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cover of episode Throwback Thursday S1 #25 - Expressions Related to Negative Energy

Throwback Thursday S1 #25 - Expressions Related to Negative Energy

2025/3/27
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Learn English | EnglishClass101.com

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J
John
一位专注于跨境资本市场、并购和公司治理的资深律师。
S
Sydney
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John: 我们这节课学习与负能量相关的表达,这些表达在日常生活中很常见,通常用来描述令人沮丧的事情。我们学习的表达包括:the blues(悲伤,沮丧),backhanded compliment(既是赞美又是侮辱的话),knock it off(停止做某事),to cut corners(采取捷径,而不是最好的方式做事)。我将解释每个表达的含义和用法,并提供例句。例如,'the blues'字面意思是蓝色,但如果说'have the blues'或'feeling blue',则表示悲伤。'backhanded compliment'表面上是赞美,但暗含着侮辱,例如'I love how you can just wear anything and not care'。'knock it off'最早可以追溯到19世纪,现在用来告诉别人停止做一些令人讨厌或不愉快的事情。'to cut corners'通常带有负面含义,指为了方便而牺牲质量。最后,我会用四个情景测试大家对这些表达的掌握情况。 Sydney: 我们这节课学习的第一个表达是'the blues',意思是悲伤,沮丧的感觉。'backhanded compliment'指的是一种既是赞美又是侮辱的表达方式,例如'I love how you can just wear anything and not care',表面上是赞美,但暗含着对方不注重穿着打扮。'knock it off'的意思是停止做某事,通常用于告诉别人停止一些令人讨厌的行为。'to cut corners'指的是为了图方便而采取捷径,通常会牺牲质量。在课程的最后,John 会用四个情景来测试我们对这四个表达的理解。

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Expressions related to negative energy. I'm John. And I'm Sydney. In this lesson, you'll learn expressions related to negative energy. These are more everyday expressions that you might hear when someone is talking about something upsetting. The expressions you'll be learning in this lesson are The blues. Backhanded compliment. Knock it off. To cut corners. Sydney, what's our first expression? The blues. Meaning sadness. Feelings of depression. The blues.

The blues. Listeners, please repeat. The blues. Blue is literally a color. But if you have the blues, or if you're feeling blue, then you are sad. The blues are also a type of music which express sadness and loss. Now let's hear an example sentence. A nap is the best cure for the blues. A nap is the best cure for the blues. A nap is the best cure for the blues.

Okay, what's the next expression? Backhanded compliment. Meaning, a statement which is both a compliment and an insult at the same time. Backhanded compliment. Backhanded compliment. Listeners, please repeat. Backhanded compliment.

A backhanded compliment is a statement which at first seems like a compliment but implies an insult. One example would be, "I love how you can just wear anything and not care." While at first it seems like the person is complimenting the other person's boldness, it implies that they aren't stylish. This term is used by everyone and can be used in any context. Now let's hear an example sentence. I can't tell if that was a compliment or a backhanded compliment.

I can't tell if that was a compliment or a backhanded compliment. I can't tell if that was a compliment or a backhanded compliment. Okay, what's our next expression? Knock it off. Meaning, stop doing an action. Knock it off. Knock it off. Listeners, please repeat. Knock it off.

The earliest usage of "knock it off" is actually from the 1800s, when an auctioneer would "knock" his gavel to signal the end of bidding. Nowadays, it's used to tell someone to stop doing something, especially if it's annoying or unpleasant. For example, if your little brother is banging the pots and pans in the kitchen, you can turn to him and yell, "Knock it off!" Remember, this phrase can come off as a little rude, so be careful to use it only with close friends or family members. Now let's hear an example sentence.

Would you knock it off? I'm trying to sleep. Would you knock it off? I'm trying to sleep. Would you knock it off? I'm trying to sleep. Okay, what's the last expression? To cut corners. Meaning, to do something the quickest, easiest way instead of the best way. To cut corners. To cut corners. Listeners, please repeat. To cut corners. To cut corners means to take a shortcut.

It almost always has a negative connotation. If you cut corners, then you're not doing things the way they should be done or doing them in the most thorough, best way possible. Instead, you're sacrificing quality in order to make the work easier. Now let's hear an example sentence. They cut corners and paid for it later.

Okay, listeners, are you ready to be quizzed on the expressions you just learned? I will describe four situations, and you will choose the right expression to use in your reply. Are you ready? After doing well on an exam, her friend told her she didn't expect that. A statement which is both a compliment and an insult at the same time. After a breakup, many people are sad for a while. Sadness, feelings of depression.

A student doesn't work hard on a project and gets a bad grade. To cut corners. To do something the quickest, easiest way instead of the best way. A girl asks her brother to stop pinching her. Knock it off. Stop doing inaction. There you have it. You have mastered four English slang expressions. We have more vocab lists available at EnglishClass101.com, so be sure to check them out. Thanks, everyone, and see you next time. Goodbye.