追美劇《生活大爆炸》學口語（5）

　　劇情梗概：Sheldon來找Amy一起下班，正巧Amy在實驗室為小猴子做恐懼視覺反應實驗，Sheldon也不自覺地成了實驗對象。

　　對話文字：

　　Amy: Test subject D7, aka Besty, fear response study. Image number one: Frenchman on bicycle carrying baguettes.

　　Amy: No visible reaction. Image number two: Sousaphone.

　　Amy: Still no reaction. Okay. *Let’s kick things up a notch. Image number three: crocodile with a mouthful of monkeys. Okay, now we’re talking.

　　Sheldon: Dr. Fowler?

　　Amy: What do you want, Sheldon?

　　Sheldon: Well, I’m done with work, so…

　　Amy: Oh, sorry, sorry, sorry. Sorry, uh… Better?

　　Sheldon: Oh, baguettes. Yes, I like baguettes. What exactly are you doing?

　　Amy: Determining baseline fear levels in capuchin monkeys by measuring their response to visual stimuli.

　　Sheldon: So, goofing off. As I was saying, I’m done with work and Leonard’ s not. So good new, you get to take me home. *Play your cards right, I’ll let you drive me past the lot where the buses park at night.

　　Amy: I’m very busy. Besides, why would I want to do you a favor after the way you treated me in the cafeteria?

　　Amy: Image number four: boa constrictor.

　　對話精講：

　　*kick things up a notch: 這是一個非常口語化的說法。Amy做實驗，測試小猴子對不同圖片的反應，可是小猴子對前兩張圖都無動于衷。所以，Amy說，“Let’s kick things up a notch. ” 這里的意思就是要加大點圖片的刺激強度。口語中，人們也會說”Kick it up a notch“， 可以用在不同的情況之中，意思都表示要讓事情更有趣、更讓人興奮，提高強度。比如在做菜時，你可以說：kick it up a notch with fresh garlic (放些鮮蒜提味)。

　　*play your cards right: 玩牌的時候，你是不是要絞盡腦汁、費盡心機地洞察牌局，再琢磨如何出牌?這個短語從字面上與打牌有關，意思就是“做事有心計、辦事高明”。 例如：If you play your cards right, the job could be yours when she leaves. (如果你夠有心計，等她走了，這個工作就是你的了。)