地道美語表達【62】鮮花還需綠葉襯

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Bring out這個片語大家都知道是“產生,帶來”的意思,但是你們是否知道它還有“使顯露,襯托”的意思呢?比如He brought out the significant aspects of the problem,這個句子的意思是:他揭示了問題的重要方面。這里bring out 作“顯露,揭示,揭露”講,相當于make clear; reveal; demonstrate,在許多情況下,這個片語是作“襯托”講,先看下面的例句:
    Kelly is wearing a new outfit, that shade looks good on her. It brings out the blue in her eyes.
    (譯文:Kelly穿了套新衣服,那顏色看起來很適合他,它襯托出他的藍眼睛。)
    當片語bring out 作為“襯托”講時相當于foil. 其實這個意思也是從本意“帶來,帶出”之意發(fā)展而來的,大家可以仔細體會一下。To bring out something is to serve as a foil to. 再兩個例子:
    I think that situations in the face of threat can bring out the best in people.
    (譯文:我認為越是面臨威脅,才能襯托出人性的美好。)
    接下來我們要向朋友們介紹今天的第二個片語lay it on thick. 記得筆者在讀書時跟著一位書法家專門學習過書法,自認懂得點入門之道,所以隨便“創(chuàng)作”了一幅,不料同事見了,嘖嘖稱贊,一致奉我為大書法家。
    My workmates considered my handwriting work a great artwork. But I think they're just laying it on a little thick.
    (譯文:我同事把我的書法作品視為一件偉大的藝術品。但我想他們實在是有點言過其實。)
    lay it on thick在這里的意思是“捧得過分,過分恭維”,The idiom refers to someone who praises other people or something too much, especially in order to get what he or she wants.我們說贊美別人要有藝術,捧得過分就是“拍馬*拍到馬蹄子上去了”看下面這個句子是如何描述的:
    When we compliment others, we must find something specific to praise and make sure our compliments are sincere, otherwise, they will think we're laying it on a little thick.
    (譯文:當稱贊別人時,我們必須針對具體的事來稱贊并確定我們的稱贊是誠心的,否則,他們會認為我們有點言過其實。)
    結束語:要說隔壁的小靚國色天香,實在是有點言過其實(lay it on thick),俗話說鮮花還需綠葉襯(bring out),難怪她常與那個長得很丑的女人進進出出,當然就顯得自己漂亮多了嘛!