英语博客-北美风情 248 To dot your i’s and cross your t’s

 　　At Culips, we always try to focus on the details and get everything right for you! The expressions in this episode¹ are used to talk about analyzing² and examining things, checking for information, or making sure that everything is perfect. Of course, at Culips, we like to dot our i’s and cross our t’s! Listen to this episode to learn about this expression and others that mean to look very carefully at something. If you’re a member, you can also go over this episode with a fine-tooth comb by reviewing the transcript³!

　　Maura:The first thing that’s worth mentioning about this expression is that when we say i’s, we’re not talking about the word that’s spelled E-Y-E-S, like the two eyes in your head. It’s the plural⁴ of the letter i. And when we talk about t’s, we’re not talking about that great drink, a cup of tea. We’re actually talking about the letter t, and that is also plural, when we say t’s.

　　Harp:Yes, so to dot your i’s and cross your t’s; we’re talking about the letters i and t.

　　Maura:This expression means to review something carefully, to go over something in a very detailed⁵ way in order to make sure that you don’t have any mistakes. So with this expression, you’re checking something carefully to make sure that there isn’t an error and to make sure that you finished it well.

　　Harp:Yes. So when you say to dot your i’s and cross your t’s, you’re carefully going over your work to make sure that there are no mistakes, there are no errors, everything is perfect.

1 episode   

n.（作品的一段）情节，插曲，系列事件中之一

参考例句：

• The episode was a huge embarrassment for all concerned.这段小插曲令所有有关人员都感到非常尴尬。
• This episode remains sharply engraved on my mind.这段经历至今仍深深地铭刻在我的心中。

2 analyzing   

v.分析；分析( analyze的现在分词 )；分解；解释；对…进行心理分析n.分析

参考例句：

• Analyzing the date of some socialist countries presents even greater problem s. 分析某些社会主义国家的统计数据，暴露出的问题甚至更大。 来自辞典例句
• He undoubtedly was not far off the mark in analyzing its predictions. 当然，他对其预测所作的分析倒也八九不离十。 来自辞典例句

3 transcript   

n.抄本，誊本，副本，肄业证书

参考例句：

• A transcript of the tapes was presented as evidence in court.一份录音带的文字本作为证据被呈交法庭。
• They wouldn't let me have a transcript of the interview.他们拒绝给我一份采访的文字整理稿。

4 plural   

n.复数；复数形式；adj.复数的

参考例句：

• Most plural nouns in English end in's '.英语的复数名词多以s结尾。
• Here you should use plural pronoun.这里你应该用复数代词。

5 detailed   

adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的

参考例句：

• He had made a detailed study of the terrain.他对地形作了缜密的研究。
• A detailed list of our publications is available on request.我们的出版物有一份详细的目录备索。