Feifei
大家好，这里是 BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》节目。我是冯菲菲。
Rob
And hello, I’m Rob.
Feifei
Rob, it’s very kind of you to bring me to this cafe and to buy me a milkshake. 我特别喜欢 milkshakes 奶昔。
Rob
Err, did I say I was paying? Anyway, I wanted to talk to you about work…
Feifei
….mmm, strawberry, my favourite.
Rob
Errr, yes, mine too. But back to talking about work – you know we’re moving the desks around…
Feifei
Why do milkshakes taste so good? Oh, look, I’ve finished mine.
Rob
Yes… as I was trying to say, it looks like you’ve got the short straw.
Feifei
Oh, that’s why I’ve drunk my milkshake quicker than you – I had a short straw!
Rob
No, Feifei. Forget the milkshake. If you get the short straw, it means you’re the person in a group who gets the most unpleasant outcome in a situation.
Feifei
表达 “get the short straw” 的意思是在一组人当中，抽中了下下签，“不得不做最无趣的事情，干最苦的差事”。And why have I got the short straw?
Rob
Well, I’m afraid they’re moving your desk to just outside the toilet!
Feifei
We’ll see about that! Let’s hear some examples of other people who’ve got the short straw.
Examples
Looks like I’ve got the short straw – I’m doing the late shift while everyone else goes to the pub!
Oh, dear, Tom’s got do the washing up after our dinner party. Ha! Looks like he’s got the short straw.
We were given free tickets to the theatre, but I got the short straw because my seat was right at the back and I couldn’t see a thing!
Feifei
这里是 BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》节目。我们正在一起学习如何使用地道表达 “get/draw the short straw”，这个表达形容一个人因被选中而不得不干最困难的、最苦的差事。And Rob, you’re saying I’ve got the short straw in the office reshuffle?
Rob
Yes. That’s why I thought I’d take you for a milkshake as a way of making you feel better about it.
Feifei
You mean as a way of saying sorry more like. I’ve seen the new office plan and you were supposed to sit by the toilet but you changed the name to mine – what a cheek!
Rob
Well…errr… How about if I do pay for your milkshake?
Feifei
Maybe, if you buy me anothermilkshake.
Rob
Oh, OK, then… remind me what flavour?
Feifei
Strawberry – with two long straws.
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