以名词“Point”为中心的惯用语

　　“Point”是个实质名词，甚易感受；与它连用的惯用语也令人有深切的体会。

　　(1)Beside the point：与所讨论的问题无关。

　　“We are now discussing the staff development, so your question about international relationships is beside the point.”

　　(2)On the point of...：就要做...

　　“Yesterday, when I was on the point of going out, an old friend came to see me.”

　　(3)A case in point: 一个恰当的例子。

　　“Not many people would like to invest in the same enterprise. Mr Brown is a case in point; he has different businesses.”

　　(4)Get to the point：谈到问题要点。

　　“All the jokes are interesting, but isn't it time to get to the point?”

　　(5)Get/take someone's point：了解某人的意思。

　　“What did you say just now? I didn't quite get your point.”

　　(6)Get/Wander off the point：离开主题。

　　“James spoke quite well at first, but later, he wandered off the point.”

　　(7)Have a point: 有可取之处。

　　Globalisation? You have a point there. From now on, we have to focus on human relationships.”

　　(8)Make one's point：表达了意思。

　　“David, you have made your point well. How about Shirley? Can you tell us what you think about her?”

　　(9)Make a point of...：确定要...

　　“I often make a point of completing the day's work without undue procrastination.”

　　(10)Reach the point of no return：不可走回头路；不可反悔。

　　“The TV company has offered Lisa an unconditional 5-year contract. It has reached the point of no return and cannot change its decision.”

　　(11)A sore point with...：令人讨厌的事。

　　“Sally's boy friend, Samuel, went to dinner without inviting her. This is a sore point with her and whenever she thinks of this, she becomes unhappy.”

　　(12)The sticking point：（谈判、讨论时）不易达致协议之点。

　　“How the boundary is to be drawn seems to be the sticking point in the peace talk between the two neighbouring countries.”

　　(13)That's the (whole)point：那就是问题的惩结了。

　　“- If I cancel the trip, will the deposit be forfeited? -yes! That's the whole point; no one can cancel the trip at short notice.”

　　(14)Stretch a point：破例作出让步。

　　“When it came to special allowance, the manager stretched a point in Jason's favour.”

　　(15)The/A vantage point：优越的地位。

　　From the vantage point on the raised platform, one can see the military parade very clearly./why don't you stand on a vantage point to have a far-sighted view？（站得高，看得远。）

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