BEC口语：2011年商务英语必备的流行美语2

　　2011年商务英语必备的流行美语2

　　1.be short of hands 缺乏人手，人手不够

　　short作表语时指"某物不够，缺乏某物"的意思，常与介词of搭配使用，既短语be short of something.

　　A: You look worried about something. What's the matter? 你好像很着急，怎么了？

　　B: My computer isn't working and I have got an important contract to type. 我的电脑坏了，可我还有一份重要合同要打出来。

　　A: Why don't you call the computer company? 你为什么不给计算机公司打个电话？

　　B: I did, but they said the company was short of hands and couldn't send any man today. 我打了，可他们说人手不够，今天不能派人来。

　　A: What should I do? 我该怎么办呢？

　　2.be supposed to 认为应该，必须；认为可以

　　此语用被动语态表示"被许多人相信",如：The castle is supposed to be haunted.（人们都说那座城堡闹鬼。）此语在口语中表示"认为可以做某事",如：None of us girls is supposed to smoke.（我们女孩子都不吸烟。）此语中的supposed是动词的过去式，supposed作为形容词，意指"假定的，被信以为真的，想象中的".

　　A: The train was supposed to get to Beijing at eight o'clock. 火车该八点钟到北京。

　　B: Eight o'clock? It's already eight-thirty. 八点？现在都八点半了。

　　A: What if he didn't see us? 要是他没看见我们怎么办？

　　B: He would take a taxi, I think. 他会打出租车的。

　　A: Maybe the train is late. 不会是火车晚点了吧。

　　B: It is impossible. I have heard the broadcast. 不可能。我已听见广播了。

　　3.be too quick on the trigger 操之过急，行动过于仓促

　　trigger指枪的"扳机，触发器".该习语直译为"过早地扣动扳机",引申为"行动过于仓促，操之过急".

　　A: You shouldn't have had Bob do that job. He is still a green hand. 你不该让鲍勃做那项工作，他毕竟还是一个新手。

　　B: But he needs to be given a chance. 但是他也需要机会呀！

　　A: You should not have been too quick on the trigger. 可你不该太性急呀！

　　4.bear down 加倍努力

　　该习语本身就有"竭尽全力、加紧努力"的意思。例如：You will bear down if you expect to pass the exam. （你要是指望考试及格的话，就得加一把劲。）

　　A: If we can't finish the work before deadline, we will be fined according to the contract. 如果我们不能在规定的期限内完成工作，根据合同，我们将会被罚款。

　　B: We are already bearing down to do the work. 我们已经在很努力地工作了。

　　A: I know. What I mean is that we should improve our efficiency. 我知道。我的意思是我们必须提高效率。

　　5.beat someone at his own game 将计就计地惩罚某人

　　习惯用语beat someone at his own game直译为"以某人自己设计的把戏打击某人",与汉语的"将计就计"近似。

　　A: You seem to be worried about something. 你看上去很担心。

　　B: Yeah. I don't know how to deal with that smart businessman. 是呀。我不知道该怎么对付那个狡猾的商人。

　　A: Don't worry. Let's beat him at his own game. 别担心，我们可以将计就计。

　　B: A good idea. 好主意。