大家在追美剧时肯定都听见过这句话:
Let's put/stick a pin in it.
一、Meaning
那么这句话究竟是什么意思呢?
The phrase “put a pin in it” is an idiom that means to hold on to a thought or idea and return to it at a later time. It is said to have originated in World War II in reference to the pins placed in hand grenades.
“put a pin in it”表示先记住一个想法或观点,过会儿再来讨论。据说这一短语起源于第二次世界大战期间,与手榴弹中的保险栓有关。
In recent years, people tend to use “put a pin in it” figuratively to mean that you should keep a thought in mind so it can be discussed later:
近年来,人们倾向于用“put a pin in it”来比喻应该记住一个想法,以便稍后讨论:
· I think you make a good point, but let’s put a pin in it for now.
我认为你说得很好,但现在先不谈这一点。
· Let’s put a pin in that for now and talk about it when we get home.
让我们暂时搁置这一讨论,回家后再谈。
二、Origin
There is some speculation about the true origins of the phrase “put a pin in it.” However, most people agree that it comes from a WWII expression to do with putting a pin back in a grenade so that it doesn’t explode. This conjures the image of leaving a conversation for later so that it doesn’t explode into an argument.
关于“put a pin in it”这个短语的真正起源有一些猜测。然而,大多数人都认为它来源于二战时期的一个表达。这一表达与把保险栓(pin)放回手榴弹里,以使手榴弹不会爆炸有关。这让人联想到搁置一场对话,以免其爆发成争论。
三、Synonyms
与“put a pin in it”表达相似意思的短语有:
Save that for later;
Hold that thought;
I’ll get back to you on that;
We’ll discuss this later
四、Other "pin" phrases
使用“put a pin in it”时需注意与“pin it on”相区分,后者表示“to blame someone for something, usually a crime”。
“pin”一词本身的释义较多,既可作名词,也可作动词,故有较多相关的短语或习语:
①for two pins
used to say that you would like to do sth, even though you know that it would not be sensible
恨不得;恨不能
【例】
I'd kill him for two pins.
我恨不得杀了他。
②be on pins and needles
to be nervously waiting to find out what is going to happen
如坐针毡,焦虑不安,急得要命
【例】
On hearing the news, she was on pins and needles.
一听到那消息,她就坐立不安。
③pin sb←→down
(1) to make sb unable to move by holding them firmly
按住;使动弹不得
【例】
Two men pinned him down until the police arrived.
两个人按住他直到警察赶来。
(2) to find sb and make them answer a question or tell you sth you need to know
找某人查问;使说清楚
【例】
I need the up-to-date sales figures but I can never pin him down at the office.
我需要最新的销售数字,可就是不能在办公室找到他问清楚。
④pin sth←→ˈdown
to explain or understand sth exactly 确切说明(或理解)
【例】
The cause of the disease is difficult to pin down precisely.
病因目前还难以解释清楚。
⑤pin back one's ears (also pin one's ears back)
to listen carefully
倾听;仔细听
【例】
Pin back your ears, people, this is quite a story!
大伙仔细听,这故事很有意思!
⑥pin your hopes on something/someone
to hope very much that something or someone will help you to achieve what you want
把希望寄托在
【例】
You shouldn't pin all your hopes on getting the job& why don't you apply for some others.
你不应把所有希望寄托在这份工作上,你为什么不申请一些其他的工作?