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And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
欢迎收听VOA慢速英语《词汇掌故》节目。
On this program we explore words and expressions in the English language.
在本节目中，我们探讨英语中的单词和短语。
We give examples and notes on usage.
我们举例子，并对用法进行解释说明。
Sometimes we tell about their origin story – where they come from.
有时我们会讲述它们的起源故事——它们源于哪里。
But origins are often a lot of guesswork.
但起源往往是大量的猜测。
We often don’t know how some expressions began.
我们往往不知道有些短语的起源是什么。
That is not the case with today’s expression – to cross the Rubicon.
今天要讲的短语“cross the Rubicon（破釜沉舟）”就不是这样了。
But before we talk about its origin, let’s talk about its meaning.
但在我们讨论它的起源之前，我们先来谈谈它的含义。
To cross the Rubicon means to make a decision of permanence.
“cross the Rubicon”的意思是做出一个永恒的决定。
It cannot be changed.
它无法被改变。
It is irreversible - a done deal – no cancellations!
它是不可逆转的——已成定局——不能被取消！
Someone who has crossed the Rubicon has reached a point where they cannot change a course of action.
破釜沉舟的人已经到了无法改变行动方向的地步。
In other words, there is no going back.
换句话说，没有回头路可走。
Now for its origin.
现在来说说它的起源。
This expression comes from a story about Julius Caesar.
这个短语来源于一个关于尤利乌斯·恺撒的故事。
Rubicon is the name of the river he crossed with his army.
卢比孔河是他率领军队渡过的那条河的名字。
Experts say this started a civil war in Rome in 49 BCE.
专家称，这在公元前49年引发了罗马内战。
When our enemies draw a line in the sand and we pass over that line, we could also say we have crossed the Rubicon.
当我们的敌人在沙子上划出一条线，而我们越过了那条线时，我们也可以说我们破釜沉舟。
Therefore, the result or consequence of the decision or action is severe.
因此，这种决定或行动的后果是严重的。
It has weight.
它有重量。
If I cross the Rubicon, I have made a fateful and final decision.
如果我破釜沉舟，意思是我做了一个决定性的最后决定。
Therefore, we don't use this expression for low-stakes situations – times when nothing is at stake.
因此，我们不会在风险较低的情况下（没有什么风险的时候）使用这个短语。
If nothing is at stake, nothing important is at risk.
nothing is at stake的意思是没有什么重要的事情会受到威胁。
For those lighter times, we can say, that ship has sailed or that train has left the station.
对于那些风险较轻的时候，我们可以说，时机已过。
So, save cross the Rubicon for a heavy, meaningful decision or action.
所以，还是把cross the Rubicon留给做出重大的、有意义的决定或行动时使用吧。
Here are two friends using the expression.
下面来看看两个朋友是如何使用这个短语的。
Did you about Angela and Dimitry? They broke up.
你知道安吉拉和迪米特里分手了吗？
What?? They seemed like such a great couple. What happened?
什么？他们看起来像关系很好的一对。发生了什么？
Well, Angela accepted a dream job out in Alaska. She’s going to be researching polar bears.
安吉拉在阿拉斯加接受了一份理想的工作。她要去研究北极熊。
That sounds great!
听起来不错！
It is great. For her. The problem is … she didn’t tell Dimitry. He found out from some guy who works at their favorite coffee shop.
那份工作对于她来说太棒了。问题是她没有告诉迪米特里。他是从一个在他们最喜欢的咖啡店工作的人那里得知的。
Oh, that’s not good.
哦，那可不太好。
Yeah. Dimitry said he can forgive a lot but not this. She crossed the Rubicon when she decided to move without telling him first.
是的。迪米特里说，他可以原谅很多事，但不能原谅这件事。当她决定不事先告诉他就搬走时，她就破釜沉舟了。
I like Angela. But Dimitry has a point.
我喜欢安吉拉。但迪米特里说得有道理。
And that brings us to the end of this Words and Their Stories. Until next time … I’m Anna Matteo.
以上就是本期《词汇掌故》节目的全部内容。下次见……我是安娜·马特奥。
译文为可可英语翻译，未经授权请勿转载！
