first, second, third ... 這些單詞對于英語學(xué)習(xí)者來說都是最基本的詞匯，那你知道除了簡單地表達(dá)順序之外，它們的其他用法嗎？

1. On first acquaintance

含義：when you first meet sb

初次相見

例句：

Even on first acquaintance it was clear that he was not “the right type”
初次見面時就看出他不合適

注釋：此用法一般用于正式語體

2. There’s a first time for everything

含義：the fact that sth has not happened before doesn’t mean that it will never happen

沒有發(fā)生的事情并不意味著永遠(yuǎn)不會發(fā)生

注釋：對于這句話的理解看英文解釋更加清晰，它不是別人第一次做某事后的安慰性話語，而是暗示凡事皆有可能的幽默說法。比如一門課程一直是百分百的通過率，別人告訴你掛科是不可能的，這種時候你就可以調(diào)侃地說：You know, there’s a first time for everything.

3. First come, first served

含義：People will be dealt with strictly in the order in which they arrived

先來后到

例句：

Tickets are available on a first come, first served basis
票先來先賣，售完為止

4. Third time lucky / Third time is the charm

含義：used when you have failed to do sth twice and hope that you will succeed the third time or used as a good luck charm when you encourage sb to do sth for the third time

（但愿）第三次會有好運

注釋：一般直接用于口語中，表達(dá)對于自己或他人的鼓勵。

5. take / plead the fifth

含義：to make use of the right to refuse or answer questions in court about a crime, because you may give information which will make it seem that you are guilty.

（在法庭上）拒絕回答，避而不答

注釋：這是一句美式表達(dá)，源自《美國憲法》第五次修正案（the FIFTH AMENDMENT of the US Constitution），該條保障這種權(quán)利。

6. in seventh heaven

含義：extremely happy

非常幸福

例句：

Now that he’s been promoted he’s in seventh heaven.
他被提拔了，簡直樂上天了。

7. at the eleventh hour

含義：at the last possible moment at which something can be done before problems or solutions might arise

在最后的關(guān)鍵時刻

例句：

At the eleventh hour the school decided that something had to be done.
在最后一刻學(xué)校決定采取行動。

注釋：這句話源自圣經(jīng)

This account in Matthew is a parable" class="hjdict" word="parable" target=_blank>parable regarding workers who arrive at the eleventh hour of the workday and are still paid a full day's wage. Biblical scholars have suggested that the parable can mean that even people who come to Christianity late in life will still earn the full benefits of the joys of eternal life.

猶太人將白晝分為12個小時，有些工人們會在第11個小時才趕到，而照樣可以獲得一天的報酬。有些學(xué)者認(rèn)為，這個故事在告訴世人，即使你很晚才相信，也能享受其一切福祉。