英文慣用語30句第四集(English Idioms Episode 4) PART I
01. walk on air：非常高興，雀躍三尺。
慣用語往往短小精悍，富於哲理，具有較高的概括性和表達性，眾多學者、語言學家和文字工作者對其推崇備至。慣用語無處不在，其形式和意義的約定俗成和文字的風趣幽默大大增強了語言的生命力和表現力。
─摘自《英漢成語異同比較》作者肖芬(Xiao Fen)老師，中國，中南財經政法大學外語學院副教授。
如有錯誤請告知：freak07291955@gmail.com
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Content of English Idioms Episode VI(15 Items)
01. A flea in one’s ear.尖刻的斥責。
Put a
bug in one’s ear.事先警告。
02. A shot in the arm.
03. A skeleton in the one’s closet.
04. Beauty is only skin deep.
05. Bend one’s elbow.喝醉酒
06. Bone of
contention.爭論不休、爭議的焦點
Have
a bone to pick
with someone.
Make no bones about something.直言不諱
Bone up on something.臨陣磨槍
07. Break one’s back.
08. Cost an arm and a leg.所費不貲
09. Have an axe to grind. 對事不滿而耿耿於懷
10. Paint someone into a corner.使自己或某人陷入困境
11. Take a backseat.保持低姿態
12. To air one’s dirty laundry/linen
in public.家醜外揚
13. To go into orbit.勃然大怒
14. To let someone off the hook.擺脫困境
15. Walk on air＝On the top of the world＝On cloud nine極其高興
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01. walk on air：非常高興，雀躍三尺。
＝very
happy and joyful.
與 on the top of the world 或 on cloud nine 的意義相近。
1. After graduation many students are walking on air.
畢業後許多學生興高采烈。
2. As soon as he learns of his promotion, he walks on air.
他一知道升級，就雀躍三尺。
3. After her first date with Bob, she seemed to walk on air.
她與Bob第一次約會後，高興極了。
02. Bone of contention：爭論不休
1. After graduation many students are walking on air.
畢業後許多學生興高采烈。
2. As soon as he learns of his promotion, he walks on air.
他一知道升級，就雀躍三尺。
3. After her first date with Bob, she seemed to walk on air.
她與Bob第一次約會後，高興極了。
02. Bone of contention：爭論不休
Contention意思是鬥爭或者爭論。兩條狗為了爭奪一根骨頭,而打得不可開交的場面，這也許就是bone of contention這個習慣用語的典故。一根骨頭固然微不足道,但有時為了一根骨頭卻會掀起軒然大波,造成嚴重後果。下面這個例子，讓我們體會一下bone of contention含義是什麼。
1. Who got to use the family car was a bone of
contention between Joe and
Betty from the day they got back from their honeymoon. In fact it's one of the
reasons for their divorce.
原來Joe和Betty從蜜月回來的當天起就為了誰可以用家裏那輛車爭論不休。實際上,這也是他倆日後離婚的原因之一。
2. The length of the project was a
major bone of contention during the
talks between the city and the developer.
3. The border has always been a bone of contention between these two countries. 這兩國之間的邊界問題歷來是爭議的焦點.
圖1. a bone of contention爭論的原因；爭議的焦點。
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有關Bone之慣用語：
(1). a bone of contention爭論的原因；爭議的焦點。
(2). have a bone to pick with someone要跟你算帳
Have a bone to pick with you (要跟你算帳; 找你講個明白; 對你有意見)
意思是與人商討事情，多持相反意見或辯論
（to
discuss something, mostly with different opinions or argument）。
這個俚語來自十九世紀，是指兩個人為了某事而爭論，好像兩隻狗在爭吃一根骨頭（bone）一樣。如果有人 has a bone to pick with you，也許就意味著與你有爭辯或有不同看法。 One of my staff had a bone to pick with me concerning my policy. 我的一位部屬，對我的政策提不同意見。 When someone has a bone to pick with you, what will you do? 假如有人與你爭辯，你會怎樣呢？
(3). make no bones about something直言不諱
make no bones about something
意思是誠懇或直接地說出來（say something directly and precisely; to be honest or say what you want to say）直言不諱，毫不猶豫。 這句話的由來，有人說是因為如果湯裡面沒有骨頭（bone），喝湯時就可以馬上喝下，不必擔心哽住（choking）。如果說話能像喝湯一樣，也就不必顧慮，可以直截了當地說出來。 The boss makes no bones about the policy that all employees must be punctual. 老闆實話實說，所有員工必須遵守時間。 The father has made no bones about his daughter's coming home no later than midnight. 父親直截了當規定女兒回家不能超過半夜。 She is beautiful; no bones about it. 她真是很漂亮。（＝without a doubt） (4). bone up on something臨陣磨槍，臨時抱佛腳 My boss asked me to take a test, so I’m just boning up on some things I need to know.
我老闆叫我考一個試，所以我正在惡補一些必要知識。
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03. a flea in one's ear刺耳的話；尖刻的斥責。
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The idea about changing the
schedules is a flea in the
supervisor's ear that we wish he would forget.
Don't blame me if you come back
with a flea in your ear!
你要是碰了釘子回來可別怪我。
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各種與昆蟲相關的英文片語用法及來源：
1. to have butterflies in one’s
stomach 非常緊張
人在緊張的時候，使得胃裡有種翻騰的感覺。而這種不舒服的感覺就像蝴蝶在胃裡拍打翅膀一樣。
2. to have a bee in one’s bonnet 胡思亂想
bonnet無邊女帽,童帽,煙囪帽,閥帽
指某人頭腦中難以擺脫的念頭，而且通常是縈繞不去的怪念頭。
My brother have a bee in his bonnet about modern art.
我弟弟對現代藝術有一套奇怪固執的念頭。
He has a bee in his bonnet about health
foods.
他對於保健食品有他自己的一套奇怪的看法。
In a lilac sun bonnet she was it. 她戴著一頂紫色遮陽帽，漂亮極了。
He has a bee in his bonnet about the
anniversary celebration.
他對於周年慶典有一套古怪的想法。
3. to have ants in one’s pants 坐立難安
從字面上就可想像，螞蟻爬進褲子裡所造成的感受。
4. to put a bug in one’s ear 給人暗示或警告
蟲子在耳邊叫，就像有人在耳邊說話提醒一樣。
5. to be a fly on the wheel 妄自尊大；不自量力
源自於伊索寓言，故事中提到一隻蒼蠅停在馬車輪上，吹噓是自己的力量讓馬車的輪子轉動，所以引申為妄自尊大。
6. to be bitten by a … bug 對……感興趣
突然熱衷於某件事情，也就是對……感到有興趣的意思。
7. to make a beeline for 直奔……；趨之若鶩
源自於蜜蜂的行為。當蜜蜂找到花蜜後，就會回到蜂窩用一種舞姿來告訴同伴食物的地點位置，而讓其他蜜蜂能夠直接飛到花蜜的地點，此為本慣用語的語意。
8. the bee’s knees 了不起的人或事
Her new roadster is simply the bee’s knees.
9. as
busy as a bee 非常忙碌
I was as busy
as a bee all weekend.
10. as merry as a cricket 開心的
I felt as merry
as a cricket as I waited for my friend to arrive at the airport.
11. bug-eyed 目瞪口呆，訝異
The little boy was bug-eyed when he got a new bicycle for his birthday.
12. a flea in (someone’s) ear 刺耳的話；譏諷
I put a flea in
our supervisor’s ear when I told him about the computer problems.
13. (as) snug as a bug in a rug 非常舒適
14. a social butterfly 交際花
15. fly in the ointment 令人掃興的事或人；美中不足之處
We were having a picnic,
when suddenly there came a downpour, which was rather a fly
in the ointment.
當我們正在舉行野餐的時候， 忽然大雨傾盆，未免大煞風景。
He got a job with high
salaries and little responsibility, but a fly in the ointment was that the location was
far.
他拿到一個錢多事少的工作，美中不足的是，工作地點很遠。
16. knee-high to a grasshopper 兒時
I've known him since he was knee-high
to a grasshopper.
他很小的時候我就認識他了。
17. like a moth to a flame 飛蛾撲火
She's
attracted to him like a moth to a flame.
如飛蛾撲火般，她喜歡上他。
And you were like a moth to that flame. 你像是撲火的飛蛾。
圖2. like
a moth to a flame 飛蛾撲火
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04. cost an arm and a leg太貴或不值得，所費不資（very
expensive or not worth the cost）。
1. My wife bought a mink coat that cost an arm and a leg.
內人買了一件昂貴的貂皮大衣，似乎不值得。
2. He regretted that he bought a computer that cost an arm and a leg.
他買了一部很貴的電腦覺得不值得而後悔。
1. My wife bought a mink coat that cost an arm and a leg.
內人買了一件昂貴的貂皮大衣，似乎不值得。
2. He regretted that he bought a computer that cost an arm and a leg.
他買了一部很貴的電腦覺得不值得而後悔。
3. The house has cost them an arm
and a leg, so they are short of money now. 買房子花了他不少錢, 手裡自然有些緊。
4. That new
guitar costs him an arm
and a leg.那把新吉他花了他不少錢。
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05. have an ax to grind
意思是別有用心、為自己打算或對事不滿而耿耿於懷，為自己利益去佔他人便宜。（being selfish; try to gain benefits from others or get mad for something）或想報復某人。（to get back at someone） 1. He has an ax to grind toward his boss because he did not get a pay raise. ax 也可拼成 axe。 他對老闆很不滿，因為他沒有得到加薪。 2. It is not a good idea to have an ax to grind against others. 對他人別有用心是不好的念頭。 如果你對人誠懇，不占別人便宜，就可以說：I have no ax to grind. 或 I don't have an ax to grind. 06. a skeleton in the/one'scupboard/closet |
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不可告人的秘密；不可外揚的家醜或醜事。
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If you want
to be a successful politician, you can't afford to have too many skeletons in your cupboard.
如果你想成為成功的政治人物，你就不能有太多不可告人的秘密
I learned last night that Mr. Smith's youngest son has been three times sent to prison. I wonder how many other skeletons he's got in his closet.昨晚我聽說史密斯先生最小的兒子曾三度入獄。我不知道他家還有哪些不可外揚的醜事。
SOMERSET: In this city, if all the skeletons came out of all the
closets... if ever hidden bodies were to suddenly rise again, there'd be
no more room for the living.
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美國多用Closet英國多用Cupboard
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07. bend one's/the elbow
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喝酒；縱飲 (喝酒過量)。狂飲(常指喝啤酒)，縱酒，也可指一般地喝酒＝to drink alcohol.
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Henry came to work late today; he must have
been bending his elbow last night.
(亨利今天上班遲到；他昨晚一定喝酒了)
Jack's bending the elbow with his friends all afternoon.
(傑克和他的朋友整個下午都在喝酒)
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Sharp’s
be bending the elbow with his mates all afternoon.
夏普與他的同事們整個下午都在喝啤酒。
He’s
too fond of bending his elbow.他沉溺於無節制地飲酒。
We’ll
tip the elbow over at my place.去我那兒喝酒吧。
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08. beauty is only skin deep
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美貌只是外表；不可以貌取人。
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1. Teresa may not be pretty but you know beauty's only
skin deep.
(泰瑞莎可能不漂亮，但你知道，美貌只是外表)
2. Beauty is only skin deep. What matters is a person's character, rather than his/her appearance.
別以貌取人。要緊的是一個人的品格，而非他或她的外表。
3. Joe likes to
brag about all the friends he has. But to tell the truth, his friendships are
only skin-deep -- the only person
he really cares about deep down in his heart is himself.
Joe 老是喜歡吹噓他有好多朋友。但是，說實話，他和這些朋友的友情都很膚淺。他心目里真正關心的一個人就是他自己。
4. Sure, Mrs. Brown is the best-looking woman in town. But you
know what they say: beauty is only
skin-deep. Underneath, she's about as mean and stingy as anybody can be.
當然羅，Brown太太是當地最漂亮的一個女人。但是，你知道大家都在說：美貌只是表面現象。實際上，她比誰都刻薄和小氣。
that really gets under one's skin作為俗語就是實在令人感到討厭，實際上和皮膚沒有任何關系，而用在描寫情緒。
5. Most of the kids in my fifth period English class are
great, but Billy Brown really gets
under my skin. He never stops talking, he teases the girls until they
cry, and he never turns in his homework on time.
在我第五節英語課裡的大多數學生都非常好。但是，Billy Brown真讓我討厭。他說話說個沒完。他還老是逗那些女孩，直把她們逗哭了為止。而且他從來也不準時交作業。
美國人常用 that
really gets under one's skin這個說法來形容討厭和煩燥的情緒。
6. Jack is a nice guy but he has one habit that really gets under my skin he
sits there all day and cracks his knuckles. You know, I think he doesn't even
realize he's doing it.
Jack是一個很好的人。但是，他有一個習慣實在令我感到討厭。那就是，他成天坐在那裡把自己的手關節按得嘎嘎的響。 我想他自己恐怕都沒有意識到他在做什麼。
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圖3. beauty is only skin deep.這句話是不對的，
一個人的容貌主要是由臉部之肌肉及骨骼所決定，所以beauty is not
only skin deep.。
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09. a shot in the arm興奮劑；強心針。
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The latest opinion polls were a shot in the arm for the lawyer's
campaign to become elected.
During
the business recession in 2001 the Federal Reserve Board lowered the basic
interest rate almost every month or so to make it easier to borrow money and
thus give the economy a needed shot in the arm.
他說：在2001年工商業衰退期間，聯邦儲備委員會差不多每個月都降低一次基本利率，以便於借款，以此促使經濟復甦。 |
10. to let (someone) off the hook：意思是擺脫困境或脫手(let
someone get out of difficulty)，或是減少壓力(to ease the pressure)。
If someone is off the
hook, they have avoided punishment or criticism for something they have
done.
This program will let some people off the hook on penalty payments.
This program will let some people off the hook on penalty payments.
這個計畫對某些人可以減低罰款的壓力也就是 they won't have to pay penalty
It would be a good idea for employers to let their employees off the hook sometimes.有時老闆讓員工輕鬆一下，也是一個好主意。
The new president has let his predecessor off the hook concerning the sex scandal.新總統讓前任總統解脫緋聞案的困境
The committee will let the CEO off the hook if he resigns his post.
It would be a good idea for employers to let their employees off the hook sometimes.有時老闆讓員工輕鬆一下，也是一個好主意。
The new president has let his predecessor off the hook concerning the sex scandal.新總統讓前任總統解脫緋聞案的困境
The committee will let the CEO off the hook if he resigns his post.
假如執行長辭職的話，委員會就會讓他擺脫困境。
但“He is on the hook for the business failure.”則是指他為生意失敗而負責。(on the hook = be responsible)
但“He is on the hook for the business failure.”則是指他為生意失敗而負責。(on the hook = be responsible)
Thanks for getting me off the hook. I didn't want to attend that meeting.
I couldn't get myself off the hook no matter what I tried.
Even though I
didn't do my homework, my teacher let me
off the hook because I was sick the day before.
老師因為體諒到我是因為生病而沒做作業，所以決定不追究我。
It was supposed to be Johnny's turn
to set the dinner table, but he had a friend over so he was let off the hook.
+off+the+hook%EF%BC%9A%E6%84%8F%E6%80%9D%E6%98%AF%E6%93%BA%E8%84%AB%E5%9B%B0%E5%A2%83%E6%88%96%E8%84%AB%E6%89%8B%EF%BC%8C%E6%88%96%E6%98%AF%E6%B8%9B%E5%B0%91%E5%A3%93%E5%8A%9B%E3%80%82.jpg)
圖4.
to let (someone) off the hook：
意思是擺脫困境或脫手，或是減少壓力。
11. break one's back意思是壓力很大（a lot of
pressure or very stressful）。
As the work almost breaks his back, he has to get another job.
由於工作壓力太大，他必須另找其他職業。
Last year her boss broke her back with a big challenge.
去年她老闆給她大挑戰而帶來很大壓力。
Mr. Chen broke his back working on his M.S. thesis.
陳先生為他碩士論文承受很大壓力。
M.S.＝ master of science; thesis 一般指碩士論文；博士論文多用 dissertation。
但broke his back也可以表示真正的背部受傷（physically damage one's back）：
The old fellow lifted a heavy box and accidentally broke his back.
老傢伙搬起重的箱子而傷了背部。
12. take a backseat次要的位子或保持低姿態（take second place or keep a low profile）。
這句話是由汽車後座而來，因為在 driver's seat 就能控制汽車行駛，而在 backseat 就是次要位子。（依一般老外習慣，高階層的人是坐在汽車前座，表示尊重，而在中國社會卻往往相反）。
Mr. Ku likes to take a backseat when it comes to a controversial issue.
顧先生對爭論性問題喜歡保持低姿態。
As far as computer knowledge is concerned, I take a backseat to my son.
談到電腦知識，我是遠不如我的兒子。
take a backseat這句俚語與 play second fiddle 意義相同：
Some people do not want to play second fiddle.
有些人不願充當副手或不願屈居人下。（fiddle是一種小提琴）。
13. paint someone（或 oneself）into a corner
意思是使自己或某人陷入困境to trap oneself or someone; to be in trouble。
Don't try to paint yourself into a corner.
不可把自己陷入困境。
After a heated debate with his boss, Mr. Chen has painted himself into a corner.
經過與老闆激烈的辯論後，陳 先生把自己陷入困境。
A: Why would you debate with your boss? You just painted yourself into a corner.
B: I just want to prove that my idea is right.
A:為什麼你要跟你的老闆辯論呢？你只會讓自己陷入困境而已。
B:我只是想要證明我的想法是正確的。
To keep you from painting yourself into that color correction corner!
As the work almost breaks his back, he has to get another job.
由於工作壓力太大，他必須另找其他職業。
Last year her boss broke her back with a big challenge.
去年她老闆給她大挑戰而帶來很大壓力。
Mr. Chen broke his back working on his M.S. thesis.
陳先生為他碩士論文承受很大壓力。
M.S.＝ master of science; thesis 一般指碩士論文；博士論文多用 dissertation。
但broke his back也可以表示真正的背部受傷（physically damage one's back）：
The old fellow lifted a heavy box and accidentally broke his back.
老傢伙搬起重的箱子而傷了背部。
12. take a backseat次要的位子或保持低姿態（take second place or keep a low profile）。
這句話是由汽車後座而來，因為在 driver's seat 就能控制汽車行駛，而在 backseat 就是次要位子。（依一般老外習慣，高階層的人是坐在汽車前座，表示尊重，而在中國社會卻往往相反）。
Mr. Ku likes to take a backseat when it comes to a controversial issue.
顧先生對爭論性問題喜歡保持低姿態。
As far as computer knowledge is concerned, I take a backseat to my son.
談到電腦知識，我是遠不如我的兒子。
take a backseat這句俚語與 play second fiddle 意義相同：
Some people do not want to play second fiddle.
有些人不願充當副手或不願屈居人下。（fiddle是一種小提琴）。
13. paint someone（或 oneself）into a corner
意思是使自己或某人陷入困境to trap oneself or someone; to be in trouble。
Don't try to paint yourself into a corner.
不可把自己陷入困境。
After a heated debate with his boss, Mr. Chen has painted himself into a corner.
經過與老闆激烈的辯論後，
A: Why would you debate with your boss? You just painted yourself into a corner.
B: I just want to prove that my idea is right.
A:為什麼你要跟你的老闆辯論呢？你只會讓自己陷入困境而已。
B:我只是想要證明我的想法是正確的。
To keep you from painting yourself into that color correction corner!
圖5. paint someone（或 oneself）into
a corner.
14. to air (one's )dirty laundry(或linen) in public：
14. to air (one's )dirty laundry(或linen) in public：
意思是公開了自己家裡的秘密或醜事，也就是家醜外揚。
to reveal one's family secret (linen 是指內衣褲)
People do not want to air their dirty laundry in public.
People do not want to air their dirty laundry in public.
人們不願在大眾面前宣揚家醜。
Politicians usually hate to air their dirty linen to the media.
Politicians usually hate to air their dirty linen to the media.
政治人物通常不願對媒體吐出醜事。
My downstairs neighbors fight a lot and air their dirty
laundry
in public.
我樓下的鄰居打得很兇 ，還把他們家的醜事大聲嚷嚷。
I' never seen a company washing dirty linen in public this way.
我從未見過一個公司這樣揭自己的短。
I won't air your dirty linen in
public.
我不會輕易揭漏別人的短處。
As usual, they did not care to wash dirty linen in public.
一如往常，他們對抖漏家醜並不在意。
Nobody wants to wash their dirty linen in public.
沒人想在公共場合談論私事。
15. to go into orbit：意思是勃然大怒，暴跳如雷或是無法自我控制。
1．become
very happy or successful進入常軌；獲勝；順利；高興 Our team has gone into orbit．我們的隊已經很上軌道了。
2．lose
one's temper or control completely；become
very angry暴跳如雷
He was
afraid his father would go into orbit when
he found out about his failure in the examination again．
他擔心父親發現他考試又不及格會暴跳如雷。
When Mr. A learned of his wife's
affair, he went into orbit.
當A先生得知太太與人有染時，他十分生氣。
Her husband went into orbit over his wife's infidelity.
She has gone into orbit because she just found out her husband is running around(with another woman).她發現老公有外遇時，就暴跳如雷。
通常“running around”多指男女間的胡搞，所以後面的“with another man或woman”都可省略
Her husband went into orbit over his wife's infidelity.
She has gone into orbit because she just found out her husband is running around(with another woman).她發現老公有外遇時，就暴跳如雷。
通常“running around”多指男女間的胡搞，所以後面的“with another man或woman”都可省略
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