The term “gao ya xian” in Chinese means literally a high-voltage line which is connected with the danger of electric shock by contact or proximity. But in daily conversation, it is often used to refer to top prohibitions, rules that one should never break, because it will prove to be as lethal as touching the high-tension wire.
“高壓線”這三個字在字面上指的是高輸壓電線,觸碰或者接近這種高壓線都有被電擊的危險。不過,在日常生活中,“高壓線”經常被用來指代那些絕對不能觸犯的規(guī)章制度,因為一旦觸犯,其后果就可能會像觸碰了高壓線一樣有致命的危險。
For example:
When you are in a new company, the first thing you should do is to determine the top prohibitions there, something you should never touch.
剛到新公司的時候,你首先要做的就是摸清那里的高壓線在哪兒,有些事情是絕對不能碰的。