与“foot”有关的两个短语
Two expressions about "foot"
刘立军 供稿
TRANSCRIPT
Today we talk about something that you might take for granted. You might not think about them or appreciate their value and worth. Your feet! We just expect them to be there when we need them.
But our feet are very important. And they have managed to walk right into many English expressions. Let's talk about some.
First, let's put our best foot forward. This means you act in the best possible way to show your best possible self. Sometimes we do this to impress others. But sometimes we just want to do the best job we can or be the best person we can. At work, people who put their best foot forward, work fast and do the job well.
Here's another foot expression: To start off on the right foot. If something starts off on the right foot, it means it starts off in a good way. For example, you can start your day off on the right foot. You can start a class off on the right foot. If you start or get off on the right foot, you immediately have success when you begin an activity, a project, a job, or even a relationship.
For example, when you are starting a new job, you want to start off on the right foot with your new coworkers. And if you have a new boyfriend or girlfriend, you really want to start off on the right foot with their parents. Maybe you just met a new friend. You also want to get off on the right foot with their group of friends.
All of this means that you want to leave a good impression - especially when you first meet. In fact, we have a special saying about that: "You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."
If you make a bad first impression, you have started off on the wrong foot. And it is harder to repair relationships when they start off poorly. Also, it is harder to get a project back on track if it started on the wrong foot.
Some word experts say that ancient superstitions thought that the right foot was luckier than the left. So, it was good luck to start off with the right foot instead of the left.
Now let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.
A: Wow! You look great! Is that a new business suit?
B: No. I've had this suit for years. But I think I've gained some weight during the pandemic.
A: Well, it DOES look a little tight. Maybe try unbuttoning the jacket.
B: Good idea.
A: Your hair cut looks great too. So, where are you going all dressed up?
B: Today I start a new job in a new office with new people.
A: That's a big deal. I mean we've all been working from home for more than a year.
B: Tell me about it! It feels strange to wear a suit. But with my new job I REALLY want to start off on the right foot. You know what they say: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
A: In that case, maybe you should wear REAL shoes. It's hard to put your best foot forward wearing your house slippers.
B: Oh no! I'm wearing slippers! I have to go all the way back home and get my shoes. Now, I'll be late!
A: Looks like you have to choose: Start off on the wrong foot by showing up late or by wearing slippers.
B: Hmm. You know, maybe no one will notice my footwear. But my boss will definitely notice if I'm late. So, I guess slippers it is!
A: Just stay at your desk as much as you can. Good luck!
B: Thanks! See you later!
Hopefully you started your day off on the right foot with some English lessons from VOA Learning English! And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time. I'm Anna Matteo.
VOCABULARY
1. put your best foot forward:全力以赴，表现出你最佳的一面
2. start off on the right foot: 以正确的方式开始
QUESTIONS
Read the passage. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks with the information (words, phrases or sentences) you hear.
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
Today we talk about something that you might (Q1) _________________________. You might not think about them or appreciate their value and worth. Your feet! We just expect them to be there when we need them.
But our feet are very important. And they have managed to walk right into many English expressions. Let's talk about some.
First, let's put our best foot forward. This means you act in the best possible way to (Q2) ____________________________________. Sometimes we do this to impress others. But sometimes we just want to do the best job we can or be the best person we can. At work, people who put their best foot forward, work fast and do the job well.
Here's another foot expression: To start off on the right foot. If something starts off on the right foot, it means it starts off (Q3) ____________________________. For example, you can start your day off on the right foot. You can start a class off on the right foot. If you start or get off on the right foot, you immediately have success when you begin an activity, a project, a job, or even a relationship.
For example, when you are starting a new job, you want to start off on the right foot with your new coworkers. And if you have a new boyfriend or girlfriend, you really want to start off on the right foot with their parents. Maybe you just met a new friend. You also want to get off on the right foot with their group of friends.
All of this means that you want to leave a good impression - especially when you first meet. In fact, we have a special saying about that: "(Q4) __________________________________________."
If you make a bad first impression, you have started off on the wrong foot. And it is harder to repair relationships when they start off poorly. Also, it is harder to get a project back on track if it started on the wrong foot.
Some word experts say that ancient (Q5) ____________________ thought that the right foot was luckier than the left. So, it was good luck to start off with the right foot instead of the left.
Now let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.
A: Wow! You look great! Is that a new (Q6) ______________________?
B: No. I've had this suit for years. But I think I've gained some (Q7) ________________ during the pandemic.
A: Well, it DOES look a little tight. Maybe try (Q8) ____________________ the jacket.
B: Good idea.
A: Your (Q9) ___________________ looks great too. So, where are you going all dressed up?
B: Today I start a new job in a new office with new people.
A: That's a big deal. I mean we've all been working from home for more than a year.
B: Tell me about it! It feels strange to wear a suit. But with my new job I REALLY want to (Q10) _____________________________. You know what they say: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
A: In that case, maybe you should wear REAL shoes. It's hard to (Q11) _______________________ wearing your house slippers.
B: Oh no! I'm wearing (Q12) ________________________! I have to go all the way back home and get my shoes. Now, I'll be late!
A: Looks like you have to choose: Start off on the wrong foot by showing up late or by wearing slippers.
B: Hmm. You know, maybe no one will notice my footwear. But my boss will definitely notice if I'm late. So, I guess slippers it is!
A: Just stay at your desk as much as you can. Good luck!
B: Thanks! See you later!
Hopefully you started your day off on the right foot with some English lessons from VOA Learning English! And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time. I'm Anna Matteo.
KEY
Read the passage. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks with the information (words, phrases or sentences) you hear.
And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
Today we talk about something that you might (Q1) take for granted. You might not think about them or appreciate their value and worth. Your feet! We just expect them to be there when we need them.
But our feet are very important. And they have managed to walk right into many English expressions. Let's talk about some.
First, let's put our best foot forward. This means you act in the best possible way to (Q2) show your best possible self. Sometimes we do this to impress others. But sometimes we just want to do the best job we can or be the best person we can. At work, people who put their best foot forward, work fast and do the job well.
Here's another foot expression: To start off on the right foot. If something starts off on the right foot, it means it starts off (Q3) in a good way. For example, you can start your day off on the right foot. You can start a class off on the right foot. If you start or get off on the right foot, you immediately have success when you begin an activity, a project, a job, or even a relationship.
For example, when you are starting a new job, you want to start off on the right foot with your new coworkers. And if you have a new boyfriend or girlfriend, you really want to start off on the right foot with their parents. Maybe you just met a new friend. You also want to get off on the right foot with their group of friends.
All of this means that you want to leave a good impression - especially when you first meet. In fact, we have a special saying about that: "(Q4) You don't get a second chance to make a first impression."
If you make a bad first impression, you have started off on the wrong foot. And it is harder to repair relationships when they start off poorly. Also, it is harder to get a project back on track if it started on the wrong foot.
Some word experts say that ancient (Q5) superstitions thought that the right foot was luckier than the left. So, it was good luck to start off with the right foot instead of the left.
Now let's hear two friends use some of these expressions.
A: Wow! You look great! Is that a new (Q6) business suit?
B: No. I've had this suit for years. But I think I've gained some (Q7) weight during the pandemic.
A: Well, it DOES look a little tight. Maybe try (Q8) unbuttoning the jacket.
B: Good idea.
A: Your (Q9) hair cut looks great too. So, where are you going all dressed up?
B: Today I start a new job in a new office with new people.
A: That's a big deal. I mean we've all been working from home for more than a year.
B: Tell me about it! It feels strange to wear a suit. But with my new job I REALLY want to (Q10) start off on the right foot. You know what they say: You don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
A: In that case, maybe you should wear REAL shoes. It's hard to (Q11) put your best foot forward wearing your house slippers.
B: Oh no! I'm wearing (Q12) slippers! I have to go all the way back home and get my shoes. Now, I'll be late!
A: Looks like you have to choose: Start off on the wrong foot by showing up late or by wearing slippers.
B: Hmm. You know, maybe no one will notice my footwear. But my boss will definitely notice if I'm late. So, I guess slippers it is!
A: Just stay at your desk as much as you can. Good luck!
B: Thanks! See you later!
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