英语博客：ESL Podcast 808 – Asking for Time Off

 　　Johnny: I just found out that the manager is letting Neal take Friday off. I asked him two days ago for Friday off and he turned me down!

 

　　Francesca: Neal’s wife is pregnant¹, so maybe he needs time off to go with her to a doctor’s visit, or something.

 

　　Johnny: That’s so messed up! I asked first, so I should have been given permission instead of Neal. I think the manager has it in for me.

 

　　Francesca: I don’t think that’s the case. Maybe next time, if you ask a couple of weeks in advance, he’ll say “yes.” Neal does have seniority, you know.

 

　　Johnny: Neal is always going to have seniority over me and I’m always going to get screwed.

 

　　Francesca: Don’t get a chip on your shoulder about this. Neal put in his years and earned his seniority fair and square. When you’ve worked here 18 years, you’ll get priority² over newer hires.

 

　　Johnny: If I’m still in this job in 17 years, shoot me!

 

　　Script by Dr. Lucy Tse

1 pregnant   

adj.怀孕的，怀胎的

参考例句：

• She is a pregnant woman.她是一名孕妇。
• She is pregnant with her first child.她怀了第一胎。

2 priority   

n.优先处理的事，居先，优先（权）

参考例句：

• The development of the national economy is a top priority.发展国民经济是应予以最优先考虑的事。
• Things should be taken up in order of priority.办事应有个先后次序。