地道英语：迫切地吞掉什么东西

　　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