温馨提示-法务实习报告

英语习语集锦
【摘自：陈清霖，《联合早报》】
1. Abandon oneself to something
— allow onself to be completely controlled by something, especially pas
sions or impulses.
— 完全屈服于……；陷入……
Example: Tom tried and tried but failed again and again. Finally, he ab
andoned himself to despair.
2. Abase oneself
— make oneself humble.
— 降低自己的身分
Example: In ancient times, people of low social status often abased the
mselves in the presence of an influential or powerful person.
3. Abide by something
— observe or follow something.
— 遵守某事
Example: When you play a game, you must abide by the rules and reg
ulations concerned.
4. Back athe wrong horse
— put one's faith in someone who later loses or something which fails.
— 下错了赌注；支持输家
Example: The manager backed a wrong horse by giving the much-covet
ed job to Jack, who turned out to have a criminal record.
5. Back away (from doing something)
— move away (from doing something) because of dislike or fear.
— 因害怕或厌恶而后退
Examples: 1. The cat backed away as the stranger raised his hand to h
it it. 2. In the face of strong opposition, the government has backed away
from increasing taxes.
6. Call forthout something
— cause something to be seen or used.
— 使某事物出现；引出某事物
Examples: 1. Lily's outward appearance was so attractive that it called f
orth admiration from every man in the office. 2. Difficulties in life may call
out a person's good qualities not easily seen in good life.

7. Call in someonesomething
— ask someone to come.
— 请某人来
Example: Please call in my family doctor.
— request the return of something.
— 下令收回某物
Examples: 1. The banks have called in all the old one-dollar notes. 2. A
Japanese car maker has called in some cars with engine faults.
8. Dab hand at (doing) something, a
— clever at (doing) something.
— (做)某事的能手
Example: As Susan is a dab hand at interior design, let her decorate th
e new apartment for you.
9. Dabble in something
— play with water by moving one's hands and feet about.
— 涉水
Example: The children enjoyed dabbling in the river water after the rain.

— do things in a half-serious manner.
— 涉猎；浅尝辄止
Example: Sean does not like stamp-collection but only dabbles in it at
his leisure.
10. Had better
— it would be wise to.
— 最好
Example: You had better go home before rain comes.
11. Haggle overabout something
— argue in an attempt to fix a price on something.
— 讨价还价
Examples: Li haggled with the storekeeper over the goods she w
as buying. 2. I seldom haggled about the food price when I found it reaso
nable.
1. I beg to differ
— I don't agree with you.
— 恕我不能赞同

Example: You may think that John should be offered the job, but
I beg to differ. John has no practical experience and is not highly motivate
d.
2. IYou bet
— I am you are sure.
— 我敢肯定；你可确信
Examples: weather is fine. I bet it won't rain.
2. You bet I'll arrive at the airport before everyone else.

3. Jack-in-the-box, a
— a person who fidgets or does not sit still.
— 盒中的玩偶；比喻一个人静不下来
Example: “Boy! Sit properly! Don't jump up and down like a jack-i
n-the-box.”
4. Jack of all trades is master of none, a
— person who can do many different kinds of work may not be g
ood at any of them.
— 博而不精的人
Example: This chap repaired the television and installed the air-co
nditioner all in one day, but none of the work he did seemed reliable. Isn'
t he a jack of all trades master of none?
5. Oblivious ofto something
— unaware of something; not noticing something.
— 未觉察某事；不注意某事
Example: What is wrong with James? He seems completely oblivio
us of what has happened here.
6. Odd manone out, an
— a person or thing different from a group or left out of it.

— 与众不同的人或物
Examples: 1. You had better learn to use a computer if you don't
want to be an odd man out. 2. Look at the watch on the dining
table! It is an odd one out.
7. Pack of lies, a
— something that is completely untrue.
— 一派胡言
Example: Don't listen to him! His story is a pack of lies.
8. Pack someone off (to some place)
— send someone away, usually quickly and without wasting time.
— 迅速打发某人
Example: The mother could not allow the children to sleep late, so
she packed them off to bed at about 10p.m.
9. Qualify as someonefor something
— show that one is suitable for a profession, reaches a a standard,
etc.
— 具……的资格；合格于……
Examples: 1. After years of hard work, Judie has qualified as a de
ntist.
2. Our school is sure to qualify for the regional English d
ebating competition.
10. Quarrel with one's bread and butter
— dislike the work by which one earns one's living.
— 和自己的生计过不去
Example: If you are against the authorities, you are quarrelling wi
th your bread and butter and your family will be in trouble.
11. Race against timea race against time

— hurry to do something before a certain time.
— 尽快工作，按时完成
Examples: 1. Being late, you have to race against time to finish t
he work by 5 p.m.
2. I try to get this assignment done by Monday, but it w
ill be a race against time.
① Abide by the consequences
— endure the result
— 忍受不良后果
Example: If you insist on going to such a dangerous place, no ot
her person but you have to abide by the consequences.
② Able tocan take something
— (often in the negative) able to face something sad, etc. withou
t being weakened; able to endure something
— 能承受不好的事
Examples: ① Don't mind about rugged life there. I am able to ta
ke it. ② Please stop speaking so loudly! I am not able to take it any more.
③ Go ahead hitting him. He can take it. ④ I don't think Nancy can take
any more bad news.
③ Abound inwith something
— have plenty of something
— 有很多……
Examples: ① Our neighbouring countries abound in natural resour
ces. ② That dirty man's hair seems to have abounded with fleas.
④ Back down
— retract; withdraw charges, claims, etc.
— 放弃对某事的要求等

Example: For the sake of national unity, even those who have go
od reasons to complain have decided to back down.
⑤ Back on to something
— have the back next to something, especially with reference to
a house
— 背向
Example: The rich man's bungalow backs on to a hill while facing
a beautiful lake.
⑥ Call it a day
— stop work or cease activities
— 停止工作或活动
Example: It is quite late now. Let's call it a day and go home.
⑦ Call off something
— cancel something
— 取消某事
Example: They called off the soccer match because of heavy rain.

— stop something
— 停止某事
Example: As there was no hope of finding the escaped prisoner, t
he police decided to call off the search until some time later.
⑧ Dally about
— be slow and waste time
— 慢而浪费时间
Example: Don't go on dallying about or we will be late for the fil
m show.
⑨ Dally with something

— think about something in an idle manner
— 不认真考虑某事
Example: The shy young man has been dallying with the idea of
asking June to marry him.
⑩ Dam up something
— control something; hold back something
— 抑制某事
Example: Listening to the sad story, many girls were touched but
they tried to dam up their tears.
(11) Hail-fellow-well-met with someone
— overfriendly with someone
— 对人十分友好
Example: David is always hail-fellow-well-met with every person h
e knows. No wonder he has many nodding acquaintances.
① Hail someone or something as someone elsesomething else
— recognise or welcome someonesomething as someone elsesome
thing else.
— 热情地承认某事或招呼某人
Examples: ① Because of having a good voice, Sharon has been hai
led as singing queen in her school.
② The recent scientific discovery was hailed as breakthrou
gh.
② I couldn't agree more
— I agreed completely.
—（与某人意见）完全一致
Example: A: I think our country is well-developed.
B: I couldn't agree more.

③ I dare say
— I suppose.
— 我相信；可能
Example: In your quarrel with Jason this time, I dare say you were
in the wrong.
④ I hate to disturbbothertrouble you, but...
— I am sorry for disturbingbotheringtroubling you, but...
— 我不愿麻烦你，但……
Example: I hate to bother you when you are so busy, but there is
something important I have to tell you before it is too late.
⑤ Jack up
— lift with a jack.
— 顶起
Example: You have to jack up your car before you can remove the
tyre.
— (of prices) increase.
— 增加；提高
Example: During festive seasons, some shops have jacked up the p
rices of some goods.
⑥ Oddities and absurdities
— something odd and absurd.
— 稀奇古怪
Example: Sometimes, we have to accept the oddities and absurditie
s of certain aspects of a language which cannot be logically explained.
⑦ Odds and ends
— small objects of different kinds.
— 琐碎物品

Example: Where there are children, there are odds and ends lying
here and there.
⑧ Pack up
— stop doing something.
— 不再做某事；放弃……
Example: It is late now. Let's pack up and go to bed.
⑨ Packed like sardines
— pressed very tightly together.
— 拥挤（如罐中的沙丁鱼）
Example: The bus was full of passengers who were packed like sar
dines.
⑩ Queue up (for something)
— stand in a queue.
— 排队等候
Examples: ① People queue up one after another outside the theatr
e.
② All have to queue up for tickets for the musical concert.
(11) Quibble aboutat something or a quibble over something
— argue about small unimportant points.
— 因小事而争论
Examples: ① Don't quibble with her about the money.
② She quibbled at the small price.
③ There was a quibble cver a few dollars.
(1) About average
— no better or no worse than others.
— 符合一般水平

Example: Some staff's performance is about average. They hav
e never proved better.
(2) About time
— the appropriate time.
— 差不多到时候了
Example: You have been working for quite a while. It's about ti
me you had a new car.
(3) About to
— ready to
— 即将；正要
Example: We were about to go out when it suddenly rained.
(4) Back to back
— with the back facing the other.
— 背靠背
Example: Stand back to back, boys! Let me see who is the tall
est.
(5) Back to front
— with the back placed where the front should be.
— 前后颠倒
Example: You got your pullover on back to front.
— thoroughly
— 透彻地
Example: All the people here know the government's major poli
cies back to front.
(6) Back up someonesomething
— support someonesomething.

— 支持某人／某事
Example: ① No matter how, we should back up our most respe
cted representative.
② Some new evidence backed up the prosecutor's argu
ment.
(7) Call onupon someone
— visit someone
— 访问某人
Example: When are we going to call on our new neighbours?
(8) Call onupon someone to do something
— invite someone to speak, etc.
— 邀请
Example: Without further ado, let me call upon our distinguishe
d guest to speak to us.
— appeal to someone to act.
— 恳求；促使
Example: In times of difficulties, we will have to call on the pu
blic to make donations.
(9) Call out someone
— order officially.
— 召唤
Example: During the riot, the chief of police had to call out the
riot police to restore law and order.
(10) Damp(en) something down
— make a fire burn less strongly.
— 使火燃烧缓慢下来

Example: It was a moonlit night, so the campers dampened do
wn the fire.
— control and reduce something; suppress something.
— 抑制；减弱
Example: ① Some boys were over-zealous and we had to damp
down their enthusiasm.
② Lack of support has damped down political dissidents'
activities.
(11) Dance attendance onupon someone
— do what someone wants without asking.
— 侍候某人，听其差遣
Example: The manageress sat still, expecting everyone to dance
attendance on her.
(1) Halcyon days
— times of undisturbed peace and happiness.
— 太平幸福的日子
Example: When people grow older, they long for halcyon days m
ore than anything else.
(2) Hale and hearty
— strong and healthy
— 健壮的
Example: In spite of old age, Mr Lin is still hale and hearty.
(3) Half a loaf is better than no bread
— we should be thankful for what we have, even if the amount i
s not as much as expected.
— 少量比完全没有好

Example: Dr Huang applied for a week's leave, but was given thr
ee days. Half a loaf is better than no bread.
(4) I hate to mention it, but...
— May I remind you that...
— 让我提醒你
Example: I hate to mention it, but you still haven't given me your
annual report.
(5) I would be the first last person to...
— I am very willing unwilling to do something.
— 我很愿意／很不愿意做某事
Examples: ① If you ask me for assistance, I would be the first p
erson to volunteer.
② I assure you I would be the last person to commit a crime.
(6) Jealous of someonesomething
— envious of someonesomething
— 妒忌某人／某事
Examples: ① Why is she so jealous of her successful colleagues?
② It is wrong to be jealous of your friends' accomplishments.
(7) Jeer at someone
— laugh or shout disrespectfully at someone
— 嘲笑
Example: The spectators jeered at the team for playing dreadfully.

(8) Odds are that, the...
— the likelihood is that...
— 可能

Example: Nobody knows what the pay rise will be like, but the o
dds are that it will be about 5%.
(9) Of great some no account
— of great some no importance.
— 很／有些／不重要
Examples: ① All political leaders must be persons of great accoun
t.
② To the manager, the secretary is a staff member of some acc
ount.
③ Don't worry about that matter; it is of no account.
(10) Palm something off on someonepalm someone off with
something
— get rid of an undesirable thing by giving, selling, etc. it to so
meone else; get rid of someone by giving, selling him something.
— 劝说别人接受自己不喜欢的事物；打发不喜欢的人
Examples: ① His 10-year-old car was always breaking down, so
he was forced to palm it off on his honest friend.
② The shopkeeper was so tired of the talkative woman that he
palmed her off with something of poor quality.
(11) Raise one's eyebrows (at something)
— lift one's eyebrows to show surprise or doubt (of something).
— 表示惊讶或疑惑
Examples: ① Some foreigners' bold remarks against the authoriti
es raised everyone's eyebrows.
② The people raised their eyebrows at the discontinuity of some
excellent staff's teaching contracts.
(1) Above all
— most importantly

— 最重要的；尤其
Example: A successful person must be learned, healthy and, a
bove all, diligent.
(2) Above average
— above the ordinary standard
— 在一般水平以上
Example: Helen's school work is above average; she is better t
han the majority of her classmates.
(3) Above criticism suspicion
— someone or something that cannot be criticised suspected
— 无可批评／怀疑
Examples: ① Most of the artist's paintings were so well painted
that they were above criticism.
② For the sake of dignity, judges ought to be above s
uspicion.
(4) Back-breaking taskwork, a
— a demanding or exhausting task or work
— 使人筋疲力尽的工作
Example: Digging the hard soil in the garden under the hot su
n is really a back-breaking task.
(5) Backfire on someone
— have an unexpected effect opposite to the effect intended
— 产生出乎意料以及事与愿违的结果
Example: John's new scheme backfired on him and he lost a l
ot of money.
(6) Backroom boy, athe
— a person whose work is important but secret

— 在幕后默默工作的人
Example: The factory-expansion project has been a great succ
ess, but we should not forget the backroom boy who has played an import
ant part.
(7) Call someone names
— insult someone by applying rude names
— 侮辱某人
Example: They keep calling him names by shouting things like
head!and eyes!
(8) Call someone to account
— demand an explanation from someone
— 要求某人解释某事
Example: The officer called a soldier to account for not salutin
g him.
(9) Call something in(to) question
— raise doubts about something
— 怀疑某事物
Examples: ① Tom's inability to do work efficiently called into q
uestion his suitability for being promoted to a higher position.
② The government's good intentions have sometimes be
en called in question.
(10) Darby and Joan
— devoted elderly couple
— 恩爱的老年夫妇
Example: Eric and Irene have been so devoted to each other s
ince their marriage 35 years ago that they are described as and Jo
an
(11) Dare someone to do something (dangerous)

— challenge someone to do something dangerous
— 激某人做某事（危险的事）；挑战
Example: We dared our timid friend, Kelvin, to spend a night
near the graveyard.
1. Half an eye
— a quick look 一看就明白
Example: The new teacher could see with half an eye that Jim was
going to have trouble with some boys who disagreed with him.
2. Half- and-half
— as much one thing as the other
— 不好也不坏；差强人意的
Example: That much- publicised movie was neither good nor bad; it
was just half-and-half.
3. Half-baked idea
— an idea that has not been properly thought out
— 考虑不周的念头
Example: I don't think it wise to adopt his half-baked idea unless it
is further developed.
4. I would if I could but I can't
— I would like to do something worthwhile, but I am unable to
— 我很想做某事但不能
Example: X: Marry me while there is still time.
Y: I would if I could but I can't. I have a good boy friend.
5. I wouldn't say no
— I would readily agree
— 我一定同意／答应
Example: - Have another cup of beer, OK?
- Well, I wouldn't say no.
6. Jib at doing something
— be unwilling to do something
— 不肯做某事

Example: I don't mind mopping the floor, but I jib at cleaning the
walls.
7. Join combine forces (with someone)
— come together for a common purpose
— 与某人联合以达到共同的目的
Examples: 1. The two immediate neighbouring countries have joine
d forces to fight their common enemy.
2. We must combine forces with the new friends to set u
p the tent.
8. Of high calibre
— of top quality
— 质量或能力高
Example: A good government places only people of high calibre in
key positions.
9. Of no little avail
— of no little use
— 没有一点儿／只有小小用处
Examples: 1. Janet tried hard, but her efforts were of little avail.
2. The U.S. advised the two hostile countries not to use fo
rce, but the advice was of no avail.
10. Parting of the ways, a
— the point where the road divides
— 一分为二的地方；三岔路口
Example: The two tourists stood undecided at a parting of the way
s.
— a deciding point
— 须在两者之间抉择的关键
Example: Kenneth has come to a parting of the ways: going to wor
k or continuing with the study?
11. Pat someone on the back give someone a pat on the back
— clap lightly on someone's back for praise, support, etc.
— 轻拍某人表示赞扬、鼓励等

Examples: 1. The basketball coach patted every player on the back
with a smile.
2. Jason, our lecturer, gave each of us a pat on the back
and uttered a few encouraging words.
1. Aboveover one's head: too difficult for someone to understand.
难以理解
Example: What John had said was well above my head; he should
have made his speech simpler and clearer.
2. Above oneself: self-satisfied; conceited.
得意忘形；自高自大
Example: Peter was above himself after he was promoted to a hig
her position.
3. Abovebelow par: at a price higherlower than the original valu
e. (价格) 在一般水平以上／以下
Examples: (1) Most of the good shares are expensive and above p
ar now.
(2) When the market is bad, it is possible
to purchase the stock at a price below par.
4. Back-seat driver, athe:
(i) the bossy person in a car who always tells the driver what to
do. 对司机胡乱指点的乘客
Example: Most of us disliked the back-seat driver who was too arr
ogant.
(ii) a person who repeatedly gives advice without being asked for i
t. 自动乱给劝告的人
Example: Let the officer-in-charge handle the
matter; don't be nosey like a back-seat driver.
5. Backstairs influencetalk:secret or indirect influencetalk. 秘密或
间接的影响或谈话

Examples: (1) I think his wife has backstairs influence on his deci
sions.
(2) It is discourteous to have this type of backstairs talk about th
e new manager.
6. Bad blood between one person and another: ill-feeling between
two persons. 仇恨；厌恶
Example: The unfair distribution of the father's assets caused the
bad blood between the two siblings.
7. Calculate onupon (doing)something:depend on (doing)somethin
g. 指望；依靠
Examples: (1) We calculate on making an early start in this matte
r.
(2) Don't calculate upon the weather being fine for tomorrow's bas
ketball match.
8. Call a spade a spade: say exactly what you mean.直言不讳
Example: I am a frank person often calling a spade a spade. Hope
you don't mind.
9. Cocoon someone fromagainst something:keep someone in a pr
otective covering.盖在保护层里
Example: It may not be a good thing to cocoon one's child from t
he realities of a cruel life.
10. Dark horse, a: a person of unknown abilities and may spring
a surprise. 黑马（有本事而深藏不露的人）
Example: No one expected him to run very fast, but he proved to
be a dark horse this time and won the race.
11. Dash off: (i) write hurriedly. 匆匆地写
Example: Dan dashed off a letter to his friend while waiting for th
e plane at the airport.
(ii) leave or move away in a hurry. 猛冲

Example: It is late now; I must dash off to the bus stop before th
e last bus leaves.
12. Half the battle: a large part of the work.
至关重要的一部分（工作）
Example: To know your faults and decide to correct them can be
half the battle of self- improvement.
13. Hallmark of something, a: a typical feature of something. 某事
的特征
Example: Conciseness in wording is a hallmark of good writing.
14. Hammer away at something: keep working on something. 努力
做某事
Example: No matter how, we have to hammer away at the proble
m until we get it solved.
15. Ideal for: very suitable for. 理想的；最合适的
Example: Good picture dictionaries are ideal for preschool children.

16. Identical to something:exactly alike.与某事相同
Example: On the phone, your voice is almost identical to your eld
er sister's.
17. Import something to someonesomething: give something, usu
ally a quality, to someonesomething. 传达
Example: The pepper and the herbal spice have imported a special
flavour to the soup.
18. Join hands (with someone):
(i) hold someone's hands, e.g. while dancing.携手
Example: Boys and girls joined hands and danced for 10 minutes.
(ii) unite with someone. 联合
Example: The government has to join hands with the people to co
mbat all forms of social injustice.

19. Join in something: take part in something.
参与某事
Example: In the get- together last night, all of us joined in the sin
g-song.
20. Of two evils choose the lesser: pick the evil that is less seriou
s or harmful. 两害取其小和轻的
Example:
X: Do you want to walk to the shop which is not very far away or
ask Su, who has just got her driving licence to give you a lift?
Y: I choose to walk. Of two evils choose the lesser.
21. Patch up: (i)mend something quickly. 迅速修补
Example: The worker patched up the roof with pieces of tiles and
water-proof plastic.
(ii) Settle a quarrel, etc. 解决纷争
Examples: (1) The two friends soon patched up their disagreement.

(2) It is time we patch up our quarrel with our neighbours.
22. Pave the way for something: make it easy or possible for som
ething to happen. 为……铺路
Examples: (1) The peace treaty paves the way for lasting co-exist
ence between the two countries concerned.
(2) People's desire for freedom paved the way for a nation's strug
gle for independence and actual sovereignty.
(1) Above someone: too difficult for someone to understand. (令人难以
理解)）
Example: That speaker's lecture on astronomy seemed to be above t
he audience.
(2) Abscond from a place : leave a place unlawfully. (潜逃出某地)

Example: The prisoner has twice absconded from the prison, but he
was re-arrested and imprisoned again not long later.
(3) Absence makes the heart grow fonder: we have more affection fo
r our friends and relatives when they are away. (不见面令人更怀念)
Example: Michael used to quarrel with his sister, but he has missed
her since she went abroad for further studies. It is a case of „absence ma
kes the heart grow fonder‟.
(4) Bad for someone : harmful for someone. (对某人有害)
Example: Smoking may be thrilling, but it is definitely bad for you.
(5) Bad news travels fast : bad news nearly always reaches us more
rapidly than good news. (恶事传千里)
Example: The news of my neighbours' divorce spreads from one pers
on to another. Bad news travels fast, doesn't it?
(6) Bad workman always blames his tools, a : a bad workman tries t
o excuse his ownlack of skills by blaming the tools for poor workmanship.
(技术差的工人埋怨工具不好)
Example: To couldn't write well because I had used someone else's
penyour response could be: bad workman always blames his tools

(7) Cajolecoax someone intoout of (doing) something : persuade so
meone intoaway from (doing) something. (劝诱某人做／不做某事)
Examples:
(i) Can the teacher cajole every lazy pupil into greater efforts?
(ii) Betty tried to coax her father into increasing her pocket money.
(iii) Please cajole the boys out of their unreasonable demands.
(iv) We had to coax his boss out of punishing him.
(8) Calculated risk, a : a possibility of failure that has been estimated
before a course of action is taken. (有意尝试的险)
Example: David took a calculated risk when he bought such expensiv
e equipment from that new company.

(9) Calculated to do something :planned with the intention of donig s
omething. (计划做某事)
Examples:
(i) The new law is calculated to make cheating impossible.
(ii) Such commercials are calculated to attract the attention of ignoran
t housewives.
(10) Call at a place : arrive at a place, usually for a short time and
with a special purpose. (停靠某处)
Example: Some boats called at the port to unload the cargoes.
(11) Call back (someone) :
someone a telephone call.(回电)
Example: Will you call me back later?
another visit.(再来拜访)
Example: If you don't mind, could you call back later?
1. Date back tofrom a certain time:
go back to a certain time 自某时代至今
Example:
(1) The history of our club dates back to 1960.
(2) These traditional customs date from the time when we were very small.
2. Daub with something:
cover with something soft and sticky 涂抹
Example:
After being in the kitchen for the whole afternoon, Mother's apron is now daubed w
ith cooking oil and condiments.
3. Dawn onupon someone:
(used with the subject become suddenly clear to someone 突然明
白
Example:
(1) It dawned on me what he had really meant when he used that analogy.
(2) It dawned upon us that such a dialogue came from a small Chinese town.

4. Half the world knows not how the other half lives:
people of one social class are often ignorant of the problems of those
of another class 这类人不知另一类人 的生活方式
Example:
People in some poor countries have not enough to eat, but many of us here have l
eftovers to throw away. Half the world knows not how the other half lives.
5. Hammer out something :
(i) decide on a scheme after a long discussion or argument 竭力做某事

Example:
Let's get together to hammer out the required new scheme.
(ii) remove something by hammering 用锤敲去某物 Example:
Please get a mechanic to hammer out the dent on the right side of thi
s car.
6. Impose on someone :
ask someone to do something which he should not be asked to do; b
other someone 使人为难
Example:
I hope I am not imposing on you by asking you to answer the door.
7. Impoverish someonesomething of someonesomething else:

take something good away from someonesomething 使某人贫困；使某事
不妙
Example:
The government is paying attention to the problem of emigration, which is graduall
y impoverishing the country of capable people.
8. Impress someone with something:
make someone realise the importance of something 使某人对某事印象深
刻
Example:
Our teachers impress us with the need for mutual help.
9. Impress something onupon someone:
make the importance of something clear to someone 使某人深深意识到
某事物

Example:
Our leaders in different fields impressed the value of hard work on us.
10. Join with someone:
do the same thing as someone彼此一起
Example:
Will all of you join with me in drinking a toast to the bride and the bridegroom?
11. Joint efforts:
combined efforts共同的努力
Example:
Our team won the match through the joint efforts of the coach and the players.
(1) Abscond with something:
go away with something valuable 带贵重物潜逃
Example:
I wonder why the accountant in a very big organisation could abscond with a huge
sum of money without being detected.
(2) Absence of mind:
inattention 心不在焉
Example:
Absence of mind during driving often leads to road accidents.
(3) Absent oneself from a place:
be absent from a place 缺席；没去
Example:
Lazy students like to absent themselves from class without a good excuse.
(4) Absolve someone from (doing) something:
free someone from fulfilling a promise, etc. or from a guilt, etc. 获
免……；免除某人（履行诺言；承受罪责等）
Examples:
(i) After making an apology, the soldier was absolved from returning to the barrack
s on certain Saturdays.
(ii) Our education system does not absolve the parents from their responsibilities to
their children.
(5) Badly off:
(i) not having much money 穷困

Example:
The Huangs are too badly off to have a hoilday abroad as others do. (ii) not havin
g enough 不够；需要某物
Example:
Many schools in the village are rather badly off for modern equipment and other fa
cilities.
(6) Bag and baggage:
with all one's belongings 携随身财物（而去）
Example:
Some guests were unable to pay the hotel bills and were therefore asked to leave
bag and baggage.
(7) Bail someone out:
obtain freedom for someone by paying a bail 保释某人
Example:
How much should he pay to bail out the suspect?
(8) Callbring something to a halt:
stop something; put an end to something停止……
Examples:
(i) It is time to call the stupid arguments to a halt.
(ii) Production was brought to a halt by the prolonged strike.
(9) Call something to mind:
remember something 记起
Example:
I am sure I know the man over there though I can't call to mind where I met him.

(10) Call something to order:
ask something, usually a meeting, to perform in an orderly manner.
要求安静进行某事
Example:
After some vehement arguments between two members, the Chairman called the
meeting to order again.
(11) Day after dayday in, day out:
continuously for many days. 一天又一天

Examples:
(i) It went on raining day after day.
(ii) Despite the riot, business went on day in, day out.
1. Day dream, a :
imagining about things one would like to do 白日梦.
Example:
Some people would like to fall back on a day dream whenever the
y wished to get what they wanted.
2. Day of reckoning, a :
the time when one is obliged to answer for one's misdeeds 报应的
日子.
Example:
There will be a day of reckoning for what you have wrongly done
to be harmful to others.
3. Hammer something home :
emphasize a point one has made in an argument by repeating it
with great force 强调.
Example:
In the face of opposition, the speaker hammered his point home
with extensive illustrations.
4. Hand back something:
return something by hand 用手交还.
Example:
The teacher said that he would hand back the examination scripts
in week's time.
5. Hand down somthing to someone:
bequeath something to someone. （遗）传给……
Examples:

(1) Before the rich man passed away, he handed down his propert
y to his wife.
(2) That big house has been handed down to them by their grand
father.
6. Impose something on someonesomething else:
(i) force something on someone. 强加给:
Example:
Please don't impose your will on us.
(ii) place a tax, fine, etc. on someone or something. 征（税）；罚（款）

Examples:
(1) The traffic police have imposed a fine on the reckless motorist.

(2) The government has imposed a heavier tax on liquor.
7. Improve onupon something:
make something better 改进.
Examples:
(1) Your suggestion is good, but I think I can still improve on it.
(2) You had good results in the first year, but can you improve up
on them this year?
8. Joking apartaside:
let's stop joking and talk seriously 别再开玩笑.
Examples:
(1) Joking apart, we really must do something about the leak in t
he water pipe.
(2) Joking aside, what did John really think of me?
9. Of moment: important. 重要的

Example:
Nothing of moment occurred in your absence during the last two
weeks.
10. (Go) off one's head: mad. 疯了
Examples:
(1) You must be off your head to go mountain-climbing on such a
cold and rainy day.
(2) When Tom heard that he was dismissed, he almost went off hi
s head.
11. Part company (with someone):
(i) go in different directions. 向不同方向去
Example:
Helen and her boy friend parted company at the railway station.
(ii) end a friendship or partnership, etc. 结束；了结
Example:
As a result of constant quarrels, the man finally parted company
with his wife.
1. Deadbeat: exhausted 精疲力尽的
Examples:
(a) After the day's hard work, all looked deadbeat.
(b) The long-distance runners were deadbeat as they reached their
destination.
2. Dead end, a:
(i) a path or road which has no exit on the other side 没出口的路
Example: Don't drive into that place; it is a dead end.
(ii) the stage in one's work that can make no further progress.不能
再进展的阶段

Example: The aircrash investigation has reached a dead end; there
is nothing new in the report.
3. Dead-end job, a: a job with no prospects 无晋升希望的工作
Example: Such a job is badly paid and has no good prospects. It i
s a dead-end job, also known as a blind-alley job.
4. Hand something out to someone:
give something by hand to someone 把……交给……
Examples:
(a) Some boys are handing out leaflets to passers- by.
(b) Before the lecture, the lecturer handed out lecture notes to his
students.
5. Hand over someone something to someone: give a person or s
end a thing to someone 引渡某人；移交某事
Examples:
(a) The shopkeeper handed the petty thief over to the police.
(b) The old man decided to hand over his business to other family
members.
6. Hand something on (to someone):
pass something, especially information(to someone) 把消息等转达给
某人
Examples:
(a) I have some good news to hand on. Don't you want to hear?
(b) Could you please hand this message on to all the staff concer
ned?
7. In a big way: on a large scale. 大规模的
Example:
They plan to organise a concert in a big way.

8. In a bindjam: in difficulty or trouble.陷入困境
Examples:
(a) After accepting two job offers from two companies, Joseph was
in a bind.
(b) Whenever his research was in a jam, he went to his superviso
r for help.
9. Judging fromby something:
if one can see something as an indication; considering something
从某事判断
Examples:
(a) Judging from the bright sky, there won't be any rain today.
(b) Judging by their dirty clothes, they must just be back from wo
rk.
10. Judge someone something by appearances: base the judgeme
nt of someone something on outside looks以貌取人，从外表看事情
Examples:
(a) Don't judge people by appearances, but by their actual perfor
mance.
(b) It is safer to judge a thing by its quality, not by appearances.

11. Of necessity: logically and necessarily 逻辑上必要地
Example : University courses must, of necessity, be practical and
useful.
odate someone with something: provide someone with so
mething, often as a favour 提供
Example: I hope the bank in which you are working in will be kin
d enough to accommodate me with a car loan.
2. Accompany something with something else: add something to s
omething else.随某物而来

Example: The rascal accompanied his abusive language with a sho
w of his two fists.
3. Accord with something: match something.与某事物相配合
Example: The young man's political ideology does not accord with
his father's. The former is radical; the latter is conservative.
4. According to:
(i)as stated or shown. 根据
Example: According to the records, the books you borrowed were
often overdue.
(ii) in agreement with. 按照
Example: Always try to act according to your promise.
(iii) in the order of. 循序
Example: The books in a library are arranged according to their a
uthors, titles, etc.
(iv) in proportion to. 视……而定
Example: Part-time workers are normally paid according to the am
ount of work done by the hour.
someone from (doing) something: prevent someone from (d
oing) something. 阻止某人做某事
Examples:
(1)The invigilator has the right to bar any dishonest student from taki
ng the examination.
(2)Some members have been barred from the club for misconduct.
6. Bare bones, the: the simplest but most important parts.梗概
Example: These are the bare bones of the system which must be i
ncorporated.
7. Bare of something: missing something that is normally present.
（指不该空着）空的

Example: In sharp contrast to other apartments, Judy's was auster
ely furnished and bare of any ornament.
ld do no wrong: one is so much favoured that anything
he does is thought to be right. 绝对错不了
Examples:
(1) In the teacher's eyes, a good student like Susan can do no wrong.

(2) Mrs Lin considered her only son perfect and could do no wrong.
ill afford (to do)something: cannot afford (to do) something.
负担不起
Examples:
(1) I am busy now and can ill afford to see anyone.
(2) Our soccer team can ill afford to lose the match again.
something out: balance something; strike out something.
抵消
Example: The failure in overseas business cancelled out the overall
profits of the company.
set against someone
something: firmly opposed to someonesomething. 极力反对
Examples:
(1) Mr Li is dead set against his arch rival, Mr Huang.
(2) Most workers were dead set against longer working hours.

1. Accustomedused to(doing)something: in the habit of(doing)som
ething.习惯于……
Examples:
(1) I am accustomed to getting up early in the morning.

(2 )After some time, westerners are used to the hot weather here.

2. Ache for someonesomething or ache to do something:
(i)have a strong desire to do something.渴望得到……
Examples:
(1) Though separated, John's heart is aching for his former girl fri
end.
(2) She is aching to tell us the good news about her promotion.
(ii) feel pity for someone.使人感伤
Example: My heart aches for the unfortunate in many countries.
3. Aches and pains:
considerable fatigue, especially in the muscles or joints all over on
e's body.各种疼痛
Example: June is still young but has behaved like a woman, contin
ually complaining about aches and pains.
4. Achilles' heel: the weakest point in a person's character.致命伤
Example: Insincerity is the Achilles' heel of many people, be they
politicians or businessmen.
5. Base onupon something: (often in the passive)use something a
s a foundation.基于……
Example: Since that report was based on facts, it must be reliable.

6. Bask in something:
(i) sit or lie in pleasant warmth.取暖
Example: The picknickers are lying on the sand, basking in the mil
d sunshine.
(ii) enjoy someone's favour.受人赞美、恩惠等

Example: No joy is greater than basking in the praiseworthy rema
rks of one's employer and colleagues.
7. Bathed inwith something: covered with something.沐浴在……；全
湿
Examples:
(1) Bathed in the morning sunlight, the corn field looks bright like
gold.
(2) Being wrongly scolded, the child's eyes were bathed with tears.

8. Cannot make head or tail of somethingCan make neither head
nor tail of something: cannot understand something.不能理解……
Examples:
(1) I cannot make head or tail of the policeman's instructions.
(2) The speaker can make neither head nor tail of the audience's
questions.
9. Can't be bothered: not willing to care about someone somethin
g.懒得……；嫌麻烦而不为
Examples:
(1) Sorry, I can't be bothered to do it now.
(2) We are busy right now and can't be bothered with all these tri
fling matters.
10. Can't bearstand the sight of someonesomething: seriously up
set by seeing someonesomething.不忍看……
Examples:
(1) Ahmad doesn't like to climb up the coconut tree, but he can't
bear the sight of others doing it.
(2) How can you become a doctor if you can't stand the sight of
blood?
11. Deal in something: buy or sell something.买卖

Example: Many shops along this street deal in fashionable wearing
things.

1. Acid test, an:
a way of proving whether something is true or not.决定性考验
Example: The joint military exercise is seen as an acid test of the
cooperation among the countries concerned.
2. Acquaint someoneoneself with something:
inform someone of somethingmake someone familiar with something.
使某人认识某事物
Examples:
(1) We have to acquaint a new worker with the conditions here.
(2) As the company's consultant, you must acquaint yourself with its
development plans.
3. Acquiesce in something:
agree to do something; accept something quietly.同意某事；默许
Example: After a long time of consideration, the government has f
inally acquiesced in the open-door policy.
4. Be-all and end-all of something, the:
the whole of something.某事的全部
Example: Learning how to take orders is not the be-all and end-all
of good secretarial work. There are more important things to do.
5. Be that as it may:
even so. 即使如此
Example: I know some of you don't like Anna, but be that as it m
ay, you can at least greet her every day.
6. Bear a grudge against someonebear someone ano grudge:

have ano feeling of anger, dislike, etc. of someone.对某人怀恶意／无恶
意
Examples:
(1) Tony bore a grudge against Aileen because she got the job he wa
nted.
(2) I don't bear anyone a grudge.
(3) I bear him no grudge. Why is he so hostile?
7. Can'tCouldn't go wrong:
sure to make a success of something or not make any mistake.错不了
Example: You know the ways and means, don't you? You just can'
t go wrong.
8. Can't hear oneself think:
one is irritated by too much surrounding noise.听不到自己在想什么（喻周遭
太吵闹）
Example: Everyone in the lobby kept talking louder and louder unt
il I couldn't hear myself think.
9. Can't help but do something:
unable to choose any other course or action.不得不
Example: Since there is no taxi in this area, we can't help but wal
k back home.
10. Death is the great leveller:
death makes us all equal.“死亡”是伟大的平等主义者
Example: As there won't be any distinction between wealth and po
verty, greatness and humbleness, etc. among the dead, death is the great
leveller.
11. Death to someonesomething:
bad for or fatal to someonesomething.
对……很不好／致命的

Examples:
(1) This type of detergent is death to my sensitive skin.
(2) Living in such a city is death to hysterical people; it was too noisy
there.
1. Earn an honest penny:
make money honestly.以正当手段赚钱
Example: Though once a prisoner, Tom is now earning an honest
penny by being a regular truck-driver.
2. Earn one's living:
gain money by working.赚钱过生活
Example: Some uneducated and unskilled people earn their living
by doing manual work.
3. Ears burn:
feel embarrassed at hearing people talk about you.耳朵发烧（指遭人说坏
话而难堪）
Example: Jessie overheard people commenting badly on her and t
his made her ears burn.
4. Ease offup
(on someonesomething):
become less strong, less severe.减轻、缓和
Examples:
(1). The toothache has eased off .
(2). It looks as if the rain is beginning to ease off.
(3). Tell them to ease up and not to work so hard.
(4). Please ease off on the workers; they are getting tired.
5. Facts and figures:
precise information.精确的资料

Example: In the report, please include all the facts and figures as
long as they are true and reliable.
6. Fade awayout:
(i) become fainter.散开
Example: The music in the hall faded away after a while.
(ii)leave quietly.慢慢消失
Example: She was so nasty that the interviewers faded her out an
d sent for someone else.
7. Faint heart never won fair lady:
a timid or discouraged person won't get the best of anything in life.怯
懦的人永远博不到美人欢心
Example: Try again! Faint heart never won fair lady, or anything
worth having.
8. Gain access to a place:
enter a place.进入某处
Example: You can gain access to the house through this gate.
9. Gainobtain currency:
become widely known or very common; be believed or accepted.传开
Example: Reports concerning bad government affairs often gain cu
rrency in foreign press.
10. Handsome is as handsome does:
a good heart is more important than good looks.行为美才是真美
Example: He looks ugly, but he treats all very well. Handsome is
as handsome does.
11. Handy for something:
near something; something is easily reached.离……很近（非常方便）

Example: My apartment is in a convenient location handy for shop
s and other amenities.
12. In a daze:
in a confused condition.处于茫然状态
Example: After the natural calamity, those who survived were in a
daze.
13. In a dream:
in a state of mind in which one doesn't pay attention to the real worl
d.生活在梦幻中
Example: Some people are alert, but some are not and they seem
to have lived in a dream.
14. Jump for joy:
show great pleasure.高兴得直跳
Example: The moment she heard the good news getting the much
-coveted job, she jumped for joy.
1. Across the boardacross-the-board; applying in all cases; affecting e
verybody or everything. 全面；全部的
Examples:
(1) The civil servants were given annual bonuses across the board.
(2) Because of bad business, some companies have announced an acr
oss-the-board cut in development spending.
2. Act as someonesomething: do the work or duties of someones
omething. 代替
Examples:
(1) In the director's absence, Mary will act as the director.
(2) This sofa can act as a bed at night.
3. Act as a brake onupon to someone's activity:

make someone act with more caution; play the role of deterring some
one or something. 遏制
Example: The rise in bank interest rate acted as a brake on peopl
e's unnecessary loans.
4. Bear ano resemblance to someone: (not) look like someone. 看
起来像／不像……
Examples:
(1) Helen bears a resemblance to a famous singer.
(2) Though they are sisters, they bear no resemblance to each other.
5. Bear no relation to something:
be very different from something. 与……无相似之处
Example: What Jack has just said bears no relation to the actual f
act.
6. Bear out: support or confirm. 支持；证实
Example: I will bear you out if you lodge a complaint against that
rascal.
7. Capable of doing something: able to do something. 能够
Examples:
(1) Is you company capable of handling such a large order?
(2) Be careful! That person is capable of playing tricks.
8. Capitalise on something: take advantage of something. 利用
Example: Our team capitalised on its opponent's obvious weakness
and won the game in the end.
9. Decide determine on upon someone (doing) something: ch
oose someone(doing)something. 考虑后作出决定
Examples:
(1) Has the committee decided on the finalists of the game?

(2) After some contemplation, the couple determined on spending the
holiday abroad.
10. Decline and fall, the: the sequence leading to a final and com
plete loss of power, etc. 衰亡
Example: Nothing is commoner than the decline and fall of an em
pire.
11. Dedicate something to someone(doing) something:
(i) give something completely to someone; devote. 献身于
Example: Dr Lin dedicated his life to finding a cure for AIDS.
(ii) declare something in honour of someone. 献给……
Example: He dedicated his first book to his late mother.
1. East or west, home is best:
no matter where you go, home is the best place for you. 没有任何地方
比家好
Example: A traveller knows that east or west, home is best. True,
there is no place like home.
2. Easy come, easy go:
he who gets money easily usually sqanders it: easily got easily lost.
易得易失
Examples:
(1) The young man spent all the inherited money at a short time. Eas
y come, easy go, isn't it?
(2) Bob made some money from gambling but used it up quickly. Wit
h Bob, it's easy come, easy go.
3. Easy in mind: free from anxiety. 安心的
Example: Wicked people are seldom easy in mind.
4. Easy in one's mind: be more relaxed. 放心的

Example: His mother won't be easy in her mind till she knows tha
t he has arrived there safely.
5. Faithful to someone: loyal to someone. 忠于某人
Example: The dog remained faithful to his master when he becam
e poor and miserable.
6. Fall apart: break into pieces. 支离破碎
Example: Tom knocked a tree and his bicycle began to fall apart.
7. Fall away: become less in number. 渐渐减少
Example: The spectators did not find the game interesting and be
gan to fall away.
8. Fall back on something: use something for help when everythin
g else has been tried. 依靠某事物
Example: Don't be worried! You still have your savings to fall back
on.
9. Gall and wormwood: something that arouses the most bitter res
entment. 怨恨
Example: It was gall and wormwood for the teacher to have to m
ake a withdrawal of his promise in front of all the students.
10. Galvanise someone into (doing) something: move someone to
do something. 激起某人行动起来
Example: The news about the general election galvanised potential
candidates into preparatory work.
11. Gamble on something:
(i) risk money on the result of a card game, horse-race, etc. 冒险行动
或碰运气
Example: Tony sometimes gambled a great
deal of money on the horse- race.
(ii) take a chance or risk. 孤注一掷做……

Example: Some illegal immigrants robbed the bank, gambling on it
s being not watched at night.
12. Game at which two can play, a: a plan or trick which both sid
es may use. 你会我也会的一套
Example: Political favouritism is a game at which two can play.
1. Act as a catalyst: cause a change or an event to happen.促使变
化
Example: One speaker's questions acted as a catalyst to set off ne
w trains of thought.
2. Act foron behalf of someone: do something for someone.代……
做某事
Examples:
(1) Mary will act for David in his absence.
(2) The lawyer is acting on behalf of his client.
3. Act high and mighty: act proudly and powerfully. 行为高傲
Example: If Su had not acted high and mighty, she would have h
ad more friends.
4. Act in bad faith: act dishonestly. 行为不诚实
Example: We don't like that man, who often acts in bad faith.
5. Bear someone no ill will: there is no unkind feeling towards so
meone. 对某人无恶意
Example: Although I didn't agree with him, I bore him no ill will.
6. Bear the brunt of something: suffer the heaviest part of someth
ing, such as attack, etc. 承受某事物正面的冲撞
Example: Do you have to bear the brunt of her anger for no reas
on?
7. Bear up: keep up courage, strength, etc. under adversity or affl
iction.在困境中不气馁
Examples:

(1) Irene is bearing up well despite her continual misfortunes.
(2) How are you today? -Not very well, but managing to bear up.
8. Care about something: think that something is important. 理会
某事
Example: Some people today don't care about saving money for f
uture use.
9. Care for someonesomething:
(i) look after someonesomething. 照顾
Example: Who will care for you when you are old?
(ii) like (in negative sentences or questions). 喜爱
Examples:
(1) Would you care for some more beer?
(2) I don't really care for beer.
10. Care killed a cat: care is a load on the mind, so try not to wo
rry.忧能伤身
Example: If care killed a cat, which has nine lives, it would kill an
y human being, who has only one life.
11. Carefulcareless withabout something: cautiousunconcerned a
bout something.小心；粗心
Example:
(1) You should be more careful with your money next time.
(2) Are your other family members careless with money, too?
(down): in one's true nature; feeling strongly.在心底
Examples:
(1) Deep in the boy's mind, he knew he was wrong.
(2) Jack seems unfriendly, but deep down, he is very nice.
onupon someonesomething:

(i) do something according to someone's advice, instructions, etc. 根据
劝告或指示行事
Example: You won't be wrong if you act on his instructions.
(ii) have an effect on someonesomething. 对……发生作用
Examples: 1. This medicine doesn't act on him at all. 2. Certain acids
act upon metals.
out:
(i) show an idea, etc. by your looks, talk, etc.表演
Example:The children are acting out a story they have read.
(ii) put something into action. 付诸行动
Example:As an idealist, Betty tried to act out her ideals somehow or o
ther.
out of duty: do what one ought to do, not because what one w
ants to do. 做份内事
Example:The head of a department generally acts out of duty. He has
no time to do more than that.
with someonesomething: be patient with someonesomething.
容忍
Example: If you can just bear with me for a few minutes, I will be ab
le to answer your question.
witness to something: prove something. 证明
Example: Jason's latest book bears witness to his writing ability and v
ersatility.
the lion in his den: face someone strong openly or boldly. 入
狮穴捋狮须（喻公然走访某强人）
Example:The rascal is in his office, so let's go in and beard the lion in
his den.
vil at someonesomething:
find fault with small errors. 挑剔；吹毛求疵

Examples:
1. Janet is always carping at unimportant matters.
2. It is no good carping at the disobedient boy about his behaviour.
3. Why is he cavilling at your minor faults?
d away: be controlled by one's feelings. 失去自制
Example: Nancy was much carried away while she was arguing with h
er husband about a misunderstanding.
-and-stick: the hope of re-ward and the threat of punishment.
胡萝卜加大棒（喻软硬兼施）
Example: To a large extent, a student has benefited from the carrot-a
nd-stick approach of teaching.
one's purpose: undo an intended purpose or effect. 达不到自
己的目的
Example: If you follow that undertain method,you risk losing the supp
ort and defeating your purpose.
to something: act according to the opinion of someone or be
cause of something. 遵从
Examples:
1. I will be glad to defer to your good advice.
2. I am pleased to defer to your rich ex-perience in this matter.
ent in something: not enough of something. 缺乏
Example:Such food is deficient in vitamins.
1. Act up to something: act according to one's principles,etc. 根据原则
等行事
Example: Mr Lin claims to have high principles, but he doesn't alway
s act up to his proclaimed ethics.
2. Actions speak louder than words: what we do is more important th
an what we say. 行动胜于语言

Example: To prove that he is an honest person, Jim behaved himsel
f. Actions speak louder than words.
3. Adapt oneself to something: make oneself suitable for something.
适应于
Example: When you go to a foreign land, you must adapt yourself t
o the new customs there.
4. Beat a (hasty)retreat: go away in a hurry. 仓皇撤退；匆匆走开
Example: When the rascals saw the policeman, they beat a retreat.
5. Beat about the bush:(in the negative)go round a subject instead of
coming directly to the point. 拐弯抹角地说。
Example: If you have anything to say, go straight to the point. Don'
t beat about the bush.
6. Beat down (a price): lower the price by bargaining. 降低某物价格
Example: Since $$30 is too expensive, you can beat down the price
as you wish.
7. Carry all everything before someone: be completely successful.完
全成功
Examples: 1. In school, Sam carried all before him.
soldiers carried everything before them and gained the contr
ol of the place.
8. Defraud someone of something:deceive someone so as to get or ke
ep something wrongly or illegally. 从某人处骗取某物
Example: The cashier defrauded the boss of thousands of dollars.
9. Defuse a situation:make the situation less harmful or dangerous. 缓
和危急局面。
Example: The police chief succeeded in defusing the situation before
any real trouble started.
10. Defy someone to do something: challenge someone to do somethi
ng. 激某人做不愿做的事

Example: Since you are a brave man, I defy you to fight that bully.

11. Eat away something:destroy something by chemical action. 腐蚀
Example:The acid has eaten away the metal bit by bit.
12. Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die: We should enjoy ou
rselves while we can because life is uncertain. 生命无常应自我享受
Example: Life is full of imponderables. Hence, let's eat, drink and be
merry for tomorrow we die.
13. Eat humble pie: be more respectful or apologetic than one has be
en before. 赔礼
Example: If his wife excused herself, would he not make her eat hu
mble pie again?
1. Fall foul of something: quarrel; fight; get into trouble. 与某人／某事
冲突
Example: Being dishonest, he soon fell foul of the law.
2. Fall in into place: become clear. 开始有头绪；开始明朗了
Example:Just wait and see. The mystery will fall into place soon.
3. Fall in love with someone:love someone. 爱上某人
Example:The two young persons fell in love with each other.
4. Gasp out something:say something while breathing. 喘着气说话
Example:The girl ran up and gasped out the robbery to the police.
5. Gateway pathway to something, the a way of reaching a place o
r gaining something. 达到……的途径
Examples:
1. Generally speaking, diligence is the gateway to success.
2. Constant practice is the pathway to a better command of the langu
age being learned.

6. Gather from something: understand from something said or done.
（从所做的或所说的事）理解
Example: I didn't gather much from the confused story he had just to
ld us.
7. Hang on someone's lips every word the words of someone: listen
attentively to someone. 注意听某人说话
Examples:
1. The speaker was so eloquent that everybody was hanging on his li
ps.
2. June hung on every word of her teacher and took detailed notes.
3. Deeply interested, the audience hung on the words of the invited s
peaker.
8. In a fit of ……: under the influence of a sudden violent feeling (e.g.
temper, anger, etc.) 在一股……下；在一阵……下
Example: Mr brown hit his son in a fit of temper.
9. in like a flash: in a very short time; quickly. 很快；立刻
Examples:
1. I will be back in a flash.
2. Last night's bank robbery happened like a flash.
10. In a fog: in a confused and uncertain state of mind. 迷惑
Examples:
was in a fog about his science lesson this morning.
Lin told me he was in a fog about what to do.
11. Jumble up together: mix or throw together without any order. 胡
乱混在一起
Examples:
1. The letters of the words have been jumbled up.

2. Returned books were jumbled together on the library tables.
12. Jump on someone:
(i) make a sudden attack on someone. 突击
Example: The robber jumped on his victim in a dark corner.
(ii) criticise someone unfairly. 不公平地批评某人
Example: Why did you jump on him for his minor pronunciation proble
ms?
1. Add fuel to the fire flames: cause someone to be more angry. 火
上加油
Example: The workers were not satisfied with their wages, and wh
en they were made to work longer hours, the whole matter added fuel to
the fire.
2. Add insult to injury: make matters even worse. 伤害之外又加侮辱
（使关系更差）
Examples: 1. Asking the wounded man to pay for the damage of t
he car was simply adding insult to injury. 2. Having failed to thank me for
my help, Bob complained about my insincere attitude. He added insult to
injury.
3. Add to something: increase something. 加上
Examples: rise in food prices has added to the livelihood pr
oblems of the poor. 2. Heavy rain added to the difficulties of driving on an
unfamiliar road.
4. Beat someone at his own game:do better than someone in his
own field of activity.在某人拿手的方面胜过某人
Example: Jason won a book prize and beat his rival at his own ga
me.
5. Beat the drum for someonesomething:do everything possible to
draw public attention to something for someone. 为某人／某事敲边鼓
Examples: a. His party's supporters never missed an opportunity t
o beat the drum for him. b. I know you are now beating the drum for you
r new product.

6. Beat up someone: hit someone severely. 毒打某人
Example:The rude man beat up his wife without any good reason.

7. Carry forward : (of accounts) move to the next page for further
addition. 把总数转记于另一页
Example: She forgot to carry the total figure forward. so there wa
s a mistake in the calculation.
8. Carry on (with something): continue (wtih something.) 继续
Examples: is difficult to carry on a conversation in a crowded p
lace . 2 Please carry on with your work after the tea break.
9. Carry one's point: succeed in making others to agree with what
one has suggested. 说服别人接受自己的观点
Example: Now that you have carried your point, is there any need
for further discussion?
10. Degenerate into something:become less good or admirable. 衰
退、恶化
Example: The lengthy discussion soon degenerated into an exchan
ge of insults.
11. Degrade oneself:disgrace oneself. 降低自己身份
Example: Don't degrade yourself by asking for money all the time.

12. Delegate (power,rights) to someone: give power, rights, etc. t
o someone. 把权利等委托给某人
Example: The captain delegated his supervisory power to his capa
ble assistant.
13. Eat into something: (i)destroy by chemical action. 腐蚀
Example: Acid eats into metal. (ii)use or waste gradually. 消耗
Example: Increasing expenses have eaten into her savings.
Lesson 257 - on top of the world off the top of one's head

配套教学资料下载


MP3 声音（2.58 M）
Real 声音（880 K）
我们今天要给大家介绍的两个习惯用语里一个关键的字就是：top。要是你站在一个高高山峰的顶上往下看，下面到处是村庄、山冈和河流，你会感到你好像是站在世界的顶峰，有一
种兴奋的 感觉。这就是我们要讲的第一个习惯用语：On top of the world. On top of the world
从字面来解释，它的意思是：在世界的顶峰，但是，作为习惯用语，它的意思就是： 非常得
意，非常高兴。下面这个例句里说的是一个身体有缺陷的韩国年轻人。但是由于他在学校的
成绩优秀而被美国一个大学的研究院所录取。下面是一个人在对此表示感叹。
例句1: Who would imagine somebody like Lee could even graduate from college -
confined to a wheel chair! Now he's going to America all by himself. Nobody could feel
more on top of the world right now!
这个人说：谁能想像像李这样一个坐在轮椅里的残疾人居然能够从大学毕业。现 在，他自己
一个人要到美国去了。没有人现在能比他更感到高兴的了。
这句句子里用了一个名词wheel-chair。Wheel- chair就是残疾人坐的轮椅。Wheel是轮子，
chair就是椅子，wheel- chair就是轮椅。
******
下面这个例句是讲一个母亲。这位母亲靠了自己一个人 的努力扶养大了四个孩子。这是她的
一个朋友在说话：
例句2: I really admire Alice. Thirty years of hard work raising kids. Her youngest son just
got married and all her children are doing well. She tells me she's on top of the world now
for the first time in her life.
这个人说：我真是佩服艾丽斯。她辛苦了三十年把孩子培养成人 。她最小的儿子刚结婚，所
有的孩子都很发达。她对我说，现在她真是感到非常高兴。这是她一辈子第一 次感到这么高
兴。
******

我们现在来讲第二个以top这个字为主的习惯用语。Off the top of one's head. Head在这里
就是人的头。 Off the top of one's head是美国人经常用的一个习惯用语。它的意思是：没
有经过仔细考虑或仔细计算。我们来看看在日 常生活中off the top of one's head是怎么用
的。这是一个负责预算的主管在记者招待会上回答记者的问题。
例句3: Sorry, I can't give you the exact figure off the top of my head. But I guess the
percentage of working women in the American labor force right now is about, oh say,
47%.
这位负责预算的主管说：对不起， 我现在一下子不能给你精确的数字。但是，我猜在美国整
个劳力中，工作的妇女大约占，嗯...... 就说百分之四十七吧。
美国妇女参加工作的人数越来越多，原因之一是现在的家庭单靠丈夫一个人的收 入已经不够
支出，所以妻子也得出外工作，以补贴家用。一些比较富裕的家庭，妻子不工作的仍然不少。
******
我们再来举一个例子。这是一个学生在说话。他在上课之前没有做好准备，因此 上课的时候
就措手不及了。他在告诉他的朋友上课时的情况。
例句4: You know, I didn't study for this English quiz. So when the teacher called my name,
I was frozen. Then standing up to recite the poem, I found myself doing it off the top of my
head! Can you believe that?
他说：你可知道，我没有为这次英语课的测验好好念书。所以，当老师叫 我名字的时候，我
真是愣住了。然后，我站起来背那首诗。我发现自己不加思索地随口而出。你相信不相 信？
和人体不同部位有关的习惯用语
寒星 @ 2006-06-16 14:53

你知道多少和人体不同部位有关的习惯用语呢？如果你感兴趣的话就跟我来一起欣赏吧！

puzzle was over my head.我无法理解这个谜。

could pass the exam standing on her head.她不费吹灰之力就可以考及格。

heads are better than one.三个臭皮匠胜过诸葛亮。

4. Just off the top of my head ,I think he didn’t tell the truth .我的第一反应是他没说实话。

e keep your head.请保持冷静。

talked my head off .他对我唠叨个没完。

is the brains of the family.他是全家最聪明的人。

as I cudgeled my brains,I couldn’t remember her name.尽管我苦思冥想，还是想不
起她的名字。

death penalty for murder works on the principle of an eye for an eye .犯谋杀罪处以极
刑，原则上是一命抵一命。

certainly did his colleagues in the eye when he got the boss’s approval.他得到老板的
夸奖，却也得罪了同事。

baby cried her eyesheart out.这个小孩哭得很伤心。

has an eye for art.他有艺术眼光。

has a nose for danger.他对危险很敏感。

always has his nose up .他总是很高傲。

15.I got there at 7 a.m on the nose .我早上7点整到达那里

you refuse her help because you are angry with her,you are cutting your nose to spite
your face.你要是因为跟她赌气而拒绝她的帮助，那你是自讨苦吃。

't poke your nose into other people’s business.别管他人的闲事。

lives from hand to mouth .他仅能糊口度日。

’d better keep your mouth shut,or else… 你最好保持沉默，否则…

Baoyu was born with a silver spoon in his mouth .贾宝玉生于富贵之家。

21. The walls have ears.隔墙有耳。

22.I am all ears.我洗耳恭听。

23.I am up to my earseyes in work at the moment.我现在工作忙极了。

turned a deaf ear to the siren of ambulance.他对救护车的呼叫声置若罔闻。

25. You’ve been caught cheating—— now you must face the music.你的骗局已经戳穿——
这下子你的自食其果了。

top team really lost face by losing the game to an undergo。 强队输给了弱队很丢
脸。

is a pain in the neck. 他是个讨厌的家伙。

28..He broke his neck to go abroad.他拼命地想出国。

on ,everyone ,put your shoulders to the wheel ——we’ve got a lot to do.
——我们有很多事情要做。 快，各位，加把劲

gave her a cold shoulder.她对他冷淡。

is skin and bones.她骨瘦如柴瘦得皮包骨。

32. She has a thick skin.她脸皮厚。

33.I have a bone to pick.我有一份暂时的工作。

trip cost me an arm and a leg.这次旅行使我花费很大。

treated me with open arms.他热情地欢迎了我。

arm was twisted to lend them money.他被迫借给他们钱。

37.I have my hand full now. 我正忙着。

has cold hands .他外表冷酷。

39.I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you.我将为你祈祷。

’t point the finger at me.别指责我。

you have a question ,just get it out of your chest.如果你有问题就说出来。

off my back ,will you ? 不要再嘲笑我了，好吗？

boss is always on my back about my work.我的老板一直在监督我的工作。

you scratch my back ,I’ll scratch yours.如果你帮助我，我也会帮助你的。

a heart!发发慈悲吧！

likes good wine too—— he is obviously a man after my own heart.他也喜欢好酒—
—真是与我臭味相同了。

47. Break a leg.祝你好运。

’s shake a leg.咱们跳个舞赶快走吧。

49. He got cold feet about getting married. 他对结婚临阵畏缩。

foot!
如需了解更多地道美国俚语，详情请进入http: