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And now, Words and Their Stories, from VOA Learning English.
现在是VOA慢速英语词汇典故节目。
Sometimes in life we have to break bad or difficult news to friends, family members, work partners and sometimes even strangers.
在生活中，有时我们不得不向朋友、家人、工作伙伴透露坏消息，有时甚至是陌生人。
Some people may do this indirectly.
有些人可能会间接做到这一点。
They may want to soften the immediate effect the news will have on the person.
他们可能想要缓和新闻对人的直接冲击。
We might tell only part of the truth.
我们可能只说出一部分真相。
When we do this, we are "" But there are other times when we do the opposite.
当我们这样做的时候，“我们不留情面”，但也有其他时候我们做了相反的事情。
We speak directly, presenting the hard facts and little else.
我们直言不讳，陈述确凿的事实，几乎没有其他内容。
We might do this in emergencies, when facing danger, or other times when the complete truth is required.
我们可能会在紧急情况下，在面临危险时，或在其他需要完整真相的时候这样做。
In these cases, we are "not pulling any punches."
在这些情况下，我们“不留情面”。
When someone does not pull any punches, they say things that might be hurtful or frightening.
当一个人不留情面时候，他们说的话可能会伤人或吓人。
They know the information may be troubling.
他们知道这些信息可能会令人担忧。
But, the information is usually thought to be more important than the unease it may cause.
但是，这些信息通常被认为比它可能引起的不安更重要。
If you don't pull punches, you speak your mind.
如果留情面，你就说出了你的想法。
You tell it like it is.
你实话实说。
You don't mince words or sugar-coat the truth.
你不会含糊其辞，也不会粉饰事实。
Mincing words means to soften or weaken your words especially for the sake of being polite.
委婉的意思是软化或弱化你的言辞，尤其是出于礼貌。
Some people mince words when they are afraid to tell someone the truth.
有些人在不敢告诉别人真相时会含糊其辞。
And if you sugarcoat something, you make it sound more pleasant or acceptable than it really is.
如果你粉饰某事，你会让它听起来比实际情况更令人愉快或更容易接受。
People who don't pull punches can also be called straight-talking, blunt, or frank.
不出拳的人也可以被称为直言不讳、直言不讳或坦率。
In fact, sometimes we use "blunt" and "frank" when we break bad or difficult news to someone.
事实上，当我们向某人透露坏消息或难听的消息时，有时我们会用“坦率”和“坦率”。
We might say, "Look, I need to be frank with you," or "I hate to be blunt but .
我们可能会说，“听着，我需要对你坦诚，”或者“我不想直言不讳，但是。”
and then you're blunt.
然后你就直言不讳了。
You don't pull your punches.
你不会收回拳头。
When talking with this kind of person, we always know where we stand.
与这种人交谈时，我们总是知道自己的立场。
We never have to guess.
我们永远不需要猜测。
This can be a good thing.
这可能是一件好事。
However, when we are on the receiving end of a person who doesn't pull any punches, we also need a thick skin.
然而，当我们面对一个不留情面的人时，我们也需要厚脸皮。
Much of what we may hear might hurt a little " .
我们可能听到的很多东西可能会有点伤人，或者很多次。
Just as a thick skin protects some animals from attacks, it also protects people from hard, cold truths that are hard to hear.
就像厚厚的皮肤保护一些动物免受攻击一样，它也保护人们免受难以听到的冷酷事实的伤害。
But with a "thick skin," we can better absorb the "punch" of tough news.
但有了“厚脸皮”，我们就能更好地消化坏消息带来的“冲击力”。
When you don't pull any punches, you also act without restraint or limitations.
当你不留情面时候，你的行为也不受约束或限制。
You don't hold back.
你不能有所保留。
You are all in.
你全都说了。
[03:40.10]The phrase "to not pull any punches" comes from boxing.
“不留任何情面”这句话来自拳击。
[03:45.52]If you pull a punch in the boxing ring, it means you restrain your power.
如果你在拳击场上打了一拳，那就意味着你克制了自己的力量。
[03:52.67]You purposely hit your opponent with less force than is possible.
你故意用比可能的力量更小的力量打击对手。
[03:58.45]Word experts say that in the 1930s people began to use this phrase more widely.
词汇专家说，在20世纪30年代，人们开始更广泛地使用这个短语。
[04:07.20]These days you can pull your punches or not pull any punches is just about any situation.
如今，在任何情况下，你都可以出拳或不出拳。
[04:15.92]Now let's hear two friends use this phrase and related terms in a short conversation.
现在让我们来听两个朋友在简短的对话中使用这个短语和相关的术语。
[04:24.35]Okay, here is my movie script.
好的，这是我的电影剧本。
[04:26.57]Oh wow!
哦，哇！
[04:27.67]You finished it!
你完成了！
[04:28.62]Congrats!
恭喜你！
[04:29.97]Now I really need some outside opinions.
现在我真的需要一些外界的意见。
[04:33.15]I'm way too close to the material.
我对素材太了解了。
[04:35.72]That is a great idea.
这是个好主意。
[04:37.72]But I don't think I'm the person to ask.
但我觉得不应该问我。
[04:40.22]Why?
为什么？
[04:41.22]You have really good taste in films, and I know you'll tell me like it is.
你对电影的鉴赏力真的很好，我知道你会告诉我实情的。
[04:45.75]That's the problem.
这就是问题所在。
[04:47.47]I am brutally honest.
我非常诚实。
[04:49.95]It's impossible for me to pull any punches.
对我来说，我不可能留情面。
[04:53.07]That's exactly what I need – honesty!
这正是我需要的--诚实！
[04:56.52]Tell me what you really think.
告诉我你的真实想法。
[04:58.90]Don't hold anything back.
不要隐瞒任何事情。
[05:01.40]You say that now.
你现在可以这么说了。
[05:02.92]But when you hear my criticisms, you may feel differently.
但当你听到我的批评时，你可能会有不同的感觉。
[05:06.45]No way.
不可能。
[05:07.70]I have a really thick skin.
我的脸皮很厚。
[05:09.92]It's impossible for a little criticism to hurt my feelings.
小小的批评是不可能伤害我的感情的。
[05:14.00]Okay, I'll read it and give you my notes.
好的，我会看的，然后把我的笔记给你。
[05:16.77]But the last person who asked me to read her manuscript still isn't talking to me.
但是最后一个让我读她的手稿的人仍然不和我说话。
[05:21.22]Oh.
哦。
[05:22.45]Wow.
哇。
[05:23.82]You really don't pull any punches, do you?
你真的不留一点情面，是吗？
[05:27.27]You've been warned.
我已经警告过你了。
[05:29.87]Do you have a similar expression in your language?
你的语言中也有类似的表达吗？
[05:33.77]Let us know in the comments section or send us an email at LearningEnglish@voanews.com.
请在评论部分通知我们，或发送电子邮件至LearningEnglish@voanews。
[05:42.60]And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories.
这就是我们今天的词汇掌故节目。
[05:46.57]Until next time, I'm Anna Matteo.
下次见，我是安娜·马泰奥。
