本期节目介绍当下流行的网络俚语 “understood the assignment”。这个表达意思是某人完全理解了任务要求，并完美甚至超预期地完成了它。通常用于赞美他人表现出色、不负众望。
Transcript
Georgie: “My friend came as a fairy [to a costume party]… she looked incredible. She really understood the assignment.”
Georgie: “‘Understood the assignment’ is now being used as a slang phrase, meaning that someone did something very well – they exceeded expectations.”
Georgie: “One thing to note is that we usually hear it in the past tense. It’s used to comment on what someone has done after it has happened, as a way to compliment or praise them.”
Examples
- I told my wife I wanted to eat something unusual and special for my birthday… She really understood the assignment.
- I asked the band to write a catchy, three-minute pop song with an unforgettable chorus, and they totally understood the assignment.
Related expression: go above and beyond
Georgie: “‘Go above and beyond’ means that a person does more than is required for the task.”
Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | English Definition | Chinese Definition |
|---|---|---|
| exceed expectations | to do better than what was expected | 超出预期 |
| go above and beyond | to do more than is required | 超额完成 |
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why is this expression almost always used in the past tense?
- Is there a risk in using very new slang with people from other English-speaking generations or regions?