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VOA慢速英语2021--'One-Trick Pony' Has Limits

时间:2021-03-07 23:08:23

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(单词翻译)

And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.

On today's program, we talk about an animal idiom. What do you think it means to be a one-trick pony1?

Let's start with a pony. That is a small horse. And one definition of a "trick" is a special act or skill. So, pony tricks can be fun to see. But who would want to watch a pony that does the same trick over and over?

A one-trick pony is a person that has only one skill. So, the term is an insult. A one-trick pony is of low value. A one-trick pony can also describe a person who has had success only once.

So, for example, let's say you know a champion weightlifter. He is big and strong and successful in the sport. But it is the only thing he does: He eats, drinks, and sleeps weightlifting. You could truthfully tell him he is a one-trick pony. But, be prepared to run away as soon as the words leave your mouth. He probably won't be very happy.

Some word experts say the idiom "one-trick pony" comes from the circus. A circus pony that can only do one trick is not going to entertain a crowd for very long.

The term "one-trick pony" appeared around the turn of the twentieth century. Within about fifty years, the term had become an idiom. Note that one-trick is usually hyphenated. And if you have more than one, you have one-trick ponies2.

Now, a one-trick pony usually describes a person. But sometimes it can describe other things, such as a company. If a company only does one thing such as make ice cream cones3, it might be called a one-trick pony. However, that usage4 is less common.

Now, let's hear two friends use the expression in a conversation.

A: Guess who will perform at my outdoor party next week? Sam the Entertainer!

B: Please, not Sam the Entertainer! He's anything BUT entertaining.

A: What do you mean? He has such energy!

B: He may be "energetic," but he's a one-trick pony.

A: Sam is the best bagpipe5 player around.

B: But that's ALL he does. I hope your guests like loud bagpipe music.

A: I'm sure they'll love it! ! I've invited all my Ren-Fest friends!

Now, keep in mind that people who specialize in a certain area of their work are not called one-trick ponies. They are specialists. For example, I would never call a doctor specializing in children's illnesses a one-trick pony. She is a specialist and has many skills to do her job.

And we here at VOA Learning English specialize in using stories to teach English. But I hope you don't consider us one-trick ponies.

And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.

Words in This Story

idiom – n. an expression that cannot be understood from the meanings of its separate words but that has a separate meaning of its own

insult – n. a rude or offensive6 act or statement : something that insults someone

champion – adj. first among all contestants7 or competitors

eats, drinks, and sleeps – idiom : to have a strong passion for something; to think about it constantly

circus – n. a traveling show that is often performed in a tent and that typically includes trained animals, clowns, acrobats8, etc.

entertain – v. to perform for (an audience) : to provide amusement for (someone) by singing, acting9, etc.

hyphenated – adj. containing or linked with a hyphen

conversation – n. a talk between two or more people : the act of talking

Ren-Fest – n. short for Renaissance10 Festival : A festival held to recreate the arts and history of the Renaissance. Generally held outside and on weekends and people usually dress up for it in period clothing.


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1 pony Au5yJ     
adj.小型的;n.小马
参考例句:
  • His father gave him a pony as a Christmas present.他父亲给了他一匹小马驹作为圣诞礼物。
  • They made him pony up the money he owed.他们逼他还债。
2 ponies 47346fc7580de7596d7df8d115a3545d     
矮种马,小型马( pony的名词复数 ); £25 25 英镑
参考例句:
  • They drove the ponies into a corral. 他们把矮种马赶进了畜栏。
  • She has a mania for ponies. 她特别喜欢小马。
3 cones 1928ec03844308f65ae62221b11e81e3     
n.(人眼)圆锥细胞;圆锥体( cone的名词复数 );球果;圆锥形东西;(盛冰淇淋的)锥形蛋卷筒
参考例句:
  • In the pines squirrels commonly chew off and drop entire cones. 松树上的松鼠通常咬掉和弄落整个球果。 来自辞典例句
  • Many children would rather eat ice cream from cones than from dishes. 许多小孩喜欢吃蛋卷冰淇淋胜过盘装冰淇淋。 来自辞典例句
4 usage 2jawU     
n.惯用法,使用,用法
参考例句:
  • I am clear about the usage of this word at last.这个词的用法我算是弄明白了。
  • The usage is now firmly established.这种用法现已得到确认。
5 bagpipe xufz4     
n.风笛
参考例句:
  • The bagpipe is a sweet musical instrument.风笛是一种听起来很悦耳的乐器。
  • A wailful bagpipe played out in the night.夜幕中传来悲哭般的风笛声。
6 offensive OI9xc     
adj.令人不快的,侮辱的,攻击用的;n.进攻
参考例句:
  • His mode of doing business is offensive to me.他干事情的方式叫我很不喜欢。
  • If all else fails,I will take the offensive.如果其他方法不行,我将采取攻势。
7 contestants 6183e6ae4586949fe63bec42c8d3a422     
n.竞争者,参赛者( contestant的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The competition attracted over 500 contestants representing 8 different countries. 这次比赛吸引了代表8个不同国家的500多名参赛者。
  • Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency. 两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。 来自《简明英汉词典》
8 acrobats 0a0a55e618cb6021651a7c7a9ac46cdc     
n.杂技演员( acrobat的名词复数 );立场观点善变的人,主张、政见等变化无常的人
参考例句:
  • I was always fascinated by the acrobats at the circus. 我总是着迷于马戏团里的杂技演员。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • The acrobats' performance drew forth applause from the audience. 杂技演员的表演博得了观众的掌声。 来自《简明英汉词典》
9 acting czRzoc     
n.演戏,行为,假装;adj.代理的,临时的,演出用的
参考例句:
  • Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她,她只是假装的。
  • During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代,她的表演生涯黯然失色。
10 renaissance PBdzl     
n.复活,复兴,文艺复兴
参考例句:
  • The Renaissance was an epoch of unparalleled cultural achievement.文艺复兴是一个文化上取得空前成就的时代。
  • The theme of the conference is renaissance Europe.大会的主题是文艺复兴时期的欧洲。

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