重点讲解：
1. get the short end of the stick
固定表达，表示“吃亏；受到不公平的待遇”；
eg. I don't like getting the short end of the stick.
我可不愿意受到不公平的待遇。
eg. When the mayor cut our budget almost in half, I felt like we were getting the short end of the stick.
市长削减了我们将近一半的预算，我觉得我们吃亏了。
2. get to do sth.
（最终或逐渐）到达（某阶段）；得以做；有机会做某事；
eg. He's just a pussycat really, once you get to know him.
你了解他以后就会发现他实在和蔼可亲。
eg. I couldn't get to sleep last night; I was too excited.
我昨晚无法入睡，我太兴奋了。
eg. You'll get to like your work.
你慢慢会喜欢你的工作的。
3. search for sth.
搜寻；搜索；搜查；寻求；
eg. The Turkish security forces have started searching for the missing men.
土耳其安全部队已经开始搜寻失踪人员。
eg. They searched for a spot where they could sit on the floor.
他们在地板上寻找一处能够坐下的地方。
eg. Nonetheless there are signs that both sides may be searching for a compromise.
然而，有迹象表明双方可能都在寻求和解。
4. There is no question that...
毫无疑问；
eg. There is no question that he will help us.
毫无疑问，他肯定会帮我们的。
eg. There is no question that we will finish the work with in two days.
我们有把握在两天内完成这项工作。
5. dare to do sth.
敢；有足够的胆量做某事；
eg. Since he was stuck in a lift a year ago he hasn't dared to get back into one.
自从一年前被困在电梯里之后，他就再也没敢乘过电梯。
eg. Most people hate Harry but they don't dare to say so.
大多数人都对哈里敢怒不敢言。
eg. He has also dared to take unpopular, but principled stands at times.
他有时也会大胆坚持不受欢迎、但却有原则性的立场。

背景资料：
第26届MTV音乐录影带大奖（VMA）的开场永远是最值得人回味的时刻，而邀请VMA的获奖常客麦当娜为开场致辞绝对不会令观众失望。麦当娜以一身黑色拉链夹克搭配黑色裙子的装扮走上没有灯光的舞台，做了感人肺腑的发言——向已故流行音乐之王迈克尔·杰克逊致敬。

名人经典：
That consciousness is everything and that all things begin with a thought. That we are responsible for our own fate, we reap what we sow, we get what we give, we pull in what we put out. I know these things for sure.
意识决定一切，一切都源于思想；我们对自己的命运负责；播种了才能收割，给予了才能得到，投入了才能获取——毫无疑问这些道理我明白。