校園英語口語習慣用語 第187期:like water off/on a duck's back

like water off/on a duck's back 毫無效果

【講解】

此語出現於1824年，喻指某些亊情如水打在油脂豐富的鴨子背上的羽毛，點滴不留；這通常是布抱怨者在刺激、厭惡甚至絕望時說的。例如：His parents and teachers scolded the young boy but it was like water off a duck’s back. He continued to behave as badly as he had done before.（這個小夥子受到父母和老師的責備，但好像耳邊風般地奄無作用，他仍然像從前的所作所爲那樣，行爲惡劣。）

【對話】

A:His parents and teachers scolded Peter, but it was like water off a duck's back.

A:彼得被他的父母和老師狠狠地罵了一頓，但是效果不彰。

B:The criticism fell on deaf cars.

B:批評被當成了耳旁風。

A:He's beyond help.

A:他是不可救藥了。

B:We should try our best to help him.

B:我們得盡力幫他。