(单词翻译:单击)
听力文本
Expressions for Getting Things Done
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
Our goal is to teach you American English by any means possible – in other words, by hook or by crook.
"By hook or by crook" is a very old expression that is still used today. It means to try to reach a goal by any method or any means possible.
For example, a friend of mine really wanted to get a job at this marketing company. He said he would do anything to get it. His exact words were: "I am going to get that job by hook or by crook." He is the most hardworking and determined person I know. So, one way or another he will definitely get that job.
Today, "one way or another" is a more common way to say the same thing as "by hook or by crook."
Here is a language secret. Some people like to use double negatives to express the idea of determination. A double negative happens when there are two negative words in the same sentence. Negative words include no, not, and nothing.
Strictly speaking, double negatives are not correct grammar. But we still use them to intensify a statement. For example, you might hear, "There is no way he is NOT getting that job." Which means...he is definitely getting that job.
Now, let's get back to "By hook or by crook." It is believed to have appeared in Britain in the late 1300s. No one is sure where exactly it comes from. But some word experts say the expression is about a problem faced by common people who would take wood from the forests of the king.
The law said they could only take as much as their tools would allow. And those tools were called a shepherd's crook, a long, rounded stick, and a billhook, a cutting tool. So, if you could collect the wood with your hook and crook, it was all yours.
Here is another similar expression: come hell or high water.
This means that you will get something done no matter how difficult or no matter what happens. No difficulties or obstacles will stop you.
For example, let's say my best friend just moved to Washington, D.C. She has a great job but is having trouble finding a new apartment. I know the city well. So, I make it my mission to help her. Come hell or high water I will find her an apartment. No matter the difficulties, I will do everything in my power to try to make this happen.
Experts say this expression comes from overcoming destructive forces of fires or floods. Some say its first recorded use in the United States was in 1915. But others say it is older.
If you do something "come hell or high water," you are determined to do it. You will do it despite the difficulties involved.
"By hook or by crook" means you will find any method to succeed. "Come hell or high water" means you will find a method to overcome a barrier.
We here at VOA Learning know that our listeners want to learn English very badly. By hook or by crook and come hell or high water...you will!
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.by hook or by crook 不择手段地做某事
He will do it by hook or by crook.
他不择手段做这件事。
2.come hell or high water 无论遇到什么困难
I was determined to go, come hell or high water.
我决心要去，无论有什么困难。
3.one way or another 无论如何；不管怎样
I will help you one way or another.
我总会有办法来帮助你的。
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参考译文
形容“做事坚决”的短语有哪些？
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。
在本期节目中，我们来探索一下英语词汇和短语。
我们的目标是用尽各种方法教大家学习美式英语——换句话说，就是“by hook or by crook”（无论如何）。
短语“by hook or by crook”是个古老的短语，并且沿用至今。它的意思是用尽各种可能的方法或者手段来实现某个目标。
例如，我的朋友非常想在这家营销公司谋职。他说，他愿意倾尽全力得到这份工作。他的原话是：“无论如何，我都要得到那份工作。”他是我认识的人中最刻苦、最执着的人。所以说，无论如何，他一定会得到那份工作。
如今，“one way or another”（无论如何）这种表达更为常见，其含义与“by hook or by crook”相同。
这里补充一个关于语言的奥秘。一些人喜欢用双重否定的方式表达肯定。双重否定是指同一个句子中出现了两个否定词。否定词包括”no”, “not”以及”nothing”。
严格来说，双重否定从语法上来说是错误的。不过我们仍然会使用双重否定来强化陈述。例如，你可能会听到这样的表达，“他不可能得不到那份工作。”这句话的意思是：他一定能得到那份工作。
现在，我们再来聊一聊“By hook or by crook”。据信，这个短语出现于14世纪晚期的英国。无人知晓它确切的出处。不过，一些词汇专家表示，这个短语可能与平民从国王的森林里砍伐树木的问题有关。
当时的法律规定，平民只能在工具允许的范围内收集木材。并且这些工具被称为“牧羊人的曲柄杖”——一种细长，圆滑的手杖，还有钩镰——一种割削工具。所以，用曲柄杖和钩镰收集到的木材，就是你的了。
还有一个类似的短语：come hell or high water（不论如何）。
这个短语的意思是无论发生什么，不管多么困难，你都会完成自己的目标。任何困难和障碍都无法阻止你的脚步。
例如，假设我最好的朋友刚搬到华盛顿特区。她有一份很好的工作，不过她在寻找新公寓的时候遇到了麻烦。这座城市我熟得很。所以，帮助她我义不容辞。无论如何我都会帮她找一座公寓。不管多么困难，我都将尽我所能去帮助她。
专家说，这个短语来自克服火灾或者洪灾等毁灭性的力量。有人指出，这个短语最早使用记录是在1915年的美国。但是，也有人表示时间要更加久远。
如果说做某事“come hell or high water”，意思就是你下定决心做这件事。哪怕艰难险阻也要完成。
"By hook or by crook"意思是不择手段完成目标。而"Come hell or high water"意味着千方百计克服障碍。
我们VOA慢速英语栏目了解到，听众们非常渴望学好英语。不管是想方设法（By hook or By crook）还是攻坚克难（come hell or high water）都会一往无前！
以上为本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。
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