英语博客-北美风情 250 Trying to make ends meet

 　　Some people have a lot of money and some people have only a little bit. This episode focuses on expressions that people use when they are talking about trying not to spend money, often because they don’t have very much. There are people who pinch pennies all the time, and others who only tighten¹ their belts when they have to. Listen to this episode to learn about making ends meet.

　　Maura:This expression is usually used when someone doesn’t have very much money. So if we continue with the example that you gave, Harp², if someone makes $500 a week, and it’s just enough money for them to be able to survive, to be able to pay their bills, like their rent of their food.

　　Harp:Yeah. They’re not buying a lot of fancy clothes or going on any trips. They’re just making enough money to meet their basic needs.

　　Maura:That’s right. So, the expression itself isn’t actually negative, but it’s often used in a situation where someone doesn’t have very much money or they’re trying to make ends meet. They’re trying to find a way to make enough money that they’re able to pay their bills.

　　Harp:Yeah. It’s used when people are having trouble making ends meet, usually.

　　Maura:That’s right. This expression, too, has a few interesting origins. And if you’re interested in those, we’ll tell you about them in our Learning Materials, which comes when you become a member.

1 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。

2 harp   

n.竖琴；天琴座

参考例句：

• She swept her fingers over the strings of the harp.她用手指划过竖琴的琴弦。
• He played an Irish melody on the harp.他用竖琴演奏了一首爱尔兰曲调。