(State Dept./Doug Thompson)
正在考虑选择一种新的爱好或转向一个新的职业吗？如果你跟美国人谈起来，他们可能会告诉你先“试试水”(test the waters)。别担心，这不是说你要把自己弄湿。这是美国人的一个习惯用语，意思是在决定做某事之前，更多地了解一下。
以下是另外六个与“水”有关的习惯用语：
Water under the bridge （桥下流水)
含义: 发生在过去且无法改变的事，但已不会再造成影响。
对话举例: “Maria and Janice did not like each other in high school, but that’s water under the bridge. Now, they are good friends.” (玛利亚和简妮丝上高中时相互没有好感，但那已经是过去的事了。现在她们是好朋友。)”
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)
Troubled waters （波涛汹涌的水域)
含义: 感情上的艰难时刻或混乱不安的状态。
对话举例: “I’ve noticed that you and your parents have been fighting a lot these days. I would like to help calm the troubled waters if I can.” （我注意到你和你父母最近常常争吵。如果可能的话，我愿意帮助平息一下。)
Like water off a duck’s back（犹如从鸭背上落下的水珠）
含义: 对某人不产生影响，若无其事。
对话举例: “Patricia never takes criticism personally. She accepts it and doesn’t feel hurt — it’s like water off a duck’s back.”（帕特丽夏从来不介意批评。她接受，不难受，好像若无其事。）
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)
Keep (one’s) head above water（坚持让头露出水面/避免没顶）
含义: 在财务、工作或者责任等方面勉强维持。
对话举例: “Peter is having a difficult time at the university because he wasn’t very well prepared academically, but he is somehow managing to keep his head above water.”（彼得因为学业基础比较差，在大学里学得很吃力，但是他居然一直坚持住。）
In hot water（在热水中）
含义: 陷入麻烦。
对话举例: “Cheryl borrowed her mother’s best silk blouse without permission and spilled soda on it. She knew she’d be in hot water when she got home.”（谢丽尔未经许可把妈妈最好的丝绸上衣拿去穿，可不小心将汽水洒在上面。她知道回家后会遇到大麻烦。）
Hold water（不漏水）
含义: 可信可靠的；经得起检验；有道理。这个短语用于指论点或观点，不用于指人。
对话举例: “Two scientists claimed that they had achieved fusion at room temperature. Other scientists wanted to test the theory to see if it would hold water.”（两位科学家声称他们在常温下完成了熔合。其他科学家想测试他们的说法，看看是否成立。）
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)
更多学习资源
ShareAmerica提供美国英语学习材料。欢迎浏览每日对话或学习一些习惯用语，例如与天空、与逗笑、与动物有关的习语。
American English网站为学英语的学生和英语教师提供多种免费学习资源，包括解释美国常用习惯用语来源与含义的材料In the Loop。American English Facebook提供每天更新的英语学习材料。
Thinking about picking up a new hobby or pursuing a new career? Talk to an American, and he or she will probably tell you to test the waters first. Don’t worry, that doesn’t mean you’ll get wet. Americans use the expression when they want to learn more about something before committing to it.
Below are six other idiomatic phrases built around the word “water”:
Water under the bridge
What it means: Something that happened in the past and cannot be changed but is no longer a source of concern.
In conversation: “Maria and Janice did not like each other in high school, but that’s water under the bridge. Now, they are good friends.”
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)
Troubled waters
What it means: Emotionally rough times or an unsettled situation.
In conversation: “I’ve noticed that you and your parents have been fighting a lot these days. I would like to help calm the troubled waters if I can.”
Like water off a duck’s back
What it means: To have no effect on someone.
In conversation: “Patricia never takes criticism personally. She accepts it and doesn’t feel hurt — it’s like water off a duck’s back.”
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)
Keep (one’s) head above water
What it means: To just barely manage to stay ahead, financially or with one’s work or responsibilities.
In conversation: “Peter is having a difficult time at the university because he wasn’t very well prepared academically, but he is somehow managing to keep his head above water.”
In hot water
What it means: In trouble.
In conversation: “Cheryl borrowed her mother’s best silk blouse without permission and spilled soda on it. She knew she’d be in hot water when she got home.”
Hold water
What it means: To be credible or sound; to stand up to scrutiny; to make sense. The expression is used in reference to arguments or ideas rather than people.
In conversation: “Two scientists claimed that they had achieved fusion at room temperature. Other scientists wanted to test the theory to see if it would hold water.”
(State Dept./Doug Thompson)
Learn more
ShareAmerica features materials on learning American English. Explore everyday conversations or learn idioms that take their inspiration from the sky, comedy and animals.
The American English website has a variety of free resources for learners and teachers of English, including the In the Loop guide to the origin and meaning of common American idioms. The American English Facebook page posts learning materials for English-language learners daily.
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