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30 commonly used English phrases
【06 - down to the wire】
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【AI English - 人工智慧英語】
【30 commonly used English phrases】
【06 - down to the wire】直到最後一刻
Definition and origin of the phrase "down to the wire"
片語 "down to the wire" 的定義與來源
Today's common phrase comes from the so-called "royal sport" of horse racing: down to the wire.
Here, wire refers to the finish line pulled at the end of a race track.
It helps to determine who is first and who is second in an almost neck-and-neck race.
When we watch a race, we sometimes see that the leading horses are almost indistinguishable from each other until the moment they cross the finish line.
This is the origin of this idiom.
Down to the wire is now commonly used in politics, especially in electioneering.
今天要學的慣用語來自號稱 “皇家運動” 的賽馬：down to the wire。
這裡的 wire 指賽馬跑道終點拉的終點線。
它在幾乎不相上下的競賽中有助於判斷究竟誰先誰後。
我們觀看賽馬時有時會見到領先的幾匹馬幾乎不分前後，要直到衝過終點線的一剎那才定勝負。
這就是這個習慣用語的出典。
Down to the wire 如今常用在政界，尤其是競選運動中。
【Example sentences】
I think the election will go right down to the wire.
我認為選舉結果要到最後一刻才會見分曉。
With only a week to go, the polls show that the two candidates are running neck and neck. The race is still so close it may go right down to the wire.
離開選舉只有一星期了，民意測驗結果顯示兩名侯選人不相上下，競爭如此激烈，所以可能要到最後一刻結果才見分曉。
這裡的down to the wire用來描繪到最後一刻方見勝負的激烈競爭。
They weren’t sure which car to buy. But when it came down to the wire, they chose the cheaper one.
他們一直對買什麼車猶豫不決，但最終，他們選擇了一輛比較便宜的。
This competition will probably come down to the wire! At the moment, it is very unclear who will win.
這場比賽的結果恐怕要到最後一刻才會見分曉。目前來看，誰會獲勝還非常不明了。
【Situational Videos】
Down to the Wire: A Thrilling Race Against Time
直到最後一刻：與時間賽跑的驚心動魄之旅
Meet our hero, John.
(先從) 認識我們的英雄，約翰 (開始)
He's in a high-stakes situation where every second counts.
他處在一個高風險的環境中，每一秒都很重要。
He needs to complete his task before time runs out.
他需要在時間耗盡之前完成任務。
John is racing against time to complete his task.
約翰正在與時間賽跑，以完成他的任務。
He faces numerous obstacles and challenges along the way.
他一路上面臨著無數的障礙和挑戰。
John is getting closer to completing his task, but time is running out.
約翰越來越接近於完成他的任務，但時間已經不多了。
The tension is building.
緊張的氣氛正在形成。
John is almost there, but the final obstacle is the toughest one yet.
約翰快到了，但最後的絆腳石是迄今為止最艱難的障礙。
Can he overcome it?
他能克服它嗎？
John is running out of time, but he's not giving up.
約翰已經沒有時間了，但他沒有放棄。
He's determined to complete his task.
他決心要完成他的任務。
John is getting closer and closer to completing his task.
約翰離完成他的任務越來越近了。
The excitement is building.
興奮之情溢於言表。
This is it. The final push.
就是這個。(預期的事件即將發生) 這最後一擊。
John has to complete his task before time runs out.
約翰必須在時間耗盡之前完成他的任務。
The tension is at its peak.
緊張的氣氛達到了頂點。
Will John make it in time?
約翰能及時完成嗎？
The clock is ticking.
時間在流逝。
John is running out of time.
約翰的時間已經不多了。
Can he complete his task?
他能完成他的任務嗎？
John did it!
約翰成功了！
He completed his task just in time.
他及時完成了他的任務。
The sense of relief is overwhelming.
解脫的感覺是難以抵擋的。
【Situational Videos】
♪ Look at that, it's on sale ♪
[Molly] ♪ Oh, wire ♪
♪ Uh-oh, we're down to the wire ♪
♪ Down to the wire, down to the wire ♪
- ♪ Wire ♪ - ♪ Uh-oh, we're down to the wire ♪
♪ Down to the wire, down to the wire ♪
