理解习语 "Deal Breaker"：含义及其在英语中的用法
学习英语习语可以显著提升你的流利度，理解像 "Deal Breaker" 这样的术语对于理解日常许多对话和谈判至关重要。"Deal Breaker" 指的是在谈判或协议中，如果某个特定问题或条件未被满足或解决，将导致整个谈判或协议失败。本文将探讨 "Deal Breaker" 的含义、使用场合与用法、常见错误和相关表达，帮助你掌握这一重要的英语表达，更有效地学习英语。你很快就能自信地识别和运用该术语了。
目录
- “Deal Breaker”是什么意思？
- 什么时候应该使用“Deal Breaker”？
- 如何使用“Deal Breaker”？理解其在句中的作用
- “Deal Breaker”的同义词及相关表达
- 英文情景对话示例
- 练习时间！
- 结论：自信地做出决策
“Deal Breaker”是什么意思？
"Deal Breaker" 是指在谈判或决策过程中，对某一方非常关键的因素、条件或问题，如果该因素的缺失或存在，会导致他们拒绝整个提议或情况。本质上，这是一个不可协商的点，如果得不到满足，就使协议无法达成。你可以把它想象成能让交易瞬间终止的唯一因素。例如，如果你要买房，屋顶漏水可能就是你的 "Deal Breaker"。
閱讀更多: 理解“Compare Apples And Oranges”：英语习语的含义、用法与避免误用
什么时候应该使用 “Deal Breaker”？
"Deal Breaker" 这一说法非常灵活，可以用于多种场合，从关于人际关系的非正式讨论到更严肃的商业谈判。了解何时使用此习语是表达地道英语的关键。
- 日常闲聊： 当谈到恋爱、友谊甚至选择居住地时，你可能会谈及 "Deal Breaker"。例如，“对我来说，伴侣吸烟是个 deal breaker。”
- 商务与谈判： 在专业场合中，"Deal Breaker" 指的是一个达成协议所必不可少的条件。例如：“他们提供的价格太低；这对我们来说是个 deal breaker。”
- 决策场景： 它还可以指任何决策中的关键因素，比如选择工作或产品。“通勤太远会成为那个工作机会的 deal breaker。”
不适合使用的场合： 尽管 "Deal Breaker" 广为理解，但在高度学术性或极其正式的法律文件中，它可能显得太口语，建议使用更加准确、非习语化的表达。例如 "sine qua non"、"essential condition" 或 "non-negotiable term"。然而，在大多数商务沟通和日常英语中，"Deal Breaker" 都非常合适。
常见错误：
| 常见错误 | 为什么不对 / 解释 | 正确用法 / 如何修正 |
|---|---|---|
| 把 "deal breaker" 用于小麻烦 | "Deal Breaker" 意味着一个至关重要、致命性的问题 | 仅应用于真会导致你放弃某项协议或情形的因素 |
| 误解为 "breaking a deal"（动词用法） | "Deal Breaker" 是名词短语，表示导致协议失败的原因 | “The high price was a deal breaker.”（正确） 不可说：“The high price deal breakered us.” |
| 认为它总指负面因素 | 虽常强调问题，但关注的是条件。缺乏想要的积极因素同样可为deal breaker | “Lack of a warranty was the deal breaker.” 或 “A good warranty is essential; its absence is a deal breaker.” |
| 在轻微、无关紧要场景频繁使用 | 如果用在琐事上会有小题大做之嫌 | 谨慎使用，尤其是在不重要的偏好上 |
閱讀更多: 理解 Cash Cow 习语：你的关键商务英语表达指南
如何使用“Deal Breaker”？理解其在句中的作用
"Deal Breaker" 在句中充当名词短语。它通常指具体的条件、因素或特征。常和 "to be"（is、was、will be、can be等）搭配出现，或用于需要名词的结构。学会正确用法有助于理解谈判术语。
以下是几个示例：
- “For Sarah, dishonesty in a relationship is a deal breaker.”
- “The company's refusal to offer a flexible work schedule became the deal breaker for many potential employees.”
最常见的句型结构：
| 结构/句型 | 使用 "Deal Breaker" 的例句 | 简要说明 |
|---|---|---|
| [因素/问题] + is/was/can be a deal breaker | “The lack of parking is a deal breaker for me.” | 把某个因素认定为 deal breaker |
| For [某人]，[因素/问题] is a deal breaker | “For the investors, the high risk was a deal breaker.” | 指定某因素对谁来说是deal breaker |
| The deal breaker is/was [因素/问题] | “The main deal breaker was the short deadline.” | 直接把deal breaker作为主语 |
| It’s a deal breaker if [满足/不满足某条件] | “It’s a deal breaker if they don't agree to our terms.” | 用 “it” 作形式主语，多见于条件句 |
| 把某事视为deal breaker | “They identified the unrealistic timeline as a deal breaker.” | 通常与 identify, consider, see 等动词搭配 |
閱讀更多: 了解 Bite The Bullet：英语中克服挑战的习语及其用法
“Deal Breaker”的同义词及相关表达
虽然 "Deal Breaker" 非常常用且表达直接，但掌握一些同义词或相关表达可以丰富词汇，帮助你理解不同场合下的细微差别。这些替代表达适用于描述不可接受的条件或关键决策点，认识它们将提升你理解英语习语的能力。
| 同义词/相关表达 | 语气/正式程度及细微差别 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| Non-negotiable | 正式，常用于商务或法律语境。强调不能更改的点 | “Our stance on intellectual property rights is non-negotiable.” |
| Sticking point | 非正式到半正式，指阻碍进展的分歧难题 | “The main sticking point in the negotiations was the payment schedule.” |
| Bottom line | 非正式，是最重要的因素或最低接受条件 | “The bottom line is we need a 20% discount, or there's no deal.” |
| Sine qua non | 很正式（拉丁语），意为绝对必要的条件 | “Transparency is a sine qua non for any successful partnership.” |
| Showstopper | 非正式，指非常严重以致中断一切的难题 | “The discovery of a major structural flaw was a showstopper for the project.” |
| Red line | 半正式，表示一旦越界就会导致严重后果或谈判终止的界限 | “For our government, foreign interference in elections is a red line.” |
英文情景对话示例
观察 "Deal Breaker" 的实际用法能帮助你加深理解。下面是几个在典型情景中运用该习语的英文对话：
对话 1：找公寓
- Alex: "This apartment is nice, and the rent is reasonable. What do you think?"
- Ben: "It's okay, but I noticed there's no in-unit laundry. You know, for me, having to go to a laundromat is a real deal breaker."
- Alex: "Ah, right. I forgot about that. Okay, let's keep looking then."
对话 2：商务谈判
- Maria: "We've reviewed your proposal. We're happy with most terms, but the delivery timeline is very aggressive."
- David: "We understand it's tight, but for this product launch, meeting that deadline is critical. Unfortunately, a longer timeline would be a deal breaker for us."
- Maria: "I see. Let me discuss with my team if we can find a way to expedite on our end."
对话 3：讨论工作机会
- Chloe: "So, did you accept the job offer from Tech Solutions?"
- Liam: "Not yet. The salary is great, but they require mandatory weekend work at least once a month."
- Chloe: "Oh, really? Is that a problem for you?"
- Liam: "Yeah, my weekends are important for family time. That requirement might be the deal breaker, honestly. I need to think it over."
练习时间！
准备好测试你对 "Deal Breaker" 的理解和用法了吗？试试这些有趣又有挑战的任务吧！任选你喜欢的题目完成。
1. 快速测验！选择下列句子/选项中关于 "Deal Breaker" 的正确含义或用法：
Question 1: A "Deal Breaker" is usually:
- a) A minor preference.
- b) A critical factor that can stop an agreement.
- c) A friendly suggestion.
Question 2: Sarah said, "His constant lateness became a ______ for our working relationship."
- a) deal maker
- b) deal breaker
- c) deal helper
Question 3: If something is a "Deal Breaker", it means:
- a) You are very flexible about it.
- b) It's not important to the outcome.
- c) It's a non-negotiable point for you.
(Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-c)
2. 习语配对游戏（小游戏）：将下列 A 栏的句首与 B 栏的正确结尾配对：
| A 栏（句首） | B 栏（句末） |
|---|---|
| 1. For the eco-conscious buyer, the car's poor fuel efficiency | a) was the final sticking point in the contract. |
| 2. The company refused to compromise on safety standards; it | b) could be a deal breaker. |
| 3. We almost reached an agreement, but the issue of warranty | c) was a non-negotiable term for them. |
| 4. If a job requires more than an hour of commuting each way, that | d) was a definite deal breaker. |
(Answers: 1-d, 2-c, 3-a, 4-b)
结论：自信地做出决策
理解并恰当使用 "Deal Breaker" 这样的表达，是让你的英语听起来更自然且自信的绝佳一步。它能让你清楚地表达自己的底线，也能明白别人表达不可协商点时的含义。不论是人际关系、找工作，还是商务谈判，掌握这样的英语习语，都能让你更有效地做出重要决策，提升整体沟通能力。
你遇到过哪些 "Deal Breaker" 的情形？或者哪些情况下认识这个词会有帮助？欢迎在评论区分享你的经历！
