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VOA词汇掌故2023--It's Time to 'See the Light'

时间:2023-12-06 03:20来源:互联网 提供网友:nan   字体: [ ]
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It's Time to 'See the Light'

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning1 English.

In many places, the holiday season in December can be a magical2 time. During this month, many cultures celebrate with festivals of lights. From Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Sydney, Australia; from Lyon, France to many cities in Japan -- lights are used to lift the spirits and to celebrate.

So, today we will talk about a few expressions that use the word "light."

The first is to be a beacon3 of light. A beacon of light gives hope and happiness to others. If you have ever been called a beacon of light, take it as a big compliment4. A person who is a beacon of light makes things better for everyone around them. A beacon of light can be a person who helps guide others to safety, much like a lighthouse does for ships and boats.

These people can even cast5 light on the darkness in our lives. When we cast light on something, we make it better. The expression can also mean that we explain something more fully6 or expose some unknown parts of an issue7 or problem. Some people like to say, "Let me cast a little light on the subject," before they explain something.

After someone casts8 light on a complex9 or difficult issue, you might begin to see the light. If you see the light, you understand something. Often, you have realized a difficult truth. For example, years ago my friend refused to believe that her boyfriend had a drinking problem. But when he was arrested for drunk10 driving, she began to see the light. She got him help and now he has been alcohol-free for many years. So, he saw the light, too.

This expression is very different from seeing the light of day --although they sound similar.

When something sees the light of day, it is made available to others. For example, some people write stories and poems. But these works11 never see the light of day. They stay hidden in a desk drawer or notebook.

To see the light of day can also mean to be born or to come into existence. Let's say you worked on a big project for many months or even years. You will probably feel very excited when it finally sees the light of day.

Now, let's talk about "bad light."

Bad lighting12 can make even the most beautiful person look bad in a picture or video. So, it is not surprising that seeing something in a bad light means13 to form a bad opinion of something or someone.

Sometimes our habits and attitudes can be seen in a bad light. For example, a scientist was seen in a bad light by her coworkers. They said she was not a team player.

Now, let's hear these some of these expressions used in a discussion14 between two friends.

A: Wow, you look awful. Are you sick?

B: No. I haven't slept in a week.

A: Why? What's wrong?

B: My roommate started playing the bag pipes. They are SO loud. And she plays late at night!

A: The bag pipes?! Oh, that's too bad. Well, have you told her to stop?

B: No. She's a really nice person. So, I don't want her to see me in a bad light. I mean, we all do annoying things, right?

A: Yes. But, we all don't play the bag pipes late at night. Look, you need to do something. You need your sleep! You could hide her bag pipes. Hide them somewhere so they will never see the light of day again!

B: You are so mean! But you are also right. I'm beginning to see the light. I'll say something later. But for now (yawn) can I crash on your couch15. I'm beat!

And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.

Words in This Story

beacon –n. a very bright light such as a light on a lighthouse

compliment –n. a comment on how good something is or an expression of praise

expose –v. to show something that was unknown or covered up earlier

habit –n. a regular behavior

attitude –n. a way of feeling or thinking that affects a person's behavior

crash –v. (informal idiom) to go to sleep after being very tired

beat –adj. (informal) very tired


点击收听单词发音收听单词发音  

1 learning wpSzFe     
n.学问,学识,学习;动词learn的现在分词
参考例句:
  • When you are learning to ride a bicycle,you often fall off.初学骑自行车时,常会从车上掉下来。
  • Learning languages isn't just a matter of remembering words.学习语言不仅仅是记些单词的事。
2 magical t8dzL     
adj.魔术的,有魔力的,不可思议的
参考例句:
  • I used to believe my mother had magical powers.我以前一直相信我母亲有奇妙的魔力。
  • The effect of the medicine on the sick man was magical.药对病人的效力是不可思议的。
3 beacon KQays     
n.烽火,(警告用的)闪火灯,灯塔
参考例句:
  • The blink of beacon could be seen for miles.灯塔的光亮在数英里之外都能看见。
  • The only light over the deep black sea was the blink shone from the beacon.黑黢黢的海面上唯一的光明就只有灯塔上闪现的亮光了。
4 compliment BpDzx     
n.[pl.]问候,致意;n./v. 称赞,恭维
参考例句:
  • The manager paid her a compliment on her work.经理赞扬了她的工作。
  • Your presence is a great compliment.承蒙光临,不胜荣幸。
5 cast eOKzx     
vt./vi.(cast,cast)投掷;投射;抛
参考例句:
  • You can cast your vote at the local polling station.你可以在当地的投票站投票。
  • He cast off fear and decided to make a try.他去掉害怕心理,决定试一试。
6 fully Gfuzd     
adv.完全地,全部地,彻底地;充分地
参考例句:
  • The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气,然后全部呼出。
  • They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。
7 issue r3dxs     
n.出版,发行,(报刊等)期、号,论点,问题,结果, (水,血等的)流出;vt.使流出,放出,发行(钞票等),发布(命令),出版(书等)发给;vi.发行,流出,造成...结果,进行辩护,传下
参考例句:
  • I bought the book the day after its issue.这书出版后的第一天,我就去买了它。
  • I'll support her down the line on that issue.在那个问题上我将全力支持她。
8 casts 0a9eee6906811a48c7d2833b8479edfe     
v.投( cast的第三人称单数 );掷;扔;浇铸
参考例句:
  • He casts up his accounts at the end of each day. 每天结束时他都结一次账。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The tree casts a shadow on the ground. 树的影子映在地上。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 complex kOez4     
adj.复杂的,合成的,综合的;n.联合体
参考例句:
  • What he said was too complex for me to understand.他说的太复杂了,我无法了解。
  • Justice is part of the complex machinery of the law.正义是复杂的法律机器的一部分。
10 drunk LuozL6     
adj.醉酒的;(喻)陶醉的;n.酗酒者,醉汉
参考例句:
  • People who drives when they are drunk should be heavily penalised.醉酒驾车的人应受重罚。
  • She found him drunk when she came home at night.她晚上回家时,经常发现他醉醺醺的。
11 works ieuzIh     
n.作品,著作;工厂,活动部件,机件
参考例句:
  • We expect writers to produce more and better works.我们期望作家们写出更多更好的作品。
  • The novel is regarded as one of the classic works.这篇小说被公认为是最优秀的作品之一。
12 lighting CpszPL     
n.照明,光线的明暗,舞台灯光
参考例句:
  • The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
  • The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。
13 means 9oXzBX     
n.方法,手段,折中点,物质财富
参考例句:
  • That man used artful means to find out secrets.那人使用狡猾的手段获取机密。
  • We must get it done by some means or other.我们总得想办法把它干完。
14 discussion 2PBzj     
n.讨论,谈论;论述
参考例句:
  • It is certain he will come to the discussion.他肯定会来参加讨论。
  • After months of discussion,a peace agreement is gradually taking shape.经过几个月的商讨,和平协议渐渐有了眉目。
15 couch mzfxf     
n.睡椅,长沙发椅;vt.表达,隐含
参考例句:
  • Lie down on the couch if you're feeling ill.如果你感觉不舒服就躺到沙发上去。
  • The rabbIt'sprang from its grassy couch.兔子从草丛中跳出。
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TAG标签:   VOA英语  慢速英语  词汇掌故
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