放大圖片
■一本打開了的書an open book寓意公開、沒有隱藏、容易理解的人或事。 資料圖片
書本放在桌上,沒打開,沒讀過,書的內容當然無從知曉,書屬於甚麼類型也不知道。這就是一本閉上的書a closed book。
a closed book 人事不熟悉
英文以a closed book作為比喻,寓意一些看不清、摸不透、不明白、不熟悉的人和事。
Chemistry is a closed book to me. I don't really understand those scientific experiments.
化學於我是一本從未打開過的書。我不明白那些科學實驗。
The new comer seems very secretive. He is a closed book and nobody knows anything about his background or past experience.
新來的人神神秘秘的,像是一本閉上的書,沒有人知道他的背景或者過往經驗。
They can't run the school like a closed book. Parents have the right to know what is happening to their children.
他們不能把學校當作一本絕密的書來管理。家長有權知道孩子上學的情況。
a closed book 事情解決
不過,換個角度看,書合上了,亦可能因為讀完了、結束了。因此,a closed book亦可以解作一件已經解決了的事,不再需要處理。
The court has made a verdict and the problem should be a closed book now.
法院已經作出裁決,這個問題現在應該像本閉上了的書,告終了。
People will not consider the case a closed book unless apologies and compensations are made.
除非獲得道歉和賠償,否則人們不會當這件事已經結案了。
an open book 開誠布公
另外,英文也會用一本打開了的書an open book作比喻,寓意公開、沒有隱藏、容易理解的人或事。一個人被形容為an open book,表示這個人的想法或感受容易被人看透。
Communication is never an open book. There is much to be learnt.
人際溝通從來不是開卷閱讀,坦坦白白。有很多奧妙需要學習。
He has tried to be an open book but people still find him suspicious.
他曾經嘗試像一本打開的書一樣,開誠布公,可是人們依然心存疑忌。
一本書,打開了,讓人看個清楚,使人明白理解。閉上了,讓人看不清、摸不透,又或許閉上了,有事過境遷的意思。這就是英文這兩個open book和closed book比喻的寓意。 ■Lina CHU
linachu88@netvigator.com
逢星期三見報
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