我的小侄女在学钢琴,她妈妈对她要求严格,每天练琴5个小时,弹不完不能出去和朋友玩儿。在钢琴比赛中,侄女得了第二名,要说已经是很厉害了,可是却被她妈妈训了一顿,因为没拿冠军。这种严厉的方式我可真看不惯,也让我想到一个习惯用语,那就是: go easy on.
Easy是容易的意思; to go easy on someone or something的意思是温和有耐心地对待某人或某事。如果是我的女儿在钢琴比赛中得了第二名,我绝对不会批评她。I'd go easy on her. 我会和颜悦色地对她。我可不想当个tiger mom,虎妈。
在下面的例子里,我们要听听一本介绍美国历史上著名罪犯阿尔·卡彭的书。
In this book, Al Capone is almost celebrated as a businessman who makes generous contributions to charities. The author goes easy on his subject. The truth is that Capone was a gangster who made money smuggling illegal alcohol. He also engaged in gambling and prostitution. And let's not forget he had several people murdered!
I grew up in Mexico, where the food can be really spicy. When I cook for my American friends, however, I have had to remember that some people prefer milder flavors. I've gone easy on the hot chilies I knew from when I was a boy. I only put a lot of them in a dish when I know my guests appreciate the bolder taste.
除了口味上的考虑,有时出于健康原因我们也要少吃某种东西。比如,我妈妈的医生就建议她减少钠的摄入量。That's why she's been going easy on the salt when she cooks or eats out. 因此她做饭或者在外面吃的时候都要少吃盐。朋友胃酸过多,so she was advised to go easy on sodas and coffee. 所以医生建议她少喝汽水和咖啡。