The english we speak(BBC教學)第234期:The penny dropped 恍然大悟

Rob and Feifei go out shopping. She has lots of money but Rob doesn't. Why is Rob so poor? Will Feifei realise the reason why? Listen to the programme to find out.

羅布和菲菲外出購物。菲菲很有錢，可是羅布沒錢。爲什麼羅布這麼窮？菲菲會說出原因嗎？請收聽本期節目並找出答案。

Feifei: I love this shop, Rob! It has everything you need and then things you don't even know you need! Look at this suitcase! Real leather. Very smart. I'm getting the beige one. Take the black one for yourself, Rob.

菲菲：羅布，我喜歡這家店！店裏有你需要的所有東西，還有你都不知道你會需要的東西！看看這個手提箱！真皮的，非常高檔。我要買米色的。羅布，你買黑色的吧。

Rob: I can't buy anything at the moment, Feifei. I haven't got any money.

羅布：菲菲，我現在什麼都買不了。我沒有錢。

Feifei: You should save some money so you can buy things like this. Here — this one is a bit smaller and costs less… Oh, mine is big and luxurious though…

菲菲：你應該攢點錢，這樣你就能買這種商品了。看，這個手提箱號兒小，也便宜……哦，不過我的手提箱又大又奢華……

Rob: I did save some money but I lent it to a friend last month and I'm still waiting to be paid back.

羅布：我的確攢了些錢，不過我上個月把錢借給我朋友了，朋友還沒有還我錢。

Feifei: Oh, Rob. You shouldn't lend money to just anybody… Oh! I love that handbag too…

菲菲：哦，羅布。你不應該借別人錢……哦！我也喜歡這個手提包……

Rob: Really?! Yes, last month someone came to me and said she needed some cash desperately for the rent.

羅布：真的嗎？上個月有朋友來找我，她說她急需現金付房租。

Feifei: Oh… Oh, that's right! It was me… Sorry, Rob. I completely forgot…

菲菲：哦，哦，沒錯！是我借的錢……抱歉，羅布。我完全把這事忘了……

Rob: Well, finally the penny dropped!

羅布：嗯，你終於明白了！

Feifei: Where? Where? You can't be dropping your pennies if you need cash! Let me help you to find them.

菲菲：在哪兒呢？在哪兒？如果你需要現金，就不能把便士丟到地上！我來幫你找吧。

Rob: It's not on the floor, Feifei. In English when we say 'the penny dropped' we mean somebody has finally realised or understood something.

羅布：菲菲，不在地上。在英語中，the penny dropped這個短語的意思是某人終於明白或理解了某事。

Feifei: Well, so let's hear some examples of how this expression is used.

菲菲：好，我們來聽些例句，看看這個短語如何應用。

Examples

例句

Susan keeps postponing the wedding, Joe. When is the penny going to drop? She doesn't love you!

喬，蘇珊一直在推遲婚禮日期。你什麼時候才能明白？她根本不愛你！

If your boss doesn't appreciate you, why not leave a job advert from another company on your desk? That will make the penny drop!

如果你的老闆不賞識你，你爲什麼不在桌上放一張其他公司的招聘廣告呢？到時他就明白了！

Feifei: What an interesting expression. I'll pay you back, Rob. I promise.

菲菲：這個表達方式真有趣。羅布，我會還你錢的，我保證。

Rob: Thank you. I'm glad because I want to buy one of these suitcases and they cost a pretty penny.

羅布：謝謝你。我很高興，因爲我也要買一個這種手提箱，雖然這種手提箱很貴。

Feifei: Oh! Enough penny expressions for today, Rob. Bye!

菲菲：哦！羅布，今天我們已經說了太多有關便士的表達方式了。再見！

Rob: Bye bye!

羅布：再見！

譯文屬僅供學習交流使用，未經許可請勿轉載

重點講解：
1. at the moment 此刻；目前；眼下；
例句：I think she feels desperately wounded and unloved at the moment.
我想她此刻定會覺得受到了極大的傷害，無人關愛。
2. pay back 償還；
例句：I'll pay you back that two quid tomorrow.
我明天還你那兩英鎊。
3. the penny dropped 恍然大悟；茅塞頓開；突然回過神來；
例句：'Did he know who you are?' — 'I think so. I think the penny dropped.'
“他知道你是誰嗎？”——“我想是的。我覺得他是突然想到的。”
4. why not do sth. 表示建議，爲什麼（不）；
例句：Why not give Claire a call?
爲什麼不給克萊爾打個電話？