理解 “Feather One's Own Nest”：一个关于自利的英语习语
学习英语习语能显著提升你的流利程度，并让你听起来更像母语者。其中一个有趣但有时易被误解的表达是 Feather One's Own Nest。这个习语形象生动，但它真正的含义是什么？怎样正确使用？理解这样惯用语句是掌握英语口语的关键。在这篇文章中，我们将深入探讨 "Feather One's Own Nest" 的含义、用法、常见错误以及相关表达，帮助你将这个实用短语加入到你的词汇库中。
目录
- “Feather One's Own Nest”是什么意思？
- 什么时候应该使用“Feather One's Own Nest”？
- 我们如何使用“Feather One's Own Nest”？
- 同义词及相关表达
- 英文对话示例
- 练习时间！
- 结语：掌握自利表达
“Feather One's Own Nest”是什么意思？
习语 "Feather One's Own Nest" 指的是使自己变得富有或舒适，尤其是通过不诚实或不公平的方式，通常是利用自己掌握的权力或受信任的职位。它暗示某人照顾自己的利益，往往以牺牲他人或本该服务的机构为代价。这个比喻来自鸟儿用柔软的羽毛铺垫自己的巢，使它们自己和小鸟住得更舒服。
想象一个政客利用公职，把赚钱的合同交给自己的公司，或是一名员工暗中将公司的物资据为己有。这些人都在 feathering their own nests。
什么时候应该使用“Feather One's Own Nest”？
这个习语通常用于非正式或半正式的语境，特别是在交谈、新闻报道或讨论不道德行为时。它带有负面色彩，表示对这种行为的不认可。它是表达某人自私且往往暗中谋取利益的绝佳方式。
一般情况下，在高度正式的学术论文或非常官方的沟通中应避免使用 "Feather One's Own Nest"，除非是引用他人言论或专门讨论口语表达。其非正式和指责的语气可能不太合适。
使用“Feather One's Own Nest”时常见的错误
学习者常会在使用本习语时犯以下几种错误。如何避免呢？
| 常见错误 | 错误原因/说明 | 正确用法/改正方法 |
|---|---|---|
| "He feathered his nest with money." | 虽然能理解，但这个习语本身就包含了谋财的意思，再加 “with money” 多余。 | "He feathered his own nest." （财富的来源或方式可以单独说明。） |
| 用于表述一般储蓄或努力工作 | 这个习语特指不正当或自私的获利，常带滥用职权之意。 | 只在涉及不道德或自利之利时使用，不可用于公正的储蓄。 |
| "She feathered her nest very good." | "good" 作为副词不搭配。应说 "She certainly feathered her nest." | "She really feathered her own nest while in that position."，突出行为本身。 |
| 误用物主代词：“Feather a nest” | 这个习语必须带有物主代词（my, your, his, her, its, our, their）以说明是谁的巢。 | "He was accused of feathering his own nest." 一定要有 "one's own." |
我们如何使用“Feather One's Own Nest”？
从语法上讲，"Feather One's Own Nest" 是动词短语。动词是 "to feather"，"one's own nest" 做宾语。物主代词（one's）会因主语不同而变化（如 my own nest, his own nest, their own nests）。
下面是几个例句：
- "The corrupt official was caught feathering his own nest with public funds."
- "It's suspected that several executives were feathering their own nests before the company went bankrupt."
掌握 Feather One's Own Nest 的正确用法，有助于你更准确地描述自私获利的情况。
最常见的句型或结构：
| 句型/结构 | 用 "Feather One's Own Nest" 的例句 | 简要说明 |
|---|---|---|
| 主语 + feather(s/ed) one's own nest | "The treasurer feathered his own nest for years before anyone noticed." | 基本动词过去式，作谓语。 |
| 主语 + 助动词 + feather one's own nest | "They suspected he might feather his own nest if given too much power." | 搭配情态动词（might, could, will）或助动词（is, was, has been）。 |
| 动名词形式：Feathering one's own nest | "Feathering her own nest was her main priority in that job." | 作为动名词短语，充当主语或宾语。 |
| 指控句型：To accuse someone of feathering... | "She was accused of feathering her own nest through insider trading." | 报道或讨论此类行为时的常见结构。 |
同义词及相关表达
英语中还有一些与 "Feather One's Own Nest" 意义相近但细微有所区别的习语。了解它们有助于你根据语境选择最合适的表达。
| 同义词/相关表达 | 语气/色彩/正式程度 | 例句 |
|---|---|---|
| Line one's own pockets | 与 "feather one's own nest" 非常相似。非正式，含有不诚实和谋财之意。 | "The manager was fired for lining his own pockets with company money." |
| On the take | 非正式。特指受贿或腐败。 | "Everyone knew the inspector was on the take." |
| Have one's snout in the trough | 非常口语且带有贬义。形容贪婪地多拿不属于自己的份额。 | "As soon as the bonuses were announced, he had his snout in the trough." |
| Milk something/someone | 长时间利用某事或某人为自己谋利。 | "He's been milking that expense account for years." |
| Look out for number one | 更常用表达，意为优先考虑自身利益，可中性也可带贬义。 | "In this competitive industry, you have to look out for number one." |
英文对话示例
以下是几个简短对话，展示 "Feather One's Own Nest" 在实际交流中的用法：
对话 1：办公室八卦
Anna: "Did you hear about Mr. Henderson? He’s being investigated." Ben: "No, what for?" Anna: "They think he's been awarding contracts to his brother’s company for years. Basically feathering his own nest at the company's expense." Ben: "Wow, I always suspected something was off with those deals!"
对话 2：新闻报道讨论
Maria: "The news about the city council is shocking. So much corruption!" Leo: "I know! It seems like several members were more interested in feathering their own nests than serving the public." Maria: "It's disappointing when people in power do that."
对话 3：历史语境
Chloe: "I was reading about a king in the 18th century who heavily taxed the poor." David: "What did he use the money for?" Chloe: "Mostly to build extravagant palaces for himself and his court. A classic case of a ruler feathering his own nest while his people suffered."
练习时间！
准备好测试你对 "Feather One's Own Nest" 的理解和用法了吗？来试试这些有趣的小练习吧！
1. 快速小测验！
选择下列句子/选项中 “Feather One's Own Nest” 的正确含义或用法：
Question 1: The expression "to feather one's own nest" usually implies that someone is...
- a) Working hard for a promotion.
- b) Helping others generously.
- c) Enriching themselves, often improperly.
Question 2: Which sentence uses "feather one's own nest" correctly?
- a) "She feathered her own nest by donating to charity."
- b) "The CEO was accused of feathering his own nest before the company collapsed."
- c) "He feathered his own nest when he built a birdhouse."
Question 3: If someone is feathering their own nest, they are primarily concerned with...
- a) The welfare of their community.
- b) Their personal gain.
- c) Environmental conservation.
(Answers: 1-c, 2-b, 3-b)
2. 习语配对游戏
将A栏的句子开头与B栏对应的结尾正确配对，这些结尾都涉及或相关于 "Feather One's Own Nest"：
| A栏（开头） | B栏（结尾） |
|---|---|
| 1. The investigation revealed that the director | a) was clearly just looking out for number one. |
| 2. He wasn't really helping the team; he | b) by using company resources for his private business. |
| 3. Many suspected the politician was trying to | c) feather his own nest with the new infrastructure project. |
| 4. By taking all the credit and the biggest bonus, she | d) had been feathering his own nest for over a decade. |
(Answers: 1-d, 2-b, 3-c, 4-a)
结语：掌握自利表达
学习像 "Feather One's Own Nest" 这样的习语，是丰富英语词汇、理解语言细微差别的好方法。虽然这个短语多用于描述负面行为，但学会并懂得用它，可以让你更好地理解、更精准地讨论各种情境。不仅能让你表达更加自然，也能更深入地参与讨论涉及自利行为的话题。
继续练习，你就能自信地使用这些表达啦！你还知道哪些与自利或不诚实相关的英语习语？欢迎在评论区分享！
