最近我想去剪個(gè)新發(fā)型。雖然發(fā)廊很多,但是因?yàn)閯倎淼竭@個(gè)新城市,對(duì)哪家發(fā)廊好一點(diǎn)都沒有概念。不過,幸好有互聯(lián)網(wǎng),只要到特定的網(wǎng)站去搜索一下,哪些發(fā)型師的評(píng)價(jià)好就一目了然了。在美語里,我們可以用一個(gè)習(xí)慣用語來形容這種情形: ferret out.
Ferret作為動(dòng)詞,意思是搜尋,尋找。Ferret out作為一個(gè)詞組,是通過全面查找而搜尋出來的意思。
在上面的例子里,通過網(wǎng)上的顧客評(píng)論: I can ferret out the poor service providers from the good ones. 我能很容易找到好的和差的服務(wù)。在下面的例子里,一名男子堅(jiān)持要參加訓(xùn)練最嚴(yán)酷的特種部隊(duì)。我們來聽聽他爸爸是怎么說的:
I support my son wanting to enlist in the military. But he's determined to join one of the toughest units in the world. Their basic training involves physical, mental and emotional challenges that nearly impossible to endure. They ferret out the weaker candidates within days.
這段話是說:我支持兒子想去參軍的打算。但是他堅(jiān)決要參加世界上訓(xùn)練最嚴(yán)酷的軍種之一。他們的基本訓(xùn)練包括對(duì)體能,精神和情緒的極限挑戰(zhàn)。他們?cè)趲滋靸?nèi)就能把不夠強(qiáng)壯的候選人淘汰掉。
這人說的一定是那些在泥里爬,冰水里游泳,然后每天只睡四個(gè)小時(shí)的特種部隊(duì)。我真不明白人類怎么能忍受這些。
我記得,原來我去參加一個(gè)鋼琴比賽的選拔,the judges quickly ferreted out everyone but the most exceptional talents, 評(píng)委們很快就挑選出了最杰出的人才。
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在工作中,大家都討厭那種干活拖拉,或者光拿錢不干事的人。在下面例子里,一間工廠就發(fā)生了這種事。讓我們來聽聽他們的發(fā)言人是怎么說的:
It was announced that some workers got paid overtime that they hadn't worked. The accounting department is reviewing all recent records. They're ferreting out any fraud. The employees responsible can expect to be punished.
這段話是說:據(jù)稱有些工人沒加班就擅自領(lǐng)取加班費(fèi)?,F(xiàn)在會(huì)計(jì)部門正在審核所有紀(jì)錄。他們將撤查任何舞弊行為。那些應(yīng)當(dāng)對(duì)此負(fù)責(zé)的人將受到懲罰。
干了缺德事,總是會(huì)被發(fā)現(xiàn)的。我記得原來大學(xué)在一間旅游公司實(shí)習(xí),人們發(fā)現(xiàn)一些導(dǎo)游強(qiáng)行多收了游客的錢。It didn't take long for the boss to ferret out abuses and fire those employees. 老板沒過多久就發(fā)現(xiàn)了這種行為,炒了那些導(dǎo)游的魷魚。