Don't pass the buck.
不要推卸责任。
pass the buck 这则俚语的起源和纸牌游戏有关,据说在19世纪的纸牌游戏中,buck是指“猎兽用的大型铅弹”或者“带鹿角手柄的刀”。当轮到某人发牌时,这个东西就会转交给他。在1865年,这个短语成为纸牌术语,意思是:“将发牌权转交给某人”。后来,逐渐演变成:“把责任推给另一个人”。因此,当美国人说"Don't pass the buck."时,他/她要表达的意思就是:"Don't shirk your responsibility."、"Don't shift the blame to others."。
情景对白:
Shirley: It's absolutely not my fault. He didn't read the instructions carefully.
雪莉:绝对不是我的错,是他没有看清楚说明书。
Boss: Don't pass the buck. The customer is always right. Besides, have you explained the cautions?
老板:不要推卸责任,顾客永远是对的。顺便问一句,你向顾客解释注意事项没?
搭配句积累:
①How come he regretted and refused to buy those instruments?
他怎么会反悔又不买那些仪器了呢?
②We should be accountable to our customers.
我们应该对顾客负责。
③You should correct your attitude towards every client.
你应该对每位客户都态度端正。
④Their machines are still under warranty.
他们的机器还在保修期。
单词:
1. shirk vt. 推卸
We in the Congress can't shirk our responsibility.
我们作为国会议员不能逃避责任。
The Government will not shirk from considering the need for further action.
政府不会回避考虑采取进一步行动的需要。
2. accountable adj. 负责任的
Public officials can finally be held accountable for their actions.
终于要对政府官员实行问责了。
The major service industries should be accountable to their customers.
主要的服务行业应该对它们的顾客负责。
3. warranty n. 保修期
The television comes with a full two-year warranty.
这台电视机有整两年的保修期。
Corrosion is not covered by the warranty.
腐蚀不在保修范围之内。