我妹妹的公司最近业绩不佳，于是公司请了个特别有销售经验的经理，希望能靠着这位高人扭转公司的销售状况。让我想到一个习惯用语，那就是: Great white hope.
Great white hope指身负众望的人或事。The new hire at my sister's company is expected to vastly expand sales. He is their great white hope. 大家都觉得我妹妹公司新雇的经理能把销售搞上去。
在下面的例句中，一个政党的主席谈到了代表自己政党参选的理想候选人所具备的素质，咱们来听一听：
"We need a candidate who can appeal to middle-class voters like our opponent. It has to be someone that represents our traditional values, has strong leadership skills and communicates effectively. Every possibility we've looked at lacks what our party requires to win the next election. Where is our GREAT WHITE HOPE?"
这段话是说：我们需要的候选人要能和我们的对手一样，吸引中产阶级选民。他必须代表我们的传统价值观，领导能力强，能有效地与人沟通。所有有可能的人选我们都看了，但是他们缺少赢得下次选举所需要的特质。那个可以让我们赋予厚望的人在哪儿呢?
我最近听说有的IT产品公司要开发一款智能电视，能够直接跟家里的电脑啊，DVD机啊，音响啊什么的连接，只要你一声令下，它就会自动为你播放电脑或DVD机的片子。The concept represents the company's great white hope for the future.这个概念代表了这家公司未来希望的所在。这产品要是真出现了，我一定会买，多方便啊。
刚才我们说到了电子产品业界的新概念，下面的例句中，我们听听在冷饮业有什么好点子。
"With another ice cream shop down the street from mine, I've
Lisa告诉同事Emily新年过后准备辞职，因为她觉得眼下的工作很无聊，没有升职的机会，她还说：
Lisa: The other problem is that I think the company is really set in its ways.
Emily: What do you mean?
L: In other words, I think management is resistant to change. I've given great proposals to my section chief and I've even sent emails with ideas on how to streamline operations to the big boss, but the reaction is always the same.
E: What do they say when you offer suggestions?
L: Usually something like: "We'll take a look and get back to you." But that's the last I'll ever hear from them.
Lisa还觉得公司运作墨守成规，set in one's ways是指生活方式或做事方法一成不变，类似的说法还有stuck in a rut，rut是指车轱辘留下的印儿，to stuck in a rut陷在车轱辘印里，也是墨守成规、一成不变的意思。Lisa说自己向部门经理和公司老板提出过很多好建议，但都没有得到重视。得到的回答一般都是：We'll take a look and get back to you(我们看一下再答复你)，然后就再也没有任何消息了。
E: So, do you have any job prospects lined up?
L: I've been sending out resumes and I've gotten a couple of bites.
E: I see...so you've pretty much made up your mind to quit then?
L: I think so. I'll miss seeing you everyday.
E: I'll miss you, too. Can I make a suggestion?
L: Sure!
E: Don't burn any bridges when you make your move.
L: What do you mean?
Emily问她工作找得怎么样了，Do you have any job prospects lined up? Lisa说自己发了一些简历，已经有一些公司对她表示有兴趣了，I've gotten a couple of bite. bite在这里是上钩的意思，意思是她的简历已经引起了一些公司的兴趣。看起来Lisa去意已定，Emily好心地建议Lisa： Don't burn any bridges. 辞职的时候不要把事做绝，最后给自己留条后路。Emily进一步解释说：
E: I mean, don't tell the boss you hate your job or him. Simply inform them that you plan to resign from your position and do your best to train your replacement. That way, this company can remain a back-up option for you.
L: You make a good point. I'll try to be as professional about this as possible. Thanks Emily! Talking to you makes me feel much better.
E: Sure! Now let's eat!
Emily劝Lisa不要burn any bridges(断了自己的后路)，不用告诉老板对公司有多不满意，而且还要do your best to train your replacement(尽力把交接工作做好)，这里所说的replacement指的是接替Lisa工作的那个人。Emily说，这样的话，现在的公司还能是Lisa的候补选项back-up option. Lisa觉得Emily这番话很有道理，并保证自己在处理这件事的时候，I'll try to be as professional as possible. 这里的professional是专业的意思，as professional as possible意思是尽可能按照职场的惯例去做。
had to find ways to be unique. My plan is to introduce some super premium favors using the finest ingredients. The dark chocolate with bite-sized pieces is my GREAT WHITE HOPE. I believe it will bring in lots of customers."
这段话是说：离我们冰淇淋店不远又开了一家冰淇淋店，所以我必须得出点奇招。我的计划是推出一些用上好原料做的顶级好吃口味。我把希望寄托在黑巧克力口味小块冰淇淋上，相信这款产品一定会吸引来很多顾客。
美国的冰淇淋很好吃，世界知名。在美国人最喜欢的口味中，巧克力排第二名，第一名呢?是香草口味! 不知道这和您的喜好是否一致呢?
