用法学习: 1. be stacked against you 对你不利 if something is stacked against you, it is unfair and will probably cause you to fail. The evidence seems stacked against me. the cards/odds are stacked against you 处境不妙, 处境不利 used for saying that you are likely to fail, often because people are being unfair. blow your top/stack to suddenly become very angry. The boss will blow his top when he hears about this. electorate [ɪˈlɛkt(ə)rət] I. all the people in a country or area who are entitled to vote in an election. The electorate of a country or area is all the people in it who have the right to vote in an election. a policy designed to appeal to all sections of the electorate. He has the backing of almost a quarter of the electorate 全体选民. ...the Maltese electorate. "75 per cent of the electorate voted for a Scottish parliament in some form". II. Australian/NZ 选区. the area represented by one Member of Parliament. The geographic area encompassing an electoral district. The electorate of Finchley borders on the electorate of Much-Binding-in-the-Marsh, splitting the new housing estate of Royal Cupolas. constituent [kənˈstɪtʃuənt] I. 成分. one of the parts that form something when they combine. A constituent of a mixture, substance, or system is one of the things from which it is formed. Caffeine is the active constituent of drinks such as tea and coffee. The main constituents of wine are acid, tannin, alcohol, and sugar. II. 选民. someone who lives in a constituency and is allowed to vote in elections. A NSW minister says his constituents are being "kept in the dark" about coronavirus, but the local health district says releasing more detailed information would have "no public health benefit". adj. The constituent parts of something are the things from which it is formed. ...a plan to split the company into its constituent parts and sell them separately. ...the leaders of Russia's constituent republics. constituency [kənˈstɪtʃuənsi] I. 选区. A constituency is an area for which someone is elected as the representative in a parliament or government. II. A particular constituency is a section of society that may give political support to a particular party or politician. In France, farmers are a powerful political constituency. 2. Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never break me. = sticks and stones may break my bones (but words will never hurt me) said in order to show that people cannot be hurt by unpleasant things that are said to them. A common childhood chant meaning hurtful words cannot cause any physical pain and thus will be ignored or disregarded. I've never been affected by people's criticism—sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. (A reply to someone who has called you names. Primarily used by children; sounds childish when used by adults.) Brother: You're stupid and mean, and everybody hates you! Sister: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. emasculate [ɪˈmaskjʊleɪt] I. deprive (a man) of his male role or identity. If a man is emasculated, he loses his male role, identity, or qualities. Tosh was known to be a man who feared no-one, yet he was clearly emasculated by the situation. "in his mind, her success emasculated him". II. make (someone or something) weaker or less effective. "the refusal to allow them to testify effectively emasculated the committee". If someone or something is emasculated, they have been made weak and ineffective. Left-wing dissidents have been emasculated and marginalised. The company tried to emasculate the unions. The local media are emasculated by censorship. ...the emasculation of fundamental freedoms. to reduce the effectiveness of something: They were accused of trying to emasculate the report's recommendations. III. to castrate (= remove the male sexual parts of) a man or male animal, or to remove the male parts of a plant. 3. you da man! you're the man! American English spoken used to praise someone for having done something well. mothball 束之高阁, 弃置不用 to decide not to continue using something or doing something for a period of time. If someone in authority mothballs a plan, factory, or piece of equipment, they decide to stop developing or using it, perhaps temporarily. ...the decision to mothball the Bataan Nuclear Power Plant, for safety and political reasons. The shuttle programme has now been mothballed to save money. "We only had two machines operational, we had a third machine mothballed 停用, and we only had two trained operators." Mr Csiszar and the Government worked out a way to quickly increase production by deploying 派遣, 派去 14 Australian Defence Force personnel to the factory three weeks ago. "It almost looks like an army barracks now," he said. "We've got army personnel in there, we've got guys on the floor who are actually very highly trained soldiers, some of them are electrical engineers. "Actually they're running them very, very well at the moment. 4.
不知情的 uninformed VS oblivious VS unwary VS unwitting VS blindside VS clueless VS uninitiated: 0. uninformed 不了解情况, 不知内情的, 没有被告知的, 不知情的
not having or showing awareness or understanding of the facts. If you
describe someone as uninformed, you mean that they have very little
knowledge or information about a particular situation or subject. He could not complain that he was uninformed about the true nature of the regime. Cases of child abuse often go unreported or ignored by uninformed citizens. "uninformed criticism of conservation projects". a. not based on knowledge or correct information, and therefore wrong or unsuitable. uninformed comments. b. without knowledge or information about something. Voters are surprisingly uninformed about the candidates' positions on major issues. 1. Rose appeared to be completely oblivious to 毫不知情的, 完全没有意识到的 the playful tender moment going on behind her as she put her hand to her hip to pose for the snaps. "Teachers and parents are oblivious 毫不知情的(not noticing something, or not knowing about it. oblivious to/of: She seemed completely oblivious to the noise around her.) and are looking at the face of the device thinking it's fine," she said. 2. His secret came out when a birth complication forced Thomas and his unknowing ( 豪不知情的, 被瞒住的. oblivious. not knowing what kind of situation you are involved in, for example because someone has tricked or cheated you. ) wife to Nina's hospital instead of the maternity ward产房 they had planned. 3. It should be understandable why he was upset after being completely blindsided 没有被告知, 毫不知情. 4. The blue wall of silence, also blue code and blue shield, are terms used in the United States to denote the unwritten rule 不成文的规定 that exists among police officers not to report on a colleague's errors, misconducts, or crimes. If questioned about an incident of misconduct involving another officer (e.g. during the course of an official inquiry), while following the code, the officer being questioned would claim ignorance of 声称不知情 another officer's wrongdoing. 5. in the know 了解情况的 Informed, aware. Those in the know don't shop at that kind of store. Anyone who is in the know doesn't shop there. He appears in the know about such matters. in the dark (about someone or something)
Fig. 不知情的. 不了解的. 不告诉我的. 对...保密的. uninformed about someone or something;
ignorant about someone or something. (be ~; keep someone ~; stay ~.) I'm in the dark about who is in charge around here. I can't imagine why they are keeping me in the dark. She's in the dark about how this machine works. in the dark I. In secret, in concealment, as in This agreement was concluded in the dark. II. In a state of ignorance, uninformed, as in I was in the dark about their plans. This metaphor often appears in the locution keep someone in the dark, meaning "deliberately keep someone uninformed," as in They kept me in the dark about their plans. 6. clued-up: 知道内幕的 shrewd; well-informed. clueless 毫不知情的. 7. wary [ˈweri] careful or nervous about someone or something because you think they might cause a problem. If you are wary of something or someone, you are cautious because you do not know much about them and you believe they may be dangerous or cause problems. People did not teach their children to be wary of strangers. They were very wary about giving him a contract. She studied me warily, as if I might turn violent. He was wary of putting too much trust in her. a wary eye 警惕着看着 If you keep a wary eye on something or someone, you are cautious about them and watch them to see what they will do or what will happen to them. Bankers are keeping a wary eye on the outcome. unwary [ʌnweəri] 不知情的人, 不小心的人, 不当心的人, 不注意的人, 没有经验的人
If you describe someone as unwary, you mean that they are not cautious
or experienced and are therefore likely to be harmed or deceived. Beware
the Compliance Trap. It will catch the unwary. With its quicksands the
river usually drowns a few unwary visitors every season. Specialist
subjects are full of pitfalls for the unwary. trap the unwary. designed to catch out the unwary. 8. unwitting [ʌnˈwɪtɪŋ] 完全懵圈的, 不知情的, 一无所知的 (unwittingly 不小心的 )
not conscious or deliberate. If you describe a person or their actions
as unwitting, you mean that the person does something or is involved in
something without realizing it. without knowing or planning: The two women claimed they were the unwitting victims of a drug dealer who planted a large quantity of heroin in their luggage. We're unwitting victims of the system. It had been an unwitting blunder on the Prime Minister's part. unwitting prejudice. A trio of brothers allegedly planned to sneak the bomb on to the plane by placing it in the carry-on luggage of an unwitting fourth brother who was travelling to Abu Dhabi to visit family, but the plot was foiled when he was told his bag was too heavy. This guy adore her so much that they need her as an unwitting (unknowingly, being completely blindsided 没有被告知, 毫不知情) ( I.
无端被卷进来的, 无端卷入的. not conscious or deliberate. If you describe a person
or their actions as unwitting, you mean that the person does something
or is involved in something without realizing it. We're unwitting victims of the system. It had been an unwitting blunder on the Prime Minister's part. He was unwittingly caught up in the confrontation. II. used about someone who becomes involved in something without intending to. ) accessory to their surprise marriage proposal. unwitting I. (of a person) not aware of the full facts. "an unwitting 稀里糊涂的, 不知内情的, 不知情的, 不全然知情的 accomplice".
If you describe a person or their actions as unwitting, you mean that
the person does something or is involved in something without realizing
it. We're unwitting victims of the system. It had been an unwitting blunder on the Prime Minister's part. He was unwittingly caught up in the confrontation. II. not done on purpose; unintentional. "we are anxious to rectify the unwitting mistakes made in the past". "an unwitting 不当心, 非故意的, 无心的, 不小心的, 不是故意的 mistake". In Season 2, she managed to get Villanelle - with the help of an unwitting Eve - to murder a MI6 target so she didn't have to get her hands dirty. 9. The crowd grew while unaware 不明就里的, 不知情的 travelers wondered what brought the masses and inspired them to crane their necks伸长脖子 to stare in one direction. A few steps later, he would come into view进入视线, ducking(急速低头) to fit beneath the hallway ceiling. Though more restrained by personal style and jet lag, Yao seemed to share the feeling(crowds roared). What a reversal多大的转变啊!. 10. "William's family and their campaign to support the NSW Police in their investigation in the search for William have absolutely no association with 毫无关系, 没有任何关系 Schapelle Corby, her supporters or her family and had no prior knowledge 事先不知情 of Miss Corby's intention to use William's image in this way." 11. uninitiated 毛头小子, 没有经验的, 不了解情况的, 初来乍到的, 没经验的人, 不知道的人, 不了解情况的人, 没有这方面知识的人, 不是这个领域的人, 外行人
without special knowledge or experience. You can refer to people who
have no knowledge or experience of a particular subject or activity as
the uninitiated. For the uninitiated, Western Swing is a fusion 综合体 of jazz, rhythm & blues, rock & roll and country music. Its appeal may not be immediately obvious to the uninitiated. Uninitiated is also an adjective. For those uninitiated in scientific ocean drilling, the previous record was a little over 4 km. [+ in] This may not be visible to the uninitiated eye, but the experienced quarryman sees it. "a bachelor neither prudish nor uninitiated". the uninitiated 不了解情况的, 不明就里的, 不知情的, 刚来的 people who lack knowledge or experience. The labels can be a bit confusing for the uninitiated. initiate
n. An initiate is a person who has been accepted as a member by a
particular group or club and been taught its secrets and skills. Chen was an initiate of a Chinese spiritual discipline. v. I. formal to cause something to begin. If you initiate something, you start it or cause it to happen. They wanted to initiate a discussion on economics. The trip was initiated by the manager of the community centre. 发起,
Who initiated the violence? Hague initiated a series of reforms of the
Conservative Party. Some of the orders are initiated directly on the
trading floor. The council initiates its own studies and carries out
research at the request of private organizations. He is credited with
initiating several new literary forms. The Commission has power to
initiate legislation. II. to teach someone about an
area of knowledge, or to allow someone into a group by a special
ceremony. If you initiate someone into something, you introduce them to a
particular skill or type of knowledge and teach them about it. He initiated her into 引进 the study of other cultures. [VERB noun + into] At the age of eleven, Harry was initiated into the art of golf 领进门 by his father. Each culture had a special ritual to initiate boys into manhood 成人仪式.
III. If someone is initiated into something such as a religion, secret
society, or social group, they become a member of it by taking part in
ceremonies at which they learn its special knowledge or customs. In
many societies, young people are formally initiated into their adult
roles. [be VERB-ed + into] ...the ceremony that initiated members into
the Order. initiative [ɪˈnɪʃətɪv; ɪˈnɪʃɪətɪv]
I. [uncountable] the ability to decide in an independent way what to do
and when to do it. If you have initiative, you have the ability to
decide what to do next and to do it, without needing other people to
tell you what to do. She was disappointed by his lack of initiative 缺乏主动. ...workers who are able to sort out problems on their own initiative. Mr. Hills showed initiative and bravery when dealing with a dangerous situation. use your initiative 主观能动性, 主动性, 独立自主性: Employees are encouraged to use their initiative if faced with a problem. on your own initiative (=without other people telling you to do something): He developed the plan on his own initiative. II. [countable] legal American a process by which people can suggest a new law by signing a petition. III. the initiative 先机 the opportunity to take action before other people do. In a fight or contest, if you have the initiative (upper hand) 占据先机, 占住先机, you are in a better position than your opponents to decide what to do next. We
have the initiative; we intend to keep it. He paused enough to consider
the options but never so long as to lose the initiative. take the initiative: She would have to take the initiative in order to improve their relationship. lose/gain/seize the initiative 主动权: We lost the initiative and allowed our opponents to dominate the discussion.
IV. [countable] an important action that is intended to solve a
problem. An initiative is an important act or statement that is intended
to solve a problem. Government initiatives to help young people have been inadequate. There's talk of a new peace initiative. a number of initiatives designed to address the problem of child poverty.
Big Bang Theory: 1. Howard: What the hell are you watching? Bernadette: Raj found all these childbirth videos online. This one is of a woman giving birth in a river. Howard: Okay, that is the least Jewish thing I've ever seen in my life. You feel like Raj is getting a little carried away with 过于激动, 过于兴奋, 兴奋到忘乎所以 all the baby stuff? Bernadette: I don't think so. He just wants to be part of the experience. Howard: All right, if you say so. What's in the box? Bernadette: Oh, it's an ultrasonic microphone so we can hear the baby's heartbeat. Howard: Oh. That's cool. Can we try it? Bernadette: Actually, Raj ordered it. He made me promise to wait till he was here. Howard: So he can be part of the experience? Bernadette: Yeah. Howard: I'm surprised he let us conceive without him. Bernadette: It's a sore spot 痛处, 心酸事, 伤心事, don't bring it up 提起来. 2. Penny: It's so cute and rustic 乡村风情, 田园风情的 ( [ˈrʌstɪk] I. typical of the simple style of the countryside. You can use rustic to describe things or people that you approve of because they are simple or unsophisticated in a way that is typical of the countryside. ...the rustic charm of a country lifestyle. ...a half dozen or so wonderfully rustic old log cabins. We ate in a rustic inn near the ocean. a rustic charm virtually unchanged through the centuries. II. made from wood or other material with a rough surface. III. 村里感觉的. 乡下的. You can refer to someone who comes from the countryside as a rustic if you find their behaviour amusing or very different from that of people who live in towns and cities. ...lots of opera-loving Italian rustics in from the country. idyllic [ɪˈdɪlɪk] US [aɪˈdɪlɪk] 安静, 静谧的. If you describe something as idyllic, you mean that it is extremely pleasant, simple, and peaceful without any difficulties or dangers. ...an idyllic setting for a summer romance. Married life was not as idyllic as he had imagined. a. extremely happy, without any problems. Our honeymoon was idyllic.) up here. Leonard: I know. Did you see they still have a video rental place? it's like Colonial Williamsburg. Sheldon: Well, cell service is down to one bar, so if anyone needs medical attention or to tell a stranger their political views are stupid, now's the time. Amy: Have you ever been off the grid before? Sheldon: Once. The battery ran out on my phone. I had to wait for my iPad to turn on. Leonard: I was afraid he was gonna eat me. 2. Howard: Raj just pulled up. I'm gonna say something to him. Bernadette: Leave it alone. He means well. Howard: So you don't think he needs to rein it in 收敛一点, 稍微收一点, 含蓄一点 a little? Bernadette: No, not really. Howard: And you're not concerned he's acting like somehow this is his kid, too? Bernadette: He's just trying to be supportive. Howard: Just supportive. Not over-the-top 太过了, 太过分了 in any way? Bernadette: No. 3. Penny: This place is great. Leonard: So nice of that doctor to just let you use it. Penny: Well, she is taking me to an Indigo Girls concert, so hold that thought 别高兴太早了, 别太得意. Sheldon: Okay. Well, shall we check each other for ticks? Amy: Sheldon, all we did was walk in from the car. Sheldon: Oh. Well, suit yourself 随便, 随意, 爱怎样怎样, 不管你. Who wants to check me? Amy: On the other hand, safety first. 4. Howard: Look, Raj, you're my best friend in the world and I really appreciate your enthusiasm 热忱, 热心 about the baby. Raj: Please, my pleasure. Bernadette: And, of course, Howie and I both want you to be a part of all this. Howard: But we have to set some boundaries. Raj: I don't understand. Howard: The three of us aren't having this baby. Just the two of us. Howard: Oh. Okay. Yeah, I get it. I'll back off 退后一步. Howard: Thanks for understanding. Raj: Of course. I'll give you guys some space. Let me just get this out of your way. Howard: You need some help? Raj: No, I got it. Bernadette: Raj, Raj, wait. Raj: Please, Bernadette. Let me leave with my dignity. 5. Amy: Wow, it's really coming down下得真大啊, 雨好大啊. Penny: This sucks. Leonard: And there goes our hike. Sheldon: Oh, not our hike, now we have to stay safe and warm. Penny: You know, we could still go. A little rain isn't gonna kill us. Leonard: Have you been outside in the rain with Sheldon? Penny: No. Leonard: You'll wish it would kill you. Amy: So what do we do now? Leonard: They have some board games. Sheldon: Eh, most of the Jenga pieces are missing and the Scrabble only has seven tiles, so unless you want to build an unimpressive structure with the word shnerpf next to it, move on. Penny: Hey, let's light a fire. Amy: Ooh, that sounds cozy. Leonard: I don't think I've lit a real fire before. Sheldon: Ah, it's basic thermodynamics. I'm sure we can figure that out. Leonard: I could stack the logs conically to facilitate 便利化 airflow. Sheldon: That would maximize oxygen for optimal combustion. Leonard: Right. So all we need is to… Penny: Got it. Leonard: A scientist made that. 5. Howard: I feel like I just made a horrible mistake. Bernadette: Yeah. Howard: But on the other hand, I didn't kick him out of our lives. I just asked him to back off a little. Bernadette: Yeah. Howard: What? Are you gonna cry? Bernadette: Yeah. Howard: Is it baby hormones or actually sad? Bernadette: I can't tell anymore. Howard: I'll go get him. Bernadette: And bring back the bear. 6. Penny: Oh, hey, if you guys are free this weekend, I won a night of wine tasting from work. Leonard: That sounds fun. Penny: Mm-hmm. Leonard: How come scientists don't win free stuff like salespeople do? Howard: 'Cause we're not in it for the stuff. We're in it for the groupies. Sheldon: Personally, I find the notion of external rewards 外部奖励机制 demeaning( demeaning behavior or treatment makes people have less respect for you. Something that is demeaning makes people have less respect for the person who is treated in that way, or who does that thing. ...demeaning sexist comments. Aid, however it is obtained, is demeaning to the recipients. 不尊重. 贬低的 to make people have less respect for someone Advertisements like this demean women. ). I pursue science for the intrinsic joy of discovery. Amy: But you always say that you want to win a Nobel Prize. Sheldon: I also say don't contradict me 反驳 in front of my friends, but that you don't remember. Penny: All right, well, let me know if you guys want to go. Raj: I would love to. I do enjoy the complexity of an aged Pinot noir. Leonard: I'm sure that would pair nicely with your 很搭 fried nuggets of chicken. Amy: Well, it sounds like a nice night. We should go. Sheldon: Wine again? Yeah, no, thank you. I like my grapes the old-fashioned way, in a juice box. Amy: Well, I'm going. You couldn't stop me from getting a massage at the mall, and you're not stopping me now. Sheldon: I shouldn't have to see my girlfriend get groped in public by another man. Amy: And I shouldn't have to see my boyfriend riding on a train for children around the mall. Penny: The little choo-choo for toddlers? Amy: And now you know why I needed the massage. Howard: Well, we're out 我们就算了, 我们就不要了. Bernie can't drink 'cause she's pregnant. And she's pregnant because we had sex. And we had sex because, well, come on. Bernadette: It's okay, you should go. Howard: You sure? Bernadette: Of course. Penny: Yeah, give her a break from, well, come on. Sheldon: Well, Bernadette, looks like Saturday night, it's you and me. Bernadette: Me? How? Why? Sheldon: Well, it makes perfect sense. Because you're an expectant mother, you can't drink alcohol. I don't like to. You can't have sushi. I don't like to. You can't go in hot tubs. I consider them vats ( vat a large container for holding or storing liquids. a. a barrel. A vat is a large barrel or tank in which liquids can be stored. ) of sweaty people soup. Bernadette: Gee, Sheldon, I don't know. Sheldon: Oh, come on. Roller coasters, caffeine, runny eggs (Bring the water up to a boil, then lower it to a rapid simmer. Add the eggs to the pot, and then begin timing. If you're just cooking one or two eggs, five minutes is perfect for a runny yolk, or cook as long as seven minutes for a more firmly set, but still spoonable, yolk.), I've been avoiding these things all my life. And now, because you're pregnant, you have to. Leonard: The difference is she's bringing life into the world, and you suck it out. Bernadette: I guess we could give it a try. Sheldon: Well, little lady, you've heard of party hearty ( Party hearty is the original idiom used to describe someone capable of partying for a long time and having fun. Soon after the phrase was coined, it was misheard as party hardy which implies the same thing. party hearty = party down To engage in unrestrained merriment. To engage in a very lively, raucous celebration. I've been busting my hump all week studying for my exams on Friday, so I'm going to party hearty after they're all done! I know she partied hearty on Sunday for her birthday, so she might not be in the best form this morning. The whole class decided to celebrate and party hearty. Let's party down, dudes! ), get ready to party hardly. Howard: I bet you'd like a drink right now. 7. Leonard: I don't know how you put up with it. He's impossible. I mean, holding a meeting to decide what breakfast cereal we should buy. Howard: Yeah. Cap'n Crunch with Crunch Berries, move on. Leonard: Anyway, Amy, thank you for sticking up for me. Amy: Oh, I honestly couldn't care less. Leonard: Sorry? Amy: Well, I just took your side 'cause sometimes I get annoyed at how close Sheldon and Penny are. Leonard: Well, they argue all the time. They aren't that close. Amy: Who's always comforting him when he's upset? Leonard: Penny, but… Amy: Who's the only one who can make him take his medicine when he's sick? Leonard: I try to hide it in his peanut butter, but he spits it out. Amy: Okay. And did you know she has him add things to the roommate agreement so she can get her way and not fight with you about it? Leonard: Son of a bitch. Why is that funny? Howard: I don't know. I like the pain of others 其他人的痛. Leonard: Oh, well, then you'll enjoy this. Bernadette does the same thing with you and Koothrappali. Howard: No, she doesn't. Leonard: She defends him all the time. Howard: She does not. Amy: Who told you to stop making all those Gandhi jokes about him? Howard: Well, she did. And human resources. Leonard: Who do you think told Koothrappali to go to human resources? Howard: Son of a bitch. Leonard: You're, you're right, it feels good. Leonard: You know, you don't need to use Sheldon to get your way with me in a dumb roommate agreement. Penny: Where'd you get that from? Leonard: From Amy. 8. Sheldon: Of course, it will require a vote. Unfortunately, my official gavel 小锤 ( [ˈɡæv(ə)l] a small wooden hammer that someone such as a judge knocks on a table to emphasize a decision, or so that people will listen. A gavel is a small wooden hammer that the person in charge of a law court, an auction, or a meeting bangs on a table to get people's attention. 'Let's take a ten-minute recess', the judge said, pounding his gavel. ) is in my bedroom, but luckily, I have my travel gavel. 9. Leonard: Maybe we should take a step back. Howard: Take a step back? I'm not a young man any more. Leonard: No, I mean re-evaluate 重新评估, 好好想想 what we're doing with the guidance system. Howard: But I got a baby on the way. I got to make some money. Leonard: What good is money gonna do 钱有什么用, 钱有什么好处 if we inadvertently bring about 引发, 导致 Armageddon? Howard: Okay, let me stop you right there. We absolutely know our invention will not be used to destroy the world. Leonard: How? Howard: Because no one from the future has come back to kill us. 10. Sheldon: Your name is Bernatrix. You are a warrior queen. You're strong, beautiful and tall. Bernadette: Oh. I like the idea of being tall. Sheldon: I think you're gonna like a lot of things I have in store. For example, in this world, only the men get pregnant, so your husband is home trying not to pee when he laughs. Bernadette: This is getting fun. What's next? Sheldon: You're parched 口渴的 and weary [ˈwɪri]累的 from battle( world-weary 厌世的, 厌倦人生的, 提不起兴趣的 no longer excited, interested, or enthusiastic about anything in life. ). You stand in front of a tavern that serves the coldest, most delicious ale in all the realm. Bernadette: Oh, I haven't had a drink in months. Sheldon: What do you do? Bernadette: I storm in, slam my sword down, and say, barkeep (bartender), bring me the strongest ale you have and serve it in the skull of a goblin. Sheldon: He wants to see I.D. 10. Raj: Oh, that's great. I've been wanting her to meet you guys, too, so this seems like the perfect opportunity. Sheldon: Oh, but I won't be there. Raj: Funny how that worked out. Leonard: Does this mean Emily's not in the picture anymore? Raj: No, I'm still dating her. Leonard: Okay, help me out. How are you doing this? Do they know about each other? Raj: They know that we're not exclusive, and we just don't ask too many questions. Sheldon: You know, it's like how I play Warlords of Ka'a with you and Elder Sign with Frank and Alicia. Leonard: Who's Frank and Alicia? Sheldon: You, you and I spend a lot of time together. Can there be a little mystery between us? Howard: Okay. Everything's hooked up. We're ready. Sheldon: I am going to record this for posterity( [pɑˈsterəti] 后代. 后人们. the people who will live in the future after you are dead. You can refer to everyone who will be alive in the future as posterity. A photographer recorded the scene for posterity. Was he making these notes for the benefit of posterity? ). Leonard: All right, here goes nothing. 11. Sheldon: Stuart, what are you doing here? Stuart: Sheldon, you are the most inconsiderate person I have ever met in my entire life. Where do you get off sending me to shop with your girlfriend ( Where does (one) get off (doing something)? 你怎么敢, 你有什么理由, 你凭什么? How dare one be so brazen, impudent, or rude as to do or say the offensive or disreputable thing indicated? I mean, where does she get off trying to tell us how to run our company? I've never been so insulted before in my life. Just where do you get off? What do you think you are doing?; Who do you think you are? How rude! Where do you think you get off? Where do you get off, talking to me like that? tell someone where to get off If you tell someone where to get off, you tell them in a rather rude way that you are not going to do or agree to what they want. I'd just go right up to them and tell them where to get off. )? Sheldon: I don't understand. You were happy to do this when I hired you. Why, why are you upset with me now? Stuart: Oh, I'm not upset with you, but Amy's pretty bent out of shape, so she hired me to let you have it (let someone have it to attack someone, either with words or physically: When Joe finally got home three hours late, Lea let him have it. ). Sheldon: Well, I suppose turnabout is fair play ( an important change in a situation or in someone's opinion or attitude. A turnabout is a complete change in opinion, attitude, or method. As her confidence grows you may well see a considerable turnabout in her attitude. turnabout is fair play 以德报德, 以怨报怨, 以牙还牙, 以其人之道还治彼人之身 American mainly spoken used for saying that it is fair to do something unpleasant to someone who has done something unpleasant to you. ). Stuart: You're darn right it's fair play, you selfish jerk. Amy: You know, just when I think we're making progress in our relationship, we revert to ( revert to something I. 依然故我, 故态复萌. 恢复如初. to return to a previous state or way of behaving, often one that is not good. If you revert to your old eating habits, you’ll gain weight again. The house reverted to its former state of disrepair. II. to start talking about something that you were talking about earlier. Sensing her uneasiness, Joseph reverted to their discussion about the weather. revert to someone 回归旧主 legal if property reverts to its previous owner, it is returned to that owner. revert to type 还是那样, 依然故我, 故态复萌. 恢复如初 to start behaving in your normal way again after appearing to change. Once he's had a girlfriend for a week or two, he reverts to type and starts chasing other girls. ) our old patterns where thoughts and feelings go unexpressed. I mean, if he didn't want to go shopping with me, why didn't he just say so? Beverly: Maybe he couldn't get a word in edgewise 插不进话去. Amy: I'm sorry, I've been going on and on. Beverly: Oh, it's all right, dear. Sheldon has a brilliant and complicated mind. It's understandable that being in a relationship with him could be trying. Amy: I called him babe once. He asked me to get a drug test. Beverly: Well, I do admire your resolve 决心, 意志. You're an extraordinary woman. Amy: Thank you. Penny: You know, she's my mother-in-law. Why can't I bond with her like that? Bernadette: Amy's with Sheldon who she loves like a son. You're with her son, who she doesn't. Amy: Do you realize it took me five years to get a massage from him? Beverly: Oh, well, that still could be a big step for Sheldon. Amy: Three minutes. And he used a kitchen timer. I felt like a soft-boiled egg. Penny: You know, being in a relationship with Leonard also comes with its challenges. Beverly: Yes. Well, what can you do? Amy (knock on door): Maybe it's Sheldon, here to say he's sorry. Stuart: Sheldon says he's sorry. Amy: Bernadette, I'll give you five dollars to slam the door. Stuart: I would have done it for three. 12. Sheldon: Hey. Is everything smoothed out with Amy? Stuart: Uh, no, she's still pretty mad. Sheldon: Did you make the apology as sincere as I would have? Stuart: I said, Sheldon says he's sorry. Sheldon: Oh, well, that's laying it on a little thick 有点过了, 有点太夸张了( to try to persuade someone that something is better, bigger, more important etc than it really is. If someone is laying it on thick or is laying it on, they are exaggerating a statement, experience, or emotion in order to try to impress people. Don't lay it on too thick, but make sure they are flattered. I may have spoken a bit too freely, been a bit extreme, even laid it on a little. I think he laid it on a bit thick with all the compliments. ). Leonard: You think it's time you apologize to her yourself? Sheldon: I suppose so. But if I get out of the line, I'll lose my spot. Stuart: I'm happy to hold your place 占位 till you get back. Sheldon: You would do that? Stuart: Consider it my way of getting more of your money. Sheldon: You're a good man. 13. Sheldon: That's a craving. That's a sign of chemical dependency 药物依赖. Leonard: You only had one. Sheldon: No, I know, but plenty of things are addictive after a single exposure. I mean, crack cocaine, nicotine, Pringles. You know once one pops one just can't stop. Howard: You can't develop a problem that fast. Sheldon: You want to bet? Oh, great, now I'm addicted to gambling. Leonard: We can't afford to lose any more time. Howard: Well, this probably won't work, but has anyone ever tried to just haul off and whup the crazy out of him( whup I. to beat soundly, as with a whip. II. to defeat totally; overwhelm. haul off I. (foll by and) US and Canadian informal to draw back in preparation (esp to strike or fight). I hauled off and slugged him. To draw back the arm in order to punch. He just hauled off and socked him in the jaw. II. to take someone away to a place they do not want to go. Most of the protesters were hauled off to the police station. )? Leonard: That's not helpful. It's fun to think about, but it's not helpful. Hey, Sheldon, we are on a serious time crunch. We can't do this without you. Can you please pull it together 认真点, 好好来干活, 好好干活? 14. Raj: Howard, there must be someone at the university you can go to for help. Howard: Are you kidding? They're probably the ones who leaked it to the military in the first place. Raj: What about the guy on the Channel Four News? You know, Four on Your Side? Maybe he can be on your side. Howard: I'm being harassed by the government, not trying to get to the bottom of a dog-walking scam. Bernadette: Oh, stop. You know what's really happening? All the movies you've watched, the TV shows, the comic books, they've completely twisted your thinking 认知错误, 扭曲了观念, 扭曲了想法. No one's after you, no one's listening to you, no one cares about you. Raj: I'd like to think the Four on Your Side guy cares about me. Penny: You know, Beverly, I know you and Alfred have your differences, but if you think about it, if you hadn't married him, there'd be no Leonard. So that's good, right? Beverly: Yeah. Leonard: Is that Howard in front of us? Penny: Oh, maybe. Get closer 离近点. 15. Bert: And when Amy started using a solution of chromic acid and white vinegar to clean all her lab equipment, all of a sudden, everybody was doing it. Penny: You trend setter. Amy: Just the right idea at the right time. Penny: Okay, okay, so Amy's cool, Sheldon's cool. Tell me about Leonard. Bert: Who? Penny: Leonard Hofstadter. Bert: Oh, him. I guess he's all right. Apparently he tricked some hot girl into marrying him. Penny: That's me, I'm her. You know, he didn't trick me, he just wore me down. Bert: It makes sense you two are friends. I mean, hot girls always stick together 帅哥找帅哥, 美女找美女. Amy: And you thought this wasn't gonna be a great party. Penny: You know, I had no idea Caltech is exactly like my high school. Amy: Well, it's not exactly like it. We're all extremely smart. Penny: Wow, you popular girls are mean. 16. Penny: Now, when he said make a baby, is it possible he meant out of Legos? Amy: No. He was explicit 说的很明白. Needlessly and freakishly explicit. Leonard: Why does he need a baby? He's already hairless and smells like talcum powder. Penny: Could you two really have some sort of super-intelligent child? Amy: Well, there is a genetic component, but that doesn't guarantee anything. Leonard: That's true. Sheldon's father once picked a fight with a cactus. Penny: Yeah, but that's just his Earth parents. We don't know anything about the ones that sent him here. Leonard: Well, we know they were smart enough to send him away. Amy: Hey, you're talking about the person I love and have been avoiding for the past three hours. Oh, man. Penny: Ooh, Sheldon gonna get some. 17. Sheldon: All right, I'll just toss this out to the room. Um, I was thinking that the best way to fight my addiction is by weaning myself off in steps( wean someone off something to make someone gradually stop depending on something that they like and have become used to, especially a drug or a bad habit. We're trying to wean ourselves off watching too much television. ). Now, I couldn't find a caffeine patch, but I did find what claims to be a mind-boosting caffeine suppository. You know, the interesting fact about the rectum… Leonard: Sheldon. We are dealing with an impossible deadline from the Air Force because of you. So have an energy drink, don't have an energy drink. Order suppositories and shove 塞进 'em wherever you want, I don't care. Sheldon: You don't shove them. They come with an easy-glide applicator. Leonard: Right. Listen to me. We can't do anything until you do your part. So get up in front of this whiteboard and do it. Sheldon: No, I can't figure out the math. I've been racking my brain for days, and I've got nothing. 18. Beverly: How dare you invite your father without consulting me 征求意见, 商量, 问一下. 19. Raj: Uh, pull over. Bernadette: What? Why? Who are you calling? You're gonna rat me out to Howard 打小报告, aren't you? You're such a snitch 太爱打小报告了, no wonder I don't like you. 20. Sheldon: You know, Leonard, the more I think about it, there are a number of mutually owned items in this apartment that you and I should go through. Uh, for example, who gets our beloved sword, Longclaw? Penny: Why don't you keep it? Sheldon: That seems fair, we did just give you the painting. Penny: Yeah, I don't need anything around that I can stab myself with. Sheldon: Wonderful, Longclaw is mine. And how about you keep our avocado plant? Leonard: Sounds right, a limited edition collectible worth hundreds of dollars and a thing that grew out of a thing we fished from the trash 捡出来的, 捞出来的. Sheldon: Although, Amy and I did just move in together, and a plant is a lovely housewarming gift. Leonard: Fine, take the plant. Sheldon: Oh, we got a sword and a plant, our apartment's really shaping up 越来越有样子, 越来越像样子了. 20. Sheldon: I can't. Thank you, Professor Hawking. You are a gift to mankind. There should be statues of you everywhere. You know, the Lincoln Memorial has a big chair. We could swap you right in. Hawking: I always thought a motorized toy of me would be cool. Sheldon: What a wonderful idea, how does this man not have a Nobel? Leonard: Do not tell Wolowitz. Amy: Way ahead of you 早就想到了, 我抢你先了, 我先你想到了( I have already thought of what you're telling me to do and (usually) I'm already doing something about it." It's short for "I'm way ahead of you." ahead of I. If someone is ahead of you, they are directly in front of you. If someone is moving ahead of you, they are in front of you and moving in the same direction. I saw a man in a blue jacket thirty metres ahead of me..., She walked ahead of Helene up the steps into the hotel. II. If an event or period of time lies ahead of you, it is going to happen or take place soon or in the future. I tried to think about all the problems that were ahead of me tomorrow..., She spent all night thinking about the future that lay ahead of her..., We have a very busy day ahead of us today. III. In a competition, if a person or team does something ahead of someone else, they do it before the second person or team. Millar finished 1 minute and 35 seconds ahead of Thierry Claveyrolat. IV. If something happens ahead of schedule or ahead of time, it happens earlier than was planned., This dish may be prepared a day ahead of time and refrigerated. V. If someone is ahead of someone else, they have made more progress and are more advanced in what they are doing. Henry generally stayed ahead of the others in the academic subjects. ). 21. Bert: Thanks. I was as surprised as anybody. When they called and told me I won, I didn't believe them. And then they said, no, you really won. And then I said, cool. Sheldon: Someone call George R. R. Martin, this guy knows how to finish a story. Bert: I've gotten pretty good at telling it. Well, see ya. Sheldon: Some genius. I zinged him with sarcasm ( zing a lively and pleasant quality, taste, or feeling. The music just doesn't have any zing. I. to move fast with a quiet high sound. His next shot zinged past the net by inches. II. to have or give something a feeling of life and energy Does the movie zing? III. transitive American to criticize someone or something very severely. ), he didn't even notice. Leonard: I know, and it was the greatest sarcastic quip I've ever heard. Sheldon: Well, aren't you a peach( If you describe someone or something as a peach, you find them very pleasing or attractive. [informal, approval] Frank was there and he is a perfect peach. ...a peach of a goal from the team's captain. ). 22. Penny: Little lower to the left 左边低点. A little more. Leonard: Good? Penny: No, still hideous. Leonard: Well, I'm sure at some point, we won't even notice it's there. Penny: Yeah, you'd think that, but after a while it starts showing up in your dreams. Theodore: I think it brings the room together. 23. Raj: Oh, hey, Bernadette, the swing comes with two different mobiles 移动部分. The giraffes are pretty cute, what do you think? Bernadette: Great, go with the giraffes. Stuart: Although the high contrast of zebra stripes might provide better stimulus for a developing baby. Bernadette: Yeah, you're probably right, go with the zebras. Stuart: Good choice, boss. Raj: At least my nose is naturally brown. Bernadette: Hey, could you please go to the market for me? Howard: Get Stuart or Raj to do it. Bernadette: Howie, they've been doing everything for you. Howard: Mm, I know. It's really making me lose respect for both of them. Bernadette: Please just go to the store. 24. Raj: So, I was reading how it's a good idea for new parents to take an infant CPR class. Bernadette: Yeah, we've been meaning to do that. Stuart: Oh, I know a CPR instructor who'll come to the house. Howard: That'd be great. Stuart: I'll give him a call. We met when I was sleeping on the beach and he thought I was dead. Bernadette: Thank you again for cooking. It's getting tough for me to be on my feet all day. Stuart: You just kick back and relax, I've got it all under control. Raj: Although it was already under control. Stuart: I'm sorry, you mumbled 嘀咕 something? Raj: It's just that they've had plenty of help. Stuart: Well, you know what they say, it takes a village( It takes a village to raise a child is an African proverb that means that an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to experience and grow in a safe and healthy environment. The villagers look out for the children. ). Raj: Well, they already had a village. Stuart: I noticed the village couldn't find time to put the crib together. Raj: Yeah, well, maybe the village was too busy checking out the local Montessori school for the new arrival. Stuart: You mean the one with the empty beer bottles in the sandbox? We'll pass, thank you. 25. Amy: Sheldon, why don't you get a new computer? You know that one's out-of-date. Sheldon: Oh, but I like this computer. Amy: The video is failing, and the sound is cutting out 断断续续的, 不连贯的. Sheldon: I'm sorry, I didn't get that. 26. Penny: Oh, of course. The annual birthday booty spectacular! Sheldon: That's a bit childish, isn't it? Penny: I'm sorry, and what flavour is your bubble gum cigar? Sheldon: Grape. I find it the most mild. Penny: All right, well, you two go have fun. Leonard: If we find my backup inhaler, maybe we can get frisky( I. feeling lively and full of fun. A frisky animal or person is energetic and playful, and may be difficult to control. His horse was feeling frisky, and he had to hold the reins tightly. II. informal feeling that you want to have sex. frisk If someone frisks you, they search you, usually with their hands in order to see if you are hiding a weapon or something else such as drugs in your clothes. Drago pushed him up against the wall and frisked him. ). Penny: Oh, you sexy, wheezy little man. 26. Bernadette: Do you really need to record this? Raj: You'll be happy I did. Okay, little one, here we are back at home because you weren't quite ready to come out yet. You wanted to make an entrance ( make an (or one's) entrance 正式入场 (of an actor or performer) come on stage. enter somewhere in a conspicuous or impressive way. to enter a room or building in a formal way or in a way that makes people notice you. The prime minister made an entrance, surrounded by security men. "she slowly counted to ten before making her entrance". ). I get it. And here's your daddy. When he tries to tell you he used to be cool, you can see he wasn't. Howard: All right, enough with the camera. Raj: Well, this is not for me, this is for the baby. Some day she's gonna want to see this. Howard: I'm sorry, who's gonna want to see this? Raj: I, I said she, but lot's of things are she, boats and cars, whales, like thar she blows! Stuart: You're doing great. Bernadette: Raj. Raj: Well, okay, I'm gonna sign off now. This next part may contain some adult language. Bernadette: How could you? Howard: We made it this far 坚持了这么久 without knowing, and you've ruined it. Raj: Well, you guys have no idea how hard it is to know something like this and not say it. Stuart: You told me it was a girl, and I didn't say it. Bernadette: Raj. Raj: You were supposed to keep that to yourself. Stuart: Oh, yeah. I guess it is hard. 27. Amy: So, where were we? Sheldon: Well, I believe we were kissing like randy teenagers, and your nose was whistling ever so slightly. Amy: I'm sorry. Sheldon: Oh, don't be. You were like a foxy tea kettle. Amy: Well, shall we start over? Sheldon: Very well. Amy: What's wrong? Sheldon: I'm not sure. Earlier tonight, things began organically ( I. Organic methods of farming and gardening use only natural animal and plant products to help the plants or animals grow and be healthy, rather than using chemicals. Organic farming is expanding everywhere. ...organic fruit and vegetables. ...organically grown vegetables. II. Organic substances are of the sort produced by or found in living things. Incorporating organic material into chalky 含chalk的 soils will reduce the alkalinity. III. Organic change or development happens gradually and naturally rather than suddenly. ...to manage the company and supervise its organic growth. IV. If a community or structure is an organic whole, each part of it is necessary and fits well with the other parts. City planning treats the city as a unit, as an organic whole. ), and now it's feeling forced 被迫的, 不你情我愿的, 你不情我不愿的, like all the Pirates of the Caribbean sequels. Amy: Okay, that makes sense. I mean, the mood's a little different now. We, we don't have to rush. Sheldon: Oh, I know, but just, Leonard and Penny think we're doing it, and I don't want to disappoint them. Amy: And the mood continues to change. Sheldon: No, and also, I don't want to disappoint you. I, you know, come on, it's your birthday. I can soldier through 坚持过去, 忍过去 this. Amy: Hold on. I think I might have a little surprise that might help get things back on track. Sheldon: Intriguing. Is back on track a hint that it has something to do with trains? Amy: No. Sheldon: Because if it did have to do with trains, and you were gonna give… Amy: It's not about trains. Sheldon: Not even a cozy sleeper car on the Orient Express? Amy: Stop talking about trains. Sheldon: Who's killing the mood now? 28. Leonard: Found the backup inhaler, want to have sex? Penny: Well, I didn't until I heard that. Leonard: Hang on. I'm counting. It's okay. Raj (off): Hello. Howard and Bernadette kicked me out because I told them they're having a girl. Oopsy, I did it again. Penny: Maybe if we're quiet, he'll go away. Raj: You're gonna have to be quieter than that. 29. Penny: It's just, since we got married you seem to think you don't have to try any more. Leonard: That is ridiculous. Penny: This is exactly why I didn't want to talk about it. Leonard: No, let's talk about it. I'm the one who's made all the effort in this relationship since day one. Please tell me what more I could do 还想要我怎么样? Penny: Okay, you know what? Maybe I'll take Amy with me to the spa this weekend instead. Leonard: Fine, go ahead. Sheldon: Amy is free. She had a harp lesson on Saturday but it got cancelled. Boy, when you take an interest in people, you really uncork a geyser of nonsense. 30. Sheldon: You want to play Jenga? Or, uh, Ticket to Ride? Hearthstone? What would you be the happiest losing at? Leonard: I don't want to play a game, Sheldon. Sheldon: Wow, and I remember when you loved playing games with me. Maybe Penny isn't the only relationship you're phoning in. Leonard: Its not that I'd stopped trying, its just how relationships progress 关系都是这样的. They start with infatuation, but over time mellow into something more comfortable. Sheldon: Hmm. Yeah, you're right. It's like when I first encountered 初识 the Pythagorean theorem. You know, I was blown away that the square of the hypotenuse was the sum of the squares of the opposite sides. But now I'm just like, eh. 31. Raj; Come on, Sheldon, it's Comic-Con. Just let me have the money for this, and I won't ask for anything else. Sheldon: You put me in charge of your finances. If you wanted someone weak and spineless you could walk all over 随意摆布, 任意摆布, you should have asked Leonard. Leonard: See? Miserable. Raj: Okay, you're right, I got myself into this, but I've never missed a Comic-Con with you guys. Sheldon: Your father may have spoiled you, but I won't. If you want a ticket to Comic-Con, I suggest you figure out a way to earn the money yourself. Howard: Yeah, you're a grown man who's highly educated. You could charge people money to punch you. Raj: Go ahead, make jokes. I don't know why you think you're going to Comic-Con, you just had a baby. Howard: So? Raj: Well, so? So you think Bernadette's just gonna let you jet down to San Diego for five days and leave her alone? Leonard: Hang, hang on. So I have to bring Penny, you can't afford it, Howard's gonna get in trouble, and this guy gets to have a great time. Sheldon: I'm gonna go as Dumbledore. 32. Sheldon: All right, well, to sum up, focus on science, keep your nose out of other people's business, and, uh, whoa, for a good time, call Bert. Leonard: What brought that on 这是从何说起, 这是从哪里来, 这是为了什么? Sheldon: Well, last night Amy was angry with me because I'd been foolishly 傻子似的 telling people about certain personal matters. Howard: That's understandable. Sheldon: Oh, I know that now. At first, I thought she was cranky because of her horrific menstrual cramps, but it turns out, no, she was genuinely mortified. 33. Leonard: Colonel Williams. Sir. Col Williams: Just wanted to see how the guidance system's coming along. Howard: Great. We found a cooling solution that allowed us to get the size of the prototype down to the target specs 目标规格. Leonard: As a cooling solution, it's pretty cool. Col Williams: Don't do that. What's this? Leonard: Oh, nothing. Just some math we don't need. Col Williams: This is a different approach. Are you trying to get the guidance system even smaller? Leonard: It's just a theory. Uh, it's not even worked out. Col Williams: Oh. I want this. Howard: But we've already met the agreed upon 大家都同意的, 约定的, 说好了的 specs 满足设计规格了. Going smaller would require weeks' worth of new computations. Col Williams: So get the kid with the two shirts to do it. Leonard: Sir, uh, if I may, uh, we've put a lot of thought and effort into this current prototype. It's a really elegant solution, and most importantly, it works. Col Williams: Yeah, I want this. Howard: Okay, but that's just a theory. It's not even a complete thought. Col Williams: You both make excellent points, and thank you for presenting it so articulately. Make this. Howard: The kid with the two shirts screwed us again. 34. Bernadette (off): Howie, can you get that? Howard (off): Kind of busy. Bernadette (off): Busy like I'll be with the baby if you go to San Diego? Howard: Hey. Raj: What's with the gloves? Howard: They complete my ensemble 一个整体. What do you want? Raj: I'm looking to make extra money and was wondering if you had any chores I could do. Howard: Hang on. Bernie, can I outsource my chores to an Indian guy? Bernadette: No. Howard: I tried. 35. Penny: You know, it's no big deal. I can put up with anything for three days. Amy: Comic-Con's five days. Penny: Are you kidding me? Amy: Why don't you just tell him you don't want to go? Penny: I can't, it'll break his heart. You know, he's always making an effort to do things with me he doesn't enjoy, like going outside. Amy: He is an indoor cat. Penny: You know, maybe it won't be that bad. Leonard says it's really mainstream now. Comic books aren't just for sad nerds any more. I mean, it is still a key part of their demographic. 36. Stuart: Okay, I can give you 20 bucks for the whole box. Raj: But you charged me hundreds for this stuff. Stuart: I know. And I did it with a straight face. Raj: But I need to earn enough money so I can go to Comic-Con. Stuart: Well, all right. I'll give you 25 bucks. That's my best offer. Raj: I have no choice. Stuart: You know, if you want to make extra money, I could throw some work your way. Raj: Really? I'll do anything. Stuart: Great, you're hired. First thing you can do is put price tags on these. Start the little ones at fifty.
