I could murder something
迫切地吞掉什么东西
Rob: Hi Helen. I thought I would pop round to talk to you about todays Authentic Real English but err it looks like youre busy what are all these police cars doing here?
Helen: Quick, come in, shut the doornow this is very serious. There has been murder, 凶杀事件。
Rob: What?
Helen: A murder. I know its not very nice.but to be honest the police cant find any blood or a body. 这个凶杀事件到底是怎么回事谁也不知道，仍然是个谜 I say Rob, its like a murder mystery.
Rob: Hmm, we need to do our own investigation. So what exactly happened?
Helen: Well, my friend came to see me this morning
Rob: I see.
Helen: . and we were having a nice chat when she said I could murder a coffee 她想杀掉一杯咖啡 and then she disappeared and I havent heard from her since.
Rob: Right. Well Helen, relax, I think shes still alive and everything is ok.
Helen: Theres no murder?
Rob: No. When people say they could murder something its an informal way of saying they are starving or thirsty and are desperate to have something to eat or drink.
Helen: 啊。原来这是一种夸张的说法表示一个人饥渴到了极点，需要吃点东西或喝点什么东西。 But murder is a strong word.
Rob: Yes. A direct translation would mean you are so desperate for something you would kill it! But in reality, we dont go that far.
Helen: Thank goodness!
Rob: Here are some more examples:
Its been a really tough day at work, I could murder a beer or two anyone want to join me at the pub?
Im starving, I could murder a curry.
Helen: 这个英语单词很有意思，用凶杀这个词来形容一个人处于极度饥渴的状态。
Rob: People also describe a situation or a feeling as murder but again there is no killing involved they are just trying to explain that something is bad or uncomfortable.
Helen: Murder 还有另一个意思表示不舒服甚至痛苦. Such as Rob?
Rob: Such as in these examples:
Running a marathon is murder on my knees.
Ive been decorating all day and my back is murder.
Dont go on the London underground during the rush hour, its murder!
Rob: So by saying s murder he means its awful; its terrible. Anyway Helen, now we know theres not been a real murder, I think we should tell these policemen to go home now.
Helen: Good idea. Excuse metheres been a terrible misunderstanding. Theres not been a murder so you can all go home.
Policeman: Oh right. So weve been wasting our time then? But hold onI think there might be another murder soon.
Helen: Oh, whys that?
Policeman: Well, I could murder a cup of tea!
Helen: of course.
Rob: Ill put the kettle on.
Helen Rob: Bye.
Policeman: Milk, two sugars please