实用口语情景轻松学：Take baby steps 慢慢来李华和Larry在讨论晚饭吃什么。
他们会用到两个常用语：turn a new leaf和take baby steps。
Larry: I'm starving, Lihua!
What should we eat for dinner today?
LH: 晚饭？
只要不吃你的较爱 - 汉堡包和薯条 - 就行！
Larry: What are you talking about?
I wasn't planning on eating fast food!
LH: 我才不信呢。
不是汉堡包，那一定是炸鸡！
Larry: Nope.
Lihua, I know I used to eat a lot of unhealthy fast food in the past, but now I've turned a new leaf - I'm never going to eat fast food again!
LH: You turned a leaf？
什么意思？
Larry: To turn a new leaf means to start over fresh - to totally get rid of bad habits and start over new again.
LH: 哦，to turn a new leaf，就是甩掉坏习惯，从头开始，Larry: Right.
Lately, my bad eating habits have been making me feel just awful.
So, I decided to turn a new leaf and start eating only fresh, healthy foods - starting today.
LH: 你说，因为你一直吃垃圾食品，感觉身体状态很差，所以你要痛改前非，从遥开始吃健康食品！
太好了， Larry！
Larry: Lihua, I have been gaining a little weight lately.
.
.
But, that will all change now that I turned a new leaf and started living a healthy lifestyle!
LH: 哈，你要从头开始，过健康生活！
Larry, 你真能做到么？
Larry: No problem, Lihua!
When I make a decision, I stay with it!
LH: 是么？
我昨天刚买了一大袋你较喜欢的薯片，既然你已经走上了健康生活之路。
这些薯片，就由我替你消灭吧！
Larry: Ah?
You mean, you bought some Lays Double - Cheese and Sour Cream Potato Chips?
LH: 对啊，就是你较喜欢吃的，双层奶酪加酸奶油口味！
好可惜啊，早知道你turned a new leaf, 我就不浪费遥了。
Larry: Well, wait a minute, Lihua.
We can't just let your money go to waste.
Maybe I can just eat a little bit now to hold me over until we have dinner.
.
.
LH: 什么？
你想在吃饭前先来些薯片垫垫底？
你刚才还说从遥起再也不吃垃圾食品了呢！
Larry: Oh, Lihua!
But I can't just turn a whole new leaf all at once - that would be too difficult.
Maybe I can just take baby steps towards my goal.
LH: 你是说，你遥能一下子把生活方式全改变，所以得take baby steps。
我猜，这就是慢慢来，循序渐进，对么？
Larry: Yes!
I could make slow progress towards my goal.
You know, like taking small baby steps.
LH: 可你的慢慢来是指多慢？
不会要10年吧!
Larry: Lihua, if I take baby steps, even though the whole process will take a lot more time, it will be a lot less difficult.
It's like getting into a swimming pool.
First, you have to put your foot in to see if the water is cold.
Then, put both legs in.
Then, slowly.
.
.
LH: 这也太慢了！
直接跳进游泳池，多痛快！
Larry: I don't know how to swim!
LH: 行啦，Larry!
我看你不用慢慢来，拖拖拉拉地更难受！
Larry: With that bag of chips calling my name over there, I'm already in pain, Lihua!
I gotta have some!
LH: 啊？
Larry， 你的健康生活呢？
这么快就放弃啦？
（遥薯片袋的声音）Larry: Give me that bag!
I promise I'll only eat a little bit!
I'm making baby steps towards my goal of eating healthy!
LH: 哼，给你给你！
Larry: Thank you very much!
Man, I haven't had these in so long - hey, wait a minute.
These are.
.
.
dried banana chips?
LH: 没错，这些是干香蕉片!
Larry, I've turned a new leaf in my live as well.
Larry: Huh?
What leaf?
LH: 我以前总是纵容你，给你买垃圾食品，遥，我也要从新来过。
我发誓：以后再也不给你买这些不健康的吃的了。
咱们就一起努力吧！
（编辑：薛琳）