Another string to your bow

陈小将

俗话说：技不压身。今天学到的某个技能也许会在将来有用武之地。但这和弓箭上的 “string（弦）” 有什么关系？听主持人 Neil 和佳莹的对话，学习用一个地道英语表达来形容某人 “有两手准备”。
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（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）
Jiaying
大家好，欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目，我是佳莹。
Neil
… and hello. I’m Neil.
Jiaying
这是什么声音啊？太难听了吧。
Neil
Ha, ha! Are you referring to my violin playing? This is my new hobby – learning to play a new instrument.
Jiaying
But it sounds like you’re murdering a cat! Is there a cat in the studio?
Neil
I get the message, Jiaying! I’m just trying to learn another skill in case I lose my current job. I could make some money as a musician.
Jiaying
So, you are adding another string to your bow?
Neil
Am I? Is that what I need to improve my violin playing?
Jiaying
不是的，Neil！虽然表达 “another string to your bow” 的字面意思是 “还有一根备用的弓弦”，但实际上它用 “string（弦）” 来比喻一个人的 “技能”，意思是 “如果第一个技能不管用，还备有另一个技能可以使用，有两手准备”。So, think of another string as another skill – so how many strings do you have, Neil?
Neil
Hmm, let me count while we hear some other examples of the phrase ‘another string to your bow’…
Examples
Bookkeeping is another string to my bow – I’ve learnt it in case I lose my job at the bank.
It looks like I’ll never be a singer, but luckily, I have another string to my bow – dancing!
Gemma is so talented – she has so many strings to her bow.
Jiaying
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。刚刚，我们介绍了表达 “another string to your bow”，它用来描述某人 “还留了一手技能，以防万一；有两手准备”。比如，Neil 的另一个技能就是拉小提琴。不过，不好意思，Neil，你还需要多多练习啊！
Neil
Maybe I do, Jiaying. I think I might try a different skill – one that still needs a bow.
Jiaying
Neil，不需要有真正的 “弓” 才能使用这个表达，这只是打个比方而已。
Neil
I know – but if learn this new skill, I can be like Robin Hood – it’s archery.
Jiaying
Bows and arrows?
Neil
Mind your head!
Jiaying
Watch out – that just missed me! I think you need one fewer string to your bow now – it’s too dangerous.
Neil
No, this is great. Let’s have another go!
Jiaying
I’m off. Bye.
Neil
Bye.