美国习惯用语第2百一十八讲

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美国习惯用语1-20

「美国习惯用语」第一讲give me a handfoot the billblow outlock, stock and barrelhook, line and sinker每一种语言都有它独特的成语和俗语。

而学习外语的人经常在理解这些习惯用语时会感到很困难。

这是因为你不可能从组成某个习惯用语的字面上来懂得它的意思。

比如,美国人经常说:“Give me a hand.”按照字面来理解, “give me hand”就是“给我一只手。

”可是,它的意思却是“帮我一下忙。

”另外一个例子是: “Foot the bill.”“Foot”的意思是“一只脚”,而“bill”在这儿的解释是“账单”。

“Foot the bill.”并不是把帐单踩在脚底下,而是付账的意思。

另外,有的时候,一个词汇有好几种解释。

就拿下面一句话来作例子吧:例句-1：“We arrived two hours late at the big blow-out for Charle‟s birthday because our car had a blow-out.”这句话里第一个blow-out是指规模很大的聚会,第二个blow-out是指汽车的轮胎炸了。

整个句子的意思是:“由于我们车胎炸了,所以我们晚了两个小时才到达查理举行生日宴会的地方。

”还有一些习惯用语从字典上的意思来看是相同的,但是它们使用的场合却不同。

下面两个习惯用语就是很好的例子。

一个是“Lock, stock and barrel”,另外一个是:“Hook, line and sinker”。

Lock, stock and barrel和Hook, line and sinker都是全部的意思,可是用法却不同。

我们先来举一个Lock, stock and barrel的例子:例句-2：“Mr. Rockefeller bought the whole oil company lock, stock and barrel.”这句话的意思是:“洛克菲勒先生把整个石油公司买了下来”。

流行美语第二百一十八课

流行美语第二百一十八课夏天的时候，Larry和李华开车去海边玩。

李华会学到两个常用语：jazzed和to catch some waves。

LL: Li Hua, I am really jazzed about this trip to the beach.LH: Jazz不是爵士乐吗？我们去海边跟爵士乐有什么关系呢？LL: You are right, but by Jazzed I mean to be really excited. I am really looking forward to spending some time at the beach today.LH: 我知道了，Jazzed的意思是很兴奋。

其实我也挺高兴的，不过我想知道有什么事情让你这么兴奋呢？LL: There are three reasons. First, I am really jazzed to not be working! I have been working really hard on a project for my boss, and it is really nice to have some time off.LH: 对，你为你老板的那个项目花了一个月的时间，现在完成了当然要放松一下喽。

不用上班，这个理由很成立，另外两个理由呢？LL: Second, I am very jazzed about trying out my new surf board and riding some waves.LH: 你想试试你新买的冲浪板。

那也合理，你那新的冲浪板真是很漂亮。

要我是你，I would be very jazzed, too. 不过呢，我只想躲在阳伞下面看书。

LL: I don't see how you can get jazzed about reading a book, Li Hua.LH: Oh, Larry, 你喜欢冲浪，我喜欢看书。

american idioms的例子

american idioms的例子【原创实用版】目录1.美国习惯用语的概述2.美国习惯用语的例子3.美国习惯用语在实际生活中的应用4.学习美国习惯用语的重要性正文1.美国习惯用语的概述美国习惯用语，也称为美国俚语，是指在美国日常生活中常用的固定短语或表达。

这些习惯用语具有鲜明的地域特色，反映了美国人的思维方式和文化背景。

学习和掌握这些习惯用语，有助于我们更好地理解美国文化，提高与美国人交流的效率。

2.美国习惯用语的例子以下是一些典型的美国习惯用语的例子：- Break a leg：表示“祝你好运”，常用于鼓励别人。

- Don"t count your chickens before they hatch：表示“不要过早乐观”，告诫人们在事情没有完成之前不要过于乐观。

- Easy come, easy go：表示“来得容易去得快”，形容财富或物品的得来和失去都很容易。

- Wear your heart on your sleeve：表示“感情外露”，形容一个人情感表达很直接，没有保留。

3.美国习惯用语在实际生活中的应用在美国人的日常交流中，习惯用语被广泛使用。

比如，当一个朋友要去参加面试，你可以用“Break a leg”来鼓励他；在别人过于乐观时，你可以用“Don"t count your chickens before they hatch”来提醒他。

这些习惯用语可以让你的表达更加地道和生动，也有助于拉近彼此的距离。

4.学习美国习惯用语的重要性随着全球化的发展，中美之间的交流越来越频繁。

掌握一些美国习惯用语，可以帮助我们更好地融入美国的社交场合，避免因为文化差异而产生的误解。

此外，学习这些习惯用语还有助于提高我们的英语水平，使我们在阅读、听力和写作等方面取得更好的成绩。

总之，美国习惯用语作为美国文化的一个重要组成部分，值得我们去学习和了解。

美国习惯用语(122-185)

美国习惯用语(122-185)第一百八十五讲(2007.12.18)1. full of beans 形容一个人很活泼，精力旺盛，情绪很好Getting married seems to be good for our friend Joseph. He's sure full of beans these days. He works a lot harder in the office and looks like he's enjoying life a lot more.Sarah has been donating money and time for the Salvation Army. Though she's in her 70's, she's always full of beans. Last year, she was in charge of the fashion show and raised ten thousand dollars to help the poor.2. Not worth a hill of beans 一钱不值I'm glad my sister didn't marry that guy. He's good-looking, but he's lazy, drinks too much and can't hold a job more than six months. The truth is, the man's not worth a hill of beans.My wife recommended I read that book about computers, that I could learn a lot from it. But to tell the truth, it was not worth a hill of beans. I even found some really bad mistakes.第一百八十四讲(2007.12.17)1. hippie 不管是男是女头发都留得长长的，绑着头带，脖子上还带着长长短短的珠子项链的人I remember when I was a hippie, wearing my beads and Indian headband, marching for peace in Vietnam. I guess every generation wants to change the world, and, you know, who can blame them!Look at the way you dress! There are so many pretty outfits in the stores that would fit you well and show off your nice figure. Why do you have to dress like a hippie out of the 60's! 2. to shoot from the hip一个人在没有仔细思考以前就说话，或采取行动I'm afraid we need to look for a new press spokesman. Pete gets too upset at reporters' questions, then he starts shooting from the hip with his answers. This can get us into trouble.My two sisters have very different personalities. Mary is always very cautious about what she says, but Carol shoots from the hip all the time. And you can guess who gets into trouble more.第一百八十三讲(2007.12.16)1. under the gun 一个人为了在限定的时间内完成一项任务，或者是解决一个问题而受到很大的压力，几乎就好像有人拿着枪逼着他把事情干完一样I'd planned to go to the beach this weekend but I had to cancel my reservation. The boss has me under the gun to finish the company's annual program report by next Monday.I can't afford any time before Christmas for parties because I'm under the gun to get ready for term exams. If I fail any of the courses I won't be accepted into medical school next year.2. gunshy一个人由于以往不太愉快的经历而在面临某种情况的时候感到很迟疑和不安All his friends kept telling my brother Bill he ought to get married again. But he's gunshy about having another wife after his first marriage turned out so badly.John used to travel by plane at least once a month on business. But since he survived that plane crash last year, he's become gunshy about boarding a plane. He'd rather drive whenever possible.第一百八十二讲(2007.12.15)1. to give somebody a piece of one’s mind带有指责的直言不讳，或者是很愤怒地把某人痛骂一顿I'm going to wait for Mary to come home even if I have to stay up all night! And when she comes in that door, I am going to give her a piece of my mind she'll never forget!I couldn't believe how much that mechanic charged me for fixing my car! I knew he was cheating me so I gave him a piece of my mind and told him I'd never bring the car back there again.2. mind-boggling 某一件事情、或某样东西在智力或感情方面具有强大的力量而使人感到难以控制自己I remember how mind-boggling it was when I took astronomy in school and discovered our sun was just one of trillions of stars in a universe so big it was impossible for me even to imagine!Everyone finds it mind-boggling that the young mother actually killed her two sons. I saw the boys on TV and they looked so sweet and innocent. Well, I guess we can't say anymore that all mothers love their children.第一百八十一讲(2007.12.14)1. one track mind 独行其事，除了自己的想法外容不得其它的观点I'm afraid my brother Johnny has a real one track mind. All he ever seems to think about is getting all dressed up and going out to chase the girls.I told Jack not to pour all his money into one single stock. But having a one track mind, he didn't even pay attention to what I said. Now he has suffered a heavy loss because the price of the stock he bought has dropped.2. track record 一个人在事业方面如何表现的记录，特别是有些什么成就We're lucky. This year we have two people with good track records running for Congress. It's hard to make up my mind, but I think I'll vote for Ms. Green because her track record is a little more impressive.Barry had been D.C.'s mayor for 12 years before he was put into prison for involvement with drugs in 1990. This time he was elected again. I just don't understand why people voted for him. He simply doesn't have a good track record.第一百八十讲(2007.12.13)1．Brain drain人才外流The brain drain to Europe and America has been a serious problem for developing countries. But the situation is changing for countries which have managed a high rate of economic growth -- more of their professionals living abroad are going back home these days.There used to be a brain drain in Taiwan when most overseas students from there wanted to stay in America after graduation. But now it's different. The majority of them prefer to go back to Taiwan.2. brain trust 一个组织的领导人在他手下工作人员之外请一些人来给他出主意，做顾问The president of our company is a young man who likes to hear fresh ideas. So he's organized a brain trust of the professors he had in college who meet once a month to give him advice.The director of our institute makes us feel useless because he only listens to his own brain trust. He totally ignores the ideas from those who work for him in the institute.第一百七十九讲(2007.12.12)1. to beat one’s brains out 绞尽脑汁Please, could you give me a little help on these algebraproblems? I've been beating my brains out all weekend trying to figure them out, but I'm still not sure I understand them.This VCR is too complicated for me! Okay, you've tried to teach me twice how to run it, but I beat my brains out again yesterday trying to tape a show and I still couldn't make it work.2. brainwash 洗脑Kids all over America watch cartoons on TV every Saturday morning. Almost every day I hear parents complain that the commercials they see over and over again brainwash the kids into buying stuff they don't really need.Several of her friends brainwashed my sister Mary into believing that her best friend Carol was saying nasty things about her behind her back. Mary was as sorry as she could be when she found out it wasn't true.第一百七十八讲(2007.12.11)1. to jump the gun过早地开始一个行动，或者是过于匆忙地做某件事We certainly jumped the gun when we packed our winter clothes away the first warm day in March. Two days later it turned cold and six inches of snow fell. We had to get theclothes out again.My wife saw me in a restaurant having lunch with a female client. Not knowing who my client was, she jumped the gun and accused me of having an affair. I had a hard time convincing her it was purely business.2. to stick to one’s guns在日常生活中不管压力多大，一个人要能坚持自己的计划Business is so terrible my partner wants to close up shop, but I told him we should stick to our guns and not give up -- business is bound to pick up this winter if we can keep our doors open.Most students take four courses each semester, but not Mike. He always takes one more course than others. He stuck to his guns even when he had to work at two labs last semester.第一百七十七讲(2007.12.10)1. to hit the ceiling一个人生气得暴跳如雷，甚至都撞到了屋顶The only real damage was a bent fender, but I knew Dad would hit the ceiling when he saw it. Sure enough, he was so angry that he made me pay for the repairs myself.Mary's been always very slow in her work. Her boss has warned her several times. Yesterday, when she again missed the deadline for a report, he hit the ceiling and fired her on the spot.2. to blow one’s top 把某人的头顶都炸开了I'm sorry I yelled at you kids this afternoon when I came home and saw the mess you'd made in the kitchen. Sure, I had a hard day at work, but I really shouldn't blow my top that way!Every time Bill and I make plans to see each other, he's always late and keeps me waiting at least twenty minutes. This morning I waited for almost an hour and I practically blew my top when I saw him.第一百七十六讲(2007.12.9)1．to make one’s blood boil火冒三丈It happened three years ago, but it still makes my blood boil every time I think about how my girlfriend ran out on me and married some other guy without even telling me goodbye.I went to a Chinese restaurant last week with a friend. The waitress was so rude we ended up yelling at each other. Then she refused to serve us. It still makes my blood boil just to think about it.2. to make one’s blood run cold 害怕得发抖As I walked into this old haunted house, I heard this terrible scream and my blood ran cold when I saw this figure in white rushing straight at me!While I was walking toward my car in the parking lot, two men in ski masks suddenly appeared in front of me, guns in hand. I was so scared that my blood ran cold. But they left in a hurry when they saw a police car coming.第一百七十五讲(2007.12.8)1. in one’s blood 指一种某人似乎生来就有的兴趣或技巧I've played all sorts of sports -- baseball, golf, basketball. But I love tennis best. In fact you could say tennis is in my blood -- I've played ever since I was old enough to pick up a racket.Jack, I do envy your ability to learn Chinese so fast. Everybody knows that Chinese is a very hard language to learn. But it seems you don't need any effort to pick it up -- it must be in your blood.2. fresh blood新鲜血液(新成员)For twenty years I've voted for Congressman White. But this time I think I'll vote for that young fellow who's running against him. We need fresh blood in the Congress, people who understand how much the world is changing.When our company's sales began to decline three years ago, our president immediately recruited（招募）a number of young people. This fresh blood made a lot of difference -- now our sales have doubled.第一百七十四讲(2007.12.7)1. all in the same boat几个处境相同、面对同样困难或危险的人，他们的命运也会相同的When the steel plant shut down, the town's people were all in the same boat. The workers had no jobs, and this meant the shops had no business. It was really tough all around.True, Jack's the guy who kicked the ball and hit the window. But we were all in the game so we're all in the same boat. Let's all go together to apologize.2. to miss the boat 失去了一个好机会We found exactly the house we wanted, but we waited to buy it in the hope the price would go down. But we missed theboat; when we called the agent back, he'd just sold it to another family.It has always been my dream to visit China. Finally, our company decided to send me to Beijing last month to open an office, but one day before the trip I fell sick and was hospitalized for surgery. So once again I missed the boat.第一百七十三讲(2007.12.6)1. to keep one’s cool 保持镇静It's hard to be polite to some people who come into our store. But our manager always manages to keep his cool when dealing with the kind of rude, nasty customers who would make most of us blow our top.Some of our classmates always talk or make trouble in class. Most teachers get angry and end up yelling at them. But our chemistry teacher somehow always keeps his cool and quiets them down.2. to be cool as a cucumber 当一个人碰到困难和麻烦时很冷静、很放松Last week Dad was in this auto accident and the other driver was so mad he was yelling and screaming. But Dad stayed coolas a cucumber and got the other guy cooled off too, once he saw there wasn't any real damage to either car.While Mike and I were waiting for our food, this clumsy waiter spilled a bowl of piping hot soup on Mike's back. I was furious, but Mike was as cool as a cucumber. He even told the waiter not to worry about it.第一百七十二讲(2007.12.5)1. for crying out loud 不耐烦地、或者是厌烦地表示惊讶For crying out loud, son! When are you going to do what I've told you and clean up your room! I just looked in there again and it's so messy I had to look twice to make sure your bed was still there under all that junk.For crying out loud! Jack took my tennis racket again. How many times have I told him I don't mind letting him use it, but he at least has to ask first in case I need it myself!2. to cool it冷静一点儿，别发那么大的火You kids cool it and stop fighting right now! Not one single day goes by without fighting between the two of you. Can't you be more friendly to each other like Mike and Linda next door?Cool it, honey! I've checked the car -- it's not as serious as you thought. Besides, their insurance company is going to pay for the repair.第一百七十一讲(2007.12.4)1. to whistle a different tune一个人改变了主意，跟他以前说的不一样了Tom always said he didn't want any children, but he's whistling a different tune since his wife gave birth to a son. He's so proud of the baby he can't stop talking about the kid.Kathy liked Mary's silk blouse so much she begged me to find one for her. After I searched all over town and bought one for her, she started to whistle a different tune. Now she tells me it's too much trouble to iron it every time she washes it.2. pipe dream做白日梦My friend Johnny has this pipe dream about becoming a famous movie star. But it won't ever happen. He doesn't have any talent, and he has this high, squeaky voice people don't like to hear.Just because I don't speak good English, don't you guys laugh behind my back and say it's just a pipe dream for me tolearn Chinese. Well, give me a couple of years and I'll show you how fluent I can be.第一百七十讲(2007.12.3)1. far cry 很远You'd be surprised how nice people treat me now when they hear my rich uncle died and left me twenty million dollars. It's a far cry from the days when I was just a clerk in a supermarket and nobody paid me any attention.Mike is only 24, but he's already president of our company. He looks very capable and full of confidence. It's a far cry from when he first joined the firm as a mail clerk. In those days he was very timid and shy.2. crying towel 擦眼泪的毛巾Pete, one of these days we'll have to get you a crying towel! You complain about everything twice as much as anybody else who works in our office. Don't be such a crybaby!My sister Joan's boyfriend is a real crybaby. He whines and complains about everything -- his boss, his friends, even his cat.I told Joan to drop him unless she wants to supply him with crying towels the rest of her life. Who needs a husband like that!第一百六十九讲(2007.12.2)1. nothing special没有什么特别，一般，马马虎虎Mister Simpson is nothing special as a boss, but I can tell youI've worked for people a lot worse. He's lazy and not too smart, but at least he's easy to get along with.That party I went to last night was nothing special. The food was okay, but there wasn't enough of it. I didn't know many people, but I met a former classmate whom I haven't seen for some time!2. so-so一般，马马虎虎That movie we saw last night was just so-so. It wasn't too bad -- it was pretty funny in spots. And the action was okay. But it wasn't really worth paying seven dollars for a ticket.Mom, in the Mall yesterday I saw a silk blouse for only 15 dollars. It's 50% off the regular price and I liked the color. But my friend Mary said it looked just so-so on me, so I didn't buy it.第一百六十八讲(2007.12.1)1. whistle in the dark 给自己壮胆Dick is dating a football player 's girl, and claims he's not afraid what the player will do when he finds out. But Dick is just whistling in the dark -- the football player is as big as a grizzly bear and twice as mean.John says he'll drive to Baltimore by himself to be interviewed by the school he applied for. He's just whistling in the dark. As a matter of fact, he's never driven on that big 8-lane highway and he's a very nervous, inexperienced driver.2. to blow the whistle为了阻止骗局或不正当的事情继续下去而把它揭发出来Mister Green did us taxpayers a favor. When he discovered his boss was taking bribes, he blew the whistle and wrote his congressman about it. They investigated, the boss got fired and he may end up in jail.Our company manager had tried to sexually harass several female employees, but nobody dared say a word. Last week, Mary finally blew the whistle on him and the company investigated him and decided to fire the man.第一百六十七讲(2007.11.30)1. out the window 突然失去，或是浪费了某样东西，或者是某人的辛勤劳力My husband and I saved for ten years to open our own restaurant. And we worked six months to get it ready. Then the day after we opened, we had a big fire and all our money and hard work went out the window.I've spent all weekend getting ready for my party -- shopping, cleaning and cooking. But my guests called at the last minute to say they couldn't come. Well, all my efforts went out the window. Let me tell you, I won't invite them again.2. out of this world 某些东西非常好，特别是音乐、电影、吃饭、有时也能指人Say, I see that Gone with the Wind is on TV tonight. I've seen it ten times already but I'll watch it again. I think it's out of this world -- maybe the best movie ever made!Donna took me to lunch at a restaurant in a shady woods just outside of town. We sat outdoors and the food tasted great. The place is so pretty and relaxed that it's really out of this world!第一百六十六讲(2007.11.29)1. out of the woods 摆脱了前途不明或危险的处境Our business has been terrible all year and I was afraid we might have to give up and close the shop. But the lasttwo months we've made a profit and I think we're out of the woods at last.Michael drank too much at a party last night and smashed his car up on the way home. He ended up in the hospital and was in a coma all night. But he's awake today and feeling much better. Thank God he seems to be out of the woods now!2. out of the picture 一个人已经不再出现在某个局面，或者参与某个项目或计划了Thank God the old man is out of the picture at last -- he should have retired ten years ago! Now we can make the changes we need to get the company a lot more business.When I lived with my parents they had too many rules. These days I live by myself and can do as I please since they're now out of the picture. But I do miss them, so I visit them almost every weekend.第一百六十五讲(2007.11.28)1. over a barrel 一个人出于某种无奈，只能听凭别人摆布，别人让他怎么干他就得怎么干My partner wants to buy out my share but he's only offering half what it's worth. Of course, he has me over a barrel because I'm anxious to retire and go to Florida and I can't find anybody else who wants to buy.That old lady has no children of her own, and she's too sick now to take care of herself. She has to depend on her niece for help. Of course her niece has her over a barrel -- she made the old lady transfer most of her savings to her own account. 2. over one’s dead body 想方设法阻止某一计划的实现You mean you want to marry this man twice your age who's been divorced two times already? You'll only do it over my dead body!The school board wants to close our grade school and bus our kids to another school ten miles away. I went to the school board meeting and told them they do that over my dead body!第一百六十四讲(2007.11.27)1. over one’s head 一门学科、一个问题太复杂，太难懂Last semester I signed up to take calculus, but I dropped out of class after two weeks -- that kind of math is just too far over my head.I bought a personal computer a month ago and spent a lot time reading the manual.But operating this machine is over my head.I may have to sell it if I can't find anyone to help me.2. over the hump 渡过了一项工程、一个计划最困难的阶段My friend was so sick that we were afraid he'd never leave the hospital alive. But the doctors say he's over the hump now, getting stronger every day, and he can go home next week.Arthur practically disappeared from the scene for a couple of years as he was concentrating on his second novel.Yesterday he finally agreed to attend a party next week as he has completed the draft and is now over the hump.第一百六十三讲(2007.11.26)1. cold shoulder 故意对人冷淡,表现出轻视和讨厌的态度I always thought Mary and I were friends.But when I saw her atthe supermarket today and said ’hello,’ she gave me the cold shoulder -- she looked right past me like I wasn’t even there.It was the first time I got invited to that fancy club. People at the party were polite to me, but one of the waiters gave me the cold shoulder when I asked for a drink. Let me tell you, I’ll never go to a place like that again.2. Hot air 夸夸其谈,吹牛Most candidates make promises during a campaign to win voters’ support. But many promises are nothing but hot air. After the candidates get elected, they tend to forget most of the things they promised to achieve.That man at the party yesterday didn’t have any idea what he was talking about. He blew a lot of hot air about health and nutrition. He didn’t know that both of us have been practicing medicine for more than thirty years.第一百六十二讲(2007.11.25)1．to get it in the neck 受到惩罚,或受到损失Oh, oh! I was supposed to be at home for dinner at six and it's already seven-thirty. I've got to go right now or I'll get it in the neck from my wife -- and she's cooking my favoritedish, a nice, big pot roast.That vase is my mother's favorite. She liked it so much that she brought it back all the way back from China last year.I'll get it in the neck, I'm sure, when my mom finds out that I broke it.2. to stick out one’s neck 枪打出头鸟You know I admire you for not being afraid to stick your neck out for your old friend who's running for mayor. But it would be a mistake to stick it out too far -- your friend has no chance at all to win and helping him won' make you popular with the new mayor.Nobody in our project likes Jack because he's too selfish. Most of us would like to kick him out of the project, but nobody wants to offend him. They urged me to take the action. Well, I'm not about to stick out my neck.第一百六十一讲(2007.11.24)1. up to one’s neck 某个人要做的工作实在太多,简直无法应付了I'm sorry but I won't be able to fix your TV for two weeks. I’m up to my neck in work right now. But I’ll try to have it ready for you in time for the start of the football season.Apart from my regular work this week, I have to give a speech on Wednesday and teach a course on Thursday. And my aunt is coming from New York for a visit on Friday. With so much to do, I’m reall y up to my neck.2. to break one’s neck 一个人拼命地去完成一项工作,或者是尽快地赶到某一个地方去I was really up to my neck in work today, I couldn't get away from the office till six-thirty. So I had to break my neck to get to my sister's engagement party at seven o'clock.My parents agreed to pay my trip to Europe this summer only if I complete all my course work before the end of the semester. So now I’m breaking my neck to finish all the papers I have to write.第一百六十讲(2007.11.23)1. to shape up or ship out要就改进,否则就离开这里Jones, you are without a doubt the worst soldier in the whole company! Your uniform looks like you slept in it! Your rifle is always dirty, and you can’t follow a simple order! I’m telling you, soldier -- either shape up or ship out, you hear me!Mary, you often come late in the morning and leave early inthe evening, and you are always on the phone talking to your friends. This is not acceptable here. I’m now giving you a last chance, either shape up or ship out.2. to rock the boat 找麻烦,或是破坏某个计划Sure, I agree Smith isn't worth the big salary he gets, but I wouldn't tell the boss if I were you. Smith is one of his favorites, and he'll think you're just rocking the boat and making trouble.After much discussion, five of us in the class have finally decided to go to Europe for three weeks. Preparation is already underway. Please don't rock the boat by telling mother, because I’m sure she wouldn't agree.第一百五十九讲(2007.11.22)1. lick 攻击对方,或者是设法克服某种困难The young athlete appears to have great potential. Although he was defeated in the end, he got in quite a few good licks during the match.Maybe one day he will emerge as one of the best.The young boxer got a good licking yesterday."I've had this horrible head cold for weeks and I’ve taken allkinds of medicine to try to lick it. Then I stayed in bed for a couple of days and that finally licked it for good.2. lickety split 跑得非常快Last week I went on a hunting trip in the north woods with two friends. Joe left our camp to get some more wood for the fire. Ten minutes later we heard all this yelling, and here came Joe, running lickety split with a big, angry bear about three feet behind him!Jack applied to several universities after he graduated from high school, but his number one choice is Harvard. Last week when he was in the swimming pool,his brother went to tell him that a letter from Harvard had arrived. He ran home lickety split.第一百五十八讲(2007.11.21)1. to have a feeling in one’s bones 某人有一种感觉,好像什么事情要发生,但是又讲不出道理I just came back from Sally and Joe’s wedding. It was beautiful, and they both looked so happy. But you know something? I hope I’m wrong but I have this feeling in my bones that this marriage won't last a year!Bill and I have been partners for years and we havepractically become friends. He’s honest and straightforward and has never cheated me. But he never talks about his family life, and I have a feeling in my bones that he’s thinking of a divorce.2. to have a bone to pick 有理由提出抱怨或争论Honey, I have a bone to pick with you. I don’t mind you getting into the bathroom first in the morning, but do you have to be in there so long? You know, I have to get to work on time, too.Sally always criticizes me no matter what I wear. Last week, I put on the red dress I bought at Macy’s. Everyone said I looked great in that dress. The only person who had a bone to pick with me was Sally. She said the dress was too tight on me. That’s ridiculous!第一百五十七讲(2007.11.20)1．Out of one’s skull 以不完全认真的态度说某人大概是不正常,或是有点疯了Honey, you'd have to be out of your skull to lend that no-good brother of yours any more money. He already owes you over two thousand dollars and he has never paid back a penny! Shirley, you’d have to be out of your skull to quit th ishigh-paid job and become a housewife! You’d not only cut your total income by two thirds, but you may not be able to find a job this good for the rest of your life.2. skull session 一些人坐在一起动脑筋,解决问题,或是增加自己在某一方面的知识Okay, men, I want you back in the locker room at eight o’clock for。

美国习惯用语讲座

美國習慣用語講座To keep one's shirt onTo lose one's shirt我們穿的各種服裝在美國的日常用語當中佔有很大的地位。

鞋子、襪子、手套等名稱都是一些習慣用語的組成部份。

今天我們要講兩個由襯衣，也就是shirt 這個字組成的俗語。

首先,我們要講的是：To keep one‘s shirt on。

To keep one's shirt on用中文來說，那就是：“穿著你的襯衣。

”“穿著你的襯衣”聽起來是個好主意，可是，它到底是什麽意思呢？有的時候，這是勸告別人要有耐心，不要太緊張了。

例如，一個妻子對她的丈夫講：例句-1: "Keep your shirt on, Harry; we have plenty of time to catch the train."她說：“哈裏，你別太緊張了，我們還有好多時間，足夠我們趕到火車站去的。

”可是to Keep one's shirt on 在更多的場合下，是指要保持冷靜，在對情況有足夠瞭解以前不要發火。

比如說，有一天，我們曾在以前的課文中提到的那位丈夫晚了三個小時回家吃晚飯。

一到家，他就看到他的太太火冒三丈，馬上就要大發雷霆。

於是，他馬上就對太太說：例句-2: "Honey, keep your shirt on, please! I'm sorry, but the boss made me work late at the office."他說：“親愛的，請你千萬別發火。

我很抱歉。

可是，我的老闆給了我好多活，我不得不在辦公室加班嘛。

”下面我們要解釋的一個和shirt這個字有關的習慣用語是：To lose one's shirt。

Lose這個字的意思當然就是丟掉，或失去什麽東西。

一個人要是丟了他的襯衫，他回到家裏恐怕那要比那個晚了三小時才回家吃晚飯的丈夫碰到的麻煩要多得多。

美国习惯用语第二百八十一讲

今天我们还要讲两个带有devil这个词的习惯⽤语。

我们上次学到devil就是魔⿁。

在西⽅⽂艺作品⾥，与被称为罪恶之灵的魔⿁打交道总不会有好下场。

魔⿁往往会⽤⾦钱、地位、美⼥等使你眼花撩乱，来引诱你上钩，到头来要你还债的时候就⿇烦了。

今天我们要讲的第⼀个习惯⽤语就出⾃这⼉。

这个习惯⽤语是：There's going to be the devil to pay. 这个习惯⽤语从字⾯意思看来就是：如果你和魔⿁作交易，你最终会⾃讨苦吃。

但是这句话⽤在⽇常⽣活中⼜是什么意思呢？让我们听下⾯这个例⼦，体会⼀下它的意思。

这是哥哥在数落他莽撞的弟弟，因为弟弟刚才闯了祸，把爸爸的汽车撞坏了。

好，我们来听这个例⼦：例句-1: Oh, oh, Bill! Wait till dad sees what you did to his car! You know how much he loves that car - there's going to be the devil to pay as soon as he gets home.这位哥哥说，“哎呀，Bill，等爸爸看到你把他的车弄成什么样。

你就糟了。

你知道爸爸有多⼼疼那车，他⼀回来就够你受的。

”可想⽽知，⽼爸⼀看到那车就会⽕冒三丈，⼤骂闯祸的⼉⼦，给他⼀个难忘的教训。

所以there's going to be the devil to pay 其实意思就是你⼲的事⼉将会给你招惹好⼤的⿇烦。

******接下来我们还要听⼀个例⼦，⾥⾯也有习惯⽤语there's going to be the devil to pay。

这是办公室主管在提醒⼿下⼯作⼈员赶快把⼀份逾期未交的报告交上去，以免引起更为严重的问题。

请你仔细听，在这段话⾥there's going to be the devil to pay表达什么意思。

例句2：It's already two weeks late. No matter how long it takes, you have to finish it tonight. There's going to be the devil to pay if it's not on the boss's desk in the morning.那位办公室主管说：“报告已经晚了两星期了。

美国习惯用语第2百二十讲

美国习惯用语第2百二十讲美国习惯用语第220讲声音今天要讲的两个习惯用语里都有一个关键的字。

那就是：feather. Feather就是鸟身上的羽毛。

既然羽毛跟鸟有关系，那末我们就先来讲一个和鸟有直接关系的习惯用语。

Birds of a feather. Bird就是鸟，后面加一个s就是指多数，或者是各种类的鸟。

同样种类的鸟一般身上都有相同的羽毛。

这就是 birds of a feather的字面含义。

在用做俗语的时候，birds of a feather是指人，而不是指鸟了。

Birds of a feather的意思是：各种特性很相同的人。

这跟中文里说的：物以类聚，人以群分的意思很相似。

Birds of a feather 这个俗语经常是含贬意的。

下面就是一个例子，这是一个爸爸在担心他儿子经常结交的朋友。

I wish our boy wouldn’t hang around with that crowd！They’re birds of a feather - they don’t care about getting a job； all they do is drink beer and chase girls.他说：我希望我儿子不会跟那群孩子经常混在一起。

他们都属于一个类型，对于有没有工作根本不在乎；他们所关心的就是喝啤酒和找女孩子。

美国的家长也很担心自己的孩子结交的朋友；生怕孩子受到坏影响，从而走上歧途。

在现实生活中，由于朋友的影响而走上犯罪道路的人也不是少见的。

******每个人身处在一个集体当中的时候都会发现跟某些人合得来，跟某些人合不来。

下面是一个公司的雇员在跟一个朋友说公司里的事。

I’ve worked in th is office for a couple of years and I can get along with all my colleagues except two. One is able to lie with a straight face and the other likes to play sneaky tricks. They’re really birds of a feather.这个人说：我已经在这个办公室工作了两年，除了两个人以外我跟所有的同事都相处得很好。

美国人日常生活用语

美国口语惯用语句拾零You are a dreamboat. 你是位（异性所追求的）理想人选You are such a dish. 你是个绝色美人I've been dying to meet you. 我非常非常想见到你Every time I see you, you leave me out in the cold. 每次我见到你，你都不睬我I only have eyes for you . 我只在意你I'd do anything to see you crack a smile. 为了博得你的一笑，我情愿做任何事You swept me off my feet. 你使我神魂颠倒You don't have a care in the world. 你不知人间烦恼为何物I'm still trying to get to second base with you. 我仍旧试着想和你发展到‘第二阶段’（在美国，first base 指拉手，接吻，second base 指抚摩等，third base 指做爱）If you don't want to lose me, you'd better lay it on the line.如果你不想失去我，就最好一五一十地告诉我吧Tell me your story, I'm all ears. 告诉我你的故事，我洗耳恭听Someday, when your ship come in, you'll build your dream house.总有一天，当你有钱时，你会建造你梦想的家I hope your idea takes wing. 我希望你的想法成真I wish that you would put your cards on the table. 我希望你干脆把话挑明Have you ever seen your old flame? 你还见过你的旧情人吗If the shoe fits, wear it. 如果是真的就承认吧This experience will make me show my true color. 这种经历将使我暴露我的本性I have a bottomed-down mind. 我是个没有什么独到见解的人I have no direction, I just get wherever the wind blows. 我没有方向，只是随风到处飘I can't burn the candle at both ends forever. 我不能永远这么过分地消耗精力We could make beautiful music together. 我们也许会是和谐幸福的一对儿You are always trying to get my goat. 你总是想惹我发火I'm a man of my word. 我是个讲信用的人Someday you're going to have to face the music for your actions.总有一天，你将不得不承担自己的行为所带来的后果Just cool your heels! 好了，安静会儿吧Save your breath! I don't want to hear it. 不要说了，我不想听Really?? You are so bad! 真的吗？你真棒！！！1. Beautiful weather． What a wonderful day. 天气真好呀！这是美好的一天。

经典的美国习语

经典的美国习语语音、词汇和语法是交流的基石，习语则会让你锦上添花。

今天小编给大家带来了美国习语，希望能够帮助到大家，下面小编就和大家分享，来欣赏准备一下吧。

美国习语第28街A black sheepA white lie黑颜色和白颜色往往是对立的。

黑代表黑夜和邪恶，而白象征着日光、善良或美德。

在美国好莱坞早期那些无声电影里，导演往往给英雄人物戴上白帽子，而给坏蛋戴黑帽子。

这样，连十岁的孩子一看就马上知道谁是好人，谁是坏人。

白帽和黑帽就这样逐渐成了一个习惯的说法，也就是 white hats and black hats.White hats and black hats 就代表好人和坏人。

黑和白这两个字 black and white 经常在美国的成语和俗语中出现。

可是，它们并不一定像好人、坏人那样黑白分明。

有时候，黑还具有肯定和积极的意思。

例如，对一个做生意的人来说in the black 就意味着赚钱，而不是亏本。

今天，我们要讲两个和 black and white 这两个字有关的成语。

首先我们来讲一个和black有关的常用语 a black sheep.Black 当然是指黑颜色，而sheep 是一头羊的意思。

一头黑颜色的羊 a black sheep 指的是一个给他周围的人带来耻辱的人。

请听下面这个例子：例句-1： "Uncle Joe is the black sheep in the family. Instead of getting a job， all he does is drink too much， gamble away any money he gets and chase after women."这句话翻成中文就是："乔叔叔是他们家的败家子。

他不是去找个工作，而是成天喝酒，有了一点钱就去赌，还老是玩女人。

"我们再来举一个例子：例句-2： "We all thought my youngest brother was the black sheep in our family. In fact he was in so much trouble he ran away to Australia.But he started a new life there， married a wonderful girl， and now he's a millionaire."这句话的意思是："我们都认为我最小的弟弟是我们家的败家子。

美国习惯用语2

133：backseat driver; back-up system是指那些自己不在岗位上，但是却喜欢不断给在位的人提供别人不需要的意见或建议的人；是指后备的设施，以便在主要的设备出现故障的时候发挥作用，使工作能够正常地持续下去。

134：in the pink; fit as a fiddle指一个人脸色看上去白里透红，气色很好，身体很健康；也是指身体很好，就像一只调好音的小提琴，准备演奏美丽动听的音乐一样。

135：play ball; on the ball是和某人合作，或做出妥协，以便以后可以得到对方的帮助；是指一个人很机灵，工作做得很出色。

136：now the ball is in your court; start the ball rolling现在该是你采取行动的时候了；是开始一个行动。

137：skin deep; that really gets under my skin是肤浅，表面的意思；是令人感到讨厌的意思。

138：no skin off my nose; save one's skin是指对某件事不在乎，不会受到损害；是某人从一个大危机中被解救出来，或者是逃脱了一个危险的情况，没有受到伤害。

139：at the wheel; hell on wheels可以解释为开车，也可以指负责或领导一个大型的组织；这个俗语有两个截然不同的意思，一个是工作努力，有效率；另一个是指某人脾气暴燥，对人苛刻和粗暴。

140：spin one's wheel; re-invent the wheel是指花了精力而没有成果；是指某人自以为想出了好方法，但是实际上这个方法别人早已在用了。

141：jump right out of one's skin; all skin and bones是指吓一跳，它可以是由于高兴而感到惊喜，也可能是因为危险或其他不幸的事而感到震惊；就是皮包骨的意思，是指那些很瘦的人。

美国习惯用语

美国习惯用语1.to make no bones 毫不掩饰，坦白eg：I think the parents should make no bones about their position. 我认为那父母应该坦白说明他们的立场。

2. by word of mouth一传十，十传百eg: I think the best form of advertising is by word of mouth 我认为最好的广告方式是口口相传。

3．to leave the door open不排除任何可能性eg: He did leave the door open，他是留有余地的4．to feel it in one's bones有一种直觉，预感某件事一定会发生eg: The proposal looks okay but I just feel something's not right with it. I can feel it in my bones.这个建议看上去还可以，可是我总觉得有点不对劲，我真的有这种感觉。

5．to see eye to eye观点一致，意见相同eg：The fact is we no longer see eye to eye.实际上我们就是意见不一致了。

6. to get one's foot in the door含义就是：先获得一个有利于将来发展的地位；也可以说，为进入某个行业或团体走出第一步。

eg:I want to be a full time teacher, so I've decided to register there as a replacement teacher. At least that way I'll get my foot in the door.我想当一名全职老师，我于是决定在那里登记当代课老师，这样我至少先迈出一步。

美国习惯用语第2百一十七讲

美国习惯用语第2百一十七讲美国习惯用语第217讲声音今天我们要给大家讲的两个习惯用语是由两个很简单的字组成的。

我们先来讲第一个：Ups and downs. 在一般情况下，up 和down都用做副词，但是在这个习惯用语里，它们都是名词，后面都还加上了s ，表示多数。

Up的意思就是向上，在上面；down的意思就是向下，或在下面。

Ups and downs作为俗语就是指一个人的运气时好时坏，或是在某件事上成功和失败不断循环。

换句话说，ups and downs就是起伏、波折。

这是每个人都难免会遇到的。

下面就是一个例子。

Mister White sure has had his ups and downs. He’s made a fortune three times and then lost it all. But he doesn’t have to worry - his wife is rich. When her father died last year， she inherited two million dollars.这句话的意思是：白先生一生经历了不少起伏。

他三次发了财，可是后来又全亏损了。

但是，他不用担心，他太太很有钱。

去年她爸爸去世的时候，她继承了两百万美元。

******虽然碰到起伏波折是常事，但是谁都喜欢万事顺顺当当，不要有波折。

这是一个父亲在为自己的女儿担心。

Carol has had all sorts of ups and downs preparing for her wedding - problems with the wedding gown and so on. Then on the big day， the flowers and the cake didn’t arrive on time. She’s very upset - these aren’t lucky signs for a marriage.这位父亲说：卡罗尔在为婚礼做准备的过程中遇到许多波折，结婚礼服出了问题，以及其他不顺利的事。

美国习惯用语第二百二十八讲

美国习惯⽤语第228讲声⾳上回我们已经给⼤家讲过两个跟break这个字有关的习惯⽤语，今天我们还要给⼤家讲两个⾮常有⽤的，也是以break这个字为主的习惯⽤语。

第⼀个是：To break the news. News就是新闻。

To break the news并不是把⼀条新闻打破，⽽是把什么新闻或情况告诉某⼈，⽽往往这种消息是不好的。

下⾯这个例⼦是⼀个公司的总裁在跟他的助⼿讲话。

例句-1： That old guy who runs our mailroom has been with us for thirty years. But he can't handle the work any more so I'm going to have to break the news to him that it's time for him to retire.这个公司的负责⼈说：那个管理我们收发室的⽼头已经给我们⼯作了三⼗年。

但是他现在已经不能再胜任这个⼯作了，所以，我不得不去告诉他这个不好的消息。

那就是：现在是他退休的时候了。

******在⼆次世界⼤战期间，有不少美国军⼈在作战过程中牺牲了⾃⼰的⽣命。

我们可能在电影当中看到过，美国部队总是会派⼈到牺牲者的家⾥去通知家⼈。

下⾯就是⼀个曾经参加⼆次⼤战的美国⼈在说他的经历。

例句2： Being in combat was tough enough for a young man like I was then. But the hardest thing was to break the news to the families of men in my outfit that got killed. I was never able to get used to that.这⼈说：对于⼀个像我当时那样年轻的⼈来说，参加战争本来就是⼀件很困难的事。

美国习惯用语第2百一十一讲

美国习惯用语第2百一十一讲我们今天要讲的第一个习惯用语是美国人用得非常普遍的，而且也很形像。

这个习惯用语就是：To stonewall. Stonewall是一个字，但是很明显，它是由stone和wall两个字合成的。

大家都知道，stone就是石头，那末顾名思义stonewall就是一堵用石头造的墙。

按字面解释，这是对的。

但是，作为俗语，它的意思就比较含蓄了，stonewall是指：想尽一切办法不要把那些使自己难堪或不利的消息透露出去。

二十多年前，美国发生水门事件的时候，白宫竭尽全力阻挡国会的调查人员来查明尼克松总统手下的人是否有违法的行为。

结果，想掩盖的企图宣告失败；事实真相被揭露出来，尼克松总统也被迫辞职。

下面这个例子是一个地方上的政客在给他的高级助手下指示。

Make sure our people stonewall any questions from the press or television about our candidate for mayor having those personal problems. If the facts get out，we don’t have a chance to win the election.这个政客对他的手下人说：要是报界或电视记者提出有关我们市长候选人的问题的话，一定要叫他们不要正面回答问题，不要泻露任何有关他们生活方面有问题的消息。

要是人们知道真相的话，我们别想在这次竞选中获胜。

******下面的例子是在讲一个警察在向他的上司汇报有关一个案件的调查情况。

We’ve arrested one major suspect in this murder case and also arrested another man who we believe helped the crime. But both of them are stonewalling - they refuse to answer any questions at all.这个警察说：我们已经逮捕了这个谋杀案的主要嫌疑犯，另外还逮捕了一个我们认为是帮凶的人。

美国习惯用语第2百八十二讲

美国习惯用语第2百八十二讲很多学英语的人都说，最难的就是一个看来简单的词可以有各种各样的含意。

而当这个词再组成不同习惯用语的时候，那就更难上加难了。

我们今天要讲的就是这样一个词：fair。

Fair这个词常常解释“公平的”，或者“光明正大的”。

我们要讲的第一个由fair组成的习惯用语就带有这个意思。

这个习惯用语是：fair shake。

刚才说过fair这个词的意思常常是“公平正当的”。

那么fair shake，是什么意思呢？这个习惯用语很可能出自于掷骰子赌博。

赌友中的一个把骰子放在杯子里或者掌心中摇晃，然后把骰子掷向桌面比点数。

掷骰子赌博的作弊办法五花八门。

老练的赌徒都会提防摇骰子的人做手脚，一定要他正正当当地摇骰子。

也就是fair shake。

接下来我们要听一个例子，讲的是美国大选总统候选人的辩论。

例句-1: The candidates get a fair shake during the debates. They take turns being asked questions and have the same amount of time to answer and to make a final statement at the end.这段话说的是：辩论中候选人得到公平待遇，他们轮流被提问，并且有同样长短的时间回答问题，以及在最后作总结性陈述。

可见fair shake在这儿意思就是“公平待遇”或者“均等机会”。

******你如果听英文天气预报的话，往往会听到fair这个词。

它的意思是“晴朗的”当然fair weather就是“好天”。

而这组成了我们今天要学的第三个习惯用语：fair-weather friend。

Fair-weather friend意思是不是“天好时候的朋友”呢？从字面看来似乎不错，但是正如我们以前一再提到的那样，不能光从字面意义来理解一个习惯用语。

我想通过下面这段话你能体会fair-weather friend这个习惯用语的意思。

美国习惯用语第2百八十八课

美国习惯用语第2百八十八课我们上次讲了好几个美国人有关宴会或者聚会的说法。

很多美国人确实爱热闹，一有适当的机会大家就会聚在一起乐一下。

除了我们上次介绍的几种说法以外，还有其他一些有关聚会场合的习惯用语。

我们今天再介绍几个比较常用的。

第一个是：stag party。

这个短语中stag这个词，它的意思是成年的公鹿。

由此可以推测stag party就是由清一色男士们参加的聚会，女性一律谢绝。

Stag party的内容可以是打扑克，一起看拳击赛或者足球赛。

有时候stag party 在新郎举行婚礼的前夜举行，纪念他告别单身生活。

这就是我们要给大家的第一个例子。

例句-1：I don’t feel so good this morning. I gave my brother a stag party last night because he’s getting married today and we stayed out too late and had too much to drink.他说，我今天早上不太舒服。

我昨晚给弟弟举办了个男子汉聚会，因为他今天要结婚了。

我们太晚回家，酒也喝得太多了。

Stag party 就是男性的聚会。

******stag party 排斥女性，不免引起女性的不快，而妇女们也有针锋相对的一手。

这就是我们要学的下一个习惯用语：Hen party。

Hen意思是母鸡。

我想不少人已经猜出hen party指的是甚么样的聚会，当然是妇女聚会了，换句话说，hen party全是女性参加。

下面我们要看一个例子。

这是一个丈夫在说他太太将要参加的妇女聚会。

例句2：I’ll be home tonight to take care of the kids because Susan has a hen party with the women she went to college with. Friday it’s my turn - I’m going to a stag party to play poker.他说：我今晚得在家照顾孩子，因为Susan要去参加以前大学女同学的妇女聚会。

美国习惯用语3

233：tax-and-spend liberals; knee-jerk liberals tax-and-spend liberal意思是说，自由派当选执政后，他们的政策就是增加对那些辛勤工作的公民的税收，然后把这些钱去救济游手好闲的人，使政府更能够控制人们的生活；knee-jerk liberal就是指一个人接受其他自由派的主张，不管这个主张是否合理。

234：Redneck; McCarthyism按字面来解释，redneck就是：红脖子。

美国南部贫穷的农民，因为每天在太阳下劳动，所以他们的脖子老是红红的。

这些南部农民大多数是白人。

一般都比较粗暴，思想顽固，没有知识，而且种族观念很深，不喜欢黑人。

美国的保守派很愿意争取他们；现在，McCarthyite 是指那些习惯于对反对自己的人进行毫无根据的，不公平的指责的人。

235：dry run; cut and dried dry run就是在做一件事或执行一项计划前进行的演习；Cut and dried的意思是：老一套，或者是人们所预料的，或者是根据以往的老做法来行事。

任何事情要是被说成cut and dried，那就很可能是没有什么吸引人的地方，因为缺乏新鲜内容。

236：high and dry; dry up要是一个人处于high and dry的局面，那他就是面临难以解决的困难，又没有任何人给予帮助； Dry up这个说法有几种不同的用法。

其中之一是叫某人闭嘴，不要再说了。

当然，这是不太礼貌的说法。

237：in the doghouse; between a rock and a hard place In the doghouse作为俗语，它的意思就是你使某人很生气，以致你不得不在屋子外面跟自己家里的狗睡在一起，意思就是倒了霉；Between a rock and a hard place是表示处境困难的习惯用语。

238：bum; bum rap Bum就是指那种游手好闲，不务正业的人；Bum rap. Rap在这儿是指因为作错了事而受到责备或惩罚。