节目简介

提到飞蛾 “moths”，人们总会想到它们被灯光吸引、盲目奔向光亮的身影，即便明知前方潜藏危险。英语表达 “like a moth to a flame” 正是借用了这种现象，来形容 “如同飞蛾扑火般，无法抵御诱惑，甚至主动走向危险” 的行为。听节目，跟主持人菲菲和 Georgie 学习这个表达的用法。

文字稿

（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 phrases and expressions used by fluent English speakers so that you can use them, too! I'm Feifei, and I'm joined by Georgie. How are you?

Georgie
I'm alright, thank you, Feifei. How are you?

Feifei
I'm well, thank you, Georgie.

Georgie
Right. Well, Feifei, I've got a question for you. You know what a moth is, right? It's that winged insect that has wings similar to a butterfly.

Feifei
Yes…

Georgie
Well, what happens when they're in your house?

Feifei
Oh, they're quite annoying, aren't they? Firstly, they make holes in your clothes, and then they're always bumping into the lights.

Georgie
Exactly. Well, in this programme, we're learning an expression about moths – like a moth to a flame.

Feifei
Oh, yes! That's a good one. Moths are attracted to light sources like lamps or flames, but getting too close can be dangerous for them. We also have a saying in Chinese that has exactly the same meaning – '飞蛾扑火', and its metaphorical use is quite similar as well.

Georgie
Exactly, and if we describe someone as being 'like a moth to a flame', it means they're very attracted to something which could be harmful for them. For example, I always try to be healthy, but I'm like a moth to a flame when it comes to chocolate. I can't resist!

Feifei
Let's hear some more examples from our BBC Learning English colleagues.

Examples
I know that motorbike racing is dangerous, but I'm like a moth to a flame. I just have to do it.

I rushed to the shopping centre like a moth to the flame when I heard that there was a sale on shoes, even though I really don't need any more shoes.

I know I shouldn't get involved in office drama, but I just love juicy gossip. I'm like a moth to a flame.

Feifei
你正在收听的是 BBC 英语教学制作的 “地道英语” 节目。在本期节目中，我们正在学习表达 “like a moth to a flame” 的用法。这个表达的字面意思和汉语成语 “飞蛾扑火” 完全对应，实际含义也十分相似。“Like a moth to a flame” 形容一个人 “受到强烈的吸引，无法抗拒诱惑而身不由己地靠近”，就好像一只飞蛾 “moth” 无法抵挡火焰 “flame” 的光亮一样。

So, being like a moth to a flame is about not being able to resist temptation – you just can't resist! Georgie, are there any similar expressions?

Georgie
Yes, I know one. 'Like bees to honey'. It's similar in the sense that it's about being attracted to something, but it doesn't have the same harmful result – there aren't necessarily negative consequences.

Feifei
表达 “like bees to honey（像蜜蜂趋向蜂蜜）” 的意思和 “like a moth to a flame” 类似。但要注意两者的微妙区别：“like a moth to a flame” 通常带有一层 “明知危险却无法自拔” 的负面色彩，而 “like bees to honey” 则更中性，仅仅强调吸引力巨大，并不一定暗示结果是有害的。

So, for example, 'The students rushed to the free food like bees to honey.'

Georgie
Exactly. Or 'The charismatic popstar attracts his fans like bees to honey.'

Feifei
OK, let's recap. We learnt the expression 'like a moth to a flame', which describes someone who's attracted to something which may not be good for them.

Georgie
Thanks for joining us. Goodbye!

Feifei
Goodbye!