A bitter pill to swallow 不得不吞的苦药

A bitter pill to swallow 不得不吞的苦药  

Play audio file 内容简介 菲菲因为晋升不成功而有些沮丧。Rob 试图开导菲菲，但他用了一个奇怪的成语，字面意思是“难以下咽的药片”。听节目，看 Rob 用这个成语安慰菲菲到底是什么意思？

（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）

大家好，欢迎收听《》。我是冯菲菲，还有我的同事 Rob。

Rob                                                    

Hi everyone… errr, , are you OK? You don't sound as cheerful as normal.

I feel terrible today – I've got a headache, I feel really tired… I think I'm developing flu. 我看我还是吃点儿药吧。

Rob

Hold on . Are you sure you're getting flu? This hasn't got anything to do with that job promotion that you didn't get?

Of course not… well maybe a little.

Rob

Hmm, I know you wanted that promotion so much but Daisy got it instead.

Exactly – and I've been working here much longer than her and I have loads more experience. It's so unfair!

Rob

I know… it's a bitter pill to swallow.

我知道这些药片苦，不过我们都知道“良药苦口利于病”。我说，我升值不成功，这又病了，你能同情一下我吗？

Rob

I was ! When I said 'it's a bitter pill to swallow' I really meant it's a situation that’s unpleasant and difficult to accept.

OK, I see! You're saying I'm finding Daisy's promotion hard to accept?

Rob

It's tough but that's the way things are. Let's hear some more examples of this phrase in action.

Examples

When John found out about his wife's affair with his best friend, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

It was a bitter pill to swallow knowing that my older sister finished the race quicker than me.

My friend has booked the same flights as me for half the price – it's a bitter pill to swallow!

在英语里，表达 a bitter pill to swallow 的意思是“不得不吞的苦药、苦果，必须接受的严酷现实”。也就是说，就算不喜欢、不同意、不赞同也没办法，只能接受。Hmm, I like the phrase but it doesn't make me feel any better.

Rob

You'll just have to swallow the decision ! Daisy is going to be your boss from now on.

Oh dear… I think my flu might be getting worse now… 我还是把药吃了吧。Yuk, that really was bitter!

Rob

I think two tablets are enough for now . Maybe you should take tomorrow off work.

What a great idea, Rob! See you later.

Rob

Bye!