
gravy
词源
源自中古英语 greavie,可能来自古法语 grain(与谷物有关),最初指肉汤中的颗粒物质。俚语用法始于20世纪初的美国。
noun
❶ 一种由肉汁、面粉和调味料制成的浓稠酱汁,通常淋在肉类或土豆泥上食用,是西餐中常见的调味品。
“The roast beef was served with delicious homemade gravy.”
(烤牛肉配上了美味的自制肉汁。)
“Could you pass me the gravy boat? I'd like some for my mashed potatoes.”
(能把肉汁壶递给我吗?我想给我的土豆泥加点。)
❶ 俚语中表示意外之财或轻松获得的利益,通常指不需要付出努力就得到的好处。
“Getting that bonus was pure gravy—I wasn't even expecting it!”
(拿到那笔奖金纯属意外之财——我根本没想到会有!)
“After covering all expenses, the extra profit was just gravy for the company.”
(在支付所有开支后,额外的利润对公司来说就是白赚的。)
常见短语
gravy train — 指轻松赚钱的机会或持续获得利益的情况,常带有不劳而获的意味。
“Some politicians are accused of riding the gravy train with taxpayer money.”
(一些政客被指责用纳税人的钱轻松获利。)
rest on one's gravy — 满足于已获得的利益而不继续努力,类似中文的「躺在功劳簿上」。
“After his early success, he rested on his gravy and stopped innovating.”
(早期成功后,他就安于现状不再创新了。)