All at sea 一片茫然,不知所措 | 與BBC一起學英語

內容簡介

「船隻迷失在茫茫大海中」 的情況啟發了一個英語表達——「all at sea」。主持人 Neil 買了一艘新船,在他準備出海之際,親身體會了這個表達的意思。「All at sea」 的實際意思是什麼?聽對話,學習這個源自航海的 「地道英語」 表達。

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(關於台詞的備註: 請注意這不是廣播節目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能沒有體現錄製、編輯過程中對節目做出的改變。)

Jiaying
大家好,歡迎收聽 BBC英語教學的 「道地英語」 節目,我是佳瑩。

Neil
… and me, Neil. Hey, Jiaying, have you seen what I’ve bought?

Jiaying
Yes, you’ve bought a boat, and you’ve been bragging about it on social media.

Neil
It’s great, isn’t it? Now I can have fun on the water and sail the seven seas, although there is a problem.

Jiaying
Oh, yes? What’s that?

Neil
It didn’t come with any instructions. I don’t know how the engine starts, how to drive it or even launch it into the water!

Jiaying
Oh, Neil. It seems like you’re all at sea with your new boat.

Neil
I’m nowhere near the sea, or even a river! I haven’t launched it yet.

Jiaying
我不是說你 「在海上」,我是說你 「覺得茫然困惑」。我們用表達 「all at sea」 來形容某人 「感到不知所措,毫無頭緒」。Neil,雖然這個表達的本意是 「船在海上迷失了方向」,但現在用來形容某人 「感到糊塗、迷惑」。Here are some examples…

Examples
People are all at sea with this new one-way system in the city. They’re not sure how to get into the centre!

I’ve lost my smartphone and I’m all at sea about how to contact my friends.

I’m all at sea with this new rota – I’m not sure what I am doing today.

Jiaying
你正在收聽的是 BBC英語教學的 「地道英語」 節目。我們正在介紹表達 「all at sea」,意思是 「感到茫然,不知所措」。And, Neil, you’re all at sea with your new boat!

Neil
I am, but I think I can work it out.

Jiaying
Are you sure? You don’t want to get stranded out at sea!

Neil
Yes! It’s just like driving a car, isn’t it? I’ll take it down to the coast and give it a try.

Jiaying
Oh, dear. I think instead of being all at sea, Neil’s going to just be at sea – forever! Good luck.

Neil
Bye.

Jiaying
Bye!