. 認識這個詞(基礎篇)? ?
詞:slippery slope
英英釋義: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. 體會這個詞 (進階篇)
“slippery slope”是個習慣表達,它的字面意思是“光滑的斜坡”,常用來表示“滑向深淵的道路”,如果不及時采取措施這種狀況就會變得更糟。它是個非常形象、適合用在口語和寫作中的精彩表達,當我們想表達“something becomes worse”時就可以用 slippery slope 來替換。
比如我們常說,撒了一個謊,結果需要無數個謊言來彌補,結果就會一步錯步步錯,就可以用“slippery slope”說成:
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.
我們還常說“拆東墻補西墻”,時間久了就會越來越糟糕,債臺高筑。這時就可以說:
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.
《經濟學人》中也經常用到 slippery slope,比如在報道“協助死亡”(assisted dying)時說:
And evidence from places that have allowed assisted dying suggests that there is no slippery slope towards widespread euthanasia.(這句話是說允許協助死亡并不會導致越來越多的人選擇安樂死)
slippery slope 和我們之前學過的 go downhill 差不過,可以借此復習一下 downhill(點擊直接跳轉)的用法。
3. 從認識到會用(作業)
1)翻譯下面的句子:
他的傲慢與固執將注定他會走向失敗。
(參考翻譯: His arrogance and obstinacy will lead him down a slippery slope to failure. )
2)結合自己的生活、學習、工作、興趣等,想象在什么語境下會用到這個表達。先簡要描述這個場景,再造句。
場景:? 貪婪是萬惡之源
造句:And evidence from prisons suggests that there is slippery slope towards evil once the door of greed? is opened.