这个短语的字面解释是“不管什么让你的船浮起来”。这是什么意思呢？请看对话：

    A: It’s Friday. What are we doing tonight, Mary?

    B: We can go to the theater or have a meal in a posh restaurant. Whatever floats your boat.

    A: But what if Peter drops by and asks me out again?

    B: That dude is a ladies’ man, I’ve warned you. But if you still want to go out with him, fine. Whatever floats your boat!

    Note: To float someone’s boat means to “interest or appeal to someone” or “to make someone happy.” For example, “I invited Lily to join us, but horror films don’t float her boat.” Similarly, we can say to “tickle someone’s fancy, turn someone’s crank, be someone’s cup of tea.” The origin is not clear, but it could be the saying “She has a face that could launch a thousand ships,” originally said about Helen of Troy. Therefore, “whatever floats your boat” means “whatever you please.”