Lay It on the Line——實話實說

** put money or something at risk // speak firmly, frankly, plainly or categorically

~~冒風險 // 實話實說；坦白地說；直截了當地說；攤開來說；坦率地說；一五一十地說

~~ put it on the line / take a chance; take a risk; go out on a limb; stick one's neck out; throw caution to the wind; roll the dice; play with fire; take shot in the dark; draw straws // call a spade a spade; tell it like it is; not mince one's words; pull no punches; be candid; be up-front; be straightforward

!! Beginning in 1929, the phrase meant putting down money or handing over money on the physical line of a craps table where gamblers place their chips in making a bet. In about 1944, it started to mean speaking one's mind plainly or categorically. In the 1960s, “laying something on the line” meant to put that something at risk without the gambling connotation.

從一九二九年開始，這個短語的意思是賭徒把錢放在擲骰子的賭桌下注。大約在一九四四年，它開始意味着坦率地或明確地表達自己的想法。在一九六○年代，“把東西放在線上”意味着將某物品置於危險中，但沒有賭博的含義。

>> Our chief executive laid on the line over \$300k investing in a start-up, trusting that the start-up’s leadership were presenting their case honestly.

我們的執行長冒險向一家新創企業投資了超過三十萬元，他相信這家企業的領導層誠實地陳述了他們公司的情況。

>> Jason's father laid it on the line that he'd better finish the term paper by 5p.m. or he won't see the soccer game.

傑森的父親實話實說要他最好在下午五點前完成學期論文，不然他就不能看足球比賽了。

學勤進修教育中心英語專科導師 李啟文 教授