新冠疫情反覆，形勢多變，要妥善應對，就要運用腦袋，仔細思量。人類用來思考的腦袋在頭部，所以平常都說頭腦，頭腦代表思考和判斷能力。英文用語亦一樣，很多時以head代表能力和智慧。今次說幾個跟head有關的日常用語，都是與能力和智慧有關。
說某些人在某方面有才能，有天賦，可以說他們have a (good) head for something，即是說他們在某方面有知識，或天資聰穎，可以輕鬆應付這方面的事務，例如說某些人have a head for heights（高度），即是他們不畏高，善於應付高山環境，有能力攀登高山而不感到害怕。head代表能力。
She has a good head for numbers. She manages the data efficiently.
她對數字很有天分，能夠很有效率地管理數據。
He always has a head for business. His company is running well even in times of recession.
他有很好的生意頭腦，即使在經濟衰退時期，他的公司依然營運良好。
He can't sing in tune. He has no head for music.
他唱歌常常走音，他欠缺音樂才華。
說某些人有能力、常識和智慧，處事理性、實際而有成效，可以用have one's head screwed on，screwed是調節與固定，即是說某人思路調整得很好，知道如何合理地應對和處理事情。要加強語氣，可以更清楚說have one's head screwed on the right way，或者have one's head screwed right and straight。
She makes good plans for herself. She is a practical person and always has her head screwed on.
她為自己作出良好的計劃。她是務實的人，常常很有頭腦地妥善處理事務。
You can ask him for advice. He has got his head screwed on the right way. He should be able help.
你可以徵詢他的意見。他思想實際、處事精明，應該幫得上忙。
If people have their heads screwed on right, they should know that it's not the time to loosen the measures.
倘若人們頭腦清醒，認清事實，應該知道現在不是放寬措施的時候。
另一個意思非常相似的說法，指某些人聰穎精明，能夠作出明智合理的判斷和決定，就是have a (good) head over one's shoulders（肩上有個好頭腦）。據說這出自早期的說法have an old head over young shoulders（少壯的肩膊頂着成熟的腦袋），擁有年長人士的頭腦和年輕人士的體格，比喻很有能力，後來發展成have a head over one's shoulders，形容人聰明、理性、有智慧。
He has a head over his shoulders. He won't risk all his money on stocks.
他的肩上有個好腦袋，不會冒險把錢全都放到股票上。
We don't trust her judgement. She doesn't seem to have a good head over her shoulders.
我們不相信她的判斷。她看來不是頭腦靈光的人。
The principal has a good head over his shoulders. He will be able to make the best decision for the school.
校長擁有很好的頭腦，能夠為學校作出最好的決定。
問題多的時候，更加需要有能力、智慧和理性，運用頭腦作出判斷和決定，這時就要have a good head、have your head screwed on the right way和have a good head over your shoulders。有一個好頭腦，在這些時候十分重要。新學年要好好用腦。
■ Lina CHU
[ linachu88@gmail.com ]
隔星期五見報
