Our new boss is such a hard case.
(X)我們的新主管會處理很難的案件。
(O)我們的新主管很難搞。
A hard case是指很難搞、強硬、不好相處的人。也可以寫成hardcase,合併成一個字。
John can be a bit of a hardcase when you first meet him, but he's actually a very decent guy once you get to know him.
John初次見面時感覺很難纏,但相處了之後就會發現他其實很親切寛容。
I am on the case.
(X)我正在箱子上。
(O)我正在處理。
On the case是在特定情況下正在做該做的事,英文的解釋是
to be doing what needs to be done in a particular situation
來看看對話中的應用:
A:We need to book a flight before it's too late.我們需要及早預訂好航班。
B:Don't worry, I'm on the case. 別擔心,我正在辦理這件事。
本文經授權轉載自世界公民文化中心。
責任編輯/焦家卉