The english we speak(BBC教學)第332期:The coast is clear 已無危險
Neil and Feifei are up to mischief – they want to break the rules but to get away with it, they mustn't be seen! Neil has a phrase for this situation that needs explaining. Find out more in this programme.
尼爾和菲菲想調皮一下，他們想違反規則但是躲避掉處罰，他們一定不能被看到！尼爾有一個形容這種情況的短語，我們需要解釋一下。請收聽節目並理解這個短語。Neil: Hello, I'm Neil...
尼爾：大家好，我是尼爾。Feifei: ... and I'm Feifei and this is The English We Speak.
菲菲：我是菲菲，歡迎收聽地道英語節目。
Neil: So do you want a cup of coffee then, Feifei?
尼爾：菲菲，想來杯咖啡嗎？Feifei: Yes, but you know the rules – no drinking coffee in the studio!
菲菲：想，可是你知道我們的規定，演播室裏不能喝咖啡！Neil: Well that is the rule but nobody's looking so maybe we could sneak two cups in?
尼爾：是有這樣的規定，可是也沒人看着，也許我們可以偷偷帶兩杯咖啡進來？Feifei: Sneak? Yes ok, you keep an eye out for the boss and I'll grab the coffee from the kitchen.
菲菲：偷偷帶？好，你留心老闆，我去廚房拿咖啡。Neil: , the coast is clear!
尼爾：好，已經安全了！Feifei: Eh? The coast is clear – how do you know that? We're nowhere near the seaside.
菲菲：什麼？海岸很清澈，你怎麼知道的？我們離海邊很遠。Neil: We don't need to be – it's just a saying. The coast is clear means it's safe to do something because nobody is watching – so we won't get caught.
尼爾：我們不用去海邊，這只是一句俗語。the coast is clear的意思是現在做某事是安全的，因爲沒人在看，所以我們不會被抓到。Feifei: Ah, got you! So we're being a bit naughty, Neil?
菲菲：啊，我明白了！所以，尼爾，我們要調皮一下嘍？Neil: Yes, that's right – hopefully nobody will ever find out what we're doing! Let's hear some more examples of this phrase...
尼爾：對，沒錯，希望沒人發現我們在幹嘛！我們來聽些例句。Examples
例句I really wanted to know what my birthday present was, so when the coast was clear, I unwrapped it – I guess I've spoilt my surprise now!
我真的很想知道我的生日禮物是什麼，所以在沒有被發現的危險時，我打開了它，我想我現在已經毀掉我的驚喜了！The coast is clear so make a run for it before you get caught!
已經安全了，在被抓到之前趕快逃走吧！Feifei: Ok – so that's the coast is clear which means it's safe to do something which isn't allowed while nobody is watching. Right Neil, is the coast still clear?
菲菲：好，所以這個短語的意思是在沒有人看着的時候，做不被允許的事情是安全的。對了尼爾，現在還安全嗎？Neil: Yes, but quick before someone comes. Quick... someone's coming!
尼爾：安全，在有人來之前，快點搞定。快點，有人來了！Debbie: Oh hello Feifei... are you making coffee for the team? Thanks - I'll take those from you shall I? You wouldn't want to be caught drinking those in the studio now, would you? You know the rules! See ya.
黛比：哦，菲菲，你好……你是在爲咱們組衝咖啡嗎？謝謝，我把這些拿走，好嗎？你不想被抓到在演播室喝咖啡對吧？你知道規定的！回頭見 。Feifei: Err, see you later, Debbie. Oh dear Neil, it looks like the coast wasn't clear.
菲菲：額，一會兒見，黛比。哦，親愛的尼爾，這看上去可並不安全啊。Neil: I think we got away with it. Anyway, that's the end of the programme. What shall we do now?
尼爾：我還以爲我們僥倖成功了呢。不管怎樣，今天的節目到這裏就結束了。我們現在幹什麼呢？Feifei: Coffee?
菲菲：喝杯咖啡？Neil: Yeah. Good idea, let's go.
尼爾：好主意，走吧。Feifei: Bye.
菲菲：再見。Neil: Bye.
尼爾：再見。
譯文屬僅供學習交流使用，未經許可請勿轉載
重點講解：
1. get away with （做壞事而）未受懲罰；（做冒險之事而）未遭遇不測；
例句：I don't really believe you can get away with it.
我不太相信你能逃脫得了。
2. keep an eye out for 留意；瞪大眼睛；密切注意；
例句：When you are traveling, always keep an eye out for thieves.
你外出旅遊時，總要留心小偷。
3. the coast is clear 沒有被發現(或捉住)的危險；危險已過；
例句：'You can come out now,' he called. 'The coast is clear. She's gone.'
“你現在可以出來了。”他喊道，“沒危險了，她已經走了。”
4. find out (尤指特意通過努力)發現，找出，查明；
例句：He finally find out the method for apply his theory to phenomena.
他終於發現了他的理論運用在某種特殊現象的方法。
