LECTURE 161 基本动词TAKE 10
词组讲解
1. take office ** 就职，上任
解 习语；词义溯源：获得［官职、公职（office）］
例 Congressional critics are calling it “pre-school” and “kindergarten. ” It's the new training program for its first-term members. Before taking office, freshman representatives will be schooled for two months on the basic workings of Congress and how to survive in the nation's capital.
2. take one at one's word ** 相信某人说的话
解 习语；词义溯源：以为某人所说的［字面意思（at one's word）］是正确的
例 You have to be careful about joking or using idiomatic language when talking with Harry. Her English isn't so good so she sometimes takes you at your word when you're only joking. The other day I said “let's take five ” while we were walking through the apple orchard. Of course I meant take a five-minute break, but she thought I meant take five of the apples!
3. take one's leave of sb. / take one's leave / take leave of sb. ** 向某人告别
解 习语；词义溯源：对某人做［告别、作别（leave）］
例 Wow! It's two in the morning already. Sorry guys, but it's time I take my leave. If I don't get home soon, my wife will have a fit . Shall we get together next Tuesday night for another game of poker?
4. take one's medicine ** 得到应得的惩罚
解 〈口〉习语；词义溯源：吃苦［药（medicine）］；因为药是苦的象征
例 Contestants who fail any of the 16 challenges this year at Global Sports Center's annual Challenge Fair will be sent to “The Mud Hole,” a three-foot deep pit full of sticky, slimy mud. “Anyone who takes shot at a challenge and fails it has to take their medicine this year,” explains Mr. Ron Highland, owner of Global. “Nobody gets away with failure this year!”
5. take one's own life ** 自杀
解 习语；词义溯源：拿走［自己的（own）］［生命（life）］
例 Dr. Kevon was arrested for the third time today for helping yet another elderly, disabled patient take her own life. Kevon assisted Mrs. Wilma White, 73, by supplying her with a lethal dose of sleeping pills.
巩固练习
(A) take office
(B) take...at his word
(C) took my leave of
(D) take my medicine
(E) took his own life
1. A: Then after about ten minutes Jimmy's father got frustrated with the television's bad picture and said, “We ought to throw this damn thing out the window. ” Jimmy ______ him ______ and...B: ...and tossed it out?! Oh shit! Didn't he know his father was only joking?! A: I think he did, but he just felt like doing it, so he accepted the literal meaning of his father's words even though it wasn't what he meant. And now they have no TV!
2. A: At what time did you depart Ms. Livingston's apartment? B: I believe I ______ her at about 10:30 PM, right after dinner.
3. A: How did your elder brother die? Was he involved in an accident? B: Well, sort of. He, uh...It's a little embarrassing. He committed suicide. A: He ______? Wow, I'm sorry. I didn't know that.
4. A: Hurray! We have a new President! B: Not exactly yet though. Sanchez has been elected, but he won't start to serve in his elected role until January 15th. A: I know he won't ______ until January. Still, we have a new President!
5. A: Tommy, you've got to learn to accept the suffering or punishment that you deserve when you do something bad. B: I know I have to ______, Dad. So go ahead—hit me.
■ ANSWER
1. (B)
2. (C)
3. (E)
4. (A)
5. (D)
参考译文
I. 1. 国会评论者们把它称为“学前教育”和“幼儿园教育”，这是对新进国会代表进行的新的培训课程。在就职前，新代表将接受为期两个月的培训，学习有关国会日常工作以及如何在首都生活的课程。
2. 在和哈丽交谈时，开玩笑或说惯用语要特别注意。她的英语不太好，所以有时候她会把你的玩笑话当真。有一天我们走过苹果园时，我说“让我们休息一下吧”，当然，我是说我们休息五分钟，但是她认为我是要摘五个苹果！
3. 哇！已经凌晨2点了。对不起，各位，我该走了。如果我不赶紧回家，我妻子就会大发脾气。我们下周二晚上再一起玩扑克可以吗？
4. 在环球体育中心举行的年度挑战赛上，任何一位没有通过16项挑战中一项的参赛选手将被送入“泥坑”，也就是一个3英尺深的装满黏泥的坑。“今年，任何在挑战项目中进行尝试，但是失败的选手都将受到惩罚，”环球的老板罗恩·海兰先生解释道，“今年没有人能逃避惩罚！”
5. 今天，凯文医生因帮助另一位老年残疾人自杀而第三次被捕。凯文向73岁的威尔玛·怀特女士提供了致命剂量的安眠药，帮助她自杀。
II. 1. A：大约十分钟后，吉米的父亲因电视画面不清晰而感到沮丧，说：“我们应该把这个该死的东西扔到窗户外面去。”吉米把他的话当真了，而且……B：……而且扔出去了？！哦，笨蛋！他不知道他父亲只是在开玩笑吗？！A：我想他知道，但他只是想这么做，虽然他父亲不是那个意思，但是他还是按照父亲说的字面意思做了。现在他们没有电视了！
2. A：你什么时候离开利文斯顿女士的公寓的？B：刚吃过晚餐，大约10点半的样子离开的。
3. A：你哥哥怎么死的？出什么事故了吗？B：嗯，差不多。他，呃……这有点尴尬。他是自杀的。A：他自杀了？啊，对不起。我不知道。
4. A：太好了！我们有新总统了！B：还不算新总统呢。桑切斯当选了，但是要到1月15日才会就任。A：我知道他要到1月才会就任。但是，我们有新总统了！
5. A：汤米，你得学着在做错事时，接受应该面临的痛苦或惩罚。B：我知道我必须受到惩罚，爸爸。所以来吧——揍我吧。
