Rob: This is Authentic Real English with me, Rob...

Li: ...and me, Li. Hello. (Sighs) I'm a bit bored today Rob, what shall we do?

Rob: Hmm, how about going to the library?

Li: Boring!

Rob: We could go to the cinema?

Li: Done that. 我想干点什么让我兴奋得事儿。Hey, let's go to the fair? 咱们一块去游乐场吧，我喜欢坐过山车 rides. What fun!

Rob: Oh no, not the fair, those rides make me feel sick. Could I take a rain check on that please?

Li: 嗯，查看一下下不下雨？(Opens window) ...it's OK Rob, it's not raining, we can still go.

Rob: No Li - it's nothing to do with checking the rain - I mean, I don't want to accept your invitation of going to the fair.

Li: Oh, so it's nothing to do with the weather! 原来这个短语的意思是谢绝某人的邀请。So Rob, you never want to go to the fair with me, then?

Rob: Well, I might later. If I take a rain check on something, I won't do it immediately but I would like to do it at another time.

Li: Good. 这个短语的全部含义是现在不想做什么，但是改日或稍后可能去，这样吧我们先来听几个例句，说不定 Rob 会改变主意的。

• If you don't mind, I'll take a rain check on the drinks tonight. Can we make next week?

• Man: I'm going to the cinema tonight, do you fancy joining me?
• Woman: Sorry, I'll have to take a rain check, I already have plans.

• We had to take a rain check on the trip to the beach because we'd already planned to go shopping, but we'll definitely go tomorrow.

Li: So Rob, if you're taking a rain check now, when would you like to go?

Rob: I think it will have to be tomorrow. Look, it really has started to rain now.

Li: Oh no.

Rob: Well, there's still the library… the cinema…

Li: No.

Rob: Oh come on then, get your raincoat, we'll go to the fair.

Li: Oh great! Rob 改变主意了，他接受了我的邀请，一起去游乐场！You won't regret it Rob!

(Later at the fair)

Li: You see, I said you wouldn't regret it. Isn't this rollercoaster great!

Rob:(Feeling sick) Oh… why I didn't I take a rain check on this? Join us again soon for Authentic Real English.

Both: Bye.