绝望的主妇第一季第16集精听训练素材及相关例句和答案，适合听力检验，可以慢放。（与直播间同步）
DH S01E16 Part01-02练习及答案：
Left in the lurch：it is an idiom that means being abandoned or left in a difficult situation without support, especially when one is unexpectedly left to deal with the consequences alone. It often implies that someone has been betrayed or forsaken at a critical moment. （被抛弃或陷入困境而没有支持，尤其是在一个人意外地被留下来独自面对后果时。它通常意味着某人在关键时刻被背叛或抛弃。相近表达：Left high and dry, left in the cold）
1、当公司倒闭，投资者在最后一刻撤销支持时，他被抛下了，忙着应付生计并在想是否还有最后的一线希望来拯救他的商业冒险。
When the company went under, and the investors pulled the rug out from under him, he was left in the lurch, scrambling to make ends meet and wondering if there was light at the end of the tunnel for his business venture.
2、当项目岌岌可危，而其他人都在最后一刻退出时，她被抛下了，不得不努力补上空缺并挽救剩余的工作，同时还要努力让自己站稳脚根。
With the project on the line, and everyone else having bowed out at the last minute, she was left in the lurch, struggling to pick up the slack and salvage what little remained of the work, all while trying to keep her footing.
3、就在交易看似步入正轨时，他被那个跳槽的合作伙伴甩掉了，让他独自一人面对后果，让他加班加点，希望能够让项目脱离困境，免于彻底失败。
Just as the deal seemed to be falling into place, he was left in the lurch by his partner, who decided to jump ship, leaving him working around the clock, hoping to pull the project through without it completely going down in flames.
Opening salvo：it refers to the initial action, statement, or move in a conflict, debate, or negotiation. It is often used metaphorically to describe a strategic or impactful beginning, similar to the first shot fired in a battle. （在一系列事件中首次采取的行动、言辞或举动，通常用于启动更大的进程或对抗。这个词常用于辩论、争论或战略举措中，设定了后续行动的基调。它就像是战斗中的第一枪，标志着持续冲突或一系列行动的开始。—— 开场一击、开场炮、战斗的第一枪）
1、竞选活动的 开场一击是一则激进的广告，精准地一语中的，让对手迅速掉入陷阱，并试图在事情失控之前掩盖痕迹。
The opening salvo of the campaign was an aggressive ad that hit the nail on the head, causing his opponent to quickly fall into a trap and try to cover their tracks before things got out of hand.
2、政治家在辩论中的开场炮是对对手政策的尖锐批评，但对手选择保持沉默，等待合适时机扭转局面。他们的唇枪舌剑为紧张的夜晚拉开了序幕。
The politician’s opening salvo in the debate was a sharp critique of her opponent’s policies, but instead of retaliating, he chose to let sleeping dogs lie, waiting for the right moment to tip the scales in his favor. Their verbal sparring set the stage for an intense evening.
2、律师在庭审中以精心构建的论点发出了开场炮，成功地推动了局势的发展。尽管对方试图搅浑水，她在早期占据优势的能力引起了陪审团的兴趣，让辩方手忙脚乱地寻找反驳策略。
The lawyer’s opening salvo during the trial was a carefully crafted argument that managed to set the wheels in motion for a strong case. Though the opposition tried to muddy the waters, her ability to gain the upper hand early on left the jury intrigued and the defense scrambling for a rebuttal.
Right off the bat：it is an idiomatic expression meaning immediately, without delay, or without wasting any time. It is often used to indicate that something happens at the very start of an event or process, or to describe an action taken without hesitation. （立即、毫不拖延、或没有浪费时间。它通常用来表示某事在事件或过程开始时立刻发生，或形容某个行动毫不犹豫地执行。）
1、一开始，他们的提案显然是一个双刃剑；虽然它提供了即时收益，但如果不注意细节，很容易自食其果。
Right off the bat, it was clear that their proposal was a double-edged sword; while it offered immediate gains, it could easily blow up in their faces if they didn’t dot the i’s and cross the t’s.
2、新任团队领导一上任，立刻行动，她开始快速上手，试图掌控局面并搅动一番，在任何人质疑她的方法之前。
The new team leader came in, right off the bat, and hit the ground running, trying to take the reins and shake things up before anyone could question her methods.
3、他一进入房间，一开始就能感受到紧张气氛，决定掌控局面并防微杜渐，而不是让问题逐渐升级成更糟糕的局面。
The moment he stepped into the room, right off the bat, he could sense the tension and decided to take the reins and nip the issue in the bud, rather than let it snowball into something worse.
今日引语推荐（The remains of the day）
“I am not the type of person who throws away the past. I do not discard it carelessly like a well-worn coat that has lost its usefulness. No, I keep it, polished and maintained, for fear of losing a part of myself in the process. It is as if the past, no matter how bitter, holds some kind of significance — a tether to a world that is no longer mine, but one that I must still carry within me, if only to remind myself that I once had a place in it.”
“我不是那种轻易丢弃过去的人。我不会像丢弃一件不再有用的旧外套那样随便抛弃它。是的，我把它保持着，打磨着，生怕在过程中失去自己的某一部分。就好像过去，不管多么痛苦，它总有某种意义——它是与那个已不再属于我的世界的联系，它是我必须继续背负的，哪怕只为了提醒自己，我曾经在那个世界中占有一席之地。”
“There are moments in life when we are called to choose between what is right and what is easy. And yet, it is not always clear which is which. We tell ourselves that we know what is right, that we can stand firm in our convictions, but when faced with the consequences of our choices, the lines become blurred, and we are left wondering if our decisions were truly made from a place of integrity, or merely out of convenience, self-preservation, or the need to fit into the expectations of others.”
“人生中总有一些时刻，我们必须在正确与容易之间做出选择。然而，哪一个是正确，哪一个又是容易的呢？我们告诉自己，我们知道什么是对的，我们可以在信念中坚定不移，但当面对我们选择的后果时，界限变得模糊，我们不禁怀疑我们的决定是否真的是出自正直的地方，还是仅仅为了便利、自我保护，或是为了迎合他人的期望。”
DH S01E16 Part03-04练习及答案：
Torn in all directions：an expression used to describe a state of being overwhelmed, confused, or conflicted due to multiple competing demands, responsibilities, or emotions. （四面楚歌、多面受压。用来描述由于多个竞争性的需求、责任或情感而感到不知所措、混乱或冲突的状态。它意味着一个人感到被不同的事情拉扯，从而导致无法专注于单一优先事项，甚至可能感到分散或无法做出决策。）
1、在四面八方的期望重压之下，他四面受困，感觉到责任与欲望的拉扯，但她依然保持乐观，并且泰然处之，努力不让自己失去控制。
With the weight of expectations pressing on every side, he was torn in all directions, feeling the tug of duty and desire, but she kept her chin up and took it in stride, trying not to lose her grip on the task at hand.
2、年轻的高管发觉自己四面楚歌，在工作上日益增长的责任、维持形象的压力以及渴望与家人共度时光之间徘徊不定，每次都让她感到如惊弓之鸟。
The young executive found herself torn in all directions, caught between her growing responsibilities at work, the pressure to keep up appearances, and her desire to spend time with family, leading her to feel like a deer caught in the headlights at every turn.
3、这位过度疲惫的母亲，在忙碌的日程中努力兼顾所有事务，却依然四面楚歌，不断面临满足所有期望与保持理智之间的紧张，最终感到自己仿佛力不从心。
The overwhelmed mother, trying to juggle a full schedule, was torn in all directions as she faced the constant tension between meeting everyone’s expectations and preserving her own sanity, making her feel like she was running on empty.
Take something in stride：it means to handle difficulties or obstacles with grace and composure, as though they were part of the natural course of events. （以优雅和冷静的态度处理困难或障碍，仿佛这些困难是生活自然的一部分。）
1、尽管创业项目突然崩塌，他们淡然处之，选择超脱纷争，集结剩余资源，并大胆规划迈向更加光明的未来。
Despite the sudden collapse of the venture, they took it in stride, choosing to rise above the fray, rally their remaining resources, and chart a bold course toward a more promising future.
2、当意外的合并导致他的部门解散时，他从容面对，专注于化不利为有利，建立新的联盟，并在不断变化的企业格局中开辟新的道路。
When the unforeseen merger dismantled his department, he took it in stride, focusing on turning lemons into lemonade, forging new alliances, and carving out a fresh path in the shifting corporate landscape.
3、面对一连串毫无根据的指控，她泰然处之，将精力投入到打造无懈可击的辩护中，以优雅的姿态保持冷静，并在公众舆论的险恶潮流中游刃有余。
Faced with a barrage of baseless accusations, she took it in stride, channeling her energy into crafting a watertight defense, maintaining her poise, and navigating the treacherous waters of public opinion with dignity.
Let something get under one’s skin：to allow something, often a comment or situation, to irritate or upset you deeply, sometimes causing an emotional reaction that is hard to shake off. （让某件事情，通常是评论或情境，深深地激怒或困扰自己，甚至产生难以摆脱的情绪反应。）
1、她同事的消极攻击性言辞足以让她心烦意乱，但莎拉，作为一个外交家，一笑置之并保持冷静，选择稳扎稳打，而不是让事情升级。
Her colleague’s passive-aggressive remarks were enough to get under her skin, but Sarah, ever the diplomat, brushed it off and kept her cool, choosing to play the long game rather than escalate things.
2、尽管团队不断批评，杰森拒绝让它影响自己，他泰然处之，知道他们不过是在惹事生非。他决定高风亮节，不让沮丧的情绪影响他的判断。
Despite the team’s constant criticism, Jason refused to let it get under his skin, and took it in stride, knowing they were just trying to poke the bear. He then decide to take the high road, not letting the frustrations cloud her judgment.
3、尽管办公室里的窃窃私语足以让他心烦意乱，托马斯，那个始终沉默寡言的人，泰然处之，拒绝置之不理，让它变得更严重。他决心专心致志，不让无聊的八卦分散他的注意力。
Though the constant whispering in the office was enough to get under his skin, Thomas, ever the quiet one, took it in stride, refusing to let it slide into something more serious. He was determined to keep his eyes on the prize and not let petty gossip derail his focus.
今日引语推荐（Gone with the wind）
“Life is not about what you have or what you don’t have, nor is it about the battles you fight or the victories you claim; rather, it is about how you rise from the ashes of defeat, how you hold on to your dignity even when everything you have is stripped away, and how you find the strength to keep moving forward even when the world is at its most unforgiving, because, in the end, it is not the moments of glory but the quiet perseverance that defines who we truly are.”
“生活并不关乎你拥有的或没有的东西，也不关乎你所经历的战斗或所赢得的胜利；而是关乎你如何从失败的灰烬中崛起，如何在一切被剥夺之后依然保持尊严，如何在世界最无情的时候找到继续前行的力量，因为最终，定义我们真正的是，那些并不显赫的时刻，而是那份默默的坚持。”
“It is not the storms that shape us, but how we weather them, how we rebuild in the aftermath of destruction, how we find within ourselves the resolve to start over when every hope seems lost. It is the moments of quiet strength in the face of adversity that define us, not the grand gestures or the loud cries for help, but the inner fortitude that pushes us onward, even when the road ahead seems impossible to travel.”
“塑造我们的不是风暴本身，而是我们如何在风暴中屹立不倒，如何在毁灭后的废墟中重建，如何在每一次希望似乎破灭时，从内心找到重新开始的决心。正是在面对困境时的那份平静力量定义了我们，而不是那些宏大的姿态或喧嚣的求助呼声，而是那份推动我们前行的内在毅力，即使前方的道路看起来似乎无法走下去。”
DH S01E16 Part05-06练习及答案：
Velvet rope：it refers to a boundary or barrier that symbolizes exclusivity and social division, often used to separate privileged individuals from those who are not given special access or opportunities. It is frequently associated with high-end venues, VIP areas, or elite social circles, implying a form of separation that only a select few are allowed to cross. （“天鹅绒绳”是指一种象征排他性和社会分隔的界限或障碍，通常用于将特权人士与那些未被赋予特殊机会的人分开。它通常与高端场所、VIP区域或精英社交圈相关，意味着一种只有少数人能够越过的隔离形式。）
1、在那场独家派对上，天鹅绒绳成了最终的分水岭，将优胜者与失败者区分开来，而其他人则自断后路，拼命偷偷摸进。
At the exclusive soirée [swɑːˈreɪ], the velvet rope acted as the ultimate dividing line, separating the wheat from the chaff and leaving the others to burn their bridges trying to sneak in.
2、那场晚会是一个封闭的圈子，天鹅绒绳作为界限，将被选中的少数人与外界隔开，站在外面的人只能抓住微弱的希望，拼命挑战极限，才能有机会抓住转机。
The gala was a closed circle, where the velvet rope stood as a barrier between the chosen few and the rest, leaving those on the outside to grasp at straws and push the envelope just to catch a break.
3、当他站在天鹅绒绳旁边，试图融入VIP圈时，他意识到，在这个世界上，成败之间的差距往往像刀锋一般尖锐，如果不在正确的圈子里，你将永远被冷落在外。
As he stood by the velvet rope, hoping to join the VIPs, he realized that in this world, the difference between success and failure was often as thin as a razor’s edge, and if you weren’t in the right crowd, you’d be forever left out in the cold.
Push the envelope：it means to go beyond the usual limits or to challenge established boundaries, particularly in terms of creativity, innovation, or behavior. It implies trying something new or daring, often in an attempt to reach new heights or to improve upon existing standards. （超越常规的限制，挑战既有边界，尤其是在创造力、创新或行为方面。它暗示着尝试新的或大胆的事物，通常目的是为了达到新的高度或在现有标准的基础上进行改进。）
1、在努力打响名声的过程中，艺术家突破常规，运用大胆且不拘一格的技巧，使评论家们猛然警觉，同时让观众欣喜若狂，被揭幕的杰作震惊不已。
In his bid to make a name for himself, the artist pushed the envelope, using bold, unconventional techniques that made the critics raise their eyebrows while leaving the audience to walk on air, stunned by the masterpiece that had been unveiled.
2、那位年轻企业家决定突破常规，通过一项开创性的市场营销策略引起了业内的注意，但这也让他成为了一个不可忽视的力量，竞争对手们只能原地踏步，试图复制他的成功。
The young entrepreneur’s decision to push the envelope with a groundbreaking marketing strategy turned heads in the industry, but it also made him a force to be reckoned with, as competitors could only spin their wheels trying to replicate his success.
3、当团队开始进行这项大胆的新计划时，他们决心突破常规，清楚地知道这不仅仅是按部就班的问题——他们必须冒险一试，并且拥抱未知领域，因为他们知道开弓没有回头箭。
As the team embarked on their daring new project, they were determined to push the envelope, fully aware that it would take more than just going through the motions—they had to roll the dice and embrace uncharted territory, knowing that there was no turning back.
Banging one’s head against the wall：an idiom that means to engage in an activity or make an effort that seems completely futile or unproductive, where the outcome is expected to be unsuccessful, no matter how hard you try. It is often used when one repeatedly struggles with a problem without any apparent solution. （表示从事一项看似完全徒劳无功的活动或努力，结果无论如何都无法成功，常常用来形容不断与一个问题作斗争却找不到任何明显解决方案的情况。）
1、尝试让新软件启动并运行简直是自找麻烦，因为每前进一步似乎都让我们回到原点，团队在毫无进展，无法整理好工作。
Trying to get the new software up and running felt like banging my head against the wall, as every step forward seemed to lead us back to square one, with the team getting nowhere fast and unable to get their act together.
2、当我试图说服同事优先处理紧急任务时，我简直是在自找麻烦，因为她太忙于被琐事拖慢进度，总是绕来绕去，而我在努力取得进展。
I was banging my head against the wall when trying to convince my colleague to prioritize the urgent task, but she was too busy getting bogged down in irrelevant tasks, always going around in circles while I struggled to make headway.
3、那位老师整整一个下午都在和墙撞头，试图让学生们参与其中，但他们显然都在心不在焉，他不禁觉得自己的课堂听而不闻，无论他全心投入多少次，结果都是徒劳。
The teacher had been banging his head against the wall all afternoon, trying to engage his students, who were clearly zoning out, and he couldn’t help but feel that his lesson was falling on deaf ears, no matter how much he put his heart into it.
今日引语推荐（Gone with the wind）
“The world was full of people who never knew the meaning of sacrifice, people who never understood the depths to which love could pull you, nor the strength required to fight for something that you could not see but only feel in the deepest recesses of your heart. But she knew, after all the years of struggle and pain, that it was this very capacity to endure, to love fiercely even when it seemed hopeless, that made us capable of greatness, of transcending our circumstances and becoming something more than we ever thought possible.”
“这个世界充满了那些从未理解牺牲意义的人，他们从未懂得爱情能把人拉到多深的地方，也不了解为无法看见但深入骨髓的东西而奋斗所需要的力量。可是她知道，经过这么多年的斗争和痛苦之后，正是这种承受的能力，甚至在看似没有希望的时候，依然勇敢地去爱，这使我们能够实现伟大，超越现有的境遇，成为我们曾经认为无法做到的存在。”
“There are days when it feels like the weight of the world is pressing down upon you, when every step forward feels like an insurmountable task, and yet, deep within you, there lies an unwavering strength that refuses to bow to despair. It’s not always visible, not always obvious to others, but it’s there, waiting to be tapped into when the need arises. And when it does, you find yourself standing tall, not because the world has changed, but because you have found something inside yourself that you didn’t know existed until that very moment.”
“有些日子，感觉世界的重压正压向你，每向前一步都似乎是一项不可逾越的任务，然而，内心深处，藏着一种坚韧不拔的力量，拒绝屈服于绝望。这种力量并不总是显而易见，不总是别人可以察觉的，但它在那里，等待在需要时被唤醒。当它显现出来时，你会发现自己挺立着，不是因为世界改变了，而是因为你在某一时刻发现了自己内心深处曾未察觉的力量。”
