(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Start Off on the Right Foot
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
Today we talk about something that you might take for granted. You might not them or appreciate their value and worth. Your feet! We just expect them to be there when we need them.
But our feet are important. And they have managed to walk right into many English expressions. Let's talk about some.
First, let's put our best foot forward.
This means you act in the best possible way to show your best possible self. Sometimes we do this to impress others. But sometimes we just want to do the best job we can or be the best person we can.
At work, people who put their best foot forward, work fast and do the job well.
Here's another foot expression: To start off on the right foot.
If something starts off on the right foot, it means it starts off in a good way. For example, you can start your day off on the right foot. You can start a class off on the right foot. If you start or get off on the right foot, you immediately have success when you begin an activity, a project, a job, or even a relationship.
For example, when you are starting a new job, you want to start off on the right foot with your new coworkers. And if you have a new boyfriend or girlfriend, you really want to start off on the right foot with their parents. Maybe you just met a new friend. You also want to get off on the right foot with their group of friends.
All of this means that you want to leave a good impression -- especially when you first meet. In fact, we have a special saying about that: "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."
If you make a bad first impression, you have started off on the wrong foot. And it is harder to repair relationships when they start off poorly. Also, it is harder to get a project back on track if it started on the wrong foot.
Some word experts say that ancient superstitions thought that the right foot was luckier than the left. So, it was good luck to start off with the right foot instead of the left.
Now let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.
A: Wow! You look great! Is that a new business suit?
B: No. I've had this suit for years. But I think I've gained some weight during the pandemic.
A: Well, it DOES look a little tight. Maybe try unbuttoning the jacket.
B: Good idea.
A: Your hair cut looks great too. So, where are you going all dressed up?
B: Today I start a new job ... in a new office ... with new people.
A: That's a big deal. I mean we've all been working from home for more than a year.
B: Tell me about it! It feels strange to wear a suit. But with my new job ... I REALLY want to start off on the right foot. You know what they say: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
A: In that case, maybe you should wear REAL shoes. It's hard to put your best foot forward wearing your house slippers.
B: Oh no! I'm wearing slippers! I have to go all the way back home and get my shoes. Now, I'll be late!
A: Looks like you have to choose: Start off on the wrong foot by showing up late or by wearing slippers.
B: Hmm ... You know, maybe no one will notice my footwear. But my boss will definitely notice if I'm late. so, I guess ... slippers it is!
A: Just stay at your desk as much as you can. Good luck!
B: Thanks! See you later!
Hopefully you started your day off on the right foot with some English lessons from VOA Learning English!
And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
Until next time ...
I'm Anna Matteo.
重点解析
1.take for granted 认为...理所应当
Don't take for granted what you have.
不要认为你所拥有的是理所当然的。
2.a big deal 了不得的事情；大事
Because an extra holiday was a big deal for them.
因为额外的假期对他们来说很重要。
3.all the way 一路上
I was violently airsick all the way.
一路上我都晕机晕得厉害。
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参考译文
给人留个好印象有多重要?
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》。
今天我们来聊一聊你可能认为理所当然的事情。你可能不会想到它们，也不会欣赏它们的价值。就是你的双脚！我们只是希望有需要的时候，它们可以及时出现。
不过，我们的双脚非常重要。它们成功地融入进许多英语短语中。我们来细数一二。
首先，表现出最佳状态的一面。
这意味着以最佳的方式展现最完美的自己。有时，这么做是为了给别人留下深刻印象。但有时这么做只是想尽力完成工作，或成为最优秀的人。
在工作场合，这个短语指的是高效并且把工作做好的人。
还有一个关于脚的短语：一开始就顺利。
如果说某事”start off on the right foot”，意思是这件事开局顺利。例如，顺利地开启一天的时光。顺利地开始上课。如果使用”start off on the right foot”或”get off on the right foot”，可以理解为当开始一项活动、一个项目、一份工作甚至一段关系时，立刻就取得了成效。
例如，当开始一份新工作时，你想给新同事留下好印象。如果交了新男友或女友，你真的希望能给对方的父母留下好印象。又或许是刚结交了一个新朋友。你也想跟他们的朋友搞好关系。
以上这些情况都意味着要给对方留下一个好印象——尤其是初次见面。事实上，我们有一句特别的话要分享给大家：“第一印象难再改。”
如果你给人留下了糟糕的第一印象，那说明你出师不利。如果一开始关系就处的很糟糕，那么修复起来就更难了。而且，如果一开始就做错了，那么项目就很难回到正轨。
一些词汇专家解释称，古老的迷信观点认为右脚比左脚更幸运。所以，走路先迈右脚而不是左脚会带来好运。
现在，来听一下朋友之间使用这些短语进行的对话吧。
哇哦！你看起来好极了！你穿了一套新西装吗？
不是的。这套西装我都穿了很多年了。我觉得我在疫情期间长胖了。
嗯，确实看起来有点紧。要不你解开外套的扣子试试。
好主意。
你的发型也不错。这么盛装打扮是要去哪里？
今天我要入职一家新公司，认识一些新同事。
这可是件大事儿。我是说我们已经居家办公一年多了。
可不是嘛！穿正装出门好奇怪。不过我的新工作...我真的想给别人留下好印象。不是都说：第一印象难再改嘛。
这样的话，也许你应该穿一双正式的鞋子。毕竟穿着家居拖鞋很难给人留下好印象。
噢，不是吧！我竟然穿着拖鞋！我还得回家去拿鞋。那样，我就要迟到了!
看来你要做选择了：是迟到给人留下不好的印象呢，还是穿拖鞋给人留下不好的印象。
嗯......或许没人会注意到我脚上穿什么。但迟到的话老板一定会注意到的。所以，还是穿拖鞋去吧！
尽量待在工位上别走动，祝你好运！
多谢！再见！
希望大家以VOA慢速英语的一些英语课程顺利开启新的一天！
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。
下期节目见。
安娜·马特奥为您播报。
