This is a sample collection of 1200 English idioms. The full version of this book has a compilation of 32,000 English idioms. Please join us at welcomeyall.com for further information and other free English-learning material.
11. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
8. 地区性用语的标示
在本书中, 你会看到[英国], [澳洲], [纽西兰], 等等地区性语言的标示. 如果是美国的常用语
言, 我就不标示. 这并不是我歧视其它英语国家, 这因为我搜集成语的主要目标是美国, 所以
大多数成语及词组是美国人所使用的. 英国, 纽澳等国家的本土性或地区性的英语文并不是
我的专长, 搜集有限也不是全面的.
10
12. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
Main Entry 中文定义与注解
... and a half 称赞某人, 事或物的高质量及格调. (注: 如果你说这辆
车是 a car and a half 你称赞此车很优秀)
... or someone 之类的人, 等等, 不一一而论. (注: 用于句尾, 常用于一
时找不到明确的称呼, 列举或描述某事所使用的词组)
... or something ...之类的东西, 等等, 不一一而论. (注: 用于句尾, 常用于
一时找不到明确的称呼, 列举或描述某事所使用的词
组)
... or whatever 等其它的东西, 等等, 不一一而论. (注: 用于句尾, 常用
于一时找不到明确的称呼, 列举或描述某事所使用的词
组)
10 straight days, for 连续十天.
10 years from now 十年后.
100 bucks 一百块钱(美元).
100-meter dash, a 百米冲刺. (注: 四百米之内要用冲刺即为 dash 或 sprint)
15 minutes of fame 当 15 分钟(短暂)的名人.
30% rain chance 百分之三十下雨机会.
800-meter run, an 八百米赛跑.
800-pound gorilla, an 强而有力的人, 无法控制的人.
A barking dog never bites. [谚语]会叫的狗不咬人, 虚张声势.
A bird in the hand is worth two in [谚语]一鸟在手胜过双鸟在林.
the bush.
A bit of overkill wouldnt you say? [例句样本]你不觉得有点过份吗? (注: a bit of 是有点之
意)
A bully is always a coward. [谚语]恃强凌弱者本是懦夫.
A candle lights others and consumes [谚语]蜡烛照亮别人却牺牲了自己.
itself.
A chain is only as strong as it's [谚语]一条练子也许强壮, 它只能与它最弱的一环一样
weakest link. 强.
A dollar is a dollar. [谚语]不管价值如何, 一块钱还是钱.
a face only a mother could love, to 长相很丑. (注: 意指此人只有他母亲才爱的脸, 因为无
have 论一个人长相如何他的母亲都还是疼爱他的)
a face that launched a thousand 倾国倾城容貌. (注: 意指"马屠城记"里的美人, 海伦, 因
ships, to have 为她有一张美得足以发动千艘战舰的脸孔)
a few fries short of a happy meal, be [不尊重语]笨笨的, 脑子不灵活. (注: happy meal 是套餐
之意, 包括汉堡, 炸薯条和冷饮; 如果套餐缺些薯条就暗
示头脑不全)
11
13. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
A fool and his money are soon [谚语]笨蛋难聚财. (注: 傻瓜花钱不够深思熟虑, 不花光
parted. 也被骗光)
A man's got to do, what a man's got [谚语]依循良心, 一个人应做该做的事. (注: 意指在某种
to do. 情况下, 你要做一个有担当的人)
A miss is as good as a mile. [谚语]一个微小差距跟巨大差距一样地都是不成功.
A rose by any other name would [谚语]即使玫瑰换了名字, 她的香味仍然芬芳甜美.
smell as sweet.
a tad overblown, be 有点夸张的.
a thought too much 多了一点点, 多放了一点点(例如: 盐, 糖或任何东西).
A watched pot never boils over. [谚语]心急水不沸.
A word to the wise is sufficient. [谚语]对智者一言已足. (注: 意指对明白人用不着细说)
a.k.a. (aka) 别名, 亦称为. (注: aka 是 as known as 的缩写)
abandon ship, to 弃船; 临危逃命; 树倒猢狲散.
about issues not insults, be 是来讨论问题, 不是来吵架的.
about three feet shy, be 还短缺三尺. (注: shy 在此意为短缺而不是害羞)
above and beyond the call of duty, 超越了工作地要求, 卓越地表现.
be
above reproach, be 无可指责的; 适当得体的; 出色的.
above the law, be 凌驾法律之上的; 无法无天的.
accept something as gospel, to 将某事当为真理. (注: 接受的真理不一定是真理)
accidentally on purpose 看来偶然实则有意的.
ace up one's sleeve, an 稳操胜券, 袖握秘密王牌, 秘密武器, 绝招.
Achilles' heel, an 致命伤, 软肋, 罩门.
act the fool, to 装疯卖傻.
ad hominem attack, an 人身攻击. (注: 意指不就事论事)
add credence to, to 增加某个主张更多证据; 确立某个主张可靠性, 确实性.
advent of ..., the ...的来临.
after all's said and done 说到底, 毕竟, 归根到底.
after one's own heart, be 衷心喜欢的, 钟爱的, 正合心意的.
After you. [礼貌语]你先.
against one's better judgment 不甘心情愿地, 并非本意地; 明知是错地(还去做).
agonize over ..., to 为了...痛苦, 折磨, 争扎.
ahead of schedule, be 提前, 超前进度.
ain't [非正式语]am not, are not, is not, have not, has not, do
not, does not, did not 的缩写.
albatross around one's neck, an 讨厌的负担或诅咒, 无法摆脱的负担, 苦恼, 罪恶感.
12
14. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
all bets are off 撤销先前协议, 后果将不可逆料.
all eyes are on someone or 众目睽睽之下, 每个人都盯着某人, 事或物.
something
all goes well, it 一切顺利. (注: 多用于祝福语, 例如: I hope it all goes
well for you, 希望你一切顺利)
All great minds run in the same [谚语]英雄所见略同; 聪明人想法一致.
channel.
all in due time 在适当的时机, 到了适当时候.
all of a tremble, be 焦虑激动的, 浑身颤抖的, 战栗不安的.
all over the shop 杂乱无章, 乱无章法.
all right by one, be 你同意, 满意某个安排或建议. (注: 经常作为假设语: if
it's all right by you, 假如你同意的话)
all sewed up, be 完全缝补好的; 取得了完全成功, 控制, 垄断的.
All that is necessary for the triumph [谚语]邪恶者唯一胜利的条件就是善良人们袖手旁观.
of evil is that good men do nothing. (注: 出自英国著名哲学家 Edmund Burke 的名言)
all the better 当然更好, 那更好, 更令人满意. (注: 用来强调某个选择
更好)
all the same to someone, be 无所谓, 没差别, 不影响某人.
all things considered 通盘考虑后.
all washed-up, be 彻底失败的, 过气的, 不再受欢迎的.
Allow me. [例句样本]让我来.
All's fair in love and war. [谚语]情场和战场上皆可无所不用其极地竞争.
along the same lines, be 大约相似的, 大概是如此的.
alot vs. a lot [易混淆字或词组]alot 错误用法, 正确用法应为 a lot.
Am I losing it? [例句样本]我昏了头吗? (注: 意指我魂不守舍, 做事颠三
倒四地)
among other things 除此以外还...
An acorn doesn't fall far from the [谚语]有其父必有其子.
tree.
and all 以及其它一切, 等等. (注: 用来连接前文所提到的事物)
and how! 当然! 没错! (注: 用来加强前述的想法并以惊叹语表达)
and then what? 然后还有什么呢?
and whatnot 以及诸如此类, 等等, 其它不一赘述. (注: 意指在列举出
诸多项目时不能一一都提到只有在句尾加及等等项目)
another ball game 另一码事; 另一个新机会; 旧的事务已成过去.
ante up, to 付清.
13
15. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
Any time you want. [例句样本]随时都可.
anything but 一点都不, 绝不; 除...之外都可以.
appear keen to, to 表现出热心的, 急切的态度.
apply oneself to ..., to 致力于..., 专心于...
Are you by any chance in LA? [例句样本]你会不会正好在洛杉矶? (注: by any chance
是碰巧地, 会不会正好地, 意外地)
Are you with me? [例句样本]你听懂我在说什么吗?
armchair quarterback, an 纸上谈兵者, 说三道四光说不练者, 放马后炮的人.
artsy fartsy or arty-farty 矫揉造作, 故作附庸风雅的.
as ... as all get out 很...(形容词), 非常...(形容词), 极...(形容词). (注: 与副词
一样的修饰或强调形容词)
as a matter of fact 事实上, 其实, 说实话.
as far as I know 据我所知.
as is 就是这样子的现况. (注: 这个词在买卖旧货条约上常见
也就是说你买的旧货情况就是如此; 卖方不会修理或换
新也不会保证跟全新的货品一样)
as much chance as a wax cat in hell, 完蛋! 一丝希望都没有! (注: 西方的地狱也称炼狱是很
be 热的地方, 蜡做的猫在炼狱一定熔化)
as much use as a chocolate 一点用处都没有. (注: 巧克力熔点很低, 比喻巧克力作
fireguard, be 的消防员的碰到火一定熔化)
as opposed to 而非, 而不是, 相对于. (注: 当你指出某一件特定的事而
非别的事)
as rumor has it ... 据谣传所说...
as you know 如你所知.
ask for it, to 自找麻烦, 自讨苦吃.
asleep at the wheel, to fall 玩忽职守, 工作不专心, 失职.
at $50 a pop 五十块钱一件, 一张或一个.
at a loss for words, be 无言以对, 瞠目结舌的.
at a venture 碰巧地, 碰运气地, 随意地.
at crossroads 居于十字路口, 面临抉择关头.
at every chance 不放过任何一个机会地, 抓住一切机会地.
at first light 天光一亮, 破晓时分, 大清早.
at it again, be 又犯了, 又做了, 又发生了.
at liberty 自由随意(发表意见); 闲着时候, 有空.
at one fell swoop 一口气, 一举, 一下子.
14
16. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
at one's own pace 按照自己的速度或步调地(学习或工作).
at peace, be 祥和的, 平静的.
at someone's beck and call, be 乐意为某人效劳, 唯命是从.
at that point in time 在那个时刻.
at the bottom of the totem pole 敬陪末座的, 地位低的, 被排名最后的, 被不重视的.
at the last minute 在最后一刻.
at the time 当时, 在那一时刻.
at this rate 照这个情形下去; 依这个速度. (注: 依这个速度意指太
慢, 可能做不完)
ATM vs. ATM machine [易混淆字或词组]ATM(名词)是正确用字; ATM 是
Automated Teller Machine 的缩写, 所以 ATM 之后不可
再加 machine, 否则就是 Automated Teller Machine
machine.
Attaboy! [惊叹语]干得好! 好样的! (注: 表示对一男孩鼓励嘉勉之
意)
attend to someone, to 照顾某人; 注意或聆听某人.
augur well for, to 看好, 有好兆头, 情势不错.
Aussie, an 澳洲人, 澳大利亚人.
AWOL 擅离职守, 逃学, 开小差. (注: AWOL 是 absent without
leave 的缩写)
baby boomer, a 婴儿潮或二战以后出生的人.
back away from ..., to 撤销, 停止支持...
back in the groove, be 回到正常作息; 恢复健康.
back the wrong horse, to 押错了马, 误判错误, 支持了失败一方.
backbiter, a 在人背后说恶毒话者.
backpedal, to 倒踩踏板; 后退; 变卦.
back-scratching, the 利益共生; 互相施惠, 协助或称赞.
bad blood between ..., the (两者之间的)积怨或仇隙.
bad to the bone, be 坏到骨子里的, 天生坏胚子的.
baker's dozen, a 十三, 十三个.
balls to the wall, be 加速进行的; 全力以赴的.
band together, to 团结一致.
bang for the buck, more 钱花的值得; 物超所值; 投资回报率令人满意.
bang-up job, a 令人激赏的工作.
bar none 无例外, 无双.
15
17. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
bare your soul to someone, to 跟某人倾吐心声.
bargain over, to 讨价还价, 洽谈.
barge right in, to 直接闯进打断, 直接闯进打岔.
bat a thousand, to 每战必胜, 保持完美的记录.
batten down the hatches, to 事先预备, 防患未然; 准备应付将要来的麻烦, 灾难或紧
急问题.
bawl one's eyes out, to 号啕大哭.
be comprised of vs. be composed of [易混淆字或词组]两者都是包含, 由...构成之意; be
comprised of 长期被批评或认为是错误的, 但 be
composed of 是被认可的. (注: 以美国由五十州组成的为
例, 两者正确的用法是: The United States comprises fifty
states; The United States is composed of fifty states)
Be my guest! [例句样本]别客气, 请用! 请便!
Be slow to promise and quick to [谚语]不轻易承诺, 但言出必行.
perform.
Be yourself! [例句样本]表现自然! 表现正常!
bear down on, to 强调; 施压; 逼近; 冲向.
bear something in mind, to 谨记在心, 将某件事放在心上.
bear watching, to 值得一看, 相当有前途; 值得注意, 不可信任.
beat around the bush, to 兜圈子地讲话, 拐弯抹角. (注: 意指不有话直说)
beat one's brains out, to 绞尽脑汁地费心思, 想对策, 回想事情.
beat swords into ploughshares, to 将刀剑铸成犁头, 偃武修文.
beat the clock, to 赶上期限.
beat the rap, to 逃过指控; 免除起诉.
beat up on, to 严厉批评; 打的遍体鳞伤.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder [谚语]美丑评鉴因人而异, 情人眼里出西施.
become clear, to 豁然开朗, 清楚让人领悟.
beef and reef, the 海陆全餐或海陆套餐例如牛排与龙虾.
before the ink is dry 墨迹尚未干. (注: 特指有人才签署同意书或合约就很快
反悔)
begin to see Bob for what he is, to 开始看到包伯的真面目.
behind the curve 落后; 表现差劲; 考试分数低.
being forward, one is 主动的; 太直接; 不含蓄的. (注: 常用于形容女人对异性
过于主动)
Believe you me. [例句样本]是真的, 相信我.
belly-up, to go 四脚朝天, 死了, 坏了, 破产了.
16
18. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
belt-tightening 节樽支出, 缩紧腰带.
bend to one's work, to 埋头苦干.
benefit of the doubt, the [法律术语]无罪推定原则. (注: 意指在某人犯罪事实未
经证实之前认定某人是无罪的原则)
best bet, one's (依现况考虑)最好的选择.
Best wishes! [祝福语]祝你好运!
bet on the wrong horse, to 押错宝, 支持失败者, 判断错误.
bet the farm, to 孤注一掷.
Better light a candle than curse the [谚语]与其愤怒痛苦不如直接去解决问题.
darkness.
better than nothing, be 聊胜于无, 有总比没有的好.
Beware the fury of a patient man. [谚语]小心脾气好的人发火. 别惹起有耐性者的暴怒.
beyond comparison, be 极优异的, 不能与其相比的.
beyond recognition 无法辨认; 面目全非; 惨不忍睹.
bid up, to 提高价格, 哄抬价格.
big break, a 大好机会.
Big deal! [惊叹语]什么了不起!
big kahuna, the [源自夏威夷]有权势的人.
bigger than life, be 壮观的, 气势宏伟的, 英勇的, 壮丽雄伟的.
binge drinking, a 短时间内狂饮酒类.
Birds of a feather flock together. [谚语]物以类聚.
bitch goddess, the 世俗上或物质上的成功及富裕.
bite off more than one can chew, to 不自量力, 好高骛远, 接受超乎个人能力承担的任务.
bite the bullet, to 打脱牙, 和血吞; 毅然接受逆境.
bittersweet victory, a 甜美中带辛酸的胜利.
black mark, a 污点; 过失或失败的记录.
blank look, a 脸上茫然的表情.
blast ... to kingdom come, to 摧毁, 炸毁...
bleed someone white, to 敲诈光, 榨干某人的钱财.
Bless your soul! [祝福语]神保佑你, 你是个好人!
blinding speed, the 极快(令人炫目)速度.
bling bling 珠光宝气. (注: 意指饶舌歌手们以所穿戴的珠宝碰撞的
声音)
blonde bombshell, a 金发美人.
blood-and-guts 血肉横飞的, 充满暴力的.
17
19. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
blossom into, to 成长, 繁荣.
blow a gasket, to 怒不可遏, 怒气冲冲.
blow hot and cold, to 反复无常, 摇摆不定.
blow one's mind, to 令你惊奇或纳闷, (因吸毒)改变心智; 疯癫.
blow smoke up someone's ass, to [不雅语]糊弄, 唬人, 胡扯, 迷惑.
blow someone's cover, to, to 揭发某人的秘密身份或其工作.
blow up in one's face, to 在某人面前情绪失控; 栽了跟头, 意外地彻底失败.
blue streak, a 连绵不断的一串话; 高速移动的东西.
blunt the pain, to 缓和, 减轻痛苦.
bode well for, to 看好, 有好预兆.
bog down, to 卡住, 使陷入泥淖, 使无法进展.
bold as brass, be (as) 过份自信的, 厚颜的, 胆大妄为的.
bone chilling cold, be 寒风凛冽, 寒风刺骨.
boogie down, to 跳摇滚热舞, 派对狂欢作乐.
booked up, be 预订或预购都满了, 订光了.
boost confidence, to 增加信心, 鼓舞士气.
border on, to 滨海, 接壤, 接近到. (例如: "bordering on extortion"就是
指某人的强求已接近到勒索的行为)
boss around, to 颐指气使.
bottom out, to 探底, 到了底部, 到了低点, 价格及利润迅速下跌.
bound for, be 往某地去, 向某处去, 运往某地.
bowl over, to 令人不知所措; 令人印象深刻; 把人撞倒.
brace for, to 做好心理准备, 打起精神准备应付.
brain surgery, a 脑部手术; 很复杂艰难(极难懂)的事务. (注: 美国人常用
否定语气 not a brain surgery 来告诉别人这件事又不复
杂或难理解)
brand spanking new 崭新的.
bread and butter, the 生存上基本的需要.
break away, to 脱离群体, 决裂, 脱离, 叛离; 放弃以前习惯的方式; 迅速
离开.
break into tears, to 突然泣不成声.
break one's chops, to 唠叨不休; 投入大量努力; 辛勤工作.
break ranks, to 脱队, 脱离, 发出与同伙不一致意见或行动.
break the tie, to 打破平手局面, 决定胜负.
breathe life into, to 给予生机, 复苏, 振奋, 使...更为有趣生动.
18
20. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
bright and early 大清早地.
bring back the memories of, to 勾起对过去(一件事)的回忆.
bring someone up to speed, to 提供最新数据使某人熟悉并顺利地工作.
bring to bear, to 对...施加压力或影响.
brinkmanship or brinksmanship, the 危险边缘策略. (注: 将危机或对抗推到安全极限以图迫
使对方就范的技巧; 多用于国际政治角力上)
broad shoulders, to have 可以承担重任.
broker a truce, to 作为中介者安排停火停战.
brownie point, a 逢迎拍马, 人情债. (例如: 以逢迎手段累积人情债得到
上级长官赏识)
brush up on, to 重新温习许久不用的知识或技术.
BTW [网络术语]顺便说一下. (注: BTW 就是 by the way 缩写)
buckle up, to [汽车术语]系上安全带.
Bug off! [俚语, 惊叹语]不要打扰人! 走开!
bugger up, to [不雅语]搞乱, 弄坏.
build self-esteem, to 建立自信.
bullcrap, a [不雅俚语]胡说八道.
Bully for you! [赞赏语]好样的! 做得好! 做得漂亮!
bum rap, a 背黑锅, 错误的指控判刑, 不公平的指控. (注: 意指一人
没有做错什么事却挨了批评或惩罚)
bummer, a 令人不愉快的经历, 倒霉的事, 失败, 挫败.
bumpy ride, a 颠簸, 不顺遂的旅程, 时期或工作.
bundle up, to 多穿衣服(因为外面好冷).
burden of proof, the [法律术语]证明一个指控的责任.
burden someone with, to 加诸在某人身上责任, 麻烦, 重担.
burn out, to 因长期精神压力或劳累而心力交瘁; 因火灾而撤出; 因
燃料用尽而烧完; 因累积的高热而失去功能.
burst at the seams, to 充满, 塞满, 人满为患.
bury the hatchet, to 化干戈为玉帛, 言归于好.
bust a gut, to 爆笑, 快要笑破肚皮; 努力辛勤工作.
bust someone's chops, to 斥责或羞辱别人; 令某人失望; 击败某人; 要某人完全依
照合约办事.
but good 彻底地; 大量地. (注: but 是加强语气副词)
butt out, to 走开, 别管闲事.
buttoned-down, be 穿着及言行保守传统的.
19
21. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
buy something for a song, to 花一点小钱就买到合算的东西.
by a country mile 差着远呢, 有巨大差距地.
by and by 不久, 快了.
by design 故意地, 处心积虑地.
by extension 推论, 扩大延伸意义. (例如: 假如 a=b, b=c 以此推论则
a=c)
by hook or by crook 为达到目的, 不择手段.
by rights 符合顺序地, 公正合理地.
by the book 一切照规定来, 不通融.
by the seat of one's pants 全凭自己直觉或经验能力办事; 不使用仪器.
by virtue of 凭借, 依靠.
cake's not worth the candle, the 物非所值, 得不偿失, 不值得做的事.
call attention to, to 唤起注意, 提醒, 指出.
call in one's chips, to 将自己人脉影响力或别人欠的人情债换成利益.
call names, to 咒骂, 羞辱人.
call someone down, to 斥责, 申诫某人.
call the shots, to 施展权威, 指挥, 发号施令.
calm before the storm, the 在风暴来之前的宁静.
compare to vs. compare with [易混淆字或词组]compare to 跟 compare with 大部份时
候可以互用; compare to 主要用在强调两者之间类似之
处, compare with 主要用在检视两者之间相似与差异之
处.
can do without ... 没有...也行; 没有...也可设法度过难关.
Can someone help me please? [例句样本]有人能帮助我吗?
Can you see? [例句样本]你了解吗?
can't afford to 买不起, 付不出, 无法承受, 无法提供.
Can't do that, can you? [例句样本]不能做这事, 是吗? (注一: 问题前半段用肯定
语气, 后半段一定要用否定语气; 注二: 前半段用否定语
气, 后半段一定要用肯定语气; 注三: 注意助动词要统
一, 前面用 can't 后面一定要用 can 不能用 do, does, will
等等)
can't have your cake and eat it too 鱼与熊掌不可兼得.
can't help 不得不, 情不自禁.
can't see for looking 因为找东西找得太久弄得眼花撩乱. (注: 意指你要找的
东西就是在显而易见的地方也找不到)
cap something off, to 好上加好或雪上加霜; 好事最后变更好, 坏事最后变更
20
22. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
糟. (注: 大多指所经历不愉快的经验)
car pool, a 多人共乘一辆汽车. (注: 意指为了省汽油与环保, 一群
人约好上下班或旅游共享一部车)
card up one's sleeve, to have a 手中扣住秘密王牌, 锦囊妙计; 留一手.
carried out feet first, be 死也不愿离开一个地方. (注: 意指被人硬生生拖走)
carry away, to 情不自禁, 不能控制自己情绪.
carry out, to 执行, 达成或结束任务.
carry the weight of the world on 忧心忡忡, 担忧烦恼各种问题.
your shoulders, to
cart off, to 强行以车带走, 押走或拉走.
cash cow, a 摇钱树, 赚钱的生意. (注: 它的利润常用来作别的投资)
cash is king, the 现金为王. (注: 现金流动是财务健康的重要指标. 空有
高额的应收帐款而现金帐款过低就是不健康的财务状
况)
cast a spell, to 使人着迷, 发挥魅力或影响力; 下了符咒.
cast doubt on ..., to 令别人对...产生怀疑.
castles in the air, the 空中楼阁; 幻想, 不实际的计划或想法.
catch a tiger by the tail, to 骑虎难下, 捅到马蜂窝, 碰到棘手的麻烦.
Catch my drift? [例句样本]懂我在说什么吗? 明白我的意思吗?
catch some z's, to 找机会睡觉, 休息.
catch someone off guard, to 吓某人一跳, 令某人措手不及.
catch up with 从后追上, 超越; 追赶上最新的消息, 新闻或知识.
cat's out of the bag, the 秘密泄露, 露出马脚. (注: cat's 在此就是 cat is 之意)
caught by the short and curlies, to 被人抓到把柄, 被人抓住小辫子, 被人控制.
get
caught off balance, be 一时失去平衡, 一时无法响应, 一时没站稳. (注: 意指突
然受到震撼, 一时失去正常的反应)
cause a stir, to 造成骚动, 激动或扰乱.
cautiously optimistic, be 谨慎地乐观.
certainly not, be 当然不是的; 绝对不.
chained to the desk, be 被工作捆绑, 不停工作.
chance one's luck, to 冒险看看, 碰碰运气. (注: 意指对自己有相当信心并非
孤注一掷虽然仍有可能失败)
change of heart, a 改变意见, 态度, 心意; 回心转意.
character assassination, a 人格的暗杀; 蓄意破坏诋毁一个人的公众形象.
Charity begins at home. [谚语]施舍或救济先从自己家人开始.
21
23. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
chat someone up, to [英国]与异性搭讪, 赢得友好关系.
cheap trick, a 小把戏; 不值一谈的手法, 骗术.
check oneself into ..., to 自行进入医院求诊.
cheer on, to 激励..., 替某人或某队加油叫好.
cherish the illusion that ... 对...抱着幻想.
chest-thumping, the 击胸; 傲慢自大与自我宣示的表示.
chew something over, to (行动前)静下来审慎仔细思考.
chicken feed, a 小钱, 小量.
chicken-livered, be [形容词]胆小的, 惧怕的, 容易受惊吓的.
chill out, to 别激动, 冷静点.
chip in, to 大家帮忙一起付, 每人贡献一份; 加入讨论, 提出自己意
见.
choke back, to 强烈压抑情绪. (注: 常用于压抑悲伤或悲痛).
choose sides, to 选边, 偏袒某方.
chow down, to 大吃大喝, 吃饭.
chug along, to 逐渐稳定地取得进展.
circumstantial evidence, a [法律术语]间接证据. (注: 对涉案嫌犯在案发的时间, 地
点, 动机与目的以及其它非直接的证据推断其犯罪的证
明)
claim to fame, a 凭借...赢得声誉; 因某事而出名.
class warfare, a 社会或经济阶层之间的斗争尤其是资本家与无产阶级
之间的斗争.
clean someone out, to 赢走或拿光某人的财物.
clear the air, to 消除敌意, 紧张气氛, 混乱或不确定的因素.
click in, to 明白了, 了解到.
climb aboard the water wagon, to 拒绝饮酒, 戒酒.
cling on by one's fingertips, to 险象环生, 悬于一线, 仅有一线生机.
close but no cigar, be 很接近(正确, 成功)但非完全, 所以没有奖励.
close the door on, to 停止或拒绝考虑, 协商或行动; 拒人于外.
close to someone's heart, be 某人所珍爱的, 珍重的, 珍惜的.
cloud of suspicion hangs over 疑云笼罩在某人头上, 受别人怀疑或不信任.
someone, a
coast is clear, the 危险已过; 没有人会看到你.
cock up, to [英国]搞糟, 笨拙地失败.
Coffee or tea? [餐厅用语]你要咖啡还是茶?
22
24. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
cold as stone, be (as) 极为寒冷的; 冷漠无情的.
collapse under one's weight, to 被自己所造成的问题拖垮.
color a lie, to 美化一个谎言.
Come again. [例句样本]再说一遍. (注: 意指刚才没听清楚)
come cap in hand, to 表示敬畏态度; 腼腆地向别人借钱或求助.
come down on someone or 坚决反对, 严厉谴责某人或某事.
something, to
come from behind, to 由后追上.
come in handy, to 正好可以派上用场.
come Monday, to 到下星期一.
come on to, to [俚语]向某人作性挑逗.
come out of someone's pocket, to 由某人出钱或垫款.
come rain or shine 不论晴雨, 决心不变.
come to a standstill, to 停止, 进入停顿状态.
come to someone's defense, to 替某人辩护.
come up roses, to 结局完满; 陷入丑闻而被证明无瑕疵; 遭到挫败而成功
胜出.
come what may, to 不管发生什么; 不论任何困难都不能阻挠你要做某事.
comfortable as an old shoe, be (as) 熟悉自在的.
comment on, to 对...解说或评论.
common sense gets shoved aside, 激动到失去理智; 常理被丢于一旁.
the
compare to vs. compare with [易混淆字或词组]compare to 跟 compare with 大部份时
候可以互用; compare to 主要用在强调两者之间类似之
处, compare with 主要用在检视两者之间相似与差异之
处.
Comparisons are odious. [谚语]人比人气死人.
computer is hung up, the [计算机术语]计算机不动或悬而未决. (注: 意指电路并
未切断, 但无反应)
conducive to, be 推动, 促成, 有助于.
confused as Adam on mother's day, 非常迷惑. (注: 按基督教义亚当是神所创造并无母亲)
be (as)
consort with ..., to 与...为伍, 交往; 与...发生性关系.
continue unabated, to 毫不减弱地持续.
convince vs. persuade [易混淆字或词组]这两个动词意思很接近; convince 是
说服某人接受你的观点或意见; persuade 是劝导某人采
取某个行动.
23
25. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
cook one's goose, to [俚语]自毁长城; 希望成泡影; 无可挽回地摧毁希望, 计
划, 机会.
cool as a cucumber, be (as) 冷静的, 镇静的, 沉着的.
cooler heads prevail, the 坚持冷静的思考; 不诉诸激烈行动; 避免暴力冲突.
cordon off, to 封锁现场. (例如: 警方使用绳子或胶带封锁一个犯罪现
场)
cost a bundle, to 花一大笔钱, 花费昂贵.
could do something with one arm (把一只手绑在背后)依然可以轻易的做某件事或取胜.
tied behind their back
couldn't be more wrong 大错特错, 荒谬至极.
council vs. counsel vs. consul [易混淆字或词组]council(名词)会议, 评议会, 地方议会;
counsel(名词)律师, 商议, 劝告; consul(名词)领事, 执政
官.
Count me in. [例句样本]我也要参加; 把我也算上.
country cousin, a [不尊重语]乡巴佬; 纯朴天真的人.
courtesy booth, a 客户服务厢. (注: 通常位于百货公司或超市进口处提供
服务, 例如回答询问, 接受退货, 代收水电费等业务)
cover a lot of ground, to 旅游多地; 有进展; 审查或讨论许多主题或想法.
cover one's tracks, to 掩盖自己的行踪或涉嫌的证据(逃避别人追查).
cozy up to someone, to 奉承, 巴结某人.
crack a nut with a sledgehammer, to 杀鸡用牛刀.
crack someone up, to 使人笑到肚子疼.
crack the whip, to 裹胁别人更努力工作; 以高压姿态命令属下.
cradle of civilization, the 人类文明摇篮.
crash a party, to 不请自来而闯入别人的派对.
crawl to someone, to 向某人摇尾乞怜.
cream rises to the top, a 好人终究还是会出头; 好主意还是会受人注意.
crime against humanity, a 反人类罪行.
cross a bridge before one comes to 杞人忧天; 问题还没出现就干著急.
it, to
cross-dresser, a 穿异性衣服的人; 女扮男装或男扮女装.
cruel joke, a 残酷的笑话, 伤人尊严的笑话.
crushing demand, a 压倒性的需求, 沉重不堪的要求.
cry stinking fish, to 自曝其短; 自贬身价; 批评贬低自己的工作, 家庭或生
活.
cull out, to 众者挑选出.
24
26. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
cup runneth over, one's 福杯满溢; 生活富足顺遂.
Curiosity killed the cat and [谚语]太好奇会害死人, 但是当你满足了求知欲你就得
satisfaction brought him back to life. 到新生命.
curtain falls on ..., the ...的结束, 落幕.
cut a long story short, to 长话短说.
cut back fatty food, to 减少油腻食物. (注: fatty food 就是油腻食物)
cut off one's nose to spite one's face, 损人不利己, 本想伤人却也伤到自己; 拿自己出气.
to
cut someone off, to 突然的切断某人的电话; 阻止某人说话.
cut to the chase, to 直接了当说到重点(精彩的部分), 不拖泥带水.
cut your teeth, to 获得初次工作经验以或初试身手.
cutthroat competition, the 割喉战; 恶性残酷竞争.
daft as a brush, be (as) [讥讽语]傻里傻气的.
Damn right! [不雅惊叹语]说的对!
damned if you do, damned if you 做了被骂, 不做也被骂. (注: 意指难做人, 做与不做都有
don't 人反对)
dance to a different tune, to 改变态度, 行为或意向.
dare I say ... 我敢说...
Darn it! [惊叹语]表达不满, 失望, 厌恶之意.
dash off a note, to 仓促地写下及发出短信.
dawn on me, to 我突然清楚, 我突然明白了真相.
day of reckoning, the 清算的时候, 算帐的时候.
dead and buried, be 一切都过去了, 事过境迁.
dead even, a 势均力敌, 不分上下.
dead presidents, the [俚语]美国纸钞票. (注: 因为钞票上面印的都是死去的
总统头像)
deaden the sorrow, to 缓和悲恸情绪.
deaf as a doornail, be (as) 完全聋, 完全听不到.
Dear John letter, a [美国俚语]女友的绝交信.
death warmed over, like 脸色苍白, 病奄奄, 身心俱疲, 死气沉沉.
deck out, to 穿着高雅; 装饰诱人.
deeply concerned, be 深切地关心.
deliver the goods, to 做到被要求的事, 做到允诺的事.
Denial is no longer an option. [例句样本]否认已经不行了.
descend into a moral abyss, to 沉沦入道德深渊.
25
27. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
Devil finds work for idle hands. [谚语]游手好闲者终究会出乱子.
devil incarnate, the 魔鬼化身, 穷凶恶极之徒.
dice with death, to 玩命, 拿性命开玩笑.
diddly-squat [不雅俚语]几乎等于没有, 微量, 没价值.
die on the vine, to 提早失败, 因为三分钟热度或缺乏持久努力而提早失败.
dig a little deeper, to 掏更多钱花或给人.
dim sum [餐馆用语]传统中国点心.
dine out, to 在外面吃馆子, 不在家里吃饭.
dire need, in 迫切急需.
dirty laundry, a 可能造成尴尬或苦恼的私人事务; 见不得人的丑事.
disappear off the face of the earth, to 完全消失.
dish out, to 随意赠送, 分发, 施予.
disinterested vs. uninterested [易混淆字或词组]disinterested(形容词)无私欲的, 公平
的; uninterested(形容词)对...没兴趣的, 不想介入的.
ditch class, to 逃学, 逃学.
diversionary attack, a 牵制性攻击, 转移注意的攻击, 佯攻.
divide and conquer, to 分化再征服.
do a dime, to [俚语]在监狱关十年.
do a one-eighty, to 作 180 度转弯或转变; 变挂, 反悔. (注: 意指原来持反对
意见变为赞成的或原来持赞成意见变为反对的)
Do birds fly? [例句样本]鸟飞吗? 当然是! (注: 这句话并不是问人而
是告诉别人一个显而易见的或很确定的答复)
Do it right or you won't last. [谚语]做对事要不然你会做不久.
do me for, to 我有足够地供应.
do one's face, to 化妆.
do someone dirt, to [俚语]视某人为粪土, 羞辱某人; 行事不道德; 传播流言
蜚语.
do something up brown, to 做某事彻底完满.
Do tell! [惊叹语]真的吗! 有这可能! 表达惊讶语.
do the trick, to 达到想要的结果.
Do you follow me? [例句样本]你明白我的意思吗?
Do you mind? [例句样本]你介不介意? 另, 帮帮忙好吗?
Do you not watch the news? [例句样本]你不看新闻啊? (注: 抱怨或讥讽某人不知最
近新闻)
dodge the bullet, to 有惊无险, 躲过一劫.
26
28. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
doesn't amount to a hill of beans, it 没什么意义; 不重要.
dog days of summer, the 炎夏.
dog-faced liar, a 讨厌的说谎者.
doing OK, be 混得不错, 情况良好, (论生病)恢复得不错.
doll up, to 穿着打扮得时髦, 明艳; 点缀装饰使其更引人注目.
done to a turn, be 事情做得圆满, 完美; 食物烹调恰到好处, 色香味俱佳.
Don't be hysterical. Pull yourself [例句样本]别发狂. 保持冷静.
together.
Don't bug me. [例句样本]别烦我.
Don't come the raw prawn with me. [澳洲]别把我当傻瓜; 别跟我装胡涂.
Don't fall for it! [例句样本]别上当!
Don't get the idea that ... [例句样本]别误以为...; 别错估...
Don't give someone a blank check. [例句样本]别给某人一个空白支票; 别让某人胡作非为.
Don't keep me waiting. [例句样本]别让我久等.
Don't know which end is up. [例句样本]迷惑, 不知何去何从, 不知所措.
Don't lie through your teeth. [例句样本]别睁眼说瞎话. (注: 意指别明知是假的还说
是真的)
Don't make me puke! [例句样本]别令我作呕!
Don't piss down my back and try to [例句样本]别耍我! (注: 直译为不要在我背上撒尿还告
tell me it's raining! 诉我这是下雨)
Don't rock the boat. [例句样本]别多事, 别添麻烦, 别制造问题. (注: 意指多
一事不如少一事)
Don't start with me! [例句样本]别找我麻烦! 别惹我!
Don't strike a man when he is down. [谚语]别逼人太甚, 适可而止; 穷寇莫追; 别落井下石.
(注: 原译为已经倒在地的人不要再打他)
Don't take it personal. [例句样本]别认为别人是针对你个人. (注: 别认为别人
针对你的人格, 行为, 动机或私人事务的羞辱; 美国人经
常说他的批评是对事不对人, 不要当作对个人的攻击)
Don't think I don't know what you're [例句样本]别以为我不知道你在想什么.
thinking.
Don't wear your heart on your [例句样本]别公开流露你的感情.
sleeve.
doom-and-gloomer, a 失败主义者.
dot the i's and cross the t's, to 一丝不茍地注意小节或小地方; 检查文件或合约确保书
写正确.
double in brass, to 身兼两职.
double whammy, a 祸不单行, 两件坏事一起发生.
27
29. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
double-dealing, be [形容词]口是心非的, 表里不一的.
double-edged sword, a 双刃剑; 意指事情具有有正面和负面影响.
doubting Thomas, a 疑心重的人, 非要眼见为信之人. (注: 意指别人说的不
算数)
down at the heel, be 衰败破旧的, 衣衫褴褛的.
down on one's luck, be 诸多事不顺利; 潦倒.
down the road 在未来, 过一段时间之后才发生.
down the toilet 白白浪费掉, 糟蹋掉.
down to the wire 到最后一刻, 即将结束.
downright lie, a 彻底的谎言.
drag one's feet, to 故意拖延, 拖泥带水.
drag someone over the coals, to 严厉批评或斥责.
drag someone through the mire, to 把某人名声搞臭, 要某人名誉扫地, 使某人出丑.
drape oneself in the flag, to 装着爱国, 其实动机是自私的.
draw a blank, to 无法取得资料; 无法达成某事; 脑袋一片空白; 一时无法
想起某事.
draw first blood, to 先下手为强, 首先攻击, 首先得分或胜利.
draw someone's fire, to 引起某人的批评; 成为某人目标, 被人攻击.
dream up, to 发明, 捏造, 图谋.
dressed to kill, be 穿着高贵, 新潮, 迷死人的盛装.
drink someone's health, to 为某人的健康干杯.
drive a point home, to 努力的阐明并令人明白自己的观点或论点.
drive one's pigs to market, to 鼾声如雷.
drive someone bonkers, to 逼使某人恼怒, 发疯, 不胜其扰.
drive the porcelain bus, to 趴在马桶上呕吐. (注: porcelain bus 象征瓷器做的马桶)
driving while intoxicated 酒醉驾驶, 吸毒驾驶. (注: 简称 DWI)
drop a flea in someone's ear, to 警告, 告诫某人.
drop in on, to 顺道访问, 临时来访.
drop names, to 讲出有名人的名字炫耀自己有办法.
drop someone or something like a 赶紧抛弃某人, 事或物; 极欲除之而后快.
hot potato, to
drop your gloves, to 放手一博; 真刀真枪地争吵或打架; 亳不留情地竞争或
比赛.
drum into someone's head, to 灌输教学, 强迫别人硬记.
dry behind the ears, be 成熟的, 有经验的.
28
30. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
duck the issue, to 逃避议题.
due process of law, the 司法审判程序正义, 司法正当法律程序.
dumb as a stump, be (as) [不尊重语]笨得像树根一般.
dumber than a box of rocks, be [不尊重语]比一箱子石头还笨.
Dunkirk spirit, the 敦刻尔克精神. (注: 意指二战初敦刻尔克大撤退时表现
地共体时艰, 互相帮助渡过难关精神)
dutifully noted, be 忠实地记录下来或照会到.
duty-bound, be 义不容辞的, 感觉有责任的.
dwell on the past, to 停留在过去, 沉迷在过去的事.
dwindle down, to 渐渐减弱.
dying to know, be 极渴望想知道.
each to his own 各有所好, 各取所需.
early on [副词]早期, 初期.
earn one's keep, to 辛勤工作所获得应得的工资.
easy as ABC, be (as) 很容易.
Easy come, easy go. [俚语]来的快去的快.
easy pickings, an 容易得来的收获或回报.
eat a fig, to [俚语]偷窃, 闯空门.
eat bull beef, to 变为强壮, 凶猛.
eat crow, to 被迫认错, 认输.
eat humble pie, to 被迫认错, 认输, 受屈辱.
eat one's heart out, to 沉重痛苦; [奚落语]因嫉妒而难过. (注: 意指有人炫耀自
己成就要某人因此嫉妒难过就会说 Eat your heart out)
eat someone out of house and home, 把某人吃垮; 把某人资源耗光.
to
eat your own dog food, to 使用自己公司的产品. (注: 意指公司使用自己产品来供
应每天的营运; 对自己产品有信心)
economical with the truth, be 故意漏掉一些事实. (注: 意指不用说谎而故意漏提一些
事实或数据去误导别人)
educated guess, an 有根据的猜测.
egg-sucking dog, an 偷蛋而食的狗; 卑鄙小人; 贼头贼脑的人.
eke out a living, to 勉强糊口, 省吃俭用过日子. (注: 意指赚钱不多, 勉强够
生活)
elephant in the room, an 大家避谈显而易见的事情或问题. (注: 意指对明显事实
视若无睹)
elicit vs. illicit [易混淆字或词组]elicit(动词)套出, 引出; illicit(形容词)
29
31. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
非法的, 不允许的.
embolden one's enemies, to 徒使敌人更嚣张.
Empty vessels make the most noise. [谚语]半瓶醋响叮当, 无知的人爱高谈阔论.
endanger other people's lives, to 危害别人的生命.
enough is enough 够了, 够了; 别再乱搞; 多言无益.
environmentally friendly, be 环保的, 不破坏环境的.
epigram vs. epigraph vs. epitaph vs. [易混淆字或词组]epigram(名词)警句, 讽刺短诗;
epithet epigraph(名词)刻文, 题词, 碑文; epitaph(名词)墓志铭,
碑文; epithet(名词)分类称号, 绰号, 毁谤, 辱骂.
ESP 超感官知觉. (注: 不通过五感官而获得知觉讯息的能力,
ESP 是 extrasensory perception 的缩写)
ETA 预定的到达时间. (注: ETA 是 estimated time of arrival
的缩写)
ethnic cleansing, an 种族灭绝.
Even a 10 year old child knows it all [例句样本]连一个十岁小孩都很清楚这事.
too well.
even more so 甚至更是如此.
Every cloud has a silver lining. [谚语]否极泰来; 困难中总有一线曙光.
every man jack 每个人, 没例外.
Every rose has its thorn. [谚语]每朵玫瑰都有刺. (注: 玫瑰花虽美但有刺, 意指每
件事都有利与不利的一面)
everytime vs. every time [易混淆字或词组]everytime 是错误的, 因为 every time
是两个分开的字. (注: 请注意你可以用 everything 或
everyday, 但 every time 永远是分开的字)
Everyone has their cross to bear. [谚语]每个人都有自己的痛苦去承担.
Everything is copasetic. [例句样本]一切满意. (注: copasetic 是非常令人满意)
evil-minded, be 邪恶的, 恶毒的.
Exactly! [惊叹语]正是如此! 正确!
exalt vs. exult [易混淆字或词组]exalt(动词)提升, 赞扬, 提高, 增强;
exult(动词)欢天喜地.
Exception proves the rule. [谚语]例外是检验这个规定最好的办法.
Excuse my French. [例句样本]对不起, 请你原谅我的脏话. (注: 用于在说脏
话之前或之后的抱歉语; 在此 French 并不是法语而是
脏话)
expand on that, to [敦促语]你解释或详述这件事. (注: expand on 是解释或
详述之意)
30
32. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
expense is no object, the 钱不是问题, 不在乎花费多少. (注: 意指务必要达成目
的或完成任务才是最重要的)
explain oneself, to 澄清自己; 解释或说明自己所做的事.
extenuating circumstances, an 情有可原的状况, 不能控制的状况, 有苦衷的状况.
Eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. [谚语]以眼还眼, 以牙还牙报复; 以其人之道, 还治其人
之身.
eye-opener, an 惊人, 大开眼界的事件; 刺激精神的提神酒.
face like thunder, a 怒气冲天, 怒形于色.
face up to, to 面对或接受一个不愉快或艰难的状况.
fact is fact, a 事实就是事实, 实话实说.
faggot, a [不尊重语]同性恋者.
Failure is no option. [例句样本]不准失败; 失败不是一个选择.
fair dinkum, be [澳洲俚语]真实, 诚实.
fair to say, be 合理地说. (注: 经常用于问人: 是不是合理的推论)
Faith will move mountains. [谚语]信心足以移山.
fall apart at the seams, to 从连接处爆裂; 情绪失控; 无法应付或处理.
fall for someone hook, line and 陷入对某人的热恋; 信而不疑地上了某人的大当.
sinker, to
fall guy, a 替死鬼, 顶罪的人.
fall into disgrace, to 身败名裂.
fall off the turnip truck, to 刚出道, 没经验, 容易上当. (注: 经常以否定语气说: 我
不是刚出道, 没经验, 容易上当)
fall on one's sword, to 自杀; 被迫辞职; 牺牲自己, 为个人或团体的行为负责.
fall over oneself, to 表现急切的热忱.
fall short of ..., to 不足够..., 未到达...(适量).
fallen hero, to 捐躯的英雄, 殒逝的英雄.
Familiarity breeds contempt. [谚语]与人交往过密会产生随便言行. (注: 意指交往过
密会忘了尊重别人隐私权)
fan the wild fire, to 煽动, 挑动, 煽风点火.
far and away the greatest, be 毫无比拟地最伟大的.
far from it 才不, 一点不, 恰恰相反.
faraway look, a 心不在焉, 恍惚的神情. (注: 意指没有留心听别人说话)
fast as anything, be (as) 非常快.
fast-forward to the future, to 快速地推进到以后某一时间点.
fat city, a [俚语]一个繁荣富裕的城市.
31
33. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
fathom out, to 想出, 明白, 测量出, 计算出.
feast or famine 要不就太多, 要不就太少. (注: 经常被商人所用来抱怨
要不生意太忙, 要不生意太清淡)
fed to the gills, be 厌恶, 忍无可忍, 受够了.
feed someone to the lions, to 将某人推入火坑而置身事外.
feeding frenzy, a 动物抢食疯狂; 对某热门新闻追逐的疯狂活动.
feel cheap, to 感觉羞愧, 尴尬不堪.
feel hard done-to, to [英国]感觉你被不公平对待.
feel like a real sucker, to 感到被人愚弄.
feel one's ears burning, to 耳朵发热因为别人正在论议他.
feel the financial pinch, to 感觉到财务的紧缩或压力; 手头拮据.
feeling bad vs. feeling badly [易混淆字或词组]feeling bad 难过, 不舒服, 沮丧之意;
feeling badly 有困难去感觉; 所以根本没人会用 feeling
badly, 因为几乎所有人说 feeling bad 是指难过, 不舒服,
沮丧.
fell off a truck, it (要卖的货品)可能是赃物或来源可疑.
fence-sitter, a 采取中立观望态度者; 优柔寡断的人.
fetch and carry, to 做跑腿, 枯燥, 没尊严的工作.
fickle finger of fate, the 人生际遇变幻无常.
fifth column, a 第五纵队. (注: 战时在敌人后方从事间谍, 破坏工作的
奸细)
fight like hell, to 拼命地搏斗.
fight tooth and nail, to 激烈打斗, 拼全力搏斗.
figure something out, to 把某事想通; 想出问题解决办法; 将某事或技俩看穿.
fill someone's shoes, to 接任某人的职务或工作; 承传祖业.
financial black hole, a 财务上黑洞, 填不满的财政漏洞.
find fault with ..., to 挑剔...错误, 失误; 批评...
find one's tongue, to (因紧张或惊吓而)恢复镇静, 回神后才开口说话.
find something appalling, to 发现, 碰到某事令人震惊, 可怕.
fine print, the (合约或其它文件中)以小字印刷的限制或不利条件.
finger the suspect, to 指认嫌犯.
Finish what you started. [例句样本]有始有终. (注: 意指敦促某人把开始做的事
情做完)
fire in the belly, the 一股热忱与决心. (注: 意指热情地, 积极地为自己的信
念而战斗)
32
34. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
fire-engine red, a 鲜红色.
first come, first served 先来先服务.
first thing in the morning, the 明早第一件要做的事.
fish and company stink after three 作客太久令人讨厌. (注: 客人跟鱼一样待久会令主人生
days 厌)
fish-and-chips, the [英国餐厅用语]炸鱼片和炸薯条.
fit like a glove, be (as) 非常合适, 合身.
five by five 情况良好; 一切顺利; 矮胖; [无线电术语]听的很清楚.
fix up a meal, to 烹调食物, 做饭.
flag a cab, to 招呼一部出租车或出租车. (注: cab 是 taxicab 的缩写,
就是出租车或出租车)
flammable material, a 易燃物品.
flash point, a 可燃点; 爆发点; 一触即发的地点或情况.
flat on one's back, be 生病躺在床上的; 在困难无援状态的.
flat-out lie, a 彻底的谎言.
fleeting glance, a 飞快一瞥.
fling dirt at, to 抹黑, 诬赖或诋毁.
flip someone the bird, to [粗俗的动作]对某人伸出中指以示你的愤怒.
floating voter, a 游移选民, 无党派选民.
flunky, a [不尊重语]奴仆, 下人, 马屁精.
fly into a passion, to 勃然大怒, 突然大发雷霆.
fly the coop, to 仓促逃离.
foam at the mouth, be 暴怒得口沫横飞; 激动莫名.
follow it to the letter, to 一字不改或完整精确地遵照办理.
food for thought, a 值得思考的建议或议题.
foolish to think otherwise, would be 如果不是这样想应该是愚蠢的. (注: would 在此等于
should)
footloose and fancy-free, be 自由自在的, 没有感情拘束的.
for a start 首先, 第一个.
for all practical purposes 事实上, 实质上.
for certain 毫无疑问地, 确定地.
for fun 开玩笑地, 闹着玩地.
For heaven's sake! [惊叹语]天啊! 表达惊讶, 不耐, 愤怒或其它情绪的惊叹
语.
for lack of better word 一时找不到最适当的话. (注: 意指临时找个最接近事实
33
35. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
的描述语因为找不到最正确的话)
for one's money 依照自己的意见或喜好.
For real? [例句样本]是真的吗?
for sale vs. on sale [易混淆字或词组]for sale 是你要卖出货品, 但你将价钱
降低出售就是 on sale.
for some reason 由于某一原因.
for that matter 对于那件事, 有关那件事.
for the good causes 为了善举, 为了义举.
for the present 此时刻, 暂时地.
for two cents 毫不犹豫地(做某事). (注: 假如你说 for two cents 你要做
某事, 你毫不犹豫会做这件事)
force to reckon with, a 一股不可小觑的势力.
Forget it. [例句样本]算了, 别再提了; 到此为止.
fork over, to 付款; 捐献; 交出.
foul one's own nest, to 伤害自己利益; 诋毁自家人, 家丑外扬.
fox guarding the henhouse, the 引狼入室, 请监守自盗的人. (注: 要狐狸守鸡舍无异于
引狼入室. 意指引火上身, 识人不明, 敌我不分)
freak out, to (因吸食毒品)产生幻觉, 梦魇, 不理性行为或放纵的行
为; 表现惊吓, 痛苦, 焦虑.
free lunch, a 平白无故的好处, 免费的午餐, 免费的东西.
freeloader, a 吃白食的人, 白占便宜的人.
friend in name only, a 有名无实的朋友.
from a cultural perspective 从一个文化的方面看.
from hand to mouth 勉强糊口; 生活于基本的条件下; 生存于不稳定的环境
下.
from square one 从头开始, 从第一步做起.
from the outset 从一开始, 从第一天起.
from top to toe 全身地.
frosty Friday, a 不会来的一天.
full as a tick, be (as) 酒足饭饱的.
full of bull, be [不雅语]满嘴胡说八道.
full of piss and vinegar, be 充满活力.
full speed ahead 一鼓作气, 高速前进.
full-fledged 发展成熟的; 全部的, 全面的; 羽翼丰满的; 完全资格的.
funnily enough 说起来也奇怪. (注: 意指某事看似令人不解, 其实它确
34
36. Roy Liu * Practical English Idioms
实发生)
fuss and feathers 金玉其外, 虚有其表, 装腔做势.
future plan vs. plan [易混淆字或词组]我们先要弄清楚计划 plan 真正意义,
也就是计划有关未来之事; 换句话说, 没有人计划过去
之事, 所以 a future plan 的 future 是多余的, a plan 就足
够了.
gain a foothold, to 取得立足点或根据地.
gain the upper hand, to 占上风, 占优势.
gang up against, to 围攻, 以多欺少.
gas up, to (车辆)加满汽油.
gear up, to 整装待发, 做好工作准备; 加速.
gender gap, the 两性差别. (注: 意指有关于两性之间的地位, 态度, 健康
或投票倾向等差距)
generate more heat than light, to 激烈讨论不能让别人得到答案反而使大家气愤.
Generation X, the X 世代. (注: 意指一九六零年代与一九七零年代出生的
世代)
Generation Y, the Y 世代. (注: 意指一九八零年代与一九九零年代出生的
世代)
get ... across, to 把...解释清楚使人了解, 使人接受.
get a bead on, to 仔细瞄准, 看准一个目标或计划.
get a dirty look, to 被某人嫌恶, 见到某人对你皱眉或怒容.
get a grip on yourself, to 控制你自己的情绪.
Get a life. [例句样本](不尊重语)你该换个生活方式. (注: 意指劝人
别虚耗生命; 指责某人令人生厌; 劝人少去管别人闲事;
自以为比别人日子过得充实)
get a raw deal, to 受到不公平, 残酷的待遇.
get after, to 敦促, 责备, 攻击.
get an in with, to 趋炎附势, 取得对权势者的影响力.
Get at it! [命令语]去做吧! 开工! 开始吧!
get back at ..., to 找...算帐, 报仇.
get behind an idea, to 支持某个主意.
get by, to 以最小的努力完成任务; 勉强过日子, 糊口; 侥幸逃过不
被发现, 批评或处分.
get cold feet, to 对事瞻前顾后, 裹足不前, 畏首畏尾.
get down to brass tacks, to 严肃地谈论主要的细节; 直言无隐地谈及问题核心.
get embroiled, to 被卷入(冲突或困难).
35