情景对话：

A: You look miserable, Tom. What happened?

你看上去很沮丧，汤姆，怎么了？

B: Mum, my composition was shot down in flames by our classmates.

妈妈，同学们把我的作文贬得一文不值。

A: Really? Let me read it. Maybe I can give you some advice. Cheer up, my dear.

真的？让我看看，也许我能给你点建议。高兴点，宝贝。

第一， 词海拾贝

shoot down in flames

exp. To bring about someone or something's failure，ruin someone. （贬得一文不值，痛斥某人，驳倒，把某人整垮）

e.g. I thought I'd written a fine campaign speech but my team shot it down in flames.

我原以为我写了一篇很好的竞选演说，但我的团队把它贬得一文不值。

e.g. I can't believe he shot me down in flames in front of the board of trustees!

我真不敢相信他在董事会面前痛斥我！

e.g. It was a bad idea, okay, but you didn't have to shoot me down in flames at the meeting.

那个注意不好，可以，但你没必要在会上痛斥我呀。

第二， 语汇积累

1. give someone some advice：给某人提出建议

e.g. Can you give me some advice for my job interview?

你能给我一些关于工作面试的建议吗？

e.g. I tried to give him some advice but he brushed all my suggestions to one side.

我试着给他提点建议，但他对我所有意见都置之不理。

e.g. Years ago you gave some advice on how to have a good marriage.

几年前，你曾就如何拥有美满的婚姻提出了一些看法。

2. cheer up：振作

e.g. Cheer up! Our troubles will soon be over.

振作起来!我们的困难很快就会过去。

e.g. Mrs. Gummidge did not appear to be able to cheer up.

格米治太太好象怎么也鼓不起兴致来。