[图片来源：Getty Images]

内容简介

在新冠肺炎疫情期间，“flatten the curve” 这个表达被频繁使用。“Flatten the curve” 的目的是延缓感染高峰，减少医疗机构的压力。听菲菲和 Roy 的对话，学习这个表达的意思和用法。

文字稿

（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）

Feifei
欢迎收听 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。大家好，我是冯菲菲。

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” 的意思可不是让你把桌子上凸起来的地方给磨平。“Flatten the curve” 用来指降低、平滑图表或曲线图上的峰值。

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
这里是 BBC英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。在这期节目中，我们告诉大家如何使用表达 “flatten the curve”。在新冠肺炎疫情期间，“flatten the curve” 被频繁使用，所表达的意思是降低曲线图上的峰值，将疫情的曲线拉平，从而降低感染率。

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!