VOA词汇掌故2025--What Does It Take to Be a 'Power Couple'?

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

In American English, we use many expressions to describe when two people have a lot of similarities or are very close. Here are some examples.

If we say two people are joined at the hip², they are nearly always together. If we describe individuals as thick as thieves, it means they are very close. People considered two peas in a pod have many things in common. And we use the term kindred spirits to describe people who often share the same opinions and interests.

These expressions can represent people who grew closer for different reasons. Maybe they complemented⁴ each other well in certain ways. Or maybe their situations brought them together for the purpose of completing something important or meaningful.

But today we are going to discuss a very special kind of relationship - one that involves two people who are romantically involved and very successful.

People in such relationships can be described as power couples.

There are many examples of famous power couples, including successful movie stars, musicians and others in the performing arts. But power couples can exist in many other industries and communities, as well. And, the two people do not have to work in the same industry.

If they do, however, that can make them even more powerful. For example, a well-known architect who builds homes could be partnered with a famous designer who decorates them. Or, one person in a power couple may be a music producer, while the other is a famous singer.

Even though power couples involve highly⁵ successful people, one person could describe their partner as their better half. This is a way to compliment⁶ their "other half" in the relationship. For example, one might say during a meeting with a friend, "Hello! How are you? And more importantly, how is your better half?"

Now, let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.

A: Hey, I'm not used to seeing you alone. Where's your sidekick?

B: Huh? Who are you talking about?

A: Ben. You guys have been joined at the hip for weeks. Looks like you're thick as thieves.

B: Well, the project is pretty important for the company. So, we're putting in a lot of hours.

A: Are you becoming kindred spirits from working so much together?

B: No. It's just keeping us both very busy.

A: Busy trying to become the new power couple in the office?

B: What are you talking about?? We're not thick as thieves or kindred spirits, and we're definitely⁷ not a power couple. We are just working hard on the same project!

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.

Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English.

______________________________________________________

Words in This Story

complement³ -n. something that fills up, completes, or makes better or perfect : -v. to complete or enhance⁸ by providing something additional⁹

romantically -adv. done in a way that relates or is associated with love : romantic -adv. of, relating to, or associated with love

architect -n. a person who designs buildings and advises in their construction

decorate -v. to make more attractive by adding something that is beautiful or becoming

compliment -n. an expression of respect, affection¹⁰, or admiration¹¹ : -v. to make an expression of respect, affection, or admiration

sidekick -n. a person closely associated with another as a subordinate or partner

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 hip   

n.臀部，髋；屋脊

参考例句：

• The thigh bone is connected to the hip bone.股骨连着髋骨。
• The new coats blouse gracefully above the hip line.新外套在臀围线上优美地打着褶皱。

3 complement   

n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足

参考例句：

• The two suggestions complement each other.这两条建议相互补充。
• They oppose each other also complement each other.它们相辅相成。

4 complemented   

有补助物的，有余格的

参考例句：

• The excellent menu is complemented by a good wine list. 佳肴佐以美酒，可称完美无缺。
• In vitro analysis must be complemented by studies of the virus replication cycle in plants. 体外的分析必须辅之以植物体内病毒复制周期的研究。

5 highly   

adv.高度地，极，非常；非常赞许地

参考例句：

• It is highly important to provide for the future.预先做好准备非常重要。
• The teacher speaks very highly of the boy's behaviour.老师称赞这个男孩的表现。

6 compliment   

n.[pl.]问候，致意；n./v. 称赞，恭维

参考例句：

• The manager paid her a compliment on her work.经理赞扬了她的工作。
• Your presence is a great compliment.承蒙光临，不胜荣幸。

7 definitely   

adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地

参考例句：

• The team will definitely lose if he doesn't play.如果他不参加比赛，这个队肯定会输。
• I shall definitely be home before six o'clock.6点以前，我一定回家。

8 enhance   

vt.提高（强度、力量、数量等），增加（进）

参考例句：

• BBC backing for the scheme will enhance its credibility.英国广播公司对这一计划的支持将提高其可信度。
• Good secretarial skills should enhance your chances of getting a job.出色的秘书工作技能会增加你找工作的机会。

9 additional   

adj.添加的，额外的，另外的

参考例句：

• It is necessary to set down these additional rules.有必要制定这些补充规则。
• I think we can fit in an additional room.我想我们可以再加建一间房子。

10 affection   

n.喜爱；爱慕，感情；倾向，意向

参考例句：

• The handsome young man excited affection in a girl.那位英俊的年轻男子引起了一个女孩的爱慕之情。
• He has a deep affection for his old friend.他对老朋友感情很深。

11 admiration   

n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕

参考例句：

• He was lost in admiration of the beauty of the scene.他对风景之美赞不绝口。
• We have a great admiration for the gold medalists.我们对金牌获得者极为敬佩。