理解英语习语 "Down And Out"：意义与用法
学习英语习语能显著提升你的流利度，理解像 "Down And Out" 这样的表达对掌握细致入微的对话至关重要。这个短语生动地描绘了一个人正面临真正的 困境。如果你想更有效地学习英语并理解这些习语表达，你来对地方了。本文将探讨 "Down And Out" 的含义、使用时机和方法、常见错误、相关短语，并为你提供练习机会。
目录
- “Down And Out”是什么意思？
- 什么时候应该使用“Down And Out”？
- 我们如何使用“Down And Out”？
- “Down And Out”的同义词与相关表达
- 英文对话示例
- 练习时间！
- 结语：用语言穿越人生起伏
“Down And Out”是什么意思？
习语 "Down And Out" 描述的是一个处于非常不幸境地的人，通常指没有钱、没有工作、没有住所。它意味着极度的困苦和资源匮乏。你可以想象某人已经到了谷底，正在 经济 和社会层面艰难挣扎。
閱讀更多: 理解英语习语 Bet The Farm：含义与用法解析
什么时候应该使用“Down And Out”？
这个表达通常用于非正式或半正式场合。在日常对话、讲故事以及描述某人极为困窘的新闻报道中很常见，通常涉及_身无分文_或无家可归的情境。
除非你是在引用某人的原话或专门讨论这个习语，否则最好不要在高度正式的学术论文或非常正式的商务信函中使用 "Down And Out"。这个短语带有强烈、略带灰暗的色彩，因此要谨慎地用来描述_不幸境遇_。
常见错误：
| 常见错误 | 为什么错误 / 解释 | 正确用法 / 如何修正 |
|---|---|---|
| 将 "Down And Out" 用于轻微的伤心。 | "Down And Out" 暗示严重困境，而不仅仅是暂时的不快或糟糕的一天。 | 保留该词组用于严重不幸的情景，比如无家可归或极度贫困。"He was feeling a bit down" 更适合悲伤情绪。 |
| 说成 "Down And In" 或 "Out And Down"。 | 该习语的单词顺序和介词是固定的。 | 始终使用正确表达："Down And Out"。 |
| 用于形容某人只是很累。 | 虽然 "Down And Out" 的人可能很累，但这个习语是指他们的社会经济状态，而不是体力上的疲惫。 | 描述疲惫时用 "exhausted" 或 "worn out"。"Down And Out" 指的是资源和机会的缺乏。 |
| 认为它指的是游戏中的失败。 | 虽然它暗指人生中的失败，但一般不用来形容输掉具体比赛或竞赛。 | 对于比赛，可用 "defeated"、"lost" 或 "beaten"。 |
閱讀更多: 理解“Between A Rock And A Hard Place”：驾驭英语习语中的难题抉择
我们如何使用“Down And Out”？
短语 "Down And Out" 通常作为表语形容词短语，意即通常跟在系动词（如 is, am, are, was, were, been）后面，用来描述句子的主语。
举例：
- After losing his job and his apartment, he was truly Down And Out.
- The charity helps people who are Down And Out get back on their feet.
最常见的句型结构：
| 结构/句型 | "Down And Out" 例句 | 简要说明 |
|---|---|---|
| 主语 + be + Down And Out | "Many people were Down And Out during the Great Depression." | 基本用法，描述主语的状态。 |
| A Down-And-Out + 名词（作定语） | "He used to be a down-and-out actor living on the streets." | 在此，"down-and-out"（常连字符）修饰名词，描述特征。 |
| to find oneself Down And Out | "She never thought she would find herself Down And Out after the company closed." | 强调情况的出乎意料或结果。 |
| to help the Down And Out | "They started a foundation to help the Down And Out in their city." | "The down and out" 可作名词短语，指处于这种境地的人。 |
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“Down And Out”的同义词与相关表达
理解相关短语有助于把握 "Down And Out" 的细微差别。许多习语表达都在描述 困境，但侧重点略有不同。学会这些会帮助你学习英语时用更丰富的词汇来形容_艰难时刻_。
| 同义词/相关表达 | 语气/风格/正式度描述 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| On the skids | 非正式；强调因运气不好或做错事导致快速衰落，含有社会地位下降的意味。 | "After the business failed, he was on the skids for a while." |
| Hard up | 非正式；特别强调缺钱，比 "Down And Out" 轻微。 | "Can you lend me £20? I'm a bit hard up this month." |
| Destitute | 正式；极为强烈的词汇，指极度贫穷，缺乏基本生活必需品。 | "The war left thousands of families destitute." |
| In dire straits | 半正式；指情况非常困难或危险，不只限于经济问题。 | "The company is in dire straits and might go bankrupt." |
| Hit rock bottom | 非正式；暗示达到最低谷，往往是转折点出现之前。 | "He knew he had hit rock bottom when he had to sell his car just to eat." |
| Broke | 非常非正式；仅表示没钱（可能是暂时的、较轻的状况）。 | "I can't go out tonight, I'm broke." |
| Penniless | 可用于非正式及更文学的场合；表示完全没钱。 | "He arrived in the city penniless, with only the clothes on his back." |
| Up against it | 非正式；指正面临严峻困境或阻力。 | "With three major deadlines this week, I'm really up against it." |
英文对话示例
以下是几个简短对话，展示 "Down And Out" 在实际中的自然用法：
对话1：久别重逢
- Sarah: "Hey Mark, I haven't seen David around lately. How's he doing?"
- Mark: "Oh, it's a tough story. He lost his job a few months ago, and then his landlord sold the building. He's been pretty Down And Out, staying with different friends."
- Sarah: "That's terrible! Is there anything we can do to help?"
- Mark: "I've been trying to connect him with some job resources. It's just a really difficult time for him."
对话2：谈论电影角色
- Liam: "Did you watch that new film about the boxer?"
- Chloe: "Yeah, I did! It was so inspiring how he started off completely Down And Out, living on the streets, and then fought his way to the championship."
- Liam: "Exactly! It really shows that even when someone is facing unfortunate circumstances, they can turn things around."
- Chloe: "Definitely a story of resilience."
对话3：社区支持
- Maria: "Our local shelter is asking for donations. They say more families are Down And Out this year than ever before."
- Tom: "That's so sad to hear. It's important to support those who are struggling financially."
- Maria: "I agree. Even a small contribution can make a difference for someone who is truly Down And Out."
练习时间！
准备好测试你对 "Down And Out" 的理解和使用了吗？尝试这些有趣又有挑战性的任务吧！选择最适合你的练习方式。
小测验！
- Question 1: Which situation best describes someone who is "Down And Out"?
- a) Feeling sad after a bad day at work.
- b) Having no money, no job, and nowhere to live.
- c) Losing a football game.
- _Question 2: "After the factory closed, many former employees found themselves _____."
- a) over the moon
- b) down and out
- c) on cloud nine
- Question 3: The phrase "Down And Out" is generally:
- a) Very formal, suitable for academic essays.
- b) Informal, used in everyday conversation.
- c) Only used to describe animals.
(Answers: 1-b, 2-b, 3-b)
- Question 1: Which situation best describes someone who is "Down And Out"?
习语配对游戏（小游戏）：
Match the sentence beginnings in Column A with the correct endings in Column B:
Column A (Beginnings) Column B (Endings) 1. The old sailor had stories of being a) meant he was truly Down And Out. 2. Losing his wallet and missing his flight b) on the skids after the company folded. 3. She volunteered at a centre that helps people who are c) Down And Out in foreign ports. 4. My uncle was d) Down And Out and trying to find work.
(Answers: 1-c, 2-a, 3-d, 4-b)
结语：用语言穿越人生起伏
学习诸如 "Down And Out" 这样的表达能丰富你的英语词汇，让你能更精确地理解和描述复杂的人生体验。虽然它描述的是一种艰难情境，但掌握这些英语习语帮助你更深入地与母语者和语言背后的文化沟通。在谈论_艰难时刻_时，这也是让对话显得更自然、更具共情力的一步。
掌握这些习语表达是你学习英语旅途上一段有意义的回报。你认为还有哪些英语习语能够描述挑战性的情境？欢迎在评论区留言分享你的想法！
