It won't wash 沒有說服力

內容簡介

在生活中，如果一個觀點或意見沒有說服力、站不住腳，我們除瞭可以說“it won’t work”之外，還可以說什麼？聽節目，學習一個簡單而常用的表達。

文字稿

（關於臺詞的備註: 請註意這不是廣播節目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能沒有體現錄制、編輯過程中對節目做出的改變。）

Neil
Hello, I’m Neil.

Feifei
大傢好，我是馮菲菲。歡迎收聽AYYBLOG英語教學的《地道英語》。

Neil
What’s in that bag, Feifei?

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

Neil
And why will I need that?

Feifei
Well, at the meeting earlier – when John suggested that 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.

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.

Feifei
哦，原來是這個意思。剛才開會的時候約翰提議大傢每天都穿西裝上班，但尼爾說這個提議“won’t wash”，所以我才拿瞭 washing powder “洗衣粉”給他。

Neil
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.

Feifei
所以現在“it won’t wash”這個說法的意思就是“某事沒有說服力，站不住腳”，所以人們不會接受它。

Neil
Let’s hear some examples.

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

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

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.

Feifei
表達“it won’t wash”的意思就是“it won’t work”。一件事情經不起考驗，沒有說服力，站不住腳，那麼我們就可以說“it won’t wash”或“it doesn’t wash”。Neil，其實我知道這個說法的意思。

Neil
So why did you bring in the washing powder?

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

Neil
Yeah – why do you ask?

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!’

Neil
Hmm, thanks.

Both
Bye.