To start就是開(kāi)始,rolling是滾動(dòng)的意思。To start the ball rolling要是從字面來(lái)翻譯就是:開(kāi)始滾這個(gè)球。作為習(xí)慣用語(yǔ),它的意思就是:開(kāi)始一個(gè)活動(dòng)。我們經(jīng)常說(shuō),萬(wàn)事開(kāi)頭難。比如說(shuō),每當(dāng)逢年過(guò)節(jié)的時(shí)候,或者有什么事值得慶祝的時(shí)候,我們往往會(huì)組織一個(gè)晚會(huì),或者請(qǐng)幾個(gè)朋友到家來(lái)吃晚飯。在這種場(chǎng)合,一般在開(kāi)始的時(shí)候氣氛不會(huì)很輕松,總得要某個(gè)人帶個(gè)頭談一些有趣的事,或者說(shuō)個(gè)笑話才能使空氣融洽。下面就是一個(gè)例子:
"It looked like a dull party with everybody just sitting there. But Dick started the ball rolling by telling a couple of funny jokes, and then Jack brought out his guitar and sang some folk songs. People started singing along and we had a good time after all."
這個(gè)人說(shuō):“聚會(huì)一開(kāi)始,大家都坐在那里,看起來(lái)很沉悶。后來(lái),迪克講了兩個(gè)挺滑稽的笑話,總算開(kāi)了個(gè)頭。然后,杰克把他的吉他拿了出來(lái),還唱了幾首民歌。大家也都跟著一起唱。我們玩得很高興。”
當(dāng)然,to start the ball rolling這個(gè)習(xí)慣用語(yǔ)也可以用在嚴(yán)肅的場(chǎng)合。下面就是一個(gè)例子。這是一個(gè)公司的總經(jīng)理把手下各部門(mén)的主管都召集來(lái)開(kāi)會(huì)。他說(shuō):
"Okay, I've called this meeting to see what ideas we have for the new ad campaign. I'll start the ball rolling by telling you a few ideas I already have."
這句話的意思是:“行,我召開(kāi)這次會(huì)議是看看我們對(duì)于最近大力做廣告的活動(dòng)有些什么新的主意。我先來(lái)開(kāi)個(gè)頭,把我已經(jīng)想到的幾個(gè)想法給大家談一談。”
這句話里用了ad這個(gè)字。其實(shí),這個(gè)字是個(gè)縮略字,它的原形是:advertisement。Advertisement就是廣告的意思。
roll adj. 滾動(dòng),滾轉(zhuǎn),(使)搖擺,(使)搖晃,卷起,卷攏 vt. 輾,軋
He rolled himself from side to side. 他左右搖晃。
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