(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Now, the VOA Learning English program, Words and Their Stories.
Each week we explore the meaning of words and expressions used in everyday American English.
People all over the world love sports. Some of us play a sport for fun; some to stay in shape; a few, for the love of the game; and even more play to win.
If you play to win, you had better have a game plan. A game plan is just like it sounds – a plan to win the game.
But we use this expression for just about anything!
If a friend says "Hey, let's take a trip this weekend," you could answer, "Sure! What's the game plan?" If your business is facing competition from another company, you might need to change your game plan to beat them in sales.
But, now let's go back to the world of sports.
Many English expressions come from how we play sports. For example, we play some sports – such as baseball and football – on a field. We play basketball on a court. And that leads to our next expression: a full-court press.
"Court," in this case, has nothing to do with trials and judges. It is a basketball court. And "press" does not mean newspapers or the news. In basketball, it means a very forceful effort by one team to take control of the game.
In everyday life, "press" means to put pressure on someone to do something. Of course, this does not work with everyone. With some people, the more you press them, the more they will NOT do what you ask.
For those who do not watch the sport, a basketball team scores by putting the ball through the basket at the opponent's end of the court. Then the team usually runs quickly back to its own end of the court to defend its basket. The players try to keep the other team from scoring.
However, in a "full-court press," a team does not retreat after it scores. Instead, it attacks or pressures its opponent with a very aggressive defense.
So, when someone decides to make an extra strong effort to get something done, that person is making a full-court press. You could say a full-court press is an all-out effort.
So, do not save "full-court press" for a basketball game. You can use this expression anywhere! Use it in any situation where you want to meet a goal or solve a problem.
For example, we can use it in politics.
"The supporters of the safe cosmetics bill launched a full-court press to help it pass. Activists, consumer watchdog groups and women's health organizations used all of their resources to achieve this goal."
We can use it when talking about business.
"The clothing company planned a full-court press to beat its competitors during the profitable Christmas buying season. They cut prices, planned special in-store events and gave away prizes to attract more customers."
We also can use it in our personal lives.
"When Sally ran into health problems, her friends used a full-court press to help her out. Until she felt better, they cooked her meals, cleaned her house and walked her dogs."
So, if you have a really important problem to solve or project to do, make sure that your game plan involves a full-court press. Be aggressive and attack it from all sides.
And that's Words and Their Stories. I'm Anna Matteo.
重点解析
1.stay in shape 保持体型；保持体形；保持身材
You know, moderate, progressive form of exercise to make you long-term stay in shape.
要知道，适度的、循序渐进的锻炼方式才能让你长期保持体型。
2.lead to 导致；引起；通往
At the same time, it was that there was no regular sleep, can lead to increased time watching television.
与此同时，也有人认为没有规律的睡眠，可导致观看电视的时间增加。
3.all-out effort 竭尽全力
He made an all-out effort to be the best student in his class.
他尽最大努力去成为班上最好的学生。
参考译文
现在是VOA学英语《词汇掌故》节目时间。
每周我们会探讨美式英语日常交际中用到的单词和表达的含义。
全世界的人们都热爱运动。我们中的一些人是为了娱乐运动；一些人运动是为了保持身材；少数人是出于对比赛的热爱；更多的是为了赢得比赛去参与比赛的。
如果你是为了赢比赛而参与，你最好有个比赛计划（a game plan）。比赛计划，顾名思义，为了赢得比赛而制定的计划。
但任何事情我们都会使用到这个表达！
如果一个朋友说：“嘿，我们这周末旅行去吧”，你可以回答：“好的！你有什么计划（game plan）？”如果你的生意正面临着来自另一个公司的竞争，你也许需要改变策略（game plan）在销售方面打败他们。
但现在让我们回到运动的话题。
许多英语表达源于我们运动的方式。例如，我们做一些运动，如棒球和橄榄球，我们在场地上比赛。我们在球场上打篮球。这就牵出了我们另一个表达：a full-court press（全面出击）。
这里的“court”和审判和法官毫无关联。它是指篮球场。“press”也不是指报纸或是新闻。在篮球里，它是指一支篮球队极度努力去控场。
在日常生活中，“press”的意思是给某人施压让其去做某事。当然，这种行为不是对每个人都有效。对于一些人，你越施压，他们越不按照你要求的去做。
对于那些不看体育比赛的人来说，一支篮球队通过将球扔到对方场地后方的篮球框里来赢得分数。然后这支队伍会快速跑到他们自己场地的后方防守他们的篮球框。球员们努力制止其他队伍得分。
然而，在一场火力全开的比赛中，一支队伍不会在得分之后就撤退。相反，他们以一种极具侵略性的防御方式突袭或者给对手施压。
因此，当某人决定加倍努力来完成某事，那个人正全力以赴。你可以说全力以赴就是竭尽全力。
因此，不要除了篮球比赛之外就不使用“full-court press”。这个表达可以在任何情景使用！在任何你想达到一个目标或者解决一个问题的情境下都可以使用这个表达。
例如，我们可以在政治方面使用这个表达。
“安全化妆品法案的支持者开始全力以赴帮助这个法案通过。积极人士、消费者监督团体和妇女健康组织动用了他们所有的资源以实现这个目标。”
谈及商业的时候，我们会使用到这个表达。
“这家服装公司计划在利润丰厚的圣诞购物季期间全力出击打击它的竞争对手。他们通过降价、开展商场促销活动、赠送奖品的方式吸引顾客。”
我们也可以在个人生活中用到它。
“当莎莉身体出问题的时候，她的朋友们全力帮助她。他们为她做饭、打扫屋子和遛狗，直到她身体好转。”
所以，如果你有一个非常重要的问题要解决或是重要的项目要完成，确保你有个全力以赴的计划。全方位积极进攻。
这就是今天的《词汇掌故》。我是安娜·马特奥。
