酷兔英语

先声夺人 xiān shēng duó rén



先声夺人 xiān shēng duó rén


       春秋时期,宋国一个人生了三个儿子。三个儿子都做了宋国的大官,特别是老二,深得宋王的信任。老三则由于叛乱的事情败露而逃到了国外。虽然是兄弟,但当老大得知这是老二用来陷害老三的诡计后,便杀了老二,并召集了大批士兵反叛宋国。

During the Spring and Autumn Period, a man living in the State of Song had three sons. They all became high-ranking officials, particularly the second son who was deeply trusted by the emperor. The third son had to flee to a foreign country due to treason. Although they were siblings, the eldest son killed the second when he discovered that it was he who set up their little brother and called up a great many soldiers to rebel the State of Song. 


        当时,逃亡在外的老三听到这个消息,忙从吴国借兵回来帮助老大。眼看吴国的队伍朝宋国奔来,情况十分危急,宋国的一位大夫说:"先张扬自己的声威,可以摧毁敌人的士气,然后再向敌人进攻,一定可以取得胜利。现在吴军很疲劳,还没有安定下来,我们应趁此机会打他个措手不及。否则,等他们势头足了,就难以打败了。"宋国的国君听取了这位大夫的意见,果然打了胜仗。

Then, the third son who went into exile heard what had happened  and returned to hold the eldest with reinforcements from the State of Wu. The State of Song was in imminent danger with the troops of Wu on the way to the State of Song. A senior official in the State of Song said, "We first must make them know our strength so we can destroy the enemy's morale. Then when we begin to attack the enemies we will definitely win. Now the Wu army is fatigued and has no time to rest. We should then attack by surprise. Otherwise it will be hard to defeat them when they become strong". The emperor of the State of Song adopted his opinion and they soon won the war.



词语注释:

诡计:( guǐ jì) n. a cunning scheme

张扬:( zhāngyáng) v. to make widely known

摧毁:( cuī huǐ)v. to destroy

疲劳:( píláo) adj. weary

措手不及:( cuò shǒu bù jí) v. to be caught off one's guard

势头:( shìtóu) n. tendency

意义:

       "先声夺人" 是指先张扬自己的声势以压倒对方。也比喻做事抢先一步。

"先声夺人" refers to overawe others by displaying one's strength. It's also used as a metaphor that means to beat one to it.


例句:

1、他先声夺人,比赛刚开始就赢了10分。
He stole their thunder by winning 10 points at the beginning of the match.


2、这家报社在大家还不知道消息的时候就报道了这件事情,真是先声夺人。
This press company gained an advantage by reporting information that people had not heard yet.