an albatross around one’s neck

【字面理解】挂于颈上的信天翁

【英文解析】a burden which some unfortunate person has to carry

【中文解析】累赘，无法摆脱的苦恼，沉重的负担

【典型例句】① The person who has killed another person has an albatross around his neck for the rest of his life.杀人者 终生负疚。

② It is his albatross to be involved in the scandal.与这一丑闻有牵连，这是他无法摆脱的烦恼。旧时迷信，说杀死信天翁(albatross)会带来厄运。 英国诗人S. T.柯尔律治(S. T. Coleridge)的著名叙事 长诗《古舟子咏》(The Rime of the Ancient Mariner) 描写一位老水手在海上随意射杀了一只信天翁，致使 全船遭难的故事。老水手为了赎罪，便将鸟尸挂于颈 上，跪地祈祷，故有该习语。后来albatross转义为“沉 重的负担;挥之不去的心病;无法摆脱的苦恼”。