菲菲申请了一份新工作，但由于经验不足而没能得到。Rob 说这样一来，菲菲处在一个 catch-22 的窘境。在本集节目中，Rob 和菲菲教大家这个出自长篇小说《第二十二条军规》的表达。
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。
RobAnd hello, its Rob here too. Oh Feifei, why the glum face?
FeifeiI didnt get it.
RobGet it?
FeifeiI didn’t get the job.
Rob
Oh yes, the job. You went for a new job, one you really really wanted. One that you said you would be perfect for.
FeifeiClearly I’m not. 你看我收到的回绝信上说经验不足。But if I dont do the job, how do I get the experience?
RobOh dear, it sounds like catch-22.
FeifeiCatch-22 是什么？是什么证书吗？
RobNope, it just describes a situation where you cant win. Basically, you cant do one thing until you have done another thing – which you cant do until you have done the first thing.
FeifeiSo its an impossible situation. 原来catch-22这个说法出自英文小说Catch-22《第二十二条军规》，它在现代用语中表示左右为难，无法摆脱的困境。
Rob
Lets hear some examples of this phrase in action.
ExamplesI need my parents car, but my mum says I need permission from my dad, then my dad says I need permission from my mum. I cant get permission from either. So Im in a catch-22 situation.
To apply for a short-term student visa to study English in the UK, you have to be able to speak some English, but you want to come to England to learn English! Its catch-22 for many potential students.
Feifei这里是 BBC 英语教学的《地道英语》节目。Rob 刚才说我现在处于一个catch-22 situation，也就是说我进退两难，怎么都不是。
RobYes Feifei, you cant get a new job without some experience of doing it, but you cant get the experience without doing the job. Its catch-22!
FeifeiIts a strange phrase, Rob.
RobYes, as you mentioned earlier, it comes from a title of a book - Catch-22, written by Joseph Heller in 1961, which describes absurd bureaucratic constraints on soldiers in World War II.
But look Feifei, dont be too sad about the job, youve got plenty of experience for doing this job.
FeifeiThats because Ive been here for 40 years.
RobBut we respect you for your expertise, especially in one task.
FeifeiWhats that?
RobMaking the tea. Now could you put the kettle on please?
FeifeiOh, I really need a new job.
RobBye.
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