Language Point 1
After much thought, I came up with a brilliant plan for Rich to meet my mother and win her over. (Para.1)
Meaning: After much thought, I thought of a very good idea that would enable Rich to meet my mother and gain her support of our relationship.
Language Point 2
… I came up with a brilliant plan …(Para.1)
come up with: think of and suggest (an idea, plan, etc.)
He couldn’t come up with an answer. 他答不上来。
The airline has come up with a novel solution to the problem of jet lag. 这家航空公司想出一个新奇的办法来解决乘客的飞行时差综合症。
brilliant: a.
1) very good, very clever or skilful
The piano player gave a brilliant performance. 这位钢琴演奏家作了非常精彩的表演。
It was in many ways a brilliant plan. 这个设计的许多方面都很出色。
She seemed to have a brilliant career ahead of her. 她似乎有着灿烂的前途。
2) full of light, shining or bright in color
The rooms were all painted brilliant white. 所有的房间被粉刷成明亮的白色。
He flashed me a brilliant smile. 他向我露出了灿烂的笑容。
Language Point 3
… and win her over. (Para.1)
win ... over: persuade somebody to support or agree with you
We failed in winning him over to our side. 我们没有能把他争取过来。
The lawyer won over the jury by his moving defense. 律师以他那富有感染力的辩护征服了陪审团。
John disagrees at the moment, but I’m sure we can win him over to our point of view. 约翰现在不同意，但我确信我们能说服他同意我们的观点。
Language Point 4
… I arranged it so my mother would want to cook a meal especially for him. (Para.1)
Meaning: I planned and made it possible for my mother to offer to cook a meal especially for my boyfriend Rich.
arrange: vt.
1) make plans for something to happen, plan the details of (a future event); organize
We have arranged a party. 我们准备了一个晚会。
A special show was arranged to admit free the family members of the miners. 安排了一个专场来免费招待矿工家属。
Please arrange for a taxi to collect us after the meeting. 请安排一辆出租车在会议结束后来接我们。
I’ve arranged that one of my classmates will meet you at the airport.我已作了安排，我的一位同学将去机场接你。
2) put sth. in order; make organized, or attractive
arrange flowers in a vase 往花瓶中插花
The books are arranged on the shelves in alphabetic order. 书架上的书是按字母顺序排列的。
Language Point 5
The eve of the dinner, I sat in the kitchen watching her cook, waiting for the right moment to tell her about our marriage plans, … (Para.4)
Meaning: During the time before the dinner, I sat in the kitchen and watched my mother cooking. Meanwhile I was waiting for the right time to tell her about our marriage plans (so that she wouldn’t say no).
eve: n. day or evening before any important event
the eve of the general election 大选前夜
the eve of victory 胜利前夕
Mr. Hurd was speaking to Arab reporters on the eve of his visit to Saudi Arabia. 赫德先生在访问沙特阿拉伯之前, 向阿拉伯记者们发表了讲话。
Are you doing anything exciting on New Year’s Eve? 除夕之夜你有让人兴奋的活动吗？
Language Point 6
… about seven months away. (Para.4)
away: ad. “Away” is used to talk about future events. If an event is a week away, it will happen after a week.
The exams are still six weeks away. 距考试还有六周。
The Washington summit is over a month away. 华盛顿高峰会议将在一个多月后举行。
Language Point 7
She was cubing garlic and slicing cabbage into small pieces … (Para.4)
cube: vt. cut something into cube-shaped pieces
cube the vegetables 把蔬菜切成小方块
cube the meat 把肉切成丁儿
slice: vt. cut something into thin wide flat pieces
I sliced the bread. 我把面包切成片。
slice the meat instead of cubing it 把肉切成薄片而不是切成丁儿
Notice that both verbs can be used as nouns. Examples:
Cut the meat into small cubes. 把肉切成小方块。
The ice cubes in the bottom of her glass made a ringing sound as she drank. 她喝酒时, 杯子底部的冰块丁当作响。
a slice of bread 一片面包
Would you like another slice of beef? 你还要来一片牛肉吗？
Language Point 8
My instructions are in my fingers. (Para.4)
Meaning: (Unlike Auntie Suyuan who can only cook while looking at directions,) I am so skilled that I can prepare and cook without much thinking as if my fingers did it by themselves.
Language Point 9
… secret ingredients to put in … (Para.4)
ingredient: n.
1) [C] any of foods that are combined to make a particular dish
There is a list of ingredients on the side of the packet. 包装袋的侧面印有配料表。
Flour and fat are the most important ingredients when making this cake. 做这种糕点时，面粉和油脂是最重要的配料。
Mix all the ingredients in a bowl. 把所有配料在碗里搅拌好。
2) [C] any of the qualities of which sth. is made （形成某事物的）因素
the ingredients of somebody’s character构成某人性格的种种要素
Trust is a key ingredient in a successful marriage. 信任是成功婚姻的关键要素。
Language Point 10
… her sharp chopping knife, … (Para.4)
Meaning: …her sharp knife for chopping, …
chop: vt. cut something into pieces with strong downward movements of a knife or an axe
She chopped onions to put in the stew. 她把洋葱剁碎放进炖肉里。
chop wood 劈柴
Most of the diseased trees were chopped down last year. 大多数的病树在去年给砍倒了。
Language Point 11
…I was afraid the tips of her fingers would become one of the ingredients of the purple vegetable and pork dish. (Para.4)
Meaning: I was afraid that her finger tips would get cut off and became one of the ingredients in the dish.
purple: a. of a reddish-blue color
Language Point 12
I was hoping she would say something first concerning Rich. (Para.5)
Meaning: I was hoping my mother would say something first about Rich (because that could mean she was interested in him).
concerning: prep. with regard to, about
I spoke to him concerning his behavior. 针对他的行为我和他谈了话。
Concerning your letter, I am pleased to inform you that you are to receive the order by the end of this week. 关于你的来信, 我很高兴地通知你, 你将在本周末收到订货。
If you have any information concerning the recent event at the station, please contact the police. 要是你了解任何有关最近车站所发生事情的情况, 请与警方联系。
Language Point 13
I had seen her expression when she opened the door, her forced smile as she surveyed him from head to toe, checking her judgment of him against that already given to her by Auntie Suyuan. (Para.5)
Meaning: When she opened the door I had seen her face with an unnatural smile while she carefully looked at Rich all over his body. By doing so she tried to make sure whether her judgment of Rich was in agreement with what she had learned about Rich from Auntie Suyuan.
forced smile: smile produced unwillingly (thus unnatural) or with difficulty
Notice the use of “forced” in the following sentences:
I thought their laughter was rather forced. 我认为他们的笑相当勉强。
The airplane had to make a forced landing because two of the engines were on fire. 由于有两个引擎着火，飞机只好迫降。
Language Point 14
I had seen her expression when she opened the door, her forced smile as she surveyed him from head to toe, checking her judgment of him against that already given to her by Auntie Suyuan. (Para.5)
from head to toe: over the whole length of one’s body
She was dressed in black from head to toe. 她全身上下都穿着黑衣服。
They looked him over from head to toe. 他们把他从头到脚地打量了一番。
check ... against: (measure or value something) by comparing it with the other thing
We should check the factory’s productivity against the agreed target. 我们应该以既定指标来核实该工厂的生产率。
Our policies have to be checked against one clear test: will they improve the people’s living standard? 评判我们的政策只有一个不容含糊的标准: 即这些政策能否提高人民的生活水平?
Language Point 15
I tried to anticipate what criticisms she would have. (Para.5)
Meaning: I tried to guess what negative opinion she would have of Rich so I could defend him.
anticipate: vt. guess or imagine in advance (what will happen) and take the necessary action in order to be ready
In business, you’ve got to anticipate how your competitors will act. 在生意场上，你必须事先估计到你的竞争对手会如何行动。
He tried to anticipate all my needs. 他设法将我需要的东西预先准备好。
criticism: n. a statement that expresses negative reactions
Criticism never bothers the boss. 批评从不会使这位老板不安。
The criticism that the English do not truly care about their children was often voiced. 经常有人批评英国人并不真正关心他们的孩子。
Language Point 16
… he was also my junior，… (Para.6)
Meaning: …he was also younger than me, ...
junior: n.
1) someone younger
He is three years my junior. 他比我小三岁。
She is my junior by three years. 她比我小三岁。
2) (someone) of low or lower status
a junior officer 低级军官
a junior partner in a law firm 律师事务所中一位地位较低的合伙人
He is junior to me, though he is older. 虽然他年纪比我大, 级别却比我低。
Language Point 17
And unfortunately, he looked much younger with his curly red hair, smooth pale skin, and the splash of orange freckles across his nose. (Para.6)
Meaning: He had curly red hair, smooth pale skin and orange freckles across his nose, which made him look much younger than me, and thus made it difficult for our relationship to be accepted.
curly: a. (of hair) full of curls
curly hair 卷曲的头发
Compare: straight hair 直发
Language Point 18
He was a bit on the short side, compactly built. (Para.6)
Meaning: He was a little too short and had a small, but well-shaped body.
on the … side: rather, a little too …
I like the house but I think the price is a bit on the high side. 我喜欢那房子, 但觉得价格太高了点。
The weather is on the cold side. 天气有点凉。
Those shoes are on the large side. 那双鞋大了一点。
built: If you say that someone is built in a particular way, you are describing the kind of body they have.
He is a huge man, built like an oak tree. 他体格魁梧，身材像一棵橡树。
a well-built man 体格强壮的人
Language Point 19
… dark business suits, ... (Para.6)
Some young men would have dark business suits on formal occasions like going to work. But dressed this way they show no individuality, and thus they are easily forgotten.
Language Point 20
I finally asked, holding my breath. (Para.7)
Meaning: I finally asked anxiously.
hold one’s breath: If you say that someone is holding his breath, you mean that he is waiting anxiously or excitedly for something to happen.
The whole hall held its breath waiting for the announcement of the winner of the first prize. 整个大厅里的人们都屏息等待着宣布一等奖的获得者。
All Europe held its breath to see who would win the election. 全欧洲的人都在急切地等待着选举结果。
Language Point 21
She tossed the garlic in the hot oil which bubbled in a loud, angry sound. (Para.8)
Meaning: She put the garlic in the hot oil which produced bubbles in a violent way.
Note: The writer is suggesting that her mother was not in a peaceful state of mind, as is suggested by the hot oil. In fact, this implied her not approving of their relationship.
bubble:
1) vi. (of a liquid) contain thin balls of air or gas rising to the top or make a sound like this
Is the water bubbling yet? 水烧开了吗？
We could hear the soup beginning to bubble. 我们能听见汤开始冒泡的声音。
2) n.[C] a ball of air
As water begins to boil, bubbles rise ever faster to the surface. 当水开始沸腾时,气泡会更快地升向水面。
Language Point 22
So many spots on his face … (Para.8)
Meaning: There are so many freckles on his face. By saying so, she also expressed her not liking him.
spot: n.
1) [C] small thick or hard raised area, or marks on the skin
She had spots on her face when she was ill. 她生病的时候，脸上出现了斑点。
In this disease spots appear on the legs. 得了这种病, 腿上会出现斑点。
2) [C] a particular place or point
This looks like a nice spot for a picnic. 看来这是个很好的野餐场所。
I’ll show you the exact spot where I fell off my bike. 我会指给你看我从自行车上摔下来的确切地点。
spot: v.
1) mark with spots
material that spots easily 易被弄污的料子
a table spotted with ink 墨迹斑斑的桌子
2) see, notice or recognize something or somebody that is difficult to notice or that one is looking for
If you spot any mistakes in the article, just mark them with a pencil. 如果你在文章里发现了什么错误，就用铅笔把它们标出来。
They were spotted by the police as they were entering the bank. 他们进入银行时就被警察发现了。
Language Point 23
I could feel the goose bumps rise on my back. (Para.9)
Meaning: I was so disappointed (when she mentioned the freckles) that I could feel the tiny lumps or thick or hard raised areas on my back.
goose bumps: a condition in which the skin is temporarily raised into little lumps You get goose bumps when you are cold, frightened, or excited, etc.
She would get goose bumps whenever he walked into the room. 每当他走进房间的时候，她就要起一身鸡皮疙瘩。
I’m goose bumps all over when I see a snake. 我一见到蛇就浑身起鸡皮疙瘩。
Language Point 24
I felt compelled to defend on his behalf, … (Para.9)
Meaning: I felt I was forced to speak in support of him and say something good for him.
compel: vt. If you feel compelled to do something, you feel that you must do it or you are forced to do it.
I felt morally compelled to help. 我觉得在道义上我应该帮忙。
The rain compelled us to stop our game. 雨迫使我们停止了比赛。
on one’s behalf: in the interests of someone
The legal guardian must act on behalf of the child. 法定监护人必须代表孩子的利益行事。
I thank you for all the trouble you have taken on my behalf. 谢谢你为我费了这么多心。
Language Point 25
… a bit too heatedly as I raised my voice above the noise of the kitchen. (Para.9)
Meaning: … a bit too angrily as I began to speak in a voice louder than the noise in the kitchen.
Language Point 26
… she said innocently. (Para.10)
Meaning: … she said pretending to know nothing about my feeling.
innocently: ad.
1) pretending to be naive or know nothing about a situation
My nodding was the cue for us to begin. But she only smiled back at me innocently. 我点头暗示我们该开始了。可她只是朝我笑了笑，装作不知道。
“Where are you heading?” I asked innocently. “你们上哪儿去?” 我佯装不知地问道。
2) without being guilty, blamelessly
He said he had got this television innocently, not knowing it had been stolen. 他说他是通过合法途径得到这台电视机的, 并不知道它是偷来的。
Language Point 27
… spoke in a Chinese dialect… (Para.12)
Meaning: … spoke Chinese that is not standard…
dialect: n. [C, U] a special form of language which is peculiar to a certain region or social group
Chaozhou dialect 潮州方言
Shanghai dialect 上海话
A rich variety of dialects still exist throughout the country. 全国仍然存在着各种各样的方言。
The novel was written in a northern dialect. 这部小说是以北方方言写成的。
Language Point 28
… you got the chicken pox. (Para.12)
chicken pox: a disease which gives one high temperature and red spots that itch.
Language Point 29
He had brought a bottle of French wine, something he did not know my parents could not appreciate. (Para.14)
Meaning: He had brought a bottle of French wine, but he did not know that my parents did not like it.
Language Point 30
My parents did not even own appropriate glasses for wine. (Para.14)
Meaning: My parents did not even have the right glasses for wine (because they did not like wine and never drank it).
Language Point 31
… he also made the mistake of drinking not one but two frosted glasses full, while everybody else had a half-inch “just for taste”. (Para.14)
Meaning: He drank two full frosted glasses of the wine but everyone else just tried a little for taste. That was quite an inappropriate thing he did.
frosted glass: glass through which you cannot see clearly with frost
Language Point 32
But the worst happened when Rich criticized my mother’s cooking, and he didn’t even have a clue about what he had done. (Para.15)
Meaning: Rich criticized my mother’s cooking, but he did not even realize that he was not supposed to do so. That was the worst thing he did from my point of view.
criticize: vt.
1) point out the mistakes of somebody or something
His policies were severely criticized. 他的政策受到了严厉的批评。
She was criticized by name for her lack of leadership. 她因领导不力而受到了点名批评。
The report strongly criticizes the police for failing to deal with this problem. 报道对警方未能解决这个问题提出了强烈批评。
2) form and express a judgment on (a work of art, literature, etc.)
He taught students how to criticize the films. 他教学生如何进行电影评论。
These artists often meet to discuss things and criticize each other’s work. 这些艺术家常常聚在一起讨论问题并评论彼此的作品。
Language Point 33
... he didn’t even have a clue about what he had done. (Para.15)
clue : n. [C] a fact or idea as a guide or aid in a task or problem
I haven’t a clue what I’ll give Carl for his birthday next year. 我不知道我明年送什么给卡尔作为他的生日礼物。
Police are still looking for clues in their search for the missing girl. 警方仍在寻找线索以便找到失踪的女孩。
I’m never going to guess the answer if you don’t give me a clue. 如果你不给我一点提示的话, 我是绝对猜不到答案的。
Language Point 34
As is the Chinese cook’s custom, my mother always made negative remarks about her own cooking. (Para.15)
Meaning: My mother always said something negative about her own cooking skills (to show her modesty) as most of the Chinese cooks do.
make a remark: say something about ...
Such unkind remarks should not have been made. 这种不客气的话真不该讲。
make a few remarks 说几句话; 作短评
Language Point 35
As is the Chinese cook’s custom, my mother always made negative remarks about her own cooking. (Para.15)
as (is) ...: Here“as”is used as a relative pronoun, introducing a relative clause whose antecedent is not just a noun phrase, but a whole clause, or sentence.
As is common knowledge, she is very popular among her students. 众所周知, 她极受学生欢迎。
In this sentence, “as” refers to (or has as its antecedent) the whole following clause:
“she is very popular among her students”. The as-clause can also be placed at the end of the sentence:
She is very popular among her students, as is common knowledge. 她极受学生欢迎, 这是众所周知的事。
When a sentential relative clause appears at the end of the whole sentence, “as” can be replaced by “which”.
She is very popular among her students, which is common knowledge.
More examples:
As was expected, she has married again. 正如所料, 她又结婚了。
Things then improved, as / which was unexpected. 随后情况有了起色, 这是始料未及的。
Language Point 36
That night she chose to direct it toward her famous steamed pork and preserved vegetable dish, which she always served with special pride. (Para.15)
Meaning: Usually my mother served her famous steamed pork and preserved vegetable dish with special pride (because she thought she was good at these dishes), but that night she decided to make some negative remarks about them to draw the other people’s attention to these dishes.
Language Point 37
This dish not salty enough, no flavor… (Para.16)
Meaning: This dish is not salty enough, so it is not tasty. Please note that this is “broken English” when “is” is omitted. Here the mother wanted to show her politeness in the usual Chinese way.
Language Point 38
It is too bad to eat. (Para.16)
Meaning: This dish is so bad that it is not good for eating. By saying so the mother again wanted to show her politeness in the usual traditional Chinese way.
Notice that in English the structure “too + to + verb” usually contains a negative element, just like the above sentence in the passage. More examples:
It is too cold to go swimming. (= It is so cold that we cannot / should not go swimming.) 天气太冷, 不能去游泳。
It is too good an opportunity to miss. (= It is such a good opportunity that we should not / must not miss.) 这机会太好了, 千万不能错过。
But when the structure has an added “only”, the meaning becomes positive.
Examples:
We were only too pleased to be able to help you. (= We were very pleased to be able to help you.) 能够帮你忙, 真是太高兴了。
I am only too delighted to accept your invitation. (= I am very delighted to accept your invitation.) 我非常愉快接受你的邀请。
Language Point 39
This was our family’s cue to eat some and proclaim it the best she had ever made. (Para.17)
Meaning: We understood this suggested that we might start to eat some and say it was the best my mother had ever made.
cue: n.
1) [C] a signal for someone to do something
The fall in interest rates may be a cue for an increase in consumer spending. 利率下调可能意味着消费的升温。
They started washing up, so that was a cue focus to leave the party. 他们开始洗刷碗碟，这就暗示我们该离开晚会了。
When he turns around, it’s a cue for her to come out of the door. 当他转身时，那便是在暗示她该从门里走出来。
2) [C] example of how to behave, what to do, etc.
Follow her cue, and one day you’ll be a great man. 照她的样子去做, 有一天你会成为一个伟人。
proclaim: vt.
1) make something known publicly
He proclaimed his intention of attending the business meeting, despite their being against it. 他不顾他们的反对,宣布有意出席会议。
A national holiday was proclaimed. 宣布全国放假一天。
2) show or make it clear
His accent proclaimed that he was a North American. 他的口音表明他是北美人。
Apart from the structure “proclaim + noun phrase (or: that-clause)”, this verb can also be used in the structure “proclaim + object + noun phrase”, as is shown by the example in the passage. More examples:
He still proclaims himself a believer in that theory. 他依然声称自己相信那种理论。
The man was proclaimed chairman of the board. 那个男子被宣布为董事会主席。
Language Point 40
But before we could be so diplomatic, Rich said, “You know, all it needs is a little soy sauce.” (Para.17)
Meaning: But before we could say something skillfully to please my mother, Rich said, “You know, if you add a little soy sauce it would be OK.”
diplomatic: a.
1) skillful in or artful in dealing with people
Try to be diplomatic when you refuse her invitation, so as not to cause bad feeling. 谢绝她的邀请时要注意方式, 以免引起不快。
a diplomatic answer 很巧妙的答复
Ask him nicely; be diplomatic. 好好问他, 要注意辞令。
They have to be more diplomatic in public speeches. 他们在公开讲话时必须更加谨慎。
2) of or about the profession, activity, or skill of managing international relations
The two leaders have been involved in lengthy diplomatic discussions. 两位领导人陷入了旷日持久的外交谈判中。
Britain threatened to break off diplomatic relations. 英国威胁说要断绝外交关系。
Language Point 41
“ ... all it needs is a little soy sauce.” (Para.17)
soy sauce: a dark brown liquid made from soy beans and used as a flavoring especially in Chinese cooking, also spelled “soya sauce”
The following sauces are also commonly used:
tomato sauce 番茄酱
apple sauce 苹果酱
Language Point 42
And he proceeded to pour a riverful of the salty black stuff on the china plate, right before my mother’s shocked eyes. (Para.17)
Meaning: After saying that, he poured a lot of soy sauce on the china plate just in front of my mother, which shocked my mother (for she had not expected anyone would do such a thing). Please note that Rich did that because he failed to understand what his girlfriend’s mother had really meant. And the mother and others failed to understand his response. A cultural difference can be seen here. That is, Americans tend to be direct and they usually mean what they say. Also, they tend to understand others according to what they say. Thus a lack of understanding arises in this context.
riverful: n. a great deal of something liquid
stuff: n. things such as matter, a group of things, events, or ideas, or the contents of something in a general way without mentioning the thing itself by name
There’s some white stuff on this plate. 这个盘子上有些白色的东西。
Put that stuff over there. 将那东西放到那儿去。
china: n. a kind of very thin clay from which cups, saucers, plates, and ornaments are made, also referring to cups, saucers, plates and ornaments made of china
china spoons / cups 瓷匙 / 杯
china shop 瓷器店
a set of china 一套瓷器
The best china was only taken out when guests came to dinner. 最好的瓷餐具只在有客人来吃饭时才拿出来。
Language Point 43
And even though I was hopeful throughout the dinner that my mother would somehow see Rich’s kindness, his sense of humor and charm, I knew he had failed miserably in her eyes. (Para.18)
Meaning: And even though I hoped throughout the dinner that my mother would in some way find Rich was kind and had a sense of humor and charm, I knew that my mother would not accept him.
hopeful: a. fairly confident (that something that you want to happen will happen)
I am hopeful that she will come tomorrow. 我相信她明天会来。
I’m hopeful that they’ll fulfill the task on time. 他们会按时完成任务, 对这一点我是抱有希望的。
Please notice that “be hopeful” very often has a that-clause as its complement, just as the above two examples show clearly. Another common complement after “be hopeful” is the prepositional phrase.
He is very hopeful of success. 他对成功充满希望。
Surgeons were hopeful of saving the sight in Sarah’s left eye. 外科医生们对保住萨拉的左眼视力抱有信心。
Language Point 44
... my mother would somehow see Rich’s kindness, his sense of humor and charm, I knew he had failed miserably in her eyes. (Para.18)
somehow: ad.
1) in some way, by some means
We must stop him from seeing her somehow. 我们得设法阻止他看到她。
It won’t be easy, but we’ll get across the river somehow. 这不是件简单的事情，但我们将设法过河去。
2) for a reason that is unknown
Somehow the man had lost his job. 不知怎么的，那男子把工作丢了。
She somehow got lost. 她不知道怎么迷了路。
kindness: n. the quality of being gentle, caring, and helpful
Thank you for all your kindness. 感谢你的好意。
He did it totally out of kindness, not for the money. 他做那件事完全是出于仁慈，而不是为了金钱。
The children never received love or kindness from their parents. 这些孩子从未得到过父母的慈爱或关怀。
When “kindness” refers to a kind act, the noun is countable.
I think it would be a kindness to tell him the bad news straight away. 我认为直截了当告诉他这个坏消息反而好。
miserably: ad. If one fails miserably, he fails disappointingly.
She failed miserably in her latest business. 她在最近的一次生意中失败得很惨。
Language Point 45
… he said modestly, “Well, I think we hit it off A-OK.” (Para.19)
Meaning: … he said without showing any pride, “Well, I think we got along very well.”
modestly: ad.
1) not showing too high an opinion of one’s abilities, qualities, etc.
“I’d never have won the prize without the help of my two assistants,” she said modestly. “如果没有我的两名助手的帮助, 我决不可能获得这个奖。” 她谦逊地说道。
2) not too highly
At just $9, the radio is modestly priced. 仅9 美元, 这收音机定价适中。
Language Point 46
... I think we hit it off A-OK.” (Para.19)
hit it off: enjoy good relations or get along very well
Fortunately Jones and his new employer hit it off from the very beginning. 幸好琼斯和他的新老板从一开始就相处得很好。
He and I hit it off well with each other. 我和他相处得很好。
A-OK: (colloq.) satisfactorily, very well, perfectly
