每日一词 130| slippery slope

认识这个词(基础篇)   

词:slippery slope

英英释义:a bad situation or habit which, after it has started, is likely to get very much worse

例句:Once you start to lie, you are on a slippery slope.

2. 体会这个词 (进阶篇)

“slippery slope”是个习惯表达,它的字面意思是“光滑的斜坡”,常用来表示“滑向深渊的道路”,如果不及时采取措施这种状况就会变得更糟。它是个非常形象、适合用在口语和写作中的精彩表达,当我们想表达“something becomes worse”时就可以用 slippery slope 来替换。

比如我们常说,撒了一个谎,结果需要无数个谎言来弥补,结果就会一步错步步错,就可以用“slippery slope”说成:

Once you start to lie, you are on a slippery slope.

或者

The first fib can put you on a slippery slope to bigger lies.

我们还常说“拆东墙补西墙”,时间久了就会越来越糟糕,债台高筑。这时就可以说:

We've been on a slippery slope of borrowing more money to pay off the debts we already owe.

或者

Over-borrowing will inevitably lead the borrower down a slippery slope.

《经济学人》中也经常用到 slippery slope,比如在报道“协助死亡”(assisted dying)时说:

And evidence from places that have allowed assisted dying suggests that there is no slippery slope towards widespread euthanasia.(这句话是说允许协助死亡并不会导致越来越多的人选择安乐死)

slippery slope 和我们之前学过的 go downhill 差不过,可以借此复习一下 downhill(点击直接跳转)的用法。

3. 从认识到会用(作业)

be on a/​the slippery slope to something

1)翻译下面的句子:

他的傲慢与固执将注定他会走向失败。

(参考翻译: His arrogance and obstinacy will lead him down a slippery slope to failure. )

2)结合自己的生活、学习、工作、兴趣等,想象在什么语境下会用到这个表达。先简要描述这个场景,再造句。

场景:  你所做的只会让你越来越糟。

造句:What you have done will just lead you down a slippery slope. 


例句: You're on a slippery slope once you start lying about your age! 

 His behavior will lead him down a slippery slope to ruin.

he is on the slippery slope toward a life of crime.

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