(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Now, the weekly program Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
On this program, we explore the history and usage of common expressions in American English. We also give you examples of how we use these expressions in everyday conversation.
Today we explore expressions using the word "bullet."
Now, of course, a bullet is what you shoot out of gun. And it comes out fast. In fact, that used to be the way to describe the speed of the superhero Superman -- he is "faster than a speeding bullet."
And that is why very fast trains are often called "bullet trains."
Bullets are not only known for their speed. They are also known for their ability to kill.
However, not all bullets are bad. A magic bullet -- sometimes called a silver bullet -- is something that solves a difficult problem easily. We often use these two expressions in the negative, because usually there is not one thing that solves a difficult problem.
For example, let's say a country is suffering from a weak economy. People lose their jobs. Some families lose their homes. This leads to an increase in mental and physical health issues. After many years of such conditions, people want change. So, they protest in the streets. Yet, there is no silver bullet to cure all these problems.
To take a bullet for someone is a good thing. Well, the thought behind this expression is a good thing. It means you are willing to put yourself in harm's way to protect someone else.
This often sounds like a tough expression. Mothers might not say I'd take a bullet for their child, but they would. People in the military, however, might say, "I'd take a bullet for you, man."
Now, we know that sweating is our body's way of keeping cool. But we also sweat when we're nervous. When you sweat bullets you are very nervous or anxious about something.
If you dodge a bullet, you have successfully avoided a problem -- but barely.
For example, let's say you get up late for work. Your boss has already warned you that if you come in late again, you may get fired. When you arrive at the office, you are sweating bullets -- you are nervous and very worried that your boss will fire you. However, you need not worry. As it turns out, your boss is out sick that day. You have dodged a bullet.
To ease the pain of a difficult situation, people are sometimes asked to bite the bullet. This actually sounds like really bad advice.
What is the origin of this expression?
The story may go back to the American Civil War or even earlier. War is painful. And our bodies have many natural responses to pain. We tighten our fists, tense our muscles or clench our teeth.
Back during the Civil War, pain-killing drugs were often hard to find. So, doctors working on the battlefield would give their patients a piece of wood to squeeze or something soft to bite on. Many times the nearest thing was a soft, lead bullet.
Hollywood movies helped to keep this expression alive. In old western movies, more than one rugged cowboy was seen biting a bullet, perhaps drinking some strong whiskey, while removing an arrow from his body.
But that is in the movies. In modern conversation, "biting the bullet" means to accept a difficult decision or situation. It hints that a person has been putting off this difficult decision.
And that brings us to the end of Words and Their Stories.
If you want to perfect your English, there is no silver bullet. You must simply practice and study as much as you can. Hopefully, you will do that with us at VOA Learning English.
I'm Anna Matteo.
重点解析
1.in the negative (指回答)否定的，否定地;否定句的;否定式的
The Council answered those questions in the negative.
委员会对那些问题的答复是否定的。
2.pain-killing drugs 止痛药
By using pain-killing drugs that wear off quickly and a simple pain medicine, patients weren't driven into a long sleep and could breathe on their own sooner.
使用药性消失得快的止痛药和简单的止痛片，病人不会沉睡太久，而且能更快恢复自行呼吸。
3.put off 推迟;拖延;敷衍;搪塞;使反感;使失去兴趣;使分心;搅扰
Women who put off having a baby often make the best mothers
晚育的女性经常会成为最优秀的母亲。
参考译文
这里是VOA学英语《词汇掌故》节目。
我们的节目探索美语里常用表达的历史和用法。在每天的对话中我们也会给出这些表达使用方法的例子。
今天，我们来探讨单词“子弹（bullet）”。
现在，当然，子弹就是枪打出来的东东。它出枪速度很快。实际上，这曾被用来形容超级英雄超人的速度——他“比飞驰的子弹还快”。
这也是快速火车经常被称为“子弹头火车”的原因。
子弹不仅以其速度闻名，更以它的杀伤力而闻名。
但是，不是所有的子弹都是不好的。一颗灵丹妙药（A magic bullet）——有时候也称为a silver bullet，是指能轻松解决难题的事物。我们经常在否定句里使用这两个表达，因为通常单凭一个东西是解决不了难题的。
例如，假设一个国家正经历经济疲软时期。人们失业。一些家庭失去了自己的家园，这些导致身心健康问题增加。这样的状况持续多年后，人们期待改变。所以，他们出街抗议。然而，没有包治百病的灵丹妙药。
为某人挡子弹（take a bullet for someone）是件好事。好吧，是这个表达蕴含的思想是件好事。它意思是你愿意用伤害自己的方式来保护别人。
这短语听起来令人很难表达出来。妈妈们也许不会说我会替我的孩子挡子弹，但是她们会。然而，军队里的人也许会说，“我会替你挡子弹的，伙计。”
现在我们知道流汗是身体保持凉爽的一种机制。但是当我们紧张的时候也流汗。当你特别紧张或者担心某事的时候，你会大汗淋漓（sweat bullets）。
如果你躲过一劫（dodge a bullet），你成功地躲过了一个问题——但差点没躲过去。
例如，假设你上班起床晚了。你的老板已经警告过你，如果你再迟到一次，你就会开除。当你到公司的时候，你大汗淋漓——你非常紧张，担心老板会开了你。然而，你不必担心。事实证明你老板那天生病没来上班，你躲过了一劫。
为了减轻困难处境的痛苦，人们有时被要求咬紧牙关（bite the bullet）。实际上，这听起来真得像个坏主意。
这个短语是怎么来得呢？
这个故事也许要追溯到美国内战时期，甚至更早些时候。战争是痛苦的。我们的身体对疼痛会有很多自然反应。我们会握紧拳头，肌肉紧张，紧咬牙关。
回到内战时期，止疼药经常很难寻到。所以，战地医生会给患者一块木头咬或者一些柔软的东西咬着。很多次，最近的东西就是一颗柔软的铅弹。
好莱坞电影让这个短语一直散发着生机。在老西部电影里，不止一个粗犷的牛仔从身上取出箭头的时候，嘴里咬着子弹，或者喝一些威士忌。
但那是电影。在现代谈话中，“biting the bullet”意思是接受一个困难的决定或者状况。这暗示着这个人一直在延迟做这个艰难的决定。
又到了我们节目的尾声啦。
如果你想完善你的英语，没有万能药。你只有尽力去练习和学习。希望你能和我们一起在VOA学英语节目中做到这一点。
我是安娜·马特奥。
