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Elephant in the room:a very large issue that everyone is acutely aware of, but nobody wants to talk about, as such discussion is considered to be uncomfortable or politically incorrect. (非常突出的问题,让人避讳的大问题)
中文释义:就是一个很明显的问题、现象或事物,就像屋里站着一头大象一样,不可能有人看不见,但大家都心照不宣,谁也不谈论这个东西,因为人人都感觉谈论这个东西很不舒服。或者这个话题太敏感,或某些话说出来就政治不正确,所以大家顾左右而言他,就好像屋里那头大象谁也没看见一样。
E.G.1:Not acknowledging the elephant in the room is what we do best, you'd settle for that?
翻译:佯装对敏锐问题视而不见是我们最擅长的,你觉得这样做了吗?(摘自美剧『绝望的主妇』S01E14)
E.G.2:I'm not going to insult you by beating around the bush, so let's talk about the elephant in the room.
翻译:我就不拐弯抹角地挖苦你了,那么,我们开诚布公地谈谈各自的重大关切吧。(摘自美剧『金装律师』S02E09)
英语俚语“Elephant in the room”情景会话(摘自美剧『金装律师』S02E09)
Jessica:Louis, got a minute? 路易丝,有空吗?
Louis:I'm a little busy, but sure. 有点忙,不过能抽点功夫
Jessica:I deserve that. 亏不了你
A little payback among senior partners is fair play. 资深合伙人摆点架子是正常的
Louis:I'm listening. 接着说
Jessica:I'm not going to insult you by beating around the bush, 我就不拐弯抹角地挖苦你了
so let's talk about the elephant in the room. 那么,我们开诚布公地谈谈各自的重大关切吧。 |
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