内容简介
Rob 和 Feifei 去参加了一场同事的婚礼。Feifei 说她希望新郎结婚后能改变他的坏习惯，不过 Rob 说新郎 Tim 是只“豹子”，所以改不了坏习惯 “a leopard can’t change its spots” – 这是什么意思？一听节目你就明白了。
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（关于台词的备注: 请注意这不是广播节目的逐字稿件。本文稿可能没有体现录制、编辑过程中对节目做出的改变。）
Feifei
大家好，我是冯菲菲。欢迎收听BBC英语教学节目《地道英语》。我的搭档是Rob。
Rob
Hello everyone.
Feifei
Hey Rob, did you enjoy Jane and Tim’s wedding yesterday?
Rob
Yes, it was good wasn’t it – especially the party afterwards – all that dancing and drinking.
Feifei
I did notice! I’m really happy for them but I do hope that Jane will help Tim change his bad habits – Tim是个杂乱无章、健忘而且总是迟到的人！
Rob
I don’t think he’ll change – a leopard doesn’t change its spots.
Feifei
豹子不会改变它身上的斑点？I think I know that Rob, but what has a leopard got to do with Tim?
Rob
Quite a lot, Feifei. The phrase – a leopard doesn’t change its spots OR a leopard can’t change its spots – means he won’t change. He will always be the same person and his bad habits are here to stay.
Feifei
Oh I see. 短语 ‘a leopard doesn’t change its spots’ 用来比喻一个人难以改变其固有的坏习惯。这相当于汉语里的“江山易改，本性难移”。So Rob, you are comparing a leopard who can never change its spotty appearance with someone who will never change the way they behave?
Rob
You’ve got it, Feifei. Let’s hear some examples of how people use the phrase.
Examples
I told Karen she had to study more if she wants to pass her exams but a leopard can’t change its spots – she won’t do it.
Freddie promised he wouldn’t get into trouble at school but I don’t believe him – a leopard can’t change its spots.
Feifei
A leopard can’t change its spots – 江山易改，本性难移。So Rob, you don’t think Jane will be able to change Tim?
Rob
No – he’s stubborn – maybe he’s going to have to change Jane – she is very neat and tidy and always turns up on time – maybe he could teach her to relax more – chill out.
Feifei
Hmmm – 让 Tim 教 Jane 学得更放松一些？我觉得不太可能。Rob, could we say a tiger never changes its stripes – 可不可以说老虎身上的条纹不会改变呢？
Rob
Ha, very good Feifei, yes we could say that – and it would mean the same thing – she won’t change. Oh dear, I’m not sure if their marriage is going to last!
Feifei
No…or maybe it will. You know what they say? Opposites attract! 这叫异样相吸，不同性格互补。
Rob
Yes Feifei, you’re right. Bye for now.
Feifei
Bye.