first, second, third ... 這些單詞對(duì)于英語(yǔ)學(xué)習(xí)者來(lái)說(shuō)都是最基本的詞匯,那你知道除了簡(jiǎn)單地表達(dá)順序之外,它們的其他用法嗎?

1. On first acquaintance

含義:when you first meet sb

初次相見(jiàn)

例句:

Even on first acquaintance it was clear that he was not the right type
初次見(jiàn)面時(shí)就看出他不合適

注釋?zhuān)?/strong>此用法一般用于正式語(yǔ)體

2. Theres a first time for everything

含義:the fact that sth has not happened before doesnt mean that it will never happen

沒(méi)有發(fā)生的事情并不意味著永遠(yuǎn)不會(huì)發(fā)生

注釋?zhuān)?/strong>對(duì)于這句話(huà)的理解看英文解釋更加清晰,它不是別人第一次做某事后的安慰性話(huà)語(yǔ),而是暗示凡事皆有可能的幽默說(shuō)法。比如一門(mén)課程一直是百分百的通過(guò)率,別人告訴你掛科是不可能的,這種時(shí)候你就可以調(diào)侃地說(shuō):You know, theres a first time for everything.

3. First come, first served

含義:People will be dealt with strictly in the order in which they arrived

先來(lái)后到

例句:

Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis
票先來(lái)先賣(mài),售完為止

4. Third time lucky / Third time is the charm

含義:used when you have failed to do sth twice and hope that you will succeed the third time or used as a good luck charm when you encourage sb to do sth for the third time

(但愿)第三次會(huì)有好運(yùn)

注釋?zhuān)?/strong>一般直接用于口語(yǔ)中,表達(dá)對(duì)于自己或他人的鼓勵(lì)。

5. take / plead the fifth

含義:to make use of the right to refuse or answer questions in court about a crime, because you may give information which will make it seem that you are guilty.

(在法庭上)拒絕回答,避而不答

注釋?zhuān)?/strong>這是一句美式表達(dá),源自《美國(guó)憲法》第五次修正案the FIFTH AMENDMENT of the US Constitution,該條保障這種權(quán)利。

6. in seventh heaven

含義:extremely happy

非常幸福

例句:

Now that hes been promoted hes in seventh heaven.
他被提拔了,簡(jiǎn)直樂(lè)上天了。

7. at the eleventh hour

含義:at the last possible moment at which something can be done before problems or solutions might arise

在最后的關(guān)鍵時(shí)刻

例句:

At the eleventh hour the school decided that something had to be done.
在最后一刻學(xué)校決定采取行動(dòng)。

注釋?zhuān)?/strong>這句話(huà)源自圣經(jīng)

This account in Matthew is a parable" class="hjdict" word="parable" target=_blank>parable regarding workers who arrive at the eleventh hour of the workday and are still paid a full day's wage. Biblical scholars have suggested that the parable can mean that even people who come to Christianity late in life will still earn the full benefits of the joys of eternal life.

猶太人將白晝分為12個(gè)小時(shí),有些工人們會(huì)在第11個(gè)小時(shí)才趕到,而照樣可以獲得一天的報(bào)酬。有些學(xué)者認(rèn)為,這個(gè)故事在告訴世人,即使你很晚才相信,也能享受其一切福祉。