English Expression 1. as easy as
pie means "very easy"
(same as "a piece of cake") Example: He said it is a
difficult problem, but I don't agree. It seems as easy as pie
to me!
English Expression 2. be sick and tired
of means "I hate" (also
"can't stand") Example: I'm sick
and tired of doing nothing but work. Let's go out tonight and have fun.
English Expression 3. bend over backwards means "try very hard" (maybe too much!) Example: He bent over backwards to please his new wife, but she never seemed satisfied.
English Expression 4. bite off more than one can chew means "take responsibility for more than one can manage" Example: John is so far behind in his studies. Besides classes, he plays sports and works at a part-time job. It seems he has bitten off more than he can chew.
English Expression 5. broke means "to have no money" Example: I have to borrow some money from my Dad. Right now, I'm broke.
English Expression 6. change one's mind means "decide to do something different from what had been decided earlier" Example: I was planning to work late tonight, but I changed my mind. I'll do extra work on the weekend instead.
English Expression 7. Cut it out! means "stop doing something bad" Example: That noise is really annoying. Cut it out!
English Expression 8. drop someone a line means "send a letter or email to someone" Example: It was good to meet you and I hope we can see each other again. Drop me a line when you have time.
English Expression 9. figure something out means "come to understand a problem" Example: I don't understand how to do this problem. Take a look at it. Maybe you can figure it out.
English Expression 10. fill in for
someone means "do their work
while they are away" Example: While I was away
from the store, my brother filled in for me.
English Expression 11. in
ages means "for a very long
time" Example: Have you seen Joe recently? I haven't seen him in
ages.
English Expression 12. give someone a
hand means "help"
Example: I want to move this desk to the next room. Can you give
me a hand?
English Expression 13. hit the
hay means "go to bed"
(also "hit the sack") Example: It's after 12
o'clock. I think it's time to hit the hay.
English Expression 14. in the
black means "the business is
making money, it is profitable" Example: Our business is
really improving. We've been in the black all year.
English Expression 15. in the
red means "the business is
losing money, it is unprofitable" Example: Business is
really going poorly these days. We've been in the red for the
past three months.
English Expression 16. in the nick of
time means "not too late,
but very close!" Example: I got to the
drugstore just in the nick of time. It's a good thing, because
I really need this medicine!
English Expression 17. keep one's chin
up means "remain brave
and keep on trying" Example: I know things
have been difficult for you recently, but keep your chin up. It
will get better soon.
English Expression 18. know something like the back of your
hand means "know
something very, very well"
Example: If you get lost, just
ask me for directions. I know this part of town like the back of my
hand
English Expression 19. once in a
while means "sometimes, not
very often" Example: Have you been to
the new movie theater? No, only see movies once in a while. I
usually stay home and watch TV.
English Expression 20.
sharp means "exactly at a
that time" Example: I'll meet you at
9 o'clock sharp. If you're late, we'll be in trouble!
English Expression 21. sleep on
it means "think about
something before making a decision" Example: That sounds like
a good deal, but I'd like to sleep on it before I give you my
final decision.
English Expression 22. take it
easy means "relax"
Example: I don't have any special plans for the summer. I think I'll just
take it easy.
English Expression 23. to get the ball
rolling means "start
something, especially something big" Example: We need to get
this project started as soon as possible. I'm hoping you will help me
get the ball rolling.
English Expression 24. up to the
minute means "the most recent
information" Example: I wish I knew
more about what is happening in the capital city. We need more up to the
minute news.
English Expression 25.
twenty-four/seven means
"every minute of every day, all the time" Example: You can access
our web site 24/7. It's very convenient!
26. all of a sudden
means "unexpectedly", used to describe something that happens very quickly
Example: He had just gone to bed when all of a sudden the phone rang.
27. be all ears means "eager and ready to listen"
Example: Go ahead and speak. I'm all ears!
28. be fed up with means "to hate something now, even though I may have liked it before"
Example: I'm fed up with my job! I think I should start looking for a new one.
29. to bug means "to bother someone". (American English)
Example: Hey, stop tapping your fingers. It's really bugging me!
30. a cinch means something that is very easy to do
Example: I didn't think I could run five kilometers, but with the right preparation, it was a cinch.
31. cost an arm and a leg means "very expensive"
Example: I'd really like a new car, but they all cost an arm and a leg.
32. to cram means "to study hard a few days before a test"
Example: If you had studied hard for the past four months, you wouldn't have to cram so much this weekend.
33. fresh out of something means "to have no more of something"
Example: I have to go buy some more milk. It seems we're fresh out now.
34. to get it (often negative) means "to understand"
Example: What did the teacher say? I didn't get it. Did you?
35. got a minute? means "Do you have time right now?"
Example: Hey, Joe, got a minute? I have something to show you.
36. give someone a hand means "help someone"
Example: Could you give me a hand moving this table? It's quite heavy.
37. grab a bite to eat means "quickly go get something to eat"
Example: I'm going to go grab a bite. I'll be back in a few minutes.
38. drive someone up a wall (or "drive someone crazy") means "to make someone very angry"
Example: My neighbor practices the piano every night, but he's terrible. It's driving me up the wall!
39. to hang on means "to wait"
Example: Hang on a few minutes. I have to make a phone call and then I'll be able to join you for lunch.
40. hard headed means "stubborn" or "unwilling to change an opinion or idea
Example: I can't work with Joe any more. He's so hard headed!
41. have a change of heart means "change a previous decision"
Example: I thought I would change jobs, but now that my boss is treating me with more respect, I've had a change of heart.
42. have mixed feelings about something means "to be uncertain"
Example: I have mixed feelings about Joe. He's a very good teacher, but he has a very strange sense of humor!
43. head out for means "to start on a long trip" (but it could be within a big city)
Example: We're heading out for the countryside to pick some apples. Would you like to join us?
44. How come? means "Why?"
Example: How come we don't go to the movies any more? I guess we're too busy to enjoy ourselves these days.
45. keep in touch (or "stay in touch") means "do not stop communicating - send letters or call sometimes"
Example: Don't forget to keep in touch. I want to know how you're doing while you're away.
46. be kidding means "to joke or tease someone in a playful way"
Example: No, I don't really have three wives - I was just kidding!
47. look down on means "think somone or something is not good enough"
Example: We shouldn't look down on people just because they don't have as much money as we do.
48. make ends meet (often used negatively) means "to have enough money to buy everything we need"
Example: Even though I make more money than last year, we just can't seem to make ends meet.
49. miss the boat means "to miss an opportunity"
Example: The sale ends today at noon. If we don't hurry, we're going to miss the boat!
50. next to nothing means "to cost very little"
Example: I went to the new discount store and bought these new shoes for only five dollars. That's next to nothing!
51. No sweat!
字面是「不用出汗！」實際表示很容易做到 ( it means that you can do something easily )。
字面是「不用出汗！」實際表示很容易做到 ( it means that you can do something easily )。
例句 ── John: Do you think you'll be
able to finish the project on schedule?
Mary: Yeah, no sweat!
52.Take it easy.
有兩個意思：
( 1 ) 美式的用語，表示再見 ( good-bye and be careful )。
例句 ── John: Bye-bye.
( 1 ) 美式的用語，表示再見 ( good-bye and be careful )。
例句 ── John: Bye-bye.
Mary: See you, John. Take it easy.
John: Bye, Mary. See you soon.
( 2 )
放輕鬆點，不要緊張 ( calm down, relax, do not
get excited )。
例句 ── John: I am so mad!
Mary: Take it easy. What's wrong? / Just take it easy. It can't be
all that bad.
53. Thank goodness.
意思是「太好了！」
例句 ── John: I am pleased that you
give me a hand. Thank goodness!
Mary: Not at all. It's my pleasure.
另一個類似的說法是‘Thank God.’要感謝主，也是表示事情太好了！
例句 ── •Thank God. I have got my dream job!
例句 ── •Thank God. I have got my dream job!
54. Hell on earth
人間地獄？意思是「像地獄一樣」。( A very unpleasant situation,
as if one were in hell. )
例句 ── John: My
boss has made my life hell on earth!
Mary: Oh dear. What has he done?
John: He just picked on everything I did ( 凡事都針對我 )
Mary: Oh dear. What has he done?
John: He just picked on everything I did ( 凡事都針對我 )
55. Run up against somebody / something
意思是「很難應付的人╱事情」( to experience difficulty
with someone or something )
例句 ──
•Sometimes
you run up against a colleague who just doesn't want you to succeed.
•I ran up against some regulations that were incredibly stupid ( 難以置信的愚蠢 ).
•I ran up against some regulations that were incredibly stupid ( 難以置信的愚蠢 ).
56. Say what?
意思是‘What did you say?’或‘Please repeat what you said.’的口頭說法。 例句 ── John: Would you like some more salad?
意思是‘What did you say?’或‘Please repeat what you said.’的口頭說法。 例句 ── John: Would you like some more salad?
Mary: Say what?
John: Salad. Would you like some more salad?
Mary: No, thanks.
57.Doors open up
「門是打開的」表示‘opportunities become available to someone’例句 ──
「門是打開的」表示‘opportunities become available to someone’例句 ──
•After John made a few inquiries, doors began to open
up.
•After Mary got one interview, all sorts of doors opened up.
•After Mary got one interview, all sorts of doors opened up.
58. The die is cast.
「骰子 ( die ) 已擲 ( is cast ) 」表示結果已定，無法更改 。( Something that you say when a decision has been made or something has happened which will cause a situation to develop in a particular way.)例句 ──
「骰子 ( die ) 已擲 ( is cast ) 」表示結果已定，無法更改 。( Something that you say when a decision has been made or something has happened which will cause a situation to develop in a particular way.)例句 ──
•When the
interviewer first saw John, the die was cast. He was hired.
•From the moment the first shot was fired ( 開第一槍之後 ), the die was cast and war became inevitable.
•From the moment the first shot was fired ( 開第一槍之後 ), the die was cast and war became inevitable.
59, From the old school
「來自守舊派」，表示思想或態度已過時。( Holding attitudes or ideas that were popular and important in the past, but which are no longer considered relevant or in line with modern trends.)例句 ──
•His boss is from the old school and never accepts his suggestion.
•Mary is from the old school. She never goes out without wearing a hat and gloves.
「來自守舊派」，表示思想或態度已過時。( Holding attitudes or ideas that were popular and important in the past, but which are no longer considered relevant or in line with modern trends.)例句 ──
•His boss is from the old school and never accepts his suggestion.
•Mary is from the old school. She never goes out without wearing a hat and gloves.
60.The tip of the iceberg
「冰山一角」指‘a small part of a problem or a difficult situation which is really much larger than it seems’。 例句 ──
•What you saw up to now was just the tip of the iceberg.
•The difficulties we have discussed are only the tip of the iceberg.
「冰山一角」指‘a small part of a problem or a difficult situation which is really much larger than it seems’。 例句 ──
•What you saw up to now was just the tip of the iceberg.
•The difficulties we have discussed are only the tip of the iceberg.
61. Monkey business / funny
business
「猴子的玩意」，即是胡鬧、耍花招及惡作劇等 ( silliness, dishonest tricks )。
例句 ──
•That is enough monkey business. Please settle down.
•Stop the funny business. This is serious!
「猴子的玩意」，即是胡鬧、耍花招及惡作劇等 ( silliness, dishonest tricks )。
例句 ──
•That is enough monkey business. Please settle down.
•Stop the funny business. This is serious!
62.Have time to kill
「有時間浪費，可消磨時間」( have extra time, have a period of time with nothing to do )。
例句 ──
•Whenever you have some time to kill, call me up and we'll chat.
•She was shopping all day to kill time.
「有時間浪費，可消磨時間」( have extra time, have a period of time with nothing to do )。
例句 ──
•Whenever you have some time to kill, call me up and we'll chat.
•She was shopping all day to kill time.
63. Do yourself a favour 「對自己好點，幫一下自己。 」( Something you say when you
are advising someone to do something which will have a good effect or will give
them an advantage. )例句 ──
•You're looking really tired. Why don't you do yourself a favour and take a break?
•You're looking really tired. Why don't you do yourself a favour and take a break?
64.May I be excused?
這句話常常用得著。表示「我可以走開一回嗎？」( May I leave this place, please?) 例句 ──
•The student raised her hand and said,‘Teacher, may I be excused? Nature calls.’( 我可以去洗手間嗎? )
這句話常常用得著。表示「我可以走開一回嗎？」( May I leave this place, please?) 例句 ──
•The student raised her hand and said,‘Teacher, may I be excused? Nature calls.’( 我可以去洗手間嗎? )
65.
hit the road ( 出發
)
‘We'll hit the road as soon as the driver arrives.’( 當司機到達時，我們就出發了。)
‘We'll hit the road as soon as the driver arrives.’( 當司機到達時，我們就出發了。)
66. off track ( 走錯了路 )
‘Don't go off track. There are some dangerous areas in this district.’( 不要亂走，這區有些地方不太安全。)
‘Don't go off track. There are some dangerous areas in this district.’( 不要亂走，這區有些地方不太安全。)
67. watch your back ( 小心，注意周圍的人。)
‘Keep your wallet in a safe place and watch your back on the subway / underground.’( 在地鐵裏，請小心保管你的銀包，並注意周圍的人。)
‘Keep your wallet in a safe place and watch your back on the subway / underground.’( 在地鐵裏，請小心保管你的銀包，並注意周圍的人。)
68. all it a day ( 結束一天的行程 )
‘You all look tired. Let's call it a day.’( 大家都累了，就這樣結束今天的行程吧。)
‘You all look tired. Let's call it a day.’( 大家都累了，就這樣結束今天的行程吧。)
69. get a move on ( 快點
)
‘We'll need to get a move on if we want to catch the four o'clock bus.’( 如果想乘4點的巴士，我們要快點了。)
‘We'll need to get a move on if we want to catch the four o'clock bus.’( 如果想乘4點的巴士，我們要快點了。)
70. a full plate / a full schedule ( 行程滿了，沒有空檔。)
‘We will have a full plate tomorrow, so get a good rest tonight.’( 我們明天將會有一整天的行程，所以今天晚上要好好休息。)
71. bright and early ( 一大早 )
‘We'll need to leave bright and early tomorrow to catch the first train.’( 為了乘搭頭班的火車，我們明天一大早就要離開。)
‘We will have a full plate tomorrow, so get a good rest tonight.’( 我們明天將會有一整天的行程，所以今天晚上要好好休息。)
71. bright and early ( 一大早 )
‘We'll need to leave bright and early tomorrow to catch the first train.’( 為了乘搭頭班的火車，我們明天一大早就要離開。)
72. hang on / hang tight ( 耐心的等候一回
)
‘Please hang tight until the driver returns.’( 請耐心等候司機回來。)
‘Please hang on. The museum will be opening in a few minutes.’( 請耐心等候，博物館幾分鐘後就開門。)
‘Please hang tight until the driver returns.’( 請耐心等候司機回來。)
‘Please hang on. The museum will be opening in a few minutes.’( 請耐心等候，博物館幾分鐘後就開門。)
73. If worse comes to worst / If all else fails (
如果最壞的情況發生的話
)
‘If worse comes to worst, call the police.’
‘If worse comes to worst, call the police.’
74.That went over my head ( 我不明白
)
‘Sorry. That went over my head. Can you say that again, please?’
‘Sorry. That went over my head. Can you say that again, please?’
表達開心興奮 ( absolutely delighted
)
75.‧over the moon 意指：像在月球 上，表示非常雀躍。
例句：He was over the moon when he heard the news of his promotion.
76‧thrilled to bits 意指：非常興奮
例句：She was thrilled to bits with her new gift.
77‧in seventh heaven / in heaven 意指：天堂是 極樂之地，還要是七重天，當然是極之興奮。
例句：He was in seventh heaven when he learned he had won the lottery.
78‧on cloud nine 意指：在九霄雲上，極樂心境、狂喜狀態，有飄然的感覺。
例 句：When I got the job, I was on cloud nine for several weeks.
79‧jump for joy 意指：高興得跳起來
例句：He jumped for joy when he won the contract.
表 達傷心 ( feeling sad )
80‧down in the dumps 意指：憂鬱
例句：After he was fired, he was down in the dumps for a couple of weeks.
81‧feel blue 意指：藍色代表憂鬱，是不開心的意思。
例句：She felt a little blue when she lost the tender.
82‧sick as a parrot 意指：病了的鸚鵡，當然是憂愁了。
例句：He was as sick as a parrot when he realised he had thrown away his lottery ticket.
表達非常憤怒 ( very angry )
83‧see red 意指：火紅火綠，是非常憤 怒。
例句：Don't talk to him about his boss - it just makes him see red.
84‧hopping mad 意指：‘Hop’是單腳跳的意思，加上‘mad’是暴跳了。
例句：She was hopping mad when she found out her subordinate had betrayed ( 出賣 ) her.
85‧in a black mood 意指：黑色的情緒是很憤怒
例句：Be careful what you say - she is in a black mood today.
表達憤怒 ( less angry )
75.‧over the moon 意指：像在月球 上，表示非常雀躍。
例句：He was over the moon when he heard the news of his promotion.
76‧thrilled to bits 意指：非常興奮
例句：She was thrilled to bits with her new gift.
77‧in seventh heaven / in heaven 意指：天堂是 極樂之地，還要是七重天，當然是極之興奮。
例句：He was in seventh heaven when he learned he had won the lottery.
78‧on cloud nine 意指：在九霄雲上，極樂心境、狂喜狀態，有飄然的感覺。
例 句：When I got the job, I was on cloud nine for several weeks.
79‧jump for joy 意指：高興得跳起來
例句：He jumped for joy when he won the contract.
表 達傷心 ( feeling sad )
80‧down in the dumps 意指：憂鬱
例句：After he was fired, he was down in the dumps for a couple of weeks.
81‧feel blue 意指：藍色代表憂鬱，是不開心的意思。
例句：She felt a little blue when she lost the tender.
82‧sick as a parrot 意指：病了的鸚鵡，當然是憂愁了。
例句：He was as sick as a parrot when he realised he had thrown away his lottery ticket.
表達非常憤怒 ( very angry )
83‧see red 意指：火紅火綠，是非常憤 怒。
例句：Don't talk to him about his boss - it just makes him see red.
84‧hopping mad 意指：‘Hop’是單腳跳的意思，加上‘mad’是暴跳了。
例句：She was hopping mad when she found out her subordinate had betrayed ( 出賣 ) her.
85‧in a black mood 意指：黑色的情緒是很憤怒
例句：Be careful what you say - she is in a black mood today.
表達憤怒 ( less angry )
86‧cheesed off 意指： 厭煩及惱怒
例句：I was really cheesed off when I lost the game.
87‧rub someone up the wrong way 意指：錯誤的磨擦，表示在爭吵。
例句：Those two are always arguing. They just seem to rub each other up the wrong way.
表示 無能為力
88‧at the end of your tether 意指：力所不及、力有不遞。
例句：I just can't cope. I am at the end of my tether with all these bills and debts.
89‧at your wits' end 意指：到了智慧的盡頭，無能為力了。
例句：He is at his wits' end. He has tried everything to solve
例句：I was really cheesed off when I lost the game.
87‧rub someone up the wrong way 意指：錯誤的磨擦，表示在爭吵。
例句：Those two are always arguing. They just seem to rub each other up the wrong way.
表示 無能為力
88‧at the end of your tether 意指：力所不及、力有不遞。
例句：I just can't cope. I am at the end of my tether with all these bills and debts.
89‧at your wits' end 意指：到了智慧的盡頭，無能為力了。
例句：He is at his wits' end. He has tried everything to solve
the problem, but nothing has worked.
有關天氣的諺語 ( weather-related idioms )
90‧a face like thunder 意指：像行雷，表示非常憤怒。
例句：What's up with him today? He has a face like thunder!
91‧a fair-weather friend 意指：不是風雨同路，只是泛泛 之交。
例句：I am a bit disappointed in John and David. It turned
out they were only fair-weather friends.
92‧a storm in a teacup 意指：茶杯裡的風 波，小事而已。
例句：Don't worry about that issue. It is just a storm in a teacup.
93‧be a breeze 意指：微風或和風，意思是輕鬆。
例句：The exam was a breeze. He just breezed through it.
94‧blow hot and cold 意指：忽而吹冷 風、忽而吹熱風，表示經常改變態度。
例句：My boss is blowing hot and cold over this issue. It is impossible to know what he wants.
95‧see which way the wind blow s 意指：看看吹甚麼風，首先看清情況才作出行動。
例句：She will see which way the wind blows before asking
her boss about a pay raise.
96‧the lull before the storm 意指：暴風雨之前的平靜
例句：It is going to get very busy next week. Today is just the lull before the storm.
97‧save up for a rainy day 意 指：未雨綢繆
例句：I don't want to spend this extra money. I will save it up for a rainy day.
98‧under the weather 意指：表示身體不太舒服
例句：I am feeling a bit under the weather at the moment.
99‧weather the storm 意 指：在風暴中生存
例句：This recession is quite serious and it is difficult to weather the storm.
沒有留言:
張貼留言