The english we speak(BBC教學)第334期:It won't wash 沒有說服力

When an idea is unconvincing and won't work, why do you need washing powder?! The answer is you don't – but there is a washing-related phrase you can use. But Feifei has still brought some to the studio for this programme. Will she need it? Listen to The English We Speak to find out.

當一個想法難以令人信服而且行不通時，爲什麼需要洗衣粉？！答案當然是不需要洗衣粉了，不過你可以使用一個與洗滌有關的短語。可是爲了本期節目，菲菲仍然把洗衣粉來到了演播室。她需要洗衣粉嗎？請收聽節目並弄清原因。

Neil: Hello, I'm Neil...

尼爾：大家好，我是尼爾。

Feifei: ... and I'm Feifei and this is The English We Speak.

菲菲：我是菲菲，歡迎收聽地道英語節目。

Neil: What's in that bag, Feifei?

尼爾：菲菲，那個袋子裏裝的是什麼？

Feifei: Oh this – it's a box of the best washing powder there is – Dazzlebright non-bio washing powder!

菲菲：哦，這個啊，這是一箱最好的洗衣粉——Dazzlebright牌非生物洗衣粉！

Neil: And why will I need that?

尼爾：我爲什麼需要洗衣粉？

Feifei: Well, at the meeting earlier – when John suggested we all wore suits to work – you said his idea won't wash with the team – so here's some washing powder to help you make it wash.

菲菲：之前開會的時候，約翰建議我們都穿西裝上班，你說他的想法在團隊裏“洗不了”，所以我帶了一些洗衣粉來幫你洗。

Neil: It's a kind thought – but I won't need it. When I said it won't wash I meant his idea is unconvincing and won't work.

尼爾：你的用意很好，可是我不需要洗衣粉。我說“it won't wash”的意思是他的想法沒有說服力，而且行不通。

Feifei: Ah – So you don't need my washing powder then?

菲菲：啊，所以你不需要我帶來的洗衣粉？

Neil: No thanks. You see, this phrase originally referred to fabrics that were not good quality and wouldn't last long when they were washed. But now it's about someone's idea or suggestion not lasting very long because people won't believe it or accept it. Let's hear some examples...

尼爾：不需要，謝謝。你看，這個短語原指紡織物質量不好，清洗的時候持續不了太久。而現在這個短語的意思是某人的想法或者建議持續不了多長時間，因爲人們不會相信或者說不會接受這個想法。我們來聽幾個例句。

Examples

例句

Your excuses for not finishing your essay won't wash with me – you've missed your deadline and that's that.

你作文沒寫完的理由不能說服我，你已經錯過截止日期了，就這樣。

The boss's idea to work an extra hour everyday won't wash with the team – they'll be furious.

老闆的想法是每天多工作一個小時，不過這個想法不能說服這個團隊，他們會火冒三丈的。

Just saying you've got a cold won't wash with your fans – they've paid a lot of money to come and see you perform.

你說你感冒了，這對你的粉絲來說沒有說服力，他們爲了來看你的表演花了很多錢。

Feifei: That's the expression it won't wash which really means it won't work – or nobody will believe you. Of course, I do know this phrase Neil.

菲菲：這個短語真正的意思是行不通，或者說沒有人相信你。尼爾，我當然知道這個短語。

Neil: So why did you bring in the washing powder?

尼爾：那你爲什麼還帶洗衣粉來？

Feifei: Well I know how scruffy our team members are – and if we do have to start wearing suits, they will all need a good wash. Erm, did you have curry last night?

菲菲：我知道咱們的團隊成員有多邋遢，如果我們必須要穿西裝，他們都需要好好清洗一下。呃，你昨晚吃咖喱了嗎？

Neil: Yeah – why do you ask?

尼爾：對啊，爲什麼這麼問？

Feifei: There's a big yellow stain on your jumper – just there. Here, why not test out use my Dazzlebright washing powder – 'it makes your old clothes look like new!'

菲菲：你的毛衣上有一大塊黃色的污漬，就在那裏。爲什麼不試試我帶來的Dazzlebright牌洗衣粉？它會讓你的舊衣服煥然一新！

Neil: Hmm, thanks.

尼爾：嗯，謝謝。

Feifei: Bye.

菲菲：再見。

Neil: Bye.

尼爾：再見。

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重點講解：
1. refer to 指的是；
例句：It can also refer to a conflict or disagreement, often involving violence.
這個詞還可指衝突或不和，常涉及暴力行動。
2. bring in 把…拿進來；帶進來；
例句：You are not allowed to bring in your cat.
你不準把貓帶進來。
3. test out 對…進行檢驗；
例句：Scientists test out theories by experiment.
科學家靠實驗檢驗理論。