英语听力精选进阶版 20116

To keep the wolf from the door 勉强度日 

The script¹ of this programme 本节目台词

Would you let him in to your house?

Li: 大家好。欢迎收听地道英语。我是杨莉…

Rob: …and me Rob. I suppose we had better explain an authentic² English phrase then.

Li: Oh cheer up Rob – why are you sounding so miserable³?

Rob: Well I wasn't going to say anything but… well, I've got problems… financial problems.

Li: Rob 遇到了经济困难，也就是钱方面的问题 – I'm sorry to hear that. What's happened?

Rob: I had to get my car fixed⁴, I had to get a plumber⁵ round to fix a leaking pipe, I received a huge tax bill and then to add to it all, I lost my wallet yesterday – I'm doing my best to keep the wolf from the door.

Li: 一只狼？！不让狼进你家门？You really have got problems if you've got to keep a wolf out of your house!

Rob: Not a real wolf. When people say they're trying to keep the wolf from the door they mean they've only just got enough money to survive.

Li: Oh I see! 原来所谓的“不让狼进门”这个比喻性的短语，意思就是“竭尽全力勉强度日，维持基本生存”或者说“将就能养家糊口，维持生存”。So you just have enough money to eat and live?

Rob: Yes, it's not a good position to be in. Let's hear more examples of the phrase in action…

Examples

I'm going to have to sell my car if I'm to keep the wolf from the door. 

It's tough being a student, I study all day then have to do an evening job just to keep the wolf from the door. 

We've only just saved enough money to keep the wolf from the door. 

Li: 这么说你的钱只够一家人糊口，维持生存。 OK Rob, I get it… with all your bills to pay you really are struggling to keep the wolf from the door – so what are you going to do?

Rob: I need to ask a really good friend to lend me some money.

Li: Rob 希望有谁能借给他一点儿钱 – so you need to find a good friend then?

Rob: Yes, a really good friend – like you Li? I know you have some spare cash.

Li: Sorry Rob, I've just spent that on a really nice holiday.

(Sound of wolf knocking at the door)

Rob: Huh! What's that?

Li: It sounds like the wolf is really at the door. Go on then, here's ten pounds.

Rob:

(Disappointed) Oh thanks!

Both: Bye!

1 script   

n.剧本，广播稿；文字体系；笔迹，手迹

参考例句：

• It's easy to identify his script.他的笔迹容易辨认。
• The script is massaged into final form.这篇稿子经过修改已定稿。

2 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。

3 miserable   

adj.悲惨的，痛苦的；可怜的，糟糕的

参考例句：

• It was miserable of you to make fun of him.你取笑他，这是可耻的。
• Her past life was miserable.她过去的生活很苦。

4 fixed   

adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的

参考例句：

• Have you two fixed on a date for the wedding yet?你们俩选定婚期了吗？
• Once the aim is fixed,we should not change it arbitrarily.目标一旦确定，我们就不应该随意改变。

5 plumber   

n.(装修水管的)管子工

参考例句：

• Have you asked the plumber to come and look at the leaking pipe?你叫管道工来检查漏水的管子了吗？
• The plumber screwed up the tap by means of a spanner.管子工用板手把龙头旋紧。