Straw的含义有“稻草”和“吸管”的含义,在中文中,我们常常将稻草。运用在一些关键的时刻,比如“救命稻草”,“(压死骆驼的)最后一根稻草”等等,巧的是,在英语中straw也有类似的用法,一起来看:
1.draw the short straw 抽到坏签、被指派了苦差事
这种用法的来源于使用稻草抓阄的游戏,抓到最短稻草的人算输。Draw straws表示“抓阄/抽签”,例如:
Let's draw straws to see who has to wash the dishes.我们抽签决定谁去洗碗。He drew the short straw:he had to clean the office for one month.他被派了苦差事:他必须打扫办公室一个月。2.the final straw 最后一根稻草(引申义为某事让人承受不住)
The final straw came in winter when her husband asked her for divorce.当她丈夫在冬天提出离婚时,她彻底崩溃了。3.clutch at straws 抓住救命稻草
Jim's making one last attempt to save his business,but I'm afraid he's only clutching at straws.吉米正作最后一次努力来挽救生意,但我恐怕他仅仅是捞救命稻草而已。4.straws in the wind 迹象/征兆(短语的来源可能是由于人们会根据稻草掉落的方向来判断风向,引申为迹象)
Certain straws in the wind were noticed by her.她注意到了某种迹象。Two straws in the wind, pointed to the possibility of a new business model.这两种迹象暗示了新商业模型出现的可能性。