Scot-Free——逃脫懲罰

** get away from penalty, punishment or retribution // free of charge

~~逍遙法外；逃脫懲罰；免於受罪；免受傷害；無傷的 // 完全免費；不花錢

~~ without punishment; without penalty; without scathe; off the hook; beat the rap; get away clean; get away with murder // costing nothing; without payment

!! Scot originated in 12th-century England as sceot that meant "money put into a general fund" or a "tax," according to one’s ability to pay, for the purpose of helping the poor. "Scot-free" first meant "tax free,” which often meant illegally.

“Scot”起源於十二世紀的英格蘭，意思是根據一個人的支付能力“將錢投入普通基金”或“稅收”，目的是幫助窮人。“Scot-free”原意是“免稅”，通常意味着非法的。

!! Drinks ordered in taverns were scotched, or marked on a slate, recording how much a drinker owed, the total of which was his scot. "Scot-free" would mean the debt was assumed by another drinker or “on the house.” The present-day scot-free means getting away from some kind of obligation or just penalty for some social offense.

在小酒館裡點的酒都會被記下，或標記在石板上，記錄飲酒者欠了多少錢，總數就是他的“scot”。“Scot-free”意味着該帳由另一個飲酒者承擔或“由酒館免費提供”。現在的“scot-free”意味着逃避某種義務或逃脫某些社會犯罪行為的懲罰。

>> The robbers and burglars can get away scot-free; what virtues does society still have?

強盜和竊賊可以逍遙法外，社會還有哪些美德？

>> Upon appeals to higher courts, Donald’s convictions have been overturned, and he goes scot-free.

在向上級法院上訴後，唐納德的定罪被推翻，他逃脫懲罰了。

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