今天我们要学的习惯用语都含有end。这是个大家都熟悉的词。它通常解释为末端,但是用在习惯用语里可以有很多不同的意思。例如在下面的习惯用语里 ends指对立的两方。Play both ends against the middle。要是某人play both ends against the middle,这人就是在对立双方间玩弄手腕,造成双方相争,使自己得利。
据说这个习惯用语来自一种一百多年前几乎跟poker一样风行的纸牌赌博游戏,叫做faro。不过,它究竟是怎么来的众说纷纭。有一种说法是play both ends against the middle其实就指发牌的庄家让玩牌的人同时下两笔赌注。
例句-1:Ed Green won by playing both ends against the middle: one opponent was conservative, the other liberal. So he let them fight it out with each other while he told everybody he was a moderate who could see both sides of a question.
例句-2:Smith got the job by playing both ends against the middle. The directors picked him because they thought the other two were too bad-tempered to get along with the office staff.
这里的play both ends against the middle意思还是玩弄手腕,在他人之间挑起事端,使自己得利。
再学个从end发展而来的习惯用语,里面的end不是对立两派,而是协议或者合同契约中的某一方所要做的事情: hold up one's end。这里的one's end是协议中某一方当尽的责任和义务,那么整个习惯用语hold up one's end是什么意思呢? 我们听个例子来琢磨。说话的是个父亲。他在跟朋友商量,自己和儿子Randy有过协议,要是儿子大学毕业成绩好的话,他答应给儿子买辆汽车。好,我们听这位父亲怎么说。
例句-3:Well, Randy graduated with high grades. So I have to hold up my end and dig up the money to get him his first car. Say, you know any dealer where I can get a good price?
例句-4:I tell you, unless my cousin puts in his share, I'll be broke. I'm afraid I may have to hire a lawyer and go to court to make the guy hold up his end of the deal.