情景對話：

A: You look miserable, Tom. What happened?

你看上去很沮喪，湯姆，怎么了？

B: Mum, my composition was shot down in flames by our classmates.

媽媽，同學們把我的作文貶得一文不值。

A: Really? Let me read it. Maybe I can give you some advice. Cheer up, my dear.

真的？讓我看看，也許我能給你點建議。高興點，寶貝。

第一， 詞海拾貝

shoot down in flames

exp. To bring about someone or something's failure，ruin someone. （貶得一文不值，痛斥某人，駁倒，把某人整垮）

e.g. I thought I'd written a fine campaign speech but my team shot it down in flames.

我原以為我寫了一篇很好的競選演說，但我的團隊把它貶得一文不值。

e.g. I can't believe he shot me down in flames in front of the board of trustees!

我真不敢相信他在董事會面前痛斥我！

e.g. It was a bad idea, okay, but you didn't have to shoot me down in flames at the meeting.

那個注意不好，可以，但你沒必要在會上痛斥我呀。

第二， 語匯積累

1. give someone some advice：給某人提出建議

e.g. Can you give me some advice for my job interview?

你能給我一些關于工作面試的建議嗎？

e.g. I tried to give him some advice but he brushed all my suggestions to one side.

我試著給他提點建議，但他對我所有意見都置之不理。

e.g. Years ago you gave some advice on how to have a good marriage.

幾年前，你曾就如何擁有美滿的婚姻提出了一些看法。

2. cheer up：振作

e.g. Cheer up! Our troubles will soon be over.

振作起來!我們的困難很快就會過去。

e.g. Mrs. Gummidge did not appear to be able to cheer up.

格米治太太好象怎么也鼓不起興致來。