李华和Larry今天到购物中心去采购圣诞礼物。
LH: 我真搞不懂耶！还有几个星期就要过圣诞节了，可是有些人看起来好像不是很开心，好像很紧张，很烦躁呢！
LL: Oh, well, when people are busy doing their Christmas shopping, they can sometimes be a little on edge.
LH: 你说他们怎么啦？Edge不是指在某个东西的边缘吗？On edge。那是什么意思呢？
LL: No, no, I said, everyone is on edge that means everyone is a little nervous or in a bad mood.
LH: 原来，on edge就是紧张不安的意思。可是我以为大家都喜欢过圣诞节，不是都要高高兴兴的吗？为什么不开心呢？(grumbles) 哎呀！那个小姐挤到我前面了。这里好挤噢！
LL: People do love Christmas, and Americans are always try to be kinder and friendlier this time of year. But people are under pressure to buy Christmas gifts for all of their friends and family members, which is why a lot of them are on edge right now.
LH: 嗯，忙着采购给每个家人朋友的礼物，是挺有压力的。我其实也有不少压力，学期快结束了，我得交报告，还得买礼物，还要批改学生的考卷。Hey! (yells in English) Watch where you’re going!
LL: Calm down Li Hua! I know that you’re on edge right now, but try not start any arguments, OK?
LH: 我才没有要和人吵架呢！我只是要那个人小心一点！
LL: Look, everyone’s on edge around here, and so are you. It’s really easy to start an argument in this kind of situation. Just calm down.
LH: 好嘛！对不起嘛！我想我真的需要冷静一下。Larry我们能不能找个地方坐下，喝点东西？咦！这儿有张桌子，我们坐这儿吧！
LL: Why don’t we come back some other time when it’s not so crowded. When you’re on edge like this, it’s better to stay away from other people.
LH: 那怎么行！我们已经费了这么大功夫到这儿来。没买到礼物就回去呢？你怎么啦？
LL: Sorry, Li Hua, I guess I’m a little on edge myself. I still have a lot school work to do for next week, and I want to finish my shopping early so I can relax during Christmas break.
LH: 好，那我们就尽快把礼物买好，赶快回家罗！ |
大学英语---