学好一种语言可不是短时间的事，只能是慢慢日积月累，因此我建议大家每天都介绍几个常用expression的用法，可以是word，phrase，slang，idiom等等。
我开个头吧：
put about 传播谣言
Somebody has been putting rumours about that we are leaving.
It was put about that he was seeing a great deal of a certain young girl.
play fast and loose 玩弄(感情)，把。。。当儿戏
He played fast and loose with the girl's affection.
If you think you can play fast and loose with the agreement we made, you are mistaken.
egret 回复于：2004-06-29 01:16:00
with abandon 尽情地，任意地
The child cried with abandon.
They were so excited that they jumped and shouted with abandon.
[not] be long [a minute] (不会)(要)多久
Don't bother. I'll not be a minute.
Just wait, I shan't be long!
I promise you I won't be ten minutes.
bitoc 回复于：2004-06-29 10:21:18
引用：原帖由 "egret"]with abandon 尽情地，任意地
发表：
喜欢这个. 而且觉得翻译成"纵情"比较合适. 语感如下:
要爱就爱个天昏地暗, 轰轰烈烈, 其他都不闻不问;
"放"手搏一回;
想象一下从天空跳伞下来, 或者甚至蹦极的感觉, 应该就是"with abandon".
cf. There is a book titled "Bravehearts: Unlocking the Courage to Love with Abandon".
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-06-29 10:56:27
很抱歉，现在才看到这个帖子，:(
置顶了，改了一下标题，希望楼主喜欢，:)
egret 回复于：2004-06-29 23:47:06
dare 敢于面对，敢于尝试
Julian is a real man who will dare any danger.
The actress dared a new way of playing that famous character.
effort 努力(的结果), 干出的事
That's a pretty good effort！ (干得不错嘛！)
He entreated them to make another effort.
I'll make every effort to help you.
拉拉 回复于：2004-06-30 00:56:47
引用：原帖由 "Nicole Chan" 发表：
很抱歉，现在才看到这个帖子，:(
置顶了，改了一下标题，希望楼主喜欢，:)
俺……俺想说的就是Nicole的第一句…… :em06:
supergaosong 回复于：2004-06-30 11:16:40
bitoc :
abandon --喜欢这个. 而且觉得翻译成"纵情"比较合适. ..
剛剛聽到講TOFLE的講座時這個單詞翻成"放縱"...
egret 回复于：2004-06-30 22:39:01
from the (very) first 从一开头，一直
I was against it from the first.
It was evident from the very first that he never intended to carry out his promise.
grandeur 壮丽，壮观
As he watched the storm he thought of the grandeur of nature.
The painting shows the grandeur of the royal palace in the 19th century.
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-06-30 22:42:51
精华置顶
egret 回复于：2004-07-01 19:53:15
bring...into 使(进入)某种状态
It will bring you into contact with people and things.
This action brought Germany into sharp conflict with France.
These canals were brought back into use for pleasure traffic.
like 这个不用解释了吧！ :)
I don't like her going away in this fashion.
He wouldn't like it to be talked about.
I should like this matter settled immediately.
He likes his desk (to be) tidy.
Everyone has different likes and dislikes.
egret 回复于：2004-07-01 19:56:10
carry a/the torch (for sb) 暗恋，单相思
She has been carrying a torch for John for almost two years.
Dave is still carrying the torch for his ex-fiancée.
divvy up something 瓜分
Let's divvy the loot and make tracks outa here. 快点分了赃物溜之大吉吧！
The relatives are still fighting over how to divvy up the inheritance. 那些家属还在吵着怎么分遗产呢！
bitoc 回复于：2004-07-02 18:01:10
引用：原帖由 "supergaosong" 发表：
bitoc :
abandon --喜欢这个. 而且觉得翻译成"纵情"比较合适. ..
剛剛聽到講TOFLE的講座時這個單詞翻成"放縱"...
偶也想到了, 没敢说出来. 怕有损于自己的光辉形象.
:oops:
bitoc 回复于：2004-07-02 18:02:45
引用：原帖由 "egret" 发表：
divvy up something 瓜分
Let's divvy the loot and make tracks outa here. 快点分了赃物溜之大吉吧！
The relatives are still fighting over how to divvy up the inheritance. 那些家属还在吵着怎么分遗产呢！
divvy 这个词面熟, 好象在UNIX分区什么的时候就是它?
egret 回复于：2004-07-03 01:52:07
nag at 对。。。唠唠叨叨， 不断使难受
She is always nagging at her husband.
This headache has been nagging at me all day.
peel 剥皮，脱掉；果皮
I don't need a knife, I can peel the skin off with my fingers.
They peeled off their clothes and jumped into the water.
One speaks of orange peel, and apple peel, but of tomato skin.
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-07-03 02:00:09
:o :o
It is 2:00 a.m. now. Do you not still go to sleep?
Thanks a lot for your job. :)
egret 回复于：2004-07-03 16:52:44
引用：原帖由 "Nicole Chan" 发表：
:o :o
It is 2:00 a.m. now. Do you not still go to sleep?
Thanks a lot for your job. :)
I was actually sleeping. :lol:
I'm a gentoo user, it's not uncommon for me to leave my machine compiling during the night. :wink:
egret 回复于：2004-07-03 16:56:16
a dog in the manger 占着茅坑不拉屎的人 “牛槽中的狗”
Don't be a dog in the manger. You've broken up with Jane. Why won't you introduce her to me?
My brother's a real dog in the manger. Just because he doesn't like to go sightseeing, he doesn't want us to go either.
rub elbows (磨擦肘部，意即与人交往)
I don't know him very intimately, though we have been rubbing elbows at various social occasions over the years.
PS rub shoulders with someone 是类似的expression.
etherman 回复于：2004-07-04 01:12:12
egret，你的帖子很好，但你现在贴的内容，特别是idiom,是那些有很好英语基础的，有志于把英语讲的象母语一样的人学习的内容，但可不可以贴一点实用性强的短语和词汇
当然，无论你贴什么内容，只要是与英语有关的，我都支持，并希望你的帖子可以不断的更新，长期的置顶。
egret 回复于：2004-07-04 11:12:21
引用：原帖由 "etherman" 发表：
但可不可以贴一点实用性强的短语和词汇
当然，无论你贴什么内容，只要是与英语有关的，�..........
你是说那些更加通用的短语和词汇？
有些idiom或slang确实带有很强地区色彩，未必那么实用。
你的提议很好，但做起来并不容易，因为太常用的词汇大家都知道，我写出来也没什么意思；尽力写一些我认为大家可能忽略的用法吧！ :)
puzzle out 设法想出
Follow that line of inquiry and I think you'll puzzle out an answer.
At last Holmes managed to puzzle out the meaning of the cypher.
roar
He roared himself hoarse. 把声音喊得嘶哑
They roared with laughter at his story. 放声大笑
The bull roared with anger. 怒吼
The wounded orangutan roared with pain. 疼得大叫
etherman 回复于：2004-07-05 01:42:02
引用：原帖由 "egret"]你的提议很好，但做起来并不容易，因为太常用的词汇大家都知道，我写出来也没什么意思
发表：
I don't agree with you. Take your post on today as an example. "Figure out" is more commonly used than "Pazzle out". And I don't think every one knows "figure out", at least me don't know this phrase when I was graduated from university. :oops:
The purpose of learning English is for communication. Even English speaking countries nowadays promotes clear and plain English. I am afraid it's more important to master the fundumental 3000 words than those slangs or GRE level words. The native speakers seldom speak slangs to foreigner. Is it worth spending time on them?
讲得不对之处，欢迎拍砖
egret 回复于：2004-07-05 12:36:57
引用：原帖由 "etherman" 发表：
I don't agree with you. Take your post on today as an example. "Figure out" is more commonly used than "Pazzle out". And I don't think every one knows "figure out", at least me don't know this p..........
That's exactly my point! While you think that "figure out" is more common a phrase than "puzzle out", others may think that everyone should know what "figure out" means. You see, it's not so easy to choose the right words to meet every learners' needs. Anyway, I'll try to avoid rare words as much as I can.
etherman 回复于：2004-07-05 12:40:54
引用：原帖由 "egret" 发表：
That's exactly my point! While you think that "figure out" is more common a phrase than "puzzle out", others may think that everyone should know what "figure out" means. You see, it's not so easy t..........
It's grateful that you will take my suggestion into consideration. Have a nice day, folks.
egret 回复于：2004-07-06 01:34:17
sheet 一层，一片
A sheet of frost covered the windshield.
a sheet of ice over the lake.
The rain came down in sheets.
A sheet of flame blocked his way out of the burning house.
star 命运，代表命运的星宿
She was born under an unlucky star.
If the stars are against us, we can achieve nothing.
His star has now set and people have begun to forget him.
egret 回复于：2004-07-06 15:30:08
take up with 和。。。谈
I took the matter up at once with Mr Judge, and was informed that he had received no complaint.
My son is being given too much homework; I shall take things up with his form-master.
The matter has already been taken up with my member of Parliament. 提请。。。考虑
get sb into trouble 使人陷入困境，给人带来麻烦
His quick temper was always getting him into trouble.
If you do that, you might get me into trouble.
But watch out you don't get her into trouble.
egret 回复于：2004-07-06 23:39:16
wear out 用坏，被穿破(旧)
The old clock finally wore out.
My socks have worn out.
Cheap clothes wear out quickly.
abash 不好意思, 羞愧
He was abashed at forgetting his wife's birthday.
The workman stood abashed as his mistakes were pointed out.
egret 回复于：2004-07-07 19:48:01
there be 在。。。有。。。
What was there to be afraid?
There's been a Mr Jones here asking for you.
There being nothing else to do, we went home.
choke up 堵住，塞满
The drains are all choked up with leaves.
The house was choked up with useless pieces of furniture.
egret 回复于：2004-07-07 23:45:18
dangerously
He's been dangerously ill. 到了危险的程度
to the effect that 意思是。。。
I said a few words to the effect that all he had told us was already well known.
I sent a telegram and wrote a letter to the same effect.
The governor's speech was to the effect that the state would preserve its wildlife.
readerhome 回复于：2004-07-08 08:51:00
Actually it is a good post....Thanks...
egret 回复于：2004-07-08 20:24:10
bungle 笨手笨脚地把(工作)做糟
It looks as though he's bungled the job again.
The gang spent a year planning the robbery and then bungled it.
The scheme has been bungled and mismanaged from first to last.
grand 崇高的，有气魄
Lincoln had a grand character.
The queen received her subjects in a grand manner.
egret 回复于：2004-07-09 14:18:54
into 除
4 into 8 goes twice.
3 into 6 is 2.
likable 招人喜爱的
Cecil is a very likable fellow.
She has an outgoing and likable personality.
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-07-10 23:38:47
Thanks
egret 回复于：2004-07-11 13:31:09
nail 揭穿 reveal (sth) to be untrue
It did not take us long to nail that lie.
We've finally nailed the myth of his infallibility.
pedestrian 供行人使用的
Pedestrian crosswalk on the road are often painted with broad black and white bands.
The city finally built a pedestrian overpass over that road.
norman 回复于：2004-07-11 20:01:48
happy go lucky.
intestinal fortitude.
egret 回复于：2004-07-12 09:22:52
quack 江湖医生，骗子
When legitimate doctors couldn't help his back trouble, he resorted to quacks.
Don't be taken in, he's just a quack!
roast 烤火，晒太阳
I roasted myself before the fire.
We're going to lie in the sun and roast for a week.
egret 回复于：2004-07-12 22:57:46
shimmer 闪闪发光, 闪烁
Moonbeams shimmer on water.
The queen's lamé gown shimmered in the torchlight.
see stars 冒金星
When Dale was hit on the head by the ball, he saw stars.
The boxer's head hit the floor, making him see stars.
landekai 回复于：2004-07-13 09:18:34
引用：原帖由 "egret" 发表：
星
When Dale was hit on the head by the ball, he saw stars.
The boxer's head hit the floor, making him see stars.
Sorry, I have a question, Is Shimmer a Verb.? :?:
egret 回复于：2004-07-13 13:39:39
引用：原帖由 "landekai" 发表：
Sorry, I have a question, Is Shimmer a Verb.? :?:
Isn't it obvious? :wink:
egret 回复于：2004-07-13 23:43:06
take up the cudgels (for) 为。。辩护，出来支持
He was the first to take up the cudgels for his friend.
She's taken up the cudgels on behalf of women's rights.
go to ... trouble 费事，费劲
The hostess went to a lot of trouble to make her guests comfortable.
I should like to stay with you, but please do not go to a lot of trouble for me.
etherman 回复于：2004-07-14 02:11:43
pfpf, 谢谢
egret 回复于：2004-07-15 00:30:53
wear well 经穿
My old overcoat has worn very well.
This fabric will wear well; it will last for years.
abate (使)减弱，消除
The ship waited till the storm abated before sailing out to sea.
The medicine abated his pain.
We must abate the smoke nuisance in our big cities.
egret 回复于：2004-07-16 13:22:30
bear oneself 有(某种)姿态，风度或表现
She bears herself like a supermodel when she is walking along.
You have borne yourself bravely in this battle, Sir Edward.
cannot choose but 只好
He cannot choose but obey.
I cannot choose but attend the party.
eagerly1 回复于：2004-07-18 19:50:49
good ,i'll join. :P
egret 回复于：2004-07-21 09:08:02
dark
It was nearly dark when we came down. 天黑
Dark circles lay round her eyes.
Unless this policy can be changed, the future for our country is indeed dark.
Why don't you put on the dark gray suit today? 深色的
effective 生效
His order to arrest me was no longer effective.
The agreement will become effective next month.
liuboo 回复于：2004-07-22 19:42:23
Very good . Thank you.
Pouring more ^_^.
I've aleady printed out and momorized some sentences every moring in the bus.
egret 回复于：2004-07-22 22:16:00
the first 一点点，丝毫(用于否定句)
They haven't the first idea what it means.
They don't know the first thing about it.
grant 同意(给于)，答应(请求)
The general granted us permission to visit the military base.
The government will grant land to anyone willing to farm it.
I cannot grant your request.
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-07-24 14:37:03
几个中国成语的英文翻译
画蛇添足 to paint the lily
毛遂自荐 to volunteer one's service
初出茅庐 at the beginning of one's career
东施效颦 crude imitation with ludicrous effects
四面楚歌 to be besieged on all sides
egret 回复于：2004-07-24 21:22:43
get (one) into (使)碰到(麻烦，困难等)
I did not want to get Mrs. Johnson into trouble.
It gets me into all kinds of difficulties.
You'll get yourself into a mess one of these days.
liking 喜欢
Candice has a liking for eggs.
I had an inexplicable liking for him.
eagerly1 回复于：2004-07-24 22:48:25
the first 一点点，丝毫(用于否定句)
I SEE.
egret 回复于：2004-07-25 13:55:23
naive 天真，幼稚
She was naive to trust them.
Don't be so naive as to be taken in by their lies.
peep 偷偷地看，好奇地看
No peeping!
I wish she'd stop peeping at my work.
Ian was peeping through a shutter at Daisy.
egret 回复于：2004-07-26 21:12:00
quarter district, 城镇的一部分
Once off that long High Street, I found myself in some very poor quarters.
The Mexican quarter is near the railway.
rob ... of 抢走，使失去
They robbed the Indians of their lands and slaughtered them.
I was robbed of my watch.
That confounded cat robbed me of a good night's sleep.
For a moment he was robbed of confidence.
anpih 回复于：2004-07-26 22:38:31
good,i like it
egret 回复于：2004-07-27 09:10:20
shine 发光，发亮
The lights of the harbor shine across the bay.
The light from a window was shining full on his face.
The policeman's metal buttons shone brightly.
starch 淀粉， 含淀粉的食物
Potatoes, wheat, rice and corn contain much starch.
You're getting too fat: avoid sweets and starch.
egret 回复于：2004-07-28 00:02:38
take on oneself 亲自负责做某事
Mr Adams took upon himself the responsibility of her education.
Fay took it on herself to ask the Bishop to dinner.
wear the trousers 当家，是一家之主
Who wears the trousers in your house, you or your wife?
As soon as they've finished eating he piles up the plates and goes into the kitchen to do the washing up -- it's quite clear who wears the trousers in that house.
eagerly1 回复于：2004-07-29 22:41:39
词汇辨析：
[color=red][/color]journey,travel,trip,voyage,tour[color=red][/color]:
travel 是旅行的统称，是不可数名词，前面不加冠词。journey 和 trip 等是可数名词，可以说 a journey/trip。 journey 指（陆地上旅行），trip 指（短途）旅行。voyage 指(水上)航行、航海。tour 指访问几个地方后返回到到出发地的旅行，即周游、巡回演讲或演出等。
eagerly1 回复于：2004-07-29 22:55:35
词汇辨析：
[color=red]address, lecture, speech, talk [/color]: address 指精心准备的，由某个名人发表或在某种仪式上的正式演讲： an inaugural address 就职演说。 lecture 主要指教育性的或学术性的演讲： a course of lectures on black literature 黑人文学系列讲座。speech 指正式的讲话发言，可以是即席的，也可以是事先有准备的： President Bush made a speech on his foreign policy. 布什总统做了一个对外政策的发言。talk 指在普通场合对少数人发表的简短讲话、商谈、会谈等： I had a long talk with my parents about my future job. 关于我将来工作的事，我与父母谈了很长时间。talks 则常指政治家之间在庄重场合中进行的严肃谈话： hold peace talks 举行和平会谈。
eagerly1 回复于：2004-07-29 23:10:06
词汇辨析：
[color=red]spend, cost, pay, take [/color]: 都可以表达花费的意思，但用法不同：人+ spend + 时间/金钱 + in doing/on + 名词：I [color=darkred]spent [/color] three days in doing my homework. 我花了三天的时间做作业。事/物 + cost 人 + 时间/金钱 ：The necklace [color=darkred]cost me 2800 [/color] yuan. 这条项链花费了我2800 元。 人+ pay 金钱 + for + 物：I paid $2800 for the necklace. 我花了 2800 元买这条项链。It takes + 人 + 时间 + to do something : It [color=darkred]takes [/color] me three days to do my homework. 我花了三天的时间做作业。
egret 回复于：2004-08-01 23:31:25
wear thin 减弱，变得无力(不起作用)
My courage began to wear thin as the hour drew near.
The joke began to wear thin when you heard it too many times.
abdicate 退位，放弃(责任，权利等)
King Edward VIII abdicated to marry a commoner.
He abdicated all responsibility for the care of the child.
eagerly1 回复于：2004-08-05 13:46:08
词汇辨析：
[color=red]kill,murder,suicide:[/color] kill 杀死，扼杀，毁灭，指任何一种致死行为：Many soldoers were killed in action. 许多士兵在战斗中牺牲。
murder 谋杀，屠杀，破坏，指一个人故意kill 另一个人的行为：He admitted that he had accidentally killed his wife, but denied that he murdered her in cold-blood. 他承认失手杀死了他的妻子，但否认是蓄意谋杀。 suicide 自杀。
egret 回复于：2004-08-07 23:44:44
hit the nail on the head 击中要害，说到点子上
The mayor's talk on race relations hit the nail on the head.
What he said was very brief, but it hit the nail on the head.
peg 挂衣钩，晾衣木夹，支帐篷的木桩
You hang clothes on a peg fixed to a wall or door.
You fasten washing to a line with a peg.
Tent ropes are held down with tent-pegs.
xenoda9uy 回复于：2004-08-08 00:57:35
hmm... some chinese that i don't know but i know where this is heading too...
alright, here are some SAT vocabs...
impeccable
faultless, flawless;
Her [u]impeccable[/u] manners impressed us all: she didn't drool, spit food, or burp once during the entire meal.
ROOT: [L. impecablilis, from in (not) + peccare (to blunder, do wrong)]
Synonyms: flawless, immaculate, unblemished, irreproachable, irreprovable, unassailable, blameless, unexceptionable, unimpeachable
bah, this is so tedious. if one wasn't copy and pasting... god knows how long it takes.... one more...
intransigent
stubborn, refusing to agree or compromis, inflexible
The [u]intransigent[/u] strikers refused to lower their demands.
n. intransigence
ROOT: [L. in (not) + transigere [to come to an agreement) = trans (across) + igere (to go)]
Synonyms: uncompromising, stubborn, intractable, obdurate, unyielding, obstinate, tenacious, intractable....
egret 回复于：2004-08-08 09:18:28
be in being 成立，存在
The war-time Coalition Government was now in being.
A group of that sort is already in being.
choose 选择，挑选
I've chosen them because of the colors.
You have chosen well.
In choosing your play, I recommend that you select one written during the last 50 years.
Backed by Ralph he won a seat in the committee and was chosen its president.
egret 回复于：2004-08-09 22:47:37
dare 用于疑问句或条件从句
How dare Randy do such a thing?
Dare you ask him?
If you dare speak to me like that again, you will be sorry.
effective 实际的
Her brother is king, but she is the effective ruler of the kingdom.
This is aimed chiefly at annihilating the enemy's effective strength.
egret 回复于：2004-08-13 00:07:03
fish 用于谚语
All is fish that comes to his net. 能到手的都要（来者不拒）
Never offer to teach fish to swim. 不要班门弄斧
There's as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it. 海里的与鱼多着呢。 （失去一个机会不要紧）
granted, but 是的，但是
"We've been very successful this year." "Granted, but can we do it again next year?"
Granted, it's a splendid car, but have you seen how much it costs!
佟儿 回复于：2004-08-14 11:34:17
Wow, admire u, egret~
For ur continuous spirit
egret 回复于：2004-08-15 08:14:10
引用：原帖由 "佟儿" 发表：
Wow, admire u, egret~
For ur continuous spirit
Thank you, 佟儿. You know, sometimes I'm just too busy to post this kind of stuff, that I've been able to persist so far is due to the encouragement of you guys and my own perseverance. I have much desire to improve my English, so I will carry on doing this whenever I have time.
egret 回复于：2004-08-15 08:28:04
look into 了解，调查
Specialists are looking into possible sources of food contamination.
If you've any complaints, let me know, and I'll look into them.
do as one likes 爱怎样就怎样
You can do exactly as you like.
She fancies she is entitled to do just as she likes.
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-08-17 01:12:50
引用：原帖由 "egret"]Thank you, 佟儿. You know, sometimes I'm just too busy to post this kind of stuff, that I've been able to persist so far is due to the encouragement of you guys and my own perseverance. I have much..........
发表：
Thank you very much , egret.
eagerly1 回复于：2004-08-17 16:39:38
词汇辨析:[color=red]enormous, huge, immense, tremendous:[/color] 巨大的. enormous 指异常大,超出了正常的限度与比例: The size of this jacket is enormous-large than any one you've ever seen.这件夹克太大,比你所见的任何一件都大. huge 与 enormous 两词常可互换,但 enormous 比 huge 更为正式. immense 除表示数额巨大之外还表示"广大,广阔,无边". tremendous 指(大小,数量,程度)惊人的,巨大的,可怕的: a tremendous effort 巨大的努力.
eagerly1 回复于：2004-08-17 16:47:58
词汇辨析:[color=red]magnificent, splendid:[/color] magnificent 强调珠宝,环境,建筑等予人以深刻印象的美,堂皇或宏伟. splendid 辉煌，强调人,物或行为在性格上与外观上的卓越超群或辉煌绚丽.
egret 回复于：2004-08-17 23:31:33
run into 碰到，遇到
I was just coming along to see you when I ran into Mabel.
Our boat ran into a force-nine gale in the Channel.
tooth and nail 拼命地，想方设法
When the Indian girl was captured, she fought tooth and nail to get away.
The farmers fought tooth and nail to save the crops from the grasshoppers.
egret 回复于：2004-08-17 23:43:52
peg down [at] 限制(在较低水平)
The Government agreed to peg down the retail price of certain basic foodstuffs.
As an anti-inflation measure, permitted wage increases would be pegged at 6 percent above the 1972 level.
qualify 使有资格(条件)
Only two percent of them are qualified for skilled work.
He's the manager's son but that does not qualify him to criticize my work.
I knew I was useless until I had qualified myself to do something.
egret 回复于：2004-08-19 13:54:03
act up 出毛病
The car has started acting up again. We'll have to get it fixed.
Our television acts up every time an airpane flies over the neighborhood.
robust 结实，健壮
A robust person is one who is well built and strong.
He is never ill - he is so robust.
egret 回复于：2004-08-22 00:17:30
ship comes in 发财，有钱
When my ship comes in, I will take a trip to Hawaii.
Bartholomew is just waiting for his ship to come in.
star 主演，以。。。为主角
She has starred in many pictures.
With Nadia starring, the play is bound to succeed.
The new movie stars three of Britain's best actors.
egret 回复于：2004-08-22 14:28:01
taken by themselves [together] 就本身来说[总的来说]
The demands might be reasonable enough, taken by themselves.
These works, taken together, are essentially a unity.
take trouble (over) (在。。。方面)下功夫，作努力
The work is badly done; he didn't take much trouble over it.
He has taken endless trouble to make a success of our project.
egret 回复于：2004-08-23 00:58:56
the worse for wear 用旧，处于疲惫状态
The coat seems to be the worse for wear.
I spent the whole night at the party, but the next morning I was none the worse for wear.
abet 教唆
He abetted the thief in robbing the bank.
The criminal was aided and abetted by his brother.
egret 回复于：2004-08-23 09:17:06
bear 忍受，经受
We must face the trouble and bear it.
Mummy sometimes treats me just like a baby, which I can't bear.
This evidence won't bear scrutiny.
She can't bear to be laughed at.
He couldn't bear living alone.
She can't bear her husband making fun of her.
He could not bear that his friends should laugh at him.
egret 回复于：2004-08-24 09:16:18
chop at 向。。。砍(去)
He chopped at me with his knife, but missed.
I've been chopping (away) at this tree for half an hour with no results.
daring 勇敢，勇气，胆量
The soldier was decorated for daring acts behind enemy lines.
That boy has a lot of daring.
Agatha Earhart's daring made her a famous pilot.
egret 回复于：2004-08-24 23:05:52
effort 努力
But his efforts to get his daughter back were vain.
He succeeded in his efforts to overcome his fatal weakness.
His efforts at clearing up the mystery failed.
Some teachers give low grades in the hope of prodding students into greater effort.
We must put in more effort this year.
Learning any language takes a lot of effort.
egret 回复于：2004-08-24 23:15:03
first and last 主要地
Gabriel joined the army because first and last he wanted to help his country.
Although he served in governments he was first and last a great soldier.
take...for granted 视为当然
Do not take his help for granted.
I keep telling myself never to take anything for granted.
We did not send you an invitation, as we took it for granted you would be coming.
Olive took for granted all that her parents did for her.
egret 回复于：2004-08-26 23:46:16
inaccessible 无法到达的，没法得到的
The cave was inaccessible, high up the face of a cliff which no one could climb.
The papers were inaccessible to the public.
limit 极限，限度
He sees no limits to man's progress.
She has reached the limit of her patience.
The legal speed limit within the city is 35 miles per hour.
sal 回复于：2004-08-29 19:14:02
不得不用中文来发表评论了
本人觉得 有些古古怪怪的英语短语在日常生活中并不是非常常用
学好英语应该是在生活中积累 很刻意得学 效率很低 不排除有天才
egret 回复于：2004-08-29 21:29:05
和你的观察相反，很多“古古怪怪的”英语短语恰恰是英美人士在日常生活中最常用到的。
学好英语当然最好是在生活中积累，但由于我们并非居住在英美国家，不具备这样的语言环境，就只好刻意一点来学了。
egret 回复于：2004-09-01 00:03:56
nail down 使说出明确的意见，意图
Edwin is very difficult to nail down; you can never get him to speak his mind on anything.
He made all sorts of vague complaints of unfair treatment, but as soon as I tried to nail him down he brushed the subject aside.
peg away (at) 努力踏踏实实地干活
He pegged away at the job until he had finished it.
Becky kept pegging away, and finally recognition came.
You're bound to find the answer in the end; just keep pegging away.
egret 回复于：2004-09-01 00:09:46
qualify 对词义加以限制
Qualify your statement that dogs are loyal by adding "usually".
His statement was too general and should have been qualified with the phrase "in most cases".
The play was at best a qualified success.
rock the boat 制造麻烦，使出事
Even if you don't agree with me, you mustn't rock the boat at this difficult time.
Politicians don't like to rock the boat around election time.
egret 回复于：2004-09-02 22:05:42
lose one's shirt 把钱(几乎)全部损失掉
Uncle Hal spent his live savings to buy a store, but it failed, and he lost his shirt.
Ivan lost his shirt betting on the horses.
stare at 盯着瞧(某人)
I stared at her in amazement.
Children should be taught not to stare at handicapped people.
egret 回复于：2004-09-02 22:13:13
take 分得的一份，捕获物
My friend wants a bigger take of the money we stole.
The fisherman brought home a huge take.
trouble 费事，烦心
Joan did not trouble to inquire from them who they were.
Please don't trouble (yourself); I can do it by myself.
Didn't you troube to read the directions?
bryan_sun 回复于：2004-09-21 17:46:17
May I have you complete copy?
thx!
eagerly1 回复于：2004-09-22 18:12:32
[color=red]词汇辨析: effective,efficient[/color]:effective指产生了预期效果;而efficient则指人,机器,或组织运行得不浪费时间,精力或能源,即"效率高的".
eagerly1 回复于：2004-09-22 18:18:19
[color=red]词汇辨析: steam,vapor:[/color] vapor泛指固体,液体经加热而形成气态物;steam 专指水蒸气.
LZG8056 回复于：2004-09-24 15:41:35
引用：原帖由 "拉拉" 发表：
俺……俺想说的就是Nicole的第一句…… :em06:
LaLa, How are you! I miss you deeply......
where is Zinx and other friends??
egret 回复于：2004-09-25 13:08:47
pole 相反的，对立的两极之一
The employers and the trade union leaders are still poles apart.
Our points of view are at opposite poles.
eke sth out make a small supply of sth last longer by adding sth else to it or by using it sparingly.
eke out a living 靠辛勤劳动免强糊口
They eked out their coal by collecting firewood.
She eked out her small income by washing clothes for other people.
He eked out a bare living by farming on a rocky hillside.
In some countries thousands of graduates are forced to eke out a living by doing work of a menial nature.
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-09-26 18:34:19
引用：原帖由 "LZG8056" 发表：
LaLa, How are you! I miss you deeply......
where is Zinx and other friends??
Well, he has changed another id named Mythikal :m01: :m01:
hjx_221 回复于：2004-09-27 23:15:19
Just come here.
I like it very much!!
Thx!
egret 回复于：2004-09-28 09:25:25
streak element or trace (in a person's character)
a streak of jealousy, vanity, cruelty, etc
have a jealous streak
Divorce sometimes brings out a vindictive streak in people.
bigoted intolerant and narrow-minded
He is so bigoted that it is impossible to argue with him.
egret 回复于：2004-09-30 22:39:15
toady 马屁精 v
Never tell the boss anything he doesn't wish to hear: he doesn't want an independent adviser, he just wants a toady.
huddle (cause sb/sth to) crowd or be heaped together; 蜷缩
We all huddled around the radio to hear the news.
The clothes lay huddled up in a pile in the corner.
Bert was cold so he huddled up against the radiator.
jsc_flying 回复于：2004-10-11 21:35:21
take in 欺骗
take to 喜欢
take on呈现
espresso 回复于：2004-10-12 08:47:05
[color=violet].get the green light得到批准
We're got the green light from our dean that we can have some changes on teaching curriculum.
.give the green light给予批准，准许某人干……
The employees can have a day off. The director has given them the green light.
· grin and bear it一笑忍之，相当于汉语的"逆来顺受"
You have had enough insults from your boss. How can you grin and bear it?
· catch someone off guard乘虚而入
Within three days, the run-away was exhausted. He fell asleep in a basement. The police caught him off guard.
· hate somebody's guts恨之入骨
He dismissed my for no reason at all. I hate his guts.
[/color]
egret 回复于：2004-10-12 10:40:58
bank (指飞机等)倾斜飞行(于转弯时)
The plane banked steeply to the left.
relish enjoy or get pleasure out of (sth)
relish a meal, drink, joke
I don't relish having to get up so early.
chagrin (因失败，犯错等)失望，懊恼
Much to his chagrin, he came last in the race.
fallacy false reasoning or argument
I would say that's a statement based on fallacy.
egret 回复于：2004-10-12 12:45:10
headstrong 刚愎自用的，固执任性的
The headstrong youth flouted all authority.
curb prevent (sth) from getting out of control; restrain 约束
He found it difficult to curb his anger any more.
I think she should curb her tongue.
trashy of poor quality 拙劣的
I don't have time to read these trashy novels.
grisly causing horror or terror; ghastly
I don't want to see the grisly remains of the half-eaten corpses again.
peer look closely or carefully.
She peered at the neighbors from behind the curtain.
He peered at me over his spectacles as if not believing it could really be me.
egret 回复于：2004-10-13 11:04:24
lavish give sth to sb/sth abundantly and generously
They lavish care and affection on their only child.
decree order (sth)
The governor decreed a day of mourning.
Fate decreed that they would not meet again.
model display (clothes, hats, etc) by wearing them
She earns a living by modelling swim-suits.
egret 回复于：2004-10-13 14:43:42
drill training in military exercises
New recruits have three hours of drill a day.
derive fml obtain sth from sth; get sth from sth
derive great pleasure from one's studies
She derived no benefit from the course of drugs.
egret 回复于：2004-10-27 15:18:15
help seve oneself/sb with food, drink, etc
Help yourself (to a coke).
May I help you to some more meat?
Thinking his helping of food was scanty, Oliver Twist asked for more.
adjoin be next or nearest to and joined with (sth)
We heard laughter in the adjoining room.
The playing-field adjoins the school.
assert oneself behave in a confident manner that attracts attention and respect
You're too timid - you must try to assert yourself more.
egret 回复于：2004-10-30 16:43:09
fit sb/sth out with supply sb/sth with the necessary equipment, clothes, food, etc.
It takes days to fit out a ship before a long voyage.
I'm getting the children fitted out with clothes for their new school.
clamor make a loud demand or protest
The public are clamoring for a change of government.
The baby clamored to be fed.
egret 回复于：2004-11-03 14:24:00
pervade spread to and be perceived in every part of (sth)
The smell of baked apples pervaded the house.
Her work is pervaded by nostalgia for a past age.
go easy on/with be careful, gentle or moderate with sb/sth
Go easy on the milk; we all want some.
You should go easy with that boy; he's only young.
egret 回复于：2004-11-06 14:41:24
pluck take hold of (sth) and pull it.
The child was plucking at her mother's skirt.
Robin Hood reached back and plucked one last arrow from his quiver.
sway influence or change the opinions or actions of (sb)
It was that eloquent speech of his that swayed many voters at the last minute.
Your arguments won't sway her: she's determined to leave.
chrisptf 回复于：2004-11-11 13:28:27
keep updating
we support u
sssszy 回复于：2004-11-11 21:40:50
like ~!
egret 回复于：2004-11-20 15:37:43
gratify give pleasure or satisfaction to (sb) (使)感到欣慰
It gratified me to hear of your success.
I was gratified that they appreciated what I did for them.
next to almost
Papering the ceiling proved next to impossible without a ladder.
My horse came next to last in the race.
debehe 回复于：2004-11-24 16:34:36
Thanks a lot.
eagerly1 回复于：2004-11-28 13:00:47
you work hard and i study hard.
ぁ枫之神ぁ 回复于：2004-11-28 17:34:13
hello I hope make a friend with you
the most can speak english
are you known
zhy2111314 回复于：2004-12-09 08:43:56
to go bananas to be very excited or crazy about something
to grab a bite to stop and eat something (usually while you are out)
zhy2111314 回复于：2004-12-11 08:02:08
Happy as a clam To be satisfied with yourself and not be worried
To have a bone to pick with someone To have a disagreement with someone and to create an argument with that person
zhy2111314 回复于：2004-12-13 07:46:48
To live high on the hog To have very fancy or expensive possessions or to spend extra money to be very comfortable on a trip
To break the ice To get something started or to be the first to speak when nobody else seems to want to
接吻猫 回复于：2004-12-13 11:12:52
thank you 支持你的工作， 也加强我的学习！work hard and study hard!
Blue-rose 回复于：2004-12-14 15:18:22
Where there is a will,there is a way.
有志者，事竟成。
Nothing is too diffcult,if you put your heart into it.
世上无难事，只怕有心人。
As every thread of gold is valuable, so every moment of time.
一寸光阴一寸金。
All things in their being are good for something.
天生我才必有用。
There is nothing permanent except change.
唯有变化才是永恒的。
charming11 回复于：2004-12-14 15:52:20
i think that's very good for all friends studying english.
thank you very much!
charming11 回复于：2004-12-14 16:01:37
can you allow me to join in?
zhy2111314 回复于：2004-12-15 08:25:57
To be in the doghouse To be in trouble with someone
To jump on the bandwagon To support or believe in the same thing as someone else just because it is popular
zhy2111314 回复于：2004-12-15 08:33:48
引用：原帖由 "Blue-rose" 发表：
Nothing is too diffcult,if you put your heart into it.
世上无难事，只怕有心人。
difficult
zhy2111314 回复于：2004-12-16 06:34:25
To kick the bucket To die suddenly
To knock your socks off To be very suprised by something that you are very pleased by
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-12-17 23:42:10
i admired you for your work. Thanks.
zhy2111314 回复于：2004-12-18 07:45:28
welcome.I'll try my best^_^
Nicole Chan 回复于：2004-12-22 23:20:42
Thx.
hhuilinux 回复于：2004-12-24 11:52:53
引用：原帖由 "etherman" 发表：
egret，你的帖子很好，但你现在贴的内容，特别是idiom,是那些有很好英语基础的，有志于把英语讲的象母语一样的人学习的内容，但可不可以贴一点实用性强的短语和词汇
当然，无论你贴什么内容，只要是与英语有关的，?.........
approve
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-01-25 08:16:40
Idioms are really just “easy sayings” for something that can be hard to put into words.
When you use an idiom, the key is that people should be able to know what you are saying without thinking about it too much.
When used correctly, idioms make a conversation run much more smoothly.
You sound much more like a native speaker when you can use and also understand common idioms.
Just think about idioms as a way to get your speech flow more close to the “ideal” that has been discussed in this class before.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-01-25 08:29:15
By speaking in idioms and recognizing the ones that are said to you, it will increase your confidence!
It’s almost like talking in a secret code!
People use idioms to show that they know what they are saying!
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-01-25 08:32:29
Do you know what’s going on???
I guess it’s time to get back in the rat race today. You said it! We have to wake up and smell the coffee before we’re all washed up and wind up having to play second banana to some stick-in-the-mud at work. What’s their deal anyway? That boss of ours is one tough cookie and really gets under my skin. What a pain in the neck! Maybe we just got our wires crossed or something, but he said it was the zero hour and I wasn’t sure what he was driving at yesterday. I wanted to make a good impression, but I guess I just jumped the gun a bit. He said that was the last straw and that I was fired. I guess you’ll have to walk on eggshells today when you go in and listen to him yada yada yada about everything.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-01-25 08:34:11
Idiom #1:
“The Zero Hour”
The time when something very important is about to happen.
Also the same thing as a deadline or scheduled event.
Sometimes has a very negative feeling because it may be an event that you are not looking forward to.
It’s almost zero hour! I guess we might as well go on in and take the mid-term exam. It sure is going to be a tough one.
Zero hour is fast approaching and then we will see some real action!
Think of it as some sort of countdown to the event that is being mentioned.
It’s like a clock ticking down until the bomb explodes.
That comparison seems to work well because it would not be a pleasant event when the explosion occurs.
_meme 回复于：2005-01-25 09:42:25
引用：原帖由 "zhy2111314" 发表：
he Zero Hour”
The time when something very important is about to happen.
Also the same thing as a deadline or scheduled event.
Sometimes has a very negative feeling because it may be an event th..........
sounds like a good topic we can enjoy...... :em02: :em02: :em02:
盛冰 回复于：2005-01-27 22:26:37
我想如果能把这些句字顺便翻译出来那就更好了
剑心通明 回复于：2005-02-16 12:01:26
谢谢楼主
volcano8060 回复于：2005-02-18 15:17:23
aback -idiom. be taken aback, to be surprised:The tourist was taken aback by the garbage on the streets.
aardvark -a large African mammal having a piglike snout and long sticky tongue for feeding on ants and termites
abbess -a woman who is the head of a convent of nuns
abbot -a man who is the head of head or superior of a monastery.
abattoir a slaughterhouse
纳兰婷 回复于：2005-02-20 22:48:39
XX~~~
duyunjian 回复于：2005-02-21 15:29:38
although i have failed several times,but i don't get used to failure.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:00:36
Idiom #2:
“You said it!”
Another way of saying that someone is right about what they said!
Compares in a way to the Chinese word “dwe”
Usually said when someone says something that you really agree with or could not have said better yourself!
A: That sure is one attractive woman!
B: You said it!
A: Can you believe he gave us an A on the exam? It’s unbelievable!
B: You said it!
You have to be careful to not overuse this phrase in the same conversation.
If it is overused, then the person you are talking with might think that you have very low skills when it comes to expressing yourself.
It also gets very annoying when said over and over again!
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:23:52
Idiom #3:
“Yada Yada Yada”
Usually used as a noun
Describes someone’s speech when they say a lot of meaningless things or things you do not want to listen to.
The idea is that the words they say will actually sound like “yada yada yada” to you because you aren’t paying attention.
This can also be used when you need to explain to someone that what you are saying is rather repetitive in nature.
You can also sometimes interrupt someone’s speech with this phrase to let them know they are being repetitive.
Listening to that yada yada yada about his favorite dog was too boring for me.
I was trying to get home; it was raining; I got really wet; yada yada yada. Home never felt so good!
A: The game seemed to go on forever. There was one overtime and then another. I didn’t think we’d ever pull that one out. It seemed like it would last all night and we’d never get home!
B: Yada yada yada!
A: Oh, sorry! It was so exciting though!
This phrase became very popular in the United States after it was used in the script of the comedy show “Seinfeld.”
It is proof that the media/pop culture can have a real effect on our speech.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:31:53
Idiom #4:
“Got my wires crossed”
To be confused about something when talking to another person.
This is usually used as a way of explaining why something went wrong.
The idea is to show what might happen if you attached the wrong wires in a machine. It would not work!
I guess we got our wires crossed when talking about the plans. Nobody knew what they wanted.
Please don’t get your wires crossed this time! It took weeks to figure out the last mistake you made!
Since the phrase has its basis in mechanical things, you need to make sure that you are talking about why something did not get done. If it is used incorrectly, it can be very noticeable!
Get your wires crossed and come here and help me do this!
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:34:05
Idiom #5:
“To win hands down”
To win something so convincingly that there is no doubt or controversy about the results.
The idea comes from playing poker. If you have such a good hand that everyone lays their hands down on the table and gives up, you win “hands down.”
The Rockets won hands down last night as Yao Ming had 37 points and 21 rebounds.
The hands down winner was Jacob as he played the best game out of anyone there.
Remember that this can only be used when there is a very clear winner in the competition.
If the score is close, there can be no winning “hands down.”
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:35:06
Idiom #6:
“A Little White Lie”
Something that, while it is not entirely true, is intended to be said so that nobody gets harmed.
“White” is used to try to convince you that the lie is “innocent.”
Sometimes used when the real truth might not be very pleasant.
I told a little white lie about how much I had eaten for dessert.
She needed a little white lie to get herself out of a very awkward situation.
My parents usually see right through my little white lies and I get in trouble anyway!
Remember that these are still lies.
They are used as a way to get out of difficult situations with relative ease.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:36:04
Idiom #7:
“What is your deal?”
A question used when you want to know what is wrong with someone.
Can also be used to find out why someone did something (that usually was something very unexpected or dangerous).
What’s your deal? You just raced right past me and didn’t say anything at all!
A: What’s your deal anyway?
B: What do you mean?
A: You’ve been acting really weird lately!
While it sounds like you are being very rough with someone, the question can also be used as a way of honestly trying to figure out what is wrong with someone you care about.
The importance is the tone of the voice when it is said!
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:37:30
Idiom #8:
“What makes someone tick”
The reason someone acts the way they do
The reason someone is like they are.
I wonder what really makes him tick.
Something very strange must make him tick for him to act this way.
Whatever makes him tick must be difficult to understand.
The phrase comes from a clock and how it works.
The machine and gears inside a clock are what makes it tick and work the way it does.
Sometimes, even someone’s heart is called a “ticker” because it’s the main “gear” of the human body.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-22 08:39:12
Idiom #9:
“What someone is driving at”
The main point that someone is trying to figure out or get across.
What someone is trying to tell you.
A: You should really be careful with that toy?
B: What are you driving at?
A: It has a lot of moving parts and could cause someone to choke if they came off.
A: It sure has been a long time since we saw each other.
B: What are you driving at?
A: I just meant that we should make more efforts to be together. That’s all!
The word “driving” here is not the same as driving a car.
It is the type of “driving” used when forcing a nail into a piece of wood. It deals with force being used for some reason.
jiyu2004 回复于：2005-02-22 18:24:53
good
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 07:41:49
Idiom #10:
“All washed up”
Worthless
Of no value
Can also refer to someone who is older and not able to be as productive or useful for some reason.
Now that he’s retired, he’s all washed up and never wants to do anything.
After being arrested for drug use, his career is all washed up as an professional football player.
Try to get a picture in your mind of something that has been washed so much for so long that it is really about to fall apart.
Because it has been through so much, it no longer can do what it used to.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 07:52:23
Time for Quick Review!!!
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom phrase:
1. I _______ and couldn’t get the job done correctly.
2. The ______ is approaching fast and we have to get finished soon.
3. _________? Nobody knows what you are talking about!
4. I’m afraid I’m ______ now that I’ve had my 60th birthday!
5. All of this _____ is pointless. Can we move on to something else?
6. _______! That sure was a difficult exam!
7. Nobody really knows what ______. He’s so difficult to figure out.
8. I don’t know what he’s _____ in this conversation.
9. He _____ by dominating the competition and getting five perfect scores.
10. A bunch of _______ will get you in big trouble over a long period of time.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 07:53:07
ANSWERS:
1. GOT MY WIRES CROSSED
2. ZERO HOUR
3. WHAT IS YOUR DEAL?
4. ALL WASHED UP
5. YADA YADA YADA
6. YOU SAID IT
7. MAKES HIM TICK
8. DRIVING AT
9. WON HANDS DOWN
10. WHITE LIES
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 07:56:31
Idiom #11:
“Walk on eggshells”
To be very careful around someone else
The idea is not to make someone upset by doing something.
I’ll have to walk on eggshells around my wife tonight because she’s had a very difficult day with all of the housework and the children.
Watch out! The boss is mad! Better walk on eggshells all day!
The picture here is that you are being so careful that it is like you are trying to walk across a bunch of eggshells without breaking them.
A broken eggshell represents someone getting upset.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:29:23
Idiom #12:
“Can’t make heads or tails out of (something)”
You are not able to understand something
You cannot read what has been written down
Could you explain this? I can’t make heads or tails out of this report.
I’ve watched the program three times and still can’t make heads or tails out of it.
The phrase comes from coins in the U.S.
One side of a coin has a head on it while the other is called the “tails” (or opposite) side.
If you can’t figure out which side is which then you have a problem.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:30:42
Idiom #13:
“One tough cookie”
A person who can make it through anything
Someone who has been through a very difficult experience lately
She is one tough cookie for having survived the class with the foreign English teacher.
He must be one tough cookie if he’s taking physics and calculus at the same time.
Picture a cookie that has been through the heat of the oven for so long that it is really done.
The heat (or difficult experience) makes them tougher to the touch.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:31:52
Idiom #14:
“The last straw”
The one thing that you could do that would make someone get extremely upset at you
The most critical part of something
That’s the last straw! You’re fired!
I am down to the last straw with you. Any more mistakes and I’ll have to hire a new person to take your place.
Nobody ever seems to get to his last straw.
This phrase came from a children’s game called “pick up sticks”
The sticks (“straws”) are scattered on the floor so they are laying on top of each other. The game is an attempt to pick up a straw without causing any of the other sticks to move.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:33:03
Idiom #15:
“Get under (someone’s) skin”
To really bother someone
To make someone feel uncomfortable
His high-pitched voice really gets under my skin when I have to listen to it for a long time.
Doesn’t he just get under your skin with the way he dresses?
Picture someone actually placing something physically under your skin (and doing it on purpose).
That would be very uncomfortable!
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:33:54
Idiom #16:
“Stick-in-the-Mud”
Someone who is very stubborn and does not want to change their way of doing things
Someone who is associated with the old or traditional way of doing things
Don’t be an old stick-in-the-mud! Come on and enjoy the party!
My father can sure be a stick-in-the-mud sometimes. He does not want to try anything new foods at dinner.
This is another LITERAL picture here.
Picture a stick forced down into the mud and left there for a while.
It would be very hard to move that stick (either because the mud is thick or it has stayed there so long that the mud has turned to clay around it).
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:34:48
Idiom #17:
“Wake Up and Smell the Coffee”
To start realizing what is actually going on around you.
Why don’t you just wake up and smell the coffee when it comes to your job? It’s not getting you anywhere!
Sometimes we just have to wake up and smell the coffee in a relationship and notice that it’s not working.
The image here is to have the strong smell of a cup of coffee wake you up very quickly or bring you out of a very deep sleep.
The idea is to stop dreaming (as when you sleep) and face the reality of a situation.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:35:43
Idiom #18:
“(To) smell a rat”
To notice something that seems wrong in a certain situation
To be suspicious of someone
Something’s not right here. I smell a rat!
The boss has been taking home a lot of papers lately and now the books are not balanced right. I think I smell a rat!
A rat (of course) is not going to have a very pleasant smell and it will stand out in a room filled with other smells.
This is truly a negative saying (but is very common - especially in business).
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:36:35
Idiom #19:
“Second banana”
To be one step below the best quality
To be second-rate
To be someone’s second choice in something.
Everyone hates playing second banana to the boss. He doesn’t appreciate any of the things we do here in the company.
I refuse to be second banana to anyone! I am my own person!
Imagine trying to select fruit in the market.
The first banana is always going to be the best because you look at it very closely and make sure the quality is good.
You might not look as closely at the second and third banana.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:37:37
Idiom #20:
“Rat Race”
Everyday events that make up your life or your job
The common and sometimes un-ending parts of your life.
The entire world as a whole
It takes a lot to make it through the rat race in my office. The stress is too great sometimes.
If I could just escape the rat race for a few days I would feel so much better.
I refuse to take part in the daily rat race anymore! I’m retiring!
The phrase comes from science as they test and experiment with rats by making them go through a maze.
It is a very repetitive and boring procedure that can be frustrating.
When we do not feel appreciated, we feel like the rats in the maze!
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:38:16
Time for Quick Review!!!
Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom phrase:
1. Don’t be a _____! At least think about moving to a new location before you say “no.”
2. My brother is _____ for studying 12 hours straight for his examinations.
3. I am down to _____ with my boss. Something bad is about to happen.
4. Be sure to _____ around her this afternoon. She’s had no luck with her sales this morning.
5. My office is the perfect example of why I hate the ______ each day.
6. The Houston Rockets are getting all the calls from the referees. I think I ________!
7. That song has started to really _______ because they play it all the time on the radio.
8. I _____ out of any of these papers because they have terrible handwriting.
9. She’ll just have to be happy with being ______ now that the new boss has taken over the company.
10. It’s time to _____ and realize that it may take some studying to pass that class after all.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:39:31
ANSWERS:
1. STICK-IN-THE-MUD
2. ONE TOUGH COOKIE
3. THE LAST STRAW
4. WALK ON EGGSHELLS
5. RAT RACE
6. SMELL A RAT
7. GET UNDER MY SKIN
8. MAKE HEADS OR TAILS OUT OF THIS
9. SECOND BANANA
10. WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:44:15
Let’s look back at that opening paragraph:
I guess it’s time to get back in the [u]rat race [/u]today. [u]You said it[/u]! We have to [u]wake up and smell the coffee [/u]before we’re [u]all washed up [/u]and wind up having to play [u]second banana[/u] to some [u]stick-in-the-mud[/u] at work. [u]What’s their deal[/u] anyway? That boss of ours is [u]one tough cookie [/u]and really [u]gets under my skin[/u]. What a pain in the neck! Maybe we just [u]got our wires crossed [/u]or something, but he said it was [u]the zero hour [/u]and I wasn’t sure [u]what he was driving at [/u]yesterday. I wanted to make a good impression, but I guess I just jumped the gun a bit. He said that was [u]the last straw [/u]and that I was fired. I guess you’ll have to [u]walk on eggshells [/u]today when you go in and listen to him [u]yada yada yada [/u]about everything.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:52:54
Do you know what’s going on???
I guess it’s time to get back in the [u]common course of life’s events[/u] today. [u]You are correct[/u]! We have to [u]realize what is going on around us[/u] before we’re [u]not of any value [/u]and wind up having to be [u]of lower quality [/u]to some [u]stubborn person [/u]at work. [u]What makes them like they are [/u]anyway? That boss of ours is [u]someone who has really been through a lot of experiences[/u] and really [u]bothers me intentionally sometimes[/u]. What a pain in the neck! Maybe we just [u]confused[/u] or something, but he said it was [u]time for our deadline[/u] and I wasn’t sure [u]what he really meant [/u]yesterday. I wanted to make a good impression, but I guess I just jumped the gun a bit. He said [u]I had done something to make him very upset [/u]and that I was fired. I guess you’ll have [u]be very careful[/u] today when you go in and listen to him[u] talk repetitively[/u] about everything.
zhy2111314 回复于：2005-02-23 08:56:02
Now you know your idioms!
Go out and “break a leg”!!
(another idiom meaning to do your best at something)
城市边缘 回复于：2005-03-03 22:58:25
很喜欢这里，我的英语不是太好，也很久没学英语了，来这里看了学习了不少东西，就是后面那些为什么都不加上中文了啊，学得我好吃力啊，而且很多都不懂，希望能有更多得中文翻译在旁边啊，特别是那些成语，谚语的短句子
像把刀子 回复于：2005-05-06 14:27:58
引用：bring...into 使(进入)某种状态
It will bring you into contact with people and things.
This action brought Germany into sharp conflict with France.
These canals were brought back into use for pleasure traffic.
like 这个不用解释了吧！ icon_smile.gif
I don't like her going away in this fashion.
He wouldn't like it to be talked about.
I should like this matter settled immediately.
He likes his desk (to be) tidy.
Everyone has different likes and dislikes.
yongzi 回复于：2005-05-20 10:41:30
Who do you think is going to win the Academy Award for Best Actor this year?
你觉得今年谁会赢得奥斯卡最佳男主角奖？
我注意到很多人看到 Academy Award 时都无法联想到这个字指的是奥斯卡金像奖，实在是个有趣的现象。因为他们把奥斯卡金像奖都直接翻成了 Oscar Award 但事实上比较常听到的用法应该是 Academy Award 才对，Oscar 其实是那座小金人的名字，因为当初小金人设计者仿他名叫 Oscar 的叔叔模样打造而成的，故得此名。但有时候 Oscars (加上 -s) 也可指奥斯卡颁奖典礼 (Academy Award ceremony)。比方说 "Who do you think is going to win the Academy Award, umm.. I mean, Best Actor at the Oscars this year?" (你认为谁会在奥斯卡颁奖典礼赢得今年的最佳男主角？)
通常一部好的电影都会标示自己有哪几项被提名 (Academy Award nominations)，实际获奖 (winner of...) 的又有哪些，诸如 Best Picture (最佳影片)，Best Actor (最佳男主角)，Best Actress (最佳女主角)，Best Cinematography (最佳摄影)，Best Costume Design (最佳服装设计) 等等。除了 Academy Award 之外，国际上知名的 Golden Globe (金球奖) 和由柏林国际影展所颁的 Golden Bear (金熊奖) 也是在看电影宣传时常会见到的字眼。
yongzi 回复于：2005-05-20 10:42:49
Who is in it?
这部电影里都有谁啊？
有些人去看某部电影的理由可能不是因为听说哪部电影好看，而是她喜欢的某位大明星在里面担纲演出。所以对这些人而言，先问清楚，"Who is in it?" (这部电影里都有谁？) 远比 "What is the movie about?" (这部电影都在演什么？) 来得重要。反正这个世界上本来就是青菜萝卜，各有所爱。
至于讲到大明星在电影里扮演什么样的角色，通常用的是 play 这个字，例如 "Tom Cruise plays a young Naval pilot in Top Gun." (在捍卫战士中汤姆克鲁斯扮演一位年轻的海军飞行员。) 或是 "Tom Cruise stars in Top Gun as a young Naval pilot."也可以。另外 star 这个字非常好用，例如有时候我提到一部电影时，想顺便提一下主演的男女主角的名字，以帮助对方回忆，例如同样是 Top Gun 这部片子，要是我光说 Top Gun 别人可能还想不起来是哪部片子，但如果我说，"Top Gun starring Tom Cruise was one of the best movie in the 80s." (由汤姆克鲁斯所主演捍卫战士是 80 年代最好的电影之一。) 别人可能因为听到 Tom Cruise 的名字而一下子就回想起来了，注意本句当中 starring Tome Cruise 的用法
yongzi 回复于：2005-05-20 10:48:02
Do you remember the line by Mel Gibson in Braveheart?
你记得梅尔吉普森的那一句台词吗？
Line 指的就是演员的一句台词，一句好的台词常可以让观众津津乐道，回味无穷。例如 Titanic 里经典之 Rose's line: "You jump, I jump right?" (你跳我也跟著跳对吧？)，我想大家一定都不陌生才对。另外下列的句子也可以常跟老美讨论电影的内容时听到，"Do you remember the line by Mel Gibson in Braveheart?" (你记得梅尔吉普森的那一句台词吗？) "He was like, Freedom!, at the end of the movie." (他在剧终前说了一句好像是 Freedom! 之类的) 你的回答可以像这样，"Yes, that was a good line." (是的，那是一句非常棒的台词。)
yongzi 回复于：2005-05-20 10:50:04
The box office took in over 100 million in the first two weeks.
票房在头两周内就破了一亿美元。
Box office 指的是卖票的地方，不管是卖球票还是卖电影票的地方，都可以称作 box office。例如跟朋友约好去看电影，你可以说，"I'll see you at the box office." 那就是说，我们约在卖票的地方见面。此外，box office 也可以用来指电影或球赛的「票房」，或是卖座的情况。例如，"Can you believe that? Scary Movie actually did very well at the box office." (你能相信吗？Scary Movie 这部片子的票房卖座居然非常地好。) 所以注意到了没，老美说一部电影的票房很好，不是用 "The box office is very good." 而是用 a movie did very well (at the box office)，别搞错了。
如果要提到实际的票房收入，则不妨用 took in 或是 grossed 这两个动词 (均为过去式)，例如，"Over the weekend, the top 10 movies grossed over 100 million at the box office." (排名前十名的电影周末票房总收入超过 1 亿美元。) 或是 "The box office of the top 10 movies took in over 100 million over the weekend"
yongzi 回复于：2005-05-27 10:37:08
fashion/[5fAFEn]
n.
样子, 方式, 流行, 风尚, 时样
vt.
形成, 造, 作, 把...塑造成, 使适应, 使适合, 改革, 改变
for example:
1时髦，时尚
Is it the fashion to wear short skirts? Yes ,short skirts are in fashion.
2姿态；方式
He behaves in a very strange fashion.
after a fashion
fashion vt.
形成；制作；把…造成
1 He fashioned the clay into a jar.
luo1110 回复于：2005-05-31 13:45:31
I like to learn IT English. It will bring me into a new world.
duyunjian 回复于：2005-05-31 14:39:25
I have learned so many things from this subject,all in a word,thanks
yongzi 回复于：2005-06-03 15:01:15
strike
[straik]
n.
罢工, 打击, 殴打
vt.
打, 撞击, 冲击, 罢工, 打动, 划燃, 到达, 侵袭
vi.
打, 打击, 罢工, 抓, 敲, 搏动, 打动, 穿透
struck, striking
打；击
He struck me with a stick.
他用棍子打我。
使突然成为；使出其不意地成为
I was struck all of a heap.
我大吃一惊。
打火；划火柴
（人或机器）用手指敲响，用活动部件敲响
有强烈的感受；造 成深刻的印象
How does the idea strike you?
你感觉那主意怎么样？
突然想到； 猛然悟到
An idea suddenly struck me.
我心中忽然产生一个念头。
找到，发现 （地方或材料）
铸造（钱币或类似的物品）
罢工
The workers were striking because they wanted more money.
工人们在罢工，因为他们要求增加工资。
The strike is due to begin on Tuesday.
罢工预定于星期二开始。
达成（协议）
采取某种姿态；摆出某种姿势
to strike a graceful attitude
装出和善的态度
strike camp
撤营准备离去
strike
n.
罢工
The workers are on strike.
工人们在罢工。
攻击；空中攻击
地下矿藏的发现
an oil strike
发现油田
strike out
奋力向某一方向游泳
抹去；删去 (= strike through)
strike up
开始与某人结交
air strike
空中攻击
belt strike
移带叉
buyer's strike
消费者为迫使商店降价而抵制某些商品
consumer strike
消费者为抗议涨价而罢购
depositional strike
测向连续沉积
direct strike
正序共沉淀分出[捕集]
economic strike
经济罢工
fault strike
断层走向
first strike
初打
full strike
全力击球
lazy strike
怠工
political strike
政治罢工
protest strike
表示抗议的罢工
quarter strike
报刻
regional strike
【地质】区域走向
reverse strike
反序共沉淀分出[捕集]
rolling strike
持续罢工
simultaneous strike
同序共沉淀分出; 同序共沉淀捕集
air strike
空中出击, 空袭
be on strike
举行罢工
be struck on
[常用于否定句]非常喜爱(I am not struck on that idea. 我对那个计划没有兴趣。)
be struck with(by)
为...所袭击; 为...所侵袭
为...所触动[感动]
bird strike
机鸟互撞
break up a strike
破坏罢工
call a strike
发动罢工
call off a strike
停止罢工
go on strike
实行罢工
come on strike
实行罢工
go out on strike
实行罢工
have two strikes against one
三击中有二击不中, [美口]处境不利, 形势不利
How does it strike you?
你认为怎么样? 你有什么看法?
hunger strike
绝食抗议
It strikes me
我觉得...; 我的印象是...
It strikes me that
我觉得...; 我的印象是...
lighting strike
雷击
不预告的闪电式罢工
on strike
在罢工中
outlaw strike
[美]未经工会正式同意的罢工; 工人自发进行的罢工
wild cat strike
[美]未经工会正式同意的罢工; 工人自发进行的罢工
quickie strike
[美]未经工会正式同意的罢工; 工人自发进行的罢工
rent strike
[美]罢租(指房客因房租太贵所进行的集体拒交房租行动)
sit-in strike
留厂罢工; 静坐罢工
sit-down strike
留厂罢工; 静坐罢工
stay-down strike
留在井下罢工; 静坐罢工(指矿工)
stay-in strike
留在井下罢工; 静坐罢工(指矿工)
Sympathetic strike
同情罢工
token strike
同情罢工
strike against
反对...而罢工
撞在...上
strike aside
闪开, 躲开
strike at
企图打破, 袭击, 打击, 攻击
strike back
打回来; 反射过来, 回击
strike down
打倒, 使死亡或失去活动能力; 击灭, 杀; (鱼)装桶保贮; (病)侵入; 晒得受不了
strike for ...
要求...而罢工
strike from
从...中划掉
strike home
使受致命伤
取得预期效果
使清楚认识到
strike in
突然插嘴; 干涉; (疾病)内攻
strike into
突然, 开始; (突然)跑, 逃; 打, 扎(进), 忽然转入
strike it rich
[美口]发现矿产, 发横财, 走运
strike lucky
幸运
strike of day
破晓
strike off
斩去, 删去, 涂去, 扣除, 除去; [口]印刷, 当场画[写]
strike oil
发现石油; [口]发横财, 得到意外收获
strike on
打在...上, 撞在...上
突然想到或发现
strike upon
打在...上, 撞在...上
突然想到或发现
strike out
打击, 打出; 删去, 涂去; 想出, 创出; 拟出; 开始新生活, 走一条新的道; 路(游泳时)用手脚使劲划; 跳出; [美](棒球)三击不中退场
strike sb. as
给某人以...印象; 使某人产生...感觉
strike sb. dumb
吓得某人说不出话来; 使某人惊得发愣
strike through
删去; 刺穿; 划破(夜空), 划掉
strike twelve all at once
一开头就显出全副本领
strike up
在(金属上)拷花, 轧出图案等; 开始弹奏[唱]; 定约; 结交; 使开始; 建立起
strike up with
[美]偶然碰见(某人)
duyunjian 回复于：2005-06-09 10:05:12
at subway station,nikon:as your heart image
jiaohaiyan 回复于：2005-06-20 20:12:48
精灵王,我想向你请教.可不可以加我的qq:517441661
Green Leaf 回复于：2005-09-01 16:54:00
English,learn!learn!learn!learn!
openX 回复于：2005-10-01 19:02:40
this subject is good idea
Mc_Hill 回复于：2005-10-27 16:59:39
强，不得不顶
笑儿 回复于：2005-10-29 13:51:41
good idea!!
I like it!!!!!!!!!!!!
rainballdh 回复于：2005-11-03 12:56:41
每天坚持看,坚持学
delar 回复于：2005-11-22 15:10:57
引用：原帖由 rainballdh 于 2005-11-3 12:56 发表
每天坚持看,坚持学
既不回头，何必不忘,
既然无缘，何需誓言。
[color=Red]昨[/color]日种种，似水无痕,
[color=Red]今[/color]夕何夕，君已陌路。
◎鱼愚◎ 回复于：2006-05-24 23:17:48
I found that there are quite few words did I recognized........horrible.>_<
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