Be at liberty to do sth:having permission or to be allowed to do something. (有权或被允许做某事,可自由或随心所欲做某事)
中文释义:“At liberty to do sth”一般用于正式场合,而且场景多半会带有否定,比如:I'm not at liberty to do sth,其意思跟“I'm not allowed to do sth.”类似,只是语气上显得更加谨慎和隐晦一些。
这就好比我们中国人在正式场合,尤其是像新闻发布会或有记者参与的访谈节目,发言人经常会说“不方便透露”,而不会直接说“我不被允许”,因为当你说“我不被允许时”,实际上会让人联想到这是在“甩锅”给上级。
英语短语"At liberty to do sth"在影视剧语料库中的相关例句:
E.G.1:Could you just give me the number for where they are? --I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to divulge that information.
参考译文:您能给提供下电话号码,方便我找到他们吗?--我恐怕不方便向你透露这方面的信息(摘自美剧『老友记』S04E24)
E.G.2:What happened to "Richie"? --Unfortunately, I'm not at liberty to discuss him.
参考译文:瑞秋到底出什么事了?--很不幸,我不能和你谈论他。(摘自美剧『硅谷』S03E01)
英语短语"At liberty to do sth"情景会话:(摘自美剧『 硅谷』S03E04)
Women:Well, in light of recent activities, 有鉴于最近的种种
------>> it appears that I could do a goddamn thing about it. 看来我还是有办法的
------>> And I just did. Jack Barker has been exited. 而我也刚刚做了 杰克·巴克已被辞退
Men I:Fuck me sideways. - Indeed. - 我了个大天 -形容很准确
------>> Effective immediately, 而且自此刻起
------>> you are all at liberty to commence work upon the platform. 你们可以自由进行平台的开发工作
Men II:Okay. 好啊 |