Another string to your bow 有兩手準備，還有一手

[圖片來源：Getty Images]

內容簡介

俗話說：技不壓身。今天學到的某個技能也許會在將來有用武之地。但這和弓箭上的 “string（弦）” 有什麼關系？聽主持人 Neil 和佳瑩的對話，學習用一個地道英語表達來形容某人 “有兩手準備”。

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。）

Jiaying
大傢好，歡迎收聽 AYYBLOG英語教學的 “地道英語” 節目，我是佳瑩。

Neil
… and hello. I’m Neil.

Jiaying
這是什麼聲音啊？太難聽瞭吧。

Neil
Ha, ha! Are you referring to my violin playing? This is my new hobby – learning to play a new instrument.

Jiaying
But it sounds like you’re murdering a cat! Is there a cat in the studio?

Neil
I get the message, Jiaying! I’m just trying to learn another skill in case I lose my current job. I could make some money as a musician.

Jiaying
So, you are adding another string to your bow?

Neil
Am I? Is that what I need to improve my violin playing?

Jiaying
不是的，Neil！雖然表達 “another string to your bow” 的字面意思是 “還有一根備用的弓弦”，但實際上它用 “string（弦）” 來比喻一個人的 “技能”，意思是 “如果第一個技能不管用，還備有另一個技能可以使用，有兩手準備”。So, think of another string as another skill – so how many strings do you have, Neil?

Neil
Hmm, let me count while we hear some other examples of the phrase ‘another string to your bow’…

Examples
Bookkeeping is another string to my bow – I’ve learnt it in case I lose my job at the bank.

It looks like I’ll never be a singer, but luckily, I have another string to my bow – dancing!

Gemma is so talented – she has so many strings to her bow.

Jiaying
你正在收聽的是 AYYBLOG英語教學的 “地道英語” 節目。剛剛，我們介紹瞭表達 “another string to your bow”，它用來描述某人 “還留瞭一手技能，以防萬一；有兩手準備”。比如，Neil 的另一個技能就是拉小提琴。不過，不好意思，Neil，你還需要多多練習啊！

Neil
Maybe I do, Jiaying. I think I might try a different skill – one that still needs a bow.

Jiaying
Neil，不需要有真正的 “弓” 才能使用這個表達，這隻是打個比方而已。

Neil
I know – but if learn this new skill, I can be like Robin Hood – it’s archery.

Jiaying
Bows and arrows?

Neil
Mind your head!

Jiaying
Watch out – that just missed me! I think you need one fewer string to your bow now – it’s too dangerous.

Neil
No, this is great. Let’s have another go!

Jiaying
I’m off. Bye.

Neil
Bye.