It's Time to 'See the Light'"是时候‘看见光明’了"

2023-12-04 16:59:24来源：网络

It's Time to 'See the Light'

"是时候‘看见光明’了"

【原文听力】

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　　By Anna Matteo

　　02 December 2023

　　And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

　　In many places, the holiday season in December can be a magical time. During this month, many cultures celebrate with festivals of lights. From Amsterdam in the Netherlands to Sydney, Australia; from Lyon, France to many cities in Japan -- lights are used to lift the spirits and to celebrate.

　　So, today we will talk about a few expressions that use the word "light."

　　The first is to be a beacon of light. A beacon of light gives hope and happiness to others. If you have ever been called a beacon of light, take it as a big compliment. A person who is a beacon of light makes things better for everyone around them. A beacon of light can be a person who helps guide others to safety, much like a lighthouse does for ships and boats.

　　These people can even cast light on the darkness in our lives. When we cast light on something, we make it better. The expression can also mean that we explain something more fully or expose some unknown parts of an issue or problem. Some people like to say, "Let me cast a little light on the subject," before they explain something.

　　After someone casts light on a complex or difficult issue, you might begin to see the light. If you see the light, you understand something. Often, you have realized a difficult truth. For example, years ago my friend refused to believe that her boyfriend had a drinking problem. But when he was arrested for drunk driving, she began to see the light. She got him help and now he has been alcohol-free for many years. So, he saw the light, too.

　　This expression is very different from seeing the light of day --although they sound similar.

　　When something sees the light of day, it is made available to others. For example, some people write stories and poems. But these works never see the light of day. They stay hidden in a desk drawer or notebook.

　　To see the light of day can also mean to be born or to come into existence. Let's say you worked on a big project for many months or even years. You will probably feel very excited when it finally sees the light of day.

　　Now, let's talk about "bad light."

　　Bad lighting can make even the most beautiful person look bad in a picture or video. So, it is not surprising that seeing something in a bad light means to form a bad opinion of something or someone.

　　Sometimes our habits and attitudes can be seen in a bad light. For example, a scientist was seen in a bad light by her coworkers. They said she was not a team player.

　　Now, let's hear these some of these expressions used in a discussion between two friends.

　　A: Wow, you look awful. Are you sick?

　　B: No. I haven't slept in a week.

　　A: Why? What's wrong?

　　B: My roommate started playing the bag pipes. They are SO loud. And she plays late at night!

　　A: The bag pipes?! Oh, that's too bad. Well, have you told her to stop?

　　B: No. She's a really nice person. So, I don't want her to see me in a bad light. I mean, we all do annoying things, right?

　　A: Yes. But, we all don't play the bag pipes late at night. Look, you need to do something. You need your sleep! You could hide her bag pipes. Hide them somewhere so they will never see the light of day again!

　　B: You are so mean! But you are also right. I'm beginning to see the light. I'll say something later. But for now (yawn) can I crash on your couch. I'm beat!

　　And that's the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.

　　Anna Matteo wrote this lesson for VOA Learning English.

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　　作者：Anna Matteo

　　日期：2023年12月2日

　　现在，来自VOA学习英语的“词语及其故事”。

　　在许多地方，十二月的假期季节可以是一个神奇的时刻。在这个月里，许多文化都会通过光之节庆祝。从荷兰的阿姆斯特丹到澳大利亚的悉尼；从法国的里昂到日本的许多城市 -- 灯光被用来提振人们的精神并庆祝。

　　所以，今天我们将讨论一些使用“光”这个词的表达。

　　首先是“做一盏指路明灯”。一盏指路明灯给他人带来希望和快乐。如果你曾被称为一盏指路明灯，那么请把它当作是一种极大的赞美。一位指路明灯的人会让他们周围的每个人的生活变得更好。一盏指路明灯可以是一个人，他们帮助引导其他人走向安全，就像灯塔对船只一样。

　　这些人甚至可以照亮我们生活中的黑暗。当我们照亮某件事情时，我们使它变得更好。这个表达也可以意味着我们更全面地解释某件事，或者揭示一个问题或问题的一些未知部分。有些人在解释某件事之前喜欢说，“让我来为这个话题投下一些光明。”

　　在某人对复杂或困难的问题进行了阐述之后，你可能会开始“看见光明”。如果你“看见光明”，那就意味着你理解了某件事。通常，你已经意识到了一个困难的真相。例如，多年前，我的朋友拒绝相信她的男朋友有饮酒问题。但是，当他因醉酒驾驶被逮捕时，她开始“看见光明”。她帮他寻求了帮助，现在他已经多年没有喝酒了。所以，他也“看见了光明”。

　　这个表达和“见到天日”非常不同——尽管它们听起来很相似。

　　当某件事“见到天日”，意味着它被公之于众。例如，有些人写故事和诗。但这些作品从未“见到天日”。它们一直隐藏在抽屉或笔记本中。

　　“见到天日”也可以意味着出生或者诞生。比如说，你可能在一个大项目上工作了很多个月甚至几年。当它最终“见到天日”时，你可能会感到非常兴奋。

　　现在，让我们来谈谈"坏光"。

　　糟糕的光线可以让即使是最美丽的人在照片或视频中看起来很糟糕。所以，不足为奇的是，"以坏光看"意味着对某事或某人形成了不好的看法。

　　有时候，我们的习惯和态度可能会被"以坏光看"。例如，一位科学家被她的同事们"以坏光看"。他们说她不是一个团队合作者。

　　现在，让我们听听这些表达在两个朋友的对话中是如何使用的。

　　A: 哇，你看起来很糟糕。你生病了吗？

　　B: 不，我已经一个星期没睡觉了。

　　A:为什么？出什么问题了？

　　B: 我的室友开始吹风笛。它们太吵了。而且她总是在深夜吹！

　　A: 风笛？！哦，那太糟糕了。那么，你告诉她停止了吗？