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Making plans

1. Making plans​

end up​

  • do something different to what you had originally planned 最终落得，结果成为

Kwang had been planning to study medicine, but ended up studying French. 光一直计划学医，但最终却学了法语。

hammer out​

  • reach an agreement after much discussion 敲定，达成

The negotiating teams stayed up until after midnight hammering out a new treaty. 谈判团队一直熬夜到午夜后，敲定了一项新条约。

throw out​

  • reject a suggestion or idea 驳回，拒绝

I asked Sabrina if she wanted to go camping, but she threw out the idea. 我问萨布丽娜是否想去露营，但她拒绝了这个想法。

go through with​

  • do something you have planned to do (after some thought or discussion) 坚持做完，实施

My dad wanted to buy a motorcycle for ages, but I never expected him to go through with it. 我爸爸想买摩托车好多年了，但我从没料到他真的会付诸行动。

pin down​

  • decide the details about something 确定，敲定

We want to get married in summer, but we haven't pinned down a location yet. 我们想在夏天结婚，但还没有确定地点。

throw together​

  • do something without preparation 匆忙拼凑，临时凑成

Giovanni forgot about the art project, but he managed to throw something together. 乔瓦尼忘记了那个艺术项目，但他设法临时拼凑了一个出来。

plan ahead​

  • make plans before an event happens 提前计划

You should plan ahead before setting off on a long car journey. 在开始长途自驾旅行之前，你应该提前做好计划。

allow for​

  • take something into consideration before making a plan 考虑到，预留出

Allow for traffic delays when estimating how long it'll take. 在估算需要多长时间时，要把交通延误考虑进去。

think ahead​

  • think about the future and plan for it 提前考虑，未雨绸缪

You need to think ahead and save some money for the future. 你需要提前考虑，为将来存点钱。

get around to​

  • find the time to do something 抽出时间做

We've been meaning to get a new kitchen for years, but we never get around to it. 多年来我们一直想换个新厨房，但总是抽不出时间来做。

firm up​

  • make something more definite （计划或安排）敲定，确定

The two directors had several meetings to firm up the details of the new contract. 两位董事开了几次会议，敲定新合同的细节。

look ahead​

  • think about what might happen in the future 展望未来，向前看

Look ahead and picture what you want to be doing in five years' time. 展望未来，想象一下五年后你想做什么。

2. Canceling plans​

back out​

  • not do something you had agreed to do 食言，退出

Ed had promised to do a bungee jump with me, but backed out at the last minute. 埃德曾答应和我一起去蹦极，但在最后一刻打了退堂鼓。

wriggle out of​

  • avoid doing something you should do (informal) 逃避，推脱

Adi always manages to wriggle out of helping with the cleaning. 阿迪总是想方设法逃避帮忙打扫卫生。

chicken out​

  • decide not to do something you had planned to do because you are afraid (informal) 临阵退缩，胆怯

Dexter was going to ask Becky out on a date, but he chickened out. 德克斯特本想约贝基出去约会，但临阵退缩了。

weasel out of​

  • avoid doing something you had agreed to do in a sneaky way (informal) 逃避，推卸责任

The store weaseled out of giving us a refund by claiming we had broken the vase. 那家店声称我们打破了花瓶，以此逃避给我们退款。

go back on​

  • fail to keep a promise or agreement 背弃，食言，出尔反尔

Seb said he'd help me paint the house, but he went back on his promise. 塞布说他会帮我粉刷房子，但他食言了。

get out of​

  • avoid doing something you had agreed to do 逃避，避免

Cleo didn't want to go out, so she pretended to be sick to get out of it. 克利奥不想出门，所以假装生病来逃避。