Use the 'Ocean' to Express Big Thoughts
2022-06-12
LRC
TXT
大字
小字
滚动
全页
1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English.
2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language.
3Today we talk about the ocean.
4Oceans are amazingly large, deep bodies of water.
5When talking about some of the deepest parts of the world's oceans, much is still not known.
6With something so big and full of wonder, it is not surprising that English has several expressions that use the word "ocean."
7For starters, we can simply say "oceans of" something to mean "a lot" something.
8For example, Timothy will have oceans of problems if he does not find a job soon.
9He is racking up oceans of debt.
10Naturally, it is very common to use the word "ocean" in expressions that describe very large, seemingly limitless, things.
11For example, my love of my reading is as big as the ocean! I really love to read.
12You can also say "as deep as the ocean" to describe something very vast and intense.
13For example, if you love someone deeply, you can say your love for them is as deep as the ocean.
14It seems as if it has no end.
15Saying that something is as deep, big, or wide as the ocean is a simile.
16A simile compares things using "like" or "as."
17An ocean can also help describe something that is very far away from something else.
18The expression "to be oceans apart" can be used for more than just physical distance.
19If you are oceans apart from something, you are far from reaching a point of agreement or having common ground.
20Consider these examples:
21During an important business deal, the two parties found that they were oceans apart.
22It was impossible to make a deal that was good for both sides.
23Even though their political and religious views were oceans apart, the two people shared a love of music and became close friends.
24Finally, the ocean is so big that it would not make a difference if you added a drop of water to it.
25So, if I say something is just a drop in the ocean, it is a small amount compared to the amount that is needed.
26For example, some might say investing $1 million dollars in a country's educational system is just a drop in the ocean.
27Millions more dollars will be needed to make real change.
28And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo.
1And now, Words and Their Stories from VOA Learning English. 2On this program, we explore words and expressions in the English language. Today we talk about the ocean. 3Oceans are amazingly large, deep bodies of water. When talking about some of the deepest parts of the world's oceans, much is still not known. With something so big and full of wonder, it is not surprising that English has several expressions that use the word "ocean." 4For starters, we can simply say "oceans of" something to mean "a lot" something. For example, Timothy will have oceans of problems if he does not find a job soon. He is racking up oceans of debt. 5Naturally, it is very common to use the word "ocean" in expressions that describe very large, seemingly limitless, things. For example, my love of my reading is as big as the ocean! I really love to read. 6You can also say "as deep as the ocean" to describe something very vast and intense. For example, if you love someone deeply, you can say your love for them is as deep as the ocean. It seems as if it has no end. 7Saying that something is as deep, big, or wide as the ocean is a simile. A simile compares things using "like" or "as." 8An ocean can also help describe something that is very far away from something else. The expression "to be oceans apart" can be used for more than just physical distance. If you are oceans apart from something, you are far from reaching a point of agreement or having common ground. 9Consider these examples: 10During an important business deal, the two parties found that they were oceans apart. It was impossible to make a deal that was good for both sides. 11Even though their political and religious views were oceans apart, the two people shared a love of music and became close friends. 12Finally, the ocean is so big that it would not make a difference if you added a drop of water to it. So, if I say something is just a drop in the ocean, it is a small amount compared to the amount that is needed. For example, some might say investing $1 million dollars in a country's educational system is just a drop in the ocean. Millions more dollars will be needed to make real change. 13And that's all the time we have for this Words and Their Stories. Until next time ... I'm Anna Matteo. 14Anna Matteo wrote this story for VOA Learning English. 15____________________________________________________________________ 16Words in This Story 17racking up - phrasal verb achieve; gain 18vast - adj. very great in size, amount, degree, intensity, or especially in extent or range 19intense - adj. existing in an extreme degree