美國之音之流行美語lesson302 rope somebody into something/spot

        LL: When you rope someone into something, it means that you convince them to do something they don't want to do.

        LH: 也就是說，如果你本來不想看這個電影，但是經(jīng)不起我軟磨硬泡，最后只好同意，就是被我rope into it.

        LL: Yup. But even if I didn't want to see this movie, I would have gone anyway. I owed you a favor after I roped you into going to the national Chia Pet convention with me.

        LH: 一個人情？我陪你去參加草頭娃娃展覽大會，你至少欠我五個人情。我到現(xiàn)在都不知道自己為什么會同意干這么傻的事！

        LL: Well what about the time you roped me into house-sitting your dog? I knew that was going to be a bad idea.

        LH: 你幫我照看snoopy難道不開心嗎？它那么可愛！

        LL: He would have been more adorable if he were house trained.

        LH: 我正在加緊訓練它不要隨地大小便，下星期還要麻煩你照顧它。

        LL: No way, you're not roping me into that again. But you know, you can also use that phrase when you play a trick on somebody.

        LH: Oh really?

        LL: Yes. For example...Wait a minute. Oh no! There's a sign that say Sex and the City is sold out!

        LH: Oh No! 我今天晚上看不成一定會急死的。

        LL: Wow. You are really gullible. I can't believe I roped you into that joke so easily. It's not sold out.

        ******

        LL: Uh oh Lihua, I think I forgot my wallet.

        LH: 不會吧？為什么我們每次出來你都“忘記”帶錢包呢？

        LL: I'm sorry. I was just so excited to find out what happens with Carrie, Samantha, Charlotte and Miranda that I completely forgot. Can you spot me?

        LH: Spot you? Spot you是什么意思??？哦，我知道了，你一定是在請求我的原諒。

        LL: Actually, no. Spotting somebody is like loaning somebody something, usually money.

        LH: 所以你是要跟我借錢買電影票？

        LL: Er... yes. But I think you owe me that favor. Remember last week when you were going to the store to buy some Chia Pets and I spotted you the money?

        LH: 那不算，因為草頭娃娃本來就是買給你的。那你說，spotting somebody跟picking up the tab意思一樣嗎？

        LL: "Picking up the tab" is usually only used to refer to paying the bill at a restaurant. "Spotting" is used mostly for small things and favors. You wouldn't use it for something big.

        LH: 你說spot只能用在小事上，那什么樣的事才算小事呢？

        LL: Well, for example, since my car is broken, I might need you to spot me a ride home after the movie.

        LH: 你是說我不僅要買票請你看電影，看完電影還要開車送你回家，你這個男朋友還真挺難伺候的。

        LL: Maybe, but it's worth it. You know, if you want to get really colloquial, you can also "bum" something off somebody.

        LH: 那bum可以用在什么事情上呢？大事還是小事？

        LL: "Bum" is only for little things. If I smoked and was out of cigarettes, I could ask to bum a cigarette off someone. But since my only addiction is gummy bears, I will need to bum a dollar off you to buy some candy in the theatre.

        LH: 什么？你還要買糖吃。你看人家《欲望都市》里的男人多紳士，從來不讓女人花錢。你得好好學學。

        LL: Well, you can't believe everything you see on TV, Lihua.

        今天李華學了兩個常用語。一個是rope somebody into something，意思是說服某人去干本來不愿意干的事。另一個是spot，意思是借東西，往往是借錢。