put a gag on (prevent somebody from speaking) 堵住口
【讲解】
gag是塞在口里不让说话的大手帕一类的东西,而动词put在此表示的就是常用的意义“放”,所以该短语的宇面意思就是“把大手帕之类的东西放在……”,换句话说,就是“堵住口,不让人说话”。不过这个词语多半是作比喻,不一定是真的拿东西塞住某人的口。
【对话】
A:I have promised her to keep it a secret. I won't tell you.
A:我已经答应她要保守秘密的,我不会告诉你的。
B:Why? I promise you I won't tell anyone else.
B:怎么啦?我保证不会告诉任何人的。
A:No, I don't trust you. I know you very well. You couldn't keep it a secret unless I put a gag on you.
A:不,我不相信你,我非常了解你,除非我能塞住你的嘴,否则不能让你保守秘密。