“The answer is zero”

这几个单词都很简单

让人脑子里自动就翻译出：

“答案是零”

恍惚间还想起了学生时代的数学课堂

但这样翻译是错的

和Lydia 一起来看看正确的意思吧


The answer is zero
当老外对你说：The answer is zero.

想表达的意思是事情“白忙一场、毫无结果”
例：
No matter what you have done, the answer is zero.
无论你做了什么，都是白忙一场。
A: How is the programme?
计划怎么样了？
B: The answer is zero.
白忙活了。




“白忙一场，徒劳”还可以怎么说？
①
in vain

徒劳的; 白费力气

Our efforts were not in vain.
我们没有白忙一场。
②
beat the air

白费力气

He is as stubborn as a mule. All those who have tried to persuade him have only been beating the air.
他固执得很，所有试图劝说他的人都在白费口舌。

③
for nothing

它有两层意思：1）免费 2）徒劳的

You needn't bother your head for nothing.
你不需要白费心思了。
④
wild-goose chase

白费力气的；徒劳之举

After two hours spent wandering in the snow, I realized we were on a wild-goose chase .
在雪中转了两小时之后，我意识到我们是在白费力气。





answer the door
answer the door

意思是应声开门、听到铃声去开门
例：
I'm on the phone. Could you answer the door for me?
我正在打电话，你能帮我开一下门吗？


answer the call of nature
answer the call of nature
�
上厕所
例：
Just a moment. I have to go to answer the call of nature.
稍等一会，我想上厕所。




answer for / to
answer for
�
对…负责
例：
Do you really think the company will be made to answer for the problems that their pollution causes among the local people?
你真的认为公司会负责他们在当地造成的污染问题？
answer to
�
答复
例：
That is an indirect answer to the question.
那只是对这一问题的间接答复。


answer back
answer （sb.） back =顶嘴，回嘴

不是很礼貌的方式应对长辈，领导的批评
例：
Stop answering your mother back!
不准和你妈妈顶嘴！
I'd generally talk my father round, but never answer back.
我会委婉地和父亲解释，从来不顶嘴。
talk sb. round=委婉的表达；说服