英语听力精选进阶版 20111

To drink someone under the table 酒量胜人一筹 

The script of this programme 本节目台词

Have a tipple¹ - but don't abuse the booze

Neil: OK Li, here it is - a nice bottle of red wine, glasses... Let's celebrate your promotion²... err³... Li, where are you?

Li: 我在下面了。Down here, Neil!

Neil: What on earth are you doing under the table?!

Li: You have always said you can drink me under the table.

Neil: Well, yes, I did say that...

Li: Well, here I am. Give me my wine please.

Neil: Li, in English, when you say you can drink someone under the table you mean you can drink as much alcohol as that person, without getting drunk - while your companion has already passed out on the floor.

Li: 啊，原来你是这个意思。害得我爬到桌子底下! 我用中文把这个短语给大家解释一下吧，drink someone under the table 就是你和朋友两个人同时喝酒，俩人喝的一样多，但当你朋友喝的烂醉如泥瘫倒在了桌子底下的时候，你却一点儿没事，没有任何醉意。这句话就是要说明你的酒量比对方大，酒量胜人一筹。

Neil: Indeed. 'To drink someone under the table' is today's expression in Authentic⁴ Real English. Let's hear some examples of how it's used.

Examples

I do like a gin and tonic⁵ after a hard day at work but Alan can drink me under the table! 

When Beth realised she could drink anyone under the table she decided⁶ to stop drinking alcohol and go into rehab. 

Li: Oh OK. I get it now. There are so many funny expressions in the English language, Neil. It's fun to learn!

Neil: Yes! I'll drink to that! We have loads of expressions... loads and loads!

Li: Oh dear. Sometimes I want to drink just to forget that there's so much to learn!

Neil: Come on, Li. You've just been promoted. Let's celebrate with a toast.

Both: Cheers!

Li: Bye!

1 tipple   

n.常喝的酒；v.不断喝，饮烈酒

参考例句：

• My favourite tipple is a glass of port.我最喜欢喝的酒是波尔图葡萄酒。
• Scotch drinkers around the world tend to associate their favourite tipple with success and achievement.世界各地喝苏格兰威士忌的人，往往把他们最喜欢的这种烈酒，与成功和成就联系在一起。

2 promotion   

n.提升，晋级；促销，宣传

参考例句：

• The teacher conferred with the principal about Dick's promotion.教师与校长商谈了迪克的升级问题。
• The clerk was given a promotion and an increase in salary.那个职员升了级，加了薪。

3 err   

vi.犯错误，出差错

参考例句：

• He did not err by a hair's breadth in his calculation.他的计算结果一丝不差。
• The arrows err not from their aim.箭无虚发。

4 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

5 tonic   

n./adj.滋补品，补药，强身的，健体的

参考例句：

• It will be marketed as a tonic for the elderly.这将作为老年人滋补品在市场上销售。
• Sea air is Nature's best tonic for mind and body.海上的空气是大自然赋予的对人们身心的最佳补品。

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。