内容简介
Rob 特别想参加马拉松赛，但报名申请过程很艰难。他说主办方 “give him the runaround 让他跑来跑去”，弄得他很不高兴。想参加马拉松，来回跑跑，有什么问题？听Rob和菲菲的对话，学习 “give someone the runaround” 的实际意思。
Feifei
大家好，欢迎来到 BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》节目。我是冯菲菲。
Rob
And I'm Rob. Hello.
Feifei
Hey, Rob, how is your application to run in the marathon going?
Rob
Umm… not great. I fill in a form and then I’m told to fill in another one.
Feifei
Have you tried phoning someone?
Rob
Yes. And they won't give me a straight answer. They just keep giving me the runaround.
Feifei
Well, that makes sense. If you're going to run in a marathon, you've got to run around.
Rob
No, Feifei. Giving someone the runaround does not involve any exercise. If you give someone the runaround, it means you behave in an unhelpful way – possibly sending someone from one place to another to get help. If you are given the runaround, it can be very frustrating.
Feifei
I'm sure it is. “Give someone the runaround” 这个短语的字面意思是 “让某人跑来跑去”，它实际所表达的意思是 “不愿意帮忙，打发人，搪塞人”。I know lots of situations where I have been given the runaround.
Rob
Well, there's one place where you won't be given the runaround. It's here, with some helpful examples of this phrase.
Examples
When I called the bank to ask for a loan, they just gave me the runaround.
She went to the hospital to get the results of her test, but she just got the runaround. Now she’s going to make a formal complaint.
When I complained about the bill, I was told to speak to the boss, but he wasn't there – I think I’m just being given the runaround.
Feifei
这里是 BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》节目。本集节目里教给大家的表达是 “give someone the runaround”。它的意思是 “故意不帮忙，打发人，搪塞人”。And, Rob, you've been given the runaround.
Rob
I have. All I want to do is get a place in the marathon – but nobody seems to want to help me.
Feifei
Could it be that you're so unfit that they just don't want to give you a place?
Rob
Ha, I don't think so. I've been training for weeks.
Feifei
Well, I managed to get a place straight away – with no runaround.
Rob
What! You are running the marathon too – why didn't you tell me? Right, I'm going to phone them again and demand a place.
Feifei
And don't be given the runaround this time, Rob!
Rob
I won't. See you at the start line.
Feifei
Bye.
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