06经济-财政-商业篇

　第6篇 经济-财政-商业篇

　1 1

　经济与财政状况 1.1

　富裕- 有钱 1.1.1

　in the money 【英语解释】rich;

　wealthy 【中文解释】富有；处于比赛中的赢家地位 John is really in the money. He’s worth millions. If I am ever in the money, I’ll be generous. If this old picture is really by a famous artist, we’re in the money. He used to be always wanting a loan, and then all at once, he was in the money. We’re in the money! I won a thousand dollars at the races today.

　1.1.2

　be made of money 【英语解释】be very rich 【中文解释】是钱做的，很有钱，有很多钱，钱多得用不完，极其富有，腰缠万贯，是财神爷 I can’t afford to buy you another car—do you think I’m made of money? No, I won’t buy you a new coat—I’m not made of money you know! I’ll pay for the drinks, but I can’t pay for everyone’s meal as well I’m not made of money, you know. I can’t afford that! I’m not made of money, you know! Why do people always think that lawyers are made of money? A: Hi, Bob. Can I borrow ten dollars? B: Ten dollars? Do you think I’m made of money?

　1.1.3

　have money to play with 【英语解释】have plenty of money for doing sth 【中文解释】有的是金钱 The budget is very tight; there isn’t much money to play with.

　1.1.4

　have money to burn 【英语解释】have so much money that you do not have to be careful with it;

　have more money than one needs. 【中文解释】他/她钱多得烫手，他/她一定是让钱烧的，钱多得用不完，有花不完的钱，有的是钱，有一大笔钱所以可以挥霍一下，钱多得乱花 Look at the way Tom buys things. You’d think he had money to burn.

　If I had money to burn, I’d just put it in the bank. How would it be to have money to burn?

　Every time I see her she’s wearing something new. She must have money to burn. Unless you’ve got money to burn, these expensive guitars are not the instruments to get you started. Let’s ask Jay to put up some cash. He’s got money to burn. I’ve never seen anyone spend so much money in one evening; he must have money to burn. That man has not only a comfortable income, but enough money to burn. How could I ever buy a big house like that? I haven’t exactly got money to burn, you know. I know hardly anyone in this city, while Jack has friends to burn. How could I ever buy a big house like that? I haven’t exactly got money to burn, you know. I wish I were as popular as Jake. I know hardly anyone in this city, while he has friends to burn.

　I don’t understand why you don’t want to marry a man like him—young, handsome, and with money to burn. What? He can’t afford such a car? He’s money to burn, you know? What? 2000 yuan a trousers? Well, I don’t have money to burn.

　The new rich has money to burn. Sometimes my children think that l’ve got money to burn, but I have to remind them that half the things they think they need, they can live without. The top managers seem to have money to burn: long lunches, weekend trips, expensive gifts for friends and the best of everything. He always seems to have money to burn. He buys anything that he likes and never worries about the expense. My grandmother doesn’t understand the idea of having money to burn. She’s always had to be so careful with her money she doesn’t like people who spend their money on anything they like. When Joe is 21 he will have money to burn. I was staying at the Ritz—I had money to burn in those days! He’s got money to burn. He’s just spent $4000 on a picture of Mickey Mouse. A: Gee, look at that guy! A new boat, house, car and now a holiday! B: anyone would think he had money to burn! I wonder where he gets it from? A: Wow, check out that sofa! It’s exquisite! Shall we get it?

　B: I don’t exactly have money to burn, Sharon. We’ll have to look at something a bit cheaper.

　1.1.5

　money/expense is no object 【英语解释】money or expense is not sth that needs to be considered, because there is plenty of it available; you can spend as much money as you want to on sth; you’re willing to spend a lot of money 【中文解释】钱/费用不成问题，钱/费用不在话下，钱是小事，不问价钱，花钱多少不重要 Simon always ordered the best. It was obvious that money was no object. Choose whatever outfit you want—money no object! Please show me your finest automobile. Money is no object.

　I want the finest earrings you have. Don’t worry about how much they cost because expense is no object. She travels around the world as if money is no object. He always travels first class—expense is no object. I want the best earrings you have. Don’t worry about how much they cost, because money is no object. Choose whatever you like from the menu. It’s your birthday so money is no object. A: How about this car, sir? B: It’s too shabby. I want to see your best car here—money is no object. A: Certainly sir, right this way. A: I’ve never seen a more beautiful watch! How much is it? B: I have to warn you, it’s quite expensive, sir. A: Money is no object—I would like to purchase it.

　1.1.6

　have more money than sense 【英语解释】have a lot of money, and waste it by spending it in a foolish way 【中文解释】钱很多但乱花，乱用钱 Collectors with more money than sense pay thousands of pounds for these spoons. He celebrated the birth of the baby by buying a sports car.

　He"s got more money than sense! You had more money than sense when you bought that white overcoat. It’s never out of the cleaners.

　1.1.7

　be rolling in it/ money

　【英语解释】be very rich;

　 have large amounts of money 【中文解释】有大量的（钱物），很有钱，特别富有，腰缠万贯，钱财滚滚而来 That family is rolling in money. I’ve never seen anyone spend so much in one evening, he must be rolling in money! He’s bought another new car—he must be absolutely rolling in it! If James can afford that car, he must be rolling in it! Jack doesn’t need to earn money. He’s rolling in it. Belinda’s rolling in it. Her parents are millionaires and they give her everything including the most amazing the most amazing allowance. This time next year we’ll be rolling in it. Business is really starting to take off. Terry can lend me some money; he is rolling in it. Since Fred opened up a business, money’s just been rolling in! She’s been the managing director of the company for 10 years, so she must be rolling in it by now. Some of her friends are absolutely rolling in it. Thieves always aim for houses where the people are known to be rolling in money. Since Fred opened up a business, money’s just been rolling in! A: That family must be rolling in money. B: Yeah, the oldest son just got a BMM for his 18th birthday! A: Maybe Ed would like to take the job up. B: I don’t think so—he’s rolling in it. No need for him to get a part-time job anywhere.

　1.1.8

　comfortably off 【英语解释】having enough money to buy what you want without worrying about the cost 【中文解释】生活宽裕，富有 My brother is very comfortably off. He has a career in finance. They’re comfortably off, so they can afford a new car every year. Our new neighbours seem to be very comfortably off, although they’re not rich. When the children were small we never had much money, but now we seem to be comfortably off.

　1.1.9

　(be) better off 【英语解释】have more money 【中文解释】有较多钱，（经济）比较宽裕，（比以前）更富裕，境况更好 She’d be better off if she divorce him. Families will better off under the new law. The government claims that people are better off than they were five years ago.

　The average taxpayer will be $80 better off as a result of these changes. Her promotion means she’s $200 a week better off. She’d be better off selling her house.

　Under the new tax regulations I will be $17 a month better off.

　1.1.10

　(be) well off 【英语解释】have a lot of money;

　have a good standard of living 【中文解释】有钱，富裕，生活宽裕，日子好过；境况/境遇良好 His family is not very well off. The less well-off pensioners are finding it hard to survive on what they get. Although she is well off, she lives quite simply. Her parents are both doctors so they’re quite well off. They were sufficiently well off to buy their own apartment. A relatively well off family. Everyone in his family is well-off.

　1.1.11

　(be) well heeled 【英语解释】rich and usually of a high social class;

　have a lot of money;

　 with sufficient money 【中文解释】富有，生活富裕，极有钱 My uncle can afford a new car. He’s well-heeled. He is well-heeled but mean. That’s a well-heeled union. Smith may be well heeled, but he’s certainly no gentleman. The customers in this restaurant seem to be fairly well heeled.

　That union is well heeled. My uncle can afford a new car. He’s well heeled.

　1.1.12

　(be) well fixed (for life) 【英语解释】rich;

　wealthy 【中文解释】（一辈子）生活富裕 Why does that guy want to borrow money from you? I thought he was well fixed.

　George’s family was extremely well fixed.

　If this venture succeeds we’ll be fixed for life. Mr. Jones became fixed for life when oil was discovered on his farm.

　1.1.13

　well-to-do 【英语解释】having a lot of money; wealthy and of good social position 【中文解释】有钱有势的，富裕的，小康的 There is a gentleman waiting for you at the door. He appears quite well-to-do. The Jones family is quite well-to-do. There is a gentleman waiting for you at the door. He appears quite well-to-do. They’re very well-to-do. He wants to find a husband from a well-to-do background for his daughter. Surprisingly, police statistics show that many of these thefts were carried out by people from well-to-do families. Educational facilities are best in the more well-to-do residential areas.

　1.1.14

　flush of/ with money 【英语解释】suddenly have plenty of money 【中文解释】突然很有钱，很富裕，暴富 He felt very flush with money on his first payday, and began to spend wildly.

　1.1.15

　be in funds 【英语解释】having enough money to do what s necessary 【中文解释】手头有钱

　1.1.16

　be made (for life) 【英语解释】be so rich that you will never have to work again 【中文解释】富有得一辈子用不着再工作 If the deal is successful I’ll be made for life. Now he’s got a contract to advertise sports clothing he’ll be made for life.

　1.1.17

　have it made in the shade [AmE] 【英语解释】be extremely rich 【中文解释】极其富有

　My brother’s got it made in the shade, he was just accepted into law school! We have it made in the shade!

　1.1.18

　the streets are paved with gold 【英语解释】used to say that it s easy to become rich quickly in a particular place 【中文解释】遍地是黄金（表示在…很能快致富）

　1.1.19

　 (be) in the chips 【英语解释】wealthy;

　 with much money 【中文解释】钱多得很，有钱，富裕起来 John is a stock trader, and occasionally he’s in the chips.

　Bill really came into the chips when his uncle died. If this deal goes through, we’ll be in the chips. My father always dreamed of someday being in the chips, but nothing he ever tried seemed to succeed. I’m in the chips tonight, I won a thousand dollars at the races.

　That company has been in the chips ever since it started selling electronic games.

　If you work hard, tighten your belt and cut corners, you’ll be in the chips again. Nobody could think she would be in the chips. People in the chips never know the feeling of poverty.

　1.1.20

　be loaded 【英语解释】be very rich 【中文解释】钱很多的，富有的，富得很 The ship is loaded. Look at that mansion. The people who live there must be loaded.

　You have to be loaded to be able to afford a yacht like that. I’m loaded tonight. I just got a big bonus.

　Giles can afford it—he’s loaded. Let her pay—she’s loaded. Did you know Peter has three houses? He must be loaded.

　1.1.21

　filthy/ stinking rich 【英语解释】extremely rich 【中文解释】非常有钱的，极富有的，腰缠万贯的，富得流油的 George’s uncle is filthy rich. Gregory is filthy rich but he never gives a penny to charity. They say the new couple down the street are stinking rich.

　They must be stinking rich. The family who’ve moved into the house are stinking rich. He doesn’t need to work for a living—he’s stinking rich. This gorgeous woman walked in, beautifully dressed and obviously stinking rich.

　1.1.22

　strike it rich 【英语解释】acquire wealth suddenly 【中文解释】暴富，很短时间内富起来，一夜之间成了富翁 What are you going to do when you strike it rich?

　If I could strike it rich, I wouldn’t have to work anymore.

　Most people who migrate to America want to strike it rich. They really want to become millionaires in just a few years. I think it’s harder than they imagine. Sally ordered a dozen oysters and found a huge pearl in one of them. She struck it rich! He struck it rich on the stock market ten years ago. He made a fortune in a few days.

　1.1.23

　(be) sitting on a goldmine 【英语解释】own sth very valuable 【中文解释】拥有很有价值/非常宝贵的东西，坐在了金矿/宝库上 They didn’t realize that they were sitting on a goldmine. They actually owned the land on the corner and that’s the very block of land that hamburger company wanted. They made a fortune! Anyone who owns a painting by Whitley is sitting on a goldmine. His work is in demand these days.

　1.1.24

　have the wherewithal to do sth 【英语解释】have the means to do sth., especially energy or money. 【中文解释】有钱做…事 He has good ideas, but he doesn’t have the wherewithal to carry them out.

　I could do a lot if only I had the wherewithal.

　A: Tom, could you lend me some money? With all the services for the car that I’ve had to pay for this week, I don’t have the wherewithal to pay the rent. B: Sure, I’ll help you out—how much do you need? A: You still owe me $100, don’t you, Pat? When do you think I’m going to see it? B: Sorry, I just don’t have the wherewithal to pay you back right now, but I promise I will as soon s things pick up at work.

　1.1.25

　heavy/ long purse 【英语解释】rich;

　 having a lot of money 【中文解释】充实的钱包，富有，有钱 He must have a heavy purse to have contributed such a large sum of money. Children with a fat purse usually don’t pay much attention to their study.

　1.1.26

　fat cat 【英语解释】a person who earns, or has, a lot of money 【中文解释】

　阔佬，富翁，大亨，有钱有势的大人物 He wouldn’t know what the average person is experiencing. He’s just a fat cat, all comfortable and secure. A fat cat He wouldn’t know what the average person is experiencing.

　He’s just a fat cat, all comfortable and secure. In many countries the fat cats are often in good positions in the public (civil) service. The company director is described as a fat cat, who enjoys his luxury lifestyle but doesn’t care about his employees. In many countries the fat cats are often in good positions in the public (civil) service. They do not resent the city fat cats, but believe top businessmen deserve success.

　Why should those fat cats get rich through our efforts? This is where all the local fat cats some to meet.

　 1.1.27

　a woman/ man / person of substance/ means/ property 【英语解释】a person who is important, powerful or rich 【中文解释】有产者，有钱的人 In those days, a station master was a man of substance in the community. He is a man of substance, with five farms in the north, and well-known in the area. From his manner of dress and style of living, I gathered that he was a man of considerable means.

　1.1.28

　a land flowing with milk and honey;

　a land of milk and honey 【英语解释】an imaginary place where life is easy and pleasant 【中文解释】牛奶和蜂蜜遍地流；乳密之乡，富饶/繁荣之地，富得流油之地 My hometown is a land flowing with milk and honey. This is no longer the land of milk and honey.

　1.1.29

　see the color of your money 【英语解释】verify that sb. has money or has enough money. 【中文解释】看看有没有钱，把钱先拿出来看看 So, you want to make a bet? Not until I see the color of your money.

　I want to see the color of your money before we go any further with this business deal. Don’t believe a word he says. Don’t let him have the car until you see the colour of his money. A: I’ll give you $500 for it.

　 B: Let’s see the colour of your money first.

　1.2

　缺钱- 钱不够- 拮据 1.2.1

　be badly off 【英语解释】do not have much money;

　poor;

　not in a good condition 【中文解释】拮据，缺钱的；贫穷，穷困；境况/境遇不好 I’ve got quite a big room so I’m not too badly off. We’re too badly-off to have a holiday. You must be badly off if you can’t even afford an evening at the cinema. She was quite badly off for a while after her husband died. No matter how badly off we were, we never went to bed hungry.

　The Huangs are too badly off to have a holiday abroad as others do. Many schools in the village are rather badly off for modern equipment and other facilities.

　1.2.2

　be worse off 【英语解释】have less money than before; poorer; in a worse condition than before or than sb else 【中文解释】比别人/以前钱少的，更拮据，更缺钱的；更贫穷；境况/境遇更不好

　The tax increases will leave us worse off. The increase in taxes means that we’ll be $50 a month worse off than before. There are patients far worse off than me in here. You’re no worse off for money these days than I am. The increase in taxes means that we’ll be $30 a month worse off than before. We were pretty poor, but most of our friends were even worse off.

　1.2.3

　the cupboard is bare [BrE] 【英语解释】used to say that there is no money for sth 【中文解释】（钱/食物）都没有了，空空如也，锅底朝天，囊空如洗 They ask for more funds but the cupboard is bare. As we didn’t buy anything in the past week, the cupboards are bare.

　1.2.4

　be down to sth 【英语解释】have only a little money left 【中文解释】只剩下（一点儿钱）

　I’m down to my last five dollars.

　1.2.5

　financially embarrassed 【英语解释】not having any money; in a difficult financial situation 【中文解释】拮据的，经济困难的；负债的，欠账的

　1.2.6

　feel the pinch 【英语解释】not have enough money ;

　begin to suffer from a lack of money 【中文解释】（感到）手头拮据，经济困难：资金短缺 With the drop in tourism, hotels and restaurants are beginning to feel the pinch. Lots of people who have lost their jobs are starting to feel the pinch. Local stores and businesses are beginning to feel the pinch. Schools all over the country are beginning to feel the pinch after the government cut back its spending on education. It’s six months sine he lost his job, so he’s beginning to feel the pinch. The Smiths used to go abroad every year, but they’re feeling the pinch since he retired. You’re bound to feel the pinch a bit when you’re a student. Now that my wife has give up her job, we are really feeling the pinch. The Smiths used to go abroad every year, but now that he’s retired, they’re really feeling the pinch.

　You’re bound to feel the pinch a bit when you’re a student.

　1.2.7

　be short of funds 【英语解释】have little or no money 【中文解释】缺钱，手头拮据，经费不足 The Museum is so short of funds it may sell the painting. I’m short of funds at the moment—can I pay you back next week?

　1.2.8

　be caught short;

　be (a bit/ rather) short [BrE] 【英语解释】be without sth , especially money;

　 not have much money 【中文解释】匮乏（尤指缺钱），缺钱，手头钱不够 Could you lend me $100? I’m a bit short tonight. I needed eggs for my cake, but I was caught short. Bob had to borrow money from John to pay for the meal. Bob is caught short quite often. A: That’s $ 40 in total, sir. B: Ah, I’ve been caught short! I’ve only got $30! A: I had to go to the shop yesterday to get some oil, but I was caught short! B: That’s okay—just use some of mine. A: At the end of the week, I’m always caught short. B: That’s because money burns hole in your pocket.

　1.2.9

　be pushed/ pressed for (money/ cash) 【英语解释】have difficult finding enough time, money etc;

　not have enough of 【中文解释】不足，短缺，缺乏，】缺少，很紧张，几乎没有 I’m always rather pushed for money at the end of the month. NO, I can’t subscribe. I’m too pushed for money. I have already too many commitments. I’m really pressed for cash at the moment.

　1.2.10

　(be) hard up (for) 【英语解释】not have enough money to buy the things you need, especially for short period of time;

　be short of cash;

　greatly in need of sth 【中文解释】缺钱，手头紧，拮据

　Ann was hard up for cash to pay the bills.

　It’s strange that since the beginning of the 1990s, many state-run enterprises began to feel hard up for funds, and some of them can hardly get ahead with their business. Business is fairly good these days, but we’re a bit hard up for ready cash. I was so hard up, I couldn’t afford to buy food.

　If you are hard up, you have very little money. We were so hard up we had to sleep in the car. Her husband is continually complaining of being hard up. We were too hard up to afford new clothes. I remember the time when we were so hard up that I only had one pair of shoes. When I was a kid, we were always hard up. Can you lend me some money? I’m a little hard up this week.

　I’m a bit hard up this week, can you lend me some money? I don’t know if Jenny will be able to go to college or not. Her family is pretty hard up.

　Her family is pretty hard up. I’m a little hard up this month. Would you please lend me﹩100? I’m usually hard up myself at this time of the month. We were very hard up when I lost my job. In those days we were so hard up that meat was a real luxury.

　1.2.11

　be underfunded 【英语解释】not be provided with enough money 【中文解释】资金不足，缺乏资金 The childcare program is seriously underfunded.

　1.2.12

　(be) strapped for (cash/ funds etc);

　financially strapped 【英语解释】having little or not enough money at the moment;

　very much in need of money. 【中文解释】缺钱的，手头紧的，钱不多的，资金短缺；身无分文的，财政困难 Can you lend me ten dollars? I’m a little strapped for cash? I’m strapped for cash at the moment—can I pay you later? I’d love to help you, but I’m strapped for cash this month. Recently I’ve been financially strapped. It may get better soon. I can’t come to the cinema tonight—I’m a bit strapped for cash. I’m warning you, we’re really strapped for cash right now. I’m a bit strapped for cash myself at the moment, but I’ll see what I can do. We sold the restaurant when we were strapped for cash a few years ago. If you are seriously strapped for cash, I’m sure Robert could give you a job. I’m strapped for a few bucks. Can you loan me five dollars? cash-strapped—a. not having enough money Cash-strapped councils can’t repair crumbling school buildings.

　1.2.13

　be tight;

　have a tight budget 【英语解释】not have enough of sth 【中文解释】紧张，拮据 Money was tight and he needed a job badly. It’ll be a bit tight, but we should just get there and back in time. We have a very tight budget.

　1.2.14

　be (flat/ dead/ stony) broke 【英语解释】have no money;

　be without money 【中文解释】一文不名，没钱；穷得连一个子也没有，一贫如洗，穷得叮噹响，穷困潦倒；完全破产的 No, I can"t lend you ten dollars. I"m completely broke until payday. I spent my last dollar, and I’m flat broke.

　The bank closed its doors to the public. It was flat broke! I want to go to college, but my old man’s stone [flat] broke. I spent my last dollar, and I’m flat broke. The bank closed its doors to the public. It was flat broke. I’m afraid I can’t come away with you this weekend—I’m flat broke! The man gambled and was soon flat broke. His firm is stony broke. A: Harry! Glad I found you—can you spare a few bucks? I really need some money! B: I’m afraid I can’t help you there, my friend—I’m flat broke too! It’s this damn recession.

　A: You better be careful with all this money you’re spending, you know. B: Why? I’m having fun! A: Yes, but sooner or later all this partying and spending will lead you to being flat broke, and then you’ll come crying to me asking for money! No, I can"t lend you ten dollars. I"m completely broke until payday. Could you lend me a few dollars until next week? I’m broke. I’m broke tonight. How about you? I’d like to have my own house, but I’m broke. If sales don’t improve soon, this company’s going to be broke.

　Thirty companies went broke in New York alone last month. If you were broke, we would all hang around in the street, begging our bread. A: Can you lend me 10 dollars? B: I"m afraid not. I"m broke.

　1.2.15

　run on the rims 【英语解释】not have enough of money 【中文解释】经济上紧巴巴的 The tires on this car are so worn out that we’re practically running on the rims. We can’t afford to lose any more customers. This company is already running on the rims. My husband has decided to spend his vacation at home this year. We don’t have enough money to stay at the good hotels, and he says vacationing isn’t any fun if you’ve got to run on the rims. I’ve got to get a better-paying job. I’m tired of living on the rims.

　1.2.16

　on your uppers [BrE] 【英语解释】having very little money 【中文解释】手头拮据，非常穷困，困窘，一贫如洗 Joe paid for lunch, which was great because we were both on our uppers, ad usual. Sam lost his job six months ago, and he’s on his uppers.

　1.2.17

　(live/ get along) on a shoestring 【英语解释】use very little money;

　be able to afford to live on very little money 【中文解释】靠很少的钱过活，以极少的资金；生活贫困 After my father died, we found ourselves living on a shoestring.

　With two sons n college, we’re being forced to live on a shoestring. For the last two years, we have had to get along on a shoestring. With so little money, it’s hard to get along. In the early years , the business was run on a shoestring. The club exists on a shoestring budget. The program was run on a shoestring for years until they found a sponsor. This company operated on a shoestring for many years. He is operating [running] that company on a shoestring. Mr. Butler started that company on a shoestring.

　Henry Ford started on a shoestring.

　For the last two years, we have had to get along on a shoestring. The two boys travelled through Europe on a shoestring. He started his business on a shoestring and built it up. They couldn’t find a backer for the film, so they had to make it on a shoestring. A number of shoestring operations went under during the recent business slump. In the early years, the business was run on a shoestring.

　1.2.18

　not have two beans/ one penny/ two pennies/ half-pennies to rub together;

　 not have a bean/ a red cent;

　 not have a penny/ cent to your name 【英语解释】have no money;

　very poor 【中文解释】没有钱，不名一文，一个便士钱也没有，身无分文；非常穷，一贫如洗，穷得叮当响，囊中空空 When I first arrived in this town I didn’t have a penny to my name. She doesn’t have a penny to her name. She lives alone without a penny to her name. I can’t pay you—I haven’t got a bean. I’m sorry, I can’t lend you anything – I haven’t got a red cent. The can gamble until they haven’t one penny to rub together. He couldn’t possibly afford a holiday abroad – he hasn’t got two pence to rub together! I wish I could come skiing with you, but I don’t have a red cent at the moment. How can they afford a holiday? They haven’t got two pennies to rub together. Could you lend me fifty pence? I haven’t a bean with me.

　A: How much have you saved?

　 B: Not a bean.

　1.2.19

　on your bean-ends [BrE] 【英语解释】almost without any money 【中文解释】经济拮据，经济十分困难 We’re on our beam-ends! Can you help me out with a bit of money? I’m on my beam-ends this week.

　1.2.20

　not have a pot to piss in 【英语解释】a very impolite expression meaning to be extremely poor 【中文解释】穷得连夜壶都没有，穷得叮噹响

　1.2.21

　be stretched (to the limit) 【英语解释】have hardly enough money or supplies for your needs 【中文解释】到了弹尽粮绝的地步，手头拮据，没有足够的钱/用品 I’d like to help out but I’m afraid I’m stretched to the limit at the moment. We are stretched at the moment, otherwise I’d offer to lend you some money.

　1.2.22

　not stretch to sth 【英语解释】cannot afford sth 【中文解释】买不起，支付不起 Our savings don’t stretch to a vacation this year. I need a new car, but my savings won’t stretch to it. I’m afraid our financial resources don’t stretch to a second car.

　1.3

　穷困 1.3.1

　be near/below the breadline;

　below the poverty line 【英语解释】be quite poor or extremely poor, according to official standards 【中文解释】接近/低于最低生活标准，食不果腹，穷困到难以生存的地步 They live below the poverty line.

　1.3.2

　(be/ live) on the breadline 【英语解释】be extremely poor 【中文解释】非常穷，十分贫苦；勉强维持生活，仅够糊口，处于非常贫困的境地 Many people without jobs were living on the breadline. Too many men have children and then forget about them—living the children and the mothers living on the breadline. The widow and her children are living on the breadline. Most of the unemployed in this area are on the breadline.

　1.3.3

　(as) poor as a church mouse 【英语解释】very poor 【中文解释】非常穷，很穷，一贫如洗，穷得一文不名 My aunt is as poor as a church mouse. Mr. Jones is as poor as a church mouse, but he is as honest as the day is long. She was as poor as a church mouse, living on a tiny pension. The Browns are poor as church mice. Most of the people in this area are poor as church mice.

　1.3.4

　down and out 【英语解释】having no home or job and living on the streets of a city;

　very poor 【中文解释】落魄地，穷困潦倒，孤苦无助，一无所有；露宿街头 There are many young people down-and-out in Los Angeles just now. John gambled away all his fortune and is now completely down-and-out. There are many people down and out in Los Angeles just now.

　John gambled away all his fortune and is now completely down and out. It must be terrible to be down and out in this cold weather. People should lend him a helpful hand；he"s really down and out. The California earthquake left many people down and out.

　A: How is Jack’s life these years? B: His company bankrupted last year. From then on he lived down and out. A: It is hard to imagine that.

　down-and-out—a. a person who has no job, no money, and nowhere to go （穷困潦倒的人，无家可归的人）

　Life is hard for the city’s down-and-outs.

　1.3.5

　dirt poor 【英语解释】extremely poor 【中文解释】极其贫困/贫穷/赤贫的

　1.3.6

　below the poverty line/ level 【英语解释】the income below which a person or a family is officially considered to be very poor and in need of help 【中文解释】在贫困线以下 More than 20% of American families now live below the poverty line. A third of the population is living at or below the poverty line.

　1.3.7

　live in reduced circumstances 【英语解释】be very poor;

　be poorer than you were before 【中文解释】更贫穷，更潦倒，境况不济，经济拮据的，财务状况不佳 As time passed, his reduced circumstances became more and more obvious to his friends and colleagues. They have been living in reduced circumstances since she lost her job.

　1.3.8

　poverty-stricken 【英语解释】extremely poor;

　with very little money 【中文解释】赤贫的，一贫如洗的，贫困不堪的，极度贫穷的 They live in a poverty-stricken area. At the moment, many poverty-stricken communities are experiencing a shortage of teachers. His photographs show vividly the lives of poverty-stricken families in the Gorbals area of Glasgow.

　1.3.9

　go/ be on the dole [BrE] 【英语解释】start to receive money from the government because you are unemployed 【中文解释】开始接受政府失业救济金 I’ve been on the dole for six months. Kevin was on the dole for a year before he got a job.

　1.3.10

　in need 【英语解释】in the state of not having enough food or money;

　 requiring basic things like food, clothing, and housing 【中文解释】有困难，贫穷，困窘 We are collecting money for families in need. All profits from the concert will go to help children in need. Please contribute some money for those who are in need.

　The charity works with old people who are in need.

　1.3.11

　fall on hard times 【英语解释】become poor 【中文解释】变穷；遭逢艰难时世 She has fallen on hard times and hardly has enough money to live on. Many of the girls were from middle class families who had fallen on hard times. After the war my father fell on hard times and sank deeply into debt.

　1.3.12

　the have-nots 【英语解释】people who do not have money and possessions 【中文解释】一无所有的人，穷人 Society seems to be increasingly divided into the haves and have-nots. The widening gap between the haves and the have-nots is becoming very noticeable in New York. You can see the haves and the have-nots in this city—the millionaires in their huge houses and the homeless sleeping on the streets.

　1.3.13

　the wrong side of the tracks;

　the other side of the tracks;

　across the tracks 【英语解释】a poor area or part of town 【中文解释】贫穷的地区，城市里贫穷的部分，穷困地带 Who cares if she’s from the other side of the tracks? I hear he is dating somebody from the other side of the tracks. We went to a school that was on the wrong side of the tracks, and we all got a fine education. She married a man from the wrong side of the tracks. They said that Bob was from the wrong side of the tracks, but that it didn’t matter.

　Unless you’ve experienced it personally, you can’t know how hard life can be when you’re from the wrong side o...