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菲菲需要告诉 Rob 不要总带自己做的饭菜给她吃，因为饭的味道实在让人不敢恭维。但菲菲觉得难以启齿，Neil 来帮忙了。他介绍了一个很实用的短语，不过这个短语有两个意思。菲菲会用其中哪一层含义来委婉谢绝 Rob 的饭菜？最后问题解决了吗？听他们的对话。

（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 大家好，欢迎来到 BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》节目。我是冯菲菲。

Neil And hello, I'm Neil. Phwa! What's that smell?

Feifei Rob 自己做的饭。

Neil Rob makes food?

Feifei He does but it doesn't taste very nice.

Neil Right. So why do you eat it – and why do you have to make the studio stink of it?

Feifei Well, I don't want to offend him. 他总是带一些他自己做的饭给我，还让我给他一些诚实的反馈。我通常给他的反馈大多是 “It's interesting, unique, special.”。

Neil Oh Feifei, you need to keep a lid on it.

Feifei Well, if you think that will stop the smell, I will.

Neil That's not what I meant, although it is a good idea. If you 'keep the lid on something' it means you keep it under control – to stop the situation getting worse.

Feifei OK, Neil!

Neil Here are some examples of this phrase in action.

Examples I couldn't keep a lid on my feelings about the rota so I shouted at the boss!

With rising food prices, it's hard to keep a lid on how much I spend at the supermarket.

Feifei 这里是 BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》。刚刚我们一起学习的短语是 “to keep a lid on something”，它的意思是 “管理好局势，以防失控”。But this isn't the only meaning, is it?

Neil No. If you keep a lid on something, it can also mean you keep something a secret. Like this…

Example I've heard that Daisy is expecting a baby – but keep a lid on it until it's official!

Feifei OK, Neil. You're telling me to keep a lid on things by telling Rob to stop giving me his homemade food?

Neil Yes – unless his cooking is amazing.

Feifei It's not.

Neil Right, well, tell him you're on a diet or you've become vegan. That should stop him. And I will keep your little lie a secret.

Feifei You mean, you'll keep a lid on it?

Neil Exactly. But in the meantime, could you actually keep a lid on that box of food, please? It stinks!

Feifei OK. Right, I'm off to speak to Rob. Bye. Neil Remember to be firm and say what you mean! Oh. Hi, Rob.

Rob Hi, Neil. Feifei doesn't seem to want this delicious food I made. Would you like it?

Neil Erm... Go on then. Looks lovely. Bye.