午餐常用英语（吃饭不想掏腰包）

菲菲凭借自己倒立的本事，从 Neil 那里挣了十英镑。但 Neil 迟迟不肯掏腰包，所以菲菲让他赶紧 “cough up”。这是什么意思？付钱和 “咳出来” 有什么关系？听他们的对话，学习英国人在日常对话中用 “cough up” 所表达的具体含义。

Feifei

Good to be back at work, Neil?

Neil

Yes, Feifei… feel a bit better now. Just got a little cough...

Feifei

不管怎么样，你回来上班了，总算可以还我钱了。

Neil

Oh, right. Why’s that?

Feifei

Well, remember you said you didn’t believe I could stand on my head?

Neil

I do. I said I’d give you £10 if you can do it.

Feifei

Yes. Well…

Neil

No way.

Feifei

There we are. On my head. £10, please. Time to cough up, Neil.

Neil

OK, OK! You can come down now.

Feifei

怎么样？不错吧？你肯定没想到我能倒立。Now, how about you ‘cough up’, and I explain what it means?

Neil

Hey, I was only joking about the £10. Oh, OK, there you go.

Feifei

Thank you. 我们用动词短语 “cough up” 来描述一个人很不情愿地掏腰包，勉强给钱或给他人信息。

Neil

Yes, I didn’t want to give Feifei the money, but I said I would, so I had to cough up.

Feifei

好了，咱们来听几个包含 “cough up” 的例句。

ExamplesI waited two whole weeks for my new TV to be delivered. And then I had to cough up an extra £15 for the delivery! I can’t believe it.

My last trip to the library was expensive. I had to cough up for the fines for all the books I’d returned late. Whoops.

When I sat on my colleague’s glasses he asked me to cough up £100 to buy a new pair. Though I must admit, the new ones are an improvement.

Feifei

在日常对话中，我们用 “cough up” 来描述一个人不情愿地、勉强地为某事掏钱。Neil, that cough is still sounding bad. Have you tried the cough medicine I use?

Neil

Not yet. It’s just a little expensive. £10 for a little bottle of medicine!

Feifei

It’s worth it. Listen, if you won’t cough up, I’ll give you the £10 back if you promise to buy it.

Neil

That’s very kind.

Feifei

Not a problem. And while you go to the pharmacy, I’m going to practise presenting the programme standing on my head. It’s good for blood circulation, apparently.

Neil

Standing on your head is one thing, but presenting a whole programme? No way.

Feifei

Are you sure? £10 says I can!

Neil

Hahaha. Goodbye.

Feifei

Bye!

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