Lesson 216 - Open and Aboveboard / On the Up and Up
我们在这次节目里要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语都是指真实,可靠。我们已经讲过两个具有同样含义的习惯用语,它们是: On the level and kosher. 我们先来给大家介绍一个非常普遍的习惯用语。有的听众可能已经学过。
这个习惯用语就是: Open and aboveboard. Open这个字用处很多,在这里的意思是公开,aboveboard实际上可以分成两个字来理解,above就是在上面的意思,board是一块板,aboveboard就是在板上。所以,open and aboveboard就是一切都很公开,都放在桌面上,是大家都能看得清楚的。也可以说是一切都是光明正大的。我们来举一个例子吧。
这个例子里说话的人在告诉别人为什么他同意把钱投资在某一个公司。他说:
列句1: I looked at a lot of places to invest my money. But I decided to invest it in the Jones company. They have a reputation for being open and aboveboard, and I feel my money will be safe in their hands.
列句2: We're very pleased with this new manager. He handles everything open and aboveboard, so we know exactly what he's trying to do. Besides,he listens to our opinions and adopts our suggestions. I think we'll have more drive under him.
我们现在再给大家讲一个形容老实可靠的习惯用语。这个习惯用语就是: On the up and up. On the up and up跟on the level以及kosher的含义都差不多的。我们现在来举一个例子。这是一个选民在说他准备投谁的票。
列句3: I think I'll vote for senator Blank again. He's always been on the up and up with us voters - when he makes a promise he does his best to live up to it and men like that are hard to find.
列句4: You trust every word of what he said. Then you found out he's already married. He used up all your savings and now he's gone. Mary, don't think everyone is on the up and up with you. There're dishonest people around, got to be careful!