本期节目介绍习语 “passing ships”（完整版为 “like ships that pass in the night”）。这个表达用来形容两人日程繁忙、难以相见，仅有短暂相遇的情况，常用于形容忙碌的成人生活。
Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | English Definition | Chinese Definition |
|---|---|---|
| passing ships | two people who rarely see each other due to different schedules | 擦肩而过的人 |
| cross paths | lives intersect in some way | 路径交叉；相遇 |
| line up | align, match up | 对齐；吻合 |
| catch up | talk after not seeing someone | 叙叙旧 |
Transcript
Georgie: “I think our schedules are quite different at the moment. Whenever I’m at my desk, you seem to be in meetings… We’re like passing ships at the moment!”
Feifei: “The longer version is ’like ships that pass in the night’.”
Georgie: “Two ships at night. They briefly see each other in the darkness, and then they continue in different directions. The encounter is brief.”
Georgie: “‘Passing ships’ is often used to talk about busy adult life when two people are finding it hard to meet.”
Examples
- I really need to meet up properly with my neighbour. We talk a lot over the fence, but we never have time. It’s like we’re passing ships.
- I’ve got a colleague I get on with really well, but we work different shifts, so we’re like passing ships!
Critical Thinking Questions
- Does remote work make “passing ships” situations better or worse?
- What’s the difference between “passing ships” and “cross paths”?