
球類比賽一直非常流行,不單是一種運動,也是一種娛樂。足球、籃球、排球等等都有不少本地或國際賽事,現場或轉播都吸引大量觀眾。球賽吸睛不單只在於勝負,還有球員在球場上表現出來的技術水平、應變能力和合作精神。球賽中的各種舉動亦引申用於日常語文中。
足球比賽,技術高超的足球員一球在腳就可一展所長,足以左右球賽。所以have the ball at one's feet(控球在腳),即是指處於有利位置,有條件、有機會,成功在望。
He thought he had the ball at his feet when he got his degree.
他拿了學位之後,覺得自己有條件,成功在望。
The rising star has the ball at her feet. She sings well and is well-liked by many people.
那個新晉女星發展勢頭很好,有前途,歌藝好,而且很多觀眾喜歡她。
You may not have the ball at your feet now. But you can work hard and wait for your chance.
你現在可能尚未順風順水,未有機會。不過你可以努力工作,等待時機來臨。
球員在球賽中需要全神貫注,把全部注意力集中在球上,所以有get / be on the ball(看緊球)的說法。有說這短語源自棒球,亦有說是源於足球,但其實無論任何球賽,都需要球員在場內集中精神,經常放眼在球上keep an eye on the ball,隨時預備迎接來球,即時作出最好的行動。因此be on the ball用作比喻經常保持警覺,留心周圍發展,迅速掌握發生的狀況,作出敏捷反應。
He has flu today. He looks dumb and is not on the ball.
他今天染了感冒,有點呆滯,不甚集中,不在狀態。
If they had been on the ball, they would not have been cheated by the scam.
如果他們一直保持警惕,留心時事,就不會誤墮騙局。
The situation is rather chaotic. We need to be on the ball and act intelligently.
現時狀況相當混亂,我們必須保持警覺,採取明智行動。
隊際球類比賽中,除了專注力,還要講求與隊友的合作性,所以亦有短語play ball with someone(與別人一起打球)。不是真的說與某人玩球類運動,而是指與某人合作,願意與他一起工作,甚或依照他的意願方式做事。
His parents wanted him to study abroad but he refused to play ball.
父母想他到海外升學,但是他不聽從。
The president did not want to play ball with the senators.
總統不想與各位參議員合作,不想順從他們的意願。
The workers finally played ball with the management and agreed to follow the new rules.
工人最終與管理層合作,同意遵守新規則。
這些日常短語都取材於球類運動,曾經參與或觀看球賽的人都會理解,很容易就可以把球賽的一些描寫聯想到其他相關意思,再靈活運用。■Lina CHU
linachu88@gmail.com
隔星期五見報