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(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Now, it's time for Words and Their Stories.
On this program we explore common expressions in American English.
Today, we talk about expressions that began behind the wheels of automobiles2. Now they are common expressions that we use in everyday conversations.
Well, let's not delay any longer. Let's get this show on the road!
"To get the show on the road" means to begin something as soon as possible. It's a casual3 expression that we use when we want to start something, anything -- an activity or project or an actual road trip.
Well, not any activity. You would not likely use this expression to begin something sad, such as a funeral. It is a lighthearted expression.
Word experts say that the phrase comes from traveling circuses and other shows of the early 1900s in the United States. These entertainers would travel from town to town bringing their performances to people not able to travel to big cities for entertainment.
So, the person who says "hey, let's get this show on the road!" is taking charge. They want to start things. They want to get things going. You could say they are in the driver’s seat. Just as the driver is in control of their vehicle, the person in the driver's seat of an activity, event or project is also in control. They are the leader. Feel free to use this phrase in any situation, formal or informal.
Speaking of free, most rides are not. They cost money. When you take a taxi you must pay for it. If you drive a car, you must pay for gas, repairs and insurance. It is great when you get a free ride to where you are going.
However, in life, to get a free ride means to gain from something without having to do anything in exchange. It can be annoying to have a friend or co-worker who is always trying to get a free ride. They do not give. They just take, take, take!
Now, when we are actually driving, the phrase go down that road simply means to drive down a road. We would say this when we give directions. "Go down that road for about a mile and you'll see your destination on the right."
But in conversation it has an interesting meaning.
To go down that road means to make a decision. But it's more than that. It also means that this decision may bring trouble or leave you in a difficult place. We often use this phrase as a warning or when we give advice to someone.
Let's say a good friend, Veronica, has a neighbor who likes causing trouble. He has loud parties every weekend until the wee hours of the night. The trash from his parties often spills out into her lawn4. Veronica tells you she is going to get even with this neighbor. She plans to play opera music very loudly very early every morning until his late, loud parties stop!
You might tell her, "Are you sure you want to go down that road? It could lead to trouble."
Maybe you have made the same mistake. You could advise your friend, "I've been down that road before and it did not go as I had planned!"
Where the rubber meets the road is another interesting phrase.
Here rubber refers to the tires of a vehicle. Where the rubber meets the road is the point of contact between automobile1 tires and the road. It’s when and where the car actually moves. It’s also when you find out how the car performs.
So the expression rubber meets the road means the point at which a product, idea or method is tested.
Imagine you have been studying different methods of teaching5 people English. So far, it has all been theories. Where the rubber meets the road will be in a class full of students. That will be the real test! Will those theories actually help your students learn English? We shall see!
Some driving behaviors are really dangerous and can lead to accidents.
For example, when you cut someone off in traffic you turn your car into their lane6 in a dangerous way, nearly hitting them!
You can also cut people off in conversation. Used in this way, to cut someone off (or cut off someone) means to interrupt what they are saying. It is not dangerous but it is extremely annoying.
Driving in the middle of the road is really dangerous. You could crash into oncoming traffic! But in conversation, being in the middle of the road is actually a really safe place. It means you are taking a moderate7 position on some issue. You are not at or near one extreme or the other.
The most dangerous driving behavior is not paying attention to the road. Many wrecks8 happen when people do not pay attention. The worst thing, by far, is to fall asleep at the wheel.
We also use this expression in our conversations. To be asleep at the wheel means you are not paying attention to something that should have your attention. If the leader of a project is asleep at the wheel it means she's not paying attention to the project. Something bad will probably happen.
We here at Learning9 English are definitely10 not asleep at the wheel.
That’s right. We pay very close attention to our audience!
And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories!
I'm Bryan Lynn.
And I'm Anna Matteo.
When have you been in the driver's seat or when have you been asleep at the wheel? Let us know in the Comments Section -- or simply practice with one of the expressions you heard here today.
Words in This Story
casual – adj. designed for or permitting ordinary dress, behavior, etc. : not formal
actual – adj. real and not merely possible or imagined : existing in fact
formal – adj. suitable for serious or official speech and writing
informal – adj. having a friendly and relaxed quality
annoying – adj. to disturb or irritate11 especially by repeated acts
wee hours – n. the very early hours after midnight
get even – v. to get revenge
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automobile
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| n.汽车，机动车 | |
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automobiles
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| n.汽车( automobile的名词复数 ) | |
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casual
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| adj.漠不关心，冷漠的；随便的，非正式的；偶然的，碰巧的 | |
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lawn
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| n.草地，草坪，上等细麻布 | |
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teaching
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| n.教学，执教，任教，讲授；(复数)教诲 | |
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lane
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| n.(乡间)小路(巷)；车(跑，泳)道；航道 | |
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moderate
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| adj.适度的，稳健的，温和的，中等的；v.节制，使...稳定，使...缓和；n.稳健的人 | |
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wrecks
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| n.沉船( wreck的名词复数 )；（事故中）遭严重毁坏的汽车（或飞机等）；（身体或精神上）受到严重损伤的人；状况非常糟糕的车辆（或建筑物等）v.毁坏[毁灭]某物( wreck的第三人称单数 )；使（船舶）失事，使遇难，使下沉 | |
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learning
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| n.学问，学识，学习；动词learn的现在分词 | |
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definitely
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| adv.一定地，肯定地；明确地，确切地 | |
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irritate
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| vt.使恼怒，使烦燥，使不适，使疼痛 | |
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