Idioms are also funny: 15 interesting English idiomatic expressions

2013-02-16 「 4368 words / 9 minute 」
Idioms are also funny: 15 interesting English idiomatic expressions.jpg
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1. 只了解极少一部分
1. a worm’s eye view
很多人听到过鸟瞰这个词,但是你有听说过“虫视”吗?这个习语的意思是你只了解或懂得一件事的很小一部分,而且不幸的是,你了解的是最不重要的部分!
Many have heard the expression a bird’s eye view, but have you ever heard of a worm’s eye view? If you have a worm’s eye view of something, you only understand or know a little bit about it - and, unfortunately, it is usually the worst or least important part!
例:他哪里懂介词了?他对英语语法的了解少得可怜!
Example: What does he know about prepositions? He only has a worm’s eye view of English grammar!
2. 扫兴的人
2. a party pooper
这个习语指的是总是在派对上扫人兴的人。
A party pooper is someone who (always) ruins the fun.
例:弗莉达说她不能来我们的“80年代摇滚明星”主题派对了。她要在家洗头——真扫兴!
Example: Frieda said that she can’t come to our ❛80’s Rock Star❜ party. She has to stay home and wash her hair - what a party pooper!
3. 一大群人
3. everyone and his brother
这个习语泛指的是一大群人。
The English expression everyone and his brother refers to a very large number of people.
例:上周的集邮者大会爆棚了。我这辈子从来没见过这么多人!
Example: Everyone and his brother was at the stamp collectors’ convention last weekend. I had never seen so many people in my life!
4. 从心所欲
4. The world is your oyster.
如果有人用这样的习语描述你,那说明只要你想做、下定决心做一件事,你就一定能做成。
If the world is your oyster, you have the ability to do anything you want or set you mind to do.
例:现在的年轻人有太多有利条件了。他们想干什么都能干成。
Example: The young people of today have so many advantages. The world is their oyster.
5. (地位低下的人)反抗、转变
5. The worm has turned.
这又是一个和“虫”有关的习语。指的是一个一直很弱势、总是听别人差遣的人现在变得坚强并且自信了。
Here is another worm idiom. The English idiom the worm has turned is used to say that someone who was always weak and did what he was told has now become strong and confident.
例:看来里纳尔多不会再听你的了。他已经变得自信起来了。
Example: It looks like Rinaldo isn’t listening to you anymore. The worm has turned.
6. 震惊
6. to knock your socks off
这个习语的意思是一个人让你震惊、惊讶、印象深刻。
When someone or something knocks your socks off, he, she or it amazes or impresses you.
例:阿巴拉翻唱的加拿大国歌真的惊艳到我们了!
Example: Abrar’s version of the Canadian national anthem really knocked our socks off!
7. 头头、大老板
7. top banana
和head honcho(大腕)、big cheese(大人物)和big enchilada(大亨)类似,这个词组的意思是一个团体或组织的领导。
Similar to head honcho, big cheese or big enchilada, the term top banana refers to the leader of a group or organization.
例:我们的校长威廉姆斯先生是我们学校的头头。
Example: Our principal, Mr. Williams, is the top banana at our school.
8. 慢热
8. the lights are on, but nobody's home
用来描述一个人努力想要融入社会但无法融入进去,还有点慢热的人。
Used when describing a person struggles to fit into normal society, and subsequently rejected and described to people as a bit slow.
例:用不着问达德利他知不知道。唔…你知道的,这人有点慢热。
Example: Don't ask Dudley if he knows it, because… well, you know, the lights are on but nobody is home.
9. 完全不可能
9. when pigs fly
这个习语的意思是“这件事是永远不可能的”,或是“我永远都不会这样做”。
The phrase "when pigs fly" is a response equal to "it will never happen", or "I will never do it".
例:你要是能那些事做完,那猪都会飞了。
Example: The things you want to create is can only be complete when pigs fly.
10. 音痴
10. to have Van Gogh's ear for music
这样描述你的意思是:你是一个音痴。
If you have Van Gogh's ear for music, you are a tone deaf.
例:他完全是个音痴,唱起歌来像生锈的门铰一样。
Example: He has Van Gogh’s ear for music and sings like a rusty hinge.
11. 像猪一样吃东西
11. to pig out
这个习语的说的是吃的太多,吃得像猪一样。
This idiom means eating too much of something; to make a pig of oneself.
例:你们几个不要吃那么多糖,都吃成猪了!
Example: Don't you girls pig out on too much candy!
12. 什么乱七八糟的都有
12. everything but the kitchen sink
几乎所有东西,无论是有用的还是没用的。
Almost everything, whether needed or not.
例:她一路上几乎什么都买了,不管是有用的还是没用的。我实在不知道她到底是怎么拎动她的手提箱的。
Example: She must have brought everything but the kitchen sink along on the trip, and how she lifted her suitcase, I do not know.
13. 闭嘴、别再说了
13. to put a sock in it
让吵吵嚷嚷的单个人或一群人闭嘴。
Asking a noisy person or a group to be quiet or to shut up.
例:噢,你快给我闭嘴!
Example: Oh, dry up; put a sock in it.
14. 铁打的胃,吃多少喝多少都没问题
14. to have a cast iron stomach
这个习语指的是一个人吃多少喝多少都没问题。
A person who has a cast iron stomach is someone who has no problems with eating anything or drinking anything.
例:我不能吃这个东西,我的胃可不是铁打的。
Example: I cannot eat this type of food because i don’t have a cast iron stomach.
15. 动动脑子
15. use your loaf
你跟别人说这个习语,就是说用有点生气的口吻让别人做事多动动脑子。
If you tell someone to use their loaf, you are telling them in a slightly angry way that they should think more carefully about what they are doing.
例:你连开关都没看。天哪,杰米,长点脑子吧!
Example: You haven’t even switched the thing on. Come on, Jamie, use your loaf!