地道美语惯用语1-20

1.Having a Ball欢度时光A: I feel like having a ball. Let’s splurge. 我心情很好，我们去花钱找乐子吧。

B: Forget it. I’m broke.不要，我没有钱。

A: Don’t worry. I’ll picd up the tab, I’m loaded today, I’ll treat you. 别担心，我买单。

我今天有钱，我请客。

B: No, we’ll go Dutch. I don’t like to freeload.不，各付各的，我不喜欢让别人请客。

✧splurge v.spend a lot of money for something 花大钱✧pick up the tab v.pay the bill 付账✧freeload v.get things that others pay for 让别人请客Exercise1.They always get others to pay for them.2.I want to pay for you.3.We will each pay our own bill.4.Sometimes I spend a lot of money on clothes.5.After payday, I always have a lot of money.6.Who paid the check?7.When I go to a party, I usually have a good time.8.After I pay all my bills, I have no money.2.Footing the Bill付账A: I’m always running out of food. 我的食品总是不够。

B:Why don’t you pick up some odds and ends at the store? 怎么不到店里采购一番呢？A: Because I’m fed up with having to foot the bill. I don’t like to throw my money down the drain.我已经厌烦了老是付钱，不想乱花钱。

B: Have everyone chip in. 跟大家募捐一些钱吧！A: No,just skip it.不，我才不要呢。

✧pick up v.obtain,get 取得、购买✧odds and ends n.miscellaneous items 各种东西✧down the drain(tubes)ad.wasted,lost 浪费✧chip in v.contribute, give jointly 捐助✧skip v.forget,pass over 忘记Exercises1.We used all the milk yesterday.2.I must get a loaf of bread.3.I’m disgusted with riding the subways.4.Whenever they went for dinner, he had to pay.5.If you gamble, it’s money wasted.6.We’re buying her a gift and asking everyone to contribute.7.We need some miscellaneous items for the party.8.Forget it !3.Make Ends Meet 平衡收支A: You’re a clotheshorse. 你很会穿衣服。

B: I know. I love dressing up. 是啊，我喜欢打扮。

A: Do you shop around a lot for bargains? 你经常去逛商场买便宜货吗？B: I’m lucky. I work for a department store and I get a discount on merchandise.我很幸运。

我在百货公司工作，可以享受折扣。

A: That’s great because everything is sky-high. 真好，每一种东西都贵得吓人呢！B: Yes,it’s difficult making ends meet. 要平衡收支还真不容易呢！A: We have to cut corners. 不节省一点不行。

B: Me too, I’ve cut down on lusuries. 我也是，不能太奢侈。

✧clotheshorse n. a conspicuously well-dressed person 很会打扮的人✧dress up v.wear one’s best clothes 打扮✧shop around v. look in many stores 逛街✧sky-high a. expensive 昂贵的✧cut croners v.limit one’s buying 控制花费✧cut down on v. use less, reduce 减少Exercises1.I’m looking for a television.2.Rents in New York City are very expensive.3.That’s a terrific idea.4.I got all my debts paid this month.5.I’m spending all my money. I must limit my buying.6.He must reduce the number of cigarettes he smokes.7.She is always very well dressed.8.Whenever company comes th their house, the children must wear theirbest clothes.4.Raking It In 大捞一笔（发横财）A: He was in the casino and started to make a bundle. He was really raking it in.他在赌场赢了很多钱，狠狠捞了一笔。

B: I bet he thought he had it made. 他一定觉得很有成就感。

A: Then he started losing his shirt. 但是之后却开始输钱了。

B: With his temper,he probably hit the ceilling. 依他的脾气，可能大发雷霆。

A: Sure. The casino took him tho the cleaners. 是啊，赌场赢走了他所有的钱。

B: Was he a good sport ? 他输得起吗？A: Oh no. He was a sore loser. 输不起，他气疯了。

✧make a bundle v.make a lot of money 赚大钱✧rake it in v.make a lot of money 大捞一笔✧have it made v.be sure of success, have everything 确信自己的胜利✧lose one’s shirt v. lose all one’s money 失去所有的钱✧hit the ceilling v. geu angry 发脾气✧take someone to the cleaners v. win all of someone’s money, cheat someone赢走某人的钱✧good sport n. person who lose well 输得起✧sore loser a.person who gets angry when he loses 输不起Exercises1.He is very fortunate. He has everything.2.Don’t play with him. He gets angry if you win.3.He’s making a lot of money now.4.The owner of the ski lodge makes a lot of money when it snows.5.If you bother him, he’ll get angry.6.Bob cheated him out of his money.7.He bet all his money and didn’t win.8.I don’t mind playing cards with him. If he loses, he dones n’t get angry.5.Caught ShortA: At the end of the week, I’m always caughu short.B: That’s because money burns a hole in your pocket. I don’t feel sorry for you.A: How can I thighten my belt ?B: You’re going to have to do without in order to get alongA: I know. I’ll try brown bagging it. Within a short time I’ll be in the chips again.✧caught short a.having an insufficient supply(especially of money) whenneeded✧burn a hole in one’s pocket v.to be spent quickly✧feel sorry for v.pity✧tighten one’s belt v.economize,spend and use less✧do without v.live without something✧get along v.manage✧brown bag v.bring one’s lunch from home✧in the chips a.having plenty of moneyExercises1.He’s trying to save money so he’s taking his lunch to work.2.She’s on a diet. She can’t have ice cream.3.They have a lot of problems. I pity them.4.The bill came to $25 but I only had $20 with me. I didn’t have enough.5.They have a beautiful home. They’re wealthy.6.My car is being repaired. I have to manage without it for a while.7.I’m not making enough money. I’m going to have to economize.8.As soon as he gets some money, he spends it.6.An Arm And A Leg♦That car is in A-1 condition, but it would cost an arm and a leg.♦I didn’t know you were in the market for another car.♦I’m thinking about it, but for the time being, I’ll use this jalopy, it’ll do in a pinch.♦I’m sure a new one will set you back 10 grand. That ain’t hay !✧A-1 a.excellent✧in the market for a.wanting or ready to buy✧for the time being ad.at the present time✧jalopy[dʒəˈlɑpi]n. old car usually in poor condotion✧in a pinch ad.okay when nothing else is available✧set one back v.cost✧grand n.$1000✧That ain’t hay!That’s a lot of money.Exercises1.Five thousand dollars? That’s a lot of money.2.All I seem to find are old cars in bad condition.3.Sending a child through college today can cost parents a lot ofmoney.4.I want to buy a very good leather jacket.5.There was no food in the house except for a dozen eggs, I don’t likeeggs that much but I eat them when there’s nothing else.6.I just had a big lunch so at the present time I’m not hungry.7.I bought a used typewriter. It’s in excellent condition.8.I’m sure that new car cost him a lot of money.7. A Nest egg♦He’s always spuawking about money.♦If he had a nest egg. He wouldn’t have to worry.♦It’s difficult to salt away money today.♦That’s true. And he tries to keep up with the Joneses.♦Not really. He tries to save, but the family expenses are on his shoulders.That’s why he’s on pins and needles.♦Why doesn’t he play the lottery?♦Because he can bank on the fact that he’s not going to make a killing that way.✧spuawk about plain about✧nest egg n.extra money saved✧salt away v. save,keep hidden until needed✧keep up with the Joneses v.try to equal your neighvors’ lifestyle✧on one’s shoulders on one’s responsibility✧on pins and needles a.nervous,excited✧bank on count on, be sure of✧make a killing gain a large amount of money at one timeExercisesHe made a large amount of money in real estate.School children always complain about having a lot of homework.He’s waiting to hear if he got the job. He’s very nervous. Anything her neithbor has, she wants.It’s always nice to have extra money available.If you make a lot of money, you’re going to have to play a lot of taxes. You can count on that.He’s responsible for all the work in his office.He’s going to retire in a couple of years. He saved money so that he would have it when he needed it.8.falling behind♦I’m breaking my neck at two jobs so I don’t fall behind in my bills.♦Maybe you better face up to the fact that you can’t enjoy life to the hilt.♦I’ll go over my budge again. Don’t fly off the handle if my check bounces.♦I’m sure it will clear but if you want. I’ll give you some money to tide you over.✧break one’s neck try very hard✧fall behind not be able to keep up✧face up to accept something unpleasant or difficult✧to the hilt completely, to the limit✧go over get angry✧bounce not be acceptable because of insufficient funds in the bank✧clear go through✧tide someone over help someone through a shortageExercises9.When the Chips Are Down♦I can’t believe I’m down and out. I’m living hand to mouth and pinching pennies.♦You can always turn to me when the chips are down.♦I don’t want any handouts. I don’t mooch off anyone.♦Just sit tight. You’ll get out from under.✧down and out a. having no money, no success✧hand to mouth a&ad. barely able to cover daily expenses✧pinch pennies a. be thrifty,careful how you spend money✧turn to v. go to for help✧when the chip are down a. at the worst time, when one faces the biggestobstacles✧handout n. charity✧mooch v. borrow,beg,get without paying✧sit tight v. wait patiently✧get out from under end a worrisome situationExercises10.Keeping One’s Head Above Water♦I’m racking my brains to find a way to keep my head above water.♦I did n’t know you were hard up.♦I put up a good front but I haven’t seen daylight for a long time.♦I’ll give you some moola to bail you out.♦That’s just a drop in the bucket. I need too much to get back on my feet.✧rack one’s brains try hard to think or remember✧keep one’s head above water be able to exist on one’s income,pay bills✧hard up a. in desperate need of something✧put up a good front pretend to be happy, fool people about one’s status✧see daylight achieve or expect a favorable result✧moola money✧bail one out help✧ a drop in the bucket a small amount✧back on one’s feet financially independent or physically healthy again Exercises11.One For the Books♦He’s a nitwit. What half-baked idea does he have now?♦He’s sure he can become a millionaire by buying 100 lottery tickets. He thinks it’ll be a piece of cake.♦That’s one for the books. It’s no cinch making money.♦He talks through his hat. You have to take everthing he says with a grain of salt.♦Just watch. He’ll have egg on his face.✧nitwit n. idiot✧half-baked a. foolish,silly✧ a piece of cake easy✧one for the books very unusual, remarkable✧ a cinch easy✧talk through one’s hat make exaggerated or inaccurate statements✧take with a grain of salt listen with skepticism✧have egg on one’s face be embarrassedExercises12.An Eager Beaver♦That guy is an eager beaver. He never goofs off.♦He really wants to get ahead.♦You can count on him.♦If extra work crops up, he will pitch in.♦He’s not a clockwatcher✧eager beaver ambitious, zealous,hard worker✧goof off not want to work, be lazy✧get ahead become successful✧count on depend, rely on; trust✧crop up happen puickly without warning✧pitch in help✧clockwatcher person in a hurry to leave workExercises13.Bring Home The Bacon♦Today I’m under the weather.♦Play hooky. I won’t spill the beans.♦I can’t. I’m swamped with work. My job is no picnic.♦Well, hang in there. In the long run, you’ll be sitting pretty.♦I hope so. I have to bring home the bacon.✧under the weather not feeling well✧play hooky stay away from school or work✧spill the beans tell a secret, inform✧swamped overwhelmed✧no picnic not pleasant✧hang in there be patient, wait✧in the long run in the end, as a result✧sitting pretty in a favorable situation✧bring home the bacon earn the family’s incomeExercises14.On Shoetring♦Out of the blue, he opened up a business on a shoestring.♦That’s a feather in his cap.♦I hope he doesn’t take a beating.♦I don’t think so. He struck while the iron was hot.♦He’ll probably wind up being very wellheeled.♦I hope so. He’s been through the mill.✧ou of the blue unexpectedly, by surprise, from now here✧on a shoestring with very little money✧ a feather in one’s cap proud achievement✧take a beating lose money✧strike while the iron is hot take advantage of an opportunity✧wind up end, finish✧well-heeled rich✧through the mill experienced in difficulties of lifeExercises15.A Pep Talk♦He gave them a pep talk and told them they better shape up or they’ll get a pink slip.♦I knew he’d get around to it. If yu were in his shoes, you wouldn’t have let it ride.♦Off the record. I’m glad he clamped down on them. How are things now?♦Everyone’s gung ho.✧pep talk a talk to arouse enthusiasm✧shape up begin to act and look right✧pink slip notice of dismissal✧get around to finally find time to do something✧in someone’s shoes in another person’s place or position✧let it ride continue without changing a situation✧off the record pricately, unofficially, not for public announcement✧clamp down become stricter✧gung ho enthusiastic, eagerExercises16.In Senenth Heaven♦I’m in seventh heaven.♦I noticed your head was in the clouds.♦I think I made a hit with the boss. My idea knocked him dead. Now he knowsI mean business.♦I have to hand it to you. You stuck to your guns and everything panned out.♦I’m glad I kept my fingers crossed.✧have one’s head in the clouds be daydreaming, lost in thought✧make a hit be successful✧knock one dead greatly impress, surprise✧mean business be serious✧hand it to someone acknowledge, give credit to✧stick to one’s gun to defend an action or opinion despite an unfavorablefraction✧pan out happen favoraly✧keep one’s fingers crossed wish for good luckExercises17.A Brainstorm♦He thought up a great idea for a new product.♦Maybe with this brainstorm, he’ll take the plunge and start his own business.♦I think he wants to try his idea out for a while. He doesn’t want to jump the gun.♦He should kick it around a while but it won’t work unless he can take over.♦Well, so far none of his plans have managed to get off the ground.♦✧think up invent,create✧brainstorm very smart idea✧take the plunge do something decisive✧try something out test✧jump the gun start before you should✧kick something around discuss, think about✧take over (take charge)take control, command✧get off the ground make progress, a good startExercises18.The Create Of the Crop♦He’s a brain.♦I can’t stand him. He rubs me the wrong way.♦Why? He’s on the ball and has his feet on the ground.♦What we need is someone who keeps his nose to the grindstone.♦I read his application and he is the cream of the crop.♦Do you think he’ll get the job?♦Yeah, it’s in the bag.✧brain intelligent person✧rub one the wrong way annoy, bother, make angry✧on the ball paying attention and doing things well✧have one’s feet on the ground be pratical, sensible, stable✧keep one’s nose to the grindstone always work hard, keep busy✧the cream of the crop the best of a group, top choice✧in the bag certain, sure, definiteExercises19.Pulling Strings♦There’s a job opening in my company. It would suit you to a T.♦Could you pull some strings to get me hired?♦I can’t. My hands are tied.♦Don’t you know anyone who could throw his weight around?♦What about your brother? He’s a big shot. Maybe he could put in his two cents.♦Asking him is wasting my breath. I think I’ll have to make my own way.✧to a T perfectly, exactly✧pull strings secretly use influence and power✧one’s hands are tied one is unable to help✧throw one’s weight around use one’s influence in a showy manner✧put in one’s two cents give one’s opinion✧waste one’s breath speak or argue with no result✧make one’s own way rely on one’s own abilitiesExercises20.In the Swing Of Things♦I’m going to get a promotion.♦You’re pulling my leg !♦No. I deserve it. I worked my fingers to the bone.♦I’m glad they gave you a break.♦Finally things are looking up for me. I’m taking on more responsibility.♦Now you have to get in the swing of things and learn the ropes.It’ll be a breeze. I’m really cut out for this work.✧pull someone’s leg trick, playfully tease, fool✧work one’s fingers to the bone work very hard✧give someone a break give someone an opportunity or chance✧look up improve✧take on begin to handle✧get in the swing of things adapt to a new environment✧learn the ropes learn about a job✧ a breeze easy✧cut out suited toExercisesI promise I’ll study harder for the exam next time. Please give me another chance. Stop teasing me.I can do that. It’s easy.He had a difficult time last year but now everything’s improving.He just moved to town so he’ll have to learn about the area.He works very hard.She loves to tell stories to little children. I think she’s suited to be a teather. He is a good dentist, but he’s not accepting more patients now.。