VOA词汇掌故2023--Let's 'Zero In On' Number Expressions

Let's 'Zero In On' Number Expressions

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

Language is not only made-up of words. Numbers are also important to communicating our thoughts. So, today, we talk about some common English expressions that use numbers.

Let's start with zero and the expression to zero in.

Zeroing in means directing all of your attention on something or someone. We often say what that something is. For example, the defense² lawyers were able to zero in on the testimony³ of an important witness and find problems with it. Here is another example, I know a woman who can zero in on any relationship problem and find a solution.

This expression can also mean to take aim directly at something. For example, when taking a picture, a photographer might zero in on a subject. And it is the job of a quarterback in an American football game to zero in on a receiver – the player catching⁴ the ball.

Other words that help to explain the expression to zero in are to focus and concentrate on. As verbs, these words both mean to direct your attention on something or someone.

Now, let's move to the numbers six and seven. If something is at sixes and sevens, it is in a state of confusion⁵ or disorder⁶. In other words, it is all messed up!

At sixes and sevens may also mean a state of disagreement between two or more people. For example, when the manager left without a word the workplace was at sixes and sevens. Nobody knew which way was up! (If you don't know which way is up – you are very confused.)

Word experts say this expression may have started in the 1300s. At that time, it meant taking a careless risk. Around the middle of the 1600s, the meaning changed to mean a state of confusion.

Being at sixes and sevens is the opposite of being a ten.

If something is a ten, it is really great. It is perfect or nearly perfect. This usage⁷ comes from the highest rank on a scale of one to ten. For example, on a scale of one to 10 my recent trip to Bangladesh was a ten. I loved every minute!

Now, let's talk about our last expression: to 86 something. If you 86 something, you get rid of it. You throw it out, or you don't use it. If I pitch an idea to a group and they 86 it, they do not want it and do not plan to use it.

Experts at Merriam-Webster's online dictionary explain that this expression may have come from 1930s business slang⁸ meaning that an item was sold out. Maybe. Other experts think the only reason to 86 something means to get rid of it is because 86 rhymes with nix. "Nix" means to cancel or get rid of something.

And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Have fun using these number expressions in your next English conversation.

Words in This Story

focus –v. to direct attention on something so that it becomes clearer

concentrate on –v. (phrasal) the direct thoughts to something

scale –n. a series of numbers meant to rate or show the strength or quality of something

pitch –v. to talk about something in favorable⁹ ways to get people to accept it

slang –n. special language used by a particular group : an informal nonstandard vocabulary composed of invented words, changed words, and exaggerated¹⁰ or humorous figures of speech

item –n. an individual thing that is separate from others

rhyme –v. to have two or more words that end in the same sound

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 defense   

n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩

参考例句：

• The accused has the right to defense.被告人有权获得辩护。
• The war has impacted the area with military and defense workers.战争使那个地区挤满了军队和防御工程人员。

3 testimony   

n.证词；见证，证明

参考例句：

• The testimony given by him is dubious.他所作的证据是可疑的。
• He was called in to bear testimony to what the police officer said.他被传入为警官所说的话作证。

4 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

5 confusion   

n.困惑，迷乱，混淆，混乱，骚乱

参考例句：

• His answers to my questions have only added to my confusion.他对我的问题的回答只是使我更加困惑不解。
• His unexpected arrival threw us into total confusion.他的突然来访使我们完全不知所措。

6 disorder   

n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调

参考例句：

• When returning back,he discovered the room to be in disorder.回家后，他发现屋子里乱七八糟。
• It contained a vast number of letters in great disorder.里面七零八落地装着许多信件。

7 usage   

n.惯用法，使用，用法

参考例句：

• I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
• The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。

8 slang   

n.俚语，行话；vt.使用俚语，辱骂；vi.辱骂

参考例句：

• The phrase is labelled as slang in the dictionary.这个短语在这本字典里被注为俚语。
• Slang often goes in and out of fashion quickly.俚语往往很快风行起来又很快不再风行了。

9 favorable   

adj.赞成的，赞成的；有利的，良好的，顺利的

参考例句：

• The book received a favorable review.这本书赢得了好评。
• Each nation suppressed news that was not favorable to it.每个国家都扣留对它不利的消息。

10 exaggerated   

adj.言过其辞的

参考例句：

• Inevitably, the press exaggerated the story. 新闻界照例又夸大了这件事。
• His claims to an intimacy with the President are somewhat exaggerated. 他声称自己与总统关系密切，这有点言过其实。