Just the minute I almost finished my essay, the computer crashed and everything went back to square one.
就在我快写完论文的时候,电脑死机了,一切都前功尽弃。
“square”是方格的意思,这个用语从字面上理解就是“回到最初的方格”。是不是想起小时候玩的跳房子了?没错,这个词就起源于英国孩童的游戏,如跳房子和蛇梯棋。游戏中,开始你可能遥遥领先,但一着不慎,就可能回到原点。所以本俚语主要用来形容一切努力付诸东流,前功尽弃。
Rose:Hey, I heard that you proposed to your girlfriend last night. How was it?
嘿,我听说你昨晚向女朋友求婚啦?Kevin:Oh, let's drop it.
唉,别提了。
Rose:What happened?
怎么了?
Kevin:We had a big fight before the dinner over some trifles. We broke up and everything just went back to square one.
吃饭前我们为了些小事闹翻了。我们分手了,一切又回到了原点。
Rose:I'm sorry to hear that. Anyway, good luck!
听到这个非常遗憾。不管怎样,祝你好运!