The english we speak(BBC教学)第296期:Off the hook 脱身
When Neil arrives in the studio to present the programme, Feifei is Already there. She's not in a very good mood and keeps repeating the same thing. What's wrong with Feifei? Listen to the programme to find out.
尼尔到演播室主持节目时，菲菲已经到了。她看起来心情不太好，而且一直在重复同一句话。菲菲怎么了？请收听本期节目并找出答案。Neil: Hello, Feifei. Already here, I see, to present The English We Speak.
尼尔：你好，菲菲。你已经在这里准备主持地道英语节目了。Feifei: Actually, I haven't left the studio for a while, Neil. I need to go and eat something. Could you let me off the hook please?
菲菲：实际上我已经有一段时间没有离开演播室了。尼尔，我要去吃点东西。你能放过我吗？
Neil: Come on, Feifei, you have to present the programme with me. And today's expression is...
尼尔：等等，菲菲，你要和我一起主持节目。今天要学习的表达方式是……Feifei: I need to go to the toilet. Could you let me off the hook?
菲菲：我要去卫生间。你能帮我脱身吗？Neil: In English, to let someone off the hook means to free them from an obligation. You want to be let off the hook, don't you? You don't want to present the programme today.
尼尔：在英语中，let someone off这个短语的意思是让某人免除义务。你想免除义务，是吗？你不想主持今天的节目。Feifei: It can also mean to release someone from a difficult situation. I do need you to let me off the hook.
菲菲：还可以指把让某人脱离困难的局面。我需要你帮我脱离困境。Neil: Let's hear some examples of how the expression 'to let someone off the hook' is used.
尼尔：我们来听些例句，看看这个短语如何应用。Examples
例句I haven't studied much but my teacher let me off the hook today. She's decided to postpone the test as long as I hit the books this week.
我没怎么学习，不过今天老师放过了我。她决定推迟考试，前提是我这周用功看书。The team's supporters didn't let them off the hook. They booed the players off the pitch after they were beaten four-nil.
该球队的支持者并没有放过他们。在球队以0比4输掉比赛后，球迷在场外向球员喝倒彩。Neil: That's it then Feifei. You're off the hook now.
尼尔：就是这样，菲菲。你现在可以脱身了。Feifei: No, I'm not.
菲菲：不，我不能。Neil: Why not?
尼尔：为什么？Feifei: My woollen jumper is caught on this hook on the wall just behind me and if I move I'll ruin it. Could you...
菲菲：我的毛衣被我后面墙上的钩子钩住了，如果我动一下的话，毛衣就毁了。你能……Neil: Yeah! Why didn't you say? Let me help you.
尼尔：可以！你刚才怎么不说？我来帮你。(Neil moves to release Feifei's jumper.)
（尼尔过去把菲菲的毛衣从钩子上弄下来）Feifei: Oh be careful. I don't want it ripped!
菲菲：哦，小心一点。我不想把毛衣撕坏！Neil: I am being careful here... ah... yep, there you go now you're free. You're off the hook in every sense!
尼尔：我已经很小心了，好了，现在你自由了，你可以走了。从各种意义上来说，你都自由了！Feifei: Thanks, Neil.
菲菲：谢谢，尼尔。Neil: Bye!
尼尔：再见！Feifei: Bye!
菲菲：再见！
译文属仅供学习交流使用，未经许可请勿转载
重点讲解：
1. let sb. off the hook 脱离困境；脱身；
例句：he teacher let him off the hook with a warning this time.
这一次老师放过他，只给了一个警告。
2. as long as 只要；
例句：Things will work out as long as you are patient.
只要你有耐心，事情早晚会解决的。
3. hit the books 用功读书；
例句：I'll succeed if I hit the books every day.
如果我每天都用功读书，我会成功的。
