A:Why did the boss come down on Joe like a ton of bricks.
为什么老板对Joe百般刁难。
B:He spoke evil behind his back.
他在背后说老板的坏话了。
A:How did he know that he had bad mouthed him?
老板怎么知道他说他的坏话的?
B:Someone told Joe off.
有人告状了呗。
A:He is then in a very difficult situation.
那么这是他处境很苦难啦。
B:Sure. He’ll get the bag,I think.
是的。他可能要被解雇吧。
注释:
1.behind one's back:背着,在......的背后
back在这里是名词,即“脊梁”。Behind someone’s back意思为“在......的背后”,即“背着某人”,多用于贬义
2.come down on:申斥, 惩罚, 责备
3.a ton of:许多
4.like a ton of bricks:气势汹汹,勃然大怒,来势凶猛
5.speak evil:说坏话
6.tell sb off:告状,像某人透露消息
7.in a difficult situation:处于艰苦的处境