Roadkill
Significado: An animal that has been hit and killed by a vehicle on the road.
Roadkill is a common sight on American highways, especially in rural areas with deer, raccoons, possums, and armadillos. Figuratively, 'roadkill' describes anyone or anything that's been completely defeated or destroyed — a politician who lost badly, a company that got crushed by competition, or someone who looks exhausted.
Ejemplos
- Watch out for deer on this road — there's roadkill every few miles. 这条路上小心鹿——每隔几英里就有被碾的动物。Ten cuidado con los ciervos en esta carretera — hay animales atropellados cada pocos kilómetros.この道は鹿に気をつけて——数マイルごとに轢かれた動物がいるから。이 도로에서는 사슴 조심해 — 몇 마일마다 로드킬이 있어.
- After that debate, his campaign is roadkill. 那场辩论之后,他的竞选活动彻底完蛋了。Después de ese debate, su campaña está muerta y enterrada.あの討論会の後、彼の選挙運動は完全に潰れた。그 토론 이후 그의 선거운동은 완전히 끝장났어.
- I feel like roadkill after pulling an all-nighter. 通宵之后我感觉像被车碾过一样。Me siento como un animal atropellado después de pasarme toda la noche en vela.徹夜明けでロードキルみたいな気分だ。밤새 깨어 있었더니 로드킬 같은 기분이야.
Pronunciación
Guía de uso
Contexto: driving, defeat, exhaustion
Tono: blunt, dark humor
✓ Correcto
- There's roadkill on the shoulder — stay in your lane.路肩上有被碾死的动物——保持车道行驶。Hay un animal atropellado en el arcén — mantente en tu carril.路肩にロードキルがある——車線を外れないで。갓길에 로드킬이 있어 — 차선 유지해.
- His political career is roadkill.他的政治生涯彻底完蛋了。Su carrera política está muerta y enterrada.彼の政治生命は終わった。그의 정치 경력은 끝장이야.
✗ Incorrecto
- Don't joke about roadkill to animal lovers — it's genuinely upsetting to some people不要在爱护动物的人面前拿路毙动物开玩笑——这对某些人来说确实很令人难过No bromees sobre animales atropellados con amantes de los animales — a algunas personas les resulta realmente perturbador動物好きの人の前でロードキルをネタにしないこと——本当に心を痛める人もいる동물을 사랑하는 사람들 앞에서 로드킬을 농담 소재로 삼지 않는다 — 진심으로 마음 아파하는 사람들이 있다
Origen e historia
American English from the mid-20th century, as highway expansion brought more vehicles into contact with wildlife. The compound word became standard as roadkill became a ubiquitous feature of American roads.
Contexto cultural
Era: Mid-20th century
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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