Rob’s run out of money and there’s someone at the door. Li thinks her life is in danger until she realises Rob’s used another example of authentic real English! Listen to the programme to find out what it is and see if you can apply it to your life.
文字稿
（關于台詞的備注: 這不是廣播節目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能沒有體現錄制、編輯過程中對節目做出的改變。）
Li
大家好。歡迎收聽地道英語。我是楊莉…
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 遇到了經濟困難，也就是錢方面的問題 – 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？！不讓狼進你家門？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! 原來所謂的“不讓狼進門”這個比喻性的片語，意思就是“竭盡全力勉強度日，維持基本生存”或者說“將就能養家糊口，維持生存”。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
這麼說你的錢只夠一家人糊口，維持生存。 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 希望有誰能借給他一點兒錢 – 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 £10.
Rob
(Disappointed) Oh thanks!
Both
Bye!
