地道英语
中级
Another string to your bow 有两手准备,还有一手
Episode 211123 / 23 Nov 2021
[图片来源:Getty Images]
内容简介
俗话说:技不压身。今天学到的某个技能也许会在将来有用武之地。但这和弓箭上的 “string(弦)” 有什么关系?听主持人 Neil 和佳莹的对话,学习用一个地道英语表达来形容某人 “有两手准备”。
文字稿
(关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。)
Jiaying
大家好,欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目,我是佳莹。
Neil
… and hello. I’m Neil.
Jiaying
这是什么声音啊?太难听了吧。
Neil
Ha, ha! Are you referring to my violin playing? This is my new hobby – learning to play a new instrument.
Jiaying
But it sounds like you’re murdering a cat! Is there a cat in the studio?
Neil
I get the message, Jiaying! I’m just trying to learn another skill in case I lose my current job. I could make some money as a musician.
Jiaying
So, you are adding another string to your bow?
Neil
Am I? Is that what I need to improve my violin playing?
Jiaying
不是的,Neil!虽然表达 “another string to your bow” 的字面意思是 “还有一根备用的弓弦”,但实际上它用 “string(弦)” 来比喻一个人的 “技能”,意思是 “如果第一个技能不管用,还备有另一个技能可以使用,有两手准备”。So, think of another string as another skill – so how many strings do you have, Neil?
Neil
Hmm, let me count while we hear some other examples of the phrase ‘another string to your bow’…
Examples
Bookkeeping is another string to my bow – I’ve learnt it in case I lose my job at the bank.
It looks like I’ll never be a singer, but luckily, I have another string to my bow – dancing!
Gemma is so talented – she has so many strings to her bow.
Jiaying
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。刚刚,我们介绍了表达 “another string to your bow”,它用来描述某人 “还留了一手技能,以防万一;有两手准备”。比如,Neil 的另一个技能就是拉小提琴。不过,不好意思,Neil,你还需要多多练习啊!
Neil
Maybe I do, Jiaying. I think I might try a different skill – one that still needs a bow.
Jiaying
Neil,不需要有真正的 “弓” 才能使用这个表达,这只是打个比方而已。
Neil
I know – but if learn this new skill, I can be like Robin Hood – it’s archery.
Jiaying
Bows and arrows?
Neil
Mind your head!
Jiaying
Watch out – that just missed me! I think you need one fewer string to your bow now – it’s too dangerous.
Neil
No, this is great. Let’s have another go!
Jiaying
I’m off. Bye.
Neil
Bye.
最新 地道英语
Do the trick 奏效
Episode 240430 / 30 Apr 2024
When learning new words, what 'does the trick' for you?
Walk someone through 耐心示范,详细讲解
Episode 240326 / 26 Mar 2024
Let us walk you through how to use this phrase
Cook up an idea 精心策划一件事
Episode 240312 / 12 Mar 2024
A phrase that means to come up with an idea carefully
Cash in on something 把握商机,从中盈利
Episode 240213 / 13 Feb 2024
Do you know anything you can cash in on?
Bring something to the party 提供好处,做贡献
Episode 240102 / 02 Jan 2024
A phrase about offering something positive
Light up like a Christmas tree 喜笑颜开
Episode 231226 / 26 Dec 2023
An expression to describe your happy face
I don't buy it 我才不信呢!
Episode 231219 / 19 Dec 2023
Learn an informal way of saying 'I don't believe you'
Sound out 探口风,打听
Episode 231121 / 21 Nov 2023
When do you think it's important to sound someone out?
Fly-by-night 不可靠,不讲信用
Episode 231114 / 14 Nov 2023
What do you call a business that disappears overnight and leaves you with a lot of problems?
Tread on someone's toes 触怒某人
Episode 231031 / 31 Oct 2023
A phrase for doing someone else's task when you shouldn't
Mental gymnastics 头脑体操
Episode 231024 / 24 Oct 2023
How do we talk about complicated tasks done by your brain?
Each to their own 萝卜白菜,各有所爱
Episode 230926 / 26 Sep 2023
Here's an expression to say that everyone likes different things
Join the club 彼此彼此,一样倒霉
Episode 230912 / 12 Sep 2023
An expression about 'having the same bad experience'
It happens to the best of us 这种事谁都会遇到
Episode 230620 / 20 Jun 2023
A phrase you use to make people feel better
Famous last words 说得好听,不见得
Episode 230613 / 13 Jun 2023
A phrase to use when someone's prediction is wrong
Get with the programme 接受新思想,跟上潮流
Episode 230523 / 23 May 2023
An expression about changing behaviour
Caught red-handed 被逮个正着
Episode 230314 / 14 Mar 2023
A phrase about being caught when doing something wrong
Slow walk 拖拖拉拉,缓慢行事
Episode 230221 / 21 Feb 2023
How do you describe something that's making slow progress?
Know the score 了解情况,心中有数
Episode 230207 / 07 Feb 2023
A phrase about really understanding the situation
Put the brakes on (something) “踩刹车” 控制,制止
Episode 221004 / 04 Oct 2022
Stop! You need to learn this expression
The ins and outs 详情,细节
Episode 220920 / 20 Sep 2022
This is a detailed expression you’ll want to learn!
Not see hide nor hair of someone 连人影都没见着
Episode 220412 / 12 Apr 2022
Have you seen this expression?
Curate’s egg 好坏参半,还凑合
Episode 220405 / 05 Apr 2022
Learn an expression that is good and bad at the same time
Easier said than done 说来容易做来难
Episode 220315 / 15 Mar 2022
This expression shouldn’t be complicated!
Not like the sound of something 某消息不合我意
Episode 211207 / 07 Dec 2021
Learn an expression about not liking something
Not a patch on something 远不如之前那个好
Episode 211026 / 26 Oct 2021
An expression for when something is far worse than something else
A legend in one’s own lifetime/lunchtime 有生之年就声名显赫/自命不凡
Episode 211005 / 05 Oct 2021
A famous phrase
Live rent-free in one’s head 在脑海中挥之不去
Episode 210928 / 28 Sep 2021
Who or what lives rent-free in your head?
Have a lot of plates spinning 如转盘子杂技一样,兼顾多项工作
Episode 210413 / 13 Apr 2021
Have you got a lot of plates spinning?
Plastic footprint “塑料足迹”
Episode 201117 / 17 Nov 2020
Here's how to describe the amount of plastic you use
Living in a bubble 活在泡泡中 与世隔绝
Episode 200811 / 11 Aug 2020
Get out and see the world – stop living in a bubble!
Microworker 微工人
Episode 200121 / 21 Jan 2020
If you do small tasks for tech firms then this new word describes your job!
Serial returner 连环退货买家
Episode 200114 / 14 Jan 2020
Feifei's had a new coat every day this month. What is she up to?!
Talk the talk 说话头头是道
Episode 200107 / 07 Jan 2020
Neil can talk the talk, but does he know what he's talking about?
Take one for the team 为了集体,牺牲个人
Episode 191217 / 17 Dec 2019
Three tickets, four people. What to do?
Mind your p's and q's 注意你的言谈举止
Episode 191210 / 10 Dec 2019
It’s important to remember these letters if you don’t want to offend people!
Punch above your weight 挑战重量级,超常发挥
Episode 191119 / 19 Nov 2019
It sounds violent, but this phrase might surprise you
Social media influencer 网络红人
Episode 191112 / 12 Nov 2019
What exactly is a social media influencer?
Carbon footprint 碳足迹
Episode 190917 / 17 Sep 2019
Love to travel, but worried about the environment?
Eat your heart out (玩笑话)比你强多了!
Episode 190813 / 13 Aug 2019
Could this be the scariest phrase we’ve ever taught?
It’s like riding a bike 像骑自行车一样,学过就忘不了
Episode 190514 / 14 May 2019
What does rock climbing have to do with bikes?
Out of Order 办事欠妥当
Episode 190430 / 30 Apr 2019
What actions are considered out of order in your country?
“Dead” 在英式口语中的用法
Episode 190423 / 23 Apr 2019
Learn a new way to say ‘very’ in this week’s Authentic Real English
To have all your Christmases come at once 就像多个圣诞节同时到来一样 “鸿运当头”
Episode 181225 / 25 Dec 2018
Get that festive feeling again and again
Leaves a bad taste in your mouth “嘴里留下怪味” 的意思是什么?
Episode 181204 / 04 Dec 2018
Great food but a bad taste
Rub it in 反复讲别人不爱听的事情
Episode 180410 / 10 Apr 2018
An expression about reminding someone of something they'd rather forget.
To shout it from the rooftops “从屋顶喊话”的意思就是“让所有人都知道”
Episode 171205 / 05 Dec 2017
A phrase to shout about
A sting in the tail “尾巴有刺痛”原来是“煞风景”的意思
Episode 171024 / 24 Oct 2017
Learn a phrase with a painful ending
Wing it 的意思是“扇翅膀”吗?
Episode 170919 / 19 Sep 2017
Learn an informal expression for when you have to improvise
A different kettle of fish 截然不同的事
Episode 170307 / 07 Mar 2017
Fishing for a phrase? This could be the one for you
Rolling in it 财源滚滚,腰缠万贯
Episode 161122 / 17 Nov 2016
How much money do you need to roll around in it?
Wash your dirty linen in public 家丑外扬
Episode 161101 / 01 Nov 2016
An expression about not keeping matters private
Axe to grind 别有用心
Episode 161004 / 04 Oct 2016
An expression for when someone's got a strong opinion
Pull something out of the hat 突施妙计
Episode 160816 / 16 Aug 2016
What surprising things come out of a hat?
Off the hook 脱身
Episode 160802 / 02 Aug 2016
Here's a phrase for when you free someone from an obligation
To make a mountain out of a molehill 小题大做
Episode 160719 / 19 Jul 2016
Don't overreact – use this phrase!
The last/final straw 忍无可忍,使人最终崩溃的一击
Episode 160712 / 12 Jul 2016
Something tiny can cause a lot of problems
The university of life 生活经历
Episode 160705 / 28 Jun 2016
Where's the best place to learn about life?
White / blue-collar worker 白领,蓝领
Episode 160628 / 28 Jun 2016
When the colour of your clothes describes your job
Drama queen 小题大做的人
Episode 160621 / 21 Jun 2016
Here's a phrase to describe someone who overreacts easily
It's on the cards 这件事十有八九会发生
Episode 160614 / 14 Jun 2016
Learn a different way of saying that something is likely to happen
Clean up your act 改邪归正
Episode 160531 / 31 May 2016
Someone behaving badly? Here's a phrase that tells them what to do
You're pulling my leg! 你在愚弄我!
Episode 160524 / 24 May 2016
Looking to fool someone? Here is a phrase that involves pulling a part of your body!
One good turn deserves another 以德报德,礼尚往来
Episode 160517 / 17 May 2016
Has someone helped you with something? If so, here's a phrase that tells you what to do next
To fall at the first hurdle 跌倒在第一关
Episode 160510 / 10 May 2016
Got an idea that's never going to work? Here is a phrase to describe the situation
Pain in the neck 令人讨厌的事情或人
Episode 160503 / 03 May 2016
Learn the phrase Helen needs to describe the headache her mobile phone company is causing her
Burn a hole in your pocket 有钱不花难受
Episode 160426 / 26 Apr 2016
Learn a vivid expression to describe someone who cannot save any money
To turn something upside down 把……翻个底朝天
Episode 160419 / 19 Apr 2016
To do a thorough search for something
A recipe for disaster 后患无穷
Episode 160405 / 05 Apr 2016
A phrase that means you're heading for disaster
You've sold it to me 我完全信你
Episode 160322 / 22 Mar 2016
Learn a different way to express 'you've convinced me'
Full of the joys of spring 非常高兴,充满喜悦
Episode 160315 / 15 Mar 2016
A seasonal idiom that puts you in a good mood
A leopard can't change its spots 江山易改,本性难移
Episode 160308 / 08 Mar 2016
Learn a phrase about keeping your bad habits
Six of one, half a dozen of the other 半斤八两,不相上下
Episode 160301 / 01 Mar 2016
This expression may not have anything to do with numbers
Test the water 试探,摸底
Episode 160223 / 23 Feb 2016
A water phrase which may have nothing to do with water
To lie through your teeth 睁眼说瞎话
Episode 160216 / 16 Feb 2016
Telling lies? Here's an honest phrase to use
To make a monkey out of me 捉弄我
Episode 160209 / 09 Feb 2016
Looking stupid? This is a phrase for you!
There's method to my madness 我有一个不合常理的办法
Episode 160126 / 26 Jan 2016
A phrase to describe your seemingly strange behaviour
In good nick 品质好、没有损坏
Episode 160119 / 19 Jan 2016
Learn a phrase to describe something in top condition
Cheap and cheerful 物美价廉
Episode 160112 / 12 Jan 2016
A phrase to describe an inexpensive but fun product
A bitter pill to swallow 不得不吞的苦药
Episode 160105 / 05 Jan 2016
Learn a phrase to describe having to accept something
I'm game 我很愿意
Episode 151222 / 22 Dec 2015
Neil is dying for a game of squash but Li is not game. Find out why…
That'll put hairs on your chest! 那会使你健康强壮!
Episode 151215 / 15 Dec 2015
An expression said when someone is about to have a strong alcoholic drink
To fancy someone 喜欢上了某人
Episode 151208 / 08 Dec 2015
They're getting on very well… maybe they 'fancy' each other?
Part of the furniture 常客,长期没有变动的人
Episode 151124 / 24 Nov 2015
Learn a new idiom about being around a long time
Sweet tooth 爱吃甜食
Episode 151117 / 17 Nov 2015
Do you have a sweet tooth? Is it something that you are born with or do you develop it?
Bumper-to-bumper 交通长龙
Episode 151110 / 10 Nov 2015
When a car bumper is almost touching another car bumper, you know the situation on the road is bad
Eye candy 虚有其表的人或物
Episode 151103 / 03 Nov 2015
Going out with a good-looking but uninteresting person?
Thingy 忘了名称的物或人
Episode 151027 / 27 Oct 2015
An expression for when you can't quite remember the names of people and things
Across the pond 大西洋彼岸
Episode 151020 / 20 Oct 2015
Learn an expression which makes an ocean sound very small indeed
People person 人缘好的人
Episode 151013 / 13 Oct 2015
Are you good at working with people? This expression might describe you
A steal 物美价廉就像是白送的
Episode 151006 / 06 Oct 2015
Have you paid very little money for something normally expensive? Learn an expression for when you find a bargain
Bull and bear market 牛市和熊市
Episode 150929 / 29 Sep 2015
Learn what you say when share prices rise and when they fall. We help you to understand financial terms
Social media words 社交媒体用语
Episode 150922 / 22 Sep 2015
'Trolls' and 'haters' are the people who want to annoy you. The names are part of the new vocabulary of social media
Don't give up the day job 做好眼下的工作,不要追求不可能成功的事情
Episode 150915 / 15 Sep 2015
If you don't think someone is very good at doing something what should you say? Here's a phrase to help you
A barrel of laughs “开心果”
Episode 150908 / 08 Sep 2015
What object is full of laughs? This is a phrase that describes someone who is fun
To know something like the back of your hand 了如指掌
Episode 150901 / 01 Sep 2015
Do you know a place very well? Are you able to find your way in a place without looking at any maps? Here is a way of saying it with help from your hand
A face for radio 其貌不扬
Episode 150825 / 25 Aug 2015
Do you have an attractive voice but ugly face? Here is a humorous way of saying it
Give me credit 称赞表扬我的功劳
Episode 150818 / 18 Aug 2015
Learn a phrase that's full of praise. You won't need a credit card to use this one
To keep the wolf from the door 勉强度日
Episode 150811 / 11 Aug 2015
Who's that knocking at the door? Someone's here to tell you you're in financial trouble
Hot desk 无固定办公桌的现代办公室
Episode 150804 / 04 Aug 2015
Hot-desking is a modern way of working in offices. Learn how to use this phrase as a noun and a verb
Out of juice 没电了
Episode 150728 / 28 Jul 2015
Oh no - your phone's out of battery. We have just the phrase you need!
The penny dropped 话终于听明白了
Episode 150721 / 21 Jul 2015
Have you finally understood something? We have the perfect expression for you!
Red tape 繁文缛节,官僚作风
Episode 150714 / 14 Jul 2015
Fed up with rules and regulations? You must learn this expression
Words for underwear 表示内衣裤的词语
Episode 150707 / 07 Jul 2015
What do you call your panties, socks and bra? Listen to the programme to find out
To drink someone under the table 酒量胜人一筹
Episode 150630 / 30 Jun 2015
Drink to celebrate the good things in life, drink to forget the bad. Here's an expression for people who like an alcoholic drink
Me time 私人专属时间
Episode 150623 / 23 Jun 2015
Both work and home demand lots of your time but what you really want is a few hours just to yourself. Here's an expression for that moment
Out for the count (拳击)输了,熟睡
Episode 150217 / 17 Feb 2015
Rob and Li talk about how a boxing expression can be used in everyday life.
Game changer 改变游戏规则的人或物
Episode 150210 / 10 Feb 2015
Feifei and Harry use an expression for people and ideas that change the way we do things
Wow factor 让人发出惊叹叫好的东西
Episode 150203 / 03 Feb 2015
Harry and Feifei look at an expression for when things surprise and impress you
Full-on 形容精神强烈紧张的短语
Episode 150127 / 27 Jan 2015
Neil and Feifei talk about a common colloquial expression for when things are intense