VOA词汇掌故2023--Dreamy Expressions

Dreamy Expressions

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning¹ English.

On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.

If you love learning English expressions and want to speak like a native English speaker, this might just be your dream show. But I would not dream of saying it is the only show. That would be shamelessly overconfident and incorrect².

When we say, "I wouldn't dream of doing or saying something," that just means³ it is something we would never do or say.

When learning a language, it is helpful to study many different examples. We need to know how certain words and phrases⁴ are used. Hearing an example is a great way to learn its correct usage⁵. This method works⁶ like a dream. In other words, it works really well.

What other methods could we say work like a dream? I would say using the expression often in a conversation also works really well ... like a dream.

If you have not already guessed the subject of today's show, it is exploring expressions using the word "dream."

Let's look at an earlier example: dream show. If we put "dream" in front of any word, it makes that word the best choice for you. For example, your dream job has everything you could want in a job. Your dream date would include all your favorite things – such as a nice meal or funny movie. And your dream vacation would have things you love to do and see.

For example, I have a friend who loves birds. So, going somewhere with many different types of birds would be her dream vacation.

All of us have dreams that are pretty great. But some things are so amazing, they are beyond our ability to even dream about. In such cases, we can say those things are beyond our wildest dreams.

We often use this expression when describing a great place or situation. Once I visited Italy and that trip was beyond my wildest dreams.

We also use it when we want someone to do something or go somewhere. Let's go back to my friend who loves birds. Let's say I want her to go on a trip to the rainforest with me. But she is not sure. I can say, "In the rainforest, you will see birds beyond your wildest dreams !" Then, after a day of birdwatching in the rainforest, she might say, "Even in my wildest dreams, I could not have imagined such amazing birds!"

A vacation like that is what dreams are made of. When something fulfills⁷ your every wish and desire it is almost like a dream. That is when we way what dreams are made of. This expression simply means that something is perfect for someone.

You can also say it is the stuff⁸ of dreams. For example, if you love writing and traveling, getting a job as a travel writer would be the stuff dreams are made of. It would be a dream come true! Wouldn't it be nice if all our dreams could come true?

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

Words in This Story

shame – n. a painful emotion caused by having done something wrong or improper⁹ : shamelessly – adv. done without feeling you've done something wrong or improper

overconfident – adj. overly sure of yourself and your abilities

conversation – n. oral exchange of sentiments¹⁰, observations¹¹, opinions, or ideas

amazing – adj. causing great wonder or surprise

stuff – n. supplies or equipment that people need or use

1 learning   

n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词

参考例句：

• When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时，常会从车上掉下来。
• Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。

2 incorrect   

adj.不正确的，错误的

参考例句：

• Your answer is incorrect.你的回答不正确。
• The method is incorrect.方法不对头。

3 means   

n.方法，手段，折中点，物质财富

参考例句：

• That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
• We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。

4 phrases   

n.短语( phrase的名词复数 )；成语；说法；乐句

参考例句：

• Sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 体育解说员翻来覆去说着同样的词语，真叫人腻烦。
• Television sports commentators repeat the same phrases ad nauseam. 电视体育解说员说来说去就是那么几句话，令人厌烦。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

6 works   

n.作品，著作；工厂，活动部件，机件

参考例句：

• We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
• The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。

7 fulfills   

v.履行（诺言等）( fulfill的第三人称单数 )；执行（命令等）；达到（目的）；使结束

参考例句：

• He always fulfills his promises. 他总是履行自己的诺言。 来自辞典例句
• His own work amply fulfills this robust claim. 他自己的作品在很大程度上实现了这一正确主张。 来自辞典例句

8 stuff   

n.原料，材料，东西；vt.填满；吃饱

参考例句：

• We could supply you with the stuff in the raw tomorrow.明天我们可以供应你原材料。
• He is not the stuff.他不是这个材料。

9 improper   

adj.不适当的，不合适的，不正确的，不合礼仪的

参考例句：

• Short trousers are improper at a dance.舞会上穿短裤不成体统。
• Laughing and joking are improper at a funeral.葬礼时大笑和开玩笑是不合适的。

10 sentiments   

（基于情感的）观点( sentiment的名词复数 )； （对怜悯、怀旧等的）柔情； （失之过度或不恰当的）伤感； 态度或意见

参考例句：

• the spread of nationalist sentiments 民族主义情绪的传播
• He expressed his sentiments about the war with great eloquence. 他雄辩地表达了他对那场战争的看法。

11 observations   

n.观察资料( observation的名词复数 )；观察力；注意；言论

参考例句：

• His observations gave rise to an animated and lively discussion. 他的言论引起了一场气氛热烈而活跃的讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• He made valuable observations on the prices. 他对物价问题提出了宝贵的意见。 来自《简明英汉词典》