VOA词汇掌故2024--Learn Some 'Wave' Expressions

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

Today we talk about something found in water - waves.

Surfers are experts at riding waves in the ocean. But even if you have never been in the ocean or tried the sport of surfing, you can still ride the waves.

If you ride the wave of something you gain from a widespread popularity¹ or approval of something. The online dictionary Merriam-Webster defines² it this way: "to experience a time when many people share a strong feeling or attitude about something at the same time."

For example, let's say a woman runs for office but she doesn't have any political experience. She does, however, belong to a famous and popular political family. After she wins, many people say she rode the wave of her family's fame.

But this expression doesn't always mean taking advantage of something in a bad way. For example, a sports team may want to ride the wave of their recent wins to keep on winning.

Catching³ the wave is a similar expression. If you catch the wave, you also take advantage of an opportunity. You are at the right place at the right time.

Now, sometimes we aren't riding or catching waves, but making waves instead. When we make waves we do something that makes people notice us. Often they notice us in a bad way. And the waves we make cause problems -- similar to waves in water making trouble for boats and swimmers.

Here's an example. If you start a new job, it is usually not a good idea to make waves. When you make waves you create trouble and interfere⁴ with usual business operations. We can also say to rock the boat. This also means to cause problems.

We use the word "wave" in several phrasal verbs.

Let's start by combining it with "on" and "off."

Waving someone on is the same thing as giving them a sign to keep moving. For example, when police officers direct traffic they wave people on. The police are guiding drivers or walkers across roads. Waving someone on can also mean to encourage someone. If your friend is running in a race, you can wave them on to the finish line.

However, if you wave something or someone off, you cancel, dismiss, or refuse them. For example, when I offered help to the man who had fallen off his bike he just waved me off. He either didn't need or want my help or maybe was too embarrassed to accept it.

You can also combine "wave" with "down." To wave down someone or something is also a signal to stop. For example, you can wave down a friend or wave down a taxicab.

And if you wave something or someone aside you are either directing them or dismissing them. It depends on the situation.

Now, let's hear some of these "wave" terms used in a short example.

Once I invited a friend to a concert. The musical group was very popular. They were riding the wave of a similar but earlier rock and roll band. Many people would come to their concerts just to gather in the parking lot and listen to the music from a distance. And that is what happened during this concert.

But this venue⁵ was different than most. It was outside and did not have a barrier around it. So, people without tickets started sneaking⁷ in. Someone would find a place where they could sneak⁶ in and wave on others to do the same. As a result the venue got so crowded that the security guards had to wave ticket-holders aside to a different entrance. And if you didn't have a ticket and hadn't snuck in, they just waved you off.

As my friend and I waited in line to enter, I warned her that the concert would be very crowded. But she waved my concerns aside. She didn't care. We went in anyway. But after the concert was over, I immediately waved down a taxi to go home. I had had enough of the large crowd.

Words in This Story

attitude - n. a particular feeling or way of thinking about something

advantage - n. superiority⁸ of position or condition

opportunity - n. a favorable combination of circumstances, time, and place : a chance to better oneself

encourage - v. to inspire with courage, spirit, or hope

dismiss - v. to send away : cause or allow to go

embarrassed - v. feeling or showing a state of self-conscious confusion⁹ and distress¹⁰

concert - n. a public performance (as of music or dancing)

venue - n. a place where events of a specific type are held

ticket - n. a paper or token¹¹ showing that a fare or admission fee has been paid

sneak - v. to go about in a sly or secret manner

1 popularity   

n.普及，流行，名望，受欢迎

参考例句：

• The story had an extensive popularity among American readers.这本小说在美国读者中赢得广泛的声望。
• Our product enjoys popularity throughout the world.我们的产品饮誉全球。

2 defines   

规定( define的第三人称单数 )； 使明确； 精确地解释； 画出…的线条

参考例句：

• This name defines us all. 这个名字造就了我们。 来自演讲部分
• The range of incomes over which this happens defines the 'poverty trap'. 发生在这种情况的收入范围，称为“贫困陷阱。”

3 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

4 interfere   

v.(in)干涉，干预；(with)妨碍，打扰

参考例句：

• If we interfere, it may do more harm than good.如果我们干预的话，可能弊多利少。
• When others interfere in the affair,it always makes troubles. 别人一卷入这一事件，棘手的事情就来了。

5 venue   

n.犯罪地点，审判地，管辖地，发生地点，集合地点

参考例句：

• The hall provided a venue for weddings and other functions.大厅给婚礼和其他社会活动提供了场所。
• The chosen venue caused great controversy among the people.人们就审判地点的问题产生了极大的争议。

6 sneak   

vt.潜行(隐藏,填石缝)；偷偷摸摸做；n.潜行；adj.暗中进行

参考例句：

• He raised his spear and sneak forward.他提起长矛悄悄地前进。
• I saw him sneak away from us.我看见他悄悄地从我们身边走开。

7 sneaking   

a.秘密的，不公开的

参考例句：

• She had always had a sneaking affection for him. 以前她一直暗暗倾心于他。
• She ducked the interviewers by sneaking out the back door. 她从后门偷偷溜走，躲开采访者。

8 superiority   

n.优越性，优势

参考例句：

• We believe in the superiority of this method over that one.我们相信这种方法比那种方法优越。
• His air of calm superiority annoyed her intensely.他不动声色的优越感让她极其烦恼。

9 confusion   

n.困惑，迷乱，混淆，混乱，骚乱

参考例句：

• His answers to my questions have only added to my confusion.他对我的问题的回答只是使我更加困惑不解。
• His unexpected arrival threw us into total confusion.他的突然来访使我们完全不知所措。

10 distress   

n.苦恼，痛苦，不舒适；不幸；vt.使悲痛

参考例句：

• Nothing could alleviate his distress.什么都不能减轻他的痛苦。
• Please don't distress yourself.请你不要忧愁了。

11 token   

n.筹码，信物，纪念品，礼券；adj.象征性的

参考例句：

• This little gift is a token of our regard.这点礼物是我们大家的一点心意。
• Black is a token of mourning.黑色是沮丧的象征。