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俗话说：“成大事者，不拘小节”。在遇到无关紧要的小摩擦、小问题时，采取 “let it slide（不计较，不追究）” 的态度反而可能会让我们更好地把注意力集中到更重要的事情上。听节目，跟主持人菲菲和 Georgie 学习如何使用表达 “let something slide”。

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（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
Hello and welcome to Authentic Real English, where we explain expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them too. I'm Feifei, and I'm supposed to be joined by Georgie… but where is she?

Georgie
Hi Feifei! I'm so sorry I'm late – my alarm didn't go off and I overslept!

Feifei
Oh, come on, Georgie! You're so late. But it's OK. I'll let it slide just this once.

Georgie
Thank you so much, Feifei. And you just said you'll let it slide. And that's actually the phrase we're looking at in this programme. So, I was late to work, and thankfully you're going to let it slide, which probably means you won't tell my manager right?

Feifei
Yes. 'Let something slide' means you ignore a mistake or problem instead of addressing or punishing it. For example, my son did something really naughty last night, but I decided to let it slide because he looked so cute when he did it.

Georgie
You've gone soft Feifei – you're letting everything slide!

Feifei
I must just be in a good mood, Georgie! Use of this phrase often involves an authority figure, for example when a teacher, parent or boss chooses not to enforce a rule.

Georgie
Yes. But it can also be used between equals such as friends or colleagues, when a person decides not to criticise something or bring up an issue. Let's hear more examples.

Examples
I played a board game with my friends the other day. I got the rules a bit wrong, but luckily they let it slide.

Have you taken my cake again? I'm going to let it slide this time, but if it happens again, I won't be happy.

I think the referee saw the foul but must have decided it wasn't that major as he let it slide.

Feifei
你正在收听的是 BBC 英语教学的 “地道英语” 节目。以上我们一起学习了表达 “let something slide” 的用法。“Let something slide” 的意思是 “放过某事，不再追究”。如果某人犯了一个本来应该让我们生气或者需要做出处置的错误，但我们决定放过他的错误或过失，那么我们就可以说：“I'm going to let it slide. 这次我就放你一马吧。” But this expression has another meaning, doesn't it Georgie?

Georgie
Yes. This meaning is also about inaction, but it's about neglecting your own responsibilities and letting things deteriorate. For example, I had a really good exercise routine at the start of the year, but I've really let it slide lately – I've been too busy to keep it going.

Feifei
Yes…“Let something slide” 还可以指 “疏于采取某项行动而放任、松懈”。Actually, I've been working so hard lately that I keep having to cancel plans with friends. Well, I've really let that slide. It's just so hard to find time for everything, isn't it?

Georgie
Yeah, it is. But I'm sure your friends will let it slide. They'll understand. OK, let's recap. We learned 'let something slide', which means to ignore a problem or someone's mistake and not respond with any action.

Feifei
Thanks for joining us. Bye!

Georgie
Bye.