BBC短语：勉强度日

　　To keep the wolf from the door 勉强度日

　　Li: 大家好。欢迎收听地道英语。我是杨莉…

　　Rob: …and me Rob. I suppose we had better explain an authentic English phrase then.

　　Li: Oh cheer up Rob – why are you sounding so miserable?

　　Rob: Well I wasn't going to say anything but… well, I've got problems… financial problems.

　　Li: Rob 遇到了经济困难，也就是钱方面的问题 – I'm sorry to hear that. What's happened?

　　Rob: I had to get my car fixed, I had to get a plumber round to fix a leaking pipe, I received a huge tax bill and then to add to it all, I lost my wallet yesterday – I'm doing my best to keep the wolf from the door.

　　Li: 一只狼?!不让狼进你家门?You really have got problems if you've got to keep a wolf out of your house!

　　Rob: Not a real wolf. When people say they're trying to keep the wolf from the door they mean they've only just got enough money to survive.

　　Li: Oh I see! 原来所谓的“不让狼进门”这个比喻性的短语，意思就是“竭尽全力勉强度日，维持基本生存”或者说“将就能养家糊口，维持生存”。So you just have enough money to eat and live?

　　Rob: Yes, it's not a good position to be in. Let's hear more examples of the phrase in action…

　　Examples

　　I'm going to have to sell my car if I'm to keep the wolf from the door.

　　It's tough being a student, I study all day then have to do an evening job just to keep the wolf from the door.

　　We've only just saved enough money to keep the wolf from the door.

　　Li: 这么说你的钱只够一家人糊口，维持生存。 OK Rob, I get it… with all your bills to pay you really are struggling to keep the wolf from the door – so what are you going to do?

　　Rob: I need to ask a really good friend to lend me some money.

　　Li: Rob 希望有谁能借给他一点儿钱 – so you need to find a good friend then?

　　Rob: Yes, a really good friend – like you Li? I know you have some spare cash.

　　Li: Sorry Rob, I've just spent that on a really nice holiday.

　　(Sound of wolf knocking at the door)

　　Rob: Huh! What's that?

　　Li: It sounds like the wolf is really at the door. Go on then, here's ten pounds.

　　Rob:

　　(Disappointed) Oh thanks!

　　Both: Bye!