听播客学英语 271 橡树和槐树

 　　In the last podcast I talked about daffodils and the arrival of Spring. Soon the leaves will start to open on the trees.

　　There is an old proverb in English about how the opening of the leaves in Spring can tell us how much rain we will have in the Summer. It goes:

　　If the oak comes before the ash, we are in for a splash.

　　If the ash comes before the oak, we are in for a soak.

　　“Oak” and “ash” are the names of two common trees. If the new leaves open on the oak trees before the ash trees, then we will have only a little rain, a splash. But if the ash leaves come first, then we will have lots of rain, a soak.

　　The proverb says “in for a splash” and “in for a soak”. “We are in for….” something means “we are going to have or experience …” something.

　　I might say, for example, “I am in for a difficult day at work today”.

　　Or, “My wife is in for a surprise – I’ve bought her a present.”

　　Or my wife might say, “He’s in for a shock – I’m pregnant!”

　　A terrifying thought!