flirt with sth 与 被困扰/笼罩在阴影下

我们都知道 flirt with someone 是与某人调情的意思吧，但是 flirt with something？用在行为和抽象的东西上是什么意思呢？和二次元调情吗？从调情这种轻佻之事来看，对客观之物用主观之意图去“调戏”之，肯定不会是很认真深刻的想法，后果也显然不会太好。于是这里就会有两种涵义。

当 flirt with 后面是一种行为或一种想法，即一个动名词 doing sth或者 the idea of doing sth 时，这表示的都是一个意思，就是在考虑 doing sth. 但是为什么用flirt来说呢？因为只是想想而已，不是很热切，很认真，就像轻佻地在脑海中“调戏”一下的感觉。英文的解释是 To consider something, especially briefly or without earnestness, and not too seriously ; To toy with an idea. 

He has flirted with running for president for many years, but has yet to pursue it.

当 flirt with 后面是抽象的某种后果，往往说的都是些不好的东西。轻佻地对待世事当然不会有好果子吃。英文的解释是 To come very close to some outcome or result, often a very bad one. To intentionally take risks and put yourself in danger or difficulties.

Like a lot of young men, he flirts with danger. 

Playing with fire is literally flirting with burn.

中文里我们常说被某些危险或威胁的阴影笼罩着，或者说被令人不快和烦恼的事情困扰着，如影随形，挥之不去，好似脑袋顶上悬着把利剑和铡刀，而且还越来越近了。比如面试，考试，交作业，交总结，交房租，交公粮之类的。与其用什么trouble, bug, under the shadow, 有一个习语更有意思些，hang over one's head. 英文的解释是这样的：To be a danger or threat to someone, (for something unpleasant) to worry someone, threaten or to be imminent.

Death hangs over a bullfighter's head every time he performs.

I have a horrible exam hanging over my head.

A stiff fine is hanging over his head.