Be at a loss 不知所措

[圖片來源：Getty Images]

內容簡介

有時我們在遇到事情的時候可能會感到茫然無措、困惑不已、不確定該說什麼或做什麼才好。地道英語表達 “be at a loss” 就可以用來形容這種 “不知所措” 的感覺。聽節目，學習這個表達的含義和用法。

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
Welcome to Authentic Real English, with me, Neil.

Feifei
And me, Feifei.

Neil
We’ve got an expression which describes that feeling you get when you’re not sure what to say or do. It’s ‘to be at a loss’.

Feifei
To be at a loss. 我們可以從這個表達中的名詞 “loss” 看出它的大致意思。Imagine you don’t know where to go or what to say! You are lost.

Neil
Exactly, so in the case of ‘at a loss’, we are trying to say that we have no idea what to do or say in certain situations – for example, when we’re trying to help someone. So, Feifei, I heard you’re going to Spain next week from the UK.

Feifei
是的，你能幫我給酒店打電話預訂房間嗎？

Neil
Well, I can try, but I’d be at a loss. I don’t speak Spanish!

Feifei
Great example. 如果酒店的工作人員對你說西班牙語，你可能會 “be at a loss（不知說什麼才好）”。再舉一個例子：Neil 喜歡打電子遊戲，但我卻不怎麼玩，所以每次玩的時候都會感到茫然、困惑：“I’m at a loss when I try to play video games.”

Neil
Well, maybe I should teach you some time! Let’s hear some examples.

Examples
Ahmed was at a loss as to what to do for his wife’s birthday.

Kevin didn’t know how to operate the new computer system. He was at a loss.

I was at a loss as to what to say to him after his girlfriend left him.

Feifei
你正在收聽的是 AYYBLOG英語教學的 “地道英語” 節目。以上，我們學習瞭表達 “be at a loss” 的意思和用法。它用來形容 “（一個人在某些情況下）不知所措或不知說什麼才好”。

Neil
Yes, so ‘at a loss’ is nearly always used with the verb ‘be’ – ‘I am’, ‘he is’ or ‘she is at a loss’. And it’s commonly followed by the words ‘as to’.

Feifei
你解釋得很到位。I’m at a loss to explain it better. So, what are you doing this weekend?

Neil
My wife and I are going to a restaurant near our house on Friday! What about you?

Feifei
I’m not sure. I’m at a loss as to what to do!

Neil
Well, maybe you can join us at the restaurant – and after that, we can teach you how to play our favourite video game, so you won’t be at a loss in future!

Feifei
Thank you. Bye.

Neil
Bye.