Cramp my style 束手束脚，妨碍发挥

陈小将

内容简介

有没有某个人或某件事情的存在让你感到不自然，放不开？英语口语中有个表达，正好可以用来描述这种情况。听主持人佳莹和 Neil 的对话，学习表达 “cramp someone’s style” 的含义和用法。
文字稿
（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，欢迎来到 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目，我是佳莹。
Neil
… and I’m Neil. You look really busy. Is everything OK?
Jiaying
Yes, but I’m having a dinner party for my friends on Saturday, but I’d forgotten my parents were coming to stay this weekend.
Neil
Have you considered postponing the dinner?
Jiaying
Hmm… no. In fact, my parents were more concerned they would cramp my style.
Neil
Your style is giving you cramp? That sounds painful.
Jiaying
No, Neil. 我说的是 “cramp someone’s style”，意思是 “妨碍了某人要做的事情，让这个人不能放手办事或者感到不自然” 。
Neil
Ah, that makes sense. Your parents were worried they would stop you having the type of party where you could be yourself. Now I understand.
Jiaying
Well, let’s talk more about my party after these examples.
Examples
I don’t want to cramp your style, but could you wear a shirt and tie to work rather than a T-shirt?
I had to move out of the house share. I didn’t feel free there, and my old housemates were cramping my style.
I don’t want to go to the party. I’m worried she thinks I’m uncool and that I’ll cramp her style.
Jiaying
你正在收听的是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。我们刚刚讨论了表达 “cramp someone’s style” 的意思和用法。我们用这个表达来描述一个人或一件事情 “使某人受到约束，妨碍其发挥，或者让这个人感到放不开” 。
Neil
So, hang on – why didn’t I get an invite to your dinner party? Are you worried I’d cramp your style?
Jiaying
Err… no. It’s just last time you brought that parrot and it kept making inappropriate jokes. Maybe your invite got lost in the mail!
Neil
Oh… it wasn’t a real parrot though – just one of my son’s toys I like to wear on my shoulder! OK, so I’ll wait to see if my invite arrives.
Jiaying
Only joking – I was tricking you! I really wanted to invite you in person. You’ll be the guest of honour along with my parents! Would you like to come?
Neil
Of course! I’d love to, and I promise not to cramp your style.
Jiaying
I know you wouldn’t – just don’t bring the parrot. Bye!
Neil
Bye!