跟着Gwen学英语之每日早读 第1093期

（单词翻译）

Reputation is an idle and most false imposition. Oft got without merit and lost without deserving.

语音讲解：

今日发音练习重点：

1. idle包含舌边爆破/dl/

2. imposition内不包含/r/音

言之有物：

1. idle

① 漫无目的的；无效的；无用的

idle chatter/talk/gossip/curiosity 无聊的唠叨/闲谈/闲话/好奇

an idle person 游手好闲的人

an idle glance 漫不经心的一瞥

What have I told you about idle gossip？

我不是让你别理会这些流言蜚语吗？

And I never make idle threats Mr Cavendish. Never.

我从不吓唬人，卡文迪许先生，从不。

② 懒散的

He lost his job because he was idle.

他失业了，因为他太懒散。

He's a very able student, he's just bone idle.

他是个能力很强的学生，只是太懒了。

③ 闲置的；闲散的

The machines lay idle during the strike.

罢工期间，机器都闲置着。

拓展词链儿→stand idly by 袖手旁观、坐以待毙

We cannot stand idly by while these people suffer.

这些人在受苦，我们不能袖手旁观。

I cannot stand idly by and let him take the blame.

我不能袖手旁观，让他承担责任。

I'm just saying, would man's best friend stand idly by while his master was attacked？

我只是想说，人类最好的朋友，会眼睁睁看着它的主人被袭击吗？

I cannot continue to sit idly by and wait.

我不能再坐以待毙了。

★原声例句：It's not just an idle curiosity, it's a fundamental human right.

这不仅仅是无聊的好奇心，这是一项基本人权。

2. imposition n. 不公平（或不合理）的要求；勉强；硬要

It's an imposition to ask the workers to work sixteen hours a day.

要求工人每天工作十六个小时，真是太过分了。

I know it’s an imposition, but could I use your bathroom?

实在不好意思，我可以借用你的浴室吗？

→ impose 是动词，表示强迫别人答应、强制实行。

It seems a terrific imposition for us to be here.

我们留在这儿似乎太不合适了。

Listen, I know this is a real imposition…

我知道这样的要求很不合理

3. oft = often 时常

4. without merit 毫无价值

The plan is entirely¹ without merit.

这个计划毫无价值。

merit n. 优点；美德；价值；某人或某事物的较为长期固定的优点或可取之处

a work of artistic² merit

一件有艺术价值的作品

This reasoning may have some merit.

这样的推理，也许有可取之处。

There's no merit in prolonging the treatment.

继续治疗下去已经没有什么价值／意义。

But every case is based on its own merit.

但每个案子的机会都不同。