短语中的 jam 在此处是名词,并非“果酱”,而是引申为“棘手的处境、麻烦事”(类似汉语里“掉进坑里”的比喻)。
该短语是主动式动词短语,结构通常为:
其中:
主语可以是人(最常见)、公司/组织甚至事物;
后面常接 because of/for/when 等引导的状语,说明“陷入困境的原因”;
时态可根据场景调整(过去式 got into a jam、现在进行时 is getting into a jam 等)。
通过不同场景的例子理解用法:
1、 生活场景:
I got into a jam this morning because I missed the bus and was late for the interview.
(我今早遇到麻烦了——错过了公交车,面试迟到了。)
We'll get into a jam if we run out of gas in the middle of the desert.
(如果在沙漠中央没油了,我们会陷入困境。)
2、 工作/学习场景:
He got into a jam at work when he accidentally deleted the company's important files.
(他工作中遇到麻烦了——不小心删除了公司的重要文件。)
She got into a jam with her teacher because she forgot to hand in the essay.
(她和老师之间有麻烦了——忘了交论文。)
3、 事物/组织场景:
The restaurant got into a jam after health inspectors found rat droppings in the kitchen.
(这家餐厅陷入困境——卫生检查员在厨房发现了老鼠屎。)
Our project is getting into a jam because the main sponsor pulled out.
(我们的项目遇到麻烦了——主要赞助商撤资了。)
be in a jam(状态:“处于困境中”,强调当前状态):I'm in a jam—can you lend me some money?(我有麻烦了——能借我点钱吗?)
get into trouble(更通用:“惹麻烦”):Don't get into trouble at school.(别在学校惹麻烦。)
be in a pickle(更口语、俏皮:“陷入窘境”):We're in a pickle—our flight is canceled and there are no hotels left.(我们惨了——航班取消了,酒店也没了。)
该短语是非正式口语,适合日常对话;若需正式场合表达“遇到困难”,可替换为:
encounter difficulties / face a problem / run into trouble 等。
总结:"get into a jam" 是形容“意外陷入棘手状况”的口语表达,记住它的核心是“突发麻烦”,用在日常对话中非常自然!