口语：同时做很多事情

　　Irons in the fire 同时做很多事情

　　Jen: Hello, Im Jennifer. Welcome to Authentic Real English. Joining me in the studio today is Helen. Hi Helen!

　　Helen: Hi Jen! 你怎么上班来了?我以为你今天请假休息了呢?

　　Jen: No, thats next week. Im taking two weeks off work and I cant wait!

　　Helen: Are you going on holiday?

　　Jen: Not this time, its too expensive, but I do have a few irons in the fire that will keep me busy across the fortnight ...

　　Helen: Irons in the fire? 烧铁?这是什么意思?你几时成了铁匠?

　　Jen: No, Helen, Im not an ironmonger...

　　Helen: ...because that could be great! 我看中了一个特别漂亮的手工打造的铁床架子，不过实在是太贵了。Perhaps with your new iron-making skills you can make me one, instead!

　　Jen: I definitely dont have any iron-making skills!

　　Helen: But you said you had a few irons in the fire... Oh! 我理解错了，是不是你有很多衣服要烫?你衣服可多了，那得花很多时间才能烫完。

　　Jen: No, thats not what I meant!

　　Helen: So what did you mean?

　　Jen: This is another English phrase which you shouldnt take too literally. If you have a few irons in the fire, it means that you have a few different projects or potential ideas going on at the same time .

　　Helen: I see. 你不早点解释，原来这个短语 irons in the fire 和打铁，烫衣服都没关系，它的意思是同时有好几件事情要办，或者是同时你有好多选择。So you have a few irons in the fire because you have a few different options for your fortnight off?

　　Jen: Thats right - I cant wait.

　　Helen: So, tell me, Jen, what are your irons in the fire - what are you planning?

　　Jen: Well, I have a friend in Paris who I havent seen for ages, so I could go there... Id like to pop up to Scotland to visit my sister and her children for a few days... Theres also a cheap deal to Turkey that Ive seen and I already have some yoga classes booked in!

　　Helen: Wow, thats a lot!

　　Jen: There was one thing you were right about, though...

　　Helen: Whats that?

　　Jen: I do have a huge pile of ironing to do, too! Join us again for another edition of Authentic Real English from bbcukchina.com. Bye for now!

　　Helen: Bye!