No picnic 并非易事

No picnic 并非易事

内容简介 英国夏季晴朗但不炎热的气候特别适合在户外野餐 picnic。但当一次野餐经历变得“no picnic”，这又是什么意思呢？听节目，学习一个描述“并非易事”表达。

Rob

Hello, I'm Rob.

大家好，我是冯菲菲。欢迎收听 BBC 英语教学的《》节目。

Rob

And today we're outdoors, in the park, having a picnic.

是的，天气晴朗又凉爽，所以我们决定出来野餐。Thanks for preparing it, Rob.

Rob

Oh no problem. Well, actually, it was a problem.

Oh, I thought preparing a picnic would be easy.

Rob

No. First I had to find some money to buy some food, and then I had to walk to the supermarket because my car isn't working, then I had to prepare the food, and then I had to go to work… and then I had to do… 

OK, OK, I get it. Rob 说准备野餐可不是件容易的事。So it was an effort?

Rob

What I'm saying is it was no picnic!

It was no picnic? 没有野餐？It is, Rob, look, sandwiches, crisps, salad, strawberries…

Rob

Well, that's a picnic but making it was 'no picnic' – I mean there was nothing easy or pleasant about it.

我明白了。原来英语口语表达“no picnic”可以用来描述一件“不容易”或“不轻松、愉快的事”。Let's hear some more examples of situations that are 'no picnic'.

Examples

Having no job and trying to pay the bills is no picnic.

It's no picnic going on a camping holiday with the kids – they moan all the time!

Living on the fifth floor without a lift is no picnic; I have to carry everything up the stairs.

所以也就是说，在日常对话中，我们使用“no picnic”来强调一件特别不容易而且也令人感到不愉快的事情。Well, Rob, it may have been difficult to prepare but it was worth the effort – the food is delicious.

Rob

Oh, thanks very much. 

Oh, no, rain! I think we'd better take cover. Quick! 

Rob

Oh dear, it seems that this is literally no picnic. 

Come on, let's drive home.

Rob

We can't. My car's not working, remember? 

Oh, yes. Bye.

Rob

Bye.