纯正地道美语(外教讲解)163：新的开始

　　A:   Now that it’s the new year, I’ve decided¹ to turn over a new leaf.
B:   Yeah? You finally decided to wipe the slate² clean?
A:   You got it! I have a new job, I’m living in a new city, with new friends! This is my opportunity to make some small changes in the way I live my life.
B:   So what are you going to do? Take up an art class or something?
A:   Well, first of all, I’ve decided to stop smoking. It’s not that I’m pinching pennies or anything, it’s just that I’ve been smoking since I was sixteen, and I think it’s time to stop.
B:   I’m with you on that one.  Anything else you’re planning on doing?
A:   One last thing, I’ve decided to come out of the closet.
B:   It’s about time!
turn over a new leaf 重新开始
Now let's turn over a new leaf.
现在咱们从头开始
wipe the slate clean重新开始
opportunity n. 机会；时机
I'll have another opportunity to visit the exhibition next year.
明年我们还有一次机会参观这个展览会。
take up 参加，开始学习
When did he take up football?
他是什么时候开始踢足球的?
pinch pennies 节俭;精打细算
We must pinch pennies to make ends meet.
我们一定要精打细算, 以求收支平。
with you 支持你
come out of the closet 公开同性恋
拓展词汇】
endless a.无止境的，没完没了的
significant adj. 重大的
to  start anew/to  begin anew 重新开始
to quit 放弃
to get into shape 变健康
A: 既然现在是新年，我决定重新开始。
B: 真的吗？你终于决定重新开始？
A: 说对了，我有了新的工作，和新朋友居住在新城市。这是改变下生活方式的好机会。
B: 那你打算做什么？参加艺术班还是做别的事？
A: 首先，我决定戒烟。并不是我想省钱，而是从16岁我就开始抽烟，我认为是时候戒烟了。
B: 我支持你。还打算做别的事吗？
A: 最后一件事，我决定公开同性恋。
B: 那只是时间问题！
 

1 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

2 slate   

n.板岩，石板，石片，石板色，候选人名单；adj.暗蓝灰色的，含板岩的；vt.用石板覆盖，痛打，提名，预订

参考例句：

• The nominating committee laid its slate before the board.提名委员会把候选人名单提交全体委员会讨论。
• What kind of job uses stained wood and slate? 什么工作会接触木头污浊和石板呢？