點滴英語天天學第197期:雅思詞彙(36)
1.表述：lame duck
釋義：Someone or something that needs help.（需要幫助的人，無用的人）
例句：The company started as a lame duck that was saved by an innovative entrepreneur who decided to take some risks and go in a new direction.
這家公司開始時是一家瀕臨破產的公司，但是被一個有創新精神的企業家拯救了，他決定冒險，走一條新的路。
The water plant is a lame duck and the worker reacted with anger and frustration to the closure of the factory.
這家水產公司倒閉了，工人們對此感到十分氣憤和失望。
2.表述：fly in the ointment
釋義： A small, unpleasant matter that spoils something. （美中不足）
例句：The only fly in the ointment in an otherwise perfect wedding day was the fact that the bride tripped when walking down the aisle.
唯一美中不足的是，在一個完美的婚禮上，新娘走下通道時絆倒了。
We enjoyed the play, but the fly in the ointment was not being able to find my hat afterward.
我們很喜歡這齣戲，但美中不足的是後來找不到我的帽子。
It sounds like a good idea but there must be a fly in the ointment somewhere.
這主意聽起來不錯，但肯定有美中不足的地方。
I like the house but the fly in the ointment is that the commute is a little far away from my company.
我喜歡那套房子，但美中不足的是離公司有點遠。
3. 表述：white elephant
釋義： An expensive item that is troublesome or useless. （昂貴而無用的重物）
例句：At first, Eve was excited to inherit the farm, but it soon proved to be a white elephant she couldn't afford.
起初，伊芙很高興能繼承這個農場，但很快就發現它是一個她負擔不起的累贅。
Bob's father-in-law has given him an old Rolls Royce, but it's a real white elephant. He has no place to park it and can't afford the gas for it.
鮑勃的岳父給了他一輛舊的勞斯萊斯汽車，可是那輛車真是個累贅。他沒有地方停車，也買不起汽油。
Those antique vases Aunt Mary gave me are white elephants. They're ugly and I have no place to put them.
瑪麗阿姨給我的那些古董花瓶真是累贅。它們很醜，我沒有地方放它們。
