外文新知

2023/04/16

以if開場的3句慣用語(二)


以if開場的3句慣用語(二)

2、If the worse comes to the worst
此語的意思是「如果情況變得更糟、到了萬不得已的時候」,常用來表示已做好最壞的打算。第一個worse也可以寫成worst。

★ If the worst comes to the worst, I could sell my apartment and move back with my parents.
倘若最壞的情況發生,我可以賣掉我的公寓,回去跟父母住。

在口語上,有時候會省略掉the,變成worse comes to worst:

★ If worse comes to worst, you can always ask me for help.
萬一情況更糟,你也可以找我幫忙。

3、If it's not one thing, it's another.
這句話是指在短時間內事情接二連三地出錯,讓人措手不及,有「一波未平,一波又起」或成語「禍不單行」的意味。

★ I'm having bad luck. If it's not one thing, it's another.
我真倒楣,事情一波未平,一波又起。

★ First the power goes out, now the printer isn't working—I tell you, if it's not one thing, it's another!
一開始是停電,接下來是印表機壞掉,真是狀況百出,錯誤連連。