67 SAY: 说，叫

词组讲解

1. say a mouthful ** 说重要的（或切题的）话

解 习语；词义溯源：说［重要的话、切题的话（mouthful）］

例 Joe said, “We can't compete with them.” And I said, “You said a mouthful.”

2. say something in a roundabout way ** 婉转地说话；间接地表达，迂回地表达

解 习语；词义溯源：［用委婉迂回的方式（in a roundabout way）］说话

例 He often says something in a roundabout way. He doesn't say it directly.

3. say sth. right to one's face / say sth. to one's face ** （将不快的事情）当着某人的面说出

解 习语；词义溯源：［面对面地（to one's face）］说

例 Nancy is not brave enough to say that to my face, is she?

4. say sth. under one's breath ** 小声地说，压着嗓子说

解 习语；词义溯源：［小声地（under one's breath）］说某事

例 The teacher heard him say something under his breath, so she smacked him.

5. say the word ** 吩咐一下；表示一下

解 〈口〉习语；词义溯源：说出［指示、命令（the word）］

例 Say the word and I'll sell my house and move to Kansas with you.

6. say uncle ** 认输，投降，屈服

解 〈口〉习语；词义溯源：叫［叔叔（uncle）］

例 Iraq's army was forced to say uncle or face total annihilation.

参考译文

1. 乔说：“我们无法与他们竞争。” 我说：“你说到点子上了。”

2. 他经常会委婉地说话，不会直说。

3. 南希不敢当面对我那么说，对吧？

4. 老师听到他嘟嘟囔囔地说了什么，于是拍了他一下。

5. 只要你说一声，我就卖掉房子，跟你一起搬到堪萨斯州去。

6. 伊拉克部队被迫投降，否则将会全部被消灭。