你相不相信个性决定命运呢?有些人天生举棋不定,三心两意,连吃饭点菜都拿不定主意,最后还是乱点一通。对于这些经常改变主意的人,他们常把这句话挂在嘴边:I changed my mind at the last minute. (我在最后一分钟改变主意),有时候,你也可揶揄他说:Does it work any better?(这样子比较好吗?)。谈到终身大事,就不能用change my mind这么简单。举例说:What happened to Joey? She's supposed to get married last week.(祖儿发生什么事?她应该在上星期结婚)原来她变了心(She had a change of heart) 。
对话
A: Why didn't you take the new job? It would have been a great opportunity for you.
B: I changed my mind at the last minute as I was going to sign the employment contract.
A: What happened?
B: They introduced me to their general manager and she's my ex-girlfriend.
甲:为什么你不接受新工作?这会是个很好的机会。
乙:我在签合约的最后一刻改变了主意。
甲:发生了什么事?
乙:他们给我介绍他们的总经理,她是我的前任女朋友。
I changed my mind at the last minute.即‘我在最后一刻改变主意’。这‘最后一刻’英文还有一个叫法:(at) the eleventh hour。
At the eleventh hour是‘第十一个钟头’,为什么解作‘最后一刻’?这成语原来出自《圣经.马太福音》第二十章:葡萄园主招人到园里工作,议定一天一钱银子。他清早雇用了一批工人,十一小时之后,快要收工了,他又雇用了一批。收工时,迟来的和早来的一样,都获得一钱银子工资。这是‘进天国不分来早来迟’的比喻。所以,at the eleventh hour就是‘最后’的意思,例如:I finished my work at the eleventh hour.(我在最后一刻把工作做完了)。
改变主意,往往是重新考虑的结果。这‘重新考虑’英文叫second thought(s),例如:At first I supported the proposal, but on second thoughts I decided against it.(最初我支持那建议,但重新考虑之后,决定反对)。英谚说:Second thoughts are best.(三思而行,是最好的)。留意on second thoughts的决定,总是和最初的决定不同。
三思而行,不等于犹豫不决。犹豫不决,英文叫做in two minds,例如:I'm in two minds about the job offer.(接不接受那职位,我拿不定主意)。当然,假如前度恋人会做你的上司,不接受或可免尴尬。‘前度恋人’英文俗称old flame(旧的火焰),颇为有趣。