【在生活中學習語言】〈 職人英語通〉瞭若指掌 Know someone/something like the back of one’s hand

文／Dr.J.J.

中文的「瞭若指掌」，在英文裡可以用〞Know someone/something like the back of one’s hand〞來做表示，意指對「某件事情」或「某人」的熟悉程度，猶如對自己的「手背」般一清二楚。

Cathy：I’m really running out of ideas! I honestly don’t know what to do anymore!

Cathy：我真的是腸枯思竭，不知道該怎麼辦了！

Peggy：What are you murmuring about?

Peggy：你在那邊碎碎唸什麼啊？

Cathy：I was asked to organize something that “will bring all the employees closer.”

Cathy：主管要求我做些事情好讓「全體員工能更親近些」。

Peggy：What do you mean by bringing everyone closer?

Peggy：「讓每個人更親近些」是什麼意思？

Cathy：That’s exactly why I’m having such a headache. And I dare not to ask Mr. Lee further questions. You know how impatient he can be.

Cathy：這正是我頭痛的原因。而且我也不敢再多問李先生到底指的是什麼意思。你知道他一向沒什麼耐心的。

Peggy：Oh, now I know the story. He’s always talking about this. Why don’t you just organize some company outings. All the staff can bring their family along.

Peggy：喔，我大概有個譜了。他老是在提這件事。你何不辦些員工旅遊什麼的，這樣大家就能帶家屬一起參加囉。

Cathy：You think Mr. Lee will like this idea?

Cathy：你覺得李先生會喜歡這種構想嗎？

Peggy：Come on, I used to work under him for 5 years and I know him like the back of my hand. This is the sort of thing he’s talking about.

Peggy：當然，我過去在他底下工作過５年。我對他可是瞭若指掌呢。他指的就是這一類的事情。

Cathy：OK, I have your word on it. Let me get started with this idea!

Cathy：好吧，這次就信你。我得開始著手進行了。

自由時報-970522

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