滑坡效应
Slippery slope
Hello and welcome to The English We Speak with me, Feifei...
大家好，欢迎来到BBC《地道英语》，我是菲菲。
...and me, Rob.
我是罗伯。
We may sound a little different - that's because we are not able to record in our normal studios during the coronavirus pandemic.
我们可能听起来与以往有些不同，这是因为在新冠肺炎疫情爆发期间，我们无法在平时的录音间录制节目。
Now, Rob, why are you wearing those funny rubber shoes today?
罗伯，你今天为什么穿那双可笑的胶鞋？
It's in preparation for today's phrase, Feifei!
这是在为今天的短语做准备，菲菲！
What?
什么？
Our English expression today has nothing to do with wearing shoes!
我们今天的英语表达与穿鞋无关！
Ah, but these are special rubber shoes to stop me sliding down any slippery slopes - that is what we're talking about, isn't it?
啊，但这是一双特殊的胶鞋，可以防止我在任何滑坡往下滑——这就是我们要讲的，不是吗？
Hmm, well sort of but it's not really about slipping down a slope - only metaphorically.
嗯，算是吧，但这并不是说滑下斜坡——只是个比喻而已。
Right, so it has got something to do with easily descending downhill into something?
对吧，所以这跟很容易下坡就有关系？
Yep.
是啊。
We describe a situation that is getting worse and will end in disaster unless it is stopped,
我们描述的是一种不断恶化的局面，如果不加以制止，就会以灾难告终，
as a slippery slope.
像滑坡路一样。
Listen to these examples...
来听几个例句……
Having a glass of wine with your dinner is a slippery slope - you'll end up finishing the whole bottle by the end of the evening.
晚餐时喝一杯葡萄酒会产生一种“滑坡效应”，到了晚上你就会喝完整瓶酒。
Juan was on a slippery slope to getting the sack when he started missing important meetings with clients.
当胡安开始错过与客户的重要会议时，他正面临被解雇的危险。
He's on a slippery slope to failure if he keeps missing the deadlines for his assignments.
如果他老是错过任务的最后期限，他就有失败的危险。
This is The English We Speak from BBC Learning English and we're talking about the expression 'a slippery slope',
欢迎收听BBC《地道英语》，我们讨论的是短语“slippery slope”，
which describes a situation that is only going to get worse.
描述一种只会变得更糟的情况。
It's basically a situation or problem that is going downhill!
这基本上是一种正在走下坡路的情况或问题！
OK, so I won't be needing these slip-resistant shoes, then.
好吧，那我就不需要这双防滑鞋了。
Hmm, but they are very comfortable - I might keep wearing them.
嗯，但它们穿着很舒服，我可能会一直穿。
Oh no, Rob - it'll be a slippery slope.
哦，不，罗伯，这会是个“滑坡效应”。
Why's that?
为什么这么说？
Well, if you keep wearing them without socks...
如果你一直不穿袜子的话……
...everyone will laugh at me?
……每个人都会嘲笑我？
No - your feet will smell and then nobody will want to sit next to you!
不，你的脚会闻起来很臭，然后没人愿意坐在你旁边！
Charming!
真是太好了！
Well it's a good job I'm self-isolating!
这可不错，我在自我隔离的！
Bye, Feifei.
再见，菲菲。
Bye, Rob.
再见，罗伯。
Bye, Feifei.
再见，菲菲。