這句話直譯是「一直被盯著的壺永遠燒不開」,意思就是「不要一直盯著在煮的水,或者一直掀鍋蓋看水燒開了沒,因為越這樣做,越會覺得水一直燒不開」。這句話是勸人要有耐心等待,因為越心急,等待的時間就會顯得特別長。相信大家都有這種經驗:期待某件事趕快來臨,因此再三期盼、多方干涉,可是很多時候「食緊弄破碗」,最後還是得按部就班、乖乖等待,可見a watched pot never boils還是有其道理的。
A: Gee, why is this bus going so slow? When are we going to get to school?
B: Relax. We’ll get there one of these days.
A: And why is this semester dragging on? When will winter vacation start?
B: It’s just around the corner. You’ll definitely know when it comes.
A: And when will Lily agree to go out with me? I really can’t wait!
B: A watched pot never boils. Can you quit being such a nervous wreck?
A: 天啊,這巴士怎麼開這麼慢?我們什麼時候才會到學校?
B: 放輕鬆,總有一天會到啦。
A: 而且這學期怎麼過那麼慢?何時才會放寒假?
B: 快啦,放的時候你一定會知道啦!
A: 還有麗麗何時才會答應和我約會?我等不及啦。
B: 心急水不沸,你可不可以不要什麼事都這麼神經緊張啊?
單字
1. relax (v.) 放輕鬆
2. semester (n.) 學期
3. summer vacation 暑假
4. definitely (adv.) 必定地
5. watch (v.) 注視
6. boil (v.) 沸騰
7. nervous (adj.) 神經過敏的;神經質的
8. wreck (n.) 衰弱的人
1. drag on拖延;拖長
例The meeting dragged on for two hours without any conclusion being reached.(這會議拖了兩小時,沒有達成任何結論。)
2. around the corner 即將來臨
例I can’t believe Thanksgiving is around the corner!(真不敢相信感恩節即將來臨!)
3. quit doing… 停止做…
例Would you quit being such a baby? I can’t stand living with you anymore.(你可不可以不要這麼小孩子氣?我再也沒辦法忍受和你住在一起了。)
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