小故事

Too Many Debts
太多债务
John was aggravated about his many debts.
约翰被众多债务缠得焦头烂额。
"Henry," he confided to his best friend. "I can't sleep anymore because I am so worried about finances."
“亨利，”他对自己最好的朋友倾诉说，“我为自己的财务状况焦虑得睡不着觉了。”
"Sorry, buddy," answered Henry, "but I can't help you in that department. You already owe me $800."
“很抱歉，老伙计，”亨利答道，“在这个问题上我帮不上忙了，你还欠我800块钱呢。”
"I wasn't going to ask you again. Don't worry."
“我不是又来找你借钱的，别担心。”
"I can't understand why you are in this situation. You have a good, steady job."
“我真不明白你怎么会把自己搞成这样。你的工作很不错，又稳定。”
"I know, but I owe money to the food market, the department stores, the liquor store, the landlady and you."
“我也知道，不过我在食品店、商场、酒店都有欠账，我还欠房东太太，还有你的钱。”
"Why don't you pay off one debt at a time?"
“你为什么不一次付清一笔债务呢？”
"I would if I could, but if I don't have some money by tomorrow--I'll really be in a big jam."
“我能的话一定会的，不过明天我要是没有点儿钱的话，我可就要有大麻烦了。”
"You owe the government back taxes?"
“你欠政府税款吗？”
"No, I don't have enough money to bet on the horse races tomorrow."
“不是的，是明天我没有足够的钱赌马了。”

重点讲解

重点讲解：
1. pay off
偿清，还清（债务）；
eg. It would take him the rest of his life to pay off that loan.
他得用余生来还清那笔贷款。
eg. The man was pressed to pay off his debt.
那人被逼还债。
2. be in a jam
陷入困境；
eg. They were in a real jam, Bob thought glumly.
他们确实遇上麻烦了，鲍勃闷闷不乐地想。
eg. We must help Ernest because he is in a jam.
我们得帮助厄内斯特，因为他陷入了困境。
3. bet on
打赌；下注；
eg. Jockeys are forbidden to bet on the outcome of races.
职业赛马骑师禁止对赛马结果下注。
eg. I bet £10 on a horse called Premonition.
我在一匹名叫“预兆”的赛马上下了10英镑的赌注。