①
24/7 全天候
"24/7" means 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
🌰举个例子
The convenience store on the corner is open 24/7.
街角的那家便利店24小时营业。
②
a tough break 走霉运
When something unfortunate happens, it can be called a "tough break."
🌰举个例子
It was a tough break for us when Caroline quit. She was one of our top performers.
卡洛琳辞职对我们来说很不幸。她是我们最优秀的员工之一。
③
ahead of the curve 领先地位
To be "ahead of the curve" means to be more advanced than the competition.
🌰举个例子
We're investing a lot of money in research and development so we can stay ahead of the curve.
我们在研发上投入了大量资金，这样我们就能保持领先地位。
④
ahead of the pack 更出色、更成功
To be "ahead of the pack" means to be better or more successful than the competition.
🌰举个例子
If we want to stay ahead of the pack, we're going to have to work hard and continue to innovate.
如果我们想保持领先地位，我们就必须努力工作，继续创新。
⑤
ASAP 越快越好
"ASAP" is an acronym for "as soon as possible."
🌰举个例子
I need to finish these reports. My boss needs them ASAP.
我需要完成这些报告。我老板需要他们尽快。
⑥
at stake 有利害关系
"At stake" means at risk.
🌰举个例子
I'm a little nervous about giving this presentation. There's a lot at stake.
这次演讲我有点紧张。这事关重大。
⑦
back to square one 再次重头开始
To go "back to square one" means to start something over again.
🌰举个例子
We're back to square one, unfortunately.
不幸的是，我们又回到了起点。
⑧
back to the drawing board 重新开始计划
To go "back to the drawing board" means to start something over and go back to the planning stage.
🌰举个例子
The prototype wasn't successful. We have to go back to the drawing board.
原型机并不成功。我们得从头来过。
⑨
backroom deal 幕后交易
A "backroom deal" is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.
🌰举个例子
I think they got the government contract because of a backroom deal.
我认为他们是因为幕后交易才得到了一份合同。
⑩
ballpark number/figure 大概、估计的数/量
A "ballpark number" is a very inexact estimate.
🌰举个例子
I'm not sure what a Super Bowl commercial costs, but to give you a ballpark figure I'd say about three million dollars.
我不确定超级碗广告的成本是多少，但给你一个大概的数字，我想说大约300万美元。
⑪
behind someone's back 背着某人、背地里
To do something "behind someone's back" means to do something without someone's knowledge and in an unfair way.
🌰举个例子
She didn't think it would be fair to go behind his back and talk to management, so she confronted him directly.
她认为背着他去和管理层谈话是不公平的，所以她直接和他对质。
⑫
behind the scenes 幕后
What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen "behind the scenes."
🌰举个例子
They make it look so effortless, but they do a lot of hard work and planning behind the scenes.
他们让这看起来毫不费力，但他们做了很多艰苦的工作和幕后计划。
⑬
big picture 全局，格局
Everything that is involved with a particular situation is called "the big picture."
🌰举个例子
Even though we all have very specific tasks to do, our manager makes sure we don't lose sight of the big picture.
即使我们都有非常具体的任务要做，我们的经理也会确保我们不会忽视大局。
⑭
blue collar 蓝领
A "blue collar worker" is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). The opposite is a "white collar worker."
A white collar worker is someone who works in an office (customer service, management, sales, etc.).
"Blue collar" (and "white collar") can also be used to describe a job, position, or a place.
🌰举个例子
It's a blue collar town with a lot of farmers and factory workers.
这个镇上有很多农民和工厂工人，是个蓝领小镇。
⑮
by the book 照章办事，按照规定
To do things "by the book" means to do things according to company policy or the law. It means to follow the rules 100%.
🌰举个例子
We are regularly audited by several regulatory agencies. It's important that we do everything by the book.
我们定期接受几个监管机构的审计。重要的是我们每件事都要照章办事。
⑯
call it a day 收工
To "call it a day" means to decide to stop working for the day.
🌰举个例子
Well, John, it's 7:00 and I'm getting hungry. How about we call it a day?
约翰，7点了，我饿了。我们今天就到此为止吧?
⑰
catch someone off guard 没做好准备、猝不及防
To "catch someone off guard" means to surprise someone by doing something that he or she was not expecting.
🌰举个例子
Mike was caught off guard when they asked him to direct the meeting.
当他们请迈克主持会议时，他猝不及防。
⑱
cave (or cave in) 妥协
To "cave" or "cave in" means to give in or agree to something that someone previously did not want to accept.
🌰举个例子
The employees complained about the change in policy, but the supervisor refused to cave in.
员工们抱怨政策的变化，但主管拒绝让步。
⑲
change of pace 变换节奏，跳出日常
"A change of pace" is something different from a normal routine or schedule.
🌰举个例子
It's nice to go on business trips because it's a change of pace.
出差很不错，因为可以变换生活节奏。
⑳
come up short 失败、没有达到目标
To "come up short" means to try to achieve something but fail. We often say that someone has "come up short" when someone fails to achieve a goal, but not completely.
🌰举个例子
The charity fund raiser was supposed to raise three million dollars, but we came up short.
慈善基金筹集者本应筹集300万美元，但我们的资金不足。
超棒的美剧盘点，你都看过哪几部？
别把"I think so"译成"我也这么想"
没有搭档，如何一个人练BEC口语？