VOA慢速英语:Words and Their Stories: Down to Earth

Every week at this time, we tell about popular American words and expressions.  Some of these are very old.  Some are new.  Together, they form the living speech of the American people.
每星期这个时候，我们都会讲述常用的美国词语与表达。其中有些是古老的，有些是新的。它们共同构成了美国人民的日常生活用语。

Today we tell about the expression "down to earth." Down to earth means being open and honest.  It is easy to deal with someone who is down to earth.
今天，我们讲述down to earth（脚踏实地，务实）这个短语，它的意思是坦诚、诚实，和这种人打交道会很轻松。

A person who is down to earth is a pleasure to find.  He or she accepts other people as equals.  A down to earth person is the opposite of someone who acts important or proud.
遇见一位脚踏实地的人是一件高兴的事情，他（她）会平等待人。和之相反的就是自大傲慢者。

Down to earth people could be important members of society.  But they do not consider themselves to be better than others who are less important.  They do not let their importance "go to their heads." Someone who lets something go to his head feels he is better than others.  He has a "big head."
脚踏实地的人可能是社会的重要成员，但他们并不认为自己比普通人更重要，不会被自己的重要地位冲昏了头脑。那些被某些东西冲昏头脑的人会认为自己比他人优越，他就是自大。

A person who is filled with his own importance and pride is said to have "his nose in the air." Often the person who has a big head and his nose in the air has no reason to feel better than others.  He surely is the opposite of someone who is down to earth.
一个满脑子自大和傲慢的人被称为“自大”。通常这种自大（big head和his nose in the air）的人并没有感觉比他人优越的理由，但他肯定与脚踏实地者相反。

Americans use another expression that is similar in some ways to down to earth.  The expression is "both feet on the ground." Some one with both feet on the ground is a person with a good understanding of reality.  She has what is called "common sense."  She may have dreams.  But she does not allow them to block her understanding of what is real.
美国人使用的另一种表达与down to earth在某些方面是相似的。这个短语就是both feet on the ground。脚踏实地者对现实有着正确的理解。她所具备的“常识”。她可能会有梦想，但她不会让梦想妨碍自己对现实的理解。

The opposite kind of person is one who has his "head in the clouds." Someone with his head in the clouds is a person whose mind is not on what is happening in real life.  Such a person may be called a "daydreamer."
与此相反的是胡思乱想。胡思乱想者的思想不会集中在现实生活中发生的事情，这种人也可以被称为“空想家”。

Sometimes a person with his head in the clouds can be brought back to reality.  Sharp words from a teacher, for example, can usually get a daydreaming student to put "both feet on the ground."
有时候，胡思乱想者也会被拉回现实中。例如，老师的痛斥通常能将做白日梦的学生拉回现实，让他脚踏实地。

The person who is down to earth usually has both feet on the ground.  But the opposite is not always true.  Someone with both feet on the ground may not be as open and easy to deal with as someone who is down to earth.
务实者通常脚踏实地。但反过来却未必。脚踏实地者可能不像务实者那样坦率和容易相处。

When we have both our feet firmly on the ground, and when we are down to earth we do not have our noses in the air.  We act honestly and openly to others.  Our lives are like the ground below us – solid and strong.
当我们坚定地脚踏实地，当我们务实，我们就不会自大。我们真诚，坦诚的待人。我们的人生就像脚下的大地一样稳固而强大。
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