「我地呢班打工仔/通街走糴直頭係壞腸胃/搵個些少到月底點夠使(奀過鬼)/確係認真濕滯/最弊波士郁礸o威……」上班一族耳熟能詳的歌曲啊!「五一」勞動節正好告訴我們這班勞動階層(working stiff)要不是個工作狂(workaholic),都應該有一天假期。平日我們如蜜蜂般營營役役地工作(work oneself up into a lather/ work one's tail off),勞動節的確是報答我們這班勞苦大眾,不斷為社會流出汗水。
工人與工作總是離不開的,正如英文裡的(worker)與(work)關係密切。英文裡也有很多借用了(work)字作為慣用語。
1.Get down to work:專注工作
Hey, let's get down to work here!
我們快快投入工作吧!
2.Get worked up over something:生氣
Don't get worked up over the garden. I'll take care of it tomorrow.
不要為園子的事務而生氣,我明天會好好管理它的。
3.Make short work of something:趕工
I made short work of the assignment and moved on to the next job.
我趕緊把手頭的工作忙完,才著手下一項任務。
4.Work like a horse:辛勞工作
Janet works like a horse!
珍妮辛勞地工作。
5.Work out for the best:盡力完成
The divorce worked out for the best for the whole family.
對這個家庭來說,離婚是最好的解決方案。
6.Work something off:減重
She went to the gym to work off a few pounds.
她為了減重而做體操。
7.Throw a monkey wrench in the works:打擾
I hate to throw a monkey wrench in the works, but don't you think we should ask Peter to help?
我討厭打擾工作的進度,但是你不認為我們應該尋求彼德的幫忙嗎?
工人的地位漸次提升,代表工人與僱主的協商與議價能力的提升。因此,我們不時看到世界各地都有罷工事件(go on strike)。在現今這個大時代中,我們要是遇到不平的待遇,被佔了便宜(put-upon), 大可挺身而出,不平則鳴(stand out and speak up for yourself),屆時真的要多幾位像包青天包大人般的清官,辦案嚴正啊!
逢周三見報
香港專業進修學校
語言傳意學部講師 張燕珠、鍾麗珊
聯絡電郵:clc@hkct.edu.hk
學部網站:http://clc.hkct.edu.hk/
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