李华请Larry到家来帮她修理堵塞的澡盆。今天李华会学到两个常用语：gross和in a pinch。

LL: Oh, Li Hua, look at the hair clogging your drain. How gross!

LH: 我知道是头发把澡盆给堵死了。不过， Gross是什么意思哪? 你是说这里有很多头发啊？

LL: No, I'm not referring to the quantity. I mean it is disgusting and sickening!

LH: 原来gross在这里是指让人看到难受，令人恶心，不舒服的意思。堵住下水道的东西当然都是很脏的，看见了让人恶心。不过，上回我在你家看到你的冰箱，那才叫恶心呢！

LL: What do you mean?

LH: 我是说，你冰箱里的食物有的已经发霉了。That was gross!

LL: I've cleaned out my refrigerator since then, and I don't think it is that gross any more.

LH: 你清理过你的冰箱啦？过两天我去看看。还有，你把脏衣服到处乱丢，that's gross, too!

LL: All right, Li Hua, I'm the first to admit that I'm not the best housekeeper. I've been so busy lately, that my whole apartment is pretty gross right now, to tell you the truth.

LH: 你能老实承认自己不会理家。那还算不错的。一般男生都不会整理家。这样吧！Larry，过两天我去你家帮你打扫干净，作为对你今天的帮忙表示感谢。请人来修要花好多钱哪！

LL: Yeah, the amount the plumber will charge you will be pretty gross, I am sure. What tools do you have?

LH: 让我看看，工具可能都在水槽下的柜子里。Ooh, gross! 有只大蜘蛛！

LL: Oh, Li Hua, it is a tiny spider, and I think it is cute. I don't think it is gross at all.

LH：哎哟，你还说那只大蜘蛛看起来挺好玩呐！It is gross， Larry。

******

LH: Larry, 我找到那个通马桶的工具了！用这个来清除这些头发行吗？

LL: It will have to do in a pinch.

LH: In a pinch? 那是什么意思？

LL: You know, a pinch is a tight spot in which you can't move around or a difficult situation in which you don't have many options.

LH: Pinch就是很小的地方，没有什么周转余地，或者是处于困难的情况下，没什么选择余地。我的厕所是很小，可是也足够你站在里面修澡盆呀！

LL: I meant that we don't really have a choice about whether or not I use the plunger. I'll either have to use your plunger, or call the plumber.

LH: 噢，原来你说的in a pinch是指我们别无选择的意思，要就用这个工具，否则就得请人来修。那你就用这个工具试试看哪！

LL: Well, then let me try to get us out of the pinch we're in. Let me use the plunger.

LH: 对，用这个工具试试，没准你能解决这个难题！

LL: Yes, it is working. The tub is draining now.

LH: 水开始流啦？哇！太棒。太谢谢你了，帮我解决了这个大麻烦。You really get me out of this pinch!

LL: It is my pleasure. I am always glad to help a friend in a pinch.

LH: 我们都知道你是乐于帮助朋友解决困难的。好，现在要想办法解决你的问题了。

LL: Yes, if I don't get that apartment cleaned before my parents come to visit, I am going to be in a real pinch.

LH: 你要在你爸妈来之前打扫干净你的公寓，否则你也只好让他们看到你那肮脏恶心的家了。

LL: Exactly, so now it is your turn to help me out of the pinch I am in.

LH：我一定帮你打扫干净。

今天李华学到两个常用语。第一个是gross，这是指看到的东西让人感到很恶心，很不舒服。另一个常用语是in a pinch，这是指陷入困境，没有选择余地。

• lately [´leitli]   ad.近来，不久前   (初中英语单词)
• apartment [ə´pɑ:tmənt]   n.一套房间   (初中英语单词)
• amount [ə´maunt]   n.总数；数量 v.合计   (初中英语单词)
• charge [tʃɑ:dʒ]   v.收费；冲锋 n.费用   (初中英语单词)
• spider [´spaidə]   n.蜘蛛；三角架   (初中英语单词)
• working [´wə:kiŋ]   a.工人的；劳动的   (初中英语单词)
• refrigerator [ri´fridʒəreitə]   n.(电气)冰箱   (高中英语单词)
• housekeeper [´haus,ki:pə]   n.主妇，女管家   (高中英语单词)