Slang 也好,idiom 也好,我觉得学的目的,首先是为了听懂,其次才是学说。譬如下面这个词,我以前的一个部门经理特爱说,我问LD,他说,its not my saying. 其实这跟我们中文说谚语或者成语一样,每个人都有自己喜欢说的“俗话说的好。。。。”
Push the envelop: 测试底线,挑战极限: To push the envelop is to stretch the boundaries.
例句:
- Its natrual stage for most teenagers to push the envelop of their parents' rules.
- “You can't be afraid when it comes to fashion. I like to push the envelope a little bit.”Actress Jennifer Lopez talks about her personal style. (Us Weekly)
- Each year, Apple releases new products that pushes the envelop.
关于这个词的来历还有一个有趣的故事,二战结束后,美国大力研制新款飞机,每款飞机都有一个理论极限,就是各种参数的设计极限,这一系列设计参数,在航空工程领域叫envelop (本身就是一个数学术语包络),每款飞机设计出来,都有试飞员对各项参数进行实地测试,push the envelop 就由此得来。