[圖片來源：Getty Images]

內容簡介

在新冠肺炎疫情期間，“flatten the curve” 這個表達被頻繁使用。“Flatten the curve” 的目的是延緩感染高峰，減少醫療機構的壓力。聽菲菲和 Roy 的對話，學習這個表達的意思和用法。

文字稿

（關于臺詞的備注: 請注意這不是廣播節目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能沒有體現錄制、編輯過程中對節目做出的改變。）

Feifei
歡迎收聽 BBC英語教學的 “地道英語” 節目。大家好，我是馮菲菲。

Roy
…and me, Roy.

Feifei
Roy, why are you hitting that table with a hammer?

Roy
Well, I got your message about flattening the curve, and then I saw that this table had a bit of a bump in it, so I wanted to make sure you were happy – no curves on this table now.

Feifei
No, Roy. “Flatten the curve” 的意思可不是讓你把桌子上凸起來的地方給磨平。“Flatten the curve” 用來指降低、平滑圖表或曲線圖上的峰值。

Roy
Oh… because you were talking about the rate of infection in the UK. It's really important to 'flatten the curve' of the infection to avoid our health care service being overwhelmed with too many patients at one time.

Feifei
That’s right. Now, let's listen to these examples.

Examples
The government have introduced social distancing measures to try and flatten the curve.

We need to flatten the curve to prevent too many admissions into hospital.
Flattening the curve is vital to help save lives.

Feifei
這里是 BBC英語教學的 “地道英語” 節目。在這期節目中，我們告訴大家如何使用表達 “flatten the curve”。在新冠肺炎疫情期間，“flatten the curve” 被頻繁使用，所表達的意思是降低曲線圖上的峰值，將疫情的曲線拉平，從而降低感染率。

Roy
Yes, people have been in lockdown and social distancing to flatten the curve. It seems that the rate of infection in the UK has decreased of late.

Feifei
Yes, it seems that way. But I can't believe you were hitting that table!

Roy
Well, I was just trying to make you happy – sorry.

Feifei
Roy, now my chair is broken. What happened to the wheels?

Roy
I flattened the curves on your wheels! I've fixed everything. You should see what I've done to your car.

Feifei
Oh, working with you is never a boring experience!

Roy
Thanks!

Feifei
Bye, Roy.

Roy
Bye, Feifei!