The answer is zero”
这几个单词真是再熟悉不过
组合一块看起来的意思好像也就那么回事
“答案是零”
但想起中文里那些和数字相关的成语
“不三不四”、“五花八门”…的意思
这么简单直白的翻译好像不对劲
The answer is zero
当老外对你说：The answer is zero.
想表达的意思是事情“白忙一场、毫无结果”
例：
No matter what you have done, the answer is zero.
无论你做了什么，都是白忙一场。
A: How is the programme?
计划怎么样了？
B: The answer is zero.
白忙活了。
answer back
answer （sb.） back =顶嘴，回嘴
不是很礼貌的方式应对长辈，领导的批评
例：
Stop answering your mother back!
不准和你妈妈顶嘴！
I'd generally talk my father round, but never answer back.
我会委婉地和父亲解释，从来不顶嘴。
talk sb. round=委婉的表达；说服
answer the door
answer the door
意思是应声开门、听到铃声去开门
例：
I'm on the phone. Could you answer the door for me?
我正在打电话，你能帮我开一下门吗？
answer the call of nature
answer the call of nature=上厕所
例：
Just a moment. I have to go to answer the call of nature.
稍等一会，我想上厕所。
answer for / to
answer for=对…负责
例：
Do you really think the company will be made to answer for the problems that their pollution causes among the local people?
你真的认为公司会负责他们在当地造成的污染问题？
answer to=答复
例：
That is an indirect answer to the question.
那只是对这一问题的间接答复。
