又中又英——To work“hand in glove”.

　　Hong Kong is now entering the fourth wave of the coronavirus pandemic. Many places in Europe have again imposed strict social distancing rules. There is also a new wave of coronavirus outbreaks in the US, the country most affected by the pandemic. But there is hope in the US that a vaccine will soon be available. Two American companies, Pfizer and Moderna, have both developed a vaccine that is about 95 percent effective against the coronavirus. The US plans to provide these vaccines free to every American once the government concludes they are safe. But President-elect Joe Biden admitted last week that officials in every US state must cooperate to make sure the vaccine reaches everyone.
　　The expression "president-elect" describes a person who has won the election but is not yet formally the president. President Donald Trump has refused to accept that Biden is the president-elect, claiming the election was unfair. Last week, Biden met online with state governors of both political parties and said the federal and state governments must work "hand in glove" to make sure the vaccine reaches everyone. To work "hand in glove" means to work very closely together to achieve something. It is similar to the expression "work hand in hand". Many English expressions use the word "hand". When I interview guests on my TV show I often ask them to answer difficult or sensitive questions with "hand on heart".
　　This expression means to say something that is completely true, honest, and sincere. Americans usually put their right hand on their heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and when they sing the national anthem. The Pledge of Allegiance is an oath that Americans recite to promise loyalty to the US. Another expression that uses the word "hand" is "hand to mouth". If you are living from "hand to mouth", it means you have just enough money for essential things like rent and food and no extra money for things like new clothes or eating in restaurants.
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　　香港现在进入第四波新冠肺炎疫情。欧洲许多地方已经再度实施严谨的社交距离措施。美国最受疫情影响，现在也爆发了新一波新冠肺炎疫情。然而，在美国还有希望，就是疫苗很快便会面世。两间美国公司，辉瑞和莫德纳，也都研发出一支疫苗，对抗新冠肺炎的效用率达约百分之九十五。一旦政府确定这些疫苗是安全的，美国计划给每位美国人免费注射。但候任总统（President-elect）拜登上星期承认，每一个美国州份的官员都必须合作，确保每一个人都能注射到疫苗。
　　习语“president-elect”是形容一个人已当选但又未正式上任总统。总统特朗普拒绝承认拜登是候任总统（president-elect），宣称选举是不公平的。上星期，拜登与两大政党的州长在网上会面，说联邦和州政府必须work“hand in glove”，确保人人都有疫苗。To work“hand in glove”是指携手紧密合作，以达成某事；类近的习语是“work hand in hand”。许多美国习语都会用到“hand”一字。当我在我的电视节目上访问嘉宾时，我不时会以“hand on heart”问他们一些尖锐或敏感的问题。
　　这个习语的意思是衷心、赤诚、推心置腹地说实话。美国人在Pledge of Allegiance及唱国歌期间，会将右手置放于心胸前。The Pledge of Allegiance就是《效忠宣誓》，美国人念诵以承诺对美国效忠。另一个用到“hand”一字的习语是“hand to mouth”。若你是living from“hand to mouth”，那你就是勉强度日，赚的钱仅够糊口，只能应付租金和食用等必要开支，而没有余钱可以买新衫或去餐厅吃大餐了。中译：七刻
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Michael Chugani 褚简宁