收聽與下載
The script of this programme 本節目台詞
Finn: Hi, I'm Finn. And this is Authentic Real English. And this is Feifei… a very sad-looking Feifei, by the way.
Feifei: Sorry, Finn. 今天我實在是太失敗了，我和我姥姥還有我媽一起參加了一個廚藝比賽，她們倆並列第一名，我得了最後一名。
Finn: I sympathise with you more than you know. My grandfather and my father were the best fishermen ever, and when I go fishing all I catch is a cold.
Feifei: 你做不了漁夫，打不上魚？可是你們家所有親戚都是捕魚高手，就你不行？不過你說我怎麼就沒能贏這個廚藝大賽呢？我覺得我做的餡兒餅色香味俱全，甜點蛋糕也入口即化。
Finn: Feifei, sometimes we've got to accept that we just can't cut the mustard.
Feifei: What!? Can't cut the mustard?! 我不會切芥末？什麼意思？我不但知道我做的甜點芥末使用量的多少，我還加了適量的奶酪和雞蛋，用篩過的麵粉...
Feifei is sad because she just lost a cooking contest.
Finn: Calm down, this has nothing to do with your cooking skills. In English, when you say someone or something 'can't cut the mustard' you mean that it is not good enough.
Feifei: 哦，原來你不是覺得我不會做飯，你是在說我今天沒有達到要求的水準，所以沒有獲勝。Can't cut the mustard 的意思就是沒有達到標準，沒能成功。
Finn: Yes. I wouldn't dare to doubt your cooking ability, Feifei. So, we say 'can't cut the mustard', or we can also say 'don't' or 'doesn't cut the mustard'. Listen out for some examples of how to use this expression.
- I know the borough of Milton Keynes well. It's a charming place... but it doesn't cut the mustard where tourism is concerned.
- I won't study architecture. I am bad at drawing. I just can't cut the mustard.
Feifei: Now I get it. 不過想想這個表達其實挺怪的。
Finn: Yes it is. But it's also very popular, especially in America. Here in Britain you might hear a shorter version like 'he can't cut it'.
Feifei: 在美語中，人們通常使用 can't cut the mustard 這個短語，而在英國，大多數人都喜歡說 he can't cut it. And now, 為了給你證明我的廚藝其實是很不錯的，我隆重的邀請你周末到我家共進午餐。
Finn: Lovely. And what is on the menu?
Feifei: 剛才你說到了捕魚，那我就給你做我的拿手好菜 – 吞拿魚和巧克力派。
Finn: Tuna and chocolate pie?! Sorry, I think I won't be able to make it this weekend, Feifei. I've got to go… fishing. Bye.
Feifei: 你要去釣魚？沒關係，我做好給你留著。Bye.
