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VOA词汇掌故2024--Partners in Crime

时间:2024-07-30 08:09来源:互联网 提供网友:nan   字体: [ ]
    (单词翻译:双击或拖选)

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

On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. We give examples and notes on usage.

Do you have a friend, co-worker, or family member who you are very close with? Do you often work on projects or activities with that person? If so, the two of you could be called partners in crime.

And those projects or activities are not even illegal!

Partners in crime is an expression that describes two or more people who are very close to each other. But more than being close, they are usually involved in playful or adventurous1 activities. Even though the expression has the word "crime," the activities are more often than not legal ones.

Originally the expression may have described actual criminals. But today, it does not. It is a fun, light-hearted way to describe close friends who may be involved in some kind of mischief2. Not surprisingly, the expression is often used in mystery stories, films, and television shows.

The most famous example is Partners in Crime, a collection of short stories by Agatha Christie published in 1929. The stories were turned into a radio broadcast and then a television program.

A less popular example is the television show Partners in Crime from 1984 in the U.S., starring Lynda Carter and Loni Anderson.

Besides partners in crime, we also have a similar expression, thick as thieves, to describe very close friends who share information and secrets.

Now, let's talk about some more words that are similar or related to partners in crime.

Someone who is your partner in crime can also be called your sidekick. A sidekick is someone who is usually by your side.

If your sidekick is helping3 you in a social situation, like meeting members of the opposite sex, then we can call them a wingman or wingwoman. In airplane talk, a wingman is a pilot who flies his aircraft behind the leading pilot.

There are other more formal, or official, words to describe a partner in crime, such as collaborator4 or accomplice5.

Although, you may want to be careful when using the word "accomplice." When talking about a real crime, an accomplice is a person who helps others do something illegal.

Now, let's hear this expression used in a couple of examples.

In the first one, two friends talk about a great party.

A: "How did you manage to throw such a great party? You thought of everything!"

B: "I couldn't have done it without my partner in crime - Emma! Where is she, anyway?"

A: Emma, your party collaborator is on the karaoke machine and is about to start the singing contest.

B: Atta girl, Emma!

Next, let's hear this expression used in a work situation.

A: Are Michael and Evan working on another project together?

B: They are.

A: Those two have been partners in crime ever since they started working together.

B: You're right. And it's a good thing for us. They are a great team and collaborate6 really well together.

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

Words in This Story

mischief - n. action that annoys or irritates

sidekick - n. a person closely associated with another as a subordinate or partner : one who is another's pal7, partner, or helper

collaborator - n. someone who works with another person or group

accomplice - n. one associated with another especially in wrongdoing


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 adventurous LKryn     
adj.爱冒险的;惊心动魄的,惊险的,刺激的 
参考例句:
  • I was filled with envy at their adventurous lifestyle.我很羨慕他们敢于冒险的生活方式。
  • He was predestined to lead an adventurous life.他注定要过冒险的生活。
2 mischief jDgxH     
n.损害,伤害,危害;恶作剧,捣蛋,胡闹
参考例句:
  • Nobody took notice of the mischief of the matter. 没有人注意到这件事情所带来的危害。
  • He seems to intend mischief.看来他想捣蛋。
3 helping 2rGzDc     
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的,辅助的
参考例句:
  • The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
  • By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。
4 collaborator gw3zSz     
n.合作者,协作者
参考例句:
  • I need a collaborator to help me. 我需要个人跟我合作,帮我的忙。
  • His collaborator, Hooke, was of a different opinion. 他的合作者霍克持有不同的看法。
5 accomplice XJsyq     
n.从犯,帮凶,同谋
参考例句:
  • She was her husband's accomplice in murdering a rich old man.她是她丈夫谋杀一个老富翁的帮凶。
  • He is suspected as an accomplice of the murder.他涉嫌为这次凶杀案的同谋。
6 collaborate SWgyC     
vi.协作,合作;协调
参考例句:
  • The work gets done more quickly when we collaborate.我们一旦合作,工作做起来就更快了。
  • I would ask you to collaborate with us in this work.我们愿意请你们在这项工作中和我们合作。
7 pal j4Fz4     
n.朋友,伙伴,同志;vi.结为友
参考例句:
  • He is a pal of mine.他是我的一个朋友。
  • Listen,pal,I don't want you talking to my sister any more.听着,小子,我不让你再和我妹妹说话了。
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TAG标签:   VOA英语  慢速英语  词汇掌故
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