scarce

「scarce」是「缺乏的」，也因此「稀有珍貴」，例如：

In some places, maps are scarce and are often crudely produced.（有些地方很少有地圖，而且通常繪製得相當粗糙。）

When a thing is scarce, it is precious.（物以稀為貴。）

Rain is very scarce, but the canals supply ample water for cultivation and all other purposes.（雨水非常稀少，但運河提供充足的水耕種與其他用途。）

jerk

「jerk」是「猛然的動作」，例如：

He felt his head jerk reflexively.（他感到他的頭反射性地動了一下。）

The knee-jerk is a typical respondent.（膝反射是一種典型反射動作。）

Try not to jerk the camera when taking a photograph.（拍照時手不要晃會拍得比較好。）

tug-of-war

「tug-of-war」是「拔河」，也解釋為「激烈的競爭」，例如：

When greek meets greek, then comes the tug-of-war.（兩強狹路相逢，必有一鬥。）

And there’s a wonderful tug-of-war that I love in a romance movie.（我很喜歡在浪漫愛情片中這種戲劇化的衝突橋段。）

They played a mental tug-of-war he had no knowledge how to win.（他們這場腦力拔河，他不知道該如何取勝。）

Cleaning Your Room 對話……

Dorm Superintendent：Did you clean your room today?

Student：No, not yet.

Dorm Superintendent：When were you planning on doing that?

Student：I have to finish my homework first.

Dorm Superintendent：Don’t put off until tomorrow what can be done today.

Student：I’m going to clean it.

Dorm Superintendent：You should vacuum the room, and don’t forget to dust everything.

Student：I know. I’ll do it.

Dorm Superintendent：Make sure you clean it up before you do anything else.

Student：I’m not going anywhere until I clean it.

清理房間

舍監：你今天清理房間了嗎？

學生：還沒有。

舍監：你打算什麼時候要清？

學生：我得先做功課。

舍監：今日事，今日畢。

學生：我會清理的。

舍監：整個房間都要吸塵，而且別忘了撣灰塵。

學生：知道了，我會做的。

舍監：要確定你先清房間，再做別的事情。

學生：我清理乾淨之前哪兒也不去。