點滴英語天天學第319期:雅思詞彙(179)

1. Expression：have the upper hand

Explanation：A position superior to someone; the advantage of someone. （優勢，優越地位，佔上風）

Example：Now that the housing market has slowed down, the buyers have the upper hand. With fewer buyers in the market, the sellers are being forced to cut their prices.

如今，房地產市場的成長速度開始放緩，買方開始佔據優勢。因爲買房子的人比以前少了，所以賣房子的人不得不降價出售。

The corporation really has the upper hand here. The employees can't dispute the corporation's settlement because they can't afford to stay out of work. The corporation therefore can offer them a ridiculously small amount.

在這種情況下，佔上風的一方是公司。僱員因爲無法承擔不去工作的經濟負擔，所以不會質疑公司的解決方案。公司只要給他們少得可笑的一筆小錢就可以了事了。

John is always trying to get the upper hand on someone. He never ends up having the upper hand, though.

約翰總是想佔別人的上風，但他始終做不到。

2. Expression：gain the upper hand

Explanation：A position superior to someone. （佔優勢，佔上風）

Example：The stern mother has gained the upper hand of the family.

這位嚴厲的母親掌管了全家。

The two sides were so well-matched that neither could gain the upper hand.

雙方勢均力敵，誰也不能佔上風。

We've been doing everything we can for your father, but I'm afraid the cancer is gaining the upper hand.

我們已經爲你父親做了我們所能做的一切，但恐怕癌症，我們制服不了。

I try to be cool and sensible but sometimes my feelings gain the upper hand .

我力圖冷靜和理智，但有時候愛感情用事。

3. Expression：take the inside track

Explanation：A position superior to someone. （佔上風，處於優勢地位）

Example：It would be a fine consummation to take the inside track and drive him like a herd of sheep.

要是能佔了他的上風，把他像羊似的趕來趕去，那倒是件無比的妙事。

The two companies were neck and neck for years, but Mayers International seems to take the inside track in the markets lately.

這兩家公司多年來一直勢均力敵，但邁爾斯國際公司最近似乎在市場上佔了上風。