lh: larry，我可怎么办？这次辩论的成绩占期末成绩的一半呢！
　　larry: ok, ok. calm down for a minute. what's the topic of the debate?
　　lh: 辩论的主题是国会最近通过的医疗改革法案！我当时没注意这个新闻，现在什么都不知道啊！
　　larry: oh, my. that is certainly a complicated topic, even for an american. are you arguing for or against it?
　　lh: 我是辩论的正方还是反方？哦……我忘了。
　　larry: you don't even know what side of the argument you're on? well, looks like you're toast。
　　lh: i'm toast? 你在说什么啊？
　　larry: it means you have no chance; you're done for; you're finished. i don't see how you could possibly be prepared for this debate。
　　lh: "i'm toast" 就是i'm finished? 我完了？没戏了？哎呀，这门课可是必修课，我必须要通过呀！larry, you have to help me!
　　larry: i don't think i can, lihua...although i know i'm going to be toast if i just sit there and be negative. haha.。.
　　lh: 没错，要是你只顾坐在那里看我出丑，你就死定了！哼！
　　larry: well, i can tell you about the health care bill, but if you don't know what side you are on for the debate, i don't think that will help you。
　　lh: 虽然我忘了自己在哪一方，可我的老对头susie是我的对手，我们不在一队，而且她特别能辩论。i really am toast, larry。
　　larry: unfortunately, i would have to agree with you. you don't have any friends in that class? give one a call and see if they remember which team you are on。
　　lh: 对！ 我给jennifer打个电话，看她知不知道我是哪一方的。
　　******
　　李华给jennifer打电话之后，得到了一些好消息。
　　lh: larry, 好消息！susie生病了！
　　larry: huh?
　　lh: jennifer说，susie重感冒，嗓子出不了声，更别提辩论了！i'm not toast anymore! 我有救啦！
　　larry: oh, i see. what about your team? do you know what side you need to prepare to argue for?
　　lh: jennifer说，我和她都是正方的，支持这个法案。她还让我不必担心，说我们这方有几个很牛的人！这真太棒了！
　　larry: that is good news. looks like the tables have turned in your favor。
　　lh: the tables have turned? 什么桌子？
　　larry: i'm not talking about an actual table. the tables have turned means that the person that used to be ahead is now behind, and the person who used to be at a disadvantage now has an advantage。
　　lh: 我明白了，the tables have turned就是指形势发生了一百八十度大转弯！我之前处于弱势，可现在忽然处于优势了！
　　larry: exactly. you can say the tables have turned in your favor. it doesn't look like your grade for this class is toast anymore。
　　lh: the tables have turned in my favor，风水转到我这边来了！一切都对我有利了！我本来以为i was toast, 但是现在，对手病了，队友强大，the tables have turned! 我真是幸运！
　　larry: it looks like your classmate susie is the one who is toast now. and since you don't have to prepare for that debate anymore, i was wondering if you could help me out a little.。.
　　lh: 怎么了larry?
　　larry: well, i need to submit a report on the chinese market to my boss, and i've been putting it off. it's due tomorrow and i could use someone to help me do some research on chinese websites.。.
　　lh: 你明天要交一分关于中国的市场分析报告，现在还没怎么写？你想让我帮忙在网上查资料？哼！ 我才不管呢！
　　larry: oh! lihua, please! if i don't finish this report in time, well, i'd be.。.
　　lh: you'd be toast! 你就完蛋啦！larry, 几分钟前你还不肯帮我准备辩论呢，现在轮到你求我，我不帮忙了。哈哈！it seems the tables have turned!
　　larry: that situation was a little bit different...i didn't really have any way to help you。
　　lh: 这倒也是。可是，我也真的帮不了你啊，我又不会写市场调查报告。
　　larry: you're not going to help me? but i'll be toast without your help!
　　lh: sorry, larry! 可我真的没法帮你，我要和我们辩论队的人在图书馆开会，对了，你能开车送我去图书馆么？
　　larry: ha, it looks like the tables have turned again.

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