ESL Podcast 908 – Being Territorial at Work

 　　Andy: What are you doing?

　　Sita: I’m running some numbers for the new project.

　　Andy: I thought that was Delia’s turf.

　　Sita: She’s usually the go-to person for this type of information, but I need this info right now.

　　Andy: I’d be careful about stepping on Delia’s toes. She doesn’t take kindly¹ to people encroaching on her responsibilities.

　　Sita: I know she can be territorial² at times, but I’m sure if I explain to her why I’m getting this information right this minute, she’d understand.

　　Andy: Okay, but don’t be surprised if she thinks you’re trying to gain control of her little fiefdom. She’s really entrenched³ and she doesn’t like anyone muscling in.

　　Sita: Do you really think she’ll misunderstand my motives⁴?

　　Andy: I wouldn’t take any chances. Hurry up and finish what you’re doing, cover your tracks, and get out. With any luck, she won’t think this is the beginning of a turf war.

1 kindly   

adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地

参考例句：

• Her neighbours spoke of her as kindly and hospitable.她的邻居都说她和蔼可亲、热情好客。
• A shadow passed over the kindly face of the old woman.一道阴影掠过老太太慈祥的面孔。

2 territorial   

adj.领土的，领地的

参考例句：

• The country is fighting to preserve its territorial integrity.该国在为保持领土的完整而进行斗争。
• They were not allowed to fish in our territorial waters.不允许他们在我国领海捕鱼。

3 entrenched   

adj.确立的，不容易改的(风俗习惯)

参考例句：

• Television seems to be firmly entrenched as the number one medium for national advertising.电视看来要在全国广告媒介中牢固地占据头等位置。
• If the enemy dares to attack us in these entrenched positions,we will make short work of them.如果敌人胆敢进攻我们固守的阵地，我们就消灭他们。

4 motives   

n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• to impeach sb's motives 怀疑某人的动机
• His motives are unclear. 他的用意不明。