銷售數(shù)字連續(xù)兩季下滑,為此,新上任的外國主管Michael特別召開檢討會議,想要找出解決之道。正當大伙兒七嘴八舌之際,忽然,Michael伸出大手往桌面一拍,同時夸張地露出他那一排潔白的牙齒,說:Don't worry, fellows. I'll show my teeth.
Michael齜牙咧嘴的舉措看似唐突又搞笑,但他其實是想借具體的表情,強化他急欲展現(xiàn)魄力的信念。
show one's teeth這句慣用語有兩種意思,一是“借權力、權威嚇唬或懲罰某人”,二是指“拿出魄力”。
1 show one's teeth 拿出魄力
例:
If you really want to solve this problem, you need to show your teeth.(如果你真的想要解決這個問題,你需要拿出魄力。)
2 show one's face 公開露面
此外,在英文慣用語中,還有露臉、露手和露腳跟的用法,但意義可大不相同。show one's face意思直接,就是“公開露面”。
例:
That super star hasn't shown her face for a long time. She is reportedly seriously ill.(那位超級巨星很久沒有公開露面了,報道說她身患重病。)
3 show one's hand 攤牌
show one's hand則是“表明自己的意圖或計劃”,簡單說就是“攤牌”。請注意,hand要用單數(shù)。
例:
Only after becoming the CEO did he show his hand to invest in the futures market.(他當上CEO后,才表明打算投資期貨市場的意圖。)
4 show one's heels 逃走、逃離
例:
I saw the boss’ face and he looked angry. I smelled a rat. So I just showed my heels.(我看到老板拉長了臉,好像很生氣。我一見苗頭不對,趕緊逃之夭夭。)