That was a story that surely was near and dear to the hearts of Many ancient Israelites and Ancient Near Eastern listeners, so all the elements are there for the retelling of that story.

这个故事必然对一些人来说亲近又珍贵,对那些古代以色列和近东的听众，那就具备了复述故事的一切要素。

耶鲁公开课 - 旧约导论课程节选

A subject that's near and dear to my heart. Being an English teacher, it is my worst nightmare.

这个问题真的与我息息相关。作为一名英语老师，它就是我的噩梦。

对于抄袭的想法 - SpeakingMax英语口语达人

She can't get in to heaven anyway. So she says: "Dear Mary: I am a bastard and a bastard shall not enter the kingdom of heaven as we all know. But I have this personality that makes boys follow me.

反正她是怎样也升不进天堂的，所以，她写道，亲爱的玛丽：,我是一个私生子，我不能进入天堂,众所周知，但我拥有吸引男孩的独特个性。

耶鲁公开课 - 1945年后的美国小说课程节选

You need to make a decision, dear.

亲爱的，你得快点决定了。

I need 课堂 - SpeakingMax英语口语达人