今天我们要讲的一个美国习惯用语是:to take someone's word for it。Take就是拿,word就是一个单词。那么to take someone's word for it是什么意思呢?拿某人的词?不对。这里的word是指某人说的话,to take someone's word for it,就是相信某人说的话。凡是想上大学的中学毕业生都会面临同样的问题。那就是:报考哪几所大学。下面这个例句就是一个高中生在电话上和一个朋友商量。
例句-1:So you think a state college is better than a private college? Okay, I'll apply to San Diego or Santa Barbara. No, I haven't asked anyone else. No, that's all right. I'm happy to take your word for it. Thanks a lot.
报考大学只听一个人的意见就行啦?这可是一件大事,要慎重一些才行哪!有时真不能轻易相信别人的话。上星期一个朋友告诉我她看了一个电影,特别好看,我信了她的话就兴冲冲地去看了,I took her word for it。结果一点都不好看。You can't always take someone's word for it。
To take someone's word for it这个习惯用语真是历史悠久,在1535年就在圣经里出现了。到现在都已经快五百年了,可是to take someone's word for it这个说法仍然使用得很普遍。
还要指出的是,to take someone's word for it这个习惯用语不一定要从正面来说,也可以用在反义。我来给大家举一个例子。美国人去某些国家旅行按规定要打防疫针,但是有些国家不需要。下面例句里说话的人就是在给他的朋友介绍自己的经验。
例句-2:Before you travel there, it's probably a good idea to get an anti-hepatitis shot. Don't take my word for it though, go and check with your doctor. I'd hate to give you the wrong advice.