VOA词汇掌故：与cold有关的英语表达
燕山大学 刘立军 编写
【TRANSCRIPT】
Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories. On this program we discuss the meaning and usage of common expressions in American English.
The world can be a cold, cold place.
Sometimes the environment is figuratively cold, meaning not cold in temperature but rather cold in feeling. People can be mean. Work can be thankless. Living conditions can be hard.
And sometimes the world is literally cold. Temperatures drop. Snow falls from the clouds and sticks to the ground. Ice covers sidewalks and roads. Bitterly cold wind stings your face.
Whether your world feels literally or figuratively cold, our program today will give you the language to find comfort and warmth!
First, let's talk about our first protection against the cold - clothing.
When the weather is cold, it is important to wear the right clothing. Warm clothes - a good coat, hat, scarf, and gloves - can make all the difference. In fact, I've read that Swedish people have this expression: "There is no bad weather only bad clothing."
So, when it's cold outside, you need to bundle up! This phrasal verb means to dress warmly. Being underdressed in cold weather can be unpleasant or even dangerous.
Parents often tell children to bundle up as advice. "Make sure to bundle up! It's really cold today." Babies bundled up in soft blankets are warm, protected and very cute!
After a day out in the cold world, it feels good to come home and change out of your day clothes. Putting on something comfortable, like pajamas, can warm both the body and soul.
When we use "comfortable" to describe things like clothing or furniture, we sometimes shorten it to just comfy. For example, "This sweater is so comfy!" or "Your couch is very comfy."
Now, a simple pleasure on a cold, winter day is to sit close to a warm fire. If you are lucky enough to be sitting by a fire, wearing comfy clothes, and drinking a cup of hot chocolate, you could say you are comfy-cozy, toasty-roasty. This sounds like part of a children's song, but it is just a way of saying you are warm and comfortable.
If you're really lucky, you have someone to cozy up with. To cozy up to someone means to get physically close to them. Another word for this is to snuggle. After a bad day, it can be warm and comforting to cozy up with a husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, or even your loyal dog or cat.
But this expression has another meaning. To cozy up to someone can mean to start a friendship with someone or simply be nice to them in an attempt to get something. In order to get something you want, you are nice and extra friendly. Let's hear it used in this example.
A: Matthew has been so nice to me recently. It's strange. I didn't think he liked me.
B: He heard that you will be deciding who goes overseas to work on that big project. So, he's cozying up to you.
A: Oh. That explains the box of chocolates he gave me!
So, people can cozy up to others to try to get something they want but so can industries. You may hear "cozy up" when talking about the attempt to influence government officials. For example, to get favorable laws passed, lobbyists may cozy up to lawmakers.
Another way we say this is to get cozy with someone. You might hear it used this way. "I see you've been getting cozy with the coach lately. Worried about your position on the team, are you?"
Now, even though big business and lawmakers often cozy up with each other, we would not describe either of them as warm-and-fuzzy. Sometimes this word combination is hyphenated. Sometimes it is not.
Something that feels really good after escaping the cold is something warm-and-fuzzy. Fuzzy describes something very soft to the touch - like a puppy or a kitten.
So, warm-and-fuzzy clothing can comfort you after dealing with literal cold. But something warm-and-fuzzy can also protect you against figurative cold. For example, a movie can be warm-and-fuzzy. This means it makes you feel good when you watch it.
However, we also use this expression to describe someone or something that is really cold or unfeeling. As we said earlier, lobbyists and lawmakers usually aren't warm-and-fuzzy.
Let's hear how it is used in another example:
A: "Your roommate sure isn't the warm and fuzzy type, is she?"
B: "No, she's not. Last week when I had a cold, she told me not to sneeze so loudly."
A: "Now, that's cold."
After a bad day - either a cold or hot one - many of us just want to get home and escape.
My perfect way to escape would be change into my comfy-cozy pajamas, sink into my comfy couch and curl up in front of a fire to watch a warm-and-fuzzy movie.
"To curl up" means to make your body into the shape of a ball to keep warm, as a kitten would. Is there anything cuter than a fuzzy, baby animal curling up by its mother? I don't think so.
To escape a cold world, you may want to curl up with a cup of hot tea and our next Words and Their Stories.
I'm Anna Matteo.
【VOCABULARY】
1. figurative adj. (of language, words, phrases, etc. 语言、词语等) used in a way that is different from the usual meaning, in order to create a particular mental picture. For example, 'He exploded with rage'shows a figurative use of the verb 'explode'. 比喻的
2. thankless adj. unpleasant or difficult to do and unlikely to bring you any rewards or thanks from anyone 让人不领情的；徒劳无益的；吃力不讨好的。例如：Sometimes being a mother and a housewife felt like a thankless task. 做母亲和家庭主妇有时使人觉得好像是个受累不讨好的差使。
3. literally adv. in a literal way 按字面；字面上。例如：The word 'planet' literally means 'wandering body'. planet 一词字面上的意思是 wandering body。
4. snuggle v. snuggle (up to sb/sth)（+ 副词或介词短语）to get into, or to put sb/sth into, a warm comfortable position, especially close to sb（使）依偎，紧贴，蜷伏。用法：
①（单独使用的动词）例如：
The child snuggled up to her mother. 孩子依偎着母亲。
He snuggled down under the bedclothes. 他躺下以后盖上被子，很舒服。
She snuggled closer. 她把身子蜷得更靠近些。
②（动词 + 名词短语）例如：He snuggled his head onto her shoulder. 他把头倚在她肩上。
5. lobbyist n.（对政府或委员会进行游说的）说客 A lobbyist is someone who tries actively to persuade a government or council that a particular law should be changed or that a particular thing should be done.
6. hyphenate v.（动词 + 名词短语）to join two words together using a hyphen; to divide a word between two lines of text using a hyphen 用连字符连接；用连字符分割（词语）。例如：Is your name hyphenated? 你的名字有用连字符吗？
【QUESTIONS】
Read the passage. Then listen to the news and fill in the blanks with the information (words, phrases or sentences) you hear.
Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories. On this program we discuss the meaning and usage of common expressions in American English.
The world can be a cold, cold place.
Sometimes the environment is (Q1） _______________ cold, meaning not cold in temperature but rather cold in feeling. People can be mean. Work can be (Q2） _______________. Living conditions can be hard.
And sometimes the world is (Q3） ________________ cold. Temperatures drop. Snow falls from the clouds and sticks to the ground. Ice covers sidewalks and roads. Bitterly cold wind stings your face.
Whether your world feels literally or figuratively cold, our program today will give you the language to find comfort and warmth!
First, let's talk about our first protection against the cold - clothing.
When the weather is cold, it is important to wear the right clothing. Warm clothes - a good coat, hat, scarf, and gloves - can make all the difference. In fact, I've read that Swedish people have this expression: "There is no bad weather only bad clothing."
So, when it's cold outside, you need to (Q4） ________________! This phrasal verb means to dress warmly. Being underdressed in cold weather can be unpleasant or even dangerous.
Parents often tell children to bundle up as advice. "Make sure to bundle up! It's really cold today." Babies bundled up in soft blankets are warm, protected and very cute!
After a day out in the cold world, it feels good to come home and change out of your day clothes. Putting on something comfortable, like (Q5） _______________, can warm both the body and soul.
When we use "(Q6） ____________________" to describe things like clothing or furniture, we sometimes shorten it to just (Q7） _____________. For example, "This sweater is so comfy!" or "Your couch is very comfy."
Now, a simple pleasure on a cold, winter day is to sit close to a warm fire. If you are lucky enough to be sitting by a fire, wearing comfy clothes, and drinking a cup of hot chocolate, you could say you are (Q8） _______________, (Q9） _____________________. This sounds like part of a children's song, but it is just a way of saying you are warm and comfortable.
If you're really lucky, you have someone to cozy up with. To (Q10） _____________________ means to get physically close to them. Another word for this is to (Q11） _________________. After a bad day, it can be warm and comforting to cozy up with a husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, or even your loyal dog or cat.
But this expression has another meaning. To cozy up to someone can mean to start a friendship with someone or simply be nice to them in an attempt to get something. In order to get something you want, you are nice and extra friendly. Let's hear it used in this example.
A: Matthew has been so nice to me recently. It's strange. I didn't think he liked me.
B: He heard that you will be deciding who goes overseas to work on that big project. So, he's cozying up to you.
A: Oh. That explains the box of chocolates he gave me!
So, people can cozy up to others to try to get something they want but so can industries. You may hear "cozy up" when talking about the attempt to influence government officials. For example, to get favorable laws passed, lobbyists may cozy up to lawmakers.
Another way we say this is to (Q12） _______________________________. You might hear it used this way. "I see you've been getting cozy with the coach lately. Worried about your position on the team, are you?"
Now, even though big business and lawmakers often cozy up with each other, we would not describe either of them as (Q13） ______________________. Sometimes this word combination is hyphenated. Sometimes it is not.
Something that feels really good after escaping the cold is something warm-and-fuzzy. (Q14） ______ describes something very soft to the touch - like a puppy or a kitten.
So, warm-and-fuzzy clothing can comfort you after dealing with literal cold. But something warm-and-fuzzy can also protect you against figurative cold. For example, a movie can be warm-and-fuzzy. This means it makes you feel good when you watch it.
However, we also use this expression to describe someone or something that is really cold or unfeeling. As we said earlier, lobbyists and lawmakers usually aren't warm-and-fuzzy.
Let's hear how it is used in another example:
A: "Your roommate sure isn't the warm and fuzzy type, is she?"
B: "No, she's not. Last week when I had a cold, she told me not to sneeze so loudly."
A: "Now, that's cold."
After a bad day - either a cold or hot one - many of us just want to get home and escape.
My perfect way to escape would be change into my comfy-cozy pajamas, sink into my comfy couch and curl up in front of a fire to watch a warm-and-fuzzy movie.
"(Q15） _______________" means to make your body into the shape of a ball to keep warm, as a kitten would. Is there anything cuter than a fuzzy, baby animal curling up by its mother? I don't think so.
To escape a cold world, you may want to curl up with a cup of hot tea and our next Words and Their Stories.
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.
Now, the VOA Learning English program Words and Their Stories. On this program we discuss the meaning and usage of common expressions in American English.
The world can be a cold, cold place.
Sometimes the environment is (Q1） figuratively cold, meaning not cold in temperature but rather cold in feeling. People can be mean. Work can be (Q2） thankless. Living conditions can be hard.
And sometimes the world is (Q3） literally cold. Temperatures drop. Snow falls from the clouds and sticks to the ground. Ice covers sidewalks and roads. Bitterly cold wind stings your face.
Whether your world feels literally or figuratively cold, our program today will give you the language to find comfort and warmth!
First, let's talk about our first protection against the cold - clothing.
When the weather is cold, it is important to wear the right clothing. Warm clothes - a good coat, hat, scarf, and gloves - can make all the difference. In fact, I've read that Swedish people have this expression: "There is no bad weather only bad clothing."
So, when it's cold outside, you need to (Q4） bundle up! This phrasal verb means to dress warmly. Being underdressed in cold weather can be unpleasant or even dangerous.
Parents often tell children to bundle up as advice. "Make sure to bundle up! It's really cold today." Babies bundled up in soft blankets are warm, protected and very cute!
After a day out in the cold world, it feels good to come home and change out of your day clothes. Putting on something comfortable, like (Q5） pajamas, can warm both the body and soul.
When we use "(Q6） comfortable" to describe things like clothing or furniture, we sometimes shorten it to just (Q7） comfy. For example, "This sweater is so comfy!" or "Your couch is very comfy."
Now, a simple pleasure on a cold, winter day is to sit close to a warm fire. If you are lucky enough to be sitting by a fire, wearing comfy clothes, and drinking a cup of hot chocolate, you could say you are (Q8） comfy-cozy, (Q9） toasty-roasty. This sounds like part of a children's song, but it is just a way of saying you are warm and comfortable.
If you're really lucky, you have someone to cozy up with. To (Q10） cozy up to someone means to get physically close to them. Another word for this is to (Q11） snuggle. After a bad day, it can be warm and comforting to cozy up with a husband or wife, boyfriend or girlfriend, or even your loyal dog or cat.
But this expression has another meaning. To cozy up to someone can mean to start a friendship with someone or simply be nice to them in an attempt to get something. In order to get something you want, you are nice and extra friendly. Let's hear it used in this example.
A: Matthew has been so nice to me recently. It's strange. I didn't think he liked me.
B: He heard that you will be deciding who goes overseas to work on that big project. So, he's cozying up to you.
A: Oh. That explains the box of chocolates he gave me!
So, people can cozy up to others to try to get something they want but so can industries. You may hear "cozy up" when talking about the attempt to influence government officials. For example, to get favorable laws passed, lobbyists may cozy up to lawmakers.
Another way we say this is to (Q12） get cozy with someone. You might hear it used this way. "I see you've been getting cozy with the coach lately. Worried about your position on the team, are you?"
Now, even though big business and lawmakers often cozy up with each other, we would not describe either of them as (Q13） warm-and-fuzzy. Sometimes this word combination is hyphenated. Sometimes it is not.
Something that feels really good after escaping the cold is something warm-and-fuzzy. (Q14） Fuzzy describes something very soft to the touch - like a puppy or a kitten.
So, warm-and-fuzzy clothing can comfort you after dealing with literal cold. But something warm-and-fuzzy can also protect you against figurative cold. For example, a movie can be warm-and-fuzzy. This means it makes you feel good when you watch it.
However, we also use this expression to describe someone or something that is really cold or unfeeling. As we said earlier, lobbyists and lawmakers usually aren't warm-and-fuzzy.
Let's hear how it is used in another example:
A: "Your roommate sure isn't the warm and fuzzy type, is she?"
B: "No, she's not. Last week when I had a cold, she told me not to sneeze so loudly."
A: "Now, that's cold."
After a bad day - either a cold or hot one - many of us just want to get home and escape.
My perfect way to escape would be change into my comfy-cozy pajamas, sink into my comfy couch and curl up in front of a fire to watch a warm-and-fuzzy movie.
"(Q15） To curl up" means to make your body into the shape of a ball to keep warm, as a kitten would. Is there anything cuter than a fuzzy, baby animal curling up by its mother? I don't think so.
To escape a cold world, you may want to curl up with a cup of hot tea and our next Words and Their Stories.
I'm Anna Matteo.